April and June
by DanUpBaby on Jun 11, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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The Jeff Suppan thing, a done deal, then, as of press-time this morning, just an almost-done deal, has brought with it a lot of mostly justifiable consternation. It isn't all Suppan's fault—he has the misfortune of being the last guy to fall onto this particular camel—but his having been released by the pitching-desparate Brewers is a real reason for fan panic. He's not very good, he hasn't been very good since he was last a Cardinal, and he's not likely to be good again. That part's his fault.
The rest of it is circumstance. Jeff Suppan happens to be the third veteran called up in the same confidence-shaking month. The way in which the Cardinals have been revamped this month is in part pragmatic. Bernie Miklasz, no La Russa apologist, does the best job yet of attempting to explain, if not justify, the team coming to the Jeff Suppan conclusion:
What about other free agents? Well, the Cardinals wanted to have someone capable of pitching right away, as opposed to signing a Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz or Braden Looper and wait while they take a month to condition their arms. The Cardinals needed an arm to fill the void quickly. Suppan could make a faster transition, given that (A) he pitched as recently as last weekend, and (B) Duncan has a working knowledge of Supp's stuff, and can immediately enter into the task of problem solving.
Suppan costs the Cardinals virtually nothing - just the pro-rated veteran minimum salary - so the dumpster-dive cost was appealing to the organization. ... obviously their anxiety level has increased in recent days, and TLR and Duncan put more muscle behind their push to do something ... they wanted a veteran and they wanted him NOW.
This is actually fair—the Cardinals' problem is over the next month, not (he said hopefully) the season, and Suppan, as poor a bet as he is, is the nearest one there is to game shape who doesn't involve the Cardinals trading any of the prospects they're trying increasingly strenuously not to play.
But the anger that seemed to accompany this signing didn't come from the actual wins and losses value of it; it came from what seems like a fundamental betrayal of one of the principles that built the most successful version of the 2010 Cardinals. Jeff Suppan's just the unfortunate symbol. In March the Cardinals felt they could trust Jaime Garcia, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs, David Freese, and their trust was vindicated. But in June, already, it seems like the lesson wasn't learned.
But even as the reemergence of Suppan and Miles drives us to non-baseball distractions it's important to remember that the reason it's so annoying is not that this is all the Cardinals seem to do; it's that it's backsliding, and unexpected backsliding, from a basically enlightened start to the season. For all their stated needs for veterans—NOW—the Cardinals entered a season reliant on Jaime Garcia, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs, David Freese. And that's why the idea that—straw men coming—Aaron Miles is the right bloody shirt on which to base an ouster of Tony La Russa, or the reason the Cardinals will fall flat in the playoffs, is so preposterous.
This isn't going to be the end of the Cardinals, and it's not the end of a team that's still impressively young. They can't continue to give away runs by utilizing their bench assets so poorly, but that's mostly Miles's and Stavinoha's territory unless Penny returns and Ottavino's on a better run than Suppan. But this is a young team getting old, not an old team getting older; let's not declare Tony La Russa permanently uncomfortable with the social networking demographic until he's successfully kicked them off the team.
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Have no fear
this is just that part of the season where a few players are hurt and it’s that part of the season where “Tony’s favorites” are filling in to bide some time untill the team is healthy and starts to become that offensive machine that they should be for the August/September run to the division title. Think this time last season when Duncan/Ankiel were middle of the order hittiers and Thurston was playing 3rd.
The good thing is the Cubs are playing like the Cubs and the Reds probably won’t run away with this division… so like last year there is plenty of time to get hot and win this thing pretty easy…..or at least by 4-5 games. Of course Holliday will HAVE to start hitting with runners on, Penny will HAVE to get healthy and be effective, and Rasmus and Freese will NEED to stay healthy so our bench players are not in the starting line-up every day…plus maybe a little more Pujols of old.
We had this “blip” in the season last year after a hot start. Right now it’s looking pretty similar. Although if Miles is playing 3rd on a regular basis and Suppan is our 4th starter come August….then it might be time to worry.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
Very true
also, we’re one game back (one!) against a Reds team that is probably no better than its current record (and which has been fairly lucky so far).
Also, people underestimate how big a factor it is that the Cubs and Brewers have sucked. If they were in the hunt too, it’s MUCH harder to win the division, as the chances of all 3 clubs nosediving are much slimmer, and the chances of one of our three rivals going on a massive run of good luck is higher. It’s really a LOT harder to win a division when you’re one game behind three teams than when you’re only trailling one team, even if the deficit is the same.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It will be interesting to see
if and when the Cubs have some sort of “fire sale” same with the Brewers. If the Cubs get swept or lose 2 of 3 from the White Sox this weekend….they are going to have some decisions to make and that might include a new manager. Of course as long as the Reds don’t jump out too far and the Cards continue to play barely .500 ball they are still going to feel they have a chance…slim as it might be. The Brewers are done. They don’t have the pitching and will probably be looking for teams to trade Fielder and Hart to soon.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
I think Hendry gets fired before Lou, tbh
the reason they suck is that Jim Hendry has dealt a succession of awful contracts to mediocre players. I’m not sure any manager would’ve got much more out of them this year.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Sweet Lou
should go. No doubt about it in my mind. Hendry needs to go first, but Lou should be right behind him.
Baseball first, teams second, players third, agents last.
by Dave Pendleton on Jun 11, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I think which ever team loses the cross town matchup will have a fire sale
hell, they might both have one. buy a cubs player, get a sox player 1/2 off
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
We're still tops in the NL in BP's adjusted standings, second to the Padres in x w-l
We’ve had bad luck an injuries, the Reds have had some good luck.
Signing Miles and Suppan is infuriating not because these two will actually doom our season (yet). It is infuriating because here we see two clear symptoms of a disease many of us thought the Cardinals had cured.
Another thing, and I don’t even really know what I think of this and how it related to everything yet, but here it goes: our main problem seems to be the injuries to Lohse and Penny. Slumps will come and go and I am confident that Pujols and Holliday will be fine. Freese and Rasmus seem to be suffering from minor stuff. But when two of your starters go down for significant amounts of time (I am counting Penny’s time as significant, he will have been out for several weeks by the time he’s back) that is a huge blow. They were proven veterans. Lohse was even a proven and durable veteran. Not sure what to make of that.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I don't think the Suppan signing would be widely hated as it is.
If it didn’t follow hot on the heels of Miles coming back up, and the Winn signing. However since it did, it’s not going to be popular. And really why should it be. There had to be better options. A guy like Resop from the Braves would be nice, or even Duke from the Pirates. Not a guy who’s best stuff was like 4 years ago. I just have a hard time seeing this team as a World series contender, with guy’s like Miles, and Suppan on the 40 man roster. And that’s disappointing considering the optimism I felt coming into the year.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
Suppan doesn't pitch in the playoffs
unless we get two injuries to our rotation in the post-season. And, realistically, if that happens, we’re going to struggle regardless.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions
the winn signing didn't help either
and now this. out of those three moves, this makes the most sense – but it doesn’t really make a lot of sense given that the cards said that they were going to try the youth movement (mostly going back to jay & craig).
Albert's grand slam, 7/3/09
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's stache is back!
Aaron Miles, Tony? Really?
my question is... how long do we live with this?
we can throw Peej to the wolves as much as we want, and at the end of the day he’ll be happy to have a job. same with anyone else coming up from Memphis.
but when do we say thanks-and-goodbye to former veterans with families who have, oh, won a ring with the team? when exactly do the Cards quit them?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
^ veteran returning teammates, not former veterans
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
When did we release Todd Wellemeyer?
"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 Todd Wellemeyer counts as a veteran in good standing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
So, his not being released should be even more disconcerting...
"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
ohgod.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
resop:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-fascinating-story-of-chris-resop/
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
A thousand times, this
But the anger that seemed to accompany this signing didn’t come from the actual wins and losses value of it; it came from what seems like a fundamental betrayal of one of the principles that built the most successful version of the 2010 Cardinals.
I remember there was an argument here on VEB regarding Tony’s attitude toward rookies. This was prior to the Aaron Miles Tragedy and at the time, Tony was showing a refreshing attitude toward playing the kids and so many of us were willing to defend him. Fourstick made the prediction that we would all be proven wrong when Miles was on our team in a month’s time. And here we are. I can only hope this whole situation proves temporary and we aren’t looking at Miles and Suppan in September.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
but sadly
we’ll probably be seeing them in september anyway.
Albert's grand slam, 7/3/09
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's stache is back!
Aaron Miles, Tony? Really?
So this is all Fourstick's fault?
Where does he live?
I’ll go buy some torches at lunch and we can meet up at 5 or so. I have to take the kids to the pool later on tonight.
I have a brick home
So good luck burning that sumbitch down ;-) It’s also in Des Moines, so you guys probably have a pretty decent drive ahead of you.
I refuse to take the blame for this, but I will take credit for seeing this coming. But not even I, for all of my faith in LaRussa sticking to what he knows best, could have foreseen that our front office would bend over backwards to sign Jeff Suppan when we have at least 5 capable fifth starters in AAA that don’t cost us much of anything to find out what they have.
I firmly believe that the DeWitt, Mo, and Luhnow basically laid down the law after the Holliday signing that Tony would have to play some of the young players coming up out of the organization:
“Listen, we got you your big bat, and that’s all that’s left to spend. You’re going to have to play some of these young guys because we can’t afford to sign expensive FA veterans when you play 140 different lineups involving Pujols batting third every year anyway.”
Or something of that nature.
Now it seems like they’ve backed off of their guns and I, for the life of me, can’t figure out why. It can’t just be the fact that these guys cost next to nothing. It’s got to be something else — all three of the players we’ve signed are great clubhouse guys (at least according to reports), but if we’re signing guys who are great clubhouse guys, that tells me that the manager has lost the clubhouse and that he needs a bunch of “yes men” to get people back in line. I don’t buy this at all — and it would be the first time this has ever happened to Tony LaRussa. But I can’t come up with any other explanation, unless they think that a Craig/Walters/Jay/Mather package can net us Hanley Ramirez or something.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
throw greene in that package
marlins will need a ss.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
But not even I, for all of my faith in LaRussa sticking to what he knows best, could have foreseen that our front office would bend over backwards to sign Jeff Suppan when we have at least 5 capable fifth starters in AAA that don’t cost us much of anything to find out what they have.
Suppan is, obviously, abysmal, but I’m not sure I’d say we had any depth in AAA left. The conversion of Hawksworth and Boggs to bullpen roles, the struggles of Hill (whose career is, I think, over, and who’s been in the pen sucking most of this year anyhow), and the fact Lynn’s not adjusted very well to AAA hitters yet means we really don’t have much depth at all. PJ Walters is probably the best option and he’s looked VERY poor, other than that, we could go the soft-tossing lefty option in Evan MacLane (who I wouldn’t mind throwing a start to, but who I readily admit will probably not find his late-80s fastball quite so effective in MLB and may get hammered), and that’s about it. Brandon Dickson? Oneli Perez? These guys are seriously probably not even as good as Suppan. I don’t especially mind going with the garbage pitcher we know over the ones we don’t (though I think I’d marginally prefer giving MacLane a chance to Suppan, he DID get badly rocked in his last AAA start I think).
In many ways, although we all got excited about Mitchell Boggs 98mph 2-seamers from the bullpen, the fact that he’s only being used as our 4th-choice righty by TLR means that he’s really not throwing a lot of important innings this year. Is there, perhaps, a good argument that we’d be better off with a 5th/6th starter who factors to be below average (with maybe upside to reach above average, perhaps) rather than a guy who throws well in the pen but isn’t used much (especially given that Lohse may not be able to pitch next year)?
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions
A boost
It’s almost like Wainwright is kneeling down so that Aaron can get a running start and jump off his back in order to get the throw to first.
It’s like in grade school when one kid knelt down so the others could get a boost to try dunking.
Adios Esposito.
Adios Sarge. Say a prayer for Surf Boy...wherever he is.
Perspective.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, this shot is liable to be taken with a powerful telephoto lens
one of the artefacts of telephoto is a pretty severe foreshortening effect (i.e. the distance between objects in the foreground and background appears visually much less than it is, changing their apparent relative sizes in relation to the apparent perspective). Miles is likely quite a long way behind Wainwright here.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
It does make for a pretty humorous special effect though.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I think it can be used artistically as well. I really like this photograph, actually. It’s quite atypical for a sports shot, too, in a good way. I like the really narrow depth of field, though that’s possibly a necessary effect of the lack of light the photographer had to work with here, rather than an intentional effect. I don’t really know enough about the capabilities of a modern telephoto set-up to guess either way.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
A lot of people have assumed that tilt shift photography made Miles look like a miniature
But he really is that small.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
don't you need dexterity for that?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
No whoopers
For Miles
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 11:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
*whoppers
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 11:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Smells like cabbage?
Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic
-Robert S. Wieder
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jun 11, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Respective heights
Miles: 5’8"
Wainwright: 6’7"
So, Wainwright is almost a foot taller than Miles.
"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
Waino is 6 foot 7?
Really? Wow. I thought he was about 6’4", 6’5" tops.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
he keeps standing next to Carpenter.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Carp is generally standing around looking for people to luggage.
Waino skulks (crouches? stalks?) around looking for people to surprise-hug.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
Cardinals starting rotation: when you least expect it.
in fact, that may work both ways… hmmm… when can I hit photoshop next.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
FM!
I am amazed that you didn’t know this. All about arm angle, the release closer to the plate, etc. old chap!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
for fun here's a list of players by height
top 5
Waino 6’ 7
Carp 6’6
Otta 6’5
Boggs 6’4
Holliday 6’4
……………………….
Average height of 25 man roster 6’2
Average height of pitchers 6’3
Average height of the IF 6’0
Average height of the OF 6’3
Average height of average man is 5’ 9(source)
avg height of Miles, Skip & Regalia : 5'8"
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Anything that you know about modern telephoto capabilities is more than I do.
I know to how point and click.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Stop making sense
I appreciate your explanation of prespective and foreshortening, but the camera here captured the truth (on multiple levels) is that A.D.A.M. is a giant, and that Miles is Lilliputian.
by madridbend on Jun 11, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I just woke up
is it over? was it just a nightmare?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
No such luck.
My theory is Mo was getting jealous of Walt’s run in Cincy with all his grizzled vets and decided he better do as Tony says.
The last week or so has that sour smell of panic
Or a collective loss of nerve.
We hit one rough patch and no we’re clicking out heels together, saying, “There’s no place like 2006. There’s no place like 2006.”
Of course, you can’t go home again.
by thepainguy on Jun 11, 2010 8:57 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
... the 2006 regular season sucked.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
4 months of it sucked.
April and May were nice.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
so if only our april was good this season
and the rest sucked, do we get to run away with the ws title?
I'm not ready to shoot anybody at sunrise just yet....
over any of the recent moves. In general, I’m giving the Cardinals the benefit of the doubt. Their track record over the last several years has been pretty good.
It’s a little too early for me to say if the Miles & Winn thing was a good or bad move, We’ll find out.
Picking up Suppan makes sense to me but what do I know? I’m betting that Duncan thinks he can get something out of him, and the price is right.
However…I might be the only one who feels this way but I’m not sure this team is playoff bound. We’re not at the All Star break yet and the Cards are managing to stay competitive but it sure feels like a glue and paper clip season. Wainwright, Carp and Garcia…then Mott seem to be the glue of the pitching.
On offense, well, Ludwick (known as being streaky) now seems to be the most reliable.
On defense they have trouble in the middle in the middle infield. It’s all duct tape.
I don’t have the optimism I had at the beginning of the season. Freese and Garcia are about the only two that have provided any pleasant surprise. Rasmus still shows promise but if Pujols and Holliday don’t really heat up and the defense continues like it is, the Cardinals may just be “also rans”.
Right now the management seems to be just plugging holes in a leaking boat and doing it the cheapest way they can.
I could be wrong but that’s how I see it today…but tomorrow’s another day.
Baseball first, teams second, players third, agents last.
I think they'll come round
there’s an awful lot of players playing below themselves and we’ve been a bit unlucky – a lot of the wins seem to be blowouts, a lot of the losses seem to be just 1 run or so. I can’t see the whole team continuing to suck all year with RISP either. Timing is everything! Have faith. I still think we’re the best team in the NLC, and one of the 2 or 3 best in the NL.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Right now...
we have potential.
Baseball first, teams second, players third, agents last.
by Dave Pendleton on Jun 11, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
And we're one game out of the division lead.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
thank goodness for that.
it’s by a fingernail, but they still haven’t pushed us off the ledge.
still a long season left to go.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I must admit I don't really get all the pessimism
we’re still pretty strong favourites to make the post-season. I know we’ve just been swept and signed some bad players but, it’s a long season, like you say.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not pessimistic,
I’m just not optimistic.
Baseball first, teams second, players third, agents last.
by Dave Pendleton on Jun 11, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
We really are the clear favorites in the division for the year
The talent is there, the performance-as-pure-input is there, but the results have not been by a big enough margin that the playing-over-their-heads Red are barely ahead of us in the standings. Not time to panic by any means.
I’m totally OK with complaints about dumb roster moves though.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I think that would be appropriate
By that point I would say it is time to crack open each other’s skulls and feast on the gooey innards.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I, for one, welcome our new Ohioan overlords.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
volquez makes his first rehab start tomorrow
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
All true.
But then, if everyone had this attitude, there’d be 95% fewer posts on this website.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 11, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I posted ihadn'tn yesterday's
thread at the end, and mentioned that it was entertaining to see the angst in Cardinal nation over the recent losses and player acquistions. I then commented that off days were injurious to the health of Cardinal fans. Finally, I mentioned that I had advovcated getting Dontrelle a few weeks ago when he was available. Got to be a better acquisition than JS. But maybe it was not cost effective, or at the time we thought that Brad would be coming back sooner, and we hadn’t had the actual PJ/Blake catharsis. What would it have taken to get Dontrelle anyhow?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
D Train went to.... D-backs, yes?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
and his ERA is under 3 with them. I saw the need for him then, but I guess that we were hoping for Ottavino and PJ to pan out.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I believe DanUp relayed that Willis has a house in Arizona,
maybe even Phoenix, and that the Diamondbacks were his first, if not only, choice.
"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 hope
that he is my neighbour!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
some messed up title
should be “at the end of”
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I was following
Buckner when he was a juco at that college in Georgia (can’t remember the name now). He would be good too.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Buckner's better than Willis, and Hawksworth actually
he’s rocking a near 20% HR/FB rate in his short MLB career. Whilst some of that may be suckage, given he’s also got a good K rate and some decent stuff, you’ve got to think he’s just been almightily unlucky. I think he’ll turn into a decent 5th starter type, which is more than I think of Hawk, Peej or Willis at the moment.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll
drink to that assessment.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Dontrelle Willis is appalling
and has been for a long time. No way I want anything to do with him whatsoever. MAYBE if you factor in his hitting he’s about as good as Suppan, but even that’s a stretch. He has no idea where the ball’s going anymore and he’s lost all his trickiness since he cleaned up his wacky throwing action; I think that used to have a lot to do with fooling hitters. He hasn’t fooled anyone for about 4 years now.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
OK
I didn’t offer any stats, and my interest in him was only on past rep, but he has not been appalling since joining D’Backs. Rejoinder?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
He has been lucky with the D-Backs
He’s started two games. He’s struck out 5 guys, and walked 10. No-one has ever been a success in MLB walking TWICE as many as they strike out (in fact, even a 1:1 ratio is terrible). He has a line drive rate of 26% (league average is like 19 or something) so he’s been hit harder than most when they’ve actually put the ball in play.
Walking a lot, striking out nobody, and giving up lots of hard contact is not a recipe for success. I guarantee you that if he repeats what he’s done for 2 games over the length of a season, he’d be out of baseball because he will get absolutely destroyed.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
You didn't
have to go into such depth, the first 2 sentences did it. I didn’t look closely, so again, your assessment resonates. I guess that it just irks me that we have to have Sup back in the rotation, particularly given his current numbers.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I agree on that count
Suppan is garbage.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't you mean "rubbish"?
"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
Poppycock?
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
He belongs in the tip.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on Jun 11, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
now that I like
my dad’s always going to the tip…
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
This is all bloody unfair stereotypin', it is.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
guv'ner?
Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic
-Robert S. Wieder
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jun 11, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
you're 'avin a laugh, you tart!
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I fondly
remember my nights in pubs in SW16 (I can’t remember the street name, you would know) in 1984. No tarts though.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
We are obviously
scrapping the bottom of the barrel, but reading yesterday’s thread, there was a consensus, no Sup, but only a few suggestions of plausible options. How about a deal for the much-injured Rich Harden? Or maybe we could get Adam Loewen from the Jays and convert him back into a pitcher? No Ank references, please! Actually, to be serious, Adam’s arm is done I guess.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno, there's a lot of options
but if we want someone RIGHT NOW who can pitch tomorrow (basically), it’s Suppan or the internal options. Trades may take a while to go through, and guys like Washburn or Smoltz or even Pedro aren’t in condition to pitch without a few weeks of working out in AAA, I imagine.
Trade targets:
Baltimore (Kevin Millwood, or even Guthrie, talked about in this thread)
Pittsburgh (more or less any of their guys, but Zach Duke would be a decent target, and is apparently on the trading block)
Kansas City (my personal preference, though I like Duke and Millwood, is probably Brian Bannister, who is cheap and competent and plays well in the Dave Duncan-style).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
for this. Not much out there, but what would we have to give up?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Craig, greene, anderson, and Samuel are the four that I see most likely to be traded.
I just hope the royals get confused on who samuel is and think he is salsa or sanchez.
I kinda would like to see Craig traded
I’m wondering if he has fallen into TRL’s “not on my team” bucket. I don’t know what the requirements are for said bucket other than be the opposite of proven leaky creaky veteran.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
That
comment made me laugh hilariously! But I don’t know how to rec!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
But
do you prefer salsa with your Salas, or maybe that was intentional?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
i heard he goes better with guac
you need something sharp to go with motte, though – he’s 95% cheese.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Click actions, then the options rec or flag will appear.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
thanks
a microbrewery in Helena 15 July? Just an idea?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
yes....
This is my favorite here. There are two, but these guys are the superior of the 2. Best Ipa I’ve ever had. It’s a week day, so it’ll have to be after 6, if that works for you.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I like
the summer pale ale. In BC, can you believe it, a Pale Ale is one of the best selling beers, meaning, there are serious connoisseurs. OK, itinerary maybe we san arrive on 16, being a Friday for a few additional libations. I usually imbibe Flat Tire in AZ, to give an indication of my taste for the amber nectar.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I usually keep two of their beers on tap at home,
they have some wonderful beers.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
if I had a tap at home
I would be in seriously bad condition. Pretty much permanently.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Try 3.....
don’t want things to get too boring……there’s been a few nights after games that it’s a good thing I’m only feet away from my bed.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
yahoo!
sounds like I should deviate to Helena! I was thinking about installing a tap in my place too. As soon as I get home mid-July, I will investigate it. A mid-kitchen island with enclosed keg sounds much more intriguing (to use Leach’s usual immortal words) than acquiring Sup!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think this is a link
to my setup….picture is blocked at work.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I forgot to change that after I changed my avatar.
It’s all a lie anyway, cody.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I also
have no idea how to put an avatar, which I presume is the picture, and the line below with some smartass saying. But maybe not necessary anyhow. But I wouldn’t mind knowing how to do it, maybe actions again?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Click on your username.
Then, in the upper-right corner, click “Edit Account.” You can do things from there.
Regression, bitches.
Allen Craig is top of our list of guys to trade, I think
and, in all honesty, I think that’s not a bad idea. Not sure how well he fits in with our team in future, and there is some suggestion that TLR doesn’t trust him (yet) to play in the majors. He’s the only fringey guy we have who has much value.
Another option would be Daryl Jones, but he’s had a poor last 18 months, dunno how much value he has left. Otherwise, some relief arms and pitchers in the low minors are all we have. Joe Kelly (who must be in our top 10 prospects now) and Eduardo Sanchez are the two names people might actually want. I can see Fernando Salas being vaguely interesting as well.
They’d definitely trade Bryan Anderson to anyone needing a young catcher, though, again, we’d be selling low on him, possibly. He’s doing better in 2010 though.
Other than that, I don’t think any of our minor leaguers have pretty any value at all. Someone like Walters might be used as a throw-in guy or as a token return for a salary dump (say, for Millwood) but not for anyone with any value.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I have my fingers crossed on DJ
He has been getting on base lately. Is it a turn around or only a fluke. We shall see.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
not suck at baseball
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
touche
last I heard about him though was that he was having a good may so I’m not sure what he’s doing in springfield…
he's doing a little better this year, yeah
but he’s not remarkably young or anything and is still a light-hitting shortstop. I think best-case scenario at present is he turns into a slightly weaker glove version of Boog, which isn’t really worth a great deal, and he’s got to progress quite a lot for that to happen.
I don’t think he’ll make it, personally, but time will tell. We seem to be quite good at not giving up on guys and having them make decent strides in the high minors in their mid 20s (see Tyler Greene, Jarrett Hoffpauir, Freese etc. who all turned into something useful past the age of 25).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I still think he could develop more pop than Boggs(not that that's impressive or anything)
maybe top 10 once or twice if he ever reached the majors, probably 15 in the minors
/blah blah
I dunno man
I mean, Wade Boggs is one of the best hitting third basemen of all time. I just don’t really see anything like that as a realistic projection for the Kozmanaut.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
DJ
I saw him in the fall league in AZ, and not so great. And now in AA. He is one of those guys, not a real CF, no power, not a great arm. So 3 tools out of 5 at best. As you say, I don’t really see him as much value to others, let alone us. Not to bring up the specter of seasons past, but he reminds me of Brian Barton, but perhaps even less enticing?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
he's still age-appropriate for his level
so it’s still possible he puts all his talent together, but it’s getting more of a distant possibility now as time goes on. Like you say, he doesn’t really have a lot of power, which is one thing he’d really need to develop a little to progress to the majors as an impact player, I think.
He could still be a potential leadoff type guy, and I’ve heard reports that he CAN play CF, he’s got wheels and maybe you saw him when he was hurt last year? I think he had an ankle problem (or was it knees?) which cut down his range in the OF and his speed, which is one of his biggest tools.
I’ve not seen much of him FWIW, but I think I’ve been quite cold on him for a while. I don’t see how he’s much of a prospect, really, but of the position players in the high minors he’s still one of the more valuable ones, which I suppose shows how bare the system is up there.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't
know. As we say here, SSS, but he flat out missed an easy catch in RF, OK running catch, but not a hard one, and popped out of the glove. No hitting that day. Of course, you can’t judge on that basis, but I said to meeself, this is not Colby, and how quickly did he pass DJ recently? I hate hype, particularly for the person involved, but CR may actually live up to it, which will be a boon for us all.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Never understood the DJ Tools moniker. He's missing far too many of them.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 11, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
because when he received DJ tools he was fooling us all with his 'power', and let's be honest
we ignore the fact that he can’t throw/ field CF because he’s fast and we as fans don’t understand noodle arms until they’re in Stl.
i agree with this.
i like allen craig, but i dont see how he fits unless he can play RF. it will be sad to see ludwick go. and i wonder, who WILL play RF when that happens? Stav is not a starter.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Jay impressed while he was up
I guess he gets a chance. That said, there’s usually a few solid veteran guys who can be had for near the minimum on the FA market every year. Wouldn’t surprise me if we grab one of them. There were a lot of cheap options available this year if we didn’t get Holliday, Winn being one of them (and I’d say he’s done a job so far, though I wouldn’t want him back next year for much more than the league min).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 4:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah, actually
one guy who’s not got a lot of press here – Brett Myers. I don’t like the guy personally (seems a douche) but the Astros are approaching firesale mode, Myers is cheap, AND he’s been successful this year. I wonder if maybe a package around something like Daryl Jones gets it done (they seem keen on speedsters and good athletes, less so on good baseball players, so he seems to fit their bill quite well).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
ERA this year 3.01
FIP 3.5
65 Ks to 27 BBs in 80 innings.
He’s increased his groundball rate over his career norms.
He’s averaging nearly 7 innings per start.
He does seem to be getting a bit lucky on homerun rate, mind you.
He’s having his best season since 2005, and one of the best of his career. I’d say he’s pitching like a good #2 starter at the moment, so it’ll take more than a crappy prospect to land him. But I think we can say he’d fit well into our rotation and be much, much better than the likes of Suppan.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
How cheap
would he be? Seems like a better option than the current alignment, according to the # above.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he's earning about $5m this year (might have been 7 or 8 actually)
so money-wise, he’s very affordable, I’m sure he fits in the budget.
That said, cheap + having an excellent year + success in the past = costs a legitimate prospect or two.
Of course, the Astros suck and Ed Wade isn’t very smart, so it could be that we could convince them to take Daryl Jones or someone as a trade piece. That’d definitely work for me.
I think there’s a fair chance Myers (with a full season) is a type-B free agent, so he’d net us a supplementary draft pick in the 40-50 range. That pick alone is probably worth similar to what Daryl Jones is, prospect-wise, so I’d do it.
Alternatively, maybe Allen Craig, but he’s a heavy price to pay for half a year of Myers.
Astros need players in just about every position (except, unfortunately, catcher, their top prospect is Jason Castro, so no go for trading Anderson), so either one of our better prospects or a package of a few lower guys, probably. If Wade is smart, however, he’d require at LEAST Allen Craig. If I were him, I’d probably go after one of the better power arms in our system – either Joe Kelly or Eduardo Sanchez, probably plus one other prospect or a PTBNL. I’m not sure I’d give up either of those guys for a few months or Myers, but, realistically, that’s the sort of thing it’d take.
I’d say Myers has similar value to DeRosa when we traded for him, so it’d be that sort of package (Chris Perez and Jesse Todd).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Sheets and Milwood are my top 2 to trade targets
*they won’t be worth a lot of prospects because they’re “struggling” and their contracts work for us because they don’t go past this year.
*5 million and a craig+greene and the trade could probably be made.
again we're looking for a #4 starter until penny gets back so
even if we traded for Myers,Lee,SHeets, Milwood. It’s not like they’re going to have that important of a role…well Lee I would make our #3 snap but the other 3 would probably serve as our #5 starter once penny returns.
I don't think Sheets is a possibility
he’s playing for a contending team, and he’s owed even more money than Millwood is.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
well slightly more
the orioles were on the hook for 9M this year,and sheets signed a 10M deal.
IIRC the A’s were in the thick of the AL West race last year when they traded holliday. (maybe it was like 4.5 GB)
Millwood is still owed $12m though
we’d have to actually get the Orioles to pay $3m. In the trade from Texas, they sent Chris Ray and got back Millwood + $3m (NOT Millwood + Texas pay $3m of Millwood’s contract). That said, I assume if we traded for Millwood that’d be one of the stipulations.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
He's one I advocated for in the offseason
I thought he would be a good fit for Busch III, since it suppresses the homer (which has been the bane of his existence for most of his career) pretty well, and I thought the Duncan could work magic with him and his fairly over the top delivery into sinking the ball and getting more grounders.
As far as being a douchebag, Carp would f*** him up if he got out of line.
Knowing what we now know about Garcia and Penny’s hot start, I’m glad we didn’t go after him. If he could have taken Kyle Lohse hunting, however………..kidding, KIDDING!!!
He’d be a decent option if we could get him cheap. Millwood would also be a good target, and shouldn’t cost a whole lot either considering that Baltimore didn’t give up much to get him.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I think they'd basically salary dump Millwood in a month or so, maybe less
the question is whether we actually have the cash to afford $5-6m or so.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions
And yet nobody
is asking that question. If Duncan is so damn good with pitchers, why can’t he get the most out of the young guys? “These young pitchers with all their twittering, and Facebooking, and iPads and such like … why, in my day, we’d sit around the iron stove and talk women, drink beer and I’d tell ’em to stop tipping pitches.”
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 11, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Not ready to panic either...
…Soup’ll hold the fort as well as PJ walters has been doing, maybe a bit better, until penny is ready to come back. Then its between him and Otto. My guess is Lohse is done until later in the summer. I’m willing to bet Dunc will get Soup to pitch better than he did lately for the Brewers, although we can probably forget him being much better than a league average starter to soak up a few starts.
I was moore cowcerned about Wynn taking ABs away from udder OFers, but the only real CFer among them was Jay, and he wasn’t doing so hot. I’d prefer to keep Jay up to break him in moore, but then there is something to be said for the old intangible ‘veteran leadership’-thing. Remember, just because u can’t quantify something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Baseball is a funny game, and plays beyond what the numbers say, which is one reason why I like it. Still, overall, I’d just as soon have Jay on the team than Wynn.
As for Miles, well, I suppose our team just needed to get a bit grittier…
;=8)
Let’s not panic, folks.
:=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Especially with the warmer weather.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Winn
his name is Winn.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 4:58 AM EDT up reply actions
well... world cup starting.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
so that's where all those correspondents went
it’s the X-Games guy.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
wooot...
Go Mexico… They need something good to happen to them. Also, Go North Korea.
/hating on the US of A
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
what in god's name is this
Budweiser sponsored a real world (get it? hur hur hur) reality show.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
they seem to have cast the douchiest American male possible.
well. I take that back. no Affliction tee.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I like the local color but dear GOB
it’s the Juice Box all over again.
that sound.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
what is
that sound? A bunch of angry African bees? This is a reference to the African killer bees that got into South America and then have migrated north. Go Mexico!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
For the record
I’m changing my name to Leander Schaerlaeckens.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
does that mean Dirty Meme-breeder?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
That's one of ESPN's World Cup guys.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
1-0 South Africa
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
1-1 final
South Africa breakaway attempt hits the post in the 90th minute
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
It's like recent VEB gamethreads, apparently.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on Jun 11, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Just like a 1-0 baseball game, huh?
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
The Mexicans have got to be pissed
That off side call to take their first goal away was heinous.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
At least with Joyce it was somewhat close
With the Mexico call the South African defender was all the way back at the line. It was almost literally impossible for anybody to be off side, unless there is something about the rules of soccer I am missing.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
The goalie was out of position (too far forward) which created an odd offsides trap, per ESPN liveblogging
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Yes
I didn’t see it, but there needs to be two PLAYERS in front of you, and the ball as played, for you to be onside.
Usually, the goalkeeper counts as one. In odd cases where the goalkeeper is in front of the play, and there’s a defender on the line, a player who has advanced beyond the goalkeeper can still be offside if the ball is passed forward to him.
I imagine that’s what happened here? It’s a little known rule because the goalkeeper, for obvious reasons, is very rarely advanced beyond the position of the ball.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
That matches with the liveblog take
I haven’t seen it yet.
I’d also like to see the takedown by Mexico in their box. The livebloggers thought Mexico got away with one there too.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Doesn't show the "foul"
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Yup, it was a good call after all
I am still surprised they TV guys kept getting it wrong.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Apparently the football editor of the Daily Telegraph
a large and very successful serious newspaper in the UK, tweeted that it was “the worst decision in world cup history” or something like that and then had to hastily retract to complete embarassment. It’s an obscure rule but a football journo should definitely be well aware of it. The perils of instant commenting on the internet when you’re a professional, I guess!
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 4:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I was wondering about the goalie
However, I was taking the TV guys’ word for it since I assumed they knew what they were talking about. They repeatedly said they didn’t see any infraction. Maybe they corrected themselves while I wasn’t paying attention. Ah well. I didn’t really have a dog in that fight so I am as much amused as anything else by it.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Eh...
most non-Americans understand that life is not always fair and they actually have the resiliency necessary to deal with such outrages.
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
But it wasn't an outrage after all
So no harm done.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
some on
soccer is bigger than baseball and american football combined
it’s allowed to have other rules than just W-L, you know
the first round is point system anyway, then there’s direct elimination
I know i'm being ignorant and biased since I like baseball way more than any other sport, it's just
that if I’m a fan I expect an outcome one way or the other. How can I be happy know we are evenly matched? also in football there are ties as well(very rare though)
i gotta tell you
sometimes i wish there were draws in baseball
like the last great start Waino had against SD or Carp against LAD, where we didn’t deserve to lose by one lousy run especially since our pitching was so awesome
But we did deserve to lose that
because our offense was decidedly not awesome. I understand your point if we’re only talking about pitcher wins and losses, but the whole team either deserves to win or it doesn’t.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
yeah, the comparison is not great
i was only referring to the pitching
still didn’t like losing those two..
It sure did suck
We were having a nice little turn around until the Dodgers fiasco too.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I think that's a very american statement, really
I think a lot of non-US sports have draws and ties and it’s universally accepted. Doesn’t major league soccer have penalty shootouts in a tie game? That would seem very outlandish to a soccer fan anywhere else in the world.
I think if both teams score the same, there’s nothing wrong with a tie/draw – no-one was better in regular time/innings/whatever, so why should one team win? Artificially creating a result when it’s not necessary (i.e. in a league system, obviously in a knockout you need a result) seems a little spurious, in some ways. Also, in soccer, there’s usually one team or other who is happy with a draw, and one team who is disappointed, so in that respect it’s a “positive” or “negative” result for someone. If, say, the US managed to draw with Brazil or Spain it would be an excellent result for you guys. The draw with England was a decent result, too, as it seems likely you’ll qualify from the group now just by beating one of the other two teams, both of whom are poor.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions
The problem isn't Miles or Winn or even Suppan
The problem is that we all know TLR lacks objectivity in judging the relative contributions of his favorites. If we could reasonably believe that after a certain trial period that TLR would conclude any or all of these players were washed up and let them go, then there would be no reason for all the hand wringing. The problem is we know that TLR will keep running these players out there irrespective of their success rate. Hell, he kept thinking Chis Duncan, of the .674 OPS at AAA Syracuse, was going to return to form until Mo spared us all by dumping him.
I refer to this phenomenon as the LaRussa tax – it is part of the price we pay for keeping him around. He will lose as many games due to loyalty as he will win by whatever else it is that he does.
That being said, I do completely agree that PJ Walters has no future in the big leagues. His extreme upside is Brad Thompson. They should move him for whatever they can get and let an actual prospect have his spot in Memphis.
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.
by giveml on Jun 11, 2010 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
rec'd
and couldn’t agree more about what you call the larussa tax. it sure seems like he runs out his favorite guys no matter how much we hate it or how much it affects a game/series (ank, miles, lil duncan, etc). and even more unfortunately, these guys that he has now (winn, miles, now soup) will probably all be around for the rest of the season – including the playoffs, should we get that far.
i’m starting to tire of tlr’s strange decisions – now it includes running guys like miles out there game after game. heck, i don’t even like seeing tlr’s new posse pinch-hitting. i wonder when tlr will be done, and who would take over when that happens.
Albert's grand slam, 7/3/09
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's stache is back!
Aaron Miles, Tony? Really?
There is no hope
of TLR leaving any time soon unless Albert is secretly tired of him as well. He will hang around as long as he has competitive teams, at least until he passes John McGraw on the managerial wins list – by which time he will have approximately 500 more losses than McGraw. He will likely have the lowest winning pct of any manager in the top ten who didn’t own the franchise.
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.
We don't really have any starters knocking on the door at Memphis
the double-A locker is pretty bare with Gary Daley and the likes making starts there. I don’t think anyone in the Sprinfield rotation really has a major league future (outside of maybe long relief, guys like maybe David Kopp and Scott Gorgen), and Memphis isn’t really any better.
Like it or not Walters is probably the 2nd best SP prospect in Memphis at the moment. The rest of the rotation includes Oneli Perez, Evan MacLane and Brandon Dickson, who are all non-prospects in their mid-20s, and Lance Lynn. Give it a year or so and a lot of the promising guys in Quad Cities might be looking up at the Memphis rotation. Until then our SP quality in the top end of the minors is almost ridiculously awful.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
the key may be Boggs
he hit his ceiling last year trying to go long, and now prefers the bullpen. I don’t think we can even blame this on the Of the Rose debacle … IIRC none of those guys were ready for spot starts, though I could be wrong. Khalil Greene situation was a bolt out of the GOB.
the mysterious part of this is…. whither Kyle McClellan?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
He's in our bullpen
I don’t think it’s really possible to take a guy out of 1-inning high leverage relief for two months and put him into a position where he has to throw 90+ pitches. He’d need to stretch out in Memphis for 2 or 3 starts first, which defeats the object of getting a “stop gap”. I’m guessing Penny would be back in that time.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I can't remember how they did Boggs last year
I was probably drinking.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
in the eye.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
OK
now I am going to expose myself as completely naive, or worse, but I have never understood the Tony bashing here. OK, there are questionable lineup changes, and infuriating pitcher changes, but I don’t have the information (this is a data based site, no?) to conclude that the recent roster changes are of his making. As people were saying in yesterday’s thread, surely the GM is at least equally culbable? I just don’t see anywhere in the information available to me publicly that TLR favours veterans etc. Of course, I could wake up and look at the lineup. Maybe that is the answer?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
If you follow what the PD scribes have been writing over the last week
It is pretty clear that TLR/Dunc have been pushing for more veterany veteraness. You don’t see many quotes from Mo extolling the same virtues. Here is what Bernie said this morning:
That’s why I wrote I’d be surprised if they signed him. But obviously their anxiety level has increased in recent days, and TLR and Duncan put more muscle behind their push to do something … they wanted a veteran and they wanted him NOW.
Don Tony’s wishes have been fulfilled.
OK
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Here's the Miles post worth reading
from the P-D, and a quote:
A favorite of manager Tony La Russa’s since his role with the World Series-winner in 2006 and for his knack of starting the year on the bench and ending it as a starter, Aaron Miles was greeted warmly this afternoon by the skipper.
La Russa even wondered what number Miles would wear.
When told it would be No. 12, La Russa nodded. Same as it ever was.
When asked what role La Russa’s support and open lobbying had in his promotion and his return to the Cardinals, Miles didn’t hesistate: "Huge."
"I think it’s huge," he said. "I think it’s definitely big. He knows what he’s got in me, and I’m going to prove to him that I’m still that guy."
"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
Yep, Miles
you’re still that guy.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 11, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Or, possibly, TLRs
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on Jun 11, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Still the defensively liable, mendoza line hitting, 5'2 2B with no power?
I would agree.
Formerly known as The_teague. F'in SBN.
'Hi, I'm Mr. Heisenberg, and if you don't chew Big Red, FUCK YOU!'
repost
blockquotes
When asked what role La Russa’s support and open lobbying had in his promotion and his return to the Cardinals, Miles didn’t hesitate: “Huge.”
“I think it’s huge,” he said. “I think it’s definitely big. He knows what he’s got in me, and I’m going to prove to him that I’m still that guy.”
La Russa said he first approached McGwire a week ago about the job. They spoke last Monday for awhile and then for several days after. La Russa said he could tell McGwire was taking it more serious than invitations in the past because of the questions he asked. McGwire has been invited annually to attend spring training
there’s much, much more. more in the Holliday pickup, which is a two-year ongoing saga. we would have to open a whole other site to list them, honestly. it is by necessity circumstantial evidence, but there’s a lot of bloody candlesticks in the basket.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
my latest favorite instance
is Allen Craig saying he hopes to keep playing in the big leagues, as soon as he gets there.
within days, he is gone again. Tony says once again they were really concerned that the Future of the Cardinals aren’t getting enough at-bats on the bench.
now, I agree that they do need the at-bats, but clearly Tony never told Craig.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
OK
sorry, I have read these articles also, but I don’t put McGwire and Holliday in the same basket. But maybe I am an apologist, because in hiring people, I have often gone with the devil you know. But I don’t like my team doing that!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
rec for LaRussa tax.
this is the price we pay. And it is entertaining, wondering what he will do next. Right now it’s kinda entertaining in the same way an auto wreck is entertaining. As soon as you can pull yourself away you go find something else to occupy your mind.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
LaRussa Levy?
Alliteration is fun.
Seriously, this is exactly right.
by awpierce on Jun 11, 2010 6:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
who's this Jeremy Guthrie guy?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/06/guthrie-not-millwood-may-be-orioles-most-tradable-pitcher.html
also, this paragraph stung:
More and more contending teams are shying away from acquiring older rent-a-players at the cost of valuable prospects, and thus Millwood may not be able to pull in the young talent that the Orioles want.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Guthrie is a SP who'll be ridiculously over-valued
he had two or maybe even three straight lucky years where he “looked” like a #1 or #2 pitcher, putting up decent trad stats (3.something ERA and a decent W-L record) despite skirting around a FIP of 4.5+. He was their opening day starter last year, and possibly the year before.
He’d be a competent #5 on a contending team but I suspect they’d probably want too much for him, given he’s not a huge amount better than guys like Suppan. He’s barely league average really.
Millwood is a better pitcher. I don’t really understand the quote above because IIRC Guthrie is more or less a rent-a-pitcher; I think he’s either in his last year, or he’s got one more year of arby next year (in which he’ll likely be overpaid due to his good two years). I would much rather have Millwood.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
thanks y'all.
apparently it’s Millwood whose contract is coming up, and Guthrie who’s got a little time (and for not a lot of money, relatively.) I have to reread that more carefully.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure I actually think having another year of Guthrie is not a BAD thing
he’ll probably get like $7 or 8m next year in arby (if it is his last year – I’ve not actually checked) and we could likely get a better pitcher in free agency on a one-year deal. He’s nowhere near as good as Penny, say. I suppose we could just non-tender him but I don’t think the team control is really worth anything in this case. I’d rather pay a little more, trade a little less (and god knows we don’t have much to trade right now) and take Millwood, especially if they’d salary dump him for garbage and assuming we’d have the budget to take him.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
stupid arby's
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
This will turn out to be a blessing
Hear me out. While everyone loves winning, getting a huge lead in the central makes the Cardinals complacent (and perhaps overconfident). This team has had a few overwhelming teams in the past ten years, only to see them collapse at the finish line against sometimes lesser opponents. Ah, but remember that 2006 team? You know, the one that slithered into the finish line and then struck like a cobra from the high grass?
I think a bit of desperation can be a healthy thing. Do remember this team’s core nucleus, its four highest paid players are ALL (as of this post) healthy and productive. Lets not get too carried away. I for one am anxious to see Soup work a bit.
Realized my error
Should have said four BEST players. Waino still isn’t being paid ace money yet. But you still get my point.
this idea that they're not hungry enough is absurd.
they’re pressing because they’re desperate.
they’re making mistakes because they’re desperate.
you want them to be MORE desperate??
they started out desperate and under pressure, and there has never been a feeling from any of the interviews, not even a hint — and I listen to damn near 90% of them — that they’re taking it for granted and slacking off.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
let me contextualize this
they started the season bitter, disappointed, and shocked by their early exit last year. the feeling was across the board, from rooks to vets, that they played below their abilities. yes, that includes Matt Holliday.
ya don’t need to whip this donkey. the donkey’s whipped already.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok, maybe not desperate
Focused then. Or hungry. But they ARE missing something right now. The offense is particular has come in spurts, showing its greatness and then sleeping for a few games. Frankly, I’m pretty satisfied given that they are six games over .500.
I for one am anxious to see Soup work a bit.
So is the rest of the National League.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I think there may be some truth here
Although desperation is perhaps the wrong word to use. If we would get Penny and Loshe back by (or before) early August and we are still in contention, the team could use that as inspiration to go on a mighty tear-The likes of which is seldom seen. The talent is there. Miles and Soup would be just the creaky, leaky bridge that helped the team to get there.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
You apparently completely forgot how 2006 went
We “slacked off” at the end of the season and were lucky Houston was just bad enough to keep us in first, then we got hot in the playoffs. Also coming down to the wire does not propel you in the playoffs, it’s just another way of getting there. Not every WS winner came down to “the wire”, just look at the Yanks last year. It’s just a matter of getting there, then getting hot.
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 12:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also,
that team was hurt all season long. I’ve said it before, but they were not a true talent 86 win team. They got healthy at the right time.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
He'll only get two or three PAs every five or six days,
so I don’t think that will be all that helpful.
"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 Jun 11, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
IIRC he's actually not a bad hitter for a pitcher, is he?
always thought that was very under-rated. The difference between a bad hitting pitcher and, say, Adam Wainwright’s best season can be the best part of a win.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
But a terrible baserunner.
"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
Hmmm actually lifetime .222 OBP
a little above average but nothing special.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 11, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
We would thank the GOB for coming to our rescue
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
Do you think
Mo will let TLR bring Chris Duncan back? Why not Preston Wilson? Let’s reassemble the 2006 team. Or better yet Tony can revive the 1996 team with Pagnozzi and Gallego and Eckersley. All gritty veterans. This sentimental journey is downright silly.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down and that foot is me
He could pinch hit whenever TLR needs someone to take a BB
Only you know it won’t end there.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
The problem
is that he’ll eventually be platooning with Holliday in LF. That’s where it ends.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
what ever happened to P-Dub?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
fuck it
sign gibby and stan
better than soup and miles, i would bet
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
This reminds of Ty Cobb,
and this story (which is also featured in the movie “Cobb”):
His arrogance knew no bounds – my favorite anecdote about him (perhaps apocryphal) is about an interview he allegedly gave in the late 1950s. The reporter asked him how he would hit under “modern” conditions, i.e. with night games, relief pitching, etc., and Cobb replied, “Oh, I’d hit .310 or .315.” The startled reporter protested, “But, Mr. Cobb, you hit over .400 three times! Why would you only hit .300 now?” Without missing a beat, Cobb replied, “Well, you have to remember. I’m 72 years old now.”
"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
There's a story about Gibson
going deep in an old timers game back in the early 90’s too. Not sure the validity of the story though.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
He threw some brushback pitches in old timer games
gotta love that…
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 5:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I've heard the same story about Musial
which makes me think it’s one of those semi-apocryphal stories that may or may not have happened. It’s a good one though.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Tony, Tony
The sad state of the Cardinal bench, accelerated by the sad state of the Cardinal lineup, is one you can firmly lay at TLR’s front door. Miles, Winn and, on the pitching side, Suppan are Tonys toys of choice. With apologies to the anthropic principal, he is the reason they are on the St. Louis roster and not anywhere else. Suppan’s contribution is yet to be seen. Maybe Duncan can work some magic and turn him into a reasonably effective 5th starter…we’ll see. But to replace Freeze and Ramus with Miles and Winn is pure TLR. Those two are Tony’s types through and through, and to suggest he was not instrumental in their acquisition is disingenuous at best.
Unfortunately, Miles and Winn can no longer play at this level. As hackneyed backups, they represent a certain level of desperation – an acknowledgment that the organization is so bereft of replacement level players that this is all they can do. But to start these people even once, with Miles near the top of the order, is nonsense.
LaRussa has many assets, but this fixation on the grizzled vet is not one.
Yeah, but he got pretty offensive and was at least warned off I think.
You see the needed recurring theme here?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Why
anthropic? It has no meaning here, as far as I can see, unless you are using a dictionary with which I am not familiar. Also, although I do hate correcting spelling in public, that would be principle, not principal. You might want to replace the word anthropic with buddy, or comfort. Just a suggestion. Replace as needed.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropic_principle
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
Sorry,
but as I see it, the actions are not consistent with the observations, thereby leading to the question everyone is asking, why supp and Miles, at least?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Anthropically speaking, the answer to your question is,
because Tony Larussa.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
Ouch!
I still have to expose myself as a TLR devotee. I played slow pitch in Manila and one of my teammates was a Puerto Rican who played baseball with STLU. He also hated TLR. But I still think that it is not anthropic, it is mordant, meaning TLR is getting too chemical!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 11, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
You sure you're not related to WCBW?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep having to post this
Winn was not a bad move. Winn can play at this level just the same as Jay if not better and he is righthanded—-and that ignores that he used to be good so there is upside there.
Not afraid to nitpick
heh this was good for a laugh
NL closer report
on Fangraphs
Strong Performance for Franklin
Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: So much for ‘09 being a fluke. The veteran right-hander has proven that he can be a legitimate closer in the NL. Franklin has 10 saves in 11 tries, although he hasn’t had an opportunity since May 20. He’s given up just two hits (and no walks) during that span, totaling 8.0 innings and five appearances.
it's the beard.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry. Just trying to go with the current Cardinals direction
and live in the past.
by RollBirdsRoll on Jun 11, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
damn that nike. with their awesome montages.
awesome and hilarious, though. d’oh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
the Rooney part is great.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
sidestory to the Rooney part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSr4QnwOePQ
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
So now that Im actually here to say it, I hate this move
I don’t think it will ruin our season, just worsen it and piss me off. In fact when my beat friend told me about it yesterday, this is how the convo went, he started with:
“Cards are really looking at suppan, apparently.”
“They better fucking not be, Im pissed enough at the Miles bullshit”
“I want them to bring back edmonds, reyes, and belliard.” (I assume this was sarcasm but reacted as if it weren’t)
“And Izzy? The only former player I want back is Rolen and I’m perfectly happy with Freese”
“Look up tyler greenes aaa stats and explain to me why no one has stuffed skip into a locker.”
“I agree so hard I might break the agreement function in my brain.Greene>skip>Miles(who should never play SS or 3B ever)”
“They signed Suppan.”
“I hate everything”
Those were our actual text messages. I’m the upset, cursing replies
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 12:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
*best friend
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 12:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bernie's Rationalization
In the post that Dan links to above, Bernie seems to share my sentiment about Ottavino, that he is a fine option for the fifth starter slot right now, even if he still needs a bit of work. Bernie’s whole post is certainly worth a read, but I’m going to pick apart a section of it. It’s interesting to me that Bernie seems to channel LaDunc with this assessment of Ottavino:
Meanwhile, manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Duncan had no faith in rookie P.J. Walters to start at the big-league level, and they don’t believe another rookie, Adam Ottavino, is ready. I tend to think that Ottavino is better than what he’s being given credit for, and that you could do worse with him as the 5th starter after Penny comes back. But Ottavino does need to work o his command — he needs to throw more strikes — and besides, I’m not paid to make decisions on the makeup of the rotation. Either way, Ottavino figures to get a few more starts before he’s sent down to Triple A Memphis. So that gives the Cardinals four starters in Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, rookie Jaime Garcia and the temp, Ottavino. When Penny returns, Ottavino will likely go.
I agree that this is the greatest headache with Ottavino. But I also believe this highlights a glaring double-standard with TLR and Duncan. I confess that I am not sure if I am using the stat correctly—if I’m not, PLEASE correct me, especially VEP—but, under the Plate Discipline bat at Fangraphs, Ottavino has a 44.7% “Zone%” which the "Quick Glossary defines as “Percentage of pitches seen inside the strike zone.” For a pitcher, then, it is presumably the percentage of pitches thrown inside the strike zone. Suppan’s Zone% for ’07, ’08, ’09, and ’10 are: 51.5%, 49.2%, 48.2%, and 44.3% respectively. So, it would seem that Jeff Suppan needs to “work on his command” and to “throw more strikes,” just as Ottavino does. The difference is that there really is no future or potential with Suppan because he is 35. Also, Suppan really does not have very good stuff. Hopefully, he does not occupy the no. 5 slot in the rotation instead of Ottavino when Penny returns.
"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 will just say that the percentage of pitches thrown the strike zone is a whole different beast than comand
Which is maybe what DD wants.
by vivaelpujols on Jun 11, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
carlos matias pitched again yesterday
4 ip 1 hit 6 k’s
Matias for 5th starter.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
We need to get that shit sorted and get him into A-ball
he’s clearly horribly over-matching hitters in the DSL. I doubt he’s learning much there. His K rate must be like 20-something per 9 innings!
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 5:07 AM EDT up reply actions
One of the real problems with the Miles and Suppan acquisitions,
is that the Cardinals had, up to this point, shown a pretty strong ability to decisively cut bait with players. Rolen was grumpy, and he was traded. Renteria wanted too much money, and he walked. Eckstein, Suppan, Weaver all were vets who overestimated their value to this team and did not return because of it. Edmonds was injured and Mo was somehow able to find an aging A-ball player who was very undervalued. He got rid of a lot of salary and he kept the team’s talent pretty good. One of the reasons we needed Dunc to take crappy vets and turn them into good vets is that we were willing to accept the reality when those crappy vets decided their talent level was higher than their salary and demanded too much money. Miles went away, and he made more money than he ever had on the Cardinals, all while being one of the worst position players in the majors. Suppan was the same. Ankiel’s psyche broke, then he came back as a CF, but we only kept him around as long as it was economical to do so, despite a lot of history. Iz2, Derosa, Kgreene, etcetera. The point was that we rarely screwed ourselves with long term commitments to fungible veterans.
This year has been one of the best yet in this regard, seeing us field a team with a ton of cost-controlled, young, talented and high-upside players. The nice thing is that at the very least, a player like Blake Hawksworth is a cheap, already-here Blaine Boyer. It’s like you’ve already got your middling veteran acquisitions, except you didn’t even have to give anything up.
While Miles and Suppan are more or less free salary-wise, it’s obvious that the edict for their employment came from Tony, and our pickups of crappy veteran FAT retreads is really annoying in light of the availability of people like Chad Gaudin, Mark Grudzielanek, and Jarrod Washburn. Additionally, the chorus that people like this will have limited playing time to affect our playoff chances is becoming tired now that there are at least four 25th men on our roster.
One of the most important skills of talent evaluation is the ability to know when a player has none.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
by hazel on Jun 11, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
I think that's the other thing that people defending this move keep missing:
There have been a lot better FAT players out there (and still are) than the ones we keep signing. Grudz would be a HUGE upgrade over Miles, and is a signing that would not upset me at all. Gaudin is an excellent 2 way pitcher who can spot start, has a rubber arm out of the bullpen, and can seemingly transition between both without sacrificing his stuff. He’s a more temperamental Julian Tavarez. Again, I wouldn’t be upset about signing him either.
It’s not the signing of veterans that’s frustrating, it’s the signing of veterans who have no talent that is frustrating, and all because they used to wear the Cardinal uniform and were useful in some capacity during their time here.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
At least the Cards are going to make Suppan throw first to see if he can hack it.
According to Channel 5, Soup’s in Arizona and is going to throw before they decide what they are going to do with him.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions
Well Dunc hadn't broken out his bag of pixie dust to sprinkle on him.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
In person,
Duncan will be able to tell if Suppan’s problem for four years has been that he is tipping his pitches.
"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 spit coke all over my computer
I certainly saw all I needed of Soup last weekend.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
mental image:
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
by hazel on Jun 11, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yes, these days my coke is all in cola
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
So do you just pour it straight into the can then?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and by "can" you mean an east side dancer's cans?
Only way I take my coke.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
huh?
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
Wow!
That is some visual.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Once Duncan corrects his pitch-tipping...
he’ll be well on his way to a 4.5 fip and a 15-1 record that will garner CY votes and memories of Rick Sutcliffe.
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
Beat me to it.
"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 obviously his problem...
His 88 mile an hour fastball that doesn’t move and his below average breaking stuff would stand a much better chance if hitters were unsure what was coming.
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
But I thought that Dunc was about mind set, game plan, and execution of game plan?
And he left the mechanics end of it to others? Somebody get PJ back up to teach these guys to throw a change-up!
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
That's what most assessments state.
In which case, he doesn’t know how to teach much of anything…Except, of course, the two-seamer.
"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
Go with what you know I guess.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
If he couldn't learn a change up
from Trever Hoffman, Mr. Change-Up, there is no hope of him learning a change up, ever.
And considering his fastball also doubles as Stephen Strasburg’s change up with less movement, I’m not sure it would make much of a difference.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Strasburg's change hit 91 the other day
is Suppan still capable of throwing a 91 four-seamer???
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 5:15 AM EDT up reply actions
i hear ya
i’m sitting six rows behind home plate tonight. happy JAIME GARCIA day!
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
by IHeartBoog on Jun 11, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's Arizona,
premium tickets are easier to acquire than in STL, I would assume.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
yeah, turns out all i had to do was just buy them
but i did buy them before the season started as part of a special 6-game package.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Have a great time
Bring us a victory. I will be out walking for Relay for Life.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
bring me pictures!
lots and lots of pictures
i take between 800 and 1400 pictures a game – just as a guideline
i should add, i have a pretty good track record for cardinals games in arizona
i’ve only seen them lose here in the regular season once. and that was the day carpenter strained his oblique muscle or whatever so it doesnt count, b/c we would have definitely won that game. incidentally, the losing pitcher? BFT.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
sometimes I think that somewhere, Chris Carpenter looks up at Dave Duncan
(from where he’s been sitting), and says “Damn it, Dunc, how many of these fucking reclamation projects am I gonna have to do this year?”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Hahahahahahahahaha
I’ve thought that exact same thing. I have wondered many times how much was Dunc, how much was Carp and how much was Mason in the Frankenstein projects.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
well we know Carp
has previously identified faulty mechanics and tipping pitches
has taught jaime the right mindset, waino too probably
and if someone refuses to listen, he’s put luggage in their way so they trip over it
love it how that doesn’t just apply to the pitching staff either
if i were on that team, i’d be scared shitless of him
unless of course, i was jason larue
I've seen the fear in LaRue's eyes
that’s why he hunts
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Waino hunts because he is a stone-cold killer of opponents.
I wonder if that arrow had a 12-6 break on it?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yes. every time he hugs someone from behind, he actually says "I know five different ways to kill you without leaving a mark,
but I like you."
Haven’t you seen the way he goes for The Cat?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
and he's always smiling.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
the bow and arrow is just for show
do you see a wound on that deer? no you don’t. that’s because he just struck the mother fucker out
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jun 11, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Actually he tamed it and now it's his family pet
by jd is legend on Jun 11, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
note the suprise-hug
’e’s just stunned.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I might be in his eyes, but he never shows it.
That’s why Carp luvs his lil buddy, he shows no fear.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
does Carpenter ever stop a conversation to say
“You pissed your pants again, didn’t you? I’ll wait.”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
you know I bet that has happened.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw." ~ Bob Gibson
How did that not go green as soon as you typed it?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
oh hey! does anyone know when our first round picks play baseball this weekend?
and if it’s televised?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
from the WWL
TEMPE SUPER REGIONAL
June 12-14 | Tempe, Ariz.
Saturday, June 12
Game 1: Arkansas (43-19) vs. Arizona State (50-8) (ESPNU/ESPN3.com, 9 p.m.)
Sunday, June 13
Game 2: Arkansas (43-19) vs. Arizona State (50-8) (ESPN2/ESPN3.com, 10 p.m.)
Monday, June 14
Game 3: Arkansas (43-19) vs. Arizona State (50-8) (ESPN2/ESPN3.com, 7 p.m.) (if necessary)
so if you're on the Cardinals roster and you read VEB
if you’re Miles, you want to slit your wrists
if you’re Hawk you want to stab someone
if you’re Waino you want to surprise hug your brother Az
if you’re Boog you wonder why there’s a goat yelling your name in your booghouse
if you’re Dennys you are hungry (as always)
if you’re Floppy you now know you shouldn’t be at short
if you’re Skip you find out that everyone knows you shouldn’t be starting against lefties
if you’re Lego you found out that your favorite band sucks and so do you with RISP
and if you’re Chris Carpenter, You just Don’t Give a Fuck
by d-dee on Jun 11, 2010 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
i notice you don't list
what Franklin would want to do.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
If you're Albert
you’re just ridiculous.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 11, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
oh my god
what if Albert read VEB and said
“I dong realling talk like tha’, do I?”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 11, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
David Freese already believes he's Batman....
also, Motte is thirsty. thirsty!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Hey cool kids
Boring afternoon here at work… listening to the Cubs and Sox
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 3:54 PM EDT reply actions
Randy Wells has begun the descent towards the mean
9 hits and 4 runs through 4
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
check that...
5 runs
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Happy Jaime Day!
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
i actually don't understand why jaime is pitching tonight
why not put ottavino in tonight, and jaime in tomorrow against haren?
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
but but
what about little red riding peej? is he out of stuff in his basket?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Can anyone confirm,
that he actually made it back to Memphis?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
maybe he stopped in a meadow....
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Hopefully so Jaime can pitch again on Wednesday
Instead of having Ott go twice in this six game stretch, you have Garcia go twice. Makes sense to me.
ah ok see i knew there was a good explanation
for once.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
did jaime last pitch sunday?
because that would make this 4 days rest, and is the norm with a 5-man rotation. i’m not sure what your concern is about?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
What is going on with Shelby Miller?
The dude hasn’t pitched in forever and I haven’t heard a reason as to why.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
Tweet C.J. Beatty...
He’ll let you know what’s up.
Actually, he’ll let you know WHAT’S UP TWEEPS?!?!?!?
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Verducci explains how Yuniesky Betancourt cost the M's Strasburg.
is his name a swear word yet?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Verducci's assessment of the state of baseball is annoying
So basically, you’re saying that baseball isn’t interesting unless the Yankee’s and the Red Sox rivalry is filled with a bunch of douchey personalities? Roy Halladay, Ubaldo Jimenez, Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols are boring? Are they just not controversial enough, like Bonds? If this is how you see baseball, or any sport for that matter, what the hell are you doing as a sportswriter?
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
by purple_haze on Jun 11, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
this
also the betancourt crap. i hate this notion in football already that you should try to lose the ‘meaningless games’ for draft picks. i would hate it even more in baseball. also betancourt was good those two days but he didn’t pitch or field all nine positions those two days. Verducci also is an good sportswirter at times and at times an absolute douche, SI has great baseball coverage but he is the worst of the three major SI writers. Poz>Heyman>>>>>Verducci>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ESPN>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Fox sports>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Strauss (unicorns were used in the making of this picture)
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Also leach is between heyman and Verducci but he has to dumb his writing down a lot for the mothership crowd
The bible declares an eye for an eye, so, let us now take our vengeance on this murderous ocean. . . You won't be hurting anyone anymore
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 11, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Verducci is clearly talking about people who are not into baseball.
he is talking about the image, so that’s a valid argument. he is not talking about himself, necessarily.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Fine, then, his perception of baseball's image
I think turnabout is completely fair play, in that case: what are the broad, mainstream, transcendant draws for other sports that are so much more intriguing than Pujols/Mauer/Halladay/Ubaldo?
Strasburg is the name of the moment, yes I know, but telling me that baseball hasn’t been interesting since Barry Bonds is nothing short of callously dismissive.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
other sports?
you’re kidding, right? every major sport in this country has a major name who is an industry unto themselves. this is not just some my perception/your perception thing. a good hook and an intriguing personality translates into billions of dollars.
it’s the nature of the game — baseball is a game* where the transcendent personalities are the consistent producers. and it’s the nature of the public today. there is not a lot of excitement over “two hours early to the ballpark, three hours of training and drills, every day, for the rest of my caeer”; people want celebrity, not stolidness. the athletes who combine personality with performance by and large become the faces of their sport.
I don’t see why you’re so bothered by it. you’re on a baseball blog talking to other baseball nuts. when was the last time you struck up a conversation in a public place with a stranger about the baseball stuff we immerse ourselves with, here? no cheating — someone without team colors on. or better yet, a first date. more likely to get a reaction: “Peyton Manning” or “Albert Pujols”?
if you think it’s so callous, then go out and promote moar baseball. Verducci’s calling it as he sees it. he may be mistaken, but he’s not basing it on bullshit.
*today. media pressure is a different animal, and the game is simply harder with the year-round training of most of these guys.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Please summarize the back-and-forth so I can weigh in.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
purple_haze is indignant that any person finds baseball boring
yadi2 wonders if ’e’s tried to talk baseball at Thanksgiving or a family reunion lately.
(also, yadi2 thinks it’s great that Albert and Dreamy Joe are boring and consistent. that’s how it should be.)
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I went from an office where everyone talked baseball
to an office where no one talks baseball.
I can attest that there are a lot of individuals, even in the baseball crazy St. Louis, that don’t give 2 shits about baseball or any other sports.
It makes me sad, but I’m sure they are interested in stuff that I find snooze-worthy.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm not sure peyton is the face of the nfl
he does a lot of commercials, though, unlike brady. favre is half of one, half of the other, but gets the most coverage i think. i guess in basketball it is lebron and kobe? anyway, there’s only a couple guys in every sport – ovechkin and crosby in hockey – so i think albert, jeter, a-rod, now strasburg, maybe ichiro…baseball hold it’s own.
/don’t really know what this “argument” is about
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
read the article.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i hate reading these kinds of articles
whatever you guys are talking about, i’m neutral.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
no idea what you just wrote
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Well sure, but where does that image come from?
From Sports Illustrated writers who write this type of tripe in their columns of the worlds most popular sports magazine and from the WWL, who’s E apparantly stands for “East coast bias”.
Maybe if Verducci would write about the players that other people should be excited about then other people would be excited about them. I don’t think the league has an image problem, I think Verducci has an attitude problem.
If you’re a member of the media that can have an impact on the games’ image, then you shouldn’t write about how people don’t like the image of the game, you should attempt to change that image because you love the game as it is.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Yeah that's all stupid bullshit
But I would say Strasburg probably is the #1 draw in baseball right now.
Not afraid to nitpick
i don't agree with this
Strasberg is the #1 draw because hes the HOT new thing…. im sure tons of people would go just to watch pujols, too bad the cardinals are actually good and have other players that you watch
also i bet he was saying this in 2001 about Pujols
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 13, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
so?
it’s all about the hot new thing. you think nolan ryan drew the same in year 20 as year 10?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
not the same
more media, plus prospects were given no attention then… bad example IMO
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 13, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
obviously media is different
thanks mr. obvious. and i wasn’t talking about ryan as a prospect – did you see where i said year ten? i’m talking about the sheen wears off. please read more closely before you give an IMO. the world will thank you.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
solicitation of opinions
$450 to replace a starter, front brake pads and rotors seems pretty reasonable, yeah?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I read: "$450 to replace a starter" and thought it was on-topic.
that would be a steal
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
"cards signed pedro martinez for $450"
john mozeliak management of the century
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
are you mechanically inclined at all?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
kind of
but i already tried to get the starter off and couldn’t and have no idea how to replace brake pads/rotors. i also don’t have any jack stands to prop the car up one
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
well the starter could prove to be difficult to do by yourself
but changing brake pads and rotors on a car actually isn’t that terrible. What kind of Car is it?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
At least, it's not a Yugo.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
thing is, even with 250K miles on it, the engine and tranny are still in pretty good shape, so i hate to get rid of it. it great on gas, too
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
According to the autozone website
Pads and Rotors for your car total $76.97… you could probably pick up a haynes manual or even find a tutorial on the internet that you could print out
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you have access to a fax?
I can print out the steps for you on All Data if you want to do it yourself. Both jobs are pretty basic.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
thanks, but no.
i have all the tools necessary, but the only thing i have to prop up the car is a cheap little scissor jack and it wouldn’t feel comfortable getting under a car supported by that. $450 to have someone else do it and do it right seems like a fair price to me
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
and the only place i have to work
is my apartment complex parking lot. i would imagine it’s not allowed in the parking lot
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
a starter would suck to do in a parking lot
but i think that the brakes wouldn’t be too bad. You could get away with the scissor jack for that as well.
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i dunno
i’ve replaced at least a couple starters/alternators and neither were particularly hard. tried to change my own brake pads once and never could figure out how to get them off
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
usually you just have to remove the bolt on the bottom of the caliper
and then there are cotter pins that hold them in. The worst part is compressing the pistons that squeeze the brakes.
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah,
i think that’s the part that scared me off. i remember the compressing the pistons thing now that you mention it
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Get a C clamp and put it on the back of the caliper.
This will have the screw in part of the clamp over the piston itself. Insert one of the old pads between the clamp end and the piston and slowly screw it in until the piston is inside the caliper. It’s really simple, it might be a little hard to get started, but once it starts going in it will glide in.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm telling ya.....
once you use the screw driver trick, you’ll never go back. Loosen the caliper bolts, use the rotor as a leverage point, and compress the caliper before you ever take it off the car.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Big ass screw driver....
slip it behind the old pad and use it as a lever. works like a charm.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
never thought of that
We just always used a crescent wrench
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
especially if your changing rotors
as well, that way you don’t even have to be careful.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
ive never tried to replace a starter
but alternators are easy
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
starter is usually
just a couple bolts and a couple wires. this one wasn’t
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
been there and done that,
it’s not a lot of fun
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Is that 450 for the labor or everything?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
A new starter would cost me $132.50,
I’d sell it for around $225, probably 80-90 for install.
pads and rotors
Top grade pads are aboot $33, and rotors are $17 each. We get $120 for a pad slap, with rotors that works out to aboot $200.
Honestly for a shop that’s a good price. Just make sure they are using a new starter and not a cheap ass reman. You might save some cash if you go buy the parts yourself, and bring them to the shop. The shop will probably only warranty the starter for a year, but a new starter from most places will carry a lifetime warranty.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
haha
i just looked up autozone parts…
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
i'd trust you more than me
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
are there any that you trust?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
They really aren't bad,
but they refuse to sell parts at wholesale, and Homey don’t pay retail. I get most of my aftermarket stuff from carquest, but for the general public, I’ve had good luck with Advanced as well (when I used to live in the Lou. They aren’t out here.) NAPA is usually the most expensive.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
is O'reilly ok?
I usually get pads and stuff from advance autoparts, but there is an o’reilly store right by my new house
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
They're ok....I don't like their brakes though.
They carry Wagner, and I prefer Raybestos, but that’s just a personal choice. Oreilly’s is probably going to have the best price. I don’t deal with them, because they don’t pay me labor on warranty claims.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i see
I work at Caterpillar and we have crazy servicability on some of our parts… Does chevy have any head scratchers?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
they haven't been able to seal a front axle or a set
of oil cooler lines for aboot 20 years now.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I guess what I mean is that
for instance, you cannot buy a track link for a bulldozer… You have to buy a link assembly with about 4 other parts that you don’t need if you just needed to replace the one part.
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
oh...absolutely.....
5 cent clips only serviced on complete assemblies all the time.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I'll never forget... My mom had a grand am
and a plastic clip that holds the driver’s side window to the carriage assembly broke when it was cold. It was going to be like 400 bucks to get the whole assembly and my poor dad couldn’t find the part anywhere. He was checking junkyards and everything.
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I only go to NAPA. The new style chain stores can kiss my ass actually. They usually don’t have what i’m needing.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, they probably do,
just no one in the store knows where it is, or how to find it.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
That's why I go to NAPA.
And trust me, a lot of what I go in for, they don’t have.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Being a parts guy for 15 years,
it’s pretty easy for me to lose my patince at a parts counter.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Being a parts customer for about 25 years,
It’s pretty easy for me to lose patience with them too.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Jun 11, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
The Memphis Redbirds would like a word with you.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
i just like to do this type of stuff myself...
especially after mazda wanted to charge me 300 bucks to change my spark plugs… i did it for 80
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
wow
10-2 sox
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
Not even the Cubs getting smoked can cheer me up
I need a long Cardinals winning streak to make me feel better. 4 L’s in a row and signing Suppan with the Reds leading by a game and a half fills me with too much disgust to watch baseball.
by cloistermaximus on Jun 11, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
well being a blackhawks fan I haven't been paying attention for a few days now
I missed the last 2 days of my baseball obsession
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Castro has 2 walks and 1 xbh in his last 15 games...
kid is coming down to Earth…
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
save for the 3 error game at wrigley earlier in the year
he has been a great defensive shortstop though
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
is he actually going to throw for the cards
in a cards uniform, i wonder? maybe they have on old one around.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
86 right down the middle.
Unhittable I tells ya.
by cloistermaximus on Jun 11, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
As much as it sucks that we are dumpster diving
Suppan will always have a special place in my heart due to the ’04 NLCS game 7 and the entire NLCS in ’06…
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
he was nails towards the end of that year. At the time, I was annoyed we didn’t re-sign him (obviously I knew less about baseball in 2006!).
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 14, 2010 5:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps IHB
could borrow spants’ knife and make a quick trip out to the bullpen tonight……
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
no jury would convict me
if i could somehow get the trial moved to STL.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
We'll start the bail fund,
I assume you can procure counsel?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i will try to avoid any major arteries, such that i avoid an attempted murder charge
the bail will be much cheaper that way
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
mmmmmm.... pitching to contact..... mmmmmm
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
HAHA
Pierzynski comes up in the top of the 8th. He has hit a single, double, and a homerun. He proceeds to hit a fly ball to Fukudome and the Sox raio guy says “If Pierzynski is going to get a triple… Fukudome is going to have to fall down”
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:13 PM EDT reply actions
or what happened yesterday
byrd and fukudome looked at eachother on a fly ball in the bottom 9, tie game, and let it fall for a “double”. no error, of course, but the cubs made three others in the 10-inning loss, and all led to runs, with the last one ending the game. cubs also walked in a run, botched two rundowns…all in all, if we do sign suppan, i’d rather have suppan than be the cubs.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yeah
It could be much worse… Krusty Old Lou has now taken his frustration out against Steve Stone… Stone must secretely be the Cubs Dark Angel of Death
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
OT
Does anybody have NHL10? I downloaded the demo and I was wondering if I should buy it
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 11, 2010 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
I have it.
It’s awesome if you like hockey.
The Be a Pro mode is addicting.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
....
Fox_Sports_MW
Jeff Suppan will continue to wear jersey number 37. Line-up to come shortly 12 minutes ago via Echofon
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
what does that mean, they officially signed him?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Fangraphs' podcast about the MLB draft
is completely terrible. Just completely devoid of content, just saying “we aren’t sure about these prospects, anything could happen, the scouting reports don’t mean much, we can’t really criticize teams, we can’t declare winners or losers”. Thanks for the hard hitting analysis…
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
As much of the bashing Law gets
At least he knows what he is talking about in regards to prospects and the draft
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 11, 2010 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
haren
has a 4.83 era to date, but is slugging .541 (and still hitting over .400)
upton has more k’s than reynolds.
is the snakepit still eelbombing??
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
not dissing the guy
couple bad outings, and a bunch of homers, a hitter’s park, etc. it’s not like he’s walking a bunch or unable to miss bats anymore. plus he’s had to go up against ely twice this year, and dodgers took ‘em both – E(e)Ly should be a d’backs killer in his career.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
raz back. no miles or winn
lopez
rasmus
pujols
holliday
ludwick
schumaker
molina
ryan
garcia
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
i thought freeze was supposed to be back today?
interesting switch of razzums and luddy in the order. i see garcia batting second leadoff – hitting better than boog?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I don't like Ryan after Molina.
put him in front of Yadi, if he gets on, he’s faster.
for that matter, I don’t like Skip in front of Molina. if he gets on, he may be just as good as Yadi on the bases…..
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Too many slumping players in a row.
And Molina’s lack of speed is not very conducive to putting Ryan in hit and run situations, which could help him put a solid swing on the ball.
Just my opinion though.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
ah, that's true.
sometimes the lineup math confuses me.
because Tony La Russa.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I think Rasmus hitting in front of Molina is our best bet
when Yadi turns it around. Huge hit and run potential
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
that's the one
what is he doing with Colby now? I don’t think he likes it up there.
and Ryan Fucking Ludwick, come on, what does the man have to do?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I think TLR knows he can put Ludwick anywhere and he will hit.
So he’s more concerned about getting other guys going than he is about RFL.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
clean up after holliday, it appears
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
the mess?
hahaha. sorry, Big Head.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
the LOBsters, yes
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Okay, I've been on vacation for a week
Did I miss anything while I was gone?
Oh, and what is the consensus on the Zach Cox pick?
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
i am lower on the pick than most people
and I don’t think it was the best pick we could have made in those circumstances.
that said, it was a very good pick, borderline outstanding.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
we swept the dodgers
added a pitcher (cliff lee for miles and stav), and drafted and signed austin wilson (12th round, 100k).
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
that part is true
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I refuse to believe everything that happened when I was gone.
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
not sure which
but definitely in time to be eligible for the playoff roster, if there should be such a thing.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
is that official then?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
does it matter?
jeff suppan will be pitching for the cardinals
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
fait accompli
all the rest is just for show.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on Jun 11, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
could happen
but something other could happen in the interim. we have some time before we need a fifth, right?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Sure, but they've already cleared roster space.
Seems like all but a done deal.
I guess they could be looking at a trade that doesn’t involve someone from the 40-man too.
Signing Suppan just seemed inevitable as soon as he was released. I haven’t seen anything yet to make me think otherwise. I’d (probably) be happy to be wrong.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on Jun 12, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
12-0 boston over philly, and they're still batting in the bottom 3
big papi is already 3-3. moyer didn’t last two. lowell homered. we should probably trade for him.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i'm not sure who i hate more out of those two teams
but some NL teams need to win to dispell this AL dominance perception.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
marlins rocking the rays, so there's that
reds up 4-3 in the 6th on royals, but you probably don’t want the NL to win that one.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
the A's have already signed 17 of their draft picks
does anyone know of a site that tracks this? i know deglen signed almost immediately, the rays are signing their one this weekend with more to immediately follow, vitek said he’s signing now and jumping right in – have the cards signed anyone yet?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I heard somewhere that a number of picks were already signed but no names have been released.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
talking about lowell?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Whoever is the analyst on ESPN right now
for the Florida/Miami game is talking like he expects an Academy Award for his performance.
E-NUN-C-IATING. EV-ERY. WO-RD. WITH. PASSION!
that guy looks exactly like Allen Craig.
I have a feeling these are all the same baseball player with latex makeup.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Just turned on this game.
This is true.
And some guy named Pantaloons is working a CG with 11 Ks.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
betancourt bomb off arroyo
gives royals the 5-4 lead.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yuniesky is popular today.
Not for good reasons though.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
what's that mean?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Article by Tom Verducci.
Scroll down towards the bottom for the bit about Yuniesky.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
never understand that
i know tanking isn’t kosher, but in that situation you have to lose those games, just like in the nba when a tim duncan is going to be the first pick – and in the nba worst record doesn’t even guarantee you the pick. knowing it’s either a meaningless win or strasburg, i have to take strasburg. the manager probably had no idea yuni would have that day, though – was probably counting on him to blow it.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
who's he play for?
and how the heck does bobby thompson have a kid in college?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
LOL. His dad is Robby Thompson.
Former infielder for the Giants.
His kid plays at Florida.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
ha
bobby retired 50 years ago…but then anthony quinn was fathering children in his 70’s…
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
woa
well, he sort of peaked later in life in his writing too, i suppose – late bloomer? must have been in his 80’s when the girl was born. died around age 90, iirc
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Eric Byrnes sighting...
He’s announcing college baseball on ESPN.
I guess his softball team is off tonight.
really?
well, he’s been in the booth before, right? i think when he was out injured a year in zona.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He did FOX Saturday baseball a few years back.
On his Dutch Goose softball team, he’s hitting .700 with 4 HRs and 13 RBI.
Talk about a ringer…
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Suppan not there yet
He was… under the weather.
yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Residual whiplash from watching batted balls whiz by him?
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
connection in Minnesota.
it must be bad… they’ve got those industrial sized de-icers… they probably have anti-cloud defense systems.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
or maybe it was someone who felt really strongly about him staying with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
They ran through security and caught him just as he was boarding the plane...
Fan: JEFF!!! You forgot these duffel bags of money in the clubhouse!
Blah blah blah.
It ends in some guy at the gate starting a slow clap and everyone joining in.
by Ghostrider520 on Jun 11, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Shannon just said
no signing without seeing him
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
and maybe seeing him twice?
it’s not like he can’t be held hostage.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
is rick sutcliffe there for support?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He's in full on confessional life philosophy mode
Regarding his current beer league softball star status.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
it passed
unfortunately. And I was only half paying attention… but he was talking about how things come full circle and how he was playing with people he’d played with in high school and college.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
and they posted his stats on his softball team compared to his Mariners stats.
babip giveth... and babip taketh away
noooooooooooooooooo Rick Horton whyyyyyyyyyyyy
what did we ever do to the GOB
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Behold!
<a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/6/11/1514242/game-61-open-thread-cardinals-at#commentshttp://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/6/11/1514242/game-61-open-thread-cardinals-at#comments" target="new">Gamethread!
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