Baseball

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

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?

1]Rays
2]Marlins
3]Diamondbacks
4]Rockies
5]Braves
6]Astros
Jerseygirl Jen

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

1]Rays
2]Marlins
3]Diamondbacks
4]Rockies
5]Braves
6]Astros
Jerseygirl Jen

Do tell, girl: what's the thinking behind each of these on your list?

[smc]

The Giants slaughtered the Rangers tonight. More accurately, the Rangers bullpen put on one of the most embarrassingly awful displays I have ever seen in a professional baseball game, with four consecutive walks and more than a dozen pitches in a row called "ball"!

[dauls]

Originally Posted by smc

The Giants slaughtered the Rangers tonight. More accurately, the Rangers bullpen put on one of the most embarrassingly awful displays I have ever seen in a professional baseball game, with four consecutive walks and more than a dozen pitches in a row called "ball"!

ESPN UK has moved live coverage of the World Series to one of their premium channels (that I cannot get) this season - so I listened to the game on the radio - better than nothing, but it's not the way I want to catch the Series next season.

[smc]

Originally Posted by dauls

ESPN UK has moved live coverage of the World Series to one of their premium channels (that I cannot get) this season - so I listened to the game on the radio - better than nothing, but it's not the way I want to catch the Series next season.

That's better than the cricket coverage we find on U.S. TV or radio!

[dauls]

Originally Posted by smc

That's better than the cricket coverage we find on U.S. TV or radio!

But surely there's more demand for baseball in the UK than there is for cricket in the USA.


After England's glorious Ashes summer of 2005, the only way to now watch live cricket on TV in the UK is by burdening yourself with an expensive contract with the devil Murdoch and his damn Sky Sports channels.

[smc]

Originally Posted by dauls

But surely there's more demand for baseball in the UK than there is for cricket in the USA.

You thought I was being serious?! Get some sleep, my friend.

Most Americans would only know cricket if they heard one chirping outside their window.

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

Do tell, girl: what's the thinking behind each of these on your list?

the first four were the latest expanson teams and were unneeded to start with and the two FL have poor attendance and i just can't stand the Braves and Texas already has the Rangers so drop the Astros

Jerseygirl Jen

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

the first four were the latest expanson teams and were unneeded to start with and the two FL have poor attendance and i just can't stand the Braves and Texas already has the Rangers so drop the Astros

Jerseygirl Jen

Well, that's certainly a mixed bag of reasons. I agree on the expansion teams and the Florida teams, although the Rays are starting to build a fan base.

If a state can only have one team (as you seem to argue for Texas), does that mean California has to lose four of its five teams: Anaheim, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco?

I can't stand the Yankees and a certain other team that I should probably leave unnamed. Does that mean they can be dropped from MLB?

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

Well, that's certainly a mixed bag of reasons. I agree on the expansion teams and the Florida teams, although the Rays are starting to build a fan base.

If a state can only have one team (as you seem to argue for Texas), does that mean California has to lose four of its five teams: Anaheim, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco?

I can't stand the Yankees and a certain other team that I should probably leave unnamed. Does that mean they can be dropped from MLB?

You asked which teams i'd like to see go and that's my top teams to dump i dout that MLB will do what one lone fan thinks
As for Tampa buliding a fan base they have fans as long as they are on top and pretty much only draw big when the Yankees and Red Sox come to play FL is a football ,nascar and WWE state
Jerseygirl Jen

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

You asked which teams i'd like to see go and that's my top teams to dump i dout that MLB will do what one lone fan thinks
As for Tampa buliding a fan base they have fans as long as they are on top and pretty much only draw big when the Yankees and Red Sox come to play FL is a football ,nascar and WWE state
Jerseygirl Jen

Oh, Jen, I was only teasing!

Of course, MLB is not looking to contract. It's only a matter of time before there's a team in Mexico, if the drug wars ever end. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team in Puerto Rico in my lifetime.

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

Oh, Jen, I was only teasing!

Of course, MLB is not looking to contract. It's only a matter of time before there's a team in Mexico, if the drug wars ever end. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team in Puerto Rico in my lifetime.

That would make a lot of sense as Baseball is hugh there and look at all the great players from there so i can see it happing as far as Mexico i believe they have there own league so they may not allow a MLB team to enter the market
Jerseygirl Jen

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

although the Rays are starting to build a fan base.

Are you sure about that? As far as I can tell, the attendance was horrible for the Rays this year, and this was a team that was fighting for 1st place in the AL East pretty much the entire season!

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Are you sure about that? As far as I can tell, the attendance was horrible for the Rays this year, and this was a team that was fighting for 1st place in the AL East pretty much the entire season!

Yes, as measured by growth in non-corporate-held season tickets. But don't get me wrong: it's pitiful the overall lack of support such a good team receives.

[shadows]

Smc, I am honestly surprised that you didn't make any mention about the Red Sox signing Carl Crawford!

[shadows]

Wow! If this is true, the Phillies are going to be a great rotation next season! And I would much prefer him going to the Phillies than the damned Yankees.

From tsn.ca:

(since it is just a Report, it isn't a full article yet. I'll post more as it comes.)

REPORT: CLIFF LEE REACHES PRELIMINARY DEAL WITH PHILLIES

NEW YORK -- A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Cliff Lee has reached a preliminary agreement on a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to the New York Post, the deal is worth more than $100 million over five years.

The deal is subject to the 32-year-old left-hander passing a physical, the person said late Monday night on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not final.

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers received telephone calls Monday night telling them they were out of the running, two separate people familiar with those team's negotiations said, also on condition of anonymity.

Earlier this week, MLB.com reported that Lee has passed on signing with the Washington Nationals, who, along with the Rangers and Yankees, were considered the only serious suitors in the Lee sweepstakes.

He was a combined 12-9 with a 3.18 earned-run average for Seattle and Texas last season. Lee was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight career post-season starts before twice losing to San Francisco in the World Series.
------

AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by transjen

1]Rays
2]Marlins
3]Diamondbacks
4]Rockies
5]Braves
6]Astros
Jerseygirl Jen

Jen,

The Braves. Unfortunately that will never happen - but it's a nice idea.

The presenter on the old live baseball show in the UK (MLB on Five, 1997-2008) was a Braves fan and he used to gloat about winning the NL East every year (1995-2005) - I really enjoy seeing the Braves lose.