2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Tcan21]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Ya, I grew up on the Braves. It's not just a regional thing, Ted Turner was a master at marketing the team. When I was a kid in the late 80's-90's the Braves were literally the only MLB team on TV in Florida. Even when the team sucked in the 80's they were very popular in Florida. I do think that's part of the reason the Marlins and Rays never caught on around here.

Even some remote parts of the country have a big Braves following since TBS dominated the local MLB broadcasts. Oddld enough I read a story once that Alaska had a big Braves fan base because of this.

Thats how I became a Braves fan, was because of all the games on TBS. You keep watching their games over the years and the team finally grows on you and you find yourself a fan of them. I grew up in San Antonio so I was in between the Astro territory and the Rangers territory and the Braves appealed to me more.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Tcan21

Thats how I became a Braves fan, was because of all the games on TBS. You keep watching their games over the years and the team finally grows on you and you find yourself a fan of them. I grew up in San Antonio so I was in between the Astro territory and the Rangers territory and the Braves appealed to me more.

Really? I thought you were a Rangers fan. Didn't even realize you liked Atlanta. Guess they do have fans everywhere.

[cajmoyper]

For shame Tcan, for shame. Jk.

Coming into this season I was seriously worried about our pitching and how we wouldn't be able to hang with the big staffs. But we lead the AL, along with surprise surprise, the Verlanders, in shutouts. But on the other hand, I'm still not high on our bullpen. Even our former RotY Feliz. He's having a bit of a sophomore slump.

[Tcan21]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Really? I thought you were a Rangers fan. Didn't even realize you liked Atlanta. Guess they do have fans everywhere.

I live in the DFW metroplex, I do go to alot of Rangers game, and Im glad they are doing well. But I will always be National League fan first and foremost. I never had an family that were Rangers or Astros fans growing up, so I got my "influence" from TBS. I think I was in fourth grade in 1990 when I remember seeing Ron Gant, Justice, Blauser, Glavine etc losing a whole lot of games. A year later, that Game 7 up in the Metrodome

[Tcan21]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

For shame Tcan, for shame. Jk.

Coming into this season I was seriously worried about our pitching and how we wouldn't be able to hang with the big staffs. But we lead the AL, along with surprise surprise, the Verlanders, in shutouts. But on the other hand, I'm still not high on our bullpen. Even our former RotY Feliz. He's having a bit of a sophomore slump.

I guess if I had a favorite American League team it would be the Rangers, but I grew up with the National League being the better league and the right way to play baseball

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

A-Rod to have knee surgery on Monday




Link

He could play through it but I really believe that's what is affecting his power (even though he's batting around 300 with a high # of RBI's). He's better off getting it now since we open up the 2nd half with a lot of games on turf (which would really affect his knee).

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Tcan21

I live in the DFW metroplex, I do go to alot of Rangers game, and Im glad they are doing well. But I will always be National League fan first and foremost. I never had an family that were Rangers or Astros fans growing up, so I got my "influence" from TBS. I think I was in fourth grade in 1990 when I remember seeing Ron Gant, Justice, Blauser, Glavine etc losing a whole lot of games. A year later, that Game 7 up in the Metrodome

Those were some good times, even if they did win only one championship. But ya, I was 11 when they lost Games 6 and 7 to Minnesota in 1991. That series still hurts. The days of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Justice, etc. seem like yesterday. I think we might be in the process of something really big with the current team. Though being in the same division as the Phillies is rough. But you never know, San Francisco beat Philly last season. Maybe we can pull it off this year.

[Tcan21]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Those were some good times, even if they did win only one championship. But ya, I was 11 when they lost Games 6 and 7 to Minnesota in 1991. That series still hurts. The days of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Justice, etc. seem like yesterday. I think we might be in the process of something really big with the current team. Though being in the same division as the Phillies is rough. But you never know, San Francisco beat Philly last season. Maybe we can pull it off this year.

The good thing about being in the same division as the Phillies is that in a possible playoff matchup with them would be in the NLCS in a best of 7, rather than a best of 5 first round matchup. The Giants still worry me with their pitching, but last seasons playoff against them could have gone either way, thats how close that series was. Heck, if it wasn't for Brooks Conrad, who knows. Braves need a right handed bat in the worst way.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Tcan21

The good thing about being in the same division as the Phillies is that in a possible playoff matchup with them would be in the NLCS in a best of 7, rather than a best of 5 first round matchup. The Giants still worry me with their pitching, but last seasons playoff against them could have gone either way, thats how close that series was. Heck, if it wasn't for Brooks Conrad, who knows. Braves need a right handed bat in the worst way.

Philly basically has four aces and even a 5th starter who is above average. They're pretty much setup well be it a 5 or 7 games series. And unfortunately this year's team is their best yet with the addition of Cliff Lee. There's no such thing as a shoe-in champion in MLB but I do think this Phillies team could end up being the best team since those 1998-2000 Yankees teams.

[Tcan21]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Philly basically has four aces and even a 5th starter who is above average. They're pretty much setup well be it a 5 or 7 games series. And unfortunately this year's team is their best yet with the addition of Cliff Lee. There's no such thing as a shoe-in champion in MLB but I do think this Phillies team could end up being the best team since those 1998-2000 Yankees teams.

Without taking into consideration for what happened today, their offense is still very inconsistent. Polanco and Victorino are important pieces and if they can't get healthy or stay healthy, the could be in trouble. If an opposing team can scratch out 2-3 runs a game against this staff in the postseason, that may be enough. The Braves offense has looked pretty bad this season, yet they are only 3.5 games back. If they can get hot at the end of Sept going into Oct, I like their chances.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

I still think it's crazy from May 4, 1871 to July 9, 2011 there have only been 28 players to reach 3,000 or more hits. Out of all the tens of thousands of players who have stepped on the field. Makes you realize how hard it is to accumulate so many hits in a career. Also to be the fourth youngest, and fourth quickest to 3,000 as well. Players like these don't come around very often.

It won't be anywhere near the same excitement when A-Rod does it in a Yankee uniform.

The way he achieved this feat today made me realize someday I'll be having a catch with my own son, telling him about Jeter and how I saw him play live.

He'll be like "You saw Jeter play? No way!"

Nicely said...it is a huge achievement for Jeter and I'm sure I'll be telling my kids one day that I saw him in his prime etc. just like my old man told about seeing the Yankee greats...Gehrig, Yogi and DiMaggio..the list goes on. I still can't believe he hit a home run to do it too..what a day.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Nicely said...it is a huge achievement for Jeter and I'm sure I'll be telling my kids one day that I saw him in his prime etc. just like my old man told about seeing the Yankee greats...Gehrig, Yogi and DiMaggio..the list goes on. I still can't believe he hit a home run to do it too..what a day.

Yeah, I know what you mean. My dad used to tell me about Greg Nettles (Yankee 3rd baseman great). He used to tell me that he was the greatest defensive 3rd baseman he ever saw (he wasn't shabby offensively either). I saw him towards the end of his career though. If I ever have kids, I'll be able to tell them about the great Derek Jeter. He basically is there with Ruth, Gerig, DiMaggio, Mantle & Berra.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

I put the value of this ball at about $1 million easily if it went to auction... Only the 24th player ever to achieve his 3000th career hit, a HR , by a Yankee on top of that, BIG BUCKS!!!... With all due respect to the guy who caught the ball, I think he should of at least explored his options out there ... Yankees being the classy organization they are did compensate him, but he could of got tons more by selling it, something I , along with about 95% of the world would of done

Dan Patrick had a guy from Steiner Sports on his show today, and Steiner is selling the memorabilia from the game like the pitching rubber, lineup card, and many other collectibles. He said that on Friday he would have valued the ball at $100,000 but over the weekend demand for Jeter memorabilia was higher than expected and he thought the ball would have gone for $200,000-$250,000 at auction. The market for historic baseballs is nowhere near as extreme it was years ago when the McGwire's 70th home run ball sold for $3 million and Bonds 756th home run ball sold for over $750,000.

Christian Lopez, who gave the ball to Jeter, is a Verizon sales rep and has over $100,000 in student loan debt. The seats and memorabilia the Yankees gave Lopez are worth between about $70,000 and would be taxable, so hopefully the Yankees will cover the taxes and Lopez doesn't get a shock when he's doing his 2011 taxes.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Yeah, I know what you mean. My dad used to tell me about Greg Nettles (Yankee 3rd baseman great). He used to tell me that he was the greatest defensive 3rd baseman he ever saw (he wasn't shabby offensively either). I saw him towards the end of his career though. If I ever have kids, I'll be able to tell them about the great Derek Jeter. He basically is there with Ruth, Gerig, DiMaggio, Mantle & Berra.

Really? I wouldn't. I'd put those 5 guys as the top-tier Yankees all-time and Jeter atop the next tier of Yankee greats with guys like Mariano Rivera and Reggie Jackson. It's no slap in the face to Jeter, but he's just not in the same tier as some of the best players of all-time.

I mean didn't Berra win 8 or 9 rings, World Series MVP 3 times and AL MVP once or twice? I'd also rate him just ahead of Bench as greatest catcher all-time.

[Hatter]

Who's winning the Derby tonight?

While the easy choice is Joey Bats, I'm taking Ortiz. If Ortiz is smart, he'll go first to get maximum rest between rounds one and two.

I noticed Halladay was picked to start the allstar game. Only the fourth pitcher to start for both leagues. He's also on pace for a fourth 20 win season. Over at Baseball reference, his black ink and hall of fame monitor number has exceeded the average hall of famer's number and he's closing to getting to the minumum number for grey ink and hall standards. A few more solid years and he should be a lock.

FOr Black ink you get points for leading the league in certain categories while grey ink is for top ten finishes in certain categories.
Hall standards is based on cumulative stats while monitor measures obverall hall worthiness.

[Louisville Slugger]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

He could play through it but I really believe that's what is affecting his power (even though he's batting around 300 with a high # of RBI's). He's better off getting it now since we open up the 2nd half with a lot of games on turf (which would really affect his knee).

It was a smart decision to have the surgery now. I'd rather have 95% A-Rod then 50% A-Rod in the playoffs even if we fall out of the division race. There's still the Wild Card and we play Tampa and Boston so many times this second half. The bottom line is every player has to step up especially Nunez. One a team gets in the playoffs it's anyone's game.

If someone told me before the season started the Yankees would be 1 game out at the All-Star break with the pitching staff we have now I'd take it in a heartbeat. All things considered, injuries, 1-8 against Boston, there is plenty of baseball yet to be played.

[Glassroots]

Originally Posted by Hatter

Who's winning the Derby tonight?

While the easy choice is Joey Bats, I'm taking Ortiz. If Ortiz is smart, he'll go first to get maximum rest between rounds one and two.

I noticed Halladay was picked to start the allstar game. Only the fourth pitcher to start for both leagues. He's also on pace for a fourth 20 win season. Over at Baseball reference, his black ink and hall of fame monitor number has exceeded the average hall of famer's number and he's closing to getting to the minumum number for grey ink and hall standards. A few more solid years and he should be a lock.

FOr Black ink you get points for leading the league in certain categories while grey ink is for top ten finishes in certain categories.
Hall standards is based on cumulative stats while monitor measures obverall hall worthiness.

I think it's all about who heats up quicker, you have a bad 1st round and you're gone.
I think the Favorites are Bautista, Ortiz, and I even like Adrian Gonzalez (he's got an amazing swing).

I just hope Bautista can deliver and show the world his talents on this grand stage, some people just aren't convinced yet.

[ChadFL]

This is so silly. Even the town prosecutor got in on this nonsense. Someone please save these kids... from their parents.

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/6...baseball-brawl

Charges, injury from youth game brawl

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Police charged three parents -- including the town prosecutor -- with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct after a brawl during a youth baseball tournament put a player in a hospital, a city official said Monday.

The fight involved at least six adults during a game for 12-year-olds, and police were still trying to sort out what triggered the brawl and who was involved, KUSA-TV reported.

The defendants insisted they were trying to protect their children from attack.

"It's really unfortunate for the kids that play," police Lt. Tim Gorman said. "You're taking the whole fun part of it out."

Andrew Lee Carlson, his wife, Shannon Carlson, and Christy Ausmus, a prosecutor contracted by the town of Castle Rock, were charged after the June 26 melee, town spokeswoman Kim Mutchler told The Associated Press.

Shannon Carlson and her son said they were trying to dispute an umpire's call when the fight erupted, according to a police report. Ausmus and her own son also were at the scene in a pavilion near a ballfield.

The boys got into a dispute, and Ausmus claimed Andrew Carlson attacked her son from behind, put him in a chokehold and punched him. Ausmus said the boy, 16, eventually was hospitalized with a concussion.

"I hit (Carlson) as hard as I could, as many times as I could, to get him off my kid," Ausmus said. "He suffers constant headaches still from the concussion."

Carlson insisted he was defending his own 15-year-old son from Ausmus' son.

"This kid is assaulting my son and I pulled him off," Carlson said. "Then this lady just started attacking me. She attacked me and started punching me three or four times in the face. Then she went after my wife, punched her, pushed her over a bench."

"It's a sad day for youth baseball," Carlson said.

Castle Rock is about 30 miles south of Denver.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Glassroots

I think it's all about who heats up quicker, you have a bad 1st round and you're gone.
I think the Favorites are Bautista, Ortiz, and I even like Adrian Gonzalez (he's got an amazing swing).

I just hope Bautista can deliver and show the world his talents on this grand stage, some people just aren't convinced yet.

Convinced yet? He destroyed Griffey's alltime allstar fan vote total with 7,454,753 votes this year. Griffey's record which stood for 16 seasons is a now very distant second at 6,069,688 votes.

[ChadFL]

This morning they played the play by play call of Jeter's home run. Who is the guy who calls Yankee games with Sterling? He's absolutely terrible. Really gruff voice and annoying.