Playoff Worrying In Particular
by DanUpBaby on Oct 6, 2009 6:30 AM EDT
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PrintAnybody can, and does, worry about the playoffs in general. But worrying about particular parts of the playoffs, especially tangentially relevant ones? That's the blogger's job.
I.
No playoff roster surprises yet—Khalil Greene in his second comeback was rendered basically irrelevant by Julio Lugo's arrival and Tony La Russa's reluctance to move past the put-him-in-good-situations point on the comeback trail. From the first of August to the end of the season he'd played fewer than forty innings in the field, which is fewer than Troy Glaus played as a September call-up. The current arrangement leaves the Cardinals without a real backup shortstop, but Greene probably wouldn't have helped matters there, either; his play-by-play numbers, as one would expect of a guy dealing with serious emotional problems, moving on and off the DL, playing sparingly, were... almost as bad as Julio Lugo's.
What it does do is leave the Cardinals—Cardinals fans, really, since there seems to be no real internal debate about it—with an odd positional controversy. How healthy is Troy Glaus?
I don't know if I had any logical reason to be as surprised as I have been, but Glaus's brief comeback has been as spotty as I expected but in a totally different way than I'd anticipated. Some combination of his long, unexpected layoff, his size and shape, and the shoulder problems that were apparently keeping him from throwing three months ago had me expecting a loping slugger, our homegrown version of the PH-only Jim Thome the Dodgers acquired from the White Sox. While his usage did sometimes shake out that way, the results—as with Thome, but not Jason Giambi—were not there.
But his defense, when he was made to play defense, was a revelation. I didn't realize it until Glaus got back—middle infielders have been at the hot corner all year—but when Mark DeRosa plays third base, he looks like a second baseman. He's nimble out there, but his reflexes, his first move in either direction, just aren't natural. Sometimes he just doesn't make them. Glaus is a big, slow, heavy guy, but he moves immediately and aggressively toward balls; that almost-play on a barehander Sunday was something I wouldn't expect DeRosa to make—but it was also, before I saw him play, something I didn't expect New, Sedentary Glaus to make.
Unfortunately, if we're extrapolating from subjective observation and small samples (his UZR/150 is 125.3!) there's also the matter of his slow bat and his 130 professional at-bats in 2009. During his long rehab Glaus struggled at three different levels, peaking in an encouraging-but-not-very .216/.369/.392 at AAA. In the bigs he didn't have much room to work through a slump, if it's a slump, but he certainly hasn't looked as capable offensively as he does defensively. (Not that Glaus has ever looked like a worldbeater.)
So now the Cardinals are in an awkward position, at least if they want to press the issue: Play Glaus for his defense, even though he might not be able to hit? I can't say I ever expected to say something like that.
II.
While we're on the topic—I don't expect this to prove either really important or, in the end, determined in such a way that antagonizes the Viva El Birdos contingent. But B.J. Rains of the mothership knows how to make us worry: suggest that Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer are both candidates for the playoff pen:
The decision to go with 12 pitchers means that two of the four among Blake Hawksworth, Mitchell Boggs, Todd Wellemeyer and Brad Thompson will be on the playoff roster. Hawksworth and Boggs, both rookies, are the likely choices to make the cut based on their performances and the number of their appearances down the stretch in relation to Wellemeyer and Thompson.
He's right: Brad Thompson hasn't appeared in a leveraged decision since the end of July, and Wellemeyer—well, no. Not Wellemeyer. Hawksworth has shown up twice as often as either of them in the second half of the season, and Boggs's startling bullpen fastball—I haven't seen a bullpen transformation as complete and abrupt as his in some time, no matter where he ends up permanently—is certainly a higher upside play than WonderBrad.
But mentioning it at all, even as a theoretical possibility... it gives me the shakes.
III.
I've saved the most worrisome for last; so finally we've gotten to Joel Pineiro's tentative transformation back into Joel Pineiro. The strikeouts are fine; they're up, actually. The home run rate had to come up eventually, though I didn't expect him to give up 46% of his seasonal home run total in the last month of the year. But his command, the supernatural aversion to walks that characterized the first five months of the Joel Pineiro Comeback Spectacular—gone. Four strikeouts and less than one walk per nine is Christy Mathewson; Four and a half strikeouts and two walks is last season's version of Braden Looper.
That guy is a useful pitcher, even in the playoffs, but for now that's what I'll be expecting, so that when Joel Pineiro turns in a shutout and the Cardinals advance to the NLCS I will be pleasantly surprised.
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Call me crazy
But I’d rather have Thompson in the playoff pen than Boggs if only for the playoff experience. No question about Hawks over Welle though.
Happy to oblige
You are, indeed, crazy.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
He throws 97 out of the pen, and a decent slider.
Thompson throws 87 and basically has one pitch. Yeah, I’m pretty sure Boggs is the right choice.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Yeah
It just isn’t that hard to upgrade over Brad Thompson. Nothing personal against him, but I like a little more juice – especially in a pressure situation. Let’s face it, Thompson wouldn’t be used in a key situation anyway.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
True enough
I guess playoff experience isn’t useful if you’re wiping the drool from your chin in an 11-2 loss.
by Mulliganstew on Oct 6, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
here let me fix it for you
I guess playoff experience isn’t useful if you’re wiping the drool from your chin in an 11-2 loss.
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
To that end...
Would you rather have Jeff Weaver or Clayton Kershaw?
Which one, Jarrod Washburn or Rick Porcello?
Jamie Moyer or J.A. Happ?
An oldie but a goodie: 2006 Ryan Franklin or 2006 Adam Wainwright?
When in doubt, go with the better pitcher.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I'm sorry
Did you just compare Boggs to Happ and Kershaw? What are you smoking?
Oh come on
He’s comparing young pitchers with talent (Boggs, in our example) vs. “experienced” pitchers who just aren’t as good (Thompson).
His point, obviously, is that playoff experience is a lot less important that just how good you are. Hell, we won the 2006 World Series on the back of a bullpen full of guys with ZERO playoff experience, including one Adam Wainwright, along with others like Kinney and Josh Johnson and whatnot.
“Playoff experience” is a load of crap. The point is to have the best players. The best players have the best chance at playing well, regardless of whether they’ve been to the playoffs or not.
I imagined your subject "Oh come on"
In the voice of a batter from “Ken Griffey World Series Baseball” on SNES who just struck out looking. Anyone?
Free Milton
by all4tookie on Oct 6, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
im with you tookie
how i yearn to be the White Sox on KGJ WSB! Tim Raines was a bad-ass!
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
the best
is the sound you maker when you run into the wall. Oomph!
Really, the only bad part of bacon is that it makes you thirsty . . . for more bacon
Pretty sure you meant...
Josh Hancock there. I think I would remember it if we had let Johnson go to the fish.
"Don't do anything till I get back!" - Jesus to the Cubs
I am not sure I would completely discount experience
I wonder how much of the Tiger’s collapse in the WS was inexperience. I think they gave us a few games.
But in terms of the main point on the thread, I would do Boggs and Hawks. I wish that Boggs would throw his heater for strikes. He does have a bit of problem going deep into counts.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
Other than you're 19 and pitching in the world series
and freaking out and do someting stupid while thinking about that you’re pitching in the world series.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
yeah but
A.D.A.M. didn’t have any experience and I think everyone would agree his entire postseason was positive.
Everyone is different, so of course it's not universal
And I will remind you that he did walk a tying run into scoring position in order to get to throwing that curveball to Beltrán. Wainwright definitely had some form of jitters that year.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Anthony Reyes did just fine
I’m not saying guys aren’t nervous. Of course they are. But how much are those nerves assuaged the second time around versus the first? Unless you are talking about the 2001 Yankees, no one in the playoffs has a team that is WS nerve-proof
Free Milton
Of course
But then again, we’re talking about valuing two players. And it has to be a non-zero effect (though it could go different ways for different players). I’m just saying that John Smoltz is less likely to make a fielding mistake or other such stupid mental lapse this postseason than Jason Motte is.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Hmm..
John Smoltz is less likely to make a fielding mistake or other such stupid mental lapse this postseason than Jason Motte
How much of that is just experience in general vs. playoff experience? I guess my point is: 2 guys, 25 years old. Equal talent. Both are in their fourth years. One won the world series one year, the other has never been to the playoffs. I wouldn’t give the guy who won the World Series any advantage over the other guy because of what, three/four starts he made in the playoffs.
And, I also think the tough ones are self selected to a degree – the ones who shit the bed on a big stage are weeded out naturally as they move up.
Free Milton
or the already-cited Joel Zumaya
Or Jeff Suppan in 2004
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
So:
We have a bunch of examples of young guys who played well on the big stage, and a bunch who didn’t.
We also have some baseball games that were well pitched and error free, and some that weren’t.
Frankly, the arguments presented on both sides aren’t strong enough to draw any valid conclusions. We need a bigger sample to decide whether gritty veterans are more likely to outshine the youngsters. But I don’t think we will find any data that shows being older or having been there before is more beneficial in the playoffs, much like it isn’t in the regular season.
Free Milton
Like I said above
I think it’s the sort of thing that’s person dependent, and that a good coach should be able to identify.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
and the GRIT index.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I sure hope that experience
has improved Thompson as his playoff record of 8.31 ERA, 2.077 WHIP with 16.6 H/9 and 4.2 HR/9 is definitely not enough to recommend him.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
But it's a gritty, experienced, GRINDY 4.2HR/9.
That’s what really counts in these situations.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Did I create the dichotomy between experience and playoff experience
I think I did. Oops.
Free Milton
re: your last paragraph
you could argue the Peter Principle applies to the WS just as much as it does to the other levels….
Albert's assist record may come in handy
That’s not just Albert fielding… that’s pitchers running. If any of those guys don’t have that down by now — who’s not named Dennys Reyes — I’d be surprised.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
is Reyes actually bad at covering first?
All joking aside, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anybody cuss Big Sweat for being too slow to get to first base on a grounder to the right.
He did make a nice fielding play the other week, but I can't recall how he covers first.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
that's 'cause Albert picks up the slack
so to speak.
…we joke about it, but one of these days Yadi is going to glance around and see Boog and Albert fielding behind home plate.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
can you imagine
having had an infield w/ Albert, Rolen, and 09 Boog? It almost wouldn’t matter who you put at second, the three of them could damn near cover the entire infield by themselves.
(….on second thought, if DanUp is right about Glaus’ D….)
no idea about Glaus's health, though.
Skip has been awesome, though. he’s learned to work with his guys.
Centerfield is crazily bad. I swear if Colby doesn’t take charge, I’m going to lose it. I don’t care if he’s shy and retiring, he had a whole season to figure out how to call a guy off.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
well... not 'bad.' but 'crazy'.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I have also been extremely frustrated with his inability to call off the other outfielders
I can think of three instances in the last two weeks that pissed me off—two with Holliday and one with the convergence of Colby and Ankiel and 2nd baseman. All three balls should have been caught.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
Colby is close to causing injury out there.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
he needs to drop his balls
And learn to yell louder
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
judging by his "facial hair", that'll all be a while.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Oct 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Glaus at his absolute, absolute best in the field
cannot touch Scott Rolen. Scott Rolen is, like, one of the best fielding 3Bs in history…
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone's disputing that.
I miss Scott Rolen.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
If the Tigers collapse was due to inexperience,
it was the fielding inexperience of their pitchers.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
the Tigers blew it in 06
cause they forgot how to field. Inge and the pitchers suddenly couldn’t throw the ball in a straight line.
...Inge can throw a ball in a straight line?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
let's hope
they don’t start yelling “Hit it to third base!”
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
i wish josh johnson had been in our bullpen in '06
sadly, it was tyler
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
But Tyler Johnson was filthy that postseason
Are you trying to say that maybe if we had Josh Johnson in ‘06 he’d still be here?
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
No
I’m saying that it would be incredibly stupid to take the older, more “experienced” pitcher if the younger guy is more talented and is currently the better pitcher. Talent beats experience nearly every time.
Would you take Smoltz over Wainwright? One has started more postseason games than any pitcher in the playoffs not named Andy Pettitte, the other has never started a postseason game.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
And almost no one would say THAT
wat they would say, that if there are two roughly equal guys, and one of them has pitched well in the world series, and the other hasn’t been to the playoffs, I’d be more inclined to take the former. It seems a logical tiebreaker for me.
I’d take a healthy Jarrod Washburn over Rick Porcello, for example.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Washburn hasn't pitched in the World Series in half a decade
and he was in his prime when he pitched in the World Series. Porcello pitched very well for the Tigers in a huge game last night, but his bullpen let him down. Right now, Porcello is clearly the better pitcher, and I’m going to roll with the best pitcher rather than the guy with World Series experience if I have a choice between the two.
For example, I’d take Hanley Ramirez over Derek Jeter, even though Jeter leads the world in playoff innings played, etc.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Jarrod Washburn and Rick Porcello almost had identical seasons this year
so I actually think that I would go for Washburn there. They both had ERA+es of 112, and Washburn has more strikeouts per nine and fewer walks per nine.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Doesn't Washburn have a gimpy knee?
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
Yes, but that has nothing to do with who is the better pitcher
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Oh, I thought you guys were talking about who you'd rather have on a playoff roster
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
Since Washburn coming to the Tigers,
Porcello has been the much better pitcher. Washburn’s numbers are inflated from his first 4 months in Seattle. It’s pretty clear that Porcello is the better pitcher right now.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I agree
I’m going w/ Washburn, but not b/c of experience. I believe he’s the better pitcher right now. If the choice is who would I rather have over the next 4 years, I’m going w/ Porcello. If it’s who do I want over the next 4 games, I’m going w/ Washburn .
Call me old-fashioned...
… but I think we should worship the sun and moon as powerful gods, and fear them.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
by birdjam on Oct 6, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Mix me an old-fashioned
or five and I’ll take you up on that offer.
by Cardfanintherock on Oct 6, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
BRILLIANT!
"Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it." - Whitey Herzog
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Oct 6, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If it weren't so complicated I would have tried it on my own
I would have to substitute scotch for bourbon since I don’t currently have any bourbon (I think an old fashioned traditionally calls for rye, as do most mixed drinks with whiskey, but I could be wrong) and it’s really good scotch which would make me feel a little dirty for mixing it, even though it would taste awesome.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Then it would be a Rob Roy!
No, that’s a Manhattan with Scotch, not an Old Fashioned. Still, an excellent cocktail.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Musial
I love rusty nails, and recently had a very good Manhattan with bourbon instead of rye
and I love me some Manhattan. I will have to try it with scotch some time.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned,
but it seems to me that when the giant that holds up the earth dies, we are screeewwwed!
I find that very immature
As nobody is seriously suggest a giant holds up the earth. It’s well-established that an enormous tortoise holds up the earth, and furthermore said tortoise is immortal. Yeesh!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
plus the four elephants
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
This is me calling you crazy.
Any idiot would know that.
by The Classical on Oct 6, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
No
Just no.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I told you so!
Mark DeRosa is too short for third base!
Santa would’ve gotten them.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
question
Is Piñeiro’s command gone, or does the league have the book on him?
some of those walks are umpire-aided…
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Joel has nothing left to prove
Consider… He came into this year, his contract year, feeling slighted. He was left out of the starting rotation for the Puerto Rico team. He was considered by some to be a bust. And so he channeled some mean, listened to Duncan, and proceeded to go on a very nice tear.
Now, the playoffs are here, and he’s pretty assured of a good contract next year from someone. I’m sure he wants to win, but I wonder if that motivation has been exhausted?…
by JWO on Oct 6, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I am noticing that this does not answer my question.
just sayin’.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
You noticed correctly
If you want a more direct answer… I’d say he’s wearing down a bit. Joel pitched for 214 innings this year. That is the highest total in his career. He’s not a young pitcher, but I think he may be running out of gas.
by JWO on Oct 6, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
hmm
now there’s a detail which escaped me. I didn’t think he looked too gassed, but it’s something to watch for.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Yes, he does.
He has to prove that he’s clutch, that he knows how to win in October. Think of the contracts such a performance won for Weaver and Suppan after the magical run of ’06. If he pitches well in the playoffs, he will make even more money.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I have trouble buying this argument
Joel Piñeiro, postseason hero gets paid a lot more than Joel Piñeiro, single year wonder that got shelled in the postseason.
c.f. Carlos Beltrán.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
I don't think his command is gone
I think he’s just regressing back to the mean a little bit. His strikeouts are up, but his walks aren’t up all that much, he’s just allowing around league average for HR/FB when he was WAY under that for the first 5 months of the season. His GB% has dropped off a bit (it was over 60% for 3 of the first 5 months of the season) but it’s still a respectable 56% for September.
FWIW, I do think he was really fortunate to keep as many balls in the ball park as he did for most of the season. I would prefer that every start that he makes is at home in the playoffs, because I’m a little wary of what might happen to balls hit in the air in Philly or Colorado, and he won’t start a game on the road in the NLDS.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
cool
I just hope no one noticed what the Reds did… reach down and golf those balls, IIRC.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Bruce is a low ball hitter though
and he’s very good at getting elevation on those to hit them out of the park. There really isn’t a hitter with a similar makeup on the Dodger team (possibly Ethier, but he really isn’t a low ball hitter). The Phillies have two lefties who destroy the ball down, Ibanez and Howard.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
aha
makes sense, re: Bruce.
I fear Howard either way. (Lafayette showdown, yo, let’s do it!)
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Are there other Cardinals who attended my alma mater besides Freese?
I mean, any on the active NLDS roster?
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
The lefties of the Phils worry me, because the sinker is a pitch with a marked platoon split.
Hopefully they don’t make it out of the first round.
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
I am more worried about the lefty hitters
than their pitchers
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that's what he was saying
Piniero lives on the sinker, and lefties hit sinkers better as whole than righties do, mostly because nearly all left handed hitters handle the ball down and in well.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
The funny part I meant
I am more afraid of the lefty pitchers
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I think some of us are a bit irrational in our pining for a Dodgers series over a Phils series,
considering we pitched Waino/Carp more against the dodgers, while we pitched Welley and Lohse more against the Phils. That said, the Phils lineup is still murderous.
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
The Phillies concern me
because they have a deeper pitching staff and they play in a popsicle stand. Their bullpen is horrendous this season, but you don’t need a bullpen to be great if you’re up by 6 runs heading to the 8th inning.
The Cardinal offense is not going to be able to win games in which they have to score more than 5 runs per game. Look how terrible we’ve been offensively down the stretch of the season, and we haven’t faced very many pitchers who are even league average over that span.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I mostly agree
but at least we get to hit in their ballpark too. In a whopping three-game sample for 2009 the entire team hit:
.336/.367/.575/.942 in PHI
That does not include number 15 who sports a career line of .338/.411/.615/1.026 in 17 games at that lovely venue.
I just want to see APu face Lidge with the game on the line.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
Pineiro
Shows almost no platoon split:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=pineijo01&year=2009&t=p#plato
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
His one start against the Phillies
was pretty good as well.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
That's overall, though.
Not sinker-specific. We could venture to guess that, because Pineiro has thrown his sinker 71% of the time, that the split for that pitch would be roughly the same as his overall split, or, maybe it’s better since his FB is valued at over 23 runs above average after being more than 20 runs below average last year.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
no.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't want to detract from Dan's thread
(I’m hoping for neither of Thompson & Wellemeyer, in case anyone was wondering)
but the political sub threads absolutely have to stop. I’ve tried to cajole and joke about their end but no one got the hint. Now I’ll be deleting those sub threads when I find them. After that, there will have to be discussions about banning people if it continues.
I don’t want to read it. It’s not supposed to be taking place. Thanks for your cooperation.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Oct 6, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Amen
can we target TV, movies, and music too? It is pretty tiresome to wade through 800 comments to find 100 about baseball.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
during live game threads.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
+ 1 million!
It’s exhausting to sift through all the bullshit on here sometimes.
by chuckb on Oct 6, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
ladies and gentlemen:
the first blogger to ever complain about too many comments!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
doesn't surprise me.
find me under the fan voices section for the st. louis rams
by stlcardinalsfang on Oct 6, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
can we target TV, movies, and music too? It is pretty tiresome to wade through 800 comments to find 100 about baseball.
I think on an off-day, stuff like that is fair enough. The regular threads have very high baseball content. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people to chat about some other stuff when there isn’t a game on – there’s only SO MUCH you can say about a game where one guy throws a ball at another guy who tries to hit it as far as he can, really.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions
are you saying baseball is boring?
gasp!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Was there one yesterday?
I must have missed it. Unless you are referring to my posting that the “fist” post was commie propaganda.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Ahhhhh
That seems like a bad idea. The tone of that debate does not seem to be something for VEB. We are more civil than that debate, except when discussing Anthony Reyes.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I just z'd through.
I don’t know if it got out of hand but it’s just risky.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
You're right.
Playing with fire.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
you guys may be missing the point
the mods cannot be here 24-7. it makes their life harder if people are constantly, flagrantly breaking the very, very reasonable posting guidelines.
we’re asking them to babysit. i’m sure they have better things to do.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Right.
I think we get the reasoning behind the “No Discussion of Politics” guideline. Our sub-discussion was triggered by my making sure that my comment about the commie fist post was not outside the (guide)lines and that Bob Ley would not come after me because of it. I was then informed that a health care tangent sprang up yesterday and I remaked as to the policy behind the guideline (solely to make an Antony Reyes joke, which I then repeated to fourstick below, because those discussions would get heated). This is a blog about the St. Louis Cardinals and baseball, not politics. If you want to discuss politics, go to fivethirtyeight.com, or some other political site. This is not the place for it. The moderators should not have to waste time patrolling for political discussion.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
They shoudn't have to waste time
People should simply flag those posts and then the mods can check the flagged comments to look at the conversation in general.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
For the most part
it was pretty civil. I didn’t participate much in it, but it was interesting to read well-informed opinions on the issue that differ from mine, as opposed to our mainstream media’s radicalness in either direction and polarizing tone.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Oct 6, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not surprised that it was civil.
Most of our discussions (that don’t involve Anthony Reyes) are.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Well I set up a forum for VEB Users
For all the conversations that probably don’t belong here but still part of the community. I will fully set it up later.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
well i am sorry
This is the best I could do on short notice.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't have time at the moment
but it’s probably a discussion that needs to be had re: OT type comments. It’s an issue I’ll see if dan/chuck/rb have ideas on.
I think we’ve developed into a “tighter” community here but the concern would be that it’s deviating too much from baseball too often. Some people like that, some don’t. I’ll take it down as an action item to think about.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
At least take it out of the main thread
I, and I would think others, come here to read about and discuss baseball.
fwiw, I don't mind it in the after-hours threads.
hugging the right margin ought to be a warnin’ sign right there….
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
+1
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I mean do you guys care
If I set up a forum for VEB users outside of Viva?
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Am I opposed to it?
Not necessarily. Do I think it would be nice to utilize the SBN features and keep things “contained” if possible? Yes.
I’d be much less likely to partake in another website than an OT thread, FWIW.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
Postgame overflows should be off topic approved.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
They should remain
within VEB standards of no politics, I think.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
well i don't want to get banned
so i am keeping my mouth shut on everything OT
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm sorry that I go off-topic sometimes.
I try to stay baseball related but I’m not good with stats and numbers and if we’re going to be discussing those a lot I’m not gonna say much.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i certainly agree no politics/religion...it can spiral out of control way too easily
However posting a funny video or article or talking about a favorite tv show, musician, or movie (eg. you bringing up Zombieland) shouldn’t be out of bounds. i agree this stuff should also be kept out of game threads, saved for post game and off days. The two things that separate this place from places like Cards Talk are the memes and the fluid, natural, and chummy conversation that deviates from our love of the Cardinals. Trying to restrict what makes this place unique and what makes people come here just isn’t a very good idea.
I suppose a compromise would be to have an official post-game post like some of the other sites do. Game discussion stays in the game threads while anything (besides politics and religion of course) goes in the post-game.
Just my .02.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
oh, like a concurrent post-game post?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Not exactly sure what you're saying
But other SB Nation sites put up a post-game post with quick thoughts on the game from the author. IDK if that’s demanding too much of these guys however we could, at the very least, just make a post-game fan post in order to maintain the purity of the game threads for those reading through them later.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
which is something we already do a lot.
and I think works well.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
no, I'm asking
if slu means post the extra thread at the same time as the regular game thread.
rather than afterwards, which we already do.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
oh, no....not sure how that would work out...
although the night of the memphis game on espn both threads were quite active
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
tabs
also, we were trying to recruit people to go to the memphis thread. i think.
or maybe it was trying to free Allen Craig.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
basebll think factory has a "lounge" concept
a daily or weekly catch-all thread where people can take the inane off-topic stuff. That might be a decent use of a fanshot thread each day/week.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
If it was once a week
It would be 4000 comments long and would destroy computers who dare to enter
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
completely agree once a week wouldnt be enough
i come to VEB for the baseball and stay for the entertainment. limiting all the craziness to just the game threads is fine but for Nov-Feb where is it supposed to go?
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
the main threads will (presumably?)
be less trafficked in the off-season. off-topic discussion in the middle of the eighth december discussion about minor league free agency is probably necessary for our continued sanity.
and baby pictures.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
i really feel bad for Dan
i’m so glad my mom doesn’t post here & there are hardly any pics of me as a child
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
I know I'm a less frequent visitor to VEB in the off-season
I’d say 50% of my contributions to this site have been Princess Bride and Big Lebowski jokes
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
I did a search of Princess Pride in your profile
47 comments came up
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
But would those only be the comments
where the phrase “Princess Bride” is found? For instance, many times I’ll just drop a quote and assume everyone knows where I got it from.
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
is this your atempt to collect our personal info?
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
i was just typing the same thing
yeah i’m not really interested in signing up to a new board. especially if you can just make an OT fanpost here after games are over or for during the day when the mods don’t want a day thread full of the junk that 90% of my posts contain.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
FlimtotheFlam has actually been a bot this whole time
xkcd to the rescue again:
http://xkcd.com/632/
here’s your verification link Flim:
http://vkcouplestesting.com/
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh dear...
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 6, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
completely agreed
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, if i wanted to read stats geeks talking politics i’d be at 538.
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Oct 6, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
a million pardons, sir.
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Oct 6, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, robot.
After trying for a long time to get people to stop, I gave up and joined them. I won’t do it again.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I resent that!
/haventseenthenewerstarwarsandyoucantmakeme
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Is amateur psychoanalysis, observations about player behavior,
and gossip about off-field behavior too OT?
Because that’s my main contribution to this board.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
that's baseball related
I’d have been kicked off ages ago if not.
Someone said something deep into one of the sabermetric threads which stuck with me. Different people enjoy the game in different ways. Just because stats guys talk about stats a lot doesn’t mean they ONLY like the game that way. And vice versa.
That thread is probably the main reason I started to contribute to VEB. It’s about the baseball. If I’m a math idiot (which… yeah, probably), then I can ask someone who’s more knowledgeable. Just like if I ask you if there’s a picture out there of Boog licking his shirt because my friend thinks I’m bullshitting them, that’s not OT.
….which I am. I’m friends with too many incredulous people.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Thanks.
I needed validation.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
now go find me a picture of Boog.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Is this what you looking for?
I want the Walrus back...
by Paulspike on Oct 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think it should be "THE BOOG-A-LOO (MAN) STEW" instead
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Sorry, I had a horrible, possibly-getting-sued situation at work I had to handle
but as soon as I get home I will look for new pictures. Good therapy.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
ouch.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
non FERPA-restricted details coming soon!
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
or perhaps that is too far off topic ; )
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
I could see an off topic thread or a separate VEB hangout like Flim created working
but one problem is that the political and other subthreads usually stem out of the normal conversation, so there would still have to be a real effort to nip things in the bud (I tried to come up with a food metaphor but I couldn’t, so plant metaphor it is). It’s usually something innocuous or humorous that snowballs before anybody really realizes how inappropriate it has become. I myself have been guilty of participating in this numerous times, and sometimes it is quite easy to do. In order for some sort of separate thread thing to solve the problem, people would have to be able to recognize when things are getting out of hand and actually go to a different thread or drop it entirely. Maybe I’m just being a pessimist, but I don’t know if that is realistic.
Other times, however, I have literally typed up a response or comment, then thought better of it and elected not to post because I know it is too political or otherwise inappropriate. And VEB is very reasonable and civil as a whole. So maybe this kind of option would thrive and be a good outlet for the non-baseball talk and the controversial stuff.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I am going to follow the Field of Dreams model
I am just going to keep putting up threads in the forum till people show up
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That scene from The Wire is one of the best in the entire series.
I remember giggling the whole time the first time I watched it.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
If you post it...
they will comment
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
when the conversation naturally turns to something
it’s one thing. When somebody just throws something out there as its own subthread, I think there’s an obvious difference.
Anyway, I like the idea of VEB working on being a bit more on-topic during playoff time.
The problem has been
That we have been on cruise control for the last month. I lost the fire. I have been just waiting till the playoffs start
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I definitely agree about the playoff focus
The GOBs are ever watchful, people, much like the Dark Eye of lboros. Moar baseball!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
that too
I notice some collapses have coincided with “sorry, this is OT” threads. [plays eerie music]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
or, y'know, hugging the right margin
which I am guilty of, but that’s tough during the gamethreads. it’s dizzying to press ‘C’ and watch the page not scroll down, but instead jump up two screens. and by the time anyone catches up with everything — that’s a Chris Carpenter inning! or more!
kind of defeats the purpose of game threads.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
dude, I *am* the color guy.
I am Dan. It sucks to be me, I know.
It’s just that debating exploding body parts just doesn’t seem… relevant to baseball? I know, I know. It could happen.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
that's what i thought to
Al is the color guy
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
in a non baseball reference
Color guy is kind of an offensive term (Too OT?)
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I can't tell them apart.
It’s the ridiculous pop fly calls.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
as the standard VEB announcer defender
don’t knock it till you’ve done it at their level.
How would you like it if there was a bunch of people on the internet—who have no experience doing what you do—telling you how terribly you did your job?
Joe Morgan
doesn’t seem to mind.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
Well let me say right now
I meant “announcers,” not “former second basemen who think they can get by solely on their ‘baseball-ness’ and have no idea what actual sports broadasting is”
Ok
would you include former relief pitchers who fit the same description.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
I would like it.
I live in the 21st century.
We have flying cars and Twitter.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I have my doubts that they care what a bunch of crazies on the internet think about them
if they really care what people who comment on sports blogs think about them….well that is a sign to get out of the business
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
You might be a crazy
me and my pet orange are PERFECTLY SANE.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah i like it when he is the color orange...
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
Jack Clark where?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Jack Clark really looks like a random guy in a mafia movie to me.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
He certainly does *not* look like Jack Clark the ballplayer.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
He kinda does look like the RBI Baseball version of himself.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Very true...
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That doesn't bother me at all.
Of course, I collapse all the comments periodically. That helps it feel less cluttered.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I'm talking about auto-refresh
and I think it’s been made clear to me that no one gives a crap if I get a headache from the page jumping around, or whether I can even finish typing my comment to a live game thread.
I honestly don’t mind OT. That’s half my comments, easily. But it’s getting excessive.
It’s getting to be like The Wave.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
well I think its partly a function
of clinching in advance+really shitty baseball. Albert hits a home run again, and yeah, I can guarantee you we’ll be talking baseball again
so how does that explain the 20th game-winner thread?
We just don’t love Adam? At all?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
That game was so fun at the beginning.
Everyone was just being breezy. Then BIESS happened.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Did I miss this acronym, or did you just make it up?
What does it stand for?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Or, well, not really a discussion. Whatever you want to call it.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
It was kind of a discussion which was unexpected.
I said that and I kind of thought people would just be like “Oh ClemsonGirl, watching stupid MTV Shows…”
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i was there for the game
and i don’t think this is an inaccurate description of the mood that day
by EinFesteBusch on Oct 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
it started with the wave
i warned them, but they would not listen.
by EinFesteBusch on Oct 6, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
you have to go past warning
I think it is time we take drastic action in these type of situations
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
what drives me into blind rage
is when the wave passes in front of OUR PITCHER during his windup / delivery.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Yes.
Our only hope against the wave is nuclear weapons.
"Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it." - Whitey Herzog
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Oct 6, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
was BIESS added to the dictionary?
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
yep!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
SBN needs to fix
whatever causes the page to bounce around so much. If you’re typing in a comment box, it’s really annoying to have the page jump.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
BTW, it bounced twice on me while I was typing the above comment.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
When it bounced the first time,
I was hitting post. The bounce caused me to hit a reply button further upthread, causing me to lose the first comment. The second bounce wasn’t as far and I was still typing, so I was able to continue that comment.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I can't be the only person who has had this problem.
And it happens almost every day.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Happens all the time to me.
Sometimes I just give up on saying what I was going to say.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
why dont you guys just chance your settings in your profile
So it doesn’t happen anymore
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
If he means the live update setting
I couldn’t do that. I would forget to refresh.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
The live-update setting
used to work without making the screen jump. I don’t know why it’s doing this now.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
To not auto-refresh, you mean?
It used to auto-refresh without jumping.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
That won't work.
It’s the auto-refresh that’s doing it. Whether the comments are expanded or collapsed, it will still jump.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I don't know what to tell ya
It doesn’t do it for me. It slightly shifts but only barely. It never jumps off somewhere when I am typing out a comment
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, lucky you.
It does this to me in Firefox and Iron, FWIW.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
i use chrome and it's never done it to me.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions
It happens to me daily as well.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
but that's only the half of it.
if only to clarify — when there is a live game thread, I expect the page to go down when I press ‘C’.
when the next 20 new comments are actually two screens up, there is nothing live or game about the thread. I then spend even more time trying to find the next newest comments about the GAME.
that’s the equivalent of missing a Motte outing. that’s my idea of ‘excessive.’
that’s a sucky game thread experience. I’ve been tempted to just turn off the computer. there’s no point.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I use 'Z.'
And I Z quickly through comments that are in a subthread I don’t care about. Then I get back to the left-margin comments.
Another thing I do is Shift-A to mark all as read and then I follow the comments along the left margin. Any new replies to those comments will show up as new.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
as do I
basically, I’m saying, y’all know how quickly I type. y’all know how quickly I can respond to several threads at the same time.
YMMV, but I’m feeling it’s gotten excessive. take it or leave it, that’s my opinion. I don’t think I’m the only one.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I'm not disputing your opinion.
I was just making a suggestion.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
My Z key gets worn out sometimes
Especially when politics/religion gets argued
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
You know, like
ZzzzZZZZzzzzZzzZZZZZZzzzzZZZZzzZzzzzZZ
It really is funnier when you explain it.
Free Milton
you know, tookie
it really is.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I often try to to z through Facebook.
I get really mad when it doesn’t do anything.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
What you are suggesting is that you can only comment on that current pitch and play
Everything that happened previous is irrelevant
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
that is not what I said.
I said it was getting excessive.
I’m not even using hyperbole for those numbers. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with a few comments upstream.
even before the Cards clinched, there were game threads where there would be dozens of comments in a sub-thread that had nothing to do with the game. In other words, if I go shift-A, clear the boards, and the next DOZEN comments have nothing to do with the game — and then that continues for the rest of game? shift-A, 2 screens up, shift-A, 3 screens up, shift-A, 5 screens up…. wtf? why have a game thread if it’s hard to find the baseball?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
yeah, we're headed for the right margin wheeeee.
anyway, unless anyone else wants to suggest I’m saying something that I’m not, that’s my take. it’s hard for me, and I regularly follow several threads (sometimes on several posts).
I want more posters to join us in the game threads, and I think a lot of people are skipping them because we’re not staying on topic.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
+1
I also hate it when SBN forgets that I’ve signed in. It’s like the cookies expire, or something. It’s maddening.
I contacted the dev's of SBNation
They have their own blog on SBNation. I posted a fanpost their
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate marginbreaker threads
SBN doesn’t let you open a comment in a new window where it’s justified left, so you can visually tell who’s replying to whom after a while.
Up button is your friend.
But yeah, it makes me miss the old site.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
sorry about that Az
i’ve become a big OT person, and some of that has been political & religion related. it won’t be a problem in the future.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
mike and mike think the padres never won a postseason game this decade
they’ve got two possibilities
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I listened to that
I was almost screaming at them, “Reds and Rangers, you idiots! REDS AND RANGERS! No, not Seattle you frickin’ moron!!! The Padres won one three years ago, it’s not that much time!” etc. etc.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Think they cover football a lot more than they do baseball
but hey. I’m happy I knew the answer.
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work"
-Mark Twain
Yeah, they do seem to cover more football (like everyone I guess)
but my first reaction was “hey, this isn’t too difficult a question, they’ll probably get this.” Ah well.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
So the question was what two teams never won a postseason game this decade?
Pirates didn’t, I know that. Don’t think the Reds have either.
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
it was seven
and they got it down to four teams with two to go. Greenie effed it up.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I think it was...
Pirates, Reds, Blue Jays, Royals, Rangers, Orioles, and Nationals
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Haven't the padres gotten swept every time they made it?
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
they took one game from us.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200610070.shtml
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
VEB blast from the past
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2006/10/7/8387/59296
now to read….
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
and the overflow
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2006/10/7/16818/3928
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
They won a game against us in 2006
I knew that one because I was at that game. My only playoff game ever and we got shut down by Chris Young. It was kinda lame.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
$8m for Hoffman: overpay
But how much? I know the Brewers have a lot of money coming off the books this year, but I love that they are spending ~10% of their payroll on a soon to be 42 year old closer.
Free Milton
What I find scary about that...
is that it signals that they plan on competing in the division next year, meaning they’re probably going to be going after some free agent pitchers. They have all the offense that they need, especially if Hardy comes back as the pre-2009 version of himself.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Who is really available that they could go after?
Pineiro? Davis? It’s not exactly a stellar SP FA class.
Free Milton
Not stellar...
but look at the marginal wins they could pick up by signing any one of these guys:
Name 2009 FIP
Doug Davis 4.84
Justin Duchscherer N/A (3.69 in 2008 as a starter)
John Lackey 3.73
Brett Myers 6.14 (4.53 career, though)
Brad Penny 4.46
Jarrod Washburn 4.58
Rich Harden 4.35
Carl Pavano 4.00
None of those guys, save Lackey and possible Harden, are going to be very expensive. Now compare that to the Brewers starters not named Gallardo:
Manny Parra – 4.88 FIP
Jeff Suppan – 5.70 FIP
Braden Looper – 5.74 FIP
Dave Bush – 5.07 FIP
Nearly every guy I listed would be an improvement. If the front of their rotation featured Lackey and Gallardo, that would just as scary as the Cardinals top two, and they have a better offense than we do.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
HARDEN=SHEETS
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
That remains to be seen
but his history indicates two things:
- He’ll probably be cheap and on a short term deal…
- He’ll be a pretty dominant pitcher when he’s healthy.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
It says a lot about the Brewers that they were basically a .500 team with a non-Gallardo rotation that was that terrible
Meaning they could be due for a big improvement. Thanks fourstick, now I’m scared of the Brewers next year. You and your “facts” and “analysis”! Phooey.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Also
most of the non-Gallardo guys are due a bounce-back. OK, Suppan’s done, but Looper’s been solid before and I think he could be a decent #4 or 5 next year, and I really think that Manny Parra could come good – he looked REALLY promising in 08 and then basically fell apart this year, and Dave Bush has always been a respectable back-of-the-rotation type. They’re all probably no more than a #4 on a good staff, but they’re probably not the replacement-level guys they looked this year.
Their 4 “other” pitchers all pitched about as badly as they’re ever likely to in 2009. They can only really get better next year.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they'll buy Looper out
for $750k and try to target one of the FA pitchers on my list. At least that’s what I’d do if I were them.
Bush has been sliding downward for the past 2 1/2 seasons, not sure if he’s going to completely make it back. Parra should bounce back, but people said the same thing about Chris Capuano and that never happened — and those two guys have a LOT in common, imo.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Ok, so how many of those guys could they realistically sign?
Maybe two? They will be improved for sure, but its not like they could have been much worse. I still am not convinced that inserting one above average and one average starter would give them more than 5 or 6 marginal wins.
And I think your statement that Lackey and Gallardo = Carp and WW is a little bit of hyperbole.
Free Milton
I didn't say "equal"
I said it’s just as formidable as those two, and with a lot less injury problems, although Lackey was hurt some this year. Remember, Lackey will get some sort of bounce in his FIP for changing leagues, and both would probably have FIP’s in the mid to low 3’s, which is similar to both Carp and WW this season.
I think they’d be better off going after Brad Penny on a cheap 1 or 2 year deal, and then bringing in Pavano on the cheap as well. That would give them a rotation of:
Gallardo
Penny
Pavano
Parra
Looper/Suppan
I think they also have to hope that Parra rights himself next season. Either way, that rotation is going to be better than what they had this year, and they were a .500 team this year with Hall, Hardy, and Hart not hitting, and Gamel not being the shot in the arm they thought he’d be. If Hardy solidifies 3B, Escobar plays as well as he played down the stretch, and Hart bounces back, they’re going to be a scary club next year if they add any pitching at all.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Suppan/Looper
They can buyout Looper for $750K, right? But, Suppan is under contract and due $12.75MM for 2010. (Thank goodness we did not match the Brewers’ offer to Suppan.) So, unless they eat that, the Brewers will trot Jeff Suppan out every fifth day in 2010.
Put me down as hoping that the Cards make a run at either Penny or Sheets.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Don't forget Greinke:
16-8. Only two more wins that Looper and one more loss. Clearly, only marginally better.
Additional fun facts per Ken Tremendous:
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
BTW
6 marginal wins a HUGE! They were a .500 team, which means with 6 marginal wins they’d be 12 games over .500. If the Cards fail to sign Holliday, Carp has any injury issues, or the Cardinal bullpen implodes next year, Milwaukee might be in the driver’s seat in the division by just upgrading their rotation.
A 6 marginal win gain for them would be 87-75, putting them right in the hunt for the division this year.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
6 more wins and they would be 86-74
Its not a small change to be sure. But that assumes that they get equal replacements for the contributions of Jason Kendall, Mike Cameron, Braden Looper, Seth McClung and David Weathers who are all gone or highly likely to be gone. Alcides Escobar is still a ? at shortstop.
They do get Rickie Weeks back, and as a whole underperformed in 2009. But I don’t think we should be more concerned about them in 2010 than we were in 2009 just because they upgraded at a few spots. We could say the same thing about them: if Parra’s arthroscopic surgery reveals bigger problems, if their bullpen implodes, if they fail to sign a FA, etc.
Free Milton
Weeks will be back to replace Lopez...
Gamel or Hardy should be able to replace Cameron’s offensive numbers, and I think Escobar is better than a question mark at SS.
They have some shopping to do for some middle relievers, but they have a couple of decent ones at AAA, so that should help. I would guess that Weathers might be retained as well.
Still, they could have blown some things up (trade Fielder for prospects, trade Hardy for pitching, etc.) and looked at 2011, but signing Hoffman signals to me that they are looking to win next year and that they won’t be dealing Prince unless they get some players back that are ready to play right now, meaning it won’t be a 4 for 1 or 3 for 1 deal — more likely a good CF who’s in the bigs and a plus prospect.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
possibly
the good news is, though, that he’s almost certainly not capable of being significantly better, even though he’s just 25. At most, 1-2 wins.
Braun, hardy, hart and weeks could all have years where they pick up 2-3 wins each, though it’d guess going to be surprisingly tough to make up for Cameron’s departure (-4.5 wins)…
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
He put up 4.9 WAR in 2007
He’s only 25 years old, and he’s entering a contract year.
Yes, I do think he could put up 6.5 WAR next year. The good news is that he’s probably not going to put up anything appreciably better than that because of his defensive limitations at 1B.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
they also outperformed their pythagorean win % a bit
(2 games), and I doubt if Hoffman will be that good next year.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
True...
but wouldn’t you feel better if they were playing for the future than if they were indicating that they were going to upgrade their pitching staff for next year to make a run at things? I know I would.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
i'd rather they go all-in next year
and win 86 games, than rebuild and win 95 3-4 years from now.
I’m especially fine seeing them spend $8M (~10-15% of their available payroll?) on an ancient reliever who blew 2 saves against us this year (and almost 3)
;)
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
there's something to this
Hoffman is eventually going to break down. He can’t pitch at that level forever.
Yeah
I was really surprised he was that good this year. He was showing real signs of a serious decline in San Diego.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if we're maybe missing the point
the crew need more pitching, but surely they’ll just obtain most of that through trading? JJ Hardy is 100% gone this off-season, and I expect Fielder will be, too.
With the service-time manipulation BS they pulled on Hardy this year, I think he’s got all 3 arby years to come, so he’ll probably be a good, cheap shortstop for someone. Brewers have got Escobar so they really don’t need him – although they will be trading him after a down year, I expect they can get a solid, cheap middle-of-the-rotation guy in return or perhaps even one year of a relatively inexpensive ace if they’re going all-in.
I don’t expect them to get a lot for Fielder, but he’s got two years (I think) of arby left, and will probably end up getting paid on a Ryan Howard-esque level (i.e. he won’t be a huge bargain: >$10m probably). Still, a LOT of AL teams might have an interest. Although the RedSox have somewhat reduced their need for 1B/DH types with the trades they’ve made this year, I could still see them swapping (say) Kotchman + one of their lower level pitching talents for Fielder, and I could see teams like the Rangers, WhiteSox, Braves and maybe the Giants taking an interest, and all of them have the young pitchers that the Brewers would presumably want in return.
So, I can see their 2010 infield being Gamel, Weeks, Escobar, McGeehee with Lopez and Counsell as a likely backup, and Fielder and Hardy yielding two upper-middle of the rotation arms. Lopez could walk because he’ll probably (again) be looking at a multi-year contract with more $ this off-season.
I think they’re probably in shape to be our biggest rival next year, as their window of opportunity (if they don’t bump payroll) is starting to close.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions
i didn't understand the deal with hardy
but that made me lose any last shred of respect for the brewers org. the doucheyness must be top to bottom.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I don't understand why people feel that way.
The entire situation was in Hardy’s hands, and he looked like shit for the first three months of the season. Do you think he gets sent down if he’s having a similar first half to 2008? No fucking way. He played poorly and got demoted. Were there extenuating circumstances? Sure, but had he played well he wouldn’t have gotten sent down — it’s as simple as that.
It’s a business, and the Brewers were protecting their investment. If Hardy had his feelings hurt and takes less money to go elsewhere as a free agent, then that’s his prerogative to do so. Do you think JJ Hardy would stay in Milwaukee at a discount when he’s a free agent? I doubt it, he’d probably take the money from the highest bidder and hightail it out of town.
I think it was a shrewd business move for a team that wasn’t going anywhere this year and might go all in next year to give it one last shot before blowing things up. I wish our GM had the balls to make roster management decisions like this one.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
my facts were probably wrong, then
I remember thinking it was an odd situation … and likely not explained fully.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I won't laugh until I know what we're paying for Smoltz next year.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I wouldn't be surprised if they trade Fielder.
And, in return, get some good, young pitching. They will then build their offense around Braun.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they would deal Gamel before Fielder
Fielder is a fan favorite, sells a lot of jerseys, etc. Would be tough to part with him.
Free Milton
But, they have Gamel under control for a lot longer and for a lot less money.
They haven’t been able to extend Fielder like they did with Braun because Fielder is eyeing that first FA contract. IMO, it makes more sense for the Milwaukee franchise to not sign Trevor Hoffman for $8MM not sign Jeff Suppan for eleventy million dollars trade Prince Fielder for young, cost-controlled pitching.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
You make good points.
I just think its going to be a hard sell to the fanbase to swap Fielder for some young pitching talent. It makes a lot of sense though, if they don’t think they have the $ to sign him.
Free Milton
It's an incredibly difficult decision.
And I think the GM and the owner have sent up trial balloons to gauge the press and public reaction to the proposition of trading Fielder. Fielder is owed $10.25MM next year, the last one under contract with the Brewers. His value is at it highest during this Hot Stove and the Brewers should explore a possible trade to see if the return is of greater value, and, part of this consideration should be Winning Now, to the franchise than compensatory draft picks after Fielder walks following the 2010 season. Their attendance was very good for Milwaukee this season and they face the risk of a decline next season, but that decline will be there in 2011, too, if Fielder isn’t playing first base.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Move him to second base.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
the pitcher
has to bat 5th remember its larussa
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
Jaime garcia is the absolute most they should expect for fielder
and, frankly, I wouldn’t want to give up 6 years of Jaime for one year of Fielder, when we haven’t got a place to play him. Garcia for Hardy I’d do in a heartbeat, but I can’t see that happening….
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions
JAIME GARCIA
noooooo not himmmm
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
JAIME GARCIA
though, sure, we can trade Jamie Garcia. be perfect for milwaukee.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
So, Do We Like...
…the idea of starting De Rosa at 3rd for 7 innings or so and replacing him with Glaus, or keeping Glaus on the bench as Pinch Hitter a la’ Jim Thome? I am certain that he’d be better than Thursty in the field, but also equally certain he’d be better than Thursty as a PH. Should we have kept Freese instead of Thursty?
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Hmmmmmm...
Should we have kept Freese instead of Thursty?
Without Thurston going on the DL, we can’t put Freese on the roster, because he wasn’t on the roster prior to August 31st. He can only be an injury replacement.
As for your other question, I think we’re going to see Glaus used in a lot of double switches in the NLDS and NLCS (should we beat the Dodgers), because Tony likes to move that pitchers spot around to maximize bullpen innings.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Forgive me.
I am truly ignorant to the machinations of the postseason roster. But, Freese started the year on the roster, which was “prior to August 31st.” Is that too literal an interpretation?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
So, if they weren't on the 25-man roster by midnight on August 31st, they can't be on the playoff 25-man?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
plus players on the major league dl as of midnight Aug 31
makes a pool of 28 players available for the post season roster. The three DL players were Lohse, Welley and Glaus. Pick 25 of the 28 for the NLDS roster.
If one of those 28 players is injured prior to the series, the player can be replaced by any player in the organization as of Aug 31. If a player is injured during a series, the same rule applies with the extra caveat of replacing a pitcher for a pitcher/position player for position player. The player injured during a series and replaced is then ineligible for the next series.
Nice nom du guerre and avatar.
I’ve been waiting for a “sluggerbird” to join the VEB ranks.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
actually
you can now replace an injured player during a series with either a pitcher or position player. goold mentioned this recently.
Huh?
If I remember, they couldn’t replace Rolen on the roster after the Hee Seop Choi incident.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
yeah, that rule changed last off-season.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
Well shoot
Why didn’t someone give Thurston a hunting knife to play with, a la Mike Matheny? I wouldn’t wish serious, life threatening harm, but maybe just a little slip…
Wow I am truly going to hell…
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
y'know, as much as people are in agreement with this
can we cut down on the violence-related digs at players? and… other human beings?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Oct 6, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I imagine all of this stuff as an old WB cartoon.
Quite funny that way.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Thurston was doing so well at the beginning of the year
But then he accidentally looked down, saw how high up he was, and finally fell off the cliff.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Oct 6, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah, but it's starting to go from Road Runner to Tarantino.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
You have a valid point.
Keep the violence cartoon-like, people!
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
i agree
I don’t like to hear personal shots against players
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That link takes me to an error page.
401 – Unauthorized.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Ok
Let’s fill his locker with ACME brand dynamite
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
How about baserunning practice?
With his instincts and wherewithal, he’d surely turn an ankle at some point.
Haha`
“Joe, you’re going to do baserunning drills until you either become an asset on the playoff roster, or you injure yourself and we can put Freese in there. It’s up to you… except, we’re really lobbying for the latter, and we will provide certain ‘incentives’ toward that end, and if you don’t agree with us we might just force it on you and be done with it. So, yeah.”
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
oddly enough
I hadn’t even considered the possibility that baserunning practice could help Thirsty improve.
All the better!
It’s only a matter of time until he rolls an ankle or does something to his hamstring or what have you.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
somebody yesterday said
there’s a possibility that Thurston might spike himself during baserunning practice, which becomes orders of magnitude funnier when you try to picture such a thing actually occurring….
Wasn't there a pitcher who hurt himself with an axe at some point?
I want to say that there was an axe in the locker room somewhere and the player somehow injured himself either using it or playing with it.
by Cardfanintherock on Oct 6, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Nevermind, it was apparently an NFL punter
And it was the coach who put the axe and a stump in the locker room. Wow:
by Cardfanintherock on Oct 6, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Go for offense
At this point, we need baserunners. I dont see Glaus as one of those.
Glaus, like Thome
Is a potentiall DH in Yankee Stadium. Otherwise, pinch-hit away with late-inning double switches/possible Thurston sightings.
…
Jo-el has regressed in the past few months, but he isn’t quite the most worrisome member of the pitching staff…
by olddomination on Oct 6, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree...
Glaus can at least field, which Thome was very upfront about the fact that he can’t.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
I agree.
DeRosa I think is more than passable at third. He may not be as good defensively as Glaus but he’s good enough and he’s better offensively.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
DeRosa's Production as a Cardinal
262 PA/.228/.291/.405/.696/10 HR/28 RBI (for Bernie)
While Glaus has not been very good in his mere 32 PAs, it’s not like he has to soar to levels of epic production to match DeRosa’s, which has been Thurstonian in nature (307 PA/.225/.316/.330/.645/1 HR/25 RBI). Why, then, do we need both Thurston and DeRosa on the playoff roster?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I can't tell you that.
I wish I could. I don’t mind either Glaus or DeRosa that much at third, I just prefer DeRosa. I will admit a bias toward him though from earlier in the year.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
CG's DeRosa bias breakdown:
45% cute
35% former Indians player
20% skills/talent/production
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I'm still waiting on that bar graph.
or… wait, I fail at math. are these pie graphs?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
duh, silly me.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
MOAR PIE GRAFS
Actually, people should probably get going on some bars too, in case Holliday et al get tired of pie (seems impossible I know, but a well run FO will plan for even unlikely scenarios). We could bake up lemon bars, peanut butter bars, fudge bars of various kinds, you name it.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
sunflower seeds seem to be the way to his heart.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
VIVA EL BARS
(I know it should be los)
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
shut it
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I'm sorry.
That’s all I can do. I don’t know how to make graphs and put them on here. Someone can tell me. No guarantee it will work but you can try.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I have weird tastes.
I mean he’s okay. I don’t think he’s ugly at all and I can see how people think he’s cute but he just doesn’t do it for me.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
wow.
my Dreamy Joe data is all thrown off!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
It's even worse in August
88 PA/.193/.236/.361/.597/ 11 RBIs.
I would sooner question DeRosa’s health than Santa’s Health.
Yeah.
The wrist injury is clearly having an effect on his offensive production.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Well put.
And that was really what I was driving at.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Yeah...
Did we have such an unproductive, waste of space, useless utility player in 2006?
I want the Walrus back...
I laughed.
but probably only because of the way 2006 ended.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
As bgh noted...
…he’s actually been pretty terrible offensively.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
He's not a maching
Turns out “Albert” is less of a machine _and more of an ancient _force that the old gods created out of their own curiosity, but then sealed away for fear of the havoc it could wreak were its mysterious energies not focused correctly, or used for selfish pursuits. Luckily around 30 years ago, a precise alignment of celestial objects and dark matter near our galaxy coalesced and “The Albert” was channeled into a human male destined to play baseball.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
WING GANGS.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
APU
is the Quecha (Incan) word for god
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
Really?
I thought it was the Indian word for “convenience store owner.”
/I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
Boo!
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 6, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
12-Man Bullpen
A 12-man bullpen is completely necessary in the regular season, let alone a 5-game playoff series where two offdays are found amongst the five games. Nonetheless, this is TLR’s security blanket, or something. Here is what Straussie has to say:
Closer Ryan Franklin, lefthanders Dennys Reyes and Trever Miller, and righthanded set-up men Jason Motte and Kyle McClellan are considered locks. Any remaining intrigue involves whether the club will retain rookies Blake Hawksworth and Mitchell Boggs over Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer.
A club source indicated Sunday Hawksworth and Boggs are more in favor. If so, the Cardinals would enter the playoffs with their five righthanded middle or set-up relievers lacking any postseason experience. Three are rookies. Smoltz and Lohse are also available for at least Game One.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
gotta remember
without KBot (or a pitcher) going on the DL, the choice is limited to a 12th pitcher or Kbot on the bench. the players union would probably object to a phantom injury, let alone what another team would say.
i wonder if LaRussa thought KBot couldn't handle the pressure of the playoffs
Didn’t want him to be a distraction
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that probably had something to do with it.
I feel terrible for him. I really hope he gets the help he needs during the offseason. I want to send him a letter to tell him how much I hope he gets better but I don’t know if he’d actually read it.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
This goes back to the roster management on August 30th.
It was silliness to put the club in the position they did where the choice was either Khalil Greene or an unnecessary twelfth pitcher. Roster management has been horrible this calendar year.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Exactly.
If they couldn’t have figured out a month ago that Greene wasn’t ready then they’ve done a piss poor job of managing their resources. La Russa has been obsessed with having a ton of marginal relievers on his squad rather than having a designated long man. Now he’s got one of those (Lohse/Smoltz) and he STILL insists on having a bunch of useless RH relievers in the pen.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
trying to read Tony's mind is a fool's errand
but it makes you wonder about how much confidence Tony has in the bullpen.
I can't even believe that this is the bench of a playoff team.
It’s so bad, I’m actually thrilled Glaus is on it. Surely a 12th pticher is useless, but I prefer a zero-sum pitcher to Kbot
I agree that a 12th pitcher is unnecessary. . .
but really, when you are still carrying Joe Thurston on the roster, does it matter? I agree with the pining for David Freese, FWIW, but let’s be honest, this Cardinals team really only has about 23 players that you would want to see on the field in the playoffs. The identity of those other two guys on the roster just depends on your own personal tastes as to which kind of suckitude you prefer.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Oct 6, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep.
Mercifully, I highly doubt that Thurston will see much postseason action besides the possible defensive or emergency replacement.
If this is the case
then it makes a whole lot more sense to carry Khalil Greene than Thurston. Greene can play 3B and SS, hits right handed, and has some pop. He runs the bases as well or better than Thurston can, and I don’t see the need for a left handed bat on the bench when Skippy and at least one of Ankiel or Rasmus will be on the bench against a left handed starter. Unless Tony feels that Greene can’t handle the pressure of playing in that environment due to his mental issues, there’s really no reason for Thurston to be on the roster.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Again, I agree. . .
but arguing over the last two roster spots when your choices are KGreene, TGreene, WonderBrad, The Colonel, Nick the Stick, et al, is kind of like two bald men fighting over a comb.
Hey, let’s just all be thankful that TLR isn’t taking three catchers, Matt Pagnozzi being the third.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Oct 6, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree
The 2006 team wouldn’t have won the NLCS without a pinch hit homer from Chris Duncan in that series. Scott Spiezio played well for us in that postseason too.
The guys that you carry near the bottom of your bench DO MATTER, because if they see an AB, it’s probably going to be in the most high leverage situations of the game, which are even more higher leverage in the playoffs. Teams are simply not going to let Holliday and Pujols beat them in the late innings, and with Tony’s penchant for double switches, there will be some pinch hitters taking AB’s in the middle of the order. The team should be putting the best players on the roster that give it the best chance to win — seeing as how we’re sure to face at least two left handed starters in the NLDS, it makes the most sense to carry the most RH bats.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
+1
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
This is why
I was in favor of getting Mike Cameron earlier in the year. The club could carry Cameron instead of Thurston, have a right handed hitter playing in CF instead of Ankiel or Rasmus, and not see a drop off either defensively or offensively. I pointed out back then that we’d be seeing the Dodgers and Phillies for sure in the postseason, and possible the Giants, who also have two left handed starters in Zito and Sanchez.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I think the Cardinals top need next year is to find
a RH who can play CF who’s sole purpose is to mash lefties
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't go that far
I think Colby just needs more AB’s against lefties to get his sea legs at the big league level. He hit them with an .800+ OPS in the minors, so I think he’ll come around at some point.
VEP pointed out in yesterdays thread how horribly unlucky he’s been against lefties this year. Seems like he should rebound towards his minor league splits at some point.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Reed Johnson
I wouldn’t call what he does mashing but he certainly hits lefties better than our current options:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=johnsre02&year=Career&t=b#plato
My other choice is Cody Ross. While he is not a great defender, he destroys lefties and is passable in center. He is arb eligible for the first time and the Marlins don’t like to pay anyone:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=rossco01&year=Career&t=b#plato
Joe Mather might also be an option…
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
Reed Johnson wouldn't be a bad choice
We need a 4th OFer that can play CF after Ankiel leaves. Might as well be a Lefty Killer
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanted the FO to at least make a call to Florida about Ross before
those fateful Four Days in July for this very reason. (If you haven’t read the Goold article I linked to, I highly recommend that you do so.)
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Test
I have been trying to learn how to make cleaner hyperlinks and I just wanted to use this comment to test whether I have figured it out yet.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
looks like you got it
and yeah, easiest way is to put a “here” or “link” in your text. When you finish writing, highlight it and click the link button, then paste in your url. Oh, and remembering to tick the “open in a new window” box is always appreciated
I agree that guys on the bottom of the roster matter. . .
but you’re comparing apples to oranges. Duncan and Spiezio were the 9th and 10th position players on the roster, at least based on 2006 ABs. And they were very good major league players, too, with a 140 and 120 OPS+, respectively.
My point is that trying to figue out which of Joe Thurston (72 OPS+), Khalil Greene (67), Tyler Greene (57), Puppy Kicker (86 ERA+), and Todd Wellemeyer (71) is like throwing darts at a dartboard.
Put another way, neither Duncan nor Spiezio would have been considered use-only-in-case-of-emergency players in ‘06. And for that matter, I would wager that they weren’t the last two players on the roster, either.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Oct 6, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Tony is concerned Khalil couldn't handle it.
Tony’s comments about Khalil indicate that he’s ending the season on an emotional high-point, or at least an even keel, even though his performance has been lacking. Perhaps Tony didn’t want to mess with whatever progress Khalil has made, especially when he hasn’t excelled at PHing.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Or....
…TLR is cowcerned that KBot really won’t cowtribute mooch beyond strike-outs – and anyone can do that. At least Lugo can playa bit of SS, if pressed, and is actually useful VS lefties. I am glad KBot’s head is clearing, but that doesn’t mean I want him taking up space on our play-off roster. Say what u will about Thurston, he’s at least been there all year for us and he’s had his mooments.
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
I disagree.
I think both David Freese (for his bat and glove) and Tyler Greene (for his speed) put the club in a better position to succeed. In the playoffs, situational replacements have a bigger value because they can decide games. The VEB community has converted me to the WPA-based (I assume) run prevention train of thought. I apply that to pinch running, as well, solely because of Dave Roberts. Who would be the best pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth inning when we need a single run? I’d say Tyler Greene.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Agree 100%
with everything said here. The 21-25 spots on the roster do matter.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Of course they matter. . .
but this year, given the Cards’ lack of depth, the 24th and 25th spots are going to be filled with two largely fungible players that are far worse than replacement level.
Here’s the breakdown of the 23 guys that definitely should be on the roster (plus Glaus, who is on, whether he should be or not, and I think that he should be, but YMMV):
2 Catchers: Molina, Larue
6 Infielders: Pujols, Schumaker, Ryan, DeRosa, Glaus, Lugo
4 Outfielders: Ludwick, Rasmus, Ankiel, Holliday
5 Starters: Carp, Wainwright, Piniero, Smoltz, Lohse
6 relievers: Franklin, Motte, McClellan, Miller, Reyes, Hawksworth
That give you what pretty much everybody but TLR believes to be the ideal 11 pitchers on the roster. That leaves you with Thurston, TGreene, Thompson, Freese, Boggs, Wellemeyer, Stavinhoa, et al (at least if you are willing to have someone fake an injury).
I’d take Freese, myself, and consider him an asset, but the Cards seem very disinclined to do that. So that leaves you with Thurston and TGreene? Greene has the benefit of being able to play a good SS and be a pinch-runner. Thurston, well, um, er. . .
Even though it pains me to say it, if the front office isn’t going to take Freese, then I guess I don’t care too much who you take. Boggs has the most “value” but a 12th pitcher in the playoffs is so superfluous that it is hard for me to take him. Wellemeyer being available terrifies me.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Oct 6, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I would add Tyler Greene (someone who can handle defence at SS if Ryan gets hurt, pinch runner, and maybe for occasional pinch-hit duties deep in the game)
and Allen Craig as another OF option who can hit. Failing that, Freese.
I guess Boggs wouldn’t be a bad addition – he’s looked good out of the pen and it’d be nice to be able to use him for ~2 innings if any of our starters get hurt or have to leave a game early for whatever reason.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions
This is exactly my point though...
but this year, given the Cards’ lack of depth, the 24th and 25th spots are going to be filled with two largely fungible players that are far worse than replacement level.
If that’s the case, why wouldn’t you take the players with the most utility and the most able to help the club in a late inning situation? Tyler Greene is a better choice than Joe Thurston, as is Khalil, Freese, and Allen Craig, mainly because they are all right handed hitters, and the team will have at least two lefties on the bench against left handed pitching, which we will face at least half the time in the NLDS and possible 3/4 of the time in the NLCS if we play Philadelphia.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
The identity of those other two guys on the roster just depends on your own personal tastes as to which kind of suckitude you prefer.
I would’ve prefered the potential non-suckitude of Allen Craig, personally.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It is totally unnecessary
but I imagine that Tony and Duncan have no faith in many members of the pen. I could see them using K Mac or Motte for 1 batter only and once that batter reaches, turning to Boggs or Hawksworth or someone else. I see them using very short leashes on those guys that have been…just not very good.
I could see them using 4-5 pitchers in any given inning, as well as turning to Franklin for 2 innings. I think they’re likely to do some “overmanaging” (to use others’ words) in the 7th and 8th in order to win games. Look for some really long innings.
I don't think that's a bad thing, really
a lot of our bullpen guys have skillsets that are very limited, and pretty severe platoon splits. Personally, I really like the idea of bringing in Motte/Boggs when we need a K, Hawk when we need a GB, or using Motte/Boggs for just one righty and then turning to the LOOGY for one lefty, stuff like that.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Man we have to face so many Lefties in the playoffs
Between Wolf, Kereshaw for the Dodgers than the Phillies have Hamel, Lee, and Happ. This could be an extremely difficult playoffs.
That's going to be a high scoring series, imo
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
that's ok
they are going to lose in the first round
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
But, TLR will not present an all-righty lineup against the lefties.
Per Straussie:
La Russa ruled out sending an all-righthanded lineup against Dodgers lefthander Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw, which would have required Mark DeRosa playing outfield and Troy Glaus manning third base. La Russa suggested Glaus’ value would remain off the bench with DeRosa at third.
“There will be a lefthanded hitter playing,” La Russa promised.
Who is that lefthander? I think we all know deep in our hearts that it will be Rick Ankiel.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I don't think that it will be,
but I hope that it is.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Skip!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I hope so.
I don’t want to watch Lugo on defense, especially after Sunday.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
I agree
it’ll be Lugo at 2nd and Skip in CF. Just guessing. It’ll be that way for at least 1 of the 1st games, if not both.
Ugh, that's horrible
we don’t have a CF who can hit lefties, so we might as well use the guy who’s the worst hitter AND worst fielder? Sad thing is, I suspect you might be right…
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions
You are more optimistic than I am then...
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Tony, with all your bullshit platoon playing and mind-games,
how could you resist an all-righty lineup?
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
Man, I woke up today with the power out to my house. I am stumbling all around until I realized
I just lower power in my room. I showered in the dark which was a pain. For some reason the breaker went off just on my room.
well
that sucks.
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I love
showering in the dark, not sure why. I know where everything is in my bathroom, so I can get out and find a towel with no problem. I guess the hot water and darkness makes it all womby and relaxing.
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
It's supposed to be a good way to exercise your brain.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i thought you werent supposed to get leather wet?
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
Question
Obviously, I have been catching up on my Cardinal Beat. On the post “La Russa Hints at Lineup, Bullpen, Etc.,” on the right sidebar, there is a selection of the 10 “most read stories” and number 9 is entitled “Cards Notes: Doctors Check Out Pineiro’s Shoulder,” yet, when I click on it, it takes me to a pink bird in a suit with a hat, tugging on his collar, sweating, looking sheepish, and holding a sign that reads, “Oops, my bad.” The story has apparently been removed from the stltoday.com. My question is whether any of you read this story, and, if so, is it reason for concern?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
That's just it.
A fast baserunner or better glove man have more value in the playoffs to the team than a 12th pitcher, which is why the roster management at the end of August was so inexplicable.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
the roster managementat the end of AugustALL FRICKIN’ SEASON was so inexplicable.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Okay, here's a crazy idea re: the 4th starter.
What if Tony just made Lohse and Smoltz co-starters for any game in which we’d need a 4th starter? That is, Tony starts the game with one or the other (my preference would be to start with Lohse, but that’s just me). He tells both of them to prepare for 4 innings worth of work – with leeway for the first pitcher, if he’s dealing, to go longer, but with the other also ready to come in at a moment’s notice at the first sign of trouble. In theory, this might also help to make them available for the ‘pen on other days. Okay, now tell me why I’m insane.
that's my guess.
I’d actually love to see that. It’d be like that Pedro-Moyer combination. (It’s not just 83 years!)
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
You're insane...
to prefer Lohse of Smoltz IMO…other than that I’m with ya alldaway!
"Don't do anything till I get back!" - Jesus to the Cubs
Actually, I prefer Smoltz.
That’s why I want Lohse to start the game…that makes Smoltz the swingman who can come in if Lohse has trouble, and also means that Smoltz will be the one pitching the later innings, which are more likely to be the higher leverage situations.
I'm afraid that if Lohse starts...
the late innings won’t matter. I see Smoltzy as a lot more likely to go 6IP with 3ER than Lohse. Then again I want Smoltz as an option out of the pen.
"Don't do anything till I get back!" - Jesus to the Cubs
I think he did that once with Maquis and some other starter in the NLCS in '05
Didn’t work out so well.
by cloistermaximus on Oct 6, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
As in they lost
Mainly getting hosed on calls and the circus ballpark.
by cloistermaximus on Oct 6, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly...
Which is why I think it’d work even better this time, for a couple of reasons:
1. No Minute Maid.
2. No Bipolar Betty.
(And…it was only 1 ER, upon further review, not 2, which makes it even better!)
I think there's a good chance this happens
particularly if the 1st 3 starters are able to go a long way. If Smoltz isn’t needed in any of the first 3 games, I could see him coming in to start the 5th or 6th in game 4. I think Tony absolutely should leverage the relievers this way. As long as we’re going to have 12 pitchers, you may as well make the most of them. Why keep Lohse in there to give up 3-4 runs just to get him through 5-6 innings when maybe you can leverage the relievers and save a run or 2.
I may have missed a conversation about it (or several conversations about it)
but does Glaus look physically different in a noticeable way from last year? He was always kind of strange looking to me anyway, since he’s a big tall rectangle. His upper body and arms were never as big as I thought they should look and he seems very vertical in the batter’s box. Also, the times I’ve been able to see him play, his jersey has been very loosely tucked in front making him look fatter than he really is.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
also, his double chin makes him look fatter.
which is because of the fat.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I thought it was a pillow!
next thing you’ll tell me Santa hates Memphis barbecue and reindeer aren’t real.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Wait, I'm confused about something
Does that make Glaus a Fatty McFatferguson, or a more of a Don Fatsovani di Fatterino?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
sticking with 'Santa' works.
Jolly Old Fellow?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Well Santa is a good reliable name I guess
Also, Glaus is probably a German name… maybe I’ll call him Fatrich von Raundenwaist.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
His belly shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
that german name reminds me lady i used to work with
Her last name was Fullenweider. and she was a hefty gal.
That better be true, cause it's too awesome not to be.
Actually, even if you made that up it’s pretty awesome.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
He has gained weight. Noticably.
But, I’ve always been struck by Glaus straight-up posture batting and even fielding, so I don’t know if this season is all that different.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
La Russa Quirks
A lot of people talk trash about La Russa, but I always support him….
La Russa is one of the brightest baseball minds of our generations but he does have these little quirks…
example from STL Today.com-
La Russa insisted he has no doubt Molina can handle each game of a best-of-five series. The Cardinals have Jason La Rue as their backup. Molina did not play Saturday and was a pinch-hit decoy Sunday.
La Russa said he hoped Molina’s presence in the on-deck circle would draw loud applause. When it didn’t, the manager theorized that many in attendance were on bathroom breaks.
Why in the world would you applaud Molina for being in the on-deck circle?
The only time I ever hear anyone get applause is when the are announced as a hitter. Then he over-thinks it and tells reports that people were “on bathroom brakes”???
I think La Russa is a genius, but this thought process is closer to insanity.
what, he did it last year. didn't he?
and Yadi did get applause then.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
half the stadium can't see who's in the on deck circle
and most of the people who can, are focusing on the actual game… so I just can’t see why La Russa would even bring this up.
but anyway… I was reading a different La Russa quote today that gave me a laugh and proved again why I like the guy so much….
La Russa withheld Wednesday’s lineup but admits he has a good idea of its makeup.
“You’ve got to pretend you’re a manager. So you mess around on the plane (Monday night) and play around with it tomorrow,” he said. “Otherwise, people would say you don’t have much to do, which is true.”
the PA guy.... announces stuff?
I dunno.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
correct me if i'm wrong...
but if my memory serves me correctly, the PA guy announces a players name, only when they step to the plate…
but I thought I heard him on the broadcast...
I have no idea. someone was at the game, maybe they can shed some light.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
haha
“bathroom brakes”
funny or gross?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 6, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
The Dorothy Sayers school of putdown
“Some people can be funny without being vulgar, and some can be both
funny and vulgar. I should recommend you to be either the one or the
other.”
"Why didn't you eliminate them, Albert?"
one of the few, few reasons to watch WWL.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
On the list of top 5 greatest commercials imo
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work"
-Mark Twain
i hate the brett favre saga and obsession
but the paul revere commercial makes me laugh
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
the buildup was terrible
I think they might’ve edited it to be tighter, but it dragged along.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I liked the Steve Smith one
and the Mannings, those are about my only favorites
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work"
-Mark Twain
yeah, despite my thoughts on the Mannings
that was a great commercial
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
to all cards fans in boston
My sister and i are planning to hit up Uno’s on Boylston (the one across from Lord and Taylor’s) for the Wednesday night game since we will already be in the area. If anyone cares to join us!
(Sorry this is slightly OT, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it).
Might want to do a Fanshot, too.
That way, it will be on the main page over the next couple of days. However, for things such as this, I think the best way to cast a wide net is to cross-post between the main thread and a Fanshot.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
i am that sister
we’ll be there for the duration (i think). hopefully all the manny-hate in this city will translate into Cardinal-love from fellow beantowners.
by cardinalinboston on Oct 6, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, thanks for the suggestion
i’ll get on that
Don't worry, DanUp.
There is no way Wellemeyer makes the postseason roster. No way.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
After his showing on Sunday, there is no conceivable justification for it
That might have been Tony’s way of giving him one last shot to prove some sort of worth. He failed that test miserably.
He hit it good. He hit it good.
I always hate to say never, because it usually comes back to bite me...
…but I agree. Especially because we now have proof that Tony will, when his hand is forced, leave “proven veterans” off the postseason roster if they just aren’t performing (see: Marquis, Jason, and Greene, Khalil)
In respect to Santa,
I am going to go with the old addage of “Defense wins championships”. As much as I like DeRo, His offense is just spotty enough that between him and Glaus, I would take Glaus for the D. Santa might catch lightning in a bottle and start to hit at least a little to make it worthwhile.
On to Welle and PK…….ummm, no thank you. I will take an order of Boggs with a side of Stab.
Joel may still get his rythm back. Let’s face it the whole team turned into ‘06 2.0 for the last two and a half weeks or so. Okay that might be a little melodramatic but it wasn’t pretty whatever it was. I have great faith in Joel yet. It’s been a long time since Christy was in a WS and the thought may be confusing The Christian Gentleman.
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsh on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Oct 6, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
I like a side of Stab.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
How bout the whole thing?
/stab!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Re: Pineiro
Obviously, I’ve heard the old saw that pitchers who throw a lot of sinkers sometimes pitch better on short rest because the sinker ends up with more movement on it when the pitcher is a little tired. Number one, does this have any basis in statistical fact? Number two, if it does, does that have any bearing on whether or not we might like to possibly have Pineiro throw on short rest in a series?
Derek Lowe
has stated that he thinks he pitches better when his arm is a little fatigued, due to his sinker having more downward movement on it. I think that Brandon Webb has been quoted saying something similar.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Not at his age and price tag.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
He is 36 years old and making $15M this year. I’m guessing the Cards will not lock up that type of money with Carp, Waino and Lohse under big contracts.
My guess, Joel gets offered arbitration, he rejects it, and we get a nice 2010 draft pick (probably Type B).
by JWO on Oct 6, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Right,
under contract for three more years, which means you’d be paying $15MM for each of his age 37, 38, and 39 seasons. No thank you.
Pineiro is a Type B according to the MLBTR database. I agree wholeheartedly that we offer Jo-El arbitration, collect the draft pick when he rejects it and signs elsewhere, and then go after Brad Penny or Ben Sheets.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we should sign Erik Bedard to a one year contract
He is currently a Type B free agent but borderline Type A. If he can regain form he would end up a Type A after 2010 than we could net 2 draft picks for him. Those 2 picks are probably worth around $6M. Seems like a good gamble to me.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I worry about him being the Ben Sheets of '10 though
It sounds like he won’t be able to pitch until at least May.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I think we should sign Ben Sheets to a one year contract
too soon?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I covet Rich Harden
I think he’s better than he showed this year, so this may be the perfect time to get him on a cheap, short-term deal.
He is going to want neither
The Cubs will likely offer him arbitration given his status. That means at least another year at ~$8 million worst case for him. If he declines, that means he thinks he can get at least that, and whoever signs him is going to have to give up a pick. I don’t want that to be us.
Free Milton
no
Lohshie took it all.
literally.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
O/T
But when you get a quote like this from Albert…
“But I’m still hungry,” Pujols said. “I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more.”
Oh, yeah. That one’s going in the sig.
I really liked that article
Especially the part where Albert comments on lineup protection
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
kind of like Albert
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
i now think we are going to win the world series
before i was just hopeful…now i believe
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
guten tag, VEB
LA has really fallen from grace when the Cardinals are the favorite of 7 out of 8 WWL experts.
the 8th guy’s still bitter over losing the “Most Boyish Face Among Pros” award to Thompson
Interesting...
The nation-wide poll is still using the silly color scheme, but California is the only state where the Dodgers have a significant lead right now. Oregon and Nevada are at 51 to 49 in favor of the Dodgers, and New Mexico is at 52 to 48. That’s margin of error territory.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
that's a lot of America colored
Cardinal blue…?
by EinFesteBusch on Oct 6, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
they need breakdowns by county
to see how much the rats in KC are hurting us
by EinFesteBusch on Oct 6, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I just helped turn Oregon to Cardinal gray.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Musial
good work
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
so we're screwed?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Nah. not even the WWL can make an underdog out of the team with the NL's best record.
by EinFesteBusch on Oct 6, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Tigers in three.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
the picture they have of Carp on that page is great
it’s like he’s saying “bet you’ve never seen a sinker hit 96 before”
oh that is badass.
now I wanna find … I think it was Fritz’s rendition of the presser.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Mine I think..
yep. I found it below.
good work, btw.
oh efffffffff I forgot about the mix tapes.
except now I don’t know when to post the full mix tape list. what are the jinxing rules for that? they only play them for victories…….
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
There's been at least one day
since the last loss, and no game till tomorrow.
Today is safe IMHO.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
I'm also effin' lazy.
well, busy. but lazy in terms of multitasking.
I think I have to prioritize the glossary, which will go into its final postseason form once bonus baseball ends.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Isn't that his express in about every game action photo of him?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
sometimes he smiles
like “you’ve just seen a sinker hit 96”
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Ah, yes.
My mistake. I didn’t appreciate the subtle difference, probably because of his rapid shift into the “I’m going to throw a 96-mph sinker past you” scowl.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
it's elusive.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
what makes him a a winner
is his ability to have the same scowl when he’s going to throw the curveball
he doesn't tip pitches.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
yeah it was Fritz
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/8/12/987024/game-116-overflow-2-the#19617007
scroll on down
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
oh yes...the continuation.
That was a great presser.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
same post
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/8/12/987024/game-116-overflow-2-the#19615389
that was also when Carp glared at Homer Bailey’s delay of game.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I hope Joel pitches well in the playoffs, obviously...
But I’m almost relieved he fell back to earth at the end of the season. I don’t think there was any chance of him getting a deal he didn’t deserve from the Cardinals anyway, but this at least relieves the pressure a little.
V, b.
Anyone else thinks Todd Wellemeyer should be forced to fake an injury???
David Freese would be a valuable addition to the roster… much more important than a 12th pitcher!
Force Wellemeyer to say he has a sore elbow and VIOLA, David Freese appears on the bench for pinch hitting availability.
If Glaus or De Rosa fail to produce in the first round (and we still advance) then we have to get Freese on the roster from then on!
Paging Carpenter's luggage...
Run Vince run! There's a tarp chasing you! Run! It's right behind you!
Just kidnap Welle
and put him in a soundproof padded room and all the comforts of home. Don’t wanna hurt him….just make him really unavailable.
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsh on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Oct 6, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
one could just give him access to a Xbox.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Make him play videogames until he develops some sort of injury
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
that might have already happened
given one of the allegedly rumored allegations on the rumor mill. though mostly work ethic. allegedly.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
So, the ol' Zumaya Treatment, eh?
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
That falls into the "comforts of home".
I just don’t want him to be able to leave until after the playoffs.
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsh on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Oct 6, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
bonus baseball on TBS, right?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
[waits for the timezone police to show up]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
they'll probably get you on a standard/daylight technicality.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
4:07 pm CDT
not 4:06. not 4:08.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
i'm sure i've missed an above post mentioning the same thing
but if Todd Wellemeyer pitches an important inning in the playoffs.. i really might give up on TLR.
"The outfield is deep and playing him straight-away, and the infield is the same, except first, second, third, and short are playing him to pull."
-Mike Shannon
WWL (Law) just can't help themselves.
Tell that to Johan Santana
It’s not like he’s been bad, but he’s not been as good as he was with the Twins, either.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Actually, his FIPs with the Mets
each of the last two years have been better than his last year with the Twins.
Regardless, moving to the NL is undoubtedly better for any pitcher because the competition is weaker. Any worsening is due to the pitcher himself sucking, not because his opponents are better.
Free Milton
Frankly, I don't know that the competition in the NL is actually weaker.
Or, more precisely: certainly, NL offense, just by sheer numbers, is not as good as that in the AL, but that should be completely expected with the DH. Replace 10% (I’m guessing) of any teams’ ABs by pitchers with those of actual hitters (even if the hitter is Rick Ankiel), and offense will go up. Likewise, the pitching in the NL will, naturally, show better numbers. All these people who say the AL is far superior (I’m looking at you, WWL) and then cite these offensive statistics are just stupid. Now, I think there’s probably a case for the AL being slightly better, but the gap isn’t as huge as some make it out to be.
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
But, this isn't a made up NL with a DH
In reality, the pitcher does get to face an easy out once every nine batters.
Even ignoring that, its not really close. The AL is far superior – the only question is to what magnitude. For a small slice of a difficult problem, check this out. Money quote:
Let’s take a hypothetical 0.500 team from the AL and from the NL from the past five years. The interleague records tell us that the “average” AL team should beat the average NL team to the tune of a 0.566 winning percentage. In order to get the AL team to beat the NL team with a 0.566 winning percentage using the odds ratio and PythagenPat, we have to give the AL team a 26-run bonus to both offense and defense, while simultaneously giving a 26-run penalty to the NL team on offense and defense. That’s a 52-run adjustment PER TEAM!
Free Milton
I don't think it's a DH issue
as much as it is that the NL has more teams, and more lower payroll and small market teams than the AL does. They have really one horrible team in their league, the Royals. The NL has three teams that are nearly as bad as KC is on perennial basis: Nationals, Pirates, and Padres/D-Backs (one team from the AL West always sucks.
The Orioles had a worse record than the Royals, but they play in the best division in baseball and that accounted for a ton of their losses this season: their winning percentage against the division was .333 this season.
If you consider that the AL also has more good teams at the top, those AL cellar dwellers would probably do better than the NL cellar dwellers if they were playing an NL schedule.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
IMO
if you give the AL back one of the bad teams in the NL, that would go a long way towards balancing the leagues out, imo.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
The AL is winning at like a .560 rate in interleague
You could argue there’s a DH bias in roster construction, but that’s not gonna be a 9 win difference prorated to a whole season.
Not afraid to nitpick
I don't even like the DH bias argument
If two teams spent equally the NL would have higher quality players at other positions to make up the difference
Free Milton
I don't like it either but not necessarily
There’s a whole bunch of Jack Cust and Jason Kubels and Adam Dunn types who can’t play D but can hit.
Not afraid to nitpick
Or a Brett Wallace.
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
I wonder how much of that is just the gap
between the Yankees and the Mets, plus having no similar sized market to Boston in the NL to balance out. There’s definitely a money gap between the AL and the NL.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
The biggest difference
is that most of the large market NL teams have been run poorly, while the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and White Sox have been run far better. The Mets have managed to be horrifically bad for a large payroll team, Houston doesn’t know it is a large market team and until fairly recently the Phillies were pretty awful. Ditto for the Dodgers.
Not trying to discount the payroll delta as I think that is very key also.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
cough cubs /cough
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
PLAYOFFS
1. I shaved on Sunday night and will not shave again until the season is over.
2. I am not doing the playoff beard blog this year, as I am much more busy and much less narcissistic than I was in 2006.
3. Off days during the playoffs are the longest days evarr.
4. I had a dream last night (premonition?) that Albert broke his HR slump in game 1 with a shot over the center field wall.
5. I’m taking tomorrow off work to watch it happen in person.
6. Go cards
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
Not a bad idea
I’ve never updated content in a fanpost after posting it the first time, but it must not be too hard since Leitch updated the magic numbers every day. Maybe I’ll set something up while I pregame tomorrow.
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
click "edit"
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Fisk, dude
other non playoff busy-ness be damned!!! Your 2006 playoff beard blog was a wondrous thing to behold, and perhaps, key to the Cardinals championship!! If you can take the time to go to the game you must have time to develop the blog.
I would, but as a female of the species, I am unable to grow a beard…
Don't ping my cheese with your bandwidth.
by RosevilleRedbird on Oct 6, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
does anyone have any Carpenter memories to add to
this?
I’m trying to figure out when to post that fanpost.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
here's my vote for the 12th man out of the bullpen
by _pistol_ on Oct 6, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 13 recs
if someone photoshops that.... it would be the height of awesome
lol
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Where's vex
he’s our Photo Shop b***h right?
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
poor vexed.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
OT: Umpire Ratings/Rankings?
is there a blog or site where someone keeps track of umpire ratings? Good/bad calls, size of strike zone, etc?
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
It is out there somewhere
I want to say Beyond the Boxscore Tuscon
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
So going by this (2008 numbers)
Dana Demuth – H & crew chief
% of Strikes called Strikes – 79.5%
% of Balls called Balls – 83.9%
% of pitched called correctly 82.4%
RPG 9.68 (avg is 9.55)
Brian O’Nora – 1st
Mike Everitt – 2nd
Jeff Nelson – 3rd
Ed Rapuano – LF
Tony Randazzo – RF
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
looks like BTB is all over it
I was reading an MLB preview of the series that listed the umps and their strike zones. BTB does this today as a preview for the Twins/Tigers game.
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
I didn't even see that
Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) is ridiculous awesome
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
no sh* sherlock.
“serious logistical issues” with spring and autumn baseball in Minnesota.
oh, I did not know that. they can’t add a roof later.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
they're talking about putting Dreamy Joe in a cage and never letting him go.
or, us and Albert Pujols.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Is there snow there yet?
With the passing of the regular season on Sunday, I awoke to snow on Monday morning. Summer really is over.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
they said 42 and rainy
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Roll call
Who’s everyone pulling for tonight?
I’m going for the Tigers. No reason really.
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
I really don't care......
the only series I’m interested in right now is Cards v. Dodgers.
The rest will wash out.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
Even if you give the Yanks a .600 winning percentage
Which they almost certainly would not have, they’d still only be a 68% binomial favorite to win 3 or more out of 5 games. 5 game sets are tossups.
Not afraid to nitpick
yeah, but did you see who they are going to have to start the series with vs yanks?
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-one-game-playoff#
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
still
they really should make both series 7 games and shorten the regular season (but that will probably never happen)
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
would you bet against the Yankees against the AL Central?
binomial shminomial, they have eight guys in their lineup OPSing >.850.
I’m not picking the Yankees to win the whole thing, I’m saying I don’t see either of MIN or DET posing much of an issue for the Yanks in the DS. I think the back end of the Yanks’ rotation is vulnerable, but their lineup is going to chew up and spit out a whole lot of good pitchers.
Isn't that kind of missing the point of an off-topic thread?
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
True
but are you adjusting for them playing the best division in baseball and winning it handily? I would venture a guess that they win 110+ games if they played in the AL Central vs. the AL East. I would guess that increases their odds to at least 75%, and that’s a huge binomial favorite in a game where the team with the most wins ever only won 71% of their games.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
and the cardinals were going to lose to detroit in 3....
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
TWINS
Joe Mauer is having a magical season that I don’t want to end until the Cardinals necessitate it.
Free Milton
I would be pulling for Twins
but one of my good friends is a Tigers fan and I’m going to watch the game with him, so I suppose I will pull for Tigres
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
As I told me kids...
A true Cardinals fan cannot root FOR any other team than the Cardinals. However, he can root AGAINST one of the two teams that are playing.
i'm shocked there's so many twins votes here
oh how we quickly forget
but yeah, i’m pulling for the twins too
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
Which stings more? 1987 or 1968?
1987 was the first year that my parents allowed me to stay up and watch the baseball playoff games in their entirety. I still harbor an unnatural disdain for the Giants and the Twins. I will be cheering for the Tigers.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Oct 6, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't remember either one
to young for 68, and 87 is lost. which i don’t understand. i vividly remember 86, 88 & 89. but 82, 85 & 87 just aren’t there.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
For some reason I don't remember 88-89 very well.
But I do remember when Templeton flipped off the crowd while walking to first and Whitey grabbed him and threw his ass into the dugout.
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsh on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Oct 6, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if Cabrera was sober last night.
"The almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he’s pretty sure you’re screwed" Albert to opposing pitchers.
I think we calculated that he couldn't have been...
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
where?
i cant see where you are pointing…
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
Dan Haren
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
jah
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
is RJ poking fun at our pies?
or … our hair gel…? uhm.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/theres-just-something-about-st-louis
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I CAN'T BELIEVE WE TRADED BLAKE STEIN!!!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Starring in the last good movie you'll ever make?
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
Don't knock Waterworld like that
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
I DECLARE LAW SEVEN
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
d'ouevre
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
by jd is legend on Oct 6, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey now...
That’s not even remotely true….
Tin Cup
Dances with Wolves
A Perfect World
JFK
Thirteen Days
Open Range
For Love of the Game
Those were all good movies, and one won an Oscar for best picture.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Does anyone know what difference between the two mlbtv packages being offered?
one is 19.95 and the other is 9.95?
Postseason.tv doesn't have live blackouts.
The other one probably does.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Well that one's gone.
The season’s over. Postseason.tv is only 9.95 and you don’t get live blackouts. I asked last night on the mib.tv forum.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I just realized that last year is the only postseason I can remember
that I didn’t have a team I cared about playing. 2007 kind of counts but I picked up the Indians in the first game of the ALDS so I feel like it doesn’t really count.
Just weird.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Last year the Cardinals weren't in the Postseason...
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Nope, but we've won a playoff game more recently than the Cubs!
Game 5. 2006.
No, Chuck...We got lettuce!
Well yes but that wasn't the point.
I’m so confused!
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I made a special forum for you to let out your angst
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but you can't comment on it
(or at least I can’t) so it is unhelpful.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
that place is gonna be epic
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
i just posted like 25 random topics
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
it's too late since this is already rolling
but if we want to be real dicks, we could go take over another SBN blog.
j/k
mostly
cautionary comic: http://xkcd.com/591/
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
you mean those foolish places without waiting periods?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
haha
there are also places where one rec turns it green
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I NOMINATE BCB!!!
find me under the fan voices section for the st. louis rams
by stlcardinalsfang on Oct 6, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
that's not even fun anymore.
they’re boring.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
moi aussi.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:27 AM EDT up reply actions
you should register
You could talk about music.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I shall
once I get out of this office
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
TBS begins bonus baseball
is there a thread? [looks around]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
here comes Dreamy Joe. we can begin.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
they're playing Green Day
Know Your Enemy
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
OMGOMGOMG!
Fox_Sports_MW
Brendan Ryan says he’s going fully waxed Rollie Fingers stache for gm 1.
No, Chuck...We got lettuce!
this completes me.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
greeeaaaat.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
the scariest part of that
is that NONE of his family is dissuading him from this plan.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
if he does nothing tony makes him scrap it, right?
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
i wonder if Zavada hates him
or if they’ll be brothers-in-stache.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
day has been made
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
YES.
hooray!
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
Dreamy Joe doubles
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Is anyone watching the game on AtBat (iphone app)
the broadcast restrictions only blackout the normal tv feed, but they let you watch from any of 8 camera angles with audio. It’s pretty strange to watch everything from the center field camera.
is it a real CF camera, or the dumb offset camera?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
they're just focused on the ump right now during the commercial break
I’ll let you know in a sec
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
booooo!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
watching from the Home dugout
on mlb.tv. I like it! Hope it continues in the post season… I’ll set a laptop next to the big screen.
by baked mcbride on Oct 6, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
audio feed open during commercials
this could get interesting
by baked mcbride on Oct 6, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
it's strange to hear the interview between innings
then replayed during the broadcast
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Odds that he's stealing signals?
"There's a lot of things we say that don't make sense to our viewers. Okay, primarily me." ~Al Hrabosky~
VOTE FOR BOOG - Mustache of the Year
Robert Goulet Mustache of the Year Voting
No, Chuck...We got lettuce!
by vexedtechie on Oct 6, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
it's hard not to vote for sully!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
already done.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
Miggy just smashed that ball like it was his wife.
No, Chuck...We got lettuce!
by vexedtechie on Oct 6, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't want to be oversensitive
but this kind of rubs me the wrong way. If no one else has a problem I’ll deal with it but…
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
attn: VEB. learn to flag.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Do you really flag people?
I never like being a tattle tale
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not telling
but it’s counterproductive to comment “I’m not trying to make drama but…..” when that just makes more drama. and sometimes, troll-feeding.
the only people who know the specifics of a flag are the mods.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I did not say I'm not trying to cause drama
I said I don’t want to be overly sensitive. There’s a difference. The second implies it could be my problem.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
uh, but you decided to press Post on a comment?
and no, flags are not about you. (it’s not all about you, CG, lol.) it’s about the community and its standards.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
anyway, I'm probably missing something
between the baseball and the stuff I’m actually supposed to do
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
just for effect
like I did to yours.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
See I don't really know what constitutes a flag.
No one has ever really explained it to me. Is it just if you’re offended at all? I’d rather just tell the person. I feel like I’m going behind their back if I flag them.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
3 options
inappropriate
spam
troll
so, whatever you think fits
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
that's not an option, you idiot.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
see, I don't understand this.
I guess it’s my conditioning on the internet. That’s what mods do. That’s why flags exist.
I might as well ask you why it’s better to make a possibly passive-aggressive comment that might blow up in your face instead of alerting the mod and letting them decide.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
well my general idea
Is that mod’s don’t have to settle everything
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, but I've also seen threads that blow up
for no good reason other than none of the participants want to press ‘flag’.
I imagine for much the same reason as CG — it doesn’t feel right. in the meantime, the community has to sit through a conversation no one actually wants.
(I don’t actually think there’d be an epidemic of flagging on VEB anyway. This ain’t BCB.)
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Agreed
better to flag a comment then respond with a comment that doesn’t add anything to the conversation.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
so what happens when you are flagged
do you get a warning from mods after a certain # of flags, or if the mods think you were over the line?
I find it hard to fathom that out of near 11,000 comments that I haven’t gotten a warning yet. I can think of one case where I would not have been surprised to sign in to a warning.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I think they just get a note?
because there’s a form to fill out.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
i guarantee you i've been flagged
you don’t talk out of your ass as much as i do & not piss at least one person off
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
it's my remarkable ability to be drunk and yet polite
mouth is the last to go. gonna get me in trouble one of these days.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
In Soviet Russia wife smashes your balls.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
are they scuffed?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Rubbed lightly please...
Just like Bronson.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
those poor clubhouse attendants.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
is anyone counting the number of times "fisted" is used in this broadcast?
it’s going to be a long, long postseason…
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
if we're going to follow this game, i already need a new thread
it’s really slow & choppy
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
first mention of the Cardinals.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
hahaha, Dreamy Joe is no Yadi.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Kittens up 1
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
compared to ours, yeah.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
well we were supposed to rebuild that year, weren't we?
then the WS delayed some things? I can’t remember.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
we have
Pujols
Yadi
Carp
Wainwright
(and Thompson, Skip, and Kinney kind of)
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
wow
That’s an unreal amount of turnover in 3 years (isn’t it?)
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought that was the goal, though.
we’re a lot more home-grown today than we were then.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
which pays off in little details like Motte warning Pags about Fielder's dumb non-slides.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
it takes three guys to get him upright again when he does slide.
true story.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
I bet we're as home grown now as we were in 06.
I’ll go through the rosters later if nobody else does.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
06? no way.
who did we have, Yadi and Albert and CDunc and A-Rey and … one of the starters, I think.
09 has Yadi, Albert, Ludwick, Skip, Boog, (CDunc), Ank, Colby… Memphis kids include Stav, Freese, Pags, Greene Tea, and the two in the bullpen.
probably a mistake in there.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
yall forget about the bullpen brats so fast
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I was filling 'em in!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
And Rolen and Edmonds
who weren’t quite free agents.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
and THE HOFF.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
06
Looper, Flores, PK.
Memphis kids were J-Rod and Skip and … probably Narveson. Nelson and Gall.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
really?
wow, I’m not sure how I missed that. or maybe I knew that, and then the very concept of Braden Looper threw me.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
flagged!
lol
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
He was traded to Florida for Renteria
While he was still in the minors
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
He is still hated in New York
after he was the Mets’ closer (in, I think, 04) and blew a bazillion saves.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions
05, in fact
he was the closer/set-up guy there for 2 years after his stint with the Marlins.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Looking just at playoff rosters: 2006 wins 8 to 10
Originally drafted or purchased by the Cards on the 06 roster:
C Yadi – Yes
1B Pujols – Yes
2B Miles – No
22 Eckstein – No
3B Rolen – No
LF Taguchi – No
CF Edmonds – No
RF Encarnacion – No
UT Spiezio – No
OF Duncan – Yes
OF Rodriguez – No
IF Belliard – No
OF Wilson – No
C Bennett – No
Carpenter – No
Suppan – No
Weaver – No
Reyes – Yes
Hancock – No
Wainwright – No
Kinney – Yes
Thompson -Yes
Looper – Yes
Johnson – Yes
Flores – No
8 Total
2009:
C Yadi – Yes
1B Pujols – Yes
2B Skip – Yes
SS Ryan – Yes
3B DeRosa – No
LF Holliday – No
CF Rasmus – Yes
RF Ludwick – No
IF Glaus – No
IF Lugo – No
OF Ankiel – Yes
C La Rue – No
Crap Thurston – No
Wainwright – No
Pineiro – No
Carp – No
Lohse – No
Smoltz – No
Boggs – Yes
Hawksworth – Yes
McClellan – Yes
Motte – Yes
Reyes – No
Miller – No
Franklin – No
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
aha, there's my mistake
Luddy.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I can't believe we won the World Series with only 11 pitchers
that’s madness!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
fixed
I can’t believe we won the World Series with only 11 pitchers
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
the Ludwick boys got around.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
now I'm curious.
damn me.
Eric Ludwick
(born Whiteman AFB, Missouri)
UNLV Baseball 1993
St. Lucie Mets 1994
Norfolk Tides 1995
Binghamton Mets 1995
Louisville Redbirds 1997 1996
St. Louis Cardinals 1997 1996
Edmonton Trappers 1997
Pittsfield Mets 1993
Oakland Athletics 1997
Charlotte Knights 1998
Florida Marlins 1998
Calgary Cannons 1999
Toronto Blue Jays 1999
Indianapolis Indians 2000
Hiroshima Toyo Carp 2000 2001
Ryan Ludwick
UNLV Baseball 1999 1998 1997
Modesto A’s 2000 1999
Sacramento River Cats 2001
Midland Rockhounds 2001
Oklahoma RedHawks 2002
Texas Rangers 2003 2002
Oklahoma Redhawks 2003
Akron Aeros 2004
Cleveland Indians 2005 2004 2003
Buffalo Bisons 2005 2004
Toledo Mud Hens 2006
Memphis Redbirds 2007
St. Louis Cardinals 2009 2008 2007
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
wouldn't it have been funny
if MLB had suspended Bonderman four games instead of three.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Maybe they actually like Detroit.
Not a bunch of guys to mess with.
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsh on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Oct 6, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
so this is Porcello's 5th start this year against MIN
and, also, baker’s 5th start against DET.
This makes me happy, in a “Monk” sort of way.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
Miggs comes through
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
The Humpty Dome?
"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer
Anyone know who the announcers are for our series?
Not real thrilled with what tbs has run out there today.
"I remember once talking to one guy on the Cardinals and asking him what Pujols was like as a teammate. He said something that’s really special, if you think about it. He said: "Albert is so good that you feel like you let him down when you screw up." I thought that had to be the ultimate line that could ever be said about a ballplayer. I build my baseball team around that ballplayer."
we eather get Don Orsillo & Buck Martinez or Dick Stockton & Bob Brenly
i hope it’s don & buck, but i doubt it because both are AL East guys. i 6ly fucking hate bob brenly
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
I will be listening to the radio broadcasts
I fucking hate pretty much every TBS announcer not name Mark Grace, and even he can drive me nuts at times.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I have a theory...
…that Albert has been more vulnerable to the high pitch than usual. This is based on looking some clips where he seems more vulnerable to pitchers going up the ladder on him than usual.
Is there an easy way to verify this?
To me the only way you can pitch to Pujols is a 95+ Up and In fastball
That you can counter with a slider away
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 6, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
They seem to be getting him middle up, not up and in
At least in the clips I have seen.
He is vulnerable to the slider since he likes to sit on the FB,
pitching Pujols up and in
not a great idea, cause he’ll lay off it and then get pissed off.
Personally my game plan for pitching Pujols is to walk him his first 2 PAs and then try to get him frustrated/impatient/bored enough to swing at slop in his next two and hope he hits a weak grounder or strikes out.
Either that or have a knuckleballer stashed in right field that comes in to pitch only when Pujols is batting.
yes. that totally works.
sadly. especially when he’s “trying to get his swing back”.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
then they go to the bullpen
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
For example...
A good example is Pujols’ AB in the bottom of the 5th on 9/16…
He took a heater down the middle and then chased a heater middle up.
the reason I say that
(about trying to get him frustrated) is that he’s shown a tendency during his “slumps” this year to get himself out. IIRC he’s always been a guy willing to expand his zone when he feels like he’s got a pitch figured out, but this year it seems like he’s been doing it more than in years past.
Now that I’ve typed that, I looked up his O-swing % and it’s a career high (22.9%; career avg is 19.2).
he's been opening up again and his feet are starting to get messy again.
his Usual Slump™.
Hopefully Lugo can make himself useful and remind him.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
shocking, isn't it?
how sweet it is.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Their footwork in 2006 was terrible
They didn’t get sideways to the target.
Instead, they just faced the target and let it rip, which is how most IFers make their errors.
I remember... was it Mulder?
caught on the mike talking about their bad feet.
then they did it again.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
it was an inactive pitcher
so I assume it was Mulder. man, I can picture it — he was leaning on the rail and he turned to another pitcher and said “they’re throwing flat-footed, see” or something like that.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
the funniest part
is he was demonstrating it and talking about it for some time.
and they still kept making the errors.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Was my guess correct?
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
damn it
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
did you guess the tigers
or did I miss something here
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I still say it was the White Sox.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Well, it's certainly possible
that they are ALSO dumb about their video usage patterns.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
They did it multiple times
I used it as a clinic for the kids I teach.
You HAVE to get sideways to the target, or else you’ll just push the ball and are vulnerable to being inaccurate horizontally.
MVP chant
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
SIAP but the announcers for our series....
Dick Stockton, Bob Brenly and Tom Verducci….please just sweep them to minimize the damage to my ears.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
I like brenley
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I like Brenley and Stockton
Stockton may not be as good in baseball as he is in football, but at least he is not a dolt.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
he's got a great voice
but, yeah, not too sharp about the apple hurling.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
brenly just rubs me the wrong way
There’s a smug undertone that I just can’t ignore
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
"OHHHHH!!!!!!! IT TASTES. SO. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!"
-BOOOOOOOOG
by slu on Oct 6, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
thats going to be a long series with those guys
is KTRS getting broadcast rights also, or is it all WWL radio?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
Both do.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
gooood
hello moon man and rooney
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
yeah
now i just have to hope that TBS wont be as annoying as they have been with their series promos during the play offs
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
I'm excited about Mark!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
When will scooter come back?
That’s what I want to know!
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
does Porcello have a mushroom haircut?
now I wanna call him porcello mushroom.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
There Skip goes with the fisted again
I always seem to forget that is Carey’s favorite call
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I get so effing sick of that.
Every single goddamned hit!
He fisted it into the gap! He fisted it right up the middle! He fisted it down the third base line!
6ly, why doesn’t his boss talk to him about that?
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
"POOL TEMPERATURES FUCK YEAH"--tgreenfield, The September 10th-11th VEB Off-Topic Explosion
porcello
:(
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
yes
that is why :(
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
Well I for one think that, if you look at the numbers and the situation, and the team's needs at the time...
Or maybe not.
I mean
i see why the cards didnt want to take a chance with rick, but just watching the guy pitch like he is now makes me wonder….what might have been
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
Carp, WW, and Porcello.....
What a what might have been.
"Obviously, tipping pitches didn't help" - John Smotzl
"If you disrespect the Baseball Gods, you'll get slapped." - TLR Passan
wait, what was the news on the Rocks?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Marquis isn't starting?
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Opening series in pen, according to Rockies mothership.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Jimenez (yes), Cook (decent), Hammel (huh??).
Wow. I’m thinking the Phillies are looking pretty good in that series over there.
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
I'm trying to figure out what I think of Marquis out of the bullpen
somewhere Tony LaRussa nods and allows himself to smile briefly, and then the poker face comes back….
Unless a kitten is present,
in which case Tony is giddy.
"I’m going to come after you." - Chris Carpenter
Hammel's been really good this year
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions
best quote (through gritted teeth?):
“Obviously, I wanted the ball, but it’s the playoffs and they have to do what’s best for the team,” Marquis said. “You check your ego at the door.”
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
thanks y'all.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I don't care what the haters say
Pete Kozma could be doing just as well as Porcello
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
when Pete Kozma makes a 2010 late season push for the ROY
while helping push us to the division championship yet again, all these haters will shush it!
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Kozam will never even crack the Memphis roster
Bill 6ly fucked up not paying for Rick
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
I too have pretty serious doubts about Kozma
they’d have been better leaving him in the low minors for a year or two than advancing him to a level where he’s clearly totally overmatched and not really learning anything.
Best-case scenario I think is that he’ll be Tyler Greene in about 2 years.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Oct 7, 2009 5:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Holliday article in the PD
think this is a veiled shot at Oakland?
The situation in St. Louis certainly fits into Holliday’s Field of Dreams at this point. “I’ve found that playing on winning teams is the only way to play,” Holliday said. “It just makes the game a whole lot more fun and more enjoyable. I feel like I become a better player, because there are lot more things I feel I can do that can help the team win, instead of playing on a team that is basically purely about numbers and self-gratification. I don’t enjoy that atmosphere in baseball.”
Maybe not. I might be reading too much into it.
I don't think it is veiled at all
it’s just a shot at Oakland
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
he seems like he's a pretty optimistic sort of guy
strikes me as odd that he’d hold a grudge. Like I said, maybe it’s just an awkward choice of words.
want more pie?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
[incoherent noises]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
you just like springing that on people.
you and your baking.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Get thee to Lego's locker posthaste!
Preferably, wearing some…ahem…appropriate attire. French maid, perhaps?
Yes, it’s a joke. I swear, I’m not misogynistic! You’ll still talk to me, right guys?
Guys?
(sits in corner)
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
I'd put on a french maid outfit and bring him a pie if that's what it takes
As long as it’s around Halloween, so it wouldn’t look too gay.
he's used the word "feel" twice in the course of one sentence
I think it’s a veiled shot at stat robots
by brackenthebox on Oct 6, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
or... LEGOS.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
My goodness, that Kubel certainly can hit, can't he?
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
Dreamy Joe sucks for not getting on base in front of the homer
they’re playing the Star Wars theme
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Kubel hr
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions
heh
star wars theme plays after HR
i like it
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
overflows are for amateurs
my dream for a 3000 comment post is about to die, isn’t it?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
if i had a good computer
id be okay with that, but alas i do not
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
especially if everyone goes to vebafterhours later
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 6, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
here we go.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
why was granderson that deep?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
*preemptive
thats what she said
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
HPB!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
metrodome on their feet
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
no pressure Tolbert
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
aw, LOBsters.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
The following cardinals have a worse ops than Tolbert:
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
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