I'm still sad about Ted Simmons missing it by one vote in December. I loved to watch that guy.that made me angry. He's on a short list of guys from my lifetime which I think have been sorely overlooked.
I'm still sad about Ted Simmons missing it by one vote in December. I loved to watch that guy.cousin grew up in St. Louis and was a huge fan of Simmons
Going back to the 1970s and early 80s when I last attended a game in Milwaukee ... it was the best of the 3 places up to that time I attended MLB games for food. And it was the sausages that put it over the top. Not sure where they came from, just know how good they were when they went down the hatch.
In other big baseball news, the Milwaukee Brewers dropped their 25? year partnership with Klement's (sausages) and announced a partnership with Johnsonville. In a dubious case a few years ago, it was made clear that MLB owned the rights to the sausage race, so that will no doubt continue, this time with Johnsonville's name all over it.
Johnsonville is ok, if I couldn't buy a brat/italian from a local butcher, I'd go with Klement's, especially some of their specialty spiced sausages. Usinger's still makes the best hot dogs in Milwaukee, nobody close.
Always interesting to look at those down ballot totals. El Caballo got a vote I see. Santana was all peak, and Moyer was no peak, all career.Jamie Moyer should have never garnered serious HOF consideration. A career ERA north of 4.00, and averaged right around 10 wins a season. If nothing else, he was consistent, but being consistently average does not equate to a ticket to Cooperstown, except maybe as a guest. His numbers aren't dramatically different than HOF-elect Jack Morris, but Morris' best seasons were far better than anything Moyer came up with. He had about a 10-season period when he was a no-doubt HOFer (79-88, though he did have a couple of lean years in there) but he probably played 3 seasons too many. Had he gone out on top in '91, he would have had a more palatable 3.71 ERA and the 216 wins would have been enough to get him to Cooperstown (not necessarily on the first ballot, but almost certainly not needing the Veterans Committee).
In other big baseball news, the Milwaukee Brewers dropped their 25? year partnership with Klement's (sausages) and announced a partnership with Johnsonville. In a dubious case a few years ago, it was made clear that MLB owned the rights to the sausage race, so that will no doubt continue, this time with Johnsonville's name all over it.
Johnsonville is ok, if I couldn't buy a brat/italian from a local butcher, I'd go with Klement's, especially some of their specialty spiced sausages. Usinger's still makes the best hot dogs in Milwaukee, nobody close.
I am a White Sox fan. I liked Thome when he was with the Indians, and the Phillies. I was saddened to see one aging star, Frank Thomas being replaced by an almost equally aging star, Jim Thome. But Thome grows on you as you learn his back stories. Great guy in the club house. Philanthropist. Peoria guy.Thome was just another one of Kenny's "softball player" acquisitions, and he sacrificed Arron Rowand - the ultimate "try hard" guy - to get him.
Thome made it into the Hall of Fame today. I thought he was the most deserving of the recipients. My opinion isn't worth much. I would have put Vlad Guererro, next.
Brewers going to get Yelch for something it appears. Now if they can manage to snag Yu.Wow, gave up Brinson to get Yelich, and signed Cain. Brew Crew all in.
Tigers announced they are changing the D on their uniforms to match their hats, which makes me embarrassingly admit I had never noticed they were different, but they were actually quite different.I didn't notice either. he Cap and Helmet are almost (not quite) identical to my OldeEnglish D and Cloister Black D from my fonts I use to decorate court filings, for what little that is worth. The Jersey D is made up, I think. See below:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14141847831_22c71cc3fa.jpg)
I didn't notice either. he Cap and Helmet are almost (not quite) identical to my OldeEnglish D and Cloister Black D from my fonts I use to decorate court filings, for what little that is worth. The Jersey D is made up, I think. See below:This is what the Font of All Wisdom and Knowledge says about the Font of the Detroit Tigers' "D."
D
The Tigers have worn essentially the same home uniform (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_uniform) since 1934 — solid white jersey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_(sport)) with navy blue piping (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piping_(sewing)) down the front and an Old English "D" on the left chest, white pants, navy blue hat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_cap) with a white letter D in the blackletter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackletter) or textur/textualis typeface associated with Middle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_English) and Early Modern English (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Modern_English) and popularly referred to as "Old English" even though it was not used for that language (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English).
Dude, it's not Canada's national past timeDon't think it's ours anymore either
that's what's wrong with this country!Baseball is still great. It's the country that's wrong!
hopefully, Trump can make baseball great again!
;)
Don't think it's ours anymore eitherIt will be again, when you-know-what happens.
Baseball is still great. It's the country that's wrong!agreed!
Baseball is still great. It's the country that's wrong!Truer words were never spoken.
Jim Thome is a thoughtful Hall of Famer, and actually quite forward looking. He will be associated with the future of the Cleveland Indians look, not the past. He wants to discuss with MLB using the Block "C" for his cap that was not much used by him until his 2011 return to Cleveland. In 20-years it will probably be their most recognizable logo.I saw that Cleveland is eliminating the cartoon character from all of its logos for the future.
(https://www.mlb.com/news/jim-thome-discusses-hof-logo-preference/c-265786394)Thome Logo Preference (https://www.mlb.com/news/jim-thome-discusses-hof-logo-preference/c-265786394)
Pretty sad that Montreal couldn't win something back when they had Raines, Dawson, Carter, etc. Those were some good teams that won a lot of games but just couldn't get over the top.Even moreso the strike shortened '94 season, the Expos were far and away the best team in baseball. Cost them a possible WS and ultimately the friggin franchise.
This will be my only post in the thread - The Pittsburgh Baseball Club will stink this year and I hope no one supports that pathetic ownership group.Sorry, but I'll be heading out a number of times, just because I enjoy spending summer nights in that park.
Sorry, but I'll be heading out a number of times, just because I enjoy spending summer nights in that park.And as a non-Pirates fan (well, or not, either way) that's entirely up to you. But if your rooting interests were with the team for 30+ years and you simply weren't interested in a nice night at the park but good, invested competitive baseball you'd not be going either. When I come back to visit, instead of heading west, I'll head east and do the same thing as you only in Altoona.
I think the Twins are already a solid playoff team.Starting SS Jorge Polanco suspended 80 games for PEDs
| AMERICAN |
| EAST |
| y-Yankees |
| x-Red Sox |
| Blue Jays |
| Orioles |
| Rays |
| . |
| CENTRAL |
| y-Indians |
| x-Twins |
| White Sox |
| Royals |
| Tigers |
| . |
| WEST |
| z-Astros |
| Angels |
| Mariners |
| Rangers |
| Athletics |
| . |
| NATIONAL |
| EAST |
| z-Nationals |
| Mets |
| Phillies |
| Braves |
| Marlins |
| . |
| CENTRAL |
| y-Cubs |
| x-Brewers |
| Cardinals |
| Pirates |
| Reds |
| . |
| WEST |
| y-Dodgers |
| x-Diamondbacks |
| Rockies |
| Giants |
| Padres |
| PLAYOFFS |
| WILDCARD GAME |
| Red Sox d. Twins |
| Diamondbacks d. Brewers |
| . |
| DIVISIONAL SERIES |
| Astros d. Red Sox |
| Indians d. Yankees |
| Nationals d. Diamondbacks |
| Dodgers d. Cubs |
| . |
| CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
| Indians d. Astros |
| Nationals d. Dodgers |
| . |
| WORLD SERIES |
| Cleveland Indians d. Washington Nationals |
Reds called their's off yesterday. It's been one long week of rain, off and on each and every day. I'll be at Opening Day on Monday in Milwaukee. Won't have those problems with the roof. Of course the tailgate will be raw as usual.For fans thinking about going down, that's nice. Same for Tigers today calling it by 9 am. I'm sure the local eating and drinking spots would prefer them not do that, and get two Opening Day crowds down there.
Please oh please,please - just once before I die O:-) .Tribe's on the Coast late,grabbing some Yuengling and listening to it over the radio - the proper way
WORLD SERIES Cleveland Indians d. Washington Nationals
This is a horrible thing to say, but I can't be the only one seeing it.Still probably better than Ohtani
All the announcers and everyone say is how great it is to see Ichiro in a Mariners uniform again, blah blah blah. I'm sorry, but he looks like a cancer patient out there. He's very old, and was always a slight man. But now, he looks sickly compared to those other players.
Have to say, I'm not a fan of the current model for success in MLB, leading to seemingly 3/4 of the league just trying to tank.If most everybody is doing this. No one is accomplishing the ultimate goal. The White Sox are now in their 2nd year after dumping most of their best players. They might actually be close to playoff contention this year, but the pitching appears to me to be weak; somehow the hitting might finally be coming back after about a 5-year or more drought.
If most everybody is doing this. No one is accomplishing the ultimate goal. The White Sox are now in their 2nd year after dumping most of their best players. They might actually be close to playoff contention this year, but the pitching appears to me to be weak; somehow the hitting might finally be coming back after about a 5-year or more drought.I'd be content with the Sox if they could win 85 games this season.
I am in general agreement with your Tigers prediction; although Kansas City may beat them in the race for the bottom.
If most everybody is doing this. No one is accomplishing the ultimate goal. The White Sox are now in their 2nd year after dumping most of their best players. They might actually be close to playoff contention this year, but the pitching appears to me to be weak; somehow the hitting might finally be coming back after about a 5-year or more drought.I feel like you could put the bottom three in just about any order. I think the Tigers are the worst, but they are all so bad, they could catch some luck, win a bunch of close ones, Sox with some bad injuries and Tigers win 70, Sox win 68. They'll all be well out of the playoff race unless Minnesota, Seattle and LA all absolutely tank though. Would require some big overachieving just to sniff .500
I am in general agreement with your Tigers prediction; although Kansas City may beat them in the race for the bottom.
The Tigers - we've all seen coming. It was unavoidable. But weren't the White Sox buyers at the trade deadline like 3 years ago? They've mismanaged. KC got their ring, so it doesn't matter what else happens for at least a few years.I think you are right the White Sox were buying 3-years ago. I think 2-years ago they were in 1st place in May before falling apart. And then they had the best pitcher in baseball - Chris Sale - who threw a 5-year old temper tantrum about wearing what I will agree, are almost the worst throwback uniforms in the history of sport. I think he tore up a pile of them on a day he was scheduled to pitch and was suspended. And after that year he was gone and the Sox were on this youth (prospect) movement (Sale was still youthful but gone). I wasn't a player but there is something about being there and visiting with the fans around you that I really enjoy.
The Tigers - we've all seen coming. It was unavoidable. But weren't the White Sox buyers at the trade deadline like 3 years ago? They've mismanaged. KC got their ring, so it doesn't matter what else happens for at least a few years.Yeah, they screwed up badly like 3-4 years ago. But then they seemed to get a jump on being sellers, and sort of negated their previous poor decisions, by getting much better returns than most sellers have gotten since.
I am very confused about what the Twinkies are bitching about here?No idea. If you're shifting up 7-0 in the 9th, then you can't complain when the guy bunts to defeat it. I think a lot of players don't know how to mesh old school unwritten rules with newfangled implementation of ideas. They default to "that ain't right".
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23001797/minnesota-twins-upset-chance-sisco-baltimore-orioles-bunted-vs-shift-9th
Took my kids, 9 and 6 to 3rd opening day, 1st in Milwaukee today. They saw their first beer bong and a guy puke. Good times . Nice to see their reactions to this .I haven't been to Miller Park. It is no doubt the best baseball venue in the Midwest this time of year.
Going to Fenway for the first time at the end of May. Could be fun, my wife is from Boston, so going back there to visit family.This is the 2nd straight year the Tigers' trip to Pittsburgh lines up with me going out of town.
I am a Reds fan and they only come to Phoenix once a season. Last season they came to town on the weekend I got married and this year they come to town while I am in Indiana for my daughter's graduation. You would think that MLB would be more considerate of my schedule, but NOOOOOO.
I'd be content with the Sox if they could win 85 games this season.The White Sox? Seriously?
Thursday's Mariners at Twins opener will be must see. Mariners will arrive in the wee hours at about 10 degrees, and then play a matinee at Target Field. Gonna be a frigid home opener. I doubt they play the final two.The snow they played in today in Pittsburgh was just an appetizer?
I'll never understand people voluntarily living north of the Mason-Dixon......some poor souls are simply born there and have trouble getting out
some poor souls are simply born there and have trouble getting outI like seasons and literacy.
like being born in North Korea or Iran
The White Sox? Seriously?Yep.
No matter where you live, if you are drinking from the tap you aren't getting thatI'll take my chances over Phoenix and Las Vegas
http://journalstar.com/news/local/report-nebraska-s-waterways-are-th-worst-in-nation-for/article_b52146f6-a1e1-5c97-983c-93eadbf9e03d.html
I'll take my chances over Phoenix and Las VegasYou don't live in Nebraska anyway.
Yep.They'll be good in 2020. Over .500 this year? Negative.
You don't live in Nebraska anyway.I don't drink out of the river often either
The good water is where I live. Of course, it's frozen.
They'll be good in 2020. Over .500 this year? Negative.Which is why I said I would be content if they win 85. I'm hopeful. They need another starter and a closer. Those are down at the farm right now.
Going into the series this week, took a look at the Indians numbers thus far. To be honest, they are lucky to even by 4-5, their offense has been absolutely putrid. Home runs have sort of kept it afloat, but they are hitting .195 as a team, .526 OPS. Lonnie Chisenhall, at .235, is the only guy hitting above .214, and among qualified hitters, Francisco Lindor is tops with .194.Well, so far they've stayed cold. But the Tigers have been even colder. Indians are 8-53 for the series (.151) and have won both games, because the Tigers can't plate any runs. Tigers have been held to 1 run or fewer in 5 of 10 games, including 3 in a row. They've also allowed 2 or fewer runs in 7 of 10 games, but are only 3-4 in those games.
Hopefully they stay cool for a couple more days here.
No-hitter for LA prospect Walker Beuhler + relievers!!!!! He's a stud. Yes, it was against the AAA Padres.Heard first combined no hitter in franchise history?
I'd be surprised if they won 75 this year.I'd be happy if they won 75 this year.
What's he done wrong? I think the law of averages is just catching up to LA this year. There was a reason no one had ever won 5 straight NL West titles before the Dodgers did last year.When has "what have they done wrong" mattered? When the team underachieves, switching managers is always the first move.
They scaled back the payroll like $50 million from the start of last year. Turner hasn't played. Seager out for the year. No one is hitting. Jansen stunk for all of April.
If I was going to change anything, it'd be the hitting coach. Dumping the manager is always a 'change just to make a change' type of move.
For me, I'm already looking at it as a lost season. Grey-haired Chase Utley is playing everyday. Matt freakin' Kemp is the best hitter. Kersahw is on the DL. F-it. It's been a good run. The payroll will skyrocket again next year.
So you take a team coming off the worst record in baseball, have 3 starters hurt, and 2 more on scheduled rest days, and you get, what might be the worst lineup I've ever seen, what the Tigers are throwing out there today. I'm pretty sure 6 of the 9 guys have been in AAA at some point already THIS YEAR.Starting 3B to the DL now too. I'm not entirely sure how this lineup is even sniffing .500
1. CF JaCoby Jones
2. 3B Jeimer Candelario
3. LF Mikie Mahtook
4. 1B John Hicks
5. RF Niko Goodrum
6. DH James McCann
7. C Grayson Griener
8. SS Jose Iglesias
9. 2B Pete Kozma
There are 3 catchers in the lineup, including one DHing, and one playing 1B and hitting cleanup. That's awesome
good day for hooky and some AAA matinee baseball. Mud Hens in town. Cristin Stewart/Tyler Alexander might be worth seeing today. HR or K for Stewart seems to be his m.o. I know Toledo has a lefty knuckleballer too (Turley?). He's not starting though.With Cabrera done for the year I wonder if they call up Stewart and start playing Castellanos some at 1B. With Victor Martinez off the books next year, you wonder if that is the plan, with Cabrera going to DH.
I'd be happy if the Dodgers won 50Me, too, but I doubt it.
Cibs just threw a 41 pitch inning without surrendering a run. Curious as to the MLB record there.Unofficially per Reddit, that would be 49
| AMERICAN | ||||
| C | Wilson Ramos | Rays | ||
| 1B | Matt Olson | Athletics | ||
| 2B | Jose Altuve | Astros | ||
| 3B | Jose Ramirez | Indians | ||
| SS | Francisco Lindor | Indians | ||
| OF | Mike Trout | Angels | ||
| OF | Mookie Betts | Red Sox | ||
| OF | Aaron Judge | Yankees | ||
| DH | J.D. Martinez | Red Sox | ||
| . | . | |||
| NATIONAL | ||||
| C | J.T. Realmuto | Marlins | ||
| 1B | Max Muncy (write-in) | Dodgers | ||
| 2B | Javier Baez | Cubs | ||
| 3B | Nolan Arenado | Rockies | ||
| SS | Trea Turner | Nationals | ||
| OF | Nick Markakis | Braves | ||
| OF | Lorenzo Cain | Brewers | ||
| OF | Bryce Harper | Nationals |
Just being a homer here, but for SS, Crawford has higher fielding, batting, on base, and slugging averages.I think that's ignoring the terror that Turner is on the bases though, with 50% more steals than any other NL SS, and he's leading in WAR among NL SS.
Story (COL) looks good, too, with 60 RBIs, 21 ahead of the next SS, with a strong fielding percentage. Yeah, he plays in Colorado, but 50% more RBIs than the next guy? That's pretty impressive.
Freeman (ATL) seems to be the guy at 1B: he's crushing it at the plate (tops in every hitting percentage except OBP, where he's second, second in RBIs, third in HRs), and respectably near the top in fielding (where all the 1Bs are pretty high).
That's a good point. His 54 runs scored is really impressive--and indicative of his base running prowess. I don't know if it's worth anything, but as an indicator of total offense, Turner has 54 runs scored, but 26 more RBIs (removing the HRs because they are already counted in runs), for a total of 80 runs produced for his team. Crawford has only 69 (40+29), but Story has 90 (45+45)!I do think voters have gotten better about not simply making it a career achievement vote on the whole though. Posey is really the only one that stands out as being one. For a while it seemed like there were 3-4 guys minimum like that every year. And Posey isn't as far off as some of the late career type guys who have won the vote before. There was a time when Pujols would have been voted in, Cabrera while sitting on the DL certainly would have been.
Crawford has produced 18% of the Giants' runs; Turner has produced 20% of the Nationals' runs; and Story has produced 21% of the Rockies' runs.
So while I'm happy to see Crawford there, it still looks like Story might have deserved the start.
FWIW, Posey doesn't really deserve to be there, even as the backup. He's a hall of famer, but isn't having a great season.
Orioles were the worst team in MLB with Machado and Britton. Already unloaded them, and Bundy, Jones and Schoop could follow. Any chance they could challenge the 1962 Mets (40-120) for worst record in modern MLB history, or the 2003 Tigers (43-119) for worst in the 162 game era?there is too much bad in MLB for them to finish below the 03 Tigers. However give them credit, they achieved this record despite the fact that they weren't even trying to tank.
They just have to go 15-45 to be better than the '03 Tigers. That's a .250 winning percentage, and they are only at .284 right now. That same pace just gets them to 46-116, so they only need to fall 3 games off that pace to match the '03 Tigers.
Since 1962, only that Tigers team finished below .300, so it seems safe to say this Orioles team should finish as the 2nd worst team of the era.
That's nuthin'?
Neither Honus Wagner nor Cap Anson fared very well against Mortecai "Three Finger" Brown.
?Minor technicalities. :-[
Anson was long retired before Brown pitched an inning. Nevermind, Anson AND Brown* were both Cubs.
*Brown was a rook for St. Louis, then Cubs for 10 years before taking the dough in the Federal League.
separately, where have you found Brown v Honus Wagner splits?
Impemba and Allen (Tigers TV broadcast crew) got into a physical fight this week at the ballpark I understand.They've long been rumored to hate each other, so it's odd how long they've worked together. They've been the broadcast team for 15 years. Guessing that's over.
| WILDCARD GAME |
| Yankees d. Athletics |
| Cubs d. Rockies |
| . |
| DIVISIONAL SERIES |
| Red Sox d. Yankees in 4 |
| Astros d. Indians in 5 |
| Cubs d. Brewers in 4 |
| Dodgers d. Braves in 4 |
| . |
| CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
| Astros d. Red Sox in 5 |
| Cubs d. Dodgers in 5 |
| . |
| WORLD SERIES |
| Houston Astros d. Chicago Cubs in 6 |
rooting for the Rockies tonightEveryone with a soul roots against Maddon
It's like you can't not pick the most offensive-looking image possible.......ffsYeah, I'm not a huge fan of the new Brewer's logo either. I couldn't find a bracket with the old baseball glove logo, but would have searched harder if I knew that their current logo bugged you so much.
PicksWell the cubs didn't do you any favor with your picks
WILDCARD GAME Yankees d. Athletics Cubs d. Rockies . DIVISIONAL SERIES Red Sox d. Yankees in 4 Astros d. Indians in 5 Cubs d. Brewers in 4 Dodgers d. Braves in 4 . CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Astros d. Red Sox in 5 Cubs d. Dodgers in 5 . WORLD SERIES Houston Astros d. Chicago Cubs in 6
Wow, crappy break for Brewers. RBI single hit the baserunner for an inning ending out instead.I guess life trends towards equalibrium with a run scoring balk.
ESPN says it’s the first time it’s happened.Well I'll be damned.
I’m reeeally not a fan of this HR-or-K style of baseball. It’s worse in the postseason bc you’re getting fireballing relievers six innings per game.Agreed. TTO is not appealing to the eye.
I’m reeeally not a fan of this HR-or-K style of baseball. It’s worse in the postseason bc you’re getting fireballing relievers six innings per game.I don't think anyone is.
I don't think anyone is.Well we have the competition vs entertainment aspects battling it out here.
I had a response all typed up when dudekd posted he disliked baseball but was jealous of all of the advanced metrics. Then I accidentally hit back, and didn't feel like retyping. Basically, be careful what you wish for. A lot of the metrics based managing has told us the best baseball is actually a far less interesting product.
I wonder if I could have stayed up for that even if it was my team. Maybe if it was a potential clinching game. Closest I can recall was Red Wingns dropping a Cup clinching Game 5 to the Penguins in 2008 in triple OT. They won it in Game 6, but that Game 5 I think ended after 2 am.Reminds me of that famous Yzerman series clincher versus St. Louis. It's Game 7. Double OT. Gretzky mishandles the puck in the neutral zone then WHAM!
Wings used to have all kinds of late games in the Western Conference, simply bc they started so late, and I just generally made a rule to go to bed after 2 periods to avoid the potential of an OT suck in
One can pull out a baseball is dying story since the 19th century.A testament to how big of a deal it used to be.
Why does everyone hate the Dodgers? THey haven't won a WS in 30 years!Steve Garvey
Steve GarveyJust think of him as a Padre.
One can pull out a baseball is dying story since the 19th century.But the current predicament is optimal strategy based on statistical evidence. It's selling out for competition-sake, which is in direct opposition to the entertainment end of things.
Hockey was never top 3. I think the better comparison/warning would be boxing.I know. Just some dry baseball ribbing. Though where I'm from, it was unconscionable that hockey may not be the runaway most important sport on Earth.