BASEBALL!

[Kobi]

Ok my guys salvaged one game in Philly and that might only be because we hit a line drive off Cole Hamels wrist forcing him out of the game.

I was sighing in relief that interleague play was over and just realized we are on the way to Houston to play the Astros this weekend.

I have 2 questions for baseballers:

1. Has your team become very commericialized? The BoSox have official <whatevers>. And are adding more. We have an official ice cream, hot dog, mri providers, hospital, coffee etc. Today I picked up some freakin cheese doodles......the official cheese doodle of the Boston Red Sox. It's weird.

2. What does the month of September look like for your team? I was noticing the Sox play only the Yanks, Orioles, Rays, and Blue Jays over and over the entire month. Is anyone/everyone else playing only division teams the last month?

[Dominique]

Philly, just like the Bo Sox, is sold out every game. They have been a very good team for an awful long time.

I was unable to stay awake until the end of the Pirates Vs.Toronto game. Again, we took the series, but not a sweep. We get the Astros at home beginning 4th of July and then the Cubs, before the All Star break.

HA HA.....The pirates have a hard enough time getting their own fans to go to baseball games, let alone to endorse any products.

Tonight there is a good match up. Cleveland and Cincinnati. I saw on sports net Gary Sizemore had a nasty collision with the outfield wall on Wednesday. He stayed in the game. I'm sure he felt the effects of it yesterday. They were off last night. Cleveland will need his with the Reds.

Who is hosting the all star game this year? I hate to admit it, I don't even know.

[Kobi]

Voting for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game ended Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. When the polls re-open, it will be to allow fans to choose the final All-Star for the American League and National League teams.

The full rosters, minus the 34th player for each squad, will be announced this Sunday at noon ET on TBS. In addition to the starters, who are voted on by the fans, the pitchers and reserves will be chosen by the players and All-Star managers (Bruce Bochy in the NL and Ron Washington in the AL).


Alex Rodriguez is one of five Yankees who were the leading vote-getter at his position after the final update to voting. (AP photo)In the final update before the polls closed, the leading vote-getters in the AL were: Russell Martin at catcher, Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Robinson Cano at second base, Alex Rodriguez at third base, Derek Jeter at shortstop, David Ortiz at DH and Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and Josh Hamilton in the outfield.

In the NL, the leaders were: Brian McCann at catcher, Albert Pujols at first base, Rickie Weeks at second base, Placido Polanco at third base, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday in the outfield. Because Pujols is injured, he will miss the game.

The 82nd All-Star Game will be played July 12 at the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Ok my guys salvaged one game in Philly and that might only be because we hit a line drive off Cole Hamels wrist forcing him out of the game.

I was sighing in relief that interleague play was over and just realized we are on the way to Houston to play the Astros this weekend.

I have 2 questions for baseballers:

1. Has your team become very commericialized? The BoSox have official <whatevers>. And are adding more. We have an official ice cream, hot dog, mri providers, hospital, coffee etc. Today I picked up some freakin cheese doodles......the official cheese doodle of the Boston Red Sox. It's weird.

2. What does the month of September look like for your team? I was noticing the Sox play only the Yanks, Orioles, Rays, and Blue Jays over and over the entire month. Is anyone/everyone else playing only division teams the last month?

Have to agree on both 1 & 2! The Giants (and the A's- both here in the Bay Area of CA) have "Official" everything!! All of the ball park give-a-ways have logos of sponsors on them. Although, they do hand out some pretty kewl stuff especially for kids and I like that because it is so damn expensive for families to go to a game these days.

Something that has always bothered me is that our park is AT&T park- I know it has to do with finances, but it was built about 10 years ago and is really great and I wish it had a name from baseball, not a huge corporation. The park was designed well and located well for public transportation and even getting in and out of SF easily. It is nice looking and incorporates many of what makes the great old parks so beautiful like red brick plus has nice walkways along the waterfront for all to enjoy- not just baseball goers. Not a bad seat in the place, really- so you can see everything well even if you are in the "cheap seats." But I keep thinking that parks like Fenway & Wrigley just sound like baseball!

All of SF's home games have sold out this season- and actually have for a few years since the new park was built. Yes, winning the WS is part of it, but SF is a baseball city. It does have working class immigrant roots historically that were more about fishing and the docks. And there is also the move back in the 50's from NY that drew a lot of people that did the "go west" thing for economic opportunities.

You know, I would really like to own Ken Burn's history of the game as well as his series on the "Negro League." The game is far more than a sport- really is.

Yes, SF is playing all divisional teams the last month. I think it is like this across the MLB for all the pre- play off excitement between rivals.

OK, I am nervous about SF and the Tigers tonight- they just don't have any consistency with hitting and I think this is what will continue to give us grief. Yeah- SF has fantastic pitchers and some great defensive players, but, the teams that I think will get to the WS have some bats, too!

I'm stocked that Bochy is going to manage the NL All Stars- he is quite the strategist. Doesn't look like we will have anyone on the NL roster except pitchers. Posey & Sanchez are injured and they might have made it.

[Dominique]

Pirates lost to the National 2 to 1......

But I was more interested in Cleveland and Cincinnati....The Indians kicked the reds butts!

Yay me. The reds are in our Division, and The Indians are my Second favorite team in baseball, and helps me stay connected to AL baseball.

Gary Sizemore is one tough cookie. After that collision into the wall Wednesday, he had 2 hits, for two runs and two RBI's. I was shocked he even played. (maybe the days of the winers are fading away too)Sizemore had a homer and a double. Two good at bats.

Phillies put Madson on the 15 day list. His wrist and hand are pretty baddly bruised.

Thanks for the all star info Kobi. Once again, the Pirates were snubbed. No pirates selected. We have a couple that should have been. While I largely agree, this year the teams DO look like they have position players with skill (less popularity)......now one pirate will be selected by default.
Exhale.....maybe next year.

I have to check on Lyle overpaid. See what he's been doing. The trade rumors are heating up with all of our injuries, everyone thats been called up from the minors is doing pretty well. OVERPAID needs to go. But I guess he gets that 5 million GTD.

[AtLast]

A nail biter game yesterday in Detroit. SF won! I could have done without Brian Wilson's tantrum! Can't be the closing hero all the time, Brian!

[Dominique]

Pirates beat the Nationals 5 to 3. So Our Short Stop sufferred a concussion last night. Ronnie Cedeno. Someone kicked him in the head at a play at second. He's on the 7 day disabled list. Sound odd? He is the first player to utilize this 7 day disabled list since it was put into effect. It is for concussions only (and is mandatory, if it's a concussion, you sit for seven)

Alot of haters in this town when it comes to Cedeno. Still mad that we didn't keep Jack Wilson I'm guessing. I don't think Ronnie is that bad. (please, with overpaid over on the corner,,,uuugh)

So what was up with that temper tantrum from 6 foot 11 relief pitcher Jon Rauch? (Philles and Toronto) the pitcher was being restrained by his manager and had his shirt torn off in doing so.....I guess he was challenging the umpire......Wow, jealous that the home town fans are still liking Halladay?

No baseball on my networks. It was Tennis (which I chose) or golf.....no thanks.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Pirates beat the Nationals 5 to 3. So Our Short Stop sufferred a concussion last night. Ronnie Cedeno. Someone kicked him in the head at a play at second. He's on the 7 day disabled list. Sound odd? He is the first player to utilize this 7 day disabled list since it was put into effect. It is for concussions only (and is mandatory, if it's a concussion, you sit for seven)

Alot of haters in this town when it comes to Cedeno. Still mad that we didn't keep Jack Wilson I'm guessing. I don't think Ronnie is that bad. (please, with overpaid over on the corner,,,uuugh)

So what was up with that temper tantrum from 6 foot 11 relief pitcher Jon Rauch? (Philles and Toronto) the pitcher was being restrained by his manager and had his shirt torn off in doing so.....I guess he was challenging the umpire......Wow, jealous that the home town fans are still liking Halladay?

No baseball on my networks. It was Tennis (which I chose) or golf.....no thanks.

I caught some of Wimbeldon this year and was glad to see Serena back out there. but, the woman that won sure played great! It is nice to see all the new players coming up. I have been so glued to baseball, I haven't followed tennis as much as usual. I played in college and started to play at age 4. But was not welcome on the snooty courts/tennis club because of my Dad being a garbage collector and an immigrant. But, my folks fought the snoots and I was able to take lessons. LOL... at 7 I started to compete and had a powerful serve for a kid and boy, did I ever enjoy smashing aces at all the WASP girls that had doctors, lawyers, archetects for fathers! It is a great game, but has a very classist and racist history. One reason I have really enjoyed the williams sisters- and the fact that they are also highly skilled women players.

Hey, it looks like the Indians have been back in the game! Hell, the took SF in their recent series a couple of games.

Yeah, that outnurst by Raush (sp?) was something! I think he was pissed because of a couple of pitches that were called balls. And the night before Brian Wilson's tantrum bugged me. I love him but thought it was childish.

Whoa- the Giants routed the Tigers yesterday, 15-2!!! Our bats were humming! Honestly, I thought SF would not really beat Detroit except for maybe 1 game. Couldn't believe the hitting, every strter had a hit and Tejada hit a grand slam. Plus Crawford hit a 3 run homer. Maybe my favorite rookie has found his bat!!!

They continued right on hitting after the 2 hour rain delay after the 3rd. But, I bet the Tigers come back with a vengence today.

So strange to see SF with that many runs, they are dead last in offense in the entire league!

The A's lost, but Jamile Weeks continues to be hitting well as a rookie. I think that kid is on his way to being one great ball player.

[Dominique]

Just like you, I was a little bit before title nine. I always loved tennis and tennis courts were few and far between. My Dad, (I love that he was kid who never grew up) used to take me to a warehouse on the week ends and using chalk, he'd chalk off half a court on the asphalt (he'd measure it)
and I would hit the ball against the warehouse wall. He'd run around and retrieve all of my errant balls. He knew nothing about tennis. As I got older, and still loved everything tennis, two tennis courts were built not too far from our house and he'd take me, and he'd stand on the other side of the net and toss me balls. Because he was a fierce competitor, those balls were not tossed right to me, i had to run and actually work to return a volley. Finally, when I was a Junior in High school. Tennis courts were layed and I made the tennis team, turned out I was pretty good! All from my basterdsized training from my dad. I still play occasionally. It's hard to find someone who likes to play. I love what the Williams' sisters have brought to tennis. Tremendous athletes, both of them.

Back to baseball. Here we are, almost at half way baseball mark and the Pirates are 2 1/2 out of first place. Thank you cleveland for continuing to beat down those reds! Because I love the battery of baseball (pitching and catching) I tend to be a little myoptic with the pitchers. The poor AL pitchers having to bat and oh my goodness, RUN, is just pittiful.....Cleveland lost Fausto Carmona as he was running to first and he tripped over his own two feet, did a belly flop and had to be removed....(sorry, I had to giggle) Baserunning is such an important part of the game and the AL and the DH makes it a bit harder for us National leaguers to get that part of the game being remiss. (You may recall, how we Booed Ortiz for not running out a weakly hit ground ball to first ~Bo Sox~) well, again DH. And then seeing the Indians pitcher who couldn't bat and then couldn't run....can anyone tell me why AL games are almost an hour longer than NL games on average?

Go Pirates! It's so good to not be the basement Bucs!

[Dominique]

[QUOTE=AtLastHome;370932

Whoa- the Giants routed the Tigers yesterday, 15-2!!! Our bats were humming! Honestly, I thought SF would not really beat Detroit except for maybe 1 game. Couldn't believe the hitting, every strter had a hit and Tejada hit a grand slam. Plus Crawford hit a 3 run homer. Maybe my favorite rookie has found his bat!!!

They continued right on hitting after the 2 hour rain delay after the 3rd. But, I bet the Tigers come back with a vengence today.

So strange to see SF with that many runs, they are dead last in offense in the entire league!


The tigers have more in Coaches than they do in players. No great Pitchers and no great hitters. They are also a streaky team. I love Jim Leyland. He'll prepare his team to come and play......

I have been checking out your guy Bumgarner, since admittingly, i never heard of him before the Twins fiasco. He is on *fire*!. He averages 10 strike outs per game with only one walk......wow. How is it that I never have heard of him (loving pitchers as I do)........


ETA: The Giants and Tigers are on Fox today. If it rains here (and it is looking like it will) I'll watch that game. I'm liking this thread more and more. Wish would hear from more baseball junkies!