Baseball

[shadows]

I disagree. I would like to see more teams in the post-season. Being in the AL East(the hardest division in baseball in my opinion), I would like the Jays to have more of a chance to make it to the post-season.

smc, what do you think of the following?

1. John Farrell as the new Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

2. The rumours of Manny Ramirez stating that the Blue Jays could be a good fit for him(due to the aforementioned signing of Farrell no doubt).

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

I disagree. I would like to see more teams in the post-season. Being in the AL East(the hardest division in baseball in my opinion), I would like the Jays to have more of a chance to make it to the post-season.

shadows, I understand where you are coming from, but I agree with smc, four postseason teams per league is just fine. And I wonder how many old-school baseball fans still hate the wildcard?

And this year, for the first time in a while the four teams with the best records in both the AL and the NL qualified for the postseason - so all is good.

World Series Game 1: What happened to Cliff Lee?

[shadows]

Originally Posted by dauls

shadows, I understand where you are coming from, but I agree with smc, four postseason teams per league is just fine. And I wonder how many old-school baseball fans still hate the wildcard?

And this year, for the first time in a while the four teams with the best records in both the AL and the NL qualified for the postseason - so all is good.

World Series Game 1: What happened to Cliff Lee?

He took tips from the Yankee pitching staff.

[smc]

Edgar Renteria, former Boston Red Sox, just put the Giants on top with a massive home run to left field. 1-0.

I will respond to the many questions above, shortly.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Edgar Renteria, former Boston Red Sox, just put the Giants on top with a massive home run to left field. 1-0.

I will respond to the many questions above, shortly.

I think that with the National League winning the All-Star game(first in a loooong time), and gaining home-field advantage due to that, has helped the Giants immesely. Their opponent loses the DH for the first two games, and the opposing pitcher is forcred to bat.

The series is far from over, but the Giants are looking very good at the moment.

[smc]

Originally Posted by dauls

shadows, I understand where you are coming from, but I agree with smc, four postseason teams per league is just fine. And I wonder how many old-school baseball fans still hate the wildcard?

And this year, for the first time in a while the four teams with the best records in both the AL and the NL qualified for the postseason - so all is good.

World Series Game 1: What happened to Cliff Lee?

I hate the wild card as a concept. I certainly understand the math that makes it "necessary."

As for Cliff Lee ... I told one of my best friends (he lives in San Francisco, and grew up with his uncle taking him into the Giants locker room at Candlestick Park to meet Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, et al.), just before the game that Lee was due for a less-than-dominating game. I said if it happened in Game 1, the Giants would have a huge advantage in the series because of momentum.

A mutual acquaintance was at his house to watch the game. My friend Alan told him what I said and he got on the phone. "Oh, yeah, wanna bet?" I agreed to a $100 bet that the Giants would knock Lee out by the 6th inning.

My $100 arrived via PayPal today!

Anyone need any crystal ball work done today?

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Anyone need any crystal ball work done today?

Sure! When am I going to get a girlfriend, Swami SMC?

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Sure! When am I going to get a girlfriend, Swami SMC?

Did that glove break up with you?


(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Did that glove break up with you?


(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

That was mean! Now you'll have to give me half of your winnings.

[transjen]

There are two things in Baseball that needs to be done away with
1] the DH
2] the wildcard team in the play offs
Jerseygirl Jen

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

There are two things in Baseball that needs to be done away with
1] the DH
2] the wildcard team in the play offs
Jerseygirl Jen

To be honest, I prefer the DH over watching a pitcher have an at-bat. True, there can be more strategy involved in a National League game, but I still prefer the DH.

I also don't mind the Wildcard. I do not think that they will be getting rid of it anytime soon(if ever).

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

There are two things in Baseball that needs to be done away with
1] the DH
2] the wildcard team in the play offs
Jerseygirl Jen

Jen, I agree: I hate the DH, too.

I also don't like the wildcard, but how do you think it could be replaced if there are three divisions to a league? What would your solution be?

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

Jen, I agree: I hate the DH, too.

I also don't like the wildcard, but how do you think it could be replaced if there are three divisions to a league? What would your solution be?

Easy make a fourth divison

Or perhaps elimit some teams and have two divisons in each league
Jerseygirl Jen

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

Easy make a fourth divison

Or perhaps elimit some teams and have two divisons in each league
Jerseygirl Jen

The problem with four divisions is that without an equitable structure based NOT on geography it would only ensure that yet another team that wouldn't ever make the playoffs under the old system gets in.

It's a definite conundrum.

As for eliminating some teams, other that the obvious -- Pittsburgh -- who would you eliminate?

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

I disagree. I would like to see more teams in the post-season. Being in the AL East(the hardest division in baseball in my opinion), I would like the Jays to have more of a chance to make it to the post-season.

My friend, you've let hockey cloud your brain. The solution is not to allow more teams in (hockey has way too many playoff berths!), but to realign the divisions to be more equitable. Forget the geographic divisions and harmonize them in some other way. Or, institute revenue-sharing so that every team has an equal monetary chance at building a playoff-worthy team.

Originally Posted by shadows

smc, what do you think of the following?

1. John Farrell as the new Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

I've been meaning to write about this. John Farrell leaving the Sox is a huge blow; he's an outstanding pitching coach. That said, I have no sense for how he will be as a manager. I know that he is considered to come from the Francona mold -- a player's manager, almost to a fault -- but I'm not sure he's got enough of the skill set to manage a big league club. He's never managed before. His coaching picks will be crucial. Yes, he was a player development chief for the Indians for five years, but ...

I'm one of those people, old-fashioned I guess, who still thinks that nothing prepares you for being a manager like being a big-league catcher.

Originally Posted by shadows

2. The rumours of Manny Ramirez stating that the Blue Jays could be a good fit for him(due to the aforementioned signing of Farrell no doubt).

I doubt Manny's thinking (does Manny actually think?) has anything to do with Farrell other than him not being completely unfamiliar. I know he likes to hit at the Rogers Centre.

[shadows]

I would be content with realignment of the Divisions. I am sick and tired of being in the same one as the Damned Yankees.

Oh! It looks like the Yankees re-signed Joe Girardi to a 3-year, $9 million contract. I have to at that signing, as he is not that good of a Manager to be honest. A freaking trained monkey could do the job there! I don't think next season is going to be one that the Yankees' fans will enjoy(which will make me VERY happy).