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What happened to the National League?
It is not supposed to be this way in baseball anymore. There is not supposed to be any discernible difference (other than the designated hitter in the American League) between the two leagues. The National and the American leagues are essentially the same. There are no more league offices, just the commissioner�s office. Both leagues use the same umpires, so the "low ball" NL and the "high ball" AL no longer exist. Yet, the American League is so much better it is incredible. The All Star game victory was not a fluke. The American League is 9-0-1 against the National League since 1996. The AL has won three of the last four World Series. In interleague play, the AL held a whopping 154-98 edge this season. The American League won Tuesday because it has better depth. It rolled out Paul Kornerko, Troy Glaus and Michael Young off the bench in the late innings. Mariano Rivera has always been a much better closer than Trevor Hoffman. Of course, that only makes it more difficult for the Tigers. They are playing in the varsity conference. It would be wonderful for them if they were in a cake division like the NL West, but they are not. Their margin for error is slim. The good part: You know if the Tigers make the playoffs in the American League they will have earned it. There is going to be a National League club or two that does not belong that will nonetheless be in the postseason. And an American League club or two left out that probably should be in.
Random Thoughts
- What was American League manager Ozzie Guillen thinking protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning with a third baseman (Troy Glaus) at first, a second baseman (Jose Lopez) at third and a shortstop (Michael Young) at second? I know the White Sox record is a matter of record and so is Guillen�s. But face it, the guy is off the charts goofy.
- The dramatic ending was the best part of the All Star Game. The second-best was the tribute to Roberto Clemente.
- I do think the intensity has picked up in the All Star Game since it has become the determining factor for home field advantage during the World Series. Yet, it is still unfair. It would be different if all the pitchers were rested, but they are not. So the managers really cannot manage the game by using all their best parts.
- The player who gained the most during the All Star break was the New York Mets� David Wright. He has it all going for him and the nation saw it full-scale. He is becoming to the Mets what Derek Jeter is the Yankees. Only time will tell, however, whether he will be the same clutch force during the playoffs.
posted by Pat Caputo at
4:10 AM
15 Comments:
daver,
I'm not big on Ozzie Guillen lately myself. It seems like there is a little Billy Martin in him, but for different reasons. Yet, it's difficult to argue with his results as a manager. I, too, enjoyed the All Star Game. It does seem more competitive. The system is convoluted, but it does seem to be working.
caputo
Hey Pat,
Want to get your thoughts on a conversation a friend and I were having.
It is regarding everyone making it a foregone conclusion that the tigers are the wildcard team. I realize that the white sox are a great team. But its as if we are waiting in line holding a spot for them to cut in front of us whenever they decide to. This is really pissing me off. Maybe we will fall off, but the white sox pitching is no where near the tigers, and right now we are the best team in baseball damn it. It isn't even a disrespect thing. Everyone is saying what a great turn around it is for the tigers and how great leyland is. But after all this, its like its just a given we're finishing second.
What do you think Pat, will we finish second, and do you think everyone just assuming so is out of line?
Nick P,
I hear you on that. As good as the White Sox have been, the Tigers have stayed ahead of them. But the other side of it is that the White Sox are the defending champs, kind of like the heavyweight title. The Tigers have to take it away before people start thinking about them on the same level. They haven't. Not yet - and may not. If I'm being honest, I think the White Sox are better than the Tigers. I don't agree with you about the White Sox pitching. I think it is just as good as the Tigers, especially now that Thornton has come on and they have added Riske. Their rotation is great - and more proven than the Tigers. I do think the Tigers have a chance to win the division, but it is nice for Tiger fans to know it's not "beat the White Sox or bust." That the wild card race is still there. Just in case.
caputo
roggdooggdavy,
I didn't think that was an appropriate conclusion to what was otherwise a touching ceremony, either. Joe Buck seems like a pretty good guy. I'm sure his intentions were fine, but it did come off as cheesy.
caputo
Personally I will never watch the All Star game on fox. Especially after witnessing a Wiggles song. Sports at night is suppose to be a time where the parents put the kids down for nap and you can enjoy a game. Then they played that and lets face it at the end Garner faultered. Rolen in that game National League will have the Home Field. Which I think is dumb. Another reason why Selig should be dumped in the River.
Personally I like the Tigers. I would pull no deal more then what Houston did for Huff. I like are squad. Yes we need a left handed bat. I'd love to see another stick to mix in there either in front or behind Ordonez. I'd make Monroe Expendable, but that is it. I like Thymes. Our Rotation is awesome. I do still think Zumya should be the closer by seasons end. First Half MVP I'd say would have to be Guillen and or Rogers. I think if Tigers are in first in the second half it would be nuts to not hear his name in the MVP vote because he has played great.
Realistically Soriano is about hte only guy out of the RUmors I'd go after. with the chance you know you can sign him further. You mix him into with Guillen, Polanco, Granderson, Ordonez. We are looking great. I am not sure if I touch the rotation that much. Personally I am kind of looking forward to see Sanchez. He has been lights out much like Zumya was when he went to AAA last year and look how he turned out.
I don't know I just wouldn't be to quick to jump the gun.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Personally I will never watch the All Star game on fox. Especially after witnessing a Wiggles song. Sports at night is suppose to be a time where the parents put the kids down for nap and you can enjoy a game. Then they played that and lets face it at the end Garner faultered. Rolen in that game National League will have the Home Field. Which I think is dumb. Another reason why Selig should be dumped in the River.
Personally I like the Tigers. I would pull no deal more then what Houston did for Huff. I like are squad. Yes we need a left handed bat. I'd love to see another stick to mix in there either in front or behind Ordonez. I'd make Monroe Expendable, but that is it. I like Thymes. Our Rotation is awesome. I do still think Zumya should be the closer by seasons end. First Half MVP I'd say would have to be Guillen and or Rogers. Reason being is their attitudes and play. Especially Rogers diving for balls and etc. These youngs look at them and are like these guys are for real. I think if Tigers are in first in the second half it would be nuts to not hear his name in the MVP vote because he has played great.
Realistically Soriano is about hte only guy out of the RUmors I'd go after. with the chance you know you can sign him further. You mix him into with Guillen, Polanco, Granderson, Ordonez. We are looking great. I am not sure if I touch the rotation that much. Personally I am kind of looking forward to see Sanchez. He has been lights out much like Zumya was when he went to AAA last year and look how he turned out.
I don't know I just wouldn't be to quick to jump the gun.
Maddog,
I agree with you about the Tigers. I don't think they should just make a trade for the sake of making a trade. That team is not broke, so don't fix it. But tweak it to make it better. Of the big name players who might be available, I, too, think Soriano would be a good fit. But it would depend on the cost and he will draw a lot of interest from other contenders.
caputo
I think Soriano is a great player, but I am not sure just how good a fit he would be in Detroit. Is he an upgrade over Monroe? Without question, but what will the price be? He is another free swinger on a team full of them, which is fine when the offense is clicking, but when it's not.....
Wombat,
I think Monroe is a pretty good player, too, although I think we are probably in the minority on that around these parts lately. Soriano has great talent, but it tends to fade in and out. He gets moody sometimes, but put in the middle of a pennant race on a team with good chemistry, I don't think it woukld be an issue. The question would be the cost. I wouldn't give any front line pitching. Only a prospect. Sanchez would be about as high as I'd bid, but even that's iffy. And I don't think that's enough. It'll cost a lot to get him. The Nationals aren't about to just give him away. I do believe Soriano is on the move, but that the cost in prospects will be steep. And Monroe had 89 RBI last year and gets some clutch hits and plays decent defense and has been there and paid his dues. It's an interesting issue, that's for sure.
caputo
Daver,
Even though I live in an American League city, I've always liked National League baseball for the reasons you stated. I love the nuance of baseball. Now I marvel at the long ball as much as anybody, but there are so many layers to baseball, and that's what sets it apart. When they tinker with the game, it causes only problems. That's with the game itself. Some of the new stuff has grown on me like the wild card. I'm still not sure about interleague play.
caputo
daver,
interleague play works great in cities like new york and chicago. those games are great. it's some of the other matchups that are yawners. it hurts a team like the tigers and their fans because they get to see the yankees and red sox less.
caputo
thinkingman,
i, too, like it when some teams other than the yankees and red sox make hay, so to speak. a lot of people think the deck is stacked their way, and it is to a degree, but it's nice that they don't win it every year. and i do think it would be good for baseball if the yankees don't make the playoffs this year. it won't hurt the tv ratings that much because the mets and red sox will probably be in, and it would mean a lot to competitive balance.
caputo
Pat,
I know this is a stretch and he hasn't played all season, but what about signing Rafael Palmeiro out of retirement. He'd probably come very cheap, wouldn't cost us prospects, and we'd have a couple of weeks to see what he could do before the trading deadline. If you look at his power numbers last year, they weren't that bad. Granted he's limited defensively, but he's also left handed.
thinkingman,
forget about ibanez. the mariners are in a tight race and he's their best player after ichiro and one of the best left-handed hitters in the major leagues this season. there is no way he will be traded. Jones is a possbility, but remote. don't worry. there is no way the tigers are going to trade verlander or zumaya. the mets and the tigers? that'd be cool. and it's possible, too.
caputo
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