2008 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Hank's gonna make him start EVERY game now!

[tim_m]

Oh god his arm would fall off lol.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Eh, that's why he'll get Peavy and Sabbathia.

[faldor]

I feel bad for tampa, so I am gonna root like hell for them.

to blow a  lead like that and to end up losing is just too devastating


Boston can still feel proud even if they  lose, but it would crush TB.

So lets go Rays!

Oh they'll be fine.  The Red Sox had quite a heartbreaking end to the 2003 season (among many others) and they came back the next year to win it all.  They would get past it if they were to lose.  You've got to experience a little heartbreak before you can truly appreciate a championship.  Before this season no one would've admitted to being a Rays fan, never mind even knowing Tampa Bay had a baseball team.  All of a sudden, they're America's darlings.  It's not that easy.

[D]

Not sure about Boston's strategy  here in the 8th.

1st and 2nd, nobody out, Pedroia is an amazing hitter, but if u sacrifice the runners to 2nd and third with 1 out.

a single ties the game...........


Pedroia flies out and now TB are in ok shape.

[tim_m]

Two outs first and third now. I'm not sure about that play at second but now a single doesn't tie it.

[Dr. Blutarsky]

Rays are going to the World Series 

[D]

Crisp slid around the bag clearly

Had he slid towards the bag, he would've been safe and Boston are probably in the world series.

I still say they should have bunted.

2nd and 3rd one out, they would've walked Papi though which I guess is a good case for not bunting but bases loaded, 1 out, kevin Youklis

thats a good situation.

he walked, of course u cant say he would've had they been loaded, but anyhow, Im happy for the Tampa Rays and lets see if Philly can win a WS.

[Mr Cowbell ?]

Philly won one back in 1981, they had a championship, It would be good for all of baseball for the Rays to win it.

It would show you don't need 100 million payroll and basically buy a WS. THey have one of the lowest payrolls in the sport and they are getting the job done. Yankees Have A-rod and Giambi who are 20+ Million a season, 28 million is more then the whole Florida Marlins team makes a year.  Tampa has a good farm system and lots of young talent signed, They used good drafting and signed young guys with potential to long deals. If they can improve their bullpen it will be them battling for the playoffs each year in the East as the Yankees, have alot of money tied up in againg players.


I'm pulling for the Rays all the way.

[Dr. Blutarsky]

It would show you don't need 100 million payroll and basically buy a WS.


I'm pulling for the Rays all the way.

Yup, my sentiments exactly. After this year the franchise may have some capital to work with since they have been one of the lowest funded teams.

My company did some work for the Rays several years ago and their budget was so small they had to be on the barter system to settle up on invoices. 

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Faldor, you're welcome to come fishing with me.

My sister is still waiting btw.

K thanx.

[faldor]

Faldor, you're welcome to come fishing with me.

My sister is still waiting btw.

K thanx.

Is there a losers bracket where the Dodgers and Sox square off for 3rd place?  I'm ready.

Congrats to Tampa, although I know they don't have any TRUE fans on this board.  They've had a fantastic season and the dream ride continues.  Everyone has expected them to fold all season long and they've just refused.  They're quite resiliant.  Just not enough offense for the Sox in the post-season.  One hit in the first inning, and not much after that.  The bottom of their order performed dreadfully, and that's who was up in the 9th.  Not good.  Problem was too, with Price being a lefty they had really no quality righties to pinch hit off the bench.  Kevin Cash?  I guess he could've hit for Varitek, seeing as how he was 1 for 20 in the series.  But was Kevin Cash really the savior?  I kind of doubt it.  So leaving in Price was a great move not just because of how it ended, but strategically.  Their only capable bats off the bench were both lefty, Sean Casey and Ellsbury.  Lowrie hit for Cora, but again he was like 2 for 20.  Dah well!  Enough complaining.  Tampa deserves all the credit.  Should be a pretty exciting World Series.  Good luck to both teams.  I've gotta give a slight edge to Tampa at this point.  You always wonder if the long layoff could hurt the Phils.

[Mr Cowbell ?]

Faldor, you're welcome to come fishing with me.

My sister is still waiting btw.

K thanx.

Is there a losers bracket where the Dodgers and Sox square off for 3rd place?  I'm ready.

Congrats to Tampa, although I know they don't have any TRUE fans on this board.  They've had a fantastic season and the dream ride continues.  Everyone has expected them to fold all season long and they've just refused.  They're quite resiliant.  Just not enough offense for the Sox in the post-season.  One hit in the first inning, and not much after that.  The bottom of their order performed dreadfully, and that's who was up in the 9th.  Not good.  Problem was too, with Price being a lefty they had really no quality righties to pinch hit off the bench.  Kevin Cash?  I guess he could've hit for Varitek, seeing as how he was 1 for 20 in the series.  But was Kevin Cash really the savior?  I kind of doubt it.  So leaving in Price was a great move not just because of how it ended, but strategically.  Their only capable bats off the bench were both lefty, Sean Casey and Ellsbury.  Lowrie hit for Cora, but again he was like 2 for 20.  Dah well!  Enough complaining.  Tampa deserves all the credit.  Should be a pretty exciting World Series.  Good luck to both teams.  I've gotta give a slight edge to Tampa at this point.  You always wonder if the long layoff could hurt the Phils.

I'm from Michigan so I was born a Detroit Tigers Fans and I think the LONG lay off they had in 2006 is what cost them the world series, they had a great 2006 and looked great against the yankees and fast beat of oakland, then the long lay off and they looked out of rythm in the world series.

Also the payroll. I thought with all the money spent (in the wrong places) alot of people were declaring the Tigers as the favorite to win it all. Which was crazy because they spent all their money on Batters and no pitching. Their only good pitcher this last season was a rookie they picked up from Arizona in Galaraga. So I am glad that a low budget team like the Rays got the job done and my tigers can take notes.

[Drew]

I'm just ecstatic that Boston and a NY team will not be in the World Series! 

[tim_m]

Well i can partially agree with you there Drew. 

[freedom78]

Congrats to the Rays.  It was fun watching that last grounder to the 2B and the look of "Oh fuck, what do I do?!?!" for a half second before he ecstatically ran to the bag for the force out.

Anyway, glad the Rays made it.  Cubs haven't made it since the forties but two expansion teams in Florida that no one even goes to watch have made it three times in a decade.  [begins mumbling incoherently before walking away to get drunk]

[D]

I bet FOX are fucking crying

no ratings for u

[freedom78]

I bet FOX are fucking crying

no ratings for u

As long as all lost ad revenue comes out of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver's salaries...I'm totally ok with it. 

[IKnowWhereIAM]

Season over...here's to 2009!  Yankees vs. Portland SeaDogs (A)...Tampon Bay vs. RedSox...new rivalry's - yaaa!

[Dr. Blutarsky]

I'm just ecstatic that Boston and a NY team will not be in the World Series! 

I have a thing for rooting for the underdog - this season has been great.