MLB 2024 Postseason

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:01 pm

WTF? The regular season started on March 20th? In Korea? At 3 AM? When I saw this on the schedule I figured it was an exhibition, but no this is the season opener. Stinking Dodgers beat the Padres. Is the brain trust at MLB HQ trying to hide their product?

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:28 pm

Jaymann wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:01 pm WTF? The regular season started on March 20th? In Korea? At 3 AM? When I saw this on the schedule I figured it was an exhibition, but no this is the season opener. Stinking Dodgers beat the Padres. Is the brain trust at MLB HQ trying to hide their product?

It’s called marketing, and yea, I hate it too. Just like when the NFL plays in Europe. Last year baseball played in Mexico City.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:18 pm

Ahhh, this explains the timing of my Korean-American baseball nut's friend's family trip to Korea.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:02 pm

Jaymann wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:01 pm WTF? The regular season started on March 20th? In Korea? At 3 AM? When I saw this on the schedule I figured it was an exhibition, but no this is the season opener. Stinking Dodgers beat the Padres. Is the brain trust at MLB HQ trying to hide their product?

No, they're trying to give baseball crazed fans in Asia a taste of MLB in person.

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:51 pm

El Guapo wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:18 pm Ahhh, this explains the timing of my Korean-American baseball nut's friend's family trip to Korea.

The stadium only seats 16k. Pretty small venue.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:31 am

So, what's going on with Ohtani? It appears that he's fired his translator over accusations that he stole significant sums ($4.5M) to pay illegal gambling debts. Social media is seeing something more sinister, of course, with the translator being a fall guy for Ohtani and MLB wanting to sweep things under the rug. Could get interesting!

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:12 pm

Woot, Dodgers never recover from a 5 run meltdown in the first. Padres outslug them 15-11 to even the series.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:28 pm

ImLawBoy wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:31 am So, what's going on with Ohtani? It appears that he's fired his translator over accusations that he stole significant sums ($4.5M) to pay illegal gambling debts. Social media is seeing something more sinister, of course, with the translator being a fall guy for Ohtani and MLB wanting to sweep things under the rug. Could get interesting!

Wow, that's nearly...1% of his annual salary.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 2:05 pm

ImLawBoy wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:31 am So, what's going on with Ohtani? It appears that he's fired his translator over accusations that he stole significant sums ($4.5M) to pay illegal gambling debts. Social media is seeing something more sinister, of course, with the translator being a fall guy for Ohtani and MLB wanting to sweep things under the rug. Could get interesting!

Part of it is the sum, part of it is that it's a gambling scandal tied to MLB's current biggest star. Especially since this guy isn't just like a random contractor - he's been incredibly close to Ohtani going back years. So one immediate question is whether this guy was betting on any of Ohtani's games, and whether Ohtani knew about it. Of course, the "debts" part suggests that he wasn't doing terribly well, so probably not using inside info or anything.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Mar 22, 2024 4:50 pm

El Guapo wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 2:05 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:31 am So, what's going on with Ohtani? It appears that he's fired his translator over accusations that he stole significant sums ($4.5M) to pay illegal gambling debts. Social media is seeing something more sinister, of course, with the translator being a fall guy for Ohtani and MLB wanting to sweep things under the rug. Could get interesting!
Part of it is the sum, part of it is that it's a gambling scandal tied to MLB's current biggest star. Especially since this guy isn't just like a random contractor - he's been incredibly close to Ohtani going back years. So one immediate question is whether this guy was betting on any of Ohtani's games, and whether Ohtani knew about it. Of course, the "debts" part suggests that he wasn't doing terribly well, so probably not using inside info or anything.

Some possibilities on the Ohtani scandal.

Craig Calcaterra has a good roundup of the allegations and the various possibilities. He outlined three main explanations, which run from better to worse for Ohtani.

Possibility One: Ippei Mizuhara is a compulsive gambler who got in way, way over his head with a bookie To pay the bookie off, he effected either one or several massive wire transfers from Ohtani’s account without authorization. He got busted, he got fired, and he’s about to be in a world of federal legal trouble and will almost certainly be permanently banned from holding a job in Major League Baseball.

Possibility Two: These were Mizuhara’s gambling debts and, as per his and the spokesperson’s comments to ESPN, Ohtani felt bad for him, wanted to help him out, and covered his debts by transferring the money to the bookie.

Possibility Three: These were Ohtani’s gambling debts and Mizuhara is taking a bullet for his patron.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:08 am

Possibility four: Ohtani will "retire" from baseball for two years to play in the NBA.

Baroquen · Post by **Baroquen** » Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:51 pm

New Orioles ownership & Opening Day tomorrow! It doesn't get much better than this!

But Tony Kemp? Really??? WTF..

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:57 pm

Today is the "real" opening day. The Orioles get the decimated (reduced by one tenth) Angels batting order. Without reliable protection in the lineup I expect Mike Trout's numbers to suffer. And their pitching lineup is nothing to write home about. It might be a long season in L. A. South.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:35 pm

Predictions:

- The Red Sox will finish last in the AL East for the third straight season
- Opposing fans will take over Fenway multiple times this season
- After the first week of the season, the Red Sox will spend 0 days in first place
- Alex Cora will not be back as coach of the Red Sox in 2025.

Baroquen · Post by **Baroquen** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:20 pm

I'm at the Orioles opener right now. All fun so far. Trout hit a homer but we scored 5 in two innings.

Also the beers here are very tall. 25 oz.!

Jolor · Post by **Jolor** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:05 pm

Springer Dinger!

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:18 pm

Yes! Padres come from behind twice to beat the hated Giants in their actual home opener at Petco.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:42 am

Just finished watching the Marlins season opener game. I won't mention the score in case this thread is enforcing some kind of spoiler rule. Please let me know either way.

I will mention that the game went into extra innings and it was the first time I saw a game that used the Placed Runner (or Automatic Runner) Rule. Very exciting actually. I know that the intent was to keep games from going on too long, first for COVID and then for picking up the pace, but it really made the extra innings fascinating.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:58 am

jztemple2 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:42 am Just finished watching the Marlins season opener game. I won't mention the score in case this thread is enforcing some kind of spoiler rule. Please let me know either way.

I will mention that the game went into extra innings and it was the first time I saw a game that used the Placed Runner (or Automatic Runner) Rule. Very exciting actually. I know that the intent was to keep games from going on too long, first for COVID and then for picking up the pace, but it really made the extra innings fascinating.

Since there are new games every day I have never heard anyone complain about posting scores.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:34 am

El Guapo wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:35 pm Predictions:

- The Red Sox will finish last in the AL East for the third straight season
- Opposing fans will take over Fenway multiple times this season
- After the first week of the season, the Red Sox will spend 0 days in first place
- Alex Cora will not be back as coach of the Red Sox in 2025.

Updated predictions:

- The Red Sox will be the first team to finish 162-0
- Alex Cora will be the first manager inducted into the Hall of Fame while still managing
- Everyone in New York will become Red Sox fans.

Hrdina · Post by **Hrdina** » Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:19 pm

Phil's pick up right where they left off.

Wheeler pitches 5 innings of shutout, then the bullpen comes in and gives up 9 runs.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:56 pm

Congratulations to Ronel Blanco for his no-hitter in his eighth career start.

Octavious · Post by **Octavious** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 6:08 pm

This is the worst Mets team I've ever seen. What a joke.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:57 pm

Octavious wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 6:08 pm This is the worst Mets team I've ever seen. What a joke.

This is the worst Mets team I've ever seen, so far.

Could be worse. You could be an A's fan.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 8:09 pm

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 8:21 pm

Is the goal to make people think that the A's are a AAA team? Like if there were ever a case for a US team to be relegated...

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 23, 2024 11:28 am

A fan gets Aaron Boone ejected.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:17 pm

Nike expected to alter MLB uniforms by 2025 after months of complaints, per union memo

The memo from the MLB Players Association to players states that after weeks of conversations with the league and its official uniform supplier, Nike, the union has “receive[d] indications” the following changes will be made: Returning to the larger lettering on the jersey tops, and on the pants bringing back the previous tailoring options, seam stitch count and higher-quality zipper that were in place in 2023.

In addition, as Nike previously told The Athletic, the memo said Nike is working toward solutions for teams’ mismatching gray uniforms and for the sweat stains showing through jerseys.

“This has been entirely a Nike issue,” the memo said. “At its core, what has happened here is that Nike was innovating something that didn’t need to be innovated.”

It’s worth pointing out what the memo is and isn’t. It is, first and foremost, not a commitment directly from Nike. (Nike did not respond to a request for comment.) It is the union updating players on perceived progress to that end. It also is not a promise to return to the uniforms from previous seasons. The Nike Vapor Premier is here to stay, as far as fabric and general jersey design are concerned.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:34 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: Tue Apr 23, 2024 11:28 am A fan gets Aaron Boone ejected.

A Yankee's fan at that. Darn shame.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Fri May 24, 2024 9:39 pm

What are the Royals sprinkling on their Wheaties? 33-19? Seriously?

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Sat May 25, 2024 12:27 pm

Jaymann wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 9:39 pm What are the Royals sprinkling on their Wheaties? 33-19? Seriously?

Giants are on fire. The last 3 games they been down by at least 4, only to win it in the last few innings. Last night's game against the Mets was a great ending with Chapman barehanding a grounder throwing across his shoulders to get the out at first. Def play of the year so far.

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Sat May 25, 2024 1:49 pm

Well, The offense is on fire. Pitching has dropped off. It's nice to see Chapman finally show up this season, now we just need Snell to show up.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Sat May 25, 2024 4:48 pm

Well that's 4 come back from behind wins in a row

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Baroquen · Post by **Baroquen** » Sun May 26, 2024 10:48 pm

Orioles sweep the White Sox and the Yankees finally lose. So that was nice.

But Acuna Jr. out for the year? Ouch!

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Mon May 27, 2024 11:50 am

Jaymann wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 9:39 pm What are the Royals sprinkling on their Wheaties? 33-19? Seriously?

34-20 now after taking 2 of 3 from the Rays.

Their FA pitching acquisitions are all performing way over expectations (no one thought Seth Lugo would be one of the best pitchers in the AL so far), Bobby Witt Jr is playing like an MVP and Salvy is having his best season ever at the plate.

Also until this weekend they've had almost no injuries at all.

I don't think they'll be able to keep up this pace but a wild card spot is an actual possibility now. It's pretty great.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Tue May 28, 2024 1:44 am

And everyone rejoices

MLB umpire Ángel Hernández retiring after 3 decades

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/402 ... z-retiring

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue May 28, 2024 9:30 am

Our long National (and American League) nightmare is over.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Tue May 28, 2024 11:46 am

Cut short so soon. The man had so many more calls to miss!

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Tue May 28, 2024 1:34 pm

Pyperkub wrote: Sat May 25, 2024 1:49 pm Well, The offense is on fire. Pitching has dropped off. It's nice to see Chapman finally show up this season, now we just need Snell to show up.

Snell finally had a decent outing, tho he was laboring, and still didn't quite get to a quality start. He was lights out in some innings, and in others couldn't find the strike zone with anything - so weird.

Bats did what they've been doing lately tho, and exploded late again. Hard to believe that after being below .500 for just about all season, we're only 5 games back of the superteam.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Wed May 29, 2024 9:36 am

El Guapo wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 11:46 am Cut short so soon. The man had so many more calls to miss!

You know an ump has a reputation when his retirement is followed by my CBS sports app pushing a notification for an article going through his eight biggest miscalls. How they got it down to eight is beyond me, but they point out that the data shows he's merely below average and not the worst ump. Part of his rep is that he had a quick trigger on ejections and inserting himself into the action when umps should be trying to stay out of the spotlight.