# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/141 "2009-08-15T22:34:36Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Tigers just threw 2 shutouts in a row. Nobodies pitching scares the Tigers, One Chicago problem is their catcher throws out under 8 % of the stealers. That is horrible and a fast team can run over them. All teams are flawed in some way. Pierzynski has thrown out 19% of basestealers. The difference between the average catcher, who gets about 30% of basestealers, and Pierzynski is maybe one stolen base every ten games, which amounts to one or two runs in an entire season. It’s not a weakness that matters enough to care about. The best pitching and defense team in the league is Boston - and they’re the WORST team in baseball at throwing runners out. They’ve gotten just 15% of basestealers. Jason Varitek couldn’t throw my Mom out and Kottaras is no better. But it just doesn’t cost them enough runs to matter. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/142 "2009-08-15T22:57:55Z")
Last time the Tigers played Chicago the announcing team for Detroit said it was 8 %. But even with that , a good running team will hurt them. Even the Tigers were stealing a lot against them. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/143 "2009-08-15T23:02:19Z")
Has something to do with runners not getting on base in the first place, don’t it? 🆒 Give Kottaras a break - nobody catching a knuckleballer is going to throw anybody out except maybe the other catcher. It isn’t his fault at all. Besides, you of all people should give Toronto kids a break anyway, just on principle. But you’re right, even the part of a steal attributable to the catcher, not the runner or the pitcher, just doesn’t matter. Neither does the pitcher’s part, for that matter. In fact, worrying about the runner can affect how they approach the hitter. Now THAT matters. ---
**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 16, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/144 "2009-08-16T02:09:03Z")
Fuck. Kuroda just got beaned by a line drive. Not good. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/145 "2009-08-16T02:28:38Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Give Kottaras a break - nobody catching a knuckleballer is going to throw anybody out except maybe the other catcher. It isn’t his fault at all. Besides, you of all people should give Toronto kids a break anyway, just on principle. I like Kottaras, it’s just an observation; Boston can’t throw runners out but it doesn’t really matter. As you allude to, teams are generally better off concentrating on the hitter and getting him out. It’s just my perception, but it seems to me pitchers who become preoccupied with runners on first have a way of making mistakes when they finally get it to the the plate. IT seems to me you’ll get some guy who throws four pickoff throws before his second pitch and then the second pitch ends up in the second deck. A pitcher either has a deceptive and quick move or he doesn’t, and there’s not a lot of point worrying about it. Ivan Rodriguez can throw out the Flash, but a lot of his Ranger teams gave up a zillion runs because there’s nothing Pudge could do about walks, homers and shrieking liners in the gap. Jason Varitek can’t throw for shit, but Boston pitchers keep the ball on the ground - no other team in the AL gives up fewer homers - and don’t walk a lot of guys or give up a lot of hits. You can’t steal first and it’s very hard to steal home. ---
**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 16, 2009, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/146 "2009-08-16T11:57:45Z")
The Yankees are 23-6 since the break, which according to the NY Daily News, is their best start to the 2nd half since 1941. They’re getting by with Sergio Mitre as a 5th starter right now which just goes to show that they are on a serious roll. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/147 "2009-08-16T14:23:03Z")
Should be a great afternoon. Rangers ready to take 2/3 from the Red Sox and the D-backs will sweep the Dodgers! ---
**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 16, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/148 "2009-08-16T16:19:55Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > The Yankees are 23-6 since the break, which according to the NY Daily News, is their best start to the 2nd half since 1941. They’re getting by with Sergio Mitre as a 5th starter right now which just goes to show that they are on a serious roll. Extra! Extra! $200 million baseball team having success! In other headlines, eating too much and not exercising could cause obesity! ---
**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 16, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/149 "2009-08-16T16:44:57Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Extra! Extra! $200 million baseball team having success! In other headlines, eating too much and not exercising could cause obesity! It’s not their fault their owners actually, you know, _want_ to win. ---
**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 16, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/150 "2009-08-16T17:00:17Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > It’s not their fault their owners actually, you know, _want_ to win. Hey, i agree with you. If Steinbrenner wanted to bring his checkbook and his brand of crazy to the Orioles, i’d be the first one to lay down the welcome mat. ---
**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 16, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/151 "2009-08-16T19:20:55Z")
Sigh. As a Mariners fan, I love listening to Dave Niehaus call a game. I think he’s the best in the business, and honestly, there’s nobody I’d rather listen to. But I’m really starting to think that, like so many of his generation, deep down inside he’s a New York Yankees fan. I’ve mentioned before that I was glad “old” Yankee Stadium was torn down and now the Yankees play in “new” Yankee Stadium because it meant I’d no longer have to listen to Niehaus prostrating himself in worship every time the M’s traveled to New York. Alas, during the current series against the Yankees — being played _in Seattle_ — I’ve had to listen to him waxing nostalgic about how much he loved “old” Yankee Stadium. And c’mon, Dave, how many times to you need to remind us, with a barely discernible hint of regret in your voice, that “the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2000”? You said it at least four times during Saturday’s game! I dunno, maybe it’s just that he’s getting old and he forgets that he already said it, so he says it again just in case. In any case, I’m getting to the point where I don’t want to even listen to the game when the M’s are playing the Yankees, even when the M’s are playing well and the Yankees aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/152 "2009-08-17T00:05:10Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > It’s not their fault their owners actually, you know, _want_ to win. The simple fact is that most of the MLB’s teams cannot spend $200 million a year and hope to break even. There just isn’t sufficient revenue available in most of the markets, even to a winning team. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/153 "2009-08-17T14:55:00Z")
Yankees lost yesterday but I’ll take 3 out of 4 and yesterday Jeter passed Luis Aparicio for most hits by a shortstop, so even a bad day had its highlight. ---
**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 17, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/154 "2009-08-17T17:48:48Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Should be a great afternoon. Rangers ready to take 2/3 from the Red Sox and **the D-backs will sweep the Dodgers!** Say what now? Randy Wolf, our _pitcher_, was just a triple short of a cycle against you yesterday. And the only reason you guys won on Saturday is because you took out our starting pitcher with a cheap line drive to the head. Good luck taking two of three when you come to Dodger Stadium later this month, pal. ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/155 "2009-08-17T17:54:41Z")
Rangers take the wild card lead with a series victory against Boston. They ended up 7-2 against Boston this year. Now on to a home series against Minnesota. Kinsler’s back and playing well. Hamilton has been hot for the past month. Cruz should be coming off the DL soon. They have a good chance of hanging on to this wild card spot. Also, one more reason to like Neftali Feliz: his entrance music is the old Mike Tyson’s punch out music. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/156 "2009-08-18T01:41:09Z")
Tigers got Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for a minor league relief pitcher. Does he have anything left? ---
**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 18, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/157 "2009-08-18T02:06:37Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Tigers got Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for a minor league relief pitcher. Does he have anything left? Yeah, he’s got some pop left. He’s a solid hitter, or at least, he has been. There were talks about acquiring him at the deadline. ---
**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 18, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/158 "2009-08-18T03:56:22Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Yeah, he’s got some pop left. He’s a solid hitter, or at least, he has been. There were talks about acquiring him at the deadline. Not _that_ much pop. The Tigers are a year too late. Huff had an OPS+ of 135 last year, and it was his best year since 2003. This year he’s at 87, and looking distinctly anemic. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/159 "2009-08-18T03:57:30Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Say what now? > > Randy Wolf, our _pitcher_, was just a triple short of a cycle against you yesterday. And the only reason you guys won on Saturday is because you took out our starting pitcher with a cheap line drive to the head. Good luck taking two of three when you come to Dodger Stadium later this month, pal. 2 of three? We don’t want no two of three. We’re bringing our brooms to take all 3 games! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998/160 "2009-08-18T04:24:58Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Not _that_ much pop. > > The Tigers are a year too late. Huff had an OPS+ of 135 last year, and it was his best year since 2003. This year he’s at 87, and looking distinctly anemic. Talk radio said he was hitting 328 with runners in scoring position. He has 72 RBIs. Detroit just can not get base runners home. And he is left handed. We will see. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-august-2009/504998.md?page=9)