2014 MLB Thread

[BishopMVP]

MLB - Baseball's confusing and contradictory unwritten rules - ESPN

Several years ago, Joe Horn, a wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, scored a touchdown, pulled out a cell phone that he had taped inside the goal post, and made a call, or at least pretended to. "And no one in football cared!" Baker says. "If that had happened in baseball ... if someone had hit a home run, reached home plate, took a cell phone out of his stirrup and called someone, he wouldn't finish the phone call. There would be balls flying into both dugouts. It would be like a Cuban winter-ball game, with guys running around with bats in their hands. Oh my God, the world would stop spinning on its axis. The ice caps would melt."

McCarthy laughs and says, "Oh my God, he would never get to home plate. Bats would be tomahawking out of both dugouts. Where would a player hide a cell phone, under a base?"

McGehee says, "The game would never get to the next hitter. It would be so ugly."

Says the Tigers' Torii Hunter, "That would start the greatest brawl in major league history. I would drop my glove, chase the guy down, and beat the s--- out of him. And I'd do the same thing if he was on my team. The camera shot would be of his entire team, piled on top of him, pummeling him. I hope that never happens in baseball."

My opinion on the Ortiz/Price thing is simple - Price clearly threw at Ortiz and should have been thrown out of the game or suspended. Once he intentionally hit Ortiz and then hit another Red Sox batter (intentionally or not) and wasn't thrown out of the game, Workman didn't have a choice.

I'm guessing the umps pre-warned the teams before Sunday's game, but every time we play them I would hit the first batter we face with 2 outs and nobody on. Same point I made earlier - the umps almost automatically warn both teams now, and it prevents the instant payback that should alleviate the matter. And that's coming from someone who hated the Red Sox bitching about stealing 3rd in a 5-run game the week before.

Fwiw, what I'm really worried about is the Red Sox OF situation. Coming into tonight's game, Boston OF batting line of .215/.287/.327/.614 is the worst in team history. In all 4 categories: BA, OBP, SGP, OPS

[miked]

Maybe it's because he was a steroid using hypocrite as well.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Dutch

With the early season doldrums for both teams, at least this makes it entertaining. As long as nobody gets hurt, I'll hold on to that stance.

I figured this would get out of hand....fwiw... the suspension wasnt for plunking a batter or mutual angst...it was for throwing at Longoria's head...that is taking the rivalry too far and the Red Sox need to chill out.

[Lathum]

Cubs announcers just said Don Zimmer passed today

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...icle-1.1817522

[JonInMiddleGA]

Baseball icon Don Zimmer dies at 83 | MLB.com: News

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by miked

Maybe it's because he was a steroid using hypocrite as well.

But it wasn't. Price was butthurt that Ortiz took too long after hitting a home run, nursed a grudge all offseason, and hit him with the first pitch since. But I guess you need something to occupy your time when you have the worst record and lowest playoff odds in the league. Do you think Price will fetch more in a trade at the deadline or waiting until the offseason?

[sterlingice]

Cubs moving off of WGN radio after 90 years:
WGN President and GM: Deal with Cubs wouldn't make sense | CSN Chicago

SI

[cartman]

I wonder what the thought process was for the Rangers management when they decided to pass on bringing back Nelson Cruz as a DH. He's the best bargain in baseball at the moment.

[ISiddiqui]

They did offer him a qualifying offer of $14mil. Though they may have been worried about the PED stuff as well.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

They did offer him a qualifying offer of $14mil. Though they may have been worried about the PED stuff as well.

The qualifying offer was to ensure that the Rangers would receive a compensatory pick if he signed elsewhere. The $14 million offer expired when Cruz didn't accept it within 7 days. There were talks of a one year $7 or 8 million deal after his deal with Seattle fell through right before spring training, but the Rangers decided to pass.

[JPhillips]

Is Oakland really as good as their run differential? +120 over 60 games is pretty incredible.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by cartman

The qualifying offer was to ensure that the Rangers would receive a compensatory pick if he signed elsewhere. The $14 million offer expired when Cruz didn't accept it within 7 days. There were talks of a one year $7 or 8 million deal after his deal with Seattle fell through right before spring training, but the Rangers decided to pass.

Cruz was pretty silly not to sign the qualifying offer then .

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Is Oakland really as good as their run differential? +120 over 60 games is pretty incredible.

They're pretty damned good. I don't know if they're +2 runs per game good, but they're pretty damned good.

[AENeuman]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Is Oakland really as good as their run differential? +120 over 60 games is pretty incredible.

They are amazing. Which, and I know I'm being spoiled, makes me hate the inter league rival thing. Sf and oak play each other 4 times while no one else in their divisions has to play one of the best teams in baseball.

[Lathum]

LOL @ Manny Machado.

You'll see it later.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Lathum

LOL @ Manny Machado.

You'll see it later.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v33486795/oak...n-tags-machado

followed by this

http://m.mlb.com/video/v33488399/oak...?query=machado

[Dutch]

Haha, that was the most unworthy bench-clearing in MLB history.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Cruz was pretty silly not to sign the qualifying offer then .

Cruz, Drew, Kendry Morales. It'll be interesting to see if anyone accepts a QO this offseason.

[sterlingice]

This Jeter gifting thing is nonsense. I swear: some team needs to stiff him just to show how ludicrous it is. The Mariners should be "hell, did you do anything when Edgar Martinez retired? Well, screw you. "

SI

[Chief Rum]

Mike Trout is (still) amazing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Round 2

Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A's scuffle after Manny Machado's bat-throwing - ESPN

[BishopMVP]

Did David Ortiz admire that one too long there?

Btw, apparently Ortiz has 25 go-ahead Home Run's in the 8th inning or later, 3rd amongst active players. Guess who's #1

Spoiler

Adam Dunn, with 29

[cartman]

Unfortunately for the Rangers, Lonnie Chisenhall had a fairly decent game at the plate.

[stevew]

I guess Gregory Polanco finally is ready to make the step to the majors. Of course this would happen exactly 1 day after I was at the stadium

[Ramzavail]

RIP Bob Welch. We probably won't see another 27 game winner.

[cuervo72]

Oh, wow. Not that old at all.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Oh, wow. Not that old at all.

They said on PTI that he had some serious drinking problems.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Really excited about the Royals of late. Beating some good clubs and are now right back in the race after being 7+ games out only a few weeks ago.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Really excited about the Royals of late. Beating some good clubs and are now right back in the race after being 7+ games out only a few weeks ago.

I'm sorry but I just knew you were going to post after the nice little stretch here of late.

If the Royals go 2-6, 1-7, or the ever possible 0-8 in the rest of this important set against the AL Central, so help me God, I'm going to arrange for a "winery accident", you walking jinx.

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I'm sorry but I just knew you were going to post after the nice little stretch here of late.

If the Royals go 2-6, 1-7, or the ever possible 0-8 in the rest of this important set against the AL Central, so help me God, I'm going to arrange for a "winery accident", you walking jinx.

SI

"Man drowns in 1200 gallon tank of his own wine"

Downturns are expected when you're a Royals fan. Why wait to be excited about good times when you know they'll eventually suck anyway?????

[sterlingice]

Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it. 3 of 4 from the hated Cards and 2 of 3 from the hated Yankees feels good. Frankly, it dragged me back in a bit from the May doldrums. But the "back in the race" part- well, it's just too early for me to see that. I'm just enjoying being back to .500, even if only for a day.

SI

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Luke Hochevar

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs3

Luke Hochevar

Don't Red Sox fans have enough in their own internal little world without going to pee in the cheerios of Royals fans?

SI

[bhlloy]

Did anyone see Cespedes throw to stop the go ahead run from scoring? Absolutely the best throw I've ever seen bar none

[Suicane75]

That throw was so good it looked like it was on a little league field. It was right near the LF corner so it had to be close to 340 feet, no?

[Suicane75]

ESPN is saying 300. Still though, that's insane. Especially the way he threw it and the accuracy.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Don't Red Sox fans have enough in their own internal little world without going to pee in the cheerios of Royals fans?

SI

Hey I have to get my enjoyment out of this season somehow (though I thought it obvious this wasn't peeing in the cheerios of Royals fans, but was reminded of him based on your and MBBFs back and forth)

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Did anyone see Cespedes throw to stop the go ahead run from scoring? Absolutely the best throw I've ever seen bar none

Very close.. I remember these two from Rick Ankiel. (1:58 and 13:11)

[cartman]

Too bad he started using that same throwing method from the mound.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Don't Red Sox fans have enough in their own internal little world without going to pee in the cheerios of Royals fans?

SI

Aren't the Red Sox not doing so hot?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

ESPN is saying 300. Still though, that's insane. Especially the way he threw it and the accuracy.

There is a bit of a curve inward at that corner that cuts off some distance (good place to watch a game, BTW). So a little over 300 sounds about right.

I actually haven't seen the throw, although I heard that it happened. I'll have to youtube it.

[Lathum]

WTF is the point of replay if they still don't get it right?

[cartman]

I could have sworn he had one before, but I guess not. Last night Yu Darvish threw his first complete game. Gave up six hits, but only one runner reached 2nd base.

[Logan]

Another unwritten rule...don't accidentally hit the catcher with your backswing.

One Accidental Backswing Sparked Two Beanings And Four Ejections

[BishopMVP]

Is this covered by the unwritten rules yet?

[BishopMVP]

Dola. As if more proof was needed that Ruben Amaro should not be a general manager - Ruben Amaro Has No Idea How At-Bats Differ From Plate Appearances (Really) | Crossing Broad

[TroyF]

So the Rockies have beat the Giants two games in a row with comebacks in the ninth inning. Pick what moronic ass hat thing someone connected to the Giants will say now:

1) Rockies brought juiced balls to Pac Bell, secretly sneaked them in during the ninth inning
2) Troy Tulowitzki, who was hurt in game one, secretly went to the bullpen and fed Rockies hitters signs to pay back all the signs they stole for him.

or will there be a third accusation this time around? Aliens? Mind control? Corked bats. Cmon Giants, I'm waiting for the next in your line of conspiracy theories.

The Rockies suck and always have, at least we've never tried to excuse our losses as anything more than what they are.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

What say you, SI? Time to get excited????

[AENeuman]

Originally Posted by TroyF

So the Rockies have beat the Giants two games in a row with comebacks in the ninth inning. Pick what moronic ass hat thing someone connected to the Giants will say now:

1) Rockies brought juiced balls to Pac Bell, secretly sneaked them in during the ninth inning
2) Troy Tulowitzki, who was hurt in game one, secretly went to the bullpen and fed Rockies hitters signs to pay back all the signs they stole for him.

or will there be a third accusation this time around? Aliens? Mind control? Corked bats. Cmon Giants, I'm waiting for the next in your line of conspiracy theories.

The Rockies suck and always have, at least we've never tried to excuse our losses as anything more than what they are.

Rockies Review - A Colorado Rockies Blog: Here come the excuses for the Colorado Rockies.