MLB '09

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I can say nothing bad about how Juan Pierre played in Manny's stead. Couldn't have hoped for anything better. But with Manny back he is undoubtedly #4 in line for starting. And unfortunately he just doesn't offer much coming off the bench. Between Furcal and Hudson (though neither is AS much of a speed threat as Pierre), they've got speed in the lineup still. And this being his 11th season, Pierre's long term value is questionable. So while he's largely redeemed himself of the opinion I had of him prior to this season, if the Dodgers can take advantage of the temporary inflation of his stock to shore up a pitching staff that's missing a true 5th starter and seeing way too many inning being thrown by the bullpen, then I can't really feel like it sucks to trade Pierre. Especially if it means he'll have an opportunity to be a valuable starter elsewhere instead of going back to being a so-so bench player.

All good points and I agree that this is a good time for him personally to perhaps go elsewhere. I'll still miss him if he goes. He's been fun to watch.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Baseball rule quiz question:

How can a pitcher be both the winning and losing pitcher in the same game? (Hint: It almost happened yesterday)

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Baseball rule quiz question:

How can a pitcher be both the winning and losing pitcher in the same game? (Hint: It almost happened yesterday)

Ok, I had to use Google for that one....

[Strangler Lewis]

It didn't almost happen yesterday, because the guy didn't play his old team. Letter of the rules notwithstanding, if I was the ump, I'd apply any number of accepted rules of statutory construction to say that it can't happen, anymore than trading players between teams in the middle of an ongoing game can happen.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It almost happened in that 3/4 of the circumstances were there.

[Alex]

Let's see. Rangers and Rays have a tie game halfway through the ninth (though ninth isn't necessary). Bob The Pitcher pitches the top half for the Rangers. Game suspended due to rain, it was a Sunday game in May and the teams won't again play until August.

In the interrim, Bob the Pitcher gets traded to the Rays and in August the game resumes. The Rays put in Bob the Pitcher and he immediately gives up a 2 run homer.

Bob the Pitcher gets the loss for the Rays (and a blown save) and the win for the Rangers.

Do I win a cookie?

Resumed games allow all sorts of oddities (I have no idea if this is route to GD's almost, I haven't read any sports news from yesterday) such as the fact that some sources list Barry Bonds Major League debut several months before the first day he actually plays since his first appearances was in the late summer resumption of a game started early in the season.

So I assume the first three of the following (if my scenario was the right one) happened yesterday but the pitcher didn't lose the game?

Suspended game
Pitcher traded from Team A to Team B
Pitcher resumes game (or plays in resumed game) for new team.
Pitcher loses game for new team.

[Strangler Lewis]

That's the scenario, but the rules also provide that umpires can decide on any situation not specifically covered by the rules, which, I submit, this is not. If I was d'ump, I wouldn't allow it.

If it could happen, it would also suggest that if half of two teams got thrown out during a bench clearing brawl in a game that was suspended, and then they all got traded for each other, they could all reappear in the resumed game.

[Alex]

On opposite teams? Players kicked out before suspension, I'm thinking, would still be barred from the game since once kicked out you are not allowed in the dugouts or onto the field in the same game.

Once resumed it is still technically the same game so I'm guessing you still wouldn't be allowed on the field regardless of who you were playing for (though an interesting alternative would be you get kicked out, the game is suspended, you retire, the game resumes and you want to watch from the stands. Should you be allowed since a kicked out player can't watch from the stands?).

But who knows, the rulebook covers the entirety of resumed game substitutions in a middling length paragraph. Though I say that since the rule book doesn't cover it the umpires would probably allow it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Ooh, ooh! I have something to post here!

Baseball numbers geeks rejoice! Either that or their heads will explode.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Baseball numbers geeks rejoice! Either that or their heads will explode.

I can't wait until they adapt this to politicians so that we can end all those debates too.