The MLB thread

[Yorkshire Blue]

Don't know if anyone else follows American rounders now BAG has been banned.

My Reds are having a real up and down season. They fired their highly regarded GM after starting 9-12, saying they wanted to win now, and promptly went and lost more games. They dealt the 5-tool ex-crack addict, Josh Hamilton to Texas where he's putting up MVP numbers (including a grand slam last night) and is on course for the triple crown, but the young pitcher they received in return, Edison Volquez, has been lights out with a MLB leading 1.31 ERA and he seems destined to meet Hamilton in the All-Stars game.

Volquez was 7-1, but picked up the loss on an unearned run in a 19 (yes, nineteen) innings defeat on Monday, in which the Reds managed to use 24 of their 25 man roster and **** up their starting rotation. The only player who didn't play that game, was young pitching sensation Johnny Cueto, who started last night but only managed 5 innings, although he still got the win following another big Adam Dunn home run - Dunn had hardly had a hit all season but in the last couple of weeks is hitting home runs for fun. Last night's game was however overshadowed by the debut of Jay Bruce, the number one prospect in the whole of baseball who went a sensational 3-3 with 2 walks and 2 RBIs. Typically, Bruce's debut was held back until a home series, trying to cash in on a big turn-out to see the saviour of the franchise (last year's saviour, Homer Bailey is back in triple AAA) but then only 11,000 turned up to watch.

 

[dashman]

My friend leaves for Fenway Park next month, we go alot to games (normally East coast), most tickets are available by ticketmaster but for some reason the dates he is there are not on sale, yet anyway, which is weird. Saw the BoSox sweep the damn Yankees at YStadium Aprill 2004 before they went onto break the curse etc. Devil Rays are ok in my book too, we have seen about 5games at the Trop in 2006.

Dash

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

The Yankees have a joint-marketing agreement with Man U, if that isn't enough to justify them being the damn Yankees, I don't know what is.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My friend leaves for Fenway Park next month, we go alot to games (normally East coast), most tickets are available by ticketmaster but for some reason the dates he is there are not on sale, yet anyway, which is weird. Saw the BoSox sweep the damn Yankees at YStadium Aprill 2004 before they went onto break the curse etc. Devil Rays are ok in my book too, we have seen about 5games at the Trop in 2006.

Dash

The Rays and the Red Sox don't appear to be particularly friendly at the moment.

baseball is better than football

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Oh yeah and Beckham has been making all the headlines in the US.

Tim Beckham who went no.1 in the MLB draft. Gordon Beckham (no relation) went no.8.

 

[chaco27saf]

Well, I'm a Rockies fan and after last year's miracle finish to the season expectations were very high for this year, only to be fully crushed only 2 months into the season. Still, perhaps the Rox have a bit of magic left, especially with Holliday coming off the DL on Tuesday and Tulowitzki hopefully following suit in a couple of weeks. Plus the rotation should be bolstered with the return of Jason Hirsh, who hasn't pitched since last August after breaking his leg.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Well, I'm a Rockies fan and after last year's miracle finish to the season expectations were very high for this year, only to be fully crushed only 2 months into the season. Still, perhaps the Rox have a bit of magic left, especially with Holliday coming off the DL on Tuesday and Tulowitzki hopefully following suit in a couple of weeks. Plus the rotation should be bolstered with the return of Jason Hirsh, who hasn't pitched since last August after breaking his leg.

Are expectations mile high?

 

[palexander]

Just got into Baseball this year. Through my love of my time in NYC, I like both the Mets and Yankees. Loving the coverage on C5...

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Just got into Baseball this year. Through my love of my time in NYC, I like both the Mets and Yankees. Loving the coverage on C5...

Have Channel 5 got a schedule showing what games they are showing anywhere?

 

[dashman]

Just got into Baseball this year. Through my love of my time in NYC, I like both the Mets and Yankees. Loving the coverage on C5...

No, No, NO!

The Mets - you support The Mets, just forget about those damn Y***ees!

 

[loz]

all looking rather good for the Phillies- hitting runs for fun at the moment and the pitching (while still a weaker link) is looking improved on last season. Am in the US at the moment on holiday so i've been watching a lot, including Ryan Howard finding some form yesterday to help beat the Braves 6-3 on the road.

 

[palexander]

No, No, NO!

The Mets - you support The Mets, just forget about those damn Y***ees!

But I have an A-Rod jersey!!! :D

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

I have to confess to not knowing much about Baseball, but I'll be finding out alot more soon, as I'll be going to see my first game at the end of august. Chicago Cubs v Phillies at Wrigley Field. Can't wait :cool:

 

[dashman]

I have to confess to not knowing much about Baseball, but I'll be finding out alot more soon, as I'll be going to see my first game at the end of august. Chicago Cubs v Phillies at Wrigley Field. Can't wait :cool:

Jonny you will enjoy it, never been to the brickyard but it is a traditional ballpark so the atmos will be superb. Try & watch/tape Channel 5's coverage to get the terminology, stats etc before you go. Normally they play 3/4 games at a time against the same team; Fri night, Sat afternoon (double header), Sun afternoon and occasionally Mondays. I've seen MLB & AAA games & they have all been good, but to the novice I guess a pitching duel is the least interesting.

My friend got into a BOSox game that was slow for 7 innings (just two runs to the Cardinals) but then the Sox levelled as the starting pitcher was replaced by the Cards. In the 9th Sox had the lead but their closing pitcher couldn't stop the Cards levelling so it went into extra innings - Sox won in the 13th! Just an example of how a game can change etc...

Grab a corn/chilli dog with a beer, I've always thought there is a good choice. Any free comp's are good with the 7th inning stretch being a right laugh. Except cotton eye joe at Y***kee Stadium which sucks but the ground staff tidying the bases to YMCA is a chuckle! The Rays were very entertaining at the Trop, great mascot.

Anyway, go early, look around & mingle some - great time all round,

Dash

 

[dashman]

But I have an A-Rod jersey!!! :D

The 'A' is for ****hole-Rod lol!

Yolkees suck,

Dash

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Jonny you will enjoy it, never been to the brickyard but it is a traditional ballpark so the atmos will be superb. Try & watch/tape Channel 5's coverage to get the terminology, stats etc before you go. Normally they play 3/4 games at a time against the same team; Fri night, Sat afternoon (double header), Sun afternoon and occasionally Mondays. I've seen MLB & AAA games & they have all been good, but to the novice I guess a pitching duel is the least interesting.

My friend got into a BOSox game that was slow for 7 innings (just two runs to the Cardinals) but then the Sox levelled as the starting pitcher was replaced by the Cards. In the 9th Sox had the lead but their closing pitcher couldn't stop the Cards levelling so it went into extra innings - Sox won in the 13th! Just an example of how a game can change etc...

Grab a corn/chilli dog with a beer, I've always thought there is a good choice. Any free comp's are good with the 7th inning stretch being a right laugh. Except cotton eye joe at Y***kee Stadium which sucks but the ground staff tidying the bases to YMCA is a chuckle! The Rays were very entertaining at the Trop, great mascot.

Anyway, go early, look around & mingle some - great time all round,

Dash

Cheers Dash,

The Cubs are my girlfriend's team, and being a Southend fan i'm somewhat drawn to them, oldest wooden stadium round, longest World Series drought in MLB history!

We're booking our seats now as the Cubs always sells out, and we're booking seats right at the top in the Upper deck - cheapest seats! So i'm guessing the cheapest seats will be one of the best area's for atmosphere. I'll have to steer clear of the chilli dogs tho as i'm veggie, but nachos and beer will be order of the day!

When is the Channel 5 coverage on do you know?

Still The Cubs had a great year last season and are going well again this year. Hopefully when i go they'll give Loz & Mrs Loz's Phillies a good hiding! ;)

 

[dashman]

Cheers Dash,

The Cubs are my girlfriend's team, and being a Southend fan i'm somewhat drawn to them, oldest wooden stadium round, longest World Series drought in MLB history!

We're booking our seats now as the Cubs always sells out, and we're booking seats right at the top in the Upper deck - cheapest seats! So i'm guessing the cheapest seats will be one of the best area's for atmosphere. I'll have to steer clear of the chilli dogs tho as i'm veggie, but nachos and beer will be order of the day!

When is the Channel 5 coverage on do you know?

Still The Cubs had a great year last season and are going well again this year. Hopefully when i go they'll give Loz & Mrs Loz's Phillies a good hiding! ;)

Tape C5 00:45 Monday morning (ie Sunday night) till 04:20.

They also do Tours of Stadiums etc.

I recommend that you relax into it, it would seem slow but things change so quickly, bases get loaded or solo home run.

I must admit to having a complete blast at the games I have attended & getting involved a little too with dumb sponsorship games! AAA was good as the whole community can out to see the game for the Orlando Cubs during the MLB players strike 1994.

Nearly always something going on.

Have fun & let me know how you got on etc,

Luck, Dash

 

[dashman]

Yep - deffo wanna hear everything about the game.

Hmmm, baseball match reports from soccer fans, now there's a thought!

Dash

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Baseball is a fascinating game and there is a lot more to it than many people credit.

To score runs isn't all about hitting home runs - although, that is one option - there are about a dozen ways you can score.

The lead-off batter, usually the quickest player in the team, may try and draw a walk by continually fouling off pitches until the pitcher gives up 4 balls, allowing him to advance to first base. He may then try and utilise his speed to steal second base. The second batter may then try and bunt him over to third base, by instead of swinging the bat trying to block the ball and drop it by his feet and then trying to outrun the fielders. Once at third base, the number three hitter, the three-hole hitter - normally the best all-round hitter in the team - might then hit a sacrifice fly to get the runner home, skying the ball and being caught in the outfield, but giving the base-runner at third enough time to score by reaching home safely. That sequence would see a team score without making a conventional hit (and ignores the other team making a mistake).

Whilst a batter fouling off pitches may seem boring, once you realise the purpose it serves (the batter is waiting for a pitch he wants to hit, it drives up the pitchers' pitch count, it gives any base-runners a better opportunity to steal a base) it becomes a much more intriguing prospect.

If you watch a few games on Channel 5, you'll get the hang of it fairly quickly and if you've any questions, I'm sure Colorado Shrimper will be happy to help you (or if it is an easy question I'll try and answer it).

 

[dashman]

Baseball is a fascinating game and there is a lot more to it than many people credit.

To score runs isn't all about hitting home runs - although, that is one option - there are about a dozen ways you can score.

The lead-off batter, usually the quickest player in the team, may try and draw a walk by continually fouling off pitches until the pitcher gives up 4 balls, allowing him to advance to first base. He may then try and utilise his speed to steal second base. The second batter may then try and bunt him over to third base, by instead of swinging the bat trying to block the ball and drop it by his feet and then trying to outrun the fielders. Once at third base, the number three hitter, the three-hole hitter - normally the best all-round hitter in the team - might then hit a sacrifice fly to get the runner home, skying the ball and being caught in the outfield, but giving the base-runner at third enough time to score by reaching home safely. That sequence would see a team score without making a conventional hit (and ignores the other team making a mistake).

Whilst a batter fouling off pitches may seem boring, once you realise the purpose it serves (the batter is waiting for a pitch he wants to hit, it drives up the pitchers' pitch count, it gives any base-runners a better opportunity to steal a base) it becomes a much more intriguing prospect.

If you watch a few games on Channel 5, you'll get the hang of it fairly quickly and if you've any questions, I'm sure Colorado Shrimper will be happy to help you (or if it is an easy question I'll try and answer it).

The best all round hitter, although out by being caught in the outfield earns a stat called an RBI (run batted in).

Funny thing is you watch the ****ees sometimes force a run like this when they (struggle!) find it hard to hit off the pitcher and the game is kinda close or they need to be closer at the end of a game - then the opposite side bat and stick a couple over the boundary bish, bash, bosh lol!

Dash