Baseball

The Yanks got rained out??  

E-Dub wrote: rushfan4 wrote: 3 hours until 1st pitch for the Tigers and Royals.  Woo-hoo.  Time to "Play Ball".  Go Tigers!!!!!  Looking forward to their 1st win out of a hundred or so more on their way to their return visit to the World Series.  Or at least another season of good baseball in the Motor City, after so many, many years of little league baseball (and that is an insult to the little leaguers). Turned out to be a good game, RF. When we gave up that lead off double in the 11th I thought we were toast. To win on the road and against a team like Detroit is a good start. Detroit is still the class of the AL Central, so teams will be gunning. Still, Trey Hillman seems to be a good fit for the Royals and with his experience in Japan, may be making the team faster and fundamentally sound. Still need that batter that will strike fear into pitchers, though. E

The 70's is when I started with the Tigers. Whitaker, Trammell, Parrish, Morris etc...  Only one World Series title but the Tigers had the best record in the 1980's of any team in baseball.  I always liked Kansas City in those days.  Guys like U.L. Washington and his toothpick, and Freddy Patek and his blue glove.  Of course we used to collect baseball cards in those days and I had a real good friend who collected all of George Brett's baseball cards so he was one of those players who was probably liked just about everywhere (pine tar and all).  It really sucks being a small market team.  The Tigers finally got sick of it when they lost 119 games, but as much money as they are spending this year, they still can't compete with the amount of money that the Yankees and Red Sox throw around.  I think that Kansas City is where the Tigers were a few years ago, with a lot of really young players with tons of potential and just maybe if they play up to that potential they can give you guys a fun year.

Man, I have nothing against the Red Sox. For a big market team, I like 'em a lot; however, is there a bigger horse's arse than Manny Ramirez? Sportcenter made it a point to highlight his moronic plate appearance when he drives a ball to deep center, and just poses to watch it sail right into the outfielders glove. Didn't he do the same thing in the post season last year? It's obvious the guy is only playing for himself. Then again, if the truth be known, most of the players are in it for themselves.

Stepping off soapbox now.

E


Edited by E-Dub - April 03 2008 at 09:51

rushfan4 wrote: I'm sure Manny has on more then one occasion turned a double into a single by watching a "home run ball" stay within the field of play while he was posing at home plate.   Alright, E-Dub.  I was alright with the Royals winning opening day since it was your birthday and all, but the whole frickin' series.  That is just not right.   The vaunted Tigers offense looks very much like the New York Yankees team that the Tigers had no chance against in the playoffs two years ago.  One run scored in 21 innings and it was on a home run from the number 9 hitter, Brandon Inge, who from all accounts wasn't even going to be a Tiger this year, except that the Tigers needed him to be their back-up catcher.

Rushie, as a guy who has been following the Royals for longer than I have been watching the Chiefs, I'm watching this team with a very cautious and brittle optimism. If you had told me that the Royals would be 3-0 after starting the season in Detroit, I would've called you a liar.

I've seen this team win a series, but then go on to the next against a lesser opponent and end up losing 2 out of 3 (if not being swept). We go on to Minnesota next, and they're a team who has to rebound after losing some key players. After that it's the home opener against the Yankees. If we can come back to KC with a 4-2, 5-1, or (dare I say) 6-0 record, we may have something.

Sorry that the Royals had to urinate on your parade. I can't even believe it myself.

E

E-Dub wrote: Man, I have nothing against the Red Sox. For a big market team, I like 'em a lot; however, is there a bigger horse's arse than Manny Ramirez? Sportcenter made it a point to highlight his moronic plate appearance when he drives a ball to deep center, and just poses to watch it sail right into the outfielders glove. Didn't he do the same thing in the post season last year? It's obvious the guy is only playing for himself. Then again, if the truth be known, most of the players are in it for themselves. Stepping off soapbox now. E

I once saw Manny hit a line drive stand-up double into the gap between outfielders and then just walk to first base.  Another time, he jogged over and played the ricochet of a fly ball instead of making a play that wouldn't have been difficult at all if he had just run.  That one even was too much for Francona; there was somebody else standing in left field for the rest of the game! 

rileydog22 wrote: E-Dub wrote: Man, I have nothing against the Red Sox. For a big market team, I like 'em a lot; however, is there a bigger horse's arse than Manny Ramirez? Sportcenter made it a point to highlight his moronic plate appearance when he drives a ball to deep center, and just poses to watch it sail right into the outfielders glove. Didn't he do the same thing in the post season last year? It's obvious the guy is only playing for himself. Then again, if the truth be known, most of the players are in it for themselves. Stepping off soapbox now. E I once saw Manny hit a line drive stand-up double into the gap between outfielders and then just walk to first base.  Another time, he jogged over and played the ricochet of a fly ball instead of making a play that wouldn't have been difficult at all if he had just run.  That one even was too much for Francona; there was somebody else standing in left field for the rest of the game!

As good as he is, I've lost a TON of respect for Ramirez. You dig out every ground ball and every fly ball. Unless it's absolutely crushed and there's no doubt, you get your a*s to first base until you know for sure it's out of the park. Had that ball bounced off the wall, he would've had a single or been thrown out at second.

The guy's a jerk weed.

E

On the topic of not hustling, I remember a couple years ago seeing a clip of a Mets game.  There was a runner on first base, and Carlos Beltran was at bat.  He popped up to the right side of the infield, and I think he stopped for a second and started either slowly walking toward the dugout or first base.  But rather than catch the ball, the fielder (probably the second baseman) let the ball drop.  He threw to second and then the ball was thrown to first to get a double play.  That definitely pissed off Willie Randolph and the crowd.  

Edited by darkmatter - April 03 2008 at 21:22

Maybe it's a horrible thing to say... but I always laugh when I see that bird explode....

darkmatter wrote: Maybe it's a horrible thing to say... but I always laugh when I see that bird explode....

I'm not necessarily amused by it (well, in a way I am), but just thinking the odds against something like that. It looks like a pillow exploding.

E