yandro

All I'm going to say on that play is this: If you're an outfielder trucking in, you're not looking at anything other than the ball. With the roof, the ball's tough to pick up, once Borchard got into the area, his head never came off the ball. If you watch the replay, Uggla clearly takes the ball out of Borchard's glove. If Borchard were to peel off there and the ball drops behind Uggla (because, let's be honest, he had to use all 5'5'' of him just to reach up for that one) it's all Borchard's fault. Finally, if Borchard's in position, it's only rational for him to assume that the infielders knowing the outfield priority would peel off, Uggla's presence alone doesn't mean Borchard knows he's going to catch it, or should be expected to catch it. Still, its your job as an outfielder, no matter how green you may be, to notice a guy frantically waving and calling you off. Not to turn this into a pissing contest, but have you ever played baseball? Catching a flyball is hardly as easy as it looks, and the process done is nothing like you'd expect. You run to the spot and then find the ball again. Once you're in the "spot" you're doing nothing but looking skyward. There's no recognition of what's going on around you at that point, it isn't a half and half looking around. It's no coincidence that so many collisions happen on 'tweener fly-balls like that. There is just an inexcusable lack of communication. Not to change the subject, but as long as we're talking about inexcusable, its inexcusable for a manger to make the same mistake in a two week span. I don't care if this is his first year as a manager, you saw what happened when you leave a pitcher struggling to throw strikes in the game IN THE SAME SITUATION (bases loaded, game on the line) to pitch to the next hitter two weeks ago and you do it again today. If Gonzalez would have made a move to the pen, that fly ball probably never would have happened. There are people on this board suggesting Gregg being brought in initially was a bad call. There are people on this board that probably thought Lee Gardner coming in two weeks ago with the bases loaded was a joke. There are people on this board that do not understand that baseball might just be the hardest damn sport to predict. If Tank comes in and allows a hit... everyone still wants Gonzalez's head. If Gregg induces the pop up and then turns a double play, Gonzalez is lucky. You cannot have it both ways. Gonzalez had confidence that Gregg could get Ensberg out and he almost did. The credit will always go to the player and lots of the blame will go on the manager. Managing is not easy and everyone on this board likes to make it seem like there is an obvious formula. However, I do hate it when managers let pitchers (with the game on the line) get into jams. But, what if the manager allows Gregg to stay and he forces the hitter into a double play? Is Freddi a genius? Or a beneficiary of the game of inches? Objectively, going with Gregg was the right call. The pitcher's spot had just come up, you had a guy out there that could give you 2 or 3 innings and the top of the lineup for Houston is predominantly right-handed. However, sticking with Gregg when Tank was warming was a bad decision. For a short reliever like Tank, if he's warm, he might as well get in so there was no "preservation" bail out. The manager's job is to put the team in the best situation to win, initially he did that with Gregg, but there was no need to stick with Gregg after showing that he (Gregg) could not help the team win. Agreed. In that situation, we needed a strikeout. I would have felt more comfortable with Tank up there than with Gregg. Gregg had no confidence in any pitch other than his fastball. The three 3-2 pitches Gregg made to Ensberg were all fastballs right down the middle. I can't believe the first two were fouled off. If you are sitting dead red on a fastball and it's right down the middle, that ball needs to be smacked. Luckily for the Astros Ensberg's ball wasn't hit more to the right otherwise Hanley would have had a play at the plate.

Miguel Cabrera is no Albert Pujols. The first six years in Pujols? career have been quite unique in the history of baseball. But when you look to project the future of the Venezuelan third baseman of the Florida Marlins, the most adequate point of reference is the Dominican first baseman of the St. Louis Cardenals. Both are right handed hitters who broke into the major leagues at an age where most of their colleagues were learning the secrets of hitting in the minors. Cabrera, who turns 24 this week, has been one of the most consistent major league hitters the past five years and his fast start in 2007 has only provoked increased comparisons to Pujols. Cabrera leads the National League in RBIs (13), On base % (.520), and OPS (1.341). He is also third in the league in hitting (.410), second in homeruns (4) and third in walks (9). ?Only two weeks have gone by, that?s nothing?, said Cabrera to ESPNdeportes.com. ?The major league season is too long and one can never begin to celebrate in April?, added Cabrera, who is hitting .312 with 108 homeruns and 417 RBIs in his career. Last year, when he hit .339, Cabrera was in the race for the batting title until the last day of the season with Freddy Sanchez, who finished at .344. The Venezuelan added 26 homers, 50 doubles, and 114 RBIs. In February, the three-time All Star won his first salary arbitration hearing against the Marlins. Cabrera, who earned $472,000 the previous season, will earn $7.4 million this year. In February of 2004, Pujols avoided salary arbitration and signed a seven year contract for $100 million with St. Louis. Pujols was looking to increase his salary from $950,000 to $10.5 million Pujols, 27, is hitting .330 with 251 homeruns and 760 RBIs in six seasons. He could become a free agent after 2010, but St. Louis has an option valued at $16 million for 2011. Although Cabrera can?t opt for free agency until after the 2009 season, the great increase in salary in the next two years could force the Marlins to trade him to a team with better economic power. Cabrera does not hide his great admiration for Pujols and his desire to one day play alongside him. ?Pujols is the best. He?s my idol?, Cabrera said. ?About being traded, I would like to play with Pujols in St. Louis, although I would prefer for Pujols to join the Marlins. But I would love to play alongside him?, he added. "Es un jugador que ha puesto consistentemente una producci?n fuera de serie en cada una de sus temporadas y ya se gan? un Guante de Oro por su buena defensa", dijo Cabrera de Pujols. Cabrera discarded the thought of following Pujols? steps and move from third base to first base. ?I think I can continue to improve at third base, although you never know what will happen in the future. But I wouldn?t like to switch positions?, Cabrera said, who has played in the outfield and at third base since his debut with Florida in June of 2003. Are you intrigued of the idea to play for the New York Yankees? ?I would not like to play with the Yankees. They have too many rules, that?s what I think?, said Cabrera. ?That?s not in my hands. But I don?t think it will happen?, he added.

Miguel Cabrera no es Albert Pujols. De hecho, los primeros seis a?os de la carrera de Pujols han sido ?nicos en la historia del b?isbol. Pero cuando se busca proyectar el futuro del antesalista venezolano de los Marlins de Florida el punto de referencia m?s adecuado es el historial del inicialista dominicano de los Cardenales de San Luis. Ambos son bateadores derechos que irrumpieron exitosamente en las ligas mayores a una edad en que la mayor?a de sus colegas est?n afanando por aprender los secretos del bateo en las ligas menores. Cabrera, quien cumple 24 a?os esta semana, ha sido uno de los bateadores m?s consistentes de las Grandes Ligas los ?ltimos cinco a?os y su arrancada del 2007 solamente ha provocado que aumenten las comparaciones con Pujols. Cabrera es l?der en la Liga Nacional en empujadas (13), porcentaje de embase (.520) y producci?n u OPS (1,341). Adem?s es tercero en bateo (.410), segundo en jonrones (4) y tercero en bases por bolas (9). "Solamente van dos semanas de juego, eso no es nada", dijo Cabrera a ESPNdeportes.com. "La temporada de Grandes Ligas es muy larga y uno nunca puede comenzar a celebrar en abril", agreg? Cabrera, quien batea .312 con 108 jonrones y 417 carreras impulsadas en su carrera. El a?o pasado, cuando tuvo promedio de .339, Cabrera pele? el t?tulo de bateo hasta el ?ltimo d?a de la temporada con Freddy S?nchez, quien finaliz? con .344. El venezolano agreg? 26 jonrones, 50 dobles y 114 carreras empujadas. En febrero, el tres veces Todos Estrellas gan? su primera audiencia de arbitraje salarial a los Marlins. Cabrera, quien deveng? 472 mil d?lares la temporada pasada, ganar? 7.4 millones este a?o. En febrero del 2004, Pujols evit? el arbitraje salarial y firm? un contrato de 100 millones por siete temporadas con San Luis. El pelotero estaba solicitando aumentar su salario de 950 mil d?lares a 10.5 millones. Pujols, de 27 a?os, batea .330 con 251 jonrones y 760 carreras impulsadas en seis temporadas. Podr?a declararse agente libre despu?s del 2010, pero San Luis tiene una cl?usula de 16 millones para el 2011. Aunque Cabrera no podr? optar por la agencia libre hasta despu?s de la temporada del 2009, el gran incremento de su salario en los pr?ximos dos a?os podr?a obligar a los Marlins a cambiarlo a un equipo con mayor poder econ?mico. Cabrera no oculta su gran admiraci?n por Pujols y el deseo de poder jugar junto a ?l alg?n d?a. "Pujols es el mejor. Es mi ?dolo", dijo Cabrera. "De ser cambiado, me gustar?a jugar junto a Pujols en San Luis, aunque preferir?a que sea Pujols quien pase a los Marlins. Pero me gustar?a mucho jugar con ?l", agreg?. "Es un jugador que ha puesto consistentemente una producci?n fuera de serie en cada una de sus temporadas y ya se gan? un Guante de Oro por su buena defensa", dijo Cabrera de Pujols. Cabrera descart? seguir los pasos de Pujols y mudarse de la tercera a la primera base. "Creo que puedo seguir mejorando en la tercera base, aunque uno nunca sabe lo que pasar? en el futuro. Pero no me gustar?a cambiar de posici?n", dijo Cabrera, quien ha jugado en las esquinas de los jardines y la tercera base desde que debut? con Florida en junio del 2003. ?Intrigado ante la idea de jugar con los Yankees de Nueva York? "No me gustar?a jugar con los Yankees. Tienen demasiadas reglas, eso es lo que pienso", dijo Cabrera. "Eso no est? en mis manos. Pero no creo que eso suceda", agreg?. http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story...amp;type=column Very interesting article - I'll try to translate this for the non spanish speaking crowd.

*********NEWS FLASH********* Take it for what it's worth....the Nationals are throwing a one hit shutout at the Braves. Winning 2-0 in the 9th. Smoltz started the game. *Edit

Nationals just scored a run in the 8th inning vs the Atlanta Braves. They are currently winning 2-0 and it's the first time this season they are leading BEFORE the 9th inning. Oh by the way, they are pitching a one hit shutout....

Same as the deal that the Cubs drafted Josh Hamilton this year and traded him to the Reds for CASH. This happens all the time when a team wants to draft a certain player they covet, but have a lot of teams ahead of them picking ahead of them.

I believe they are honoring him tonight for the 1997 WS Title. I guess they will do this before first game begins. Did they say before the first game or second game? I guess it would be before the first, that way the second game is not delayed any more than it needs to.

He didn't exactly lose the game Sunday either, nor was he credited (or debited) with a blown save on Sunday, but leaving with the bases loaded and one out and relying on someone else to clean up his crap constitutes a losing effort and a blown save, at least where logic and common sense come in. Believe it or not on Sunday Julio was credited with a Hold. Yep. A hold is basically when you come into a game with a lead and you leave the game with a lead and the inning ends without the other team tying the game. So yea, he gets a hold. :thumbdown

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rays will try, for now, to improve their bullpen by using the relievers they have in different roles, with journeyman Gary Glover and rookie Jae Kuk Ryu next in line for more important late-inning work. Should they decide to look outside for help, deposed Houston closer Brad Lidge could be an interesting option if the Astros make him available. Manager Joe Maddon insisted he wasn't demoting struggling RHPs Shawn Camp and Ruddy Lugo, who have a combined 18.71 ERA and allowed 19 of 32 batters faced to reach base, but merely giving others a try. "This is an area we have to get better at; it's a big part of us doing well," Maddon said. "I'm willing to experiment a little bit, and I will. But it's not for a lack of faith in anybody as much as I want to give other guys a look in those situations." Glover, 30, has been primarily a starter and middle/long reliever (with two professional saves) and Ryu almost exclusively a starter in the minors. Glover, who has impressed Maddon with his aggressiveness, has thrown 32/3 scoreless innings; Ryu (after working three innings Tuesday) has allowed one run in 51/3. Maddon plans to use veteran Al Reyes as the closer and rookie Brian Stokes "more toward the end," but said the rest of the alignment is "a little bit up in the air." Lidge, 30, is a former star closer (42 saves in 2005) who has struggled recently and was demoted Monday from the closer's job. He also has fallen out of favor with the Houston fans, which could accelerate his departure given the operating style of owner Drayton McLane, as could his $5.35-million salary. On Tuesday, general manager Tim Purpura told the Houston Chronicle there was "no doubt" Lidge had the physical ability "to be as successful as he ever was," that he didn't think a change of scenery was needed and they weren't in any hurry to deal him. "Obviously, you're always doing an inventory of who you have. And if you get into a situation where you have excess in a certain area, you might look at that. But at this point, I don't feel we're in that position," he said. "I'm not in any kind of a rush mode to move any player right now." But if they do, the Rays would be a logical trading partner because they could use Lidge and have several things the Astros need: a frontline centerfielder (Rocco Baldelli?), young starting pitchers (Jason Hammel? Andy Sonnanstine? J.P. Howell?) and/or a future starting catcher (Shawn Riggans?) But the Astros could be reluctant to deal with the Rays given the presence of Gerry Hunsicker, their former GM, in the Tampa Bay front office as well as the perception that the Rays got the better of them in getting SS Ben Zobrist and RHP prospect Mitch Talbot in a July deal for Aubrey Huff. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/11/Rays/As_...stitutes_.shtml

I don't know if you are going to see this in the papers tomorrow or not, but things got heated inside the clubhouse between Julio and "a member of the starting rotation" good times So is this confirmed? Not to doubt you, but where did you hear this? Any info? I'm really interested to find out who it was (just like everyone else on this board)

I don't know if you are going to see this in the papers tomorrow or not, but things got heated inside the clubhouse between Julio and "a member of the starting rotation" good times So is this confirmed? Not to doubt you, but where did you hear this?

Yep...I too am hoping the game gets called. I would hate for Julio to blow his second chance and Gardner not get the win

I honestly believe Counsell was out because he forgot there were 2 outs. I don't think he went off the crack of the bat. Let's hope for a replay when they come back from commercials...

This is what happens when you throw first-pitch strikes and consistently stay ahead of hitters. 8 FOR 8 in 1st pitch strikes. WOW

HOLY JESUS!!! RICK IS ON FIRE!

Those of you who have Comcast and were expecting to watch the game on HD (Ch 200) don't go nuts. Comcast has rearranged the HD channels and now the HD channels are in the 400s. FSN HD will now be Ch 401, but today's game is not being shown on that channel (don't know why).

Welcome to the ohana, malihini! Isn't that Hawai'ian? yep, I'm sure he would understand that since I don't know Dutch.

Welcome to the ohana, malihini!

i thought Admin had launched a sister site when i ready the subject Exactly my thoughts! Indeed it is an excellent idea and should have been done many moons ago. Glad they finally realized it! By the way those who are interested, here are the links to the above mentioned spanish sites... http://www.astrosdehouston.com http://www.losdbacks.com http://www.raysbeisbol.com http://www.losdodgers.com http://www.sfgigantes.com http://www.losmets.com http://www.padresbeisbol.com http://www.loswhitesox.com http://www.yankeesenespanol.com Pretty cool. Good to see MLB tapping into the Hispanic market!

10 of the HR, and 21 of his RBIs came while he played with Colorado. I personally don't think he could cut it as a non-pitcher.

I was watching Baseball Tonight after the Marlins game yesterday and they were talking about Lidge's problem. Basically he's getting away from his slider. Most of the runs he's allowed are because he has been reluctant to use his slider (for whatever reason) and going to a cut fastball that just moves in to the hitter. The hitters' eyes light up and there goes the ball! Lidge is fine. He just needs some help from his pitching coach. No way the Astros are giving up on him.

Phillies may not win a game a week this month the way things are going for them. Can they win 5 games in April? They play Washington April 24-26th. So that's three wins (maybe)

I agree!

Manager Phil Garner announced prior to Monday's series opener with the Chicago Cubs that Brad Lidge will not be closing games for the Astros in the foreseeable future. "Brad will not be closing as a general rule," Garner said. "There may be a situation where it will be right to do it, but we'll probably pitch him earlier in the sixth or seventh inning." Dan Wheeler will be the primary closer for the Astros. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb Lidge's stats: 1.2 IP, 16.20 ERA, 6 R (3 ER), 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K So now we have a predecent set for OUR "closer"

Thanks for those updates!