Saturday Night Open Thread

May 26, 2012 by Mike Axisa 85 Comments

You may have seen it already, but if not, that video of Lower Columbia College outfielder Derrick Salberg making a game-saving catch has been circulating through the netweb. It helps that the fence is like, two feet ball, but Salberg gets an A+ for effort. Had his feet not still been in the field of play at the time of the catch, it would have been a homer. Dude really sold out for it.

Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. The Rays and Red Sox are your FOX prime time game (Price vs. Beckett) though some of you may have another game depending on where you live. MLB Network will air a late West Coast game tonight as well. Apparently there’s also an NBA Game Seven tonight, and Game Sevens are always fun. Talk about whatever you want here tonight. Have at it.

pat

Seems like it would make more sense to put Gonzo in RF where he wouldn’t have as much ground to cover.
- pat
  
  Durr LF
Tyrone Sharpton

3hrs 23rbi .268 avg .332OBP .408SLG .740OPS
VS
8hrs 28rbi .248avg .308OBP .455SLG .762OPS

For all the criticism Tex gets, those are his numbers on the bottom…Adrian Gonzalez’s stats are on top. AGon is seen as a supastah, the crown jewel of his team, but ladies and gents, he’s also had a slow start too…why not rip him? B/c the Red Sox have enough problems as is? People should recognize Tex as still being an elite 1B in this league, even though he gets overshadowed by his teammates. Glad some of the bashing can be put to rest for a night.
- radnom
  
  What are you talking about, Red Sox fans have been complaining about Adrian all season, and rightfully so.
  
  Just because Gonzalez is sucking this season doesn’t make Texiera’s year any better.
  - Steve (different one)
    
    There is a very good point in here, because it’s not just this year.
    
    I saw this from a poster on BTF, never would have noticed myself:
    
    Adrian Gonzalez, over the last 3 years + this year so far:
    
    ISO: .274, .213, .210, .137
    
    Walk rate: 17.5%, 13.4%, 10.3%, 8.1%
    
    Strikeout rate: 16%, 16.5%, 16.6%, 19.7%
    
    HR/FB%: 22.2%, 16.4%, 16.4%, 5.7%
    
    It doesn’t make Teixeira’s year any better, but I think the point about the perceptions between the two are not without merit.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      I remain unconvinced that his right shoulder is healthy. Had surgery two offseasons ago, said last September that it was still fatigued.
      - radnom
        
        His power numbers have been dipping ever since that surgery. You would think the move from Petco to Fenway would’ve helped, but I wonder how much more drastic the decline would have been without it.
        
        MannyGeee
        
        funny, ESPN sold me 50+ HRs from A-Gon at Fenway. who knew?
        
        radnom
        
        Because they should have predicted his shoulder problems?
        If you feel that way, I’m sure you hold Cashman to the same standard regarding Pineda.
        
        jjyank
        
        To be fair, A-Gon had shoulder surgery BEFORE many of the predictions of his greatness at Fenway. Much that that “greatest team ever” nonsense was written after his surgery.
        
        His surgery was one of the main reasons I was skeptical of all of those articles at the time. Not trying to tell the Boston media “I told you so”, but it’s not the same situation was Pineda.
        
        radnom
        
        True, please understand my comment was very tongue in cheek. My point was there was really no reason to suspect such a sharp injury decline back then, and the prediction of his increase in HR in Fenway was a good one at the time. If he played for the Yankees, everyone would be defending the trade – and rightfully so. It was the right move at the time.
        
        jjyank
        
        Oh absolutely, I agree with you on that. It was the right move at the time. Tongue-in-cheek/sarcasm meters can be difficult to use on the internet sometimes.
        
        I was personally wary of Gonzalez’s shoulder at the time, and it turns out that I had reason to be in hindsight, but he’s still an elite player even without the power. But I bet even in hindsight, the Red Sox wouldn’t undo that trade, and I probably wouldn’t either.
      - Steve (different one)
        
        Yeah, its not like he still wasn’t very good last year, just would have expected the ISO to jump moving from Petco to Fenway.
        
        Unfortunately I am sure he’ll be fine, but we are also 4 years into Teixeira’s time in NY. There are some signs that 2014 A-Gon might not be so far off from the Teixeira experience.
        
        Plus they traded the first simultaneous pitching and batting triple crown winner, Casey Kelly, to get him….
    - radnom
      
      I disagree, because I think you guys have a warped perspective of how Adrian is viewed amongst his own fan base. There have been numerous articles in the Boston media detailing his decline and measuring it back over a few years. The fans are frustrated about it, just as Yankee fans are frustrated with Teixera.
      
      This weird persecution complex is completely made up.
      
      http://www.boston.com/sports/t.....mments=all
      
      http://articles.boston.com/201.....-franchise
      
      http://m.weei.com/sports/bosto.....n-gonzalez
      
      Go ahead and show me any recent article/forum where he is considered a “superstah” or “gem of the franchise”.
      - jjyank
        
        Agreed. I have quite a few Red Sox fan friends, since my undergrad days were spend in Red Sox territory. I was in Boston last weekend visiting a bunch of them, and most of them were bitching about Adrian the same way we bitch about Tex.
  - Tyrone Sharpton
    
    how many mainstream ESPN articles are out there focusing on AGon’s struggles?
    - radnom
      
      I posted 3 above. Where are the ones supporting your view?
- Brian S.
  
  Yeah Teixeira might have a wRC+ over 90 after that stat padding home run in the 9th. What a beast.
  - Steve (different one)
    
    Missing the point..
    - Steve (different one)
      
      Actually, I take that back. I missed the part where Tyrone called Teixeira elite. Strike my comment.
  - eephus_pitch
    
    That was very rude and selfish of him to hit that homer.
    COMPILER!
  - Need Pitching
    
    104 and rising
pat

Wow hambone. One can only wonder the FA contract he would have signed had he stayed in baseball and played like this. He’d probably be a Yankee. Hahah
Robinson Tilapia

GREAT game. Was worried about getting jinxed today. All for naught. Glad to see Tex get over that STD and start hitting fingers.

Also just bought an IPad today. Curious as to what have been the best and most unexpected non-game uses from IPad owners.

Mobile commenting is so much better now.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Dingers, although fingers is a pretty funny autospell fail.
- Betty Lizard
  
  The iPad! The single best piece of technology I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned a lot, starting with an Apple IIc.
  
  My iPad’s replaced my laptop 80% of the time. I keep my documents in sync with Dropbox. I keep my email and calender in sync with iCloud. I play my 9500 songs with iCloud and amazing bluetooth speakers.
  
  Favorite uses:
  
  -MLB TV, of course
  -reading blogs (try Atomic Web browser as an alternative for Safari. Atomic has much more robust tabs and navigation controls but some sites like Safari better.)
  -watching Netflix
  -keeping painlessly current on email
  -reading books (synced via Kindle) and dictating reading notes with Dragon Dictate
  -replacing pounds of computer and paper by PDFing all my meeting agendas and documents and annotating them with PDF Expert or Notetaker HD (using a stylus)
  -drawing with ArtRage
  -editing photos with SnapSeed
  -learning to play the piano with an old USB keyboard hooked up to the iPad and GarageBand via the Camera Connection Kit
  -Playing Welder (I know, you said no games, but . . .)
  -Making wireless presentations with Apple TV and AirPlay
  -Keeping a visual journal with Notability
  -Managing a large creative writing project with Storyist (syncs between iPad and laptop!)
  - jjyank
    
    My parents have an ipad, and it’s cool but the issues I have are:
    
    1. No flash. WTF?
    
    2. No USB port. Seriously?
    
    I have a Macbook Pro laptop, love the company. But my computer > the ipad. Sure, the ipad is lighter and more portable…but my laptop can do more.
    
    It’s funny, I remember my senior year of undergrad, one of my roommates was an tech/Apple geek (he also had a Macbook Pro). And he says to me “DUDE the ipad is sooo sick. AND LOOK. You can get a keyboard attachment for it!!!”
    
    My response: “..so it will basically just but a touch-screen version of the laptop you already have?”
    
    Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool. But as far as I’m concerned, just a luxury. Nice if you want to take something on your commute, but I’ll pass unless I really just want to spend extra money.
    - jjyank
      
      just *be
    - Betty Lizard
      
      Well, my whole life is a commute: classrooms, studio, home, off site meetings, research travel . . . .
      
      1. I don’t need no stinking flash. Really.
      2. USB is so 2000, LOL. And, as noted above, one can connect certain USB things (cameras, MIDI keyboards) to an iPad.
      
      Like a lot of things, the interface either works for you or not. As a nomadic, visual-kinesthetic learner, it was made for me. It’s not for everyone.
      
      I love my MacBookPro. And when I’m editing images and video and using topographic software and using my 30″ monitor, there’s no good substitute. But the rest of the time, I can do all my work and all my play on my iPad, with a lot less weight.
      
      And in the classroom (University teaching) there’s just no substitute.
      
      Hey, you have a MacBookPro and you’re a lucky guy. But I’m luckier. :-)
      - jjyank
        
        Meh. I guess it work for you if you’re on the go, but from what I see, the only advantage of the ipad is size/weight. Not enough for me to drop a few hundred bucks.
        
        Betty Lizard
        
        Besides the portability, which would be enough for me, I found that it is all about the apps. There are big parts of my workflow that I can only do on an iPad.
        
        So for me it’s the best piece of tech I’ve ever had. I bought it on a whim. Who knew it would make me more productive?
        
        jjyank
        
        I just don’t see what the apps can do that either my computer or phone can’t. And I have used an ipad. Just don’t see the advantage over a computer, unless you want to spend money for portability. Which is great if you can afford it, for sure. But if portability isn’t a huge issue for someone (me), I don’t see the appeal. My computer has those apps too.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Some of this is incredibly helpful. Thanks.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Some of this is incredibly helpful. Thanks.
- Pat D
  
  Isn’t it really just a glorified toy?
  - jjyank
    
    Kinda what I was driving at in my comment above.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Admit it: you want to borrow my IPad.
      - jjyank
        
        Nope. I’ve used one extensively enough to know that it’s cool, but an unnecessary luxury for most people with good laptops.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  I don’t know if you’re active on the stock market, but my friend uses the Etrade app, and I doubt his getting an iPad is unrelated to his current success.
- MannyGeee
  
  NexFlix/Hulu/HBOGo are good. the Kindle app is great. iPads are great to travel & commute with.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Thanks. Gotta check out hbo-go. Kindle app better than iBooks?
    - Betty Lizard
      
      I prefer Kindle. Reason? All my books are archived online. I just download what I need when I need it. And, I can sync it among my iPad, iPhone, laptop (and even my Kindle). Also, I do a lot of non fiction reading and highlight passages, which again are synced on line. I can go to Amazon, access my highlights or notes for a book, do a copy/paste into a text editor and save my highlights/reading notes with little or no typing.
Brian S.

I wish I could watch the Rays-Red Sox game. I want to see more fireworks.
Kramerica Industries

Didn’t get a chance to see the game today.

Hopefully Tex’s off-season “adjustments” are finally becoming fruitful.
- DM
  
  Actually he abandoned them a few days ago. No more trying to serve the ball the other way. He’s back to swinging for the fences.
  - CP
    
    At least as important is the fact that he’s finally getting healthy.
jay

what are two feet ball?
Nathan

I was at the game. Boy did CC bend during the early innings but true to himself, he didn’t break.

While waiting for parking to clear up, I was listening to the local A’s radio and man that guy is sour grapes: talked bad about Reggie for coming to the stadium in Yankee gear, bad about the Yankees for not signing autographs and giving interviews (because you know the a’s do it all day) and basically Chavez gets booed because he’s not on Thr A’s anymore. The years of service meant nothing, he gets booed. Reminded me of when Matsui came back and was cheered, not booed.
- MannyGeee
  
  but wait…. I thought the Yankees fans were the classless ones.
jjyank

So…any RABers in D.C.? I have a job offer and am about to sign a lease on an apartment…unfortunately, the only person I know in the area is m ex-girlfriend. So that doesn’t count. And I also have an extra ticket to the Yankees-Nationals game on June 17th as a byproduct of that. So any RABers around?
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Congrats dude, and you’ll make work friends, and neighbor friends.
- The Troll
  
  :( That’s so sad. Too much weed and video games is your problem, son.
  - jjyank
    
    I haven’t smoked weed in two years, flapjack.
    
    My problem would be moving to a new city/state where I know very few people. I’m failing to see the connection there. Oh wait…*looks as handle* I get it. Troll. Right.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  DC’s an awesome town. You’ll do great. I moved to NYC 11 years ago only knowing one person.
  - jjyank
    
    I’m really excited. It’ll be a sick experience. I’ve lived there for an internship a few years ago, but it’ll be sweet to be there permanently.
- jlagrav
  
  That stinks, my friend is in the same situation (minus the ex-girlfriend part) ask a co-worker maybe?
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Anybody see Harper taking second on the ball getting like 6 inches away from Heyward? I’m sorry but, huge mancrush.
- jjyank
  
  I bet you’d accept a BJ from HIM.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    No, I wouldn’t want to ruin his reputation…people still look down on dudes who blow other dudes.
    - jjyank
      
      Only in North Carolina.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        pft…you’d be surprised. My mom’s uncomfortable with my brother dating a girl with a gay brother. She’s never said anything about it but when ever he get’s brought up…which is a decent amount cause I’m friends with him, her entire demeanor changes.
        
        jjyank
        
        Oh I know. As you know, I was born and raised in Jersey. My best friend in high school was gay, I know how it is. I was just making a topical joke :P
        
        Pat D
        
        Put ‘em behind an electrified fence!
        
        /that one crazy “pastor”‘d
        
        Kramerica Industries
        
        Pastor of the Westborough Baptist Church?
        
        jjyank
        
        Very few people seem to realize this, but gay friends are the shit! Think about it. Greatest wingman ever, because 1. you never have to compete with them and 2. who are gay guys constantly surrounded by? women!
        
        They say a dog is a man’s best friend? Nah. Having a gay friend or two is waaaaaay better.
        
        I say this in a jesting tone, but both of those things are true. I will be forever grateful for my non-straight high school buddy who I credit for my of my hookups.
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        Everything he just said is true…Gay friends=excellent wing man. Funny story though: I’m pretty sure my gay friend had a crush on me for a while because at parties he’s get drunk and start coming on to me. I always was ok with it b/c he never took it to far and he had the reputation of being a man-whore.
        
        jjyank
        
        My gay friend (his name was Jake, because “gay friend” just sounds weird) had a ridiculous assortment of girl friends. It never had to be a deal with him coming on to me because he never actually came out of the closet in high school. We all knew it, but it took him a couple of extra years to be public about it. Same atributes though: a guy surrounded by hot women, and the guy had zero interest in them, and I profited!
        
        Pat D
        
        No, some guy in North Carolina last week.
MannyGeee

This C’s Sixeers game 7 is perty fun. both teams are kinda playing shitty, but its been nice and close just about all game.
Greg

Fernando Rodney in Fenway. Spells disaster
- Kramerica Industries
  
  That bastard was due to blow a save eventually.
  
  15-15 prior to tonight. Which never made any sense given how crappy he’s been his entire career.
Kramerica Industries

Rodney vs. Saltalamacchia

The first pitch was a sign of things to come. Salty was sitting dead red, and wasn’t missing a second straight, straight fastball.
Greg

Jarrod Saltalamacchia knocks out Rodney with a pinch hit 2 run homer. Sox win
- jjyank
  
  I guess that’s kinda good right? Don’t get me wrong, I will forever hate/root against the Sox no matter what. BUT, shouldn’t we be more worried about the Rays for 2012? I think they have the better overall team (at least when Longoria comes back).
  - Greg
    
    Statistically yes.
    
    But I don’t want the Sox to go on a streak.
    
    Right now they are just hovering around .500 and their offense is carrying them, essentially. What if Ellsbury comes back and rakes?
    - Kramerica Industries
      
      He’s still three or so weeks off.
      
      I think we all worry about a Sox run, just because they’re the Sox. And it’s not that I don’t think it can happen, but the Rays or Jays could just as easily go on the kind of run we always fear the Red Sox will go on.
    - Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
      
      Ellsbury won’t help their dreadful pitching.
    - jjyank
      
      Right, but just roster construction wise too…the Rays are a better team. Not saying I want to see the Sox win in any capacity, but it’s not so bad if the team they beat is the Rays.
      - Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
        
        I agree. I guess if I had to pick one team which the Red Sox would beat, it would be the Rays. At least this year.
- Brian S.
  
  Welp. At least they are still behind us. And I think the Rays take tomorrows game facing Clay Suckholz.
Kevin

Bleh..the Sux win on a walk off homer.
SMK

Weird stat: there are seven teams in the AL with a plus run differential, and five of them are in the AL East.

It’s going to be a slugfest all year long.
eephus_pitch

Salty’s probably pretty jacked that he hit it off a Dominican pitcher.
http://Riveraveblues.com Okyankee24

When do the Blo’s come back down to earth? I don’t see how they are doin it.
mustang

Cross off Miguel Montero. Wow! Does Martin even have to hit to get paid? Seriously let’s say Martin ends up with .220/15 HR/40 RBIs he is still going to get paid.

How much?????