The Baseball Thread

[nuraman00]

2023 World Baseball Classic

Semifinals:

3/19/2023

Cuba vs. USA

FS1

4 PM PST

3/20/2023

Mexico vs. Japan

FS1

4 PM PST

 

[MHSL82]

Millers launch bid to bring Major League Baseball to Utah

Dale Murphy has been asked the question more times than he can remember.

www.sltrib.com

 

[nuraman00]

I wish the Millers were a part of both the Jazz, and MLB in Utah, at the same time.

 

[nuraman00]

Getting this post in early, as I want to make this post while I have time right now.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day (April 15).

In somewhat related news, I just saw a segment on Spencer Haywood. They would actually make an announcement before games, "We have an illegal player on the floor. This game will be protested", after the ABA-NBA merger happened, and Spencer Haywood tried to play games. Previously, he had been able to play professionally, in the ABA.

Because he was violating the NBA rule of needing 4 years.

He also is dismayed that they don't officially call the rule change, "The Spencer Haywood Rule". He says they have the Larry Bird rule; the Oscar Roberson Rule.

But for letting players enter the draft before 4 years of college, they've tried to not call it the Spencer Haywood rule, by calling it "Early Entry"; "Hardship Rule"; etc.

Haywood also said that people may know about Jackie Robinson, but they need to know about others, like Curt Flood.

 

[nuraman00]

Due to the Las Vegas relocation threat, there was a reverse boycott in Oakland last night.

Fans went to games, which was not normal.

27,759 went.

Average is 9,137.

 

[MHSL82]

I know this is kind of like going for a layup when you are down three and fouling hoping that the free throw shooter misses the first free throw (or both but then you need to get the rebound), however, I feel they could have just kept him on second. Risking third gets him to score next. If they got him back to second and they can’t close out before he goes to third and home, oh well. People will say that they could have gotten him out and this was just a rare thing, where most get out, quiet. You need to think more hindsight for this occasion.

I think the last guy with the ball fell down and that’s why he didn’t just throw it to third base.

 

[nuraman00]

 

[nuraman00]

Texas @ Tampa Bay:

Texas wobbled a little bit the last few months.

They look a little better to me.

Texas in 3.

Tampa Bay
Texas
Texas

Arizona @ Milwaukee:

It's weird that Milwaukee got rid of Hader last year, and are still good.

I don't know if these games will be close.

Milwaukee in 2.


Toronto @ Minnesota:


Minnesota does not look good to me.

Toronto in 2.


Miami @ Philadelphia:

I like some of Miami's younger players this year. I think these kind of players tend to have memorable moments in the playoffs.

Miami in 2.

 

[nuraman00]

Texas Rangers - Baltimore Orioles:

I have no idea. 

I'll give credit to what Balitmore has done all year.

Baltimore in 4.

Baltimore
Baltimore
Texas
Baltimore


Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros:

 I want to pick an Astros sweep, but it's probably going 5 games.  I'll pick the middle, with Houston in 4.

Houston in 4.

Houston
Minnesota
Houston
Houston


Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves:

This has the feeling of one of those where one team keeps beating the other.

I'll give a memorable series order.

Philadelphia in 5.

Atlanta
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:

Diamondbacks might win a game, might win two.  I can't see them winning the series.

Los Angeles in 5.

Los Angeles
Arizona
Arizona
Los Angeles
Los Angeles

 

[nuraman00]

There is some weird pitching in these playoffs.

Most games have a ton of runs scored in the first inning.

Astros scored 4 in the 1st.

 

[nuraman00]

@MHSL82, post questions or discussions about baseball here too.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

Getting this post in early, as I want to make this post while I have time right now.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day (April 15).

In somewhat related news, I just saw a segment on Spencer Haywood. They would actually make an announcement before games, "We have an illegal player on the floor. This game will be protested", after the ABA-NBA merger happened, and Spencer Haywood tried to play games. Previously, he had been able to play professionally, in the ABA.

Because he was violating the NBA rule of needing 4 years.

He also is dismayed that they don't officially call the rule change, "The Spencer Haywood Rule". He says they have the Larry Bird rule; the Oscar Roberson Rule.

But for letting players enter the draft before 4 years of college, they've tried to not call it the Spencer Haywood rule, by calling it "Early Entry"; "Hardship Rule"; etc.

Haywood also said that people may know about Jackie Robinson, but they need to know about others, like Curt Flood.

in terms of older players,my son would have never known about ernie banks or billy williams had i not been a cub fan.curt flood was the reason behind free agency and anti trust.

 

[nuraman00]

Statcast is so faulty. For the 2nd time in 3 days, it has pitchers throwing a "knuckle curve".

This is the 3rd pitcher to do so.

On Monday, it had Aaron Nola and Craig Kimbrel throwing knuckle curves.

Today it says Christian Javier threw a few.

 

[nuraman00]

Finally, my kind of game. Well pitched so far.

 

[nuraman00]

Yesterday's Phillies vs. Diamondbacks might be the first game of the playoffs, that was good from start to finish. No team had a large lead, and it was tied for a good portion of it.

 

[nuraman00]

Yesterday was the best combined day of the playoffs.

I like Altuve, even if he cheated before. He's a great hitter, and one of the best playoffs performers.

I wish he did something memorable with fielding, but he doesn't really have any standout plays.

 

[nuraman00]

This might be only the 2nd or 3rd game of the playoffs with 1 combined run after the first inning.

I like it.

 

[nuraman00]

Now this is what an elimination game, especially a game 7, should be.

It's compelling from start to finish, and I don't know who's going to win until the end.

 

[nuraman00]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers:

I think Texas pitching has been a little better than it should be, there will probably be some regression.

Their offense has been really good. A lot of it was Adolis Garcia. Maybe if he isn't as good, then things seem more even.

I'll pick them for their offense. I hope it's a long series and goes 7.

I do think Montgomery and Eovaldi will give up more runs than they have so far.

I've been thinking Texas in 5 most of the past few days, but am changing it a little.

Texas in 6

Texas
Arizona
Texas
Texas
Arizona
Texas

MVP: Evan Carter

Taco Bell Base Stealer: Corbin Carroll

 

[nuraman00]

Ohtani signs a $700M contract. $2M a year for 10 years, then $680M deferred, when he will no longer be playing.

So, I learned how the mechanics of this contract has to work, for ownership.

Ownership has to put $680M in an account, and they cannot touch it. The MLB Commissioner then has to check every year if every penny is there.

This because it's deferred money.

So, not every owner has $680M that they can put aside, and not touch, for the next ten years. Actually I'm not sure if that account gets checked for the next 10 years, once the deferred payments start. Or if it goes until the life of the contract, which would be twenty years.