Official 2011 MLB Thread: Playoffs??

[Spidey-Bat]

I'm tired of this thread being hijacked about Jeter and the Yankees.

Here's a kid doing a flawless dance of Thriller at a Mariner's game



And another fan nearly killed themselves last night at the HR Derby

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/bi...=At57FSRzYxXzJqomMgyQ5tcRvLYF?urn=mlb-wp12376

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

The ghost of Hamilton pierces the hot desert air.

 

[SpideyVille]

Just saw the video of that on SC and that was just a dumb move by the fan. It didn't even look like the ball was anywhere near him.

 

[KalMart]

I'm tired of this thread being hijacked about Jeter and the Yankees.

Interesting, because we were tired of posters treating the 3000-hit congrats as an opportunity to knock him.

Glad you're finished.


I feel bad for Hamilton and what happened to that fan...just a freaky and tragic thing. I think it's just up to the fans to be more careful in all instances in the game.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Interesting, because I was tired of posters treating the 3000-hit congrats as an opportunity to knock him.

Glad you're finished.

Fixed

 

[KalMart]

Fixed

No, but good effort, though.






Anything else?

 

[KalMart]

So what do we think....NL or AL in tonight's game?

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Just saw the video of that on SC and that was just a dumb move by the fan. It didn't even look like the ball was anywhere near him.

Charles Darwin nods.

 

[SpideyVille]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't shocked by how much the sports media has made Jeter look like a Villain because of his refusal to attend the ASG. You'd almost think he just got caught with PEDs or something.

So what do we think....NL or AL in tonight's game?

AL all the way.

 

[Poeman]

It's a little ridiculous...But, that is the media and they always need something to write and talk about.

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

Implying the fans don't fall in line with the media hype.

I've said my peace about Jeter, let's not talk about him again until....the playoffs.

Don't care about the ASG that much now, I think you should up and acknowledge the fans if you're voted in. If the players don't openly care, why should anyone else? I can't wait til play resumes on Thursday.

 

[Poeman]

Seriously, the baseball All-Star game is a joke nowadays.

It really does not have the same feel to it as it once did. Might be because Interleague play ruined some of that.

 

[SpideyVille]

Nah, I think the whole "This Time Counts" thing ruined it because it was an attempt to make something that is supposed to be fun competitive instead. I remember watching in 2003 when Torii Hunter had a huge reputation of robbing Homeruns and ended up robbing Bonds of one and how Bonds was messing around with him afterwards. I feel like good old fun sportsmanship like that was removed in favor of making sure that a tie didn't happen again like it did that year. Also the fact that the rosters were increased kinda kills the whole idea of the best of the year showing up.

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

Seriously, the baseball All-Star game is a joke nowadays.

It really does not have the same feel to it as it once did. Might be because Interleague play ruined some of that.

Free agency too, and the technological advancements so you could see every player every day. It was obviously was different when you never saw Willie Mays or Pete Rose up close, back when there was a Berlin Wall between the separate leagues.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't shocked by how much the sports media has made Jeter look like a Villain because of his refusal to attend the ASG. You'd almost think he just got caught with PEDs or something.

Not sure I get it either considering by most metrics and statistics Jeter didnt deserve to be in the ASG anyway. I'm ecstatic to see guys like Asdrubal Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta, who are having outstanding seasons, playing in the game. They've been the two best at the position in the AL by a mile, at least offensively speaking. Jeter isn't even a Top 5 SS in the AL any more.

Free agency too, and the technological advancements so you could see every player every day. It was obviously was different when you never saw Willie Mays or Pete Rose up close, back when there was a Berlin Wall between the separate leagues.

Even in the 80's though when you had big time TV and free agency the game was still pretty cool. I remember seeing Alan Trammel bat against Steve Carlton and thinking it was mind-blowing or watching Bo Jackson hit a ball about 30 miles off of John Smoltz and belting out my first expletive in front of my father. I think interleague really took away most of the novelty.

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

Even in the 80's though when you had big time TV and free agency the game was still pretty cool. I remember seeing Alan Trammel bat against Steve Carlton and thinking it was mind-blowing or watching Bo Jackson hit a ball about 30 miles off of John Smoltz and belting out my first expletive in front of my father. I think interleague really took away most of the novelty.

Yeah, normally match ups like A-Gone vs. Halladay would be hyped, but it's like, that happened last week Ya know. There's not a great amount of tension cause a handful of these hitters and pitchers have faced each other at some point.

 

[SpideyVille]

Not sure I get it either considering by most metrics and statistics Jeter didnt deserve to be in the ASG anyway. I'm ecstatic to see guys like Asdrubal Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta, who are having outstanding seasons, playing in the game. They've been the two best at the position in the AL by a mile, at least offensively speaking. Jeter isn't even a Top 5 SS in the AL any more.

Someone mentioned it on ESPN a while ago that Jeter, as many other players both past and present, only get in because its a popularity contest, and in that sense, I can understand why people would be upset when certain stars decline.

But that brings up a whole new discussion, not just for baseball, but for all sports where fans elect who play in the game, which is should there be a change to fan voting so that many of the best players don't end up getting snubbed or end up getting selected at the last minute?

 

[KalMart]

Someone mentioned it on ESPN a while ago that Jeter, as many other players both past and present, only get in because its a popularity contest, and in that sense, I can understand why people would be upset when certain stars decline.

But that brings up a whole new discussion, not just for baseball, but for all sports where fans elect who play in the game, which is should there be a change to fan voting so that many of the best players don't end up getting snubbed or end up getting selected at the last minute?

Well...even though the game counts for home-field in the WS, it is a game for fan appreciation so it is a honor to be voted in. You'd like to think the 'popularity' has been earned somehow, and it is pretty cool to see some of the better-known players from various teams all together at once.

But Jeter is still coming back from a calf injury, and taking three days off to rest and maybe do a little more rehab, as opposed to all the traveling and stuff for the All-Star is gonna be at least a bit of a help for him and his team moving forward. I'd give a pass to any player in the same situation....but again, it's easier for me being a Yankee fan and seeing him all the time. An NL team fan may never see him or other AL stars live at all, so you feel for them because they really do love baseball.

Basically, I don't agree with all the scrutiny, but I understand and sympathize with those who would be disappointed. Honestly, if I were any other fan, I'd be more disappointed at not seeing Rivera than Jeter, because he really is one of the all-time best (THE best) at what he does. As far as fist-half play, Jeter doesn't deserve to be on the all-star team...but some people who've never seen him in person on the field may look past that, and in that respect, it is quite an honor. But I still think Jeter is doing the right thing and better thing for his team by taking the opportunity to rest, especially at his age and this part of his career.

 

[BlackLantern]

yes there definitely needs to be a change to fan voting....give the fans a third, the players a third, and the sports journos a third....starting manager picks starting lineups and too bad if not every team is represented

 

[KalMart]

Free agency too, and the technological advancements so you could see every player every day. It was obviously was different when you never saw Willie Mays or Pete Rose up close, back when there was a Berlin Wall between the separate leagues.

And less media exposure, no ESPN or internet, etc. Even with the hype and glamorization that we have these days, I think there was more of a sense of 'mythology', if you will, with certain top players in those days. I mean, who wouldn't have wanted to see Willie Mays step to the plate or run down a fly ball in a place like Fenway? It's like a superhero crossover.

 

[KalMart]

yes there definitely needs to be a change to fan voting....give the fans a third, the players a third, and the sports journos a third....starting manager picks starting lineups and too bad if not every team is represented

I especially agree with the last part.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

MLB needs to mandate that players go if they want the game to count.

 

[KalMart]

At least let the pitchers stay on their normal schedules and not throw on their off days.

And...if it ends in a tie...let them do a HR version of a shoot-out.

 

[SpideyVille]

MLB needs to mandate that players go if they want the game to count.

One good idea that I heard was to not honor the selection bonus they get from their contracts, which makes sense in cases where the player is eligible to play but opts not to for reasons other than injury.

 

[KalMart]

One good idea that I heard was to not honor the selection bonus they get from their contracts, which makes sense in cases where the player is eligible to play but opts not to for reasons other than injury.

Sounds fair, but the players assoc. may have something to say about that.