# Baseball August 2009 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 1, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998 "2009-08-01T20:41:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/21 "2009-08-04T18:28:01Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Willy Aybar hit home runs from both sides of the plate yesterday for the Rays. How common or uncommon is this compared to other feats? (especially for Willy Aybar ;)) Not that rare (except maybe for Aybar…). It’s happened seven times (eight now) this year, and happened eight times last season. Complete lists for AL and NL [here](http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats20.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/22 "2009-08-04T18:36:07Z")
Great game last night between the A’s & Rangers. A’s had 1 hit through 8 innings, wasting an excellent start from Anderson, then score 3 in the ninth capped off by a pinch hit double (I think the official score was a triple, but it was really a double) by the extremely surprising Rajai Davis. Big moment for the kid. For a while he was all speed and glove, no stick, but lately he has been swinging the bat well. To come through in a moment like that bodes well for his chances going forward. The big story for Texas fans, despite the tough loss, was the debut of Neftali Feliz. I watched him pitch 2 innings and he was unhittable. High 90s fastball (topped 100 a couple of times, but the A’s radar gun has been accused of running hot), with an absolutely vicious 2-seamer in the low 90s that tails away from lefties. He is the real deal. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/23 "2009-08-04T19:08:13Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Not that rare (except maybe for Aybar…). It’s happened seven times (eight now) this year, and happened eight times last season. Complete lists for AL and NL [here](http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats20.shtml). Before Aybar, all 4 other times it happened in the AL this year were by Yankees. Just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/24 "2009-08-04T19:37:59Z")
I’m about 80 minutes out of Cincinnati for the next few days. Any recommendations on whether it’s worth getting down to see a Reds game? (Yes, they’re in town.) I have to come south into town on I-75. How bad will the traffic be getting in to town for a night game, and how nasty is it to get out? How pricey is the parking? Any other hints or tips? I won’t be going tonight (Tuesday) but maybe tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/25 "2009-08-04T20:37:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m about 80 minutes out of Cincinnati for the next few days. > > Any recommendations on whether it’s worth getting down to see a Reds game? (Yes, they’re in town.) I have to come south into town on I-75. How bad will the traffic be getting in to town for a night game, and how nasty is it to get out? How pricey is the parking? Any other hints or tips? > > I won’t be going tonight (Tuesday) but maybe tomorrow. On a recent (last week) trip I took to the Queen city a guy told me that seeing a game at the GAB is the cheapest in the bigs (based on a family of four). The view is quite pretty from the stands, the Reds are at least a _decent_ team, and you can’t go wrong with a good ol baseball game. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/26 "2009-08-04T20:46:24Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > On a recent (last week) trip I took to the Queen city a guy told me that seeing a game at the GAB is the cheapest in the bigs (based on a family of four). > > The view is quite pretty from the stands, the Reds are at least a _decent_ team, and you can’t go wrong with a good ol baseball game. I notice they’re playing the Cubs tomorrow. Presumably **RickJay** is by himself, and getting a single ticket is always pretty easy, but i’m wondering if the game is likely to be busier than usual with the Cubs in town? I’ve noticed, in other NL cities, that the Cubs tend to be a big draw. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/27 "2009-08-04T23:46:22Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m about 80 minutes out of Cincinnati for the next few days. > > Any recommendations on whether it’s worth getting down to see a Reds game? (Yes, they’re in town.) I have to come south into town on I-75. How bad will the traffic be getting in to town for a night game, and how nasty is it to get out? How pricey is the parking? Any other hints or tips? > > I won’t be going tonight (Tuesday) but maybe tomorrow. Go to GABP. It’s an extremely nice stadium, and easy to get into and out of via I-75 or I-71, depending on where you’re coming from. The traffic might be a bit more than usual because Cubs fans DO travel, and they are still in the thick of things in the division, but it’s not a big deal. Getting out of the stadium might take a few minutes, but once you’re on the interstate, you’re fine. Reds average attendance isn’t all that great, and you’re talking a weeknight game, so you’re only going to be contesting a maximum of 30,000 fans (13,000 of which will be Cubs fans) getting out of there. Seriously, go. I’d be extremely interested to hear an outsiders perspective on our ballpark. I think it’s awesome, tickets and stuff are relatively cheap. You can’t go wrong. DO IT! And then post your thoughts, please. About our stadium, not about the woes of our sinking team! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/28 "2009-08-05T03:19:21Z")
I accidentally posted this to the July thread instead of the August thread. Sorry about that. But it makes me so happy that I’m going to repeat it here too: > [@The Bayard who doesn't pay attention to what he's doing](#): > > Well. I guess Pujols’ little slump is over. > > 4-for-5, 1 BB, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR (1 solo, 1 grand-freaking-slam) > > Figures. He was due for a grand slam. > > And, just what the hell has gotten into Lugo? Guy’s been on a tear since joining the Cards. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/29 "2009-08-05T05:45:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m about 80 minutes out of Cincinnati for the next few days. > > Any recommendations on whether it’s worth getting down to see a Reds game? (Yes, they’re in town.) I have to come south into town on I-75. How bad will the traffic be getting in to town for a night game, and how nasty is it to get out? How pricey is the parking? Any other hints or tips? > > I won’t be going tonight (Tuesday) but maybe tomorrow. I’d go for it. Coming south on I-75 you have a couple of options. If it were me I’d cross on the Norwood Lateral (562) and come the last bit down on I-71. Neither should be too busy in the evening since most people are heading north out of Cincinnati coming home from work, but I always found that last bit of I-75 a bit odd. You can park in some of downtown Cincinnati for free at night, but probably you won’t find those spots since you’re from out of town. There will be plenty of pay lots. Another option is to take the bridge on I-75 over the river and follow signs to Newport, then you can walk over one of the bridges from Newport. Cincinnati looks better from the Kentucky side, anyway, since that’s the best view of the skyline. My one caveat is that the roads in this area can be a bit confusing. A GPS would help a lot, or just park the first place you find and follow the baseball fans. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/30 "2009-08-05T11:30:04Z")
In the Yankees victory over the Jays and Doc Halladay last night, Damon and Teixeira went back-to-back in the 8th inning. That’s apparently only the second time in Halladay’s career he’s give up two in a row. And thanks to Evan Longoria for taking care of the Sox! ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/31 "2009-08-05T11:36:00Z")
I missed the edit window, but I wanted to add: I’ve expressed my dislike for A-Rod here before, but he made a great hustle play in the first, stealing a run against Halladay. When Halladay was running to cover first and take a toss from Millar, he dropped the ball and Rodriguez alertly took off from 3rd. It was a close play at the plate and he would have been out, but he knocked the ball loose. That was the 2nd run and it was all they got until the 8th. Risky play, but you have to figure runs are going to be hard to come by against. Doc. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/32 "2009-08-05T13:35:37Z")
Sonofabitch! The one game I miss following, and the Dodgers score a ton of runs, and Manny and Prince Fielder get beaned. Fuuuuuuuuuck! On the other hand, I’m going to tonight’s game, which should be full of some fireworks, methinks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/33 "2009-08-05T14:03:00Z")
I know you guys are going to be stunned, but…The **Reds** lost again. Eight in a row now. Sixteen losses since the all star break. Man, have they fallen hard or what? Nobody could have expected such a mighty implosion. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/34 "2009-08-05T16:59:43Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Sonofabitch! The one game I miss following, and the Dodgers score a ton of runs, and Manny and Prince Fielder get beaned. Fuuuuuuuuuck! > > On the other hand, I’m going to tonight’s game, which should be full of some fireworks, methinks. 🙂 Truth be told, Manny didn’t get “beaned.” In fact, I don’t think the ball hit him at all. Sure, Mota threw at Fielder, but he aimed for a well-padded part. (Insert your own joke here.) It’s Fielder’s reaction _after_ the last out that was funny. Exactly what was he thinking? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/35 "2009-08-05T17:12:33Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Truth be told, Manny didn’t get “beaned.” In fact, I don’t think the ball hit him at all. Vin Scully said it got him on the forearm, but it looked to me as if it might have just flicked his sleeve on the way through to the catcher. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/36 "2009-08-05T19:46:27Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > 1. NL West. The Dodgers are going to win the division, but can the Rockies or Giants do enough to take the wild card? As my roommate said the other day, it’s now August, and you’re now allowed to check the standing every single day. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/37 "2009-08-05T23:49:12Z")
I wonder if **RickJay** went to GABP. I hope he did. It’s a great place to see a game, even if the home team sucks donkey dorks. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/38 "2009-08-06T00:01:06Z")
Unfortunately not. I’m not feeling well. However, I’ll make up for it with a visit to Comerica later this month. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/39 "2009-08-06T01:51:05Z")
Whee! Cat delay in Kansas City! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/40 "2009-08-06T02:57:44Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Unfortunately not. I’m not feeling well. However, I’ll make up for it with a visit to Comerica later this month. Ah, Comerica. I lament that the ballpark has ferris wheels and merry go rounds. You’re there to watch baseball. Comerica is a decent place, but it just doesn’t have the soul that Tiger Stadium did. Wish you’d have been here a few years back to take in a game there. Now that was something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998.md?page=3)