Just post anything BaseBall Related…
A-Rod got his ass-kicked in the last game by Varitek. That was very refreshing to watch. :k:
Alex got the taste of hatred.........
for Red Sox - it was a great win against Yanks and Rivera - in coming schedule we will see how much last weekend brawl have pumped up Red Sox. Boston has been under .500 on road - and they play next 13 games on road - let's see if they be able to catch up the Yankees with pitching and defensive plays down the road....
btw, when Roger Clemens gets in the baseball hall of fame, which team member should it be as? Red Sox, Jays, Yankees???
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by I'm Kool: *
btw, when Roger Clemens gets in the baseball hall of fame, which team member should it be as? Red Sox, Jays, Yankees???
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YANKEES.
he won world series with them.
^
Still. That was pretty much past his prime.
his stint in boston was much longer and won more cy young awards (3) than with any of the other 3 teams (including houston). He won his other two in toronto. He didn't even win one cy young with Yankees.
that's right but world series ring matters most than cy young and mvp ..... :D
We Got Nomar…
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I LOVE THIS TRADE!!! this was certainly one heck of a trade and a resounding coup for the Cubs - being able to swap for Garciaparra without losing any can’t miss prospects.
The weak spot in the Cubs lineup was shortstop - and now they’ve added one of the best hitting shortstops without having to give up a whole lot - Beltran was supposed to be their closer of the future but he has been very inconsistent this season - and if the Cubs can lock up Nomar long term then that makes the loss of Harris less important since they’d have him at shortstop and Ramirez at third - not having to give up Clement is huge I think because despite his career record - he’s been very good this season - and hopefully the offense will produce runs for Clement!
I dont know how Jim Hendry did it, but he sur pulled off a big one with the Nomar Trade.. The results are there.. 4-0 after nomar inclusion.
Go Cubs..!
now only if we can get pujols in the line up somehow... :D
Boston makes so many legends but they all end up getting out of town.
Babe Ruth, Roger Clemens, and now nomar garciapara. Boston is just like a cheaper version of Yankees with better pitching.
yes - Jim has done a fantastic job as a GM of Cubbies - remember last year he got Aramis at the trade deadline - and we went deep in the playoffs - at the moment Aramis is the MVP of the Cubbies.
i went to see the games at SBC park this weekend - came out happy and sad..
first the sad part - ****ing Sosa - 0 for 17 ABs(at the moment, tied with Reggie Jackon at the HR All-time list) - what the hell is wrong with him? 
why the hell he moved away from the plate when he comes to play? arghhh - it don’t make sense.
on Friday - yet another Clement lost - though he didn’t have the right stuff - still he kept the team in game - but Sosa blew the chance - he came to the plate with loaded bases - and foulout - PATHETIC!
i had so much expectations from Alou - which now seems to drained 
he was hitting something like .320 in May - now look at his avg. - painful but still he does make some clutch plays…
D. Lee has been awfully great…
the problem with Cubs is hitting/slugging - not pitchers getting hurt - had it not been Nomar - we might have not swept the Rockies at Denver - plus we need a real closer - this is where sometimes i don’t get Dusty’s management - why on earth he keep handing the ball to Kyle - who got the strong arm but no consistencey? 
i say Cubbies should make Jon Leicester their closer since Joe has been out - and LaTroy hasn’t been really effective - Hawkins is much better a set-up man than a closer.
now the best part - watching histroy made infront of my eyes - Big props to Greg Maddux for the 300th victory - he’s always been one of my favorite players - and the mark is just another wonderful achievement in one heck of a career.
i will be watching Cubbies game on FSN with their series again Padres and Dodgers - no time to mess around - we won’t get Cardinals - we gotta make our lead in the Wild Card race…
COME ON CUBBIES!!!
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While we are were focusing on the pennant races at hand, one of this year’s shining moments snuck up on us. Greg Maddux has won his 300th game.
We have heard how he has done it: knowledge, CONTROL, competitiveness, CONTROL, consistency, and CONTROL. I’m most impressed by Maddux’s longevity.
During my 12-year career I won 10 or more games in seven straight seasons. While that streak and eventually my career ended because of injuries, it was a pretty good run.
Even after just seven good seasons, I felt the mental and physical strain of maintaining consistency. The better a pitcher is, the more innings he will throw and the less rest he will get. Add to that the expectations that come with achievement, and the strain only compounds.
Check out Maddux’s win totals from the past 16 years: 18, 19, 15, 15, 20, 20, 16, 19, 15, 19, 18, 19, 19, 17, 16, 16. Maddux has been the model of consistency at the highest level: no down years, no major injuries, no “hard luck” years. He’s the definition of a Hall of Famer
Maddux has always been, and remains, unassuming and team-oriented, preferring to have attention focused away from his individual accomplishments. He has surpassed 200 strikeouts only once in his career, yet he has seasons of 199, 198, 197, and 190 K’s. He has won 20 games twice but has won 19 five times. It’s almost as if he was too shy to get those last few strikeouts or that final win.
But don’t be fooled: Maddux wants to win as much as anyone. If that 200th strikeout or 20th win would have made a difference in his team’s fate, he more than likely would have recorded it.
There were a few years in the early-to-mid '90s when Greg Maddux was the name on everyone’s lips, but it’s as if his consistency has dulled his impact. Reaching 300 win shakes us awake and forces us to look at a great player in a new way.
Quite an amazing run he’s had, and it’s still happening right before our eyes
damn you people - no Baseball loving fans here. i know i know Football is the passion but you gotta love the Baseball environment at the moment - especially Marlins, Angels, Astros making a run for Wild Card - and BoSox finally on the tail of the Yankees.
here’s how it goes…
**The Hunt for October and Wild Card race heats up **
American League - East
finally BoSox has something that didn’t have in years - pitching strength that is. i think when it is all said and done Boston will finally win the division - with Yankees’ pitching weakness - and on top of that the idoicy of Kevin Brown - i don’t see them winning the division unless Boston chokes.
Division Winner: Boston Redsox
American League - Central
Indians made a good run but left empty tank - White Sox have been good but not good enough - it’s fair to say Twins will win the division again - and this year around they can start and finish the game.
Division Winner: Minnesota Twins
American Leage - West
this has been the best division by miles in the league - A’s have been leading the division but Rangers and Angels made a good run so far - Rangers have faded out after playing tremendous ball. Angels are getting back their players but their pitching staff don’t have a real ace - Bullpen is good - bring in Rodriguz in a 1-R game and he will save the day but at the end of the day i think A’s will win the division - Angels have a good remaining schedule ahead.
Divisoin Winner: Oakland Athletics
American League Wild Card
i have Angels and Yankees for wild card - it will be a close call though because the way BoSox has been playing on supreme confidence - i don’t reckon they are thinking about Wild Card this moment - plus if the Yankees’ pitching woes continues - they might miss the playoffs too - for that we will have to wait and see…
Predicted A.L Wild Card Winner: Angels or Yankees
**National League - East **
who would have thought after Ben Sheets 18 K performance and Big Unit’s no-hitter, losing Maddux and Tom with swinging bat of Gary Shef - Braves will have a division lead 11 games over Marlins? unbelieveable - pitching has been the strength of Atlanta in the 12-year span of Divison title and they are likely to win the 13th one
had Marlins didn’t lose Ivan and D. Lee - they could have win the division - oh and Phillies suck.
Division Winner: Atlanta Braves.
National League - Central
do we even have to bother? all around the best team the league has seen this year - this Cardinals team remind me the magical season '98 Yankees had - though their pitching staff is same what Angels had in '02.
Division Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
National League - West
Padres have been a story in this division - so are Dodgers and Giants - though Padres have faded out for a week or so - Giants are making the run for division - though with only ace(Jason Schmit) in the rotation and bullpen woes - i think Dodgers will hold on - plus Dodgers have more offense than Giants(Bary Bonds).
Division Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers.
National Leage Wild Card
boy - this is a tough one - Cubs could have been easily ahead of the teams who are in the hunt for wild card - but thanks for whinning - they lose 3 games to Astros - who are on fire, have won 18 out of 21 games - conventional wisdom say Cubs since they have a great pitching staff - and they edge Houston/Florida on a 6th man rotation - but it’s the pitching that Cubs don’t have it right - i don’t know what the hell has gone to Prior? plus Cubs don’t know the fundamentals of how to advance the RISP - it pisses me off!!! on top of that Marlins are making the run AGAIN!!!
Predicted N.L. Wild Card Winners Cubs or Astros
Sneakers: Florida Marlins.
what ya think?
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Originally posted by Talha: *
**Predicted N.L. Wild Card Winners* Cubs or Astros
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Giants are 0.5 game behind Cubs on WC race. With 2 series against Dodgers, I am even hopeful for a Division Championship. Lets see.
that is correct Faisal - Giants can win the division but you guys don't have a offense and pitching strength - i mean how long Barry will carry this team? on top of that - Jason Schmit is your real ace in the rotation - and bullpen? let's not even go there - have you seen how Dodgers have played(barring the series against Cardinals)? Beltre, Green, Finley, all around have been good - and one thing more - they rank 2nd on defence behind the Cards.
i say Cubs and Astros for Wild card because i know we(cubbies) are down with pitching but our defence at SS have improved(Thanks Boston) - Astros are the hottest team in the league - it's still up in the air and definitely this season will be a September to Remember.
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Talha: *
**American League - East*
finally BoSox has something that didn't have in years - pitching strength that is. i think when it is all said and done Boston will finally win the division - with Yankees' pitching weakness - and on top of that the idoicy of Kevin Brown - i don't see them winning the division unless Boston chokes.
Division Winner: Boston Redsox
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NYY are leading by 2.5. I, for one, will be surprised if they don't take Division. RedSox will get the wildcard.
Re: Oakland A's. You'd be surprised how under-acknowledged this team is, even in the Bay Area. I wish they'd move to SJ and have better access to resources (too bad that Giants claim 'territorial rights'
I think by now its safe to say that bosox are gonna win the AL wild card. Looking at their play right now, i think this year the have the best chance of winning the championship in many years. Their starting rotation has been awesome, thier batting lineup is amazing and their defence isn't too shabby either (with the exception of their left fielder manny) To bad anaheim, with their amazing outfield of Anderson, vladdy and jose guillen will be denied a spot in the playoffs. When the season started, they looked pretty good (even without garret for the most part) but during the mid-season they completely lost thier game.
and houston.... WOW. 10 game winning streak and still looking gud.
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
NYY are leading by 2.5. I, for one, will be surprised if they don't take Division. RedSox will get the wildcard.
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i think ESPN and FOX will cover the 2-series(one at Fenway, other at Yankee stadium) - there you will see the huge difference between the Yankee and BoSox pitching - i m not sure why you would be surprised if BoSox win the division because clearly they had the best pitching rotation than Yankees before the start of the season - on trade deadline - they got good set of players who can make defensive plays.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
Re: Oakland A's. You'd be surprised how under-acknowledged this team is, even in the Bay Area. I wish they'd move to SJ and have better access to resources (too bad that Giants claim 'territorial rights'
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yeah i know about that but the problem is - they have not win the ALDS ever since they have got there in 2000 - therefore i think they don't get much attention than Giants(plainly because of Bonds) - and clearly they are the better team than Giants - tough luck for A's i guess
Here's how the N.L. wild card race gets down.....
Astros are only a half game back. Clemens will pitch today against Reds - Then, Houston plays 5 games at the Pirates(which at the moment look to be a clean sweep) - After the Pirates series - The Astros will have the lead in the wildcard - then they play 3 against the Cardinals which i think Cards will win it).
Astros 24 games left, 9 tough ones(6 at home against Cards, 3 at the Giants).
Giants 22 games left, 15 tough ones(3 with Astros, 3 home and away against the Dodgers and Padres).
Padres 24 games left, 15 tough ones(2 wtih Cardinals, 4 at Dodgers 3 at home, 3 home and away with Giants).
Marlins 28 games left, 12 tough(3 home and away with Braves, 4 away and 2 home with Cubs).
Cubs 27 games left, 9 tough ones(3 home against Braves, 4 home and 2 away with the Marlins).
i think i got it all right - looks to be a good race down the stretch between the Astros and whoever gets the better of the Marlins/Cubs series - the Giants and Padres may just have it too tough.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
NYY are leading by 2.5. I, for one, will be surprised if they don't take Division. RedSox will get the wildcard.
Re: Oakland A's. You'd be surprised how under-acknowledged this team is, even in the Bay Area. I wish they'd move to SJ and have better access to resources (too bad that Giants claim 'territorial rights'
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Bilkul Sahi.It is good example of how a team can do good without big stars.A's have done it consistantly for few years now.
OK..I am of to Oakland vs Rangers game today.Look for me on TV. I will be one with Pakistani Flag. :D ;)