It’s Opening Day in Major League Baseball, one day before the Cubs officially begin to toy with our hopes in earnest. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to brace myself for the plunge into denial with a look at the reasons we keep coming back to this team, reasons that really aren’t unique to the Cubs at all.
Contrary to whatever I might say in jest, the Cubs are a Major League Baseball team. It’s true, I checked. And Major League Baseball players play this game at a level most of us can only dream about duplicating. The Cubs, all of them, are fun to watch because they’re good at baseball. On the scale of MLB teams (a scale of Astros to Yankees), they’re not great. On the scale of how well we wish we could play (a scale of Al Yellon to Al Pujols), they’re all much closer to Pujols than to Yellon. It would be even more enjoyable to watch a team that was closer to the Yankees than to the Astros, but it’s still great because it’s still Major League Baseball.
And any baseball can be fun to watch. I’ll watch a minor league game. An independent league game. A Little League game. If there were still sandlots, I’d watch a game of rundown if there was nothing else to do. Baseball, even losing baseball, is fun to watch.
I don’t know exactly why. It’s difficult, I know that. As Tom Hanks replied to Geena Davis in A League of Their Own when she complained that baseball was just too hard, “Of course it’s hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”
It’s also slow. The pauses between pitches are full of anticipation, conversation, and (depending on the game) relaxation. And then the speed changes. Pitches zip around in the 90s, get blasted a few hundred feet, and get snagged out of midair by some of the world’s most gifted athletes. They are quick, powerful, fast, agile, dextrous, and precise. Maybe we get so used to seeing Cubs teams perform at marginal levels of competitiveness, but part of the reason we keep watching is that we know what the players can do on the field is pretty amazing.
But there’s something more than just the game that makes us love it. (And if you thought the advent of Obstructed View would mark the death of my sappy blog posts, I’m sorry to disappoint.) Part of the reason Opening Day means so much is that it sparks so many relationships to life. And it isn’t just our dysfunctional relationship with a team that offers disappointment in return for our affections. (Seriously, loving the Cubs is a sickness. Be proud of it if you will, but seek help.) No, I’d say we like baseball as much for the camaraderie as the competition.
I’ve heard baseball players say it all the time when they retire. The thing they’ll miss the most is the chance to spend so much time with their teammates. They spend a ton of time with guys they like, love, and respect. And the bond of teammates is stronger and deeper than typical co-worker relationships. They’re together more. Their personalities and interests are more similar than what you’d find in most office environments. Say what you want about clubhouse chemistry affecting on-field performance, but there’s no question it means a lot to the experience of playing the sport. Do you think the nature of friendships and people meant nothing to Lou Piniella when it was time to walk away from the clubhouse?
Baseball is a relational sport. That’s true for the players and the coaches. But it’s also true for the fans. I don’t know if anybody watches baseball alone. Maybe you watch by yourself in a room, but if you’re reading this it’s because you on some level enjoy sharing the experience with other people. Baseball has a way of bringing people together, even people who would otherwise rather have nothing to do with one another.
Take Tim, Jeff, David, and me. We’d hate each other’s guts if it weren’t for Cubs baseball. But with baseball we’re like the pre-Yoko Beatles. We’re all love, love, love, all we need is love. And baseball. Even in a lot of families, people connected by blood and DNA still need baseball to bring them together. In a three-hour game, you might spend two minutes yelling at the screen. The rest of the time you talk together. Tweet together. Sit silently together. Meet up in the bathroom together, I don’t know. Whatever the relationship calls for, baseball helps make it better.
So, cheesy as it may be, I’m glad to be following the Cubs with you. I hope we’ll see 90 wins, but I know we’ll have a lot of laughs. I know we’ll see some great baseball played by some gifted athletes, some of them Cubs.
And for whatever reason, we haven’t given up on this team. The more we know, the less we believe. But we keep hanging on because this game is as emotional as it is relational. As rational as the statistics can make this game, nobody follows this game because of the numbers. The numbers help us make sense of a game we love. But that doesn’t mean our love makes sense.
It might be dumb. It’s probably a sickness. But I’m ready for Cubs baseball. And I’m glad I’m not alone.
Awesome. I like that you worked Lou Piniella into this somehow. Always been a Lou fan, even when he was slowing down with the 2009 injury parade and the 2010 band of dysfunction.
I hope we don’t have to use the Cholera tag again (dying laughing)
I think my fantasy team needs another solid starting pitcher.
http://www.whygavs.com/pittsburgh-pirates/march-2011/the-van-slyke-blog-baseball-and-losing-recovery-blog.html
The ESPN guys were talking about Cashman balking at the Rafael Soriano salary and the Yankees overriding him. I really wish the Cubs were a $5B business so they could overpay for relievers without breaking a sweat. Soriano’s salary was just another drop in the bucket.
[quote name=Berselius]I hope we don’t have to use the Cholera tag again (dying laughing)[/quote]This is the first in a 25-part series.
Lineup vs Cubs tomorrow
LF Tabata
2B Walker
CF McCutcheon
1B Overbay
3B Alvarez
C Doumit
RF Jones
SS Cedeno
P Correia
The Cubs farm system hasn’t been as barren as has been portrayed. Half of the NL Central starting shortstops were developed by the Cubs.
I love the new Al scale.
And you’re George.
THIS. As much as I’d love to see the Cubs win and I think any of you who have been around know that, I like baseball whether they win or lose. It’s a great game.
[quote name=AndCounting]This is the first in a 25-part series.[/quote]I was told it would be 35 parts. Gatorade agreed to advertise on parts 26-35 and we were going to get a lot of money. Shit.
[quote name=Berselius]I hope we don’t have to use the Cholera tag again (dying laughing)[/quote]You just guaranteed that it will be. Maybe later today.
I think Ricketts is definitely a scapegoat candidate, whether he fires Hendry or not.
If he keeps up the same high profile he did last year — and there’s no sign he won’t — I think he’s ripe for major scapegoatery.
If he’s smart, he stays away from microphones and cameras (and the bleachers) all season. Then Hendry can take all the blame.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]
If he’s smart, he stays away from microphones and cameras (and the bleachers) all season. [/quote]
Impossible.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]And you’re George.[/quote]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDJ_6A7LaE&t=0m30s
But he doesn’t seem to get that. He seems to be a publicity whore.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]But he doesn’t seem to get that. He seems to be a publicity whore.[/quote]
Correct.
[quote name=AndCounting]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDJ_6A7LaE&t=0m30s[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing) just saw the Over Dinner tag
I really hope Theriot gets a hit here. No TOOTBLANs if you don’t get on base.
Theriot looks a lot better in a Cardinals uniform.
He almost got a hit, AC.
At the risk of confirming my fagetry, I too enjoy watching baseball (and the Cubs) with others, including you guyses. I miss game threads and I miss Rodrigo, Geo, Castro, Kosuke and Z. Bring it on.
The highlights bar in GameDay is working again! Whee.
[quote name=mb21]He almost got a hit, AC.[/quote]Actually a pretty good atbat for the Riot. I miss him already.
I wish I could see the highlights bar on Gameday, but I can’t access the scoreboard.
You think you’re gonna to live your life alone, in darkness and seclusion. Yeah, I know.
I used to watch baseball alone until I started posting stuff on the internet after the 2003 season. I don’t know any Cubs fans. Most of the baseball fans I knew growing up were Cardinals or Royals fans. A few Twins fans, but no Cubs fans. In college I lived with a Yankees fan for a few years and the other roommate I had didn’t watch baseball. The girlfriends that I had over the years didn’t want to watch baseball. My wife only occasionally watches. My Dad was a Pirates fan. Grandpa was a Cardinals fan. I’ve never known any Cubs fans other than people online. Yeah, it’s been a lot more fun watching the Cubs over the last 8 years.
[quote name=mb21]I wish I could see the highlights bar on Gameday, but I can’t access the scoreboard.[/quote]
What happens when you click on this link?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_03_31_milmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=classic
I wonder if it’s just your Firefox being buggy.
[quote name=mb21] I don’t know any Cubs fans. [/quote]
Consider yourself lucky.
I might put Alvin on this kid’s face.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/3/31/2082547/2011-major-league-baseball-predictions#62702971
Do you like ANYTHING?!
(dying laughing)
Why is Yellon such a bitch?
Three innings in, but I think I want Chris Carpenter to no-hit the Padres.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/3/31/2082547/2011-major-league-baseball-predictions#62702971
Do you like ANYTHING?!
(dying laughing)[/quote]I think this year’s Cubs team is just as bad as last year’s. Therefore, I like nothing.
TOOTBLAN watch in effect.
[quote name=Rice Cube]What happens when you click on this link?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_03_31_milmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=classic
I wonder if it’s just your Firefox being buggy.[/quote]I just get a gameday logo and a link for audio. Nothing else.
friend on fb
I just mistook one of the Cards ballboys for Skip Schumaker
[quote name=mb21]I just get a gameday logo and a link for audio. Nothing else.[/quote]
Sorry man. It definitely works on Chrome though as that is what I am using. Also works on Internet Explorer.
Albert Pujols is batting .000 …
What a loser.
I cleared my cache and history and still doesn’t work. Weird.
Works on Safari
There’s something wrong with your Firefox then. I just fired up my Firefox and it works fine. In fact, it’s much cooler than the Chrome version of GameDay. Has the GAB as the background and also colorizes the hot and cold areas in the strike zone.
Got it working. Just went to a bunch of different pages to access to the scoreboard and it finally worked.
Freese made a great play.
Now that the no-no is gone, I want the Cardinals to lose.
Looks like no Padres have hit the ball near Berkman yet. Too bad (dying laughing).
There’s something funny about Berkman and Theriot on the same team.
Berkman looks weird in a Cards uniform.
John Axford’s porn stache has failed him this inning.
[quote name=Rice Cube]John Axford’s porn stache has failed him this inning.[/quote]
The Reds are really good.
Walkoff HR by Hernandez. Ah baseball, how I’ve missed you.
[quote name=Berselius]Walkoff HR by Hernandez. Ah baseball, how I’ve missed you.[/quote]
Axford missed way up. That ball had “kill me” written all over it.
(dying laughing) @ Dusty jumping up and down.
That’s another reason why I like Dusty. He’s a kid.
It’s killing the ESPN announcers’ narrative that Albert is having an 0-for.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]It’s killing the ESPN announcers’ narrative that Albert is having an 0-for.[/quote]
He didn’t get the script.
Made of glass
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6277399
[quote name=Berselius]Made of glass
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6277399/quote
Maybe non-basketball pro athletes shouldn’t be allowed to play basketball anymore.
It’s clear to me that Albert Pujols is done. The Cardinals should trade him for a bag of balls. Best player in the game? He’s 0-3. Best players don’t go 0-3 to start the season.
Come on friars
Wish ESPN had the Brewers/Reds game on today. That would have been fun to watch.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Come on friars[/quote]
There’s a joke in here somewhere…
[quote name=mb21]Wish ESPN had the Brewers/Reds game on today. That would have been fun to watch.[/quote]
(dying laughing), MLBAM thinks I still live in WI, so no Brewers-Reds for me today
TOOTBLAN
TOOTBLAN Holliday
At least you can get the Astros games this year. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]There’s a joke in here somewhere…[/quote]Yes, Ryno.
(dying laughing), Royals. After giving up a HR to the Angels equivalent to Koyie Hill:
Royals are getting beat. Today will be the last day they entered the day at .500. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Royals are getting beat. [/quote]There’s a joke in there somewhere.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), MLBAM thinks I still live in WI, so no Brewers-Reds for me today[/quote]
This would make me so angry. It also makes me more hesitant to buy mlb.tv. I was thinking about b/c I could actually watch the Cubs now that I’m not living in their market. This gives me even more pause b/c I was already having trouble deciding if I want to pay to watch this Cubs team.
[quote name=cdw]This would make me so angry. It also makes me more hesitant to buy mlb.tv. I was thinking about b/c I could actually watch the Cubs now that I’m not living in their market. This gives me even more pause b/c I was already having trouble deciding if I want to pay to watch this Cubs team.[/quote]
Supposedly it’s easy enough to fix – if my info on their site isn’t updated by tomorrow I can call their 800 number and fix it.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]There’s a joke in there somewhere.[/quote]Yeah, Ryno.
[quote name=cdw]This would make me so angry. It also makes me more hesitant to buy mlb.tv. I was thinking about b/c I could actually watch the Cubs now that I’m not living in their market. This gives me even more pause b/c I was already having trouble deciding if I want to pay to watch this Cubs team.[/quote]Do you have a cable carrier that offers MLB Extra Innings?
[quote name=Berselius]Supposedly it’s easy enough to fix – if my info on their site isn’t updated by tomorrow I can call their 800 number and fix it.[/quote]If you have to call them, be sure to say “nice snark” at some point. I’m incorporating that into all conversations from now on. Snark is apparently a serious, serious problem.
(dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]If you have to call them, be sure to say “nice snark” at some point. I’m incorporating that into all conversations from now on. Snark is apparently a serious, serious problem.[/quote]
Those are human beings on the other end of the line.
I forgot the Cardinals had Khalil Greene last year. No wonder they’re so happy with Theriot.
[quote name=Suburban Kid](dying laughing)[/quote]Who is that?
[quote name=Aisle424]I forgot the Cardinals had Khalil Greene last year. No wonder they’re so happy with Theriot.[/quote]I’m hoping they acquire Ronny Cedeno to play SS.
Or 2nd. Whatever.
[quote name=mb21]Or 2nd. Whatever.[/quote]
CF, after they sell rasmus for pennies on the dollar due to a feud with TLR
[quote name=mb21]Who is that?[/quote]Some guy called Hookersandcake
Peasants! Arst thou conversing?
Also, (dying laughing) @ Ryan Theriot’s WAGtastic Cards debut.
Aaaaaand it seems Gameday doesn’t work on Firefox any more? WTFF?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Peasants! Arst thou conversing?[/quote]
No Milord!
/shuffles off
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Aaaaaand it seems Gameday doesn’t work on Firefox any more? WTFF?[/quote]
Works just fine for me, but you probably have to disable ABP for mlb.com
Wow. Checking out the new Gameday in Safari. Fucking sweet.
so we have to do layoffs tomorrow. First time since I’ve been working there. Thats gonna suck
[quote name=dylanj]so we have to do layoffs tomorrow. First time since I’ve been working there. Thats gonna suck[/quote]
I’m sorry man, good luck.
[quote name=dylanj]so we have to do layoffs tomorrow. First time since I’ve been working there. Thats gonna suck[/quote]Awful. My wife got laid off last year along with most of her department. Terrible.
yeah im not looking forward to this at all. The best part of being in a small start up is the working relationships and now this. hopefully it wont last long
I’ve Dave Duncan just teaches pitchers that sinker and makes them throw it ~80% of the time. He’s not a genius, he’s the master of one pitch. Let’s see how his genius works with Theriot at SS and Schumaker at 2B. (dying laughing)
I got RIF’d in ’09, along with a bunch of others. It’s a kick in the gut, and also not much fun for the people who still have jobs in the org because they’re suddenly much less secure. Good luck dude.
[quote name=dylanj]yeah im not looking forward to this at all. The best part of being in a small start up is the working relationships and now this. hopefully it wont last long[/quote]Yeah, that sounds rough. Just don’t be impersonal about it. My wife was laid off after they kept her an hour-and-a-half late, and then they called her into the office and had her read a fucking letter telling her the bad news, and then they made her leave right away with all her shit. When I got downtown, she was standing in the lobby, in tears, with all her shit in a cart. Unprofessional motherfuckers. When I had to lay guys off, I got to the site before them in morning, met them at the gate, told them what was going on, let them work a half day, then I called the office, got their check cut, and had it for them by lunchtime and then I took them out for a beer and gave them the check. People just need to be treated like people, not fungible work units.
the plan is to let the know right away & send them home with the rest of the day paid. Kicker is we have really really great healthcare so I know some of them will be missing that
[quote name=dylanj]the plan is to let the know right away & send them home with the rest of the day paid. Kicker is we have really really great healthcare so I know some of them will be missing that[/quote]Probably the best way. I hated having to do that.
At least Holliday can redeem his TOOTBLANs.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]At least Holliday can redeem his TOOTBLANs.[/quote]
Now how ironic would it be if he had run out of the basepaths on that homer…
Good Lord, Freese just whiffed on three straight FB, and all of them up. That’s bizarre.
[quote name=Berselius]Supposedly it’s easy enough to fix – if my info on their site isn’t updated by tomorrow I can call their 800 number and fix it.[/quote]
Does MLBAM determine your market status by your billing address and the location of your IP address?
[quote name=mb21]Do you have a cable carrier that offers MLB Extra Innings?[/quote]
I think so but my landlord orders/pays the cable so I’m not sure. Plus, if I got with mlb.tv then I can watch games when I’ve got down time in the lab.
YES
[quote name=cdw]Does MLBAM determine your market status by your billing address and the location of your IP address?[/quote]
I have no clue. There are apparently sorts of workarounds for proxies etc to get out of a team’s blackout area. But I’m definitely not in a blackout area here.
Ryan Franklins first blown save on opening day.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Ryan Franklins first blown save on opening day.[/quote]
Thanks for the useless stats, Ari Kaplan.
[quote name=cdw]Does MLBAM determine your market status by your billing address and the location of your IP address?[/quote]I’ve heard both. When you log in, it tells you it’s checking your location to see if you can watch that particular game.
However, when I was visiting WI, I was able to log in to Brewers games.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]I’ve heard both. When you log in, it tells you it’s checking your location to see if you can watch that particular game.
However, when I was visiting WI, I was able to log in to Brewers games.[/quote]
When I was in NM I could catch Brewers games and was blacked out of Rockies/DBags. No idea why mlbam has issues with my ip here
Ryan Franklin ——-> Earth
[quote name=Rice Cube]Thanks for the useless stats, Ari Kaplan.[/quote]THere was something from a beat writer the other day about stacks of stats info sitting on Quade’s desk in Mesa – which he said he was going to read on the plane. I thought of Ari.
(It makes sense in a way that for field managers, stats = match-ups. would think “real” stats are more for GMs — should they choose to use them.)
[quote name=Rice Cube]Thanks for the useless stats, Ari Kaplan.[/quote]Also, I didn’t really mean it that way. I just meant, ha ha, blown save on opening day.
I have no idea if he’s done it before. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Suburban Kid]THere was something from a beat writer the other day about stacks of stats info sitting on Quade’s desk in Mesa – which he said he was going to read on the plane. I thought of Ari.
(It makes sense in a way that for field managers, stats = match-ups. would think “real” stats are more for GMs — should they choose to use them.)[/quote]
So Quade has his own Joe Girardi binder. I can see how it could be useful as well, but I think the aggregate spray charts for a hitter are much more important than the fact that Player X is 0-for-1 lifetime against Pitcher Y in Ballpark Z.
I hate ballpark splits with a passion.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]I hate ballpark splits with a passion.[/quote]
Don’t you like anything?
bonus baseball!
[quote name=Berselius]bonus baseball![/quote]Correct.
I’m watching Maybin’s HR. That dude has a fucked up swing.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]Nice snark.
Brian Tallett look like every Busch-drinking NASCAR fan that is warming a seat in Busch Stadium. I bet he becomes a fan favorite. I also bet he has a t-shirt with holes in it in his locker.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Brian Tallett look like every Busch-drinking NASCAR fan that is warming a seat in Busch Stadium. I bet he becomes a fan favorite. I also bet he has a t-shirt with holes in it in his locker.[/quote]
And 2 cases of Keystone Light
Colby Rasmus’ MLB.com pic is hilariously creepy.
Neshek’s windup is stupid. reminds me of fastpitch softball.
[quote name=Berselius]And 2 cases of Keystone Light[/quote]And magnetic NASCAR schedule. And he doesn’t understand why it won’t stick to his wooden locker.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Neshek’s windup is stupid. reminds me of fastpitch softball.[/quote]Hater.
3rd GIDP for Albert. Where was Yellon on that chart again?
Would they dare boo Pujols?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hater.[/quote]Amusing, but wrong.
I love how ESPN talks up Pujols’s bat company, then he breaks his bat on the way to his 3rd DP of the day
Cubs fans would be booing Pujols by now.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]3rd GIDP for Albert. Where was Yellon on that chart again?[/quote]Chart?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Chart?[/quote]You don’t read every word.
scale, chart, whatever
[quote name=Suburban Kid]scale, chart, whatever[/quote](dying laughing), that’s awesome
Looks like a lot of Cards fans came to Opening Day dressed as an empty seat.
Nomar informs us Maybin’s HR displayed brilliance “behind the plate.” Ummmmmmm…
Not looking good for Maybin there
Heads up baserunning there for Headley.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, the Cards MIF SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS Theriot and Schumaker fall asleep and Theriot makes a shit throw to allow the go-ahead run to score. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Ha that was on Theriot. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Looks like a lot of Cards fans came to Opening Day dressed as an empty seat.[/quote]
Greatest fans in baseball dressed as empty seats.
Man classic Theriot on display there. Someone needs to post the Ramirez throwing up his arms pic.
(dying laughing), I’m glad Theriot was involved in that sloppy Cards play
How long do you think LaRussa will put up with Theriot’s idiocy? I’m thinking it won’t be long.
We’re going to see Duncan’s pitch-to-contact philosophy put to the true test this season. The Cards D sucks.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), I’m glad Theriot was involved in that sloppy Cards play[/quote]
You just have to nitpick everything, don’t you?
[quote name=melissa]How long do you think LaRussa will put up with Theriot’s idiocy? I’m thinking it won’t be long.[/quote]Not like he has a better option.
[quote name=Aisle424]You just have to nitpick everything, don’t you?[/quote]Be. Nice. LSA
Theriot was right, he is finally on the right side of the Cubs/Cards rivalry. The side that will help the Cubs. (dying laughing)
(dying laughing) another hit up the middle. Schumaker and Theriot are quite the combo.
Theriot was playing somewhere around Chilicothe on that play. Ye gods. He was almost on third base.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] Someone needs to post the Ramirez throwing up his arms pic.[/quote]
That play is the highlight of Opening Day. (dying laughing) Classic Theriot.
Theriot’s done one good thing, he’s inspiring me to call my Cards fan Dad tonight. (dying laughing)
Heath Bell’s Shooter Beck imitation really fucking annoys me.
Theriot costs the Cardinals their first game on a Therror (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
What is wrong with this man?!?!?!
Nice! cards lose. Always a good day.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Theriot costs the Cardinals their first game on a Therror (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
The dancing bear has found his way onto mlb net
Albert Pujols is the first player to GiDP 3x on Opening Day. This stat brought to you by Ari Kaplan. Also, NOT AN ACE.
[quote name=GW]The dancing bear has found his way onto mlb net[/quote]Is he wearing the KFC bucket?
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Rickie Weeks is going to hti 40 HR, according to the BBT crew. And Carlos Gomez is “a big man” who can hit for power.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Is he wearing the KFC bucket?[/quote]he’s wearing Chris Rose
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/network/shows/?id=16896046
Yankees have won 11 straight home openers.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yankees have won 11 straight home openers.[/quote]
Correct
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Man classic Theriot on display there. Someone needs to post the Ramirez throwing up his arms pic.[/quote]
Trying to remember, was that a late inning situation in a close (tied or down 1 run) game w/0 out and Theriot went for a DP instead of throwing home to get the runner?
[quote name=cdw]Trying to remember, was that a late inning situation in a close (tied or down 1 run) game w/0 out and Theriot went for a DP instead of throwing home to get the runner?[/quote]
Yeah, that was the one.
Wait, I think it was the other way around. Theriot made a bad throw home instead of ending the game with a DP.
[quote name=cdw]Trying to remember, was that a late inning situation in a close (tied or down 1 run) game w/0 out and Theriot went for a DP instead of throwing home to get the runner?[/quote]Amusing, but wrong.
[quote name=Berselius]Wait, I think it was the other way around. Theriot made a bad throw home instead of ending the game with a DP.[/quote]Correct.
[quote name=Berselius]Wait, I think it was the other way around. Theriot made a bad throw home instead of ending the game with a DP.[/quote]
Correct
I really like the new GameDay setup.
Zito’s car got broadsided last night. It still wasn’t the hardest he’s been hit since 2005.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Zito’s car got broadsided last night. It still wasn’t the hardest he’s been hit since 2005.[/quote]
hao
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Zito’s car got broadsided last night. It still wasn’t the hardest he’s been hit since 2005.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Zito’s car got broadsided last night. It still wasn’t the hardest he’s been hit since 2005.[/quote]
rimshot
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Aaaaaand it seems Gameday doesn’t work on Firefox any more? WTFF?[/quote]I have to go to mlb.com to even get the fucking scoreboard to work.
[quote name=Berselius]Wait, I think it was the other way around. Theriot made a bad throw home instead of ending the game with a DP.[/quote]
Even worse than what I remembered.
And Gameday doesn’t work in Firefox. Oh well.
You guys must have missed a plugin or something on Firefox. Mine works fine. Chrome has also switched over to the new GameDay.
MB, are you running adblock plus? IIRC gameday does not play well with it. Just disable it on mlb.com
Thanks, b. That worked.
[quote name=cdw]Even worse than what I remembered.[/quote]
In fact I feel rusty b/c I’m confusing myself here. The situation where a DP ends the game is straight forward. But I guess the situation I described is more uncertain. B/c, I’m assuming, the DP would involve force outs where the runner going home would need to be tagged. How many runs would you need to be down to go for a DP and let a run score in a close game? Probably two right? b/c if it was 1 run down you could still tie the game on a HR…
Nice, the Dodgers draw stealth bombers for flyovers
[quote name=Berselius]Nice, the Dodgers draw stealth bombers for flyovers[/quote]
Not very stealthy if you can see them.
cdw, from what I remember the rule is that if they’re force outs to end the inning the run doesn’t count. If it’s a tag out, then if the run scores before the tag is made it counts.
That could only be true if Venus is in the twelfth house though, I can’t remember
[quote name=Berselius]cdw, from what I remember the rule is that if they’re force outs to end the inning the run doesn’t count. If it’s a tag out, then if the run scores before the tag is made it counts.[/quote]
I should’ve said the situation I’m thinking about would be with 0 out.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Not very stealthy if you can see them.[/quote]By the time you see them, it’s too late.
[quote name=Berselius]cdw, from what I remember the rule is that if they’re force outs to end the inning the run doesn’t count. If it’s a tag out, then if the run scores before the tag is made it counts.[/quote]Correct.
(dying laughing)
http://sidepoints.com/?post_type=updates&p=948
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]By the time you see them, it’s too late.[/quote]
This is true…they do have nukes.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is true…they do have nukes.[/quote]
Or at least light-speed weaponry
It appears, based on statements given in court by Barry Bonds’ orthopedic surgeon, that one of the key government witnesses has perjured himself. Also, the surgeon was a government witness. (dying laughing) Nowtizky is a fucking idiot.
Bobby Valentine is a horrid TV color man.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Bobby Valentine is horrid [/quote]
Fixed
Anyone willing to learn my hickass on this game situation?
Runners 1st and 3rd, 0 outs down 1 or 2 (take your pick) in the top of the 9th. Runner goes on contact, ball to a replacement level SS. Should he go for the DP or try to get the runner at home?
Given the choice, would have rather taken a chance on Huff last offseason, or Pena this offseason?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Given the choice, would have rather taken a chance on Huff last offseason, or Pena this offseason?[/quote]
Pena
[quote name=cdw]Anyone willing to learn my hickass on this game situation?
Runners 1st and 3rd, 0 outs down 1 or 2 (take your pick) in the top of the 9th. Runner goes on contact, ball to a replacement level SS. Should he go for the DP or try to get the runner at home?[/quote]Depends. If the ball is in the hole, you go home. Otherwise, DP. The play was in front of Theriot, should have gone DP.
[quote name=cdw]Anyone willing to learn my hickass on this game situation?
Runners 1st and 3rd, 0 outs down 1 or 2 (take your pick) in the top of the 9th. Runner goes on contact, ball to a replacement level SS. Should he go for the DP or try to get the runner at home?[/quote]
Depends on how hard the ball was hit. Go for the DP if you think you have a shot at it.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Depends. If the ball is in the hole, you go home. Otherwise, DP. The play was in front of Theriot, should have gone DP.[/quote]
Much obliged.
The Giants are batting Belt in front of Sandoval. How about that…
[quote name=Rice Cube]The Giants are batting Belt in front of Sandoval. How about that…[/quote]Protecting the kid.
[quote name=cdw]Anyone willing to learn my hickass on this game situation?
Runners 1st and 3rd, 0 outs down 1 or 2 (take your pick) in the top of the 9th. Runner goes on contact, ball to a replacement level SS. Should he go for the DP or try to get the runner at home?[/quote]
The play required judgment, which is why Theriot chose wrong. I think everyone in the stadium knew a throw home was going to be worthless. He may not have gotten the double-play, but it stood a better chance than coming home. I seem to remember he threw it flat-footed and it bounced at least twice before getting to the catcher.
(dying laughing), Uribe.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), Uribe.[/quote]
They scored that a single-
error-TOOTBLAN.Oops. Guess no error.
There were something like four fails on this play. Three by the Cards (two by Theriot), and one by Maybin for getting hurt.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13354117
I think I’m already tired of Hershizer
Hey GBTS, if you’re around…
My son is playing the Michael Jackson dancing game for the Wii and the song is the Free Willy song…were you going to make that Silva pic where the fail whale flies over Cashner? Because I’m sure it would be most (dying laughing)-worthy.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I think I’m already tired of Hershizer[/quote]
I’ve liked him so far. It’s Bobby V who is the problem.
Jason Heyward has homered on opening day 100% of the time.
Bet your faget spreadsheets don’t know that.
[quote name=GBTS]Jason Heyward has homered on opening day 100% of the time.
Bet your faget spreadsheets don’t know that.[/quote]
Ari Kaplan’s does.
[quote name=Berselius]Or at least light-speed weaponry[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Wow that took me like a minute to get and now holy shit it’s funny.
new thread up: http://www.obstructedview.net/articles/major-league-baseball/nl-central-questions-a-answers-st-louis-cardinals.html
Captain Stubble draws a walk