Growing up in MA I was raised a Red Sox fan. I've followed them through the 90's and the rest of the way. It's just nice to be able to watch baseball again, seeing as the Bruins forgot they had any games left back in early March.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I rooted for the Yankees in 1991 when they were the worst team in baseball.

That was a truly enjoyable season! Even if my team (Tigers) didn't win.

I guess you haven't enjoyed too many seasons since, unless you take pleasure from a 95+ win team losing in the playoffs. I can live with the years the Yankees don't win the World Series. It happens occasionally.

I haven't watched too much baseball since the '94 strike season, but last year spiked my interest, and the it was sweet up until the Cards rained on the parade.

Go Padres. And bring back the retro horrendous brown and yellow uniforms for a few nostalgic games each season.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I guess you haven't enjoyed too many seasons since, unless you take pleasure from a 95+ win team losing in the playoffs. I can live with the years the Yankees don't win the World Series. It happens occasionally.

ummm.... the yankees haven't even been in a world series since 2001, much less win one. 7 years?!? hardly occasional.

The Yankees were in the 2003 world series against Florida. In my opinion, they lost that series because they'd played such great baseball in the ALCS. After those 7 games, it was hard to believe there was more ball to be played.

quote:

Originally posted by Hank Champagne:
The Yankees were in the 2003 world series against Florida. In my opinion, they lost that series because they'd played such great baseball in the ALCS. After those 7 games, it was hard to believe there was more ball to be played.

You're right, how could I have forgot, they lost in two world series since 2000.

I think they lost because Florida had some dominant pitching and clutch hitting, while the Yankees had too many overpaid superstars, none of which would lay down a bunt.

quote:

Originally posted by *lizardking*:
the yankees haven't even been in a world series since 2001, much less win one. 7 years?!? hardly occasional.

Cubs fans would be thrilled to have a tiny fraction of the Yankees post season success. The Yankees have been in existence for somewhere around 90 years. They've been in about 40 World Series and won it 26 times. They've been in the playoffs every year since 1995 and had the best record in the American League in the strike-ended 1994 season. No other team comes remotely close in the 12 years or in the last 90 years. The Braves did have a good playoff run but only won one World Series.

yes yes, we all know what a historically wonderful franchise the Yankees are. I was referring to your assertion that it only happens occasionally that the Yankees don't win the world series. One world series out of the last 7 (or 0/6), is a little more than occasional.

My problem with the Yankees is amount of money they've spent to assemble the all-star team they have now. It's a little unsportsmanlike to focus all of the star players on one team, theoretically bullying small market teams out of competition.

Although, its good to see that things haven't worked out quite like the evil empire wanted it too. It seems that with all the all-stars they have, they don't have the role players need to lay down a bunt or get a sacrifice fly.

Oh, and compare anyone to the Cubs and you've got a winner.

quote:

My problem with the Yankees is amount of money they've spent to assemble the all-star team they have now. It's a little unsportsmanlike to focus all of the star players on one team, theoretically bullying small market teams out of competition.

Sounds like we have a "sports communist" in our midst.

Baseball? Unwatchable. Until they give all the players a bat at the same time.

Pay per view baby!

quote:

Originally posted by Gigond Ass:

quote:

My problem with the Yankees is amount of money they've spent to assemble the all-star team they have now. It's a little unsportsmanlike to focus all of the star players on one team, theoretically bullying small market teams out of competition.

Sounds like we have a "sports communist" in our midst.

Baseball? Unwatchable. Until they give all the players a bat at the same time.

Pay per view baby!

which is why I love hockey.

I wish I hadn't watched yesterday's Yankee game. It was ugly.

Mar-Co Scut-Aro......

I'm an Angels fan living in New York City. I root for the Mets as well. Usually, I don't pay much attention to baseball until the NBA playoffs are over. [Yes, I know I'm in the minority.]

Random thoughts and good natured brickbats follow:

• I abhor the DH but it's here to stay and the AL is the superior league right now.
  
• The PED issue remains a tremendous distraction. Relative performance becomes as important as ever. Reminds me of Jack Buck's line, "I cannot believe what I just saw."
  
• The payroll disparity distorts the game but the high payroll teams waste a lot of money.
  
• Because of increased revenue sharing, the best young players are not all going to the big payroll teams. Santana is one to watch in this regard.
  
• The unbalanced schedule in conjunction with the wild card makes NO sense.
  
• As for the Yankees, I usually can get their fans annoyed by referring to them as "last century's team."

Finally, the stories from the guests in the booth last night on ESPN (Dodgers-Pads, Jackie Robinson Game) made for some of the best TV of the year.

For all its flaws, baseball never ceases to thrill me.

Neil

Neil K. The payroll disparity is not that big of a problem at this very moment, but the more the big teams "waste" money, the higher the payroll the good player will demand. This will mean that all good teams will buy the good players, and the rest of the teams will be like a farm league, just bringing up the young players and then not being able to afford them. Look at the A's, and yes, even the twins, who are two teams that have already figured it out. Do you think the Twins will resign Santana when his contract is up? I doubt it. Think about every major A's player that comes up through they're system and where they are now. Giambi, Hudson, Mulder, Zito, etc.

LizardKing-

Historically, those guys going through the A's make your point. Because of some rudimentary taxes and sharing, that is abating a bit. Big stars are not necessarily destined to move although more will move than we like. Remember, the Royals paid $55 million to Gil Meche. Of course, he's overpaid but the idea that the Royals could be the ones overpaying wouldn't have happened five years ago.

As for Santana, we will see. The Twins have a better chance than they would have in 2000, for example.

Neil

Nei