The baseball thread.

**The AD** · 06-21-2007, 09:22 AM

I think if the two teams you follow are in different leagues it's OK. I don't think you can drop your allegiance to the original team, but it's then OK to root for both.

**pappag** · 06-21-2007, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Pope Benedict XVI

I just decided I don't like your dad. Sorry.

Anyway, the sox won game 5 at fenway. You mean game 6, the one during which I learned the phrases "jesus fucking christ," "oh my fucking god," and "go fuck yourself."

69 not 86.

But anyway, he's been a bleeding diehard fan the last 30-something years.

**Hutch** · 06-21-2007, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Nick Pappagiorgio

69 not 86.

Well, don't I feel like a douchebag for forearm-bashing my monitor. I guess I'll leave the fact-checking to others.

**Lemmiwinks** · 06-21-2007, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by MassLiberal

Devern got rocked his last start. I'm sure Gabbard would get the call before he does.

Very true. With the off day they can push everyone up and still have them pitching with normal rest. But after that I'd like to see what Gabbard can do. I don't think they would call Lester up if Curt is coming back any time soon.

Originally Posted by smmokan

...Plus, I'm quite sure I don't have to justify this decision to a bunch of Boston fans on the internet.

Lauging at that one. So true. I follow the Giants in addition to Red Sox now. Still can't root for Oakland no matter how likeable their team is and no matter how AWESOME their incredibly good looking and skilled GM is.

**pappag** · 06-21-2007, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Pope Benedict XVI

Well, don't I feel like a douchebag for forearm-bashing my monitor. I guess I'll leave the fact-checking to others.

Just keep this as your background and give high fives when necessary:

BTW - first two yahoo image searches on "hand" did not bode well for me just now.

**72Twenty** · 06-21-2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

Well, according to the Sports Guy's rules for following a team, I think I'm safe to switch teams under two of these. I'm pretty sure the fifth rule applies in what Yankees fans are going through with Steiny signing all these jackasses for millions. Besides, who the hell said you can't switch teams? I grew up in Western NY, and now I'll be in Colorado for pretty much the rest of my life. Plus, I'm quite sure I don't have to justify this decision to a bunch of Boston fans on the internet.

19) "Once you choose a team, you're stuck with that team for the rest of your life ... unless one of the following conditions applies:

Your team moves to another city.

You grew up in a city that didn't field a team for a specific sport - and then you moved to a city that fielded a team for that specific sport.

One of your immediate family members either plays professionally or takes a relevant management/coaching/front office position with a pro team.

You follow your favorite college star (and this has to be a once-in-a-generation favorite college star) to the pros and root for his team du jour. Only works if there isn't a pro team in your area.

The owner of your favorite team treated his fans so egregiously over the years that you couldn't take it anymore -- you would rather not follow them at all then support a franchise with this owner in charge."

So what about someone like me - I like two teams almost equally, except when they play each other and I root for the one I have been following longer. My dad got transfered to Houston for his job when I was in high school, so we lived there for a couple years, then I came back home to go to college. I started following the Astros when I lived there in the papers and on TV, as well as being able to go to the Astrodome and watch them at the student price for real cheap. But the Rockies are really my "home team" and I follow and root for them as well. I don't really consider it "switching teams". I get to watch the Rockies on the local TV feed way more often.

**The AD** · 06-21-2007, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by 72Twenty

I started following the Astros when I lived there in the papers and on TV, as well as being able to go to the Astrodome and watch them at the student price for real cheap.

You can admit it. You thought these uniforms were sweet:

**smmokan** · 06-21-2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

2)Western NY is in NY. So, your team would be Yankees or Mets. Or Pirates, depending on if theyre in the WNY area you are.

5)Steinbrenner has done anything but screw his fans. He spends millions to give them championships.

On the contrary... where I grew up, I was equally distant (about 4 hr drive) from several teams: Cleveland, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philly, Yankees, Mets, and almost Baltimore. Plus, I lived in Anaheim for a couple years when I was even younger. That's 8 teams right there.

And you're right about Steiny... he hasn't done anything to screw over his fans in that way- but, in my opinion he's made it much less enjoyable to watch these teams. Sure he buys the best and most expensive players he can, but that's not always the best, as the last 7 years has shown. Like I've said many times, I'd rather be vested in a player who comes up thru their system and develops with the team- and until the last year or so, that was foreign to the Yankees organization.

Plus, I've supported the Rockies quite adamantly the last few years while I've been here, so I'd hardly call that half-assed.

**Brock Landers** · 06-21-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by smmokan

Plus, I've supported the Rockies quite adamantly the last few years while I've been here, so I'd hardly call that half-assed.

I didnt mean you, just in general. Its tough to follow and root for 2 teams unless youre a baseball zealot. But if you were going to root for 2 teams, the Rockies and Yankees are pretty much opposites, and I think its ok to a degree.

**Dexter Rutecki** · 06-21-2007, 12:39 PM

I think he should just shut the fuck up and be happy with the Bisons.

**smmokan** · 06-21-2007, 12:57 PM

The Rochester Red Wings were closer.

**Dexter Rutecki** · 06-21-2007, 12:59 PM

Then maybe you do get a pass for the Rockies.
Rachesteh.

**iceman** · 06-21-2007, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by smmokan

The Rochester Red Wings were closer.

You should probably be an O's fan then, although that's a tough road for anyone these last 15 years or so.

**Brock Landers** · 06-21-2007, 02:08 PM

Why, what has been wrong with the O's

**72Twenty** · 06-21-2007, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by The AD

You can admit it. You thought these uniforms were sweet:

Heh - actually not a big fan of those uniforms. Fortunately, when I moved there they switched to the dark blue and gold ones which were better. Their current uniforms are quite nice, though, IMHO.

mid 90's:

Ahhhh, the Astrodome... I used to sit in about center field for $3.

**dbp** · 06-21-2007, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by 72Twenty

I am a reluctant lifelong Astros fan. I can not wait for Biggio to get his 3000 hits and retire. I admire his heart and the way he plays (I doubt there are many players who have gone from catcher to second to outfield to second for one team). He is on his last leg though. I think he hung on too long, but it is still impressive to see the career numbers he has put up. Minute Maid is a hitters park, but the Astrodome was not.

Runs - 1817 (15th)
Hits - 2992 (27th)
Total Bases - 4617 (31st)
Doubles - 657 (6th)
Singles - 1994 (45th)

**Steven S. Dallas** · 06-21-2007, 04:53 PM

Okay, now I'm a Rockies fan.

**smmokan** · 06-21-2007, 04:54 PM

THE SWEEP!!!

**MassLiberal** · 06-22-2007, 03:53 PM

So, looks like Gabbard is pitching Tuesday night.

**concretejungle** · 06-22-2007, 08:31 PM

First Girardi now Dusty turning down the job. This whole looking for a manager thing is only adding to how livid I am at Peter Angelos. Hopefully MacPhail can turn around this disaster of franchise. I would like it if the Ripken group could buy and revive the O's.

And to the person who posted the Jeffrey Maier pic in the Rockies sweep thread. Thanks, I had just about forgot about that little shit.

**MassLiberal** · 06-25-2007, 07:17 AM

11.5. I was getting a little panicky for a little bit there. Things seem to have righted themselves, for the time being.

And what do y'll think about the reports that the Sox are the leading contenders to land Buerhle?? Can you imaging a line -up of:

Beckett
Matsuzaka
Schill
Buerhle
Wakefield/tavarez/lester

SWEET!!!

**Brock Landers** · 06-25-2007, 08:39 AM

Would be sick if we got Buerhle, but theyre asking for possibly Ellsbury or Lester or Bucholz. Granted MB is still young and a proven pitcher, how much would we give up for possibly just renting the guy the rest of the year until he goes somewhere else? Whereas the other 3 are hopefully our future cornerstones at the major league minimum salary for a few years.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 06-25-2007, 08:56 AM

I think that Ellsbury and Bucholtz are untouchable- Bucholtz even more so than Lester. It looks as though the ChiSox want pitching and outfield help, though, so I could see them taking Michael Bowden as a pitching prospect, David Murphy as a guy who can play now, and Brandon Moss as a guy who can develop and contribute in a year or two.

As far as getting Buehrle... I think I like him as a rental, but if they're signing him to an extension it better not be for huge money. He does eat innings, and he can obviously pitch, but as a guy who "pitches to contact" I don't think he's had great success in Fenway over the years (just from what I can remember, I might be wrong). As for blocking the Yankees from getting him- WTF do I care, the Sox have done well against him.

**Brock Landers** · 06-25-2007, 09:02 AM

3-1 record at Fenway.

This morning Eckersley said he isnt real fond of Buerhle because of the "pitching to contact" aspect.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 06-25-2007, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

3-1 record at Fenway

1-1 in the last three years with a 5. something ERA. But whatever, it's more to the point that we're 5-1 against him the last three years; I like him but it's not worth letting Ken Williams jack up the price by dangling him in front of the Yankees when the BoSox have had success against him. He would be a pretty decent 3 but I don't get real excited about him.

edit: You know what? Fuck it, let's get him. I'm doing a stupid thing where it's easy to get gun-shy as soon as you start talking about the asking price- if at the beginning of the year you had asked if we should get Buehrle for two good prospects, I'd say sure. I wouldn't give up Ellsbury or Bucholtz, but after that, WTF. Schilling'll be off the payroll next year and Lowell, too, most likely- sign him up! But for 4/$48M, not 5/$75.