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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/20/2015 9:18:17 PM

djskillz

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BTW, Morris and Mauer are both already honored in the HOF, regardless of plaques.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/22/2015 10:10:06 PM

djskillz

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Paging the Twins re: Terry Ryan. Paging the Twins...

The Orioles are considering several compensation packages that would allow Duquette to leave for Toronto, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports. While no deal appears close and talks could still fall apart, Connolly notes that this could be the closest the two sides have come to an agreement given that the O’s are now actually looking at offers. Duquette has reportedly made his interest in the Jays’ job known to Orioles ownership, which could explain why the O’s are more open to letting him go, though that doesn’t mean they’ll relax their compensation demands. A top prospect like Jeff Hoffman would only be one part of Baltimore’s asking price, Connolly writes.
If the O’s continue with these high demands, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi opines that “the Blue Jays should, and in all likelihood would, look elsewhere in their search for a new president and CEO,” noting that Duquette is far from the only qualified executive who would be interested in the Toronto job.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 4:04:48 AM

Black 47

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Declining? I think the very fact that these contracts are available points in the polar opposite direction. The game is as healthy today as it's ever been.

Me thinks the game is financially healthy, but the game itself has suffered. So many things have damaged the game. The shrinking strike zone, mass pitching changes, 3 1/2 hour games. MLB destroyed a great tradition when interleague play was introduced. And the unbalanced schedule just plain sucks. The wildcard is a joke. But it's all about the almighty dollar with MLB. Ignore the steroid problem because it was PROFITABLE to turn a blind eye. Bud Selig has done irreparable harm to the game, as he brags the game has never been better.

< Message edited by Black 47 -- 1/23/2015 4:19:21 AM >

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 4:28:01 AM

Black 47

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Not to mention the watered down talent. The Rays, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Rockies never should have happened.

But as I said, the best change MLB could make right now would be to elimininate the home plate umpire and have a machine call balls and strikes. The umpires had their chance. They chose to make a mockery of the game by shrinking the strike zone and each umpire having their own PERSONAL strike zone. I'm normally against technology in sports, but this is one instance where technology would actually speed up the game and ensure the strike zone will enforced by rule.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 8:51:10 AM

djskillz

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Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 10:16:20 AM

sixthwi

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

That makes no sense. If you think there has been too much offense a shrinking strike zone means more offense, not less.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 10:19:17 AM

djskillz

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quote:

ORIGINAL: sixthwi

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

That makes no sense. If you think there has been too much offense a shrinking strike zone means more offense, not less.

Whoops. Sorry. The strike zone has expanded. It's been documented in here, and it's a big reason for offensive decline the last few years. Which I'm totally good with. I think what Black was talking about was previously (90's, 2000's) where the strike zone really shrunk for pitchers and it helped offense.

I prefer more of a "the zone is the zone" approach. If the strike zone is the knees to the letters, then call it as the knees to the letters. Not arbitrarily or reward certain pitchers. Some like that as a "nuance of the game" that they don't want to change. I'm not one of those. I want less umpire control over games, not more. Electronic strike zone (someday) would be totally cool with me.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 10:44:13 AM

sixthwi

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

quote:

ORIGINAL: sixthwi

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

That makes no sense. If you think there has been too much offense a shrinking strike zone means more offense, not less.

Whoops. Sorry. The strike zone has expanded. It's been documented in here, and it's a big reason for offensive decline the last few years. Which I'm totally good with. I think what Black was talking about was previously (90's, 2000's) where the strike zone really shrunk for pitchers and it helped offense.

I prefer more of a "the zone is the zone" approach. If the strike zone is the knees to the letters, then call it as the knees to the letters. Not arbitrarily or reward certain pitchers. Some like that as a "nuance of the game" that they don't want to change. I'm not one of those. I want less umpire control over games, not more. Electronic strike zone (someday) would be totally cool with me.

Now that makes sense - and I agree with you. When umpires wouldn't call anything above the belt it frustrated the hell out of me.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 11:05:12 AM

Mr. Ed

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Kerry, what is Brewer nation saying about the Gallardo deal?

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 12:01:48 PM

sixthwi

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Kerry, what is Brewer nation saying about the Gallardo deal?

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/23/2015 12:06:44 PM

Mr. Ed

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Vogelsong 1 year 4 mill with the Giants

Ichiro 1 year 2 mill with the Marlins

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 8:34:47 AM

ewen21

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I heard about the passing of Ernie Banks. He might have been one of the first baseball cards I got when I realized I had something good. There was a pharmacy we used to go to the next town over and they sold baseball cards. THere was a time where they had some "old packs" in a bin. They were probably 2 or 3 years old. There were a couple that were a bit older. I remember my brother and i grabbing up the oldest ones we could find. There were ones from 1968 and 1969. In those packs we didn't get much but between us but we got Ernie Banks and Robert Clemente. I remember my father being excited about it. I think this was not long after Clemente had died. We still have both cards. It's a damn shame our cards sat in the attic for over 30 years in a cardboard box. I had no idea we still had them until my moved out of our family home in 2003. Most of them are warped. Someone had the good sense to put the best cards and oldest cards in a separate container. That's where the Banks card was. It was very strange that I remembered getting that card and the circumstances around it. I'm sure I am not getting it 100% right but I have always connected Clemente and Banks because my brother and I got those cards at the same time and they were our first real prized possessions as far as baseball cards go

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 8:39:21 AM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Vogelsong 1 year 4 mill with the Giants

Ichiro 1 year 2 mill with the Marlins

I thought it was reported a week or two ago that Vogelsong signed with the Astros. Now he's back with the Giants. Weird reporting.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 8:41:57 AM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ewen21

I heard about the passing of Ernie Banks. He might have been one of the first baseball cards I got when I realized I had something good. There was a pharmacy we used to go to the next town over and they sold baseball cards. THere was a time where they had some "old packs" in a bin. They were probably 2 or 3 years old. There were a couple that were a bit older. I remember my brother and i grabbing up the oldest ones we could find. There were ones from 1968 and 1969. In those packs we didn't get much but between us but we got Ernie Banks and Robert Clemente. I remember my father being excited about it. I think this was not long after Clemente had died. We still have both cards. It's a damn shame our cards sat in the attic for over 30 years in a cardboard box. I had no idea we still had them until my moved out of our family home in 2003. Most of them are warped. Someone had the good sense to put the best cards and oldest cards in a separate container. That's where the Banks card was. It was very strange that I remembered getting that card and the circumstances around it. I'm sure I am not getting it 100% right but I have always connected Clemente and Banks because my brother and I got those cards at the same time and they were our first real prized possessions as far as baseball cards go

Always saw him as one of the first modern legends. Probably from watching WGN as a kid I was able to connect with him as more than just an old-timey baseball player.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 9:16:34 AM

CPAMAN

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quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

What efforts are they taking to shorten the game Dustin? Instant replays? That certainly shortens the game. Shrinking strike zone? Five or six pitching changes by each manager during each game?

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 9:20:28 AM

djskillz

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quote:

ORIGINAL: twinsfan

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Vogelsong 1 year 4 mill with the Giants

Ichiro 1 year 2 mill with the Marlins

I thought it was reported a week or two ago that Vogelsong signed with the Astros. Now he's back with the Giants. Weird reporting.

Probably when his agent handed him the contract to sign, he said "Wait, I'm going to HOUSTON? And the ASTROS? Umm, re-engage the Giants and SF."

_____________________________

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 9:22:51 AM

djskillz

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: djskillz

Oh, I think it's tough to argue those teams shouldn't have been added. There's more talent in the game today than there's ever been, by far. IMO.

I also don't have a problem with the shrinking strike zone. It's just starting to finally be called closer to how it should be called. For too long offense has ruled the game IMO. Totally with you on an electronic umpire, but that will be many, many years before that happens. At least they're finally making real efforts to shorten the game now. I think once those changes go into effect, we could shave as much as 30 minutes off of each game.

What efforts are they taking to shorten the game Dustin? Instant replays? That certainly shortens the game. Shrinking strike zone? Five or six pitching changes by each manager during each game?

The strike zone has expanded a lot in recent years. It's one of the major reasons for the downward offensive trend, as has been pointed out on here. I misspoke. They're also close to instituting a pitch clock for the pitcher to be allowed 20 seconds in between getting the ball and pitching. This is already going in for all AA and AAA games this year. I'd guess if it goes smoothly we'll see it for MLB teams in 2016. And they're talking about, this year, major changes in timing for warmups and for batters to be ready out of in-between-inning breaks. All of those things added together should speed games up by 20-30 minutes or so on average.

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"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/24/2015 10:30:36 AM

Black 47

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Another thing I hate about the game is pitching inside isn't allowed. A pitcher who throws shoulder level and just a couple inches inside gets the death stare from the hitter who's practically already standing on top of the plate. Pitchers should have every right to back a hitter off the plate, but it's virtually off limits.

Hitters overreaction is much like flopping in basketball. A couple inches inside and boom, they're flat on their back glaring at end mound.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 10:07:25 AM

Jim Frenette

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I just read that Rob Manfred who is Selig replacement is going to ban the over shifts of the infield.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 10:08:38 AM

Trekgeekscott

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim Frenette

I just read that Rob Manfred who is Selig replacement is going to ban the over shifts of the infield.

Why?

Manfred isn't even in office yet and he's oozing out stupid.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 10:18:40 AM

Mr. Ed

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim Frenette

I just read that Rob Manfred who is Selig replacement is going to ban the over shifts of the infield.

LOL

What a joke.

So when there is a game tying situation, they're going to ban moving an OF or 2 to the infield.

Idiots.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 11:40:06 AM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Trekgeekscott

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim Frenette

I just read that Rob Manfred who is Selig replacement is going to ban the over shifts of the infield.

Why?

Manfred isn't even in office yet and he's oozing out stupid.

It's really stupid. There are 7 fielders other than the pitcher and catcher. Those 7 guys can play wherever you want them to. That's part of the strategy of the game. To try to change it is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard. Shifts aren't ruining the game. It actually creates interest for the fans that are paying attention. When you're at a game and you see a shift, you can point it out and it brings more interest. Of course most of the people there don't even notice it as it's happening anyway.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 11:41:49 AM

djskillz

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Agree guys. That's a really slippery slope. The shift can work really well. Or it can make a team look really stupid if a hitter beats it. Let the players play and teams strategize as they see fit.

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 11:56:09 AM

MDK

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Do you think a ban will actually be implemented or is this simply preseason smoke to get people engaged in talking baseball?

I can't see it being implemented.....as Ed noted, you gonna prevent adding an infielder when that time calls for it in a tie or 1 run game?

Maybe the Commish in waiting should read this.

http://www.twinkietown.com/2015/1/26/7908303/teams-should-shift-oswaldo-arcia

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RE: MLB General Information PT 4 - 1/26/2015 1:54:56 PM

djskillz

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While this is not good if he's legitimately thinking about it, I do think Manfred's focus is on the right things from his blueprint.

Get the youth engaged. Gotta bring the talent into the game instead of basketball/football/soccer/hockey, etc. Specifically working on inner-cities as well.
Get the fans engaged (goes with above). He's right that the link between childhood love/playing and adult fandom/support is very close.
Work on player access and marketing. Baseball has been woeful in marketing its stars compared to the other major sports for the last few decades. Mike Trout, for example, should be talked about like Lebron or Luck these days. And he's in a major market.
Work on pace of game. Goes with engaging fans. Create better ratings for TV, etc.
Work on integrating technology more into the game. Kind of goes with above on pace. I also am hoping this means that highlights, etc. will become more accessible soon. I can pull up almost any basketball highlight/game, etc. all-time on cue. Ditto for many football plays. Baseball plays? Not so much. And they have better media and footage of those things than any other sport IMO. I think that's a big part of access and fan engagement in this modern day.

Will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I hated Bud, but the game sure did go through a ton of changes while he was commish. We'll see what Manfred's tenure has in store.

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