hogan873

Illinois will make the vaccine available to everyone 16 years old and older on April 12. Obviously it will still take a while to get everyone vaccinated, but this is huge news. I don't think it's unrealistic to expect herd immunity by mid-summer.

And both would be freaking awesome. One of the foodie accounts on Twitter said something along the lines of Vaughn's deal being all but done and should be announced soon.

Ah. Got it. I thought I remembered a suspension, but I thought it had been served. I wouldn't think he has a place on the big league team anyway with Mendick and Garcia.

So...what happened to Tim Beckham? I didn't see anything about him being released, but I don't see him listed as part of the roster. I'm sure I missed something. Oops - I just saw him listed on the team as non-roster. He hasn't played at all, has he?

I got by second Pfizer shot on Friday. I had absolutely no side effects. My arm was a bit sore for a day, but it was nothing more than discomfort. I know different people are affected differently, but most people I know who have gotten the vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) have had little to no issues. It's exciting to see 3-4 million shots give per day. If the pace continues, and supply keeps up, we could be at her immunity quicker than anticipated.

Getting my second tomorrow. I hope it doesn't ruin my Friday and weekend (that's when I drink my beer, man). My daughter had a fever and bad headache for about 12 hours after the second shot, but my wife really had no issues aside from a sore arm. They both had Moderna, and I got Pfizer. We'll see. Truthfully, though, I don't care if I'm laid up for a day or so. It'll be worth it.

Rockies are starting at 50%, and I think the Cardinals are starting at 35%. I did read that Texas plans on 100% for opening day then reduced capacity afterwards. Why, I don’t know. Hopefully all parks allowing higher capacity have no issues and other teams follow.

Most teams are doing the right thing and allowing a percentage at first. All signs, regardless of the occasional article stating otherwise, point to the majority of adults who want the vaccine to be vaccinated by May/June. It's not inconceivable to expect to see full or nearly full capacity in stadiums by mid-summer. But, yes, the fearmongering is tiring. We've been told since last March that only a vaccine will get us out of this. Now we have three great vaccines, and some of the messaging is that nothing will change. I get my second shot on Friday. I'll feel much safer, and when I can, I'll be going to a damn baseball game.

Give that guy his #99 jersey and a spot on the opening day roster.

Kopech looks great. Confident, too.

Mmmm...beer

I was wondering who he was barking at

I am not a season ticket holder, and I received an email with a link where I can sign up for notifications when (if) tickets are available for games after season ticket holders have had an opportunity to buy. I don't expect tickets to trickle all the way down to the general public, but you never know.

Certain vaccinations are required for school attendance and even by some employers, as you said. I don't see sports teams or concert venues requiring (or even being able to require) proof of COVID vaccination. However, by the time every person who wants to vaccinated is vaccinated, we can't let the anti-vaxxers keep everyone else from getting back to normal. You don't want the vaccine, don't go to a game or take your chances.

No one is really sure if it does or not. But, even if it doesn't, being vaccinated all but prevents severe illness. So, if everyone in a room (or stadium) is vaccinated, everyone could be a carrier, but no one is going to have to be hospitalized or be at risk for dying.

The guidelines released today could be seen as a gateway to concert/sports venues requiring vaccination proof for admittance. I'm not sure that would ever happen, but with the CDC saying vaccinated people congregating together do not need to wear masks or social distance, teams could damn near fill a stadium by mid summer with vaccinated fans.

My guess is that the majority of games will "sell out". People are anxious to get back to seeing games live. I can already hear the tick, tick, tick of the ticket prices increasing on third party sites.

I voted for Lucroy as both who I think should and who I think will. I give him the edge over Collins for two reasons: Veteran presence behind the plate and a better offensive compliment to Grandal. I like Collins, and I agree with other posters' sentiments that he can be a good hitter. I do, however, worry about his ability behind the plate. Overall, though, I don't think Collins would get the exposure necessary to improve as much as he can. Grandal will most likely catch the bulk of the games (120+), and the team most likely has their DH in Vaughn. That means Collins might get 30-40 games and 140-160 plate appearances. I think he may end up being traded at the deadline, hopefully giving him a shot elsewhere.

With Grandal sidelined, we've seen a lot of the potential backups. The Sox have hinted that they will not carry three catchers. If that's the case, who gets the backup job? Who do you think should get the job?

Robert is fast.

I thought I recognized the voice.

Who is that announcing with Kasper?

Another nice pitch.

Nice curve from Ruiz.

Why does Zavala look different? I didn't recognize him. Or did I just forget what he looked like?