2012 MLB Thread (Cabrera Gets Triple Crown, first since Yaz 1967)

[BillJasper]

So do the Marlins go back to drawing six thousand a game after tonight?

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

So do the Marlins go back to drawing six thousand a game after tonight?

As Selig was talking about the expected increased attendance this year they panned over the right field seats. There seemed to be quite a few empty seats. Did they really not even sell out this game?

[BillJasper]

Do the Marlins really play tonight then get on a plane for a 4pm game in Cincinnati tomorrow? Or was that a mistake by ESPN...

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

As Selig was talking about the expected increased attendance this year they panned over the right field seats. There seemed to be quite a few empty seats. Did they really not even sell out this game?

Unfortunately, across town, the Thunder are playing the Heat

And it's still Miami baseball. I have to think there's some pretty deep seated feelings of betrayal.

SI

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Do the Marlins really play tonight then get on a plane for a 4pm game in Cincinnati tomorrow? Or was that a mistake by ESPN...

Are they actually playing any of their regulars? or are they already in Cincy?

[EagleFan]

never mind, just saw that this is actually a regular season game? This is getting a little bit carried away with the games in Japan and now this. Just have a normal opening day like they used to. There shouldn't be regular season games and spring training games being played on the same day.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Are they actually playing any of their regulars? or are they already in Cincy?

Ramirez is at third and Reyes at short, I'm pretty sure those two are regulars.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

never mind, just saw that this is actually a regular season game? This is getting a little bit carried away with the games in Japan and now this. Just have a normal opening day like they used to. There shouldn't be regular season games and spring training games being played on the same day.

Only part of this is free, but it makes the point nontheless:

Baseball Prospectus | Pebble Hunting: The War on Opening Day

[Ksyrup]

Why does Francona sound like he's calling in a bomb threat from a phone booth?

[BillJasper]

There are plenty of empty seats in Miami.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Only part of this is free, but it makes the point nontheless:

Baseball Prospectus | Pebble Hunting: The War on Opening Day

Living in Cincinnati, I remember when we use to always have the first pitch...

[sterlingice]

Cincy should always have the first pitch.

SI

[PurdueBrad]

At the very least, I wouldn't mind having the previous WS winner starting the season at home. I'm really not a fan of the baseball scheduling, particularly starting in Japan and then the weird 1 game openers.

[Grover]

Ugliest stadium ever.

[Scoobz0202]

At least during the day it has a cool skyline view... at night it is pretty damn ugly.

[Easy Mac]

its like the announcers are trying to jinx it.

[Hammer755]

In the back of my mind, I was hoping the Marlins would announce on April 1 that the center field feature was a big practical joke, but I just turned on the game and have finally realized that it's all too real.

[Scoobz0202]

HEY LOHSE, YOU SHOULD GIVE UP A HIT

[Easy Mac]

I hope the announcers die a horrible, fiery death.

[MizzouRah]

Cards win!

Stadium is yuk.. at least on TV.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Why does Francona sound like he's calling in a bomb threat from a phone booth?

Seriously - he sounded like he was off-site joining the booth by phone.

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Stadium is yuk.. at least on TV.

The green...oh, the green.

Had to check it out on two different TVs (not mine, fwiw). On the first everything looked like it was Dodge's old nitro yellow-green color. Which is to say, not really all that good (though I liked it on the Neon at the time, but that time was 15 years ago). On the second TV the walls looked more lime, which was much better (though still not really good).

The big poofy blue chairs in the front rows were funky too.

[Scoobz0202]

Night wasted All I wanted to see was..

[Ksyrup]

As big as that park is and plays, I'm not sure that thing will ever get used.

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

So do the Marlins go back to drawing six thousand a game after tonight?

Not sure they had too many more that 6k tonight.

[tarcone]

Go Cards!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Seriously - he sounded like he was off-site joining the booth by phone.



The green...oh, the green.

Had to check it out on two different TVs (not mine, fwiw). On the first everything looked like it was Dodge's old nitro yellow-green color. Which is to say, not really all that good (though I liked it on the Neon at the time, but that time was 15 years ago). On the second TV the walls looked more lime, which was much better (though still not really good).

The big poofy blue chairs in the front rows were funky too.

Yeah.. kind of an odd green to say the least...

[sterlingice]

Real Opening Day is here. Rejoice baseball fans!

Why only 7 games today?

SI

[RendeR]

Go Reds?

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Real Opening Day is here. Rejoice baseball fans!

Why only 7 games today?

SI

Because they are trying to kill fan interest in baseball as much as possible.

We've basically got 4 opening days. it's ridiculous. Instead of jumping into the season with a bang, we're sliding in the backdoor tiptoeing in. I think the women's Final Four has had more publicity than this.

[sterlingice]

{Insert some joke here about Griner being more of a man that Pierzynski}

SI

[Butter]

Originally Posted by RendeR

Go Reds?

Yes. Would like to see the Marlins start 0-4.

[TRO]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Real Opening Day is here. Rejoice baseball fans!

Well, unless you are one of halfthe teams that wait until tomorrow.

[Ksyrup]

Just looked at the schedule and the main thing I'm pissed about - it's "opening day" and there's only ONE GAME that will be going on when I'm home ready to watch this evening. Fuck!

I know most teams like to start early, but there are usually 2-3 late games. Tonight - one 7pm ET start. That sucks.

[Ksyrup]

HA!

Logan Morrison ‏ @LoMoMarlins
Don't make me tweet your phone #... RT @BMcCarthy32: @LoMoMarlins I don't get it. A one game home opener? Are you guys on an NFL schedule?

[spleen1015]

There's always been a handful of teams that didn't play on Opening Day, hasn't there?

[Ksyrup]

I'd have to go back and look at previous/old schedules, but my recollection is 1 Sunday night game for ESPN, the majority of the games on Monday afternoon/evening, and then a handful on Tuesday with some of the series from Monday continuing into Tuesday.

What causes the issue here is not only the Japan series and the evening game for ESPN, but that the second "full day" is a Friday, and they obviously want to take advantage of the weekend night games, so more games are scheduled for the second day than were normally scheduled for Tuesday in the past.

[Logan]

It could have been last year for all I know, but I don't ever remember the Mets opening up on a Thursday. Monday opener, usually Tuesday off day, Wednesday/Thursday completion of the series and then a weekend series.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Logan

It could have been last year for all I know, but I don't ever remember the Mets opening up on a Thursday. Monday opener, usually Tuesday off day, Wednesday/Thursday completion of the series and then a weekend series.

This was the way the Reds use to open up as well.

[spleen1015]

It is weird that they are starting today when in the past last night's game would have been this past Sunday night and today's games would have been on Monday.

In a week, none of us will be worried about how they have managed Opening Day.

[Ksyrup]

I believe last year was the first year they did a mid-week opening day, when they re-arranged the playoff schedule. Maybe it was Wednesday, not Thursday, though. I don't remember.

[Ksyrup]

Why LoMo remains the only professional athlete I follow on twitter - and why his bosses are probably uncomfortable as hell with him on twitter:

Logan Morrison ‏ @LoMoMarlins
Outfit looks great on u but it would look better on my bedroom floor RT @mac90x: What did LoMo say 2 his lovely escort?

[JPhillips]

Eric Byrnes is trying hard to be the next Joe Morgan. Last night on WFAN he was talking about the Votto extension and said,

Votto is a nice player, but he isn't Pujols or even Prince Fielder, now the numbers may say otherwise. . .

and later

You look at A-Rod and you can tell he's a superstar. I look at Votto and he isn't chiseled like a superstar. He looks like the guy next door.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Real Opening Day is here. Rejoice baseball fans!

Why only 7 games today?

SI

Hooray!!!

And yes, its incredibly strange and silly. I guess I can understand the Japan series (its for oodles of $$), but why have a night game the day before Opening Day?

[ISiddiqui]

Great article on why baseball is the best American sport:

Michael Kazin: Why Baseball Is The Best—And Least Exploitative—American Sport | The New Republic

[Lathum]

I get the ESPN hype machine when it comes to Boston-NY, but Doug Gottlieb hit a new hi (low?) when he suggested it was some kind of coup that Bobby V was doing a weekly slot on 1050 NY with Michael Kay. Questioning how the fans and players would react? Really? Who gives a rats ass that Bobby V is going to do a 10 minute spot once a week.

[Logan]

Well, I think it's weird. I don't remember any time where an outside area coach had a weekly call on any of the NY stations. I don't think NY listeners are going to want to hear about the status of the Red Sox (but they'll probably listen anyway).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I get the ESPN hype machine when it comes to Boston-NY, but Doug Gottlieb hit a new hi (low?) when he suggested it was some kind of coup that Bobby V was doing a weekly slot on 1050 NY with Michael Kay. Questioning how the fans and players would react? Really? Who gives a rats ass that Bobby V is going to do a 10 minute spot once a week.

Heh, Gottlieb is a West Coast basketball guy. So for him to sell out to the ESPN NY-Boston machine is pretty funny (and rather telling about him).

[Ksyrup]

Speaking of which, did I hear correctly that Gottlieb is rumored for a college coaching gig? Whatever school it is, I hope they hire him.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

It is weird that they are starting today when in the past last night's game would have been this past Sunday night and today's games would have been on Monday.

In a week, none of us will be worried about how they have managed Opening Day.

I am sure it is an unwritten agreement with the NCAA title game. Plus I am sure they would much rather all the sports press be about them. Like some of the other posters said this is just Sun/Mon/full slate Tues on Weds/Thur/full slate Fri.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Speaking of which, did I hear correctly that Gottlieb is rumored for a college coaching gig? Whatever school it is, I hope they hire him.

I think it was for the K-State job but he may have started the rumor himself.