jordo212000;776291 wrote:I want to believe in Bautista, but I can't. He was a light hitting utility man, and now he is 50+ HR guy who can hit for average? Nah sorry

They still can't test for certain PEDs (HGH cough cough)

Actually I believe the MLB is the only major sports league that tests for HGH. I think I heard Bud Selig say this during a sit down interview.

I doubt that there is much drug use going on anymore, but I guess the doubt itself still lingers...

SportsAndLady;776268 wrote:I mean he only hit .260 last year. 50+ HR and 120+ RBIs is insane, but I don't think he's been the best player in baseball over the last year. This year, for sure. But not last year.

I worded it wrong in my slightly intoxicated state. I meant, he is currently the best player int he game, and has been doing this for over a year now. As in, he started this ascention at the start of last season, and has now become the best.

As for Bautista, he has also changed his swing, and the results are showing. Im not saying he isnt cheating, cause no one would shock me. But the guys turnaround has coincided with a different stance and swing (look at Granderson this year versus lefties as opposed to his career, same type of thing).

Utley returns, expected in lineup Monday for the Reds series.

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110522&content_id=19407262&vkey=news_phi&c_id=phi

Laley23;776322 wrote:I worded it wrong in my slightly intoxicated state. I meant, he is currently the best player int he game, and has been doing this for over a year now. As in, he started this ascention at the start of last season, and has now become the best.

Okay that makes sense.

hoops23;776297 wrote:Actually I believe the MLB is the only major sports league that tests for HGH. I think I heard Bud Selig say this during a sit down interview.

I doubt that there is much drug use going on anymore, but I guess the doubt itself still lingers...

There is more drug testing, but not for HGH. You have to test blood and the MLB only tests urine. Selig wants a blood test, and it will probably happen soon. But up till now, the union has fought it

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/23/2185169/mlb-power-rankings-chicago-white-sox-new-york-yankees-news

The world needs more power rankings like this.

Heretic;777786 wrote:http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/23/2185169/mlb-power-rankings-chicago-white-sox-new-york-yankees-news

The world needs more power rankings like this.

25. Tampa Bay Rays - Evan Longoria
He seems like a nice enough guy, but if I ever see him on the street, I’m taking his ******** cap.

21. Kansas City Royals - Jeff Francoeur
He annoys scouts who think he should use his tools better. He annoys stat-heads who can’t believe he continues to start. He annoys his team usually because he doesn’t perform well, and every once in a while, he’ll have a good stretch that makes everyone wonder if they had him pegged right after all. Like now. Maybe he’s really good after all. That’s annoying.

22. Texas Rangers - Brett Tomko
He’s here only because he’s pitched poorly for every team in baseball. Fans of all 30 teams remember him giving up six earned runs in 4-2/3 innings in a game they attended where the weather was awful and all of the bobbleheads were gone by the time they arrived. He might not have played for all 30 teams, but that’s okay. The memories are accurate.

Those 3 really made me LOL. Especially the Longoria one.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon hates his team.

Dude had an epic rant where he basically said Jose Reyes isn't worth the money he wants, Carlos Beltran is 65-70 percent the player he was and the David Wright might be a great kid, but he's not a superstar. Too bad for Wright...I was hoping that SITUATIONal training he did last year would get him over the hump.

Damn, Buster Posey has a broken ankle and possible ligament damage in his knee after he was slid into while blocking the plate last night against the Marlins.


Brian McCann had a Pirate slide into his leg with spikes up yesterday, but luckily for him it was a force play and his leg wasn't anchored to the ground.

Now there's chatter that MLB should do more to protect catchers in plays at the plate, perhaps outlawing collisions at the plate.

I say, keep it as is.

karen lotz;781865 wrote:Damn, Buster Posey has a broken ankle and possible ligament damage in his knee after he was slid into while blocking the plate last night against the Marlins.

Damn that's going to kill the Giants. Wonder if they will sign Molina.

I forgot to post after the game, but I'm bored so I'll do it now.

I was at the Yankee/Blue Jays game on Tuesday where NY walked off in the 9th to win it. All I can say is WOW. Throughout my life I've only been to Pirates games in Three Rivers and now PNC. It was nice to be in packed stadium where people were getting buck wild and cheering. I've always heard that Yankees games are a blast and now I'm sold.

I've heard getting out of there on the subway after a game is a bitch so I almost left after the 7th inning.....I'm sooo glad I didn't. The place went fucking off when Teixeira drove in the scoring run.
Great seats too, 2nd level on the 3rd baseline and about 30 feet from the nearest beer stand. $11 beers btw.

I'm going to one of the Mets/Pirates games next week. I've heard Citi field is a lot nicer than Yankee stadium, but obviously a shitty product on the field.

Definitely don't need to change it. It has been like that forever, and how many injuries have there been? Yeah it sucks when a good young player gets hurt like that, but what's next? Not allowing pitchers to pitch inside for fear of hitting someone in the head?

Auto, I went to a game at the old Yankee Stadium probably 5 years ago. It really wasn't horrible getting out using the subway, just kind of felt like I was a sardine in a can the way people crammed onto the cars, but there were some sketchy people on there too.

Yeah it was my first trip to the Bronx also. I've always heard it was a rather dodgey area....but it wasn't that bad. I'm sure it gets worse once you get further from the stadium. I see sketchy people on a daily basis. lol

Are we doing a baseball stadium checklist this year? I have already been to Citi Field once this year (And I am going again tomorrow for Mets vs. Phillies), and I am headed to Wrigley Field on July 22 for the Cubs-Astros game. It will take a lot to get me to go up to that monstrosity that they built in the Bronx, but I assume I should at least check it out at some point.

BigAppleBuckeye;781978 wrote:Are we doing a baseball stadium checklist this year? I have already been to Citi Field once this year (And I am going again tomorrow for Mets vs. Phillies), and I am headed to Wrigley Field on July 22 for the Cubs-Astros game. It will take a lot to get me to go up to that monstrosity that they built in the Bronx, but I assume I should at least check it out at some point.

Any tips for Citi field? I have a hookup for Yankee games through work, but I'm on my own for Mets games.

Stubhub? Scalping? What do you recommend?

Automatik;781996 wrote:Any tips for Citi field? I have a hookup for Yankee games through work, but I'm on my own for Mets games.

Stubhub? Scalping? What do you recommend?

Definitely Stubhub, season ticket holders are frustrated with the Mets ownership and injuries to Wright, Davis, etc, they are dumping tickets left and right. I just bought tickets in right field (field level, row 8, just over the right field wall in HR territory) for tomorrow's Mets-Phils game for $33 each when Mets.com has the same section for $58 each.

Citi Field has a huge bar called McFaddens (you enter in centerfield), great drinks specials and pregame atmosphere. Once you enter the stadium (you can go to McFaddens without tickets), make sure to hit Shake Shack in the centerfield food area (AWESOME, but always a long line). Also in centerfield is where the "good" beer is sold, huge selection of imported beer for only $8 (not bad at all for NYC, obviously).

Carl Crawford remembered how to play baseball. 8 for 9 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, and 5 RBI the last 2 days. Bumped his batting average up 32 points in 2 games.

I think it should be outlawed particularly the runner barreling over the catcher. I can't stand it when runners don't even try to slide or get around the tag and just run over the catcher with their elbows up, arms extended, especially when the catcher isn't even looking. People claim "well that's how it's always been and it's just baseball". Just because something was done that way before doesn't mean it's a good idea or that it shouldn't be changed. And why is home plate the only base where you're allowed to run someone over to get to it? They did a piece on Sports Science where they showed that someone running down the third base line can expound more force on the catcher then a blitzer does when he sacks the quarterback. Plus football pads are designed to absorb some of that force, catchers gear is not.

If I was a manager I wouldn't let my catcher block the plate at all. It's not worth the risk of injury to prevent one run. Play off to the side and make the tag.

Ray Fosse would agree with you grodt. Here's a pretty good picture of the collision between Cousins and Posey. Check out Posey's leg...

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/devastating-injury-for-giants-posey/

Don't stand on the tracks when the train is coming, especially if you have a glass jaw.

You can't outlaw running over the catcher IMO. What are tou supposed to do when the catcher blocks the plate? Give up and let him tag you? One injury doesn't neccessitate a rule change. I heard nothing about this need for a rule change before Posey got injured

Anthony Swarzak has a no hitter through 6 for the Twins against the Angels.