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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: That Ball's Outta Here! Baseball 2015
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Pitchers and catchers report next week, the official start of Spring Training! ![[Axe murder]](graemlins/lovedrops.gif)
For those who wonder about such things, the thread title is derived from the classic home run call of the late, lamented Harry Kalas, one of the all-time great baseball announcers. It has been almost 6 years since he died and I still miss the sound of his voice during the game. ![[Tear]](graemlins/tear.gif)
So what will this season bring? Will the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals build on their unexpected successes of last year, or will they prove to have been one-season wonders? Will the Dodgers benefit from the huge amount of cash they are pouring on the field? Will the Yankees manage to survive the loss of Jeter (and will A-Rod ever actually play for them again)?
For myself, it is going to be a long season. The only real question for me is whether the Phillies will end up with the worst record in MLB. They are 99.9% certain to be last in their division, and about 75% certain to be the worst in the National League, but I think it is a good 50-50 coin flip whether they will be the worst in all baseball (battling for the bottom spot with the Minnesota Twins).
So have at it! What are your thoughts, feelings, predictions for the coming year?
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
I think the Dodgers will have another very good regular season. It's an odd-numbered year so that (and the extreme difficulty of repeating) rules out the Giants. I reckon the Nats will be the best regular season NL team.
The AL looks harder to call to me, but I think the Angels might have a very good regular season, possibly the best of the bunch.
World Series? Anyone's guess. Seems a good idea to qualify as a wild card. I'm very pleased, but genuinely still surprised that the Giants won last year. And that seventh game still ranks as a classic end to a really competitive WS.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
The Angels do look to be the best of the AL. The AL East looks like it will be interesting this year. Any of the 5 teams could reasonably end up on top of the division by the end of the year. I can't seriously say that about any other division.
Just for fun, here is the list of the Top 10 "projected payrolls" for this year (they are only projected because almost all of them still have players to sign...a guess is being made as to the value of those not-yet-contracts). The list is, of course, in millions of dollars:
- Dodgers 264.0
Yankees 214.3
Red Sox 182.1
Tigers 172.3
Giants 170.6
Nationals 160.5
Angels 145.9
Rangers 141.1
Phillies 139.3
Blue Jays 127.5
That would be 6 AL teams and 4 NL teams.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
The Angels do look to be the best of the AL. The AL East looks like it will be interesting this year. Any of the 5 teams could reasonably end up on top of the division by the end of the year. I can't seriously say that about any other division.
Just for fun, here is the list of the Top 10 "projected payrolls" for this year (they are only projected because almost all of them still have players to sign...a guess is being made as to the value of those not-yet-contracts). The list is, of course, in millions of dollars:
- Dodgers 264.0
Yankees 214.3
Red Sox 182.1
Tigers 172.3
Giants 170.6
Nationals 160.5
Angels 145.9
Rangers 141.1
Phillies 139.3
Blue Jays 127.5
That would be 6 AL teams and 4 NL teams.
Thinks: do Designated Hitters bump up the payroll?
Noted that the Pirates are not in Top 10. This is a) disappointing, b) unsurprising c) unlikely to make any damn difference, as none of our divisional rivals are in the $$$ elite either. I still take the Bucs to play in October again, though not for very long as we don't have an ace pitcher.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
As much as I'd love to blame it on the Designated Hitter, I don't think it is the culprit. As it turns out, 4 of the bottom 5 spenders are AL teams too (namely Indians, A's, Rays and Astros). Of course, the traditional bottom spender of all is the Miami Marlins.
As for the NL Central, with one notable exception, they are all reasonably close in terms of spending.
- Cardinals 120.5
Reds 118.0
Cubs 117.5
Brewers 101.7
Pirates 88.0
<Hedgehog hums "One of these things is not like the others...">
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
Will the Dodgers benefit from the huge amount of cash they are pouring on the field?
One can only hope! Bring on spring training. I shall be there for at least a couple of games. I can play hooky from school 'cause I'm the teacher!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Dodgers are on top now. We will be seeing them beat the Athletics later today!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
I know that Spring Training games are meaningless, but I am amused that my Phillies (likely to be the Worst Team In Baseball in 2015) has one of the better records in Spring games. This may be the only time I see them with a winning record all year, so I better enjoy it while I can! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Hedgehog may be onto something as my beloved Bucs had some batting practice against the Phillies in the guise of spring training and won 18-4, including a slam amongst six homers.
A far cry from last years pre-season which was pretty poor for the Pirates. Maybe we'll avoid the wildcard nonsense this season.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
A local sports radio guy lines up baseball tours every year. Pittsburgh is one of the available places to go and also a Braves home game against the Pirates.
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"Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward."
Delmar O'Donnell
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Is that local to me in Newport? I must get over sometime. I expect friends will ask why I want to go to a one-time steeltown, so I'll have to tell them that I live in a one-time steeltown, and one with the same sporting colours too - black & amber.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Looking forward to the next home game for Vin Scully and my Dodgers. Watched one on TV during Spring Training. It was fantastic hearing him again - having heard that golden voice for well over 50 years! If he ever retires, maybe when he's 103, they will have to replace him with three kids straight out of university!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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BessLane
Shipmate
# 15176
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Posted
Well, I've enjoyed annoying several of my Cubs fan buddies. Unlike the Red Sox, who break your heart at the end of the season, the Cubs just go ahead and do it on opening day...
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It's all on me and I won't tell it.
formerly BessHiggs
Posts: 1388 | From: Yorkville, TN | Registered: Sep 2009
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Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
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Posted
Don't write them off yet! Besides, it's in the forties in Chicago tonight. Also IIRC it's the first ever opening *night* at Wrigley.
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Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
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basso
Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
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Posted
The Chronicle has a story about the best baseball names in San Francisco history. "Lefty" O'Doul doesn't even get a look in.
Any favorites from your team?
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Older teams have a tremendous advantage on this topic, as the Golden Age of nicknames was pre-1920.
From my Phillies, in 1883 (their first year of play) they had Bob "Death To Flying Things" Ferguson. It is almost impossible to top that.
Later, in 1890, they had a pitcher known as Phenomenal Smith.
One of my all-time favorite nicknames was NY Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson, known simply as "The Christian Gentleman."
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Prester John
Shipmate
# 5502
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by BessLane:
Well, I've enjoyed annoying several of my Cubs fan buddies. Unlike the Red Sox, who break your heart at the end of the season, the Cubs just go ahead and do it on opening day...
Nonsense. This is their year. Didn't you see Back to the Future II?
Posts: 884 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Feb 2004
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Meanwhile, the Pirates just disappoint. Plenty of hits, not enough runs. One bad, bad inning. Oh, and I don't understand the balk rule.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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basso
Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
One of my all-time favorite nicknames was NY Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson, known simply as "The Christian Gentleman."
I think it was Frank Deford who wrote a dual biography of Mathewson (who was indeed a gentleman) and John McGraw (who by most accounts was not). A good read.
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Meanwhile, the Pirates just disappoint. Plenty of hits, not enough runs. One bad, bad inning. Oh, and I don't understand the balk rule.
The balk rule is very hard to understand, in part because it isn't written as a single rule. Or rather, it is, but not usefully. A balk is an "illegal pitch" with a runner on the bases. But what is an "illegal pitch"? Well, that is spread out through about a dozen different rules. In the Pirates game, the problem was that the pitcher "started" his motion to pitch to home, but then stopped. or hesitated. Or wasn't smooth about it. And that constituted a balk. It is all very vague. And it depends where the feet are. And the hands. And whether the hands stop.... and so on and so forth. There is a LOT to not understand about the balk rule.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Yesterday, Oakland's Brett Lawrie had a Bad Day At The Plate. How bad? Well he went 0-for-4, but lots of players did that. But he had 4 strikeouts. Okay, that is harsh, but not unheard of. What truly sets his day out from others: in those 4 strikeouts he saw a grand total of...12 pitches!
Yes, he struck out on 3 consecutive pitches four times in a row. Now THAT is hard to do.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
He saw them? I'm surprised batters see many pitches. The ball often starts at about eye level, flies faster than a cricket ball (mostly) but then it dips and swerves late. I'm amazed fewer batters aren't hit.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I didn't get to go to the game where Adrian Gonzales hit three home runs, but thanks to my Dodger homies on facebook I heard Vin call one of them and saw the video!
This should bode well for our season....
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Pittsburgh just won its home opener against previously undefeated Detroit (now 6-1). That means that there is only one team that remains undefeated this year: the 6-0 Kansas City Royals (who will be playing the 1-5 Twins in a few minutes).
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Dodgers seem to be still on top in their division.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Yes, La Dodgers are doing well.
I really haven't found much to write about in this season.
Well, that is not true. That whole bit about the Baltimore Orioles having to play a game where the fans were kept locked out, followed by Baltimore playing a few "home" games in Tampa Bay, was filled with things to talk about, but I couldn't think of any O's fans here on the Ship who would join in.
I am amused that the fan-less game turned out to be the fastest 9-inning game played this year. MLB was tweaking the rules to shorten game time this year. Who knew that the problem apparently was having fans in the stands? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Right now my Phillies are playing a series against Sioni Sais' Pirates. Last night was a decent game, with the Phils mounting an (ultimately futile) 9th inning rally. Tonight, the Pirates' pitcher will be A.J. Burnett, who played for the Phils last year. The Phillies, for their part, will send out Sean O'Sullivan to the mound. He has played in the majors for six seasons...with a grand total of 55 games played in that time (that includes the 2 games he has pitched for the Phillies this year).
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
I am amused that the fan-less game turned out to be the fastest 9-inning game played this year. MLB was tweaking the rules to shorten game time this year. Who knew that the problem apparently was having fans in the stands?
You mean "who knew that the problem apparently was allowing fans lots of extra time to go and buy another beer?"
![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
There was a wonderful pitcher's performance last night in the Cardinals v. Indians game. Full story is HERE, but the short story is that Cleveland pitcher Corey Kluber struck out 18 batters in 8 innings. As there are only 24 total outs in 8 innings, you can see that 18 strikeouts accounts for a remarkably high percentage of the outs. From the article:
quote:
Kluber's 18 strikeouts tied Hall-of-Famer Bob Feller for the most in a nine-inning game in franchise history. Feller achieved the feat on Oct. 2, 1938, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Tigers. The 18 strikeouts are the most in the Majors since Ben Sheets fanned the same total on May 16, 2004, with the Brewers. Kluber also tied soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer Randy Johnson for the most strikeouts in an eight-inning outing since at least 1914.
Kluber did not pitch the 9th. He had thrown 113 pitches and probably could have pitched the 9th, but he gave up a hit in the 7th inning and I think the concern was that he was tiring. With only a 2 run lead, the Indians manager decided discretion was the better part of valor and brought in their closer to handle the 9th (and he struck out 1 batter).
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
Yes, La Dodgers are doing well.
I really haven't found much to write about in this season.
Me neither, and until Cutch starts to see the ball again I'll continue to be quiet. Still watching games at stupid o'clock and I'm pleased that Kang is now doing some good stuff.
Todays game isn't going well though, 4-0 down in the ninth. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
So the Miami Marlins have fired their manager. That isn't so surprising--the Marlins love to fire their managers. It is a rare one that makes it over two years with them.
What is surprising is that the man they have selected to take over managing the team for the rest of the year [allegedly] is a guy from the front office. The team's "general manager" who has never played, coached or managed a game in the majors. Or in the minors. Or in college. Back in the 1980s, he did coach a high school baseball team, though.
Now, admittedly, teams have lots of coaches so the manager does not have to do everything. Bench coach, 1st base coach, 3rd base coach, pitching coach. So the new untested manager has many coaches to rely on (although, come to think of it, I think the Marlins also fired the bench coach). But if you are going to rely on those coaches to make your game decisions for you (hit-and-run, steals, fielding shifts, player substitutions, pinch hitters, relief pitchers, etc.), wouldn't it make more sense to make one of them the manager?
It should be fun to watch.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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basso
Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
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Posted
Chris Heston of the Giants has celebrated my birthday (yeah, right!) by no-hitting the Mets.
Didn't want to let that go past without a mention.
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
I get any Good News about the Bucs on line. So far I have seen four games live (on ESPN) and we have lost all four, two in extras. I'm not watching any more unless we play in October.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
I feel your pain. I went to a Phillies game last week. They lost. The only positive was that it was a close enough game that there was reason to stay for the 9th inning (when the Phils went down 1-2-3).
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Dodgers sweeping series. Wish I could get the feed from LA with Vin Scully!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Phew!! An extras win for the Pirates!
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
You know what's funny? I am browsing the thread and totally hearing it in Dave Flemming's voice.
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
Go, Giants!
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Thanks to a six-game streak the Pirates trail St Louis by "only" six games! Otherwise, only Kansas City have a better record so things are looking good right now. I have to admit that our recent opposition have played a part in this.
It really would be nice to make the play-offs without a wildcard game though.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
History of a sort last night, as the Phillies' current road trip has amassed a record of 0-8--their worse road trip record since [drum roll] 1883.
Yes, 1883. 132 years ago.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Things are looking up for you: a win for the Phillies'!
Meanwhile the Bucs are gaining ground on the Cardinals: we won (seventh in a row) while they lost. Only 4.5 behind now.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg has resigned.
I can't say I am surprised. In fact, I am rather pleased. I know the Phillies as a team are bad and, therefore, I don't really blame Sandberg for the win-loss record. But the fact remains that, even with bad players, Sandberg did a lot of managerial moves that flat-out made no sense. I thought he made poor decisions when he was a third-base coach, and he continued to make bad decisions as manager. His managing style is best described as "let's doing something ill-advised and then hope for a miracle." And there were signs that he had lost the support of the players. It is better that he is gone.
So the basement-dwelling Phils play the super-hot first-place Nationals tonight, with the Nats sending to the mound a pitcher who was one batter away from a perfect game the last time out. Just what the new interim manager/sacrificial lamb for the Phils needs to greet him! ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
My Dodgers had weak pitching and lost badly on the road yesterday.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hedgehog:
So the basement-dwelling Phils play the super-hot first-place Nationals tonight, with the Nats sending to the mound a pitcher who was one batter away from a perfect game the last time out. Just what the new interim manager/sacrificial lamb for the Phils needs to greet him!
And, of course, DC loves Philly! I'm sure they'll be gentle.
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"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
Tomorrow's the deadline, I think. Here's my all-star ballot which was posted 35 times, by position number
AL
2 S Perez
3 M Cabrera
4 J Altuve
5 M Machado
6 J Iglesias
7-9 A Jones, B Gardner, M Trout
DH N Cruz
NL
2 B Posey
3 P Goldschmidt
4 D Gordon
5 J Uribe
6 T Tulotwitzki
7-9 A McCutcheon, B Harper, G Stanton
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"Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward."
Delmar O'Donnell
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I worked on the All-Star game in 2011 as a stage tech and it was an honour to help carry the Trophy downstairs to the floor of the convention centre floor after building a replica of the Hall of Fame earlier!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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basso
Ship’s Crypt Keeper
# 4228
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Posted
The game in San Diego was rained out yesterday. Not something that happens every year!
One of my favorite baseball memories is of a Giants broadcast from San Diego from about the mid-70s. It started to rain, and the SD ground crew leaped into action. The San Francisco announcers were very amused by the struggles of a group that obviously had never had to rush to put the tarps down. They ended up spilling water from the tarp all over the infield.
In those days, the home station would switch to a movie during a rain delay. It was so improbable for a game in SoCal that they apparently didn't have anything cued up. So they stuck with the broadcast crew.
An hour or so into the delay, somebody in SF put a caption onto the screen.
"Lon Simmons and Gary Park trying desperately to fill time"
Simmons and Park were pros, and very entertaining as they mined their stock of baseball rainout stories. I don't remember if the game ever went on.
Posts: 4358 | From: Bay Area, Calif | Registered: Mar 2003
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
We were hemorrhaging runs last night. Zack G. promised he'd be back on Sunday. Bode is so small he may need to stay in hospital with his mother. I wish the family well and I wish my Dodgers a good score in our favour!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
Things didn't look good down 5-3 in the seventh but the Pirates batting turned up just in time, to take advantge of poor, well, everything by the Dodgers. Eleven at bats led to seven runs, though six runs usually loses a game.
Bring on the Cards. It's early to talk about divisional champions but these must be the best two in the NL, let alone the NLC.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Hedgehog
Ship's Shortstop
# 14125
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Posted
An interesting bit of trivia occurred on August 11, when all 30 teams in MLB were playing and all 15 home teams won.
More details here.
MLB expanded to 30 teams in 1998, so it was not physically possible for home teams to have gone 15-0 prior to then, but...
quote:
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the previous record for most games on a single day in which every home team won was 12, set on May 23, 1914. There were three major leagues back then, and on that day, home teams won in the National (four games), American (four) and Federal (four) leagues.
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"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it."--Pope Francis, Laudato Si'
Posts: 2740 | From: Delaware, USA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
My Dodgers are back! Over the last two games, our opponents had no-hitters foisted upon them.
![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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