2009 MLB season discussion*

[Mugekuge]

I don't know, maybe because they're arguably the best hitter/pitcher on the planet? If the WBC is to be taken seriously, then the best players should be playing in it. That's my opinion, anyway.

Santana is from Venezuela and Pujols from DR >.>, yea i'd love to see Santana playing with my country (i am from Venezuela) but think we are doing great even if Santana and Carlos Zambrano aren't playing atm with my team.

[Cephius]

Santana is from Venezuela and Pujols from DR >.>, yea i'd love to see Santana playing with my country (i am from Venezuela) but think we are doing great even if Santana and Carlos Zambrano aren't playing atm with my team.

Well A-rod is from the DR and he played with the US team last year I don't think there are rules against non-native Americans playing with the team.

[promethius]

actually if im not mistaken they wouldn't be able to since they are born in d.r. and venezuela respectively. you need to be born in the country you play for or you have to have parents/grandparents from w/e country you play for. in a-rods case he was born in the US, and his mother was born in D.R.

[Mugekuge]

Santana was with Venezuela in WBC 2 years ago, he actually wanted to be with my country, but Mets didnt let him play, Pujols i dont remember if he was or not with DR 2 years ago.

A-rod was born in NY, you dont need to born from a country but you need to be citizen of that country to play if i am not mistaken.

[Ensam]

A-Rod also lived in the DR for awhile as a kid. I don't think it's gay he played for DR, but I think it's gay he flip-flopped from USA to DR. Should have to stay with the country you were originally with.

[BadKarma]

The WBC should be in November, fucking Youkilis and Pedroia both got hurt cuz of this bullshit.

[Rhinox]

Santana was with Venezuela in WBC 2 years ago, he actually wanted to be with my country, but Mets didnt let him play, Pujols i dont remember if he was or not with DR 2 years ago.

A-rod was born in NY, you dont need to born from a country but you need to be citizen of that country to play if i am not mistaken.

nope just need to have one parent be born from that country to qualify. Which is why the hairston brothers played for mexico this year.

[Rhinox]

The WBC should be in November, fucking Youkilis and Pedroia both got hurt cuz of this bullshit.

What makes you think they wouldn't have gotten hurt in November? I would think the strain (especially on playoff team pitchers) would be harder in November as oppose to Spring training where they would normally be training.

[Penthesilea]

What makes you think they wouldn't have gotten hurt in November? I would think the strain (especially on playoff team pitchers) would be harder in November as oppose to Spring training where they would normally be training.

to avoid missing part of the season because they got hurt > ala david wright saying if it was spring training he would have sat down, but instead finished the game after suspecting he broke his toe in a WBC game

[Rhinox]

to avoid missing part of the season because they got hurt > ala david wright saying if it was spring training he would have sat down, but instead finished the game after suspecting he broke his toe in a WBC game

Good luck getting decent pitchers to show up to the WBC. after a full season+ playoffs of pitching you really think they gonna want to tax their arms? If people are really worried about getting hurt why have a WBC to begin with? Do it like the olympics and have minor league players participate.

[Viq]

Japan vs. Korea Round 5 tomorrow night. Looks like Fidel Castro was right when he said that no team from the west would be able to take out either Japan or Korea. I have a feeling Korea's going to take this one. The loss of Murata makes Japan's offense rely too much on small ball, and Korea's defense is too sound to let an offense without the threat of the three-run HR beat them. Add in the fact that Japan had to use a lot of relievers against USA, and those arms won't be as rested as Korea's. Either way, I'm really looking forward to the game.

[Cephius]

Curt Schilling retires, goodbye to The Mouth™ and good riddance!

One of the best pitchers of our generation though, if only he stopped making stupid comments outside of baseball he'd probably command a lot more respect. Amazing post-season pitcher though, a lock for the Hall I'd say.

[Viq]

It's not good-bye to Curt here in Boston. He still writes for, and has begun hosting on WEEI, the local sports radio station. I'm not sure he's a lock for the Hall of Fame, but he'd get my vote. I agree that his post-season resume makes up for regular season shortcomings like lolwins.

[Akiyama]

He'll probably be a second ballot as a lot of the writers don't really care for how he's been with the media. As shitty as that seems.. it's the case.

If this were Colin Cowherd's Hall of Fame, he'd definitely be in since he's famous! Oh.. and Jose Canseco would also be in, if that tells you anything.

[Cephius]

It's not good-bye to Curt here in Boston. He still writes for, and has begun hosting on WEEI, the local sports radio station. I'm not sure he's a lock for the Hall of Fame, but he'd get my vote. I agree that his post-season resume makes up for regular season shortcomings like lolwins.

Yeah.. knowing the media, an 11-2 record with a 2.23 ERA in the post season will get him a lot of votes, along with 4 complete games. He also has over 3000 strikeouts in his career, another nice round number that voters love.

He has a career ERA+ of 127 which isn't spectacular but is very good, but his consistent postseason performances in a relatively large sample size (19 games) puts him over the top IMO.

[Akiyama]

Yeah. If it was regular season alone, I don't think he'd sniff the Hall of Fame, but the post-season thing is what puts him in for sure in my opinion.

Not to bring another player in, but I think Smoltz's career is closely related to Schillings in terms of sample size. Both don't have that many wins, but the thing with Smoltz that puts him over is he went Starer > Closer > Starter, has a 15-4 Postseason record, and I think 154 saves.. 153.. around there. Can't be bothered to wiki it. Other than that, their careers are rather similar.

[Soa]

I agree that his post-season resume makes up for regular season shortcomings like lolwins.

In Curt's defense he had more wins than I care to recall blown by the Phillies horrendous bullpen during his career there, especially by his best friend Mitch Williams. I'm amazed those two didn't get into any fist fights while they were teammates.

Its kind of sad that my lasting image of him as a Phil was with a towel over his face while Mitch proceeded to walk the first 3 batters of the 9th and ultimately blow his win.

[Viq]

Well, I was wrong about my Korea prediction. I also hope that I'm wrong when I say the WBC final could be amongst the top games played all summer. I understand people dislike the WBC for a wide array of reasons, but I don't see how any baseball fan that turned that game on tonight would've been able to turn it off.

[Akiyama]

Yeah. That was a great game with some fantastic fielding/pitching. The defense behind both teams performed admirably. Ichiro had an amazing night, though. 4-6.. he's like 6-10 in the two Championship Rounds that he's played in. That was a clutch hit in the Bottom of the 9th though. Shame they couldn't finish it off.

[Ensam]

Definitely didn't think Korea would be as good as they were. Cuba also got knocked out surprisingly quickly. Rather is funny how quick there has been a shift in power between West to the East. I mean, small sample size and all, but you can't deny that they are good teams.

I wonder if, in the future, we could see MLB teams in these countries. It'd have to be in a time where the travel got severely reduced, but there's the whole NBA going to Europe proposal. There's the fact we already have had two teams in another country, as well as having had a team play in Puerto Rico for two years (Expos/Nats) and have had relocation talks to there (Marlins). Though I guess PR still technically counts as the US? Honestly surprised we haven't had a team in the DR or Mexico yet.

Also, Marlins had a no hitter the other day against the Tigers. Ricky Nolasco went 7 IP with 8 K's and 1 BB (18IP, 17Ks, 2BB this spring).

Only other known no hitter happened in spring training.

Ironically, by the Mets.

looooool

And yesterday the City approved the new stadium after the commissioners approved it a few days ago. Can never say 100% something is happening, but it's now at 99% that a new stadium is getting built. Woooo