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Around SBN: New media and the Loss of Sportsmanship

9/27: Open Game Thread

Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners, Sep 27, 2008 1:10 PM PDT





W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Ryan Rowland-Smith 4-3 46 11 0 0 2 1 111.2 105 46 42 13 46 72 3.39 1.35


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Greg Smith 7-15 31 31 2 0 0 0 183.1 164 86 83 20 85 108 4.07 1.36

Not to bring a negative attitude into an RRS appearance, but - could someone please explain the whole Jose Lopez/first base thing that's going on? I'm trying not to get too upset on account of we don't know what the new GM is going to do, but on what planet does this make even the slightest lick of sense? They're aware that Lopez doesn't even like playing the position, right? Why am I hearing talk of this being a more permanent sort of switch? Why? Why?

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My hope is that it's just hype! to make the callups seem more exciting.

I’m usually of the opinion that any versatility is a plus no matter how trivial it seems, but these bastards just can’t be trusted.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Also Jose Lopez has turned into quite the asset

I wouldn’t mind trading him for someone better defensively/ better at reaching base, but like with Beltre, Safeco suppresses his numbers so I’m not sure if we could get value.

GOD I hate the way our park is configured.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think there's much reason to dump Lopez

unless you think his defensive downgrade is permanent. Assuming that he regresses back toward his fair/good defense, he’s good to have at second.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If only Yuni for LaRoche had happened.

And yeah, certainly float his name around and see what comes back, but unlike Yuni who I think you have to dump in order to win, Lopez has value.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd love to sign

Furcal and/or Bradley and I’ve even warmed of to Tex because last year looks like it’s not a fluke. But those are easy answers

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tex's pricetag is going to be insane now.

But man, what a winter this is going to be. Everyone and their mother is a free agent.

No matter who are GM is and what his or her plan for 2009 is, I am so ecstatic that we don’t have Bavasi helming us through this winter.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

…I had a dream where we signed CC but didn’t have to pay him.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know what would be neat?

If they were doing this to make room for Ellis or Hudson. Alas…

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 27, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't want to pay for Ellis because he will get hurt

But Hudson would be grand, and at that point you might as well deal Lopez and find a better hitter to play first.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, but it never hurts to cover your bases

This isn’t going to happen though, so >:(

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 27, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But if Ellis could be had on the cheap

and Lopez could be dealt for offense… that could make sense

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm skeptical about Hudson.

How good can his defense stay going forward?

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn't want to go four years

secondbasemen usually don’t age well

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's the thing with both Hudson and Ellis.

I think this team can be competitive sooner than most people (not including LL obviously,) but I think it’s probably best to use the next few years of low expectations to try to do so with players like Lopez. If there were a younger second baseman coming into free agency it’d be different. Yuni is another case, because he’s bad. I’d be all for dumping him and signing Furcal or something.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Sep 27, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whatever makes us better makes us better

regardless of other’s expectations.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, but is making us marginally better in 2009 worth dumping Lopez?

It would depend on what you got in return and the other moves you made obviously, but chances are quite good that the M’s aren’t likely to seriously compete next year, even with improvements. So do you take a chance that Ellis will stay healthy or that Hudson’s defense will hold up for the four years you’re likely to have him?

J.K.L.

by acblue on Sep 27, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

When I say better I am describing the long term health of the franchise

no one wants to move and serious assets for a short term long shot to try to win 87-90 games… except for maybe Chuck Armstrong.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It can't possibly be permanent

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Corcotopia and Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Sep 27, 2008 12:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure he's an asset in CF

but if we’re better with him in CF I hope he’s willing to move, but I doubt it because players don’t like changing positions.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Heard there are a couple nice CF prospects in our system.

Saunders-Big lefty bat that if he can find his power could end up like Hamilton and speedy!
Halman-Has nice power but not as fast as Saunders.

by Slurvey on Sep 27, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm glad I'm having time to adjust to the inevitability of the MVPs this year being Ryan Howard and Dustin Pedroia.

Because this is going to be the biggest combined fuckjob in award history. There’s not a single decent metric that you can use to show Howard or Pedroia as deserving.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:16 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Because it should matter.

Baseball should have a way to award the best hitter and pitcher for each league that isn’t fucking retarded.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would like to care.

Just like I would like to care about the All-Star game and the Hall of Fame. It upsets me that I cannot because the criteria used are awful.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This will be the first year that I've followed baseball

where no American Leaguer hits 40 HRs, and Howard could be the only player to top the mark period. That includes strike seasons.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Insane.

Is the pitching better? Is it a younger league? Are the old-timers who consistently hit 40+ homeruns on a yearly basis retiring and regressing to their 38+ year old age? Steroids crackdown?

With the smaller ballparks popping up all over, this is quite the dramatic drop off in homerun rates.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Everything goes in cycles

look how strong the NL was at the beginning of the decade.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Losing team

got all his RBIs int he firs half

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He cooled down a lot after a really nice first half.

If he continued at that pace people believed he could’ve been a triple crown winner.

by Slurvey on Sep 27, 2008 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nope

He’s basically been just as good offensively.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also

he has a 1.019 OPS at home, .793 on the road.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No. 4 Florida might go down this week.

31-24 late in the 4th.

Com’on Ole Miss!!

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So... Florida just ran down the field to score the tying points.

But 3:28 remains with Ole Miss getting the ball. Just get into FG range and run the clock!

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

BLOCKED EXTRA POINT!!!!!

Ole Miss 31
Florida 30

!!!!!!

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

FLORIDA LOSES!!!

It’s a great day for college football!!!

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've said this before

but you should’ve seen some of the names they recommended before we compromised with this one.

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 27, 2008 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The final weekend is so much fun

I hope we clinch today so I can watch all the (hopefully) tied races boil down tomorrow. What a great time for a bye.

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 12:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I have a feeling the M's are going to summon some foolhardy courage today, and win this meaningles game.

Meanwhile the Nats are going to get sodomized by Jamie Moyer yet again. (Though they’re sending out their most reliable starter in Lannan, so who knows?)

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not to sound traitorous...but LET'S GO M'S!! BEAT DEM A's!!

[sez the Nationals fan in me]

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 12:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Incidentally, I am very displeased at the failure of the Mets to lose.

I can think of no team I dislike quite so much as the New York Mets. When you defeat the Mets you are doing God’s work.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 12:58 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Trade for high profile players.

Gut the farm system.
Sign expensive free agents.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but the Beltran signing HAS been brilliant and well worth it.

And they developed Wright and Reyes on their own.

It’s the stupid trades that hurt them: losing Flores for nothing, giving away Milledge for two pieces that are pretty worthless (though Milledge hasn’t exactly covered himself with glory yet either). I can’t blame the Kaz-Zambrano trade on Minaya, but that also really hampered them.

The bullpen has been their undoing. They should have re-signed Bradford, at the very least, and built up more reliable backups than Aaron Heilmann and Pedro Feliciano.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, the Milledge trade made no sense.

They got some good stuff out of Church for a while, though.

by Teej on Sep 27, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ironically enough, the Milledge trade was made necessary by the fact that they lost their catcher of the future in Jesus Flores

….to none other than the Nationals, who snagged him in the Rule V draft. (Minaya had forgotten to protect him because…well, because he’s a moron.)

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't disagree.

But they have taken the same approach and are failing. That’s my only point.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Beltran signing appears to have worked out.

And their farm system created Wright and Reyes. It made sense to get Johan this year and make a run. And they didn’t give up a ton to get him. They have a window of opportunity.

by Teej on Sep 27, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Failing to make the playoffs and not winning the WS in 8 years.

Maybe not “horribly,” but it has been a path to destruction. They may still win a lot of games every year, but they won’t/haven’t been the best team.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

2006 Cardinals

Can’t disagree.

But does anyone think the Yankees are going to be perennial contenders over the next 5 years? I don’t.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I do.

Their lineup can still rake, and they were killed by an insane number of injuries this year. With Hughes and Joba joining the rotation, they’re once again one of the better teams in the AL.

by Teej on Sep 27, 2008 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You think their bullpen is going to hold up?

Posada is probably done.
Matsui is up in the air with injuries.
Jeter is regressing.

It will be interesting if they do sign Teixeira, though.

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rivera is dominant, and it's not hard to find some guys to supplement him.

They have talent in the system and the money to sign superstars. I see no reason to think they won’t be competitive for years to come.

Their run differential was about the same as the Angels this year. And that’s with all the injuries.

by Teej on Sep 27, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And notice how many WS the late '90s Yanks won?

That was a team that was driven far more by its homegrown talent plus its smart, relatively cheap acquisitions (e.g. O’Neill).

Also, the Yank farm system produced Pettite and Williams. Pretty fucking good system.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Change of philosophy after 2001.

I am not talking about their WS teams 10 years ago. I am talking about their recent “success.”

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, fair enough, but I don't think that describes what the Mets are doing now.

They’re TRYING to do what the ‘90s Yanks did. They’re just failing at it.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, it's indescribably awesome for sure.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. If the Brewers lose today it’s tied again for the WC…if the Mets sneak into the postseason I’ll be heartbroken.

But at least I’ll always have my Rays.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

HEY JI....

…Can I get a “Wainwright-pwns-Beltran” GIF from you here for good luck?

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 12:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

God dammit let the Brewers have this one.

And fuck you Lou for no Edmonds

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 1:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't see one regular in the Cubs' lineup.

If the Brewers can’t win this one…

by Wilder. on Sep 27, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've liked the Brewers a lot over the past few years, but I really started pulling for them after they shitcanned Yost

A ballsy, and utterly necessary move. Dale Sveum isn’t exactly a mastermind, but just look at the way he handled the pitchers last night: Suppan + McClung and that’s all. Not 6 different relievers, each failing in different ways. It was stunningly efficient for anyone who’s watched the way Yost manages a bullpen.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can't win today

PHI vs WSH – detest Mets so want Philly to win, but now that we’re there want M’s to end it last.

Uhh…. Go Oakland?

Mariner fan, Europhile and mobile insider --- P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Sep 27, 2008 1:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I want a 3 way tie for the WC

and for the Twins/ White Sox to end up in a tie as well.

Fogel will understnad

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 1:14 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

David Andriesen of the Seattle PI is really, really, really smart.

KJR should have his interview with Dick Faign up later, and it’s worth listening to. He called bullshit on Ichiro being selfish.

by BrianL on Sep 27, 2008 1:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If I were to root for the final outcome of this season based NOT on fandom, but rather on which franchise needed it more desperately...

…should I root for the M’s or the Nats to get the #1 pick? I incline towards the Nats on this question even notwithstanding the fact that I’m a fan of theirs.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perhaps, but they haven't frittered any away yet.

I’m as pessimistic as they get (I’ve come around on firing Bowden, fwiw…he needs to go), but until I see them actually blowing it, I’m not going to assume a priori that they’ll become Pittsburgh Mk. II just yet.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm going to assume that
Last Play: Y. Betancourt reached on bunt single to third

Means piddling little grounder the A’s 3B let go in hopes of it rolling foul.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Sep 27, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Awesome. We can only luck our way into runs.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Shit, I think you're right.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There are other articles, but that is indeed a tough search combo.

Link

With the Chicago White Sox trailing 6-0 in the seventh inning, manager Ozzie Guillen appeared intent on settling another score after A.J. Pierzynski had been hit twice by Texas starter Vicente Padilla. Enter rookie pitcher Sean Tracey, who had thrown just over four innings in his two previous appearances in the majors.

Tracey threw way inside on the first two pitches but Texas batter Hank Blalock had little trouble avoiding the pitches and eventually grounded out. Guillen then pulled the pitcher and could be seen yelling at him in the dugout. While Guillen denied telling Tracey to hit Blalock, the White Sox returned Tracey to the minors after the game.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Sep 27, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for nothing, Wlad. (M's esoteric)

Thanks for everything, Wlad. (Nats esoteric)

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

M's esoteric = Smeagol

Nats esoteric = Gollum gollum, my preciousssss….

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

...

Yay competent shortstop in the draft!

by BrianL on Sep 27, 2008 1:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

This is karmically hilarious.

Miguel Cairo walk? Wlad clutch hit? KENJI FB?

They got together in the clubhouse this morning and decided to have a laugh at our expense.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Shiiiiiite

We can’t even lose when we need to :o(

Mariner fan, Europhile and mobile insider --- P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Sep 27, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry I can't stick around to talk

There is work to be done over in Philadelphia

The pup that laughs when you're down on your luck.

by Scrappy the Scapegoat on Sep 27, 2008 1:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I was asked at last nights game to do a survey

at the end they asked me if there was anything else or suggestions. The girl had a tape recorder for my answer. I said “I read Lookoutlanding.com and USSMariner.com every single day of the year and the FO should take their suggestions. They know what they are talking about.” And then I just started screaming “Chris Antonetti for GM” until she turned it off and said “I think they get it.”

by mark sobba on Sep 27, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Now Gameday is saying Betancourt walked

It’s getting really buggy recently

by Graham on Sep 27, 2008 1:47 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You can't give an LVP to a player who was cut midway through the season, methinks.

Though I suppose giving the NL LVP to A. Jones kind of calls that into doubt, given his injuries.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

RAAAAUUUUUL!!!!

We cheer when Mariners do bad stuff, right?

by Terminator_X on Sep 27, 2008 1:50 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes yes yes

Now give up some runs

by Graham on Sep 27, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Knock it off with the non-Rays crap.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I realize now that you were parodying the thread Jeff linked.

Which I had forgotten about entirely. Which is funny, because I commented in it. Which makes me feel like I have early-onset Alzheimer’s. Or perhaps too many damn posts on LL.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sometimes I think I miss ASUBoyd.

Then I go to FieldGulls and realize that, no, I do not in fact miss him.

by Matthew on Sep 27, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh butthol
I think there’s some sort of note on Graham when we sign up
I should have read the fine print!
It was the only sentence.

by Jeff Sullivan on Sep 27, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No matter how hard you try you cannot make me nostalgic for butthol.

Coach is another matter entirely.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Coach's "Gameday photoshop scramble" picture was pretty immortal.

Hell, I even remember liking it at the time in all its ghastly garish glory, not merely in retrospect.

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I remember it well. He did it sheepishly.

Paraphrasing: “This is really lame but hey, we actually have something to get excited about so for fuck’s sake please show up and please wear the team colors. Don’t do what Donny Don’t does.”

B.J. Upton's new nickname = "Laggard McShambleslow"

by esoteric on Sep 27, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

2-0?

Not looking good

9=8

by JI on Sep 27, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

God damn it,

why can’t we run the squeeze more often? It’s so awesome.

by appleshampoo on Sep 27, 2008 2:13 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

C'mon Anderson Hernandez!

I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.

by andrewgolfsalot on Sep 27, 2008 2:15 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

YES YES YES!

I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.

by andrewgolfsalot on Sep 27, 2008 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And it's not like you have to be so forward about it

Stop turning this into some kind of Tuiasosopopera

by Fogel on Sep 27, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions   3 recs

C'mon Christian Guzman!

It worked so well the first time.

I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.

by andrewgolfsalot on Sep 27, 2008 2:15 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

NO!!!!!

I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.

by andrewgolfsalot on Sep 27, 2008 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs