Opening Day Open Thread
By Ben Domenech Posted in baseball | Miscellanea — Comments (85) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Tonight, President Bush will throw out the first pitch on opening night at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. Honestly, the Nats probably hope they could keep him on the mound, considering Odalis Perez - who wasn't on a major league roster five weeks ago, and whose best pitch is "like Dice-K's gyroball, but without the ennui" - ain't that grand as an ace.
But in any case: baseball is here again, people. And that's a good thing.
The worst pitch vs. one of the best — Comments (8) »
Opening Day Open Thread 85 Comments (0 topical, 85 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
I moved from Georgia to Texas in the last 6 weeks, just in time for the first season that the Braves won't be telecast nationally (it's been coming for years, of course, but man it sucks). I'm glad I'll at least get to see opening day.
Oh, and Ben, you're welcome for Odalis Perez. He's taken a circuitous route to reach the Nats, but we (the Bravos) gave him up first to get that ball rolling :-)
For a Yankees fan living in Florida, it's worth getting. You won't regret it.
Fortuna Favet Fortibus
but we have DISH and they don't offer it. I was surprised to find this out, my wife and I talked about getting it (she's a bigger Braves fan than I am), but when I checked, they said they didn't offer it. We're planning on moving back to NC sometime in the next year, so when we do, we're ditching DISH and going with DirecTV so I can get my Broncos games and we can get Braves games. I don't have much of a choice right now since I think we still have 8 months left on the contract with DISH...
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
...to ditch the contract. I dumped DISH several years ago and switched to DirecTV. MLB Extra Innings is great - except that you'll find a good hunk of your games are brought to you via the other team's feed. It's stunning how lousy some of the small market announcers are - and I don't just mean they aren't 'your' announcers. They are really unprofessional, unobservant, and annoying. Still, you get to watch the game and the volume control can always eliminate the problem.
Fortuna Favet Fortibus.
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so you can still see the Braves on the local station, "Peachtree TV," but it leaves national Braves fans disenfranchised.
It was nice to see Chipper Jones hit the first home run in the new Washington ball park while President Bush was in the ESPN booth with the commentators.
Goodness knows if baseball won't end up on strike again next month.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. --Voltaire
...I remember when the WW"E" had to actually try to get viewers. When WCW and ECW folded into the WW"E" empire, there was no more real competition -- and thus, no push for creativity at all.
When the WCW and the then WWF were in the height of their ratings war on Monday nights the story lines were probably the best ever. After the mergers, well, let's just say that I can't stand watching the same story repeat every few months just with different characters.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
Baseball is boring. Now Blurnsball.....
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle
Now there's a game.
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“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ” - Martin Luther
_____________________________
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle
_____________________________
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle
Ben Domenech some here in Missouri that cheer for the KC Royals would beg to defer about Odalis Perez not being on a Major league roster he pitched about 140 horrible innings for Royals.
Since I'm a Dodger Fan i can attest to his horrible pitches though.
try baseball in my town. Texas Rangers. Nuf said...
On the bright side we DO have the Fort Worth Cats - winners now of 3 consecutive championships in the American Association (the teams are not directly affiliated with ML teams, approximately 1A or really good major college talent). We, as the champions, keep getting our best talent siphoned off by the ML system, yet we keep winning!
Cheap tickets, great seats, quite respectable talent, great promos and community spirit. I just love it. Me and a buddy of mine always get an 18-game mini-season ticket package out there.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
Nothing like baseball a mile high. Especially in the humidor era.
I was already giving up on the Giants, but after seeing that they've removed every single reference to Barry I won't be around long enough for the door to hit me on the way out. I may follow them in September as I think they may have a shot at beating the modern record of 120 loses in a season.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
Opening day tomorrow against the Tribe. Put it on the booooooooooooooooard-yes!!!
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
I grew up in a small town 10 miles south of Worcester, right on I-146. I am a transplant to South Dakota, but I still have Red Sox blood in my veins. Does anyone here know what the "Pesky Pole" is? I doubt it if you are not a Red Sox fan. In Boston it is just as well known as the "Green Monster".
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(""The only reason that some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.")
BoSox this fall....get ready!
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
... plenty of popcorn. Win or lose, I enjoy watching the game. I admire the Cubs too. The World Series drought thing is something we shared for a long time. I kinda developed a kinship with Cubs fans because of it. Now you guys need to join us. I look forward to it.
Cheers!
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(""The only reason that some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.")
I'd rather see the Yankees win the next 10 in a row then for Boston to win anything else. My hatred of rivals goes in order:Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers/Indians/Twins, Yankees.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
... that these kinds of rivalries are what makes sports so fun. I am not into hating other teams, but I sure do enjoy seeing some teams lose more than others!
All I can say is that it is going to be fun!
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(""The only reason that some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.")
Yankees fans are generally less annoying that Red Sox fans I found, but Cubs fans are bad-but having said that I give Cubs fans a pass on being annoying at the Cell, because we bring it hard in their craptastic park at (name soon to be sold) Field.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
It's those pesky Cubs fans causing all the trouble at that lovely ballpark on the Southside. Are ths Sox running any promos this year giving discounts for fans on parole? Or do they think that will cut too far into revenues? =)
A four year old incident! How's this for a link-one that the Cubs haven't seen in 100 years?
http://www.republicjewelry.com/grax/05wschamppatch.jpg
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
...No one has answered this yet.
The Pesky Pole is the right field foul pole. So named because right down the line is extemely short in Fenway and Johnny Pesky became famous for his short home runs that barely cleared the pole.
I grew up 25 miles west of Yankee Stadium. Third generation Yankees fan.
Fortuna Favet Fortibus
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
there is only one real game in ChiTown tomorrow...on the NorSide.
Hey BR, new food at the Friendly Confines...
bar-be-cued shrimp, meat loaf, and taco salad!!!
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Good guys wear black and pinstripes jdub. There's still a day to see what winning playoff baseball looks like though...
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
I agree, you just have to look at the schedule and see when the Red Sox or Indians come to town.
Go Cubs!
I understand that the playofs are a sore subject because you guys can't seem to make it out of the opening rounds. It's ok, there's alwasy next century-share the swagger jdub, come to the South Side away from those Northside latte liberal yuppies and see how men play baseball. There's still time I promise :-)
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
is coming...the SouSide needs to be cleansed of filth. :P
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
As well as a good race all season long. Hopefully, the youth of the Brewers continues to make great strides forwards, and not backwards. GO CREW!
"Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity and not by quality."
-George Santayana
"..hello boss, not feeling well..I'll be working from home today.."
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(""The only reason that some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.")
The connection that the community has with it's Hall of Famers is really special.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
Don't know if you can get the game or not, but I had chills as I watched the procession this year. The song does it for me every time.
Sure, there are a lot of questions, but I'm ready for a good season.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
If the game were in Denver instead of St. Louis, it would've been a snow-out. We got the same storm, but a little colder.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
especially when your ace gets dinged for 5 in the first two innings.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
quality start at Coors Field.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
that Pujols can put one out of the park again tonight. I'm pulling for him to take back the single season HR mark from that goon Bonds.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
Because Pujols has never used steroids, right?
This Barry-hating phenomenon is almost comical.
What really surprises me is that people don't like him because he doesn't take anything from the media. Republicans of all people should know what the media is like...
Barry Bonds is simply the best player to ever play the game.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
1. Prove it.
2. I consider McGuire a goon too.
3. He is despised because he is a cheat. If he was still the skinny dude from Pittsburg this probably would be a non-issue.
4. There is no real basis to compare him to any of the non-steroid eras.
5. Go Cards!
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
1. 500 HR & 500 SB. Only 2 others have 300/300. No one else has even 400/400. 8 gold gloves. Single-season & career records for HR. Single season record for OBP. Single season record for walks (both total and intentional). 7 MVP titles (next closest is 3).
2. I'm sorry you feel that way. Mark McGwire (not McGuire) was not a multi-dimensional player, but he was sure fun to watch.
3. No one but the home team fans ever liked Bonds, regardless of his size or shape. He wouldn't kiss the media's behinds, so they regularly set him up just like they did to others in previous years (Steve Carlton, Roger Maris, etc.) In any case, Bonds did not cheat. Even if he took steroids, they weren't banned at the time. Only liberals try to change the rules retroactively.
4. Those kind of comparisons are always difficult, but there should be no doubt he was the greatest player (by a lot) in his era. He was most certainly the most feared (he was once intentionally walked with the bases loaded).
5. They're ok. I'm not a La Russa fan. He's one of the reasons the all-star game is so screwed up (because he chose his own players over better players during the A's heyday when he was the manager).
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
hitting if he did not wear the armor he wore at the plate?
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
that was approved by Major League Baseball?
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
it was a simple question..you're the one that is pimping Bonds.
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
I'm relaxed. Makes no difference to me what you think of him.
I'm not sure what relevance the question has. In all sports protective devices have improved and more have been allowed than in previous years (e.g. Ice Hockey). It's one of the reasons why eras are almost impossible to compare.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
you said he was the best player to ever play the game...yes, that's pimping. You defend him...that's pimping.
" eras are almost impossible to compare" so...that makes your Bonds claim...?
Oh, and, are you going to answer my question regarding the hardware?...would he have been that successful?
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Oh, and, are you going to answer my question regarding the hardware?...would he have been that successful?
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
but we all know the answer...no he wouldn't have been.
Basically, he's a wuss, that had to take drugs to get better in his profession...and has lied about it.
But keep believing he " is the best to have ever played the game" ** :P
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
it's an irrelevant question.
Doesn't matter anyway. You already have your mind made up. I'm not sure why you asked the question in the first place.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
I've been here long enough. Maybe we should have people here take a vote.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
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Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
the Prove it was in response to your alleging that Pujols took steriods.
And yes, it would be cheating even if it wasn't explicitly against the rules. Even baseball has to abide by federal law. Federal law bans the use of steroids.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
Barry Bonds' drug use isn't legislatable on a Federal level!!!
Now, if you'll pardon me, I have to get back to the drug war thread and ask questions about The Children.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. --Voltaire
Might've been illegal, but that's a different question.
Fact is, he's never tested positive for steroid use. He's also on record saying he's never knowingly taken them.
So I'll put the question back on you.
Prove it.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
but I equate illegal with cheating. Apparently there is enough evidence to indict. The Feds don't like to indict cases that they know aren't a lock.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
thinks they need a little more practice with those things apparently (indictments, that is).
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
just color me bitter that the rain washed out a good performance by Wainwright.
And that botched throw to home that ultimately cost the Cards a W last night.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
I see the Rox having the same fate as the birds. Go from sweep in series(by Sox) to miserable year.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
...we're talking Tribe!
Opening day - the demonstration that life with baseball is most certainly better than life without.
Go Indians!
We're going to stomp some Injuns good tomorrow-put that one on the board. Go White Sox!
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
...you were saying?
And before you start complaining, when you attempt to grab the shortstop's thigh and pull him down, yes Virgina, that is interference. ;-)
All razzing aside...have I mentioned how content I am that it's baseball season again?
Yeah bro, I'm happy its baseball season too. It finally feels like spring :-)
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Mitt-Mitt for VP!
Thome came out with a roar...and BR, can you say FUKUDOME? !!!
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Answer this question for me? Why does Sabathia wear his hat pointed off to the side? Is his head shaped that way?!? It just bugs me to no end!! Go Palehose!!!!!
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." Thomas Jefferson
I just got a new Sony HDTV, and I want to hook my old Nintendo up to it. However, these new tvs don't have the old coaxial cable inputs. Does anyone know how I can hook this Nintendo up?
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(""The only reason that some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.")
That's the last video game system I've bought. The Nintendo 64 has RCA inputs that would work on my new tv. The old Nintendo uses coaxial cable.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
..and you can download all those classic games for $5 each and still hook up to the Sony HD ;-)
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Barack Obama. A Change for the Worse.
Radio Shack has them.
BTW, if your console ever dies, I found a "new" replacement console at the local used games store. It plays the old 8-bit and 16-bit Nintendo games. It costs about $40.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
There are few better memories than seeing the games with my father.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
On the opening pitch and shuts down the boo birds. Loved that.
What the hell is going on out here? - Vince Lombardi
Before baseball started abandoning all its traditions, it used to be that Cincinnati always opened the major league season. Heck, Opening Day there is (or at least was) a school holiday with a parade and everything.
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Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Thanks to TBS ditching the Braves, tonight's game is one of the few that we will see out here on the West Coast, got the DVR set, so we'll be joining the game about an hour after it starts and will catch up just about the time the game finishes.
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.