Ramblings

[DOUGHBOYS]

Listening to XM's broadcasts of games last night left me with a common theme amongst announcers, the Yankees get all the breaks.



The Tampa Bay broadcasters even stepped over the line last night, saying that after they went home and tuned into the Yankee game in Oakland, they knew the Yankees would win because of who was umpiring behind the plate.

Apparently, they, are the only ones that are clued into this umpire's personal desire to see the Yankees succeed.



Tampa's broadcasters make it too easy. The chip on their shoulder, when it comes to big money franchises, is the size of a boulder. They mentioned that the Boston press had made a big deal about Dustin Pedroia taking grounders from his knees when, afterall, Evan Longoria has been doing that for three years, without injury.

I liken Tampa's announcers to kids talking about bullies behind their backs.



At least five or six times this year, I have heard during Derek Jeter at bats, "that was called a ball because he is Derek Jeter." I don't hear that much for any other hitter including Pujols or even Omar Infante.

Jeter deserves respect, but announcers are too quick to say that he gets more respect from umpire's than deserved.



One of the game's had a discussion about what record in baseball would be the hardest to break. I assume they were talking in season and not career stats. Nobody breaks Cy Young's record for wins.

Their opinion was that for a hitter, the 56 game hitting streak will never be broken. For pitchers, throwing two no-no's in a row. If we were to toss out Win's in a season, I would have no problem with the consecutive no-no's, but I think we will see someone hit in 56 straight games, before we see somebody hit.424 again.

What do you think?



All Star selections have been made. Infante over Votto? Infante over Carlos Gonzalez?

Brilliant!

Position, poschmition.

Utility, Futility!

To Hell with Infante.

If, during an All Star game, I had to send in a player to hit and play second base, I would choose Votto over Infante. I'd want the bang for my buck with the at bat, and putting Votto at 2b would enhance the excitement of the game. I know Cincy management would balk at the move. But, in the realm of things, Votto is a lot safer at second base, then Jeff Kent in a car wash. Stodgy, these guys are stodgy. They think they're being smart, but they're just stodgy....and selfish. Infante makes it more convenient for them to Manage the game, no other reason. Stodgy and selfish...and stupid. Why Infante? If picking somebody that can play positions that is not All Star worthy, take Clint Barmes, at least he is hot at the moment.

Stodgy, selfish, stupid, ...and slapstick. Every major league team has an Omar Infante. Heck, some of them are on the bench. While other players names are announced into the game with a chorus of "OOOOOHH!" from the fans. Infante's name will be greeted with a chorus of "WHOOOOOOO!?!?"

Stodgy, sel....ah forget it, I'm running out of S words.



Speaking of the All Star game, Albert Pujols has 20 home runs and 61 rbi. This is, count 'em, the eighth time that Pujols has gone into the All Star break with at least 20 homers and 60 rbi.





With the All Star break almost here, and with the rash of minor and major injuries throughout the season, only six players have played in every game.

1. Fielder

2. Howard

3. Teixeira

4. M Young

5. Ichiro

6. Cano



Just my fantasy mind taking over the trivial one. Cano may be the highest pick of those six in a lot of drafts next year.



The Triple Crown could be added for toughest thing for a hitter to do.

Do you know that two players have done it twice?

I don't think that'll ever be done again.

Think about it without looking it up.

Who were the two players?



[ July 07, 2010, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

[The Franchise]

You can cross off M.Young off that list. He did not play last night.





BTW......Did anyone see or hear about the fan falling 30 feet from the second deck trying to catch a Nelson Cruz foul ball last night? Amazing he is alive.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I was listening to the radio when that happened.

It sounded dire.

They were saying that a couple of Indians players who saw the fall, were praying.



Michael Young crossed. And then there were five. Thanks.

[DOUGHBOYS]

A top 10 list for this fan:



10. "That Garlic Fries vendor is staying on the lower level!"



9. Just dropping in on some friends.



8. He was demonstrating how fast the Rangers fall in the standings after the All Star break each year.



7. "Which way do I go for another beer again?"



6. "Hey look! That seat just opened up down there!"



5. Three beers, $18. Second deck tickets, $32. Medical costs, $30,000.

Nellie Cruz foul ball, priceless.



4. Headline- 'Rusty Greer Injured Again at Rangers Game!'



3. Headline- 'BP CEO Hurt in Bizarre Suicide Attempt!'



2."Stupid Gravity!"



1. Of all the MLB parks to fall in, I pick a franchise filing for bankruptcy.



From all reports, he is ok. If not, I'll delete this post.