2015 MLB Season

[Colonel_Reb]

The Cardinals have struggled a bit as of late, but still have the best record in the majors. By the way, would one of the moderators correct the title of this thread? I'm surprised it hasn't already been done.

 

[Dwight Mansburden]

Not only is Billy Hamilton's BA poor, his OBP is lacking as well. What's the point of being a great base-stealer if you can't get on base in the first place?

On the other side of things, Mike Trout hit HRs #25 and 26 of the season last night.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Not only is Billy Hamilton's BA poor, his OBP is lacking as well. What's the point of being a great base-stealer if you can't get on base in the first place?

On the other side of things, Mike Trout hit HRs #25 and 26 of the season last night.

Welcome to CF Dwight Mansburden!

If you like Mike Trout and numbers go to the Mike Trout/Ken Griffey Jr. at 1600 thread. Says a lot about where Trout stands against one of the so-called greatest 5 tool players ever!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Cincinnati's Todd Frazier wins the All Star Homerun Derby over the Dodgers Joc Pederson!

A lot more exciting format this year. The hitters were put on a 4 minute time limit. Hit as many HR's as you can in 4 minutes and then an extra 30 second bonus period.

 

[Don Wassall]

I watched some of the homerun contest for the first time since Josh Hamilton lit it up several years back and the new format was enjoyable, almost as enjoyable as seeing Frazier and Pederson advance to the finals.

Pederson knocked out Pujols, the surly, likely steroids user who was drooled over by Berman & Co. Frazier defeated the shockingly obese Prince Fielder, who had won the previous two years.

 

[Freethinker]

Best Infield in Baseball

Here is a very good article about the best infield in baseball, the SF Giants'. It talks about how the built this home grown unit and there is plenty of statistical analysis that shows that they are indeed the best. This all-White unit consists of Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford and Matt Duffy.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/mlb-san-francisco-giants-infield-brandon-belt-crawford-joe-panik-matt-duffy/

Hopefully with a influx of White shortstops over the next few seasons, there will be more infields resembling this Giants' diamond.

 

[Fortitud3]

Home plate umpire in this Dodgers-Nationals game is straight up hot garbage. Grienke doesn't need the help, but keeps getting way wide strikes, including intentionally trying to walk Harper and somehow ending up with a 3-2 count and striking him out.

 

[Don Wassall]

Guess I was out of the loop this weekend as I was unaware that the Hall of Fame inductions took place over the weekend for this great year's class, which follows last year's great class. Randy Johnson, Craig Biggio and John Smoltz were inducted, along with Pedro Martinez. I like to listen to the inductees' speeches when I can.

I became aware of it only today by reading the AP article in the sports section of one of the local fishwraps. The same article was undoubtedly in newspapers across the country as AP is the government serving monopoly "news" service.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20150727_Biggio__3_pitchers_join_game_s_greats.html

Notice that it features Martinez and his Dominican pride over the other three. Martinez should have been the least featured as statistically he lagged well behind the other three, and he was also an All Star a-hole on more than a few occasions.

Hey, I would have featured Randy Johnson, but that's just me. Johnson was Nolan Ryan 2.0, actually a lot better because his won-lost record was one of the best ever whereas Ryan was a .500 pitcher. And he did it despite being 6' 10" tall. Randy Johnson was a one of a kind and was always under-appreciated during his career, but the same is true of White baseball players and White athletes in general.

But the Baseball Hall of Fame is enjoyable because it's the opposite of pro football's -- Canton's inductees have become overwhelmingly black and will remain so indefinitely, while Cooperstown's will remain overwhelmingly absent of American blacks indefinitely.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Guess I was out of the loop this weekend as I was unaware that the Hall of Fame inductions took place over the weekend for this great year's class, which follows last year's great class. Randy Johnson, Craig Biggio and John Smoltz were inducted, along with Pedro Martinez. I like to listen to the inductees' speeches when I can.

I became aware of it only today by reading the AP article in the sports section of one of the local fishwraps. The same article was undoubtedly in newspapers across the country as AP is the government serving monopoly "news" service.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20150727_Biggio__3_pitchers_join_game_s_greats.html

Notice that it features Martinez and his Dominican pride over the other three. Martinez should have been the least featured as statistically he lagged well behind the other three, and he was also an All Star a-hole on more than a few occasions.

Hey, I would have featured Randy Johnson, but that's just me. Johnson was Nolan Ryan 2.0, actually a lot better because his won-lost record was one of the best ever whereas Ryan was a .500 pitcher. And he did it despite being 6' 10" tall. Randy Johnson was a one of a kind and was always under-appreciated during his career, but the same is true of White baseball players and White athletes in general.

But the Baseball Hall of Fame is enjoyable because it's the opposite of pro football's -- Canton's inductees have become overwhelmingly black and will remain so indefinitely, while Cooperstown's will remain overwhelmingly absent of American blacks indefinitely.

I saw the announcement later this weekend also. I was going to post about it also, but was really busy this weekend.

I don't know Don, Martinez had more wins, a better winning percentage, more K's, better ERA, and more Cy Young's than Smoltz. I'm not sure Smoltz was deserving at all, and I didn't realize how good Martinez's stats were. He may have been deserving.

Obviously, Johnson was the most deserving. Over 300 wins, over 4,000 K's and 4 Cy Young's! Great in the World Series too!

Biggio, on the other hand is a different case. Led the league in doubles a few times and once in stolen bases, and twice in runs. He did get over 3,000 hits. A very good accomplishment! He would be difficult for me to vote for, because he was very good, but was he great? I'm not sure and it's not up to me. But is the HOF for the very good or the Great?

Not sure if the other 3 were great or just very good.

Johnson, however, was great!

 

[Don Wassall]

Carolina, did you forget that Smoltz was a reliever for 8 seasons, and a great one at that? His win totals as a reliever were 3, 3, 0, 0, 3, 3, 2 and 1. If he had remained a starter he most likely would have finished with over 300 wins. As it is, he has 213 wins and 154 saves, and also went 15-4 in the post-season (plus 4 saves), an all-time great imo, not in the list of the best pitchers of all-time but not far from it, certainly good enough to be in the Hall.

Biggio qualifies as great because of his longevity and versatility over two decades of consistently excellent performance. He finished with 1,844 runs scored, over 3,000 hits, and 414 stolen bases. He was one of the best leadoff men in the game for a long time, and was an excellent fielder who made the All Star team at two different positions. He made 8 All Star teams, won 4 Gold Gloves and 5 Silver Slugger awards. He also finished with almost 300 homeruns (291). Should have gotten in the first year he was eligible.

 

[PHillisFan]

Trout leads the majors with 30 HRs!

Trout is amazing!

So glad Pujols and Stanton are no longer in the lead.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Trout leads the majors with 30 HRs!

Trout is amazing!

So glad Pujols and Stanton are no longer in the lead.

31!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Carolina, did you forget that Smoltz was a reliever for 8 seasons, and a great one at that? His win totals as a reliever were 3, 3, 0, 0, 3, 3, 2 and 1. If he had remained a starter he most likely would have finished with over 300 wins. As it is, he has 213 wins and 154 saves, and also went 15-4 in the post-season (plus 4 saves), an all-time great imo, not in the list of the best pitchers of all-time but not far from it, certainly good enough to be in the Hall.

Biggio qualifies as great because of his longevity and versatility over two decades of consistently excellent performance. He finished with 1,844 runs scored, over 3,000 hits, and 414 stolen bases. He was one of the best leadoff men in the game for a long time, and was an excellent fielder who made the All Star team at two different positions. He made 8 All Star teams, won 4 Gold Gloves and 5 Silver Slugger awards. He also finished with almost 300 homeruns (291). Should have gotten in the first year he was eligible.

Point well taken on Smoltz and Biggio and yes I had forgotten some of Smoltz's accomplishments. I'm not here to advocate for Martinez, but I was just pointing out that his stats were not well below Smoltz's and with the exception of saves and post season, they were better. Smoltz pitched longer and yes had more saves, but I guess Martinez's career didn't take the same route.

...and compared to Johnson neither Smoltz or Martinez was close in stats, except again the saves and post season. Johnson over 300 wins, almost 5,000 K's, WS MVP, 1 of only 2 pitchers to go 3-0 in the WS, and 5 Cy Youngs!

I guess it's a good thing I don't have a vote, but where's the cut off between very good and great, almost in the HOF and a sure HOF?

I guess Smoltz's post season 15-4 record, and able to get 154 saves along with 200 wins is great! As is Biggio's 3,000 hits, and over 1,800 runs, etc. Some of his numbers better than other 3,000 hit club members like Yount and Molitor.

It's just doesn't seem the same as what some of the great pitchers and hitters did. I guess it a little difficult for me to put some of these guys with 3,000 hits in with guys like (Rose, not a HOF), Cobb, Speaker, Aaron, Musial, Mays, Yastrzemski, Brett, etc.

I mean is Biggio in the same conversation with George Brett? Again, I guess it's a good thing I don't have a vote.

 

[jaxvid]

Point well taken on Smoltz and Biggio and yes I had forgotten some of Smoltz's accomplishments. I'm not here to advocate for Martinez, but I was just pointing out that his stats were not well below Smoltz's and with the exception of saves and post season, they were better. Smoltz pitched longer and yes had more saves, but I guess Martinez's career didn't take the same route.

...and compared to Johnson neither Smoltz or Martinez was close in stats, except again the saves and post season. Johnson over 300 wins, almost 5,000 K's, WS MVP, 1 of only 2 pitchers to go 3-0 in the WS, and 5 Cy Youngs!

I guess it's a good thing I don't have a vote, but where's the cut off between very good and great, almost in the HOF and a sure HOF?

I guess Smoltz's post season 15-4 record, and able to get 154 saves along with 200 wins is great! As is Biggio's 3,000 hits, and over 1,800 runs, etc. Some of his numbers better than other 3,000 hit club members like Yount and Molitor.

It's just doesn't seem the same as what some of the great pitchers and hitters did. I guess it a little difficult for me to put some of these guys with 3,000 hits in with guys like (Rose, not a HOF), Cobb, Speaker, Aaron, Musial, Mays, Yastrzemski, Brett, etc.

I mean is Biggio in the same conversation with George Brett? Again, I guess it's a good thing I don't have a vote.

The talk radio take on the inductions from what I heard driving across the heartland was, yeah Johnson fine, Smoltz-I guess, Biggio a roider, and Martinez the greatest pitcher ever.

Why his two best years alone are enough to put him in the hall, why he was the best when everyone else was roiding and him being the typical "clean" Dominican, plus he was a tremendous guy, a hero to kids, an inspiration to people everywhere. They should just change the name of the Hall of Fame to the Pedro Martinez Hall of Fame.

They also went on about Smoltz talking about Tommy John surgery and how he said that parents have to stop forcing their kids to play so much baseball, going to camps and playing in tournaments all year long, there are other sports out there you know! Dont be a one sport fanatic. Spoken like a guy that already has his millions and doesn't understand how the system works for white kid pitchers.

BTW I don't know how Biggio got in with the roid rumors surrounding him. I'm worried it's a loosening of the standards. Geez if he's in then why not Piazza? It's all rumors about him too.

 

[white is right]

The talk radio take on the inductions from what I heard driving across the heartland was, yeah Johnson fine, Smoltz-I guess, Biggio a roider, and Martinez the greatest pitcher ever.

Why his two best years alone are enough to put him in the hall, why he was the best when everyone else was roiding and him being the typical "clean" Dominican, plus he was a tremendous guy, a hero to kids, an inspiration to people everywhere. They should just change the name of the Hall of Fame to the Pedro Martinez Hall of Fame.

They also went on about Smoltz talking about Tommy John surgery and how he said that parents have to stop forcing their kids to play so much baseball, going to camps and playing in tournaments all year long, there are other sports out there you know! Dont be a one sport fanatic. Spoken like a guy that already has his millions and doesn't understand how the system works for white kid pitchers.

BTW I don't know how Biggio got in with the roid rumors surrounding him. I'm worried it's a loosening of the standards. Geez if he's in then why not Piazza? It's all rumors about him too.

I was looking at the stats of "Pete" and on the surface they seem very borderline hall of fame material less his WHIP and other modern stats like ERA + which were truly outstanding.

He seemed to burn out some what young and he didn't age gracefully instead fell off the map when he left Boston.

I will say this for about 4 years he was a legitimate hall of fame candidate but the hall writers have shown in the past that they don't reward a burst of excellence.

His nationality probably made him a first ballot candidate as he seems to be a symbol of Dominican pride and it's obvious from his accountants body he didn't abuse PED's.

Ps. Also the writers may be bumping "clean" candidates quicker into the hall as obvious stat monster candidates like Bonds, Clemens etc would have taken spots that Martinez was elected to in January.

 

[Leonardfan]

Tulowitzki traded to the Blue Jays and Paplebon traded to the nats.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Wow, this stinks! Mike Trout making his case for a second straight MVP is out of the lineup again for a wrist injury. His MRI came back negative, so I'm still not sure what's going on. There's pain when he makes contact with ball during BP. He's listed as day to day.

Meanwhile, Bryce Harper is 3/4 and 2 HR's so far tonight! Numbers 28 and 29.

 

[Matra2]

Tulowitzki traded to the Blue Jays and Paplebon traded to the nats.

Tulowitzki hits a two-run homer and two doubles (3 RBIs) in his debut for the Blue Jays.

[video=youtube;UB_ZoLt1nDw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB_ZoLt1nDw[/video]

A good win for RA Dickey too. He's been constantly pitching well, usually to at least the 7th inning, but coming away with loss after loss because the offense (much of it Dominican) haven't been coming through for him.

 

[PHillisFan]

31!

I stand corrected!
He's just sitting there at 31 with the afleet Pujols one behind him.
Hopefully Trout and Harper can take off! Pederson and Bryant have cooled off. That's a shame.

 

[Carolina Speed]

I stand corrected!
He's just sitting there at 31 with the afleet Pujols one behind him.
Hopefully Trout and Harper can take off! Pederson and Bryant have cooled off. That's a shame.

Despite missing 2 games with a sore wrist, Trout goes 3/4 last night almost getting the cycle. Hitting a single, a triple, and a HR! He still leads the league in HR's, Runs, TB's, Slug.%, OPS. and WAR!

I guest his wrist is OK, however, he is still reporting some soreness. Hopefully he didn't damage it any further making a head first slide into third base on his triple last night.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Might not seem all the significant, but Bryce Harper has cracked the top 1,000 on MLB's all time homerun list. With career HR number 84, Harper is 993rd and climbing. Pretty good for the oft injured 22 year old. Look forward to seeing Harper continue to climb provided he stays healthy.

As I posted last night Mark Teixeira hit career HR's 390 and 391, climbing to 59th all time. He's the highest active white player.

In case you're wondering, Mike Trout hit career HR number 130 and is 582nd at 23 years of age.

 

[Average American]

Anybody mentioned this Met pitcher, Syndergaard yet (?)

Was watching Mets-Nats last night, Syndergaard was really working the Nats line-up. He's a young guy with a strong arm (fastball clocked up to 99). Sounds like the kid is heating up; over the last 7 games he's 4-1, 1.44 ERA, with 52 strikeouts. Not bad at all.

As a sidebar, I saw that ESPN was superimposing a strike zone graphic all night long. How ignorant and helpless do they calculate their viewers are (?) Personally it was a distraction for me the whole game.

 

[PHillisFan]

Something has got to give. Afleet Nelson Cruz just tied Trout for the HR lead. Hopefully Trout can get hot again and start hitting more dingers.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Something has got to give. Afleet Nelson Cruz just tied Trout for the HR lead. Hopefully Trout can get hot again and start hitting more dingers.

Yes, Trout seems to go through these mild slumps from time to time. Nothing serious, like 3/18, and then comes out of it. I'm predicting he come out of this recent slide tonight although it will be tough against Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox. Sale has been tough on Trout, only 2/11 and a HR and 4 RBI against Sale. However, as I said, I think Trout comes out of it tonight!

Game time: 8:05.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Yes, Trout seems to go through these mild slumps from time to time. Nothing serious, like 3/18, and then comes out of it. I'm predicting he come out of this recent slide tonight although it will be tough against Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox. Sale has been tough on Trout, only 2/11 and a HR and 4 RBI against Sale. However, as I said, I think Trout comes out of it tonight!

Game time: 8:05.

So far, so good. Trout hits a double in his first AB against Sale, but no one was able to get him home to score.