2020 MLB Season Thread! "Damn Yankees?" Cheating Astros Red Sox? Nats Repeat? Oakland's Young Pitching?

[Rick N. Backer]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

I was going to make the point that it does matter the level that the sport is being played, but it's not youth sports or even a paid for minor conference preconference football game between Alabama and the Citadel, they all have access to the same player pool, and it's not like the Rangers had a pitcher throwing.

 

I did see a reference to 28-3, is that the average score of a Red Sox game this year?

 

Their offense isn't that good this year.

I was being nice, because of the mutual respect between Boston teams and their foes (Yankee fans notwithstanding).

 

Yeah, I saw that the Cubs were in first place. You must be so proud. Sort of like that time when my family went out for a round of miniature golf and I won. I almost had a couple of holes-in-one too!

[laughedatbytime]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

I was going to make the point that it does matter the level that the sport is being played, but it's not youth sports or even a paid for minor conference preconference football game between Alabama and the Citadel, they all have access to the same player pool, and it's not like the Rangers had a pitcher throwing.

 

I did see a reference to 28-3, is that the average score of a Red Sox game this year?

 

Their offense isn't that good this year.

I was being nice, because of the mutual respect between Boston teams and their foes (Yankee fans notwithstanding).

 

Yeah, I saw that the Cubs were in first place. You must be so proud. Sort of like that time when my family went out for a round of miniature golf and I won. I almost had a couple of holes-in-one too!

There's the magnanimity Boston fans are so known for.

 

It's gotta be nice to have a baseball team in town that within the period of 2018-2020 exhibits two different aspects of the maxim "if you're not cheating, you're not trying". At least we know your football coach will never give up.

[Rick N. Backer]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

I was going to make the point that it does matter the level that the sport is being played, but it's not youth sports or even a paid for minor conference preconference football game between Alabama and the Citadel, they all have access to the same player pool, and it's not like the Rangers had a pitcher throwing.

 

I did see a reference to 28-3, is that the average score of a Red Sox game this year?

 

Their offense isn't that good this year.

I was being nice, because of the mutual respect between Boston teams and their foes (Yankee fans notwithstanding).

 

Yeah, I saw that the Cubs were in first place. You must be so proud. Sort of like that time when my family went out for a round of miniature golf and I won. I almost had a couple of holes-in-one too!

There's the magnanimity Boston fans are so known for.

 

It's gotta be nice to have a baseball team in town that within the period of 2018-2020 exhibits two different aspects of the maxim "if you're not cheating, you're not trying". At least we know your football coach will never give up.

 

"Magnanimity?" Your irony-meter must have just exploded.

[Chicken hawk]

They all make to much money. haha Well not this season , but they do usually play 162 games.

 

Edited August 21, 2020 by Chicken hawk

[laughedatbytime]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

I was going to make the point that it does matter the level that the sport is being played, but it's not youth sports or even a paid for minor conference preconference football game between Alabama and the Citadel, they all have access to the same player pool, and it's not like the Rangers had a pitcher throwing.

 

I did see a reference to 28-3, is that the average score of a Red Sox game this year?

 

Their offense isn't that good this year.

I was being nice, because of the mutual respect between Boston teams and their foes (Yankee fans notwithstanding).

 

Yeah, I saw that the Cubs were in first place. You must be so proud. Sort of like that time when my family went out for a round of miniature golf and I won. I almost had a couple of holes-in-one too!

There's the magnanimity Boston fans are so known for.

 

It's gotta be nice to have a baseball team in town that within the period of 2018-2020 exhibits two different aspects of the maxim "if you're not cheating, you're not trying". At least we know your football coach will never give up.

 

"Magnanimity?" Your irony-meter must have just exploded.

It did. It was never designed to handle "magnanimity" and "Boston fans" in the same sentence. Then again, how could it have been?

[Principled Man]

I used a word that is both offensive and insulting. In the past 24 hours, I have read about its history; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I, someone who makes his living by the use of words, could be so careless and insensitive.

 

[because, you see, I have always closed my eyes and ears to the worldwide harassment, abuse, discrimination and violence against gay people. It's been out in the open, for all to see, and I ignored it all.]

 

-- Thom Brennaman

[edhunter]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

Edited August 21, 2020 by edhunter

[laughedatbytime]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

[driventotheedge]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

This. These are pros. Unwritten rules are stupid, but.......

 

Now how about a guy that bunts in say the 8th inning when a pitcher has a no-hitter going? To me that's bush league as hell but I was a decent pitcher and a shitty hitter eons ago when I played the game so that might cloud my thinking.

[Rick N. Backer]

I'm curious about y'all's take on the Tatis, Jr. grand slam controversy. If you missed it, here's the details...

 

SD Padres are up 10-3 on the Rangers in the top of the 8th. With one out and the bases loaded, Fernando gets to a 3-0 count, meaning there's high odds that the next pitch is down the pipe. Sure enough, he gets a pitch that is low in the zone and he jacks it. He is later criticized by the Rangers manager, as well as his own, for breaking an unwritten rule of taking a pitch when you have a lead.

 

https://www.sbnation...ers-controversy

 

ETA: Tatis stole 3rd up 6-0 the next day.

 

I've never heard that rule (taking a pitch with a lead), and it sounds pretty dumb to me. I'm all for not running up the score on teams, but at the same time, I think it's MORE demeaning to a team to stop trying. Sports are also filled with examples of teams coming back from, say, 28-3 deficits in the third quarter of a Super Bowl. ( :hi: LABT). If you're hitting, and the pitcher throws an obvious strike, you swing. I've never liked the Boggs rule of not swinging at the first pitch, or the take with a 3-0 count rule. How about hitters learn the strike zone, show some discipline, and make the pitcher do his job? If he grooves one, swing the bat.

And we're talking about professional sports, here, where contracts are built around incentives, and awards are given for stats with little regard to context. Why should a player be encouraged to pass on an opportunity to perform the job he's paid to do?

This. These are pros. Unwritten rules are stupid, but.......

 

Now how about a guy that bunts in say the 8th inning when a pitcher has a no-hitter going? To me that's bush league as hell but I was a decent pitcher and a shitty hitter eons ago when I played the game so that might cloud my thinking.

 

Thinking about that, I would say it's not the hitter's job to help the pitcher get his no-hitter. In the same we all applaud "spoilers" in the closing weeks of a regular season harming their opponent's playoff position.

 

I was a much better pitcher than hitter myself. When I was a senior in high school, I'm quite certain there were guys who had played against me for a couple of years who didn't like me and probably would have relished doing it to me if I were in that position. I would imagine that's magnified exponentially at the professional level.

[Rick N. Backer]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

[laughedatbytime]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

 

Buckets of fried chicken will do that to you.

 

As for the manager, I know that and I'm not even a Sawx fan. What kind of fans do you have in that town, anyway?

 

Don't answer that.... ;)

[Rick N. Backer]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

 

Spoken like a true person from outside New England. The Patriots were a circus sideshow for many years until Mr. Kraft bought them. Fans aren't obligated to support teams that perennially stink. Look at the Dallas Stars. How did they end up there?

 

I don't know why the fans didn't support the Celtics when they were like a cop kneeling on the neck of the rest of the league for almost 9 minutes back in the 60s.

[laughedatbytime]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

 

Spoken like a true person from outside New England. The Patriots were a circus sideshow for many years until Mr. Kraft bought them. Fans aren't obligated to support teams that perennially stink. Look at the Dallas Stars. How did they end up there?

 

I don't know why the fans didn't support the Celtics when they were like a cop kneeling on the neck of the rest of the league for almost 9 minutes back in the 60s.

You don't? There's been speculation...

[Rick N. Backer]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

 

Spoken like a true person from outside New England. The Patriots were a circus sideshow for many years until Mr. Kraft bought them. Fans aren't obligated to support teams that perennially stink. Look at the Dallas Stars. How did they end up there?

 

I don't know why the fans didn't support the Celtics when they were like a cop kneeling on the neck of the rest of the league for almost 9 minutes back in the 60s.

You don't? There's been speculation...

 

Probably the racist mascot. That's always offended me.

[laughedatbytime]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

 

Spoken like a true person from outside New England. The Patriots were a circus sideshow for many years until Mr. Kraft bought them. Fans aren't obligated to support teams that perennially stink. Look at the Dallas Stars. How did they end up there?

 

I don't know why the fans didn't support the Celtics when they were like a cop kneeling on the neck of the rest of the league for almost 9 minutes back in the 60s.

You don't? There's been speculation...

 

Probably the racist mascot. That's always offended me.

Maybe LeBron could lead a charge to get it updated to the visage of Xi Jinping.

[driventotheedge]

The 1932 Red Sox were 43-111, so no.

 

Anyway, Boston's never been a football town, and the Pats "magic" will soon be gone, as distant a memory as a cheap hand job to their owner...they'll be a clear fourth again though when the Celtics were winning all those championships back in the early 60s they weren't all that popular for some reason ;). As for soccer...pfffft.

 

Spoken like a true person from outside New England. The Patriots were a circus sideshow for many years until Mr. Kraft bought them. Fans aren't obligated to support teams that perennially stink. Look at the Dallas Stars. How did they end up there?

 

I don't know why the fans didn't support the Celtics when they were like a cop kneeling on the neck of the rest of the league for almost 9 minutes back in the 60s.

Too many black players?

Serious question

[edhunter]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

 

The most enjoyable thing about that season was seeing the FB posts from friends of mine whining that the Yankees tanked their last game to keep the Sox out of the playoffs. The Yanks took a lead into the 9th against Tampa, but Girardi went with a different reliever than Rivera, who gave up a walkoff.

 

Awesome.

[Rick N. Backer]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

 

The most enjoyable thing about that season was seeing the FB posts from friends of mine whining that the Yankees tanked their last game to keep the Sox out of the playoffs. The Yanks took a lead into the 9th against Tampa, but Girardi went with a different reliever than Rivera, who gave up a walkoff.

 

Awesome.

 

Always had respect for Rivera. I was at opening day 2005. When he got announced, the fans gave him a standing O because of how he blew games 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS on the way to the first and only choke of a 3-0 lead in baseball history. He smiled and tipped his cap. He got another one when he headed out to the bullpen in the late innings.

 

Awesome.

[Rick N. Backer]

I'm sorry ed, but the Yankees aren't the boogeyman to Sox fans you want them to be. The Sox have beaten the Yankees the last 2 times they've played in the post season. One of them will always be remembered as an historic choke by the Yankees. The Sox have won 4 World Series this century, 2 since the Yankees' last championship. Don't get me wrong. I hate them and their fans. But we don't dread the Yankees now, it's just not the same. It will never be. You'll just have to live with that. And, of late, being a weak post season team.

[edhunter]

I'm sorry ed, but the Yankees aren't the boogeyman to Sox fans you want them to be. The Sox have beaten the Yankees the last 2 times they've played in the post season. One of them will always be remembered as an historic choke by the Yankees. The Sox have won 4 World Series this century, 2 since the Yankees' last championship. Don't get me wrong. I hate them and their fans. But we don't dread the Yankees now, it's just not the same. It will never be. You'll just have to live with that. And, of late, being a weak post season team.

 

None of which addressed my post, little brother.

[edhunter]

[laughedatbytime]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

 

The most enjoyable thing about that season was seeing the FB posts from friends of mine whining that the Yankees tanked their last game to keep the Sox out of the playoffs. The Yanks took a lead into the 9th against Tampa, but Girardi went with a different reliever than Rivera, who gave up a walkoff.

 

Awesome.

There was a game tying HR in the 9th, but then the game winner was off a different hurler three innings later.

 

The other thing that had to happen is that the Red Sox blew a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth vs the Orioles with two outs when Papelbon gave up three straight hits.

[edhunter]

And of course the Yanks have been a weak post season team recently. We keep going up against damn cheaters!

[edhunter]

Boston on pace to be the worst Sox team in history, statistically speaking. And no one in Boston even cares. The B's are winning, the C's are winning, and Pats camp has started.

 

Boston used to be a baseball-first town. Within a few years, baseball will be 5th behind soccer.

 

This is hardly a normal baseball season. Most people probably can't even name the manager.

 

I was 7 during the 1975 season. I LOVED the Sox from that season until 2011. That season left a bitter taste in my mouth. Even the 2013 and 2018 teams didn't bring me all the way back.

 

The most enjoyable thing about that season was seeing the FB posts from friends of mine whining that the Yankees tanked their last game to keep the Sox out of the playoffs. The Yanks took a lead into the 9th against Tampa, but Girardi went with a different reliever than Rivera, who gave up a walkoff.

 

Awesome.

There was a game tying HR in the 9th, but then the game winner was off a different hurler three innings later.

 

The other thing that had to happen is that the Red Sox blew a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth vs the Orioles with two outs when Papelbon gave up three straight hits.

 

Sounds about right. I just remember the fury.