2011 MLB Discussion Thread

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[quote name='Arikado']Last night was incredible. Rangers clinch home field (with Napoli destroying his former team again), Brewers clinch home field, Boston chokes, the Rays win in unbelievable fashion, Atlanta chokes, and the Cards crushed the Astros on their way into the postseason.

I really would have liked Boston and Tampa to go into a playoff today so they can beat each other up some more, with Boston winning it and limping into the playoffs, but no team really scares me. The Rays are hot, but what some people are losing in this is that the Rangers are, too. Their offense is stacked and they had a red hot September, going 16-2 in their last 18 games. No more Cliff Lee, but their starting pitching has been outstanding this year.

I can't wait for things to get started tomorrow and I can't wait to go to game 2 on Saturday. Go Rangers![/QUOTE]

As long as good Derek Holland shows up they are going to be a tough out for anyone.
 
[quote name='jello44']Then we gotta find the space aliens who took it and beat them at baseball.[/QUOTE]

:rofl:

[quote name='bvharris']I really don't understand the almost obsessive compulsion some people have to paint entire fanbases with a single brush.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='bvharris']The frustrating thing is that there is probably no higher a percentage of those people among Boston fans than among any fanbase. It's just magnified by the teams' success, the sheer number of fans (both legit and bandwagon), and the fact that the toolbags (for lack of a better definition we'll call them "people who chant 'Yankees Suck' at games") are especially vocal. Every fanbase has those elements, it's just not stoked quite so gleefully by ESPN et al.[/QUOTE]

As a fan of all the Philly teams, I can really, really relate to both of these (with a few choice words changed in the second one, of course).

Anyway, came in here to post this article. Great read if you are a Phils fan, a Cliff Lee fan, a fan of the city of Philadelphia itself, or just a baseball fan in general:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190861/1/index.htm
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Braves down 6-0 in the 6th. :bomb:[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Beatofficer']Interesting,

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/red-sox-francona-expected-to-part-ways-tomorrow.html

I love how his terrible pitching staff is some how his fault, but I guess that's how Baseball is. I wonder who they'll replace him with?

Edit: He wants out.[/QUOTE]

That is very unfortunate. I think the conditioning staff needs kicked to the curb. No one jumps out to me as a solid option to jump into the job.
 
[quote name='Beatofficer']Interesting,

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/red-sox-francona-expected-to-part-ways-tomorrow.html

I love how his terrible pitching staff is some how his fault, but I guess that's how Baseball is. I wonder who they'll replace him with?

Edit: He wants out.[/QUOTE]

Theo didnt give him much to work with as in pitching depth and i want to truly assume he wanted nothing to do with guys like Carl Crawford and John Lackey. Cubs should def go for him. They need to inject that team with anything.
 
Holy crap, I can't believe it. I definitely think he was way too passive as they were collapsing, but I don't think it can at all be pinned solely on him. I'd think given his track record here that he wouldn't be let go like this, I'm absolutely floored.

Edit: Nevermind, seems it might have been a mutual parting. Still wow.
 
Chipper Jones confirmed he's coming back next year.

I'm kind of torn as I've loved watching him over the years, but he's not worth his salary any more. The team would probably be better off having that money to spend on someone else.

Even if not that, I thought the team was best this year with Prado at 3rd as that opened up another outfield slot for someone like Hinske or Constanza or Diaz (or Schafer before he was traded).
 
...or not. Looks like no announcement has been made on Francona. There are definitely some intriguing possibilities out there, and sometimes change is good, but I still hope he stays. There's not a single name out there I would want managing the team more than Francona.
 
Just doesn't feel right to let go of Francona. Guy has a proven track record of success with some of the most over the top, obnoxious fans and media anywhere. Those don't just grow on trees. They've gotta have someone in mind, right?
 
[quote name='Beatofficer']Matt Moore paying off for Tampa, curious if they're going to ride this momentum all the way to the world series?[/QUOTE]
Yes they will :cool:
 
[quote name='speedracer']Just doesn't feel right to let go of Francona. Guy has a proven track record of success with some of the most over the top, obnoxious fans and media anywhere. Those don't just grow on trees. They've gotta have someone in mind, right?[/QUOTE]

I'm very interested to see who the Sox go with to replace him. I've seen Ryne Sandberg's name thrown out on a few sites. That would be very interesting, but I don't see it happening.
 
[quote name='Beatofficer']Matt Moore paying off for Tampa, curious if they're going to ride this momentum all the way to the world series?[/QUOTE]

See, that's what I was worried about. You let a team sneak in, and then all of a sudden, they're world beaters. If they do, it's really going to make the regular season feel like even more of a waste. I've been having a hard enough time caring about baseball until September the past few years as it is.

And I still don't like the Sabathia vs. Verlander matchup in game 1. It just makes it feel like the entire series rests on that one game. Even if CC pitches a great game, they could still lose 1-0 against Verlander. Then you're counting on Nova and Garcia to turn things around? Sometimes you've gotta lose a battle to win the war. Just plan for Verlander getting a win, Sabathia getting a win, and then see whose pitching staff is better after that.

EDIT - Oh, and there's that one run already. All right, Yankee bats, better fucking be awake tonight.
 
Yeah, this game is most likely gonna be postponed which will screw everything up. :/

And I agree, I honestly think the Rays are gonna ride this momentum all the way to the WS. I think they'll lose to the Phillies though, their pitching is too good.
 
"@Jack Curry
Joe Torre just told TBS the game has been postponed. Will be resumed in the 2d inning tomorrow night. Game 2 will be Sun at 3:07."

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
 
[quote name='Donkey132']Indeed. Been a Rays fan since their inception and even I didn't think they could make that comeback. Also the Orioles sure showed they wanted to go out on a good note. Amazing night if you are a baseball fan.[/QUOTE]

I'm glad people like you still exist. People forget Rays fans were not treated very well when Vincent Naimoli was majority owner. Though, they have been successful for several years now and I do wish they could draw more fans under the current administration.
 
[quote name='paddlefoot']I'm glad people like you still exist. People forget Rays fans were not treated very well when Vincent Naimoli was majority owner. Though, they have been successful for several years now and I do wish they could draw more fans under the current administration.[/QUOTE]
I'm very disappointed in tampa fans. I don't live there anymore, but I grew up there and it's sad to see their lack of support for teams (the Bucs too). It wasn't always pretty with the Rays but come on, you gotta support the home team. Eventually every team gets their year.
 
[quote name='icedrake523']There's no reason it can't be 7 or even 7:40. Just one hour earlier would make a huge difference.[/QUOTE]

They start it late so it's on later on the West coast when people are home from work.
 
[quote name='Donkey132']I'm very disappointed in tampa fans. I don't live there anymore, but I grew up there and it's sad to see their lack of support for teams (the Bucs too). It wasn't always pretty with the Rays but come on, you gotta support the home team. Eventually every team gets their year.[/QUOTE]

I always kind of suspected that it was because there are a ton of transplants in tne TB area so their loyalties lie elsewhere.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']They start it late so it's on later on the West coast when people are home from work.[/QUOTE]

And how much of their audience will be made up of West coast viewers? Both Detroit and New York are on Eastern time. There's no reason to start these games at almost 9pm. Besides, if they really care about watching the game, there's DVR or watching the highlights later.
 
AHAHAHAHAHA...

photo_an_unfortunate_moment_in_boston_bus_advertising.jpg


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/bi...te-moment-in-Boston-bus-adver?urn=mlb-wp21679
 
[quote name='icedrake523']And how much of their audience will be made up of West coast viewers? Both Detroit and New York are on Eastern time. There's no reason to start these games at almost 9pm. Besides, if they really care about watching the game, there's DVR or watching the highlights later.[/QUOTE]

Conversely, if you really care about watching the game, there's DVR or watching the highlights later.
 
[quote name='niceguyshawne']Conversely, if you really care about watching the game, there's DVR or watching the highlights later.[/QUOTE]
You can't watch a game without seeing the end. Missing the beginning isn't a big deal though.
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']Texas really needs to start playing better.[/QUOTE]
They had a breakout 4th inning, but at the expense of Rays. I get the feeling that Rangers just can't perform in the post season without a little push. Still, very exciting 2nd game tonight. More please!

Meanwhile Detroit proving I was right in thinking they're in the post season because the rest of their division didn't show up this year. Well, that and Yankee money. . .
 
I love that the Phillies really pounded Cardinals pitching tonight but I would have preferred them to not let up 3 runs in the 9th. Stutes has been garbage for the last month and I'll never be comfortable seeing him trot out of the bullpen in the postseason. Still, 1 down, 2 to go.
 
[quote name='Jodou']Meanwhile Detroit proving I was right in thinking they're in the post season because the rest of their division didn't show up this year. Well, that and Yankee money. . .[/QUOTE]


Yes, "Yankee money" is causing homegrown Ivan Nova to pitch the game of his life and homegrown Robinson Cano to have two doubles and a grand slam, driving in 6 runs. Good call...
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']Yes, "Yankee money" is causing homegrown Ivan Nova to pitch the game of his life and homegrown Robinson Cano to have two doubles and a grand slam, driving in 6 runs. Good call...[/QUOTE]

Its tired old argument and its the only thing people can think of calling out the Yankees on.

might i digress to the people who say yankee money that the other team who has yankee money just choked the big one. Pay Roll means crap if you do not build it with the right players. The Yankees brought in the right players and thats why they have success. plain and simple.
 
Who's arguing? It's a fact that NY has an all-star team and the staying power to keep that chemistry. Do you disagree?
 
If anything Cashman has been fighting the tendency to hand out big contracts and lose draft picks every year but ownership just overrules him. Drafting and developing players is whats allowed them to rebuild after the early 00s. I was happy to see them overpay for Soriano, they lost their 1st round pick for a reliever who can opt out whenever he wants.
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']Its tired old argument and its the only thing people can think of calling out the Yankees on.

might i digress to the people who say yankee money that the other team who has yankee money just choked the big one. Pay Roll means crap if you do not build it with the right players. The Yankees brought in the right players and thats why they have success. plain and simple.[/QUOTE]
I agree, money certainly helps but you need to spend it wisely on the right players, and have good management, there are lots of other factors that come into play.

Look at the Diamondbacks for example (yeah, NL West ROFL LULZ) but they went from $75 million opening day payroll in previous years, to $56 million this year, and they been successful. It helps to have a manager that isn't afraid of his players, or a GM that didn't give Eric Byrnes a 3/$30m contract.
 
[quote name='tcrash247']I love that the Phillies really pounded Cardinals pitching tonight but I would have preferred them to not let up 3 runs in the 9th. Stutes has been garbage for the last month and I'll never be comfortable seeing him trot out of the bullpen in the postseason. Still, 1 down, 2 to go.[/QUOTE]

We won't see Stutes again this post season. Guaranteed.
 
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