WARNING!! Annual Off-Topic Baseball Thread. Esteemed Members BEWARE!!

[ChuckElias]

No idea why this is in a Philly paper: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/14297194.htm

He says he took his inspiration from Tony Kornheiser, who wrote at the time, that it was the peak of his life and everything afterwards would simply be nostalgia. Tony recently spoke with Maier and congratulated him.

[Jurassic Referee]

For all the Cub's fans......

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/47426

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

[ChuckElias]

With apologies in adance to DJ, Schilling pitched another gem tonight. Again, a pitcher's duel and just a real pleasure to watch. Papelbon looks good again to close it out. Now if we could just figure out a way to play only on every fifth day. . . (Shades of "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain")

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

For all the Cub's fans......

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/47426

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

My favorite "headline" in the sports section was "NBA Praises Julius Hodge for Getting Shot in Non-Controversial Fashion".

[Jurassic Referee]

Now pitching for the Seattle Mariners......

J.J. Putz

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

And he ain't the first.....

[Nevadaref]

For the benefit of NYY fans on the forum: 2006 American League Standings
EAST	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	RS	RA	STRK	L10
Boston	8	4	.667	-	3-3	5-1	53	49	Won 1	7-3
Baltimore	7	6	.538	1.5	4-5	3-1	71	69	Lost 1	5-5
Tampa Bay	7	6	.538	1.5	4-3	3-3	73	77	Won 3	6-4
Toronto	6	6	.500	2	3-3	3-3	72	69	Lost 2	5-5
NY Yankees	5	6	.455	2.5	3-0	2-6	71	49	Lost 2	4-6

Of course, Atlanta gets six innings of one hit ball out of starter John Thomson, but still can't win the game due to that mess they call a bullpen.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

With apologies in adance to DJ, Schilling pitched another gem tonight. Again, a pitcher's duel and just a real pleasure to watch. Papelbon looks good again to close it out. Now if we could just figure out a way to play only on every fifth day. . . (Shades of "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain")

I liked Saturday's game better...and as for today's game, if the first base umpire doesn't blow the call when Sexson tags the runner, we would've had you again...we'll see what Meche can do against the Sox tomorrow.

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

if the first base umpire doesn't blow the call when Sexson tags the runner, we would've had you again.

I didn't get to see it, as my family was traveling to visit my dad. But I'm most really impressed with the pitching lines for the Sox. Becket throws 7 innings with 1 earned run, Timlin pitches a 1-hit 8th, and Papelbon gets another save. That's how it's supposed to work!

And in other news, Mariano blows a save in April, and it's not even against the Sox!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

..and as for today's game, if the first base umpire doesn't blow the call when Sexson tags the runner, we would've had you again...

Gee, DJ, if it'll make you feel better....

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...ged_a_mistake/

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Gee, DJ, if it'll make you feel better....

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...ged_a_mistake/

Oh well...I thought it was an easy call, but the ump didn't, so that's the way it goes. I will say this - Papelbon is a stud! In his post-game interview yesterday, after a 1-2-3 9th inning where he threw something like 11 pitches, he talked about how 'lucky" he was to get out of the inning - M's had two long flies off him, but not even close to the wall - and how he was going to have to work harder in the future. Pretty impressive!

[M&M Guy]

An intersting note to last night's Cubs-Dodgers game:

The pitching matchup was Penny/Marshall.

In the press box was David "Squiggy" Lander, who appeared in "Laverne and Shirley", who is also an associate scout for the Seattle Mariners.

Life can be strange sometimes.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

In the press box was David "Squiggy" Lander, who appeared in "Laverne and Shirley", who is also an associate scout for the Seattle Mariners.

Somehow, that seems kinda fitting......

Lenny is the M's hitting coach.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Somehow, that seems kinda fitting......

Lenny is the M's hitting coach.

And, unfortunately, Mork from Ork is their pitching coach!

[ChuckElias]

Wakefield is off to a terrible start this year. He's been with the Sox longer than anybody else currently on the club, I think. It's early, so he's got plenty of time to turn it around, but hitters are just teeing off on him. Sox have lost 5 games (only the Mets have fewer losses), and Wakefield has been charged with 3 of of the losses. Not good times for Wake.

This upcoming series with the Jays should be a good one.

[ChuckElias]

I forgot to mention, although I know it's a sore spot. . . The Cubbies are in a world of hurt now that Derek Lee is out, too. What a funky play to get banged up on. It looked like he just forgot where he was. He wasn't even trying to make a play, he was just standing there on the base.

Nomar's coming back, tho. Hope he stays healthy for a few games.