2011 MLB Season Discussion: Joey Votto MVP Edition

[Melena]

Giants and cards are pushing to give Atlanta October off this year.

[Akiyama]

Because ATL blows now lol

[Melena]

Yea, so glad Brandon Phillips is getting hot so I can keep Uggla on the bench in my money league finals. He's what, 0 for his last 18 or something stupid like that?

[Akiyama]

I dunno. Feels like the entire offense is 0-18 or something lol. Pitching (outside of Delgado) has been bad, bullpen's wore down and bad, hitting's awful.. honestly I'd rather miss the playoffs than get in and be swept in 3 games.

[Alderaan]

Atl missing the postseason, i feel it. Stl has such an easier schedule to end the season. It's been difficult to watch the last 3 weeks or so.

[Cail]

Manny Ramirez, upon learning he will not be able to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic because he's on MLB's inactive list, told ESPNdeportes.com Thursday that he will formally request reinstatement.

Ramirez said that upon reentry, he would serve his 100-game suspension for a second violation of MLB's drug policy.

"I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team," Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas via telephone from Miami. "I already informed (agent) Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process.

"If any team wants to sign me, I would play. If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement."

Ramirez cannot serve his suspension until he signs with a major league club.

Ramirez, who retired in April from the Tampa Bay Rays rather than serve the 100-game ban, told his former Dominican Republic winter league team, the Cibao Eagles, that he wanted play again in the league.

Ramirez, who was born in the Dominican capital city of Santo Domingo and grew up in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, last played in the Dominican winter league during the 1993-94 season with the Eagles.

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of labor relations, confirmed Thursday that Ramirez would not be able to play in the Dominican because he's on the inactive list and must first receive permission from commissioner Bud Selig's office.

"Manny Ramirez cannot play for a major or minor league club or any affiliated organization, including a winter league team, without getting the consent of the commissioner,'' Manfred said.

Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star, previously served a 50-game ban in 2009 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Second-time offenders get double that penalty.

"I'm really interested and enthusiastic about playing baseball [in the Dominican Republic], but I can't control the future,'' Ramirez said via phone Wednesday, adding that he's been training in a batting cage in Miami. "Let's just wait and see what's the outcome of that meeting; it would be really sad if I'm not allowed to play.''

Ramirez retired from the majors with 555 home runs, 1,831 RBIs and a .312 career batting average. But his multiple performance-enhancing drug offenses have cast a major cloud over his Hall of Fame aspirations.

He also is facing criminal prosecution in Florida on charges that he slapped his wife during a recent argument. He told investigators only that he grabbed his wife by the shoulders during an argument and "shrugged" her, causing her to hit her head on the headboard of their bed.

Interesting.

[fren.]

Sox fans freaking the fuck out and accusing Jeter of sabotage. Hahahaha

Oh yeah and New York Yankees 2011 AL East champs, nbd

Best team evar

[Akiyama]

nah

and the wild card races are nuts. a shame it took monumental collapses for both to be interesting

[Melena]

Article up on ESPN this morning with an interview of Brian Cashman admitting he purposely feigned interest in Crawford for the sole purpose of driving up his price for the Red Sox, even going as far to have dinner with Crawfords agent to continue the charade. So between this and Eric Bedard getting served child support papers from a yankee's fan in a yankee's jersey in Baltimore, it seems everyone is out to troll the fuck out of the Sox.

[Cephius]

Article up on ESPN this morning with an interview of Brian Cashman admitting he purposely feigned interest in Crawford for the sole purpose of driving up his price for the Red Sox, even going as far to have dinner with Crawfords agent to continue the charade. So between this and Eric Bedard getting served child support papers from a yankee's fan in a yankee's jersey in Baltimore, it seems everyone is out to troll the fuck out of the Sox.

Gotta love ESPN, picking up stories in September that Jack Curry reported on 9 months ago

[archibaldcrane]

Wearing my Gallardo jersey today. With a little help from the Cubbies, Brewers gonna clinch the NL Central for the first time in my life.

My cock is still sore from jerking off to the Cards meltdown up 6-2 in the 9th last night.

[Bregor]

With a little help from the Cubbies

LET'S FUCKING DO THIS DEMPSTER

[Eliseos]

I love you Ryan Braun.

[fren.]

The raniout tonight royally fucked over Boston. There's a good chance Lester/Beckett start Game 1 (if they get there) on three days rest.

[archibaldcrane]

Gallardo jersey comes up huge. 11+ Ks in 3 straight starts.

Fuck yeah.

Braun 4 MVP.

[Bregor]

Well done, archi, well done.

GO BRAVES

[Headspace]

LET'S FUCKING DO THIS DEMPSTER

Lol

[Valisk]

Expanded playoffs are official.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/m...t-round-092411

[Soa]

Atl missing the postseason, i feel it. Stl has such an easier schedule to end the season. It's been difficult to watch the last 3 weeks or so.

The Phillies have completely packed it in for the regular season so you'll probably sweep us.

[Trichocyst]

Sure hope the Phillies are getting this out of their system.