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 Mar 10 2010, 10:33 AM
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#61
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 Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam  |
To continue with the love, since it's one many fans here can share since he played on our teams, look at his stats? Despite being hurt, he never stopped hitting. He may have lost a little power, but he was never a 40 home run guy anyhow. You take his last two years with the Dodgers and add them together, or his 1/3 year with the Sox and 1/3 year with the Cubs, and the next year with the Cubs, and you have some damn fine work.
Hitman, I'm sure some kid by the name of Anderson had a part to do with that. I heard he's kinda good. 
This post has been edited by killfactor: Mar 10 2010, 10:33 AM  Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
 
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Mar 10 2010, 10:41 AM
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#62
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 18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
The best seats I've ever had for a professional baseball game:
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Mar 10 2010, 11:16 AM
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#63
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 Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
QUOTE (killfactor @ Mar 10 2010, 9:50 AM)  I think he should get consideration for the HoF. May not make it, but he should get close. I know staying healthy is part of it, but he was just too damn good to not get any consideration, and had he stayed healthy we might just be talking about the greatest shortstop of all time. The problem is he had basically a 6 season run (and only 5 healthy seasons out of them) and was done... if he'd tagged on a few more even good seasons he probably would be in the HoF debate but I just don't see it. Dude was massively good though and if you look at the numbers, he probably should have been much higher up in MVP Voting in 1999 and 2002... but he ends up probably a little short. I think he'll definitely be a very remembered player. ~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 10 2010, 11:26 AM
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#64
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Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
QUOTE (Hitman @ Mar 10 2010, 11:21 AM) Only 80 baseball players have a higher career batting average than Nomar. Seven are currently active (Min. 3,000 plate appearances): Manny Ramirez Derek Jeter Matt Holliday Vladimir Guerrero Todd Helton Ichiro Suzuki Albert Pujols That's some nice company. To add another one, Joe Mauer has 2994 PA's and has a career .327 BA... But holy shit, looking at that list makes me wonder what will be said about Todd Helton when all is said and done... dude has a .328/.427/.567 career line and hit .300/.400/.475 in every year of the 2000's except 2008, he has more career walks that strikeouts and hasn't had more strikeouts than walks since 2001, the gold gloves, he's going to retire with 1500 runs and 1500 rbi's... do you knock him down for not having enough power and playing half his games in coors, because otherwise his career has basically been a left-handed, slick-fielding Edgar Martinez with a lot more durability. ~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 10 2010, 2:18 PM
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#65
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
You know, if Helton can play until he is 40 and be productive, I think he could make it. If he squeaks out 3000 hits, he's a shoe in. Thing is, he will need at least 5 more years of productive ball to do so. Thing is I don't see him slowing down. Everyone called him 'done' after 2008, but he was just hurt. If he can put up another three or so .310-.320 season with 180-190 hits, he could get there with a drop off his last couple years. I think he'll need to go to the AL and DH the last couple of years to do it though.
Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 10 2010, 3:00 PM
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#66
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
Lots of talk about a Josh Beckett extension being done real soon.
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Mar 10 2010, 4:28 PM
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#67
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 Frontliner Posts: 3,916 Bay Area, CA |
I agree with Shawn in respect to Helton needing the 3,000 hits to be a sure bet for The Hall. Other than that, his numbers are solid and speak for themselves.
True he played the bulk of his games at Coors, but even playing on the road, he was consistent with his hitting. From Wiki... QUOTE Like many batters, Helton hits better at home than on the road. As of September 3, 2009, Helton has batted .367 at Coors Field and .295 on the road. He has averaged one home run per 15.5 at-bats at Coors Field versus one home run per 23.8 at-bats on the road. In a similar number of at-bats (2,849 at home vs. 2,807 on the road), Helton has 225 more RBI at Coors Field than on the road. He also has scored more runs (685 vs. 417), has a higher on-base percentage (.465 vs. .394), slugging average (.662 vs. .502) and OPS (1.127 vs. .897). Helton also walks less, hits fewer doubles and triples, steals fewer bases, and strikes out more frequently on the road. However, it should be noted that one of the reasons for any substantial differences in home and road splits for Rockies batters is that they have to make adjustments in how they see pitches away from Coors Field - particularly breaking balls, such as sliders and curve balls - since those pitches act differently at Coors Field than on the road.
Frontliners Cruise 2012. Who's Down? |
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Mar 10 2010, 4:39 PM
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#68
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 Head Case Posts: 774 |
QUOTE (killfactor @ Mar 10 2010, 11:50 AM) Nomah was awesome. The one guy who probably SHOULD have used steroids. Look at A-Rod, he used, came clean, people basically don't give a shit, and when all is said and done he'll be a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. Out of the 'big-4' shortstops of the time, Nomah was always my favorite. Maybe because he's an LA kid, but more likely because of his game. Like Fox said, he was just a complete player. I think he should get consideration for the HoF. May not make it, but he should get close. I know staying healthy is part of it, but he was just too damn good to not get any consideration, and had he stayed healthy we might just be talking about the greatest shortstop of all time. He's one guy I believe did use. 6' 190lbs and averages 28 HR a year his first 4 years, with seasons of 30 and 35? And surprise, surprise, his body breaks down after he turns 30. _________________________________________________________ "World Champions.....World fucking Champions." - Chase Utley |
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Mar 10 2010, 7:59 PM
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#69
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Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
QUOTE (chewy @ Mar 10 2010, 6:39 PM) QUOTE (killfactor @ Mar 10 2010, 11:50 AM) Nomah was awesome. The one guy who probably SHOULD have used steroids. Look at A-Rod, he used, came clean, people basically don't give a shit, and when all is said and done he'll be a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. Out of the 'big-4' shortstops of the time, Nomah was always my favorite. Maybe because he's an LA kid, but more likely because of his game. Like Fox said, he was just a complete player. I think he should get consideration for the HoF. May not make it, but he should get close. I know staying healthy is part of it, but he was just too damn good to not get any consideration, and had he stayed healthy we might just be talking about the greatest shortstop of all time. He's one guy I believe did use. 6' 190lbs and averages 28 HR a year his first 4 years, with seasons of 30 and 35? And surprise, surprise, his body breaks down after he turns 30. I dunno, a lot of his injuries were fluky and not the just breaking down that steroid guys get, no real unexplained knee or ankle injuries... wrist injuries aren't usually attributable to steroids. Honestly, if you look at baseball history, it's pretty common to see guys who are just done at the age of 30... it's only recently guys have been as productive as ever at 35+. And there are plenty of examples of smaller guys who were good power hitters, and Nomar was playing in the juiced ball era not just the steroid era... plus I never saw anyone who swung as violently as RAMONBACKWARDS This post has been edited by fox: Mar 10 2010, 8:00 PM ~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 11 2010, 9:48 AM
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#70
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
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Mar 11 2010, 10:52 AM
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#71
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
 That was cool.
Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 11 2010, 3:17 PM
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#72
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 Head Case Posts: 806 Southern California |
Spring Training is just waaaaay too long. WHen the next CBA comes around I hope there is some discussion on cutting it in half. Have player report in early March and start games about mid-March. Like it's been discusses before, these days lots of players come INTO Spring Training in shape, and dont use it as an excuse to get there like back in the day
 "Let me tell you a lesson, the cream always rises to the top, and I'm about to show you the white hot cream of an eighth grade boy." |
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Mar 11 2010, 3:18 PM
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#73
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
Some big names coming off of fantasy boards. Russ Martin's low stock just got lower, Joe Nathan may be done for the year, and now Baltimore is said to be exploring trade options for a backup plan 2B because Brian Roberts is having issues with his back (maybe a reason for his declining SB the last 2 years?)
Looks like Brian Giles is retiring as well. His knees just can't take it any more. Good of the Dodgers to give him that last chance to play. Garret Anderson is secretly going 'fuck yes!'. This post has been edited by killfactor: Mar 11 2010, 3:21 PM Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 11 2010, 3:47 PM
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#74
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Head Case Posts: 806 Southern California |
QUOTE Selig, committee considering radical realignment plan When baseball commissioner Bud Selig named a 14-person "special committee for on-field matters" four months ago, he promised that all topics would be in play and "there are no sacred cows." The committee already has made good on Selig's promise by discussing a radical form of "floating" realignment in which teams would not be fixed to a division, but free to change divisions from year-to-year based on geography, payroll and their plans to contend or not. The concept gained strong support among committee members, many of whom believe there are non-economic avenues that should be explored to improve competitive balance, similar to the NFL's former use of scheduling to help parity (in which weaker teams were awarded a weaker schedule the next season). As with most issues of competitive balance, floating realignment involves finding a work-around to the Boston-New York axis of power in the AL East. In the 15 seasons during which the wild-card system has been in use, the Red Sox and Yankees have accounted for 38 percent of all AL postseason berths. The league has never conducted playoffs without the Red Sox or Yankees since that format began -- and in eight of those 15 years both teams made the playoffs. Since 2003 the Sox and Yankees have won at least 95 games 11 times in 14 combined seasons. One example of floating realignment, according to one insider, would work this way: Cleveland, which is rebuilding with a reduced payroll, could opt to leave the AL Central to play in the AL East. The Indians would benefit from an unbalanced schedule that would give them a total of 18 lucrative home dates against the Yankees and Red Sox instead of their current eight. A small or mid-market contender, such as Tampa Bay or Baltimore, could move to the AL Central to get a better crack at postseason play instead of continually fighting against the mega-payrolls of New York and Boston. Divisions still would loosely follow geographic lines; no team would join a division more than two time zones outside its own, largely to protect local television rights (i.e., start times of games) and travel costs. Floating realignment also could mean changing the number of teams in a division, teams changing leagues and interleague games throughout the season, according to several sources familiar with the committee's discussions. It is important to remember that the committee's talks are very preliminary and non-binding. "But if there is something that comes up we feel should be addressed during the season, we can make a recommendation then," said committee co-chair and Braves president John Schuerholz, referring to less complicated issues such as pace-of-game directives. "This is all about any ideas that help make the game better." The floating realignment idea is nothing more than a concept at this point, part of the brainstorming sessions that have occurred in the committee's one in-person meeting and occasional conference calls. (Selig is pushing for another in-person meeting, such as at the All-Star Game. The committee includes current managers and executives, making in-person meetings logistically difficult.) The mechanics of the system are far from nailed down. But what is important is that the committee is making good on its mission to look at absolutely any on-field idea that could make the game better. Blowing up fixed divisions as we know them -- and even leagues -- certainly qualifies as radical thinking. "Let me tell you a lesson, the cream always rises to the top, and I'm about to show you the white hot cream of an eighth grade boy." |
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Mar 11 2010, 6:48 PM
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#75
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 Bitter Boston Fan Posts: 4,337 Boston, MA |
Check out the second baseman. Where's he going!? !!!
This post has been edited by Hitman: Mar 11 2010, 6:48 PM |
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Mar 11 2010, 6:51 PM
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#76
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
I think he was the one that came back with the bat...
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Mar 17 2010, 12:30 PM
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#77
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Bitter Boston Fan Posts: 4,337 Boston, MA |
QUOTE Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine last July, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. "I did make a mistake and I regret that I did it," Washington told SI.com on Tuesday night. "I am really embarrassed and I am really sorry." The Rangers ultimately decided to retain Washington and he has passed all subsequent tests. Washington planned to address the incident with his team on Wednesday morning. Mar. 17 - 1:45 pm et Of all the fucking teams.... Josh Hamilton must love this
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Mar 17 2010, 12:58 PM
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#78
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
One of the Red Sox top prospects (#2 I believe and top 50 in Baseball America) just had very major brain surgery. Kids name is Ryan Westmoreland. He's been compared to Grady Sizemore. Poor kid has had some injuries, and now this. Hopefully everything works out...
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Mar 18 2010, 11:49 AM
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#79
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Head Case Posts: 806 Southern California |
I'm sorry, but, Ron Washington just looks like an old crack-head in all these interviews and coverage of him
"Let me tell you a lesson, the cream always rises to the top, and I'm about to show you the white hot cream of an eighth grade boy." |
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Mar 18 2010, 11:58 AM
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#80
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Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
Have my first fantasy draft tonight, practice public league draft
~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 18 2010, 12:05 PM
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#81
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
OK guys, riddle me this.
You need a 1B, and could use an OF (you only have 1, maybe none), 4th round roles around, and you have Justin Upton and Pablo Sandoval in your sights. Say you have 6-8 picks before it swings back around to you. After Sandoval you're looking at Kendry Morales as your 1B (if he doesn't get snagged), or heaven forbid Fat Elvis. Does Justin Upton have the skill set to warrant risking it, and grabbing an uncertain Morales on the back end, or would Sandoval be the sound pick. I think stat wise going with Upton you give up some batting average, but gain a power and speed. Plus Arizona's line-up is better and he'll score more runs with them. I think he is the superior player, but is the potential sacrifice worth it? Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 18 2010, 12:19 PM
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#82
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Bitter Boston Fan Posts: 4,337 Boston, MA |
I am taking Upton, and reaching for him if necessary, in every league this year. (I think) He's going to be a monster.
This post has been edited by Hitman: Mar 18 2010, 12:19 PM |
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Mar 18 2010, 12:43 PM
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#83
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
Yeah me too. It's just, thinking about it, it's not a logical pick. Say you are now down to Morales or Berkman as your 1B option, you have to take either one with the next pick. If you haven't picked a pitcher at that point you're likely going to miss out on a Wainwright/Lester/Lee/Carpenter pick. Plus Upton is one of those guys, yeah he's a stud, but he only has one year behind him. I am all about the Tulowitzki train (even though I can't spell it), but ask me what I thought of him when I owned him 2 years ago.
Oh and of course this is speculating totally on my part. I've seen him go as early as 2nd round in some of my mocks.
This post has been edited by killfactor: Mar 18 2010, 12:44 PM Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 18 2010, 12:54 PM
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#84
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Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
The one thing I'll give Sandoval is if you're planning on him as your 3B, he's probably third off the board depending on how you feel about David Wright...
~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 18 2010, 12:57 PM
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#85
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Shawnia Twain Posts: 5,777 Amsterdam |
All the mocks I've seen Wright is going before Sandoval, like rounds ahead. People think he will bounce back, and like the steals he generates from a non-SB position. Judging by his spring so far I think he may be in for a bounce back.... of course Florida ain't that cavern of a ballpark they play in 82 times a year.
Do you like Huey Lewis and the News? |
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Mar 18 2010, 3:05 PM
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#86
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Frontliner Posts: 4,039 NW Saint Paul, MN |
QUOTE (killfactor @ Mar 18 2010, 3:57 PM) All the mocks I've seen Wright is going before Sandoval, like rounds ahead. People think he will bounce back, and like the steals he generates from a non-SB position. Judging by his spring so far I think he may be in for a bounce back.... of course Florida ain't that cavern of a ballpark they play in 82 times a year. I don't trust guys like Wright to steal bases like that consistently throughout their careers. Reminds me of Corey Koskie. He used to be able to steal a lot of bases because people didn't consider him a speed threat. Suddenly he's got a rep that he will take a base if you leave it for him and his steals just went in the tank. Wright is probably a better athlete than Koskie but I don't think he's fast enough to consistently steal 25 now that teams are aware of him. Corey Koskie... shit does anyone remember how good he was when he was healthy? That guy was a player... I was so sad to see him leave for Toronto. ~ Fox ~ What are "ripples in the very fabric of space"? No one at Johns Hopkins or any school has the slightest idea what this means, yet the phrase is batted around by tenured professors who claim to be certain they have already figured out creation. "Ripples in the very fabric of space" have never been observed or experimentally created, nor can the idea be falsified. Once, in science, an idea that cannot be falsified was presumed meaningless; now it's presumed true! The "multiverse," the "brane," the compacted dimensions assumed by string theory -- these notions are received with perfect seriousness in contemporary departments of physics though all are unobservable, and based on what's known so far, can neither be proved nor disproved. Just like God, only better for getting tenure. - Greg Easterbrook |
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Mar 20 2010, 6:40 AM
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#87
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
Ha, I love these two Red Sox commercials. There is a third video with the making of, they just play in a loop:
http://www.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_i...70&c_id=bos If anyone else finds stuff like that for their teams, post a link, I'd be interested to see. |
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Mar 21 2010, 9:07 AM
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#88
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Frontliner Posts: 3,916 Bay Area, CA |
Looks like Joe Nathan will not see any action in 2010.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2010/n...tory?id=5015108 Frontliners Cruise 2012. Who's Down? |
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Mar 21 2010, 12:05 PM
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#89
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
Looks like Joe Mauer is close to signing a big deal with the Twins...
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Mar 21 2010, 1:52 PM
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#90
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18 - Done! Posts: 5,095 Worcester, MA |
Yup, 8 years 184 million. Glad he won't be a Yankee. Now the Sox need to extend VMart. That trade looks even better now.
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| MachineHead1.com | September 7th 2010, 1:09 AM |