2023 MLB Regular Season

[bfj]

Mountcastle w a 472 foot bomb

[Giff]

At least he's on my fantasy team!

[bfj]

Who is Oxy that sponsors the Stros?

[cerranoredux]

Bryce might be starting to break through. Turned has a put together a few good games (which is sad to have to note), and it is starting to feel like this team is starting to come together, Pepper. Just need to make it into the second season.

[L-Jam3]

I read or heard somewhere, can’t remember, that compared the Phillies to an NBA team that plays at a 50-win intensity and then turns an extra gear in the playoffs. Now I’m not that bullish in them as they’re still 8 weeks and a lot can happen in either direction (except likely catching ATL for the division). But baseball is similar to hockey that you can just get into the playoffs and get hot for a month, as they showed last year.

And if Hoskins can turn up in October like Schwarber did for the Cubs in 2016…

[mister d]

That's a pretty weird comp since baseball isn't a sport where energy conservation has benefits. Like maybe if pitchers or Harper were being over-rested, but playing poorly with another gear to come doesn't quite pass the ol' sniff test.

[bfj]

Bautista gives up a grand slam to Tucker in the 9th. O’s down 7-6. We can also discuss why Jorge Mateo (SS who is filling in at CF) was still in CF in the top of the 9th.

[L-Jam3]

That's a pretty weird comp since baseball isn't a sport where energy conservation has benefits. Like maybe if pitchers or Harper were being over-rested, but playing poorly with another gear to come doesn't quite pass the ol' sniff test.

I never said I agree with them; it might’ve been on WIP for all I know. I’m just saying that if they get into the party they have the bats that can get them far. So can a lot of other teams, but still.

[mister d]

And the SPs. They’re def built for the playoffs (Yankees kinda are too if Rodon gets his shit straight).

[EnochRoot]

Bautista gives up a grand slam to Tucker in the 9th. O’s down 7-6. We can also discuss why Jorge Mateo (SS who is filling in at CF) was still in CF in the top of the 9th.

This x a thousand. McKenna was in RF after a defensive substitution, yet Cowser was on the bench. Cowser needed to be in RF and McKenna in CF. Yes, Mateo made a video game catch robbing a HR earlier in the game, but he's a professional athlete who got back and waited on that ball to time his jump. In the 9th, he guessed wrong on the backtrack and badly whiffed on catching an imminently catchable ball. Perhaps worse than the gaffe Tucker had in RF earlier in the game (ironically enough).

They'll bounce back tomorrow.

[DSafetyGuy]

Who is Oxy that sponsors the Stros?

Occidental Petroleum.

[tennbengal]

This is a good read. I found myself nodding and what not at stuff in it. Etc. Etc.

https://sportsnaut.com/kevin-brown-susp ... -of-touch/

The broken promises, the bullying, the iron-fist declarations of positivity-only-vibes-or-else, it’s all part of the persona Angelos has created – and it fits with the lawsuit that his brother filed against him that painted the Orioles executive as a loose cannon who answers to no one.

[Nonlinear FC]

Imagine you land your dream job, either on the broadcast team, or running social media for an MLB team. You work through at least part of the truly dark years where the team loses over 100 games, and finally, the team's rebuild starts to truly sink in and pay dividends.

As a storyteller/quasi-journalist, you are pumped to put this incredible run in context. Only for some thin-skinned moron to not only put the brakes on that, but to publicly and/or company-wide shame you and even suspend you.

What an asshole.

[L-Jam3]

If anything, the new success would feel like a validation and you’d want your play-by-play guy to trumpet it. “We used to suck donkey balls for the prior three years. Now we’re good and kicking ass, even beating up the team that started 13-0 this year.”

Shit, I’d have the announcers start every broadcast with that.

[tennbengal]

If anything, the new success would feel like a validation and you’d want your play-by-play guy to trumpet it. “We used to suck donkey balls for the prior three years. Now we’re good and kicking ass, even beating up the team that started 13-0 this year.”

Shit, I’d have the announcers start every broadcast with that.

That’s what is crazy about this. Of course one would. Anyone would. Except for that crazed narcissistic asshole. Who has indirectly made my life very difficult for several years.

[L-Jam3]

If anything, the new success would feel like a validation and you’d want your play-by-play guy to trumpet it. “We used to suck donkey balls for the prior three years. Now we’re good and kicking ass, even beating up the team that started 13-0 this year.”

Shit, I’d have the announcers start every broadcast with that.

That’s what is crazy about this. Of course one would. Anyone would. Except for that crazed narcissistic asshole. Who has indirectly made my life very difficult for several years.

It would never in a million years pass, but raising the estate and gift tax to 75% on new bracket over $10MM and then redirecting it to literally anything would solve a ton of problems in America.

[degenerasian]

If anything, the new success would feel like a validation and you’d want your play-by-play guy to trumpet it. “We used to suck donkey balls for the prior three years. Now we’re good and kicking ass, even beating up the team that started 13-0 this year.”

Shit, I’d have the announcers start every broadcast with that.

It does get old and repetitive though since baseball is an everyday sport. You have to let go of the ex girlfriend.

[bfj]

So the article is written by the guy that got chewed out at the MLK press conference. But I agree with most of what’s been said. He’s just another owner who is power hungry for a lot of the credit and wants to make all the decisions even though he’s way out of his element.

Instead, he’s ruining what could be a great thing by not completing tasks, by asserting authority where he doesn’t belong, by not spending money on payroll and extensions and by continually coming across as a spoiled rich kid who must get his way without reproach.

He’s not ruining anything for this fan. All I care about is who is on the field.

And I’m not sure who he hasn’t extended or what player he hasn’t spent on recently. Connelly gives no examples of that. I wonder who/what he means.

[EnochRoot]

So the article is written by the guy that got chewed out at the MLK press conference. But I agree with most of what’s been said. He’s just another owner who is power hungry for a lot of the credit and wants to make all the decisions even though he’s way out of his element.

Instead, he’s ruining what could be a great thing by not completing tasks, by asserting authority where he doesn’t belong, by not spending money on payroll and extensions and by continually coming across as a spoiled rich kid who must get his way without reproach.

He’s not ruining anything for this fan. All I care about is who is on the field.

And I’m not sure who he hasn’t extended or what player he hasn’t spent on recently. Connelly gives no examples of that. I wonder who/what he means.

He's talking about working out extension with Adley and Gunnar. And then the next tier of players, and then the players behind them.

Part of the problem here is Connolly is operating in the dark in regards to contracts given to FO personnel. But the player contracts are public domain.

[bfj]

So the article is written by the guy that got chewed out at the MLK press conference. But I agree with most of what’s been said. He’s just another owner who is power hungry for a lot of the credit and wants to make all the decisions even though he’s way out of his element.

Instead, he’s ruining what could be a great thing by not completing tasks, by asserting authority where he doesn’t belong, by not spending money on payroll and extensions and by continually coming across as a spoiled rich kid who must get his way without reproach.

He’s not ruining anything for this fan. All I care about is who is on the field.

And I’m not sure who he hasn’t extended or what player he hasn’t spent on recently. Connelly gives no examples of that. I wonder who/what he means.

He's talking about working out extension with Adley and Gunnar. And then the next tier of players, and then the players behind them.

Part of the problem here is Connolly is operating in the dark in regards to contracts given to FO personnel. But the player contracts are public domain.

Can we get through the season before we tear up Gunnar’s deal and extend him? I have no doubt they’ll get extended.

[EnochRoot]

So the article is written by the guy that got chewed out at the MLK press conference. But I agree with most of what’s been said. He’s just another owner who is power hungry for a lot of the credit and wants to make all the decisions even though he’s way out of his element.

Instead, he’s ruining what could be a great thing by not completing tasks, by asserting authority where he doesn’t belong, by not spending money on payroll and extensions and by continually coming across as a spoiled rich kid who must get his way without reproach.

He’s not ruining anything for this fan. All I care about is who is on the field.

And I’m not sure who he hasn’t extended or what player he hasn’t spent on recently. Connelly gives no examples of that. I wonder who/what he means.

He's talking about working out extension with Adley and Gunnar. And then the next tier of players, and then the players behind them.

Part of the problem here is Connolly is operating in the dark in regards to contracts given to FO personnel. But the player contracts are public domain.

Can we get through the season before we tear up Gunnar’s deal and extend him?

Hey don't shoot the messenger.

I have no doubt they’ll get extended.

You have more faith than a lot of O's fans I know.

[tennbengal]

I have doubts.

[bfj]

I have doubts.

Not sure what those doubts are based on. This regime has rebuilt the team from nothing to something. Just don’t talk about it on air. They’re not hiring has beens to fill roster spots. They hired baseball people to do baseball things. People can’t even enjoy a good season.

[bfj]

I have doubts.

And to be fair, you’re not exactly impartial when it comes to this.

[tennbengal]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

[bfj]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

Um…I know. That’s what I mean.

[DSafetyGuy]

Tigers' terrible play-by-play guy is acting like some moron running on the field in a federal crime, saying Cabrera and Baez (on screen) share his feeling on the matter, just like everyone else. Meanwhile, at least three fans on camera behind them are recording it with their phones and you can tell when things get interesting over a 20-ish second span based on the overall crowd reaction.

Just an absolute anchor on making another below average season enjoyable.

[tennbengal]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

Um…I know. That’s what I mean.

Whatever you think John Angelos is capable of… he is.

[L-Jam3]

Has a team ever thrown a no-hitter in the same game a guy homered in his first official career at-bat? Because it might be happening near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers.

[Reaper]

Has a team ever thrown a no-hitter in the same game a guy homered in his first official career at-bat? Because it might be happening near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers.

Yeah, that was a fun one to watch. 29-year-old, seven-year minor leaguer hitting a home run in his first MLB PA with what looked like 20 family members in the stands, and a recently traded guy making his first home start, with his mom, wife and little kid there to watch it all. Pretty damn sweet.

[brian]

I’m just gonna go ahead and count that as another no-hitter for the Tigers this year as well.

[mister d]

Even beyond what TB seems to be alluding to, Baltimore is successful right now on the backs of minimum salary players (2nd lowest payroll). There’s no guarantee that means they’re going to double-plus their payroll in the next few years to stay up versus saying “look, it can be done young and cheap” and trading these guys for pre-arb talent.

[mister d]

… and a recently traded guy making his first home start, with his mom, wife and little kid there to watch it all.

That kid was kind of a dick. Wasn’t even paying attention.

[brian]

Even beyond what TB seems to be alluding to, Baltimore is successful right now on the backs of minimum salary players (2nd lowest payroll). There’s no guarantee that means they’re going to double-plus their payroll in the next few years to stay up versus saying “look, it can be done young and cheap” and trading these guys for pre-arb talent.

Baltimore’s attendance is still pretty abysmal (though to be fair, much improved from 2022 and tracking in the right direction recently) so I wouldn’t put it past Angelos to cheap out when it comes time to start to have to pay some of these guys.

[cerranoredux]

Has a team ever thrown a no-hitter in the same game a guy homered in his first official career at-bat? Because it might be happening near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers.

Yeah, that was a fun one to watch. 29-year-old, seven-year minor leaguer hitting a home run in his first MLB PA with what looked like 20 family members in the stands, and a recently traded guy making his first home start, with his mom, wife and little kid there to watch it all. Pretty damn sweet.

Things are starting to come together, Pepper.

[bfj]

Even beyond what TB seems to be alluding to, Baltimore is successful right now on the backs of minimum salary players (2nd lowest payroll). There’s no guarantee that means they’re going to double-plus their payroll in the next few years to stay up versus saying “look, it can be done young and cheap” and trading these guys for pre-arb talent.

Baltimore’s attendance is still pretty abysmal (though to be fair, much improved from 2022 and tracking in the right direction recently) so I wouldn’t put it past Angelos to cheap out when it comes time to start to have to pay some of these guys.

There’s never been a core of players this young and talented since he’s owned the team. The only player close was Manny and it made zero sense to keep him. This is uncharted waters for Baltimore and the Angelos’ so we don’t know what’s going to happen yet.

[bfj]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

Um…I know. That’s what I mean.

Whatever you think John Angelos is capable of… he is.

Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up.

[tennbengal]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

Um…I know. That’s what I mean.

Whatever you think John Angelos is capable of… he is.

Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up.

That includes moving vans. Politicians are right to be concerned as hell about the lack of a signed lease. I assume this is a play to get even more from the state for whatever his vision is of an Atlanta Braves-esque neighborhood between Camden and the football stadium but it certainly could also be the same playbook as the A’s ownership group did to Oakland where they string them along always with excuses on why a deal wasn’t yet ripe to stay. Doesn’t matter. He’s not all that rational. Like, something is off with him. So maybe he starts acting rationally as an owner . I guess. Then you see shit like the Kevin Brown situation, or all the other examples I am not gonna list and you can’t take anything off the table. It sucks that he is like this. The wrong brother has the controls.

[bfj]

Um...I do have a basis beyond what I read in the papers to harbor doubts.

Um…I know. That’s what I mean.

Whatever you think John Angelos is capable of… he is.

Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up.

That includes moving vans. Politicians are right to be concerned as hell about the lack of a signed lease. I assume this is a play to get even more from the state for whatever his vision is of an Atlanta Braves-esque neighborhood between Camden and the football stadium but it certainly could also be the same playbook as the A’s ownership group did to Oakland where they string them along always with excuses on why a deal wasn’t yet ripe to stay. Doesn’t matter. He’s not all that rational. Like, something is off with him. So maybe he starts acting rationally as an owner . I guess. Then you see shit like the Kevin Brown situation, or all the other examples I am not gonna list and you can’t take anything off the table. It sucks that he is like this. The wrong brother has the controls.

You’re not the only person who has told me this.

[EnochRoot]

Kevin Brown's tweets about coming back tonight:

O’s fans – I’m a storyteller. And never want to be a part of the story. The most compelling story in baseball right now is the story of the league-leading Baltimore Orioles – the best, most exciting young team in the American League.
Unfortunately, recent media reports have mischaracterized my relationship with my adopted hometown Orioles. The fact is that I have a wonderful relationship with the organization, and our ownership and front office has fully supported me since 2019 when I first came aboard.
I ask that everyone disregard the distracting noise of the past few days. I have worked closely with O’s SVP Greg Bader for the past four years, and John Angelos and I have a solid dialogue based on mutual respect. We are all good here in Birdland!
I am proud to be an Oriole and call Baltimore home, and there is no place in baseball I’d rather be now and for the long haul. Go O’s!

Remember the statement about ETTD? How Trump makes people throw their ethics out the door?

Meet John Angelos.