2013 MLB Discussion

[stringertom]

Spring training is here so I guess it's time to talk a little hardball.

The Yanks get off to a rough start with Granderson's fractured forearm on a HBP in his first at-bat. He's not expected back until mid-May.

A lot of talent has landed in SoCal the past two years...can you say "Freeway Series"? I hope the Giants have some more magic to derail that possibility.

I must add MLB has finally adjusted the dysfunctional imbalance between the two leagues by shifting the Astros to the AL West, making the leagues consist of three 5-team divisions. As a result, there is an interleague game every day of the schedule. Also, every team plays am equal 19 games against their division opponents.

 

[Seth]

Go Rangers! Great thread idea, by the way.

 

[redbirdone]

Go Tigers! Been a fan all my life, even through the misery of the late '90s and early '00s. My Tigers hat is worn and beaten, unlike some of these new band wagon fans...the only thing that could make this year better was if Kirk Gibson was managing the team, not that I'm anti-Leyland, it's just that I remember him as a Tiger growing up and him along with Lou Whitaker are my all time favorite Tigers.

 

[TommieF]

Cubs... Been a fan forever. Hopefully this year we will still be in contention come allstar break. Looks like another rebuild year.
How about the Angels! What a lineup to have to go through for the opposing pitcher.

 

[r2473]

I think Bonds can hit 80 homers this year.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

I think Bonds can hit 80 homers this year.

Maybe even 90.

Hatters have said that Bonds now sports a size 12 7/8 lid.

 

[BIGJ98]

Go Angels!

 

[Angle Queen]

After many years of following the Braves and Os, I'm now team-fan-less. Yankee and R-Sox-hater for sure, and generally, when in doubt, just root for the underdog. Can't quite find it in myself to cheer on the Nationals. Haven't watched a full-length MLB game in a few years...but this week's SI cover, sigh, brought back The Want. 'nothing like the smell of freshly cut grass or the sight of a hand-raked infield. And a pitcher warmin it up in the pen.

 

[Chace]

Go Atlanta!

 

[r2473]

Maybe even 90.

Hatters have said that Bonds now sports a size 12 7/8 lid.

Hatters gonna hat......

 

[Senator Jay Bullworth]

Hatters gonna hat......

And batters gonna bat
those fat cat juiced mad hatters
the crux of the matter
is that HR stats are shattered ...

... while Barry's head gets fatter ...


"And no one's getting fat except Mama Cass ..... (and Barry Bond's head)."

 

[Swerve]

Adam Jones will be the hit 40 home runs this year, Nick Markakis will hit 40 doubles & lead the league in outfield assists, and the Orioles will make the playoffs again!

 

[hollywood9826]

Adam Jones will be the hit 40 home runs this year, Nick Markakis will hit 40 doubles & lead the league in outfield assists, and the Orioles will make the playoffs again!

Markakis will get hurt again. Chris Davis will hit 35-40 HRs but bat 230 and have 200 strikeouts. The pitching wont get it together. They wont win 80% of extra inning games. The ullpen wont be so lights out.

They finish under 500 this. Ill say 75-87

 

[eastbayliz]

Opening day tomorrow! Now I will have to adjust tennis time to baseball time so I can watch as many Giants game as possible. Go Giants!

 

[stringertom]

Opening day tomorrow! Now I will have to adjust tennis time to baseball time so I can watch as many Giants game as possible. Go Giants!

Will be tough to repeat, as the last many years have proved (aren't the Yanks '98-'00 the last to do a run?). The hated LAD have imported much talent. Hope Posey earns all that $$$ he just got paid!

P.S. Astros won the opener last night vs Rangers, 8-2. Welcome to the AL!

 

[hollywood9826]

I think Bonds can hit 80 homers this year.

Maybe even 90.

Hatters have said that Bonds now sports a size 12 7/8 lid.

You laugh and joke about it but they year he hit 73 if he was actually pitched to every AB he may have hit 90. Add in Pac Bell is the tough hitters park. Put 01 Bonds on the Yankees in that lineup at LF instead of Knoblach or at DH instaed of Juctice and he may have well hit 100+ homers.

I the world of juiced up players barry Reigns supreme over all of them.

And it was still fun as heck to watch that guy hit.

 

[stringertom]

Wow! Kershaw throws a CGSO on Opening Day vs rival Giants AND goes deep for the Dodgers' first run! Can't write a script better than that...move over Roy Hobbs!

 

[Nostradamus]

I really find Baseball the most boring sport in the world today. I wish tennis would just replace baseball somehow

 

[EndLy]

Watched Kershaw mow down the Giants (my favorite team) , and hit a clutch HR. We are looking at the first 200 million dollar pitcher now. Very impressive outing. He owns the Giants, probably has an ERA of 1 or lower vs them the last couple of years.

Excited for the season.

Don't think Posey is going to repeat the batting average but could hit .310/25/100 though. Although I believe Sandoval belt and pence will all hit over 15 HRs so that'll pick up the slack

 

[stringertom]

More pitching gems on Day 3...Darvish flirts very heavily (8-2/3 innings) with a perfect game for the Rangers; Bumgarner throws 8 innings of 2-hit ball and adds a RBI for the G-men!

Amazing that Darvish doesn't have a CG and after the last-out single he got yanked so he's still without one.

That's a nice tandem at the top of the Giants' rotation...Cain & Bumgarner. If Lincecum and Zito can revert to their better days, the Giants' starters would approach the strength of the 60's Orioles arms!

 

[eastbayliz]

Will be tough to repeat, as the last many years have proved (aren't the Yanks '98-'00 the last to do a run?). The hated LAD have imported much talent. Hope Posey earns all that $$$ he just got paid!

P.S. Astros won the opener last night vs Rangers, 8-2. Welcome to the AL!

It's a thrill to win the WS...and twice in two years!? But the trouble is that the bar is set high and every other team is looking to take you out the next year. All that I ask of my Giants this is to make the playoffs...which they did not after the 2010 WS. My cautious April attitude.

Buster is a golden boy-literally and figuratively! My guy is Pence though.

 

[eastbayliz]

Watched Kershaw mow down the Giants (my favorite team) , and hit a clutch HR. We are looking at the first 200 million dollar pitcher now. Very impressive outing. He owns the Giants, probably has an ERA of 1 or lower vs them the last couple of years.

Excited for the season.

Don't think Posey is going to repeat the batting average but could hit .310/25/100 though. Although I believe Sandoval belt and pence will all hit over 15 HRs so that'll pick up the slack

Kershaw is something else for sure.

Pence is my guy. He is such an inspiration to me as an athlete. I try to play tennis the way he plays baseball...lol....

Posey is rock solid. And I want to see Pablo hit three home runs again in a game, any game!

 

[hollywood9826]

Props to Darvish on that gem he tossed last night.

14K's and a near perfect game, its a shame he could have fielded that ball up the middle.

 

[The Isomotion31]

It's a thrill to win the WS...and twice in two years!? But the trouble is that the bar is set high and every other team is looking to take you out the next year. All that I ask of my Giants this is to make the playoffs...which they did not after the 2010 WS. My cautious April attitude.

Buster is a golden boy-literally and figuratively! My guy is Pence though.

Pence is awesome.

Madbum was dealing last night. Common Timmy....

 

[beernutz]

I'm just KIDDING.

 

[Feña14]

I try to keep up with it, i've not seen much of the season so far though.

I'm a hockey man first, and as an Islanders fan, to be in with a chance of finally getting back in to the playoffs, well that comes first for now

 

[stringertom]

I try to keep up with it, i've not seen much of the season so far though.

I'm a hockey man first, and as an Islanders fan, to be in with a chance of finally getting back in to the playoffs, well that comes first for now

I didn't know another one still existed! I was in the crowd the day they won their first Cup...OT game 6 vs the hated Flyers (back when you could play a divisional rival in The Finals).

Glad to see they are finally making some headway and have a strong nucleus of younger talent. It's especially cool we could edge out the Rangers for that last playoff spot. Go Isles!

 

[stringertom]

Pitching way ahead of hitting early on...three more shutouts (Wash., Texas again and the Pirates doing the jobs on Miami, Houston and the Cubs). Gonzalez did a Kershaw imitation, pitching 6+ strong innings AND hit a dinger!

 

[SpitFire]

Props to Darvish on that gem he tossed last night.

14K's and a near perfect game, its a shame he could have fielded that ball up the middle.

Yup. He's got nobody to blame but himself on that one.
Luckily it's early in the season.

 

[Feña14]

I didn't know another one still existed! I was in the crowd the day they won their first Cup...OT game 6 vs the hated Flyers (back when you could play a divisional rival in The Finals).

Glad to see they are finally making some headway and have a strong nucleus of younger talent. It's especially cool we could edge out the Rangers for that last playoff spot. Go Isles!

I've seen that game on vhs many times it must of been amazing to be there in person! Hockey isn't popular at all over here in the UK, the only coverage we get is on a poor tv channel and they only show the top teams. I keep up with them through streams online, it's not ideal but it works.

A friend had NHL '94 on the Sega, I always used to beat him on it so he would only play against me if I went with a "bad" team, I always went with the Islanders and it just grew from there

As for the playoffs this year, it's still a big ask! As much as i'd like to beat the Rangers to the 8th spot, i've got a feeling it could be New Jersey we need to stop.

 

[stringertom]

^^^I always say when describing that Cup-winning game, "It was the loudest sound I have ever heard humans make!".

First of all, the game was on a sweltering (90 degrees plus F) Saturday afternoon. Nassau Colosseum is not suitable for that kind of heat. Secondly, the Isles took a 3-1 lead into the third period but quickly squandered that lead on goals in the first two minutes. The last 18 minutes of regulation and the entire OT was end-to-end rushes from both teams. Billy Smith made save after save to keep us in it before Bobby Nystrom, an original Isle, finally beat Pelle Lindbergh on a brilliant pass from John Tonelli. BEDLAM!!!

Easily, the most excitement I've ever experienced at a sporting event!

 

[Feña14]

^^^I always say when describing that Cup-winning game, "It was the loudest sound I have ever heard humans make!".

First of all, the game was on a sweltering (90 degrees plus F) Saturday afternoon. Nassau Colosseum is not suitable for that kind of heat. Secondly, the Isles took a 3-1 lead into the third period but quickly squandered that lead on goals in the first two minutes. The last 18 minutes of regulation and the entire OT was end-to-end rushes from both teams. Billy Smith made save after save to keep us in it before Bobby Nystrom, an original Isle, finally beat Pelle Lindbergh on a brilliant pass from John Tonelli. BEDLAM!!!

Easily, the most excitement I've ever experienced at a sporting event!

That must of been amazing! How old were you at the time? I suppose growing up with all that success must of made the time since be very disappointing, being a fan for 18 years, at least i'm used to going nowhere coming 26th out of 30 for the last two years feels normal for me!

 

[jester911]

Braves are the real deal this year sports fans.

 

[hollywood9826]

I've seen that game on vhs many times it must of been amazing to be there in person! Hockey isn't popular at all over here in the UK, the only coverage we get is on a poor tv channel and they only show the top teams. I keep up with them through streams online, it's not ideal but it works.

A friend had NHL '94 on the Sega, I always used to beat him on it so he would only play against me if I went with a "bad" team, I always went with the Islanders and it just grew from there

As for the playoffs this year, it's still a big ask! As much as i'd like to beat the Rangers to the 8th spot, i've got a feeling it could be New Jersey we need to stop.

I can totally relate. The only reason I started rooting for the KC Chiefs (NFL) was because I would use Christian the Nigerian Nightmare Okoye in Super Tecmo Bowl. Ive liked the team ever since.

And they expect me to start rooting for the Ravens just becuase they move into town and try to strongarm the baseball team. no way.

Braves are the real deal this year sports fans.

Yea they might be. But Washington is deservedly the favorite to win the division.

 

[hollywood9826]

Yup. He's got nobody to blame but himself on that one.
Luckily it's early in the season.

I mean Maddux or Mussina would have caught that combacker easy.

Although I dont either of them had perfect games with 2 outs in the 9th either

 

[stringertom]

I mean Maddux or Mussinawould have caught that combacker easy.

Although I dont either of them had perfect games with 2 outs in the 9th either

Moose was one strike away from perfection...Carl Everett hit a soft liner to left on a 1-2 pitch with two outs in the ninth in a 1-0 Yanks win vs Boston on 9/2/2001. The unlucky losing pitcher in this duel was David Cone, who had also produced a no-hitter earlier in his career for the Yanks.

 

[hollywood9826]

And hit to be Crazy Carl. you know dinosaurs never existed right?

Good memory. I remebered him losing a couple no-nos late but never through they were perfect games.

And come to find out he had another outing where he had 1 out in the 9th and sandy alomar got him.

 

[Feña14]

I can totally relate. The only reason I started rooting for the KC Chiefs (NFL) was because I would use Christian the Nigerian Nightmare Okoye in Super Tecmo Bowl. Ive liked the team ever since.

And they expect me to start rooting for the Ravens just becuase they move into town and try to strongarm the baseball team. no way.

It is strange, the reasons you end up taking to teams

Islanders are my hockey team, Spurs basketball, and Seahawks football. People always think they're a strange bunch, all from different parts of the Country, not exactly the most glamorous, tough to find on tv over here etc..

Most people in the UK seem to follow the Maple Leafs/Penguins, Lakers/Bulls and Packers/Patriots as those are the teams that get shown on tv, oh and the fact they win alot helps too

 

[stringertom]

That must of been amazing! How old were you at the time? I suppose growing up with all that success must of made the time since be very disappointing, being a fan for 18 years, at least i'm used to going nowhere coming 26th out of 30 for the last two years feels normal for me!

I am a contemporary of many of the guys on that team and actually "bent the elbow" at a club or two in nearby Westbury with a few of them during their reign...very salt-of-the-earth, unpretentious company.

Yeah, the last three decades have been a bit hard to swallow but I live in Florida and got caught up in Lightning fever briefly before the season-long lockout. My enthusiasm kinda went away after that debacle and this year's version reinforced my ennui. I still love the sport but the business side of it is beyond ridiculous. Still, there's nothing like a live game and rattling boards, sparking skates and guys rushing to the bench almost blue from oxygen debt...you don't get that from watching on TV!

 

[stringertom]

Braves are the real deal this year sports fans.

Cliff Lee says, "No!". Eight innings of two-hit ball vs. The Bravos.

 

[JGads]

Astros fan (nut) here.

It's going to be a loooong year, but fully on board with the club's long-term rebuilding/moneyball approach. (Should have started sooner)

And that they brought back the beloved Star H logo and navy/orange colors I grew up with. Orange tears of joy.

But yeah, have fun AL West.

(Loving the Nats and Bryce this year in the NL)

 

[hollywood9826]

It is strange, the reasons you end up taking to teams

Islanders are my hockey team, Spurs basketball, and Seahawks football. People always think they're a strange bunch, all from different parts of the Country, not exactly the most glamorous, tough to find on tv over here etc..

Most people in the UK seem to follow the Maple Leafs/Penguins, Lakers/Bulls and Packers/Patriots as those are the teams that get shown on tv, oh and the fact they win alot helps too

I started liking the spurs when I stared playing asketball when I was 10 years old. I played Center right around the David Robinson was tearing it up at Navy. He went to spurs I pulled an 89 hoops rookie card from a pack I bought for 25 cents at ames. Been a Spurs fan ever since, easy to keep rooting for them when duncan came along.

I started liking russia for some reason, even made my grandfather get me a russian infntry hat. So Natually Detroit was my squad with Federov and the lot. but Konstantinov was always my boy.

Dont care much about Hockey now though.

Astros fan (nut) here.

It's going to be a loooong year, but fully on board with the club's long-term rebuilding/moneyball approach. (Should have started sooner)

And that they brought back the beloved Star H logo and navy/orange colors I grew up with. Orange tears of joy.

But yeah, have fun AL West.

(Loving the Nats and Bryce this year in the NL)

They need to call them the colt 45s agin and bring back those sweet jerseys.

 

[volleygirl]

They need to call them the colt 45s agin and bring back those sweet jerseys.

With the left up in hysterics over guns these days, there isnt a chance in hell of them changing back to that name. Heck, kids are getting suspended from school for just talking about playing with water guns while at home they are so ridiculous about taking guns away. Youre right though, they were some great jerseys.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Houston Colts - 45
Smith & Wesson-38

From the Chuck Schumer Bar League:
Dirty Harry's - 44
Peter Luger's - 9


def. cool-looking

 

[stringertom]

Houston Colts-45 Smith & Wesson-38

From the Chuck Schumer Bar League:
Dirty Harry's - 44
Peter Luger's - 9


def. cool-looking

Judging from that box score, none of the hitters were firing blanks!

 

[volleygirl]

Judging from that box score, none of the hitters were firing blanks!

Tom,
Report says only Barney Frank was.

 

[JGads]

They need to call them the colt 45s agin and bring back those sweet jerseys.

Houston Colts - 45
Smith & Wesson-38

From the Chuck Schumer Bar League:
Dirty Harry's - 44
Peter Luger's - 9


def. cool-looking

Oh trust me: that's the ultimate dream. Best jerseys of all time. Big faction of fans wanted that to happen but in this way too PC world (See Bullets becoming the 'Wizards', ugh) it was a pipe dream.

 

[eastbayliz]

Astros fan (nut) here.

It's going to be a loooong year, but fully on board with the club's long-term rebuilding/moneyball approach. (Should have started sooner)

And that they brought back the beloved Star H logo and navy/orange colors I grew up with. Orange tears of joy.

But yeah, have fun AL West.

(Loving the Nats and Bryce this year in the NL)

Hunter Pence! Love that guy and am so glad he made to The Giants from Astro's and then from Philadelphia. I am a Pence fan...nut..lol.

 

[JGads]

Hunter Pence! Love that guy and am so glad he made to The Giants from Astro's and then from Philadelphia. I am a Pence fan...nut..lol.

He was (and really still is) beloved in Houston and rightly so. I'm so happy he found his way to the Giants and became a sort of leader for them there at the end last season. Still a big fan of his -- gangly and runs and throws like a weirdo, but he's somehow just made to play the game of baseball. Love him.

In Astro Land, we had that lovely opening day win on national TV against the Rangers, and now it appears we may not win another game this season.

It'll be a long, long year, indeed...

 

[hollywood9826]

When refering the Texas, OAK, and LAA being a tight divsion race again this year it was either Kruk or Hersheiser last night who said the following.

"The AL West race might come down to who has the best record against the Astros."