Rex Hudler

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Apr 27, 2005 -> 11:04 PM) To lean into it and let it hit you on purpose. You aren't going to be scoring any runs. I would think Joe wants to drive in the big runs. It shows me Joe is still lacking a little confidence. Either that, or maybe he just wasn't seeing the ball well of this particular pitcher. He knew he leaned into it. If he was totally confident he wouldn't have said anything and stepped right back up to the plate. Dick, that's a natural reaction for a player. He is trying to get on base any way he can. I don't think it has anything to do with a lack of confidence. It is just a natural baseball reaction. I've done it. I've seen it done many times. There just aren't that many opportunities to do it in the Big Leagues. It is not a natural reaction to do the same on a 94mph fastball.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Apr 27, 2005 -> 10:59 PM) Regardless of the "rule book", since the ball was obviously inside there is no way you don't award the guy first base. Now many are saying he leaned into the ball, but he was turning his body, I don't think he said, I'm going to let this hit me. Aboz, I just saw the play and I have absolutely no doubt that Crede tried to get hit. He wasn't rotating his body, he dipped his elbow into it. Watch it again. He reacted trying to get on base. In a tie game in the 9th inning, the umpire HAS to make the call he did.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Apr 27, 2005 -> 10:54 PM) I think the only reason Wendelstedt called it was because it was Ozzie's team. That is terrible umpiring. You cannot hold a grudge. It would be interested to see how Wendelstedt handled the same situation in previous games he worked the plate. I'm sure its happened on numerous occassions. Dick, I have been reading this and other threads and have not responded. I am now responding to all I have read, so don't take it personally that I am only quoting your post. My response is about much more than just that. A few observations...... 1. I didn't see the incident with Crede today. But I have seen the call made in the Majors when a player is blatantly trying to get hit on a pitch that would be easy to get out of the way of. Yes sometimes players lean into fastballs or harder pitchers and get caught on the meat of the arm at the tricep. That is different than poking one's elbow at a slow curve ball. I can't say whether it was the right call or not, but the situation in the particular game will also have an effect on the umpire's thought process. 2. I have seen several people ask why Oakland wasn't warned during the series. Umpires warn pitchers/teams when they believe there is intent. Again I didn't see the whole series, but it doesn't matter whether 15 Sox hitters got hit or 1. If there is no mal intent interpreted, no warnings are necessary. Yes, umpires MUST try to read the minds of the players. That is part of it. But it is not hard to do. I can watch most any game and have a pretty damned good idea if a guy was trying to hit someone. Sometimes, umpires will even let one incident go and let the teams even things up themselves, but they have to be careful because an idiot may charge the mound. I did see the game last night and saw Hardin hit Carl Everett. He hit him on the ass. Big damned deal. Carl stands at home plate staring at the pitcher like a f***ing idiot. There was no reason for Carl to do that crap. Players that want to start a fight every time they get hit don't know how to play the game. I didn't see anything in that game that led me to believe that was intentional. 3. Umpires are not above reproach. Umpires are graded very strictly and they see their reviews. Umpire supervisors do have meeting/discussions about situations that arise. Umpiring crews review themselves after games and discuss mistakes they may have made. The difference is, all of that is done privately and not in the press. That is how it should be. 4. Anyone that thinks umpires never carry some kind of grudge just doesn't understand human nature. They do everything they can to be as fair as possible, but you can't tell me that incidents such as Ozzie calling a guy a liar never come into play. The human subconscious is a powerful thing and even if a guy isn't intentionally trying to screw someone, it is very likely that their judgement/attitude can be affected in certain situations. Take Carlos Zambrano for example. Do you really think umpires don't have a shorter fuse when he starts to b**** with his history. Zambrano made his own bed. By the way, I just saw the Crede play on Sportscenter and I agree with the call. It was too blatant to ignore in a 1-1 game in the 9th inning. Sometimes umpires have to make calls even though they would rather not. Sometimes they have to make a call they know they will take a ton of heat for, but it is the right call. That's just part of being an umpire.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Apr 26, 2005 -> 04:18 AM) He did give us a heads up on the AA and AAA rosters this year. That whole baseball thing kind of has him tied down. :rolly But he only works every fifth day!

QUOTE(MnSoxFan @ Apr 24, 2005 -> 12:06 AM) Old does not even describe your age Rex!!! Hey, I've got you by several years, my friend.

I'm picking on your quote Jason, but others have mentioned it before. This logic is flawed. Either Carnell Williams or Ronnie Brown would have given you every bit the same production as Benson. They shared the ball and neither was a featuer back per se, as was Benson. I am not trying to take anything away from Benson, just the logic that he was better "on the field" because his numbers were better. The Auburn backs shared the limelight when either would have been a legit Heisman candidate in Benson's situation.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Apr 23, 2005 -> 07:13 PM) Don't forget Rex. He's been here longer and you just left him out to dry. :headshake Thanks for the mention danman...... But I am just an old codger in this thread. Tom is doing a great job keeping everyone up on the day to day. I'll continue to contribute, but perhaps in a mostly editorial sense, rather than the daily game updates. There's plenty of room on the bus. Glad you hopped on, Tom.

Redskins Eyeing Campbell Looks as if they want a QB and think Jason Campbell is worth moving up for. If this happens, it should mean Auburn would have four players go in the first round. I'm sure it has happened before and probably recently with Miami or someone, but that is pretty impressive. Campbell is a definite sleeper. He played under 4 different offensive coordinators in his 5 years, so he has had to contstantly learn new systems. While that hurt him in college up until this year, it should help him in the NFL because he knows so many different types off offenses and offensive language. His arm is strong and is accurate. In the past, he tended to have happy feet and want to tuck the ball and run too quickly, but he really seemed to grow out of that the past season and a half or two. I am not saying he is ready to start, but it doesn't come as a real surprise to me that he has gone from being almost an unknown (in terms of the draft) a year ago to a possible first round pick this year. He has done nothing but get better every year.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Apr 19, 2005 -> 03:27 AM) I know. I was thinking he was turning the corner late last season, but I'm not sure after the sluggish start in AA. It's early, but he's not the golden boy, that's for sure. It's only been a freakin week!!!!!

Who's Chris Taft?

In a nutshell, the players often take the brunt of a fan's frustration with the game as a whole. Players earn more money than most fans could even dream about. They do it playing a game. Doesn't help that players aren't always the most accommodating. Makes matters worse that ticket, parking and concession prices are so high to accommodate for such salaries. Some of it is deserved, some of it is not. I know it is not baseball, but Terrell Owens current whining about renegotiating the deal he signed last year is a perfect example. When guys do that, it hurts all players in a small way in many fans minds. Guilt by association.

Two of the ugliest ever are Bob Walk and Zane Smith..... For you younger guys that don't know them, I'll let you do your own research. Careful, they might scare you.

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ Apr 14, 2005 -> 05:15 AM) I really think something is fishy about this I wonder if it had anything to with Carolina having a game @ Huntsville tomorrow. I am sorry but even if the forcast was rain until 9:00 every effort would be made to play the game at the Met. That is correct. Don't recall a game ever being rained out that early.

Just guessing but Allen was having back problems last year and he may not have gotten fully healthy. I don't think the Sox would have given up on him this soon otherwise. I don't have anything to back this up, strictly a hunch.

Anybody know what move Charlotte made to make room for Spidale??

An updated list........ I really think the # of guys coming out, along with the foreing players, high schoolers and seniors will really hurt some of these guys. Guys like Bracey Wright, Kennedy Winston, etc. Underclassmen in 2005 NBA draft Player School Pos. Year Hassan Adams * Arizona F Jr. Kelenna Azubuike Kentucky G/F Jr. Andrew Bogut Utah C So. Brandon Bowman* Georgetown F Jr. Ike Diogu * Arizona State F Jr. Torin Francis * Notre Dame F Jr. Francisco Garcia Louisville F Jr. Gerald Green * Oklahoma State G Signee Chris Hernandez * Stanford G Jr. Carl Krauser * Pittsburgh G Jr. Rashad McCants North Carolina G Jr. J.R. Morris * Seton Hall G Jr. Chris Paul Wake Forest G So. Anthony Roberson * Florida G Jr. Chris Taft Pittsburgh F So. Charlie Villanueva Connecticut F So. Von Wafer * Florida State G So. Matt Walsh * Florida F Jr. Eric Williams * Wake Forest F Jr. Kennedy Winston * Alabama F Jr. Bracey Wright Indiana F Jr. * Hasn't hired an agent

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ Apr 14, 2005 -> 01:39 AM) At noon becuase the feild was in horrible shape. how sad is that?? It was in good enough shape for them to play the night before, yet by noon they had to cancel for today?? Isn't that what they have a tarp for?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2005 -> 12:27 AM) Good point I forgot about him being on the DL. When does extended Spring Training end? It doesn't........ technically, i guess it ends when short-season ball begins. After that I guess it is just called rehab for those nursing injuries, usually of the long-term variety.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 13, 2005 -> 01:05 PM) Question. When McCarthy gets the call up to Chi-Town, is Bull next in line to Charlotte, or is someone like Sean Tracey ahead of him? Don't forget Felix Diaz is still out there and he will fill a slot at some point.

So palehose, UNC is losing both Felton and McCants. Rumor now has it that May staying is no longer a done deal. That May be rumor or he may just be keeping his options open, but losing him would hurt. I am not really sure how high he could go in the draft. Also, apparently Marvin Williams is exploring his options/draft status. What are the chances he will go also?? I really doubt both May and Williams will go, but even if one goes, along with losing Felton, McCants and four seniors, that will kill UNC next year, will it not? Surely they can't be THAT deep, even if counting a great recruiting class.

Greasy and I are on the same page on this one. I don't think IU will miss him at all. In fact, I will go as far as to say that they will play better as a team and be a better team without him. Bracey was fun to watch, but you could just sense his selfishness. Some of it I fault him for and some blame I believe should go to Coach Davis for allowing it to happen. Bottom line is he will get his chance. I do wish him well. Perhaps he will be able to adapt to the NBA and be a great player. Time will tell.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 11:33 PM) I know last year it was like instant. The teams would upload direclty to them and basically put in the info. The new pages are definately nicer to navigate. They'll get the kinks worked out and they are still the fastest by far in getting up the stuff (since i'm guessing it still directly comes from the team). I remember the good old days when usatoday.com/sports/scores.htm was the quickest at getting boxscores up, usually within an hour of the end of the game.

Damnit, go to milb.com and check the box scores....... they are leaving off the innings pitched. ANY drunk could have missed that and looked at the Hits column!!!!!

I don't see Reyes used as anything but an organizationaly type player, someone to fill a hole as a back up somewhere or start by default in some situations. His numbers COULD get him promoted, but more likely his movement will be more related toward organizational needs....

QUOTE(danman31 @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 09:52 PM) Last year was fine. The site was run by sports network as opposed to MLBAM running it now. Figures that an MLB org. would screw it up. Apparently they are having a rough start of it. Not getting information to teams in a timely manner either at the beginning. New company, new programming, etc. Give them half a season, they'll finally figure it out.