2009 MLB Thread

[scratchbomb]

I'm going to watch Carpenter pitch and (hopefully) the Redbirds rake tonight at Dodger Stadium.  Pray I don't get my hat sliced, cholo-style.

Is that a problem out in Chavez Ravine? I always thought there were enough out-of-towners in LA for fans of The Other Team to be okay out there.

It happened to some Cardinal fan during the playoffs once.  I've never really had a problem, but that's because I have manners.  I will be especially reserved tonight as it'll be just my wife and I.

Yikes. I didn't know cholos could swing playoff tickets. Seems a pricey way to stab people. Hope you have a safe outing.

Was that incident in the 2004 division series? Back then, I was working for a company that produced in-stadium programs, including the Dodgers. They gave us such a hard time all year, particularly with photos. They would send us the shittiest digital photos and get mad when we couldn't match the unis to DODGER BLUE. Blue's a really hard color to get right--it pretty much reflects every other nearby color. Particularly in shitty, shitty jpegs. We tried to explain this to them, but it never prevented the Dodgers from sending us crummy photos of Jose Lima in a red room, then bitching us out because we couldn't remove all of the red from his uniform.

They were also horrible about their playoff edition program, to the point where I really wanted them to flame out against the Cards. But I also hoped they'd win at least one game, thus forcing a 4-game series, so that all that pain-in-the-ass-ery wasn't for just one game's worth of programs.

It was a pretty great job, all things considered. Just some annoyances like that. But I didn't like the Dodgers before then, and I REALLY don't like them now.

I think it was 2004. Cholos are making things happen out here.  You think low-riders are cheap, homie?  I ended up going with my friend. I can never keep my mouth shut when the Cardinals play the Dodgers.  I just can't take it when Dodger fans boo Albert Pujols for no reason whatsoever, like a large percentage of them do. Does this happen in other ballparks?  jbissell, do cubs fans boo Albert Pujols? because that I can understand. but dodger fans should just shut up and be glad they get to say they saw Albert Pujols play baseball.
Round two tomorrow.

I feel like that "I boo you cuz you're good for the other team!" thing happens in most parks now, and I agree it's stupid. Booing should be reserved for the truly reprehensible. Just being agreat player who plays for The Other Team is not a booable offense.

[jbissell]

I just can't take it when Dodger fans boo Albert Pujols for no reason whatsoever, like a large percentage of them do. Does this happen in other ballparks?  jbissell, do cubs fans boo Albert Pujols? because that I can understand.

I haven't been to a Cubs/Cards game in a few years, but he definitely gets booed.  Not very surprising since he's the best player on our #1 rival.  There are also plenty of "Cards take it in the Poo-holes" (or something to that effect) shirts, which I feel plenty of shame about.  Personally Pujols has never really bothered me.  He's never really been a Cub-killer, it's been the Ludwick types (also, scrappy utility guys) that really hurt us the last few years.  He's the best hitter I've ever seen and seems like a pretty good guy so I would never boo him unless he did something to deserve it.

I feel like that "I boo you cuz you're good for the other team!" thing happens in most parks now, and I agree it's stupid. Booing should be reserved for the truly reprehensible. Just being agreat player who plays for The Other Team is not a booable offense.

What actually bothers me more is how quickly fans (I'm talking Cubs but I'm sure it's similar for other teams) turn on their own team.  I just don't see what is accomplished by booing a guy who is struggling, as long as he's giving effort.  The only time I've ever booed anyone on a team I love is if they are clearly not trying.

I don't know why you wouldn't be excited about the Cubs. They're shaping up to be the best team in the National League.

What the hell was I thinking?

You underestimated the Kevin Gregg experience.  Last night was it for me.  This season is officially dead.  Now I can only hope that Holliday continues to put up crazy numbers and the Cards can't afford to bring him back next year.  While injuries certainly have played a big role in this mediocre season, there's definitely a lot of retooling to be done this offseason.  I just hope the sale of the team will get settled so they have some money to make a few moves (like getting a real leadoff hitter).

[hugman]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to Busch stadium, but if I think back I seem to remember being surprised to find people booing, and I understand that in our Idiocracy-esque world we live in it's actually a sign of respect. 

QUESTION: If you were at your home stadium and you caught a Pujols homerun ball, would you throw it back?

[jbissell]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to Busch stadium, but if I think back I seem to remember being surprised to find people booing, and I understand that in our Idiocracy-esque world we live in it's actually a sign of respect. 

QUESTION: If you were at your home stadium and you caught a Pujols homerun ball, would you throw it back?

Man, I'd be so excited if I ever caught a ball, I don't think I would be able to give it up, no matter who hit it.

[scratchbomb]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to Busch stadium, but if I think back I seem to remember being surprised to find people booing, and I understand that in our Idiocracy-esque world we live in it's actually a sign of respect. 

QUESTION: If you were at your home stadium and you caught a Pujols homerun ball, would you throw it back?

No way. Then again, I once fished a foul ball out of a garbage can at Shea, so clearly I have no shame.

[nec13]

The closest I ever came to catching an HR ball is when Jay Bell hit one into the centerfield GA section at Three Rivers Stadium. It landed in the empty seat next to mine and then bounced into the section above my seats where someone else got it. Then I was at a baseball game with my mother a few years ago and a foul ball literally landed in her lap.

I can't win.

[hugman]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

[jbissell]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Isn't this season over yet?

[namethebats]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

[scratchbomb]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least. Then again, he's also said some kinda kuh-razy homophobic stuff in the past.

[hugman]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least. Then again, he's also said some kinda kuh-razy homophobic stuff in the past.

i'm sure if we polled every major league player on their opinion on gay marriage it would be enough to make me stop following baseball.  maybe we should so I could get a shitload more done between april and october.

[scratchbomb]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least. Then again, he's also said some kinda kuh-razy homophobic stuff in the past.

i'm sure if we polled every major league player on their opinion on gay marriage it would be enough to make me stop following baseball.  maybe we should so I could get a shitload more done between april and october.

yeah, i'd imagine there's not too much of a Venn intersection between my political views and that of the average major leaguer.

[jbissell]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least.

What was your problem with Maddux?  Of course I disliked him with the Braves because the Cubs fucked up so bad.

[scratchbomb]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least.

What was your problem with Maddux?  Of course I disliked him with the Braves because the Cubs fucked up so bad.

I have no idea. He just bugged me. Especially later in his career, when he'd be pitching a shutout through six innings with only 70 pitches under his belt and take himself out anyway.

I mean, I can totally separate my admiration for a player's ability from my personal feelings toward them. Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine are three of the best pitchers of their era. I'm just not particularly fond of any of them.

If I was a baseball writer, I would totally give a Hall of Fame vote to, say, Chipper Jones--even though if I ever met him in person, I'm pretty sure I would punch (and then run away as fast as I could).

[Stupornaut]

I'm sure you all thought of me when you heard that the Cards signed Smoltz.  I'm optimistic about this.  Hopefully he can serve as a better option as a fifth starter and a nice weapon in the setup role perhaps.  At the least, his experience and wisdom in the clubhouse can only help.

Going back to the NL should help him. I hope so — I've always liked Smoltz, and I'd like to see him go out in a better way than his Red Sox stint.

Of all the Braves' 1990s aces, he's the one I despised the least.

What was your problem with Maddux?  Of course I disliked him with the Braves because the Cubs fucked up so bad.

I have no idea. He just bugged me. Especially later in his career, when he'd be pitching a shutout through six innings with only 70 pitches under his belt and take himself out anyway.

I mean, I can totally separate my admiration for a player's ability from my personal feelings toward them. Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine are three of the best pitchers of their era. I'm just not particularly fond of any of them.

If I was a baseball writer, I would totally give a Hall of Fame vote to, say, Chipper Jones--even though if I ever met him in person, I'm pretty sure I would punch (and then run away as fast as I could).

I tend to dislike the Atlanta Braves in general, but largely because I'm a Twins fan and Braves fans will not ever shut the hell up about Kent Hrbek "pulling" Ron Gant off the bag.