2014 MLB Thread

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Didn't mean to come off like I am a baseball expert, Don, just know enough to believe an AAA team can't compete with any MLB team consistently. We'll just agree to disagree.

I second this, points A and B. My point was that baseball is, like golf, a sport depending more on skill and execution, and even some luck, than just physical ability, and the best team does not always win. The old axiom is that the worst team in baseball will win 40 games a year, and the best team will lose 40 . . . it's the other 80 that make the difference. Some days your ace loses his arm slot and gets hammered. Some days your hitters are smacking hard liners right at fielders. Some days the ump is squeezing your strike zone, or giving the pitcher all corners and more. I repeat: Baseball's weird. If you don't think so, try making a living betting on games.

[AdamJoshua]

Originally Posted by The Poet

I second this, points A and B. My point was that baseball is, like golf, a sport depending more on skill and execution, and even some luck, than just physical ability, and the best team does not always win. The old axiom is that the worst team in baseball will win 40 games a year, and the best team will lose 40 . . . it's the other 80 that make the difference. Some days your ace loses his arm slot and gets hammered. Some days your hitters are smacking hard liners right at fielders. Some days the ump is squeezing your strike zone, or giving the pitcher all corners and more. I repeat: Baseball's weird. If you don't think so, try making a living betting on games.

You forgot something fundamental, speaking of mental, pressure, you put a AAA team in front of 50,000 rabid fans against a pro team and I would have to say that is going to cause MORE "funny bounces" for the AAA team because they will most likely be more nervous, over play balls, strike out trying to hit a HR in front of the huge crowd. 19 out of 20 might in reality be a bit much, let's go with 17 out of 20 times the pro team is going to win

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

You forgot something fundamental, speaking of mental, pressure, you put a AAA team in front of 50,000 rabid fans against a pro team and I would have to say that is going to cause MORE "funny bounces" for the AAA team because they will most likely be more nervous, over play balls, strike out trying to hit a HR in front of the huge crowd. 19 out of 20 might in reality be a bit much, let's go with 17 out of 20 times the pro team is going to win

It is MORE than "funny bonces" I alluded to, but let's leave that aside. My point was that 19 of 20 may be too great a dominance, and you seem to agree. I hear your point about playing in the bigs, but you overlook the fact that a typical AAA team has quite a few players who have already played in the majors, either as veterans or as youngsters or "AAAA" players called up for cups of coffee. Bottom line, the vast majority of AAA players are AAA players because they are considered to be useful to a MLB team, sometimes on a day's notice. If not, they wouldn't be at the AAA level. Plus, more often than not, MLB trades hinge upon which minor-league players the teams are willing to part with, so even the "true" baseball experts realize their value.

Let's take a step back for a minute. This whole discussion began when Mac expressed the hope that his Mets would field something besides an AAA team this coming season. Now, despite all the injuries and problems my Yankees had last year, no one could reasonably argue that they were not a legitimate MLB team despite the fact that they missed the playoffs by a few games. Well, as Mac would proudly boast, his team swept mine in interleague play last year, going 4-0, and thus it could be argued that the Mets kept the Yankees out of the post-season . . . and, if you accept Mac's premise that they were an AAA team, my point is proven.

Now let's step away entirely. Any thought on the Dodgers' monster contract with Clayton Kershaw? Seven years, $215 million . . . for a pitcher?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by The Poet

try making a living betting on games.

Is there an application I need to fill out?

[Brian D.]

Friend of mine here in Cincy is a Chicago refugee..er, transplant and still a Cubs fan. However when the new "mascot" was debuted the other day, he sent them a suggestion for the number on the back of its jersey: 1909. I found that rather funny.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by The Poet

Now let's step away entirely. Any thought on the Dodgers' monster contract with Clayton Kershaw? Seven years, $215 million . . . for a pitcher?

Insane for any player, especially for a pitcher.

Originally Posted by Brian D.

Friend of mine here in Cincy is a Chicago refugee..er, transplant and still a Cubs fan. However when the new "mascot" was debuted the other day, he sent them a suggestion for the number on the back of its jersey: 1909. I found that rather funny.

NSFW cartoon.

http://deadspin.com/comcast-sportsne...ium=socialflow

Watch the video, funny stuff.

[Brian D.]

Originally Posted by icehog3

NSFW cartoon.

http://deadspin.com/comcast-sportsne...ium=socialflow

Watch the video, funny stuff.

Many years ago here in Cincinnati, there was a nightclub where several of the Reds showed up after games on a regular basis. One time when the Padres were in town they got the 'San Diego Chicken' to come along, in costume. Found myself next to him after some drinking had been done. ( Much more by him than me by the way.) Anyhow at one point he said "Watch this" and every time a pretty girl would pass by he'd ask them "Do you want to touch my p*cker?"

True story, which I'd forgotten about for a long long time until your post, icehog.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by icehog3

NSFW cartoon.

http://deadspin.com/comcast-sportsne...ium=socialflow

Watch the video, funny stuff.

Awesome!

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

Awesome!

Is it? I'm not familiar enough with ursine anatomy to know if it is awesome, or just average.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Is there an application I need to fill out?

Yes, but it is most often call a voluntary committal.