# MLB: September 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 1, 2011, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832 "2011-09-01T12:18:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/181 "2011-09-29T17:03:59Z")
Fuckin’ Braves. … That’s all. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/182 "2011-09-29T17:09:32Z")
I am ready to believe that last night was the most awesome moment in the history of MLB, at least during the regular season. It’s especially amazing considering that all the divisional races were settled. Nevertheless, we wound up with: FOUR teams in win or go home situations, two who were coming from behind and two who were fading Playing four teams with nothing to lose, including two teams that could have been forgiven for laying down and resting their starters for the playoffs And of those four games, three were excrutiatingly close, with two come from behind efforts going into extra innings and the third held up by rain forever Leading to two games which were won by teams who were within one out of defeat Ending in the spectacular failure of the Red Sox and success of the Rays completed in just exactly the time it took to switch from one game to the other. Honestly, I can’t recall anytime the schedule played out like this – even in 1964 when the NL season could have ended in a 3-way tie. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/183 "2011-09-29T17:18:07Z")
[MLB.com](http://MLB.com) made a [pretty good video](http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=19789807&topic_id=6261176) of all the wildness last night. Nice for someone like me who is relegated to radio and “watching” various games using the Gameday app. I am actually really excited for the Tigers. They blew us away in their last 2 series with us. They are just a monster team at the plate and their pitching is more than just Verlander and Valverde and those guys rock. I would LOVE to see them roll over the Yankees. Being a midwesterner, I would love to see a Milwaukee/Detroit World Series. Milwaukee is actually my NL Team If I Must Have One so I would definitely tune in. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/184 "2011-09-29T18:24:22Z")
I was back and forth between all the games on [MLB.TV](http://MLB.TV) on my PS3 last night. Reading this thread and knowing I was going through all of the same emotions as the rest of you is amusing me. That has to be the most entertaining evening of baseball-watching I’ve ever had in my life. In addition to all of the meaningful games last night that I spent most of my time watching last night, it was fun watching Matt Kemp come _this_ close to making the 40/40 club. And a little frustrating watching the Dodgers try desperately to blow huge leads to the D-Backs on consecutive nights. I wonder how many times in MLB history there has been a team who hit grand slams in the 9th inning in consecutive games. Anyway, even though the Dodgers’ season ended last night like 21 other teams, and even though we are still, for the moment, saddled with Frank McCourt, I am still VERY pleased with how this team played in the last two months. When we were sitting at 14 games below .500 in late July, I never imagined they’d end up with a winning record this year. As did I, since they went 8-6 in games I attended. I haven’t had one of those in a while. As for my Indians, it was a really fun year watching them compete, as well. Detroit was just too much, but they hung in far longer than people thought they would. I got to watch them beat the Angels in person, which is like a double joy for me, and I got a ball tossed to me by an Indians’ coach. Having Thome back at the end of the year was a good time. Only 181 days left until the first game of the 2012 regular season! ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/185 "2011-09-29T19:07:18Z")
Cards fan checking in. I am…apoplectic. My traitorous brother who has become a Sox fan and forsaken his roots and his Cardinals, well, he doesn’t seem to be taking my calls today. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/186 "2011-09-29T19:22:57Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Well, at least with the Braves collapse I can sit back and think fondly of my late grandfather, who in October would curse the Braves when they would inevitably lose in the postseason. The Braves didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Last game of the season, a win or go home situation, and the stands were half empty. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/187 "2011-09-29T19:47:39Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > The Braves didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Last game of the season, a win or go home situation, and the stands were half empty. Rays too. It’s sad really. I do think that next year is going to be a monster year for the Braves. They are so close to being a well rounded team, and they have a lot of talent they just need to keep it together for the whole season and hit a little more. As for the Dodgers, I am with Asimovian. I am filled with optimism. The young guys played well enough down the stretch and Kemp only really needs one bat to compliment him (Prince Fielder? McCourt wants to spend money and bring in a big name. I don’t know that he would be my first choice but I think that’s where they are leaning) to get the offense really firing. And Kemp has said he wants to retire a Dodger, so maybe we can lock up his contract this year. Kershaw too would be smart. Kershaw and Billingsly are a great 1-2 despite how Bills has pitched recently, Lilly is a good 4-5 and the bullpen is starting to shake out. They will need someone to fill Kuroda’s role, but there is some hope. More than I had at the end of last season that’s for sure. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/188 "2011-09-29T21:14:55Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > As for my Indians, it was a really fun year watching them compete, as well. Detroit was just too much, but they hung in far longer than people thought they would. **I got to watch them beat the Angels in person, which is like a double joy for me, and I got a ball tossed to me by an Indians’ coach.** Having Thome back at the end of the year was a good time. Well, this sucks. I just read this about the very coach in question: “On Wednesday, bench coach Tim Tolman disclosed he has Parkinson’s disease and will not be back…” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/189 "2011-09-29T22:44:07Z")
The recriminations are in full flower. [Chad Finn writes:](http://www.boston.com/sports/touching_all_the_bases/2011/09/the_postmortem.html) > [@](#): > > Talented, richly compensated players did not perform, starting with Lackey, who simply cannot return to this team or this city next year. Not only is he coming off the worst season a Red Sox starting pitcher has ever submitted, but he’s a miserable, dim, finger-pointing, unaccountable wretch of a teammate, and those may be his good qualities. That the Red Sox were apparently considering acquiring lefthanded mediocrity Bruce Chen to pitch a one-game playoff if necessary tells you all you need to know about Lackey’s status with the team. Pack up the sneer and the sacks of unearned cash and just go away. Yes, that would be a good start. No disrespect to the Rays, but they didn’t have a notable September either. Boston just choked. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/190 "2011-09-29T23:09:39Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The recriminations are in full flower. [Chad Finn writes:](http://www.boston.com/sports/touching_all_the_bases/2011/09/the_postmortem.html)Yes, that would be a good start. > > No disrespect to the Rays, but they didn’t have a notable September either. Boston just choked. The Rays went 17 - 10 in September, with two 5-game winning streaks. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/191 "2011-09-30T00:31:13Z")
I get the sense Chad Finn doesn’t like John Lackey. But what is Boston supposed to do with Lackey? Nobody would take such a bloated contract, except… hey, wait a minute… … the Angels! If they’ll take Vernon Wells, why not take back Lackey? ---
**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:** [September 30, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/192 "2011-09-30T00:35:16Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > The Rays went 17 - 10 in September, with two 5-game winning streaks. What’s with the numbers, stat geek? If you left your mother’s basement once in a while, you’d know that .629 isn’t anything special. Get those sort of numbers over a season, and you’ll only have 102 wins. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/193 "2011-09-30T00:54:41Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > What’s with the numbers, stat geek? If you left your mother’s basement once in a while, you’d know that .629 isn’t anything special. Get those sort of numbers over a season, and you’ll only have 102 wins. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/194 "2011-09-30T03:41:51Z")
Braves. Hee hee! OHHHHH OH OH OHHHHHHHH, OHHHHHHHH OH OH OHHHHHHHH! (laughs, wheezes) Ahhh. So, let’s root for the Phils to get that rematch with the NY team-- shit, I always forget their name. Tankees? Flankees? Mets? Yeah, yeah. The Mets, right? You know, the team with that pitcher with the huge gut? 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/195 "2011-09-30T13:04:04Z")
I don’t know how many, if any, of you all listen to the Baseball Prospectus Podcast. If you don’t you should. It’s the most interesting ongoing baseball discussion I have ever heard. It’s two guys who work for baseball prospectus (Kevin Goldstein and Jason Parks if you read BP) having a sort of free-form conversation about baseball and other stuff. It ends up being like 65% baseball 45% other stuff. I just finished listening to their quick thrown together short episode that recaps the events of the last couple of days and thought that I would share a link here in case anyone was interested. [http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15209](http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15209) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/196 "2011-09-30T13:37:58Z")
The NY Daily News is [reporting](http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2011/09/30/2011-09-30_boston_red_sox_manager_terry_francona_fired_after_teams_epic_collapse_in_wildcar.html) Francona is out. As much as I dislike the Sox, I respect him as a manager and I think he’s getting a raw deal. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/197 "2011-09-30T13:40:27Z")
The most amazing thing? All four games went my way! 1. I despise the Yankees, and love the idea of the Rays in the playoffs. 2. I dislike the Red Sox 3. I despise the Braves. 4. I love Pujols and the Cards’ pitching staff and 1. In general, I love the underdog. I’m very happy with the playoff picture. Even with the Giants gone, I would be OK with the D-backs making noise. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/198 "2011-09-30T13:41:56Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > The NY Daily News is [reporting](http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2011/09/30/2011-09-30_boston_red_sox_manager_terry_francona_fired_after_teams_epic_collapse_in_wildcar.html) Francona is out. As much as I dislike the Sox, I respect him as a manager and I think he’s getting a raw deal. Agreed, but whattaya gonna do? SOMEONE’S head is gonna roll for the most epic collapse in baseball history, right? Joe ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/199 "2011-09-30T14:02:37Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Agreed, but whattaya gonna do? SOMEONE’S head is gonna roll for the most epic collapse in baseball history, right? That’s not a good way to run a team, though. The Braves are evidently not going to fire Fredi Gonzalez, and I think they’d be stupid if they did. The Mets didn’t fire Willie Randolph after their 2007 debacle, although they did give him a quick hook in 2008. Francona’s had a long run in Boston and you could argue they need a change, but giving into the fanbase’s need for scapegoating just for the sake of it is a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832/200 "2011-09-30T15:04:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That’s not a good way to run a team, though. The Braves are evidently not going to fire Fredi Gonzalez, and I think they’d be stupid if they did. The Mets didn’t fire Willie Randolph after their 2007 debacle, although they did give him a quick hook in 2008. Francona’s had a long run in Boston and you could argue they need a change, but giving into the fanbase’s need for scapegoating just for the sake of it is a bad idea. Fredi getting fired would make infinitely more sense than Francona being dismissed makes. His overuse of the bullpen is almost directly responsible for their loss on Wednesday. That said, yes it would be stupid. Francona being fired is MASSIVELY stupid. Hope he lands with the Cubs and that Theo goes with him and turns that club around so that Boston fans can look out at Chicago and kick themselves. The fallout from this game has made me really dislike Boston fans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2011/594832.md?page=11)