# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/161 "2016-08-23T17:39:37Z")
How the team with the best record in Major League Baseball at the all-star break has managed to be the very worst team in the league ever since, despite getting several key players back from injury, I can’t fathom…but it would be really really nice if those bozos would remember how to play baseball for the next 3 nights at least. It’s a bit early to call these “must win” games, but I don’t think that “hope that the Dodgers continue to suck almost as bad as we do” is a workable strategy for the last 6 weeks of the season. ---
**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, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/162 "2016-08-23T19:14:49Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > It’s a bit early to call these “must win” games, but I don’t think that “hope that the Dodgers continue to suck almost as bad as we do” is a workable strategy for the last 6 weeks of the season. Have you _seen_ our starting rotation? That might actually be the BEST strategy you’ve got. ---
**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, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/163 "2016-08-23T19:15:22Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Have you _seen_ our starting rotation? That might actually be the BEST strategy you’ve got. ETA: “Rotation” really needed scare-quotes. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/164 "2016-08-23T21:50:54Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > ETA: “Rotation” really needed scare-quotes. So, it doesn’t rotate…more like “wobbles around in circles”. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/165 "2016-08-24T03:23:35Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > So, it doesn’t rotate…more like “wobbles around in circles”. A rotation filled exclusively with knuckleballers? Haven’t seen that since the '73 Sox trotted out a rotation of Wilbur Wood, Wilbur Wood, Wilbur Wood, and (occasionally) Stan Bahnsen. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/166 "2016-08-24T03:31:47Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > A rotation filled exclusively with knuckleballers? > > Haven’t seen that since the '73 Sox trotted out a rotation of Wilbur Wood, Wilbur Wood, Wilbur Wood, and (occasionally) Stan Bahnsen. [Actual all knuckleball rotation in 1945](http://knuckleball.com/the-knuckleball-quartet/) > [@](#): > > In 1945, when pitching rotations consisted of four men (not five as we see in today’s game), pitching every fourth day, the Washington Senators had four—count ’em, four—pitchers who used the knuckleball either almost all of the time or liberally. Since knuckleballers are almost worth of an endangered species status and have been for decades, the odds against four landing on the same team at the same time and being part of the same starting rotation were monumental. This quartet consisted of Roger Wolff, Mickey Haefner, Johnny Niggling, and Dutch Leonard. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/167 "2016-08-24T20:54:49Z")
In the endless race to the bottom of stupid corporate sports naming rights deals, the White Sox will be playing at Guaranteed Rate Field. I can guarantee that people in my office, while looking out at the Sears Tower, will still call it Comiskey. I can also guarantee that this mortgage company will be out of business within 5 years and the name will change again. > **[U.S. Cellular Field Changing Name To Guaranteed Rate Field](https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160824/bridgeport/us-cellular-field-changing-name-guaranteed-rate-field/)** > > After 13 years as "The Cell," the White Sox struck a deal through 2030 with Guaranteed Rate. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/168 "2016-08-24T21:44:05Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > In the endless race to the bottom of stupid corporate sports naming rights deals, the White Sox will be playing at Guaranteed Rate Field. I can guarantee that people in my office, while looking out at the Sears Tower, will still call it Comiskey. I can also guarantee that this mortgage company will be out of business within 5 years and the name will change again. > [U.S. Cellular Field Changing Name To Guaranteed Rate Field - Bridgeport - Chicago - DNAinfo](https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160824/bridgeport/us-cellular-field-changing-name-guaranteed-rate-field) Ugh. Joining those hallowed institutions [O.com](http://O.com) Stadium and Enron Field. There oughta be a law. (The Giants park is a weird case – it’s changed names 3 times: not because the naming rights changed, but because the owner of those rights kept changing its name. PacBell –\> SBC –\> AT&T.) ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/169 "2016-08-24T21:59:06Z")
I work at Guaranteed Rate. We’re angrier about it then you are. Also we’re located just outside Wrigleyville and have a box there. ---
**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 24, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/170 "2016-08-24T23:00:05Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > In the endless race to the bottom of stupid corporate sports naming rights deals, the White Sox will be playing at Guaranteed Rate Field. I can guarantee that people in my office, while looking out at the Sears Tower, will still call it Comiskey. I can also guarantee that this mortgage company will be out of business within 5 years and the name will change again. > [U.S. Cellular Field Changing Name To Guaranteed Rate Field - Bridgeport - Chicago - DNAinfo](https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160824/bridgeport/us-cellular-field-changing-name-guaranteed-rate-field) The University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, where the Arizona Cardinals NFL team play, is NOT the playing field of the University of Phoenix football team. The University of Phoenix, which has no brick and mortar existence, bought the naming rights, just like any other naming rights. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/171 "2016-08-26T01:58:21Z")
Today, the Dodgers traded away their most tenured player, AJ Ellis to the Phillies for Carlos Ruiz and a million bucks. God, I hate our front office. ---
**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 26, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/172 "2016-08-26T02:59:18Z")
> [@Club\_33](#): > > Today, the Dodgers traded away their most tenured player, AJ Ellis to the Phillies for Carlos Ruiz and a million bucks. God, I hate our front office. And from what I understand, Clayton Kershaw cried. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/173 "2016-08-26T03:11:47Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > And from what I understand, Clayton Kershaw cried. They are best friends, I get it. Seems really stupid to drop a bomb on a team that has been playing great in recent weeks. Especially when your ace is coming back soon and might appreciate having the catcher who know him best help him get back on track. Ruiz is marginally better, but two years older. I really don’t see the point, when the downside is glaring. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/174 "2016-08-26T05:12:40Z")
Matt Moore loses no hit attempt in the ninth with 2 out, ouch! I woke up and my phone was full of MLB alerts about a no hitter in progress so I tuned in to watch the ninth. Nothing worse than losing a no hit bid on a bloop single when you’re so close. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/175 "2016-08-26T13:20:00Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Matt Moore loses no hit attempt in the ninth with 2 out, ouch! I woke up and my phone was full of MLB alerts about a no hitter in progress so I tuned in to watch the ninth. Nothing worse than losing a no hit bid on a bloop single when you’re so close. Really…that was painful. And Moore looked really disappointed. The Giants have had a weird run of no-hitters recently; Moore would have been the 6th since 2009. Last year’s was by a guy (Chris Heston) who I don’t even remember and don’t know where he went. ---
**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 26, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/176 "2016-08-26T20:48:58Z")
Couldn’t tell who was in RF for the Giants there, but I gotta say, it looked a little more effort could have been made on that. No hitter with 2 out in the 9th you gotta go all out, man! ---
**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 26, 2016, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/177 "2016-08-26T21:13:26Z")
Moore should have known that he couldn’t defeat the power of the bobble-head! Get the win, sure. But a no-no on Corey Seager Bobblehead Night? No way! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/178 "2016-08-26T21:45:30Z")
The Red Sox have now lost _seven_ left fielders to injury this year. But Benintendi will be back soon, and he looks like the real thing. So far. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/179 "2016-08-26T21:46:07Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Couldn’t tell who was in RF for the Giants there, but I gotta say, it looked a little more effort could have been made on that. No hitter with 2 out in the 9th you gotta go all out, man! Hunter Pence had left the game earlier (hamstring)…I bet he would’ve made the catch. It was a recent call-up, Gorkys Hernandez. ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496/180 "2016-08-27T03:00:29Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > The Giants have had a weird run of no-hitters recently; Moore would have been the 6th since 2009. Last year’s was by a guy (Chris Heston) who I don’t even remember and don’t know where he went. See [http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/injuries/#team137](http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/injuries/#team137) – He has an oblique strain and is due back possibly in late 2016. “Placed on 60-day DL on June 29; sent on Triple-A rehab assignment Aug. 23.” > [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Couldn’t tell who was in RF for the Giants there, but I gotta say, it looked a little more effort could have been made on that. No hitter with 2 out in the 9th you gotta go all out, man! Yes. [This 56 second video](http://m.giants.mlb.com/sf/video/v1098053183/moore-dazzles-in-near-nohitter/) of the defensive highlights shows the difference in apparent hustle between Giants CF Span and RF Hernández in the bottom of the 9th. It’s like Gorkys was thinking, “If I dive and the ball goes to the ball I put at risk our 4-0 2-out lead.” > [@Club\_33](#): > > Seems really stupid to drop a bomb on a team that has been playing great in recent weeks. Especially when your ace is coming back soon and might appreciate having the catcher who know him best help him get back on track. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f5pmpqnZcs) is Clayton “Author” Kershaw with A.J. in 2012. Thanks for the memories. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2016/761496.md?page=10)