# MLB: August 2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 1, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496 "2016-08-01T21:00:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/141 "2016-08-17T15:46:17Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Chase Utley’s return to Philly was a memorable one. Philly fans gave him a 90 second standing ovation his first at bat. He then proceeded to send two balls out of the park, one a grand slam that just capped the game and the return of the Dodgers to their rightful place atop the NL West. And in today’s useless Sunday NFL stat, Chase Utley is apparently the second player ever to hit two homers in his first road game against a team he played at least 1,500 games for (Frank Thomas being the first). Use this knowledge wisely. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/142 "2016-08-17T18:13:59Z")
Asimovian: > [@](#): > > I thought there was a rule against completely leaving the field of play to make a catch. Can someone set me straight on exactly how that works? Does that apply to only fair balls? Because I know I’ve seen foul ball caught by fielders leaping into the stands ([Alex Gordon in April 2015 comes to mind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL49CC4t1ek)) and they were ruled outs. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/143 "2016-08-17T18:16:48Z")
Gordon catches the ball before he comes down out of play, so he is in play when the catch is made… The fielder is not out of play until he lands out of play. You can catch a ball and then go out of play; you cannot go out of play and then catch it. You also cannot make a catch, go out of play, and then re-enter play to make a subsequent play. Had someone been on base when Gordon when out of play, the runners would have been entitled to advance a base ahead of any base they were going to; it would be as if Gordon had thrown the ball into the stands. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/144 "2016-08-17T18:35:44Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > The Giants suck. They are awful. Possibly the worst team in the history of baseball, at any level. There is no hope; all is lost. > > Of course, all of the above was every bit as true for a good chunk of August 2014…and that season ended up turning out OK. I’ll be over in the corner clinging to that last shroud of hope, if anybody needs me. I sure felt that way after watching them lose to the Dodgers, 20-0, in September of 2014. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/145 "2016-08-19T13:54:40Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Thanks. In my head, the _top_ of the wall would have out of the field of play since I didn’t think it would be fan interference if a fan caught a ball there. The surface of the fence and wall is or isn’t the ground depending on the rule being applied. It’s kind of weird and contradictory. For instance, if a fly ball strikes the top of the outfield wall, then goes out of play, it is considered to have never touched the ground and is a home run. However, if it strikes the top of the wall and bounces back into play and is caught on the fly by a fielder, it **is** considered to have touched the ground, and is not an out. (This is assuming no unusual ground rules.) Now, the obvious question, I guess, is where fan interference begins and ends. We know the space above the field of play is in play and is no go for a fan, and we know the space above the stands is anyone’s ball. But what about the space directly above the structure of the wall? Well, it’s not super clear, but my reading of the Official Rules is that the space above the wall is fair game for a fan to catch a ball. The rule reads: [QUOTE=Official Baseball Rules] When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference… However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator’s interference [/QUOTE] I cut out a lot, but the comments on the rule, especially that last part, seem to pretty firmly imply that the fielder is only entitled to the space within the walls, not necessarily the space above it, for protection from fan interference. Does this contradict the ruling that Rizzo is in play standing on the wall? I guess it might. The top of the fence/wall is a weird place in baseball rules. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/146 "2016-08-19T23:41:43Z")
In the last 2 days, the Cubs have put Chris Coughlin, Hector Rondon and John Lackey all on the DL. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/147 "2016-08-20T00:35:33Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > In the last 2 days, the Cubs have put Chris Coughlin, Hector Rondon and John Lackey all on the DL. That’s what you can do with the kind of lead the Cubs have and upcoming series against the Rockies and Padres ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/148 "2016-08-22T14:25:29Z")
The Royals go 9-1 and make up basically no ground against Cleveland (7-3). I know they aren’t going to win the division (or likely make the wild-card), but come on! ---
**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 22, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/149 "2016-08-22T14:29:31Z")
If Cleveland somehow miraculously pulls off the unthinkable this season, I’m pretty sure Tyler Naquin’s face after the inside-the-park walk-off will be the image of the 2016 season. Even if I weren’t an Indians fan, I think the whole “[ROCK!](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqRHGlxWAAAqM4x.jpg)” expression would make me grin. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/150 "2016-08-22T16:14:06Z")
This is why I hate some sports writers. This idiot suggests that Jason Heyward should have not even been with the team when he was given a weekend off. Umm, yes, he’s struggling at the plate but he’s still a fine defensive outfielder. If the Cubs had needed him, they would have sent him into the game. Even a team with a 13 game lead doesn’t voluntarily play one man down. > **[A real vacation might benefit Jason Heyward more](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/a-real-vacation-might-benefit-jason-heyward-more/)** > > RICK MORRISSEY: Not a trip to the bench but a vacation in the mountains. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/151 "2016-08-22T21:35:31Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > If Cleveland somehow miraculously pulls off the unthinkable this season, I’m pretty sure Tyler Naquin’s face after the inside-the-park walk-off will be the image of the 2016 season. Even if I weren’t an Indians fan, I think the whole “[ROCK!](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqRHGlxWAAAqM4x.jpg)” expression would make me grin. Back before the trade deadline, a sports media pundit (on ESPN or Sports Illustrated, I forgets) was insisting the Indians needed to trade for another outfielder, in part because Naquin couldn’t possibly keep up his hitting for the remainder of the season. Seems pretty steady so far. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/152 "2016-08-23T00:24:51Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > The Royals go 9-1 and make up basically no ground against Cleveland (7-3). I know they aren’t going to win the division (or likely make the wild-card), but come on! They’ve picked up like 5 games on the WC during that stretch and have gone from essentially out of it to 3 games back with 38 to play. Picking up more ground on cleveland would be nice, but it’s all about the wild card. They can’t be considered favorites obviously, but as hot as they are, they’re definitely not long shots at this point anymore either. ---
**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 23, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/153 "2016-08-23T00:53:16Z")
Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin became the first Dodgers in history to hit back to back homers for the first homers of their careers. Add in 3 home runs from Adrian Gonzalez, another one from Corey Seager, and the Dodgers crush the Reds 18-9. Now if they can only hold the lead against the dog-ass Giants over the next 3 days. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/154 "2016-08-23T01:18:25Z")
So who do you like for AL MVP if the season ended today? Right now, ESPN’s WAR numbers are (1) Trout 7.9 (2) Altuve 7.4 (3) Betts 6.9 (4) Donaldson 6.3 (5) Machado 5.5 Do you go with Trout who is just the best player in the majors yet again? Altuve who’s having an incredible season for a winning team, but one that still fell short? Betts for being the best player on a playoff team? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/155 "2016-08-23T02:45:15Z")
Not Machado, just because he’s an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/156 "2016-08-23T02:51:45Z")
I find it odd that both Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are mentioned in the NL MVP voting, but that the team’s MVP is Dexter Fowler. When Fowler hit the DL, the team was winning at a .696 clip. The 26 games that he was gone, their winning percentage dropped to .384 (10-16). Once he rejoined the team, their play started improving to pre-injury levels. I’m aware that another continued run in the ballpark of .696 is improbable (no pun intended, by the way). But a drop of over .300 between healthy and injured? How does he not at least merit being looked at? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/157 "2016-08-23T03:09:12Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > If the Cubs had needed him, they would have sent him into the game. Even a team with a 13 game lead doesn’t voluntarily play one man down. > [A real vacation might benefit Jason Heyward more - Chicago Sun-Times](http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/a-real-vacation-might-benefit-jason-heyward-more/) True, because if you can’t put 9 men on the filed, you forfeit the game. You can’t play a man down like in soccer. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/158 "2016-08-23T03:55:17Z")
AL Player of the week Gary Sanchez is having a helluva debut with the Yankees. Now playing in only his 17th game, he has 8 home runs and is hitting. .391/.435/.844. He snatched the starting job from Brian McCann, who is now the full-time DH with A-Rod banished. ---
**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 23, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/159 "2016-08-23T16:11:36Z")
[The playoff schedule is out](http://m.mlb.com/news/article/197193842/mlb-releases-full-2016-postseason-schedule/). We’ve got just one shot at Snow-vember baseball, people. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/160 "2016-08-23T17:04:04Z")
The Red Sox are finally putting something together. Managed to enter into a tie for 1st place with Toronto. I think the Orioles are going to crash down to earth. They overachieved up to now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496.md?page=9)