Baseball has been berry berry good...
 

Fall is here...
13,000+ walk up fans last night to see the Twins win a biggie against the White Sox. Now if the declawed Tigers will offer no surprises and the Yankees will have their way with the Sox, October looks interesting! (Rare moment when I'll root for the Yankees)
Of course there is still Colon this evening.

Lottsa neat stories right now. Tigers 7 to tie 8 to "win". Seattle vs Red Sox, KC still has the most evil owner in baseball, Yanks n O's start in a half hour up against a hurricane, unbalanced schedule divisional play and wildcard conspire for a wild finish, Giants clinch, LA sprints to the wire, and Twins fans root for Yankees to end strong.

Upon futher reflection, this hurricane game is one stupid stunt.

As a loyal Mets fan, here's what this season means to me:

1) We got rid of Philips. That's core.

2) Lost a lot of dead weight. (Still can't believe we foisted off Benitez onto the Yankees. Even though they sobered up and tossed him too, it still makes me smile.)

3) Despite gutting the team and bringing up a slew of AAAers, We're not the worst team in the game, even the league.

Now if we can just lure Bobby V back from ESPN, we'll be in good shape.

He he he I can't believe we got Seattle to trade him for Nelson...

I havn't caught a Twins game for weeks. Kind of dissapointed about that, especially the last two. Maybe tonight I'll try and see one.

Someone was writing about how horrible it would be being a Chicago fan right now. Both the Cubs and White Sox seem to be on the verge of barely missing the post Season and the Bears appear to be aiming to dwell at the bottom of the cellar this year. Not that I feel sorry for them, they did get MJ during his glory years, they deserve about 8 straight years of sports hell for that.

The rain in Baldimore (sic) has begun, the Yanks probably just wasted a Mussina start.

David Glass, the most evil owner in baseball? Nah. Not the *smartest* owner in baseball, but he isn't actually evil. We just don't generate the kind of money here in KC that the big markets do. Hell, we're lucky to still have a major league team, much less a hefty payroll. Every time someone gets good here, we have to let them go elsewhere, because their market value gets too high.

I'm still hoping for a miracle so my Royals can win the AL Central...they did great for so long this year, and then...pffftt!!!

I'm going to get in trouble here, but I think George is the best owner in baseball. I'd prefer a bit more stability, but his desire to put the best possible product on the field can't be challenged. It is my understanding that Glass, the largest single stockholder in Walmart, has a much greater personal fortune than Steinbrenner. He is just unwilling to dip into it to enhance the value of his franchise. George bought the Yanks when they were almost worthless but he committed himself to rebuilding the brand name. Glass prefers whining about market size and collecting payments (which never seem to make it into payroll) from the more successful franchises, to fielding a serious contender. IMHO. Thats the party line and I'm sticking with it. duck and cover

I agree with you Griff, even though I hate the way the Yankees spend. If all the owners in the league cared as much about winning as him the sport would be in much better shape as far as the game on the field. On the other hand the financial situation would be in serious trouble(at least I think so, this is based on no facts whatsoever).

P.S. I still despise the Yankees, even if their owner is one of the best.

Shut up Ep...your town is full of evildoers. And let's not forget that Rush worked for the Royals at one time too.

Rho and I are still planning to go to Baltimore tomorrow night to see the O's play the Jays. Meaningless in the standings, but fun nevertheless.

Note to MLB: Revenue sharing is why Green Bay still has an NFL team and can still pay good salaries.

Revenue sharing is essential if baseball is going to survive in small markets.

KC is a great baseball town...when the team doesn't suck heinously.

didja go to the game? Camden Yards is one beautiful park, one of my favorites.

Unfortunately no...long story.

Twins showed great defense and pitching, sloppy d for the yanks more errors than the official scorer called... on to Thurs

Go Twinkies!

Ok. So my Twins are out due to the *shiver* Yanks.
What makes this bearable has been the array of amazing games- Marlins! Red Sox! and....Cubs! I'd like the Cubbies over Florida, and I'm pulling for the Red Sox, not only for the classic Yankee matchup, but then the hope that they'd face off with the Cubs!?! Pretty exciting stuff.

I saw those Cub's fans after the victory on the news. What a bunch of wussies. No flying bottles or burning cars or anything. :rolleyes:

The Riot. Rant du jour:
You know, since you bring it up- What the hell?! I dont get the appeal of the celebration riot. I've lived recently through two in my neighborhood with the Gophers winning the NCAA hockey- and I love hockey. Its not the game its a bunch of jackasses. My tolerance is gone. And I guess thats it: The jackassing of society. These stupid, bored, drunk, privileged little boys torching cars and property, and isnt it cool?!. The second riot, the cops showed too much restraint. Those caught, some are facing felony arson, but many more got away. Just last week at Mankato State, drunk partiers torched cars and property at a homecoming riot. Students said they werent "going to be outdone by the U of Mn". Another said "This is the biggest thing thats ever happened here!" Like, Yea! 16 people in the hospital! Untold private and public property damage! Thats so cool!
When a state legislator suggested that those convicted should have their state school funding pulled one kid actually said, "I dont see why something that happens off campus should effect my academics." Cause thats fucking life, you ass. Its a little thing we like to call consequences for your actions. Then He proceeded to whine about cops using tear gas. Last I heard two celebrants were facing felonies. I'm thinking its time to throw the great big book at those convicted. Let a little jail time provide an effective reality check- Let young Trevor fight for his right to party in there.

As an asside: I actually think lowering the drinking age, or getting rid of it all together would help curb the allure of "dumbass shitface".

Thank you. Now back to baseball.
The Red Sox cause Bostonians (and others) to chew off fingernails and set up a classic: Sox/ Yanks. Go Sox, and enjoy responsibly.

Speaking of riots! I was listening to the game while driving home from our bike loop of Owasco and Skaneateles lakes yesterday. Not very cool. I saw the end of the game and the lowlights when we got home. I think its obvious that Pedro was head hunting, as Clemans has been known to do. The pitch to Ramirez however was OVER THE PLATE. Ramirez is widely thought to be the dumbest man in major league baseball but he played that brilliantly, make it look like Clemans responded so Boston wouldn't have the potential payback pitch hanging over their heads the rest of the game. Zimmer should know better than to take the traditional dance up a notch but Pedro did throw down a 72 year old man. I guess nobody in the media has a clear idea of what happened in the bullpen but Boston police say two Yankees may be charged with assault. I won't pretend to be neutral on this.

That was ugly. Pedro was ugly. There is no defense. I heard they stopped beer sales in the 4th. When I saw Zimmer hit the ground, yep, that's cold. Red Sox, Boston lost big time -- more than the game. Its seems like a new sort of curse.

Go Cubs.

Fuckin' Yankees. Just because they own the game doesn't mean they get to act like they own the game.

Bravo...applause...applause.....applause....author...
When the Phlyers won their first Stanley Cup the neighborhood hooligans tore the place up. When I bitched, I was dissed because I'm from massachusetts so I must be a Bruins fan. They just didn't get it.:rolleyes:

The Cubs had two more at-bats with which to salvage Game 6, and failed to do so.

The Cubs were winning the game even after last night's incident, and could've gone on to escape the inning without damage and moved on to the World Series (with Prior and Wood both rested and ready).

But if the Cubs blow Game 7 -- and despite Wood being on the mound, despite the game being at Wrigley, despite Wood and Prior having lost back-to-back games only once all year, the Baseball Gods say that they will...

...then this guy:

<img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/media/mlb/2003/1014/photo/a_cubs_ft.jpg" ALT="Asshole Cubs fan">

had better go into the Witness Protection Program, have plastic surgery done, change his name, grow a beard, and move to Albania. Cubs fans have seen his face, will find out his name, and will remove his vital organs in alphabetical order if the Cubs choke this series away.

24 hours ago, everything was in alignment: the Red Sox had the pitching matchup they wanted (at home) and were ready to go up 3-2, and the Cubs were ready to close out the series at home with one of their aces on the mound. The Baseball Gods are cruel, cruel cocksuckers when they want to be, which is almost always.

Ideally the Yanks are gonna beat both the Red Socks and the Cubbies to win this year. They would be a strange kind of underdog since the Boston/Chicago underdogs would have all the fans with them. ;)

Who are these "fans" who interfere with their home teams play? Kinda makes you think these post season fans are posers who happen have the cash for post season prices and just want to be seen at the game. Since I'm whining, how about a moratorium on cell phones at the ballpark and an end to the dh rule so the headhunters have to face the music.

There is no conceivable interpretation where this situation can be classified as "ideal."

As a lifelong Cubs fan I can say without hesitation that we are prepared to have defeat once again snatched from the jaws of victory. It's what they do.

It was very interesting to hear the report that the Cubs organization had that bozo escorted out of Wrigley Field.

Silly actually. Only prolongs his life for a day or so.

Sure there is...by moron Yankee fans like Griff. ;)

When I fell asleep last night, it was 1-0 Cubs in the 4th. I wake up at 2:30, turn on ESPNEWS, and see the highlights from the rest of the horrorshow.

There's still tonight though.

Ugly sports fans
 

Re: Ugly sports fans
 

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

The Eagles have played there a few times now. I'm sure that if you climb into the stands and take a deep breath, the fine aroma of urine will waft by...

Turns out this guy is a big Cubs fan. He even goes to Spring training camp in Arizona(?) and is a little league coach.
He even looks like Billy Crystal who everyone knows is a big baseball fan. Wait a minute..Crystal is a big Yankees fan...Hmmm.:eek:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playof...ory?id=1638970

That does it. We need to be rid of Florida. I will run for President, solely on the premise that I will go to Spain and ask for a refund. If that doesn't work, I will divide it in half - give one piece to Louisiana, the other to Georgia.

Man, that poor guys stringing some bad days together. Lets hope Chicagoans cut him a break, after all its the goat... or maybe Dusty?

oh. ugh. aggghk. it so sad.

Clemans - Pedro rematch tonight ... very cool. I'd like to thank the Yanks for blowing game six while I was otherwise engaged so I could watch tonight.

On the Chicago Tribune's site tonight:

The Chicago Cubs' organization Thursday released the following statement:

"The Chicago Cubs would like to thank our fans for their tremendous outpouring of support this year. We are very grateful.

"We would also like to remind everyone that games are decided by what happens on the playing field -- not in the stands. It is inaccurate and unfair to suggest that an individual fan is responsible for the events that transpired in Game 6. He did what every fan who comes to the ballpark tries to do -- catch a foul ball in the stands. That's one of the things that makes baseball the special sport that it is.

"This was an exciting season and we're looking forward to working towards an extended run of October baseball at Wrigley Field."

Grady "I'll leave Pedro in, even though he got hit hard in the seventh and is getting rocked in the eighth, until the game is tied and my team's chances of winning are shot to hell. THEN I'll go to my bullpen, which has been almost unhittable in the playoffs." Little, manager of the Boston Red Sox.
<img src="http://www.projo.com/redsox/photos/little.jpg">

Captain Hazel "Hank" Murphy of "Sealab 2021."
<img src="http://www.the-trades.com/trating/adultswim1.gif">

SEPARATED AT BIRTH.
And Murphy got the logic and common sense in the family.

-- jeff
-- not that I'm bitter, oh no

I seriously offer my condolences to both the Cubbies' fans and the BoSox fans here. The Yankees are downright evil, and the Marlins are just an embarassment.

What could have been a record-setting World Series (in terms of viewership and excitement potential) is now going to be just another October waste of time.

I won't be watching it.

Season's over.

On behalf of Sox fans everywhere, you said it brother!. As a transplanted Bostonian working in the heart of the evil empire there is nothing worse than listening to gloating NY fans going on and on about their damn entitlement amidst chants of 1918. Fans who wouldn't be satisfied if their team won the next 15 titles in a row.

This pic has been around but its worth recycling...

Nice job on the alterations, though. It was originally a little British soccer fan, if memory serves me.

Does anyone remember when the Cowboys were the perennial NFL ass-kickers? I hated them, too. Having the same team win everything all the time really takes the fun out of sports.

(edited by Elspode to remove really inappropriate reference to recent NYC ferry tragedy).

Quit your crying and pull up your skirts. If you guys can't appreciate just how good that series was no matter who won it, there is no hope for you.

Well, I'm glad the Yankees won because I think they have a better chance of crushing the Marlins for beating the Cubs.;)

as a yankee fan, you couldn't possibly understand. :rolleyes:

Red Sox fan sent me this
 

BOSTON RED SOX TO NEW YORK YANKEES
CONVERSION FORM


Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the New York Yankees Fan Club. Due to an unprecedented
volume of requests, we are currently processing only fan conversion registrations for Boston Red Sox fans.
Conversion requests from other teams will be accepted once all Red Sox requests are processed. We expect this
to take a number of weeks based on the current backlog of requests.

Please take a few moments to fill out the conversion form below to help us get to know you better and
prescribe any required counseling to recover from your previous fan experience.

Name: __________________________________________________________________
Last (Please Print) First
MI

Address: _________________________________________________________________
# Street

_________________________________________________________________
City State
Zip

1. Please indicate the last time you watched the Boston Red Sox win the World Series:

[ ] 1918 (Please leave this form at the front desk of your nursing home)
[ ] Have never witnessed this event

2. Please indicate your favorite moments in Red Sox history: (Check all that apply)

[ ] Babe Ruth sold to the Yankees
[ ] Pesky holds the ball as the Yankees score the winning run in '48
[ ] Bob Gibson shuts down the Sox in the '67 series
[ ] Sox trade Sparky Lyle to the Yankees for Danny Cater
[ ] Big Red Machine beats the Sox in Game 7 of the '75 Series
[ ] Sox lose 14 ½ game lead to the Yankees in '78
[ ] Bucky Dent homers in '78 playoff game
[ ] Bob Stanley throws wild pitch in 6th game of '86 Series
[ ] Grounder goes through Bill Buckner's legs in the 6th game of '86 Series
[ ] Future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs signs to play with the Yankees
[ ] Wade Boggs rides policeman's horse after Yanks win '96 Series
[ ] Future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens traded to the Yankees
[ ] Yanks wipe out Sox in five games in '99 ALCS
[ ] Roger Clemens wins game 4 for the Yanks to clinch the '99 Series
[ ] Aaron Boone homers to win game 7 of the '03 ALCS

3. Reasons you believe the Sox have not won a World Series since 1918: (Check all that apply)

[ ] The curse of the Babe
[ ] Lack of Pitching
[ ] The curse of the Babe
[ ] Lack of Hitting
[ ] The curse of the Babe
[ ] Lack of Defense
[ ] The curse of the Babe
[ ] Bad calls by Umpires
[ ] The curse of the Babe

4. Have you experienced any of the following after another inevitable Red Sox loss: (Check all that apply)

[ ] Headache [ ] Uncontrolled Anger
[ ] Heartache [ ] Holes punched in doors or walls
[ ] Nausea [ ] Smashed TV screens
[ ] Depression [ ] Avoided Yankee fans for days or weeks

5. Is October your least favorite time of year? [ ] Yes [ ] No

6. Are you tired of saying "Wait till next year"? [ ] Yes [ ] No

7. Are you ready to admit that:

a. Joe DiMaggio was better than Ted Williams? [ ] Yes [ ] No
b. Thurman Munson was better than Carlton Fisk? [ ] Yes [ ] No
c. Derek Jeter is better than Nomar Garciaparra? [ ] Yes [ ] No
d. Don Zimmer is a managerial genius? [ ] Yes [ ] No
e. The Sox next century will be no better than the last? [ ] Yes [ ] No
f. The "Green Monster" is ugly and stupid? [ ] Yes [ } No

Once you have completed this form, please forward to Yankee Stadium. Then burn all your remaining Red Sox
clothing, memorabilia, and associated reminders. After reviewing your request, the Yankee Fan Club will
contact you with notification of acceptance or rejection.

If accepted, you will receive:

* A recommended recuperation program which includes a recording of Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York"
over and over again
* An opportunity to obtain tickets to the 2003 World Series at Yankee Stadium
* Posters of Boggs and Clemens in Yankee uniforms wearing their championship rings
* A dart board sporting a picture of Yaz
* A copy of our popular handbook, "Harassing Red Sox Fans for Fun and Profit"
* A coupon for a future poster of Pedro Martinez in a Yankee uniform
* A one-year subscription to a weekly support group for ex-Red Sox fans in your area

If rejected, you will receive:

* Our pity and condolences, plus a 26 second video capturing the past 100 years of Red Sox highlights in
head-to-head competition against the Yankees narrated by George "Boomer" Scott.

I hereby renounce the Boston Red Sox for all eternity on this the ______ day of ________________, 200__

____________________________________
(Signed)

(Office Use Only)

[ ] Approved
_________________________________________
[ ] Declined George M. Steinbrenner III

Very funny Griff, very funny.

I've got to learn restraint.

Heavens. no!;)

Props to the Marlins, a team which I referred to as "just an embarassment", for whipping the evil Yankees...and in less than seven games, to boot!

Nice to see someone else come out on top. Guess Steinbrenner will have to spend even more money, now.

The Marlins did a great job. The lessons for the less competent organizations are many. The big ones are hoard young pitchers and play solid defense. Hopefully George will remember the kind of game the Yanks were playing back in '96. My preference would be to lose one dimensional players like Giambi and impatient hitters like Boone. Put Juan Rivera in right for keeps, move Bernie to left and Matsui to center, although Soriano in center would be a nice angle. Teach Soriano to bunt his way out of slumps. Bring the third baseman up from AAA let him learn the ropes. Keep Johnson at first. Re-sign Petite. There are a couple good pitchers in tripleA to fight for Clemans/Wells spots along with the Cuban.

The funny thing about all the bitchin about the Yanks is that the core of the team is homegrown. 1st-Johnson, 2nd Soriano, SS Jeter, Catcher Posada, Right Rivera, Center Bernie, Ace Petite, closer Mo all products of the Yankee farm.

Imagine the anguish of the George...he deserves every bit of it...so does Griff. :)

Great series--the Marlins played well and showed what a well-rounded team they are. Apparently, this series did decent in the ratings too.

Now the question of the day: Will Jeff Loria dismantle the Marlins again? There was talk of trimming payroll a bit after this season...or will he understand the error of Wayne Huinzega's ways? After all, there appear to only be 2 people that would command a hefty salary at this point: Pudge and Lowell...and they may be willing to take less to stay in South Florida, a la McGwire and Rolen with the Cardinals.

Pudge sounded pretty non-commital but man, you'd think it'd be hard to walk away.

Well, Pudge was only signed for one year to begin with...but if Loria stays true to the fans, and the fans stay true to the team, I can't see why he would want to leave. They just have such a solid team that could last for a long time.

Word around the campfire is that the Rocket may pitch for Lasorda in the Olympics next year. Interesting...

In case you're interested in money. :)