ORS

I think the correct term there would be tampering.

A case for collusion could be made. I've made no specific accusation, so I've got nothing to backtrack from, but I do feel this trade was a bit spurious. The Pirates did not, in any way, get better by this trade. They got crap in return for two marketable players at the trading deadline. You said so yourself. Hell, the draft pick compensation, which the Pirates would have gotten anyway, will be a better haul than that group, only now the Yankees will get it. They got smoked in that deal, and according to some reports (without specific names being included), they were offered more from other contending teams. Something stinks, so it's worthy of discussion, which is all we are doing at this point. As far as you ripping anything to shreds, you can try, but you'll step all over your junk in the process like usual.

Of course I'm familiar with all of those things. What's remarkable is that while acknowledging this practice exists, you still maintain it didn't occur in the situation that is the topic of this thread, despite graphical data, taken from the MLB website, that confirms the accusation that it did. Furthermore, the real problem that I have with this practice is the competitive imbalance it brings to the game. In additon to the advantage of larger revenues for player acquisitions, big market clubs will benefit from this as they are the most veteran heavy (at least, star veteran heavy), none moreso than the NYY.

I think JHB's point, either here or in another thread, was that it benefits all teams if the Yankees are competitive (ie in the playoffs). And, I can certainly agree with that. The ratings will be higher as they have the biggest national and international fanbase. In terms of dollars and cents, those higher ratings yield more lucrative national broadcast deals that are shared by all. Some of these moves, for the most part, have been the tipping point that ensured NY's place in the postseason. Now, everyone knows that getting to the postseason does not ensure postseason success. The game changes a bit. The need for very good pitching becomes more pronounced. I think the intent of these moves is to get them in the game, not to hand them anything. Still got to win it.

Why do you even bother? His response to any and every inquiry into the business practices of the Yankees is the same, jealousy. Correcting him is a waste of time. He a) won't get it, and won't change. It's been 4 years running like this, and it will continue.

What other industries is Pirate ownership involved in? If they are local, my guess is steel. What industry is the cash cow of the Steinbrenners? Ship building, right? No time to look into it at work, but there might be something there.

All 11 of them?

Pitch f/x to this guy? What's next, JHB, discussing string theory with your dog?

Let's go back to the original premise that Wake sucks against the NYY. In his time with Boston, 1995-2008, he's compiled 214 IP against them, allowing 5.14 ER per game compared to a career ERA of 4.31. I would expect for a pitcher's ERA, if the IP total approached that of a full season, to be higher against a team that annually has one of the best offenses in baseball. To be fair, let's look at other pitchers who may have approached that number during that same window. ERA [table]Pitcher|IP|Career|NY|Car/NY|According to BOY Wake|214|4.31|5.14|1.19|sucks Pedro|216|3.20|2.86|1.12|TBD Halladay|185|2.88|2.93|0.98|TBD Ponson|176|4.89|4.89|1.00|TBD Escobar|116|5.11|4.15|1.23|TBD Lowe|102|6.07|3.81|1.56|we need more of this [/table] These are names from memory who I know pitched a bit in the AL East during the window in question. It's enough, and with enough big time pitchers, to show that being worse against the NYY isn't mutually exculsive to Tim Wakefield. EDIT: I excluded AL stalwarts Roger Clemens, David Wells, and Mike Mussina because they all pitched a significant amount of innings outside the window in question, and Mussina hasn't had to face the more potent Yankee lineups of this decade.

Holy f***, man!

You seem to be able to type since you are posting here, get them yourself. http://www.baseball-reference.com/

It was better, but the Diamondbacks had to give up more to get more. It's a bit disingenuous to just call attention to the "more" on the Yankee side of the equation without acknowledging the "more" on the Phoenix side.

You do realize that Wakefield was probably the ALCS MVP if Little doesn't make the epic blunder of leaving Pedro in, right?

Given the tenor and tone of your posts, many here already think you to be either an idiot, at best, or a coward who won't admit your true allegiance, at worst. Why say something stupid like this and confirm their suspicions? The guy you claim "sucks" just got done with a stretch where he threw 9 straight quality starts. He's had a stretch of 7 games where he pitched at least 7 IP with 3 or less ER allowed. This information is all freely available at a multitude of websites. I recommend you familiarize yourself with them.

Three hits for Ellsbury. All made it through the IF. Of course, the optimism gets tempered when you consider the pitchers.

Jon Lester is the best pitcher on this team.

Cable was out yesterday, huh?

The s***-hit fest can end any time now.

Favre's big arm combined with Galloway's ability to still get deep on defenses? I'd like to see that.

Kris Johnson pulled from his start in Portland after being perfect for 3 IP. Nothing on the recap at MiLB.com about an injury, is a trade at hand? http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_27_prtaax_treaax_1

Does sleep deprivation result in symptoms similar to narcotics? Seriously, that was tongue in cheek, but it is a true statement. Given their expenditures relative to their revenues, I see no lack of effort from this front office.