AL vs NL

[Gopherfan84]

I agree that the bottom tier of teams in the NL was pretty lame -- Braves, Reds, Brewers, Rockies, Phils. I don't think the "rest" are necessarily on the decline. The Pirates may be if they rebuild.

...

But if Tampa is as bad as they showed, and Oakland, the White Sox and Twins are as weak as they've been, I don't even know if the bottom tier is that much different.

The problem for the AL is that the bottom tier in the NL is in full on rebuild mode. The AL teams just stink.

Honestly, without a significant improvement from our kids this season I think we could lose about 110.

 

[Gopherfan84]

The Tigers have one of the best interleague records.


But they're 1-8 in October Interleague since '84.

At least you've played October Interleague games recently. The last time we played interleague games in October was 1991--before interleague play became a phrase.

 

[calsnowskier]

At least you've played October Interleague games recently. The last time we played interleague games in October was 1991--before interleague play became a phrase.

Hey...

That's more recent than 1988....

 

[Gopherfan84]

Hey...

That's more recent than 1988....

At least our last October interleague series was the greatest of all time, instead of being remembered for one moment (though it was a great moment unless you're from northern California) in an otherwise forgettable 5-game series.

 

[calsnowskier]

At least our last October interleague series was the greatest of all time, instead of being remembered for one moment (though it was a great moment unless you're from northern California) in an otherwise forgettable 5-game series.

I was still a semi-A's fan at the time, so I HATED that moment.

But it has been 30 years of bliss since.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Just a complete guess, so all 4 are probably wrong:

Braves, Mets, Cardinals, Giants?

3/4 not bad. Mets, Cardinals, and Giants are correct. The 4th is the Marlins. Braves are 1 game below .500.

And I realized I worded the question incorrectly. Should be .500 or better. Both the Marlins and the Giants have an exactly .500 record in interleague play. Cardinals and Mets the only teams above .500.

And conversely, in the AL, only the Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles, Royals, and Astros have records below .500. Of course for the majority of that time the Astros were in the NL. Blue Jays and Rays are both just 1 game below .500.

 

[soxfan1468927]

At least our last October interleague series was the greatest of all time, instead of being remembered for one moment (though it was a great moment unless you're from northern California) in an otherwise forgettable 5-game series.

There were two walk off home runs in that series. The only World Series to have multiple.

 

[broncosmitty]

At least you've played October Interleague games recently. The last time we played interleague games in October was 1991--before interleague play became a phrase.

But you won!

And that had to be one of the best finishes ever. Between two former Tigers.... damnit.

 

[soxfan1468927]

But you won!

And that had to be one of the best finishes ever. Between two former Tigers.... damnit.

I was trying to figure out who the other former Tiger was. Didn't realize Smoltz was drafted a Tiger and traded before getting to the majors.

You did get an All-Star in the deal at least.

 

[JohnU]

At least you've played October Interleague games recently. The last time we played interleague games in October was 1991--before interleague play became a phrase.

The entire 1991 season was one for the ages. Two worst-to-first teams grinding through the season. I am a Reds fan and was still in a bit of euphoria over the wire-to-wire 1990 season so it took a lot for me to be interested in those upstart teams.

Little did we know that it would be a lot of years before the Braves yielded. Still, they only won ONE World Series.

And at the time, the Pirates seemed like a team for the ages, ongoing success against what was not yet defined as "big markets."


Twins were somewhat relevant in the first few years of this century. They will be in a wasteland like the Pirates were, I suppose.

 

[broncosmitty]

I was trying to figure out who the other former Tiger was. Didn't realize Smoltz was drafted a Tiger and traded before getting to the majors.

You did get an All-Star in the deal at least.

Alexander was great in 87 for Detroit. About as good of a deadline acquisition as possible. But, Smoltz kinda turned that into a landslide deal for Atlanta. They had their choice of three pitchers, theytook the right one. (Smoltz was born in Detroit and grew up a huge Tigers fan in Lansing. What could've been...)

I wish Morris would quit doing TV for both organizations. Minny can keep him, he's smug and boring on air.

 

[JohnU]

Smoltz was kind of under the radar for fans not in Atlanta in those early days. A so-so record, mediocre ERA and the team at the bottom of the standings. The Braves were averaging 100 losses from 1988 through 1990.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Smoltz was kind of under the radar for fans not in Atlanta in those early days. A so-so record, mediocre ERA and the team at the bottom of the standings. The Braves were averaging 100 losses from 1988 through 1990.

I wouldn't call his ERA mediocre. And he was an All-Star.

Looking through Smoltz career, it struck me as odd how he got to the majors. He was a 22nd round pick out of high school, and yet he made his major league debut when he was 21. I figured he must have dominated the minors. Nope. He was pretty good as a 19 year old in Single A. They moved him up to AA in his 2nd year and he sucked. Then the trade happens and the Braves immediately put him up to AAA? In his 2nd year when he hasn't even been that great? I'd like to know what they saw, because he improved dramatically in that first full season in AAA and was in the majors for good after his piss poor call up.

 

[JohnU]

I wouldn't call his ERA mediocre. And he was an All-Star.

Being an All-Star on a 100-loss team was probably an honor. Obviously the Braves saw something very early that suggested he was going to be at least durable. Either way, this thread isn't about Smoltz. I should probably have avoided introducing that component.

 

[Chewbaccer]

3/4 not bad. Mets, Cardinals, and Giants are correct. The 4th is the Marlins. Braves are 1 game below .500.

And I realized I worded the question incorrectly. Should be .500 or better. Both the Marlins and the Giants have an exactly .500 record in interleague play. Cardinals and Mets the only teams above .500.

And conversely, in the AL, only the Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles, Royals, and Astros have records below .500. Of course for the majority of that time the Astros were in the NL. Blue Jays and Rays are both just 1 game below .500.

Been rough few years for the Braves. They were over .500 a few years ago, wasn't sure if they'd dipped below the line or not.