KevinG Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I remember when this thread use to be about baseball not in fighting, name calling and pointless arguing. Let's bring it back to baseball and more importantly to the Chicago Cubs. Items I would like to be discussed 1) Milton Bradley's spot in the 2009 Cubs lineup: I say between Lee and Amram, so the lineup would look like this Alf, Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Amram, Soto, Theroit, Lil Babe Ruth, Pitcher2) The fifth starter spot for the Cubs (Marshall? Someman via addition?)3) Why the NL is superior to the AL (not in players, but in watchabilty of the game) so there Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 3) Why the NL is superior to the AL (not in players, but in watchabilty of the game)Opinion, of course, but I'll assume better "watchability" to you means lower scoring games, watching a pitcher strike out a few time per game, and more finagling of runs? I like watching both leagues play and appreciate the overall reliability on strategy that is necessary in the NL over the AL (broadly speaking, of course) but also enjoy a game with DHs affecting games, too. It's harder to manage a NL team, I'd imagine, but this doesn't necessarily translate to me that NL games are inherently more enjoyable to watch. Just my take, anyway. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Opinion, of course, but I'll assume better "watchability" to you means lower scoring games, watching a pitcher strike out a few time per game, and more finagling of runs? I like watching both leagues play and appreciate the overall reliability on strategy that is necessary in the NL over the AL (broadly speaking, of course) but also enjoy a game with DHs affecting games, too. It's harder to manage a NL team, I'd imagine, but this doesn't necessarily translate to me that NL games are inherently more enjoyable to watch. Just my take, anyway. I have to agree, it feels more old school in the NL but sometimes it's just painful to watch a pitcher try to bat. They each have their own flavor. I miss the Bay Area sometimes, I could choose between Giants or A's depending on mood. Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Unrelated to league rules and styles of play, I would also offer that at this particular point in baseball history, there is more talent in the American League. Plenty of awesome players in the NL too, just not as many, and more crappy ones too. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 Unrelated to league rules and styles of play, I would also offer that at this particular point in baseball history, there is more talent in the American League. Plenty of awesome players in the NL too, just not as many, and more crappy ones too.Wouldn't you credit this though, at least partially, to the DH slot that allows sluggers to extend their careers? The AL seems to sign veteran players more, as well. Money in NYY/BOS/ANA, etc. doesn't hurt. Interleague play shows that AL teams dominate (at least the past 4-5 years) over NL teams. I'm sure pitching/fielding come in to play heavily, here, as well as AL park v. NL parks, but the offense has to be a big part of that, too. Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 if there are more hits for Rice is a nice guy, then statistically, wouldn't that say that more people think he's a nice guy than think he's an asshole?It depends on proper statistical analysis. The search "jim rice" "nice guy" (making sure that guy follows nice and rice follows jim) has slightly fewer results than "jim rice" asshole. Otherwise you get a lot of noise with sites that have some jabber about a guy and a comment about a nice frisbee. In fact, the top "nice guy" results suggest that he isn't a nice guy at all. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Nl has more great young players. Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 1) Milton Bradley's spot in the 2009 Cubs lineup: I say between Lee and Amram, so the lineup would look like this Alf, Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Amram, Soto, Theroit, Lil Babe Ruth, PitcherI'd never seen this nickname before and had to Google to see if this particular sickness is widespread -- it is. Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Colon returns to the White Sox. Not sure I like this. Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I certainly don't like the idea of colon returns. Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Feb 14 is what they are reporting on radio around here. And only 30 days until the Rangers are eliminated. Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Colon returns to the White Sox. Not sure I like this. Well, they needed some backup plan in case the second and third rate prospects they have gunning for the fourth and fifth spots don't pan out. I'm sure it's not for much money. I wonder how many innings he'll pitch. Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I think my main reason for being unthrilled is that this move may prevent them from making other, better moves to shore up the starting staff. I don't think Colon can be relied on to fill a spot in the rotation effectively for a whole season ... or even half a season. Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I hope he doesn't eat all the elotes at The Cell. Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I think my main reason for being unthrilled is that this move may prevent them from making other, better moves to shore up the starting staff. I don't think Colon can be relied on to fill a spot in the rotation effectively for a whole season ... or even half a season.True, though there's not much out there at this point. And they have indicated that they're pretty much where they're going to be in terms of salary. The only way they'd pick up a good veteran starting pitcher at this point is if they moved Dye. Edit: the alternative is/was probably Sweaty Freddy. Double edit: looks like they still may get Freddy. And Contreras could be back at some point in mid-season. It'll be the old, bad, and injured pitcher reunion tour. Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 http://www.nypost.com/seven/01142009/sport...my_n_150123.htm Some good quotes in there from Rickey from HOF press conference. My fave is when he was asked if he would play in the WBC, he replied, "What is that, wrestling?" Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Rickey's Hall of Fame plaque. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Rickey's Hall of Fame plaque.http://forums.viachicago.org/index.php?s=&...t&p=1263700 Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I have to agree, it feels more old school in the NL but sometimes it's just painful to watch a pitcher try to bat. They each have their own flavor. I miss the Bay Area sometimes, I could choose between Giants or A's depending on mood.This is one of the main reasons I dislike interleague play. AL pitchers should only have to humiliate themselves once a year. At the end. Of course interleague does allow fans to see a few more teams, so I guess that's good. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I think the style of play and general ideas about team and lineup construction in the NL is less conducive to winning baseball (thus their poor record in interleague), but it makes for a far more exciting, watchable game in my opinion. For instance, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, who are extremely good, rely on home runs, walking, and seeing a ton of pitches. They are exceptionally good at baseball because of this, but it leads to very boring games, because they go on forever with each batter seeing a bunch of pitches and fouling them off. I despise the small ball type of play because I think you end up giving up more outs than runs scored, but I won't deny that it's far more entertaining to watch a guy like Jose Reyes than David Ortiz. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 "Far more" enjoyable? I notice the difference in play from both leagues (generally speaking) but at the end of the game it's still baseball. I enjoy watching both leagues and particlarly interleague play. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 double switch Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Obviously, with the caveat of IMO... The most exciting event in baseball (and I've seen my share of baseball) is the moment after the ball leaves the bat of Jose Reyes for the gap. The entire stadium inhales deeply (you can hear it), Reyes makes the turn at first, and everyone waits for the play (if there even is one) at 3rd base. Then everyone exhales and goes crazy. Nothing beats a jose reyes triple at a packed Shea. It is (was) awesome. Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Bobbob hates both kinds of baseball. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 "in my opinion"? Yes, it's baseball, but I find the strategy in the NL and slap hitting, base stealing, scrapping, hustly, hearty play of the NL to be more entertaining to watch. It's not necessarily better baseball, but to me there is a major difference, and I definitely prefer the NL. Of course, I was raised on NL baseball, and I really got into baseball in the early part of this decade when the Marlins were all about that small ball stuff. Especially the 2003 world series team. I'll agree with Matt, except substitute Hanley for Reyes. Personal preference, of course, but the general point is the same. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts