MLB 2010: The Saga Begins

04/05/2010 7:19 am
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Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!
We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.
A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way I feel.

Chorus:
Oh, put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today;
Put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be centerfield.

Well, I spent some time in the mudville nine, watchin’ it from the bench;
You know I took some lumps when the mighty casey struck out.
So say hey willie, tell ty cobb and joe dimaggio;
Don’t say "it ain’t so", you know the time is now.

Chorus

Yeah! I got it, I got it!

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride.
Just to hit the ball and touch ’em all - a moment in the sun;
(pop) it’s gone and you can tell that one goodbye!


Cue the lights, cue the grass, cue the infield dust, cue the white bases, cue the announcers, it's time for the greatest words in all of sports: PLAY BALL!
face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/05/2010 @ 08:06:51 AM
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Woohoo!
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
04/05/2010 @ 10:09:24 AM
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Unfortunately the Brewers have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Sorry guys.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - What the F@#$ am I being arrested fo?
04/05/2010 @ 11:35:59 AM
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doesn't that come after week one's excellent start?
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I hate our freedoms
04/05/2010 @ 11:42:32 AM
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Well, naturally you have to have the 5-2 start, at which point it's a foregone conclusion to every Brewers fan that they'll finish 115-45 and are one of the greatest teams, and group of human beings in general, ever assembled. They're still eliminated.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - Knuckle Sammich
04/05/2010 @ 11:55:42 AM
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not this year, this year will be different, just you wait!
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
04/05/2010 @ 04:18:10 PM
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Nice day for Gomez today, though as I said on my brother's facebook page in a discussion on Gomez v JJ, it's exciting now, but you'll soon come to hate Gomez homeruns. He hits just enough of them, spaced out at just the right times, to convince himself he's a pseudo power hitter. About the 100th time he strikes out in a big spot because he's swinging for the fence instead of just trying to move a runner over, or just get on base, you'll wish you could give back most of those homeruns.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - "If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style."
04/06/2010 @ 07:39:59 AM
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on a positive note, how you like that Delmon Young character?
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
04/06/2010 @ 09:06:24 PM
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I've always been on the DY bus and predicted he'd have a big season.
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
04/07/2010 @ 01:22:13 PM
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Brewers manager Ken Macha wasted no time in sending a message to Corey Hart.

Hart batted a mere .172 in Cactus League play, so Macha started non-roster invitee Jim Edmonds in right field in Monday's opener against Colorado.

Hart was back in right field on Tuesday and was 0-for-3 with a walk.

Macha isn't saying the Brewers will use a platoon, but Hart will have to produce to stay in the lineup. "You guys have been around me for a year," Macha told the Milwaukee JS. "Guys that are out there producing are going to get to play. And it's going to be no different than it was last year."

Hart's name has surfaced in trade rumors in recent weeks, including one over the weekend that had the Nationals interested in bringing him to Washington. There also has been talk of the Brewers being interested in free agent Jermaine Dye.

When asked in his chat Friday whether this was a new beginning for Hart or just the end of days, ESPN Insider's Keith Law responded "I would have non-tendered him this winter."
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
04/07/2010 @ 09:22:15 PM
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Oh :(
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scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
04/08/2010 @ 11:11:10 AM
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The Brewers start the season by winning a series against a team they couldn't beat at all last year. Season's off on the right foot.
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/08/2010 @ 12:47:28 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 11:11:10 AM
The Brewers start the season by winning a series against a team they couldn't beat at all last year. Season's off on the right foot.
deja vu
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - Tag This
04/08/2010 @ 12:48:44 PM
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Carlos44ec Wrote - Today @ 12:47:28 PM
Scott Wrote - Today @ 11:11:10 AM
The Brewers start the season by winning a series against a team they couldn't beat at all last year. Season's off on the right foot.
deja vu
deja vu
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2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
04/08/2010 @ 01:36:42 PM
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Gallardo locked down for 5 years, $30 mil + $13 mil optional 6th year

w00t!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5067405
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reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
04/08/2010 @ 03:35:16 PM
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Alex Wrote - Today @ 02:36:42 PM
Gallardo locked down for 5 years, $30 mil + $13 mil optional 6th year

w00t!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5067405


Congrats....that's essentially the same contract Blackburn got, except his has a 8M team option for the first year of free agency, while Gallardo got 11M guaranteed and an option on the 2nd. I thought the point system for Cy Young awards was interesting. I've never heard of that before.
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
04/08/2010 @ 04:27:52 PM
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Jeremy Wrote - 04/05/2010 @ 05:18:10 PM
Nice day for Gomez today, though as I said on my brother's facebook page in a discussion on Gomez v JJ, it's exciting now, but you'll soon come to hate Gomez homeruns. He hits just enough of them, spaced out at just the right times, to convince himself he's a pseudo power hitter. About the 100th time he strikes out in a big spot because he's swinging for the fence instead of just trying to move a runner over, or just get on base, you'll wish you could give back most of those homeruns.


And 0-7 since..."You may run like Hayes, but you hit like shit"
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question_mark.gifNew Jordans (Guest)
04/10/2010 @ 02:25:04 AM
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Your blog is so great, and can i buy some ad from you blog? If so, just email me and tell me the ad type and charge? Thanks so much.
by New Jordans
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/10/2010 @ 09:09:15 AM
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I can tell you where you can send your check.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/10/2010 @ 09:13:16 AM
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Hardy looks like he is off to a good start. He's moved himself up to the 3 spot, at least for last night's game when Mauer needed the day off. And Hardy's got a 4 game hitting streak.
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Scott messed with this 2 times, last at 04/10/2010 9:14:26 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/10/2010 @ 09:25:49 AM
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Fielder's weight in Feb 2008: 270
Fielders weight in Feb 2009: 268
Fielder's weight in 2010: 268


I suppose it is a positive sign that there has been no increase in weight, and in fact there has been a decrease. Although, depending on what source you look at, he is also listed at 270 on some sites. Either way, he isn't gaining any weight.
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
04/10/2010 @ 12:02:46 PM
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Jeremy Wrote - 04/05/2010 @ 04:18:10 PM
Nice day for Gomez today, though as I said on my brother's facebook page in a discussion on Gomez v JJ, it's exciting now, but you'll soon come to hate Gomez homeruns.


You'd think his parents were killed by a baseball or something, "My name is Carlos Gomez, you killed my father, prepare to be crushed by the hardest swing I can possibly take".

I'm sure they don't want to put too much pressure on Escobar yet, but I wonder if maybe they've given any thought to swapping him and Gomez?
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IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
04/11/2010 @ 10:42:10 AM
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Alex Wrote - 12/31/1969 @ 06:00:00 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 12/31/1969 @ 06:00:00 PM
Nice day for Gomez today, though as I said on my brother's facebook page in a discussion on Gomez v JJ, it's exciting now, but you'll soon come to hate Gomez homeruns.
You'd think his parents were killed by a baseball or something, "My name is Carlos Gomez, you killed my father, prepare to be crushed by the hardest swing I can possibly take". I'm sure they don't want to put too much pressure on Escobar yet, but I wonder if maybe they've given any thought to swapping him and Gomez?


Gomez is hitting 2nd? If he was even starting he was hitting 9th on the Twins, but I know that's the AL. I'd say why not let your young stud shortstop hit at the top of the order.
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scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
04/11/2010 @ 01:55:09 PM
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Gomez needs to get on base. That's all there is to it. I want Hardy back.

To be fair, Alex's comment should read "prepare to be whiffed at by the hardest swing I can possibly take."
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/11/2010 @ 03:57:24 PM
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On second thought, maybe you can keep Hardy. Although he was probably sent by the 3rd base coach, he made the third out at home to end the game on a play where the ball was at home and he was still probably 30 feet from home. Just a crappy way to end a game. It would have only tied the game, so there is no guarantee that they would have gotten that run anyway, but that was an ugly play regardless.
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
04/11/2010 @ 10:22:15 PM
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Blown saves stink, but walk-off HRs make up for it, I guess.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - As Seen On The Internet
04/12/2010 @ 07:27:37 AM
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Alex Wrote - 04/10/2010 @ 12:02:46 PM
Jeremy Wrote - 04/05/2010 @ 04:18:10 PM
Nice day for Gomez today, though as I said on my brother's facebook page in a discussion on Gomez v JJ, it's exciting now, but you'll soon come to hate Gomez homeruns.


You'd think his parents were killed by a baseball or something, "My name is Carlos Gomez, you killed my father, prepare to be crushed by the hardest swing I can possibly take".

I'm sure they don't want to put too much pressure on Escobar yet, but I wonder if maybe they've given any thought to swapping him and Gomez?


I must be psychic!

Edit: Though I did forget to clarify on here that when I said "About the 100th time he strikes out in a big spot because he's swinging for the fence instead of just trying to move a runner over, or just get on base, you'll wish you could give back most of those homeruns." that by "swinging for the fence" I meant "swinging and missing so wild and uncontrollably he sometimes actually falls down." Too bad, I would have looked even more all-knowing.
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Jeremy edited this 2 times, last at 04/12/2010 7:31:03 am
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Robots don't say 'ye'
04/12/2010 @ 07:37:08 AM
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Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 03:57:24 PM
On second thought, maybe you can keep Hardy. Although he was probably sent by the 3rd base coach, he made the third out at home to end the game on a play where the ball was at home and he was still probably 30 feet from home. Just a crappy way to end a game. It would have only tied the game, so there is no guarantee that they would have gotten that run anyway, but that was an ugly play regardless.


Well, if he was sent by the base coach, and he certainly wasn't given the stop sign, in what sense is he at fault? The whole point of base coaches is you aren't looking for where the ball is.
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reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - I'm on a boat! Everybody look at me cause I'm sailing on a boat!
04/12/2010 @ 08:14:02 AM
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Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 08:37:08 AM
Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 04:57:24 PM
On second thought, maybe you can keep Hardy. Although he was probably sent by the 3rd base coach, he made the third out at home to end the game on a play where the ball was at home and he was still probably 30 feet from home. Just a crappy way to end a game. It would have only tied the game, so there is no guarantee that they would have gotten that run anyway, but that was an ugly play regardless.


Well, if he was sent by the base coach, and he certainly wasn't given the stop sign, in what sense is he at fault? The whole point of base coaches is you aren't looking for where the ball is.


Agreed, that play falls on Scott Ullger the 3rd base coach. Not to take away from the fact that it was a terrible call, but Juan Pierre has one of the weakest OF arms in baseball and it would have been runners at 2nd and 3rd for Nick Punto. That said, what a terrible call. Hardy had barely rounded 3rd and the ball was already in the 3rd baseman's glove. A disappointing game, but I'll certainly take 5-2 on the road.

Did anyone ever get tickets to the game today?
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 09:06:14 AM
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Nope. We're going Wednesday and Saturday though.
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 12:41:51 PM
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Scott Wrote - 04/10/2010 @ 09:25:49 AM
Fielder's weight in Feb 2008: 270
Fielders weight in Feb 2009: 268
Fielder's weight in 2010: 268


I suppose it is a positive sign that there has been no increase in weight, and in fact there has been a decrease. Although, depending on what source you look at, he is also listed at 270 on some sites. Either way, he isn't gaining any weight.


These are crap without a Body Mass Index (BMI). A pound is a pound whether you're measuring fat or muscle (or a mix). I can tell you that at Christmas time I weighed 198 and today I weigh 198. The difference is that then I was a blubberbutt and today I'm... less so.
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Carlos44ec messed with this at 04/12/2010 12:42:09 pm
face.bmpCarlos44ec - Knuckle Sammich
04/12/2010 @ 12:43:23 PM
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Micah Wrote - Today @ 08:14:02 AM
Did anyone ever get tickets to the game today?


Today's tickets go for 178-1000 on stub hub. Tomorrows 17-495. I am ticketless until May, but have not looked into anything sooner, either.
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Carlos44ec messed with this 2 times, last at 04/12/2010 12:45:33 pm
jeremy.jpgJeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?"
04/12/2010 @ 01:28:23 PM
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The Twins made a bunch more single games available for a lot of the early games. It's slim pickings, and you'll probably have to sit in the more expensive seats, but you'll pay face.

I don't know what kind of seat pairings are available, but the Tuesday Indians game (7:10) looks to have most of the sections listed.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 01:44:29 PM
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If the webcam footage is any indication, everyone attending opening day thinks Gate 34 is the only way into the park.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 03:59:25 PM
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They announced on the ESPN broadcast that the Twins are sold out for the season now. I don't know if I heard that right, and I don't feel like confirming it.
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scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
04/12/2010 @ 04:03:52 PM
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Carlos44ec Wrote - Today @ 01:41:51 PM
Scott Wrote - 04/10/2010 @ 10:25:49 AM
Fielder's weight in Feb 2008: 270
Fielders weight in Feb 2009: 268
Fielder's weight in 2010: 268


I suppose it is a positive sign that there has been no increase in weight, and in fact there has been a decrease. Although, depending on what source you look at, he is also listed at 270 on some sites. Either way, he isn't gaining any weight.


These are crap without a Body Mass Index (BMI). A pound is a pound whether you're measuring fat or muscle (or a mix). I can tell you that at Christmas time I weighed 198 and today I weigh 198. The difference is that then I was a blubberbutt and today I'm... less so.


Well, for that matter, ask any legitimate physical trainer or health professional and they will tell you that the BMI itself is actually crap. It takes nothing into considering except for the ratio of weight to height. It doesn't care of the weight is muscle or not. Short and muscular puts you as overweight according to the BMI.

Also, back to Fielder, he seems noticeably slimmed down this year, which could just mean that he lost fat and gained muscle.
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Scott perfected this at 04/12/2010 4:06:32 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 04:08:34 PM
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Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 08:37:08 AM
Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 04:57:24 PM
On second thought, maybe you can keep Hardy. Although he was probably sent by the 3rd base coach, he made the third out at home to end the game on a play where the ball was at home and he was still probably 30 feet from home. Just a crappy way to end a game. It would have only tied the game, so there is no guarantee that they would have gotten that run anyway, but that was an ugly play regardless.


Well, if he was sent by the base coach, and he certainly wasn't given the stop sign, in what sense is he at fault? The whole point of base coaches is you aren't looking for where the ball is.


He could have stopped and taken his chances in a run-down. He could have ran over the catcher (yeah, he's a big guy isn't he?). Meh.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Super Chocolate Bear
04/12/2010 @ 07:04:31 PM
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Well you can certainly have tiny quibbles with what Hardy could have done, though unlike everyone else in america, he was actually caught off guard there, but the mistake still wasn't his.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 08:57:14 PM
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I found it somewhat hilarious that Scotty Ullger got booed when they introduced him at Target Field.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/12/2010 @ 11:13:05 PM
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Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 08:04:31 PM
Well you can certainly have tiny quibbles with what Hardy could have done, though unlike everyone else in america, he was actually caught off guard there, but the mistake still wasn't his.


Well, he was the player involved, so naturally I blamed him, whether justly or not.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
04/13/2010 @ 09:27:35 AM
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Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 03:59:25 PM
They announced on the ESPN broadcast that the Twins are sold out for the season now. I don't know if I heard that right, and I don't feel like confirming it.


I don't think this is true.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/13/2010 @ 10:16:58 AM
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I guess this is how it is. The twins designated around 24,000 season ticket seats out of the nearly 40,000 total seats, and they have essentially sold out the season tickets for the year.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Super Chocolate Bear
04/13/2010 @ 10:57:13 AM
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Yeah. They've sold all the season tickets in the "you don't have to be a billionaire" sections that they are willing to sell, which actually made more tickets available for games that had previously been considered sell outs.

As for the Hardy thing, I guess I look at it this way. I got mad and stabbed you then, while en route to the hospital, Jon pulled the knife out. When you got there you were informed that you had all these complications that probably wouldn't have happened if the knife was left in place until you got to the hospital, it still wouldn't make much sense to be upset at Jon, or really question it all that much, because one wrong so clearly trumps the other*. You can woulda-coulda-shoulda the last second reaction Hardy had, but anything he would have done would have been hoping for a miracle, and he was only in the situation because of the obvious blunder by the base coach.


*And, of course Jon's just too adorable to be/stay mad at.
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Jeremy edited this 3 times, last at 04/13/2010 11:54:43 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/13/2010 @ 11:42:17 AM
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I was admitting foul on my part with my last comment about hardy. I think its settled that you were finally right for a change.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
04/22/2010 @ 05:31:59 PM
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Prince Fielder hit his first home run today, which puts him on pace for 11 homeruns? Wow.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/22/2010 @ 07:41:54 PM
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2007, 2008, and 2009 fielder had 2, 1, and 1 home runs as of April 22. He finished with 50, 34 and 46 HRs in those years. Wow.
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Scott messed with this at 04/22/2010 7:45:14 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/22/2010 @ 07:44:27 PM
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And, the Brewers outscored the Pittsburg Pirates 36-1 in their series, and they have scored, 11, 8, 8, and 20 runs in the last 4 games. And the Brewer starting pitchers are on an 18 inning scoreless streak. A nice dose of the Pirates is probably what they needed right about now.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/23/2010 @ 08:05:41 AM
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I have tickets to the Friday night game- May 21 Brewers at Twins. Looking at going one, maybe two more times that weekend :)
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
04/23/2010 @ 09:42:45 AM
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I want to go to @least one of those games, I'll have to start seriously looking for tix!
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - Knuckle Sammich
04/23/2010 @ 01:57:10 PM
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wait. atleast and @least are exactly the same number of keystrokes... but you chose to use the symbol anyway... may I ask why?

(and use stubhub)
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sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
04/23/2010 @ 02:27:32 PM
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I was on my phone where it's not the same number of keystrokes, it's its own key. Efficiency is a must!
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
04/23/2010 @ 05:52:04 PM
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Punto is on the DL? There goes the season...emoticon
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
04/27/2010 @ 09:45:59 PM
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I had heard about this but could never find it until tonight.
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2887.gifAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
04/29/2010 @ 11:48:55 AM
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Stick a fork in Hoffman, he's done
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scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
04/30/2010 @ 09:52:43 AM
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He's. Had rough aprils before only to become back lights out in may. It's a long season.
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2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
05/18/2010 @ 12:03:15 AM
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Stick a fork in the whole bullpen. Villanueva and Parra are the only ones with a WHIP under 1.50. 38 games into the season and the Brewers are behind the Pirates. Time for Parra to save his career as a starter.
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - You had me at "Hello"
05/18/2010 @ 10:27:30 AM
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Aparently your coach is on the Top-Ten-Sure-To-Be-Fired list.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
05/18/2010 @ 05:26:50 PM
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Heartbreaker today for the Brewers. You should've just gotten blown out 11-2 like the Twins decided to do today instead of losing it in the 9th.
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
05/18/2010 @ 07:38:50 PM
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I'm not sure the head coach has much to do with the bullpen being worthless. GM should probably be more worried at this point.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
05/18/2010 @ 09:22:59 PM
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I think your right about the head coach not being at fault, and not just because baseball doesn't have a head coach (managers!). Doug Melvin did have some very noteworthy accomplishments with the Brewers, but in the last couple of years, his moves have basically been busts. The past couple of seasons his goal has seemed to be to find aging players that still had a shred of life in them at the time of purchase. He may need something big this year yet or in the next offseason or his job may be in question. There is no question that Attanasio has been willing to throw down some money to make the team better, and recently Melvin's ability to find talent to spend that money on has been suspect at best.
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newalex.jpgAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
05/29/2010 @ 12:12:46 AM
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I've posted Hart's struggles a couple times so it's only fair that I point out now that he is leading the team in HRs and has a better OPS than Fielder. Which may say more about Fielder's slow start than anything, but Hart is at least back to serviceable status.

Didn't see the game tonight but sounds like a good win, hopefully it will give the Brewers some momentum.
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scott.jpgScott - Ma'am, can you make sure your computer is turned on?
06/01/2010 @ 08:55:30 PM
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Leading the team in HRs, and now the National League.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
06/05/2010 @ 02:53:28 PM
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Never doubt Hart.
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newalex.jpgAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
06/07/2010 @ 01:29:15 PM
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Suppan gets the boot!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5260914

I feel bad for Attanasio, $30 mil this year on Suppan, Hoffman, Hall, and Looper. Just imagine if they would've used that money on someone useful.
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reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - They just want the damn ash of that field
06/07/2010 @ 02:08:55 PM
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I sympathize as that has to be ridiculously frustrating. Twins fans get furious about losing a couple million on guys like Mike Lamb, Livan Hernandez and Adam Everett. I can't imagine what would happen if they were throwing away 10's of millions.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
06/07/2010 @ 02:48:05 PM
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Well, Joe Mauer isn't exactly earning every penny of his new (albeit yet to kick in) deal. emoticon
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
06/07/2010 @ 03:05:29 PM
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Alex Wrote - Today @ 02:29:15 PM
Suppan gets the boot! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5260914 I feel bad for Attanasio, $30 mil this year on Suppan, Hoffman, Hall, and Looper. Just imagine if they would've used that money on someone useful.


Suppan combined with Bush to go 9-0 in September in 2008, so Suppan was a big part of getting the Brewers to the playoffs. Hoffman was lights out last year. Hall had one very good year where he was among the league leaders in shortstops in most offensive catgories, and then the Brewers decided that he should try 4 other regular positions and then were shocked when his offensive numbers suffered. So really, the only one of those four that you can flat out say was a disappointment was Looper. The other 3 at one point contributed fairly well. You take some risks here and there, and unfortunately the Brewers took some rather big risks that are now really showing their ugliness.
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2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
06/07/2010 @ 05:04:39 PM
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Stop trying to make yourself feel better. Hall was an epic fail, and I don't buy the position switch bs at all. His good year was the fluke, not the other 8 years of his career. If Suppan had made half of what he did, it might have been a fair contribution. He went 10-10 on the year in 2008 with at 4.96 ERA, so if he hadn't lost so much earlier in the year he wouldn't have needed a good September. Fact check, Suppan sucked that September http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=3294&year=2008. He did have a decent August, but they also scored at least 5 runs in all his wins (and the loss) so that just proves that wins is a stupid stat.

Hoffman doesn't bother me as much, but he went from surprisingly effective to completely washed up and in between the Brewers gave him a raise, so that was dumb.

Looper I just threw in because they're paying him a mil this year. I think they're overdoing the player options a bit.

In summary, Looper was pretty much a disappointment but a fairly cheap one; Hoffman was great for one year but they didn't need to double down; Hall was a flat out 100% disappointment; Suppan was way overpaid.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
06/07/2010 @ 08:47:08 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 03:05:29 PM


Suppan combined with Bush to go 9-0 in September in 2008, so Suppan was a big part of getting the Brewers to the playoffs.


Huh. I thought CC was the only pitcher the Brewers had during that time.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
06/07/2010 @ 08:50:43 PM
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http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/fan_forum/gigapan.jsp

This is interesting to look at, although there is a guy in one of the better seats either flicking off the flag or the person next to him.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
06/08/2010 @ 09:23:09 AM
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Has anyone noticed that Corey Hart isn't on the all-star ballot?
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newalex.jpgAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
06/08/2010 @ 12:57:53 PM
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This is old news already, but not everything has to be a slippery-slope non-starter. If I was commish, I'd give him the official perfect game. And I wouldn't worry about defining a precedent or answering hypothetical questions about what would I do for future situations or what if it happened in the 2nd inning. I'd just do it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5262731
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
06/08/2010 @ 04:47:07 PM
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I can see it both ways. It wouldn't have to evolve to the point where every game has 3 calls awaiting later ruling, but it's not much of a slope to slide down to get to a "well, why not this one too?" either. On one hand you have the fact that this really doesn't matter in the grand scheme, it would only effect some stats. On the other hand, isn't that less of a reason to bust that out now? If a team wins a game on a would-be-final play called a trap that turns out to be caught. (In other words one team or the other wins on that call, no what-ifs. 2 runs scored on the play to make it 3-4 which should be the final out of a 3-2 ballgame.) Wouldn't that be a better reason to bust out an overturn? That actually has consequences.

As long as getting jobbed by bad calls is a possibility for everyone, they should probably be left alone. It's not so much hypothetical situations that could happen, so much as it is the fact that history is probably full of pitchers who got jobbed on a call in the 7th or 8th, and either that was the only hit/walk they gave up, or they were yanked after they weren't playing for the perfect game/no hitter anymore. Although this would be different in practical terms (ie that pitcher that got screwed in the late 7th could have gone on to give up 4 hits and a couple runs were he not yanked, or were the pressure of the perfect game still a factor, where as there are no "what if's" in this case), in principle it's not all that different.

There's a reason that perfect games are (or used to be?) rare. Umps blowing calls is a part of the game, and always has been. (Not that I tout "the human element" to be the "feature" that some do. It's a bug that needs fixing where possible, and I can't fathom how it can be viewed otherwise.) I also doubt the fervor to take the perfect game away from him would be there, were the call and situation reversed. Not to mention, though I haven't personally reviewed the tape, statistically speaking, he probably had a few iffy/close calls go his way throughout the game that helped him toward that final out.

Everyone knows what happened. It not only gets a mention on Wikipedia's perfect game article, it's the only one I saw with an entire article. Will it count in the total? No. Will people mention it as an aside for the foreseeable future? probably. It's by far the biggest deal of the 3 "perfect" games this season.

That said I also think they should have, more efficiently implemented, instant replay for pretty much any appropriate situation*.

*And in a sense, all overturning this would be is a delayed instant replay review. Every call instant replay would correct would be "overturned," so if bases empty plays at first were made reviewable in the near future, then I think also overturning this has more merit.
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Jeremy perfected this 8 times, last at 06/08/2010 5:32:00 pm
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
06/09/2010 @ 10:20:57 PM
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Zaun out for season

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5269685
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Alex edited this at 06/09/2010 10:21:25 pm
scott.jpgScott - Resident Tech Support
06/11/2010 @ 09:02:27 AM
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I've thought long and hard about the expansion of replay in baseball, and I feel like writing more in depth about it later, but it would seem like the only practical scenarios for replay in baseball would be for bases empty situations or third out situations. Once you have runners on base, so much is dependent on the what call is made at the exact moment it is being made.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
06/18/2010 @ 12:17:05 PM
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Trading Cliff Lee

This guy sees the Twins as the favorites. I'm not sure they'd be interested, and I'm not so sure I am. Slowey or Baker (and a prospect like Ramos) seem like a lot to give up (plus I like them), but I guess one of them would be expendable. According to a commenter they are going to get expensive soon as well as both are arbitration eligible. (I don't know if that's true or not since I know nothing about how that works, but numbers like 4-5 mil are being mentioned.)

If there's any truth to that then there's a chance Lee might not even be a rent-a-player. He's making 9 mil this year, on 3 year 14 mil extension. If he signed just 3 years ago, presumably, he's not going to get $25mil a year in free agency, though baseball contracts never cease to bewilder. If Slowey is going to cost 4 next year, why not pay lee somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$12 again? I don't think it's a given he walks at the end of the year, especially if the Twins finish strong, and it wouldn't really make sense for the Twins to let a guy walk that they just gave up two good players for over a matter of 6-7% of a near-championship payroll. (Especially when you factor in that letting him walk now means you have to beat him as a Yankee.)

The Twins problem when compared to other teams is that a well rounded rotation doesn't cut it in the playoffs where a team can go long stretches without having to go beyond their #3 guy. The game changes in the playoffs. Ace, Ace, subpar, subpar, subpar often beats Good, Good, above average, above average, above average. (Of course recently they've gotten bounced before that really came into play, so maybe they should just not suck.)
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Jeremy edited this 6 times, last at 06/18/2010 12:44:34 pm
reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
06/18/2010 @ 02:34:13 PM
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I believe this guy has a history of saying the Mariners should do trades where they get multiple top prospects for their veteran with an expiring contract. He proposed a Liriano for Jose Lopez trade in the off-season, which clearly made more sense before the season started, but was still quite a stretch.

I actually wouldn't have much of a problem with Slowey, Baker or (not and) Ramos, because when you offer Lee arbitration, you either get another year of him at $12 million or so, or you get 2 draft picks when he leaves. We have to trade Ramos for someone eventually.

I'm not sure I'd rather trade for Lee over a third basemen, though.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
06/18/2010 @ 04:15:24 PM
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Yeah. My only thoughts on him vs a 3rd baseman would be that if we go the Lee route were adding a guy that's one of the best in the game, where as all the options at third are only an upgrade to us because we have no one that can hit in that slot. In most cases it's going to be a team wanting to do a salary dump on some one who's for the most part a has been.

Maybe Cuddy will do awesome tonight and we can just play him there everyday, have an outfield of DY, Span, and Kubel, and DH Thome. If only.

Edit: I'm hoping, as you implied, that this is an example of people over inflating the value of their players. If all Lee cost was Ramos we should make that move asap. We have 19 catching prospects and no need for any of them.
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Jeremy screwed with this 2 times, last at 06/18/2010 4:21:33 pm
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I believe virtually everything I read.
06/18/2010 @ 07:00:15 PM
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1.2 innings and 8 earned runs....maybe we can trade Blackburn for a cheese sandwich while we're at it.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
06/19/2010 @ 10:50:47 PM
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Maybe if we add Slowey to the deal we can get a bowl of tomato soup. J/K, don't want to get rid of the hug brigade, but we do need an ace. Not sure if I'd be ok with getting Cliff Lee but it wouldn't be the first time the Twins hadn't listened to me. Today's game has been over for almost 5 hours, but I still can't believe how epic it was. 9 homeruns and Mauer was actually clutch. Definitely an important win for the season. #TeamManship
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scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
06/23/2010 @ 07:37:04 AM
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Too bad the Twins can't handle the power surge that is the Brewers.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
06/24/2010 @ 09:17:34 AM
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Are the Twins going soft? The Brewers have a chance to win the season series today. How about that?
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Scott screwed with this at 06/24/2010 9:17:55 am
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
06/24/2010 @ 11:56:35 AM
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We need Aces. A battalion of 3rd-day starters gets us nothing.
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newalex.jpgAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
06/24/2010 @ 07:02:15 PM
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emoticon
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scott.jpgScott - On your mark...get set...Terrible!
06/24/2010 @ 07:35:21 PM
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Sweep of the Twins. Season series goes to the Crew. Brewers on the rise. Twins on the decline.

Gallardo is quietly having a very strong season. He leads the league in strikeouts now, has his ERA at 2.36 (5th in the league), and just today threw a shutout and was perfect through 5 innings against a very good team. Things look like they are starting to click a little bit for the Brewers.
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Scott screwed with this 3 times, last at 06/24/2010 7:42:26 pm
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - "If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style."
06/25/2010 @ 03:02:09 PM
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5 innings, huh? good day of work...

... almost like working through 1 pm and going home.
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Carlos44ec perfected this at 06/25/2010 3:02:32 pm
jon.jpgJon - 1 bajillion posts
06/25/2010 @ 11:41:40 PM
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I'd just like to say that I have almost no interest in watching Johan Santana pitch against the Twins. It just doesn't seem right. (I'm fully aware that it's not nearly the situation Favre put people in, but I was on the good side of that, so I don't care.) I just feel weird about the whole thing. When he's off in the National League, I can sort of pretend he just exists in an alternate universe. But now it's right here in our face. And how he pitches really doesn't matter. It's painful either way. And, yeah, he's not the boyhood hero that guys like Puckett were. So it's not heart-wrenching, but it's uncomfortable.

And the Johan era always seemed a little weird to me. Maybe I'm wrong, but I kind of feel he was somewhat under-appreciated as a superstar as a Twin. Maybe because he's a pitcher, and from South America, or whatever but he didn't seem to really capture the fans the way guys like Mauer and Morneau have. And I've said this before, and I'm just rambling now, but for all the time he pitched in Minnesota, I'm not sure I heard him talk more than, like, one time. Was it the language barrier? Was I not paying attention? Is he generally reserved? I mean, when I think of other guys around the league who were dominant for a multi-year stretch like he was, I feel like I know more about them than I ever did about Santana.

And yet, he's arguably the greatest Twins pitcher since the club moved to Minnesota, at least in terms of peak performance. And now he's pitching against them? It's just not cool.
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Jon perfected this at 06/25/2010 11:42:38 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
06/26/2010 @ 07:48:13 AM
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Carlos44ec Wrote - Yesterday @ 04:02:09 PM
5 innings, huh? good day of work...

... almost like working through 1 pm and going home.


Well he finished the game off, thowing a shutout.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
06/26/2010 @ 12:28:16 PM
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Jon Wrote - Yesterday @ 11:41:40 PM
I'd just like to say that I have almost no interest in watching Johan Santana pitch against the Twins. It just doesn't seem right. (I'm fully aware that it's not nearly the situation Favre put people in, but I was on the good side of that, so I don't care.) I just feel weird about the whole thing. When he's off in the National League, I can sort of pretend he just exists in an alternate universe. But now it's right here in our face. And how he pitches really doesn't matter. It's painful either way. And, yeah, he's not the boyhood hero that guys like Puckett were. So it's not heart-wrenching, but it's uncomfortable.

And now he's pitching against them? It's just not cool.


I don't feel this way at all. I think people felt he was too good to be in Minnesota, we all just enjoyed the ride while we could. We knew he was going to get a big payday, it just wasn't going to be in MN so I thought people just accepted that. Apparently he was a pretty fun guy to have in the clubhouse, but now I'm kind of creeped out by him.
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matt.jpgMatt - Ombudsman
06/28/2010 @ 02:15:05 AM
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Liriano and Pavano and pray for a tornădo.
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scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
06/30/2010 @ 12:38:51 PM
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Don't look now, but Prince Fielder is just 1 home run shy of tying the NL lead.
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
07/02/2010 @ 05:53:32 PM
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It shouldn't come as too much of a shock, but when voting based on stats and merit rather than fan popularity, ESPN says that Corey Hart should start for the NL.
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Scott messed with this 2 times, last at 07/02/2010 10:05:48 pm
sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
07/02/2010 @ 11:45:56 PM
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Delmon Young should be in too. Leading Twins in RBIs, 1 point behind Mauer in batting average and is klutch.
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matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
07/03/2010 @ 06:43:58 PM
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The Twins suck.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
07/04/2010 @ 10:48:53 AM
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Our bullpen really hurt us yesterday that's for sure. Cuddyer's non-error certainly didn't help either. Liriano was on fire the whole game, kind of have to question Gardy's/Anderson's decision to pull him. I haven't watched too many replays, but it seems like Span could've caught that grand slam if he would've positioned himself a little better. Finding out Mauer has been battling hip and back problems all season is not the news I would like to hear right now. Twins need a spark ala Orlando Crabrera style to get back on track.
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Sarah messed with this at 07/05/2010 8:22:39 am
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
07/04/2010 @ 11:15:43 AM
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Well, the way I look at it is this, there's no easy answer. Everything is easy in hindsight, but all the people ragging on Gardy for pulling Liriano forget others, or are themselves, rag on Gardy for "always leaving a guy in one inning too long" the rest of the time.

Gardy has to pull a starter while he's "rolling" to avoid the trouble inning, or he should leave a starter who's doing well in until he gets into trouble. You can't criticize both.

Cuddy and Span should have caught those balls, and the second pitch to the full count lead off walk was right down the middle.
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matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
07/04/2010 @ 06:48:27 PM
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I can't speak for others, but when I rag on Gardy for leaving pitchers in too long it's mostly when a pitcher has already struggled a bit in previous innings, but is still sent out to pitch the "extra" inning when most everyone in the park knows he's done. What's worse is when he then gives the same pitcher too much leeway in that inning instead of having someone ready at the first sign of trouble.

Now, obviously nobody except Gardy, Anderson, and Liriano know the full details behind the situation/decision, but Liriano was going pretty strong and didn't seem to be struggling so I would have supported sending him out there for the 8th (with the bullpen up and ready to come in at the first sign of trouble). It certainly wasn't inexcusable that he took him out, and he probably would have gotten just as much criticism if he left Liriano in and he ending up blowing it, but I still thing it would have been the right call.

Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 11:15:43 AM
Cuddy and Span should have caught those balls, and the second pitch to the full count lead off walk was right down the middle.


Cuddyer probably should have made the catch, it was a tough play, but one he should have made. As for Span, when the ball goes over the fence I'm not sure it's 100% fair to say that he should have caught it. It was definitely a ball he could have caught if he got back to the wall a second earlier, but in his defense, the ball seemed to carry farther than most thought it would and the wind seemed to play with it a little so he might not have been able to judge how deep the ball would be until it was too late. Of course its also possible that he just took a bad route in which case it was his fault, but we can't really know for sure.
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Matt perfected this at 07/04/2010 6:49:41 pm
sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
07/04/2010 @ 07:08:41 PM
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Everyone go vote for Delmon Young to make the final AL All Star spot. I've already voted over 400 times, but still need to vote a few more times for sure. Go DY!
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scott.jpgScott - If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it.
07/05/2010 @ 08:19:14 AM
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I'll say, Corey Hart has been a model of a down-trodden player this year. He came off a year in which he struggled mightily, he fought his arbitration case to the final step and actually won his final step, he had a horrible spring training, he was demoted to platoon bench player to start the season, he was kept off the All-Star ballot by his own team, he started off rather slow...only to be participating in the home run derby and possibly starting in the All-Star game. And he has done all of this without complaining to the media about really anything, hasn't ragged the fans for booing him. He made some real, significant adjustments to his swing that have paid off immensely, and he goes about his business quietly and has become one of the most productive players in the big leagues so far this season.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
07/05/2010 @ 08:25:28 AM
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If Hart had been on the final man ballot this year, I would've voted for him... (just sayin'). Hart's definitely having a great year and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. (See I don't forget the good things either)
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
07/05/2010 @ 08:56:40 AM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 09:19:14 AM
Corey Hart has been a model of a down-trodden player this year.


I suppose this should read Corey Hart has been a model of how a down-trodden player should act.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I hate our freedoms
07/09/2010 @ 04:01:09 PM
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Cliff Lee is a Ranger. Damn, but at least he isn't a Yankee, as was very very close.
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
07/11/2010 @ 04:56:19 PM
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Not sure who this guy is, but supposedly Fielder, Hart, and Weeks are all available for the right price. Fielder is probably 99% gone after his current contract and the others are running out of arbitration years so I don't doubt the report.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/07/09/brewers-put-fielder-hart-weeks-on-table/?sms_ss=twitter
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
07/11/2010 @ 07:51:52 PM
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According to mlbtraderumors.com the Brewers are open to trading Hart and Fielder, but not Weeks.

Fielder wants an offer bigger than Ryan Howard's, and has turned down an offer of about the same thing.
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sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
07/11/2010 @ 10:07:55 PM
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Twins should pick up Mike Redmond again. He could be a leader in the clubhouse. A leader of being naked that is. Seriously though, the Twins need to step it up and make some changes.

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100710&content_id=12144468&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/12/2010 @ 05:50:41 PM
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Trading Hart does sort of seem to make sense. If they can catch lightening in a bottle with him (meaning, if he keeps knocking the covers off of baseballs) his stock could rise enough to make him very attractive. Hart is again arbitration eligible, and if he won his case last year, he's probably going to win a pretty high salary this off season too if this season continues the way it's gone so far. Then again, maybe figured things out to the point where they want to keep him, and he actually continues to hit better. I wouldn't be too bummed if they traded him. But the reality of pitching is that the really successful teams grow their pitching from within. And the Brewers don't have a very good track record of finding pitchers that they didn't draft.

Dave Bush is the only pitcher on the Brewers roster right now that they acquired as a FA or as part of a trade that has had any longevity as a starter in the Brewers rotation. As the Andy wrote inside the carved out bible "you're right, Pitching does lie within".
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?"
07/12/2010 @ 11:34:47 PM
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That's one of those movies that's so good even now, that I would love to be able to forget it, and watch it again for the first time. It must have been so much greater the first time, when you didn't know how it played out.
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jon.jpgJon - 1000000 posts (and counting!)
07/13/2010 @ 03:13:19 AM
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All Star Game tonight. I wonder if there's any truth to the rumor that the National Anthem will be sung by Enrico Palazzo.
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matt.jpgMatt - Ombudsman
07/13/2010 @ 09:05:27 AM
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George Steinbrenner has died

I don't think he had been in the best of health these past few years, but this is still somewhat of a shock.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/13/2010 @ 09:46:55 AM
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Jon Wrote - Today @ 03:13:19 AM
All Star Game tonight. I wonder if there's any truth to the rumor that the National Anthem will be sung by Enrico Palazzo.


The opera singer turned umpire turned saver of the queen?
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?"
07/13/2010 @ 09:57:07 AM
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Matt Wrote - Today @ 09:05:27 AM
George Steinbrenner has died

I don't think he had been in the best of health these past few years, but this is still somewhat of a shock.


Wow.
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
07/13/2010 @ 07:31:04 PM
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Train sings at the homerun derby, Glee sings in the pregame of the World Series. What ever good old fashion rock and roll?

But seriously, it's probably pretty cool for all the "heroes among us" to be standing on the field with some of their heroes.

Also, as if baseball didn't revolve around the Yankees as it was, Steinbrenner had to die on baseball's biggest day of the summer.
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Scott perfected this 2 times, last at 07/13/2010 7:34:32 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/17/2010 @ 09:54:04 PM
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What causes a team to be thrown at more than others? The Brewers have been hit by pitch 47 times this year, the most in the majors. They were 2nd in the league in HPB last year, and 4th the year before. This weekend alone, Prince Fielder was thrown at three times. Once in yesterday's game he was hit in the knee on a pitch that was obviously intentional. And then today, after hitting a game tying home run in the 7th, the Braves pitcher Jonny Venters throws over Fielder's head in his next at bat, the ump warns the pitcher and both benches, and Venters proceeds on the very next pitch to drill Fielder square between the shoulders, (which appeared to be heading Fielder's head until he attempted to jump out of the way and it hit him in the back instead). Prince has been hit 14 times this season, 2nd most in the majors (Weeks has been hit 17 times). Odd stuff.

In tonight's example, I see ESPN's explanation might be because Fielder watched his homerun too long and carried his bat half-way to first base. Call me crazy, but after being drilled in the knee the night before, I can imagine a hitter feeling a little vindictive in getting retribution that lights up the scoreboard, but I guess Bobby Cox was thinking "how dare you show us up by hitting a homerun after I had my guy throw at you yesterday; just in case you didn't get the message, I'm going to have my pitcher throw at you repeatedly until he hits you." That's basically what happened, because Venter's threw at Fielder on back-to-back pitches.

Edit: and upon further review, that explanation by ESPN about Fielder show-boating after hitting the homerun: Fielder took his normal swing and hustled down the line to first base. Fielder usually finishes high, and he was sort of flailing at that swing anyway, so if the Braves think Fielder was showing them up, they must have been looking for any excuse to hit him again.

And the second pitch wasn't at his head, but it was square between his shoulders.

Edit again: even the Braves announcers took a look at Fielder's homerun after he was hit and commented that nothing looked out of the ordinary about the way Fielder acted after the home run.

(am I over analyzing this?)

Edit: the Braves announcers also mentioned that Jonny Vetters has been known to come into games and miss the catcher from time to time.
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Scott perfected this 6 times, last at 07/17/2010 10:32:46 pm
jon.jpgJon - infinity + 1 posts
07/17/2010 @ 11:37:05 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 09:54:04 PM
What causes a team to be thrown at more than others?


Well, there's a difference between guys getting "thrown at" and guys getting hit by pitches. Some guys are more prone to getting hit because of their stance, swing, lack of getting out of the way, etc. I would say if there is a trend, it's due to those factors. Of course Prince seems to be developing quite a crowd of people who don't mind throwing at him. It probably doesn't hurt (or does hurt) that he's a big target physically.

Local tidbit, the Eau Claire Express had a player get hit by a pitch three times in one game on Friday.
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scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
07/18/2010 @ 03:58:20 PM
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Sarah Wrote - 04/22/2010 @ 05:31:59 PM
Prince Fielder hit his first home run today, which puts him on pace for 11 homeruns? Wow.

Scott Wrote - 04/22/2010 @ 07:41:54 PM
2007, 2008, and 2009 fielder had 2, 1, and 1 home runs as of April 22. He finished with 50, 34 and 46 HRs in those years. Wow.


NL Leader in home runs with 22 (tied with none other than Corey Hart (and a couple of others)); Prince Fielder, everyone!.
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matt.jpgMatt - Ombudsman
07/18/2010 @ 11:38:19 PM
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This guy here is dead
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Matt messed with this at 07/18/2010 11:38:58 pm
sarah.jpgSarah - So's your face
07/19/2010 @ 05:47:51 PM
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If only Jeremy hadn't said it a few days ago.

Jeremy Wrote - 07/17/2010 @ 07:49:48 PM
Given that we quote him often around the ball field, this is probably a fitting place to put this.

James Gammon, played Lou Brown in 'Major League,' dies at 70
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thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Washington Bureau Chief
07/19/2010 @ 06:15:00 PM
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Well I don't pay attention to what Jeremy says.
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
07/19/2010 @ 06:17:02 PM
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Steinbrenner, Shepherd, and now Gammon. The rule of 3 strikes the world of baseball.
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matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
07/19/2010 @ 06:22:51 PM
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Sarah Wrote - Today @ 05:47:51 PM
If only Jeremy hadn't said it a few days ago.

Jeremy Wrote - 07/17/2010 @ 07:49:48 PM
Given that we quote him often around the ball field, this is probably a fitting place to put this.

James Gammon, played Lou Brown in 'Major League,' dies at 70


Also, if only Jeremy decided to post it in a thread that actually popped up in the current threads list.

He posted it in the 2010 softball season thread, which doesn't seem to show up in yellow on the current thread list when a new comment is made. Therefore, I would have had no reason to see his post. I am declaring myself vindicated.
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Matt messed with this at 07/19/2010 6:24:19 pm
scott.jpgScott - Resident Tech Support
07/19/2010 @ 06:31:21 PM
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I never saw it. Comment credit goes to.....Matt.
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/19/2010 @ 06:38:29 PM
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In other news, Vetters and Cox each get suspended, 4 games and 1 game respectively. Macha's got a good point in all this. Baseball does seem to be so far behind baseball in this sense. With the so-called "self-policing" in baseball, it should scare everyone about the consequences of players getting hit by pitches. Kirbey Pucket's career ended do to bean ball to the head. Players storm the mound often because of this, and if anyone ever had a reason to charge the mound, Fielder certainly would have, having been thrown at 3 times in 2 games. He didn't, because he says he's tired of being the bad guy. But, can you imagine what the consequences would be if he did? Everyone knows Fielder is a bull, and he can be emotional sometimes. If he ever charged the mound one on one against a pitcher like Vetter, Fielder could easily drop him like a rock and end his career.

I'm a little surprised that suspensions were doled out here. But I think it's a good thing. If baseball wants to get serious about putting an end to this kind of thing, suspensions must be handed out.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - Super Chocolate Bear
07/19/2010 @ 06:55:13 PM
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Matt Wrote - Today @ 06:22:51 PM
Sarah Wrote - Today @ 05:47:51 PM
If only Jeremy hadn't said it a few days ago.

Jeremy Wrote - 07/17/2010 @ 07:49:48 PM
Given that we quote him often around the ball field, this is probably a fitting place to put this.

James Gammon, played Lou Brown in 'Major League,' dies at 70


Also, if only Jeremy decided to post it in a thread that actually popped up in the current threads list.

He posted it in the 2010 softball season thread, which doesn't seem to show up in yellow on the current thread list when a new comment is made. Therefore, I would have had no reason to see his post. I am declaring myself vindicated.


To be fair, I never said anything about it. No need for the hostility surrounding me. emoticon
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
07/19/2010 @ 07:00:35 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 06:31:21 PM
I never saw it. Comment credit goes to.....Matt.


You can't give someone credit for something just because you didn't see it. That's ridic.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I believe virtually everything I read.
07/19/2010 @ 07:16:45 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 06:38:29 PM
In other news, Vetters and Cox each get suspended, 4 games and 1 game respectively. Macha's got a good point in all this. Baseball does seem to be so far behind baseball in this sense. With the so-called "self-policing" in baseball, it should scare everyone about the consequences of players getting hit by pitches. Kirbey Pucket's career ended do to bean ball to the head. Players storm the mound often because of this, and if anyone ever had a reason to charge the mound, Fielder certainly would have, having been thrown at 3 times in 2 games. He didn't, because he says he's tired of being the bad guy. But, can you imagine what the consequences would be if he did? Everyone knows Fielder is a bull, and he can be emotional sometimes. If he ever charged the mound one on one against a pitcher like Vetter, Fielder could easily drop him like a rock and end his career.

I'm a little surprised that suspensions were doled out here. But I think it's a good thing. If baseball wants to get serious about putting an end to this kind of thing, suspensions must be handed out.


I'm not naive to the fact that it happens on purpose, but pitchers throw wild pitches often, and hit pitchers often. I think often people dig for a reason that isn't there. For the most part a pitcher is just as likely to be inadvertently wild on the pitch following a plunking as they are on the first plunking. (Though "safer" pitches might be called if a pitcher is all over the place.) The fact that the Brewers are at the top also doesn't necessarily mean anything. Someone has to be at the top. That they're near the top every year is probably something they're doing to be in the way (as Jon said) more than it is that they're getting thrown at.
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Jeremy perfected this 2 times, last at 07/19/2010 7:19:01 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/20/2010 @ 09:31:59 AM
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Well, 3 times in two games to the same player is suspect. If you throw a ball that ends up at the batters head and get warned by the umpire, you have no business going inside on the very next pitch. If you do, you are basically telling MLB, "suspend me,because I'm either trying to hurt him, or I'm an idiot, or I suck so much as a pitcher that my lack of control puts batters at risk." Its not too out of the blue to think that fielder was being targeted based on the flow of events surrounding the plunkings.

Besides, no ever really ever argues or attempts to prove absolutely that "because he hit a home run in his last at bat, the pitcher threw at him twice in his next at bat" as your link suggests, because usually it is pretty gosh-darn obvious. Also, there is no need really for it to be proven beyond logical validity. It is not unreasonable to conclude that "because A happened after B, B could have caused A". It might not be logical, but it certainly isn't unreasonble. It things don't necessarily have to be "logical" (from that usage of the word, for people tend to use that word fairly loosely) for actions it to be concluded a certain degree of intent.
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Scott edited this at 07/20/2010 9:41:34 am
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Cube Phenomenoligist
07/20/2010 @ 09:38:47 AM
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Well, it certainly could have been on purpose, though you could make a case that that 3rd time was so obviously suspect, that it probably wasn't intentional. People generally like to get away with their capers, and you'd have to be pretty dumb to try it again.

Again, I know it happens, and this very well could have been intentional and worthy of suspensions. All I'm saying is guys get hit all the time, and a good chunk of the time people go looking for a reason. "He did hold on to his bat a little too long on his home run trot 3 at bats ago, maybe that's why."
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/20/2010 @ 09:46:25 AM
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The announcers on both sides were looking in vain for a reasoning, both disregarding Fielder's actions after his home runs in the series. Neither could find any, nor could the Brewers announcers figure out why Fielder was getting booed pretty relentlessly afterwards. All-in-all, it was unusual series of events no doubt, but if nothing else, it is a good time to make an example of someone to get a message out to all of MLB that this won't be tolerated.
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Scott messed with this at 07/20/2010 9:59:21 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/20/2010 @ 09:59:55 AM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 09:46:25 AM
both disregarding Fielder's actions after his home runs in the series


by which I mean, they considered it, and concluded that Fielder's actions were nothing out of the ordinary.


And of course, the only way to really determine if a player is getting "thrown at" too often versus just getting hit, you would have to watch video on every pitch that hits a batter. The actual number doesn't do anything but raise a question about it. What Macha has stated, in the NFL, any action that causes suspicion they review relentlessly. He feels, and he's probably right, that MLB doesn't do this unless something specifically requests a review. Then, we as fans wouldn't have to spend so much time speculating, because baseball would be taking care of it.
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Scott screwed with this 2 times, last at 07/20/2010 10:07:09 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
07/20/2010 @ 10:22:49 AM
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Sarah Wrote - Yesterday @ 07:00:35 PM
Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 06:31:21 PM
I never saw it. Comment credit goes to.....Matt.
You can't give someone credit for something just because you didn't see it. That's ridic.

When you are the site's best reader, you can.
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newalex.jpgAlex - I don't need to get steady I know just how I feel
07/20/2010 @ 01:42:05 PM
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Scott Wrote - Today @ 10:22:49 AM
Sarah Wrote - Yesterday @ 07:00:35 PM
Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 06:31:21 PM
I never saw it. Comment credit goes to.....Matt.
You can't give someone credit for something just because you didn't see it. That's ridic.

When you are the site's best reader, you can.


I didn't realize the final SBR vote count was in
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Broadcast in stunning 1080i
07/20/2010 @ 01:48:47 PM
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MBL?
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matt.jpgMatt - Nutcan.com's MBL
07/20/2010 @ 01:56:54 PM
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I read Alex's comment and then signed in to write, "I think you mean SBL", but I got sidetracked by something else and then find that Jeremy beat me to the punch, though with a less funny response.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 1.21 Gigawatts!?!?
07/20/2010 @ 02:02:26 PM
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I'm sure you'll still get credit.
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thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - 3875 Posts
07/20/2010 @ 02:04:37 PM
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I'm the Christopher Columbus of Nutcan.
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