The Baseball Thread 2007

[donald byrd 4 EVA]

i personally like gary sheffield speaking his mind. I wish more players would do so rather than simply providing safe and boring stock answers. Plus, its also funny.

[Dan Gould]

Even as the Yanks creep closer, I'm actually encouraged by the underlying trends for the Sox:

• Manny and Papi are hitting for power again
  
• Julio Lugo has heated up at the plate, with his average at its highest point in six weeks
  
• Coco Crisp has really heated up at the plate
  
• It looks like Schilling's problem was weakened shoulder muscles and he's on track for a return by August 1. He says his arm feels better than it has since last season and he could be the one big deadline addition who won't cost a thing
  

Now if the Yankees would just drop a game or two, and Theo wises up and leaves Kason Gabbard - unbeaten in his career at Fenway, 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA over his last seven starts, a complete game three hit shutout in his ninth career start - in the rotation when Schilling returns and either sends Tavarez to the bullpen or away. It will be interesting when Schilling returns, right at the trade deadline, because if Gabbard stays, and he's done nothing to earn a return to Pawtucket, then either Tavarez goes to the bullpen or is traded/DFA'd, or someone in the bullpen is traded/DFA'd. Piniero is the weakest arm they've got, and I would think that the teams that need starters would be willing to take a chance on stretching him back out. Certainly he couldn't be worse than what the Braves or Phillies are running out there. So that is my hope - keep Gabbard, and trade Piniero.

If the Yanks shave a few more games off the lead, will our Yankee friends return?

Edited July 18, 2007 by Dan Gould

[zen archer]

i dunno today on weei the baseball experts like Tony Maz feel the Sox are really underachieving and

with games upcoming in Cleveland and a tough weekend series against the other sox the Red Sox really need a

winning streak . Like maybe an 8-2 or 7-3 run something other than win one/ lose one .

[Dan Gould]

No doubt we need a nice run but I'm not terribly concerned about the White Sox series coming up, considering that Dice, Beckett and Kason are scheduled to pitch, and Buerhle pitched today so we miss him.

[Patrick]

Looks like Bosox will catch Tribe at a good time. They lost 2 out of 3 to Tor and Det before the break, and have been 3-3 against KC and ChiSox since. Fortunately, Carmona and Sabathia will pitch against Boston.

[Dan Gould]

We're f-ing pathetic right now (how about 9 of the last 11 losses have been by 1 run?) and at this point wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees take the lead with even more games to play than they did last year. We can't fucking win and they can't fucking lose, and their streak of games against crap opponents has only just begun.

[Johnny E]

[Soulstation1]

after the yanks somehow catch the sox dan will have a major stroke

[zen archer]

Kason Gabbard pitched a great game yesterday.....whats up with the White Sox relievers they

walked in 4 runs !!!

[Patrick]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

[zen archer]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

[Dan Gould]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

Its great news even though Lester really hasn't pitched lights out at AAA. I'm glad they got Julian out of there though I'm not sure if Lester will make a triumphant return. I'll be very curious what they do to clear the roster spot. Javier Lopez has options left so he'd be easiest to move but that would leave the bullpen without a situational lefty, which doesn't make a lot of sense playing the Indians. Delcarmen certainly doesn't remotely deserve a demotion and has been groomed to be the righty 8th inning guy. I'd hate for them to decide that Timlin is ready to return to that role and send MDC down. My best hope is that they move Piniero.

With Schilling having such a good rehab start, this is the best I've felt about the team since the ASB.

[zen archer]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

Its great news even though Lester really hasn't pitched lights out at AAA. I'm glad they got Julian out of there though I'm not sure if Lester will make a triumphant return. I'll be very curious what they do to clear the roster spot. Javier Lopez has options left so he'd be easiest to move but that would leave the bullpen without a situational lefty, which doesn't make a lot of sense playing the Indians. Delcarmen certainly doesn't remotely deserve a demotion and has been groomed to be the righty 8th inning guy. I'd hate for them to decide that Timlin is ready to return to that role and send MDC down. My best hope is that they move Piniero.

With Schilling having such a good rehab start, this is the best I've felt about the team since the ASB.

You got your wish Dan , Piniero has been reassigned

[Dan Gould]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

Its great news even though Lester really hasn't pitched lights out at AAA. I'm glad they got Julian out of there though I'm not sure if Lester will make a triumphant return. I'll be very curious what they do to clear the roster spot. Javier Lopez has options left so he'd be easiest to move but that would leave the bullpen without a situational lefty, which doesn't make a lot of sense playing the Indians. Delcarmen certainly doesn't remotely deserve a demotion and has been groomed to be the righty 8th inning guy. I'd hate for them to decide that Timlin is ready to return to that role and send MDC down. My best hope is that they move Piniero.

With Schilling having such a good rehab start, this is the best I've felt about the team since the ASB.

You got your wish Dan , Piniero has been reassigned

Just saw that, and he was obviously the odd man out and I'm glad they recognized it. Too bad with him DFA'd, teams will most likely wait out the ten days and leave us on the hook for the remainder of his salary.

Aren't you glad Paps went back to being closer? Its scary to think that this was the guy they were hoping would take over that spot, and now this is where we are with him.

[GregK]

why are the Braves on ESPN Sunday Night baseball so much this year? I don't remember them being on this frequently when they were the best team in the NL; now they seem to be on every second week! Not that I'm complaining, I'd rather watch the Braves than the Red Sox or Yankees any time, but it seems odd.

[Patrick]

It drives my wife and me a bit crazy when the Braves are on ESPN given that many of their games appear on a superstation that is included in so many cable package across the country (including ours). Even worse is when they show Cubs/Braves. At least it appears that WTBS and WGN are showing fewer of these on the superstation (does MLB contract have something to do with this, or are America's Funniest Home Videos more entertaining than that baseball?). Of course this is nice for out-of-town Cubs and Braves fans.

Which is your least favorite Caray announcer--Harry (RIP), Skip or Chip? I find Skip (the American Eagle) to be the worst (way too much whining about the opponent team, their ballpark, etc), though Chip has his moments. Back in the day I thought Harry was brutal though fairly amusing--I only heard him from the mid-80's onward. After listening to the next generations, my appreciation for Harry has increased. If only he could have announced a late inning battle (after downing several Buds) between Paul Assenmacher and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Edited July 23, 2007 by Patrick

[Dan Gould]

Well, Harry was more entertaining. Chip is probably the more professional "announcer".

As for Braves on TBS, they've cut way back on those broadcasts since the team was sold, which makes it all the more surprising that TBS drops the Braves (after this season maybe?) but adds Division Series games.

[zen archer]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

Its great news even though Lester really hasn't pitched lights out at AAA. I'm glad they got Julian out of there though I'm not sure if Lester will make a triumphant return. I'll be very curious what they do to clear the roster spot. Javier Lopez has options left so he'd be easiest to move but that would leave the bullpen without a situational lefty, which doesn't make a lot of sense playing the Indians. Delcarmen certainly doesn't remotely deserve a demotion and has been groomed to be the righty 8th inning guy. I'd hate for them to decide that Timlin is ready to return to that role and send MDC down. My best hope is that they move Piniero.

With Schilling having such a good rehab start, this is the best I've felt about the team since the ASB.

You got your wish Dan , Piniero has been reassigned

Just saw that, and he was obviously the odd man out and I'm glad they recognized it. Too bad with him DFA'd, teams will most likely wait out the ten days and leave us on the hook for the remainder of his salary.

Aren't you glad Paps went back to being closer? Its scary to think that this was the guy they were hoping would take over that spot, and now this is where we are with him.

Paps had trouble today loading the bases and then facing Thome and Konerko.

I'm glad he is the closer, BUT i still get a little scared he will wear down like last year

Ya got to wonder if the Sox will keep him in that role next year if they can find someone in the offseason. A rotation of

Beckett, Dice -K, Lester, Paplebon and Gabbard would be hard to beat !

[GregK]

Which is your least favorite Caray announcer--Harry (RIP), Skip or Chip? I find Skip (the American Eagle) to be the worst (way too much whining about the opponent team, their ballpark, etc), though Chip has his moments. Back in the day I thought Harry was brutal though fairly amusing--I only heard him from the mid-80's onward. After listening to the next generations, my appreciation for Harry has increased. If only he could have announced a late inning battle (after downing several Buds) between Paul Assenmacher and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

I like the Carays. Skip is great, and Chip is one of the better young broadcasters. I don't think Skip "whines" about the opposing team; if anything, he complains an awful lot about the Braves not playing to their potential, or missing plays, or the pitchers not throwing strikes, or a Braves hitter not taking the first pitch, etc. TBS had an excellent, entertaining team of broadcasters during the incredible Braves seaons of the 90s. I'd much rather listen to the TBS crew than ESPN, with their horrible commercials, Bonds-obsession, and Joe Morgan. I think it's a shame that Bud forced the superstations to cut back on their national broadcasts. If your local team wasn't on or were getting blown out or whatever, you could always watch the Cubs or Braves. Not so much anymore. Thanks Bud!

[Chalupa]

while the rest of you talk about bonds and dice-k and all things roger clemens and whatever else the mainstream sports media feeds you, peavy again registered 7 innings of shut out baseball which of course receives no notice since it doesnt occur on the east coast or on either the yankees or redsox. cy young here we come...

You jinxed him. Phils beat him 9-0 today. He is 0-4 in his last five starts with an ERA of 4.06. Chris Young is looking like the best chance of getting the Cy for the Padres. Though if Penny keeps winning that's a moot point.

[Soulstation1]

Fu#k Bud Selig

[Dan Gould]

Key stat for Yankee fans getting giddy over their destruction of Tampa Bay this weekend:

Yankee Games Left Against Devil Rays: 6

Red Sox Games Left Against Devil Rays: 15

Edited July 23, 2007 by Dan Gould

[Dan Gould]

White Sox bullpen has been really bad all year--main reason they're not in the hunt right now.

Tribe/Bosox pitching matchups should make it an interesting series: Sabathia v. Matsuzaka, Carmona v. Beckett, Lee v. Gabbard, and Westbrook v. Tavarez. Lee and Westbrook have been brutal the whole season. To think where the Tribe would (could/should) be with those two pitching closer to their normal levels of success...

Jon Lester just got called up and i believe will pitch tomorrow night . They are bumping Tavarez to the bullpen

FINALLY !!!!!!!

Its great news even though Lester really hasn't pitched lights out at AAA. I'm glad they got Julian out of there though I'm not sure if Lester will make a triumphant return. I'll be very curious what they do to clear the roster spot. Javier Lopez has options left so he'd be easiest to move but that would leave the bullpen without a situational lefty, which doesn't make a lot of sense playing the Indians. Delcarmen certainly doesn't remotely deserve a demotion and has been groomed to be the righty 8th inning guy. I'd hate for them to decide that Timlin is ready to return to that role and send MDC down. My best hope is that they move Piniero.

With Schilling having such a good rehab start, this is the best I've felt about the team since the ASB.

You got your wish Dan , Piniero has been reassigned

Just saw that, and he was obviously the odd man out and I'm glad they recognized it. Too bad with him DFA'd, teams will most likely wait out the ten days and leave us on the hook for the remainder of his salary.

Aren't you glad Paps went back to being closer? Its scary to think that this was the guy they were hoping would take over that spot, and now this is where we are with him.

Paps had trouble today loading the bases and then facing Thome and Konerko.

I'm glad he is the closer, BUT i still get a little scared he will wear down like last year

Ya got to wonder if the Sox will keep him in that role next year if they can find someone in the offseason. A rotation of

Beckett, Dice -K, Lester, Paplebon and Gabbard would be hard to beat !

Paps walk rate has gone up this year, which has resulted in a few more hairy save situations, but I no longer even think about his shoulder injury from last year. He has been used so carefully there is no way that he breaks down because of the overuse Francona put him through last year.

I don't think there will be any discussion whatsoever about a return to the rotation unless he does get hurt again (knock wood). He's made it clear this is what he wants to do, and he does it extremely well and there is no reason to mess with it again. And besides, Buchholz will be ready to be the fifth starter next season anyway.

[Big Al]

Key stat for Yankee fans getting giddy over their destruction of Tampa Bay this weekend:

Yankee Games Left Against Devil Rays: 6

Red Sox Games Left Against Devil Rays: 15

For your sake, I hope that doesn't backfire (i.e. DR's go on a MAJOR hot streak during that time).

I always enjoyed Harry Caray, and loved it when the Cubs & Braves played against each other, just so Dad & I could switch back & forth between WGN & WTBS after someone hit a home run. A Cubbie would hit a home run, & Harry's going bonkers with his "IT MIGHT BE.... IT COULD BE.... IT IS!!!!" then we'd switch over to WTBS and Skip is saying "Well, the wind's blowing out, the pitcher grooved him one, blah blah blah" and we'd be in stitches!

[Big Al]

Speaking of Harry, do any of y'all have a favorite Harry memory? I have two, only one of which I saw:

1) August 1989, the Cubs spotted the Astros a nine-run lead at Wrigley, going to the bottom of the eighth inning still down 9-0. They tied it in the bottom of the ninth, and then won it in the tenth. I was watching the game, but had to leave for work after the 8th inning, so I videotaped it. I'd heard the Cubs had won, so I couldn't wait to get home to watch it. Sure enough, Harry didn't let me down: the Cubbie hit a single to score the winning run and Harry went apeshit! As the ball was headed for the outfield, Harry started to say Cubs win, but wasn't sure, so he kinda dragged out the word CUBS until the ball hit the ground, so it sounded like "CUUUUUUUUUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! HOOLLY COW!!!! AFTER BEING BEHIND 9-0, THE CUBS WIN!!!!!" Still get a chill of excitement thinking about that!

2) I didn't see this one, but my cousin who's a HUGE Cubs fan relates this story that Len Dawson was in the on-deck circle and Steve Stone said "Here comes Len Dawson, he oughta grab a big one." Just as Stone said that, Dawson grabbed his crotch and made an "adjustment." The booth was dead silent, save for Caray's howls of laughter! (Understand this is all second-hand recollection of something I didn't actually see, so some of the facts may be wrong; hell, for all I know, maybe it didn't even happen. But even if it didn't, the thought of it is still funny!)