Styles

Come on guys, save it for the Mets thread. Then we can point out their futility in the right context. This is about these guys:

Al, will this draft be done like the Head 2 Head fantasy, i.e. we post our picks in this thread when it's our turn (within a certain time limit?)

PROJECTED LINEUP 1. Christian Guzman SS 2. Jose Vidro 2B 3. Brad Wilkerson CF 4. Jose Guillen RF 5. Vinnie Castilla 3B 6. Nick Johnson 1B 7. Terrmel Sledge LF 8. Brian Schneider C Rotation 1. L. Hernandez 2. T. Armas 3. E. Loaiza 4. T. Ohka 5. Z. Day I have an interesting relationship with the Nationals. Most Orioles fans from Balltimore are appalled/offended that MLB would break their "territory" into 2 by putting another team in the area. Most DC area baseball fans, despised the O's already for not being "their team" mostly because of the hostile overtures of Peter Angelos to keep a team out of DC all these years. As for me, hey, it's more baseball. I am no doubt still an Orioles fan first and foremost and originally thought I wouldn't give the light of day about the Nats, but the prospects of seeing Nationally League baseball just a 20 minute Metro ride away is pretty cool. Anyway, I agree they'll finish last, but might suprise some people. Lest we forget the Expos finished 2 of the last 3 seasons over .500. The additions they made were not all star worthy (all though argument could be made that Jose Guillen is at that level and for better or for worse, Esteban Loaiza has been selected twice), but they are a solid foundation of moves, plugging some glaring holes in the lineup. Combined with a promising young nucleus already with the likes of Wilkerson, Schneider, Sledge, Johnson and Vidro, and all of a sudden this lineup doesn't look too bad. And their pitching at least when I compare them to the O's is solid. Livan Hernandez is a true ace and underrated every year. Day and Armas are solid, and while Loaiza is way overrated has at least proved he can put together a decent season. And keep your eye out for rising closer Chad Cordero who struck out the side in the 9th in that ST game against the Mets. One thing that probably can't be measured, but does exist is the enthusiasm. I see it from the long time DC residents who rejected the Orioles and have awaiting the Second Com-....err Third Coming I guess of the Senators. Season tickets are moving and merchandise is second in the nation in sales only to the World Champ Red Sox. And the players are excited too. No more ungodly road trips to Puerto Rico and back, and the long nights and lack of proper rest that comes with it. Players have been quoted in local players just being giddy about putting on their new uniforms or hearing that they have a team song now. They finally feel like a real major league team. Predicted finish: 5th, but a lot closer to .500 then many think.

As someone looking forward to going to Summerslam, I really hope that's not the plan, because that'd be a really shitty main event...

Sorry if I held anybody up, was out all night. Rockbirds choose one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball, Nationals ace... Livan Hernandez

Be gentle.

St. Louis Browns.

In Spring Training your starters are only in for the first few innings. So half the game is basically played with bench players, minor leaguers and castoffs looking to earn a spot on the team, that you're average competitive college team could probably beat. Plus the regulars when they are in are more considered about just getting warm and not getting hurt, while the college kids are playing their hearts out...

What the hell, I'll play.

Boy, the ironic twist this turned, eh?

Nats win 5-3! I love that Frank Robinson is their manager. Wish he was with the O's but DC's got a great baseball guy leading them. Pitching looked pretty good, especially Tony Armas and Chad Cordero. The homerun Guillen hit was just launched. Keith Osik hit one too but he's awful, and hopefully won't make the team. Outfield defense looked bad with Endy Chavez and Jefferey Hammonds making ugly plays. Overall, it was nice to see the team out there on the field. They won't go anywhere in that division, at least not this year, but they should be a fun team...

"Wow, didn't expect to see Jose Canseco in camp!"

Caption Contest:

It's on! I didn't think I'd get this giddy seeing the Nats in uniform and on the field!

YOUR projected lineup and starters: PROJECTED LINEUP 1. Ichiro Suzuki RF 2. Jeremy Reed CF 3. Adrian Beltre 3B 4. Richie Sexson 1B 5. Bret Boone 2B 6. Raul Ibanez DH 7. Randy Winn LF 8. Miguel Olivo C 9. Pokey Reese SS Rotation 1. J. Moyer 2. J. A. Pineiro 3. R. Franklin 4. G. Meche 5. B. Madritsch They've obviously made serious offense upgrades with Sexson and Beltre, and with Ichiro at the top, this will be an effective run producing lineup. Their pitching is still seriously lacking, as Moyer is likely on his last leg, and the others guys have to show their potential. They're in a tough division too, even with just 4 teams. Predicted finish: 3rd place.

TEAM ORANGE beat TEAM WHITE in an O's intersquad game 4-0. Gibbons with a grand slam off of Kurt Ainsworth for the scoring. Oh and Chris Stynes spiked Miguel Tejada's ankle sliding hard into second. Miggy should be ok. Stynes should be released immediately for this treasonous act!

Which for the Pirates, usually comes around May.

I was going to say, alphabetical makes the most sense, but then again its going to get awfully cluttered either way with 30 threads on different teams. Maybe we should contain it to one thread? Anyway, here is the projected lineup and rotation: 1. David DeJesus CF 2. Angel Berroa SS 3. Mike Sweeney 1B 4. Ken Harvey DH 5. Matt Stairs LF 6. Terrence Long RF 7. Chris Truby 3B 8. John Buck C 9. Ruben Gotay 2B 1. Z. Greinke 2. B. J. Anderson 3. J. Lima 4. R. Hernandez 5. J. Gobble Boy, this is just a BAD team. It in all honestly looks more like a AAA roster or something. I can't believe 2 seasons and a Beltran ago they nearly made the playoffs. Yeah, I don't have much to say about the Royals. Easy pick for 5th place.

It's scored on a 10 point must system per round. So the winner of each round is awarded 10 points, and the other competitor 9 or less (or 10 if the round was a draw). I don't know of the exact UFC criteria but I believe takedowns, strikes landed and top control are all important to the judges. Effort to finish and agressiveness is more heavily pushed in Pride...

Nope, I went to one Spring Training game a few years back between the Braves and Expos when I was in Florida but that was it. Although this Saturday on Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic: Orioles vs. Nationals! The Battle of the Beltway kicks off! OH MY~!

Now, when Ripper's talent was basically souding just like Rob Halfort to the point of being discovered from a Judas Priest cover band, think about how ridiculous that statement sounds. Not hating on Owens, love him with Iced Earth now, but really, these songs were meant for Halford. And they sound awesome.

http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/judas_priest...opThis=playIt() The entire Angel Of Retribution album is up for streaming in perfect quality at that link. Release date is March 1st. I was going to buy it anyway, but this just clinches it. I'm 3 songs in and my only thought is: Jesus Christ is this HEAVY. Really packs a punch, but I expected that as its produced by Roy Z who produced the awesomely heavy Bruce Dickinson albums Accident Of Birth and Chemical Wedding. It's just really excellent so far, tremendous comeback album...

DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN IM NOT UPSET!

Oh yeah!

He's 40?