2007 Post ASB MLB Catch-All Thread

[Kalapse]

Cardinals are up 4-2 in the bottom of the 6th.

[Rowand44]

Is it just me or anytime the Cubs are ever in a division race basically every person ever predicts them to win it?

Edited September 9, 2007 by Rowand44

[fathom]

My brother and I were talking about how suspicious so many Orioles players were, in terms of previous steroid use. One of the many guys I projected that was on the juice was Jay Gibbons. Look for the story to come out later tonight that he was one of the guys who used that Florida pharmacy.

[fathom]

Cardinals are up 4-2 in the bottom of the 6th.

 

0 and 3 since the Ankiel distraction.

[CWSGuy406]

My brother and I were talking about how suspicious so many Orioles players were, in terms of previous steroid use. One of the many guys I projected that was on the juice was Jay Gibbons. Look for the story to come out later tonight that he was one of the guys who used that Florida pharmacy.

 

And just like that.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/base...robe/index.html

 

These next five months are going to be very interesting, that's for sure. I wonder who the first Sox or Cub player (ex or current) will be...

[3E8]

A funny piece I found on the Rickey Henderson Wikipedia page

 

One widely reported story, however, is by all accounts a fabrication.[41] Supposedly while playing for Seattle in 2000, Henderson went up to John Olerud, and remarked on Olerud's practice of wearing a batting helmet out on the field, noting that "Rickey used to have a teammate in Toronto who did the same thing," to which Olerud was said to have replied, "That was me."

 

There's a bunch of other good stuff on there.

[Gregory Pratt]

My brother and I were talking about how suspicious so many Orioles players were, in terms of previous steroid use. One of the many guys I projected that was on the juice was Jay Gibbons. Look for the story to come out later tonight that he was one of the guys who used that Florida pharmacy.

 

Baltimore was big.

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

PS: LaRussa is one of the greatest facilitators of steroids in the game. The Bash Brothers, Rick Ankiel, plenty of guys on the rosters besides the names, I'm sure, and he's always right there, steady like San Francisco.

 

Pretty interesting that not all franchises operate like that, though, or managers. Arizona is on record as saying that they got rid of people they thought were on steroids and Glaus was one of them.

 

LaRussa hasn't had anymore steroid guys than any other manager.

 

Look at the great Joe Torre-Giambi, Grimsley, Sheffield, Abreu?, Clemens?

 

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

And just like that.

I wonder who the first Sox or Cub player (ex or current) will be...

Canseco

Edited September 10, 2007 by WhiteSoxfan1986

[Gregory Pratt]

LaRussa hasn't had anymore steroid guys than any other manager.

 

Look at the great Joe Torre-Giambi, Grimsley, Sheffield, Abreu?, Clemens?

 

I can think of two other guys to add. But LaRussa really comes to mind when it comes to sleaze.

[Gregory Pratt]

A part of me really wants Pedro Martinez to retire after this season and finalize his rough comparison to Sandy Koufax. Sure, Koufax retired younger but both have had injuries that have taken a toll, both dominated the game better than anyone, and both would have retired fairly young. I've thought for awhile that he might just come back this season, get his strikeouts and retire after. I don't really think he'll do it but this is interesting:

 

Pedro Martinez is starting to feel old. He is 35 now, a bit thick in the midsection, finally beginning to accept that his body will never do things it used to. He understands, too, that while age gifts him wisdom and patience, it does so knowing he needs such virtues.

 

Paolino Jaime Abreu, Martinez's 77-year-old father, might be sick. In the past year, lymphoma had invaded his body, and doctors in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., thought they had eradicated it. Then the spots showed up last week, the same pocks on his skin that signaled cancer the first time.

 

"So we're going to bring him back to have him checked," Martinez said. "He was totally clean. They sent him home.

 

"Now we don't know."

 

Uncertainty is somewhat of a theme in Martinez's life, from his father's health to his status with the New York Mets. Yes, Martinez will receive a Richter-registering ovation when he makes his Shea Stadium season debut starting Sunday's series finale against the Houston Astros. Charisma and legacy are a winning combination when it comes to fans' affection, and Martinez, as he is wont to do, will comport himself with the playfulness of a golden retriever puppy, even if it belies his true feelings.

 

"Not taking anything away from this outing, but I'm already too old to be getting all excited," Martinez said. "It affects my heart."

 

Heavy as his heart may be, Martinez knows the importance of his last four or five starts. The Mets need to understand what they have, and Martinez needs to understand who he is. He was shaky in the first inning Monday of his first start coming off rotator-cuff surgery, then settled down to pitch four scoreless frames. His fastball topped out at 89 mph, which was passable, his changeup disturbed hitters' equilibrium, which was great, and his curveball flattened out, which was bad.

 

So, in all, he was average. And while in the past an average Pedro meant one run instead of none, now it constitutes the difference between a pitcher solidly in the Mets' playoff rotation and one who will cause manager Willie Randolph some very uncomfortable nights' sleep.

 

"Even though he's not the Pedro he was when he was in Boston, when he threw 97 and 98, he's still Pedro," Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran said. "That counts for a lot.

 

"Things are different when Pedro's out there. He keeps the clubhouse loose, jokes around, has fun. And when he takes the mound, he's still one of the best."

 

If so, he'll earn a spot in the Mets' playoff rotation. Over whom is the question. Tom Glavine, the veteran, is in. Orlando Hernandez, another playoff-tested pitcher, has been the Mets' most consistent starter this season. John Maine leads the team with 14 victories. And Oliver Perez is tops in strikeouts and has a 3.46 ERA.

 

So would the Mets dare go with Martinez out of the bullpen? Perhaps his most famous performance came in relief, when Martinez threw six no-hit innings to win Game 5 of the 1999 Division Series against Cleveland. Randolph won't address rookie outfielder Carlos Gomez's potential spot on the playoff roster, let alone his rotation, so speculation must suffice.

 

However great it sounds – a fresh Pedro, tromping out of the bullpen in the seventh inning to protect a one-run lead with the bases loaded – Beltran is right: He still is Pedro Martinez, the guy who helped start the Met revolution when he signed a four-year, $56 million deal before the 2005 season. Beltran joined up shortly thereafter, Jose Reyes and David Wright grew into superstars, pitching coach Rick Peterson worked his magic on Maine and Perez, and the Mets were reborn.

 

And anyway, while Hernandez has been the most consistent Mets pitcher this season, he played the swing role beautifully for the White Sox during their 2005 championship. Perez is too erratic for relief, Maine lacking El Duque's flexibility.

 

First comes today's start, when Martinez expects to jump his pitch count from 76 in his first outing to at least 85, maybe 90. He'd be content with that. Not excited. These days, that takes plenty more.

 

"Winning a World Series in a Mets uniform," Martinez said. "That would get me going, boy. You wouldn't see me stop for probably two weeks."

 

Martinez would paint New York before heading back to his native Dominican Republic. He hopes Paolino will have returned to Santo Domingo by then, the doctors deeming him cancer-free.

 

Paolino taught his boys, Ramon, Nelson, Pedro and Jesus, how to play baseball. Ramon, a solid starter with the Dodgers, and Pedro, one of his generation's greats, a no-doubt first-ballot Hall of Famer, did what he couldn't.

 

"Back in those days, people didn't believe you could make a living playing baseball," Pedro said. "Grandma never saw anyone come out. So she sent him to the farm to work.

 

"My dad had a great arm."

 

Disappointment tinged Martinez's voice. His dad had played with Felipe Alou and Manny Mota. He was good. He might have made the major leagues.

 

Such stories sadden Martinez until he begins to remember what a complete and fulfilling life his father has lived. His wisdom reminds him that. His patience tells him that times of uncertainty pass with resolutions, ones with which he'll learn to live.

 

And then Martinez smiles, the big toothy kind that endears him to everyone he meets. This getting-old thing. Maybe it's not so bad after all.

 

Really would be nice, in a way. He definitely has nothing left to prove.

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

I can think of two other guys to add. But LaRussa really comes to mind when it comes to sleaze.

 

LaRussa can be classless, but in the 90's every team had guys on roids, and every manager probably had at least some idea about it.

[Gregory Pratt]

LaRussa can be classless, but in the 90's every team had guys on roids, and every manager probably had at least some idea about it.

 

Let's not kid ourselves. Everybody knew about it, per Canseco + common sense. But I get what you're saying.

[BHAMBARONS]

That's funny, cause check out Arizona's best hitter the year they won the WS.

 

If you are referring to Luis Gonzalez he was shown (rudely) the door last off season. Moorad and Kendrick have taken a hard line on suspected users and they floated his name to the press last year and were nearly burned in effigy.

 

 

 

[fathom]

Looks like the Brewers offense decided to take the night off against Armas. Also, it's interesting to see Yost leave Villanueva in for nearly 80 pitches when he's been out of the bullpen all season. Unfortunately, looks like we're back to a tie after tonight.

 

 

Edited September 11, 2007 by fathom

[Greg The Bull Luzinski]

Looks like the Brewers offense decided to take the night off against Armas. Also, it's interesting to see Yost leave Villanueva in for nearly 80 pitches when he's been out of the bullpen all season. Unfortunately, looks like we're back to a tie after tonight.

 

... And wasn't Armas the guy that couldn't find a team to start the season and he is now handcuffing the "explosive" Brewers offense?

[fathom]

Rickie Weeks just made his 25th error in the last 10 days. Judging by the box score, the same play just happened in the White Sox and Brewers game.

[Brian]

MLB.com has just added these cool chat room for each of their games on gameday. Pretty snazzy.

[santo=dorf]

MLB.com has just added these cool chat room for each of their games on gameday. Pretty snazzy.

They've had them for at least two years now.

[Brian]

They've had them for at least two years now.

 

Not these. They are new today or the past few days. Everyone in the room said they were new.

[greasywheels121]

[Brian]

Ha! I used to joke in college when Wells was with us, take a shot everytime he adjusts his cup.

[SoxAce]

 

LMAO!! :lolhitting

 

 

Edited September 11, 2007 by SoxAce

[Balta1701]

BMac back on the mound for the Rangers tonight.

[fathom]

The Cardinals have been so idiotic with the way they've handled their pitching staff over the last 10 days. Mulder and Maroth should be nowhere near the big league team right now.