Baseball '07 Discussion

[Jason's Storm]

American League has won the All-Star game again, so they'll get home field avantage in the post season. Discuss, Discuss, Discuss.:)

~JS

[sCabbOy]

It's weird that the AL has won, what 8 years in a row, yet the NL still has the lifetime winning record.

If Boston makes the WS, home field will give them an overwhelming advantage.

But, I see Cleveland (I think they are just going to get better) and either NYM or Milwaukee in the Fall classic.

[The Dream Master]

Scab, the NL still has the lead because they had two huge winning streaks of 8 and 11 games during the 60s and 70s.

[Special Killa B]

My Indians are taking it all baby!!

[SmiTheReeNs*]

Mets baseball all the way..pedro comin back and a another guy for our rotation..oswalt or willis would be nice

[On a Pale Horse]

I am hoping my Phillies can squeak into the playoffs. Its a shame that they dont have any pitching, because their bats are lethal. Howard and Utley are tearing up as usual, and Rollings and Rowand are really stepping up too.

Unfortunately the bullpen blows 3 and 4 run leads late in the game, all the time.

[Jason's Storm]

They have also lost most games in the franshise history. 1,000 I believe it was.

~JS

[Uncle Hoody]

They have also lost most games in the franshise history. 1,000 I believe it was.

~JS

That's 10,000 my friend :shifty:

[On a Pale Horse]

Phils are making a good push, but damn,,, Utley gets hurt!!!

[Livingdeadboy]

Tribe blanks the sox 7-0! oh, and I'm drunk. . .

[Livingdeadboy]

7 1/2 game lead!

[Kat]

My team has always been the Cubbies, followed closely by the Red Sox. Hopefully, one of them can pull it off :D

[Livingdeadboy]

Indians' Magic number is 9!

[Special Killa B]

Indians' Magic number is 9!

Yeah and our Tribe plays the Tigers the next three days, this is the Tribe's chance to bury the Tigers and take the Division!

I just hope this isn't going to be another September choke for the Tribe like that has happened the past few years.

[Livingdeadboy]

you and me both, pal.

[On a Pale Horse]

My Phils are on a tear. I hope they pull it out and make it into the post season. Its been a long time since we've seen playoff baseball here.

[sCabbOy]

Yankees 1 game back in the loss column. What a great comeback from 14- definitely one of the greatest comebacks if they can win the WS.

[Livingdeadboy]

After sweeping Detroit earlier, the Tribe's Magic Number is now 3!

[Special Killa B]

After sweeping Detroit earlier, the Tribe's Magic Number is now 3!


Yeap I'm getting ready to go buy that 2007 Central Division Champions T-Shirt within the next few days. :D

[Livingdeadboy]

Yeap I'm getting ready to go buy that 2007 Central Division Champions T-Shirt within the next few days. :D

buy me one, too? :D

[Livingdeadboy]

*does the playoff dance*


Indians clinch the Central!

GO TRIBE!!!!

[Special Killa B]

*does the playoff dance*


Indians clinch the Central!

GO TRIBE!!!!

http://www.geocities.com/wrightspins/t17.JPG

Yep the Tribe are now official 7 Time Central Division Champs!!!!!! First team to Clinch their Division and hopefully the last team standing at the end of October!

Bust out the champangne Livingdeadboy it's time to party!!!

[Livingdeadboy]

I really hope the Tribe plays Boston for the ALCS, because I honestly believe that we have the pitching to stop red sox hitting. I mean, C.C is a Cy young winner for sure, With Carmona not far behind him; Byrd has been great this year; and we have one of the better set up guys in the league right now in Raphael Betancourt.

interesting note: the Tribe won the Central without Pronk hitting like he should.

[Special Killa B]

I just hope the old Pronk shows up for the playoffs!! He needs to start sending some bombs out to Pronkville in right field like he used to.

[Livingdeadboy]

Special Killa,

looks like you and i are the only Tribe fans on here huh? but watch when the cubs and yankees clinch, thats when everyone will be talkin' baseball

[Special Killa B]

LDB,

Your right as soon as the Yankees get in that's all you'll see is posts about the mighty Yanks. That's why it will be so much sweeter when the Tribe eliminates them.

The Cubbies I don't mind, it's been a long time since they made it to the big one so I'll be watching them. And I like them more then the ChiSox. But as for the Yanks I would rather walk through Antartica with nothing on but my boxers before I would ever EVER cheer for them. Same goes for the BoSox as well!!

[Livingdeadboy]

wouldn't it be great to see a cubs indians WS?

[Special Killa B]

That would be a great WS.

[Livingdeadboy]

Indians won another one last night in extra innings. tribe is now a 1/2 game ahead of boston for best record

[Special Killa B]

I think if the Indians can take home field advantage, they'll win the whole thing. The Indians are at their best when their at The Jake. Just the atmosphere alone at The Jake is awesome with 42,000 plus fans screaming and us Clevelander's know all about "The Jacobs Field Magic". The magic likes to kick in from the 7th inning through the 9th, that's why the Tribe has I believe 43 come from behind victories this year.

[Livingdeadboy]

i truly believe that in '97, had the indians played game 7 against the Marlins at home, they would have won. I mena, thats what I believe.

[On a Pale Horse]

Hell yeah, my Phillies up 4-0 in the 1st inning. Its crunch time, we NEED this win.


ADDED:

PHILLIES MOVE INTO TIE FOR FIRST!! LETS DO IT!

[Livingdeadboy]

looks like Thome was holding them back. . .

[Special Killa B]

looks like Thome was holding them back. . .

LOL!! I must say though I do respect Jim Thome for everything he has done in his career and everything he did with the Tribe but I'm kinda glad we got rid of him. Just think the Indians were going to name "The Homerun Porch" over the little green monster in left field after him if he stayed in Cleveland.

"There's a drive deep left field......and its.......GONE right on to "The Thome Porch".

[Livingdeadboy]

seems i wasn't the only one to think a cubs/indians world series would be interesting:

from MLB.com (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070928&content_id=2237515&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)


Indians, Cubs thirsting for title
Historic franchises looking to end World Series droughts
By Tom Singer / MLB.com


In Cleveland and on Chicago's North Side, the ghosts are stirring to life. Too-often-crushed fans who long ago swore off ever again taking the bait are tuning back in. Sons and grandsons are getting misty-eyed, thinking of how much departed fathers and grandfathers would enjoy the ride, bumps and uncertainties and all.

This has already been baseball's drought-busting generation, the "Why Not Us?" era.

In 2004, Boston ended 86 years of Red Sox Nation angst.

In 2005, the White Sox ended an even longer famine of 88 years on Chicago's opposite side of town.

And even last fall, the Cardinals ended their own considerable World Series dry spell with their first title in 24 years.

Et tu, Indians and Cubs?

Having the two teams with MLB's longest title-less streak in the same playoff field would certainly appear to stack the deck against someone's curses.

The Cubs' "Curse of the Billy Goat" and "Curse of the Black Cat," the Indians' "Curse of Rocky Colavito" ... they've all been put on alert.

And, yes, there is a reason for asking Indians and, Cubs, even though admittedly only one of them can grab the brass ring this year.

Cleveland has not won the World Series since 1948, parching the Tribe with a drought of 59 years. But in the Windy City, "World Series drought" generally refers to the 62 years since the Cubs have appeared in the Series, in 1945 (something the Indians have done as recently as 1997). Perhaps in Wrigleyville they feel that's painful enough without having to concede that the Cubs haven't won it since 1908.

So, if all the moons align, both cities could end their droughts.

But -- don't put the cartwheels before the hearse.

The baseball planet was also about to spin off its axis four years ago, when the Cubs and Red Sox appeared to be on a collision course for a Fall Classic rumble with their fates. Then, Aaron Boone crushed Boston, some guy interfered with Moises Alou's chances to catch a foul ball at Wrigley Field ... and the 2003 World Series proceeded without either.

So no one wants to anger the baseball gods by prematurely waxing poetic about what would be an extraordinary World Series. Beyond the drought-busting implications, the Cubs and Indians, two MLB charter franchises, have appeared in 15 World Series between them, but never against each other.

As for that last time each actually won ... not quite prehistoric, but that did make them toasts of a different world.

Let us, you keepers of the Cubs light, take a look at 1908:

• A fellow by the name of J.C. Penney got into the retail business.
• Ford unveiled the Model-T.
• The FBI was established.
• Born: Red Barber.
• Died: Grover Cleveland (not the pitcher, the 22nd and 24th President).

Lest you get smug, Indians fans, here is your 1948 snapshot:

• Gallon of gas: 25 cents.
• New 1949 Ford 4-door: $1,333.
• The telephone answering machine debuted -- the "Electronic Secretary" weighed 80 pounds.
• Born: Bryant Gumbel.
•: Died: Babe Ruth.

Since, both teams have tried hard. The Cubs a little harder, the Indians a little more recently.

The Cubs are 0-for-their-past-11 postseasons, which include seven unsuccessful World Series appearances between 1910 and 1945. Their overall record in postseason games since 1908: 15-42, very dark indeed.

The Indians are riding an 0-for-8 postseasons skid, including three World Series appearances and an aggregate record of 31-34. The bulk of that came during their rebirth in the latter half of the '90s, when they appeared in five consecutive postseasons as the AL Central champ, every one of them ending with manager Mike Hargrove declaring, "We will try again next year."

That, of course, is the Ohio version of the well-known North Side mantra, "Wait 'till next year."

Is this next year?

The Racing Post of London, where such business is above-board, is touting its subscribers to bet the Indians to win the World Series.

The Cubs have recruited an even more renowned tout, comedian Bill Murray, who said, "I really feel this is going to happen. I feel very good about this team. I have all year."

The Cubs also have one of the two necessities for postseason nirvana: an indisputable starting ace to set the tone. Carlos Zambrano has had long streaks of both mediocrity and dominance, and three weeks of the latter could spark the Cubs.

This is a Cleveland asset, too. The lack of a forceful No. 1 starter, someone able to match up with the opposition's ace, in fact has played a huge role in the Indians' recent postseason struggles: They've lost the first game in eight of their past 10 playoff series, bad news in any short series.

These Indians, however, have C.C. Sabathia, a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award. Their No. 2, Fausto Carmona, isn't far behind.

The other requirement for playoff success: a door-slamming closer. Well, both teams tread on thin ice when it comes to that. The Cubs' Ryan Dempster has a terrific saves percentage (28 of 31), and Cleveland counterpart Joe Borowski leads the American League with 43 saves.

But Borowski (5.23) and Dempster (4.24) rank absolutely last in ERA among the 19 big league closers with 28-plus saves. Borowski in particular has been Maalox Man for Eric Wedge -- the politically-correct update to Earl Weaver's Don (Full Pack) Stanhouse, who used to drive his Baltimore manager to chain smoke with his mound adventures. Opponents have hit Borowski at a near-.300 clip.

Oh ... Borowski was the Cubs' closer for that short-circuited 2003 drive for the Series. So he has nearly as much experience dealing with spirits as pitching out of trouble.

Both will come in handy in the coming days and weeks.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


------------

that series would put others to shame

[Kat]

I so want my Cubbies to win the WS, but if they played the Indians and lost, I wouldn't be overly sad.

[Special Killa B]

That's a pretty good story, I'm hoping for a Cubs/Tribe WS now!

LDB,

Tribe won last night we just clinched home field advantage in the Divisonal Series now we got to try to earn the AL Championship Series then we will be one step closer to that WS Title!!

[Livingdeadboy]

interestingly enough, statistically speaking, if both the tribe and cubbies meet up in the world series, there is a 98% chance that both teams will lose. . .


;)

[On a Pale Horse]

Man, my Phillies go down to the WIRE. 1 game left, tied with Mets. Suspense is killing me :) I haven't been this excited about baseball in years.

[sCabbOy]

I really doubt Chicago will make it to the WS if they can pull this off. I still think Red Sox and Phillies, however Phillies have a lot of issues to deal with to win against the Red Sox.

[Livingdeadboy]

Well, with the tribe's loss to KC last night, the red sox now have home field advantage throughout this post season. fat lotta good it'll do 'em when cleveland beats them in 4 during the ALCS! :P

[On a Pale Horse]

YES!!!! MY PHILLES WIN THE DIVISION!!!


Gotta suck for those Mets fan though, lost a HUGE division lead at the end of the season and now are missing the playoffs, damn.

[The Dream Master]

Wow, huge choke job by the Mets.

As a Braves fan, I hate both New York and Philadelphia, but I have to admit I found the collapse pretty hilarious.

[On a Pale Horse]

And I am sure glad our Phils gave us something to cheer about in October, because our Eagles are HORRIBLE.

[The Dream Master]

Wow, this has been an absolutely unbelievable game between the Rockies and Padres.

...and it's over. The Rockies scored three in the 11th (against Trevor Hoffman of all people) to win the Wild Card.

[On a Pale Horse]

Nice to see playoff ball again here in Philly. Phils dropped game 1. Utley and Howard were completely shut down. Must win today in game 2..... Utley and Howard need to tear some balls up today!!

[sCabbOy]

I'm proud of The Rockies. That team is so good, yet always so bad because of the pitching problems they face even with CY Young caliber pitchers. I hope they make it far in the playoffs.

[Special Killa B]

My Tribe is dismantling the Evil Empire!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm loving it!!!!!!!!!!!

[Livingdeadboy]

Tribe beats the yanks in game 1 12-3!!!!!


Lofton was an RBI machine tonight. he wants that ring!!

[On a Pale Horse]

I am always glad to see the Yanks lose!

I hope the Phillies can pull something off.... down 2-0 and heading to Colorado. It doesnt look good :(

[Livingdeadboy]

WHAT. A. GAME! as Special killa knows, the tribe beat the yanks AGAIN. this time in extra innings.

Travis Hafner hit the game winning RBI single in the 11th to put the Tribe up in a 2-0 lead in the ALDS.

final score, Cleveland 2, New York 1



reminds me of the 90's. . .

[Special Killa B]

I indeed know LDB!

I was on the edge of my seat the whole game and the Tribe did what they love to do, pull off another come from behind and last at bat victory!!!!!

I know the next two games in New York won't be easy but hopefully the Tribe can beat NY in Game 3 and call it a series! That would definitely be a HUGE playoff advantage, to be able to say you swept the almighty Yankees in a series!


And how about former Indian Manny Ramirez? 3 run last at bat dinger to put the BoSox up 2-0 on the Angels. He may be gone from the Tribe but I still have a soft spot for Manny.

[Livingdeadboy]

TRIBE WINS!!!!

and it looks like Torre is out of a job. . .

Fenway, here we come!!!

[sCabbOy]

Steinbrenner is an asshole if he fires Torre. Torre is the only reason this team had a good season. The pitching staff was afwul, and that is the backbone of the team. However I'd love to see Pineilla back, or maybe Showalter, LaRussa, Joe Girardi (did a great job as Marlin's manager), and even Grady Little.

I think the tribe will take the sox.

[Special Killa B]

GO TRIBE!!!!!

Enjoy the rest of the playoffs at home NY!!

And I agree Steinbrenner is an asshole, Joe Torre has been one of the best managers in baseball history and now he might be thrown to the curb like a piece of garbage, that's pure bullshit!!

As for my WS pick? Indians vs Rockies.
I'm liking the underdog Rockies and I just have that gut feeling that this is my Tribe's year!

[sCabbOy]

Torre is the 6th best Manager in history according to statistics.... so he deserves respect. However, Steinbrenner knows best. As a Yankee fan I sure hope Mattingly isn't the new manager if Torre goes... he has no experience and he will fail. If Torre doesn't come back I bet Posada, Rivera, Abreu and A-Rod walk. ALL are free agents (aside from A-Rod who has a player option left for 27 million that's already paid by The Rangers so he can sign with anyone).

I like The Rockies and I am pulling for them. No offense man, but I hope The Rockis play The Indians in the WS because the won't be able to beat Boston. I live in Buffalo, so I like The Tribe as well... I got to see people like Peralta, Hafner, Victor Martinez, Coco Crisp, Manny Rameriz, Tome and such play in the Minors here in Buffalo!

[Livingdeadboy]

Tribe tied the series up at a game each with tonight's win! 13-6 was the final.


now they play 3 at the Jake. Welcome home, guys!

[Kat]

It's a pretty good series so far. I have been enjoying it. I gotta admit though, I'll be happy with whoever wins, as I am not a fan of the Rockies (and I think they are going to be heading to the WS)

[Special Killa B]

I have been surprised with the Rockies so far, they seem like their unstoppable right now and they are the NL Wild Card Team! :eek::eek:

[Livingdeadboy]

2 games to 1, BABY!!! could the tribe clinch a WS berth at home?? one can only hope. . .

[Special Killa B]

I've got my fingers and toes crossed LDB!!

If Byrd has another solid start tonight like he did against the Yanks and Sabathia makes up for that pounding he got in game 1, it definitely could happen!

And one half of my WS pick has made it to the Fall Classic as The Awesome Rockies just keep on plowing their way through the postseason.

If Cleveland doesn't get in then I'll be cheering for the Rockies in the WS

[sCabbOy]

Hopefully the rockies will keep it up. I want them to win it all. The Tribe deserves it because they have been trying since like 1994, but this may be the only chance the Rockies have or will ever have playing in Denver.

[Special Killa B]

GO TRIBE!!!!!!!!!!!

Up 3-1, one more W and it's World Series Time BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Livingdeadboy]

can you say "winter world series"? :D

[sCabbOy]

I swear the wildcard slot in the playoffs has been doing really well lately.

Glad to see that someone can beat the Sox on a consistent basis as well.

[Special Killa B]

can you say "winter world series"? :D

WINTER WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:p

[Special Killa B]

Well I knew it wouldn't be easy but that's ok we still got two chances left to get to the WS!

[sCabbOy]

I think Sox are doomed. I knew it would be hard to clinch against Beckett. It's gonna be Tribe vs Rockies, no doubt in my mind.

Let's jsut hope the Sox don't pull another come back in the ALCS like they did against the Yankees.

[Livingdeadboy]

I think Sox are doomed. I knew it would be hard to clinch against Beckett. It's gonna be Tribe vs Rockies, no doubt in my mind.

Let's jsut hope the Sox don't pull another come back in the ALCS like they did against the Yankees.

that would never happen because,


1. these aren't the 2004 red sox

2. should there be a game 7, we aren't going to start kevin brown. . .

[Utellme]

Nope i think the tribe are doomed. Its gonna be Sox vs Rockies

1 Nope these are the 07 Sox with players from that 04 team

[Special Killa B]

Wow unbelievable,

As I type this the ironic thing is the clock just struck midnight in my house as did on another Indian season. :cry:

What can I say, another great year for the Tribe, another great postseason but yet still no ring to show for it. Livingdeadboy and myself know how hard it is growing up being an Indian fan, cheering for our heroes and hoping to see a World Championship someday, only to have our team go down in the end.

It's alright though we have one heck of a young team and one heck of a farm system, so I'm not going to sit here and moan about it. Boston was the better team this year and they proved it, congrats!

So here's to our Cleveland Indians LDB!

Thanks for the awesome ride guys!

[sCabbOy]

After last night you had to have that feeling that the Sox were on a roll. They did the same thing to the Yankees being 3 down and facing elimination every game afterwards. I feel bad for The Rockies because I think the Sox will sweep them. Te Rockies had too many days off and the Sox have a locomotive's worth of momentum behind them now.

If you are a huge Tribe fan, maybe you need to watch Major LEague again. At least that has a happy ending. I sorta feel bad for the Indians.

[Special Killa B]

Yeah I sorta had that feeling when they took Game 5 at The Jake and knowing the last two were at Fenway, thats why Home field advantage is so important

[The Dream Master]

It's so weird to not be surprised when the Sox pull this kind of thing off now.

That said, I have no clue who's going to win the World Series. I'm thinking the layoff is going to hurt the Rockies; that, combined with Boston's home field advantage has me thinking that Sox fans are going to see another title come to Beantown.

[Special Killa B]

Yeah Boston definitely has the momentum right now, it should be a good Series
ADDED:


If you are a huge Tribe fan, maybe you need to watch Major LEague again. At least that has a happy ending.

They only win the Division at the end, I've already seen them do that 7 times in my lifetime. :p

[Livingdeadboy]

hey, here's to hoping they trade CC and Pronk while they still can. ;)

[Jason's Storm]

As long as it isnt to the Yankees I dont care. Boy what a collapse by the Indians.

~JS

[Livingdeadboy]

As long as it isnt to the Yankees I dont care. Boy what a collapse by the Indians.

~JS

dude, so what if we trade to them? worst cast scenario: we go against them in the post-season. we see how they do.

[sCabbOy]

Man, what about the Yankees.

Torre's out, Girardi is the new manager and Mattingly quits because he wanted the manager spot. Donnie splits with the Yankees on bad terms, that sucks.

A-Rod opted out of his guaranteed 27 million. He must want some serious dough.

Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera are both looking for high bidders and may not be back.

Looks like the Yankees will be rebuilding unless they get Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle from the Marlins like they are seeking. Even still they won't be back to what they were before.

[The Dream Master]

Better yet, now Torre's going to the Dodgers, apparently. How strange would it be if A-Rod landed in LA as well?

[sCabbOy]

I think LAD and LAA are places he may end up.

[The Dream Master]

Yeah, I think it's a given that A-Rod is going to end up in California. I've heard LAD, LAA, and even San Fran.

[sCabbOy]

Since San Fran let Bonds go, they have at least 18 million freed up. I know A-Rod is looking for 30+ mil a year which is bullshit. He's a good player, but for 25+ mil a year that player 1)better be a franchise star, 2)lead the team in Batting average, HR and RBI AND average with RISP and 3)lead them to the post season and flourish. On the Yankees A-Rod had #2, but lacked to be the star and flourish in the post season. Perhaps it was the Yankee curse.

I'm convinced that The Yankees are cursed and will not win another WS for 89 years. Call it the "ALCS choke" curse. Well, maybe not 89 years... bot for a while.

The Sox are the new "evil empire".

[Jason's Storm]

Only way I would ever pay a player that much, is through incentives. So if they get injured for the year after the first play of the year, I wouldn't lose so much money. To me it makes sence, but I'm sure in real life, there it isn't.

~JS

[Special Killa B]

CC Sabathia takes the AL Cy Young Award. I'm happy that an Indian won it but I am really surprised Josh Beckett was passed up considering he had one more victory in the regular season then CC and completely owned all the teams he faced in the playoffs.

Congrats CC! Too bad we didn't have that WS Trophy to go with the Cy Young.

[Livingdeadboy]

good luck trying to sign him now, though.