David the Mighty's Official MLB Thread: Spring Training Edition

[PeterSparker]

Well off the top of my head for the Twins they have:
Mauer, Morneau Cuddyer Kubel Garza Santana and Liriano (if he's ever healthy again).


Yup, and the Cards have Phat Albert, and your boy Wainwright. ;) I don't know, has Carpenter always been with St Louis?




(and how sad is this, we're so jonzing to talk any baseball we're filling in the teams of the only two other guys who post here regularly :D -Can't wait for opening day!!!!!! )

[DAVE]

Yup, and the Cards have Phat Albert, and your boy Wainwright. ;) I don't know, has Carpenter always been with St Louis?




(and how sad is this, we're so jonzing to talk any baseball we're filling in the teams of the only two other guys who post here regularly :D -Can't wait for opening day!!!!!! )

Wink all you want, Beltran hits just against the Yankees. Damn, I'm gonna miss Unit during the Subway series, he really made the last couple alot of fun for me (and Mr.Koo).

[King of Mars]

Just got the Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue. Kinda surprised that they picked the Braves to finish in second place in the NL East, ahead of the Phillies. I was also kinda surprised to see the Twins picked to finish fourth in the AL Central...but then I checked out their rotation and saw the logic behind it. Not much there after Johan Santana.

[SteveFlack]

Got my Yankee tickets in the mail yesterday! 13 Sunday games, Old Timer's Day, and most importantly, Opening Day!

Also, for people in the NYC area, there was an ad in my ticket book for a special baseball exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, that opens in June, focusing on 1947-1957, what might just be one of the greatest periods in baseball history, especially in New York. Should be fun to check out.

Now, if my replica 1995 Don Mattingly jersey would just get here soon, I'll be ready for Opening Day.

-Steve!

[PeterSparker]

Wink all you want, Beltran hits just against the Yankees. Damn, I'm gonna miss Unit during the Subway series, he really made the last couple alot of fun for me (and Mr.Koo).

And for that exact reason I said "good riddance"!!! Enough of seeing that clown look like he wanted to be anywhere other than the pitchers mound when we played the Mets and the Red Sox!!!

(and on top of that, I know the lame Unit is gonna be dominate again back in the NL, the bastard! :x )

[PeterSparker]

Also, for people in the NYC area, there was an ad in my ticket book for a special baseball exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, that opens in June, focusing on 1947-1957, what might just be one of the greatest periods in baseball history, especially in New York. Should be fun to check out.

-Steve!
Thanks for that heads up, I'll definitely make a note of it. Cool

[Shane W]

Yup, and the Cards have Phat Albert, and your boy Wainwright. ;) I don't know, has Carpenter always been with St Louis?




(and how sad is this, we're so jonzing to talk any baseball we're filling in the teams of the only two other guys who post here regularly :D -Can't wait for opening day!!!!!! )

Pujols, Molina, Reyes, Kennedy, Duncan are our homegrowns. We got Wainwright in the deal for J.D. Drew.

Carp signed off the scrap heap after an arm injury from Toronto. He's said several times that if the Cards hadn't offered him a contract, he wouldn't be pitching right now.

[DAVE]

And for that exact reason I said "good riddance"!!! Enough of seeing that clown look like he wanted to be anywhere other than the pitchers mound when we played the Mets and the Red Sox!!!

(and on top of that, I know the lame Unit is gonna be dominate again back in the NL, the bastard! :x )

Yes, well the trade off is, as much as I'll miss the Eunich during Subway Series, I'm glad the Mets will continue to dominate him and get to do it more times each season.

[Shane W]

So what Jersey should I get? I may go authentic this year and the the full embroidered version

Pujols
Wainwright
Carpenter

[DAVE]

Pujols, Molina, Reyes, Kennedy, Duncan are our homegrowns. We got Wainwright in the deal for J.D. Drew.

Carp signed off the scrap heap after an arm injury from Toronto. He's said several times that if the Cards hadn't offered him a contract, he wouldn't be pitching right now.

Jocketty is a fucking genius. Amazing that if Wainwright never pitches an inning again, he's already done much more for the Cardinals than that useless bag of shit JD Drew ever did.

[DAVE]

So what Jersey should I get? I may go authentic this year and the the full embroidered version

Pujols
Wainwright
Carpenter

Hmm it's tough, I mean Pujols is an icon, and the little baseball loving kid in me always goes for the sluggers, but I know you love Carpenter and pitcher's jerseys are cool too. I don't know, if I was a Cards fan I'd probably go for an Eckstein jersey.

[PeterSparker]

Pujols, Molina, Reyes, Kennedy, Duncan are our homegrowns. We got Wainwright in the deal for J.D. Drew.

Then I'd say that was one hell of a deal, I mean Drew is ok when he's actually on the field, but Wainwright is more valuable any day. You can always find a stick, great pitching is much harder to come by....



Carp signed off the scrap heap after an arm injury from Toronto. He's said several times that if the Cards hadn't offered him a contract, he wouldn't be pitching right now.

unless you get some shlub off the scrap heap :shock:. Now that you mention it, I do remember he was with Toronto, but I wouldn't have if you didn't just say so. He was pretty forgettable then.

[Taxman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v410/glima/Custom%20Gifs/Lemming.jpg

[Shane W]

Jocketty is a fucking genius. Amazing that if Wainwright never pitches an inning again, he's already done much more for the Cardinals than that useless bag of shit JD Drew ever did.

I loved me some Drew. The boy has a health problem, there's no denying that, BUT. When healthy the kid is scary good. The season that he was hit and broke his wrist by David Wells he was well on his way to having an MVP year.

And I'll never forget the 2003 season when me and my buddy are sitting in the bleachers at Fenway and Drew hits a go ahead pinch hit HR about a section over where we were standing.

My buddy wore his Drew Jersey that day and was pissed that he wasn't in the line-up. They announced him as a pinch and we looked at each other with that ... Thing.... Where you know shit's about to go down. First pitch- CRACK!

That said, We get Wainwright, the Braves get nothing and the Cubs get Marquis. Brilliant overall for us.

[Shane W]

Hmm it's tough, I mean Pujols is an icon, and the little baseball loving kid in me always goes for the sluggers, but I know you love Carpenter and pitcher's jerseys are cool too. I don't know, if I was a Cards fan I'd probably go for an Eckstein jersey.

Eckstein is kind of the Jersy of choice for the women here. :mistrust::lol: Eck won't be around long enough to invest in a Jersey though.

[DAVE]

I loved me some Drew. The boy has a health problem, there's no denying that, BUT. When healthy the kid is scary good. The season that he was hit and broke his wrist by David Wells he was well on his way to having an MVP year.

And I'll never forget the 2003 season when me and my buddy are sitting in the bleachers at Fenway and Drew hits a go ahead pinch hit HR about a section over where we were standing.

My buddy wore his Drew Jersey that day and was pissed that he wasn't in the line-up. They announced him as a pinch and we looked at each other with that ... Thing.... Where you know shit's about to go down. First pitch- CRACK!

That said, We get Wainwright, the Braves get nothing and the Cubs get Marquis. Brilliant overall for us.

JD Drew doesn't care about anything but but money. I know it's naieve to not believe that about nearly every player in the game, but at least most players try to validate that by on field performance. Drew extended every single DL stay like he was Vince Carter raised by Eminem's mom. Drew hasn't played in a single city that he hasn't alienated the majority of the fans by how he left the city, and in one case, he alienated an entire city and he never even played there. If he had any fire the man had the potential to be a Mantle quality player, but instead he's a bum.
I know that tihs entire diatribe is based on opinion, but I don't care. I don't like JD Drew.

[DAVE]

Eckstein is kind of the Jersy of choice for the women here. .

Well I do have two David Wright jerseys, so that makes sense from me.

[PeterSparker]

JD Drew doesn't care about anything but but money. I know it's naieve to not believe that about nearly every player in the game, but at least most players try to validate that by on field performance. Drew extended every single DL stay like he was Vince Carter raised by Eminem's mom. Drew hasn't played in a single city that he hasn't alienated the majority of the fans by how he left the city, and in one case, he alienated an entire city and he never even played there. If he had any fire the man had the potential to be a Mantle quality player, but instead he's a bum.
I know that tihs entire diatribe is based on opinion, but I don't care. I don't like JD Drew.


Well, we're sure gonna see what he's made of now. Talk about alienate, if he pulls that shit in Boston he's gonna need a bodygaurd everywhere he goes.

[DAVE]

Well, we're sure gonna see what he's made of now. Talk about alienate, if he pulls that shit in Boston he's gonna need a bodygaurd everywhere he goes.

The only reason Boston could be different is because of the level of players around him lowers the burden of production expected of him. But yeah, pressure is still pretty unavoidable in that rivalry so yeah, it could still happen. Manny gets away with his shenanigans because of his production year after after and his place in '04, and even he has been tested by the at times fickle Boston fanbase. JD Drew is no Manny Ramirez though.

[PeterSparker]

JD Drew is no Manny Ramirez though.
Thank you, and that's the bottom line. Manny will get his 120 plus rbi's sleepwalking, and they're used to his act there, plus he was there for their fucking WS win. (and he usually kills the Yankees) So he gets a big pass. You're right though that maybe this brings the best out of Drew because of the environment, and the fact that he won't be the go-to guy per se. It's spread evenly around the line-up.

Still if it shapes up where it's clear this (walking away from the previous contract) was all about maximizing his major league earnings, and not much else, it ain't gonna be fun up in beantown.

[Ryan F]

Drew was always kind of a pain in the ass, and I think if Three Nights in September didn't close the book on him, getting thrown out at home in the playoffs last year did.

That said, if he ever lived up to his potential...

[Shane W]

Drew was always kind of a pain in the ass, and I think if Three Nights in September didn't close the book on him, getting thrown out at home in the playoffs last year did.

That said, if he ever lived up to his potential...
Can you imagine this team had Drew and Ankiel lived up to expectations?

[Ryan F]

Can you imagine this team had Drew and Ankiel lived up to expectations?

Ankiel's gonna play left field and hit 74 home runs. ;)

[Shane W]

Ankiel's gonna play left field and hit 74 home runs. ;)

:lol:

[Ryan F]

:lol:

Then, his confidence finally restored by his historic season, he will pitch a perfect game to win the World Series (he also hits two home runs).

[DAVE]

Drew was always kind of a pain in the ass, and I think if Three Nights in September didn't close the book on him, getting thrown out at home in the playoffs last year did.

That said, if he ever lived up to his potential...

Is that a follow up to 'Three Nights In August'? I know that sounds sarcastic, but I actually am curious.

[Ryan F]

Is that a follow up to 'Three Nights In August'? I know that sounds sarcastic, but I actually am curious.

Errr...

I knew I should have googled it before I typed it. :surrend:

I mixed it up with a documentary about the Russian school hostage crisis. I must be drunker than Tony Larussa on a Thursday morning.

[DAVE]

hmmm interesting...
Red Sox will send Papelbon back to bullpen
Associated Press


CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon's conversion from closer to starter didn't last long.


Papelbon is heading back to Boston's bullpen to fill a major void, though he isn't doing it because an injury to Mike Timlin left the Red Sox without a closer.

"I haven't been sleeping well because there's been that feeling deep down in my heart that I wanted to close," Papelbon said after the Phillies and Red Sox played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings Thursday.

Papelbon is coming off a sensational rookie season in which he had 35 saves and an 0.92 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander was slated to be part of a strong starting rotation, but the Red Sox need a reliable closer because the 41-year-old Timlin has a strained side muscle and isn't going to be ready to start the season.

Papelbon made the decision to tell manager Terry Francona how he felt about returning to his closer's role earlier this week after consulting with his family and speaking to catcher Jason Varitek.

"He's unique," Francona said. "He's at the top of the list of relievers in baseball. He impacts the game like no other. I'm thrilled we have a young guy that feels enthusiastic about doing a job."

Papelbon allowed one run and two hits in three innings against Philadelphia. Karim Garcia's RBI single in the seventh off Papelbon tied the game at 4.

Julian Tavarez will take over as Boston's fifth starter behind an impressive staff that includes Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield.

Papelbon opened last season with 20 consecutive saves after taking over for injured closer Keith Foulke. He blew six of his last 21 chances, and he was shut down for the final month with shoulder problems.

Among pitchers who threw more than 50 innings, his ERA was the eighth lowest in major-league history and his .167 opponents batting average tied him for the major-league record Pedro Martinez set in 2000, when the former Boston ace won the Cy Young Award.

Papelbon's shoulder injury led the club to switch him back to the starting rotation because the routine of having to be prepared to pitch every day -- and being in games two or three consecutive nights -- might have caused some stress. Papelbon pitched almost exclusively as a starter in the minors but worked out of the bullpen at Mississippi State and was selected as a closer in the fourth round of the 2003 amateur entry draft.

Papelbon pitched 68 1/3 innings in 59 appearances last year. He was 4-2 with 75 strikeouts and only 13 walks.

"This is something I want to do for the rest of my career," he said. "It has nothing to do with Timlin's health or us not having a closer or my shoulder. I broke into the league as a closer. They drafted me as a closer. In college, I learned to pitch in the bullpen. It's where my heart is."

Papelbon isn't concerned about re-injuring his shoulder as a reliever.

"If I do what I'm supposed to do, get checked out day in and day out, there's no reason why I can't pitch in October," he said.

Papelbon's role model is Mariano Rivera, who has been a dominant closer for several years while helping the rival New York Yankees win four World Series titles.

"Hopefully I can do what Rivera has done for the Yankees," he said.

Francona probably won't overuse Papelbon and likely won't send him out for two-inning saves often.

"He'll be checked, monitored and I'll tell him he's not pitching certain days and he's going to do strengthening exercises," Francona said. "I'd never put a ballclub's best interest ahead of the health of a player."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[En Sabah Poo]

Oh man there's potential for a lot of injury there, and some pitching questions. Personally, I'm not going anywhere near Dice-K in my draft.

Matsuzaka is a must own, especially for people like me in a AL only. He's the real deal. Ichiro and Matsui's ability transferred over, and its been said he is coming over with more talent than anyone. With a powerful lineup behind him, he's sure to suceed. He's been damn near unhittable sometimes this Spring.

[En Sabah Poo]

Just got the Sports Illustrated baseball preview issue. Kinda surprised that they picked the Braves to finish in second place in the NL East, ahead of the Phillies. I was also kinda surprised to see the Twins picked to finish fourth in the AL Central...but then I checked out their rotation and saw the logic behind it. Not much there after Johan Santana.

Yeah. The Twins are in trouble if Gardenhire doesn't get his head out of his ass. My guess is before the All Star break you'll see a rotation consisting of Santana, Bonser, Garza, Perkins and probably Ortiz.

Unfortunately, with how tough the division is going to be this year, we don't have much time to get rid of Silva and Ponson. The longer they stay there, the worse chances we have.

[En Sabah Poo]

Wow. That Papelbon news is awesome. My brother has him super cheap after picking him up cheap last year as a keeper. He'll be stoked to fill his closer role. Also gives me more reason to buy Matsuzaka knowing the Sox have a closer who can finish games and save wins.

[King of Mars]

Prolly a smart move putting Papelbon back in the 'pen. They need a guy with a real presence in there.

[PeterSparker]

Prolly a smart move putting Papelbon back in the 'pen. They need a guy with a real presence in there.

Oh, it's very smart. :(



damn, I was hoping they would keep being fools and stick to their idiotic plan. the kid was born to close, and this address' their one major weakness anyway, by turning it into a major strength.

It. is. on. in the AL East this year!

[DAVE]

Whoot whoot The Mets Spring Training of pwnage of The Cardinals continues! This totally makes up for the constant pain I experience from Game 7 of the NLCS :sob...weep...cough:
no joke as I typed that the pain of that really did just return.
fuck you Shane.
Where was I? Oh yeah:
postGame: Mets 2 Cardinals 1



The Mets defeated the Cardinals 2–1 at Tradition Field today.

Orlando Hernandez pitched to 25 hitters through six innings, allowing one run on three hits, while striking out five and walking three. He did not injure himself.
Jon Adkins, Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman each pitched a scoreless inning.
One crazy, young fan drove me insane the entire broadcast by yelling, ‘swing batter batter, swing,’ in to an SNY microphone for nine straight innings. I mean, he never stopped. I’m gonna hear it in my sleep for pete’s sake.
Endy Chavez, who twisted his ankle yesterday, pinch ran late in the game.
David Newhan drove in his 10th RBI of the spring.

[Shane W]

Whoot whoot The Mets Spring Training of pwnage of The Cardinals continues! This totally makes up for the constant pain I experience from Game 7 of the NLCS :sob...weep...cough:
no joke as I typed that the pain of that really did just return.
fuck you Shane.
Where was I? Oh yeah:
postGame: Mets 2 Cardinals 1



The Mets defeated the Cardinals 2–1 at Tradition Field today.

Orlando Hernandez pitched to 25 hitters through six innings, allowing one run on three hits, while striking out five and walking three. He did not injure himself.
Jon Adkins, Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman each pitched a scoreless inning.
One crazy, young fan drove me insane the entire broadcast by yelling, ‘swing batter batter, swing,’ in to an SNY microphone for nine straight innings. I mean, he never stopped. I’m gonna hear it in my sleep for pete’s sake.
Endy Chavez, who twisted his ankle yesterday, pinch ran late in the game.
David Newhan drove in his 10th RBI of the spring.

2-1 and it was Looper on the mound? Are you sure this is a "victory"?

:lol:

Only one more week my friend. Look for me, I'll be the obnoxious guy wearing a Pujols jersey and drinking beer.

[DAVE]

2-1 and it was Looper on the mound? Are you sure this is a "victory"?

:lol:

Only one more week my friend. Look for me, I'll be the obnoxious guy wearing a Pujols jersey and drinking beer.

The Mets line up for this game:
1. David Newhan – 3B
2. Damoin Easley – SS
3. Carlos Beltran – CF
4. Moises Alou – LF
5. Shawn Green – RF
6. Julio Franco – 1B
7. Jose Valentin – 2B
8. Sandy Alomar Jr – C
9. Orlando Hernandez – SP

[PeterSparker]

One crazy, young fan drove me insane the entire broadcast by yelling, ‘swing batter batter, swing,’ in to an SNY microphone for nine straight innings. I mean, he never stopped.


I guess Cameron isn't a Cubs fan anymore? Good move


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/ssazz/135358__ferris_l1.jpg

[King of Mars]

Looks like Mike Pelfrey has earned the final spot in the Mets rotation:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270325121&prov=ap

[PeterSparker]

man, things sure can change in a hurry... so not only no Wang for opening day (and for a couple of weeks) but now it's Pavano getting the nod... I can only hope he does a good job battling Kazmir next week, and gets off on the right foot for a strong season. *fingers crossed*



Pavano Likely To Go Opening Day

03/24/2007 6:10 PM ET
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees learned Saturday that their Opening Day starter won't be Chien-Ming Wang, who will miss most of the season's first month with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring.

Because of the way the rotation aligns for the season opener, it won't be Andy Pettitte or Mike Mussina, either. Manager Joe Torre said that the Yankees will select from a group including Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa and Jeff Karstens to throw the season's first pitch on April 2.

Of those three -- unbelievable as it might seem -- Pavano has become the likely favorite.

The 31-year-old right-hander has missed the last 1 1/2 Major League seasons due to a variety of injuries, but he is the most experienced of the hurlers left standing to accept the assignment.

"It's Opening Day, but there are 161 other games," Torre said. "It certainly is an important game, but so are the other ones."

The Yankees are planning a meeting on Monday to discuss the possibility of Pavano kicking off their 2007 campaign, along with a variety of other issues. Pavano hasn't appeared in a Major League game since June 27, 2005, and has never pitched on an Opening Day.

He does have experience, though, compiling a 61-64 record in 184 Major League games dating back to his 1998 debut. Separated from his teammates for nearly all of last season, Pavano has also made strides in winning back members of the clubhouse this spring.

In four Spring Training games (three starts), Pavano is 0-1 with a 5.84 ERA. In 12 1/3 innings, he has allowed 18 hits, walking seven and striking out five.

Torre said that dealing with the atmosphere of a season opener will come into consideration for the assignment. Opening Day at Yankee Stadium is a frenzied ritual of celebration, an energetic environment created by a baseball-starved capacity crowd.

Those may not be the ideal conditions under which Igawa, a 27-year-old Japanese import, would make his Major League debut. Karstens -- now securely projected as New York's fifth starter in Wang's absence -- has just eight games of big-league experience.

"If you think somebody's going to be a little bent out of shape over it, it would probably enter into it," Torre said. "But to me, if the guy is going to pitch at Yankee Stadium -- whether it's Monday or Wednesday or Thursday -- there's going to be a lot of people there.

"I give you, Opening Day -- all the introductions -- you have a tendency to certainly make more of it. I'm not saying that's wrong. Anytime you really count on somebody at this level for this team, you take that into consideration."

The Yankees are moving past Pettitte and Mussina due to scheduling concerns. Pettitte has been suffering from back spasms, and while he is feeling better, the veteran southpaw is not expected to pitch before Thursday, which will place him off turn.

If Pettitte pitched Friday against the Tigers at Lakeland, he would be on regular rest for Game 2 of the regular season on April 4, though the Yankees might not use him until April 5.

Likewise, Torre said the Yankees will not allow Mussina to pitch on three days' rest against Tampa Bay following a scheduled exhibition start on Thursday against the Blue Jays at Dunedin.

"That's something we certainly don't want to do," Torre said. "I don't see any reason to do that. It's one game. Whether you win Game 1 or Game 2 or Game 3, you still have to pitch one of those games. We certainly want to get him as comfortable as we can get."

Torre said that the Yankees had been aligning their rotation for Wang to pitch the season opener, though they never officially informed the right-hander -- or the media -- that Wang was being tabbed.

"He was lined up for it," Torre said. "It was pretty much understood, even though he was never told that. That's what we were sort of looking to."

No one would have guessed where their search might eventually wind up.

[DAVE]

In a way this could be the best thing for Pavano. Yankees wil lbe in a good mood for the begining of Opening Day atleast. If he gets off to a strong start, it could be huge and he'd never have to hear a boo.
If he sucks, he'll get it bad by the 5th inning for the rest of the season.

[PeterSparker]

In a way this could be the best thing for Pavano. Yankees wil lbe in a good mood for the begining of Opening Day atleast. If he gets off to a strong start, it could be huge and he'd never have to hear a boo.
If he sucks, he'll get it bad by the 5th inning for the rest of the season.


Yep, good point and I was thinking the same thing. If by any chance he has a solid start, his problems are behind him mostly, because the crowd will definitley be rooting for him. If not, he's got a looooooong season in front of him.

Tough to match up with Kazmir right out of the gate though, he may not get much run support. He'll have to really earn a 'w' most likely.




-and good news for your guy Pelfry, that's a good addition and a nice story so far

[En Sabah Poo]

Tough to match up with Kazmir right out of the gate though, he may not get much run support. He'll have to really earn a 'w' most likely.


Not to mention TB is going to be a tough team to pitch to. Their lineup is actually pretty scary these days.

[DAVE]

Yep, good point and I was thinking the same thing. If by any chance he has a solid start, his problems are behind him mostly, because the crowd will definitley be rooting for him. If not, he's got a looooooong season in front of him.

Tough to match up with Kazmir right out of the gate though, he may not get much run support. He'll have to really earn a 'w' most likely.




-and good news for your guy Pelfry, that's a good addition and a nice story so far

Yeah, I'm psyched. I still think he has improve his slider if he's going to reach his projected potential, but the only way he's gonna do that is in Major League innings, because he can rely on his fastball all day in AAA ball.
Seriously if Maine's season is what it was last year, and if Pelfrey and Perez pitch half as good as they are able, then the Mets rotation problems turn into a giant strength.

[DAVE]

Not to mention TB is going to be a tough team to pitch to. Their lineup is actually pretty scary these days.

I find myself interested in an inordinate amount of players from TB for my Fantasy team, the Davidican Republic.

[En Sabah Poo]

I find myself interested in an inordinate amount of players from TB for my Fantasy team, the Davidican Republic.

I'm telling you, TB will be a contender when they can get a few final pitching pieces in place, namely a number three starter and a closer. They have the offense there, a lot of it young and powerful.

[DAVE]

I'm telling you, TB will be a contender when they can get a few final pitching pieces in place, namely a number three starter and a closer. They have the offense there, a lot of it young and powerful.

I'm with you. The problem isn't with them though, it's with that division. They'll get good, but it's going to take their young hitters becoming very good if they hope to overtake Baltimore and Toronto.
Baltimore is going to have a better year as well. Markakis is going to blossom into a very dangerous hitter very soon.

[PeterSparker]

Not to mention TB is going to be a tough team to pitch to. Their lineup is actually pretty scary these days.

No one needs to tell a Yankee fan how scrappy the D-Rays are. They always play us tough. Yes they can hit and they also have impressive team speed. We just need to get Kazmir out of the game, then make our move. ;)

[Drew]

Baltimore is going to have a better year as well. Markakis is going to blossom into a very dangerous hitter very soon.

Odds on first, "Someone left Markakis in the rain" reference?

[DAVE]

No one needs to tell a Yankee fan how scrappy the D-Rays are. They always play us tough. Yes they can hit and they also have impressive team speed. We just need to get Kazmir out of the game, then make our move. ;)


Odds on first, "Someone left Markakis in the rain" reference?

I left Markakis in the rain! lol!
While the Mets were undoubtably dumb to have made that trade, the reason why they did was a concern over his delivery leading to elbow porblems, the exact problems that have been sidelining him these last couple seasons.

[Drew]

Brewers. D-Rays. Your 2009 World Series.

Unwatched. Ridiculed. But the baseball would be awesome.

If Elijah Dukes don't choke a bitch first.

[DAVE]

Brewers. D-Rays. Your 2009 World Series.

Unwatched. Ridiculed. But the baseball would be awesome.

If Elijah Dukes don't choke a bitch first.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[Drew]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The Brewers rotation would be five out of these seven Sheets, Capuano, Villanueva, Gallardo, Suppan and Dave Bush

And the line-up would just need decent from the right side of the infield to be great.

Add a closer who doesn't completely blow? And we have a winning situation in Milwaukee, sir.

And if the Brewers don't win by 2009, then it gets time to restock the farm system shelves.

[DAVE]

The Brewers rotation would be five out of these seven Sheets, Capuano, Villanueva, Gallardo, Suppan and Dave Bush

And the line-up would just need decent from the right side of the infield to be great.

Add a closer who doesn't completely blow? And we have a winning situation in Milwaukee, sir.

And if the Brewers don't win by 2009, then it gets time to restock the farm system shelves.

Yeah, but there are too many teams in the NL that are just as young, but are already playing in their primes and better than the Brewers. It's not like the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Cubs, possibly Braves and once they restock Cardinals, are going anywhere and these are all teams that will stand directly ahead of the Brewers in the playoffs. Even the Marlins in a year or two will be a force.

[Shane W]

Opening series rotation for the Cards


Game 1 - Carpenter
Game 2 - Wells
Game 3 - Looper (fuck)

Wainwright gets his first start in game 4 at Minute Maid.

[DAVE]

Opening series rotation for the Cards


Game 1 - Carpenter
Game 2 - Wells
Game 3 - Looper (fuck)

Wainwright gets his first start in game 4 at Minute Maid.

Looks like they'll be matched against:

Game 1-Tom Glavine
Game 2-El Duque
Game 3-Johhny Maine

good match ups. Should be a fun series.

[DAVE]

Sanchez to have surgery on shoulder again
By Amy K. Nelson
ESPN The Magazine


Mets general manager Omar Minaya announced that right-hander Duaner Sanchez will have surgery to repair has a hairline fracture in the front of his right shoulder and will be out until at least August.



Sanchez
The fracture is of the coracoid bone, which is a small bone in the front of the shoulder to which two tendons and a ligament are attached.

"You're looking at four months, at least," Minaya said to a small group of reporters before the Mets game against the Dodgers.

Minaya said he thought it was a combination of Sanchez's surgically repaired right shoulder being not completely healed and a mound session from Thursday that caused Sanchez to stop throwing after just 11 pitches.

"I think it was a combination of him throwing that day and the past history," Minaya said.

The announcement comes a few days after the Mets sent Sanchez to New York for tests on his injured shoulder. He said he felt a pop, and the Mets sent him to New York for what was termed "precautionary tests."

Sanchez initially seperated the shoulder in a freak car accident in a taxi July 31. He had arthroscopic surgery that ended his season. Sanchez was one of the Mets' best relievers last year, going 5-1 with a 2.60 ERA as the team's primary setup man.

Amy K. Nelson is a reporter for ESPN The Magazine.

[En Sabah Poo]

So my fantasy rotation with keepers thus far consists of Mussina, Bonser, and Shields. Still need a #1 and a solid #4/5.

With the only aces really left to draft being Matsuzaka, Halladay, King Felix, and Harden (ugh), I think Matsuzaka is going to be my boy.

Which made me think of something, his "gyroball". Thus far, he's been pretty quiet about whether or not it actually exists. There is no doubt he does throw something as evidenced in video from Japan. Does anyone know if he has been throwing his gyro/glorified screwball this Spring? Is he saving it for the season?

If so, it could add a lot more to his value. Japanese pitchers with special deliveries or pitches tend to succeed pretty well their first go around in the MLB. He probably won't be as hard to hit next year, but this year may be special.

[PeterSparker]

Opening series rotation for the Cards


Game 1 - Carpenter
Game 2 - Wells
Game 3 - Looper (fuck)

Wainwright gets his first start in game 4 at Minute Maid.

In all fairness that could change, LaRussa might've been hammered out of his mind when he made that decision.





And as for this D-Ray talk, they took a step back with the loss of Pinella. He was abig reason they played the way they did recently, let's see if they can maintain the fire.





-oh, and I'm sure Dave and JonnyZ will be tuning in anyway, but just in case here's another reminder for them that 'Pride, Power, and Pinstripes: A Preview of the Yankees 2007 Season' is on the YES Network at 9:30 tonight!! :)

[Shane W]

In all fairness that could change, LaRussa might've been hammered out of his mind when he made that decision.



You should see some of the photoshops that are making the rounds.

[PeterSparker]

You should see some of the photoshops that are making the rounds.

:D

We'll have to have Cth stay on the lookout this week.

[Taxman]

Will the last Cubs fan please turn out the lights?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_donovan/03/26/zambrano.contract/index.html?eref=si_mlb


Z-Day
Time running out for Cubs to get Zambrano signed

MESA, Ariz. -- The guy standing near the dugout at Ho Ho Kam Park last week was a Yankees fan. By definition, that meant he had something to say. And he was damn well going to get it said.

"Hey, Carlos," the young Bronx Babbler yelled as the Cubs' man-mountain of an ace, Carlos Zambrano, strode off the field after another Spring Training workout. "See you next year with the Yankees."

Zambrano stopped dead in his spikes on the top step of the dugout. He cocked his head, ever so slightly. He pointed at Yankee Fan, just to let him know the comment was heard. He smiled. And then he loped down into the darkness of the dugout and up into the Cubs' clubhouse without a word.

This is it for Zambrano and the Cubs. This is the week. This is where all the talk has led us. Either he and his agents and the Cubs come to some kind of an agreement on a contract extension before Opening Day -- next Monday afternoon in Cincinnati -- or Zambrano calls off all the contractual shop talk as he's said he will, pitches the 2007 season with the not-insignificant contract he already has and, next winter, instantly becomes the most drooled-over pitcher on the free-agent market since Barry Zito.

If he signs this week, Zambrano probably won't get Zito-type money, at least not in total dollars. (His annual average salary could come close, though. More on that a little later.) But barring a signing this week, or a debilitating injury sometime this season, Zambrano would almost certainly land a deal next winter from some overheated team that would make Zito's seven-year, $126 million contract with the Giants -- the richest ever for a pitcher -- look like something you'd pick out of the greeting card aisle at a SuperTarget.

Gentlemen, start your rhetoric.

To be fair, the two sides in this high-stakes negotiation have been talking for weeks now, managing admirably to keep a lid on any public posturing. The reason for that is refreshingly simple in this often complicated contract pas de deux: Zambrano wants to stay in Chicago. And the Cubs want him to stay. It makes sense for both sides -- almost too much sense in a game where fiscal sanity struck out a long time ago.

But will it happen? Will the Cubs swallow hard and pay a pitcher the kind of dough Zambrano commands? Will Zambrano forsake a chance at possibly millions more on next winter's free agent market for the security and relatively hassle-free chance to make millions now? (Or, of course, possibly risk millions by not signing and getting injured.)

Nobody knows at this point, but there is a recent trend in baseball toward locking up young talent before it hits the dollar-dopey free-agent market. A couple very cogent examples:

• The Astros gave their ace, Roy Oswalt, a five-year contract extension last August worth $73 million. It already looks like a bargain.

• The Cardinals slapped down $63.5 million for five seasons' worth of a contract extension for their stud starter, Chris Carpenter. A veritable blue-light special, that one.

The Cubs, too, have been all-too happy to try to keep their players happy recently. A few examples:

• Among the nearly $300 million that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry shelled out this winter for players was $75 million (over five years) to lock up third baseman Aramis Ramirez before he had a chance to wade into the free-agent market.

• Last April, Hendry signed first baseman Derrek Lee to a five-year, $65 million extension.

• Hendry also talked pitcher Kerry Wood into a one-year contract over the winter during the period that the Cubs had exclusive negotiating rights to him, and the year before that the GM signed closer Ryan Dempster to a three-year extension.

So, given some of those hefty numbers and the certainty that, next winter, they'll probably be even heftier, both sides are busy burning up calculator batteries and wording contract proposals just right. Yet the question remains: Can Hendry and Zambrano -- represented by agents Barry Praver, Tommy Miranda and Scott Shapiro -- pull this off?

Indications are that they're getting there. Sources close to the talks say that the two sides have agreed that any extension will be for five years. That could be five years in addition to the 2007 season -- Zambrano and the Cubs beat the salary arbitration buzzer earlier this winter when they agreed on a $12.4 million contract for '07 -- or the two sides could rip up this year's contract and start anew. That's not clear. Neither Hendry nor Zambrano's reps are being very forthcoming about terms, which is probably a good sign that they're heading in the right direction.

The fact that the two sides are talking is encouraging for those who want this deal to get done. Praver was in Arizona last week, where he talked with Hendry. He left late in the week without a deal, but both he and Hendry point out that they don't need to be in the same room, or even in the same time zone, to get this thing nailed down.

As the Cubs and Zambrano's people do their things, the pitcher is busy doing his, preparing for the season as the team's most flamboyant and important player. "The Bull," it says on the back of his chair in the Ho Ho Kam clubhouse, and nobody in Chicago -- or anywhere else for that matter -- doubts it.

Zambrano has made at least 31 starts and thrown no fewer than 209 2/3 innings in each of the past four years. He is imposing (6-foot-5 and probably more than the 250 pounds at which the Cubs list him), a hard thrower with a fiery streak who has been in the National League's Top 10 in strikeouts in each of the past three years and in the NL's Top 10 in ERA in each of the past four. During the past four years, he ranks behind only the Twins' Johan Santana and Oswalt in ERA [see chart]. He's also, arguably, the best-hitting pitcher in baseball. He certainly is the strongest, with 10 career home runs, more than any other active pitcher.

And did we mention that he's not 26 until June 1, which makes him younger than anybody else on that Top 10 list but Marlins lefty Dontrelle Willis? With all that going for him, "El Toro" is not about to get all worked up about a little piece of paper that spells out what he might get paid in the future. Not a chance.

"I don't have any distractions about that at all. Believe me. I know, if I don't sign with the Cubs, there are many other teams interested. I don't think about it," Zambrano said the day after Yankee Fan made him laugh. "Look, last year, I made good money. This year, I'm making good enough money to live. Let's say if I got hurt ... who can't live on $12.4 million? I think you can live on that, with a good life. That's why I don't worry about that."

The truth is, if anybody should be worried in this negotiation, it's the Cubs. Granted, it has to be hard to open up the Tribune Co. coffers and pay the kind of money that Zambrano must be asking. But the Cubs have millions of fans to please. They need a leader like Zambrano for their fractured pitching staff. You could argue, without much effort, that signing Zambrano is the fiscally prudent thing to do, given the rapidly rising cost for starting pitching.

Signing him won't be easy, by any stretch of the checkbook. Just as an educated guess, the two sides are probably talking about a figure north of Oswalt's average annual value of $14.6 million and one that is closing in on Zito's $15.75 million. And don't be surprised, given this market, if it's more.

So, the total for the deal, over five years: Think somewhere between $75-78 million. And, yeah, it could be higher.

Hendry, understandably unwilling to say too much as this negotiation winds its way into the final fragile week, can't help but praise his ace. How could he? "He's got as good a stuff as you'll see," the general manager said last weekend. "And he's never been anything but a good kid."

Zambrano, as he has often in the past months and years, reiterated his desire to stay with the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent almost 10 years ago. "El Toro" also talks of winning a World Series with the Cubs -- it's been a while, you may know -- and of winning a Cy Young award to match his fellow Venezuelan, the Twins' superb left-hander, Santana.

"This is the team that saw me grow up, in the minor leagues and now in the big leagues," Zambrano said, his voice soft in a nearly deserted clubhouse. "Even if it doesn't work out long-term with the Cubs, I still have to do a good job [this season], 'cause I love this game. And I feel for this team. For many years they haven't won anything.

"You know how many people in the past, past Cubs players -- Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams -- many good players that haven't won a World Series? So if we do it this year, it'd be special. You'd be part of something special. It's being in the right time, the right place -- the right year. I think this is the right year to do it. We have a great team, great chemistry. We want to do it."

If not this year with the Cubs, will Zambrano be able to try again next year, and the year after, and for a few more after that? Or will the Cubs stumble in their attempt to sign him and allow him to see what's out there?

Will the Evil Empire and Yankee Fan get a crack at Zambrano next winter?

"I like the Yankees, but I don't see myself pitching at Yankee Stadium. Too many rules," he said with a laugh. "If I play in New York, it's going to be with the Mets. First of all, because I get to hit. And I love hitting.

"I can't say ... that I would never play for the Yankees. Hopefully no, but you never know. This is a business."

Never more for Zambrano and the Cubs than this week.

[DAVE]

Oh man, he's good....


Will the Evil Empire and Yankee Fan get a crack at Zambrano next winter?

"I like the Yankees, but I don't see myself pitching at Yankee Stadium. Too many rules," he said with a laugh. "If I play in New York, it's going to be with the Mets. First of all, because I get to hit. And I love hitting.

"I can't say ... that I would never play for the Yankees. Hopefully no, but you never know. This is a business."

[DAVE]

This could be the NY Money show down that we all thought we'd be getting with Zito last year. Depends ofcourse if D-Train and Santana are available, ofcourse. If Santana is available, I can't see anything else than the Yankees doing whatever it takes to get him.

[Shane W]

Oh man, he's good....

:lol:

Cue tampering investigation in 3.2.1.

[En Sabah Poo]

This could be the NY Money show down that we all thought we'd be getting with Zito last year. Depends ofcourse if D-Train and Santana are available, ofcourse. If Santana is available, I can't see anything else than the Yankees doing whatever it takes to get him.

If the Twins don't sign Santana, it will go down as the biggest blunder in baseball contract history. Their trade of AJ for Liriano, Bonser, and Nathan will be erased from my memory and I will hate Terry Ryan forever.

[DAVE]

:lol:

Cue tampering investigation in 3.2.1.

So Shane, the Cardinals need to get younger and restock soon, do you agree? They'll be fine this year, but after that there'll be a lot of areas to restock. What do you think the priorities are?
I'd have to think that the increased merchandising revenues that a Championship team receives and the new stadium should allow them a greater deal of financial flexibility.

[Shane W]

So Shane, the Cardinals need to get younger and restock soon, do you agree? They'll be fine this year, but after that there'll be a lot of areas to restock. What do you think the priorities are?
I'd have to think that the increased merchandising revenues that a Championship team receives and the new stadium should allow them a greater deal of financial flexibility.

:lol: Before I get into the Cards needs, you have to understand that the Card's ownership is pretty cheap, so we're probably stuck at this level of payroll for quite a while. In any other market in the midwest, they could pull a KC or Cinci.


As for youth, the Cards are younger than most would think. The only real "older" starter we have is Edmonds. Duncan is going to be a complete masher and will have a fantastic year at the 2nd spot in the order. A lot of people want to try and use him for trade bait, but I think he brings too much to the plate to worry over his Manny-esque defense.

Our youth is our starting
C
1B
RF
2SP spots
There's a SS that tore it up in spring training that they expect to take over for Eckstein next year.

So only two outfield and third would the age come in. Not too shabby really.

As for Priorities, a fifth starting pitcher and an outfielder is the need. I keep hearing that Bhurle is pretty much garanteed to sign here after his contract expires.. I wouldn't mind them trying to unload Rolen's contract and score some youth that way, but that also opens up a hole at third.

[PeterSparker]

This could be the NY Money show down that we all thought we'd be getting with Zito last year. Depends ofcourse if D-Train and Santana are available, ofcourse. If Santana is available, I can't see anything else than the Yankees doing whatever it takes to get him.

I think the Cubs get this deal done and lock up Zambrano before he ever makes it to free agency. They would just be so stupid not to. After laying out the cash they have, not to lock up their stud pitcher would make no sense.


As for D-Train or Santana, yeah I'd bet some good money one of 'em is in pinstripes next season.



(and props to my fellow loud mouth Yankee fan, from that article, who gave the shout out to Zambrano, way to represent!!! :) )

[LazyComix]

What kind of "rules" do the Yankees have? Shave and get a haircut? Go pitch for the Mets or stay on the biggest loser team in sports history. Ya baby.

[Buk Was Right]

If the Twins don't sign Santana, it will go down as the biggest blunder in baseball contract history. Their trade of AJ for Liriano, Bonser, and Nathan will be erased from my memory and I will hate Terry Ryan forever.

as a giants fan i've been trying to erase it from my memory since the moment it happened...

[DAVE]

(and props to my fellow loud mouth Yankee fan, from that article, who gave the shout out to Zambrano, way to represent!!! :) )

Yeah, mad props for him being loud, entitled and ignorant. :twisted:

[En Sabah Poo]

Yeah, mad props for him being loud, entitled and ignorant. :twisted:

Have you ever been to a baseball game?

[DAVE]

Have you ever been to a baseball game?

Yeah, one or two, What's your point?

[En Sabah Poo]

Yeah, one or two, What's your point?

What about it makes you think being loud, entitled, or ignorant isn't part of the atmosphere?

[DAVE]

What about it makes you think being loud, entitled, or ignorant isn't part of the atmosphere?

Dude it was a joke. I was teasing Sparker about Yankees fans because that's what I do with Sparker. The fan in question was loud, ignorant for assuming that a player that doesn't want to be a Yankee would be a Yankee, and entitled because I've joking many times in this thread that Yankees fans feel they are entitled to every single player in the Major Leagues.

[En Sabah Poo]

Dude it was a joke. I was teasing Sparker about Yankees fans because that's what I do with Sparker. The fan in question was loud, ignorant for assuming that a player that doesn't want to be a Yankee would be a Yankee, and entitled because I've joking many times in this thread that Yankees fans feel they are entitled to every single player in the Major Leagues.

I'm joking too.

[Magnum V.I.]

Dude it was a joke. I was teasing Sparker about Yankees fans because that's what I do with Sparker. The fan in question was loud, ignorant for assuming that a player that doesn't want to be a Yankee would be a Yankee, and entitled because I've joking many times in this thread that Yankees fans feel they are entitled to every single player in the Major Leagues.

Except the Good ones, HEY-O!

[DAVE]

I'm joking too.

Sorry, I may be prickly today.

[Buk Was Right]

awwwww... you guys just had a little moment there.

[Shane W]

awwwww... you guys just had a little moment there.


Mets and Twins, sitting in a tree.

[PeterSparker]

Mets and Twins, sitting in a tree.
L-o-s-i-n-g

[En Sabah Poo]

L-o-s-i-n-g

So those recent division titles magically make the Yankees not losers but not the Twins eh? Interesting. Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify a team being four times as expensive not getting any further in the playoffs. :)

[Shane W]

So those recent division titles magically make the Yankees not losers but not the Twins eh? Interesting. Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify a team being four times as expensive not getting any further in the playoffs. :)

4x the price, 13 times the amount of titles? I'd take it.

[En Sabah Poo]

4x the price, 13 times the amount of titles? I'd take it.

Well, we are talking recent history here so the comparison isn't really fair on either end. Plus, the Twins haven't been around that long to benefit from the glory days of old.

[DAVE]

If you combined the Mets and Twins into one team it would win 110 games.

[Buk Was Right]

If you combined the Mets and Twins into one team it would win 110 games.

but several of those wins would take place in a dome? do those count?

[En Sabah Poo]

If you combined the Mets and Twins into one team it would win 110 games.

Hey, as long as the Twins drop Silva for Garza right away, and eventually drop Ponson for Perkins, we have a shot at the division. It's just a question of when they will finally admit they wasted 10 million dollars this year on those three fucks (Ortiz included). My hope is they will realize it tomorrow. But unfortunately reality will probably be mid May.

[Shane W]

If you combined the Mets and Twins into one team it would win 110 games.

Would it still choke in the playoffs?

[Buk Was Right]

Would it still choke in the playoffs?

HA!

[DAVE]

but several of those wins would take place in a dome? do those count?
I don't think the Mets and A's fans can really afford to make fun of any other team's stadiums :)
Whoops you're not an A's fan-still automatically associate Zito with them, even if he's wearing a Giants hat :)

Would it still choke in the playoffs?

You know, I know this is just trash talk, but I really don't think the Mets choked in the playoffs. I think they limped in and really gave a good fight, but some bad breaks and bad luck did them in.

[Magnum V.I.]

You know, I know this is just trash talk, but I really don't think the Mets choked in the playoffs. I think they limped in and really gave a good fight, but some bad breaks and bad luck did them in.

Yeah..That's the Brave's Excuse for the past 14 years too.. :shifty:

[Buk Was Right]

gotta love the week before opening day...


looooooooooot of emotion in the air...

[DAVE]

Yeah..That's the Brave's Excuse for the past 14 years too.. :shifty:

People living in Colorado aren't allowed to join in on the baseball smack talk.

[En Sabah Poo]

You know, I know this is just trash talk, but I really don't think the Mets choked in the playoffs. I think they limped in and really gave a good fight, but some bad breaks and bad luck did them in.

I'll say it: The Twins fucking choked the big one in the playoffs against the A's. That should have been an easy clinch. But only a few of our players actually showed up to play. When Esteban Loaiza looks like an ace at any time, you know your team is doing some bad hitting.

But in reality, its a miracle the Twins got to the playoffs given how tough the division is and what the team was comprised of at the beginning of the year and the shit they dealt with the whole season.

[En Sabah Poo]

gotta love the week before opening day...


looooooooooot of emotion in the air...

No offense to you personally, but I hope Barry Zito fucking dies. :D

He ruined my fantasy team last year.

[Magnum V.I.]

People living in Colorado aren't allowed to join in on the baseball smack talk.

:-x :-x :-x

I was in Georgia for 23 years!!

I'll be a cop soon you know?! :-x :-x

[DAVE]

gotta love the week before opening day...


looooooooooot of emotion in the air...

hell yeah!

Today it's 70 degrees in New York City, the first real spring feeling day, 5 days from Opening Day...it feels like baseball outside.

[En Sabah Poo]

:-x :-x :-x

I was in Georgia for 23 years!!

I'll be a cop soon you know?! :-x :-x

Good, checkout the Rockies. They should be illegal.

[Magnum V.I.]

Good, checkout the Rockies. They should be illegal.

But It's the Altituuuuddeeee!

I'm going to the game up her on the 28th of April. Braves v Rockies!


Although I always hear the Rockies are good up until the All-Star break, then fall apart.

[Buk Was Right]

hell yeah!

Today it's 70 degrees in New York City, the first real spring feeling day, 5 days from Opening Day...it feels like baseball outside.

my new job is like 3 blocks from the phone booth (what i'm calling pac bell/at&t/sbc these days)...

just caught a glimpse of it when i went out for lunch.

got a little giddy. gonna be working tuesday (home opener) and i seriously might spend my lunch break peeking through the "knotholes" in right field.

[Buk Was Right]

No offense to you personally, but I hope Barry Zito fucking dies. :D

He ruined my fantasy team last year.

i'm stoked on the zito pick up (despite the price tag), but cain's my man!

(and if lincecum develops... booooooooy howdy!)

[DAVE]

:-x :-x :-x

I was in Georgia for 23 years!!

I'll be a cop soon you know?! :-x :-x

Yes well last I checked, the Braves didn't come an extra basehit away from the World Series when:
- a week before the playoffs their ace tore a rotator cuff and tore a hamstring
- the pitcher next in line to pitch game one of the NLDS then also tore a hamstring
-had one erratic pitcher just picked up off the trash heap and another that was rookie throw in to a trade opening game one

and still last all the way to game 7. The Mets broke down, plain and simple. The rain outs also gave the Cardinals bullpen a chance to rest, a bullpen that was taxed coming into game 6.

I'm not making excuses, the Mets palyed their hearts out, the Cardinals played just enough better to win. I don't think the Mets choked. It's frustrating, but the Cardinals got hot at the right time, jsut as the previously hot Tigers cooled down at the wrong time. I'm glad we lost to the Champions. I think anyone on the Cardinals or their fans will tell you that the NLCS was the series of the playoffs.

[Magnum V.I.]

Yes well last I checked, the Braves didn't come an extra basehit away from the World Series when:
- a week before the playoffs their ace tore a rotator cuff and tore a hamstring
- the pitcher next in line to pitch game one of the NLDS then also tore a hamstring
-had one erratic pitcher just picked up off the trash heap and another that was rookie throw in to a trade opening game one

and still last all the way to game 7. The Mets broke down, plain and simple. The rain outs also gave the Cardinals bullpen a chance to rest, a bullpen that was taxed coming into game 6.

I'm not making excuses, the Mets palyed their hearts out, the Cardinals played just enough better to win. I don't think the Mets choked. It's frustrating, but the Cardinals got hot at the right time, jsut as the previously hot Tigers cooled down at the wrong time. I'm glad we lost to the Champions. I think anyone on the Cardinals or their fans will tell you that the NLCS was the series of the playoffs.

:roll: :roll: Yeah yeah..Fate against the Mets.

:D

[DAVE]

:roll: :roll: Yeah yeah..Fate against the Mets.

:D

I didn't say anthing about fate :mistrust:
I said the Mets sucumbed to injuries at the wrong time and still played very hard. The Cardinals overcame plenty of injury to win last year and I take my hat off to them.
I'm just saying the Mets didn't choke.

[En Sabah Poo]

I didn't say anthing about fate :mistrust:
I said the Mets sucumbed to injuries at the wrong time and still played very hard. The Cardinals overcame plenty of injury to win last year and I take my hat off to them.
I'm just saying the Mets didn't choke.

When you go to Game 7 in the playoffs and lose, that's hardly choking (unless you're the Yankees).

[PeterSparker]

So those recent division titles magically make the Yankees not losers but not the Twins eh? Interesting. Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify a team being four times as expensive not getting any further in the playoffs. :)

the 6 year drought ends in 07!!!!!!!!!


and I have no sob story, Kenny Rogers beat the Yankees like Ike used to beat Tina and they never mentally recovered. Lame, but true.




(the Boston massacre has helped ease a lot of the pain from last year though, that was an awesome weekend for a Yankee fan, no matter how the season ended. The Sox were in first place when we arrived, then they weren't, it was beautiful....)

[Magnum V.I.]

I didn't say anthing about fate :mistrust:
I said the Mets sucumbed to injuries at the wrong time and still played very hard. The Cardinals overcame plenty of injury to win last year and I take my hat off to them.
I'm just saying the Mets didn't choke.

Suuurreeee they didn't :roll:


Nah I believe you. You eat Baseball as an entire side-life. I'm just a big braves fan, and I think they have one of the best Regular Season Records and are a Great Regular Season team, but they are wonderful Post-Season choke Artists. That's just the team I love.

[Shane W]

When you go to Game 7 in the playoffs and lose, that's hardly choking (unless you're the Yankees).

Unless you're at home.

[En Sabah Poo]

Unless you're at home.

No, its still not choking. Going to game 7 means you almost won. That's not choking. Getting swept is choking, especially when you're the favorite to win. Whether or not you're at home, parity is just a part of sports. Some teams win, some teams lose. It's always different.

[lonesomefool]

So I was watching the ESPN Fantasy Baseball special earlier today (during lunch at school) and I cant believe Steve Phillips thinks Barry Bonds is going to hit over 40 Home Runs and Drive in 120 RBI's.

Phillips seems like a nice guy, but this is why the guy got canned as Met's GM...seriously Bonds has knees that are basically being held together by tape and prayer.

[Shane W]

No, its still not choking. Going to game 7 means you almost won. That's not choking. Getting swept is choking, especially when you're the favorite to win. Whether or not you're at home, parity is just a part of sports. Some teams win, some teams lose. It's always different.

The 85 Cards say "Hi". As much as I want to kick Denkinger in the dick (and be sure, one day I will) The Cards choked away game 7.

Although this past year has relaxed me quite a bit and I don't get nearly as angry over his name as I did just 6 months ago.

Botoom line is that what game you're playing in is no indication if a team choked or not.

[Buk Was Right]

No, its still not choking. Going to game 7 means you almost won. That's not choking. Getting swept is choking, especially when you're the favorite to win. Whether or not you're at home, parity is just a part of sports. Some teams win, some teams lose. It's always different.

also i'm gonna go ahead and say that leading five outs away from your first world series victory since the 50s, pulling your starter who's throwing the game of his life, flipping him the game ball enraging the opposition and calling to the bully for the mlb equivalent of a batting tee who has two pitches, a fast ball right down the middle and a fastball nowhere near the plate...

probably counts as choking...

hypothetically speaking i mean.

[PeterSparker]

ugh, lets not even talk about Game 7's. Becuase you want tough, try playing a month after 9/11, not really looking like this is your year but amazing things keep happening in each round of the playoffs so that you keep advancing. You end up in the WS against Shilling and Johnson who are kicking your ass, but in the middle games you sart to come back, not only that but two nights in row you're down 2 runs, with 2 out in the ninth...and you win both games! Then the Big Unit eats you alive for game 6, then Curt "douchebag" Shilling gaurantees he'll win Game 7. The Rocket matches him throughout that game, and in the top of the 8th Soriano hits the go-ahead homer off the same Curt Shilling!! Now all you have to do is sit back and watch Mariano come out and put this one in the books...but it starts raining a little bit in the desert... Mariano gets a sure double play ball hit back to him, then throws it into centerfireld, then gives up a broken bat single (with Jeter playing in, when Torre should have had him playinbg back).. and your Game 7 is over...ugh


Now no one is gonna cry for the Yanks, (I mean it woulda been our fourth in a row) but regardless that was tough...still is.

[DAVE]

So I was watching the ESPN Fantasy Baseball special earlier today (during lunch at school) and I cant believe Steve Phillips thinks Barry Bonds is going to hit over 40 Home Runs and Drive in 120 RBI's.

Phillips seems like a nice guy, but this is why the guy got canned as Met's GM...seriously Bonds has knees that are basically being held together by tape and prayer.

Yeah exactly. This is why Steve Phillips signed Mo Vaughan in '01. He watched Vaughan take BP in his home batting cage and offered him a contract. No lie.

[Buk Was Right]

Yeah exactly. This is why Steve Phillips signed Mo Vaughan in '01. He watched Vaughan take BP in his home batting cage and offered him a contract. No lie.

heh... that's magical.

but Mo was well worth it right? right?

anyone?

[PeterSparker]

Yeah exactly. This is why Steve Phillips signed Mo Vaughan in '01. He watched Vaughan take BP in his home batting cage and offered him a contract. No lie.

A Met buddy of mine has been talking about this with me recently, but whenever I see Phillips doing his analysis on tv he seems to know less about baseball than anyone I've ever heard. Can't believe this guy was actually a GM. Hey, they went to the series on his watch, drafted Wright and Reyes (I believe) on his watch, but he seems like a complete tool when you hear him.

[Magnum V.I.]

ugh, lets not even talk about Game 7's. Becuase you want tough, try playing a month after 9/11, not really looking like this is your year but amazing things keep happening in each round of the playoffs so that you keep advancing. You end up in the WS against Shilling and Johnson who are kicking your ass, but in the middle games you sart to come back, not only that but two nights in row you're down 2 runs, with 2 out in the ninth...and you win both games! Then the Big Unit eats you alive for game 6, then Curt "douchebag" Shilling gaurantees he'll win Game 7. The Rocket matches him throughout that game, and in the top of the 8th Soriano hits the go-ahead homer off the same Curt Shilling!! Now all you have to do is sit back and watch Mariano come out and put this one in the books...but it starts raining a little bit in the desert... Mariano gets a sure double play ball hit back to him, then throws it into centerfireld, then gives up a broken bat single (with Jeter playing in, when Torre should have had him playinbg back).. and your Game 7 is over...ugh


Now no one is gonna cry for the Yanks, (I mean it woulda been our fourth in a row) but regardless that was tough...still is.

That was an Amazing World Series. I Loved it.

[DAVE]

A Met buddy of mine has been talking about this with me recently, but whenever I see Phillips doing his analysis on tv he seems to know less about baseball than anyone I've ever heard. Can't believe this guy was actually a GM. Hey, they went to the series on his watch, drafted Wright and Reyes (I believe) on his watch, but he seems like a complete tool when you hear him.

Scouts discovered Wright and Reyes and Philips tried trading them both for no one of consequence. The opposing GM's turned down the deal, thank God, but if Philips had his way they'd be gone right now. Omar Miniya, who was an assistant had more to do with discovering Reyes than Phillips did.

[DAVE]

The one great thing about the Wright signing is: the Mets got that draft pick as compensation for losing a "Teir 1" player to free agency in '00.
They got the pick from the Rockies because they signed Mike Hampton away from the Mets. I smile about that every time I think about it.

[SteveFlack]

ugh, lets not even talk about Game 7's. Becuase you want tough, try playing a month after 9/11, not really looking like this is your year but amazing things keep happening in each round of the playoffs so that you keep advancing. You end up in the WS against Shilling and Johnson who are kicking your ass, but in the middle games you sart to come back, not only that but two nights in row you're down 2 runs, with 2 out in the ninth...and you win both games! Then the Big Unit eats you alive for game 6, then Curt "douchebag" Shilling gaurantees he'll win Game 7. The Rocket matches him throughout that game, and in the top of the 8th Soriano hits the go-ahead homer off the same Curt Shilling!! Now all you have to do is sit back and watch Mariano come out and put this one in the books...but it starts raining a little bit in the desert... Mariano gets a sure double play ball hit back to him, then throws it into centerfireld, then gives up a broken bat single (with Jeter playing in, when Torre should have had him playinbg back).. and your Game 7 is over...ugh


Now no one is gonna cry for the Yanks, (I mean it woulda been our fourth in a row) but regardless that was tough...still is.

It wasn't as bad as 1994. That year made every loss since then something I can live with, because the pain of sitting in the bleachers, watching the greatest season you've ever seen end in August is something that can't be topped.

-Steve!

[PeterSparker]

It wasn't as bad as 1994. That year made every loss since then something I can live with, because the pain of sitting in the bleachers, watching the greatest season you've ever seen end in August is something that can't be topped.

-Steve!
Yeah it was fucking brutal.

That Yankees vs. Expos WS woulda been a classic!

[SteveFlack]

Yeah it was fucking brutal.

That Yankees vs. Expos WS woulda been a classic!

Tell me about it. I was 12, at the time, and it was the first time could ever remember the Yankees having good pitching (god bless Jimmy Key), and it was the first time in my life when it looked like they were going to make the playoffs. Then all of this strike talk started. I'd already gone to a game that week, and a childhood friend and I decided that we should try and go to the last game, just in case. The best we could do were bleacher seats. During the batting practice, I caught a ball thrown into the stands by a Blue Jay outfielder, to this day the only time I have ever caught anything in the stands. The Yanks lost to the Jays that day, and I remember running down the aisle as the last out in the 9th went straight into the Blue Jays Center-fieder's glove, screaming "NOOOOOOO!!". Instead of going right into the terrible Liza version of "New York, New York", the sound system started "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)".

I was in shock the whole way home.

My Dad and I spent the rest of the summer dragging the rest of my family from minor league game to minor league game, looking for baseball.

A few years ago, I got that ball I caught signed by Don Mattingly.

1994 toughened me up, so 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 didn't really sting.

Although 1995 did suck, and there is a hole in the ceiling of my parent's basement as proof.

-Steve!

[PeterSparker]

since we had a little JD Drew discussion a few days ago:


Ready To Take It To The Next Level
03/27/2007 10:00 AM ET
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Baseball's 2006 was The Year of Rising Surreptitiously. The season's individual giants all emerged from behind a curtain of relative anonymity, reaching the highest ceilings from a ground-floor start.
The honor roll reminded us anew that the beautiful game's long season is a wonderful kingmaker, an even playing field on which those with a checkered past, or no history at all, can rise above the crowd to go shoulder-to-shoulder with the elite.

It was a season that certainly reaffirmed baseball's reputation as a democratic game. If you play it well and hard, the spotlight finds you.

Joe Mauer began the season with 166 games of Major League experience and won an American League batting title. His Minnesota teammate, Justin Morneau, reigned as the MVP after nearly matching the cumulative power numbers of his first three seasons.

Freddy Sanchez came off the end of the Pirates' bench to wear the NL batting crown. Brandon Webb started the season with a career record of 31-37 and took home the NL Cy Young Award.

One never knows where the lightning of greatness will strike.

Who are the candidates for similar breakouts in 2007? We glimpse five who fit the mold, having covertly but assuredly honed their game to toe the threshold of stardom.

The ground rules are simple: They must be established Major Leaguers, not rookies -- they have their own thresholds and ceilings.

5. Casey Kotchman, Angels: The high expectations have long faded, but the 24-year-old first baseman is set to make his mark six years after being a No. 1 draft pick (13th overall). He has regained his strength after a season-long battle with mononucleosis, and a solid spring attests that his fluid left-handed swing is intact. This is a guy who compiled a cumulative .342 Minor League average prior to his first callup in 2004 -- and he is poised to return to that level for the offense-hungry Angels.

4. Aaron Harang, Reds: The 28-year-old righty has had more trouble with recognition than with results. He led the NL in strikeouts last year while tying for the league lead with 16 wins, yet was ignored in the vote for the Cy Young Award. After dramatically lowering his ERA in each of the past three seasons, Harang is ready to become an every-fifth-day sensation everyone will notice. Maybe enough to turn him into Cincinnati's very first Cy Young pitcher.

3. Erik Bedard, Orioles: He "got it" a lot earlier than do many late-blooming left-handers, setting him up for a breakthrough into his prime. Bedard, who turned 28 earlier this month, was consistently lights-out during another dark season in Baltimore. He went 15-11 for a team that was 26 games under .500 with anyone else starting, and his ERA was 1.49 runs lower than the overall staff's. An amazing 10 of his wins followed Orioles losses. And Bedard went 10-5 after mid-June. He's on the catapult to stardom.

2. J.D. Drew, Red Sox: He is hardly a stranger, but this nine-year veteran is more associated with off-field news than with on-field performance. He's the guy who wouldn't sign with the Phillies and, more recently, the guy who walked out on the Dodgers. But for all the notoriety, Drew has collected more than 27 homers only once and had never driven in more than 93 runs until last season. He is in the perfect town and in the perfect lineup to break through infamy to the other side of that coin: Fame.

1. Rich Harden, Athletics: Both his time, and his turn, have come. The 25-year-old right-hander with the frightening stuff has been taking the dry air out of the Cactus League, striking out 25 of the 53 batters he has faced. Harden has been healthy for only 28 starts the last two seasons, meaning he has lots of saved bullets. This is where the A's get their payoff for not rushing him back from a strained elbow ligament during last summer's division race. A worthy successor to the line of Oakland aces.

[Shane W]

Tell me about it. I was 12, at the time, and it was the first time could ever remember the Yankees having good pitching (god bless Jimmy Key), and it was the first time in my life when it looked like they were going to make the playoffs. Then all of this strike talk started. I'd already gone to a game that week, and a childhood friend and I decided that we should try and go to the last game, just in case. The best we could do were bleacher seats. During the batting practice, I caught a ball thrown into the stands by a Blue Jay outfielder, to this day the only time I have ever caught anything in the stands. The Yanks lost to the Jays that day, and I remember running down the aisle as the last out in the 9th went straight into the Blue Jays Center-fieder's glove, screaming "NOOOOOOO!!". Instead of going right into the terrible Liza version of "New York, New York", the sound system started "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)".

I was in shock the whole way home.

My Dad and I spent the rest of the summer dragging the rest of my family from minor league game to minor league game, looking for baseball.

A few years ago, I got that ball I caught signed by Don Mattingly.

1994 toughened me up, so 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 didn't really sting.

Although 1995 did suck, and there is a hole in the ceiling of my parent's basement as proof.

-Steve!

Yeah, you've had it rough. :lol:

[PeterSparker]

Yeah, you've had it rough. :lol:


:lol:



now that was funny

[lonesomefool]

That's a pretty good list of "break out" players, though how many years have people been waiting for J.D. Drew to break out? Seriously, it feels like it's been a decade lol

[Buk Was Right]

That's a pretty good list of "break out" players, though how many years have people been waiting for J.D. Drew to break out? Seriously, it feels like it's been a decade lol

i dunno, he's pretty famous for being a red ass isn't he?

[Shane W]

:lol:

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-3582676dt.jpg

[SteveFlack]

:lol:

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-3582676dt.jpg

Got Rings T-shirts for anyone except the Yankees never made sense to me.

-Steve!

[En Sabah Poo]

Got Rings T-shirts for anyone except the Yankees never made sense to me.

-Steve!

Cut him some slack. It's the national league afterall.

[Shane W]

Got Rings T-shirts for anyone except the Yankees never made sense to me.

-Steve!

:lol: Yeah, you've had it real rough.

[DAVE]

since we had a little JD Drew discussion a few days ago:

That's an interesting list. There are lots of breakout potentials this season.
I'm still not sold on Drew though, I don't think he'll suddenly become injury free.

[DAVE]

Some small nuggets of good news for the Yankees rotation:

Around the Grapefruit League ESPN.com news services


New York Yankees: Left-hander Andy Pettitte reported no problems one day after throwing 25 pitches in his first bullpen session since being sidelined by back spasms. Pettitte will have a full mound session Wednesday and might pitch in a minor league game Friday or Saturday.

"Definitely didn't go backwards at all," Pettitte said Tuesday.

When asked if the back discomfort had completely disappeared, Pettitte only said, "I'm feeling better. A lot better."

The Yankees are hopeful Pettitte will be ready to make his first regular-season start.

"I think he will, but comfort is the most important thing to me," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "So if he doesn't, it's no big deal. That's the way I feel."

Chien-Ming Wang, who will start the season on the disabled list with a pulled right hamstring, threw at 60- and 90-feet on level ground. The right-hander is expected to be out until at least late April.

"I hope sooner," Wang said.

More Yankees pitching woes: Left-hander Ron Villone was hit on the outside of his left shin by a batted ball in a minor league game Monday. He expects to pitch on Wednesday.

"I got a nice war wound, but it's OK," he said.

Right-hander Humberto Sanchez, who is out with right elbow inflammation said he will start the season with the extended spring training team. He was one of three minor league pitchers obtained from Detroit for Gary Sheffield during the offseason.

Jeff Karstens could resume throwing Thursday. He has been shut down since leaving a start last Sunday after two innings with right elbow stiffness.

"I don't want to rush it," Karstens said. "It's early in the year. It feels good. It shouldn't be that bad to build back up."

[PeterSparker]

Got Rings T-shirts for anyone except the Yankees never made sense to me.

-Steve!

Eh, I like the 'Got Melky?' ones better anyway :)



and what does that shirt say on the back? I can't tell

[En Sabah Poo]

I dunno, the Yankees rotation, with the execption of Mussina (thank god) seems to have come down with the plague. You can't really rely on Pavano either. The one good thing is they do have Hughes waiting in the wings. He's bound to be a factor this year, maybe now sooner than later. Although he could suffer that freshman slump that both Liriano and Garza did when they were first called up in their respective second halves.

[Shane W]

Eh, I like the 'Got Melky?' ones better anyway :)



and what does that shirt say on the back? I can't tell

Something about how the Cubs suck.

[PeterSparker]

Some small nuggets of good news for the Yankees rotation:

Around the Grapefruit League ESPN.com news services


New York Yankees: Left-hander Andy Pettitte reported no problems one day after throwing 25 pitches in his first bullpen session since being sidelined by back spasms. Pettitte will have a full mound session Wednesday and might pitch in a minor league game Friday or Saturday.

"Definitely didn't go backwards at all," Pettitte said Tuesday.

When asked if the back discomfort had completely disappeared, Pettitte only said, "I'm feeling better. A lot better."

The Yankees are hopeful Pettitte will be ready to make his first regular-season start.

"I think he will, but comfort is the most important thing to me," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "So if he doesn't, it's no big deal. That's the way I feel."

Chien-Ming Wang, who will start the season on the disabled list with a pulled right hamstring, threw at 60- and 90-feet on level ground. The right-hander is expected to be out until at least late April.

"I hope sooner," Wang said.

More Yankees pitching woes: Left-hander Ron Villone was hit on the outside of his left shin by a batted ball in a minor league game Monday. He expects to pitch on Wednesday.

"I got a nice war wound, but it's OK," he said.

Right-hander Humberto Sanchez, who is out with right elbow inflammation said he will start the season with the extended spring training team. He was one of three minor league pitchers obtained from Detroit for Gary Sheffield during the offseason.

Jeff Karstens could resume throwing Thursday. He has been shut down since leaving a start last Sunday after two innings with right elbow stiffness.

"I don't want to rush it," Karstens said. "It's early in the year. It feels good. It shouldn't be that bad to build back up."


*wheeeeeeeeeeew*

[PeterSparker]

I dunno, the Yankees rotation, with the execption of Mussina (thank god) seems to have come down with the plague. You can't really rely on Pavano either. The one good thing is they do have Hughes waiting in the wings. He's bound to be a factor this year, maybe now sooner than later. Although he could suffer that freshman slump that both Liriano and Garza did when they were first called up in their respective second halves.


A lightly pulled hamstring isn't exactly the plague, they're just playing it safe with Wang. The rest are ready to go for the season.


And I've pumped up Hughes as much as anyone, but he has work still to do in the minors. He wouldn't even be the first AAA option if they needed a fill in starter at this stage.

[DAVE]

I don't think Huges will be much of a factor this season.

[DAVE]

Oh yeah, and all those "Got_____" t-shirts are lame in all their variations. First of all, parodying "got milk" is about as fresh as Absolut ads, second of all, what's the point? To brag? Yeah, the Yankees have won a lot of championships, glad some guy's t-shirt let me know that. And yeah, I'll second the sentiment that other teams having them are much worse because of unoriginality and by comparision, anything under 26 looks paltry.
The "got Melky" ones are a little better because they actually make sense, due to the play on words, but being lumped in with other shirts makes it lame by association. They do make me laugh though, because "Melky Cabrera" has become part of a complex code for types of shitting between my brothers and I.
By the way, the Mets made the lamest entry into the "Got ____" t-shirt fad during the play offs when they came out with "Got Postseason?". That infuriated me by it's shear suckitude.

[PeterSparker]

By the way, the Mets made the lamest entry into the "Got ____" t-shirt fad during the play offs when they came out with "Got Postseason?". That infuriated me by it's shear suckitude.


I agree in general (except about your shit code with your brothers :mistrust: ), and yeah that attempt by the Mets was uber sad.

[DAVE]

I agree in general (except about your shit code with your brothers :mistrust: ), and yeah that attempt by the Mets was uber sad.

The Yankee shit code is actually pretty funny, and wasn't even about the Yankees originally but then it just developed naturally and became Yankees based thanks to a deadline deal.
I feel like those shirts are devised by a MLB marketing exec who has a template that they fit teams into. I saw the 'got postseason' ones for other teams too. I just think they made them for every playoff team that isnt the Yankees.

[Shane W]

The Yankee shit code is actually pretty funny, and wasn't even about the Yankees originally but then it just developed naturally and became Yankees based thanks to a deadline deal.
I feel like those shirts are devised by a MLB marketing exec who has a template that they fit teams into. I saw the 'got postseason' ones for other teams too. I just think they made them for every playoff team that isnt the Yankees.


This is the first version for the Cardinals I have seen.

I take that back, there was a "Got Albert?" version last year.

[SteveFlack]

The Yankee shit code is actually pretty funny, and wasn't even about the Yankees originally but then it just developed naturally and became Yankees based thanks to a deadline deal.
I feel like those shirts are devised by a MLB marketing exec who has a template that they fit teams into. I saw the 'got postseason' ones for other teams too. I just think they made them for every playoff team that isnt the Yankees.

They made a "Got Postseason?" shirt for the Yankees too, my little sister bought it.

-Steve!

[DAVE]

This is the first version for the Cardinals I have seen.

I take that back, there was a "Got Albert?" version last year.

How does one respond to that shirt. "uh, no...uhm...I can check the 25 man roster..."

[Shane W]

How does one respond to that shirt. "uh, no...uhm...I can check the 25 man roster..."

Sometimes I think you take t-shirts too seriously. :lol:

[PeterSparker]

Sometimes I think you take t-shirts too seriously. :lol::D

Yeah, I'm not sure you're required to respond to a t-shirt anyway.

[DAVE]

Okay since nobody asked, The Yankee Shit code!

The Yankee shit code started in an unlikely place, at the 16 inning Mets/Phillies game of last season. The opposing batter pictures on the jumbotron showed Bobby Abreu's picture, a picture that looks like it was taken in the middle of a very enjoyable dump. By brother and I became sort of fixated on the picture, which is understandable, since Steve Trachsel was pitching that game. We started talking about it, about what kind of dump Abreu was taking, why he was enjoying it so much. We concluded that Bobby Abreu was taking the elusive shit that slides right out, and requires only one whipe, just to be sure. For then on anytime we took a shit that fit that criteria, it was described as 'An Abreu', the best kind of shit.
On the subway heading home, the joyful Mets fans, drunk with the joy of Carlos Beltran's walkoff shot at like 1:30 am were yelling and celebrating. One clever young chap yelled out, "Oh, I ate a Shea Stadium hotdog and now I gotta run home and take a Melky Cabrera!" There was much laughter on the 7 train. We immediatly decided that Melky Cabrera was a bad type of shit to have, a painful, messy, ordeal.
Then the trading deadline occured and something magical happened: Bobby Abreu was a Yankee. Suddenly a pattern emerged, much to my girlfriend's chagrin (to this day she gets mad at me when I mention anything about Bobby Abreu).
As the season progressed and more shits were taken, we had types of shits for many Yankees-

The Arod: YOu think you're about to take a quick shit and suddenly you're in there for an hour sweating and the whole thing sucks
The Matsui: When you eat Asian food naturally.
Jeter: Somethings wrong, there's blood on toilet paper.

[DAVE]

Sometimes I think you take t-shirts too seriously. :lol:


:D

Yeah, I'm not sure you're required to respond to a t-shirt anyway.

Then why do they ask!?
Yeah..if my t shirt thing didn't freak you guys out, then my last post ahead of this one will.

[Shane W]

Only 4 more days! I took vacation next week, so I'm ready to hit the first 2 games.

Now, I have to plan my Sunday correctly. I have a habit/problem with getting grossly drunk on opening day. usually it's a day game so I quit drinking about 2 hours after game time and I'm fine the next day, but Sunday is a night game, and well, the festivities start at noon downtown. This might get ugly.

[Buk Was Right]

Only 4 more days! I took vacation next week, so I'm ready to hit the first 2 games.

Now, I have to plan my Sunday correctly. I have a habit/problem with getting grossly drunk on opening day. usually it's a day game so I quit drinking about 2 hours after game time and I'm fine the next day, but Sunday is a night game, and well, the festivities start at noon downtown. This might get ugly.

seconded! drinking and baseball go together like drinking and baseball!

fuck i want a hot dog right now...

[PeterSparker]

Okay since nobody asked, The Yankee Shit code!

The Yankee shit code started in an unlikely place, at the 16 inning Mets/Phillies game of last season. The opposing batter pictures on the jumbotron showed Bobby Abreu's picture, a picture that looks like it was taken in the middle of a very enjoyable dump. By brother and I became sort of fixated on the picture, which is understandable, since Steve Trachsel was pitching that game. We started talking about it, about what kind of dump Abreu was taking, why he was enjoying it so much. We concluded that Bobby Abreu was taking the elusive shit that slides right out, and requires only one whipe, just to be sure. For then on anytime we took a shit that fit that criteria, it was described as 'An Abreu', the best kind of shit.
On the subway heading home, the joyful Mets fans, drunk with the joy of Carlos Beltran's walkoff shot at like 1:30 am were yelling and celebrating. One clever young chap yelled out, "Oh, I ate a Shea Stadium hotdog and now I gotta run home and take a Melky Cabrera!" There was much laughter on the 7 train. We immediatly decided that Melky Cabrera was a bad type of shit to have, a painful, messy, ordeal.
Then the trading deadline occured and something magical happened: Bobby Abreu was a Yankee. Suddenly a pattern emerged, much to my girlfriend's chagrin (to this day she gets mad at me when I mention anything about Bobby Abreu).
As the season progressed and more shits were taken, we had types of shits for many Yankees-

The Arod: YOu think you're about to take a quick shit and suddenly you're in there for an hour sweating and the whole thing sucks
The Matsui: When you eat Asian food naturally.
Jeter: Somethings wrong, there's blood on toilet paper.
Ah, just when you think the Met fan's fixation with the Yankees can't get any more disturbing...


but if you'll excuse me I have to run to the bathroom myself, I'm in the mood for a good Beltran. That's when you lean forward, look down, and just watch the turd go right by. It's beautiful








:D

[DAVE]

Ah, just when you think the Met fan's fixation with the Yankees can't get any more disturbing...


but if you'll excuse me I have to run to the bathroom myself, I'm in the mood for a good Beltran. That's when you lean forward, look down, and just watch the turd go right by. It's beautiful








:D

Awww...that's cute. Remember when Yankees fans used to be able to talk shit about the Mets because of things The Yankees did against the Mets? I guess that's in the past.
And you know I'm like the least Yankee fixated Met fan there is.

[DAVE]

The Cardinals will celebrate their championship reign with a commemorative sleeve patch. Plus on Opening Day, they'll wear a cap patch and don special gold-accented jerseys (similar to the ones the Red Sox wore two years ago for their World Series ring ceremony).

[LazyComix]

Awww...that's cute. Remember when Yankees fans used to be able to talk shit about the Mets because of things The Yankees did against the Mets? I guess that's in the past.
And you know I'm like the least Yankee fixated Met fan there is.

Hey man, I love ya and all... I hope we get a chance to meet up for some beers during a game this season... but what have the Mets done to "beat" the Yankees? Last year wasn't the first time they've gone further in the playoffs and they didn't win it, so.... how exactly does that work?

[Shane W]

The Cardinals will celebrate their championship reign with a commemorative sleeve patch. Plus on Opening Day, they'll wear a cap patch and don special gold-accented jerseys (similar to the ones the Red Sox wore two years ago for their World Series ring ceremony).

http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-3609927dt.jpg

[Shane W]

Then why do they ask!?
Yeah..if my t shirt thing didn't freak you guys out, then my last post ahead of this one will.

We used to call that a Mookie Wilson.

[DAVE]

Hey man, I love ya and all... I hope we get a chance to meet up for some beers during a game this season... but what have the Mets done to "beat" the Yankees? Last year wasn't the first time they've gone further in the playoffs and they didn't win it, so.... how exactly does that work?

Right back at ya. I'm not saying the Mets have "beat" the Yankees yet or anything like that (they had the same amount of wins, the Subways Series was split right down the middle, but the Mets went further in the playoffs). I'm just saying Shane should make Beltran looking jokes. There isn't really much a Yankee fan can say about the Mets performance vs. The Yankees performance though.
I will say that last year it was much more fun to be a Mets fan than a Yankees fan though, and I hope this season goes that route, too.

[SteveFlack]

Right back at ya. I'm not saying the Mets have "beat" the Yankees yet or anything like that (they had the same amount of wins, the Subways Series was split right down the middle, but the Mets went further in the playoffs). I'm just saying Shane should make Beltran looking jokes. There isn't really much a Yankee fan can say about the Mets performance vs. The Yankees performance though.
I will say that last year it was much more fun to be a Mets fan than a Yankees fan though, and I hope this season goes that route, too.

With the exception of the post-season, I disagree. The Mets pretty much had the division handed to them, while the Yankees had to fight through injury and a tough division to take the east.

-Steve!

[DAVE]

With the exception of the post-season, I disagree. The Mets pretty much had the division handed to them, while the Yankees had to fight through injury and a tough division to take the east.

-Steve!

Yeah, but most Yankees fans I know were miserable all last season. Shea was like a season long celebration.

[Shane W]

Yeah, but most Yankees fans I know were miserable all last season. Shea was like a season long celebration.

And the got to witness this. :grope:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/chizip/hellya2.gif

[Shane W]

Alright fuckers. Are we going to do predictions before the season starts?

[SteveFlack]

Yeah, but most Yankees fans I know were miserable all last season. Shea was like a season long celebration.

That's just because they really enjoy those Jose Reyes Spanish lessons.

-Steve!

[SteveFlack]

Alright fuckers. Are we going to do predictions before the season starts?

I predict that the Royals will not win the World Series, Barry Bonds won't admit to using steroids, and David Ortiz will not play more that 10 games at first base.

-Steve!

[DAVE]

There is a lot of July talk again about the Red Sox trading Manny Ramirez, and the buzz becomes louder with Seattle considering moving free-agent-to-be Ichiro Suzuki.
-- New York Post

The Orioles are considering a deal for Royals outfielder Reggie Sanders, according to a team source. The Royals have asked for pitchers Kurt Birkins or Brian Burres in return for Sanders.
-- Washington Post

The Mets on Tuesday inquired about the availability of Orioles reliever Todd Williams, according to a baseball source.
-- Washington Post

The Rockies expressed interest in recently optioned knuckleballer Charlie Haeger after watching him pitch three scoreless innings in a "B" game Sunday against them.
-- Chicago Tribune

Byung-Hyun Kim's chance of going to the A's nosedived with Joe Kennedy's strong outing Tuesday.
-- Denver Post

The Phillies continue shopping for a late-inning reliever, eyeing Toronto and the White Sox for help.
-- Denver Post

The Rangers are expected to add right-hander Jamey Wright to the roster today, all but insuring he'll be on the club on opening day and the most likely fifth starter.
-- Dallas Morning News

With prospect Ryan Braun waiting in the wings, the Brewers have no intention of exercising Corey Koskie's option. Koskie returned to Minnesota to continue physical therapy in an effort to recover from post-concussion syndrome. Manager Ned Yost said it was too frustrating for Koskie to remain with the team until the end of camp.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Carl Pavano completed his spring training without adding to the list of injuries that had sidelined him for 21 months. If he stays healthy, he is expected to be the Yankees' opening day starter.
-- New York Times

Angels pitchers Jered Weaver and Bartolo Colon continued their strong comebacks from injury, appearing in games for the first time this spring.
-- Los Angeles Times

Lastings Milledge's right hand contusion didn't improve yesterday. The Mets outfielder is still trying to make the team to start the season, but he said that he hasn't heard anything from the Mets about his status.
-- New York Post

Mark Prior's start Wednesday will be his last in a Cubs uniform for quite a while. Manager Lou Piniella confirmed Tuesday that Wade Miller has sewn up the fifth starter's spot, leaving no room for Prior on the 25-man roster.
-- Chicago Tribune

Coco Crisp has the backing of management, despite lingering questions because of an injury-plagued debut season in Boston and a slow start this spring.
-- Boston Globe

Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement (recovering from shoulder surgery) will stay in Florida for a month or two. He's throwing from 60 feet now and will throw from 75 feet next week. He hopes to be pitching to hitters after the All-Star break.

[PeterSparker]

Yeah, but most Yankees fans I know were miserable all last season. Shea was like a season long celebration.


I wasn't miserable at all last year, until the end...

(but seriously, this is one Yankee fan who relishes winning the division still. Its a major fucking accomplishment each time, and I never take it for granted. I'd like them to go further sure, but I enjoyed the fuck out of what this team showed me last year in the second half)


and the REAL subway series was played in 2000, remember that was the one where the Yankees completed the "three-peat" on the Shea Stadium field. ;) (I still haven't lost the good vibes from O'Neil's clutch walk against Benitez in the nith inning of game one.)




-Poor David, he starts these threads then gets crap all the way through 'em :D






Alright fuckers. Are we going to do predictions before the season starts?



Ok:

AL EAST: NY Yankees (suprise, suprise)
AL CENTRAL: Detroit Tigers (I can see 'em back again, especially with Sheff)
AL WEST: LA Angels (still feels lame calling them "LA", but I think they win anyway)

AL WILD CARD: Twins or Red Sox (I'll probably be right about one of 'em)


NL EAST: NY Mets (but much, much tougher than last year)
NL CENTRAL: Houston (somebody's gotta win it)
NL WEST: LA Dodgers (I have no idea)

NL WILDCARD: Chicago Cubs (just so they can lose in the first round)

[DAVE]

I wasn't miserable at all last year, until the end...

(but seriously, this is one Yankee fan who relishes winning the division still. Its a major fucking accomplishment each time, and I never take it for granted. I'd like them to go further sure, but I enjoyed the fuck out of what this team showed me last year in the second half)


and the REAL subway series was played in 2000, remember that was the one where the Yankees completed the "three-peat" on the Shea Stadium field. ;) (I still haven't lost the good vibes from O'Neil's clutch walk against Benitez in the nith inning of game one.)

-Poor David, he starts these threads then gets crap all the way through 'em :D


Yeah exactly, the last thing that Yankees fans have to hold over Mets is 7 years old.


But don't worry, I love baseball talk with knowledgable fans, which you guys all are. I wish I was as active on the Board last season for this stuff, but this season will be fun, too.

[Shane W]

NL CENTRAL: Houston (somebody's gotta win it)
a)

NL WILDCARD: Chicago Cubs (just so they can lose in the first round)

You just made the list bucko.

http://www.casltv.com/OnNotice.php.jpg

[PeterSparker]

Yeah exactly, the last thing that Yankees fans have to hold over Mets is 7 years old.


But don't worry, I love baseball talk with knowledgable fans, which you guys all are. I wish I was as active on the Board last season for this stuff, but this season will be fun, too.

It may be 7 years old, but it still brings a big smile to my face. :D

-And hey, you guys made the playoffs last year, that's nice, but if I need something to hold over the Mets I could just talk abaout the previous three years of last place finishes. No need to go back 7 years. ;)


WOOO HOOOO!!! Lets play some ball already!!

[PeterSparker]

You just made the list bucko.

http://www.casltv.com/OnNotice.php.jpg

D'oh!


and honestly I have no idea, just figured saying those two making it would get a rise out of you. And if the Cubs do make it and the Cards don't, October will be fun :)

[DAVE]

Predictions:
AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Cleveland
AL West: Anaheim
AL Wildcard: New York

NL East: New York
NL Central: Chicago
NL West: Los Angeles
NL Wildcard: Philadelphia

[Shane W]

Predictions:
AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Cleveland
AL West: Anaheim
AL Wildcard: New York

NL East: New York
NL Central: Chicago
NL West: Los Angeles
NL Wildcard: Philadelphia

Must update list to include you...

[DAVE]

I think I just pissed everyone off. :innocent:

I'm totally on the fence with some of this, but I think if Boston's rotation gets it together there will be a lot of miserable Yankees fans, especially if the wheels come off the Yankees rotation for good, which is a real possbility.

I think the Cubs have a team that can run away with the division, if their releivers can hold up their end of the bargin.
I'm not sold on Philly, but they fall a hair short of the Wild card every year, this may be the one that gets them there, considering their starters can pick them up over hump and add a few wins. Their releivers are a joke though. If the Mets get any type of lead in the division like last season I can easily see St. Louis taking the WC from Philly.

I'm not counting Minn, ChiSox, and Detroit out at all though. The AL Central is going to be a lot of fun.

[Shane W]

I think the Cubs have a team that can run away with the division, if their releivers can hold up their end of the bargin.


Releivers? How about starters? The only thing they have is Zambrano, and he's about 5 fries short of a Happy Meal.

[PeterSparker]

I think I just pissed everyone off. :innocent:

I'm totally on the fence with some of this, but I think if Boston's rotation gets it together there will be a lot of miserable Yankees fans, especially if the wheels come off the Yankees rotation for good, which is a real possbility.



Eh, it doesn't piss me off at all. But I don't see any scenerio where Boston has fewer starting pitching questions than the Yankees do. Schilling is older than any Yankee, Dice-K has gotten mixed reviews this spring, and Beckett was a total bust last year. Wakefield is Wakefield. Sure the Yankees have questions too, what team doesn't over the course of a whole season? But we're far deeper at starting pitching than they are imo. (and have more valuable chips to use if we need to trade this season)

But it's a valid pick, and I'm sure will be a poular one this year.

[Buk Was Right]

Releivers? How about starters? The only thing they have is Zambrano, and he's about 5 fries short of a Happy Meal.

oh i think he's actually had several happy meals...

[LazyComix]

Boston's bullpen is atrocious. Yeah, Pap is back in there but they have nobody to get to him and he broke down at the end of last year. Remember he was supposed to start this year to take wear-and-tear off his arm. That's out the window now because I'm sure they couldn't look at the bullpen and imagine them getting anyone out with Pap as a starter.

The Yanks take a ton of pitches... get their starters out early and I'll take my chances with Mike Timlin and whoever else they try.

[En Sabah Poo]

I think I just pissed everyone off. :innocent:

I'm totally on the fence with some of this, but I think if Boston's rotation gets it together there will be a lot of miserable Yankees fans, especially if the wheels come off the Yankees rotation for good, which is a real possbility.

I think the Cubs have a team that can run away with the division, if their releivers can hold up their end of the bargin.
I'm not sold on Philly, but they fall a hair short of the Wild card every year, this may be the one that gets them there, considering their starters can pick them up over hump and add a few wins. Their releivers are a joke though. If the Mets get any type of lead in the division like last season I can easily see St. Louis taking the WC from Philly.

I'm not counting Minn, ChiSox, and Detroit out at all though. The AL Central is going to be a lot of fun.

I think you're actually right about Boston. There's a lot of emotion swirling around New York about several players, some of them key. The pitching is a major question, and despite what some think, Boston's rotation is solid. Beckett has finally cleared his nagging injury issues by getting out of Florida. Matsuzaka is the best talent to ever come from Japan, and Schilling is still a dominant pitcher.

The bullpens for both teams are roughly equal. They both have a great closer with some question marks, Pap with his arm, Rivera with his age (he is starting to slow down). With the Red Sox having the more cohesive lineup, I think they'll take the division this year.

But really, all the divisions are more of the same except the AL Central. Four teams are going to be in the running and Baseball writers have named all of them within the top 7 teams for their pre season power rankings.

[PeterSparker]

I think you're actually right about Boston. There's a lot of emotion swirling around New York about several players, some of them key. The pitching is a major question, and despite what some think, Boston's rotation is solid. Beckett has finally cleared his nagging injury issues by getting out of Florida. Matsuzaka is the best talent to ever come from Japan, and Schilling is still a dominant pitcher.

The bullpens for both teams are roughly equal. They both have a great closer with some question marks, Pap with his arm, Rivera with his age (he is starting to slow down). With the Red Sox having the more cohesive lineup, I think they'll take the division this year.

But really, all the divisions are more of the same except the AL Central. Four teams are going to be in the running and Baseball writers have named all of them within the top 7 teams for their pre season power rankings.

Beckett was out of Florida last year, he took one of the worst beatings of the Boston Massacre last season, so I don't know what your talking about there. And overall Boston's pitching has just as many questions, no matter what some think.

And could you please offer your evidence that Rivera is "slowing down"? What are you basing that on? :? He had his best year EVER last season, and has been almost unhittable this spring, so what are you talking about exactly?

[lonesomefool]

I actually dont think Boston's bullpen is THAT bad. Papelbon, if healthy is a great closer, Craig Hansen is super talented, and I think by the all-star break will be the set-up man. The other guys, arent that bad either, Donnelly isnt anywhere close to what he used to be, but can still be solid. Romero was great against lefties last year. Timlin, when healthy can still get the job done, and Tavarez, when not insane (which is about 1 day out of the month) is also solid.

I know it isnt a great bullpen, but I dont see a big difference in terms of quality between the Yankees and Red Sox bullpens, both have a ton of question marks. I mean really, Rivera is getting older and more brittle (though I think he will have a great year if healthy, the contract has him inspired). But beyond Mariano what is there? Scott Procter, Kyle Farnswoth, Mike Myers and Luis Vizcaino? With all due respect, that isnt really all that different from the Red Sox bullpen.

Here are my predictions per division and when I have some more time I will go more in depth.

AL West
1.Oakland A's
2.LA Angels
3.Seattle Mariners
4.Texas Rangers

AL Central
1.Detroit Tigers
2.Minnesota Twins
3.Chicago White Sox
4.Cleveland Indians
5.Kansas City Royals

AL East
1.New York Yankees
2.Boston Red Sox
3.Toronto Blue Jays
4.Baltimore Orioles
5.Tampa Bay Devil Rays

NL West
1.San Diego Padres
2.LA Dodgers
3.Arizona Diamondbacks
4.S.F. Giants
5.Colorado Rockies

NL Central
1.Cardinals
2.Astros
3.Brewers
4.Cubs
5.Reds
6.Pirates

NL East
1.Mets
2.Braves
3.Phillies
4.Marlins
5.Nationals

[En Sabah Poo]

Beckett was out of Florida last year, he took one of the worst beatings of the Boston Massacre last season, so I don't know what your talking about there. And overall Boston's pitching has just as many questions, no matter what some think.

And could you please offer your evidence that Rivera is "slowing down"? What are you basing that on? :? He had his best year EVER last season, and has been almost unhittable this spring, so what are you talking about exactly?

Many are picking Beckett to be one of the years big come backs. His blister issues were still there last season and having to adjust to the AL East is always a factor. All that is gone now. I'm not saying he's in any way an ace, but he's just as good a chance as any of the Yankees starters, barring perhaps Mussina.

Wang was a fluke last year. His numbers show it and everyone knows it. Pettite is an injury risk and has lost his stuff, have a rough season last year in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Pavano and Igawa, well, we've already discussed them.

And as for Mariano, you couldn't be fudging the facts anymore. He had an ERA higher than the year before and 2003, a WHIP higher than the year before. His K/9 was WAY down. He gave up more hits than most years in his career. And for the innings pitched, he saved the fewest games of his career.

He's still a great pitcher, but he's not the dominant man he used to be. He's 37 years old and he is no longer considered to be the best of the best.

[PeterSparker]

I actually dont think Boston's bullpen is THAT bad. Papelbon, if healthy is a great closer, Craig Hansen is super talented, and I think by the all-star break will be the set-up man. The other guys, arent that bad either, Donnelly isnt anywhere close to what he used to be, but can still be solid. Romero was great against lefties last year. Timlin, when healthy can still get the job done, and Tavarez, when not insane (which is about 1 day out of the month) is also solid.

I know it isnt a great bullpen, but I dont see a big difference in terms of quality between the Yankees and Red Sox bullpens, both have a ton of question marks. I mean really, Rivera is getting older and more brittle (though I think he will have a great year if healthy, the contract has him inspired). But beyond Mariano what is there? Scott Procter, Kyle Farnswoth, Mike Myers and Luis Vizcaino? With all due respect, that isnt really all that different from the Red Sox bullpen.



I think they have similar bullpens too, but as for Procter he was amazing last year, and that bullpen was good enough for them to win the East again, while Boston finished third with theirs. And eh, I guess I'll stop asking where this stuff about Mariano is coming from. I guess we just define "brittle" very differently. It's funny though, how Schilling who is 3 years older than Rivera, and has had signifigant injury problems in reecnt years gets a pass, but Mariano is at the end of the line apparently. Whatever, I'll take him over anybody, any day.

[Jonny Z]

man, the mets tied a club record with their 20th loss in spring training this season. oy...

[PeterSparker]

Many are picking Beckett to be one of the years big come backs. His blister issues were still there last season and having to adjust to the AL East is always a factor. All that is gone now. I'm not saying he's in any way an ace, but he's just as good a chance as any of the Yankees starters, barring perhaps Mussina.

Wang was a fluke last year. His numbers show it and everyone knows it. Pettite is an injury risk and has lost his stuff, have a rough season last year in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Pavano and Igawa, well, we've already discussed them.

And as for Mariano, you couldn't be fudging the facts anymore. He had an ERA higher than the year before and 2003, a WHIP higher than the year before. His K/9 was WAY down. He gave up more hits than most years in his career. And for the innings pitched, he saved the fewest games of his career.

He's still a great pitcher, but he's not the dominant man he used to be. He's 37 years old and he is no longer considered to be the best of the best.


You are a spin machine like I've never seen.

Wang was a fluke :lol:

The rest isn't really worthy of a response, but just out of curiostity since Marino isn't even an elite closer anymore, could you name the 5 or 6 that are better?

[En Sabah Poo]

I think they have similar bullpens too, but as for Procter he was amazing last year, and that bullpen was good enough for them to win the East again, while Boston finished third with theirs. And eh, I guess I'll stop asking where this stuff about Mariano is coming from. I guess we just define "brittle" very differently. It's funny though, how Schilling who is 3 years older than Rivera, and has had signifigant injury problems in reecnt years gets a pass, but Mariano is at the end of the line apparently. Whatever, I'll take him over anybody, any day.

No one said Mariano is at the end of the line. But he's not the man he used to be. Schilling doesn't have to rely on being an oppressive and dominant pitcher like a closer does. Papelbon is an up and comer who was spoken of as a Cy Young candidate in his first season. Mariano is old and his stats are dwindling. That's all.

[PeterSparker]

No one said Mariano is at the end of the line. But he's not the man he used to be. Schilling doesn't have to rely on being an oppressive and dominant pitcher like a closer does. Papelbon is an up and comer who was spoken of as a Cy Young candidate in his first season. Mariano is old and his stats are dwindling. That's all.
:lol:

[En Sabah Poo]

You are a spin machine like I've never seen.

Wang was a fluke :lol:

The rest isn't really worthy of a response, but just out of curiostity since Marino isn't even an elite closer anymore, could you name the 5 or 6 that are better?

Wang was a fluke. Look at his K rate. Thats typically a good indicator of a pitcher who is dominant to stay. Writers are predicing a backslide.

I also didn't say Mariano isn't an elite closer anymore, so quit spinning everything yourself. I said he's no longer the best of the best. Nathan is the best closer in baseball. Everyone knows it. I see Papelbon as easily being second.

I think you'll also see Zumaya take over the role this season and he'll be unbelievably dominant as predicted.

[DAVE]

Eh, it doesn't piss me off at all. But I don't see any scenerio where Boston has fewer starting pitching questions than the Yankees do. Schilling is older than any Yankee, Dice-K has gotten mixed reviews this spring, and Beckett was a total bust last year. Wakefield is Wakefield. Sure the Yankees have questions too, what team doesn't over the course of a whole season? But we're far deeper at starting pitching than they are imo. (and have more valuable chips to use if we need to trade this season)

But it's a valid pick, and I'm sure will be a poular one this year.

Dude, Boston has a full, healthy rotation going ready for Opening Day, do the Yankees?
Beckett will have a better season, I really think so. Most of his blister problems were a result of the humidity in Florida, and after another year, most seem to think it'll lead to an improvement.
Schilling is old, but he still won 15 games and boasted a sub 4 era.
Wakefeild is Wakefeild, you're right there. Who can tell?
I'm one of the most skeptical on Dice-K, but I think he can get off to a good start on mystique alone. I consider him to be Boston's main rotation question mark.

I consider the Yankees rotation to be only question marks.

[En Sabah Poo]

You are a spin machine like I've never seen.

Wang was a fluke :lol:

The rest isn't really worthy of a response, but just out of curiostity since Marino isn't even an elite closer anymore, could you name the 5 or 6 that are better?

Another thing about Wang, the only reason he got nominated in Cy Young was because of his wins, and thats just because he's on the Yankees. He's no where close to being an ace, but that's just what the Yankees are making him to be. On most other teams, he would never be your #1.

I'm curious if you actually look at baseball stats and read columns or just go on your personal experience of watching the Yankees.

[Shane W]

man, the mets tied a club record with their 20th loss in spring training this season. oy...

Spring means nothing.

[PeterSparker]

Another thing about Wang, the only reason he got nominated in Cy Young was because of his wins, and thats just because he's on the Yankees. He's no where close to being an ace, but that's just what the Yankees are making him to be. On most other teams, he would never be your #1.

I'm curious if you actually look at baseball stats and read columns or just go on your personal experience of watching the Yankees.

Dude, you and I just shouldn't talk baseball. We view the game so differently. I really don't care what some "writers" say, or how "everybody" knows something. I know exactly what I've seen from both Wang and Mariano this spring. So "everybody" couldn't be more wrong. And if Papelbon is better than Rivera, it didn't help his team much last year did it?

Wang came in second in the Cy Young becuase he deserved it. Period. And what does him being on the Yankees have to do with it? Most writers don't like them y'know. Now it's a help? :? Makes no sense. He's a premier groundball pitcher who works deep into games, thats ace enough for me.

And what are the Yankee injury problems I keep hearing about? Wang's hamstring? That's why Boston has a better rotation, because Wang will miss three starts? :roll:

Oh and Bill, Beckett needs a year to adjust to the AL East (when Wang didn't), then why doesn't Dice-K?

[lonesomefool]

I think Wang will still be good, the guy doesnt strike out a lot of people, but I still think he will be good, and let's face it, if the Yankees starters can go 6 innings and allow 4 or 5 runs, they should win a lot of games with their offense alone.

Mariano is a bit brittle, not horrifically like Gagne or Papelbon, but he is getting older and has pitched a ton of innings, I expect a DL stint or two this year, not major ones, but as you get older, it's almost a given.

Proctor was very good, but also pitched in a TON of games, which may catch up to him. ANd like I said, people are too hard on the Red Sox bullpen, it isnt that bad, I consider it to be equal to the Yankees bullpen.

As for where I rank Mariano in terms of closers
1.Joe Nathan
2.BJ Ryan
3.K-Rod
4.Mariano Rivera
5.Papelbon

And I think the Met's spring shows they have some holes, namely the starting rotation, but I expect the Mets to trade Milledge and one or two of their young pitchers if it means they can get a top pitcher. It wouldnt shock me to see someone like Buerhle or the D-Train or both to be on the move to the Mets this season.

[lonesomefool]

As for the Yankee's "health" problems, I look at it this way, Wang has a banged up Hammy, though I dont think he will miss a lot of time, but look at the rest of your rotation, Pettite isnt very durable anymore, he will get banged up and miss some starts this season. Pavano has always been a bit creaky, dating back to his days in Montreal.

I think the biggest difference is the Sox have SOME options if Beckett or Wakefield go down, they have Jon Lester, Kyle Snyder, heck even Joel Pinerio could start if need be, not great options, but options nonetheless. What do the Yankees have? Hughes is still WAY too young to count on.

[King of Mars]

Dude, you and I just shouldn't talk baseball. We view the game so differently. I really don't care what some "writers" say, or how "everybody" knows something. I know exactly what I've seen from both Wang and Mariano this spring. So "everybody" couldn't be more wrong. And if Papelbon is better than Rivera, it didn't help his team much last year did it?

Wang came in second in the Cy Young becuase he deserved it. Period. And what does him being on the Yankees have to do with it? Most writers don't like them y'know. Now it's a help? :? Makes no sense. He's a premier groundball pitcher who works deep into games, thats ace enough for me.

And what are the Yankee injury problems I keep hearing about? Wang's hamstring? That's why Boston has a better rotation, because Wang will miss three starts? :roll:

Oh and Bill, Beckett needs a year to adjust to the AL East (when Wang didn't), then why doesn't Dice-K?I don't think Wang is an ace, either. Doesn't strike out enough hitters. I'm guessing that will catch up to him this year and we'll see fewer wins and a higher ERA.

[lonesomefool]

Wang isnt an ace, but I expect him to win the same number of games, at least, if for no other reason than the Yankees offense.

[DAVE]

And I think the Met's spring shows they have some holes, namely the starting rotation, but I expect the Mets to trade Milledge and one or two of their young pitchers if it means they can get a top pitcher. It wouldnt shock me to see someone like Buerhle or the D-Train or both to be on the move to the Mets this season.

What holes did it expose exactly? Starting pitching problems? THe Mets starters all had perfectly fine STs. THe problems have come with experimental releivers who aren't going to make the team. I doubt Jon Adkins giving up 5 runs in an inning expose any problems the Mets have with their pitching. The Mets left camp last season with a rotation of Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, Victor Zambrano and Brian Bannister. This season's rotation is markedly better. Lastings Milledge will be with the Mets very soon, he had the best average of any Met this Spring Training, so I don't think he's being traded, unless Dontrelle Willis, Carlos Zambrano or Johan Santana become available and for some reason their team's want Milledge for them.

[SteveFlack]

Everybody's getting very defensive.

I think we just reached the zenith of off-season baseball talk.

Time for the teams to just put up, or shut up.

Baseball in 4 days.

Go Yanks.

-Steve!

[lonesomefool]

If D-Train is available, Minaya will pull the trigger if it means giving up Milledge, remember in Montreal he gave up Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon.

[DAVE]

Everybody's getting very defensive.

I think we just reached the zenith of off-season baseball talk.

Time for the teams to just put up, or shut up.

Baseball in 4 days.

Go Yanks.

-Steve!

Except for the "Go Yanks" part, Bingo!
I can't wait!

[Shane W]

Except for the "Go Yanks" part, Bingo!
I can't wait!


And I just put up last year, so I get to talk some more.

[DAVE]

If D-Train is available, Minaya will pull the trigger if it means giving up Milledge, remember in Montreal he gave up Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon.

I agree, that's why I said if Dontrelle is available, but I don't think he will be. Besides, Carlos Gomez is the Mets prospect that the Marlins are interested in, not Milledge.

[DAVE]

And I just put up last year, so I get to talk some more.

You've cashed that check my friend, and it's almost all spent. Your Cardinals are gonna have to keep depositing in the account. Marlins fans didn't get to talk much shit in '03.

This banking metaphor has confused me.

[Shane W]

You've cashed that check my friend, and it's almost all spent. Your Cardinals are gonna have to keep depositing in the account. Marlins fans didn't get to talk much shit in '03.

This banking metaphor has confused me.

Not, me, you've overdrawn on this analogy and your penalty is at least three more months of me trash talking.

[PeterSparker]

Well it's clear not everyone defines "ace" the same way, which is fine. There are a lot of pitchers that have high strikeout totals, who also give up a lot of hits and a lot runs. Having a guy who works quickly, goes deep into games, with very low pitch counts, and keeps his teamates involved defensively the whole game is fine by me. Strikeout doesn't always equal quality starter. Wang wants them to hit the ball, because they can't elevate it. That's his game. And if we're agreeing that Wang again will have a comparable number of wins, then I really couldn't care less what you call him.

Also, I see Pettitte being brought up again as injury plagued, but not Schilling. Interesting. And the Yankees have just as much pitching depth as the Sox. (without even including Hughes in that calculation)


But, yeah, enough talk. Let's see 'em take care of it on the field. Is it opening day yet?

[PeterSparker]

I'm curious if you actually look at baseball stats and read columns or just go on your personal experience of watching the Yankees.


Didn't realize it, but I never actually responded to this part of your post.

Yes, all of the above, but I seem to get the feeling you go more by stats than I do. They don't always tell the whole story, context is just as important. For instance Mariano, he may give up a few more hits now than before, but to me it adds to his current greatness. The guys in the AL East, and the AL in general have been looking at him throw the same two pitches for a decade, of course they might actually catch up with one now and then. He'll give up a double or a couple of bloop hits. He's not 24 anymore and can just blow them away with 97mph heat. But once he has runners in scoring postion, he gets his three outs, and leaves them there. I'm more impressed with that. And when he has to do it in a big spot, the stats don't always tell the story. (again, why I stand by my statement that he had his best year last year. not just for actual number of hits or saves, but what he meant to the team as they took back the East in the second half) That goes for anyone. I could bring up the A-Rod/Jeter thing for the hundreth time. (I can just feel the eyerolls :) ) A-Rod's stats tell you he's a far superior player. He had almost double the HR's Derek did last year, yet almost none of A-Rod's had any impact on the course of a game or series. And almost every single one of Jeter's did. So what matters more? A-Rod's season totals, or Derek's impact in accumulating W's? I'm far more of a "context" baseball fan I guess, than looking at just the cold numbers. I do look at stats of course, and read plenty of columnists, but yeah, at the end of the day I form my opinions by what I see.

[DAVE]

Didn't realize it, but I never actually responded to this part of your post.

Yes, all of the above, but I seem to get the feeling you go more by stats than I do. They don't always tell the whole story, context is just as important. For instance Mariano, he may give up a few more hits now than before, but to me it adds to his current greatness. The guys in the AL East, and the AL in general have been looking at him throw the same two pitches for a decade, of course they might actually catch up with one now and then. He'll give up a double or a couple of bloop hits. He's not 24 anymore and can just blow them away with 97mph heat. But once he has runners in scoring postion, he gets his three outs, and leaves them there. I'm more impressed with that. And when he has to do it in a big spot, the stats don't always tell the story. (again, why I stand by my statement that he had his best year last year. not just for actual number of hits or saves, but what he meant to the team as they took back the East in the second half) That goes for anyone. I could bring up the A-Rod/Jeter thing for the hundreth time. (I can just feel the eyerolls :) ) A-Rod's stats tell you he's a far superior player. He had almost double the HR's Derek did last year, yet almost none of A-Rod's had any impact on the course of a game or series. And almost every single one of Jeter's did. So what matters more? A-Rod's season totals, or Derek's impact in accumulating W's? I'm far more of a "context" baseball fan I guess, than looking at just the cold numbers. I do look at stats of course, and read plenty of columnists, but yeah, at the end of the day I form my opinions by what I see.
Peter Scouter :lol:

[PeterSparker]

Peter Scouter :lol:
Please, I'd kill for that gig!

[DAVE]

Please, I'd kill for that gig!

Hell yeah. Oh, going back to your discussion about how you veiw the game, I just finished reading an excellent book, 'Fantasyland by Sam Walker. The author is a writer for The Wall Street Journal who had never played any fantasy sport before, but decided to enter the most competitive Roto league in the world, on a lark. It's the experts league Tout Wars which the guys who literally write the books on fantasy baseball play in (like Ron Shandler and the Talented Mr. Roto Matt Berry, etc). So he enters, but uses his position in the press to actually scout his players and talk to them in lockerrooms and stuff. The book also goes into the history of fantasy baseball, sabermetrics, the battle of idealogies between stat heads and old school scouting, etc. It's a really fun, well written book that was given to me last year and I didn't read it because I wasn't interested in fantasy baseball, but now that I've read it, I wish I had read it sooner, because it's one of the best modern baseball books (up there with Three Nights in August and Moneyball). You should read it.

[SteveFlack]

Hell yeah. Oh, going back to your discussion about how you veiw the game, I just finished reading an excellent book, 'Fantasyland by Sam Walker. The author is a writer for The Wall Street Journal who had never played any fantasy sport before, but decided to enter the most competitive Roto league in the world, on a lark. It's the experts league Tout Wars which the guys who literally write the books on fantasy baseball play in (like Ron Shandler and the Talented Mr. Roto Matt Berry, etc). So he enters, but uses his position in the press to actually scout his players and talk to them in lockerrooms and stuff. The book also goes into the history of fantasy baseball, sabermetrics, the battle of idealogies between stat heads and old school scouting, etc. It's a really fun, well written book that was given to me last year and I didn't read it because I wasn't interested in fantasy baseball, but now that I've read it, I wish I had read it sooner, because it's one of the best modern baseball books (up there with Three Nights in August and Moneyball). You should read it.

My dad started it, but didn't finish it. He felt it was too analytical and cold. But then again, he's bored by people just talking stats for pages, and prefers to read about the history of the game.

-Steve!

[PeterSparker]

Hell yeah. Oh, going back to your discussion about how you veiw the game, I just finished reading an excellent book, 'Fantasyland by Sam Walker. The author is a writer for The Wall Street Journal who had never played any fantasy sport before, but decided to enter the most competitive Roto league in the world, on a lark. It's the experts league Tout Wars which the guys who literally write the books on fantasy baseball play in (like Ron Shandler and the Talented Mr. Roto Matt Berry, etc). So he enters, but uses his position in the press to actually scout his players and talk to them in lockerrooms and stuff. The book also goes into the history of fantasy baseball, sabermetrics, the battle of idealogies between stat heads and old school scouting, etc. It's a really fun, well written book that was given to me last year and I didn't read it because I wasn't interested in fantasy baseball, but now that I've read it, I wish I had read it sooner, because it's one of the best modern baseball books (up there with Three Nights in August and Moneyball). You should read it.


Sounds great, I will definitely check it out. thanks



(and for the record, I was only answering Bill's question. I mean I watch the Yankees all season, every season, so yeah like anyone who does that with their team, you can see how certian things that are discussed about a palyer or a team don't always take into consideration the situations. Thats all I was saying in my long-winded reply :) )

[DAVE]

Sounds great, I will definitely check it out. thanks



(and for the record, I was only answering Bill's question. I mean I watch the Yankees all season, every season, so yeah like anyone who does that with their team, you can see how certian things that are discussed about a palyer or a team don't always take into consideration the situations. Thats all I was saying in my long-winded reply :) )

Oh yeah, I agree totally.

[DAVE]

Swindal may have lost chance to take over Yankees
ESPN.com news services


TAMPA, Fla. -- George Steinbrenner's daughter filed divorce papers this week against her husband, Steve Swindal, a move that appears to end his chance to take over as head of the New York Yankees.

Jennifer Swindal filed the papers Tuesday in Hillsborough County Circuit Court's family law department, Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. Rubenstein said the papers cited "irreconcilable differences."

"Steve and Jenny Swindal announced today that they are amicably ending their marriage of 23 years," Rubenstein said in a statement. "Although their marriage is dissolving, they remain friends and maintain a strong mutual respect. They are devoted to their two children and will make them their shared focus."

Reached by telephone, Swindal said he didn't want to comment beyond the statement or address his role with the team.

In June 2005, Steinbrenner said Swindal eventually would succeed him as head of the Yankees. Swindal currently is a Yankees general partner and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC. The New York Times, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation, reported on Wednesday that Steinbrenner now has no intention of promoting Swindal, but removing him from the team altogether could be complicated since he is a partial owner of the club.

"I'm the boss," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by Rubenstein. "I continue to be the boss. I have no intention of retiring, and my family runs the Yankees with me."

Swindal was arrested by St. Petersburg police at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 and charged with driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.

Swindal said the week following the arrest he felt embarrassed, and when asked whether his status with the team would change, Swindal responded: "Hopefully, not." Asked whether he still viewed himself as Steinbrenner's successor, Swindal replied: "I can't answer that other than it would be speculation." Asked whether Steinbrenner supported him, Swindal said: "He's been a great father-in-law and supportive. He supports me. I don't feel anything but a guy who is looking out after me and supports me."

Steinbrenner, who has hardly spoken publicly during spring training, didn't reply to questions as he walked past reporters before Wednesday night's exhibition game against Houston.

Swindal pleaded not guilty March 15, and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 5 at South County Traffic Court in St. Petersburg.

Swindal, who is 52, was weaving and driving 61 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said shortly after the arrest.

Steinbrenner has four children. Son Harold Steinbrenner is executive vice president and treasurer of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC and Hank Steinbrenner is a senior vice president of the team. Felix Lopez, married to daughter Jessica Steinbrenner, is a team senior vice president.

Jessica Steinbrenner, along with Lopez, were among a group of people with Steinbrenner in the Legends Field dining room.

Swindal also heads a group competing for the franchise to operate thoroughbred racing in New York.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

[DAVE]

My dad started it, but didn't finish it. He felt it was too analytical and cold. But then again, he's bored by people just talking stats for pages, and prefers to read about the history of the game.

-Steve!

Hmm, I didn't take that away from it at all, but different strokes and all that. I found the author to be likeable and funny, oh well. I actually veiw the book as a big part of the history of the game, it's just an important chapter from the recent history.

[Deej]

Shane W - what is your take on Chris Duncan?? Is he going to have a breakout year? Will he play everyday?

I'm in the middle of my Fantasy Baseball draft and I'm looking at this guy as a possible sleeper. It's an all offense league where homeruns really count for most of the scoring.

[PeterSparker]

Swindal may have lost chance to take over Yankees
ESPN.com news services


TAMPA, Fla. -- George Steinbrenner's daughter filed divorce papers this week against her husband, Steve Swindal, a move that appears to end his chance to take over as head of the New York Yankees.

Jennifer Swindal filed the papers Tuesday in Hillsborough County Circuit Court's family law department, Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. Rubenstein said the papers cited "irreconcilable differences."

"Steve and Jenny Swindal announced today that they are amicably ending their marriage of 23 years," Rubenstein said in a statement. "Although their marriage is dissolving, they remain friends and maintain a strong mutual respect. They are devoted to their two children and will make them their shared focus."

Reached by telephone, Swindal said he didn't want to comment beyond the statement or address his role with the team.

In June 2005, Steinbrenner said Swindal eventually would succeed him as head of the Yankees. Swindal currently is a Yankees general partner and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC. The New York Times, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation, reported on Wednesday that Steinbrenner now has no intention of promoting Swindal, but removing him from the team altogether could be complicated since he is a partial owner of the club.

"I'm the boss," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by Rubenstein. "I continue to be the boss. I have no intention of retiring, and my family runs the Yankees with me."

Swindal was arrested by St. Petersburg police at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 and charged with driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.

Swindal said the week following the arrest he felt embarrassed, and when asked whether his status with the team would change, Swindal responded: "Hopefully, not." Asked whether he still viewed himself as Steinbrenner's successor, Swindal replied: "I can't answer that other than it would be speculation." Asked whether Steinbrenner supported him, Swindal said: "He's been a great father-in-law and supportive. He supports me. I don't feel anything but a guy who is looking out after me and supports me."

Steinbrenner, who has hardly spoken publicly during spring training, didn't reply to questions as he walked past reporters before Wednesday night's exhibition game against Houston.

Swindal pleaded not guilty March 15, and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 5 at South County Traffic Court in St. Petersburg.

Swindal, who is 52, was weaving and driving 61 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said shortly after the arrest.

Steinbrenner has four children. Son Harold Steinbrenner is executive vice president and treasurer of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC and Hank Steinbrenner is a senior vice president of the team. Felix Lopez, married to daughter Jessica Steinbrenner, is a team senior vice president.

Jessica Steinbrenner, along with Lopez, were among a group of people with Steinbrenner in the Legends Field dining room.

Swindal also heads a group competing for the franchise to operate thoroughbred racing in New York.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

Oh BOY! Looks like it's time to work the old Sparker charm and land Steinbrenner's newly single daughter!!

I'll be running that club in no time!!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!

[DAVE]

Shane W - what is your take on Chris Duncan?? Is he going to have a breakout year? Will he play everyday?

I'm in the middle of my Fantasy Baseball draft and I'm looking at this guy as a possible sleeper. It's an all offense league where homeruns really count for most of the scoring.
He'll probably give you 24 HR's this season. He won't break out I don't think but he shouldn't regress either.
Ofcourse Shane'll say he'll be Silver Slugger this year :twisted:

[DAVE]

Oh BOY! Looks like it's time to work the old Sparker charm and land Stienbrenner's newly single daughter!!

I'll be running that club in no time!!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!

Have you seen Steinbrenner's daughter? I don't think any baseball team is worth that.
Let's put it this way, Do you think George is hot?

[Shane W]

Shane W - what is your take on Chris Duncan?? Is he going to have a breakout year? Will he play everyday?

I'm in the middle of my Fantasy Baseball draft and I'm looking at this guy as a possible sleeper. It's an all offense league where homeruns really count for most of the scoring.

He'll mash close to 30, but LaRussa has a problem with coddling young guys, so look for Duncan to lose at bats when a situational lefty is in there. IMO, he's well worth a middle-late pick for a sleeper.

He's scheduled to start and bat second in front of Pujols, and for having such a big hole in his swing, the guy can work the count and will get on base for a .360+ OBP.

[Deej]

He'll probably give you 24 HR's this season. He won't break out I don't think but he shouldn't regress either.
Ofcourse Shane'll say he'll be Silver Slugger this year :twisted:

He had about 24 HRs with about 300ABs last year. If he is an everyday starter, I'm hoping for at least 30HRs from him. Assuming he's still around when it gets to my turn to draft.


He'll mash close to 30, but LaRussa has a problem with coddling young guys, so look for Duncan to lose at bats when a situational lefty is in there. IMO, he's well worth a middle-late pick for a sleeper.

He's scheduled to start and bat second in front of Pujols, and for having such a big hole in his swing, the guy can work the count and will get on base for a .360+ OBP.

Cool! Thanks for the info!

[PeterSparker]

Have you seen Steinbrenner's daughter? I don't think any baseball team is worth that.
Let's put it this way, Do you think George is hot?

George is kinda sexy :mistrust:


And hey, I'll just do what Swindal did to deal with her looks. Stay as liquored up as humanly possible. (but I'll just use some of that Yankee cash and actually hire a driver ;) )

[DAVE]

He had about 24 HRs with about 300ABs last year. If he is an everyday starter, I'm hoping for at least 30HRs from him. Assuming he's still around when it gets to my turn to draft.



Cool! Thanks for the info!

He had 28 HRs last season. The reason why a small regression is likely is that his debut far exceeded his Major League Equivalents from his Minor League Stats, which suggests a regression to the mean. The reason why the regression won't be dramatic is that those increased numbers came in 280 Major League at bats, and his underlying skills support that...so, I think it puts him right around where he was last year, give or take 4, or 5 HRs.

[PeterSparker]

Well I know next to nothing about Duncan, but if he's batting in front of Pujlos, he's gonna see a hell of a lot of fastballs. If he can get enough AB's he should have a very good power year.

[SteveFlack]

Hmm, I didn't take that away from it at all, but different strokes and all that. I found the author to be likeable and funny, oh well. I actually veiw the book as a big part of the history of the game, it's just an important chapter from the recent history.

I might give it a try. My dad doesn't really care for fantasy sports, so I think he was kinda against it from the get-go. He's currently reading a book on the 1908 season, with the famous "Merkle's Boner" which is great baseball story (and not quite as dirty as I hoped it would be).

Last night, we talked about maybe going to a SABR convention. Man, I missed baseball.

-Steve!

[DAVE]

Oy, there are some Mets fans on the Board who I don't want defending the Mets here, because they don't know what they're talking about.

[SteveFlack]

Oy, there are some Mets fans on the Board who I don't want defending the Mets here, because they don't know what they're talking about.

?

-Steve!

[lonesomefool]

Duncan is gonna have a good year, he never really did much in the minors, and not playing against lefties hurts him a little bit, but he's batting in front of the best hitter of our time, plays in a good hitters park and while he struggles with off speed stuff he can mash fastballs, which is what he will get.

I project him to be about

31 HR's
93 RBI's

[DAVE]

postGame: Mets 13 Dodgers 2

With two games remaining this spring the Mets have improved their spring training record to 11-20.


John Maine picked up the win in his final start of the spring. In six innings Maine allowed five hits and two runs, including a home run to Matt Kemp, while striking out five and only walking one batter.
Aaron Sele, Steve Schmoll and Lino Urdaneta each pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Sele's ERA this spring is now 5.79.

David Newhan was four for four today driving in his eleventh and twelveth runs of the spring. He is batting .314 this spring.
Endy Chavez was successful in each of his at-bats, picking up three hits while scoring a run and stealing two bases. He is batting .373 this month.
Damian Easley collected three hits in five at-bats while scoring a run and driving in two. He has six RBIs this spring and is batting .224.
Lastings Milledge was one for two while driving in a run today in his return to the lineup. Milledge had missed the last few games with a bruise on his hand, which he initially suffered after being hit by a pitching in a game against the Dodgers last week.
Ramon Castro was one for four today with a home run while driving in four. He is batting .323 this spring.

[Shane W]

JUPITER, Fla. — The last three pitchers to get the final out of a Cardinals’ World Series championship will throw out the ceremonial first pitches Sunday, tossing baseballs to the three managers who steered title teams, the club announced Thursday.
And that’s only part of the festitivies planned for opening night.
For the nationally televised 7 p.m. St. Louis time game, Busch Stadium’s gates will open at 4 p.m. The Clydesdales will circle the field at 6 p.m., starting the festivities that include the raising annual motorcade of current players and coaches, the raising of the World Series championship flag. The ceremonial first pitch — three pitches tossed in unison — will feature Bob Gibson throwing to Red Schoendienst (1967 winner), Bruce Sutter to Whitey Herzog (1982 winner) and Adam Wainwright throw to Tony La Russa (2006 winner).
In addition to the four mentioned above, a host of Cardinals alum will be on hand, representing several other world champion teams. They are: Tim McCarver, Julian Javier, Lou Brock and Mike Shannon from the ‘67 team. From ‘82, Dave LaPoint, Bob Forsch, Keith Hernandez (a Mets’ broadcaster) and Joaquin Andujar are expected to attend.
REO Speedwagon will sing the national anthem in conjunction with the Tuesday release of the band’s new album, “Find Your Own Way Home” (which kind of describes my trip back from Memphis, but that’s another story), and will feature “10 original songs returning to the classic REO Speedwagon sound of power ballads and melodic rock anthems,” according to the press release.
No word if the anthem will be a ”power ballad” or “melodic rock anthem”.
Earlier this spring, Mark Lamping said the Cardinals hoped to have members of the law enforcement members and officials who helped in the searches for found missing boys Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby involved in opening day ceremonies, possibly holding the flag in center field.
As he did for the team’s World Series DVD, Billy Bob Thornton will co-emcee the evening, working with play-by-play man John Rooney of KTRS/550 AM.
The Cardinals jerseys will also feature some new detailing for the season-opening series against the New York Mets. The jerseys will have gold stitching, outlining the players’ numbers on the front and the players’ names and numbers on the backs of all the club’s jerseys. The championship logo will be worn on the home uniform’s sleeve all season and — for the first home series only — be featured on the caps the Cardinals will wear.
“There’s opening day all around baseball,” manager Tony La Russa said earlier this week, “and then there is opening day in St. Louis.”

[Ryan F]

The ceremonial first pitch — three pitches tossed in unison — will feature Bob Gibson throwing to Red Schoendienst (1967 winner), Bruce Sutter to Whitey Herzog (1982 winner) and Adam Wainwright throw to Tony La Russa (2006 winner).

That's pretty damn cool.


REO Speedwagon will sing the national anthem in conjunction with the Tuesday release of the band’s new album, “Find Your Own Way Home” (which kind of describes my trip back from Memphis, but that’s another story), and will feature “10 original songs returning to the classic REO Speedwagon sound of power ballads and melodic rock anthems,” according to the press release.
No word if the anthem will be a ”power ballad” or “melodic rock anthem”.

Speedwagon! :rock:

[Shane W]

McGwire sculpture remains under wraps
By Christopher Leonard
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, Mar. 29 2007

WRIGHT CITY, Mo. -- A bronze statue forged to honor slugger Mark McGwire is
built to last forever. The only question is whether it will ever see the light
of day.

The Cardinals commissioned the statue after McGwire hit 70 home runs in
1998, obliterating Roger Maris' 37-year-old record. There's a place for it to
rest alongside other mini-monuments to Cardinals legends outside Busch Stadium.

But the bronze is draped in cloth, hidden in a downtown warehouse. Its place
in the limelight has been thrown into question, like much of McGwire's legacy,
by suspicion that steroid use enhanced his career.

McGwire hit 583 homers, seventh on the career list. But he was named on only
23.5 percent of the ballots in January in his first year of eligibility for the
Hall of Fame, far short of the 75 percent necessary for enshrinement.

Cardinals president Mark Lamping said team policy is that statues are
reserved for Hall of Famers whose numbers have been retired. An exception is
Kenny Boyer's No. 14, retired in 1984 even though he did not make it to the
Hall.

"It really isn't something we need to even worry about at this point because
his number is not retired," Lamping said. "If you look at the past and use that
as your guide, retiring a jersey would be the guide.

"But it's totally up to ownership."

Sculptor Harry Weber said the statue was commissioned in 2002, the year
after McGwire retired. Weber said Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt gave him the
go-ahead at a dedication ceremony for a statue honoring Hall of Fame shortstop
Ozzie Smith.

"At the time, it was the biggest slam-dunk in the history of the world,"
Weber said.

That all changed in 2005 when McGwire was evasive in testimony to Congress
regarding steroid use in baseball. Baseball didn't ban steroids until after the
2002 season.

Weber vividly remembers watching McGwire's testimony, knowing the fate of
his sculpture might be hanging in the balance.

"My feet started to sweat and I had to leave the room," Weber said.

Making the sculpture took months for Weber and a team of welders, masons and
artists. Now the labor of love is hidden in an undisclosed location. The
Cardinals own it, Weber said, and don't want anyone taking a peek.

Weber is responsible for all the sculptures outside the stadium, and has
immortalized Thomas Jefferson and a few notable hunting dogs. He works in a
small studio at his home in rural Missouri, about an hour's drive from Busch
Stadium.

The statue of McGwire began as a series of sketches, catching him from
different angles as he unleashed his swing. Weber found McGwire easier to
sketch than many subjects because so many fans snapped photos during his
historic home run chase.

"McGwire is still probably the most photographed person walking on the face
of the planet," Weber said.

Weber used the shots to get a 360-degree picture of McGwire's power stance.
He then carved a miniature version of the sculpture -- called a maquette --
which he used as a model for the final piece. Weber owns the maquette and
happily shows it off.

The small statue captures McGwire on his follow-through. Both feet are
planted firmly on the ground, and the bat is swinging fast behind McGwire's
head.

The version that remains under wraps is three-quarters life-sized. Statues
are always a little bigger or a little smaller than normal people, Weber said,
because he believes life-sized replicas are "just weird" to look at.

The larger sculpture was then cast in silicon to make a mold for a resin
version. The final copy was cast in bronze, Weber said. He declined to say how
much the Cardinals paid for the statue.

Weber did say the warehouse where it's being stored is within a couple of
miles of Busch Stadium.

"He's very close to the stadium," Weber said. "Just not there."

[lonesomefool]

They should sculp a giant asterick next to McGwire's statue.

[PeterSparker]

JUPITER, Fla. — The last three pitchers to get the final out of a Cardinals’ World Series championship will throw out the ceremonial first pitches Sunday, tossing baseballs to the three managers who steered title teams, the club announced Thursday.
And that’s only part of the festitivies planned for opening night.
For the nationally televised 7 p.m. St. Louis time game, Busch Stadium’s gates will open at 4 p.m. The Clydesdales will circle the field at 6 p.m., starting the festivities that include the raising annual motorcade of current players and coaches, the raising of the World Series championship flag. The ceremonial first pitch — three pitches tossed in unison — will feature Bob Gibson throwing to Red Schoendienst (1967 winner), Bruce Sutter to Whitey Herzog (1982 winner) and Adam Wainwright throw to Tony La Russa (2006 winner).
In addition to the four mentioned above, a host of Cardinals alum will be on hand, representing several other world champion teams. They are: Tim McCarver, Julian Javier, Lou Brock and Mike Shannon from the ‘67 team. From ‘82, Dave LaPoint, Bob Forsch, Keith Hernandez (a Mets’ broadcaster) and Joaquin Andujar are expected to attend.
REO Speedwagon will sing the national anthem in conjunction with the Tuesday release of the band’s new album, “Find Your Own Way Home” (which kind of describes my trip back from Memphis, but that’s another story), and will feature “10 original songs returning to the classic REO Speedwagon sound of power ballads and melodic rock anthems,” according to the press release.
No word if the anthem will be a ”power ballad” or “melodic rock anthem”.
Earlier this spring, Mark Lamping said the Cardinals hoped to have members of the law enforcement members and officials who helped in the searches for found missing boys Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby involved in opening day ceremonies, possibly holding the flag in center field.
As he did for the team’s World Series DVD, Billy Bob Thornton will co-emcee the evening, working with play-by-play man John Rooney of KTRS/550 AM.
The Cardinals jerseys will also feature some new detailing for the season-opening series against the New York Mets. The jerseys will have gold stitching, outlining the players’ numbers on the front and the players’ names and numbers on the backs of all the club’s jerseys. The championship logo will be worn on the home uniform’s sleeve all season and — for the first home series only — be featured on the caps the Cardinals will wear.
“There’s opening day all around baseball,” manager Tony La Russa said earlier this week, “and then there is opening day in St. Louis.”


Wow that's all very cool. You're gonna have an awesome day, enjoy.







...and then the next day I could care less what happens to your team :) I'm just looking forward to next year's flag raising, at Yankee Stadium!

[Ryan F]

I'm really tempted to grab Sammy Sosa for my fantasy team. Someone talk me out of it.

[Drew]

Spring Training Stats can often be a false indicator of how a player is going to play

Sammy's 38, with a year out of baseball.

And his bat was slow enough when last he played.

[En Sabah Poo]

I'm really tempted to grab Sammy Sosa for my fantasy team. Someone talk me out of it.

Do not do it. He won't last. Just wait. You'll see.

Wait until the pitchers bust out that slider. He can't hit them. Even if they are ten feet off the plate he can't help but swing. Pitchers aren't concentrating on getting guys out in Spring, they are concentrating on getting their pitches working properly. Once Spring starts, you can bet people are going to go after Sammy with more than fastballs like they are now.

[DAVE]

Did my fantasy draft last night, I feel pretty good about my team:
catcher: Piazza, with Chris Ianetta o nthe bench
1b: Konerko
2b: Cano (the Yankee I said I'd get from the begining
ss: Rollins (i hate that i took him, but it was the 10 round and he was still available and i needed a SS- hopefully he has a lot of great games in Phillies losses)
3b: Teahen
OF:
Bay
Soriano
Manny
with
Bonds and Granderson on the bench
Helton 1b bench

Pitchers:
Harden
Willis
Beckett
Olsen
and
Meredith. I need a closer but I think I'm trading Cla Meredith for Houston Street, if not there's plenty of closers available to pick up.

[DAVE]

JUPITER, Fla. — The last three pitchers to get the final out of a Cardinals’ World Series championship will throw out the ceremonial first pitches Sunday, tossing baseballs to the three managers who steered title teams, the club announced Thursday.
And that’s only part of the festitivies planned for opening night.
For the nationally televised 7 p.m. St. Louis time game, Busch Stadium’s gates will open at 4 p.m. The Clydesdales will circle the field at 6 p.m., starting the festivities that include the raising annual motorcade of current players and coaches, the raising of the World Series championship flag. The ceremonial first pitch — three pitches tossed in unison — will feature Bob Gibson throwing to Red Schoendienst (1967 winner), Bruce Sutter to Whitey Herzog (1982 winner) and Adam Wainwright throw to Tony La Russa (2006 winner).
In addition to the four mentioned above, a host of Cardinals alum will be on hand, representing several other world champion teams. They are: Tim McCarver, Julian Javier, Lou Brock and Mike Shannon from the ‘67 team. From ‘82, Dave LaPoint, Bob Forsch, Keith Hernandez (a Mets’ broadcaster) and Joaquin Andujar are expected to attend.
REO Speedwagon will sing the national anthem in conjunction with the Tuesday release of the band’s new album, “Find Your Own Way Home” (which kind of describes my trip back from Memphis, but that’s another story), and will feature “10 original songs returning to the classic REO Speedwagon sound of power ballads and melodic rock anthems,” according to the press release.
No word if the anthem will be a ”power ballad” or “melodic rock anthem”.
Earlier this spring, Mark Lamping said the Cardinals hoped to have members of the law enforcement members and officials who helped in the searches for found missing boys Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby involved in opening day ceremonies, possibly holding the flag in center field.
As he did for the team’s World Series DVD, Billy Bob Thornton will co-emcee the evening, working with play-by-play man John Rooney of KTRS/550 AM.
The Cardinals jerseys will also feature some new detailing for the season-opening series against the New York Mets. The jerseys will have gold stitching, outlining the players’ numbers on the front and the players’ names and numbers on the backs of all the club’s jerseys. The championship logo will be worn on the home uniform’s sleeve all season and — for the first home series only — be featured on the caps the Cardinals will wear.
“There’s opening day all around baseball,” manager Tony La Russa said earlier this week, “and then there is opening day in St. Louis.”

Wow, sounds like you're going to have an awesome day until the Mets win.

[PeterSparker]

Did my fantasy draft last night, I feel pretty good about my team:
catcher: Piazza, with Chris Ianetta o nthe bench
1b: Konerko
2b: Cano (the Yankee I said I'd get from the begining
ss: Rollins (i hate that i took him, but it was the 10 round and he was still available and i needed a SS- hopefully he has a lot of great games in Phillies losses)
3b: Teahen
OF:
Bay
Soriano
Manny
with
Bonds and Granderson on the bench
Helton 1b bench

Pitchers:
Harden
Willis
Beckett
Olsen
and
Meredith. I need a closer but I think I'm trading Cla Meredith for Houston Street, if not there's plenty of closers available to pick up.


Piazza catcher? Can you plug a DH into that spot if you want, because I thought he wasn't doing any catching this season? He's not the back up is he?

Soriano and Manny should bring you LOTS of offensive though. Nice

[SteveFlack]

Should I buy a new Yankee hat today? I go through hats regularly, since I seem to end up wearing it almost daily lately. I've been wearing my current one since February, and I was planning on keeping it for the beginning of the new season. But the new style 5950's go on sale today, and I was thinking about swinging by the New Era store after work to grab one of the synthetic material/black underbrim hats that all MLB teams are wearing this year.

-Steve!

[DAVE]

Piazza catcher? Can you plug a DH into that spot if you want, because I thought he wasn't doing any catching this season? He's not the back up is he?

Soriano and Manny should bring you LOTS of offensive though. Nice

He'll be DHing this season in real life, but he's still eligable in fantasy as a catcher because of last season :D

[DAVE]

Should I buy a new Yankee hat today? I go through hats regularly, since I seem to end up wearing it almost daily lately. I've been wearing my current one since February, and I was planning on keeping it for the beginning of the new season. But the new style 5950's go on sale today, and I was thinking about swinging by the New Era store after work to grab one of the synthetic material/black underbrim hats that all MLB teams are wearing this year.

-Steve!

If those new hats do all they are advertised to do, then it's a good buy. I usually get a fresh hat for every season, cuz by the end of the season, the hat gets pretty gross. My '06 hat is trashed from how many games I went to last year.
So yeah, you should get a new hat :D

Where is the New Era store?

[lonesomefool]

What do these new hats do? I have seen and heard about them, but what makes them so different?

As for Sosa, dont even touch him. Sure he plays in Texas, but that doesnt mean great stats (see Phil Nevin last year) and the Rangers are pretty much going to be a last place team in a bad division and are more likely to give guys like Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz, two young, ready hitters, a chance by June.

[DAVE]

What do these new hats do? I have seen and heard about them, but what makes them so different?



The hats material look just like wool apperently, but are considerably lighter and not as warm. THe material is supposed to soak up sweat and allow it to be evaporated through the material, as opposed to sitting in the fabric, being warm and staining that hat. The underside of the brim is black, to absorb glare from the sun. The players seem to love them so far. Do the hats do all they advertise? I don't know.

[SteveFlack]

If those new hats do all they are advertised to do, then it's a good buy. I usually get a fresh hat for every season, cuz by the end of the season, the hat gets pretty gross. My '06 hat is trashed from how many games I went to last year.
So yeah, you should get a new hat :D

Where is the New Era store?

Off Broadway, on E. 4th, across from the (now vacant) Tower Records in the village. It's ghetto-centric, though, with tons of ugly caps with ridiculously flat brims. I kinda just want to buy one there, just to immediatly fold the hell out of the brim in front of the employees.

I'm iffy on the new hats because of the black underbrim. It's a far cry from the green underbrims of my youth. I'm kinda surprised the MLB went with it after the Kenny Roger's cheating mini-fiasco from the post-season. (Unlike the rest of the team, Kenny wore the black underbrim batting practice hat throughout the game, and was accused of using the black material to hide pinetar that he was using to doctor the ball).

-Steve!

[PeterSparker]

here, I posted this much earlier in the thread:


MLB Celebrates New Official Cap
03/14/2007 12:00 PM ET
By Mark Newman / MLB.com

Everyone is talking about the new authentic Major League Baseball cap that has just undergone its first revolutionary change in more than a half-century, and right off the top of our heads, here are 10 things to know:

1. Everyone can wear it -- New Era's 59FIFTY model is the official on-field cap of MLB for the regular season and postseason, and on Wednesday, it became available to everyone in the MLB.com Shop. The 39THIRTY is the batting practice cap players have been wearing these days at Spring Training in Florida and Arizona -- with that distinctive half-moon gusset over the ears -- and that is also available for each club's fan.

2. Less wool is cool -- The 59FIFTY game cap is 100 percent polyester. This is a massive change in baseball tradition, during which wool has been the rule practically forever. The last universal change to the MLB cap was in 1954, when the six-panel model was introduced. The BP cap is 62 percent polyester and 38 percent wool.

3. Moisture and vapor management -- For the 59FIFTY game cap, moisture management takes moisture and wicks it away from the skin and moves it into the fabric. The fabric accepts the moisture and accelerates drying, keeping the player cooler and dryer. For the 39THIRTY BP cap, vapor management helps to eliminate moisture from even forming -- a very visible difference between the BP and game cap fabric. The BP cap also has a half-moon gusset and piping along the sides for added vapor management.

4. Fewer balls lost in the sun -- The new undervisor for these caps is made of New Era performance fabric that also carries moisture-wicking properties -- and now it is black across the board, a change to assist in reducing glare.

"The biggest difference initially will be adjusting to the darker feel beneath the undercarriage of the bill," said Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, who wears his cap low as he stares down batters at the plate. "Otherwise, it's basically the same. In time, adjusting should be no problem."

5. Players will smell better -- "They look exactly the same, they breathe more and they won't shrink," said Tigers pitcher and 2006 American League Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander, who shot a commercial for New Era in the offseason. "The best thing is, when it rains, the hats won't stink like the wool ones did."

6. Players also will perform better, theoretically -- "By revolutionizing the cap, we're ensuring the players' headwear provides the best performance while they play," New Era CEO Christopher Koch said.

It is all part of Commissioner Bud Selig's initiative to focus on greater "performance wear" for the athletes. Steve Armus, MLB's vice president of consumer products, said, "It's all about the performance initiative, and this is the first major step in a lot of things that are going to be seen throughout the season which are really going to revolutionize our field."

7. The caps are all the buzz -- The Red Sox scarlet model has been scarlet-hot, leading the way as all of the BP caps immediately became the hottest Shop items so far in 2007. Now the availability of the revolutionary official season caps is going to make it feel a lot like the post-Thanksgiving frenzy around the Shop.

8. That Arizona hat will really look different -- One of the biggest changes between the 2006 and 2007 seasons might be the Diamondbacks' cap. It's not just these revolutionary advances in the cap's technology. The new look features a Sedona red rattlesnake coiled around in the shape of a "D" against a black cap. As for more subtle changes, look for a more raised MLB "batterman" embroidered logo on the back and a black sweatband that hides the dirt.

"As long as I catch the ball behind my pitchers, make plays and get the important outs, that's the big thing. I don't think the hat is going to help the ball stay in the glove," Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson said recently. Then he jokingly added: "If I boot it and it's the hat's fault, I'll tell you after the game, 'It had to be the hat.'"

9. The cap has already proven itself this spring -- A's equipment manager Steve Vucinich had doubts a year ago when he began testing these new versions in camp. After watching A's pitchers go through their routines in Arizona, Vucinich said, "This one is just so much better. The heat is from the inside of the cap, where your head is. Before, it would just sweat to the band and it would drip kind of toward the bill but drip off there. Now, the sweat goes out of the cap, even on top, and then it dries naturally."

10. This is not your 1849 baseball cap -- The New York Knickerbockers adopted the first official uniform on April 24, 1849. The first caps were chip (or straw) hats. A few years later, the club switched to a cap made of merino (a soft, fine wool) that featured the two main characteristics of the modern-day baseball cap: a crown and a bill (or visor). Now the wool is fading away, the visor is black underneath and the players will smell and ideally perform better. But the baseball cap is eternal, and best of all, every fan now can find one exactly like the players will wear in 2007.

[lonesomefool]

Yeah, I hate the straight brims, they look stupid....but I'm not into the whole ghetto look either.

That's what I really dont like about the previous New Era hats....no matter how I bend the bill, they dont seem to stick for me, or worse the bill breaks. Maybe these will be better, but I will wait and see what you guys think.

[lonesomefool]

Wow, Kenny Rogers had a Blood Clot removed and will be out the first half of the season, at least, ESPNEWS is saying.

Tigers still have a very strong rotations led by Bonderman, but this does equal them out with the rest on the Central division a bit IMO.

[Taxman]

I wonder whether anyone is going to want to revise their picks in that other thread with The Roaster out.

[Ryan F]

As for Sosa, dont even touch him. Sure he plays in Texas, but that doesnt mean great stats (see Phil Nevin last year) and the Rangers are pretty much going to be a last place team in a bad division and are more likely to give guys like Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz, two young, ready hitters, a chance by June.

I wouldn't draft Sosa, but he's sitting there as a free agent at the moment. I agree that it's doubtful that he'll have great stats over the whole season, but I can see him going on a tear for the first couple weeks. I can also see him being sent down by May.

He's sick anyway, so I guess I'll wait and see.

[Shane W]

Yeah, I hate the straight brims, they look stupid....but I'm not into the whole ghetto look either.

That's what I really dont like about the previous New Era hats....no matter how I bend the bill, they dont seem to stick for me, or worse the bill breaks. Maybe these will be better, but I will wait and see what you guys think.


Fitted caps don't quite fit me right anyway, I get better results from a higher quality adjustable, but the new material does intrigue me a bit. Perhaps I should get one for golf.