Running 2011 Baseball Thread, Vol. I: Dedicated to spnited

Yep. I think we need to update an old Mickey Mantle quote:

"If I hit like Joe Mauer, I'd wear a dress."

 

Actually only a two-run shot.

But very few balls end up there in the air. You may see an occasional ground rule double end up there.

 

Yeah, I kept thinking it was going to fall short. Was bouncing around watching that one (fantasy baseball purposes).

 

Interesting stat from Elias/ESPN:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/elias?date=20110905

 

Buehrle's had another solid season, last night notwithstanding. Now it's interesting to see if the White Sox will keep him around.

I enjoyed watching his first career shutout at Detroit in person, way back when in 2001. I'm worried that last night was his final appearance at Comerica ... at least in a White Sox uniform.

 

Josh Beckett left his start today in the fourth inning with a sprained ankle after catching his spikes on the rubber. Might be the kind of thing that could linger and make the difference in a playoff series.

It's not like Boston's rotation has been nails this season after Lester and Beckett.

 

So glad the Yanks waited until September to unleash Jesus Montero.

 

There have been rumors for a few years that Buehrle would wind up in his hometown of St. Louis.

 

Oh, he'll get there at some point. It's just if it'll be next year or after his next contract.

 

I remember reading around the time of his perfect game that Buehrle fully intended to retire when his contract was up (which is after 2012 this season). I tend not to believe such things, but after Billy Wagner I don't know (though Buerhle is a good 7-8 years younger than Wagner).

 

Bruce Chen, veteran of 10 teams, average fastball 86 mph, wants to keep pitching.

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/passion-and-improvisation-sustain-a-frequent-traveler/