Crazy Diamond Posted 23 February, 2012 Share Posted 23 February, 2012 Any baseball fans on the forum, or am I the only one? I went to America with my secondary school in 2004 and we landed in Boston on the day the Red Sox beat the Yankees having been three down in the ALCS to win 4 - 3. We could see fireworks from the airport as we waited for our coach to leave! Whilst we were there the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, so I made an effort to keep up with their fortunes. Sadly, being in the UK and not a subscriber to any channels like ESPN that plan fell flat on its face, but I discovered MLB on Five just in time to watch the Red Sox clinch the '07 World Series - I consider myself to be a bit of a lucky charm! I'm going to make a (better) effort to follow the Red Sox this season, I see that Francona has left and Bobby Valentine has been brought in. Interesting times at Fenway, one would think. I have to confess I don't know everything about Baseball, but I think I've got the basics down. Maybe this is the season where I get my head round it all. So, any fans on here? If so, who do you follow and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
equalizer Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 I've followed MLB since the mid-eighties when it was shown on Channel 4, there were a few barren years between them ending their coverage and Channel 5 picking it up in the mid-nineties and in those pre-internet days the only way I could keep in touch was to buy USA today in WH Smith a couple of times a week! I'm a Philadelphia Phillies fan due to the fact that they seemed to be the MLB version of the Saints with their red an white striped uniforms (okay pinstripes but close enough) the fact that at that point they'd only ever won a solitary World Series, and they have a loyal but demaning fan base like Saints. Plus being called the Phils sealed it for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 I'm a White Sox fan as it was the team I went to see when I visited Chicago in 2005. Were told to go and see the Cubs, but thought it would be like a tourist going to see Manure or Arsenal here in England, plus it only cost $10 for about three hours entertainment and a win. Used to stay up and see some of the channel 5 footage, but just check out their website now, although always toy with the idea of subscribing to the MLB channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 Where I live I can watch every Reds & Cards game on TV - plus a lot of White Sox & Cubs games (I'm right in the middle of these 4 teams and none of their games on regional Fox Sports or Comcast are blocked). I've gone with the Reds (come on you Reds - had to be done). Plus of the 4 they are the only one in my timezone. Locally it's the Terre Haute Rex. This stadium really is the theatre of dreams: It's a pretty good standard of play, you can watch the game with a beer & it is a nice relaxed night out. If anyone is ever over in the USA (and wants to see some baseball) then try and look beyond just the MLB. You could sort of compare by saying that: Southampton FC = Cincinnati Reds AFC Totton = Terre Haue Rex Enjoy the season everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lets B Avenue Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 San Francisco Giants fan, due to family connections. Finally won the World Series the season before last. The first time since 1954 and it was NY Giants then as well. More recently famous for Barry Bonds and his "chemically enhanced "(alledgedly) home run records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 Royals as I was bought a jersey some 35 years ago and I've followed them ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 I'm from Cleveland, so yes I'm a Cleveland Indians fan. I lived in Cincinnati so I started rooting for the Reds as my 2nd team (nice pick, Rut!) but when in NY I now choose the Mets over the hated hated hated Yankees, but that doesn't mean I'm a Mets fan. Anyone looking for a team I hope you give Cleveland a look. A lot of similarities with the Saints in terms of history, plus.... http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/18073/2012-mlb-season-preview-cleveland-indians A wonderful and optimistic preview from a neutral writer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StDunko Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 NY Mets fan, seem to recall they were playing in the first game I saw back in the day on channel 4. Mike Piazza was my favorite player. Seem to remember him getting into a few fights to liven a few games up. Only game I have seen in the flesh was San Diego v St Loius, where rookie pitcher Budd Smith threw a no-hitter (from Wikipedia): His Major League career was short but notable, as he became the 18th rookie since 1900 to throw a no-hitter. Smith's Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 on September 3, 2001, the rookie hurler giving up four walks but no hits, while throwing 134 pitches in the game. Due to Smith's high pitch count entering the later innings, Cardinal pitching coach Dave Duncan was actually hoping someone would break up the no-hitter, fearing that his young pitcher might tire, although he went against that judgment in allowing Smith to finish the game. As of August 2011, Smith's no-hitter is the last one for a Cardinals pitcher. I was gutted when MLB was dropped by 5. Although you can get some good live streams over the net these days, especially if you can put up with spanish or japanese commentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMarlin Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 I'm a fan. But you probably guessed that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMarlin Posted 24 February, 2012 Share Posted 24 February, 2012 And I suppose I should also get around to changing my name on here at sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 25 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 25 February, 2012 This is great, was worried I'd be the only one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 25 February, 2012 Share Posted 25 February, 2012 I'm from Cleveland, so yes I'm a Cleveland Indians fan. I lived in Cincinnati so I started rooting for the Reds as my 2nd team (nice pick, Rut!) but when in NY I now choose the Mets over the hated hated hated Yankees, but that doesn't mean I'm a Mets fan. Anyone looking for a team I hope you give Cleveland a look. A lot of similarities with the Saints in terms of history, plus.... http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/18073/2012-mlb-season-preview-cleveland-indians A wonderful and optimistic preview from a neutral writer! I used to nail a Continental trolly dolly from Cleveland. She bought my an Indians top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 25 February, 2012 Share Posted 25 February, 2012 Dont dislike the game-my granddad had a trial with one of the NY teams back in the 1930s; but think it has fallen to pieces and apathy has won the day. The NFL shows that a limited dose of good-old socialism works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO5 4BW Posted 25 February, 2012 Share Posted 25 February, 2012 Mets too, owing to a trip to NY a few years ago. Wanted to go to a game, but not the Yankees (would be just like follwing Man U). Also liked the National League tradition in NY - Giants and Dodgers before they moved out West - and the Mets are closest to that. They've been cr*p the last few years though - and are in severe financial straits due to Bernie Madoff etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgiesaint Posted 26 February, 2012 Share Posted 26 February, 2012 I'm from Cleveland, so yes I'm a Cleveland Indians fan. I lived in Cincinnati so I started rooting for the Reds as my 2nd team (nice pick, Rut!) but when in NY I now choose the Mets over the hated hated hated Yankees, but that doesn't mean I'm a Mets fan. Anyone looking for a team I hope you give Cleveland a look. A lot of similarities with the Saints in terms of history, plus.... http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/18073/2012-mlb-season-preview-cleveland-indians A wonderful and optimistic preview from a neutral writer! Really started to follow MLB last season. Follow the Marlins (as got family living just north of Fort Lauderdale so the most 'local' team) and also the Indians as one of my friends, although originally from Tulsa, is a massive Indians fan. Thought the Indians did pretty well last year for a fairly young squad, Detroit is the quality team in the division but if the Indians progress, I could see them getting the wild card this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 26 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 26 February, 2012 Really started to follow MLB last season. Follow the Marlins (as got family living just north of Fort Lauderdale so the most 'local' team) and also the Indians as one of my friends, although originally from Tulsa, is a massive Indians fan. Thought the Indians did pretty well last year for a fairly young squad, Detroit is the quality team in the division but if the Indians progress, I could see them getting the wild card this season. Jim Leyland is a great manager. Can see him picking up another World Series title before he calls it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambosa75 Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 Just cant take a sport seriously when the domestic tournament is called The World Series. The fact the Japanese and Mexicans are probably better baseball players than the yanks is funny too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 I used to nail a Continental trolly dolly from Cleveland. She bought my an Indians top. Haha. Can't complain about that. Continental has a hub in Cleveland and every now and then even have a Cleveland-to-London direct flight. Although now that they have merged with United I expect them to close the Cleveland hub. Still...glad she helped spread the love. Really started to follow MLB last season. Follow the Marlins (as got family living just north of Fort Lauderdale so the most 'local' team) and also the Indians as one of my friends, although originally from Tulsa, is a massive Indians fan. Thought the Indians did pretty well last year for a fairly young squad, Detroit is the quality team in the division but if the Indians progress, I could see them getting the wild card this season. Yes, Detroit is the team to beat again this year, what with the reigning MVP and Cy Young winner in Verlander...and that was BEFORE they signed Prince Fielder. They will be quality. Just cant take a sport seriously when the domestic tournament is called The World Series. The fact the Japanese and Mexicans are probably better baseball players than the yanks is funny too. Yeah, every single American knows of the absurdity of this misnomer. We know it's horribly named. If I could I would change the name but I am completely aware that it's never going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 27 February, 2012 Share Posted 27 February, 2012 Also.... the Indians have already lost closer Chris Perez for at least a month, probably more, as well as star centerfielder Grady Sizemore until April at the earliest. This all from the first day of spring training! Gah. Still... go Indians! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 27 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 27 February, 2012 Interesting about Detroit. Are they really being spoken about as champions material over there? Part of the reason why I like baseball is how open it is. In football over here it's the usual suspects every year, but even a team like the Yankees can go without winning for ages and can have poor teams. Not sure what to expect from the Red Sox this year, I hear Varitek may not return which would be a shame. He's not *that* old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 27 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 27 February, 2012 And no sooner had I said that... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120227&content_id=26882232&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=aw-5559607544793999352-996 "BOSTON -- Catcher Jason Varitek, the captain of the Red Sox and a pillar of two World Series winning teams, will announce his retirement on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe. Varitek, who turns 40 in April, was offered a non-roster invitation to Spring Training by the Sox, but he did not accept the offer and was widely believed to be headed for retirement after 14 big league seasons from 1998-2011. Varitek never played for another Major League team." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Interesting about Detroit. Are they really being spoken about as champions material over there? Part of the reason why I like baseball is how open it is. In football over here it's the usual suspects every year, but even a team like the Yankees can go without winning for ages and can have poor teams. Not sure what to expect from the Red Sox this year, I hear Varitek may not return which would be a shame. He's not *that* old. Sorry, what I meant to say is that Detroit are the team to beat...in the AL Central. As for championship material, it's still wide-open. I haven't heard too much about who the favorites are, but I would guess Rangers, Yankees, and Phillies are all in the discussion. Maybe the Angels, too. They usually talk about that stuff more closer to the end of March. Oh, and yeah - Veritek has sucked for two or three years now, so his retirement is hardly a setback for the Red Sox. They still have such a stacked lineup that they should be competitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 28 February, 2012 Author Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Sorry, what I meant to say is that Detroit are the team to beat...in the AL Central. As for championship material, it's still wide-open. I haven't heard too much about who the favorites are, but I would guess Rangers, Yankees, and Phillies are all in the discussion. Maybe the Angels, too. They usually talk about that stuff more closer to the end of March. Oh, and yeah - Veritek has sucked for two or three years now, so his retirement is hardly a setback for the Red Sox. They still have such a stacked lineup that they should be competitive. Very interesting. Hope this thread can stay alive for the duration of the season, looking to gain some knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint137 Posted 28 February, 2012 Share Posted 28 February, 2012 Mariners fan here, primarily because I was there in the middle of Ichiro-mania in 2001. Also follow the Cubs because of (a) Ferris Bueller's Day Off and (b) the general awesomeness of Wrigley Field and © I used to work with a Cards fan and it was good for banter. Oh and of course the Curse of Billy Goat. Saw a Mariners @ Mets double-header at Shea, brilliant day out (no rushing off with 2 outs in the inning to get a beer and hotdog . Packed with families because it was a Sunday, and there I was in a Mariners shirt in amongst the home fans. And then they worked out I was a limey as well Don't get to follow it as much as I used to, mainly because my teams are utterly crap at the moment and the season is usually done by the All-Star break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi_sopez Posted 29 February, 2012 Share Posted 29 February, 2012 Mets Fan! If you go to NYC go see them not the Yankees. Old stadium Che was amazing, now the new ones nice too. Also if it gets boring you can watch the planes skimming the top tier flying out of Laguardia airport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi_sopez Posted 29 February, 2012 Share Posted 29 February, 2012 Mets Fan! If you go to NYC go see them not the Yankees. Old stadium shea was amazing, now the new ones nice too. Also if it gets boring you can watch the planes skimming the top tier flying out of Laguardia airport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 1 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 1 March, 2012 I've been recommended the MLB 'At Bat' app for iPhone, so I downloaded the 'lite' version and its pretty good. Will hopefully help me keep up to date. There's no point in me paying for the full version and getting live games as my internet connection around here isn't capable of streaming anything longer than two seconds without buffering. Hopefully though I'll find a way of watching a few games and particularly the post season. I see the expanded wildcard negotiations are ongoing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator Posted 1 March, 2012 Share Posted 1 March, 2012 Sorry, but Yankees for me. I watched a game at the Yankee stadium on my first visit to NY around 15 years ago and have been hooked since. Other than keeping an occasional eye on results I'm not an avid follower of the regular season, but an annual work trip takes me to NY around the time of the postseason/World Series each year, and I invariably get hooked regardless of who is playing. I'm can't be a true fan as i also keep an eye out for the Mets. I was in town for the subway 'World' series in 2000 which was great. I remember Mike Piazza had one of his aforementioned scraps in this series after his bat snapped, nearly hitting the pitcher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 1 March, 2012 Share Posted 1 March, 2012 Sorry, but Yankees for me. I watched a game at the Yankee stadium on my first visit to NY around 15 years ago and have been hooked since. Other than keeping an occasional eye on results I'm not an avid follower of the regular season, but an annual work trip takes me to NY around the time of the postseason/World Series each year, and I invariably get hooked regardless of who is playing. I'm can't be a true fan as i also keep an eye out for the Mets. I was in town for the subway 'World' series in 2000 which was great. I remember Mike Piazza had one of his aforementioned scraps in this series after his bat snapped, nearly hitting the pitcher. First off... apology accepted. I'll tell any other potential fans that rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for Man U. If you are okay with that then by all means... Secondly - was that the time that Piazza's bat snapped and part of flew towards the mound, and then Roger Clemens picked it up and threw it back at Piazza as he was going down the basepath to 1st? Man, Clemens was an a**hole, wasn't he? Full of steroids and his own ego (I think the planet Jupiter was jealous of its size) and the result was Clemens never came off looking good to 90% of the world. I don't usually wish ill upon people, and especially on athletes after they have left the team I hate, but I did enjoy watching Clemons' downfall in the media. Anyway, the Yankees look to be good again this year. I was just reading about a couple of their pitching prospects (already forgot their names, but I they sounded Hispanic) and I'm sure at least one of them will turn out to be the real thing in two or three years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator Posted 2 March, 2012 Share Posted 2 March, 2012 Sure I realise that the Yankees are the baseball equivalent of supporting Man U. Not being from NY and barely knowing what is going on with the team, I guess that I fit the bill of Yankee fan pretty well! Sure Clemens was the pitcher. If I remember correctly he picked the broken bat up and threw it back at Piazza at which stage things kicked off. I just read up on Clemens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Clemens) and I didn't realise what an a*se he was. A kind of baseball of equivalent of Teves, Ronaldo, Ashley Cole & Balotelli rolled into one with some drug accusations thrown in for good measure ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFC Chris Posted 2 March, 2012 Share Posted 2 March, 2012 Any baseball fans on the forum, or am I the only one? I went to America with my secondary school in 2004 and we landed in Boston on the day the Red Sox beat the Yankees having been three down in the ALCS to win 4 - 3. We could see fireworks from the airport as we waited for our coach to leave! Whilst we were there the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, so I made an effort to keep up with their fortunes. Sadly, being in the UK and not a subscriber to any channels like ESPN that plan fell flat on its face, but I discovered MLB on Five just in time to watch the Red Sox clinch the '07 World Series - I consider myself to be a bit of a lucky charm! I'm going to make a (better) effort to follow the Red Sox this season, I see that Francona has left and Bobby Valentine has been brought in. Interesting times at Fenway, one would think. I have to confess I don't know everything about Baseball, but I think I've got the basics down. Maybe this is the season where I get my head round it all. So, any fans on here? If so, who do you follow and why? I have family in Philadelphia and spend quite a lot of time there so I’m a Phillies die-hard. Unlike a lot of UK Phillies fans who have jumped on the bandwagon in recent years, I’ve had the “pleasure” of sitting through season upon season of finishing bottom of the division and attending games in front of 10,000 people using tickets you got free with packets of hotdogs ( it was the only way they could get anyone to go back then). Over the years I’ve seen a few memorable things at games I’ve attended – a switch hitter hitting a HR from each side of the plate (Tomas Perez, of all people), a HR hit by a relief pitcher (Omar Oliveras), and a complete game loss from Roy Halladay, to name but a few. Looking forward to this season big time, definitely the most fired up going into a season I’ve ever been. This is the year for the Phillies, I have no doubt. PS. For those of you who don’t have it, MLB TV is an absolute must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 2 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 2 March, 2012 How can you not like baseball with stories like these? http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3345254&c_id=mlb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 2 March, 2012 Share Posted 2 March, 2012 Fantastic link. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washsaint Posted 5 March, 2012 Share Posted 5 March, 2012 Now living just outside DC so a Nationals fan.......couold be an awesome year for the Nats with their pitching staff (starters and bull pen), young team looking hot and play off contenders. However, their new stadium is in a really s****y part of DC and is not particularly nice. Much prefer goign to Camden yards (Baltmiore Orioles) which is a fantastic stadium and really close to the Inner Harbor. Really looking forward to this season and hoping their dominance over Philadelphia continues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 8 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 8 March, 2012 Now living just outside DC so a Nationals fan.......couold be an awesome year for the Nats with their pitching staff (starters and bull pen), young team looking hot and play off contenders. However, their new stadium is in a really s****y part of DC and is not particularly nice. Much prefer goign to Camden yards (Baltmiore Orioles) which is a fantastic stadium and really close to the Inner Harbor. Really looking forward to this season and hoping their dominance over Philadelphia continues! Camden Yards does look fantastic, I'm hoping one day I can get over to the states and see a few games. As for the Nationals, is it really looking good for them for once? Have looked bloody terrible every other year since they settled in DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungle Posted 8 March, 2012 Share Posted 8 March, 2012 Giants fan by virtue of going to 2 games in the autumn of the 2010 World Series winning season. Before that sort of half-followed the Mets, but really just liked watching it. But then went to watch San Fran and got right into the buzz and had to support them, really. Had MLB.tv for a bit but not worth the cost now as can't stay up until 3am enough times to make it worthwhile. Got ESPN America, though, so will be watching plenty of ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 10 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 10 March, 2012 Poor springball results for the Red Sox against the Pirates and Cards. Disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 12 March, 2012 Share Posted 12 March, 2012 Spring Training means nothing. Seriously. It is a way to figure out who is going to make the team and work out a few kinks. Your pitcher may have only been throwing curveballs the whole game or something weird like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 13 March, 2012 Share Posted 13 March, 2012 Now living just outside DC so a Nationals fan.......couold be an awesome year for the Nats with their pitching staff (starters and bull pen), young team looking hot and play off contenders. However, their new stadium is in a really s****y part of DC and is not particularly nice. Much prefer goign to Camden yards (Baltmiore Orioles) which is a fantastic stadium and really close to the Inner Harbor. Really looking forward to this season and hoping their dominance over Philadelphia continues! What dominance is that, sunshine??? How is Werthless going this spring, hope he gets the occasional hit for you! Listen, you don't have a dominance over Philly but quite the opposite. In fact Nats FO so scared of the annual invasion of Phightins' fans that they are trying to restrict ticket sales for Phillies visits to DC area codes only. They must be real scared to want to sacrifice 30,000 ticket sales to try and keep the invaders out. But don't you worry, Philly fans are on to it and it will still be like a home game for the Phanatics!!! Who said only Saints and Poopey have a rivalry ... Go Phils! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 13 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 March, 2012 Considered buying a Red Sox jersey with my name on it last night. Starting at $100? Yeah right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigShadow Posted 13 March, 2012 Share Posted 13 March, 2012 Considered buying a Red Sox jersey with my name on it last night. Starting at $100? Yeah right. Might be expensive - but generally the designs don't change a great deal so you will get many years use out of a baseball jersey (provided you don't put a players name on it). There might be a special design this year to commemorate 100 years at Fenway. Live just outside Boston so have been following the Red Sox for a few years. Usually make it to Fenway a few times a year, plus done aways in Seattle and Toronto. Not sure what to expect this year - No Francona, Varitek, Papelbon, Wakefield. General Manager also gone. Could be one of those transitional years. Spring training is nothing to worry about - most games at this stage will only have about half the starting line up featuring - lots of trialists/minor league players feature as they try to get their chance in the Majors. At least Ortiz seems to be finding his stroke, which is a good sign as recently it seems he can't find it until sometime in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 14 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 14 March, 2012 Might be expensive - but generally the designs don't change a great deal so you will get many years use out of a baseball jersey (provided you don't put a players name on it). There might be a special design this year to commemorate 100 years at Fenway. Live just outside Boston so have been following the Red Sox for a few years. Usually make it to Fenway a few times a year, plus done aways in Seattle and Toronto. Not sure what to expect this year - No Francona, Varitek, Papelbon, Wakefield. General Manager also gone. Could be one of those transitional years. Spring training is nothing to worry about - most games at this stage will only have about half the starting line up featuring - lots of trialists/minor league players feature as they try to get their chance in the Majors. At least Ortiz seems to be finding his stroke, which is a good sign as recently it seems he can't find it until sometime in May. Yeah I checked, made sure it wasn't a Fenway anniversary special, but I take your point about the years you get out of it, didn't think of it like that! I was disappointed to hear Papelbon had gone, as for Varitek and Wakefield it sounded to me (with very little baseball knowledge, I must stress) that their peaks had come and gone a while back. I've heard nothing but good about Cherrington and I don't know why but Bobby Valentine excites me. Question: I remember the fuss surrounding Jason Bay as he was a great hitter, how come Boston let him go after such a little amount of time? Seems very little in baseball is long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigShadow Posted 14 March, 2012 Share Posted 14 March, 2012 Have to say I was gutted when Jason Bay joined the Mets - not that he has done a whole lot since he has been there. Bay was out of contract and couldn't agree a new deal with the Red Sox. I think the money was on the table but there was some disputed medical reports that led to the Red Sox and their insurers wanting to put provisions in the contract to terminate early based on certain medical/fitness factors. Bay was not happy - the Mets made an offer and the rest is history. Yes, Tek and Wake were long past their prime - but they were fixtures around Fenway and it will be odd not to see them around - but in a baseball sense, probably best for the team that they have called it a day. Still undecided on Valentine, but he certainly has a charisma that Francona lacked. Nice to shutout the Yankees last night - even if it was just Spring Training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 15 March, 2012 Author Share Posted 15 March, 2012 Bobby Valentine more charismatic than Francona? Never...! http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8852885&c_id=mlb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigShadow Posted 15 March, 2012 Share Posted 15 March, 2012 Good find......if the USA has 'A Question of Sport' equivalent - that will be one to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washsaint Posted 16 March, 2012 Share Posted 16 March, 2012 What dominance is that, sunshine??? How is Werthless going this spring, hope he gets the occasional hit for you! Listen, you don't have a dominance over Philly but quite the opposite. In fact Nats FO so scared of the annual invasion of Phightins' fans that they are trying to restrict ticket sales for Phillies visits to DC area codes only. They must be real scared to want to sacrifice 30,000 ticket sales to try and keep the invaders out. But don't you worry, Philly fans are on to it and it will still be like a home game for the Phanatics!!! Who said only Saints and Poopey have a rivalry ... Go Phils! Pahhh....Nats owned Philly last year: home and away. And this year will be no different, be great to see the philly fans crying into their beer as they are owned by the master Nats! And quite right keeping the Philly hordes out..........even though it is a c****y part of DC it is still too upmarket for Philly (ever been to Chester?)! Bring it on! Philly must have been laughing their socks off after the Nats signed Werthless up to the mega contract last year.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 17 March, 2012 Share Posted 17 March, 2012 Pahhh....Nats owned Philly last year: home and away. And this year will be no different, be great to see the philly fans crying into their beer as they are owned by the master Nats! And quite right keeping the Philly hordes out..........even though it is a c****y part of DC it is still too upmarket for Philly (ever been to Chester?)! Bring it on! Philly must have been laughing their socks off after the Nats signed Werthless up to the mega contract last year.......... Phils won 102 games in regular season last year, how many did the Nats manage? ... Oh, and you so overpaid for Werth, crazy contract! BTW Chester (no not Cheshire) is a former riverside industrial city south of Philly, now being renovated. It is also now home to Philadelphia Union of the MLS, with a brand new 18500 seat stadium on the waterfront. In the old days the industrial landscape up and down the Delaware river (predominantly steel) drove the expansion of the US and was part of the industrial might that enabled all those government freeloaders to prosper in Washington. Of course, the industrial age is basically no more, but Philly fans remain bluecollar by tradition and proud of it. No plastics there that's for sure, just tough and committed fans, and that in itself is a great reason to be a Philly fan (Phils, Sixers, Eagles or Flyers). Go Phils! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 19 March, 2012 Share Posted 19 March, 2012 Bobby Valentine more charismatic than Francona? Never...! http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8852885&c_id=mlb When people in baseball do something illegal, it's "colorful." When people in any other facet of life do something illegal, it's "illegal." Spitballs, stealing signs, sneaking into the dugout, etc. I guess there's an unspoken rule that if you can figure something out on the field without the aide of extra equipment (such as video), then its okay but frowned upon. If you're bringing in people to relay signals from the stands or video taping something, then that's a huge no-no. Oh, and gambling, of course, is massively massively illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanW Posted 20 March, 2012 Share Posted 20 March, 2012 Pahhh....Nats owned Philly last year: home and away. And this year will be no different, be great to see the philly fans crying into their beer as they are owned by the master Nats! And quite right keeping the Philly hordes out..........even though it is a c****y part of DC it is still too upmarket for Philly (ever been to Chester?)! Bring it on! Philly must have been laughing their socks off after the Nats signed Werthless up to the mega contract last year.......... Here ya go, washsaint: The Nationals versus the Marlins as favorites for the NL East in 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 20 March, 2012 Share Posted 20 March, 2012 Here ya go, washsaint: The Nationals versus the Marlins as favorites for the NL East in 2012. Marlinsanity ... Like it! Go Phils!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now