Boston Red Sox
http://www.smiling-faces.com/smilies/tombstone.gif
2005

All the Bosux fans can now root for the Yankees -- since they don't have anything else to do.:D

I'd have loved to have been the guy that wrote the relational databases!

Draw a line on a map roughly from Milford CT through Albany NY and up to Montreal Canada.

For these people hockey season just began.

The Yankees are right behind the Sox. Just give them another day.

The TV people sure aren't going to be happy.

:(

I think I'm rooting for the Angels now. I still love Orlando Cabrera from last year, and I've always like Vlad. Go Angels? :(

Jumping on another wagon.
 

I'm a Yankee fan now.
The players are familiar.
But, of course, with me pulling for them, they'll surely lose.
mick
<HR>
Wait 'til next year.

Braves go out in the first round yet again. I realize it's 14 consecutive division titles (somewhat dubious IMO b/c of the '94 final standings), but they can't get anything done in the playoffs.

What do you expect?

They used to be the Boston Braves, didn't they?

I stopped watching about the 7th inning cause I had other things to do. Buddy called me when they were in the bottom of the 11th and said it was tied. Of course, I didn't believe him. But, I watched from the 11th until the disappointing end.

Either way, GO CARDS!! :)

Did you get anything done in those 80 minutes? :)

Well.... I could have saved a load of money on my car insurance 5 different times. :D Umm, not really, I got my car packed, that's about it.

Longest ever post-season game.

Only post-season game in history to have two grand slams.

12 pitchers used; over 550 pitches. (Imagine being the HP umpire...)

White Sox against Houston would make a good World Series.

I was also watching the Cubs this weekend. Unfortunately, they weren't on ESPN or Fox, it was the Vacation Channel...

Yeah, really exciting!
...Like watching the Bears vs. Texans.
mick

I missed the game, Discovery Channel had a 24 hr Martha Stewart Marathon. I just couldn't tear myself away from all those doilies.

Or the Lions vs. Ravens? 21 penalties? Have 2 players thrown out for contacting officials? Give the crowd the finger?

Man, talk about outa control football teams. You might expect that in some of the Pop Warner-type daddy-coach leagues....but not in the NFL. You have a head coach there that has absolutely no control over his team. Sad.

Hello Doilie...
Well hello Doilie...
It's so nice to see you back where you belong...

I can dance too.

Hey, can you sing solo?

So low we can't hear you?

I agree.
...Neither does Billick.
mick

Geeze, I did mean Billick actually.

Is everybody there that far down on the Moosh now? I thought he was your savior come down from the mount just a l'il while ago.

Jmo, but I think the Lions have got more of a GM problem than a head coach problem.

Hmmm...even the Annual off-topic <font color = red>baseball</font> thread gets off-topic.

And I had such hope for my Bears this year - a .500 season looked very possible. But, at least no one on Bears has been ejected this year. I didn't see the Lions/Ravens game, but I did hear the players thought the referees were too emotional that game. Huh? What does that mean? And how does that affect the players acting like jerks, losing their cool, and getting ejected?

Sigh...this site could be such a great resource... ;)

We know - we've seen you cut a pretty mean rug.

http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/misc/play001.jpg

What??? You mean the baseball playoffs have started?? How are my Mariners doing?

Seriously, as much as I hate the Yankees, I can't seem to bring myself to root for the Angels either...guess I'm gonna have to start liking the White Sox...

New York Yankees
http://www.smiling-faces.com/smilies/tombstone.gif
2005

:D

I have two words for the Yankees and Red Sox
 

<font size = +10>HE GONE!!!!!</font>

Peace

And deservedly so!

Go White Sox!

Oh, my!

Go Stros. http://www.deephousepage.com/smilies/conf44.gif

Nope...can't root for them either - too many former Yankees pitchers. Gotta go for St. Louis and ChiSox series now...

Hmmm...the AL East is irrelevant. And for that matter, so is the NL East. The heartland rules!

And to show how much "respect" the White Sox are getting - the Angels are still favored, even though they just lost their best pitcher (perhaps for the season), and they're going to play three games in three days in three different time zones.

Yea, yea, I know JR - the Cubs are just as irrelevant. But, doesn't it ruffle the feathers just a little to put the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs all in the same, irrelevant boat? (At least they're not Kansas City...)

Nope.....because I don't put the Cubs in the same boat as the Yanks or the BoSox. That boat is reserved for teams that have won a World Series since you or your grandparents were born. :D

Go White Sox!

:p Well...oh, yea?! (How's that for a snappy come-back?)

If you're trying to ruffle my feathers with the White Sox comment, it's not working. For most of us Cub fans, we don't have a problem with the Sox. I'm actually rooting for them. However, Sox fans really hate the Cubs. I think it has to do with some inferiorty complex; most of the media in Chicago talks about the Cubs, Wrigley Field, yada, yada, and the White Sox have been an afterthought over the years.

Now, if you're looking to ruffle my feathers, just mention the Cardinals...

Chicago/St. Louis is a quite a rivalry, but for some reason, it doesn't quite feel right. What could it be, what could it be???

As a Yankee fan long since transplanted in Orioles country, I can tell you that the O's fans are awakening from their drunken stupor yelling out, "How 'bout them O's hon?" When told of the O's demise now that the post season is here, they indignantly reply, "Big deal, we'll just watch the Ravens kick some a$$!!" :eek: Ahem.

Time to return to their drunken stupor. (hiccup)

[Edited by PGCougar on Oct 11th, 2005 at 04:18 PM]

Now, if you're looking to ruffle my feathers, just mention the Cardinals... [/B][/QUOTE]Ruffle your feathers? <i>Moi?</i> Perish the thought.

I just like the way the White Sox play. And Ozzie is a hoot-- he's a breath of fresh air. And I do like an underdog too. Hell, the White Sox haven't won a World Series in.....well.... <b>almost</b> as long as the <b>other</b> Chicago team. And that's one helluva loooooong time.

St. Louis?

In the immortal words of Bill the Cat-<i>"Phhbbbbbbt"</i>

Tony LaRussa is the biggest phony in all of baseball. And that includes the used car salesman from Milwaukee that got appointed Head Handpuppet by his fellow owners. LaRussa basically hasn't won squat except for the one World Series back in '89 when he had a team that, at that time, was labelled the greatest team of all time. Well, Mr. Genius won exactly 1 World Series with that "Greatest Team of all Time" and it took a freaking earthquake to help him win that one.

All you need to know about Tony LaRusso is the defense he gave out in favor of Mark McGwire--"No,no,no......my Markie would <b>never</b> use 'roids. Not my Markie". But, hey, let's not talk about that....it's all in the past.

Come to think of it, LaRussa is supposed to have a Ph.D, doesn't he? I wonder if he got it in chemistry? Hmmmmmm.....

Heard this on the radio this morning. Matsui came up to bat 5 times last night with runners on base. He went 0-for-5. He's only the second player in baseball history to go 0-for-5 with runners on base in a single post-season game. The first?

Bill Buckner, Game 6, 1986 World Series.

You know you had a bad night when you're the first player ever to fail that badly at the plate, and that's not why you're remembered for the game. :eek:

Matsui had a dreadful series vs Aneheim...LA...whateverthehecktheycallthemselvesth esedays...

4 for 20, hitless in the last 2 games.

But he was a key to the last 10 game push, 15 for 38 = .395

Can't complain about that.

Ah yes, Billy B.

Tony Graffinino's infield coach.

Thirty (30) pages to date. New record, I believe.

ROTFLMAO!!! :D :D :D

Several of the Yankees failed to show up Monday night. But, at least they were playing in the 5th game of the playoffs unlike the Bosux had already been "swept" away like yesterday's trash.:D

Several of the Yankees failed to show up Monday night. But, at least they were playing in the 5th game of the playoffs unlike the Bosux had already been "swept" away like yesterday's trash.:D

[/B][/QUOTE]

I was going to respond to the above but then I read your post script and decided against it.

Hi Chuck,

You wanted the White Sox and now the Bosox are out. The White Sox wanted the Yankees or Red Sox. Now they'll have their hands full with the Angels.

I don't like the Astro's however, In a seven game sereis you got to like Petit, Clemens and Oswalt.

I never said Boston would win the series. (Obviously, I hoped they would, but that wasn't the point of the post.) I only said that any of the other 3 AL teams would want the White Sox in the first round. That was b/c of Chicago's perceived weakness.

Even White Sox supporters have to admit that the Chicago didn't play spectacular baseball. But the Red Sox sure did stink up the joint. Pitching wasn't there, and the defense was completely on vacation.

Reggie Jackson was .....<b>Mr. October</b>.

The Chicago Cubs are....<b>Misses October</b>.

What's wrong with their however?

I don't usually get involved in baseball threads...but, why don't baseball umpires get together a little quicker when they have a dispute?

i.e. Game 2 White Sox vs. Angels Bottom of the 9th 2 out "controversy".

I was going to respond to the above but then I read your post script and decided against it.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Come on, take a chance. Which end of the post script would you be on?:D

And what a bad call. Especially since there's absolutely no way that he could possibly see if it hit the ground or not.

Come on, take a chance. Which end of the post script would you be on?:D
[/B][/QUOTE]

__________________________________________________ _________

I would be the person who is not going to argue. Great response though.

I think I'll go with "tough call".
The catcher could have taken that close play out of the umpire's hands by tagging the runner or by going to first. Infielders do it more often when they catch a screamer in the dirt cleanly, but still make a play at a base to "finish" a batter/runner.
mick

Well, it certainly was a tough call to make because there is no possible way that the umpire could've seen what he said happened!! He guessed! In the bottom of the 9th in a tie game of an LCS, he guessed! That bothers me just as much as missing the call.

Strikes are "guessed". Balls are "guessed". Tags are "guessed". Outs are "guessed". Catches and drops are "guessed". Replays are "guessed".

How do you fix that?
In Baseball - It is what it is.
mick

All those things are judgments based on what the umpire sees. There is no way that the plate ump saw the ball hit the ground. Zero possibility. It wasn't a judgment, it was a guess.

Call it a guess if you want.
 

He did not see the ball caught.
He judged the pitch was an uncaught third strike.
He signalled "live ball".
He signalled a strike.
The catcher fell asleep.
Oh, my!

Re: Call it a guess, since that's what it was.
 

He therefore has no idea what happened.

I won't argue semantics with you, Mick, but I don't see how you can make a judgment with no information.


Nobody except the umpire crew knew that. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't even think the first base ump knew it. I will go watch the replay. But the only person that needed to know it had his back to the umpire.

The catcher did what he does after every caught third strike that ends an inning. That's not falling asleep.

Re: Re: Call it a guess, since that's what it was.
 

Finis.
mick

Listening to the interviews with all the Angels players and with Scioscia, they aren't really too hung up with that play...as Erstad said - "We didn't score enough runs. We shouldn't have put ourselves in a position where that could happen." Whether any of us think it was a bad call or not, sounds like the Angels are ready to go for game 3...

And that shows both class and understanding of the game. I'm not trying to say that plate umpire cost the Angels the game. All I'm saying is that he made a call that he had no business making. We constantly tell guys, "If you don't know, don't guess". The ump just picked a really unfortunate time to make a guess.

Pas finis.
In baseball, a call must be made.
Baseball umpires do no have the luxury of no-calling.

Given that the umpire did not see the out, yet the umpire is not allowed to stand there mute with a live ball, or dead ball with the participants running helter-skelter.

A call must be made.

Once a call is made the players should react accordingly, then after the play has ended the appeal process is in place to fix stuff.
If umps don't know the result of a play, they must guess, cuz the players are waiting.

mick

Not all true!
 

Sorry Churck but in baseball its the job of the plate umpire to call::

<b>Ball and strikes</b>

That's his most important job so you can't say he had no business making the call.

Secondly, he did know what happened because as an umpire you can see the ball hit the ground, you can see a short hop etc., especially calling with the big boys.

I'm not a MLB umpire, but I've called college ball and its amazing what you can see with a good catcher etc.,

Finally, if in doubt, signal the swing and look at the actions of the players. The batter took off immediately so that tells you something he saw.

And then you always have the 1st and 3rd base umpires to look at for help. I didn't see it shown on TV, but I'm sure the 3rd base umpire gave a signal.

And then you could see first base umpire moving into the field for the play at first, so he knew it hit the ground also.

Just my take on a crazy play.

Thanks
David

I don't check onto this discussion much, and I didn't see the game last night, but I'm wondering if anyone knows from past situations how this might affect the ump's career. Are MLB umps pros, like in the NBA? Or are they "contractors" like in the NFL? Is every MLB game watched on tape like NBA? Is this guy done for the season? Done forever? Or is it no big deal?

Great sign spotted in the stands during last night's game....obviously being held by an Angels fan still ticked off at the umpire's call t'other night...


<font size = +3><b>Chicago White Sox

Cheating Since 1919</b></font>

Re: Not all true!
 

Poor communication resulted in a "Three Stooges Episode" breaking out.

Re: Re: Not all true!
 

When in doubt call em out? haven't heard that since little league.

Actually its quite the opposite - look at the definition of catch. Its up to the fielder to prove to me that he caught the ball - in this case F2 didn't prove it.

Without complete knowledge that its a catch, the call is "no catch".

Same as a diving catch in the outfield.

If I as umpire am not 100% sure I have a catch, then I'm relying on player reaction and my partners but I'm NOT calling an out.

Thanks
David

DArn....with all the bosox and yankee talk this year, it is hard to imagine that the Astros and white sox are still standing when everybody else has headed back to wherever their green cards say they are from. :)

Yabut........does anyone care though? :D

I was rooting for the Angels and Orlando Cabrera. Now I've got the Clemens-laden Astro's (a team I otherwise love) and the Carl Everett-laden White Sox (a team to which I am otherwise indifferent).

So do I root for a team that I really like, but is led by a traitor and a former Yankee great (Pettit); or do I root for a team that I couldn't care less about, except for one completely self-absorbed, unprofessional dope that I can't stand?

:(

I feel the same way (although you say it a lot better than I could).

Isn't the Astros' shortstop, Adam Everett, the player the Sox traded for Carl Everett? And how can we forget the Bagwell for Larry Anderson fiasco.

I guess I will have to root for the Astros anyway because of Biggio and Bagwell.

Wow, you have a much better memory than I do. http://www.s-t.com/daily/02-00/02-16-00/d04sp136.htm

Don't talk to me about Larry Anderson. :mad:

You guys are a great farm system for us!!! :D

How about Jeff Bagwell then?

Shut up.

LOL!

OK...then how about Freddy Garcia??

Oh wait...that would be me that doesn't want to hear about that trade...never mind.

Chuck, how do you like my new signature? :D

Still looking for the Gaffanino line. Would you happen to have it? ;)

I've been studiously ignoring it. :p

Couple of pretty good games so far, don't you think? I almost stayed awake for last night's ending. I have to wonder if Lidge can shake off this home run as easily as he seemed to shake off the big homer he gave up in the NLCS.

Suddenly everybody's talking sweep, but isn't the home team supposed to win the first two games? So we're not even going to wait to see what happens when the the Astros get home with Oswalt on the mound? Seems pretty foolish to me. I remember the Yankees lost the first two to the Dodgers in 78 and then won the series. The Dodgers then returned the favor by losing the first two to the Yankees -- in 81? -- and then winning the series. In '96, the Yanks lost the first two at home and then won the next four to beat the Braves.

Anyway, I'm enjoying it, even if it isn't the high profile match-up that some people would prefer.

Ok, so the Bud Light and Mrs Selig comment broght me to this:

What's the deal with MLB telling the Astros they have to play with the roof open tonight? I can see them telling the team to close it in the event of inclement weather, say for safety reasons, but what's the purpose of telling them they have to keep it open, other than to negate some of the home-field crowd noise advantage?

Sounds like an obvious conspiracy to let the American League win again.

It's true...it's true...

couple of good games except for???
 

a couple calls either way, that i think should be REVIEWABLE BY THE MONITOR, and just so happens it cost the Astros! another ploy to let the american league win again!! I think the umps have had a rough post season, they have missed some key plays in some key situations, i know you can miss some things, but man have they struggled lately, more than ever!!

My theory is that the MLB Head Office really has a secret department called "The Department Of Anal-Retentive Sissies That Have Never Played Sports In Their Lives Except In Middle School When They Got Picked Last". The sole purpose of this department is to piss off everybody that they possibly can. In the past MLB has given full authority to this department to handle matters such as various Players' Strikes(see 1994), All-Star games that end in ties, World Series games that don't end until 2:00am and any other situations that may arise. This department can also be leased out to other sports when needed; for instance, it is not that very well known but TDOARSTHNPSITLEIMSWTGPL also was responsible for the recent 1 1/2 year NHL strike, the just-implemented NBA dress code and the NFL tuck rule. With it's mandate of trying to piss off as many people as possible, the Houston situation became an perfect situation for the Department to be assigned to. You have a team that has never appeared in a World Series before and an accompanying fan base that is deliriously happy that <b>their</b> team is finally in one. Well, that was just <b>too</b> much happiness to be tolerated by the artist known as TDOARSTHNPSITLEIMSWTGPL.

<i>Voila</i>...... the dome <b>MUST</b> be opened!

PS- Little known fact.....Steve Bartman was an undercover operative for TDOARSTHNPSITLEIMSWTGPL.

It's true, it's true......

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Oct 25th, 2005 at 03:34 PM]

What's wrong with the tuck rule?

It sucks! Plain and simple. tom Brady fumbled the ball against Oakland. He didn't tuck it! I have enjoyed watching the Pats over the past few years don't get me wrong but the tuck rule is for sissies. And that other group that Bartman is a secret operative for.

...It's existence. It's hard, fast and requires no judgment.

<I><font color = cyan>Under the rule, a quarterback's throwing motion begins when he raises the ball in his hand and begins to move his arm forward; that motion doesn't end until the quarterback tucks the ball back against his body, making him a runner. If the ball comes loose any time in between, it's an incomplete pass, not a fumble. Only if the quarterback reloads -- and raises the ball again to start a new throwing motion -- can he fumble, as long as the ball is knocked loose before his arm begins to move forward again.</I></font>
mick

There are body parts that fit that description, but that doesn't mean we have to see them...

(Wow, that cyan sure makes my eyes water!)

I meant it as a joke. I am from Boston and felt it was a fumble as did everyone I was watching the game with.

I know you were joking. It is hard to tell sometimes on here whether or not somebody is dead serious or joking. I figured you were joking as was I.

tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

<B><font color = pink>"It sucks! Plain and simple. tom Brady fumbled the ball against Oakland. He didn't tuck it! I have enjoyed watching the Pats over the past few years don't get me wrong but the tuck rule is for sissies." - ThickSkin</font></B>

You were joking?

So, ...<LI>You think it's a good rule.<LI>You think Brady did not fumble?<LI>You think Brady tucked it?<LI>You have not enjoyed the Pats?<LI>You think the tuck rule is for real men?
:)
mick

M&M, think pink.

I never kid.

<table bgcolor= black border="1"><tr>
<td><font color = yellow> Nice colors Mick! </font></td>
</tr></table>

Re: tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

In terms of being upset that he said "What is wrong with the tuck rule" I was joking. But, I do not like the tuck rule, Brady fumbled (Oakland wins the superbowl, Bledsoe remains a Patriot, and the Cowboys are still wishing they didn't release Carter), the tuck rule is for sissies, and I have actually enjoyed the Patriots the past few years. They have done it the right way. Through the draft!!!

Are we on the same page now?

I wish I still was a kid!

Re: Re: tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

Actually I think it was justice delayed. The Patriots got screwed by a couple of calls against Oakland in 1976.

Re: Re: tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

Yeah, I was on your page before I wasted your time. ;)
I agree, with you about the Patriots.
And further, I still think they are the best "team" in any current professional sport.

mick

Re: tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

There are body parts...umm...never mind.

Re: Re: tuck rule, (hmmmm)
 

Please note, for the record, that I very studiously ignored that one when it was posted.

It wasn't easy, but I persevered.

Getting back to the "baseball" thread - GO WHITE SOX!!!

Thank you for bringing this off-topic thread back on-topic. I can't stand being forced to read all this off-topic crap.

Now, as I'm driving home I'm going to leave my sunroof closed and play some music as loud as I can, no matter what Bud says.

Did you say go White Sox? I guess I will have to agree to disagree with you on this one! I don't think it is as much the white sox as it is AJ Pierzienski(sp)! Something about that guy. It started when he was with SF! The play against anaheim only made it worse (although it wasn't his fault!).

Destiny's Child!

Sure seems that way. Couple of records set last night. My favorite is that Podsednik had 8 official ABs in the game, which is a World Series record.

Well......the good thing is that it ain't the Cubbies.

Man, if they ever won, their fans would probably be as insufferable as the BoSox fans.