One day before September, which means that tomorrow we will be seeing plenty of fresh faces up with the big clubs. Today was headlined by Aroldis Chapman's debut with the Reds. He came in in the 8th inning. 8 pitches later he was walking off the mound getting an ovation from the hometown crowd after pitching a flawless frame, striking out one and reaching 103 with his fastball. Highlights of his debut and of the game can be found in the following link:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_08_31_milmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=wrap
Check out Votto's unnatural play at first base and Rolen's spectatular backhand flip to second to end the game. The Reds were victorious 8-4. Sam Lecure picked up the win after Harang left the game the inning after getting hit by a line drive in the foot.
Manny Ramirez to the White Sox: Manny strolled into his new clubhouse today in "Manny-like" fashion.
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_15957236?nclick_check=1
I am personally not a big Manny Ramirez, but I thought it was funny that he held his press conference in Spanish. Whenever a guy gets an ovation for just being in the on deck circle, you know he is a baseball great. I think Manny will be exactly what the White Sox need in order give Minnesota a run for a spot in the postseason.
Bautista Hits Number 43: When is this guy gonna stop? It looks like he will eclipse the 50 home run mark this year, and seemingly out of nowhere. Here is the statistical journey of Bautista: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bautijo02.shtml
Now, Bautista is 30 years old, so this is unquestionably a wonder season for him. But what are the odds that he can do it again next year? My opinion is absolutely not. This will be the season people remember him for, otherwise he will be just another forgettable average MLB player with a little bit of pop. Just for kicks, here is baseballhq.com with projections for the rest of the season: http://www.baseballhq.com/members/tools/playerlink/batterlink.php?id=897
Crazy Finish at Sun Life Stadium: Despite Jarrod Zimmerman pitching an outstanding 6 innings of baseball (1 hit, 9 k, 0 bb), the Nats fall to the Marlins in exciting fashion. Chad Tracy knocked in Hanley Ramirez in the bottom of the 10th inning to seel the victory in dramatic fashion. Hanley made an incredible slide into home, just under Ivan Rodriguez's tag. Pudge argued the call avidly after the umpire had declared him safe. The right call was made by umpire Jim Wolf.
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100831&content_id=14142870&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=was
NL Division and Wildcard Races: With what looks like it is going to be a win tonight (up 8-4 Bot 9), the Phillies will continue to be 3 games back of the Braves in the East. This has been a fun race to watch over the past couple of years, and it looks like this year won't disappoint. In the Central it has been all bad news for the Cardinals in the past week as they have watched the rival Reds take a 7 game lead. The Reds beat the Brewers 8-4, and the Cardinals fell to the Astros 0-3 to give them a 4 game skid. Who else to speak for the Cards other than the great Albert Pujols, "We're picking a bad time to play some bad baseball. How many games do we have left? Try to win 30 games in a row. That's it." The division that everyone should have their eyes on is the NL West. Essentially everyone but the Diamondbacks are in the running. With the Padres on a 6 game losing streak, they have seen their lead slip to just 4 games over the Giants. The Rockies and the Dodgers will continue to try and maintain a decent position as well. Buster Posey will be the key for the Giants to continue their late season push for the postseason.
Pirates 14, Cubs 7: Don't worry, everyone was surprised when they saw the score. It's an unnatural phenomenon for the Pirates to win, and winning by 7 runs is almost unheard of this year. Neil Walker and Jose Tabata continue to dazzle and provide the Bucs with hope for next season. Walker went 4-5 with a homer, a double, and 4 RBIs. Tabata went 3-5 with a triple and 2 RBIs. Andrew McCutcheon went 3-5 with a double, a stolen base, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. And finally, Garrett Jones blasted a 3-run homer, his 20th of the year. Jeff Karstens looked solid over 6 quality innings of work, improving his record to a fantastic 3-10.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
FJM: 31 August 2010
In a chat from August 17th:
Nick (MN)
Hey Joe, big series starting tonight between the Twins and White Sox. If the Twins sweep do you think there will be much of a race in September between these two teams?
Joe Morgan
It's still too early to count anyone out who's in contention. There is still a lot of time left and games left. No matter what happens in this series, it's not going to be over. They will have a lead if they sweep, but it won't be over if it happens.
Just read that response. He takes four sentences to say the exact same thing. It’s too early. There’s still time left. It’s not over. It’s not over.
And really? They will have a lead if they sweep? Thanks for that, Captain Obvious. In fact, they already have a lead. And even if Minnesota gets swept, they will still have the lead. No matter what happens, the Twins will have the lead at the end of the series. But thanks for pointing that out anyways, Joe.
Tito (Brooklyn)
Hi Joe, do you think the Mets should try to void K-Rod's contract?
Joe Morgan
I don't think you should do that. I think you should fine him. They're not going to void the contract of Coghlan, when he hurt himself trying to put a pie in his teamamte's face. One was on the field, but the result was still the same. You fine him and move on. Other people have had domestic problems and their contract doesn't get voided.
How the hell does punching someone in the face compare to someone injuring himself trying to put a pie in a teammate’s face. K-Rod committed a crime and went to jail. Coghlan was trying to play a harmless joke on someone. You can in no way compare these two incidents. How is the result the same? That is fucking retarded.
Oh, and by the way, it’s easier to understand when you speak in English, Joe. Seriously, just try to read the third sentence.
Harold (Wausau Wisconsin)
Joe-You are one of my favorite people in baseball. How do you feel about expanding replay in the playoffs and not the regular season?
Joe Morgan
That would be better than trying to expand it during the regular season. If it were in the playoffs, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'm not a big fan of it to begin with it, but in the playoffs, I don't have a big problem with it. A lot of people are saying to have a replay system with challenges like the NFL. That's OK if you're just trying to get more of them correct and not all of them correct.
“That’s OK if you’re just trying to get more of them correct and not all of them correct.” Why? Why would you only want some calls correct but not all of them? And why is taking the time to review a play and possibly overrule an umpire’s decision different if it’s in the postseason as opposed to the regular season? Why would you want to get the call right in the playoffs but not the regular season? Does the regular season not count anymore? Do you even think about the words that come out of your mouth? I understand both sides: people who are for replay and against it. But you can’t be both, Joe, that just doesn’t make sense. Oh, I don’t like it here, but I do like it now. What?
Jason (Memphis)
Joe, I really appreciate a HOFer taking the time to chat with fans each week during the season. If you were GM for an expansion team - which current player would you take - assuming everyone was available?
Joe Morgan
Very good question. First of all, the toughest positions to fill, and to fill with superstars, usually is shortstop. If you're starting a team from scratch, and using that philosophy, I would look at Starlin Castro and Elvis Andrus, but, that said, Jason Heyward, Austin Jackson, Mike Stanton would probably make me change my mind and I probably would take one of them. (run-on sentence?) Right now the edge would go to Heyward.
I realize this is an opinion question, but still. If you could have one player in the entire MLB, you would consider Starlin Castro, Elvis Andrus, and even these other guys without even mentioning, oh, I don’t know, Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton, or someone else who is a star right now and will be for years to come? You could even make a legitimate case for Joey Votto or Carlos Gonzalez if you wanted. Or if you value shortstops so much, why not take (arguably) the best one in the game, who also happens to be just 26 years old, Hanley Ramirez? But hey, it’s your team, you can do whatever you want, and if you’re going to take Heyward, I will gladly take Pujols with the second pick.
Oh, and in at least one other question and on his own at the end, he reiterated the fact that, believe it or not, with a month and a half left in the season, the playoff races are not over yet. Thank you, Joe the Idiot.
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