poppysox

That would be fine as would putting the runner on 1st instead of 2nd. I hate these contrived changes that change the basic structure of the game. If the game is too long for you...go to bed.

The draft is a crap shoot for any team after the first 5 or 6. I like the upside on our 4 top guys. We will get something long-term out of 1 or more of them IMO.

Only 4 players with more games played than Leury.

I think Anderson, Eloy, Robert, and Abreu are in that same class of fan favorites by most fans. Several of our pitchers as well.

I am sure players consider it an honor to be named. My own preference is for my players to get over their individual aches and pains and not worry about what has become a meaningless game IMO.

Grady Sizemore looked like a sure-fire superstar. Stuff happens to even really good players like Soto.

After breaking a leg next week he might want to reconsider. Guys like this think it can't happen to them.

Don't remind me of that triple play. It took a week to get over that debacle.

I predict that we will be glad to have Kelly by the end of the season.

I agree with this take on Kelly. RH wanted to build the pen and Kelly was added to be a helpful piece for the stretch drive. RH knew up front that Kelly would need to knock the rust off in the early going. Recent games have shown the importance of those 6 thru 9 BP pieces, much like the key BP guys of the 2005 team. Harrison has really turned my mind around this last month...and we have been very fortunate that the McGuire/Zavala catching combo has been a nice surprise given Grandal's ineffectiveness.

One game back would be a massive improvement over what this board was predicting a week ago. Of course, it doesn't "fully" erase the first half of the season...but for sure people would be climbing back off the ledge.

Yep!

Win 3 or 4 and happiness returns to the forum. Win 4 of 4 and we start talking smack. Any other outcome and the sky is falling continues.

When a team underproduces...managers get axed. It happens to the best. I don't think JR will sit back and watch the window close without every effort to right the ship. He tried to right a perceived wrong with Tony but it didn't work out. JR has been around long enough to be a realist IMO.

I have a soft spot for Lamont because he treated my family with great respect at a Spring Training game in Florida. Posed for pictures...gave my daughter the signed lineup card for the day's game...and talked with all of us like he appreciated that we came down to talk to him. Ozzie lost me when his kids were allowed to stick their noses into club business.

Impressive...you got the first 4 right...Replace Guillen with Stanky and you would have nailed it.

Just for grins, I did a little research. Since becoming a fan of the WS in the mid-1950s, there have been 17 managers not counting the fill-in guys that finished up a season or something short-term. Only 5 of those guys were "liked" by me. I'm not referring to their win/loss records...just how well I "liked" their style of managing. My current choice would be to see Jirschele get a chance.

I like both.

I agree with you. A good run here might motivate the FO to get that 2nd baseman we need.

That's my game plan.

Katz...IMO.

The all-Star game has become a big nothing burger to me. I would just as soon get the team a break and start fresh.

The extensions signed by Sale, Quintana, and Eaton had a major role in their returns as well. We need to remember some of the good stuff.

I agree that all GMs have both smart and dumb moments but Tampa has more smart moments than most.

This would be a nice get.