WS IGT The MFDs vs The Astros

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: Centerfield wrote: Is this a serious statement? What the fuck else could he have been doing? I dunno, touching the sides of his head for half a second? My point is that not only didn't I see it but that, even if I were directly looking at him at the time, unless I were told what to look for and why, I still likely would have missed it. That there were no denials coming from him or from Houston indicates that's probably exactly what he was doing and so I have no problem with Manfred's response.

If you really don’t know what that gesture means, and have trouble seeing it, even on replay, then I don’t know what else to say.

For me, it’s pretty clear cut. The gesture is there. He doesn’t need to hold it like a yoga pose in order to have its effect. I don’t agree that it’s subject to interpretation. It has only meant one thing ever.

As LWFS says above, being able to “not see it” or ignore it is nice. It’s nice when racism is someone else’s problem. It’s a nice luxury to be all too cool for school. “I don’t see what the big deal is.” When we watch the game with our kids we don’t have that option.

People who really don’t know about all this racism stuff can choose a few different paths.

One can get educated. Consider that maybe there is something to it, since all these minorities seem to be worked up over something. Become informed and become part of the solution.

One can say nothing. Which sucks in itself, but at least you are not actively contributing to the problem.

Or you can gloss it over. Minimize it. Imply that those offended must be looking to be offended. You justify the action. Embolden those that act offensively and quash the efforts of those speaking out against bigotry.

It’s regrettable you chose the last one.

[Frayed Knot]

d'Kong76 wrote: Personally, I think it should have been the two WS home games. Five games in April isn't a punIshment, it's a cop out.

A longer suspension during the season, as opposed to two games now, hits the player harder but the team less, which I think is the right idea.
Plus, since the players don't get paid per-game during the post-season in the way that they do during the season, the five-gamer hits him in the wallet as well (a shade over 3% of his pay).
I'm OK with it.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I don't care about his pay, I care about punishment. Keeping him out of two
WS games is a punishment - no one knows when you'll get back to one so you
go watch in the clubhouse and think about how much of a childish dick you were.

2 WS games and 5 games in April is an even better idea.

[Guest 41Forever]

Noting the irony that he gets a five-game suspension for a gesture in the dugout. Meanwhile the Braves organist leads an entire stadium in the tomahawk chop.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I'm all for removing all Native-American stuff from sports, Governor.

[Centerfield]

d'Kong76 wrote: I don't care about his pay, I care about punishment. Keeping him out of two WS games is a punishment - no one knows when you'll get back to one so you go watch in the clubhouse and think about how much of a childish dick you were. 2 WS games and 5 games in April is an even better idea.

All weekend long I’ve had to deal with this. Some dickhead makes a racist gesture and now I have to discuss it with my kids. I have to do it again when the dickheads in Houston give him a standing fucking ovation.

And I have to deal with it at my son’s games and at a party Saturday night not because I am walking around preaching about it, but because people are raising it to me in the “come on CF, it’s not that bad right?” Way that people do.

It’s annoying to have to be that guy who gets all righteous but fuck that if I’m going to condone that shit.

What I realize now is I need to start bringing Kong to parties with me.

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: If you really don’t know what that gesture means, and have trouble seeing it, even on replay, then I don’t know what else to say.

Yeah, I'm aware of what the gesture means. I get out of my ivory tower every once in a while and read up on stuff like that before locking myself back in.
What I'm saying is that if I was looking at it live I would have (and did) miss it, and even after being informed of what and where to look I still wasn't sure if that's what he was doing.

[ashie62]

Can we just eliminate the sports-industrial complex.

Each day in pro sports their seems to be a monket trying eff a football.

Amateurs also.

[Frayed Knot]

And sometimes the pitching matchups you expect just don't materialize.
On the downside ... it's taken them nearly two hours to play 4 innings.

[Guest 41Forever]

d'Kong76 wrote: I'm all for removing all Native-American stuff from sports, Governor.

Not disagreeing, though I think there is a difference between Indians and Redskins — how has that lasted? — and names like Braves and Chiefs.

[Guest d'Kong76]

We've been through all this before I'm sure. I don't mean you and I, but in another
thread or three. The Redskins are the worst. The common-sense test is would, say,
the Washington Brownskins with a picture of a black-dude profile on the helmet fly?
Of course not. Then why is Redskins appropriate?

[Guest 41Forever]

d'Kong76 wrote: We've been through all this before I'm sure. I don't mean you and I, but in another thread or three. The Redskins are the worst. The common-sense test is would, say, the Washington Brownskins with a picture of a black-dude profile on the helmet fly? Of course not. Then why is Redskins appropriate?

You are 100 percent correct. It is stunning that people still defend it.

[MFS62]

Back to the thread title.
Astros win, now going back to LA with a 3-2 game lead.

Later

[metirish]

Great games but fuck me I can't stay up for them , 7:15 would be a better starting time

[Frayed Knot]

And something less than 5:17 would be a better running time.




Think Dave Roberts' bullpen might be feeling some effects from his 'formula' where he preemptively pulls effective starters after 4 innings?

[metirish]

Frayed Knot wrote: And something less than 5:17 would be a better running time. Think Dave Roberts' bullpen might be feeling some effects from his 'formula' where he preemptively pulls effective starters after 4 innings?

That too, got spoiled with the 2:28 game last week

[batmagadanleadoff]

Frayed Knot wrote: Personally, I think it should have been the two WS home games. Five games in April isn't a punIshment, it's a cop out. A longer suspension during the season, as opposed to two games now, hits the player harder but the team less, which I think is the right idea. Plus, since the players don't get paid per-game during the post-season in the way that they do during the season, the five-gamer hits him in the wallet as well (a shade over 3% of his pay). I'm OK with it.

I don't care about his pay, I care about punishment. Keeping him out of two WS games is a punishment - no one knows when you'll get back to one so you go watch in the clubhouse and think about how much of a childish dick you were. 2 WS games and 5 games in April is an even better idea.

Remember the Utley/Tejada take-out slide? Of course youse do. That's probably why MLB didn't bother to have Gurriel's suspension take effect during the WS: because Gurriel has the right to challenge the suspension and the process would take longer than the Series itself. A challenge by Gurriel would guarantee that the suspension, even if upheld, would never take effect during the WS. That's what happened in the Mets/Dodgers playoff series of 2015.

[Ceetar]

Torre said the suspension "sort of lost its impact" once it became clear that Utley, who signed a one-year, $7-million deal with the Dodgers this winter, would not miss any postseason games.

They tried to expedite the appeal, and they could have, if they really wanted to. The players association asked for more time and hence didn't agree to a hearing before game 3.

They very well could've done the same thing here, and at the very least (From MLB's standpoint) it would've shifted the blame to the players association if they dragged their feet.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: Torre said the suspension "sort of lost its impact" once it became clear that Utley, who signed a one-year, $7-million deal with the Dodgers this winter, would not miss any postseason games. They tried to expedite the appeal, and they could have, if they really wanted to. The players association asked for more time and hence didn't agree to a hearing before game 3. They very well could've done the same thing here, and at the very least (From MLB's standpoint) it would've shifted the blame to the players association if they dragged their feet.

I don;t know how much the process could be expedited. A player can't reasonably assemble his appeal in a day or two. And the MLBPA would gladly take the hit for accepting any "blame" on behalf of their players. That's their job -- taking the blame so that a player doesn't miss any WS games is what they're supposed to be doing.

[Ceetar]

They seem prepared to hear Utley's case before game 3, though I guess it being actually in NY plays a part. But maybe they could be prepared and fly people out to Houston. or have the players association appear on behalf of Gurriel, who probably doesn't actually need to be present.

In any case, MLB could've tried anyway and had the PA take the blame for the delay rather than appearing soft on racism.

[Guest 41Forever]

Meanwhile, this guy.

https://deadspin.com/televised-larceny-1819961935

Steals a home run ball from the person who caught it and throws it back on the field.

So much wrong here. Note the expression on his face. He's convinced he's doing the right thing.

Why does he have sunglasses atop the cap in a domed stadium?

What's with the woman in blue behind the woman who caught the ball, cheering his theft and ball-tossing?

I'm assuming that a home run ball from a World Series game has value. Does the victim here have a case to file a police report for larceny? Should stadium security have escorted him to the door?

Should this stupid practice be left to the Wrigley bleacher bums?

[HahnSolo]

I thought I read that they were related? She was pissed at him because she wanted to throw it herself. Doubtful charges get filed.

Looks like a complete tool though. I mean: Texas. Crazy eyes. Guy probably spends all his days longing for his Friday Night Lights days.

edit: Annnd, they're already insufferable

[Guest 41Forever]

Ewwwww.

At least he took off the sunglasses.

Edited October 30, 2017 by Guest

[Fman99]

You, too, can own that shirt! Head on over to doucheswizzle.com now and order!

[Guest 41Forever]

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/29/world-series-baseballs-leather-justin-verlander-yu-darvish-ken-giles-kenley-jansen

Interesting story about the balls in the series and their alleged slickness.

And, I had no idea that Brent Strom, forever etched in my memory as being "On the way to Shea" in the Mets yearbooks of my youth, is the Astros pitching coach.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It wasn't all that long ago I noted that Brent Strom was the pitching coach of a visiting team at a Cyclones game. Never let go of your dreams!

[Centerfield]

I don't know. I definitely rooted for the Astros against the MFY's, and I'm grateful that they knocked them out. Was perhaps the only fun thing that happened in baseball in 2017. But now against a neutral opponent I'm finding it hard to root for them. They kinda annoy me.

Certainly don't like the Dodgers. Utley. Still pissed at Justin Turner for sucking with us and being awesome for them. Plus the fuckers ditched Granderson. WTF LA. If you're not gonna use him, I think they should have to give him back.

Just blah. I'm guess I'm grateful that we still have baseball. But man, I really wish Cleveland were playing.

[Frayed Knot]

Still haven't really decided how I'm rooting here except for my usual preference for a long series which, at this point, has already happened.
Instead my rooting interests tend to vary with each game, like pulling for the Astros in Game 5 because I didn't want to see the Dodgers sitting on a 3-2 lead with both remaining games at home.
Now it's Houston with a chance to close it out and Verlander serving for the win so maybe I'll find myself leaning LA's way tonight even though I'd probably be happier if the Astros eventually prevail.
And then, in order to avoid another 1:40 finish, I'm rooting for fewer mound conferences.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I'm rooting for all Game 7 ticket holders to be very disappointed this evening.

[Centerfield]

I'm even worse. I find my rooting interests vary from batter to batter. Like the Dodgers will be rallying, then Utley comes up to bat. Or the Astros are batting, and they mention '86, or I see the old jersey in the stands and remember I hate them.

Or they show Gibson. Or mention Greinke from 2015.

Fucking Cleveland.