Major League Baseball: 2012

[QUOTE=Lionsfan780;242950]Pretty suprised the Rangers swept the Red Sox, but it is a great way to start the season. Ian Kinsler is on fire, hopefully he can stay healthy this year.[/QUOTE] The Rangers always seem to play the Sox well, although I surely didn't expect a sweep. Actually, Clay pitched well today, but he made a few mistakes and they all cleared the outfield wall. It's off to Cleveland and then finally home. There's no place like home!

This title in the Globe had me cracking up this morning... [url=http://vevmo.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=9687][img]http://vevmo.com/imagehosting/14d99b27c7e9df.jpg[/img][/url] Classic, defeatist Red Sox humor with a hint of the morbid. Just like the good old days!

I just flipped on the Sox/Indians game. I don't care what number they end up reporting for attendance. There can't be more than 5,000 people there.

[QUOTE=RMD1;243086]Ouch. I have to wait to go to a Phillies game because they have been sold out for the most part.[/QUOTE] The last Red Sox game not to sell out was in 2003, so I know what you mean. Back to the Indians, there are about 15 or 20 fans that have entire sections to themselves, the upper deck isn't even being used outside first/third lines and there are maybe 100 people TOTAL in all the outfield bleacher seats, lol.

This is from the Boston Globe: [QUOTE]It's amazing how few people are in the ballpark right now, If there are 3,000-4,000 here, I'd be shocked.[/QUOTE] [url=http://vevmo.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=9698][img]http://vevmo.com/imagehosting/14d9bad2337f79.jpg[/img][/url] A sad state of affairs in Cleveland.

Haha. Love it. Sucks he has to be tossed out into the street at such a young age, but such is life. :D

[QUOTE=MF41590;243100]Who would of thought Boston would start out 0-4? I know Bacchus surely did not [/QUOTE] It's all about perspective. While it is unfortunate, I expect the Sox to lose at least 60 games. Might as well get a handful of those out of the system early.

[QUOTE=MF41590;243325]They are getting quite a few of those out of the system early! How worried are you about this start?[/QUOTE] Honestly, I'm not really that worried. They are like a Ferrari with the spark plugs firing out of sync. They are too good of a team to keep losing and they just need to find a rhythm and get themselves out of this hole. The real problem in my opinion falls on the skipper. He didn't play the starters enough during spring training and it shows. Sure, I know that the vets don't like 6 hour round trip bus rides everyday, but it necessary. These guys are basically two weeks behind the curve because they didn't get enough at bats to get their timing right and the pitchers didn't throw enough innings to get their endurance up. Lester looked great today and I am sure by the end of this month the Sox will be stringing along win streaks left and right. I'll be worried if they are more than 10 games out by the All Star break. Until then, I'm going to save all my worries for the Celtics and Bruins. :D

p.s. Why all this attention on the 3rd place AL East team from last year? You do know the last place team is in first this season and the first place team also doesn't have a win? Just saying... If the team that starts fastest out of the gate is assured the AL East title, we might as well crown the Orioles now! Haha.

[QUOTE=MF41590;243325]How worried are you about this start?[/QUOTE] Ok, I lied earlier. I'm not actually as nonchalant about it as stated before... In truth, I've cried myself to sleep each and every night over the last week. The only saving grace has been a "Teddy ball game" teddy bear that I got when I was 3 which I dug out of an attic cedar chest during a recent 2AM breakdown. He comforts me. :wink2:

[url=http://www.nesn.com/2011/04/manny-ramirez-retires-from-major-league-baseball.html]Manny Ramirez Retires From Major League Baseball[/url]

On a lighter note...I'm in stitches after watching Gonzo bunt. He was lumbering his way to first and nothing could be done. One of the slowest guys in baseball with a bunt single. I think he was making a statement. You play the shift on me, I'll bunt it down the third base line every time for the hit. I'm an athlete. I can actually bunt. p.s. That bunt lead to a run.

[url=http://youtu.be/3YKn53vWIHA]YouTube - The Wizard Of Oz - There's No Place Like Home[/url]

[QUOTE=MF41590;243501]Unfortunate ending to a terrific career. We will see him in the HOF 1st ballot I'd say.[/QUOTE] While his numbers scream first ballot HOF, the way he went out leaves those numbers open for interpretation, much like Barry Bonds.

[QUOTE=Xeri99;243508]I really dislike HoF voters. They are doing baseball a huge disservice by keeping some of the best players out (like my dawg, Mark McGwire, c'mon!)[/QUOTE] If Barry Bonds doesn't get into the HOF, it is highly unlikely that Big Mac will ever have his day in Cooperstown. Besides the juiced homerun totals, McGwire doesn't have hall of fame numbers. Heck, Mark Loretta has more hits than he does! He was a below average defensive first baseman and his postseason numbers are deplorable. Let's not forget, Roger Maris is not in the Hall and he held the single season homerun record for decades (McGwire's only claim to fame for three years.) I don't think McGwire will ever be inducted, first because as a whole his overall numbers are par for the course (beyond a PEDs inflated single stat) and secondly because of the taint he brought to the game. p.s. I remember an interview a long time ago with Barry Bonds in which he in his egotistical manner said he was the greatest left fielder ever to play the game, not even able to think of someone of comparable talent. That was the day I began hating him. Thus, I hope he goes down in flames at trial and never gets the votes needed to get into the HOF...

[QUOTE=tatertots;243523]Thank god this game is turning around. It was getting sad there for a moment.[/QUOTE] I'm the eternal optimist with a pessimistic front. Pedroia is carrying this team on his shoulders right now.