2006 American League Playoffs (Tigers defeat A's)

[pat]

All discussion for the AL playoffs is to be in this thread. I will update this first post with game results as the series goes on.


Championship Series
(WC) Detroit vs. (3) Oakland - Detroit wins series, 4-0
Game 1: Detroit 5, Oakland 1
W: Robertson (1-1), L: Zito (1-1)

Game 2: Detroit 8, Oakland 5
W: Verlander (1-0), L: Loaiza (0-1), S: Jones (2)

Game 3: Oakland 0, Detroit 3
W: Rogers (2-0), L: Harden (0-1), S: Jones (3)

Game 4: Oakland 3, Detroit 6
W: Ledezma (1-0), L: Street (0-1)


Division Series
(WC) Detroit vs. (1) New York - Detroit wins series, 3-1
Game 1: Detroit 4, New York 8
W: Wang (1-0), L: Robertson (0-1)

Game 2: Detroit 4, New York 3
W: Walker (1-0), L: Mussina (0-1), S: Jones (1)

Game 3: New York 0, Detroit 6
W: Rogers (1-0), L: Johnson (0-1)

Game 4: New York 3, Detroit 8
W: Bonderman (1-0), L: Wright (0-1)



(3) Oakland vs. (2) Minnesota - Oakland wins series, 3-0
Game 1: Oakland 3, Minnesota 2
W: Zito (1-0), L: Santana (0-1), S: Street (1)

Game 2: Oakland 5, Minnesota 2
W: Calero (1-0), L: Neshek (0-1), S: Street (2)

Game 3: Minnesota 3, Oakland 8
W: Haren (1-0), L: Radke (0-1)

[kuumuus]

twinstwinstwins all the way

[gravymaster]

FUCK THE TIGERS!!!!

[Homer Jay]

Go Twins!!!

[pat]

WOO WILD CARD!!

[kevin]

new york in three
minnesota in four

i don't know who i WANT to win. nobody, really. twins, i guess. maybe the yankees.

[pat]

detroit in 5 because WHY THE HELL NOT
minnesota in 4

[smyce]

Yankees in 5
Twins in 5

[Dewey Finn]

I'm a Yankee fan, and I want Yankees to win this one for Mussina's sake.
Seriously, let's just hope ARod or Matsui or Sheff wouldn't choke this time. (oh yeah, Melky choked sometimes in PO in minor leagues...)
Oh yeah, Tigers are 36-38 after All Star Break and 2-5 VS Yankees (I know the regular season stats doesn't matter, but still...)
Yankees in four
A's in five

[doyle]

i would love to see the tigers knock off the yankees; but it ain't going to happen.
yankees in three
twins in five
twins in seven, i hope

[Mayor Quimby]

Twins in four
Tigers in four (Pure Wish)

Twins representing, and another World Champ comes from the Central Division.

[Brent]

realistically, the ALCS will be Yanks and Twins

I'm rooting for the A's, mainly because of Big Frank ( biased , I know)

[boogie down mikel]

yanks in 4
twins in 5

yanks in 6

[Gabbo]

yankees in four
twins in five

even though i hope the tigers win, i really doubt it happens

[Mike]

a's in 5, after blowing a 2-0 lead but then realizing they don't need to fuck it up like the last 3 times.

yankees in 4. tigers will surprise them in the opener, but the yanks will take over after that.

[robb]

I really hate to pull a total Rekart here, but it's high time for me to contribute to the god damn baseball thread. I'm so terribly disappointed right now, but happy in the sense that I'll finally be able to witness a Tigers postseason game. Having said that, it's prediction time:

A's in 5, this series will be pretty good, I have no idea what the season series numbers look like, but I think the A's will take a very tough, very competitive series.

On to the Tigers, I'm really going to try and keep all of my bias out of this, and give a fair analysis. Randy Johnson WILL apparently be starting on Friday, which changes the entire dynamic to this series. He almost no-hit the Tigers in late May, but it's really a question of which Johnson shows up. The first game will be won by the Tigers, if they can get Nate any run support. The guy should've won 17+ games this season, but got nothing from his offense. I really think the series will come down to 5 games, and I won't be able to make a prediction yet, because I'd like to take a look at the pitching matchup first. Another really strong feeling I have is that Bonderman will pitch the game of his life. Sure, he's folded a lot in the past in big situations, but I really think this is his time to shine. Not to mention that slider of his.

The Tigers WILL lose if their offense plays like it did today. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm really disappointed that they won't have Matt Stairs on their playoff roster, guy's great late in ballgames off the bench.

[Jason]

Oak Vs Minny- As an A's fan I was really hoping for the Tigers. The A's can't afford to face Santana twice so they will have to win in atleast in 4. So A's in 4

NYY Vs. Det- I'm going with the upset here. Det lost the division and know everyone is counting them out. They have no pressure at all and can get back to playing like they were at the beginning of the season. Tigers in 5

[Dead Nigga Storage]

The Tigers are FAKES. Done in 4.

A's are done, too. Four games there, as well.

Twins in 7

And Jason, your A's pick is more of a hope then a pick, isn't it? Seeing as you say that they "have to win in 4 in order to win, so they WILL win in 4".

Eh, whatever. These teams all bore the shit out of me...and not because they aren't the Angels.

[thecapecoddah]

twins in four
yankees in four

twins over yanks in six

[gravymaster]

Everyone picking the Tigers over the Yankees is more of less "hoping" not really making an acurate prediction. Look at the season series, and match up the two teams and you really can't come to the conclusion that the Tigers will win. However, hope away.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i don't think it's a horrible pick...it's just a sleeper pick with some basis to it. if robertson and verlander pitch the way they are both capable of doing so, they could win the first two games of the series and put the yanks in a hole. like i said before, the yankees rotation is really pretty bad, and the postseason is SUPPOSED to be about pitching (in theory, not always in practice). if they can get an upperhand by winning the first game, it is very possible. i dislike both teams, and think the yankees will win, but i don't find it impractical at all that the tigers could take the series.

[Orange-Neck]

Yankees-4
Twins-4

Yankees in 6

[kevin]

i'd just like to point out the white sox are still the champs

...i'll show myself out

[box elder]

yanks 3
twins 4
twins 5

[gravymaster]

Yankees 4
Twins 4
Yankees 6

[Brent]

i think the tigers do have better pitching but the NYY batting order right now is like the best of all time, no joke. I think both series' will go to 5 games

[Spartan]

yanks in four
twins in five

yankees in six

[tones]

sorry, pat...

yankees in 3
moneyball in 5

yankees in 6

[Dead Nigga Storage]

moneyball is gay and so is this quote:
but the NYY batting order right now is like the best of all time, no joke.

[Mayor Quimby]

moneyball in 5

Um Moneyball is 0 for life in playoff series........

[pat]

sorry, pat...
meh, i don't make predictions to try to be right... so i really don't know why i do.

i really don't see the tigers being a pushover. lots of young guys in that clubhouse with nothing to lose, and world series experience with pudge and leyland. if the tigers of the first half of the season shows up, this could be an upset in the making.

but then again, they did get swept by the royals...

i don't know where i'm going with this post. i'll have to see how they play in game one before i can make any form of judgment as to what they're capable of.

[Jason]

Thank God for Frank Thomas. Zito didn't have his best stuff, but still managed to hold off the Twins. Getting this win against Santana is huge and hopefully we can capitalize on some weaker pitching coming up.

[Brent]

moneyball is gay and so is this quote:

it's called exaggerating to make a point. i knew you were going to say something anyway

douche

[Mike]

wow, what a win. zito was scaring me with his usual high in the zone, looking like he's going to suck first inning, and he didn't exactly recover like he does in his dominant starts, but luckily the twins helped him out.

big frank was huge with the 2 bombs, and almost a 3rd if that one earlier on was a couple feet to the right.

and again, thanks hurt for the insurance, after bradley had no idea where the ball went with that stupid white roof.

it's a lot easier series when 3 average pitchers have to take 2 games to make it a series with a semi-hot loaiza pitching tommorow.

ps... anyone else notice that besides nick swisher leading off the 5th, every other inning in the game was either kendall or thomas leading off?

[Dead Nigga Storage]

it's called exaggerating to make a point. i knew you were going to say something anyway

douche
OMG YOU PREDICTED I WAS GONNA SAY SOMETHING, THAT MAKES ME A DOUCHE.

you're a fucking douche for the comment to begin with. don't bother bringing it up if it's such an obvious point that it can be exaggerated to that extreme.

[gravymaster]

Great game by the Yankees tonight. Jeter fucking ruled, as always. Wang had a nice first game and the bullpen kept it together enough to get a nice solid win.

Onward towards Game 2. Hopefully Moose puts in a nice effort and we head to Detroit up two games.

[boogie down mikel]

i wish torre had kept wang out there a bit longer but it was a great effort yb the boys

[pat]

the tigers played hard tonight... but they just got outmatched. what a monster game by jeter, hats off to him. if they're gonna beat the yankees, they're gonna have to beat them with their bats and not their pitching.

[gravymaster]

I gotta say...after Jeter's final at bat last night where he hit the home run, hearing everyone in that place chant "De-rek Je-ter" over and over again is one of those moments that, as a fan, you remember the rest of your life. Fucking awesome.

[Brent]

OMG YOU PREDICTED I WAS GONNA SAY SOMETHING, THAT MAKES ME A DOUCHE.

you're a fucking douche for the comment to begin with. don't bother bringing it up if it's such an obvious point that it can be exaggerated to that extreme.

jesus christ

OCD

[Dewey Finn]

Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu were just lights out. Yankees will face Verlander today. He had slumps after All Star game, but he said he's conditions better than how he was after ASG

Verlander allowed 6ER in 5 IP in his game VS Yankees back in June

BTW, Hunter blows by making a crucial diving mistake and allowed Kotsay an inside the park homer.

[gravymaster]

Twins as the sexy pick doesn't look that good right now..

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i want to make the "choakland" joke about them always blowing these leads, but i don't think that's the case this year.

[kuumuus]

time for the a's to do what they do best: lose the series when they're one win away from advancing.

edit: dns beat me to it. i say it happens. i hope it happens.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

oh, believe me kuumuus, i'm pulling for it...REALLY hoping it happens. if you guys hadn't rolled over to the A's for the ENTIRE season, we wouldn't be in this position now...couldn't you even get 5 wins out of 19? :(

[Mike]

boy that was quite the 'athletic' play! everything is in 'okay-land' right about now :D

[gravymaster]

boy that was quite the 'athletic' play! everything is in 'okay-land' right about now :D
You deserve to be warned for this post.

[kuumuus]

Don’t Panic Room. I’m not going to William Hurt you. I only want your Tango and Cash. So just Pay It Forward, and we’ll all be Happy Gilmore.

[smyce]

Those posts are lame, however.com I did smile when reading them.

[Spartan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/thespartan117/carl.jpg

[smyce]

Guess Carl took USM +4 as well.

[gravymaster]

Back on topic now or I'll ban Pat.

[pat]

ok

WOO WILD CARD!!

[The Real Brian McGee]

The twins better win the next three games, not that im a twins fan but I want someone who can beat the yankees. Its funny how santana's first home loss came at the most important time yesteryday. he he! also, whats his name, mumbly joe.... the third baseman Nick punto made the same catch again today. FUNNY!

[Dewey Finn]

Oakland swept the Yankees during the season- but Yankees didn't provide good offense that time (Mats, Sheff and Cano out). I'd like to face A's this time. Yankees can hit SP's of A's except for Haren

[Dead Nigga Storage]

the yanks didn't provide good offense then? oh, poor babies! you didn't get matsui or sheffield! you just had to settle for a-rod, jeter, cabrera, posada, and damon instead! HOWEVER DID YOU MANAGE?

get over it. if you got swept during the regular season with those 5 guys in the lineup, you got fucked up. yankees fans can't complain angelssuck about a couple of guys getting injured and it having some huge effect, because you're already paying through the teeth to be able to absorb almost anything. waaaaah.

[pat]

tigers/yankees game two RESCHEDULED for tomorrow while i'm at work

fucking rain. at least i'll be able to catch an inning or two in the break room

[thecapecoddah]

i'll give you text message updates every 15 minutes

[gravymaster]

tigers/yankees game two RESCHEDULED for tomorrow while i'm at work

fucking rain. at least i'll be able to catch an inning or two in the break room
I have to listen to it on the radio. NOT how I wanted to experience this game, but oh well...can't exactly call out to watch a game on TV. If I was going it would be another story..

[pat]

believe me, the thought of calling in sick crossed my mind... but i need all the hours i can get, i can't afford a "sick" day.

[robb]

ugh, I have a bio exam right during the middle of the game (2:30-4:00).

updates tomorrow on which option i choose to go with (Game vs. exam)

[boogie down mikel]

fuck the rain...oh well espn gamecast @ work for me

[smyce]

E-6?

I didnt know Jeter made errors. Moose still strikes out the side. He looks good.

[kevin]

yeah because you know in jeter's 12 year or whatever career he has never made an error ever.

and yes, tigers clearly fucked

[Dead Nigga Storage]

Jeter, unbiasedly, is a pretty greatly overrated defensive player. ESPN bombards you with every above-average play he makes, but his stats across the board are pretty freakin' average.

[The Real Brian McGee]

yeah jeter sucks all he does is makes the same play every game. you know the one i mean. when he makes the running throw. Ill admit it takes alot of arm strength to do that but c'mon! All any pitcher has to do is pitch over the plat and he wont be able to hit anything. the only reason he has a decent average is b/c all of his hits are singles

[Dead Nigga Storage]

brian

shut up

now

[smyce]

the only reason he has a decent average is b/c all of his hits are singles

Um...

[Dead Nigga Storage]

easier to ignore the kid than to address hit total lack of anything resembling knowledge...although i will acknowledge that i think aspects of jeter are horribly overrated, i will not say "he only has a good average because he hits the ball".

[vinceq]

Are we still playin' the Jeter bashing game cuz I'd love to get in on it.

What's the deal with how Jeter gets into the batters box? Watch it. Here's what he does each at bat.
1) He fixes the velcro on his batters gloves.
2) Holds his right hand upto the ump and steps in right foot, then left.
3) Brings his right hand back onto the bat to bring the bat forward.
4) Pulls the bat back and rests in his stance awaiting the pitch.
PITCH COMES, LOW AND OUTSIDE, NOWHERE CLOSE TO STRIKE ZONE, JETER DOESN'T MOVE AN INCH
5) Walks out of batters box and repeats entire process from Step 1.

[Dewey Finn]

I agree Jeter's defense is overrated... his jump-throw play was invented by his small range

Cabrera deserved GG SS last year totally, even I was surprised myself.

1) He fixes the velcro on his batters gloves.
2) Holds his right hand upto the ump and steps in right foot, then left.
3) Brings his right hand back onto the bat to bring the bat forward.
4) Pulls the bat back and rests in his stance awaiting the pitch.


Do you really think those are good reason to hate Jeter? NOMAR ANYONE?

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i think jeter as a whole is overrated, that's what i was saying.

and for the record, nomar AND jeter's tradition/superstition things piss me off. cut that shit out.

[robb]

in case anybody cares, i opted to go in and half-ass the exam so i could be done in 15 minutes.

EDIT: this is what i love about postseason baseball. zumaya made a-rod look absolutely silly

[smyce]

My best friend here in Iowa is from Detroit and a huge Tigers fan. I just bet him $20 matsui would get a hit.

:)

[tones]

great win for detroit... it's great not playing the door mat. i picked detroit to lose in three, but i'm glad i was wrong.

[Dewey Finn]

Zumaya is just nasty. I know ESPN's speed gun has some exaggrations, but he hit 103 mph on the gun three consecutive times, with great movement and good control. Oh yeah, ARod still blows in PO

Yankees will gladly play VS Kenny Rogers (8.86 career playoff ERA).

Wait.. Randy Johnson starting in ALDS....

[vinceq]

and for the record, nomar AND jeter's tradition/superstition things piss me off. cut that shit out.

Trads/superstitions are okay but not when it delays the game. That's what bothers me about Jeter. Just go up there and bat dammit.

[Orange-Neck]

Johnson will be decent in the next game and the Yankees will win a 7-5ish game tommorow.

[kevin]

yikes, detroit surprised me today. nice for them to get at least one win before the hammer falls.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

LOLing:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/bbmugs1.html

love how the darryl strawberry one is the only real one.

[pat]

wow, the twins... talk about a disappointment. congrats to oakland

[Homer Jay]

Tigers better beat the Yankees. If not I'll have no one to root for once the LA is eliminated.

[brad]

how fucking cool is ernie harwell

[blueguy]

damn. Offseason is upon us. I'm excited for next year though. Santana, Liriano, Boof, and I think Garza will really develop in the off-season. 4 solid starters, one of the best relievers, one of the best closers, MVP candidate, batting champ. Plus Torii's contract is up and I SERIOUSLY doubt we'll pick up his option. Maybe he'll resign for less money, but I bet he's gone. Silva will be gone, Radke is 99.9% gone, and I think someone else is gone too, so we've got quite a bit of money getting freed up.

[kevin]

man that yankees lineup... clearly the best lineup ever

[Dewey Finn]

Big News: Yankees cannot hit Rogers
Bigger News: Yankees have 13 consecutive scoreless innings so far

Randy looked to have a good stuff today, but some of those became fcking meatballs on the middle of the zone :angry:
http://www.nomaas.org/images/johnsonmeatballs.jpg
We've pwned Bonderman recently... that's our only hope sofar

edit: shoot, here comes Zumaya

[pat]

HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT.

[kuumuus]

boy, the yankees sure do suck!

[The Real Brian McGee]

yeah that want good today for the yankees. pretty bad for arguably the best lineup in baseball. but in their defense, kenny rogers piched great.

and yes the yankees do suck I hate thosee guys.
"look at those city slickers in their pointy hats and fur coats"
"Homer, those are elk"

[smyce]

brian

shut up

now

!

[Mike]

MARCO




oh, and during game 2 i was getting pretty scared of a real milton bradley blowup. like i said when he came here, and what ESPN repeated 23894723487 during the last 2 games, the a's are one of the few teams that can corral an attitude like that and turn it into a positive in the end.

[Homer Jay]

How do the Yankees get shut out by Kenny Rogers? Wasn't his postseason ERA over eight before last night's game? That's just a bad performance. Too bad ARod can't get all of the blame

[doyle]

in the yankees defense, rogers wasn't grooving any like he was supposed to.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

there will be plenty of a-rod blame to be heard if the yankees lose this series. he's 1 for 13 with 4Ks.

[gravymaster]

there will be plenty of a-rod blame to be heard if the yankees lose this series. he's 1 for 13 with 4Ks.
No shit. I want his head on a stake. If we lose this series, he won't be with the Yankees next year.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

what's pretty odd is that there was just a brick wall he hit with the playoffs. he was good with the mariners in their few PS appearances, and good with the yankees...VERY good, right up and through game 3 of the 2004 ALCS, then he just fell off a fucking cliff.

and even in his MVP season last year, looking at his 2005 splits (situational hitting), he never hit in the clutch. the majority of his homers were solo shots, he never advanced runners when they were on first or second, he hit well below his other averages when runners were in scoring position, etc. i really don't get it. he puts up great numbers, year in and year out, but he just can never do it when it matters most. and even this year, his hot streaks seemed to coincide with the times when the yankees had huge divisional leads or no pressure. his best month, by far, was september, at which point the yankees already had the division all but wrapped up (.358/8/25 in september). the division was at its closest in june...easily his worst month (.213/3/11). and it's a yankees problem, too...the guy just can't deal with new york pressure...must have a severely fucked ego or emotional problems. i want no part of him if the angels are a potential buyer.

[Homer Jay]

No shit. I want his head on a stake. If we lose this series, he won't be with the Yankees next year.
So what team will trade for him?

[Dewey Finn]

So what team will trade for him?
Angels showed an interest on him (mentioned in MLB Thread earlier).
http://www.nomaas.org/images/arod_sombrero.jpg
He'll sure love the west coast weather

[Dead Nigga Storage]

and like i also said earlier, ian, they DIDN'T show interest. massive speculation on the part of the media is not the same as the team actually showing interest. every newspaper, magazine, and website likes to make predicitions about shit like that to get the attention, but no official in the angels organization has made the suggestion or named him along the way. whether or not he even fits with the organization is irrelevant (and he doesn't really, as the entire system is a COMPLETE log-jam in 2B, SS, and 3B), because it's just rampant, bullshit speculation for magazine sales...not an actual angels' interest. if he does end up with them, i'll be pissed...especially since he's probably gonna cost more than i want to give up for his shit.

and the golden sombrero is for 4Ks in one game...he hasn't done that in the playoffs yet this year.

[gravymaster]

and the golden sombrero is for 4Ks in one game...he hasn't done that in the playoffs yet this year.
The important word in this sentence is "yet".

[Dead Nigga Storage]

that's why i made sure to specifically include it ;)

[Brent]

man that yankees lineup... clearly the best lineup ever

oakland is the worst team in the AL postseason

the tigers are FAKES

[brad]

i thought the sombrero was inferring that arod is going to los angeles :LOL:

[Dead Nigga Storage]

why is brent attacking kevin by using MY quotes? why even bother coming in here if all you're doing is acting outlandishly defensive and retarded about everything that's getting said?

1) you're not the only person who has ever said that the yankees lineup might be the best ever assembled...a bunch of sportswriters all have.
2) there is a difference between playing well at the right time and being a genuinely great, all around team (like oakland)
3) the tigers, however likely they are to win this series, have not done so yet. even if they do, see point number two above. playing over your heads is exactly what being fake is. the 2002 angels (actually closer to their '03 form) were somewhat of fakes in the same regard...as were the 2005 white sox (closer to their '06 forms). that's baseball, but it doesn't make the team's actual performance anything less of an illusion. being a fake doesn't mean you can't win it all, it just means you overperform during a convienent period of time.

you basically stopped posting when the white sox sucked, and that's fine, but don't come back just for the sake of being bitterly defensive over everything that may or may not even be directed at you.

[thecapecoddah]

a-rod is supposedly batting 8th today :dance:

[Dead Nigga Storage]

Nomar and Thome win the comeback awards:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061007&content_id=1703546&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

good choices, if maybe a little easy/obvious. thomas would have also been acceptable in the AL.

[Dewey Finn]

Melky's in the house today... I'm glad Torre's taking some action
Oh yeah, and ARod hitting 8th.... Yankee fans won't forgive him even though he'd hit a grand slam in 3-0 situation
Last time he was in 8th spot was in 1996.

[kevin]

Nomar and Thome win the comeback awards:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061007&content_id=1703546&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

good choices, if maybe a little easy/obvious. thomas would have also been acceptable in the AL.

i think its kinda funny that award is presented by viagra.

still, thome :bang:

[Dead Nigga Storage]

As funny as THIS being sponsored by Viagra?:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20020802/viagra02_ad.jpg
I think not.

[Dewey Finn]

For Raffy: Steroid+Viagra=True Happiness

How about Chien Ming Wang for new Viagra spokesperson. He'd talk like this:
"Hi, I'm Chien Ming Wang, and this isn't just for old wangs anymore"

[Dead Nigga Storage]

NoNoNo...

(raffy + steroids) - testicles = need for viagra

[Andy]

Man, I've been away from baseball too long...

Why the hell is Gary Sheffield playing first?

[Dewey Finn]

Sheff was injured and before he came back, there weren't any sufficient spots for OF, so they trained him to be 1B. His defense is as horrible as Giambi (or better) at 1B

In optimistic side for Yanks, I think we can see some changes during the offseason

[Andy]

Game.

Detroit vs. Oakland for the pennant.

[kuumuus]

yankees ROFLMFAO

a-rod lol

GO TIGERS

[boogie down mikel]

just goes to show pitching wins in the postseason no matter how strong the lineup appears, good series by detroit

go mets

[Andy]

Fox is using the Walkmen in a commercial?

Man, I've REALLY been away from baseball too long.

[kevin]

i was certainly wrong about detroit. they are most definitely in the mold of the 02 angels, 03 marlins, and 05 white sox. they are just having a fantastic year where everything is going their way. i can definitely see them winning it all.

and at the same time, the same could be said about oakland, only they've done it more quietly. i'll be rooting for them in the alcs if only for the big hurt. but i see detroit in six.

[Brent]

why is brent attacking kevin by using MY quotes? why even bother coming in here if all you're doing is acting outlandishly defensive and retarded about everything that's getting said?

1) you're not the only person who has ever said that the yankees lineup might be the best ever assembled...a bunch of sportswriters all have.
2) there is a difference between playing well at the right time and being a genuinely great, all around team (like oakland)
3) the tigers, however likely they are to win this series, have not done so yet. even if they do, see point number two above. playing over your heads is exactly what being fake is. the 2002 angels (actually closer to their '03 form) were somewhat of fakes in the same regard...as were the 2005 white sox (closer to their '06 forms). that's baseball, but it doesn't make the team's actual performance anything less of an illusion. being a fake doesn't mean you can't win it all, it just means you overperform during a convienent period of time.

you basically stopped posting when the white sox sucked, and that's fine, but don't come back just for the sake of being bitterly defensive over everything that may or may not even be directed at you.

i wasn't attacking kevin. kevin is a good guy. i'm always bitterly defensive , no matter what the scenario. i haven't posted much at nhc in GENERAL the last couple of years. i'll apologize just to end this shit, because there was enough tension between me and you in last year's playoffs thread.

anyway , i think detroit will probably win it all

[robb]

today was outstanding, and i'll admit that i shed tears of joy.

go tigs.

[Dewey Finn]

I've been thinking... that Torre moving ARod to 8th was literally blaming him for Yankees' dissapointment for ALDS before today's game. (he may've not noticed it, but he's also smearing the media to continue ripping him off) I don't know the exact reason why ARod sucks at PO, but he's been doing good in PO until 2004 ALDS.

And, why the hell was Giambi out of the game? He hits righties hard (if he makes contact) with .971 OPS

Giambi got a cortisone shot in his right shoulder because of inflammation following Friday's game, but said he told Torre he could play if needed. Giambi, who played first base on Friday, said he got the injection so he would be ready for Game 4.
"I told Joe I was fine," he said.
(from SI.com)
And, this team needs someone who can show the firy emotion during the game instead of someone who yawns on the bench. Where's the sense of urgency?
Yet he continues to get a free pass from the media and George

Congratulations to the Tigers. It was such a surprise that they played their hearts out and made this accomplishment.

[Rekart]

It was such a surprise that they played their hearts out and made this accomplishment.

Arguably the dumbest comment I have ever seen. Every team in the playoffs "plays their heart out," it's hardly a surprise. Even the Twins and Dodgers played their hearts out and still got swept. And the Tigers, of all the teams you could even make a CASE to be surprised at, have been underrated all season. They slumped at the end just enough for people to say "Aha, I knew they weren't for real!" If the playoffs themselves aren't ENOUGH of a reason to play your heart out, then that certainly is.

That said, stop blaming anyone for the Yankees loss. It's a collective loss. It's ARod's fault, it's Torre's fault, it's the pitcher's fault, it's Damon't fault (0-7 in the last two games,) it's not one person who lost it. With the Yankees, everyone should know by now that "OMG, they have the BEST lineup ever!" isn't enough to win in the playoffs (lately.)

[Mike]

for those of you that think hunter was safe on that play at home... http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/OAS124100618_1024x768.jpg

even kendall didn't think that hunter was out, but that photo pretty much proves it. there's a very small part of the plate that hunter may be touching that's covered by the ump's leg, but judging by his arm angle i don't think so.

[thecapecoddah]

what an awesome unexpected ALCS

congrats to detroit on knocking off the team with the best lineup in MLB history


http://www.oncourseliving.com/books/2005/images/arod.jpg

[Mike]

so, what are the predictions now for supposed worst team in the playoffs vs. the fakes?

i'm calling a's in 6. eric chavez snapped out of it in game 3 and tears it up in the ALCS. barry zito will be phenomonal, rich harden will stink in his first start but will get a 2nd and blow past the tigers in game 5 or 6, and KEITH GINTER will be the starting 2nd baseman for the a's.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

didn't brent already say that last page? give it the fuck up, mike. it was already explained, and if you don't understand the explanation, you're a dumb boob.

A's in 6 or 7, I don't really care.

Mets over Cards in 6 or Padres in 5.

Mets in 7. Whatever.

[mayo]

Fox is using the Walkmen in a commercial?

Man, I've REALLY been away from baseball too long.
haha, i noticed that too. i kinda though it was cool. :-$

anyway, congratz to the tigers. pitching obviously wins in the playoffs and this series showed it. arodlol, etc, etc.

tigers in 6

[pat]

such an awesome feeling right now. i've thought from the beginning of the playoffs that the tigers had the same chance to win it all as everyone else despite everyone writing them off. they stepped up when they had to and forgot all about that losing streak to end the season.

tigers over the a's in 6. WORLD SERIES OR BUST :bang:

[Dead Nigga Storage]

Torrelol:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2617224

[Homer Jay]

I do think that he should have been blamed more for failures of the Yankees to win the World Series with their huge payroll. I don't think that there are any potential managers out there who are better than him. So thank you George

[Dewey Finn]

Torrelol:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2617224

Ten years of seating on the bench and last time I remember him being Pinella was last year June... I'd like to see former Yankee Pinella as a manager

[box elder]

torre's not the one who put together a team of bloated, overpaid choke-artists. he should be breathing a sigh of relief if he gets out of that place. picking up guys for their bat with absolutely no attention paid to the intangables (like, maybe having a decent first baseman) is not the way to win a world series.

[brad]

i think fox was using a walkmen song even last year, or at least for this full season

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i don't think having a good first baseman is an intangible...intangibles would be more like...not having a whiny dipshit third baseman who negatively brings attention to the clubhouse and causes other teammates to question him. there were problems in that clubhouse, and when there are problems that persist, the manager should take the fall for it, among others.

however, bloated payroll or not, it is overly-demanding and retarded for steinbrennar to expect to win every year like he does. he should know better than to assume that just dumping a ton of money out there is the way to win. it certainly helps, but any team...and that includes the yankees...should have some level of contentment with being in the playoffs every single year like they are. if they can't win it all, that happens, and 24 other teams in baseball have not won as recently as the fucking yankees, so it's not like they're in ANYTHING that can be perceived as a slump.

[box elder]

well, the first baseman line was meant to be exaggeration. obviously that's not an intangible. but my main point was that it's hard for me to blame torre for not winning the world series every year with a team that's so clearly built to be a regular season powerhouse and nothing more. i cannot imagine anyone winning with this collection of douchebags. plus, like you said, the expectation of absolute success every year is so ridiculous it's laughable.

[smyce]

Personally, I think Steinbrenner should be fired. But since that wont happen, someone needs to be fired. Torre wins.

[Brent]

i agree that a-rod is better suited for another team and is a terrible clutch hitter , but i wouldn't mind having him on my team. i can't see how anyone would not want him. there's the ego factor, but doesn't that apply to everyone on the yankees, regardless of whether their in a slump or not?

i think he can reinvent himself with a change of scenery

[tones]

at some point the bloated yankees need to go to a youth movement, though i don't see that happening anytime soon.

alcs... tigs in 6, but oakland stacks up pretty well to detroit.

[box elder]

i agree that a-rod is better suited for another team and is a terrible clutch hitter , but i wouldn't mind having him on my team. i can't see how anyone would not want him. there's the ego factor, but doesn't that apply to everyone on the yankees, regardless of whether their in a slump or not?

i think he can reinvent himself with a change of scenery


i wouldn't want him. he makes an assload of money and has proven that he can't perform when it matters most (he had one hit in that series, right? and that was when the yanks were up 5-0 in game one?). then when the fans call him on this, he says it must be because he's bi-racial. fuck arod.

[Dewey Finn]

ALCS... although Moneyball didn't show a good life in PO, I do have a feeling that they can make WS this year.
at some point the bloated yankees need to go to a youth movement, though i don't see that happening anytime soon.
They do have quite some pitching prospects (Hughes, T-Clip, Cox, White and Karstens... wait a minute...) who can make 2008 Opening Day roster. I don't see any good hitting prospects on these points (most of Yankee top hitting prospects are under age 20)

[robb]

tigers in 6, here's hoping kenny starts at oakland, because his numbers there are outstanding.

[:bang:]

i wouldn't want him. he makes an assload of money and has proven that he can't perform when it matters most (he had one hit in that series, right? and that was when the yanks were up 5-0 in game one?). then when the fans call him on this, he says it must be because he's bi-racial. fuck arod.
i dont know if you root for the nats or the os, but you are out of your mind

[box elder]

he didn't really help improve texas, and he hasn't done shit (in the postseason at least) in new york. seriously, he's a good numbers guy, but he doesn't help the team get better, and he's not worth that money, imo. (p.s. nats for the most part)

[Mike]

yeah, the more you look at it, the guy can have great numbers. but i'm sure someone could break down EVERY single hit, RBI, etc, that he gets, figure out the situation of the game it was in, and find out how meaningless they were.

your team may have a guy with MVP numbers, but if you would have won every single game you did without him, why have him?

[:bang:]

so the numbers mean something for everyone BUT arod? this is all so crazy. he didnt lose that series for them, he doesnt pitch

texas still pays a chunk of his salary, yanks will likely take on some in a trade too. all i'm saying is someone's going to get a deal. to me the yanks got him just to spite the sawx in the first place. sure showed them

[Cow Milk?]

If Torre does get canned(and I'm afraid he will be, although im praying its just a rumor), I want to see Girardi. Not pinella, Girardi.

Also...I dont see the Arod coming back. THey better get some good stuff for him in a trade. Im thinking if he goes to the Angels, maybe figgins and someone else?

[Dead Nigga Storage]

ALCS... although Moneyball didn't show a good life in PO, I do have a feeling that they can make WS this year.The A's are so far post-moneyball right now...that term can stop being used now.

And A-Rod is rather useless WITH THE YANKEES. He was a clutch hitter in the postseason and other situations until game 4 of the '04 ALCS. he's a headcase who has trouble with a massive media, like new york's. a friendlier, less stressful clubhouse, and a less fanatic media will be good for him.

[Homer Jay]

I'd like to start an ARod for Kerry Wood rumor.

[kevin]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290037843795

[robb]

i hate how impossible it is to get playoff tickets. i've been trying unsuccessfully for the last 3 hours.

[kevin]

man, i almost had world series tickets last year... game two.

that woulda been so cool

yeah, good luck, it's pretty impossible

[Dead Nigga Storage]

bandwaggoners suck. they ruined my chance at '02 angels world series tickets...that and the fact that fox planted stars of their 2002 television programs in the crowd so real fans couldn't get in. total bullshit. stay a fan for life, and it pays off by getting you to watch the game at home.

i had tickets last year for the ALDS, sorta. i was on the second they went on sale on ticketmaster, and i kept hitting refresh and looking for "seats anywhere", and i grabbed some in right field (where they were cheapest), typed in the security key thing with the funny lettering, hit submit, and it said i had the tickets, then when i hit the "buy now (your credit card will be charged)" button, it said "ticketmaster has encountered an error, blah blah blah". went back, they were gone. total fucking bullshit. i bet fez and eric from that 70s show got them instead or some crap.

[Brent]

man, i almost had world series tickets last year... game two.

that woulda been so cool

yeah, good luck, it's pretty impossible

yeah, i almost had some for game 1. my friend straight up told me he could get a few for sale and i assumed they were way too expensive for me and my family equally

yeah, my parents were pretty pissed at me for a while

[DAntae]

little off topic but if the yankees go after zito it will be one of the worst decisions ever. guy is not a stopper...he is not a guy who can win when it matters. hes more of a poor man's mussina and we see how good that has been as of late. whew

[Dead Nigga Storage]

before yesterday's shitting of the bed, zito was 4-2 with a sub-3.00ERA in postseason games for his career. i wouldn't say it would be a "worst decision ever", or even a bad one. inevitably, if they do get him, they'll tremendously overpay, but he's not a "poor man's mussina". in fact, through the first 7 years of each's career, their numbers are strikingly similar, if not almost identical.

[gravymaster]

By the way, there is NO FUCKING CHANCE they are playing baseball tonight at Shea. It is fucking pouring and has been for hours.

[smyce]

Sweet. That means the Fox affiliate will carry Detroit and I can watch it at work.

Sometimes God loves me.

[gravymaster]

Game cancelled. Game 1 tomorrow. I guess Detroit/Oakland Game 2 will be the national game now..

[robb]

is anyone else really bothered by those sunglasses that milton bradley has been wearing the past few days?

[smyce]

Nope.

[gravymaster]

I'm just plain bothered by Milton Bradley.

[smyce]

Why arent they pulling Verlander? How many runs will it take? He's done. He was done in the 5th.

Edit: Here comes Leyland. Hope the Chavez homer doesnt bite him in the ass.

[pat]

america, meet alexis gomez.

and i wasn't really worried when leyland let verlander go back out to start the 6th; obviously his plan all along was to pull verlander whether or not he got the out to lead off the inning. it's just leyland saying to his young pitcher that he has confidence in him that he'll get that last out.

[robb]

gomez had a 4 homer game earlier this year with toledo.

and i may have secured game 3 tickets, let all keep our fingers crossed...please.

[smyce]

Bet Leyland wants that Chavez HR back now.

[pat]

i'm pulling for you, robb.

america, meet todd "heart attack" jones... but you knew him already.

as in, i almost had a heart attack watching that 9th. but jones manages to hold on. wow.

[tones]

god damn i nearly passed out

[kevin]

damn... big hurt almost had that one

white sox are still world champs, by the way

[Mike]

ugh. 8-5, i pretty much thought it was over. the way the game was going, it just didnt seem like it could happen.

then in the 9th with the bases loaded and bradley beating out that throw, it seemed like it was meant to be... but frank was just off that one.

the worry is that harden is still working out the kinks and has a start like his last of the season instead of the one before that.

[robb]

worry no more gentlemen, i was able to get tickets for tomorrow night!

[gravymaster]

damn... big hurt almost had that one

white sox are still world champs, by the way
If you are no longer able to defend your crown in the playoffs, in my eyes, the world championship is vacant.

[smyce]

worry no more gentlemen, i was able to get tickets for tomorrow night!

Working closely with two die hard Tigers fans I know that they'd be jealous. I dont know your age, but cherish it cause talking to them, they'd give their careers to attend these games.

[robb]

Working closely with two die hard Tigers fans I know that they'd be jealous. I dont know your age, but cherish it cause talking to them, they'd give their careers to attend these games.

oh believe me, i realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime type thing (hopefully not, but you know what i'm saying). i'm 18, if that means anything

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i'm going to NLCS game one tonight :-D

few more hours. oh, and i can see the building that lidle hit from the window of this apartment...it's right across the park from us. we're on 70th, the building is on 72nd.

[tones]

weather outlook in detroit

http://images.ibsys.com/det/images/weather/auto/forecast_640x480.jpg

[kevin]

dunno about detroit, but it can't be any worse than it was here today. 30 degrees and an inch of snow.

[pat]

oh, how i miss these octobers in michigan... then again, it's been 30's here for the past two days too.

speaking of the weather in detroit, game 3 tomorrow will be in the afternoon (4:35 EDT) instead of the scheduled 8:00 start because of rain and strong wind, not to mention the cold temperatures.

and i, of course, have to work in the late afternoon. fuck you, weather.

[gravymaster]

and i, of course, have to work in the late afternoon. fuck you, weather.
These are the times where you take off of work for your team, patrick.

[pat]

nah, that's when they're on the brink of elimination. i have confidence they can win without me ;)

[kevin]

oh, how i miss these octobers in michigan... then again, it's been 30's here for the past two days too.

yeah, but you lived in the upper peninsula, which is far colder on average. the rest of michigan is comparble to northern illinois. and we've rarely had snow in mid october.

either way, the weather is still gay.

[pat]

well, it's not going to last for more than another day or two. the lower peninsula has had its share of cold, snowy fall days in years past just like the upper peninsula though. usually isn't that common, but it only lasts a couple days when it actually does, and all the snow will be gone.

[Mike]

well, the game is moved up to 4:30 ET

[pat]

just when i thought rogers couldn't pitch any better than that start in the division series...

WOW.

[Mike]

:(

[Dead Nigga Storage]

woohoo! 1 more game!

although the tigers should be considerably harder for the mets to beat if they go to the world series. oh well.

[robb]

oh my god.

if any of you ever get the chance to experience playoff baseball, do it. the atmosphere today was amazing. i was so awestruck that i almost cried during parts of the game.

DNS, how was your experienec?

[Brent]

i'll be suprised if the tigers lose another game

[Dead Nigga Storage]

i've been to a couple playoff games because i'm a greedy asshole. all of them are amazing, but the ones involving savage beatings put down on the yankees have been the best. game 1 of the NLCS this year was awesome just because of how much animosity the mets fans have towards everyone on the cardinals, regardless of who they are. taunting weaver and looper was fantastic, especially after both struggled. beltran's home run (which turned out to be the only runs of the game) sent the stadium into a frenzy.

[Brent]

well, that's that. i predict detroit will sweep the WS, too

[Homer Jay]

Congratulations Detroit.

[Andy]

well, that's that. i predict detroit will sweep the WS, too
The NL hasn't won a World Series game since 2003, and I bet they'll have to wait until 2007 at least.

Congrats to the Tigers-- this team just had 'destiny' written all over it (just like last year's White Sox), and I hope they win it all.

[kevin]

well, that's that. i predict detroit will sweep the WS, too

naturally. al teams to continue dominance and sweep for the third straight year.

[kuumuus]

yep. sweep. yawn. fart.

[robb]

man, i really need to stop this all this crying. and immediately after i went off on a rant about how much i dislike maggs, he goes and hits two bombs. yay. now, my next mission will be world series tickets.

[tones]

the bar i went to was absolutely quiet that ninth inning and went to obvious apeshit mode after that home run, and happy hour was declared. win-win situation.

[pat]

such an extraordinary feeling right now... i have no clue what to say. today's game was probably the worst the tigers looked out of the four games, and i kept thinking all through the 9th how they're still in the game, the way haren pitched today. they found a way to win, which is what got them to the playoffs in the first place. this is just so incredible.

[robb]

can i have my tigers krew now?

[Mike]

well, no matter how disappointed i am, i'll be cheering for the tigers in the world series. that team is a lot better than i expected. it doesn't help when the a's starters couldn't really throw for shit, and the best outing didn't come until the 4th game, and thomas and swisher couldn't get anything done, but the tigers were just great.

congrats.

and for the a's, it was still a damn good season. they finally got past that ridiculous ALDS hump, and next year is looking pretty good for them. as much as DNS says the angels are going to destroy next year, i think the a's are looking pretty good themselves. thomas will likely be back and could probably come close to repeating his numbers, even has a 40 year old. bradley will likely be back, depending on how arbitration goes, and hopefully he can stay healthy. zito's obviously gone, so the rotation is fucked if harden isn't healthy, but if he is, harden's a much better pitcher than zito. and d'angelo jiminez will not be on the roster, so everything's just peachy.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

tell your owner to spend, and not tarp half of the damn seats in the stadium, mike. what a dickhead. hell, get a new owner.

angels were half of a bat away from the division, and we might be getting 2 or even more in the offseason. i'm confident that the division is their's next year, especially with a full season out of saunders and weaver, and another year of maturing for santana. look at the numbers...jeff weaver's presence in our rotation SINGLE HANDIDLY can be accounted for keeping us out of the playoffs. his 3-10 record, replaced with a .500 pitcher, puts us in a tie for first place. it was a fluke-bad year with almost no offense, and i think the rotation for the A's is in deep shit. i won't be surprised if the rangers are the 2nd place team and the angels nearly run away with it.

[Mike]

we did get a new owner. and the team will be in fremont by 2010.

i liked the tarp idea, but it was overdone. it should have only been the left field/right field upper decks, and the mountain in centerfield. and it should have been gone for the playoffs.

but they were testing it out to simulate the new stadium size, of around 36,000. from their standpoint, it worked. the stadium looks better on tv, even if the tarps look kinda stupid, its better than seeing less than 5000 fans in the lower deck and 20,000 in the upper decks.

besides, this isnt about your fucking angels. it was about me saying that this season was still somewhat of a success, and things still look good going forward.

and he did spend. thats why frank thomas is here, and why he will continue to be here for more than $2.9 million.

[Dead Nigga Storage]

no, that's not spending. spending would be not letting zito walk and by not signing potential hit-or-miss guys like thomas for cheap. spending would be getting someone like soriano or carlos lee, etc. he's still penny pinching.

and it's about the angels because you mentioned me AND the angels. don't want my word, don't bother bringing me into it.

[Mike]

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061016&content_id=1715021&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

didn't see that one coming. macha wasn't perfect during the season, but did a fine enough job, and his only problem in the playoffs was not going to the bullpen sooner and not using the bench properly (hi kielty, melhuse?), but i certainly didn't expect him to be fired.

[kevin]

they keep him after last year's disappointment, and fire him after a very good season this year? doesn't make much sense.

also, cubs also apparently very close to hiring lou piniella

[smyce]

A's sweep the Twins and Macha is a genius. Lose to the Tigers and he gets fired.

Obviously Macha's fault Frank Thomas was 0 for 13 in the LCS.

[tones]

no, it's just beane being beane

[Dead Nigga Storage]

how about you read about it? apparently he had qualms with basically anyone who ever suffered injuries and that he was a poor communicator. i heard about it a few hours ago and wasn't surprised in the least. and to be honest, the A's division clinch was more a product of poor play from others than exceptional play from the A's, and that was the case all season. the angels play vs. the mariners against the A's play against the mariners was difference enough for the division. i won't deny being biased, but i wasn't exceptionally impressed with them this season at all. advantageous against shitty teams, mediocre everywhere else.

[Mike]

well, any a's fan who pays any attention knew these things, but it seemed like it was just going to keep going that way, but i guess beane saw it getting to be an issue, and decided to put a stop to it.

macha's biggest failure for sure was the bench though. two years in a row now, he has let a player rot and die on the bench. 2005 was keith ginter, who went from a fairly good hitter with some pop in milwaukee to hitting below .200 and making $1 million in triple-A this year. in 2006 it was antonio perez, who came as what was supposed to be an important part of the bradley deal as well, a young guy who if he improved on a couple things could be a solid every day player, but instead pretty much hit .200, and when he was needed the most - to play 3rd base in the 2nd half when chavez's hamstring and arms became too big of a problem, it was basically 3 or 4 free outs for the other team.

the reason for both? never getting a chance to play.

another guy who macha lets die on the bench is adam melhuse. the guy is one of the better backups in the league, aside from platoon guys, and can handle the bat fairly decent too. but just because jason kendall is a very durable catcher, macha decides that if kendall likes to play then he's going to play until he dies. if kendall plays 20 less games in each of the last 2 years, does he MAYBE hit 2 home runs over the last 2 seasons instead of just 1? MAYBE!

candidates all come from the a's organization. triple-A manager, 3rd base/infield coach, bench coach, and bullpen coach.