***Official 2012 MLB Regular Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[Doctor Detroit]

Looks like Braun laid the groundwork for guys to start getting out of PED suspensions on a technicality. Great for the game.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball dropped its 100-game suspension of Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for a positive drug test because of the same procedural issues that came up in the Ryan Braun case.

Alfonzo is eligible to play immediately, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday night because no announcement had been made.

Mostly a backup during six major league seasons, Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice for performance-enhancing drugs under the MLB testing program when the commissioner's office announced a 100-game penalty last September.

Alfonzo appealed and was notified within the past week that MLB had lifted the ban. The reason: a dispute over the storage and shipment of his urine sample similar to the one that led to Braun's 50-game drug penalty getting overturned by an arbitrator in February, the person said.

And now MLB fires Shyam Das, the arbirtrator.

he worked for mlb? jeez talk about a conflict of interest

He works for MLB AND the player's union. No conflict of interest, and since he's been in that job since 1999, both sides have generally liked him.

ok so then how come MLB can fire him?

Did you bother to read the article?

 

[shadyridr]

Looks like Braun laid the groundwork for guys to start getting out of PED suspensions on a technicality. Great for the game.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball dropped its 100-game suspension of Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for a positive drug test because of the same procedural issues that came up in the Ryan Braun case.

Alfonzo is eligible to play immediately, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday night because no announcement had been made.

Mostly a backup during six major league seasons, Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice for performance-enhancing drugs under the MLB testing program when the commissioner's office announced a 100-game penalty last September.

Alfonzo appealed and was notified within the past week that MLB had lifted the ban. The reason: a dispute over the storage and shipment of his urine sample similar to the one that led to Braun's 50-game drug penalty getting overturned by an arbitrator in February, the person said.

And now MLB fires Shyam Das, the arbirtrator.

he worked for mlb? jeez talk about a conflict of interest

He works for MLB AND the player's union. No conflict of interest, and since he's been in that job since 1999, both sides have generally liked him.

ok so then how come MLB can fire him?

Did you bother to read the article?

nope

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Looks like Braun laid the groundwork for guys to start getting out of PED suspensions on a technicality. Great for the game.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball dropped its 100-game suspension of Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for a positive drug test because of the same procedural issues that came up in the Ryan Braun case.

Alfonzo is eligible to play immediately, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday night because no announcement had been made.

Mostly a backup during six major league seasons, Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice for performance-enhancing drugs under the MLB testing program when the commissioner's office announced a 100-game penalty last September.

Alfonzo appealed and was notified within the past week that MLB had lifted the ban. The reason: a dispute over the storage and shipment of his urine sample similar to the one that led to Braun's 50-game drug penalty getting overturned by an arbitrator in February, the person said.

And now MLB fires Shyam Das, the arbirtrator.

he worked for mlb? jeez talk about a conflict of interest

He works for MLB AND the player's union. No conflict of interest, and since he's been in that job since 1999, both sides have generally liked him.

ok so then how come MLB can fire him?

Did you bother to read the article?

nope

Well there you have it.

 

[Michael Brown]

Justin Sellers of the Dodgers just made a Jeter-esque "full speed running catch and dive into the stands" play. Except Sellers landed a roundhouse to the back of some dude's head on the way into the first row. Damn impressive (the catch AND the kick).

 

[urbanhack]

Looks like Braun laid the groundwork for guys to start getting out of PED suspensions on a technicality. Great for the game.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball dropped its 100-game suspension of Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for a positive drug test because of the same procedural issues that came up in the Ryan Braun case.

Alfonzo is eligible to play immediately, according to a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday night because no announcement had been made.

Mostly a backup during six major league seasons, Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice for performance-enhancing drugs under the MLB testing program when the commissioner's office announced a 100-game penalty last September.

Alfonzo appealed and was notified within the past week that MLB had lifted the ban. The reason: a dispute over the storage and shipment of his urine sample similar to the one that led to Braun's 50-game drug penalty getting overturned by an arbitrator in February, the person said.

And now MLB fires Shyam Das, the arbirtrator.

he worked for mlb? jeez talk about a conflict of interest

He works for MLB AND the player's union. No conflict of interest, and since he's been in that job since 1999, both sides have generally liked him.

ok so then how come MLB can fire him?

Did you bother to read the article?

nope

Well there you have it.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Just saw this tweet....

Angels' 8 shutouts in 1st 36 games equals most any team has had in at least 94 years

 

[culdeus]

Are we sure Pujols isn't already like 36 years old?

 

[Wrigley]

Are we sure Pujols isn't already like 36 years old?

38

 

[culdeus]

Are we sure Pujols isn't already like 36 years old?

38

I mean of all the plausible explanations what is more likely?-Grossly understated his age-Wrist or other injury bothering him-No longer using PED-AL pitching >> NL pitching-All of the above

 

[fred_1_15301]

Are we sure Pujols isn't already like 36 years old?

38

I mean of all the plausible explanations what is more likely?-Grossly understated his age-Wrist or other injury bothering him-No longer using PED-AL pitching >> NL pitching-All of the above

To see this drastic of a decline from last year, methinks all of the above

 

[Grahamburn]

Strasburg probably getting shut down after this delay?

ETA:

Nope. Rough start.

 

[wadegarrett]

Derek Lowe now 6-1 w/ a 2.05 ERA.

 

[the moops]

Derek Lowe now 6-1 w/ a 2.05 ERA.

With zero strikeouts today. No idea how this guy still does it

 

[Limp Ditka]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

 

[Premier]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

yep.... he went nuts, but had every right to.

 

[Northern Voice]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

yep.... he went nuts, but had every right to.

Terrible strike calls, I would have punched the ump in the face.Lawrie will get suspended for losing his cool, umpire won't ever have to face media, answer a single question or accept any responsibility for the two awful calls.

 

[Northern Voice]

If anyone missed it http://3.bp.blogspot...awrie-Smash.gif

 

[Premier]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

yep.... he went nuts, but had every right to.

Definitely balls. Molina gets a lot of those calls. Seen it all year. It's crazy how much respect he gets behind the plate.

 

[Premier]

If anyone missed it http://3.bp.blogspot...awrie-Smash.gif

How many games for that? I wonder if he sees 10.

 

[Limp Ditka]

If anyone missed it http://3.bp.blogspot...awrie-Smash.gif

How many games for that? I wonder if he sees 10.

Looks real bad from that point of view. Think it has to be double digits.

 

[Northern Voice]

Here's another one that will make it tough to say he had no intention of hitting the ump (though that's exactly what he said in postgame interview)

 

[Premier]

Yea he's definitely getting at least 10. Yeesh.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Yea he's definitely getting at least 10. Yeesh.

I love Lowrie's passion and the way he plays, but that's a dumb kid mistake. Gotta control your temper to the degree that you aren't a hazard to yourself (Harper) or others.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

 

[Smack Tripper]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

I think it would lead the morning news shows tomorrow and be front page news on many papers. Not front of local sports, front of the newspaper. I'm surprised Lawrie is getting the pass he's getting here. You're less than 100 games into the league and the Strike 2 wasn't egregious. Bad call, sure, but part of baseball is earning your stripes and he absolutely showed the ump up. He had to know, short of the ball hitting the backstop or bouncing at 55 feet, he was going to be rung so he should swing the bat. But take it like a man. What was the point of this grandstand? To show how "firey" you are? How much you burn to win? Well let me know how that burn feels sitting out for 15 games with yer 3 homers rook. I actually like the clown but he's an absolute horses ### for this.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

I think it would lead the morning news shows tomorrow and be front page news on many papers. Not front of local sports, front of the newspaper. I'm surprised Lawrie is getting the pass he's getting here. You're less than 100 games into the league and the Strike 2 wasn't egregious. Bad call, sure, but part of baseball is earning your stripes and he absolutely showed the ump up. He had to know, short of the ball hitting the backstop or bouncing at 55 feet, he was going to be rung so he should swing the bat. But take it like a man. What was the point of this grandstand? To show how "firey" you are? How much you burn to win? Well let me know how that burn feels sitting out for 15 games with yer 3 homers rook. I actually like the clown but he's an absolute horses ### for this.

I bet you that strike 2 call is the worst case of an outside pitch being called a strike this year. Like I said before, the overhead camera showed it go over the chalk of the LH batters box. It was an awful call.

 

[Zigg]

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

yep.... he went nuts, but had every right to.

Terrible strike calls, I would have punched the ump in the face.Lawrie will get suspended for losing his cool, umpire won't ever have to face media, answer a single question or accept any responsibility for the two awful calls.

Umps who make bad calls because they got "shown up" should be fired. There is no place in the sport for an ump to put his pride before the integrity of the sport.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

I think it would lead the morning news shows tomorrow and be front page news on many papers. Not front of local sports, front of the newspaper. I'm surprised Lawrie is getting the pass he's getting here. You're less than 100 games into the league and the Strike 2 wasn't egregious. Bad call, sure, but part of baseball is earning your stripes and he absolutely showed the ump up. He had to know, short of the ball hitting the backstop or bouncing at 55 feet, he was going to be rung so he should swing the bat. But take it like a man. What was the point of this grandstand? To show how "firey" you are? How much you burn to win? Well let me know how that burn feels sitting out for 15 games with yer 3 homers rook. I actually like the clown but he's an absolute horses ### for this.

Obviously it'd be a bigger deal if Bryce Harper did it because he's one of the best prospects of the past decade, whereas Lawrie isn't. As for your newspaper suggestion, why would any legitimate newspaper put a baseball incident involving non-local teams on the front page of their newspaper? No reader would care. And who's giving Lawrie a pass on this? He made an ### of himself, who is it exactly that's suggesting otherwise?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

I think it would lead the morning news shows tomorrow and be front page news on many papers. Not front of local sports, front of the newspaper. I'm surprised Lawrie is getting the pass he's getting here. You're less than 100 games into the league and the Strike 2 wasn't egregious. Bad call, sure, but part of baseball is earning your stripes and he absolutely showed the ump up. He had to know, short of the ball hitting the backstop or bouncing at 55 feet, he was going to be rung so he should swing the bat. But take it like a man. What was the point of this grandstand? To show how "firey" you are? How much you burn to win? Well let me know how that burn feels sitting out for 15 games with yer 3 homers rook. I actually like the clown but he's an absolute horses ### for this.

Obviously it'd be a bigger deal if Bryce Harper did it because he's one of the best prospects of the past decade, whereas Lawrie isn't. As for your newspaper suggestion, why would any legitimate newspaper put a baseball incident involving non-local teams on the front page of their newspaper? No reader would care. And who's giving Lawrie a pass on this? He made an ### of himself, who is it exactly that's suggesting otherwise?

One point- about Harper, not Lawrie- is that Harper gets held to a different standard even though there's plenty of bigger "look at me" ###holes in the game, because people just seem inclined to think of him that way even though he's been pretty much the opposite since reaching the majors. I thought of this during the Nats-Reds series last weekend too. If Harper ever once acted the way Brandon Phillips acts multiple times every week, he'd be the most hated man in baseball by far. If he ever does even one Phillips-style chest thump after a good play, it would lead Sportscenter.

 

[JaxBill]

Imagine Harper pulled what Lawrie did?

why?

I think it would lead the morning news shows tomorrow and be front page news on many papers. Not front of local sports, front of the newspaper. I'm surprised Lawrie is getting the pass he's getting here. You're less than 100 games into the league and the Strike 2 wasn't egregious. Bad call, sure, but part of baseball is earning your stripes and he absolutely showed the ump up. He had to know, short of the ball hitting the backstop or bouncing at 55 feet, he was going to be rung so he should swing the bat. But take it like a man. What was the point of this grandstand? To show how "firey" you are? How much you burn to win? Well let me know how that burn feels sitting out for 15 games with yer 3 homers rook. I actually like the clown but he's an absolute horses ### for this.

Obviously it'd be a bigger deal if Bryce Harper did it because he's one of the best prospects of the past decade, whereas Lawrie isn't. As for your newspaper suggestion, why would any legitimate newspaper put a baseball incident involving non-local teams on the front page of their newspaper? No reader would care. And who's giving Lawrie a pass on this? He made an ### of himself, who is it exactly that's suggesting otherwise?

Yeah, I don't think anybody was giving Lawrie a pass. If it were Harper there would be more press concentrating on the bad calls rather than putting a black mark on the golden boy. Lawrie deserves to get a hefty suspension. If it were Harper I don't think you'd see articles like this:http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/umpire-hit-brett-lawrie-helmet-full-beer-cup-071124898.html;_ylt=AvPOdg.0b8_FS8Zri0hgqNMRvLYF

 

[pantagrapher]

Why is Harper getting dragged into this?

 

[Smack Tripper]

And who's giving Lawrie a pass on this? He made an ### of himself, who is it exactly that's suggesting otherwise?

I don't know what the media is saying, I did see mlb network saying he "inadvertently" threw his helmet at the ump. I don't know that this would be the lead if lets say, A-Rod did that. As for who's giving him a pass, I meant in the forum. And let me preface by saying, I really respect our baseball community here and think most regular contributors are very sharp and informed, hence my personal surprise:

Brett Lawrie just got screwed on back to back strike calls. Strike 2 was over the inside line of the oppo batters box, strike 3 pretty high.

guy almost caused a riot. He's going to get a few games for bouncing his helmet off the ump.

yep.... he went nuts, but had every right to.

Terrible strike calls, I would have punched the ump in the face.Lawrie will get suspended for losing his cool, umpire won't ever have to face media, answer a single question or accept any responsibility for the two awful calls.

I love Lowrie's passion and the way he plays, but that's a dumb kid mistake. Gotta control your temper to the degree that you aren't a hazard to yourself (Harper) or others.

Umps who make bad calls because they got "shown up" should be fired. There is no place in the sport for an ump to put his pride before the integrity of the sport.

All of the above seem to in some manner justify or absolve Lawrie's inexcusable actions. If those calls cost you a pennant, thats one thing, but you're barely a sophomore playing a game in May, dial this crap down a little bit ok? If this happened in September, fine, MAYBE I get this level of intensity.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Why is Harper getting dragged into this?

A thread on the 2012 MLB Regular Season you mean?I really just saw the comparison to Lawrie in Smack Tripper's post and it reminded me of my thoughts while watching Brandon Phillips being Brandon Phillips this past weekend. Pissed me off that he gets held to such a high standard as a 19 year old kid.Lawrie was out of control, whole 'nother level of wrong there. Gotta thing a week or so suspension is coming.

 

[pantagrapher]

Why is Harper getting dragged into this?

A thread on the 2012 MLB Regular Season you mean?

It just reminds me of a political thread in the FFA, where a discussion of an incident is immediately turned into a bunch of pointless speculation about how everyone's opinion would be different if so-and-so had done it.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Why is Harper getting dragged into this?

A thread on the 2012 MLB Regular Season you mean?

It just reminds me of a political thread in the FFA, where a discussion of an incident is immediately turned into a bunch of pointless speculation about how everyone's opinion would be different if so-and-so had done it.

I meant it more as a reaction to the "underselling" of Lawrie then anything in particular in terms of Harper. I have been impressed by Harper and I was one of the more vocal bashers in the Haper thread. I stand by that critique, but if memory serves, I prefaced it at the time by saying he was a 16 year old jock on the national stage and thank god I didn't have that platform with his talent at that age. He has matured and I think perception will soon catch reality with the guy. But, when you arrive a phenom, the spotlight never really leaves. We still talk Mandrich and Marinovich as what might have beens and even A-Rod is still, as Steve Somers calls him, the lightening rod. Harper will probably wear that for a while. Be that as it may, I think Lawrie is seen as a scrapper and somehow skating on this one. He'll get his punishment but he's not really had any sort of media crucifiction.

 

[Zigg]

All of the above seem to in some manner justify or absolve Lawrie's inexcusable actions. If those calls cost you a pennant, thats one thing, but you're barely a sophomore playing a game in May, dial this crap down a little bit ok? If this happened in September, fine, MAYBE I get this level of intensity.

This does not, in any way, justify calling two very clear balls strikes for no other reason then to prove a point, and I do use it to justify Lawrie's actions. The ump put his pride before the legitimate outcome of the game. That is far more inexcusable in my opinion then Lawrie flipping his lid. Lawrie lost his cool over two horrible calls. The ump cost the Jays a base runner at an integral part of the game against a division rival. I don't care if it's May, or if Lawrie is in his second year, any ump who makes calls to get back at someone should be suspended or fired.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Bad calls. Worse reaction. I don't think there was any intent to hit the ump but he did so he'll have to suffer the consequences.

I love Lawrie's enthusiasm and he seems like a fun, intense guy but he's got some growing up to do.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Wow nothing on Micky Hatcher getting canned as the Angels hitting coach? He's the only hitting coach Scioscia has ever had, but I think it's a good move. Scioscia might find himself out of a job as well if they don't turn it around. Tigers need to follow the Angels example and can Lloyd McClendon.

 

[Grahamburn]

Wow nothing on Micky Hatcher getting canned as the Angels hitting coach? He's the only hitting coach Scioscia has ever had, but I think it's a good move. Scioscia might find himself out of a job as well if they don't turn it around. Tigers need to follow the Angels example and can Lloyd McClendon.

I guess someone has to take the blame for a bunch of millionaires underperforming. You can't fire the guys throwing all the $$$ at them.Is the AAA hitting coach going to show Albert Pujols the hole in his swing? Please.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

4 games for Lawrie.

 

[Captain Hook]

4 games for Lawrie.

which he appealed so not clear whether it stays at four or when he will serve

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Wow nothing on Micky Hatcher getting canned as the Angels hitting coach? He's the only hitting coach Scioscia has ever had, but I think it's a good move. Scioscia might find himself out of a job as well if they don't turn it around. Tigers need to follow the Angels example and can Lloyd McClendon.

I guess someone has to take the blame for a bunch of millionaires underperforming. You can't fire the guys throwing all the $$$ at them.Is the AAA hitting coach going to show Albert Pujols the hole in his swing? Please.

Well the issue isn't Pujols, he doesn't need a hitting coach. The issue is the team not taking pitches, not situational hitting and not getting on in front of these big guys. They were saying that Hatcher was probably done unless the Angels were leading the league in hitting, he was on a short rope based on his past seasons.

 

[The Kerminator]

4 games for Lawrie.

which he appealed so not clear whether it stays at four or when he will serve

Would be fun to be a fly on the wall at third base tonight. Last night's homeplate umpire will be umping 3rd tonight. Should be an interesting conversation.

 

[Premier]

I can't believe he only got 4 games.

 

[Smack Tripper]

What is up with Minor? Is he worth rostering? He's apparently good enough to be kept in these games and get his brains beaten in but his K rates are still reasonable. He makes me sick though.

 

[shadyridr]

Minor is dreadful. Probably sent to minors for jurjens soon. That's not 26 runs in 4 starts I think

 

[Premier]

The imprint on Will Rhymes arm is one of the crazier things I've ever seen. Pics should be around the innerwebs soon.

 

[Annyong]

The imprint on Will Rhymes arm is one of the crazier things I've ever seen. Pics should be around the innerwebs soon.

Please link if you see any (posting from phone) thank in advance. Did they say why he collapsed?