[Official] 2009 MLB Season Thread

[D-Man]

How wonderful it is to be a Yankee fan this year. Best record in Baseball. Little Steinbrenner controversy. It seems as if the New Yankee stadium was destined to host a World Series in its inaugural season. Now here's the question for me, would the victory in the ALCS be any better if it was Boston that had been defeated along the way? Either in the Divisional series or Championship series, it has always been a great battle between the two greatest rivals in sports (IMO). So for me the only thing that would've made the trip better would be getting to beat the Red Sox in the post season.

It's always better to defeat a rival team in the playoffs like a scene out of a movie. However, this season was all about beginning a new legacy at the new stadium.

Many people thought building a new stadium would tarnish the Yankees legacy and break their lucky streak of being (historically) the greatest team in baseball. This year's team combined their strong bullpen, golden gloves and power hitters to rise above the controversy and take the pennant. And the new stadium will (hopefully) witness their first celebration of a World Series victory.

 

[NSL]

Can we get my Yankees/Phillies thread re-opened now?

As far as the Yankees...I'm OK with them being there. If my team (Mets) aren't in it, I like to see teams that haven't been there in a while, and for the first time since '96, that can be said about the Yankees. I don't really want either team to win, but I'll back the Yankees, if only because we don't play them head-to-head as much as the Phils, and because they haven't won one in a while.

 

[X]

We sure can NSL, I'm going to merge this thread with it.

I for one am rooting for the Phillies all the fucking way. As TM so eloquently put it, fuck the Yankees. I'd love to see the Phillies sweep them and laugh in New York fans faces, and ask them "So how did BUYING your team work this year?"

 

[NSL]

I for one am rooting for the Phillies all the fucking way. As TM so eloquently put it, fuck the Yankees. I'd love to see the Phillies sweep them and laugh in New York fans faces, and ask them "So how did BUYING your team work this year?"

No matter how much I hate both teams, I can never root for the Phillies. I can at least justify rooting for the Yankees by being a homer, and by what I said earlier...They haven't had a legit shot since '03, so it's nice to see a fairly new contender in it. I don't want it to be a "classic" series, but 7 games would be nice, with both teams scoring about 10 runs per game. Make it a truly awful series, with the Yankees getting the win.

 

[BooCocky]

I would love to see Pedro start game two in NY, but I don't see that happening. Pitching will be the story of this series, and this is why the Yankees win.

You got your wish. Pedro is scheduled to start game two. I don't like the move but O well. Anyways, I will not be watching this world series, I hate both teams, and if a series could end in a tie this would be the one I want to end in that tie. I do think the Yankees are going to win because of the back end of there bullpen. Lidge is iffy, and no one else on that team is a proven closer. Mariano is practically un-hittable in these situations. I say Yankees win in 7...

 

[NSL]

I heard he was hired yesterday as the manager of the Indians, and I'm left shaking my head...He was good as a 3rd Base Coach...There's no denying that. As a manager though, he's been less than impressive. Sure, the Nationals weren't exactly lighting it up before he got there, but he didn't improve them at all. They had a core of young guys, with a few veterans sprinkled in, and he never really took the team as his own.

In Cleveland, he's stepping into the same situation. I don't know he's supposed to handle a team that has fallen apart the way they have, and made some of the stupid moves they have over the years. I'm sure he'll help them avoid the Royals' Territory, but I don't think they'll be any closer to competing.

I want to know what happened that Valentine and Fryman fell through...

 

[D-Man]

"So how did BUYING your team work this year?"

I love this argument... typical Yankee-hater. I don't claim to be a baseball or sports expert or anything, but how do you think they got all that money?? It's not my fault that your favorite team hasn't dominated baseball for more years in the past century than any other team in baseball, thus earning them enough money to buy a great team.

 

[X]

I love this argument... typical Yankee-hater.

Damn right, and proud of it.

I don't claim to be a baseball or sports expert or anything, but how do you think they got all that money?? It's not my fault that your favorite team hasn't dominated baseball for more years in the past century than any other team in baseball, thus earning them enough money to buy a great team.

A) My team actually has quite a bit of money. The Red Sox. Are you surprised I hate the Yankees?

B) Red Sox have been the best franchise of this decade in the MLB. Unless of course the Phillies win the WS this year, in which case a serious argument could be made for them.

C) When you bid millions and millions of dollars higher than any other team could afford, and buy up literally every single Type A free agent, yeah, I call that buying your team. Picking up a few free agents is no big deal, but signing every single top talent in the offseason to INSANE contracts (and overpaying the fuck out of them; i.e. AJ Burnett) is just sad. Atleast A-Rod has delivered for them this year though.

And finally, once again...FUCK THE YANKEES.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

I love this argument... typical Yankee-hater. I don't claim to be a baseball or sports expert or anything, but how do you think they got all that money?? It's not my fault that your favorite team hasn't dominated baseball for more years in the past century than any other team in baseball, thus earning them enough money to buy a great team.

This is one of those things D-Man and I perpetually disagree on. He's a Yankee fan. I think the Yankees can eat a dick for all I care, because I am a Mets fan. Though I am rooting for the Yankees in the series, because, as I said on Facebook earlier, I'd rather have my eyes shut by jalepeno glue than root for a team from Philly.

But facts are facts, D-Man. The Yankees missed the playoffs last season, so to remedy the situation, did they work harder in spring training? Make a trade? Call up some top prospects? Nope, they went out and made a series of free agent purchases that were the largest in history. They bought Sabbathia, Teixeira, and Burnett JUST to be safe. As Mike & Mike said it this morning on the radio, half of the teams in MLB couldn't afford ONE of those free agents. Tha Yanks bought all three.

That having been said, I have no "problem" with it, per se. I am a Libertarian, thus a capitalist. The rules of baseball state that there is no salary cap. The Yankees have money. They are permitted to spend it. If their ticket prices get too high for people to pay, then those people need to stop going to games so the prices get lowered. Simple supply and demand, and I am fine with business taking its course.

But if the Yanks do win the series this year, it should be the most muted celebration in Yankees history, because it was a free agent win. Unlike 1996-2000, which were wins made possible by great coaching and managing and a terrific farm system with TIMELY free agent signings.

Yankee fans have no right to get indignant when somebody accuses them of buying the World Series. It's what your team did. Yankee fans don't have thre right to celebrate a title the way an Oakland A's fan would, or a Pittsburgh Pirates fan would. They don't have the right. You wanna root for a team that buys free agents every year? You get everything that comes with it, including jealous fans who see that the victory was purchased, not earned.

 

[CH David]

Well, as this World Series doesn't really pertain to me, I won't watch most of it, probably due to me being at work. But I will keep up on it because, well come on, I love baseball and it is the World Series. Personally I want the Phillies to win. Why? Well for starters, it is the Yankees, you either love them or you hate them. I am the latter. Secondly, the Phillies are my favorite NL team. So why does this not pertain to me? I don't actively look their status up or see if they win or not. I'm a casual fan, and if they win awesome, if they lose no sweat. But now I'm pulling for them. Perhaps having the first repeat since the Yankees did it at the end of the 90s.

Side note: damn you D-Man and X. Go to my greatest rivalry thread if you want to argue Red Sox vs. Yankees.

 

[RVDgurl]

I for one am rooting for the Phillies all the fucking way. As TM so eloquently put it, fuck the Yankees. I'd love to see the Phillies sweep them and laugh in New York fans faces, and ask them "So how did BUYING your team work this year?"

I am going to do something I never do: back a hometown team. I'm officially a Phillies fan...at least for the World Series. I am also a Yankee haters, as I am an Orioles fan so the Yankees and Red Sox are automatic enemies. And I don't necessarily hate the Phillies, so I'll support them.

 

[BooCocky]

This thread is cracking me up. Anyways, when you want top talent and you have the money to pay for it, I don't really see a problem with it. Why would you let the competition get something you want? The Yankees just minimize the headaches by simply overpaying for type A free agents. Like I said earlier I will not be watching but I might watch game two because I want to hear Pedro call the Yankees his daddy, again. I am a fan of the David and Goliath type world series where one team has a forty million dollar payroll and the opponent has a 200 million dollar one. This world series doesn't have that. Which is why I won't be watching. Give me a 2-1 pitching duel over a 6-3 ball game any day of the week...

 

[Shocky]

As Becker said, I won't be watching this world series. I don't think anyone outside of the northeast corridor gives a shit about this world series. Yeah, the WS will get a nice little boost in the ratings, but that has everything to do with the 20 Million people in New York watching then anything else.

Also what Becker said, I'm hoping that if a World Series could end in a tie, this would be it. If I were to hope one team wins, easily the Phillies. The Yankees can go ahead and buy another world series, the rest of the country doesn't care.

 

[Theo Mays]

This is the WS I predicted would happen this year. And now I'm looking forward to seeing it happen. These teams can score, they can pitch, and they can field. This series is gonna be fun, full of runs, and full of excitement. I'll obviously backing my Philadelphia Phillies for their quest for a repeat. I can't wait for the game tonight, as I'm crazy excited for this series. GO PHILS!!!!

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

I am going to do something I never do: back a hometown team. I'm officially a Phillies fan...at least for the World Series. I am also a Yankee haters, as I am an Orioles fan so the Yankees and Red Sox are automatic enemies. And I don't necessarily hate the Phillies, so I'll support them.

You will root for the Phillies if you want to remain friends, plus the Yankees are your beloved Orioles rival and you think Jason Werth is hot. It's a no brainer.
I think the series will be low scoring, which apparently is not what anyone else thinks. It's cold out, for baseball anyway. Cold weather=low scoring games. Plus both teams do have good pitching. Low scoring games will make me happy, I enjoy pitching duels better than slug fests.
Go Phillies, it will be a good series.

 

[Theo Mays]

What a game by the Phils tonight. So glad we landed Cliff Lee, guy has been straight up dealing. Not gonna get over confident, the Yanks can easily win game 2 and make this bad boy a series. Pedro pitching tomorrow night, I like it. He was dealing against the Dodgers and looked really good. Should be a good game tomorrow night.

 

[CH David]

Jesus Christ the World Series is less important than I thought, even with the Yankees in it. No one is posting about Game 2? I didn't even see it and I'm going to post. Just read up on it.

So, Yankees win Game 2 by a score of 3-1. Burnett pitched a good game, just a little better than Pedro. Teixeira and Matsui both hit the long ball, and Matt Stairs had an RBI single for the Phillies only run. A-Rod is now 0-8, and Rivera had a 6 out save. But of course, it is the World Series. There needs to be controversy right? While we would rather it be with the players have a good rivalry or trash talk, no, it has to be the umps.

Missing two calls adding to the abismal October they have had. One was in favor of each team. However, it seems that the miss in favor of the Yankees was more publicized in what I have read. I guess the deal was top 8, 1 out, 1st and 2nd with Utley to bat. Double play ball, but Utley beats it out, yet is called out. Actually I did see the replay last night at work, and he was safe, and the Yankees got the beneficial call. This potentially could have put runners at 1st and 3rd, 2 out, and Ryan Howard up against Rivera. Odds are Howard would have made an out, due to Rivera absolutely owning lefties, but the opportunity to find out is there.

So the umpires are now under even more scrutiny, Selig is getting more shit for not using replay, and fans are just being restless. Game 3 tomorrow night.

 

[X]

This is invariably what ends up happening when everyone's favorite teams don't make it to the big game David, you can only expect it. I watched a good chunk of Game 2, because I'm a huge Pedro fan, and he patched damn good for them. Phillies just couldn't get enough offense to win the game, it's a shame too, Pedro did everything they could ask from him. Well, almost everything.

Series tied 1-1, I've still got my money on the Phillies in seven. Let's go Phils!

 

[JBK2008]

I really think we'll get our first 7 game series for the first time in years! CC will pitch 3 times in this series and i wouldn't be surprised if Lee or Hamels comes back on sort rest. Howard and Utley will really have to pick it up after game 3. The Yankees aren't going to risk a close game with their bullpen, so the Phillies really got to get the bats going. They managed to take 1 in New York, they have to win the next 2 in Philly to stand a chance now.

 

[Theo Mays]

I still have faith in the Phils to win these next two at home. Losing right now at 4-2, but still plenty of time for the bats to get some runs on the board. If we lose tonight I can't imagine it going more than 6 games. GO PHILS!!!!!

 

[stingerlegends]

It suffered a big blow last year when the Aramis Ramirez won it for the NL, but it has completely lost its final shred of relevance now that Derek Jeter has won it for the AL. The Hank Aaron Awards is supposed to go the the BEST offensive player in each league, which Jeter CLEARLY was not. Nor was Aramis in the NL last year.

Anyone dare to disagree?

 

[Stormtrooper]

The award is only 10 years old, so some could argue that it didn't have much relevance to lose......

I wouldn't say the award lost all relevance, for a number of reasons. I will assume that you are of the belief that the award should have gone to Joe Mauer of the Twins, and will base my reasons off of that, because he is the only other person who is logical for the award (and is a well-deserving candidate as well, and my reasons are not in attempt to dis-credit Mauer, just to support the Yankee Shortstop)

• I do not know why people forget this, but Joe Mauer missed the first month of the season. When a player misses time, their average (the main number people look at for Mauer) will fluctuate a little more. Less At Bats=more fluctuation of the average. Derek Jeter had 111 more At Bats then Mauer (634-523), and 110 more Plate Appearances (716-606)

• Hitting is about more then average. Jeter out-hit Mauer 212-191, out-scored him 107-94. Jeter also had an EXCELLENT .334 batting average (3rd in the AL behind Mauer and Ichiro), so while Mauer a ridiculous .365 average, Jeter didn't do himself a dis-service by hitting "only" .334.

This is a link the the stats that I mentioned above.

now for the most important reason.............

• 30% of the award is voted on by THE FANS. Fans will vote for Jeter before they vote for Mauer, because Derek Jeter plays for the Yankees, and because everybody loves Derek Jeter. Also, the Fans will choose Jeter because he has had a better CAREER, and while the award doesn't call for that, fans are (for the most part) stupid.
• Also, the award is not supposed to be associated with team success, but some stupid people still will look at that. Jeter was one of (if not the) best hitter in the American League, and he played on the best team in the AL (and in MLB). Mauer was one of the best hitters, but on a team that only made the playoffs because their rival stopped playing the week before the season ended, and once they got there, he (along with the rest of his team) was terrible in the playoffs (to Derek Jeter's Yankees no less).

To say that Jeter winning the Hand Aaron award means that the award has no relevance is VERY unfair to the Yankee Shortstop. Were other people qualified, yes, but Derek Jeter was just as qualified.

Now if Jeter wins the MVP, then we have a problem. Joe Mauer better win the MVP over him, because Mauer was IMMENSELY more VALUABLE to his team then Jeter. But I am not surprised that they did give one award to the Hall-of-Fame bound Jeter, he deserves one after the year he had.

 

[stingerlegends]

Well, you're not exactly against me, so....

You are right about my belief that Mauer should have gotten the award. I think it is absurd though to give an award to somebody based on how popular they are, or how good their career has been, or what team they play for, which you agree with me that those should NOT be considered when deciding this award.

But if you are giving a BEST OF award to the second best player or worse, that is just plain wrong. It should go to the BEST. Period.

Besides, if Mauer played 153 games, as Jeter did, he would also have 212 hits. And doing that while batting third in the lineup is a bit tougher than when you hit lead-off or second. Add to that fact that teams pitch around Mauer more than they do Jeter, and the only thing Jeter is doing better than Mauer at is stealing bases.

 

[48.7 is Approximately 49 Times Better Than You]

(I know he already did, but just go with me.)

He's on a bad team. That's what everyone would tell me. Ichiro consistently hits .330-.330, is at the top of the league in runs scored, stolen bases, hits, and is an gold glove winner eight years running. So why can't he win MVP? This year will be Joe Mauer's year. But, Ichiro's numbers in most categories exceed Mauer's. Joe Mauer was the majority reason for his team's postseason birth, but if you take Ichrio off the Mariners, they drop from a team over .500 to something around the level of the Washington Nationals. This question extends further than just Ichiro. Why can't you be MVP on a team that doesn't make the playoffs?

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Valuable. That's the key term. It doesn't say "best player" or "most statistically superior."

Is not the goal of every team in Major League Baseball to WIN games and ultimately WIN the World Series? If a player is awesome but his team sucks...how valuable is that player to said team? The player is not very valuable if the goal is to win.