Moose

The Cardinals were the best team. The Red Sox were the hottest team. They basically won every series in a sweep. Are you telling me that the 1988 Dodgers were the best team? Or the 1990 Reds? Or the 1997/2003 Marlins?

It's not the best team who wins the World Series, it's the hottest team who does.

1) The Color Barrier- Jackie Robinson was NOT the first African American player to reach the majors. In 1884, Fleet Walker became one. Three years later, African American players were probihited to play in the majors. It would be 60 years later when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Dodgers. If it weren't for the color barrier, hundreds of Negro League stars such as Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Buck Leonard would've had their opportunities to display their skills in the Majors. 2) The Selling of Babe Ruth- Babe Ruth came up as a pitcher with the Red Sox in 1914. He was the best southpaw in the American League. He led the Sox to three pennants (1915, 1916, 1918). Boston then-owner Harry Frazee sold his star to the Yankees for $125K. Ruth became the best slugger in baseball history and played on seven pennant winners in New York between 1921 and 1932. The Yankees were the dominant team in baseball while the Red Sox didn't win a World Series title since 1918 (until 2004, of course). If Ruth weren't sold to New York, perhaps Boston would've become baseball most storied franchise. The Yankees, who never won a pennant before aquiring Ruth, may have remained also-rans. 3) The Trading of Christy Matthewson- The Cincinnati Reds thought they made a good deal in 1900 when they traded 21-year-old Matthewson for 29-year-old Amos Rusie. Known as the Hoosier Thunderbolt, Rusie had already won 243 games while Matthewson had not yet won a game. Matthewson won 372 games for the Giants between 1901 and 1916, while Rusie never won another game. The Giants won 4 pennants with Matthewson between 1905 and 1913 and became one of National League's successful teams. The Reds did not win their first title until 1919. If the trade had not been made, Cincinnati might've won several more pennants and Giants' manager John McGraw may not have become a legend. 4) The Cub Clipper- Joe DiMaggio was a hot prospect in the minor leagues until he tore the cartilage in his knee while getting out of the cab in 1934. The Cubs had a chance to purchase DiMaggio's contract but he declined because of the concern about the injury. The Yankees signed DiMaggio and became one of the best players in his era. He helped the Yankees maintain their excellence despite Ruth's departure. New York won ten more pennants between 1936 to 1951. The Cubs have not won a pennant since 1945 nor a World Series title since 1908. If the Cubs were successful in purchasing DiMaggio, the Cubs might have won a few more championships and pennants. That may have changed the direction of their franchise. 5) If Fidel Castro Became a Senator- No, not a political senator. A Washington Senator. When Castro was young, he was a talented pitcher in Cuba. He was so promising that he was given a tryout by the Washington Senators. In the 1950's, Washington signed Cuban pitchers Camilo Pascual and Pedro Ramos. Just like young pitchers, Castro had great stuff but he had control problems. That's why he wasn't signed by the Senators. Soon after, he gave up on baseball and became a revolutionary in Cuba. In 1959, Castro led a communist revolt that overthrew the government. Since that time, he's become a communist. If Washington had signed him, we might've known him as a Senator. Cuba may not have become a communist country and would still have diplomatic relations with the United States. There might've been no Bay of Pigs invasion or Cuban Missile Crisis. 6) Cobb in Cleveland- The best trades are often the ones not made. In 1908, the Detroit Tigers considered trading hot-tempered young outfielder Ty Cobb for the 1905 batting champ Wlmer Flick. The Guardians turned down the trade that they would soon regret. Flick was bothered by a stomach ailment and only played 99 games in his last three seasons. He retired in 1910. Cobb won a dozen batting titles until 1926. If Ty Cobb was traded to the Guardians, they would've won more pennants. 7) The Brooklyn Dodgers- The Dodgers were the pride of Brooklyn from 1890 to 1957. During the last decade of their existence, they won 6 pennants. Their powerful lineup included Duke Snyder, Roy Campanella, Pee-Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges. When then-owner Walter O'Malley moved the team the Los Angeles, devoted Dodger fans in Brooklyn were heart-broken. But in Los Angeles, the Dodgers reached even greater heights, winning nine more pennants and 5 more world championships. The move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants to California signaled an exodus of teams to the west. Major League Baseball finally became a bi-coastal game. If the Dodgers had remained in Brooklyn, the New York Mets may have never existed and L.A. would've never enjoyed the talent of Koufax and Drysdale. Los Angeles' team today would've been the Angels. :thumbdown 8) Bill Veeck's Phillies- The color barrier was broken in 1947. It would've been broken in 1944. Maverick owner Bill Veeck attempted to buy the Philadelphia Phillies. His plan was to stock the team with stars from the Negro Leagues. However, then-Commisioner Kenesaw Landis was not yet ready to allow African American players to play in the Majors. The Phillies were quickly sold to another owner. If Veeck had purchased the Phillies, the integration in baseball would've been expedited. Philadelphia, who often finished second in the division would've been instant contenders. Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in 1947, would not have become a cultural icon. Great Negro League catcher Josh Gibson would've had the opportunity to play in the majors. 9) The Black Sox Were Never Banned- The Chicago White Sox threw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinatti Reds. Players involved in the fix were outfielders Shoeless Joe Jackson and Oscar Feisch; infielders Chick Gandil, Buck Weaver, Swede Risberg, and Fred McMullin; and pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams. Once the scandal was exposed, the eight players were tried in Chicago but were aquitted after their signed confessions mysteriously disappeared. However, new Baseball Commisioner Kenesaw Landis banned the players from baseball for life. If the fix had not been uncovered, Shoeless Joe Jackson, a .356 career hitter would've been a Hall of Famer. Pitcher Eddie Cicotte, who won 208 games might have made it to Cooperstown. The White Sox, who have not won a World Series since 1917, might've remained a contender instead of spending most of the two next decades in the second place. The job of the Baseball Commisioner was to re-store public confidence in the honesty of the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lots of what if's, but then again... Who knows?

Al Michaels said he'll explain it.

What the f*** was that brawl before the MNF game?

Thanks. f***, Choi vs. his countrymen: Kim: 0-4 Park: 0-1

Can someone give me the link to a site where I can find out the hitter's numbers against an individual pitcher?

Bubba

"September 8th vs. Los Angeles" What the f***? You guys played the Dodgers? Or do you mean Anaheim?

Damn, I'm so late. Pulling the race card is just not right. Maybe Milton IS the one who has a problem with White players.

And also Randy Johnson with last year's NL West punching bag.

I went to the game today. Pedro almost had the no-no, only to lose it on Antonio Perez's 3B and Jayson Werth's 2-run HR in the 8th inning. That means the Dodgers won on just 2 hits (Mets with 10 hits). Damn, I thought I was gonna see a no-hitter in person, but a win for your team is much, much better.

Ken Herrelson said (during the double play): "Gotta hurry, Pablo. Ohhhh mercy. They turn it." Haha, what a f***ing homer.

I'm watching WGN right now. The scoreboard says "SOX BOS." ...considering when people say "Sox", it's more like RED Sox. And not to mention their ******* announcing crew. Herrelson f***ing sucks.

Meanwhile, in Oakland. The Anaheim Angels have just lost to the Oakland A's and fall into 2nd place in the AL West.

http://www.sportscollectiblesnet.com/graphics/Dcp05661.jpg

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050810/capt.nyff10608100247.white_sox_yankees_nyff106.jpg?x=380&y=264&sig=QOkwQ5bG5cj1dwmN02QzHQ--

Ahhhh, Wayne Franklin... That dude will always be known for giving up a walk-off grandslam on October 2nd, 2004...

Haha, what a nimROD.

In the Yankee game: A-Rod cheated again. Did you guys see that play in the 5th inning? After Jermaine Dye made the catch, he threw the ball to 1B to try to double up Sheffield. But apparently, A-Rod was there to "break up" the play. Kinda reminds you of the '78 WS, when Reggie Jackson interfered.

Yes there was.

Talksox wasn't working for about, let's say an hour.

f*** the Giants.

Holy s***, I thought it was Hee-Seop at first. :dance: