# MLB: July 2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913 "2012-07-01T16:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/261 "2012-07-31T13:22:04Z")
I would not have cared if the Sox had traded Beckett for crap value in return. I think he’s a turd. As it turns out, it looks like they’re not making any moves. I’m OK with that, too. No sense dealing away young talent for a slim shot at a playoff run this year. Maybe Beckett can show some like today against Detroit. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/262 "2012-07-31T16:51:52Z")
I have had an automated “Fuck you, Shane Victorino” reaction to the man every time he was on my TV screen. For years and years, now. I don’t even remember why, any longer. Doesn’t matter. He’s a Dodger, now. As stated in “1984,” I have always loved Shane Victorino. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/263 "2012-07-31T16:56:42Z")
Reds’ streak ends at 10. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/264 "2012-07-31T17:00:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Reds’ streak ends at 10. And as a result, the Nats have the best record in MLB right now. Not saying that’ll survive tonight’s games, but I’m enjoying the moment nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/265 "2012-07-31T17:13:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > None of that matters to me. The name sucks balls the same today as it did a century or more ago. Of course it was even more stupid to call an American League team the Nationals so at least it doesn’t bear that burden. > > But hey you like the name. There’s no arguing with that. And you don’t. There’s no arguing with that either. 😃 > [@](#): > > In the other hand I don’t but the last part of it. People would have called it by the name that was chosen. It’s long past the era when fans cling to names that have been officially rejected. I heard a lot of similar sentimental declarations when the local NBA team chose a new, unpopular name, but the fervent vows to keep calling them the Bullets and to ignore the new name Wizards are long since forgotten. You’ve got a point, although I don’t think the Bullets/Wizards example is a good one to prove it. Recall that in the years leading up to the change, the ‘Bullets’ moniker wasn’t exactly popular either, so it wasn’t like a lot of people had a strong preference for the _old_ crappy name over the _new_ crappy name. Most people who gave a shit to begin with simply wished the new name hadn’t been as crappy as the old one, albeit in a different way. Now if the _Redskins_ changed their name, people would still be calling them the Redskins for decades afterwards, regardless of what name The Danny came up with instead. A better example would be the Utah Jazz, which had been the New Orleans Jazz a couple of stops previously. Utah has about as much to do with jazz as a fish has to do with a bicycle, but I haven’t heard rumors of any mass movement among Utahns to demand a name change. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/266 "2012-07-31T17:13:41Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Reds’ streak ends at 10. Awful pitching night. The Reds had the lead then Mike Leake gave up 5 runs, then Simon and Bill Bray combined to give up 6 more. There was something like 9 walks issued by Reds pitchers. 11 runs is the most the Padres have scored since MAY 24th!!! Ugh. Ah well. Homer Bailey should right the ship tonight. He’s 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA in 5 starts in July. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/267 "2012-07-31T17:19:47Z")
On the name question: I looked on Wikipedia and I read that the Rangers still own the rights to the Senators name, so they may have wanted money in return for giving that up. For that matter since Washington lost the Senators twice, they may have seen the name as bad luck. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > A better example would be the Utah Jazz, which had been the New Orleans Jazz a couple of stops previously. Utah has about as much to do with jazz as a fish has to do with a bicycle Of course there is something kind of avant garde jazz about that, which is why I like it. If it bugs you that much, there’s this solution: the Jazz could trade their name to New Orleans and become the Hornets (Utah is the beehive state) and both names would make sense. The Lakers could maybe trade their name to the Minnesota Timberwolves. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/268 "2012-07-31T17:24:33Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > A better example would be the Utah Jazz, which had been the New Orleans Jazz a couple of stops previously. Utah has about as much to do with jazz as a fish has to do with a bicycle, but I haven’t heard rumors of any mass movement among Utahns to demand a name change. Lakers fans don’t seem to care that there aren’t many lakes in southern California either. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/269 "2012-07-31T17:28:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Of course there is something kind of avant garde jazz about that, which is why I like it. If it bugs you that much, there’s this solution: the Jazz could trade their name to New Orleans and become the Hornets (Utah is the beehive state) and both names would make sense. The Lakers could maybe trade their name to the Minnesota Timberwolves. I like both ideas. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/270 "2012-07-31T19:21:08Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I have had an automated “Fuck you, Shane Victorino” reaction to the man every time he was on my TV screen. For years and years, now. I don’t even remember why, any longer. Doesn’t matter. He’s a Dodger, now. > > As stated in “1984,” I have always loved Shane Victorino. Perhaps the images in [this blog post](http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2012/7/31/3206511/dodgers-acquire-shane-victorino-open-trade-deadline-thread) will refresh your memory. I’d totally forgotten about him; now, the fact that he’s on the Dodgers is just perfect. 🙂 ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/271 "2012-07-31T19:32:27Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Perhaps the images in [this blog post](http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2012/7/31/3206511/dodgers-acquire-shane-victorino-open-trade-deadline-thread) will refresh your memory. I’d totally forgotten about him; now, the fact that he’s on the Dodgers is just perfect. 🙂 Oh, please. I’ve had to cheer for Jeff Fucking Kent and Gary Sheffield in my day. Victorino’s antics barely register. 🙂 I will say, though, that the video of Victorino getting nailed in the side of the head by the return throw made me laugh out loud the day it happened, made me laugh again just now, and I will probably continue to cherish it long after he’s out of a Dodger uniform. 🙂 ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/272 "2012-07-31T19:34:37Z")
In other news, the Reds just picked up Jonathan Broxton, essentially handing the NL Central to the Pirates! 😃 ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/273 "2012-07-31T20:02:39Z")
And after all the Dodger-Cub talks, the Rangers end up walking away with Ryan Dempster. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/274 "2012-07-31T20:04:34Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > In other news, the Reds just picked up Jonathan Broxton, essentially handing the NL Central to the Pirates! 😃 What a weird move. The Reds already have a strong bullpen and a dominant closer. What, no left-handed bat could be had? That’s what we needed. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/275 "2012-07-31T20:25:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I’d totally forgotten about him; now, the fact that he’s on the Dodgers is just perfect. 🙂 In addition to his behavior on the basepaths, Victorino is (or was) a very good defensive CF with a tendency toward the remarkably dumb play. My favorite is from 2009 at Citi Field, when he let Angel Pagan circle the bases on a ball that was playable but slightly wedged under the outfield wall’s padding, deciding it was a better play to gesture toward the umpire over and over (who stood stonefaced, as I recall) than pick the damn thing up. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/276 "2012-07-31T20:28:31Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I like both ideas. Hopefully he can fill 2 subscriptions to his newsletter. 😃 ---
**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 1, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/277 "2012-08-01T02:23:07Z")
Anyone watching the Pirates/Cubs game? A.J. Burnett has a no-hitter through 7. ---
**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 1, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/278 "2012-08-01T03:38:06Z")
Well, he lost the no-hitter in the 8th, but not before plunking Darwin Barney right on the helmet. The Orioles had a wild one in New York today. The Yankees jumped out to a 5-run lead in the bottom of the first, but the Birds came right back with 7, including a Chris Davis grand slam, in the top of the second. The Yankees didn’t score another run, while Baltimore added 4 more, to win 11-5. Former Twin Lew Ford, called up by the Orioles a few days ago, got his first major league hit since 2007. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/279 "2012-08-01T05:09:16Z")
_Cue Twilight Zone theme_ The Mariners have won six games in a row! I can’t remember the last time they did this. ---
**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 1, 2012, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/280 "2012-08-01T05:18:58Z")
**whew** Reds win a close one. Not enamored with the pitching lately… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913.md?page=15)