3E8

When the slider is working, he's nasty. I think he's a good guy to have in the pen. Remember those games where he only threw fastballs?

This is my main point: Every World Series winner had a great starting rotation. Not every World Series winner had a great bullpen.

Houston - Acquiring Carlos Beltran probably helped ease that pain. Yankees - With that lineup, their starting rotation could've been 5 Juggs machines. Dodgers - Penny missed what, all of two starts? The absence of Nomo's 8.25 ERA was more of an advantage. Perez? What the hell are you talking about? He had 31 starts. Buehrle had 35. Cardinals - See Yankees. Angels - Your only legitimate claim. Washburn and Sele aren't even that great this year, but they did miss about 20 starts combined.

That kind of stuff should be taught in little league.

Your opinion is welcome. I just don't like the fact that he doesn't perform well in most pressure situation. Only 6 for 12 in save opportunities? How well would he handle postseason pressure?

Hammerhead, would you call the 2004 Marte solid?

I think you just need one solid reliever, along with a couple decent ones. Not bad, decent. For instance, if the White Sox had a great starting rotation, they could win the world series with their current bullpen. I guess I just have a different definition of a what a good bullpen is.

Just because you say something doesn't make it so. You keep harping to us that we need to back up our statements, but you just throw opinions out. Nothing backed up at all. On those Yankee teams, Mariano Rivera is a given. He's amazing. But not one pitcher does a great bullpen make. Mendoza's World Series ERA's were 10.80 and 9.00 with the Yankees. He only had one good regular season by the way. Nelson's regular season ERA during those few years averaged in the high 3's. Certainly good, not that great. Stanton's regular season ERA's were 4.10, 4.38, 5.47 in his stint with the Yankees. Maybe the reason we can't agree on this point is that we have different views of what a 'great' bullpen is. I think a great bullpen is actually a rarity. Not too many teams have them in my opinion. Even the World Series champions.

Remember that? I'm simply complying. You wanted one, I gave you one. Since that's not enough, I'll give you more. 2003 Florida Marlins 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks 2000 New York Yankees 1999 New York Yankees 1998 New York Yankees 1997 Florida Marlins 1996 New York Yankees 1991 Minnesota Twins *NOT the 1988 LA Dodgers, that staff was bad-ass! 1987 Minnesota Twins ...And then you start getting into an era where bullpens were hardly a factor. Starting pitching dominated most games, and each starter ate up so many innings. Relievers barely threw in the playoffs! Now I've given you plenty of examples. Not every World Series winner has a lights out bullpen. They don't even have to be great. Just decent. Starters dominate the amount of innings pitched in the postseason for a reason. They are more important to a team's success.

-Comeback against TB (attended the game) -Timo's 3 run single against Anaheim (attended the game) -Freddy's debut (attended the game) -The collision and our decision to just take it (wish I attended the game) -Sweep in Minny -Jose for Esty -Coming back from college classes on opening day to find out we lost in the bottom of the ninth to the Royals, while my roommate soaked in a Cubs victory -Buehrle's almost no-hitter (hard to forget, a storm knocked down a tree during the game and it fell through our house! I continued to watch the game)

You were right on with your comeback player of the year.

10/03 - 2004 final stats for Ross Gload .321 BA, .375 OBP, .479 SLG, .853 OPS Ends the year with a 16 game hitting streak.

What a remarkable job he did. I've got to assume this lands him the job next year.

ALDS Boston over Anaheim in 4 New York over Minnesota in 4 NLDS Houston over Atlanta in 5 St. Louis over LA in 3 ALCS Boston over New York in 7 NLCS Houston over St. Louis in 6 WS Boston over Houston in 5

DJ said yesterday he was going to Mexico to work on hitting offspeed pitches. He also added that he was very enthusiastic about trying to become a better hitter. At least he has the right attitude, you know?

OMGWTF BORCHARD 3 HIT GAME !!!!!!!11111LOLZORZ

Don't jinx him!!!!

Thanks, this helps make my point clearer. You missed the most recent example. The 2003 Marlins had a s***ty bullpen at best. They just won games by cycling their STARTING ROTATION in most of the playoff games. They used Pavano, Penny, and Willis out of the pen. But you're right, having Nate Bump, Chad Fox, Rick Helling, and Michael Tejera is what really sealed it. Here's how their bullpen fared in the playoffs. Braden Looper - 9.82 ERA Ugueth Urbina - 6.00 ERA Chad Fox - 6.00 ERA Rick Helling - 6.75 ERA Miguel Tejera - 6.75 ERA Guess you forgot to fill in the 2003 blank with your collection of Topps classics!

Ha ha, thanks for the laugh. I guess the middle of the season doesn't count? Just 'down the stretch'. How are those games more important? You had injuries to aces on your staff (Cubs-Prior, A's-Hudson). No matter which point in the season it happens, you still lose games. Beginning, middle, end.

Adrian Beltre was drafted at age 15. He had much more potential than Crede. Him mentioning them together is pretty silly.

Whoa, I never knew that.

But did the Yankees win or lose?

Nice grammar. You must haven't seen my post. Santana just pitched in the Bronx. Gasp, Twins f***ing LOST.

I swear to god most of the kids here are twins fans in disguise.

It's too small a sample size. In his minor league career, he didn't fare well against them.