The Official MLB 2007 Thread

[MrBug708]

Huo...*sigh*

You suck

[Ksyrup]

Dammit Livan!

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Is it safe to say Alex Gordon has things firgured out now? He has an .885 OPS in June, although he dug him self such a huge hole in April/May that his line is still only .240/.331/.376

If the Royals win tonight (Odalis is going for KC so I'm not betting on it), they'll be out of the cellar after April for the first time since 2003

I'd love to go to the game tomorrow with a broom and not in last place. I'll take my small victories.

SI

[sterlingice]

And there go those hopes dashed. Also, I was incorrect, they'd have been percentage points behind, needing to win tomorrow. However, the 10 inning loss tonight renders that moot. The bullpen just ran out of gas- it's had so many great appearances over the last month that it was bound to happen as Dotel came up as the weak link again.

I know the fans in cities that are perennial winners don't get this at all, but I haven't wanted a couple of games this bad for quite a while. I know a chance to "not be last" doesn't sound like much but it's a lot for us here.

My favorite line from the AP summary for the game: "The winner was Matt Bukvich (1-0), who threw one pitch to one batter in ninth."

SI

[Buccaneer]

I certainly love that Dodgers' reliever, Tomko. LOL.

Great matchup between Peavy and Penny and both came out close to even as can be.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Nice catch Dave Roberts!

Why is the SF/Arizona game on in Kentucky?

[miami_fan]

Your 2007 All Star Teams

American League
Starters

Pos Player B/T

C Ivan Rodriguez, DET R/R

1B David Ortiz, BOS L/L

2B Placido Polanco, DET R/R

3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY R/R

SS Derek Jeter, NYY R/R

OF Vladimir Guerrero, LAA R/R

OF Magglio Ordonez, DET R/R

OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA L/R

Pitchers

Pos Player B/T

P Josh Beckett, BOS R/R

P Dan Haren, OAK R/R

P Bobby Jenks, CWS R/R

P John Lackey, LAA R/R

P Gil Meche, KC R/R

P Jon Papelbon, BOS R/R

P J.J. Putz, SEA R/R

P Francisco Rodriguez, LAA R/R

P C.C. Sabathia, CLE L/L

P Johan Santana, MIN L/L

P Justin Verlander, DET R/R

Reserves

Pos Player B/T

C Victor Martinez, CLE S/R

C Jorge Posada, NYY S/R

1B Justin Morneau, MIN L/R

2B Brian Roberts, BAL S/R

SS Carlos Guillen, DET S/R

SS Michael Young, TEX R/R

3B Mike Lowell, BOS R/R

OF Carl Crawford, TB L/L

OF Torii Hunter, MIN R/R

OF Manny Ramirez, BOS R/R

OF Alex Rios, TOR R/R

OF Grady Sizemore, CLE L/L


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


National League
Starters

Pos Player B/T

C Russell Martin, LAD R/R

1B Prince Fielder, MIL L/R

2B Chase Utley, PHI L/R

3B David Wright, NYM R/R

SS Jose Reyes, NYM S/R

OF Carlos Beltran, NYM S/R

OF Barry Bonds, SF L/L

OF Ken Griffey Jr, CIN L/L

Pitchers

Pos Player B/T

P Francisco Cordero, MIL R/R

P Brian Fuentes, COL L/L

P Cole Hamels, PHI L/L

P Trevor Hoffman, SD R/R

P Jake Peavy, SD R/R

P Brad Penny, LAD R/R

P Takashi Saito, LAD R/R

P Ben Sheets, MIL R/R

P John Smoltz, ATL R/R

P Jose Valverde, ARI R/R

P Billy Wagner, NYM L/L

Reserves

Pos Player B/T

C Brian McCann, ATL L/R

1B Derrek Lee, CHC R/R

1B Albert Pujols, STL R/R

1B Dmitri Young, WSH S/R

2B Orlando Hudson, ARI S/R

2B Freddy Sanchez, PIT R/R

SS J.J. Hardy, MIL R/R

3B Miguel Cabrera, FLA R/R

OF Matt Holliday, COL R/R

OF Carlos Lee, HOU R/R

OF Aaron Rowand, PHI R/R

OF Alfonso Soriano, CHC R/R

Whew! Bud ......I mean the fans has saved us from having to hear the "should Barry be on the All Star team" debate

[SackAttack]

Yay Martin!

[Logan]

I would love to see the votes audited.

[Atocep]

JJ Hardy has no business on the All-Star team over Hanley Ramirez.

[k0ruptr]

Why the hell is Victor Martinez a reserve. He should be starting.

[sterlingice]

Because the voters are high. This is how it is every year. Tho it's not awful this year. We've had worse years.

SI

[SackAttack]

Why did Leyland pick two reserve catchers?

[SackAttack]

Also, why is the final man vote centered around pitchers this year?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Why did Leyland pick two reserve catchers?

Isn't that usually how it is for the AS Game? Also, the more flippant answer would be because they both really deserved it

SI

[rowech]

Jerry Narron fired from the Reds

[bhlloy]

Cabrera got screwed. The fact that there has to be a player from every crappy team is a freaking joke.

If the Rangers closer gets the final vote, Michael Young should be shamed into giving OC his spot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Edgar Renteria's omission is a shame.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Edgar Renteria's omission is a shame.

He's another one that should have been in over Hardy.

[dawgfan]

Just thought I'd point out that the M's are on an 8-game winning streak including sweeping both Boston and Toronto, are just 4 games back of the Angels and 1 game back of Detroit, and Jeff Weaver has now had 3 pretty good starts in a row and has dropped his ERA under 7.00 (it had peaked at 18.26).

[Atocep]

Also, what's with the fascination with relief pitchers? 10 closers on the roster (6 on the NL) and 2 setup men are on the ballot to potentially be voted in.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Just thought I'd point out that the M's are on an 8-game winning streak including sweeping both Boston and Toronto, are just 4 games back of the Angels and 1 game back of Detroit, and Jeff Weaver has now had 3 pretty good starts in a row and has dropped his ERA under 7.00 (it had peaked at 18.26).

Jeff Weaver is the Ricky Williams of baseball to me for some reason.

[k0ruptr]

Although Victor should be the starting catcher, I'll let it slide now that I see the Tigers have more starters then the Yankees. LOL. that is fantastic.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Cabrera got screwed. The fact that there has to be a player from every crappy team is a freaking joke.

If the Rangers closer gets the final vote, Michael Young should be shamed into giving OC his spot.

Spoken like a true large market fan... Maybe Manny and his lackluster numbers should give up his spot.

SI

[rowech]

I think there are just too many teams to have all the all-stars that should be there. How about getting two more teams and going to 4 divisions of 8. Have three all-star games as the teams are selected by division. Then have the NL teams play each other and the AL teams play each other for home-field in the LCS's and then the winners of those play for home-field in the Series. Might as well go all the way with this thing.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Why is the SF/Arizona game on in Kentucky?

I have the Extra Innings package. Unless you're referring to why I would watch a West Coast game because of where I am...?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by rowech

Jerry Narron fired from the Reds

Same problem the Reds have had for years:

No relief pitching, no clutch hitting, too many strikeouts. Short a complete team revamp, I don't see how a new manager changes this. Maybe better pitcher management, but even so, having just 1 crappy reliever, or 5 crappy relievers to choose from in the pen won't make much difference: when you bring someone in the game in the 7th to protect a 1-run lead, they're still going to be crappy.

[JPhillips]

I read somewhere that the Reds have 22 losses when they led in the fifth inning or later.

And the relievers not named Weathers are 0 for 10 in save opportunities.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Spoken like a true large market fan... Maybe Manny and his lackluster numbers should give up his spot.

SI

In what world does a shortstop that is average at best in every category you can think of deserve to be in the all-star game over a guy hitting .335+, one of the best fielders at the position, a great baserunner, with the same exact power numbers? Who gives a shit about large market vs. small market - put the best player in the damn game.

Ironically, if Manny wasn't there, that opens up a spot for Sosa who deserves to be there a whole hell of a lot more than Young.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Same problem the Reds have had for years:

No relief pitching, no clutch hitting, too many strikeouts. Short a complete team revamp, I don't see how a new manager changes this. Maybe better pitcher management, but even so, having just 1 crappy reliever, or 5 crappy relievers to choose from in the pen won't make much difference: when you bring someone in the game in the 7th to protect a 1-run lead, they're still going to be crappy.

There are definitely some things that are beyond his control but he's a bad manager too. He makes some very poor decisions where I just wonder what in the heck he is thinking. To me, they should have fired everyone associated with pitching coaching at the major league level and brought up Ted Power to be the pitching coach and see what that did.

There is enough pitching ability in some of those guys that they should get more out of them. That's what good coaches do and I'm not seeing that. Our players don't grow once they hit the majors and that's a problem. Whoever they are when they come to the majors is who they are five years later.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by rowech

To me, they should have fired everyone associated with pitching coaching at the major league level and brought up Ted Power to be the pitching coach and see what that did.

This wouldn't hurt. Tom Browning's been hanging around a lot lately. And we have a number of left handers who could use some help.

[Crapshoot]

Tim Lincecum was absolutely dealing yesterday (went to the Giants game)- the 3 hits he gave up were a "double" that dropped in the OF because of confusion as to who would catch it, and two broken bat singles. 12 K's in 7 IP, and it could have been more (97 pitches after 7 IP when he was pulled)- the stuff was nasty. This kid and Cain are going to be the new Sphan and Sain, as far as Giants fans are concerned .

[henry296]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Also, what's with the fascination with relief pitchers? 10 closers on the roster (6 on the NL) and 2 setup men are on the ballot to potentially be voted in.

I think they pick closers for two reasons:

1. They are used to warming up and pitching only 1 innings
2. Using a starter can impact other team's starting rotations.

[sterlingice]

Royals win in the 11th to get back on track

Meche, unluckily rewarded with another start against the other team's ace duels Felix even thru 7 with a 2-2 draw. Next up Scott Kazmir

SI

[LoneStarGirl]

A lot of people down in Houston are very upset to see Biggio not get picked to go to the All Star Game. You know he will retire at the end of the season, why not let him go to one last All Star Game?

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by LoneStarGirl

A lot of people down in Houston are very upset to see Biggio not get picked to go to the All Star Game. You know he will retire at the end of the season, why not let him go to one last All Star Game?

Because there are way more deserving players

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by LoneStarGirl

A lot of people down in Houston are very upset to see Biggio not get picked to go to the All Star Game. You know he will retire at the end of the season, why not let him go to one last All Star Game?

Schmidt and Ripken are the only 2 players I can think of getting into the All Star game during their last seasons even though they had pitiful stats. The difference is both were voted in.

If the fans want to see him there, I'd be fine with it if he were voted in. However, since he's having a terrible year, I'd much rather have someone more deserving there.

[CraigSca]

The Orioles actually came back from the dead and won a one-run game. 75 wins, here we come!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Spoken like a true large market fan... Maybe Manny and his lackluster numbers should give up his spot.

SI

I realize your point is about whether all teams should get a player, but I think you should look a bit closer at Cabrera before you equate putting him on the team with a star having a subpar year. Look at the numbers--he very much deserves to be on that team.

[MrBug708]

Did anyone watch this past inning for the Dodgers? Reading the boxscore, it said that Pierre reached on a "bunt double" to SS...

What's a bunt double? and how can any IF let that happen?

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I have the Extra Innings package. Unless you're referring to why I would watch a West Coast game because of where I am...?

Oh, I see. As a Giants fan who has watched nearly every game this season that they've played in, I offer my heartfelt apology that you witnessed even one inning of this debacle of a season. Unless Lincecum is pitching.

[Brillig]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Oh, I see. As a Giants fan who has watched nearly every game this season that they've played in, I offer my heartfelt apology that you witnessed even one inning of this debacle of a season. Unless Lincecum is pitching.

Now to be fair, roughly 1/3 of the Giants games has been good baseball. That's 2/3rds of the innings when they're on defense, and 1% when they're at the plate.

[Ksyrup]

It was a close game, so I turned it on. I can't remember what other games were going on at the time.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I realize your point is about whether all teams should get a player, but I think you should look a bit closer at Cabrera before you equate putting him on the team with a star having a subpar year. Look at the numbers--he very much deserves to be on that team.

I agree. But why is he railing on the "every team should get a player" rule when there's a player on his own team with subpar numbers because of name recognition. Not only that but he is a reserve, not someone voted in (I think we all understand that there's going to be some voting "mistakes").

SI

[Buccaneer]

Please vote early and vote often for Chris Young as the last NL All-Star. Thank you.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I agree. But why is he railing on the "every team should get a player" rule when there's a player on his own team with subpar numbers because of name recognition. Not only that but he is a reserve, not someone voted in (I think we all understand that there's going to be some voting "mistakes").

SI

Manny Ramirez plays for the Angels? Sweet.

[Ksyrup]

Tommy (Memphis, TX): Joe Morgan stated that wins are more important than ERA and other meaningful pitching stats because "there's a difference between pitching just well enough to win and just bad enough to lose." He's right, but you don't actually know where that fine line is until the game's, you know, OVER. Are you allowed, as an ESPN employee, to flat-out say that Joe Morgan was a great ballplayer who happens to be an absolute moron?

Rob Neyer: (12:59 PM ET ) I certainly would say that Joe is a moron. He's wrong about this, though. And frankly, I don't think he really believes it. Just like you or me, he'd take Santana over Haren every time.



LOL at accidentally leaving out "not."

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

LOL at accidentally leaving out "not."

Or was it accidentally?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Manny Ramirez plays for the Angels? Sweet.

Hold on, I'll get back to arguing with you after I remove my foot from my mouth. I completely had a brain freeze where I thought Cabrera was in Boston. Kinda stupid since he's been in Anaheim a couple of years after only getting a cup of coffee in Boston and KC just played the Angels. This is the problem when your team is much more active doing stuff (*cough*selling*cough*) at the trade deadline than signing people over the winter

SI

[bhlloy]

No worries, just being a smartass

What has really got to me this year is that the players from the weaker teams aren't even the most deserving on their own team. Sosa deserves to be there over Ramirez I'll agree, and Otsuka could easily be in there over one of the other closers, but Leyland perceives a spot he can throw in a shortstop and picks Young - Cabrera gets screwed. Doesn't make sense to me. Ditto with Freddy Sanchez in the NL for Pittsburgh.