Major League Baseball: 2009 Thread

[Prosthetic]

I wish he could... But he did a big no no.


And a big upset for the Astro's. Boone is having a season ending open heart surgery!

 

[JohnBM01]

I wish A. Boone the best in his recovery for my Astros. He'll need heart surgery and may likely be out for the entire upcoming season.

 

[Nicksfix]

Time to talk about Pete Rose again,while talking with Nicksfix earlier he brought it up so CAN THE MAN be in the HALL ALREADY.

I started a rant thread about this right here : https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=114999

He should be in !!!

Prosthetic
I agree, he did a no-no.How many players in the HOF ( be it baseball,football,basketball,whatever) are un-taintainted ?
Do we make special wings in the appropriate HOF's for tainted players and tainted records ?

I don't want to go off topic here , above is a link , a "sports rant thread" for this kind of stuff.
Please stop in ,lets talk about Pete Rose or whoever - it could get interesting.

 

[Prosthetic]

Its not really off topic... its baseball topic in a baseball thread, but like I said I agree he should be in regardless of what he has done. What I was saying about the "no-no" Selig would never go for it. But then again Selig is a terrible commisioner....

 

[Nicksfix]

But then again Selig is a terrible commisioner....

BINGO !!!! 👍

 

[JohnBM01]

My Astros have a "winning streak" going as they knocked off Washington 1-0 earlier today. This was Pudge's first start for my Astros. He logged his first hit in Astros colors in this game as well. These games don't count. I just hope the Astros can play good (even great) baseball

 

[DaddyVDUB]

If by some chance Pete Rose is'nt inducted into the Hall before he passes away,then any Baseball fan with a soul should travel to Cooperstown with sledge hammer in hand and start tearing the thing down.

Well not actually, but come on Baseball jerks who have a vote the man has suffered long enough.

 

[JohnBM01]

For this first time, I'm getting my first look at the Astros. They are taking on the Florida Marlins in preseason baseball action in Houston (but not at Minute Maid Park). It's currently 5-3, Astros at the top of the 6th.

Curt Schilling has officially retired after 20 seasons. How will you remember him?


[UPDATE] Astros currently lead 10-8 in the Top of the 9th. I think this game is in Florida and not in Houston.

 

[Prosthetic]

I got tickets for opening night against the Brewers, and about 10 other games so far. And we will likely by more as the season goes on. Can't wait

 

[Ozzy_EJ7]

If by some chance Pete Rose is'nt inducted into the Hall before he passes away,then any Baseball fan with a soul should travel to Cooperstown with sledge hammer in hand and start tearing the thing down.

Well not actually, but come on Baseball jerks who have a vote the man has suffered long enough.

I would have to disagree, why would someone who bet on his team, whether it would be to win or lose games, and as a head coach be in cooperstown? It goes against the integrity of baseball. BTW, Go Dbacks!

 

[Prosthetic]

Hes not going to ever get in. Nothing he can do... But that doesn't change the fact that he is one of the greatest hitters of all time.

 

[Nicksfix]

I would have to disagree, why would someone who bet on his team, whether it would be to win or lose games, and as a head coach be in cooperstown? It goes against the integrity of baseball

shooting up with steroids also goes against the integrity of baseball,but is that going to stop todays tainted players from ever getting in the H.O.F. ?

good question ?

 

[Omnis]

Actually they do. They study the tendencies of their opponents and then when that batter steps up to the plate, the catcher gives the sign to the pitcher for what he thinks should be thrown. If the pitcher has a difference of opinion he shakes him off until he gets a signal he likes.

A good example of this was a couple years ago when Curt Schilling was one out from a no-hitter. The batter was Shannon Stewart and Varitek, the catcher, knew that Stewart is a first pitch fastball hitter so he gave the sign to Schilling to throw a curve. Schilling thought that he would take the first pitch so he shook off the sign. Varitek again signaled for the curveball but Schilling again shook him off. Varitek then gave him the sign for the fastball, but Schilling missed his location and Stewart singled that pitch. Buh-bye no-hitter.

Schilling said afterward that he should have listened to Varitek.

Yeah, they make suggestions, but the pitcher is ultimately the one who calls the pitch, as you pointed out.

 

[Ozzy_EJ7]

shooting up with steroids also goes against the integrity of baseball,but is that going to stop todays tainted players from ever getting in the H.O.F. ?

good question ?

Most likely, look at McGuire who was probably the most feared hitter late 90's and has been eligible for the H.O.F for 3 years I believe.? Then got linked to steroids and hasn't received the required percentage of votes from the writers to get inducted. If it stays consistent, I don't see how Bonds or Rodriguez (also linked to performance enhancing drugs) can't get in.

 

[JohnBM01]

I heard that yesterday, the Cubs SMOKED the Athletics 20-5 in preseason play. Today, my Astros beat down the New York Mets 8-0. We just have to play with purpose consistently when this season starts. That's even when my Astros will play in St. Louis on April 11th for the 2009 debut of "MLB on FOX."

 

[Nicksfix]

Geeeez , how about this guy :

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-strasburg032409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

This guy will be getting some phone calls I'm sure.

 

[Prosthetic]

Yeah, I heard about him awhile ago. The Nationals have 1st pick and they will pick him up guarantee. As for the speed, 101 isn't uncommon. Randy Johnson did it a lot with the D-Backs. Lincecum has hit it a couple of times and Brian Wilson did 104 to strike out ManRam looking. But yeah, the kids got talent, as long as he keeps his arm healthy.

 

[TS]

People are saying that if the Nats draft Strasburg that he would become no.2 starter by the end of the season.

 

[JohnBM01]

Man! 101 mph heat from a 20 year old? Pretty sure he'll be dangerous on the MLB level if some other team thinks he's awesome. Possible star of the future. For now, though, I'm still mostly all about Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum (not to be NL-biased, let alone NL-West biased for an NL Central guy like me).

Who all do you think will be the best pitchers in the AL this season?

 

[Prosthetic]

I can easily see Halladay making a case for himself.

And John how come you give no love to Oswalt? Hes your ace, and has proven more then Timmy has (Webb has already proven to be a ace). Timmy needs to repeat success again this year to be even considered an "ace" yet. But I think he will if ST is any indication.

Also, why did the D-Backs get rid of Medders? Hes been perfect all ST long giving up 0 runs. Also speaking of the D-Backs, the Giants beast the D-Backs 7-3

Home runs from Schierholtz (Who had back spasms so he was out most of ST.)

 

[JohnBM01]

Actually, I don't think Oswalt (I do love him) is really on-par with B-Webb and Lincecum. It's just me. Just don't count out "The Wizard" for my Astros.

 

[Nicksfix]

Who all do you think will be the best pitchers in the AL this season?

This may get a laugh from a few,but I look for Cliff Lee - (Indians),to have another banner year.

 

[Prosthetic]

So Strasburg has been a big topic lately and the Giants have 6th pic. And they are the first team with a huge budget. I think the Giants were at 5th or 6th most. The Nationals have first pic but they say they wan't someone cheaper (BorASS wants 6 years/50 million) and Neither the Nationals, Mariners, Padres, Pirates and Orioles have that kind of money. With the Giants not having Winn, Molina, Johnson, Aurillia all being gone. There is going to be a huge increase of extra money sitting around and having a huge in depth in position players we will be able to have the ability to get another person. Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner (top 10 best prospects), Alberson (Another top 100 also having a 123-4 K-BB ratio since high-school) and then Strasburg... Crazy! But possible. We also having a number of top tier position players coming in. Posey, Villalona... Hmm... Giants could get interesting in the next 4-5 years. I know I'm being overly optimistic, but that's me being me.


What do you guys feel about your respected teams in the next half decade or even near future?

 

[Nicksfix]

So when Strasburg gets hooked up with an agent , how much of this $$$$$$$ do you think he'll get ?

 

[TS]

So when Strasburg gets hooked up with an agent , how much of this $$$$$$$ do you think he'll get ?

He's already hooked up with Scott Boras, who is Manny Ramirez's agent, and knowing the saga that went down between Manny and the Dodgers this offseason, you'll know Strasburg will get paid.

 

[JohnBM01]

Mr. Boone for my Astros had successful heart surgery. That's great news. The thing that will concern me about my Astros is how much Houston teams have traditionally been second-half teams. A season is NEVER over in the first few months. However, most local and national teams easily write us off if we screw up too early and too often. Then... most just slam us anyways because some just to tick off some Houston natives like me.

The regular season starts in about less than a week, so you bet I'll be pulling for my Astros all season long. That even includes National League rivalries like the friendly GTPlanet rivalries of Astros vs. Diamondbacks, Astros vs. Giants, as well as Diamondbacks vs. Giants. I'll even root my minor league teams, like AAA Round Rock, AA Corpus Christi, all three single-A teams, and the one rookie squad.

 

[Nicksfix]

So judging from what we've seen so far this pre-season,see any surprises (teams , players)?
see anything that sparks your interest ?

 

[Prosthetic]

Seattle and Kansas City are effing owning it up... And I'm surprised the Giants are staying in the top 3 in every hitting category . To bad these stadiums are so tiny compared to AT&T.

2 Days ago Zito was shutting down the Cubs really hard. Striking out 6 guys in 3 innings (3 in the first) and we ended up winning 5-3 in the 7th. It was ended because of serious wind. Kind of dumb... Reminded me of the good ol' Candlestick days. This game was on TV I watched it And Zito's curve ball had that nasty break on it that game.

And yesterday the Giants crushed Cliff Lee scoring 7 runs in the first 2 innings. And ended up winning 10-3.

EDIT: Almost forgot, the Giants traded lefty reliever Jack Taschner for backup catching prospect Ronny Paulino. Good move on the Giants half for now getting rid of all their terrible veteran relievers. They cost us a lot last year and now we have a couple good veteran relievers, a couple good rookie ones, and a few decent ones. But no terrible ones, this is great news for us!


EDIT: HOLY KRAP!!! Epic phale on my part. Apparently Ronny Paulino was traded for minor league reliever Hector Correa. I guess thats also good... now we can have Holm/Sandoval as backup and when Sandoval catches Guzman and come in and take over 3rd. AWESOME!! Seeing Guzman and Sandoval in the lineup (Likely behind Lewis) could mean some high scoring games. SUWWEET.

 

[JohnBM01]

THIS JUST IN:

* Astros' six-game winning streak in the MLB Preseason has ended as we lost 6-3 to the Washington Nationals.



Since I haven't seen too much preseason ball, so I can't name any favorites so far. Like, for example, I knew Von Wafer would be a great player for my Rockets because I seen him play in the NBA Preseason. But I've only seen one preseason game with my Astros. So I can't name any favorites right now.

 

[JohnBM01]

Can you believe that about this time next week... it's time to start a new season of Major League Baseball? My Astros got creamed 13-3 to the Phillies. It looks like ESPN Sunday Night Baseball will start up this weekend with... I think the Phillies at the Braves. It will be great to hear the voices of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan celebrating 20 years of calling down this season of MLB baseball.