The 2024 MLB Season has officially kicked off with the Dodgers and Padres splitting the opening 2 game series in Seoul, Korea. Everyone else gets started one week from today back at the regular ballparks. In the meantime there will be lots of roster decisions to be made while the last week of Spring Training plays out.
The Dodgers are off to a rocky start. Their new $325 million acquisition, starting pitcher Yoshinubu Yamamoto, just got rocked in his first MLB start, giving up 5 runs and getting pulled after 1 inning. His E.R.A. is 45.00. The Dodgers other new Japanese superstar, Shohei Ohtani, just had his personal translator fired for allegedly stealing $4.5 million to cover gambling debts. Are the Dodgers and Ohtani making the translator a patsy to cover Ohtani's egresses? If Ohtani is found to have directly paid money to gambling cartels to cover his buddy's losses, he could be facing jail time under California law. The Dodgers, with all of their excessive spending, are sort of like the Yankees 2.0; an evil empire that is easy to hate. They are loaded with talent, but off to a dramatic start.
In the NL, as usual, I'll be rooting for the Giants, who just picked up a new ace, free agent Blake Snell, last year's NL Cy Young recipient.
My full support and loyalty remains with the Baltimore Orioles. The Baby Birds are coming off a 101 win season, and will be a little more experienced this season. The talent pipeline keeps flowing with #1 overall MLB prospect Jackson Holliday hitting the cover off the ball and looking to break Spring Training with the team. Colton Cowser, Connor Norby, Kyle Stowers, Coby Mayo, and Heston Kjerstad all are young position players making cases for a spot on the big league roster. Management made a couple of savvy free agent pitching moves in signing Corbin Burnes to be the ace, lessening the pressure to rush Kyle Bradish and John Means back from their delayed Spring ramp ups. The other move was inking Craig Kimbrel to help cover closing duties this year while Felix Bautista recovers from Tommy John surgery. Kimbrel looked shaky in his early Spring appearances, but has been locked in for the last week or so, and is looking good to go.
Should be another fun year at Camden Yards. Let's go O's!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mike Dalton Dalton
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 02:38 pm
Should be a great year for
Should be a great year for the Orioles. I'm thrilled to see this team climbing out of continual rebuilding and throwing a monkey wrench in the AL East.
For me, the last month has given me some hope for the Giants. Not getting out over my skis but it's a much better place than the start of spring training.
I wonder how long before the evil empire Dodgers freak out and reactivate Bauer and Urias
Play ball!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 02:46 pm
(No subject)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Orinda Bound Canyon
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 02:56 pm
Still haven't decided if I'm
Still haven't decided if I'm going to renew the season MLB package. I can't ever remember feeling this way about baseball. Usually by this time of year I'm chomping on the bit for opening day. The free runner in extras and pitch clock are killing the game for me. Oh well it's official I must be old...
.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack Turtle
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 03:32 pm
always thought that
always thought that "interpreter" dude looked odd...
anyways, I get it. Bring on the Hate.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 03:58 pm
I watched a lot of spring
I watched a lot of spring training games this year and the dodgers and orioles both look incredibly strong to me
my team won't even be playoff contenders until at least the 2030's so we can probably skip the whole Oakland saga for now
kind of bummed SF hasn't really picked up any big bats, and I'm not real confident in their pitching rotation either at the moment
It was damn nice seeing the king fu panda back in orange though (and looking really fit too), even if it's all temporary
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD ntfdaway
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 04:35 pm
Dave, you must really like
Dave, you must really like orange and black....
Canyon, I agree that the extra innings runner is total BS. The pitchclock has it's benefits.
I am as exited for the season as I have ever been.
Just waiting for it to come out that he was placing bets for Ohtani.
Disagree BSS. I think the Giants improved greatly this off-season and I look for them to make the playoffs. Although I think they might have a reliever game or 2 while Snell ramps up. And Cobb will be ready very soon also. I think they are set up well for the last 5 months of the season. GO GIANTS!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Orinda Bound Canyon
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 04:50 pm
The pitchclock has it's
The pitchclock has it's benefits
To me it seems like the main benefit is freeing up 3 hours of my day to do something else. But seriously the un-timed aspect of baseball was what made it my favorite pastime. No clocks, the game takes it's own sweet time. Idk. Used to be it's a lovely day let's play two. Now it's a lovely day let's gets this game over with as fast as possible. Blah.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack Turtle
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 04:59 pm
why do they keep trying to
why do they keep trying to "fix" sports?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Orinda Bound Canyon
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 06:02 pm
Just more shrinkflation.
Just more shrinkflation. Higher prices, less product. I read somewhere the owner were complaining about paying the stadium workers. So sad to kill my favorite game for a few extra dollars on the bottom line.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 10:37 pm
I'm with Mark on the clock. I
I'm with Mark on the clock. I hated the idea of it, but I came to hate why it was needed even more.
The gamesmanship of hitters & pitchers endlessly working to freeze each other by stalling had gotten completely out of control; hitters all slowly walking four feet away from the box after every single pitch, then readjusting all nine of their protective shields, five deep breaths, then re-digging their foot plant before slowly stepping back in, pitchers walking around the mound after every pitch, slowly messing with the rosin bag, constantly stepping off the rubber, shaking off signs.
Because of all that, baseball games had become slower than erosion and the quality as entertainment had cratered.
Now with the "evil" pitch clock, hitters step in & stay in ready to hit and pitchers step on the rubber, get the sign and pitch. It has created a crisper game to watch and a better brand of ball, since the action is more consistent and the players aren't all endlessly standing around waiting for the next pitch. The clock has forced the players to, you know, actually PLAY.
It's a shame it had to come to that, but it HAD come to that.
No defensive shifts, larger bags and pitchers limited on throws to hold runners are also annoying rules in principle but in fact have also created a more enjoyable game to watch, as there are more balls in play, more base running and more base stealing, which means less standing around and more consistent action, which is what at least I enjoy about watching baseball... action on the field/the game itself actually being played.
The extra inning rules are an abomination but since the point of that is to simply create a result I deal with that by simply not watching when a game goes to extras and I just check on the result later. It's bullshit but nothing is perfect.
I'm also cautiously optimistic about the Giants. Their offense will be sporadic at times but should be much better than recent seasons, while their defense will definitely be better and their pitching should be really strong right from the start, and if things go just a little bit their way, by August they could have the best pitching staff from top to bottom in the league.
Here before the season I'm getting a bit of a 2010 Giants hit from this group, no big name stars but good players across the board and an extremely underrated pitching staff. They're not going to win the division, but they could well get into the expanded playoffs, and that's when sporadic hitting but good defense and deep, excellent pitching can rule the day.
And the Dodgers? Just grumbling admiration from me, they're fucking great. In a way they remind me of the Durant era Warriors; they were great & champions before they got Durant, after he joined they were basically unbeatable.
Baseball is a little more complicated than that, their pitching might struggle at times, but with Ohtani added to their already brutal lineup they aren't going to need great pitching, at least in the regular season. The Dodgers aren't going to lose many games 3-1, 4-2, they're going to win a lot of games 9-8, 14-7, 17-1.
Sigh.
Overall, despite the new rules and this era of virtually all the players constantly trying to hit home runs or striking out continuing, major league baseball in 2024 is a still good and entertaining product. It's crisp and active on the field, there are lots of excellent and exciting young players on the rise, and ultimately, it's still baseball.
So get on the bus or get out of the way.
And........
GO GIANTS!!!!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Friday, March 22, 2024 – 05:31 pm
Can you guys help me figure
Can you guys help me figure out Pablo Sandoval's playing status?
on 2/18/24 the Giants signed him to a minor league contract and was assigned to the river cats
so far in spring trainig he has posted a .118 avg and .250 obp with 2 hits and 12 walks in 17 at bats. not great.
on its face this doesn't really meet the standard, but in context consider this is only a few points under what starting CF Mike Yazstremski has posted up
on 2/25/24 Pablo was promoted up to SF
on the Giants roster (today) he shows up on the infield depth charts at both 1B and 3B positions
However; he's not on the 40 man roster, not on the injured list, and according to the giants' own transaction sheet hasn't been sent down or DFA'd
How is #48 technically accessible to the team via depth chart?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD ntfdaway
on Friday, March 22, 2024 – 06:42 pm
There is no roster limit in
There is no roster limit in spring training. When the season starts, they will go to a 26 man roster. At that point only those on the 40 man roster can be on the team. Pablo was never going to make opening day roster. He is there for the vibes.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Friday, March 22, 2024 – 07:10 pm
So then his minor league
So then his minor league contract was only for the duration of spring training? because he's not on the AAA roster
As far as actually playing in SF, I understood he was a non-roster invitee to spring training. An elder cheerleader/mentor of sorts
i guess I just assumed regardless he would be playing in their farm system in 2024 for a minute at least
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________ Plf9905
on Friday, March 22, 2024 – 07:13 pm
But seriously the un-timed
But seriously the un-timed aspect of baseball was what made it my favorite pastime. <<<
THIS !
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Friday, March 22, 2024 – 07:18 pm
Nevermind, seems he is indeed
Nevermind, seems he is indeed in active status on the rivercats roster now
i swear he wasn't when I made that first post!
next game: sunday 3/24 in sacramento. against........ SFG
what a world
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 01:29 pm
The A's are officially done
The A's are officially done on Oakland after this season:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39873638/athletics-play-minor-league...
Fitting that a team with such a paucity of MLB talent will play the next few years in a Minor League ballpark. Mid-Summer outdoor baseball in Sacramento will be brutal. What a long strange trip from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland to Sacramento to (presumably) Las Vegas for the wandering tribe of Athletics. Sucks for their Oakland fans who saw some great teams and World Series champs in the early 70s Charlie Finley years and again in the early 90s with the Bash Brothers.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 01:43 pm
I can't understand how MLB
I can't understand how MLB allows this mess and also can't really see how the current ownership survives this next three (five, six...) years unscathed and prepared to open the season in a billion dollar Las Vegas stadium with a quality on field product. I just don't see it.
also trying to understand how the Oakland a's can just "take" a stadium from the giants farm system rather than at least having to move to a field within their own system (summerlin, which is also brand new this year) regardless of their intended final destination.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 02:54 pm
FYI the pitch clock in 2024
FYI the pitch clock in 2024 has been dropped from 20 seconds to 18 with a runner on base
and the first baseline runner's path has been clarified (as it always should have been imo) to include all the dirt. Dirt good, grass bad. Too easy. Strangely the runner's right side white line from halfway until the bag will remain. I think the reason is just field aesthetics.
Sure are gonna be a lotta green and gold banners hanging in the river kitties outfield next year.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jay Sunshine jaysunshine
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 05:06 pm
^^ The A's are officially
^^ The A's are officially done on Oakland after this season:^^
Regarding this news I'm done w MLB forever. This degree of selfishness from Jon Fisher to me echoes that of Trump. F them both.
Life sure seemed better to me in the 1990s. I've got nothing more to say other than the best days to me are in the past and
If things are going great for you in this day and age, Great!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk fabes
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 06:50 pm
The underdog in baseball wins
The underdog in baseball wins 44% of the time
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 07:14 pm
I've been saying for 20+
This is good news for me personally.
I've been saying for 20+ years that the A's are going to end up in Sacramento (and that Sac is the best place for them, as the people in that region are hungry for major league sports and would strongly support the team, something that Oakland/BA never consistently has) so now I get to say I told you so to all my friends.
And unlike most people, I openly admit that I love to say I told you so.
And here's a bonus prediction......
The Vegas deal will fall apart and the team will end up permanently in Sacramento.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino kxela
on Monday, April 8, 2024 – 08:25 pm
Hmm time to update my old
Hmm time to update my old bumper sticker. Who Are the A's and why do they keep following me. The reason they get to play in the Giants minor league park is because Vivek the owner of the Sacramento Kings owns the River Cats park so it was his decision. The A's aren't paying any rent for the stadium in Sacramento which made POS Fisher happy. I'm looking forward to going to games there but I think it will be a really hard ticket for teams like the Red Sox because so many people will travel to see them play in a small park.
I think the only place left in America that will give Fisher the money he wants for a stadium is Vegas because it just gets added to the hotel tax. As desperate as Sacramento is for big city approval I don't see them giving any money for a stadium for the A's when there are more Giants fans here than A's fans and we already have a minor league team.
That said I would be happy to see it happen, but will be avoiding day games in the summer.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock Roarshock
on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – 10:15 am
Oakland is just not friendly
Oakland is just not friendly enough for Billionaires.
I will keep my priceless memories of Oakland ~ baseball, music, and a bunch of others forever. They can't take those from me. I will not be seeing the A's in Sacramento (nothing against Sacramento). Sometimes you need to make a clean break. John Fisher and enablers ~ FUCK YOU!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Vann Kliburn Lloyd_Klondike
on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – 11:02 am
Lance - the Tropicana is
Lance - the Tropicana is going down. They will break ground on the new LV stadium. No stopping the A's move when that happens.
Personally- I'd rather see them stay in Sacto.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – 04:47 pm
Today in baseball history
Today in baseball history
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack Turtle
on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – 04:55 pm
friend has season Angels tix.
friend has Angels season tix. Going to day game tomorrow. They let me hang out with them still.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – 07:43 pm
>>>Lance - the Tropicana is
>>>Lance - the Tropicana is going down. They will break ground on the new LV stadium. No stopping
the A'sa move when that happens<<<Adjusted that for you.
Something will be built on that spot, but not the stadium as designed now, since like everything else the A's owner touches, that design isn't workable, at least so say multiple experts.
Cohan is a complete buffoon who has failed badly at everything he has ever attempted and his organization is an amateur hour. Like every other plan they've pitched, this one has been rushed with multiple quick changes and multiple holes and the finances are still sketchy, so in classic Vegas style I'm betting that the plan to move the A's there will fall apart.
My bet says an expansion team will end up in Vegas and after a couple of years of the ever-growing Sacramento region warming to & bonding with the A's Vivek will work a deal to keep them in Sac, with part of the deal including him buying the team.
As for the dozens of Oakland A's fans that exist, their best hope is that the Vegas deal collapses, Cohan decides to sell and Joe Lacob out-maneuvers Vivek to buy them and move them back to Oakland.
I'd say the Vivek/Sacramento & Lacob/Oakland deals are both about 45% possibilities, with the Cohan/Vegas deal actually happening at about 10%.
I'm not basing any of that on anything other than history and my intuition, and I'm not much of a betting man, but fuck-ups tend to fuck up & winners tend to win, so in this situation my money is on the winners.
We will see.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 11:20 am
I do think that if this team
I do think that if this team is not sold to new ownership, it is way more likely that they'll be playing in sacramento indefinitely than they will play in Las Vegas in 2028. Fisher ain't gonna get it done.
which in my mind means best case scenario is the A's might be playing (somewhere) in a new stadium around 7-8 seasons from now, if some kind of Prince Charming or a new MLB commissioner comes to their rescue. As of now, Rob manfred seems ok leaving them dying on the roadside.
I don't think there is any "plan" for the sacramento (or Nashville, or Salt Lake City, or wherever) athletics to happen, I think it will be more of a convergence of successive bad management decisions, lost opportunities, and a AAA-ish level on field product over years of time.
all of this not even considering the NV teachers union is about to take the public portion of this stadium funding to the cleaners.
so yeah, fundamentally I pretty much agree with lance
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf Bss
on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 11:55 am
And I can't believe the
And I can't believe the players union isn't stonewalling this thing cold.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 12:22 pm
The incorporation of gambling
The incorporation of gambling into MLB and to all sports is disturbing. I was just at Progressive Field in Cleveland for their Opening Day on Monday, and was surprised to see a Sports Book business operating in the same physical structure as the stadium. Having a team in Las Vegas seems like an invitation to a host of bad influences and temptations for players and associated team personnel.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 12:33 pm
Meanwhile, #1 prospect
Meanwhile, #1 prospect Jackson Holliday got called up by the Orioles and will be making his MLB debut at Fenway Park today, where he will be starting at second base. Cal Ripken, Jr. gave the okay for Jackson to use #7, which had been the unofficially retired number of longtime Orioles coach and Cal's dad, Cal Ripken, Sr. Playing next to last year's AL Rookie Of The Year Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles will feature the most dynamic young SS/2B tandem in the game, as the prospect pipeline continues to flow and the youth movement pays dividends in Charm City.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – 04:07 pm
BTW, who the hell is Cohan???
Who the hell is Cohan???
That owner is so lacking in substance I can't even remember his name.
Or, I'm just a derp.
Or both.