2013 Official Major League Baseball Thread.

[daydreamer41]

You were probably acting like an obnoxious entitled buffoon and probably deserved it. One thing I will say is that if you want to be a dick anywhere in Boston then be ready to be called on it

No, it wasn't me who they were giving a hard time. It was some other poor guy who was wearing a baseball cap of the opposing team, and it was not the NY Yankees cap. Boston fans are equal opportunity Obnoxious.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Someone's got a great sense of humour tonight & to my surprise, it's a Yankees fan!! :lol:

Oh, come on, Doc. After Kendrick and Pedroia, Cano's easily the best 2b in the league. And Gardner, why shouldn't he make it? Hell, he's one of the best 15 outfielders in the league.

Actually, Cano does deserve to make it as Pedroia's backup. When you consider that the light hitting Yankees have three deserving All Stars, it's really just testimony to how bad the rest of the team is.

BTW, take a look at Daniel Nava's numbers. Now there's a guy, not even on the ballot, who deserves to be on the All Star team. Second among AL outfielders in OBP. Third in RBI. Sixth in OPS.

JAYS ONLY 4 GAMES BACK OF THE MISERABLE YANKEES!!!!

That's "light-hitting miserable Yankees, Doc. Looks like tonight's the night the light hitting Yankees could be closer to last than first. Yesterday was the day they hit the Run Differential barrier. They've been playing in a lot of luck to be over .500.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Vernon Wells went 0-7 today while hitting cleanup & is hitting a miserable .224.

Wells is 9 for his last 87, yet they keep running his sorry ass out there. Why? He's still the best they've got.

A. Romine hitting barely .127

One of the top catching prospects in the game, according to Chercherfemmes.

"Start spreadin' the news, New York, New York...."

Shouldn't that be, "start spreading the manure?"

 

[Doc Holliday]

Joe Torre's daughter catches baby

It must have been a terrifying sight. Two stories up, a baby, legs dangling, clutching the black metal edge of the fire escape with his little hands.

And then, the even more terrifying sight of a child in free fall.

But what could have been a horrifying tragedy turned into a celebration Wednesday when Montessori school teacher Cristina Torre -- daughter of the former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre -- caught the 1-year-old after he bounced off an awning.

"I honestly did not feel his weight," she told CNN Thursday. "It was effortless. He felt light as a feather."

Torre was hailed as a hero for catching the child, who police say had crawled out onto the fire escape after pushing aside a piece of cardboard covering a hole next to the second-floor apartment's air conditioner.

The boy's parents, however, weren't receiving quite the same reception.

They were awaiting arraignment Thursday on child endangerment charges. Three other children in the apartment, ages 2, 3 and 5 -- were placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Their 1-year-old son, whose name has not been released, was discharged from Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn hours after the incident, a hospital spokeswoman said Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear where he was Thursday.

Torre said she was passing by the apartment building when she looked up and saw the baby's precarious situation. She got on her phone and called 911 while she maneuvered herself into position under the boy.

"The minute he let go, I just hoped for the best and had my arms out waiting for him," she said.

Torre said the boy was crying and bleeding from the mouth after hitting something on the way down, but otherwise seemed to be all right.
The boy's father came down later, thanked Torre for saving his son and gave her a hug.

She hugged him back, she said.

Torre's dad released a statement Wednesday night saying, "I am very proud of my daughter Cristina's actions today during an incident in Brooklyn involving a small child. Fortunately for that child she was in the right place at the right time to lend a hand."

Joe Torre's daughter catches baby

As of this moment, Brian Cashman is wondering if Cristina Torre can hit.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Joe Torre's daughter catches baby

If she can hit over .220, she could catch for the light hitting Yankees, now 12 in the AL in runs scored.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Cristina Torre is in her early 40's, so she'd fit right in with the rest of the ballclub if only she can hit a bit. If so, the big question is if she has a decent arm to play either third base or shortstop.

p.s. But considering her age, i'd be surprised if she'd finish the season. Rare are players in their mid-to-late 30's/early 40's who are able to play a full season without spending time on the disabled list.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Rare are players in their mid-to-late 30's/early 40's who are able to play a full season without spending time on the disabled list.

Now what would make you say a thing like that. :lol:

Should be a great series in Boston next weekend. Wonder if Jose will be back in time.

 

[Merlot]

WTF FARRELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First truly asinine, bonehead, brainless, dipstick...even Joe.t could have done better move I've seen Farrell make the entire year. With a 1-run lead in the 9th he brings in Mr-Can't-Make-A-Clutch-Pitch-To-Save-His-Life-F'n-Bailey. As soon as I saw he was in I said: Oh F!!! Not 1 minute later the ball was gone with the game.

Nice dumbass move Mr. Farrell.



Merlot

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Merlot, certainly a change is necessary. Fortunately, the Sox have internal options in Miller and Tazawa. They can also make a deal. And fortunately, they don't have the light hitting Yankees' problems.

Hafner and Wells now hitting .437, combined.

 

[hungry101]

Red Sox fans:

Thank God for closers and the end of game formula!

Usually it is Jose Valverde giving up HR balls. This was a nice welcome change of pace tonight!

Go Tigers!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Should be a great series in Boston next weekend. Wonder if Jose will be back in time.

Reyes will play for AAA Buffalo this coming weekend, so my guess is that he's likely to be brought up sometimes next week. He'll be in Boston.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Nice dumbass move Mr. Farrell.



Merlot

Get used to it. He pulled the same dumbass moves for two years when he was in Toronto.

 

[Doc Holliday]

And fortunately, they don't have the light hitting Yankees' problems.

Hafner and Wells now hitting .437, combined.

Yankee fans beware: The Jays are now only 3 1/2 games behind the light-hitting geriatric Yankees! Go Jays!!

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Usually it is Jose Valverde giving up HR balls. This was a nice welcome change of pace tonight!

Two strong teams desperately in need of a closer. It will be very interesting to see how they address the problem. Personally, I'd give the ball to Andrew Miller, before looking outside. Will the Phillies move Papelbon? What would the Sox or Tigers give up to get him, given his already expensive contract? Will the Yankees try to get prospects for Rivera?

Last night's loss was brutal, given the fact that there are four strong teams in the division and it's shaping up to be quite a race. The average record for the division is 39-33.

Yes, the Orioles are for real. The Jays are hopping back in the race and are getting Jose Reyes back soon; they are very much to be feared. The Rays have struggled recently, but will be getting Price back soon, though the loss of Cobb, if long-term, could be costly. The Sox lead the majors in runs scored and have deep starting pitching. Lackey is back to the pitcher he was in Los Angeles. Felix Doubront is a wild card. He has ace stuff, but has always struggled with his command. He was magnificent in shutting down the Rays for 8 innings the other day. If he's turning a corner, he could be huge the rest of the way. They desperately need a closer.

The Yankees? LOL. Does anybody think a team batting Travis Hafner and Vermin Wells fourth and fifth can stay in the race. Ancient Andy has clearly had the radish. Cheeseburger Cheeseburger has allowed 4 runs or more in 5 of his last seven starts, while the team has scored over 3 runs 3 times in the last two weeks. Phil Hughes simply sucks.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Your assessment of the AL East is very a accurate, Rumples. The Red Sox are playing decent ball, thanks to a good starting pitching core & decent middle relief. Pedroia & Ortiz are carrying the team offensively, with decent numbers from Ellesbury & Napoli. Iglesias has been a nice surprise offensively, but the team does have some offensive holes & a questionable late-inning bullpen.

The Orioles are indeed 'for real'. Decent pitching & a very good offense. They have one of the two best managers in the division.

The Rays are currently so-so, but i expect them to play much better in the 2nd half. They're one of the few teams that wouldn't surprise me if they won the division. They also have one of the two best managers in the division.

The Jays are also 'for real' and are currently the hottest team in baseball. Injuries to the starting pitching hasn't hurt them, since the replacements have fit in quite nicely, if not better. Esmil Rogers has been a revelation coming out of the bullpen, and Chien-Ming Wang has been very good since his demand to be released from the Yankees organization in order to sign with the Jays. Josh Johnson recently returned from the DL and pitched his best game of the season just a few days ago, shutting out Colorado. R.J. Dickey has been battling injuries all season long and has been inconsistent. The current ace of the staff is veteran Mark Buerle, who has been simply superb after a difficult start to the season.

But the revelation has been the bullpen, which has been lights-out for the most part of the season. Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil & Casey Janssen have pitched like all-stars all season long & Aaron Loup has been very good as one of the two left-handed set-up men. But a real surprise has been the addition of Mark Wagner & Juan Perez from the minors. They have been very efficient so far.

On offense, Adam Lind has been an all-star all season long, being one of the league leaders in hitting. Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista have brought in the power, along with catcher J.P. Arencibia. Colby Ramsus has also hit with power and playing a great centerfield, while Melky Cabrera has been a steady hitter in the lead-off position since Jose Reyes' injury. Reyes should be back early next week. Look out for them Blue Jays!

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Your assessment of the AL East is very a accurate, Rumples. The Red Sox are playing decent ball, thanks to a good starting pitching core & decent middle relief. Pedroia & Ortiz are carrying the team offensively, with decent numbers from Ellesbury & Napoli. Iglesias has been a nice surprise offensively, but the team does have some offensive holes & a questionable late-inning bullpen.

Um, does the name Daniel Nava ring a bell? Nava deserves to be on the All Star team. You also overlook Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is having a wonderful season.

They have one of the two best managers in the division.

And John Farrell is the other?

BTW, we should have a little GT at the Rogers Centre when the Sox are in town in August. I've already got my ViaRail ticket and am planning to be at the park for the Tuesday and Wednesday games.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Um, does the name Daniel Nava ring a bell? Nava deserves to be on the All Star team. You also overlook Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is having a wonderful season.



And John Farrell is the other?

BTW, we should have a little GT at the Rogers Centre when the Sox are in town in August. I've already got my ViaRail ticket and am planning to be at the park for the Tuesday and Wednesday games.

Nava is having a good season so far. But .270/.280 hitters don't belong in the all-star game. If so, i'd say Melky Cabrera should also be in the all-star game. But he shouldn't be. Both are having similar seasons. I'm guess Nava will likely be hitting around .260 by the all-star break. Not all-star material in my books, unless you're named CCF.

As for Saltamachia, he's a .260 hitter. Decent season, but he doesn't play enough in my opinion. It seems that every time i watch a Red Sox game, they have the other guy catching.

In my opinion, the two best managers in the AL East are Joe Madden & Buck Showalter. Followed in no particular order by Joe Girardi, John Gibbons & John Farrell. Usually, i'd give the nod to Girardi over the other two, but considering his recent moves where he's had Vernon Wells & Travis Hafner in the cleanup spot (and 4th and 5th in the order), he goes down a notch. I'd also take Gibbons over Farrell for personal reasons. I thought Farrell was a disaster in Toronto, especially last season. But to be fair, it had nothing to do with his on-field decisions & his lack of properly managing a pitching staff. It had more to do that he had lost total control of the clubhouse. It had become a free-for-all. The only thing missing from that clubhouse was an order of Popeye's Fried Chicken!

As for a trip to the Rogers Center in mid-August, we'll see. If the Jays are in the hunt (as i predict), it'll be an interesting possibility.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Nava is having a good season so far. But .270/.280 hitters don't belong in the all-star game. If so, i'd say Melky Cabrera should also be in the all-star game. But he shouldn't be. Both are having similar seasons. I'm guess Nava will likely be hitting around .260 by the all-star break.

Nava is hitting .281; why do you think his average will drop by 20 points in the next two weeks. He's 2nd among AL outfielders in OBP. Melky is 27th. Nava is 3rd among AL outfielders in RBI; Melky is 35th. Similar????

Not all-star material in my books, unless you're named CCF.

But he's not a Yankee, so he's not an All-Star.

As for Saltamachia, he's a .260 hitter. Decent season, but he doesn't play enough in my opinion. It seems that every time i watch a Red Sox game, they have the other guy catching.

Last I looked, they didn't base the All Star selections on how often some cowboy hobbiest from Barrie, ON watched him play. He's fourth among AL catchers in OPS. And he has great hair. But I didn't suggest that he's an All Star, just that he's contributing significantly to the Sox' offense.

In my opinion, the two best managers in the AL East are Joe Madden & Buck Showalter.

No argument there. I can't speak to Farrell's job in TO, as I don't watch them closely. He's doing a fine job in Boston.

As for a trip to the Rogers Center in mid-August, we'll see. If the Jays are in the hunt (as i predict), it'll be an interesting possibility.

I've got my train ticket, but will hold off on game tix until we see if any of us want to go together.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I still don't think Nava is an all-star. I still have a hunch he'll be hitting around .260 come all-star break time. You're right about Salty, he's got great hair. And finally, it is true that Farrell has done a fine job with the Red Sox. But the season ain't over yet!

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I still don't think Nava is an all-star.

No, he's probably not, because of guys who might not be having the year he is but have had long careers, but he's close. But, when you consider that the Sox signed him out of an independent league for $1, it would be a beautiful end to an amazing ride.

As for his hitting .260 by the break, I think your form of statistical analysis is called "wishful thinking."

But the season ain't over yet!

No, and it won't until it's over, but when you think that most people thought the Sox would be battling the light hitting Yankees for the cellar, it's pretty much guaranteed to be a successful year. All they need now is a closer. (Hmm, I wonder if the light hitting Yankees are going to see what they can get for Mo.)