Baseball ‘20 vs COVID-19

[Ferris]

Bunch of positive results in the Cardinals camp, today's game postponed. And given the teams they've played and the teams that those teams have played in the incubation period, this might be it for the season. I guess we'll see how desperate they are to make money?

I saw that, rumours going round that networks are being told to find more programming starting next week so I suspect the season is about to be canceled.

If the season finished today, Teoscar Hernandez leads the league in HRs.

[BlodwynPig]

I'm wearing my jays top in celebration today

[Famous Mortimer]

Well, it looks like a few Cardinals players decided to go to a casino after a game, and may well have caught it there. Well done, you idiots! The game for tomorrow is still on, officially, but...actually, I think MLB is pretty desperate to keep this season going. I was wrong about them cancelling it all today, so I will make no further predictions.

EDIT: After I wrote the above, I just refreshed MLB Trade Rumours and the Cardinals next series is cancelled, they'll play again on Friday. Maybe.

[El Unicornio, mang]

Marlins cleared to play the Orioles today, in place of the Phillies who are still cancelled.

I accidentally have the mlb.tv subscription as I did the 3-day free trial thing and for some reason my cancellation didn't go through. I usually do the reddit streams as they're (unlike football streams) absolutely perfect/non-buffering.

[Famous Mortimer]

I remember when I first had MLB.tv in 2009, over in the UK, and the service was so bad that they actually refunded me. Reddit is fantastic for MLB streams, I might get them dropping out once a game or so but for free, it's a pretty great service. The only thing I miss on MLB.tv is being able to turn the commentary off - the Cardinals commentary is the dullest of the dull.

[Ferris]

MLB.tv is an excellent service, but the most recent changes in Canada are to block out all Jays games so I canceled and use streams exclusively. Why they don't want my $25 a month, I don't know but there it is.

[Famous Mortimer]

ANOTHER positive test for the Cardinals, and tonight's game has been cancelled. They were already due to play 55 games in 52 days, so...

[Ferris]

I saw Ponce de Leon was starting, is that back to back starts?

[Famous Mortimer]

I saw Ponce de Leon was starting, is that back to back starts?

Would've been, yes.

[Famous Mortimer]

So the entire series with the Cubs has been cancelled, and if there's any more positive tests (provided the rest of the clubs stay virus free) the Cardinals are going to have to start forfeiting some games. 55 games in 49 days is going to be a bit on the tough side.

[BlodwynPig]

Jays slumping...end season

[Famous Mortimer]

And now the Cardinals series with the Pirates has been cancelled too. 55 games, 46 days. I'd have assumed that this would be it for their season, but you just never know. I wonder if they're even looking into something like split squad games?

[Ferris]

And now the Cardinals series with the Pirates has been cancelled too. 55 games, 46 days. I'd have assumed that this would be it for their season, but you just never know. I wonder if they're even looking into something like split squad games?

I think you'd have to at this point - there's the extra "taxi" squad and expanded roster this season right? Is the idea that (if needed) you could field 2 teams simultaneously?

It's tough, I think I'd just take the loss rather than deal with that, but in a 60 game season that's throwing in the towel. Are the marlins back playing again? Why are the Cards having so many games canceled?

[Famous Mortimer]

The last time the clock was close to resetting,they had another couple of positive tests. I think that's the reason, anyway.

[Pearly-Dewdrops Drops]

Some classic baseball last night with the Phillies' Roman Quinn sliding past the tag at home plate for a walk-off win.

[Famous Mortimer]

For the Cardinals, it's a whole lot of debuts while some of the main squad comes off the COVID-IL. Looks like their top prospect Dylan Carlson is the real deal, but we've also had the story this week about how Fernando Tatis Sr. told a story about how the Cardinals had a bunch of chances to sign his son but weren't interested, and now he's a star. Ah well.

In terms of traditions being broken this year, this is the first time a home run by the visiting team at Wrigley Field hasn't been thrown back into the field since 1970.

[BlodwynPig]

In terms of traditions being broken this year, this is the first time a home run by the visiting team at Wrigley Field hasn't been thrown back into the field since 1970.

Didn't know Ferris was visiting ;)

[Ferris]

In terms of traditions being broken this year, this is the first time a home run by the visiting team at Wrigley Field hasn't been thrown back into the field since 1970.

That's pretty incredible. Insert fact about the Wrigley bleacher creatures bringing their own baseballs and throwing those back in case they catch a home run.

[Famous Mortimer]

The Fernando Tatis Jr. grand slam on a 3-0 pitch, while his team were up by 7, has inspired the worst people to come out of the woodwork, and some of the best people to slap them down. Here's a pretty good article about it:

https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2020/8/19/21374006/mlb-fernando-tatis-jr-grand-slam-lets-talk-about-unwritten-rules

Interestingly, the Rangers manager, Chris Woodward, who was vocal in the press conference about unwritten rules, didn't have a problem with them when it was his team doing it, and there's even photos of him as a third base coach celebrating when someone on his team did exactly the same thing. I think this will be the tipping point for stopping this nonsense, or at least I hope so - baseball needs every bit of excitement it can muster, and people being determined to stop the excitement are being revealed for the hypocrites or dinosaurs they are. Also, quite a few of the main unwritten rule enforcers played on the Astros when they were stealing signs, so perhaps they should be more bothered about the actual written rules and a bit less bothered about the unwritten ones.

[Ferris]

I saw the Tatís Jr home run, it was ridiculous to make him apologize for piling on the runs.

Unwritten rules can absolutely get fucked.

[Famous Mortimer]

In news that would make Ron Atkinson smile, one of the Reds commentators was suspended the other day after not realising his mic was still "hot" and making a stupid fucking homophobic comment.

https://sports.yahoo.com/reds-broadcaster-thom-brennaman-homophobic-slur-fox-sports-ohio-mlb-011529900.html

His apology was to "the people who pay my wages" and not, y'know, to the people he insulted. Yet another "I'm sorry if you were offended" non-apology, and I very much hope he is never let near a mic again. It's a privilege to be a major league commentator - there's almost no turnover when people like Vin Scully can do it for over 50 years - and it'd be nice if none of them were bigots.

[BlodwynPig]

In news that would make Ron Atkinson smile, one of the Reds commentators was suspended the other day after not realising his mic was still "hot" and making a stupid fucking homophobic comment.

https://sports.yahoo.com/reds-broadcaster-thom-brennaman-homophobic-slur-fox-sports-ohio-mlb-011529900.html

His apology was to "the people who pay my wages" and not, y'know, to the people he insulted. Yet another "I'm sorry if you were offended" non-apology, and I very much hope he is never let near a mic again. It's a privilege to be a major league commentator - there's almost no turnover when people like Vin Scully can do it for over 50 years - and it'd be nice if none of them were bigots.

Yahoo is now a part of Verizon. Get to fuck

[Ferris]

In news that would make Ron Atkinson smile, one of the Reds commentators was suspended the other day after not realising his mic was still "hot" and making a stupid fucking homophobic comment.

https://sports.yahoo.com/reds-broadcaster-thom-brennaman-homophobic-slur-fox-sports-ohio-mlb-011529900.html

His apology was to "the people who pay my wages" and not, y'know, to the people he insulted. Yet another "I'm sorry if you were offended" non-apology, and I very much hope he is never let near a mic again. It's a privilege to be a major league commentator - there's almost no turnover when people like Vin Scully can do it for over 50 years - and it'd be nice if none of them were bigots.

And he had to break off mid-apology to call Nick Castellanos' home run, in what will likely be remembered as the saddest HR call of all time.

[BlodwynPig]

And he had to break off mid-apology to call Nick Castellanos' home run, in what will likely be remembered as the saddest HR call of all time.

Talking of sad, have you got a Jays update? Are there any baseball teams in the Far East or is it all tossing the caber and curling?

[Famous Mortimer]

I kinda want to see what the Jays minor league park in Buffalo looks like. I might pop on one of their games soon.

Oh, there's a brilliant video about the Tatis thing from Jomboy, going back to the controversy from a couple of days ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaW5B2SEnXg

[Ferris]

Talking of sad, have you got a Jays update? Are there any baseball teams in the Far East or is it all tossing the caber and curling?

Yeah I've been watching them, they're starting to look alright. A full season would have been just the trick to have them develop for the next couple of years when they can compete.

That Castellanos home run/apology is seriously worth a look though:
https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/26a69dd7-bf09-4cf1-8682-efa4742d94e6.mp4

The AAA field (I want to say... "Sahlen field?") is actually pretty nice. It's not a major league park, but it's not far off. The current crop of Jays are worth a watch

[BlodwynPig]

OK, you didn't reply so I looked it up.

Dartmouth are the number 1 baseball team in Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia league), however Halifax Pelham Canadians are probably your home team?

Owned by: Jim and Donny Pelham
Pitcher: Jordan Pelham
1st Base: Mark Pelham
Outfield: Jake Pelham
3rd Base: Josh Pelham

Strike out music: The Taking of Pelham 123 soundtrack by David Shire

[Ferris]

OK, you didn't reply so I looked it up.

Dartmouth are the number 1 baseball team in Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia league), however Halifax Pelham Canadians are probably your home team?

Owned by: Jim and Donny Pelham
Pitcher: Jordan Pelham
1st Base: Mark Pelham
Outfield: Jake Pelham
3rd Base: Josh Pelham

Strike out music: The Taking of Pelham 123 soundtrack by David Shire

I replied and gave my Jays update!

Actually had no idea there was baseball out here - I'll still be watching the Jays (obv) but Halifax is a hockey town so I figured I'd have to switch to the Mooseheads for my live sport fix.

Very pleased to hear there is a league I'd never heard of (unless this is an elaborate piss take), will be looking into this now. Suspect it is essentially amateur but that's good enough for me!

[Ferris]

Blod, looked them up and realized (genuinely) I can see their home diamond from our rented living room as I type this. We're staying near the commons so I can take the sprog for a walk in the park, had no idea I was so close to sporting hallowed ground.

I'm actually going there in 90mins for a picnic with some friends and their kids, will take a few photos and report back.

Looks like I've found my new team to obsess over.

[BlodwynPig]

I replied and gave my Jays update!

Actually had no idea there was baseball out here - I'll still be watching the Jays (obv) but Halifax is a hockey town so I figured I'd have to switch to the Mooseheads for my live sport fix.

Very pleased to hear there is a league I'd never heard of (unless this is an elaborate piss take), will be looking into this now. Suspect it is essentially amateur but that's good enough for me!

"A very tough league" according to the blurb. Change your name to Pelham and you might get on the roster.