Welcome to Opening Weekend 2024! 
For the enjoyment of all, PLEASE do not hijack the tread. On to the topics.
Who does everyone like? The Dodgers (at least on paper) seem tough to beat. Who knows where the whole Ohtani thing will go? That sure is an odd situation. I really like the Braves to win it. If I had a buck to bet I would probably put it on them.
What happens with the A's mess?
Can the Yankees bounce back?
Can the Red Sox stay out of the basement in their division? I kind of doubt it. That division is loaded.
The Cubs' opening-day starter is out until May by fielding a grounder and is out until May. Number two got roughed up last night. Not good.
There are other things of course. Those are just things off the top of my head.
Today I am going to my first of hopefully many games this season, White Sux/Tiggers 🐯. I might have to bring in a broom for a sweep. 
Gonna be a cold day in Chicago.
ENJOY THE SEASON!
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Outlook may not be so good but hope springs eternal & I say it’s all the way at Fenway this summah⚾️
Grae Kessinger of Houston - sure enough, grandson of former Cubs SS Don Kessinger
Yankees 4 game sweep of the Stros in Houston no less.
One of the announcers mentioned the last time the Yankees swept a 4 game season opening series was the 1923 grand opening of the old Yankee Stadium.
Soto is looking like he could be the missing link to the Bombers lineup.
If he stays healthy and produces like we know he can I don't see how the Yankees let him leave in Free agency.
Pretty rare where a 25 year old player of his caliber make it to FA so they need to pay up IMHO.
Don't look now but my Tiggers haven't lost yet. Granted, it was to the White Sux and Mets but still, I'll take it.
As for Soto, I don't understand how (or why) they couldn't have locked him up for a few years. You probably know more about that transaction than I do. Wouldn't playing for the Yankees be like a dream?
A question for Stephen: Who do you think they will be better than in the division?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
all of em bro, hope springs eternal, w/minimal injuries etc who knows
said that in April last year & in 22 - last place both years -
however just b/c outlook is once again gloomy doesn’t mean we won’t play good or ‘overachieve’⚾️
@lee along with the Brewers and the Pirates. First 2 weeks of baseball is always weird.
I get what you are both saying. When you've only played 5 or 6 games there is a lot to travel. Still rather be at 4-0 than 0-4, right?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
That’s right & holy heck, a blast from the past as Casey Mize returns - top overall pick some years ago, injured since
it’s not just A’s relocating
its not guaranteed but at the rate it’s going, rumor has it ChiSox leaving south side for new stadium in high-rent district in next few years
article said A’s drew 36,000 for their 6 opening games - team has more than done its part w/an indifferent fan base - even in MLB you can only lose your shirt for so long
Oakland’s loss will be team’s & LV’s gain…
If the season ended today both Detroit & Boston would be in the playoffs. Is it September yet?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
A's will play in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento starting next season. Will they be able to fill that? What an ugly end to their 56 years in northern CA. I hope season tickets will be cheap.
But I will say, the renderings of their proposed Vegas ballpark looks like the next generation of ball parks that every team will start chasing.
presuming it’s a typical 15-20G-capacity minor league venue they’d likely fill it w/Yankees, Sox, LAD, TX, hi profile teams in town
who knows mayb in the state capitol the Sacramento A’s will catch on like a Calif wildfire, or say the Savannah Bananas, sparking calls to keep them there😵💫
A couple of weeks into the season. The White Sox are an abhorrent mess. Hard to win with your best three players on the DL.
I watched the first Tiggers game on Saturday and I think they gave up 7 runs in one inning on only 1 hit. It could have been 2. To make matters worse, after the third baseman let a ball go through his legs to give up 3 runs, they pulled the pitcher and put said third baseman in to pitch. At which point he gave up a three-run homer. This was all in the 12th inning so they figured the game was over. Got all of that?
Yankees are looking good. The division I am really curious about is the N.L. Central. Very competitive. Even St. Louis in last place isn't bad. We'll see what happens when they start playing each other.
Time for a morning baseball game. Patroits' Day in Boston. 10:00 AM for me.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Holyo I gotta look again - old friend Chris is pitching like he’s 25 instead of 35 & brings a 4-1 record Wed - he’s found a home w/those hi flying tomahawk chopping Braves, always a good team
“Guess I should stick to the sports threads😉”
”they’re both 17-13, look out⚾️😮”
-
- no change, both 11.5 GB
hate-to but credit due NY & Balt, now it’s a huge midweek showdown in the Bronx
again we’re looking to edge away from .500 & outta that clustah
& the Tribe - pounding the ball like Chief Wahoo’s drum, scalping teams w/3rd-best record
in addition to Chris, the forgotten Luis Severino considered for comeback of the year - stayed in NY, now thriving for crosstown Mets
let’s go Sawx, we wanna win the title just like …. (dfrnt topic/observing no hijacking)🫣
& the Tribe - pounding the ball like Chief Wahoo’s drum, scalping teams w/3rd-best record
they’re overpowering the league the way their forbears overpowered Custer & co., & b4 u can say Jim Bagby, or Kenny Lofton, the Cleveland Indians* have stormed into 1st place in the league - 2nd overall, %points behind Phil
even w/Judge hot, NY has slumped - conversely, even w/no Clayton, Mookie, Urias, their new Japanese pitcher they signed to a huge contract - LA holding their own
SD in this wknd & another Sox alum, Xander, sidelined, same Tatis Jr🥱so what/same ol,
we’re in Bronx next wknd - this wknd, the NL rivalry, LA-SF - tonite, ChiSox fans see Chris the same as they recall him starting out - Chris (10-2), early Cy candidate at age 35
*realize it’s GUARdians to the culturally sensitive crusaders for a cause/‘politically correct/‘those in the know’ (read: non-fans) claiming enlightenment on this
then howabout ‘dians for short, that’s generic/bland/inoffensive/nondescript/lame/meaningless/dull as dishwater, so therefore, no harm to the enlightened>qualifies for MLB
drum chief sounding war cry for scalps of all MLB teams, keep it going Indians
old friend Chris is pitching like he’s 25 instead of 35 w/those hi flying tomahawk chopping Braves, always a good team
yep, at 13-3, 2.70 ERA he’s on track for his first nearly-complete season since 2019 (6-11 won-lost record on a light 147 IP), & on track for the Cy - it’d be Atl’s 2nd Cy winner in a row
we’re tied with the crosstown Braves at the break😵💫⚾️they’re going good w/out their top 2 players - Spencer, their 2023 Cy winner
& Acuna Jr, who merely had one of the top seasons ever last year
.337, 41 HR, 106 RBI - was the league leader in 4 other categories incl SB & runs scored
but injuries happen all the time w/players missing 1-2 seasons at a clip
ups to Braves, this tomahawk chop is for you, go Chris
we’re in Chavez Ravine to begin 2nd half - let’s go Sox, we keep closing in & its A Weekender For The Ages even in this age-old rivalry if we’ve caught up w/NY when they visit next wknd
Who do you think they will be better than in the division?
bigger ? is - Tygiz-Cubs deadlocked at Wrigley & in standings
& 2nd place to politics???
yes times have changed….😁✌️😁hehe, just kidding (saw other post)
guessing it’s doubly busy w/Cubs fans & DNC fans - rubber game is matinee, so traffic will be busy as game & work let out - Chicagoans are used to that
in reply to quote, we’ve been lodged in 3rd place this season, so better than TB & Tor - realize that hindsight is 20/20
the idea is to at least get 11 games over .500, our peak this season
we spoiled Justin’s return & won the series, now it’s AZ at Fenway
ups to Joey Votto, like Pres Biden he knew when to retire & wrote a tremendous social media post - his love of the game is obvious
The division I am really curious about is the N.L. Central. Very competitive. Even St. Louis in last place isn't bad. We'll see what happens when they start playing each other.
yes, Cubs have won 6 of 7 & are 2 over .500, Cahds AT .500 for 1st time in months after their win today - they don’t play each other down the stretch
upper AL Central just as good, KC, look at em go, playing like royalty, closing in on Tribe - Tygiz (13 of 16), rampaging back to .500 - like Bucs & Reds, Twins fading
all the time we must be in blistering-offense mode, let’s go Sox
Welcome to Opening Weekend 2024!
so, following Lee’s NFL lead moving forward, this is now the combined 2024-25 Bruins/Celtics thread - 🥅let’s go Boston!!🏀😁
What happens with the A's mess?
now they move to Sacramento for next 3 years, then on to the strip after that
⚾️will be interesting to see how they draw in the state capitol, but, as was said b4 an ugly end to 56 years of green & gold glory
what totally gets me are the news stories of “Oakland fans say goodby to beloved A’s w/cheers/anger…….”
BELOVED A’s???? who are they BSing - if they were so beloved how come no one ever went to the games?? & over the course of many seasons too
“beloved”??? bullcrap/baloney/whatever - their own fans’ indifference is why A’s are relocating
wait til next year
Pete Rose passes at 83.
"Is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?"
in addition to Chris, the forgotten Luis Severino considered for comeback of the year - stayed in NY, now thriving for crosstown Mets
Severino is still pitching & Chris is not
Luis pitched good last nite b4 getting hit for 3 runs in the 6th followed by the bullpen implosion
chris 29 starts, 177 IP, by far his most since 2017 in his 1st year w/BoSox w/a league-high 214, mayb one of the last w/200+ IP
luis 31 starts, 182 IP, by far his most since 2018
carlos rodon another good comeback, 32 starts, 175 IP, almost another by-far career high - solid 16-9 W-L
chris 18-3, 2.38, 225 K, all league bests, consensus Cy
injured as often as they were, didn’t think they’d ever attain the #s they did in 2024
then again, look at Stephen in 2019
wait til next year
A couple of weeks into the season. The White Sox are an abhorrent mess. Yankees are looking good.
yes both counts & a chomp into the Big Apple🍎brings only visions of 2000 & another subway series to their fans - both are going, see NYY advancing tonite
Tygiz - they were hottest team down the stretch (33-13) & Tribe must win to force the deciding game in Cleveland - happy for Lee, update any time/thread bro⚾️
despite all the injuries & declining appearances that come to every aging ballplayer
…..have read that max scherzer says he intends to return next year
like Joey Votto’s situation, no sense to it whatsoever - no word yet from another JV, Justin Verlander, on his plans
an athlete who did retire, after a greatest career - only age could slow him down & happy retirement to Rafael Nadal, 38, greatest clay court player of them all - they’ll talk about Rafa, Federer & the Joker long after we’re gone 🎾🤙
NY has bounced Tribe in their last 3 playoffs - this year, it’ll be like 2007 all over again, when Indians beat NY 3-1 in the series
for many years, Indians-Yankees held the record (still might) for most attended game - 86,000+ - 1947, ‘48, unsure* - at The Lady by the Lake, storied Municipal Stadium
Det fans will feel a lot better when Lions smack Dallas tmrw (me too) - Tygiz burned down both leagues 2nd half of season
*later edit, I was way off, it was Sept 1954
a chomp into the Big Apple🍎brings only visions of 2000 & another subway series to their fans
wait
yankees-dodgiz
they haven’t met in the postseason since the 1981 WS
oh also, merely judge vs ohtani on the game’s biggest stage - that’s the plate version of ford-koufax any day of the week imo
this storied rivalry would be just as cool as a subway series
NYY beat Mets in 5 games in 2000 - they, not Mets, were the amazin’ ones then - recall the pre- and postgame scenes at Shea & in Bronx - baseball in general, esp New Yorkiz, were all winniz
so, both great scenarios & both moot if ‘dians win - let’s go Tribe, one fan sees only visions of Sudden Sam & Daddy Wags, Kenny Lofton & Albert Belle, Earl Averill and Hal Trosky
happy retirement to Rafael Nadal, 38, greatest clay court player of them all - they’ll talk about Rafa, Federer & the Joker long after we’re gone 🎾🤙
it’s one of the timeless rites of passage that makes sports so awesome & compelling
the new kid vs the old master
even dinged up, that grizzled old graybeard😵💫🥱Novak Djokovic, 37, almost had enough to beat the current top gunny, Sinner, 23, in the final in China ystrdy
it would’ve been his 100th career title - only two others have ever won more, Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109)
it would’ve been amazing to see this great athlete secure his 100th tournament in that top-ranked Shanghai Masters field
Jimmy Connors & Pete Rose imho were always brothers & the best in their sports b/c of how they’d stop at NOTHING to win a match/game - fiery brash non-conforming - & disliked
On topic, envision WS in Cleveland & Flushing Meadows, Queens
Howabout that catch by Verdugo in LF - fantastic - a LOT like Sandy’s in 1955 that was mentioned
the boycott continues … I understand, I hijacked the thread despite cap letters in 1st post, + other stuff - the silent Phil thread speaks volumes
xmpl, just as Alex’s catch was as awesome as Amoros’
….many said Willie’s catch in 1954 was the equal of Al Gionfriddo’s in 1947
….not vice versa
i mean DiMaggio used every bit of that ballpark - a rocket, to deepest CF -
CFs in both parks weren’t just spacious, they were cavernous
…& wouldn’t you know, the CFs, Al & Mays, were both speedsters & needed every bit of it to catch up to these crushed blasts
NYY briefly complained, more out of disbelief than anything, that Gionfriddo caught the ball w/his glove over the fence & it should’ve been a HR - then acknowledged that wasn’t the case
the Bluff-Bklyn-Bronx … Yankees-Dodgiz, great first game - Judge-Ohtani both 1-5
wait til next year
‘bout time to mention someone I’ve known all along, to complete that trio, or troika, of legendary CF catches on the game’s biggest stage
Tommie Agee
100% as amazing as Mays & Gionfriddo - ran a mile on a dead sprint, cut bank for it & came up w/a snocone catch on the warning track -
they don’t come any better, esp since Balt had bases loaded at the time
besides Tommie Aaron, Agee was the only one w/ie, not y
NYM had amazing outfield D that 1969 WS - Ron Swoboda, how can ya forget that name or his catch
Judge 1-9, Ohtani 1-8
now Fort Apache, The Bronx - Buehler-Schmidt - gotta feeling Walker will get roughed up again
speaking of Bronx movies/getting roughed up etc, respectful RIP, David Harris - he was one of The Warriors - great flick
the thugs who ripped Buehler’s $100G watch off his wrist recently could’ve easily picked up that trick from Cochise, David’s character in The Warriors
these 2 films & The Park Is Mine really show the seamy NYC underbelly
Happy birthday Sandy Koufax
he and Warren Spahn are the two greatest ever - from the left side anyway - Sandy’s 5 year run will never be topped, nor will Warren’s career stats
from the right side, start w/Cy Young, Big 6 & the Big Train, Marichal & the Rocket
We Saw The Reincarnate Of Cy Young In Sandy In The 1960s - no one, all those guys included, was ever better in his prime
wait til next year
