The MLB thread

[Jedi Shrimper]

Thanks for all the info chaps, tickets are booked now, sunday 31st august chicago cubs v phillies. i will of course be wearing my shrimpers top ;)

 

[loz]

Thanks for all the info chaps, tickets are booked now, sunday 31st august chicago cubs v phillies. i will of course be wearing my shrimpers top ;)

Have fun, although obviously I hope the Cubs get beat.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Have fun, although obviously I hope the Cubs get beat.

Not likely mate ;)

Been watching a few games on Channel 5 and i'm pretty sure i get it now, haven't got my head round the averages etc but I don't need to know that to enjoy a game.

Really lookin' forward to it now (less than a month now), especially after watching the Cubs beat the Brewers the other night. Cubs are top of their division, and could possibly end their 100 year World Series drought!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Not likely mate ;)

Been watching a few games on Channel 5 and i'm pretty sure i get it now, haven't got my head round the averages etc but I don't need to know that to enjoy a game.

Really lookin' forward to it now (less than a month now), especially after watching the Cubs beat the Brewers the other night. Cubs are top of their division, and could possibly end their 100 year World Series drought!

The Cubs are my bet for the NL, but the Mets have a shot too.

In the AL, the Angels should be favourites from their record but I'm not totally convinced that they have the toughness to compete with the boys from the East. For my beloved Rays (and I ain't jumping on a bandwagon I've been through every one of their wretched campaigns) it's all about winning the division and getting home field advantage, as the Trop is an absolute fortress. Longoria and Crawford are both on the DL which is a big worry but the return of Baldelli softens that blow. Everyone is waiting for the Rays to implode and be overhauled by the Sux and the Pinstripers, but keep the faith people, the AL Pennant is coming to St Pete.

 

[TrueBlue]

Another ****ing stupid gay yank game

 

[dashman]

Another ****ing stupid gay yank game

Stooping a bit to Scotties 'level' here but there aren't many sports where you can sit and have food & drink (even beer) delivered to your seat while you watch the game.

In answer to your next question, yes in some stadiums you can get a steak meal too!

Don't 'dis' it till you have experienced the game......

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Pretty amazing game the other night. The Red Sox went 10-0 up in the first inning, only for the Rangers to fight back and take the lead and the Red Sox to then come from behind. Crazy, crazy game.

 

[canadianshrimpers]

the toronto blue jays are the best .... am i right in saying the jays have got the yankees @ home ???

 

[dashman]

the toronto blue jays are the best .... am i right in saying the jays have got the yankees @ home ???

Jays@ home to Y***ees 21st, then home to BoSox 22nd, 23rd & 24th Aug mate

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Off to Chicago tomorrow, the game is on Sunday. Expect to see a very poor match report when i return. ;)

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

On a desperate day for the Blues, at least the Rays put a smile on my face by recording their 82nd win and ensuring the first winning season in franchise history. I am now confident we will win 100 games, take the division and ride home field advantage all the way to World Series triumph. Sorry all you Cubbies fans.

 

[loz]

and the Phillies beat the Cubs in front of SZ's very own Jonny O yesterday, good times- very happy with a split series at Wrigley Field.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

So I’m back from Chicago, and watching my first baseball game. As Loz so kindly pointed out the Cubs lost 5-3 to the Phillies, but I still had a great time. Infact the Cubs lost every game they had while i was in the States - 6 in a row! - then promptly won when i left. :doh:

So the game, well in the very first inning the Phillies scored 3 times which made it difficult for the Cubs to come back, especially with first choice pitcher Carlos Zambrano withdrawing with a tired arm just before the game started which was doubley disappointing after I’d bought a Zambrano Cubs shirt outside. The Cubs fought hard, picking up 3 scores by the 7th inning, but the Phillies had scored twice more to keep agonisingly ahead, and the tension in the last 2 innings was incredible.

Wrigley Field is a great old stadium, full of atmosphere and the other fans were really friendly, I loved the experience, I’m definitely a Cubs fan now. The fact you could get a beer without leaving your seat was awesome! The 7th inning stetch was fun too, singing 'Take me out to the ballgame'. Once I’ve sorted my photo’s out I’ll post some up on this thread. Apparently they're going to renovate Wrigley Field soon, I hope they don't lose the atmosphere & feeling of history.

I definitely want to go to other games in the future, maybe they’ll even win! Luckily as my girlfriend’s family live in North Indiana we’ll always go to visit them and maybe stop off in Chicago for a game. ;)

“Let’s Go Cubbies, Let’s Go!”

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Rant

Why oh why does everywhere in the UK stock PS2 games of American Football, Ice Hockey & Basketball but NOT Baseball?

Been searching on Amazon, Play, Game, and even ebay for one. Thought it would be good fun to play and a good way to learn about the averages etc. All I've found so far are a few games on Amazon, all of which are 2nd hand....
MLB 2006 - unavailable
MLB 2005 - £33 2ndhand!
MLB 2k5 - £15 2ndhand
MLB Slugfest 2004 - £13 2ndhand
All Star Baseball 2004 - £25

Any reccomendations folks? Or do you know of somewhere else I can get hold of baseball games for PS2 for the uk?

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Why oh why does everywhere in the UK stock PS2 games of American Football, Ice Hockey & Basketball but NOT Baseball?

Been searching on Amazon, Play, Game, and even ebay for one. Thought it would be good fun to play and a good way to learn about the averages etc. All I've found so far are a few games on Amazon, all of which are 2nd hand....
MLB 2006 - unavailable
MLB 2005 - £33 2ndhand!
MLB 2k5 - £15 2ndhand
MLB Slugfest 2004 - £13 2ndhand
All Star Baseball 2004 - £25

Any reccomendations folks? Or do you know of somewhere else I can get hold of baseball games for PS2 for the uk?

The best way to go for MLB games is on the PC platform in my experience - the 'arcade' element of the game is a small part of it and keyboard functionality helps with the rest of the game. Have a look at Baseball Mogul 2009 and OOTP Baseball 9 - both very good.

On an unrelated note - seeing those Red Sux fans crying last night gave me a semi. Go Rays!

 

[dashman]

I liked going to the Trop, and I wish I could be there to the dome full of fans. Sadly in 2006 the owners were doing their utmost to get the fans to come out to the games, IMO they were doing a good job. I'm glad to see it has worked & the Rays have won thier division, Red Sox have to give way for an up & coming team, well done to the Rays franchise.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I liked going to the Trop, and I wish I could be there to the dome full of fans. Sadly in 2006 the owners were doing their utmost to get the fans to come out to the games, IMO they were doing a good job. I'm glad to see it has worked & the Rays have won thier division, Red Sox have to give way for an up & coming team, well done to the Rays franchise.

If the Rays hold on and win the division, defeating the two biggest spending teams in MLB in the Red Sux and the Yankees (as well as a very good Toronto club), it will be a truly incredible achievement. It would be the equivalent of a club like Reading winning the Premiership, the Rays' entire payroll is the same as the left side of the Yanks' defence.

The Trop is attracting better crowds - obviously the superior product is the biggest factor, but one thing the team's new management has done to attract the fans is well worth a mention. Instead of paying $10 to park at the Trop, it is now free. No strings, no catches, 100% free. I would love to see that at FF.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

The best way to go for MLB games is on the PC platform in my experience - the 'arcade' element of the game is a small part of it and keyboard functionality helps with the rest of the game. Have a look at Baseball Mogul 2009 and OOTP Baseball 9 - both very good.

On an unrelated note - seeing those Red Sux fans crying last night gave me a semi. Go Rays!

Cheers for the advice, sadly I don't have a PC only a Mac. I've been considering buying a Wii for a while and the fact you can get baseball games for the Uk on the Wii may just force my hand.

Good luck to the Rays, you've a slim lead at the top of the AL East but like you say it will a great acheivement if you win it. The Cubs are on a bit of a downward spiral at the minute, only won 1 in 9. But luckily the Brewers have been losing just as much so we still have a 4.5 game lead, our magic number is 14 now.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Cheers for the advice, sadly I don't have a PC only a Mac. I've been considering buying a Wii for a while and the fact you can get baseball games for the Uk on the Wii may just force my hand.

Good luck to the Rays, you've a slim lead at the top of the AL East but like you say it will a great acheivement if you win it. The Cubs are on a bit of a downward spiral at the minute, only won 1 in 9. But luckily the Brewers have been losing just as much so we still have a 4.5 game lead, our magic number is 14 now.

It does seem like everyone is limping towards the finish line - looks like we could have a similar situation to last year where a team hits a hot streak, sneaks into the playoffs and makes it to the world series. I think it's too late for Toronto, but they look very strong right now, their pitching is so sick they only need a couple of runs per game.

I hope the Cubs make it, it's about time, and could open the floodgates to future successes as it did for the Sux in 2004.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

C'mon on the Rays (and the Blue Jays). Got to be supporting the underdog against the evil Yankees and nearly as annoying Red Sox.

My Reds are currently just playing spoilers, which was all well and good against the Cubs, but is dangerous against the Brewers as it may let the Cubbies in.

Can't advise on PC/console games, but if you are looking for some good reading Moneyball is a fascinating account of how Billy Beane's Oakland A's remain competitive (obviously not this season).