2009 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[faldor]

Manny's return to Boston will hopefully inspire the most booing of any ballplayer ever to enter the Fens - Bucky Fucking Dent included.

As much I loath everything Red Sawk these days, he quit on both his team and the fans and cheated while doing it.  An absolute disgrace.

Who knows about his future in LA next year - still very puzzled how/why a storied franchise
like the Dodgers would embrace and promote (Mannywood?? Are you kidding me??) such a posterboy for everything wrong in baseball.

I'm sure Manny would get booed quite heavily, but I don't think he deserves it.  Like I said before, he earned every penny of that ridiculous contract he signed up until the last month plus when he ultimately quit on the team.  So yes, he screwed the team in the end, but for 7 years prior to that he performed at a high level on the field and was a key component of 2 World Series championships.  As for the steroid thing, this has been covered before.  So many players were on the juice back then.  If he was the only one I'd agree with you, but he certainly wasn't alone.  Do A-Rod, Pettitte, etc. get booed because they cheated?

I think Manny would've gotten booed with or without the steroid scandal, of course that just adds to it.  Now it's a no brainer.  Still, I don't agree with it.

[cotis]

In a different note, I think a hefty suspension is in line for Jorge stemming from last night. You could tell he wanted a piece of Carlson as soon as he threw the pitch behind him. Lets play a guessing game -- how long is Jorge's suspension?

5 days?

[Falcon]

As a fan of baseball in general the steroid issue with Manny is secondary for me.  

His quitting on his team, a loyal fanbase and a city is unforgiveable no matter what he contributed (while cheating) along the way.

As for booing ARod and Pettitte (and others who have been busted) it's case by case for me personally based on how they handle it and their general standing within the game.

[faldor]

In a different note, I think a hefty suspension is in line for Jorge stemming from last night. You could tell he wanted a piece of Carlson as soon as he threw the pitch behind him. Lets play a guessing game -- how long is Jorge's suspension?

5 days?

I didn't see the whole thing, just the fracas itself.  Wasn't aware Jorge had incentive, with a pitch thrown behind him.  That would make sense for it to be retaliation.  5 games is usually the norm for position players.  Good thing they're not in a race and can afford to sit him down.  I'd make sure Burnett pitches twice during that stretch.  Bring him back on 3 days rest so he doesn't have to deal with Jorge.  I'm kidding of course.

[faldor]

As a fan of baseball in general the steroid issue with Manny is secondary for me.  

His quitting on his team, a loyal fanbase and a city is unforgiveable no matter what he contributed (while cheating) along the way.

As for booing ARod and Pettitte (and others who have been busted) it's case by case for me personally based on how they handle it and their general standing within the game.

I agree, his quitting on the team was shameful.  And who knows, if he sucked it up and played out his contract without all the drama the Sox could've possibly won another World Series.  For that reason, he probably would get booed.  But the steroid issue doesn't help his case.

[Falcon]

The steroid issue is just icing on the proverbial booing cake for Manny, here's to Boston fan going Frisco fan - let the batteries fly..(kidding of course..)

Posada?

With it having no bearing on the pennant race, it's (for the most part) a non story..

[cotis]

The steroid issue is just icing on the proverbial booing cake for Manny, here's to Boston fan going Frisco fan - let the batteries fly..(kidding of course..)

Posada?

With it having no bearing on the pennant race, it's (for the most part) a non story..

Oh no denying that since it will barely have any effect on the race. It's just interesting to see what he gets.

[Falcon]

The steroid issue is just icing on the proverbial booing cake for Manny, here's to Boston fan going Frisco fan - let the batteries fly..(kidding of course..)

Posada?

With it having no bearing on the pennant race, it's (for the most part) a non story..

Oh no denying that since it will barely have any effect on the race. It's just interesting to see what he gets.

Yep, agreed.

Probably 5, reduced to 3 upon appeal.

[Falcon]

The Hispanic fans absolutely love him, and the Dodgers, well, ummmm, are taking advantage of that!

I hate Manny and the Dodgers dumb marketing tactics, but they're putting butts in the seats.  They hiked up those field box seats from $25 to $100.  And when they were $25, they were empty most of the time.

But now Mannywood is filled to capacity.

Point taken..

But..

They're the freakin' Dodgers for cryin' out loud!

They're going to draw 3 million plus Manny or not - they sure as hell don't need the
(little) additional revenue that his presence may generate.

Andre Ethier is a budding superstar, something to build a franchise (and a marketing plan) on.

[faldor]

Andre Ethier has come into his own with Manny hitting behind him, while David Ortiz's numbers have dropped off since Manny left town.  I don't think either of those things are complete coincidences.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

The Hispanic fans absolutely love him, and the Dodgers, well, ummmm, are taking advantage of that!

I hate Manny and the Dodgers dumb marketing tactics, but they're putting butts in the seats.  They hiked up those field box seats from $25 to $100.  And when they were $25, they were empty most of the time.

But now Mannywood is filled to capacity.

Point taken..

But..

They're the freakin' Dodgers for cryin' out loud!

They're going to draw 3 million plus Manny or not - they sure as hell don't need the
(little) additional revenue that his presence may generate.

Andre Ethier is a budding superstar, something to build a franchise (and a marketing plan) on.

McCourt has to somehow pay for his $50,000,000 investment in Malibu beachfront property...

Fucking parking lot attendant...

[tim_m]

Well both Posada and Carlson got 3 each and neither is gonna appeal so suspensions start tonight.

[Falcon]

Andre Ethier has come into his own with Manny hitting behind him, while David Ortiz's numbers have dropped off since Manny left town.  I don't think either of those things are complete coincidences.

His presence in a lineup and effect on those hitting around him are without question, dude can flat out rake.

Now, in my best Peter Gammons voice:

"But..."(long pause generating interest in the following observation)


Dude's a convicted baseball felon and worst of all  - a quitter.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Faldor can't talk shit about Manny.

The whole entire BoSox team was on the juice in 2004.  Where are all those players now?

Yeah, they collapsed just like the statue in the anti-steroid PSA's we see during ballgames on TV.

[faldor]

Faldor can't talk shit about Manny.

The whole entire BoSox team was on the juice in 2004.  Where are all those players now?

Yeah, they collapsed just like the statue in the anti-steroid PSA's we see during ballgames on TV.

Sox had the best cheaters those 2 seasons.  Simple as that.

I hated the baggage that Manny brought with him, but I couldn't argue with his production.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Faldor can't talk shit about Manny.

The whole entire BoSox team was on the juice in 2004.  Where are all those players now?

Yeah, they collapsed just like the statue in the anti-steroid PSA's we see during ballgames on TV.

Sox had the best cheaters those 2 seasons.  Simple as that.

I hated the baggage that Manny brought with him, but I couldn't argue with his production.

Break the curse with a clean team, then we'll talk business.

[Falcon]

Sox had the best cheaters those 2 seasons.  Simple as that.

Damn faldor, call 'em like ya see 'em without Red Sawk blinders on - well done  .

The whole "Cowboy Up" horseshit was bad enough, so fucking not cool.  The 'roid revelations
are the taint that stirs the drink...

[faldor]

Sox had the best cheaters those 2 seasons.  Simple as that.

Damn faldor, call 'em like ya see 'em without Red Sawk blinders on - well done  .

The whole "Cowboy Up" horseshit was bad enough, so fucking not cool.  The 'roid revelations
are the taint that stirs the drink...

Well I don't have much of a choice.  Manny was a full blown cheater and Ortiz is certainly in question, though he's maintained his innocence.  It's quite possible there were others too.  They can't take away those 2 championships though, so it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.  This isn't college basketball where they take away wins if you break a rule somewhere along the way.  I'm looking at you John Calipari.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Sox had the best cheaters those 2 seasons.  Simple as that.

Damn faldor, call 'em like ya see 'em without Red Sawk blinders on - well done  .

The whole "Cowboy Up" horseshit was bad enough, so fucking not cool.  The 'roid revelations
are the taint that stirs the drink...

Painting your sock with your kids' watercolors...

[Falcon]

Well I don't have much of a choice.  Manny was a full blown cheater and Ortiz is certainly in question, though he's maintained his innocence.  It's quite possible there were others too.  They can't take away those 2 championships though, so it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.  This isn't college basketball where they take away wins if you break a rule somewhere along the way.  I'm looking at you John Calipari.

Very cut and dried with Manny for sure, Ortiz was more of a disappointment than a surprise for me.

Though the roid taint does take a bit of the 04 sting from their victory over the Redbirds, as you said - those 2 championships aren't going anywhere.