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Yeah, I know it's really early for baseball, but I saw this and thought I'd share. Oh, sweet mother of God is all I have to say!! I love watching a pitcher that throws the unholy speed just decimate batters. Hopefully this kid is the real deal.
I haven't been keeping up with the off-season news, but there was a Pirates-Brewers game on TV the other day. Not sure of it was an exhibition game or a replay, but it felt like mana from heaven to watch baseball again. Totally looking forward to the 2017 season. Go O's!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/01/18 16:25:32
From the Northwest, I'll go with the safe bet. The Mariners will diddle about around .500 for most of the season, occasionally showing glimpses of good quality mixed with the usual 5-10 game slides.
jasper76 wrote: Looks like the Os have signed Trumbo to a 3 year deal. We still got the power in place.
In my opinion, the O's need solid, consistent hitters to supplement him though. I think something like 70% of Trumbo's homers were single run bombs. They're nice and sometimes game changers, but that's just not enough in AL East.
Depending on the long ball has been our downfall for a few seasons, and pitching... mostly pitching.
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
curran12 wrote: From the Northwest, I'll go with the safe bet. The Mariners will diddle about around .500 for most of the season, occasionally showing glimpses of good quality mixed with the usual 5-10 game slides.
Safe bet. On the good side football season starts again soon!
There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Saw it coming. Was surprised that he signed on for last year. I for sure thought he was going to the Yanks.
I felt in the last couple of years(this last year particularly) he became lazy/slow. There were quite a few plays where it looked like he was putting forth no effort. May have been injured, but I didn't think the O's were going to resign him.
Hopefully we got some young buck to replace him, as Caleb Joseph won't cut it.
Just saw that Wieters' agent has 11 client/players on the Nationals roster. Holy feth!
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/02/21 21:19:36
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
Looks like MLB will be adopting a new rule for intentional walks. The dugout will now be able to signal to the umpire to walk the batter, rather than the pitcher having to throw 4 pitches outside the strike zone.
I don't like it. Keeps the pitchers arm fresher, and doesn't allow for mistakes the pitcher or catcher might make when trying to throw and catch outside the strike zone.
I guess it might have some miniscule effect on moving the game along.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/02/22 12:32:16
curran12 wrote: From the Northwest, I'll go with the safe bet. The Mariners will diddle about around .500 for most of the season, occasionally showing glimpses of good quality mixed with the usual 5-10 game slides.
Nah mate... the M's will get off to a blazing start, like... 15-5 and fans will get excited (as they do every year) and with a decent lead in the AL West at the ASB, they will fall back to a 3rd or 4th place finish.
I'm predicting that the Yankees, with their off-season additions, as well as the continuing success of the Baby Bombers, are going to do much better this year, with a very good shot at #28.
Also... I'm not really a fan of the proposed walk rule either.
curran12 wrote: From the Northwest, I'll go with the safe bet. The Mariners will diddle about around .500 for most of the season, occasionally showing glimpses of good quality mixed with the usual 5-10 game slides.
Well, I'm a Brewers fan sooooo... that sounds like a fantastic season!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/22 16:16:24
I guess I will be the odd man out here in saying that I really don't mind the intentional walk rule change. It's just cutting out a 4-toss game of catch and keeping the game moving. An intentional walk was basically a commercial break anyway, so just do away with it.
curran12 wrote: I guess I will be the odd man out here in saying that I really don't mind the intentional walk rule change. It's just cutting out a 4-toss game of catch and keeping the game moving. An intentional walk was basically a commercial break anyway, so just do away with it.
But...but...what if you have a man on base, and the catcher misses the catch. You're robbing the opposing team of a chance to steal bases.
Not sure if it's ever happened in an MLB game, but it could, dammit!
But, the real change needed is for the NL to adopt the DH rule. The 'double-switch' in removing your starting pitcher with a bench bat and placing the relief pitcher's battle slot elsewhere adds a ton of stoppage.
But, the real change needed is for the NL to adopt the DH rule. The 'double-switch' in removing your starting pitcher with a bench bat and placing the relief pitcher's battle slot elsewhere adds a ton of stoppage.
Even though I'm an O's fan, I rather like the strategy element that no DH adds to the game, and I think it's the superior system. But it does add a bunch of time. I don't mind, I like baseball because of the zen of it.
But...but...what if you have a man on base, and the catcher misses the catch. You're robbing the opposing team of a chance to steal bases.
Not sure if it's ever happened in an MLB game, but it could, dammit!
I seem to remember a base or two have been stolen this way???? Rather, not that the catcher misses is, but you get a real speedster on base, and a pitcher who, even when throwing intentional balls is "slow" to the plate, and he gets a good jump...
Maybe I'm crazy and making gak up, but I could swear I've seen it in the MLB.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
jasper76 wrote: I don't mind, I like baseball because of the zen of it.
I don't mind either, but there are limits... I'm a Yankees fan, and even *I* hate when you get a BOS-NYY series going, it's three hours into the game and we're only in the top of the 4th inning. (that may be a slight exaggeration there), and I do remember a couple Baseball writers calling the "timer rules" being thrown around the "Yankees Rule" or the "Red Sox rule" or some combination of them. Our teams were pretty damn good at stalling/slowing games down.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/23 04:47:34
But, the real change needed is for the NL to adopt the DH rule. The 'double-switch' in removing your starting pitcher with a bench bat and placing the relief pitcher's battle slot elsewhere adds a ton of stoppage.
Even though I'm an O's fan, I rather like the strategy element that no DH adds to the game, and I think it's the superior system. But it does add a bunch of time. I don't mind, I like baseball because of the zen of it.
I used to be a die-hard NL is best way, make the pitcher hit, feth the DH kinda guy. Rabble, Rabble.
Now, as I'm older and more calm, and accept that athletes are very specialized in what they do and don't do, do I really want to watch a pitcher take an at-bat? A handful of them hit very well, a few more are decent. The rest? Nah, I'd rather see an aging, fat-ass that's 20 homers from 500 stretch out 2 more years of play time.
But...but...what if you have a man on base, and the catcher misses the catch. You're robbing the opposing team of a chance to steal bases.
Not sure if it's ever happened in an MLB game, but it could, dammit!
It's happened more times than you think. I was at a game where the ball was thrown over the catchers head on the 4th pitch of an intentional walk, and the winning run came in to score.
Someone did it last season too, I'm sure of it. Think it was in the NL.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/23 14:46:08
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
I predict that I will wind up going to 5 games down at Busch Stadium with my buddies. My buddies and I will have a good time and get heartburn from the nachos.
Cubs will play good ball and probably win the Central Division. I might get to go to a game at Wrigley this year depending on how work and family stuff pans out.
Cards will get a wildcard bid and hopefully upset the Cubbies in the playoffs before playing for the championship (ASIT SHOULD BE).
Please Note: Do not place any faith or money on my ability to make valid predictions - I grew up sure that I would be over 6 feet tall and filthy rich by now.
I'm going to make an effort to watch the World Baseball Classic this year. After watching my O's (sans the traitorous Manny Machado and another O's player that I can't remember) play and barely defeat the absolutely stacked Dominican Republic team, I think it'll be fun.
Wasn't planning on watching any baseball prior to opening day, but I need my fix!
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
Ensis Ferrae wrote: I don't mind either, but there are limits... I'm a Yankees fan, and even *I* hate when you get a BOS-NYY series going, it's three hours into the game and we're only in the top of the 4th inning. (that may be a slight exaggeration there), and I do remember a couple Baseball writers calling the "timer rules" being thrown around the "Yankees Rule" or the "Red Sox rule" or some combination of them. Our teams were pretty damn good at stalling/slowing games down.
This is true, but (generally) only when both teams are competitive. I do a lot of painting during these series.
Mookie Betts reminds me more and more of young Derek Jeter. I know NYY has some young talent competing for jobs this year, but I doubt they are coming up with someone of his level of talent.
Mookie Betts reminds me more and more of young Derek Jeter. I know NYY has some young talent competing for jobs this year, but I doubt they are coming up with someone of his level of talent.
Did you watch Gary Sanchez at the end of last season (and how during Spring Training, it looks as if he's just left off)?? Dude almost won ROY awards for his record setting performances. Then there's Judge, Aaron Hicks and others who I would definitely put on the level of Betts. I was just watching a game yesterday, and the commentary was talking about how something like 7 of the top 10 "throwing velocity" measurements of outfielder arms last season, came from Hicks, including #1 in which he threw a dude out from deep left-center field. Dude's got a serious arm out there, and a good glove and, from what I'm seeing right now, he's getting much better at bats right now.
Long story short, yeah, I think we got a bunch of young and talented players that are at least on the level with Betts. Now, we just have to see if they can stay healthy, and who stays with the big club in the next couple weeks.
WBC : USA vs. Dominican Republic is an amazing game!!!
Adam Jones robbing a homerun from his MLB teammate Manny Macahdo! Highlight reel catch!
Final: USA knocks out the defending champs! Onwards to Los Angeles vs Japan!
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/03/19 05:59:09
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
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Manny Machado and another O's player that I can't remember) play and barely defeat the absolutely stacked Dominican Republic team, I think it'll be fun.
