Yankees: Objects in Mirror are Closer then they Appear

[Imran Siddiqui]

But enough to combat 2 MVP candidates, a Cy Young candidate, and 3 Gold Glove winners?

The Cards counter with 3 MVP candidates and 5 Gold Glove winners (4 of whom won last year). Yes, they don't have a Cy Young candidate, but they do have four 15 game winners.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Well, if you're including Jim Edmonds, then I should include Johnny Damon. Edmonds has more HRs, RBIs, 2Bs, and a better OBP, but Damon has more Hits, SBs, 3Bs and a better AVG (not to mention half as many Strikeouts). Damon is also batting from the Leadoff position, meaning he's usually the one on base when Manny and Ortiz get their RBIs.

[Imran Siddiqui]

2004 OPS:

Damon: .857 (48th in MLB)
Edmonds: 1.061 (4th in MLB)



Only a BoSox fan could think they are even close to comparable. And OPS ain't affected by where you bat.

Hell, St. Louis has THREE players who have OPS's over 1.000, while Boston only has one.

[monolith94]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

But enough to combat 2 MVP candidates, a Cy Young candidate, and 3 Gold Glove winners?

The Cards counter with 3 MVP candidates and 5 Gold Glove winners (4 of whom won last year). Yes, they don't have a Cy Young candidate, but they do have four 15 game winners.

In summation, it will be a challenging world series for the red sox, but I feel we have the strength and intestinal fortitude for it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Not saying if the Sox play the Cardinals that it's a foregone conclusion. Just saying don't sell the Cards short. Their offense can be scary good as anyone who saw them rip apart a very good LA pitching staff & bullpen to shreads (except Mr. Lima).

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Cases for Johnny Damon

http://thediamondangle.com/blogger/2004/09/damon-in-roughanother-mvp-candidate.html

http://redsox.mostvaluablenetwork.com/index.php?p=133

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=1896493

[Imran Siddiqui]

The 'case' for Damon is 'intangibles' in one link and the other gives stats that show Damon well below other Red Sox, except in a measure called 'batting eye'.

How intangibles makes up for over 200 points in OPS is beyond me .

Face it, Edmonds is a legitimate MVP candidate (those over 1.000 in OPS usually are), while Damon is a pretender. He'll be lucky to finish in the Top 5.

Only a BoSox fanatic would claim that Damon is as much an MVP contender as Edmonds is .

[monolith94]

I don't know much about this Edmonds fella, but I will comment on just the way Johnny Damon plays. Lately, he's been playing with a fierce concentration and dedication that gives me real confidence in the team. He just looks like a warrior. He might not have mind-boggling stats, but I feel like I can count on him in a tight position. He's been doing great so far in the post-season, and I don't see him faltering any time soon.

[Imran Siddiqui]

That's nice, but it doesn't make an MVP. You'll note Derek Jeter hasn't gotten one (and doesn't deserve one either).

Manny is more like the MVP. The guy with the numbers who makes people like Damon look better because of his monster numbers.

[Vlad Antlerkov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
That's nice, but it doesn't make an MVP. You'll note Derek Jeter hasn't gotten one (and doesn't deserve one either).

Manny is more like the MVP. The guy with the numbers who makes people like Damon look better because of his monster numbers.

To be fair, I think that Jeter probably should have won the MVP back in 1999. Or Manny, or Alomar, or Pedro, or Nomar, or someone other than Pudge. (Within reason, of course.)

Also:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/yankeez-rool-boston-is-teh-suck/

[Arrian]

Oh, the presumption in this thread! Looking ahead to a Sox-Stros series, eh?

What is it with Sox fans? It's either doom & gloom or absolutely insane hubris. No in-between.

Go Yanks! Rip their hearts out again!

-Arrian

[GePap]

I predict another instant classic- if there is one thing these NY Yankees of the late 90's have given us, its a lot of Instant classics. The 96 series, the subway series, the 2001 series against the diamondbacks, their comeback against the A's, the classic moments never seem to end with this group.

[Apocalypse]

I'm sorry, the Subway Series was boring as hell and no one outside of New York cared at all.

[GePap]

IIRC they had a game that went 15 innings, longest in world series history. As for the rest of the country not caring- we don't care if you people cared

[Arrian]

That was actually a really good series, despite it only going 5 games. All the games were really close (1 or 2 run margin of victory). All were well-pitched. At least one went into extra innings (game 1, which I thought was 12 innings).

As for the rest of the country... well, **** 'em, then. They missed some great baseball. If the Cards play the 'Stros this year, I'll still watch. I won't care as much about the victor, but I'll watch.

-Arrian