Baseball Thread VI

Is it too late for the Mets to make a managerial change though? Since Willie doesn't appear to worry about anything it's possible he'd be happier at home.

 

As much as Casty loves the early bird special at Red Lobster?

And spnited - Olney was the Yankee guy and he has a bias against the Mets (and the Red Sox). Its subconscious with the guy.

The Mets will win the division and Pedro should have plenty of time to take off and get his hip in shape for the playoffs. Glavine as the #2 in he playoffs is as good as anyone they could face. My guess is that if the Mets pick up a John Thomson from the Braves or Mark Redman from the Royals - then they win the division by 15 and have the luxury of putting their playof ducks in a row.

 

A former Red Sox pitcher lives in town and coaches youth baseball. Terrific personality in all his gruffness. Yesterday before a Babe Ruth game we're shooting shit in the dugout and I ask what Calvin Schiraldi's doing, and why Buckner didn't show up to Fenway for Appreciation Day last week ...

"Would you?" said this former Sock. "Really, would you?"
"Now that the Sox won the World Series, yes, I probably would."
"Would you really?"
"Really. Sox fans have probably waited a long time to give Buckner an ovation."

The former Sock wasn't so sure about my answer, but he didn't argue against my point. Then we talked about Jeff Locke, the New Hampshire lefty who was drafted 51st overall by the Braves a few weeks ago. He throws in the low 90s, but is known not to have another pitch. "You've gotta have 2 pitches — you've gotta have a breaking pitch. You've gotta be able to get guys out with another pitch," the former Sock said.

We chatted a bit more about everything baseball/nothing baseball. It's great to have someone like that around here. Never at a loss for words. He's the type of guy who could've hung around the bigs longer if he hadn't chose to go fishing in the winter instead of playing winter ball.

 

Got another chance to gain tonight, zeke. Tigers lost a 2-1 game in 10 innings.

 

Don't worry Zeke, the Tigers are ripe for a slump any time now......

 

Damn straight, Rose.

Now, if everyone will permit me a brief fanboy rant... Mauer's on the bench again tonight.
Fuck, Gardy, give him the night off from catching, but can we at least have him DH?
Only Gardenhire takes his hottest hitter -- nay, the league's hottest hitter -- out of the lineup during the middle of a winning streak.

 

As are the Twins, Rosie.

 

The Twins can't possibly catch the Tigers? That is surprising to hear.

I have watched about 98 percent of Detroit's games this season, and while the team has some solid arms and some very capable hitters, it fundamentally isn't completely sound. The Tigers are remarkably inconsistent in scoring runners from second with less than two outs, and the bullpen -- Zumaya not included -- is really struggling. They are due for a slump, and I think it's started.

 

Hank, the Twins already HAD their slump to open the season! :

Zeke, chill on your fanboy rant. I haven't checked the gameday notes yet, but I know Mauer was battling an unspecified stomach ailment. I'm sure Gardy would play him if he was 100 percent.

 

It's easy to win in June and July. Let's see what happens from Aug. 15 on, when pressure builds with each pitch.

Will Leyland be able to keep the kids in carefree mode?