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Tiny by Jeff on in Game Threads Comment 593 comments

Seattle Mariners @ Cleveland Indians


 

Lineup

Seattle Mariners @ Cleveland Indians

04/30/08 4:05 PM PDT

Seattle MarinersCleveland Indians
Ichiro Suzuki - CF Grady Sizemore - CF
Jose Lopez - 2B Jamey Carroll - 2B
Raul Ibanez - "LF" Victor Martinez - 1B
Adrian Beltre - 3B Ryan Garko - DH
Jose Vidro - "DH" Casey Blake - 3B
Richie Sexson - 1B Franklin Gutierrez - RF
Wladimir Balentien  - RF Kelly Shoppach - C
Kenji Johjima - C Jason Michaels - LF
Yuniesky Betancourt - SS Asdrubal Cabrera - SS


 

W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Jarrod Washburn 1-3 5 5 0 0 0 0 29.0 34 13 13 4 5 15 4.03 1.34

W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Cliff Lee 4-0 4 4 1 1 0 0 31.2 11 2 1 0 2 29 0.28 .41

I'm not real good at service time stuff. I don't really care one way or the other if these new guys become Super Twos, but if we really did just sacrifice a year of club control for an extra ten days or so of playing time now, that's stupid. That would be a stupid decision, and I'll yell at Bill about that another time.

However, for right now - holy crap. Maybe Wlad isn't ready to hit Major League pitching. Maybe Clement isn't, either. But the Mariners - the Seattle Mariners - just cleared two spots in the lineup for their top young talent by cutting one veteran and diminishing the playing time of another. Yeah, both Wilkerson and Vidro are pretty obviously finished as decent players, but the fact that this is happening now, while we're still in the first month of the season, just blows me away. This is how you win now. You identify your problems and stock your Major League roster with the best players in the system as quickly as you can. As an ardent cynic, I have to admit that the front office just took me by surprise. I didn't think this would happen until at least the middle of June. If ever.

Bill Bavasi decided during the winter that he wanted to win in 2008, and while I don't necessarily agree that this was the right time to strike, at least he's sticking to the plan. A proper win-now mentality doesn't allow much time for struggling veterans to right the ship. A proper win-now mentality leads to moves like this. It's a broader decision with which I disagree, but a decision I respect. Bill Bavasi wants to win. And if you want to win, you need to put as much talent on the roster as you possibly can.

If it works, that's awesome. If it doesn't, we gave it our best shot. But either way, the here and now just got that much more interesting. There will be no Adam Jones situations in 2008. Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien have been freed. I guess there's only one thing left to say.

LET'S GO MARINERS!!

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Well said

I agree with every word. It’s bizarre that they’d sacrifice a year of service time for this, but then, I though it was bizarre to go all-in for 2008.
Once you’ve done that, though, you better damn well get the best team out on the field. You absolutely cannot kowtow to veteran entitlement. Well done, M’s.

by marc w on Apr 30, 2008 2:17 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"I agree with every word. It’s bizarre that they’d sacrifice a year of service time for this, but then, I though it was bizarre to go all-in for 2008."

accd. to stone on KJR today, all we need to do to keep him for that extra year is get him his 7 days in the minors at some later date. so stop freaking out. btw, where does he stand on options?

“you better damn well get the best team out on the field. You absolutely cannot kowtow to veteran entitlement. Well done, M’s”

this i agree with, in this instance and generally

by bholdr on Apr 30, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Refer

to this subthread as to why we don’t think that we can get those seven days at a later date

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe it doesn't have to be this year?

Maybe it can be ANY later date?

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Apr 30, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well then they'd have to fail - if they're successful, there's no way to

explain randomly sending them down for ten days at some future point. Especially when it would conveniently delay their arbitration by a year – like Corco pointed out earlier, it’s a grievance waiting to happen if they try it

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Completely untrue.

He does not need to start the season in 2009 or 2010. Not with Johjima around. Keep him down after Spring Training for just 10 days then call him up. That’s possible, right?

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Apr 30, 2008 3:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that being said,

this is still retarded. Clement’s going to get, what 3 maybe 4 starts between now and May 7?

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm just not seeing it, Matthew

If he comes up and hits .270/.350/.470 like Dave Cameron projects, how do you justify leaving that bat in Tacoma to start next season? Especially if there’s a place for him on the roster at DH or 1B.

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't justify it

and I don’t expect the team to either. I’m just saying that’s the most likely proposition SHOULD the team try to get him at AAA for 10 days.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that still doesn't make any sense

because you’re still going to pay a higher premium on that bought out FA year than you would have on a bought out arb year.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 3:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, that's true too

honestly, I’m just mystified by the timing of this move, between the service time issues as well as the “why the hell did you bother bringing Wilkerson and Norton to Cleveland just to cut them one day later” thing (unless it was related to Wlad’s knee, like I was speculating here)

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mariners are to timing

as Morse is to fielding

I'm more like I am now than I've ever been.

by ralphie81 on Apr 30, 2008 4:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, this is stupid

but I don’t want to play that card until I’m in a worse mood so I can really free the beast.

by Jeff on Apr 30, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep, training a GM is like training a dog

When it does a good thing and a bad thing, you just praise the good thing so it doesn’t get what it should do and what it shouldn’t do confused.

by Jordan of Boise on Apr 30, 2008 3:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Grievance.

Or, SHENNANIGANS!!

I like midgets more than I should.

by Thingray on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

With the DBacks getting pounded, and Wlad and Clement being called up

For the first time this season Mariners, you have my full and undivided attention.

Kick some ass.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 2:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, his corpse has become attached to the grass in left.

Really glad these guys are up. Wlad’s 3 HR night the other night (1 inside the park) was pretty impressive.

I would not be shocked if Wlad outhits Adam Jones.

by ASUBoyd on Apr 30, 2008 2:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Me neither. What makes Jones a more valuable prospect overall

is speed and defence. Wlad could easily surpass him in hitting prowess—especially power.

by redwolf75 on Apr 30, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm telling ya

Cut Burke and bring up Reed to play LF which pushed Ibanez to 1B and Sexson to DH. Clement and Kenji split catching and Clement gets a few ABs at 1B/DH. If Kenji gets hurt and we have to put Clement at catcher halfway through the game and lose the DH we’ll be ok. Its not that big of a deal.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

DESTROY CLIFF LEE, WLAD

REGRESS HIS ASS TO THE MEAN

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cliff Lee

has any one come up with a good explanation for Cliff Lee’s year thus far?

by msb on Apr 30, 2008 2:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not all of it.

His FIP is 1.44. His K/BB rate is 14.50. His K/9 is 8.24. His GB rate is up and his LD is down. I don’t know what his tRA is, but I bet it’s pretty good too. Point is, he’s not getting lucky in the sense that Zack Greinke is getting lucky, his raw numbers all indicate that while he’s not going to continue having 1 ER all year, he’s been an excellent pitcher and has a decent shot at an ERA below 3.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To clarify

His component stats are being driven by luck

by Graham on Apr 30, 2008 2:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There's really nothing to say to that, other than

for the sake of my fantasy team tonight I hope you’re correct.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 2:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I feel suitably aroused

Let’s bloody have at it!

Come on Ms!

Accidental Mariner - P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Apr 30, 2008 2:35 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I want to see lineups out with their names on it.

And then I want to see the same thing next game. And then again one game after that. Only then I will be happy that we aren’t going to screw this up.

by DCMariner on Apr 30, 2008 2:42 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is the USS Mariner site down?

I can’t get it to load here at work so I’ve been reading Baker’s Blog and now my brain hurts. This is a particularly good one:


It sure is sad that the Mariners think bringing up some unproven kids will help them. It might for a few days but once everyone knows what these kids can do the bats will go cold. I see Mariners fans all complaining about their players and wanting help from their prospects. Prospects don’t make an offense better. You bring them up slowly to learn to hit in the majors. Just look at the struggles the Dodgers are having. And that’s been going on a couple years. Do Mariners fans just think anyone has to be better than who they have now?

by nwtrev on Apr 30, 2008 2:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh Baker you flamebaiter

The Dodgers are failing because they’re expecting washed up veterans to produce in MOTO spots. And their prospects keep getting the Adam Jones treatment because Ned Colletti likes prospects as much as Pat Gillick did.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 2:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You have a more diverse crowd posting under Baker's blog

I just don’t understand how you need to be proven in order to be good.

by Fin on Apr 30, 2008 2:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That guy is dumb

He’s also blaming the Dodgers being .500 on Matt Kemp and the other rookies on the team, saying they’re making the Veterans play bad.

by joof on Apr 30, 2008 2:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

msb

oh, so it’s Jeff Kent posting?

by msb on Apr 30, 2008 2:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's "Brian"

Not me, another Brian. He’s an idiot, but at least he’s not as bad as Logie.

by BrianL on Apr 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stop it with the lying

we read Baker’s blog. We know what you think about veterans and how these young guys are just disrupting the chemistry of the team :)

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fine I admit it.

I’m a spy sent by Howard Lincoln to destroy this blog and you damn free-thinking hippies.

by BrianL on Apr 30, 2008 3:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So do my fantasy teams

:D

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Apr 30, 2008 4:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wilkerson can at least play OF

However, he is about done as a hitter. That Wilk was even getting complimented for actually getting around on an inside pitch for a change says a lot about how done he is. Vidro can at least do something with his ABs and slap a ball past a fielder here and there. That’s not a bad bat to have on the bench.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 2:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Vidro is more than done as a hitter

take the guy with no vesting option and better defense, especially since we don’t have many backup OFers. We are fucked six ways from Sunday if there is an injury.

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 2:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think Wilk is more done

Wilkerson can’t hit for AVG/SLG anymore cause he’s too old. Once pitchers figure this out the walks will disapear and he will be totally worthless. At least Vidro can make contact and will have a decent (but empty) AVG and OBP.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wilkerson can play OF?

I don’t know if he’s an asset in the OF.

I’d say Vidro is a much better bench bat cause his contact% is much better.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

kept or cut?

I wouldn’t keep Wilkerson when we have 3 OF in AAA who are better. Keeping Vidro is stupid be he’s a switch hitter who can draw some walks and hit for average which is something. I don’t like Vidro but coming off the bench he’s fine.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His .218 BABIP tells me so

If that gets up to reasonable levels (even a poor .270) his average will come back and so will his OBP.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 3:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

kept both on the team

not in the everyday lineup.

IOW, there’s more expendable chaff in my opinion.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 3:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No way, Vidro has to go

someone has to take McLaren’s toy away from him

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

with Ballgame Jr in AAA

he’s completely useless

Except that he our backup firstbaseman!

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Am I the only one bummed about Norton?

I liked him. Not as a starter; it was fun to have someone on the bench who could actually hit.

The
Richie,
the

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Me too

I would have rather seen Cairo go.

The artist formerly known as Katal

by Katal LM on Apr 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They had to keep Cairo.

He’s still the same guy they hired him to be. Wilkerson, on the other hand, sucks, despite being hired to be awesome.

The Norton thing I don’t get. But there’s no way they were going to cut Cairo.

I Jeff hates pho?

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 3:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Norton really isn't that good.

Although I would have kept him over Cairo.

by BrianL on Apr 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He hits line drives.

He wouldn’t set the world on fire, but I’d Much prefer having him to watching Vidro leg out those infield singles.

The
Richie,
the

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 30, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Norton leaving is a shame

Seemed like he was doing well and having him around for offense and defense seemed like a no-brainer. Maybe the Ms feel the Willie and Cairo have the utility role wrapped up. I realize I just paraphrased Baker but I do agree with him on this point. I’m pretty sure someone will pick up Norton; Wilkerson…. I dunno….

by nwtrev on Apr 30, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also, Iwonder how many open windows my computer can handle

I’ll be damned if I miss hearing out on Jeff views on religion, abortion, and politics.

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Micah Owings comes on to pinch hit and homers, tieing the game.

God I love that guy.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:02 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes he would.

Doesn’t walk hardly at all, lots of power….

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seriously.

Dude’s like Rick Ankiel with better contact. And of course, he can still pitch. >_>

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 3:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The broadcast mentions that Babe Ruth had 4 career homers when he was a pitcher.

The homer today was Micah’s 5th.

I’m actually curious as the what the all time record is for homers for full time pitchers.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hampton and Lefty Grove both have 15

I believe it’s the highest, since I know Hampton owns the record for HR/season by a pitcher with 7

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he hit 36

but I don’t know if they were all as a pitcher.

but that has to be the record

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ruth had to have more than four

but BBref doesn’t have splits going that far back

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's what the broadcast said.

They might be wrong though.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ruth had at least 9

and possibly more.

He hit 40 homers from 1918-18 while stating 37 games at pitcher

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wikipedia says Ruth had 14.

Also says that Wes Ferrell is the career and single season leader with 38 and 9 respectively.

Link

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Blah, I should have known that it was Wes Ferrell and not Lefty Grove

my mistake.

Doesn’t matter though because at the rate he’s going, Owings will have no problem with either of those.

On a somewhat related note, JI, was Ankiel considered a good hitter when he was still pitching?

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They did?

Shows you how much I pay attention to Grace and Sutton.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's why I said something.

I realize most people here(besides AZseafan and IIRC MFAN) don’t give a shit, but a pitcher who is a really good hitter is just awesome no matter who they play for.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do the D'Backs still hit him 9th when he starts?

I’d imagine he’s not the worst hitter in the lineup on those days

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's batted 8th once IIRC when Syder was still struggling.

But since then he’s hit 9th. But that’s more a faction of Snyder hitting now, and Drew hitting, and Upton hitting.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

damn it

I came in here to post this. Owings is awesome.

the other angels fan

by Eyebrows on Apr 30, 2008 3:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is Wlad's defence about average?

If so, that of course is a large improvement over Wilkerson. What about his arm? Serviceable?

by redwolf75 on Apr 30, 2008 3:17 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Defense is slightly above ave.

I’d say. Arm isn’t a total cannon, but it’s accurate. He’s an ex-CF, so he’ll be fine out there.

by marc w on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I knew it would've never happened because of his "clubhouse presence,"

but it would have been a much better idea to keep Norton and dump Vidro. At least Norton doesn’t have an option that’s about to vest in a few 100 ABs.

by redwolf75 on Apr 30, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Huh.

Now that Wlad is in RF, the argument for keeping Reed in Tacoma because he’s left-handed vanishes. Any chance we’ll see him on the club this year/

by BrianL on Apr 30, 2008 3:21 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

doubt it

they will never get rid of Willie, so Reed won’t be the 4th outfielder. They aren’t gonna move Raul to DH with Clement/Vidro on the roster. Unless someone gets hurt I don’t see Reed being called up.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wlad in the starting lineup,

Clement is not, according to gameday.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 3:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

I don’t expect to see Clement in the lineup yet. They didn’t powerflush Vidro but they powerflushed Wilkerson.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Still, if you're not gonna play him, why call him up?

Norton can sit on the bench as well as Clement can, and at this point I’d rather see a prospect get AB’s at AAA. Especially on the road.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, this

Basically, don’t expect to see the urgency to get him in the lineup everyday that you’ll see with WLAD. WLAD is basically replacing Wilkerson. Clement will still likely see a lot of time at DH vs RHPs unless Vidro casts Lvl 8 Hotdog Power Of The Infinite and starts hitting better than he ever has. They’ll probably spot start him at C to see how far along his catching is, but a lot of his ABs will likely be at DH in a platoon with Vidro.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 3:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah.

Well, I guess that explains it. I hate the logic, though.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 3:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Robb Quinlan's been ok this year.

I still want Casey Kotchman in the lineup.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Apr 30, 2008 3:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

22 at bats

Jose Vidro sucks against everyone.

by Jeff on Apr 30, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Except for eating.

He’s really good at that.

Cheeseburgers are delicious.

by Coach Owens on Apr 30, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can someone explain this service time thing to me?

Are we actually pushing back the time they’ll become free agents?

by nwtrev on Apr 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Essentially, yes

A player is required to have six years of service time before becoming a free agent, but the last three (right?) years the player is eligible for salary arbitration – however, this will always be lower than the the market value, and the player cannot leave of their own accord. After six years, the player is eligible for free agency. Basically, this move means that at the end of 2013 Jeff Clement and Wlad will have like 6 years and 7 days of service time, making them eligible for FA.

Otherwise they’d have like 5 years and 171 days and would have one more year of club controlled arbitration

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Boy here's a gem from one of Baker's blog posters.
why dont we just throw Beltre to DH and put blooomquist at 3rd. this solves our DH problem and that way keeps Balentin over in RF while clearing up bench room .

by BrianL on Apr 30, 2008 3:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Have there been any recent studies on the pitch calling skills of a catcher?

I know some catchers are just relaying the signals they receive from their manager/pitching coach, but I wonder if Clement’s pitch calling skills would adversely affect the M’s pitching staff one way or the other. I know Johjima has taken some heat for his pitch calling…

Coldly devouring reason as if it were a delectable snack

by Frosty Raptor on Apr 30, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Both pitchers almost immediately apologized for those comments

and basically said it was their fault, not Kenji’s. When you get right down to it, the pitcher is ultimately responsible for throwing the pitch, anyway (not that I’m trying to resolve Kenji of blame)

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wash's comments were taken out of context a bit too

as evidenced by the Tribune article on the same quote.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 3:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heat from Washburn

Shame he saves it for the press conferences…

by Alex B on Apr 30, 2008 3:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah if you think I'm going to the Rainiers game today you are incorrect in your logic

Now convincing my friends that I’m no longer going to the Rainiers game tonight and therefore not going to be able to drive them to the Rainiers game is going to be difficult

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 30, 2008 3:32 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joh still in the lineup?

Shame on you, Mac.

Cheeseburgers are delicious.

by Coach Owens on Apr 30, 2008 3:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's not going anywhere.

Not with his shiny new contract.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe because of the former

but at this point, the latter is only natural from any team that just gave said player a big extension.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 3:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought there was something said

the other day that pretty much all but said that Yamauchi made Kenji’s extension happen….

Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!

by MfaninAlaska on Apr 30, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Coldly devouring reason as if it were a delectable snack

by Frosty Raptor on Apr 30, 2008 3:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   1 recs

Double You Tea Eff.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The owner of our beloved club...

...is the white haired dude in the back with glasses.

Coldly devouring reason as if it were a delectable snack

by Frosty Raptor on Apr 30, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The guy in the front

Is Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and a bunch of other awesome stuff.
The guy int the passenger seat is Reggie Fil-Aimes, President at Nintendo of America.
The Guy closest to us in the back is Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo.
And the old guy in the back is our Cheerful Owner, Hiroshi Yamauchi.

by joof on Apr 30, 2008 4:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dear Jeff Clement,

You have committed the unspeakable crime of attending the “University” of Southern California. The only way you can make this up is to hit a metric fucktonne of home runs for the Mariners this season. Please commence doing so immediately tonight once Wlad has regressed Cliff Lee to the mean and the Indians bring in a right handed relief pitcher.

Thanks,

seattlebruin

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

U$C

I understand your feeling though. It has been really hard for me to love JJ Putz given his Michigan alum status. Eventually you just have to separate it out

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 30, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This US college thing is so weird.

Why do you care which college anyone attended, unless you’re actually measuring the education they got there?

I Jeff hates pho?

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 3:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My highschool had a pretty good football team. I didn't care.

My university’s team (the Dinosaurs) presumably had rivals, but I don’t know who they are, and I had no reason to care.

I’ll admit I never understood the concept of “school spirit” – seriously, what’s up with that? I just don’t get it.

I Jeff hates pho?

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 4:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I prefer to think the issue is with society

But then, I don’t think fiat currencies should work, so maybe it is me.

I Jeff hates pho?

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 4:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

People get burned simply by not being accepted to a school.

Once you’ve been cockpunched by the school you wanted to attend, you quickly build up animosity toward everyone who attends there because apparently they are all better than you.

by Wilder. on Apr 30, 2008 3:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it's not limited to athletics

also, why are you here then? If you understand pro athletics, how can you not understand collegiate athletics?

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 4:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is

because the pro sports fanbase tends to lend itself to anyone whereas rooting for your college team is more special if you attended the school

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 4:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What you say makes sense.

Are you, perhaps, a fan of a major university sports team?

by Liebkartoffel on Apr 30, 2008 4:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why I'll always be kinda bummed I didn't go to Ohio State

On both sides of my family there’s been like 3 (of like 30) people including myself who went to college but did not go to Ohio State in the time since the boats landed

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 30, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think there's four levels of college rooting

1: Your alum(s)
2: Your relatives alum(s)
3: College/Uni where you grew up
4: You have no reason to root for this team, you suck as a person.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 4:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

An addendum

4a. You root for a lousy team hoping they’ll do well – good for you
4b. You root for a good team only when they are good – you’re a horrible person

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

agreed

plus
5. They better win othewise your March Madness bracket is fucked.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just go to Grinnell.

We’re relatively proud of our basketball team, but other than that nobody gives a shit. My highschool football field was 10x better than Grinnell’s.

by Liebkartoffel on Apr 30, 2008 4:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, the UPS team's football field is about equal to the one in McCall

basically no school athletic spirit here although we supposedly hate PLU

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 30, 2008 4:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My Mom and brother are PLU grads.

I made the mistake once of claiming that UPS has a nicer looking campus than PLU (which it does). I got the shit for weeks.

by Liebkartoffel on Apr 30, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I used to watch games there when I was a kid

UPS once had a great pro prospect at RB – a kid named Mike Oliphant. Played a bit with the Cleveland Browns.

by marc w on Apr 30, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One of your basketball players was my server last summer

At an Italian place in Des Moines. He was 6’8” and a really nice guy.

by Sec 108 on Apr 30, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My college's basketball 'stadium'

was smaller than my (single A) high school’s. It’s been ‘featured’ in movies that want to show HS sports.

Yay!

by marc w on Apr 30, 2008 4:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mega eye roll

My college debt disagrees with this notion.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Apr 30, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bitter tears Bitter tears

USC Baseball tradition > bRuin baseball tradition

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Apr 30, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm feelin' the love

Jeff Clement is a dreamboat.

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 3:53 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah when you first posted that

I could only see the T on his cap and thought “SMURF SMURF WE TRADED HIM TO TAMPA???”

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No Krueger. Wlad isn't going to make anybody forget about Vlad.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No. Not ever.

Wlad will never be in Vlad’s league.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One thing lost in all this

Felix must be thrilled to have his best friend on the big club for good with him.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 3:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah, Carlos . . .

We mourn Bill’s trade of Soriano, but when we got rid of Guillen, at least we got, like, some middle infielder, I think, or something. Sweet trade.

by Paytheline on Apr 30, 2008 4:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ramontiago.

AKA, That guy we got for Guillen.

I Jeff hates pho?

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 4:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what do any of them mean ever?

The basic reasoning behind these Kreuger pre game previews is that the key to winning is to win; that is why I love them.

by JI on Apr 30, 2008 4:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no, you're right

the stupid thing (well, most stupid) about it is that nothing silences that guy. It’s not like he stops drumming if they’re losing or something.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 4:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

crap

we’re screwed if we don’t silence the drummer tonight. Get it done M’s!

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on Apr 30, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"The story of tonight's game is going to be the pitching"

I don’t want to read that story.

Felix Hernandez may be The King, but Justin Upton is a GOD.

by Goose on Apr 30, 2008 4:01 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs