Hochevar is THE definition of a fifth starter. MBBF is just being MBBF.

Hochevar is going to win the console race for Sony!

I think Hochevar has the potential to be a no 3 type, above-average SP, but I don't want to take away from the assertion that MBBF is still an idiot. :D

Potential being the operative word.

Wow. Nobody can say there's not something wrong with Ortiz now. He needs to sit like...two weeks ago.

This just in from today's 12 inning game:

Boston slugger David Ortiz (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3748) went 0 for 7 and stranded 12 runners. He struck out three times, once with the bases loaded in the fourth, and left the bases loaded again in the 12th with a dribbler in front of the plate as his average plummeted to .208.

I got a kick out of this. Mets/Giants game, Maine fouls a ball off Molina's leg, he's clearly in a great amount of pain, having trouble putting any weight on the leg. Maine has 2 strikes on him, and there are 2 outs. After a couple minutes, he decides to stay in the game and they say they are gonna give him a few warmup pitches and he's just like nah, lets just get to this, just throw it down the middle and get me out of this inning. Maine lines a base hit and now he walks Castillo. Kind of the thing you had to see, just funny watching Molina's reaction to the idea of a couple warmup pitches.

Wow. Nobody can say there's not something wrong with Ortiz now. He needs to sit like...two weeks ago.

This just in from today's 12 inning game:

Boston slugger David Ortiz (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3748) went 0 for 7 and stranded 12 runners. He struck out three times, once with the bases loaded in the fourth, and left the bases loaded again in the 12th with a dribbler in front of the plate as his average plummeted to .208.

He's returned to David Arias form.

They brought this up tonight on Sportscenter, and pointed out that Ortiz had more LOB on his own than any team today (besides the Red Sox, of course). Cubs were tops with 11. Ouch.

Not a great performance from Santana today, but it was enough. He'll have to work his way back into midseason form, but I am not concerned.

Lackey is finally back on Saturday, and Escobar is in extended spring training, and probably due back within a month (although the way Palmer's pitching, I am almost wondering if they'll try Escobar in the pen first to try to help the Angels out there). Vlad could be back DHing during the next homestand.

Angels have won 9 of 11, despite the injury issues, and now get a series with the first place Rangers. The Rangers are hot, so it's not going to be easy, but if the Angels can take two of three, they are tied for first, and a sweep puts them on top.

This should be an interesting night at the ballpark. Royals Stadium is sold out both Friday and Saturday along with a big crowd expected for Sunday afternoon. I'm headed out there tonight with my friends. Greinke on the hill tonight. If there was ever a 'must win' for the Royals, tonight is probably the night. They gave back the 6 game winning streak by losing the next 6. Greinke needs to right the ship tonight.

This should be an interesting night at the ballpark. Royals Stadium is sold out both Friday and Saturday along with a big crowd expected for Sunday afternoon.

How come ticketing at Royals.com says I can still buy 2 tickets Dugout Plaza Aisle 221, Row SS, Seats 22 & 23 for tonight's game?
And 2 tickets Dugout Plaza Aisle 217, Row EE, Seats 10 & 11 for Saturday's game?

sold out

I don't think these words mean what you think they mean.

I hope Walt doesn't wait too long to trade for a bat. The pitching won't stay this good and they'll need at least one more hitter to stay in the race. I'd give Bailey or Arroyo + prospects for a good LF or 3b.

The way Arroyo has pitched so far this year, he won't fetch much. But we have a bunch of mid-range to high-level prospects who have decent market value. Not all of them are going to end up with the big club, so the time is NOW to cash in. Todd Frazier, Chris Valaika, Drew Stubbs, Adam Rosales, Juan Francisco, the list goes on... the only untouchable is probably Yonder Alonso... but he plays 1B only from what I understand so there is a bit of a logjam if he gets ready for the majors in a couple years and if Votto maintains form and develops into a star as it appears he will.

Where's Todd Frazier's value in that spectrum? Just curious, since he's a Rutgers guy and also famous throughout my area for carrying Toms River to the Little League World Series.

How come ticketing at Royals.com says I can still buy 2 tickets Dugout Plaza Aisle 221, Row SS, Seats 22 & 23 for tonight's game?
And 2 tickets Dugout Plaza Aisle 217, Row EE, Seats 10 & 11 for Saturday's game?

I don't think these words mean what you think they mean.

On last night's telecast, they said tonight's game is sold out. I know that they do hold some lower-level seats on the visiting side. They may have released those last night. They also said that Saturday has very few tickets and they expect it to sell out as well. So it may not be for Saturday right now, but they said it will be by game time. I'm going to trust the local announcers on this one. I've heard 'still seats available' many times in past years. They wouldn't say it's sold out unless they truly expect it. Otherwise, they're turning away customers and the Royals are in no position to do that.

Frazier is consistently listed as one of the top 3 prospects in the Reds system... he and Valaika are usually the top 2, though Alonso shot up the charts after his 1st round selection last year.

Frazier is playing for AA Carolina this year and hitting .273 so far, with 1 homer and 15 doubles out of 36 hits. He is playing outfield for them right now... the Reds have a glut of middle infielders, so they are probably trying a new position out on him down there.

I think we should all chip in for a round trip ticket between Middle GA and Kansas City, plus one of those dugout plaza tickets still available, so Jon can go and count the number of empty seats in the stadium.

I feel confident he would perform this service for the board...especially if there are designated smoking areas inside Kaufman.

Lots of tickets available for tonight in many different sections. For tomorrow's game you can still get 14 contiguous seats in multiple sections.

I think we should all chip in for a round trip ticket between Middle GA and Kansas City, plus one of those dugout plaza tickets still available, so Jon can go and count the number of empty seats in the stadium.

I feel confident he would perform this service for the board...especially if there are designated smoking areas inside Kaufman.

First, there are designated smoking areas, though I never visit them personally.

Second, he'd be better off not getting a ticket. Then he would end up like the 4-5K people who got turned away from the last Friday game at home. Most were college kids, who likely just went out to their cars and drank beer. Probably saved a lot of money by drinking in the parking lot instead of the stadium. I'm floored every time I see someone plop down $7.50 for a bottle of beer. That's nuts.

Lots of tickets available for tonight in many different sections. For tomorrow's game you can still get 14 contiguous seats in multiple sections.

This is great. KCRoyals.com will see site traffic increases of 200% thanks to FOFC members. :)

On last night's telecast, they said tonight's game is sold out. I know that they do hold some lower-level seats on the visiting side. They may have released those last night. They also said that Saturday has very few tickets and they expect it to sell out as well. So it may not be for Saturday right now, but they said it will be by game time. I'm going to trust the local announcers on this one. I've heard 'still seats available' many times in past years. They wouldn't say it's sold out unless they truly expect it. Otherwise, they're turning away customers and the Royals are in no position to do that.

It may sell out, and if it does that's great ... but that's not what you claimed.
They could certainly use it given their attendance so far this year, which is less than 1% of capacity different than last season or even the 93 loss season of 2007.

And it's not as though I'm usually one to bust on anybody about their attendance, I'm in the Atlanta market for crying out loud, one of the worst pro sports towns ever. The apparent embellishment just really seemed unwarranted but I guess I'll assign the blame to announcers getting ahead of themselves.

It may sell out, and if it does that's great ... but that's not what you claimed.
They could certainly use it given their attendance so far this year, which is less than 1% of capacity different than last season or even the 93 loss season of 2007.

And it's not as though I'm usually one to bust on anybody about their attendance, I'm in the Atlanta market for crying out loud, one of the worst pro sports towns ever. The apparent embellishment just really seemed unwarranted but I guess I'll assign the blame to announcers getting ahead of themselves.

Like I said, I'm heading to the game tonight. I'll be sure to provide the actual attendance. They have the Buck Night tonight, which always draws a huge walkup. Tomorrow night is a promotional night and the weather is supposed to be good, which should also draw a huge walkup. The revenue generated for games this year is way up, due to the increase in ticket prices after the renovation. So even if they sell the same number of tickets as in previous years, they're still making way more than they did before the renovation. In KC, you can sit behind the plate for $125 with seat-side service. Compare that to $2,000+ in Yankees Stadium. It's a great deal.

Also, it should be noted that although the number of seats was reduced slightly, they do have around 750 standing room only tickets that sell well that make up the difference. Those tickets let you into the ballpark where you can stand out on the 'Party Patio just above the right field wall. That patio is often packed while seats near home plate remain unsold during the weekday games. The drinkers just buy those tickets and hang out there.

This is great. KCRoyals.com will see site traffic increases of 200% thanks to FOFC members. :)

Hm, so if Jon and I both went, and the traffic increased 200%...

Hm, so if Jon and I both went, and the traffic increased 200%...

At least you got the joke. Kudos.

Then he would end up like the 4-5K people who got turned away from the last Friday game at home.

If they turned 'em away, it wasn't because of a sell out.

Attendance was only 36,363, more than 2000 short of the new listed capacity of 38,177 (even less than the 40k + figure that most sources still cite). Hell, they drew 37,647 the next night, so unless they had 1300 seats closed on Friday that suddenly opened up on Saturday, that doesn't even make sense.

More likely, given the nature of the turnaways you cited, the problem was that they ran out of the $7 general admission seats & the kids chose not to buy a more expensive ticket. But running out of cheap seats is not the same thing as a turnaway crowd.

I will give you this though, even the KC Star is claiming that "If you don’t have a ticket for tonight’s game, chances are you aren’t getting one. You can stand in line for the 400-or-so seats that sell only on game days or you can pay a scalper."

Of course we've sat here & proven that's bullshit with less than 5 minutes effort but apparently that doesn't prevent it.

Heck, maybe it's fun, let me try. Let's see here, hmm, wait, I've got it.
"There are no tickets available for tonight's Atlanta Thrashers playoff game. Every available ticket for the game has been sold."

I'm having a bear of a time getting tix to see the Gwinnett Braves. Hotter ticket than the real team.

Oh, and as I said earlier...Garrett Anderson sucks.

I'm having a bear of a time getting tix to see the Gwinnett Braves. Hotter ticket than the real team.

I haven't even bothered trying. I figure it'll be like the Rome Braves were, a real pain for at least the first year, more manageable after the new wears off a little bit.

It's been interesting for me to notice how hard they marketed them team to the college kids in Athens though. Nobody else has really done that, or at least not that I've noticed, but they've pushed pretty hard on local radio in the opening weeks of the season.

If they turned 'em away, it wasn't because of a sell out.

Attendance was only 36,363, more than 2000 short of the new listed capacity of 38,177 (even less than the 40k + figure that most sources still cite). Hell, they drew 37,647 the next night, so unless they had 1300 seats closed on Friday that suddenly opened up on Saturday, that doesn't even make sense.

More likely, given the nature of the turnaways you cited, the problem was that they ran out of the $7 general admission seats & the kids chose not to buy a more expensive ticket. But running out of cheap seats is not the same thing as a turnaway crowd.

I will give you this though, even the KC Star is claiming that "If you don’t have a ticket for tonight’s game, chances are you aren’t getting one. You can stand in line for the 400-or-so seats that sell only on game days or you can pay a scalper."

Of course we've sat here & proven that's bullshit with less than 5 minutes effort but apparently that doesn't prevent it.

Heck, maybe it's fun, let me try. Let's see here, hmm, wait, I've got it.
"There are no tickets available for tonight's Atlanta Thrashers playoff game. Every available ticket for the game has been sold."

Reminds me of when I lived in Boston and the Revolution would rope off 3/4 of Foxboro, sell the remaining 1/4 and call it a sell-out .

Taking a look at the attendance numbers, I'm fairly surprised that Milwaukee is 9th in all the MLB with 35,953 per game.

Not bad for a team many felt should have been contracted when contraction was on the table.

Was Milwaukee actually a serious contender for contraction?

Was Milwaukee actually a serious contender for contraction?

No, not at all. But it was more backlash against Selig because the Brewers were his team and in one of the worst (if not worst) major league markets.

Wow. Gardenhire and Girardi almost got into it in the Twins-Yanks game

SI

No, not at all. But it was more backlash against Selig because the Brewers were his team and in one of the worst (if not worst) major league markets.

Milwaukee isn't a terrible major league market. If you read "Forever Blue," one of the things it mentions is that the success of the Braves in that town is really what opened up the West for the move of the Giants and Dodgers to California.

It's something O'Malley might not have considered if the Braves hadn't previously proven it could be done.

But it was home to a pretty terrible franchise that didn't seem to be making serious effort to compete for a while. It's one thing to support the hometown nine when they're down. It's another thing to support them when they don't bother trying to get up.

Royals-O's just got underway with a 2 hour rain delay. Greinke on the mound.

SI

Royals-O's just got underway with a 2 hour rain delay. Greinke on the mound.

SI

I went to that Tigs/Yanks game a while back when they started at like midnight. Unreal. They let people leave the stadium, so a lot of people went to the bar and got shitfaced. My buddies and I went there just to see if we could get into the game and a guy gave us tickets because he had to catch an early flight.

Most fun MLB game ever. Fights everywhere. Just a great day that ended around 3 AM.

Dola, Tigs hit 2 grand slams tonight. Inge and Raburn. First time for Detroit since 1968.

Luis Vizcaino gives up a walk-off HR in his Indians debut. Welcome to Cleveland, kid, you'll fit right in.

Rangers hang on to win again. If they split the weekend with the Angels, they'll be in good shape.

Zack has some control issues in the first couple of innings but then settles down. He's gone 7 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K and his ERA creeps up to 0.60 (from 0.54) thru 8 games

SI

38K and change the announced attendance in Kansas City. Not nearly that many there now after the 2 1/2 hour rain delay

SI

And the Mets once again win a close one in late innings. Man, what a difference from last year!

Reminds me of when I lived in Boston and the Revolution would rope off 3/4 of Foxboro, sell the remaining 1/4 and call it a sell-out .

Yeah, I seem to remember the Jaguars having mysterious Teal covered areas that weren't counted towards avoiding a blackout.

Pirates offense and bullpen looking good in early season.

[rant]
FUCK....HOW MANY MORE GODDAMN QUALITY STARTS IS THIS TEAM GOING TO BLOW WITH 1-2 RUNS. OR BULLPEN TARDEDNESS.

[/end rant]

Royals finally break the streak at 6. Zack goes 7, Royals bats wake up and they win 8-1. Now that's out of the way and it's time to start a new good streak :)

SI

Pirates offense and bullpen looking good in early season.

[rant]
FUCK....HOW MANY MORE GODDAMN QUALITY STARTS IS THIS TEAM GOING TO BLOW WITH 1-2 RUNS. OR BULLPEN TARDEDNESS.

[/end rant]

All of them?

I don't expect the team to be that great, but snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is getting to be too much. Like if you get 6 innings and 3 runs allowed out of the #5 starter, you should probably win that game. Or if your #1 pitches 7 scoreless, you should win that one too.

I haven't been a Pirates fan/interested viewer for long, I don't know how much more emotional investment I can make into this.

sigh.

If you guys haven't seen the Rangers play this year, they just seem different. I haven't seen a shortstop like Elvis Andrus in a really long time. He makes some plays you just can't believe!

Rangers hang on to win again. If they split the weekend with the Angels, they'll be in good shape.

Hang on is right. Damn, for a while there, I thought the Angels were going to do it.

For anyone not following along, the Angels were down 10-3 with two outs in the ninth--and then scored five runs, with the tying runs on at first and second at the end, when Kinsler made a terrific play to Andrus to barely get that third out.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that 2 guys who were integral to their teams' post-season runs last year are going to end up on the DL within the next few weeks - Scott Kazmir and Brad Lidge. Something ain't right with either of them.

Agree on Lidge. I think his leg is really affecting his delivery. He needs to go on the DL and have Madsen close for a while.

And the Nationals bullpen (and bullpen management) loses another one.

I haven't been a Pirates fan/interested viewer for long, I don't know how much more emotional investment I can make into this.

sigh.

Speaking from experience, as a long suffering Brewers fan, I'd tell you to hang on.

But don't get too emotionally invested in Pirate games at this point. It's not worth it. When your team stinks, it just does not pay to get too uptight about the actual games themselves. Don't necessarily get too attached to any of the players unless they are rookies or otherwise young players. Get acclimated with some of the young prospects in the system.

I do believe the Pirates' management is on the right path but they haven't been on the job long enough to make a meaningful impact. But everything I've heard about the Pirates GM and what he has said makes me believe that he is philosophically on the right path. The management at least isn't delusional that they are going to be winning with this group and trading off young players for marginal help.

It'll take time, but sitting through these years will make eventual winning more sweet. Just don't get too worked up about things early in the process.

They have no projectable major league pitchers in the system. And probably 3 position players that rate as every day players. It could be 5 years or more.

lol, Lackey thrown out of his first game back two pitches in.

Look, I love the fire and passion Lackey, a traditional Texas fireballer type a la Nolan Ryan, brings to the game, and I know the Angels and Rangers don't like each other and that Padilla, who is just a vapid pile of poo and has been notorious for his Angel run ins, is going for the Rangers, but seriously? Come on, Big John, we need you to stay in the game.

I don't even recall any slights or anything from last night's game to lead to this (Lackey threw his first pitch behind Kinsler, and then pegged him in his side with the next one). I wasn't watching when the game started, either, so I don't know if Padilla did something in the top of the first to lead to it.

I'll lmao if Lackey pitches tomorrow (he very well could, I suspect).

He better pitch tomorrow. That is a crushing blow to my fantasy team ;)

Rick Porcello is now 4-3 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Not bad for a 20 year old with just a shade over 100 career pro innings thrown. He just knows how to pitch.

Due to an error in Joe Maddon's lineup, the Rays lost their DH today against the Tribe. P Andy Sonnanstine is batting 3rd in their lineup.

What the hell did he do?

LOL! I think he listed two 3rd basemen on his lineup card.

What the hell did he do?

He listed both Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist at 3B. Zobrist came out and played 3rd in the top of the 1st so Longoria, who was supposed to be the DH, was unable to DH (although he can come in later) and the pitcher has to hit in the #3 spot in the lineup.

Something interesting brewing in LA.

Clayton Kershaw has a no hitter through 7.

I see Sonnanstine has an RBI double for the Rays today. Good for him.

And Johnny Damon hits another walk off HR for the Yankees over the Twins. This is now 3 games in a row the Yankees have beat the Twins on a walk off hit. 2 games have gone to extra innings. Slowey and Burnett were brilliant today, what a series.

And the Rangers sweep the Angels......lets see if they can finally get some national love now.

Funny bit from The Onion:


http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Grienke.jpg

Due to an error in Joe Maddon's lineup, the Rays lost their DH today against the Tribe. P Andy Sonnanstine is batting 3rd in their lineup.

And Tampa still wins :lol:

And Tampa still wins :lol:

The umpiring in that game was atrocious. How do four ML umpires miss Garko's double and call him out?

And the Rangers sweep the Angels......lets see if they can finally get some national love now.

Come back when you beat our fully healthy team (j/k good series for Tex). :D

After last night's marathon game (18 innings), the one thing you hope for is a starting pitcher to go deep the next day and Peav came through in the best way possible - a complete game.

Come back when you beat our fully healthy team (j/k good series for Tex). :D

:wagfingers:

Well, we need to take care of things in Detroit now. If we can take 2 of 3 from the Tigers, I'll be happier. I was only wanting 2-3 from the Angels, but I'll take the sweep. :p

Royals weekend series attendance
Fri, May 15 38,353
Sat, May 16 26,720
Sun, May 17 22,791

Ownership might want to have a word with those announcers that scared everybody away from coming.

Not sure what in the hell is going on with Pelfrey, who's actually pitching a pretty good game, but 3 balks?? seriously?

Clayton Kershaw has a no hitter through 7.

You're an asshole. :)

:wagfingers:

Well, we need to take care of things in Detroit now. If we can take 2 of 3 from the Tigers, I'll be happier. I was only wanting 2-3 from the Angels, but I'll take the sweep. :p

STFU. That's all I got.

So Detroit swept Oakland, coming off a sweep at the hands of the Twins. Galaragga has no bite to any of his pitches, and Dontrelle Willis is our 5th starter, but, we're in first. Somehow anyway.

Bonderman is making a rehab start in Toledo this week, and then it could be only a matter of time until he replaces Armando or Dontrelle in our rotation. If we can get something out of him, then maybe I'll become a believer, but too many guys are outproducing their normal production.

Who knows though. Maybe this is the year Edwin Jackson puts together a full season and Brandon Inge becomes a real offensive weapon an entire season.

Royals weekend series attendance
Fri, May 15 38,353
Sat, May 16 26,720
Sun, May 17 22,791

Ownership might want to have a word with those announcers that scared everybody away from coming.

They had 24K for the Thursday game, which is a great weeknight number for KC as well as the sellout Friday. The Saturday and Sunday numbers are a bit disappointing, to say the least. I mean, it's not as if the Orioles are a huge draw in KC, but even with their poor play the Royals were in 1st coming into the weekend.

Three with the tribe coming up and Game 2 is the crucial one. Meche needs to show that he's healthy. He's looked hurt the last couple of starts and hasn't been nearly as effective.

SI

Not sure what in the hell is going on with Pelfrey, who's actually pitching a pretty good game, but 3 balks?? seriously?

IT seemed like he was having some issues with the mound

Ouch with Delgado getting surgery :(

Rickie Weeks done for the year... FUCK

Rickie Weeks done for the year... FUCK

Yeah, surprised this isn't a bigger national story. That's a huge loss for them.

EDIT: When I say "national" story, I mean that it should be second or third on ESPN's headlines (or at least above "Martin, Cuban fued hits fever pitch")

Yeah, surprised this isn't a bigger national story. That's a huge loss for them.

EDIT: When I say "national" story, I mean that it should be second or third on ESPN's headlines (or at least above "Martin, Cuban fued hits fever pitch")

Frustrating too, in that he did the same thing to his other wrist and that seemed to have been holding him back until this season.

There will be a dropoff in production obviously but the other options are serviceable at least. They won't be throwing Tony Pena Jr. out there at least.

Yeah, surprised this isn't a bigger national story. That's a huge loss for them.

EDIT: When I say "national" story, I mean that it should be second or third on ESPN's headlines (or at least above "Martin, Cuban fued hits fever pitch")

Pfft... we need another article about A-Rod and Jeter up there! ;)

Oh, that's big. I mean, let's not overexaggerate, tho. It's a slow news day so it should be above Gruden going into MNF, TO's first practice, Favre's surgery, and Martin/Cuban. However, it's not Ryan Braun or even Prince Fielder. Sure, baseball fans know who he is but casual sports fans don't.

SI

I didn't watch the game, but Ross Detwiler comes up from AA for his (first? second?) MLB start and gets out with 5 IP, 6 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER

AL East leading Blue Jays win again.

Apparently it was barely a 3 run jack against him but it still counts. At least according to the radio guys he was laboring to those numbers. The pirates don't walk as a team so I really think its hard to read much into the start. Other than your pen sucks worse than ours. He could have won too. I didn't watch the game, but Ross Detwiler comes up from AA for his (first? second?) MLB start and gets out with 5 IP, 6 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER

Weds game with Maholm pitching might be worth going to if you can LS. He's generally very efficient. Probably a 2hour 30 min type game. I dunno if Morgan will be back this series but he's one of the pirates most exciting players to watch.

World Series Games to start 40 minutes early. Starting before 8 PM EST:

World Series games will start before 8 p.m. ET - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4174213)

Also heard that Selig wanted one afternoon game, but couldn't get it through.

Very nice stuff!

Also heard that Selig wanted one afternoon game, but couldn't get it through.


This is a bit of BS, I'm sure if he'd take less money they'd be happy to move it to the afternoon.

This is a bit of BS, I'm sure if he'd take less money they'd be happy to move it to the afternoon.

Who's they? The owners and the networks are the ones that would stand to lose money from a day game.

Who's they? The owners and the networks are the ones that would stand to lose money from a day game.

Sorry...meant the networks. If Selig offered them a refund on their rights fees to make up for lost ad revenue, I'm sure the networks would put the games on in the afternoons.

AL East leading Blue Jays win again.

Man, how many young pitchers do you guys have? They just keep going down and getting replaced

SI

Sorry...meant the networks. If Selig offered them a refund on their rights fees to make up for lost ad revenue, I'm sure the networks would put the games on in the afternoons.

Seriously doubt that.

And Selig can't offer anything by himself.

Rickie Weeks done for the year... FUCK

Speaking as his fantasy owner, I would like to reiterate those sentiments.

Ryan Church, I loathe you.

Oh boy. Sorry Mets fans.

Ryan Church, I loathe you.

I'd aim the loathing at Reed and Beltran/Pagan right now. :)

Creative way to lose a game....

I mean, that required a lot of effort.

Man, how many young pitchers do you guys have? They just keep going down and getting replaced

SI

I have no idea. I give all of the credit to Roy Halladay who I think makes them milk and cookies. And Cito Gaston, who waited way too long to prove that the guy can flat steady a ship. And yes, he gets the credit. We weren't doing this shit before.

As much shit as he gets, Selig should get credit for the WS game time changes, IMO. First time since 1971 that a WS game will start before 8pm. That's ridiculous. Only thing worse is basketball - I think I've seen some championship series games start at like 9:20 or so.

Some interesting attendance information in an article today. Baseball attendance is down 5% overall, but Royals attendance is up 15% thus far despite having lower season ticket sales than 2008. Sounds like the Royals might have timed their renovations well in regards to the economy. While teams like the Yankees and Mets built their stadiums with a large reliance on corporate dollars, the Royals moved towards a greater reliance on better value for the average fan. It's working out very well thus far.

Royals notes: Attendance is up at Kauffman - Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1204590.html)

Royals notes: Attendance is up at Kauffman
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The Royals are averaging 21,567 fans through 21 home dates, a 16-percent increase at a time when attendance throughout baseball is down about 5 percent.

A better team and $250 million of renovations to Kauffman Stadium are the driving factors, obviously, but club officials think their numbers would be even better if not for the bad economy. Their season-ticket sales, for instance, are down from 9,200 to 8,500.

But here’s another way to look at it: Maybe this was exactly the right time to improve the stadium.

After all, who knows where the Royals might be without them?

“It’d be a lot worse, absolutely,” says Larry DeGaris, director of the academic sports marketing program at the University of Indianapolis. “You’ve got to measure this not against what you want it to be, but what it would be otherwise. It’s not a zero-sum game.”

DeGaris says the Royals are better positioned for a down cycle in the economy because their stadium’s improvements are more for “the typical fan” than to increase corporate support.

The Royals went from 19 to 26 suites — not including five so-called “party suites” — which is still significantly fewer than many ballparks. DeGaris says the teams that are going to hurt most from the economy’s struggles are those that rely most heavily on corporate money.

This was all by design.

“Most of the renovation went into things you can see and things for fans to do,” says owner David Glass. “We’ve always wanted to be affordable for the family of four, and I think we do that as well as anybody.”

Brewers sweep the Cardinals, and more importantly, untuck their shirts after all three games in the Cardinals' home. Which is all the more sweet since the Cardinals have anointed themselves the keeper of all that is sacred in baseball and think the practice of untucking shirts on the field after that game is an insult to the game itself. (For those that don't know, Mike Cameron has always done this as a tribute to his father and the younger Brewers picked up on it last year).

Mat Gamel takes a lot of the sting out from the news of Rickie Weeks' season ending injury by hitting a crucial three-run home run in his first career start at third base. Also made a fine play defensively to go with a horrible throw later that cost the Crew a few runs.

Strange decision by Ryan Wagner to retire suddenly. As if the Nats bullpen (either current guys at the MLB level. or potential guys in the minors) needed any more bad news. I remember Wagner when he came up with the Reds, about a month after he was drafted. But he never was as good as he showed that first year, got hurt and missed all of last year, and was trying to come back this year when he apparently just decided to give up. Not something you see every day from a 26 year old former prospect in AAA who could have had a chance to shine with a bad team if he turned it around.

Apparently it was barely a 3 run jack against him but it still counts. At least according to the radio guys he was laboring to those numbers. The pirates don't walk as a team so I really think its hard to read much into the start. Other than your pen sucks worse than ours. He could have won too.

I believe our pen is 1-13 with 10+ blown saves. :)

He also had 3 errors behind him, so it's really hard to gauge.

Oh, and Manny likes to wear down the bullpen by pulling the pitchers early every single game.

As much shit as he gets, Selig should get credit for the WS game time changes, IMO. First time since 1971 that a WS game will start before 8pm. That's ridiculous. Only thing worse is basketball - I think I've seen some championship series games start at like 9:20 or so.

Agreed- I was very happy to see that

SI

I completely understand why they want to start late, and maximize the number of national prime time hours (and not start the game before the end of the work day on the west coast), but I still don't understand why they can't start in the afternoon on the weekends. Even the Super Bowl is in the afternoon.

The Super Bowl is in the evening, and on a Sunday night. Starting at 6:30 on a Sunday night is the equivalent to starting at 8:30 on a week night.

The Super Bowl is in the evening, and on a Sunday night. Starting at 6:30 on a Sunday night is the equivalent to starting at 8:30 on a week night.

Ya, it's been creeping later all the time I guess.....So I wonder why weekend World Series games can't start at 6:30 ET?

Dontrelle Willis struck out the side in the second inning. I repeat, Dontrelle Willis struck out the side in the second inning.

D-Train has now retired 16 in a row.

D-Train is looking good and he's got his swagger back.

I've never seen a pitcher go to his mouth after every pitch like he does.

Looks like he tweaked something in his left elbow/forearm area.

Good outing, 6 1/3 1 H 2 BB.

As much shit as he gets, Selig should get credit for the WS game time changes, IMO. First time since 1971 that a WS game will start before 8pm. That's ridiculous. Only thing worse is basketball - I think I've seen some championship series games start at like 9:20 or so.

I was going to say that as well, but I've said too much good stuff about Selig on these boards (he's far better than people think), and I was wary at the response I was going to get as a result...

D-Train is looking good and he's got his swagger back.

I've never seen a pitcher go to his mouth after every pitch like he does.

Psst. going to the mouth on every pitch, that ain't swagger.

That's either "fuckfuckfuckcold" or he's added a pitch that rhymes with "bit tall" to his arsenal. ;)

Psst. going to the mouth on every pitch, that ain't swagger.

That's either "fuckfuckfuckcold" or he's added a pitch that rhymes with "bit tall" to his arsenal. ;)

haha, I didn't mean that was his swagger. He just seems more confident with that crazy attitude he has.

The going to his mouth between pitches was more of an annoyance I've noticed while watching him pitch. Seems like something he's just started recently because sometimes he forgets to get off the mound while doing it.

Rays - A's game at 0-0 in the 10th.

dola

Make that the 11th.

Wow... talk about ya pitchers' duel!

C'mon, Matt Holliday. Get me an RBI!

And Murphy picks the Mets up right where they left off.

Nationals pen strikes again.

C'mon, Matt Holliday. Get me an RBI!

3 run homer? I'll TAKE it!

And Murphy picks the Mets up right where they left off.

Both offensively and defensively, it would seem.

Seriously Murphy?

For real?

Nice job by Maine to settle down and only give 1 run up

Kerry Wood is getting killed. 2 homers and a triple.

The 75k people there to see the Royals just witnessed a walkoff win.

Kerry Wood is getting killed. 2 homers and a triple.

Poor Cliff Lee. He pitched a pretty good game.

Cliff Lee's had some rough luck this year

Ugh... well that'll (Kerry Wood's meltdown) fuck my fantasy squad.

Kerry Wood is getting killed. 2 homers and a triple.

Our bullpen is incredible this year. I've never seen a team with such a horrific bullpen and that's including all those years of Joe Blowsavski tossing batting practice to the opposition during "save situations."

John Maine baby!

This is the Phillies team I've been missing all year.

Solid start by Cole, nice job by the bullpen, and a home-run or two.

Still early, but that Ibanez signing is looking better and better.

I was going to say that as well, but I've said too much good stuff about Selig on these boards (he's far better than people think), and I was wary at the response I was going to get as a result...

I'll stand with you on Selig.

I'm jaded because he brought baseball back to Milwaukee, but I think he's been a fine commissioner.

Whether you agree with the means he went about it or not, many if not most major league clubs will have built new stadiums during his reign. Speaking strictly in baseball terms, that is a good thing.

Steroids will be looked at as a scandal but nothing that will have devastating long-term effects on the game economically.

I reckon we are about to enter another golden era of baseball here.

This is the Phillies team I've been missing all year.

Solid start by Cole, nice job by the bullpen, and a home-run or two.

Still early, but that Ibanez signing is looking better and better.


Cole and Myers are settling into about what you expect them to be after somewhat rocky starts. I think Happ for Park in the rotation should settle that a bit. He can't be any worse than what Chan Ho has been.

I have to do my public meaculpas on Ibanez here, I was very anti the signing but it's hard to argue with what he's done.

An interesting stat, the Phillies have made just 11 errors and allowed just 2 unearned runs this year. That's fairly incredible, big credit to Howard here who's vastly improved in the field this year....

If--and it's a big if, considering the way the Angels' pen has played this year--Fuentes can hold off Seattle in the ninth here, one of the best stories of the young baseball season gets even better, as journeyman Matt Palmer would then go to 5-0, with wins over the Yankees and Red Sox already on his resumé.

Go Fuentes!

I'm a few days late on this, but seriously...fuck Victor Martinez.

Here's what happened.

In the first game of the series, the Rays were DOWN 7-0. Upton got a lead-off walk. He stole 2nd, and then stole 3rd. On the steal of 3rd, Martinez didn't even get out of his crouch. He didn't even make a throw.

The Rays went on to score 6 runs that inning, but eventually lost 11-7 I believe.

So after the game, Martinez starts whining like a little fucking bitch, saying that Upton shouldn't have been running when the team was down 7-0.

Give me a break. I could at least understand him getting upset if the Rays were UP 7-0 and Upton was stealing bases (I definitely don't agree, but would at least understand him being upset).

So, Upton finds out about Martinez getting pissy and apologizes to him.

Three games later, Martinez has Kerry Wood throw at Upton twice. Benches cleared and everything.

But it just boggles my mind that this guy would get so upset about a team trying to win a game. And the thing is...speed is Upton's (and the Rays) game. They have stolen more bases than any other team. Last time I checked, they had 60-something and the next most was 40-something by the Angels.

Would Martinez ask A-Rod not to try and hit home runs?

The announcers made mention tonight that if they were going to throw at Upton, it should have been the next night. Not 3 days later.

I didn't realize they were down 7 runs, at that point he should be trying to get in scoring position.

Victor Martinez can mash but he's so horrible and the Indians are a horrible team. I am shocked to learn outside of Cliff Lee any of their pitchers could actually aim for a batter and nearly hit them on purpose.

Victor Martinez can mash but he's so horrible and the Indians are a horrible team. I am shocked to learn outside of Cliff Lee any of their pitchers could actually aim for a batter and nearly hit them on purpose.

It's hilarious that you say that, because Kerry Wood missed him twice. Then the fight broke out, so he didn't throw at him again and ended up walking him. It's a shame that a man was on second. Upton should have stole again.

If Kerry Wood wanted to hit Upton, he would have hit him. You don't steal two bases when you're losing 9-0. You don't do it.

Victor Martinez can mash but he's so horrible and the Indians are a horrible team. I am shocked to learn outside of Cliff Lee any of their pitchers could actually aim for a batter and nearly hit them on purpose.

:rolleyes:

If any of you have MLB audio, you should listen to the Royals radio team in the bottom of the 8th inning when they saw Kerry Wood get up. Also, when Wood entered the game, the radio guys said you could see the excited looks in the Royals dugout. He said they were all talking to each other and getting each other pumped up as they watched Wood warm up. That's never a good sign when your closer draws that kind of reaction from the other team, especially when the excited team is three runs down.

Great win for the Royals. Amazing to see homers on consecutive pitches. Crowd was going nuts.

Sold out crowd?

You don't steal two bases when you're losing 9-0. You don't do it.

Bullshit.

Upton stole down 9-0 and directly led to the first run in a six run sixth inning that pulled Tampa to within three.

One night later Tampa is down 7-0 in the 4th and Upton steals third and again comes in to score their first run in a game where he hits a walk off homer in the 9th. And stole third for the third time in two days in the 7th inning to represent the potential tying run but was left stranded.

Martinez wasn't mad about baseball etiquette, he was mad because a guy hitting .181 made his sorry ass team look foolish as they blew a 7-0 lead and nearly blew a 9-0 lead. He may not be happy about playing for the second worst team in baseball but he ought to try taking that out the people responsible instead of somebody playing the game hard. And Kerry Wood ought to have better sense too.

Sold out crowd?

Attendance: 25,024 (65.5% full)

Sold out crowd?

No, but it was a very happy crowd. Need a win from Meche tonight. Thursday afternoon will obviously be the big seller this week. Greinke in an afternoon matinee. Hopefully Zack will be pitching to try to seal up a Cleveland sweep.

Attendance: 25,024 (65.5% full)

That's actually a very good attendance figure for a Tuesday night in May. In past years, the Royals would be lucky to see 13K paid on nights like that. It definitely shows how much fan interest can be drummed up when a Royals team actually can be in contention a couple of months into the season.

As of yesterday morning:

Longest Losing Streak When Scoring Five or More Runs (since 1954)
6 (tie) - Rangers, August 2005
6 (tie) - Reds, June 2004
5 (tie) - Seven times, most recently Nationals, May 2009

Most Losses When Scoring Six or More Runs (2009)
1. Nationals, 10
2. (tie) Angels, 5
2. (tie) Indians, 5

Best, Worst Winning Percentages When Scoring Six or More Runs (2000-09)
1. 2009 Pirates, 1.000 (14-0)
2. 2002 Braves, .957 (44-2)
3. 2007 Diamondbacks, .956 (43-2)
4. 2007 Red Sox, .955 (64-3)
5. 2005 Indians, .951 (58-3)
....
298. 2000 Cubs, .604 (32-21)
299. 2003 Tigers, .579 (22-16)
300. 2009 Nationals, .375 (6-10)

Meantime, here is where the Nationals' bullpen ranks in the majors this year in the following categories:

ERA: 30th (6.68). Mets are first, at 2.90.
Winning pct.: 30th, (.071, or 1-13). Marlins are first, at .692, or 9-4.
Save pct.: 30th, (31.6 pct, or 6-of-19). Reds are first, at 90.9 pct, or 10-of-11.
Walks allowed: 1st (77). Rockies are last, with 32.
K/BB Ratio: 30th (1.23). Rockies are first, at 2.75.
Opponents' OPS: 30th (.857). A's are first, at .630.

And finally, here are the worst bullpens in history, by ERA, according to Stats LLC:
1. 2009 Nationals, 6.68
2. 2009 Angels, 6.21
3. 2007 Devil Rays, 6.16
4. 1996 Tigers, 5.97
5. 1999 Mariners, 5.90


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/05/history_in_the_making_not_the.html#more

You don't steal two bases when you're losing 9-0. You don't do it.

Wow.

You can debate whether it's wise to do it (you need to conserve outs more than you need that one run), but from an "etiquette" perspective, hell no.

If Kerry Wood wanted to hit Upton, he would have hit him. You don't steal two bases when you're losing 9-0. You don't do it.

Why not? I'm just trying to understand the other side of this. Is it that there's NO chance to win the game, so it's somehow insulting to try? Or is it that there's NO chance to win the game, so it's impolite to make the catcher exert some kind of effort/maybe look bad by making a throw?

Obviously, plenty of teams come back from 9-0. The game ain't over. Why must your comeback attempt be limited to specific strategies?

Bullshit.

Upton stole down 9-0 and directly led to the first run in a six run sixth inning that pulled Tampa to within three.

One night later Tampa is down 7-0 in the 4th and Upton steals third and again comes in to score their first run in a game where he hits a walk off homer in the 9th. And stole third for the third time in two days in the 7th inning to represent the potential tying run but was left stranded.

Martinez wasn't mad about baseball etiquette, he was mad because a guy hitting .181 made his sorry ass team look foolish as they blew a 7-0 lead and nearly blew a 9-0 lead. He may not be happy about playing for the second worst team in baseball but he ought to try taking that out the people responsible instead of somebody playing the game hard. And Kerry Wood ought to have better sense too.

Wow.

You can debate whether it's wise to do it (you need to conserve outs more than you need that one run), but from an "etiquette" perspective, hell no.

Why not? I'm just trying to understand the other side of this. Is it that there's NO chance to win the game, so it's somehow insulting to try? Or is it that there's NO chance to win the game, so it's impolite to make the catcher exert some kind of effort/maybe look bad by making a throw?

Obviously, plenty of teams come back from 9-0. The game ain't over. Why must your comeback attempt be limited to specific strategies?

My understanding is that it's generally considered poor sportsmanship to steal consecutive bases on consecutive pitches when your team's down 9-0. In a closer game I would understand it but down 9-0 it just looks like Upton is trying to a) show up the pitcher and catcher and b) pad his own stats. If it's a close, competitive game, you do it.

Before anyone jumps on me for saying this, let me ask you: do you remember when Manny Ramirez (or any number of big sluggers) caught heat for throwing up his arms and admiring a long home run when the game was already decided by a large margin? In case you don't, the other team became angry with Manny because of what he did and when he did it. It sparked a small controversy similar to the Tampa/Cleveland one this weekend.

I ask you now: how is Manny's standing there and admiring a home run in a similar game any different from Upton's stealing bases on consecutive bases on Thursday? Baseball is competitive and I have no idea where you draw that line but doesn't anyone find what Upton did, at that point in the game, regardless of what came later, to be a little bit out of place?

I ask you now: how is Manny's standing there and admiring a home run in a similar game any different from Upton's stealing bases on consecutive bases on Thursday?


Manny admiring a home run does nothing to put his team in a better position to win. The home run does put the team in better position but the admiration does not.

Upton stealing bases puts his team in a better position to win. And unless he was dancing and pointing at the catcher then he was doing what he is paid to do and that is to help his team win games.

If the team is up by a large margin, then there is a point where the foot comes off the accelerator a bit, but any manager that has his players ease up when his team is down should be fired.

You don't steal two bases when you're losing 9-0. You don't do it.

Lump me in with the people who say your crazy. Just because they are down 9-0 they should try and stop winning?

You are also probably one of those people that doesn't think high school and little league baseball should keep score. ;)

No, he's probably one of the people who thought Brenly was right for getting upset at the guy who bunted to break up a no-hitter down 2-0.

Judging by Kerry Wood's success I would say it's no given he would've hit Upton if he wanted to, because it sure seems like he'd want to hit the strike zone and that isn't happening.

Somewhere Shawn Estes is rubbing his shoulder and saying "I know how ya' feel big guy"

doesn't anyone find what Upton did, at that point in the game, regardless of what came later, to be a little bit out of place?

I'm sure someone will, but I don't.

What would be out of place is if he knew it was there and didn't steal it.

There's also quite a few bits of context here too.
-- Upton is struggling terribly at the plate
-- He's coming back from an injury, almost certainly feeling additional pressure to perform as the team has struggled to a sub-500 record
-- He has to know they need a spark of something, especially when you're flat enough to trail the Indians 9-0 early.
-- This is who he plays for and it's how they play the game.

A great piece about this from what I assume is the local beat writer who talked to Joe Maddon about the whole incident. As you might figure there's plenty of good quotes in it but none I like better than this bit

"I love books. I love books. I'm a man of books," Maddon said before the Rays crushed the A's at Tropicana Field. ... "The part of this that has gone unanalyzed is the fact that that one play turned around that entire series. After that, we scored, what, six or seven runs, and that made them get into their bullpen that night, which impacted the next night, when we were able to come back from a seven-run deficit, which impacted the next night, when we were able to win that game, all from that one play.

"Everybody is talking about the book. I just like the fact that the Rays won three games. I like the fact that the Rays play hard every night. I like the fact that the Rays don't have an on and off switch. Again, it's based on whatever book you believe in."

And that ladies and gentlemen is how its supposed to be.

I ask you now: how is Manny's standing there and admiring a home run in a similar game any different from Upton's stealing bases on consecutive bases on Thursday? Baseball is competitive and I have no idea where you draw that line but doesn't anyone find what Upton did, at that point in the game, regardless of what came later, to be a little bit out of place?

I think the difference of opinion is that this baseball tradition apparently believes that a 9-0 lead is 100% insurmountable. Which is just a false assumption.

I can see from your comparison that you think that there is no practical purpose to stealing bases with that kind of defecit. But I would argue that there clearly is. Sure, you're not going to score 9 runs with a stolen base, but you need to get run #1 first, and stealing the base helps a team to that. It also might help with momentum, as a sign to the team that "we're still trying to win".

I wonder if your decision would change if you knew, 100%, that the team stealing bases was motivated by trying to win, and not by showing anyone up.

If there was 1 minute left in a basektball game, and a team trailed by 25, playing super-aggressive, fouling hard, etc, that might be considered bad form because that trailing team has no possibility of winning. If it was a 10 point lead at halftime, there would be no complaints, because the game is still up for grabs. That's the difference.

The whole etiquette thing is just meh to me. So when the Patriots are up 35 in the third quarter vs some team, they should stop playing their game because they're playing that much better then them? I don't buy it.

Cleveland's payroll is what, 70 or 80 million dollars? If those guys don't want to earn it, then boo fucking hoo.

In 2003 I had to watch Detroit lose 119 games and there were plenty of instances where teams had big leads late and did hit and runs, or stole a few bases, and guess what, I didn't bitch because Detroit, and no one else, put themselves in that situation.

If Cleveland players and fans want to bitch, bitch about Cleveland constantly putting themselves in situations where they're down big late, and not bitch about the teams who're making that dagger go further and further into their backs.

If Cleveland players and fans want to bitch, bitch about Cleveland constantly putting themselves in situations where they're down big late, and not bitch about the teams who're making that dagger go further and further into their backs.

But this was actually the opposite, the Indians were apparently pissed that Tampa stole bases while Cleveland was ahead 9-0. This was the furthest thing possible from running up the score, this was running just trying to get back in the game.

I'm with Detox, they are paid very well to play a game. If you don't like a guy stealing bases then do your job better and throw him out.

What makes the whole thing even dumber is they were winning the game.

Did Kerry Wood stop trying to strike guys out? Would they have not turned a double play on purpose on a grounder to second base? I think not.

I wonder if your decision would change if you knew, 100%, that the team stealing bases was motivated by trying to win, and not by showing anyone up.



Yes, it probably would. I'm an Indians fan and I think Martinez is a stand up guy so I'm going to stick up for him. If Martinez thinks Upton was showing him up and/or breaking some kind of unwritten rule, I'm inclined to agree with him even though I don't know the ins and outs of the so-called baseball etiquette book.

I'm very frustrated with the way this season has gone. You would be, too, if your bullpen consistently blew leads every night (hello, Washington fans) and you knew your team was much better than the way it was playing through 40 games. Some of my frustration has boiled over into this debate, too, and honestly I don't care about what happened that much. This is just the result of an incredibly frustrating start to the season and reading a collective bash on the Indians in the last few pages of this thread. What Upton did is really not that big of a deal to me.

It also bears noting (and I'm sure it wasn't lost on the Rays) that coming into that game the Indians had given up 9 runs or more in 7 of 35 games. That's a one in five chance that you can score enough on them right now to tie it up.

How many times have we seen teams put up 9 runs in an inning, let alone in a game. The Yanks surrendered 14 runs (I think) in 2 innings earlier this season. V-Mart is tearing it up, but apparently he's a big vagine too. You don't like somebody stealing on you, throw them out. Maybe with his RTO of about 14% this season, stealing on him is the best way to get your team back in the game.

Yes, it probably would. I'm an Indians fan and I think Martinez is a stand up guy so I'm going to stick up for him. If Martinez thinks Upton was showing him up and/or breaking some kind of unwritten rule, I'm inclined to agree with him even though I don't know the ins and outs of the so-called baseball etiquette book.

Also note that Victor Martinez has one of the worst arms of all catchers in baseball and this was a way for him to deflect attention away from his glaring deficiency.

But this was actually the opposite, the Indians were apparently pissed that Tampa stole bases while Cleveland was ahead 9-0. This was the furthest thing possible from running up the score, this was running just trying to get back in the game.

Ha wow. I didn't even catch that. That makes this even more absurd.

Also note that Victor Martinez has one of the worst arms of all catchers in baseball and this was a way for him to deflect attention away from his glaring deficiency.

While Martinez was horrible at throwing out runners early in his career, he has really improved in the last couple of years. Last season he caught 37% of runners, which was 10th amongst all ML catchers that caught at least 55 games last year. It's also worth noting that Martinez's caught stealing % went up from 32 % in 2008 to 38% last year, albeit in about half the numbers of games caught. Still, Martinez has long since shed his reputation as a catcher that you can run on at will.

Only vaguely related, but to bring it home for me: Even though I jokingly complained about the IBB on Zimmerman during his streak, as pointed out here, you can't get upset -- the Giants were just trying to win a game.

"You don't see nobody stealing when it's 9-0 in the sixth or seventh inning," Martinez said.

This is what Rays manager Joe Maddon had to say:


"It was really obvious that Wood came into the game to try and hit B.J. I know there's all these unwritten rules in baseball. But to me, when the other team stops trying to score runs, that doesn't mean you have to stop trying to score runs also. ... The book was written when the ball wasn't as lively. Scores change rather rapidly these days. So there's a lot of pages from the book that need to be burned, extracted, whatever you want to call it."


I can't disagree with that, but Victor sure did.


"[Maddon] needs to worry about teaching his players to play the game the right way," he said.

.

While Martinez was horrible at throwing out runners early in his career, he has really improved in the last couple of years. Last season he caught 37% of runners, which was 10th amongst all ML catchers that caught at least 55 games last year. It's also worth noting that Martinez's caught stealing % went up from 32 % in 2008 to 38% last year, albeit in about half the numbers of games caught. Still, Martinez has long since shed his reputation as a catcher that you can run on at will.

That's funny. When he's played a complete season (we'll call is at least more than 120 games), he's thrown out 25, 23, 18, and yes, 32. He did throw out 37% last season in catchers who played at least 55 games because he did just that, played 55 games. That represents about 1/3 of a season (we'll say a little more than that since catchers get more days off). This season he's back to 14% and apparently the Indians have little confidence in him as they have increased his games at 1B/DH so much that he's 50/50 this season. FWIW, 27% is usually the league average.

I liked that they moved him because he can rake, and I think he'll rake longer as a non-catcher. I hate for him to be the next Piazza, who could rake and couldn't throw anybody out, and felt he deserved to catch any way.

According to mlb.com reporters, Rays are in talks with Maddon about an extension. I had no idea he wasn't under contract after this year. Good news for TB.

Haha! I think in a 9-0 game, neither side should stop trying. And while I've heard about the team with nine runs being chastised for continuing to try, I don't think I've ever heard of someone getting mad about the losing team still putting forth an effort! What bullshit by Victor Martinez.

I thought the problem with stealing bases while down 9-0 is it unneccessarily risks a base runner when you need as many of them as possible. If I was the team up 9-0, then I would welcome my opponent trying to steal bases.

As for the Brenly thing, he was an asshole. Under his logic, Arizona should have been able to do everything they want (like playing the infield deep), but San Diego has to play the "right way".

While Martinez was horrible at throwing out runners early in his career, he has really improved in the last couple of years. Last season he caught 37% of runners, which was 10th amongst all ML catchers that caught at least 55 games last year. It's also worth noting that Martinez's caught stealing % went up from 32 % in 2008 to 38% last year, albeit in about half the numbers of games caught. Still, Martinez has long since shed his reputation as a catcher that you can run on at will.

Sample size. 32% isn't particularly good (thought not horrible as you point out).

I thought the problem with stealing bases while down 9-0 is it unneccessarily risks a base runner when you need as many of them as possible. If I was the team up 9-0, then I would welcome my opponent trying to steal bases.

Upton is one of the more efficient base stealers in baseball.

Haha! I think in a 9-0 game, neither side should stop trying.

According to the tournament rules for my daughter's softball team, they have to stop trying if they are losing by 8 runs in the 5th inning. Maybe I need to print out the box score of this game and send it to the tournament organizer.

That's funny. When he's played a complete season (we'll call is at least more than 120 games), he's thrown out 25, 23, 18, and yes, 32. He did throw out 37% last season in catchers who played at least 55 games because he did just that, played 55 games. That represents about 1/3 of a season (we'll say a little more than that since catchers get more days off). This season he's back to 14% and apparently the Indians have little confidence in him as they have increased his games at 1B/DH so much that he's 50/50 this season. FWIW, 27% is usually the league average.

I liked that they moved him because he can rake, and I think he'll rake longer as a non-catcher. I hate for him to be the next Piazza, who could rake and couldn't throw anybody out, and felt he deserved to catch any way.

The Indians moved Martinez to first because a) they want to keep him healthy to keep his bat in the lineup and b) Kelly Shoppach would be a starter on most teams in the league anyway.

The Indians moved Martinez to first because a) they want to keep him healthy to keep his bat in the lineup and b) Kelly Shoppach would be a starter on most teams in the league anyway.

and c) he doesn't have to throw very far at 1st base.

and c) he doesn't have to throw very far at 1st base.

He's an All-Star caliber player and every team in the league would take him, warts and all.

He's an All-Star caliber player and every team in the league would take him, warts and all.

Heh, that's what I said. I have him on my fantasy team because he can rake. But there's a reason why they've been playing him at 1B and it isn't Kelly "did nothing until age 28" Shoppach. Especially considering he only threw out 21% in his first "full time" season (400+ PA). I just need V-Mart to keep playing enough games at C to stay qualified in my fantasy league, though as a 1B he'd still be outperforming my other crappy 1B.

Nats pen strikes yet again.

Nats pen strikes yet again.

Um.. wasn't that posted last night? (and the night before... and... :( sorry, ls)

Royals bullpen struck tonight. Maybe Wood can strike again, too.

SI

Dang- couldn't steal the one tonight. Wood walks the bases loaded with 1 out and a 6-5 lead but then strikes out Teahen and DDJ to end the game.

SI

Justin Verlander with another good outing. He has been as hot as anyone in the league his last 5 starts:

4-0, 29.1 IP, 3 ER, 16 H, 44 K - 8 BB

Dang- couldn't steal the one tonight. Wood walks the bases loaded with 1 out and a 6-5 lead but then strikes out Teahen and DDJ to end the game.

SI

Royals just handed that one to the Indians. Botched double play ball was the difference. Ump didn't help any with the brutal HBP call that should have been a foul ball.

Despite all that, Kerry Wood tried his best to give the Royals the game. That guy is TERRIBLE.

Zack is back on the mound this afternoon at 2:00 EDT. Should be fun as usual. No reason the Royals shouldn't win today with him facing the Indians.

Funny how that Wood deal at 2/$20M was considered a steal during the off-season, and now it looks absolutely brutal.

Jake Peavy to the White Sox? (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4191562)

Sad news about Scot Schoenweis' wife. Wonder if it was medical or suicide? All they would say is no foul play was suspected.

Jake Peavy to the White Sox? (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4191562)

That's very interesting.

Hopefully it falls through since I really like Jake Peavy but don't like the White Sox (and it makes it that much harder for the Royals) ;)

SI

That's very interesting.

Hopefully it falls through since I really like Jake Peavy but don't like the White Sox (and it makes it that much harder for the Royals) ;)

SI

White Sox fans may end up disappointed with Peavey, I think. He is moving from the NL to the AL and from a pitcher's park to a hitter's park.

Don't get me wrong, he'll pitch better than Jose Contreras, but I don't think he'll be San Diego good.

White Sox fans may end up disappointed with Peavey, I think. He is moving from the NL to the AL and from a pitcher's park to a hitter's park.

Wrigley Field is a pitcher's park??????

Wrigley Field is a pitcher's park??????

Petco is...

Petco is...

Sorry, got my wires crossed somewhere. :confused:

Ugh...seems my Rangers were just toying with me last week. They really gotta take this one tonight against the Tigers.

I still can't wait to go to the double header vs the A's on May 29. The last double header I went to was soooooo much fun, and this time I spent extra on good seats.

Um.. wasn't that posted last night? (and the night before... and... :( sorry, ls)

Royals bullpen struck tonight. Maybe Wood can strike again, too.

SI

And the starting rotation is now:

2nd year, rookie, rookie, rookie, rookie

with D. Cabrera in the bullpen

Greinke is just filthy. FILTHY.

Yeah, FYI- Zack's pitching a day game today. Gave up a single, sacrifice, stupid pickoff by C Olivo that went into CF and got the runner to third then K and K to end the 1st.

Royals-Indians in the bottom of the 2nd, 2-0 KC currently.

Zack ERA update: 0.58

SI

Jake Peavy to the White Sox? (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4191562)

This would be awesome! :)

Wow, brutal luck for Zack in the third inning. He shattered two bats and both resulted in a bloop single. Resulted in a two run inning. Pretty frustrating for him to make those good pitches and get nothing.

What IN THE HELL has gotten into Edwin Jackson? So many people thought the Tigers got ripped off by giving up Joyce, and Jackson has looked like a Cy Young candidate (non-Greinke category) so far this year.

And of course he gives up a double 10 seconds after I post that.

Blooped their way to 7 baserunners in 3 innings I see.

Can't believe Leyland left Jackson in for 132 pitches. That is 15 more than his career high.

*spelling edit*

Make that 8

Can't believe Leyland left Jackson in for 132 pitches. That is 15 more than his career high.

*spelling edit*

Yeah, if you have him on your fantasy team, best to sit him down for a game or two after that arm abuse

SI

What flippin' luck. Detroit tried to give that game away but still won. That's the sweep, right?

And Manny Acta can't leave a pitcher in for more than 80..

Asdrubal Cabrera sure looks good in that leadoff spot.

Ian Snell is not that great and he looks even worse his last few starts. Threw over 120 right before his problems started.

Sheesh, did I see that flash by on ESPN's bottom line correctly?
Twins 20 - 1 ChiSox

?!?!?!?!

/tk

I admit knowing nothing about the guys the White Sox will supposedly give up for Peavy, but I feel comfortable saying that if you're getting back a deal that causes ESPN to state, "Peter Gammons reports Player X is not in the deal" (where in this case, X = Gordon Beckham), it's not enough.

I admit knowing nothing about the guys the White Sox will supposedly give up for Peavy, but I feel comfortable saying that if you're getting back a deal that causes ESPN to state, "Peter Gammons reports Player X is not in the deal" (where in this case, X = Gordon Beckham), it's not enough.

That's significant, too, because Beckham is very nearly Major League-ready because he's coming from a big time college program, Georgia, and won't need much more time in the high minors.

Word is that Peavy has officially vetoed the White Sox trade.

Word is that Peavy has officially vetoed the White Sox trade.

Been watching ESPN most of the afternoon (took the day off), it really doesn't come as much of a surprise it seems, people there were thinking he was 50/50 at BEST to accept it.

/tk

Craig stamon, the Nationals Rookie Pitcher tonight is perfect thru 4.

Disregard the previous post. :)

Smart move for Peav. Staying with a bad team in the NL is preferable than going to a team in the AAAA League.

It's a smart move because he'd be going to a hitter's park in a better hitting league. His numbers would probably jump precipitously.

Suffice to say it was a bad day for the White Sox.

Suffice to say it was a bad day for the White Sox.

No kidding. :(

Kudos to Kenny Williams for putting his team in position to get Peavy.

As a Cubs fan, I'm elated that Peavy is not going to the South Side. Well, I'll be elated until he goes someplace in NL that hurts the Cubs. But for right now, I'm giving my Sox fan friends the business about their second-rate team.

He needs to just demand a trade to the Dodgers and be done with it.

Peavy would look pretty good in a Mets uniform and he would love pitching at Citifield.

Smart move for Peav. Staying with a bad team in the NL is preferable than going to a team in the AAAA League.

Are you... nuts? I'm a Giants fan, but the quality differential between the AL and the NL is about 5-10 games in favor of the former.

Craig stamon, the Nationals Rookie Pitcher tonight is perfect thru 4.

University of Dayton product, Craig Stammen thankyouverymuch.

Nice job in his debut.

Are you... nuts? I'm a Giants fan, but the quality differential between the AL and the NL is about 5-10 games in favor of the former.

Bucc's been a little cranky ever since Crosley wired up for night games. :)

All of my life, I have been a National League fan, esp. since 1973. National League is the Senior League, while the American League is the Arena Baseball League. :)

Zev Chafets - Steroids shouldn't keep anyone out of the Hall of Fame - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4192628)

Zev Chafets - Steroids shouldn't keep anyone out of the Hall of Fame - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4192628)

That's a pretty common argument in different contexts and I never buy it. Just because we used one standard decades ago, that doesn't mean everyone should be bound by it forever. Progress isn't a bad thing. Manny/McGwire are bigger villians in today's society than Cobb/Hornby were back then. Imagine if a domestic batteror or child molester said he should get off because those crimes weren't aggressively prosecuted in the 20s and 30s.

Personally, I'd vote for any steroid user that came clean, but leave out the criminals/liars that have damaged the game (Bonds/Clemens)

Smart move for Peav. Staying with a bad team in the NL is preferable than going to a team in the AAAA League.

:lol:

This team that the Mets have in the field right now is just brutal

First time I've ever seen a ball hit off the shortstop's knee and end up in the LF corner.

Seven homers in the Phils/Yanks tilt, with the bottom of the ninth still to come. Yikes!

Is it too early to start MVP front-runner talk? Ibanez has to be in the National League top three candidates to this point.

With his steal in the 7th tonight, Brian McCann is now tied for the team lead in stolen bases this season ... with TWO.

Seven homers in the Phils/Yanks tilt, with the bottom of the ninth still to come. Yikes!


I had mentally set the over under for the series at 15, and I'm going to be very low.

With his steal in the 7th tonight, Brian McCann is now tied for the team lead in stolen bases this season ... with TWO.

The best team in the AL so far could do nothing against Kawakami. Nice bounce for Prado's play in the ninth.

The rest of the Braves deserve a medal of honor for being one game above .500 with what has to be the worst hitting outfield of the modern era.

Gavin Floyd went 8 innings of 2 hit ball today as the chisox win 2-0, maybe he can turn his season around, cause the White Sox need pitching.

The best team in the AL so far could do nothing against Kawakami.

Dunno where that came from, only his 3rd quality start in 8 outings, and the first time he's lasted more than 6 innings in the majors.

Kawakami has looked much much better in May then he did in April. Today he found it for sure.

Meanwhile, the Braves OF is still pathetic. Is there an outfield that produces less than this one?

Wow... what in the Hell is wrong with Ricky Nolasco this season. You'd think if it was just early season slump, it'd be over by now. This is getting absolutely ridiculous.

Craig stamon, the Nationals Rookie Pitcher tonight is perfect thru 4.

Stammen, I believe. ;)

Yeah, the young guys are delivering. It's a bit worrisome that there's not a single vet in the rotation to be an example, but Zimmermann just had a good outing tonight as well (I don't have the line in front of me).

Meanwhile, the Braves OF is still pathetic. Is there an outfield that produces less than this one?

With a league average outfield Atlanta would finish ahead of Philly and the Mets imo.

Stammen, I believe. ;)

Yeah, the young guys are delivering. It's a bit worrisome that there's not a single vet in the rotation to be an example, but Zimmermann just had a good outing tonight as well (I don't have the line in front of me).

I was suretyping it on my blackberry. It's horrible when it comes to typing names, especially when I've never seen the guys name spelled out anywhere before.

That was a really hard game to lose. He leaves the non-reliever in a high leverage situation, lets him give up 4 hits before he finally figures he fucked up. Then Russell pinch hits for a guy with a .833 ops this month(with virtually no split) with a guy who has a .494 ops vs righties all year.

Those decisions didn't lose the game, but they sure as hell didn't help.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=467675

Through May 21st, Matt Diaz was the only Braves outfielder with more than 20 plate appearances with a positive VORP at 4.0

Schafer is (-1.5), Anderson is (-4.2), and Francouer who is second on the team in PA is (-4.9)

In the National League
-- Among regular RF's, only Brian Giles (-13.7) is worse.
-- Among regular CF's, Jody Gerut (-2.1), the Cubs platoon of Gathright/Johnson, and the Marlins duo of Maybin/Amezaga are worse.
-- Among regular LF's, the Arizona combo of Byrnes/Jackson are worse and so is Chase Headley.

Given that info, the Padres probably give the Braves a run for their money in outfield offense suckitude in the NL. A quick look at the AL seemed to have no team quite so consistently low although Detroit would be in the running if Granderson weren't doing so well.

I couldn't find WARP number year to date.

FWIW, GA has always been a second half hitter.

Well at least we are halfway to the second half then.

Well at least we are halfway to the second half then.

Heh...in his last few years with the Angels, GA, while never particularly hot in the first half, also was often not healthy to start the year, either nagging injuries or a more major month long injury, so mostly we complained about our need for power, and how GA certainly is not capable of providing what he did 6-7 years ago.

Then the second half would come around, and he would go nuts, get like 75 of his usual 90-95 ribbies from mid-July on. Never really figured out what the deal was with that.

I like GA, and the Braves are inconsequential to me as a fan (meaning I don't root against them), so I hope for the sake of both GA and the Braves that he follows his usual pattern and at least has a strong second half.

So Kazmir, who is pitching like complete shit, is heading to the DL and David Price will be pitching on Monday.

Also, Troy Percival is on the DL and is contemplating retirement. He's been dreadful lately as well, and I kind of hope he stays away.

dola

Jason Bartlett has been a huge surprise for the Rays this year. His defense was really his strength last year, but now he's just been on fire at the plate. He's hitting .375 with 6 home runs. Supposedly he really worked on getting stronger, and it shows. His previous career high in dingers? Five.

If he keeps this up, he's GOTTA be the starter in the all-star game. The next best average from a player with more than 100 AB's is Andrus who is hitting .292.

Going to the Bravos game tonight. Can't wait to see the awesomeness that is Garrett Anderson live. What a waste, but I guess that's better than spending a little more to get Dunn or Abreu.

With a league average outfield Atlanta would finish ahead of Philly and the Mets imo.

Imagine if the Nationals had a league-average Bullpen. They have 13 blown saves and are 2-15. Thats a 35% save conversion -- next in the NL is 45% in HOU. The League average is 6-7 with 7 blown saves. So, let's say the Nationals hit the average that means 15 fewer losses (I don't know VORP and all that, so I'm going with what I know), which puts them on top of the division.

I was suretyping it on my blackberry. It's horrible when it comes to typing names, especially when I've never seen the guys name spelled out anywhere before.

That was a really hard game to lose. He leaves the non-reliever in a high leverage situation, lets him give up 4 hits before he finally figures he fucked up. Then Russell pinch hits for a guy with a .833 ops this month(with virtually no split) with a guy who has a .494 ops vs righties all year.

Those decisions didn't lose the game, but they sure as hell didn't help.

The managing has been pretty pathetic. Typically the problem is bullpen management. Puling the starter to early, using a reliever for 1 pitch in relief even when he's looking good. I know some of these are what you're "supposed" to do, but this team has proven that you need to stick with the hot pitchers.