Open Thread - Game 81: Mets vs Yankees (07/02/2006) on ESPN

by Eric Simon on Jul 2, 2006 6:37 PM EDT

Mets look to take the season series at the Stadium tonight.

Let's go Mets!

Follow the game online (opens in new window):
- MLB.com Gameday
- Yahoo! Box Score
- ESPN.com Box Score
- CBS SportsLine GameCenter

Other Game Chatters...
- MetsGeek.com
- Baseball Think Factory
- Pinstripe Alley

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Comments

nobody home?

It's been quiet around here over the holiday weekend, I guess. I won't be sticking around after the rain to catch all of this game, but let me say: This is the least dramatic Yankees-Mets matchup since forever. I think there's very little at stake here, for either team -- the Yanks are attaching more importance to their games against Boston at this point, and the Mets have nothing left to prove until October this year. With a pitching matchup as lame as tonight's this will make for uninspiring national TV even for the most committed New Yorkers. All the same, I'd love to see the Mets come away with a series win, just as I'd love them to win series against San Diego or Milwaukee -- it's just that this game doesn't end up feeling much more meaningful than that.

by anonymous on Jul 2, 2006 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

I'm here, but will just post sporadically

as I'm watching the game while catching up on various paperwork.

Go Cliffy!

I hope Omar is going to wow us by pulling off some unexpected deal for starting pitching that none of us expected but that turns out being great.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Will be great if Cliff can really

get going and forget about his early drought.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I know Jaret Wright sucks, but still,

nice hitting by the Old Man. Stache knows he screwed up with that non-slide.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

Let's see if Nady can come through

with men in RISP. Well, if he can't hit, a walk is OK.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Again Acta could have held the runner

there would have been one out, 2nd and 3rd with Nady up and no pitcher batting.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

I think Acta was right to send Valentin

I think there was some miscommunication, Stache could have scored with better baserunning.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

On the other hand, I forgot

Valentin was trying to score from 1B. Certainly the safer play would have been to put up the stop sign at 3B.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

in a NL ballpark, I like that move. However with Nady in 9 hole. I would have held stache. More likely than not Nady gets that run home with a groundout/sac fly. No need to be that agressive with nobody out in an AL ballpark. Sometime it seems to me Acta doesn't think out these situtation before hand and takes a lot of bad risks.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Jose, Jose, Jose!

I really want to take this series.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Jose Reyes

RBI Machine.

Dig down, find more.

by ntrainbug on Jul 2, 2006 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Well I can't complain much about this inning.

Let's hope Soler can retain focus.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Jaret Wright stinks

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2006 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Wright left some game in it

Oh well...good AB.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

Well, at least it was just

a solo HR.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Melky (white substance)

grounds out to end the inning.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2006 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

he gets a big hit

and wants to act like he's the man now. He makes $25 million a year, a few big hits should be included at that price. He irrates me to no end.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Willie wants to see whether Soler has the

grapefruits. And he's gone pine nuts.

Omar we need a 3rd.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Pitching

Omar we need a 3rd.

Indeed.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, you think Soler will end up

back in Norfolk, and we'll call up Maine or what?

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

They've decided to let Pedro heal it looks

So maybe we'll see someone else.

If it's Pelfrey, you heard it here first!

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Why is Soler still in?

He hasn't retired a batter this inning, an inning that started 7 ABs ago when he walked the # 9 hitter.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2006 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

seeing what soler has

remember, we have an 11.5 game lead in the division. it's better to see what we really have in soler now rather than in the postseason.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

From the look of things ...

not much. Back-to-back ugly outings, and the start against the Reds wasn't that good. He has allowed 10 runners to reach base in 2.2 IP. He hasn't struck anyone out either.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 2, 2006 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

So, Pedro's finally going to miss a start

tomorrow. Too bad they didn't rest him earlier, like in early June. Stupid, stupid, stupid way of handling him. Willie was quoted as saying he'd rather err on the side of caution now. That's what you say when you discover there's an injury significant enough to require a cortisone shot. They're a little late in exercising caution.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

you know my feelings on that

He never should have made that start in Boston.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I have been a big

willie supporter this year, but leaving that kid out there to suffer was cruel. It also doesn't make sense since it's early and the Mets still have a chance regardless of how big a lead they have. Anyway, this is Soler's last start. He doesn't have a major league fastball.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

i agree

Soler is done. I was at his first start at Shea and he spent half of the first inning stomping at the mound and throwing slurves in the dirt while the batters were taking all the way. My friend turned to me and said "This guy is a headcase. I give him two months."

Dig down, find more.

by ntrainbug on Jul 2, 2006 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

two months to stay in the majors

or be institutionalized

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I was at that game too

Against Arizona, his makeup worries me. He reminds me so much of Hideki Irabu on the mound right down the portlyness. He kicks at dirt and refused to throw fastballs early in the count. Time to give Maine his shot.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Nick Green

now he's a star. this is an utter embarrassment. Worse than that, it's giving Joe Morgan an excuse to ridicule the Mets. Maine should come back. Where is Bannister? 11 1/2 game leads mean nothing when you can't put guys out there who can pitch. Milledge, Pelfrey should be on the table if the Mets intend to go far in playoffs.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Joe Morgan

is 100% right. Willie conceded a game to the Yankees and is coasting with 11 1/5 game lead. As a fan, I resent it.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

What was Willie to do

Last week in Boston. Soler and Pedro were gone before the 5th. Glavine made it the 5th. Now Soler is getting creamed in the 3rd. You can't keep going to the bullpen early all the time, sometimes guys gotta take the hit. Soler is no kid, he 29 years old. Willie didn't concede the game, it would have been nice for Soler to get a few outs in the 3rd and not walk and give up HR to Nick Green who was 3/39.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank goodness LoDuca got a hit

Because Miller and Morgan have rolled right off their rockers.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

This might just be the end of Miller and Morgan

and some people will be relieved.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

you think they

are getting fired because of this game. Morgan is usually a dope, but at least he is provocative.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Can you elaborate

For those not with the ESPN broadcast?

The nye Mets are my favorite squadron.

by LAwman on Jul 2, 2006 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

they are beating a dead horse

but Morgan happens to be right. This isn't one of Willie's finest hours. Hell, it's July 2, not September 2.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

nice to see

DelGado jogging down to first. Nady can't get his ass in gear to tell Valentin to slide. What the fuck. If these guys are too far ahead to hustle and if Willie is willing to concede games, maybe Wilpon would like to return money to the fans who pay good money to see them play

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

return money

to yankee fans at yankee stadium?

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

don't mean this particular game

but wouldn't want to see this idea of sitting on the division lead continue. It's no badge of honor to be 11 1/5 games up in the NL Least.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

being in 1st is all that counts

the Mets cant help it the division sucks. The goal is to make the playoffs.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

as a fan

I would like to be entertained with good, hard fought games. I don't want to see my team embarrassed on national television to the Yankees.

If I go to see a play that has been playing for five years, I want to see a good performance on the night I see the play. I don't give a crap that it might be the longest running play on Broadway.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

this is a sport... a competition...

part of a 162 game season.

this is not a play where everything is scripted the same each day.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

forget it

you just don't get it

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

true

but they will get blown out everyonce in a while. Every team will be, you might not like it, but thats a fact of baseball life. Just like their will be times on Bway you get the understudy instead of the star.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

it's human psychology

it's not too surprising they got cocky/confident/relaxed after their big streak on the road a couple weeks ago. remember, this team has the ability. they may just need to be put in their place a couple games to regain their perspective for the second half of the season, which is when we want them to be playing well..

better they get in a funk now (all teams get in funks and frankly this is the FIRST one of the season for this team) since they will have time to recover from it.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

the 1986 team

had a bigger lead than this one does. I don't recall many games in early July where the Mets played with their heads up their ass. Nady can now join the list of guys who need a little talking to.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't know if it's a matter of

being put in their place. They need to regain sharpness and focus. Otherwise, I agree, well said.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Just to be clear, I was replying

to The Wright Stuff.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions

it's like rocky III

when he gets cocky fighting easy contenders and then gets massacred by mr t.

after that he regained his focus and came back and walloped him in the rematch.

i know its just a stupid movie, but the psychology of it is where i'm drawing the comparison.

anyway, this isn't the game that really matters. it's the ones in the posteason when we get a rematch (possibly)

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

we've got 5 more innings

and we're into yanks' sketchy bullpen.

this game's not over yet people.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

maybe not

but it would be nice if these guys can get their heads into this game.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think our guys were stunned

by Soler's meltdown. Nobody likes to lose. They'll give it their best shot, but they've got to score soon to get back in the game, and Heath Bell has to not give up any more runs. C'mon Bell.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

they get him 4 runs

and be comes out and gives up an 8 run inning. How would you feel out there. He may have lost the confidence of his teammates with this performance.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you replying to me or to

Eli or someone else? Anyway, I completely agree.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

as do i

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

you

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

We already knew Nady's D sucks

And now he's trying to play with only one working wrist.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 11:17 PM EDT reply actions

nady

i saw that one coming.

he took a horrible route to that ball..

gosh that sucks.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:17 PM EDT reply actions

it was a route that Magellan could be proud of

He plays like the ball as if its vial full of botulism.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

And he's always got what looks like a grimace on his face. Makes him look even more like he's afraid of the ball.

by Max in NJ on Jul 2, 2006 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

you begin to see

why Bochy saw him as part time player. Maybe they should DL him with the wrist injury

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

oh by the way

when Cliff gets better switch him and Nady. Cliff with is faults is 10X better OF than Nady.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Oliver's up

And that probably means someone's coming in from Norfolk tonight.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

Or fleeing the flood in Binghamton...

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah Maine last pitched on the 27th

He might make that start tommorow.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't remember...

I can't remember a time a team had a big early lead, and then proceeded to get obliterated like this.

Props to the Met fans still at the stadium. HORRID defense tonight. Soler, learn to stick your pathetic arm out.

"They win the damn thing by a score of 10-9!"

by ZaBlanc on Jul 2, 2006 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

ugh

i hate these in-game conversations.

leave willie alone, he's got enough to deal with right now.

by The Wright Stuff on Jul 2, 2006 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

poor willie. Why bother him

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

agree 100%

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

wow- I was just on Metsgeek

the guys posting on that site are going nuts. They make me look like a ray of sunshine.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:30 PM EDT reply actions

they want Soler and Bell in AAA

and I can't say I disagree.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with that too

and they are absolutely destroying Willie. Perhaps somebody could knock a Yankee player down. They should have done it to A-Rod before he just hit another homer.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Willie

is showing a lot of class and isn't making excuses. I may not agree with his moves tonite, but I was happy to hear from him. As always, a class act

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

oh I was on NJ Turnpike

for the Giambalco play at 1st, but seeing the replay Soler should get sent down for that play. No excuse for not covering 1st then he doesn't try to tag Giambi.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

Dear Heath Bell

PUT HIM ON HIS ASS, NOT LET HIM STROLL THE BASES.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Jul 2, 2006 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

can't do it now

too obvious a brawl would break out. He should stay limber next season though.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

what's wrong with a brawl

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

well nothing

if you like gratuitous, unnecessary violence, getting half the team suspended, and to answer 800 questions about the brawl with the Yankees in the papers for the next week.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I like a little gratuitous violence

every now and then. It might take everybody's mind off the mets woeful performance tonite. I don't like Guillen for his homophobic remarks, but baseball has become a wuss game with the stupid knock-down warning rules. give me Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale and the old Pedro over the pansy pitchers of today.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

agree totally

though such a move is not really Willie-like. If it were Guillen there would have been a bench clearing brawl by now.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yes and Ozzie behavior is exactly

the right example of how managers should behave

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

no, see above

but he's a winner isn't he pal.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

yes he wins

but he acts like a damn fool. Not going to endorse that.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Heath Bell getting to take one for the team

PayRod put that one in orbit. Omar must be burning up the phones as week.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

Joe Mogan

just complimented Torre for putting in Villone. A not too veiled dis of Willie for staying with Soler. All national announcers, Buck, McCarver, Miller and Morgan not fond of Mets

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

fuck em

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Being openly humilated in this fashion

before the entire NY audience, can't be in the Wilpon's business plan.

by peeder on Jul 2, 2006 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

tell this to Jonboy

he says that being in first place is all that's important.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 2, 2006 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

because thats the case

When the Mets win the division in Sept, tell me you will care what happened tonight.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

that's true

but, this is entertainment and a humiliating loss to the Yankees is not equal to an easy win to the Pirates. I recall you saying that you couldn't concentrate at work because you were pre-occupied with the Met Yankee series. Will you be as into the Met-Pittsburgh series.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 3, 2006 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

i never said that

I said I struggled with my focus before the holiday weekend. Baseball wouldn't cause me to lose focus. Also Mets-Yankees doesn't mean all that much to me. Its not like we get to world champs when we beat them. I'll be watching Mets-Pirates and hoping that the boys from the Allegany come here and get smoked.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 3, 2006 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

sorry for misconstruing

what you said. If I were in charge, I would get rid of interleague play, but since it exists Mets-Yankees game have more impact from a marketing point of view.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 3, 2006 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Interleague play

the purist luddite in me doesn't really like it and would rather be playing the Dogders, Cards, and Cubs, teams that we used to see a lot in the old schedule but we never see anymore because of interleague. The capitalist in me sees why MLB wants interleague, it can harvest these great geographical rivials from the regions that have multiple teams, or cities that are close together. So I say keep it, but scale it back some, maybe just have the rivals series. or play 2 game sets.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 3, 2006 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

you're right

money talks and bullshit walks. same with designated hitter. It keeps an extra high priced hitter in a game to satisfy the union and give smore offense which ups attendance. I can't stand watching games with DH. it's not real baseball to me, but it will never be abolished because money talks an bullshit walks sometimes on four pitches.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 3, 2006 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

true

I agree about the DH. I think it could be negotiated away, if the owners were willin to go to 27 man rosters, which I think would be a good thing the way bullpens are used now.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 3, 2006 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

it will never happen

in our lifetime. What makes it worse is the lack of uniformity in rules between leagues and screws up the world series. it is unprecedented in sports.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 3, 2006 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

DH is water under the bridge

I actually long for the days when the two leagues had significant enough differences for there to be two different leagues.

The AL never will go back to playing real baseball. To be honest, the DH rule is one of the last things that actually separates the junior circuit from the NL.

Here is what truly has watered down the difference between the leagues:

umps now are "MLB umps", not NL or AL umps (that started a few years back)
with free agency, players go to the high bidder; there is no more team (or league) loyalty
this BS interleague play, where the NL teams see just as much of their "local rivals" as they do of long-time, genuine intra-league rivals (see Jonboy's comment above about how the Mets don't even see the Dodgers, Reds, Giants, etc.)

Fuck the AL. Once again, I hope the NL mops the floor with them in the All-Star Game. Maybe this year will be different.

by kingcritical on Jul 3, 2006 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

The AL is significantly better than NL right now

the interleague record of AL, dominance in World Series and even All Star game demonstrate this. Some of this has to do with DH, but even AL pitching is better than NL especially good young pitching.

end the madness.stop the war

by elifriedman on Jul 3, 2006 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not debating which is more talented

It's obvious that the AL is the better league right now. I just think the NL is the better league in terms of the rules, history, etc.

I lament the changes over the last decade or two that have made the two leagues more or less the same; they used to be two separate entities that would meet once a year in the WS. Were I commissioner, I never would have let the leagues slide into such uniformity, like they have.

by kingcritical on Jul 3, 2006 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

we smoked them

before, in a game that included a reliever smacking a 2B and scoring on a groundout when nobody covered home. It happens, nice to have the Pirates, who are probably the worse team in all of baseball.

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Jul 2, 2006 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions