2024 MLB Season Corner

[Ken Dryden]

The home plate umpire for tonight’s Mets-Braves game went to the Eric Gregg school of umpiring, he has little concept of the strike zone. He needs to be sent to the minors.

[GA Russell]

Ohtani interpreter stole more than $16 million from baseball star, feds allege (msn.com)

[Ken Dryden]

59 minutes ago, GA Russell said:

Ohtani interpreter stole more than $16 million from baseball star, feds allege (msn.com)

That must have been one major gambling problem. Ohtani is now learning not to hire friends and relatives, like many past pros have had to learn.

[Dan Gould]

So now he stole four times as much and nobody knew anything. It's like nobody tended the books at all. So color me unconvinced.

******************

And I know its "early" and "just three games" but the disaster in Fenway has me thinking this is a 90 loss team. The bullpen has been exposed, the offense is a joke and has been the entire season and the defense is worse than last year when that seemed impossible.

And as the days warm  up, the starting 5, such as it is, will fall in place as an assortment of mediocrities and worse.

Edited April 12, 2024 by Dan Gould

[GA Russell]

Former Yankees All-Star pitcher Fritz Peterson dies at 82 (msn.com)

[JSngry]

Interesting look at the state of minor league ownership today: https://theathletic.com/5408834/2024/04/15/minor-league-baseball-team-ownership-diamond-baseball-holdings/?source=thewindup_newsletter&campaign=9567258&userId=14372387

I really hope for a strong minor league system to live forever. Local interest outside of MLB/metro areas is key to the game keeping what little grassroots appeal it has left.

Oh, the Rangers won a 1-0 game tonight, and it's only mid-April!!!!!!!!!

[GA Russell]

Minor league teams exist only because the major league teams want them to.

The product has a fundamental flaw.  Nobody wants to be there.  In college football and basketball, the players are happy to be where they are this year.  In minor league baseball, the players want to be promoted in mid-season, and are disappointed if they are not.

[JSngry]

10 hours ago, GA Russell said:

Minor league teams exist only because the major league teams want them to.

The product has a fundamental flaw.  Nobody wants to be there.  In college football and basketball, the players are happy to be where they are this year.  In minor league baseball, the players want to be promoted in mid-season, and are disappointed if they are not.

Do you speak from experience?

It seems that some minor league teams are able to develop a good base of local support.

Everybody knows what the deal is,players and fans alike. It's an entry-level gig and then the steps up. And bottom line - it's baseball. Merit-based promotions.

For whatever that's worth 

[GA Russell]

3 hours ago, JSngry said:

Do you speak from experience?

A little bit, a long time ago.

[JSngry]

The Rangers have a AA team in Frisco (a northern suburb of Dallas) and a AAA team in Round Rock (an exurb of Austin) and they seem to have been doing fine for years now. I do know that the more rabid fans take an interest in the farm teams, because that's where the prospects are, either for the home team players or else as trade bait.

Not everybody's into it at that level, but I do think that people who are are healthy for the game in general.

[JSngry]

RIP Whitey Herzog. They might still make 'em like that (Ron Washington?), but if they do, where are they?

[GA Russell]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

RIP Whitey Herzog. They might still make 'em like that (Ron Washington?), but if they do, where are they?

Whitey Herzog dies at 92: Hall of Fame MLB manager led Cardinals to World Series title (msn.com)

 

[soulpope]

Great MLB debut inning for Jack Leiter with 2 K's ....

[soulpope]

19 minutes ago, soulpope said:

Great MLB debut inning for Jack Leiter with 2 K's ....

Roughed up during inning 2 unfortunately ....

[JSngry]

Bad Ranger defense in the 4th did Leiter no favors. Rangers win eventually though, taking 3-4 against the Tigers. Three day games in a row!

So far, the AL West is doing the Rangers some favors. We'll see how long that lasts. 

[Dan Gould]

Red Sox highlight of the season - guaranteed:

Tanner Houk completes a "Maddux" CG shut out.  

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/tanner-houck-throws-shutout-vs-guardians

 

The last pitcher to throw a “Maddux” with nine strikeouts or more in a game played in 1:50 or less? That would be Maddux himself on Aug. 20, 1995 in St. Louis.

Edited April 18, 2024 by Dan Gould
Edited to make clear: its the season highlight, not to date.

[ghost of miles]

Juan Soto slashing .347/.468/.600 after 20 games. That’s a Ted Williams kinda line. His ABs are practically making Judge’s afterthoughts. He also seems totally amped to be playing in New York. Yankees won’t get a hometown discount when he hits free agency this winter, but it’s already clear that he’d be quite happy to continue with his present team. 

I still see Baltimore as the favorite to take the AL East—NY’s got depth issues and question marks with both its rotation and its bullpen that could really hold the team back if not resolved. A lot riding on Cole returning and (1) not hitting the IL again or needing TJS  (2) pitching at or close to previous form. Rodon and Cortes have been inconsistent, Schmidt’s improved but seemingly still can’t go more than 5 innings, and Gil is walking too many batters. Stroman’s been the only truly solid starter so far.

Edited April 20, 2024 by ghost of miles

[GA Russell]

 

[jlhoots]

Brewers pretty good so far - 14-6.

[Dan Gould]

7 minutes ago, jlhoots said:

Brewers pretty good so far - 14-6.

Maybe it wasn't the manager the last few years. Although I guess managerial effects only come out across an entire season, if they exist.

[Dan Gould]

Weird for a game to have getaway day start time when its game 1 of a series and maybe Boone just couldn't adjust. Or maybe his reputation precedes him.

https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-boone-ejected-in-first-inning-of-yankees-game-against-a-s

 

[JSngry]

3 hours ago, Dan Gould said:

Weird for a game to have getaway day start time when its game 1 of a series and maybe Boone just couldn't adjust. Or maybe his reputation precedes him.

https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-boone-ejected-in-first-inning-of-yankees-game-against-a-s

 

That was a bit odd!

[HutchFan]

Braves took 2 of 3 from the WS champs this weekend.  I'll take it.

The injury bug has already badly bitten us. Losing Spencer Strider for the year really hurts. 

But we're still finding ways to win.

 

[JSngry]

29 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Braves took 2 of 3 from the WS champs this weekend.  I'll take it.

So will I. The Rangers are treading water right now...hopefully Bochy can keep bailing water until the leaks all get plugged.

The rest of the division has been most helpful in that regard.

[Dan Gould]

I know that Judge is struggling (and I now see Rizzo is too) but I did not anticipate seeing that the Red Sox have just barely outscored the Yankees to date.