12/21/24
May 02, 2013
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Interesting look at whether Clay Buchholz's increased K rate is sustainable (written before last night's 8 Ks in 7 innings).
posted by yerfatma at 02:54 PM on May 02, 2013
The Portland Timbers got thrashed by an underage squad yesterday.
The news recap shows that the Timbers really need to work on their defense.
posted by grum@work at 03:06 PM on May 02, 2013
Napoli crushes two pitches yesterday against Blue Jays.
posted by justgary at 04:53 PM on May 02, 2013
Blue Jays announcers vs. Red Sox announcers in the case of whether Clay Buchholz is throwing spitballs. Not clear to me why actual Jays' players aren't complaining.
The only take away for me from this episode is something I already knew: I love Dennis Eckersley.
posted by yerfatma at 08:12 PM on May 02, 2013
Now Morris is sure Tazawa is doing it too.
posted by yerfatma at 10:43 PM on May 02, 2013
Blue Jays announcers vs. Red Sox announcers in the case of whether Clay Buchholz is throwing spitballs. Not clear to me why actual Jays' players aren't complaining.
Morris admits he has no proof, yet won't shut up about it. Why not just tell the Blue Jays staff and let them deal with it? I'm guessing (and hoping) because he knows the Blue Jays would rather get out of last place before throwing around accusations.
Morris: "Funny thing, the way the game is played today. In our generation, every player, every coach would have seen it..."
Translation: "I'm old".
posted by justgary at 12:18 AM on May 03, 2013
I love Dennis Eckersley.
He certainly does't hold back.
posted by justgary at 03:04 AM on May 03, 2013
Have you seen The Eck on NESN? Doubly so when he fills in in the booth, he's a madman who says whatever he feels and it is fantastic. Nothing will ever beat him calling up 'EEI years ago to scream at Dick Radatz though Radataz was doing his anti-pitch count schtick for the zillionth time when they took a call from "Dennis in the car" who proceeded to shout at Radatz that not paying attention to workload was such a good idea Radatz's arm fell off.
A less charitable interpretation would be he's cooked his brain in the sun as he's a permanent beet red.
posted by yerfatma at 08:08 AM on May 03, 2013
Have you seen The Eck on NESN?
Not much. I watch the Sox on mlb's cable package. So I get first pitch and last pitch. Nothing more. So I only get bits and pieces of him.
For what it's worth, I have no idea if Buchholz is loading the ball or not. And I have no problem with Blue Jays announcers pointing out where and how they believe he is. But the confronting Farrell, talking to both Red Sox catchers, is over the line.
The Blue Jays have a lot of talent, and they're in last place. There's plenty they could do to improve other than accuse the other team of cheating, and there's plenty for the announcers to discuss. I haven't heard anything from the players or managers, but as far as the announcers - bush league.
posted by justgary at 04:09 PM on May 03, 2013
And I have no problem with Blue Jays announcers pointing out where and how they believe he is. But the confronting Farrell, talking to both Red Sox catchers, is over the line.
Huh?
Nobody seemed to think it was over the line when the media confronted Farrell and the hitters when there was the ridiculous "man in white" controversy last year.
posted by grum@work at 04:37 PM on May 03, 2013
For what it's worth, I have no idea if Buchholz is loading the ball or not.
See that's the thing - nobody really has an idea until a review is done. If the hitters who are facing it don't think it's out of the ordinary, then I can't say I do either. Calling for a ball to be checked is a no-downside move for any coach and yet it still hasn't been done.
I heard some of Morris' calls for the Twins - the guy absolutely loves himself, and is evolving into one of those "in my day baseball was better" types. His personal crusade to fix the game himself is not terribly surprising - I suspect he's got a "nobody else cares the way I care" kind of mental streak going on.
posted by dfleming at 04:41 PM on May 03, 2013
From your link grum:
Similarly, in a June game in Toronto, Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia started mixing up signs to pitcher Clay Buchholz even when the Blue Jays didn't have men on base, and Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy mentioned it on the air
As I said, I have no problem with the broadcasters bringing up and discussing this type thing. Nothing in your link includes anything like I'm seeing with Morris, which is a guy that seems to be on a bit of a crusade while also trying to make himself part of the story.
posted by justgary at 04:53 PM on May 03, 2013
Showing how far MLS has to go, Monterrey won the CONCACAAF Champions League for the 3rd straight year last night, beating another Mexican side in the finals. Although their semi-final opposition were both MLS teams so maybe not that far.