Open Thread: My 2010 RAB Fantasy Football Team

September 6, 2010 by Michael Axisa 238 Comments

Time for the annual tradition of revealing the fantasy football team I drafted for you all to mock and laugh at. We only did 14 teams this year (in the past it’s been 20), and it was basically the same people as last year. So you didn’t miss a post about signing up or anything, we never had one. Sorry. Anyway, here’s my squad…

QB: Aaron Rodgers (1st round, 6th overall)
RB: Jamaal Charles (2/23)
RB: Jonathan Stewart (3/34)
WR: Wes Welker (5/62)
WR: Donald Driver (6/79)
TE: Vernon Davis (4/51)
RB/WR: Laurence Maroney (7/90)
K: David Akers (13/174)
D/ST: New Orleans (8/107)

BN: Cadillac Williams, RB (9/118)
BN: Jacoby Jones, WR (10/135)
BN: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (11/146)
BN: Austin Collie, WR (12/163)
BN: Jeremy Shockey, TE (14/191)
BN: Jason Campbell, QB (15/202)

Rodgers might have been a bit of an overdraft at six, but with all the premium backs already gone, I figured I was better off taking the mammoth quarterback production than gambling on Frank Gore’s knees. With any luck, Charles will continue last season’s breakout and Jacoby Jones has a breakout of his own in Houston. I could really use that big wideout. I’ve struggled with running back depth the last two or three years, so I was happy getting Maroney and Cadillac reasonably late since I know they’re at least likely to get the bulk of their team’s carries.

I’m not nearly as good at fantasy football as I am fantasy baseball, but I feel better about this team than any other team I’ve drafted in the past few years. My first four picks went exactly as I planned before the draft, so that made me feel good. Here’s the full draft results, if you’re interested. Next year I’ll remember to not schedule it on Labor Day weekend.

Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. Depending on where you live, the Marlins-Phillies or Rays-Red Sox will be on MLB Network. At this point, Yankee fans have to pull for a Boston sweep. Just think of it as rooting for a Tampa loss, not a Red Sox win. Other than that, I’m sure there’s a bunch of college football on. Talk about whatever, just be cool.

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

Say what you will but ESPN makes one hell of a montage.

Also, Giants lead. Mat Latos got scratched from his start. Pods can’t catch a break.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  My favorite 2009 Yankees montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veHCxYI9iGs
  
  Did Latos sneeze again?
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    a bad stomach issue or something. (A lotta diarrhea.)
    - seimiya
      
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GIEHPGj9sI
      
      Chan Ho Park played through it.
      - Magnus Stultus
        
        I am pretty sure he stunk that night.
        
        seimiya
        
        Sadly, that does not narrow it down.
        
        Welp. At least he’s pitching for the Pirates now.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    All these 2009 montages are making me depressed. Remember when Jeter was a great, rather than average, player?
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      Doesn’t do that to me, it just makes me think back on one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
      
      103 wins, best record, won best division handily, never up against elimination through three rounds of playoffs, incendiary pace over last 107 games (76-31 counting playoffs), and obviously winning the championship.
      
      Incredible. This team can accomplish the same, but will not do it the same way. That team was powered by last hurrah’s by some vets, this team is more reliant on Cano, Swisher, Brett since the vets are either gone or have seen regressions from last year (namely, Jeter, ARod, Posada). I’ve always been of the belief that the ’09 team was better than this one, but a feather in this team’s cap is the superior depth they have. ’09 was 88-50 at this point, this team 86-52. Pretty close.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

So I totally missed the draft and the entire thing auto drafted. So me, the Jets fan, got Tom Brady as my QB.

*****

Also, A-Rod’s been back two games, the Yankees have lost two and I’ve seen people real, legit, panicking.

Dude, if you panic about anything, panic about Gardner who has an almost .400 OBP bunting.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Someone actually got banned on NYYFans for negativity today, it seems. Uh-huh.
- Chris
  
  I looked this up in response to a stupid post in the game thread, but in the last 25 games (96 PA) Gardner has a .474 OBP.
  
  Wow.
  
  Perhaps there’s something to the idea that pitchers can’t throw 3 strikes before they throw 4 balls.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  In regard to Tom Brady, isn’t he still pretty good? I don’t really play fantasy anything, but, couldn’t you trade his ass if it’s not to your liking?
- http://www.twitter.com/TomZig Tom Zig
  
  The two games the Yanks have lost:
  
  First one to Brett Cecil, whom we just cannot figure out. Coupled with a homer happy Hughes and Golson+Pena in the lineup. Hughes just didn’t give us a chance to win the game.
  
  Second one to Brian Matusz, a very good young lefty. You aren’t going to score much off of him as it is. AJ only gave up 4 runs, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but the timing of 3 of them really hurt. One came in the inning immediately following the offense tying the game, and then the next inning AJ gives up a run, and then the Yankees get 2 to tie the game and then what does AJ do? Gives up another run. Wildly frustrating. We still had a chance to win this one though but some poor execution doomed us.
Accent Shallow

Wes Welker is one of the most loathsome human beings on the planet.

Now, for a poll.

What’s less interesting: when someone recounts you the blow-by-blow of their past week of fantasy football, or the Texas Hold ‘em game they played last night?
- Magnus Stultus
  
  I bluffed Warlock out of a 5000 dollars pot last week at the Borgata .I did it by betting 5 G on the turn with a board of 2h 5s 4h 4c . I had 26OS in which I had three bet his raise of 140 preflop in a 10/25 blind game to start.
  
  So ,yeah Fantasy football.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    See, this isn’t that bad, because it’s filled with jargon I don’t understand. It’d be worse if you explained what all those mean, in as long-winded of a manner as possible.
    - Magnus Stultus
      
      nah, I don’t want to bore you to death. The end result is that i took a boatload of money off Warlock which he could afford.
      
      My buddy hears the long version . But he plays so he doesn’t mind.
Carlosologist

Apparently Giambi’s “idea” caught on with Aubrey Huff…

http://larrybrownsports.com/ba.....ster/28910
Apollo22237

Well, Aaron Rodgers will be awesome so I wouldn’t worry about the overdraft. I picked him with my first pick last year and he scored the most points out of anyone and led my team to the championship.

Of course I always draft with my heart over my head in football. I had last year and this year the Packers QB, 2 WR, TE, Defense, and Kicker. As they go, I go. When they do great I do great.
ZZ

I may be missing something, so I am genuinely curious as to what the responses to this are. I probably won’t respond, because I just want to see what people say.

Tons of people during and after AJ’s start today said we have to get him right, so that is why he was left in. I have heard this from fans basically all season and really throughout AJ’s entire career.

What does that even mean?

How does pitching him 2 more innings get him right? How does any confidence he would gain from that, if he does at all, actually matter?

Also as a side note, amazing as this may sound, reading some of the comments after the game I don’t even think people realize how bad AJ has been this season. I think someone said he was a typical 3 starter or something to that effect. WAR is a popular stat on this site. Calculate his WAR since early May, after his hot start ended. He has been one of the worst pitchers in all of baseball this season.
- Accent Shallow
  
  How does pitching him 2 more innings get him right? How does any confidence he would gain from that, if he does at all, actually matter?
  
  I tend to assume that pitching more innings is about getting in a rhythm, throwing strikes, etc, not about confidence. AJ’s been in the majors for some time, can Girardi really do anything other than keep him where he is, if he’s not going to undermine him?
- ZZ
  
  Only 1 response?
  
  Come on, you guys can do better than that. I really want to hear more opinions on this.
- Esteban
  
  I think, considering the Yankees position in regards to the playoffs, the amount of money AJ is making, and at this point, the lack of stability for the rest of the rotation, I think it was worth it to see what he could do in those final 2 innings. I think bringing in a reliever to face BRoberts was probably the better strategy, but either way, it’s not a tragedy.
Jake

In case there are any FF dorks here with nothing better to do…

I’m in a 12 team league. Auto-draft gave me:

Jay Cutler QB
Adrian Peterson RB
Ryan Grant RB
Michael Bush Flex
Miles Austin WR
TJ Houshmandzadeh WR
Jeremy Maclin WR
Antonio Gates TE
Green Bay DEF
Ryan Longwell K

I know very little about football. My assumption is that my team sucks. Can anyone confirm or deny that?
- Pat D
  
  Reply fail. Here’s my two cents: http://riveraveblues.com/2010/.....nt-1097534
  - Jake
    
    Thanks! Maybe not as bad as I thought.
- Apollo22237
  
  RB wise you are all set. At WR Austin is good, Housh is on a good team, and Bush actually has a quarterback now. Not great but you have a good one in Austin. Gates is a higher up TE, you’re defense has a chance at being one of the best, but also faces a very tough schedule. The kicker is on a high scoring team so you are fine there.
  The only thing I don’t like is Cutler at QB, but he has talent.
  This is just my opinion though and without looking at other teams in your league, your’s is not bad.
  - Slappy White
    
    I thought Housh got released yesterday
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      He signed with Baltimore today.
Carlosologist

Jeez, the Rays work quickly.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Lester threw like ten million billion pitches, though they did only get the one run
https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo

Is there anything more annoying than losing to Baltimore?

Not a concerning loss, just plain annoying?
- Pat D
  
  Losing to the Pirates?
  
  /ouch Braves fans’d
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    Braves: Here, Philadelphia. YOU take the division.
    Phillies: No no, Atlanta, we insist. YOU take the division.
    Braves: Oh no – we couldn’t. YOU take the division.
    Phillies: Nah, you know, it’s just, we’re tired of it. YOU take the division.
    - Pat D
      
      Mets and Marlins: Can we have something to say about this?
      
      Braves and Phillies: No!
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Nationals: Hey we’re here too – ahhh fuck it, Strasburg’s out, we’re getting no attention til 2012
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Losing to Boston ;)
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  Gardner bunting
Pat D

Should be good with Peterson, Austin and Gates. Grant’s solid. Longwell will be OK. Some question marks otehrwise.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Does anyone else’s Google Chrome get this white bar on the bottom sometimes? It’s very annoying, how do I fix it?

Also, I apologize for being super cranky/bitchy during the Game Thread today.
- http://www.richardiurilli.com Richard Iurilli
  
  Does it appear where the download bar would normally appear? That happens to me all the time.
  
  I haven’t found a permanent solution yet, but restoring and maximizing (or vice versa, depending on what size you use your browser at) fixes it on a tab-by-tab basis.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    Yep, that’s exactly what happens. It’s what I’ve been doing, just it’s terribly annoying. Thanks, though. :)
- http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
  
  Based on the things you were being “cranky/bitchy” about, I see no reason for you to apologize.
Johan Iz My Brohan

I missed my Fantasy Football draft, so the autodraft led to this abomination:

Name: ThemCrookedVultures (awesome band btw)

QB Jay Cutler, Eli Manning
WR Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Devin Aromashodu, Antonio Bryant
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, DeAngelo Williams, Thomas Jones
TE Antonio Gates, John Carlson
K Stephen Gostkowski
D MIN, NYG

—————
Luckily, my Fantasy Hockey draft went a bit better:

Name Oshie Didn’t! (TJ Oshie of the St. Louis Blues for you non hockey fans)

Starters:
C Jonathan Toews, Matt Duchene
LW Ilya Kovalchuk, Mason Raymond
RW Jonathan Franzen, Dustin Brown
D Tyler Myers, Tobias Enstrom, Niklas Kromwall, Jay Bouwmeester
G Tuuka Rask

Bench
LW Taylor Hall
D Marc Staal
C/LW Patrick Sharp
C Brandon Dubinsky
G Dan Ellis

I’m basically hoping for big years from Duchene, Raymond, Myers and Rask. If Taylor Hall goes 20G/30A/50P asa rookie on a crap Oilers team, that’s a bonus for me!
- Apollo22237
  
  Your Football team isn’t that bad, you have some WR with Johnson and Nicks and at least Manning should put up some points. You are stacked at RB though.
  
  Also, awesome hockey team.
  - Johan Iz My Brohan
    
    Ha, thanks! I don’t watch much football so I wasn’t sure (although seeing NYG defense, if it was like last years would be uglyyyy).
    - Apollo22237
      
      Minnesota has a pretty good D too, but like the Packers, they have a very tough schedule.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  KOVALCHUCK!!!!!
  
  #devilsfan
  - Apollo22237
    
    BOOOO!
    
    /rangersfan’d
    
    Now you made me sad that I remembered I’m a Rangers fan.
    - http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
      
      You can always be a Devils fan! Hockey in April and May and June is so much fun!
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      Ya know, many of us complain about Cashman and some of the moves he makes.
      
      On the bright side, he’s not a senile, 67-year-old GM who rests on the laurels of his accomplishments from another organization and signs washed up defencemen to 6 year deals.
      
      Rangers fans have reason to bitch and moan about their front office.
      - http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
        
        As a Devils fan, for me it’s the exact opposite. Look, I love Cashman and have tremendous respect for him, but Lou Lamiorello’s got a lot less to work with and has gotten it done.
      - Apollo22237
        
        Yes we do. I remember last season when there was a rumor that if the Rangers lost they were going to fire Sather. Now I don’t know if it actually would have happened, probably not, but I do wish they lost that game just to see.
      - http://twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        “Rangers fans have reason to bitch and moan about their front office.”
        
        Agreed. I’m sorry to do this because it’s just rubbing salt in the wound, but they’ve been mismanaged for a while. You won’t like this, but…
        
        CAP HITS
        
        Scott Gomez: $7.357
        Chris Drury: $7.050
        Ilya Kovulchuk: $6.667
        
        (I know he got rid of Gomer, but Sather still inked that deal and it was atrocious.)
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        The Gomez trade was actually pretty good considering his value was negative. The Redden and Rozsival deals were brutal. No one else wanted Redden, and he got 6/36. Rozy had one good year and got what, 5/25? Sheesh.
        
        http://twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Oh for sure, it was a definitely good move to get rid of Gomez’s contract… Just saying that he shouldn’t have given Gomez that contract in the first place.
        
        And yeah, those other deals… Not so hot.
http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist

Another terrific outing by IPK today.

8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, ND

http://espn.go.com/mlb/players.....erId=28864

He’s been up and down this year, but overall he’s had himself a nice season. I’ve always been a fan, so I’m happy to see him do well.
- Accent Shallow
  
  He has a higher ERA+ than Phil Hughes.
  
  (Anyone who would rather have IPK than Hughes, please raise your hand. Actually, at this point, I might rather have him than Joba)
  - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
    
    He’s outperformed AJ Burnett by over 40 points in ERA+. Anyone who advocated passing on signing AJ for IPK raise your hand.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      On the one hand, obviously Kennedy’s 2009 wasn’t nearly as good as Burnett’s, and he doesn’t do what Burnett did in WS Game 2.
      
      On the other hand, 2011-2013, there’s a nonzero chance that he’s the better pitcher, and for what, 45 million less?
      - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        But TEH ELECTRIC STUFF!!!!
        
        Speaking of which, do you know whose 89.5 MPH fastball has outperformed a 94.5 MPH fastball each of the past 3 seasons?
        
        http://www.fangraphs.com/stats.....itchvalues
        
        http://www.fangraphs.com/stats.....itchvalues
        
        You guessed it.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        I don’t think you can draw anything from Kennedy’s 1 inning in 2009.
        
        (This is one of my issues with pitch type values, but that is interesting, nonetheless)
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        My point was more about AJ than Ian.
        
        Averaged 94.5 MPH with the fastball, and it has been anywhere from a small to huge negative for him for 3 straight years. Almost makes you think there’s more to pitching than velocity, huh?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Are you serious about IPK over Hughes? Their numbers are pretty similar…
    
    IPK: 4.20 ERA, 165 IP, 24 HR, 3.3 BB/9, 7.9 K/9
    Hughes: 4.29 ERA, 155.1 IP, 22 HR, 2.8 BB/9, 7.4 K/9
    
    Of course, there’s the difference in division, and Hughes is 20 months younger.
    - Magnus Stultus
      
      Hughes has the potential of becoming an ace in AL EAST.
      
      IPK has the potential of being a slightly better than average starter in the NL.
      
      I think IPK would have gotten destroyed with his fringe repertoire in the AL East.
      - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Right, because guys like James Shields just can’t compete in the AL East.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        James Shields has a better repertoire than IPK does.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      No, I’d much rather have Hughes than Kennedy. That was more of a “I didn’t see this coming, but I’d rather have Hughes long term, regardless.”
      
      I am disappointed by how much Hughes’ K-rate has come down, but so it goes.
      - Magnus Stultus
        
        Phil needs another out pitch. A change up would compliment his fb perfectly IMO.
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        No, he just needs to be less predictable. He has plenty to work with.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        Do you mean using change ups and curves in a spot where he normally throws his fastball?
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Yeah, just mixing in his breaking pitches more. Phil is prone to having trouble putting hitters away because he likes to go fatsball/cutter a lot (esp to Lefties) and everything is basically the same speed. Mix in the curve and you make the other two that much more effective. Drop in a curve for strike 3 and they have no chance.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        Mix in the curve and you make the other two that much more effective. Drop in a curve for strike 3 and they have no chance.
        ———————–
        I am in agreement with mixing his curve in those spots. As to why I think he could use the change up as an out pitch.
        
        1.I don’t think he has the confidence and command to throw his curve in the zone all the time.
        
        2. sometimes, a curve simply won’t get the strike call due to it’s vertical movements in the zone.
        
        Therefore, I think a plus change up is a better offering as an out pitch. Especially, when 65? percent of his pitches he throws is fastball. He has the chang up already in his back pocket . Why not try to master it? Of course, it will take time.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  The best park of IPK’s day was the leadoff double he had in the 8th inning.
  
  It was shameful how Arizona couldn’t get him home.
- Corey
  
  Ian Kennedy is also pitching in the weak NL West not the powerhouse AL East, good move getting him out of here.
Carlosologist

Ortiz gives Boston the lead. I must now go take a shower for rooting for a Big Papi homer.
https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo

Hah, Ortiz hits a two run home run, I do my usual (unusual) finger point, and it quickly dawns on me I was doing my sign of approval in a pro-Sox manner.

Hah, this is fun.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  …aaaaaaaaaaand another.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  Why in the world would I ever drop a “hah” twice in one post?
  
  That’s not a smart job of posting.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

WOOOO ORTIZ

(throws up)
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  also if Andy comes off the DL and pitches like Neimann has since coming off the DL I will cry for-fucking-ever
  - Slappy White
    
    No chance that happens . Its September, and hes Andy P.
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      That, and Niemann’s a tall guy who had an arm injury.
      
      That can seriously wreck mechanics. Andy shouldn’t have the same problems.
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Well it’s not like Andy’s a short guy, though no one’s as crazy tall as Niemann. Though I agree – different injuries/mechanics. I’m just really paranoid about my Pettitte okay ;_; ;_; ;_;
Slappy White

This pulling for the Red Sox is some disturbing shit
- Carlosologist
  
  the only good thing about it, no matter how disgusting, is that we know they are not making the playoffs. They have no shot.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I feel so dirty
- seimiya
  
  i can’t do it. i just can’t. i’m rooting for no one.
Johan Iz My Brohan

Ever since that ‘other team in NY which is run by clowns’ gave up another grand slam today, I’ve wanted to start a website/blog about embarrassing baseball statistics and facts. The Mets would get a huge section of their own just for the amount of embarrassment they cause.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  The Mets have given up I think 11 grand slams and hit none of their own. They’re the only team in MLB without a grand slam.
  
  And that site could basically just be like “Let’s laugh at the Mets.”
  - Kit
    
    My grandparents would not appreciate that website or that stat. My grandmother actually gave me a speech today during dinner about how the Yankees are conceited. I laughed at her.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  You do read YCPB, yes? =D
  - Apollo22237
    
    YCPB doesn’t apply to the Mets, because you can always predict they will suck.
https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo

Rocco Baldelli’s first plate appearance back in a Rays uniform yesterday. What does he do?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play......d=11743665

Well played, sir.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

I’m not rooting for the Red Sox, I’m rooting against the Rays
Jose the Satirist

So does anybody else think something is still wrong with Niemann?
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  Hell yes.
- seimiya
  
  Looks like it.
- Slappy White
  
  For one thing, he’s a bit of an ogre
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I think so. There’s no way he goes from being that unhittable to being so awful. But the Rays are a really smart organization and they do have Hellickson plus a nice lead for the playoffs if not the division, so it’s not like they ran him back there out of desperation….
  - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
    
    Like I said earlier, it has to be due to him not having mechanics in perfect step due to his size. Mechanics are a bitch for tall guys, and the slightest problems yield huge problems.
    
    He has zero fastball command.
  - Jose the Satirist
    
    In 7% of his total innings pitched he has allowed 30% of his total earned runs for the year. Ouch.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      In Niemann’s first two starts off the DL before today, he gave up 17 ER in 8.1 IP. He gave up 17 ER in April and May combined. Fucking ouch.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    I don’t think he should have been unhittable at all to begin with, so . . .
seimiya

If Shoppach and Pena missed that play, I would have laughed my ass off.
http://www.twitter.com/TomZig Tom Zig

61 pitches for Niemann already? Hot damn.

Oh and God damn you Twitter for refusing to reinstate my account.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  Dice-K esque.
Cecala

Since I really have no idea about 1/2 my team I will post my Football team and be annoying.

QB Drew Brees
RB Rashard Mendenhall
RB Ronnie Brown
RB/WR Reggie Bush
WR Greg Jennings
WR Steve Breaston
TE Antonio Gates
D/ST Jets
K David Akers

Bench
QB Chad Henne
RB Chester Taylor
WR Derrick Mason
WR Josh Morgan
TE Kevin Boss
QB Alex Smith
RB Joe McKnight

Any trades switches swaps recommended?
- Apollo22237
  
  Haha, I am liking seeing teams a commenting. I know no one cares about my opinion, but whatever. Nice job at QB of course, and that Jets D obviously as a chance at being very very good. I am sure the Revis signing makes you happy.
  One thing I might switch is getting Derrick Mason in at WR over Breaston. I had him last year and he is very underrated. Flacco is in his 3rd year as QB and Mason is a good WR. The only thing I would be worried about is that the Ravens now have a good WR core as opposed to the past. Less throws might go Mason’s way. On the other hand, with Boldin on the team and Houshmandzadeh, he might also be open more iwht coverage and double coverage going to the other guys.
  - Apollo22237
    
    I meant “open more WITH” in the last sentence
  - Apollo22237
    
    Also I didn’t take into account that Boldin leaving will mean more passes to Breaston. But again, there is no more Kurt Warner so I guess play it by ear.
- Reggie C.
  
  Chad Henne as your QB2 is a bit of a luxury. You’re not likely to start him more than once. Trade Henne and see if you can swing an upgrade at WR 2. Henne should be starting for somebody in your league.
  - Cecala
    
    Thats why I picked him up because I figured he would be good trade bait
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

What the what

“Peña fathered his first son at just ten years old in November 1988, with his future wife Pamela, who was thirteen at the time.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....sonal_life

He’s still hot as shit though.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  O_O
- Slappy White
  
  That is the craziest shit I have ever heard
- http://www.twitter.com/TomZig Tom Zig
  
  GTFO, his son is 2 yrs younger than me?!?
- Accent Shallow
  
  Do you have a non-Wikipedia source? Seems like an article like this might mention that, but it doesn’t.
  - Slappy White
    
    kgb says he doesnt have a son, just a daughter……but who knows
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
  
  Wow. And I always thought Jose Mesa got a young start.
  - http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
    
    Ok, this Pena thing is definitely bogus. Mesa is still the king.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      Meh, Joey Table was probably 16 when he had that kid.
- Jose the Satirist
  
  HAHA. You guys know that isn’t real, right?
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    I hope not o_O
  - Slappy White
    
    Cnt we still run with it though ?
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
  
  Carlos, wife Pamela and daughter Isabella (4) reside in Orlando…they are expecting their second child in August
  
  This is from his mlb.com bio. He moved to MA when he was 12 so I don’t know how well the timeline lines up.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

Question posed to me: What will Jesus Montero’s home run call be?

The floor is open…
- Slappy White
  
  Jesus Fuckin Montero Suzyn, What a Blast
  
  /xmradio’d
- http://fmylife.com Bryan
  
  Jesus hits one into the sky and beyond!
  
  (It’s a work in progress)
- Sheepmeister
  
  Jesus crucifies one!!!
  
  FWIW, my wife says Montero’s on the money.
  - seimiya
    
    Oh, you know SOMEONE is going to call up being offended with that one.
    - Poopy Pants
      
      I just thought of one that is REALLLLLY offensive. Too bad humor isn’t allowed here.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  Montero mashes one.
  
  Jesus jacks one (that’s what she said?).
  
  Montero makes ‘em pay.
  
  I don’t know. Something.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  “Crucify that, (pitcher’s name here)!”
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
  
  A MONSTER MASH BY MONTERO!
  
  Sponsored (of course) by Mitsubishi Montero
- Poopy Pants
  
  “Jeeee-sus, Ya just pleeeased us…with a home run…ooohhh!”
Slappy White

I hate these ugly ass non-school colored uniforms Va Tech are wearing tonight…..Fuckin Nike sellouts
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  I actually quite like them, but then I went to a school whose color is ORANGE
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Lester, to Niemann: Anything you can do I can do… better?
- Slappy White
  
  They will torture us tonight.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    There’s already been over 135 pitches thrown, and that was BEFORE the Baldelli at-bat. It’s the middle of the third inning.
    
    #badpitching
- seimiya
  
  Neimann: At least I’m not Jon Le—shit.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

I’m so bad at Fantasy Football that my team will come in last place despite the fact that I’m not in a league anywhere.
Slappy White

Damn, Boise State is putting the Bully Beatdown on Va Tech
http://yanksdraftsandprospects.blogspot.com/ Jake H

awesome catch there.
Carlosologist

This is my new favorite song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVksHCi7n7c (slightly NSFW)
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Aside from “Knocked Up,” Katherine Heigel pisses me the hell off. Even in that movie she’s kind of annoying.
- http://twitter.com/Brad_Toughy Brad Toughy
  
  I totally agree. I just can’t stand her and really don’t have a reason why. She just seems like a bitch.
- Kit
  
  She tries too hard to be funny. She’s a terrible actress, in my opinion.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Worse than Katherine Heigl — the actress playing her sister in that movie. Eeek.
- Slappy White
  
  Shes not even as hot as she used to be either
- Poopy Pants
  
  She’s gone totally downhill since ‘My Father The Hero’. In every way.
seimiya

Anyone think the Padres are going to win today? I know, it’s a longshot, but…
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  If Latos was pitching, I’d say definitely. They are still going up against the pathetic Dodgers.
  - seimiya
    
    But he’s not. :(
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      Yeah, I still think they win, Dodgers are awful, especially not at home.
  - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
    
    What a useless conundrum of mine.
    
    On one hand, I really want to see the Dodgers fail badly enough to fall below .500 (69-68 right now), but being the firm believer in Rocktober that I am, I want to see them win the next the nights.
    
    Yikes.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      We’ve discussed this, but… Rocktober!!!!! \o/
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        And why do you hate the Dodgers? Just Torre stuff?
        
        https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
        
        Nothing to do with Torre, actually. I’ve felt for a few years now that they’re one of the most overrated teams in baseball, and it annoyed me a bit when I would hear them mentioned amongst the best teams in the league, when they weren’t even close to it. It’s why I was fuming when the Yankees were on the verge of losing two of three to them back in June (though the comeback was even sweeter because of that).
        
        I think most people have finally realized they aren’t that good a team. Now I hope the Rockies realize that before they go to LA and get their asses kicked again.
      - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
        
        The nation needs to see CarGo go batshit insane again like he did last year.
        
        Ideally, the Rockies win the division and Phils the WC. It would give the NL it’s best possible field.
        
        Also, in reading a Rockies blog today, I finally found the perfect line to describe us lemmings who want good things of the Rockies:
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU
        
        Far too truthful.
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      *next three nights.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  No. The Padres will lose every game the rest of the way out.
  
  /half serious’d
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    and still win the NL West because it’s that bad
    - Jerome S
      
      It’s that bad.
      - Magnus Stultus
        
        I am sure this is spoken with some degree of hyperbole and sarcasm. At first glance, AL West and NL Central are just so much worse than NL West. As we speak, NL West can boast four teams over the .500 mark.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Just because the AL West and NL Central are terrible doesn’t mean the NL West isn’t also really really bad. I do feel like pretty much all the teams in the AL West are well-run, which I can’t say for the NLC or NLW.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        No, two bad doesn’t make one good I guess :)
        But if you look at the NL West’s run differentials. It’s actually pretty good.
        SD + 102
        SF + 73
        CO + 49
        LA + 2
        it’s just one way of evaluating the strength of a division. I don’t care about NL West that much to look into further. but it’s not bad.
        
        http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
        
        I don’t think the NL West is that bad outside of the Dodgers. The Rockies are well run, the Padres seem to have a good new regime, Sabean makes his fair share of boneheaded moves but no worse than the average GM, and Arizona might’ve had a horrendous bullpen, but I don’t think anyone expected guys like Qualls and Gutierrez to be as bad as they were.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Eh. Agreed re: Rockies, but the Padres fired their GM because of how bad their roster looked pre-season. They weren’t supposed to contend. Arizona’s interim GM is clearly an embarrassment and while I don’t think Sabean is there, he’s not a particularly good GM either.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  It’s a coin toss . So yeah, I think they might. But I would prefer them to lose because it will provide better drama in the NL WEST.
  
  I think I am more interested in seeing a car wreck in progress than a nice Cinderella story.
  
  come to think of it , that’s pretty much how the Media in general operates.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

LOL Sonnanstine
- seimiya
  
  He gave up two intentional walks in a row.
  
  Wait.
  
  That second one wasn’t intentional?
  
  Woops.
  
  (And… he’s thrown more balls than strikes this outing.)
https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo

Finger point to Ryan Kalish.

Yankees again stay 2.5 clear despite losing. That’s nice.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

ATTN: Not Tank the Frank:

I had no idea you were from Greenwich, too.

#highfive
- http://twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Big Red is taking over this place.
  - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
    
    We need a girl from Greenwich here so she can do “Rockin’ Robin” at halftime.
    - http://twitter.com/JoeRo23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Ha, dude, that was way too many years and mind-altering substances ago for me to remember.
Jerome S

Actual warning label on a Swedish chainsaw “Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals”

In actual baseballing stuff, I want the Padres to get the piss beaten out of them. As I write this, I am wearing an SF Giants hat. Don’t ask why.

“ONE TIME!!”
MattG

Didn’t I hear Kay announce Pettitte would pitch Wednesday in Trenton? I got my tickets, right next to the Thunder dugout, as soon as I heard that.

I don’t care much, as I’ve seen Pettitte pitch plenty. But my 9 year old really wants his jersey signed. Now I have tickets for the wrong day. Drat.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It’s Thursday now, they changed it so Andy stays on a five-day schedule. Sorry. :(
Kit

Boston’s epic lolpen walking in runs again. *amused*
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

OMFG Boston pen, get outs you assponies >:(
- CBean
  
  I can actually see them blowing this.
  - Kit
    
    That would just be hilarious and sad.
    - CBean
      
      And Tampa’s like taken out half of its team even! Boston why do you suck so much.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    Anything is really DOABLE when you have 5 aces.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      You capitalized the wrong word there. “Anything is really doable when you have FIVE ACES” would be correct. ;)
      - Kit
        
        FIVE ACES!!
        
        (unnecessary for me to add this)
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        It’s always necessary!!!
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        If you count Casey Kelly, that is SIX ACES. How the fuck are you suppose to compete with that?
        
        Kit
        
        The Red Sox have SIX ACES and HEART? WE’RE DOOOOOOOMED.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        http://dumbshtireadonnyyfans.t.....gs-without
        
        I just… what.
        
        Kit
        
        What in the fuck.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        I think I shared that earlier, but as the original post, actually. Point still stands, it is batshit crazy.
        
        Kit
        
        Yeah, I read it earlier and it still doesn’t make any sense to me.
        
        https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
        
        The Jeter face on the side is classic.
        
        One of the best irrelevant moments of 2009. Mo’s RBI, that is, not the save he got that night.
- https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
  
  Yesterday was awesome.
  
  Tonight might be our comeuppance.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Ryan Kalish just stole a base up six, ruh roh.
- CBean
  
  Unwritten rules?
- Kit
  
  HE GON’ DIE.
  
  (also unnecessary but that was my reaction)
- Magnus Stultus
  
  Can Carlos Pena throw an equally impressive clothesline as Sanchez did with Nyjer Morgan ?
  - Kit
    
    I say yes. Judging by how the Red Sox players fight (getting flipped over/not taking off your mask), he probably won’t need to though. I’m all for bench clearing Boston/Tampa Bay brawls. Have at it, bitches.
    
    /unladylike
    - Magnus Stultus
      
      Haha, I like your style. One point of caution is to watch out for the all out assaults of one Dustin Pedroia ;He does purely on grit and possibly with one leg at this point!
      
      Are you ready ?
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        I now have this mental image of Pedroia beating some guys up with some crutches. Hahahahhaa.
        
        Kit
        
        Haha…hilarious.
    - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
      
      http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/mul.....hields.jpg
      - Kit
        
        Crisp isn’t on the Red Sox to start shit anymore. =(
      - Accent Shallow
        
        Leading with his pitching hand?
        
        Someone show that dope Bull Durham
Kit

Wow, you butchered that word, announcer man.
Captain Bawls

I always draft a couple FF teams in case one’s a real flop, and I think this one was the better of the two. 10 team, Yahoo league:

QB – Aaron Rodgers
WR – Andre Johnson
WR – Greg Jennings
WR – Mike Wallace
RB – Cedric Benson
RB – Beanie Wells
TE – Jermichael Finley
K – Ryan Longwell
D – Jets

B – Marion Barber (RB)
B – Vincent Jackson (WR)
B – Matt Ryan (QB)
B – Clinton Portis (RB)
B – Dustin Keller (TE)
B – Sidney Rice (WR)
- Apollo22237
  
  I’m loving the amount of Packers on the team. Finley is going to have a crapton of points this year. I wonder if you should trade Matt Ryan though to maybe pick up a RB or something. The only time you won’t use Rodgers is the bye week, so who knows. God forbid he gets hurt though, but then at that point thousands of people are screwed.
  - Captain Bawls
    
    Haha, yeah, I’m a Packers fan, too. Rodgers fell to #9, and then Johnson was still around at #12, so I couldn’t resist.
    And yeah, I love Finley – he’s going to be absolutely beast, I think. He was a steal for where I got him.
    
    As for Ryan, I nabbed him relatively late, and I think he’s going to be a lot better this year. I think, even though he’ll just be rotting on the bench for the time being, that I’m better off waiting for his value to rise before shopping him. I think Wells will be huge in Arizona with an uncertain QB situation there, and my backups have potential if they’re healthy.
    - Apollo22237
      
      Yea good idea. And like I said god forbid Rodgers misses a few games at least you will have a good QB still.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

for anyone that missed Papelbon yesterday

http://i618.photobucket.com/al.....bombed.jpg
- Kit
  
  I feel like his expression says it all.
https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo

bex : NYYfans :: Carcillo : WasWatching

Something about frequent lunacy gets me. Somehow, I think Stevie knows his baseball, but would rather play the role of firestarter and get a rise out of his readers. We always magnify Yankee flaws, but seem to forget the other AL playoff teams have their own flaws, and their flaws are worse than those of the Yankees’ flaws.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Hahaha
  
  That’s why I can’t stand WW. I think the guy knows his baseball, but he is so endlessly negative. It doesn’t help that he’s said things I’ve found actually vaguely offensive, either. At NYYFans they just don’t know any better.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  All of this.
  - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
    
    Except I don’t purposefully drive myself nuts with things like that…well, sometimes with WFAN. I like screaming in my car to the stuffed monkey my GF gave me. One day, he’ll answer back and agree with me.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  also re: the flaws of other teams, here’s an excellent article from Yankeeist on a doom-and-gloom article by Will Leitch.
  
  http://www.yankeeist.com/2010/.....nd-he.html
  - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
    
    Hah, that’s exactly what Stevie’s most recent piece was in response to.
    
    http://waswatching.com/2010/09.....-downfall/
    
    Not surprisingly, he agreed with him. And, of course, said this season is certain to end with all of us unhappy with the outcome.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      Oh lord, how awful.
      
      It’s a shame that the Yankees front office has turned a blind eye to this as it has been unfolding. Because, now, it may be too late to do anything about it.
      
      Is he just ignoring the whole attempted Cliff Lee trade…?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Don’t even read that shit. I stopped reading WW during the All Star break and I haven’t gone back since. He adds nothing of value to my life. Same stuff over and over and over.
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Did you know if you removed all the games the Yankees won, they wouldn’t have won a game all season?
- Kit
  
  I’ve never read WW but I agree with what you said regarding how some fans tend to forget that other teams have their flaws as well. I just think the flailing and bitching is a result of being spoiled by the Yankees’ winning ways. Not saying that they should lose to humble anyone, but that some people expect perfection throughout the season, and that’s just not how the game works.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    Do you guys ever read Lohud? There is a cat by the name of CB , he can drop some serious knowledges on you. He stupefies me with his takes on baseball and statistics in general.
  - https://twitter.com/Carcillo_ Carcillo
    
    What everyone remembers from 2009 is that they went 76-31 after June 24, curbstomping everyone en route to winning the World Series. That’s a .710 win percentage, pretty ridiculously good. 43-11 at home after that date, good for a .796 win percentage.
    
    Even if this team is/was better than that team, those marks of winning were simply unsustainable. Yet because ’09 did it, naturally the regression that would occur with this team leaves everyone concerned that this team simply doesn’t have “it” like that team did.
    
    The Yankees had six winning streaks of seven or more games last year, longest being a nine gamer in May. This team has only had two such streaks, and one of them just ended yesterday. At the same time, this team hasn’t had a losing streak of longer than three games all year (they’ve had four such streaks).
    
    Compare that to a team like Tampa, who has shown more variance this year, and you have a team that is unpredictable come playoff time. With Tampa, it wouldn’t shock anyone if they won the World Series, or if they flamed out in four games in the ALDS. Ditto Chicago if they win the Central. The Yankees have less variance, and I’m just fine with that.
    
    But you’re right. We’re all spoiled by this team’s successes, and we should be more reasonable with our expectations. At the end of the day, this team has the best record and run diff. in the best division in baseball. They must be doing something right.
    - Kit
      
      Agreed entirely. I actually think they haven’t lost 3 games in a row at all. Tampa is unpredictable, but what makes them so “scary” is their starting pitching, which is pretty good at this point (but not unbeatable) and because the team reached a bit of a bump, people freaked. I understand that frustration because I experience it as well, but some people being completely batshit insane about their expectations about how the team should be performing just makes us look bad and spoiled as fans. Like you said, they have the best record in the best division in baseball, so people flipping their lid over the recent losses to the Orioles and the Jays (who are a good enough team to avoid getting swept), is ridiculous.
      - Kit
        
        Oh wait, they did lose 3 in a row in June.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    Yankee fans of my generation has seen nothing but winning. Our standard of expectations are pretty unreal on a yearly basis. But in general, I am not amazed by the overt stupidities and reactionaries on any blogs. It’s a small sample of the world we live in.
    - Kit
      
      I’m 22, so all I know is the Yankees winning and that nine year gap between 2000 and 2009.
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        Ditto. Do I wish I was around earlier than that? Yeah. But it’s not like there’s anything I can do about it and I think I have a pretty decent sense of perspective.
        
        Plus my mom had season tickets or something like that in 1991 (!!!!).
        
        Kit
        
        Agreed on the perspective thing. I like to think I’m realistic in assessing the team as it is, and it has nothing to do with my age.
        
        http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
        
        I think the only people who don’t get it among our generation are people who are like “anything less than the World Series is failure.” That’s retarded. I don’t think being overly negative is a product of not experiencing failure- I’m optimistic as a Knicks fan and I’m pretty sure the past couple of decades haven’t been filled with overwhelming success in MSG.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        I am basing this on my friends and myself. Most of them (20-30) are rotten spoiled Yankees fans. I think growing up in a world of instant gratifications and righteous self entitlements (both of which i am guilty of at times) has made us less receptive to anything but winning a championship.
        
        Haha, maybe it’s just my friends and myself made me majority people of my age are spoiled.If I did offend my peers I do so unintentionally.
        
        Magnus Stultus
        
        correction : made me feel that the majority
ZZ

I saw that “Brad Toughy” responded to something I said in the game thread and I didn’t see the response until just now.

It has been about the 4th or 5th time someone has said to me, we get it you hate so and so player. What kind of bullshit response is that?

If you don’t have something intelligent to say to counter my point then don’t respond with something bush league like I hate the player. I am a huge Yankee fan. I don’t hate anyone on this team.

Sorry for this mini rant, but that is ridiculous. I hate AJ Burnett. What am I a Red Sox fan?

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