Yeah, I know there is a random baseball thread, but it doesn't have this title...
8 of those caught are in AAA Tacoma, aka future Mariner's, lol...
Marlins over Braves
Yankees over Boston
Marlins over Mets
Here's the girl Sasaki left a $9-million contract for, oh yeah and his marriage...
Yankees are sucking it up so bad the Boss is complaining :lol:
Hurray! Another year of the Blue Jays sucking.
Here's the girl Sasaki left a $9-million contract for, oh yeah and his marriage... :lol:
Hmm....as long as the Yanks got A-Rod :shock: now they pulled ahead of the Red Sox.
The Yankees were swept by the worst team in baseball, falling 5-2 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night for their first five-game losing streak in more than two years.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- After being thoroughly outplayed by the undermanned Minnesota Twins in their sixth straight defeat, it's clear that everything is going wrong for the New York Yankees.
If George Steinbrenner was upset before, he's really going to be angry now.
How about Ranger fan (Thimas): what do you think of Roger Clemens possibly joining the staff?
Shit. You knew when they beat up on Oakland, Seattle, and Detroit it was too good to be true. The Red Sox brought em back to earth and BBBLL-aAWOOWW!!
How about Ranger fan (Thimas): what do you think of Roger Clemens possibly joining the staff?
Seattle's actually winning for once...I guess it's nothing to be excited about since it was against the Devil Rays.
How about H-h-h-hee seop choi with 3 HOMERS in one game??? 6 total over the weekend??? :shock:
^ HOLY FUCK! That was a decent game tonite...Giambi was the hero! Who'd thunk. Mets bullpen just broke down when The Unit was just struggling with his control
How long was the suspension that Rogers got from MLB? One news report I saw said 20 days, another one said 20 GAMES!
praise their asses
Should i make a praise your fave athlete or soemthing?
American League All-Star Voting
July 3, 2005
Final balloting for the 76th All-Star Game, which will
be played July 12 at Comerica Park in Detroit:
Catcher
-------
1. Jason Varitek, Boston 2,939,648
2. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit 1,841,385
3. Jorge Posada, NY Yankees 1,133,111
4. Javy Lopez, Baltimore 681,774
5. A.J. Pierzynski, Chi White Sox 615,942
First Base
----------
1. Mark Teixeira, Texas 2,187,115
2. Tino Martinez, NY Yankees 1,526,216
3. Kevin Millar, Boston 1,191,188
4. Paul Konerko, Chi White Sox 1,104,968
5. Richie Sexson, Seattle 678,975
Second Base
-----------
1. Brian Roberts, Baltimore 2,629,521
2. Alfonso Soriano, Texas 2,434,840
3. Mark Bellhorn, Boston 1,035,293
4. Tony Womack, NY Yankees 658,420
5. Tadahito Iguchi, Chi White Sox 634,581
Shortstop
---------
1. Miguel Tejada, Baltimore 3,224,908
2. Derek Jeter, NY Yankees 2,012,448
3. Edgar Renteria, Boston 1,485,964
4. Carlos Guillen, Detroit 546,584
5. Michael Young, Texas 497,704
Third Base
----------
1. Alex Rodriguez, NY Yankees 3,553,235
2. Bill Mueller, Boston 1,295,233
3. Melvin Mora, Baltimore 970,967
4. Hank Blalock, Texas 719,992
5. Adrian Beltre, Seattle 587,746
Outfield
--------
1. Manny Ramirez, Boston 3,117,157
2. Vladimir Guerrero, Anaheim 3,006,512
3. Johnny Damon, Boston 2,800,610
4. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle 2,743,784
5. Gary Sheffield, NY Yankees 1,737,779
6. Hideki Matsui, NY Yankees 1,475,969
7. Torii Hunter, Minnesota 1,185,290
8. Trot Nixon, Boston 1,134,892
9. Sammy Sosa, Baltimore 1,072,110
10. Scott Podsednik, Chi White Sox 946,704
11. Garret Anderson, Anaheim 841,940
12. Bernie Williams, NY Yankees 750,512
13. Steve Finley, Anaheim 545,169
14. Jermaine Dye, Chi White Sox 447,784
15. Richard Hidalgo, Texas 415,103
Designated Hitter
-----------------
1. David Ortiz, Boston 4,138,141
2. Rafael Palmeiro, Baltimore 1,081,805
3. Jason Giambi, NY Yankees 794,315
4. Frank Thomas, Chi White Sox 675,189
5. Dmitri Young, Detroit 545,456
National League All-Star Voting
July 3, 2005
Final balloting for the 76th All-Star Game, which will
be played July 12 at Comerica Park in Detroit:
Catcher
-------
1. Mike Piazza, NY Mets 1,966,074
2. Michael Barrett, Chicago 1,659,800
3. Yadier Molina, St. Louis 1,659,577
4. Paul Lo Duca, Florida 1,387,021
5. Ramon Hernandez, San Diego 1,073,657
First Base
----------
1. Derrek Lee, Chi Cubs 3,560,316
2. Albert Pujols, St. Louis 3,455,017
3. Doug Mientkiewicz, NY Mets 567,964
4. Todd Helton, Colorado 521,689
5. Jim Thome, Philadelphia 518,653
Second Base
-----------
1. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles 2,253,271
2. Mark Grudzielanek, St. Louis 1,985,128
3. Todd Walker, Chi Cubs 1,376,827
4. Craig Biggio, Houston 1,058,419
5. Marucs Giles, Atlanta 836,468
Shortstop
---------
1. David Eckstein, St. Louis 2,231,246
2. Cesar Izturis, Los Angeles 1,659,010
3. Nomar Garciaparra, Chi Cubs 1,307,973
4. Clint Barmes, Colorado 910,211
5. Rafael Furcal, Atlanta 869,657
Third Base
----------
1. Scott Rolen, St. Louis 2,742,864
2. Aramis Ramirez, Chi Cubs 2,373,677
3. Troy Glaus, Arizona 1,142,358
4. Chipper Jones, Atlanta 1,033,415
5. David Wright, NY Mets 759,655
Outfield
--------
1. Jim Edmonds, St. Louis 2,826,306
2. Bobby Abreu, Philadelphia 2,532,742
3. Carlos Beltran, NY Mets 2,049,779
4. Miguel Cabrera, Florida 1,650,369
5. Larry Walker, St. Louis 1,617,578
6. Andruw Jones, Atlanta 1,576,418
7. Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati 1,489,768
8. Reggie Sanders, St. Louis 1,340,401
9. Jeromy Burnitz, Chi Cubs 1,195,019
10. Carlos Lee, Milwaukee 1,177,134
11. Corey Patterson, Chi Cubs 1,003,234
12. Pat Burrell, Philadelphia 955,677
13. Cliff Floyd, NY Mets 920,077
14. Milton Bradley, Los Angeles 871,440
15. J.D. Drew, Los Angeles 825,689
Kenny Roger gets a win for Texas and the fans cheer! :lol:
Quote from: Thimas XKenny Roger gets a win for Texas and the fans cheer! :lol:
ya dumb Ranger fans! :P
Tuesday is the all-star game...now that Matsui isn't in (along with Jeter WTF) I read that Ichiro will be in the Home Run derby repping Japan!
YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ICHIRO REPRESENT YO XD
its sad that those two are not in the allstar game though, they didn't play that bad at all
Those eight players will include Hee-Seop Choi of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was added Friday to complete the field, representing Korea. He joins Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu (Venezuela), Pittsburgh's Jason Bay (Canada), Atlanta's Andruw Jones (the Netherlands), Milwaukee's Carlos Lee (Panama), Boston's David Ortiz (Dominican Republic), Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) and Texas' Mark Teixeira (United States).
"I only have six home runs," the Mariners outfielder said before last night's game. "The players that enter the Home Run Derby have the good numbers to go in. I told them, 'If I had 20 homers I would enter.' I don't."
...now that Matsui isn't in (along with Jeter WTF)
Al Leiter is still alive?? And he beat the Red Sox!?
You're a sumo fan? I saw you post at Sumoforum.net.
Rogers lashed out at the cameramen as they filmed him walking to the field for pregame stretching. The episode led to Rodriguez being treated at a hospital after the camera was ripped from his hands and thrown to the ground.
Rogers has issues.
ROFL. And the Yanks got some other chump off waivers and played him instantly Friday.
Trade deadline is finally on Sunday 4 PM EST. Ya think ManRam is gonna get traded? He got benched tonite. He'd look great on the Mets even though they're going nowhere but I doubt he's moving.
What was that other trade? Phil Levin to Texas? For Chan Ho Park? Why the fuck would he accept Texas over Baltimore? Ah well, enjoy that Rangers fan.
Red Sox Got Jose Cruz Jr. for chumps.
ICHIRO BLASTS TWO HOMERS!! Damn, I gotta check out the hilites.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250730112&name=FPT-2120611-073124&srvc=sz
The Rangers traded Chan Ho Park.Are you sad?
How many Cy Youngs are given out each season?
And I NEED a clip of Mike Cameron getting his grill caved in!! Curiousity man.
This is kinda cool:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/13/elephant.pitch.ap/index.html
Which team do you think will sign her?
Quote from: AsmodaiThis is kinda cool:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/13/elephant.pitch.ap/index.html
Which team do you think will sign her?
Devil Rays would :lol:
Raffy sure wasn't clutch in his return to the lineup. One walk and three outs.
Now Baltimore hits the road. I wonder if people will go to the ballpark specifically to give him hell?
Great review! I heard that it's an incredible book ...yet somehow DePodesta just doesn't get it though :lol:
At least the Wild card is looking good - esp. the NL:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/standings?type=wild+card
Damn Yanks are like neck-and neck with Boston. What else is new. David Wells getting suspended was like ZZzzzzZZZZzz. Get that fat fuck off the TV.
wow... yankees must feel really stupid as far as i am concerned..
Signing Tony Womack to a multi-year, multi million-dollar deal was perhaps the most ridiculed transaction of the past off season.
and shiiittt. Bonds might as well surpass Babe Ruth this year LOL. THAT close to hitting a homer.
it would be so cool if you guys kept posting his HomeRuns with the pics and number
``They're a good bunch of guys,'' Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein said. ``It's hard to dislike them.''
(http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/STS14210200349.jpg)
Friends: FOX broadcasts of the World Series just FRIGGIN SUCKS as usual.
Didn't used to be. You've seen all those great calls by Vin Scully....
I'm sick to HELL of Buck and McCarver!
OK back to the game...
I have it on mute, and my radio tuned to ESPN's Jon Miller and Joe Morgan!!
Congratulations to the White Sox and the fans of Chicago:
(http://The White Sox just dominated in the postseason, particularly their pitching and defense. Yeah, they had some lucky calls but luck usually evens outs; it's never THE reason why championships are decided.[/quote]Totally. ChiSox kicked some major BBQ-grillin' whiskey-swillin', Dubya-lovin' ass!!![img]http://www.anatol.org/images/japan/japan2/images/imperial-palace-obasan-with-brooms-1.jpg)(http://www.jadecat.com/graphics/tubes/brooms-jlm.jpg)
Don't get it? SWEEP!!!
...thought u'd update the biggest bombshell of Theo Epstein resigning from Boston.
Yankee or not, A-Rod was the best player in the American League in 2005.
Seattle needs to trade Ichiro elsewhere...or bring in Ken Griffey!!!! that would be kick asss..
Quote from: Thimas XSeattle needs to trade Ichiro elsewhere...or bring in Ken Griffey!!!! that would be kick asss..
It would be MORE kickass if they kept Ichiro AND brought back Griffey!!! :D :D :D
Saburo where are you man ... I'm talking to myself. :lol:
Maan. I am still stunned by the whole Damon to Yankees. Cash Rules Everything Around Me indeed.
And Steinbrenner will make him cut his lettuce, must've been the money.
And Saburo, just because the big cities with the big wallets get most of the big-name players, remember that it's no guarantee that said players will work well together. If they all did, then the Yanks would/should have won all of the last 4-5 World Series.
Quote from: daigongAnd Steinbrenner will make him cut his lettuce, must've been the money.
(http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/NY11112230322.jpg)
WHOA. Guess who's back: Theo Epstein
Quote from: daigongWHOA. Guess who's back: Theo Epstein
In-FUCKING-credible (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=122801&format=text).
One of the reasons Brian Cashman reupped with the Yankees is because he was assured that he had final say on all GM decisions, instead of the consortium in Tampa favored by King George. Theo split cause he never had final say; the shadow of Larry Lucchino hovered over him like a black cloud. Seems like that structure has not been changed in the Boston front office.
Red Sox fans may be happy tonight but I remain skeptical. Things may still be a mess, especially if/when Manny Ramirez starts to act up again.
"Red Sox Get Coco Crisp"
That was my favorite cereal growing up.
GO WHITE SOX FOR WINNING THE WORLD SERIES
EVEN IM LATE OF SAYING THIS THOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2328640&type=story
Strange but true.
Sosa should beg for a tryout with the Colorado Rockies. If he wants to make it to 600 homers, it's going to take that kind of ballpark to do it.
Just wish Albert Belle would get his ass outta trouble though.
I heard Manny Ramirez speak english today for the first time ever! I thought he couldn't speak english!!!! I was crazy surprised.
Quote from: Thimas XI heard Manny Ramirez speak english today for the first time ever! I thought he couldn't speak english!!!! I was crazy surprised.
That's pretty funny... :lol: He talks to the press so rarely its not surprising the people don't even know he can speak English...
I really hope he just gets used to Boston and stops whining about a trade... How could he hate a town that loves him so much?...
Oh baby. How I missed the baseball season. :D
Indeed. Nothing like watching the cubs throw it all away season after season!
I miss Soriano in the Ranger's line up.
How about them Blue Jays? They looked pretty good to start out but what happened??
GOD Bless Bald Dude!
How about them Blue Jays? They looked pretty good to start out but what happened?? :?
Hopefully we can say the same for the MN Twins!
and hey Junior, Junior is on the DL again :p
Forty-seven years young. Remarkable.
haha Mesa only got 4 games.
...your take on most underrated/overrated list voted on by players.
MLB approved the use of pink bats for use on Mother's Day as part of a fund-raising campaign for breast cancer. Fifty-plus players will use the specially made bats, pink wristbatnds and ribbons. (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2439502&type=story)
Interesting. I read that there's a LONG line of guys who would have paid for a shot at Pierzynski. Is he an asshole in general, ala Albert "Don't call me Joey" Belle?
Ken Griffey Jr. moves up to #11 on the all time HRs list :D
RANGERS SUCK...stop sucking!!!
Are you a Bonds supporter Kulkulkan? XD
5 game sweep 0_o
Dude got a single in his first game back in like FOREVER! 4 for 4!
What if Wang wins the Cy Young lol
Brian Giles is God, btw. Not Rika.
Are Yankees going to lose? I'm kinda rooting for Detroit..
Hey Sab - do you have a good Japaneses Baseball League site (in english) lol I wanted to update the Rakuten Eagles thread but this Russian guy stopped watching after 2004.
I can't believe Beltran watched that strike 3
Blah, blah... OK that's enough postwhoring for the evening...
Leyland's got balls made outta steel, the same kinda that is used in cranes to lift houses off their foundation.Agreed. Starting Neifi Perez and batting him second in the postseason is proof of this.
Reports now say Boston ponyed up $50 million-plus! Whoopie!
Fans in Japan had better learn how to handle heartbreak if they want to become Red Sox fans!
Pierre would be the bigger bust, but Soriano's production will go down a little this year.
Jeter should've won the mvp.
Did you hear what Pujols said about how he should've been the MVP, and that the MVP should take his team to the playoffs? Howard's team was better than his at the end of the regular season so he shouldn't talk.
Mark McGwire: candidate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
I would vote for him.
That is all.
HOLY FUCK. Giants coughed up 126 Million for Barry Zito.
I guess I'd vote for him now.
I don't get why Arizona wants Randy Johnson so much. 26mil for 2 years? Does he have anything left in the tank?
Is Barry Bonds worth 15.8 million in 2007?
(Actually his deal is worth about $20 million if he actually plays a full season.)
Just going by statistics alone, not even close. San Fransisco is paying a significant premium just to have him break Aaron's record as a Giant, but even the extra attendance he attratct with the chase won't be nearly enough to make that salary.
Extra attendance yes but you also have to take other accounts like tv deals, advertisement and whatnot. What Barry is doing, like it or not, is historic and the Giants can jack up the price and milk Barry for all its worth.
Extra attendance yes but you also have to take other accounts like tv deals, advertisement and whatnot. What Barry is doing, like it or not, is historic and the Giants can jack up the price and milk Barry for all its worth.
Also people are only going to fill the seats when Bonds is a couple homers shy of Aaron's record. And what happens after the record is broken? I think attendance will drop.
Just how many more HR's Barry needs to break the record?
Barry had an OBP of .454 last seaon. Read that again: four-fifty-four. Forty-plus years old, gimpy knees and he still gets on base almost HALF the time!
Nothing fills the seats more than a winner, period.
This is supposedly the philosophy (purely speculative) behind Brian Sabean's (or is it Peter Magowan?) roster construction. That the safest road to success is a team full of "proven" veterans. So you got guys like Bonds, Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel, Russ Ortiz (ECCH!), Rich Aurilia (in his second tour of duty)... umm, it must really SUCK to be in the minor league system of the Giants.
Can they win, with new zillionaire Barry Zito? Prolly not cause for every step forward that Zito provides, guys like Ortiz drag the team down several rungs.
By the way, Bonds and his agent have NOT signed any official contract for 2007. It has been speculated that MLB insiders hope this deal implodes and that Bonds is left stranded holding only his juice-shriveled dick.
This Bonds debate is meaningless.
Next topic, will Daisuke Matsuzaka's season resemble Hideo Nomo's rookie season or will it look more like Hideki Irubu's rookie season?
Meanwhile, how's A-Rod's opt-out clause? He can choose to become free agent after 2007 season...
I'm sure MLB insiders are studying hundreds of hours of Matsuzaka game video as we speak. Some other mysteries to ponder on the Koshien King:
-- Can he adjust from six days between starts to five? He had more days off in NPB but higher pitch counts during each start. Is this something that can be easily adjusted?
-- Can he accept the fact that the Red Sox will NOT allow him to throw a hundred pitches in the bullpen every day he doesn't pitch?
-- How will he deal with not being able to finish half his starts?
-- Will the Red Sox coaching staff resist the temptation to tinker with Matsuzaka's mechanics? Ichiro adjusted his swing and survived the adjustment to the big leagues. I'm not sure I saw the same changes in Nomo or Matsui Hideki...
-- I read that Uehara Koji will be on the free agent market for the '08 season. Keep an eye on him, especially if Igawa turns out to be a "bargain" for the Yanks.
As for Uehara Koji I think he be a so so pitcher in the bigs as he is a bit old(he'll be 32 in April).
Hmm... I did NOT know this. Interesting. And relevant.
Not that 32 is particularly old (Saito Takashi notwithstanding) but it IS an age when the average baseball player is in a decline phase. I wonder how this will affect him and if he is pondering all options, including staying in Japan.
I watched Uehara pitch in last year's WBC and was impressed with what I saw. Fukudome was the one who was slumping, right? But he did whack a cluch homer in the semis.
Sometimes I could not understand the personality of this guy, A-Rod. Or is that bad what the media portrays him as such, I mean the anti-thesis of the good-guy-posterboy Jeter?
Sometimes I could not understand the personality of this guy, A-Rod.
But can one blame the Yankees management? Bernie is not getting any younger.
They didn't elect anyone? ..they suck
Those of you who bother reading my posts in this thread can probably figure out that: 1) I am a pretty big fan of baseball, and 2) I know some shit. So lemme list the guys who SHOULD be in. Now:
Ron Santo
Wally Berger
Marvin Miller
Goose Gossage
Bert Blyleven
REALLY loved how Bob Costas ripped him up. Take a listen:
http://www.twitter.com/?d=YPIIASNT
^ Np! he does a weekly show now "Costas on The Radio" -- I catch it on Saturdays around 5 pm Mountain Standard.
Heck of a rant. I'm still impressed when broadcasters like Costas can babble coherently for what seems like eons, yet still remain focused on topic.
May 14: the day in MLB...What do you think he's gonna do? You saw the game right? I can begin to see how this team has lost games in the past.
-- The Chicago Cubbies lost a game today on a bases-loaded walk. The relief pitcher for Chicago walked three straight (including one intentional) after getting the first two guys out in the 9th. What's Lou Piniella gonna do?!!
LOL!! like my lou piniella impersonation? I know.. it was terrible.
Ichiro: 'Once I Turn 40, I Can Become A Pitcher.'
Posted May 16th 2007 9:08PM by PostmanR
Filed under: Seattle, Mariners, AL West, MLB Gossip
We just posted about Ichiro Suzuki's quotes from Jon Saraceno's USA Today piece on the Seattle outfielder that ran today. For the most part, they were rather odd, as has sort of been Ichiro's calling card since he entered into our consciousness.
But while all the attention seems to be placed squarely on his statements about both Tiger Woods and performance-enhancing drugs, I found this quote to be the most fascinating:
"Once I turn 40," he says, "I can become a pitcher. I'm kind of serious about it. But I'll have to learn to throw a knuckleball. Right now, I could be a 'normal' pitcher," who can top out at 95 mph with a fastball.
I'm not exactly sure why the copy editors at USA Today left "who can top out at 95 mph with a fastball" outside of the quote. Maybe it's an error, or maybe the man who penned this piece, Jon Saraceno, added in those words knowing Ichiro can in fact throw 95 mph. Or maybe I'm just interpreting that wrong. (That's probably what it is.) In any event, let's just pretend Ichiro can throw 95.
LOL!! like my lou piniella impersonation? I know.. it was terrible.
Why is there so much news on the Yankees. They're mediocre this year
Well it just shows the NL central is weak. Check out the AL central, the strongest division in baseball.
I think this speaks volumes about the N.L. Central division: the Milwaukee Brewers have lost 13 out of 19 games and STILL hold a five-game lead.
Anyone see the Cubs game where Michael Barrett, the catcher and Carlos Zambrano, pitcher were fighting in the dugout?
My cubbies. :cry:
There was a rain delay and the groundscrew is trying to put the tarp on the field but it was really windy.
But A-Rod's not on 'roids. Right?
My sawx looked pretty good tonight as well. Or, should I say, Josh Beckett looked so good that it didn't matter too much after the first inning. Life is good.. For today, anyway.
Umm... the "presidency" of Red Sox Nation goes to Jerry Remy?!!
He's going to go down as the most greedy player of all-time. More booing ahead.
it looks like Torre signed with the Dodgers
finally some good news coming out of L.A. :roll:
Ah, Winter Meetings.
That trade was just SICK for Detroit. ...
who else is coming from asia?Quite many.
all i heard was this fukudome dude
Whoa, Eric Gagne? I like how Mitchell listed a ton of Yankees. Mo Vaughn, pssh. Brian Roberts.
I wonder why Roger Clemens has people shocked and awed. Canseco outed him in his book too.
Who is your pick to win it all?
One team. NAME IT!!
I'm still tripping out that Joe Torre has named Andre Ethier and NOT the celebrated Juan Pierre to start the '08 season as the Dodgers' LF.
Yanks fans leaving in droves from their own stadium. I saw soooo many people get kicked out after starting shouting matches in the stands. Good thing I'm a Mets fan!
The Cubbies answer back! Big trade with the Athletics.So far this has been a good trade for the Cubs. Now they just need Soriano back.
Cubs get: Rich Harden, Chad Gaudin
A's get: Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, Josh Donaldson
I really love baseball^^ Big Big Mets Fan
Doubleheaders galore, and a no-hitter by Carlos Zambrano (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=ArwxhRpVfXNg_YJjCulEbRk5nYcB?gid=280914118&prov=ap)! Tough game for the Astros.I watched the game. Zambrano was awesome.
(http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/584/tampabayrayhj5.th.jpg) (http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/584/tampabayrayhj5.jpg)Sunnovabitch I didn't even know that he'd left the Reds. :O
But great to see him in the post season! O0
Give it up for your 2007/2008 MLB Fantasy Champ!!! :cow: :muffin: :otomerika:
so uhhh did i win anything? :lol:
GIGANTUS SOO YOUNG!!!! I love it <3
The black eyeshadow so smoky and sexy. And her short bob... :wub:
Loving her FLY EAGLES FLY dance to Sugar. She's considered like one of the top dancers in SNSD?
Here's a comparison with Ichiro - thanks zomb for the SooYoung cap.
(http://i32.tinypic.com/dnm2ht.jpg)(http://i29.tinypic.com/2pqlvlu.jpg)
Police did not say exactly what Finkelstein offered to do.
Yankees in five.
Matsui named MVP of the World Series.Rightfully so. Dude was a hitting machine, especially in today's game. :yep:
Griffey stays with Mariners for 2010
SEATTLE (AP)—Junior’s back in Seattle, one more time.
Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) and the Mariners agreed Wednesday to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in town for what could be his final season.
Griffey, who turns 40 on Nov. 21, was guaranteed $2 million when he signed to return to Seattle for the 2009 season and had the chance to earn more in bonuses.
“The framework of this year’s contract is similar to last year’s,” Griffey’s agent, Brian Goldberg, said by telephone (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AiWpvxODb6BKJ_HC2CCYGV4RvLYF?slug=ap-mariners-griffey&prov=ap&type=lgns).
Through endorsements??
Mark Teixeira of the damn Yanks was a solid second, proving once again that beat writers still worship at the altar of Runs Batted In. We've got a long way to go...
Tex didn't deserve second, I agree (and I'm a Yankees fan), but his season was hardly purely RBI. He certainly deserved to finish top 5ish.
Yankees get richer in the OF New York Yankees trade for an established star, center fielder Curtis Granderson (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AoWWyanrTIesVNzvFDc9uckRvLYF?slug=ti-wintermeetings120909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns).Yep, Yankees pulled off a really good deal with the depth of their farm system. Granderson gives them affordable talent in the outfield AND leverage in their dealings with J. Damon. And yeah he sucks eggs vs LHP but don't you figure it balances out with Capt. Jeter, A-Rod and Teixeira in the lineup? The Phillies have won back-to-back NL titles with Ryan Howard being Tom Thumb against lefties but have the depth to get past it. Same for the Yanks.
Tex didn't deserve second, I agree (and I'm a Yankees fan), but his season was hardly purely RBI. He certainly deserved to finish top 5ish.
Top five... Maybe; I might have placed him 5-6-7. Certainly top ten and he does help a ballclub win games, even a $200 million one.
It's just remarkable that we live in an era of such advanced knowledge on how ballgames are won and lost. Yet context-specific counting stats like RBI still rule the day with luddite BBWAA voters. Joe Mauer was having the season of a lifetime yet Teixeria was already heralded by as the presumptive AL MVP by NY scribes after a game-winning HR in July. And that just bugs me as a MLB fan.
I guess we should be thankful that the correct selection at the top was made. But the other slots have merit as well. I would have placed Ben Zobrist of the Rays higher than Tex.
Yankees get richer in the OF New York Yankees trade for an established star, center fielder Curtis Granderson (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AoWWyanrTIesVNzvFDc9uckRvLYF?slug=ti-wintermeetings120909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns).Yep, Yankees pulled off a really good deal with the depth of their farm system. Granderson gives them affordable talent in the outfield AND leverage in their dealings with J. Damon. And yeah he sucks eggs vs LHP but don't you figure it balances out with Capt. Jeter, A-Rod and Teixeira in the lineup? The Phillies have won back-to-back NL titles with Ryan Howard being Tom Thumb against lefties but have the depth to get past it. Same for the Yanks.
I assume this closes the door on Gojira (King of Pr0n) Matsui, whom I think Yankee fans will miss more than they realize. Matsui is one of those throwback Yankees who really DO shaddap and play ball, like the recently deceased Tommy Henrich, Gil McDougaldm and Roy White.
And I <3 meeting another more statistically minded fan.
Great piece charting "The Highest Paid Player in Baseball (http://www.wezen-ball.com/2009-articles/december/the-history-of-the-highest-paid-player-in-baseball.html)" from The Ryan Express to A-Rod.
Mark Davis, Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, Carlos Delgado... I kinda remember Mark Davis's signing but don't recall Delgado being numero uno, or even dos.
Supposedly Dave Parker got $1 million/yr before Ryan but I guess it was never documented or confirmed.
Pujols' current contract ends after 2010, right? Just like Jeter.
If anyone has a claim to baseball's first $30 million man at the moment, it's Phat Albert. All this production AND Gold Glove defense at first with an elbow held together by Silly String or whatever Dr. Andrews uses these days.
WILL Saint Looey break the Budweiser bank? Hell, just make him a Partner already. This is Stan Musial you have on your team right now...
Reading about Cashman's offer to Damon/Boras being rejected and how the Yanks can wait things out a little longer during the winter. I wonder if they'll have the same attitude when it comes to Jeter's looming extension which you'd think SHOULD be done and over with before they raise the championship flag in the New Stadium.
The upcoming negotiations between Cashman and Jeter are just RIPE for the blogosphere because it has meaning on different levels: legacy politics (everybody knows you can NOT let D. Jeter wear anything other than Yankee pinstripes), future field position (Jeter can't possibly handle the grind of shortstop play for another few years or so), quality of play (his trouble fielding balls to his left clearly didn't affect his OBP: .406!). Joe Sheehan said they have to get this done NOW and I'm apt to agree.
I wonder how long they'll allow the Bob Sheppard intro recording for every Jeter AB to continue at the New Stadium? Don't you figure the new guy is gonna feel funnykine after a while...
Last Updated: Monday, December 14, 2009 | 9:01 PM ETFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/story/2009/12/14/sp-halladay-trade-report.html (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/story/2009/12/14/sp-halladay-trade-report.html)
By Doug Harrison, CBC Sports
It appears Christmas has come early for the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans in the form of a Roy Halladay acquisition.
SI.com on Monday reported the Toronto Blue Jays ace pitcher has been dealt as part of a three-team trade involving the Seattle Mariners.
An anonymous source with the Phillies revealed that pitchers J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and outfielder Dominic Brown underwent physicals, raising speculation the trio could be involved in the swap.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com both reported Monday that Canadian pitcher Phillippe Aumont of the Mariners and Phillies outfield prospect Michael Taylor are among the players bound for Toronto, while Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee is headed to Seattle.
Halladay, who has a no-trade clause and one year remaining on his contract worth $15.75 million US, reportedly is in Philadelphia, where he had a physical on Monday and is presumed to be working on a contract extension with the Phillies.
Halladay's agent, Greg Landry, is registered at a Philadelphia hotel and likely negotiating the extension, which needs to be worked out for Halladay to waive his right to veto a trade.
A source in the commissioner's office and familiar with the transaction told the Associated Press that a 72-hour window has been granted to finalize details.
Halladay, 32, won 17 games last season, leading Toronto in innings pitched (239), strikeouts (208) and earned-run average (2.79).
It would be the biggest move by Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos since he took over from the fired J.P. Ricciardi in October.
Ricciardi attempted to trade Halladay to Philadelphia before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But Ricciardi's asking price of a handful of top prospects was apparently too high and the Phillies instead acquired Lee from Cleveland.
In July, Ricciardi said "in the vicinity of maybe 10 teams" expressed interest in Halladay, but only "two or three" approached with a "level of seriousness."
Talks with various teams recently picked up steam at baseball's winter meetings in Indianapolis, with Anthopoulos reportedly talking then of three- and four-team trades.
Lee won seven games in 12 regular-season starts with Philadelphia and went 4-0 in five post-season appearances with 33 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings pitched for the reigning National League champions.
Halladay has spent his entire major-league career with the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays gonna suck even harder than last year? How is that possible? XD
HOLY SHIT Hideki Matsui and 2009 World Series MVP to the Angels too?? Deals dropping left and right.
also Chien-Ming Wang is a free agent:
YANKEES CUT WANG (http://www.lohud.com/article/20091213/SPORTS01/912130384/-1/sports/Yankees-cut-ties-with-Wang)
Will Wang Decision Come Back to Bite Yanks? (http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=18956)
Step 1. Sox offer Bay $60-65 million/4 years
Step 2. He rejects, saying he wants a 5th year
Step 3. Sox offer another 30 year old $85 million/5 years
WHA?? Why would you not just sign Jason Bay and fix the large hole in your team?
And, taking the $16 million for Cameron now plus roughly another $10 million from the Lackey deal (another year added to the Bay offer would only be $75ish million) is another $26 million of salary to play with. And you can still sign a pretty nice pitcher for that money, if you really want to.
Jays is a decent team that got stuck in a dominant division with the Yanks and Red Sox :doh:
Who the hell did they get in return from Halladay? a bunch of prospects??
That three-way deal yesterday (and kudos to K. Rosenthal for "dreaming" up the entire thing) is why the Hot Stove is the GREATEST.
Keep an eye on Seattle: bringing back Junior may have been purely PR but getting Cliff Lee on the cheap ($9 million) to pitch in Safeco gives the M's a vaunted L-R duo. Yeah it might not work out and Lee (a FA after 2010) might get dumped in mid-season if things don't work out. But the prospects Seattle weren't exactly Grade-A and they'll get back potentially better kids in a stretch-run deal (or draft pick compensation after the season).
Sometimes you gotta spend your resources and win NOW, goddamnit!
Someone (Pete Abraham?) suggested that the press box in the Bronx just got a LOT less crowded with the departures of both Matsui and Wang. You think Yomiuri Shimbun takes its banner to The Big A?
The Jays are reportedly getting three prospects from the Phillies - pitcher Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor, and catcher Travis d'Amaud; the Mariners are also supposedly sending a couple of prospects to Philadelphia.
As for the Sox, there are some rumblings that Cameron might play center for them, shifting Ellsbury to left.
The Jays are reportedly getting three prospects from the Phillies - pitcher Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor, and catcher Travis d'Amaud; the Mariners are also supposedly sending a couple of prospects to Philadelphia.
As for the Sox, there are some rumblings that Cameron might play center for them, shifting Ellsbury to left.
how good of the prospects are they? i hope vernon wells can step it up next season
No other sport takes its Hall of Fame as seriously as baseball. The deadline for 2010's BBWAA inductees looms closely. Sadly its become as reliable as the Emmy or Grammy Awards recently. Jim Rice and Bruce Sutter and Bowie Kuhn (!) enter while Ron Santo, Bert Blyleven and Marvin Miller have yet to make it.
The great Joe Posnanski made the case for The Great Tim Raines (http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/12/16/make-it-raines/) in his latest blog post. I can not agree more; he was to the National League what Rickey Henderson represented in the Senior Circuit.
GO CRAZY, St. Louis! Go crazy!
FWIW Raines should have won two, maybe three NL MVPs in the 80s, which would have made his election on the first ballot a no-brainer. But yeah his career did exist in the shadow of Rickey and who remembers who the second-greatest leadoff hitter of all time was? Certainly not the BBWAA...
An interesting question Bill James raised last year was whether or not Trammell's HOF chances would have increased if he had won the '87 AL MVP (pretty awful year for the BBWAA that year --- Dawson & George Bell -- can you imagine FJM's coverage?). James was inconclusive but kinda makes you wonder.
Ten more years until the likes of Rob Neyer get a HOF vote. It can't come much sooner...
Yeah, Tram's non-HOF case is kind of puzzling. He won a few Gold Gloves, made some All-Star teams, was the MVP of the '84 World Series, should have won the '87 MVP...and no one cares (or remembers). Part of it, I think, is Tram's numbers don't look sexy enough compared to recent offensive juggernauts at SS like A-Rod, Jeter, Nomar, etc. (whose numbers are at least partially helped by the era they're playing in). And he wasn't like Ozzie Smith where he was a super crowd favorite who got highlight reels on ESPN every night because he made flashy plays, so he doesn't have that going for him, either.
Another guy from those Tigers teams I think is deserving is Lou Whitaker, Tram's double-play partner. At least Tram still has a theoretical chance with the writers; Lou was one-and-done.
What's also sad is that nearly 50% of the baseball writers think Jack Morris is a Hall of Famer, and not Lou or Tram.
Because Yankees fans loved Javier Vazquez so much the first time he was in the Bronx, right? :lol:
Of course, back then he was being counted on as a No. 1 or 2 guy, which -- like you noted -- he definitely will not be this time around.
Not that long ago, Jon Heyman of SI tweeted about the dreaded "stat people" (http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/6964129723) taking over the Damn Yanks.
You think Heyman still has issues when someone brings up "slash stats?" Does he really want to go back to "clutch" and "leadership" facets?
Gads, I REALLY miss FJM (http://www.firejoemorgan.com/)...
Yeah, low risk-high reward. Hey, wasn't that the MO of Theo Epstein last off-season?
Rany Jazayerli tweeted a link to an old BP piece he wrote years ago, an appreciation of Strat-O-Matic (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1255).
Cool how the board game is still relevant today. I got a scan of Barry Bonds's 2001 card and it's still a thing to behold...
Robbie Alomar
Bert Blyleven
Barry Larkin (I can't stump for Tram and not Larkin; they were very similar)
Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
Tim Raines
Alan Trammell
I'm on the fence about Edgar Martinez. He has great rates, and had a handful of really great individual seasons, but I don't know -- his lack of counting stats, utter lack of baserunning skills and inability to play the field (or stay healthy back when he could play 3B) count against him, in my opinion. That being said, I'm not actively against his induction and don't think it would be a huge injustice if he were elected.
Well, that's kind of the thing -- I don't think, right now, many DHs deserve the Hall of Fame outside of Frank Thomas and perhaps Edgar (like I said, I'm on the fence...sometimes I think yes, sometimes no). Not because it's "not a position" or anything like that, but because there haven't been a whole lot of guys spending the majority of their playing time at DH until recently (except for perhaps Harold Baines, who I don't support -- and Harold still played over 1,000 games in the field). Unless David Ortiz turns it back around in a big way, I won't support him, either (and Edgar was way better than Ortiz, anyway).
But like I said, I won't lose any sleep if Edgar makes it in.
YOUR Hall of Fame ballot (not who you think will get in):
YOUR Hall of Fame ballot (not who you think will get in):
I voted at Joe Pos's site. If memory serves:
B. Blyleven
T. Raines
M. McGwire
R. Alomar
A. Trammell
B. Larkin
E. Martinez
D. Murphy
Any predictions? I think it's possible the BBWAA will elect NO one again. I am full of fear...
Molitor, Thomas, Thome, E-Martinez. All 4 have significant DH time (Thome's career leaves him as a 1B/DH not a DH/1B, but I'd put him in this group. After all lots of people call Molitor the only DH in the HoF, and he had a similar proportion of his career at DH) and are, IMO, a good start class for HoF DHs. Thomas as the clear ace of the group, Thome as the very strong #2, and E-Mart/Molitor filling out the group. If that defines it guys like Ortiz or Mo Vaughn are clearly not in and you avoid any kind of inflation like we've seen with relievers the past few years.
Molitor, Thomas, Thome, E-Martinez. All 4 have significant DH time (Thome's career leaves him as a 1B/DH not a DH/1B, but I'd put him in this group. After all lots of people call Molitor the only DH in the HoF, and he had a similar proportion of his career at DH) and are, IMO, a good start class for HoF DHs. Thomas as the clear ace of the group, Thome as the very strong #2, and E-Mart/Molitor filling out the group. If that defines it guys like Ortiz or Mo Vaughn are clearly not in and you avoid any kind of inflation like we've seen with relievers the past few years.
I forgot about Molitor and Thome, even though neither of them spent the majority of their careers as a DH like Edgar and Thomas; and with Thome at least, I don't really view him as a DH because he's spent 70% of his career so far in the field (compared to 56% for Molitor, 42% for Big Hurt and 29% for Edgar). Additionally, Molitor's a weird case because of all his position switching, but he did play more games in the field (just not at any one position). That being said, Molitor doesn't make the HoF without his DH years. Also, I do think counting stats matter a little bit in making a HoF case, and outside of doubles and walks Edgar's career totals aren't that impressive, especially considering he played in an era of increased offense.
But again, I don't think it would be some great injustice if Edgar got in.
As for actual predictions, Dawson or Blyleven might get in, but I wouldn't count on it. I don't think Larkin or Martinez get in...not on the first ballot, at least. But the baseball writers are so screwy with their selections that predicting is pretty much a fool's game.
Why Dale Murphy? He's just a crummier Jim Rice, who really didn't deserve his entry.
Why Dale Murphy? He's just a crummier Jim Rice, who really didn't deserve his entry.
It's close, real close.
At the end of the day it's personal prejudice. But for that six-year run (1982-1987) he had as good a peak period as your typical HOF member, maybe more. What killed him was his decline, which was more drastic and atypical of what BBWAA voters judge as Hall-worthy.
The likes of Dawson, Nolan Ryan, Ripken and Craig Biggio (ouch) had longer stretches of average quality at the tail end, padding the counting stats. Murphy's decline was so steep and precipitous that it seemed to overshadow all that he accomplished beforehand. So he didn't have the counting stats (400-500 HR) and probably not the monster peak seasons that voters notice in shorter careers (Koufax, Dizzy Dean).
So how does that explain Bruce Sutter? Anyway when I was at Posnanski's site I put myself in the role of a BBWAA voter and figured, what the hell.
As for Rice vs. Murphy... I'd like to see ballpark effects for Fenway and Fulton-County Stadium. It might bridge the gap. Also Murphy's peak seasons were at a key defensive position, confirmed by the five Gold Gloves. Yeah, Gold Gloves are an iffy yardstick (I'd be surprised if Roberto Alomar deserved half of his) but they're not given out to just anyone and Jim Ed never got within sniffing distance of one.
Joe Posnanski, the Gold standard of sportswriters, weighs in with HIS HOF ballot (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/01/04/hall.ballot/). After a week of Heyman and Shaughnessy and Chass, we finally have order restored to the universe.
I'll just give you one chart: Here is the complete list of non-Hall of Famers who played in 2,000 games and hit .310 or better and had an on-base percentage better than .400.
1. Edgar Martinez.
Yep. That's it. Every other player who did it -- Ruth, Williams, Gehrig, Hornsby, Cobb, Foxx, Musial, Speaker, Heilmann, Collins, Waner, Gehringer, Boggs -- they're all in the Hall of Fame. They're all slam dunk Hall of Famers. Martinez wasn't a good hitter, and he wasn't a great hitter. He was a legendary hitter. To me, that trumps the DH role.
Andre Dawson should get in with his stats, but I got a soft spot for Harold Baines and his years as the DH for Oakland. His numbers are prolific esp. his days in ChiSox.
Happy Trails Randy Johnson!!
WTF BOMB: RANDY JOHNSON BIRD PITCH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF85R1em7Zs#)
Matt Kemp better get his pants into gear!! The Dodgers need help!
In what universe does Andre Dawson and his below league average OBP deserve HoF induction?
Good tweet from Rob Neyer: I wish writers who like Andre Dawson would stop saying that if you didn't support his candidacy, you weren't really paying attention.
Re: Lefty Grove.
I don't disagree that RJ was a better pitcher overall, but in regards to strikeouts, RJ had an advantage in that guys now strike out more than ever -- back in Lefty's day, guys were taught that striking out was akin to a mortal sin, and to hit for contact whenever possible (even if it meant a dinky groundout). The most a batter struck out in one season during Lefty's career was 119 (Jimmie Foxx -- Lefty's teammate -- in 1936), with the low being 66 (Jimmie Foxx -- again -- and Ed Morgan, both in 1930, a ridiculous hitter's season). The lowest single season batter strikeout total in RJ's career was 128 (Travis Fryman in the strike-shortened 1994 season).
Also, Baseball Reference shows Lefty leading the AL in Ks seven times, not five.
And now Mariotti is on Around the Horn, slurping Dawson and congratulating him on his HoF selection and for being a classy player! What a jerk.
And now Mariotti is on Around the Horn, slurping Dawson and congratulating him on his HoF selection and for being a classy player! What a jerk.
Chicago loves its own. Just like Shaugnessy campaigning for Jim Ed Rice.
Speaking of which, LOVED Pos's takedown of "Morris is better than Schilling." You can't fight Posnanski: he's the best blend of mainstream and alternative...
I've been a Neyer man myself for a while, but I'll admit that was a great post.
The Merkle ball is being sold at auction (http://blog.robertedwardauctions.com/?p=263). Fascinating artifact from baseball history. But...
Any chance this is a hoax? The Evers family could have had a dozen MLB game balls from the early part of the 20th century, scribbled "1908" and sold it as the real deal.
Why was the 1951 Thomson home run ball lost to time?
Can't believe the Cubs really ARE jerking Dawson's chain by making the retirement of his number with the Cubs dependent upon the cap on his HOF plaque. Seriously?!
And Mark McGwire... here comes the Year of Shame. False contrition to be sure but can anything else be expected? America will accept false humilty before genuine egoism.
Why is Mark McGwire saying that he took steroids such a big story? We already knew this. Its nothing new. I guess because football is coming to a close, that nobody cares about hockey and basketball isnt in its last month that this is a big story. IMO this is all about getting into the HALL. Not admitting to taking steroids got him only 25 percent. He thinks admitting it is the only option he has if he wants to get in. Sorry mark you are in the baseball world. Once you are thought of as a cheat, its over. Ask Pete about it.
Almost there with Mauer. Didn't Cap Anson have a ten-year deal with Chicago?
And congrats to Jon Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hof10/news/story?id=4877543), baseball's newest Hall of Famer.
Who wants to read a Ken Griffey Jr interview with me?
http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/?p=944 (http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/?p=944)
Part 2 coming sometime in the future
FUCK!!! That is so epic. The comedic talents of both, and I've seen a few of those Ichiro beer CMs.
We gotta make our way down there for a game! Whaddya say JPH!P??
My thoughts on The Sports Guy's embrace of sabermetrics (http://saburo.vox.com/library/post/sabermetrics-101-twenty-years-late.html).The only lost causes are complete idiots like Colin Cowherd.
don't tase me bro!!I see the pros and cons. On balance, I'd think they'd have the good sense to have cause before using brute force. I don't think MLB has a Monica Seles problem (tennis tourneys have their own issues regarding quacks running on the court during play).
Texas Rangers filed bankruptcy^^^
Baseball (and I guess that means "Bud") owes it to Galarraga AND Jim Joyce AND all of us who love the game to get off HIS RICH FAT FUCKING ASS and get the "human element" from making a goddamn joke of MLB.
if anything, do one on Ken Griffey Jr!!
King George Steinbrenner is dead. I don't even need to link to anything...
Famous and influential, a domineering force.
Cool that NPB has gone viral -- the clip finally made Sportscenter yesterday.
Ballplayer's Amazing Wall-Climbing Catch - Masato Akamatsu Makes One of the Greatest Catches Ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxpAkOWNM0#)
Fuck yeah!!! Giants have one more game until the WORLD SERIES!!!
I have faith. *nods*
HOLY SHIT!! The Cinderella Series XD
I thought the Phillies were gonna rally when Rollins, great play to cut em off at second.
Gotta go with the Rangers tho :P Ron Washington and I feel Thimas got the magic.
Or "Welcome Back, Bengie Molina, you traitor"THIS. XD
In other news, Jeter is still a Yankee, no surprise, and he needs to stay a Yankee because he has defined in his career what a SS should be :w00t:
Valenzuela Update
August 11, 1991
FERNANDO VALENZUELA, pitching for the host Class AAA Edmonton Trappers on a sweltering Friday night, started poorly but finished with a flourish. He lost, 10-3, after giving up five runs on eight hits - five for extra bases - to Calgary. Valenzuela, released by the Los Angeles Dodgers this spring, is hoping to get called up by the California Angels by Aug. 19. Valenzuela: ''They hit me pretty hard in the first inning. I'm happy the way I finished the last four innings. Everything was working good.
Another baseball legend now belongs to the ages: Bob Feller passes on (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Rest-in-peace-Rapid-Robert-Bob-Feller-dies-at-?urn=mlb-296623).Yes, shame about that, he was 92 though, my he saw a lot of history then. Seems as though he's one of the forgotten stars too, if not for WWII he might have gone down as one of the greatest ever, though in most baseball minds he is anyhow. :thumbsup
Feller was one of those old-timers that was always around, since I became a baseball fan decades ago. A WWII vet who lost prime years to the service, he still won 266 games and set strikeout records that would stand for decades.
Gonna be an entertaining season in the AL East, for sure. Also can you imagine how BAD Tampa's outfield defense is going to be?!!
Ichiro donates 100 million yen to relief efforts in Japan
By 'Duk
Ichiro Suzuki(notes) still hasn't offered any public comment about the ongoing crisis in Japan, but the message he sent on Friday will certainly go a lot further than any press conference remarks or a prepared statement of concern ever would.
The Seattle Mariners great will donate 100 million yen to the relief efforts stemming from last week's earthquake and tsunami. Using today's conversion rate, the amount equates to about $1.23 million — or roughly 7 percent of the $18 million he'll make playing baseball in Seattle this year.
In usual Ichiro fashion, he hasn't said anything about his impressive support with his checkbook and he likely won't. Helping out his homeland in a time of great need seems to be enough for the right fielder — as it was last month, when he quietly donated 10 million yen to relief efforts following the volcano eruption in the Miyazaki Prefecture.
His gesture reminds me of the 2001-02 NBA season, when Michael Jordan donated his entire $1 million salary to Sept. 11 efforts. And just like in that great time of need, Ichiro isn't alone in his generosity. The Mariners also announced on Friday that they'll be matching any front office or fan donations made over the regular-season's first game homestand at Safeco Field with a minimum of $100,000 guaranteed. The San Francisco Giants also announced their plans to offer aid earlier this week.
BASEBALL IS BACK!! Who is your World Series favorite? Man, gotta say the Yankees ain't the same with out Pettitte but I think Jeter gonna bounce back. BOSTON LOADED UP DAMN. I'm a root for the Rays, Man Ram and Damon at it again.
Well, if "Raffy" can hold down ten percent of the HOF vote, why not Manny?
And how come Will Clark fell off the HOF ballot so damn quickly?
Well, Will The Thrill came to mind after I thought of Raffy P. I remember he swore on live teevee during a locker room celebration. Gotta love that. Not a slam-dunk choice but certainly one that shouldn't have gone kaput after one round of voting (ala Albert Belle).
BTW more than one person online hasn't completely absolved Nick Swisher just yet. David Schoenfield of ESPN.com noted that Swisher kicked at Nishioka's leg.
If Nishioka got up right away and was fine everyone would praise Swisher for a good baseball move. One of many dumb outcome-based standards of the game.
Another cogent bit from Joe Sheehan from his latest newsletter: Ramirez passed more drug tests than he failed, and the connection between the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the lines on a baseball stat sheet remains unclear, no matter the received wisdom on the matter.
I wholeheartedly agree.
“vote 4 my man shane victorino 2 be in da allstar game pleas thank you atmlb.com/Victorino”.
New Miami Marlins cap for 2012:
(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4205/miamimarlinscap.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/miamimarlinscap.jpg/)
Umm, ughs?
Rangers HAVE to be the fave in The World Serious, no matter who emerges from the Senior Circuit. Rested bullpen, monster bats. And "home-field advantage" ain't worth diddly if don't got the horses.
Home to watch the last few innings. We'll see if there's any tension....
WHOA! way to go out on top Tony!In case anyone didn't get that part of dai's last post...
Cardinals' La Russa ends 33-year managerial careerFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/story/2011/10/31/sp-mlb-larussa-cardinals-retirement.html (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/story/2011/10/31/sp-mlb-larussa-cardinals-retirement.html)
3-time World Series champion says he has no plans to be GM, might open book store
The Associated Press | Posted: Oct 31, 2011 10:48 AM ET | Last Updated: Oct 31, 2011 11:34 PM ET
Tony La Russa waited until after the championship parade and then called a team meeting with his players.
"We didn't know what to expect," said pitcher Chris Carpenter, who won Game 7 of the World Series against Texas on Friday night. "I think we all figured it was just going to be like, 'Thataway guys. Great year. Way to battle!' Instead, he dropped that on us. I think everybody was caught off-guard."
And with that, the 67-year-old La Russa said goodbye to baseball and became the first manager to retire immediately after leading his team to a Series title — the third of his career.
"I think this just feels like it's time to end it," he said Monday. "When I look in the mirror, I know I'd come back for the wrong reasons, and I didn't want to do that."
La Russa said he told general manager John Mozeliak of his decision in August — before the Cards rallied from a 10 ½ -game deficit in the NL wild-card race to upset Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the playoffs.
They won the thrilling seven-game Series after twice coming within a strike of elimination in Game 6.
"I tip my hat to him. He's had a great career. What a way to go out," Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson said.
The player meeting was short and emotional.
"Some grown men cried," La Russa said, joking that, "I kind of liked that because they made me cry a few times.
La Russa won the World Series with Oakland in 1989, and St. Louis in 2006 and this year, joining Sparky Anderson as the only manager to win with clubs in both leagues.
The Astros move to the AL West and MLB will have a 1-game playoff for the wild card teams, OMG
It's Verlander.
Note: a Dallas-based writer gave The Classy Michael Young a FIRST-place vote. THIS is why the baseball postseason is the best of them all...
For me, tossup between Bautista and Ellsbury, prolly the former. The pitcher that SHOULD have won the AL MVP was Pedro in '99.
Gotta say: stuff like this is what makes MLB's offseason THE BEST! Also perks up my Twitter feed.
Hope he can hack Texas summers. I guess the pressure is on him to sign but let's wait and see how it plays out.
I'd rather have Darvish than C.J. Wilson.
You'd rather have a completely untested against American bats and schedule pitcher over a guy with stellar seasons the past two years?
Stax-ballot:
Barry Larkin
Jeff Bagwell
Rafael Palmeiro
Edgar Martinez
Mark McGwire
Tim Raines
Alan Trammell
Stax-ballot:
Barry Larkin
Jeff Bagwell
Rafael Palmeiro
Edgar Martinez
Mark McGwire
Tim Raines
Alan Trammell
That looks about right. I haven't filled out any virtual ballots... My Twitter feed is BLOWN up, particularly directed at one BBWAA dope who submitted a BLANK ballot. I mean, if you don't like baseball then make room for someone who DOES.
More and more sabermetric types are opposing Palmeiro's candidacy on pure merit, which is amazing.
I thought at least Bagwell would get in - he helped make the Astros relevant again.
Rangers signed Yu Darvish
RIP to The Kid, Gary Carter.
Much too soon...
Ryan Braun is free! Ryan Braun is free!
MLB drug narcs aren't thrilled but whatever. Fantasy owners everywhere are rejoicing!
The last few years he's been one of my top fave 5 ballplayers but have to admit he probably cheated but just got off on a 'technaility', :twisted: sure most MLB fans think the same way. It's a shame too, so many players like him have so much talent you wonder how much more does taking some illegal substances help you? :?
The Dodgers have reached an agreement to be sold to Magic Johnson's bidding group, according to a baseball source. See http://dodgers.com (http://dodgers.com).
Yep, it's been the talk of the offseason. It's the real deal! Love it!
Oakland & Seattle square off in 8 hours or so. No North American TV schedule. Guess we gotta go Justin.tv or something...
unless you have the MLB network XD at 3 A.M.
My overnight Twitter feed was almost 250 messages, about an hour ago. A few freaks on the East Coast were live tweeting the game.
Great that REAL GAMES are finally upon us! Looked like a very sold-out crowd at Tokyo Dome.
Saw the highlights, spoil free thread?
Yu Darvish started today.
Yu Darvish started today.
Anywho, would it be safe to say that the Dodgers have some "MAGIC"?
^ That sounds like a "This Week in Baseball" segment.
JOHAN! First no-hitter in NY Mets history!
Good for him and the franchise.
Ichiro to the friggin' YANKEES?!! Holy fucking shit!
Get that Ring, Ichiro! This may be your last chance for one...
Dammit Rangers!
HOLY SHIT, RAUL IBANEZ!!!
I'm sure Raul Ibanez will come through tomorrow and the Yankee bullpen will actually hold that effort. In other news, A-Rod only struck out once tonight. Also, looks like Derek Jeter aggravates that foot injury he had a few days ago (or so).
So, is anyone watching the World Baseball Classic? The Japan/Taiwan games are on too late for me. Only a few clips here and there for me. Hope to catch more action this coming weekend.
So, is anyone watching the World Baseball Classic? The Japan/Taiwan games are on too late for me. Only a few clips here and there for me. Hope to catch more action this coming weekend.
Interesting stat
2013 Houston Astros: 239 Plate Appearances 82 Strikeouts
1992-1996 Tony Gwynn: 2653 Plate Appearances 83 Strikeouts
wow :lol:
First career MLB home run for Kawasaki Munenori: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=video&content_id=28228735 (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=video&content_id=28228735)
Rika bless him. May there be many more dingers in his future...
Liked this tweet: Ironic that San Francisco's two biggest problems this week are Homer and BART.
First career MLB home run for Kawasaki Munenori: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=video&content_id=28228735 (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=video&content_id=28228735)Bless Kawasaki indeed. :)
Rika bless him. May there be many more dingers in his future...
Toronto Blue Jays say farewell to fan favourite Munenori KawasakiFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2013/11/01/toronto_blue_jays_release_fan_favourite_munenori_kawasaki.html (http://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2013/11/01/toronto_blue_jays_release_fan_favourite_munenori_kawasaki.html)
By: Kim Nursall Staff Reporter, Published on Fri Nov 01 2013
It looks like one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ most popular players won’t be back next season.
The team has declined its option on infielder and fan-favourite Munenori Kawasaki, according to reports.
Kawasaki’s option was for $1 million (dollar figures U.S.). He finished the season with a .229 batting average and 24 RBIs. Despite the stats, he was a huge hit with fans who loved his enthusiasm, quirkiness and attitude.
The Jays made three other moves Friday, exercising options for closer Casey Janssen ($4 million), first baseman and designated hitter Adam Lind ($7 million) and infielder Mark DeRosa ($750,000).
Sources said Kawasaki, now a free agent, will likely go back to Japan, where he will sign with a team for $2 million.
We need to step forward out of the past. We need to admit that baseball records are not stone tablets handed down from heaven.
Kawasaki re-signs with Toronto on Minors contractFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/tor/munenori-kawasaki-re-signs-with-toronto-blue-jays-on-minor-league-deal?ymd=20131224&content_id=66188960&vkey=news_tor (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/tor/munenori-kawasaki-re-signs-with-toronto-blue-jays-on-minor-league-deal?ymd=20131224&content_id=66188960&vkey=news_tor)
Infielder, likely to start year in Triple-A, will attend big league camp with Blue Jays
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com | 12/24/2013 1:03 P.M. ET
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays gave their fanbase an early holiday present on Tuesday morning with the announcement that infielder Munenori Kawasaki has re-signed with the club on a Minor League contract.
Kawasaki reportedly had been weighing at least one offer to play in Japan, but will instead take his chances in camp with the Blue Jays. As part of the deal, Kawasaki received an invitation to Spring Training and will have a chance to compete for a job off the bench.
The 32-year-old middle infielder became somewhat of a cult sensation in Toronto this past year. He had the unenviable task of filling in for the injured Jose Reyes, but he immediately won over most of the fans with his antics both on and off the field.
Kawasaki will likely begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo, but he could also compete with Ryan Goins and Maicer Izturis for the starting job at second base. It seems doubtful that Kawasaki will pass either of those players on the depth chart, but he once again should provide some much-needed depth in the Minor League system.
The native of Japan hit just .229 with one homer and 24 RBIs in 96 games for the Blue Jays in 2013. He is a relatively steady defender but has limited range, and his throwing arm is more suited to play second base than shortstop. The biggest positive of Kawasaki's game is his ability to work deep into counts and draw walks, as evidenced by his .326 on-base percentage last season.
Toronto could have guaranteed Kawasaki's return earlier this offseason, but the club declined to exercise its $1-million option on his contract. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed.
I still suspect fans of other sports just LAAAUUUGGGHHH their asses off when they see the follies of baseball hall-of-fame voting.
http://www.baseballnation.com/2014/1/7/5284256/hall-fame-ballot-ken-gurnick-worst-ever-voting (http://www.baseballnation.com/2014/1/7/5284256/hall-fame-ballot-ken-gurnick-worst-ever-voting)
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/ken-gurnicks-hall-of-fame-ballot-is-perhaps-the-laziest-and-most-willfully-ignorant-ever/ (http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/ken-gurnicks-hall-of-fame-ballot-is-perhaps-the-laziest-and-most-willfully-ignorant-ever/)
Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees strike 7-year, $155M US deal: reportFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://sports.ca.msn.com/top-stories/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-strike-7-year-dollar155m-us-deal-report (http://sports.ca.msn.com/top-stories/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-strike-7-year-dollar155m-us-deal-report)
Updated: January 22, 2014 10:25 AM | By CBC Sports, cbc.ca
New York Yankees, according to multiple reports, have outbid the field for Japanese free-agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, agreeing to a seven-year, $155 million US deal with the starter.
Masahiro Tanaka’s baseball journey is taking him from Japan to New York.
According to several reports, the Yankees have agreed to a seven-year deal with the Japanese starting pitcher worth $155 million US. The deal is also believed to include an opt-out clause after the fourth season.
Major league teams had until 5 p.m. ET on Friday to sign the star 25-year-old.
The two Chicago teams, Cubs and White Sox, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks were known to have made bids for Tanaka, who sported a 24-0 record and 1.27 earned-run average last season for the Japan Series champion Rakuten Golden Eagles.
The Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs were said to be finalists for the right-hander, with New York bumping offer from six years to seven to secure a deal.
Tanaka's contract is the fifth-largest ever, behind Clayton Kershaw (seven years, $210M with Dodgers), Verlander (seven years, $180M with Detroit) , Felix Hernandez (seven years, $175M with Seattle) & CC Sabathia's original deal (eight years, $160M with Yankees).
In addition to his contract, New York is required to pay Rakuten a posting fee, now capped at $20 million US under a deal reached earlier this off-season between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball.
Under the old, no-limit system, the Texas Rangers paid over $50 million for the right to negotiate with Yu Darvish before the 2012 season.
During the previous agreement, Boston obtained Daisake Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions before the 2007 season for $51,111,111.11 and agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract. Texas got Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2012 season for $51,703,411 and gave him a $56 million, six-year deal.
Darvish finished second in 2013 Cy Young Award voting as the top pitcher in the American League.
^ he did the right thing, no doubt about it and those who say otherwise don't understand that your family will last longer than your career as an athlete. Period :lol:
↑ ↑ Williams is a Radford grad right... OK wiki said Waipahu. One of those outta town schools.
He'll write a book about all this when his career is kaput. He'll make a good coach.
White Sox-O's postponed; tomorrow closed to fansFULL ARTICLE LINK - http://m.mlb.com/news/article/121011784/white-sox-orioles-to-play-in-private-weekend-games-moved-to-tampa-bay (http://m.mlb.com/news/article/121011784/white-sox-orioles-to-play-in-private-weekend-games-moved-to-tampa-bay)
- Unrest in Baltimore also causes weekend series against Rays to be moved to Tampa Bay
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com | 2:00 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Due to the ongoing riots and protests in the city of Baltimore, the Orioles-White Sox game on Wednesday has been rescheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET and will be closed to the public. In addition, this weekend's games against the Rays, originally scheduled to be played at Camden Yards, have been moved to Tampa Bay.
Both Monday's and Tuesday's games against Chicago were postponed due to safety concerns in the downtown Baltimore area, as the city is currently in a state of emergency and is receiving assistance from the National Guard in an attempt to restore order.
The two games will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader at Oriole Park on Thursday, May 28, starting at 4:05 p.m.
The Orioles will be the home team in the games played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Wednesday's game will be available on MLB.TV and will be televised locally by the teams' respective regional sports networks.
Orioles announcement regarding schedule changes- https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/593124360963031040 (https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/593124360963031040)
(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip08470.jpg)
Man Griffey better make the HOF. He probably is but man if he don't... I'll probably be confused, angry, then cry :lol:
Hey Beer Throwing Guy. If I found you this easily, the police already know who you are. #BlueJays #Orioles #MLBPlayoffs- https://twitter.com/ChrisTarroza/status/783704725309034496 (includes slo-mo video in the actual Tweet)
Here's a photo of the section from where the beer was tossed on the field during the #BlueJays game. If you had ONE guess...- https://twitter.com/DaveBrien4/status/783698320493543425
#ThatLook
(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip09298.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip09299.jpg)
So, regarding the idiot that threw a beer can at Hyun Soo Kim of the Baltimore Orioles during the AL Wild Card game last night:
~SNIP~
Personally, I say he should immediately get banned from attending Blue Jays games, and that said ban should continue next year and last for at least 1 full season (though a lifetime one would/should hopefully send a stronger message). I don't care if the guy was drunk or not (though he probably was), what he did was uncalled for and could have seriously injured Kim.
Utterly brutal and tragic news: http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/11/07/breaking-phillies-blue-jays-great-roy-halladay-killed-in-plane-crash-in-gulf-of-mexico/
What have you been watching since there's been no baseball??