Game Thread: August 2, 2009
Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians, Aug 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT
Lineups:
Detroit: CF Granderson, 2B Santiago, RF Thomas, 1B Cabrera, DH Guillen, LF Raburn, 3B Inge, C Laird, Everett, P Galarraga
Cleveland: CF Sizemore, SS Cabrera, RF Choo, 3B Peralta, DH Hafner, 2B Valbuena, 1B Marte, LF Crowe, C Shoppach, P Pavano
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I think I’d like Crowe and Shoppach switched. If we’re going to go to the trouble of getting Crowe on base, it’d be nice for the next guy in the order to consistently put bat to ball.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather now have Crowe in there, but we don’t have a lot of options at the moment
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m eating Sbarro in an airport. I paid 7 dollars to be here with ya’ll for the next 20 minutes.
by afh4 on Aug 2, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
The bacon at a Sbarro just outside of Boston in 1996 made me violently ill. I’ve never been the same.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh my bowels are fine, but I’m always jealous of people who can eat Sbarro without any hesitations. Pizza fast food seems like a winner.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
We appreciate it.
So do you think Wedge was as displeased with Shoppach as you were last night, explaining Toregas going all 12 innings?
Steel Nick
I dunno. Wedge is stupid but he’s not Humphries stupid.
by afh4 on Aug 2, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Way to show grit. I owe you a pie to the face
"sometimes the internet is hard for me." - ClemsonGirl
by world dictator on Aug 2, 2009 1:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Doesn’t he look like he’s deceived his way into getting an award from the city at the expense of our hero’s reputation? Doesn’t Bob Feller look like a duped civic official?
by afh4 on Aug 2, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Looking at that picture, I have a feeling that they don’t even invite Feller to these things anymore. He just calls them for a pickup car and they oblige.
Steel Nick
You see the video of him at the Legends game at the HOF weekend? Crazy for a 90 year old.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I assume he drives himself. On a riding lawnmower.
by afh4 on Aug 2, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You mean he gets traded to Boston and outwardly states that he thinks Boston sucks?
Also! Is Byrd still trying to make a Clemens’ comeback?
I don’t know what Byrd has been doing lately. I haven’t heard of a team expressing interest.
I mean it would be nice for Pavano to go on a 3 or 4 start tear that actually makes someone want him. The shot at a team we don’t like would be nice too.
Steel Nick
It came out in 2008 and he was scheduled to do signings at the mall the day after he was traded.
Steel Nick
Note to current/future Indians. Don’t do book signings or bobblehead days.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So is Sidney Poitier. Equally useful on a baseball diamond.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The thought of you using Google Image search to put this together while paying money to use the Internet at the airport is the funniest part.
Steel Nick
Once you pay, it’s a sunk cost. Might as well search for pictures of partying dogs.
by FredOx on Aug 2, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
God, how often I’ve used this logic.
“You know, I already paid for this dinner date. Might as well search for pictures of partying dogs.”
“Well, I bought the ticket to go to Mexico before I knew about h1n1. Might as well search for pictures of partying dogs.”
“Hafner’s contract is guaranteed. Might as well search for pictures of partying dogs in denim shorts.”
by afh4 on Aug 2, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gotta get my money’s worth. The worst part is I was just searching things like “party” and, well, the image results for that are not family-airport safe.
How many airports have free internet? I know Phoenix does, but that’s about it.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Note: I really have come to hate any VH1 list. I was interested in their Top 100 Songs of the 80’s list until I realized they had some rule about only using an artist/band once. That’s ridiculous.
Steel Nick
What’d she do?
I am on gameday people! I am using all my bandwidth on image searches and a terible joke boolean image I created.
Boolean jokes are the lowest form of humour.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Choo opposite field shot that bounced up toward that area down the third base line that starts to rise toward the foul pole. A girl reached out and grabbed at it, deflected it off her hand, making it a ground rule double. Umps gave Asdrubal home plate anyway.
Weird commentary from Manning on the replay: “Yeah, if that fan doesn’t touch it—and it’s a girl, too—then…”
Steel Nick
Ah his OPS is still over 850, I can deal.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
did anyone notice that Shapiro did not include him in the talent pool going forward in his news conference, wonder why? not trying to be funny or a asshole, it just seemed strange me.
Fan in Texas
If you’re not trying to funny, or an asshole, then get the hell out of here.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. Even at his peak of failness, Marte showed us how easy it is to hit medium-deep flyouts.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
So it turns out today’s start not costing us too much for Pavano (~$75K). His next start stands a good chance of costing us about $275K, though.
Do we even take that much in at the gate?
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
If it’s not clear, this picture is indeed the winner. We can consider the contest over. It is impossible you could find a better dog party picture than this.
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah why is Slider in Cleveland and not in Windsor right now?
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone fill me in on this drive thing.
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
It’s the new Moneyball. It’s Driveball.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, I’m pretty sure they’ve been posted daily.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
HEY! Did you guys know you can adjust the size of this posting window by dragging the lower left corner? I learned something.
Seamless followup, do you think indiansfan has the comment box fullscreen?
by gte619n on Aug 2, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
and amazing pen has his about this wide:
————————
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
by westbrook on Aug 2, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Diatriber links to a Christina Kharl piece about the Indians trade acquisitions:
Donald is an athletic shortstop, with a good swing that’s far from slappy at the plate, but even allowing for the knee injury that has hampered him this season, he’s a player who next year will be headed into his age-25 season with a track record of showing some power, but not a lot, and some speed, but not a lot. In this, he’s very much like Asdrubal Cabrera, the man he’ll be paired off with up the middle, giving the Indians a nifty pair of defenders around the bag, neither of whom should be offensive zeroes, but neither of whom look like burgeoning offensive stars either.
My emphasis added. Why does everyone underestimate Cabrera?
Never heard of her. I’m picturing her wearing khaki pants.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Droobs is THREE YEARS YOUNGER than this Donald guy. He has an OPS+ of 103, 88 and 103 in his age 21, 22 and 23 seasons in MLB.
by gte619n on Aug 2, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My MLB.TV is moving in really slow motion. Any suggestions?
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
This slow motion stuff is fun.
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
Castro provides this little tidbit on Juan Lara
# Keep in mind that Lara is playing alongside a bunch of 18 year olds who really have no idea who he is. But in his first appearance, he received a standing ovation from both the Indians’ team and the opposition.
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
there was about a month long stretch where aside from a big outburst against Oakland and a big outburst against the White Sox, we regularly scored 3 runs or less. The last two weeks we’ve been doing much better.
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What does MArte have to do to stay on the roster for next spring?
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
keep hitting like that…I still don’t think the Indians are stupid
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
So if Pavano goes on one of those Paul Byrd like streaks we move him?
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
So I was curious and googled it after seeing the last commercial break. The Verizon guy reportedly makes $3M per year for his role as the Verizon guy.
That’s what I could find. He won’t admit how much he makes, but I found a website with that number. Not sure how true it is.
There is no way. I mean, the Verizon guy walks into your office and says, “I want $3m.” The exec IMMEDIATELY replaces him with a lookalike. Done. The campaign continues. He’s not Jarred or something. They didn’t build the whole campaign around him as a real person. He’s just some guy…
I google image searched “Verizon guy look a like.” First result:

I would keep my $2.8m. If the Verizon guy doesn’t want the $200k, he can go back to being a waiter or whatever.
I just think $3M seems like beans when you take into account how much they must spend on advertising overall, and the fact that he’s in pretty much every single ad in every single medium. They don’t have anyone else they have to pay, and he’s pretty recognizable at this point.
I’m sure they pull in at least that much in a single day of drastically overcharging for text messages.
SMS rates are hysterical. I can’t believe the FCC hasn’t put the kbosh on that racket. I mean, it’s price fixing if there has ever been!
If AT&T charged data downloads at the rate they charge text messages downloading 1MB of data would cost you $1,310.72.
I look forward to a near future in which everything is a flat rate — calling minutes, internet use, etc. — and you pay $30-40 a month. It’s more than enough for them to turn a good profit.
I switched to Boost Mobile’s $50/month unlimited everything plan. So far, I’m happy with it.
I still believe in Carl Pavano.
I’ve used it a few times, and I had no problems with it. The only downside is their iDen phones aren’t all that great, but you can get a CDMA account and then switch to a Sprint (Sprint/Nextel owns Boost) Smartphone. I have a Motorola Q I’m going to move onto my account.
I still believe in Carl Pavano.
The only downside is their iDen phones aren’t all that great
Call me old fashioned (it’s OK, I totally am), but I really really dislike cell phones that don’t reach your mouth when you hold them up to your ear.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
I suspect more and more people will be switching to plans like that as their current contracts run out. Another thing I’d really like to see is a complete disassociation of phones from networks. The two should really be separate decisions entirely.
I totally agree. I hate that I can’t use the phones I like the most on whatever network I choose. It seems counter intuitive to me, but what do I know.
I still believe in Carl Pavano.
Currently, there are numerous technical hurdles with porting the phones network to network.
When LTE really starts rolling we’ll likely have 100% compatibility between all the carriers. LTE is going to rock your face off.
FWIW, T-Mobile will let you “unlock” your phone after six months on the contract. You could then take it to AT&T if you were so inclined.
In the US we have three different protocols running on numerous different frequencies.
For instance, a Verizon phone is a CDMA phone and an AT&T phone uses GSM. The kicker is that Sprint is also CDMA, but it runs on a different frequency than Verizon.
These are all real, network specific issues, not necessarily the carrier just trying to game the customers.
Unfortunately, from an engineering perspective, it’s not just a straight drop of removing a CDMA controller and firing in a GSM controller.
I’m a Computer Engineer, so it’s frustrating for designers as well. We’re all anxiously awaiting LTE.
Is STO going to show us every Victor Martinez at bat the rest of the season? Hey, Al, here’s my open wound – keep pouring in the salt, man.
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
I’m writing Victor a letter.
“Boston will never love you the way we love you!”
I still believe in Carl Pavano.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G50CZ5lw2CQ
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
Seeing the Tigers atop the division despite their not being all that good really points out how much our sucking has hurt us.
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
He really does need to be ahead in the count. Otherwise he goes fishing.
by supermarioelia on Aug 2, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgive the subject matter, but this demands a posting:
Our boy cat, Moe, waited for Salome to leave the room earlier, then wasted no time leaping up to the top level of her computer desk (two “flights” up, if you will), and then managing to ruin her “Cliff Lee: 20 Wins” poster. Little creep even took a bite out of it for good measure.
So, I guess Moe is over Cliff. Or heartbroken over Victor. Or something. He ain’t talkin’.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
Wow, the entire Red Sox organization is on steroids? Right down to the security guys?
--
Force quit and move to trash.
Maybe Vic’ll flunk the physical.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Aug 2, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a good start from Carl. Now would be a good time to work out a trade for him….as I said, that next start will involve a $100K start bonus and a $100K innings bonus. We don’t need to pay for that.
I wonder if he can file a grievance if the Indians just release him? If he’s released, though, are the Indians responsible for the incentives? I can’t believe that the contract wouldn’t specify that incentives earned when playing for another team are paid by the other team.
1) You can look at his entire body of work and say “not good, Carl.” But we know deep down he’s been decent, spare a few disasters.
2) You can look at the direction of the team and say, “We’re going young. Sorry.”
I don’t think he’d have much of a case for a grievance. He signed the contract and a team has the right to decide who they want and who they don’t. There is a reason part of his contract wasn’t guaranteed.
by APV on Aug 2, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
it depends — the issue of “good faith” comes up in contracts like this from time to time. Simply, there is an implied “good faith” component of contracts, and choosing not to pitch someone for strictly cost-cutting purposes could amount to a breach of the implied good faith clause of a contract. But, there are plausible explanations the FO could offer aside from monetary concerns to justify it.
Ah yes, Underpants and Manning, giving us the old “when he pitches deep in the game he typically pitches well” spiel.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
I just realized who Crowe reminds me of… the guy who plays Tweeder in Varsity Blues.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
That was a pretty poor defensive play by Granderson.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
The way he stabbed at it without going down and smothering the ball in my opinion was a poor choice.. but maybe I’m splitting hairs.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
Just switched on as I was waiting for the picture to load and heard “and he comes Marte, 11 zip tribe” a very nice way to join the game.
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Aug 2, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions
Since we’re on this game.. can someone explain why Upton is still batting leadoff for the Rays?
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
As a 22 year old, he walked 67 times. As a 23 year old, he walked 97 times. He can steal bases (though not efficiently).
His OBP this year is .319, just seems like he’d be a good 9 hole hitter and Crawford would be a better option at the top.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
Carl Crawford got on base at a .319 clip last year, and a .355 clip the year before.
For comparison, Upton was at .383 and .386.
You can make the argument that their better off this year with the lineup changed, but then you’d be saying that Grady Sizemore shouldn’t be hitting leadoff either — not because you think he’s better suited for the third or fourth spot, but because Grady has a .327 OBP this year.
But Crawford had a specifically down year, like Upton is having, and he got moved down to the 7 spot I think. And I didn’t think Sizemore should be batting leadoff but I’m ok with it now since he seems to be turning the corner from earlier in the season. Maybe this is the case with Upton and I don’t know it.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
The point is that we know Upton is not the kind of player reflected by his stats, much the same with Grady.
I guess I didn’t, but I shall take your word for it. Honestly, they could bat Darth Vader in the leadoff and I really wouldn’t care.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
I’m not sure Vader has good speed on the paths, but he can force-bend every pitch right into his wheelhouse.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
He doesn’t even have to swing, he can walk every time, put the ball in the dirt. Be the first person to play a full season without registering an AB.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009

"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 2, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 2, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
And, while we’re at it:

"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 2, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey APV,
Which website do you recommend for getting time-bound cumulative stats, like you just spit out for Valbuena since the start of July?
Buchholz today: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO
by Ryan on Aug 2, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This was a joke when I said it in the third or something, but as it turns out I was just one inning and one run off:
The sixth inning was great. The Indians are up 12-0 now.
by Logodaedalus on Aug 2, 2009 10:54 AM PDT
Sure would be fun waiting in THAT line.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Aug 2, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Just getting here. I almost had a heart attack when I looked at the line score on LGT, which is showing a no hitter through 8 btw.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions
I meant for us. I didn’t even notice that no hits are registered for us, either.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what I assumed you meant, but I went and looked at it and saw no one had hits haha.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
I now see Pavano’s no hitter lasted exactly no batters.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Aug 2, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on Wedge… put in Wood so Shap has reason to fire you. [Game completed stat]
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
Jake is pitching at AA Tuesday.
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
by westbrook on Aug 2, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m stuck with the Tigers feed, but they just showed a quick run of highlights from the game, including a Pavano’s swinging K of Granderson where they quick zoom to Carl’s (yes, Carl’s, not Curtis’) face. Just in time for him to scream F!@*!
I’ve watched it a few times on DVR. I’m glad they left that in.
“There are some good players in the Arizona Fall League… In fact, Eric Wedge was an AFL player…”
There is a disconnect here, Rick.
Ballgame, almost 8am Monday, time for work
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Aug 2, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions
I treadmilled for the last couple of innings. I figured that way, if things went to hell, I wouldn’t get arrested for making online threats toward the entire Tribe management.

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