Black Cat Bone

Cool story about Andre Dawson’s post-baseball work. In case you haven’t seen it ...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/m ... 590358002/

LeBaron wrote:Cool story about Andre Dawson’s post-baseball work. In case you haven’t seen it ...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/m ... 590358002/

It sounds weird, but I'd like it if Andre Dawson was in charge of a loved one's funeral. It's Andre "Fucking" Dawson.

My second favorite outfield was Andre Dawson, Ellis Valentine and Warren Cromartie, when they all came up with the Expos.

Just next to Bobby Bonds, Garry Maddux and Gary Matthews. Horace Stoneham, the owner, was going broke and traded all of them.

Lynn, Rice, and Dwight Evans was probably the best in my lifetime, but I hate the Red Sox.

sloopjohnc wrote:Lynn, Rice, and Dwight Evans was probably the best in my lifetime, but I hate the Red Sox.

Even in the 70s!?

A few fun facts from my preferred Astroblog following last night, in which Justin Verlander pitched a complete game, got a win, and notched his 2,500th K.

Verlander's last four starts: 29IP, 14H/2ER, 36K:6BB. The Astros scored a total of three runs in those four starts, and are 6-4 when Verlander - now with a 1.05 ERA - starts the game. The offense has scored two runs total in those four losses.

Verlander joins a list of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez as the only pitchers to strike out 2500 batters within their first 400 starts.

Shamefully, he risks listing into 80s Nolan Ryan territory in which he consistently pitches deep into the game, gives up a handful of hits and one or two runs, and doesn't get the W because there is no run support. No run support!? From this team? It can't last.

LeBaron wrote:

sloopjohnc wrote:Lynn, Rice, and Dwight Evans was probably the best in my lifetime, but I hate the Red Sox.

Even in the 70s!?

Yes.

LeBaron wrote:A few fun facts from my preferred Astroblog following last night, in which Justin Verlander pitched a complete game, got a win, and notched his 2,500th K.

Verlander's last four starts: 29IP, 14H/2ER, 36K:6BB. The Astros scored a total of three runs in those four starts, and are 6-4 when Verlander - now with a 1.05 ERA - starts the game. The offense has scored two runs total in those four losses.

Verlander joins a list of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez as the only pitchers to strike out 2500 batters within their first 400 starts.

Shamefully, he risks listing into 80s Nolan Ryan territory in which he consistently pitches deep into the game, gives up a handful of hits and one or two runs, and doesn't get the W because there is no run support. No run support!? From this team? It can't last.

Matt Cain, who finished his career around .500 was notorious for not getting any run support during his career. They still call it a "cainer" when a SF pitcher pitches well and the team loses.

The Astros are too good to keep doing it to Verlander. We just finished the season quarter mark the other day.

Are the Astros the Golden State Warriors of MLB?

They had a really difficult month, playing top drawer clubs when their starters were stellar but the offense was stalled. Now they have a much easier stretch and the offense has come alive while the starters are giving up more runs. I’m happy for them to work out the kinks now rather than later.

I’m also happy that the ballclub is built to last and that the front office appears dedicated to making a strong run for several years. I would hate to compare them to another successful club and I’m loathe to make triumphant predictions. But I would like to see a good stretch and a legit historical comparison with some of the great ball clubs. I’ve been waiting my whole life for Houston to get some respect and recognition.

sloopjohnc wrote:Are the Astros the Golden State Warriors of MLB?

No the ny Yankees took 5 of 6 from them.

Hightea wrote:

sloopjohnc wrote:Are the Astros the Golden State Warriors of MLB?

No the ny Yankees took 5 of 6 from them.

I believe it was 5 of 7.
Like I said, I’m glad they hit a rough stretch early on.

Yesterday, I read that the Astros have the fifth largest run differential after 81 games in history.

The other four teams won the World Series.

Going to the Dodger game tonight for the first time this year.

They are neither the shitty team of May nor the great team of June. They have a bullpen with gaping holes in it, and too many hitters that shouldn't be in the lineup getting continued at bats based on their "metrics" looking good (I'm looking at you, Logan Forsythe...)

They do have (possibly) the game's best closer, some great young hitters, and a starting rotation that's near the top in baseball (when they can stay healthy).

They're no Astros, basically. And I'm not holding out much hope that they're going to improve much as long as the pencil-pushers are in charge.

toomanyhatz wrote:Going to the Dodger game tonight for the first time this year.

They are neither the shitty team of May nor the great team of June. They have a bullpen with gaping holes in it, and too many hitters that shouldn't be in the lineup getting continued at bats based on their "metrics" looking good (I'm looking at you, Logan Forsythe...)

They do have (possibly) the game's best closer, some great young hitters, and a starting rotation that's near the top in baseball (when they can stay healthy).

They're no Astros, basically. And I'm not holding out much hope that they're going to improve much as long as the pencil-pushers are in charge.

In today's paper, the lead story in the sports section is whether the Giants will be buyers or sellers. I think that shows a lot where they're headed.

Purgatory.

One thing the Dodgers are doing right is regenerating the farm system. The Giants going with experienced free agents seems to have backfired on them. If they can't stay healthy and/or reverse their decline (and I think it's fair to say they haven't done the greatest job of either), then there's not much help on its way up.

Bobby Bonilla Day yesterday... I love that story!

Diamond Dog wrote:Bobby Bonilla Day yesterday... I love that story!

It is pretty funny.

I like Ken Rosenthal as a baseball writer and here are his picks for the All-Star game. Pretty interesting. I don't know if you have to be a subscriber to The Athletic site. I am.

https://theathletic.com/421830/2018/07/ ... ars-teams/

Machado is a Kevin Durant type of get for the Dodgers.

If it goes through. Not a done deal by any means.

Orioles are having an issue with medicals.

They always do this. They'll probably work something out, but you'd think in years of being super-picky they'd have some remarkable successes to justify it. Yet they just keep spinning their wheels.

Yeah the Orioles are super shady!

Are Dodgers fans angry the club didn't go for DeGrom instead of Machado?