Oct
21

NLCS Game Five: Dodgers @ Phillies

By Mike Axisa

2009 NLCSMuch like their SoCal counterparts, the Dodgers are down 3-1 in the League Championship Series and have their backs to the wall. I know some fans enjoy seeing Joe Torre and his club thisclose to elimination for whatever reason, but if the Yanks do move on to the World Series, it would be in their best interests for the Dodgers to mount a comeback and push the Phightin’s to seven tough games.

Philly will send last year’s ace and new father Cole Hamels to the mound for the second time in the series tonight. He allowed nine baserunners – including a pair of homers – and four runs in five and a third innings pitch, although his team walked away with a win. The Dodgers will counter with former Phillie Vicente Padilla, who was excellent in Game Two.

Here’s the lineups:

Los Angeles
Rafael Furcal, SS
Ronnie Belliard, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Manny Ramirez, LF
Matt Kemp, CF
James Loney, 1B
Russ Martin, C
Casey Blake, 3B
Vicente Padilla, SP (12-6, 4.46)

Philadelphia
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Shane Victorino, CF
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Jayson Werth, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Carlos Ruiz, C
Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32)

Chip Caray will fist the call on TBS; first pitch is scheduled for 8:07pm ET.

If non-Yankee baseball isn’t your thing, you could always check out the Islanders taking on the Hurricanes at home. But it’s the Isles, no one cares about them. Feel free to talk about whatever you want, just be sure to follow the guidelines and be nice to each other.

Posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm in Game Threads, Open Thread, Playoffs.

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475 Comments »

I’m bored. This game better be a good one.

I’m tired. This game better be long and boring, so I can catch up on some sleep.

I’m high. This game better be full of bright colors and cool visual special effects.

/Pawlikowski’d

I’m horny, This game better have some beer commercials with hot chicks in it.

/Pat’d

slappy white says:

Im Steve Phillips .There better be a fat ugly chick here

Accent Shallow says:

He’s taking the Moneyball approach — attractive mistresses are more expensive, so it’s more efficient to take one like Miss Hundley.

ansky says:

…that chick looked more like Todd Hundley.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 

Like I said when Steve McNair got killed:

Rule #1 of the mistress is NEVER, EVER PICK THE UGLY GIRL. Pretty mistresses are always the smart move, because when you break up with her to go back to/stay with your wife, she won’t go all stalkerish and refuse to let you go and do something dumb/career-ruining/homicidal.

Pretty girls can deal with rejection because they know they’ll find someone else.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
SmittDogg says:

So true. This was her one shot at a happy life born with a face/body like that. The silver fox setting her adrift ruined that one glimmer of hope of being able to marry/glom off of a man:

a) who owns a home
b) under 300 lbs
c) has no convictions (that we know of)
d) is respected at work (and virtually nowhere outside of work)

 
Salty Buggah says:

Hmmm, I think you also added that you’ve said too much.

(Why do I remember that but forget everything for tests and stuff to do?)

 

Hmmm, I think you also added that you’ve said too much. (Why do I remember that but forget everything for tests and stuff to do?)

Because I’m always on your mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3DXyfL3HX0

 
Salty Buggah says:

Nah, I remember the weirdest shit.

 
 

He’s taking the Moneyball approach

Actually, she looks like she doesn’t walk a lot.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Maybe Chip Caray in a non Yankee game will be better than those Fox idiots.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

That’s like choosing between Pol Pot and Idi Amin.

Accent Shallow says:

Apparently it took Forrest Whitaker months after filming to shake the accent.

Movie wasn’t great, but he was fucking terrifying in that role.

 
 

Oh come on. Idi Amin was a much better brutal dictator than Pol Pot. Idi was always good for a laugh, like when he declared himself ‘Conqueror of the British Empire’ after Great Britain broke off diplomatic relations with Uganda. That’s some first rate comedy right there.

Pol Pot was a paranoid Communist, which is about as much fun as reading the Federal Tax code.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

I think I love you (not no-homo, but low-homo levels are present).

Hmmmm. I see why you got the “Overshare” tag attached to you.

(BTW-If that’s your thing, talk to Pat. You didn’t hear this from me)

Bring wood-grain alcohol and barbiturates.

Oh, and make sure you settle on a safe word ahead of time.

(Comments wont nest below this level)

Well, someone has to watch the highway bathroom stall. A cop could walk in at any minute.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Safe word(s) is “Halos Heaven.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chip Caray will fist the call on TBS

(golf clap)

Yeah, when McCarver started talking about choking last night I damn near lost it.

Did you notice how he kept leaning over toward Joe Buck in those studio shots, the approving looks he gave him and how he had his arm on the back of Joe’s chair?

He obviously has a very deep affection for the man. We can only imagine the origin of such admiration.

 
 
 
Johnnyboy says:

Hey, Mike. I wasn’t able to ask this in the chat so I’ll ask it now. King Felix for Mauer. Who hangs up first?

Anyone can feel free to drop their opinion too.

The biggest issue here, even if the Twins would part with Mauer (and they won’t), is that while the Mariners can afford Mauer, the Twins can’t afford Felix.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Hmm…that’s a good one. I’d be inclined to think the Twins hold on to Mauer and the Mariners let go of Felix, so I’d say the Twins, even though King Felix provides more value than Mauer.

 

Mariners hang up. Mauer only has one more year left on his deal.

 

That’s interesting. I think the Twins would hang up soon. Felix seems pretty determined to hit free agency in two years, Mauer’s a hometown boy they actually have a chance of retaining.

 
 
Ivan says:

Phillies are one win away from 2nd place.

One win away from third place.

There will be no second place behind us, we’re that awesome. It goes right from first place (us) to third place (everyone else).

Johnnyboy says:
 
 

I think the Phillies will be a very tough series, much tougher than the Twins or Angels.

Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:
 
 

I really don’t see them being better than the Angels. I think they’re about equal.

 
 
thurdonpaul says:
 
 

“If non-Yankee baseball isn’t your thing, you could always check out the Islanders taking on the Hurricanes at home. But it’s the Isles hockey, no one cares about them that.”

Fixed.

Hey now, I care a mighty bit bout my Devils!

Are you talking about Duke Blue Devils basketball, or Arizona State Sun Devils baseball, or Missisippi Valley State Delta Devils football?

Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:

Sens are coming back this year!!!

They have to, they only get a month of August recess and they still have to sort out the healthcare reform bills in committee.

 
 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

+1

And this is coming from a guy who goes a university that basically only plays AND loves hockey.

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Didn’t U of Denver have a big win in basketball once?

Salty Buggah says:

Yea, but it’s still a huge Hockey song.

Salty Buggah says:

WTF? How’d that happen? Damn iPhone.

I meant school.

 
 
 
 
Drew says:

The only hockey I watch is NHL 10. That shit is legit.

+100000
Same with me.

 

I saw hockey lowlights highlights on ESPN the other day, and I was all, “They made that mildly enjoyable NES videogame “Blades of Steel” into a real, live-action game played by real men? How do you like that shit? This is just like when they turned “NBA Jam” into SlamBall.”

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi.....n_2008.jpg

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Obviously a sport invented by a pissed off white guy who wanted to jump high.

 
 
 
thurdonpaul says:

i agree, whats hockey ?

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

Our bench in the WS in NL games is going to be amazing. Matsui, Hinske, Jerry, Cervelli, and Gardy = awesome.

Salty Buggah says:

I forgot Molina.

So in any game in which AJ pitches in the NL park, we’d have 2 pitchers in the lineup? Ugh. Matsui and Posada on the bench doesn’t sound good.

Here’s the plan:

Burnett starts Game 2 in YS3, and Molina doesn’t bat thanks to the DH. CC starts Game 4 and clinches. No need for Burnett + Molina in Game 5.

Done, and done.

Evil Empire says:

Watching CC crush a pitch and send it into the seats is going to be so much fun.

 
 
 
vin says:

Yikes. The rotation has to be set up with AJ pitching games 2 and 6 at NYS.

Would Hinske be really necessary, since Matsui would be the first bat off the bench? Both lefties, zero speed. Seems a little redundant.

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves or anything (we’re just begging to piss of the baseball gods).

Salty Buggah says:

Thought the same thing. Then I remember that PH’s get replaced by a reliever and you might need a bat later again.

 
 
 
Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:

aceves, gaudin, MR or Guzman for Hinske?

Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:
 
 
Drew says:

But who will be the 4th starter! We’re doomed!

/weakness’d

vin says:

Girardi will outsmart everybody and start Brian Bruney!

 
 
 
 

We all assume that the Yanks are on a collision course with the Phillies, but this isn’t necessarily true.

The Yankees could still play the Dodgers.

Theoretically.

Yes, but the Phillies manager is still alive. That’s a big plus.

 
 

I bet MLB would love to see a Dodgers-Yankees WS. Not only are we talking about the two main markets, but there’s also the drama filled scenario of Joe Torre-—bringing along Donnie Baseball, for good measure—-facing his old team, now managed by his protégée and namesake Joe Girardi; and Manny returning to face his Bronx archrivals, which he has frequently punished in the past. Man…

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Donnie Baseball is coincidenced into never participating in a World Series.

Thank you for using the word “coincidenced” and not some other, dumber word for things that don’t exist. I appreciate the effort.

 
 
 
Drew says:

Steve Phillips, really?

Now, I don’t condone cheating on a significant other, but at least do it with some class. This chick looks like a right-outside linebacker.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PlJT.....esteve.jpg

vin says:

Saw a comment somewhere that called her a “slump buster.” That made me chuckle.

 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

There must be some slim fucking pickins in Bristol, CT.

 

They had a Quarterback-Center kind of relationship.

 
Accent Shallow says:

This isn’t going to help Philips’ reputation as a poor evaluator of talent.

Snark aside, you’d think there’d be scores of moderate-to-extremely attractive women lining up to screw Steve Phillips, solely because he’s on TV

Sheesh.

Drew says:

This isn’t going to help Philips’ reputation as a poor evaluator of talent.

haha ietc

 

Snark aside, you’d think there’d be scores of moderate-to-extremely attractive women lining up to screw Steve Phillips, solely because he’s on TV

“So, I’m banging this hot chick, right… What, why are you laughing? I get pussy, I’m on basic cable.”

-Patton Oswalt

 
 
vin says:

Today in the chat, I asked Mike:

“Who is worse: Steve Phillips the analyst, or Steve Phillips the husband.”

Still waiting for an answer.

Steve Phillips the husband >>> Steve Phillips the GM >>> Steve Phillips the analyst >>> Steve Phillips the lothario

 
 

Don’t condone cheating either but I always tell my married friends who like to stray, “If she’s not hotter than your wife, why bother?

I’m a broke nobody and the ugliest chick I’ve been with is Heidi Klum compared to Phillips’ paramour. So, how is it that so many dudes w/money, looks and fame choose to cheat w/such unattractive women? Ugh.

I’m a broke nobody and the ugliest chick I’ve been with is Heidi Klum compared to Phillips’ paramour. So, how is it that so many dudes w/money, looks and fame choose to cheat w/such unattractive women?

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/p.....pidity.png

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Bill Clinton frowns on your shenanigans.

 
 
Omg!Zombies! says:

I didnt know there was a 4th Molina brother

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

It goes without saying, but I’d hit that. I doubt I’d even need to bring my van and the “Free Candy!” bumper stickers.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Also, as someone who had an ex become a lesbian (I’ve long decided to not speculate how/we that happened; I simply have too many flaws), I can tell you that Phillips should be commended for convincing a lesbian to get with him.

 
 
 

So I picked up the Best American Sportswriting 2009 because Todd Drew’s got a piece in it, but then I ended up reading a Michael Lewis piece about Cuban baseball, and the entire thing is kind of crazy.

It also makes me want to move to Canada, gain Canadian citizenship, and then work in in Cuba as a covert scout.

Just sayin.

Accent Shallow says:

http://www.vanityfair.com/poli.....ball200807

This is it, and you’re right, it’s an interesting piece.

 
 
Andrew says:

i hate writing cover letters. so much.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Cover letters are great. Just think of it as an opportunity to tell someone how badass you are.

 
 
 

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypos.....15;380.jpg

I think Steve Phillips and Bill Clinton should go out clubbing together.

Salty Buggah says:

Heh, she’s wearing a Denver Cutler jersey.

She’s only a small step above Nick Mangold’s sister.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10.....ngold.html

Evil Empire says:

Wow… Nick Mangold is The Man and apparently, so is his sister, heh.

 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Depends if you like blondes or not.

 
Drew says:

I laughed… and laughed.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

She has sharp knees. WOULD NOT HIT!

 
 
 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Are you sure that’s not HER jersey? She was one of the last cuts in August.

 
Salty Buggah says:

Could be. Cutler did get traded way before that. And the Broncos needed a lot of LBs, D-linemen, and Casey Weigmann wanted a better contract or he said he would retire.

 
 
 
Evan says:

I really need to stop going to bed at 5 am. It’s doing me no favors at all.

Tell me about it. Had a headache all day.

Evan says:

Sorry to hear. I hope it gets better soon.

What happened with me was that I had an appointment at the Career Center at my alma mater to check over my resume. I made corrections to it, left it in the counselor’s box and made an appointment for next week to discuss it. Turns out I was supposed to come in today. Now I’m just kicking myself. I am already hurting myself with this fouled up sleep schedule to the point that I don’t leave myself enough time to go out to search for work and do other chores. It also didn’t help that I was a pansy and forewent career advice until recently.

 
 

I want to say something here, but I probably shouldn’t. Yeah, I definitely shouldn’t.

“Quit your job as a male gigolo?”

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I worked the night shift for ~6 months. It gets to the point where all you can think of is sleep.

 
 
Ivan says:

Well as the baseball year winds down, the NBA season will begin, and my lovable Knicks will begin their quest for a playoff spot and you know what, they will make the playoffs. By the way Danilo Gallinari is gonna shut down some doubters this coming season (Yes im talking to you Tommie) if he’s healthy.

He damn well better.

Seriously, though, he did play nice in the small spurts between back injuries last year.

Sleepy Carl says:

76 pitches through 4. Not good to have to go to that pen early.

 
 
 
Riddering says:

Wow, have I missed Bon Jovi.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

They have mistakes like that all the time.

 
Accent Shallow says:
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Doesn’t work for me either.

 
 
 
ColoYank says:
 
 
Riddering says:

What Craig didn’t mention:

It’s Jeter’s cologne that Manny was using.

and he was driving a Ford Edge.

 
 
Ivan says:

I wonder what time Manny is gonna leave this game tonight?

 

Andre sends one into the ethier.

JGS says:
 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

There is NO FUCKIN WAY I would ever throw back a home run ball.

JGS says:

agreed–how often are you ever going to catch a game ball?

 

Kevin Youkilis hits a walk off at Yankee Stadium.

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Oh well. Guess I have a Kevin Youkilis home run ball.

I’d sell it to Ben Affleck in exchange for the secret to how to be rich and famous despite not having any discernible talent.

 
 
 
 
JGS says:

you can’t walk off on the road

New rule, only applies to Kevin.

 
 
PaulF says:

No walkoffs at on the road.

 
 

I’d sell that shit if it was against the Yankees but no way I’ll throw it back.

 
 
Evil Empire says:

Attaboy, Andre.

Not that I really care who wins the quest for 3rd place, but I would like to see the Dodgers win this game simply so that there is more baseball to watch between the world series and Yankees clinching tomorrow.

About the only thing to root for is for the Dodgers to somehow make this thing go 7, so the Phillies would have to use Lee.

Accent Shallow says:

Agreed. No reason for this series to reach a speedy conclusion.

 
Evil Empire says:

True, that would indeed be a tangible benefit … plus a game 7 would just be really fun to watch. But I honestly don’t care who wins, neither opponent looks like they will be as challenging as the Angels.

 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

Anyone see those Jorge Posada McDonalds ads on some sites? I think he just looks funny in those.

If you havent seen those, I downloaded the flash video and uploaded the video:
http://www.zshare.net/video/67302509769320c9/

He looks so goofy. This is only one of those, the other ad is funny too but it doesn’t show up anymore on any site.

OMG is that link spammy.

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

That link is so spammy, that Hawaii loves it.

/Henny Youngman’d

Spammy! How I love ya, how I love ya, my dear old Spammy!

/Al Jolson’d

ColoYank says:

My thunder us completely stolen.

 
 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Yeah, I laugh every time I see those.

He looks better in them than he did running the bases last night, though.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

How overrated is Rollins?

He’ll have a bounceback year next year, get one last moderately large contract, and then wither away into Varitekian suckiness by 2012.

Evil Empire says:

I could see that happening too. I can see him signing with the Red Sox, actually … I would enjoy that.

 
 
 

The Phillies are the best-looking team in baseball, and I’m not referring to them playing well.

Well I am.

Sorta.

Accent Shallow says:

Really? Werth?

You have a thing for horrendous facial hair or something?

Actually, sorta.

Hamels is better than Werth but Werth ain’t bad.

Two words:

Matt Stairs

 
Evil Empire says:

You just dig the long ball

 
 
Evan says:

Well, you have to like his mom at least, right? http://willdo.philadelphiaweek.....rthmom.jpg

The pic doesn’t do her justice.

 
 
Riddering says:

Don’t make me break this down position by position to prove the Yankees have the edge, Rebecca.

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Look at Melky’s dimples! They’re adorable!!

/Drew’d

 
Salty Buggah says:

What’s on the inside is what counts…

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

That’s bullshit and you know it.

 
 
 
 
 
Evil Empire says:

The the hell is it with DirecTV and dead actors? First the little girl from Poltergeist and now Chris Farley. What’s next, one of the kids in Moonwalker breaking the 4th wall to talk about DirecTV while Michael Jackson is dancing?

 
Evan says:

Utley now shares a place in the books with Boog Powell.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Padilla throws 96? The fuck?

Hell, Chan Ho Park was throwing 96. The TBS gun is jacked.

JGS says:

gameday has him at 96 too

 
Accent Shallow says:

Gameday has him 94-95 as well.

I figured him as more a 90-92, maybe a 94 on the high side.

 
 
Evil Empire says:

He stole a flower from Mario so he can throw the heat

 
 
Scooter says:

That doesn’t sound right…. maybe Manny hooked him up with some “GNC supplements”

Not to kvetch, but I am so tired… the last two days I’ve been working on slides being shown to THE big cheese – not that I’m showing it to him, of course. This other director comes over at 6:30 and bends my ear for 45 mins about the change in option valuation methodology, then walks away saying “hey you should implement this”

So I’ve got an hour of work ahead – or 2 if I keep watching the game. Heh

 
vin says:

I guess that explains why everyone hates getting hit by him.

 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

That lady was excited.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Preliminary results are in: this series is not going 7.

 

Funny, for a second there I thought Chip had emotion.

 

Ibanez Matsui’d that one.

Evan says:

“Tries to pull an outside pitch.”

/Kay’d

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Bandbox!

Disgraceful!

 
 

I hope Pedro gets a start in the WS. That would be very cool to face him, given all the history.

 
Riddering says:

Solo home runs?

The Dodgers are not playing the Right Way.

You know who really wasn’t playing the right way last night? CC. When up 5-1, he should’ve let two more runs score because he could. He should’ve pitched to the score like true aces do. What a failure.

/GhostofAlexGonzalez’d

 

Jack Morris’s moustache >>>>>> CC’s non-caucasian gangsteresque off-center hat tilt

 
 
 
Rey22 says:

Slugfest coming right up.

 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Casey Blake or Carlos Santana?

Salty Buggah says:

Grit Beard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talent

anon says:

Thats not a grit beard. Blake has a gentlemans beard.

I actually don’t mind Blake’s beard.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

It does have a collegiate pot-smoker look, though.

Eh, I grew a beard kind of like his back in ‘07 (didn’t shave from January to Easter) so I’ve got a softspot for his.

 
 
 
 
 
vin says:

I’m a big Casey Blake fan… but come on, Colletti. Really?

 
 
Rey22 says:

So the Phillies pitching staff for the World Series is Cliff Lee and….uhhh….ummm…yeah.

I’ll take CC over Lee in Game 1 in a good pitchers duel ending in Yankee victory. After that, we can demolish whatever sacrificial lambs they throw out there for Games 2-4.

Ivan says:

Even Hamels? I understand he struggled through out the season but he’s still dangerous.

Rey22 says:

My initial thought would be to agree with you, but he just has not looked sharp at all this postseason. Against the Rockies and Dodgers. Now replace that with the Yankees and it looks a bit grim for him.

 

He is still dangerous… to a NORMAL team.

 
 
Evil Empire says:

Yeah, it almost seems like a waste throwing Lee vs. CC in game 1. CC will not allow his team to lose when he pitches.

 
 
 

A YS3 is a fucking bandbox? WTF.

Brooklyn Ed says:

oh A-Rod and Teixiera will love playing there, if and when the Yanks makes it.

 
 
Riddering says:

No more worries. If we play the Phillies, Molina’s going to have another grand slam.

 

The umpire just got really excited about punching out Hamels.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

He didn’t like Cole’s makeup tips, apparently.

 
 
 

Did Darling just say Furcal was “drunk trying to do too much”?

He’s been silent since this supposed line. Am I the only one that heard it?

JMK aka The Overshare says:

It’s official: you’re going crazy. (I had the TV on mute. Sorry.)

Well, they’re not talking about tires so I wouldn’t expect you to have much interest in the sound.

Pasqua says:

I heard it too, for what it’s worth (twenty minutes later).

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

I,ve said it before, I will say it again, call me crazy, I think the yankees will sweep the Phillies in the WS. Maybe 5.

3 games + 1 forfeit. Book it.

Ivan says:

Have those bastards tapping out like UFC fight.

 

Really? If I were the Phillies, I’d forfeit after the Yanks crush Cliff Lee.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I sure hope so (if the Yankees do manage to finish off the Angels), but the Phillies are a dangerous team with a stacked lineup, and not a bad pitching staff.

(Yeah, the pen is messy, but there’s guys in there with good stuff.)

Evil Empire says:

The Phillies bullpen has one really big problem though: Charlie Manuel.

 

Ehh the Angels IMO have a better pitching staff than the Phillies.

They have Cliff Lee, sure, but I don’t know if Hamels will be effective and then it’s either Happ or Pedro.

Their offense is great sure but no better than the Yanks.

Their offense is impressive, though. They’re basically an A.L. team in terms of offense. I fully expect them to DH Ibanez in games 1/2 and put Francisco in LF if that’s what it comes to. That would give them good OF defense and a stronger than usual lineup.

Regardless, the Yankees lineup is better.

Posada over Ruiz
Tex = Howard
Utley’s over Cano
Jeter over Rollins
Rodriguez over Feliz
Damon = Ibanez
Victorino = Melky (maybe a bit better on power)
Werth over Swisher (slightly more power, it seems)

That’s how I see it.

Evil Empire says:

I agree, but I mean “Rodriguez over Feliz” … that’s just not doing justice to the ridiculous advantage we have in 3B.

 
Ivan says:

I have Victorino over Melky, however, I have Teix over Howard.

Yeah agreed. The difference is small however.

 
 
 
 
 
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Joe Torre: Has anyone seen my car keys? ANYONE?! I CAN’T FIND MY CAR KEYS!

 
Accent Shallow says:

Ump looked like he was sucker punching someone there.

 
Evil Empire says:

Who wins in a bare knuckle brawl:

Joe Buck vs Chip Caray

I say Chip Caray because I think he’d use his teeth.

JMK aka The Overshare says:
Evil Empire says:

Yes.

Which gives Caray another edge, he’s the master of fisting … eww.

 
 
Greg G. says:

Joe Morgan. He’s a Hall of Famer, you know.

 
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

What happened to Russell Martin? Wasn’t he supposed to be the next great catcher?

 
Reggie C. says:

Chad Billingsley >>> AJ Burnett ?

 
Accent Shallow says:

Was hoping that’d be a big inning for the Dodgers.

Life goes on.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Dane Cook was considered one of Time Magazine’s Most 100 influential people? Really?

JMK aka The Overshare says:

You didn’t see the commercial for his tour? http://www.time.com/time/speci.....88,00.html

It’s a sad society we live in.

In “thumbing” through that, I found this:

http://www.time.com/time/arts/.....71,00.html

I’m such a fuckin’ dork.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Nice find. Good article.

southernyankeefan says:

That was interesting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Evil Empire says:

So Rob Neyer wrote on his blog today about who has the better shot at getting into the HoF, Johnny Damon or Bobby Abreu.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweets.....n-vs-abreu

He said the most common reply was “neither”, but I actually think both of them – by the end of their careers – will have put up good enough numbers to get into the HoF. Neither is likely to hit any 1 single automatic HoF plateau (though Damon has a very possible shot at 3000 hits), but both have put up very well-rounded offensive numbers by the end of their career, and it will be interesting to see what “clubs” they join when they retire. By clubs, I mean stuff like the 2500 H / 300 HR / 550 2B / 375 SB / 1500 RBI / 1500 R / 1500 BB club … because those are the numbers Abreu is likely to hit. I don’t know where to look up what other baseball players have met all of those criteria but I know that’s pretty damn balanced career. Johnny Damon will have similarly well balanced numbers, though more hits and less RBIs.

What does RAB think?

Accent Shallow says:

I think Abreu will be wildly underrated at the end of his career, because the media will continue to not acknowledge how impressive a lifetime .404 OBP is.

Evil Empire says:

One would hope that by the time these guys are up for vote in 9 or more years, OBP and OPS will have grown in appreciation as the older baseball writers fade away and the younger, more stat-savvy voters become a larger influence in teh voting.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Underrated, sure. But Hall of Fame? Ehhhh.

Accent Shallow says:

He’s been a much better player than Damon, although Damon’s been the better defender.

I think Damon’s a lock if he gets to 3000 hits (although he’d be arguably the worst player with that many), and Abreu’s probably on the outside looking in — no huge counting numbers, although the HR/SB thing he has going may help.

Evil Empire says:

That’s why I think its the combination of various counting stats that really demonstrates how elite these guys’ careers have been … and that’s the other thing – Johnny and Bobby haven’t ever really had insane years, they’re just incredibly consistent and have stayed healthy for a really long time, and both will probably play the game at an above average level for another 2 or 3 years and then … probably painfully fall off a cliff.

 
 
 

I agree with this. By this time, I thought that the MSM would at least be trying to catch up with the times, but they seem to be resisting it tooth and nail.

 
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Maybe this is a strange way of evaluating players (by which I mean incorrect), but I’ve never seen either as dominating players, and if I were given a vote, that would be the qualifier. Let me elaborate: The numbers suggest both have been very good players, but I just don’t see either as HoFers. They’re guys that are good at pretty much everything, but aren’t really great enough at anything of note. They’re just extremely well-rounded. If I were forced to make a judgment I’d say Damon because he primarily played CF (and not a bad one, either), and Abreu played a corner OF spot his entire career (and not well for a fair amount of it).

My $.02

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I thought Ethier was supposed to be a good defender? He certainly hasn’t looked it.

-13.1 UZR/150 in ‘09, -9.1 last year, +7.6 in ‘07 (RF numbers only).

 
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

He has the athleticism but seems to make bad reads quite often.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

If my reflection in a shop window starts talking to me, I’m asking my doctor about schizophrenia, not ED.

Evil Empire says:
 
 
slappy white says:

How great is it that Bobby Valentine, of all people, took Steve Phillips chair on Baseball Tonight ? Its the killer Yankee karma paying him a visit for his preseason third place prediction

Reggie C. says:

I’m a fan of Bobby V. Dude’s lived an interesting life.

I just might restart watching Baseball Tonight.

His bar in Stamford has bangin’ nachos.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

He has a bar? I should make it out to CT some time.

 
 

Bobby Valentine invented the wrap (as in, turkey wrap, or BLT wrap, etc.). (Seriously, he claims that he invented the wrap at Bobby V’s.)

 
 

Wiki: “Since 1980, Valentine has owned and operated Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Cafe, a sports bar located in his hometown of Stamford. He claims to have invented the Wrap sandwich. He claims that his restaurant was the first anywhere to serve a sandwich in a tortilla wrap. Valentine made this claim while his restaurant was showcased on the Food Network.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.....f_baseball

I’m pretty sure it says something about it on the menu at Bobby V.’s.

 
 
 
 
Sleepy Carl says:

Remember when Steve Philips said in 2006 that the Yankees have to trade ARod and he will never succeed in NY (despite the one MVP he already won there)?

Accent Shallow says:

Apparently when Bobby V was informed he was being fired:

“You’re firing me and keeping him?”

 
Steve H says:

Clearly Philips enjoys downgrading.

 
Steve H says:

Clearly Steve Philips is a fan of downgrading.

ansky says:

I remeber when Steve Phillips said that the Yanks should trade Cano and Wang after their first seasons because they werent going to get any better. OK Steve I’m really going to trust your talent evaluation.

 
 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Troncoso doesn’t exactly look like a shutdown reliever.

And talk about short-arming the ball!

 
Reggie C. says:

Phillies can blow this game open. Bases loaded for Victorino.

I didn’t think the Dodgers would go out like punks.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Torre’s been asleep at the wheel for how long now?

 
Accent Shallow says:

The Phillies are an incredibly unlikeable team.

And what the hell are the fans chanting? Sounds like “U-S-A, U-S-A”, but that can’t be it.

Evan says:

They’re saying, “Beat L.A.”

 
Steve H says:

I hate when beat L.A. is chanted when a team is playing L.A. The original Beat L.A. was Celtics fans, about to lose to the Sixers in the conference finals, chanting Beat L.A. to the Sixers in the Boston Garden.

Tom Zig says:

The crowd at Fenway was apparently chanting “beat the Yankees” to the Angels, after the Sox got swept

 
 
 
Randy A. says:

Im curious to hear other peoples opinions about this. Why do you think they’re an unlikeable team? Because I agree with you 100% about that.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

I don’t think they’re unlikable, so I’m curious to hear what others think. Then again, I truly cannot stand the city of Philadelphia and they supposedly have some of the worst fans in all of sports (whatever that means, I’m not sure of the criteria used).

I think the Angels are less likable, actually.

Steve H says:

Yeah, at least the Philly fans don’t need thundersticks.

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:

damn, the O-dog crushed that shit

Evan says:

He also jetted around the bases.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Unlike Furcal, who took about 3 minutes to get to second on his double.

 
scooter says:

Buck is funny – “this is how much respect Charlie Manual has for the Dodgers”

I think it’s more “this is how much he’s worried about how Hamels is getting crushed”

I’m sure the Phillies want Happ to get through the 7th

 
 
 

So this game is getting interesting.

Dela G says:

hey there you are mike!

I was watching Transformers 2, did I miss anything good? I don’t have the energy to read through the entire thread.

THERE’S A NEW SHAKESPEARE PLAY!!!

 
Riddering says:

Yes, you missed two hours of your life spent on anything other than Transformers 2.

Two hours of Megan Fox made up for the rest of it.