The Major League Baseball thread

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Libertarian :hand:

Whatever you say FJ Clinton :roll:

[DemonGeminiX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qcgMvobFcM

Yep nothing extreme about that. :lol:

No. I'm sorry, Jay. There isn't.

[fricnjay]

No. I'm sorry, Jay. There isn't.

Seriously? Traveling over 40mph down a 100ft ramp on a wood board with some wheels on it isnt extreme. :nuts:

[Goofy]

https://i.imgur.com/KqGuuoy.mp4

[DemonGeminiX]

Wicked reflexes.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Benintendi with a legitimate bid for catch of the year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LloveTheGame?src=hash">#LloveTheGame</a><a href="https://t.co/MuiFRzhQRo">https://t.co/MuiFRzhQRo</a></p>&mdash; MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/767907093848334336">August 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nice catch rook :thumbsup:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

The Mets are signing Tim Tebow to a minor league deal :facepalm:

[RBP]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="no" dir="ltr">DIV: 9<br>WC: 8</p>&mdash; Cubs Magic Number (@CubsMagicNumbr) <a href="https://twitter.com/CubsMagicNumbr/status/773705456489553925">September 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>...

[DemonGeminiX]

The Mets are signing Tim Tebow to a minor league deal :facepalm:

Doesn't mean shit. Most minor leaguers never see the majors.

[RBP]

0

http://i.imgur.com/xX3SV0b.jpg

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Down 5-2 in the ninth inning, score a couple of runs, and then...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s not over ‘til <a href="https://twitter.com/HanleyRamirez">@HanleyRamirez</a> says it’s over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash">#RedSox</a> <a href="https://t.co/wYmgzwOk2t">pic.twitter.com/wYmgzwOk2t</a></p>&mdash; Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/776631002898829312">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Teh One Who Knocks]

0

http://i.imgur.com/xX3SV0b.jpg

Washington Nationals? :-k

[RBP]

Down 5-2 in the ninth inning, score a couple of runs, and then...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s not over ‘til <a href="https://twitter.com/HanleyRamirez">@HanleyRamirez</a> says it’s over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash">#RedSox</a> <a href="https://t.co/wYmgzwOk2t">pic.twitter.com/wYmgzwOk2t</a></p>— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/776631002898829312">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That was a great walk off. Down to the wire in that division - will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[RBP]

Washington Nationals? :-k

:slap:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

:slap:

What was that for? :x It's a 'W' [-(

[RBP]

What was that for? :x It's a 'W' [-(

It's a Cubs tradition to "fly the W" after a win. Last night wouldn't qualify since they lost, but they clinched so I made an exception. :lol:



For Cubs fans, the flying of the "W" flag after a victory is a great tradition. (One, by the way, that many White Sox fans loathe, which makes Cubs fans love it even more.)

But now it's teetering on the ridiculous.

The custom began in the 1940s. After home games, scoreboard operators would hoist either a white flag with a blue W or a blue flag with a white L, thus announcing the outcome to neighbors and elevated-train riders.

But the flags have since spread far beyond Wrigley Field. People fly them outside their homes. Some tack them to their office walls.

So, as with other flags of importance, we need to establish some etiquette. Here are The Talk's rules for proper W flag use:

*Don't fly the flag early. If you fly the flag prematurely and the Cubs blow the game, you will be seen by now-angry, superstitious Cubs fans as the proximate cause of the loss. You will deserve anything that happens to you.

*Small W flags, signifying a sign of hope and faith, may be discreetly posted in cubicles provided they do not exceed 11 by 8 inches. Everyday display of larger W flags must be confined to the backyard, out of public view, lest they anger Sox fans and/or confuse passing Cubs fans who happened not to have watched that day's game.

*The Cubs W flag may be flown after a loss, but only at half-staff.

*If you want to fly a flag after a loss at full-staff, buy an L flag.

*Do not post it on your wall, permanently, at your office. This only confuses your colleagues, some of whom will think you're still a George W. Bush supporter.

*If the Cubs lose on an unearned run, you may fly the flag sideways, so that the W, looks like a sharp-edged E (for error).

*The flag must be taken down and stored after the final game of the season. Unless, of course, they win the World Series, in which case it should fly the entire off-season.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

There's no W in Chicago or Cubs [-(

[RBP]

There's no W in Chicago or Cubs [-(

But there's a lot of them in the standings. :dance:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

But there's a lot of them in the standings. :dance:

The only W that matters is the last one of the entire baseball season :nono:

[RBP]

The only W that matters is the last one of the entire baseball season :nono:

The Cardinals making the wildcard is my nightmare scenario.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Why? Did they win the season series against the Cubs?

[RBP]

Why? Did they win the season series against the Cubs?

I don't think so, but it's the Cardinals, always an intense rivalry. They would love to shut the Cubs down and their fans are still mad about Lackey and Heyward.

The Cubs will be the top seed, so they get the wildcard in the NLDS.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/3ya3ZYI.jpg

They're right there :lol:

[RBP]

I know! It's giving me palpitations! :shock:

[DemonGeminiX]

The Giants just need to go away. They're always there. They've won 3 world series titles since 2010. That's enough. I'm so sick of them.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

4 game sweep of the Yankees :banana:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Sweeping the Yankees got the BoSox magic number down to 11

[DemonGeminiX]

With 12 games left in the 13 remaining days of the season to do it in.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Down to 9 now :dance:

[deebakes]

the only thing about baseball that is getting talked about here is how many home runs our second baseman will end up with :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Tim Tebow's Mets jersey is the #1 selling baseball jersey now :facepalm:

[DemonGeminiX]

Well if they wanted money, that's a way to get it. It's a smart business move, knowing how rabid his fans are. However, if he's wearing a Mets jersey in the minor league system there's only three teams out of the Mets' nine MiLB teams that qualify:

AA - Binghamton Mets (Binghamton, NY - Eastern League)
Advanced A - St. Lucie Mets (Port St Lucie, Florida - Florida State League)
Rookie - Kingsport Mets (Kingsport, Tennessee - Appalachian League)

My money's on the St. Lucie Mets.

[Goofy]

https://i.imgur.com/zNUC9TA.mp4

[DemonGeminiX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvldJ1bpqS4&ab_channel=MLB

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Down to 9 now :dance:

Down to 6 :dance:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Well if they wanted money, that's a way to get it. It's a smart business move, knowing how rabid his fans are. However, if he's wearing a Mets jersey in the minor league system there's only three teams out of the Mets' nine MiLB teams that qualify:

AA - Binghamton Mets (Binghamton, NY - Eastern League)
Advanced A - St. Lucie Mets (Port St Lucie, Florida - Florida State League)
Rookie - Kingsport Mets (Kingsport, Tennessee - Appalachian League)

My money's on the St. Lucie Mets.

Why Tim Tebow's jersey is available for purchase
A.J. Perez, USA TODAY Sports


http://i.imgur.com/WXuSYbi.jpg

Questions loom as to whether Tim Tebow has a future in baseball, although there's no doubting his commercial appeal.

Tebow began his first day of instructional league ball with the New York Mets on Monday, his first foray into organized baseball since high school. He’s a long shot to make the Mets --- or any other major league roster – and yet the Tebow No. 15 Mets jersey was the top seller on the team’s official online shop.

For $119.99 and free shipping, you can order the “special event item” similar --- at least material-wise --- to the jersey with moisture-wicking technology Tebow will wear this week in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Tebow, however, donned a blue No. 15 jersey as he began taking drills on Monday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's Tebow Time! <a href="https://twitter.com/TimTebow">@TimTebow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGM?src=hash">#LGM</a> <a href="https://t.co/en7IT5nSmo">pic.twitter.com/en7IT5nSmo</a></p>&mdash; Majestic Athletic (@MajesticOnField) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajesticOnField/status/777854513080303617">September 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Typically, jerseys are only sold for those players on the active, 25-man roster. But a so-called “bridge agreement” was worked out with jersey supplier Majestic, Major League Baseball spokesperson Matt Bourne said in an email to USA TODAY Sports.

Tebow presents the rare case of a player not on the active or 40-man rosters who has the marketing appeal to sell jerseys. Teams' 40-man rosters typically consist of the active roster and disabled list, and top prospects closest to the major leagues. The players' association will occasionally - albeit rarely - enter into bridge agreements for players expected to make a major league roster.

Since Tebow is not a member of the players' association, the revenue will be split however the Mets, Tebow and Majestic see fit.


Via ESPN reporters: Because Tim Tebow is not on the 40-man roster, there is no MLB licensing to split. The Mets get all of the money.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) September 19, 2016

Members of baseball's union receive licensing payouts at the end of each year based on service time, an amount that can exceed $20,000 for the most experienced players.

No. 15 was Tebow's old football number at the University of Florida and his three-season NFL career. Third baseman Matt Reynolds currently wears No. 15 with the Mets.

However, judging by the hundreds of fans who showed up to the Mets' training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Tebow has overtaken Reynolds as the Mets' definitive 15.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The new must have item in Mets fashion. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tebow?src=hash">#Tebow</a> <a href="https://t.co/7SRyWTWSPt">pic.twitter.com/7SRyWTWSPt</a></p>&mdash; Chris Stewart (@CStewartWPTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/CStewartWPTV/status/777862963977973760">September 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tebow worked out in front of major league scouts in Los Angeles last month. The Mets signed Tebow days later and he received a $100,000 bonus.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Red Sox are on fire right now. If they aren't peaking, then they're damn close to it. They swept their last 2 series against the Orioles and Yankees. They're looking scary.

[RBP]

The Red Sox are on fire right now. If they aren't peaking, then they're damn close to it. They swept their last 2 series against the Orioles and Yankees. They're looking scary.

I would LOVE a Cubs - Red Sox World Series.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

The Red Sox are on fire right now. If they aren't peaking, then they're damn close to it. They swept their last 2 series against the Orioles and Yankees. They're looking scary.

First time the BoSox have swept back-to-back 4 game series since July 1968 :dance:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Sweeping the Yankees got the BoSox magic number down to 11

In five days they dropped their magic number down to 4 :dance:

[deebakes]

i was at game 4 in camden yards for the sox against the orioles on thursday night :tup:

[DemonGeminiX]

The Phillies got slaughtered by the Mets today. 17 - 0. Wow.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

11 in a row for the BoSox, magic number down to 2 :banana:

[Godfather]

Dee Gordon hits it out in Miami's first plate appearance of the game after losing his close friend.


https://streamable.com/xq35

Fuck man, if that doesn't move you, I dono what does.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

BoSox can clinch the division today with either a win or a Blue Jays loss :banana:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/nOhVB5h.jpg

Cards are still hanging right there RBP

[RBP]

100 wins! First time since the 1930's! :woot:

And, yes, I check it far too often... fucking Cardinals. My first goal is no Cards. If that's not possible, I want a 3-way tie that forces a 3 game round robin. Good drama there. :)

[DemonGeminiX]

BoSox can clinch the division today with either a win or a Blue Jays loss :banana:

Neither of which happened. Denied!

[RBP]

:giggle:

[DemonGeminiX]

San Fran tearing up Colorado has effectively ended the Marlins hopes of a playoff wildcard berth.

I feel bad for the Marlins.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

by Ricky Doyle - NESN


http://i.imgur.com/4zBZFAUl.jpg

Yes, David Ross has thought about it.

Ross played for the Boston Red Sox in 2013 and 2014 before spending the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The veteran catcher has some fond memories from his time in Boston, as do a few of his Chicago teammates, so as the Cubs and Red Sox stand atop their respective leagues with the Major League Baseball postseason approaching, Ross can’t help but consider a dream World Series scenario.

“This season has been a dream come true for me in so many ways, but to end it playing the Red Sox, that would be the storybook,” Ross recently told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford on the “Bradfo Show” podcast. “I love all those guys. I’m rooting those guys on all the time. I’m in constant contact with a bunch of those guys, coaches included. I miss those guys. I’m always pulling for them. Getting me and David (Ortiz) in the World Series would be pretty neat.”

Ross, like Ortiz, is retiring after this season, although the 39-year-old backstop’s farewell tour hasn’t been quite as publicized as his former teammate’s dominant campaign for Boston. Playing the Red Sox in the World Series would make for an even more memorable send-off.

It also would make for great theater. In addition to Ross, several other members of the Cubs organization — Jon Lester, John Lackey and Theo Epstein, to name a few — also have ties to the Red Sox, hence why a potential Boston-Chicago Fall Classic has been discussed within the walls of Wrigley Field.

“We have such a connection with the city (of Boston) and the (Red Sox) organization, that comes up all the time. We’re talking about David and what he’s doing and what is going on there and all the success that’s happening in Boston,” Ross told Bradford. “Heck yeah, we’ve talked about it. I think the storybook is the Red Sox and Cubs. Two of the oldest franchises in the game. The two best stadiums, in my opinion, in all of baseball. We think about it all the time. If that’s the goal, there wouldn’t be a better place to be than Boston and Chicago.”

Don’t worry, Mr. Ross. We’re thinking about it, too.

[deebakes]

i'm going to find it funny when neither team makes it that far :lol:

[DemonGeminiX]

BoSox can clinch the division today with either a win or a Blue Jays loss :banana:

Tonight, the Red Sox pitching choked in the 9th and they ended up losing to the Yankees, but Toronto lost. Looks like Boston clinched.

[RBP]

i'm going to find it funny when neither team makes it that far :lol:

:fu:

[RBP]

http://i67.tinypic.com/r0zewy.jpg

Tim Tebow’s first professional baseball game, of sorts, yielded an immediate highlight as the telegenic Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion quarterback hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in a game against a team of St. Louis Cardinals farmhands.

Tebow, 29, is likely the oldest player populating instructional league games in Florida, and the 255-pound outfielder did not waste time showing he’d like to advance with some dispatch through the New York Mets system, hammering a pitch just to the left of dead center field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

i'm going to find it funny when neither team makes it that far :lol:

What's the Twins magic number? :-k

[deebakes]

2024 :tup:

[DemonGeminiX]

The Red Sox lost again. I know they've clinched the division already, but going into the playoffs on a losing streak is not a good thing, Lance.

And what was up with the end to the Cardinals-Reds game? That was a ground-rule double. You can't end a game on that ground-rule double. The runner was on first. He's now on third and forbidden from advancing to score on the play. That game's still tied and unfinished. They need to get back out there and finish that game.

[DemonGeminiX]

The league's explanation's bullshit. That game's not over. The Cardinals stole that game.

I was watching the game and the first thing I said was "ground rule double". Then the announcers chimed in on it. The commentators on the MLB network have been up in arms about it ever since. There's a bunch of explanations coming from the league out on the air, and they are all fucking bullshit.

What a terrible way to end a game. The Umps and the MLB fucked the Reds over badly.

[DemonGeminiX]

Oh, and the Cards pull into a tie with the Giants in the WC standings, if the Giants lose tonight. This is way more fucked up then just fucking the Reds over.

[RBP]

I'll have to find it...

[Oofty Goofty]

Words that I never imagined I would get to say in my lifetime - The Texas Rangers have secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs!

[RBP]

Words that I never imagined I would get to say in my lifetime - The Texas Rangers have secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs!

You and me both, my friend. :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Soak it in, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSoxNation?src=hash">#RedSoxNation</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThanksPapi?src=hash">#ThanksPapi</a> <a href="https://t.co/nOO7mL3slT">pic.twitter.com/nOO7mL3slT</a></p>&mdash; Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/782047118274035712">October 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'll take Big Papi for $1000, Alex

This is the Red Sox path to winning the World Series this year.

Who is David Ortiz?

[RBP]

http://i63.tinypic.com/2enoz7s.png

http://i.imgur.com/3SxMNsL.jpg

[Teh One Who Knocks]

They aren't going away yet :lol:

[RBP]

Fuckers. :lol:

[RBP]

PIT @ STL 12:05 CT
LAD @ SFG 3:05 CT
PHI @ NYM 12:05 CT

STL elimination number is 2, so if the Cardinals lose and the Giants win, it's OVA. I think. Hopefully. Just get it done, god dammit. :x

[DemonGeminiX]

The Cardinals won, by the way. So it's not OVA.

[RBP]

The Cardinals won, by the way. So it's not OVA.

I know, but the Giants won also, so the Giants have their fate in their own hands tomorrow. Mets clinched.

[DemonGeminiX]

The AL wildcard/Detroit situation threw me for a second.

[RBP]

The AL wildcard/Detroit situation threw me for a second.

Why are they a game short?

[DemonGeminiX]

I don't know when the game was canceled or why, but there's a scheduled make up game between Detroit and Cleveland on Monday. According to the MLB schedule, it's the only one.

[RBP]

I don't know when the game was canceled or why, but there's a scheduled make up game between Detroit and Cleveland on Monday. According to the MLB schedule, it's the only one.

Weird.

[DemonGeminiX]

It might be absolutely meaningless. If both Baltimore and Toronto win tomorrow, Detroit's out.

[RBP]

STL eliminated. Giants 7 - LAD 1. :woot:

I sent "finally" with a screenshot of the score to my Cardinal-fan brother.

He eloquently responded: "Fucker"

So I made and sent this:

http://i63.tinypic.com/30d9z0n.png

[deebakes]

the cardinals always play tough in the playoffs, but i am not sure how much better having the giants is :shrug:

[DemonGeminiX]

Detroit's out. The Blue Jay's face the Orioles in the AL wild card.

They canceled the make up game.

[DemonGeminiX]

the cardinals always play tough in the playoffs, but i am not sure how much better having the giants is :shrug:

The Giants are a tough playoff team as well.

[RBP]

I expect the Cubs will play the Mets anyway. But for today, don't care, the Cardinals are out.

[DemonGeminiX]

Good luck. The Mets are a good team. They're fun to watch in the way KC was fun to watch the previous 2 seasons. A good strategic small ball playing team.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/JjMp5GOl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Dz68yk7.jpg

[RBP]

http://i63.tinypic.com/25yxilt.png

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Walt Weiss just resigned after 4 years of managing the Rox

[RBP]

Robin Ventura out, Ricky Renteria in as Chicago White Sox manager.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/yxgbx93.jpg

[DemonGeminiX]

Toronto wins the wildcard matchup in 11 innings. Baltimore's out.

Toronto goes on to face Texas.

[RBP]

Toronto wins the wildcard matchup in 11 innings. Baltimore's out.

Toronto goes on to face Texas.

With a toasted bullpen.

[deebakes]

:rip: baltimore

[DemonGeminiX]

The Giants take control in the 9th. The Mets better start something or they're gone.

[DemonGeminiX]

Uh oh... the Giants are going up against the Cubs. I don't know man.

[RBP]

Bumgardner. Damn. Did I hear that right? that's 23 straight innings in loser goes home games with ZERO runs allowed?

[DemonGeminiX]

Yeah, he's clutch.

[RBP]

Yeah, he's clutch.

Jesus. Speaking of survival instincts, EVACUATE.

[RBP]

League division series, best of 5 games.
ALDS = American League Division Series
NLDS = National League Division Series

ALDS: Toronto 2-0 series lead over Texas
ALDS: Cleveland 2-0 series lead over Boston (Sorry, Lank)
NLDS: LA Dodgers 1-0 series lead over Washington
NLDS: Chicago Cubs 1-0 series lead over San Fransisco :woot:

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/wO0OZe6.jpg

[Godfather]

God dammit can the Jay's get destroyed already?

"Canada's team" pfft... buncha whiny Toronto pussies.

[deebakes]

i thought you would be happy, since the vancouver team didn't make it to the playoffs this year :shrug:

[RBP]

i thought you would be happy, since the vancouver team didn't make it to the playoffs this year :shrug:

:burn2:

13-14: Did not qualify
14-15: Lost in the first round
15-16: Did not qualify

I'm with Dee, time to consider baseball. :tup:

[deebakes]

and vancouver's baseball team is garbage too ;)

[RBP]

and vancouver's baseball team is garbage too ;)

Oh, they have a minor league team... in the Toronto farm system.

[deebakes]

:bwaha:

[DemonGeminiX]

League division series, best of 5 games.
ALDS = American League Division Series
NLDS = National League Division Series

ALDS: Toronto 2-0 series lead over Texas
ALDS: Cleveland 2-0 series lead over Boston (Sorry, Lank)
NLDS: LA Dodgers 1-0 series lead over Washington
NLDS: Chicago Cubs 1-0 series lead over San Fransisco :woot:

... and I've missed every single game because of this fucking hurricane. :meh:

[RBP]

:empathy:

[DemonGeminiX]

Wow, Toronto's on fire.

[Oofty Goofty]

Rangers, with the best record in the American League, were easily defeated by Toronto in three games. Their starting pitching was horrible. What a fucking kick to the gut! They'll never make it back to the World Series in my lifetime.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

At least the BoSox weren't the first team eliminated from the playoffs :cheers:

[RBP]

Why you pay attention at a baseball game. Nice save, Dad!

http://i.imgur.com/9Rt8D76.jpg

[DemonGeminiX]

Well, to be fair, it looks like a bunch of Brave's fans and there wasn't really much to pay attention to if it was at a Brave's game. They just weren't very good this year.

[deebakes]

but get off your damn phone you little fucktard :lol:

[Godfather]

Oh, they have a minor league team... in the Toronto farm system.

Believe it or not, it's been one of the hotter sports tickets in town a few years now :lol:

They play Single-A Short Ball. Just a summer league, but the stadium is outdoors so with the rain we get it sells must better than when we had Triple-A. The fans are so awesome, games sell out, great beers and food, really nice little park. More fun and affordable than hockey tickets :lol:

[DemonGeminiX]

Cleveland sweeps the BoSox.

[deebakes]

:rip: papi

[Oofty Goofty]

I was hoping for a Texas-Boston ALCS

[RBP]

Sorry Lank. :sad2:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Meh, you win some, you lose some :dunno: I do feel bad for Big Papi, that's a shitty way to have to go out, but at least he had an awesome career and has 3 World Series titles.

And the drought continues....2013 :sad2:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/mvrjSAc.jpg

Thanks for all the great memories Big Papi, you will be missed, but your legacy will live on with the greatest names in Sox history, Williams, Yaz, Fisk, Foxx, Pedro, Rice, Boggs, et al...and Ortiz

[Teh One Who Knocks]

The Red Sox have had a few better players. But no one has been more important than Big Papi. He changed the franchise. And he changed us, too.
By Chad Finn - Boston.com


http://i.imgur.com/RhnxxpX.jpg

Well, of course it’s so hard to say goodbye to David Ortiz. It took generations for someone like him to finally say hello.

He is not the best hitter in Red Sox history, though he’s in the argument for the silver. He is not the best player. But he is the most important person the franchise has ever called its own, and anyone with a rudimentary sense of Red Sox history — especially over a certain 86-year span — should know that statement is really not up for debate.

He is the one who ended that relentless self-fulfilling prophecy. Red Sox fans were trained to expect autumn to bring heartache even after the most successful summers. Inevitably, cruelly, it would prove our fatalism was justified, year after year, decade after decade, generation after generation.

He is the one who changed that, the one who came through, the legend of the fall, the Red Sox slugger who didn’t make the last out, lose his swing in the big moment, or suffer a freak injury just when the stakes were highest.

He is the one who delivered, making up for the past October disappointments of Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, of Jim Rice and Mo Vaughn. He evened the ledger of history, delivering so many blessings in his 14 seasons with the Red Sox that it’s hard to believe we ever felt cursed.

Teddy Ballgame is the greatest hitter who ever lived. Yaz started a Red Sox renaissance when he taught us how to make the impossible possible. Rice and Vaughn captured Most Valuable Player awards in superb, winning seasons.

Yet none knew the elation of winning a World Series. None were champions. None could do what Ortiz did, time and time again, when the ballgame, if not the season itself, held in the balance. None won. So often, Ortiz would not let the Red Sox lose.

Ortiz changed everything about us, and the massive undertaking began in 2003, his first season here. The first huge Ortiz hit I can recall was his go-ahead, two-out, two-run double off A’s closer Keith Foulke in Game 4 of the hotly contested 2003 ALDS. As we’d learn a year later, Foulke was no pushover in such moments, but Ortiz got him then.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxSZJ9GZ-w


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu-m2CYHW4Y

His greatest hits came the next October. In that seismic postseason, he delivered two walk-off hits in a 24-hour span in the ALCS against the Yankees en route to the most stunning series comeback in professional sports history. And neither of those hits – a homer in the 12th inning of Game 4, a single in the 14th inning of Game 5 – stand alone in my mind as his most important in that series.

A dozen years later, we talk about that Game 7 that year as if it were won with ease. It was not. It was terrifying through, oh, at least the 26th out. History made it hard to trust what we were witnessing in real time. We knew that the only way to suffer a more agonizing loss than the year before would have been to rally all the way back from the three-game deficit, build a big lead in Game 7 … and blow it. Anything seemed possible, and not in a good way.

Yet it was Ortiz who gave us a clue early in the game that this one was going to be different. After Johnny Damon got thrown out at the plate on a Manny Ramirez single in the first inning, it felt like a missed opportunity that was certain to haunt later. But the next batter – Ortiz, of course – tempered the frustration with a two-run homer, giving the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. The next inning, Damon hit a grand slam, and the rout was on, even if it couldn’t be savored until it was complete. A walk-off wasn’t necessary from Ortiz that night. He gave the Red Sox a beginning to believe in.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyFhFtLsa-k

Had Ortiz stepped off the duck boat and decided to become, I don’t know, a goat farmer in October 2004, he would have been securely entrenched then as the premier clutch hitter in Red Sox history. Once upon a time, I wrote this about him:


He’s Mo Vaughn with an uncanny knack in the clutch and no strippers-and-bacon-sandwiches baggage. He’s Reggie Jackson without being an arrogant, phony $%%#@. He’s Dave Henderson with more ability, more pure power, more duende. He is the greatest clutch hitter you, your dad, your granddad, and in all likelihood your unborn children will ever see. He’s Big Papi, larger than life, bigger than the biggest moments.

When did I write that? In June 2005. Eleven years ago, after a walk-off home run off Orioles closer B.J. Ryan. Eleven years! Even then, early in his Red Sox tenure, he had secured his bona fides as the master of the major moment. Every clutch hitter in Red Sox lore at that point – Yaz, Hendu, Carlton Fisk, hell, Troy O’Leary – had a coda of disappointment attached to their baseball heroics, because their teams did not ultimately prevail.

Papi wasn’t a hero in defeat. He was the hero who delivered victory, and he continued to do so since. He is the rare player who has a better slash-line in the postseason (.295/.409/.553 in 82 games) than the regular season (.286/.380/.552). Just think of everything that has happened in these last 11 years, or even since he and the ’04 Sox wiped the perma-smirk off Derek Jeter’s face.

http://i.imgur.com/WnzHtTd.jpg
Detroit’s Torii Hunter flips into the Red Sox bullpen chasing David Ortiz’ grand slam as Boston Police officer Steve Horgan and Sox fans celebrate.
—Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff

He hit .688 in a World Series. He turned an outfielder upside down and a bullpen cop into an icon. He made the FCC essentially say, “Meh, no harm, no foul. It is our [expletive] city, after all.” He hit 54 homers in a season and the 500th and beyond of his career. And he did it all with an irresistible, Tiant-level charisma, a charisma he was willing to share. He made sure to have a moment for everyone — a fist-bump, a selfie, a smile — even if he didn’t have the time. He treated people he just met like they were lifelong friends.

The cynics among us will say that this celebration – he was feted in every city, and the party is extended for three full days in Boston – is too much, over the top, maudlin even. Maybe, but why shouldn’t it be prolonged? I’ll never get those Red Sox fans who don’t appreciate him in full, and I don’t want to understand them.

I know, his legacy is not flawless. He has a temper, and it can get ugly. He complained about a lost RBI once at the wrong time, and he did not seem to enjoy the Orioles’ recent gag gift of a replica bullpen phone – a replica because he beat the other one to smithereens many years ago – during his recent salute in Baltimore.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eoro-V97l0

As for his most damning transgression, I’ll care about the four names leaked among the 103 who failed the “anonymous” 2003 performance-enhancing drug test when we know the identities of the unscathed 99. I guarantee you it would change how we perceive baseball history. I can tell you one Hall of Fame vote Ortiz is going to get right now.

Maybe that uncanny poise and command in the clutch has been taken for granted in recent years, his big-moment deliveries becoming as familiar now as they were unexpected then, in spring 2003, when he arrived as a Minnesota Twins discard, a barely noticed transaction in agate type.

But we’ve remembered to appreciate them in recent weeks, as the days on the schedule dwindled and the realization that no change of heart was forthcoming. He really is leaving, and voids, plural, will be left in his wake.

I have no idea how the Red Sox will replace his 38 homers and league-best 127 RBIs in the heart of the lineup, though other accomplished hitters can be found. I don’t believe they can replace the leadership void, the pied piper effect, the way he connects with complicated veterans like Hanley Ramirez and advises earnest young stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts. He’ll be missed in ways we cannot see.

http://i.imgur.com/Oz6d34o.jpg
David Ortiz, left, and Hanley Ramirez talk in the Red Sox dugout during a game against the Rays. —AP Photo/Steve Nesius

A half-dozen years ago, during one of those Aprils or Mays when he looked alarmingly incapable and the end seemed to be coming up fast on the horizon, I wrote something along the lines of this: Now we know what it will look like when the end comes for Ortiz. Meaning, it wasn’t going to be pretty when his skills had abandoned him for good. He seemed to be the next Red Sox in line for a bad ending.

Not even the Twins were as wrong about him as I was with that sentiment. He’s been here 14 seasons, longer than Manny, Pedro, Eck, Mo or Tiant. All these years later, he’s set up for the perfect ending. He’s had the best walk-off season in baseball history, and while I still harbor a small wish that he’d punk Sunday’s ceremony by announcing he’s sticking around for another year — imagine the crowd reaction to that — at least we know that the final regular-season game is not the end.

There’s still the postseason, the spot where he made his name and turned us into believers. If anyone in baseball history is going to have a walk-off walk-off – would, say, a Game 7 grand slam to beat the Cubs too much to dream on? – why wouldn’t it be Big Papi, still larger than life, still bigger than the biggest moments?

This is not the last goodbye, but it is the precursor to his final scene. Here’s hoping it’s a famous one. But in case we get lost in the moment and forget to say it at the end of the postseason, whenever it comes, we’d better say it now. So thank you, Papi. Thank you for the laughs, the kindness, the confidence that it would all be OK. Thank you for the familiarities, the double-clap before you step in, the mighty swing, the leisurely home-run trot. Thank you for the walk-offs, for rewarding the faith, for making our bleeping city your own. Thank you for all of it, Papi, for everything, thank you.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Sorry, had to post that, loved the article and as a lifetime Red Sox fan, it actually made me cry. Gonna miss that guy a lot....

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Fucking Giants, 10 in a row in elimination games now :shakehead:

[deebakes]

thanks for the memories papi... he was a minnesota twin at one point in his career :tup:

[RBP]

I love Joe Madden, but he over-managed the game last night and got a little too cute.

[Godfather]

Sorry, had to post that, loved the article and as a lifetime Red Sox fan, it actually made me cry. Gonna miss that guy a lot....


That's awesome man. Saw him on Late Night the other day and he seems like an absolutely beauty. Great, loyal players like that are too rare these days.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Cubs with the rally in the 9th. And they won the series. Wow.

:lol:

There are no goats in San Francisco.

Congrats, RBP.

[deebakes]

:+1:

[RBP]

The boys rallied like a boss. I fully admit, my CFBWS* was kicking into high gear.


*Cubs Fan Battered Wife Syndrome - always hoping for the best and love the flowers, but still instinctively flinch because you know the punch s coming, you just don't know when.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Dodgers win the series with Kershaw as a closer. Up next: The Cubs.

[deebakes]

nice choke job nats :tup:

[DemonGeminiX]

Cleveland takes game 1 of the ALCS. They blank Joey Bats and The Jays.

[DemonGeminiX]

Cleveland goes up 2 - 0 over the Jays and the Cubs win game 1 against the Dodgers. Clutch grand slam, Montero.

[RBP]

Overmanaged team A beats Overmanaged team B.

[deebakes]

anybody think the whole thing in the cubs game was rigged? seemed like an awfully meaty pitch on an 0-2 count with the bases loaded :fbd:

[RBP]

anybody think the whole thing in the cubs game was rigged? seemed like an awfully meaty pitch on an 0-2 count with the bases loaded :fbd:

You mean the one Chapman threw? ;)

[DemonGeminiX]

Overmanaged team A beats Overmanaged team B.

Battered Cubs Fan Syndrome, eh?

[RBP]

Battered Cubs Fan Syndrome, eh?

Well yes, but that was ridiculous on both sides. Chapman has never completed a 2 inning save and his last attempt was a disaster, as was this one. Stop trying to make the Chapman 2-inning save happen, it's not going to fucking happen.

And why in the holy fuck would the Dodgers walk Heyward? He's had poor offensive year that has extended into the playoffs? That backfired.

While I am on that rant, STFU Joe Buck, they didn't sign Heyword for his offense to begin with and his numbers are not that much worse than his career numbers. And for the love of fucking god, if they talk about fucking Eddie Vedder one more fucking time, I am going to take a shit on Joe Buck's windshield.

[DemonGeminiX]

And for the love of fucking god, if they talk about fucking Eddie Vedder one more fucking time, I am going to take a shit on Joe Buck's windshield.

So if I was Eddie Vedder, you wouldn't like me any better?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf5YSrfj2Ns&ab_channel=LocalhVevo

[DemonGeminiX]

The Dodgers even the series.

[RBP]

:|

[DemonGeminiX]

Kershaw. Period.

[RBP]

If you expect to be the best, you have to beat the best.

[DemonGeminiX]

True dat. They have three other starting pitchers in their rotation, and I don't think any of them come anywhere close to the talent that Kershaw has. I say that's in your Cubbies' favor.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Kershaw. Period.

Yup, best pitcher in baseball.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Indians are one win away from the World Series. They beat the Jays 4 - 2 to take game 3.

Wanna hear scary? Cleveland's undefeated in the postseason so far.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Blue Jays stave off elimination and steal game 4 from the Indians. The Indians lead the series 3 - 1, and are no longer undefeated in the post season.

[deebakes]

cubs are looking to be in trouble :|

[DemonGeminiX]

The Dodgers win game 3, by a score of 6 - 0. That's back-to-back shutouts. They now hold a 2 - 1 series lead over the Cubs.


The Cubs better do something, RBP. They aren't looking too good right now.

[RBP]

Rizzo'fer is 2-26, 1-11 in the NLCS. And that last one tonight shouldn't even count.

[deebakes]

they have very little hitting, not a ton to be afraid of in the lineup at the moment...

[DemonGeminiX]

Rizzo's one guy. You got 8 other guys in the lineup coming to bat. What gives?

[RBP]

Obama hates the cubs and it's a conspiracy with the jew bankers.

[DemonGeminiX]

They played fantastic in the NLDS and in game 1 of this series. Kershaw can't have shaken them that bad. Are they that inexperienced?


Do they need Pedro Cerrano to cuss out Jobu?

[DemonGeminiX]

Truth be told, I'm kinda torn. I'd like to see y'all break that drought.... however, Utley's my boy, and so is Chooch. They have been for a long time. If they can recapture some of that '08 Philly magic and help the Dodgers win and get their second World Series title in the process, I have to cheer them on.

I'm sorry dog, I'd like to see your boys get one, but... 7 - 4? The Blackhawks beat the Flyers 7 - 4 tonight??? Son of a bitch!

Fuck Chicago! Go Los Angeles!!! :x

[RBP]

:lol:

I got nothin.

[deebakes]

http://i61.tinypic.com/nq7gvl.gif

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Obama hates the cubs and it's a conspiracy with the jew bankers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhAJEPEHk4

[RBP]

I just realized tonight that the Indian's manager is Terry Francona. :shock:

Expect a WS sweep.

[DemonGeminiX]

:meh:

But I don't want to watch a sweep.

[deebakes]

now the cubs bats are waking up :shock:

[deebakes]

or maybe the dodgers are trying to punt this one :shrug:

[deebakes]

good thing they had a huge lead last night when the cubs brought in chapman :shock:

[RBP]

Just sitting back.. taking it in... but sure I believe yet. :lol:

[deebakes]

game 6 is a kershaw start, will be interesting to see how that goes, if the cubs bats are still awake or not :)

[DemonGeminiX]

The Cubs are winning now. Maybe I should go back to cheering for them. It might shift momentum back into the Dodgers' favor.

[RBP]

The Cubs are winning now. Maybe I should go back to cheering for them. It might shift momentum back into the Dodgers' favor.

:slap:

[DemonGeminiX]

:dance:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/u8MIexo.jpg

[RBP]

I just realized tonight that the Indian's manager is Terry Francona. :shock:

Expect a WS sweep.

Lance had no comment on this? :-k

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Lance had no comment on this? :-k

Indians ≠ Red Sox :hand:

[deebakes]

yeah, indians > red sox in 2016

[RBP]

Indians ≠ Red Sox :hand:

Would still be a hell of an accomplishment. Who else besides LaRussa & Sparky Anderson have won with more than 1 team?

[DemonGeminiX]

They showed Eddie Vedder AND John Cusack in the stands. Haven't seen Bill Murray yet.

Kershaw's getting torn up. Let's see if I can't turn this around...




LET'S GO CUBS!!!! :cheerlead:


8-[

[deebakes]

:lol:

[deebakes]

Cubs win 5-0, heading to the world series to face the cleveland indians :tup:

[DemonGeminiX]

Darn, didn't work... oh well.

































LET'S GO INDIANS!!!! :cheerlead:

[RBP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5MGBVT0fJs

[RBP]

https://zippy.gfycat.com/AlertGreenFlickertailsquirrel.webm

[RBP]

http://i66.tinypic.com/1y5vmg.png

[DemonGeminiX]

Interesting. The Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948. Both teams are hungry for it. That should make for a really good series.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Would still be a hell of an accomplishment. Who else besides LaRussa & Sparky Anderson have won with more than 1 team?

Ohhhh....I thought you were talking about the fact that both WS that Francona managed for the Sox were sweeps :lol:

[RBP]

Ohhhh....I thought you were talking about the fact that both WS that Francona managed for the Sox were sweeps :lol:

Well, that too. :lol:

[RBP]

Let's Go Boys....

http://i.imgur.com/NkJaNEv.jpg

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Dave DeNatale , WKYC


http://i.imgur.com/RjCrb4d.jpg

CLEVELAND - How excited am I for the start of the World Series on Tuesday night at Progressive Field? I couldn’t sleep on Sunday, a full 48 hours before the start of Game 1.

I want this championship for the Indians so badly. This team has captured my heart during this miraculous pennant race. They’ve gone 7-1 so far this postseason, but they are considerable underdogs against the National League Champions, the Chicago Cubs.

On paper, you can see why the Cubbies are so highly touted. They had the best record in baseball this year. Joe Maddon’s team boasts a terrific starting rotation of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, and John Lackey. Plus, a young, powerful lineup featuring Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, and a dominant closer in Aroldis Chapman.

But I think the Indians can beat this team. Honestly. And I’ve come up with five reasons why:

1. The Indians have NOTHING TO LOSE. Seriously, they are playing with house money. How many times did we think that the Tribe would run out of gas because all of the injuries? No Brantley, no Carrasco, no Salazar (to this point in the postseason), has equaled no problem. This team loves being the underdog and they relish in the “us against the world” mentality.

2. History does show that a team built like the Tribe can win against a superior opponent. The best example is in 1990, when the Cincinnati Reds were matched up against the defending world champion Oakland A’s. The A’s had great pitching with Dave Stewart and Bob Welch in the rotation, along with future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley closing. They also had the “Bash Brothers,” Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, leading a powerful offense that also featured Hall of Famer Ricky Henderson leading off.

See if this sounds familiar: The Reds had a dominant starting pitcher in Jose Rijo, an emerging superstar shortstop in Barry Larkin, and a killer back-end of the bullpen in the “Nasty Boys,” Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers. Cincinnati parlayed this into a four-game sweep of Oakland.

I’m not suggesting that the Tribe will sweep, I’m just saying that this formula can work.

3. The pressure is all on the Cubs. When you haven’t won a World Series since 1908, and you’re known for the Billy Goat curse, the Black Cat curse, and the Bartman curse, among others, the pressure is all on the north-siders. Yes, I understand it’s been 68 years since the Tribe won the Series. Yes, I understand that there’s pressure to win here, too. But the fact that the Cavs won the NBA title in June pushes the heat over to Chicago. They came back from down 2-1 in the NLCS to beat the Dodgers, can they stand up to further pressure if the Tribe jumps on them early?

4. Home Field Advantage. Normally, I’m not a big believer in home field in baseball versus playoff games in the NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. The only tangible edge is that you get to bat last if you are tied or trailing. However, there’s a special energy in and around Cleveland right now and I expect Progressive Field to be electric for Games 1 and 2. As my colleague Matt Florjancic reminded me, the Indians have NEVER had home field advantage in a World Series. Ask yourself: Where would you rather play Games 6 and 7 if it comes to that…Wrigley Field, or here in Cleveland?

That’s what I thought.

5. Terry Francona. The man is a lifetime 8-0 as a World Series manager. Again, I don’t expect a sweep or anything like that, but Tito knows how to guide a team through the ups and downs of the Fall Classic. I’ve never experienced a manager who has the pulse of his team so down pat as does Francona. He has pushed every right button so far in this postseason. Whether it’s when to put Andrew Miller in, what lineups to bring out, when to take out the starter, etc, Tito has been spot-on. Best of all, Francona does not allow his team to get caught up “in the noise” of what people outside of Progressive Field think about the Tribe. He and his staff just put the team in the best position to win, and then let the players do their jobs.

No matter what happens starting Tuesday night, just sit back and enjoy the show. There’s nothing quite like the intensity of the World Series, where we will all hang on every pitch. Don’t let the fact that the Tribe are the underdogs, or the announcers seem to be rooting for the Cubs, the umpires aren't calling it our way, or anything like that bother you.

Always remember, we need to #RallyTogether, and remember that it’s #ClevelandAgainstTheWorld

[deebakes]

:empathy: :wbp:

[RBP]

Dave DeNatale , WKYC


http://i.imgur.com/RjCrb4d.jpg

CLEVELAND - How excited am I for the start of the World Series on Tuesday night at Progressive Field? I couldn’t sleep on Sunday, a full 48 hours before the start of Game 1.

I want this championship for the Indians so badly. This team has captured my heart during this miraculous pennant race. They’ve gone 7-1 so far this postseason, but they are considerable underdogs against the National League Champions, the Chicago Cubs.

On paper, you can see why the Cubbies are so highly touted. They had the best record in baseball this year. Joe Maddon’s team boasts a terrific starting rotation of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, and John Lackey. Plus, a young, powerful lineup featuring Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, and a dominant closer in Aroldis Chapman.

But I think the Indians can beat this team. Honestly. And I’ve come up with five reasons why:

1. The Indians have NOTHING TO LOSE. Seriously, they are playing with house money. How many times did we think that the Tribe would run out of gas because all of the injuries? No Brantley, no Carrasco, no Salazar (to this point in the postseason), has equaled no problem. This team loves being the underdog and they relish in the “us against the world” mentality.

2. History does show that a team built like the Tribe can win against a superior opponent. The best example is in 1990, when the Cincinnati Reds were matched up against the defending world champion Oakland A’s. The A’s had great pitching with Dave Stewart and Bob Welch in the rotation, along with future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley closing. They also had the “Bash Brothers,” Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, leading a powerful offense that also featured Hall of Famer Ricky Henderson leading off.

See if this sounds familiar: The Reds had a dominant starting pitcher in Jose Rijo, an emerging superstar shortstop in Barry Larkin, and a killer back-end of the bullpen in the “Nasty Boys,” Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers. Cincinnati parlayed this into a four-game sweep of Oakland.

I’m not suggesting that the Tribe will sweep, I’m just saying that this formula can work.

3. The pressure is all on the Cubs. When you haven’t won a World Series since 1908, and you’re known for the Billy Goat curse, the Black Cat curse, and the Bartman curse, among others, the pressure is all on the north-siders. Yes, I understand it’s been 68 years since the Tribe won the Series. Yes, I understand that there’s pressure to win here, too. But the fact that the Cavs won the NBA title in June pushes the heat over to Chicago. They came back from down 2-1 in the NLCS to beat the Dodgers, can they stand up to further pressure if the Tribe jumps on them early?

4. Home Field Advantage. Normally, I’m not a big believer in home field in baseball versus playoff games in the NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. The only tangible edge is that you get to bat last if you are tied or trailing. However, there’s a special energy in and around Cleveland right now and I expect Progressive Field to be electric for Games 1 and 2. As my colleague Matt Florjancic reminded me, the Indians have NEVER had home field advantage in a World Series. Ask yourself: Where would you rather play Games 6 and 7 if it comes to that…Wrigley Field, or here in Cleveland?

That’s what I thought.

5. Terry Francona. The man is a lifetime 8-0 as a World Series manager. Again, I don’t expect a sweep or anything like that, but Tito knows how to guide a team through the ups and downs of the Fall Classic. I’ve never experienced a manager who has the pulse of his team so down pat as does Francona. He has pushed every right button so far in this postseason. Whether it’s when to put Andrew Miller in, what lineups to bring out, when to take out the starter, etc, Tito has been spot-on. Best of all, Francona does not allow his team to get caught up “in the noise” of what people outside of Progressive Field think about the Tribe. He and his staff just put the team in the best position to win, and then let the players do their jobs.

No matter what happens starting Tuesday night, just sit back and enjoy the show. There’s nothing quite like the intensity of the World Series, where we will all hang on every pitch. Don’t let the fact that the Tribe are the underdogs, or the announcers seem to be rooting for the Cubs, the umpires aren't calling it our way, or anything like that bother you.

Always remember, we need to #RallyTogether, and remember that it’s #ClevelandAgainstTheWorld

Yes, of course. I mean, a Cleveland station wouldn't post a biased opinion piece; whose interest would THAT serve?

[Teh One Who Knocks]

:dance:

[Oofty Goofty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18caPNisP2U

30 years ago today

[RBP]

Had to bring that up... former Cub wearing a Cub's batting glove when that happened.

[DemonGeminiX]

You better sacrifice a goat to the baseball Gods. Or something. You know, just to be sure.

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/6mIgLT0.gif

[Oofty Goofty]

Had to bring that up... former Cub wearing a Cub's batting glove when that happened.

Yep, just had to do it :mrgreen:

[DemonGeminiX]

The Indians beat the Cubs in game 1. Score 6 - 0. Kluber pitched a gem.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Francona is now 9-0 in World Series games as a manager

[deebakes]

saw a stat last night that the winner of game 1 of the world series has won the last 6 consecutively and something like 24 of the last 28...

[Teh One Who Knocks]

saw a stat last night that the winner of game 1 of the world series has won the last 6 consecutively and something like 24 of the last 28...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">12 of the last 13 teams to win Game 1 of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash">#WorldSeries</a> have won the series itself.<br><br>Also 17 of the last 19 and 24 of the last 28.</p>&mdash; FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/790990739962408960">October 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[RBP]

:woot:

[DemonGeminiX]

:hand:

Even a blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while.

















:nana: :dance:

[RBP]

:stfu:

[DemonGeminiX]

Indians win game 3, 1 - 0. The series is 2 games to 1, Indians.

[RBP]

Hell of a game.

[DemonGeminiX]

Indians lead the series 3 games to 1. Final score for game 4: 7 - 2.

[DemonGeminiX]

The Cubs are on the ropes now.

[RBP]

:dunno:

[Loser]

I've spent a lot of time at 1060, and I can tell you, I will never care until it's a cubs/white sox world series. :shrug:

My grandmother got season tickets every year throughout my childhood until she passed away.

About the only, and I mean only reason, I wanna see the cubs win is because of bill murray. That guy is going to be suicidal if they lose :(

[deebakes]

cubs win game 5 (score 3-2) making the series 3-2 in cleveland's favor

[RBP]

Chapman pulls off the 8 out close. :faint:

[deebakes]

the fix is in for a game 7 tomorrow night :lol:

[deebakes]

cubs win game six to force a winner take all game with cleveland tomorrow...

best of luck rbp :)

[RBP]

:faint:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

the fix is in for a game 7 tomorrow night :lol:

Sure seems that way, doesn't it

[deebakes]

:fbd:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Darren Rovell - ESPN Senior Writer


http://i.imgur.com/q7pLa28.jpg

As the Cubs went up 7-0 early in Game 6 of the World Series against the Indians on Tuesday night, tickets to Game 7 on the resale market exploded, as Chicago fans undoubtedly felt the need to be in Cleveland to potentially celebrate the team's first title in 108 years.

Ticket market tracker TicketIQ data reflects that right before Game 6, the average asking price for a Game 7 ticket was $3,922, with the average actual sale hovering around $1,800.

After the Cubs' three-run first inning on Tuesday night, the asking prices jumped 7 percent to $4,200 and the sale prices jumped 17 percent to $2,110 apiece. By game's end, the average asking price had jumped 19.8 percent and the average sale was up by 56.4 percent.

"A pair of seats is costing fans $2,000 per ticket, after fees," said Patrick Ryan, co-founder of Eventellect, a resale market ticket distribution company. "That is more than the 'get in price' for eight of the past 10 Super Bowls. It's unique, but it's the number most industry insiders would expect the get in for a Cubs Game 7 to be."

On StubHub, the most expensive tickets bought on Tuesday for Wednesday night's closing World Series game were $19,500 each for a pair by the Cubs dugout, where most of the bigger purchases were made.

Tickets 10 to 15 rows up from those front-row seats, which have a face value of $300, were selling for $4,500 on the open market.

"I would have never dreamed of getting these prices for baseball in Cleveland," said Mark Klang of Amazing Tickets, a ticket brokerage based in the city.

When informed of the prices of Game 7 tickets, Cubs catcher David Ross, who said he will retire at season's end, saw an opportunity for himself.

"Can I sell mine?" Ross asked. "I'm going to be looking for a job after tomorrow."

When Game 6 ended in a 9-3 Cubs win, the median paid ticket price on StubHub for Game 7 was $1,900. That was up $450 from Game 5 at Wrigley Field in Chicago and up roughly $900 from Game 6 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Those with tickets to sell weren't the only ones benefiting. Two hotels on Ninth Street in downtown Cleveland sold out for Wednesday night with huge room-rate asking prices: The Kimpton Schofield Hotel was getting $700 for a regular room, while the Hampton Inn sold out at $1,500 a room. Rooms at the hotels typically range from $130 to $160 a night.

[DemonGeminiX]

And here... we... go.

[deebakes]

:puke:

[deebakes]

can't tell if there are more indians or cubs fans in the stands tonight :shrug:

[deebakes]

hey joe maddon - i'm not sure if you know this, but aroldis is not your only option :idk:

sorry rbp, but if your team wins this one, its despite maddon trying to fuck it up by pulling pitchers early to get to what he thinks is his best option :shrug:

[deebakes]

boom, 2 run shot to tie it at 6 in the bottom of the 8th... way to go maddon :tup:

[Godfather]

Chicago clutched upppp

[PorkChopSandwiches]

The east coast must love watching this until 1am on a workday lol

[DemonGeminiX]

The east coast must love watching this until 1am on a workday lol

Most people on the east coast are probably fans of east coast teams, so they probably aren't watching and really don't give a shit.

:lol:

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/u6jE1Ec.jpg

[RBP]

:faint:

:wank:

:faint:

[RBP]

hey joe maddon - i'm not sure if you know this, but aroldis is not your only option :idk:

sorry rbp, but if your team wins this one, its despite maddon trying to fuck it up by pulling pitchers early to get to what he thinks is his best option :shrug:

I may or may not have been screaming at the TV. 8-[

[Loser]

They shouldn't have pulled hendricks. He was fking pissed he got pulled.

Either way, bout got damned time.

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/93ga2MM.jpg

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/29kImoP.mp4

[RBP]

http://i.imgur.com/ln8FsfM.jpg?1

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Congrats RBP :tup:

Even thought that game and whole World Series couldn't have been more fixed if they wanted it to be :lol:

So who's on the clock now? Does that put the Indians with the longest WS drought? :-k

[deebakes]

They shouldn't have pulled hendricks. He was fking pissed he got pulled.

Either way, bout got damned time.

bingo. hendricks was pulled earlier than he should have been. then they pull lester after a ball barely leaves the infield from the diving shortstop. back to back pitchers that maddon pulled early to get to his "closer" that the indians had seen 15 times in the last 3 days :shrug:

[deebakes]

btw - congrats rbp :tup:

[RBP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YreZRQupCYk

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/vFwGgGS.jpg

[deebakes]

twins should be even lower than 100/1, that is dead money :|

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Seems that poor Kate is upset that Rick Porcello of the BoSox beat out her fiance for the AL Cy Young this year :lmao: :rofl:


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a> I thought I was the only person allowed to fuck <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinVerlander">@JustinVerlander</a> ?! What 2 writers didn't have him on their ballot?</p>&mdash; Kate Upton (@KateUpton) <a href="https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/799038283674161152">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He had the majority of 1st place votes and 2 writers didn't have him on their ballots?!! can you pick more out of touch people to vote?<a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a></p>&mdash; Kate Upton (@KateUpton) <a href="https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/799038477237108737">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sorry Rick but you didn't get any 1st place votes? you didn't win. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ByeFelicia?src=hash">#ByeFelicia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a> keep up with the times and fire those writers</p>&mdash; Kate Upton (@KateUpton) <a href="https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/799038668589715456">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

She needs to learn to count too, Porcello received 8 first place votes :roll:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s OK Kate...I only got 4 votes.....total. Nobody likes me ��<a href="https://t.co/NVkQvZ7sKu">https://t.co/NVkQvZ7sKu</a></p>&mdash; Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) <a href="https://twitter.com/Noahsyndergaard/status/799044211970445312">November 17, 2016</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:lol: :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

BEN WALKER - Associated Press


http://i.imgur.com/WKa4TqNh.jpg
In this Oct. 10, 1951, file photo, Bobby Thomson, left, of the New York Giants, and Ralph Branca of the Brooklyn Dodgers, engage in horse play before a World Series game at
Yankee Stadium in New York. Branca, the Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who gave up the home run dubbed the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," has died at the age of 90. His son-in-law
Bobby Valentine, a former major league manager, says Branca died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at a nursing home in Rye, New York. (AP Photo/File)

Ralph Branca's career was defined by that one high-and-inside fastball.

The Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who gave up Bobby Thomson's famed "Shot Heard 'Round the World" that still echoes more than six decades later as one of the most famous home runs in baseball history, died Wednesday. He was 90.

His son-in-law, former big league manager Bobby Valentine, said Branca died at a nursing home in Rye, New York.

Branca was a three-time All-Star and spent 12 seasons in the majors. Brought in from the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth inning during the deciding Game 3 of the National League pennant playoff in 1951, he gave up a three-run homer to Thomson that gave the rival New York Giants a stunning 5-4 victory.

The one-out line drive into the left field lower deck at the Polo Grounds prompted the frenetic call from announcer Russ Hodges, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" The team and its fans celebrated wildly as Thomson breezed around the bases while Branca, wearing his unlucky No. 13 jersey, trudged off the mound.

"You know," Branca told The Associated Press in 1990, "If you kill somebody, they sentence you to life, you serve 20 years and you get paroled. ... I've never been paroled."

Thomson, who also homered off Branca in Game 1, capped a sensational comeback for the Giants, who trailed the Dodgers by more than a dozen games heading toward mid-August.

For the next 50 years, Branca and Thomson often appeared together at card shows, corporate events and baseball functions, re-telling the story of the home run that grew into a sports legend. They always were friendly at the affairs, sometimes even teaming up to sing about the big moment.

But it wasn't until many years later that it was revealed that the Giants had a little extra help, too.

That's when it came to light that the Giants employed a telescope-and-buzzer system that season to steal signs from opposing catchers. With that advantage, Giants hitters got a boost in their swings.

And for years, the question remained: Did Thomson know the high-and-inside fastball from Branca was coming?

Thomson firmly asserted that, no, he didn't get a sign in advance. A three-time All-Star himself, Thomson stuck to that claim until he died in 2010 at age 86.

Branca, however, wasn't so sure about that.

In 2003, the Giants' sign-stealing operation was detailed in a story in The Wall Street Journal.

A few days after that, Branca and Thomson saw each other for the first time at an event in Edison, New Jersey. They talked in private for five minutes, about a secret they'd both known about but never shared.

Later, they spoke about their discussion.

"It's been a cleansing for both of us," Branca said then. "He knew that I knew. It's better this way."

"To me, it was a forbidden subject," the right-hander said. "And I didn't want to demean Bobby or seem like I was a crybaby."

Said Thomson: "It was like getting something off my chest after all those years. I'm not a criminal, although I may have felt like one at first."

And then, hours later, Thomson and Branca appeared together in Manhattan at the New York baseball writers' dinner. In front of a ballroom full of fans, they took turns singing about the fateful pitch and swing, to lyrics written to the old standard "Because of You" — a reprise of the act they performed when the same dinner was held in January 1952.

His matchup with Thomson was recounted by Don Delillo in a 1992 Harper's Magazine story "Pafko at the Wall," included five years later in the novel "Underworld."

"Yes. It is Branca coming through the dampish glow. Branca who is tall and stalwart but seems to carry his own hill and dale, he has the aura of a man encumbered. The drooping lids, clodhopper feet, the thick ridge across the brow. His face is set behind a somber nose, broad-bridged and looming."

One of the last remaining Boys of Summer, Branca was 88-68 with a 3.79 ERA in his big league career. He spent the first 11 years with the Dodgers, then played for Detroit and the Yankees before returning to Brooklyn for a final game in 1956.

Branca made his debut as a teen in 1944 and went 21-12 with 15 complete games during Jackie Robinson's first season in 1947. Branca added another win that year at Yankee Stadium in the World Series.

He co-founded the Baseball Assistance Team, which aids members of the baseball family in need of financial, medical or psychological assistance, and served as its president for 17 years. He was a pallbearer at Robinson's funeral in 1972.

"Ralph's participation in the 'Shot Heard 'Round the World' was eclipsed by the grace and sportsmanship he demonstrated following one of the game's signature moments," baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "He is better remembered for his dedication to the members of the baseball community. He was an inspiration to so many of us."

Branca is survived by wife Ann; and daughters Patti and Mary — the latter the wife of Valentine.

A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrI7dVj90zs

[DemonGeminiX]

The All-Star game has now become useless.


All-Star Game no longer determines World Series start


NEW YORK — The league that wins baseball's All-Star Game no longer will get home-field advantage in the World Series, which instead will go to the pennant winner with the better regular-season record. The change was included in Major League Baseball's tentative new collective bargaining agreement and disclosed early Thursday to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the deal, reached Wednesday evening in Irving, Texas, had not been announced.

In addition, players and management agreed the minimum stay on the disabled list will be reduced from 15 days to 10.

Home-field advantage in the World Series generally rotated between the leagues through 2002. Baseball, led by then-Commissioner Bud Selig, and Fox television promoted the "This Time It Counts" innovation after the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee ended in a 7-7, 11-inning tie when both teams ran out of pitchers. Selig was booed in his own Milwaukee backyard.

"This energizes it. This gives them something to really play for," Selig said after owners approved the change by a 30-0 vote in January 2003. "People pay a lot of money to see that game. They deserve to see the same intensity they see all year long. Television people pay a lot of money for the game. It was not and should not be a meaningless exhibition game."

What began as a two-year experiment was extended. The American League won 11 of 14 All-Star Games played under the rule, and the AL representative won eight World Series in those years.

"It will put back a little of the sizzle," San Francisco Giants executive Larry Baer said in 2003.

As part of the changes for next year, players in the All-Star Game will have the incentive to play for a pool of money.

The DL change will allow teams to make quicker decisions on whether to bring up a roster replacement rather than wait to see whether the injured player would be ready to return to action in less than two weeks.

An international play plan is part of the new agreement that includes a payment schedule for potential games in Asia, Mexico (and elsewhere in Latin America) and Britain, plus U.S.-based special events such as this year's July 3 game between Atlanta and Miami in a specially built ballpark on a military base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/all-star-game-no-longer-determines-world-series-start/ar-AAkZksg?li=BBnba9I

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Good, maybe we can get more ties and stuff cuz that was awesome.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

MLB Hot Stove trades: Red Sox reportedly acquire Chris Sale from White Sox (http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-trades-red-sox-reportedly-acquire-chris-sale-from-white-sox/)

[Teh One Who Knocks]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY 9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wO HiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GP T6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90G Sy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAA AElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNsljbahEPp/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My god������ my boy sale to Btown? You guys got me thinking ��?</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by David Ortiz (@davidortiz) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-12-07T00:59:06+00:00">Dec 6, 2016 at 4:59pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

:pray:

[DemonGeminiX]

:-s

The Red Sox have traded Clay Buchholz to the Phillies for minor league 2nd baseman Josh Tobias. Looks like the Phillies are gonna eat the remainder of Buchholz's contract too.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Smell that? Spring training has begun :cheers:

[DemonGeminiX]

:woot:

[DemonGeminiX]

No more 4 pitch intentional walks. The rule has been changed. If the managers signal that they want the pitcher to walk the batter, the ump will automatically award first base to the batter. I guess it'll save the pitcher's arm.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

That's fucking bullshit :meh:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Hey, here's an idea, maybe if the manager would like the hitter to get a home run he could just signal for it, that way there wouldn't be unnecessary strain on the hitter from swinging or the pitcher from throwing. :tup:

[deebakes]

speed up the game i guess, millennials like godfather don't have the patience for four pitches that have decided the outcome of the at bat :shrug:

[RBP]

That's fucking bullshit :meh:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">•The MLB has approved to change the intentional walk rule. Which now will be granted following dugout signal. Take a look at these classics. <a href="https://t.co/g3iyEW5kB3">pic.twitter.com/g3iyEW5kB3</a></p>&mdash; Dylan (@DylansFreshTake) <a href="https://twitter.com/DylansFreshTake/status/834208907291742212">February 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>...


http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/intentional-walk-fails-hits-wrong-wild-pitch-mlb-rules-walks

[DemonGeminiX]

:lol:

So they're doing it so they don't have to send their pitchers back down to the minors in shame.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">•The MLB has approved to change the intentional walk rule. Which now will be granted following dugout signal. Take a look at these classics. <a href="https://t.co/g3iyEW5kB3">pic.twitter.com/g3iyEW5kB3</a></p>— Dylan (@DylansFreshTake) <a href="https://twitter.com/DylansFreshTake/status/834208907291742212">February 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>...


http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/intentional-walk-fails-hits-wrong-wild-pitch-mlb-rules-walks

Exactly, it's part of the game where things can happen. You can have wild pitches or passed balls. It throws the pitcher out of his rhythm sometimes. All things that can affect the outcome of the game. Completely stupid fucking move.

[RBP]

Exactly, it's part of the game where things can happen. You can have wild pitches or passed balls. It throws the pitcher out of his rhythm sometimes. All things that can affect the outcome of the game. Completely stupid fucking move.

MLB Announces latest move to speed up play...

http://i.imgur.com/ZaqMTDh.jpg?1