Subject: Baseball
Date: Sat Apr 1 22:31:41 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Some reasonable rationale behind the new changes. The shift ban and DH acceptance are still wrong, however.
Link: Epstein's tinkerations
Date: Sun Apr 2 04:38:41 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Didn't he merely copy Paul DePodesta (hence Billy Beane), all the while possessing Jeff Bezos-depth pockets?
Fine, I guess he made many veteran BOS and CHC fans cry for joy, I suppose...
Date: Sun Apr 2 04:51:06 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:I think some copying, no doubt (or at least based on), but pushed way past that, likely because computers are better now. And as I've noted before, Elias really started it "way back when".
Date: Sun Apr 2 05:06:46 2023
User: Klepp
Message:What would Ted Williams bat if no shift were allowed?
Hard to compare old to new, but the shift on Ted "stole" around a dozen hits/season?
"Stole" a dozen, and merely gave back a half-dozen--would have upped the average ten points?
Date: Sun Apr 2 05:38:11 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Probably at least a dozen - but that's JUST PART OF THE GAME - learning how to hit it to all fields; spray it as needed. Bunt if needed. "Hit it where they ain't." Just like in most sports................you've got to take what they give you, and maximize your advantage(s). Just as Billy Ball would tell us. Don't go changing the rules to make specialization *more* important. That's *almost* like "can't beat 'em; cheat 'em". You think they ought to tell Nadal he can't run around his backhand anymore? Pshaw. If a basketball team is killing you by shooting over your zone -- go man-to-man. Adjust as needed. That's a HUGE part of most sports. It's called "strategy". My model player was Clemente. Could do it all, and was just fine hitting it where they wuzn't.
Date: Mon Apr 3 06:18:41 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Inter-league play, nice!
The Angels and Tigers visit Milwaukee later this month...a chance to enjoy Trout and Ohtani, while saying farewell (and get ready for (at worst third) HOF vote) to Miggy, Miguel Cabrera...
I'll never forget my first memory of seeing him play...I was overnight in Madison's Dane Co. jail, and the Brewers were playing the Marlins on the TV, mid-May, 2003 season...still a skinny rookie, playing third, but yeah, it was clear dude could mash mash mash the ball...some say best right-handed hitter in the AL for a full decade (2008-2017).
(Minor, minor charge (later plead out): OMVWOC.)
Link: Miguel Cabrera
Date: Thu Apr 6 13:19:35 2023
User: BuzzClik
Message:Klepp said, "I'll never forget my first memory of seeing him play...I was overnight in Madison's Dane Co. jail..."
Oh my. Were you working there or just visiting?
Date: Fri Apr 7 01:14:56 2023
User: Klepp
Message:I plead to the "First Offenders Program"--community service for the crime: DMVWOC (class H felony, I believe).
Link: Taking without owner's consent
Date: Fri Apr 7 02:37:26 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Not to be confused with stealing home, even tho this is the baseball thread.
Date: Fri Apr 7 02:45:15 2023
User: Klepp
Message:I think Baez was the last I saw do that.
(Though I may have seen Acuña do it after him, even...
Link: Javier Báez
Date: Fri Apr 7 02:51:36 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Added to Merriam-Webster soon, OED later.
Link: plakata
Date: Mon Apr 10 21:23:15 2023
User: Klepp
Message:17,945: The 10 times undefeated Tampa Bay Rays average attendance this season, through six of 81 home games.
Go Rays!
Date: Thu Apr 13 12:04:50 2023
User: Klepp
Message:12-0 start...it'll be interesting to see if they can duplicate or better what I recall as the most very unreal start to an MLB season: the 1984 Detroit Tigers started **30-5**...unreal baseball record, 30-5...
Date: Thu Apr 13 15:05:43 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Rays rip out seven runs in the fifth, up 8-3 in sixth.
Date: Thu Apr 13 15:12:15 2023
User: BuzzClik
Message:Philly sports fans. Wow. Not sure what causes an entire city to be that way.
As for the Rays: pretty small sample size. Even at 30-5 they wouldn't have played half the teams. We'll stay tuned.
Date: Fri Apr 14 22:01:28 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:I'm not sure this is the best thread for this, but it probably is. Another contender is the "Interesting sports tidbits:" thread, where we discussed "men being men", in terms of Gibson, Marichal, complete games, etc., etc. We may have delved into that on this thread, too. Not sure. But this is definitely a case of "men being men" on the baseball field, altho from a position player instead of a hoss pitcher. And, despite being a follower of baseball from a young age, I'd never heard of this incident. What's the chance this could happen in this day and time? Not even "close to zero". I think a flat-out, pure zero.
Link: The Babe takes a licking but keeps on ticking
Date: Sat Apr 15 12:00:58 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Cool story, plus mention of Buck Leonard (as I see his smiling face commenting from Burns' doc)...
...but wow! Makes me think of one of the toughest mothers I ever saw play: LENNY DYKSTRA...he bashed wall after wall as good as anybody...(sadly, I hear he pays the price these days with wicked arthritis, even Parkinson's symptoms).
Link: #4 LENNY, aka NAILS
Date: Sat Apr 15 14:58:06 2023
User: Klepp
Message:He's doing now what MIA thought he could do five years ago, back from injury, superior flexibility defensively 3B/RF...
Pleasant pick-up for Matt Arnold, Gord Ash, company...
Link: Brian Anderson 3B/RF
Date: Tue Apr 18 13:19:02 2023
User: Klepp
Message:I rooted hard for OAK to beat CHC last night, but 10-1 was the loss, and sadly, IN FRONT OF AN ATTENDANCE OF UNDER 5,000...I hope for better financial days ahead for the Athletics...revenue-sharing AIN'T communist.
Date: Wed Apr 19 16:12:17 2023
User: Klepp
Message:"NY #Mets ace Max Scherzer ejected from the Dodgers game for apparently having an illegal foreign substance on his glove." - Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Date: Wed Apr 19 17:50:17 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Very cool, Brewers rookie 2B Brice Turang looks to me so far as being nicely comparable to Fernando Viña, who had a fine career in MLB.
Link: Fernando Viña
Date: Thu Apr 20 12:09:05 2023
User: mrbuck
Message:I'm pretty sure the possum didn't drive them out, but maybe it was the last straw?
mrbuck
Link: Sin City here they come!
Date: Thu Apr 20 13:02:02 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Vegas has big money, Oakland doesn't...but I'll be pissed if they change the name...they're THE ATHLETICS--have been since the 19th century.
Date: Tue Apr 25 22:39:11 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:"Hell, if I'd known 40/40 was gonna be a big deal, I'd have done it every year."
-- Mickey Mantle
[Whether he actually said this is unclear. The "40/40 club" didn't exist until Canseco did it in '88, but there was a lot of acclaim concerning such at the time.]
While that's uncertain.......apparently these are documented (at least to some extent). A very fun read. Don't skip thru them hurriedly. One former mlb player whom I've actually met is mentioned, but there are so many mentioned that's not too special.
Link: Mantle quotes
Date: Wed Apr 26 15:08:15 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Mike Trout's Pop-Pop by another nana (uncredited).
Date: Sat Apr 29 22:07:52 2023
User: Klepp
Message:I might data mine this, but I'll leave it to Snowguy:
When was the last time the Pirates played .700 ball to open (April)...
...maybe '92?
(They've already assured themselves of a .700 April).
Date: Sun Apr 30 04:09:56 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Listen to Walter Johnson call part of a Senators game in Griffith Stadium. Sept. 21, 1939. Moderately interesting. I listened to a surprisingly long portion of it.
Link: The Big Train behind the mic
Date: Sun Apr 30 20:49:25 2023
User: mrbuck
Message:"My grandpa is the most quoted guy along with Jesus and Shakespeare and they're losing ground."
Lyndsay Berra
mrbuck
Date: Thu May 4 06:05:56 2023
User: Klepp
Message:BOS and NYY above .500, but sit in the AL East's basement...[RASPBERRY (i.e., BRONX CHEER)]...beautiful.
Date: Fri May 5 14:42:02 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Listening to the MIA/CHC game on the radio 670AM...hearing over the mic the opposing team's manager bitching hard over some strikes called (non-foul)...ahhh, old-school diamond yelling...(except now its accuracy is reviewed, digitally)...
Date: Sat May 6 17:14:39 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Speaking of Chicago................today is the 25th anniversary of the Kerry Wood 20K game. ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
Date: Sun May 7 00:09:20 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Yeah, he and his fund-raising network were highlighted...seems as if Wood's spending his time and money constructively.
Date: Mon May 8 18:53:00 2023
User: Klepp
Message:"Season Start Finish Playoffs?
1903 9-26 (.257) 43-94-2 (.314) No
1907 10-25 (.286) 52-101-2 (.340) No
1973 11-24 (.314) 81-81 (.500) No
2023 11-24 (.314) TBD TBD"--as per Sporting News
What is it? Most awful starts to STL season...awwwwww...
Admittedly I never count them out, considering what they did in 2006...but it's nice to see current failures, the gripping among the front office over the big Contreras signing. Surely CHC agrees, even with their former star's futz-ups with a different staff.
Date: Tue May 9 21:28:29 2023
User: Klepp
Message:Current power rankings (whose I forget, though):
1. Rays
2. Braves
3. Orioles
4. Rangers
5. Dodgers
Date: Tue May 16 22:56:02 2023
User: Klepp
Message:The Pirates have scored 22 runs in their past 14 games...so much for a solid start--now almost fully spoiled.
Date: Thu May 25 03:36:16 2023
User: Klepp
Message:The DH extended more than a few piss-poor defenders' careers...(which is why Papi Ortiz IS NOT (IMO) a first ballot HOFer--c'mon--let's be respectful to those who spent first-ballot HOF careers *in the field*--not on their asses...
Link: Worst MLB Defensive Left Fielders of All Time
Date: Sun May 28 02:00:27 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:When Mays was elected to The Hall in '79..........there were 23 sportsriters who did NOT vote in favor of that. 😳 Hard to comprehend. We can guess, why.......but still. Really?
Date: Sun May 28 06:21:47 2023
User: Klepp
Message:I've always loved Big Hurt, but he too (IMO) spent too much time as DH to earn first ballot...
Date: Mon May 29 16:09:39 2023
User: mrbuck
Message:TN,
Although it's wrong Mays not getting those 23 votes wasn't unusual. I looked up Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio's vote totals, both being high profile centerfielders with Mantle being a contemporary. Mantle, like Mays, was a first ballot HOFer but had a smaller percentage of votes than Mays did, 94.68% to 88.22%.
DiMaggio was elected until the FOURTH ballot.
It seems a number of writers didn't believe in first ballot Hall of Famers.
mrbuck
Date: Mon May 29 16:38:24 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Yeah, I knew some of that - but not the details. It's just crazy. And I think you're correct - they thought, somehow, admittance had to be 'earned' through patience and tribulation(?). Times change. People change. More at 11..........
Date: Thu Jun 1 01:18:37 2023
User: Klepp
Message:MLB ownership need be (nearer) Marxist, economically speaking (one small market fan's mere opinion)--of course the player's union can keep most its power, though.
Date: Thu Jun 1 05:18:48 2023
User: TNmountainman
Message:Altho it's not *quite* the same thing, Buzz, I've written elsewhere about the serious trouble ESPN may be in in the not-too-distant future. Like baseball, it's a very complicated story, revolving around, mostly, the upcoming NCAA conference realignments. With USC and UCLA going to the Big 10/12/whatever....................there are conversations about inviting Washington and the Ducks, too. Any way one looks at it, the Pac10 is in danger. (As is the Big 12, in a slightly different way.) And..........ESPN is currently in negotiations with the Pac10 over rights, but is being coy and dragging their feet whilst waiting to see how all this plays out. And meanwhile SDSU's payment to exit their conference for the Pac10 (or wherever) *triples* (to about $50 million!) come July 1, so times a-wastin' for them. I won't get into all the machinations involving other conferences - as they somewhat depend on expiration of rights contracts - but I think there's about to be a big change in how cable entities are able to broadcast ESPN's offerings. Cord-cutting, and the fragmentation of "rights" is very possibly going to 'ruin' what cable operators have been having to pay ESPN for events. Too much to go into here, but "there's a change a-gonna come". I think that they've finally started the process of killing the goose that had been laying the golden eggs. Altho it'll take quite a while to run its course. I personally welcome such purveyors getting burned because of their greed - but maybe that's just me. I shall hope the carnage spreads to the evil Faceybook, the evil gootube, and the very evil Ticketmaster/Live Nation monster - altho of course all that would be far too much to hope for.
Date: Thu Jun 1 11:29:16 2023
User: BuzzClik
Message:Greed is king in football and will be the downfall of FBS. The money being made is staggering, but everyone involved wants more than their share: networks, universities, conferences, NCAA, bowl games, sponsors, and now the players. NIL and the transfer portal are just the beginning -- California had a bill in the works for revenue sharing for the players; if passed, the entire NCAA sports system would begin to implode. And then there is the gambling ... in game, in the stadium, live, real time. What could go wrong?
Baseball has been around long enough that the various evils have sorted themselves out. Baseball is dying because fewer and fewer people care. If the local broadcasts aren't making enough money to pay the bills, then the exposure to the next generation of players and fans will diminish.
Date: Thu Jun 1 13:44:09 2023
User: JackStraw
Message:Two nights ago the Padre game went off air for a couple of innings as Bally's didn't make their payment
The game eventually came back on air by virtue of MLB
Don't get us old people started on Ticketmaster
In the old Yankee Stadium there used to be a big sign that said No Betting
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