Baseball 2003

Post by **Damelon** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 3:22 am

Infelice - If you have a lot of money and are a big fan of one of the teams, yes. The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs belong to two different major leagues, the American (Yankees) and the National (Cubs). Until about 4 years ago the only time teams from the two leagues would play is during the World Series. Now there is limited interleague play during the regular season. Both teams have a huge fan base, but while the Yankees normally contend to get in the World Series, the Cubs almost never do. The last time the Cubs were in the World Series was 1945, the Yankees in 2001. There are other subplots, both historical and contemporary, but that's enough for now.

Post by **Infelice** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 3:25 am

Thanks for the low down Damelon....so I gather this is a pretty significant, historical, important kinda game

Post by **Dromond** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 4:14 am

Yeah, this is a biggee for baseball fans. Last week Roger Rocket tried to win #300 against his old team, that was big too.

Post by **Dromond** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 9:43 pm

addendum: It is a rare feat for a pitcher to win 300 games. Happened only 20 times in well over 100 yrs.

Post by **Brinn** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 6:47 pm

Trivia for you: Remember Googling is cheating!

Are there more pitchers that have won 300 games or hitters who have hit 500 career homers?

Post by **Dromond** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 7:56 pm

I'll guess hitters- it seems like a bunch did it recently; Bonds,Murray,and someone just did this year-can't remember who

Post by **Damelon** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 1:57 am

It's close but I'd say hitters. There's a pretty good number of them in the low 500's. I think the number is in the low 20's. The number really drops off after 550. In the last few years, Bonds, McGuire. Sosa this year, and I don't know if he's hit his 500th yet but Palmerio was at 499 a week or so ago. I don't recall if McGriff is playing this year, but he's got to be close to 490.

Post by **Damelon** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 2:08 am

It's close but I'd say hitters. There's a pretty good number of them in the low 500's. I think the number is in the low 20's. The number really drops off after 550. In the last few years, Bonds, McGuire. Sosa this year, and I don't know if he's hit his 500th yet but Palmerio was at 499 a week or so ago. I don't recall if McGriff is playing this year, but he's got to be close to 490.

Post by **Damelon** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 2:09 am

Interesting.

Post by **Dromond** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 4:15 am

Wow! Sammy Sosa got tossed today when his bat shattered and it was corked!

Post by **Brinn** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 1:39 pm

The answer is pitchers. There have been 20 three hundred game winners but only 19 five hundred home run hitters. Palmiero was number 19 this year and Clemens (assuming he does get 300) will be number 21 for pitchers. McGriff is close but Maddux should keep the pitchers ahead by getting number 300 within the next few years.

Post by **danlo** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 1:48 pm

The Sosa thing is very hurtful 4 the sport-- if any dirt arises on Bonds Baseball's credibility totally goes down the drain. Even if it's a semi-random thing the media will stomp it in2 the ground. Sad...Cubs will prob self-destruct on this alone.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:46 pm

Ya, the Sosa thing is very bad for the sport. I'm really glad I'm not a Cubbies fan.

Post by **Dromond** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 11:29 pm

Hmm... a 10 game suspension is the standard here- Danlo, I agree- this could really hurt the Cubs!
and yes; Baseballs' cred hangs by a thin one

Post by **Damelon** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 2:33 am

The suspension won't take effect until after the Yankees series this weekend. Much of the writing in the Chicago papers today was why he would want to cork the bat. It adds quickness to the swing, not power to the hit ball. IMHO after going 2 for 15 since he came back, he felt pressure to get hits.

Actually, I think it may not hurt the Cubs chances in the race so much as might be expected. The Cubs were 10 - 7 while Sosa was on the DL, and I think the big difference between them this year as opposed to last is that their pitching is much better.

All this hurts baseball's credibility to be sure, I don't think it's worse than all the rumors about steroid usage in the league.

Post by **Infelice** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 2:42 am

Forgive my ignorance, but is "cork in the bat" illegal in baseball. And if so, why?

Post by **Dromond** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:02 am

Yes it is illegal. A few players have been caught at it. A hole is drilled and then cork is stuffed in. It makes the bat lighter,thus a quicker swing. Also, some people believe the cork has 'spring' which causes the ball to travel farther. It's cheating

Post by **Damelon** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:23 am

Corking the bat is a way that hitters cheat to gain advantage. Pitchers scuff , cut or spit on the baseball in order for the baseball to make an erratic motion when thrown. If a pitcher gets caught with, say an emery board, he would face the same situation as Sosa.

Post by **Infelice** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:46 am

Couldn't they just make a rule that says "corking" is allowed? Then whatever advantage that has been taken by the corking of a bat would be taken away?

Sorry if that seems like a stupid suggestion....I don't fully understand the implications of such a rule.

Post by **Dromond** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:53 am

Weeeeelll, then they'll be stuffing the bat with the latest created stuff and where does it end? Solid wood bats for everybody!

Imagine tennis if the rackets weren't regulated!

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Baseball 2003