MLB 2011!!

[Ming]

It already is a joke... How can they keep Pete Rose out. He broke the rules, and they have denied him. It's no different than the steroid users. What about Shoeless Joe Jackson... he deserves to be in as well.

Some considered McGwire a lock to make it... and the best he can do is 24% of the votes.

And as far as Clemens... What about Bert Blyleven. He's been on the ballot since 1998. And granted he almost made it this year, he still hasn't made it in. He currently ranks 5th all-time in Strikeouts, 9th all-time in Shutouts, and 27th all-time in Wins. He is the only eligible member of the 3000 strikeout club, and the only person with 50 or more shutouts not in the Hall of Fame. If he was an proven steroid user, do you think he would have gotten close?

It remains to be seen when your supposed floodgates will burst. I don't think it will be Clemons. And Bonds is an arogant jerk and not the best poster boy either. People have enough reasons to hate him, and the steroid issue may still haunt him in his quest for the HOF.

Bonds may join Rose and Jackson as great players not in the HOF.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Rose is somewhat different (though I think it's ridiculous as well). As betting on baseball carried the penalty of a lifetime ban when Rose was found out doing so. Not the same for steroid usage (and still not the same). Also in that context, Shoeless Joe not being is absolutely offensive.

While Blyleven most definitely deserves enshrinement, he is blocked by morons who want 300 wins or bust (Thank God for the Sabermetric movement bringing Blyleven back to prominence). Even saying that, Clemens is a far better pitcher... arguably one of the 5 best of all time (as is Bonds in terms of hitters).

[rah]

A classic In the trib this morning.

He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. But he doesn't deserve to know he's in the Hall of Fame.
Filmmaker Ken Burns, telling the Television Critics Association that Pete Rose should be inducted in Cooperstown after he dies.

[Ming]

Sure, Roger Clemens "should" be a lock... one of the best of all time, blah blah blah blah...

Here are the results of an ESPN.com poll of Hall of Fame voters on Roger Clemens' Cooperstown candidacy in light of the findings in the Mitchell report (total responses: 100)

Question: If the Hall of Fame election were held today, would you vote for Roger Clemens?
YES 37 (37%)
NO 22 (22%)
UNDECIDED 41 (41%)
NOTE: Candidates need 75 percent of the vote for election.

He would need to get the bulk of the undecided to get in...

[Imran Siddiqui]

So right after a report is released voters overreact?! I'm shocked!

[Ming]

Sure... dismiss real data if you want. At least it's real data and not just an opinion.
I think it does point out that even a lock like RC might have problems in the future.

It doesn't take much to deny somebody entrance into the HOF.

[rah]

I agree that there are a lot of "heads up their ass" sportswriters that will deny the roiders entrance while snorting their lines. It doesn't take many.

But I say let them all in and just say it was the roid era. And I'd also point out the speed era and the white era.

[-Jrabbit]

My only problem with that is the slap to non-juicers (which I dearly hope includes Frank Thomas).

But the problem with that is that we'll never really know who juiced, and how much, for sure.

[Berzerker]

Cheese & Crackers

I just lost C Carlos Santana last Monday in our weekly league and now I lost Soto this week.

[Berzerker]

ouch, Ellsbury was my 3rd ??? pick

and a total bust

get better Jacoby, thats one painful injury

[Imran Siddiqui]

Middle of August and a few good races. The Yankees and Rays, obviously, as the two best teams in baseball try to get #1. In the NL East, the Braves who just lost Chipper for the year (perhaps for good?) get an under performing Derrick Lee and hope for the best as they try to stave off the Phillies! Both Central matchups are also intriguing as the Cards are only 3.5 back of the still on top of the Central Reds (who saw that one?), while the White Sox are 4 back of the Twins. And in the West, the Rangers are 7 games up while the Padres (speak of who saw that one) are up by 6!

[Berzerker]

with my attention on fantasy I always lose track of the actual pennant races, Texas and SD are surprises

[Imran Siddiqui]

I could care less about your fantasy team (no offense, of course) . I just think the real game is far more interesting...

[Berzerker]

agreed, I wish my knees were still up to playing softball

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's the reason God invented golf - a sport where you don't really need your knees .

[SlowwHand]

I could care less about your fantasy team (no offense, of course) . I just think the real game is far more interesting...

In the first place, to say it correctly, it's "I couldn't care less". I'm sure you can see the difference.
In the second place, you don't have to be such a crab ass to Berz.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's said both ways (the I could has more Google results than I couldn't). Regardless of the meaning of the words.

Secondly, this isn't a fantasy thread .

[-Jrabbit]

What a great year to be a contender with Cubs games left on your schedule...
Beneficiaries: St. Louis, Cinci, Atlanta, San Diego, San Francisco. So it's pretty even except for the East, where Philly will be denied any free wins while the Braves get 3 more this weekend.

[-Jrabbit]

Today's game is an excellent example. You're welcome, Atlanta.

[SlowwHand]

OF Manny Ramirez was placed on waivers Wednesday, according to multiple media outlets.

Stephen Strasburg will have a second MRI exam Thursday to determine exactly what is wrong with the Washington Nationals' rookie ace. Strasburg was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday with what the team termed a right strained flexor tendon in his forearm.

Now my trade of Cliff Lee for these two is officially the worst trade that I ever made.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Strasburg has a torn elbow ligament:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

He will have Tommy John surgery and will likely be out all of next season. This is why you don't spend a ton on pitching prospects and why you are so careful with them.

[snoopy369]

Ouch!

[EPW]

Now my trade of Cliff Lee for these two is officially the worst trade that I ever made.

Well, yeah. But it looked fair at the time. Cliff Lee was coming back from injury, Manny was hitting well, and Strasburg was absolutely dominating in the minors.

[SlowwHand]

Yes, it was fair. I'd never really seen Lee pitch. The guy is awesome. For some reason, he hasn't been getting run support when he pitches, but everyone expects 8 innings from him. He definitely throws strikes.

[Berzerker]

wow, there is one helluva battle for 3rd and 4th - 5 people with a chance at 2 spots

[EPW]

I got the 3rd spot rapt up.

[OzzyKP]

Back off, its mine now.

[Berzerker]

meanwhile me and the italian are running away with it

[Imran Siddiqui]

The Boston Red Sox are tied for the 4th best record in the American League.... and they are 8 games out of 1st Place in the AL East and 7 games out of the Wild Card (due to the 2nd best record team in the AL East). Unbelievable just how far ahead of everyone the Yankees and Rays are right now.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Torre to step down at the end of this season - Mattingly to take over for him - after a highly disappointing season:

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5584396

---

Also with 16-17 games to go (depending on the team), the AL playoffs are virtually locked up with New York, Tampa, Minnesota, and Texas well in front. The only question seems to be who will in the AL East? Tampa has an easier schedule.

The NL is more interesting. Cincinatti looks like the only lock (The Reds? Really... how did that happen?). Philly has a small lead over the Braves and the NL West is all sorts of fun with the Giants have a half game lead over the fading San Diego and a 2.5 game lead over the Rockies. And in the Wild Card, the Braves have the same record as the Giants, so the Pads and Rockies are the same number of games behind. Should be a fun final few weeks in the NL!