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AL East
Jun 26, 2011 13:40:29 GMT -5
Post by loucapitano on Jun 26, 2011 13:40:29 GMT -5
I'm a Yankee fan since 1977 (since the Mets became pathetic) The AL East is always close, because the teams come out to "play real baseball!" When you want to see how baseball should be played, watch the AL East. This year, the Yanks will remain in it but deep down, I suspect the World Series will go to Boston and Philadelphia, with the Philies winning in 6 games. On paper, each team seems like they should never lose a game for the rest of the season. Their destiny is in their own hands. Why don't I think the Yankees will pull it out? Too many runners left in scoring position. It's like a disease in the Bronx. Bases loaded, no outs, top of the batting order coming to the plate against a struggling pitcher and what do you see? An infield pop-up and a double play. Ouch!!! I know it happens to all teams, but the Yankees are making it SOP this season.
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AL East
Jun 26, 2011 17:33:25 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 26, 2011 17:33:25 GMT -5
Well, we'll get a good preview of the series, then, tomorrow when Boston plays the Phils; Josh Beckett vs. Cliff Lee. Should be a humdinger!
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AL East
Jul 4, 2011 16:12:11 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 4, 2011 16:12:11 GMT -5
Can anyone explain the reason for John Lackey or the mental illness that possessed the Red Sox not only to acquire this loser but keep in the rotation longer than 3 weeks? ?
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AL East
Jul 11, 2011 14:04:02 GMT -5
Post by Hiram on Jul 11, 2011 14:04:02 GMT -5
Does anyone believe Jeter has a chance to surpass Pete Rose's hit total of 4,256? I doubt that anyone would, I know I don't believe he will. So why bring up what appears to be a moot question? Derek Jeter recorded his 3,0000 hit seven days younger than Rose was when he recorded the same milestone. At age 41, Rose played in 162 games for the Phillies, the man was absolutely resilient, and got better as he got older. His absence from Cooperstown is an absolute joke as far as I'm concerned.
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AL East
Jul 11, 2011 14:47:36 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 11, 2011 14:47:36 GMT -5
Agree completely on Rose, although I never liked him as a person. I doubt Jeter will come close to that total. What I did find interesting was that Jeter is the first Yankee player to reach the 3,000 hit mark. Kind of astonishing when you think about it!
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AL East
Jul 11, 2011 23:13:30 GMT -5
Post by Hiram on Jul 11, 2011 23:13:30 GMT -5
147 pitching starts for Babe Ruth kept him out of the 3,000 hit club; Gehrig if not for ALS would have hit 3,000; DiMaggio would have had a good shot at it if not for three seasons lost to military service; three of the greatest Yankees were catchers (Dickey, Berra, Munson) and no catcher has ever recorded 3,000 hits, although Craig Biggio had over 400 starts as a catcher. With the rise of free agency and the Steinbrenner era, very few Yankee stars have been raised on the farm, Jeter being the most notable exception. It will interesting to watch Cano, with 1100+ hits after 6 1/2 seasons, I think he has a good shot at 3,000 although it's tough to accurately predict for batters under age 30.
BTW, the team with the most 3,000 hit members? The Pittsburgh Pirates.
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AL East
Jul 12, 2011 7:28:37 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 12, 2011 7:28:37 GMT -5
Worth noting that Jeter and Ripken both came out of their team's farm system and spent their entire careers with one team and both had 3,000 hits. That's not going to happen much anymore. Good points on the 3,000 hit club; same applies to Ted Williams, who did two terms in the military. Hard to believe only 28 players have reached this milestone.
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AL East
Jul 12, 2011 14:04:00 GMT -5
Post by loucapitano on Jul 12, 2011 14:04:00 GMT -5
I was at a golf outing in Pennsylvania and missed Jeter's 3000th hit, but a super Phillies friend showed it to me on his phone. I stayed up half the night watching ESPN repeat it over and over. It's another achievement for a man who will waltz into the Hall of Fame. I can't believe I've watched his magic since 1995. What a class act! Whether he was hosting Saturday Night Live or spinning around to catch a runner at first, Derek always put the Team and the Game first. I don't know who will follow and be #29; I just hope he has the class that guys like Jeter and Ripkin bring to the table. What other milestones is Jeter capable of? Maybe a few more Rings. He says he wants 10 like Yogi. Not too likely. Father Time can be cruel and no team is going to role over for the Yankees. Tonight's the All-Star Game that I'm not sure I'll watch. But it does give a lot of guys a few days off for R & R so the rest of the Season should be a GAS!!!!!!
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AL East
Jul 12, 2011 15:25:12 GMT -5
Post by Hiram on Jul 12, 2011 15:25:12 GMT -5
I've been a fan of baseball since I was five years old; the love of the game was handed down to me by my maternal grandfather, who taught me (among other things) to hate the uniform, not the player; meaning you can root against a team, e.g. the Yankees, but you really can't root against a player the caliber of a DiMaggio, or a Mantle, or a Munson, or a Jeter.
So, as a dedicated Cardinals/Orioles fan, I robustly wish the worst for the Yankees as a team, but also acknowledge and appreciate the talents of a player like Derek Jeter. For me, the single play that defines Jeter is the foul pop-up that he caught during a game against the Red Sox in July 2004 in which he made the play and then with his momentum driving him forward, flew headfirst into the first row of seats down the 3rd base line. He suffered several cuts on his face but finished the game on the field with yet another "W" versus the Red Sox; more importantly, he made the play when it needed to be made, showing no regard for his own body. In other words, we have a superstar at the height of his ability, playing for one of the marquee franchises, who is more than willing to put the interest of the team above his own self-interests. That is a rare commodity these days.
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AL East
Jul 14, 2011 18:10:11 GMT -5
Post by loucapitano on Jul 14, 2011 18:10:11 GMT -5
I like the idea of hating the uniform, but not the player. It's nice to see a loyale Oriole fan, even if you're not in Baltimore. I wish Baltimore was the worthy opponent that used to give the Yankees so much pain. The road to the Penant used to always be through Baltimore when they had Carl and Boog and the rest. I really hoped they would recover some of their glory this year, but it takes time to rebuild. Us Jeter fans in NY agree that the foul-ball pop-up against the Red Sox was a defining moment in a career full of defining moments. That flip at homeplate against the A's also stands out. The museum in the new Yankee Stadium has a section dedicated to the "Jeter Era" along side walls for the Mantle, DiMaggio and Ruth Eras. It contains the five World Series Trophys and a bunch of other stuff. Come to NY, I'd be glad to show it to you. Thanks for sharing your recollections and all the good work you do for the Forum.
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AL East
Jul 14, 2011 19:48:28 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 14, 2011 19:48:28 GMT -5
Lou, I recall so vividly my many days and evening in Memorial Stadium during the Orioles halcyon days under Weaver. Without the bankroll the Yankees had, they still battled the Bronxers down to the wire every year. Many times the O's came up only a game short or so and would have been the wild card for years, had it existed at that time. I was in favor of the wild card once playoffs were instituted because I thought it was only fair. Every year, division winners with far lesser records than the 2nd place O's had accumulated went to the playoffs while the Birds stayed home. Still, those few trips to the Series were all the more special and exciting, win or lose, because we know they were rare and should be savored, not expected. Individually, I have admired many Yankees (Dave Winfield particularly comes to mind; Reggie Jackson does not, but Jeter certainly does), but as an organization I've always resented them.
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AL East
Jul 17, 2011 12:24:33 GMT -5
Post by loucapitano on Jul 17, 2011 12:24:33 GMT -5
It's easy to resent the Yankees with all their history, money and prestige. But there are always a glut of Minor and Major League players who wish they could someday wind up on the Yankees. Personally, I prefer the Home Grown Jeters, Posadas, Riveras, Canos and the current crop on the field and bullpen. As we know, every team that trades for players will often get as many turkeys as eagles. But, that's part of the guessing game the fans share each spring. Now we see what crucial or idiotic trades teams will make before the July deadline. Personally, I think the Yankees should stay pat and wait for the injuries to heal. The Mets are a different story as they still struggle to maintain .500. I watched them beat the Phillies yesterday to a humiliating 11 - 2 drubbing. And they did it without Reyes, although his glove was missed during a few plays. I still think the Yankees leave too many baserunners and the pennant is for Boston to lose. I expect the season to really tighten up and there are still some surprises out there, especially in the NL. Now can we get back to the Alamo?!?!?!
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AL East
Aug 23, 2011 14:13:42 GMT -5
Post by markpatrus on Aug 23, 2011 14:13:42 GMT -5
GO BRAVES!!!!!
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AL East
Aug 23, 2011 17:53:30 GMT -5
Post by Allen Wiener on Aug 23, 2011 17:53:30 GMT -5
I've been watching and my prediction is that the Phillies should, and probably will, win it all this year. The Red Sox will make it to the playoffs, but won't be there long. When Lackey and Wakefield are still in the rotation, and the team's hitting is so sporadic, they just ain't got it. It'll probably be the Yankees (again) and more heartburn for guys like me. I've heard a couple of commentators whining about all the hard luck the Yanks have had, but I notice they've got the 2nd best record in the majors and seem to be rolling over everyone, including many teams the Red Sox can't buy a win from. Although the Yanks have only beaten the Sox once all year, I don't see that as a pattern that will extend into the post season. The other teams that will be in the playoffs always present the possibility of an unlikely winner (I regarded the Giants as such last year), but probably long shots.
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AL East
Sept 16, 2011 14:01:55 GMT -5
Post by Paul Sylvain on Sept 16, 2011 14:01:55 GMT -5
... The Red Sox will make it to the playoffs ... I'm not so sure about that anymore, Allen. They're sinking faster than the Titanic took on water after hitting the iceberg. I have only three words for this sad state of affairs in Red Sox Nation: "LET'S GO RANGERS!" ;D Paul
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