# MLB: August 2021 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [August 1, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783 "2021-08-01T18:31:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**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 17, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/101 "2021-08-17T23:02:42Z")
At least they’re trying to keep the Cubs from being even more embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/102 "2021-08-18T17:16:39Z")
A scary moment last night when pitcher Chris Bassitt of the A’s was hit in the head by a 100 mph comebacker. > **[Bassitt hit in head by comebacker | 08/17/2021](https://www.mlb.com/video/bassitt-hit-in-head-by-comebacker)** > > Chris Bassitt is struck in the head on a line drive from Brian Goodwin and is carted off the field in the bottom of the 2nd Can the umpires call a dead ball in such cases? It seems heartless to leave some guy bleeding on the ground with a potentially life-threatening injury while people round the bases. But as far as I can tell, the umps let the play run out. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/103 "2021-08-18T21:14:02Z")
The catcher ran out and picked up the ball. The runners were safe at first and second. The catcher asked for time and it was granted. It looked like the third baseman was calling time as well. As there was no more action time was granted. If the ball was rolling free in the outfield time would (or at least should) not have been granted. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/104 "2021-08-18T21:18:45Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > A scary moment last night when pitcher Chris Bassitt of the A’s was hit in the head by a 100 mph comebacker. Some positive news for Bassitt – while he has a fractured cheekbone (which will require surgery), and suffered some facial lacerations, his vision was unaffected, and no other injuries were found. > **[A's ace Bassitt suffered cheek fracture from liner](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32044356/oakland-athletics-ace-chris-bassitt-suffered-cheek-fracture-line-drive-vision-unaffected)** > > Along with a displaced tripod fracture in his right cheek, Athletics ace Chris Bassitt received stitches for two facial lacerations after he was hit in the head by a line drive during Tuesday's game. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/105 "2021-08-19T00:50:54Z")
[Jack Morris suspended from Tigers broadcasts.](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/08/18/jack-morris-shohei-ohtani-comment-suspended/8184370002/) > Play-by-play announcer Matt Shepard asked Morris, who won 254 games in his 18-year major league career and was a four-time All-Star with the Tigers, what the strategy should be against Ohtani. > > Morris replied: “Be very, very careful,” but in an apparent tone that has long been used to mock English-speaking Asians. Yeah, pretty low there Jack. Not sure how long he should be suspended but it sounds like the team and the network are taking it seriously, so good for them. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/106 "2021-08-19T01:34:06Z")
Jack Morris was a great pitcher but he’s always been a complete jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/107 "2021-08-19T01:36:30Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Jack Morris was a great pitcher but he’s always been a complete jerk Correct on both counts. ---
**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 19, 2021, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/108 "2021-08-19T03:06:57Z")
Jack Morris was a _very good_ pitcher. There’s a reason he only got into Cooperstown via the back door. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/109 "2021-08-19T14:13:22Z")
White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn was ejected from last night’s game for throwing his belt at the umpires during a routine check for sticky substances. > [@](#): > > Lynn left his hat and glove on the dugout railing for inspection but not his belt. > > “He was late getting over, so I left my glove and my hat, and then while I was going down in the dugout, trying to see the trainers because I’m dealing with something, he yells at me that he needs to see my belt,” Lynn said after Chicago’s [3-2 win](https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401228866). “So I toss it up and then he throws me out.” > > Lynn, manager Tony La Russa and the umpires argued for several minutes, but even La Russa admitted later that a player can’t throw equipment – or in this case a belt – at the umpires. He was asked whether he thought Lynn might get suspended. > > “I can’t speak for the umpires and the league and how they look at that,” La Russa said. “I hope not.” > **[Lynn ejected for tossing belt in sticky stuff check](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32048044/chicago-white-sox-lance-lynn-ejected-tossing-belt-umpires-foreign-substance-check)** > > White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn was ejected Wednesday after tossing his belt to umpires from the dugout during a foreign-substance inspection. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/110 "2021-08-19T15:25:09Z")
My Kansas City Royals are suffering through yet another forgettable season. At 52-67, they are in last place in the weak AL Central. But after winning the first 3 of a four-game series with the AL-West leading Astros, they are 17-12 against teams that were in first place when they played the Royals. Definitely a team you wouldn’t want to face in the postseason… ---
**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 19, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/111 "2021-08-19T15:29:36Z")
As of today, the Yanks have jumped over I think 6 teams to claim a 1 game lead in the Wildcard. Though they are still 5 behind Tampa. AL East is pretty strong with the exception of league worst Baltimore. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/112 "2021-08-19T16:47:04Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I don’t think this will go well Yesterday, in his first start for the Padres, Arrieta gave up 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings, then was removed from the game with a pulled hamstring. So, he hit the daily double of a lousy pitching performance, _and_ getting hurt. > **[Arrieta injured as Padres close a 'brutal' 1-5 trip](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32046977/new-starter-jake-arrieta-injured-defeat-scuffling-san-diego-padres-complete-brutal-road-trip)** > > New San Diego pitcher Jake Arrieta left his start against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday with a mild left hamstring strain, as the Padres' struggles continued. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/113 "2021-08-19T16:56:11Z")
This Yankee team is a different breed altogether from the sad sacks of two months ago. I have to credit Cashman for getting Rizzo and Gallo, that seemed to have added just the right spark and now everybody’s playing better. Who misses Hicks and Frazier? My worry now is that Chapman is going to blow it in a huge game more than once and scuttle the chance for the ring. He’s like the little girl with a curl, when he’s good he’s very very good but when he’s bad, he sucks balls. They were damn lucky to win last night after another subpar Chapman appearance and a huge call at the end that could have gone either way went in their favor. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/114 "2021-08-19T18:10:42Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > AL East is pretty strong with the exception of league worst Baltimore. One wonders if Baltimore is actually the worst team in the league, or if it’s Texas. The Rangers are three games ahead, but their division is a bit weaker - the top 4 teams are all 3-4 games behind their AL East counterparts. The Orioles are having a really rough year when playing those AL East teams; they’re 13-37, highlighted by a stunning 1-14 against Tampa Bay, but their BEST record against anyone is 5-8 against New York. Texas, conversely, is 20-38 against divisional rivals, which ain’t great but is **exactly the difference between them and Baltimore.** (As of right now.) So is it that the Orioles are worse, or that their opponents are better? ---
**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 19, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/115 "2021-08-19T18:12:18Z")
I never looked at it that way. You make a strong point that Texas is at least as bad. I just see a lot more of the O’s and they’re terrible. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/116 "2021-08-19T18:18:31Z")
Me too and yeah, they’re a vile disgrace. Of course, they get some extra credit for being really, really bad several years running now. Texas is just having an especially bad year; the Orioles are just horrible: 2018: 47-115 2019: 54-108 2020: 25-35 This year: 38-81, which projects to 52-110 If they were tanking in such a way as to give you hope that’d be one thing, but holy smokes this team looks bad. Cedric Mullins is a terrific player but obviously he can’t win games by himself. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/117 "2021-08-19T20:21:43Z")
I lost interest in baseball cards a long time ago, but now Topps is losing the contract with MLB > **[MLB Set to Give Trading Card License to Fanatics, Ending Run With Topps](https://www.actionnetwork.com/news/mlb-exlusive-trading-card-lecense-fanatics-topps?fbclid=IwAR1v1owuv6Q7UBnm7DRwTq0T7t9QySH8_7GfQe8SEWpbmQjORtwQ2JjUTJw)** > > Darren Rovell reports that the MLB and MLBPA have given exclusive trading card rights to Fanatics, which would end its deal with Topps. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/118 "2021-08-19T21:17:32Z")
The Angels have a better record than their injuries would warrent. This has given emerging stars like Branden Marsh a chance to get experience at the ML level. After a slow start he is catching fire. He has 2 3b today. They have a few young pitchers developing into workable MLB starters. Their lineup for 2022 (if there is a 2022 season) looks strong and they will contend. C) Stassi 1B) Walsh 2B) Fletcher 3B) Rendon (should be recovered after hip surgery) SS) undecided LF) Upton or Adell CF) Trout RF) Marsh DH) Ohtani SP Ohtani Sandoval Cobb Rodriguez Suarez FAs ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/119 "2021-08-19T21:37:35Z")
I miss being able to buy cards from more than one company…the only reason Topps was made exclusive was money and no one wanted tops to go bankrupt ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2021, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783/120 "2021-08-19T21:49:52Z")
I watch a lot of Orioles games. They have the misfortune to be: - A bad team - In the same division as Boston, New York, Toronto and Tampa Bay If they were in, say, the Central Division, well, they’d still be bad, but probably not quite as bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2021/947783.md?page=7)