MLB 2016 Season Thread

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

tallpaul wrote: »

I would think that there will be a lot of people in the Yankees organisation happy to see A-Rod finished playing. The end of the €275m ten year contract, the strops, hysterics and the whole doping thing.

It is a shame though as he is only 4 short of 700 HR's and the Babe's total of 714 should have been in reach also.

Even with all he has achieved in the game, I believe the Hall of Fame will elude him, as it will Bonds, Sosa, Clemens and McGwire.

yeah it's not really the end of the contract though the yankees will still have to pay him.

The HOF is really a bit of a joke though when you consider Pete Rose, Bonds, Clemens and McGwire wont be in it.

8-10

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

The HOF is really a bit of a joke though when you consider Pete Rose, Bonds, Clemens and McGwire wont be in it.

Always has been.

Having said that, I'd still go visit it if I had the chance, anyone been? Also I really enjoyed the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where they parodied it.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

8-10 wrote: »

Always has been.

Having said that, I'd still go visit it if I had the chance, anyone been? Also I really enjoyed the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where they parodied it.

I haven't been, it's on the to do list but it's really out of the way from what I can remember when looking it up two years ago.

To be honest though the glaring ommisions kinda put me off going and yet at the same time I understand the PED guys not being in. I don't for the life of me understand Rose not being in there.

McLoughlin

I reckon when you have some of the older writers voters retire and newer writer voters come up you might see a change in attitude and opinions depending if some people are still on the ballot.

Waitsian

Guys please, go to MLB videos and find one called 'The curious case of Ichiro.' It's mind blowing. They show career highlights and then read out quirky facts. But at the end? A spray chart of all 3000 hits. Unreal. The vid is funny too.

zuutroy

I saw that chart somewhere else today. 1 opposite field HR! The 200ft triple down the 1B is something I'd like to see too! Amazing how it's literally impossible to get a hit that lands on the grass passed the second baseman too

Doodah7

How is the HOF a joke by excluding McGwire, Bonds etc?? They cheated by taking performance enhancing drugs!!! To admit the likes of them would do a great disservice to all those who played the game properly in the previous hundred years! What sort of message would it send out? Work away kids on the auld drugs there, you can still end up a Hall of Famer regardless!!

As for Pete Rose, a shoe-in for the Hall except for the minor hiccup of betting on his own games!! Besides he has come across extremely churlish recently regarding Ichiro's hitting feat which lowers him in my book.

Waitsian

zuutroy wrote:

I saw that chart somewhere else today. 1 opposite field HR! The 200ft triple down the 1B is something I'd like to see too! Amazing how it's literally impossible to get a hit that lands on the grass passed the second baseman too

We all remember Vlad Guerrero's hit off the ball bounced in front of the plate but I didn't know Ichiro did it too, in Japan. Great hand eye coordination! And the ninja slide at home plate round Wieters. Wow. I'd forgotten that.

lambayire

tallpaul wrote: »

How is the HOF a joke by excluding McGwire, Bonds etc?? They cheated by taking performance enhancing drugs!!! To admit the likes of them would do a great disservice to all those who played the game properly in the previous hundred years! What sort of message would it send out? Work away kids on the auld drugs there, you can still end up a Hall of Famer regardless!!

As for Pete Rose, a shoe-in for the Hall except for the minor hiccup of betting on his own games!! Besides he has come across extremely churlish recently regarding Ichiro's hitting feat which lowers him in my book.

Minor hiccup? I'd have to disagree on that one.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

tallpaul wrote: »

How is the HOF a joke by excluding McGwire, Bonds etc?? They cheated by taking performance enhancing drugs!!! To admit the likes of them would do a great disservice to all those who played the game properly in the previous hundred years! What sort of message would it send out? Work away kids on the auld drugs there, you can still end up a Hall of Famer regardless!!

As for Pete Rose, a shoe-in for the Hall except for the minor hiccup of betting on his own games!! Besides he has come across extremely churlish recently regarding Ichiro's hitting feat which lowers him in my book.

Churlish or not Rose has the most hits in Baseball ever, what has betting on games got to do with that? Seriously? It's a ridiculous reason for keeping him out of the hall of fame.

And Bonds .. if he isn't in the hall of fame then he shouldn't be in the record books. You cant have your cake and eat it. Either none of his records should stand, expunge him from the history of the game or put him in the hall, where he deserves to be as one of the greatest hitters of all time.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Churlish or not Rose has the most hits in Baseball ever, what has betting on games got to do with that? Seriously? It's a ridiculous reason for keeping him out of the hall of fame.

Rule 5 is the issue here. It's not just about how good a player was. The voters are supposed to take "integrity, sportsmanship and character" into consideration too. So Rose is in big trouble here. Also I think if you're banned, you can't be considered either.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

And Bonds .. if he isn't in the hall of fame then he shouldn't be in the record books. You cant have your cake and eat it. Either none of his records should stand, expunge him from the history of the game or put him in the hall, where he deserves to be as one of the greatest hitters of all time.

The HoF and MLB are two separate organisations so those two aren't related.

The HoF is a just museum remember that supposedly records the greats of baseball. It is kind of weird that it pretends the steroid era didn't exist (or Pete Rose) but it is what it is.

Probably because I didn't grow up loving and identifying with Halls of Fame, I'm not too bothered to be honest. I'd probably get lynched by any American reading this for saying that but we all know who the great players are/were and I think looking at records and achievements (including asterisks) is better than whether a player is in Cooperstown or Canton etc.

jack presley

Tim Tebow as an outfielder. Didn't realise it was April Fool's Day already. This can't be serious

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/report-tim-tebow-is-pursuing-a-career-in-a-professional-baseball-080916

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

The HoF and MLB are two separate organisations so those two aren't related.

The HoF is a just museum remember that supposedly records the greats of baseball. It is kind of weird that it pretends the steroid era didn't exist (or Pete Rose) but it is what it is.

Probably because I didn't grow up loving and identifying with Halls of Fame, I'm not too bothered to be honest. I'd probably get lynched by any American reading this for saying that but we all know who the great players are/were and I think looking at records and achievements (including asterisks) is better than whether a player is in Cooperstown or Canton etc.

The record books indicate that Rose has the most hits and he's not in the hof for betting on games for me its ridiculous but that's just my opinion. Also it makes it easier for the MLB to sweep the entire steroid era under the carpet when in fact there are probably just as many, if not more , players juicing now.

Steroids are rife in all American sports but the NFL and baseball are absolutely full of juicers. Steroid or no steroids I couldn't do what Bonds did and neither could 99% of people. The fact that there were probably people juicing in the 50's, 60's and 70's as well also gets swept aside and maybe even earlier.

Wholesome America wants its athletes squeaky clean the reality is that most are not.

krustydoyle

Prince Fielder just announced he's gonna retire

Edit: He's been officially declared "medically disabled" so he'll get the full amount owed to him.. Around $100 m

Coeus

krustydoyle wrote: »

Prince Fielder just announced he's gonna retire

Edit: He's been officially declared "medically disabled" so he'll get the full amount owed to him.. Around $100 m

Just reading there if he never plays again he will finish with same number of career homers (319) as his father.

Igotadose

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Churlish or not Rose has the most hits in Baseball ever, what has betting on games got to do with that? Seriously? It's a ridiculous reason for keeping him out of the hall of fame.

And Bonds .. if he isn't in the hall of fame then he shouldn't be in the record books. You cant have your cake and eat it. Either none of his records should stand, expunge him from the history of the game or put him in the hall, where he deserves to be as one of the greatest hitters of all time.

They ban players because of betting on games due to the Black Sox scandal. It's a message to the players, really. Shoeless Joe Jackson would be in, otherwise, I think he's the only player to bat .400 in a season that isn't in the HOF and it seems pretty clear he didn't participate in the game fixing with his teammates.

Rose bet on games that he was managing.

His behavior since probably has no impact on anything, its what he did while a player.

Bonds, well, that's another message to the players. Cheat and you won't get in. So be it, every sport has to cope with cheating. A-Rod won't get in with his 700 homers. The greatest hitting catcher in history, Mike Piazza, took several ballots due to 'rumors' of steroid use, though he did just get in.

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

The HoF and MLB are two separate organisations so those two aren't related.

The HoF is a just museum remember that supposedly records the greats of baseball. It is kind of weird that it pretends the steroid era didn't exist (or Pete Rose) but it is what it is.

Probably because I didn't grow up loving and identifying with Halls of Fame, I'm not too bothered to be honest. I'd probably get lynched by any American reading this for saying that but we all know who the great players are/were and I think looking at records and achievements (including asterisks) is better than whether a player is in Cooperstown or Canton etc.

The HOF is a cool place to visit, is about it. Totally agree we know who the great players were/are, I'm envious of the younger fans who now have easily accessible videos and audios of them in action. Imagine youtube full of Clemente's great plays, Bob Gibson's amazing year, Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Willie Mays, ....

8-10

Igotadose wrote: »

The HOF is a cool place to visit, is about it. Totally agree we know who the great players were/are, I'm envious of the younger fans who now have easily accessible videos and audios of them in action. Imagine youtube full of Clemente's great plays, Bob Gibson's amazing year, Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Willie Mays, ....

You've been?

Igotadose

8-10 wrote: »

You've been?

NYC born and raised, lifelong baseball fan. Visited with my brother in 2002 prior to move to west coast and thence to Kerry.

Cute little town. Hall actually was smaller than I expected.

Doodah7

I was being facetious about the minor hiccup on Rose's betting.

Regarding the Hall, most players would admit that being admitted to the HoF is the ultimate accolade in baseball. It is a vindication by others that you are one of the greatest players of all time on the field AND OFF IT TOO.

By refusing to admit those that cheat, bet or otherwise diminish the values of the game, it ensures that those that play and act right are worthy.

So what that Rose had 4800 hits and his other records, what sticks in his craw is that he couldn't get into the Hall. Its the the principle of actually being acknowledged as the best rather than the widely held perception, that has had him repeatedly lobby to try get in.

Charizard

So Tim Tebow....................

Waitsian

Charizard wrote:

So Tim Tebow....................

In the Bigs? Never happen.

Doodah7

Charizard wrote: »

So Tim Tebow....................

Not a chance. Some Minor League team will sign him for the publicity but given he hasn't swung at a ball in more than ten years...

TimRiggins

Joey Bats placed on 15 day DL with sprained left knee. Bluejays outfield gone from Saunders/Pillar/Bautista to Saunders/Upton/Lake. Need a win tonight.

Charizard

tallpaul wrote: »

Not a chance. Some Minor League team will sign him for the publicity but given he hasn't swung at a ball in more than ten years...

Haha I know still fair play to the man, a guy with very limited football ability really making the most of his fame

jack presley

No A-Rod in the line up tonight again.

circular flexing

Charizard wrote: »

Haha I know still fair play to the man, a guy with very limited football ability really making the most of his fame

He did win the Heisman trophy so not sure about the "limited football ability" part.

circular flexing

jack presley wrote: »

No A-Rod in the line up tonight again.

Girardi said his job description does not entail farewell tours

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/girardi-on-sitting-a-rod-my-job-description-does-not-entail-a-farewell-tour/

Ouch.

circular flexing

Something is brewing for Mariners again - they've just won 6 in a row including sweeping the Tigers.

8-10

TimRiggins wrote: »

Joey Bats placed on 15 day DL with sprained left knee. Bluejays outfield gone from Saunders/Pillar/Bautista to Saunders/Upton/Lake. Need a win tonight.

Happ is having a great season

Doodah7

Cubs post their ninth in a row and now have a three game set against the Cardinals. I think a series win would all but bury St. Louis for this year.

krustydoyle

Ahhh i fell asleep after the 6th inning last in the Yankees v Sox game...

Missed the comeback...

jack presley

tallpaul wrote: »

Cubs post their ninth in a row and now have a three game set against the Cardinals. I think a series win would all but bury St. Louis for this year.

I'm on wild card watch so the more the Cubs can beat up on the Cards and the Pirates the better.

TimRiggins

8-10 wrote: »

Happ is having a great season

Sure is. Would be madness to suggest he'd be the first MLB Pitcher in games won in August before the year. Overcame a runner on third and second in the first inning and never looked back.

Charizard

circular flexing wrote: »

He did win the Heisman trophy so not sure about the "limited football ability" part.

Look at winners of this trophy among qb they are suited to the college game where the athleticism dominates. Watch his college tape its a whole lot scrambling

Waitsian

8-10 wrote:

Happ is having a great season

Yep, amazing. Estrada too but he's being hampered by a bad back.

TimRiggins

mod9maple wrote: »

Yep, amazing. Estrada too but he's being hampered by a bad back.

Sanchez is arguably a Cy Young contender too! What did we ever do with Devon Travis? He's been on fire lately.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

No A-Rod in the line up tonight again.

He's in there tonight and still getting his usual Fenway welcome. Apparently he asked to play 3rd but Joe said No! Batting cleanup though...

Waitsian

Collins' rant was fun! After 3 1/2 mins, barely taking a breath, he said "that's all I have to say, I'm done" and stood up and left.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Collins' rant was fun! After 3 1/2 mins, barely taking a breath, he said "that's all I have to say, I'm done" and stood up and left.

He's been close to cracking for a while now but yesterday sent him over the edge. While I agree with what he said about players needing to be accountable, he's not blameless for what's happened this season. I know they've been riddled with injuries all season he's an awful in-game manager and his use of the bullpen can be baffling at times.

jack presley

Coeus wrote: »

He's in there tonight and still getting his usual Fenway welcome. Apparently he asked to play 3rd but Joe said No! Batting cleanup though...

0-4 but he had an rbi groundout.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

0-4 but he had an rbi groundout.

After watching the first at bat I was fairly confident he wasn't going to hit a homer so I wasn't surprised this morning when I checked the box score.

circular flexing

Interesting article about A-Rod's time as a Mariner. I didn't realise how much they hate him in Seattle (still)

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alex-rodriguez-leaves-behind-complicated-legacy-in-seattle-161153513.html

His accomplishments with the club are incredible. Rodriguez was a prodigy. He reached the majors at 18, and made his first All-Star team at 20. Two years later, he became the third player ever to join the 40/40 club. He led the league in batting average, doubles, hits and runs during his tenure in Seattle. He won four Silver Sluggers and made four All-Star teams and finished second and third in MVP voting.

Sounds like he could have been a legend (for the right reasons) if he stayed off the steroids.

Waitsian

circular flexing wrote:

Sounds like he could have been a legend (for the right reasons) if he stayed off the steroids.

It will always baffle me what would drive someone, with so much natural ability, playing a sport he loves and already being paid millions, to cheat? Why do it?

krustydoyle

A-Rod plays DH and bats 3rd in his last game tonight

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

It will always baffle me what would drive someone, with so much natural ability, playing a sport he loves and already being paid millions, to cheat? Why do it?

It is a strange one alright. He obviously wasn't content with potentially being one of the best baseball players ever and wanted to be the best.

I'd love it if one day he comes clean and admits the whole truth about his drug taking. For all we know he could have been on something his whole career. I seriously doubt it was just those 3 years in Texas that he admitted to and the Biogenesis stuff.

jack presley

krustydoyle wrote: »

A-Rod plays DH and bats 3rd in his last game tonight

I would have thought they'd let him play the field in his last game.

circular flexing

Yankees-Rays is free game of the day on MLB TV and looks like they are showing the pregame ceremony.

krustydoyle

And its pouring down in the Bronx