Transmogrified Tiger

Things don't always regress to the mean over 162 games. There's a reason the White Sox tanked hard at the end of the season, and that's because their pitching regressed to the mean. Fortunately for them, they had built up enough of a lead to make the playoffs, and once in the playoffs it's a crapshoot. Is 4 consecutive complete game victories the mean ?????

I'm probably more upset because of the way they play baseball. Their fans and the fact that they're rivals make it much worse, but the main reason I hate that they've advanced is the same reason as if the Nationals had made it thus far. They aren't the most talented team, and they play a stupid brand of baseball that gets celebrated because of their flukish success.

Things don't always regress to the mean over 162 games. There's a reason the White Sox tanked hard at the end of the season, and that's because their pitching regressed to the mean. Fortunately for them, they had built up enough of a lead to make the playoffs, and once in the playoffs it's a crapshoot.

Or you can pick up his option and trade him to a place where he wants to go. Or you can decline the option, tell him up front he's going to be a backup if he signs with the team (but would be welcome in that role), then offer arbitration and get draft picks. I'm pretty sure he'd be a type A compared to other second basemen. But wouldn't he still get arbitration money which would be a lot more than his option? Yes, and the draft pick is a lesser return than what we could get for him in trade, plus we lose the still very attractive option of him playing 2B. I can't imagine Hendry is dumb enough to decline that option.

It's only the 8th inning USS.

Doesn't look like it's going to matter, Seattle's up 4 scores with 12 mins left.

Haha, the White Sox are going to get handed half this series. Unimaginable.

Well, he was safe, but the umps owed the halos a makeup there... and they didn't get it. Sure he didn't tag him, but would Erstad have left the base if the ump wasn't emphatically calling him out? Might have caught the throw to beat AJP. It's a bad call, but it should stand.

If they reverse this out call I'm going to scream.

The ref right there was waving his arms to stop the clock the entire time, I don't know why the clock didn't stop. EDIT: I'm having a real hard time seeing Quinn as one of the top 10 players in the country. I know everyone is dying to make him a Heisman candidate, but it's just not there. 2 losses, every team they've beaten has 4 losses except Michigan(3). Notre Dame has played 3 of the 10 worst Passing defenses in the country, and Quinn isn't in the top 15 in Yards per Attempt, completion percentage, or passer rating. It's hard to make the case that Quinn is a top 5 QB, nevermind top 10 overall. Young, Vick, Leinhart, Hodges, Stanton, McNeal, Clemens, all of those guys are better than Quinn in most if not all those categories. Heck, statistically, Quinn isn't much different from Stocco of Wisconsin, and he's faced better defenses than Quinn.

Steve Lyons, man paid to talk about baseball games: "The Astros have this game set up just the way they want it." Steve, I'm no color analyst, but I think Astros might want to be winning instead of tied.

Buck? You mean good ole Thom? Gah, that is Thom.

You could just hear the unadulterated joy in Buck's voice calling that Astros home run. That was Hawk-esque.

Is anyone else hearing this rumour: Jim Thome and David Bell to Seattle for Adrian Beltre? Oh, that's why the Mariners are terrible. Why would they consider that? They lose a guaranteed year off a terrible contract, but in the long run they save nothing. Beltre for his down year is still extremely talented, and what, 10 years younger than Thome? Plus they're paying Richie Sexson 8 figures to be a 1B/DH/LF. I don't get why they'd consider that deal.

Another thing on the topic of Mizzou football, does it enrage anyone else that Coffman isn't on the field for nearly every offensive play? He leads the team in catches, and is second to Coffey in yards, but he plays only 1/2 to 2/3 of the offensive snaps. I understand that Rucker is talented too, but Coffman is an absolute beast over the middle.

No way. There's not a chance in hell that a freshman will come in and take Senor Smith's job. I don't care how good of a job Chase did - if Bd. Smith is healthy, he's our guy. And he should be. It's so on next week. I can't wait. Blackout game! I know what you're saying about Smith, but he couldn't get anything going yesterday. The drive Daniel had before Smith was hurt(in which Crossett missed another kick, I swear I'm going to take his job) I think was the only time before the last two drives where we had more than one first down. With the way he was playing, I don't think we win with Smith finishing the game. Hopefully if Smith plays next week he can get back to form from previous weeks. Was he doing more passing and less running yesterday? I wasn't at the game and I don't know anything about it aside from the fact that we won and that Brad got hurt. And what's up with his injury? Didn't seem to be much different than previous weeks, but our offense couldn't move with Brad on the field. I think if anything we were running too much. Smith's injury came when he got rocked on a blitz. From what I can gather, it might have been a concussion, and Smith may have even been cleared to play later in the game, but Pinkel stuck with Daniel. Smith was good enough to go out with the captains for the overtime coinflip, so he wasn't completely out of it I guess.

No way. There's not a chance in hell that a freshman will come in and take Senor Smith's job. I don't care how good of a job Chase did - if Bd. Smith is healthy, he's our guy. And he should be. It's so on next week. I can't wait. Blackout game! I know what you're saying about Smith, but he couldn't get anything going yesterday. The drive Daniel had before Smith was hurt(in which Crossett missed another kick, I swear I'm going to take his job) I think was the only time before the last two drives where we had more than one first down. With the way he was playing, I don't think we win with Smith finishing the game. Hopefully if Smith plays next week he can get back to form from previous weeks.

A continuation of the Royal's policy of moving every decent position prospect to first base. Isn't their current top prospect a 3B? Maybe they're anticipating Gordon and Butler being at the same level next year?

Not only that, but they're in a 3 way tie for the Big 12 North lead, with a game against one of those teams(Nebraska) at home next week. If Mizzou can get a big win and KU pulls an upset we'll find ourselves all alone atop the north. Man, this is just a recipe for disappointment isn't it, haha. What do you think? Is there a quarterback controversy in Columbia right now? I dunno. Daniel was so impressive, but I don't think you can keep Smith off the field that much if he's healthy, he's just too much of a weapon, even if his accuracy and game management aren't top notch. I guess we'll have to wait and find out if Smith is even healthy to play next week, and go from there. Either way, it's a good problem to have.

I knew several Indians fans that hate Wedge.

Not only that, but they're in a 3 way tie for the Big 12 North lead, with a game against one of those teams(Nebraska) at home next week. If Mizzou can get a big win and KU pulls an upset we'll find ourselves all alone atop the north.

Wow, you're a bitter little man. Why is he a punk? B/c he shut you down? Jeez, that response is lamer than 1st inning curtain calls from the "best fans in baseball." :roll: :lol: no because he is a punk. He should have fought Barrett last year after he threw at him. :lol: Little punk. Barrett would have broke him like a twig. Clemens isn't a punk, Oswalt is. BTW, Barrett should get some talent before he talks to a stud like Roy. Quick, name 3 catchers better than Michael Barrett, or any NL catchers better. Note: This is not possible.

He's crazy. Then why would the Cubs target him in a trade? Because he's really good, and it shouldn't really matter that he's crazy.

I think you have to explore a lot of trade options before you go with that OF. I agree, It wouldn't suprise me if JH did go that route. Any likely targets come to mind? When the alternative is that outfield, it may be easier to decide who not to target. Most anyone is going to be an upgrade in some fashion. Off the top of my head, Milton Bradley is my number 2 target after Giles. If Manny or Dunn are available, you have to go after them. Other names that spring to mind are Wilkerson, Guillen, Gomes, and others who aren't as good but still much better than the OF outlined above.

I think you have to explore a lot of trade options before you go with that OF.