Baseball thread No. VII

And we were all scooped by The Onion on that one. ;D

 

At least you scaled the Royals down to the worst in the American League from "the worst team in baseball by a significant margin." Big difference from the first to second posts.

Yeah, the Royals could factor in the Yankees' demise. They could also be an accomplice to the Red Sox's demise, too. And don't forget, Boston helps to subsidize that payroll, too. It's not all about New York, even if the fans don't see it that way.

You say Kansas City could cost the Yankees a playoff spot. Then explain to me how an AL Central team could lose at least 104 games in each of the past four seasons -- remember, Detroit lost 119 in 2003 -- and yet have only one playoff team each time. Meanwhile, the AL East has had two teams the last three years. Hmmm, hmmm. You would think the Yankees' and Red Sox's demise would have come much sooner, given your philosophy. How can that be?

Oh, I know. Maybe it's because your theory is shot. Instead of looking at the Royals, maybe -- just maybe -- the Yankees' dilemma lies with the Tigers.

 

At this time of year there is always talk about who the Yankees might pick up for the stretch run. Seems more relevant this year with all their injuries ... but do they have any bargaining chips in their minor league system left? I have no idea, although I root for the day both the Yankees and Red Sox both miss the playoffs. "Red Sox Nation" has become almost as big if jerks as Yankee fans, especially after '04.

 

Paul Wilson

 

Phillip Hughes, but he's an untouchable.

 

Cole Hamels

 

Carl Pavano

 

Look, Oz, it wasn't a philosophical treatise (and I don't believe it was shot, either). I acquiesced on every point, but you can't ignore the Royals being a backward factor in what happens with the Yankees' chances (or, as you pointed out, the Red Sox). And the Tigers being part of the Yankees' dilemma is part of my point. The fact that there are two teams sprinting along at the top of the AL Central gives the Royals added importance. Red Sox? Yes, they're paying luxury tax, too, but come on, the Yankees are the poster children for salary largesse.

For the record, outofplace, I hate the Yankees. I'm not a whining Yankee fan. I'm delighting in the possibility that they might miss the playoffs (I don't feel that way about the Red Sox), and it's icing on the cake that the Royals will be a contributing factor. My original post on the subject was that I find it funny.

 

Gotcha. I think I pushed it that far simply because, let's face it, it's tough being a Royals fan. It was bad enough that you watch you team lose every night, but then to get blame for someone possibly not making the playoffs, it set me off somewhat. A lot, actually.

Most Royals fans probably would probably revel in being a cause for the Yankees' demise. Then again, I told them what's the point in rooting for Yankees Light (Red Sox). Different team, same big payroll, same stacked roster full of talent.

I can definitely get behind Detroit, though.

 

Are you dead yet?

 

Ok, sorry. I'm surrounded by whiny Yankee fans who come up with crap like that all the time. And as a Pirates fan, you can imagine how little patience I have for somebody whining when their team has had the kind of success the Yankees have in a system that favors the big markets more than any other sport.