This Week in Baseball

[bob_barron 0]

Someone needs to remind ESPN.com that it's not 14 straight NL East titles.

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Shit, you're right. I didn't realise that.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

There's always a fan somewhere to make us wish ill-will on a team we haven't hated before. Barron, for showing up and celebrating when you haven't discussed shit here in months, congratulations. You could've at least waited until the Braves WON, but instead you piss on the grave of the Phillies season. Again, congratulations. I'll keep your name in mind when I go bezerk and start banning people for no good reason.

 

As for the Phillies, again, one run losses equal massive frustration that you really can't do much about. The Phils have done well, the Astros slightly better. If it is not to be and the Astros make the playoffs, I look forward to watching Bagwell and Biggio's last push for glory. And considering the Phillies missing out means the Braves don't get the Padres in the first round, I don't know if Braves fans should be celebrating.

[bob_barron 0]

There's always a fan somewhere to make us wish ill-will on a team we haven't hated before. Barron, for showing up and celebrating when you haven't discussed shit here in months, congratulations. You could've at least waited until the Braves WON, but instead you piss on the grave of the Phillies season. Again, congratulations. I'll keep your name in mind when I go bezerk and start banning people for no good reason.

 

Someone's bitter. I've been in the baseball threads most of the season, talking about the Braves. I even debated Porter on Mike Hampton this past weekend, so I don't know what you're talking about.

 

Just because the Phillies can't beat the New York Mets, well you don't have to take it out on me.

[KingPK 0]

Francona probably left Schilling in a tad too long, but looking at Chad Harville's performance, I can see why he did. Still, why the Yankees continue to think Embree is any good baffles the hell out of me. The Sox didn't release him for stealing Manny's Lucky Charms, you know.

[bob_barron 0]

If it is not to be and the Astros make the playoffs, I look forward to watching Bagwell and Biggio's last push for glory. And considering the Phillies missing out means the Braves don't get the Padres in the first round, I don't know if Braves fans should be celebrating.

 

The Padres had our number all year, so they wouldn't be a desireable opponent either.

 

I know the Astros are probably going to kick the Braves' ass in the first round, so I celebrate what I can and just hope Smoltz and Boyer are healthy.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

There's always a fan somewhere to make us wish ill-will on a team we haven't hated before. Barron, for showing up and celebrating when you haven't discussed shit here in months, congratulations. You could've at least waited until the Braves WON, but instead you piss on the grave of the Phillies season. Again, congratulations. I'll keep your name in mind when I go bezerk and start banning people for no good reason.

 

Someone's bitter. I've been in the baseball threads most of the season, talking about the Braves. I even debated Porter on Mike Hampton this past weekend, so I don't know what you're talking about.

 

Just because the Phillies can't beat the New York Mets, well you don't have to take it out on me.

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Who's the one going WOO-HOO! BRAVES CLINCH! after the Phillies lose? It's ok though. One more day and you can return your Mets hat.

 

Alright, it's been a rough stretch. At the same time I have asshole Mets fans gloating over their meaningless wins. I just wish some fans would take winning with a little more dignity.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Padres had our number all year, so they wouldn't be a desireable opponent either.

 

The Padres are a different team. Their pitching staff is really, really bad outside of Jake Peavy.

[therealworldschampion 0]

FOURTEEN YEARS IN A ROW!

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Have fun watching them get knocked out in the first round again in front of the usual 30% capacity crowd at Turner Field.

 

Al, there's been reports of Wade's contract getting bought out if the Phillies don't make the playoffs or of Wade possibly getting moved to another position and Brian Cashman possibly being the new GM. Any possibility of this actually happening?

[bob_barron 0]

Who's the one going WOO-HOO! BRAVES CLINCH! after the Phillies lose?

 

Yep, still bitter. You and every other baseball fan would do the same thing if your team just clinched the division title.

 

Seriously, get over it.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al, there's been reports of Wade's contract getting bought out if the Phillies don't make the playoffs or of Wade possibly getting moved to another position and Brian Cashman possibly being the new GM. Any possibility of this actually happening?

 

I hope not. I know many are frustrated with Ed Wade, but is there a good reason for hiring Brian Cashman besides change for the sake of change?

[devo 0]

I was trying to be respectful as possible while enjoying the Mets' wins.

 

Edit: Okay then.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Al, there's been reports of Wade's contract getting bought out if the Phillies don't make the playoffs or of Wade possibly getting moved to another position and Brian Cashman possibly being the new GM. Any possibility of this actually happening?

 

I hope not. I know many are frustrated with Ed Wade, but is there a good reason for hiring Brian Cashman besides change for the sake of change?

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I have the feeling that someone is going to be made the scapegoat for missing the playoffs again this year. It was the manager last year, I bet someone is going to lose their job or get moved via trade after this year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I was trying to be respectful as possible while enjoying the Mets' wins.

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It's not you or anyone else on this board.

[bob_barron 0]

Have fun watching them get knocked out in the first round again in front of the usual 30% capacity crowd at Turner Field.

 

Have fun watching the Phillies play golf for the 11th year in a row.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Have fun watching them get knocked out in the first round again in front of the usual 30% capacity crowd at Turner Field.

 

Have fun watching the Phillies play golf for the 11th year in a row.

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I'll remeber this in April when the Flyers send the Leafs golfing again.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I have the feeling that someone is going to be made the scapegoat for missing the playoffs again this year. It was the manager last year, I bet someone is going to lose their job or get moved via trade after this year.

 

That would be a mistake. When you think about it, if Randy Wolf had not gone down would he have won two more games? Very likely. Sure, the Phillies may miss the Playoffs, but this team is not really a failure. They will win around 86 wins, good for fourth in the National League. There's a strong young nucleus of talent to build on, and this team is a patch or two away from making a good run. There's no reason to upset the boat at this juncture.

[bob_barron 0]

Have fun watching them get knocked out in the first round again in front of the usual 30% capacity crowd at Turner Field.

 

Have fun watching the Phillies play golf for the 11th year in a row.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'll remeber this in April when the Flyers send the Leafs golfing again.

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Like the Leafs are even going to make the playoffs!

 

Come on now, don't be stupid.

[treble 0]

Have fun watching them get knocked out in the first round again in front of the usual 30% capacity crowd at Turner Field.

 

Have fun watching the Phillies play golf for the 11th year in a row.

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I'll remeber this in April when the Flyers send the Leafs golfing again.

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If we're lucky enough to get that far.

[therealworldschampion 0]

I have the feeling that someone is going to be made the scapegoat for missing the playoffs again this year. It was the manager last year, I bet someone is going to lose their job or get moved via trade after this year.

 

That would be a mistake. When you think about it, if Randy Wolf had not gone down would he have won two more games? Very likely. Sure, the Phillies may miss the Playoffs, but this team is not really a failure. They will win around 86 wins, good for fourth in the National League. There's a strong young nucleus of talent to build on, and this team is a patch or two away from making a good run. There's no reason to upset the boat at this juncture.

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What do you think will happen as it pertains to offseason moves? My guess is they'll try to move Thome, even if they have to eat a good amount of the contract. I'd like to see them resign Lofton, as he did a good job this year. Maybe another Lieber-like signing, as he was worth the contract this year. Wagner I'm not so sure what they'll do about him.

 

Is there any site that has the remaining length of the Phillies players under contract?

[mike546 0]

Francona probably left Schilling in a tad too long, but looking at Chad Harville's performance, I can see why he did.  Still, why the Yankees continue to think Embree is any good baffles the hell out of me.  The Sox didn't release him for stealing Manny's Lucky Charms, you know.

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Joe doesn't think Embree is good. The thing is, there's no one else. Atleast Embree throws strikes.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I have the feeling that someone is going to be made the scapegoat for missing the playoffs again this year. It was the manager last year, I bet someone is going to lose their job or get moved via trade after this year.

 

That would be a mistake. When you think about it, if Randy Wolf had not gone down would he have won two more games? Very likely. Sure, the Phillies may miss the Playoffs, but this team is not really a failure. They will win around 86 wins, good for fourth in the National League. There's a strong young nucleus of talent to build on, and this team is a patch or two away from making a good run. There's no reason to upset the boat at this juncture.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What do you think will happen as it pertains to offseason moves? My guess is they'll try to move Thome, even if they have to eat a good amount of the contract. I'd like to see them resign Lofton, as he did a good job this year. Maybe another Lieber-like signing, as he was worth the contract this year. Wagner I'm not so sure what they'll do about him.

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There are very few quality free agents on the marketplace this year. The only realistic starter is Jeff Weaver, and he is not ideal for that park. The Phillies would be better off giving Ryan Madson a slot in the rotation. The big issue is Thome/Howard, and I'm not truly sure of the best course of action there. Jason Michaels can handle the center field job full time. I like Lofton, but I watched Shane Victorino all summer, and I believe he can play as the fourth outfielder quite well. Michael Bourn will play at Scranton and we'll see how center field shakes out from there. As far as Wagner goes, I would love to see the Phillies get bold and sign BJ Ryan instead. He's 90% as good for a few million less per season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Is there any site that has the remaining length of the Phillies players under contract?

 

Dugoutdollars.blogspot.com, but they haven't updated since last July. I can come up with a list, but not tonight. I can tell you Urbina, Wagner, Pratt, Lofton are free agents after this year, and Bell and Lieberthal are free agents after next year. I think Vicente Padilla's eligible for free agency after next year as well.

[Guest Smues]

I had a class tonight so I missed the Braves clinching of course. Huzzah for recording the radio broadcast on XM and listening to it later. I see Bob's already got everybody turned against Atlanta. Thanks Bob. Anyway I know I shouldn't get so excited when Atlanta wins the division since they've done it so many times now (11 in the East, 3 in the West) but I think the fact that every title could be the last is what keeps it exciting. That and we don't go anywhere in the postseason .

 

Absolutely amazing job by Bobby, Leo, John, and everyone else. In a year where everyone in the NL East has a good shot of finishing with a winning record Atlanta's team of rookies shouldn't have done this well.

 

Last year we lost to Houstin 5 in and it hit me like a ton of bricks (yes yes much like the game 5 loss to chicago the year before and the game 5 loss the year before that to the Giants). This year we're going out in 3 to Houstin. MAYBE 4. Same thing if we get San Diego, but maybe out in 5. But I don't care. We shouldn't have gotten this far, everything at this point is a bonus. Even if we get blown out in all 3 games I'll still enjoy seeing the Braves in the post season once again. Go Braves.

[strummer 0]

about BJ Ryan, on the Yankee radio telecast John Sterling mentioned that Ryan publicly said that he will not be returning to the Orioles. Sterling and Waldman, ever the professionals, then said "Can't really blame him, who would want to play in this mess" Anybody hear about this? Didn't get a lot of attention in the media. If this is true, I hope the Mets make a run at him (with of course overpaying him in the end)

[therealworldschampion 0]

Is there any site that has the remaining length of the Phillies players under contract?

 

Dugoutdollars.blogspot.com, but they haven't updated since last July. I can come up with a list, but not tonight. I can tell you Urbina, Wagner, Pratt, Lofton are free agents after this year, and Bell and Lieberthal are free agents after next year. I think Vicente Padilla's eligible for free agency after next year as well.

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My guess is Urbina, Wagner, and Lofton are gone. Pratt might be back again, and Bell and Lieberthal are definitely gone after next year.

[KingPK 0]

Just an aside, one reason that I don't want another Red Sox/Yankees series is that this weekend's series would be even more entertaining and interesting if it was "One team stays, one goes home" instead of having both teams advance anyway via the Wild Card. They can't possibly top the previous two series anyway because neither team is nearly as good as those teams. Outside of the 1-0 game, they haven't played many good games this year.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Abreu struck out pretty much to end the season. I can see Howard Eskin preparing his diatribe now for 3 PM tomorrow on WIP..

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Felix Hernandez was an out away from his first career CG, but Mench doubled to tie it. If the M's can win it in the bottom of the ninth, he'll still get his the GC, but a shame to be so close and have it come apart.

[bob_barron 0]

Hey Smues-

 

Your avatar is my desktop background.

[mike546 0]

Just an aside, one reason that I don't want another Red Sox/Yankees series is that this weekend's series would be even more entertaining and interesting if it was "One team stays, one goes home" instead of having both teams advance anyway via the Wild Card.  They can't possibly top the previous two series anyway because neither team is nearly as good as those teams.  Outside of the 1-0 game, they haven't played many good games this year.

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Schillings first game as closer was a good game. So was Leiters start with the Cora DP. I'm really looking foward to Saturday and especailly Sunday. Both teams will be using all their pitchers if neccessary, I assume.