Major League Baseball thread - Page 10

~~bigtrain45~~ · March 4th, 2018, 05:02 PM

Spahn's service in WWII was crucial as well. He was a Sergeant in the infantry and wound up leading the final, successful attack on the bridge at Remagen as all the other officers were killed or wounded. After facing all that pitching in the majors must have been relaxing in comparison.

**Arturo2nd** · March 27th, 2018, 08:58 PM

Baseball season is nearly upon us again. I have been checking out the Oakland A's who seem to have put together a mostly competent team on the field, have some intriguing young talent, and few quality starting pitchers. The Giants could challenge, but will probably limp along in the middle of the pack.

But what about the Padres and the Blue Jays? I am seeing optimism in the San Diego blogs. The Blue Jays seem capable of shocking the world if all goes right or of simply playing the loyal opposition to the Red Sox and Yankees again. Do we have any scouting reports from their loyal fans?

~~bigtrain45~~ · March 27th, 2018, 09:55 PM

I think the A's are too young and don't have enough pitching, so I think they will be last in their division. The Giants are too old and will finish last in their division as well. The Padres are improving, but still have a way to go to compete with the Dodgers, D'backs, and Rockies. As to the rest of the divisions, in the AL Central it looks like Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago, KC, and Detroit, and in the AL East Boston, NY, Toronto, Baltimore, and Tampa. In the NL Central, I think it's Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cincy. And in the NL East, it's Washington, Philly, NY, Atlanta, and Miami.

**Arturo2nd** · March 28th, 2018, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtrain45

I think the A's are too young and don't have enough pitching, so I think they will be last in their division. The Giants are too old and will finish last in their division as well. The Padres are improving, but still have a way to go to compete with the Dodgers, D'backs, and Rockies. As to the rest of the divisions, in the AL Central it looks like Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago, KC, and Detroit, and in the AL East Boston, NY, Toronto, Baltimore, and Tampa. In the NL Central, I think it's Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cincy. And in the NL East, it's Washington, Philly, NY, Atlanta, and Miami.

You might be right about the Giants. Bumgarner and Samardzija are hurt. Losing your ace for the first 2 months is bad news, but Cueto looks to have regained his form and a couple of young guys will now have a chance to prove they can pitch in the major leagues. I am thinking that Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen have something left in the tank and Austin Jackson can't be as bad as Denard Span. So, I am a little hopeful about the Giants.

The A's have some guys who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, but I agree that they only have 3 middle to back of the rotation starters. The bullpen will get a lot of work. They will need Seattle and Texas to really fall off if they are to move up.

~~bigtrain45~~ · March 28th, 2018, 09:10 PM

I have loved watching Longoria and McCutchen play in their primes, which are past. Hunter Pence is also past it. Posey is a first-round Hall-of-Famer. The Giants are going to need to develop some studs through their farm system to get back to perennial contenders because they are still servicing debt on the ballpark they had to pay for themselves. As someone born in Washington DC in 1950, rooting for a team that had no chance against the Yankees, then no team for over 30+ years, in my heart of hearts I want to see the Nationals beat the Yankees in the World Series. Dream it with me and make it come true.

**Arturo2nd** · March 28th, 2018, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtrain45

I have loved watching Longoria and McCutchen play in their primes, which are past. Hunter Pence is also past it. Posey is a first-round Hall-of-Famer. The Giants are going to need to develop some studs through their farm system to get back to perennial contenders because they are still servicing debt on the ballpark they had to pay for themselves. As someone born in Washington DC in 1950, rooting for a team that had no chance against the Yankees, then no team for over 30+ years, in my heart of hearts I want to see the Nationals beat the Yankees in the World Series. Dream it with me and make it come true.

They have Steven Duggar, who looks to be a servicable centerfielder but likely a year away. Chris Shaw may be pushing Brandon Belt before the year is out. Heliot Ramos is only 18 and just starting in the minors, but is the team's most exciting position prospect. They are well behind the Padres and A's in the number of exciting prospects.

Giants management seems to have adopted the strategy of trying to make one or two more runs before going for the rebuild. If they can sneak into the playoffs, Bumgarner, Cueto, and the tough veteran core give them a chance.

Washington is my rooting interest. I have a feeling that the baseball gods are going to poop on the Yankees this year.

**Arturo2nd** · March 30th, 2018, 12:15 AM

The Oakland A's get their first win of the year with an exciting come from behind Opening Day victory. They may not contend, but they have 2 guys who may hit 40 home runs and a third who may hit 30. So, teams ought not think they have a safe lead on these guys.

**Tmee2020** · March 30th, 2018, 01:07 AM

And the first pitch of the season was hit out for a home run by Ian Happ of the Cubs.

**Arturo2nd** · March 30th, 2018, 02:57 AM

I've been thinking that Edgar Martinez out to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He definitely set high standards for the DH position. He wasn't that bad a third baseman. Certainly he was better in the field than Frank Thomas and Big Papi. I'm pretty sure that the latter will be inducted and, really Edgar Martinez was a better hitter in a much tougher park.

~~bigtrain45~~ · March 30th, 2018, 11:53 PM

Agree completely about Edgar. I loved watching him hit. He's a victim of being a DH and playing on the West Coast, where not enough people got to see him play.

View Poll Results: Which team is the most despised in Major League Baseball?
New York Yankees	93	72.09%
Texas Rangers	1	0.78%
Boston Red Sox	18	13.95%
California Angels	2	1.55%
Los Angeles Dodgers	11	8.53%
Philadelphia Philles	2	1.55%
Atlanta Braves	4	3.10%
San Francisco Giants	2	1.55%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 129. You may not vote on this poll

March 4th, 2018, 05:02 PM	#91
~~bigtrain45~~ Banned! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 16,142 Thanks: 47,756 Thanked 215,718 Times in 16,027 Posts	Spahn's service in WWII was crucial as well. He was a Sergeant in the infantry and wound up leading the final, successful attack on the bridge at Remagen as all the other officers were killed or wounded. After facing all that pitching in the majors must have been relaxing in comparison. Last edited by bigtrain45; March 4th, 2018 at 05:02 PM.. Reason: spelling

March 30th, 2018, 12:15 AM	#97
Arturo2nd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oakland, California, United States. I have a beautful view of the BART tracks and I-980 Posts: 8,955 Thanks: 103,061 Thanked 151,470 Times in 8,946 Posts	The Oakland A's get their first win of the year with an exciting come from behind Opening Day victory. They may not contend, but they have 2 guys who may hit 40 home runs and a third who may hit 30. So, teams ought not think they have a safe lead on these guys. Last edited by Arturo2nd; March 30th, 2018 at 02:32 AM..

March 30th, 2018, 02:57 AM	#99
Arturo2nd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oakland, California, United States. I have a beautful view of the BART tracks and I-980 Posts: 8,955 Thanks: 103,061 Thanked 151,470 Times in 8,946 Posts	HOF Candidates I've been thinking that Edgar Martinez out to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He definitely set high standards for the DH position. He wasn't that bad a third baseman. Certainly he was better in the field than Frank Thomas and Big Papi. I'm pretty sure that the latter will be inducted and, really Edgar Martinez was a better hitter in a much tougher park.

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March 27th, 2018, 08:58 PM	#92
Arturo2nd Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oakland, California, United States. I have a beautful view of the BART tracks and I-980 Posts: 8,955 Thanks: 103,061 Thanked 151,470 Times in 8,946 Posts	Baseball season is nearly upon us again. I have been checking out the Oakland A's who seem to have put together a mostly competent team on the field, have some intriguing young talent, and few quality starting pitchers. The Giants could challenge, but will probably limp along in the middle of the pack. But what about the Padres and the Blue Jays? I am seeing optimism in the San Diego blogs. The Blue Jays seem capable of shocking the world if all goes right or of simply playing the loyal opposition to the Red Sox and Yankees again. Do we have any scouting reports from their loyal fans?

March 27th, 2018, 09:55 PM	#93
~~bigtrain45~~ Banned! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 16,142 Thanks: 47,756 Thanked 215,718 Times in 16,027 Posts	I think the A's are too young and don't have enough pitching, so I think they will be last in their division. The Giants are too old and will finish last in their division as well. The Padres are improving, but still have a way to go to compete with the Dodgers, D'backs, and Rockies. As to the rest of the divisions, in the AL Central it looks like Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago, KC, and Detroit, and in the AL East Boston, NY, Toronto, Baltimore, and Tampa. In the NL Central, I think it's Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cincy. And in the NL East, it's Washington, Philly, NY, Atlanta, and Miami.

March 28th, 2018, 09:10 PM	#95
~~bigtrain45~~ Banned! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 16,142 Thanks: 47,756 Thanked 215,718 Times in 16,027 Posts	I have loved watching Longoria and McCutchen play in their primes, which are past. Hunter Pence is also past it. Posey is a first-round Hall-of-Famer. The Giants are going to need to develop some studs through their farm system to get back to perennial contenders because they are still servicing debt on the ballpark they had to pay for themselves. As someone born in Washington DC in 1950, rooting for a team that had no chance against the Yankees, then no team for over 30+ years, in my heart of hearts I want to see the Nationals beat the Yankees in the World Series. Dream it with me and make it come true.

March 30th, 2018, 01:07 AM	#98
Tmee2020 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Aust Posts: 4,195 Thanks: 209,836 Thanked 71,434 Times in 4,151 Posts	And the first pitch of the season was hit out for a home run by Ian Happ of the Cubs.

March 30th, 2018, 11:53 PM	#100
~~bigtrain45~~ Banned! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 16,142 Thanks: 47,756 Thanked 215,718 Times in 16,027 Posts	Agree completely about Edgar. I loved watching him hit. He's a victim of being a DH and playing on the West Coast, where not enough people got to see him play.