MLB 2010 Season Thread

[OssMan]

LOL @ Jays guy 2 outs in the 9th inning

[OssMan]

Tampa Bay please hit a homerun here

[Gertner]

Jays mothafucka! Morrow with 17 k's tonight. Jays just took 5 of 6 from the Yankees and Rays.

[SaskatchewanChamp]

1 hit shut out of Rays is no small feat. GO JAYS GO!

[Droford]

Theres going to be a Jay Gibbons sighting in LA as the Dodgers called him up. OMG I thought he had retired after he was on the Mitchell Report and the Os cut him in spring training with 2 years/$12 left on his contract.

But apparently he is hitting .347 with 19 HRS and 84 RBI over 97 games in AAA..hmmph

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Watching the Mets is a chore.</font>

[ClockShot]

Rays on the brink of being no-hit 3 times this season.

What is it with that team?

[OssMan]

LOL espn just showed TsimFuckis at the yankees game

[SaskatchewanChamp]

8 games back of the Wild Card with 51 games left. What do you guys think the chances are of the Blue Jays sneaking in?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

slim/none

[Schlomey]

none

[YOUR Hero]

Far too slim. It's nice to dream though.

[Gertner]

Probably none, but I'm definitley enjoying this season which was really supposed to be a down year for the club. AA has done a terrific job thus far.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Jays have the 4th highest team WAR despite having the 22nd highest payroll.

Still don't get why they traded away that Brett Wallace kid right as he was ready for his call up but I guess they have their reasons.

[ClockShot]

Reds aquire Jim Edmonds from the Brewers for Chris Dickerson.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Hate Edmonds so much. Used to ruin my life on a daily basis. But a power bat on the bench is a nice thing to have.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mariners fire Don Wakamatsu. Daren Brown (manager of their AAA team) will take over for the rest of the season.

Mad disappointing. Def thought they'd be at least 2nd in the West this year.</font>

[ClockShot]

Agreed, sort of. All that talent they signed and traded during the offseason and right now, and he gets made the goat because they're dead last. I can also see the GM going at the end of the season because of it.

[Emperor Smeat]

ESPN Sportscenter had the recap for today's Red Sox-Yankees game and after the 1st highlight it was all Yankees highlights. Made it seem like there was going to be the moment where the Yankees won every time but ends it with the strikeout.

I forgot all about today the game playing in the afternoon so the highlights was the 1st thing I saw. Every highlight I kept thinking the pitcher would have blown the 2-0 and later 2-1 lead.

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Mariners fire Don Wakamatsu. Daren Brown (manager of their AAA team) will take over for the rest of the season.

Mad disappointing. Def thought they'd be at least 2nd in the West this year.</font>

Kind of surprised since he barely got 2 years as coach of the team but at the same time experts and ownership over-hyped the team this year while the team itself fell apart. Also didn't help the Cliff Lee experiment failed and then gets traded to a division rival.

[Snowden]

Kind of surprised since he barely got 2 years as coach of the team but at the same time experts and ownership over-hyped the team this year while the team itself fell apart. Also didn't help the Cliff Lee experiment failed and then gets traded to a division rival.

The Lee experiment didn't fail, the rest of the team failed around him. And with the recent clubhouse scuffle with Chone Figgins, its pretty clear Wakamatsu lost the clubhouse.

[Emperor Smeat]

I probably should have worded that better since I meant more of the Mariners bought Lee as a cornerstone to developing a good rotation while helping Felix Hernandez develop more into a future great pitcher. Felix is already a good pitcher but could become even greater by having Lee there for a year or two.

Similar to Jon Lester on the Red Sox benefiting a lot when Beckett came to the team since it gave Lester a few more years to develop and gave the Red Sox a stronger rotation.

Didn't know about the recent scuffle with Figgins since it probably played a big role in getting the manager fired after the team kept slumping in an initial hyped up year.

[Snowden]

If you're curious about the whole story, here it is:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5406300

[McLegend]

Jason Heyward is 1 of 4 players to hit a home run on his 21st birthday.

Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, and A-Rod are the other 3.



That is a really cool useless stat there by Espn.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>MLB, the Mets, the bat maker, Luis Castillo, and Ramon Castro (who loaned Castillo the bat) are being sued for an incident in August 2007 where the barrel of the bat broke and flew into the stands, breaking some poor schmuck's face. His face is now being held together by pins and needles.

I don't think people think before filing lawsuits like this. The back of every MLB ticket explicitly says that the team, MLB, players, agents, the city, etc. cannot be held accountable for any injuries suffered as a direct result of the game.</font>

[RP]

I dont think the Cubs are gunna win 50 games. This is a joke.

[Jeritron]

http://www.thegreatilluminator.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cubs-win-w-flag.jpg

[Jeritron]

Should I visit the Great American Ballpark or Target Field for a weekend series this September?

[Skippord]

you can catch a lot of home run balls at Great American Ballpark

[Jeritron]

I like sitting baseline

[Supreme Olajuwon]

So yesterday Brandon Phillips called the Cardinals players a bunch of whiny bitches. Today he steps up to the plate in the 1st inning and Yadier Molina gets in his face and the benches clear, Scott Rolen and Chris Carpenter get into it, and Mark McGwire gets trampled under the mob. LOVE THOSE PENNANT RACES

[Anybody Thrilla]

Holy shit, that was crazy.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Surprised they didn't just plunk Phillips to begin with.

[Anybody Thrilla]

They probably were planning on it until Molina got under his skin....or vice versa, depending on how you want to look at it.

[Jeritron]

The Reds series I might go to is the last of the season, against the Brewers. That could be hot if them and the Cards stay so close

[Droford]

Os have won 7 of 8 (pending 14-6 over the Tribe in the 9th) since Showalter started.

Theyve gone form barely winning 50 games to maybe improving on their 64 wins last year.

Showalter for AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR LOL

[Triple Naitch]

Can't believe Jay Gibbons has made it all the way back to the majors and even hit a home run tonight. Not saying they should make a movie about him, but he at least deserves his own segment on E:60 about this.

[YOUR Hero]

Molina hits a HR to rub it in. LOL

[Aguakate]

...on a related Cardinals note...I didn't know Tony LaRussa is a lawyer. He actually IS a lawyer and just chose to become a manager.

[Droford]

Can't believe Jay Gibbons has made it all the way back to the majors and even hit a home run tonight. Not saying they should make a movie about him, but he at least deserves his own segment on E:60 about this.

Maybe they can mention him in the movie about the Mitchell Report.

[McLegend]

Why do Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa not like each other? What's there beef?

[SammyG]

hey, I really dunno a lot about Gibbons, enlighten me plz

[Skippord]

Ubaldo Jimenez's last three starts have all been 7 innings 4 hits and 1 earned run

I enjoy the consistency with which he pitches

[SammyG]

I enjoy the Giants/Cards/Reds/Padres losing and the Dodgers winning

[Triple Naitch]

hey, I really dunno a lot about Gibbons, enlighten me plz

From wiki.

Steroid allegations

On September 30, 2006, the Los Angeles Times (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times) reported that former relief pitcher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief_pitcher) Jason Grimsley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Grimsley), during a June 6, 2006, federal raid, told federal agents investigating steroids in baseball that Gibbons was a user of "anabolic steroids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroids)." The Times reported that Gibbons was one of five names blacked out in an affidavit filed in federal court.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference">[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-0)</sup> However, on October 3, 2006, the Washington Post (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Post) reported that San Francisco United States attorney Kevin Ryan said that the Los Angeles Times report contained "significant inaccuracies."<sup id="cite_ref-WashingtonPost_1-0" class="reference">[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-WashingtonPost-1)</sup> Gibbons, along with the other four players named, denounced the story.<sup id="cite_ref-WashingtonPost_1-1" class="reference">[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-WashingtonPost-1)</sup> However, on September 9, 2007, Sports Illustrated reported that a source close to an Orlando-based compound pharmacy alleged that Gibbons had received multiple shipments of performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) between October 2003 to July 2005.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference">[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-2)</sup>He was suspended for the first 15 games of the 2008 season on December 6, 2007.
On December 13, 2007, he was cited in the Mitchell Report (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Report_%28baseball%29) to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation Into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference">[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-3)</sup>.
He was not suspended by Major League Baseball, but he performed so poorly in 2008 spring training that the Orioles cut him even though he was owed nearly $12 million for the last two years of his contract. The Orioles management claimed that the release was a "baseball decision" unrelated to the steroid allegations.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference">[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-4)</sup>

On June 12, 2008, Gibbons wrote an emotional letter to all 30 MLB clubs, asking to return to baseball, promising to donate his salary to charity.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference">[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gibbons#cite_note-5)</sup> The only team that gave him a chance was the independent Long Island Ducks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Ducks) of the Atlantic League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_League_of_Professional_Baseball), a team unaffiliated with MLB. He played in 27 games for the Ducks, hitting .280 with 5 home runs in 107 at-bats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-bat).

[Supreme Olajuwon]

LOL totally missed this angle on the Reds feed but the Cardinals feed shows Johnny Cueto kicking Jason LaRue in the head. That's gonna be a few games.


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[OssMan]

Remember the days when fans would be yelling and screaming and pushing the players when they got up close to them during a brawl or something, now all anyone is doing is taking a picture with their cell phone.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Probably the Jays won't win the wild card. I say there's 85 percent chance the Yankees get at least the wild card. If not then it's gonna be the someone from the Central. Twins/Sox/Tigers.

[YOUR Hero]

What I'll never get is why baseball players are such pussies when it comes to fights. Let 2 guys go toe to toe, none of this bench clearing stuff :n:

[Supreme Olajuwon]

What you're describing is every team sport except hockey. And hockey players do it too.

[RP]

I loved it. I wish the Cubs would fight the Cards or Reds this year, but they're a bunch of corpses at this point. Accept Starlin Castro who has been amazing.

[Jeritron]

Don't put Johnny Cueto up against a wall.

[Loose Cannon]

The Cubs seem to be content with fighting each other this year

[Jeritron]

If the Cubs fans are content with singing that god awful song every time they win a game, they will never win a penant

[Jeritron]

I'm definitely watching this Reds Cards game today

[RP]

If the Cubs fans are content with singing that god awful song every time they win a game, they will never win a penant

The song is great actually. So many variations of the song i've come up with. " Go Cubs Go. Go Cubs Go! Hey everybody what do you say? Cubs gunna give up 17 runs today! Go Cubs Go... "

I pretty much come up with new lyrics everynight at work.

[RP]

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs GO!!! Hey everybody what do you say? Cargo just hit walk off hooray !

[RP]

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey everybody what do you say? Marmol is trying to blow this save!

[Skippord]

that bench clearing brawl kind of looked like both teams were trying to lynch Johnny Cueto

[Jeritron]

My honest observations of the Cubs fans are that they are way too content with the team sucking. They seem to not care that the team is 15 games out and everyone blows, they're just happy they have a team/got the W that day.
I guess it's probably because they're just calmer people, or have accepted that. I dunno

Wrigley is great though. I hate the scoreboard though

[RP]

lol

His own team was throwing him up against the fence. I think this was a thinly veiled attempt by the Reds, to fuck Cuento up.

[RP]

My honest observations of the Cubs fans are that they are way too content with the team sucking. They seem to not care that the team is 15 games out and everyone blows, they're just happy they have a team/got the W that day.
I guess it's probably because they're just calmer people, or have accepted that. I dunno

Wrigley is great though. I hate the scoreboard though

100 years and lots of beer. Makes me want to que up Lee Elia.

[Jeritron]

I love that Scott Rolen went after Chris Carpenter. That's clearly old beef

[RP]

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[Jeritron]

lol motherfuckers don't even work. That's why they're at the game.

[RP]

WE GOT 50 FUCKING GAMES LEFT! DONT RIP THEM MOTHER FUCKERS RIP ME!

[Jeritron]

The day game thing is ridiculous

[RP]

It's amazing that the Cubs lose every year and still are one of the leaders in attendance every year. And honestly, you rarely here booing unless Alfonso Soriano is getting tackled by baseballs in left field.

I have an idea for a great 1 hour special. Gather up any little leaguers that have any type of curve or slider pitch. Line them up and watch them 1 by 1 strike out Alfonso Soriano. This guy is a 10+ year vet and has never bothered to learn how to hit a breaking ball nor has he ever bothered how to play defense. It's fucking amazing. I want to drop kick my fucking tv when i see this fuck swing at a slider 1 foot away from the plate.

[Jeritron]

They should have let Mark Cuban buy the team. They're too worried about not changing the park and playing all the games at day. I think tradition and nostalgia is more important than winning there.
Fenway is living proof that you can have both.

[RP]

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[RP]

They should leave wrigley as is. THat has nothing to do with overpaying for sad sacks of shit like Soriano and Fukudome and Zambrano.

[Jeritron]

lol that song. Honestly thought I was in the Twilight Zone when that played and everyone was singing about that fucking team. I was terrified.

[RP]

I'll tell you what tho. When i went to the game earlier this year, i had never seen so many smoking hot bitches anywhere. The female to male ratio seemed like 2:1 almost and almost all of them were fucking hot.

[Jeritron]

Yea but what I'm saying is that ownership that might bring championships is dismissed because it may interfere with the tradition of the team or something.

[RP]

I mean, wrigleyville is amazing. I havent been to another stadium but i find it hard to believe anything is better then that. Just the way everything is setup around the stadium. All the bars. Gameday there is just fantastic.

[RP]

Yea but what I'm saying is that ownership that might bring championships is dismissed because it may interfere with the tradition of the team or something.

Cuban ws dismissed for alot more reasons then that. Baseball owners dont want Cuban to own a team.

[Jeritron]

I'll tell you what tho. When i went to the game earlier this year, i had never seen so many smoking hot bitches anywhere. The female to male ratio seemed like 2:1 almost and almost all of them were fucking hot.

Yea there were tons of hot chicks no doubt. It's like that at Fenway too. Probably because tickets are so coveted, so you have to figure the ticketholders are going to invite the hot ones.
Grenades stick to US Cellular it seems

[Jeritron]

Cuban ws dismissed for alot more reasons then that. Baseball owners dont want Cuban to own a team.

It's ridiculous too because I bet he'd win a world series in like under 5 years. MLB would rather have the current Pirates ownership in charge of a team than Cuban.

[RP]

Cubs have Wrigleyville. White Sox have ... chinatown.

[Jeritron]

I mean, wrigleyville is amazing. I havent been to another stadium but i find it hard to believe anything is better then that. Just the way everything is setup around the stadium. All the bars. Gameday there is just fantastic.

Wrigleyville is definitely awesome. You would also love Fenway, then.
I think Fenway is better for a few reasons, but I'm also from Boston.
The surrounding area of Wrigley is probably a little better, but not by much. I think Fenway is superior when it comes to the park itself.

Either way they're both great

[RP]

It's ridiculous too because I bet he'd win a world series in like under 5 years. MLB would rather have the current Pirates ownership in charge of a team than Cuban.

If the Cubs can trade Soriano, Zambrano and Lee, the future is bright with Castro, Soto and Colvin. Cashner is going to be real good too.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Oh fuck you Jerry. I'm going tonight and Ike Davis, Josh Thole, and Fernando Martinez all sit tonight against the lefty Francis. Don't really see why he's so anal about lefty/righty matchups. These are young guys and it would still take a small miracle to get back into contention, may as well see what they can do against lefties. Well Davis sucks against lefties, but if he's gonna be the everyday first baseman he's gotta sort that shit out.

Luis Castillo also is back in the lineup. Grrr.

Ah well. Hopefully they can win back-to-back games for the first time since June.</font> :o

[Skippord]

its not like Jeff Francis is overpowering or anything

dunno why you wouldn't start your lefty's against him if you're Jerry Manuel

[Droford]

Saw this on Deadspin, its been a while since I watched the original Karate Kid so I probably would have had the same reaction.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/11/2010/08/500x_dscn4263.jpg

How did the Nationals hat get in that movie!?!

(see deadspin (http://deadspin.com/5610324/why-is-there-a-nationals-cap-in-the-original-karate-kid)for the answer)

[The Gold Standard]

These 2 games between the Yankees and Rangers have been really good. The crowd is very hot. You would think it is the playoffs.

[The Gold Standard]

I think there is something wrong with Javy Vazquez. He has no pop on his fastball anymore.

[The Gold Standard]

Post #3000 is me being pissed at Javy Vazquez.

Javy Stinks.

[The Gold Standard]

I am one of them, but does anyone think fans are too hard on Javy Vazquez?

[Droford]

Huston Street named his new son Ripken Ray Street.

Hes obviously a fan of Baltimore Sports (Cal Ripken and Ray Lewis) They should get him to pitch in Baltimore!

[The Gold Standard]

Gardner is stinking up the joint lately. However, he is still better than Granderson.

[The Gold Standard]

Next time Tex decides to have a kid, I'd appreciate it if he could conceive it around April.

[Droford]

Brad Bergesen with the CG 2 hitter and the Os win #8 in the last 9 under Showalter.

[The Gold Standard]

Javy stinks.

[The Gold Standard]

Brad Bergesen with the CG 2 hitter and the Os win #8 in the last 9 under Showalter.

That is insane how good they have been playing.

[OssMan]

Austin Kearns on Yankees WTF

[OssMan]

Huston Street named his new son Ripken Ray Street.

Hes obviously a fan of Baltimore Sports (Cal Ripken and Ray Lewis) They should get him to pitch in Baltimore!

Eutaw Street

[Emperor Smeat]

Saw this on Deadspin, its been a while since I watched the original Karate Kid so I probably would have had the same reaction.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/11/2010/08/500x_dscn4263.jpg

How did the Nationals hat get in that movie!?!

(see deadspin (http://deadspin.com/5610324/why-is-there-a-nationals-cap-in-the-original-karate-kid)for the answer)

Funny thing about that hat is the Nationals could have been easily named the Senators when they moved from Montreal but wouldn't be allowed to claim their only World Series title since MLB gave it away to Minnesota when the team became the Twins.

The Rangers ended up keeping all the records and achievements from the 2nd era of the Senators because once again MLB gave it away. All Washington ever got to keep was the logo, the name, and the team colors.

[The Gold Standard]

What a great comeback for the Yankees to take the lead in the 9th.

[McLegend]

Lol K-Rod arrested for assault on his family member. Allegedly his father-in-law.

[Evil Vito]

Funny thing about that hat is the Nationals could have been easily named the Senators when they moved from Montreal but wouldn't be allowed to claim their only World Series title since MLB gave it away to Minnesota when the team became the Twins.

The Rangers ended up keeping all the records and achievements from the 2nd era of the Senators because once again MLB gave it away. All Washington ever got to keep was the logo, the name, and the team colors.

<font color=goldenrod>What's really retarded to me is that the Nationals un-retired all of the Expos' retired numbers. It's the same organization. Keep that shit retired.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tonight's game was a great one to be at for about 7 innings. The Mets' offense is just ridiculously bad right now. The reaction of the fans in the top of the 8th inning spoke volumes:

Mets up by a score of 2-1. 2 outs, bases empty. Rockies rally to load the bases. Mora hits a grand slam. As soon as that ball landed in the seats, at least 20% if not more of the fans got up and headed right for the exits. Can't say I blame them. Mets wound up losing on 6 straight outs through the final 2 frames. Wright with a Golden Sombrero. Ridiculous.</font>

[ClockShot]

That Marcus Thames guy, he really knows how to win a game.

[RoXer]

<font color=goldenrod>What's really retarded to me is that the Nationals un-retired all of the Expos' retired numbers. It's the same organization. Keep that shit retired.</font>

Ah yes, the lore of the historic Expos players. Let's name them.

Theres's...

[ClockShot]

Ah yes, the lore of the historic Expos players. Let's name them.

Theres's...

Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Rusty Staub, and Tim Raines.

In case you were wondering.

[McLegend]

Vladimir Guerrero

[McLegend]

Also Larry Jones out for the year with torn ACL.

[RoXer]

How could I forget Rusty Staub?

[Skippord]

watching the Mets broadcast, who is this guy who sounds like he's drunk?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm at work now, but I'm just going to assume it's Ralph Kiner stopping in for a visit. Dude is almost 90. Has some great stories though.</font>

[Skippord]

his stories are pretty fantastic

was talking about going to jail

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Johnny Cueto gets a 7 game ban for his incredibly manly karate kicks.

[Boomer]

Larry had seriously just found his stroke a few weeks ago. As much as I hated the amount of time he missed with stupid injuries, I would rather him be out there than just about anyone else. Brooks Conrad is no valid replacement, two pinch-hit grand slams or no.

[weather vane]

holy fucking red sox... fuck

[Gertner]

hehehe. The win is Papelgone!

[Emperor Smeat]

:nono: Papelbon.

Bard isn't completely ready to be full time closer but with the disaster of Papelbon this season, looks like Red Sox have no choice but to put Bard in the 9th now.

This is supposed to be Papelbon's contract year since his deal ends after this season and wants more money from the team or in the market. Instead its one of his worst so far.

[Jeritron]

Crapelbon has been declining since 2008. I have no idea why he isn't getting booed. I guess people like the way he made them feel when he danced? He's awful and the Red Sox fans need to wake up

[Emperor Smeat]

He's been declining since he got injured the 1st time a few years ago. Before he got seriously injured, he had at least 3-4 pitches he could use in any closing situation while the last 2 years its almost all fastballs with the occasional weaker curve/slider.

On paper his stats are great but mentally he falls apart way too often. Only reason Papelbon never got traded was because Bard and other prospect closers were not ready and to trade or buy a closer would have cost too much. Bard still has the nasty habit of giving up a bad home run while past prospect closers like Craig Hansen fizzled out badly.

[MVP]

Pap will probably be traded in the offseason.

[Aguakate]

So when are people going to notice that it is VERY STRANGE that Jose Bautista all of a sudden has 36 home runs on AUGUST 12?

[McLegend]

It has to have something do with the Sky dome. That seems to be the place to hit home runs this year.

That's the only explantion I have, and it's not even a good one.

[Aguakate]

I don't know...every other SUPERSTAR (except Adam Dunn, and he's just awesome) is having a down year in terms of home runs, yet he has 36...come on, now.

[McLegend]

WHAT A FUCKIN GAME

THE PHILLIES ARE FUCKIN AWESOME

[McLegend]

PHILSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SHOW

[YOUR Hero]

I don't know...every other SUPERSTAR (except Adam Dunn, and he's just awesome) is having a down year in terms of home runs, yet he has 36...come on, now.

It's called having a career year. I watch most of the Jay games and pitchers keep giving him fastballs in. He's not missing them.
He's finally having a chance to play everyday and it's paying off. He had a great last half last year too, especially September when he was playing full time.
After Hill and Lind both regressed after breakout years, I worry the same thing might happen next season with Bautista, but he's a more mature hitter so I see him contining to be a force. Doubt it'll be to this extent but one can dream.

[Emperor Smeat]

He's also hitting very well against divisional pitchers this year hitting .300 or better against half of the starting pitchers in the AL East.

Since the AL East is the bulk of the Blue Jays schedule, it explains how his stats are possible this year. Only team he doesn't hit well is Tampa Bay.

[Aguakate]

It's called having a career year. I watch most of the Jay games and pitchers keep giving him fastballs in. He's not missing them.
He's finally having a chance to play everyday and it's paying off. He had a great last half last year too, especially September when he was playing full time.
After Hill and Lind both regressed after breakout years, I worry the same thing might happen next season with Bautista, but he's a more mature hitter so I see him contining to be a force. Doubt it'll be to this extent but one can dream.

Problem is that guys who have careers uears like this, where they reach 40 homers or more out of NOWHERE, usually end up getting caught using steroids (see Ken Caminiti and Brady Anderson).

[Nervous Ferret]

Has there ever been any evidence on Brady Anderson other than everyone assuming he was juicing? Legit do not know if he was ever actually "named" or what

[Droford]

I think I remember Brady Anderson saying he was eating more bacon that year.

I guess bacon could be code for steroids.

Also, the Tampa turn back the clock uniforms are atrocious.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The umps just screwed up an instant replay home run call.

Ladies and gentlemen, Major League Baseball umpires!</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>WOOOOOO R.A. Dickey 1-hitter

The hit was to Cole Hamels :( Just another sign that a Mets no-hitter will never happen.</font>

[McLegend]

R.A. Dickey is starting to get on my nerves.

[McLegend]

lol and how is it possible that The Mets haven't thrown a no hitter? I love it.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I was never big on the idea of curses, but I'm starting to believe in the Curse of Nolan Ryan. The Mets traded him away back when he was a jobber and nobody knew what he'd become. He then goes on to throw 7 no-hitters. Meanwhile, the Mets have guys like Seaver, Gooden, Santana, etc. come in and nobody can get it done. They've had like 30 1-hitters.</font>

[Droford]

Whats the curse preventing the Padres from throwing a no hitter?

[Triple Naitch]

Curse of Kevin Brown

[McLegend]

Yeah I don't know of any great Padres pitchers besides Kevin Brown, and does he even count?

[Droford]

Os get a combined 3 hitter on the Rays, 5-0.

Can't believe the Os/Rays game is a FOX national game tomorrow. Wont get to see it cause I'll be at work but still.

[RP]

i had a dream that Carlos Zambrano would pitch a no hitter against the Cardinals today.

[DaveWadding]

I had a dream the Carlos Zambrano threw at Chris Carpenter's head.

[RP]

repeatedly would be nice

[Aguakate]

Has there ever been any evidence on Brady Anderson other than everyone assuming he was juicing? Legit do not know if he was ever actually "named" or what

1994...12 Home Runs 48 RBI

1995...16 Home Runs 64 RBI

1996...50 Home Runs 110 RBI

1997...18 Home Runs 73 RBI

1998...18 Home Runs 51 RBI

...Come on. He wasn't caught, but neither was Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds.

[Nervous Ferret]

1994...12 Home Runs 48 RBI

1995...16 Home Runs 64 RBI

1996...50 Home Runs 110 RBI

1997...18 Home Runs 73 RBI

1998...18 Home Runs 51 RBI

...Come on. He wasn't caught, but neither was Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds.
So the answer to my question is no

[Snowden]

He's never actually been implicated, no, but there's a ton of circumstantial evidence.

This is what he looked like when he came up in 1989:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/timotes253/06-09-2009010624AM.jpg

And this was him in 1996:

http://www.femmefan.com/site/images/lookerspics/lookers2/Brady-Anderson.jpg

Now, could he have just hit the gym a lot? Of course. But the fact of the matter is that most anyone in that era who saw a prodigious, and overnight, increase in power (be it a power arm, or a power bat) has a cloud of suspicion over them.

[YOUR Hero]

or he had a career year...

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Anderson was a pretty great athlete and if you look at his swing, he had a noticeable Griffey style uppercut.

I wouldn't consider him any more a suspect than Javy Lopez, Luis Gonzalez, Todd Hundley (think it was him who hit 45 homers randomly one year), or Adrian Beltre.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Personally I buy in to the idea that a guy with good pitch recognition can choose what kind of hitter he wants to be.
Still waiting for the year when Ichiro finally says fuck it and hits 35 homers. And he could do it rather easily.

[YOUR Hero]

Problem is that guys who have careers uears like this, where they reach 40 homers or more out of NOWHERE, usually end up getting caught using steroids (see Ken Caminiti and Brady Anderson).

And to follow up, Anderson was never caught for steroids.

[YOUR Hero]

Personally I buy in to the idea that a guy with good pitch recognition can choose what kind of hitter he wants to be.
Still waiting for the year when Ichiro finally says fuck it and hits 35 homers. And he could do it rather easily.

Don't know if he could anymore, tbh.

[Aguakate]

...I'm a huge Manny Ramirez fan, he's my favorite player...but...ever since last year when he was caught using Steroids, the guy has been plunging...he's a nonfactor, he can't even stay healthy enough to play...

...so...Am I delusional to believe his monster years before last season wasn't a direct result of steroid use and that what's happened to him in the last year and a half will pass and he will become the hitter he was? Or is he done?

[Snowden]

Personally I buy in to the idea that a guy with good pitch recognition can choose what kind of hitter he wants to be.
Still waiting for the year when Ichiro finally says fuck it and hits 35 homers. And he could do it rather easily.

Comparing Ichiro and Brady Anderson is a bit extreme. Anderson is a career .260 hitter, far from a superstar and I doubt he has this ability to suddenly chose to go from being a pretty mediocre hitter to being a prodigious power guy, especially at the age of 32 when he did it.

Ichiro, yes, I bet in his prime he could have hit 35 homers. But he's a once in a generation type talent.

Yeah, Brady could have had a career year, and I'll say that even if he was on the roids he certainly was a better hitter that year regardless (.297) than at any other point, so he was a better hitter that year, yes. But in the dead middle of the steroid era, when a guy jacks 30 more homers than his career high, slugs over 200 points better than his career average, and bulks up, you have to at least be suspicious. Players don't just get better like that, especially at 32, without going on the gas.

Anderson was a pretty great athlete and if you look at his swing, he had a noticeable Griffey style uppercut.

I wouldn't consider him any more a suspect than Javy Lopez, Luis Gonzalez, Todd Hundley (think it was him who hit 45 homers randomly one year), or Adrian Beltre.

Javy Lopez did do the roids dude: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/javy-lopez-on-steroids-i.html.php

And Todd Hundley was in the Mitchell Report: http://www.baseballssteroidera.com/bse-list-steroid-hgh-users-baseball.html

And Beltre had his career year when he was 25.

[DaveWadding]

and Luis Gonzalez hates needles.

[Aguakate]

...There ARE Oral Steroids, uknow...

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I dunno just saying I believe it's possible to do what he did.

Roger Maris did it.

[Emperor Smeat]

...I'm a huge Manny Ramirez fan, he's my favorite player...but...ever since last year when he was caught using Steroids, the guy has been plunging...he's a nonfactor, he can't even stay healthy enough to play...

...so...Am I delusional to believe his monster years before last season wasn't a direct result of steroid use and that what's happened to him in the last year and a half will pass and he will become the hitter he was? Or is he done?

Besides him playing in his 17th season and had issues with injuries the last couple of years, Manny right now for the Dodgers is basically the late years "Manny being Manny" of the Red Sox.

Mentally he starts to lose interest in playing good if he doesn't get his money or the team stinks (as is the case this year). He played hard for the rest of the season after the trade and then the 1st full season with the Dodgers. After that he reverted back to the bad Manny that got Red Sox fans and management upset with him.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I wish the Cardinals played the Cubs every day.

[Jeritron]

...I'm a huge Manny Ramirez fan, he's my favorite player...but...ever since last year when he was caught using Steroids, the guy has been plunging...he's a nonfactor, he can't even stay healthy enough to play...

...so...Am I delusional to believe his monster years before last season wasn't a direct result of steroid use and that what's happened to him in the last year and a half will pass and he will become the hitter he was? Or is he done?

I think it's more likely related to him aging. Steroids or not he was a great hitter. I'm not sure how severe his steroid use, or how long it went on. It could have been his whole career or just an isolated incident.
No idea.

As for Brady Anderson
I respect and agree with the theory that it is possible for a player to have a career year out of the clear blue, but 50 hrs out of nowhere by a leadoff hitter who was noticably jacked is very suspicious.
Given the era, I would have to say he was probably using steroids.
I also would say the same about Luis Gonzalez, Beltre and other players suspected but not linked.
I love Jeff Bagwell but I think it's naive to rule him out just because he hasn't been named in any reports or books. I hope he didn't.
I wouldn't be suprised if he doesn't get many votes for the HOF next year.

[Aguakate]

...How 'bout Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire pulling pitcher Kevin Slowey after the 7th inning when the guy had a no-hitter going?

Gardenhire brought in a reliever in the 8th, who promptly gave up the first hit and run.

[Jeritron]

Though it should be innocent until proven guilty, it's hard not to suspect from the entire era.
I don't think Griffey or Ripken were invovled though, so maybe I'm picking and choosing. Fuckin hate the steroid fiasco

[Aguakate]

If it ever came out that Griffey used...I would just lose all faith in Baseball.

Griffey and Jeter are the two guys from the 90s that I really think didn't use, along with Gwynn and Ripken. Everyone else? Who knows?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Frank Thomas

[Aguakate]

Hmm...I don't suspect he did, no one's ever said anything, but if it came out he did, it wouldn't have that "WHAT?! NO WAY" element to it.

[Snowden]

Yeah, Frank Thomas seems to be one of those "naturally strong" types.

Another guy from the 90s whose probably free and clear is Jim Thome.

[Aguakate]

You would think that the Steroid stuff that came out would help guys like Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Mike Piazza, Chipper Jones...

...but who knows? It doesn't seem to help Fred McGriff.

[YOUR Hero]

...How 'bout Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire pulling pitcher Kevin Slowey after the 7th inning when the guy had a no-hitter going?

Gardenhire brought in a reliever in the 8th, who promptly gave up the first hit and run.

He had missed his last start with a sore elbow and I believe his elbow was feeling strained in this start. Either way, the manager had to protect his arm. Sucks though.

[Hanso Amore]

My one thing is this: If Brady was on roids - why only one year? He was huge in that 1996 pic you posted...what about before and after? Why didnt it seem to help, but only in that one career year.

[Emperor Smeat]

My one thing is this: If Brady was on roids - why only one year? He was huge in that 1996 pic you posted...what about before and after? Why didnt it seem to help, but only in that one career year.

Was 1996 a contract year or at least close to one since a lot of players tend to have sudden stat boosts when it comes to guaranteeing extra cash then drop once they get paid?

A-Rod supposedly only roided up during the time with the Rangers but it did influence his ability later on to get a $300+ million deal with the Yankees since he's not busted until after the new contract.

A good non-roids example would be Sean Alexander for Seattle in football. He has a great few years as a running back near the end of his contract. Then he gets a huge pay increase with a new contract and follows it by not even trying to be good the following years since he got paid and doesn't care anymore.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol K-Rod tore a ligament in his thumb in his fight. Season likely over.

Mets are trying to get his contract voided. the Players Association is gay though so they'll probably find some way around it.</font>

[Snowden]

My one thing is this: If Brady was on roids - why only one year? He was huge in that 1996 pic you posted...what about before and after? Why didnt it seem to help, but only in that one career year.

That's a fair point. From what I've seen, Anderson has flat denied steroid use, and it doesn't make great sense that he'd only use for one season. What is possible is that he'd been using and bulking up for quite some time, and had a monster year in 1996. He did get noticeably bigger as his career went on (and to answer your question, he was jacked going forward), so it is possible he juiced well before then and only broke out in '96. But I see your point.

Was 1996 a contract year or at least close to one since a lot of players tend to have sudden stat boosts when it comes to guaranteeing extra cash then drop once they get paid?

A-Rod supposedly only roided up during the time with the Rangers but it did influence his ability later on to get a $300+ million deal with the Yankees since he's not busted until after the new contract.

A good non-roids example would be Sean Alexander for Seattle in football. He has a great few years as a running back near the end of his contract. Then he gets a huge pay increase with a new contract and follows it by not even trying to be good the following years since he got paid and doesn't care anymore.

He became a free agent after the '97 season, year after he hit the 50 bombs.

Oh, and how do I know Anderson is still jacked?

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:naughty:

[ClockShot]

Johnny Damon gets a round of applause on his first at bat for the Tigers back in the Bronx.

I'm surprised.

[Jeritron]

Brett Boone

[Hanso Amore]

Bret Boone wasa fucking juicer...Dues thighs were ripping out of his pants in Seattle

[Snowden]

Johnny Damon gets a round of applause on his first at bat for the Tigers back in the Bronx.

I'm surprised.

I'm not. He left with no ill will, and had fantastic years with the Yankees. I miss him, and I'd give him a cheer if I was there.

[McLegend]

I'm sure Yankee fans would still rather have that bastard Johnny Damon.

[ClockShot]

We would have liked to have Damon back..........for the right price.

[OssMan]

K-Rod out for season FUCK YES

[Boomer]

Braves game was awesome. Melky makes a great throw to the plate to keep the Braves close and then delivers the game winning hit.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

We would have liked to have Damon back..........for the right price.

Me too. I will miss his bat. His fielding.............................meh, not so much.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I'd be shocked if these guys juiced:

John Olerud
Edgar Martinez
Larry Walker
Todd Helton
Barry Larkin
Bernie Williams
Scott Rolen
Mark Grace

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I wanna say Vlad too but honestly it wouldn't. I hope he's clean though.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

OH YEAH Carlos Delgado. Definitely think he's clean.

Hope he gets into the Hall one day, but I dunno if he will.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

This next Hall of Fame ballot is going to be real interesting. Lot of maybes in the clean and dirty lists of 1st time players.

Clean:
Jeff Bagwell*
Bret Boone*
John Franco
Al Leiter
Tino Martinez
John Olerud
Larry Walker



Dirty:
Kevin Brown
Juan Gonzalez
Rafael Palmeiro

[YOUR Hero]

Tino and Olerud :y:

[Snowden]

I feel like Delgado will get Fred McGriffed, or if he does get in, will probably wait around like Jim Rice. Its a shame though, because Delgado was one of the most feared hitters in the league for a good 8-10 years.

And I don't think anyone from next years list goes in first ballot (because, you know, baseball writers have a stick up theirass for not putting people in on the first ballot). Bagwell and Franco have an outside shot of getting in at some point.

And of course, Raffy would have made it if not for the roids :nono:

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Hope Larry Walker gets in eventually but he's gonna get screwed by the mile high effect. But he was a great player long before he went to Colorado

[Snowden]

He was, and being a mile up doesn't really help you hit .370. He also entered Colorado when he was also entering the prime of his career, so his improvement makes sense.

That being said though, he's probably a "Hall of Very Good" type guy.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Dunno feel like his defense might be enough to put him over the edge. Probaby not but oh well.

[Loose Cannon]

only Bags gets in me thinks.

[MVP]

I think Bagwell gets in for sure. Too bad it won't be in a Red Sox hat. :(

[DaveWadding]

LARRY ANDERSEN.

[Legendary624]

This next Hall of Fame ballot is going to be real interesting. Lot of maybes in the clean and dirty lists of 1st time players.

Clean:
Jeff Bagwell*
Bret Boone*
John Franco
Al Leiter
Tino Martinez
John Olerud
Larry Walker



Dirty:
Kevin Brown
Juan Gonzalez
Rafael Palmeiro

I'll vote "Dirty" for Bret Boone....Not that he is a Hall of Fame talent anyways. From his debut in 1992 through 1997, he totaled 62 home runs. Over his next 7 years (coincidentally during the main juicing years in the late 90's and early 2000s), he totaled 183 home runs. After baseball started cracking down, Boone quickly fizzled out and only hit 14 more homers in his career. :n:

[Snowden]

I think Bagwell gets in for sure. Too bad it won't be in a Red Sox hat. :(

I don't know if he's a lock...he's no first ballot guy. He'll get the Andre Dawson/Jim Rice treatment most likely.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

I think Bagwell gets in for sure. Too bad it won't be in a Red Sox hat. :(

I haven't been a baseball fan for that long. When was Bagwell on the Red Sox?

[Triple Naitch]

He was drafted by them and then traded as a prospect for a middle reliever.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

He was drafted by them and then traded as a prospect for a middle reliever.

Sounds kinda like a stupid idea. Was he that good of a prospect or was he like real bad in the minors and then came to the majors with the Astros and became better?

I just can't see the Red Sox trading a prospect for a fuckin 36 year old middle reliever unless Bagwell was real bad or sucked in the minors.

[Triple Naitch]

Sometimes teams make panic moves when they're in the playoff hunt. Remember when the Mets traded Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano?

[Triple Naitch]

Big Vito does.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Sometimes teams make panic moves when they're in the playoff hunt. Remember when the Mets traded Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano?


True!

[DaveWadding]

Big Vito does.

I doubt he regrets it as much since Kazmir had maybe 2 really good years and has been a #3 since.

[Skippord]

god I hate Clayton Kershaw

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Mark Reynolds is really bad at baseball defense. How in the world is he still playing 3rd

[Skippord]

I've always thought he gets bored sometimes

he makes either incredible plays or awful errors

[Supreme Olajuwon]

third base isn't the place to get bored

do that shit out in left

[McLegend]

I'm pretty sure Big Vito would rather have Kasmir as the mets 3rd starter over whoever they have now.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I wonder if the Tigers would've preferred keeping John Smoltz over Doyle Alexander

[McLegend]

What did John Smoltz ever do?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Some no namer. Guy was a #3 starter for most of his career then got demoted to the bullpen. Scrub central.

[Boomer]

What did John Smoltz ever do?

What kind of ridiculous questions is that?

He has the second most wins in post-season history, and he's one of the only player to ever record 200 wins and 150 saves. He also totaled over 3000 strikeouts, on top of being an 8-time All-Star and a Cy-Young winner.

I'm a homer, but who gives a shit. That is a HoF career.

[Boomer]

And in hindsight, I shouldn't take any message board posting seriously.

[McLegend]

Thanks for the info, Boomer.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

ahahahahaha

[DaveWadding]

John who now?

[McLegend]

So according to Boomer's informtation it's right to for me to
assume that John Smoltz was at least an "ok" pitcher?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

he's no Mark Wholers, but he was ok.

[Aguakate]

John Smoltz was ok. Nothing major. Just ok.

When he was in his peak, Maddux, Glavine, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, and at least another half a dozen pitchers were better...but Smoltz was ok.

[Boomer]

Maybe he'll make it in on his broadcasting career one day. Probably got all that charisma from John Rocker.

[Boomer]

So according to Boomer's informtation it's right to for me to
assume that John Smoltz was at least an "ok" pitcher?

Always happy to give out informtation.

[Legendary624]

he's no John Rocker, but he was ok.

[Boomer]

Derrek Lee to the Braves? Yes please. Sending Glaus to the bench or putting him on the DL is glorious. My feeling depends on what we give up. Jordan Schafer is the only name I've seen pop up in what I've read so far, and that would be pretty good value for the Cubs. He's worked his way all the way down to AA this year from the Majors, so I don't think he is in the Braves' plans any longer anyway, but he could definitely turn into an everyday CF down the line.

[Legendary624]

DLee is a lot better than the rumor floating around last night that A-Ram could be headed to the Braves. I almost shat myself when I heard that he was potentially heading our way. Anyways, this should work out just fine. Send Glauser to the DL and let him rest and bring him back up with the rosters expand in September. Hopefully Freeman will come around next Spring and be the answer for years to come. Glad to see another Braves homer on the board though. You from Georgia?

[Boomer]

DLee is a lot better than the rumor floating around last night that A-Ram could be headed to the Braves. I almost shat myself when I heard that he was potentially heading our way. Anyways, this should work out just fine. Send Glauser to the DL and let him rest and bring him back up with the rosters expand in September. Hopefully Freeman will come around next Spring and be the answer for years to come. Glad to see another Braves homer on the board though. You from Georgia?

Georgia boy, through and through.

[Legendary624]

Word. Been to 4 games this year. Headed back to the St. Louis series in September. Hope to get to see Wainwright and/or Carpenter. I'm a perfect 4-0 so I hope to keep my streak alive all the way to the World Series.

[Boomer]

I've seen 5 or so games this year, including one in DC. The DC one was the only loss, as far as I remember. Probably going to another one in a few weeks. Its too cheap not to go.

Wainwright would just upset me. Still pretty sad the Braves gave him away.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I would love D Lee on the Braves if for nothing more than the fact that his and Jason Heyward's swings are almost mirror images of each other.

[Aguakate]

...so Bautista has 37...

...ridiculous.

[DaveWadding]

Cubs get Tyrelle Harris, Jeff Lorick and Robinson Lopez for Lee...

:'(

[Boomer]

Lot of lottery tickets for the Cubs. Certainly worth it for them, though I have seen reports say the Cubs are sending cash too. I would wonder how much.

[Legendary624]

That poor Cash. He has been involved in so many trades during the summer. I hope he finds a place to settle down. Anyways, with Ryan Howard coming back this should definitely help bolster the Braves lineup. Glaus just wasn't cutting it and it was obviously apparent that Bobby was having difficulty finding a proper spot for a cleanup hitter who just hasn't been hitting homeruns. The lineup is actually quite impressive with his addition:

1. Infante- All Star
2. Heyward- All Star
3. Prado- All Star
4. Lee
5. McCann- All Star
6. Gonzalez
7. Platoon Left- Hinske, Diaz, Cabrera
8. Platoon Center- Ankiel, Cabrera

Not too shabby. Of course the top of the lineup will obviously vary based on matchups but I am getting very excited for the stretch run.

[ClockShot]

God damn Rays. Just go away already!

[Snowden]

Scary part is, the Rays are going to be even better in 2-3 years.

[Emperor Smeat]

Scary part is, the Rays are going to be even better in 2-3 years.

Only if they can hold onto their players since the biggest test is coming this offseason with Crawford being the 1st big name to potentially leave. Their lack of a constantly paying "large" attendances could also be another issue in terms of funding but shouldn't be an issue for the short term.

Kazmir did leave last year but since it was a trade, Rays got something back in the deal.

[Snowden]

Crawford is going to be a big blow, but luckily Desmond Jennings is probably going to come up to replace him.

You have to figure though, that in 2-3 years a rotation of Price, Garza, Niemen, Davis, and Hellickson will be absolutely ridiculous. They can deal James Shields for a bat really, and still probably have the best rotation in the bigs.

That is, unless the Yankees get Cliff Lee :naughty:

[SammyG]

I love watching the Giants fail

[Skippord]

Miguel Olivo wins the game via TKO

[Aguakate]

As a Cubs fan, it's sad to see Derrek Lee traded away. He is a great ballplayer, very professional, and was great to the Cubs.

I hope Aramis Ramirez stays for a long time, at least. They traded Lilly, Theriot, Fontanot and now Lee. They're core group is gone. Only Ramirez, Zambrano (who knows for how long, OR how much he'll help) and Dempster remain.

[Triple Naitch]

They need to gut that team and build it around Castro and Colvin.

[RP]

They arent gutting the team. The teams gut is Soriano and Zambrano and there contracts are about the worst you can possibly have on your payroll.

And ATL traded for a corpse. The fact that the Cubs got 3 pitchers to put in there minor leagues is a win.

And yes, Colvin, Cashner and Castro ( need a C nickname here ) are the future of this team. And maybe Marmol if he can get some control. Wells isnt bad either and Dempster is an expensive soldier.

[Snowden]

I feel bad for the Cubbies, but they're a long way away from being back to a contender, I'd say 3 years at least.

They've got to try their damndest to trade away Aramis to open up a place for Vitters to play. They also need to find some pitching, because I don't buy Zambrano being viable for the Cubbies anymore, and neither Wells or Dempster are aces.

[RP]

I cant say that i see them contending next year. I also cant say i wont be there for another game against San Francisco in September this year.

I can say Colvin and Castro are great players to build around.

[RP]

Lot of lottery tickets for the Cubs. Certainly worth it for them, though I have seen reports say the Cubs are sending cash too. I would wonder how much.

3 mil

[Snowden]

I cant say that i see them contending next year. I also cant say i wont be there for another game against San Francisco in September this year.

Props for being a good fan :y:

[RP]

beer, 4,000 incredibly hot females, cheap ( good ) seats, beer, lovable losers, maybe a Zambrano blow up and i get to see Colvin and Castro in the rookie seasons again. I'm in.

Love the city btw.

[Aguakate]

...there's no atmosphere like the one in Chicago's Wrigley Field.

Good thing is that the Cubs have some young talent, so maybe it IS better that Ryan Sandberg becomes manager, so he can develop them, and who knows?

[RP]

I agree. The atmosphere is amazing because the fans know they're losing and it just doesnt matter. The fans are truely there for the experience and a good time and if they win, thats a bonus.

Sandberg is my favorite Cub of all time, but i dont buy him as the manager. I want Bobby V. I think Bobby V is perfect for this team and i'll puke if they go get Torre. I like Torre, but this is not a Torre team.

[Aguakate]

I dont like Sandberg, I just don't...but since recently he's been working with young players in the Minors (I think he's the manager at Triple A Iowa), and he took them to the playoffs, uknow...maybe he's on to something.

[DaveWadding]

How can you not like Sandberg?

[Triple Naitch]

Sounds like a shitty atmosphere to me.

[Triple Naitch]

Just don't understand how a great sports city like Chicago can be content with losing. The Cubs have been bad for a while now, but not bad enough for them to make a franchise-changing move. The Cubs are fortunate that they have a fan base who will still go to every single game and make them a lot of money. They need to get rid of all of the possible dead weight and rebuild their farm system from scratch. The young talent playing baseball today is better than ever, so the best chance for them to have a successful team in the future is to spend their money on young high school and college draft picks, instead of overpaying for aging players.

[Innovator]

Can someone tell Jeter that the season isn't over yet

[RP]

Just don't understand how a great sports city like Chicago can be content with losing. The Cubs have been bad for a while now, but not bad enough for them to make a franchise-changing move. The Cubs are fortunate that they have a fan base who will still go to every single game and make them a lot of money. They need to get rid of all of the possible dead weight and rebuild their farm system from scratch. The young talent playing baseball today is better than ever, so the best chance for them to have a successful team in the future is to spend their money on young high school and college draft picks, instead of overpaying for aging players.

It's not like they're arent trying. They locked themselves in two of the worst contracts in baseball. They arent moving Soriano or Zambrano unless they're paying for about 80% of them. There farm system has been decent, but nothing amazing.

Cubs fans arent content with losing. They'd go fucking crazy if the Cubs were winning. But they dont bandwagon the team. They dont stop coming cause they're losing. They keep coming because they love the game, They support the team and they love being drunk in the bleachers :lol:.

[RP]

Fuck all i know is i'd love to see Zambrano throw a no hitter or something just to let me know he's still alive.