The Boys Of Summer

[kopernikuz]

Post your favorite team here! Talk about the season. Rag on fans of lame teams like... well... I'll save it for later.

Anyway... let's talk about baseball!


My favorite team is The Cleveland Indians... with the Reds falling in there somewhere because I grew up with them and they're also in Ohio.

Dfab, DI, are you guys going to the game at the new ballpark?


Anyone else out there a baseball fan?

Nothing bullies out the Winter doldrums like Spring Training. It's just a reminder that Summer... oh yes... SUMMER! is right around the corner.

PLAY BALL!

[Darth Insightful]

I'm a dyed in the wool Reds fan and I'm looking for a big season out of my Redlegs. Junior shows all the signs that he's primed for a big season, Dunn and Kearns are two of the top young players in baseball, and I think Ryan Dempster and Danny Graves will become a solid 1-2 punch.

Kop, I attended the open house at the Great American Ball Park, and I have to say that it exceeded my expectations. It's a beautiful stadium and I think that fans will be very pleased with what their tax dollars payed for. It's a much better value than that $450 million dollar waste of space just down the river (Paul Brown Stadium is a wonderful facility from what I'm told, I just don't think the Bengals deserve it). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get Opening Day tickets, but I'll be watching Opening Day coverage all day Monday, skipping classes if necessary. I do plan on getting down to several games this year. I usually see about five Reds games a year.

Now boys and girls, I know you've been waiting for this, I'll post my predictions for each division this year:

NL East:
Philadelphia (Golla will be happy about this)
Atlanta
New York
Montreal
Florida

NL Central:
Cincinnati
Houston (NL Wildcard)
St. Louis
Chicago
Pittsburgh
Milwaukee

NL West:
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Arizona
San Diego
Colorado

AL East:
New York
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Tampa Bay

AL Central:
Minnesota
Chicago
Cleveland
Kansas City
Detroit

AL West:
Oakland
Anaheim (AL Wildcard)
Seattle
Texas

[Siri Ruane]

I don't lik baseball. But I guess if I had to pick a favorite team, it'd be the Minnesota Twins.

[kopernikuz]

I'm excited about the Indians this year and I didn't think I would be. Everyone keeps saying this is a "rebuilding" year... but I think they're going to have some surprises for a lot of teams.

I'm not saying they're winning the World Series or anything... but I think they're going to be much better than expected. You've got the youngest Manager in baseball hungry to prove himself... you've got a lot of very very good young kids hungry to prove themselves... and the veterans that are left are all the consistent ones... the ones who fans have always admired for their dedication to the game... good leaders for these kids.

Spring Training doesn't really tell you exactly how a team will do, but these guys have had an incredible Spring... they're doing the right things... they're back to fundamentals... and they want to win.

I think it's going to come across in a surprising season.

[Darth Fabulous]

I'm a Red Sox fan and this is our year, I know we say that every year, but seriously this time. We have the best 1-2 punch in the American League with Pedro and Derek Lowe. We added some strength to our terrible bullpen with Embry and Howry at the end of last season and and even managed to add a little more power to our lineup with Millar (I don't want to hear it), Jeremy Giambi, and David Ortiz, and Todd Walker is a great upgrade at second over Rey Sanchez. I think we have one of the most potent offenses in the Majors and good starting pitching to back it up. Manny is hitting everything and seems to have even more power than last year.

A few things concern me though, the first being the health of Pedro Martinez. He hasn't been great during Sprirng Training and I'm convinced that one of these days his arm is just going to fall off. The rest of the rotation worries me, Burkett is washed up, Wakefield is not starter material in my opinion, and Casey Fossum is a question mark. The bullpen is also still shaky at best despite the recent additions.

Still I am confident. I like Theo Epstien's style, and hell, a six year old is an improvement over Dan Duquette. I see us winning at least 100 games and I think we have a chance to win the east, maybe the wildcard if Anaheim and Oakland beat up on each other.

Here's our projected lineup from espn.com:

Johnny Damon, CF
Todd Walker, 2B
Nomar Garciaparra, SS
Manny Ramirez, LF
Kevin Millar, 1B
Shea Hillenbrand, 3B
Jeremy Giambi, DH
Trot Nixon, RF
Jason Varitek, C

I'm not sure how much I like two left-handers at the top of the order. Hillenbrand might not be in Boston long either, Epstein is just itching to get rid of him.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by kopernikuz@Mar 27 2003, 12:49 PM
I'm not saying they're winning the World Series or anything... but I think they're going to be much better than expected. You've got the youngest Manager in baseball hungry to prove himself... you've got a lot of very very good young kids hungry to prove themselves... and the veterans that are left are all the consistent ones... the ones who fans have always admired for their dedication to the game... good leaders for these kids.
The Indians have some excellent prospects coming up through their system. They've got four very impressive young pitchers in C.C. Sabathia, Brian Tallet, Billy Traber and Cliff Lee. They absolutely fleeced the Expos in the Colon deal, getting Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore. I worry about the offense though. Hafner looks like the real deal, and I think that Ben Broussard is as underrated a prospect as you'll find. There were many Reds fans, including myself, who felt that Broussard should have played at first over the human ground-out to second, Sean Casey (I wake up in the middle of the night a lot and wonder why they traded Paul Konerko for Mike Cameron instead of Casey). Gettng back to the Indians offense though, I just don't see them producing hitters like we saw when they were successful in the mid-to-late '90's, such as Belle, Ramirez, Thome, Baerga, Lofton, etc. Alex Escobar has all the talent in the world, but i think he'll follow the path of other 5-tool outfielders like Ruben Rivera. Who's that you say? That's the point. Milton Bradley is decent, but nothing special. A guy I really like is Victor Martinez, their young catcher. Mark it down folks: three years from now he will be the best all-around catcher in the American League, if not the entire Major Leagues.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Fabulous@Mar 27 2003, 01:13 PM
I'm a Red Sox fan and this is our year, I know we say that every year, but seriously this time. We have the best 1-2 punch in the American League with Pedro and Derek Lowe. We added some strength to our terrible bullpen with Embry and Howry at the end of last season and and even managed to add a little more power to our lineup with Millar (I don't want to hear it), Jeremy Giambi, and David Ortiz, and Todd Walker is a great upgrade at second over Rey Sanchez. I think we have one of the most potent offenses in the Majors and good starting pitching to back it up. Manny is hitting everything and seems to have even more power than last year.

A few things concern me though, the first being the health of Pedro Martinez. He hasn't been great during Sprirng Training and I'm convinced that one of these days his arm is just going to fall off. The rest of the rotation worries me, Burkett is washed up, Wakefield is not starter material in my opinion, and Casey Fossum is a question mark. The bullpen is also still shaky at best despite the recent additions.

Still I am confident. I like Theo Epstien's style, and hell, a six year old is an improvement over Dan Duquette. I see us winning at least 100 games and I think we have a chance to win the east, maybe the wildcard if Anaheim and Oakland beat up on each other.
Your year, huh? Kind of like saying it's the Cubs year too.

I'd say that Martinez and Lowe are the second best 1-2 punch in the AL, behind Barry Zito and whoever you prefer between Hudson and Mulder, but that's a discussion for another day. Wakefield is a #5 starter, nothing more. Why they ever spent money on Burkett is beyond me, and the first time Fossum, who I really like, struggles in a start in Boston, fans will cry and moan about how Epstein refused to include him in a deal for Colon. I'll agree that the bullpen is better, but there's no clear closer, and that's bound to create problems, especially in a city where the media is so critical. The problem with the offense is that they've collected far too many 1B, DH types, and there's no way that Grady Little can keep them all happy. The Sox had better win this year because they've got some serious player issues on the horizon, with Pedro able to become a free agent after this season if his option is not picked up, and Lowe and Garciaparra's contracts being up the year after. Plus they've managed to handcuff themselves with the Ramirez contract in particular, and the Damon deal to a lesser extent. The Shea Hillenbrand saga will be interesting to watch. Everybody knows that Epstein and Bill James want him out of Boston because he's a sabermetric and OBP nightmare. In my opinion they've really put themselves in a tough spot, because every team knows that they desperately want to unload him so they'll simply wait Epstein out until he has to deal him. If he thinks he's going to get Aaron Heilmann from the Mets or Juan Cruz or Carlos Zambrano from the Cubs he's kidding himself. He'll be lucky to get a second-tier prospect for Hillenbrand at this point. If I were Epstein I'd be talking to the Mariners or Diamondbacks about Hillenbrand. They have questions at third and are probably going to be looking for someone in the not-too-distant future.

[Master_MJade]

Go NY YANKEES

[kopernikuz]

Ick.

[Darth Fabulous]

Originally posted by Master_MJade@Mar 27 2003, 01:54 PM
Go NY YANKEES
You're kidding right?

[Master_MJade]

Nope they're my favorite MLB team

[kopernikuz]

Ick again.














style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Darth Fabulous]

That's nothing to be proud of.

[Master_MJade]

hey i get this from my folks!!!

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Fabulous@Mar 27 2003, 02:16 PM
That's nothing to be proud of.
DI, leading a group of schoolchildren on a tour of the Senate: "Look children, on your right you can see a disgruntled Red Sox fan. Due to their years of second place finishes to the Yankees they have developed a nasty inferiority complex that rears it's ugly head every time the Yankees aquire a player or win a game. Unfortunately, the only cure would be for the Red Sox to win a World Championship, which we know will probably never happen again. They are forced to live in the past, recalling the days of the Splendid Splinter and the fact that they were the losing team in the greatest World Series ever played, in 1975."

[Master_MJade]

*snickers*

i live in a house of Red Sox fans!!!

[Javen]

I am a big Baseball fan and my favorite team is STL Cardinals because I am originally from Missouri.

The Cardinals have a very good team ecept I think their pitching is a bit lacking but it may be better than I think.

[Darth Insightful]

I think the Cardinals have quite possibly the best everyday lineup in baseball. Having said that I think their rotation has much to be desired. Matt Morris is really their only dependable starter. I'm just not a big Woody Williams fan, I think he just gets hurt too often. I really think they would have done well to have signed Kenny Rogers, though since I'm a Reds fan I'm not too torn up about it. A pickup that I really like that I don't think many noticed except those who scan the transaction wires on a daily basis is Cris Carpenter. The guy was a top prospect in the Toronto system and I think they just got frustrated and let him go. If he could stay healthy I think he could be a solid #3 starter for somebody. He's shown flashes of being that kind of pitcher, but he's never really been able to put it all together. Seems to me he'd be an excellent project for Don Gullet, but we have to try and rehabilitate guys like Jimmy Anderson. Oh well.

[mirax terrik horn]

yeah i feel really lonely nobody is going to like my favorite team it is the chicago cubs and it is not b/c they have sammy sosa i have always liked them.

[Brian]

Baseball....YAAAAY! MLB players...BOOOOO!

Bunch of overpaid whiners!


Crybabies wanted to strike because they didn't want everyone knowing the cheat by taking steroids. Bunch of losers!

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by O-B-GATES@Mar 28 2003, 12:50 PM
Baseball....YAAAAY! MLB players...BOOOOO!

Bunch of overpaid whiners!


Crybabies wanted to strike because they didn't want everyone knowing the cheat by taking steroids. Bunch of losers!
OB Gates, are you by any chance the owner of a Major League Baseball team? Your sentiments seem to echo those of the owners. The simple truth of the matter is that the owners are to blame for the recent economic troubles. They fail to produce a united front like the Players Association. Everyone of them has their own agendas. The players are overpaid because the owners offer them that money.

As for the steroid use, I really hope you're not being serious. Are their players who use steroids? Yes, but the percentage is no more than 15%, rather than the 50%-60% some will have you believe. General managers are well aware of who the players are who use PED's and stay away of them, for fear of the media finding out and resentment from other players. Why do you think no one would sign Jose Canseco when he wanted to return? He could still play and probably help a team, but no one would sign him because of the fact that it was widely known he used steroids. Few top players are users, most of the guys who use them are those who aren't talented enough to play in the majors and succeed and are looking for an edge. Chances are they're guys you've never heard of.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by mirax terrik horn@Mar 28 2003, 12:46 PM
yeah i feel really lonely nobody is going to like my favorite team it is the chicago cubs and it is not b/c they have sammy sosa i have always liked them.
Liking the Cubs is nothing to be ashamed of, you just have to adapt to the losing. Personally, I think the Cubs would be best served to trade Sosa, get a boatload of prospects, and build for the future. However, that time has passed, as he's getting up there in years and has a monster contract. The Cubs do have some excellent young pitchers in Wood, Prior, Zambrano and Cruz. I don't include Matt Clement in that group because I think his 2002 season was a fluke. He's a decent #4 starter at best, not the #1 or #2 a lot of people think. Position players is where I think the Cubs are really lacking. Scouts around the league have questioned whether Hee Sop Choi can be a successful hitter, and I for one have to agree with them. Bobby Hill can be a player, but Dusty Baker seems intent on playing Gudzielanek at second. Corey Patterson just can't seem to live up to his potential, but I think he'll be a solid player for them. The problem is that the Cubs have too many older players on their team who just can't produce anymore. Alou has maybe one or two good seasons left, if that. They have good pitching, but an offense with a lot of holes. I think they're looking at a fourth place finish at best.

[Brian]

Originally posted by Darth Insightful+Mar 28 2003, 01:06 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darth Insightful @ Mar 28 2003, 01:06 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-O-B-GATES@Mar 28 2003, 12:50 PM
Baseball....YAAAAY! MLB players...BOOOOO!

Bunch of overpaid whiners!


Crybabies wanted to strike because they didn't want everyone knowing the cheat by taking steroids. Bunch of losers!
OB Gates, are you by any chance the owner of a Major League Baseball team? Your sentiments seem to echo those of the owners. The simple truth of the matter is that the owners are to blame for the recent economic troubles. They fail to produce a united front like the Players Association. Everyone of them has their own agendas. The players are overpaid because the owners offer them that money.

As for the steroid use, I really hope you're not being serious. Are their players who use steroids? Yes, but the percentage is no more than 15%, rather than the 50%-60% some will have you believe. General managers are well aware of who the players are who use PED's and stay away of them, for fear of the media finding out and resentment from other players. Why do you think no one would sign Jose Canseco when he wanted to return? He could still play and probably help a team, but no one would sign him because of the fact that it was widely known he used steroids. Few top players are users, most of the guys who use them are those who aren't talented enough to play in the majors and succeed and are looking for an edge. Chances are they're guys you've never heard of. [/b][/quote]
They're still a bunch of over-paid whiners. Tom Glavine would get on the radio station in Atlanta and attempt to explain why they were about to strike. He never did a good job. I don't feel for them at all. They are millionares, therefore, shouldn't be complaining about financial woes. They are no different from celebrities who "piss and moan, inside the Rolling Stone, talking about how hard life can be." Whatever...


Oh, about the steroids. I am probably mistaken, but isn't that one of the major issues surrounding the strike: mandatory steroid testing of all players? I really got disgusted with this whole thing, so I didn't bother to read into it further. Sue me. - well on second thought, you'd better not...I don't have jack.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by O-B-GATES@Mar 28 2003, 01:24 PM
They're still a bunch of over-paid whiners. Tom Glavine would get on the radio station in Atlanta and attempt to explain why they were about to strike. He never did a good job. I don't feel for them at all. They are millionares, therefore, shouldn't be complaining about financial woes. They are no different from celebrities who "piss and moan, inside the Rolling Stone, talking about how hard life can be." Whatever...


Oh, about the steroids. I am probably mistaken, but isn't that one of the major issues surrounding the strike: mandatory steroid testing of all players? I really got disgusted with this whole thing, so I didn't bother to read into it further. Sue me. - well on second thought, you'd better not...I don't have jack.
The players didn't threaten to strike because the upper echelon players wanted more money, they threatened to strike to protect the salaries of the minimum salaried players. They also took issue with the owners contention that a salary cap was necessary, and over other issues such as revenue sharing.

Contrary to popular belief, the players are all for manditory steroid testing. Lance Berkman just commented on this earlier in the week, saying something to the effect of "I want to know what players are cheating, I don't want them to give those of us who don't use a bad name." In fact, the Chicago White Sox attempted to trigger a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement when they refused to take drug tests. The clause said that if a certain percentage of players refuse the tests, then every player in MLB must take a drug test. So it was not that the White Sox were afraid of the tests, rather they wanted every team to have to take them.

[kopernikuz]

New argument...


Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

I say yes. You have alcoholics, convicted assault committers, several time convicted drug losers, and God knows who else in there... it should be based on his skill (which was phenomenal) and not on his gambling habits... baseball or no. Period.


Anyone else?

Maybe I'll open a poll?

[mirax terrik horn]

i totally agree with you kop i think that he should be inducted to the hall of fame. just b/c he was a gambler doesnt mean anything, he was a sensational baseball player. although when you think that he bet on baseball that does put a spin on things.

[Brian]

Well, they expect the owners to give the other players with "minimum" salaries more money even though some players make like $100 million (A-Rod comes to mind). Again, whatever. This kind of stuff is the main reason I don't watch or attend pro sports in any league. Give me college, high school, and amatuer (i.e. Olympics) anyday! I'm done.

[Brian]

Originally posted by kopernikuz@Mar 28 2003, 01:39 PM
New argument...


Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

I say yes. You have alcoholics, convicted assault committers, several time convicted drug losers, and God knows who else in there... it should be based on his skill (which was phenomenal) and not on his gambling habits... baseball or no. Period.


Anyone else?

Maybe I'll open a poll?
Kuz, I agree as well. Pete should be admitted in the Hall of Fame. I think that he will be -- after he's dead. He's been blacklisted, FUBAR, and that's too bad.


If Daryl Strawberry gets admitted before Rose, I'm going to protest! Well, maybe not, but that would be a travesty.

[kopernikuz]

Originally posted by O-B-GATES+Mar 28 2003, 01:44 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(O-B-GATES @ Mar 28 2003, 01:44 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-kopernikuz@Mar 28 2003, 01:39 PM
New argument...


Should Pete Rose be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

I say yes. You have alcoholics, convicted assault committers, several time convicted drug losers, and God knows who else in there... it should be based on his skill (which was phenomenal) and not on his gambling habits... baseball or no. Period.


Anyone else?

Maybe I'll open a poll?
Kuz, I agree as well. Pete should be admitted in the Hall of Fame. I think that he will be -- after he's dead. He's been blacklisted, FUBAR, and that's too bad.


If Daryl Strawberry gets admitted before Rose, I'm going to protest! Well, maybe not, but that would be a travesty. [/b][/quote]
BTW... I didn't mean to imply that there are current losers in the HOF... thought I have suspicions on a few... the exact person you mentioned is who I had in mind when I wrote that. I don't think anyone questions whether Daryl Strawberry makes it in. But this guy is either a legend because of his skill on the field... or a loser because of his antics off the field. Make up your mind, HOF!

Strawberry will make it... and I hope Rose does first. I had Pete Rose as a role model (from a baseball perspective) and grew up watching him and Johnny Bench. I would be appalled if my kid looked up to Strawberry.

[Darth Insightful]

So much to say, so little time. Here goes:

I am a huge Pete Rose fan. I wore #14 all through my high school baseball career, I have posters of him up in my room and I consider a baseball autographed by him my most prized possession. The man played the game like it should be played. He ran out every ground ball and pop out, he ran to first when he was issued a walk, and he would continually sacrifice his body, whether it was a head-first slide or diving for a ball, to help his team win. Those who bring up the fact that most of his 4,256 hits were singles are just plain ignorant, and yes, that includes the man I consider to be the greatest hitter of all time, Ted Williams. His career OBP is .375, he scored 100 or more runs 10 times, and never batted below .269 in any season in which he got over 500 at-bats.

Pete Rose was banned for baseball for allegedly betting on baseball. He was never "convicted" of betting on baseball, only accused. That's comparable to a man being imprisoned because someone accused him of a crime, with just circumstantial evidence. To me that is a great tragedy.

It's unfortunate that John Dowd turned his investigation of Rose's alleged gambling into a witch hunt. Dowd is nothing more than an attorney who saw an opportunity to make himself famous at the expense of another person. His main pieces of evidence are anything but. For example: he got the testimony of two men who both say they placed bets for Rose and often spoke with him via phone from his office in Riverfront Stadium. Absolutely ridiculous. Both of these men, at the time of their testimony, were facing charges of drug trafficking, and in order to secure their testimony, Dowd wrote them letters saying that if they testified against Rose that all the charges against them would be dropped. They did and the charges were subsequently dropped, despite the fact that both men later admitted they were guilty. Then there's the matter of the betting slip, supposedly written by Rose himself. Not only has it been determined by an FBI handwriting expert that it was not written by Rose, but the home and visiting teams on the slip are incorrect. On one side of the slip are the home teams, on the other the visitors. The slip has the date at the top, and Rose would supposedly circle the teams he wanted to bet on for that day and give it to someone to take to the bookie. On the day in question, the Reds (who Rose was managing at the time) were playing in Montreal. However, on the slip it lists the Reds as the home team and the Expos as the visitors. Now wouldn't you think that the manager would know where his team was playing?

Then there's the matter of the lifetime ban and another instance where Rose got hosed. For the record, this is speculation on my part, but I've read enough stuff on the subject to think that this is probably what happened: Bart Giamatti was the commissioner of baseball at the time of Rose's banishment. Giamatti realized that if he didn't come down hard on Rose that this problem could spread and baseball could very well have another Black Sox scandal on its hands. So Giamatti proposed a lifetime ban, along with a gentleman's agreement that in a few years, after Rose had applied for reinstatement, his slate would be wiped clean and he could get back into baseball and into the Hall of Fame. The problem was that six weeks later Bart Giamatti died, and Fay Vincent took over. Unfortunately, John Dowd had the ear of Vincent and convinced him that it was "in baseball's best interest" not to reinstate Pete Rose. Had this happened, it would have been like saying the entire Dowd Report was rubbish (which it is), and would have severely damaged Dowd's reputation. Vincent, and now Bud Selig, have been able to justify keeping Rose out by saying that they are upholding the decision of the late Bart Giamatti, which is simply not accurate. Giamatti realized how popular Rose was, and knew that keeping him banned for life wasn't good for baseball, but at the same time he felt he needed to make an example out of him because he was such a high-profile player.

What I find most appalling about this whole thing is the double-standard that's so apparent. Some of you may have noticed about a year ago that two major league umpires were accused of betting on games in which they officiated. They admitted to wrongdoing, but the commissioners office quietly suspended them and swept the issue under the rug. To me this is absolutely atrocious. Umpires can have a much greater effect on a baseball game than a manager. Then there's the case of Lenny Dykstra, where he was accused of betting on games, but of course we never hear about that.

I'm not saying that Pete Rose didn't have a gambling problem, because he did. He liked to bet on horse races and spend time in casinos, but the last time I checked, that wasn't illegal. And yes, he did spend time in jail for tax problems, but I think you'll find that many pro athletes also get into trouble with the IRS, it's just that they do a better job of keeping it quiet.

Rose should absolutely be in the Hall of Fame, no question about it. He should be reinstated and allowed to have a job in baseball if he can get one. Personally, if I were a GM of a team, I'd love to have him as my batting instructor, bench coach or a roving minor league instructor. Would I hire him to manage again? That's a tough question, because there would always be those who would question his every move. He was a pretty good manager and he won with some bad Cincinnati teams during the '80's. I'll say this, if I did hire him to manage, I sure as hell wouldn't want to be the man to fire him.

To assuage some fears about Darryl Strawberry getting into the Hall of Fame before Rose, don't worry. The only way Strawberry will get into the Hall of Fame is if he buys a ticket. He only drove in 100 or more runs three times, his career batting average is under .260, and his OPS doesn't crack .900. Some players he's statistically similar to: Jay Buhner, Greg Vaughn, Tim Salmon, Ron Gant, and Danny Tartabull. None of those guys are Hall of Famers and they don't have anything near the baggage that Strawberry carries with him.

[Brian]

*a-hem*someone was on the soapbox*a-hem*

[Darth Insightful]

I wasn't on a soap box, it was a high horse.

[Brian]

Well, you beat the horse to death. Better get that soapbox for next time...

[Darth Insightful]

Sorry if I come off preachy when I talk about Pete Rose, but it's one of the few issues that I really get riled up about. There are just so many people out there who don't know the whole story, and I find that dissapointing.

[kopernikuz]

WOOHOO... GO TRIBE!!! Sorry DI...

[RollaFett]

DI, thanks for showing confidence in the Phightin' Phils! Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way.
They should be much improved over last year's version, but I don't think they can win the division.
There are some positives, let's look at the starting rotation, shall we? Kevin Millwood was 18-8 last season and arguably the best pitcher in a strong Braves rotation. Randy Wolf was one of the best pitchers in the majors after the All-Star break last year. Vincente Padilla made the All-Star team in his first full season as a starter. Brett Myers has some of the best stuff for east of Mark Prior. Brandon Duckworth has got a cannon for a right arm.
Now, the negatives of the starting rotation: Millwood has never been the ace of a staff before, if he falters early, considering he's in Philly, he may never recover. Wolf has yet to put together a solid year from start to finish. A good half is nice, but he needs to do more. Padilla was barely holding on the last two months of the season, he was worn out. Myers is so damn young, he could be a year away from putting it together. Duckworth has got to learn how to pitch, he's too damn inconsitant, mostly bad. Too many pitches, few adjustments.
The lineup looks formidable: Jimmy Rollins is a 2-time All Star and is only in his 3rd year. Placido Palanco is a very steady hitter with a nice career average, he'll get on base and do the little things. Bobby Abreu has all the tools of Vladimir Guerreo, we'll see them all this year. Jim Thome is a stud, period. Pat Burrell may be even studlier, period. David Bell is just solid, plus he's got a good glove. Mike Lieberthal is a 2-time All Star who could regain that status this year. Marlon Byrd is a popular pick for Rookie of the year honors.
Not too many negatives with this lineup. There are a few, however: Rollins had a terrible 2nd half last year and appears very resistent in changing his free swinging ways at the plate. Once he learns that he's not the next A-Rod, he'll be fine. Lieberthal is very fragile, if he goes down, they're in trouble. Backup Todd Pratt is a career backup. Byrd has been awful this spring, hopefully batting eighth will take some pressure off of him and enable him to relax and flourish.
Wow, that's a lot of crap to read for a bunch of people that don't even liek the Phillies. Sorry.

My picks for the season:
NL East
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Florida
New York
Montreal

NL Central
St. Louis
Houston (Wild Card)
Chicago
Cincinnatti (Sorry DI)
Pittsburgh
Milwaukee

NL West
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Arizona
Colorado
San Diego

AL East
New York
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
Tampa Bay

AL Central
Chicago
Minnesota (Wild Card)
Detroit
Cleveland
Kansas City

AL West
Oakland (World Champions)
Seattle
Anahiem
Texas

[Darth Insightful]

Golla, I like the Phillies because I despise the Braves and never want them to do well, and because I'm not convinced the Mets can be healthy enough to stay competitive. If Padilla stays healthy (I worry about overuse), Millwood can win 15-18 games, and Wolf can put a good full season together like you mention, I like their starting staff. The bullpen is what scares me the most about the pitching. I've never been a big Mesa fan, I just think he's too inconsistent.

I think the middle of the lineup is as strong as any you'll find in the majors. Abreu is and OBP machine, but I'm concerned with his inconsistent power numbers. He should be a 35+ homer guy year in and year out. Thome is, well, Thome. He's good for about 40 homers and 120 RBI's all the time. To me, Burrell might be the best player on the team, the guy can absolutely rake. In my opinion he's a lock for at least 40 homers a year from here on out. What concerns me the most is the top two spots in the order. I've never understood the fascination with Jimmy Rollins. Sure, he had a pretty good first season, but since then he's been rapidly approaching Pokey Reese territory (that ain't good folks). His OBP is atrocious for a leadoff guy. He has the hitter's equivalent of small man's disease: he's a little guy who thinks he's a power hitter. I really don't care for Polanco in the 2 spot. His OBP is just a little better than Rollins, and that's not good. To me, Abreu is best suited for the two-hole. Byrd is going to be a star in my opinion, but this year you're probably looking at about a 15-homer, 65-RBI guy as he gets used to major league pitching. If Rollins can get on base, the Phillies will be successful. If he can't, Larry Bowa's job will be in trouble.

[kopernikuz]

WOOHOO! Go Tribe AGAIN this weekend! Bring on Baltimore!

[Javen]

Today ESPN will be showing Baseball all day! So at 4:00 I will be watching St. Louis beat up on the Brewers.

[Darth Insightful]

I'm excited because I can get Cincinnati stations here and I get to watch the game and the Findley Market parade. If you live in the Tri-State area and are a baseball fan, I suggest you go see the parade downtown somtime, it's a great experience.

[kopernikuz]

I'm pumped for the season to start now. I think this Tribe team is going to surprise a lot of people out of the gate, but I'm not sure I have a lot of faith that the arms will hold out the entire season. I expect the last half of the season to be a little lackluster.

[Darth Insightful]

First pitch from the Great American Ball Park is less than an hour away. I've been watching Opening Day coverage on TV for three hours now, and I'm starting on my fourth hour of coverage. It's like Christmas morning.

[Darth Fabulous]

Did you look under the Opening Day Fern yet roomy? The Opening Day Chinchilla left me a brand new glove, I'm so excited!

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Fabulous@Mar 31 2003, 04:08 PM
The Opening Day Chinchilla left me a brand new glove, I'm so excited!
Apparently you neglected to ask the Opening Day Chinchilla for a closer for your beloved Red Sox. I mean, honestly, who gives up five runs to the Devil Rays? I really thought the Red Sox would wait until about midseason before they started to choke, but I guess they figure the early bird gets the worm. Of course, now you and your fellow Red Sox fans get to celebrate Derek Jeter's injury, at least until the Yankees go out and buy a SS to fill in for him, and then all of Red Sox nation will be up in arms and ready to riot. Maybe Larry Lucchino can make another "Evil Empire" comment. That would be great.

On a more somber note, Jimmy Haynes once again proved to the world that he is glorified waiver wire fodder, and not a major league pitcher. We got shut down by Kris Benson, but at least Junior got the first hit in the Great American Ball Park and Scott Williamson came on and pitched well. I also thought Brandon Larson hit the ball hard today, even though he didn't have anything to show for it. Boone looked pretty good defensively at second, which I was happy about.

[Darth Fabulous]

Yeah, I never thought the closer by committee idea would work, I just hope Grady Little can figure that out before we lose too many games. We looked good on offense though, last time I looked we were batting well over .300 as a team, and Pedro had a good start too, shame the pile of crap that is our bullpen had to blow it. As for Jeter's injury, I would never celebrate any athlete having their season ended via painful, career threatening injury...that is unless that player is Derek Jeter.

Yeah, at least we have starting pitching. The Reds have a bunch of 3's and 5's in their rotation, good thing you have that nice bullpen you'll need that and a team of surgeons constantly reattaching their arms to avoid losing 90 games.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Fabulous@Mar 31 2003, 10:03 PM
As for Jeter's injury, I would never celebrate any athlete having their season ended via painful, career threatening injury...that is unless that player is Derek Jeter.
I'm glad you proved to all of us what I have always suspected: Red Sox fans love it when other teams suffer injuries and setbacks, it makes them feel less alone in the world. I think the saying "Misery loves company" was coined by a Red Sox fan.

The Reds have a bunch of 3's and 5's in their rotation, good thing you have that nice bullpen you'll need that and a team of surgeons constantly reattaching their arms to avoid losing 90 games.

I will disagree with your comment about the Reds pitching staff. Dempster and Graves both have the ceiling of a good #2 starter, and had Dempster not been abused and overworked in his time with the Marlins I think we'd be talking about him in the same breath at Matt Morris, Kerry Wood and Roy Oswalt as good young aces in the National League. Saint Don will get him fixed up and he'll be fine. I've already made my feelings clear on Jimmy Haynes, and I think Jimmy Anderson is worse, which is saying something. I actually like Paul Wilson, and I think he'd be the #3 starter in Boston, but maybe that's just me. Either way, I'll take my Reds over your Choke Sox every day of the week.

[Darth Fabulous]

Who won more games last season, the Reds or the Red Sox? Oh yeah, you guys didn't even break .500 style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif . You take your Reds, you can sit at home with them and watch my Sox in the postseason.

[Darth Insightful]

To quote a wise sage: "It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that ring."

[RollaFett]

Hah,hah! Some nice trash talk, good to hear it!

Well, the Phils pulled it out. Just like last year, though, they left as many runners on base as I left virgins in high school. Too many.
Rollins stunk up the joint, 0 for 6 sums it up. Thome was impressive, although I realize that he is a notoriously slow starter, so I'm not getting too excited, nor will I get too down if that slow start appears. Overall, they cannot afford to strand runners at last year's clip, especially with that mediocre bullpen.
Good thing I like the A's as well.

[Darth Fabulous]

So what did the Opening Day Chinchilla put under your Opening Day Fern? He inflicted a possible season ending injury on Derek Jeter for me (<--see the avatar), he also brought me a new glove. If the Sox would have won this would have been the best Opening Day ever.

[Darth Insightful]

The official word on Jeter is that it's a dislocated shoulder and he'll be out six weeks. Personally, I think that's a bit optimistic and I think two months is probably more likely.

[Darth Insightful]

Well kids, all is not well in Cincy. Apparently we built what can best be deemed a launching pad and nobody knew it, we employ at least two starting pitchers who would have a hard time winning high school games, and our All-Centrury player is in good form, but has no one on base to drive in when he comes to bat. So what will my beloved Redlegs do? Or more appropriately, what should they do? Get out your pen and paper boys and girls, because I'm going to tell you right now:

1. Find someone, anyone, to take Jimmy Haynes. I don't care if all they get back is a dozen baseballs and a few extra light bulbs for the scoreboard. I cannot stress this point enough and I will say it again: Jimmy Haynes is glorified waiver-wire fodder. So who would take Haynes? Nobody smart, that's for sure. So you're left with the option of either releasing him or finding some patsy to take his contract. Texas is a team that needs some arms, as Chan Ho Park struggled the other day and they're short on healthy pitchers. I don't really care what the Reds get back, just as long as Haynes is gone.

2. Release Jimmy Anderson before he can throw another pitch. He should have never come north with the team and the only reason he pitched so well was that he was facing minor-league fringe players. He's a bad pitcher and an even worse player to have in the clubhouse.

3. Take Scott Williamson out of the closers role and start to stretch him out, he needs to be in the rotation. In 2000 when they attempted to do it Williamson was pitching pretty well and then he got hurt the next spring. His arm is fine and he's better suited for the rotation anyway. Who closes since Williamson is no longer in that spot? Probably Reidling, and maybe White. Some have said that Reitsma is best suited for the closers role, but I'd like to give him one last shot to prove himself in the rotation. If he fails then, stick him in the bullpen and allow him to get his feet wet finishing some games.

4. Since we've got two open rotation spots, bring back Seth Etherton and Chris Reitsma to fill them. Are they #1 starters? No, but they're young, have good upsides and are vastly superior to Jimmy x 2.
While we're at it, lets purge the whole pitching staff of all the dead weight. Kent Merker: gone. Josias Manzanillo: done. In their place we promote Jeff Austin and Brian Reith until Pete Harnisch and Jose Rijo are healthy. When Harnisch comes back he goes into the rotation. By now Williamson should be stretched out enough to go at least five strong innings. Rijo goes to the bullpen and Austin is sent back down. Reith and Etherton would also be demoted to make room for Harnisch and to add an extra bench player. In a couple weeks you're left with a pitching staff that looks like this:

Dempster
Graves
Wilson
Williamson
Harnisch

Reitsma
Reidling
White
Heredia
Rijo
Sullivan

That's not a top pitching staff, but it's better than what the Reds have now. Plus Etherton, Austin, and Reith get some valuable experience at the major league level, and if they pitch well they you have a good problem.

Now on to the position players:

5. Let's focus on the bench for starters. Juan Castro simply has to go. Sure he's on the DL now, but what happens when he comes back? Felipe Lopez does the same job and does it infinitely better. Dump Castro when he comes off the DL. Sure the Reds would have to eat his contract, but so what? The Tigers swallowed $14 million-plus by releasing Damion Easley. Wily Mo Pena has to stay in the big leagues, and I think he'll be fine. He's showing improvement in his plate discipline and he's got more power than a nuclear power plant. Reggie Taylor is an outfield version of Juan Castro. Sure he had a decent season last year, but I'm convinced that's a fluke. Trade him, release him, doesn't matter. Once he's gone, call up super-utility man Ryan Freel. The guy plays just about everywhere and plays hard all the time. He could be the NL's answer to Mark McLemore. Ruben Mateo stays because I like his potential. He could start for several teams in the majors and I think he'd be a solid outfielder. He's insurance for any of the outfielders. Then there's Kelly Stinnett. I'm not a big fan of his, but he's passable as a back-up catcher. I think the best catcher in the system is Corky Miller, but I'd rather have him playing everyday at Louisville than sitting on the bench in Cincinnati. Personally, I'd start Miller over Jason LaRue, but LaRue has hit the ball hard the first three games of the season and he might be ready to show some of the offensive ability that allowed him to hit .365 at Double-A a few years back. When Branyan comes back in a month or so, somebody will have to go. Until he comes back, we call up Jacob Cruz. He can play in the outfield and at first, which makes him rather versatile.

6. By and large, I don't have any problems with the starting eight. I really like Brandon Larson's potential and I think he'll hit 25-30 homers at third. I'm not a huge Casey fan, but he has begun to hit the ball hard and I'm optimistic. Adam Dunn looks as uncomfortable at the plate as any player I have ever seen. Bob Boone dropped him to seventh today, and while I applaud his effort, batting ahead of Jason LaRue is not going to get you better pitches to hit. So where should Dunn bat? In the #2 spot, ahead of Junior. Drop Boone to fifth and bat Casey seventh. So what happens to Casey in the #7 spot you ask? Will he see any pitches at all? Well, it seems to me that Casey is the type of player that could handle only getting a handful of pitches to hit. He doesn't hit for a lot of power, as he hits mostly singles and doubles, so he doesn't need the greatest pitches to hit. So here's the lineup:

Larkin
Dunn
Griffey Jr.
Kearns
Boone
Larson
Casey
LaRue

Bench:
Lopez
Mateo
Pena
Freel
Stinnett
Cruz/Branyan

I think that's a good roster, and I think it's a huge improvement over what the Reds have now.

Then there's Bob Boone. I'm not a fan of his at all, mostly because I think he's he biggest micromanager in the history of baseball, with the possible exception of Tony LaRussa. The problem is that there is no viable alternatives. Besides, I think he should at least be given a chance to work with a decent roster, and I think he should at least be given about two months to prove himself.

So there you go folks, my six-step program for fixing the Reds. I know this was a rather long and involved post, but I needed to vent and get my ideas down somewhere.

[RollaFett]

Any new thoughts now that Griffey hurt himself again?

[Darth Fabulous]

I have a thought...trade his cronically injured ass.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Fabulous@Apr 6 2003, 01:58 PM
I have a thought...trade his cronically injured ass.
If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person on the face of the earth. Junior gives 100% all the time and I will not criticize him for that. To suggest that the Reds trade him is just plain ridiculous. Your boy Nomar had a very serious injury two years ago and was once labeled injury-prone, maybe the next time he gets hurt you'll want to trade him. I bet the Yankees will take him from you. Hell, they've already taken two of your best players in the last 10 years or so and gotten them championships, something they never would have gotten in Boston. I bet Garciaparra would love to play with Jeter.

Griffey will be back in 6-10 weeks. I'm not going to say that this team will be fine without him, because they won't. It's not going to be easy, but I think they can keep their heads above water until he gets back. I'm hopeful that he won't need season-ending surgery, but if he does I'm prepared for it. Until he gets back, I think moving Kearns to center and letting Wily Mo Pena start in right makes the most sense. Ruben Mateo might get some at-bats out there too, but Pena has to be on the 25-man roster so you might as well play him.

The bigger issue is the pitching. Wilson pitched well today, and I'm hopeful that the two Jimmy's will be gone in the not-too-distant future. I think this team can be around .500 without Junior and about 5-10 games above with him, as long as the pitching gets better, which I think it will. It sure can't get any worse.

[RollaFett]

One last place finish coming up!!!!!

[RollaFett]

Let me admend that, the Brewers will probably prevent the Reds from being in the cellar, although that's not much to be proud of.

How about those Phillies, huh? 16-1 win followed by a 2-0 loss. You have to save those runs dammit!

[Darth Insightful]

I think the Cubbies will finish behind the Reds also. Yeah, their starting pitching is impressive, but that offense is just not pretty outside of Sosa. Alou is still serviceable, but he's not enough of a threat to force teams to pitch to Sosa. Not to mention that the defense is not good either. The Cubs developed a lot of good young pitching, but the bats are still a year away.

I also think the Pirates will come back down to earth, though I like their starting pitching. Kris Benson is a stud, and I really like Wells and Fogg. Giles and Ramirez are the only consistent bats on that team. Being a Reds fan I know all too well how streaky Reggie Sanders is. He's hot right now, but he'll cool off in another two weeks or so. Same with Lofton and Simon.

[JediGirl16]

Uh... go Angels? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Gotta root for the home team, y'know? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Darth Insightful]

Great win for my Redlegs last night. Kearns is going to be a great player. Actually he already is.

Tough loss today. I blame Haynes and Manzanillo, both of whom should be released along with Jimmy Anderson and Kent Merker. I will continue this crusade until every one of them is gone.

[RollaFett]

Whoa! Those Fightin' Phils put the hurt on the Red Stockings today, huh? 13 run 4th inning! New Phillies record!!!!!!!! WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!
13 runs scored on only 6 hits? That, good people, is bad pitching at its finest, if you will.

[Darth Insightful]

Even though Dempster got shelled today, I still think he's our best starter. I've pretty much given up hoping for a win on days one of Wilson, Graves, and Dempster don't pitch. Good thing is that several of our young pitchers at AAA are pitching well and should force their way to the majors pretty soon.

[Whisper]

Can someone PLEASE hire someone to kneecap Benitez? He's closing for the OTHER frickin team! I don't think that moron has one save this year, that piece of crap...

[Darth Insightful]

Didn't you know that "Benitez" is Spanish for "blown save?"

[Whisper]

Wouldn't surprse me. I can understand one or two...but this is ALREADY like four or five!

[Whisper]

One or Two the whole year I mean.

[MarchHatter]

Yeah you know the Tigers are gonna win it all.

[Whisper]

Obviously. I think Benitez should e on the Tigers, he's just soooo good!

[RollaFett]

bump

[RollaFett]

Wow, this thread got a little buried, huh? I thoguht we had some baseball fans around here!
That's all I got to say.

[Darth Thanos]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/inlove.gif I love baseball! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/inlove.gif

[RollaFett]

It's fitting that you have the Death Star, the ultimte symbol of the Evil Empire, as your avatar. It goes perfectly with the pic of a NY Yankees championship ring, don't you think? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Darth Thanos]

<span style='color:darkblue'>That's actually a pic of my 1996 championship ring -- I scouted for three years (1996-98) with the Yankees. I use it as my avatar here (http://www.baseball-fever.com). It won't take you long to find me on that board. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif </span>

[RollaFett]

Oh, and that excuses you, does it? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Darth Thanos]

What are you? Some sorta Met fan or something? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

[RollaFett]

Heh, heh...no. I'm a Phillies fan. Y'know, one championship in well over a hundred years of existence will make you a little bitter.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Thanos@May 23 2003, 12:27 PM
<span style='color:darkblue'>That's actually a pic of my 1996 championship ring -- I scouted for three years (1996-98) with the Yankees. I use it as my avatar here (http://www.baseball-fever.com). It won't take you long to find me on that board. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif </span>
I've always had a great deal of respect for scouts. They work crappy hours and get almost no recognition but they're where it all starts.

I'm curious, what was your assignment with the Yankees?

[Darth Thanos]

<span style='color:darkblue'>Phillies Phan? <shaking his head> That's almost as bad... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

I was a prospect scout and my claim to fame (players "discovered") was Drew Henson. In my defense, my original report said that he was, by far, a better QB than a baseball player. I still think it's true.</span>

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Thanos@May 26 2003, 10:10 AM
<span style='color:darkblue'>Phillies Phan? <shaking his head> That's almost as bad... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

I was a prospect scout and my claim to fame (players "discovered") was Drew Henson. In my defense, my original report said that he was, by far, a better QB than a baseball player. I still think it's true.</span>
I'll agree on your assessment of Henson. I thought when he first signed and I saw him play and then later looked at his numbers that he would have been much better off sticking with football. He just seems to have no strikezone judgement at all, and I think that if he hasn't figured it out by now, he's not ever going to.

Are you more of a Billy Beane type guy (production over tools for those who don't know) when it comes to position players, or a traditional 5-tool watcher?

[Darth Thanos]

I'm a 5-tool guy. After that, the one thing stands out -- "Is he a gamer?" If a guy goes full tilt EVERY PLAY -- that what I'm looking for...

[mirax terrik horn]

well i am a cubs fan. i am currently watching them go into extra innings against houston. GO CUBBIES!!!!!

[Darth Thanos]

Originally posted by mirax terrik horn@May 31 2003, 05:37 PM
well i am a cubs fan. i am currently watching them go into extra innings against houston. GO CUBBIES!!!!!
Cubbies win in 16 innings!

[RollaFett]

Phillies vs. Expos, postponed! WooHoo! Doubleheader tomorrow, WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus, A's at Phillies next weekend! I am THERE for that series! My two favorite teams head to head! WOOHOO!!!!



Hmmm....maybe decaf isn't such a bad idea. :whatsthat:

[mirax terrik horn]

LOL golla.

*shudder* well clemmons goes for his 300th win this weekend against the cubs*shudder* hopefully the cubbies won't let him get it. well as thamos already said the cubs won in over time but the very next day they lost it to the astro's. which majorly sucks. but even more important is that they are now tied with the astros for NL central leader. hopefully they can get it together and pull ahead of the astros.

[spaceman2386]

GO DIAMONDBACKS!!! (http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=ari)

[RollaFett]

Yeah, with Schilling's broken hand, I'm sure they're primed for another World Series. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by GollaFett@Jun 3 2003, 09:03 PM
Yeah, with Schilling's broken hand, I'm sure they're primed for another World Series. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
Not to mention the fact that they basically gave away Kim for Hillenbrand. Bill James has probably been doing cartwheels for days now.

[mirax terrik horn]

*sigh* bad sammy bad. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif well at least it was just one bat not like all of his. still that is horrible.

[Darth Insightful]

You would think that with all the steroids he takes he wouldn't need to cork his bat.

[RollaFett]

Spoken like a true bitter division rival. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[mirax terrik horn]

yeah, meanie. well at least he can still play. and that is really important especially against the Yankees. and anyways the cubs are tied for first in there in division. the reds are what fourth or fifth.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by mirax terrik horn@Jun 6 2003, 11:50 AM
yeah, meanie. well at least he can still play. and that is really important especially against the Yankees. and anyways the cubs are tied for first in there in division. the reds are what fourth or fifth.
Last I checked the Reds were 4.5 games out. Considering the way they started the season and that the starting pitching is just plain horrid, I'd say that's pretty good.

I'm not bitter towards Sosa or the Cubs, I just think he juices. Look at him when he first came up, the guy was a twig. He was that way for a couple of years and then all of a sudden he's a behemoth. Now, I can see a guy adding 10-15 pounds of bulk over the offseason, but not like Sosa did. Sure you can add more weight than 10-15 pounds, but then you look like David Wells. I'm talking about muscle, and unless you're getting some outside help in the form of steroids, you simply can't put on 20+ pounds in the offseason.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by mirax terrik horn@Jun 4 2003, 06:28 PM
well at least it was just one bat not like all of his. still that is horrible.
Please. Why would a guy cork just one of his bats? The answer: he wouldn't. Somewhere Sosa has more corked bats, or at least he did. They've most likely been conveniently misplaced somewhere by now. And you cannot convince me that a guy uses a corked bat just for batting practice. If that isn't one of the more moronic things I've ever heard, I don't know what is. Sosa took a corked bat to the plate and he knew it. I'd wager he's been doing it periodically for some time now and he just now got caught. I'm not saying that it's the reason he's hit over 500 homers (corked bats don't really add that much distance, it's more psychological), but it certainly didn't hurt. At least until now.

[Darth Thanos]

Originally posted by Darth Insightful@Jun 8 2003, 02:56 PM
...corked bats don't really add that much distance, it's more psychological), but it certainly didn't hurt.
Actually, a corked bat would reduce the flight distance of a batted ball.

[Dark Skywalker 9]

An extremely unhappy Mets fan just happy to see that Steve Phillips finally got the boot yesterday. About time. Now it's time to trade all the dead weight hat has polluted the team last last 2 years (Alomar, Cedeno, Burnitz, Benitez, etc.) and rebuild.

Phillips never recovered from not signing A-Rod for $18 million, but he willingly traded Appier for that injury-plagued, past his prime, fat pig Mo who makes $17 million. Way to go Steve!

[mirax terrik horn]

well clemmons got his win. who cares. kerry wood will be going for that soon enough if he keeps up the way he is going now.

[RollaFett]

Now that's getting ahead of yourself. In this day and age, the 300 game winner is a thing of the past. At least, once Maddux, and perhaps Glavine get there.

Insightful- Gotta agree with you on the Sosa thing. I was kidding with the 'bitter' crack. Anyway, Sosa, along with some others (Bonds, McGwire, for example) are definately under suspiscion for 'juicing up'. Those three are the most blatant examples, IMO. Especially Bonds. Hell, his head size grew considerably in a single off-season.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by Darth Thanos+Jun 13 2003, 09:10 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darth Thanos @ Jun 13 2003, 09:10 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-Darth Insightful@Jun 8 2003, 02:56 PM
...corked bats don't really add that much distance, it's more psychological), but it certainly didn't hurt.
Actually, a corked bat would reduce the flight distance of a batted ball. [/b][/quote]
There was a study done, and I want to say it was done by a Princeton professor but I'm not sure, that found that a corked bat would make a ball that traveled 400 feet with a normal bat go 405. It's done mainly to make the bat lighter while not sacrificing length, therefore increasing bat speed. Darth Thanos, I'm curious to learn where you heard it decreases distance, because while I think that could be possible, I've never heard anyone mention it before.

[Darth Insightful]

I'm curious to see if we have any draft watchers here. I follow it, but I'm not as into it as I should be. I thought the Reds had a nice draft, taking mostly college pitchers early and some interesting position players.

Once again, Billy Beane and the Oakland A's duped everybody by taking Brad Sullivan with the 25th pick overall. He's my pick to be the fastest riser in the draft. I was hoping the Reds would take him, but instead they took his teammate Ryan Wagner.

[RollaFett]

I've also heard the same thing about the cork, that it might actually decrease distance. Wish I could show evidence, but I cannot. Truth be told, I've heard both sides of the discussion and really don't know.

As far as the draft goes, can't say I really get into it. Hell, it involves so many rounds and players! It's tough to know who these guys are.

[Darth Insightful]

Has anyone here read Moneyball? I just finished it and I thought it was very good. I was actually more impressed with Paul DePodesta than I was Billy Beane, but I don't think DePodesta has the right mentality to be as good as Beane.

If you haven't read it and you have an interest in baseball, I suggest you run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick it up.

[Darth Insightful]

Bump

[RollaFett]

Those Fightin' Phils are starting to on track, it seems.
The pitching has exceeded my expectations all season so far, it's the offense that needs to get consistent. Too bad they let the Braves open up a double digit lead in the division before they started winning. Oh well, they're still very much in the wild card race. If only Pat Burrell, David Bell, and Bobby Abreau would play to potential.

Insightful- No, I have not read 'Moneyball'. Who wrote, a GM? It'd be interesting to read about Beane, because I like the A's a lot.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by GollaFett@Jun 22 2003, 04:08 PM
Insightful- No, I have not read 'Moneyball'. Who wrote, a GM? It'd be interesting to read about Beane, because I like the A's a lot.
A lot of people assume that because it's about the A's that Beane wrote it and you'll hear many people calling it "Billy Beane's book," but he didn't write it. An author by the name of Michael Lewis wrote it. He was granted access to the A's for quite some time and pretty much just wrote what he saw. I definitely think it's worth the $25.

[RollaFett]

Damn those Phillies! Bases loaded in each of the first 3 innings, and they score just 2 runs?!?!?!?!? ARRGGHHH!!!! All year it's been like this! Hell, the past 2 seasons!!!! If the offense could only catch up to the pitching!

[mirax terrik horn]

well the cubs game against the brewers was amazing. kerry wood hit a home run (that was really amazing) his second of the season. and the cubs are also number one in there division. not by alot mind you but the are still first.

[Darth Insightful]

Originally posted by mirax terrik horn@Jun 25 2003, 08:17 AM
well the cubs game against the brewers was amazing. kerry wood hit a home run (that was really amazing) his second of the season. and the cubs are also number one in there division. not by alot mind you but the are still first.
I'm curious as to what you think about your Cubbies going out and getting Jose Hernandez to play 3B. I've been rooting for him all year (he's on just about every one of my fantasy teams), but the guy just looks lost at the plate. He changed his hand position I believe, in order to make more contact, but it's done just the opposite.

Personally, I don't think the Cubs will ever win consistently until Sammy Sosa is gone and they take the focus of their offense off one person and spread it around. Patterson, Choi, Hill (if they'd ever play him) and Kelton (not up yet but will be fairly soon) isn't a bad nucleus, but they need to stop putting all their eggs in one basket as they are with the Corked One.

On a Sammy-related note: am I the only person who would plant a pitch squarely in his midsection the next time he did that ridiculous little hop he does after he hits a homer? It's disrespectful, moronic, and it just plain looks stupid. Act like you've hit one before and be a professional.

[RollaFett]

While I'm not one who liked the Terrell Owens siging a football and giving it to his financial advisor after scoring a touchdown, I can't say I object to Sosa's little hop after a HR. There's a fine line between being disrespectful and being pumped up, IMO.

[Darth Insightful]

Bump

[RollaFett]

Ahh....alwyas good to the Amazin' Mess, err, I mean Mets. Just what the Phillies needed to right their ship. Oh, and Mike Lieberthal getting passed over for the All Star team for Paul LoDuca is a crime.