Are There Any BASEBALL Fans On The Forum?

[TPK]

I think that the worst team in the AL should play a series against the worst team in the NL. The winner gets the first draft choice.

First a playoff between the worst two teams in each league to verify the WORST team.

[jerryd6818]

Boo. Hiss. What a disappointment. Okay, so I'm a poor sport. I just don't like the Astros and that's not going to change just because they won a World Series.

[QTCut5]

I really couldn't care less about either team; although, to be completely honest, I was rooting for the Phillies because they were the underdogs. Nevertheless, the silver lining is that Dusty Baker finally gets a World Series ring (as a manager)---he definitely earned it. And what sweet revenge it must surely be for him to defeat the very organization that turned him down the last time the Phillies were looking to hire a new manager. I guess he got the last laugh in the end!

[TripleF]

Happy for Dusty Baker!!

[edge213]

I hated to see the Astros win.
I can't stand them or Dusty Baker.
Not a Phillies fan either, but was hoping Schwarber would get another ring.

[1967redrider]

Guess ol' Brycey Boy is still searching for his Grail.

[steve99f]

Congratulations to the Astros and their fans, I thought it was a good series, entertaining to watch.

[Waukonda]

I can't stand them or Dusty Baker.

A dissenting opinion! I am a little surprised that no Reds fans have checked in with the same opinion. All that I know can't stand Dusty.

[edge213]

I can't stand them or Dusty Baker.

A dissenting opinion! I am a little surprised that no Reds fans have checked in with the same opinion. All that I know can't stand Dusty.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Shocker, Jacob DeGrom leaves the Mets to sign with Texas Rangers. Rangers are spending a little money, or more like a lot. $185 mil for 5 years.

[Mumbleypeg]

Shocker, Jacob DeGrom leaves the Mets to sign with Texas Rangers. Rangers are spending a little money, or more like a lot. $185 mil for 5 years.

I’m not surprised. The Rangers are serious about improving the team. Bruce Bochy didn’t sign on to manage a mediocre team. They have a solid core of players already but the pitching has been beyond terrible. With the 5th largest media market in the U.S. ($$$), a beautiful modern retractable roof air conditioned venue ($$$), a deep farm system (especially infielders) from which to make trades, I suspect they’re not done trading/signing.

On paper deGrom is maybe the best pitcher in MLB - whether he can stay healthy is the big question.
But pitchers are always an injury risk nowadays. No more Drysdale’s, Gibson’s, Ryan’s that pitch 20+ complete games a year. Why that is could be a whole ‘nuther thread!

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

Shocker, Jacob DeGrom leaves the Mets to sign with Texas Rangers. Rangers are spending a little money, or more like a lot. $185 mil for 5 years.

I’m not surprised. The Rangers are serious about improving the team. Bruce Bochy didn’t sign on to manage a mediocre team. They have a solid core of players already but the pitching has been beyond terrible. With the 5th largest media market in the U.S. ($$$), a beautiful modern retractable roof air conditioned venue ($$$), a deep farm system (especially infielders) from which to make trades, I suspect they’re not done trading/signing.

On paper deGrom is maybe the best pitcher in MLB - whether he can stay healthy is the big question.
But pitchers are always an injury risk nowadays. No more Drysdale’s, Gibson’s, Ryan’s that pitch 20+ complete games a year. Why that is could be a whole ‘nuther thread!

Ken

It is going to be interesting to see who they sign in addition to DeGrom and how they do in 2023.

[Mumbleypeg]

Spring Training! Pitchers and catchers report dates less than three weeks away. I’m so ready!

Ken

[jerryd6818]

Woo Hoo baby. I am so ready for that.

[Mumbleypeg]

MLB’s new “balanced” schedule format has every team playing every other team, every year. Here’s an interesting take on some of the star players potentially playing this year for the first time ever in each city. https://www.mlb.com/news/stars-making-b ... ebuts-2023

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

WBC is also played this year, starting March 8.

[jerryd6818]

Only 3 weeks & 3 days until the first training camp games.

[1967redrider]

Nats are still going to be horrendous.

[wlf]

I can't stand them or Dusty Baker.

A dissenting opinion! I am a little surprised that no Reds fans have checked in with the same opinion. All that I know can't stand Dusty.

Because the Reds don't have much relativity to MLB. I've lost most of interest therefore.

[jerryd6818]

Nats are still going to be horrendous.

Well schuckie darn, so will the Cubs but that doesn't mean I'll stop watching them.

[Mumbleypeg]

In case anyone might have any delusions about the prejudicial New York-centric east coast favoritism of the “media”, I give you this. This past fall, post 2022 season, New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom was rated by a group of sports writers as the best starting pitcher in MLB. Today, pre-season 2023, DeGrom is rated by the same people as the 9th best starting pitcher.

So what changed? At the time he was rated number 1 he was a New York Met. Now he’s a member of the great unwashed, fly-over country Texas Rangers. That’s it. Nothing else.




Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

Because the Reds don't have much relativity to MLB. I've lost most of interest therefore.

Lyle, here’s a potential solution (several of them I fact). https://www.mlb.com/news/best-bandwagon ... icle-share

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

In case anyone might have any delusions about the prejudicial New York-centric east coast favoritism of the “media”, I give you this. This past fall, post 2022 season, New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom was rated by a group of sports writers as the best starting pitcher in MLB. Today, pre-season 2023, DeGrom is rated by the same people as the 9th best starting pitcher.

So what changed? At the time he was rated number 1 he was a New York Met. Now he’s a member of the great unwashed, fly-over country Texas Rangers. That’s it. Nothing else.




Ken

His deteriorating arm is also something to be considered. The Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez over the past few years always hyped him as the best pitcher in baseball. The best pitcher in baseball cant miss as many starts as DeGrom did. So NY hype was certainly there. The Mets gave up on him for the reason of unreliability and went with Verlander. Whether that works out remains to be seen.

[Mumbleypeg]

Agree DeGrom’s health is a concern but so is the health of every pitcher especially the last 20 years or so. The point I was making is, after the World Series, around November or December when free agency “Hot Stove” discussions and articles were taking place, DeGrom was the consensus number 1 “best starting pitcher in baseball”. Now 3 months later he’s the 9th best? Pretty dramatic change considering no MLB games have been played during that time.

And guess who has moved up to second place? None other than new New York Mets signee Justin Verlander! Himself just one year removed from his return from Tommy John arm surgery, but now living in the New York media light.

I just thought it was an interesting but typical display of media bias. Like you say, time will tell.

Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

More evidence, fresh off the press. I could hardly care less about the NBA, but could not help noticing this. The Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks completed a trade recently - basically Nets player Kyrie Irving to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finley-Smith. Apparently the plan is to pair up Irving with Dallas’ star player Luka Doncic.

Before the trade the media mantra was “Luka has no help”. Now suddenly they’re gushing over how good Dinwiddie is & how Dorian is “one of the best players in the league”!

None of the players involved have played a single game yet for either team. All they did was change locations.

Belaboring the point? Yes, but the NY/east coast media bias has always pissed me off!

Ken