MLB 2007

[Point Man]

My favorite day of the year is here!

 

It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season, and my World Champion St. Louis Cardinals begin the season against the New York Mutts. I, of course, pick the Cardinals to repeat as World Champs and for Albert Pujols to be the first National League player to earn the triple crown since my dad's favorite player Joe Medwick did it for the Cards in 1937.

 

Any takers?

[Jae Onasi]

Go Cubs!!!!!

[Shem]

I'm glad baseball is back.

[Jae Onasi]

I'm so mad that Ron Santo wasn't chosen by the Veteran's committee for the Hall of Fame. They haven't chosen anyone ever. I think that's nuts.

[Jeff]

Kenny Rogers is out until July with a blood clot in his shoulder that needs removed, or something like that. He's our ace!

 

I still have hope though; we have a lot of good young pitchers in our farm system that might be ready to make the move up to the Tigers if we need them. And besides, according to ESPN analysts (I know, what do they know) Jeremy Bonderman had the best slider, Justin Verlander has the best curve ball, and Joel Zumaya has the best fast ball in the entire AL. We've also improved our offense with the addition of Gary Sheffield.

[REDJOHNNYMIKE]

NASCAR is fun in the summer:xp:

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Ah, yes, I've also been waitin' for this day since the bloody Cards won the World Series.

 

Of course, I have high hopes for teh Blue Jays. We still have our ace pitcher, Roy Halladay in the line up. He's startin' against the Tigers tomorrow. Halladay > Bonderman. Vernon Wells is back after signing the big 7-year contract, IIRC. Overbay also made a contract extension too. We still have most of our team from last year, including Glaus, Ryan, and Rios. Though, we did lose Catalanatto and Bengie Molina. But, we did sign the "Big Hurt" Frank Thomas, hopefully that deal will pan out. But, we are weak in catcher and in the bullpen. Though, I think we can make a run this year.

 

As for the season opener... Go Mets.

[mimartin]

  jimbo fett 66 said:

I, of course, pick the Cardinals to repeat as World Champs

 

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to agree with you. St. Louis seemed to improve their team this off season, while the team I root for, the Astros, upgraded their bats, but downgraded their pitching. The Cubs had a very good off season, but (with all due respect to your wife) they are still the Cubs. I pick the National League Central this way: 1. St. Louis, 2. Chicago, 3. Houston, 4 Cincinnati, 5. Milwaukee. 6 Pittsburgh.

 

I just hope I’m wrong. Usually when you don’t expect anything from the Astros is when they have their best seasons.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Well, the season opener has happened... and the Mets did win. So, I was right. They also won their game last night and tonight (10-0 win and the Mets pitched a two-hitter). The Mets don't look too bad to start of this season.

 

The Blue Jays also won their season opener. A decent performance. But, today, they did lose. 10-9. And despite, an early nine run Tigers lead, the Jays did come back, but not enough to win. Hopefully, they can recover and win the next game.

[Titanius Anglesmith]

I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I love the Cardinals. I had them picked going all the way last year, and I've got the same this year.

[Point Man]

  EagerWeasel said:

I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I love the Cardinals. I had them picked going all the way last year, and I've got the same this year.

My kind of guy! Now, let's hope the Cards can wake up from their extended hibernation and start winning some games. Outscored 20-2 in their opening series--sheesh!

[REDJOHNNYMIKE]

So, I really don't follow baseball. Are the Reds and Indians going to suck this year?

[Gargoyle King]

  REDJOHNNYMIKE said:

So, I really don't follow baseball.

 

Neither do I, more into NBA - I'm a Lakers fan.

[Jeff]

  REDJOHNNYMIKE said:

So, I really don't follow baseball. Are the Reds and Indians going to suck this year?

SI had the Indians winning the AL central over my Tigers, which I can't see happening. The Reds are my other favorite team so I'm hoping they can be decent. a .500 season would be acceptable.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

  REDJOHNNYMIKE said:

So, I really don't follow baseball. Are the Reds and Indians going to suck this year?

 

Don't be surprised if they do. But, I think Cincinatti will have a decent season. The Indians.... I'm not so sure.

 

Oh yeah, the Blue Jays won.

[Arátoeldar]

I see that the Red Soxs are off to a swell start.

[mimartin]

  jimbo fett 66 said:

Now, let's hope the Cards can wake up from their extended hibernation and start winning some games. Outscored 20-2 in their opening series--sheesh!

 

Their bats woke up against the Astros, but it might have just been Houston's pitching. 15 runs against the Astros, only Oswalt could slow them down. St Louis had 13 hits on Sunday alone.

 

I hope Pujols feels guilty, He ruined Brad Lidge's career with one swing of his bat in the League Championship a couple of years ago. Lidge has been demoted after already giving up 6 runs this year.

 

At least the Astros can still beat the Cubs. Houston doubled their win total today winning 5-3.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

I'm glad I'm here to balance this thread.

(SNEEZE! Damn red feathers everywhere...)

 

Sorry Card fans, I'll be present to assume the voice of opposition this season.

 

So, tighten up your belts and straighten up them caps 'cause I wanna be the first to warn you of the impending fall of the St Louis Cardinals.

(oooh, did I just say that out loud?)

 

Jimbo, I love ya, but I'm in Wisconsin and down with the Brew Crew.

We stole Suppan from ya, added some new blood and a few young bats.

 

Now, I'm not sayin' we're ready for the Champs yet, but coming up in a few weeks (April30), we'll see what's up.

 

It was a great season last year, but as we know, spring is here to usher in a fresh new start.

 

The National League holds promise for a few teams. Mets, Dodgers, Phils, Braves and dare I say, Cubbies...?

(ouch ,that hurt)

 

Now, I know this may sound like a bunch of Bullsh--, er, um...

...let's see, oh yeah, optimistic exuberance, but I sometimes root for he underdog(s).

 

I'm not yet convinced of a repeat.

[Jae Onasi]

Hehe, Dempster was pitching relief sometime last week when he walked a guy and then threw a ball for his first pitch to the next batter. Pinella went out to the mound, and said something to the effect of "It's ******* 30 degrees out, throw some *** **** strikes!" and then went back to the dugout. Dempster shaped up. It's going to be an interesting season for sure in Cubbie Land.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

  Jae Onasi said:

Hehe, Dempster was pitching relief sometime last week when he walked a guy and then threw a ball for his first pitch to the next batter. Pinella went out to the mound, and said something to the effect of "It's ******* 30 degrees out, throw some *** **** strikes!" and then went back to the dugout. Dempster shaped up. It's going to be an interesting season for sure in Cubbie Land.

 

I think you're right.

In game three of the Brewer/Cubs game last week, Pinella, irritated with his pitcher, decides he wants a conference with him. Without calling for time or stopping play, he strolls out to the mound in the middle of the guy's wind-up causing shrugs from the umps and a mixture of laughter and boos from the Miller Park fans.

After giving his pitcher what-for, he calmly strolled back to the dugout looking at the umps as if to say, "How dare they interupt as I mentor my pitcher..."

 

The guy is pure entertainment.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Hehe. Pinella did it again.

 

Anybody catch that pitcher's diel last night with the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers. Bonderman went 9 innings and Roy Halladay went 10 innings. There is a reason why Roy Halladay has won a Cy Young, and he still might get one this year. And maybe Bonderman may be a candidate in the future.

 

Also, another Cy Young possible candidate this year is Seattle's young pitcher, Felix Hernandez, IIRC. He has pitched 2 games this season, both of them complete games.

[mimartin]

I want to ask people outside of the Houston area what is their opinion on Craig Biggio. This is more than likely his last season and barring injury he should get to 3000 before he retires.

 

My real question is does he one day belong in Cooperstown?

 

A friend of mine put this together:

 

29th Hits (2944)

Recently passed Frank Robinson, next is Sam Crawford (2961), 1st is Pete Rose (4256)

8th Doubles (642)

Recently passed Honus Wagner, next is Carl Yastrzemski (646), 1st is Tris Speaker (792)

 

16th At Bats (10413)

Recently passed George Brett, next is Honus Wagner (10430), 1st is Pete Rose (14053)

 

25th Games Played (2721)

Recently passed George Brett, next is Mel Ott (2730), 1st is Pete Rose (3562)

 

2nd Home Runs By Leadoff Hitter at Start of Game (50)

1st is Ricky Henderson (81)

 

2nd Home Runs By 2nd Baseman (282)

Tied with Ryne Sandberg, 1st is Jeff Kent (319)

 

16th Runs Scored (1782)

Tied with Paul Molitor, next is Ted Williams (1798), 1st is Rickey Henderson (2295)

 

1st Hit By Pitch (283)

 

I’d also add he played catcher, 2nd base and the outfield. While not great at all he was above average at all. (so much for my objectivity)

[Mav]

First of all, Go Braves...

 

  mimartin said:

1st Hit By Pitch (283)

 

As for Biggio, because of the quoted stat above, I demand that he goes into the Hall of Fame, eventually. I'd say Biggio did his fair share of "taking one for the team".

[Jeff]

I think one day he will be in the Hall of Fame.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Craig Biggio definitely deserves to go into the Hall of Fame. Ultimately, Biggio is the reason why I really want to play baseball. Read an article on him and I suppose it inspired me. He's definitely a go for the Hall of Fame.