Baseball Season has started in the USA

[hopeihitstraight]

Well this is one of my favorite sports. The first game was Yankees against Redsox. The Redsox won by 2 runs due to no relief pitching by the Yankees. They better go out and get a quality mid relief pitcher cause Joba and Chang Ho was crap.

[Johnny Canuck]

don't jump the gun. they'll come around for sure. either that, or put hughes back in the pen.

[jimandr]

I love baseball, and follow it closely. I'll be very happy to participate in discussions on this thread.

I don't really have a favourite team, though. There are teams I sympathise with, like the Indians, Cubs, Giants and Phillies, and teams I detest because they try to buy the pennant. Naturally the Yankees head that list, but I love watching Mariano Rivera pitch the 9th.

I saw the start and end of todays game, but missed the middle. In any case, there isn't a lot to say about the Red Sox and Yankees. They will both be there in October unless one of them gets unlucky and misses the wild card. The rest of their division is pretty weak.

It does look like TV heaven for Australian fans this year. ESPN have a lot of games scheduled, judging by the April TV guide, FoxSports will still have two midweek games each week, and ONE are also in the game. As a filler, baseball provides a lot of content for specialist sports channels, so there should be lots of coverage all year.

[Johnny Canuck]

With their payroll, the Yanks will be there for sure. Boston's offence isn't as strong as it has been in the past, but they should still have a very good shot at the wildcard.

[TheTrueReview]

Another baseball fan here. Good to see I have company.

[hopeihitstraight]

Cool guys being a Yank I love the sport. My team is the St Louis Cardinals. I come from Missouri in the States about 3 hours south of St Louis. Yes the Yankees do have a front office with a lot of cash but like you said Johnny they have the person for the pen and that for sure Hughes.

Predictions for the year lets all have a guess see who gets close. So each division winner, champs of each league and world series winner, CY Young Award and National and American MVP

[GolfBallWhackerGuy]

Go Yankees! Awesome winlast year - hope they do it again this year.
I used to play when i was younger but I gave it up bcoz of "baseball" parents (similar to footy parents) and i couldnt handle it. Love the sport and wish i had foxtel so i can follow it more closely.

[hopeihitstraight]

Well National League East Braves/Central St Louis/West San Francisco
American League East Yankees/Central Detroit/West Los Angeles
Cy Young National Chris Carpenter
Cy Young American Greinke
MVP National Pujols
MVP American AROD

[Johnny Canuck]

I'll take a look tonight and let you know. I know for sure that I am agreeing on Pujols. The only one that I am definite on so far.

[jimandr]

Predictions for the year lets all have a guess see who gets close. So each division winner, champs of each league and world series winner, CY Young Award and National and American MVP

NL West - Dodgers
NL Central - St Louis if Carpenter stays healthy, Cubs if he doesn't
NL East - Phillies

Wild Card - Cubs. NL Champs - Phillies

AL West - Seattle
AL Central - White Sox
AL East - Yankees - Wild Card = Boston

AL Champs - Boston.

World Series - Phillies

AL MVP - Mark Teixeira, AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez

NL MVP - Ryan Howard, NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum again

[Johnny Canuck]

I'll throw in a "dark horse" for my Cy Young and MVP picks to make it a little more interesting.

NL West - LA Dodgers
NL Central - St Louis
NL East - Phillies

Wild Card - Braves

NL Champs - Phillies

AL West - Seattle
AL Central - Minnesota
AL East - Yankees
Wild Card = Tampa Bay

AL Champs - Tampa Bay

World Series - Tampa Bay

AL MVP - Mark Teixeira Dark Horse - Kevin Youkilis
AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander - Dark Horse - Jon Lester

NL MVP - Albert Pujols - Dark Horse - Matt Kemp
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum - Dark Horse - Ricky Nolasco

[hopeihitstraight]

It looks good Johnny

[Johnny Canuck]

I'll throw in a "dark horse" for my Cy Young and MVP picks to make it a little more interesting.

NL West - LA Dodgers
NL Central - St Louis
NL East - Phillies

Wild Card - Braves

NL Champs - Phillies

AL West - Seattle
AL Central - Minnesota
AL East - Yankees
Wild Card = Tampa Bay

AL Champs - Tampa Bay

World Series - Tampa Bay

AL MVP - Mark Teixeira Dark Horse - Kevin Youkilis
AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander - Dark Horse - Jon Lester

NL MVP - Albert Pujols - Dark Horse - Matt Kemp
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum - Dark Horse - Ricky Nolasco

Tampa looking good!

[TheTrueReview]

No Boston, no care. :(

[Johnny Canuck]

They're paying $19 to win the World Series. I was thinking about putting a few $$ on them at that price.

[Veefore]

Hey JC, did you realise that one of your soon-to-be pennant team mates has a son playing baseball over there this year?

[Johnny Canuck]

I've talked some ball with Faulks, is he the one?

[Veefore]

Nope. Trevor Hughes's son is playing over there apparently.

[Johnny Canuck]

Interesting. When I can figure out who he is, I'll definitely have a chat with hit about it.

[Veefore]

Interesting. When I can figure out who he is, I'll definitely have a chat with hit about it.

He is the Vice Captain at Hartfield and a solid 2 handicapper.

[hopeihitstraight]

Well Tampa Bay is doing good I wonder if Johnny put some coin on them

[jimandr]

The all-star break, and time for a bump of this thread.

My predictions aren't looking too bad, but not totally accurate either.


NL West - Dodgers
NL Central - St Louis if Carpenter stays healthy, Cubs if he doesn't
NL East - Phillies

Wild Card - Cubs. NL Champs - Phillies

AL West - Seattle
AL Central - White Sox
AL East - Yankees - Wild Card = Boston

AL Champs - Boston.

World Series - Phillies

AL MVP - Mark Teixeira, AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez

NL MVP - Ryan Howard, NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum again

The NL East is a very interesting division. Atlanta seem to be realising their potential, and the Mets have come good. The other thing about that division is the Steven Strasbourg factor. I've seen him pitch twice. He is the real deal, and no team will be confident of a win when they face him.

I'm giving up on Seattle already, though. Despite Texas going well, the Angels should come through in the end in the AL West.

I've really enjoyed this year so far. As a bit of a purist, I don't mind seeing pitchers on top. The days of 73 home runs in a season seem to be over for the moment.

[KristianJ]

Home Run Derby's on tomorrow, isn't it? Or is it today? Might have to IQ it if there's someone home - or if there's a replay I'll watch it tonight. That's usually pretty entertaining.

[macjackass]

The all-star break, and time for a bump of this thread.

My predictions aren't looking too bad, but not totally accurate either.



The NL East is a very interesting division. Atlanta seem to be realising their potential, and the Mets have come good. The other thing about that division is the Steven Strasbourg factor. I've seen him pitch twice. He is the real deal, and no team will be confident of a win when they face him.

I'm giving up on Seattle already, though. Despite Texas going well, the Angels should come through in the end in the AL West.

I've really enjoyed this year so far. As a bit of a purist, I don't mind seeing pitchers on top. The days of 73 home runs in a season seem to be over for the moment.

Interesting pick with the Mariners, any reason why you thought that?

I think if Boston can stay in it until they get all their players back then they will win the whole thing this year. They now have better defence to go with the best rotation, plus Ortiz is firing.

[Johnny Canuck]

Seattle is the one pick that I made that I really didn't like. Texas is looking really strong with the addition of Cliff Lee.

[jimandr]

I thought the AL West was a weak division, and Seattle had strengthened themselves a lot with the addition of Cliff Lee. But their pitching didn't have much depth past Lee and Felix, which meant the bats had to produce. They didn't. Now the Lee has been traded, they have given up as well.

Lee is a good pickup for Texas, but history has shown that teams with good, but not great bats, and pitching that is only average often fade away when the pressure of the pennant race kicks in. Having said that, I'd like to see Texas make it just to break a long losing streak.

Boston are a good playoff team, but their biggest challenge is to make it. Yankees should win the division, and the AL East is quite strong, so racking up enough wins to get the wild card will be the battle.

[McMw]

I only got caught up last year when there were showing nothing but the Yankee games Saturday/Sunday morning's and following them every since!!! I don't follow much of the other teams going around, so just rooting for the Yanks!!!

Batting line up doesn't seem as strong this year with the lost of Godzilla, Burnett very inconsistent this year, and the reliefs all sux!!!

MO's A-W-E-S-O-M-E tho!!! 40yo and still pitching it at the 90s...WOW!!!

[Johnny Canuck]

Check out this catch, awesome! (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-most-amazing-catch-we-ll-see-all-season?urn=mlb-260247)

[henno]

Clearly that's a ninja in the offseason.

[Johnny Canuck]

Too bad his team didn't have black uniforms.

[macjackass]

I don't know which of those two was better!

[Johnny Canuck]

The first had the "flashy: factor, but the second took unreal balance and timing. Both were awesome.

[jimandr]

Can I just say how good it was to have a Friday off work today, then wake up after a sleep-in to find TWO live baseball games on my TV at the same time (and neither of them on ESPN, which has Yankees v Boston tomorrow).

From what I saw, both Phillies/Florida and Giants/Braves were good games, with high quality pitching.

Life can be good sometimes (but then I has to spend an hour waiting to get my driver's licence renewed, so that brought me down a bit).

[MegaWatty]

Not a huge baseball fan so I won't post much in here.

But how bad was that foul call today?!?!?!

[McMw]

But how bad was that foul call today?!?!?!

and his retaliatory remark was a JOKE!!!

[jimandr]

I thought one of the other baseball followers might have bumped this thread, being playoff season and very quiet in most other sports at the moment.

This is my favourite time of the year, with three playoff games occurring every day, and all on our Tv's.

Before today's results, I fancied Yankees over Minnesota, Phillies over Reds, Tampa over Texas and Giants over Braves.

I taped Phillies/Reds and Yankees/Twins, but I saw the result of the Phillies game by accident, so I only watched the Yankees game. It was a good game, but typical Yankees baseball.

Even though the Twins looked good today, the Yankees were able to beat their ace pitcher, so I think their bats will see them home.

Not a bad effort by Roy Halliday for the Phillies though. Only the second no-hitter in post season history.

[Johnny Canuck]

Roy Halladay is the man. All class.

[McMw]

Wow - CC got lucky, but Wow - what a comeback by the Yankees!!!
Can't wait for G2 this morning (4am start!!!)

[terrys]

its ground hog day. Yanks down 5-0 again, but have one back now.

[jimandr]

Wow. No baseball posts for four years.

I thought we had a more recent MLB thread, but this is all I could find, apart from discussion of the SCG season opener this year.

Nevertheless, some other thread discussion showed that a few posters were watching the playoffs, so I think it is worth bringing this thread back from the dead.

Some big things happening in baseball right now.

For me it was great seeing the Dodgers getting knocked out. Coupled with the demise of the Yankees, this was further proof that you cannot buy championships in baseball.

[pt73]

SF Giants win, the dynasty continues.

[jimandr]

Yep. While I wasn't actually waving my Giants orange Rally Rag (but I do have one), I was cheering them on, while not being too upset if the Cinderella Story that is Kansas City got up.

Strange World Series, and post-season in general. The old formula of superior starting pitching seems to be being replaced by superior relief pitching, but it is still timely hitting and high quality defence that wins more than old-style home run mashing (that often goes quiet against the best pitching). Both teams had that, even though their starters didn't deliver.

Madison Bumgarner will be an even richer man someday when he eventually becomes a free agent. Three times he has helped win the pennant for the Giants. What a star.

[pt73]

I would have been bummed if the Giants had lost but the Royals showed real heart to keep coming back. After we dusted them 5-0 in Game 5 I figured we would roll over them in Game 6 given our experience but they stepped up big time.

My son said Bumgarner's 2014 contract was around 750K but 2015 will be 11m, I've never seen pitching like that and the guy never shows any real emotion even when he gets behind. He's so laid back I don't think anything gets to him.

His post season stats were just amazing and Pablo's post season hitting was crucial.

I agree on the formula change, there were very few homers in this year's World Series compared to 2014 or previous years.

[jimandr]

So, another year passes with no baseball comments, but I've been watching all year.

Not an enormous degree of change, actually. Kansas in the Series again, Dodgers and St Louis make the playoffs but no further, and a team without a massive payroll will win it.

I'd like Kansas City to win but I think it will be the Mets. They have the perfect end of season formula of great pitching, good defence and guys who get on base.

Should be a classic.

Starts tomorrow just in case some are wondering why I'm posting.

[jimandr]

Another double post? I swear I only pressed the button once.

Can I think of anything else to add? Yes, I'm glad the Yankees failed again.

[oldracer]

Go Royals, had both boys in Kansas for a few years and the locals LUV their sport. I think the Royals pen will hold whatever lead their hitters put up, read that KC hitters were many points above everyone else against pitching 95 and above....ala Mets, hardest throwing rotation around. Should be a great series, KC running game will test D'Arnaud

[Jazz18]

Can't believe the Blue Jays aren't in the WS given how well they played all year. Still got a Joe Carter t-shirt from 1993 I think when they played the Phillies in the WS. I'm guessing their great rookies didn't fire under the pressure of postseason play. Don't mind who wins it this year. Either team is cool. I'm with you Jim, anyone but the Yankees (and the Red Sox!) but prefer the National League so will have to go for the Mets. Probably shouldn't though as I'm really a Braves fan!

[oldracer]

Can't believe the Blue Jays aren't in the WS given how well they played all year. Still got a Joe Carter t-shirt from 1993 I think when they played the Phillies in the WS. I'm guessing their great rookies didn't fire under the pressure of postseason play. Don't mind who wins it this year. Either team is cool. I'm with you Jim, anyone but the Yankees (and the Red Sox!) but prefer the National League so will have to go for the Mets. Probably shouldn't though as I'm really a Braves fan!David Price 0-9 in post season I think, KC hitters are pretty good, very patient, bit like the Sawx of old

[Jazz18]

Just watching it now actually. Harvey looks awesome on the mound. Can't wait to see DeGrom pitch as well. Boy that kid can throw. Just wish he'd cut his bloody hair!

[oldracer]

Just watching it now actually. Harvey looks awesome on the mound. Can't wait to see DeGrom pitch as well. Boy that kid can throw. Just wish he'd cut his bloody hair!he's cutting it after the WS

[oldracer]

Wow, 5-4 KC in 14 innings

[jimandr]

Can't wait to see DeGrom pitch as well. Boy that kid can throw. Just wish he'd cut his bloody hair!

You'll be overjoyed by tomorrow's matchup, then. His opponent is Johnny Cueto, who hasn't cut his dreadlocked hair for 7 years.

The big benefit of my golf being rained out is that I got to see most of today's game live. It just would not have been the same watching the replay.

Great game.

[Jazz18]

Yeah I saw some of it then turned it off to do some work then came back a couple of hours later and it was still going! Amazing! What a great start to the series.

Yeah I think I saw that long haired Royals lout pitching a week or so ago in the ALCS. Should be another cracker tomorrow. Looking forward to watching some of it.

[oldracer]

Stolen base by Cain ends up scoring.....Royals running game will test the Metropolitans

[Jazz18]

And their bull pen looks outstanding. I think if the starters struggle on both sides the Royals will have an edge.

[oldracer]

impressed with the Mets hitting, go deeper than I thought, tough strike zone, nothing inside and down, hitters be licking their lips

[oldracer]

anyone else also see that KC's starting pitcher's father died yesterday, the day he's slated to pitch game 1 of the WS, did a great job considering, wow that would be tough

[Johnny Canuck]

anyone else also see that KC's starting pitcher's father died yesterday, the day he's slated to pitch game 1 of the WS, did a great job considering, wow that would be tough

They didn't tell him until after the game.

[oldracer]

They didn't tell him until after the game.just read that

[jimandr]

Big win by KC today.

Everything went right for them today, including the complete game by Cueto.

Teams have come back from a two game deficit before, so they aren't home yet, but it is a very good start.

[backintheswing]

I have been to the Baseball in Atlanta. Saw a 3 game series between the Braves and the Diamondbacks at Ted Turner Field. Was unbelievable and we had a blast. Off the next week to the US open tennis was good as well. All this after the US PGA at Atlanta Athletic club. That was a top 4 weeks.

[oldracer]

I have been to the Baseball in Atlanta. Saw a 3 game series between the Braves and the Diamondbacks at Ted Turner Field. Was unbelievable and we had a blast. Off the next week to the US open tennis was good as well. All this after the US PGA at Atlanta Athletic club. That was a top 4 weeks.with really cheap beer!!!!

[3Puttpete]

Big win by KC today.

Everything went right for them today, including the complete game by Cueto.

Teams have come back from a two game deficit before, so they aren't home yet, but it is a very good start.

Didn't the commentators say during game 1 that 24 of the last 27 have been won by the winner of game 1?

[oldracer]

Bit of a brag sheet but my youngest has hit a few long balls at Kauffman Stadium

[AlexMc]

Saw the Yankees qualify for the Post Season last month by winning against Boston at Yankee Stadium - fantastic experience. Up there with Origin.

Game 1 was a belter, shame the Mets were so average yesterday.

[Johnny Canuck]

Saw the Yankees qualify for the Post Season last month by winning against Boston at Yankee Stadium - fantastic experience. Up there with Origin.

Game 1 was a belter, shame the Mets were so average yesterday.

Cueto spun a gem yesterday.

[AlexMc]

Big win for the Mets today. Granderson was outstanding at bat and a huge effort by Syndergaard pitching. Looks like whoever can win away will win the series...

[jimandr]

I thought KC were home when they led and it looked like Syndergaard was about to be taken out. But Ventura couldn't get his job done, and the momentum changed completely.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Game 4 winner will win the series. Matz is a good pitcher, but inexperienced, while Chris Young is a genuine no 4 starter, and he has already pitched (very well though) so he may not be properly rested. If KC can get to 3-1 they should be able to squeeze another win, but if the Mets will win well they may be unstoppable with their pitching.

[jimandr]

So in the end the good guys won, and in the same style as their other games, by making a miracle comeback.

One of the reasons why I like Baseball is that it is so unpredictable, and this game (like a few of the others) had it all. I felt a bit sorry for Famiglia. Technically, he blew his third save to go down in history as the first pitcher ever to do that, but it was hardly his fault.

I would imagine the Mets will get another chance in the near future. Their pitching will be good for years, and with some money to spend they should be able to stay strong with the bat. I wouldn't be surprised if KC fall back a bit. Recent baseball history is full of teams who win a Series, lose some of their best players to free agency and they don't come back. But, you never know.

[Lagerlover]

Just heard the World series has been decided.


Where did we come?

[3Puttpete]

Just heard the World series has been decided.


Where did we come?

You? Probably first

[jimandr]

Just heard the World series has been decided.


Where did we come?

Clearly you don't know that the USA is the centre of the universe. In any sport they play, their champion is the world champion.

If "we" is Australia, we did have a player on the Toronto Blue Jays, so we may have come equal third.

There is also a World Baseball Classic, which is a tournament between national teams, similar to State of Origin. "We" don't go too well.

[jimandr]

Just in case the followers on here have overlooked it, the 2016 season starts tomorrow morning our time. 3 games on ESPN, all replayed later in the day.

Baseball is so hard to predict I won't even try to pick a winner. I'll just cheer for the teams I like, and hope that Boston, the Yankees and the Dodgers lose. But it is an even year, and one of the teams I like, the SF Giants, won in 10, 12 and 14. I almost guarantee that no baseball expert will mention this fact once during the season.

[3Puttpete]

Go Twins!

[PeteyD]

A's. And Giants.

[oldracer]

Go Twins!can still see you with your minnesota T on

[oldracer]

nice win by Price and the Sawx, Papi deep in his first game shows good signs and not a bad bullpen with Tazawa and Uehara handing it to Kimbrel, only 161 to go

[pt73]

A's. And Giants.
Will be interesting to see how Johnny Cueto goes in the Giants roster and what happens to Tim Lincecum.

I also read below that the Red Sox have given Pablo Sandoval's starting position to a guy on $550,000, Panda is getting $19 million.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/A-season-begins-with-Lincecum-nowhere-in-sight-7221753.php

[3Puttpete]

can still see you with your minnesota T on

A bloke from Minnesota stopped me in Cairns recently for a chat.

[PeteyD]

Will be interesting to see how Johnny Cueto goes in the Giants roster and what happens to Tim Lincecum.

I also read below that the Red Sox have given Pablo Sandoval's starting position to a guy on $550,000, Panda is getting $19 million.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/A-season-begins-with-Lincecum-nowhere-in-sight-7221753.php
Dammit need to be a subscriber.

[spanner039]

A bloke from Minnesota stopped me in Cairns recently for a chat.

One of the highlights on a trip was me (had a few) walking the streets late at night in Minneapolis with the Twins cap on, constant 5's and toots from all passers by. Shocked them when they lernt i was from Au.

very passionate followers for a very under performing team

[oldracer]

One of the highlights on a trip was me (had a few) walking the streets late at night in Minneapolis with the Twins cap on, constant 5's and toots from all passers by. Shocked them when they lernt i was from Au.

very passionate followers for a very under performing teamwonder they didn't take you straight to a bar and really topped you up, they LUUUUUUUUUUVVVVVVVVV Aussies, son played summer baseball in Alexandria MN and had an absolute ball

[oldracer]

Will be interesting to see how Johnny Cueto goes in the Giants roster and what happens to Tim Lincecum.

I also read below that the Red Sox have given Pablo Sandoval's starting position to a guy on $550,000, Panda is getting $19 million.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/A-season-begins-with-Lincecum-nowhere-in-sight-7221753.phpas a Sawx supporter, that's great to see, previous times they would play payroll and not form and they'll just keep trotting Timmy out of the pen won't they????

[oldracer]

A bloke from Minnesota stopped me in Cairns recently for a chat.did you do the neighbourly thing and take him to a bar and get him pissed?????

[spanner039]

wonder they didn't take you straight to a bar and really topped you up, they LUUUUUUUUUUVVVVVVVVV Aussies, son played summer baseball in Alexandria MN and had an absolute ball

they sure do, just magnificent countryside and people, only during summer of course!!!!!

[oldracer]

they sure do, just magnificent countryside and people, only during summer of course!!!!!bought some heads from a guy in MN and the pics he had showed about a foot of snow on the ground, don't know how they just don't play golf for 6 months a year, drive me nuts

[3Puttpete]

did you do the neighbourly thing and take him to a bar and get him pissed?????

We were in the hotel lobby both on our way to the bar

[oldracer]

we were in the hotel lobby both on our way to the barbooyah!!!!!

[3Puttpete]

they sure do, just magnificent countryside and people, only during summer of course!!!!!


bought some heads from a guy in MN and the pics he had showed about a foot of snow on the ground, don't know how they just don't play golf for 6 months a year, drive me nuts

It took me a while to work out why the seppos keep referring to their golf season starting and ending. Half the country is like this. And all of Canada I suspect

[oldracer]

It took me a while to work out why the seppos keep referring to their golf season starting and ending. Half the country is like this. And all of Canada I suspectwanna have some good moonshine in the basement to tide you over the winter!!!!!!!

[pt73]

Dammit need to be a subscriber.
I could read it, just scroll down from the banner ad.

Here's the stuff about Panda:

A year ago, it was odd for Giants fans to see their team open without Pablo Sandoval at third base. Now they’re breathing a sigh of relief.

Sandoval, who is making $19 million a year in Boston, lost his starting job to someone named Travis Shaw, who is scheduled to make $550,000 this year.
Sandoval, who had the worst year of his career last season, came into camp out of shape, struggled defensively and has become the butt of bitter jokes in Boston.

The Red Sox are reported to be at wits’ end with Sandoval and might be trying to replicate the lesson that Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean taught Sandoval
after the 2010 season. They benched him during the playoffs and gave him an ultimatum.

“Operation Panda” had some success: Sandoval got fit and was instrumental in the Giants’ next two World Series runs. But he will turn 30 this season.

It appears the Giants dodged a zeppelin when Sandoval turned down their offer in 2014.

[Johnny Canuck]

It took me a while to work out why the seppos keep referring to their golf season starting and ending. Half the country is like this. And all of Canada I suspect

Most of it.

Courses generally open in April in the Toronto area and most are closed at the start of October. I have started rounds in April, only to play a couple holes and had to quit due to the course being covered in snow.

[3Puttpete]

Most of it.

Courses generally open in April in the Toronto area and most are closed at the start of October. I have started rounds in April, only to play a couple holes and had to quit due to the course being covered in snow.

We had a bad winter here in Brisbane last year. It was a Tuesday I think

[jimandr]

It is worth bumping this thread to note that it is probably Alex Rodriguez's last game today, and it is being shown on ESPN right now.

For me, it is such a pity that his career achievements have an asterisk beside them, because he was a major part of the performance enhancing drugs era.

Putting that to the side, he was a top 10 all time player. If only...

[Johnny Canuck]

It is worth bumping this thread to note that it is probably Alex Rodriguez's last game today, and it is being shown on ESPN right now.

For me, it is such a pity that his career achievements have an asterisk beside them, because he was a major part of the performance enhancing drugs era.

Putting that to the side, he was a top 10 all time player. If only...

Top 10 all time is a huge stretch for A-Roid.

Top 20, based on sheer numbers, I can accept.

The game has too many great for Alex to crack the top 10.

[oldracer]

Getting a bit exciting now in most division races, last few weeks and I hate to say it but the Wankees are still a chance of post season :( if my Sawks don't get there would love to see the Cubs beat the hoodoo

[oldracer]

Go Twins!not sure if you saw it Mick but an Aussie lad, Jimmy Beresford who played over 1000 minor league games for the Twins played his first couple of games in the bigs this last weekend. Major dedication to hang in for 10 years waiting for the call :roll:

[3Puttpete]

not sure if you saw it Mick but an Aussie lad, Jimmy Beresford who played over 1000 minor league games for the Twins played his first couple of games in the bigs this last weekend. Major dedication to hang in for 10 years waiting for the call :roll:

Dream achieved. It's all gravy now I suppose. Good on him. [emoji1303]

[3oneday]

Dream achieved. It's all gravy now I suppose. Good on him. [emoji1303]when I saw "dream achieved", I assumed Jarryd had changed sports again!

[3Puttpete]

when I saw "dream achieved", I assumed Jarryd had changed sports again!

[emoji2]

[jimandr]

I was a bit disappointed there was no baseball on TV today, but on Sunday in the USA, football rules.

It was the last day of the regular season, and the wild cards were still up for grabs, so it would have been great viewing.

There are a number of possible cinderella stories, so it will be hard to decide which teams to cheer for. Texas and Washington have never won, Cleveland's drought goes back a long time, and Cubs have the most famous title drought in American Sport, back to 1908.

First wild card game is on Wednesday, our time.

[3Puttpete]

Go Twins!

[Jazz18]

Go Braves! Oh wait, they stink now don't they?

[Johnny Canuck]

Go Jays!

[jimandr]

It isn't looking good for your Jays, JC. Cleveland have a look about them that is very similar to Kansas of last year. Their lesser lights are producing with the bat, and their bullpen is very strong.

Having said that, baseball is proving to be its unpredictable self again. Pitchers hitting homers, pinch hitters hitting grand slams, star batters having slumps and unhittable pitchers getting hit.

Never give up is definitely the theme of this post-season so far.

I'm loving it.

[Johnny Canuck]

It isn't looking good for your Jays, JC. Cleveland have a look about them that is very similar to Kansas of last year. Their lesser lights are producing with the bat, and their bullpen is very strong.

Having said that, baseball is proving to be its unpredictable self again. Pitchers hitting homers, pinch hitters hitting grand slams, star batters having slumps and unhittable pitchers getting hit.

Never give up is definitely the theme of this post-season so far.

I'm loving it.

Cleveland have looked amazing, especially when you consider how much their rotation has been decimated by injury.

I've always liked the Tribe. If there is one club in the AL I wouldn't mind losing to, it is them.

[oldracer]

Now that my mob went out without even a whimper, an ideal WS would be the down and outs.....Tribe v Cubbies, either win would be massive in the home towns

[jimandr]

Now that my mob went out without even a whimper, an ideal WS would be the down and outs.....Tribe v Cubbies, either win would be massive in the home towns

You are getting your wish, OR.

This is the dream series for any baseball fan who doesn't have strong support for one team. Two teams that are built for underdog support, and either win will be a Cinderella Story.

The crowd atmosphere is always great at the World Series, but this one should be off the charts in both cities.

I think the Cubs are the better team (now their bats have woken up), but the Indians have been great all post-season. I've just tossed a coin, and it came up tails. So that means I'll cheer for Cleveland (so get your money on the Cubs).

[oldracer]

Going to be a cracker of a series Jim, cubs certainly worked Kershaw out today, going for the cubs cause it would be good for baseball and my american uncle Tom owns the team 8)

[jimandr]

The Cubs have made a fairly unlikely comeback, and now they appear to have the momentum in their favour. But Cleveland have their best pitchers available.

Even though I said earlier I didn't mind if either team won, I've actually been cheering for the Cubs.

It doesn't get much better than this though. Game 7, and you genuinely don't know which team is more likely to win.

[damoocow]

Are there any teams from outside the USA in the 'World Series'?

[benno_r]

Are there any teams from outside the USA in the 'World Series'?

The cream of the rest of the world are there:

Toronto BlueJays

[hacker]

Well that was a pretty good game.

[oldracer]

Well that was a pretty good game.yep great game great series, well done Cubbies

[Jazz18]

Finally got the chance to watch game 7. Haven't watched many games this year but that had to have been one of the best games I've seen in years! What a great game. Well done Cubs! Not a bad effort to be 3-1 down and win three in a row to clinch it. The last 2 on the road as well! Love it when National League beats American League too!

[jimandr]

New season starts tomorrow morning, our time. 3 games back to back to back on ESPN. With a lot of golf on tomorrow I won't watch it all, but the remote might get a workout.

Logic says the Cubs should go close again, but logic doesn't have much basis in the warped reality that is baseball. Red Sox should be very good, and the evil Yankees might go well, but that is a very difficult division.

I'll cheer for the teams I always cheer for, which as a general rule are the teams I've seen live. Go Cubs, Giants, White Sox, A's and Royals, but the last three aren't much chance, to be honest.

[jimandr]

So, the regular season is over.

For once, there was no surprise team winning its division, so the good teams have made the post-season and should beat the wild card teams. But, you never know.

I know of one Ozgolfer who will be most interested in the wild card playoff on Thursday morning, our time.

[3Puttpete]

Go Twins! It's a Richmond style rise to the top

[jimandr]

Another year passes, and this one is a disaster.

The western evil empire against one of the eastern evil empires. I guess baseball fans have been lucky in recent years that spending the most money on salaries has not been the magic formula for success. But that has changed this year.

I'm not sure who I want to win. The semi-ironic thing is that both teams are successful because of their home-grown guys being paid normal salaries, rather than the superstars they have bought because they can. If forced to pick a team I think I'll go for the Redsox, only because I like the Killer B's.

[JoeS]

It was good to see the Brewers being in the race,Astros put on a good show but the Red Sox have just been to good this season.I don't care who wins from here,would rather watch softball

Sent from my SM-J250G using Tapatalk

[KristianJ]

Dodgers win Game 3 3-2 in the bottom of the 18th. Almost 7 1/2 hours. According to some stats guy the whole 1939 World Series was done in less time. :lol:

[jimandr]

Dodgers win Game 3 3-2 in the bottom of the 18th. Almost 7 1/2 hours. According to some stats guy the whole 1939 World Series was done in less time. :lol:

Watched it all.

It was great for a while, but I was wishing it would end after about the 14th. It was a bit like watching a nil all soccer game in extra time. Please score!

[JoeS]

Fell asleep during the 12th.I played in a grand final that went 13 innings.Its ok if your playing,not much fun as a spectator if nothing is happening

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[jimandr]

So, in the end the least worst of the bad guys triumphed.

The Red Sox have been the best team all year, so they deserved their win. i still wish they had been knocked out earlier, though.

They will probably celebrate their win by signing Clayton Kershaw. Then I'll dislike them even more.

[3Puttpete]

They don’t mess around

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181029/be3df794d4ecf457c01d7752fffa4b29.jpg

[oldracer]

They don’t mess aroundhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181029/be3df794d4ecf457c01d7752fffa4b29.jpg No mucking about in Bean Town

[3Puttpete]

No mucking about in Bean Town

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181029/0ed7be3a64811cd92f6ef8e6fdfa5a71.jpg

Its magic even when it’s empty