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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hugman 3.0 on March 30, 2010, 04:15:47 PM

Title: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on March 30, 2010, 04:15:47 PM
We doing this again?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on March 30, 2010, 04:58:02 PM
Why not?

2010 Predictions:

NL:
East-Phillies
Central-Cardinals
West-Rockies
Wild Card-Braves

MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Phillies
ROY: Jason Heyward, Braves

AL:
East-Yankees
Central-Twins
West-Mariners
Wild Card-Red Sox

MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins
Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
ROY: Austin Jackson, Tigers

World Series: Phillies over Red Sox in 7
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Barry Egan on March 30, 2010, 05:48:45 PM
NL:
East- Mets
Central-Cardinals
West-Dodgers
Wild Card-  Phillies

MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants
ROY: Jason Heyward, Braves

AL:
East- Red Sox
Central- Twins
West- Angels
Wild Card- Yankees

MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins
Cy Young: Josh Beckett, Red Sox
ROY: Brian Matusz, Orioles

World Series: Red Sox over Phillies in 5.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on March 30, 2010, 06:40:04 PM
NL:
East- Phillies
Central-Cardinals
West-Dodgers
Wild Card-  Giants

MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants
ROY: Jason Heyward, Braves

AL:
East- Yankees
Central- Twins
West- Angels
Wild Card- Mariners

MVP: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
ROY: Austin Jackson, Tigers

World Series: Yankees over Phillies in 6
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on March 30, 2010, 08:10:15 PM
Hmmmm okay.

NL
East-Phillies
Central-Cardinals
West-Doyers
Wild Card-Braves

MVP: Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young: Wainwright, Cardinals (I know, I'm myopic)
ROY: I have no idea

AL
East:Yankees
Central:Twins
West:Angels
Wild Card: Red Sox

MVP: A-rod
Cy Young: No idea
ROY: No idea

Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on March 31, 2010, 12:03:59 AM
NL:
East- Mets


From your lips to god's ears, but even i'm not that optimistic...

Doing predictions over at my site, but barring injuries, I think we're looking at another Yankees-Phillies World Series, god help me.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Tyrannosaurus Rocks on March 31, 2010, 10:43:55 AM
NL:
East- Phillies
Central-Cardinals
West-Dodgers
Wild Card-  Giants

MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants
ROY: Jason Heyward, Braves

AL:
East- Yankees
Central- Twins
West- Angels
Wild Card- Mariners

MVP: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
ROY: Austin Jackson, Tigers

World Series: Yankees over Phillies in 6

You're alright, Gilly.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on March 31, 2010, 12:37:57 PM
Well, looks like the Cards might be starting the season with our third option at catcher.  Don't think it'll be for too long, though.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on March 31, 2010, 03:56:40 PM
I just hope there's at least one unexpected team in the playoffs because I've pretty much been hearing the same 4somes for each league from all the experts.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Barry Egan on March 31, 2010, 04:46:35 PM
NL:
East- Mets


From your lips to god's ears, but even i'm not that optimistic...

Doing predictions over at my site, but barring injuries, I think we're looking at another Yankees-Phillies World Series, god help me.

The Mets were obviously my longshot, and I [clearly] don't pay very close attention to the National League, but I do think Jason Bay was a huge upgrade for them, and combined with a healthy Beltran they should do much better than last year.  

Despite losing Jason Bay to youse Met fans, I'm very excited about the Red Sox revamped roster.  Adding Scutaro and Beltre to an otherwise stellar infield should make for some awesome double-plays.  Ellsbury and Cameron in the same outfield will be great fun to watch, too.  
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on March 31, 2010, 05:39:01 PM
The Red Sox are going to be the AL Mets, tons of talent, but they'll all be injured by the all star break. It's like they've made it a point to go out and get every single high risk/high reward player. It's surprising they didn't sign Harden. They do have a good bench though.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on March 31, 2010, 06:43:06 PM
The Red Sox are going to be the AL Mets, tons of talent, but they'll all be injured by the all star break. It's like they've made it a point to go out and get every single high risk/high reward player. It's surprising they didn't sign Harden. They do have a good bench though.

But it doesn't really matter if someone gets injured because they'll always be able to get someone to fill in, whereas a team like the Rays is pretty much screwed if they lose a top guy. I don't see any reason why a team with Red Sox money wouldn't go out and sign a handful of high risk/high reward guys. Just look at last year, they sign Penny and Smoltz who flame out and the Sox move on without it being a big deal. A small market team would be screwed if they dumped money on those guys and they were failures.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on March 31, 2010, 07:16:03 PM
I don't know, if they get far enough back I can't see even Henry throwing money at nothing. Plus, the buyers market in season isn't exactly a gold mine. They might be able to fill one or two holes if they come along, but you can't patch more than that. It's not just injury concerns either, there are a lot of other things they are banking on. The pitching staff after Lester and Beckett is a huge if. Matsuzaka is not a good pitcher having one lucky year, Lackey is a good #3 but has been inconsistent in the past couple of years and it remains to be seen if Buchholz will become more than a bottom of the rotation guy. The offense is good but it lacks the power you usually see in a big market team and again they're old.... and I don't know if I'd want a .250-.260 20-30 HR hitter hitting cleanup. Defensively, they're one of the best in baseball. But, I think the Yankees are going to blow them out of the water this year and somebody from the West or Central is going to take the wild card. If I had to take a guess I'd say they finish at least 10 games back in the East finishing 3rd and 5-6 games out of the Wild Card behind Tampa, Seattle and probably Detroit.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: slipperyslope on March 31, 2010, 10:24:32 PM
I haven't followed baseball for a good 15 years or something. 

If I wanted to get myself up to speed, where/how should I start?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: yesno on March 31, 2010, 10:45:48 PM
I'm a Rockies fan and they're a trendy pick lately. I'm skeptical of the likes of Buster Olney. But they were neck and neck with the Dodgers last year after having a huge slump, which I think they're too confident to repeat. Plus, there's going to be (slightly) less musical chairs. Thus:

NL West:

Rockies

Dodgers
Giants


Diamondbacks

Padres
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on March 31, 2010, 11:41:54 PM
I haven't followed baseball for a good 15 years or something. 

If I wanted to get myself up to speed, where/how should I start?

Try mlb.com. They have some useful content. Yahoo's MLB page is also excellent. Baseball Prospectus is also a great site for baseball info, but it's subscription-based.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on April 01, 2010, 04:26:14 PM
I don't know, if they get far enough back I can't see even Henry throwing money at nothing. Plus, the buyers market in season isn't exactly a gold mine. They might be able to fill one or two holes if they come along, but you can't patch more than that. It's not just injury concerns either, there are a lot of other things they are banking on. The pitching staff after Lester and Beckett is a huge if. Matsuzaka is not a good pitcher having one lucky year, Lackey is a good #3 but has been inconsistent in the past couple of years and it remains to be seen if Buchholz will become more than a bottom of the rotation guy. The offense is good but it lacks the power you usually see in a big market team and again they're old.... and I don't know if I'd want a .250-.260 20-30 HR hitter hitting cleanup. Defensively, they're one of the best in baseball. But, I think the Yankees are going to blow them out of the water this year and somebody from the West or Central is going to take the wild card. If I had to take a guess I'd say they finish at least 10 games back in the East finishing 3rd and 5-6 games out of the Wild Card behind Tampa, Seattle and probably Detroit.

Yeah, but there's a good chance that they'll trade for Adrian Gonzalez so that cleanup hitter isn't going to be a big deal. Nothing would make me happier than the Red Sox missing the playoffs but I just don't see any of those 3 teams you mentioned (maybe the Rays) being much better than them.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Reeleyes on April 01, 2010, 04:30:16 PM
I'm a Yankees fan. I wish there was a salary cap so I could be proud when I say that.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 01, 2010, 05:01:33 PM
I'm a Yankees fan. I wish there was a salary cap so I could be proud when I say that.

They'd have to do it right, because the salary cap in the NHL has hurt that league. Balance is all well and good but you can't separate the top from the bottom in the NHL. I really like the NBA's cap except for the trade restrictions, but it's a lot easier to implement a cap for teams of 12. I think the best move for baseball would be to set a large cap with no minimum. I still want to see teams given the ability to rebuild without having to sign players just to meet a cap minimum. But a max cap of 170-180 million would be beneficial and would ensure that most of the top talent wouldn't go to the same teams. You'd still have bad owners, but I think you'd get about 10 teams extra each year that are competitive. That's also a problem, when only 8 teams make the playoffs, it's hard for an owner to spend money. But, I wouldn't want to see the playoffs expanded.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Barry Egan on April 01, 2010, 07:01:19 PM
I'm a Yankees fan. I wish there was a salary cap so I could be proud when I say that.

Yeah, I'm a Red Sox fan, and always feel the need to add "since 1995".
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: P.W. on April 02, 2010, 01:49:11 AM
I haven't followed baseball for a good 15 years or something. 

If I wanted to get myself up to speed, where/how should I start?

One year in a fantasy baseball league should get you up to snuff.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: P.W. on April 02, 2010, 01:51:50 AM
Yeah, what I said. I'm drunk (on pizza, of course).

Every year since I was 6 years old, I've predicted a Tigers-Mets World Series and this year shall be no different. Maybe the Mets?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 02, 2010, 10:28:06 AM
I haven't followed baseball for a good 15 years or something. 

If I wanted to get myself up to speed, where/how should I start?

Try mlb.com. They have some useful content. Yahoo's MLB page is also excellent. Baseball Prospectus is also a great site for baseball info, but it's subscription-based.

Big second on Baseball Prospectus. They make reading about numbers fun! PLus, they're huge nerds, and I always trust nerds' assessments because nerds have no agenda except trying to be right.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Pregnant Pause on April 02, 2010, 10:46:00 AM

I haven't followed baseball for a good 15 years or something. 

If I wanted to get myself up to speed, where/how should I start?


I usually read Buster Olney's daily column on ESPN
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on April 02, 2010, 11:30:42 AM
I don't really have any predictions, but as a Twins fan I'm both excited for the new season and aggravated that every out-of-state sports columnist is aghast that Target Field doesn't have a roof. Tom Verducci actually cited Minnesota's "miserable conditions" in May and September, which is nuts. And after looking at Miller Park, which looks like a warehouse from the inside and feels like there's a roof over the place even when it's open, I'd prefer having to deal with 45-degree weather anyways.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 02, 2010, 12:11:52 PM
Stadiums that have a retractable roof put it up if there's the slightest chance of rain. I think I prefer it the way it is as well.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: yesno on April 03, 2010, 12:06:29 PM
Anyone know of any play-by-play guys who yell out "Touchdown!" for a home run call?  Because that would be really funny.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on April 03, 2010, 03:54:03 PM
Anyone know of any play-by-play guys who yell out "Touchdown!" for a home run call?  Because that would be really funny.

Joe Buck?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 03, 2010, 06:03:27 PM
Anyone know of any play-by-play guys who yell out "Touchdown!" for a home run call?  Because that would be really funny.

Joe Buck?

He would never say something that would be written with an exclamation at the end.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 03, 2010, 09:12:11 PM
Anyone know of any play-by-play guys who yell out "Touchdown!" for a home run call?  Because that would be really funny.

Joe Buck?

He would never say something that would be written with an exclamation at the end.

Ditto. Christ, he's the worst. in two different sports, no less
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 04, 2010, 02:19:41 PM
HAPPY OPENING DAY!!!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Matthew_S on April 04, 2010, 05:11:03 PM
no fontasy league this year?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: not that clay on April 05, 2010, 11:06:21 AM
Is it too late for a last-minute fantasy league? I'm game.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 05, 2010, 12:18:09 PM
HAPPY CARDINALS OPENING DAY!!!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on April 05, 2010, 02:22:13 PM
Anyone know of any play-by-play guys who yell out "Touchdown!" for a home run call?  Because that would be really funny.

Joe Buck?

He would never say something that would be written with an exclamation at the end.

Ditto. Christ, he's the worst. in two different sports, no less

Very excited that Fox locked him up with that extension.

no fontasy league this year?

The Yahoo league is going, don't think the ESPN one is.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on April 05, 2010, 08:39:59 PM
Break up the Pirates!







Don't worry. It'll happen soon enough.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 05, 2010, 10:24:19 PM
Break up the Pirates!


if only they could face Vicente Padilla every day
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 06, 2010, 12:22:12 AM

Don't worry. It'll happen soon enough.

 :D So true.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 06, 2010, 12:32:54 AM
What a great day of baseball!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on April 06, 2010, 12:52:12 AM
Already regretting my fantasy draft.  My Brewers fanhood always gets in the way of common sense. 
And I didn't know Ian Kinsler was injured enough that he would be put on the DL when I drafted.

I am happy that I have box scores to stare out every morning though!  It brings me a good half hour of joy every morning, and I have something to stare at in a coffee shop or on the bus if I don't feel like doing anything else. 
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 06, 2010, 01:01:44 AM
Already regretting my fantasy draft.  My Brewers fanhood always gets in the way of common sense. 
And I didn't know Ian Kinsler was injured enough that he would be put on the DL when I drafted.

I am happy that I have box scores to stare out every morning though!  It brings me a good half hour of joy every morning, and I have something to stare at in a coffee shop or on the bus if I don't feel like doing anything else. 

It's a long season don't worry! But, it will be really long if you drafted Corey Hart.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: P.W. on April 06, 2010, 01:16:55 AM
I cannot tell you guys how in love with this MLB At Bat 2010 app I am. I've listened to baseball games ALL day.

The Tigers won.
The Cubs won.
The Mets won.

And for $14.99 and a short download, I won.

Great Opening Day.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on April 06, 2010, 01:35:18 AM
Already regretting my fantasy draft.  My Brewers fanhood always gets in the way of common sense. 
And I didn't know Ian Kinsler was injured enough that he would be put on the DL when I drafted.

I am happy that I have box scores to stare out every morning though!  It brings me a good half hour of joy every morning, and I have something to stare at in a coffee shop or on the bus if I don't feel like doing anything else. 

It's a long season don't worry! But, it will be really long if you drafted Corey Hart.

I did draft Ryan Braun over Chase Utley.  I regretted that before, during, and after I pushed the button.  And I took Ben Sheets earlier than I should have.  He is a part owner of the Milwaukee Admirals, a hockey team, and I always liked him.  And I picked up Roy Oswalt earlier than I should have too, I think.

I used to know a girl named Corey Hart!  This was before the baseball player even hit his first homer, but well after the singer.  She hated any reference to that. 

The team I'm against the first week has Albert Pujols, so I'm just panicking.  Got to stay the course.  And CC Sabathia had a bad outing. 
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on April 06, 2010, 02:58:26 PM
I cannot tell you guys how in love with this MLB At Bat 2010 app I am. I've listened to baseball games ALL day.

The Tigers won.
The Cubs won.
The Mets won.

And for $14.99 and a short download, I won.

Great Opening Day.

Apparently you app is faulty because whatever the Cubs did yesterday wasn't a win.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on April 07, 2010, 12:39:36 AM
I cannot tell you guys how in love with this MLB At Bat 2010 app I am. I've listened to baseball games ALL day.

The Tigers won.
The Cubs won.
The Mets won.

And for $14.99 and a short download, I won.

Great Opening Day.



Apparently you app is faulty because whatever the Cubs did yesterday wasn't a win.

Maybe it's a special feature for Cubs fans?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 07, 2010, 07:04:44 PM
my latest get rich quick scheme: an app that will tell users who want to be deluded exactly what they want to hear about sports outcomes. you could even expand it to all world events--or has Fox News already cornered that market?

/rimshot, try the veal, etc.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on April 10, 2010, 02:32:49 PM
Oliver Perez's most recent contract has to be one of the worst in the history of baseball.

(http://evertb.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/burning-money.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Under The Rug on April 10, 2010, 03:53:33 PM
This is the Royals' year this year. I can feel it (don't let the early returns or past experience fool you). I predict:
East: Yankees
Central: ROYALS
West: Mariners
Wild: Twins
NL: blah

Royals take it over the Mariners, then Yankees (in 5), then over National Team x for the championship.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 10, 2010, 05:13:44 PM
KC lineup when healthy. You've got about 4 guys in there who are going to hit around .250, one or two potential 30 HR hitters, and probably only one hitter who is going to get over .300. Basically, you're looking at the Billy Butler show and good pitchers who will never get run support.

C: Jason Kendall
1B: Billy Butler
2B: Alberto Callaspo
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
3B: Alex Gordon
LF: David DeJesus
CF: Scott Podsednik
RF: Jose Guillen
DH: Josh Fields
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on April 10, 2010, 07:47:55 PM
Seriously. If Joe Posnanski doesn't think it'll happen for the Royals this year, it won't happen.

Also, I am both pleased that the Twins have a five-game winning streak going on the road and baffled at how they can do so with some seriously awful 1-2 and situational hitting. Span is inexplicably garbagey, Hudson isn't any better and keeps trying to find new ways to put his physical well-being in peril, and loading up the bases with no outs has typically resulted in nobody scoring. J.J. Hardy is pretty rad, though.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 10, 2010, 11:54:29 PM
No complaints here about the Cards' start.  Starting pitching is looking awesome.  Colby Rasmus is going to be a stud this year. Couple guys are slow outta the gate, but it's lookin' pretty good. Pretty pretty pretty good.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 12, 2010, 09:02:02 AM
No complaints here about the Cards' start.  Starting pitching is looking awesome.  Colby Rasmus is going to be a stud this year. Couple guys are slow outta the gate, but it's lookin' pretty good. Pretty pretty pretty good.

Also, in that division, as far as competition goes it's pretty much the Brewers and...nope, just the Brewers.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on April 12, 2010, 09:51:54 AM
No complaints here about the Cards' start.  Starting pitching is looking awesome.  Colby Rasmus is going to be a stud this year. Couple guys are slow outta the gate, but it's lookin' pretty good. Pretty pretty pretty good.

Also, in that division, as far as competition goes it's pretty much the Brewers and...nope, just the Brewers.

Just wait 'til the Cubs get a reliable pen! And some clutch hitting!

Seriously, this might be the earliest I check out of a baseball season.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 12, 2010, 11:33:23 AM
No complaints here about the Cards' start.  Starting pitching is looking awesome.  Colby Rasmus is going to be a stud this year. Couple guys are slow outta the gate, but it's lookin' pretty good. Pretty pretty pretty good.

Also, in that division, as far as competition goes it's pretty much the Brewers and...nope, just the Brewers.

Just wait 'til the Cubs get a reliable pen! And some clutch hitting!

Seriously, this might be the earliest I check out of a baseball season.

Based on the first 6 games, I might be right behind you.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 12, 2010, 01:21:23 PM
Well, Carpenter has already allowed 5 homers. Last season he allowed 7. Based on week one, I'd say Tim Lincecum has a good chance at the three-peat.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 12, 2010, 01:27:52 PM
I'd bet on a 3-peat but Roy Halladay isn't going to make it easy.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: namethebats on April 12, 2010, 02:56:28 PM
It'll all be better when Cliff Lee gets off the DL. Right?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 12, 2010, 08:22:29 PM
How in thee hell is Wainwright gonna win his first Cy Young when TLR takes him out after dealing 8 strong shutout innings? He struck out two of the three batters he faced in the 8th, and was at about 110 pitches.  Let him at least start the 9th and see if he can breeze through it. Jeez.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on April 13, 2010, 01:12:15 AM
You know your team's pitching staff is bad when it's outclassed by the Mets.

The Pirates' pitching is just atrocious.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 13, 2010, 01:23:38 AM
I don't know if it's the pitching coach or what, but the Pirates would be a far better team right now if their pitching panned out over the years. Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Brad Lincoln, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm... If even two of those had turned into a serviceable #1 they would have had a reason to keep their talent the past years and they might be contending this season.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on April 18, 2010, 08:05:43 PM
The Pirates are now 7-5. They may not have much talent, but they are scrappy. And they're pretty fun to watch.

If they can get their pitching situation straightened out, they could become a contender in the NL Central over the next few years.

The Mets are...well, they're the Mets.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 18, 2010, 10:11:35 PM


The Mets are...well, they're the Mets.

The Mets aren't as bad as their record. But their manager is.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on April 23, 2010, 01:52:48 AM
Rough series with the the Brewers - sometimes a beating gets a group motivated though. 

Q:  How awesome is Ryan Braun?

A:  Very.

I heard part of the game on my car radio so got to listen to Uecker, and blowouts for or against the Brewers are the best to listen to - Bob Uecker really has good stories.  Over a ten minute span in the seventh inning he talked about why Ted Williams and Warren Spahn were awful managers/coaches, the development of multi-year contracts, don drysdale and sandy koufax and their 100,000 dollar deals, and made fun of some legendary Pitt basketball announcer/former mlb player I've never heard of because of some probably made up feud.  Other stuff too, all interesting/charming/funny. 

The Pirates are now 7-5. They may not have much talent, but they are scrappy. And they're pretty fun to watch.

If they can get their pitching situation straightened out, they could become a contender in the NL Central over the next few years.

The Mets are...well, they're the Mets.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on April 23, 2010, 11:40:57 AM


The Mets are...well, they're the Mets.

The Mets aren't as bad as their record. But their manager is.

I'd say the Mets are worse than their record indicates. They only have 1 legitimate starting pitcher, so it's hard to see how they can win more than 20% of their games. They certainly aren't going to out-hit anybody.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on April 23, 2010, 12:41:14 PM


The Mets are...well, they're the Mets.

The Mets aren't as bad as their record. But their manager is.

I'd say the Mets are worse than their record indicates. They only have 1 legitimate starting pitcher, so it's hard to see how they can win more than 20% of their games. They certainly aren't going to out-hit anybody.

They out hit the Cubs.

A few more weeks of this and I think I'm done. Unless, of course, the most expensive setup man in history saves the pen.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 23, 2010, 02:57:25 PM
The Redbirds are lookin' tuff.  Colby Rasmus might just have an all-star, 25+ home run year.  Penny under Dave Duncan's tutelage is reminding me of 2006 Suppan. Rookie Garcia is pitching lights out so far.

Tonight they will be shut down by The Freak in SF tho.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on April 23, 2010, 03:24:57 PM
The Redbirds are lookin' tuff.  Colby Rasmus might just have an all-star, 25+ home run year.  Penny under Dave Duncan's tutelage is reminding me of 2006 Suppan. Rookie Garcia is pitching lights out so far.

Tonight they will be shut down by The Freak in SF tho.

Rasmus won't be an all-star because he can't hit lefties for his life.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on April 23, 2010, 06:03:19 PM
The Pirates are now 7-5. They may not have much talent, but they are scrappy. And they're pretty fun to watch.

If they can get their pitching situation straightened out, they could become a contender in the NL Central over the next few years.

I can't believe I wrote this.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 23, 2010, 10:11:06 PM
The Redbirds are lookin' tuff.  Colby Rasmus might just have an all-star, 25+ home run year.  Penny under Dave Duncan's tutelage is reminding me of 2006 Suppan. Rookie Garcia is pitching lights out so far.

Tonight they will be shut down by The Freak in SF tho.

Rasmus won't be an all-star because he can't hit lefties for his life.

That was true last year. You'll eat nem words.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 24, 2010, 02:55:16 AM
Well, the Cardinals scored a run off Lincecum. I'll take it.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 28, 2010, 01:49:54 PM
The Redbirds are lookin' tuff.  Colby Rasmus might just have an all-star, 25+ home run year.  Penny under Dave Duncan's tutelage is reminding me of 2006 Suppan. Rookie Garcia is pitching lights out so far.

Tonight they will be shut down by The Freak in SF tho.

Rasmus won't be an all-star because he can't hit lefties for his life.

That was true last year. You'll eat nem words.

Okay, maybe you won't exactly eat them since Rasmus is 0 for 12 against lefties this year.  But everyone's pick for ROTY (mine included), Jason Heyward, is batting a little under .190 against lefties. So...whatever that means.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 28, 2010, 02:53:15 PM
The Redbirds are lookin' tuff.  Colby Rasmus might just have an all-star, 25+ home run year.  Penny under Dave Duncan's tutelage is reminding me of 2006 Suppan. Rookie Garcia is pitching lights out so far.

Tonight they will be shut down by The Freak in SF tho.

Rasmus won't be an all-star because he can't hit lefties for his life.

That was true last year. You'll eat nem words.

Okay, maybe you won't exactly eat them since Rasmus is 0 for 12 against lefties this year.  But everyone's pick for ROTY (mine included), Jason Heyward, is batting a little under .190 against lefties. So...whatever that means.

It means that, even if you're a really good lefty batter, it's really fucking hard to hit left-handed pitching.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on April 29, 2010, 12:35:31 PM
Speaking of left-handed pitching, Jason Heyward better be careful or Jamie Garcia might just sneak up on that ROTY award (in the continuing tradition of me using this thread to make overly optimistic statements about the Cardinals).

PS: Rasmus got two hits off a lefty last night. May the floodgates open.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on April 29, 2010, 08:26:12 PM
Speaking of left-handed pitching, Jason Heyward better be careful or Jamie Garcia might just sneak up on that ROTY award (in the continuing tradition of me using this thread to make overly optimistic statements about the Cardinals).

PS: Rasmus got two hits off a lefty last night. May the floodgates open.

Heyward did not look good at all in the series against the Mets. I know he's supposed to be god's gift to baseball, and I fully expected to put a hurt on while he was in NY, but I think he got like one hit.

Garcia's pitched great so far. The Dave Duncan magic touch strikes again.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on May 02, 2010, 01:38:08 PM
If Ryan Howard is worth $25 million/year, then how much is Albert Pujols worth? $30 million? $40 million?

The Phillies just made it that much harder for the Cardinals to re-sign Pujols.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 03, 2010, 12:01:23 PM
Probable NLCS preview starts today (Although, at this early point, I'm not counting the Giants out).  From the Cardinals website:

"Cardinals: It's another tough test for Garcia, who's seen plenty of them already this year. This time it's not so much the opposing starter -- no Tim Lincecum or Johan Santana -- as it is the opposing lineup and the ballpark. Garcia will be facing the National League's best lineup, and a team that last year was also as good as any against left-handed pitching. And he'll be doing it in the claustrophobic confines of Citizens Bank Park, one of the toughest parks on pitchers in the league. Good luck, kid."

Yikes.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on May 03, 2010, 12:04:57 PM
Cubs need to play the Dbacks at Wrigley all the time.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on May 05, 2010, 11:53:47 AM
(http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00625/harwell_jpg_625821gm-a.jpg)

I think it's important to acknowledge the passing of Ernie Harwell, a man who may have been the greatest of all baseball announcers.

He will be missed.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 05, 2010, 12:15:23 PM
(http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00625/harwell_jpg_625821gm-a.jpg)

I think it's important to acknowledge the passing of Ernie Harwell, a man who may have been the greatest of all baseball announcers.

He will be missed.

Respeck.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on May 05, 2010, 05:13:56 PM
after today's Mets loss, only this article about a certain Atlanta team's manager and his hilariously misspelled cake can make me feel better:

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/05/05/cake-honoring-bobby-cox-has-unfortunate-misspelling/
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 05, 2010, 09:15:43 PM
Why do struggling pitchers and young guys always rise to the occasion against the Cardinals?  I'm feeling very Bad Lieutenant right now.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: yesno on May 10, 2010, 10:29:09 AM
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Alex Rodriguez is such a second-rater.  "Good for him." Yeah, good for him.  He'll be in Cooperstown before you, jackass.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on May 10, 2010, 12:14:01 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Alex Rodriguez is such a second-rater.  "Good for him." Yeah, good for him.  He'll be in Cooperstown before you, jackass.

worst part about Yankees winning World Series last year: now that asshat has a ring. I thought for sure he was fated to go down the Karl Malone Path.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 14, 2010, 01:42:33 PM
Well, so far, I'm not very impressed with the effect Mark McGwire's had on Cardinals hitting.  When Jamie Garcia has a 1.18 era and two losses and Brad Penny has a 1.70 era and three losses that's a pretty good indication that they're not getting the job done.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Barry Egan on May 14, 2010, 02:17:42 PM
Maybe the Cards shouldn't have hired a batting coach who, even when juiced to his tits, couldn't manage higher than a .263 career batting average.

(If I sound bitter it's because I own 25 McGwire Olympic-Team Pre-Rookie Cards which have depreciated in value by about 80,000% in the last ten years.)

I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on May 14, 2010, 06:01:09 PM
Yeah, I cringe when I hear people say that McGwire is one of the greatest hitters ever and belongs in the HOF. I get the argument that everyone juiced at that time and I'm totally willing to say that Bonds is still one of the greatest of all time. But, McGwire wasn't that good of a hitter, he just hit a ton of home runs and that directly lies on the fact that he cheated. I can look at Bonds stats and say even without the inflated home run numbers he still would have been HOF worthy. You can't do the same for McGwire and the same goes for Sosa.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: yesno on May 14, 2010, 06:21:25 PM
There's an economist, Arthur De Vany, who says that steroids are a red herring.  I am not qualified to judge his argument, but it's interesting.

I guess that the standard argument is that steroids make mediocre hitters hit the few balls they hit a lot farther than they would, and they let mediocre pitchers throw faster.  So they let mediocre players overperform.

De Vany argues that most people who do steroids don't get better at baseball, that the things that count most (accuracy, timing) steroids don't affect, and that while they can make you stronger (in conjunction with an amount of training that would have made you stronger anyway, to a lesser degree--there is something to say about steroids making people simply *want* to work out more), that the kind of strength they build is slow-twitch muscle that would not help you hit a ball any farther.

I don't think the data stands up to his argument.  Something has to account for the massive increase in homers.  I agree that Bonds is one of the greatest ever.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: fonpr on May 14, 2010, 08:13:27 PM
Something has to account for the massive increase in homers. 
A: Amphetamines. 

In the 70s, I remember players good for 6-8 homers a year, suddenly hitting 20+.  Roy White and Rico Petrocelli (40 Home runs one year) come immediately to mind.

Let them go and burn out.  Keep the government out of it.

Yeah, and that means taking away MLB's monopoly status. 

I quit paying attention to sports around 1975.

Rigged just like the stock market and wrestling and politics.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on May 14, 2010, 08:19:29 PM
Greenies have been part of the game longer than the 70's but they definitely played a role. I think in the late 90's the ball was juiced along with other factors like steroids. A perfect storm to create a bigger than life game. But, it had to have been steroids, almost all of the guys who were hitting the ball out of the park 50+ times a year were on all of the lists. It's kind of crazy however that since testing has begun not one power hitter has been suspended.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on May 15, 2010, 12:09:56 AM
I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.

Guess I'm a monster.

I don't like his hair or the fact that he hasn't aged in 30 years.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 15, 2010, 02:20:57 AM
I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.

Guess I'm a monster.

I don't like his hair or the fact that he hasn't aged in 30 years.

Must be the vegan diet (and the alcohol).

jbissell, you'll be amused to know that my sportsbook account is at zero. I've been knocked out after a month and a half.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on May 15, 2010, 02:43:23 AM
Holy crap that's totally true about LaRussa. He's been 55 for 30 years.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on May 15, 2010, 03:10:02 AM
I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.

Guess I'm a monster.

I don't like his hair or the fact that he hasn't aged in 30 years.

Must be the vegan diet (and the alcohol).

jbissell, you'll be amused to know that my sportsbook account is at zero. I've been knocked out after a month and a half.

Should've been betting on the Pirates over the Cubs.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on May 18, 2010, 06:00:14 PM
Yeah, I cringe when I hear people say that McGwire is one of the greatest hitters ever and belongs in the HOF. I get the argument that everyone juiced at that time and I'm totally willing to say that Bonds is still one of the greatest of all time. But, McGwire wasn't that good of a hitter, he just hit a ton of home runs and that directly lies on the fact that he cheated. I can look at Bonds stats and say even without the inflated home run numbers he still would have been HOF worthy. You can't do the same for McGwire and the same goes for Sosa.

totally agree. McGwire was basically a juiced Dave Kingman: hit home runs, that's it. I wouldn't not vote for him because of steroids; I'd not vote for him because all he did was hit homers, in an era where homers were completely devalued.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on May 19, 2010, 02:03:17 AM
He did win a gold glove - which I suppose only further proves that the gold glove is a popularity contest.

I really detest him as well, his response to the allegations was ridiculous.  Then again that baseball hearings in congress are ridiculous too.

Yeah, I cringe when I hear people say that McGwire is one of the greatest hitters ever and belongs in the HOF. I get the argument that everyone juiced at that time and I'm totally willing to say that Bonds is still one of the greatest of all time. But, McGwire wasn't that good of a hitter, he just hit a ton of home runs and that directly lies on the fact that he cheated. I can look at Bonds stats and say even without the inflated home run numbers he still would have been HOF worthy. You can't do the same for McGwire and the same goes for Sosa.

totally agree. McGwire was basically a juiced Dave Kingman: hit home runs, that's it. I wouldn't not vote for him because of steroids; I'd not vote for him because all he did was hit homers, in an era where homers were completely devalued.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Barry Egan on May 19, 2010, 02:44:00 AM
I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.

Guess I'm a monster.

I don't like his hair or the fact that he hasn't aged in 30 years.

The man saves a lot of cats and dogs. (http://www.arf.net/)  I agree his hair is terrifying, but on the Cal Ripken scale of Baseball Players Not Embarassing Fans, I give him an 8.8.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on May 19, 2010, 10:40:51 AM
He did win a gold glove - which I suppose only further proves that the gold glove is a popularity contest.

I really detest him as well, his response to the allegations was ridiculous.  Then again that baseball hearings in congress are ridiculous too.



I really hate the sanctimonious, hand-wringing response to steroids, which only exists in baseball. The NFL's about to get some names named, thanks to the indictment of Dr. Galea (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/05/18/bloomberg1376-L2O7OA0YHQ0X-1.DTL), but nobody is talking about that at all, and I seriously doubt they will when those names do come out. Because everyone pretty much expects football players to be huge, but when you take HGH to hit homers, angels weep and puppies die.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on May 19, 2010, 12:09:45 PM
You bring up an interesting point, scratch. Why is there so much indignation over the prevalence of PED's in baseball, when there is probably just as much (if not more) abuse of PED's in the NFL? Case in point, the Steelers wouldn't have won those four Super Bowls in the 70's without the aid of steroids. But nobody seems to care. Clearly, there's a double standard.

Why? It has everything to do with records. Baseball records are far more cherished than football records. Does anyone really care about who has the record for most touchdowns in a season? Can you even name the holder of that record without looking it up? Probably not. Baseball records are an entirely different matter. The average sports fan can probably name the single season HR record holder without even thinking about it. When the authenticity of baseball records is invalidated, there is going to be a great deal of discontentment, because we care more about those records.

Is it hypocritical? Sure. But that's just how it is.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on May 20, 2010, 05:54:09 PM
I still love LaRussa though.  Only a monster could hate LaRussa.

Guess I'm a monster.

I don't like his hair or the fact that he hasn't aged in 30 years.

The man saves a lot of cats and dogs. (http://www.arf.net/)  I agree his hair is terrifying, but on the Cal Ripken scale of Baseball Players Not Embarassing Fans, I give him an 8.8.

So drunk driving is a 1.2 deduction?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on May 26, 2010, 12:12:58 PM
Quite a day for pitching yesterday. You mets fans had to have enjoyed that. I know I enjoyed watching the recap.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on May 27, 2010, 11:43:56 AM
i always enjoy when my favorite team inexplicably doesn't shit the bed
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on May 27, 2010, 02:32:51 PM
i always enjoy when my favorite team inexplicably doesn't shit the bed

I'm glad that the Mets have begun to pick up their play.

Still, I wish the Mets would do the following:
1. Send Jenrry Mejia down to Binghamton where he can get a chance to start every fifth day.
2. Fire HoJo and bring in a competent hitting coach.
3. Hire Logan White as G.M. (This is probably a pipe dream)
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on July 01, 2010, 12:50:28 PM
Feast on this, LaRussa haters
 http://es.pn/dcqEhN
So, it's pretty obvious that Tony doesn't really think too hard about these issues from his uniformed quotes on the subject. Just as obvious, though, from the ridiculously out-of-context, one and two-word quotes at the end, are the author's motives for writing pieces like this.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If you polled your favorite sports team on their political opinions and got honest answers, there'd be nobody left to root for.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on July 01, 2010, 01:11:32 PM
Feast on this, LaRussa haters
 http://es.pn/dcqEhN
So, it's pretty obvious that Tony doesn't really think too hard about these issues from his uniformed quotes on the subject. Just as obvious, though, from the ridiculously out-of-context, one and two-word quotes at the end, are the author's motives for writing pieces like this.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If you polled your favorite sports team on their political opinions and got honest answers, there'd be nobody left to root for.

Dozens of St. Louis Tea Party members were at Busch Stadium to show their support of the Arizona immigration law, prompting La Russa to touch on the subject.

La Russa told reporters he encouraged the presence of different points of view, and said he believed the Tea Party's stances were "correct" on "a lot of things."

That seems like the ideal place for dozens of Tea Party protesters to make their thoughts clear about the Arizona immigration law. And Tony LaRussa's opinion on the matter is the one I've been dying to hear.

No wonder George Will liked him so much.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Trotskie on July 02, 2010, 04:25:35 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html)


Well, I guess that explains it.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on July 02, 2010, 09:20:16 PM
Feast on this, LaRussa haters
 http://es.pn/dcqEhN
So, it's pretty obvious that Tony doesn't really think too hard about these issues from his uniformed quotes on the subject. Just as obvious, though, from the ridiculously out-of-context, one and two-word quotes at the end, are the author's motives for writing pieces like this.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If you polled your favorite sports team on their political opinions and got honest answers, there'd be nobody left to root for.

It does make the Phoenix Suns stand out though - good for them. 
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on July 02, 2010, 11:18:55 PM
Feast on this, LaRussa haters
 http://es.pn/dcqEhN
So, it's pretty obvious that Tony doesn't really think too hard about these issues from his uniformed quotes on the subject. Just as obvious, though, from the ridiculously out-of-context, one and two-word quotes at the end, are the author's motives for writing pieces like this.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If you polled your favorite sports team on their political opinions and got honest answers, there'd be nobody left to root for.

Until you poll them about Prop 8 or some other divisive issue.
It does make the Phoenix Suns stand out though - good for them. 
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on July 02, 2010, 11:19:27 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html)


Well, I guess that explains it.

Awesome.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on July 03, 2010, 04:28:15 PM
I really wish this season would end.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on July 06, 2010, 09:24:26 AM
I really wish this season would end.

I feel ya. I was definitely in the same boat this time last year.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on July 09, 2010, 11:48:25 PM
I am pleased as punch Cliff Lee ended up with the Texas Rangers and not the Yankees.  The postseason will be far more interesting. 

Cliff Lee was BADASS  in the playoffs last year.  That nonchalant underhand catch he made in game one of the WS was great.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 07, 2010, 10:56:08 AM
Some of you know that my Fantasy League that had been going for 25 years fell apart this year when one of our owners who had been at every draft suffered a fatal heart attack about 6 weeks before the draft was scheduled. Understandably, nobody had the heart to go on with the league.

This has been difficult for me, as that was my favorite hobby. I was like a kid about it, and really still haven't gotten over the loss of the guy and the league.

Anyway, one of the things I did throughout a fantasy season was a nearly constant ranking of players according to their potential fantasy value. And a couple of people here asked me a year or two back if I would ever rank AL players, as my league was all NL, and I never considered the other league.

So just to kill some time this morning while trying to burn through some backlog of podcasts, I decided to rank ever player in both leagues. Here's the current top 50.

1) Josh Hamilton 2) Miguel Cabrera 3) Carlos Gonzalez 4) Carl Crawford 5) Albert Pujols

6) Joey Votto 7) Adrian Beltre 8) Alex Rios 9) Robinson Cano 10) Delmon Young

11) Scott Podsednik 12) David Wright 13) Vladimir Guerrero 14) Angel Pagan 15) Paul Konerko

16) Ichiro Suzuki 17) Aubrey Huff 18) Nelson Cruz 19) Evan Longoria 20) Adam Wainwright

21) Tori Hunter 22) Ryan Howard 23) Matt Holliday 24) Corey Hart 25) Hanley Ramirez

26) Ryan Braun 27) Jose Bautista 28) Chris B Young 29) Justin Morneau 30) Adam Dunn

31) Roy Halladay 32) Kevin Youkilis 33) Andres Torres 34) Heath Bell 35) Rafael Soriano

36) Billy Wagner 37) Shin-Soo Choo 38) Nick Swisher 39) Rafael Furcal 40) Brett Gardner

41) Ryan Zimmermann 42) Rajai Davis 43) Ricky Weeks 44) Michael Young 45) Brian Wilson

46) Kelly Johnson 47) Ubaldo Jiminez 48) Justin Upton 49) Cliff Lee 50) Juan Pierre

Who am I missing?
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on August 07, 2010, 10:05:48 PM
Wow.  I would never have guessed Scott Podsednik would even make the list, let alone ranked so highly. 

I followed him in Milwaukee, and remember him in the playoffs with the White Sox.  But after that I had mostly forgotten about him until this year.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on August 07, 2010, 10:46:53 PM
That Posedenik ranking reminded me he switched over to the NL and I could pick him up in the FOT fantasy league.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 11, 2010, 03:46:56 AM
Wild night in Cinci tonight! Didn't like seeing La Rue get kicked in the face repeatedly with spikes, but I did enjoy Molina answering a chorus of boo's with a homer.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 11, 2010, 01:11:27 PM
Since there are some very knowledgable baseball fans over here, can anyone think of a more violent act to have happened on the field than Cueto kicking LaRue in the face (with spikes)?  Having watched the tape a million times, I can't get over how crazy that was.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on August 11, 2010, 03:19:33 PM
Wild night in Cinci tonight! Didn't like seeing La Rue get kicked in the face repeatedly with spikes, but I did enjoy Molina answering a chorus of boo's with a homer.

That entire incident, including Phillips' pre-game comments that set it off, may be my favorite moment of the 2010 season.

I would have been so psyched about it if I was a Reds or Cards fan. It's so great hen an athlete breaks through that wall of emotionless cliches and says what's really on his mind. Of course, everybody will condemn him for it. But I think it's great.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on August 11, 2010, 07:14:33 PM
Since there are some very knowledgable baseball fans over here, can anyone think of a more violent act to have happened on the field than Cueto kicking LaRue in the face (with spikes)?  Having watched the tape a million times, I can't get over how crazy that was.

Marichal clonking Roseboro in the skull with a bat during a Dodgers-Giants game in '65.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on August 12, 2010, 12:47:20 AM
If that happened in the NBA people would be up in arms about thug life running rampant.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on August 12, 2010, 10:20:18 AM
Since there are some very knowledgable baseball fans over here, can anyone think of a more violent act to have happened on the field than Cueto kicking LaRue in the face (with spikes)?  Having watched the tape a million times, I can't get over how crazy that was.

Marichal clonking Roseboro in the skull with a bat during a Dodgers-Giants game in '65.

Jose Offerman had a couple good ones the last few years, though that was in the minors/Dominican League.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on August 12, 2010, 11:02:52 AM
Since there are some very knowledgable baseball fans over here, can anyone think of a more violent act to have happened on the field than Cueto kicking LaRue in the face (with spikes)?  Having watched the tape a million times, I can't get over how crazy that was.

It didn't happen on the field, but Ugueth Urbina trying to kill his employees with a machete and by burning them alive deserves to be mentioned.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on August 21, 2010, 04:48:20 PM
If that happened in the NBA people would be up in arms about thug life running rampant.

pretty much, yeah. basketball gets that bad rap for pretty obvious (= racist) reasons. baseball has a similar problem with sportswriters who insist hustle is lacking in "certain" players (ie, Latins).

To answer Hugman's query, other than the Marichal/Roseboro incident, the only fight I remember that comes close is the minor league game where Izzy Alcantra kicked the catcher in the chest before charging the mound.

Batter Super-Kicks Catcher in the Face (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJvL1dI1Eyc#)
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 23, 2010, 02:49:47 AM
If that happened in the NBA people would be up in arms about thug life running rampant.

pretty much, yeah. basketball gets that bad rap for pretty obvious (= racist) reasons. baseball has a similar problem with sportswriters who insist hustle is lacking in "certain" players (ie, Latins).

To answer Hugman's query, other than the Marichal/Roseboro incident, the only fight I remember that comes close is the minor league game where Izzy Alcantra kicked the catcher in the chest before charging the mound.

Batter Super-Kicks Catcher in the Face (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJvL1dI1Eyc#)

That's entertaining, but it's not even close.  I'm going to have to speak with my minister about this Cueto thing.  Have him assure me that he will go to hell.  Seriously, though, a 7-day suspension for ending someone's season that way? He wasn't afraid. He was angry, and he blew his cool in a major fucking way.  If I'm TLR and Cueto pitches the upcoming series in St. Louis, you have to hit him. Just start someone you can do without for a few games.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on August 23, 2010, 03:00:44 AM
Personally I think Alcantara's actions were a lot crazier/unjustifiable. 

I remember he had a cup of coffee with the Brewers years ago, but I guess he couldn't hit a curve ball.

Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 23, 2010, 03:31:25 AM
Personally I think Alcantara's actions were a lot crazier/unjustifiable. 

I remember he had a cup of coffee with the Brewers years ago, but I guess he couldn't hit a curve ball.

Kicking someone in their padded chest is crazier than kicking someone in the face??? As far as justifiable goes, Carpenter wasn't losing his cool up against the backstop aside from looking back to see who the hell was kicking him in the back with his spikes.  You obviously didn't watch the Cards/Reds "brawl" (Cueto was the only one actually fighting) like the Zapruder film as I have.

On a more positive note, I'm really happy to see beloved ex-Cardinals playing on winning teams in the East and West.

edit: Happy FOR Ludwick that is.  I think that was the stupidest move the Cards have/will make in a very long time.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on August 23, 2010, 04:53:59 AM
Personally I think Alcantara's actions were a lot crazier/unjustifiable. 

I remember he had a cup of coffee with the Brewers years ago, but I guess he couldn't hit a curve ball.

Kicking someone in their padded chest is crazier than kicking someone in the face??? As far as justifiable goes, Carpenter wasn't losing his cool up against the backstop aside from looking back to see who the hell was kicking him in the back with his spikes.  You obviously didn't watch the Cards/Reds "brawl" (Cueto was the only one actually fighting) like the Zapruder film as I have.

On a more positive note, I'm really happy to see beloved ex-Cardinals playing on winning teams in the East and West.

edit: Happy FOR Ludwick that is.  I think that was the stupidest move the Cards have/will make in a very long time.

No, I haven't studied it, but  I did see many clips though.  And kicking someone who has no idea anything would happen seems different than doing it in the midst of a brawl.

The Alcantara kick still seems more insane to me. 
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 23, 2010, 12:22:30 PM
Personally I think Alcantara's actions were a lot crazier/unjustifiable. 

I remember he had a cup of coffee with the Brewers years ago, but I guess he couldn't hit a curve ball.

Kicking someone in their padded chest is crazier than kicking someone in the face??? As far as justifiable goes, Carpenter wasn't losing his cool up against the backstop aside from looking back to see who the hell was kicking him in the back with his spikes.  You obviously didn't watch the Cards/Reds "brawl" (Cueto was the only one actually fighting) like the Zapruder film as I have.

On a more positive note, I'm really happy to see beloved ex-Cardinals playing on winning teams in the East and West.

edit: Happy FOR Ludwick that is.  I think that was the stupidest move the Cards have/will make in a very long time.

No, I haven't studied it, but  I did see many clips though.  And kicking someone who has no idea anything would happen seems different than doing it in the midst of a brawl.

The Alcantara kick still seems more insane to me.

We shall agree to disagree.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on August 23, 2010, 12:44:08 PM
Hey guys, anyone else excited for the Mike Quade/Xavier Nady era!?!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on August 23, 2010, 02:21:56 PM
If that happened in the NBA people would be up in arms about thug life running rampant.

pretty much, yeah. basketball gets that bad rap for pretty obvious (= racist) reasons. baseball has a similar problem with sportswriters who insist hustle is lacking in "certain" players (ie, Latins).

To answer Hugman's query, other than the Marichal/Roseboro incident, the only fight I remember that comes close is the minor league game where Izzy Alcantra kicked the catcher in the chest before charging the mound.

Batter Super-Kicks Catcher in the Face (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJvL1dI1Eyc#)

That's awesome. I like how he was prepared to fight the entire infield, Kung-fu movie style.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 23, 2010, 03:20:24 PM
You know, after watching that video a few more times, I'll say this: Alcantara's attack is definitely more hardcore, just not nearly as damaging.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on August 24, 2010, 03:22:21 PM
Cueto's is definitely worse, and a 7 game suspension for a starter basically means he missed one start, which is BS. But the Alcantra attack is crazier because he CLEARLY had it in his mind to take out the catcher. He kicks the guy a split second after he's hit. He had to come at bat thinking, "IF I get plunked, the catcher's going down!"
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on August 24, 2010, 03:27:12 PM
Hey guys, anyone else excited for the Mike Quade/Xavier Nady era!?!

You better believe I'm excited.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on August 24, 2010, 03:53:10 PM
Hey guys, anyone else excited for the Mike Quade/Xavier Nady era!?!

You better believe I'm excited.

1-0!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 25, 2010, 02:06:18 AM
I am by no means a Phillies fan, but Scott Barry is an asshole.  He seemed to be looking for a fight with Howard tonight.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on August 26, 2010, 03:09:19 AM
Goddamn, I still can't believe the Cardinals traded one of their most beloved, productive players, Ryan Ludwick, for Jamie Westbrook. That deal has proven to be just as stupid as it looked on paper.  Trade away a fan favorite for the second coming of Kip Wells...fudge....
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: ben on August 26, 2010, 03:43:43 AM
You know, after watching that video a few more times, I'll say this: Alcantara's attack is definitely more hardcore, just not nearly as damaging.

I'm still surprised he didn't drop the bat.  How has that not happened anywhere yet?  A dude charging the mound with the bat?  Even in insanity, there is some level of discretion in baseball.

Sincerely,

Charles Martin


Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on August 27, 2010, 01:58:17 PM
Poor Nats fans.

I learned not to get attached to a pitching stud the hard way, twice.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on August 27, 2010, 09:14:49 PM
a guy like Strasburg was going to need TJ surgery sooner or later. better for the Nats it happen now, while he the team still sucks.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on August 27, 2010, 10:14:45 PM
Hey, Liriano's turning out OK.

(HE IS. HE WILL BE FINE. FOR SURE.)
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Trotskie on August 27, 2010, 10:16:08 PM
a guy like Strasburg was going to need TJ surgery sooner or later. better for the Nats it happen now, while he the team still sucks.

and if this leads to the team severing ties with Dibble, we all win a little.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 28, 2010, 01:59:16 PM
Larussa speaking at Beck rally? Dear GOD, Hugman.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: jbissell on August 30, 2010, 02:43:27 AM
Larussa speaking at Beck rally? Dear GOD, Hugman.

Didn't you hear? IT WASN'T POLITICAL
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: nec13 on August 30, 2010, 11:39:01 AM
a guy like Strasburg was going to need TJ surgery sooner or later. better for the Nats it happen now, while he the team still sucks.

For sure. Also, I have little doubt that Strasburg will still be an effective pitcher once he recovers from TJ surgery. That 100 mph fastball, however, may be gone forever.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Lothar_Brightblade on August 30, 2010, 12:30:53 PM
Larussa speaking at Beck rally? Dear GOD, Hugman.

Considering Cincinnati is the Tea Party's Midwest Capital (or it seems that way at least), I'm surprised it wasn't a Reds dude. All the more reason to crush St. Louis I suppose.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on August 31, 2010, 08:54:23 AM
One month of Manny Ramirez for $3 million plus? It seems like the White Sox are spending a lot of money to cement their hold on second place.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on August 31, 2010, 08:35:10 PM
One month of Manny Ramirez for $3 million plus? It seems like the White Sox are spending a lot of money to cement their hold on second place.

The White Sox are the kings of the bold, expensive, dumb move.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on September 02, 2010, 01:35:43 AM
Fuck the Cardinals.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on September 22, 2010, 02:33:53 AM
Man, I wish St. Louis could put together a team like the Phillies. I'm so jealous of the Zeiglers.

Also, to revisit the Cueto thing - make that a career-ending injury to Jason LaRue.  Not like he wasn't close to retirement already, but still.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Gilly on September 25, 2010, 03:12:59 PM
Looking back at this thread and I can't believe I bought into the Mariners hype at the beginning of the season... nailed the Red Sox though.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: mahgeetah on October 06, 2010, 05:00:25 PM
Phillies over Yankees in 6. You heard it here.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: fonpr on October 06, 2010, 05:43:29 PM
Fredericks sayzzzzz  Rayzzzzzz take it all!

Send me your $$$$$$$$$ now!
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Stupornaut on October 06, 2010, 06:12:22 PM
HERE IS WHY THE TWINS SHOULD WIN THE WORLD SERIES (should as in "it would be nice" rather than "it is the probable logical outcome"):

1) Thome needs a ring already
2) It would get people to stop whining about how we paid Joe Mauer all that money and he's hitting like his usual Boggs-peripherals self instead of the freak Pujols numbers he had last year
3) It would prove that it is possible to play outdoor baseball in Minnesota in October and not die of exposure
4) It may put the national spotlight not only on the beautiful new ballpark but the hilarious trainwreck boondoggle of Block E a couple blocks down -- this is an "entertainment center" that sits within a three minute walk of two professional sports facilities and couldn't even keep a Hooters open
5) It will remind ESPN that the Twins actually exist
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: thom on October 06, 2010, 11:17:43 PM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on October 07, 2010, 11:25:56 PM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Lothar_Brightblade on October 08, 2010, 12:13:09 AM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.

Hey, you can go to hell, we deserve it.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on October 08, 2010, 03:51:23 AM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.

Hey, you can go to hell, we deserve it.

Indeed "you" do. "You" deserve to have won the weakest division in baseball, and you deserve the cremation you're about to be dealt. In all seriousness, it's just baseball. I'm sure you're a good dude, but this was a frustrating season for me as a Cardinal fan, and your team made me very mad, especially Johnny Cueto.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Lothar_Brightblade on October 09, 2010, 06:52:13 PM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.

Hey, you can go to hell, we deserve it.

Indeed "you" do. "You" deserve to have won the weakest division in baseball, and you deserve the cremation you're about to be dealt. In all seriousness, it's just baseball. I'm sure you're a good dude, but this was a frustrating season for me as a Cardinal fan, and your team made me very mad, especially Johnny Cueto.

Oh gosh. My ironic crybabyness didn't carry over on the nettubes. Sorry.

I actually have no regrets about this season. I have accepted the fact that we will lose this year, but that there is always next year, and I will always loves the Reds. Namaste.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Hugman 3.0 on October 10, 2010, 05:03:38 PM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.

Hey, you can go to hell, we deserve it.

Indeed "you" do. "You" deserve to have won the weakest division in baseball, and you deserve the cremation you're about to be dealt. In all seriousness, it's just baseball. I'm sure you're a good dude, but this was a frustrating season for me as a Cardinal fan, and your team made me very mad, especially Johnny Cueto.

Oh gosh. My ironic crybabyness didn't carry over on the nettubes. Sorry.

I actually have no regrets about this season. I have accepted the fact that we will lose this year, but that there is always next year, and I will always loves the Reds. Namaste.

I'm sorry, I'm VERY religious, and I don't take jokes about hell lightly. I was just busting your balls, anyways. I don't even really hate the Reds as a whole, I just hate Dusty Baker, Johnny Cueto, Brandon Phillips, and now Orlando Cabrera.  I do still like Scott Rolen.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Big Plastic Head on October 10, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
I haven't seen my father truly excited about much in a long time. There was youth in his voice tonight, watching that guy chuck a no hitter. I don't understand the significance, really, but I watched a ball game with my dad tonight and it was a hell of a thing.

That's beautiful.  I hope nem Phillies cream those bastards from Cincinnati.  Fucking crybabies.

Hey, you can go to hell, we deserve it.

Indeed "you" do. "You" deserve to have won the weakest division in baseball, and you deserve the cremation you're about to be dealt. In all seriousness, it's just baseball. I'm sure you're a good dude, but this was a frustrating season for me as a Cardinal fan, and your team made me very mad, especially Johnny Cueto.

Oh gosh. My ironic crybabyness didn't carry over on the nettubes. Sorry.

I actually have no regrets about this season. I have accepted the fact that we will lose this year, but that there is always next year, and I will always loves the Reds. Namaste.

I'm sorry, I'm VERY religious, and I don't take jokes about hell lightly. I was just busting your balls, anyways. I don't even really hate the Reds as a whole, I just hate Dusty Baker, Johnny Cueto, Brandon Phillips, and now Orlando Cabrera.  I do still like Scott Rolen.

I once sold Dusty Baker a Tuxedo shirt back in the mid 80's.

Sorry. That's all I got for a baseball thread.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: Trotskie on October 28, 2010, 11:35:06 PM
Too bad that Chris Russo passed away.  It'd be fun to hear his take on the Little Giants That Could.
Title: Re: 2010 FOT BASEBALL THREAD.
Post by: scratchbomb on October 29, 2010, 09:21:58 AM
Too bad that Chris Russo passed away.  It'd be fun to hear his take on the Little Giants That Could.

Mad Dog isn't dead, but his career is.