MLB 2014

[Moonliner]

I know it's early to be starting this, but I saw this today and it applies to the 2014 season.

MLB Approves Instant Replay (http://deadspin.com/mlb-approves-instant-replay-heres-how-it-will-work-1465073417)


Managers will be able to challenge plays, similar to the NFL. But contrary to early reports that each team would receive three challenges per game, the plan approved would give them either one or two, with a successful appeal allowing them to keep their challenge.

Replays will be handled by a central control room at MLB Advanced Media's headquarters in New York. COO Rob Manfred said the replay officials will be former or current umpires, or at least "people with extensive umpiring experience."

Umpires will communicate with replay officials via headset, presumably in or near the clubhouse tunnel. This would appear to indicate that the on-field umpires won't actually see the replays themselves, allowing them to tell still-furious managers, "hey, that's what New York said."

Managers will not be allowed to challenge certain plays. Boundary calls on home runs are already covered under MLB's bare-bones replay system, and whether to send those to New York to be looked at will remain up to the discretion of umpires.

Balls and strikes and checked swings, the ultimate in judgment calls, will not be reviewable. Everything else appears to be on the table, including the recently controversial "neighborhood play" at second base.

MLB is considering how to stop teams from stalling until they can see TV replays, thereby allowing them to only challenge calls with a high probability of being overturned. The current thinking, Manfred said, is to not allow managers to argue calls before challenging them. A noble idea, but ballplayers are masters of stalling.


In regards to the last part I can see it really slowing down the game if one team or the other delays the game in order to review every close play.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes, it got approved earlier in the season.

I found it ironic that the World Series was filled with close plays that had direct impact on the outcome of games...all of which the umpires seemed to either get right initially, or successfully confer and end up at the correct call without the aid of replay.

[Alex]

I don't care either way. I'm ok with using replay to get it right and I'm ok with saying that human umpires will get it wrong sometime and that is part of the game.

But if you're going to allow managers to challenge plays I think it is stupid to put a limit on how many. Let them challenge however many they want and give umpires the ability to say "oh, shut the **** up already" if they think it is egregious.

I do look forward to the strategic use of remaining challenges to make time for someone warming up in the bullpen.

And I don't look forward to the drama over umpires having to make judgment calls about what would have happened if the call had initially been correct.

Picture this: Line drive down third, right on the chalk. Third baseman makes spectacular diving catch that will still only be a 50/50 play at first. But third base ump calls it foul and third baseman never makes the throw (or he throws but first baseman sees the foul call so steps off the bag to catch it). His manager challenges and replay shows it was fair. What do you do?

I assume this is all being worked through but it seems to me there are going to be a lot of ambiguous cases. If everything on the bases was automatic we wouldn't make them run.

Though what I'd like to see some manager do is use all of his challenges to force umpires to call batters on being outside the back of the batter's box.

[Moonliner]

I'm getting this in early, I'm sure there will be more reminders as we get closer..

Save the Date:

Monday September 1st 2014
Washington Nationals at LA Dodgers with Me.

We'll get some nice upper deck seats with a good view of LA to watch my Nats get squashed.

[Kevy Baby]

Calendar marked. Game time is 5:10 PDT for those who care.

[Strangler Lewis]

If you're lucky, maybe you'll see Kershaw spit the bit (again) in the home stretch under the weight of that $30 million saddle.

Let the games begin.

[Kevy Baby]

Save the Date:

Monday September 1st 2014
Washington Nationals at LA Dodgers with Me.
Don't hesitate on getting your tix. (http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/la/dodgers-stop-selling-season-tickets-after-unprecedented-renewals?ymd=20140129&content_id=67240992&vkey=news_la)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Nice to see the Dodgers are in mid-season form so quickly. 2 games into Sprint Training, 2 leg strain injuries. Awesome!

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Nothing like staying up until 1am to watch the opening game, only to see the words "rain delay". Thanks Australia. :rolleyes:

[Moonliner]

I'm getting this in early, I'm sure there will be more reminders as we get closer..

Save the Date:

Monday September 1st 2014
Washington Nationals at LA Dodgers with Me.

We'll get some nice upper deck seats with a good view of LA to watch my Nats get squashed.

Looks like I may have spoken too soon. If this article (http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/03/30/new-metal-detectors-could-cause-fans-slight-delay-on-opening-day/) is correct and MLB is forcing fans to go through metal detectors at all stadiums I will NOT be playing a part in their security theater (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_theater).

[Alex]

I can confirm that the Oakland A's indeed had such a requirement last night. Still not quite the hassle that football is.

[Strangler Lewis]

So far, we're talking about Detroit and Oakland. Are you sure you're not thinking about the metal detectors at the gates to each city?

[Moonliner]

Based on the linked article, they are trying it at a few stadiums this season before rolling it out to all 30 stadiums next year.


If anyone goes to a Dodgers game please let be know if they are using them there.

[Moonliner]

I can confirm that the Oakland A's indeed had such a requirement last night. Still not quite the hassle that football is.

It's not the hassle itself, but rather how pointless that hassle is.

I've never been to an NFL game. I had always intended to at some point but now that's off the table as well.

[Alex]

Out of curiosity, if you feel this strongly about security theater, how to do you still go to Disneyland when you're there?

(I don't care whether you go to a baseball game or not or to Disneyland, just curious about where the lines get drawn.)

[Moonliner]

Out of curiosity, if you feel this strongly about security theater, how to do you still go to Disneyland when you're there?

(I don't care whether you go to a baseball game or not or to Disneyland, just curious about where the lines get drawn.)

Have they added metal detectors and/or pat downs? Last time I was there I just walked straight in (past bag check not having a bag).

[Melonballer]

I saw they added the metal detectors to Safeco Field in Seattle. You would think they would want them in a place that people were going to. lol.

[Moonliner]

I assume this is making the local news?

LA Dodgers star Yasiel Puig at centre of kidnapping and gangster drama. (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/la-dodgers-yasiel-puig-kidnapping-gangster-drama)

[€uroMeinke]

No word about that on our neighborhood website

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Actually, this was the first I had heard of it.

[Moonliner]

The Dodgers are in town next week. Looks like they are bringing some nice weather with them. I'm heading to the game on Monday.

[Kevy Baby]

Looks like they are bringing some nice weather with them.It was still 87° last night as I was driving home at 8:00 p.m. Combine that with your humidity and I wouldn't call that nice weather.

[Moonliner]

It was still 87° last night as I was driving home at 8:00 p.m. Combine that with your humidity and I wouldn't call that nice weather.

OK, they are leaving the crap weather at home and bringing some nice weather with them. Better?

Oh, and this year you won't get to put our star player on the DL for a few months. He's already done that this season (again).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well maybe the Nats can do the Dodgers a favor and put half the bullpen on the DL for a few months.

[Moonliner]

Well maybe the Nats can do the Dodgers a favor and put half the bullpen on the DL for a few months.

The Nat's have been punishing bullpens all season. In fact they have scored more runs in the 7th+ innings than any other NL team this season.

[Ghoulish Delight]

They're gonna enjoy the Dodgers

[Moonliner]

Are you freaking kidding me?

http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv243/stevesphotobook/rain.jpg

*sigh*

Home from the game early. We'll see if they cancel or play until 3am.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Do I get a vote?

[Moonliner]

I did almost get a bat to go with the ball from last game. Ramirez let fly one of his cool red colored bats into the stands just a couple of rows from our seats which managed to bounce it's way back into the Dodgers dugout.

[Moonliner]

I just saw why Puig was not on the field today. That was a rough hit in last nights game. I hope he's not Harper'ed.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Moonliner, you getting any indication there that they might play more ball tonight?

Then again, I'm not sure I want this one to resume tonight.

[Moonliner]

Moonliner, you getting any indication there that they might play more ball tonight?

Then again, I'm not sure I want this one to resume tonight.

It is supposed to restart in about 10 min. I'm going to sleep now.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Thanks for the update!

[Alex]

While I was at the A's yet there was a race to see if we'd finish first or the Nats. We finished first at about 9:40pm.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Ya' picked the wrong game Moonie

[Moonliner]

Ya' picked the wrong game Moonie

Few things in life are as certain as that.


On a side note, here is an interesting article on Dodger Stadium (http://southland.gizmodo.com/how-19-giant-earthmovers-carved-dodger-stadium-out-of-a-1572152300/+tcraggs22)

[Moonliner]

Another rain delay, because you know making the LA Dodgers play in the rain would be cruel.

[Moonliner]

I am glad to see Haren pitching against the Nationals rather than for them. Hopefully he'll keep doling out the home runs.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

What a craptacular road trip. At least Kershaw seems back to his old ways. Unfortunately, the same could be said for Mattingly.

[Moonliner]

Dear Dodgers:

Your are welcome.

Sincerely, The Nats.

Going for a sweep of the Giants tonight.

[Strangler Lewis]

I don't f*****' think so.

I don't thinkin* f*** so, either.

[Moonliner]

Geeez, I just wanted the Nats to sweep the Giants. I didn't mean for them to embarrass the Giants in front of a home town crowd.

[Strangler Lewis]

We had more hits and a lot more that weren't where they ain't. You guys were the ones with your bats on your shoulders in the first inning. Who should be embarrassed?

And today, we salvage our split to send you home losers full of self-doubt.

[Moonliner]

We had more hits and a lot more that weren't where they ain't. You guys were the ones with your bats on your shoulders in the first inning. Who should be embarrassed?

And today, we salvage our split to send you home losers full of self-doubt.

Oops my bad, thought it was a three game series. I'm glad we were able to restore a bit of dignity to the Giants and only take 3 out of four.

[Moonliner]

It's still a bit early, but is anyone up for a Dodgers Swanking?

I'll be in town Monday Sept 1st (Labor day) to see the Dodgers play the Nats at 5:10pm. I'm looking at Top Deck ~$18 seats.

[Moonliner]

Glad I went to bed early. The Nat's won a 16 Inning game (http://sidespin.kinja.com/ross-detweiler-giver-of-no-****s-1595736103/+Sean-Newell) last night.

[Strangler Lewis]

Poor Clayton Kershaw. Only one no-hitter to his name.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I'd always heard about the "hot foot" prank, but had never actually seen it until today. Of course, it was made all the better thanks to the running commentary (http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v34164517/stllad-dodgers-bench-gives-van-slyke-a-hotfoot/?source=MLB&c_id=mlb&tcid=facebook_embedded_player&gid=2014_06_29_slnmlb_lanmlb_1) by Vin Scully.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I have a vague memory of having seen Vin gleefully narrate another one many years ago.

[Strangler Lewis]

I understand the urge not to crush somebody's self-esteem and to let the other kids feel like they're in the game, too.

But enough is enough.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Just because YOUR "young phenom" has a 4.50 era and can barely make it out of the 5th inning most nights isn't a reason to be jealous....oh wait, yes it is.

[Moonliner]

We get our "young phenom" back tonight, so look for extensive amounts of smack talk coming your way in the coming weeks.

[Alex]

Someone do this research for me:

After 81 games, what is the biggest lag behind Pythagorean a team has had while still having the best record in the major?

Just curious when I noticed that the A's actually have 4 wins fewer than you'd expect with their run differential.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Do you have a source of statistics with an API?

[Moonliner]

Damn, I once again underestimated humanity.

They were handing out Bryce Harper Bobble Head dolls (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/06/30/bryce-harper-returns-to-throngs-of-fans-waiting-for-his-bobblehead/) at the Nats game last night. I guess I should have kept mine, I see they are selling for around $40 each on Ebay today.

Note: that is the actual selling price not the asking price.

[Alex]

My experience with bobble heads is that they are pretty much a one week phenomenon on eBay. When we moved last year I looked at finally dumping the ones we've accumulated over the years (and some significant players) and none of them had more than a few dollars in value.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, I've got a set of "vintage" ones (first 3 the Dodgers ever gave out). Looking at Ebay sold listings I MIGHT get $30 each.

[Moonliner]

Yeah, I've got a set of "vintage" ones (first 3 the Dodgers ever gave out). Looking at Ebay sold listings I MIGHT get $30 each.

First ever? Interesting. Which players?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Gibson, Fernando, and Lasorda

[Ghoulish Delight]

I should amend that - first of the modern bobblehead era that (by the accounts I've read) started in 1999 with a Willie Mays bobblehead in SF. The Dodgers started in 2001 with those 3.

[Moonliner]

I should amend that - first of the modern bobblehead era that (by the accounts I've read) started in 1999 with a Willie Mays bobblehead in SF. The Dodgers started in 2001 with those 3.

Ahh. That makes more sense. I remember the old schools ones that were made out of something akin to paper mache.

[Strangler Lewis]

Not bad against a tired, injured team. My sense, though, is the Dodgers won't be able to close without a proven slugger at second base. Make an offer.

[Alex]

This is so ****ing annoying:

Overall MLB Standings

- GB -- Athletics
2 GB -- Angels
7 GB -- Nationals
7 GB - Tigers
......


Why the hell can't the Angels be in a different division so I could feel completely at ease with the rest of the season.

[Moonliner]

Overall MLB Standings

23.5 GB --- Houston
24.5 GB --- Texas

What the hell has happened to the great state of Texas?
Both teams at the bottom of the barrel.

[Ghoulish Delight]

9 hits? Sub-standard game for Kershaw.

[Strangler Lewis]

Go, Angels!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm two weeks late with this, and it's entirely unimportant, but I just wanted to point out that I watched the replays closely...Erick Aybar wagged his finger first.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Ya' get spoiled sometimes. 6Ks, 2 hits, no runs.....and yet the only thought is "What's wrong with Greinke?"

[Moonliner]

It's still a bit early, but is anyone up for a Dodgers Swanking?

I'll be in town Monday Sept 1st (Labor day) to see the Dodgers play the Nats at 5:10pm. I'm looking at Top Deck ~$18 seats.

Cross-posted for anyone not on FaceBook

I leave for LA next week so it's time to get these tickets purchased!
Who's in and for how many? Tickets will be $20 or less on the upper deck, third base side.

PM me an email address and I will send you the PDF with your ticket(s). We can settle up at the game.

[Moonliner]

Well that was a hell of a game. 14 Innings of close back and forth ball. Well played to both teams.

[Moonliner]

What the hell Dodgers?

10 Runs? You let them score double digits? Damn.

Oh, and what the Nat's as well.

A bad day for Baseball all around.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It's all my brother in law's fault. He had one of those season ticket mini-packages. In games he attended using those tickets, the Dodgers or 0-9.

Now 0-10

[Moonliner]

It's all my brother in law's fault. He had one of those season ticket mini-packages. In games he attended using those tickets, the Dodgers or 0-9.

Now 0-10

Sounds ironclad. Does he have tickets for today's game. Do we need to send a Fan Rendition Squad to visit him? I know people. Scary people.

[Ghoulish Delight]

No. I've already threatened to Gillooly the sh1t out of him if he gets anywhere near the stadium.

[Moonliner]

So anyone want to bet who's game will end first, the Dodgers or the Nats?

This game is endless!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Sorry for your loss.

Despite a shakey couple of games I'm still feeling good about the Dodger's chances. Their record in the stretch of games following humiliating losses this year has been strong, and their road record is far better than home. I think they've got a shot of getting out of this hole.

[Moonliner]

Sorry for your loss.


It could put a damper on meeting the Dodgers in the glory of battle where the Nationals would crush the life from your worthless human forms.

*sigh*

[Strangler Lewis]

The Cards are a great franchise, there's the lingering story of 2012, and they lost the Series last year, so a Giants/Cards NLCS will have great drama.

Tepid apologies to anyone here who might think I'm jumping ahead.

[Strangler Lewis]

MLB Network? Are you kidding me? That's for the Dodgers/Cardinals series.

Probably for the best.

[Moonliner]

Oh we ain't dead yet, no we ain't dead yet!

We live for tomorrow.

[Moonliner]

All my TV's are dead so I did not get to see any of the Dodgers game, Thanks ever so much FIOS.

I'm hoping something happens soon so I can actually watch the Nat's game that starts in 10min....

*sigh*

[Moonliner]

An all around suckie night for baseball.

We walked in the tieing run and let the winning run in on a wild pitch. Sad way to close out a good season.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Not at all surprised that the Dodger's undoing was their bullpen (I know Kershaw gave up the losing homerun, but had there been any faith in the bullpen he might not have gone out there to throw 108 pitches on 3 days' rest).

[Strangler Lewis]

An all around suckie night for baseball.

We walked in the tieing run and let the winning run in on a wild pitch. Sad way to close out a good season.

Just replay the coverage and listen to the Fox announcers. Turns out the Nats won.

Bring on the Do. . . oh, oh dear . . the Cardinals.

[Strangler Lewis]

To those fans here of the Dodgers and the Nationals: what we just did to the Cardinals, we did it for you. Only for you. To heal the wounds of 2014, the lingering sting of 2012.

And as we go to Kansas City, we take the Cardinals on our back. That game seven meltdown in 1985? It will be avenged.

Oh, heavy burden.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I'll be rooting for the blue team.

[Moonliner]

I might try this "hockey" thing I've been hearing about. Also I need to spend some time cleaning out the garage.

[RStar]

I'll be rooting for the blue team.

I read that too quickly, and it came out as "I'll be rebooting the Blue Team". LOL

[Strangler Lewis]

I need to spend some time cleaning out the garage.

Don't ask Matt Williams to help. He might get rid of something prematurely.

[Strangler Lewis]

To those fans here of the Dodgers and the Nationals: what we just did to the Cardinals, we did it for you. Only for you. To heal the wounds of 2014, the lingering sting of 2012.

And as we go to Kansas City, we take the Cardinals on our back. That game seven meltdown in 1985? It will be avenged.

Oh, heavy burden.

Burden borne.

[Moonliner]

Burden borne.

You guys just give until it hurts.

[Strangler Lewis]

'Tis true. Thankfully, we have previously avenged the Royals' pain from 1980 by sending the Phillies home in 2010.

[Ghoulish Delight]

What're y'all talking about now?

[Strangler Lewis]

Da Woild Serious, Jackson. You know. That thing your side last won the year before Madison Bumgarner was born.

But enough of that. The season is over. Baseball is done. Time for us to lie fallow to spring--and maybe until 2016. This NorCal/SoCal rivalry must now be grounded in the relative merits of our football teams.

Oh. Oh, dear.

[Moonliner]

This NorCal/SoCal rivalry must now be grounded in the relative merits of our football teams.

Oh. Oh, dear.

Being from DC, I think I'll stay out any Football discussions for the rest of this season.

[Stan4dSteph]

Stupid baseball screwing up my plans to go into the city today.

[Moonliner]

Stupid baseball screwing up my plans to go into the city today.

Yet another advantage to being a sports fan in DC. We never have issues like that.

We just have stupid Presidential/Vice Presidential/Heads of State/Pope/Congressional/and general other types of mucky-muck's motorcades to deal with.