# MLB: May 2015 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 1, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020 "2015-05-01T17:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [May 4, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/41 "2015-05-04T00:40:26Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > Really, it was the freaking Rally Monkey…some things just can’t ever be forgiven. OK, I’ve got your back on that one. I go to a few games a year down there, and they still haven’t let go of the damn monkey. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/42 "2015-05-04T02:33:32Z")
[The Brewers have fired Ron Roenicke.](http://fox6now.com/2015/05/03/breaking-ron-roenicke-out-as-milwaukee-brewers-manager/) ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/43 "2015-05-04T02:54:15Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > What the hell was the first baseman thinking on that play? It looked like he paused to interact with a fan. While I applaud his willingness to react to the fans, that was not the best time for it. It was the most fan-friendly Cub play since Milton Bradley tossed a fly ball into the stands after making the catch–for the second out, with runners on base. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/44 "2015-05-04T03:02:20Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > I like the Nats too. And the Cubbie Bears. But.. > > **Let’s go Mets!** > > I can’t watch (without some effort) baseball games in St. Petersburg and I was super-happy to see they had a winning streak, only to lose 2/3 to the fargin Yankees. Nats pulled out 3 of 4 in NY. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/45 "2015-05-04T15:09:45Z")
So much for my delight at having the Astros join the AL West … ---
**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:** [May 4, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/46 "2015-05-04T16:53:02Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [The Brewers have fired Ron Roenicke.](http://fox6now.com/2015/05/03/breaking-ron-roenicke-out-as-milwaukee-brewers-manager/) Yeah, not sure what they were expecting. 4th place in the Central was their best case scenario, and even that was stretch with the Cubs much improved. Maybe they just want to get some experience for Counsell. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/47 "2015-05-04T18:13:32Z")
The timing is odd. Probably somebody said something, somebody else retorted, “You can’t quit me, I’m fired!”, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/48 "2015-05-04T21:50:52Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [The Brewers have fired Ron Roenicke.](http://fox6now.com/2015/05/03/breaking-ron-roenicke-out-as-milwaukee-brewers-manager/) [Craig Counsell is now manager](http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/05/04/craig-counsell-named-milwaukee-brewers-manager-replacing-fired-ron-roenicke/26863123/) Nice typo in the article: [QUOTE=USA Today] Roenicke, who was hired before the 2011 season, was let go following a league-worst 7-18 start, the club announced Sunday evening. During his four-plus-year tenure in Milwaukee, Roenicke finished with **342-3331** record, including a franchise-best 96-66 mark and a National League Central title in 2011. [/QUOTE] Winning 342 games in four years is pretty good. But that loss column will just not do. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 5, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/49 "2015-05-05T00:24:37Z")
Note to ESPN: Get that goddamn Alex Rodriguez off my Cubs game. I could not care less about whether he hits a home run tonight. I don’t need a “live look-in” every time he steps up to the plate. I don’t live in the Chicago area, and WGN doesn’t show Cub games anymore. The only chances I get to see the Cubs play are when they’re on ESPN, or when they play the Reds, since Cincinnati is considered the “local” team. ---
**Author:** ![Cold\_Dish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cold\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cold_Dish)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/50 "2015-05-05T13:47:04Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Note to ESPN: > > Get that goddamn Alex Rodriguez off my Cubs game. I could not care less about whether he hits a home run tonight. I don’t need a “live look-in” every time he steps up to the plate. I don’t live in the Chicago area, and WGN doesn’t show Cub games anymore. The only chances I get to see the Cubs play are when they’re on ESPN, or when they play the Reds, since Cincinnati is considered the “local” team. Hope you enjoyed the game. I sure did. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/51 "2015-05-05T14:25:19Z")
More than a handful of people were picking the Yankees to win the AL East this year and I thought they were either high or just not paying attention. I thought the Red Sox would be better, despite knowing their rotation sucks. I thought the O’s and Jays would be better, despite injuries in Toronto. It’s way early, but I can’t believe the Yankees are sitting in 1st place by 2 games. I thought the Rays would be the weakling of the division and there they are in 2nd place. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/52 "2015-05-05T14:27:46Z")
It’s early May and the whole division is just a couple of games apart. Boston had a good streak, now they’re on a bad one. Similar stories for other teams. That’s baseball. They’ll all still be in it at the break, how’s that for a prediction? ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/53 "2015-05-05T14:28:48Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > …goddamn Alex Rodriguez… Ahh, I see. A-roid is about to pass the Great Willy Mays on the home run charts and ESPN sees fit to show his every at-bat? And the Mets are in Chicago to play the Cubs next week and three of four games are at night? I thought the Cubs had a limit on night games? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/54 "2015-05-05T14:33:40Z")
> [@Cold\_Dish](#): > > Hope you enjoyed the game. I sure did. I went to bed when the score was 8-4, thinking, “well, six in a row is still a pretty good streak.” Then, I got up this morning, looked at my FB feed, and thought, “well, that has to sting if you’re a Cub.” Allowing a “Little League home run” a couple games ago, then blowing two five-run leads last night. The Cubs were supposed to be much improved this year. I know it’s early in the season, but they’re already 5-1/2 back of the Cards. I almost feel bad for them. ETA: OK, one five-run lead, and a four-run lead. Either way, bad night for the Cubbies. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/55 "2015-05-05T15:59:06Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > And the Mets are in Chicago to play the Cubs next week and three of four games are at night? I thought the Cubs had a limit on night games? The limit keep getting increased. It’s now at 35 games, _not_ counting any games that they might move to night for national television. The White Sox, for purposes of comparison, have 54 scheduled night games. At this point the Cub schedule is a lot like most other teams except that the Cubs play on Friday afternoons instead of evenings. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/56 "2015-05-05T17:48:49Z")
You’ll play whenever ESPN \*wants \*you to play, and like it! This is hardly news. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/57 "2015-05-05T18:01:54Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Ahh, I see. A-roid is about to pass the Great Willy Mays on the home run charts and ESPN sees fit to show his every at-bat? I’m not saying that I don’t recognize the achievement. Nor am I saying that I would be one of those people who say that, like Barry Bonds, his numbers don’t count because of the PED usage. Even with the steroid use, that takes phenomenal talent to hit well over 600 home runs. I watched the McGwire/Sosa home run race. Because I’m a Cub fan. I watched the game where McGwire hit #62, because it was against the Cubs. Not for the milestone. My objection is threefold: 1. There was no need to hijack the entire Cub/Cardinal game every time he came to the plate. I’d have been happy with the “live look-in” if they had done a picture-in-picture with the Cubs game minimized. Just as long as I could have actually SEEN the game I tuned in to watch. 2. While I don’t necessarily agree with the Yankees’ decision to not pay his bonus for hitting #660, part of me says that, if the team he plays for doesn’t care, why should I? 3. It goes back to that East Coast bias that ESPN has. It’s not bad enough that virtually every game that ESPN airs seems to have the Yankees playing, now they have to interrupt two other teams to show the Yankees? Specifically, to show every at-bat from a player that the Yankees don’t seem to like, and one that has dropped in popularity among fans in the last few years. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/58 "2015-05-05T18:06:59Z")
I think it’s Big Market bias, not East Coast bias. They give the most air time to teams that have the largest fan following - and provide the most TV viewers. It’s just business. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/59 "2015-05-05T18:31:19Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’m not saying that I don’t recognize the achievement. Nor am I saying that I would be one of those people who say that, like Barry Bonds, his numbers don’t count because of the PED usage. Even with the steroid use, that takes phenomenal talent to hit well over 600 home runs. I watched the McGwire/Sosa home run race. Because I’m a Cub fan. I watched the game where McGwire hit #62, because it was against the Cubs. Not for the milestone. > > My objection is threefold: > > 1. There was no need to hijack the entire Cub/Cardinal game every time he came to the plate. I’d have been happy with the “live look-in” if they had done a picture-in-picture with the Cubs game minimized. Just as long as I could have actually SEEN the game I tuned in to watch. > > 2. While I don’t necessarily agree with the Yankees’ decision to not pay his bonus for hitting #660, part of me says that, if the team he plays for doesn’t care, why should I? > > 3. It goes back to that East Coast bias that ESPN has. It’s not bad enough that virtually every game that ESPN airs seems to have the Yankees playing, now they have to interrupt two other teams to show the Yankees? Specifically, to show every at-bat from a player that the Yankees don’t seem to like, and one that has dropped in popularity among fans in the last few years. Plus, he already _hit_ 660. So now they’re doing live look-ins for him to hit 661 and _pass_ Mays? I guess that’s a new landmark and all, but for me 660 was the big one. 661 is just another homer (or “A-bomb,” thanks for nothing John Sterling) on A-Rod’s way to whatever. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020/60 "2015-05-05T18:44:51Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I think it’s Big Market bias, not East Coast bias. They give the most air time to teams that have the largest fan following - and provide the most TV viewers. > > It’s just business. I’m not the first to mention [East Coast Bias](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_bias). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2015/719020.md?page=4)