2006 MLB Thread

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Roy O going yard!

Yeah, it's a good thing we got Chacon from the Yanks for Craig Wilson.

Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Very little to say," manager Jim Tracy offered in opening his postgame comments. "We didn't pitch well, obviously, and the game got away early."

He paused.

"How many home runs did they hit?"

Six, he was reminded.

"Six," he repeated with a sigh. "It was one of those nights."

Are you kidding me? Jim, your team just got embarrassed, and this is all you have to say? How about a little passion, Jim? How about showing us that you care how well your team performs? You spout all sorts of nonsense about how this team needs to develop a winning attitude, but where's the leadership for that since it's obviously not coming from you.

I hate Jim Tracy.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Ezarik

Yeah, it's a good thing we got Chacon from the Yanks for Craig Wilson.



Are you kidding me? Jim, your team just got embarrassed, and this is all you have to say? How about a little passion, Jim? How about showing us that you care how well your team performs? You spout all sorts of nonsense about how this team needs to develop a winning attitude, but where's the leadership for that since it's obviously not coming from you.

I hate Jim Tracy.

You want him to go all Hal McRae don't ya?

I just saw that rant again recently and it is still a classic

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Hey, if your team can't be entertaining at least do something that is.

Seriously, though, I don't want Tracy to go crazy and get thrown out of games left and right. But I would love to see some emotion from him. Anything. You should be chewing some ass after you lose 14-1 and give up six home runs, including a two run shot by the opposing pitcher, not sitting around sounding like you've given up on the season.

[sterlingice]

WOO!

SI

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

WOO!

SI

""

[Butter]

Jeebs, I hate to tell you this, but your Astros just aren't going to make it this year. Frankly, I don't think my Reds are either, as they've been fading for over a month now.

I think it's going to be the top 2 from the West to make it to the playoffs.

[JeeberD]

Blasphemy!

First of all, I could see us catching up to the Cards. We still have like eight games coming up against them, so there's still plenty to be decided there.

Second, the offense is finally starting to click. We've won three series in a row...two of those against the contenders from the NL West. Huff has broken out of his slump, Ensberg is healthy again, and Berkman is almost 100% again. The only thing I see that could potentially hold us back is the bullpen. Lidge is a mystery...

[Neuqua]

Will this Cubs/Astros game ever end?

17th inning.

[INDalltheway]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Will this Cubs/Astros game ever end?

17th inning.

Neq, how 'bout the Cubs showing a little life?? Ryan O'Malley dominated today. All these young pitchers are making me forget about Prior and Wood!

[Neuqua]

It's nice to see them salvage what has been an easily forgettable season. It's annoying though to see the guys suck it up once it counts, and then when the pressure is off to start playing well (ie Pierre.)

I do enjoy watching the young guys though, it is about that time to give up on the Prior/Wood combination and get some fresh new blood in there.

[kingfc22]

Bonds loves Chan Ho Park.

[kingfc22]

F U Armando. F U!

I can't believe we keep putting this guy out there.

[Butter]

The Reds picked up Scott Schoeneweis yesterday, giving them 62 left handers in the bullpen.

[Ksyrup]

Who dug Fernando Tatis up? He just homered for the Orioles against the Yankees!

[molson]

Red Sox acquire Eric Hinske - who I haven't really noticed in 5 years. What happened to him?

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by molson

Red Sox acquire Eric Hinske - who I haven't really noticed in 5 years. What happened to him?

Here was never that impressive in the RWBL http://knad.dangarion.com/players/h/hinskeeric497.html

[Ksyrup]

When I looked at the in-game box score of the Yankees game and noticed they had 2 errors, I figured 1 of them must have been A-Rod's. And sure enough, it was. Now I see that they changed the error to Jeter. Apparently he and A-Rod collided. I haven't seen the play - was this legitimately Jeter's error, or did he take one for the team to spare A-Rod yet another error?

[kingfc22]

Ok after 2.5 games this weekend, it's clear that neither the Yankees or Red Sox can pitch so can we please stop hearing about the Yankees/Sox series already because either team will flame out in the postseason.

[LloydLungs]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Ok after 2.5 games this weekend, it's clear that neither the Yankees or Red Sox can pitch so can we please stop hearing about the Yankees/Sox series already because either team will flame out in the postseason.

Yep, plus I really think these two teams are overdue for a good fight or something. Anything to make this series interesting again. It seems like they could play 100 times without finishing a game in less than 3 1/2 hours. Last night was an absolute abomination of a "baseball" game. Twins/Sox is the most compelling series of the weekend.

[Terps]

Mariners traded Jamie Moyer to Philly for a couple of minor leaguers.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Terps

Mariners traded Jamie Moyer to Philly for a couple of minor leaguers.

Gotta love it, as Philly realizes "hmm, maybe we shouldn't have thrown Lidle into the Abreu trade so it didn't appear to be the salary dump it was."

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by LloydLungs

Yep, plus I really think these two teams are overdue for a good fight or something. Anything to make this series interesting again. It seems like they could play 100 times without finishing a game in less than 3 1/2 hours. Last night was an absolute abomination of a "baseball" game. Twins/Sox is the most compelling series of the weekend.

Even if it were a 1-0 game, it would take 3 1/2 hours to get through. It's a pair of teams who sit there and preen each time they get into the batter's box. Half of those guys take 30 seconds just to get set for each pitch while they're showing off how important they are.

SI

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

When I looked at the in-game box score of the Yankees game and noticed they had 2 errors, I figured 1 of them must have been A-Rod's. And sure enough, it was. Now I see that they changed the error to Jeter. Apparently he and A-Rod collided. I haven't seen the play - was this legitimately Jeter's error, or did he take one for the team to spare A-Rod yet another error?

I saw this a couple of days ago... it seemed like ARod called for it, and Jeter ran into him.

[Butter]

The Reds with an impressive comeback, and Scott "lefty #8" Schoeneweis whiffs Berkman and some other schlub to slam the door.

Playoff-bound or not, the Reds have had some exciting comebacks this year.

[Ksyrup]

Nice bounce-back for the Tigers, now they just need to sustain it for a few games in a row. If they can keep their lead at 6-8 games after the stretch they've gone through, it'll pretty much be over. I think their September schedule is much easier.

[Ksyrup]

What is it about Neifi Perez that blinds baseball people to what an awful player he really is? I just don't get it!



Tigers managed Jim Leyland said he plans to use Neifi Perez over Omar Infante at second base for now.

"I loved him in 1999 (with the Colorado Rockies) and I still love him," Leyland said. "He's got energy." If that's all it takes, maybe Richard Simmons can be signed to take over in left field. Even as a regular, Perez would have little value in AL-only leagues.

[Fighter of Foo]

To be fair, Infante is no Rey Sanchez with the bat.

[korme]

Watch out St. Louis!

CIN 2ND - Brandon Phillips homers (13) on a fly ball to center field. CIN 1-0

CIN 2ND - Scott Hatteberg homers (13) on a fly ball to center field. Kyle Lohse scores. Ryan Freel scores. CIN 4-0

CIN 3RD - David Ross doubles (12) on a line drive to center fielder Willy Taveras. Adam Dunn scores. Rich Aurilia to 3rd. CIN 5-0

CIN 3RD - Brandon Phillips singles on a fly ball to right fielder Lance Berkman. Rich Aurilia scores. David Ross to 3rd. CIN 6-0

CIN 3RD - Kyle Lohse singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Craig Biggio. David Ross scores. Brandon Phillips out at 3rd, shortstop Chris Burke to third baseman Aubrey Huff. CIN 7-0

CIN 3RD - Edwin Encarnacion singles on a ground ball to left fielder Luke Scott. Kyle Lohse scores. Scott Hatteberg scores. Ken GriffeyJr. to 2nd. CIN 9-0

CIN 3RD - Adam Dunn homers (38) on a fly ball to right field. Ken GriffeyJr. scores. Edwin Encarnacion scores. CIN 12-0

12-0 Reds over Stros after 3.

[JS19]

Pujols is just amazing. 2 HR's already against the Mets for 7 RBI. This guy really deserves the Bonds treatment of a few yrs ago.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

What is it about Neifi Perez that blinds baseball people to what an awful player he really is? I just don't get it!



Tigers managed Jim Leyland said he plans to use Neifi Perez over Omar Infante at second base for now.

"I loved him in 1999 (with the Colorado Rockies) and I still love him," Leyland said. "He's got energy." If that's all it takes, maybe Richard Simmons can be signed to take over in left field. Even as a regular, Perez would have little value in AL-only leagues.

If you ask anyone in KC, they hate him, so at least we have that going for us

SI

[Butter]

And the Cards still lose 8-7, putting me to bed happy. 1 game back, and the pitching seems to be turning a corner... I'm getting excited about the Reds. Somebody bring me back to Earth.

[Butter]

Freakin' bullpen!

[Ksyrup]

Headline for ESPN's preview of tonight's Sox/Tigers game:

Tigers can complete series sweep of White Sox

Does that mean if Detroit wins tonight, the Sox are going to forfeit tomorrow's game?

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Headline for ESPN's preview of tonight's Sox/Tigers game:

Tigers can complete series sweep of White Sox

Does that mean if Detroit wins tonight, the Sox are going to forfeit tomorrow's game?

Ozzie won't take a loss standing down.

[Ksyrup]

Regarding the Royals' collapse last night:

"It was only the second time in major league history that a team scored 10 runs in the first inning and lost; the other time came in 1989, when the Pirates blew a lead against the Phillies."

IIRC, that Phillies/Pirates game is the one where Jim Rooker said he'd walk back to Pittsburgh is the Pirates lost, which they did. I think he ended up doing the walk for charity that off-season.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Regarding the Royals' collapse last night:

"It was only the second time in major league history that a team scored 10 runs in the first inning and lost; the other time came in 1989, when the Pirates blew a lead against the Phillies."

IIRC, that Phillies/Pirates game is the one where Jim Rooker said he'd walk back to Pittsburgh is the Pirates lost, which they did. I think he ended up doing the walk for charity that off-season.

I was living in Philly at the time, and remember that quite well.

[watravaler]

Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede have been amazing this season. Dye just hit his 36h and 37th homers of the season to go along with a .325 average. Crede continues to play gold-glove defense and hit for power and average. Konerko and Thome get the media praise, but these two have been carrying the Sox for a while.

[sterlingice]

Since I really didn't want to talk about the Royals game last night, I bring this gem. Tho it was so ludicrous it was kindof numbing- like a bad dream, it just didn't really happen. Say what will, it's not like it'll happen again so it just wasn't as crushing as a 4-3 loss where a closer gives up 4 in the 9th or that kind of thing.


Albert Belle gets 3 months in jail, probation
August 24, 2006

PHOENIX (AP) -- Former major league slugger Albert Belle was sentenced to three months in jail and five years of supervised probation Thursday for stalking his ex-girlfriend.

The 39-year-old Belle pleaded guilty in July to one felony stalking count. He had initially been arrested and charged in February, then rearrested May 17 at his Scottsdale home after he again contacted the victim. He has been jailed since the second arrest, and received credit for time served only since he entered his plea.

Superior Court Judge James Keppel warned Belle that if he contacts the victim again he will go to prison.

Belle's former girlfriend told police in January that she discovered a Global Positioning System tracking device that had fallen off her car and that Belle had threatened her.

The volatile Belle often ran into trouble on and off the field during his playing days.

A five-time All-Star outfielder, Belle hit 381 home runs in a 12-year career that began in 1989 with the Cleveland Indians.

He also played for the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore before retiring in 2000 after his second season with the Orioles.

[korme]

David Ross' 8th inning homer puts us on top of the Giants and we never look back, and now we are tied for 1st in the Central!

Speaking of Ross, what an aquisition. I was never a big fan of him when he was in LA, but check this out: .284, 17 HR, 43 RBI, 1.030 OPS in just 176 AB (just recently supplanted LaRue for the starting role). Project his totals to about 500 ABs as a full-time starter for a full year, that's .284, 49 HR, 122 RBI. Pretty impressive.

[Butter]

The whole lineup has been good this year... Phillips has been a great pickup, Aurilia has over-performed, Hatteberg has exceeded expectations... just not an easy out in the lineup, unless Larue or Valentin is catching.

[Ksyrup]

I am really happy to see David Ross doing well. He is from the Tallahassee area (Georgia side) and is married to the best friend of a secretary at my former firm. She and I used to talk about his bouncing around the majors all the time (she'd know 24-48 hours before it was announced, of course). I remember joking with her that last year, his big Sportscenter moment was his flyball against the Mets (he was with SD, I think) in which Mike Cameron hurt himself. Now look at him.

If they go far, I'm thinking of hitting her up for some tickets. She offered before, and now that I just happen to live an hour south of Cincy, this works out beautifully for me!

[sterlingice]

I completely missed this when it happened a few nights ago and no Brewers fans (do we have any here?) brought it up, but I'm tickled to death by Tomo Ohka's left-handed day.

Originally Posted by AP

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Tomo Ohka told Ned Yost he was planning to hit left-handed for the first time.

"I thought, `Man, as bad as you're swinging, just do whatever you want,"' the Milwaukee manager said. "Four RBIs later, he had a nice day."

Ohka drove in a career-high four runs and Prince Fielder hit a three-run homer as Milwaukee beat Colorado 12-6 Thursday and extended the Rockies' losing streak to six.

"It's just one game," Ohka said. "But I'm going to keep doing that."

Ohka (4-3), a right-handed pitcher, drove in runs in his three plate appearances. After swinging for the fences on the first pitch of his first at-bat and doing a pirouette, he hit the mitt of catcher Danny Ardoin on his next swing, and Geoff Jenkins scored on the catcher's interference.

"I was so glad he hit the catcher's glove his first time up," Yost said. "I was just hoping that he wouldn't hit the ball because I figured he'd hit into a double play, so I was just actually just hoping he would strike out there."

Ohka, who has been tinkering with swinging left-handed in batting practice, had a two-run single in the third, a slow roller on an 0-2 count that got past shortstop Clint Barmes and put the Brewers ahead 7-0. Ohka added an RBI single to center in the fifth for an 8-3 lead.

Hitting right-handed, Ohka is a .130 batter in his career (30-for-230) with 11 RBIs. He raised his batting average on the season from .087 to .160.

"I just tried to hit it up the middle," Ohka said.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle praised Ohka's effort to make himself more comfortable at the plate.

"Give him a little credit," Hurdle said. "He's doing it for a reason: He thinks he's better."

I love that!

SI

[JS19]

A rather bizarre play/call during the Mets game today. Runners on 1st and 3rd, David Wright hits a ground ball down the line. The ball is right next to 3rd base and all of a sudden takes an awkward bounce and shoots off to foul territory. 3rd base ump called it foul, Randolph comes out to argue that the ball hit the bag, the umps have a little conference and award Wright an RBI single. I've seen HR calls reversed before, but never have I seen a ground ball called foul be overturned.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by mlb.com

HOUSTON -- Roy Oswalt rang in his 29th birthday on Tuesday with the best gift imaginable -- a nice fat contract that probably ensures he will end his career as a Houston Astro.

Following the right-hander's start against the Brewers, whom Houston beat, 10-3, the Astros announced they inked their ace right-hander to a five-year contract, with an option for a sixth year. The contract, unprecedented for a Houston pitcher, is worth $73 million, but Oswalt could make as much as $87 million should the club pick up the option year.

Oswalt will be paid $13 million in 2007 and '08, $14 million in '09, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011. The club can either exercise a $2 million buyout after '11, or pick up the $16 million club option for 2012.

Oswalt also received a full no-trade clause, and he'll donate $100,000 per season for the length of the contract to the Astros in Action Foundation.

I don't know about ending his career as an Astro as the article claims- it'll only put him at 36 or 37 when it's over. That said, this is about as automatic a decision as they come. $15M per for a guy who's been consistent, fairly healthy, and a good pitcher. He's the type of guy that people are talking about when they say "if only our team had a #1 starter" and now the Astros locked him up for 5, possibly 6 years at a reasonable cost for his quality.

SI

[Ksyrup]

Perfect example of journalists blowing smoke up our asses about how the trade talks upset him and questioning whether he would resign.

[Ksyrup]

Given the ongoing saga with Carl Pavano - frequent injuries, hasn't pitched all year, broke ribs in a car accident that he failed to disclose to the Yankees, and now he's complaining of shoulder pain - I have to wonder whether the following closing line in an SI article about his shoulder pain was purposely written this way to summarize the Yankees' feelings about him:

"Pavano has complained of a variety of ailments this year, including a pain in the buttocks."

[Ksyrup]

Apparently Jon Lester is undergoing tests for an undetermined illness, and one possibility is cancer. Yikes. I hadn't heard about this at all until I saw Buster Olney's blog this morning. I knew he went on the DL, but not for something like this.

[kingfc22]

No hitter in Florida. Thought the shortstop almost took too long and Byrnes almost beat out that last play.

[miami_fan]

Francisco Liriano has left today's game in the third inning with arm troubles again.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Francisco Liriano has left today's game in the third inning with arm troubles again.

Can't say I'm too surprised by this - you look at his delivery and it just screams "INJURY!"...