3/23: Open Game Thread

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 23, 2009 12:10 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners Game Threads

Curt Schilling retired. Which is great news, because this will provide him with way more free time to talk.

Tweet Comment 101 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

If this were last year opening day would be a week away

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions

Schilling doesn't talk, he orates

by Graham MacAree on Mar 23, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions

Schilling doesn't talk,

he ~~orates~~ bloviates.

angels fan in seattle

by Eyebrows on Mar 23, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Everyone always bemoans the lack of anything interesting coming out of the mouths of modern athletes. Schilling says what he wants when he wants, is reasonably honest, and is a lot more interesting to listen to than the average “we just take it one game at a time and the good lord willing everything will work out” athlete is, and yet somehow when he opens his mouth people hammer him for it. I’ve never understood that.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 23, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

It's because he says stupid things

I don’t hate him because he speaks his mind, I’m annoyed that he’s an idiot.

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

But then everyone would have to shut up,

because I have yet to meet anyone who has never said anything stupid.

by Sec 108 on Mar 23, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Just because I appreciate the fact that he exists doesn't mean I have to like him

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 23, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Kinda how I feel.

I love his honesty but feel he’s a little too forthcoming with opinions about things that don’t concern him. He has a right to say what he wants, and sometimes it’s hilarious, but sometimes it’s like, why are you talking? Overall, I like him more than I dislike him.

And since I’m here, some fun Schilling stories:

Report: Curt Schilling Has An Opinion On A-Rod

Curt Schilling To Start LiveBlogging From Mound

by Teej on Mar 23, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Most people don't do the former or the latter though

they just jump straight to HE SUCKS SHUT UP which is irritating.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 23, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Most people see the world in black and white.

by Matthew on Mar 23, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

which is why most people irritate the crap out of me.

Present company excepted, you’re all unique special snowflakes.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 23, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

SNOWFLAKES SUCK SHUT UP

by Teej on Mar 23, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

now you've hurt the snow's feelings

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 23, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I've never hated spring training more than I do this year.

by Teej on Mar 23, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions

The extra week is painfully unnecessary

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Why the fuck can I not watch any Mariners games on MLB.tv?

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 23, 2009 12:17 PM PDT reply actions

I gave up trying. Gave them my money and just gave up trying.

by royalcurve on Mar 23, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Because it's not televised?

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

That's stupid.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 23, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Appearently it is, but the link isn't on the daily link page

(which is super annoying)

My guess is that the link won’t be hot until about 1.00.

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

On second thought, it's an exclusive radio webcast

gay

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Listening to spring training baseball on the radio is about as exciting as listening to James Joyce books on tape.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 23, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Incredible

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Marvelous.

by royalcurve on Mar 23, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions

It's a fucking crime against humanity this fucker only has 3 recs

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This is good for Curt Schilling - he needs to come out of his shell

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

Now he can finally get his Night Elf Hunter all that tier8 gear he's been wanting

by OlSalty on Mar 23, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

fuck yeah

by Bearskin Rugburn on Mar 23, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Actually I think he has an Orc Shaman.

Holy crap I feel bad that I know that.

angels fan in seattle

by Eyebrows on Mar 23, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I heard his Guild was PO'd..

Because he wasn’t spending enough time Raiding.

He’s in Elitist Jerks, right?

by Kunkoh on Mar 23, 2009 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

ESPN debating his HOF candidacy

Ugh, they are comparing him to Blyleven. If Schilling gets in before Bert, then I will officially be done caring.

Until Ichiro is inducted in 10-12 years.

by hcoguy on Mar 23, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

This morning it seemed like their whole argument was

“He was 11-2 in post season games! Most post season wins EVAR!”

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Mar 23, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

It's actually a perfectly reasonable component of an overall case for Schilling.

Don’t overcompensate the other direction by dismissing the value and importance of postseason performance altogether. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Merit. Schilling has IMHO earned his spot there, though not on the first ballot.

Blyleven should have been inducted long ago. It’s a travesty that he’s not there yet.

Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism

by esoteric on Mar 23, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not saying it's a bad piece of an overall puzzle

but they were making it seem like that was all you needed to know about him.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Mar 23, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

But Blyleven isn't famous!

Or at least he wasn’t until the “Circle Me, Bert!” thing became popular…

.
.
.
.

I got nothin’

There’s NO reason Bly shouldn’t be in already. Grrrrr.

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Mar 23, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Where did Schilling's strikeout power come from?

I’ve always wondered about this. Schilling didn’t strike out all that many people at all, in the minors or majors, until his late 20s (his career minor league K/9 innings is 7.4). From 1992-1994, when he was age 25-27 and with the Phillies, his K/9 was 5.85, 7.11, and 6.34, respectively. Then it gets close to 1 K per inning in 1995 and 1996, then in 1997, his age 30 year, he goes NUTS becomes something like a ten-win pitcher when he’s healthy. He strikes out 11 guys per nine innings for 5 years. What happened? did his velocity go up? Did the movement on his pitches go up? Did his command get ridiculously better as he got older? His control got better, as his BB/9 was in the low 2s for most of the nineties, then was in the mid to low ones for most of this decade. But he seems like a freak outlier for getting so good as he got older.

by Decatur on Mar 23, 2009 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

Randy Johnson

See, it’s a well known fact that a good player needs protection. Batters knowing Randy is pitching right behind Curt are much more likely to attack Schilling’s pitches. So they just started getting themselves out, Schilling never changed anything.

It’s the exact same thought process as Jeff Kemp hitting behind Barry Bonds in the order, only in reverse since we’re talking about pitchers instead of hitters.

by Kermit. on Mar 23, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

His giant spike in K/9 was in 1997, though, three years before he went to Arizona

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Though I suppose your theory is fairly plausible given that his K/9 dropped off when he went to Boston

but in Boston, he was pitching with Pedro… though he was behind Pedro in the rotation

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus the Phils' pitching was terrible in 97 and 98

And that’s when Schilling’s K rate went through the roof.

by Decatur on Mar 23, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

It's a joke, fellas

by Matthew on Mar 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Randy Johnson more like steroids amirite

by OlSalty on Mar 23, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Randy Johnson is steroids!?!?!

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I said nothing about steroids

And I don’t feel like going down that road.

by Decatur on Mar 23, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't mean to suggest you did

It’s kind of a meme around here

by OlSalty on Mar 23, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

It's a joke

LL meme – any time someone suddenly gets good, STEROIDS STEROIDS STEROIDS!!!!!

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

No disrespect to your post intended decatur, once you pointed that out it was pretty eye popping.

I was just messing about, I hope you didn’t think that was at your expense.

by Kermit. on Mar 23, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

No worries, Kermit

I’m still getting a handle on the LL memes. Thanks for walking me through the joke.

by Decatur on Mar 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

You know, I'm not sure if batting order protection is an LL meme.

The mere mention of steroids makes me wince, prolonged contact causes nausea, but the batting order protection I’m not so sure about. When it comes up in the media my eyes often roll uncontrollably, so there is that.

by Kermit. on Mar 23, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Ask the bird.

by waldo rojas on Mar 23, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

So the bird was a metaphor for steroids! It all makes sense now

by Kermit. on Mar 23, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of RJ & Schilling

here

by msb on Mar 23, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Weren't strikeouts up across the league during that time?

Chicks digging the long ball and all that, plus age 30 for the peak of a pitcher is more normal than for a hitter.

by hcoguy on Mar 23, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

My guess would be that his control improved and his splitter got sharper.

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Mike Lieberthal became the Phillies starting catcher in 97

maybe he was just a really good game caller for Schilling and helped him figure out what worked for a strikeout pitch

by Malcontent1 on Mar 23, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions

We should bring Mike Lieberthal to Seattle and see what he can do for Carlos Silva =(

by seattlebruin on Mar 23, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

So Schilling apparently invented the fad of pitchers covering their mouth with the glove. Who knew.

At least according to this very informative article, found while looking for anything about him learning a new pitch. No joy.

by Kermit. on Mar 23, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

If you take his word for it:

Q-What age did your veocity jump?

A-My velocity increase had very little to do with my age and a lot more to do with my health. I was a 90-92 guy through the 1995 season. After I tore my labrum and Dr Craig Morgan repaired it, Phil Donnelly and Jeff Cooper gave me religion on the arm, shoulder and body as it relates to throwing. I gained 4-6mph from the 96 season through today. That was the one major factor in gaining velocity for me, learning about the arm and how it truly works.

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 23, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome

Thanks Jeff. That’s exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.

by Decatur on Mar 23, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Curacao'd

by ThundaPC on Mar 23, 2009 1:21 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah Wlad!

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I liked Curt Schilling

by Robert on Mar 23, 2009 1:36 PM PDT reply actions

Same, I loved the bloody sock game.

That was the first postseason I truly remember, and it was so awesome…

I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.

by EnglishMariner on Mar 23, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I have come to regret enjoying that game as it happened

by Jeff Sullivan on Mar 23, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes.

I still kick myself for not foreseeing just how insufferable things were going to get.

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Not me because when the Red Sox I won I was allowed to say "told ya so" to many a whiny Red Sox fan

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

It seems to me that you just like to annoy people in as many ways as possible.

by Robert on Mar 23, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, pretty much.

by JI on Mar 23, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm still glad it happened because there are plenty of Red Sox fans who never thought they'd live to see the day.

I’m increasingly convinced that the annoying Red Sox Fan syndrome is less about the World Series win and more about generational douchebaggery.

by Aaron Campeau on Mar 23, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions

There is a reason people from Massachusettes are known as Massholes.

by Jed MC on Mar 23, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I hated seeing the Red Sox in Seattle after their World Series win.

Brand-spankin’-new Red Sox jerseys outnumbered Mariner fans 2:1 that game. It made me want to puke.

by d0nkey on Mar 23, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

My general undying hatred for the Red Sox has a blanket Curt Schilling exception.

Put quite simply, he is my favorite baseball personality of the last several years. I find the attacks on him for having a “big mouth” to be perversely off-key: I can’t think of anybody in the game that I’m MORE interested in hearing/reading than Schilling. He’s thoughtful, articulate, speaks his mind, says stupid shit every now and then as he steps in it, but overall he just vibrates with true enthusiasm and love for the game.

Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism

by esoteric on Mar 23, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

M's winning against the Big Unit and Lincecum!?

World Series here we come!

by hcoguy on Mar 23, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

Jaku-fucking-bauskas.

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

4 Cy Young.

by ThundaPC on Mar 23, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm going to have to create a totally non-ironic sockpuppet with that name.

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Or...

…you could post something at Morsels…
(look especially closely at the home page)

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Mar 23, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

NICE!

I really should do that. I’ve been a bad co-blogger.

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

You've had a leader that leads by example...

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Mar 23, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

2009 SPRING TRAINING WORLD CHAMPIONS BITCHES

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 23, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Spring Training is like pre-pubescence

You have to wait seemingly forever through hellish, embarrassing days to get to the awesomeness you see approaching,

by lemonverbena on Mar 23, 2009 2:36 PM PDT reply actions

I'm looking forward to that.

Illegible

by kevin_ess on Mar 23, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Soo Rob Johnson continues to hit

we are kind of jammed at catcher.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Mar 23, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

One good thing about ST?

Drayer’s blog.

Ranging from Felix to nutrition the last two days ….

by msb on Mar 23, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

A well established fastball

bleh.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Mar 23, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

"He told me you have to get ahead, and if you throw the fastball for strikes the breaking ball will be better."

No sh*t. What a genius. If you throw strikes you’ll be better off… how insightful

by Rudy4three on Mar 23, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Randy Johnson/Tim Lincecum

8.1IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 1SO

by ThundaPC on Mar 23, 2009 3:06 PM PDT reply actions

9.0IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 1SO

by ThundaPC on Mar 23, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Jose Lopez owned you today Timmy

by Rudy4three on Mar 23, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

And Robby Johnson owned both Timmy and RJ.

by marc w on Mar 23, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Clement better get his act together, or he's heading back to Tacoma

by Rudy4three on Mar 23, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

For Rob Johnson?

That seems absurd

by Graham MacAree on Mar 23, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Baker insinuated that the M's were thinking that the other day

by Rudy4three on Mar 23, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions

It could make sense, I guess...

Riding the pine not getting MLB ABs (either at DH or at C) is probably worse than a fourth year in Tacoma donning the catcher’s gear or familiarizing himself with a first baseman’s glove but in the lineup regularly. Not that he has anything to work on, hitting-wise, in AAA. While the ideal situation is for him to start at C in the bigs and DH in days he’s not catching, it’s entirely possible that he hasn’t shown them enough to start in the bigs regularly behind the dish and since there’s really no room at DH for him, he needs to still get into game action and keep hitting, even if it is against waaaay inferior pitching…

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Mar 23, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions