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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Oct 12, 2012 23:08:36 GMT -5
I was very happy with the O's performance, right down to the last gasp. They remind me of the Rangers, about 4-5 years ago. The big names were gone and the club had added a few from the farm, two or three from other clubs (where they were good, but not consistent), put them together and they clicked as a team. A few adjustments along the way (got rid of one terrible owner), added an awesome owner and they were in the playoffs. The O's have history which the Rangers lack and a larger fan base than the Rangers because of the history. O's fans hoped for a season like this, but I suspect the O's went much farther than any of us believed. I think they will be stronger next year, because as a team they never quit. I'm sorry they lost to the Yankees. The Yankees weren't able to shut them out; they had to fight hard to win. If it had been a 7 game series, I think the O's might have prevailed. I'm totally cheering for the Tigers.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 13, 2012 0:03:34 GMT -5
Well, it's been a long an depressing day for area baseball fans. The Os loss was tough, but they battled all the way and never let up. The Nats, I'm sorry to say, took a 6-0 lead and blew it, choked in the late innings and their pitching staff totally panicked and cracked up. The Os looked like they belonged on the big stage and were every inch a match for the Yankees. The Nats never quite did all week and especially didn't tonight. It was the most painful sort of loss because, giving all due credit to the Cardinals, which they deserve, the Nats were not so much beaten as they beat themselves. It was actually painful to watch.
I'm now looking to the Detroit Tigers to deliver us once more from the Beast of the Big Apple. If they can do that, I'll get a lot more enjoyment out of the rest of the postseason. Giants and Cards ought to be a good series.
As to my now lost "Beltway Series," maybe next year.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 14, 2012 9:07:29 GMT -5
By now you all know my approach to the Yankees, but I was really sad for Derek Jeter and the Yankees last night when Jeter broke his ankle. Regardless of who we root for or against, you have to like and respect guys like Jeter and Cal Ripken, who are real throwbacks to an earlier era of baseball. They are both "iron men," played their entire careers with one team, show up every day and give 110% and wouldn't know how to do it any other way. They are also two of the greatest players of their era. I wish Jeter well, a speedy recovery, and another great season next year. It's just not the same without a competitor like him on the other side. I have to give it to the Yanks; they've had their share of setbacks and devastating injuries this year, and have still made it to the ALCS. Last night's game was exciting and it promises to be a good series, but somehow it won't be the same with Jeter out. NONETHELESS -- I wouldn't count those Bronx devils out of it yet!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 14, 2012 20:38:54 GMT -5
People laughed me off when I offered a long-shot bet on the Cards repeating several weeks ago. Well, it's way too soon to gloat, but no one' laughing anymore! We could have a rerun of the 1968 and 2006 Series before all is said and done.
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Post by loucapitano on Oct 20, 2012 13:05:28 GMT -5
Allen, your kind words about Jeter are really appreciated by this now suffering Yankee fan. But, if anyone can fully recover, it's the Jete! We'll see him next year. What we hope not to see next year is the bunch of bums with the 178 post season batting average. I can't believe my prediction of last spring that the Yanks inability to score RISP was going to kill them in the playoffs. I'm no prophet, but they didn't have to take me so seriously. The slide started when they blew the 10 game lead in the AL East. With Tampa and Baltimore nipping at their feet, they froze. The great Yankee teams of the past would never allow that. But this year, who knew? Imagine if two or three of these stiffs had batted for average, how different the season would be. Anyway, I'll root for the Tigers who knew how to put us out of our misery. Their manager is a real class act and I was touched by his comments on Jeter. ;D Now the World Series, but first, let's take care of some football this weekend. Jets at NE and Redskins at Giants. These teams always play tough - so don't believe the point spreads. Well it was a great season. How many days til "pitchers and catchers?"
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 20, 2012 16:18:38 GMT -5
Lou - You'll be happy to learn that one of baseball's most respected writers, Tom Boswell, agrees with you 100% in his Washington Post column today: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/yankees-learn-their-moneys-no-good-in-mlb-playoffs/2012/10/19/bc32a5ac-1a2f-11e2-bd10-5ff056538b7c_story.htmlThese high-paid Yanks have bombed in the post season for 3 straight years. The NY Times also has a similar article today (online edition) that says the old Yankees standard of "win the Series or your a total failure" is gone or will have to be shelved for a few years. While they are far from the disaster area at Fenway Park, the Yanks need to rebuild too. Some players are either old or soon will be. My hope is that the amazing season the Orioles had is just the beginning and that we could have a real pennant race next year involving the Os, Rays, maybe the Jays and, yes, even the Yanks. As to the upcoming Series, once again I have no dog in the fight, so I'm looking forward to sitting back and just enjoying the games, hopefully as much as I did last year. You are right about Leland; a class act and it's even hard for a Yankees fan to hold anything against a team like Detroit right now; they earned their way in and then some. I'm glad the Giants bounced back behind Zito last night and that we have a real series now. I hope it goes 7 games and may the best team win, although I'd be hard pressed to say which of them it is; you have the last two World Champs playing each other here. However, after watching the Cardinals during the last two seasons and post seasons, I would never count them out! Especially if they should, at some point, be down to their last strike. As both the Rangers and Nats learned, that is when St. Louis is most dangerous! Now, Play Ball!!!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 23, 2012 20:06:53 GMT -5
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 29, 2012 22:54:04 GMT -5
Thus, does another baseball season (sadly) come to an end. I think many teams gave their fans a great time, lots of excitement, despite many dashed hopes, and reason to look forward to next year. Personally, I had my eye so glued to the two Eastern Division races, that I didn't pay enough attention to teams like the Giants, Oakland, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do to rebuild an aging lineup. I don't think it's something they can do this time by making a few key trades or free agent signings. Next year may give other AL East teams a chance to shine, including (hopefully) the Orioles. The Nats learned a very bitter lesson about post season play and will be more seasoned if they get there again next year. No one around here can complain about their season; few really expected them to go all the way and most of us thought they had a good shot at the playoffs, but no more. I expect them to be a factor for quite a while.
And now -- only a few more months until pitchers and catchers report to spring training and we hear again the cry "play ball!"
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Oct 30, 2012 12:37:00 GMT -5
I still have three more Sunday NASCAR races to enjoy before my sports season ends (Texas, Phoenix and Miami) ... at least till Daytona in February (about the time pitchers and catchers report for spring training. It will be interesting to see what happens to Texas, Boston and the Yankees during the "Hot Stove Season." I keep expecting to see an announcement that Dice-K has been released, but nothing yet. I have to say it was great to see the Nats give it a run. And, hey, if Boston wasn't a factor, then why not root for the O's. They gave it a good run, indeed.
The Giants again caught us easterners napping. When everybody thought the Rangers would win all a couple of years ago, the Giants pitching shut down the Rangers' bats. They did that again this year against the Tigers.
So, let the horse trading begin, with an eye to "next year". At least the Yankees won't be hanging another banner up in their stadium for 2012, and that is something to rejoice over.
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 30, 2012 16:20:08 GMT -5
There may be some interesting moves over the off season. I think management will want to give Farrell a free hand and make the moves he wants to. Dice-K's fate may be tied up in that for now, but I'd think Boston has had enough of him and his bloated pay check.
No offense to Yankee fans, but I think baseball would benefit from at least a short decline in their dominance, like the post-1964 period. Other teams would have achance to shine and their fans a reason to get more involved. The young Nats and Os will be back and I might get my Beltway Series eventually! But, next year, I'm going to pay more attention to those western teams, especially the Giants, and I'd never count the Cardinals out.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Oct 30, 2012 20:17:46 GMT -5
The Cards always seem to be in it at season's end. The Giants, however, seem to come out of nowhere to dominate the final show. At least in two fo the last three Series. Amazing.
I see where the ChiSox did not exercise its options on Youk and are letting him test Free Agency. Wouldn't it be a hoot of Boston didn't resign him? Stranger things have happened, and the source of his displeasure is now gone. Who knows?
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 31, 2012 12:24:12 GMT -5
Could be some interesting player moves this winter. Stay tuned!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Dec 29, 2012 18:03:50 GMT -5
Soon.
Very soon.
We'll be awaking this sleeping thread (well, actually, creating a new one, I'm sure) with visions of grandeur once again.
Paul
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 29, 2012 23:23:43 GMT -5
An-Tic-I-PATION! Can't wait!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Dec 30, 2012 20:02:59 GMT -5
Me, too.
Bring it on .....
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