Baseball

[Kalevala]

Technically, I don't think the catcher counts as an infielder.

In my family there was a yearly trip to a baseball game for me and my cousins. We alternated, Mets one year, Yankees the next. Tickets were purchased months in advance. By some bizarre coincidence, we attended the first Yankee game after Munson was killed in an airplane crash. There was a spontaneous, extended standing ovation for Munson. We saw Reggie Jackson wipe a tear from his eye. We could only speculate whether it was grief at Munson's passing, or grief that the crowd was cheering for someone other than him. The Yankees lost 1-0, if I recall right.

Oh, those must have been cool trips for you and your cousins--with the exception of the Munson one of course--which was memorable in its own way.

The only professional baseball game that I've ever seen was the Yankees vs. the Kansas City Royals with the Yankees losing to them 3-0.

K

[ando]

Technically, I don't think the catcher counts as an infielder.

In my family there was a yearly trip to a baseball game for me and my cousins. We alternated, Mets one year, Yankees the next. Tickets were purchased months in advance. By some bizarre coincidence, we attended the first Yankee game after Munson was killed in an airplane crash. There was a spontaneous, extended standing ovation for Munson. We saw Reggie Jackson wipe a tear from his eye. We could only speculate whether it was grief at Munson's passing, or grief that the crowd was cheering for someone other than him. The Yankees lost 1-0, if I recall right.

Wow, good story.

But the catcher seems pivotal to any well performing infield, imo. I've always viewed the position its real leader.

[Kalevala]

How clean do you guys think that baseball is these days?

K

Thoughts?

K

[ando]

Thoughts?

K

They pay umps to figure that out, dude. 

It seems less of a real issue this year (maybe cause no one was caught!).

[Kalevala]

They pay umps to figure that out, dude. 

It seems less of a real issue this year (maybe cause no one was caught!).

I was thinking more of players using banned substances, but yes, there are all kinds of ways to cheat!  And it's "Dudette" by the way.    

K

Edit:  I meant to also ask whether or not we've heard how Ohtani is doing?  I know that they were going to run some tests on his shoulder.

[Brian]

I was thinking more of players using banned substances, but yes, there are all kinds of ways to cheat!  And it's "Dudette" by the way.    

K

Edit:  I meant to also ask whether or not we've heard how Ohtani is doing?  I know that they were going to run some tests on his shoulder.

Last I heard, Ohtani is going through more tests now but they are optimistic he might be able to play tomorrow. Partially dislocated shoulder was the diagnosis this morning.

I think baseball is in an unusually clean era at the moment. Some players still get busted for drugs (like Fernando Tatis Jr on San Diego) but only 3-4 a year and usually not major leaguers. Pitchers have stopped using "sticky stuff" to get a better grip on the ball and there is scientific evidence for that, with decreased spin rates (rpm) on the pitches being thrown.

The real danger with all sports nowadays is the Pete Rose problem. Earlier this year several baseball players were disciplined for betting, and a basketball player was banned for life because he told friends when he was injured before he told his own coaches, so they could go bet that he wouldn't be playing that night!

[Kalevala]

Last I heard, Ohtani is going through more tests now but they are optimistic he might be able to play tomorrow. Partially dislocated shoulder was the diagnosis this morning.

I think baseball is in an unusually clean era at the moment. Some players still get busted for drugs (like Fernando Tatis Jr on San Diego) but only 3-4 a year and usually not major leaguers. Pitchers have stopped using "sticky stuff" to get a better grip on the ball and there is scientific evidence for that, with decreased spin rates (rpm) on the pitches being thrown.

The real danger with all sports nowadays is the Pete Rose problem. Earlier this year several baseball players were disciplined for betting, and a basketball player was banned for life because he told friends when he was injured before he told his own coaches, so they could go bet that he wouldn't be playing that night!

Yeah, as I mentioned earlier, the whole Pete Rose scandal took away a lot of the "innocent" joy that I got from watching baseball...and then the whole steroid scandal(s).

And sheesh (re the bolded and Italicized lines)!

K

[San Antone]

I have noticed, and don't enjoy, seeing ad after ad for betting apps during the games.  It is a marked increase in the last2-3 years and I can only hope that if enough concerned parents, spouses, and other family members, complain or raise their concerns publicly the FCC would get involved to tone it down.

[ando]

And it's "Dudette" by the way.   

K

Sorry, K! 

Re: Ohtani (latest)

Wow, Burhler in the Bronx. I'd love to go!

[Kalevala]

Like that reporter, I'm wondering if he could be doing further damage to his shoulder by playing before it has healed properly...possibly, long-term?   

K

[NumberSix]

I saw a comment on YouTube that said something like, "Ohtani is for baseball what it would be like in football if Tom Brady also played defense and led the league in sacks."

[Kalevala]

I saw a comment on YouTube that said something like, "Ohtani is for baseball what it would be like in football if Tom Brady also played defense and led the league in sacks."

From the tiny bit of what I know about him (Ohtani), it sounds like he's an amazing player; and wouldn't you have loved to have been the person to have caught that 50/50 ball?  And did O sign it?  It sold for a stupid amount of money!  Looking online, it seems that several folks are fighting for who caught it originally and what happened from there. 

K

[Kalevala]

From the tiny bit of what I know about him (Ohtani), it sounds like he's an amazing player; and wouldn't you have loved to have been the person to have caught that 50/50 ball?  And did O sign it?  It sold for a stupid amount of money!  Looking online, it seems that several folks are fighting for who caught it originally and what happened from there. 

K

@NumberSix Did you see the interview on youtube with (I suspect it was the coach, but am not certain) and the hesitating  pause (to me) before he answered the question as to whether or not if Ohtani played, this could hurt him further?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mK34z8gncY

K

[NumberSix]

@NumberSix Did you see the interview on youtube with (I suspect it was the coach, but am not certain) and the hesitating  pause (to me) before he answered the question as to whether or not if Ohtani played, this could hurt him further?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mK34z8gncY

K

I did not see it, but it doesn't shock me. They want to be vague. 

[Kalevala]

I did not see it, but it doesn't shock me. They want to be vague. 

It made me think:  how much do they care about the players? 

K

[Kalevala]

I'm keeping my hopes alive.  Come on Yankees!  Up 5-4.

K

EDIT:  a home run!

[Kalevala]

11-4.  Hope stays alive! 😍

K

[Kalevala]

I know that the Yankees chances aren't great.  They would have to win the next two games (back in L.A. with the Dodgers fans cheering them on) just to stay alive.  If it goes to a seventh, where would that be played?

But it ain't over 'til it's over.

K

[NumberSix]

I know that the Yankees chances aren't great.  They would have to win the next two games (back in L.A. with the Dodgers fans cheering them on) just to stay alive.  If it goes to a seventh, where would that be played?

But it ain't over 'til it's over.

K

Unless they changed the rules this year - which I do not rule out - then it has always been:

2 - 3 - 2

So, did they start at Yankee Stadium? That's where they would end for game 7.

[Kalevala]

Unless they changed the rules this year - which I do not rule out - then it has always been:

2 - 3 - 2

So, did they start at Yankee Stadium? That's where they would end for game 7.

Well, according to Wiki, the first two were in Dodger Stadium, and the next three (including tonight) are in Yankee Stadium, then the next two would be in Dodger Stadium.

So, good on you! 

K