2011 Major League Baseball

[maid memories]

As a recovering Yankee fan,congrats to Jeter.

[C-Dawg]

Congratulations to Mr. Derek Jeter-one hell of a ballplayer, a classy guy and a credit to the game. He makes me proud to be a baseball fan.

Garry, fixed I for ya so everyone who follows MLB can agree with your sentiments....even us Red Sox fans......Jeter is a class act, regardless who he plays for

[RinglingRingling]

he get it in Yankee Stadium?

[Tequila Revenge]

This is what baseball should be about!

Fan returns 3,000th hit to Jeter[/b

"...when Yankees announcer Michael Kay later asked him if he asked for anything in return. "He deserves this, he's worked hard for this ... I'm not the type of person to take this away from him."

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_le ... lb-wp12123

[surfpirate]

Love this passage .......
http://joeposnanski.si.com/2011/07/09/t ... &eref=sihp

At exactly 2 p.m., with Jeter expecting fastball, with the crowd in high pitch, with reporters in the press box trying to get every detail scribbled down, David Price threw a 78 mph curveball that hung over home plate the way the sun hangs over Key West. And Derek Jeter did the last thing anybody expected — anybody including himself. He turned on it. He crushed it. As Jeter broke out of the box, he did not know if it would clear the fence. But he did know that nobody was going to catch it.

The ball went over the fence.

[popcornjack]

Eight words:

I hate the Yankees. I respect Derek Jeter.

There are more words, and most of them concern themselves with the fact that I respect him more than I do most other players, and I'm proud, not only of what he had accomplished but almost more importantly that he did it for the same team. In this era of wanton trades and free agent signings, he was good enough that they kept him and he was respectful enough that he kept them. I would have felt honored years ago to have met him; I would consider it now to be almost without parallel, in reference to other "famous" people I could meet. All that being said, I don't want anyone to forget those first 4 words.

[tigzoe]

Congrats to him for hitting the milestone! Speaking of Damon, what is up with his current hair style?!

[CaptainP]

Welcome to the All-Star Break!!! Time for me to look at how good or bad my pre-season predictions were:

I'll do this one division at a time:

AL EAST
1. Red Sox Yep. I'm on the bandwagon. They made the right moves, even if bringing in guys like AGone and Crawford for big $$$ makes them smell kinda Yankee-ish. They have the most talent in the most talented division.
2. Yankees But the Yanks are still the Yanks. An offense built for New Yankee Stadium will offset a below-mediocre rotation, and I predict this is the year Mariano becomes human. But the offense will be fine, and help them to a distant second place.
3. Rays I still love my Rays, but I don't like their off-season. Revamped bullpen is scary. Manny & Damon were cheap for a reason. There is still a TON of young talent here, but don't be looking for veteran leadership from Manny Ramirez. They need some time to grow up again...B.J. Upton as your team leader can be an explosive situation.
4. Orioles I'm not one of those guys picking the Orioles to improve because of Buck Showalter....but he sure doesn't hurt. I'm picking them because they are talented enough to finish 2nd or even 1st in a lesser division.
5. Blue Jays Sorry, Toronto. Someone has to finish last. There is talent here, but not in this division...

Real Standings; (Blue - exact pick
1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Rays
4. Blue Jays
5. Orioles

Looks like I did pretty well here....Yanks are closer than I would have thought. Time will tell if Jon will be buying me beer for a year (he said if the Blue Jays finish last....) Not much else to say here....

[CaptainP]

AL CENTRAL

AL CENTRAL
1. White Sox Like them just a bit more than the Twins at this point. Positive additions and positive subtractions in the off-season. This team is solid in most areas now...despite the head-case Managing them. Chris Sale is the real deal. Alexsei Ramirez is ready to take a big leap forward. We'll see how third base works out, but this team is good.
2. Twins The Twins are always in the mix. Just a few too many guys on this roster that feel like AAAA players. They're guys that produce, but I'd love to see a couple more All-Star types. Granted, this is usually the case with the Twins, and they usually find a way to win. I'm still putting them down for second.
3. Tigers This team has talent, but every time I look at them, I wonder what direction they are trying to go. They feel like a team that was thrown together, not molded. Just can't get confident in them.
4. Royals Close. So close. NEXT year, I'll likely pick them near the top of the division. 2013, they could win it all....their minors are THAT good...and THAT close. But not yet.
5. Indians A shame to see a young talent like Carlos Santana go to waste in this pile of junk. Of course, I said something similar about the Padres last year....so who knows?

Real standings;

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. White Sox
4. Twins
5. Royals

Didn't get much right here at all...The Indians were the biggest surprise in the AL in the first half (but I still think they'll fade badly.) The White Sox were disappointing, but are hanging close. The Tigers, better than I thought, Verlander is amazing. Royals are the Royals, but the future is bright. Nobody saw the Twins collapse, did they??

[CaptainP]

AL WEST

AL WEST
1. A's I think this might be the year that they pull it together. I'm going out on a limb, but if MoneyBall gives you anything, it's a team that doesn't beat itself very often. They could be very good....and I'm putting myself on the line saying that they will be.
2. Rangers Last year's AL Champs still have a lot of talent. There are a few gaps in the lineup, though. And I don't trust a pitching staff that had that many Career performances in one year. Some are bound to fall back.
3. Angels Scoscia is still a great manager. But I don't see as much talent as in the past. The rotation is 3, maybe 4 deep. But the bullpen only has 2 guys who had an ERA under 4.00 last year, and one of those is hurt. The lineup is full of guys like Alberto Callaspo, Erick Aybar, and Peter Bourgeous. The vets that they do have are all dinged up already. Might be time to start from scratch.
4. Mariners I like Jack Z. a lot as a GM. But his tinkering is not working here. Other than King Felix and Ichiro, I don't see one guy that makes me really excited (maybe Justin Smoak, but he's too young).

Real standings;

1. Rangers
2. Angels
3. Mariners
4. A's

Again, nothing right....but in this case, only because I had misplaced faith. I went out on a limb and took Oakland, and they have been only a couple of degrees above awful. Had I not gone out on that limb, I had the division right....although my comments about the Angels were way off.

[CaptainP]

NL EAST

NL EAST
1. Phillies Despite their spring injuries, this is a REALLY good team. They'll get old fast, but I don't think this is the year. Their window is closing soon....but they have another run in them. What a rotation!!!!
2. Braves They've quietly built themselves back into a contender. Rotation is nearly as good as Philly's, but the lineup is still not quite there. Nate McLouth is starting to look like a bust, but he's surrounded by talent. Chipper came back for a reason, though. He's past his prime, but surrounded by a developing lineup.
3. Marlins Like the Braves, a talented team with a couple of holes. Close, and in another division, they could win. Is there a team in this division without a potentially very good rotation?
4. Nationals Yes. Any team with a rotation anchored by the 2011 version of Livan Hernandez is in trouble. Just biding their time until the Strassburg era resumes, and Bryce Harper arrives. The lineup is good, and they will win some games.
5. Mess No, I didn't spell that wrong. Not much to like.

Actual standings;

1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Mets
4. Nationals
5. Marlins

This division has gone pretty much according to design, with 2 exceptions....the Marlins with their epic June collapse, and the Mets overachieving behind Jose Reyes and Dillon Gee. With Reyes hurt now, and Gee likely to fade, I might still end up a little closer to accurate.

[CaptainP]

NL Central

NL CENTRAL
1. Brewers This might finally be the year. I've said it before, but I believe they made the RIGHT moves in the offseason. Greinke gives them a proven ace, Marcum gives them a solid #3. Gallardo is relieved of the pressure of being an ace, and can work on developing (was made the #1 starter at age of 22, wasn't ready). Nice rotation with 3 righties, 2 lefties. Bullpen still has question marks, but it's better than last year's version. The offense will only improve with a new, more aggressive Joe Maddon clone Managing them.
2. Reds Honestly, I believe the Reds are going to take a step or two backwards....too many overachievers last year. I don't love the pitching the way so many people do. But there is talent, no doubt. Call it a gut feeling. I still have them in 2nd because of the talent, but I could see them in 4th place, too.
3. Cardinals Everyone wrote this team off when Adam Wainwright went down. It hurt, no doubt, but there's still a couple of pretty good players wearing the Cardinal uniform. I nearly gave them second place.
4. Cubs I could also see the Cubs surge up to second place. I think it'll be a competitive division. Look for a bounceback from Aramis Ramirez. Look for Carlos Pena to love Wrigley. Look for Soriano to be happy for a change. The problem with the Cubs? Too many head-case-pitchers-named-Carlos. Carlos Marmol has a great arm, but walks more guys than any closer in baseball. Carlos Silva got into a fight-WITH A TEAMMATE-in their SECOND pre-season game! And then there is Carlos Zambrano....he's as close to getting jail time for assault during a game as he is to winning 10 games. At least they'll be interesting to watch. RIP Ron Santo.
5. Astros I have a friend dating a member of the Astros....but that doesn't make me a fan. This team is LOADED with mediocrity.
6. Pirates I put them in last because, well, they're the Pirates. Need I say more? I plan on picking them for last until they prove me wrong.

Actual standings:

1. Milwaukee
tie. St. Louis
3. Pittsburgh
4. Cincinnati
5. Chicago
6. Houston

This is my "home-town division, so forgive me for my comments going a bit longer:
Brewers have been, to the local fans, disappointing (based on the comments on the local call-in shows, they must've been expecting Greinke to go 36-0). Yet they are in first place at the break. They can do much more.
As for the Cardinals, I had a gut feeling they'd be better than the prediction...I even said it in my comments....and I should have. But I still think the Brewers win it...
The Reds, exactly what I expected. I just didn't have the guts during the pre-season to put them in 4th. They've been inconsistant, and after last season's slew of late-game wins, they're getting it shoved back in their faces (Brewers just took 3 of 4, all 9th inning wins)
Cubs are awful....I thought they'd be a bad team, but not this bad.
Astros, worst team in the league...and it doesn't surprise me.
Then there are the Pirates...............I will defend my pre-season prediction, based simply on my comment. I will predict them for last until they prove me wrong. Looks like they might finally do so. I expect a fade (toughest schedule in the NL over the next month), but this team has some ability. Congrats to them for giving the Pirate fans something to root for, first time since '92!!!

[CaptainP]

NL West

NL WEST
1. Giants Honestly, I don't really like any of these teams. I went with the Giants because of the pitching, no other reason. I find the lineup ordinary. But Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, and the bullpen are fantastic, and no reason they can't continue to be.
2. Rockies Two MVP candidates, and a potential Cy Young candidate. But I don't love much beyond CarGo, Tulo, and Ubaldo. We'll see.
3. Dodgers Maybe the most talent in the division, but until the McCourt situation is settled, I can't buy in. Sometimes off-field issues affect a team.
4. Padres Last year's overachievers faded badly late, and I think that was true colors. The lineup is interesting....I could see them being decent, but more likely I can see this group hitting a collective .245. The rotation might not be as good as people think. Periphery numbers tell me that beyond Latos (and maybe Stauffer), they will struggle.
5. Diamondbacks Another team that feels "thrown-together", not built. I just can't buy them as a winner.

1. Giants
2. Diamondbacks
3. Rockies
4. Dodgers
5. Padres

What can I say? I missed on the Diamondbacks. Otherwise, I had the division exactly right.
Interesting note: I said the Padres would hit a collective .245. I was wrong....they're all the way down at .231.

[CaptainP]

Turns out, I forgot to make pre-season awards predictions.


So instead, here's the mid-season awards:

NL MVP: Prince Fielder. Call it a homer pick, but he's been amazing. He beats out Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Ryan Braun.
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez I don't think there is another player in either league that is close right now...great defense, leads the league in BA and RBI (by a lot). Jose Bautista is 2nd.
NL Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens. Despite the goofy name, he's been the best pitcher in the league so far.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander. Plenty of good candidates, but Verlander has taken the lead with his recent surge (and by recent, I mean since May 7)....for the year, he has a 0.86 WHIP. Yes, you read that right. He has a 2.26 ERA, but since May, it's 1.56. Tied for the league lead in Wins, has a No-Hitter, and almost another.
NL Manager of the Year: Jack McKeon....how can you not give it to a guy who just turned 136? Just kidding, this goes to Clint Hurdle, hands down.
AL Manager of the Year: Manny Acta. This award usually goes to the manager of the biggest "surprise" team. This year, no different.

[RinglingRingling]

AL CENTRAL

AL CENTRAL
1. White Sox Like them just a bit more than the Twins at this point. Positive additions and positive subtractions in the off-season. This team is solid in most areas now...despite the head-case Managing them. Chris Sale is the real deal. Alexsei Ramirez is ready to take a big leap forward. We'll see how third base works out, but this team is good.
2. Twins The Twins are always in the mix. Just a few too many guys on this roster that feel like AAAA players. They're guys that produce, but I'd love to see a couple more All-Star types. Granted, this is usually the case with the Twins, and they usually find a way to win. I'm still putting them down for second.
3. Tigers This team has talent, but every time I look at them, I wonder what direction they are trying to go. They feel like a team that was thrown together, not molded. Just can't get confident in them.
4. Royals Close. So close. NEXT year, I'll likely pick them near the top of the division. 2013, they could win it all....their minors are THAT good...and THAT close. But not yet.
5. Indians A shame to see a young talent like Carlos Santana go to waste in this pile of junk. Of course, I said something similar about the Padres last year....so who knows?

Real standings;

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. White Sox
4. Twins
5. Royals

Didn't get much right here at all...The Indians were the biggest surprise in the AL in the first half (but I still think they'll fade badly.) The White Sox were disappointing, but are hanging close. The Tigers, better than I thought, Verlander is amazing. Royals are the Royals, but the future is bright. Nobody saw the Twins collapse, did they??

spend most of the first half the season with your team's offense on the DL, it might make a difference

[drunkpirate66]

Turns out, I forgot to make pre-season awards predictions.


So instead, here's the mid-season awards:

NL MVP: Prince Fielder. Call it a homer pick, but he's been amazing. He beats out Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Ryan Braun.
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez I don't think there is another player in either league that is close right now...great defense, leads the league in BA and RBI (by a lot). Jose Bautista is 2nd.
NL Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens. Despite the goofy name, he's been the best pitcher in the league so far.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander. Plenty of good candidates, but Verlander has taken the lead with his recent surge (and by recent, I mean since May 7)....for the year, he has a 0.86 WHIP. Yes, you read that right. He has a 2.26 ERA, but since May, it's 1.56. Tied for the league lead in Wins, has a No-Hitter, and almost another.
NL Manager of the Year: Jack McKeon....how can you not give it to a guy who just turned 136? Just kidding, this goes to Clint Hurdle, hands down.
AL Manager of the Year: Manny Acta. This award usually goes to the manager of the biggest "surprise" team. This year, no different.

If you want to put Adrian Gonzalez as your AL MVP front runner then fine - but don't say that no one is close and please don't embarrass yourself ( ) by putting a guy who scratches his nuts out in right field (where he has made 4 errors which is pathetic) over Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera is my front runner. There is more to the game then just hitting and great defense up the middle (and I mean GREAT defense: 230 assists: 7 errors with 51 double plays turned) combined with his base running and ability to hit for power when needed truly makes him MVP. Cleveland would not be where they are in the standings without him. Bautista (much like another overrated nut scratching outfielder bound for Cooperstown) and his homeruns have resulted in poop.

[Wino you know]

Congratulations to Mr. Derek Jeter-one hell of a ballplayer, a classy guy and a credit to the game. He makes me proud to be a baseball fan.

Garry, fixed I for ya so everyone who follows MLB can agree with your sentiments....even us Red Sox fans......Jeter is a class act, regardless who he plays for

Okay, Chris, I'll buy that.
You're a classy guy too.

[CaptainP]

The Milwaukee Brewers have just acquired K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez, from the New York Mets.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/b ... iguez.html

[fabduo]

The Milwaukee Brewers have just acquired K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez, from the New York Mets.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/b ... iguez.html

And as a Mets fan -They can have him!!!!!

[CaptainP]

The Milwaukee Brewers have just acquired K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez, from the New York Mets.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/b ... iguez.html

And as a Mets fan -They can have him!!!!!

As a Brewers fan, I'm thrilled to have him as our SET-UP guy....