- 12:40 AM
- 12/18/24
not many worse than getting the rug yanked from under you by an umpire
I'd argue it's the catcher yanking the rug from under you, in said examples.
posted by rocketman at 09:40 AM on October 11, 2014
I, for one, can not wait until baseball is umpired by robots.
I totally understand this impulse, but it would sap a certain joy from the game: watch those Vazquez gifs - they make me cackle with glee.
Just thinking about them has me giggling. How can you be against that?
posted by rocketman at 08:15 PM on October 08, 2014
It would depend what they got for him.
posted by rocketman at 09:55 AM on April 20, 2014
Pirates' Maldanado
Pirates?
posted by rocketman at 09:48 PM on April 19, 2014
Ugh, this song and dance again.
It was refreshing to hear on the news this morning about David Beckham's push for a soccer franchise in Miami, and how he's not seeking any public money for the stadium.
posted by rocketman at 05:24 PM on February 06, 2014
They're also pushing people into the arms of piracy.
Hell, I'd even be willing to toss NBC a token amount of money for access to their little internet site. But there's just no way in hell I'm going to spring for satellite service or cable just so I can watch the Olympics.
posted by rocketman at 04:04 PM on February 06, 2014
I just might have to pursue that option. I'm powerless to the promise of long-track speed skating.
posted by rocketman at 01:15 PM on February 06, 2014
Also, every event will be streamed live on NBCOlympics.Com, as long as you have a cable or satellite TV subscription.
I don't get this. So people with cable get to stream on the internet, but people who watch broadcast TV do not? Is NBC somehow unable to show advertising on their internet olympic coverage?
The Winter Olympics is maybe my favorite sporting group of events, but it gets harder and harder to actually watch it if you don't shell out a big amount of dough for cable or satellite. To hell with NBC.
posted by rocketman at 12:54 PM on February 06, 2014
Are they really good enough this year to have needed to invest that money this year rather than in next year's free agent market?
Scoring runs hasn't been a problem for this team. The idea is that if you can ride a hot start into contention for the division, then make a trade to pick up more pitching help before the deadline. Lohse is not a savior, but if he puts up decent numbers, he could be part of that hot start.
Obviously, everything has to go right.
the Brewers could be considering whether their window of opportunity is going to slam shut soon with the MLB's single-minded pursuit of Braun.
This. Weeks only has this year and next on his contract (unless his option vests, which I'm not really optimistic about). Corey Hart is on a 3-year deal, but is probably going to start going downhill fast, maybe even this year. Aramis Ramirez is in year two of his 3-year deal, and will not be re-signed by this team.
I want to believe that Braun is clean. Maybe it's homerism, but I honestly do think the chain-of-custody issues warranted throwing out the positive result. I'd say the same if it was Gary Sheffield or Chris Carpenter, or any other player I love to hate. The current frenzy about Braun's name on a napkin, well... let's just say it puts doubts in my mind I'd rather not have.
Braun is going to be the most scrutinized player by the league, and my guess is they'll bend their own rules and protocols to nail him to the wall. Jean Segura, Carlos Gomez, and Norichika Aoki are all useful players, but you don't go deep in the playoffs on their backs. You need pitching, and you need some depth. The Lohse deal gives the Brewers that this year, and this may be their only year for a while.
posted by rocketman at 10:42 AM on March 27, 2013
Curt Schilling: Aspects of my personality encouraged me to speak to the media so I could get some attention.
posted by rocketman at 02:02 PM on February 07, 2013
Ryan Braun linked to Biogenesis, he releases a statement claiming they were an "expert witness", the Brewers' front office claims they know nothing.
A protected tweet from Alex Tomter: "The Miami New Times is a free once a week paper and wouldnt use Braun's name b/c lack of evidence. Yahoo Sports however, no problem."
posted by rocketman at 01:09 PM on February 06, 2013
That's sort of my hunch too, but I'm not going to commit to it. $225 million doesn't guarantee a playoff berth, but it's certainly a nice number for building a roster.
posted by rocketman at 04:27 PM on December 11, 2012
JoePo has a great article on the Greinke signing.
As a Brewer fan, I knew he wouldn't end up in Milwaukee long-term, but boy did I want to see it happen. He's a fascinating athlete. Tough to root against.
Obviously the Dodgers are the new Yankees. Tough to see him land there, but I suspect he'll have a few good years in that park.
posted by rocketman at 11:52 AM on December 11, 2012
Didn't the Marlins *just* sign Reyes?
posted by rocketman at 08:10 PM on November 13, 2012
Drunks are rarely reasonable, and you can't make them do what you want them to do.
This. I help out running a large beer festival every summer, and the entrance to the grounds is at the top of a hill. At the end of the day, we can't even get drunk people *to walk uphill*, much less call a cab.
posted by rocketman at 02:05 PM on July 17, 2012
Christ, what an asshole.
posted by rocketman at 07:34 PM on March 04, 2012
For the first time, a Major League Baseball player has won an appeal of a drug suspension.
That we know of. Had this been handled properly, we wouldn't know about this at all.
posted by rocketman at 08:44 AM on February 24, 2012
Enforcement costs money; political grandstanding is free.
posted by rocketman at 12:42 PM on January 26, 2012
People did stop sharing them, but the government decided to dispose of them in the bottom of elevator shafts. Seems to make the most sense.
posted by rocketman at 11:06 AM on January 25, 2012
We all knew he was going to get a mammoth contract. But that's big. And long.
posted by rocketman at 10:28 AM on December 08, 2011
Obviously I'm thrilled that Braun won, but I really did think Kemp would get it.
posted by rocketman at 09:56 AM on November 23, 2011
He should have been managing the Brewers for the past 3 seasons. I suspect this hire is going to haunt the team for a while.
posted by rocketman at 04:06 PM on November 17, 2011
Of course, moving Milwaukee BACK to the AL was never an option, I guess.
I wonder if that had anything to do with who used to own the Brewers...
So do you put Milwaukee in the AL West? That makes even less sense. Or do you put them in the AL Central, and move a team out of the AL Central? Kansas City to the AL West?
This will at least give the Astros a chance to hide Carlos Lee's game changing defense in the DH spot.
posted by rocketman at 09:32 PM on November 16, 2011
Can someone explain Delmon Young to me? He was mostly a disaster for the Twins, and they trade him to Detroit and he turns into a decent offensive player. Does he gain strength from the urban wreckage? Did somebody in the Land-o-Lakes spike his water with suck pills?
posted by rocketman at 11:45 AM on October 14, 2011
I guess this is the place where I admit I was wrong. I came into that game braced for the Crew to get blown out, and was happy for about ten minutes after they won before remembering they still have to beat the Cardinals two more times.
It's really hard for me to get used to the feeling of this team winning games.
posted by rocketman at 10:06 AM on October 14, 2011
And Kotsay is in the lineup again tonight! I swear Ron Roenicke is *trying* to lose this series.
posted by rocketman at 04:35 PM on October 13, 2011
So it's your feeling that the home run makes up for bad outfield range and getting doubled off second with a baserunning error? Because I don't.
I get that he's had success against Carpenter, so start him in right over Corey Hart. Don't put him in a position he can't play.
posted by rocketman at 01:29 PM on October 13, 2011
tough to have crappy defenders in the post-season
But that's the thing: there's an elite defender in center sitting on the bench during that game. Additionally, there's someone who's at least better than Kotsay defensively AND offensively who didn't start. Gomez makes that play without even trying. Morgan likely does too.
No series is over at 2-1.
I agree, but starting Mark Kotsay in center field is like waving the white flag. Tonight we get to see the Cards lineup knock around Randy Wolf, and even if Greinke can squeak out a win in Game 5, who's going to start Game 6? Gallardo on short rest? Does that mean Kotsay starts in center again? Do we take Braun out and put Hairston in left to give the star a rest? Or do we just put Marcum out there for another round of batting practice?
It's been a nice run, but even though we probably have the talent to beat the Cardinals, we don't have the manager to make it happen. Go Rangers!
posted by rocketman at 12:13 PM on October 13, 2011
When I saw the lineup posted for last night, I had to do a triple take. Kotsay in center? I understand not wanting Tony Plush on the field to face Carpenter, but you can just toss Gomez out there for his defense and put him in the 8 spot. Or for that matter, start Morgan anyway and use it as a way to get into Carpenter's head. Putting Kotsay in center in a game this important is the most boneheaded goddamn move I've seen by a manager all year.
This series is over.
Has there been any demonstration of the bad blood between these teams?
Aside from beaning Fielder after Braun's home run in Game 1, none that I've seen. Greinke claimed that Carpenter was shouting at him from the dugout during Game 1 as well, but nobody cares what Chris Carpenter has to say. And after last night, it's not like the Cardinals need to prove anything. They're going to win this series in 5 or 6 games.
posted by rocketman at 11:47 AM on October 13, 2011
Goddamnit, Nelson Cruz used to be a Brewer. Could use him tonight.
posted by rocketman at 09:50 PM on October 10, 2011
If everyone maintains their current production and Rickie Weeks starts hitting like he's capable, they're going to be tough to beat.
But I'm still not a believer in Yuni B - he had some really great at-bats yesterday, but I swear I must have dreamed those. My wife even asks me "isn't he the first-pitch-pop-out guy?"
And I'm feeling slightly shaky about our pitching beyond Yovani. Greinke lucked into a win last night, and Marcum and Wolf have been Suppan-esque so far this postseason.
Still, a fun team to follow.
posted by rocketman at 12:15 PM on October 10, 2011
and the crowd goes INSANE for Nyjer Morgan, pinch hitter. So loud TLR has to grab a reliever to deflate the keg a little.
posted by rocketman at 06:59 PM on October 09, 2011
Big-time bad blood between the Brewers and the Cards, and I can't wait for this. I *loathe* TLR, and I want the Crew to have a rollicking good time beating him and his team, and maybe violate some of these "unwritten rules".
If nothing else, it would be highly entertaining to watch the Brewers win using 3 pitchers while TLR goes through his entire bullpen.
I feel pretty confident having Greinke starting Game 1. He's been a total monster at The Keg this year, and clearly feeds off the home crowd. I've said this in the past, but I *really* like him in MKE, and wish we could keep him around for a few more years. He's probably gone after next year, but I just feel like he works with this team and this town.
And let me just put this out there: FUCK YEAH Tony Plush! If he played for the D-Backs or the Cards, I'd probably hate him, but he's so much fun to have playing for the home team.
posted by rocketman at 08:39 AM on October 08, 2011
I want him in MKE for the rest of his career. Love this guy.
posted by rocketman at 10:23 AM on October 04, 2011
Washington?
posted by rocketman at 04:02 PM on August 10, 2011
Way to go, players.
posted by rocketman at 04:46 PM on July 15, 2011
Didn't Jeff Weaver come out of the Northwoods League?
posted by rocketman at 10:43 AM on June 24, 2011
I was very, very casually listening to the game while in the car this evening, and two thoughts occurred to me:
First, I suspect the Heat will be a lot better next year. Give those three a chance to play together a bit more, and they'll develop more chemistry. Maybe.
Second, Jason Kidd still plays basketball?
posted by rocketman at 11:14 PM on June 12, 2011
Congratulations Dallas!
posted by rocketman at 11:02 PM on June 12, 2011
But regarding Harper: can't wait until this kid makes it to the majors. I really hope he's able to steel himself and hold onto his personality, because baseball is going to be a ton of fun when he's in town.
posted by rocketman at 04:45 PM on June 10, 2011
Nyjer is a trouble-maker.
As a Brewers fan, can I just say that I freaking love Nyjer Morgan? I don't see him as a trouble-maker at all (never saw AJ that way either), just a guy who's having fun and playing hard.
He had the decency to admit he didn't even know what inning it was when he hit the game-winning double two nights ago! How can you not like a guy like that?
posted by rocketman at 04:44 PM on June 10, 2011
So there was no place to go but down.
posted by rocketman at 03:29 PM on June 01, 2011
That freeze frame is telling.
I watched the video a handful of times, but it seemed to me that Posey was set a little awkward, Cousins charged *assuming* Posey would block the plate, and when Posey spun to apply the tag (sadly he did not have the ball), his arms/shoulder caught the sprinting Cousins, and it twisted the hell out of his ankle.
Seeing that isolated moment seems to indicate Cousins made the decision to lower the shoulder and make aggressive contact.
But I still think catchers shouldn't block the plate.
posted by rocketman at 02:33 PM on May 27, 2011
I thought obstruction was against the rules. Start calling obstruction on catchers, mission accomplished.
posted by rocketman at 11:00 AM on May 27, 2011
He's a big guy, but not as big as he used to be. His first few years in the majors, dude was super chunky.
Man am I going to miss seeing him in a Brewers' uniform.
posted by rocketman at 12:55 PM on May 22, 2011
Huh. I guess either a technology-phobic exec did this inadvertently, or some underpaid, totally clueless peon.
posted by rocketman at 04:33 PM on April 28, 2011
coal miners ... and many others do high risk things they love to do for far less money
Yes, for coal miners it's all about the love of descending into a filthy, sooty pit in the ground that could collapse or ignite. They just love doing that day after day after day.
posted by rocketman at 10:24 AM on April 28, 2011
Expanding the baseball playoffs seems like such a horrible, horrible idea. Blatant money grab.
I'm curious how they'll deal with a longer season in places like Minneapolis and Detroit, places that have no roof and are already in danger of snowouts at the beginning and end of the season. A November World Series in Minneapolis could be a total disaster - the winter is like 7 months long there!
I like the wild card plenty - it allowed the Brewers to reach the playoffs in 2008 - but I'm more in favor of killing the wild card entirely than expanding it to include more teams.
But I'm also in favor of returning to a 154-game season, not because I'm some crusty old-timer but because I'm just in favor of a slightly shorter season. Baseball should be played in fair weather.
posted by rocketman at 07:09 PM on April 23, 2011
No doubt Fielder will end up elsewhere - I'm guessing the Cubs will fill 1B with either him or Pujols, but a fan can hope.
Still, Braun through 2020 guarantees he'll go into the HoF as a Brewer.
posted by rocketman at 04:08 PM on April 22, 2011
And maybe Prince Fielder will get the message, and sign a hometown-friendly extension.
posted by rocketman at 02:52 PM on April 22, 2011
I'd also point out that while the salary is backloaded, I'm going to guess that Ryan Braun at !6 million in 5 years is going to be a total steal.
posted by rocketman at 02:48 PM on April 22, 2011
Obviously health will determine how this plays out, but as a Milwaukee fan, I'm very pleased by this.
posted by rocketman at 08:49 PM on April 21, 2011
It's the Yankees, I'm surprised they weren't writing this article after 5 games.
posted by rocketman at 01:28 PM on April 11, 2011
You know who is historically great at developing writers? Russia. Given the conditions there for centuries, I'm not so sure we should pursue Bill's suggestion.
posted by rocketman at 08:22 PM on April 03, 2011
Brewers' season already a failure.
posted by rocketman at 09:18 AM on March 09, 2011
Nike makes shoes?
posted by rocketman at 11:11 AM on February 20, 2011
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Brewers fire Ron Roenicke, and are reported to be replacing him with Craig Counsell.
In other news, Ryan Braun is now practicing his swing by standing on his tip-toes and holding his bat straight above his head.