a700hitter

Being critical is not being negative. It is a necessary part of the process of improving. I like to discuss how the team can improve. If you noticed when things were looking bleak at the end of last August and several posters were ready to throw in the towel, I maintained that the Tampa would fade, because its management gave up on them by trading away Kazmir and adding nothing for the stretch run and Texas would fade because they only had one veteran pitcher. Similarly, I felt confident that the Sox could make a good run at the Yankees IN September. So, I have been known to point out the positive when things are going bad and everyone else is ready to open a vein. Conversely, in 2006, when everyone was riding high, because the team was still in first place, I noted that there was real reason for concern and that the team was in the midst of a nosedive that would not end well. I am not a person to ride the popular sentiment. That's not negative. It may be unpopular, but it's not negative. Earlier this season, I posted that I was completely puzzled how a team with so many good players could be playing so poorly. Now that we are playing well and everyone is all giddy, I'll still point out the weaknesses, because in a long season they usually get exposed eventually unless they are addressed and fixed. I'm sorry if that ruins your mood, but that is your emotion and interpretation. I am not being negative, just critical. Critical analysis has given me reason to hope when everyone has been ready to throw in the towel.

I really wouldn't be surprised if it got reversed. The equity of the situation is all on the side of reversing it. The umpire admits that he blew it, so a reversal will not ruffle the feathers of the umpire union. The pitcher behave impeccably professional throughout the entire situation, both on and off the field. I think the Commissioner's Office will be looking for grounds to reverse this.

Lots of teams would like to have him, but they don't want to pay his salary or give up any talent for him. His value is higher now than at the beginning of the season being that teams have suffered injuries.

Why you gotta go say something bitchy? The fact that I didn't think Youk had hit his stride wasn't a negative comment, but rather commentary about how good I think he can be. I still think he will hit better from here on out barring injury. If Ortiz keeps performing at a high level, pitchers will start pitching around Ortiz a bit more instead of pitching around Youk like they have done so far this season. Youk either tied or broke the team record for walks in May (1970-Yaz). If they start to challenge him more, we will see more long balls from him.

You're right. He has been pretty damn hot lately.

No he will not. Have you ever heard of Milt Pappas? He got jobbed out of a perfect game by an umpire with two outs in the 9th inning. Here's his story from an interview:

I think the fact that Gallaraga acted so professionally about the situation will weigh heavily in his favor.

Hall is not a good MIF. He hasn't been traded yet, so it is not in my head, and the logjam will still exist if Lowell gets trade, because their is no room for VMart to play any games at first. His offense has suffered in past years from catching too many games. Who would believe anything you think. You are convinced that Wily Mo was a fair return for Arroyo.

A statement like this might force MLB's hand to reverse the call. The moment has been ruined for the kid, but at least he will be in the record books forever.

There is still a logjam and no viable back up middle IF.

Cue Dirty Water

He insists on making it interesting.

Vmart had a monster game last night, but he hadn't done much until yesterday. Youk has not hit his stride yet.

Good quality start from Dice k. Had it not been for Hermida's Horror show in LF, he might not have given up any runs. He needs to follow this up with a good game next start to show some consistency.

Did you see the bad call the ump made with two out in the 9th to ruin the perfect game. That was disgusting.