** The Official 2010 MLB Thread! **

[Sausy]

The Braves will retire manager Bobby Cox's No. 6 and induct him into the Braves Hall of Fame on Friday Aug. 12, celebrating Bobby Cox day

Definitely a fitting tribute by the Braves for Bobby,one of the symbols of the Braves resurgence as a powerhouse franchise for so long.Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown will be next,in five years!

 

[Sausy]

You don't have to mention Boston by name. Anyone who lives in the NY area deals with them on a day to day basis, of course them and the Phillies fans were gonna be name-dropped. They're the worst.

I think an important issue with the Yanks are the stadium itself. Fenway is located in an area where even a sub -.500 team is bound to have amazing attendance. It's right in the middle of downtown. I hate the Red Sox and you still couldn't keep me from Fenway if I lived near there. Same times a million goes for Camden Yards. Talk about amazing locations.

I know people born and raised in NY who don't bother going up to the Bronx. And that's in the '00s. In the 80s? Fugghedaboutit. Every team has bandwagoners, but the Yanks surge in attendance has as much to do with that as it does the cleaning up of NY's image as a whole. If BX had the crime rates now that it did then, no way is anyone showing up until the postseason, when they know there will be added security.

Good perspective about the locations of the stadiums regarding Boston,Baltimore and New York.Phillies fans will rip their stars to shreds....Mike Schmidt should have been
treated like a king but he never could do enough.... the fans may show up but they are frontrunners of the worst sort always complaining about something.Boston fans just wanted an organization to believe in,and in this past decade with two championships and always seeming in contention for a title when healthy,they have it.

 

[Ninja108]

Good perspective about the locations of the stadiums regarding Boston,Baltimore and New York.Phillies fans will rip their stars to shreds....Mike Schmidt should have been
treated like a king but he never could do enough.... the fans may show up but they are frontrunners of the worst sort always complaining about something.Boston fans just wanted an organization to believe in,and in this past decade with two championships and always seeming in contention for a title when healthy,they have it.

Sad to say, but for many "fans" winning is all they care about. Anything they've done for the team or originzation means nothing if they don't win.
And like Naughty said, location is everything. I was too young to remember the New York of the 80's but I remember my mom telling me that while she supported the Yankees on tv and in other stadiums, trying to take the subway there and risk having to ride it back after dark was too dangerous.

 

[Sausy]

Sad to say, but for many "fans" winning is all they care about. Anything they've done for the team or originzation means nothing if they don't win.
And like Naughty said, location is everything. I was too young to remember the New York of the 80's but I remember my mom telling me that while she supported the Yankees on tv and in other stadiums, trying to take the subway there and risk having to ride it back after dark was too dangerous.

I'd love to know the average Yankee attendance even in the winning years,with around 55,000 seats available....Yankee fans are passionate,though of course all the championships and pennants kind of spoil them and expectations are always high,and they can be awfully tough when things are shaky.I started out a fan of the Yankees in 1978 but quickly grew tired of George Steinbrenner's bullying act.....so many managerial and personnel changes even when not warranted....often done in a classless manner.I liked the Yankees much better when they altered their style under Gene Michael and Brian Cashman and had stability with Buck Showalter and Joe Torre....until George Steinbrenner got superstar infatuated again early in the last decade,the only thing I hated abut the Yankees was that Roger Clemens turned out to be not a feel good story but a chemically enhanced one.Feel kind of ambivalent about Alex Rodriguez....the guy has so much natural ability that he had to enhance it with steroids and other growth producing shit,I think the Yankees of the past few years aren't as fun to root for as the 1996-2001 era guys that didnt depend on suiperstar dominance or enormous egos or ten year contracts for nine figures.I respect the tradition,but the real love isn't there as it is with the Mets....when and if they win again,I will always treasure those moments.

I started watching the Mets,well.....saw Lee Mazzilli on a report once and well,got the hugest crush(God,back then he was truly AMAZING!)But I followed the club and was fortunate to enjoy their comeback to prominence in the mid to late 80's,alas endured the dry years in the early to mid 90's,comeback under Bobby Valentine,and their ups and downs in the last few years....only a passionate fan can love the Mets as I do,so thank you Lee Mazzilli and your utter hotness for turning me to a Met fan for life!

I love the Ballpark in Arlington. I'm within walking distance of the park and buy season tickets every year. I'd prefer that the Texas Rangers win and they did a great job last year, but I think I enjoy going to The Ballpark and being with friends more than anything else. I always enjoy myself whether the Rangers win or lose. I'm probably a Rangers fan til the day I die and that's even if they finished dead last..... Is that stupid or what?

Beautiful ballpark Robert,and very eloquent and passionate sentiments there.Wouldn't expect anything less of a true baseball fan,to stay true to their hometown roots!Great fans and the new ownership really seems to be stabilizing the franchise,which is great for baseball overall.I'm always going to be a Mets fan first and foremost,even in my disappointment with management or ownership over the past few years.

 

[gtru1981]

Jeter's Jersey Is No. 1 In 2010 MLB Sales .

If anyone needed further evidence of the popularity of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Major League Baseball and its players association provided it Wednesday when it revealed that more people bought Jeter's jersey in 2010 than any other player's. Jeter was one of three Yankees among the top 20 jersey-sellers, according to sales of official Majestic jerseys in 2010; Alex Rodriguez's was ninth, and Mark Teixeira's was 11th. There were no Mets in the top 20.

1. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

2. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

3. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

4. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies

5. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies

6. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

7. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

8. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

9. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

10. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

11. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

12. Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

13. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

14. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

15. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

16. Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox

17. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

18. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

19. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

20. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

 

[Ninja108]

I'd love to know the average Yankee attendance even in the winning years,with around 55,000 seats available....Yankee fans are passionate,though of course all the championships and pennants kind of spoil them and expectations are always high,and they can be awfully tough when things are shaky.I started out a fan of the Yankees in 1978 but quickly grew tired of George Steinbrenner's bullying act.....so many managerial and personnel changes even when not warranted....often done in a classless manner.I liked the Yankees much better when they altered their style under Gene Michael and Brian Cashman and had stability with Buck Showalter and Joe Torre....until George Steinbrenner got superstar infatuated again early in the last decade,the only thing I hated abut the Yankees was that Roger Clemens turned out to be not a feel good story but a chemically enhanced one.Feel kind of ambivalent about Alex Rodriguez....the guy has so much natural ability that he had to enhance it with steroids and other growth producing shit,I think the Yankees of the past few years aren't as fun to root for as the 1996-2001 era guys that didnt depend on suiperstar dominance or enormous egos or ten year contracts for nine figures.I respect the tradition,but the real love isn't there as it is with the Mets....when and if they win again,I will always treasure those moments.

IMO, the best thing that happened to the Yankees was when George Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball and could only write the checks. The Yankee dynasty wouldn't have been possible if he had remained in control. If he had been, Jeter,Mo,Jorge and Andy would have all been traded for over the hill players or superstars that had no chemistry at all with their team.
01 (my most painful memory as a Yankees fan) was simply us getting beaten by a better team (one bought with a credit card) but a better team nonetheless.
The rest of the decade until 09...us getting hired guns who didn't gell with the team or players who may have been good in their prime but were way past it.
We needed a player like Nick Swisher during the 02-08 era, not Giambi,Sheffield or the other people we brought in. The Bronx Zoo team of 77-78..seldom can a team that is at each other's throats like that accomplish it all.

 

[Sausy]

IMO, the best thing that happened to the Yankees was when George Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball and could only write the checks. The Yankee dynasty wouldn't have been possible if he had remained in control. If he had been, Jeter,Mo,Jorge and Andy would have all been traded for over the hill players or superstars that had no chemistry at all with their team.
01 (my most painful memory as a Yankees fan) was simply us getting beaten by a better team (one bought with a credit card) but a better team nonetheless.
The rest of the decade until 09...us getting hired guns who didn't gell with the team or players who may have been good in their prime but were way past it.
We needed a player like Nick Swisher during the 02-08 era, not Giambi,Sheffield or the other people we brought in. The Bronx Zoo team of 77-78..seldom can a team that is at each other's throats like that accomplish it all.

Totally agree,great post Ninja...George not getting suspended and having to get back in the good graces of MLB after the suspension gave the Yankees the opportunity to build a club the right way.Spending isn't the problem,but prioritizing and team chemistry.George if not for this would never have had the patience for the championship clubs to get assembled.Nick Swisher is a great example...he's the type of grinder every club needs,a positive force who now that he's taking care of his body has made tremendous strides as a player and is young enough to be someone who can help the Yanks for a few more years.

Love the development of Robinson Cano...he's developed into one of the best second basemen EVER...has shed his lazy habits which saw him only relying on his natural gifts and has worked himself potentially to be among the Yankee greats...would there have been much chance he would have gotten the opportunity in the old days going through his growing pains as a player?Certainly not.And God,love watching Brett Gardner play and run....such a throwback with a good deal of natural ability to go with the constant hustle and effort.

Yeah, where's Abs?

Great question!

 

[sonny10305]

Yeah, where's Abs?

Great question!

I heard from him and he is really busy with work he is going to be that way till at least the end of July.
In fact he has asked me to start up the new MLB thread for 2011 passIng the torch as it were
Would you guys like that?

 

[Sausy]

I heard from him and he is really busy with work he is going to be that way till at least the end of July.
In fact he has asked me to start up the new MLB thread for 2011 passIng the torch as it were
Would you guys like that?

Can think of no one better than you,sonny!Hoping Abs will still find some time to post on occasion.At least put up his customary "Cubs suck" avatar.....that's one tradition that I hope won't end soon!

Sounds good to me!

Ab-solutly!

 

[Ninja108]

For my fellow Yankee fans or anyone else for that matter who just loves (to hate) Curt Schilling.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/19/curt-schilling-tweets-calls-manny-ramirez-a-cheater/

Best modern day hitter, Manny RH Barry LH when they cheated, Gonzo LH Pujols RH of non cheaters

Uh Curt,that basically sounds like you stating your 04 and 07 victories were helped by someone who cheated.
Curt is basically like Reggie Jackson (and this is coming from a die hard Yankee fan btw). They are players you'd want on your team because they could kick butt but as people...they truly are two of the most arrogant $#@! to have ever played the game of baseball.

 

[Sausy]

For my fellow Yankee fans or anyone else for that matter who just loves (to hate) Curt Schilling.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/19/curt-schilling-tweets-calls-manny-ramirez-a-cheater/

Best modern day hitter, Manny RH Barry LH when they cheated, Gonzo LH Pujols RH of non cheaters

Uh Curt,that basically sounds like you stating your 04 and 07 victories were helped by someone who cheated.
Curt is basically like Reggie Jackson (and this is coming from a die hard Yankee fan btw). They are players you'd want on your team because they could kick butt but as people...they truly are two of the most arrogant $#@! to have ever played the game of baseball.

Agree Curt was a great player and competitor....but really makes me wince at times.He can be such an ass.Then again,if he played for the Mets in his prime...he may be an SOB but he'd be OUR SOB!

 

[Ninja108]

01 is still the biggest reason Curt drives me nuts (04 was a train wreck you could see coming),but 01, we were so close despite the fact we played like garbage to a 4 peat and Moose getting his ring.
But I can least root for some of the other ones. At least they acknowledge winning is a team effort. And they don't make it a point to mock and insult New York and their fans every chance they get. It's like with A-Rod Curt, people may respect you but they still won't like you.