*** OFFICIAL 2011 MLB Season Thread ***

[SP33Demon]

Some trade deadline news...



The Rich Harden to Red Sox deal fell through due to medical concerns.

Rumors of Nats closer Drew Storen to the Twins for Denard Span.

Wow the Braves picked up Bourn eh. Huge pickup for them as they get speed to complement their hitting. Defensively, Bourn is very good and should have an immediate impact for the Braves taking the Wild Card. Don't know much about the prospects they gave up but this really improves Atlanta.

Re: Storen/Span deal, didn't Minnesota learn from the Matt Capps deal (giving the Nats one of the best catchers in baseball in Ramos)? Really like the moves Washington has been making in the past couple of years, especially if they can get Span for Storen who is having a great year. Selling high like they did with Capps, gotta love it.

 

[theshad]

On second thought, I love this deal. I still think Cleveland is the third best team in the division and they're the team I was scared of in the next 1-3 years...now I'm not.

Yep. I hate this deal, we give up our future pitching for a position that we barely even need. Our pitching is the sole reason that we have been doing well this year.

 

[SP33Demon]

Pence beats out a grounder but is called out. Replays clearly show he was safe. Cholly waddles out and argues at length.

Prior to Hunter's very first AB, Howard introduces him to the neighborhood with a moonshot HR to deep center.

And . . . welcome back Polly! Suddenly, the Phils lineup looks semi-deep and dangerous again.

Yup, the umps took away a hit from Pence. No matter, he still contributed with that insurance RBI in his last AB. This kid was tailor made for Philly and epitomizes their blue collar team. Nice editorial done on him on ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6...els-brotherly-love-philadelphia-phillies-fans

"Hunter Pence would play the game for nothing,'' [Soon to be Hall of Famer Craig] Biggio said by phone. "He's old-school from that standpoint. He epitomizes the way the game is supposed to be played, and it's hard to find guys like that anymore.

"His work ethic is infectious. It rubs off on other people. I know Philly is a tough environment, but they appreciate a guy who busts his tail and plays the game the right way. They're gonna love this kid.''
...
"The first time we saw him, I likened him to one of those thoroughbred horses when they put them in the gates at the Kentucky Derby,'' said Astros broadcaster Jim Deshaies. "That's Hunter. He swings as hard as anybody I've seen in baseball. He's out there huffing and puffing and going max effort even in batting practice. That's why he was such a fan favorite here.''
...
"The fans were giving me chills,'' Pence said. "I mean, I ran out to stretch and they went nuts. I can't even begin to explain it. It's surreal."... "Now I'm in a place where they really want me and we have a chance to do something special, to create some historic moments for Philadelphia and for the game of baseball. It's an unbelievable opportunity, and I couldn't be more grateful.''

And with Polly back, this offense is solid top to bottom. Can't wait to see how they finish the season out.

 

[rcpratt]

The battle for the ALCY starts in 10 minutes, FYI.

O/U 16 strikeouts combined for JW/JV today?

 

[anxi80]

Ludwick possibly going to the Indians. Not aware of what they're offering but latest rumors are that a deal is really close.

 

[rcpratt]

The battle for the ALCY starts in 10 minutes, FYI.

O/U 16 strikeouts combined for JW/JV today?

K-board after 1: JV 2 - 1 JW

 

[SP33Demon]

K-board after 1: JV 2 - 1 JW

Great matchup there...

 

[SP33Demon]

NYY going after Wandy...

 

[rcpratt]

Boom, Magglio goes deep. JV has retired the first 9 in a row.

After 3: JV 4 - 3 JW

edit: JV gave up a walk, no hits though.

edit2: 5 Ks each thru 4.

 

[rcpratt]

No Angels hits through 5.

 

[anxi80]

Rangers get Heath Bell

edit: scratch that, Adams to TEX for Erlin and Wieland

 

[Perknose]

Rangers get Heath Bell

edit: scratch that, Adams to TEX for Erlin and Wieland

Just came in to add that correction: Mike Adams, not Bell.

 

[rcpratt]

Verlander is through seven.

8 Ks for Weaver, 7 for Justin. Not that I really care right now.

 

[jman19]

NYY going after Wandy...

Talks for him are dead supposedly. Looks like a quiet trade deadline for the NYY.

 

[rcpratt]

The Weaver family is the biggest group of immature crybabies that I have ever seen.

When Magglio hit his homer, it was right down the foul line, and he watched it. Jered barked at him all the way around the bases. Guillen just hit one and gave a little motion and a stutter step because of what Weaver did. Bases get warned. Weaver throws RIGHT at Avila's head. Weaver gets tossed.

Fucking love it. There goes your Cy Young, baby.

 

[goog40]

Did you see the replay? Guilen hit it, takes his sweet time walking out of the box, and stares down Weaver all the way to first while flipping his bat and turning his body towards Weaver. Who does he think he is.

 

[jman19]

Sorry rcpratt, Guillen acted like a dickbag on that one.

 

[rcpratt]

Did you see the replay? Guilen hit it, takes his sweet time walking out of the box, and stares down Weaver all the way to first while flipping his bat and turning his body towards Weaver. Who does he think he is.

Weaver did the same to Magglio and called him a "fucker," visible on TV, after he got him out the next time. Magglio did nothing wrong and was watching to see if his HR was fair.

Carlos was playing it up, no doubt. But when you have an immature baby on the mound that will implode at anything, why not.

 

[rcpratt]

There goes the no-hitter, although they should be out of this inning minus two errors. Plus it should have been interference on the second.

 

[goog40]

Scorekeeper couldn't bail Verlander out on that one. One run game now.

 

[rcpratt]

Scorekeeper couldn't bail Verlander out on that one. One run game now.

Err, how were either of the errors not legit?

 

[goog40]

Close play at first on a bunt with a speedy runner. It goes either way, sometimes you see it called a hit and an error, and sometimes purely an error. Don't think the second play was ruled an error, just a fielder's choice.

 

[rcpratt]

I don't really think it was close at all at first. Not even close enough for Joyce to mess it up. I don't know how you can have a FC without an out and not have an error, that's weird. Especially considering how it transpired.

101 on the strikeout. What a freak.

 

[goog40]

Probably a play he should have made, but a lot of times you see them get credited with a hit when the throw is rushed.

That inning was on Guillen though. If it wasn't for his antics, Aybar most likely doesn't think about bunting, which visibly flustered Verlandar.

 

[rcpratt]

Meh, I don't buy that, and I'm certain Justin doesn't either. The play should have been made.