Game Thread: August 23, 2008
by Ryan on Aug 23, 2008 7:30 PM EDT
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PrintCleveland Indians at Texas Rangers, Aug 23, 2008 8:05 PM EDT
Cleveland at Texas, 8:05 PM (STO)
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Hodges already has a HR. Mills is 1-1 with an RBI.
Good performances through 3 or so innings out of both KDLC and Huff.
This Sowers thing is intriguing.
This Laffey-Sowers thing actually.
I sort of like lost seasons with young players?
I think I forgot to invite you. Spring Training Winter Haven ’09?
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The Indians’ spring training is in Goodyear.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Ideally, you behave exactly as you would if the Indians were there. But they’re not.
I can only hope they won’t have taken the bleachers down yet.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably he read those posts in which we excoriated him for being too old and pedestrian.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you checked out minorleaguesplits lately? Very impressive. Instant luck-filter and park-filter and MLE-filter, and you can look at a player’s current season with one club or cumulative for the whole season, and any of the last four seasons, and apply any of the filters to any of the views. Definitely will be using this to settle some borderline calls for the PTM lists.
Well, this blows. If they don’t play, I may accidentally accomplish something while I’m home not drinking.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions
Solution: Drink while at home.
If you need me, I'll be senselessly rooting for Sizemore 40/40 for the remainder of 2008.
That’s a novel approach. I’m on an anti-inflammatory, sadly, and I like my stomach non-bleedy.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Three-day-old news?
You reminded me, though, I meant to un-close that thread yesterday — sort of a 48-hour probation.
Also, I don’t love it, but I do love the group we end up with here. I may be confused about the causes and effects of that, but it is why I do what I do.
Oh don’t get me wrong, I understand why you do it, and I like that you do it. I just find it funny when it happens. Sort of like hazing I guess.
Strangely, I don’t enjoy other people finding it funny. I guess I’m just not really into bullying, which apparently is not what others would guess.
Better that people find it funny than, I don’t know, mean spirited. Because the thing is it’s generally done with a sort of gruff sense of humor that we’ve all come to appreciate. So I don’t think bobcat is saying he thinks it’s like ha-ha-that’s-hilarious-you-just-owned-that-guy, more like, hey that was kind of funny and hopefully the “victim” gets it and sticks around.
I know you don’t like being a “character”, Jay, but for better or worse until we meet each other face to face (and I’ve really only met Andrew and Brick) those of us who are frequent contributors with distinctive voices do become characters for each other.
wtf is going on here?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Yeah, but isn’t he out of options? I guess it’s like, “sigh, may actually be approaching something resembling the end of Brad Snyder’s tenure as an Indian. Possibly.”
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m done mourning for Snyder. I won’t be mourning our playoff chances in the last week of September, either — it’s not yet over but still long gone.
I’ve seen him play and regard him with irrational favoritism. Of course, he’s still got seven figures in his bank account, so I can probably choke back my tears.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
And hey, you’ll be ecstatic to hear that Casey Blake has collected an inning at second base with the Dodgers. So, you know, whoever said he was being considered as an option there — totally vindicated.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
There are still events going on? I thought we were into rhythmic gymnastics territory by now.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Did you the gymnasts with the hula-hoop things? It was like an interpretive dance. Somehow that will remain an Olympic sport and baseball will not. Go figure.
I saw about 5 minutes of that this afternoon. What’s sad is that the physical movements those gymnasts make are damn impressive. But the inclusion of bizarre accessories makes it look like a South Park spoof.
Yeah, well, the big-name rhythmic gymnasts show for the Olympics, that’s the difference.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Booyah. Anybody sticking around for this one, or am I hanging with my imaginary Internet friends tonight?
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
i’ll be between here and doing research, because saturday night is really the best time to be doing research.
It is, actually. I find the sense of sacrifice can drive me on weekend evenings — like, either I get something done, or I’m just being a boring dude.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
If the choice is between Choo and Francisco, I think I go with Choo.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I really really wish Gutierrez had showed he could be an everyday outfielder this season so that we could have Choo and Francisco occupy the 3rd and 4th OF spots. Sadly…
If Frank holds pace and finishes the season this way, I’m more excited about that than I am by Francisco’s 110 OPS+. That might be irrational.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
only because francisco has had a reverse split, you have to like what he does at the dish. granted, his defense is crap and he doesn’t have choo’s patience. but he won’t strike out as much as choo, and, more importantly, he’s got more pop. it’s close.
if dellucci can be dumped, the OF with choo/benny/gutz in the corners is an ok start for 2009.
If I only ever make one contribution to this site, I hope it is to dispel the notion that Francisco has some sort of R/L split, reverse of otherwise.
Career minor league numbers:
vs. RHP .822 OPS
vs. LHP .819 OPS
Career major league numbers
vs. RHP .814 OPS
vs. LHP .786 OPS
THAT IS NOT A SPLIT!
the point is that francisco does not significantly hit left-handed pitching better than right-handed pitching. he’s not, say, franklin gutierrez.
is it ideal? hell no. but if francisco can put up a .280/.345/.475 line in LF and choo/gutz can manage in RF, i think the limited amount of money that will be spent could be spent elsewhere.
starting pitcher? bullpen? first base? third base?
i would just prefer to not give bobby abreu 2 years, $24M to play horrible defense and do offensively what choo, hopefully, can do if he continues to improve.
all reasons why Francisco is a great 4th OFer. You can bring him in to pinch-hit against either RHP or LHP with reasonable confidence that he’ll put the ball in play. While he’s not a great OFer, he does have experience at all three of the spots. With an injury to a regular, he can sub in for 4 weeks without embarrasing you. But he’s a sub-par everyday OFer.
Which is starting to make me think, he’s an NL guy.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m praying Gutz has turned a corner (956 OPS so far in Aug) and can lock down RF for next year, and we start off with LaPorta/Sizemore/Gutierrez. No way we can dump Looch. No idea whether Francisco or Choo will be the 5th OF and frankly I don’t care all that much.
But if Gutierrez continues to suck at the plate, that’s bad, and trading for a bat for RF becomes a necessity.
You sound like indiansfan.
I don’t think it’s out of the question at all that LaPorta starts 2009 with the big league club. And he will for sure be up at some point next year.
It’s not out of the question as such, but it would definitely be out of character for the front office.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
i think there’s a “bad” contract out there somewhere in one of Cleveland’s positions of need, and swapping dellucci for that contract might make sense.
honestly, $4M isn’t that much. if mike hampton can be traded, anybody can be traded. there’s an overpaid reliever or catcher or corner infielder somewhere. i haven’t looked yet, but i’ll come up with one.
Got away with one there, Sowers. Hamilton ripped that.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions
Does McCarthy bring back bad memories of the last weekend of the 2005 season for anybody else?
by PatBordersHelmet on Aug 23, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions
That story was posted today at 8:13pm EST. Why haven’t updated it yet?
by PatBordersHelmet on Aug 23, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Sowers fastball (according to Gameday) is a little slower tonight than it’s been lately. 88-90 instead of 90-92.
Haha. Someone posted that post the other day and I left a comment that pretty much called the writer a moron. Apparently my comment was not acceptable.
Internet field trip! Drop me off in the red light district.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Chamberlain is recovering either from a rotator cuff injury or severe constipation.
“I cut a couple loose. Nothing tightened up after I let one go.”
“I had to look around on the mound just to make sure I knew what I was doing.”
“I don’t have any doubt he’ll pitch this year. We’ve got to try to figure out what he’s going to do, but a day at a time,” Girardi said.
And, of course…
“To fill his spot in the rotation Saturday, the Yankees activated Carl Pavano from the 60-day disabled list.”
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That sucked, but I salute not bunting nonetheless.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet sassy molassy, did anybody see Miggy Cabrera’s moonshot in KC? I don’t often have the opportunity to say “it cleared the fountain,” so I will. It cleared the fountain.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions
how sweet would it be for cleveland to knock boston out of playoff contention at the end of september? it would mean the white sox/twins would win the wild card (and i’m against the white sox). but it just might be worth it to see both boston and the yanks sitting this one out.
by xrickx on Aug 23, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Garko could have redeemed at least 50% of his suck had he pulled off the hidden ball trick there.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply actions
Nice. Seriously, that’s the most I’ve seen Grady get on a throw all year.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
General Tsaowers + Grady Sizemore = a big jar of Get Out Jam
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions
That General Tsaowers joke of mine always makes me want Chinese.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions
Slow roller a few feet to SS side of 2B. Jhonny waited it out instead of charging, then threw wide-right of first, pulling Garko off the bag.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
can we petition for south korea’s government to consider choo as an honorary member of this gold medal team?
Too bad we had all those really good reasons for not just sending him to compete with that team … trying to think of one of those reasons …
You would think that the chance of a gold medal would outweigh any evaluative value these last three weeks have had, wouldn’t you?
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Especially insofar as his being on the team might make winning the medal at least incrementally more probable.
Gosh, I’m really really sober, aren’t I?
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody else listening to the OMG PEDs guy on FSN? It’s hilarious. “Parents have to assume their kids friends are doing steroids.”
This guy just said Texas is testing chess players for PEDs. I really hope he was kidding but I don’t think he was.
I will hold out hope for Tom Mastny until it becomes surreal to do so.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Ehh.. I don’t feel so good about this game. Things seem to be going against us.
Ehh.. I don’t feel so good about this game. Things seem to be going against us.I wish palcal were here to cheer us up with his statistics.
if marlon byrd keeps this up, he’s almost guaranteed a 5 year deal to play CF for the angels next year.
by xrickx on Aug 23, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
From Indians.com: “Jeremy Sowers, who traditionally works around a tough inning early before working deeper into the ballgame, can clinch the series with a win over the Rangers tonight.”
by Gradyforpresident on Aug 23, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions
Have you seen the article that said that about 99.9% of the Olympics (for the athletes) is a sex fest. They mocked Phelps saying even a geek like him could get laid, haha.
Hammy: “Well, edward mujica is now pitching in a tie game”
SHUDDER
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
This game is hilarious. Cashed in my free Polar Pop coupon at Circle K (thanks, Tribe!) and nearly drove off the road laughing when Shop homered. Awesome.
--
In Cliff we trust.
EW: “Ron, I was thinking…”
RW: “Don’t tell me. The bullpens.”
EW: “Yeah, I mean, I’m looking at my guys, and at your guys, and it’s like…”
RW: “…either they’re major league pitchers, or they’re not, right?”
EW: “Basically. And we’re so far out of it already, that it’s more worthwhile for me to just throw the guy out there and see what he can do.”
RW: “Likewise. So are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
EW: “Getting glassy eyed on Xanax for 48 straight hours?”
RW: “…Actually, Eric, I was thinking, spring training-style reliever usage.”
EW: “Well, yeah, that as well.”
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Jay, you serious with that olympic thing… or seeing how many hits you can get?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
It just doesn’t seem plausible.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
I know it seems crazy considering they make good dough, but if the players were given cash (similar to the money they receive to go to Japan immediately after the season to play in those exhibition games), they’d do it.
I think they (MLBPA) would demand some compensation in exchange for the travel demand. But I agree the players aren’t the major impediment.
I understand the ownership concerns, though. Why it’s more comforting to watch your player get hurt on your field than an international field, I do not know…but I know the injury concern is real (not that it’s any greater when playing ball over there than it is here).
not to mention the injury concern of 170 games instead of 162. It’s like the NFL idiots not thinking a 17th or 18th reg season game will have consequences.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
You apparently haven’t read the article. There would be no extra games; in fact, there would be fewer.
I confess to have read less than 25% of the article.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Well, we’re sending players to the Olympics, which is during the regular season.
They likely would be away for perhaps 18 days, during which each player would play at most nine games. Typically, the everyday players would have played 15 games during that time.
so the players’ actual teams would be playing without their best players?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
yea that part I saw. I assumed it would be during a couple week delay.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Each player’s participation would be optional.
The union gets to have a bunch of extra players earning major league salaries and service times. It’s a net win for them.
I’m just content with the World BB Classic. I mean, I don’t have any gold medals on my wall. But c’mon…who cares?
But a greater point: if the goal is to have the BEST athletes from every country compete against each other, fine. We already have that in baseball. It’s called MLB. And if we want to draw distinctions by place of birth, embrace the WBBC.
(not that I don’t think your idea is a novel one, and probably the best solution we’ve heard so far)
Thank you.
Again, I think the “caring” becomes a circular question. If we had a good Olympic team, you’d care.
I mean, seriously … people cared about HOCKEY this one time …
Saltalamalphabet’s only 23? Why, he projectile vomits projectability, doesn’t he?
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 11:43 PM EDT reply actions
Curse not being able to hit Wright.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Well, if nothing else, this may be the first game in several weeks to merit a recap.
by fleerdon on Aug 23, 2008 11:57 PM EDT reply actions
Okay Believelanders, I’m out of gas.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
by fleerdon on Aug 24, 2008 12:01 AM EDT reply actions
I’m totally numb to this.
Cut him now. It’s so stupid.
by afh4 on Aug 24, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can’t explain it either.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
I understand the reasoning. But you have to give Marte a chance to succeed if you want him to actually, you know, succeed.
It’s interesting.
I think I’m prepared to argue he might be one of the smartest people to ever run for president. It raises serious questions about the American political system but, then again, so do lots of things in modern America.
He spent most of the last decade insulting my intelligence.
by JulioBernazard on Aug 24, 2008 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
uh oh. Christian Slater is making a comeback.
"I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work." -George Carlin
z
when did this crowd noise turn into that of an NFL Europe game?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Dude, you should have heard that sadistic asshead with the whistle at the USA/Japan game last night.
--
In Cliff we trust.
by vbc3 on Aug 24, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I feel bad for turning this game off for an hour to read a book. Shoppach must stay upon VMart’s return. Who gets more splinters?
Steve Smith is Unbelievable.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Girlfriend noticed that Betancourt is wearing these Phiten necklace things favored by ballplayers these days. I asked why and she pointed me at the website.
--
In Cliff we trust.
Reading the Rangers fan site is pretty funny. I really like seeing them go from elation to complete dejection (though some of them did seem to expect the epic fail). The site does get sort of annoying because they all use the subject line.
How long before J-Lew is 100% owned in fantasy leagues?
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
No runs given up by the Tribe bullpen in 5 2/3 innings.
I think this might warrant a big picture mention.
--
In Cliff we trust.
Jay/Ryan OTT but I’m having huge problems accessing this site, seems to keep timing out, have tried Firefox and IE but both are the same. Been an issue for sometime now, couldn’t access the site yesterday or today, get the home page, but not the game thread………anyone else having this problem? Are there settings I can change?
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Aug 24, 2008 5:06 AM EDT reply actions
I had a lot of trouble getting comments to post in this thread … timed out while posting at least half a dozen times. Probably just network maintenance or something.
by fleerdon on Aug 24, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
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