Open Thread: Cuban Allies/Championship Series
I got into a bit of an argument with someone who is a Chicago Cubs fan a few weeks ago because I thought thatMark Cuban owning the Cubs would be a great thing for baseball. Cuban, the current owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, is one of my favorite people in all of sports. I mean, how cool is it that an owner of a sports franchise pretty much attends every home (and often away) game and behaves like a typical fan getting up in the face of referees. I know he takes it to the extreme and I imagine that his antics often wear on the coach of his team, but if I'm a Mavericks fan, there isn't a single reason not to love this guy unless maybe you don't like people who wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Maybe it's because Cuban behaves as I would if I happened to be a billionaire owner of a sports franchise. I'd probably be sitting right down in the front row with my A's gear on, getting all fired up and into the game. I mean, this is a guy who gave away round-trip tickets to all of his fans on fan appreciation night. He didn't just give out some tumbler or bobblehead sponsored by Pepsi. He treats his athletes like gold as he does the fans of his team. And we all know how I cry about the poor umpiring in baseball...Cuban would probably have an aneurysm watching the baseball men in blue on a nightly basis, but maybe he could shake things up and help be an agent of change for the status quo in baseball.
The Cubs' fan I discussed this with happened to be the guy who runs Bleed Cubbie Blue. His whole objection to Cuban was the fact that Cuban is a guy who basically wants everything to be about him. He lives for the spotlight. But the truth is that I couldn't care less about that. I want an owner who is dedicated to winning and is willing to do what it takes to get there. Cuban is one of the best owners in sports in my opinion. And I would love to have him shake up the baseball world. The problem is that the baseball world is too insular for that to happen.
So all I can do is read a fellow blogger and watch Cuban shake his groove thing on Dancing with the Stars and vote for the guy. Maybe he'll at least come out on top somewhere.
As for baseball's League Championship Series, the Rockies look to continue one of the most impressive runs in all of baseball history. Had the Rockies not lost that one game to the Diamondbacks in September, they would've essentially won 21 in a row and counting. At the most crucial time of the year. It's an unbelievably feat that really has me rooting for the team that Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman are likely pulling for.
Boston and Cleveland suddenly looks like it could be a long series. It might not have been had the Red Sox pulled out the marathon game the other night, but with Dice-K not looking very strong down the stretch and Tim Wakefield maybe not being 100 percent, the series may have turned on that one night. I'm actually paying more attention to the playoffs than I thought I would. I kind of figured I would've checked out of baseball mentally after this emotionally draining A's season. But I haven't. I'm mostly enthralled with the Rockies these days.
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I'm not surprised that the ALCS isn't just
a sux coronation....and I'm very glad!
by OaklandSi on Oct 15, 2007 11:07 AM PDT 0 recs
the way I'm hearing this
Boston will win, or Boston will lose. Cleveland doesn't enter into it.
by ArakSOT on Oct 15, 2007 11:11 AM PDT 0 recs
Is this the defacto DLD?
A's story today in the Sac Bee.
by LawDaddy on Oct 15, 2007 11:28 AM PDT 0 recs
%^&$$ registration required
Anyone got a Bee password?
by PaulThomas on
Oct 15, 2007 11:55 AM PDT
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by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 11:58 AM PDT
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Thanks
So, now that I've read it... mostly OK, but how the hell does none of the Big Three even crack the rotation? All three of them would have a Cy Young if some of their best seasons hadn't coincided with Pedro Martinez having the best years in living memory.
Zito, at least, has to be on there.
by PaulThomas on
Oct 15, 2007 12:18 PM PDT
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tough call
I think at least on of the Big 3 needs to be on there. But it's hard to remove any of his choices. I think I would take off Welch before anyone else, even with that 27-win season in 1990.
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 12:25 PM PDT
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I was thinking about this
in the context of 67MARQUEZ' 2B diary. I was going to name Hunter, Blue, Stewart and Hudson to the rotation; hadn't decided on a 5th. Zito probably the leading candidate.
Also...how much CF did Rickey ever play for the A's? Not a whole lot. I'd prefer to leave players in their real positions. The writer doesn't even mention Dwayne Murphy, who definitely wasn't the greatest hitter, but as a true CF choice I give him the nod due to the Gold Gloves.
by Soaker on
Oct 15, 2007 12:50 PM PDT
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agreed
got to keep guys at the original positon. for one, it makes it that more challenging to pick your team. Rickey vs. Rudi? Tougher than people might expect. And definitely tough to keep Murph off. The guy was a walking web gem.
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 3:28 PM PDT
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i was a "Bee boy"
back in the day, on trusty bicycle...did not last long, could not take the pressure.
by ak_A on
Oct 15, 2007 12:14 PM PDT
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Ahhhhhh Sorry
by LawDaddy on
Oct 15, 2007 12:24 PM PDT
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IT's Amazing!
Nick Peters actually acknowleged the A's existence! Any self respecting baseball fan ultimately has to come to terms that the A's have had a greater impact on bay area baseball than the Giants. It's about time, Nick! Bravo.
by Gerard on
Oct 15, 2007 1:47 PM PDT
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How nice would it be if the Sox
who I don't really hate lose with their $150 million payroll. I believe the Rockies and Cleveland both have payrolls in the $60 million range. Unfortunately what it will really mean is that the Sox and the Yankees will spend even more money next year, the financial structure of baseball is a joke, it cries out for a salary cap. Will any team really be willing to pay A Rod $30 million a year? How many teams did A Rod really help? The Mariners got better, Texas is getting better and the Yankees have not even made it to the AL finals, hmmmmm!!!!!!
by china bob on Oct 15, 2007 11:46 AM PDT 0 recs
at first I didn't care much for Cuban
But I think he would be good for baseball, and for the Cubs. His antics might be over the top at times, but his Mavs have been mostly (re: last year's first round) successful on the court.
As for the playoffs, I think AN has kept me more interested than I normally would be. I'm not saying I wouldn't have watched but it's been kind of neat to read other's allegiances and opinions.
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 15, 2007 12:13 PM PDT 0 recs
Cuban could be the 21st
century version of...jeez, forgot his name...oh, Bill Veck?
by ak_A on Oct 15, 2007 12:15 PM PDT 0 recs
or charlie finley
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 12:17 PM PDT
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Cuban would be great for the Cubs...
While it may be a lot about him, he also is committed to winning. The Mavs have been competitive almost eveyr year Mark has been there.
Aint gonna matter though, Bud and his cronies are not going to let him buy the team...Too much of a trouble maker for ownership and he would speak his mind on baseball WAY too much for their liking. He would be right too.
by OaktownPower on Oct 15, 2007 12:26 PM PDT 0 recs
Yeah
I think they learned their lesson with Ted Turner. No more mavericks (or should I say Mavericks) in ownership positions. All owners must be stodgy, conservative and committed to spouting the company line instead of the truth.
by PaulThomas on
Oct 15, 2007 12:35 PM PDT
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I'll bet Mark Cuban
wouldn't blame Wrigley Field for the team's problems and announce a move to Kankakee.
by kkdaz on Oct 15, 2007 1:42 PM PDT 0 recs
Urban on A's/A-Rod fanwanking...
It's beyond stating the obvious that he'd be a great addition, but $30 million a year? The A's? If that happens, I will race Stomper around the bases on Opening Day in a lime-green Speedo.
by pam5981 on Oct 15, 2007 3:16 PM PDT 0 recs
Really.
Mychael, is that a threat or a promise?
by Englishmajor on
Oct 15, 2007 4:42 PM PDT
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Well, if the Rockies win tonight
- TBS will complete its playoff coverage having televised just 17 games out of a possible 27 (and just one more than the minimum of 16). Think of all the Frank TV promos we will be deprived of.
- The Rockies will wait 9 days until Game 1 of the World Series, next Wednesday in either Cleveland or Boston.
- The next game in Denver will be on October 27, a week from Saturday. The Denver weather records show that the record low temperature for October 27 is 11 degrees, for October 28, 9 degrees and for October 29, minus 2 degrees.
by Soaker on Oct 15, 2007 3:34 PM PDT 0 recs
Hmm.
Think of all the Frank TV promos we will be deprived of.
You MUST mean "spared". I know you mean spared.
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 4:05 PM PDT
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I think there was sarcasm in that post
Which was brilliantly executed.
by Blez on
Oct 15, 2007 4:13 PM PDT
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It was, it was.
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 4:21 PM PDT
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The Terrorists' Club?
by oblique on Oct 15, 2007 4:16 PM PDT 0 recs
huh?
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 4:21 PM PDT
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There was a commercial on the Indians' radio feed
from MLB.com. Advertising something that sounded a lot like "The Terrorists' Club."
by oblique on
Oct 15, 2007 4:22 PM PDT
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Since this game is on Fox
I figure it will be somewhere around the 4th inning when I get home in a couple of hours.
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 4:34 PM PDT 0 recs
Unfrickinbelievable
Westbrook pulls a Houdini and gets out of a bases-loaded nobody out situation without giving up a run
by oblique on Oct 15, 2007 4:38 PM PDT 0 recs
makes me glad to be at work
(comment drips with sarcasm)
damn
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 15, 2007 4:45 PM PDT 0 recs
Woooooooooooooo!
by pam5981 on Oct 15, 2007 4:47 PM PDT 0 recs
Kenny Loft-On-e!
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 4:49 PM PDT
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Tom Hamilton (Indians radio announcer)
has incredibly strong vocal cords. If I screamed like that, I wouldn't be able to talk for the next 3 days.
by Soaker on Oct 15, 2007 4:49 PM PDT 0 recs
Somewhat OT
but what the hell kind of name is "Trot" anyway?
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 4:51 PM PDT 0 recs
Maybe his brother's named Homer?
by oblique on
Oct 15, 2007 4:52 PM PDT
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actually it's not that uncommon
according to a recent gallup poll.
by xbhaskarx on
Oct 15, 2007 4:53 PM PDT
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his middle name is Trotman
first name is Christopher
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 4:54 PM PDT
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Makes sense
but I like mkt's idea better. Maybe he has another sibling named Turkey.
by doctorK on
Oct 15, 2007 4:56 PM PDT
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i was thinking turkey too
another trot tidbit (for those who didn't know): his first-born son (Chase) was born on 9/11 (Trot missed the birth because of the flights being halted)
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 4:59 PM PDT
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Nice 6-pitch inning
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 4:58 PM PDT 0 recs
Funny how Westbrook
is already doing better than either Sabathia or Carmona. He's not panicking, I guess. You do have to throw strikes to Manny and Ortiz in order to get then out.
by Philip Christy on Oct 15, 2007 5:07 PM PDT 0 recs
Whew.
by pam5981 on Oct 15, 2007 5:20 PM PDT 0 recs
Please explain
"M Ramirez reached on infield single to shortstop, D Ortiz hit by batted ball out at second."
by PaulThomas on Oct 15, 2007 5:22 PM PDT 0 recs
If baserunner is hit by a batted ball
he is out and the hitter is awarded a single.
by doctorK on
Oct 15, 2007 5:23 PM PDT
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The problem there
was that Ortiz should have been going back to second anyway. Peralta would have thrown him out at third easily. So being hit didn't really matter. (The ball hit him crotch-high but in the left thigh.)
by Soaker on
Oct 15, 2007 5:26 PM PDT
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Ortiz hit by a batted ball
When was the last time anybody saw that happen.
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 5:22 PM PDT 0 recs
Hi Everyone.
My son is rooting for the Red Sox. I'm rooting for the Indians. He also rooted for the Yankees. I tried to explain you can't root for both the Red Sox AND Yankees until you're employed by ESPN.
by kapers on Oct 15, 2007 5:25 PM PDT 0 recs
Are you sure he's your kid?
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 5:26 PM PDT
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I was wondering that very thing.
I mean, how can anyone in this family root for anyone in the Northeast (baseball that is)? He can root for the Jets anytime he wants.
by kapers on
Oct 15, 2007 5:29 PM PDT
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this is is rebellious stage, right?
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 5:33 PM PDT
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He's 9. Is it?
by kapers on
Oct 15, 2007 5:34 PM PDT
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oh shoot
he's too young to rebel
but, hmm, not too young to know better
send him here
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 5:37 PM PDT
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disown him
by xbhaskarx on
Oct 15, 2007 5:32 PM PDT
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Right on
Only tough love can shake the curse of loving Boston or NY.
by doctorK on
Oct 15, 2007 5:33 PM PDT
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We've got to think of something stronger
because it's not Boston OR NY, it's Boston AND NY. Double the trouble.
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 5:37 PM PDT
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exorcism
by doctorK on
Oct 15, 2007 5:38 PM PDT
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Man
That kid is messed up. Time to think about therapy.
by Philip Christy on
Oct 15, 2007 5:40 PM PDT
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You have no idea how thrilled he is to be this
topic of conversation.
by kapers on Oct 15, 2007 5:42 PM PDT 0 recs
oh boy, he's enjoying this?
he's worse than we had feared
by 67MARQUEZ on
Oct 15, 2007 5:43 PM PDT
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I threatened to leave him home when I go to AN
day. He's reconsidering his errant ways.
by kapers on Oct 15, 2007 5:44 PM PDT 0 recs
No empty threats, now.
And you actually have to come to AN day!
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 5:47 PM PDT
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Gameday headline
"Varitek's leadership invaluable to the Red Sox"
So far this series, Varitek sucks at the plate. This must be the default "catcher can't hit, so we need to justify his presence in the lineup" headline (see Kendall, Jason).
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 5:49 PM PDT 0 recs
3-0 Tribe!
by pam5981 on Oct 15, 2007 5:55 PM PDT 0 recs
Scratch that-
4-0 Tribe!
by pam5981 on
Oct 15, 2007 5:56 PM PDT
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Yes, oh yes - Woohoo
Now 4-0 Tribe
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 5:57 PM PDT 0 recs
Francona is pulling a Grady
by doctorK on Oct 15, 2007 5:59 PM PDT 0 recs
Dice-K = overrated
Blanton is better. Which is kinda cool!
by Nico on
Oct 15, 2007 6:08 PM PDT
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Bill Stoneman is stepping down
as GM of the Angels. Hopefully they become terrible now. This was just announced on the radio.
by Philip Christy on Oct 15, 2007 6:02 PM PDT 0 recs
Maybe they'll trade Vlad to the A's now.
by kapers on
Oct 15, 2007 6:05 PM PDT
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why are all the GMs choosing this year
by xbhaskarx on
Oct 15, 2007 7:32 PM PDT
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That was most excellent.
by pam5981 on Oct 15, 2007 6:20 PM PDT 0 recs
Bill?
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Oct 15, 2007 6:30 PM PDT
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Ted?
by ohtobe21likehuston on
Oct 15, 2007 6:30 PM PDT
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