2010 MLB

[Duck-Billed Catechist]

The perils of batting ninth. You bat last in a perfect game or when the opposing pitcher gives up 9 base-runners (8 BB + 1 error). He was the lead-off hitter in the Braden game, though, so he got out of that one.

[u2roolz]

Being a Red Sox fan I can 100% guarantee you that it was Gabe Kapler who made the final out in both the Buerhle & Braden game.

 

Proof About Gabe

[Sir Stewart]

Pedroia fouls a ball off his foot, fractures it, Red Sox acquire Eric Patterson from the A's.

Oy.

[The High Heat]

Being a Red Sox fan I can 100% guarantee you that it was Gabe Kapler who made the final out in both the Buerhle & Braden game.

 

Proof About Gabe

Read carefully the quote from your posted story:

 

• Last July at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Kapler led off the ninth and, on a 2-2 count, drilled the Mark Buehrle pitch deep to left-center field. It appeared, at first, like a certain buzz kill, but center fielder DeWayne Wise -- a ninth-inning defensive replacement -- raced to get a glove on it and managed to hold on, even after the ball popped out briefly, following a wall collision. Two batters later, perfect game No. 18 was in the books.

 

I do believe two batters after Kapler was Jason Bartlett.

[The High Heat]

Pedroia fouls a ball off his foot, fractures it, Red Sox acquire Eric Patterson from the A's.

Oy.

The good news is that they didn't acquire Corey Patterson.

 

More bad news, though: Clay Buchholz pulled up lame running the bases after getting his first career knock. Things like this will make the DH full scale and permanent, I swear.

[u2roolz]

Being a Red Sox fan I can 100% guarantee you that it was Gabe Kapler who made the final out in both the Buerhle & Braden game.

 

Proof About Gabe

 

Read carefully the quote from your posted story:

 

I do believe two batters after Kapler was Jason Bartlett.

 

Hmm. I could have sworn that when Braden got his Perfect Game they (ESPN) made a big deal out of it being Gabe Kapler getting the last out in that game and Buerhle's game.

In fact, a trivia question at our local bar was the above (incorrect) statement. I guess people around here were confused because of the amazing catch that was made off of Kapler's near HR to ruin the Perfect Game.

[bleedorange]

The good news is that they didn't acquire Corey Patterson.

 

More bad news, though: Clay Buchholz pulled up lame running the bases after getting his first career knock. Things like this will make the DH full scale and permanent, I swear.

 

The sooner, the better.

[bjorn_skurj]

Bah - you all in your American League can keep your DH and the boring, mechanical baseball it leads to. I like bunts and double-switches fine, thanks.

[bleedorange]

Bah - you all in your American League can keep your DH and the boring, mechanical baseball it leads to. I like bunts and double-switches fine, thanks.

 

I've never been able to figure out why a double switch is held to be so sacred by some.

[Oil Can Boyd]

Pedroia fouls a ball off his foot, fractures it, Red Sox acquire Eric Patterson from the A's.

Oy.

And now Victor Martinez is hurt. He left the game in the 4th after taking a foul ball off his foot.

[MattZ]

I've never been able to figure out why a double switch is held to be so sacred by some.

 

It's not the double switch itself. It's the compelling strategy and decision that leads to them.

[bjorn_skurj]

It's not the double switch itself. It's the compelling strategy and decision that leads to them.

Yes - the pitcher batting leads to a much richer baseball experience. More things to think about, and there is the joy of the unexpected when the pitcher comes through at the plate.

[MattZ]

Yes - the pitcher batting leads to a much richer baseball experience. More things to think about, and there is the joy of the unexpected when the pitcher comes through at the plate.

 

American League fans just don't get it bjorn. Let's leave them to their inferior game.

[bleedorange]

It's not the double switch itself. It's the compelling strategy and decision that leads to them.

 

There isn't a whole lot that's compelling about a double switch. It's just an extra substitution that sometimes needs to be made in order to make a pitching change. And it only leads to more things to think about because you have to figure out how to limit the at-bats of a .150 hitter. There's nothing inherently good about being forced to watch a clueless hitter. And it's telling that the National League is the only level of baseball that requires pitchers to hit. Get with the times.

[bjorn_skurj]

There isn't a whole lot that's compelling about a double switch. It's just an extra substitution that sometimes needs to be made in order to make a pitching change. And it only leads to more things to think about because you have to figure out how to limit the at-bats of a .150 hitter. There's nothing inherently good about being forced to watch a clueless hitter. And it's telling that the National League is the only level of baseball that requires pitchers to hit. Get with the times.

No.

[MattZ]

And it's telling that the National League is the only level of baseball that requires pitchers to hit.

 

Ahh, the irony. Ever read the first rule in the book? Check it out. 1.01.

 

ETA: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/01_objectives_of_the_game.pdf

[The High Heat]

Bobby Valentine is not likely to become the Marlins' manager.

[bleedorange]

Ahh, the irony. Ever read the first rule in the book? Check it out. 1.01.

 

ETA: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/01_objectives_of_the_game.pdf

 

And Rule 6.10 allows for a designated hitter. So what?

[MattZ]

And Rule 6.10 allows for a designated hitter. So what?

 

Rule 1.01 defines the game of baseball as a game between two teams of nine players each. It is the first rule in the book. It defines the game. So yes, it is "telling" that the NL is the only level that actually plays the game as it was defined.

 

Also, 1.01 comes before 6.10 so it came first and first is best.

[bleedorange]

Also, 1.01 comes before 6.10 so it came first and first is best.

 

[Sir Stewart]

The whole concept of a designated hitter is a load of BS.

[u2roolz]

Zambrano & Ozzie Guillen Din Din A No Win

 

Apparently after Friday's outburst/meltdown of Zambrano, he ended up having a rooftop dinner with Ozzie. This begs the question: would it have been ok if he pitched a decent game and had made plans to eat with Ozzie after the game (they are friends apparently) or is this completely uncalled for after what he did on Friday? If I was a Cubs fan I would be kind of pissed, but people got to eat. Edit: (I remember people being pissed when Manny Ramirez (while with the Red Sox) claimed to have the flu to skip out on a Yankees game and then reporters and fans saw him out on the town, but with Karim Garcia & Enrique Wilson. Anyone remember those guys? People hang out. In both of these instances the timing is more terrible than the act actually. Although, in both instances both players seemed to put the game 2nd behind hanging out nonchalantly and with blinders on oblivious to the bigger picture. And if all things were hunky dory then some people might think that the opposing team is a bunch of Commies or something with secret codes and secret handshakes.)

 

It could be a blessing in disguise: it sounds like Ozzie claims that he can "control" Zambrano. "I can control Zambrano" Would the Cubs be willing to send Zambrano and his huge contract across town?

 

Similarly, Chunk thought he could "control" Sloth with a Baby Ruth bar and well actually that turned out quite well.

[Lammycat]

The whole concept of a designated hitter is a load of BS.

That the pitcher, in general, sucks at hitting? To my knowledge, this is the original concept behind the DH rule. They aren't everyday players and can't really be expected to hit like an everyday player. There are pros and cons to the DH rule. I don't think it makes NL ball any better (to watch a pitcher try and bunt?) or harder to manage. There's still bunting in the AL, you just don't always know when it's coming...

 

I understand the concept/history/"integrity" of having the same 9 players batting but the DH came into play because people got sick of watching pitchers trying to hit. I enjoy watching both leagues but think the NL-rule advocates blow the concept of "more strategy" out of proportion.

[Sir Stewart]

That the pitcher, in general, sucks at hitting? To my knowledge, this is the original concept behind the DH rule. They aren't everyday players and can't really be expected to hit like an everyday player. There are pros and cons to the DH rule. I don't think it makes NL ball any better (to watch a pitcher try and bunt?) or harder to manage. There's still bunting in the AL, you just don't always know when it's coming...

 

I understand the concept/history/"integrity" of having the same 9 players batting but the DH came into play because people got sick of watching pitchers trying to hit. I enjoy watching both leagues but think the NL-rule advocates blow the concept of "more strategy" out of proportion.

 

I guess it's a purist POV, but I just don't dig having a spot in the lineup for a hitter who doesn't play defense, no matter the justification. I'm not all dig-in-my-heels about it though. As you know, I loves me some Big Papi.

[Lammycat]

I guess it's a purist POV, but I just don't dig having a spot in the lineup for a hitter who doesn't play defense, no matter the justification. I'm not all dig-in-my-heels about it though. As you know, I loves me some Big Papi.

I hear you and certainly understand the other side of the coin. I'm not necessarily a big proponent of it but I do understand why it was implemented and I think the NL was even the first league to push for it/test it out.