2011 Baseball Thread

Leg-End said:
:lol: What a terrible game by the offense. Girardi also did not even pinch hit, I mean he left Martin out there who couldn't hit with a paddle tonight. Montero & Jones with legit power sat on the pine.

Honestly I think he's gotta go.
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was surprised Montero did not play.

and that swing by Swisher, with bases loaded when the ball was obviously not on plate....

idiot.

CC is done. we need to get quality pitchers. agree with comments on A-Rod.

tbf...we should have gone in the game before...if not for those catches by Curtis.

baseball season over...


come on United. :)
 
Baffled he didn't pinch hit Montero or Jones for either Swisher or Martin, bizzare.

Swisher is a regular season player, not a playoff one. CC is going to opt out and get more money but the Yankees will re-sign him simply because the market is weak, we can't let him go.

The only players that really turned up were the bullpen, most of the rotation, Cano, Granderson, Gardner & Posasa. The 4-5-6 were auto outs, especially with baserunners.

Girardi managed the whole series like a regular season series, trying to save arms when he did not need to. Game 2 for instance, I said it at the time but why Ayala was out there with a 3 run deficit was beyond stupid and sure enough he gives up another run. Roberton & Mo didn't see enough work at all.
 
I think Kevin Costner will be making a movie about this years Yankees.....hmm, wait, he already did, Waterworld, a big fat 200m failure.

Bob Cano good man though.

Do the job tonight Cards.
 
Love how the Yankee fans are blaming the manager and not the hitters that are sucked this whole series and the front office that couldn't find a quality third pitcher and shore up the relief issue. But blame Girardi because he's no Torre. I feel for the next United manager after SAF departs. He'll endure the same crap.
 
I am not asking for Giradi's head. He did make some mistakes though.

as for the next United manager, I believe no matter who comes, we will go through a slump of sorts. But hopefully we will get someone who has a real appreiation of the club's history.

That will be important in getting the supporters behind the man.
 
MrMarcello said:
Love how the Yankee fans are blaming the manager and not the hitters that are sucked this whole series and the front office that couldn't find a quality third pitcher and shore up the relief issue. But blame Girardi because he's no Torre. I feel for the next United manager after SAF departs. He'll endure the same crap.
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Of course its not all down to Girardi, the offense and in particular the big money guys didn't perform. But trust me when you follow the Yankees every game you get to know managers habits and Girardi has irritating habits.

I think he is a great manager for keeping his team fresh, looking after the bullpen throughout a season and keeping everyone happy. What he isn't good at is thinking on his feet, using his binder for matchups when they really aren't needed, his fascination with Boone Logan/Mitre, lack of dropping underperformers in the order and using his pinch hitters effectively.

He is effectively Torre in reverse. Most years the Yankees make the playoffs through shear money power and when they get there they need a manager with instinct and balls, I think Girardi lacks either in big amounts. Of course if he stays i'm not unhappy but I would want him to learn from this defeat.
 
Leg-End said:
Of course its not all down to Girardi, the offense and in particular the big money guys didn't perform. But trust me when you follow the Yankees every game you get to know managers habits and Girardi has irritating habits.

I think he is a great manager for keeping his team fresh, looking after the bullpen throughout a season and keeping everyone happy. What he isn't good at is thinking on his feet, using his binder for matchups when they really aren't needed, his fascination with Boone Logan/Mitre, lack of dropping underperformers in the order and using his pinch hitters effectively.

He is effectively Torre in reverse. Most years the Yankees make the playoffs through shear money power and when they get there they need a manager with instinct and balls, I think Girardi lacks either in big amounts. Of course if he stays i'm not unhappy but I would want him to learn from this defeat.
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It's just that Yankee fans come off as spoiled brats any season their club doesn't win the championship. I like the Yanks too, granted I'm a Texas fan as I support my home club first and I'm what you'd call more of a "history fan" meaning I love seeing the classic clubs in the playoffs not crap like the Marlins, D'Backs, etc.

He's only been there like 4 years and won one championship (while 27 other clubs have not during the same span). Give him some slack IMO.
 
I'll be rooting for the Cards after reading of Morgan's little tweet about them a few weeks back. I'm not a fan of that guy.

Another Cards/Tigers rematch perhaps? I'm worried about Detroit's pitching against Texas. Although the Rangers' pitching isn't too shabby either.
 
MrMarcello said:
It's just that Yankee fans come off as spoiled brats any season their club doesn't win the championship. I like the Yanks too, granted I'm a Texas fan as I support my home club first and I'm what you'd call more of a "history fan" meaning I love seeing the classic clubs in the playoffs not crap like the Marlins, D'Backs, etc.

He's only been there like 4 years and won one championship (while 27 other clubs have not during the same span). Give him some slack IMO.
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Yeah I was overly harsh on him really but when you lose it gets like that. His record is good, his return on 2010 & 2011 in the playoffs hasn't been good enough so questions have to be asked. He's just gotta lose that regular season mentality when he gets to the playoff, show some aggression.
 
In a way he reminds me of Jason Garrett, albeit in different sports obviously. He was chosen because of his roots to the club. Chosen by a front office that is hell-bent on winning every year and making all the decisions, even by going over the head of the GM. Very similar circumstances. I can't begin to imagine the pressure.
 
I've been contemplating a change to the structure of MLB for a while now. Every year there is about 6-8 clubs with legit championship hopes, and each year 1-2 sneak in the mix. I think it's time MLB went into a division 1/division 2 type format. Follow me here.

Currently, there are 30 clubs. My model would add two more clubs (I know, further thinning the talent pool but there's a reason for this); Charlotte and Portland perhaps.

The National League is the oldest so it would be the top division. The American League is the junior circuit so that would be division two. Place 16 clubs in each league. The model could use four divisions or two conferences. In the four division model, a club would play the 12 clubs outside their division 9 times (108 total games); 6 home, 3 away against 6 clubs, and 3 home, 6 away against the other 6 clubs. A club would play 18 games (9 home + 9 away x 3 = 54 total games) against each division club. The regular season remains at 162 games. Each division winner makes the playoffs.

In the conference format, it would place 8 clubs in each conference. A club would play 9 games against each club in the rival conference (72 total games); 6 home, 3 away against 4 clubs, and 3 home, 6 away against the other 4 clubs. A club would play each rival club in their conference 12 times (6 home, 6 away = 84 total). This would reduce the regular season by 6 games. Top two from each conference makes the playoffs.

Bottom three clubs are demoted to AL (division 2). Depending on which model used, conferences or divisions, the top two in division 2 meet for the overall championship series and both teams are promoted automatically. The third and fourth best clubs meet for a seven game series to earn promotion. Or, they could have 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th, and winners meet. Or make the top 4, 6 or 8 all take part in a promotion playoff.

Each year, the conferences/divisions are realigned to account for the promoted/relegated clubs to make it geographically correct.

By having a two level format, you give clubs (and the fans) that have no realistic shot at the WS a chance at something else, be it promotion or avoiding relegation. Clubs like Kansas City, Florida, Baltimore, et al would have something to aim for each season. I think this model would also be of good use in the NBA and NHL, but not so sure about the NFL (MLS would need to add a few more clubs to even consider such).
 
nitpick.jpg
 
Rain delay

This ump's strike zone has really limited Verlander's effectiveness. He made a number of pitches that painted the bottom corners and they weren't called. They were lovely pitches, and the ump just flat out missed the call

Wilson hasn't been that good either, he has been a bit erratic, but I think if this game starts up again, he won't come back out. Ogando is in the bullpen for this very reason, and he was lights out against the Tigers this year.
 
Wittmann45 said:
Rain delay

This ump's strike zone has really limited Verlander's effectiveness. He made a number of pitches that painted the bottom corners and they weren't called. They were lovely pitches, and the ump just flat out missed the call

Wilson hasn't been that good either, he has been a bit erratic, but I think if this game starts up again, he won't come back out. Ogando is in the bullpen for this very reason, and he was lights out against the Tigers this year.
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i hate that umps make up their own strike zone. that said, at least he was consistant and didn't call wilson's borderline-low strikes either. Rangers take game one 3-2. the bullpen was great...surprised oliver and adams didn't screw it up. GO RANGERS!
 
Tigers getting squeezed on the strike zone? They can't complain in my book, they got a better zone in 3 out of 5 against the Yankees.
 
gbgary said:
i hate that umps make up their own strike zone. that said, at least he was consistant and didn't call wilson's borderline-low strikes either. Rangers take game one 3-2. the bullpen was great...surprised oliver and adams didn't screw it up. GO RANGERS!
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The technology exists these days that is a home plate umpire even necessary?

Maybe for plays at home plate only.
 
Walk-off grand slam by Cruz. First time in MLB postseason* history.

*Technically, Robin Ventura did this in 1999 but he never made it past first base and only the player at third actually touched home plate as the other two base-runners ran to first base to celebrate with the team. Rules state it was a one-run single but I'll call it a walk-off grand slam. MLB rules can suck my cock.
 
Red Dreams said:
that was infuriating. still no excuse for us though.
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Nope its not, but its a factor. It's mainly down to the amount of left hitters in the Yankees lineup because the outside call wasn't getting made for righties but it was for lefties well out of the zone. You then factor in most of the Tigers lineup was righty and over half the Yankees was lefty it really did hurt us.

Texas look legit to win it all this year.
 
shut the Rangers tonight. the homerun machines of lewis and uehara didn't help either. uehara needs to be put at the back of the relief line and forgotten, and lewis given no slack at all his next start.
 
MrMarcello said:
Walk-off grand slam by Cruz. First time in MLB postseason* history.

*Technically, Robin Ventura did this in 1999 but he never made it past first base and only the player at third actually touched home plate as the other two base-runners ran to first base to celebrate with the team. Rules state it was a one-run single but I'll call it a walk-off grand slam. MLB rules can suck my cock.
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didn't know that. that was back before the "walk-off" anything was the big deal it is today. walk-off single etc...:lol:
 
Leg-End said:
Nope its not, but its a factor. It's mainly down to the amount of left hitters in the Yankees lineup because the outside call wasn't getting made for righties but it was for lefties well out of the zone. You then factor in most of the Tigers lineup was righty and over half the Yankees was lefty it really did hurt us.

Texas look legit to win it all this year.
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yeah. looking like it will be Texas.
 
Rangers get it done big. will it be the cardinals or my Packers bretheren's favorite milwaukee brewers? Rangers/brewers with one winning their first championship would be cool. i'm sure mlb, and television, were hoping for a tiger/cardinal series.
 
Rangers should win this in 5 or 6 but you never know. Cardinals don't have the pitching like the Giants did last year and the Rangers lineup and bullpen is much stronger than last year's counterparts.

We also see how stupid the All-Star game/WS home-field rule is in this matchup. A wild card club hosting the series. Ridiculous.
 
championo said:
Wow. I thought the Rangers were surely going 2 down. But boy..... What a turn around
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i'm still very concerned. the bats have been very quiet. washington also needs to let la russa over-manage all he wants without getting sucked into it himself. Rangers just need to play Ranger baseball.
 
I'm still baffled MLB doesn't believe instant replay is necessary. Huge impact in tonight's game in the fourth inning on a missed call at first base (runner was out by a step as the tag was applied). Yet not a single umpire saw it. Wake up. FFS.
 
Great game so far tonight. A bit of a run fest with the Texans playing catch up. If the series continues like the first three games it will be one of the greats.
 
Roll on Game 4. The Rangers bullpen has been gash tonight. Hopefully, Ogando will not pitch the rest of the series. He's become crap practically overnight.

And I am fed up with this 'God Bless America' crap they do every seventh inning. They are violating my rights to not be fed religious bullshit in public.
 
I could not have been more disgusted by that complete collapse by the birds in game two, but..holyshite, game three more than made up for it.

Mr. Albert is something else.
 
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