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Omar Vizquel in 09'?

I really don't know if this is something that the Indians even consider going into the offseason. However, I noticed that there is a guy named Omar Vizquel that will be a free agent. Do you think that Shapiro would ever bring Omar back (if he decided to play one more year).This would increase fan support, leadership, and maybe even bring back the magic of the 90's. I also think Omar would be fine with not playing on a daily basis, Like Trot Nixon did in 07'. Omar has meant so much to this city and it sure would be nice to see him in a Tribe uniform for his final year. Hasn't he even said he wants to finish his career in Cleveland. Does anyone agree with this?

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Ugh, no. He barely managed to OPS+ his age last year.

by zempf on Oct 3, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Like i said zempf he wouldn’t have to be an everyday player. Maybe just having him back for a final year would be something special.

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 3, 2008 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Do you honestly think that bringing Omar back would “magically” help the Indians win?

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 3, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I believe Omar most recently said he’d like to end his career with the Giants. No offense to the guy, but he tends to be loyal to the paycheck. Let’s not romanticize this.

To be honest, Omar would just duplicate Jamey Carroll’s skills, adding only his switch-hitting, and Carroll may be better at practically everything at this point.

It would be nice, but it wouldn’t be good.

by Jay on Oct 3, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions  

This is so true! Although I don’t think he was as greedy as Manny and Thome. I’m just thinking after the response during that Giants series I think it would be an even better response if he where in a Tribe uniform.

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 3, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Don’t kid yourself; almost all ballplayers are greedy. You can think that Manny and Thome are more greedy just because they left Cleveland for more money, but almost every player in their situation would have done the same thing (as would have almost every fan).

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 3, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think players are indebted to organizations where they began their careers. Sure I would have loved if Manny and Thome had stayed, but I don’t feel betrayed by them leaving, nor do I consider them greedy because of it.

by world dictator on Oct 3, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

But, of course, they ARE, er, interested in money?

by peter m on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wish most Indians fans agreed with you.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 4, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

This is a very good point. The first team a player plays for gets to pay the player way below the market rate. If anything, a player should feel probably feel more indebted to the team that hands him a stack of cash while his skills are in decline than to the team that paid him the league minimum for two years back when he was good. The original team at least gets its money’s worth.

by still ill on Oct 4, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Omar didn’t start his career with the Indians, he started it with the Mariners.

Vizquel was paid salaries of $2.35 million and $2.9 million by the Indians in his last two seasons before free agency, 1994 and 1995.

I don’t know if he ever actually filed for free agency, only that Hart signed him to a six-year deal for a guaranteed $18 million after the 1995 season, with a club option for 2002. Some considered this a vast over-payment at the time, but it only took Vizquel three years to become unhappy with it.

A potentially divisive situation is developing in Cleveland involving Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel.

Vizquel is unhappy with his contract, a seven-year, $21 million deal he signed after the 1995 season. Vizquel is not even halfway through the contract now and realizes that at $3 million per season, he vastly undervalued his worth on the current market.

That point was rubbed in his face throughout the winter, when lesser talents like Jose Offerman (four years, $26 million), Royce Clayton (four years, $18 million) and Delino DeShields (three years, $12.5 million) signed new contracts.

Vizquel will be the lowest paid member of Cleveland’s infield, trailing first baseman Jim Thome ($7.3 million), second baseman Roberto Alomar ($6.5 million) and third baseman Travis Fryman ($5.25 million).

The upshot: Vizquel wants Cleveland to restructure his contract and has threatened to hold out of spring camp or ask for a trade if it doesn’t. But so far, the only response by Cleveland officials has been silence.

General Manager John Hart faces a delicate balance, in that Vizquel might be Cleveland’s most popular player with fans. And Hart remembers how an unhappy Eddie Murray, who felt he had been low-balled in negotiations, helped poison the Cleveland clubhouse in 1996.

And yet Hart correctly points out that he assumed considerable risk by signing Vizquel to such a long-term deal. The Indians under Hart have never renegotiated a contract – and a Cleveland newspaper reports that a handful of veteran Indians players have contacted Hart to urge him not to renegotiate Vizquel’s contract.

Seattle Times, January 1999.

See also “The Renegotiator” from BP.

by Jay on Oct 4, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was referring to Thome and Manny specifically. (As far as tribes players are concerned.)

Though my principal, which doesn’t apply to Vizquel, still acknowledges that some people, like Omar, do negotiate in bad faith.

by world dictator on Oct 5, 2008 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions  

It’s not just the ballplayers .. it’s the unions and agents too. They apply pressure on these guys to get every last dime they can, otherwise they are letting down everyone else in their union.

by Toxicadam on Oct 3, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Um, no, he was every bit as greedy as those guys and more, he just wasn’t worth as much.

Omar made a point of publicly grandstanding about his contract, making the club look bad in the media for absolutely no reason, demanding to renegotiate his deal with three years still left on it — and let me assure you, that was totally unheard-of back then.

In 2003, he also blocked trades to any club but Seattle. Then when we worked out a trade with Seattle to get Carlos Guillen, he insisted that they had to give him another guaranteed year at $6 million in order to approve the trade. Since it wasn’t clear how well his knee had healed from a recent surgery, of course Seattle nixed the deal as too risky.

So we ended up keeping Vizquel all the way through his walk year, 2004, for absolutely no reason, and all we got was the draft picks — #33 and #102 overall. (Miraculously, the #102 pick has already panned out for us, but this is something of a fluke.)

Make no mistake, Vizquel negotiated in bad faith, went for the bottom-line and self-interest at all times, and he cost this team significant resources in doing so.

by Jay on Oct 3, 2008 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

forgive me, but who was #102?

by Brick. on Oct 3, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jensen Lewis can’t lose

by LeCavs Matt on Oct 3, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

It doesn’t matter. If we would have got Guillen, his TB would have flared up for sure.

by piersall on Oct 3, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

You’re really ruining my pedestal here.

by Brad D on Oct 3, 2008 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Except Omar gets cheered here when he returns and Thome gets booed. And Brick doesn’t post “BOOO Omar” ever time his name gets mentioned on this site.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 4, 2008 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

OMAR NON MI AMIGO.

(I don’t speak Spanish, so don’t bother correcting it.)

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 4, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

for the record, i type booo thome every time someone makes a prediction. long story. i have no love for omar either, though – or any indian playing for another team, really, whatever the circumstances under which they left. i don’t pine for former players. i root for the current ones – unless it’s shane spencer. i could never get behind him as an indian.

by Brick. on Oct 5, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

OK, I never caught on to the correlation.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 5, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

Also, I will sometimes root for former Indians players that I liked, such as Thome or CC, if their game doesn’t involve the Indians. That’s why I was rooting for the Brewers this year in the playoffs. I’m an Indians fan, of course, but I’m also a baseball fan, so when I’m watching the playoffs and the Indians aren’t involved I have to find another team to root for. That doesn’t mean that I “pine” for former Indians, but I can still cheer for them to do well.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 5, 2008 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

www.omarforthirdbasecoach.com

Pinch-hitting Carroll for Marte at this point in the season is inexcusable. I’ve had it with Wedge. He’s a younger, paler Dusty Baker.

by emd2k3 on Oct 8, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think Omar would make a tremendous base coach. I’m all for it

by Roger Dorn on Oct 3, 2008 5:36 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

like THIRD, maybe?

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Oct 6, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

The above went in the wrong place. It’s supposed to be here.

Pinch-hitting Carroll for Marte at this point in the season is inexcusable. I’ve had it with Wedge. He’s a younger, paler Dusty Baker.

by emd2k3 on Oct 8, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have never shared my fellow Indians Fan’s dogmatic reverence for Omar Vizquel. I’m 28, grew up w/ those 90s teams, and he’s honestly my least favorite “longtime” member from those days. I admit this could be irrational.

by kwoog on Oct 3, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Everyone check out the AL standings on the right side. WTF is going on? We are in a time warp.

by Toxicadam on Oct 3, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions  

you’ve probably noticed this by now, but it’s simply the standing AFTER July 9th.

by macasson on Oct 3, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s great, but we were 6 games under .500 by July 9th

by Toxicadam on Oct 3, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

how about 16 games under

by palcal on Oct 4, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

37-53, low water mark

by palcal on Oct 4, 2008 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

As long as Omar comes back to sign that one-day contract and retire (ala NFL), I’m all for it. Otherwise, fuggedaboutit.

Reality speaking, do we have a free spot on the 25 man roster for him anyways? Mart, Choo, and Gutz can’t be sent down. So if he “does” sign, one of those guys is gone, or Garko/Francisco start in the minors. Not gonna happen.

by talonk on Oct 3, 2008 11:17 PM EDT reply actions  

Who cares about Marte. If he is still an Indian after the offseason something is wrong.

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 3, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, it might mean they had re-signed Blake to play third, which would be ‘wrong’ (as you put it).

by peter m on Oct 4, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

and maybe even bring back the magic of the 90’s.

No. No he won’t.

By the way, welcome back Crazy.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 4, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions  

Does anyone know anything else about Brantley besides what the New- Herald said. I really do like this guy though.

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 4, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions  

Why don’t you check out the thread about him?

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 4, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions  

I checked out the thread about him. Thank you, it was very useful information and if everything is true about him we should have a very good outfield in years to come. How close is he to being Major League ready though. I have heard several things from he already is ready to he is only a few months in Columbus away from being ready?

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 4, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

my guess is, and it’s pretty safe to say that this would easily be consensus here, is that he won’t be up until mid 2010 at the earliest

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Oct 4, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

he already is ready to he is only a few months in Columbus away from being ready?

I have heard absolutely nothing like this, and I’m curious where you did.

If he reached Cleveland in 2009 it would be a miraculous ascent.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 4, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

To tell you the truth I forget where i saw this but I believe it was on news-herald.com with all the comments. However most of the people commenting had no clue someone even went on to say that they thought that Jackson was the best part of the deal so I didn’t take it as ligit information.

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Oct 4, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

A pretty good rule of thumb is to ignore half the comments here — including some of mine — and all of the comments on every other web site.

by Jay on Oct 5, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

Should we ignore that comment?

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 5, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Evidently not.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 6, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wouldn’t say miraculous. He’s at an age where an explosive jump in both tools and skills is not all that unusual, and he also might go from an injury-hampered 2008 to a fully healthy 2009. Think about the jump made by Huff this season or Kouzmanoff in 2006.

by Jay on Oct 5, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

We had a pretty good discussion of Brantley and the other potential PTBNL guys in this thread, when the trade first happened. You’ll notice that in the initial story I wrote, I was a little skeptical of Brantley’s package of skills, but later on in the discussion, after I’ve taken a closer look at his overall profile, I speculate that he might be the best prospect of all the guys mentioned.

by Jay on Oct 4, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

When did we become so nice?

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Oct 4, 2008 12:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah, how did everyone manage to have a civil conversation from such a ridiculous starting point? I’m impressed.

by still ill on Oct 4, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

I got all excited when I saw the title, but it was late. I was tired.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 4, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

The season’s over. Our adopted NL team crapped out in three games. The Red Sox look poised to go to the NLCS again, drowning us in even more Nation claptrap. The White Sox refused to fold adequately in their series. We’re all just numb from the pain. At least the Cubs lost, so there is one franchise with a longer title-less streak than ours.

PS Only bring back Omar if we completely reassemble the 99 team in Buffalo Columbus. That seems to be the place to collect has beens and never weres.

by FredOx on Oct 6, 2008 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

Wow, it would be depressing if the Red Sox won the NLCS, too.

Also, the Cubs’ EPIC fail is plenty of cause for celebration.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 6, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

Oops. My brain is broken from pounding my head against the wall.

by FredOx on Oct 6, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

Haha, no worries, just bein’ a dick.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 6, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

Charlie Manuel has a shot at the World Series. That’s good.

I never shared this adoption of the Brewers. Really a desperate team—it shows what happens when you have a small-market franchise that isn’t run as well as the Indians. They sold their soul to the devil for a shot at the postseason, and got two home games. That’s what you get for having Jason Kendall as your catcher. And Craig Counsell. And Dale Sveum.

The Indians are to blame for the White Sox. And I do believe someone on the Angels other than Mike Napoli will get an XBH one of these games.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

It’s not like the Brewers aren’t a well-run organization— A lot of teams would kill for those drafts. But I see what you’re saying.

That Napoli home run was Epic Not-Fail.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

The first one, I mean.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

They do have great drafts. Did you see the PD on the failure of the Indians’ drafts? What saves the Indians is signing of Latin players and Shapiro’s ability to select prospects from other teams.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

And Shapiro’s ability to figure out which GMs are most desperate. And then fleece them. Rinse and repeat, year after year.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on Oct 6, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

"did someone mention me?"

no, not the guy on the right.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Oct 6, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, and we’re all quite aware how bad we’ve been. But like you and the good doctor mention, it’s not all about the draft.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree on the Brewers. I was rooting for CC, but never could get into that team. I have a hard time watching another team in the playoffs that I watch and think the Indians would beat in the postseason had they made it

by Roger Dorn on Oct 6, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

Like the White Sox. But the Tribe can’t beat NL teams to save their lives.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

I was always a fan of the Brewers before CC got there. I love strikeout pitchers, so there’s Ben Sheets (and his will-he-or-won’t-he effectiveness always seemed fascinating). I love young phenom pitchers, so there’s Gallardo. I love Prince Fielder and I love Ryan Braun (especially Braun). They were a fun team to watch when Kendall wasn’t batting.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, I was a Brewers fan but I really dig the Phils too. I’d love to see them win a title.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 6, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

My adoption of the Brewers lasted only through the regular season. I liked them, but my only real adopted team is the Phillies.

Maybe someone can tell me a reason an Indians fan shouldn’t root for the Phillies. I guess you could hate them for being a major market club, or for outbidding us for Thome, but they still spend less than the Tigers.

I’m not thrilled about the Cubs’ loss at all. I don’t really care about the streak stuff, and the Cubs were genuinely a pretty great team and could have made some history this season. The Dodgers, meanwhile, had the eighth-best record in the NL — I’m surprised more people haven’t complained about this, it’s the worst playoff ceding ever under the six-division format. Talk about imbalance, bad enough some clubs try to buy a ring in December, these guys are trying to buy one in JULY. It makes me sick. We’ve got to do something about the NL crapping out a lousy team into the postseason — this is now four years in a row we’ve got an NL team with 82 to 85 wins in there.

My rooting priority at this point:

1. Phillies
2. Phillies
3. Phillies
4. Rays
5. White Sox
6. Angels
7. Red Sox
8. Dodgers

I know this will be controversial, but no team from L.A. deserves anything. I honestly would rather see the White Sox win than the Angels, and the Red Sox rather than the Dodgers. At least another Red Sox title would continue to put the lie to “competitive balance,” while the best a Dodgers win would do is to continue to over-glorify Torre and Manny and generally cheapen the whole value of a World Series title.

by Jay on Oct 6, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Phillies are a cool team. I’ve always liked them—even from the days of Von Hayes.

I agree about the LA stuff, though I would like to see Manny to continue to hit like he’s in a higher league, and it would be good to have Torre in the WS (just to mess with the New York press), and it would be great if Casey were to hit an Aaron Boone-like 11th inning homer off Papelbon, so someone else will sign him to a three year $30 million contract. Maybe someone in the AL even.

But the White Sox? Another year of incredible good fortune? This time with a team nowhere near as good as the 2005 version? When Kenny Williams gets lucky (again)? No way. I’ll root for the Bostons to beat the Chisox, maybe.

I heard the Tampa broadcasters say yesterday that dome teams are 11-28 on the road in the postseason.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

12-28 now then.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Oct 6, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

I pretty much agree. I could definately root for the Phillies, at least in the NL. I would hate Boston winning because of their annoying fans, but at least they’d deserve it — they’re a very good team with the best run differential in the AL. I hate seeing crappy teams get hot in the playoffs and win the World Series (i.e. Cardinals in ’06). Not only do they not deserve it, but then we get to read articles about how they “just know how to win” and crap like that. And I would really get annoyed with all the stories about Torre if the Dodgers won.

I like the Rays’ story, and I’m glad to see them winning, but their fans don’t deserve a championship. It was bad enough watching the Marlins win two World Series while nobody cared, I really don’t want to see another Florida team do that. I guess having never seen a Cleveland team win a championship in my lifetime will do that to me. I do like most of the Rays players — especially Longoria. And Joe Maddon seems like a cool guy.

I guess I’m rooting for Phillies v. Rays.

The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay

by Buckeye Brad on Oct 6, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

You mean to say that baseball is still being played this season? Huh, I’ll have to look into that.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on Oct 6, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I find little not to like about the Phillies. Great city, great players, and a little Tribe nostalgia in Charlie Manuel. Plus they’re like, named after me. They’re definitely my top rooting interest going forward in the playoffs. But I disagree about the Dodgers. I’d certainly rather have them win than any team in the AL except for the Rays. Both Sox make me want to puke and the LAAAAAAAAA’s are just so… gawd, gag-me-with-a-spoon boring and inane.

Id say:

1. Phillies
2. Rays
3. Dogers
4. Angels.

5. White Sox.

6. Red Sox

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 6, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

1. Rays
2. Phillies
3. Dodgers

4. Angels

5/6. NEITHER

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Oct 6, 2008 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

that’s my list. maybe flip the phillies and dodgers.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Oct 6, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s a winner.

by Brad D on Oct 7, 2008 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

1. Dodgers – Pisses off Boston and the Yankees with one stone – and Casey.
2. Phillies – Biggest negative is the MMM Hall of Fame.
3. Angels – Like Vladdy.
4. Rays – Florida baseball is for March.
5. Red Sox – Screw the Red Sox. They’re only ranked this high because as I type this they are one of 5 teams left in it.

by Brick. on Oct 6, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Phillies do have the advantage of being pretty soundly disliked by every other big eastern seaboard teams. What a great sports town for irritating other sports towns … if Philadelphia went on multi-franchise run like Boston I think sportwriters would actually spontaneously combust.

And among the remaining teams, I think the Rays played the flat-out best baseball this season.

by fleerdon on Oct 6, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

You make some good points.

I’ll tell you something about Philly sports fans — they’re terrible. First, they’re stupid, not the least bit knowledgeable about anything at all. Second, they’re crude jackasses — there is actually a culture here that says that being a total ignorant jerk all the time, like the worst people on sports radio, means that you’re a good fan. Well, I disagree.

On the other hand, there is one really great redeeming quality about Philly sports fans, other than not being New York, and that is that Philly sports fans hate the Cowboys more than anyone else in the world. And you do have to respect that.

by Jay on Oct 6, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is there a New Philly Stadium equivalent to the 700 level at the Vet? My favorite Philly stories when I worked in Harrisburg were of the people arraigned in a special court down in the bowels of the stadium during Eagles games. Sort of a boorish idiot dungeon. The greeting they gave Donovan McNabb after the Eagles drafted him epitomized the Philly fan to me. That the 700 level guys once ripped the Cowboys jersey off the back of a frontrunner fan, urinated on it and then set it on fire during a game was slightly redeeming in a perverse way.

by FredOx on Oct 7, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

The McNabb draft was a signature moment for Philly sports fans.

I agree that the boorish drunk court is something to be proud of. That Cowboys fan got what was coming to him. They are very nearly as vile as Yankees fans. In a way, they’re worse, because they don’t even watch baseball.

I don’t follow the Eagles closely enough to say what the new 700 Level is.

by Jay on Oct 7, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

… and they booed Santa Claus too.

Gotta respect that.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 7, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

Very true, which is a plus. However, Philly has too many negatives to mention.

I was rooting for the Brewers because they were great hosts during the snow days. A great fanbase goes a long way for me. conversely, a bad fanbase is a detriment. (Boston/ NY I’m looking in your direction.)

I wore and Indians hat to a Phillies v Mets game. Would you believe I got harassed? And not only in the stadium, I was harassed in my car driving away from the stadium by a DB in traffic heading in the other direction.

Here is another problem with Philly. They really don’t care. The Phillies close out the series on Sunday. All the talk on local sports radio on Monday is about the Eagles’ loss.

I’ve been to many stadiums. The vocal Philly fan is one of the dumbest baseball fan around. And for those of you who don’t know, "vocal Philly fan’ is a very redundant phrase.

Unfortunately, I could go on and on and on. Which is sad, because I would like to root for them.

proverbial "moron in a hurry"

by 94neverout on Oct 7, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

I have a dim memory of going to a Phillies-Dodgers game at the Vet. Before the game the Inquirer announced the winner of their All-Time Greatest Phillie contest. It was Mike Schmidt. They gave him an award on the field and people cheered him lustily. Maybe he even got a standing ovation of sorts.

The game starts. Fernando is pitching. With two outs in the bottom of the first, Schmidt comes to the plate with a runner in scoring position and strikes out. He is booed.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

In all fairness, I’d have called you out about the Tribe cap. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who wear gear for teams that aren’t even playing. Like this total ass I saw at Wrigley during a Pirates/Cubs game dressed in a full Joe DiMaggio uniform.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t understand this criticism. If you’re visiting from another city and don’t have a rooting interest in either team— you just want to catch a ballgame —why shouldn’t you wear the cap you normally wear?

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

I can see both sides of this issue. Particularly living in Baltimore. I could give a rip about the O’s. But generally, I don’t wear an Indians cap to a O’s/Blue Jays game. That’s why I have one of the old “happy bird” Oriole caps. Still don’t care about the team, but I always liked that hat.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on Oct 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

I usually attend baseball games in scuba gear just to play it safe.

by fleerdon on Oct 7, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I like to take this approach, too. I usually try to buy one of the home team’s official caps if I can afford it, since I like to collect them. This rule does not apply if I’m in Chicago, NY or Boston, though.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think people should go to the park in baseball gear. It’s nerdy, like taking your glove.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wha? Are you one of those polo and khakis fans?

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Naw. I’m into black suit, white shirt, skinny black tie and a fedora. And I insist on smoking in my seat.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

Converse sneakers?

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

You need to be constantly holding a rolled-up program when you’re cheering.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

Viceroy in one hand and a beer in the other.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s an exceedingly weird position to take.

by Logodaedalus on Oct 7, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Stick with the Sex Pistols T-shirt, I guess?

by Jay on Oct 7, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

At least it doesn’t get you punched in Queens.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

No I mean, I guess there’s not anything fundamentally wrong with it, it just always irked me. Maybe irrationally. I’ve just always figured that, out of respect to the teams actually playing, I’d rather go capless than wear a non-playing team’s cap. And this is coming from a guy who wears a Tribe cap for at least 60% of his daily life.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

I actually like to wear bright neon hats. I’m an old man in my 70’s. Maybe you’ve seen me behind the batter on TV? I alternate between innings.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think I’ve seen you wandering the streets around NE DC as well.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

Okay then.

I’ll be wearing my Indians cap.

by Jay on Oct 7, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

You would

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed… It would be weird for me to put on gear for some other team, just because I’m watching them. Even more so for me not to wear the only cap I ever wear. I don’t see why I should pretend not to be an Indians fan (or worse, pretend to be, say, an Orioles fan) just because I happen to be watching some other teams play…

I mean, it’s not like I’m going to get dressed up in full regalia like that Joe DiMaggio guy (sounds like a tool), but wearing my Indians cap to a ballgame as a minimal sign of my team allegiance (not to mention to keep the sun out of my eyes) seems totally reasonable, and the honest thing to do. Not as reasonable or honest as scuba gear, but still.

by Logodaedalus on Oct 7, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe you could wear this when you’re at a non-Indians game.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ok, wait. Anybody wearing a full DiMaggio uniform other than Joe on the field playing deserves ridicule and possibly rotten fruit thrown in his direction. Although that would be a waste of rotten fruit.

The game is over. I’m in my car heading north. This idiot is two lanes over heading south and is yelling, “THE INDIANS SUCK! Roll down your window. The Indians Suck!” Now that I think about it, maybe I should admire his dedication.

We’re talking different division, different league and no history between clubs. Maybe if I were wearing a Blue Jays hat the guy might have cause.

Now juxtapose that experience with this. If I go to Baltimore, my hat prompts an intelligent conversation about baseball. At least Baltimore used to be a regular opponent. Some good natured razzing would be fun.

proverbial "moron in a hurry"

by 94neverout on Oct 7, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dom could wear a full Dimaggio uniform. That’s okay.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Fair enough. Like I said, it’s a mostly irrational pet peeve of mine.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree with you. I also wore Tribe hat and jersey inside Wrigley Field. I am a complex dead man.

by Voltaire on Oct 8, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

I want to mourn for the Cubs’ loss for baseball’s sake, but having been in Wicker Park last weekend when they got eliminated was just too delicious for me. Plus, they really, really earned their elimination. That was a pathetic show.

by fleerdon on Oct 6, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Snakebit. The fans put the jinx on the team in Wrigley.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

but they still spend less than the Tigers.

Every team but the Yankees spends less than the Tigers.

by oxforddave on Oct 7, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Brick’s response was subtle yet effective. Two things I’m rarely adept at, so I left it at that.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 6, 2008 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, subtle inefficiency is really my strong suit. That’s why I participate in this blog without ever mentioning baseball.

by NickFantana on Oct 6, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Did anyone hear what the guy on TV just said? Right before Torii Hunter drove in the tying runs against the Red Sox, the crowd was taunting him with chants of “Tor-ii, Tor-ii.” After the hit, Chip Caray just said, “And no one is chanting now!”

TBS to Red Sox Nation: Shut the F Up.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 11:02 PM EDT reply actions  

Doesn’t TBS want the Bostons in the postseason? Otherwise, Tampa, Philly, LA,

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m sure they do. But everyone has a limit.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s true. Sometimes you have no choice but to go against your best interests. But now, we have RSN vs. the Rays.

by odradek on Oct 6, 2008 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Speaking of that game: Further proof that bunting destroys lives.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 6, 2008 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, ain’t that the truth. I read somewhere, don’t remember where, that the best time for the squeeze is right after a big play—a close call, a wild throw—when people are still catching their breaths. When the defense is still back on its heels. Scioscia could have sent a note over to Francona, or stood up and whistled at him to let him know it was coming. Well, so much for that one.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

Actually, I think was Aybar failing to get the bat anywhere in the vicinity of the ball that doomed that play. It was NOT bunting that destroyed lives.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 7, 2008 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, it would have worked if he had gotten the bunt down. I was just poking fun a bit.

I felt the Angels were pretty much doomed after that screw-up. And I’m not so sure Willits should have let that ball get past him in right, either. I understand the diving, but I don’t know that it was the right move.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

Willits knew they were doomed, too. Just like everyone else knew.

by odradek on Oct 7, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, but what else could he have done… it’d probably have bounced into the stands whether even if he let up and tried to play it for a single.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

OMG, I literally flipped out and started actively rooting against the LAAAAAAAAAs after that. I can’t believe how incredibly boneheaded that call was.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

ok this is really bugging me.. why is it that no one uses subject lines??

by kershaw_equals_stud on Oct 7, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions  

because “could we bring tim laker back???” is not a subject. it’s a comment.

by Brick. on Oct 7, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Because if you equate posting in a thread to a back-and-forth conversation in real life, subject lines make absolutely no sense.

by Ryan on Oct 7, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s how we roll.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thank you. I found this comment from Jay in another fanpost. Sorry if I annoyed anyone. Will remember it… thanks.

From Jay
but you may have noticed that we frown on the use of Subject line here. It makes things harder to browse.

by kershaw_equals_stud on Oct 7, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

On the other hand, we encourage using “reply” to respond to a particular comment rather than leaving others to guess what we’re talking about.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 7, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I missed the “projected lineup” thread, it seems.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

it was good

Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.

by Gradyforpresident on Oct 7, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

and by “good,” GFP means inane and ripe for derision and ridicule.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 7, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

/sigh

I made my post early on and by the time I came back to see what else had been added it was gone. Like dust in the wind.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 7, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I learned some stuff, though. We’re going to score 900 runs, steal 130 bases. Paul Byrd will be our #3 starter, holding down the fort until Westbrooke comes backe.

by FredOx on Oct 7, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

…and Grady’s moving downe in the order.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Oct 8, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

I legitimately cannot wait for the “Omar Vizquel in ’10” thread. Or the “Omar Vizquel in ’11” thread.

We should have this thread every year on the day we finish playing baseball. Traditions-what great clubs are built on.

by afh4 on Oct 8, 2008 12:18 AM EDT reply actions  

Can’t we just make it auto-post like the Game Threads? I think it would really save Jay/Ryan some work.

Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.

by gte619n on Oct 8, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Hey Fred you know what… when Paul Byrd signs a 1 year deal with the tribe this offseason and Westbrook legally adds and E to the end of his name I will find you and I will RUB it in your face. Then we’ll see who’s laughing……

by kershaw_equals_stud on Oct 8, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions  

If the Indians sign Paul Byrd to a one year deal for 2009, good luck finding me. I’ll be living in a cave, playing strat-o-matic baseball with twigs and rocks and dreaming about 1995.

by FredOx on Oct 8, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I was there earlier this year but those damn yankee fans kept showing up….

by kershaw_equals_stud on Oct 8, 2008 3:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Reply button.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Oct 8, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Solid work.

by Jay on Oct 11, 2008 5:23 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

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