MLB '08 Season Discussion

[Conrad]

Well put. See my list on the previous page that got pooh-poohed because "None of those cities have all 4 major teams, so they don't matter." I would maintain that Cleveland has the most tortured fans over time, and Seattle has the worst current situation.

I didn't say once that those cities didn't matter, nor did I even imply anything in that direction. I said that there's a distinction of cities with four title-less teams versus cities with two or three. You get more chances to cheer your home team on and they still manage to come up short.

I read something in the NFL thread recently about how fans from the southern half of the United States are a completely different monster from those in the north, and the only fans that come close were Eagles fans in the 700 level of Vet Stadium. Those fans are revered for their die-hard dedication, and Philly fans who act in kind are out of line? I'm not going to say that flipping over cars is rational behavior, but at least we actually get a chance to celebrate something.

That being said, public transportation was an absolute nightmare yesterday. I managed to get lucky since I was coming in through Trenton, but I can only imagine how terrible it would have been to come in from Delaware or South Jersey. Despite the troubles though, it was easily one of the greatest moments of my life.

[Abraxas]

We left around 930am to get a trolley and train to get there. All trolleys were full and not even stopping by the time they got to our stop. So we eventually decided to drive down and it was much easier to get there

[Penthesilea]

http://media.philly.com/images/1032008parade311.jpg

http://media.philly.com/images/1032008parade34.jpg

http://media.philly.com/images/081031PhilliesYK_3.jpg

http://media.philly.com/images/PARADE01qTG.jpg

[Viq]

Did you see the riots after the Celtics won? This isn't something new.

There were riots after the Celtics won? That's news to me, and I was in Boston that night.

apparently you didn't see Montreal Canadien fans flipping cars and lighting shit on fire after they won the first round last year. A 7 game series with Boston. That is out of line. after the first round..... pathetic.

In fairness to the Canadian fans, part of that was due to some shitty Boston fans. After an earlier game in that series, a Canadians fan was beaten into a coma outside of the Garden in Boston. Bruins fans are, without a doubt, the craziest sports fans I've ever seen. They haven't won since '72 or '73. If they ever win another Stanley Cup, then what happened in Philly will look pretty tame. For the record, I hate hockey and I hope that the Bruins never win anything.

[kearnsy]

That being said, public transportation was an absolute nightmare yesterday. I managed to get lucky since I was coming in through Trenton, but I can only imagine how terrible it would have been to come in from Delaware or South Jersey. Despite the troubles though, it was easily one of the greatest moments of my life.

What time train did you take? I was on the 9:45? train from Trenton and it was awesome because the train filled up in the first 2 stops then went non-stop all the way into philly because the train was so filled. Sucks for those other stops we blew by but awesome for us.

[Conrad]

I think we were on the same train. I left from New Brunswick at 9, and yeah they filled the train up after I had already gotten a seat.

[kearnsy]

I got on from Hamilton and when we got to Trenton the Philly train was right there waiting for us, I was the pimp with the Phillies PJ bottoms.

[Abraxas]

In fairness to the Canadian fans, part of that was due to some shitty Boston fans. After an earlier game in that series, a Canadians fan was beaten into a coma outside of the Garden in Boston. Bruins fans are, without a doubt, the craziest sports fans I've ever seen. They haven't won since '72 or '73. If they ever win another Stanley Cup, then what happened in Philly will look pretty tame. For the record, I hate hockey and I hope that the Bruins never win anything.

that really doesn't validate why you start a riot after you win in the first round. thats just pathetic, but thats also just Habs fans

[jmc]

Did you see the riots after the Celtics won? This isn't something new.

The celtics riots, is NOTHING to compare to what went on in philly.

Even the red sox "riots" were nothing compared to philly, and sox fans had to wait 86 fucking years! lmao

[Penthesilea]

ESPN - Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley to undergo hip surgery

If the Philadelphia Phillies weren't aware before Thursday of how hard it can be to repeat, the World Series champs know that now.

Utley
The team announced Thursday that second baseman Chase Utley will need right hip surgery that potentially could keep him out until the first week of June.

Utley consistently downplayed speculation about his bad hip during the second half of the postseason. But the Phillies revealed Thursday that since the World Series, he has had the hip evaluated by Phillies team physician Michael Ciccotti, of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Rothman Institute, and by Dr. Bryan Kelly, of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Both doctors recommended that Utley undergo surgery on his right hip. That procedure, described by the club as an "arthroscopic evaluation with treatment of any labral or bony injury," will take place next week.

According to the Phillies, Utley would be able to resume baseball activities in three to four months -- meaning sometime during spring training, but possibly not until the week before opening day.

However, full recovery time is projected at between four and six months. That means the best-case scenario is a return in early April, but the worst-case scenario is late May or early June, depending on how long a rehab option the club feels he would need.

Utley's hip issues were one of baseball's worst-kept secrets over the last four months of the year. Opposing players, coaches and scouts began wondering as early as mid-June whether he was playing with some sort of injury to his lower half.

Over the first eight weeks of the season, through June 3, Utley led the major leagues in home runs (21), and batted .321, with a .408 on-base percentage, .684 slugging percentage and 53 RBIs -- the second-most in the National League.

But over the final four months, he batted only .272, with 12 homers, 51 RBIs, a .362 on-base percentage and .446 slugging percentage. He hit just .220 in the postseason, but did hit two home runs during the World Series.

Philles GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wasn't immediately available for comment. However, the Phillies plan to step up their pursuit of bench help and potential fill-ins.

Their free-agent shopping list is believed to include Tadahito Iguchi, who replaced Utley for a month after he broke his hand in 2007, and former Phillie Nick Punto. They also have kicked around the idea of converting highly regarded shortstop prospect Jason Donald to second base.

The Phillies also announced Thursday that third baseman Pedro Feliz will need lower back surgery. Feliz, however, is expected to be ready for opening day after his surgery, which will be performed by renowned back surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles.

Wow, I had no clue. Hopefully we see him return early and at the same level of play as this year (even with how much he slowed in the later half).

[Kyo]

Thats why he had a subpar second half, I had no idea and he was having an MVP year.

[Abraxas]

even us in Philly didnt know. there was speculation all during the 2nd half of the season, but they kept it a very well hid secret

[Akiyama]

Well they needed him every step of the way. Hope he gets healthy fast.

[0ni0n]

Any prediction for next year? What are your top three picks to win the series?

[Akiyama]

fk that lol. Not picking yet. We still have to see where some of these big time free agents go.

[Viq]

Any prediction for next year? What are your top three picks to win the series?

1) Kansas City Monarchs
2) Whoever gets Sabathia
3) That Japanese team that signed the 16-year old girl.

[Byrd]

3) That Japanese team that signed the 16-year old girl.

There's no way she belongs on the same field as Amanda Wurhlizer.

[Penthesilea]

ESPN - Sources: Mike Hampton agrees to contract with Houston Astros

Mike Hampton to the Astros. I'd say good riddance, but watch he puts out another 20win season next year.

[Akiyama]

ESPN - Sources: Mike Hampton agrees to contract with Houston Astros

Mike Hampton to the Astros. I'd say good riddance, but watch he puts out another 20win season next year.

Lol, I know right?

[fren.]

Kinda dragging this thread back out to mention Curt Schilling is kinda funny (see; biased)

Best Pitches in Baseball - The Ultimate Debate - NYYFans.com Forum

Gehrig38 = Schilling. Nyyfans.com = most active Yankee fan forum on the net.

Makes you wonder if other athletes who get paid to sit out the year with an injury roam message boards. Oh and the Yankees 2009 rotation looks pretty fucking pimp :D