2019 MLB Season

[Carolina Speed]

On this day in 1998 Mark McGwire hit his 60th home run, joining Babe Ruth and Roger Maris as the only players to do so. That was a fun season, the last one in which I followed baseball closely. It was tainted big time of course, but so much else was and still is by steroids, just one of many reasons baseball went from being my favorite sport to one I now follow casually at best.

McGwire was someone I thought could hit 60 regardless of steroids. He used to own the rookie homerun record at 49, until Aaron Judge passed him. 52. McGwire hit those 49 at about 185lbs., 23 years old. Before his steroid use.
Supposedly his homeruns at the age of 12-13 were legendary!

 

[white lightning]

Did anyone see Mike Trout hit that monster homerun? He hit it to a distance where no one does that! I want to know how far it went. MVP and the most amazing baseball player ever!

 

[Shadowlight]

That sucker landed on Venus. Holy smokes. See below.

https://www.mlb.com/video/mike-trout-homers-45-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-david-fletcher-scores

 

[Carolina Speed]

Mike Trout was the first MLB player in history to hit 275 homeruns and steal 200 bases before his age 28 season. He has now pushed those numbers to 285 HR's and 200 stolen bases before his age 28 season!

 

[white lightning]

That sucker landed on Venus. Holy smokes. See below.

https://www.mlb.com/video/mike-trout-homers-45-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-david-fletcher-scores

Thanks for posting this. Other than in a home run derby in my life i've seen very home runs ever hit that far. Centerfield upperdeck into the tunnel. We
need to find out just how far it flew? If anyone knows please let me know. I'm guessing around 500 feet. Phenomenal, epic homerun by Mike Trout!

 

[Liverlips]

The Dodgers sometimes starting an all-white lineup got me paying attention this year. The As, Rays and Mets (!!) have very white friendly lineups as well. Braves and Cards not bad either.

 

[Shadowlight]

Other than in a home run derby in my life i've seen very home runs ever hit that far. Centerfield upperdeck into the tunnel. We
need to find out just how far it flew?

They are saying it traveled around 455 feet. However someone from a physics department could explain it better than me. There are maybe only a few other major league players that can hit a ball dead center that far. Probably a massive player like Aaron Judge. So the distance is misleading. The fact he hit is so high and into deep centerfield makes me think that was the most prodigious home run of the year. The strength and power needed to launch a ball like that is mind blowing.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Good grief! Mike Trout leaves game with foot injury. Let's hope it's not serious.

 

[Shadowlight]

Word is Mike Trout is day to day due to toe discomfort. Hopefully it is nothing and he comes back as soon as tonight. He is two home runs away from tying the franchise mark of 47 set by Troy Glaus. Mike leads the American league in home runs and if he misses too much time some sucker might catch up to him. We don't want that to happen.

 

[Truthteller]

Obviously all CF members recognize that the people who run MLB are despicable. Their horrible ways began the moment slime ball Bud Selig assumed leadership back when. MLB is trying their hardest to destroy whatever integrity is left in sports. Below are four shining examples despite the fact their modern ball parks are very nice.

A-Everyone knows including infants that the balls are juiced. MLB even had to admit it although they claim they don't know why. Sure that will pass a lie detector test.

B-They have opened up the gates and let in a tidal wave of south of the border players. All the leagues now have countless Latina players (many who are black and or mixed) clogging up rosters and there is no end in sight as MLB intends to accelerate this saturation to the point ten years from now the sport will look like a Caribbean League.

C- Their vaunted drug policy is under clouds of suspicion as many of these Latina players are sporting builds similar to NFL black DBs who are loaded up on steroids. And for years many of these players were lying about their ages and got away with it. Still not clear if that has been cleaned up.

D-They spend millions of dollars pushing for black Americans to join the cause and ritually bitch, moan, decry, whine and sob over the fact they feel there aren't enough of them making it to the Big Leagues. At least the other major sports have the decency to hide and or mask their caste ways. MLB shoves their caste thoughts up everyone's asses in broad daylight. Basically they have a sign on their yard that says No Whites Need Apply! Sadly ironic when you consider the majority of their fan base are white. In a word the people running the MLB front office are reprehensible and sickening.

This was posted by Shadowlight in another forum last week. I really liked it, so I decided to quote it in this thread. It's also includes great points I intend to bring up, regarding the heavily Latin Houston Astros lineup.

As Shadow noted, MLB clearly has been playing with a juiced ball for a while now. Baseball insiders believe MLB juiced the ball after the 2015 All-Star break, hoping it would increase offense, which, in turn, would spike interest in the game.

It has not happened. Not by a long-shot, as MLB attendance has gone down every year since 2015 and TV ratings have also steadily declined since 2015. Fans have always loved HR's and the "long ball", but when even 5' 6" to 5'8" (165 pounds) Latin/Caribbean players (i.e. Jose Altuve, Ozzie Albies, Eduardo Escobor, Jose Ramirez) can suddenly hit 30 to 40 plus dingers per season, and have no problem smacking 465 foot opposite field HR's, true fans smell a rat, and start tuning this garbage ball out. Best example is Albert Pujols chasing his 600 career HR two years ago and absolutely no one cared**, even though ESPN was hyping it like crazy!

Anyway, this is how bad things have become in baseball: Saturday (9/7), the Houston Astros, who feature three white, superstar starting pitchers defeated Seattle 2-1. Nothing strange about that. But.....Next three games were a great example of how putrid and boring baseball has become, with the juiced balls and steroids probably as prevalent as ever: Houston defeated Seattle 21-1 Sunday. On Monday, they defeated Oakland 15-0. That's 36-1 in two games! The next night, the fairly white friendly A's hit a barrage of HR's and defeated Houston 21-7.

So in a three game span, Houston defeated opponents by a total score of 43-22. With an average of 21.6 runs scored in those game! Is this Major League Baseball or Little Baseball? Is this Major League Baseball or Garbage ball were players basically only hit HR's, walk or strikeout? Shadow is correct, the people that run this sport are driving it over a cliff. You can forget about current players/teams breaking long-standing hitting records, as anyone with a brain know they are meaningless new records, as baseball is playing with a different ball.

I guess one positive of a juiced ball, is a lot our Goys are thriving, including a unlikely rookie chasing Aaron Judge's 2017 rookie HR record. But I'll leave that discussion for another day.


* * https://medium.com/the-wrigley-rapp...history-and-no-one-seems-to-care-cad9f168bf14

 

[Carolina Speed]

Word is Mike Trout is day to day due to toe discomfort. Hopefully it is nothing and he comes back as soon as tonight. He is two home runs away from tying the franchise mark of 47 set by Troy Glaus. Mike leads the American league in home runs and if he misses too much time some sucker might catch up to him. We don't want that to happen.

Trout better get back soon. Someone named Jorge Soler hit 2 HR's for KC last night. Giving him 43 HR's and only two behind Trout. Trout didn't play again last night and the Angels have a day off before they play the Rays on Friday. He has missed about 3 weeks total for the season. Hopefully he's back tomorrow night.

 

[Shadowlight]

This was posted by Shadowlight in another forum last week. I really liked it, so I decided to quote it in this thread. It's also includes great points I intend to bring up, regarding the heavily Latin Houston Astros lineup.

As Shadow noted, MLB clearly has been playing with a juiced ball for a while now. Baseball insiders believe MLB juiced the ball after the 2015 All-Star break, hoping it would increase offense, which, in turn, would spike interest in the game.

It has not happened. Not by a long-shot, as MLB attendance has gone down every year since 2015 and TV ratings have also steadily declined since 2015. Fans have always loved HR's and the "long ball", but when even 5' 6" to 5'8" (165 pounds) Latin/Caribbean players (i.e. Jose Altuve, Ozzie Albies, Eduardo Escobor, Jose Ramirez) can suddenly hit 30 to 40 plus dingers per season, and have no problem smacking 465 foot opposite field HR's, true fans smell a rat, and start tuning this garbage ball out. Best example is Albert Pujols chasing his 600 career HR two years ago and absolutely no one cared**, even though ESPN was hyping it like crazy!

Anyway, this is how bad things have become in baseball: Saturday (9/7), the Houston Astros, who feature three white, superstar starting pitchers defeated Seattle 2-1. Nothing strange about that. But.....Next three games were a great example of how putrid and boring baseball has become, with the juiced balls and steroids probably as prevalent as ever: Houston defeated Seattle 21-1 Sunday. On Monday, they defeated Oakland 15-0. That's 36-1 in two games! The next night, the fairly white friendly A's hit a barrage of HR's and defeated Houston 21-7.

So in a three game span, Houston defeated opponents by a total score of 43-22. With an average of 21.6 runs scored in those game! Is this Major League Baseball or Little Baseball? Is this Major League Baseball or Garbage ball were players basically only hit HR's, walk or strikeout? Shadow is correct, the people that run this sport are driving it over a cliff. You can forget about current players/teams breaking long-standing hitting records, as anyone with a brain know they are meaningless new records, as baseball is playing with a different ball.

I guess one positive of a juiced ball, is a lot our Goys are thriving, including a unlikely rookie chasing Aaron Judge's 2017 rookie HR record. But I'll leave that discussion for another day.


* * https://medium.com/the-wrigley-rapp...history-and-no-one-seems-to-care-cad9f168bf14

I agree the game is descending into fast food territory. Junk food that feels good for a second but lacks true nourishment. Excellent points Truthteller. And yes too many "halflings" are hitting prodigious home runs. Mike Trout on the other hand has true power juiced balls or no juiced balls.

But the future of baseball looks bleak if they stay on this course which includes the Latin invasion which makes me wonder if these suburban crowds will continue to support the sport with excitement. As the above post explains signs of attendance slippage are starting .

 

[Truthteller]

Thanks for the replies, men.

Carolina, Soler currently has 44 HR's and is catching up to Trout quickly. He's a classic example of what I've been talking about with the "juiced ball" and possibly the lingering scourge of Steroid abuse in baseball. While Soler is not small (listed at 6'4", 230) by any means, he only had 38 career HR's over parts of 5 Major League seasons -- well over 1,100 plate appearances in that 5 year span. Suddenly, in just 620 PA's this season, he has 44 dingers? Don't surprised if Soler reaches 50 this season.

When you consider the ball was likely juiced after the All-Star break in 2015, Soler only had 33 HR's in over 1,000 PA's between 2015 to 2018 with a "juiced ball". Now, again, he has 44 HR's in just 620 PA's? Also, consider Soler is doing this in a ball park that is considered pitcher friendly. I believe from 1969 up until this season, the Royals franchise record was only 38 HR's in a season. Not sure if Soler is doing steroids, but giving what I just posted (the sudden power surge), how can one not think about it?

Conversely, Mike Trout caught the wrath of MLBPA when he suggested several years back steroid users should be "banned for life"**. Trout also averaged 31 HR's per season between 2012 to 2014 (between the ages of 21 and 23), when the ball was clearly not juiced. So while Trout is likely, also, benefiting from a "juiced ball". Mike's always had power.

** https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/...ams-gutting-mlb-drug-cheats-article-1.1425191
__________

Another quick note regarding baseball's sudden fall into junk-like status with the "juiced ball":

The fairly white friendly New York Mets made a horrific trade last winter, sending their top outfield prospect in decades (who is white) to Seattle for a closer that's been a huge bust and aging steroid abuser Robinson Cano. Along with the young outfielder, the Mets sent Brandon Dunne, an African-American first round pick from Boston College, to Seattle. Dunn made his MLB debut the other night, walking 5 batters in 0.2 innings. More importantly, Dunn became the 42nd pitcher used by Seattle this season. That's how bad things have gotten with the "juiced ball" and the awful pitching. Then MLB wonders why fans are turned off by these long, boring and mostly lopsided games? It's basically just HR's, strikeouts, walks and endless pitching changes, as mediocre pitchers (or worse) are getting slaughtered game after game with a steady stream of 5'7" to 5' 9" "sluggers" hitting up to dingers 30 per year.

 

[La France Blanche]

I've always enjoyed "small ball," which mostly correlates to "smart ball" or "white ball." For me, the best play in baseball is a successful suicide squeeze.

Count me in as another who doesn't like the direction MLB is going.

 

[Truthteller]

I enjoy "small ball" too, but also like seeing the "sluggers" doing their thing. I think there needs to be a balance, and right now there is very little. Even though, thanks to many great (white) starting pitchers, you still get the occasional 2-1 or 3-2 game.

You know, it's not like I'm trying to "wax poetic" of how I wish baseball would return to the way it was decades ago, even before I was born. Truth is, I'd love if MLB just went back to the way things were from about 2009 to 2014, when they used the "standard baseball" that had probably been used for well over 100 years and did a better job cracking down on steroid abusers. Isn't it weird, baseball put in humidors to soften balls in Colorado and Arizona, because there was so much scoring and unwatchable blowouts. Then they go out and "juice the ball" for all 30 teams. How do explain this sort of stupidity?

While baseball's commissioner also tries to "move mountains", attempting to find ways to shorten games (without cutting down commercial times between innings), he might consider his "juiced ball" is a big reason why these mostly lopsided games seemingly go on forever, while a steady steam of diminutive Latin players rack up 3 run HR's after 3 run HR's. Recently, the New York Mets thumped Arizona on consecutive nights 9-0 and 11-1. The next night the Dodgers pounded them 9-2. So that's 3 consecutive games that were so lopsided, they must've been totally unwatchable, in addition too being painfully too long!

Also, the last three days, the Chicago Cubs tattooed the Pirates 17-8, 14-1 and 16-6. Those type games are all too common nowadays. The Yankees trounced Toronto 13-3 yesterday, making them 23-1 on the season in ten run games! All those games were probably boring as heck. Today the Astros won another blowout game. They've now scored 10 or more runs 26 times this season, with 2 weeks remaining.

One positive note, is baseball's commissioner has said owners are not happy at all with all the HR's, blowouts and painfully long games due to the "juiced ball". At least he's finally realized this is a big negative. Problem is, how does he get out of this mess, without admitting he "juiced the ball"? What happens if they go back to the "standard baseball" and get serious about stopping steroids and all these 5'6" to 5'9" Latin Super Heroes go from hitting 30 to 40 HR's per season to around 9 or less per year? How will the Jewish media react when 5'6" Jose Altuve types go back to hitting 7 HR's per season and can no longer smash 460 feet opposite field HR's? These silly, white-loathing Lonsman (including the ESPN clown show) won't be able to babble on and on about Latin Supremacy in baseball?


Here's an article with several good links and Justin Verlander's opinion's regarding the negative effects of the "juiced ball" : https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ercent-sure-mlb-juicing-baseballs/1677911001/

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Mike Trout finished second in the MVP voting last year after only playing 140 games. He will finish this season with 134 games and slightly better stats in some categories. He leads the AL with 8.3 WAR, the next highest position player is Alex Bregman at 7.4! I dont really think they you can make an argument for Bregman to win MVP. The only guy who I think can rival him is Verlander, and nominating a pitcher is always a stretch.

 

[Shadowlight]

If you rifle through the history of MLB some MVP winners can make you scratch your head. Really depressing that Trout had his year abbreviated. Just takes the wind right out of me. Truly bad news but at least he should be 100% for next season. Could have been worse with an ACL or something.

It is amazing isn't it? MLB made such a fuss over steroid use in the early 2000's and yet it seems it is back in vogue (see Truthteller's post above). Combine that with the juiced ball and you get an awful cocktail of junk food baseball for the ignorant masses I guess. Although there are a lot of sophisticated baseball fans in this country and at least some of this stuff is being discussed openly. The people who run MLB make me sick. Always lying. They treat their fans like fools.

Two 21 year old players to keep an eye on. We have discussed super speedster Myles Straw of the Astros but it is yet to be determined if in the near future he earns a starting role.

But his teammate OF Kyle Tucker has some Cody Bellinger in him. Like Cody he is a rangy tall (6'4") power hitter with a ton of promise. He hit 34 home runs in Triple A this season and is currently hitting .325 with two dingers for the Astros after his call up. He is ready for the big leagues so I would hate to see him languish another year at Triple A.

The Dodgers, a favorite here at CF, called up SS Gavin Lux. Lux batted .319 at Double A before being promoted to Triple A where he hit get this---.392!!! He is currently batting .275 with the Dodgers and looks the part of a star in the making. From Wisconsin of all places. Has speed and all the tools.

 

[Truthteller]

Shadow, I won't leave one of my usual long replies, because I want CF members and lurkers to check out this link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...e-doping-steroid-question-returns/1662455001/


Three notable quotes from the article: Ex-MLB player, admitted PED user David Segui:

“I would say 60% of the [players] today, easily, are doing stuff,’’ Segui told USA TODAY Sports. “It reminds me of our era when everybody talked about the balls being juiced. The balls weren’t juiced, the players were juiced. Just like now.

“You’re seeing balls hit now in upper decks where not even the most juiced-up guys were hitting balls back in the day. You’re seeing scrawny little guys hitting balls 460 feet. Guys are hitting balls where Barry (Bonds) and (Mark) McGwire never hit them. You’re seeing these little guys with terrible swings go opposite field.

“The ball is hot, but come on, you think these home runs are just because of the balls?’’

Bob Nightengale, Veteran USA TODAY writer:

And there is talk in clubhouses that some of these home-run outbursts are less than genuine. Some players are rocketing past their career high in home runs. Some who struggled to hit the ball to the warning track are now launching balls 450 feet the opposite field.

How about these points from Barry Bonds' ex-Steroid provider/guru, Victor Conte:

“There are guys using these drugs, really as many or more than ever before,’’ Conte told USA TODAY Sports. “The difference is these guys not only understand how and when to take it, but what dosage and delivery level, and not test positive. Hey, good news travels fast, right?

“Guys can’t take the large dosages they used to, but they’ve figured out how to circumvent the system rather easily, and are flying under the radar. That’s why you have so many guys (on pace for) 40 homers, but nobody is hitting 80.’’

 

[white is right]

Shadow, I won't leave one of my usual long replies, because I want CF members and lurkers to check out this link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...e-doping-steroid-question-returns/1662455001/


Three notable quotes from the article: Ex-MLB player, admitted PED user David Segui:


Bob Nightengale, Veteran USA TODAY writer:


How about these points from Barry Bonds' ex-Steroid provider/guru, Victor Conte:

Yes, guys are micro dosing that's why when Ryan Braun failed his test he really didn't look any different than a clean guy. Gone are the days of guys looking like Popeye or He-man.

I too miss small ball which is only now played in the National League because of the pitcher. I can't see MLB really getting to the bottom of this because of what happened last time which was a pr disaster.

 

[Shadowlight]

Shadow, I won't leave one of my usual long replies, because I want CF members and lurkers to check out this link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...e-doping-steroid-question-returns/1662455001/


Three notable quotes from the article: Ex-MLB player, admitted PED user David Segui:


Bob Nightengale, Veteran USA TODAY writer:


How about these points from Barry Bonds' ex-Steroid provider/guru, Victor Conte:

Tremendous under cover reporting. Remember when the steroid rage first hit? The media just focused on baseball and let football slide. Despite Sosa and Bonds baseball was still considered a "white sport" back then and white players like Brady Anderson were brought up time and again. Now that the non white Latina players are juicing MLB is just sitting on their hands letting it all happen without a whisper.

Yes the balls are juiced but we also now know that many of the players are juicing themselves and most of them appear to be the Latin players. Where is the outrage now?

 

[icsept]

I don’t trust David Segui and his conjecture that 60% of major leaguers are on PEDs. Steroid cheats always say that everybody’s doing it.

However, I’m not a fan of all the home runs and strikeouts. I hate the defensive shift, and even more than that I hate that the hitters can’t beat it. Imagine in the 1970s or 80s if you left one side of the infield open, almost any player would be able to regularly hit an opposite field single. Now, they just pull the ball right into the shift.

 

[ramicackle]

I don’t trust David Segui and his conjecture that 60% of major leaguers are on PEDs. Steroid cheats always say that everybody’s doing it.

However, I’m not a fan of all the home runs and strikeouts. I hate the defensive shift, and even more than that I hate that the hitters can’t beat it. Imagine in the 1970s or 80s if you left one side of the infield open, almost any player would be able to regularly hit an opposite field single. Now, they just pull the ball right into the shift.

Pitchers throw 10mph faster now than they did 40 years ago. It's harder to hit now. Plus, hitters have learned that increasing their launch angle results in more wins than pure line drives. The shift can't stop the longball.

 

[Shadowlight]

I agree with the above post that the idea that 60% of MLB players are using drugs is way too high.

However I want to distinguish two major issues in MLB.

The juiced ball is beyond annoying. It junks up the game and turns it into a circus. Sure everyone has to deal with it making it a "level playing" field but still it is ruining the game. That said it is fixable and hopefully soon they address the juiced ball and let things get back to normal.

The PED use is far more sinister. I believe the usage ( based on the great research done here) is overwhelmingly done by the young Latin players. A player like Brett Gardner may have set a career high in HRs this season with 26 but even if you factor in the juiced ball I just think his extra power is a result of increased core strength, not uncommon for men in their 30's. I was more muscular and heavier in my 20's than I was in my 30's but I could hit a golf ball much further when I was in my 30's simply because my core strength increased.

But what worries me about this Latin PED usage, where they have adjusted doses etc. to avoid detection, is that I see no appetite on behalf of MLB to clamp down on it. Which is in stark contrast to when they belatedly but finally cracked down on the issue in the 90's.

A short history is instructive and I will drag in two other sports. First when MLB finally clamped down on steroids in the 90's it was the result of public pressure and since the sport was considered a "white sport" they decided to put in a stricter drug policy.

The whole time the NFL drug problem was rarely even mentioned. Only baseball took the media blame. NFL instituted their own drug policy which was obviously not all that strict. The media didn't seem to care. I read that as meaning lets give the black players a pass.

Meanwhile tennis, which most think of as being a "white sport", instituted what many believe is the strictest of all drug policies. I know some here feel Serena "cheats" but I highly doubt it. Besides there are quite of few bulbous black women wandering around who have asses the size of buildings if one hasn't noticed. Ha. Tennis, arguably the oldest non Olympic sport out there, does not fuss around. When Serena went off the rails at the US Open two years ago she came close to getting banned. The umpires were considering boycotting her matches so if you noticed she hasn't gone nuts since. You think those old Brits who run Wimbledon are going to put up with that sort of crap? Tennis bends at times but they are not afraid to put the hammer down when necessary. A far cry from the NFL and MLB.

The running theme I am getting at is that neither the NFL or MLB has much interest in stopping the PED usage because of one factor. The overwhelming players that are "cheating" are not white. This is a major concern and why I think MLB, like the NFL, will turn the other cheek as young Latin stars juice up and put up big stats.

Very sad affair. And it speaks to the double standard that sports abide by in this "black supremacy" era. Unlike the 90's MLB isn't seen as a true white sport now so the drug usage all of a sudden is no cause for alarm anymore.

 

[ramicackle]

I was watching the Dodger game last night - it seems like they are >80% White. I'm looking forward to checking in on this site all post-season ...should be good.

It's nice to see the Dodgers celebrate together after a win. The whole team runs out onto the field and it looks like color footage from the 50s.

 

[La France Blanche]

Meanwhile tennis, which most think of as being a "white sport", instituted what many believe is the strictest of all drug policies. I know some here feel Serena "cheats" but I highly doubt it. Besides there are quite of few bulbous black women wandering around who have asses the size of buildings if one hasn't noticed. Ha. Tennis, arguably the oldest non Olympic sport out there, does not fuss around. When Serena went off the rails at the US Open two years ago she came close to getting banned. The umpires were considering boycotting her matches so if you noticed she hasn't gone nuts since. You think those old Brits who run Wimbledon are going to put up with that sort of crap? Tennis bends at times but they are not afraid to put the hammer down when necessary. A far cry from the NFL and MLB.

I think Serena does cheat. Biologically, it's really not possible for a woman to develop that much muscle without some kind of steroids. While it's true that black women have higher levels of testosterone than White women, if Serena was "clean" she'd look more like her sister and less like a linebacker. She'd probably also have a record closer to her sister's (7 Grand Slam titles) and not even be close to being any kind of threat to break Margaret Court's record.