jackie hayes

Motherf***er......

Yeah, real f***ing athletic...

Wtf are these Rockies hitters b****ing about... f***ing SWING!

He had Ellsbury dead if he went to 2nd. Damnit.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 25, 2007 -> 10:29 PM) Thanks to Jacoby Ellsbury stealing a base in the 4th inning of this game, Taco Bell is going to give a free taco to anyone who shows up between 2 and 5 on October 30th. "90 ft. to free tacos..." + "Run for the border" + Steals I mean, if you're TB, is this really the promo you want to sign up for?

Does McCarver know the difference between a cutter and a splitter?

QUOTE(YASNY @ Oct 24, 2007 -> 12:47 PM) Though I rarely agree with anything this douchebag says, I think he summed it up here. Jay Mariotti: I'd like to think baseball's handling of the Byrd situation is a positive step -- but I'm not naive. Byrd claimed MLB officials were aware he was using HGH under a doctor's care to treat a tumor, saying, ``The Indians, my coaches and MLB have known that I have had a pituitary gland issue for some time and have assisted me in getting blood tests in different states.'' Selig's men and Indians officials moved quickly to deny any knowledge, a departure from baseball's usual hush-hush clampdowns. I was impressed by the rare proactivity of it all. ``We have never granted a (therapeutic use exemption) for (HGH), ever. Not for this guy, not for anybody,'' MLB labor-relations executive Rob Manfred told the New York Daily News. When Indians general manager Mark Shapiro, who has known Byrd since the early '90s, said he didn't know about Byrd's HGH use until last week, it appeared baseball had nailed a victim by its lonesome. And why not? Byrd had lost all credibility by claiming baseball knew when baseball did not know. As for receiving the HGH prescriptions from a doctor, let me say this about those who have been accused of buying the stuff: When you and I have a prescription, we go to Walgreen's. When these guys have a prescription, they allegedly go to an anti-aging clinic that is being investigated by the feds. To be fair to Byrd, that's a very specific statement by MLB, which doesn't contradict what Byrd said. Since the known purchases occurred before MLB banned HGH, there was no need for an "exemption". Byrd only said that the league knew about his medical condition, which hasn't been confirmed or denied.

Pixies, La la love you First base, second base, third base, home run... Midgets. Go.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Oct 23, 2007 -> 04:27 PM) No matter the why, it's wrong. No, it's in the Filibuster, so it must be a topic of legitimate political debate. Certainly, we can't ALL think that defacing a man's grave is a despicable act. I think we know that all Democrats in here, myself included, felt relief that, finally!, someone had the courage to stand up to these soldier-huggers. As Dems say in secret midnight Satan-worshipping meetings, It's good the soldier's dead, but it's just not enough...

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Oct 23, 2007 -> 02:45 PM) And there you have it. There's a personal thing between him and Oz and as long as Oz is running the team, Mariotti is persona non grata around the Cell. So of course he's going to hope for anybody else to be managing. He's a persona non grata with or without Ozzie. Thankfully.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Oct 23, 2007 -> 09:39 AM) Often dentists find out about tumors and pitu. conditions because of the location. (But some are throwing a fit saying dentists don't often prescribe it.) I don't know the truth. But Byrd looks alright to me. Even Byrd has said that the tumor was only found recently (well after his last recorded purchase of HGH). If his first prescription came from an endocrinologist, it would certainly help his case some. I haven't read anything about the other two prescribing doctors, though.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Oct 22, 2007 -> 03:18 PM) I've waited to comment on the HGH issue till I gave it some thought. Byrd ordered $25K worth of the stuff. Something stinks about this. Agreed, it is suspicious. Two of the prescriptions were written by a dentist, there aren't (reportedly) records of any tests for the hormone deficiency, and, although Byrd claimed that he was open about it, MLB and the Indians have said they didn't know. Link to a followup SF Chron story. Did Byrd have a history of muscle injuries? Past HGH use is tough to go after, though -- baseball didn't ban it until a week after his last purchase, iirc.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Oct 22, 2007 -> 11:35 AM) Skinner sends the guy around and things are very different; Lofton's called safe at second and it's very different. It might be a blowout in the other direction. No excuses -- Sabathia and Carmona sucked. Hafner had a crummy season and postseason. I wonder how much it has to do with the forty plus innings he had on Beckett this season (exhaustion) and Carmona? I DO question his mental fortitude, somewhat, considering he sucked at closing and fell apart under pressure in Fenway, but he DID beat the Bank. There's no reason to think the Red Sox would've stopped hitting if the Indians scored even 2 or 3 more. It's a big stretch to extrapolate a "blowout in the other direction" from one or two plays.

Wedge isn't to blame for this, and Skinner made a mistake, but that's one run in a blowout. Hafner, Sabathia, Carmona. When you have 2 legit CY candidates and they EACH put up a double-digit era, there's not much a manager can do.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Oct 21, 2007 -> 10:27 PM) Are White Sox fans of all people ridiculing a franchise for "not being able to close the deal"? Since 1994, the Indians have been to three World Series -- that's 3/5ths as many as our franchise has in its entire existence. Sure, we won in 2005, and I'll always be happy for that, but it's pretty silly to see White Sox fans mock another franchise for being down by one run in the ALCS. It's not ridicule, it's frustration. Most of us want to see the Indians go to the Series.

Claims it was all legitimate and open and prescribed, due to a hormone deficiency.

Well...it prolly wouldn't hurt, and would at least generate some discussion, if the op (that'd be you) furnishes his own list. Start if off. Just saying... I saw this list linked from an O's message board a couple days ago. My first reaction was that Utley's too low, and Zimmerman's too high.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Oct 18, 2007 -> 08:02 PM) It is not. Its a base salary 43% higher than the second highest managerial salary. If he makes the playoffs, which is almost a lock since he has made them every year he's been with the Yankees, his salary would be 72% higher than any other manager. If he wins 1 playoff series he would put away double what the next highest paid manager makes. If he makes it to the WS he gets 230 % of what the next highest paid manager gets, and gets $8 million vested for 2009. If that's laughable because its insulting, you need to work for Boras. I don't blame him for walking away, he wanted 2 years guaranteed and there is no doubt the Yankees knew he wouldn't take this, and considering they never bothered even negotiating a little bit, they obviously did not want him. That's granted, and for that, I give Torre all the credit in the world for telling them to buzz off. But the money wasn't laughable. He makes it to the ALCS he would have been paid more than the next 2 managers on the list combined. Interestingly, 14 MLB managers make less than $1 million a year. Ozzie gets $1.1 million. When did I say the money was laughable on some absolute scale? Yes, $5 mil is a lot of money, etc etc etc. But the "OFFER" was a joke. The one-year, conditionality-loaded deal announces to everyone that he has no support from management. And a pay cut does indicate that someone is not as valuable as he was before. (Or that the market has changed; but with Piniella's deal it doesn't look like manager money is drying up league-wide.) He was worth $7.5 mil to the Yankees this year, unconditionally, and the best possible outcome was a WS win. Even if he accomplishes that next year, his salary will go up basically by inflation plus. Basically, I said it was laughable because, when I heard the terms of the deal, I laughed. He was obviously not going to accept that deal, it seemed to me. That's what I call a laughable offer. If any schmuck can see that the person getting the offer will refuse it, I think it's pretty funny to even make it. The Yankees should have manned up and just cut ties instead of going through this whole charade.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Oct 18, 2007 -> 05:17 PM) I really don't know how laughable a guaranteed $5 million is. He still would be the highest paid manager in the game. Also an extra $1 million for each round of playoffs the Yankees win makes it $7 million if he makes the WS and $8 million, if they won it. I really don't believe his decision had much to do about money. A huge pay cut, a one-year deal to show that they have no confidence in him, and if everything goes right and they win the whole deal, a whopping 6.7% pay raise. THAT is a sham offer. It's cowardly and very laughable.

The offer was laughable. It would have been better to just say outright that he couldn't come back. Better still if Torre had told Steinbrenner to f*** off, but we still have Manny for entertainment.

QUOTE(Chombi and the Fungi @ Oct 18, 2007 -> 02:29 AM) Well...In all honesty. I think Garland can fetch Kemp. Santana would fetch Kemp and a lot more. In particular Clayton Kershaw (Who is the best arm in the minors IMO. Not Slowey, Price, or I had him ahead of Phil Hughes) and also Scott Elbert. If the twins go straight prospects. I'd say 2 of those 3 are included, with LaRoche because the twins need a 3b. The Dodgers have concerns about Kemp. Lots of them actually. He can't touch a breaking ball. He is baseballs Pedro Sorrano. He is not a good fielder (power arm) and outside of his 7 homers in a week thing, has basically got overhyped. Only reason he stays is if they don't sign a guy. Had they not gotten lucky and had Drew opt-out, they'd be stuck. Either is a keeper, Kemp is iffy. Whoever bought them a couple years back said they will contend every year from here on out at whatever cost. He really was screwed after 05's finish. So he went further with it and now I think will spend anything and everything he has. Colleti is a good gm who I like a lot. I don't think he wants to move prospects but he will. So they are the west coast version of the Yankees now. Lower payroll obviously but will have no problem stomping on a prospect in favor of a veteran. See Loney, Either, Kemp, Billingsley Andy LaRoche for instance...he is being blocked and on the trading block. For Nomar. Garland for Kemp straight up would happen. I wouldn't want it to, but it would. It'd give them Penny, Lowe, Billingsley, Garland and Schmidt (if healthy). Has to be the best top to bottom rotation in baseball. You would sacrifice a guy like Kemp for it, especially if youre a LA team. If they can land Santana. They will. It scares me but they have so many young arms that they would do anything the Twins ask for to have Johan at the front of their rotation. They'd win too. If I can make a bold prediction. They make a move for Johan and Adam Dunn in the next year. They need a power bat. HE slides into RF and won't be expensive. The Twins would be crazy to take any prospect package from any other team excluding maybe Boston. I'd say with the DOdgers having the best farm system in the minors IMO, they go there. Kemp is one of the Dodger's big bullets, I don't imagine he'll be moved unless it's for a big piece, like Santana or Bedard -- an elite pitcher. Garland's a league average pitcher in his walk year. As wite's pointed out, you can just pick up Carlos Silva and get a pitcher with similar career numbers, and avoid dealing perhaps your biggest trade asset. But if they're willing to do Kemp for Garland, great.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Oct 18, 2007 -> 01:42 AM) someone want to let me know why Baltimore would even consider moving Bedard? It actually is talked about quite a bit -- check out the orioleshangout.com message boards -- many threads about Bedard evolve into trade speculation. He's under their control for 2 more years, but there's scepticism about the O's ability to sign him long-term. (And it doesn't look like the O's will compete in the next two years. The overall plan seems to be, 'Throw zillions at Teixeira. Win.') And some are concerned that they might not get as much in a walk year. Basically, if you'll have to trade him next off-season, why not now?

QUOTE(Chombi and the Fungi @ Oct 18, 2007 -> 12:28 AM) Yea, I think he was available last season. At this point, he is an upgrade in their lineup w/ Guillen and if Guillen is out the door, they are only looking to replace him and not two positions. He hit .200 a couple seasons ago and thats why they were down on him. This season I think he was up around .250 so that shows improvement. It may be minor, but improvement it is. In the minors though I know he tore the cover off the ball. My buddy is a huge fan of his and he said whatever doubts they had last season are gone. He is 21 and learning on the go and he + Ichiro could be an insane 1-2 punch. OBP wise and just sheer pressure they provide. Jones strikes out a lot but from what I've heard he knows the zone and has power. Basically, all that I just said is useless knowledge for us and me just extending a post that could've been shorter. I like detail. One other thing is someone mentioned Bedard deals needing young players. We don't have them true. Trading for prospects though still leaves the "pan out" part of them. That's why they are prospects. A guy like Garland is worth prospects. He, with Danks and one or two prospects could land a deal for him. It's far fetched and highly unlikely but I don't rule out the Orioles as a team who will deal Bedard for multiple pieces. Two mlb starters immediately for them, throw in a prospect like Poreda and maybe a Carter. Sounds like a lot but, Bedard is a rare young lefty ace who is oddly enough available. Why we wouldn't risk potential on him is beyond me. It also gives us flexability with other guys in our organization... I say that because right now we look to be dealing Garland for bullpen and prospect(s). None of those are locks to pan out and even Danks is somewhat iffy. Bedard replaces Garland. Is better then Garland and instead of finding a guy through our system to replace Garland, We have EB. If there is any possibilty to that, I would make that our top priority and work from there. Call me crazy and stupid but... Damn I hate having long posts. I feel like a salesman. Bedard was the best pitcher in the AL when healthy. The only way the O's deal him is if they get a TON of talent. They'd want something close to what the Twins could get for Santana. Danks won't cut it -- you need a Matt Kemp-type talent to begin the discussion, and Jon Garland isn't gonna nab Kemp in a trade.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 12:14 PM) So, what you're saying is they could use a solid defensive player who doesn't necessarily put up good numbers with the bat. Say, like a Uribe. Uribe for Braun it is. Seriously though, that's one team that might actually have a need for the guy if we tried to package him with something. A $5 mil utility guy? I don't think so.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 06:56 PM) Well, his SLG has dropped in each of the last 4 seasons (.534-.515-.498-.442). That's the only thing that's consistent really. His OBP and AVE jump around. He'll always be a good hitter, but probably isn't a middle of the order type anymore or for much longer. That's true, but that .534 is a career high, and follows a .470-something the year before. It looks a little flukey. .515 and .498 are too close to say much about. Just looking at the stats, the story I'd tell is that he was about a .480 slg player in Oakland, maybe increased his power a bit in Baltimore (because of the park, or because those were his prime years) to .500 slg, give or take. Maybe a little higher, but anyway, just a modest boost. This is the first year that looks really out of line. Maybe it's meaningful, maybe it's the beginning of a decline. Or maybe it's just some rotten luck -- and Tejada's inconsistent enough that I'd lean towards that. Jmo. And, of course, he's getting older, so you have to expect some drop. Just not this much, this fast.