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Offline capodetutticapi

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2009 MLB Thread
« on: March 26, 2009, 09:09:17 AM »
keep it positive.and with de season less than 2 weeks to go,alot of injuries ahready.let's go red sox.
soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline daryn

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2009, 09:17:05 AM »
I am a big fan of the Metropolitans of New York.

David Wright and Jose Reyes going 1-2 in the MVP race.

Offline sinned

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2009, 11:20:52 AM »
keep it positive.and with de season less than 2 weeks to go,alot of injuries ahready.let's go red sox.

echo

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2009, 06:12:04 PM »
It could be all or nothing for Red Sox this yearby Joel Sherman, New York Post
Boston has so much talent — especially depth in pitching — that you see 95-plus wins. Nevertheless, the Red Sox have just enough uncertainty in nearly every realm, mainly because of health concerns, to fall out of the money in the AL East behind the Yankees and Rays.

Officials from the Big Three in the AL East will tell you privately they also believe that they are the Big Three in the majors. Of course, just two, at the most, can make the playoffs, and one AL East executive said there are legitimate scenarios in which the third-place team wins 95 games.

Each of the Big Three has immense strengths, notably the likelihood that the trio possesses the three best rotations in the Show.

Nevertheless, I do believe the Red Sox are most fluid. They have many key players who could flip one way or the other. I think the health of David Ortiz and John Smoltz can most influence the final record. If Ortiz has 550 productive plate appearances and Smoltz, indeed, returns on June 1 for four months of high-level pitching, then Boston probably will be the majors' best team.

Boston GM Theo Epstein works to build what he believes is a 95-win team and then looks for areas that can undermine his club and tries to create what he calls "redundancy." He particularly craves rotation depth because that is the most difficult area to fix during a season.

The perception inside and outside the organization is that Boston is overflowing with pitching options in the rotation and bullpen, but is not as deep in position players. Nevertheless, because of the bad economy, a team with money could cherry-pick an expensive player off of a financially troubled team. And the Red Sox actually have trimmed their payroll to about $126 million, sixth in the majors.
 
One scout who has seen a lot of the Red Sox this spring said, "One to 12, they will have the best pitching in baseball, so their offense just has to be OK."

So where are the main issues? I see three:


The old
Ortiz and Mike Lowell are coming back from injury, and Jason Varitek is in a serious fade; and they represent one-third of Boston's everyday lineup.

The read this spring from scouts is that Ortiz (wrist, knees) looks healthy, but the ball is not exploding off of his bat like his vintage 2003-07. There is clearly an ongoing transition from an offense built around Ortiz/Ramirez to Dustin Pedroia/Kevin Youkilis. But Boston still needs Ortiz to be clutch and menacing.

Will the third baseman of the Red Sox (Lowell) or Yankees (Alex Rodriguez) recover better from a torn hip labrum? Lowell has flashed power this spring, but his range is down and he has gone from slow to even slower.

Internally, the Red Sox anticipate below-league-average production at catcher with Varitek, 37 in April and coming off of a meek .220 season. Boston is yet to feel it is worth giving up the organizational pitching depth for Arizona's Miguel Montero or Texas' Jarrod Saltalamacchia. But this area could be addressed in season.


The injured
Once the Yanks won the bidding for Boston 's No. 1 offseason target, Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox decided to ignore the vast pool of free agents whom they saw as possessing league-average certainty at too high a cost. Instead, they focused on injured players who, if healthy, definitely could impact their season. So for about $13 million guaranteed, they signed Smoltz, Brad Penny, Takashi Saito and Rocco Baldelli.

Penny (shoulder) looks as if he will be the No. 5 starter. The Red Sox believe that, if necessary, Smoltz (shoulder) could be ready for the season. Instead, they have him working toward being strong for the closing four months. They also are working at restraining their enthusiasm at how good Smoltz has looked and felt, to date.
 
Saito (shoulder) has not had his best stuff from his Dodgers closing days, but his stuff has been good enough to join what the Red Sox think is their best set-up mix in years along with Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, Justin Masterson and Manny Delcarmen in front of Jonathan Papelbon.

Baldelli (fatigue) still might not be able to play consecutive days, but the Red Sox believe he has retained enough sock and athleticism to provide a righty-hitting caddy to the oft-injured J.D. Drew.


The young
Reliever Daniel Bard was the talk of camp. One scout said, "Unbelievable. He was consistently 96-98 (mph), touches 99-100, and he has always done it with little effort. He raised his arm slot from his college days and it has made a huge difference with his command and his slider. He could replace Papelbon at some point."

The Red Sox expect him up in 2009, and saw so many positives from Clay Buchholz and even recent Japanese import Junichi Tazawa (he will be in the Double-A rotation) that they anticipate seeing them, as well. It is illustrative of a deep system that points Boston toward 95 wins.

In the AL East, will that be enough?

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2009, 08:39:34 AM »
Preseason awards.

Raise your hand if you predicted that Indians left-hander Cliff Lee would win the American League Cy Young award last season and that Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia would win the AL MVP.

Some awards are easier to forecast than others — Albert Pujols, NL MVP, duh — but the exercise largely amounts to guesswork. Fascinating, fun guesswork, but guesswork nonetheless.

Here goes ...


American League MVP
Grady Sizemore, Indians


Only three center fielders have won this award in the past 25 years — Willie McGee in 1985, Robin Yount in 1989 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997. Sizemore, hailed in 2007 by Indians general manager Mark Shapiro as "without a doubt one of the greatest players of our generation," has yet to finish higher than 10th in the AL voting.

Victor Martinez had a better year than Sizemore when the Indians won the AL Central in '07. The Indians finished .500 in '08, depriving Sizemore of greater consideration. This season, though, the team again figures to contend. Sizemore, by approximating his '08 numbers — 39 doubles, 33 homers, 90 RBIs, 38 stolen bases — would emerge as a favorite for the award.


National League MVP
Hanley Ramirez, Marlins


C'mon, it's no fun picking Pujols every year ...

Ramirez, the only player besides Sizemore to produce 30 homers and stolen bases last season, should become a stronger MVP candidate by moving from the leadoff to No. 3 spot in the Marlins' batting order.

Ramirez's stolen-base total will not necessarily decline — the Blue Jays' Alex Rios stole 29 bases out of the No. 3 spot last season — and his RBI total only should increase.

True, Ramirez batted only .239 with runners in scoring position last season, but he had 86 fewer plate appearances in those situations than the NL leader, the Mets' No. 3 hitter, David Wright.

The Dodgers' Manny Ramirez will be a major contender for this award if he again plays in 153 games, as he did last season. His totals the previous two years — 130 and 133 — probably are more realistic.


American League Cy Young
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays


Granted, Halladay might be traded to an NL club at midseason and become this year's CC Sabathia, a Cy Young without a country. But he also could get dealt to a prospect-rich AL contender such as the Red Sox or even the Rangers, keeping his candidacy intact.


Halladay has averaged 17 wins, 230 1/3 innings and a 3.22 ERA the past three seasons. The Blue Jays' likely decline could damage his Cy Young chances, creating opportunities for pitchers such as the Yankees' CC Sabathia and Red Sox's Jon Lester. But going with Halladay always makes sense, regardless of the circumstances.


National League Cy Young
Yovani Gallardo, Brewers


Yeah, it's a wacky pick, but hear me out. Several of the league's top starters worked harder last season than they ever had before. Those pitchers might not be as strong in 2009, creating the potential for a darkhorse to emerge.

Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum, the reigning Cy Young, jumped to 227 innings from 177 1/3, including 31 at Class AAA, the previous season. Phillies lefty Cole Hamels, the World Series MVP, jumped to 252 1/3, including post-season, from 183 1/3.

Johan Santana also reached a career high — but not by much — by pitching 234 1/3 innings. The greater concern is that Santana averaged less than a strikeout per inning for the first time since becoming a full-time starter in 2004.

Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb, a top-two finisher the past three seasons, is always a smart pick, but I've got a hunch that a Cliff Lee-type sleeper is going to win the NL award.

Gallardo made a strong debut in 2007, then missed most of last season with a knee injury. The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco or Josh Johnson probably would be a better choice; the Brewers need Gallardo to be an ace at 23, and their bullpen is a mess. Whatever, he's my Cliff Lee.


American League Rookie
Elvis Andrus, Rangers



Orioles catcher Matt Wieters and Rays left-hander David Price are safer picks. Both will open the season in the minors, and the selections of Ryan Howard in 2005, Ryan Braun in '07 and Evan Longoria in '08 showed that a player does not need to start the season in the majors to win this award.

Andrus is only 20. He probably will not hit much this season, if ever. But he will be the Rangers' shortstop from Opening Day.

His makeup is outstanding. His defense will be a revelation for a team that struggles every season with run prevention. His base-running and ability to handle the bat (bunting, moving runners over, executing hit-and-runs) also should prove assets.

For Andrus to win the award, the Rangers will need to surprise and Wieters and Price will need to stumble. Both scenarios qualify as unlikely, but Andrus at least stands a chance of becoming the Rangers' first Rookie of the Year since Mike Hargrove in 1974.


National League Rookie
Tommy Hanson, Braves


For the sake of consistency, I should go with Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin, employing the same logic that I used to pick Andrus. But Hanson, a 22-year-old right-hander, is an ace in waiting. He will open at Class AAA, but might be on an even faster track than Maybin toward stardom.

Ideally, the Braves will not even need Hanson; right-handed newcomers Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez are particularly durable. But it's highly doubtful that the Braves will use only five starters all season when their rotation includes 43-year-old lefty Tom Glavine, who is coming off shoulder and elbow surgery.

Once Hanson gets his chance, there will be no turning back. He was terrific in the Arizona Fall League and terrific in spring training, drawing praise from one Braves veteran after another.


American League Manager
Ron Gardenhire, Twins


It's about time, isn't it? Gardenhire finished third for this award in 2002 and second in '03, '04, '06 and '08.

The Twins' starting pitching makes them the team to beat in the AL Central, but the club is hardly without issues — Joe Mauer's back, an overcrowded outfield, the bullpen leading up to closer Joe Nathan. One way or another, Gardenhire will keep them in contention, then receive his just due.


National League Manager
Charlie Manuel, Phillies


Manuel, the runner-up to the Cubs' Lou Piniella last season, would have won the award if the votes were collected at the end of the postseason instead of the end of the regular season.

The Braves' Bobby Cox and Cardinals' Tony La Russa are threats in their respective underdog roles. The Mets might erect a statue of Jerry Manuel outside of the new Citi Field if he can help the team avoid another September collapse.

The Phillies, though, should be headed to their third straight postseason appearance under Charlie Manuel. If it happens, the vote might not even be close.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2009, 08:53:59 PM »
Girardi to bat Jeter in leadoff spot for YanksAssociated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Derek Jeter could be the first New York Yankees player to bat at their new stadium.

Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that his spring training switch of Jeter and Johnny Damon atop the lineup has worked so well that as of right now, the Yankees captain will bat first and Damon second for the season opener at Baltimore on Monday.

"I've liked what I've seen," Girardi said.

Girardi flip-flopped Damon and Jeter for the first time on March 26. The manager was impressed with what he saw earlier in spring training when Damon batted second so catcher Jorge Posada, coming back from right shoulder surgery, could hit first and get extra at-bats.

Jeter is a career .315 hitter batting first. The last time Damon hit second with more than 50 at-bats came in 2002.

New York will complete spring training at the new Yankee Stadium starting with a workout on Thursday. The Yankees will play their final two exhibition games there Friday and Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. Their home opener is April 16.
The team opened spring training with major questions about several key injured players, including closer Mariano Rivera (right shoulder surgery), catcher Jorge Posada (right shoulder surgery), right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (foot) and designated hitter Hideki Matsui (left knee surgery). All four are ready for the start of the regular season.

"I was pretty concerned," Girardi said. "In today's world it seems like there's a lot of offseason situations that players go through surgery. Just the nature of the game."

The Yankees will be without third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had right hip surgery on March 9, until May.

Girardi knows he will be under close scrutiny, one year after the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

"You understand when you take this job, you're under it all the time," Girardi said. "It's not a job where you get three years to see what happens."


soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2009, 07:21:28 PM »
1 HR shy of 500, Sheffield agrees to Mets dealAssociated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Gary Sheffield plans to go for No. 500 with the New York Mets.

One home run shy of the milestone, Sheffield reached a contract agreement with New York on Friday, three days after he was released by the Detroit Tigers in a surprising move.

Just hours before opening their beaming new ballpark Friday night with an exhibition game against Boston, the Mets made another splash by acquiring the outspoken Sheffield. He is expected to be in New York on Saturday and the deal is contingent on him passing a physical, general manager Omar Minaya said.

"Gary gives us another element in the lineup and he gives us a different intensity, just because of the competitive guy that he is," Minaya said at Citi Field.

The 40-year-old slugger provides the Mets with a right-handed power bat, something they need to help balance the batting order. But his role on the team will be tricky: New York was already set at the corner outfield spots with Ryan Church in right and Daniel Murphy in left - both left-handed hitters.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said the team would give Sheffield time to get in shape to play the outfield, which he hasn't done regularly since getting hurt in 2006. Once he shows he's ready, Sheffield will probably see action in right, Manuel said.

"What this does for us, it really creates some depth in the team," Manuel said. "I believe that in the course of 162 regular-season games, depth is the one thing that is normally overlooked."

Manuel spoke to Sheffield and explained exactly what sort of role he envisions for the nine-time All-Star.


The missing piece? Predictions: The Mets needed a right-handed bat, and now they have Gary Sheffield. Are they World Series-bound? Ken Rosenthal looks into the future. 
"If he can be close to something that he's been, that could be a tremendous, tremendous help," Manuel said. "He lengthens us out a bit with presence."

Church seemed comfortable with the move, too.

"He's more than welcome. He's a great player. He's just another piece for us," Church said. "I can't control what they do."

Sheffield is one big swing from becoming the 25th player to reach 500 home runs. The Tigers will have to pay $13.6 million of his $14 million contract this year while the Mets get him for the major league minimum of $400,000.

Minaya said Sheffield has always wanted to play for the Mets ever since his uncle, Dwight Gooden, was a star pitcher for them in the 1980s and 90s. Sheffield played across town with the Yankees from 2004-06, putting up two big seasons followed by an injury-shortened one before he was traded to the Tigers.

Sheffield was Detroit's designated hitter before he was released. Shoulder injuries and other problems limited him to 114 games and a .225 average with 19 homers and 57 RBIs last season. He hit .178 with five homers in 45 spring training at-bats this year.

When the Tigers released him, they said it was because they wanted to be a more versatile team. Now back in the National League, Sheffield will have to readjust to playing the field. How well he can do that remains to be seen.

"It's good. I hope he comes in with a good attitude," Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado said. "I'm sure he wants to prove to people that he can play."

Philadelphia, the Mets' biggest rival in the NL East, expressed interest in Sheffield soon after he was cut. The Phillies also could use a right-handed bat.

Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker, a longtime friend, called Sheffield to offer a part-time role with the Reds.


"Sheff just called me, too, left me a message," Baker said Friday in Zebulon, N.C., before the Reds' exhibition game against a collection of their top minor leaguers. "He told me he was going to sign with the Mets because he has a home in New York. He thought that was the best situation for him. I'm glad for him, and sad for us because I know him personally."

The addition of Sheffield could mean Marlon Anderson's days with the Mets are numbered. A pinch-hitting specialist, he batted .210 with a homer and 10 RBIs last year.

Sheffield has also played for Milwaukee, San Diego, Florida, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta. He is a .292 lifetime hitter and ranks 27th on the career list with 1,633 RBIs.

"He'll be a great asset. He plays hard every day," Delgado said.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2009, 05:03:51 PM »
Angels' Adenhart killed in accident
ORANGE, Calif. -- On one of the saddest mornings in Angels history, a groundskeeper on the field in Angel Stadium smoothed the pitching rubber on which Nick Adenhart stood 13 hours before.
 

In a conference room on the third floor of the park, Adenhart's No. 34 uniform was draped over a table atop the dais. On its left sleeve, a "Preston" patch commemorating the recent passing of Angels exec Preston Gomez.

There will soon be another patch on those uniforms, in memory of Adenhart, the victim of a tragic hit-and-run accident in Fullerton, Calif., in the wee minutes of Thursday.

The sudden and shocking development moved the Angels to cancel Thursday's night game, the finale of a four-game series with Oakland. Makeup plans will be announced later.

Into that third-floor room, media members, club officials and Fullerton police and fire department officers filed in with long faces and vacant eyes. They were there to discuss the 12:24 a.m. accident that took three lives and left a fourth in critical condition, and to reminisce about an exceptional 22-year-old.

As Tim Mead, the Angels' vice president of communications said in opening the proceedings, "It is with deep regret that we are having this press conference."

Of all the sad, thoughtful and poignant sentiments that ensued, nothing spoke louder of Adenhart's effect than the eyes of agent Scott Boras, which weren't vacant but wet.

Looking completely distraught when his turn to speak came, Boras took several deep breaths before saying, "Nick's parents, Jim and Janet, wanted me to convey to the entire Angels organization ... "

Then the tough-as-steel agent broke down, audibly sobbing before again collecting himself to say through quivering lips, "He was a great kid. His life goal was to be a big league baseball player. He'd summoned his father [on Tuesday], telling him 'You better come [to Wednesday's game]. Something special's going to happen.'"

Something special did: Adenhart blanked the Oakland A's for six innings of what turned out to be an Angels loss.

"After the game," Boras said, "he was so elated. It was tremendous fun. A great moment for all of us, seeing a young man take a huge step."

A couple of hours after that 6-4 loss, the Angels suffered a loss much more painful and lasting. A van driven by Andrew Thomas Gallo, a 22-year-old Riverside resident, ran a red light at the Fullerton intersection of Lemon and Orangethorpe and slammed the two-door Eclipse in which Adenhart was a passenger, hurtling it against a telephone pole.
Active player deaths since 1990
Player Team Died 
Nick Adenhart Angels 4/9/2009 
Steve Bechler Orioles  2/17/2003 
Tim Crews Indians 3/23/1993 
Mike Darr Padres 2/15/2002 
Josh Hancock Cardinals  4/29/2007 
Joe Kennedy Blue Jays  11/23/2007 
Darryl Kile Cardinals 6/22/2002 
Cory Lidle Yankees 10/11/2006 
Steve Olin Indians 3/22/1993 
Dernell Stenson Reds  11/5/2003 
Adenhart was pulled from the wreckage by Fullerton Fire Dept. rescuers and transported within 15 minutes to University of California-Irvine Medical Center, where he was soon pronounced dead. Courtney Stewart, the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle, and another unidentified 27-year-old male passenger were declared dead at the scene.
"An absolutely horrible tragedy," said Lt. Kevin Hamilton, in charge of the traffic bureau for the Fullerton Police Dept. and lead investigator on the case.

Hamilton said Gallo would be booked on DUI, vehicular manslaughter and murder charges, but the eventual charges he will face will be up to the District Attorney. Gallo's arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

Gallo has a history of arrests for driving under the influence. While withholding specifics, Hamilton said his blood-alcohol reading was above the minimum. The officer also said Gallo was driving with a license suspended due to his DUI infractions.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins and manager Mike Scioscia sat stone-faced behind that third-floor table in sharing their memories of Adenhart.

"He was a privilege to be around. He grew as much in four years as anyone I've ever known," said Scioscia. "I can't tell you how proud I was of the great progress he made. He had arm surgery before throwing his first pitch in professional ball, so his family should be very proud."

As head of the Angels' Minor League system prior to his ascension to GM in he winter of '07, Reagins had a special relationship with Adenhart.

"He had a great energy, but didn't show it," Reagins said. "He was very poised; nothing ever seemed to faze this kid.

"He was a tremendous player, and a tremendous person who impacted the other players and the coaching staff in a very positive way. Disbelief is prevalent; we're all in shock. We will deeply miss him; it's difficult to express how much."

Although Thursday night's game is off, the entire roster will convene in its Angel Stadium locker, with Scioscia holding a meeting to begin the healing process.

"We'll have everyone together," Scioscia said, "and start to move forward. And we'll focus on supporting Nick's family."

Wednesday's start was Adenhart's fourth in the bigs. He went 1-0, with an ERA of 6.00. In four Minor League seasons, one at each rung of the ladder, the 14th-round 2004 Draft choice went 37-28 with an ERA of 3.87.

But ERA is not the most compelling acronym of Nick Adenhart's legacy. It is RIP.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline big dawg

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2009, 05:53:45 PM »
Go METS !! :wavetowel:!
Re-Group, Re-Energize, Return
We'll be back...
I don't know when

Offline 100% Barataria

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2009, 10:14:39 PM »
Go Giants  :rotfl:
Education is our passport for the future for the future belongs to those who prepare for it today

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2009, 09:04:46 PM »
mets lose the 1st official game and david wright hit de 1st home run by a met at citifield.
soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline dwolfman

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2009, 09:44:54 PM »
mets lose the 1st official game and david wright hit de 1st home run by a met at citifield.

Their right fielder dropped a crucial catch in the top of the 6th right after a 4-run inning to tie the scores to put the winning run on third and then the relief pitcher balked in the run. Can't get it better than that.

Offline daryn

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2009, 07:53:29 PM »
mets lose the 1st official game and david wright hit de 1st home run by a met at citifield.

Their right fielder dropped a crucial catch in the top of the 6th right after a 4-run inning to tie the scores to put the winning run on third and then the relief pitcher balked in the run. Can't get it better than that.

well the last 2 seasons we start strong and then collapse in the dregs.  I take this ignominious start as a sign of an impending championship.

Offline dwolfman

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2009, 08:13:52 PM »
Just watched the last 3 innings of the Yankees beating the Rays 7-2. Not a bad recover after that 15-5 hammering they got night before. Swisher (solo) and Jeter (3-run) went long for the Yanks.

Daryn boy, that loss to the Padres inspired a man to call for Lucy Pinder photos, oui.  ;D

Offline daryn

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2009, 09:21:23 PM »
I could see how that might be considered to be therapeutic.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #15 on: April 15, 2009, 08:08:28 AM »
Braves' Glavine considering retirementAssociated Press
ATLANTA (AP) - Tom Glavine may retire if his sore left shoulder doesn't improve in two weeks.

Glavine was told Tuesday he must rest for at least two weeks after inflammation was found in his left rotator cuff. The 43-year-old had an MRI and was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who advised treatment and rest.

Glavine said he's tired of rehabbing after elbow and shoulder surgery last August. He's willing to give the shoulder two weeks, but not much longer.

"I'm willing to put in a little more time but I'm not willing to put in another six weeks or eight weeks because by then, you know what, I'm going to have to start all over again and I'm not interested in doing that," he said.

Glavine joined the Braves at Turner Field on Tuesday night following the examination in Birmingham, Ala.

He ended Sunday's minor league start with Double-A Mississippi after two innings due to soreness in the shoulder after swinging a bat.

Glavine felt similar discomfort when hitting in spring training, but he said that pain didn't last as it did this time.

The visit with Andrews left Glavine with a two-week timetable that may determine if he continues his career.

"From my own standpoint, it works better for me to kind of have a timetable to say, OK, let's give it this amount of time, and if we see some progress, then good. We'll know we're going in the right direction," Glavine said. "If we don't, then I think maybe at that point in time maybe we need to sit down and honestly think about how much more I want to go through this and whether or not anything is going to change."

Because the MRI did not reveal a tear, the initial reaction from the Braves was positive.

General manager Frank Wren said the Braves "were happy that it wasn't more serious."

"I think it's good it happened swinging the bat instead of throwing the ball," manager Bobby Cox said. "It's kind of a disappointment for me, but I think the good news is he's coming back."

Glavine, who agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract in February, sounded less sure that he'll pitch again. He doesn't expect to have another MRI in two weeks.

"I think all of it is going to be based on how I progress pain-wise," he said. "If I'm seeing a definitive change in the amount of pain that I have and the amount of strength I'm being able to gain, then I think I continue on. If two weeks from now my pain has not changed and my strength isn't any better, then I think I'm more clearly in a position where I need to honestly sit down and figure out how much more I want to go through with this."

Glavine was 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 starts last season. He had a partially torn left elbow tendon repaired by Andrews on Aug. 21. At that time, Andrews also cleaned up Glavine's left shoulder.

"I think he's surprised my elbow has held up as well as it has and I'm having so many issues with my shoulder," Glavine said.

The rehabilitation from last summer's surgery has left Glavine less willing to start another long process. He said if his shoulder doesn't feel better in two weeks, he'd have difficulty being ready to pitch before the All-Star break.

"I don't think it's fair to this team and I'm not sure I have the desire to do all that for maybe half a season," he said.

Atlanta adjusted plans for the No. 5 spot in their rotation. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, which had been Glavine's first scheduled start of the season.

Glavine, a 305-game winner and 10-time All-Star, spent his first 16 major league seasons with the Braves, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 1991 and 1998. He pitched for the New York Mets from 2003-07 and returned to Atlanta last season to be with his family.

Glavine's contract contains $3.5 million in bonuses based on roster time, including a $1 million bonus when he is placed on the active roster.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #16 on: April 15, 2009, 11:48:00 AM »
Beckett suspended 6 games for throwing at AbreuAssociated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Boston right-hander Josh Beckett was stunned Tuesday after receiving a six-game suspension from Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.

Beckett, who immediately appealed the ruling, also was fined an undisclosed amount and cited for "aggressive actions" after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner's office.

"We were pretty shocked," Beckett said before the Red Sox's game against the Athletics in Oakland, Calif. "I think the appeal speaks for everything that we feel. I respect the job they have to do, but I don't agree."

Any suspension wouldn't begin until after Beckett's appeal is decided, likely allowing him to make his next scheduled start on Saturday against Baltimore.

Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher also was angry after being suspended for one game and fined, although he served the penalty Tuesday night at Seattle. In addition, Watson fined Angels manager Mike Scioscia and players Torii Hunter and Justin Speier.

The incident began when Abreu was granted a timeout after a long pause on the mound by Beckett, who was holding Chone Figgins on second base. Beckett finished his throwing motion in any pitcher's normal attempt to avoid injury from a sudden stop, but his throw went in the direction of Abreu's head.

Beckett insists the throw's direction was unintentional.

"It's what we're taught to do," Beckett said. "We have to kind of protect ourselves in those situations. That ball could have ended up anywhere, and that's unfortunate where it ended up. That's why I'm standing dealing with all this stuff."

The throw infuriated the Angels' bench and Abreu, who raised his arms and stared at Beckett. The pitcher then moved toward Abreu, causing both benches to clear, although no real fighting went on.

"I don't really feel like I've done anything," Beckett said. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Am I supposed to give him a hug? I wasn't really in a hugging mood right then. I really don't know what he wanted me to do."

Boston manager Terry Francona left Anaheim under the impression that the umpiring crew didn't feel Beckett or the Red Sox had done anything wrong.
 
"I didn't expect to hear from the league," Francona said. "Sounds like they overruled the umpires, and that's disturbing."

"I understand where the ball went, and I understand why they (Angels) were yelling," Francona added. "When guys are yelling at Beckett, you can't leave the field and just let him stand out there. I did not think he was the aggressor. I'm sure we'll have our say at some point. It's obvious he's going to appeal. I'm disappointed we're even going through this."

Hatcher also was unhappy he was suspended for what he said was merely yelling at the umpires.

"I think it's brutal," Hatcher said. "I've been in a lot of brawls and never been thrown out. Nobody should have been thrown out - except one person (Beckett). There were no punches, just a lot of words being said."

Scioscia was pleased with the outcome.

"It makes us feel good that Major League Baseball really supported our position, especially since we were somehow portrayed as the aggressors in that," Scioscia said. "I think upon review, Major League Baseball determined Beckett's actions prompted this by approaching Bobby Abreu and shaking his finger at him. We didn't retaliate, and I think Major League Baseball appreciates that."

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline dwolfman

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #17 on: April 18, 2009, 06:29:00 PM »
Dem Yankees lost 22-4 today including giving up 14 runs in the 2nd inning. Not going to have too many good records in their new stadium at his rate.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #18 on: April 25, 2009, 08:08:24 PM »
Lowell drives in 6 as BoSox pound YanksAssociated Press
BOSTON (AP) - It was three hours into the game, and Mike Lowell was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts while stranding five baserunners.

The next two at-bats changed everything.
The former World Series MVP hit a three-run homer in the seventh to give the Red Sox the lead, then added a three-run double in the eighth in Boston's 16-11 victory over the New York Yankees. It was Boston's ninth straight win, and its biggest comeback victory against the Yankees since 1968.

 
Mike Lowell had himself quite a day. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

"It was going back-and-forth; it seemed like whoever was up last was going to win," Lowell said. "You've got to be mentally prepared for every pitch."

In all, 12 pitchers threw 385 pitches and managed to retire the side in order just twice - once for each team - in a 4 hour, 21 minute game that tied for the sixth-longest nine-inning game in baseball history. The two longest also were between the Yankees and Red Sox.

"Lot of pitching changes. Lot of runs. Lot of commercials," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "There's that many pitches thrown, and it seems like every one is of consequence. It can drain you."

Boston was trailing 6-0 before Jason Bay singled in a run and Jason Varitek hit a grand slam to make it 6-5 in the fourth. The Yankees led 10-9 in the seventh when they intentionally walked Bay - Friday night's star - to face Lowell, and he homered off Jonathan Albaladejo (1-1) to make it 12-10.

The Yankees again walked Bay to get to Lowell in the eighth, and he drove in another three runs with a double off the Green Monster.

"His RBIs in the last few innings were the difference in the game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "In the first couple of at-bats, we weren't able to get Bay out. That combination has really hurt us in this series so far."

Hideki Okajima (1-0) got two outs for the win, then Ramon Ramirez got out of the eighth after putting runners on second and third with one out. Dustin Pedroia had three hits and Jacoby Ellsbury hit his first homer of the year for Boston.

Robinson Cano homered twice and drove in five for the Yankees.

Yankees star Jorge Posada was called for catcher's interference and a passed ball in the same inning; Pedroia - the 2008 AL MVP - had a two-run error and got thrown out on a baserunning bungle. The teams swapped leads four times in fifth, sixth and seventh innings as Johnny Damon tied it with a two-run homer, David Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly put Boston on top and then the Yankees took the lead when Damon hit a hard grounder through Pedroia's legs at second base.

The Yankees intentionally walked Bay, whose two-run homer with two out in the ninth helped Boston win the night before. Lowell homered off Albaladejo inside the foul pole to make it 12-10.

The Red Sox last rallied from six runs down to beat the Yankees on May 16, 1968, when they trailed 9-3 after four innings but came back to win 11-10.

"They never quit over there," Damon said. "Score a run here, score a run there, and then Varitek hits a big grand slam. Then they ended scoring every inning after that."


Notes
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, wearing a Red Sox jersey with No. 9.69 on the back for his record time in the 100 meters, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Boston ace Josh Beckett and New York's A.J. Burnett, teammates on the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins, were the starters and neither made it past five innings after giving up eight runs for a no-decision. ... Cano has hit safely in 12 straight games. ... New York's Mark Teixeira walked five times, once intentionally.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline sinned

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #19 on: April 26, 2009, 07:25:58 AM »
the red sox with 9 in a row now

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #20 on: May 07, 2009, 04:40:32 PM »
Manny suspended 50 games for positive PED testAssociated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Manny Ramirez joined a growing lineup of All-Stars linked to drugs Thursday, with the dreadlocked slugger banished for 50 games by a sport that cannot shake free from scandal.
 
The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was suspended by Major League Baseball, adding a further stamp to what will forever be known as the Steroids Era.

Ramirez said he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. A person familiar with the details of the suspension said Ramirez used the female fertility drug HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the banned substance wasn't announced.

HCG is popular among steroid users because it can mitigate the side effects of ending a cycle of the drugs. The body may stop producing testosterone when users go off steroids, which can cause sperm counts to decrease and testicles to shrink.

Ramirez's suspension was based not on the test result but rather evidence obtained afterward, a second person familiar with the suspension said, speaking on condition of anonymity because those details were not released. MLB had concluded the spring test was positive, but the person said the players' association would have challenged the result because of "testing issues."

Ranked 17th on the career home run list with 533, Ramirez became the most prominent baseball player to be penalized for drugs. His ban came three months after Alex Rodriguez admitted using steroids, and at a time when Barry Bonds is under federal indictment and Roger Clemens is accused of lying to Congress about his own alleged steroid use.

No matter which way baseball turns, the legitimacy of many of its recent home run and pitching records are being questioned. Sluggers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have been tainted by steroid allegations, Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for a banned drug and Jose Canseco said he used them.

In every case, players once believed to be locks for the Hall of Fame may now be locked out.


"You can't have arguably the greatest pitcher of our era, arguably the two greatest players of our era and now another very, very good player be under this cloud of suspicion and not feel like it has ruined it for everybody," Atlanta star Chipper Jones said.

"But what are you going to do? You can't be born in a different era. It is the Steroid Era," he said.

And that prompted yet another apology from another ballplayer. The 36-year-old Ramirez told the Dodgers and fans he was sorry for "this whole situation."

"Recently, I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me," Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players' union.

"Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons."

His suspension was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.

While Ramirez had little to say, Canseco, who planned a news conference Thursday night in Los Angeles, was quick to explain why someone might use HCG.

"It could be that a player used it because he used steroids and went cold-turkey and needed HCG to get his levels back to normal. I had to use it when I quit steroids cold-turkey," said Canseco, who pleaded guilty last November to a misdemeanor of trying to bring HCG across the Mexican border into the United States illegally, told the AP. "I had to go to a doctor to get it and get my levels back."

Because MLB imposed the suspension as required by the drug agreement, the Dodgers cannot further discipline Ramirez.

"We share the disappointment felt by our fans, our players, and every member of our organization," Dodgers chief executive officer Jamie McCourt said in a statement. "We will welcome Manny back upon his return."


The Manny Effect
Manny Ramirez's impact on the Dodgers has been huge since his arrival in August 2008. He has accounted for at least 13% of their offense in several major categories:
 Hits HR RBI R BB TB
Ramirez 106 23 73 58 61 198
Dodgers 804 87 395 411 349 1,246
Percent 13.2% 26.4% 18.5% 14.1% 17.5% 15.9%
Ramirez was not mentioned in the Mitchell Report in December 2007, MLB's official report on drug use, and there had not been whispers that he was among the sport's juiced players.

Rodriguez and Ramirez are the two highest-paid players in the majors. With this suspension, six of the top 17 home run hitters in history now have been covered by the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs.

"It's kind of shocking that he got caught up in anything, honestly. Manny likes to play stupid, but he's a pretty bright guy. And he's definitely aware of a lot of things that he tries to act like he's completely oblivious to," said Cincinnati pitcher Bronson Arroyo, Ramirez's former Boston teammate.

Baseball added HCG to its list of banned substances last year. HCG is prescribed to stimulate female fertility and testosterone production in men and to treat delayed puberty in boys.

"It's not infrequently part of the mix of the poly-drug approach to doping," said Dr. Gary Wadler, chairman of the committee that determines the banned-substances list for the World Anti-Doping Agency. "It typically is used most when people are coming off a cycle to restore to normal biophysiological feedback mechanisms."

Reaction to Ramirez's ban came swiftly, from major league clubhouses to the White House.

"It's a tragedy. It's a shame. My sense is, it's a great embarrassment on Major League Baseball," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

The penalty left the best team in the majors without its driving force and free spirit for nearly one-third of the season.


Ramirez's suspension began Thursday. Barring any postponements, he will be able to return to the Dodgers for the July 3 game at San Diego. Ramirez will lose $7,650,273 of his $25 million salary.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig couldn't comment on the suspension because of provisions of the management-union drug agreement, spokesman Rich Levin said.

Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, and the players' association had gathered materials for a possible appeal to an arbitrator, but Ramirez decided not to file one because he didn't want to risk missing significant time in the second half of the season, the person familiar with details of the suspension said. The union said merely that he waived his right to contest the suspension.

Ramirez is batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs through the first 27 games of the season.

His suspension comes a day after the Dodgers broke the modern major league record for a home winning streak to open a season with their 13th consecutive victory. They play Washington again Thursday night.


"It's a tragedy. It's a shame. My sense is, it's a great embarrassment on Major League Baseball."
— White House press secretary Robert Gibbs
Losing Ramirez to suspension could be a huge blow financially for the Dodgers. The slugger has been single-handedly responsible for increasing attendance, merchandise sales and interest in the team, in addition to helping it win the NL West after his late-season arrival in 2008.

Los Angeles even renamed a section of seats in left field at Dodger Stadium "Mannywood" in his honor. Hours after the suspension, the team removed a reference to those seats from its Web site.

Ramirez's suspension came a day before Rodriguez was likely to rejoin the New York Yankees. Rodriguez has been on the disabled list since having hip surgery.

In his statement, Ramirez addressed Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, and manager Joe Torre.

"I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans," Ramirez said. "LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."

Ramirez became the third player suspended this year under the major league program, following Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre.

In St. Louis, a clubhouse attendant stuck his head into manager Tony La Russa's office and said, "Manny Ramirez, 50 games, steroids."

La Russa's reaction: "You're kidding me."

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline dwolfman

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #21 on: May 14, 2009, 09:39:58 AM »
A Phillies outfielder stole all the bases in the same innings last night.

Offline daryn

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #22 on: May 14, 2009, 09:55:09 AM »
including home?  against the Dodgers?

Offline sinned

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #23 on: May 14, 2009, 10:25:56 AM »
i think that was two nights ago right?

it was jayson werth. he stole home when the dodgers catcher martin wasnt paying attention and just lobbed the ball back to the pitcher after the pitch.

Offline dwolfman

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #24 on: May 14, 2009, 02:25:57 PM »
Leyritz hospitalised after threatening to commit suicide.

including home?  against the Dodgers?
sinned is right, it was on the 12th and yes including home and yes against the Dodgers.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #25 on: June 04, 2009, 06:35:23 PM »
Big Unit's big number: Randy Johnson wins 300th

WASHINGTON – Randy Johnson has earned his 300th win, becoming the 24th major league pitcher to reach the milestone.

The Big Unit allowed two hits and an unearned run over six innings Thursday, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader.

With his teenage son serving as a Giants batboy, Johnson (5-4) struck out two and walked two in his first attempt at No. 300. The left-hander got his 299th victory last week against Atlanta.

At 45, Johnson becomes the second-oldest pitcher to reach the milestone. Knuckleballer Phil Niekro was 46 when he won his 300th game with the New York Yankees in 1985.

Johnson had been scheduled to pitch Wednesday, but the game was rained out.

soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #26 on: June 09, 2009, 08:28:30 PM »
so far this season yankees 0-6 v red sox.
soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline sinned

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #27 on: June 10, 2009, 01:59:10 PM »
so far this season yankees 0-6 v red sox.

the beatings will continue! (hopefully)

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #28 on: June 10, 2009, 07:47:11 PM »
so far this season yankees 0-6 v red sox.

the beatings will continue! (hopefully)
that sounds very familiar. ;D
soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

Offline capodetutticapi

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Re: 2009 MLB Thread
« Reply #29 on: June 11, 2009, 08:53:15 PM »
0-8 yankees v red sox
soon ah go b ah lean mean bulling machine.

 

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