2015 MLB Gamethread

[Kimmi]

But does it sit right with you that known cheaters who used Amphetamines are enshrined? Because you can't have it both ways. And with them, it's the exact same case with some athletes (like Bonds) where the substance used wasn't banned when they used it. The only PED Bonds was using (per reports) was HGH, which was only banned after 2005. By that logic, Bonds, Petitte, and many others should have their cases re-examined.

 

Logically, I agree with what you're saying. For whatever reason, though, past players like Aaron who used greenies doesn't bother me as much. I'm not sure that I have a rational reason for why that is the case.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Logically, I agree with what you're saying. For whatever reason, though, past players like Aaron who used greenies doesn't bother me as much. I'm not sure that I have a rational reason for why that is the case.

 

Because we never watched these guys play. With the exception of a700, who witnessed not only baseball history but the invention of professional baseball itself, none of us saw Hank Aaron or Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb play, so their indiscretions are not real to us. We aren't outraged because we don't feel it took away from our enjoyment of the games like Bonds or McGwire. In fifty or a hundred years, our grandkids and great-grandkids will be talking about how Barry Bonds was a great player despite how people "back then" got all upset about some stupid drugs or whatever, while at the same time they will be vilifying contemporary players for illegally using nanobot-enhanced blood or decrying the unfair conditions in the baseball stadiums on the moon.

[Bellhorn04]

But does it sit right with you that known cheaters who used Amphetamines are enshrined? Because you can't have it both ways. And with them, it's the exact same case with some athletes (like Bonds) where the substance used wasn't banned when they used it. The only PED Bonds was using (per reports) was HGH, which was only banned after 2005. By that logic, Bonds, Petitte, and many others should have their cases re-examined.

 

Some of it is optics. We saw guys like Canseco and McGwire who were built like Marvel superheroes clobbering balls into next week. We saw Barry Bonds effortlessly flicking baseballs over the fence (or being walked half the time), and then we saw Barry's head all puffed up.

 

Seeing stuff like that gives you the impression that steroids and other recent PED's are powerful and dangerous stuff.

[Bellhorn04]

And I promise that'll be the last time I use the word 'optics' on this topic.

[Bellhorn04]

On the topic of amphetamines, in one of Spaceman Lee's books he talks about the alcohol-speed cycle a lot of players were on, including himself. Guys would drink heavily after games and wake up the next day with brutal hangovers. They would take uppers to revive their systems and get them in shape to play baseball. After the game they would still be wired and they would need to drink to level themselves out again.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Denard Span signed a three-year contract with the Giants. I'm happy for him and the Giants, but is this a signing that really calls for a live MLB.com-featured "welcome" press conference? You just signed a decent free agent from a small-market team to your slightly-larger market team. You didn't just discover water on Mars or kill Osama Bin Laden.

[User Name]

Span played in Washington though. Definitely not a small market team. But alas, I pick at nits.

[Kimmi]

Because we never watched these guys play. With the exception of a700, who witnessed not only baseball history but the invention of professional baseball itself, none of us saw Hank Aaron or Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb play, so their indiscretions are not real to us. We aren't outraged because we don't feel it took away from our enjoyment of the games like Bonds or McGwire. In fifty or a hundred years, our grandkids and great-grandkids will be talking about how Barry Bonds was a great player despite how people "back then" got all upset about some stupid drugs or whatever, while at the same time they will be vilifying contemporary players for illegally using nanobot-enhanced blood or decrying the unfair conditions in the baseball stadiums on the moon.

 

I was thinking that, and it's as good as any reason that I can come up with.

[Kimmi]

Some of it is optics. We saw guys like Canseco and McGwire who were built like Marvel superheroes clobbering balls into next week. We saw Barry Bonds effortlessly flicking baseballs over the fence (or being walked half the time), and then we saw Barry's head all puffed up.

 

Seeing stuff like that gives you the impression that steroids and other recent PED's are powerful and dangerous stuff.

 

I think this is part of it too. With steroids, you can see the physical effects of cheating. You can see the physical advantage that it gives the players. That's not the case with amphetamines.

[Kimmi]

and i promise that'll be the last time i use the word 'optics' on this topic.

 

lol

[cp176]

Because we never watched these guys play. With the exception of a700, who witnessed not only baseball history but the invention of professional baseball itself, none of us saw Hank Aaron or Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb play, so their indiscretions are not real to us. We aren't outraged because we don't feel it took away from our enjoyment of the games like Bonds or McGwire. In fifty or a hundred years, our grandkids and great-grandkids will be talking about how Barry Bonds was a great player despite how people "back then" got all upset about some stupid drugs or whatever, while at the same time they will be vilifying contemporary players for illegally using nanobot-enhanced blood or decrying the unfair conditions in the baseball stadiums on the moon.

 

Well - I have to mention this because I did see the great Hank Aaron play. Because of the records that he broke and set, he should be mentioned among the greats. He was one of the greats. Now that being said, the greatest hitter that I ever saw play was the one and only Ted. But, in addition, to date, the greatest player I ever saw play the game was Willie Mays. It really wasn't even close. Griffey, Bonds, etc. etc. etc. - Willie Mays.

[Spudboy]

Having grown up in a major league city I got to see many big name players. I too saw Mays, as well as Mantle. They were both way past their primes, however.

 

Among more recent players Griffey Jr. seemed to be the clear best. I think that this would be very clear to more fans if they saw him play before the injuries hit him.

 

He was scary good at every aspect of the game.