Well, it looks like the Orioles have hopped on the where-can-we-find-a-soft-spot-for-our-prospect-pitchers-to-land? Hey-let's-pick-on-the-team-without-an-offense! train. Radhames, or Thin Lizzy as I like to call him, pitched a no-hitter on June 2nd this year in the AA Eastern League. And it wasn't even against the Rock Cats!
It sounds like Thin Lizzy has solid stuff but struggles with control of those pitches. His strikeout rates have been pretty good, but his walk rates have been bad. Overall, he's had 4.7 BB/9 in AA and the Eastern League average walk rate is 3.2 BB/9. In particular, you can see that he's had walk problems with left-handed batters. Relative to his league, he's also been a fly ball pitcher this year, with more fly balls than ground balls. This whole combo sounds like a recipe for a Mauer walk (or three), a Cuddyer strikeout (or two), and a Morneau HR. I'm no big fan of fly ball pitchers with walk problems. That can work in the minors where players hit for a lot less power, but tends to be a disaster in the majors. Mr. Liz would seem to be destined for the bullpen, where he can probably keep his HR/F rate in check.
Speaking of HR/F rates, Garza regressed his to the mean in one game while I was gone [SBG note: as I predicted he would in a ubelesque moment]. His ERA, a horrific 3.30, is still below his xFIP of 4.24, but that's still pretty solid.
Several other starters (Twins and otherwise) stare longingly at that horrific 3.30 ERA, wishing it was theirs.
Yea, but they Know How to Win™
Ha! Gordo decided to go with self-created pronounciation "poast-HYOO-mee-us-lee" as opposed to "PAHST-yoo-mus-lee"
What the heck did Dick just do.
EEEHHAH???!?!
Hooray delay!
Well, if you think I'm waiting four hours this time, you got another thing comin'
Wow, Cleveland scored 5 on the Royals already. They're on pace for 45 runs today.
Radhames is just too weird for me. Anyone object to me calling him "Jeremy" instead?
How bout Lizzy?
Too easy.
Hey, probably going to Ted Drewes tonight - want me to pick you up anything? ;)
I don't think it would keep :-(
what's the ETA on game start/restart???
Haven't heard one yet, sorry.
Yes, I miss Ted Drewes. Although Bloomington-Normal has some good ice cream shops in town.
LEN3 on his blog said the Orioles told fans to head for cover because of "massive lightning in the area." No estimate, so it could be a while.
Aw, they're not playing with metal bats, they can still play :-)
Ken Rosenthal reported that the Twins offered Torii Hunter a 4 year/$56 million dollar contract in which Hunter declined.
LEN3 says that it'll be covered, quotes in all, in an online story within the next few hours.
So much for that hometown discount, eh Torii?
going price for a guy who isn't the FotF.
Without more details, it's hard to know how to respond to this. Does he want more money or does he want a no-trade clause or both? Is he refusing to negotiate until he's on the market? Is the contract backloaded and he doesn't want to do that? Does he want more years? It will be interesting to get a full story.
I don't blame Hunter for turning down that contract when he will obviously get more money from another team but the whole "I'll take a hometown discount" assertion is just demeaning to fans when it obviously has no basis in reality.
If more details come out I will certainly alter my stance but that is just my first reaction.
Yea. It's (almost) always about the money. I've never really had the sense that FOTF is more interested in camaraderie, teamwork, being comfortable, etc., than in cashing in when the time came.
which is ok, I guess. But don't b.s. us.
Jeez. How did we know that Punto would "slide over to second base" tonight?
uhh, duhh.
NOW what is Gardy doing?!
Head-first, of course.
It's the ol' Razzle-Dazzle on the mound
Whaaa happen?
I don't think so...
By the way, I saw that concert when they toured a few cities (at the 9:30 Club in DC) and it was hilarious. Greatest musical I ever attended as they all were in character the entire time (and some fans held up giant signs reading "Play Stonehedge!").
Bob Balaban emceed the show, the New Main Street Singers performed first, then the Folksmen, then Mitch & Mickey, and then a finale with all three bands. Sadly, neither Fred Willard nor Ed Begley, Jr. were present, but pretty much everyone else was. Parker Posey is very nice on the eyes.
Ea_ at _oe's
No lie, Will.
I'd Park her Posey.
I'm telling Beth! ;)
I can edit the thread ;-)
Castillo has been in the NL for a month and he's still second in the AL in infield hits.
Aubrey
H.R. Puff'n Stuff?
That show is so awesome.
High weed content. Both viewer and cast, I'm thinking.
It looked like Millar was the one Huffin-N-Puffin.
Garza bringing some heat inside tonight.
Looked like bad call by the ump on the attempted DP, but a good throw by Punto would have made the call a lot easier to make.
I take it that most of the Nation is waiting until the 8th to tune in???
the boy is back in town.
RIP Phil Lynott.
I hate that Gardy almost always sends the runner on first with a full count, even if it is someone like Kubel on first and a huge unknown like Buscher at the plate.
Didn't burn them this time, but I still hate it.
Beautiful bunt by Punto. (Did I just write that?)
I'm watching with no sound, what was dicknbert's reaction?
When your offense bunts guys over for Jason Tyner, it probably sucks.
Punto shoulda slid head first into first base. Might have made it.
Runs before the 8th? Inconceivable!
Mr. 'My Leg Hurts' with a duck on the pond.
Did the Twins get permission to score before the seventh? This is going to mess with our pitcher's mind.
Anyone else losing the game feed randomly?
yes
What does the Nation think about BJ Surhoff being inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame? Obviously not a huge deal, but I find him to be a bit lacking for any MLB franchise's Hall of Fame.
I heard the announcers say Surhoff is the 52nd member of the Orioles Hall of Fame... doesn't sound like an exclusive group. Wonder if it includes the St. Louis Browns years?
http://www.orioleadvocates.org/orioleshof_year.html
Elrod not until 2001. Hunh.
Gonna be another short night for Garza.
*breathes sigh of relief*
Orioles LOBsters shuffle orderly back to the dugout.
Was this a 7:05 start? 1 hr an inning?
Oh, delay. Boog out of charcoal?
Rain delay 1hr.
Just got back from H. Potter O.O.T.P. in IMAX 3-D. Not bad, but for the longest time I didn't think that there were any effects, and the glasses just made it darker, so I took the 3D glasses off, even though everyone else was wearing. Mid-movie (before the good effects came on), an icon of the glasses starts blinking on the bottom of the screen.
I just finished HP7 this afternoon. I've seen the movie and liked it quite a bit.
where did you see the movie of HP7 already???? chinese??
Some of the wizard-battle scenes were rushed. I would have rather had more of The Matrix, altered-time, action digital look-and-feel for tossing spells than The Mummy analog sand-blowing.
Quick work by Thin Lizzy there.
Punto's got to take a pitch or two there. A four pitch inning is not "doing the little things right"
What do we have in the Vault for 'Danger, Mr. Robinson!'
how's this??
Wow... Are you a wizard?
I prefer the Parker Posey image...
Super.
Ow. Barty, the contortionist makes the play!
Did that involve double-joints?
Wow, just that that Bartlett play on TIVO...
OK. That's enough of Garza. He's danced out of danger (with help from his friends) enough times tonight.
When Ronnie Reagan used to do play-by-play of games (and corresponding sound effects), wonder if he broke pencils on those kind of hits?
I think Bonzo broke 'em.
BJ a little slow on the talk, there boyos. Turn his mic on for X sake.
Did they stop the game for the interview?
No mention of The Oriole Way (yet)...sigh.
Booya!!
Bwahahahahahahaha
Hunter trying to justify turning down latest contract offer.
/me begins chanting "Home-town dis-count" from the stands
Torii struck out last time on a high fastball. I think he had an idea it was coming again.
Crap - Surhoff interview prevents us from hearing Gordo go 'O-Boy!' on that Face dinger.
So, if Hunter leaves, will that mean he's turned heel?
Only if he nails Gardy or Ryan with a steel chair on the way out...or throws Punto through a window.
Surhoff with the company line about Minny doing the "little things".
Whoom. There it is.
bS - throwing jpegs like a ninja throws stars.
(Do you resize these or just search 'small size only' when you're working the google fu? Mine are always too large.)
I'm searching images on google and just copying the image location of the thumbnails.
not that anyone has (yet) complained about the Posey you planted.
Thanks. I make no apologies for the large Posey, however. Coulda gone life-size...
Hopper woulda been proud.
Torii probably just made the game Rincon-safe!
I guess we are about to find out.
Juany's out to prove you wrong, it seems.
Why do we have to face Bedard tomorrow. Why?!
This interview is almost as long as Surhoff's Orioles' career.
+10 crumple-horned snorkacks.
KEEP AWAY. THAT IS NOT A SNORKACK HORN!!!
I guess the Nation really is just a bunch of Pot(ter) Heads.
Guilty as charged.
flue powder. Uh-huh. Makes you go poof. Uh-huh.
Floo power, actually. (I may or may not have been re-reading HP2 while listening to the game (I was doing laundry, to complete my multi-tasking).)
Apparently, Free's suggestion sounded like a challenge to Juan...
Garza 91 pitches in 5 innings, 5 walks, 2 SO, but still the hook.
Garza 91 pitches in 5 innings, 5 walks, 2 SO, but still the hook.
To be fair, the 2 hour rain delay probably had something to do with Garza's relatively early hook too.
spycake with the voice of reason. what's WRONG with you, man???
Agreed.
I miss the days when Rincon was on steroids.
Clearly, they made him better.
Well, that was easy.
Whew! That'll do Juan, That'll do.
No patience by the Twin there.
Can we stipulate that the inning is over?
aaagh. too late.
Can we wish that Punto's season is over?
seventh inning stretch
and for the little ones
*fishes Marlboro out of crumpled pack and steps outside*
We’re going to Cali.
We’re going to Cali
Humble apologies, Messr brianS. I can see that you rank me by a substantial margin. Sorry for the Cali gif there:
brianS: 8187
Rhubarb_Runner: 3246
brink: 2714
E-6: 2626
New Britain Bo: 2595
My bowels are just looser than yours.
You going to the StickFest 2000?
wish I could. I'm on the Left Coast, however. Maybe Stick could set up a satellite hookup for me and ubes!!! (and socaltwinsfan and ...)
smoke signals to the south, as well
When these guys get together and find that they look nothing like their avatars, it will be.... interesting.
like on-line dating service!!!
you make a good point, tho, NBB. Mebbe the Boss should make up a bunch of buttons wif Avatars on them to help with IDs.
Us remoters have to have a way to participate. Kinda like work, only not.
I've already met Banjo, AMR, Will Young, and many others. So, I know quite a few faces already.
To quote George Orwell, "All animals are created equal. Some are more equal than others." Let 'er rip, NBB!
Felt bad about passing some of the greats, Bo. You, frightwig, Banjo, etc. The numbers are inflated in todays game. Most of mine are in the video category. and you lost ground in Europe. Like Ted Williams lost seasons as a flyboy in two wars.
Mine are just blather. Ubes time off with the women's volleyball team is serious material damage tho.
I'm a fan of blather. It's all I got.
Just heard that G. Orwell work Animal Farm was about Burma. See "Exploring Burma through George Orwell" for more details. Need to read 'Burmese Days', and re-read 'Animal Farm', '1984' now.
-10 Russkies.
now leaving Cali and entering Neshak country
Jinx!
let's hope that bodes well for a double play (if needed)
Nice call
Horcrux!
Expeliarmus! *bat flies out of Markakis' hands*
Garussa!!!!
Wow did the standings show the White Sox 17 games under .500? They have absolutely quit. Kinda makes it hard to hate 'em.
It's almost more amazing than the Tigers coming back 3 years after losing 119 games to get to the World Series, the fact that two years after the White Sox won, they're below the Royals. That would be amazing except that the Marlins have done that twice.
Cali could have done that.
Wikipedia fun fact: "Because he is not a member of the Major League Baseball Players Association, his name was changed to Ivan Jimenez in the video game MLB 07: The Show."
Regarding Kevin Millar, that is.
Union hijinx there... I coulda been a contendah!
Instead of a bum, which is what I am, Charlie.
I'd give a +1 Oscar, but you'd just refuse to pick it up.
Or send an Inuit to get it. I'll have Nunavit!
The young citizens must hate us old guys.
That is a very obscure reference, but I'll bury my heart there.
that's no Knee, however. it's just a scab.
and an elbow. Good grief, my obscure reference detector was faulty.
You were probably distracted by re-alphabetizing your albums.
8th inning -- this is where the Orioles are supposed to give up a bunch of runs, right?
Bartlett with 3 of the 5 hits so far.
This thread is obviously lacking in Sprewell.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2007-08-22-sprewell-yacht_N.htm
Obviously, he needs that yacht for fishing, so he can feed his kids.
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. Repo a mans boat, how's Spree gonna feed his family?
+10 a piece. Don't spend it all in one place.
Uhoh, Mauer hurt.
Oh, jeebus
maybe he can heal himself.
so, this is why we need a third catcher?? shite!!
Should've converted Ortiz to a catcher
Mauer-problem. Commisioner Gordon raise the bat-symbol.
c'mon, salami
Mmm, salami
+ mustard on a chewy baguette.
(Almost stepped on your lines again, Kris.)
Also good on pizza.
mmmmm. Kosher salami on pizza. Doesn't really work as "kosher" when you add all that cheese. but the thought is there.
Just don't drink milk with the salami.
just one thin slice. but the sandwich still a possibility.
Diagnosis for Mauer: Hangnail on big toe?
Rain delay means up past bedtime?
LOL. +a cookie and a glass of warm milk.
Man, now I have to find some cookies...
and the twinkies go hungry in the Salami Situation once again.
All this salami talk is making me hungry.
I have some in the fridge. It's snack time.
Blame Dick.
that was a sympathy pitch to Mora. Can't have him going ohfer the series.
Great, now I'm in the mood for pastrami, the most sensual of the cured meats.
Mmmm. Pastrami.
Recommend Katz's Deli on Houston St. While you wait they give you a sizeable sample to size up. Beer's so-so but sandwich to die for. Ask for pickle.
Love Katz. It's a must stop every time I visit the city.
*Sigh*
Did anyone get the Seinfeld joke?
It was one of those references that I know I've heard somewhere, but couldn't place it. I figured it was Simpsons.
sorry, pmb. I was only an occasional viewer.
or is this the real reference?
I gots Thuringer Cervelat on my mind, actually...
jeebers. I suppose nathan has to warm up now?
Mauer = pantywaist.
Yeah, he's a real Nancy, isn't he.
What's the word? Anything?
Who is worse: Punto or Denny Hocking?
Punto is so bad he can't even hit into a double play properly.
Denny at least worked as the union rep.
That's a tough one. Hocking was pretty much worthless, but he never pulled in a paycheck as big as Poo. Call it a wash.
Dick says that Mauer left the game with "left hamstring tightness."
Could have been worse.
Punto's feet first slide mucked Tejada's concentration.
Barty on fire!
He's an animal. He's the man-tana
isn't this like a gimme putt? Can't we just pick the ball up and go home?
Shot a 50 today using 25 year old set of clubs with real persimmom Sam Snead woods. Had to use a RH putter too. Best round of the year
Had a guy who made me persimmon woods for the longest time, then he quit doing it. They were sweet. Especially the 5-wood. Metal has heft, but no soul.
Time for a meaningless solo HR by Tejada.
Twins Win!
Good win.
Let's get the sweep tomorrow...it'll be tough vs. Bedard, but it's possible.
It'd be nice to have a little momentum going into that 3 game series vs. Cleveland.
Remember the "momentum" we had going into the Detroit series in July? And weren't we supposed to have some "momentum" going into our last Cleveland series?
This concludes the exhibition series against the Bal'more Oreos. Tomorrow, we get the Orioles.