The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

[AC]

Great update

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

Hello Boys and Girls, maybe some friends or foes.

I'm excited about this update because well, clearly I've figured out some things and our temporary problem of "how in the hell are we going to capture audio from the games if there is no internet" situation now looks to be behind us. Not that I have internet or anything I'm still starving out here, but the silver lining is... we can move forward with some audio.

Damn Right!

I guess as the old saying goes, why purchase ketchup from the store when McDonalds gives it away for free.. or maybe, um it was about cows and milk but nevertheless.... we head back out to Colorado and Coors Field a place that we have had many heated yet classic battles throughout the years:



At this point we should really take the time to appreciate our rivarly with Colorado. We've met up with them twice in the postseason. Both sides have traded wins and losses, both in close games and blowouts. Yesterday's finale in Colorado showcased Jason Hammel completely ****ting on the Braves pitching staff with relatively two pitches. The fastball and the curveball



This game also spelled the end for Alex Gonzales at third base.

As eluded to earlier we've been throwing people out there seemingly every other day like a tossed salad. Replacing Chipper Jones has been quite the challenge. Only Chone Figgins did it well, and that time didn't count unfortunately. The tandem of Gonzalez-Conrad-Prado--Uggla-Freeman-Hinske all doing poor or misplaying balls has led to the promotion of one Tyler Pastornicky.



Why do these guys that play for the real life Braves keep popping up out of nowhere as secret studs? I'm sleeping homies on a lot of people I feel.

So... let's see, We're going to promote our best hitter at AAA to the show. No need for somebody batting .311-ish in front of crowds of 35 to 40 people. Get that man to the show with quickness Ted! He can't do any worse right?

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

Now before we get into the juicy details of Tyler Pastornicky's debut. A name that I'm going to love spelling for the next decade possibly if I don't butcher it 2 or 3 initial times... IT is nearing the end of June.. and as promised, that magical time for another RANDOM GAME OF THE MONTH UPDATE brought to you by Williams Chicken of course.



Interleague play is upon us. And the second place White Sox headed out to the Bay to take on the second place place Giants of San Francisco. Now why was this a good game for a live look in you ask?



The box score... oh my damn... the box score... and Konerko? Going ham on Barry Zito in his home ball park for not one but two round trippers? It was rather demoralizing for the Giants as they saw first place slip back securely into the hands of the Rockies who just not a few moments ago made rather easy work of our hometown Braves.

Konerko goes Yard- MLB Tonight LIVE Look In

Hawk gets giddy.. as Paulie goes yard for the first of two out in San Francisco for our Random Game of the Month... Play of the Game.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

Back home in Atlanta we had a great one going as Tommy Hanson looked to help us right the ship after the debacle out in Denver. Hanson after being "Justin Verlander" or Fernando Valenzuela with the 80s mullet good last year, has seemingly come back down to earth.

But not today.. he was the GOOD Tommy Hanson.



Unfortunately for him, our offense is still sitting on ice cubes. Sometimes your ballclub hits these lulls where everything is going right, and then it just hit the fan for a few weeks. And then there are those times where you go months on end with alternating streaks of never being good all at the same time. We're fighting hard to not let it effect us.. but these games are getting difficult as hell down the backside of the month of June.

So lets set the stage, we've left countless amount of men on base. Hanson kept us in it as long as he could. We get to the 9th. No grapes. Heyward strikes out looking in the 10th. The 12th, Freeman and Uggla whiff. The 14th? We get down but scrap a run in the bottom frame. It was like a well played tennis match, except you can take out the adjective "well played".

Dan Uggla Late Inning Heroics

The 15th inning...after both teams offenses showed they had no desire to win it, and instead ruin their bullpens for the rest of the week... well Dan Uggla would step up to the batter's box:

Yes sir Dan Uggla goes deep for the game winner. his second of the game. What have we told you time and time again. Left hand pitcher on the mound. Dan Ug at the plate? DON'T THROW HIM A STRIKE BECAUSE HE GONE KILL IT!

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be



We get this message immediately following the results of the Uggla Hero moment. Damn CPU always knows how to rain on our picnic homies.

Even more hilarious, this was literally a one day injury.

The very next sim day he comes back. So not only has the moment been spoiled with a tantalizing text message. It was equally annoying with the follow up not a day later saying he was actually ok and the CPU just wanted us to know they can screw with us at any given moment if they so choose...

We probably need to improve our MLB the Show spam blocker but then as you might guess, we'd have Martin Prado suffering from sort of Oregon Trail style **** block and not even know it.



As for Pastornicky, he's doing what any just brought up to the show rookie would do. Struggle. He's batting like 4 for 20 so far in 5 games. After the 0-fer in the debut. I predict that average will get better though. He's got a good eye, and he's just paying his dues right now.



Last but not least, the team as a whole is still struggling to produce runs. We played our second consecutive multi inning game. This time vs. the Angels. Once again a great pitching performance, Mike Minor doing the honors for 9 innings and a piece of chicken was thrown away due to our bats just not responding to the pitches right down the central of the plate. Well that is except for one pitch that went the right way.


Heyward is leaping with his fist pumped in celebration - madden 2002 ...because he just hit a walkoff GRAND SLAM. That's only happened one other time in this memoirs and that was 3 years ago with Chipper Jones providing the first offensive spark for a struggling Atlanta team back in 2010. Maybe history will repeat itself.

And so now it is time to step a foot into July, but first, here is how the end of month shook out schedule wise. And also the updated standings as we take a 7 game lead into the dog days of Summer.




Whoa make that 6 games now. the East is tangled near the middle. We're out in front with a decent but not good lead, and the Washington Nationals led by Strasburg and Yu, have dissapointed everybody.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

You know there's just something not sitting right about this year. I can't put my finger on it just yet though.



2010, started and ended in two different directions. We came out the gates limping, and then surged through the middle of the summer and fought for a championship. The next year was ho-hum and the next thing we know we're watching the Cardinals and the Red Sox from the comforts of our Lay-Z-Boy.

2012 we bounced back, and went on a hellacious tear throughout the National League. But friends, we must put down the apple juice because just as the other time we won a championship, this title defense is starting to raise some red flags.



Too many, errors. Too many close games. People not performing up to their past season standards. Kris Medlen has been abysmal on the mound. He can not be trusted after even one trip through the lineup. Schafer's been hurt for a good minute. Hanson has been average.

Only Jason Heyward has been producing better than the year before, and as we learned in 2011... it'll take more than one man to get us past the Colorado's and St. Louis's of the Playoffs.

So back to the above picture, here we are in Kansas City, in YET ANOTHER EXTRA INNING BALLGAME. And after Eric O does work similar to out at Coors where he's just about to tiptoe out of a bases loaded less than 2 out jam. Rafael Furcal executes the worst error that has ever appeared upon us throughout these 4 magical years.

In fact, the robbery on this play oughta be a crime. Only Jason heyward being called safe after having Placido Polanco put his shoulder through his ribs could be worse than this.



Keep in mind this is with the bases loaded, and 2 outs. If Furcal puts it where it needs to be. We get out of the inning. If Furcal makes the play at first... (which would be questionable seeing as how he overthrew a routine play to 2nd.) we get out of the inning. I think you get the point without me going through the other 5 or 6 options he had on this play.

...

However and I shake my head before writing this:

IF HE BOTCHES A ROUTINE THROW TO 2ND WHERE HE HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE THE PLAY, WE LOSE.

6 or 7 options to get one out on this play. 1 way to lose this game. I'll let you peep the box score. Don't worry I'll wait...

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

But wait Sebastian D' St. Christopher, there IS more!


For you see, just as we were about to get down on ourselves for playing 3 straight extra inning games. With the last clocking in at a little over a hour and then taking the L due to Furcal underhanding a ball that my Granny could have gotten to Martin Prado with better accuracy.

The injury bug hit. And damn did it hit in the worst possible place at the worst possible time.



Big Z, a guy that for the last two years we've picked on, we've griped about, we've bullied, is out for the next 1 to 2 months with a shoulder tear. How's that for a sim to the next day text message?!

And the fact is, even though we've hated him since the day he's landed in Atlanta, he's done so much for us. He's always going to eat innings. He's going to keep the ball in the yard 3 out of 5 starts. We even got to experience the joy of a no hitter because of Z.



It is here, though... where he will be missed the most. As mentioned earlier Hanson and Medlen are underperforming. Minor hasn't been stellar.. Jurrjens actually has been quite nice this season. quite nice indeed. But now Medlen is being counted on to carry the slack not for 1 or 2 starts, but 2 or 3 months. Eh.... I dunno about that one:

Plus, after a bitter back and forth debate over starting the vet Kawakami or the rising prospect Brandon Beachy, we leaned towards Beachy because ultimately Kawakami's delvery is not something I want to deal with for 6 innings.

Sorry, but it's the truth.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be



Just two more updates till our midseason break for the 2013 All Star game in Washington D.C. and well... just when we thought Jason Heyward was going to take the team, put it on his back and continue hitting homeruns at an alarming almost suspcious "how big is this guy's neck" rate.

Kris Medlen had to pitch a ball game.

Ah hell....



Remember when this guy rolled up to the show and went on an absolute tear to the point that we were wondering why does this guy not have a face in the game? How he made relative quick work in the playoffs, and was a sneeze away from being the game 7 starter of the 2010 World Series? Me Neither... because right now this guy is in one hell of a funk.



I mean seriously?! One trip through the order, we come back around to the top and all of a sudden, the guy can't locate.. he can't fool anybody anymore, and well.. when you do those two things, and then you bring up John Singleton, a guy who is going to the All Star game as a rookie in Left Field because he is insane good for some reason...

Well you went to elementary school. You know that **** don't add up.


And it's a shame too, seeing as how Heyward went yard twice. And we almost thought, for a second the offense would open up as a result and curb stomp the Stro's and get us back on track. Nah... dudes still struggling as a team. I told you this year is not feeling right.

[Rexis]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

How is it Medlen gets 0 earned? I don't know the rules too well. Wouldn't the homerun he gave up [from the looks of that picture] count against him even after the error?

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

How is it Medlen gets 0 earned? I don't know the rules too well. Wouldn't the homerun he gave up [from the looks of that picture] count against him even after the error?

I googled this and this seems to be the best explanation of why Medlen gave up 4 but they were not earned. Prior to your question I really didn't understand this concept or paid much attention to it so I'm glad you pointed this out. Learn something new everyday:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080807173528AAsmwRa

An earned run is one that is scored via walks, hits, HBP, etc. The pitcher has "earned" these runs based on the way he pitched.

An unearned run is one that is not a direct result of the pitcher's pitching performance, due to an error by the pitcher or any of the players on his team. If a fielder does not make a play that he should reasonably be able to make, it is an error. For instance, a dropped ball, a ball thrown over someone's head, or a ball going between someone's legs are examples of an error.

If a runner gets on base via an error, his run will be unearned. If a runner is on base and scores because of an error, his run will also be unearned. If there are 2 outs and an error is then commited that allows the inning to continue, then all runs for the rest of the inning will be considered unearned (because the inning reasonably should have ended without the error).

Although he is off the hook technically and statistically, it is still unnerving that he gave up a 3 run homerun in that situation.

[AC]

Regardless of the stats, you're right, giving up a three run home run is NEVER good.

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

Nope can only think of one moment when giving up a 3 run home run is a good thing and that's when it leads to a trash, bum of a pitcher in losing his role or a coach being made to be a jackass for overmanaging... but that's a discussion for another day.



While our Braves limp like Old Yeller' the goofed up on painkillers version. Up North, there was a stirring.. A rustling of papers... a wrong that needed to be right, an I that I must say good friends, needed to be dotted..




Going into the All Star Break the Milwaulkee Brewers had a problem. Prince Fielder. While the slugger for the past 3 years has been right in the thick of the NL MVP Race finishing 4th behind our very own Jason Heyward, and 2nd in 2010 behind Mr. Pujols... he was starting to become a cancer up there. A fan favorite yes... but a cancer nonetheless.


Now anytime a underpaid, loudmouth free agent to be starts to run his gums, you be best served to get that guy out as soon as possible with as big a return as you possibly can. Sure you could try to ride it out Mark Texieria in LA style.. but you run the risk of getting your hand burnt if you play those cards.



No the Brewers are a smart organization. They buy low, and try to sell high. In the past they made a mistake. It was 2008 or 2009.. when they got CC for peanuts and rode him to the playoffs before letting him walk for nothing knowing he was just a rental all along. They weren't going to make that mistake twice with Fielder.




Now ain't that a damn shame... just like IRL, Fielder, the Brewers.. ah snap, they can't GET RID OF THIS GUY. Nobody wants him except Washington. And frankly Washington was not really in the market for a superstar when they already A. have 3 (Strasburg, Darvish, and Harper) and B. sit in last place in the NL's East.

So it looked like as of Monday morning this deal was not going to happen, and then out of nowhere a new team entered into the fray...

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be



Later that very same day, the HR derby took place. And well Jason Heyward was at his old antics once again, pulverizing pitch after pitch as he coasted through the first round.

So far J-Hey has 35 HR's and 84 Rib Eye Steaks. While batting .311 and sippin' lemonade. These are great first half numbers. The question of whether he can keep pace will surely be answered, but for now... we can only dream that Atlanta can once again be the home of the Home Run King...

... but I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's get it back to what we're here about. The HR DERBY in DC!





Last year Heyward got the better of Miguel Cabrera blasting balls left and right all over Kauffman Stadium. Let's take a quick trip down memory lane shall we?

That stadium seemed a bit smaller to my eyes. And it was a massacre of homeruns.. This year... ? it looked good through 2 rounds. And then he started to tire... and Longoria, a guy who's always in this contest it seems went absolutely H.A.M-tastic in the final frame knocking in 17.




Nothing easy about being asked to hit 17 homeruns just to tie. Heyward's reign as the champ is OVAH! Longoria finally gets the burden of failing in the Derby off of his back after winning in his third try.

Damn...I love people being oppressed in pissing contests.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

The next morning, as we were about to find out... all the **** hit the fan concerning the Brewers, Prince, and the newest episode of Weeds.



Now just a day earlier we showed an inconspicous photo of Fielder hitting the cages at Nationals Park in DC. Today, we get yet another photo of Prince talking with what appears to be his hitting coach along for the festivities.. but the conversation looks very testy.. heated indeed. You just know we gotta ease drop on this nonesense:

Fielder ... So I'm supposed to just not play tonight? It's the f**kin All Star Game. Whaddya want me to do just switch t-shirts and play for the AL?!

Inconspicous Coach Yeah, uh... I think this is different Prince. I told you earlier, this is not like the beltran situation. THEY really don't want you playing tonight to avoid some contrived ESPN controversy.

Fielder: ...

Inconspicous Coach Look this happens all the time, ask Ken Griffey Jr. We'll just fake an injury, scratch you from the game, and then wait and see what happens. There's just too much smoke going on right now for us to take a chance on the Brewers organization and baseball being embarrassed tonight. This is too big of a stage for a player and organization to be placed in this situation.

WELL DAMN!

I knew the trade talks were heating up when it took 3 days for the original trade of:



... 3 days to approve this?! You KNEW something else was in store, and as a result the secondary trade involving the Brewers which both teams needed to make this **** work was going to spillover into the All Star game possibly. But never did I think we'd have a situtation where an All-Star really could get traded so close to the game that his role would be questioned upon which team he'd play for. Well thanks to the Tigers/Nats/ and Brewers... we got that moment in history.

[lilbiggio]

Re: The Ted Turner Memoirs Part 4: Rise Of The Powers That Be

BREAKING NEWS: Prince Fielder Traded to Tigers
Three Team Trade Reaches Agreement Hours Before First pitch

... And just like that the Tigers just got stronger.

Literally, the Tigers put the finishing touches on a 3 way deal that just added another power bat to a lineup that was starting to lag behind Chicago and Cleveland due to Miguel Cabrera having zero protection in the Tigers lineup
....

So here's the deal broken down




A player to be named later (Brandon Allen) will be sent to Washington in exchange for Armando Galaragga. It was pretty complicated. Took atleast 30 minutes to make it fair, and logical but here's the reasoning I'll break it down as it happened:


Washington
In third place, truly wanted Fielder, but had no logical need for him, given their standings, positions, and relative need.

Detroit
Enter Detroit, a team that nobody thought would need Fielder as they already have an All Star 1B in Cabrera. However Miggy can play third apparently and the Tigers needed help in their lineup as a team with one of the best rotations in baseball was falling out of the playoff race.

Brewers
currently had Prince, would not unload him unless they recieved a dumptruck full of prospects and a competent 1B in return.

Detroit
Detroit has the dumptruck full of prospects but were not willing to part with Cabrera for Fielder.


Washington
Washington who was in the original conversation sees a chance to gain better players by getting rid of this little 1B problem. Because their rotation was so mediocre and Detroit's was so good, the asking price for 1B Tyler Moore was high... but both sides realized a win was in store by giving a little. When Detroit got rid of 2 really good pitchers sitting in AAA for basically Morse and a competent SS both sides felt like they won a little.