BASEBALL!

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Kobi

LOL. I can understand your excitement at the prospects of sweeping an interleague series. It would the first in a decade the news says. If the BoSox are swept in interleague play, it will be the first time since 2002.

My guys have lost 4 straight. They have dropped to second place in the division. And after this we head to Phillie? Oy.

Time for the rally caps or something.

The Bo Sox fans have some strange loyalty! Hats inside out.....saw that alot until top of the ninth and then Jr. Ortiz came up to bat and *The Hammer* got him to ground out weakly right to first base (Ortiz didn't even run it out) Pittsburgh does not like that, and they booed him, BUT, the bo sox fans took their shirts off, turned them inside out and put them back on!!! We've never seen that before and many Pirate fans were High fiving each other after that. LOL!!!

At the beginning of the game, they announced Tim Wakefields name, and the whole place errupted with applause. The last time he played for us, was the last time we had a winning season. He looked the same (just a little fat around the middle) And, for the record, last night was the largest crowd ever at PNC park. It was a great game, and alot of fun.

They sold an unbelievable amount of standing room only seats. We had three Bo sox fan's standing right behind our box seats. So my sweetie and I shared our seats, you know, rotated thru (it was a Dad, a teen about 14 and another one 11 or 12) and the younger guy knew his baseball. (as do I) so I was having alot of fun with him and we didn't mind sharing the seats, gave everyone a chance to stand, sit....blah blah blah....anyhow, the Dad bought us Ice Cream Cones (for being nice) I haven't had ice cream in ages, as I don't eat like that, but let me tell you.......that just may be part of my baseball experience! However, the sugar (and the adrenaline) kept me awake half the night, and alarm Kat wanted me up at 5.......(yawn) getting ready to go to game three.......trying to pick out what broom to take! (lol) ~Lets' Go Pirates~ (and don't take those Philly's lightly, they are GOOD!)

[AtLast]

Ain't basebal grand!?

Sometimes I just need a break from seriousness in life.

[Kobi]

Phew, my guys managed to salvage 1 game out of that series. Now I can turn my clothes right side out again. LOL.

YB I hope Tabata's injury isnt serious but it sure looked like a ruptured something to me. Who do you play next?

Ok bring on the Phillies! Maybe I will leave my clothes inside out....just in case.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Phew, my guys managed to salvage 1 game out of that series. Now I can turn my clothes right side out again. LOL.

YB I hope Tabata's injury isnt serious but it sure looked like a ruptured something to me. Who do you play next?

Ok bring on the Phillies! Maybe I will leave my clothes inside out....just in case.

Yes, you beat us on two errors, a pop fly tag up and a fielders choice. Thats how all four of your runs were scored. But, as is the case in baseball. The better team prevailed. You guys also had 2 errors. And left 8 runners on base. It could have been much worse. We'll take two out of three from one of the best teams in baseball. Your fan's pumped 4 million dollars into our economy in three days (thank you for that) tickets, hotel rooms, parking, eating out, buying things ect... and I found every one I came in contact with to be genuinely nice people who, just like me, love baseball.

I completely missed what happened to Tabata. Your pitcher came off the mound to field the ball, and the third baseman came over and somehow their legs became entangled and they layed motionless on the field. Then I looked over at first, when I saw Hurdle running out and saw Tabata laying
on the field. They gave us an update, it's a quad related injury.

We got another catcher (?) This was a super weekend, if you love baseball. Sold out on a Sunday!. I don't think that has happened in 10 years.

Alarm Kat is sleeping. I think I am going to go to bed too. We head to Toronto and I will be Jonesing it for baseball, as they are away until the fourth of july. No inside out Shirts today!......(and no ice cream)

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Yes, you beat us on two errors, a pop fly tag up and a fielders choice. Thats how all four of your runs were scored. But, as is the case in baseball. The better team prevailed. You guys also had 2 errors. And left 8 runners on base. It could have been much worse. We'll take two out of three from one of the best teams in baseball. Your fan's pumped 4 million dollars into our economy in three days (thank you for that) tickets, hotel rooms, parking, eating out, buying things ect... and I found every one I came in contact with to be genuinely nice people who, just like me, love baseball.

I completely missed what happened to Tabata. Your pitcher came off the mound to field the ball, and the third baseman came over and somehow their legs became entangled and they layed motionless on the field. Then I looked over at first, when I saw Hurdle running out and saw Tabata laying
on the field. They gave us an update, it's a quad related injury.

We got another catcher (?) This was a super weekend, if you love baseball. Sold out on a Sunday!. I don't think that has happened in 10 years.

Alarm Kat is sleeping. I think I am going to go to bed too. We head to Toronto and I will be Jonesing it for baseball, as they are away until the fourth of july. No inside out Shirts today!......(and no ice cream)

4 million in 3 days? Wow. Great baseball AND an economic boost AND a sold out stadium.

Maybe Pittsburgh is beginning to believe in their guys again.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Kobi

4 million in 3 days? Wow. Great baseball AND an economic boost AND a sold out stadium. That figure came from the news, via the Pgh Visitor and Convention Center, and yes attendance was just shy of 112,000 (never has it been more) for three games

Maybe Pittsburgh is beginning to believe in their guys again.
I tried to get into all three Sports and Gear shops at the ball park (I wanted a Jolly Roger flag/ skull and cross bones)...and the stores were so packed I couldn't get in. My sweetie was *thrilled* because as you may have already summized, I carry only my purse....hy gets to drag all the other crap.....

And yes, we die hard fans call them band wagon fans, that would be all the ones buying pirate hats and shirts all week end to make it look like they've been a fan....forever....so I'll have to get my Jolly Roger flag while the Buc's are away

[AtLast]

We swept the Indians!! WOOT!! On another winning streak, but damn, we need some consistent hitting. Every game is a 1 or 2 run win only.

I love this thread- I'm starting to watch for other team stats and learn about other players, etc. that the rest of you are posting about so I can follow your team's standings. This will come in handy following the All Stars game and the play-offs. I'll have other teams to root for if the Giants don't end up back in.

OK, so I need to follow the Pirates, the Tigers, and the Red Sox for sure.... and study them up! Hey, as the play-offs get closer, other members will be posting (yanno, not the "real" baseball fanatics, ;?), those that don't follow the game all season) and I will have some savy about these other teams earlier on!!! Great! I really miss both my parents, one sister and my brother that I talked, maybe "lived" baseball with as a kid and young adulthood. Baseball loving family from way back.

Kind of fun that my older sister has actually gotten interested in it the last couple of years as she was never into any kind of athletics, to participate in or follow ever even within our family of sports nuts. Too bad she doesn't live close- but she and her husband have started going to AZ in the winter (they are in their 70s & 80's) and go to watch Spring training, so she has become interested. Cracks me up because our parents in retirement loved taking off in their truck and travel trailer to AZ every year to follow teams in Spring training as well as fish along the way at camping/RV areas- especially any near casinos!!

Yup, Corkey, America's favorite pastime!! You, betcha'!!!

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Ain't basebal grand!?

Sometimes I just need a break from seriousness in life.

I believe it is. Thats why they call it Americas favorite past time!

[chefhottie25]

my cubs are on a winning streak...they beat the giants 2-1 yesterday and 5-2 today.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by chefhottie25

my cubs are on a winning streak...they beat the giants 2-1 yesterday and 5-2 today.

Phooey!! Nah- they played well against my guys.

[Kobi]

Ok my guys salvaged one game in Philly and that might only be because we hit a line drive off Cole Hamels wrist forcing him out of the game.

I was sighing in relief that interleague play was over and just realized we are on the way to Houston to play the Astros this weekend.

I have 2 questions for baseballers:

1. Has your team become very commericialized? The BoSox have official <whatevers>. And are adding more. We have an official ice cream, hot dog, mri providers, hospital, coffee etc. Today I picked up some freakin cheese doodles......the official cheese doodle of the Boston Red Sox. It's weird.

2. What does the month of September look like for your team? I was noticing the Sox play only the Yanks, Orioles, Rays, and Blue Jays over and over the entire month. Is anyone/everyone else playing only division teams the last month?

[Dominique]

Philly, just like the Bo Sox, is sold out every game. They have been a very good team for an awful long time.

I was unable to stay awake until the end of the Pirates Vs.Toronto game. Again, we took the series, but not a sweep. We get the Astros at home beginning 4th of July and then the Cubs, before the All Star break.

HA HA.....The pirates have a hard enough time getting their own fans to go to baseball games, let alone to endorse any products.

Tonight there is a good match up. Cleveland and Cincinnati. I saw on sports net Gary Sizemore had a nasty collision with the outfield wall on Wednesday. He stayed in the game. I'm sure he felt the effects of it yesterday. They were off last night. Cleveland will need his with the Reds.

Who is hosting the all star game this year? I hate to admit it, I don't even know.

[Kobi]

Voting for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game ended Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. When the polls re-open, it will be to allow fans to choose the final All-Star for the American League and National League teams.

The full rosters, minus the 34th player for each squad, will be announced this Sunday at noon ET on TBS. In addition to the starters, who are voted on by the fans, the pitchers and reserves will be chosen by the players and All-Star managers (Bruce Bochy in the NL and Ron Washington in the AL).


Alex Rodriguez is one of five Yankees who were the leading vote-getter at his position after the final update to voting. (AP photo)In the final update before the polls closed, the leading vote-getters in the AL were: Russell Martin at catcher, Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Robinson Cano at second base, Alex Rodriguez at third base, Derek Jeter at shortstop, David Ortiz at DH and Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and Josh Hamilton in the outfield.

In the NL, the leaders were: Brian McCann at catcher, Albert Pujols at first base, Rickie Weeks at second base, Placido Polanco at third base, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday in the outfield. Because Pujols is injured, he will miss the game.

The 82nd All-Star Game will be played July 12 at the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Ok my guys salvaged one game in Philly and that might only be because we hit a line drive off Cole Hamels wrist forcing him out of the game.

I was sighing in relief that interleague play was over and just realized we are on the way to Houston to play the Astros this weekend.

I have 2 questions for baseballers:

1. Has your team become very commericialized? The BoSox have official <whatevers>. And are adding more. We have an official ice cream, hot dog, mri providers, hospital, coffee etc. Today I picked up some freakin cheese doodles......the official cheese doodle of the Boston Red Sox. It's weird.

2. What does the month of September look like for your team? I was noticing the Sox play only the Yanks, Orioles, Rays, and Blue Jays over and over the entire month. Is anyone/everyone else playing only division teams the last month?

Have to agree on both 1 & 2! The Giants (and the A's- both here in the Bay Area of CA) have "Official" everything!! All of the ball park give-a-ways have logos of sponsors on them. Although, they do hand out some pretty kewl stuff especially for kids and I like that because it is so damn expensive for families to go to a game these days.

Something that has always bothered me is that our park is AT&T park- I know it has to do with finances, but it was built about 10 years ago and is really great and I wish it had a name from baseball, not a huge corporation. The park was designed well and located well for public transportation and even getting in and out of SF easily. It is nice looking and incorporates many of what makes the great old parks so beautiful like red brick plus has nice walkways along the waterfront for all to enjoy- not just baseball goers. Not a bad seat in the place, really- so you can see everything well even if you are in the "cheap seats." But I keep thinking that parks like Fenway & Wrigley just sound like baseball!

All of SF's home games have sold out this season- and actually have for a few years since the new park was built. Yes, winning the WS is part of it, but SF is a baseball city. It does have working class immigrant roots historically that were more about fishing and the docks. And there is also the move back in the 50's from NY that drew a lot of people that did the "go west" thing for economic opportunities.

You know, I would really like to own Ken Burn's history of the game as well as his series on the "Negro League." The game is far more than a sport- really is.

Yes, SF is playing all divisional teams the last month. I think it is like this across the MLB for all the pre- play off excitement between rivals.

OK, I am nervous about SF and the Tigers tonight- they just don't have any consistency with hitting and I think this is what will continue to give us grief. Yeah- SF has fantastic pitchers and some great defensive players, but, the teams that I think will get to the WS have some bats, too!

I'm stocked that Bochy is going to manage the NL All Stars- he is quite the strategist. Doesn't look like we will have anyone on the NL roster except pitchers. Posey & Sanchez are injured and they might have made it.

[Dominique]

Pirates lost to the National 2 to 1......

But I was more interested in Cleveland and Cincinnati....The Indians kicked the reds butts!

Yay me. The reds are in our Division, and The Indians are my Second favorite team in baseball, and helps me stay connected to AL baseball.

Gary Sizemore is one tough cookie. After that collision into the wall Wednesday, he had 2 hits, for two runs and two RBI's. I was shocked he even played. (maybe the days of the winers are fading away too)Sizemore had a homer and a double. Two good at bats.

Phillies put Madson on the 15 day list. His wrist and hand are pretty baddly bruised.

Thanks for the all star info Kobi. Once again, the Pirates were snubbed. No pirates selected. We have a couple that should have been. While I largely agree, this year the teams DO look like they have position players with skill (less popularity)......now one pirate will be selected by default.
Exhale.....maybe next year.

I have to check on Lyle overpaid. See what he's been doing. The trade rumors are heating up with all of our injuries, everyone thats been called up from the minors is doing pretty well. OVERPAID needs to go. But I guess he gets that 5 million GTD.

[AtLast]

A nail biter game yesterday in Detroit. SF won! I could have done without Brian Wilson's tantrum! Can't be the closing hero all the time, Brian!