nrockway

I’ll be watching it tonight. Or early AM at this point.

Just because lol

It’s just one of those things you gotta do. It’s social convention. Not one I’m willing to buck. I went to a Sox game with a friend once and she told me, “why don’t you just keep it if you want it?” I’m like, “just because”. It’s just one of those things.

No I totally agree. Still, it’s convention to give the kid a ball. It’s just one of those things.

Seems like I didn’t miss anything. Besides welkommen showing out. Time to check the milb scores, maybe less disappointing.

Dad didn’t look great either. Again, it’s a ball. I doubt homegirl was gonna do that though. Dad seems autistic honestly. Not saying that to be mean.

Yeah I guess it's more like 2.5 weeks as opposed to a month, but his OPS has dropped 150 points since peaking August 19. Only 1 homer since joining Birmingham at the end of July. This isn't to discredit him, but I'd question the ~60ish grade power a little bit. The power kinda fell off in July. 2 homers in his last 212 PAs (at AA and A+) leaves a little to be desired after 10 in 293 (A+ and A). I was hoping he might jump to AAA this season but I bet he starts next season there.

Bumping this thread just to share this video. Not to discredit this impressive feat, but the Orioles batters did a lot of the heavy lifting. One strike called out of the zone and the rest were swinging strikes, 7 of 8 not even close to the zone. Some really bad "swing decisions". Are they missing Fuller? Orioles were 4th in MLB last season at 113 WRC+ and 17th this season at 99. Our Sox were dead last at 75 WRC+ and 26th this season at 90 (still bad). Orioles regressed by 14 points, Sox improved by 15. Not saying a hitting coach is making the complete difference, but you have to think he factors into it somewhere for both teams. Plenty of reasons the Orioles have regressed and the Sox have improved, but I wonder if Baltimore regrets scapegoating him.

Yup, been posting about it in the 78 thread. There's a real opportunity for it. Not sure the opportunity existed in 1991. Seems like Jerry and Wirtz are doing it around the UC. Hopeful that Ishbia sees the opportunity. Both for the team and it also could be pretty good for the region. I do hate it though, you're right. There's probably a way of doing it without the Ricketts creating their own little fief and interfering with the democratic processes. But also, their payroll is high, but are they willing to truly spend to get over the hump? Do they balk at Tucker and run with Alcantara and Caissie? I think they could impress their fans by trading Alcantara for Luis. Seems like a W for both teams. Or any proper 'ready now' outfielder on a big contract. Fair enough. I understand the perspective. I also think there's good reason to be optimistic about the direction of the team. Especially considering Jerry is on his way out and seems to have already taken a backseat. Can't be so sure about the last part, just my impression. Best thing Ishbia can do is spend money and not interfere with baseball ops.

I just came here to post this! This stuff is so weird. Like it's a ball. What are you even gonna do with it, lady? It's a cool memento for a kid although he didn't seem super impressed. There's some moment etched into my memory: a spring training game like 20 years ago, the batter fouls it up over the backstop, some kid makes a nice catch before an old man rips it out of his glove. Gramps grinned and inspected the ball, not a care in the world as everyone booed him. Look of pure joy on his face. I think we call this arrested development.

Right, but I think they can spend that money because of everything around the neighborhood and the history. They've capitalized on it effectively, but it would be hard not to. I think Cubs fans are wondering if they'll re-sign Tucker and then continue to fill holes. The Sox spent more than the Cubs as recent as 2022. I wouldn't call the changes around the neighborhood 'upgrades' though. More like awful. Corporatized everything once cool about Wrigleyville. I used to live in Lakeview and the team would send mailers saying like "if you don't bother the alderman about this stuff we want, we're moving". Completely ruined the Wrigley Rooftops. Even the people who work at some of those longtime bars hate it (maybe not the owners of them). On the stadium upgrades, is it still 100 bucks to sit behind a pole? 😃 The bleachers are ruined.

True enough. I just don't think these things are actually predictable beyond "spend when good, don't spend when bad". The CBA negotiations should be interesting. Ultimately, baseball-related revenue is strictly up year-over-year to the extent it can be measured. Certainly, valuation is.

I would just try to look at the situation objectively. And also consider that there aren't really any "good" owners, just rich idiots, some of whom wisely defer to their management or otherwise produce a lot of revenue, typically for non-baseball reasons. Or in the case of the Cubs and Red Sox, history that they had no part in creating. All things considered, I think the Ricketts family is a worse owner than Reinsdorf. Definitely worse people. I think there seems to be some evidence that JR is more deferential to management than he was previously. It's certainly that case with the Bulls and I think a lot of the organizational changes seem to indicate it. I don't know for certain. But also, there were "20 years of history" before winning the WS in 2005. I don't really have a memory of 'building' that team, but it would've been shortsighted to say "Jerry has been a moron for two decades, thus nothing good can happen". Simply look at the baseball stuff going on and maybe contextualize it with Jerry's general incompetence. Good things are happening! But, I mean, the key part of my post was "who would we actually spend money on in 2026?" The team still doesn't have a great reputation, free agents aren't going to come here unless they're overpaid or nobody else wants them, but if the young core produces in 2026 and Venable continues to look like a guy players want to play for, that reputation could change. I continue to harp on 2027. Spend then, there's a clearer idea of who in this core is an every day player and who is a bust. Fill holes rather than creating redundancies. I would not spend on the bullpen in any context. The holes look like they'll be in the outfield. Tucker would be a great get in 2026, but the reputation is such that he isn't gonna come here. And to me, the recent reputation issues are twofold: being the worst team of all time and, before that, having a really awful clubhouse with no managerial oversight or expectations. Ken and Hahn being gone are addition by subtraction in that regard irrespective of Getz's competence. I don't think players are really thinking about Jerry too hard. I'd argue he has a pretty good history of taking care of players. More obvious on the basketball side of things.

Braden hasn't been all that good for about a month either. Long season probably wearing on these guys a little bit.

Yeah I'd be happy to be .500 next season.

so...are we winning the division next year? battled through some frustrating moments, convincing win against a good team.

That's great. Two good reasons to go. Gilbert and Mesa have really grown up since I've been out there. Used to be a lot of farmland. Seems like a great place for a kid to grow up these days.

hmmm

57 homer pace over a 162 game season. Close, Stoney.

WHO IS THIS GUY

oof Teel

this is why we have 2 monitors! chiefs look awful

LaCombe 3IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, 2 BB, 3K Ely Brown so far 2-3 with 2 SBs. This guy is gonna be good. .344 BA, .817 OPS. 14 SB in 24.5 games...more to come?

agreed