Loyal readers here is your chance to start the discussion. Pick a topic, any topic. Post it and get us scribing. It’s Open Thread Thursday on the Pine.
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bill ribassays
Cards or Texans? What’s it gonna be? I’d like to see the Cards win.
I was undecided when the series started, but I’ve found myself pulling for the Rangers. I guess the main reasons are:
1. They’ve never won a World Series.
2. St. Louis’s World Series win five years ago was with, quite possibly, the worst team ever to win one. This team is better, but I’m just not a fan of .550 teams winning it all.
3. I’m really growing to dislike Tony LaRussa.
4. I like Nolan Ryan, except for the fact he’s friends with George W. Bush, but let’s not bring politics into this.
Drewsays
I think the Cards win tonight. I love them moving Berkman into the 4 spot. He’ll be hitting lefty against Lewis, which is better for the Cards. I do agree about TLR though, he just overmanages. Bullpen phone didnt work? Cmon man, step up and take responsibility for it.
If Im La Russa, Im starting Carpenter on short rest in Game 7. Pitch count, arm soreness, none of that matters in a Game 7. You need to get your best players in the game. You can even say that about tonight’s game.. An elimination game in the WS, there’s no reason to save any tricks for next year.
I’m not a big fan of either of these teams, but I find myself rooting for Mike Napoli and Ron Washington. Nap is just crushing the ball, plays with a really old school mentality, I love i. And Washington is just so giddy everytime the Rangers score, it’s awesome.
That being said, I respect the way the Cards play as well. Real professionals and with a WS win, I think Albert bumps up a couple more spots in the GOAT rankings.
I am thinking Texas as well, but in 7 games. I can’t stand the way LaRussa manages a bullpen and I am really hoping the Red Sox don’t give him a call after the Series. Something tells me they won’t.
Drew – I agree with you on Mike Napoli. Mike Scioscia has been taking a beating recently for the reports that they clashed. But the guy plays hard and you have to like that.
So what are people’s thoughts on the NCAA’s push to allow schools to extend stipends up to $2,000? I have mixed emotions on it, but overall I am I favor of it.
bill ribassays
Smitty, I think college athletes and money will always be like Wall Street banks and all – you know something funny is going on, but you’re never really clear what the heck is happening.
It’s like when I was reviewing cd’s a while back for this website, and then they asked the people who submitted for a small fee to cover processing and all (like 5 bucks), all of a sudden this other paper slams us because we’re now doing it for profit. Of course, as a reviewer, you always get free cd’s, free junk, free tickets and all that stuff, which is like getting paid, but isn’t. Same thing with the college athletes. Very large gray area, and probably always will be.
I would be more comfortable with an increase in the stipends if there was an improved sense of appreciation for the education an athlete receives.
As for the World Series and LaRussa – I am not sure how that mistake happens. The wrong guy warming in the pen? Can the bullpen call the dugout? Wouldn’t the bullpen coach look at his notes from the pre-game meeting and question who is getting up to throw?
I see the problem being where the cutoff is. What about the managers? Trainers? Band members? Will this include cheerleaders? Mascots? They sometimes travel just as much, miss just as much class. Do they get a stipend as well???
bill ribassays
Don’t know Pitchfork, Rey. The website was nyrock.com.
Rey, I agree with you – where does the line get drawn? Not only that, colleges would have the option to give a stipend up to $2,000 and before a college could do it, the respective conference would have to agree to allow the stipend in their conference. Which leads me to….
Does this become a recruiting tool? Hey, we in the SEC will give the the full $2,000 , so come here – don’t go the Big 12 or the Big East.
If you are going to do it – tie it in with academics. Not only are we going to pay for your tuition, room & board, books, travel, athletic facilities – as long as you keep a 2.7 or better – we are going to give you a $2,000 stipend.
1. I need an IV drip to stay awake today. What a game!!
2. Did anyone else think that Nelson Cruz misplayed Freese’s triple in the ninth? I honestly thought he took a bad angle on the ball and thought it was going to be a routine catch. By then he was in no man’s land and had to lunge at a ball that he was probably better off playing off the wall, potentially keeping Berkman at third. I may be picking at straws on that play.
3. Wasn’t Holland going to pitch Game 7? He threw 23 pitches last night – did Ron Washington go for broke last night or is that 23 pitches like a side session and not a big deal.
4. I hope that Texas can recover from this. Or we may be listening to a Jeremy Schapp piece in 5 years about how the Rangers were one strike away from a World Series title….twice.
2. I thought Cruz misplayed it alright, but I think he should have made the catch, almost routinely. They were in that doubles defense, so he was already playing deep and didn’t have that far to go. He didn’t know where the wall was, so he was tentative in his lunge for the ball, but he had a lot more room than he realized. I suppose, like you said, if he recognizes that his read was bad and plays the carom off the wall, maybe he has a shot at holding Berkman at third. But, I really think he should have caught the ball and secured the victory for Texas.
3. Ron Washington has been sticking to the decision to pitch Matt Harrison in game 7, despite Holland’s hot hand, so pitching Holland last night wasn’t going for broke, but he possibly passed on the chance to have him available out of the bullpen tonight.
If Pujols has given us the best World Series game by an individual and Game 6 is being revered as one of the best games in World Series history, depending on tonight’s outcome, are we witnessing one of the best World Series of all time? Is that the same as entertaining? Last night was quite the defensively-challenged affair.
Rey, you could probably make a distinction between entertaining (which last night’s game was) and well-played (which last night’s game wasn’t), but I guess what it comes down to is we consider the most exciting series to be the best.
I’ve definitely being calling this one the best since 2002, but last night probably takes it to a new level. One of the best of all-time? Maybe. I guess it depends on how tonight goes.
What are other World Series you’d put in the category of best of all-time? A lot of people would say 2001, and that series even included the D-Backs blowing the Yankees out in game 6.
Off the top of my head, some of the greatest I’ve seen: 1986, 1997, 1991, 1975 (barely remember).
Entertaining? Competitive? However you slice it the ’79 Series was pretty compelling. The “We Are Family” Pirates, down 3-1, came back to beat the Orioles.
Yup, 1979 is up there too. Another one I don’t remember that well, but better than ’75.
bill ribassays
While I was watching last night’s game, I kept shouting out, “that’s a little league play!” Guys dropping balls, blowing throws, etc. It was almost so comic at times it looked scripted. I would reserve calling it one of the best games, just for the amateur level of play. As far as entertaining, however, the parts I was awake for were very entertaining.
Chas – I am not quite as big a fan as others when it comes to baseball, so my memory is very limited. I’ve always thought ’91 (The Twins with Jack Morris and Puckett’s game 6 HR, right?) was very entertaining and one of the best I have personally seen. I also think about the Joe Carter walkoff, although I can’t remember if that whole series was as good as that one moment. Was it ’93?
I certainly wouldn’t list this as one of the best World Series ever, but certainly one of the more entertaining.
As for the quality and entertainment of the World Series – which would you prefer to have? We don’t always get both and all of us probably would like it to be that way. But if you had to choose – which would you choose? Baseball purists would certainly say quality and competitive. Others might say entertainment. If comes down to pandering to the casual fan. Personally, I want both and don’t think it is too much to ask.
bill ribas says
Cards or Texans? What’s it gonna be? I’d like to see the Cards win.
Chas says
I was undecided when the series started, but I’ve found myself pulling for the Rangers. I guess the main reasons are:
1. They’ve never won a World Series.
2. St. Louis’s World Series win five years ago was with, quite possibly, the worst team ever to win one. This team is better, but I’m just not a fan of .550 teams winning it all.
3. I’m really growing to dislike Tony LaRussa.
4. I like Nolan Ryan, except for the fact he’s friends with George W. Bush, but let’s not bring politics into this.
Drew says
I think the Cards win tonight. I love them moving Berkman into the 4 spot. He’ll be hitting lefty against Lewis, which is better for the Cards. I do agree about TLR though, he just overmanages. Bullpen phone didnt work? Cmon man, step up and take responsibility for it.
If Im La Russa, Im starting Carpenter on short rest in Game 7. Pitch count, arm soreness, none of that matters in a Game 7. You need to get your best players in the game. You can even say that about tonight’s game.. An elimination game in the WS, there’s no reason to save any tricks for next year.
I’m not a big fan of either of these teams, but I find myself rooting for Mike Napoli and Ron Washington. Nap is just crushing the ball, plays with a really old school mentality, I love i. And Washington is just so giddy everytime the Rangers score, it’s awesome.
That being said, I respect the way the Cards play as well. Real professionals and with a WS win, I think Albert bumps up a couple more spots in the GOAT rankings.
Smitty says
I am thinking Texas as well, but in 7 games. I can’t stand the way LaRussa manages a bullpen and I am really hoping the Red Sox don’t give him a call after the Series. Something tells me they won’t.
Drew – I agree with you on Mike Napoli. Mike Scioscia has been taking a beating recently for the reports that they clashed. But the guy plays hard and you have to like that.
Smitty says
So what are people’s thoughts on the NCAA’s push to allow schools to extend stipends up to $2,000? I have mixed emotions on it, but overall I am I favor of it.
bill ribas says
Smitty, I think college athletes and money will always be like Wall Street banks and all – you know something funny is going on, but you’re never really clear what the heck is happening.
It’s like when I was reviewing cd’s a while back for this website, and then they asked the people who submitted for a small fee to cover processing and all (like 5 bucks), all of a sudden this other paper slams us because we’re now doing it for profit. Of course, as a reviewer, you always get free cd’s, free junk, free tickets and all that stuff, which is like getting paid, but isn’t. Same thing with the college athletes. Very large gray area, and probably always will be.
Casey says
I would be more comfortable with an increase in the stipends if there was an improved sense of appreciation for the education an athlete receives.
As for the World Series and LaRussa – I am not sure how that mistake happens. The wrong guy warming in the pen? Can the bullpen call the dugout? Wouldn’t the bullpen coach look at his notes from the pre-game meeting and question who is getting up to throw?
Chas says
Bill, did you used to write for Pitchfork, you snob you?
Rey says
I see the problem being where the cutoff is. What about the managers? Trainers? Band members? Will this include cheerleaders? Mascots? They sometimes travel just as much, miss just as much class. Do they get a stipend as well???
bill ribas says
Don’t know Pitchfork, Rey. The website was nyrock.com.
Kyle Soppe says
I’m not sure if someone already posted this, and if they did, I apologize. But we beat them to this punch. Great work guys!
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Introducing-Tebowing-It-8217-s-like-planking-?urn=nfl-wp10549
Smitty says
Rey, I agree with you – where does the line get drawn? Not only that, colleges would have the option to give a stipend up to $2,000 and before a college could do it, the respective conference would have to agree to allow the stipend in their conference. Which leads me to….
Does this become a recruiting tool? Hey, we in the SEC will give the the full $2,000 , so come here – don’t go the Big 12 or the Big East.
If you are going to do it – tie it in with academics. Not only are we going to pay for your tuition, room & board, books, travel, athletic facilities – as long as you keep a 2.7 or better – we are going to give you a $2,000 stipend.
bill ribas says
oh man, I think i am tebowing right now.
Smitty says
Couple thoughts from last night’s game:
1. I need an IV drip to stay awake today. What a game!!
2. Did anyone else think that Nelson Cruz misplayed Freese’s triple in the ninth? I honestly thought he took a bad angle on the ball and thought it was going to be a routine catch. By then he was in no man’s land and had to lunge at a ball that he was probably better off playing off the wall, potentially keeping Berkman at third. I may be picking at straws on that play.
3. Wasn’t Holland going to pitch Game 7? He threw 23 pitches last night – did Ron Washington go for broke last night or is that 23 pitches like a side session and not a big deal.
4. I hope that Texas can recover from this. Or we may be listening to a Jeremy Schapp piece in 5 years about how the Rangers were one strike away from a World Series title….twice.
Chas says
Smitty –
1. Same here.
2. I thought Cruz misplayed it alright, but I think he should have made the catch, almost routinely. They were in that doubles defense, so he was already playing deep and didn’t have that far to go. He didn’t know where the wall was, so he was tentative in his lunge for the ball, but he had a lot more room than he realized. I suppose, like you said, if he recognizes that his read was bad and plays the carom off the wall, maybe he has a shot at holding Berkman at third. But, I really think he should have caught the ball and secured the victory for Texas.
3. Ron Washington has been sticking to the decision to pitch Matt Harrison in game 7, despite Holland’s hot hand, so pitching Holland last night wasn’t going for broke, but he possibly passed on the chance to have him available out of the bullpen tonight.
4. Agreed.
Rey says
Allow me to jinx game 7 heroics:
If Pujols has given us the best World Series game by an individual and Game 6 is being revered as one of the best games in World Series history, depending on tonight’s outcome, are we witnessing one of the best World Series of all time? Is that the same as entertaining? Last night was quite the defensively-challenged affair.
Chas says
Rey, you could probably make a distinction between entertaining (which last night’s game was) and well-played (which last night’s game wasn’t), but I guess what it comes down to is we consider the most exciting series to be the best.
I’ve definitely being calling this one the best since 2002, but last night probably takes it to a new level. One of the best of all-time? Maybe. I guess it depends on how tonight goes.
What are other World Series you’d put in the category of best of all-time? A lot of people would say 2001, and that series even included the D-Backs blowing the Yankees out in game 6.
Off the top of my head, some of the greatest I’ve seen: 1986, 1997, 1991, 1975 (barely remember).
Casey says
Entertaining? Competitive? However you slice it the ’79 Series was pretty compelling. The “We Are Family” Pirates, down 3-1, came back to beat the Orioles.
Chas says
Yup, 1979 is up there too. Another one I don’t remember that well, but better than ’75.
bill ribas says
While I was watching last night’s game, I kept shouting out, “that’s a little league play!” Guys dropping balls, blowing throws, etc. It was almost so comic at times it looked scripted. I would reserve calling it one of the best games, just for the amateur level of play. As far as entertaining, however, the parts I was awake for were very entertaining.
Rey says
Chas – I am not quite as big a fan as others when it comes to baseball, so my memory is very limited. I’ve always thought ’91 (The Twins with Jack Morris and Puckett’s game 6 HR, right?) was very entertaining and one of the best I have personally seen. I also think about the Joe Carter walkoff, although I can’t remember if that whole series was as good as that one moment. Was it ’93?
Smitty says
Awww man… Jeremy Schapp is licking his chops.
I certainly wouldn’t list this as one of the best World Series ever, but certainly one of the more entertaining.
As for the quality and entertainment of the World Series – which would you prefer to have? We don’t always get both and all of us probably would like it to be that way. But if you had to choose – which would you choose? Baseball purists would certainly say quality and competitive. Others might say entertainment. If comes down to pandering to the casual fan. Personally, I want both and don’t think it is too much to ask.
But I wonder if MLB wants entertaining.