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

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

All this bullpen talk and no mention of the Braves? Once again they have decided to give the season a go without a real closer. Not sure that they have a set up man either... Or anyone who can get someone out!

Or Leo Mazzone!

[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]

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.

[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")

[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.

[ChuckElias]

Manny finally hits his first home run (runs) of the season, Ortiz hits one too, and Timlin can't hold the lead. Ggggrrrrrrrrr!!!

[ChuckElias]

1) Another good one tonight. Sox leave about 74 men on base. Jeter gives the Sox 2 runs for the lead. Timlin strikes out Giambi and A-Rod back-to-back to end the 7th. Still a ways to go, tho, so I'm not celebrating yet. I feel bad for Matsui. That was ugly.

2) Where did Greg Maddux buy his magic rejuvenation machine? His best start in like 30 years.

3) Anybody see the article in Sports Illustrated a couple weeks ago about the girl who pitched a no-hitter for her HS boys varsity baseball team? Pretty amazing. I can't remember where she was from. Somewhere in the southeast, I think.

[Jurassic Referee]

Looks like 3 months for Matsui and maybe the year. As soon as I saw the replay, I knew it was broken. Wrists don't bend like that. Yucchh.....

Some great catches by Damon and Crosby, followed by Bernie performing the Waltz of the Toreadors on a l'il fairly routine fly ball. Double yucchh....

Maybe they'll give Melky Cabrera a real shot this time, instead of running him outa town on his first error. Hope so. The rumor mill in NY already has Soriano being parachuted in from Washington. We don't need another head case; we already got one in right field- even though he's on a sit down strike right now trying to get his contract extended.