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2009 MLB Thread - Page 28

post #811 of 1171
7/31/09 at 7:34am
I too agree that this list ought to be released. Did anyone see Ozzie Guillen's remarks following the Ortiz announcement?

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/07/ozzie-guillen-calls-for-list-of-104-players-who-tested-positive-in-2003-to-be-released.html

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Well, the BoSox are looking for a three-way deal at the moment. I also didn't know that they had made any overtures for Halladay. I thought that that was just speculation and/or rumors.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4368061

Tonight, the Red Sox play the Orioles. They have Smoltz on the mound. What this means is that the Orioles will have four or five runs by the end of their half of the third inning, and that the Sox will probably have to score at least six or seven runs to win the game. I do hope that we can get our middle relievers in around the fifth inning.
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post #812 of 1171
7/31/09 at 7:38am
 I'm not shocked by this but it does make me a bit sad.   I'm sure there's been cheating in sports for ages but it's so prevalent now that it's becoming hard to root for a team or player without wondering whether they are cheating.
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post #813 of 1171
7/31/09 at 8:23am
Some host on the radio once asked how people could still follow baseball, after all the stuff with steroids, and I would hear one of the callers use the analogy of singers who are on drugs and still make good music, and how we still would listen to them. I thought that was interesting to hear.
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post #814 of 1171
7/31/09 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
It IS an interesting topic, Walter. 

What will we tolerate from our athletes, singers, actors, celebrities?

I think that's at the base of the Pete Rose issue.  "Great hitter, but gambled.  If only he was repentant."  We tend to personalize these things and compare them to our own experiences. 

I know I've reacted differently when I've heard that celebrity x has a drug problem, celebrity y has been charged with a crime, and celebrity z has politics diametrically opposed to mine. 

I think the steroids issue is going to become easier for people to accept and deal with once the whole scope of it comes into focus for them.  Once it's not JUST Barry Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, A-Rod, Ortiz, etc. I think people will be able to get past the "personal" issues and understand that it was every team, majors & minors and LOTS of players. 
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post #815 of 1171
7/31/09 at 8:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter C View Post

Some host on the radio once asked how people could still follow baseball, after all the stuff with steroids, and I would hear one of the callers use the analogy of singers who are on drugs and still make good music, and how we still would listen to them. I thought that was interesting to hear.

Walter,

I like that example. As much as I love the Beatles and their music, or Wagner and his music, I have little interest in their/his political or social views. I think for myself that it's beneficial to separate the two. When I do that, it is much easier to overlook things I do not necessarily agree with.
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post #816 of 1171
7/31/09 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
But, Scott:

Once you've heard about an issue with a favorite performer does it get in the way--at all-of your enjoyment of that music?  Or can you easily say "that's just irrelevant to me."

There are so many variables involved in this--especially the level of interest in the athlete/singer and the level of importance of the "issue" involved that it would be very hard to develop an ironclad answer, I suppose.
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post #817 of 1171
7/31/09 at 9:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post

But, Scott:

Once you've heard about an issue with a favorite performer does it get in the way--at all-of your enjoyment of that music? Or can you easily say "that's just irrelevant to me."

There are so many variables involved in this--especially the level of interest in the athlete/singer and the level of importance of the "issue" involved that it would be very hard to develop an ironclad answer, I suppose.

Mike,

It hasn't gotten in the way for several years. I think in my case, it's because I always listen initially to the musical elements of any work of music (of those containing both music and text) and only secondarily to the textual elements. Often times, if a performer is going to preach while performing, it's going to be done with their texts rather than by some other means. For my own part, I do not listen to the words of any music unless I first am engaged by the music at a number of levels.

Your statement regarding 'level of importance' is, I think, significant. As much as I love music and make it my passion and my life's work, I can think of a couple of other things that are more important to me than music. And whenever issues come up in those particular areas, ironclad answers are not as easy to formulate.  For me, sports falls into the category of being not quite as important as those other areas. :)
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post #818 of 1171
7/31/09 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter C View Post

Some host on the radio once asked how people could still follow baseball, after all the stuff with steroids, and I would hear one of the callers use the analogy of singers who are on drugs and still make good music, and how we still would listen to them. I thought that was interesting to hear.

But drugs do not enhance a musician's talent and allow them to break records set by others not taking the drugs. Baseball is a physical game (or so I'm told) where one's abilities can be greatly enhanced by shooting up.

I'm not so concerned about the morality of taking drugs. My issue is with the cheating...taking performance enhancers to increase your physical strength so you can perform better, break records, and make more money...while others that do not take the drugs may struggle in comparison.
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post #819 of 1171
7/31/09 at 9:48pm
Well, Smoltz only gave up three (and not four) runs by the end of the third inning.  But the Sox still needed six runs to defeat the Orioles, which is what I thought they would need.  The good news is that the bullpen was steady after Smoltz yielded five runs.
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post #820 of 1171
8/1/09 at 8:30am
must be tough for Halladay to see Cliff Lee do so well in his debut.  i mean he obviously loved being a Jay but was clearly ready to move on. 

apparently the Yanks were close to getting Washburn but it didn't pan out.  I wonder if teams expect more from the Yanks and Sox then other teams when trading.  now with the rumour being that they will slow Joba down after X innings this year, they'll need a 4th and 5th starter.  although they do have about 6 offdays between now and the playoffs with which they could give them all to Chamberlain if they see fit.
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post #821 of 1171
8/1/09 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
The Yanks could easily end up picking up some pitching off waivers.

They've done that with a modicum of success in recent years--picking up other team's discards and making the pitchers look like Cy Young. 
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post #822 of 1171
8/1/09 at 1:52pm
I hope Victor Martinez is worth a Justin Masterson.  We'll see. :)

I read today that the Red Sox were thinking somewhat seriously of trying to obtain Halladay.  But they weren't willing to part with Bard and Buchholz, and I must say I can't blame them.  Bard looks as though he will be the next closer after Papelbon, and Buchholz has looked much better this year than before that (excepting when he pitched his no-hitter, of course).


Edited by Ockeghem - 8/1/2009 at 09:24 pm GMT
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post #823 of 1171
8/6/09 at 3:43pm
YANKEES VS. RED SOX

i think Yanks fans would be happy for a split :)  i hope it doesn't rain on sunday as i'll be at that game. 
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post #824 of 1171
8/6/09 at 9:07pm
Well, I wasn't very hopeful with Smoltz on the mound tonight. He's really difficult to watch these days. It was like watching batting practice. And he gave up his (nearly) patented five runs by the end of the fourth inning yet again.  I really wish they would take him out of the starting rotation.

I was watching the game, and discussing with my son how much I wished the Sox had begun their relief pitching in the third inning....  I figured they might still be in the game somehow when it was 3-2 or so.  Tomorrow, Beckett will be on the mound. I hope he pitches really, really well.
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post #825 of 1171
8/6/09 at 10:21pm
i was so happy when Kay called O'Neill on his pronunciation of "Smoltz".  IT'S NOT SCHMOLTZ PAUL.  he'd done that earlier in the season when Smoltz first got in the headlines and it drove me crazy. 
anyways, even though it was a blowout the Yanks pitchers did NOT make it easy.  at least the monkey's off the back. 
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post #826 of 1171
8/7/09 at 7:03am
O'Neill just was trying to get in good with us of the Jewish persuasion here in N.Y. 
BTW, the Met's reliever JJ Putz name is pronounced P-U-T-Z not 'Puts' as some putzes are doing.
Anyone notice how the 'fans' behind the 'moat' cleared out when the game looked like a lock ?  Makes me sick


Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW View Post

i was so happy when Kay called O'Neill on his pronunciation of "Smoltz".  IT'S NOT SCHMOLTZ PAUL.  he'd done that earlier in the season when Smoltz first got in the headlines and it drove me crazy. 
anyways, even though it was a blowout the Yanks pitchers did NOT make it easy.  at least the monkey's off the back. 
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post #827 of 1171
8/7/09 at 8:20am
Do you mean in front of the moat (closer to the field)? I don't mind when those seats are empty. It's better than watching some idiot with a cell phone waving to the camera.

And I don't like the idea of luxury suites in general so I don't care if they're empty. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LewB View Post


Anyone notice how the 'fans' behind the 'moat' cleared out when the game looked like a lock ?  Makes me sick


 



 
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post #828 of 1171
8/7/09 at 11:02am
Yeah, the 'Legends' seats that come with the free food and the $1K price tag.  My guess is that the vast majority are all either corporate owned or empty.  They always seem to have these available when I check for tickets thru Ticketmaster.  Pitty REAL fans are basically priced out.  Must be a real bitch directing the TV coverage to assure minimal exposure of the empty seats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin View Post

Do you mean in front of the moat (closer to the field)? I don't mind when those seats are empty. It's better than watching some idiot with a cell phone waving to the camera.

And I don't like the idea of luxury suites in general so I don't care if they're empty. 
 


 
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post #829 of 1171
8/8/09 at 9:18am
No comments about the LONG game last night? I was pleasantly surprised that A-Rod came through in the clutch. Now, try it in the playoffs!
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post #830 of 1171
8/8/09 at 9:34am
Helluva game,  glad the Yanks won. Neither team deserved to lose (or win for that matter). 
The art of spotting pitching talent still amazes me.  Yanks dump $40M down the Igowa hole in the ground and then someone manages to get Aceves out of the Mexican leagues for almost nothing.
4.5 game lead is nice, problem is that it's early August and there's a lot of golf left.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Moroughan View Post

No comments about the LONG game last night? I was pleasantly surprised that A-Rod came through in the clutch. Now, try it in the playoffs!
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post #831 of 1171
8/8/09 at 9:58am
It was a wonderful pitchers duel last night. Those are actually my favorite type of baseball games.

The best news of the night for me was that the Rays lost (in eleven innings). I respect the Yankees, but the Rays concern me a whole lot more. I believe that Tampa Bay will be in the post-season this year.

The A.L. teams that I believe will be there are the Angels, Rays, and White Sox. I don't think Detroit will make the cut. But that leaves three teams vying for one final spot. And I don't know if it will be the Rangers, Red Sox, or Yankees who get it. It will be a lot of fun seeing how it turns out, though.
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post #832 of 1171
8/10/09 at 11:11pm
just got back from the NY trip.  AMAZING.  i saw sunday night's game and the baseball gods were kind.  originally i did not want to see the last game of a 4 game series for various reasons, but had to settle on it.  plus the weather was uncertain.  and then it turned out arguably to be the best game of the weekend.  there's nothing like hearing 50,000 fans chanting "Boston Sucks" in perfect unison :)  (all in good fun of course, i realize Boston is temporarily playing below potential while the Yanks are playing over, and things can reverse quite easily in this game).  also went to the Carnegie Deli for the first time (the Pastrami just melts in your mouth) and revisited Gray's Papaya (twice!). 
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post #833 of 1171
8/11/09 at 6:02am
Yankees, Carnegie Deli and Gray's Papaya ? 
You sir are a man after my own heart

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricW View Post

just got back from the NY trip.  AMAZING.  i saw sunday night's game and the baseball gods were kind.  originally i did not want to see the last game of a 4 game series for various reasons, but had to settle on it.  plus the weather was uncertain.  and then it turned out arguably to be the best game of the weekend.  there's nothing like hearing 50,000 fans chanting "Boston Sucks" in perfect unison :)  (all in good fun of course, i realize Boston is temporarily playing below potential while the Yanks are playing over, and things can reverse quite easily in this game).  also went to the Carnegie Deli for the first time (the Pastrami just melts in your mouth) and revisited Gray's Papaya (twice!). 
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post #834 of 1171
8/12/09 at 6:58am
I finally got to the new Yankee Stadium last night and I was quite impressed.  Now I know what $1.5 Billion looks like.  Took Metro North and the train is the way to go if it's an option. We had to walk past the old ballpark on the way to the new (and Stan's) and I wonder what is taking so long to put the old place out of it's misery ? 
Had a pop at Tommy Bahama's and gawked at the great hall.  Had seats in section 132 (which were padded, believe it or not) and didn't know enough to get Lobel's steak sandwich.  The $10 pulled pork sandwich was fair, the $5  fries were better.  I've heard there are garlic fries to die for but didn't know where to get them. 
Yanks won, got to see Mo pitch and only had to wait about 15 mins from the time we got to the 153st Metro North station until a train arrived.  I was looking to find fault with the new place just because of the price tag, seat prices and the way that season ticket holders have been treated.  As far as the ballpark and infrastructure goes, it's pretty sweet.
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post #835 of 1171
8/13/09 at 7:42pm
i made my first trip to NY last year to finally experience the old stadium.  it took my an inning and a half just to get through the concession stand line.  and this was in the seventh inning.  it's sad to see such great history torn down, but the new place is a great baseball game experience. 
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post #836 of 1171
8/15/09 at 11:35am
Please, Zack, as a Royals fan.. please, get to a club that can use you.  Anywhere else, you'd win the Cy Young and you'd have 4 more wins.. another 7 innings, no ER.  And another loss, thanks to a 9th inning HR from the bullpen.  The Royals get blanked by a 6.8ERA pitcher. 

What does it say when you lead the league in 3 pitching categories and top five in others.. and you can't buy a win to save your life...
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post #837 of 1171
8/17/09 at 2:24pm
The Wall Street Journal posits that baseball may be one of those jobs that Americans won't do anymore.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124966930911615069.html

Quote:
Recent changes in U.S. immigration law and growing competition in baseball for raw talent have allowed the minor-league farm system to flourish with imported players. It has been a home run for globalization, but bad news for U.S.-born players, who suddenly have much more competition. Across the minor and major leagues, the total number of foreign-born players is growing fast, to almost 3,500 of the 8,532 players under contract this summer, from 2,964 three years ago.
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post #838 of 1171
8/18/09 at 6:32am
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content//article/2009/08/18/AR2009081800095.html

Nationals sign Strasburg.  Hope it's not a mistake. 
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post #839 of 1171
8/18/09 at 8:22am
The KC Royals are now subject to a local campaign which made me laugh out loud when I heard it on the radio this morning: "Now is the time to Sign Kenny Powers"  Petitions going around.  :)  Hilarious radio this AM.
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post #840 of 1171
8/20/09 at 7:44am
I really am liking Buchholz more and more these days.  I watched him carefully last night and thought at times that he pitched brilliantly when he needed to do so.  The last three starts he's had have been against the likes of Sabathia, Verlander, and Halladay.  And the Sox, while Buchholz was pitching, were in all three of those games.  I believe he gave up around 2, 2, and 1 run in those starts.  I hope they stick with him and make him a permanent starter next year.  I think I could live with Beckett, Buchholz, Lester, Penny, and Wakefield.  That being said, I'd still like to see them pick up one more quality starter.
Edited by Ockeghem - 8/20/09 at 12:45pm
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