Major League Baseball

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by KiWiNiNjA

Yeah, watched it delayed because it was originally blacked out due to being nationally televised on FOX in the US.

That last "out" should have been a walk, but it doesn't really matter.
I'm surprised it's taken this long for the M's to get no hit.

Now that I've watched several replays of it, I agree that it wasn't a swing. However, there is no way the ump was going to call that a walk given the circumstances.

[Lostman]

Especially after Galaraga (sp) perfect game last year

[_Ed_]

Originally Posted by Lostman

Especially after Galaraga (sp) perfect game last year

That was terrible. Poor guy.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by Lostman

Mariners traded the Yankees damaged good.
Pineda might not even pitch this year, hope the M's lose 110 games this year

How dare they take advantage of your desperation! Maybe you guys should've done your homework...

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Fusion

You know Ivan Rodriguez is my favorite player of all time. When I first started watching baseball, Pudge was a rookie hot shot catcher for the Texas Rangers. He immediately became my favorite player and I've admired him ever since. To me, he is the best catcher of all time. Yogi and Bench supporters will dispute that, but neither of them had an arm like Pudge, plus he can match them offensively. No one has had a greater impact (defensively) on a game than Pudge. Opposing players are afraid to stray too far off the bag, managers usually don't call a steal on him, and he just has that intimidation factor all around. One of the saddest days of my sport watching life was when the Rangers let him walk away in free agency. The local press was almost gleeful when that happened. They always said that Pudge "didn't work well with pitchers, didn't call a good game, and only concentrated on throwing runners out". Well Pudge worked plenty well with Florida's young pitchers on his way to the World Series! And now he's doing the same with Det. Class player and all time legend. I now end my tribute to Pudge. You may resume regularly scheduled programming.

I quote this elegant post because sadly Ivan Pudge Rodriguez retired today as a Ranager. My favorite US athlete of all time. Heck, probably my favorite athlete period behind Imran. In my mind, he's the greatest catcher of all time. He's far ahead of everyone defensively and his offensive numbers match up well with others. Even if you don't consider him the GOAT, he belongs in the shortlist with Bench, Fisk, and Bera. Consider:

-Pudge is the all-time leader in games caught with 2,427. He hit 311 home runs, 304 as a catcher, which ranks fifth-best all-time.

- His 67.3 wins above replacement is tied with Fisk for second-best among catchers, trailing only Johnny Bench.

-He's the only player in history to have a 20-home run/20-stolen base season as a catcher.

-He's one of five players in history with a .290 batting average, 2,500 hits, 550 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,300 RBIs. The other four were Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, George Brett and Barry Bonds.

-He was a 14-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove Award winner, 7-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 1999 AL MVP.

I can go on and on. Of course, like many players from his era, he has the steroid cloud hanging over him. Though I must point out that he was never named in the Mitchel report, nor tested positive for any test. Canseco is the only one that alleged he took roids. So take that for what it's worth. I would contend though that he was already a great defensive catcher with a gun arm prior to meeting Canseco. He would've had a stellar career with or without steroids.

So long Pudge and thanks for the memories.

[Lostman]

Saw Darvish pitch a whole game for the first time yesterday.
Looked impressive, would love for the Yankees to face him again this year though.
Yankees always struggle when they see a new pitcher for the 1st time.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Lostman

Saw Darvish pitch a whole game for the first time yesterday.
Looked impressive, would love for the Yankees to face him again this year though.
Yankees always struggle when they see a new pitcher for the 1st time.

He's gotten better with each start, and what's impressive is that the quality of the opponents he's faced in subsequent starts keeps rising. Here's an impressive stat: since that disastrous first inning of his debut, his ERA is a cool 1.08!

[Fusion]

Two of the biggest douches of all time make a kid cry

I'm ashamed that they're Rangers fans.

[KiWiNiNjA]

Blue Jays vs Mariners

WHAT A GAME!!

[BackFootPunch]

Any Nats fans here? That Bryce Harper guy looks pretty handy. Heck of an arm too.

[FaaipDeOiad]

Originally Posted by BackFootPunch

Any Nats fans here? That Bryce Harper guy looks pretty handy. Heck of an arm too.

Stupid ****ing haircut. He's hugely hyped though, kinda interesting to see how he goes.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

He doesn't walk enough but will be the best bat in the majors in 5 years.

[Turbinator]

Tempted to head over to the game tonight, just to boo Darvish.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

HAHAHA. Do it!

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Turbinator

Tempted to head over to the game tonight, just to boo Darvish.

It will just sound like "Yuuuuuuu" and pump him up even more. Do it troll boy.