MLB 2012 Season Thread

[Innovator]

Pfft. Tester must've caught Melky on a low day.

[Triple Naitch]

Bummer for the Melk Man. The Giants have 45 games left so even if they do make the playoffs, Melky would miss the first 5 games of the post season.

[Keith]

If Buster Posey keeps it up, and if Hunter Pence plays like he's capable of, who knows?

[Droford]

Ha ha

King Felix has a perfect game through 6

[Keith]

LOL Felix Hernández has a perfect game thru 6 against my Rays.

Fuck.

[Keith]

I see what Maddon is doing, he's trying to fire up the team.

I get it.

[Droford]

Maddon got tossed for arguing balls and strikes..

[Droford]

Perfect through 7..this is awesome lol

[Keith]

That fat fuck's not getting a perfecto today, baby!

[Droford]

I like how MLB network has no regard for superstitious protocol by flashing perfect game all over the screen

[Keith]

What the FUCK is going on?!

Now I'm getting pissed.

[Droford]

Perfect through 8

[Innovator]

Through 8!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Keith jinxing his own team by repeatedly saying it won't happen.</font>

[Droford]

Oh man..a Keith jinx is worse than one of mine
"Will we ever lose?" = lose in the bottom of the 9th and get perfect gamed the next day lol

[Keith]

The feeling of helplessness I felt watching Carlos Peña up there was horrible.

You just knew he was a strikeout waiting to happen.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Here we go.</font>

[Innovator]

ESPN just picked it up

[Innovator]

MLB network is a couple seconds ahead.

[Innovator]

Man I love this announcer, I wish Michael Kay would get that excited

[Innovator]

2 down

[Droford]

8.2..1 more out

[Innovator]

One more strike!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>There it is!!! The Keith Suicide Watch has officially begun.</font>

[Innovator]

Down looking! Crown him

[Supreme Olajuwon]

God I wish Dave Niehaus was calling this :'(

still awesome though

[Droford]

He got it yeah

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Before today only three stadiums had ever had 2 perfect games thrown in them. Safeco has had 2 plus another no hitter this season.

[McLegend]

All right why does everyone throw no hitters against the Rays?

It's not just a coincidence anymore.

[Triple Naitch]

King Felix

[Keith]

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5130/inbrugescolinfarrelisdi.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/inbrugescolinfarrelisdi.gif/)

[Emperor Smeat]

So this breaks the record of most perfect games in a season?

Tampa's on a pretty weird streak lately considering the last 3 years in a row to have a perfect game involves them being the unlucky victim. Probably would have been 4 years in a row if one had one been tossed last year.

[ClockShot]

Sooooooooo.

The Melkman delivers a positive drug test.

And King Felix threw a Perfect Game against the Rays. Apparently they're the best team to do it against. Now if my baseball wish of King Felix in pinstripes comes true.


Pretty good wednesday for baseball.

[Droford]

Now Aaron cook has a perfect game through 3...damnit

[Keith]

LOL Baltimore, come join the club.

[Keith]

No Hitter thru 4.

'Sup, Orioles?

[Droford]

Aaron cook is pissing me off now

[Droford]

Hardy breaks it up in the 6th..yes

[Keith]

Still, we lose, y'all lose!

[Droford]

Now the os are up 3-2 just like that, cook is gone and 2 on 1 out..awesome

[Innovator]

Freddy Garcia is perfect..... through 2

[Droford]

Is just need 17-28 over last 45 for .500 first time since 1997 and 26-19 for 90 wins which should be enough for a wild card

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The Is have it!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Looks like the Pirates are finally regressing to the Pirates we all know and love. Which is too bad. Good for the Reds tho. But it also means the stupid ass Cardinals will probably get a wild card which is totes gay.

[Droford]

So this breaks the record of most perfect games in a season?

Tampa's on a pretty weird streak lately considering the last 3 years in a row to have a perfect game involves them being the unlucky victim. Probably would have been 4 years in a row if one had one been tossed last year.

Just saw the no hitter record is 8 set back in...1884

6 so far

[SammyG]

Melky being on roids might give us the NL West title

[ClockShot]

Okay Yankees.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Billy Hamilton is up to 141 stolen bases. Record is 145.

[Droford]

Why can't the Os win when the Yankees lose? Ugh. Really need this red sox sweep..

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wooooooo Matt Harvey</font> :love:

[Emperor Smeat]

Besides the first two innings, great to see Buccholz pitch well and salvage something from Baltimore.

Also safe to assume there is no way Beckett nor Lackey return next year based on recent reports of Beckett getting shit-wasted at a bar before the Texas game and Lackey ignoring the no-booze rules.

[Corndad]

I love AJ Burnett.:heart: Sorry New York.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1301795/stfd.gif

Post strike out today..."Sit the F Down... Now"

[Keith]

We got "perfect gamed" yesterday by Felix Hernandez, so we come back today and, beat the Angels 7-0 and are tied with Baltimore for 2nd in the AL East and 1st in the Wild Card.

'Sup?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Frank Francisco is so bad. Don't know why Collins keeps making excuses for him like "He hasn't had enough work." Shit is shit.

I really think they should just let Jon Rauch close games out at this point. Since June, Rauch has actually been the best guy out in the Mets bullpen.</font>

[Innovator]

Sooooo someone died last night at the Blue Jays game

[Supreme Olajuwon]

And it wasn't even that exciting of a game. :'(

[Frank Drebin]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8v8teP4Jz1rteowio1_500.jpg

[ClockShot]

Yankees and Mets are gonna be the guinea pigs for some new replay technology possibly being implemented in the future to improve fair/foul ball calls.

Citi Field is getting Hawkeye installed. The camera based technology used in tennis that determines if balls go out of bounds or not. They'll start using it in september and on off-days.

Yankee Stadium is getting the radar-based system used in golf that tracks shots on the tv screen. This has not been used to review calls in any sport.

Installations will go during this month.

Since most of us are technologically and sports savvy here at TPWW, let's make this our topic of discussion for this lovely friday. Pick your poison. Tennis Hawkeye, or Golf ball radar?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I like the Hawkeye system. It's quick and painless. And at tennis events the crowd actually kinda gets into the replay. Seems like a good idea to me.

[Frank Drebin]

Yeah, Hawkeye is badass. If they can add fair/foul calls into replay next year that will help. I hope they're serious about this and arent just doing it to say "See, now you cant say we never tried it."

[Innovator]

I'd go with Hawkeye, just because it's used for a similar issue.

[Keith]

Sooooo someone died last night at the Blue Jays game

Apparently he's the second fan this year. Another one died back in June.

'The hell's going on in Toronto?

[Frank Drebin]

Apparently he's the second fan this year. Another one died back in June.

'The hell's going on in Toronto?

Anyone gonna make a free health care joke?

[Keith]

Edwin Encarnacion has 31 Home Runs.

Oh, Melky Cabrera.

[ClockShot]

Also forgot to add the option "NO! TECHNOLOGY RUINS THE GAME! THE UMP'S CALL IF FINAL!"

[ClockShot]

Home Run Hughes is at it again.

[Keith]

It's not like the Red Sox's Morales is pitching great, either.

Seems like this is going to be another one of those Red Sox/Yankees 11-10 games.

[Droford]

Orioles get fucked over by the umps when leyland comes out to argue a call at first and gets the call overturned..9999999 out of 100000000 times that never happens

[Droford]

http://i.imgur.com/g90Zy.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

:mad: Red Sox have been unable to hold onto any lead every game against the Yankees this season.

I left for about an hour to go to the store and they are up 4-3 only to find out they are down 4-6 when I return.

[Keith]

Rays leading the Angels 10-3 in the 8th.

Let's keep it rolling.

[RoXer]

losatleticos.com

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I like La Potencia as Cespedes' nickname.

[Keith]

What's "La Potencia"? What does it mean?

[Droford]

I think I might call Ben maller on fox sports radio and rip the umpires in the os game

[Supreme Olajuwon]

What's "La Potencia"? What does it mean?

THE POWER

[Keith]

My Rays finish up the Angels 12-3. After the perfect game Felix threw against them, they went to LA and won the first two games of the series.

We mean business. Even Jose Molina hit a Home Run.

We have outscored the "mighty and powerful" Angels 19-3 the first two games.

'Sup?

[ClockShot]

Cubs lock up Starlin Castro. 7-years, $60 mil. with a $16 mil. option in 2020.

[DaveWadding]

Not to piss on Droford's parade, but the Orioles have a run differential of -46. Their Pythagorean (expected outcome) record is 55-64. Every team within 3 wins (+/-) of their record has a run differential of AT LEAST +19. What a joke.

[Droford]

Not to piss on Droford's parade, but the Orioles have a run differential of -46. Their Pythagorean (expected outcome) record is 55-64. Every team within 3 wins (+/-) of their record has a run differential of AT LEAST +19. What a joke.

65-55 after a 3-2 victory in Detroit.

Fun fact: the orioles are on pace to have the best winning % ever in 1 run games. The 81 orioles went 21-7 (.750)..the orioles are 24-6 (.800) in one run games so far.
Its been pointed out numerous times their 1 run game record and their extra innings record (12-2, 12 straight wins) are factors to their negative run differential since they win cliose games and get blown out frequently

[Droford]

And you know what, I'll take neg run diff and making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years over a positive one and not making the playoffs like those other teams who are currently behind the orioles right now in the wild card race.

[Emperor Smeat]

65-55 after a 3-2 victory in Detroit.

Fun fact: the orioles are on pace to have the best winning % ever in 1 run games. The 81 orioles went 21-7 (.750)..the orioles are 24-6 (.800) in one run games so far.

Red Sox are almost the inverse when it comes to 1-2 run games. I think its around 75% of their losses are from those types of games. Majority of those might even be from blown leads or ties by the bullpen.

Not sure what the MLB or team record is for most 1-2 run losses in a season but the Sox right now are around 45ish with over a month left.

[RoXer]

Lot of trash talk going on with all these games left to play

[Droford]

My Rays finish up the Angels 12-3. After the perfect game Felix threw against them, they went to LA and won the first two games of the series.

We mean business. Even Jose Molina hit a Home Run.

We have outscored the "mighty and powerful" Angels 19-3 the first two games.

'Sup?

Keep on jinx in the rays! Lol

8-0 angels in the 4th

[Droford]

Red Sox are almost the inverse when it comes to 1-2 run games. I think its around 75% of their losses are from those types of games. Majority of those might even be from blown leads or ties by the bullpen.

Not sure what the MLB or team record is for most 1-2 run losses in a season but the Sox right now are around 45ish with over a month left.


Ben Maller @bemaller

"Bad teams lose close games." Red Sox have 61 losses, 31 have come in games decided by 2 runs or less, including 1-run defeats 14 times. 10:50pm - 18 Aug 12

[Triple Naitch]

Jeezus, Todd Frazier is a beast. The way he's filling in for Votto has got to get him some serious ROTY love.

[Droford]

Damn it, the says are up 10-8..wtf

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Astros fire Brad Mills. Cause it's clearly his fault that most of the team are borderline AAA quality.</font>

[Droford]

Apparently some guy took his newborn kid to his first two games this year up in Seattle..both perfect games

http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-sports/2012/08/18/a-baby-has-witnessed-two-perfect-games/

[ClockShot]

Wow, other than all the Valentine chatter going around, I'd figure all managers were safe this late in the season.

Jim Crane better do a huuuuuuuuge overhaul this offseason if he's gonna play with the big boys next season.

[Droford]

Os are 6 outs from taking 2 of 3 in Detroit..the tigers had been 17-3 last 20 at home

They spotted the tigers 5 in the 1st and scored 7 unanswered runs..

[Droford]

Guthrie with a no hitter for kc vs Chicago through 6

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Is 6 innings the acceptable time to start talking about it?

This other board I post at, I swear there's a topic anytime somebody gets through like 4 innings without a hit. And if you start with 3 perfect innings you can bet the PG watch will get started up as well.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>LOL the official scorer screws Guthrie.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And it no longer matters as Guthrie gives up a couple legit hits.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: Melky tried to launch a fake website pretending to be a company who sells the product he got caught busted for. The idea was to claim the company only sells the product for legit reasons and isn't made primarily for cheating.

MLB still investigating what was in the stuff he took since some of it might be new and unknown to their current testing.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8282185/san-francisco-giants-melky-cabrera-launched-fake-website-ruse-report-says

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>What a clown. I really hope they slap more time onto his suspension. But because of the union, they probably can't.</font>

[ClockShot]

Buccos/Cards game hit the bottom 16th. Yikes.

[ClockShot]

There's a report on espn.com saying that Kelly Shoppach was the one who sent the texts to BoSox management about Bobby V.

I wonder if that's why he got traded?

[Emperor Smeat]

Probably considering ownership has been trying to find out who's been leaking stuff to the media during the whole season. They also wanted to get Lavarnway some games for experience behind the plate and Shoppach's deal ends after this season.

[RoXer]

been watching this game since like the 13th or so

[Keith]

My Rays sweep the series against the Angels, 4 game sweep. We are finally having good hitting to go along with our great pitching.

We are 4.5 games out of 1st place in the AL East, and we are in 1st place in the Wild Card.

Beautiful.

[RoXer]

19 innings now

[Ermaximus]

19 innings now

That game was awesome wasn't it?

[RoXer]

I don't know about "awesome". A 5-0 loss seems kinda boring actually.

[ClockShot]

2 for 1 showing in St. Louis today. Both teams gotta be shot.

[Ermaximus]

I don't know about "awesome". A 5-0 loss seems kinda boring actually.

Pirates/Cardinals?

[RoXer]

Oh are the Pirates your team of the week this week? I wasn't paying attention.

[Ermaximus]

Oh are the Pirates your team of the week this week? I wasn't paying attention.

Yes, they're my team of the week, considering I only root for 2 baseball teams. Clever assumption there. How are the Diamondbacks doing again?

[RoXer]

At the moment they have a better chance to win their division than the Pirates, Braves, Bulls, Pacers, Hawks, or Jaguars.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

what about the As

[RoXer]

I still think the Angels will overtake them next month

[Supreme Olajuwon]

ya I feel ya

dunno tho

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I keep thinking the Angels and the Tigers will "find themselves" any day now and just start wrecking kids. The Tigers kinda do every so often but then they start sucking.

[road doggy dogg]

Tigers need to stop playing Baker and put Berry in as an every day player. And god I can't stand Valverde at all.
crossrine

[RoXer]

I couldn't either when he was on the D-Backs

[road doggy dogg]

Him and Benoit scare me every single time they go to the mound. Dotel is the only decent reliever the Tigers have.
crossrine

[SammyG]

HUUUGE Dodgers-Giants series coming up. Of course, ESPN won't mention it, with their east bias bullshit

[road doggy dogg]

A Lakers fan bitching about east coast media bias. I don't even know.
crossrine

[Innovator]

Him and Benoit scare me every single time they go to the mound. Dotel is the only decent reliever the Tigers have.
crossrine

As a Yankees fan I feel good when Benoit comes in.
Valverde makes me feel like he'll either give it up right away for strike out the side.

[Droford]

My Rays sweep the series against the Angels, 4 game sweep. We are finally having good hitting to go along with our great pitching.

We are 4.5 games out of 1st place in the AL East, and we are in 1st place in the Wild Card.

Beautiful.

Its real crazy the wild card is boiling down to rays orioles A's and tigers
The angels are fading hard and barely .500 now and already 4.5 back of the orioles. Red sox are 7.5 back..stick a fork in em they're done.
O's are 11-4 last 15, getting hot at the right time..

I've got a feeling the orioles 3 game series in tb to end the seasons gonna be extended to 4 but I hope the extra game s up here at Camden yards so I can go..

[Keith]

LOL we outscored the Angels 37-14 for the 4-game sweep.

[Triple Naitch]

How many of those runs did you score, Keith?

[Keith]

I was there in spirit.

[SammyG]

A Lakers fan bitching about east coast media bias. I don't even know.
crossrine

Uh yeah what's your fucking point? ESPN is always all over the Heat cock, as well. As far as baseball goes, don't even try to tell me ESPN doesn't ignore the NL West. It's terrible.

[Keith]

I haven't watched ESPN's Baseball Tonight at all this season.

MLB Network made me forget about ESPN.

[The Fraze]

HUUUGE Dodgers-Giants series coming up. Of course, ESPN won't mention it, with their east bias bullshit

If the Dodgers come out with a larger division lead, they'll mention it.

Uh yeah what's your fucking point? ESPN is always all over the Heat cock, as well. As far as baseball goes, don't even try to tell me ESPN doesn't ignore the NL West. It's terrible.

They don't ignore the NL West, the ignore every team except for the Dodgers in the NL West. :y:

[ClockShot]

Roger Clemens is back in baseball. Signed a deal with the Sugar Land Skeeters out of the independent league. He supposed make his debut at home against my
Bridgeport Bluefish.

[Keith]

I wonder if he's doing it just for fun or if he's thinking about going back to the MLB to try and "clear up" his legacy.

Unlikely he'll be able to do that, but we'll see.

[Nicky Fives]

Yankees will probably sign him bext year.....lol

[ClockShot]

According to Crasnick over at espn.com, his fastball topped at 87 mph and this might be only a 1-game thing just for fun. But if it goes well, it could be more.

As far as getting back to the MLB, he's 50 years old. Old Man Moyer is 49 and I think has been to 3-4 different teams this season and we haven't heard a peep from him in about a month now. Maybe's he's decided to give it up.

[ClockShot]

Yankees will probably sign him bext year.....lol

Forget it, we don't need the baggage.

Boston can use some pitching these days. :lol:

[Droford]

Yankees will probably sign him bext year.....lol
Roger Clemens is in Georges box!

Oh wait

[Droford]

The orioles have a better record sine the asb than the yankees (21-15 vs 20-16). While the orioles are 5-6 vs the yanks so far, they've out scored them 52-51.

[ClockShot]

Boston started housecleaning early. Pitching coach Bob McClure got fired.

[Emperor Smeat]

Should have been done a lot earlier or at least let go after last year since he was partially responsible for allowing the pitchers for being too lazy or have the careless attitude.

The assistant coach is the one Valentine brought with him along with the 3B coach. He's been with Valentine since the Mets days while McClure both resented Bobby V and his assistant.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wake the fuck up, Mets offense. Dickey pitches a great game and is stuck with a no-decision. Still at 15 wins. Hopes for the first Mets 20 win season since 1990 are looking pretty slim.</font>

[Keith]

Bottom of the 7th, Rays up 5-1.

Let's keep it going.

[ClockShot]

This Yankees/ChiSox game is going by slower than a Yankees/Red Sox game.

[Keith]

Tampa Bay wins, 5-1.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Mets and Phillies now have the same record.

I miss June.</font> :(

[Keith]

The Mets and Phillies now have the same record.

I miss June. :(

Look at the bright side, at least the Mets have the same record as the 2011 NL East Champions. :shifty:

[Keith]

The Oakland A's acquire Stephen Drew from the Diamondbacks.

They're serious about going for it.

[RoXer]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mIF7tTOG0kE/UC5No6oD8LI/AAAAAAAABP4/ju2OdVmC40U/s500/umpboom.gif

[Keith]

Did he say "BOOM!"?

I think that fucker actually had the balls to say "BOOM!".

[Ermaximus]

He might be saying an elongated "YOU."

[Innovator]

Fucker said BOOM to Donnie Baseball.

[Ermaximus]

That umpire seriously looks like John Ratzenberger.

[YOUR Hero]

aint it great how the umps say they dont like to be embarassed by the players, yet you see these these types of up-manships from their side uite often

[ClockShot]

Nick Swisher apparently wants Jayson Werth money when he hits free agency this offseason. That's 7-years, $126 mil.

I know Inno will vouch for me, but A. he's crazy if he's gonna see that money. And 2. with the '13 outfielder market looking bleak, Yankees better keep him around with pocket change.

[Innovator]

I love Swisher with all of my manlove, but he won't get Werth money from the Yankees. He's great at working counts, but he's been batting behind or in front of guys like Cano, A-Rod's corpse, and Tex for the last 4 years.

[Keith]

Not even Jayson Werth deserved Jayson Werth-type money.

Nick Swisher has been great with the Yankees, he better not get in over his head and make the wrong decision. He's been great with the Yankees and the Yankees have been great to him.

[Gertner]

I think Ricky Romero could stand to walk more batters.


Jesus christ.

[Nicky Fives]

I think Ricky Romero could stand to walk more batters.


Jesus christ.

If he had any options left on his contract, they'd be wise to send him down to Vegas to work his shit out...... it's starting to get ridiculous.....It kinda worked for Lind before he got hurt.....

[Gertner]

lol 8 walks so far. Romero would be going down with Henderson Alvarez. I think Henderson is gonna get sent down when Morrow comes back and then come back up when the rosters expand. They are messing with Henderson's delivery and I kinda wish they were doing this in AAA.

[Keith]

Wow, so Roger Clemens really is coming back to pitch this weekend, huh?

And he won't even categorically state he will not try to go back to the majors.

Why would he want to pitch for the Astros, though? They're in rebuilding mode, they won't win anything for a while.

Unless he wants to go back solely for the purpose of trying to "clean up" his image.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Astros should sign Clemens for one home start in September or something. Guaranteed sellout despite the game being meaningless otherwise. :shifty:

It'd also delay the impending Clemens HOF debate for 5 more years. Now just need somebody to sign Bonds for one final game.</font>

[Droford]

Rays lost another game price pitched that went 0-0 to the 10th lol

[Keith]

LOL where you been?

You only post here when the O's win or what?

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Astros should sign Clemens for one home start in September or something. Guaranteed sellout despite the game being meaningless otherwise. :shifty:

It'd also delay the impending Clemens HOF debate for 5 more years. Now just need somebody to sign Bonds for one final game.</font>

Didn't he leave them on a sour note especially once he managed to convince his friend Pettite to leave the Astros for the Yankess even if it meant getting less money from the Yanks.

I remember at the time people wondered if Clemens' son would be dropped as payback after treating him a lot better than normal prospects.

[Droford]

LOL where you been?

You only post here when the O's win or what?

5-1 o's in the 7th over the rangers. Red sox, blue jays and rays all lost, Yankees losing 6-3

O's king of the AL east for a night.

[ClockShot]

Ivan Nova what the fuck is wrong with you!?

Yankees about to blow their 2nd game in a row. WHERE'S PETTITTE?

[Keith]

Astros should sign Clemens for one home start in September or something. Guaranteed sellout despite the game being meaningless otherwise. :shifty:

It'd also delay the impending Clemens HOF debate for 5 more years. Now just need somebody to sign Bonds for one final game.


Stephen A. Smith brought up an interesting point.

And it is that Mark McGwire was able to get back into MLB as a hitting coach. Roger Clemens, if he decides to do so, would have a couple teams looking at him and somebody will sign him.

But Barry Bonds basically retired because he was blackballed from the game. No team (including the Giants) would even consider signing him.

Sammy Sosa went through the same thing.

So, I wonder if race has something to do with this.

[Keith]

Also, Jason Giambi admits to using PED's, and he's still playing.

Andy Pettitte admits to using PED's, and he's still playing.

Gary Sheffield was "brought up" in the Balco trial, and he couldn't find a job so he retired.

Come on, now. Don't tell me there's nothing "funky" going on.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Bonds and Sosa were also huge assholes about it. Palmeiro was blackballed too and while he's Cuban, he's about as white as Latinos get.

[Droford]

Omar quintanilla got busted for peds was a ny met and is now the orioles starting 2b

[Keith]

Bonds and Sosa were also huge assholes about it. Palmeiro was blackballed too and while he's Cuban, he's about as white as Latinos get.

Palmeiro wasn't blackballed.

He was caught and dropped out of sight. Only recently did he come out.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

He tried to sign with a team in the 2005 offseason and nobody took him.

[Keith]

5-1 o's in the 7th over the rangers. Red sox, blue jays and rays all lost, Yankees losing 6-3

O's king of the AL east for a night.

Ok, I see y'all winning tonight.

But y'all are still in 3rd place in the AL East!

We're still a game ahead of y'all in the AL East and the Wild Card #1!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Billy Hamilton set the steals mark tonight. Up to 147 bases. Kinda hope he gets the September call up even if it's solely as a pinch runner.

[Droford]

Ok, I see y'all winning tonight.

But y'all are still in 3rd place in the AL East!

We're still a game ahead of y'all in the AL East and the Wild Card #1!

1 gb of the rays, 5gb of the Yankees..
.5 up on Oakland, 1.5 up on Detroit, 4 up on the angels

And don't look now but..Seattle with a win will only be 7.5 out, ahead of Boston lol

[Keith]

It's crazy Felix pitched tonight.

Five days have gone by since his perfect game. Time flies sometimes.

[Droford]

It's crazy Felix pitched tonight.

Five days have gone by since his perfect game. Time flies sometimes.
They haven't lost since either..7 straight

[Droford]

Since Seattle is ahead of Boston, I'm officially eliminating the red sox..they can go pick up their comemorative 2012 "at least we didn't epicly collapse 2 years in a row" t-shirts at the front desk on their way out..

[Keith]

Bobby V never had a chance. We're in August and that team still hasn't embraced him as one of their own. He's still viewed as an outsider.

Those Boston Prima Donnas think Bobby V is tough, they're lucky Buck Showalter isn't their Manager.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mike Rizzo yet again reiterates that Strasburg will be shut down within the next few starts, and he has confirmed that he will not be pitching in October.

The Nats probably can still go deep into the playoffs, but I hope they see an early exit. No team who willingly shuts down their perfectly healthy best pitcher deserves to win a World Series. There's no guarantee that the Nationals will be a perennial playoff team. It's baseball. It'd be funny to me if they waste their one chance to win it all because of this Strasburg decision.</font>

[Evil Vito]

But Barry Bonds basically retired because he was blackballed from the game. No team (including the Giants) would even consider signing him.

<font color=goldenrod>Though he was a shithead, Bonds is probably the most blatant blackballing I've seen. Despite his age, he was still legitimately productive and could have helped out most teams. Sure it would have caused a media circus, but that's never stopped some teams before if it meant their team would be a lot better.

Almost certain that there was collusion involved. The owners made an agreement that nobody would sign Bonds to get him out of the league. You can't convince me at least one of the 30 GM's wouldn't have given him a shot otherwise.</font>

[DaveBrawl]

Stephen A. Smith brought up an interesting point.

And it is that Mark McGwire was able to get back into MLB as a hitting coach. Roger Clemens, if he decides to do so, would have a couple teams looking at him and somebody will sign him.

But Barry Bonds basically retired because he was blackballed from the game. No team (including the Giants) would even consider signing him.

Sammy Sosa went through the same thing.

So, I wonder if race has something to do with this.

Also, Jason Giambi admits to using PED's, and he's still playing.

Andy Pettitte admits to using PED's, and he's still playing.

Gary Sheffield was "brought up" in the Balco trial, and he couldn't find a job so he retired.

Come on, now. Don't tell me there's nothing "funky" going on.

To me the answer is in your second post. All of those other guys admitted to using PED's. How long was McGwire out of site before admitting he used? To my knowledge Bonds, Sosa, Sheffield or Palmeiro never admitted what they supposedly did. If they did Bonds would likely have a job tomorrow.

[Keith]

Though he was a shithead, Bonds is probably the most blatant blackballing I've seen. Despite his age, he was still legitimately productive and could have helped out most teams. Sure it would have caused a media circus, but that's never stopped some teams before if it meant their team would be a lot better.

Almost certain that there was collusion involved. The owners made an agreement that nobody would sign Bonds to get him out of the league. You can't convince me at least one of the 30 GM's wouldn't have given him a shot otherwise.

Of course.

You can't tell me that even the fucking Kansas City Royals wouldn't have signed him for at least a year.

[MVP]

Bobby V never had a chance. We're in August and that team still hasn't embraced him as one of their own. He's still viewed as an outsider.

Those Boston Prima Donnas think Bobby V is tough, they're lucky Buck Showalter isn't their Manager.

I'd take Showalter over Bobby V any day.

[SammyG]

lol Colon's fat ass busted for testosterone

[Keith]

I'd take Showalter over Bobby V any day.

Oh, definitely.

I'm just saying those Red Sox players are bitching about Bobby V being tough, if Buck Showalter was the Manager they'd probably be crying their asses out.

[Keith]

BTW, all these guys get caught and serve their suspensions, and Ryan Braun is still playing, has as many home runs in late august as he had all of last season (when he was the MVP), and he never served one game.

Ridiculous.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4e6a21326bb3f7816e000025-590/bartolo-colon-as-a-rookie.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JhfWn.png


Definitely on the juice. Nobody gains that much mass without some extra help.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Well, your cholesterol level is lethally high, Bartolo, but I'm more concerned about your gravy level.

[Keith]

He's the most lovable PED user of all time.

Look at that face lol

http://i.imgur.com/nZpTy.jpg

[Triple Naitch]

Bobby V isn't tough. He's just an asshole. The guy makes no effort to get along with his coaches or players. He hides in his office before and after games. He has no problems with ruining relationships for his gain. Worst of all, he wasn't even Cherington's choice. Lucchino once again took the power right out of his hands and made the move.

God I hope John Farrell comes over this offseason.

[ClockShot]

So what's in the water in the San Francisco Bay?

Don't bother with the obvious answer.

[Keith]

RAYS WIN!

"Big Game" Shields wins another.

[ClockShot]

That puts the pressure on the Yanks tonight.

Dr. Jekyll better show up tonight.

[Emperor Smeat]

Bobby V isn't tough. He's just an asshole. The guy makes no effort to get along with his coaches or players. He hides in his office before and after games. He has no problems with ruining relationships for his gain. Worst of all, he wasn't even Cherington's choice. Lucchino once again took the power right out of his hands and made the move.

God I hope John Farrell comes over this offseason.

Yeah Bobby V is no saint concerning some of the stuff he's done this season but at the same time management did almost nothing to "cleanse" the bad atmosphere from last year's debacle. Beckett basically has free reign to do whatever he wants which ends up him not caring at all most of the time.

Lucchino's ego has been a problem for years to the point that out of the original ownership group that had 4-5 members, 2-3 left after a couple of years because they couldn't stand to be around him.

[Keith]

That puts the pressure on the Yanks tonight.

Dr. Jekyll better show up tonight.

Hmm, Yanks are going up against Chris Sale.

[Nicky Fives]

God I hope John Farrell comes over this offseason.

not gonna happen..... He'll be a Jay for the long haul :P

[Droford]

http://assets.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/Orioles-tickets_worldseries.jpg

*drool*

[Keith]

Nuh-uh Droford.

http://i.imgur.com/BQwSf.jpg

[Keith]

Wow, so Skip Bayless actually implied Derek Jeter may be using PED's?


Derek Jeter: Maybe test Skip

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8294309/derek-jeter-laughs-skip-bayless-ped-use-insinuation

CHICAGO -- Derek Jeter laughed off insinuations by Skip Bayless of ESPN's "First Take" that his excellent 2012 season has been the result of performance-enhancing drug use.

Speaking on "First Take" on Wednesday morning, Bayless said, "I am shocked by what I'm seeing from Derek Jeter right now. They all said he was washed up. All of a sudden, this man has turned 38 years of age in June and already he has more hits than he had last year. ... I'm seeing a whole new guy this year from last year ... Are you kidding me? You would have to have your head in the sand or your head somewhere else not to at least wonder, 'How is he doing this?' "

When Bayless' remarks were presented to Jeter in the clubhouse before Wednesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, the Yankees' captain smiled and spread his arms in bemusement.
"What do you want me to say?" he said. "Maybe Skip should be tested. I don't know him, but ... "

Jeter entered Wednesday night third in the American Leading in batting average (.324) and leads the majors with 168 hits. Through 123 games, the shortstop already has twice as many home runs (12) as he did last year.

Bayless engaged in a heated debate in which he quoted BALCO founder Victor Conte as saying synthetic testosterone use is "rampant" in the majors today. He then asked, "If you are Derek Jeter, would you think about using HGH right now?," Bayless backed off accusing him of any wrongdoing.

"I am not saying he uses a thing," Bayless said. "I have no idea. But within the confines of his sport, it is fair for all of us, in fact you are remiss, if you don't at least think about this."

Jeter said he hadn't viewed "First Take," nor had he heard ablout Bayless' statements.

"That's the unfortunate thing these days," he said. "Anytime you bring this to light with guys that are doing things now, you have everybody questioning everything. You can say whatever you want to say these days. No repercussions."

Asked if he was insulted -- or flattered -- by the suggestion he might be using HGH, Jeter raised his arms to display his lanky 6-foot-3, 195-pound physique.

"You tell me," he said

[screech]

Skip Bayless sucks.

[Keith]

Skip has no right to imply that, but Jeter's argument of showing his physique and saying "You tell me" is flawed.

I mean, look at Bartolo Colon, who tested positive for Testosterone. Who'd have thought he was using PED's?

[Droford]

Fire up MLB network here shortly.. Adrian beltre is going to try to do his best josh Hamilton impression vs the o's..3 hrs already in 4 innings

[Keith]

Yankees lose, Orioles lose.

I'm liking it.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

So I wonder who else has been juicing up this year. I'm guessing Edwin Encarnacion.

[Keith]

Hell yeah Edwin Encarnacion is using PED's. He's got 32 Home Runs and 84 RBI's out of nowhere, in August.

I'm also waiting for the moment Jose Bautista is caught.

[ClockShot]

Wow, Yankees get swept in Chicago when we should have won all 3 games.

Hopefully we'll get 3 games back in Cleveland.

[Innovator]

I wonder if the sweep got to Girardi, he went after a heckler in the postgame interview

[Gertner]

Hell yeah Edwin Encarnacion is using PED's. He's got 32 Home Runs and 84 RBI's out of nowhere, in August.

I'm also waiting for the moment Jose Bautista is caught.

Edwin has always had the power. He's just go in the dumps making 3000 errors at 3rd base. He's one of those guys whose confidence is fragile.

[Gertner]

BTW I read something that this is the 8th Dominican since 2006 to get caught for PED's, more than any other country. Pretty crazy.

[Keith]

Yeah, and where's Edwin Encarnacion from?

Thank you.

[Keith]

Also:

http://i.imgur.com/LXT24.jpg

[Evil Vito]

Johan shut down for the season. Probably the right move at this point. He ran out of gas, which is understandable considering he'd been throwing since December.

The Collin McHugh era is upon us!

[Innovator]

Only 4 Red Sox players went to Pesky's funeral. Stupid charity bowling fundraiser in their way.

[Triple Naitch]

Remember when no Yankees went to Bob Sheppard's funeral?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>How the fuck do you only score 5 runs in a 4 game series against the Rockies?</font>

[Skippord]

I'm as surprised as you are

[Skippord]

it also appeared that the Mets were playing drunk that whole series

[Innovator]

Vito, for you:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GgyRKcEXYtI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm shocked Francesa even spends airtime discussing the Mets at this point.</font>

[SammyG]

fucking giants

[Keith]

http://i.imgur.com/RVHtG.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

:| another blown save by Aceves. Bullpen and pitching has been pretty bad against the Angels this series who were struggling going into this series.

[Keith]

To be fair, if you think Boston is underachieving, where would they be without Aceves? He's been the only reliever they have been able to count on the past two seasons.

And not only that, he's made some starts for them, too.

[Emperor Smeat]

He's been pretty horrible overall as a closer but in terms of as a setup man or relief, he's a lot better. Had another double blown save/hold today which puts him at like 4-5 this season.

Then again he should have never been put into that situation mostly because Bard and management wanted Bard as a starter. Bailey was got to be the new closer before going down with an injury while Melancon has been a bust.

Morales having to be a starter out of necessity took out another good reliever from the bullpen.

[Keith]

Hey, I'm not saying Aceves is automatic or anything.

I'm just saying he's thrown 176 2/3 innings in 113 appearances the last two years.

Just imagine the Red Sox without him. They'd be even worse (especially this season).

[MVP]

I supported making Aceves the closer at the beginning of the season because I didn't have faith in anyone else in the bullpen that was healthy at the time. The problem is he throws too hard when the game is on the line and makes costly mistakes. He's best suited for the role he played last year as a long reliever/spot starter.

[Keith]

Also, these people talking about how the Cardinals made their run after being so far back and made the playoffs need to stop it.

St Louis didn't have the personal issues the Red Sox have. The Cardinals played as one, for one common purpose.

The Red Sox don't even like their Manager.

So they're done.

[Keith]

Well, the Dodgers have been awared the claim on Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez.

Now the clock starts ticking.

[Adder]

48 hours to make a trade deal...

I think this would be a good move in Boston as A-Gon has been one of the discontent voices (surprisingly since he's so new there) in the clubhouse.
Only trouble I see is you take a vocal player and add him to the mix in LA LA Land.

[Keith]

It'd be great for the Red Sox if they were able to trade Adrian Gonzalez or give him up.

If they can rid themselves of as much negativity as they can, they should do so.

And about the Dodgers, wow, they're going for it. If they don't even win the NL West after doing so much (they're in 2nd place now), they're going to be heart broken.

[Emperor Smeat]

Highly doubt he's actually dealt considering the Dodgers would probably be giving up too much for him. Red Sox would need pitching and/or bullpen help, a power hitting 1B, and some prospects in any deal to fix anything.

The Red Sox still want him especially since they don't know what Ortiz will do this offseason and probably more of a wake up call to him so he's aware of the threshold for causing "problems" in the team. They did it with Manny a bunch of times as a way to tone him down every so often.

[ClockShot]

A-Gon is sitting on a big fat contract. So unless Magic and the Dodgers got some deep pockets and will take the bulk of it and give up very little, I don't think this is going to happen.

Besides, the Dodgers got Cliff Lee off waviers a few weeks ago and they didn't do nothing with that.

[ClockShot]

Well, Sportscenter just had the news, but I'll break it here.

Red Sox and Dodgers are discussing a deal that would send A-Gon, Crawford, Beckett, and Punto to L.A. for the Dodgers' top pitching prospect and other goodies.

I'm gonna eat dinner now, someone else can go in-depth on this.

[Keith]

WHAT?!

Dodgers, Red Sox near blockbuster

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8300112/adrian-gonzalez-carl-crawford-josh-beckett-nearing-boston-red-sox-exit-sources-say

BOSTON -- The Dodgers and Red Sox are closing in on a deal that would send Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to Los Angeles, though a few hurdles remain before it's official, multiple baseball sources said Friday.

Giving up Gonzalez would be a shocking change of direction for the Red Sox, who in December 2010 traded two of their top prospects -- first baseman Anthony Rizzo and pitcher Casey Kelly -- to acquire the first baseman. They then signed him to a seven-year, $154 million extension in April 2011.

But with the Red Sox essentially out of contention for a playoff spot and the Dodgers under new ownership, Los Angeles is aggressively making a strong bid to bolster its chances for this season and the future.

Beckett, a 10-and-5 player, has the right to refuse to go to L.A.

A Red Sox official, speaking on the condition of anonymity Thursday, insisted the Red Sox had no issues with Gonzalez on or off the field, but said the club was exploring all avenues to improve. Ridding itself of Gonzalez's salary might free up resources that would allow it to make significant improvements to a pitching staff that has significantly underperformed.

"I think something is happening, but I'm in a state of disbelief that it is," one baseball source said Friday.

Gonzalez was asked about the Dodgers rumors before Friday's game, where he was in the Red Sox lineup batting fifth.

"Waiver questions? I'm not talking about that," he said.

During his daily pregame news conference, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was asked about the situation.

"I have no thoughts at all," Valentine said. "I saw it scroll on the bottom of my TV."

Valentine said he had a conversation with general manager Ben Cherington earlier in the day, and Gonzalez was not mentioned.

"I talked to Ben this afternoon and there was no mention -- at all," Valentine said. "There wasn't a mention of 'who do you want?' There wasn't any conversation, so I believe it's nothing more than the standard operational of a guy gets claimed, it's a block, it's not a trade and life goes on."

Gonzalez leads the Red Sox in batting average (.300), RBIs (86), on-base percentage (.343) and hits (145) this season.

The Red Sox and Dodgers had broached a trade for Gonzalez at the July 31 trade deadline, but sources with both clubs insisted the talks never got beyond the preliminary stage.

[RoXer]

Why the fuck do we even bother with a trade deadline

[Droford]

The sox make that move and I think they're in 4th/5th for the next couple years

[Keith]

It's better for them in the long run, though. They get rid of all those negative attitudes, they get younger, rebuild.

What I wonder is what Don Mattingly would do having Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett in the same team. He'll go crazy.

[Keith]

According to ESPN's Gordon Edes, the Dodgers are offering James Loney, Ivan De Jesus, Rubby De La Rosa, Jerry Sands and another top prospect.

[Emperor Smeat]

In terms of money, Red Sox basically would get rid of all the bloated waste in money from the Theo era considering Lackey and Dice-K won't be returning either. Dodgers benefit by proving to the weary fanbase they are serious about contending and the Red Sox benefit from the huge sums of cash freed up.

In terms of name power, Dodgers would win but only A-Gon provides instant improvement. Crawford is out for another 9 months, Beckett is unreliable, and Punto is better for depth than everyday player.

In terms of prospects, Red Sox benefit by restocking after all those bad deals or deals that ended up becoming bad in the end.

[Droford]

$266 million in the big 3 pls punto's small $1.5 mil

[ClockShot]

Yeah. Boston will win in the long run in this trade, if it happens.

But this proves that Henry/Epstein spending spree back in 2010 postseason backfired big time. Yankees fans are gonna be laughing hard if this goes down.

[Keith]

Yankees fans should worry about my Rays, who are 2.5 games behind them in the AL East.

No time to laugh.

[Emperor Smeat]

Dodgers payroll for next season baring any spring cleaning by them is around $192 million or almost Yankee level ($200-$200 million) assuming the deal goes through. Also would put them at the closest anyone has ever been to the Yankees once the Yanks hit $200 million years ago and kept that as the average per year.

[ClockShot]

Yankees fans should worry about my Rays, who are 2.5 games behind them in the AL East.

No time to laugh.

I wasn't referring to that. :nono:

[ClockShot]

Don't worry Smelly, Hal's gonna get us down. It's his big thing since he took over.

We're sick of paying lux tax.

[Keith]

I wasn't referring to that. :nono:

I know what you meant.

What I'm saying is they shouldn't even take time to laugh at the Red Sox's misfortune, because they aren't exactly burning up the league right now themselves.

[Keith]

James Loney has been scratched from tonight's line-up, according to the MLB Network.

[Keith]

And Adrian Gonzalez has been scratched from the Red Sox's line up.

[Damian Rey]

Why are the Red Sox trading Gonzo again? Kudos for the Dodgers but the Sox are waiving a big fat white flash.

[ClockShot]

Nobody likes clubhouse cancer. Gotta cut it away before it grows and kills.

[ClockShot]

Update:

Dodgers confirmed to be sending 5 guys. James Loney, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Jerry Sands, and Ivan De Jesus.

Dodgers are waiting for the green light from Crawford and Beckett.

Some are speculating this might not get done tonight.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Why the fuck would the Dodgers want Crawford? Didn't he just get TJS? I've heard it takes even longer than pitchers for some position players to recover from it.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Update:

Dodgers confirmed to be sending 5 guys. James Loney, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Jerry Sands, and Ivan De Jesus.

Dodgers are waiting for the green light from Crawford and Beckett.

Some are speculating this might not get done tonight.

Beckett is the only one who can void the deal due to his trade clause rights. He's teased if he's traded, he only wants to play for Texas but the backlash would be huge if he actually voided the deal. There was some speculations about him trying to purposely be bad so the Rangers wouldn't have to give up anything big for him but the Red Sox are well aware of the possibility which is why every trade to the Rangers falls apart.

Only way Crawford is dropped is if the Dodgers realize they don't want the 9 month or so wait for his recovery.