The Official MERB 2010 Baseball Thread.
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Tonight's trivia question. Name all members of the NY Yankees who have more home runs this year than David Ortiz.
Hello all,
Yankees keep waiting for A-Rod to erupt
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/yankees-keep-waiting-for-a-rod-to-erupt
..... And then there’s A-Rod, who, in retrospect, knows he could’ve done more with K-Rod’s curveball. The pitch was overthrown, hanging dangerously over the plate, a mistake that, at another point in the season, might’ve been sent to the planets by the Yankee slugger.
But such blasts aren’t coming as often as in the past: Rodriguez has just six HRs in 165 at-bats this season, which works out to one every 27. Since 1998, Rodriguez’ rate has never been higher than 16.7.
One other damning metric to consider: throughout his career, 23 percent of Rodriguez’ fly balls have cleared the wall. This year, that percentage has dropped to 9.7.
So what gives? His detractors point to what they consider the obvious culprit. Rodriguez is (finally) off steroids, and thus reduced to the numbers of mere mortals. The slugger says, however, it’s all about timing.
“I’m seeing the ball well, I’m getting good swings, but I’ve definitely missed some chances to drive the ball,” Rodriguez said the other day. “It’ll come.”
It’s not just the HRs that have suffered, however. Rodriguez’ slugging percentage is at a 13-year low (.497). It’s still early, of course, and with three-quarters of the season remaining a surge isn’t just possible, it’s likely. But it’s also worth remembering Rodriguez’ stats have been in subtle decline for the last three seasons.
Ever since his MVP campaign in 2007, A-Rod has experienced drop-offs in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and OPS. He’ll be 35 in another two months, and while Rodriguez is still capable of unique displays of power — just ask Jonathan Papelbon, who surrendered a ninth-inning HR to Rodriguez a week ago — one talent evaluator said, “I’m sure the Yankees are wondering if Alex is still in his prime or is now in his late prime. There’s a difference.”
The Yankee staff, understandably, doesn’t allow itself to think that way. They point to Rodriguez's obsessive work habits and physical conditioning as reasons to believe a rally is coming.
"I think he’ll have a month where he hits 13 or 15, and if he does that next month, he’s going to have 22 home runs,” said hitting instructor Kevin Long. “It’s just a matter of when.''
“Just look at his at-bats,” said manager Joe Girardi. “Sometimes you have no idea (a home run hot streak) is coming. It might just happen. That’s how hitting is.”
In the meantime, the Yankees are no longer the major league’s No. 1 home run-hitting machine, dropping to No. 5 this year. Still, no one scores as many runs as the Bombers, which, considering they’re operating at below-peak efficiency, gives them hope for catching the Rays.
“We know they’re going to create problems,” said Derek Jeter, although, as the Yankees are willing to believe, it’s nothing a few more home runs can’t solve.
continued...
Ah well, that's not very nice. I'm sure the timing of the steroid exposure and this drop off in all of A-Rod's stats is just mere coincidence.
And all this coming at the same time Sabathia, Burnett, and Hughes have been failing of late.
In the meantime the Red Sox just beat the best team in baseball after taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, and the Sox have quickly moved up just 2 games behind the Yankees. This was a scary looking month for the Sox considering the condition they were in when it started and the schedule in front of them. But the bats have come alive with Big Papi hitting .361 with 19 RBIs and 8 HRs in May, while the arms have found a fine rhythm. Ortiz has as many home runs (9) and any Yankee and Youkilis (10) has more. Clay Buchholz now has a 1.78 ERA on the road after giving up just 6 hits and 1 run tonight against the Rays. In fact, in the last 6 games the Red Sox have had a 1.68 ERA against. BEAUTIFUL!
BTW...the great thing about Buchholz right now is he seemed to know exactly what to do on his own without the views of either Martinez or Varitek. Buchholz shook off both of his catchers last night frequently until he got what HE wanted and threw a great game against the best team in MLB.
Cheerio,
Merlot
Yankees keep waiting for A-Rod to erupt
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/yankees-keep-waiting-for-a-rod-to-erupt
..... And then there’s A-Rod, who, in retrospect, knows he could’ve done more with K-Rod’s curveball. The pitch was overthrown, hanging dangerously over the plate, a mistake that, at another point in the season, might’ve been sent to the planets by the Yankee slugger.
But such blasts aren’t coming as often as in the past: Rodriguez has just six HRs in 165 at-bats this season, which works out to one every 27. Since 1998, Rodriguez’ rate has never been higher than 16.7.
One other damning metric to consider: throughout his career, 23 percent of Rodriguez’ fly balls have cleared the wall. This year, that percentage has dropped to 9.7.
So what gives? His detractors point to what they consider the obvious culprit. Rodriguez is (finally) off steroids, and thus reduced to the numbers of mere mortals. The slugger says, however, it’s all about timing.
“I’m seeing the ball well, I’m getting good swings, but I’ve definitely missed some chances to drive the ball,” Rodriguez said the other day. “It’ll come.”
It’s not just the HRs that have suffered, however. Rodriguez’ slugging percentage is at a 13-year low (.497). It’s still early, of course, and with three-quarters of the season remaining a surge isn’t just possible, it’s likely. But it’s also worth remembering Rodriguez’ stats have been in subtle decline for the last three seasons.
Ever since his MVP campaign in 2007, A-Rod has experienced drop-offs in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and OPS. He’ll be 35 in another two months, and while Rodriguez is still capable of unique displays of power — just ask Jonathan Papelbon, who surrendered a ninth-inning HR to Rodriguez a week ago — one talent evaluator said, “I’m sure the Yankees are wondering if Alex is still in his prime or is now in his late prime. There’s a difference.”
The Yankee staff, understandably, doesn’t allow itself to think that way. They point to Rodriguez's obsessive work habits and physical conditioning as reasons to believe a rally is coming.
"I think he’ll have a month where he hits 13 or 15, and if he does that next month, he’s going to have 22 home runs,” said hitting instructor Kevin Long. “It’s just a matter of when.''
“Just look at his at-bats,” said manager Joe Girardi. “Sometimes you have no idea (a home run hot streak) is coming. It might just happen. That’s how hitting is.”
In the meantime, the Yankees are no longer the major league’s No. 1 home run-hitting machine, dropping to No. 5 this year. Still, no one scores as many runs as the Bombers, which, considering they’re operating at below-peak efficiency, gives them hope for catching the Rays.
“We know they’re going to create problems,” said Derek Jeter, although, as the Yankees are willing to believe, it’s nothing a few more home runs can’t solve.
continued...
Ah well, that's not very nice. I'm sure the timing of the steroid exposure and this drop off in all of A-Rod's stats is just mere coincidence.
In the meantime the Red Sox just beat the best team in baseball after taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, and the Sox have quickly moved up just 2 games behind the Yankees. This was a scary looking month for the Sox considering the condition they were in when it started and the schedule in front of them. But the bats have come alive with Big Papi hitting .361 with 19 RBIs and 8 HRs in May, while the arms have found a fine rhythm. Ortiz has as many home runs (9) and any Yankee and Youkilis (10) has more. Clay Buchholz now has a 1.78 ERA on the road after giving up just 6 hits and 1 run tonight against the Rays. In fact, in the last 6 games the Red Sox have had a 1.68 ERA against. BEAUTIFUL!
BTW...the great thing about Buchholz right now is he seemed to know exactly what to do on his own without the views of either Martinez or Varitek. Buchholz shook off both of his catchers last night frequently until he got what HE wanted and threw a great game against the best team in MLB.
Cheerio,
Merlot
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CY Buchholz!!!
That's all I have to say about that!
PS...Where's Beav, taking his usual Yankee swoon vacation under a rock, no doubt!!!!!!!!! Here's Beav in happier days on his rock when the Yanks were playing well just before he burrowed under it.
That's all I have to say about that!
PS...Where's Beav, taking his usual Yankee swoon vacation under a rock, no doubt!!!!!!!!! Here's Beav in happier days on his rock when the Yanks were playing well just before he burrowed under it.
When did the Beav grow hair?That's all I have to say about that!
PS...Where's Beav, taking his usual Yankee swoon vacation under a rock, no doubt!!!!!!!!! Here's Beav in happier days on his rock when the Yanks were playing well just before he burrowed under it.
How 'bout them Sox. They buried poor Wade Davis by driving up his pitch count the way only they, and no other team in baseball, can. Kid didn't know what hit him; 80 pitches through 3 innings.
Still no answer to last night's trivia question, so I'll give it here: No Yankee has more home runs in 2010 than David Ortiz. Meanwhile, Papi has his OPS up to a very healthy .870.
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PS...Where's Beav, taking his usual Yankee swoon vacation under a rock, no doubt!!!!!!!!! Here's Beav in happier days on his rock when the Yanks were playing well just before he burrowed under it.
Oooops,
Seems he's been a little sloppy at work. Of course, with the way the Yankees are going, and the Sox are surging, he's obviously a bit distressed. His injuries are not fatal and he should be fine. But there is concern about whether this was an accident or a suicide attempt. Psychiatric observation has been ordered.
Cheers,
Merlot
I am not distressed. The Yankees are going through a bad stretch that is mostly injury related while the Red Sox are hot. The Red Sox are still in 4th place at this time. At some point the Yankees are going to surge. They are not going to play crappy like they did against the Mets in too many series.
Man Pleads Guilty To Intentionally Vomiting on Phillies Fans
This guy had way too much to drink:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5218267
This guy had way too much to drink:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5218267
Hello all,
Well okay, but a lot of it has been poor Yankees pitching, while the Red Sox have gotten some superb pitching from Lester, Buchholz, Matsuzaka and Wakefield against the best teams. Imagine if Beckett was decent.
BTW...make that..."Red HOT!"
McNamee to testify before grand jury
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Brian-McNamee-Clemens-grand-jury-testimony-052510
WASHINGTON (AP)
Brian McNamee has arrived at the courthouse to testify before the grand jury that will decide whether to indict Roger Clemens for allegedly lying under oath to Congress.
McNamee is Clemens' former personal trainer and is the key witness in the case against Clemens. McNamee says he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids and HGH over a period of several years.
The grand jury in Washington has been meeting for 16 months, hearing testimony from witnesses. It is reviewing Clemens' testimony before a congressional committee in 2008, when he denied using steroids or human growth hormone.
Here it comes. What are the odds Clemens (poopy face) gets indicted?
Hmmmm,
Merlot
Well okay, but a lot of it has been poor Yankees pitching, while the Red Sox have gotten some superb pitching from Lester, Buchholz, Matsuzaka and Wakefield against the best teams. Imagine if Beckett was decent.
BTW...make that..."Red HOT!"
McNamee to testify before grand jury
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Brian-McNamee-Clemens-grand-jury-testimony-052510
WASHINGTON (AP)
Brian McNamee has arrived at the courthouse to testify before the grand jury that will decide whether to indict Roger Clemens for allegedly lying under oath to Congress.
McNamee is Clemens' former personal trainer and is the key witness in the case against Clemens. McNamee says he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with steroids and HGH over a period of several years.
The grand jury in Washington has been meeting for 16 months, hearing testimony from witnesses. It is reviewing Clemens' testimony before a congressional committee in 2008, when he denied using steroids or human growth hormone.
Here it comes. What are the odds Clemens (poopy face) gets indicted?
Hmmmm,
Merlot
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Injuries have some to do with it, but not as much as 1) age and 2) overperformance by the pitching staff now neutralizing. All this talk of Ortiz being old and over the hill seems to have subsided. Ortiz is three months younger than A-Rod, years younger than the rapidly declining Jeter. Posada is not just injured; he's old. Rivera is not just injured; he's old.
Heeeyyyyyy yaaaallllllll,
Lookie lookie lookie! The Boston Red Sox just 1-hit the best team in baseball with a combination of Lester-Delcarmen-Papelbon, put over the top with another critical hit by the former and current Big Papi. Despite the Rays best effort to drive up the pitch count all they got was one damn hit. Shields pitched very well, but Lester was even better. Um ummmmm! Oh yeah, we sooooooooooo DAMN HOT!!!
Steaming baby,
Merlicious
PS
Yes, any excuse for a babe photo...lol.
Lookie lookie lookie! The Boston Red Sox just 1-hit the best team in baseball with a combination of Lester-Delcarmen-Papelbon, put over the top with another critical hit by the former and current Big Papi. Despite the Rays best effort to drive up the pitch count all they got was one damn hit. Shields pitched very well, but Lester was even better. Um ummmmm! Oh yeah, we sooooooooooo DAMN HOT!!!
Steaming baby,
Merlicious
PS
Yes, any excuse for a babe photo...lol.
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Wonder when was the last time that one team tossed two one-hitters against first place teams in the span of four days. Actually, it's been done before, by Cincinnati in 1999.
The Sox have knocked 5 games off the Yankees' lead over them in 8 days. They could be tied tonight.
The Sox have knocked 5 games off the Yankees' lead over them in 8 days. They could be tied tonight.
Oooops,
Seems he's been a little sloppy at work. Of course, with the way the Yankees are going, and the Sox are surging, he's obviously a bit distressed. His injuries are not fatal and he should be fine. But there is concern about whether this was an accident or a suicide attempt. Psychiatric observation has been ordered.
Cheers,
Merlot
Hahahaha, love this one Merlot!
Sweep!
Who's your daddy,
What's this??? Lackey against Garza. The shaky Lackey against 2.97 ERA Garza. No way the Sox will take this one tonight. WRONG! John Lackey comes through and defeats the Rays 11-3 as the Sox complete a sweep of what was the best team in the MLB before this series started, out scoring the rays 19-4 overall. Offense, defense, and great pitching. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!
Note: even before the series started Kevin Youkilis had been on the best tear of his career hitting .397 with an 1.317 OPS and 15 RBIs in May.
Yeah baby,
Merlot
PS
"I am not distressed"...EB.
Who's your daddy,
What's this??? Lackey against Garza. The shaky Lackey against 2.97 ERA Garza. No way the Sox will take this one tonight. WRONG! John Lackey comes through and defeats the Rays 11-3 as the Sox complete a sweep of what was the best team in the MLB before this series started, out scoring the rays 19-4 overall. Offense, defense, and great pitching. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!
Note: even before the series started Kevin Youkilis had been on the best tear of his career hitting .397 with an 1.317 OPS and 15 RBIs in May.
Yeah baby,
Merlot
PS
"I am not distressed"...EB.
Yep yep yep, I say now is as good a time as any to check Ortiz's juice bottle(if you get my drift).
How many games did Manny miss last year, just askin.
How many games did Manny miss last year, just askin.
Hahaha, I'd say check ARod's since he's being linked to that HGH Doctor Galea out of Toronto, but he's sucked so bad this season there's no reason to check! Who was Manny playing for last year?
Actually, I'm kinda happy that the Red Sox are playing better, the better they play the better the mood of rumpleforskin and we all know how nasty he can get when they stink like crap, I would hate to see Igna go the way of GG and eastender.
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