Are There Any BASEBALL Fans On The Forum?

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve got no dog in the fight. In fact I detest the Astros, always have and even more so after their “caught cheating” fiasco, for which IMHO they have ever shown appropriate remorse. However as a student of the game I have to give them their due - aside from catcher and 1st base, IMHO Houston is better at every position than the Phillies. Philadelphia has two excellent starting pitchers. Houston has four, maybe five just as good. There is no weak link in Houston’s bullpen either.

But if the Phillies win (and they might), it won’t be the first time a lesser team has gotten hot at the right time and won it all. Such is the dilemma of the present playoff system.

Ken

[steve99f]

I'm old enough to remember when there were no playoffs. The teams with the best records from each league played in the Series. During the day. I don't see a reversion to that due to TV money. How would you modify the playoff system to eliminate the "hot" team?

[jerryd6818]

How would you modify the playoff system to eliminate the "hot" team?

Why would you want to?

[Mumbleypeg]

I'm old enough to remember those days also. The television network $$$ genie is out of the bottle though, and I don't see it changing. As I said in a prior post, if $$$ is their goal instead of selecting the best team, why bother with "wild cards"? Just play the season, then have a playoff tournament with every team included, seeded based on the regular season results.

Ken

[edge213]

The current system has to many teams making the playoffs.

[steve99f]

I'd be good with that approach but as you note, the business of the game gets in the way.

[QTCut5]

...I detest the Astros, always have and even more so after their “caught cheating” fiasco, for which IMHO they have ever shown appropriate remorse.

Apparently, the Philly phans haven't forgotten it either. This is a billboard a PA attorney paid to have put up on I-76

[steve99f]

Now that right there is funny! Thanks Q

[Mumbleypeg]

...I detest the Astros, always have and even more so after their “caught cheating” fiasco, for which IMHO they have ever shown appropriate remorse.

Apparently, the Philly phans haven't forgotten it either. This is a billboard a PA attorney paid to have put up on I-76

Glad to see I’m not alone!

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

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.

[wlf]

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]

Philly's lost last night. It's now 3-2 Houston. They have to ace out to win it all and I just don't see that happening. Going back to Houston is not portents of good things to come.

[1967redrider]

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.

I think the Nats could definitely lose a Worst Team playoff.

[JamieinWV]

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.

I think the Nats could definitely lose a Worst Team playoff.

You know if the worst team could win something like a draft pick our teams (Nats and The Reds) would both be turds. I love the game but when the best teams are the ones with the biggest payrolls, you wonder if any of these pro players play anymore because they enjoy the game or is it all business for them?

[Mumbleypeg]

you wonder if any of these pro players play anymore because they enjoy the game or is it all business for them?

In most cases I think the answer is “yes”. They enjoy, in some cases even revere the game. But if somebody is willing to pay you to play the game you love, are you going to decline the money?

I know a couple of professional athletes and can tell you even though they’re exceptionally gifted athletes, it’s hard work. It’s highly competitive, someone is always trying to take your job. And for all but a few the timeframe of opportunity to make money is very short - three or four years for most. That’s probably 80-90% of pro athletes.

Ken

[Just Plain Dave]

Since I am at work at 5am I don't get to watch.

[KLJ77]

Glad to see the Astros up by one. They could finish it off Saturday night. I'm not an Astros fan, but I would really like to see Dusty Baker and team win it. Dusty has never won a World Series / ring. He's one of the best manager's in the sport, imho. I understand that the Astros have a tainted history, but it's five years old now since that fiasco. Dusty would NOT tolerate any of that. He's got a strong team and have been contenders for many years. Besides, Dusty used to be the manager for the Nationals and I believe Rizzo and the Learner's did him wrong by getting rid of him.

My .02 cents...

[1967redrider]

Glad to see the Astros up by one. They could finish it off Saturday night. I'm not an Astros fan, but I would really like to see Dusty Baker and team win it. Dusty has never won a World Series / ring. He's one of the best manager's in the sport, imho. I understand that the Astros have a tainted history, but it's five years old now since that fiasco. Dusty would NOT tolerate any of that. He's got a strong team and have been contenders for many years. Besides, Dusty used to be the manager for the Nationals and I believe Rizzo and the Learner's did him wrong by getting rid of him.

My .02 cents...

You sold me, LJ.

[Mumbleypeg]

Glad to see the Astros up by one. They could finish it off Saturday night. I'm not an Astros fan, but I would really like to see Dusty Baker and team win it. Dusty has never won a World Series / ring. He's one of the best manager's in the sport, imho. I understand that the Astros have a tainted history, but it's five years old now since that fiasco. Dusty would NOT tolerate any of that. He's got a strong team and have been contenders for many years. Besides, Dusty used to be the manager for the Nationals and I believe Rizzo and the Learner's did him wrong by getting rid of him.

My .02 cents...

I guess I’ll have to let that one go LJ - I couldn’t find an emoji for a violin playing Cry Me a River.

I do like Dusty Baker though. Several years ago I was working in Scottsdale, AZ and went to a Spring Training game between the Rangers and Reds. During Spring Training games, because of all the players there’s not enough room in the dugouts. So most of the coaching staff sits on folding chairs along the wall behind the on-deck circle - dangerous proximity to home plate.

Dusty Baker was manager of the Reds at that time, and was seated in one of those folding chairs between the third base dugout and home plate. In the late innings of the game the Rangers’ young 16 year old phenom named Jurickson Profar was sent in to pinch hit. On his first swing his bat flew out of his hands, bounced a couple of times and skidded to a stop under Dusty’s feet (he had to raise his feet to prevent being hit by the bat). Dusty picked up the bat but wouldn’t give it back to the obviously embarrassed and apologetic Profar. Dusty feigned being mad and made Profar come and get the bat from him. They exchanged some good-natured banter, Dusty handed the bat back to Profar, they both laughed, and Profar went back to bat. (He hit a double off the wall in right-center field).

That’s a reason I like Spring Training baseball. You see things that you’ll never see during the regular season.

Ken

[1967redrider]

Cool memory, Ken.

[KLJ77]

Ahhhh, don't worry Ken, I gotcha covered. GREAT story about Dusty. Thanks for sharing that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab6eXLDUq1w

[jerryd6818]

I too am a Dusty Baker fan boy. Hated to see him and his toothpick leave the Cubs. Don't recall who replaced him. (Looked it up. Lou Piniella)
That said, I would still rather see the Phillies win the Series.

[Just Plain Dave]

Only the second time in WS Baseball but the Stros combined to throw a no hitter.

[zzyzzogeton]

Looks like them "lastros" are "firstros" now.

Congrats to the 2022 World Series Champions.

[Mumbleypeg]

Nah, they’ll always be the Lastros.

I had a good laugh in the 9th inning when their closer seemed to have a problem with the communication device in his hat. As he fiddled with it, my wife said “He doesn’t need that for communication. Just bring out the trash cans.”

Congrats to Dusty though. Glad to see him finally get a ring. And congratulations to all the Houston fans who spent so many years wearing bags over your heads (for most of 40 years you rarely if ever saw anyone wearing an Astros hat or shirt, now the bandwagon fans are everywhere!) Enjoy it while it lasts!

Ken