TWiB 6/19 - 6/25

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I was at the Indians/Cubs game, but left during the lengthy rain delay. I would've probably stuck it out had it all been up to me, but the people I was with aren't the biggest fans, so waiting for over an hour was too long for them. Nice to see Blanco filling in nicely for Barrett and Pierre doing what he's supposed to be doing.

 

My seats were probably 10 rows up from the third base side, so I got the pleasure of watching an exciting game of catch between Juan Pierre and Freddie Bynum. I think they were like eight feet apart.

 

I've got tickets to the next two games, but I'm not all that optimistic, since they face lefties. This is one of those cases where it won't kill me to see them lose, since I'm pulling for the Indians, even though they've really taken themselves out of the race in the last week.

[vivalaultra 0]

Hunmberto Sanchez is now 3-0 with an 0.47 ERA for the Toledo Mud Hens. Just what the Tigers need, more pitching help. And the Astros have an even better starter than Roger Clemens in the minors. Jason Hirsh is 7-0 since May 1 for AAA Round Rock.

 

I know, I know. Yeesh. Everybody in Texas is clamoring to get Jason Hirsh to the major leagues. He's been "the next big thing" ever since last year. However, the Astros aren't likely to even give him a cup of coffee until maybe next year, more likely 2008. I hate how we move along pitchers so slowly. Hirsh is going on 25 and he's just now this season in AAA, when he's been hyped as major-league ready for the last 2 or so years. He's got good K/BB ratio. He's got a good WHIP. Hell, he's got a .300 OBP! Unfortunately, the Astros seem to have an ultra-crowded rotation, especially now with Clemens coming back and Backe about to be Backe. I've missed Backe. Go 'Stros.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Devil Rays have dealt OF Joey Gathright to the Royals for pitcher JP Howell.

[Guest]

If he can get on base, he'll steal them in droves.

[Vampiro69 0]

I decided to cast my all-star ballot, and to stave off some criticism I will say that with some guys I think are have a good year and think that they deserve some votes even though a more popular guy "A_Rod" will get the most votes

 

American League

1st- Justin Morneau- Recently improved .270 avg nice RBI's and HR

2nd- Tad Iguchi

3rd- Brandon Inge Actually I just like the guy

SS- Michael Young. Stats would be better if Texiera and Blalock would step up their games

OF- Vernon Wells

OF- Vlad Guerrero

OF- Curtis Granderson- great season from a young player

CA- Joe Mauer

 

National League

1st- Albert Pujols

2nd- Dan Uggla

3rd- Miguel Cabrera this was a toss up between him and David Wright, but since New Yorkers would vote Wright I went Miggy

SS- Flipe Lopez

OF- Alfonso Soriano

OF- Carlos Lee, so under appreciated and soon to get a huge payday

OF- Jason Bay- I wanted a Pirate there

CA- Johnny Estrada- Went with the solid catcher from my fantasy team

 

I know this isn't the standard ballot, but darn it I would love to see some of these guys make it.

[CanadianChris 0]

Awesome, some Vernon Wells love.

 

Ichiro overtook Johnny Damon for the third OF spot in the AL. Alex Rios now has over 200,000 votes despite not even being on the ballot.

[Guest]

1st- Albert Pujols

2nd- Jeff Kent

3rd- David Wright

SS- Hanley Ramirez, Furcal on my second ballot

OF- Alfonso Soriano

OF- Carlos Beltran

OF- Jason Bay

C- Brian McCann

 

1st- David Ortiz, Hafner on my 2nd

2nd- Jose Lopez

3rd- Mr. Clutch

SS- Tejada

OF- Vernon Wells

OF- Vlad Guerrero

OF- Manny on 1st, Ichiro on 2nd

C- Joe Mauer

 

NL catching is the drizzling shits.

[The Man in Blak 0]

The Devil Rays have dealt OF Joey Gathright to the Royals for pitcher JP Howell.

 

That's an...interesting deal. Not that Gathright doesn't have value as a defender and a stolen base threat, but the Royals are struggling to find live arms to start games and Howell, recent shoulder soreness be damned, was still a young arm that might have been worth keeping around. Does Gathright go to left, or does he take center field and push DeJesus/Costa out to the corner?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Ryan Howard just launched a three run shot into the THIRD deck at Citizens Bank Park.

[naiwf 0]

That guy is freakishly strong. The one time I'm rooting for the Yankees this season and of course they're just not getting it done.

 

On the bright side, Delgado just hit his 20th, and the Mets lead 3-0 after 1. It's nice to get out to an early lead again.

[CanadianChris 0]

They just showed highlights from the 1992 Jays/Braves World Series. I get chills everytime I see it. I still remember exactly where I was and what we did after Game 6.

[Hawk 34 0]

One of the most fun things about the ASG voting is the "a player from all teams must be on the roster" ruling and you always get that one player from a shit team that knows he shouldn't be there and that he took a spot from a deserving player.

[Guest]

I can't wait to see who they take from the Royals.

 

SCOTT ELARTON or MARK GRUDZIELANEK!

[CanadianChris 0]

I don't think I could name one Kansas City Royal, period, let alone one that could even be considered for the All-Star team.

 

And which Chicago Cub is going to make it? I'm assuming Aramis Ramirez, since Lee's been out most of the season, right?

[KingPK 0]

Look at that, Wakefield's actually getting run support tonight.

[Hawk 34 0]

I hate how the ballot is written before the season even begins because usually players aren't even in that spot or with that team or aren't on the ballot at all.

 

Write-in votes aren't always going to help.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Devil Rays have dealt OF Joey Gathright to the Royals for pitcher JP Howell.

 

That's an...interesting deal. Not that Gathright doesn't have value as a defender and a stolen base threat, but the Royals are struggling to find live arms to start games and Howell, recent shoulder soreness be damned, was still a young arm that might have been worth keeping around. Does Gathright go to left, or does he take center field and push DeJesus/Costa out to the corner?

I imagine Gathright becomes a fourth outfielder, pushing Kerry Robinson off the club. Personally, I think if a club offers anything of value for any Royals pitcher, it's probably worth accepting.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Ryan Howard 5, Yankees 3

[naiwf 0]

If the Phillies make the WC or win the division Howard might finish top 2 or 3 in the MVP voting, he's got 25 HR and 64 RBI now . . . . or 1 RBI short of Pujols' numbers before he got hurt which just makes Albert's start that much more impressive.

[Mik 0]

Barring a miracle, 9 in a row for the Marlins.

 

6-0 w/ Willis pitching a great game...bottom of the 7th.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Barring a miracle, 9 in a row for the Marlins.

 

6-0 w/ Willis pitching a great game...bottom of the 7th.

 

6-2 now after a Patterson 2 run shot.

 

This game has stunk..Mora got hurt and it didnt look good..Cabrerra gave up 2 HR which equals the # he gave up all year prior..bad baserunning..ugh.

 

at least no shutout I suppose.

[mike546 0]

Obviously the Yankees haven't learned to NOT FUCKING PITCH TO RYAN HOWARD.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Ryan Howard 7, Yankees 5

[Mik 0]

Here's an interesting tidbit: Dontrelle Willis is now the all-time Marlins wins leader w/ 50 wins. He passed AJ Burnett. He's 24 w/ 50 wins...not too shabby.

[Hawk 34 0]

That was a cute moment with the Valentin's tonight.

[mike546 0]

Has there ever been a reliever so bad against one team in his career, no matter the year, or who hes facing, than Arthurd Rhodes against the Yankees?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Has there ever been a reliever so bad against one team in his career, no matter the year, or who hes facing, than Arthurd Rhodes against the Yankees?

Mitch Williams and the Blue Jays comes to mind.

[strummer 0]

Todd Worrell against the Mets?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Worrell had a 4.18 ERA career against the Mets. Rhodes had a 6.86 career against the Yankees in 80 innings coming into this season. Retrosheet has the splits available if anyone cares to look for anyone worse. Let's require a minimum of 50 IP for this exercise.

 

Mariano Rivera struck out in his first official regular season at bat of his career. He was 0 for 3 in World Series play.

[mike546 0]

Playoffs too, Rhodes gave up the 3 run HRer to David Justice in game 6 of the 2000 ALCS if I remember correctly.

 

EDIT: FUCK FUCK WALK HIM WALK HIM WALK HIM.

 

edit: Phew.