All About Pocket Knives

I heard an interesting comment last night during an MLB game. The broadcaster said that in his opinion, this years MLB hitters are turning into Dave Kingman. Some of you may be old enough to remember him from the 1970s. He was known for a low batting average, lots of strike outs, and homers. Sounds like today's hitters? Maybe Kingman was ahead of his time.

With a win over the Padres and a Cardinal loss to the Dodgers yesterday, the Cubs took over 1st place in the National League Central by the slimmest of margins. As you can see by the attached schedule, June is going to be a struggle for the north siders. Now the big boys will be stepping up to the plate.

Got these from edge213 and asked him if I could share them with y'all. He said yep so enjoy.
As always click on the images twice to blow them up to a legible size.

Supposedly doctored baseballs by the pitchers are the reason for low batting averages. Baseball Commissioner made a new rule to check pitchers at random during the game. If caught pitchers recieve a 10 game suspension! ftd

fergusontd wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:44 am Supposedly doctored baseballs by the pitchers are the reason for low batting averages. Baseball Commissioner made a new rule to check pitchers at random during the game. If caught pitchers recieve a 10 game suspension! ftd

Watched a bit of the White Sox today and noticed they were doing that.

Mississippi State is still playing in the College World Series. In the winners bracket so far. Next game Friday night.

I am enjoying the CWS this year since State is doing well.

I lost my taste for pro baseball ( & pro football ) years ago..... too much drama.

fergusontd wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:44 am Supposedly doctored baseballs by the pitchers are the reason for low batting averages. Baseball Commissioner made a new rule to check pitchers at random during the game. If caught pitchers recieve a 10 game suspension! ftd

Baseball has always been associated with statistics. Pro teams now hire statisticians to track and analyze every aspect of the game. That’s why we see the extensive defensive position shifts that are so common now. With the new technologies available, they are capable of measuring formerly obscure or unheard of aspects of the game, one of which is the “spin rate” on balls thrown by pitchers. They’ve been tracking spin rates for a few years, and have determined that typically the better pitchers have higher spin rates, which make their pitches break more sharply and harder to hit. It has to do with the aerodynamics of the seams on the ball and resistance of the air it’s traveling through.

Seems this year they’ve detected that some pitchers are throwing pitches with significantly higher spin rates than they had in prior years. How do they do it? The theory is they’re using illegal “foreign” substances to enhance their grip on the ball. I suspect it’s an open secret, “inside baseball” what they’re doing. And since the league wide batting averages and other offensive metrics are significantly down, they’re cracking down on the use of any such substances. Like they used to check guys like Gaylord Perry, who was frequently accused (and admittedly guilty) of “doctoring” baseballs when he was pitching.

Ken

Perry did indeed doctor balls but his greatest skill was in getting in the head of the batter that he was doctoring balls.

Meanwhile we can watch all the Dallas games we want.
But Astros games are few and far between.

Mad Max wasn't very happy about the "foreign substance" accusations two nights ago.

https://www.insider.com/video-max-scher ... ces-2021-6

I think the Phillies should have received a delay of game penalty, this rule is ridiculous.

The Nats are on the verge of clawing back to .500, I would like to see that happen before the All-Star.

doglegg wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:37 pm Perry did indeed doctor balls but his greatest skill was in getting in the head of the batter that he was doctoring balls.

Yep, he was accused of it way more than he actually did it. He said once or twice a game at most was all he did it, oftentimes not at all. But just the fact that hitters though he was capable of it and worried about it gave him an edge.

Ken

It was said at 1 time a batter wore a raincoat to the plate when Perry pitched! ftd

fergusontd wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:01 pm It was said at 1 time a batter wore a raincoat to the plate when Perry pitched! ftd

Cubs used 4 pitchers to throw a combined No Hitter against the Dodgers. Final score, 4-0.

Nats back at .500!!!

1967redrider wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:55 am Nats back at .500!!!

John, I hate to furl your sails but it is what it is...................
Close but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Unfortunately the Cubs lost to the Dodgers while Milwaukee won, putting them in the #1 spot in the NL Central all by themselves.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 11:40 am

1967redrider wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:55 am Nats back at .500!!!

John, I hate to furl your sails but it is what it is...................
Close but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
NL East Standings 6-26-21.jpg
Unfortunately the Cubs lost to the Dodgers while Milwaukee won, putting them in the #1 spot in the NL Central all by themselves.

Yeah, short lived but hoping they can get another streak of Curly W's going.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:29 am Cubs used 4 pitchers to throw a combined No Hitter against the Dodgers. Final score, 4-0.

I thought it funny that the relievers did not realize that it was a no hitter until after the final out.

CWS update --

The t-sips (playing from the losers bracket) beat Mississippi State last night to force a rubber match tonight at 6 central. Winner goes to the CWS finals against Vanderbilt.

Vandy beat NC State to force a second elimination game (Vandy playing from the losers bracket). Then, NC State is no-billed due to China Virus protocols, so Vandy goes to the finals on a "no-game" call.

Finals will either be an all SEC affair with Mississippi State and Vandy or Vandy vs the t-sips.

All SEC CWS - Nississippi State vs Vanderbilt

Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, with a runner on second, one out and 2 strikes, the batter hit a line drive single over the shortstop for a walkoff single win in the bottom of the ninth.

The runner got on base via HBP, when the pitcher threw a bad slider and hit the batter in his trailing foot. The runner then stole second, and the rest is history.

So who won the CWS???


Nats back at .500, I love to see them beat the Mets.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:16 pm So who won the CWS???

Nobody yet. That may change tonight.

CWS Finals (Best-of-3 series)

Game 1: Vanderbilt 8, Mississippi State 2
Game 2: Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State | 7 p.m. | Tuesday, June 29 | ESPN
Game 3: Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State | 7 p.m. | Wednesday, June 30 | ESPN2 (if necessary)

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:27 pm

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:16 pm So who won the CWS???

Nobody yet. That may change tonight.

Yep.....
Vanderbilt is STRONG!
Their pitching is killer and they have some really good hitters.
Oh well.....

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:16 pm So who won the CWS???


Nats back at .500, I love to see them beat the Mets.

Thanks for reminding me that the Cubs are falling through their rectal cavities. They gave up 10 runs in the bottom of the 8th last night to lose 14-4. Poor pitching. Ryan Tepera was awful.

My Rangers are in the midst of a team re-building process, been 5 years since their last playoff appearance. Their record last year and this year has been dismal to say the least. But this year they have rarely been blown out, they give 100% effort and they have some players that are exciting to watch. Unfortunately with the team record being what it is those players are mostly operating in obscurity. Some examples include center fielder Adolis Garcia, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, outfielder Joey Gallo, and pitcher Kyle Gibson. Such is the lot for good players on losing teams. Every losing team has their share.

Garcia is (so far) a clear candidate for AL Rookie if the Year, plays well above average center field (has a cannon arm) and has been among the league leaders in offense since they called him up from the minors earlier this year. If he doesn’t make the All Star team (he’s a finalist on the ballot) it’s a shame. He also plays the game with the same infectious joy that Adrian Beltré displayed. Always has a smile and is just as happy and excited when a teammate makes a great play as whenever he does himself. If you’re voting for the All Star team members, he is worthy of your vote!

Unfortunately a lot of ignorant fans just vote for a name they know rather than looking at the player's performance this year. Like two of the top three AL vote leaders,Trout and Buxton, are injured and haven't played in over a month and likely won't be back before the All Star game. But they're racking up votes anyway.

Ken