Power Pros Forum

True on clutch hitting. But the guys who hit the homers get too much credit. What if the guys in front of him don't get on base? A guy takes a walk with two out before being driven in. Shouldn't he get the credit for extending the game?

As for the NCAA tourney, that was poor example on my part. It was just the most recent thing so that's what I picked. He does for every game in which he barely knows anything about, i.e. just about everything

I'll add my sig to the Yankees/Red Sox war, of course.

To me, the more I learn about the Yankee history, the less I like the team. The crazy Steinbrenner statements and behaviors, like overreacting to this jersey deal...the using of Kansas City as a facade in the 50s-60's, to draft stars (hello, Roger Maris) and then steal them away in collusion with corrupt ownership...even the way Torre used to use coaching visits to the mound over and over again, to get his reliever time to warm up. Now, the Roid questions around Giambi and Pettite...combined with the attitude of guys like Jeter (the sneer) and A-Rod...and still, loyal fans that just think they're great, no matter what...it's just too much.

Have you seen how Yanks fans overvalue their stars? A-rod "best 3B ever". Jeter "defensive superstar". Jeter's an OK shortstop. You have some classy and good guys - Posada, Rivera. Bernie Williams was a class act, and one of my favorite players all-time. And they didn't even invite him back.

I like having a team with more heart than payroll, some spunk instead of 4 washed-up DHs. Some oddball personalities, some goofy guys, some funny haircuts. Not all serious, conforming, never-smiling dudes there to collect a $30mil paycheck, and go home.

It looks like the Yankees were a real great, storied franchise, all the way up until the 50's when it became a game of corruption, money, staying on top at all costs. It's not even about baseball to them anymore.

Cashman sees Epstein win championships with young talent...so they stop dealing away all their talent, and instead bring it up. Some of the poor kids, like Hughes, they are just throwing out there way to early - 21?? 4th starter on the Yankees, at 21...and just getting clobbered. I honestly felt bad for him the other day (when the Sox were rocking the Yanks). I mean, Buchholz can hold his own, as can Lester. Hughes...it might be a little early. Get a journeyman, fill the hole for a while.

All in all, I just am not happy with the Yankees - as a fan of baseball, or as a fair-hearted human being. They buyall the stars, have the most money - yet I never read anything about them doing anything nice with it, besides buying up players. More often it's infighting, Steinbrenner clashing with the manager, using the press as an outlet for some ulterior motive.
Yet, the Padres manage to do something amazing, with less fanfare than the Yanks wasting $50k to dig up a shirt.
Honestly, it's kind of sad. But, I was born in the Boston area, and a Sox fan at birth...so I am certainly slightly less than obejctive.

BTW - J-Gao - who is 'Mario Duncan'? That looks like a Mariano Rivera quote...in your Sig.

I'll comment on the statements I disagree with in order. Everyones uses mound visits to give time for their bullpen guys to warm up. It's an accepted part of the game, at least to me. There are definitely more guys than giambi and pettitte taking PED in baseball. The mitchell report was just the tip of the iceberg. It's gotten to the point I assume every star is on PED unless it's proven otherwise. I wouldn't put much stock into a guy's attitude. They are guys like everyone else. Every fanbase has homers who continually overrate their guys. With Bernie, there comes a time where you have to move on. Heart is too subjective to take seriously and I wouldn't go comparing payrolls. It's not like the red sox are a small market team. As for hughes, he had a 4.46 ERA in 72.2 IP last year while lester had a 4.57 ERA in 63 IP last year.

Mound visits are one thing; as a fan watching the game, it feels unfair when you see the starter tiring, so Torre
1) calls to the bullpen
2) sends pitching coach out to visit
3) has the pitcher throw over to first to keep the runner on a few times, and step off a few more times
4) sends the catcher out to talk to him
5) until finally the ump tries to break the last bit of crap up, before Torre comes out and makes the move.

It was about 8 minutes of stalling, no pitches to the batter. Seemed more like delay of game and poor planning that genuine managerial moves. And I saw crap like that, pretty much every series. Good manager, sure...just some loopholes he exploited regularly that sours the opposition's fanbase slightly.

I'm not saying Hughes is bad - he's got great talent. Just looks like he's being rushed, because of a lack of arms at the major league level.

And no, our payrolls are more similar now than ever (which I despise). I hate hiring big-name people like Drew, Lugo (and Renteria before him). I like the scrappy players, the smart acquisitions, the homegrown talent. Manny's swing is beautiful, sure...but when one payroll goes up and up, and it's in our division, we compete. Not as far over the luxury tax as the Yanks, but still 2nd in baseball. Not something I'm proud of.

That's just good strategy (in regards to mound visits). The only complaint I have with Torre is that he left.

Mario Duncan was an infielder in the 90's or something. He's a coach, I think on the Dodgers. I believe he was part of one or more of the dynasty teams (late 90's).

Bernie Williams had too much pride to come back. They didn't have a spot for him on the team, and he was disappointed. He almost went to the Red Sox before his big 7-year deal a while back, when Albert Belle almost signed with the Yanks to replace him.

As far as PED's, how do we know Ortiz and Manny aren't on roids? Ortiz becoming a beast all of a sudden. Now hitting nothing after Mitchell Report (off roids because he's scared now). Obviously all speculation, but who can prove otherwise. So what if they've never failed a test. Neither have Bonds, Giambi, or Pettitte.

Hughes is ready. He's dominated every minor league level. He's not that bad this year, either. I'd say he's one of the best back-end starters.

As for overrating A-Rod, I don't think anyone can argue that he isn't one of the historically best players ever.

What's wrong with Jeter's "sneer?" You guys just don't like him. He seems to be very genuine to me.

I'm sure a lot of people in San Diego know of the Padres activities. But they're on the other side of the continent. Besides they're not a big-market team, so they don't have the press. As far as the T-Shirt, I'm sure Boston would do the same. That dude was just weird for doing that.

He's not bad, but I think Lester's overrated. Gammons is calling him one of the best lefties in the AL, just because he throws hard. His control of his fastball is mediocre, and his numbers don't show anything. You guys like him the most just because he's a feel-good story after coming back from cancer. I respect him for that, but I don't seem him as a better player because of it.

If the Boss hadn't been such a hard-ass on Torre with the garbage offer of truce, maybe he would have stuck around...

Not that the Dodgers are better off... currently in last place in West.

Mariano Duncan is the 1st base coach for the Dodgers... FYI.

Oh, my bad, I'll change that. Must have copied it wrong from the site I got the quotes from, or maybe they had it wrong. Doesn't matter.

By the way he played for New York in 96 and 97. He was a utility player who played all over the diamond, light-hitting with some speed, 48 steals early in his career, in his 20's.

Who cares?

Cubs vs. White Sox in the series!

woot

It's real early but they both look pretty good right now.

And really, who isn't tired of the Yankees or Red Sox if you're not on the east coast?

And if you are talking clutch hitting I bet most of you don't realize a guy by the name of Joe Crede who should win a gold glove and he is one of the best clutch hitters I have ever seen.

Not exactly, he should get some of the credit. It is a little harder to hit a home run but if the other guys don't get on they should get about 30-40% of the credit for it.

Clutch hitting doesn't have to be a home run. A bases loaded walk in a tie game is worth just as much as a grand slam, in terms of wins and losses - the only difference is what ends up on the back of the baseball card (see sig).

Yeah but who would you rather have up? I will take the guy that has the potential to hit the 3-4 run homer over the guy that looks at the called 3rd strike curveball anyday. (the guy that gets a walk usually)

And by the way, you Yankees fans are spoiled if you haven't noticed although it's been a while since you won.

Freaking slug-fest today.

These Yankees backup catchers can really hit. Molina was leading the league in doubles with a .300+ AVG before going down, and Moeller hitting .375 and 2 for 2 with a double today. He's been walked 3 times in 3 games - as the number 9 hitter. That's like walking a pitcher in the NL. Pathetic.

We just beat you're division leading orioles.

Red Sox are actually leading the division. But that's okay. Because the Yankees are winning, and will tie for first.

Well ok, that was premature. But I get what you're saying. A long way to go still but man I really like some of the moves the Sox made. Quentin looks to be a player for years to come and even though we unloaded the farm for Swisher he sure has helped this team already. And I was really a pessimist when they made the moves but so far it's been pretty good. Sorry I had to jack the thread, but I gotta show my chi-town love.