MLB 2009 Season Thread
 

Official thread, now that the WBC is over. I'm sure Vito will give us his picks as to who he thinks will win it.

I think this season should be the best season yet.

My predictions for 2009

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Royals
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Yankees

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Phillies

AL MVP: Matt Holliday
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
AL Cy Young: Daisuke Matsuzaka
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Manager of the Year: Don Wakamatsu
NL Manager of the Year: Jerry Manuel
AL Rookie of the Year: Scott Lewis
NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Motte

World Series: Red Sox over Dodgers in 6

The Royals, you are out of your god damn mind son. Tigers all the way

You'll see

I think the Royals could sneak into .500 territory, but I wouldn't go that far. It is a pretty wide open division, though, so I wouldn't be too shocked. They just need Gordon (and Butler, to a lesser extent) to start playing up to his talent level.

i agree with most of this, but i do think that the dodgers will win, them or the Mets

Our pitching is nowhere near good enough right now to win a WS. We'll see

Kansas City has a pretty decent lineup that could win them more than a few games. They have a perfect small ball lineup and if they actually try to use it, they could do a lot of damage. I don't think they have the pitching to go to the playoffs, but you never know.

Angels could do some damage, depending on how much health problems they have with their #1 and #2 starters.

American League:
East: Red Sox
Central: Indians
West: Angels
Wild Card: Rays
M.V.P: Grady Sizemore
CY Young: Jon Lester
Comeback Player: Fausto Carmona
Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters
Manager of the Year: Eric Wedge


National League:
East: Mets
Central: Cubs
West: Dodgers
Wild Card: Phillies
M.V.P: Manny Ramirez
CY Young: Johan Santana
Comeback Player: Troy Tulowitzki
Rookie of the Year: Tommy Hanson
Manager of the Year: Jerry Manuel

World Series: Mets over Red Sox in 6

I've found out that FIVE, the channel that for the past 11 years has broadcasted matches here in the UK, is cutting back due tot he recession and all and won't be showing any of the 2009 season. This annoys the hell out of me. I'm not even a big baseball fan, but I want to be able to watch it, especially as I have a fantasy team this year.

I have officially been hit by the recession, and to tell you, i don't like it one bit.

Why watch baseball on tv like a sucker when the internet can offer you everything you need?

http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?...pline=baseball

What the hell, here's my predictions that are bound to be wrong:

AL
East: Boston
Central: Cleveland
West: LA of Anaheim
Wildcard: New York
Sleepers: Oakland, Kansas City

NL
East: Philly
Central: Chicago
West: Los Angeles
Wildcard: New York
Sleepers: Atlanta, San Francisco (if they can get ANY offense at all)

World Series: Boston over the Cubs.

I actaully prefer their pitching than their hitters. Soria is one of the top closers, Meche is a steady reliable guy, Grienke is going to have a huge year, and Hochevar should develop well this year.

<font color=goldenrod>Daniel Murphy is officially the Mets #2 hitter...REALLY like that move. No offense to Luis making him bat 8th, I feel better about him clearing the pitcher in the 8-hole than Brian Schneider.</font>

I think most people focus on Gordon and Butler struggling and assume that all of KC's success rests on their bats when really, if they didn't play at all, KC would still have a good lineup. They've got Crisp as a quality leadoff man, Dejesus and Aviles who are both .300 hitters, Guillen who always provides some pop, and Jacobs who hit 32 homers playing in Pro Player last year. It's not a household name lineup, but it's also a lineup that doesn't have any glaring weaknesses either.

Don't forget that Mark Teahen is going to try second base for them this year.

well there you go

Surprisingly today, Gary Sheffield got released by the Tigers 1 home run short of 500. I wonder who will pick him up? Blue Jays?

Royals will be at least .500 I swear this time. :shifty:

Who has the better chance of getting above .500 for a season first - KC (5 consecutive losing seasons, 13 out of last 14 seasons)or PIT (16 consecutive losing seasons)?

KC easily

Pittsburgh is a mess.

i wouldnt count PIT out though, after 16 losing seasons they bound to have a good one sooner or later.

Just not this year....

Sheffield getting released, where it was a surprise, was essential to the Tigers. We had not that many roster spots, and Leyland and Dombroski didn't believe Sheff could play the field anymore. The Tigers are going with a more versatile lineup this year, and Sheff did not fit into the mix.

Yeah I'm sure Leyland and Dombrowski, two WHITE MEN btw, thought they could replace that old nigger Sheffield in the field with a younger boy with a stronger back.

LOL Supreme.

Honestly though, would anyone be surprised if he says something about how they didn't cut Todd Jones because Jones is white

Gary Sheffield is a pathetic excuse for a human being, and I'm actually kind of amused that the narcissistic roid-raging headcase got let go one home run shy of 500. I'd be surprised if anyone gives him much of a chance. He's done.

Then again, I'm a Milwaukee fan. I'll always be biased against that shithead after what he pulled to get out of town.

In typical Braves fashion, we managed to get some good years out of Sheffield and let him go at a good time. Unfortunately, that tends to be how the Braves have found and eventually lost all their clean-up hitters.

<font color=goldenrod>I'm usually always in pre-season optimism mode...so with that I do feel the Mets will be playing playoff baseball...hopefully as division winners, but either way I see the WC coming out of the East in both leagues. The Phillies won it by 3 games despite the Mets blowing 20-something saves last year, if they had a remotely relevant bullpen they would have at least walked away with the division. New year though, we'll see.

Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Delgado, Beltran, Church, Schneider, Castillo

Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine, Hernandez

Rodriguez, Putz, Green, Feliciano, Parnell, O'Day, Stokes

Castro, Tatis, Cora, Reed, Anderson

---

Plus Nick Evans for the first four games until they activate Livan...I'd rather see him keep a spot and cut Marlon cause they are really lefty heavy on the bench, but he's young so I get why they want him playing everyday in the minors.

4 days.</font> :love:

There was a time when I kept up with every offseason move that every team made. Now I don't even know a bunch of these guys on the Mets. I just don't care that much anymore :-\

American League:
East: Red Sox
Central: Twins
West: Oakland
Wild Card: Yankees
M.V.P: Justin Morneau
CY Young: Jon Lester
Comeback Player: Erik Bedard
Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire
Surprise of the Year: The A's make the playoffs and the Angels and Rays don't.

National League:
East: Mets
Central: Cubs
West: Dodgers
Wild Card: Giants
M.V.P: Manny Ramirez
CY Young: Johan Santana
Comeback Player: Todd Helton
Manager of the Year: Bruce Bochey
Surprise of the Year: The defending World Series Champs do not make the playoffs as the Giants beat them out for the Wild Card.

1 Bold Prediction: There will be no 100 win or 100 loss teams this year.

Holy shit opening day is in 4 days? I honestly thought Spring Training was just starting

American League
East: Boston
Central: Minnesota
West: Los Angeles
Wildcard: New York
MVP: Josh Hamilton
Cy Young: Jon Lester
Rookie: Koji Uehara

National League
East: Philadelphia
Central: Chicago
West: Los Angeles
Wildcard: New York
MVP: Albert Pujols
Cy Young: Johan Santana
Rookie: Cameron Maybin

World Series: Boston over Philadelphia

IS Maybin Rookie Eligible still?

American League
East: Tampa Bay
Central: Detroit
West: Los Angeles Angels
Wildcard: New York
MVP: Mark Teixeria
Cy Young: Cliff Lee
Rookie: David Price

National League
East: Philadelphia
Central: Chicago
West: Los Angeles
Wildcard: New York
MVP: Albert Pujols
Cy Young: Johan Santana
Rookie: Clayton Kershaw

World Series: Mets Over Angels

Predictions: Tampa proves they are legit, leaving Boston and NY to duke it out for the wild card. Yanks pull it out in the end after they surge with Arod back.

Not much changes in the NL.

This is going to be the year of stud rookie pitchers.

Mets Bullpen takes them through the playoffs and locks down the WS win.

Yeah, I think so. He's been called up twice, but he hasn't gone over the 130 AB mark and I don't think he's been on a 25-man roster for more than 45 days. Both of his call-ups were in September. He's going to be beast...hard to believe he's only like 21 years old.

Dusty wants Sheffield. Oh boy.

I'm going to Wrigley Field!!!

7/27/09

Astros @ Cubs

BLEACHER BUMS 4 LYFE

<font color=goldenrod>The Mets are supposedly very interested in Sheffield...

God I hope not. Sheff would shit all over the "team first" approach that Manuel has taken.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>aaaand according to Francesa it's pretty much done. Sheffield to the Mets for the league minimum.

shit. I have a feeling he will whine and bitch if he isn't the everyday right fielder (since the Mets love Murphy, as do I, and want to keep him in left field batting 2nd everyday)...but that would be a big "fuck you" to Ryan Church and Citi Field has really unique right field dimensions...I really don't want to see Sheff out there.

The only positive would be that Marlon Anderson gets cut and the bench would be more balanced.</font>

I wonder how long before Sheffield is on the bench for a few days and Jerry Manuel is accused of hating black people.

<font color=goldenrod>Early reports show its meant to rain in Cincy on Monday. Hope it doesn't cause I plan on skipping class to watch Opening Day.</font> :shifty:

Huge jack for McCann to start the season off. Guess I'll be the only one watching.

lol 3 homers for a Braves team with no power in their lineup. One as a first ML hit.

World Champion Phillies vs Most Hated Team of All Time Braves. Yeah, that's almost as bad as the Yankees/Braves WS. Also Sheffield, come on

Phillies are the worst team ever in April.

<font color=goldenrod>Fuck it's supposed to snow all day in Cincy. :mad: If it gets canceled I pray they reschedule it for a Tuesday night game, can't watch it during the day.</font> :(

John Smoltz is on the Red Sox what

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S OPENING DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Also Vito right now it's cold but it's not snowing or raining.

Oh wait, it is raining. But I just went outside and it's not that cold. Like right around 50. Definitely not snowing.

Time for K Rod to blow one

<font color=goldenrod>Poor offensive game for the Mets, but in a way I'm glad because it gave the bullpen a chance to be tested early, and they came through. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come, so happy meaningful baseball is back.</font> :love:

What a shitty game. Yeah I know the weather was bad but god that was boring. Like 3 well hit balls all game. Also LOL @ Manuel afraid to leave Johan in to face Encarnacion. Sure Edwin got lucky against him last year but come on.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah that really surprised me...I'm sure he'll say something about the cold weather and nearly 100 pitches having something to do with it, but yeah I probably would have left him in...I kinda think he wanted to stay in but whatever. Thankfully, Green got it done.

Hoping this bullpen can bring me back to 2006, when I didn't really need to pace around my room during the late innings.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>LOL wow watching the Rockies/D-Backs on the free MLB Extra Innings preview, total slugfest. 9-8 D-Backs in the 8th.</font>

Hmmmmm. O's giving the Yankees a run for their money.

Florida is beating the fuck out of Washington right now. 12-5 in the 7th.

How bout this line for Emilio Bonifacio: 4-4, 4 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 SB

watch the fantasy FA wire go nuts

I remember when Corey Patterson had I think 8 rbi on Opening Day and everyone picked him up.

Matsui just fuckin blasted one

Thanks to the Giants being incredibly stupid and scheduling an exhibition on Sunday night, the Brewers/Giants series doesn't start until Tuesday afternoon. Why the hell would you schedule one last exhibition game the same night of the Phillies/Braves opener? And if it's an exhibition game, why the hell do you need an extra day to "rest" for the opener?

The Rockies/D-Backs game was weird as hell

exciting though. Didn't think the Rox would have an offense this year

FUCK

Jays are laying out the Tigers right now. Travis Snider for ROY.

Tigers have so much potential in that lineup, but no pitching.

GRIFFEY HOMERED!!

Pirates: 1 win down, 81 to go.









YEAH RIGHT!

Adam Lind has 6 rbi's already

Jays win 12-5. Gonna be a long year for Detroit. Verlander got pounded.

Raise your hand if you picked up Emilio Bonifacio for your fantasy team today...

:wave:

:wave: CNM

Dodge show

Beckett is pitching a gem right now.

LOL, it still amazes me that Kyle Farnsworth got as much money as he did this winter.

Whoooo, Jays win again!

Shouldn't be scoring hella runs...

I love the MLB Network. So happy we get it here. They're doing a special on home runs. This is awesome.

still the best commercial ever

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hKAJIvQRSzE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hKAJIvQRSzE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

although now it's kinda ironic since Maddux and Glavine will get in the Hall long before McGwire ever will

CINCINNATI -- Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and Henry Aaron have been chosen by Major League Baseball for this year's Beacon Awards, to be presented as part of this year's Civil Rights Game.

The game originated in Memphis, Tenn., in 2007 as an exhibition and will be played during the regular season for the first time on June 20, when the Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago White Sox.

Baseball officials say the awards are intended to honor individuals whose lives are emblematic of the civil rights movement. The honors will be presented at a luncheon before the game.

Previous Beacon Award winners include filmmaker Spike Lee, actress Ruby Dee and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.


Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

<hr>

Cosby? Really? You couldn't think of anyone like say Larry Doby to give this award to?

Also LOL @ Cosby getting this award in Cincinnati where he refused to go because of race issues.

will John Stockton ever win this award?

So pissed about the Tigers right now. It might be time to fire Jim Leyland

lol 2 games into the season

The fuck?

I get where you are coming from Supreme, but the problem is, he brought Brandon Lyon on in the 8th inning, Lyon gave up 3 runs in that half of the inning, and then he proceeds to have him pitch in the 9th as well. You have Fernando Rodney, and Ryan Perry both in the bullpen. It was bullshit

Yeah Phillies

So how exactly am I supposed to watch Yankee games on my computer again? :shifty:

I think I figured it out anyway. Yay Yankees :roll:

ahahaha, Fanrsworth served a 3 run shot up to Thome today. fucking goof

Good god. I hope the rest of the rotation doesn't have stage fright.

meh, the Yankees are notorious slow starters. at least in this decade. they'll com around, hopefully not too late though.

<font color=goldenrod>WOW. Much more action in this game, total opposite of Monday. I've heard K-Rod is notorious for keeping a lot of his saves close...shame he had to throw so many pitches though, might not be available for the afternoon game with Oliver "Jekyll and Hyde" Perez pitching. Gotta give props to Pelfrey for at least being able to settle down and get through 5.

Tomorrow should be interesting...12:30 game a night after a 4 hour game in which the bullpens were used heavily. Might be glad I have to miss that one due to class/work.</font> :shifty:

Dexter Fowler first major league home run :cool:

Nick Adenhart died in a hit and run accident this morning. He was the top pitching prospect for the Angels and started last night.

Heard that this morning on ESPN.. Pretty fucked up..

RIP

what a sad story. jesus christ.

<font color=goldenrod>WOW. That's really sad. :( RIP

I actually am in a ridiculousy deep fantasy league and had him spot start last night, too. Really eerie.</font> :(

Man Vito you weren't kidding about Jekyll and Hyde Perez. Perfect in the first 2 innings with 4 Ks and then he just implodes in the 3rd.

Also JOEY VOTTO :love: :love:

Wow, just saw that about Adenhart. Crazy.