The baseball thread.

**irul&ublo** · 05-22-2007, 08:52 AM

About fucking time.

**Brock Landers** · 05-22-2007, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

About fucking time.

there you are

**iceman** · 05-22-2007, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

there you are

heh, he's been pretty quiet for quite a while, hasn't he?

**The AD** · 05-22-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

Drew is terrible. Even when he was producing, it was all junk. He's only come up big once that I can remember (and I can't even remember when it was, just that it happened- which means it wasn't in a critical game). He sucks, until proven otherwise.

Clutch performance is overrated. I think it's more random than anything else, at least for hitters. I do think there are some pitchers who can crank it up for a "big game." Drew is a good hitter--if he's healthy. And with Drew that's a big if.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-22-2007, 10:36 AM

I don't think "clutch" can be quantified, but there are guys who rise to the occasion and those who don't. It can vary from game to game, from season to season, but it's easy for hitters to start pressing, whether they're trying to get on track (Ramirez, Manuel) or because they're in a close-and-late kind of situation and are feeling the pressure.

I' not saying that Drew is an across-the-board stiff- I think that by the end of the season he'll have his numbers. But just thinking back on the season so far, I really can't remember a situation where he's come up big. He's had some hits and made a couple nice plays in the field, but he's been poor in close-and-late situations, he's been poor with men on base. Regardless of those stats, however, I don't think there's been a moment where I've said, wow, I'm glad we have JD Drew! If he made $3 million and wasn't producing, he wouldn't suck. But he makes $14 million and isn't producing, so he does.

**The AD** · 05-22-2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

If he made $3 million and wasn't producing, he wouldn't suck. But he makes $14 million and isn't producing, so he does.

I agree with that. I sure wouldn't risk that kind of coin on a guy with his track record.

Then again my local team is paying $16 million per year to Richie Sexson, so anyone's performance looks good in comparison.

**stump832** · 05-22-2007, 10:52 AM

I'm really trying to be patient with Drew. I don't want to jump on the EEI hatewagon and dish out insults about him not showing heart in between my burger flipping and fryolator cleaning duties, but so far hes just not been impressive at all. Wheres the opposite field power he was supposed to flash at Fenway? Where's the above-average defense in right field? Is it me, or does he not get to ANYTHING hit to shallow right? I'd love to see him put up 25 bombs with an OBP of 400 and play solid D, but right now it seems like even that may be out of reach. We paid 14 million for Trot Nixon sans interesting facial hair and crazy evangelical interviews.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-22-2007, 10:56 AM

I am riding shotgun on the hatewagon and getting ready to take the reins. Not only does he not have weird facial hair, he shaved what little facial hair he had before last night's game. And I guarantee he doesn't have a hot wife who commentates on NASCAR like Nixon did. I think he is a crazy Christian, though.

FYI,BTW, I'm pretty sure there's a fry cook shortage in Hanover.

**Brock Landers** · 05-22-2007, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by The AD

I agree with that. I sure wouldn't risk that kind of coin on a guy with his track record.

Then again my local team is paying $16 million per year to Richie Sexson, so anyone's performance looks good in comparison.

Not to make it worse...youve got Adrian Beltre too

**stump832** · 05-22-2007, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

FYI,BTW, I'm pretty sure there's a fry cook shortage in Hanover.

If Drew has a few more nights like last night, I will be carrying-on in the backseat of the hatewagon, searching for rolaids with a belly full of doritos and coors, and looking for someone to throw a slice of pizza at.

**The AD** · 05-22-2007, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

Not to make it worse...youve got Adrian Beltre too

The Mariners front office are complete morons. Beltre had the one monster year in LA and based on that they figure he'll continue to perform at that level. If you look at what he's done in Seattle it's pretty much in line with his career performance other than that one anomalous season.

But I'll take Adrian Beltre any day over Jeff Weaver. Oh my God has he been bad! He's on the DL now and hopefully we never have to see him pitch again in a Mariners uniform.

**CantDog** · 05-22-2007, 11:30 AM

I blame JD Drew's issues on his bible diet.

**Benny Profane** · 05-22-2007, 11:45 AM

How about this Giambi thing? He states the obvious, a few years after he testified the same under oath before a grand jury, and Baseball's only reaction is that they "will talk to him", like Tony Soprano going upstairs to "talk" to AJ after Carmela does a little whining. And then, there's backpage rumors in NY that his contract will be voided by the Yankees. Nice. Cashman is trying to strong arm the guy into silence, but, hey, he's already collected 100 mil, so what's to lose? And then there's all that wonderful publicity for our pastime that would generate. I could see him now, tanned and fit, promoting his new book with all the names in it. Fucking heads in the sand.

But, like my season pass holding buddy sez, The Stadium is pretty much sold out every game. Must be doing something right.

**Brock Landers** · 05-22-2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

he's already collected 100 mil, so what's to lose?

another 40 million?

They shouldnt void the contract- the only reason they would is because he stopped juicing. Once he stopped, he didnt produce. Its like they are going to sue him/void contract cause he stopped taking steroids. This type of crap should be written into the contract- that a "guaranteed contract" is guaranteed despite performance. Otherwise, Adrian Beltre, Richie Sexson, or virtually anyone on the Mariners

would be subject to having their contract voided (cough)JD Drew (cough).

Aside from that, I want to give JD Drew to the All star break at least- hes got a higher average then Manny at least. Give him a chance to get used to the new pitchers and everything. His defense has been good (good arm, very good range-remember the catch in Beckett's opener?). Lowell and Youk are CARRYING the lineup. Varitek and Ortiz playing well too. Cant single out just JD- even if he makes a lot of money, it isnt our money (and its still less than Manny). And I didnt realize Cora only has like 12 RBI. Seems like every one of them has been huge, like the anti-Drew.

**smmokan** · 05-22-2007, 12:06 PM

There's no way they can void Giambi's contract. If anything, they'll try to trade him, but I can't see Anaheim giving them much value in return.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-22-2007, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

even if he makes a lot of money, it isnt our money.

PM me with your magic strategy for getting free tickets and beer.

**Benny Profane** · 05-22-2007, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

PM me with your magic strategy for getting free tickets and beer.

Yeah, 8 fucking bucks for a plastic bottle of Miller Lite. But, they're selling a lot of them........

And they've been trying to trade him for some time. Nobody wants the mess.

**irul&ublo** · 05-22-2007, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by iceman

heh, he's been pretty quiet for quite a while, hasn't he?

Well, WTF have I had to talk about?

**Woodsy** · 05-22-2007, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

Well, WTF have I had to talk about?

the mighty mighty Sacremento Kings?

**irul&ublo** · 05-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsy

the mighty mighty Sacremento Kings?

The Maloofs need to cut loose with some of the hos and blow that inhabit The Palms as an incentive. Maybe that could get Bibby to play defense.

**stump832** · 05-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

PM me with your magic strategy for getting free tickets and beer.

It all has to do with the market for nickel.

**Arty50** · 05-22-2007, 03:28 PM

I was so glad to see Drew leave the Dodgers. He said he loved the team...blah...blah...blah...and then opted out of his contract and bailed on us. Great job dimwit. He never really did much for us anyway.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-22-2007, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by stump832

It all has to do with the market for nickel.

And change for it?

Oh, yeah, Yankees suck, etc. etc. I am very worried about Papelbon. It might be completely unnecessary- but his velocity is down 3-4 mph and it's really affecting him. He's not getting swing-and-miss strikes, and the command isn't there. Maybe he's just throttling down on the fastball a little, but why? Like the first half of the season is just one big changeup? Or maybe he's just a little rusty because he hasn't gotten much work- but usually guys over-throw when that's the situation. Very worried. Very worried.

Oh, yeah, the Grizzlies, Hawks, Sonics, and Blazers suck, too.

**Brock Landers** · 05-22-2007, 09:59 PM

^^^I could not agree more. I was thinking the same thing. Hes getting the job done, but the dominance just isnt there. His FB was 92-94, not 95-96. Huuge difference. Im defintely worried- that is what happened versus the A's with the blown save- wasnt hitting above 93 and got hammered, and took 4 days off afterward.