~2024 MLB Thread~

[FearlessF]

nothing to be proud of Rusty

[FearlessF]

[OrangeAfroMan]

I might go check out the AZ Fall League All-Star game tomorrow.

They are an oddity - it's as if they want to stay hidden and anonymous.  These are top-flight prospects clustered together on 6-8 teams or so.  But there's ZERO local advertising, 99% of games are at noon, and even the All-Star and championship games have to be sought out just to know they're happening.

[MarqHusker]

Fall league is great.   You're right it is not advertised.   I've heard the pitchers aren't great lately but its such a cool place to see elite talent with like no fans at all.

Nobody hustles for foul balls in the seats.

[Cincydawg]

Y'all should come to a Fantasy Camp if you want to see ... "elite talent".  Some of the wives qualify anyway.

We had one guy last year go yard, which is impressive.  I was told he a couple years out of college ball.  Most of the pitching strives to reach 60 mph on the FBs.

[ELA]

Woah, Tigers swipe Jason Benetti from the White Sox.  Went from arguably the worst television PBP guy among local broadcasts, to arguably the best.

Benetti is a lifelong white Sox fan.  Ownership needs to sell that team, nobody wants to work there

[FearlessF]

After leading the American League in total bases and runs scored, Twins shortstop Zoilo Versalles became the first Latin MVP in MLB history on this date in 1965, receiving 19 of 20 first-place votes.
Fellow Cuban Tony Oliva came in second, after winning his second-straight batting title.
In this photo, American League president (and Hall of Fame player) Joe Cronin presents Versalles with his MVP Award and Tony Oliva a Silver Bat between games of a double header on June 16, 1966. Versalles—in a suit—missed 13 games with a blood clot on his back and what the Associated Press describes as a torn shoulder muscle.

[OrangeAfroMan]

Bill James REALLY doesn't think much of that MVP vote, lol.  He mentions it in his writing often.

I don't think it's anything against Versalles, as his production was there.  Leading the league in total bases is legit.  Maybe less so when you lead the majors in plate appearances, though.  Led MLB in striking out as well. 

The only 2 players with a similar WAR were pitchers.  No hitters had any kind of big power season, either. 
There are many more severe MVP votes than that one.  Not sure why James feels the way he does.  Possibly that it was 1 vote away from being unanimous?  

[FearlessF]

He felt teammate tony O was more deserving 

[FearlessF]

[MarqHusker]

And if Gwynn came back from dead he'd need to do better than 400-400 to eclipse Cobb.

[ELA]

And if Gwynn came back from dead he'd need to do better than 400-400 to eclipse Cobb.

I was taught growing up that Al Kaline better be your hero, and hang your head when you talk about Cobb.  The fact that one sportswriter decided to make up a character to sell books, and somehow that is Cobb, and has been handed down for generations.

We should start a list here of baseball books,.or maybe just sports books

[FearlessF]

And if Gwynn came back from dead he'd need to do better than 400-400 to eclipse Cobb.

someone on FB posted under that pic::::

and if Gwynn came back he'd have to go 1,000-1,000 to reach Pete's number of hits

[ELA]

There is no draft lottery that Cleveland teams can't win