hammerhead johnson

Hell yeah.

The Tigers and Astros are still scoreless, an it's in they're in the bottom of the 6th. Clemens ain't human.

They should give Joey Cora the Gomer Pile treatment. Thome and Kong can hold him down while the rest of the players whoop him with bars of soap. I'd like to get in on that action.

QUOTE(zoomzoomK @ Jun 27, 2006 -> 03:51 AM) Its not worth my time and effort to have to deal with life-experts like you shoota. My experiment of trying to have civil interaction with sox fans has now come to an end. I've appreciated my two days bantering with most of you and wish the Sox the best of luck the rest of the way, hopefully not at the expense of my Tigers. Unfortunately when life deals you shootas, you can't make shoota-ade. You can......take me off this board.... YES! Dude, shoota is like 12 years old. Just put him on ignore.

QUOTE(Ndgt10 @ Jun 25, 2006 -> 02:24 AM) Talk about a team playing over their heads. The sox are going to run away with this division. BANNED Wow, I'm just seeing all of this for the first time. This thread became a monster in a hurry.

QUOTE(lukeman89 @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 05:27 PM) and iguchi's was in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs Yeah, duh. ...and henceforth, he shall be known as $I Need Thread Ideas$

And yet another episode of the Bozo Show....

QUOTE(greg775 @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 03:16 AM) I can't believe the Stros have come right back. Assholes. huh?

QUOTE(Wolverine31 @ Jun 26, 2006 -> 03:13 AM) I turned this one on in the 9th :puke The Sox have to be the luckiest team in the major leagues. Grand Slam in the 9th with 2 outs to tie. Granny yestderday in the late innings to tie. Now here's the motherf***ing bozo that you ban. Leave tigersfan alone, though.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) It was a great idea the starter of this thread made because its always nice to know what the team ahead of us in the division is up to. That's exactly right. Always always always research your enemies. Follow every last move.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 07:02 PM) No offense to your reasoning. But there is correlation between their offensive production and the weakness of the NL and its pitching. Especially in that division. I think we have seen the different in interleague play. Also NL pitchers get to face other pitchers at least 3 times a game, which also makes going through the lineup easier. There is a difference of about 1 run when moving from NL to AL. Look at Bronson Arroyo. He is an Ace in that division, and could barely make it in the AL. Hold on, so now you're flipping the script and saying that the NL is weak, pitching-wise? The only reason that the NL has 7 teams in the Top 15 (OPS) is because the pitching sucks? I disagree, and strongly at that. The NL has some beef lineups, which would make it more difficult for Zambrano to put up such a devastating BAA (.187), not to mention his strong WHIP, ERA, and K numbers. That was the original point. And if anything, having a pitcher in the batting order is going to bring Team OPS down, correct? Cincinatti, New York, St. Louis, and Los Angeles are all .800+ OPS teams in the AL, wouldn't you agree? And Bronson Arroyo is the definitive evidence? You have to come at me with more than just exceptions here and there. I'd rather speak in terms of general rules. Bronson Arroyo is the most confusing pitcher in the majors. Nobody knows what that dude is capable of. Remember, in 2005, he was Top 15 in the majors in WHIP ratio through the end of May, and that was with Boston. And no, just because Liriano has a better WHIP ratio than Zambrano doesn't mean that I think he's a better young pitcher (criteria: 25 or younger) than Carlos. Again, it's the most telling stat IMO, but there are so many other things to take into account. He has the best BAA in the bigs, and that's after a s***ty April. In May, he held opponents to a .160 BAA. Thus far in June, people are hitting like .150 off of him. Those are some scary numbers, you have to admit. I wouldn't say that he's the most unhittable pitcher in the bigs just for the sake of argument. He is proving it every time he takes the mound. QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 07:10 PM) Just for reference and comparison (I ordered them based on how good they are IMO btw, lol)..... Sox Staff: 1. Contreras (yeah....not bad) 2. Buehrle (very good 2) 3. Garcia (solid 3) 4. Vasquez (solid 4) 5. Garland (bad ERA, but productive recordwise and better lately) Pen: Jenks B-Mac Cotts Thornton Riske Montero (soon to be Politte) Tigers Staff: 1. Rogers 2. Bonderman 3. Verlander 4. Robertson 5. Miner (decent 5) Pen: Jones Zumaya Walker Rodney Colon Grilli Cards: 1. Carpenter 2. Marquis 3. Ponson (now in Mulder's spot) 4. Suppan 5. Reyes (for now....) Pen: Isringhausen Looper Wainwright Flores Thompson Hancock Mets: 1. Pedro 2. Glavine 3. Trachsel 4. El Duque 5. Soler Pen: Wagner Sanchez Bradford Heilman Oliver Feliciano The difference in the qualities of staffs is pretty noticeable IMO, ESPECIALLY the starters after 1 and 2. There is no question that the NL has weaker pitching overall, but you can't say that their pitching is weak. Roy Oswalt Roger Clemens Andy Pettite Carlos Zambrano Mark Prior Chris Capuano Ben Sheets Cris Carpenter Mark Mulder Anthony Reyes Zach Duke Brad Penny Chad Billingsley Jake Peavy Chris Young Jeff Francis Brandon Webb Enrique Gonzalez Jason Schmidt Matt Cain Brett Myers Cole Hamels Pedro Martinez Alay Soler John Patterson Livan Hernandez Tony Armas Dontrelle Willis Josh Johnson John Smoltz Tim Hudson And dare I mention: Bronson Arroyo Derek Lowe Tom Glavine I see plenty of talent, and I won't even get started on bullpen arms. But the AL is much deeper, there's no question about it. Still though, don't say that NL pitching on a whole is weak (directed at rock, not wsfan101). I'm not buying it.

QUOTE(Greg Hibbard @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 03:05 PM) for those that don't get it yet: when you talk about sportswriters, you give them EXACTLY what they want. No, I don't get it, because if I was an MLB writer, I wouldn't want people ripping my baseball thoughts to shreds and making me feel like a complete f***ing moron. It's completely different with Mariotti. He ain't stupid. He's just an insufferable prick. This Perry guy is most definitely NOT cut out for what he does.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 05:53 PM) Zambrano wasnt this dominant even in his first time around. Not to mention he plays in the NL. St. Louis, Cincinatti, and Milwaukee are good offensive teams. The NL Central is a pretty strong division, hitting-wise. Did you see the Team OPS post, or no? QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 05:37 AM) Team OPS Rankings 1. Toronto .850 2. Chicago .827 3. NY Yankees .822 4. Boston .820 5. Cleveland .812 6. Texas .805 7. Cincinatti .791 8. NY Mets .790 9. Los Angeles .788 10. Detroit .783 11. St. Louis .782 12. Milwaukee .777 13. Baltimore .756 14. Philadelphia .764 15. Colorado .763 Baltimore is actually 15th. You have 7 NL teams ranked in the Top 15. It's not that the NL sucks at hitting, it's just that the AL (particularly the East, Good God) is so much crazier.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 07:51 AM) Hammerhead -- maybe I read you incorrectly, but did you say you'd take Big Z over any other pitcher in all of baseball? If so, Johan is standing on the street corner asking the question, "Why?" I would take Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, and Jose Contreras over Carlos Zambrano in 2006. But in a few years from now, Carlos might be the best in the game. I said that he's the most unhittable pitcher out there, but that doesn't mean I think he's the best. He still has some flaws (primarily walks). QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 03:16 PM) According to your own opinion on pitchers, WHIP is the ultimate way to see who is the best arm. Well Liriano looks to be more dominant this year. He also plays in a much stronger Division, and is in the AL which usually adds a run to your ERA. WHIP ratio is the most important criteria IMO, but it's not the only criteria. And the fact that he is the most unhittable pitcher in the bigs certainly plays into WHIP, no?

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 06:49 AM) Ozzie Guillen cannot control himself, and his apologies are not apologies at all. Blaming everyone but yourself is not an apology, it's an embarrassment. The fact that he's turning this organization from one heading in the direction of first class to the gutter, all the while being a lackluster manager at best, only makes it harder to fathom why people want him in Chicago. Ahh, get over it already. The vast majority of White Sox fans love Ozzie. I dunno what the f*** you are. You sure as hell ain't no White Sox fan. He's taking us straight to the gutter = my ass

I couldn't read past the Tigers bit. Granderson is a nice young player, but he'd be lucky to finish Top 25 in AL MVP voting given the fact that he is relatively unknown outside of Detroit. Could he realistically finish ahead of any of these guys? Nick Swisher Ichiro Suzuki Troy Glaus Alex Rios Vernon Wells Jim Thome Paul Konerko Joe Crede Jermaine Dye Victor Martinez Travis Hafner Grady Sizemore Ivan Rodriguez Magglio Ordonez Manny Ramirez David Ortiz Alex Rodriguez Derek Jeter Jason Giambi Johnny Damon Eric Chavez Carl Crawford Miguel Tejada Corey Patterson Joe Mauer Vladimir Guerrero Ramon Hernandez Orlando Cabrera Michael Young Hell, even that Youkilis dude. Corey Patterson is my darkhorse MVP candidate.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 05:20 AM) The other thing to remember besides the walks though is Liriano is doing his s*** this year against the AL, whereas Zambrano is pitching against those sorry ass NL bums (other than his start at The Cell, in which he wasn't spectacular by his standards and would have got the loss if Juan could throw from 2nd to 1st). Yeah, I hear you. Team OPS Rankings 1. Toronto .850 2. Chicago .827 3. NY Yankees .822 4. Boston .820 5. Cleveland .812 6. Texas .805 7. Cincinatti .791 8. NY Mets .790 9. Los Angeles .788 10. Detroit .783 11. St. Louis .782 12. Milwaukee .777 13. Baltimore .756 14. Philadelphia .764 15. Colorado .763 St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cincinatti are all in the Top 12, though. The NL Central is better than the AL West, hitting-wise. But in the end, the NL can't even begin to f*** with the AL in terms of offensive prowess.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 05:02 AM) someone with the label 'dominant' let alone 'one of the most dominant' does not have 60 walks in 105 innings. Zambrano does. Yeah, the walks have been his weakness, but he has a damn good WHIP ratio (1.26), ERA (2.83), and his BAA (.187) and K numbers (105) are just amazing.

QUOTE(whitesoxin @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 04:26 AM) I never realized how many studly young pitchers there were in the MLB right now. There are a ton! Yep, and you know what else is crazy? These teams ain't got 'em: New York Yankees Boston Red Sox Atlanta Braves There are no up & coming stud-like SPs that are ready to contribute this year on these perennial playoff threats.

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 04:24 AM) Zambrano is the only player on the Cubs worth keeping and he's def up there. One name I'm surprised nobody has mentioned is Jon Papelbon. He's been lights out this year in the close role, and now the Red Sox have a major decision on their hands regarding his eventual long term role. I have to believe they will use sabermetrics to determine he's much more valuable as a starter. If I recall correctly, I don't think he was that hyped of a prospect, although certainly he was good, I don't think anyone expected him to be this good. Right, I was only thinking in terms of starters. Papelbon is a freakshow.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 04:08 AM) I don't know if I'd take Z even now. Liriano is younger, a lefty, walks way less people, is just as unhittable when he does throw strikes (which is a lot more often), and isn't a raging lunatic. Yeah, it's a matter of opinion. I think the fact that Zambrano is a Cub also clouds the judgement of hella motherf***ers. All I know: the dude is a no-hitter waiting to happen. And you can't knock a guy for being fiery.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 04:08 AM) another thing, I dont see how Liriano and ervin santana can share the same category. Honestly It's more like a class. Liriano would be at the head of the class, while Santana would be at the bottom. Ranking guys is hard, but I agree that Liriano is more valuable than Santana.

Francisco Liriano is like the token trendy pick, so I had to diss that motherf***er and leave him out of the first tier. He's probably first tier, though.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jun 23, 2006 -> 04:05 AM) I would take liriano over Zambrano right now For future benefits? I'll buy that. But right now, at this very moment, Carlos Zambrano is the most unhittable pitcher in the major leagues, regardless of age.

My criteria: 25 or younger. Carlos Zambrano simply blows everyone else away. He leads the majors with a .187 BAA. Here are my Top 20: First Tier: Carlos Zambrano Jake Peavy Rich Harden Second Tier: Danny Haren Scott Kazmir Francisco Liriano Justin Verlander Jeremy Bonderman Jeff Francis Dontrelle Willis Felix Hernandez Ervin Santana Third Tier: Josh Johnson Jered Weaver Enrique Gonzalez Anthony Reyes Matt Cain Cole Hamels Joe Blanton Zach Duke Honorable mention: Chad Billingsley Brandon McCarthy