The Baseball Thread 2007

[Soulstation1]

go tribe!!!!!!!!!!!

[BERIGAN]

Man, you don't expect insects in Oct, to possibly be a factor in a game!!!!

Edited October 6, 2007 by BERIGAN

[skeith]

TRIBE BEATS THE YANKS IN GAME 2 - GOODSPEAK IS STRANGELY SILENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[skeith]

I successfully purchased a pair of tickets for each of four possible LCS games to be played at the Jake.

I am so frickin' jealous man. wouldn't it have been great to have been at the Jake tonight and yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BERIGAN]

Dan won't able to do any voice overs for awhile...voice shot!

[Dan Gould]

Dan won't able to do any voice overs for awhile...voice shot!

Thanks for your concern, but the voice is fine.

What a critical win, considering how poorly Dice-K looked. Now they can go to LA needing just one, and we shouldn't have to use Dice again in this series. In fact, I am wondering if they plan to readjust the schedule for the ALCS, depending on how long it takes to finish off the Halos. I do think they want to keep Dice on a longer schedule of rest, if possible. Ideally, of course, Schilling gets it done and then the ace, Beckett, is lined up for the first game. But I wonder if they'd skip Dice and have Schilling go in Game 2, if the days of rest work out, which I am pretty certain it will.

But a great win, with the bullpen doing its job (I hope no one really thinks Delcarmen was trying to get Vladi out of the game) and finally someone really paid for walking Papi to get to Manny.

Now if I could just get the Cubbies in gear, all would be right with the world. But it doesn't get much better than being up 2-0 while the Yanks are down 0-2 and looking at Clemens and Mussina to send it back to the Jake. I just hope that everything holds up the rest of the way, and that the ALCS is as good as it looks like it should be.

[Patrick]

More excitement at the Jake last night. While game 1 was tight until the end of the fifth when the Tribe blew it open, game 2 obviously was ultra close the whole way. Much of the game I was thinking how it would be a shame to have Fausto lose on just one mistake to Melky (throwing his third best pitch). And then have to listen to a bunch of nonsense about how green Carmona is and what a great pro Pettitte is, etc. Pettitte was tough, but the Tribe had plenty of opportunities (...and eventually your luck runs out). I think the Yankees got about as much out of him as they could reasonably expect (maybe he could have gone a little deeper, but he was putting a lot of guys on). Like Sabathia in game 1, he battled out of all of his jams. Difference is I think one can reasonably expect better pitching from Sabathia. Unlucky with bugs I suppose (...though Yankees dodged harm when Peralta's double would have been a home run if it were hit 4 ft closer to center, and Hafner lined out right to Meinkcantspellvich... [somehow I'm thinking Giambi doesn't make that play]). Bugs bothered players on both teams in both halves of the innings (and they seemed to subside after 2 innings). Should Torre have gotten Mo when it was clear Joba was getting ticked??

A day off and then we see how non-aces fare--Westbrook v. Clemens. Jake could be anywhere from VG+ to pretty bad. Same for Clemens (at least for a few innings), I guess. Seems a fair amount of the media/fandom is thinking it's 1997 or so. That there is a bunch of old guys in that rotation (crafty, experienced, etc, but...).

And you out there (in the press) who claim the Yankee bullpen is so superior to the Tribe's, can we get a few redactions or "yes, I'm an idiot, I swallow NY hype before tasting it first"? thank you. And you manager Wedgie, see what good things happen when Joe Borowski remains safely secured in the bullpen? [And the verdict is in, Eric, the spouse and the mother don't like your beard--give it up.]

Obviously I missed the start of the other AL game, but from what I saw, it looks like it was Manny being Manny: some adventures in left field, and then a monster blast late. They said it was his first walkoff homer since an Indians/Angels game. If I'm remembering the right game, I think the Tribe went back-to-back-to-back off of Troy Percival in that one (Belle and maybe Murray or Thome hit the first two?).

[Dan Gould]

Anyone else a tad bit underwhelmed by the TBS coverage? Nothing outrageously bad, but...

Anyone else think that their "pitch track" is either calibrated way off or else all of the umpires are having terrible days?

[Dan Gould]

As we head into two days of Game 3s with four teams facing elimination, anyone care to make predictions? Which team still has a chance? Which team is toast? Which team is still dangerous?

I'd say the team with a chance is the Phils, if their hitting busts out.

I also have a feeling that the Angels won't get past Schilling tomorrow. Something about the way Friday's game went, the injury problems, and the recent history against Boston. I think the Red Sox bats will pound on Weaver and provided Schilling doesn't make any egregious mistakes and is kept on a short leash, the Sox should complete the sweep.

New York remains the dangerous team for several reasons:

They play well at home and are facing fairly mediocre starters;

If Wang comes back and pitches well on three days rest, Pettitte pitches Game 5 on regular rest and could repeat his Friday performance.

So ... the Tribe needs to go all out to win Sunday night. Hopefully Clemens either doesn't have it or tweaks his groin and walks off the mound in the third with a big deficit and the boos raining down on his mercenary head.

I have to stay positive about the Cubs but they can only turn it around if everything swings their way - pitching and hitting.

[Patrick]

So much for the Cubs. They did have a good season.

Agree that Philly is the team least likely to be toast (scoreless as I type this), and that (besides the Cubs) the Angels are the most. I didn't see a whole lot of his starts, but I am seriously underwhelmed by Weaver (all Weavers, actually). Schilling may be getting a little too much hype based on past performance, but he's at least as effective as Weaver, and the Angels have too many guys at less than 100%.

That was my reaction to the pitch track graphic--way off.

[BERIGAN]

Moyer pitched a hell of a game, has any 44 year old pitched better in the playoffs??? That being said, anyone know if there has been a year where all 4 series ended in sweeps???

[Quincy]

Moyer pitched a hell of a game, has any 44 year old pitched better in the playoffs??? That being said, anyone know if there has been a year where all 4 series ended in sweeps???

Hasn't happened in the 12 years of having divisional playoffs. Nor has there been 3 teams sweeping.

Hell yeah Jamie Moyer! He's got a great playoff record in his 5 starts, 3-1 with an ERA of 2.43 after tonight. Smashing the myth that the soft tossers can't pitch well in the playoffs. Or maybe it's only the softest who can do well. :-)

Whew, another tense one tonight! Sometimes sweeps have better games than series that go the distance.

[Dan Gould]

Hey Patrick, is there any chance Trot gets the start against the Rocket? Its been five, six, seven years, but he has had some huge hits off the old man.

[Patrick]

Intersting idea, Trot's career numbers against Clemens: 35 AB, .371 BA, 7 walks, SLG .800, OPS 1.276. Haven't tracked it down in greater detail, but this success has to be pretty stale by now. I seriously doubt Trot sees action. Gutierrez or Michaels may be overmatched (...or not) against Clemens, but at least they both can run and throw. Gutierrez is gold glove caliber (or close to it) in right and has excellent speed.

Lofton is the only other starter with more than 9 ABs against Clemens (which I guess favors Clemens), and Lofton hasn't fared too well (BA .226, but KL also had historic difficulties against Pettitte but got 2 hits the other night).

Another possibility (extremely unlikely I believe) is that Chris Gomez gets inserted for Jhonny Peralta or possibly Asdrubal Cabrera (who appeared to be pressing a bit in game 2). Gomez has 21 ABs against RC and a .286 average. [Peralta is 0-5.]

Westbrook had two starts against NYY this year, both losses. In April, when he was injured, he gave up 8 ER in 1 1/3 innings. In August, he gave up 4 ER over 7 innings. His numbers for the second half: 5-5 with a 3.44 ERA. A little bit less success in September: 1-2 (in 6 starts), 4.14 ERA, 6 IP/start, BAA .309 [opponents were Det, LA, Oak, CWS twice, KC (post clinch)].

To compare, Clemens in second half: 4-3 with a 4.55 ERA. A little less action in September: 0-1 (2 starts), 4.50 ERA, 5 IP/start, BAA .263 [opponents were Bos, Sea].

Obviously Clemens has a ton of post-season experience that Westbrook does not have, a lower BAA (for the season .261 for Clemens, .273 for Westbrook), and faced tougher opponents in his September action. Yanks also have more exposure to Westbrook. So the Yankees should be favored, but not by much. Either of these starters could implode (yes even Roger) or be the second coming of ...Jamie Moyer! Like Carmona, Westbrook is a sinkerball pitcher--his just isn't as nasty as Fausto's. Ultimately, it will depend on how the kids from Cleveland (essentially everyone not named Lofton) handle postseason games in the Bronx zoo.

If you're Torre, do you insert Giambi into the lineup, and if so, who do you replace, Meincantspellvich or Godzilla?

[Dan Gould]

If you're Torre, do you insert Giambi into the lineup, and if so, who do you replace, Meincantspellvich or Godzilla?

He's already said he'd insert Giambi (who owns Westbrook in his career) and I can't imagine pulling Matsui and leaving Mientkiwiecz at first. Even though Matsui is struggling, it makes more sense to keep him in and have Doug available for a late inning defensive replacement if the Yankees have the lead.

[Chalupa]

Get'em next year Phillies!!

[GARussell]

http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=2...710071842762873

Steinbrenner: Torre's Job Is on the Line

From Associated Press

October 07, 2007 2:40 PM EDT

HACKENSACK, N.J. - George Steinbrenner says Joe Torre most likely won't return to the New York Yankees unless they overcome their deficit against the Cleveland Indians and reach the AL championship series.

"His job is on the line," the owner was quoted in Sunday's editions of The Record. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."

Torre was hired before the 1996 season and led the Yankees to four World Series in his first five seasons but none since. New York last reached the World Series in 2003, wasted a 3-0 lead to Boston in the 2004 ALCS, then was eliminated by the Angels and Detroit in the first round the last two years.

Cleveland led this year's best-of-five, first-round series 2-0 heading into Game 3 Sunday night.

Torre is being paid $7 million this year, the final season of his contract.

Steinbrenner also criticized umpire Bruce Froemming for not stopping play when insects invaded the field during Game 2 in Cleveland on Friday. Rookie reliever Joba Chamberlain threw two wild pitches that allowed Cleveland to tie the game in the eighth, and the Indians went on to win 2-1 in 11 innings.

Froemming called it "just a little irritation." Steinbrenner profanely dismissed Froemming's explanation.

"He won't umpire our games anymore," Steinbrenner said.

Team owners do not direct umpiring assignments, and the 68-year-old Froemming - the longest-tenured umpire in history - is retiring after this season.

The Yankees complained to baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

"(Selig) just said, 'That's in the umpires' hands.' ... It was terrible. It messed up the whole team, (Derek) Jeter, all of them," Steinbrenner told the paper.

Steinbrenner also predicted Alex Rodriguez will remain with the Yankees. A-Rod has the right to opt out of the final three years of his record $252 million, 10-year contract after the World Series and become a free agent.

"I think we'll re-sign him," Steinbrenner told the paper. "I think he's going to have a good run the rest of the (postseason). I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this (postseason) is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he's up to it."

The 77-year-old Steinbrenner, who has appeared to be more frail in recent years, said he will make the decisions on Torre and Rodriguez.

"I have full control," Steinbrenner said.

Steinbrenner, who has limited his public comments of late, was expected at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.

"I haven't reached him this morning," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said. "I'm going to see him at the game."

[alocispepraluger102]

http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=2...710071842762873

Steinbrenner: Torre's Job Is on the Line

From Associated Press

October 07, 2007 2:40 PM EDT

HACKENSACK, N.J. - George Steinbrenner says Joe Torre most likely won't return to the New York Yankees unless they overcome their deficit against the Cleveland Indians and reach the AL championship series.

"His job is on the line," the owner was quoted in Sunday's editions of The Record. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."

Torre was hired before the 1996 season and led the Yankees to four World Series in his first five seasons but none since. New York last reached the World Series in 2003, wasted a 3-0 lead to Boston in the 2004 ALCS, then was eliminated by the Angels and Detroit in the first round the last two years.

Cleveland led this year's best-of-five, first-round series 2-0 heading into Game 3 Sunday night.

Torre is being paid $7 million this year, the final season of his contract.

Steinbrenner also criticized umpire Bruce Froemming for not stopping play when insects invaded the field during Game 2 in Cleveland on Friday. Rookie reliever Joba Chamberlain threw two wild pitches that allowed Cleveland to tie the game in the eighth, and the Indians went on to win 2-1 in 11 innings.

Froemming called it "just a little irritation." Steinbrenner profanely dismissed Froemming's explanation.

"He won't umpire our games anymore," Steinbrenner said.

Team owners do not direct umpiring assignments, and the 68-year-old Froemming - the longest-tenured umpire in history - is retiring after this season.

The Yankees complained to baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

"(Selig) just said, 'That's in the umpires' hands.' ... It was terrible. It messed up the whole team, (Derek) Jeter, all of them," Steinbrenner told the paper.

Steinbrenner also predicted Alex Rodriguez will remain with the Yankees. A-Rod has the right to opt out of the final three years of his record $252 million, 10-year contract after the World Series and become a free agent.

"I think we'll re-sign him," Steinbrenner told the paper. "I think he's going to have a good run the rest of the (postseason). I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this (postseason) is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he's up to it."

The 77-year-old Steinbrenner, who has appeared to be more frail in recent years, said he will make the decisions on Torre and Rodriguez.

"I have full control," Steinbrenner said.

Steinbrenner, who has limited his public comments of late, was expected at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.

"I haven't reached him this morning," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said. "I'm going to see him at the game."

thanks for pointing article out. havent seen.

[Matthew]

I have to wonder just "how in control" Steinbrenner is at this point. All reports are that he's in very bad shape, and supposedly in even worse condition then we've been let on to believe.

[Patrick]

Hey Patrick, is there any chance Trot gets the start against the Rocket? Its been five, six, seven years, but he has had some huge hits off the old man.

Astute observation, Trot is in fact in the starting lineup! Hopefully this will work

and hopefully Clemens won't be nearly as effective as Schilling...

[Dan Gould]

Hey Patrick, is there any chance Trot gets the start against the Rocket? Its been five, six, seven years, but he has had some huge hits off the old man.

Astute observation, Trot is in fact in the starting lineup! Hopefully this will work

and hopefully Clemens won't be nearly as effective as Schilling...

I TOLD you he should be in the lineup!!!

[Chuck Nessa]

[Dan Gould]

I have to wonder just "how in control" Steinbrenner is at this point. All reports are that he's in very bad shape, and supposedly in even worse condition then we've been let on to believe.

Well, its interesting that there are all these direct quotes, but no real mention of his physical/medical status, except for the lead-in to his "I am in full control" quote. I'd have expected a mention of whether the interview was phone or in person, and how he sounded.

Anyway, it seems clear to me an attempt to rally the players, who of course shouldn't need it. Tonight may very well be the end of an era, with Torre and Clemens gone and decisions to be made about Posada, Mo and possibly A-Rod. Posada is set on testing free agency, the interesting thing would be if any of them suddenly have second thoughts about re-signing if they know that Torre is gone.

Like I said, could really be the end of an era.

[Tim McG]

OK.

Um...Guys?

I think at this point we need to ackowledge the best and most competitive division in the MLB: The NL West.

D'backs vs. Rockies for the right to play in the WS.

In short, the NL West is, in fact, the best.

Edited October 8, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[Chuck Nessa]