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Sports => Other Sports => Topic started by: capodetutticapi on March 26, 2009, 09:09:17 AM

Title: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: sinned 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
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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?

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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."


Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: big dawg on April 09, 2009, 05:53:45 PM
Go METS !! :wavetowel:!
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: 100% Barataria on April 09, 2009, 10:14:39 PM
Go Giants  :rotfl:
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: dwolfman 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: dwolfman 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 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/extramustard/hotclicks/04/14/lucy-pinder-heath-bell-rips-espn/index.html) photos, oui.  ;D
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on April 14, 2009, 09:21:23 PM
I could see how that might be considered to be therapeutic.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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."

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: dwolfman 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: sinned on April 26, 2009, 07:25:58 AM
the red sox with 9 in a row now
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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."

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: dwolfman on May 14, 2009, 09:39:58 AM
A Phillies outfielder stole all the bases in the same innings last night.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on May 14, 2009, 09:55:09 AM
including home?  against the Dodgers?
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: sinned 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.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: dwolfman on May 14, 2009, 02:25:57 PM
Leyritz hospitalised after threatening to commit suicide (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9574008/Report:-Leyritz-hospitalized-after-suicide-threat).

including home?  against the Dodgers?
sinned is right, it was on the 12th and yes including home and yes against the Dodgers.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on June 09, 2009, 08:28:30 PM
so far this season yankees 0-6 v red sox.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: sinned on June 10, 2009, 01:59:10 PM
so far this season yankees 0-6 v red sox.

the beatings will continue! (hopefully)
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi 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
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on June 11, 2009, 08:53:15 PM
0-8 yankees v red sox
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on July 29, 2009, 02:22:33 PM
ChiSox's Buehrle sets record for dominanceAssociated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle set a major league record by retiring 45 straight batters.
Coming off a perfect game in his last start against Tampa Bay, Buehrle retired the first 17 Minnesota Twins batters on Tuesday night to surpass the record of 41 straight set by and San Francisco's Jim Barr in 1972 and tied by teammate Bobby Jenks, a reliever, in 2007.

Buehrle retired 27 in a row against the Rays in his last start, the 18th perfect game in baseball history, then breezed through the first five innings against the Twins to break the record.

"It's just frustrating after a loss," Buehrle said following Chicago's 5-3 loss to the Twins. "It might mean more tomorrow or the next day once I cool off. But I'm not too happy right now."

His bid for a second consecutive perfect game — no pitcher in baseball history has ever achieved the feat — ended with a walk to Alexi Casilla on a close call with two outs in the sixth. The Metrodome crowd stood and cheered after the walk, trying to rattle Buehrle. Then Denard Span followed with a single to break up the no-hitter.

The Twins flashed the record on the main scoreboard.

On the record-breaking play, Buehrle got former teammate Joe Crede to hit a soft grounder to Alexei Ramirez at shortstop. He smiled after Paul Konerko made a nifty scoop of a low throw at first base for the second out of the inning. The ball was thrown into the White Sox dugout as a keepsake.

Buehrle then got Brendan Harris to groundout to shortstop to end the fifth inning and keep his perfect game going.

The performance comes against a Twins team that he has had difficulty with in the past. His 23 career victories against the Twins are his most against any opponent. But four hitters in the lineup on Tuesday night had career averages of .316 or better against the lefty.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on July 30, 2009, 11:44:40 AM
Report: Manny, Big Papi on 2003 PED listby FOXSports.com

NEW YORK (AP) - David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the more than 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to a report in The New York Times.

 
According to a report, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the 104 failed tests in 2003. 
The article posted on the newspaper's Web site Thursday cited lawyers involved in pending litigation over the testing results who spoke anonymously because the information is under seal by a court order.

Ortiz declined comment to the paper. In 2004, he and Ramirez led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series championship since 1918.

The results from the 2003 tests were supposed to remain anonymous, but they later were seized by federal agents. Alex Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after he was linked to the 2003 list.

Ramirez, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, recently served a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. Ortiz had not been previously linked to positive tests.

Ramirez was a long-established star in 2003. Ortiz, in contrast, had been a part-time player before that season. In 2003, he became one of baseball's top sluggers.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: giggsy11 on July 30, 2009, 02:02:28 PM
Report: Manny, Big Papi on 2003 PED listby FOXSports.com

NEW YORK (AP) - David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the more than 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to a report in The New York Times.

 
According to a report, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the 104 failed tests in 2003. 
The article posted on the newspaper's Web site Thursday cited lawyers involved in pending litigation over the testing results who spoke anonymously because the information is under seal by a court order.

Ortiz declined comment to the paper. In 2004, he and Ramirez led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series championship since 1918.

The results from the 2003 tests were supposed to remain anonymous, but they later were seized by federal agents. Alex Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after he was linked to the 2003 list.

Ramirez, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, recently served a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. Ortiz had not been previously linked to positive tests.

Ramirez was a long-established star in 2003. Ortiz, in contrast, had been a part-time player before that season. In 2003, he became one of baseball's top sluggers.




 :loser: :loser: :loser: :loser They should try playing cricket where you have tuh be in shape and not wear a glove!
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on July 31, 2009, 07:20:28 AM
After drug report, it's innocence lost in Boston by Sean McAdam, Special to FOXSports.com

When the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years in 2004, there was euphoria among their fans. When they won a second title three years later, the elation was ratcheted further.


After going nearly a century between championships, suddenly the Red Sox seemed on the verge of establishing a dynasty.

What made the winning sweeter still was the fact that the Red Sox did it all without the taint of steroids. While other teams were tarred by PEDs, the Red Sox were improbably, even miraculously clean.

Sure, some former players (Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco) were knee-deep in scandal. And some players arrived with rumored past associations (Eric Gagne). But at least as far as MLB testing was concerned, the Red Sox were on the up-and-up.

That the arch-rivals Yankees were deeply implicated by the Mitchell Report and other investigations only made Red Sox fans strut more and puff out their chests farther. Cheating? That was for the Evil Empire. Meanwhile, two World Series wins and moral superiority proved to be an intoxicating combination.

Even when one of their biggest former stars, Manny Ramirez, was nailed for a banned substance earlier this season, Sox fans could easily explain away the transgression. Didn't happen when he was in Boston.

Thursday, however, the moral high ground came crashing down under its own weight. The two premier sluggers of those title teams, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, had each tested positive during MLB's provisional survey testing in 2003.


Goodbye moral superiority, hello rationalization.

The news undoubtedly causes a reassessment of the team's two World Series victories. But most World Series winners — dating back to the mid-1990s — have had at least one player on their roster known to have used steroids, or at the very least, players who have been strongly implicated in PED use.

The 2001 Diamondbacks? Check (Matt Williams) The 1997 Marlins? Check (Gary Sheffield). The 2002 Angels? Check (Troy Glaus). The 2000 Yankees? Check (Clemens, Canseco, Andy Pettitte, Jason Grimsley).

Tainted World Series winners? Sadly, that's become about as traditional as champagne spray and victory parades.

Steroids have touched the game in every conceivable fashion for the last decade — altering the record books, rearranging history, and impacting how scouts and executives evaluate talent. To think that it was going to leave one particular franchise unblemished is the very height of naivete. Turns out the Sox didn't corner the market on clean living — they just took longer to get caught.

The fact is that the Red Sox were lucky to go this long without getting any PED-related dirt on them. Lucky that two of the biggest alleged suppliers (Kurt Radomski and Brian McNamee) worked for the two franchises in New York, which in turn provided so much fodder for the Mitchell Report. And lucky, too, perhaps that the "Mitchell" in the Mitchell Report is none other than Sen. George Mitchell, a native New Englander, a lifelong Red Sox fan and, most curiously, listed as "director" on the Red Sox masthead.

That's not to suggest that Mitchell, whose integrity has seldom been called into doubt, was somehow derelict in his duty and purposefully overlooked transgressions by Red Sox players and personnel. But his association with the Red Sox seemed, at minimum, a conflict of interest and one more case of perception becoming reality.

Perspective is a useful tool, here, too. Like some crime scene investigation, timing is an important part of the equation. While Ortiz and Ramirez failed the provisional test in 2003, Ortiz hasn't failed one since and Ramirez didn't fail one until earlier this spring, by which time he was playing for another team in another league.

Still, if the Red Sox aren't permanently tainted, Ortiz himself is.

In mid-February, days after it was discovered that Alex Rodriguez was on the same list of notorious 104, Ortiz called for stiffer penalties for those found guilty of doping. In interview after interview — some on-the-record, some off — Ortiz repeatedly wondered how his fellow players could risk embarrassing their families and compromising their health.

For the time being, Ortiz is just another player caught at the intersection of Greed and Stupidity. He swears that he was "blindsided'' by the news, vows to get answers and promises to share them.

"You know me," he said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "I will not hide and I will not make excuses."

We'll see. For now, like everything else left in steroids' wake, he'll never be looked at the same way again.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on July 31, 2009, 07:57:02 AM
lookin like another dismal season fuh de mets.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on July 31, 2009, 09:58:47 AM
Mets was on a 5 game streak before this last loss. 

this season will be the opposite of the last two: things will come together at the end. 

playoffs look really unlikely in any event.

I feel the blue and orange colour scheme is a blight.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 10, 2009, 10:29:22 AM
bad bad weekend fuh bosox.yankees sweep them 4.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 18, 2009, 07:55:58 AM
another doomed season fuh de amazings.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 22, 2009, 08:18:27 PM
bosox pong yanks 14-1
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 25, 2009, 07:31:12 AM
Source: Wagner to use no-trade clause, stay in N.Y.
 
Billy Wagner will stay put with the Mets. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
He will invoke his no-trade clause rather than accept a deal to the Red Sox, according to a major-league source.

Wagner, through his agent, Bean Stringfellow, communicated to the Red Sox that he only would accept a trade if the team met two conditions.

The Sox agreed to one of those conditions, the source said, promising that they would decline Wagner's $8 million club option for 2010, the source said.

However, the Sox were less willing to guarantee that they would decline to offer Wagner salary arbitration, making him a free agent without draft-pick compensation.

Wagner, coming off Tommy John surgery, also was concerned about his health, a second source said.

"It's not about the option or arbitration. It's about his desire to end the year healthy for the future," the source said.

"He feels he has a better chance lasting a month in a less competitive environment than perhaps two months in a pennant race and playoffs."

Pitchers normally require 12 to 14 months to recover from Tommy John surgery. While Wagner has made two scoreless appearances since rejoining the Mets, he is still less than 12 months removed from the operation.

The Red Sox no doubt would have taken measures to protect Wagner. But the pitcher is known for his competitiveness, and almost certainly would have wanted the ball in pressure situations.

The Sox claimed Wagner on waivers last Friday. They have until early Tuesday afternoon to complete a deal with the Mets. One source said that Wagner was "sleeping" on his decision. The other said that Wagner's position was firm.

Wagner needs 15 saves to reach 400 and 40 to pass John Franco as the left-hander with the most saves in major-league history. He rehabilitated from surgery with the intention of resuming his career as a closer.

The Mets almost certainly will offer Wagner arbitration to ensure that they receive two high draft picks; the pitcher, despite his missed time, currently projects as a Type A free agent.

Wagner almost certainly would decline the Mets' offer; he is unwilling to set up for Francisco Rodriguez next season, just as he is unwilling to set up for the Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon.

The Mets could have saved the nearly $3.5 million remaining on Wagner's contract simply by allowing him to leave for the Red Sox. But Wagner still would have needed to approve such a transaction. His no- trade clause gives him that right.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on August 25, 2009, 07:57:07 AM
capo,

how about we agree to not post anything Mets related till 2010?
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 25, 2009, 10:42:19 AM
capo,

how about we agree to not post anything Mets related till 2010?
i concur
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: E-man on August 25, 2009, 02:45:41 PM
Game ending solo triple play, first since 1927

http://www.youtube.com/v/LL7_RaHLKsQ



Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on August 25, 2009, 02:55:51 PM
come nah man e-man.  that was all over the news already.  some of us was even watching it live.  it's time we move on.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on August 26, 2009, 01:41:41 PM
capo,

how about we agree to not post anything Mets related till 2010?
santana out till spring training.couldn't forego this.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: daryn on August 27, 2009, 11:59:48 AM
capo,

how about we agree to not post anything Mets related till 2010?
santana out till spring training.couldn't forego this.

yeah, well dat is the unofficial official end to the season there.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 01, 2009, 10:07:55 AM
in some positive news fuh mets,beltran came back but will most likely play with de AAA team.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 09, 2009, 08:04:41 PM
Jeter ties Gehrig for Yankees hit recordAssociated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Derek Jeter tied the New York Yankees record for hits held by Lou Gehrig.

Jeter singled to right field in the seventh inning for his third hit Wednesday night against Tampa Bay, matching Gehrig with 2,721 hits in a Yankees uniform.
 
Yankees fans show their love for Derek Jeter. (Bill Kostroun / Associated Press)

Already on their feet in anticipation, fans at Yankee Stadium let loose with a roar when Jeter's sharp grounder inside the first-base line got by a diving Chris Richard.

Jeter's parents, watching from an upstairs box between home plate and first base, raised their arms and exclaimed in excitement.

Jeter took off his helmet and twice waved it to the crowd of 45,848 during an ovation that lasted about 2 minutes. Rays players and coaches clapped as Jeter stood at first base.

After entering the game in an 0-for-12 slump, his longest hitless stretch this season, Jeter broke out of the rut with a bunt single toward third base leading off the bottom of the first inning. He beat the play without a throw, bringing a standing ovation from the crowd.

With cameras flashing all around the ballpark on every pitch to Jeter, he grounded out in the third inning against Rays starter Jeff Niemann and drove a ground-rule double to straightaway center in the fifth.

On his first chance to tie Gehrig, Jeter came through.

Gehrig's final hit came on April 29, 1939, a single against the Washington Senators. He was 35 years, 314 days old.

The Iron Horse had held the club record for hits since Sept. 6, 1937, when he passed Babe Ruth.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 14, 2009, 10:25:04 AM
Suzuki sets mark with 9th straight 200-hit seasonAssociated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Ichiro Suzuki has become the first player in major league history with at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons.

The Seattle Mariners' right fielder set the mark with an infield single in the second inning of the nightcap of doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. In his second at-bat of the game, Suzuki beat out a slow roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus to break a tie with Willie Keeler, who did it for eight consecutive seasons (1894-1901). It was his only hit of the second game as he went 1-for-5.

Suzuki received a standing ovation from the sparse crowd, stepping off first base and doffing his batting helmet to thank the fans.

In the first game, Suzuki went 1-for-4 with an RBI double into the left-field corner in the third to come within one of the record.

The Mariners lost the first game 7-2 and won the second 5-0.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 16, 2009, 08:49:54 AM
Posada triggers brawl between Yanks, JaysAssociated Press
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Updated: September 16, 2009, 1:02 AM EDT 281 comments
NEW YORK (AP) - As soon as Jorge Posada bumped Toronto reliever Jesse Carlson after crossing home plate, almost everyone at Yankee Stadium knew a fight was coming.

Posada and Carlson got into a scrap near the New York dugout, leading to a frenzied, bench-clearing brawl during the Blue Jays' 10-4 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday night.

Brawl in the Bronx Photos: The Yankees and Blue Jays emptied their benches and skirmished Tuesday. See shots of the fracas here. 
"It got pretty heavy and pretty thick pretty quickly," New York slugger Alex Rodriguez said. "I think we're all fortunate and glad no one got hurt."

Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion and All-Star second baseman Aaron Hill were hit by pitches before Carlson threw behind Posada in the eighth inning. Posada glared out at the mound and appeared to say, "You don't want to do that."

Carlson motioned toward Posada as the benches and bullpens emptied, though the teams never got close to each other and order was quickly restored. Johnny Damon and manager Joe Girardi aggressively pulled teammates away, aware an injury or suspension could be costly to the Yankees as they close in on a playoff berth. Plate umpire Jim Joyce warned both benches.

But moments later, a nasty rumble broke out.

After scoring on Brett Gardner's double, Posada jostled Carlson, who was on his way to back up the plate. Joyce promptly ejected Posada as Carlson shouted curses at the star catcher.

"As he ran past Carlson, he gave him a little shove with his elbow. It was very unsportsmanlike," Joyce told a pool reporter. "It was a cheap shot."

Posada spun around, sidestepped Joyce and came back at Carlson, who took a high swing with a punch that missed. The two wrestled to the ground as the benches and bullpens emptied and other scuffles broke out near home plate.

"He was just right there on the line to the dugout. We got carried away and hopefully that's the end of it," the 38-year-old Posada said. "I don't want my kids to see that. ... Fight in the middle of the field, benches clearing - that's a bad example."

Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas and Yankees reserve Shelley Duncan got in a particularly rough tussle.

"Once he crossed the plate and threw that elbow at me or whatever, I just said, 'Let's go,"' Carlson said. "I'm probably the smallest guy in MLB and we were right near their dugout, so I was just hoping I got out of there all right."

When things finally settled down, there was catching equipment strewn all over the field behind home plate. New York pitchers CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte escorted Posada into the dugout.


The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Carlson, also ejected, was left with a large red knot on the left side of his forehead.

"We were wrestling or whatever and we both went down to the ground. We were kind of right near their dugout and kind of got trampled on for a little bit. I was trying to cover up and I'm not sure who it was, but somebody moved my hands out of the way and got in a shot," Carlson said. "I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt."

Carlson declined to apologize and said he didn't throw at Posada intentionally.

"It was a fastball in and I yanked it. Just a bad pitch," he said.

Once umpires review the tape and report to Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson, Posada and Carlson are likely to be suspended and fined. Perhaps others, too.

"I don't know if that was too smart. They have a lot more to lose than we do," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said.

Girardi appeared to get hit in the face with a fist from Toronto infielder John McDonald as he lunged into the scrum. Afterward, the manager had a little scratch on the left side of his face near his eye.

"It's all right. I don't think anyone was trying to hit me," Girardi said, adding that he spoke to his team after the game about focusing on the pennant race. "I thought the umpires did a good job, pulling people off, but it's hard when people have 35-man rosters and they're running in from all directions."

McDonald said he didn't throw a punch at Girardi.

The game was interrupted for about 10 minutes. When play resumed, there were only three umpires on the field. During the fight, third base ump and crew chief Derryl Cousins was hit in the knee by a bottle full of soda that he said was thrown from the stands.

"Doctor checked it out. Nothing is broken. There's going to be a bruise. It's just painful," Cousins said.

Early on, Roy Halladay (15-9) stymied the Yankees and rookie Travis Snider hit two of Toronto's five homers. New York's lead in the AL East was cut to 6 1/2 games over Boston, which beat the Los Angeles Angels.

The Yankees' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is six.

Adam Lind and Encarnacion also connected off Yankees starter Sergio Mitre (3-3).

NOTES: Halladay is 18-6 with a 2.84 ERA in his career against the Yankees. ... Lind and Encarnacion also homered Monday in Detroit.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 23, 2009, 09:47:19 AM
with de regular season comin to ah close and de playoffs startin,i smellin ah yankees v dodgers so called "world series." lets go torre.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 27, 2009, 04:04:23 PM
Yanks beat Red Sox to win AL East

Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees wrapped up the AL East title and home-field advantage throughout the postseason with a neat bow, beating the Boston Red Sox 4-2 Sunday for their 100th win of the season. Hideki Matsui's go-ahead single in the sixth inning energized the damp fans and put them on notice that a party was coming. The first real celebration at the new Yankee Stadium began with a most familiar scene - Mariano Rivera on the mound, closing out another clinching victory.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on September 30, 2009, 07:30:50 AM
Red Sox lose to Jays, still get playoff berthAssociated Press

BOSTON (AP) - Behind a closed clubhouse door, the Boston Red Sox celebrated their sixth playoff berth in seven years in the usual way: with spraying beer, commemorative hats and T-shirts, and the customary promises that they will play better once the postseason begins.

"I like our chances," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, popping out to the concourse to address a few dozen reporters who waited three hours after the Red Sox lost to Toronto for the Rangers' loss that eliminated Boston's last remaining pursuer. "It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you're in."
The Blue Jays hit six homers - three for Adam Lind - to beat the Red Sox 8-7 on Tuesday night and send them to their fifth consecutive loss. But Boston backed into the AL wild-card berth when the Angels beat the Rangers 5-2 and eliminated Texas from the race.

"We tried to do it on the field," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "It's a little different, but I don't think that takes anything away from what we've done."

The Red Sox fell behind 8-2 before scoring five times in the eighth inning and put two on with two outs in the ninth before Jason Frasor got Kevin Youkilis looking on a 3-2 pitch to end it. That spoiled their chances of having an on-field celebration they could share with another sold-out Fenway crowd.

"I had that feeling," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said hopefully. "We've had games where we won like that. Just try to get the tying run to the plate and give yourself a chance."

The Red Sox clubhouse was quiet afterward, and the televisions were off while reporters milled about waiting for players to interview. Francona said he was going out with his son, and when asked if he would watch the Rangers game catcher Victor Martinez said, "I don't know. I might be sleeping by that time."

The Blue Jays led 8-2 when Youkilis hit an RBI double, Ortiz hit the wall of the Red Sox bullpen for another run-scoring double and J.D. Drew homered over the bullpen to make it a one-run game. Frasor relieved Shawn Camp and got Casey Kotchman to pop up to end the inning.

With policemen lining up in the aisles in case of a celebration, Pedroia hit a line drive to the center field warning track with one out and one on in the ninth. Martinez walked before Youkilis was called out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

"As Frasor's done all year, he did a good job and closed it out," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said.


Jose Bautista hit the first pitch of the game high over the Green Monster, and after Aaron Hill singled Lind hit a 1-2 pitch from Clay Buchholz to center for another homer as the Blue Jays took a 4-0 lead after one-half inning for the second night in a row.

Ricky Romero (13-9) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out three in five innings to beat Boston for the first time in five tries this season. Buchholz (7-4) allowed seven runs on eight hits - five of them homers - while walking one and striking out four in five innings.

Kevin Millar, the clubhouse jester of Boston's 2004 World Series title, had a homer, double and single for Toronto, and Hill hit his 36th homer of the season.

Lind also homered in the fifth and seventh innings for the first three-homer game of his career. In his fifth plate appearance, Lind was hit on the right elbow by Jonathan Papelbon. Lind said he did not think it was intentional, but he sounded disappointed that he didn't get a chance to swing for homer No. 4.

"It was going to be fun. The crowd was back in the game," he said. "It's always fun facing Papelbon. He's one of the best in the game. I was going to go out there and try to put the head of the bat on the ball."


Notes
It was the first three-homer game allowed by the Red Sox since 2004. ... Millar had been 3 for 31 heading into the game. ... Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell, who received a shot for his ailing hip on Monday, will take batting practice on Wednesday and return to the lineup on Thursday if all goes well. ... Lind also had two homers on Saturday against Seattle. ... Toronto leads the majors with 42 homers in September. ... The Red Sox called up RHP Fernando Cabrera from Triple-A Pawtucket, and recalled 1B Aaron Bates from Pawtucket and placed him on the 60-day DL. ... Boston had 14 hits but hit into four double plays. ... Lind is the first Blue Jay to hit three homers in a game since Frank Thomas in 2007, and the first Red Sox opponent to hit three at Fenway Park since Thomas did it for the Chicago White Sox in 1996.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 05, 2009, 08:27:43 AM
yanks still dont know who they playin yet.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: palos on October 05, 2009, 05:59:38 PM
Aaaah....the ONLY time of year baseball makes itself worth watching...

The playoffs.

And even then.......endless posturing and delaying and timeouts all in the name of "strategy"?

Honest to GOD....I doh know half of de players who go be in de post season. 

Baseball...a pretty endless sea of vanilla these days.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 06, 2009, 08:57:25 PM
yankees v twins tom.ALDS game 1.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: palos on October 07, 2009, 10:30:58 AM
Apparently de one off game yesterday between Minnesota and Detroit was one fuh de ages.

Didn't see de game but saw de highlights....tension and excitement right through.

Which is why playoff baseball is as good as it will get in this sport.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 07, 2009, 08:08:54 PM
NY take game 1...7-2.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 08, 2009, 09:06:04 AM
angels bosox is de series im lookin forward to.boston annialate them in de regular season.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 08, 2009, 07:28:15 PM
joe torre dodgers up 2 games v st. louis
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: WestCoast on October 08, 2009, 07:30:56 PM
joe torre dodgers up 2 games v st. louis
what ya sayin
LA vs NYY in the WS ;)
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 08, 2009, 07:37:10 PM
game 1 bosox v angels on tbs now.sox line up strong.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 08, 2009, 09:43:31 PM
2 blatant wrong calls by 1st base ump in angels favor.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: sinned on October 09, 2009, 02:47:29 PM
2 blatant wrong calls by 1st base ump in angels favor.

this call
(http://tinyurl.com/yku99bw)
and this call
(http://tinyurl.com/yfhk9nr)

unbelievable. at least sox lost big and these calls weren't the ultimate reason.

but that 1st base ump is behind the plate tonight
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 09, 2009, 04:48:56 PM
boston hittin back hard 2nite
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 10, 2009, 07:03:31 PM
would b very nice to see ah joe torre v yankees "world series." lets go LA.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 10, 2009, 07:12:30 PM
dodgers wrap up cardinals in 3.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 11, 2009, 07:57:52 PM
joe torre dodgers up 2 games v st. louis
what ya sayin
LA vs NYY in the WS ;)
it lookin like it headed that way...........angels win 3 zip v bosox.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 11, 2009, 08:48:42 PM
NY sweep twins..................friday game 1 NY v LAA
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 12, 2009, 10:20:43 PM
Werth caps 9th-inning rally as Phils finish Rockies
Chase Utley ducked near second base. The rest of the Philadelphia Phillies never flinched. Ryan Howard hit a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning and scored on Jayson Werth's single as Philadelphia rallied past the Colorado Rockies 5-4 in Game 4 on Monday night to reach the NL championship series. Brad Lidge, bouncing back from a rugged regular season, earned his second consecutive save by again retiring cleanup batter Troy Tulowitzki with runners at first and second for the final out.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 15, 2009, 08:08:00 PM
manny just hit his 29th post season HR,most of all time.....end of de 5th.phillies leadin 5-4 over dodgers.NLCS game 1.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 18, 2009, 07:06:41 PM
huh phillies rippin torre and de dodgers ah new asshole.6 zip bottom ah de 2nd.NLCS game 3.series tied at 1.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 19, 2009, 06:40:29 PM
angels win game 3...5-4.NY lead 2-1
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 19, 2009, 09:54:00 PM
ballgame done.5-4 phillies.lead series 3-1.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 22, 2009, 07:17:11 AM
Phillies show they're even better this year

PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies were well into their celebration at Citizens Bank Park when the object of all the fuss — the Warren Giles Trophy, prize of the National League champion — made its way from the dugout, up a flight of stairs and into the home clubhouse.

MLB Playoff Central
AL Championship Series
 Angels vs. Yankees
Yankees lead 3-1 
Game 4: Yankees 10, Angels 1

National League Championship Series
 Phillies vs. Dodgers
Phillies win 4-1 
Game 5: Phillies 10, Dodgers 4

 
A clubhouse worker, clad in Philadelphia red, was carrying the bounty. As he hurried past, I asked how much it weighed.

The guy smiled.

"Not as heavy as the real one," he said.

He never broke stride. He didn't stop to chat. He was too busy working after the Phillies beat the Dodgers 10-4 to win the NLCS and earn a return visit to the World Series.

Some baseball teams may claim to have a unified philosophy, right down to the anonymous guys who work behind the scenes. Well, I am here to tell you that Jimmy Rollins — the unofficial team spokesman — couldn't have articulated the Phillies' postseason vision any better than that.

Rollins and friends know how heavy the real one is. And they don't intend to stop until they get their hands on the World Series trophy.

Again.

"We've come a long way, man," said right fielder Jayson Werth, after smashing two home runs in the Game 5 rout.

"Here we are again. I don't have a whole lot more to say, other than, 'We've got four more games to win.'"

Oh, don't interpret Werth's remarks as some indication that the Phillies were reserved in celebrating their second consecutive NL title. They were not. There was champagne, there was beer, and there was a plume of cigar smoke near the dugout thicker than the steam in Manny's shower.

Werth said he and his teammates are "where we need to be," and he was right. They are the best team in the NL. That wasn't so obvious one week ago, when some people looked at the Dodgers' league-best win total and major league-best ERA and figured they could topple the defending champs.

The doubters — and I'm including myself in that group — should have known better.

We should have realized that Cliff Lee was a certifiable postseason ace.

We should have realized that NLCS MVP Ryan Howard and the rest of Charlie Manuel's mashers would help the Phillies win two substandard Cole Hamels starts.

We should have realized that Brad Lidge, with a healed-up knee and newly-installed cutter, would return to form when it mattered most.



We should have realized that the Phillies went 93-69 and won a third straight NL East title despite Lidge's struggles, despite injuries to Brett Myers and Jamie Moyer, despite a subpar regular season for Rollins.

The Phillies were luckier in 2008. But they are better in 2009. And maybe their trials had something to do with that.

"It was a lot tougher, that's for sure," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "We were running around with a bull's-eye on our chest. With the injuries we had, losing key people, it shows how complete of a team we are."

This team has an identity — which is a credit to ownership, to the front office, to Manuel and his coaches, to the core of homegrown players. And general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., in his first year on the job, added the right pieces.

Lee. Ben Francisco. Pedro Martinez. Raul Ibanez. Chan Ho Park. They didn't win rings last year, but they are contributing now.

The Phillies are a scarier team now than they were one year ago, and it's not hard to find the supporting evidence. Check the respective routes to the World Series. This year's Rockies were better than last year's Brewers. This year's Dodgers were better than last year's Dodgers.

And Philadelphia beat them all.


"As I'm sitting here, I know we can win the World Series again," Manuel said late Wednesday. "But things have to be right for us. Plus, we've got to play the best."

I don't know if the Phillies are going to win the World Series. They are probably going to play the Yankees, and the Yankees have their best team since 2000 or thereabouts.

Even though they are the defending world champions, even though they needed only five games to eliminate the NL's best regular-season team, the Phillies will likely enter their next series as the underdog. Strange but true.

If it is New York — and let's face it, that's very likely — the Phillies will face a deficit in payroll, raw talent and power arms in the rotation. But they really play well together. That matters in October. When the manager of a defeated team talks about "the presence that they have," as Joe Torre did late Wednesday, that's a sure sign of a very special team.

"We gave them a fight," Torre said. "They just wouldn't back down. They kept going. They are certainly a better team."

Are they perfect? Hardly. Hamels, still not himself, didn't stick around long enough Wednesday to qualify for the win. And if you believe the speculation, star second baseman Chase Utley is injured for a second straight year.

The bruises are adding up. Rollins limped through the celebration, the result of being hit by a Clayton Kershaw pitch on Wednesday. Shane Victorino split from the on-field celebration early and put a large ice pack on his left elbow, near where he was hit by a pitch.

But I think Utley, Rollins and Victorino will find a way to get on the field for the next series. Just a guess.

As Wednesday's celebration wound down, I encountered Rollins in the clubhouse, with the hitch in his step and champagne soaking his clothes.

I asked if this playoff run was more impressive than the last, because of the obstacles that weren't there in 2008. He offered his answer without hesitation.

"Know what would impress me?" he asked. "Winning another World Series."

He must have heard that one from the clubhouse guy.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 22, 2009, 01:48:56 PM
lookin like ah yankees phillies final.................lets go phillies.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 22, 2009, 09:35:22 PM
angels take game 5...7-6.NY lead series 3-2.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 26, 2009, 07:57:06 AM
Yankees oust Angels to clinch AL pennantAssociated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez, welcome to the World Series. The New York Yankees are back in baseball's big event.

The sport's top spenders finally cashed in with their first pennant in six years Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 in Game 6 of the AL championship series behind the savvy pitching of that old October pro, Andy Pettitte.
Next up, New York hosts defending champion Philadelphia in the World Series opener Wednesday night. Cliff Lee is expected to face ALCS MVP CC Sabathia in an enticing pitching matchup between former Cleveland teammates - and the past two AL Cy Young Award winners.



"I couldn't be more excited," Rodriguez said. "I feel like a 10-year-old kid."

Ridiculed in the past for his October flops, Rodriguez played a huge role in helping his team advance through the playoffs, batting .438 with five home runs and 12 RBIs. The slugger earned his first trip to the World Series during a 16-year career in which he's accomplished almost everything else.

Pettitte set a postseason record for wins, Johnny Damon hit a two-run single and Mariano Rivera closed it out in familiar fashion with a six-out save as the Yankees won their 40th American League crown by vanquishing the Angels, a longtime nemesis.

Now, the Yankees go for their record 27th title - when manager Joe Girardi was hired two years ago, he took jersey No. 27 with that in mind.

"We're just trying to enjoy this, man," Derek Jeter said. "Hopefully, we can play one more great series."

Not a bad way for Jeter and crew to finish up the first season at the team's new $1.5 billion ballpark

For manager Mike Scioscia and his sloppy Angels, it was their latest playoff failure during a decade of consistent regular-season success. Since winning their only championship in 2002, the Angels are yet to return to the World Series despite five AL West titles in the past six years.

"At times we played good baseball. At times we shot ourselves in the foot," Scioscia said.

After rain postponed Game 6 for a day, the clear weather and mild, 58-degree temperature at first pitch was a stark change from the first two games of the series, when the Angels froze up in the raw chill in New York.

Pettitte escaped a jam in the sixth, going to 3-0 on Kendry Morales before knocking down a comebacker with runners at second and third to preserve a 3-1 edge. The left-hander pumped his fist, then headed for the dugout.
 
Pettitte left to a standing ovation with one on and one out in the seventh and tipped his cap to the sellout crowd of 50,173, the largest at the new Yankee Stadium. He earned his 16th postseason win, breaking a tie with John Smoltz, and his fifth to close out a postseason series - also a major league record.

"We've got a lot of confidence in Andy when he's on the mound. He's been a big-game pitcher for us for 14 years," Jeter said.

Joba Chamberlain got two key outs and Girardi went to a well-rested Rivera in the eighth. He gave up a two-out RBI single to Vladimir Guerrero, making it 3-2, then retired Morales to end the inning.

A diving play by first baseman Mark Teixeira helped Rivera escape further damage.

It was the first earned run allowed at home by the 39-year-old Rivera in a postseason save situation. But the Yankees added two insurance runs in the eighth on a pair of Angels errors and Teixeira's sacrifice fly.

Rivera finished up in the ninth for his record 37th postseason save, and the Yankees had their pennant.

"You bring him in, you feel like the game's over. He's the best," Pettitte said.

Rodriguez reached base all four times up Sunday and drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth that put New York up 3-1. Earlier in the inning, Damon gave the Yankees the lead with a single off 16-game winner Joe Saunders.

Including their unprecedented collapse against Boston in 2004, the Yankees had lost five straight times with a chance to close out an ALCS - and six in a row with an opportunity to end a playoff series.

But this time, New York got it done with help from Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera and Jorge Posada, all part of the late 1990s dynasty under manager Joe Torre.

Normally airtight on defense and fundamentals, the Angels made eight errors in the series and several other uncharacteristic mistakes.

The miscues continued early in the clincher, when 16-game winner Joe Saunders walked five in 3 1-3 shaky innings and Guerrero was doubled off first base on a shallow fly.

With no Rally Monkey bouncing around the video board in the Bronx, Los Angeles failed to pull off one of its signature comebacks. The Angels trailed in all eight of their playoff victories against New York, including a stirring 7-6 triumph in Game 5 on Thursday night that extended the series.

The Angels eliminated New York with division series wins in 2002 and 2005. They are the 73-63 against the Yankees in the regular season since 1996, when Jeter took over at shortstop and New York began a run of four World Series titles in five years.

Looking to lock up the pennant, the Yankees turned to a familiar source of success in Pettitte. The 37-year-old left-hander delivered, allowing one run in 6 1-3 innings for his second closeout win of these playoffs. He also beat Minnesota to complete a first-round sweep.

Always a picture of poise and focus in October, narrowed eyes peering between his cap and glove as he takes his signs on the mound, Pettitte owns postseason records with 38 starts and 237 1-3 innings pitched.

He's had trouble with the Angels, however, going 0-4 against them over the past two regular seasons. With a chance to put New York up 3-0 in this series, he squandered a 3-0 cushion on the road and took a no-decision in Game 3.

Pettitte was pitching at home for the Yankees in the postseason for the first time since their last World Series game, a 2-0 loss to Josh Beckett and the Florida Marlins in 2003.

This one was a different story, though. Los Angeles went ahead in the third when Pettitte hung a couple of curveballs. Unlikely playoff star Jeff Mathis, a part-time catcher who hit .211 during the regular season, led off with his fifth double of the series. He scored on a two-out single by Bobby Abreu, which gave the ex-Yankee four hits in 23 ALCS at-bats.

New York answered in the fourth after a leadoff walk to Robinson Cano. Nick Swisher was 3 for 30 in the series before his single, and Jeter walked to load the bases with one out.

Damon lined a two-run single over shortstop, and Teixeira's infield single loaded the bases again.

That was it for Saunders, who walked off as he and Scioscia appearing perturbed by plate umpire Dale Scott's strike zone.


Notes
The Phillies won two of three at Yankee Stadium in May. ... Former Yankees star Bernie Williams received a raucous ovation before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Rodriguez has hit in 11 straight postseason games. ... Pettitte went to 0-2 on his first three batters. ... Two of the five playoff games at Yankee Stadium this year did not include a home run. That happened only once in 81 regular-season games.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 28, 2009, 07:13:03 AM
Phils' Rollins: We'll beat Yanks in 5 games

PHILADELPHIA - Jimmy Rollins has again predicted that his Phillies are going to beat a New York team.

But this is a little different than saying Philadelphia was the "team to beat" in the National League East two years ago.

On Monday night, Rollins said on "The Jay Leno Show" that the defending champion Phillies would beat the Yankees in the World Series.

In five games.

"Of course we're gonna win," Rollins told Leno.

As one would expect, Rollins hardly backed down from his statement on Tuesday, when players from both teams met with the media at Yankee Stadium.

"The positive about confidence is it radiates throughout the clubhouse," he explained. "Being one of the leaders, if you go out there with a negative mindset, people pick up on that. I've always been a confident person, a happy person."

The Yankees were not moved by Rollins' boast, dismissing the Philadelphia shortstop's comment Tuesday.

"He's been Nostradamus, that's what I heard," Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said. "He's been (making) a lot of good predictions, so we've got to take that away from him."

Rollins' boasts have drawn the ire of rival Mets fans in the past. He will likely encounter a similarly hostile reaction in the other New York ballpark on Wednesday night, when he digs in against CC Sabathia as the first batter of the World Series.


MLB Playoff Central
 Phillies vs. Yankees
Series tied 0-0 
Game 1: Wed. at Yankees, 7:57 ET
 
 
"I can't wait to come out and hear what they want to say," Rollins said. "That's fine. They're supposed to get on me. This is their house. This is New York. This is Yankee Stadium. I look forward to the challenge."

Rollins reminded reporters that he forecasted a Phillies-Yankees series in a spring edition of Playboy.

So, why five games instead of four, six or seven?

"I think it'd be very tough to take four (in a row)," Rollins said. "You figure one game, they're going to find a way to win. That's the way it is. We came here early this year. A-Rod (hit) a big home run in the ninth, and Melky (Cabrera) had us walking off the field rather slowly.

"But no one's afraid. There's no doubt about that. Our job, as it's always been, is to make sure we get a split on the road, to go home knowing that's where we've played our best ball the second half of the season."

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard wasn't bothered by the fact that Rollins made such a public prediction.

"That's just Jimmy," Howard said. "That's his M.O. He believes in this team. We believe in ourselves. Sometimes it takes that person to step up and try to push your teammates to believe. A lot of guys wouldn't do that. He believes in us. We believe in ourselves. If that's what he said, then, hey, we're going to go out there and do the best we can to make it right.

"He loves that spotlight. He loves putting that type of attention on himself and on our team. With those comments, here in Yankee Stadium, they're going to be all over him.

"And you know what? He wants that. He relishes that moment. It allows the focus to be on him. Then maybe somebody else can slide in and get the big hit."

Howard predicted that this could be "one of the rowdiest" World Series between the fan bases of two teams.

The front page of Tuesday's New York Post included a photo illustration of Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino in which his baseball pants were replaced by a cheerleader's skirt.


Pedro vs. Yankees
Pedro Martinez has plenty of postseason history against the Yankees. A look at his playoff numbers against the AL champs:
Overall
G GS W-L ERA K BB
6 5 1-2 4.72 40 13
At Yankee Stadium
G GS W-L ERA K BB
3 2 0-1 6.27 16 5
The caption read: "The Frillies are coming to town!" Victorino reacted angrily during Tuesday's media session when someone tried to arrange a photograph that would depict Victorino's face and the newspaper in the same shot.

And on the day Phillies manager Charlie Manuel named Pedro Martinez as his Game 2 starter, many were speculating about the reception Martinez would receive from Yankees fans.

Martinez is a former ace of the Red Sox and Mets who famously heard a chant of "Who's your daddy?" during the 2004 American League Championship Series.

"Everywhere I go, I've heard bad words," Martinez said. "Sometimes, fans don't really understand the way to be a fan. You can't blame anybody for not understanding what their limits are. Some of the obscene words they say, I would never mention those publicly. I would never say what I hear sometimes.

"People take it a little extra mile. If I was to throw (out) everybody that said some horrible words, probably half of the stadium would have to go out. That's the society we're living in. It's a shame, but I don't pay attention to those things. I just let it go, do a prayer for them every night and let God take care of them."

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 28, 2009, 09:32:24 PM
yanks lose 6-1.very nice.i like.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: Bakes on October 28, 2009, 10:54:08 PM
yanks lose 6-1.very nice.i like.

I'z ah Mets fan but I could NEVER root on ah Philly team over ANY NY team....  never happen.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on October 29, 2009, 07:09:02 AM
yanks lose 6-1.very nice.i like.

I'z ah Mets fan but I could NEVER root on ah Philly team over ANY NY team....  never happen.
i eh care they could be playin ah team assembled by hitler himself ah backin zee germans.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on November 02, 2009, 07:49:59 AM
Yanks 27 Outs From 27th Title
Burnett Goes On Short Rest Against Lee In Game 5 PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―  With a chance to clinch the crown, A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start on short rest against Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee in Game 5 of the World Series on Monday night.

CC Sabathia went on three days' rest Sunday night in Game 4, and Andy Pettitte could do the same in Game 6 if the Series returns to New York.

"Our guys feel good at this time of year," manager Joe Girardi said before a 7-4 victory gave his team a 3-1 Series lead. "We tried to give them some extra rest in the month of September, and they've had some extra rest during the playoffs that we thought was very important."

With right-hander Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen, New York has stuck with three starters throughout the postseason. Girardi chose Burnett, who beat Pedro Martinez and the Phillies 3-1 in Game 2, over journeyman Chad Gaudin for Game 5.

Now, Burnett can pitch the Yankees to their 27th title and first since 2000.

"I'd lie if I said I wasn't going to go home and think about it all night," he said. "This is what you talk about growing up. I'm going to do my best to take full advantage of that. I'm not going to take it as just one ordinary game or another start. It's the World Series, Game 5, and I'm the starter. That's what it's all about."

Burnett is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts on short rest, though he hasn't tried it this season.

"To be honest, it's a little different, obviously, in October," he said. "But I feel good right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't take the ball."

New York's approach is a departure from the norm in baseball over the last two decades. According to STATS LLC, no team has won the World Series using only three postseason starters since the 1991 Minnesota Twins.

Jack Morris made five starts, Kevin Tapani four and Scott Erickson three that year for the Twins. Back then, however, the postseason lasted two rounds, not three.

The defending champion Phillies decided to keep Lee on regular rest, giving him the ball in Game 5 rather than setting up a rematch with Sabathia. Lee dominated the Yankees in the opener, tossing a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts and no walks in a 6-1 victory.

New York's only run was unearned, thanks to a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the ninth inning. Lee became the first pitcher in World Series history to have 10 strikeouts, no walks and no earned runs allowed in a complete-game victory, STATS said.

"I don't really overcomplicate it or think, man, I just faced them the other day, it's going to be different now," Lee said. "It's still the same game. I've still got to go out there and locate pitches and do the things that I just said. And if I don't, bad things will probably happen. And if you do, good things will probably happen. That's how I look at it. It's really that simple."

Joe Blanton started Game 4 for Philadelphia against Sabathia. Neither got a decision.

Lee, who has never pitched on three days' rest, has been nearly unhittable in October, going 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA in four postseason starts totaling 33 1-3 innings. He has 30 strikeouts and three walks.

Burnett and Lee are each pitching in the postseason for the first time this year. Both from Arkansas, they've developed a friendship over the years.

"I didn't really know him growing up. He was a little ahead of me, but I knew who he was, obviously," Lee said. "It's not very often two guys from the state of Arkansas make it to the big leagues, much less square off against each other in the World Series. ... That's going to be a neat deal for our state and going to be a lot of fun, and something we can talk about for the rest of our lives."

Burnett and Lee share the same agent. They do offseason charity work together, and they chatted on the field before games this weekend.

"It's interesting. They've got two country boys from Arkansas going out," Burnett said. "We talked yesterday, first thing out of his mouth was, `Look at that Budweiser sign in right -- that's what I'm going to be aiming for.' I said, `Go ahead, 'cause I can hit, too. I was in the National League for six years.'

"It's going to be fun. It is one of those games you go out there and talk about it, but I can't worry about him too much. I've got a pretty tough lineup ahead of me tomorrow night, and I can't worry about what Cliff does. I've got to worry about what A.J. does."

Burnett said he enjoys pitching on three days' rest because his body doesn't allow him to overthrow. He threw about 30 fewer pitches than usual during his bullpen session Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I told them I felt good. I'm not going to lie to them and say I felt good if I didn't. ... I've been preparing for it just in case it was going to happen."

For complete World Series coverage, be sure to check out WCBSTV.com's World Series section.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on November 03, 2009, 08:26:59 AM
phils take game 5....8-6.yanks lead 3-2.game 6 wed in bronx.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: weary1969 on November 03, 2009, 07:21:15 PM
phils take game 5....8-6.yanks lead 3-2.game 6 wed in bronx.

Let c if u backin a betta horse in d MLS than d NBA.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on November 05, 2009, 07:53:37 AM
Yankees beat Phillies to win 27th World Series titleAssociated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Paint the town in pinstripes! Nearly a decade after their dynasty ended on a blooper in the desert, the New York Yankees are baseball's best again.

Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that elusive 27th title - the most in all of sports.
It was the team's first since winning three straight from 1998-2000.
 
 
"It feels better than I remember it," Derek Jeter said. "It's been a long time."

Matsui, the Series MVP, powered a quick rout of old foe Pedro Martinez. And when Mariano Rivera got the final out, it was ecstasy in the Bronx for George Steinbrenner's go-for-broke bunch.

What a way for Alex Rodriguez and Co. to christen their $1.5 billion ballpark: One season, one championship.

It certainly ended a lot better than it started - with a steroids scandal involving A-Rod, followed by hip surgery that kept him out until May.

"My teammates, coaches and the organization stood by me and now we stand here as world champions," said Rodriguez, who admitted using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas. "We're going to enjoy it, and we're going to party!"

For Chase Utley and the Phillies, it was a frustrating end to another scintillating season. Philadelphia fell two wins short of becoming the first NL team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.

Utley tied Reggie Jackson's record with five home runs in a Series. But Ryan Howard's sixth-inning homer came too late to wipe away his World Series slump, and Phillies pitchers rarely managed to slow Matsui and the Yankees' machine.

"I told them that I loved the way they played. We're fighters and never quit," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "We want to keep what we got as far as attitude and chemistry."

In a fitting coincidence, this championship came eight years to the day that the Yankees lost Game 7 of the 2001 World Series in Arizona on Luis Gonzalez's broken-bat single off Rivera.

Steinbrenner spent billions trying to win another Series. At long last, his team did.

Fittingly, it was dedicated to the 79-year-old owner, who has been in declining health and didn't make the trip from his home in Tampa, Fla.

Still, his presence was felt.

"Boss, this is for you," the giant video screen in center field flashed during postgame ceremonies while his son, Hal, the team's managing general partner, accepted the championship trophy.

"The Yankees won. The world is right again," team president Randy Levine said.

For the Four Amigos, it was ring No. 5.

Jorge Posada, Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera came up together through the minors and were cornerstones for those four titles in five years starting in 1996.



Now, all on the other side of age 35, they have another success to celebrate. And surely they remember the familiar parade route, up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes.

"It's an honor for me to win a championship with those guys. They are Yankee legends," Mark Teixeira said.

But, hey, Babe and Yogi, Mr. October and Joltin' Joe - you've got company. Teixeira, CC Sabathia and a new generation of Yankees have procured their place in pinstriped lore.

Moments after the final out, Joba Chamberlain and Nick Swisher led a victory lap around the warning track, carrying flags that read "2009 World Series champions."

Players high-fived fans, then sprayed bubby behind the mound - the same sort of celebration Philadelphia enjoyed just last year after beating Tampa Bay.

"We think we can be back here again and again. We have a great squad," closer Brad Lidge said.

New York wasted its chance to wrap things up in Game 5 at Philadelphia, then set its sights on clinching the World Series at home for the first time since 1999.

While nine years between titles is hardly a drought for most teams, it was almost an eternity in Yankeeland.

New York's eight seasons without a championship was the third-longest stretch for the Yankees since their first one, following gaps of 17 (1979-95) and 14 (1963-76).

Jackson's three homers in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers made the Yankees champs in '77. On this November night, Matsui delivered a sublime performance at the plate that must have made Mr. October proud.


"It's awesome," Matsui said through a translator. "Unbelievable. I'm surprised myself."

Playing perhaps his final game with the Yankees, Matsui hit a two-run homer off Martinez in the second inning and a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch in the third.

A slumping Teixeira added an RBI single in the fifth off reliever Chad Durbin, and Matsui cracked a two-run double off the right-center fence against lefty J.A. Happ.

A designated hitter with balky knees, Matsui came off the bench in all three games at Philadelphia. Still, he had a huge Series, going 8 for 13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBIs. His go-ahead shot off an effective Martinez in Game 2 helped the Yankees tie it 1-all.

Bobby Richardson was the only other player with six RBIs in a World Series game, doing it for the Yankees in Game 3 against Pittsburgh in 1960. Richardson had a first-inning grand slam and a two-run single in the fourth.

Matsui's big hits built a comfortable cushion for a feisty Pettitte, who shouted at plate umpire Joe West while coming off the field in the fourth. Still, Pettitte extended major league records with his 18th postseason win and sixth to end a series.

The 37-year-old left-hander, pitching on three days' rest, became the first pitcher to start and win the clincher in all three postseason rounds. He beat Minnesota and the Los Angeles Angels in the AL playoffs.

Pettitte lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs, four hits and five walks. Chamberlain and Damaso Marte combined for 1 2-3 innings of scoreless relief before Rivera secured the final five outs.

"You don't look at it as a failure," Howard said. "We had a great season. We just got beat by the better team."

It had been nearly a half-century since players had won five titles with one team. The last to do it? Of course a bunch of Yankees: Yogi Berra (10 titles), Mickey Mantle (seven) and Whitey Ford (six) in 1962, according to STATS LLC.

For second-year manager Joe Girardi, a three-time Yankees champion as a player, it was the fulfillment of a mission. When he succeeded Joe Torre in October 2007, Girardi chose uniform No. 27, putting his quest on his back for all to see. His tenure didn't start out so well, with New York missing the playoffs in its final season at old Yankee Stadium following 13 consecutive appearances.


Notes
Howard set a World Series record with 13 strikeouts. ... Derek Jeter batted .423 in the Series. ... Teixeira had been 2 for 20 before his RBI single in the fifth. ... It was the fourth time Rivera got the final out of a World Series. ... Yankees LF Johnny Damon left after three innings with a strained right calf. ... All-Star CF Shane Victorino was in Philadelphia's lineup despite an injured index finger. Victorino was hit on the right hand by A.J. Burnett's fastball early in Game 5 and removed in the eighth inning.

Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: kicker on November 05, 2009, 08:42:09 AM
yanks lose 6-1.very nice.i like.

I'z ah Mets fan but I could NEVER root on ah Philly team over ANY NY team....  never happen.

You're one of those huh? Giants - Mets combo... relatively rare.

Rangers or Islanders?  ;D
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: weary1969 on November 05, 2009, 04:00:14 PM
phils take game 5....8-6.yanks lead 3-2.game 6 wed in bronx.

Let c if u backin a betta horse in d MLS than d NBA.

Another dead horse  ;D
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: capodetutticapi on November 05, 2009, 04:22:05 PM
phils take game 5....8-6.yanks lead 3-2.game 6 wed in bronx.

Let c if u backin a betta horse in d MLS than d NBA.

Another dead horse  ;D
gyul doh let ram meh foot up....u want to finish that. ;)...is friggin stress all arong.
Title: Re: 2009 MLB Thread
Post by: weary1969 on November 05, 2009, 06:55:53 PM
phils take game 5....8-6.yanks lead 3-2.game 6 wed in bronx.

Let c if u backin a betta horse in d MLS than d NBA.

Another dead horse  ;D
gyul doh let ram meh foot up....u want to finish that. ;)...is friggin stress all arong.

If u want 2 beat meh 4 baseball by june 4 d nba I will have 2 get security. Barataria u helpin a sista out
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