2012 MLB Playoffs Thread: Giants Win World Series (OD is Mar 31, 2013)

[JediKooter]

I wouldn't mind seeing a 'rematch' of the 89 world series, minus the earthquake. That way, we don't get hear Joe "Just Permanently Loose Your Voice Already' Buck, say over and over and over again how the visiting team needs to make an adjustment because of the time change.

Actually, I'd be ok if MLB just declared the contestants of the LCS co-champions so we don't even have to listen to Joe Buck.

[tarcone]

I was hoping for a Cards/Reds series for 3 reasons. First, the Giants starting pitching scares me. Second, that series would have been bloody. Third, it would have been fun eliminating 2 division rivals in back to back seasons.

[lungs]

Third, it would have been fun eliminating 2 division rivals in back to back seasons.

Piss off! :)

[kingfc22]

I'd definitely prefer the Giants to face the Cards.

1. The Giants would have home field advantage
2. The Nats made the Giants their whipping boys this season

[Logan]

LOL. Ian Desmond might have a kangaroo court appearance coming for that "diving catch".

[Logan]

And Werth wins it with a solo bomb. Bring on a deciding game!

[sterlingice]

BALLGAME!

SI

[Buccaneer]

I hate the Yankees. I have always hated the Yankees. Since I was 11 and became a Mets fan i hated the Yankees. During the late 80's early 90's it wasn't so bad because they were terrible. Then they started winning again and a whole new crop of fans came out of the woodwork. Fans who had no idea who Willie Randolph and Greg Nettles were, they were fans because it was hip and they were obnoxious.

They are easy to root against.

My Mom and Dad are not those fans. They have been Yankee fans their whole lives. I remember watching games with them when I was a young boy, asking them about the nuances and basics of the game. They have always stood with them.

My Dad will be 82 this year and I have softened considerably on my stance. I take joy in my Dads ups and downs with the team. When Ibanez hit that homerun the first thing I did was call my Dad. I knew it was late, but knew he would be up. We chatted for 2 minutes then hung up. It was a fun 2 minutes. Sharing the joy with my Dad was a treat, as it was a treat for him watching his team pull one out. He's 82 and in great health, just not sure how many more of those small joys he will have left, and I'm happy for him. Even if it means not hating the Yankees so much.

I continued the tradition of hating the Yankees. Both my mom and dad were Dodgers fans since the late 1940s and esp. in the 1950s and 1970s (plus mom's favorite moment of Kirk Gibson). They always hated when the Yankees beat the Dodgers (and the Yankees in general) and so it's in my blood. Being a childhood Reds fans in the 1970s, I couldn't hate the Dodgers even though they were rivals, but I could and did hate the Yankees. I have friends that loves the Yankees but I still hate the team that they love. And now my sports-rabid son hates the Yankees and roots against them, esp. since he likes the Red Sox. All in fun though.

[Buccaneer]

Wait seriously? Damnit, you can't get a 5$ seat to a minor league park here.

You can't get anything for $5 in California.

[sterlingice]

What more evil? Yankees or Vice Presidential Debate?

SI

[spleen1015]

One of these days I'll learn that investing too much emotion into a sports team is fucking stupid.

I had that talk with myself this morning after I dreamt about Raul Ibanez ruining my life over and over again last night.

[DougW]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/60743_4749468499207_1588307526_n.jpg

[claphamsa]

One of these days I'll learn that investing too much emotion into a sports team is fucking stupid.

this.... i almost fell off the upperdeck today.... stupid Werth

[claphamsa]

LOL. Ian Desmond might have a kangaroo court appearance coming for that "diving catch".

splain?

[MizzouRah]

Werth you wildabeast looking fck. :)

Not looking forward to Gio tomorrow.. but I'll take our chances with Waino on the mound.

[MizzouRah]

How much does A Rod make? :)

[Logan]

How much does A Rod make? :)

About $30,000K

[spleen1015]

If Ibanez does it again, I'll believe Satan is real.

[sterlingice]

I still kindof like Raul even if he won the game for the Yankees last night

[Matthean]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/60743_4749468499207_1588307526_n.jpg

Just make sure the lead is big as possible.

[kingfc22]

I'm not sure the A's can pull this miracle off.

And go O's as Hardy just missed a HR but gets the run in.

[bhlloy]

C'mon Orioles, I can't take another Yankee miracle right now

[CraigSca]

This is way too stressful.

[Crapshoot]

C'mon Orioles, I can't take another Yankee miracle right now

"". I'm not sure I can take another Jim Johnston blown outing, to say nothing of those who are real Orioles fans!(Craig? spleen?)

[stevew]

Teixera and A-Rod aren't paid enough to win the game here.

[Jas_lov]

ARod should be platooned the rest of the playoffs. He shouldn't play tomorrow against a righty. I'd go with Chavez. I'd also sit Granderson and try Gardner even though he hasn't hit since April. Can't do any worse. Joe made the right call PH for ARod last night. He had another chance in the 8th with the go ahead runner on 3rd and ODay predictably struck Arod out. Ibanez only got 1 AB tonight. Bad managing by Girardi.

[spleen1015]

This is way too stressful.

The fact that it is the Yankees makes it 10 times worse for me, too.

I'm exhausted.

I hope they can come out tomorrow and put a few runs on the board early and not have another 1 run game.

They have to have at least 1 power surge game where they hit 3-5 homers, right? :D

[CraigSca]

The fact that it is the Yankees makes it 10 times worse for me, too.

I'm exhausted.

I hope they can come out tomorrow and put a few runs on the board early and not have another 1 run game.

They have to have at least 1 power surge game where they hit 3-5 homers, right? :D

If Adam Jones could just turn off the "I'm going to win the series with this atbat" mode just once, he'd be fine. They all seem to be pressing, but I suppose one could say the same thing of the Yankees.

[kingfc22]

Verlander must translate into "Ownage over Oakland"

[Matthean]

A Verlander complete game is one way to not screw it up.

[Jas_lov]

All the big hitters are struggling. Jones, Weiters, Reynolds for the Os. Cano, ARod, Swisher, Granderson for the Yanks. Whoever wins this series will have to play 5 straight days because Game 1 of the ALCS is on Saturday. That means they'll have to use their 5th starter in Game 2 and if they want to match their ace up with Verlander in Game 3 they would have to pitch him on short rest. Big opportunity missed by the Yankees.

[Honolulu_Blue]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/60743_4749468499207_1588307526_n.jpg

Word.

Great to see Verlander dominant in the post season. Given the Tigers bullpen woes, they'll need all the starting pitching they can get.

[Matthean]

The fact that it is the Yankees makes it 10 times worse for me, too.

I'm exhausted.

I hope they can come out tomorrow and put a few runs on the board early and not have another 1 run game.

They have to have at least 1 power surge game where they hit 3-5 homers, right? :D

Being a Tigers fan, I hope it goes 15 innings. :lol:

[Vince, Pt. II]

Verlander the consensus #1 pitcher in the bigs right now? With Lincecum being completely off all season, seems like the only ones in the conversation now are Verlander, Kershaw and Hernandez.

[Butter]

*sigh*

[spleen1015]

I am bummed for the Reds and their fans.

[Logan]

Granderson is just terrible. He misses pitches by a solid foot. I was really surprised by his RBI count on the year - 106 but he had 43 home runs. That seems like a pretty shitty ratio but I'm not sure what the "average" would be for a big HR producer like that. Maybe his 29 solo shots were more than usual. Not good at digging into these numbers.

[Subby]

This is my new favorite picture:

http://districtsportspage.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121011Nats-0771.jpg

[Butter]

I am bummed for the Reds and their fans.

Thanks, man.

I'm rooting for a Nats-O's World Series now. I think that would be fun.

[spleen1015]

Granderson is just terrible. He misses pitches by a solid foot. I was really surprised by his RBI count on the year - 106 but he had 43 home runs. That seems like a pretty shitty ratio but I'm not sure what the "average" would be for a big HR producer like that. Maybe his 29 solo shots were more than usual. Not good at digging into these numbers.

I won't be surprised when we find out he is juicing some how.

[MizzouRah]

About $30,000K

Oh that's not much then.. go ahead and strikeout. Maybe if he made 300,000K I would be much harder on him.

[MizzouRah]

This is my new favorite picture:

http://districtsportspage.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121011Nats-0771.jpg

Is that a new Jack Links commercial?

[Subby]

Is that a new Jack Links commercial?
Yup - I'm guessing one of the Cards messed with Sasquatch. :D

[MizzouRah]

Yup - I'm guessing one of the Cards messed with Sasquatch. :D

Bravo!

[miked]

I'm not going through the last few pages, but if the Nats make it through, will they activate Strasburg? I just don't understand the magic number of 160 IP and why another 2-4 starts would suddenly be so catastrophic.

[Sun Tzu]

Very happy the Giants found a way to get it done on the road. I've got 4 tickets to the first game of the NLCS in SF, and I may well keep two of them for myself.

I'm also pulling hard for the O's, who, paired with the Giants, are going to give me stomach ulcers before these playoffs are over.

[Logan]

I'm not going through the last few pages, but if the Nats make it through, will they activate Strasburg? I just don't understand the magic number of 160 IP and why another 2-4 starts would suddenly be so catastrophic.

We actually have the answer, straight from Rizzo's mouth, within the last few pages.

[Subby]

I'm not going through the last few pages, but if the Nats make it through, will they activate Strasburg? I just don't understand the magic number of 160 IP and why another 2-4 starts would suddenly be so catastrophic.
I think you forgot to add a trollface at the end of this. :D

[Subby]

Taken in the top of the 9th inning yesterday. Awesome.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/files/2012/10/standingroomline1012c.jpg

[Chief Rum]

This is my new favorite picture:

http://districtsportspage.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121011Nats-0771.jpg

Kendrys Morales no approve.

[Subby]

I love that pic because the angle of his descent makes it look like he is returning to earth after making a few orbits AROUND THE FUCKING SUN.

[miked]

I think you forgot to add a trollface at the end of this. :D

LOL. I heard them talking about it last night (I actually pay little attention to regular season baseball, so I had no idea that shutting him down meant no playoffs). It just seemed inconceivable and I thought I was missing something. Apparently not.

[Jas_lov]

Arod benched today. That's a start. He just cant hit righties and should they advance I dont think it will get any better vs the Tiger righties. Worst contract extension of all time.

[spleen1015]

A Jayson Werth cupcake for Subby.

http://nbchardballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/jayson-werth-cupcake.jpg

[Solecismic]

Arod benched today. That's a start. He just cant hit righties and should they advance I dont think it will get any better vs the Tiger righties. Worst contract extension of all time.

It's surprising how much he has declined in the last couple of years. More a Mantle kind of career than an Aaron.

He might not play out that extension. Some of the great ones have walked away when it was clear they couldn't perform. At any rate, if the Yankees lose this game, the fans are going to be absolutely brutal if he comes back in April.

Even three years ago, I thought he was a lock to be the all-time home-run champion. Now, it looks unlikely.

[stevew]

I think they need to find a number that Miami would accept him at. Even if it's 4-5 million a year.

The good news is that he's probably not going to hit all of those asinine HR bonus payouts. 660 seems like a lock, 714, probably....but 755, 762, and 763 don't seem likely.

Still owed 5 years and 114 million...just amazing.

[stevew]

Basically I'm in favor of anything that gets Arod the fuck off the Yankees, and that opens up the possibility to move Jeter out of SS(3b or LF).

[Subby]

A Jayson Werth cupcake for Subby.

http://nbchardballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/jayson-werth-cupcake.jpg
Hahah that is awesome. THANK YOU!

[Subby]

This cracked me up:

[molson]

I think they need to find a number that Miami would accept him at. Even if it's 4-5 million a year.

The good news is that he's probably not going to hit all of those asinine HR bonus payouts. 660 seems like a lock, 714, probably....but 755, 762, and 763 don't seem likely.

Still owed 5 years and 114 million...just amazing.

Can't they just trade him to the Dodgers?

[Marmel]

Basically I'm in favor of anything that gets Arod the fuck off the Yankees, and that opens up the possibility to move Jeter out of SS(3b or LF).

I am in total agreement here, but in his defense, he is dealing with some injuries, particularly in his hand, which obviously is going to affect his at bats. Still no excuse.

But really, he has not even had the worst week for the Yankees. Granderson? Swisher? Ichiro? Even Cano has sucked. If somebody told me that the 4 Yankee starters would give up 2, 3, 1 and 1 runs and all work deep into the game, I would have said, bring on the Tigers!!! Instead, it is likely that Baltimore will play the Tigers now.....and that is when the O's will regress to the mean in the worst way possible, guaranteed. Then the Tigers will do the same in the WS. Congrats NL! :)

[Logan]

Yep, the offensive woes have overshadowed a very unexpected performance by the pitching staff.

[cougarfreak]

It's surprising how much he has declined in the last couple of years. More a Mantle kind of career than an Aaron.

He might not play out that extension. Some of the great ones have walked away when it was clear they couldn't perform. At any rate, if the Yankees lose this game, the fans are going to be absolutely brutal if he comes back in April.

Even three years ago, I thought he was a lock to be the all-time home-run champion. Now, it looks unlikely.

Amazing........isn't that about the time he "admitted" juicing, and probably for sure is now off of it? Pretty weird how those things work out.

[Jas_lov]

Now let's see if that 1 run holds up. With the way these teams are hitting it just might. Gutsy move by Teix to steal but you've gotta try something to score.

[spleen1015]

I think that ball hit the foul pole. When they show that slow-mo zoomed in view, it looks like the ball hit the pole.

[CraigSca]

The first angle looked foul - second angle looks awfully weird, like it hit the pole. Now our Jeffrey Maier is a foul pole?!

[spleen1015]

The first angle looked foul - second angle looks awfully weird, like it hit the pole. Now our Jeffrey Maier is a foul pole?!

Can't really blame anything other than our hitting for losing this series if that's what happens.

[hoopsguy]

The first angle looked foul - second angle looks awfully weird, like it hit the pole. Now our Jeffrey Maier is a foul pole?!

Or the umps who took all of 2.6 seconds looking at the replay.

[CraigSca]

I wonder how many angles they looked at?

[Big Fo]

I just saw some dude wearing a "Yankees Universe" t-shirt. I know Steinbrenner got all salty about the "Red Sox Nation" phrase but didn't know the Yankees actually started producing such shirts (or maybe it is unofficial, I dunno).

[stevew]

I have one obnoxious "red sox nation vs Yankees world" shirt.

[CraigSca]

So good to see the $195m payroll finally come through. What's not to root for?

[stevew]

Wow..CC got out of that bases loaded jam.

[Sun Tzu]

I think it's time to come to the realization that as long as I'm alive, my Orioles will never beat the Yankees in a playoff series.

[Danny]

Hopefully Washington can win, so I have one team to root for left.

[Young Drachma]

Well lose or not, the O's had a hell of a year. Good on them.

[CraigSca]

Was a wonderful year. Still hurts.

[Young Drachma]

Also I hate the Yankees.

[JPhillips]

Hopefully Washington can win, so the Cards lose.

Fixed.

[spleen1015]

Was a wonderful year. Still hurts.

I really hope it doesn't take 15 years for them to get back to the playoffs.

The fact that it is the mother fucking Yankees makes it hurt worse.

Makes me really, really sad.

[CraigSca]

Yep. I really thought this was the year - not World Series, but at least beat the Yankees. I can only think that each loss will make the inevitable victory better. One thing I've learned over the years, is that nothing lasts forever.

[Marmel]

Chins up Baltimore, even the Red Sox eventually beat the Yankees.

Seriously, hell of a series. Two teams about as even as can be. The difference was CC.

[CraigSca]

Oh, and that payroll, with a bunch of aging "stars", will continue to drag on them...as long as there's no one stupid enough to take any of it on.

[spleen1015]

I kind of had a feeling this was the way it was going to end.

Look at the last month. The O's were tied or a game back for something like 40 days or so. They never could get the lead in the division, just like this series.

[spleen1015]

Oh, and that payroll, with a bunch of aging "stars", will continue to drag on them...as long as there's no one stupid enough to take any of it on.

They'll just buy more players. They can afford to double their payroll today if they wanted to.

[Jas_lov]

Baltimore has a really good thing going. They'll be back. It will be hard in the AL East with the Yankees and Rays but they've got the pitching and young nucleus on offense. They had one of the best bullpens. The only thing I'd be concerned about is duplicating the success in 1 run and extra inning games. That probably won't happen again.

[CraigSca]

And bullpens are up and down year to year...and the fact is, the rotation wasn't really that good, unless the young guns (Matusz, Britton, etc.) finally come to fruition as starters.

I still wonder what might have been had Markakis not been hit by Sabathia. How's that for a kick in the testicles.

[stevew]

They'll just buy more players. They can afford to double their payroll today if they wanted to.

I feel your pain, but CC is the biggest FA they ever bought and Teixera was only really going to sign with 4 teams and arguably isn't even a great player.

Outside of Steinbrenner being retarded about Soriano, they havent set the market on players.

[lungs]

Ahhh, love seeing the Cards getting spanked in an elimination.

[Sun Tzu]

The Nats will have homefield against the Giants, correct? That means Games 1, 2, 6, & 7 in DC...right?

I'd love for the Giants to clinch at least one f'ing series in San Francisco. In 2010, all three series' were clinched on the road, and so far in 2012 they're headed down the same path.

[PilotMan]

Baseball is dumb. Between the Jints and the yanks I might as well watch Greys Anatomy of Fox News.

[PilotMan]

I'm seriously contemplating cheering for the Cards tonight so I can bitch and moan even more if they win.

[JPhillips]

Ahhh, love seeing the Cards getting spanked in an elimination.

The only thing that helps balm the pain of game 5.

[MizzouRah]

Ahhh, love seeing the Cards getting spanked in an elimination.

Haha.. even if they do lose tonight, they made a good run. At least we didn't have to watch the Brewers in the playoffs.

[lungs]

Of course if I've ever learned anything, it's to not count the Cards out until it's over.

[Suicane75]

Is Davey awake? This about 4 batters too long to leave Gio in there at this point.

[bhlloy]

What the fuck is going on? Did the entire Washington bullpen die in a fire before I switched over or something?

[Shkspr]

Steve McCatty's pitching philosophy must rely heavily on lulling batters into a false sense of security with first pitches 8 inches off the plate.

[kingfc22]

Hoping this one goes extras and both teams have to use up a bunch of arms.

[MizzouRah]

6-5 Let's go CARDINALS!

[sterlingice]

Well lose or not, the O's had a hell of a year. Good on them.

Agreed. Wish they had the opportunity to extend it

SI

[Young Drachma]

I guess I'l root for the Nats the rest of the way out. Would be fun to see that city experience a long playoff run.

[kingfc22]

Keep this game going

[PilotMan]

That plate ump has icewater in his veins. Some of those were framed so well and others looked bad but were agonizingly close.

[kingfc22]

YES!

[CleBrownsfan]

wow wow wow

[cuervo72]

That plate ump has icewater in his veins. Some of those were framed so well and others looked bad but were agonizingly close.

Some were close, but agreed -- they all looked like correct calls to me.

[Young Drachma]

Ugh.

[Izulde]

If the Nats lose here, I'll officially not care at all about the rest of the playoffs.

[PilotMan]

omg

[CleBrownsfan]

oh - so sick!

[Young Drachma]

For fucks sake.

[cuervo72]

Stunning.

[PilotMan]

If the Nats lose here, I'll officially not care at all about the rest of the playoffs.
I think I may already be there.

[Crapshoot]

Holy shit the cards never lose eh? Wow.

[EagleFan]

Go Cards!

This has been an entertaining wild card round. Sucks that the O's lost though.

[kingfc22]

Wow. Home field advantage in the NLCS is 3 outs away. Woohoo

[PilotMan]

I guess I'l root for the Nats the rest of the way out. Would be fun to see that city experience a long playoff run.

I'll blame this on you.

[Crapshoot]

How does Davy not have anyone warming up this whole time?

[Crapshoot]

Wow. Home field advantage in the NLCS is 3 outs away. Woohoo

Dude, Cardinals are a Zombie fucking team. they do not die!! Frankly they terrify the hell out of me.

[EagleFan]

Ultimately I guess I would want to see Giants/Tigers in the WS of the remaining teams.

[hoopsguy]

Dude, Cardinals are a Zombie fucking team. they do not die!! Frankly they terrify the hell out of me.

Pretty please let the Giants beat the hell out of this Cardinals team.

[cuervo72]

Rooting for SF/DET...I guess?

[Scoobz0202]

Go...Tigers I guess?

[sterlingice]

Rooting for SF/DET...I guess?

Ayup

SI

[kingfc22]

Definitely rooting for the Nats to bow out quickly so they are forever questioned on the Strasburg decision.

3 more outs and we get to see how many questions into the post game interviews this topic is brought up.

[stevew]

merry Strasmas!

[sterlingice]

From a poster on RR:
"Jesus Christ, how many times have the Cardinals sold their souls?
Im so sick of this golden horseshoe bullshit that the Cardinals have firmly planted in their ass."

SI

[kingfc22]

Dude, Cardinals are a Zombie fucking team. they do not die!! Frankly they terrify the hell out of me.

Yea, but the Nats treated the Giants like they like they were the fat kid in kindergarten.

[sterlingice]

3 more outs and we get to see how many questions into the post game interviews this topic is brought up.

I also really wanted to see the edge taken off of this smugness about Strasburg that seemed to be so popular

SI

[Young Drachma]

I'll blame this on you.

Yeah, totally my fault.

[cuervo72]

3 more outs and we get to see how many questions into the post game interviews this topic is brought up.

You know, I wonder how Boras is feeling right now. Probably loving it - "The Nats can't do it without my client! All the more they'll have to pay!"

<evil laughter>

[EagleFan]

I LOVE IT!!!!!

To borrow a slogan from one of the Washington radio stations...

F U!!!!!

[tarcone]

REDBIRDS REBORN!!!!!!!!

Wow. What a great game. Never say die in Cardinal nation.

12 in 12 still alive!

[Young Drachma]

What a choke job.

[sterlingice]

Well, I had pretty much all of my fun sucked out of the playoffs now.

Go Tigers, I guess...

SI

[tarcone]

You know, I wonder how Boras is feeling right now. Probably loving it - "The Nats can't do it without my client! All the more they'll have to pay!"

<evil laughter>

Boras is Kyle Lohse's agent also. Lohse is a free agent. Cha-ching.

[PilotMan]

ugh, this is going to be unbearable. The jints and the cards and the yankees. I couldn't really cheer for the Nats, but I have to feel terrible after the year they had and the fans especially. Ditto for the O's.

[tarcone]

Descalso is The Man!

[Fonzie]

Oh my god. I cannot believe what I just saw.

Amazing.

[kingfc22]

The curse of the Strasburg clock has begun.

Will it tie the billy goat and the bambino? Time will tell.

[MizzouRah]

I will never bitch about Descalso again!

HOLY CRIPES MAN!!! This team is unreal!!!!!!!!

I might cry at any moment!

[panerd]

Down 6-0 all the way back, bring on the Crimson Tide! OK maybe that's asking a bit much. :-)

[Fonzie]

When my 9 year-old went to bed he said the Cards (down 6-0 at the time) needed a miracle. I didn't disagree. I can't wait to see his face in the morning when he realizes he got his miracle!

Incredibly tough for the Nats, though. I really liked them, and if they were playing anybody other than the Cards I'd have been pulling for them.

[cuervo72]

I will never bitch about Descalso again!

HOLY CRIPES MAN!!! This team is unreal!!!!!!!!

I might cry at any moment!

You just won it last year. Settle down, dude.

[tarcone]

When my 9 year-old went to bed he said the Cards (down 6-0 at the time) needed a miracle. I didn't disagree. I can't wait to see his face in the morning when he realizes he got his miracle!

Incredibly tough for the Nats, though. I really liked them, and if they were playing anybody other than the Cards I'd have been pulling for them.

Your 9 year is going to be a die hard Cardinal fan. What an era he has grown up in. Pujols, multiple world series champs. What a lucky kid.

[Subby]

I LOVE BEING A FAN OF TEAMS IN WASHINGTON!!!!!!

[stevew]

Some of you people need a natitude adjustment.

[Subby]

The contrast between the high of last night's Werth walk off and tonight's massive choke off is absolutely staggering.

[MrBug708]

Go AL!

[MizzouRah]

You just won it last year. Settle down, dude.

Ok, I didn't cry... but last year was.. last year.

[Young Drachma]

Some inevitable railing against the 2nd wild card on Twitter post-game. It is what it is.

[bhlloy]

That felt inevitable after the ridiculous sixth inning that Johnson didn't even start to warm up anyone in the bullpen until Gonzalez was most of the way through the lineup and couldn't buy a strike. Manage that inning properly, I don't know if the Cards can come all the way back. After that, it just felt like a matter of time and they kept clawing away at a team you could tell was on edge and thought they might blow it.

[Fonzie]

Davey Johnson's decisions in this one will be picked apart for a long, long time. Three I can see right away:

1) Bringing Edwin Jackson in for the 7th. This is a guy who historically has rough first innings, and he's putting a starter into an unfamiliar relieving role when he has actual relievers available;

2) Trotting Drew Storen out for a third straight day. This is the same Drew Storen who just came back from elbow surgery, making such heavy use seem risky to begin with. And keeping him out there after the Cards knocked him around and tied the game? Yikes;

3) The decision that I think might get the most attention was pitching to Kozma with first base open and Motte on deck. The Cards bench was all but depleted (I think they had Cruz left?), so a walk there would've gotten Motte out of the game and forced the Cards to use their last position player as a PH. I think there's a good chance that, if Johnson relieved Storen and walked Kozma, they get out of the inning with a 7-7 tie. That would've put them in a pretty good spot for the 9th and extra innings.

While perhaps not as immediately obvious, I think Davey came close to matching Dusty's managerial misfires from yesterday.

[Fonzie]

Your 9 year is going to be a die hard Cardinal fan. What an era he has grown up in. Pujols, multiple world series champs. What a lucky kid.

He really is getting to experience a golden age of Cardinals baseball. It'll be a while before he fully realizes it, but you're absolutely right: he's incredibly fortunate. And I thought I had it good as a kid with 1982, 1985, and 1987!

[miami_fan]

That plate ump has icewater in his veins. Some of those were framed so well and others looked bad but were agonizingly close.

This right here! I will say that I only saw the last inning. So for all I know he could have been crap the rest of the game. That being said, that was the best piece of late game officiating I have seen in any sport in a long time. I was so impressed , I even went to find his name. Alfonso Marquez was amazing. It was even better with each call being instantly validated by the K-zone on the screen. None of this BS of the hitter has to swing the bat at a ball if its that close or the pitcher has to get that pitch 2 inches off the plate. Marquez called the game according to the rulebook and in doing so actually let the players decide the game. Great job Alfonso Marquez.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, I didn't understand the decision to leave Storen out there to drown either.

[sterlingice]

This right here! I will say that I only saw the last inning. So for all I know he could have been crap the rest of the game. That being said, that was the best piece of late game officiating I have seen in any sport in a long time. I was so impressed , I even went to find his name. Alfonso Marquez was amazing. It was even better with each call being instantly validated by the K-zone on the screen. None of this BS of the hitter has to swing the bat at a ball if its that close or the pitcher has to get that pitch 2 inches off the plate. Marquez called the game according to the rulebook and in doing so actually let the players decide the game. Great job Alfonso Marquez.


That's true, now that you mentioned it. There were some beautifully framed pitches that were trying to steal a couple of inches outside and he didn't have anything to do with it.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/comboplot.php?img1=..%2FpfxVB%2Fcache%2Ffastmap.php-pitchSel%3Dall%26game%3Dgid_2012_10_12_slnmlb_wasmlb_1%26sp_type%3D2%26s_type%3D7.gif&img2=..%2FpfxVB%2Fcache%2Ffastmap.php-pitchSel%3Dall%26game%3Dgid_2012_10_12_slnmlb_wasmlb_1%26sp_type%3D3%26s_type%3D7.gif

Not quite perfect, looking at the plot. Looks like he gave a little high and tight to lefties but not low and tight. With the righties, he gave low and outside but not high and outside. And he had those two curious balls against Washington lower middle but that's about it. Looks consistent except for those two pitches and expanding his zone the couple of spots I mention (but for both teams).

SI

[tucker rocky]

Only fitting that the past 2 WS champions face each other in the NLCS.

[Logan]

Feel bad for Nats fans, that was horrendous.

Congrats to the Cards on a well-earned win.

[JPhillips]

Fuck baseball.

[rowech]

Fuck baseball.

AMEN.

[RedKingGold]

I'm glad the Nats didn't win, but to lose in that fashion just sucks.

[Thomkal]

Woohoo Cards! That'll teach me to go to bed thinking the game was over-I should never think that with these crazy Cards I guess.

Sorry Nats fans, would have been rooting for you if you were up against anybody but my Cards.

[panerd]

Never thought I would say this (and I know SI is going to eat this up). But I am starting to see how KU fans must feel all the time in basketball. All these teams that claim to be the cards rivals as everyone hating on them just because they win. I would have been happy to cheer for the reds or the brewers last year. Even the cubbies.

We don't have some fat payroll, in fact they let Pujols walk. The other reason was always Larussa hating well it's Matheny now. Just a fun group of guys who find a way to win. You gotta admit the games are fun.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Goooo Tigers!

Well, I had pretty much all of my fun sucked out of the playoffs now.

Go Tigers!!

SI

Fixed.

Welcome aboard! Let's put a little spirit into it, fellas!

[Buccaneer]

Two fun, good, historical teams representing the NL. As typically the case (sans BoSox), I simply want the NL to beat the AL.

[spleen1015]

Gotta root for the Tigers now since the other 3 teams are the last 3 WS winners.

Anyone but the Yankees and I'll be happy.

[lungs]

Never thought I would say this (and I know SI is going to eat this up). But I am starting to see how KU fans must feel all the time in basketball. All these teams that claim to be the cards rivals as everyone hating on them just because they win. I would have been happy to cheer for the reds or the brewers last year. Even the cubbies.

We don't have some fat payroll, in fact they let Pujols walk. The other reason was always Larussa hating well it's Matheny now. Just a fun group of guys who find a way to win. You gotta admit the games are fun.

I'll admit that with LaRussa out of the dugout it's a lot harder to hate on the Cardinals. So yeah, a lot of it is residual from Tony LaRussa era. Of course it's a lot of envy hatred too. The Cardinals pull things out of their ass like no other team when their backs are against the wall.

Of course I still think Chris Carpenter and Yadier Molina are douche bags.

edit: Looks like Detroit is my team now. I still like Prince Fielder. edit 2: AND Jim Leyland

[sterlingice]

Fixed.

Welcome aboard! Let's put a little spirit into it, fellas!

We had a chance with some nice underdogs this year and they're all gone at this point. It's kindof disappointing.

Also, there's the 19 games I'll be rooting against you again next season. So it's going to be half-hearted at best.

Tho, I have some cousins in Detroit who I'd like to see the Tigers win for. That said, I didn't make it to the stadium there because we were rained out and that kindof bummed us out. Tho there were a bunch of people in baseball jerseys at DIA that day.

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not a Cardinal fan but I'm glad they played a karmic role in producing the rightful outcome for Operation Shutdown. Nats organization got what it deserved afaic.

Probably leaning toward rooting for a Tigers win at this point but even that it pretty weak. Definitely hoping for Det over NY and StL over SF though (the Bonds effect with the Giants remains pretty strong with me)

[Buccaneer]

I never understood the hatred for LaRussa. I guess I was too much influenced (positively) by George Will's book, as well as Three Nights in August (both fantastic baseball book). The LaRussa/Duncan thing was a brilliant matchup that produced winners.

I also can understand the rivalry/envy thing but St. Louis has always been known as a good baseball city (going way back), with a great history. Same thing with the Giants, esp. since they beat out the Dodgers and they do not have Bonds anymore. Two historic teams in the NL that have produced winners. There are other teams I would say the same thing for (e.g., Reds, Braves and Dodgers (to some extent). Pirates and Cubs are losers but that could change sometime.

[stevew]

Not a Cardinal fan but I'm glad they played a karmic role in producing the rightful outcome for Operation Shutdown. Nats organization got what it deserved afaic.

Probably leaning toward rooting for a Tigers win at this point but even that it pretty weak. Definitely hoping for Det over NY and StL over SF though (the Bonds effect with the Giants remains pretty strong with me)

But clearly when they've made the postseason one time in the previous 43 years as a franchise(that which was a strike shortened 1/2 year), it's wise to limit the innings of one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Clearly you're going to get a bunch of other chances to make the playoffs. How dare you challenge what the almighty Nats brass thinks in all of their wisdom.

Also, I'm sure there were some awesome father/son bonding moments when each can remember the time that they both bought their first piece of Nats memorabilia together on the way to the stadium.

[stevew]

I never understood the hatred for LaRussa. I guess I was too much influenced (positively) by George Will's book, as well as Three Nights in August (both fantastic baseball book). The LaRussa/Duncan thing was a brilliant matchup that produced winners.

I also can understand the rivalry/envy thing but St. Louis has always been known as a good baseball city (going way back), with a great history. Same thing with the Giants, esp. since they beat out the Dodgers and they do not have Bonds anymore. Two historic teams in the NL that have produced winners. There are other teams I would say the same thing for (e.g., Reds, Braves and Dodgers (to some extent). Pirates and Cubs are losers but that could change sometime.

Perhaps cause Larussa can be traced to be the Gaëtan Dugas of PED's in baseball?

[Buccaneer]

With the A's? Forgot about that part.

[sterlingice]

Perhaps cause Larussa can be traced to be the Gaëtan Dugas of PED's in baseball?

Wow. Did you just go all Patient Zero on us?

SI

[bhlloy]

But clearly when they've made the postseason one time in the previous 43 years as a franchise(that which was a strike shortened 1/2 year), it's wise to limit the innings of one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Clearly you're going to get a bunch of other chances to make the playoffs. How dare you challenge what the almighty Nats brass thinks in all of their wisdom.


I think Washington is a horribly managed, very talented team. I hope they get back here otherwise that decision to sit Strasburg is going to hang over the franchise like nothing else.

[MizzouRah]

Definitely pulling for Detroit tonight!

[tarcone]

I would like to see a St Louis/Detroit WS. The Tigers were my favorite team as a boy. I remember betting my brother $10 That the Tigers would win the WS in 1984 the minute after we watched toss his No hitter.
When i hit the mid 90s, other things in life took over and i didnt follow sports much in general. I, also moved to St Louis. I always enjoyed watching the Cardinals and proximity made them my favorite team when my life settled down.

Go Cardinals!

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Fuck you, MLB & TBS. Why does the ALCS have to be on cable?

[Sun Tzu]

The Yankees just suck all fun out of baseball for me. Despite my Giants being in the NLCS this year, I have absolutely zero interest in the ALCS. I could care less who wins.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Beating the Yank-me's is fun though.

[Sun Tzu]

Yeah...I guess it would be fun to watch the Giants beat the Yankees in the WS, but until that match-up actually occurs, I'm just uninterested.

[DougW]

Fister just pulled in the 1st inning .. after hitting his pitch count.

[spleen1015]

Jeter is the first player in MLB history with 200 hits in the post season.

Fucking Yankees.

[Matthean]

I'm beginning to understand why Jim Leyland smokes.@YankeesWFAN

And for the love.

[Marmel]

RAUL!!!!!

[Jas_lov]

That should probably be it for Jose Valverde as closer. Raul did it again.

[spleen1015]

If Ibanez gets up again in this game, I walk him. I don't care if I am up by 6 runs. He'll find a way to hit a 6-run homer.

[cmp]

Leyland and Valverde are both an absolute joke. I never want to see Valverde pitch for the Tigers again.

[Crapshoot]

Jim Leyland fell asleep, or what?

[DougW]

That should probably be it for Jose Valverde as closer. Raul did it again.

Leyland and Valverde are both an absolute joke. I never want to see Valverde pitch for the Tigers again.

....

[cmp]

Valverde, last 4 postseason games: 3.2 IP, 11 R, 10 H, 3 HR.

[kingfc22]

Valverde, last 4 postseason games: 3.2 IP, 11 R, 10 H, 3 HR.

Maybe he should start concentrating on getting outs rather than having that ridiculously stupid windup.

[kingfc22]

The Dodgers stole the Yanks payroll tactics and the Yanks stole the Dodgers let's leave early fans.

Pathetic that the stadium is half empty in the ALCS

[spleen1015]

Ibanez. What a disappointment.

[DougW]

Just seen this land on facebook ..

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581024_512294402115355_1094051372_n.jpg

[kingfc22]

What an odd play. Oh and somebody wake up EJ. He sounds asleep calling this game.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Delmon Young!

[kingfc22]

Looked like his left knee/leg was flopping around as he fell...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Wow.

Can't see how Valverde pitches in a closing type situation again this postseason.

Great show of resilience by the Tigers to come back after blowing it.

A win's a win.

[spleen1015]

Blame Raul Ibanez for Jeter going down. If he didn't tie the game, Jeter never gets hurt and the Yankees lose by 2 anyway.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Whew!

Didn't see the Jeter injury... was watching MLB's Gamecast.

Pretty bad?

[spleen1015]

It looked really bad. They carried him off the field.

[hoopsguy]

Fractured ankle, out 3 months.

[kingfc22]

Jeter is done. Fractured ankle.

Per Girardi

[GoldenEagle]

Why is "baseball, you're dead to me" in the title?

[Izulde]

Because the four most boring possible teams are left?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Because the four most boring possible teams are left?

Tigers? Boring?

Psh.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Tigers? Boring?

Psh.

Agreed. They are a team that is just as likely to hit into a double play as they are to blow one.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

...and that really sucks about Jeter. Even hating the Yankees, you can't help but like Jeter.

[tarcone]

Cardinals boring? The team that has won series after series, coming from behind and being down to their last strike, yet winning? Thats boring? You must not be much of a baseball fan.

[molson]

From what I'm gathering what makes a team "boring" is if they've won in the playoffs. People want different teams to be good evey year. Maybe so we can have the excitement of the NHL where there's little rhyme or reason as to why teams win.

[panerd]

Cardinals boring? The team that has won series after series, coming from behind and being down to their last strike, yet winning? Thats boring? You must not be much of a baseball fan.

It's SI. He's a royals fan. Do I need to say more? :)

[Sun Tzu]

Yeah, I don't get the whole "boring" thing either. Just because there aren't any Cinderella teams left, doesn't mean the games are boring. I think the NLCS in particular is exciting, not only for personal reasons, but also because it pits the last two World Series Champs against each other.

[MizzouRah]

It's SI. He's a royals fan. Do I need to say more? :)

Watching KC is boring. :D

[sterlingice]

Harsh- I was going to change it up after one day but maybe I need to leave it ;)

SI

[hoopsguy]

I suspect there are plenty of people who, like me, nodded their head in approval to the thread title.

[jbergey22]

From what I'm gathering what makes a team "boring" is if they've won in the playoffs. People want different teams to be good evey year. Maybe so we can have the excitement of the NHL where there's little rhyme or reason as to why teams win.

Some people think good baseball is boring. If you have good pitching and a good bullpen the games are going to be low scoring. Personally I love watching the 4 teams that are left because they are all very good teams that have hitting and pitching.

To each his own I guess. If I had to watch a Rockies/Rangers World Series Id probably be pissed but a lot would just love them 10-9 games.

[cuervo72]

Were it in a vacuum, it might not be as bad. But when you have to see this #27andCounting shit all over the place (AS IF YOU HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT), it's worse.

[frnk55]

Watching Verlander pitch is not boring. Should be interesting if Lincecum is in the rotation because he is a train wreck. Yankees are always fun to watch even if ya hate em. Now the F'N cardinals despite their comebacks are boring. I wish they would go away.

[sterlingice]

There are many things about the current playoffs that are not boring. But the potential likability of teams went from about an 8 to a 2 after the divisional series.

You had a true Cinderella in the Orioles. To come out of the AL East with that 1-run and extra inning magic that defies all statistics- that was a great season. The As were back after tracking down the juggernaut Rangers with their amazing second half run and payroll rivaling that of a local Taco Bell franchise. The Nats were the new kid on the scene and they could easily become the next Phillies or Red Sox (or Rangers- tho they should at least win a WS at some point): "hey, it was a nice story when it started but can your obnoxious fans please go away" but we're not there yet. And the Reds are a good historical team that has wandered around in the wilderness since about 1980.

Now, I'll be honest. I don't really have much against the Giants or Tigers. The Giants have the whole Bonds stigma that turns some people off. And they did just win the World Series a couple of years ago. That pitching is fun to watch but that offense- oof. The Tigers are a division rival but, you know there's not much to really dislike about them. They have the best pitcher in baseball and the first triple crown winner in 40-odd years. 2003 wasn't that long ago. But they have become a fairly large market juggernaut, owners of the 5th highest salary in baseball and that was pretty clear that they said "eff it" to finances when they signed Prince Fielder. Still, in my mind, they're the best of what's left.

The Yankees are the Yankees. If you don't know why most people hate them, you haven't been paying attention. Big, dumb, reckless, self-indulgent- I could go on all day...

And there's a special place in smug hell for Cardinals fans. Aside from the self-proclaimed best fans in baseball thing, there's a particular dislike from the rest of the Midwest. You have one heck of a bandwagon because it's /easy/ to root for the Cardinals. Think about this for just a second: no full consecutive losing seasons since the 1950s. That means there was always hope. There was no Brewers 90s or Reds 00s or Pirates post-1993 or Royals 27 year playoff drought or Cubs after 1945. There's never been any real suffering and to top if off there's always been some sort of sideshow, too from Ozzie Smith to Mark McGwire to Albert Pujols. So even on the "lesser" years, which still had winning seasons, there was some other attraction.

This is the type of stuff that drives the rest of us nuts:
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - 2012 MLB Playoffs Thread: LCS: SFG-STL and DET-NYY; Baseball, you're dead to me (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=2728156&postcount=646)
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - 2012 MLB Playoffs Thread: LCS: SFG-STL and DET-NYY; Baseball, you're dead to me (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=2728233&postcount=666) (panerd, really? what's next? they hate us for our freedom? celebrating your own win by throwing in a dig at someone else?)
It's great to be able to celebrate each win but it feels hyperbolic to the rest of us. Yes, each team is new. This year, especially, with losing a once-in-a-generation talent like Pujols. But you've been there before and all of us have seen "scrappy white guy who sucks wins game for Cardinals" and, yeah, we do wish it was our team. At the same time, keep in mind that few other teams have that and none with the frequency so it just sounds like bragging.

I don't know why I bothered typing that out as those of you who get it, get it. Enjoy poking fun at the OP and I'll probably update the thread title tomorrow.

SI

[Crapshoot]

FYI, the Giants were the second highest run scoring offense on the roadM and overall, Their WRC (park adjusted) puts them 9th in Baseball. This isn't the 2010 Giants- their pitching is worse, their hitting is better, but most importantly, people dont realize what an extreme pitchers park they play in.

[kingfc22]

Now, I'll be honest. I don't really watch the Giants.... That pitching is fun to watch but that offense- oof.

This offense is not the 2010 offense that was pretty boring to watch. This Giants team scored the 2nd most runs in all of the ML on the road this season and overall scored just about as many runs as DET who have all that beef in their order.

STL/SF should be a very entertaining series.

[kingfc22]

FYI, the Giants were the second highest run scoring offense on the roadM and overall, Their WRC (park adjusted) puts them 9th in Baseball. This isn't the 2010 Giants- their pitching is worse, their hitting is better, but most importantly, people dont realize what an extreme pitchers park they play in.

:D

[sterlingice]

FYI, the Giants were the second highest run scoring offense on the roadM and overall, Their WRC (park adjusted) puts them 9th in Baseball. This isn't the 2010 Giants- their pitching is worse, their hitting is better, but most importantly, people dont realize what an extreme pitchers park they play in.

That makes a lot of sense- about the ballpark. They were middle in the league in runs scored and outside of Posey, there's nothing on that team resembling power (Sandoval with 12, Cabrera with 11- only other players with double digit homers). For a playoff team, that's pretty bad. But if there's an external factor, that makes more sense.

SI

[molson]

The Yankees are the Yankees. If you don't know why most people hate them, you haven't been paying attention. Big, dumb, reckless, self-indulgent- I could go on all day...


I get hating the Yankees, I'm a Red Sox fan after all, but it's hard to see them as boring. I find them much more interesting than the A's or Orioles, but I guess just personally in general, I like big jugernaut villians being relevant even if I don't root for them. But maybe that's just because I could barely name more than a few players on the A's or Orioles - I feel like I know the Yankee team.

[Matthean]

MLB playoffs 2012 -- Detroit Tigers won't use Jose Valverde as closer on Sunday - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8504634/mlb-playoffs-2012-detroit-tigers-use-jose-valverde-closer-sunday)

Captain Obvious post.

[tarcone]

Too bad Jeter fractured his ankle. It would be highly entertaining (and not boring) if he were to come in a game later in the series and hit a home run.

SI, I get it. Fans of teams that are inept cant handle the winning of the teams whose organizations have gotten how to win.
The fans of the bottom feeders must hate seeing these teams. The Yanks who spend more in one season then the bottom feeders in a 5 year span. The Cardinals who can overcome the loss of a once in a lifetime player and a great manager/pitching coach duo and keep winning. And do it without spending over $100 million. They plug and play. And the fans are great. Ask any announcer. Its not just self proclaimed. Then you have the Tigers. They went out and put together a slo-pitch softball team. But with great pitching. Spending tons of money to do it. And retaining the studs they had. The Giants just win. They go up and down, but have enough pitching to win.

To non-fans of those teams, it must be very frustrating. Hoping every year is your once in a decade division title. Or WC appearance. Then when its not, and the teams that figured out how to win are there. Its like someone kicks you in the balls every October.

I feel for you. Really.

[JPhillips]

2012 Cardinals payroll is over 110,000,000.

9th highest in baseball. 13 mil more than the next highest team in the NL Central. Almost 30 mil more than the Reds.

I'll admit the Cards hate comes from some jealousy, but if the Reds had the Cards payroll I bet the Cards wouldn't be as successful.

[MizzouRah]

2012 Cardinals payroll is over 110,000,000.

9th highest in baseball. 13 mil more than the next highest team in the NL Central. Almost 30 mil more than the Reds.

I'll admit the Cards hate comes from some jealousy, but if the Reds had the Cards payroll I bet the Cards wouldn't be as successful.

Payroll doesn't mean as much as it used to mean though. The Reds are a damn good team that lost 3 games straight and lost their ace when it counted the most.

[Crapshoot]

That makes a lot of sense- about the ballpark. They were middle in the league in runs scored and outside of Posey, there's nothing on that team resembling power (Sandoval with 12, Cabrera with 11- only other players with double digit homers). For a playoff team, that's pretty bad. But if there's an external factor, that makes more sense.

SI

But the thing is, they still get a fair amount of XBH - Angel Pagan had 15 triples for example. The Giants ranked 6th in the NL in XBH. They don't hit HR's at home - at all, but they still hit a fair amount. Its easy to call this offense awful, but it really isn't.

Basically, The Giants are playing offense like the late 1920's. :D

[stevew]

This should have been the part in the sports movie where A-Rod tells the coach in private that he can still play SS. He then goes out and fields the series flawlessly and also hit several homers as the yankees advance to the series and win for their fallen hero(Jeter)

[RedKingGold]

Too bad Jeter fractured his ankle. It would be highly entertaining (and not boring) if he were to come in a game later in the series and hit a home run.

SI, I get it. Fans of teams that are inept cant handle the winning of the teams whose organizations have gotten how to win.
The fans of the bottom feeders must hate seeing these teams. The Yanks who spend more in one season then the bottom feeders in a 5 year span. The Cardinals who can overcome the loss of a once in a lifetime player and a great manager/pitching coach duo and keep winning. And do it without spending over $100 million. They plug and play. And the fans are great. Ask any announcer. Its not just self proclaimed. Then you have the Tigers. They went out and put together a slo-pitch softball team. But with great pitching. Spending tons of money to do it. And retaining the studs they had. The Giants just win. They go up and down, but have enough pitching to win.

To non-fans of those teams, it must be very frustrating. Hoping every year is your once in a decade division title. Or WC appearance. Then when its not, and the teams that figured out how to win are there. Its like someone kicks you in the balls every October.

I feel for you. Really.

I really get the sense you're a front runner. I never really see you post in any baseball threads, except for playoff time when you reclaim your fandom (albeit in a snotty, self-righteous way).

[sterlingice]

SI, I get it. Fans of teams that are inept cant handle the winning of the teams whose organizations have gotten how to win.
The fans of the bottom feeders must hate seeing these teams. The Yanks who spend more in one season then the bottom feeders in a 5 year span. The Cardinals who can overcome the loss of a once in a lifetime player and a great manager/pitching coach duo and keep winning. And do it without spending over $100 million. They plug and play. And the fans are great. Ask any announcer. Its not just self proclaimed. Then you have the Tigers. They went out and put together a slo-pitch softball team. But with great pitching. Spending tons of money to do it. And retaining the studs they had. The Giants just win. They go up and down, but have enough pitching to win.

To non-fans of those teams, it must be very frustrating. Hoping every year is your once in a decade division title. Or WC appearance. Then when its not, and the teams that figured out how to win are there. Its like someone kicks you in the balls every October.

I feel for you. Really.

I just can't imagine why others would hate this

SI

[panerd]

.

This is the type of stuff that drives the rest of us nuts:
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - 2012 MLB Playoffs Thread: LCS: SFG-STL and DET-NYY; Baseball, you're dead to me (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=2728156&postcount=646)
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - 2012 MLB Playoffs Thread: LCS: SFG-STL and DET-NYY; Baseball, you're dead to me (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=2728233&postcount=666) (panerd, really? what's next? they hate us for our freedom? celebrating your own win by throwing in a dig at someone else?)
It's great to be able to celebrate each win but it feels hyperbolic to the rest of us. Yes, each team is new. This year, especially, with losing a once-in-a-generation talent like Pujols. But you've been there before and all of us have seen "scrappy white guy who sucks wins game for Cardinals" and, yeah, we do wish it was our team. At the same time, keep in mind that few other teams have that and none with the frequency so it just sounds like bragging.

I don't know why I bothered typing that out as those of you who get it, get it. Enjoy poking fun at the OP and I'll probably update the thread title tomorrow.

SI

The thing about KU was actually a moment of humility for me not a dig at all. Mizzou fans are always after KU fans like they are evil and really most of it is just jealousy of a damn good program. That really is the only reason I even said SI.

The joke about being a Royals fan was just a dig but you have always been a real good natured poster and I figured you would take it all in good fun. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

And the thing about it is I like the Cards hell they are the home town team but I live and die with Mizzou and The Bengals. So I thought I was actually looking at the issue from a balanced perspective and not a homer point of view.

[Crapshoot]

Kuroda is perfect through 5 innings. He was an FA last year, Yankees signed him to a 1-year deal. That's looking very very smart right now.

[Logan]

Turned it on and saw a hit, first pitch. You're welcome.

[Crapshoot]

Turned it on and saw a hit, first pitch. You're welcome.

:D

[sterlingice]

The thing about KU was actually a moment of humility for me not a dig at all. Mizzou fans are always after KU fans like they are evil and really most of it is just jealousy of a damn good program. That really is the only reason I even said SI.

The joke about being a Royals fan was just a dig but you have always been a real good natured poster and I figured you would take it all in good fun. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

And the thing about it is I like the Cards hell they are the home town team but I live and die with Mizzou and The Bengals. So I thought I was actually looking at the issue from a balanced perspective and not a homer point of view.

It's true, it was probably a bit overly harsh. But the "they just hate us because we're good" seems to ooze off of Cards fans in a way that's unbecoming to me. It's really some pure jealousy of the Cardinals and that's what I'm trying to communicate.

I didn't hate the Braves in the 90s. Or the Indians of that decade. Or the Twins or As of the early 2000s. Even the Phillies or Rangers were good new powers to have on the scene until the bandwagon got overloaded after ~5 years of success. Where's the Angels hate? They made the playoffs and won the World Series at least 5 times this decade. Different teams and fanbases handle winning differently.

That the two long responses to it have been tarcone's "yeah, you hate us because we're good" and your was more tempered but reread that second paragraph and I think you can see how that could pretty easily come off as smug and snarky.

SI

[JPhillips]

Payroll doesn't mean as much as it used to mean though. The Reds are a damn good team that lost 3 games straight and lost their ace when it counted the most.

Sure. Tarcone made the point that the Cards were didn't rely in part on payroll, and that isn't true. They are a damn well run franchise and it's a real tribute that they can spend as much as they do, but part of their success is that they have a high payroll in comparison to the division and league. They aren't the plucky underdogs that Tarcone is praising.

[Crapshoot]

Big AB for Prince here...

[Crapshoot]

And he struck out on Ball 4. Ugh - overeager.

Ok, off to the yard for Giants-Cardinals. See you folks on the other side. :D

[Young Drachma]

Mike Trout would've made that run. ;)

[sterlingice]

I'm kindof surprised the Tigers-Yankees game was the early game today, seeing as how they had a game yesterday.

SI

[sterlingice]

I'm going to guess we won't see Valverde at all today

SI

[MizzouRah]

Sure. Tarcone made the point that the Cards were didn't rely in part on payroll, and that isn't true. They are a damn well run franchise and it's a real tribute that they can spend as much as they do, but part of their success is that they have a high payroll in comparison to the division and league. They aren't the plucky underdogs that Tarcone is praising.

That's true, won't argue that.

[Matthean]

MLB playoffs 2012 -- Detroit Tigers won't use Jose Valverde as closer on Sunday - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8504634/mlb-playoffs-2012-detroit-tigers-use-jose-valverde-closer-sunday)

Captain Obvious post.

I'm going to guess we won't see Valverde at all today

SI

.

[kingfc22]

Not sure how ump missed that call. Ouch.

[Jas_lov]

I think it's about time MLB expand replay for close plays on the bases or lock out its umps so they can get the power to fire the incompetent ones. NFL was right on that issue.