Official 2012 MLB Thread

[B35 via Church]

No, that makes you a bandwagon fan (if that's the only reason to not be a Mets fan). It's easy to pick a team that's winning, a real fan sticks by the team no matter what.

 

That comment of his reminds me of what my sister told me about some "mets fan" she knew in college.....

 

At the parade in '09, she saw the same guy at the parade w/ a Jeter jersey on cheering as loud as he can.....

Dude told her & her friends "I came to the parade because I wanna know what winning feels like".....

You don't know how hard I was laughing when she told me that BS.....

 

Doesn't surprise me though..... just as much as there are many fairweather Yankee fans, there are plenty Met fans that hide behind the guise of being "new york" fans.... my uncle does that same shit, and it annoys me to no end......

[Shortline Bus]

Someone already counting down the few years (some analysts feel Harper is the best OF prospect since Ken Griffery, Jr. almost 25 years ago)until it seems the Yankees sign as a free agent the next superstar. That assuming Harper stays healthy though.

 

Well Alejr hold on. Starting around the 2014 season as part of the new agreement with the players union(i.e brought us the new expanded wild card starting this season), MLB will expands the 'payroll tax.' As most of you know the 'tax' is baseball smaller version of a salary cap. Thus not sure by then in '14, not sure the big money clubs such as the Yanks and Red Sox could afford him. Alejr i would not automatcially in Dec. 2018 assume he will debuting that Yankee Jersey yet.

 

 

I happen to see Bryce Harper, the next future Yankee according to him. I didn't see him play CF today but I saw him play the day before. He played left field and he can run pretty good. The kid has a cannon of an arm, he used to be a catcher in his college days before he got drafted. I saw him get his first big league hit which was a booming double all the way to the CF. He's really young, doesn't turn 20 until October. The best part of that Saturday Nationals at Dodgers game was not only Harper's debut but Stephen Strasburg tossing 7 dominant innings against Matt Kemp and Donnie's Dodgers.

 

On the Yankee side of things, CC is CC and former Yankee farmhand Austin Jackson almost made the catch of the year. He was so close until the ball fell out of his glove and Granderson gets his homer. Still frustrated on the Yanks LOB but that happens when your team has a high OBP. It's one of those days.

 

[Grand Concourse]

I have a feeling Hal may try to bring the team below the $189 mil cap to 'reset' the luxury tax penalty. I see at least Swisher and Martin being let go unless they agree to lesser deals. I fear it may also come down to keeping either Granderson or Cano unless either or both agree to some restructured deal (ie: deferred payment like the one Roger Clemens took).

 

@B35, yeah, even in the period from 2001 to 2008, I don't see why Yankee 'fans' were bailing on the team. Considering they only missed the playoffs just once, that's no excuse to bail on them at all.

 

I will say that anyone that's still a Knicks fan despite what Thomas did to the team are true fans. So I have to admit that I have my limits when someone destroys a team and turns them into a total joke, but thankfully Hal is keeping the team competitive so no worries here.

[YankeesPwnMets]

Shifting gears as i did not see it from last week, this story of Yankees TV announcer Micheal Kay ripping into Texas Rangers fans for not giving a foul ball to a screaming young toddler?

 

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.1069188

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_FL0nxKOLw

 

Seen this one yet?

[Grand Concourse]

Just sickening and terrible.

[BJC]

Thanks NYCfan. With that said, based from watching a few moments of tape from youtube, that young couple seemed to be wrong for not wanting to offer that kid the ball. Later in that article and on a "Today Show" interview, they claim they offered to him the ball after the cameras was away from them. IMO that young couple seem to lack of class, but my main gripe is why is this a news story for almost a damn week now?

 

Micheal Kay had a right to say that young couple was wrong with not offering that foul ball to the kid. However he went IMO overboard with focusing on it with the viewers.

 

 

Well,that kid need to understand you can't get everything in life....he will live.

[alejr88]

Oh man that was terrible, how dare her take that ball away from that girl.

 

@ Shortline: Well who knows what the Yankees payroll be by then. That also assumes if Harper stays on the 25 man roster/15 or 60 day DL to accrue ML service time. I thought this was weird but since when does a player get booed making his major league debut?

[Shortline Bus]

Oh man that was terrible, how dare her take that ball away from that girl.

 

@ Shortline: Well who knows what the Yankees payroll be by then. That also assumes if Harper stays on the 25 man roster/15 or 60 day DL to accrue ML service time. I thought this was weird but since when does a player get booed making his major league debut?

 

 

Alejr Mr. Harper was booed because of the pre callup media attention in which lets say he a Barry Bonds type attitude. Cocky and brash.

[YankeesPwnMets]

Well,that kid need to understand you can't get everything in life....he will live.

 

One of the players from the Rangers dugout got him another ball....

 

Anyways, in a game with two big market teams, I wouldn't snatch balls away from kids. Too easy to get caught by TV cameras and the next morning as you get ready for work you'll be on ESPN's "C'Mon Man!" highlights....

[Shortline Bus]

It's offical. The Dodgers are now under new ownership fronted by Magic Johnson. The deal was finalized and as of today May 2, 2012 the Frank McCourt era is now over. Not to mention it helps Baby Blue leads the NL West and off to their best start since 1981. Magic will be Co-Chairman/Co-Owner, while Businessman Mark Walter will be the lead Owner.

Former Braves President Stan Kasten mastermind of the 1990's Braves dystanty will become team CEO/President.

[GojiMet86]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim RHP Jered Weaver pitched a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins. Weaver struck out nine batters in nine innings, and only allowed two runners to get on base.

 

Masterpiece theater: Weaver throws first no-hitter

 

 

 

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | 5/3/2012 2:58 AM ET

 

ANAHEIM -- Jered Weaver walked back to the dugout just three outs shy of history. The Angels' ace had completed eight innings of no-hit, one-walk ball, had 111 pitches under his belt, sported a nine-run lead and was getting ready to face the Nos. 9, 1 and 2 hitters in the Twins' batting order.

But something else was on his mind.

"I had to relieve myself," Weaver said of breaking a routine that usually has him stationed next to the water cooler in between innings. "So I decided to go to the bathroom and do that. I'm glad it worked out for me."

Did it ever.

Weaver came back from the men's room, jogged back to the mound, recorded three more outs and rightfully put his name in the history books on Wednesday night, twirling his first career no-hitter in a 9-0 victory that gave his Angels the sweep and their first three-game winning streak of the year.

It was less than a week ago that newcomer C.J. Wilson told Weaver it was time for him to get a no-hitter, to which the tall right-hander replied: "No chance."

"It's funny," Weaver was saying now. "A week later, it happens."

This was the ninth individual no-hitter (and 10th overall) in Angels history -- Nolan Ryan had four of them -- the first at home since a combined one by Mark Langston and Mike Witt in 1990 and the first overall since Ervin Santana got his in Cleveland on July 27 of last year. It was the second no-hitter in the Majors this season (joining the April 21 perfect game of the White Sox' Phil Humber) and the 11th since the start of the 2010 season.

"It still hasn't kicked in," Weaver said, all dressed and showered after getting mobbed by teammates on the field and getting doused with beer and champagne in the clubhouse.

"It's just so surreal, man, to have my family here, my wife, knowing that my brother was watching. I had some friends in the stands, as well. This is an awesome moment."

Weaver actually came close once before. It was on June 28, 2008, when the Angels didn't allow a hit against the Dodgers but lost the game, 1-0. Weaver threw six no-hit innings and Jose Arredondo two, though that is not considered an official no-hitter.

On Wednesday, Weaver came in having given up just three runs through his last three starts. And prior to a two-out, seventh-inning walk to Josh Willingham, the only baserunner he had allowed came on a strikeout-passed ball by catcher Chris Iannetta.

Against a Twins starting lineup that had five hitters batting under .260, and was shut out on three hits by Jerome Williams the night before, Weaver struck out nine, walked one and started out ahead on 16 of the hitters he faced. The Twins were also no-hit for the last six innings by Williams on Tuesday.

"A terrible night for Twins baseball," manager Ron Gardenhire said after being outscored, 17-3, in the series and falling to 6-18 on the year. "We got dominated by a very good pitcher over there."

"He was just relentless with just repeating pitches," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, whose club moved to 10-15. "He was focused on just making pitches all the way through. Changed speeds well, pitched inside well. It was a terrific game."

Twelve of Weaver's outs were lazy flyouts, five of his outs were weak grounders and really only one -- a Trevor Plouffe ball Torii Hunter made a running catch on in right field in the fifth inning -- was a hard-hit line drive.

That was one of only three close calls on the night, really.

There was also a long, eighth-inning Plouffe foul ball that sailed a few feet wide of the left-field foul pole.

"I didn't look at it," Weaver said of that ball. "I was going to go off the fans' judgment. They cheered, so I figured it went foul."

And there was the last out of the game, when Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla drove a high first-pitch fastball to deep right field, before Hunter ranged back and made the catch close to the warning track.

"I thought it was maybe off the wall or something like that," Casilla said.

Hunter, who was playing shallow, felt differently.

"When you hit it to me, it's caught," the nine-time Gold Glover said. "That's just the way it goes. When he hit it, I had to go get it. I was going to give it my all -- run myself through the wall, knock myself out, be out 5-10 days, it didn't matter. But he was going to have a no-hitter."

By around the third or fourth inning, Weaver will admit, he was already thinking about that.

But he didn't really feel like he had no-hit stuff, per se.

"I wasn't throwing 97 or 98 up there," said Weaver, who has hurled 17 consecutive scoreless innings and is now 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA on the year. "It was pretty much the same poo-poo I've been throwing there all year. A lot of things have to go your way, and it happened tonight."

So did the kind of offensive surge the Angels had been searching for all year.

With one out in the third inning, Twins starter Liam Hendriks was already out of the game -- the shortest an opposing starter has lasted this season. And by the end of the fourth, the Angels had already tied their season high in runs (nine) and hits (13).

Howie Kendrick (four hits and three RBIs) and Kendrys Morales (a triple short of the cycle) each homered, Erick Aybar knocked in his second run since April 9, Peter Bourjos had his first RBI since April 17 and the Angels topped four runs and got double-digit hits for the first time since April 21.

Weaver didn't need that much, though.

After issuing that seventh-inning walk, he got Ryan Doumit to fly out to center field to end the inning, then walked into the dugout to a standing ovation, 98 pitches under his belt and six outs to go.

In the eighth, he got three lazy flyouts.

In the ninth, he got Jamey Carroll to fly out to left field and -- with a crowd of 27,288 beginning to chant Weaver! Weaver! Weaver! -- struck out Denard Span looking on a 2-2 fastball.

Then, on pitch No. 121, Weaver got Casilla to fly out, put both hands on top of his head, was embraced by his new catcher Iannetta and pretty soon had a mob of teammates jumping in harmony with him.

The California kid, who took less money last August so he could pitch in his own backyard, had finally done what everyone expected him to do at some point.

"To have it happen at home, where I decided to stay, and to have these fans cheer me on, going out there in the ninth, it was pretty electric," Weaver said. "Unbelievable night."

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his columns and his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[7LineFan]

Phelps is pitching for the Yankees tonight. Let's see how this goes.

[Shortline Bus]

Well i did not see it but this could be the end for greatest MLB closer ever. Mariano Rivera is gone for the season. Not to mention the Yankees World Series chances.

 

http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-05-03/mariano-rivera-new-york-yankees-acl-tear-kansas-city-royals?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D157838

[Grand Concourse]

Take it one step at a time. They need to get to the playoffs first, then worry about the WS. Obviously this hurts the Yankees and it remains to be seen if Robertson will be as automatic as Mo was. This will further weaken a thinned out pen. Phelps didn't do horribly, and I guess by default he will start again.

 

The problem continues to be the hitting as they just can't string together some hits. A line up like this and they can't out slug the opponent? It's 2011 all over again.

[Shortline Bus]

Take it one step at a time. They need to get to the playoffs first, then worry about the WS. Obviously this hurts the Yankees and it remains to be seen if Robertson will be as automatic as Mo was. This will further weaken a thinned out pen. Phelps didn't do horribly, and I guess by default he will start again.

 

The problem continues to be the hitting as they just can't string together some hits. A line up like this and they can't out slug the opponent? It's 2011 all over again.

 

 

Good point Concourse. I don't got nuts like Forest Glen(remember him lol). Seriously this is a huge blow for the Yankees and with an improved AL filled with other contenders i.e Rays, Rangers, Tigers (Sorry Red Sox fans you in for a long 2012 season IMO)and up and coming teams i.e Blue Jays, this is a huge blow. Without "Mo" the Yankees at most maybe win '1' world series between 1996-2009.

Now with this sad injury Rivera has gotten more attention than at anytime in his carrer.

 

While no one in near future, if ever will "Replace" Rivera, the Yanks still are lucky to have '2' guys in Robertson and Soriano(who would both be Closers on most of the other 29 teams in MLB right now)to step in the role. If I was Yanks skipper, I would use use both of them as Co-Closers and whoever is doing the better job by August, they have that pivotal job for the playoffs(assuming the Yanks make it there.)

More than anything a nice man in Rivera who a role model as a sports star and the guy who singlehandely forever "re-invented" the closer role in MLB as the best ever.

[R68 Subway Car]

Losing Mariano is perhaps the worst thing to happen to baseball in years. I cannot believe a career could end like this.

[Grand Concourse]

Based on track record, I think Robertson will be the closer. Soriano may have been a closer for TB, but I don't trust him for when it becomes a major pressure situation. I would keep him for the 8th or if Robertson needs a day off.

[trainfan22]

Damn @ Mariano's injury, as you all know I'm a Mets fan but I'm also a baseball fan..

 

I was looking forward to the hair raising, classic baseball moment at the end of the season when the last time Rivera play in YS...

 

You know similar to Lou's speech @ Yankee Stadium and the Paul o' Neill chant @ Game 5 of the 2001 World Series.

 

I normally don't catch feelings over sports but I'd be lieing to you if this video wasn't moving...

 

 

 

One of my favorite moments in professional sports period! Seeing Paul get emotional was touching.

 

Must have been amazing to be there live.

[VWM]

Losing Mariano is perhaps the worst thing to happen to baseball in years. I cannot believe a career could end like this.

 

 

Last man to wear #42

 

I dunno if it fits in a MLB 2012 thread, but I miss Matsui on the Yanks. Good ol' Godzilla...

[7LineFan]

Based on track record, I think Robertson will be the closer. Soriano may have been a closer for TB, but I don't trust him for when it becomes a major pressure situation. I would keep him for the 8th or if Robertson needs a day off.

 

 

Thing is, Robertson does better when there are runners already on base (or he puts them on). I'd put Soriano as closer for two reasons: one, because he's done it before, and two, to give him a fresh inning with no one on, and let Robertson thrive doing what he's best at: playing Houdini. At least at first. If Soriano bombs then, obviously, switch them.

 

We're up by four right now top 7, so we might have to wait a day to see what Girardi does.

[NYCtrainfan01]

Yankees win 6-2 with an impressive 9th inning by David Robertson!

[7LineFan]

It's going to be closer by committee.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...ok_nyy&c_id=nyy

 

tl:dr: Shortline hit it on the nose. Joe's going to try them both out, and the set closer for the future will be the one who does better.

[Shortline Bus]

It's going to be closer by committee.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...ok_nyy&c_id=nyy

 

tl:dr: Shortline hit it on the nose. Joe's going to try them both out, and the set closer for the future will be the one who does better.

 

 

Takes a bow lol.

 

Seriously a good team with good relivers can still win the world series without a "closer". In 1990 and '92-'93 the Reds and Blue Jays respectively won titles without a Mo Rivera/Eck type closer.

[B35 via Church]

Somethin is definitely up with these athletes tearin they ACL's....

 

 

Anyway, Mariano says he will be back next year.... I totally understand not wanting to end an illustrious career like that....

What I will say though is, I hope he comes back, gets one save, then retires... Make it symbolic....

Don't go out like Favre (especially), along with Emmitt, Jerry Rice, and Jordan (yeah, I said it).....

 

How about Pettitte making his return in the same season Mo will have to sit out......

 

Oh, and as far as Robertson & Soriano, I'd put my money on Robertson to take over closing duties....

Soriano hasn't astounded/satisfied me since he's been a Yankee....I'm not insinuating he's a bum or some run-of-the-mill pitcher, but cats can't keep bringing up what he did on the Rays - b/c the level of dominance he had with his stint with them, hasn't carried over here to NY....

 

 

 

Based on track record, I think Robertson will be the closer. Soriano may have been a closer for TB, but I don't trust him for when it becomes a major pressure situation. I would keep him for the 8th or if Robertson needs a day off.

 

just skimmed up before I X'ed out the thread & noticed this post

So I see you feel the same way I do about the guy basically....

[Grand Concourse]

Yup, Soriano for the moment is no different than all the other high priced closers/relievers the Yankees have signed over the years: Farnsworth, Karsay, Benitez, Gordon... I'd prefer to give it to someone within the organization more used to this demanding atmosphere.

Thing is, Robertson does better when there are runners already on base (or he puts them on). I'd put Soriano as closer for two reasons: one, because he's done it before, and two, to give him a fresh inning with no one on, and let Robertson thrive doing what he's best at: playing Houdini. At least at first. If Soriano bombs then, obviously, switch them.

 

We're up by four right now top 7, so we might have to wait a day to see what Girardi does.

I'd rather that doesn't happen where Soriano has a meltdown and then they have to make Robertson the closer. I'd put Soriano for the start of the 8th and if he has a meltdown, I'd probably bring Robertson in to clean up his mess if the game is that close.