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Sports Discussion => Baseball => Topic started by: Crewe on February 28, 2019, 11:07:55 AM

Title: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on February 28, 2019, 11:07:55 AM
I have really high hopes for the Astros this year. We have a boatload of solid prospects, including pitchers in AA but I don't think they will make the big jump so the rotation isn't quite as strong as Id like right now, but who knows what spring will bring.

And to start my season, I fired up Bull Durham the other day  8)
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on February 28, 2019, 11:48:28 AM
All I want from this season is Vlad Jr to be called up. That's all. That's the only thing. I'm a Yankees fan and yet I want that more than a World Series and the dude's not even on my team.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Rigg44 on February 28, 2019, 03:00:27 PM
My team will stink.  The Royals are only allowed to succeed when the owners are not paying attention.  Regrettably, they are paying attention and have returned to selling off all our valuable assets.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on February 28, 2019, 03:16:05 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on February 28, 2019, 11:48:28 AM
All I want from this season is Vlad Jr to be called up. That's all. That's the only thing. I'm a Yankees fan and yet I want that more than a World Series and the dude's not even on my team.

I don't think he will be called up. I mean, if he continues to murder the competition, the noise will be louder, but unless its a September thing or injury related, I kinda doubt it.
I read an article where the FO will try to tinker with his service time by delaying his callus, but we will see.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on February 28, 2019, 03:16:59 PM
Quote from: Rigg44 on February 28, 2019, 03:00:27 PM
My team will stink.  The Royals are only allowed to succeed when the owners are not paying attention.  Regrettably, they are paying attention and have returned to selling off all our valuable assets.

When KC ran through us with the 6 run 9th inning en route to the Series, even when losing a few, I didn't think the Royals would fall that fast.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Rigg44 on February 28, 2019, 04:38:23 PM
Quote from: Crewe on February 28, 2019, 03:16:59 PM
Quote from: Rigg44 on February 28, 2019, 03:00:27 PM
My team will stink.  The Royals are only allowed to succeed when the owners are not paying attention.  Regrettably, they are paying attention and have returned to selling off all our valuable assets.

When KC ran through us with the 6 run 9th inning en route to the Series, even when losing a few, I didn't think the Royals would fall that fast.

All the Royals fans knew they would even while we were hoping they wouldn't.  If you look at what happened during the Brett era it's the same.  We are the best developmental program for the rest of the league.  We develop players so that we can trade them for other players we can develop.  Occasionally we accidentally keep the players too long and have a good season.  Its very tough to remain a fan of this team. 
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on March 01, 2019, 12:09:17 AM
yea that's the Drayton McClane blueprint when he owned the team here too. Well, not early on, but he wrecked us with that 2005 WS team. It took a fire sale and new ownership to turn it around.
Hopefully it turns around.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on March 01, 2019, 11:20:53 AM
My team will suck, and probably finish even worse in the Central than Rigg's Royals. The days of the Ilitches going after the high priced FAs are long gone, and the farm system needs time to rebuild.

And yet they'll still make it back to postseason glory before the Lions will.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on March 01, 2019, 04:46:49 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on March 01, 2019, 11:20:53 AM
My team will suck, and probably finish even worse in the Central than Rigg's Royals. The days of the Ilitches going after the high priced FAs are long gone, and the farm system needs time to rebuild.

And yet they'll still make it back to postseason glory before the Lions will.

I laughed
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on March 01, 2019, 04:49:37 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on March 01, 2019, 11:20:53 AM
My team will suck, and probably finish even worse in the Central than Rigg's Royals. The days of the Ilitches going after the high priced FAs are long gone, and the farm system needs time to rebuild.

And yet they'll still make it back to postseason glory before the Lions will.


To be honest, I forgot we were in the Baseball forum and thought this was about the Lions right up to "Rigg's Royals."

Obviously just blowing past the fact that it's the NFC North now, not Central.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on March 29, 2019, 11:29:21 AM
https://deadspin.com/i-guess-were-doing-baby-shark-this-season-1833662586

This is already my favorite thing.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on March 29, 2019, 12:03:20 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on March 29, 2019, 11:29:21 AM
https://deadspin.com/i-guess-were-doing-baby-shark-this-season-1833662586

This is already my favorite thing.

that's a nope from me lol
As if I needed another reason to hate the Rangers
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on March 29, 2019, 02:36:14 PM
Quote from: Crewe on March 29, 2019, 12:03:20 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on March 29, 2019, 11:29:21 AM
https://deadspin.com/i-guess-were-doing-baby-shark-this-season-1833662586

This is already my favorite thing.

that's a nope from me lol
As if I needed another reason to hate the Rangers


Let loose, relax, have some fun, do do dodo dodo
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on March 29, 2019, 06:02:00 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on March 29, 2019, 02:36:14 PM
Quote from: Crewe on March 29, 2019, 12:03:20 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on March 29, 2019, 11:29:21 AM
https://deadspin.com/i-guess-were-doing-baby-shark-this-season-1833662586

This is already my favorite thing.

that's a nope from me lol
As if I needed another reason to hate the Rangers


Let loose, relax, have some fun, do do dodo dodo

get off my thread  :D
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on March 30, 2019, 01:27:00 AM
Alright, branching this off the topic and seeing what responses I get...what would your three walk up tunes be?

1. "My Shot" - Hamilton Soundtrack
2. "Hypnotize" - Notorious B.I.G.
3. "Walk" - Foo Fighters

Bonus: if I were a closer, just because:

"thank u, next" - Ariana Grande 😝
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on April 03, 2019, 05:07:34 PM
ah, lemme think about this....

My quirky one would be
-Texas Bound and Flyin by Jerry Reed, if I played in Texas
-Baby I Call Hell by Deap Vally because it has a great grunge garage riff
-Rock n roll aint noise pollution by ACDC just because..

I could get way more creative with more time  :D
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on April 09, 2019, 11:07:35 AM
I live in Seattle, but I am a Yankees fan. Which is to say: the only thing I care about when I go to a Mariners game are: A) are the Yankees their opponent and B) if not, how cheap are the tickets?


All this winning is not helping B.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on April 10, 2019, 01:26:34 AM
for those that didn't see this, well....

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1115469899286106112?s=09
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on April 11, 2019, 06:44:27 AM
Gotta love when that works out.

As for Marcell Ozuna...well, this still isn't as embarrassing as some of Jose Canseco's escapades in the outfield, but it's up there.

https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1115813032616026112
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on April 14, 2019, 03:15:43 PM
that's great stuff lol

Thats clip also shows why I hate, I absolutely despise those panel highlight shows for any sport. You can't decipher anything because everyone has to talk at the same time, it's entirely annoying.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on April 17, 2019, 01:21:24 AM
Wow.

https://twitter.com/mlbgifs/status/1118370837789323266
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on April 17, 2019, 01:26:22 AM
sunday britches!
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 12:36:47 AM
And now baseball heads to the same bubble wrapped area of sports as the NFL QB.
Further more, fuck Brad Ausmus. Loved him as an Astro but his take on this was bullshit and he knows it.
And Torre can fuck off as well.
That said, I know its only two games, but this is the MLB appeasing complainers and not accepting the fact that accidental collisions occur.

Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on July 12, 2019, 10:23:48 AM
Quote from: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 12:36:47 AM
And now baseball heads to the same bubble wrapped area of sports as the NFL QB.
Further more, fuck Brad Ausmus. Loved him as an Astro but his take on this was bullshit and he knows it.
And Torre can fuck off as well.
That said, I know its only two games, but this is the MLB appeasing complainers and not accepting the fact that accidental collisions occur.

Juke step.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 10:28:50 AM
Sorry, kind of out of the loop on this one...what's going on?
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on July 12, 2019, 11:00:58 AM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 10:28:50 AM
Sorry, kind of out of the loop on this one...what's going on?

https://deadspin.com/jake-marisnick-should-probably-be-suspended-for-this-1836180059
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 01:32:12 PM
Huh.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on July 12, 2019, 01:50:34 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 01:32:12 PM
Huh.


Yeah. I don't have a dog in this fight so I don't really care, based on what I'm READING the fact that he takes a step inward is the big problem, because he deviates from the straight line path in an effort to initiate contact (which is THE argument being made, I don't know, again I don't have a dog in the fight. I was just needling Crewe above with the "juke step" reply, heh).

Marisnick obviously doesn't have a rep as a dirty player (at least, that I know of) and he looked genuinely concerned when he checked on Lucroy after the play. I think it maybe was an honest mistake, maybe he thought Lucroy was going to step into his path and just made a foolish play, but I think the 2 game suspension is fair in a "zero tolerance" sort of way. We don't want to see more of these plays happening.

But, hey, that's my 2 cents and when it comes to sports I'm often wrong about everything.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 03:55:44 PM
My problem with it is that the catcher is given a no fault stance in all of these instances. Jake saw the catchers balance lean towards the outside (his back foot as well) apparently going to attempt a sweep tag. Thats when he diverted to the inside, but then Lucroy shifted back to where he was and you can tell, when Jake saw that, he tried to move back outside to lessen the collision but it was too late. All this not to mention Lucroy is blocking the plate without the ball.
Everyone says he was supposed to go outside....no, he's not, he can do whatever gives him the best chance to score.
It just really peeved me what Ausmus said too, that little brat. He knows damn good and well what happened there. I understand defending your players but still, fuck off.
But I guess Id be pissed too if I managed a team where HOF talent goes to die.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 03:56:09 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on July 12, 2019, 10:23:48 AM
Quote from: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 12:36:47 AM
And now baseball heads to the same bubble wrapped area of sports as the NFL QB.
Further more, fuck Brad Ausmus. Loved him as an Astro but his take on this was bullshit and he knows it.
And Torre can fuck off as well.
That said, I know its only two games, but this is the MLB appeasing complainers and not accepting the fact that accidental collisions occur.

Juke step.

btw, I laughed  :D
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 05:44:35 PM
Ultimately...I get how it could be seen as an accident and Marisnick does seem remorseful about the whole thing, but at the end of the day the rule's been in place since 2014 and you gotta protect the players. Assmus (...and yes, fuck Brad Assmus lol) is just doing his protect his players thing.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 12, 2019, 06:41:26 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 12, 2019, 05:44:35 PM
Ultimately...I get how it could be seen as an accident and Marisnick does seem remorseful about the whole thing, but at the end of the day the rule's been in place since 2014 and you gotta protect the players. Assmus (...and yes, fuck Brad Assmus lol) is just doing his protect his players thing.

I agree, and the rule isn't the problem, the problem is, the rule isn't applicable here. Its a grown up sport, shit happens.
He is extremely remorseful, he even called it a "bad play" by him, although Jake is not a dirty player by any stretch of the imagination.
And yea, protect your players, but you were a catcher you shithead, you know damn good and well what happened there.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on July 15, 2019, 06:08:40 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.


I'd say 162 games is a long time for a rebuilding season as opposed to a 16 game NFL season, but then again the Lions have been rebuilding for how many years now? :P


Not that uh...I can really talk post-2008 or so....
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 15, 2019, 07:48:04 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.

it sucks when your prospects outgrow your rebuild.
Drayton McLane sucked canal water at rebuilding, however, going off of a couple of prospects we had already, Luhnow dismembered the heart of what team we had left and dealt them (Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn) and thats when I felt like we had a guy that would build a winner.
From then on, it was fun to watch, even though we lost 100+ 3 straight years in a row, the minor league teams began kicking ass and soon, we were contenting and winning.
Hope things turn around because it is fun to watch a team get built literally from the ground up.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 16, 2019, 02:26:29 PM
Quote from: Bucfever on July 15, 2019, 06:08:40 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.


I'd say 162 games is a long time for a rebuilding season as opposed to a 16 game NFL season, but then again the Lions have been rebuilding for how many years now? :P


Not that uh...I can really talk post-2008 or so....

Lol I'll be the first to rip on the Lions (and have many times), but well done. :D
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 16, 2019, 02:28:51 PM
Quote from: Crewe on July 15, 2019, 07:48:04 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.

it sucks when your prospects outgrow your rebuild.
Drayton McLane sucked canal water at rebuilding, however, going off of a couple of prospects we had already, Luhnow dismembered the heart of what team we had left and dealt them (Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn) and thats when I felt like we had a guy that would build a winner.
From then on, it was fun to watch, even though we lost 100+ 3 straight years in a row, the minor league teams began kicking ass and soon, we were contenting and winning.
Hope things turn around because it is fun to watch a team get built literally from the ground up.

I'm still waiting to get to the "minor league teams kicking ass" part, but there is some hope. Casey Mize should be a stud down the road, and I think the Tigers ended up with one of Roger Clemens' kids too.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 16, 2019, 02:46:52 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 16, 2019, 02:28:51 PM
Quote from: Crewe on July 15, 2019, 07:48:04 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on July 15, 2019, 06:02:23 PM
Rebuilds suck and kind of take the joy out of watching baseball on a consistent basis.

it sucks when your prospects outgrow your rebuild.
Drayton McLane sucked canal water at rebuilding, however, going off of a couple of prospects we had already, Luhnow dismembered the heart of what team we had left and dealt them (Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn) and thats when I felt like we had a guy that would build a winner.
From then on, it was fun to watch, even though we lost 100+ 3 straight years in a row, the minor league teams began kicking ass and soon, we were contenting and winning.
Hope things turn around because it is fun to watch a team get built literally from the ground up.

I'm still waiting to get to the "minor league teams kicking ass" part, but there is some hope. Casey Mize should be a stud down the road, and I think the Tigers ended up with one of Roger Clemens' kids too.

lol it can test patience for sure.
Thats why I really like this team so much. Our nucleus was drafted and honed as a true team.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on July 21, 2019, 10:51:49 AM
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1152754212540952576?s=20

Wow.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 21, 2019, 02:04:41 PM
thats just not fair. It must b CGI! ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on July 21, 2019, 03:25:21 PM
That's some RBI Baseball pitching there.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on July 31, 2019, 04:48:15 PM
Astros deal for Grienke. Holy shit that's a great starting rotation, this year....
But now Cole will be gone next season for sure and we gave up four great prospects for a 35 year old. One of which was a terrific SP prospect.
We held on to Straw and Tucker who are our top farm studs but still, Im kinda back and forth on this simply because Im really high on futures, but Luhnow is going for winning now and I can't argue with that. And its not like he pulled a McLane and mortgaged our entire future, so I think after the new wears off, Ill be great with it. Until we send off Cole. Im still crushed over losing Kemp recently.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on September 01, 2019, 03:40:45 PM
JV with his third no-hitter in history, and his second in Toronto.

https://twitter.com/sinow/status/1168246587816120320

Goddamn I miss JV.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on September 01, 2019, 09:37:56 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on September 01, 2019, 03:40:45 PM
JV with his third no-hitter in history, and his second in Toronto.

https://twitter.com/sinow/status/1168246587816120320

Goddamn I miss JV.

We are taking good care of him norm, just like you did JD Martinez ;-)
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on September 08, 2019, 02:33:36 PM
Astros and Yankees sitting at 93 with the Dodgers at 92. 19 to go.
I guessed Astros would win 105 this year. Seems a tall order right now even though going .500 the rest of the way puts us at 102.
I figure the three teams have been within one or two games all year, so its probably going to stay that way.
That doesn't matter to me, although it would be nice to be top seed.

In the AL, honestly, The Twinkies scare me, just sitting there, about 4-6 games back last half of the season, just biding time, not making waves, waiting for their moment. Not to mention we are 3-4 vs them.

Yankees are nasty.  Until a short while ago, I thought we would be ok because our pitching was better, but the second half, our bullpen has been giving up moonshots consistently.
Clench up, its going to be tense...
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on September 09, 2019, 01:58:43 PM
Cole with 277 k's  :popcorn:

This was funny....sorry Seattle 😕
https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1170812461043322880?s=21
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on September 09, 2019, 10:40:26 PM
Less than a year after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, GM David Dombrowski is out of a job. Not a fan of the guy but wow is this a quick trigger.

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/09/09/boston-red-sox-fire-dave-dombrowski

Meanwhile, Tigers GM Al Avila, with the team the first to 100 losses this season, is still safe.  ::)
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on September 09, 2019, 10:53:32 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on September 09, 2019, 10:40:26 PM
Less than a year after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, GM David Dombrowski is out of a job. Not a fan of the guy but wow is this a quick trigger.

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/09/09/boston-red-sox-fire-dave-dombrowski

Meanwhile, Tigers GM Al Avila, with the team the first to 100 losses this season, is still safe.  ::)

honestly, I get this decision. He wasn't a long term builder and the team is now suffering for buying that championship with their future.
To me, it was a shortsighted decision to hire him for that specific reason in the first place. That alone told you you would end up in this undesirable position.
Thats what I loved about watching the Astros build during their 3 100 loss seasons. They were edging towards something long term, a team that could contend for quite a few years, and we should.
the guy did just what he was supposed to, but Boston can't blame him, only themselves for their current position.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on September 19, 2019, 08:41:00 PM
100 wins 3 years running.
Coming from 3 100 loss seasons, this is quite enjoyable but man, this is probably going to be the toughest post season ever to muddle through for this team.
Yankees are top tier, Twinkies have been hanging tough all year along and what the hell with the A's? I mean, I knew they weren't bad, but I didn't think they were 95 wins good, holy shit.
NL doesn't bother me too much unless its LA again because they know each other so well, and not to mention, 100 plus wins there as well.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 10, 2019, 10:26:27 PM
I really don't want to be part of a world where the Blues win the Stanley Cup and the Card win the World Series in the same goddamned year, so go Washington and go Houston I guess.

That Dodgers collapse was impressively epic. 
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 11, 2019, 10:36:22 AM
Quote from: TheNorm on October 10, 2019, 10:26:27 PM
I really don't want to be part of a world where the Blues win the Stanley Cup and the Card win the World Series in the same goddamned year, so go Washington and go Houston I guess.

That Dodgers collapse was impressively epic.

lol gee whiz

That Dodger collapse was something to be sure. I was so hoping the Astros wouldn't fade like LA and Atl.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 14, 2019, 10:22:58 AM
this post season is taking years off of my life.
Astro bats need to wake up, and soon.

Looking further, Im really in a quandary. If the Astros don't make the. WS, the Yankees will obviously be the best and most deserving team.
In the NL, if the Cards make it, well, I have an issue with that as a lifelong Stros fan. If the Nats win, I suppose I can pull for them.
Bottom line, if my guys dont go, its not going to be a great WS for me
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 14, 2019, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: Crewe on October 14, 2019, 10:22:58 AM
this post season is taking years off of my life.
Astro bats need to wake up, and soon.

Looking further, Im really in a quandary. If the Astros don't make the. WS, the Yankees will obviously be the best and most deserving team.
In the NL, if the Cards make it, well, I have an issue with that as a lifelong Stros fan. If the Nats win, I suppose I can pull for them.
Bottom line, if my guys dont go, its not going to be a great WS for me

The Stros and the Nationals have the most former Tigers on their teams, so I'm pulling mainly for those two. If both of those teams make the WS then I can happily sit back and watch. I get that you can't (lol), and I'm pulling for you.

If it's those other two...well, there's plenty of other sports for me to pay attention to until next season. No offense intended Buc...
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 14, 2019, 10:53:37 AM
Quote from: TheNorm on October 14, 2019, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: Crewe on October 14, 2019, 10:22:58 AM
this post season is taking years off of my life.
Astro bats need to wake up, and soon.

Looking further, Im really in a quandary. If the Astros don't make the. WS, the Yankees will obviously be the best and most deserving team.
In the NL, if the Cards make it, well, I have an issue with that as a lifelong Stros fan. If the Nats win, I suppose I can pull for them.
Bottom line, if my guys dont go, its not going to be a great WS for me

The Stros and the Nationals have the most former Tigers on their teams, so I'm pulling mainly for those two. If both of those teams make the WS then I can happily sit back and watch. I get that you can't (lol), and I'm pulling for you.

If it's those other two...well, there's plenty of other sports for me to pay attention to until next season. No offense intended Buc...

LOL I get it :D
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on October 15, 2019, 06:05:33 PM
West coast plus cool job means I can watch from work.

Unless MLB doesn't have a backup umpire available, but hey, that'd never happen for a post-season game.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on October 15, 2019, 07:09:36 PM
This reminds me of those early 00s Angels teams that just owned the Yankees every postseason.

This series is over.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 15, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on October 15, 2019, 07:09:36 PM
This reminds me of those early 00s Angels teams that just owned the Yankees every postseason.

This series is over.

Are you mad? Yankees scare the shit outta me.

And the Nats...holy crap, only thing that comes to mind is that song from Jerry Reed, well son, when youre hot, you're hot
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 20, 2019, 10:33:55 AM
Whew. I can watch this World Series and be content either way...as long as I ignore the fact that JV, Scherzer, and Anibal Sanchez were all former Tigers at the same time and it still wasn't enough for my team to snag a World Series ring. Yay!

Helluva finish to that Game 6 though. Wow.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on October 20, 2019, 01:20:29 PM
Quote from: Crewe on October 15, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Are you mad?

It would appear, Crewe, that I am very sane after all, haha.

I'll be rooting for the Nats, but only because it'd be cool to see them win their first. I hate that the Stros have our number, but they're one of the more respectable organizations and rosters in baseball so I wouldn't be upset if they won either.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 20, 2019, 02:01:56 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on October 20, 2019, 10:33:55 AM
Whew. I can watch this World Series and be content either way...as long as I ignore the fact that JV, Scherzer, and Anibal Sanchez were all former Tigers at the same time and it still wasn't enough for my team to snag a World Series ring. Yay!

Helluva finish to that Game 6 though. Wow.

Hard to imagine all those guys on one team norm.  :(

My heart can't take much more!
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 20, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on October 20, 2019, 01:20:29 PM
Quote from: Crewe on October 15, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Are you mad?

It would appear, Crewe, that I am very sane after all, haha.

I'll be rooting for the Nats, but only because it'd be cool to see them win their first. I hate that the Stros have our number, but they're one of the more respectable organizations and rosters in baseball so I wouldn't be upset if they won either.

To be fair to me, after you said that, Yanks did win game 5 and raised my anxiety tremendously in game 6 lol
I get the Nat love and Id certainly be pulling for them if it weren't us either.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 24, 2019, 07:13:48 AM
Quote from: Crewe on October 15, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on October 15, 2019, 07:09:36 PM
This reminds me of those early 00s Angels teams that just owned the Yankees every postseason.

This series is over.

Are you mad? Yankees scare the shit outta me.

And the Nats...holy crap, only thing that comes to mind is that song from Jerry Reed, well son, when youre hot, you're hot

This has turned out foreboding so far...they're not just hot, they're damn near nuclear.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 24, 2019, 11:59:10 AM
Quote from: TheNorm on October 24, 2019, 07:13:48 AM
Quote from: Crewe on October 15, 2019, 10:50:03 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on October 15, 2019, 07:09:36 PM
This reminds me of those early 00s Angels teams that just owned the Yankees every postseason.

This series is over.

Are you mad? Yankees scare the shit outta me.

And the Nats...holy crap, only thing that comes to mind is that song from Jerry Reed, well son, when youre hot, you're hot

This has turned out foreboding so far...they're not just hot, they're damn near nuclear.

my thoughts exactly. No-one was going to defeat them.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 27, 2019, 11:51:58 PM
I have a favorite moment from Game 5, and if you know me you know damn well what it was. The look someone makes when they don't get the response they think they're gonna get...ah, *chef's kiss*
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 30, 2019, 01:59:02 AM
https://twitter.com/chuckculpepper1/status/1189390828193681410

Good luck, Crewe...can't say I've ever seen a series where no one's won a game at home yet (at work so can't really look it up either)...
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on October 31, 2019, 12:13:23 AM
Leave it to Houston to set the low bar and you'll never be disappointed.

Normally, I'm a, good season kinda guy, but not now.
These guys blew it. Most wins, historic offense, solid bullpen, God tier starting rotation, 2 Cy Young candidates, 2 no hitters, 300 plus K's, ROTY candidate, home field, MVP candidate, silver sluggers, 4 gold glove chances along with every other advantage and they choked, big time. I mean like Yankees blowing a 3-0 game lead choke.
Yea the Nats were hot and they won, but wasting a Game 7 pitching outing that was good enough to beat anyone along with everything else noted above, just sad. Can't describe it any other way..
Once JV was used on short rest vs the Yanks, I pretty well knew it was over for us.
I really wanted this team to make a statement with another WS and not be a flash in the pan like the Cubs, but, here we are.
Now we lose Cole and have a beleaguered JV, who wouldn't surprise me at all if he retires, and this season was a monumental failure and the next ain't looking great either. Windows closed I'm afraid as next year we cede the division to the A's and fight for the WC and division round exit
Good news is, at least there be more seats available at the park next year after all the Houston fickle return their caps and jerseys to Academy..
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 31, 2019, 01:18:48 AM
Sorry bro. 😕
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on October 31, 2019, 01:19:55 AM
Happy for every single one of them, but..ugh. Don't mind me, I'll be over here drinking bleach.

https://twitter.com/spacemnkymafia/status/1189751681132761088
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 13, 2020, 05:56:07 PM
So uh, Crewe...been a rough two days for you, man.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 13, 2020, 06:38:30 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 13, 2020, 05:56:07 PM
So uh, Crewe...been a rough two days for you, man.

lol yea, the Texans thing Im ok with because Im still not wholly committed to football again because of the league's dumb ass rules and the refs out of this world interpretation of said rules along with the inability to serve up consistency on any level.
that and the management of the two teams I follow are completely fucked.

But the Astros....man, that hurts. And I dont mean the punishment per se.
Im really on the fence about it all to tell you the truth.
The black and white is, they cheated using technology which is against the rules.
Yea other teams do it, other teams have been caught doing it, but somehow, even those fans want the Astros dismantled and served on toast.
What's funny to me, and this is the part the drives the I dont give a shit attitude from me, I see fans all over saying, four draft picks and $5M for a ring? I'd do it!
So, with the left hand they admit they would be ok with exactly what the Astros did and with the right these same people demand eternal damnation, banning, tar and featuring of the entire organization.
it's just ridiculous to me.
To this attitude, Ill add, cheating is a way of life in baseball.I remember Pete Rose saying when Gaylord Perry pitched, you had to hit the dry side of the baseball.

Im not one of those guys that writes it off by saying others do it soits ok, Im not.
I am severely disappointed and Ill try to explain why. This is a never meet your hero kind of thing.
I followed some of these guys from early on, and during the 100 loss seasons, I was still an avid Astros fan. I was supremely excited about the future.
The draft choices, the trades, the unloading of Pence and Bournce in their prime, it was all for a reason, a vision, to build a winning franchise.
Watching Springer in the minor leagues, to see him eventually win Minor League Player of the Year was awesome! Seeing Altuve coming in, wat3ching Bregman at LSU, hearing about Yuli coming in as the old rookie, I developed an emotional bond with these guys as they would be the foundation of my new team.
So, to think that Springer, my favorite player, was involved, is just soul crushing to me.
In the report, it stated that and intimated that it was a coach (Cora) and player driven scheme. In other articles, it was alluded to that it was players having trouble at the plate, guys looking for a spot on the team and the like.
In my own orange and blue tinted view, I take that to mean that guys like Bregman, Correa, Altuve, Springer, Yuli and the like weren't involved because it also stated several players were against it, deemed it unhelpful and even distracting.

As for the fine and the draft picks, yea, fair. Will it be the SMU death penalty? It will certainly close our window faster that's for sure.
I really like that Crane fired Luhnow even though I believe him. He has a proven track record and has no need to cheat. I take his involvement to mean he might have heard a rumor but never investigated it. But, he is tainted because of his position.
Hinch? I was always a fan of Hinch, even early on when he was getting his coaching legs, I defended him when others didnt want him at the helm.
Now? I am so pissed off at him. The report says he shattered the monitor by the dugout a couple of times to deter the behavior he admittedly knew was going on.
But he never said anything! He never made a stand to get his guys to stop, which they most certainly would have as they sincerely trusted their manager. This I know from interviews over the years etc...plus it was stated as such in the report by players saying they would've stopped if AJ directed them to.
Knowing he could've have stopped this early on just breaks my heart. And he's sorry for not intervening, and genuinely so, but for me, good riddance.

Doubters will continue to hate us and Dodger fans will forever deem themselves 2017 WS champions (even though we won on their field, and game 7, fuckin tards)
Yankee fans will continue to claim we stole their spot, but I disagree.
Astros were and are a good team. Still made a good run in 18 and lost, incidentally to the Red Sox who were found guilty of cheating in that year. So if you want to go that route, we were robbed too. See, everyone does it /s. But no-one will acknowledge such a thing.
And we were a bad inning away from winning it al this year.

I still come back my disappointment. My players. The ones that brought me and this city a Championship Ive been waiting for since I was old enough to know who the Astros were, violated the rules.
Would I feel better if it was verified that the Yankees, Dodgers etc all participated too? Sure I would.
But for now, I just feel like a disheartened dad.
I still love you son, but damn, you knew better than that.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 14, 2020, 07:50:06 PM
https://www.thedailybeast.com/alex-cora-steps-down-as-red-sox-manager-amid-cheating-probe

Oh boy
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 14, 2020, 10:57:46 PM
yea, saw that coming, and its going to get worse for Cora.

Astros are probably going to promote their bench coach to HC since Spring Training starts so soon.
He had no involvement in the scheme, so Crane thinks its a clean house now.
Gotta find a manager with balls though. It came out also that Hinch was so frustrated, apparently about the sign stealing, that he busted up the monitor, twice.
But he never told his guys to stop.
As far as Im concerned, he brought it on himself. Lotta folks feel sorry for him. I dont.
LEAD like a HC. That's the problem with guys in any sport that are "players coaches"
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on January 14, 2020, 11:52:55 PM
Kinda just reading up on all this, and I'm a little surprised that it looks like none of the players are going to face punishment especially if it was a coach and player driven scheme.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 15, 2020, 11:19:21 AM
Quote from: TheNorm on January 14, 2020, 11:52:55 PM
Kinda just reading up on all this, and I'm a little surprised that it looks like none of the players are going to face punishment especially if it was a coach and player driven scheme.

Commish said a long while back that its too hard to determine what players were at what levels of involvement and meting out punishment accordingly was too involved, plus, dealing with the union would be a pain in th ass.
So he decided to focus on those in a leadership role, and honestly, I agree.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 17, 2020, 08:15:55 PM
This was pretty funny

https://twitter.com/jquadddddd/status/1218021838443438081?s=21
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 17, 2020, 08:17:13 PM
on a more serious note, this is pretty much my take on the whole thing

https://twitter.com/jared_carrabis/status/1218204115077160960?s=21
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 27, 2020, 06:59:48 PM
Wait, I just realized: if I go to a Mariners Astros game this year, am I allowed to get drunk and yell at the Astros players without being considered an asshole? For one season, at least?
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 28, 2020, 12:37:44 AM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 27, 2020, 06:59:48 PM
Wait, I just realized: if I go to a Mariners Astros game this year, am I allowed to get drunk and yell at the Astros players without being considered an asshole? For one season, at least?

Apparently you get to do it now and forever, because you know, we are the only ones that cheat.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 28, 2020, 12:56:28 AM
Hahaha, I'd never really do it. But I imagine I may hear some things being said at those games this year.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 28, 2020, 12:49:59 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 28, 2020, 12:56:28 AM
Hahaha, I'd never really do it. But I imagine I may hear some things being said at those games this year.

Im sure you will.
You know, while we are on this, let me add something I may not have addressed earlier.
This was a say it aint so Joe kinda thing for me at the beginning, in the sense that we all knew it, but just hated getting caught. And even then, hoping it was something quick like with the Yanks and Red Sox...nobody cared about that, even when it broke, it wasn't a big deal. But this, everyone piled on.
I was really on the fence about the Astros just because I was so heartbroken after being so vested my entire life in this franchise.
But after hearing the most casual fan and even some fans that know better rant and rave about how they were robbed of a championship and MVP's and all that jazz, it drove me right back in to the Astros arms.
I mean seriously, the haughty, holier than thou attitudes of all of the supposed squeaky clean teams just irritated the living shit out of me.
And then they tell me, you cant say everyone does it to shift blame. Well, you dolt, Im not shifting blame.
Im calling you out on your bullshit. Oh and by the way, other players are too, you know, the ones you ignore who say everyone does it and always have?
Or the very same reports that originally reported the Fiers story, the part where they flat out stated its a prevalent problem? You ignore that too so you can sit safely in your glass house.
I can see how the Astro players would feel, hearing all this bullshit, and especially Bellinger and Tucker and most certainly that chick pitcher from the Indians running their mouths while odds are, they are engaged in it too.
That's why most players dont say anything and its also why some retired players are saying its everywhere, because it sickens them to see only the Astros called out.
Im of the further opinion the league really botched this up because they have such a naive mentality. They thought this would quickly fade away like the Sox Yanks thing. They flatly refuse to investigate other allegations, only electing to act on Fiers account.
The league hasn't changed anything. Short of banning all electronics from clubhouse to clubhouse and placing an MLB official in every replay room, in every dugout and bug every bullpen and dugout phone in every park, all they did was feed the furor, and that too pisses me off.

So I accept the boos, because every time I hear them, I know that that fan is a sanctimonious self righteous delusional prick of epic proportions and I lose absolutely nothing in my life by not knowing each and every one of those jackasses.
And I hope the Astros win 114 games, beat the Yanks and Dodgers again and all the while flipping off every fucking fan in the world.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 28, 2020, 04:01:05 PM
And one more thing....NO DUSTY BAKER please for the love of all things Astros!

Yea yea I know, manager of the year multiple times, but he is anti analytics which is what the Astros were built around, he destroys pitchers an has a god awful post season record.
Dusty may turn me anti Astro quicker than any cheating scandal.
Crane is over correcting, big time.
GTFO!
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 29, 2020, 02:19:18 PM
Hey Norm (we need an @ mention feature or something), how far would you say it is from Chicago to Detroit? It looks like I'll be in Chicago in September for Riot Fest, last time I caught a game at Wrigley, but looks like the Cubs and White Sox are out of town. Wondering how feasible it would be for me to get to Detroit by some form of public transportation, be it Uber or otherwise, because the Tigers are home all weekend, as I continue to attempt to visit every stadium.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on January 29, 2020, 02:20:48 PM
So this guy studied 58 of the 81 home games available via video in 2017 and details each Astro players participation in the trash can scheme.
To me, this creates a bigger picture, as Beltran had the highest percentage of benefit with 18% (of mostly everyday players) while Altuve was the lowest with less than 3%.
Most of the other core guys were around 14-16%
Also shown are the days of the game, the number of bangs per game and player per game and result of said game.
When I look at this and knowing what we know of Beltran and Cora, I think its obvious the players did in fact follow those two who introduced the scheme.
For those not an Astro fan, before Beltran came to Houston, fans were divided as you know his previous departure as a player wasn't the best. But all of the talk was about him being a leader and how he was going to mentor the dugout, the young talent we had on the team.
It seems to make a lot more sense now.
At the same time, and this is what baffled me; it didnt really seem to work. We already know the road splits for the team were better than home.
We also know that players have in some cases really improved or at least stayed at or above the 2017 line.
When this first broke, my thought was, how could one focus on a trash can bang while at the plate? It seems so distracting to me and I think anyone who played at most any quasi serious level would agree.
These numbers tell me that's the case, and its sad because now the ten is tarnished, and for what?

Im sure some bean counters will be able to digest this data and come up with more precise instances, such as what at bats were crucial, which ones were given when the game as out of hand, either way.

A final note; One of the first vids to come out was a Gattis AB. If you watch that, he ended up striking out, while fouling off a few changeups that were preceded with bangs. I just think that demonstrates how distracting the scheme was for most. Not saying it couldn't have helped, but in my head, it was just a silly waste of time, cost us a GM and a HC.

But kudos to this guy who put all this together, and btw he is an Astro fan.

http://signstealingscandal.com
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on January 29, 2020, 04:48:20 PM
Quote from: Crewe on January 28, 2020, 04:01:05 PM
And one more thing....NO DUSTY BAKER please for the love of all things Astros!


Yeah, about that...sorry dude.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: TheNorm on January 29, 2020, 04:51:53 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 29, 2020, 02:19:18 PM
Hey Norm (we need an @ mention feature or something), how far would you say it is from Chicago to Detroit? It looks like I'll be in Chicago in September for Riot Fest, last time I caught a game at Wrigley, but looks like the Cubs and White Sox are out of town. Wondering how feasible it would be for me to get to Detroit by some form of public transportation, be it Uber or otherwise, because the Tigers are home all weekend, as I continue to attempt to visit every stadium.

It's about 4.5 hours drive time, although I've done it in about 3:45 a couple of times lol. But figure construction season, 4.5 hours is a safe bet. Amtrak does service from Chicago to Detroit, although if you go that route I recommend ending your train ride at the Dearborn stop, or go past Detroit and to the Royal Oak stop.
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 29, 2020, 04:59:58 PM
Quote from: TheNorm on January 29, 2020, 04:51:53 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 29, 2020, 02:19:18 PM
Hey Norm (we need an @ mention feature or something), how far would you say it is from Chicago to Detroit? It looks like I'll be in Chicago in September for Riot Fest, last time I caught a game at Wrigley, but looks like the Cubs and White Sox are out of town. Wondering how feasible it would be for me to get to Detroit by some form of public transportation, be it Uber or otherwise, because the Tigers are home all weekend, as I continue to attempt to visit every stadium.

It's about 4.5 hours drive time, although I've done it in about 3:45 a couple of times lol. But figure construction season, 4.5 hours is a safe bet. Amtrak does service from Chicago to Detroit, although if you go that route I recommend ending your train ride at the Dearborn stop, or go past Detroit and to the Royal Oak stop.


Oooooo, nice, was hoping there'd be a train option. The dream remains alive!
Title: Re: 2019 Season
Post by: Crewe on February 06, 2020, 07:11:14 PM
AJ Hinch is granting an interview to MLB Network which will air inits entirety tomorrow.
Im really interested in what he has to say, bt IM much more interested in why.
Why now? Is he going to throw the players under the bus? Will he lay it at the feet of Cora and Beltran?
I tell you, the entire baseball world other than Houston, is just waiting and heoping he says everyone does it, that way they can discount anything he says, ever.
It is bound to come up though, it has to. It was documented that the scheme came from other teams.

In any event, Im betting he will protect his players and let them speak for themselves. The conversation will probably be about his status and ability to coach again in some capacity along with the fallout of the scandal. Maybe a couple of direct questions but mostly softballs Im guessing.
Not sure how long the segment will be but it will be interesting for sure.