Friday, July 11, 2008

GAP APPRENTICE


Our WorldChat rule going forward is that this place is for the enjoyment of all 32 owners here, and nobody should act in a manner that makes someone else decide to block their messages. Name-calling, excessive posting, baiting and needless repetition are banned and grounds for removal after the season ends.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Season 8 ALDS Game 1

Network Associates Coliseum

330 ft. 362 ft. 400 ft. 362 ft. 330 ft.
-1 -2 -2 -1 -1

TM. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 R H. E
CLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 0 7 15 0
OAK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 1 8 12 0

ML Division Series Game
7/9/08 PM

PLAY-BY-PLAY

1 Cleveland Indians
V.Palacios enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor swings and misses for strike 3.
G.Nelson draws the walk.
J.Ricarrdi grounds it past the mound into CF for a single. G.Nelson is gunned down at 3B by T.Pujols.
J.Ortiz flies out to deep LCF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

1 Oakland Athletics
G.Stewart enters the game to pitch.
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa grounds out to 3B.
C.Hutton flies out to deep CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

2 Cleveland Indians
M.Medrano strikes out swinging.
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
K.Wagner swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

2 Oakland Athletics
D.Handworth grounds out to 2B.
E.Roque lines a single to CF.
M.Moore strikes out swinging.
G.Stewart is charged with a balk and all runners advance.
T.Pujols flies out to deep RF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 1 0

3 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara swings and misses for strike 3.
P.Iwazaki strikes out swinging.
P.Taylor is plunked in the arm by a pitch.
G.Nelson swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 1 0

3 Oakland Athletics
S.Harper smokes a line drive single to CF.
B.Dixon grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.
T.Linebrink strikes out on a ball out of the zone.

Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

4 Cleveland Indians
J.Ricarrdi strikes out swinging.
J.Ortiz takes ball four.
M.Medrano swings and misses for strike 3.
M.Baez grounds it past the mound into CF for a single.
K.Wagner grounds out to 3B.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

4 Oakland Athletics
A.Villa fouls out to third.
C.Hutton flies out to CF.
D.Handworth swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

5 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara grounds out to 1B.
P.Iwazaki grounds out to SS.
P.Taylor hits a shallow flyout to CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

5 Oakland Athletics
E.Roque swings and misses for strike 3.
M.Moore grounds out to 2B.
T.Pujols grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

6 Cleveland Indians
G.Nelson smokes a line drive single to CF.
J.Ricarrdi grounds to the pitcher. They get the force at 2B, but the batter beats the throw to 1B to avoid the DP.
J.Ortiz hits a groundball single to CF.
M.Medrano grounds it past the mound into CF for a single.
M.Baez pops out to SS.
K.Wagner flies out to deep CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

6 Oakland Athletics
S.Harper swings and misses for strike 3.
B.Dixon grounds out to SS.
T.Linebrink swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

7 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara lines out to 3B.
P.Iwazaki flies out to CF.
P.Taylor grounds out to 2B.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

7 Oakland Athletics
A.Villa grounds out to SS.
C.Hutton grounds out to SS.
D.Handworth grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

8 Cleveland Indians
G.Nelson pops out to SS.
J.Ricarrdi smokes a line drive single to RF.
D.Cook enters the game as a pinch-runner for J.Ricarrdi.
J.Ortiz takes strike 3 looking.
M.Medrano pops out to 2B.
Cleveland Indians 0 6 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

8 Oakland Athletics
D.Cook remains in the game at DH.
E.Roque takes ball four.
M.Moore grounds to SS. They get the force at 2B, but the batter beats the throw to 1B to avoid the DP.
T.Pujols flies out to deep CF.
S.Harper strikes out on a ball out of the zone.
Cleveland Indians 0 6 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

9 Cleveland Indians
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
L.Ramirez enters the game as a pinch-hitter for K.Wagner.
L.Ramirez smacks a solo homer to CF that barely clears the wall.
R.Carrara grounds out to 1B.
J.Mercado enters the game to pitch.
P.Iwazaki swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 1 7 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

9 Oakland Athletics
C.Simpson enters the game at LF.
T.Campbell enters the game to pitch.
B.Dixon hits a flyball solo homer to RF.
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa hits a line drive double to CF.
D.Wanatabe enters the game to pitch.
C.Hutton grounds out to 3B.
D.Handworth flies out to LF.
Cleveland Indians 1 7 0
Oakland Athletics 1 4 0

10 Cleveland Indians
P.Taylor grounds a single to CF.
G.Nelson hits a groundball single to LCF. P.Taylor slides in under the tag and is safe at 3B.
D.Cook hits a groundball single to CF. P.Taylor scores.
A.Thomson enters the game to pitch.
J.Ortiz hits a triple. G.Nelson scores. D.Cook scores.
M.Medrano flies out to CF. J.Ortiz scores on T.Pujols's late throw home.
M.Baez flies out to deep LCF.
C.Simpson grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 11 0
Oakland Athletics 1 4 0

10 Oakland Athletics
G.Martin enters the game at CF as a defensive replacement.
E.Roque lines a single to CF.
M.Moore hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
T.Pujols smacks a 2-run homer to LCF that barely clears the wall.
D.Nakajima enters the game to pitch.
M.Mercedes enters the game as a pinch-hitter for S.Harper.
M.Mercedes takes ball four.
B.Dixon smacks a 2-run homer to LCF that barely clears the wall.
T.Clifton enters the game to pitch.
T.Linebrink strikes out on a ball out of the zone.
A.Villa grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 11 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

11 Cleveland Indians
D.Takada enters the game at RF.
R.Carrara grounds out to 2B.
G.Martin hits a groundball single to CF.
A.Martin enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor draws the walk.
G.Nelson strikes out swinging.
D.Cook hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

11 Oakland Athletics
C.Hutton grounds out to 2B.
D.Handworth strikes out swinging.
E.Roque grounds out to 3B.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

12 Cleveland Indians
J.Ortiz strikes out swinging.
M.Medrano grounds out to 2B.
M.Baez pops out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

12 Oakland Athletics
M.Moore grounds out to 2B.
T.Pujols hits a flyball single to RCF.
D.Takada hits a shallow flyout to RCF.
B.Dixon hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 8 0

13 Cleveland Indians
C.Simpson grounds out to SS.
R.Carrara strikes out swinging.
G.Martin crushes a solo homer to RCF.
A.Wagner enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor grounds it thru the hole to LF for a single.
P.Taylor steals second base.
G.Nelson is issued the free pass.
D.Cook lines a single to RCF. P.Taylor scores.
E.Michalak enters the game to pitch.
++ J.Ortiz flies out to LCF.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 5 8 0

13 Oakland Athletics
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa hits a shallow flyout to CF.
C.Hutton lines a single to CF.
D.Handworth smokes a line drive to RCF for a double. C.Hutton scores.
J.Sierra enters the game to pitch.
E.Roque hits a Texas League single to RCF. D.Handworth scores.
M.Moore grounds out to 1B.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 7 11 0

14 Cleveland Indians
M.Medrano grounds out to 2B.
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
C.Simpson takes ball four.
R.Carrara takes strike 3 looking.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 7 11 0

14 Oakland Athletics
T.Pujols crushes a solo homer to RF.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 8 12 0

BOXSCORE

Cleveland Indians

Player Pos % AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Pat Taylor 2B 100 5 2 2 0 1 1 0 .391
Grant Nelson 1B 100 5 1 2 0 2 2 3 .364
Joe Ricarrdi DH 100 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .389
Dan Cook DH 100 3 1 2 2 0 0 2 .333
Joaquin Ortiz 3B 100 6 1 2 2 1 2 4 .364
Miguel Medrano SS 100 6 0 1 1 0 2 2 .300
Max Baez C 100 7 0 1 0 0 0 3 .318
Kevin Wagner LF 100 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 .333
Leonardo Ramirez PH 100 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .400
Corey Simpson LF 100 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .100
Raul Carrara RF 100 7 0 0 0 0 3 1 .130
Paul Iwazaki CF 100 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .316
Goose Martin CF 100 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 .375
Game Totals -- 100 55 7 15 7 5 14 .273

Batting
3B: J.Ortiz (1)
HR: L.Ramirez (1), G.Martin (1)
RBI: D.Cook 2 (2), J.Ortiz 2 (4), M.Medrano (1), L.Ramirez (4), G.Martin (2)
2-Out RBI: D.Cook, G.Martin
HBP: P.Taylor
SF: M.Medrano

Baserunning
SB: P.Taylor (1)

Fielding

Player % IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA
Greg Stewart 100 8.0 2 0 0 1 7 0 97 0.64
Theodore Campbell, BSV (2) 100 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 1 11 6.75
Del Wanatabe 100 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 1 16 6.75
Del Nakajima, BSV (1) 100 0.0 1 2 2 1 0 1 10 12.27
Tim Clifton 100 3.1 3 2 2 0 2 0 38 4.91
Jesus Sierra, L (0-2), BSV (1) 100 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 1 14 4.91
Game Totals 100 13.0 12 8 8 2 9 4 186

Oakland Athletics

Player Pos % AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Todd Linebrink SS 100 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 .000
Alberto Villa 2B 100 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 .167
C.C. Hutton 1B 100 6 1 1 0 0 0 1 .167
David Handworth DH 100 6 1 1 1 0 2 1 .167
Enrique Roque LF 100 5 0 3 1 1 1 0 .600
Mark Moore 3B 100 6 1 0 0 0 1 4 .000
Trenidad Pujols CF 100 6 2 3 3 0 0 2 .500
Stan Harper RF 100 3 0 1 0 0 2 1 .333
Miller Mercedes PH 100 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 -
Damian Takada RF 100 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Bobby Ray Dixon C 100 5 2 2 3 0 0 1 .400
Game Totals -- 100 50 8 12 8 2 9 -- .240

Batting
2B: A.Villa (1), D.Handworth (1)
HR: T.Pujols 2 (2), B.Dixon 2 (2)
RBI: D.Handworth (1), E.Roque (1), T.Pujols 3 (3), B.Dixon 3 (3)
2-Out RBI: D.Handworth, E.Roque

Baserunning

Fielding

Player % IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA
Victor Palacios 100 8.2 7 1 1 2 9 1 106 1.04
Javier Mercado 100 0.1 3 3 3 0 1 0 18 81.00
Artie Thomson 100 1.1 2 1 1 0 0 0 20 6.75
Antonio Martin 100 2.1 1 1 1 1 3 1 27 3.86
Andruw Wagner 100 0.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 15 -
Eric Michalak, W (1-0) 100 1.1 0 0 0 1 1 0 12 0.00
Game Totals 100 14.0 15 7 7 5 14 2 198

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Trenidad Pujols hits walk-off home run

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

rowe-speak

Let's deconstruct some of the most recent spewings from our good buddy, rowesings.

(Referring to the real-life Red Sox) "turning the so called 'champs' into Chumps"
Ummm, wow. The Red Sox are not "so-called champs." They actually are the champs. They won the 2007 World Series. "So-called champs" are what the GAP Rays were in S6, taking advantage of a glitch.

(Referring to David Ortiz) "flash in the pan like that Poopie guy again!"
David Ortiz as a flash in the pan. This is a guy who has been a four-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and was in the top five in AL MVP voting five times. His career OPS+ is 138. He has led the AL at least one season in OBP, HR, TB, RBI, BB, XBH, RC, and AB/HR. He has a career post-season OPS of 1005 in 52 games and has won two titles. Compare and contrast with the actual flash in a pan Rays, who are looking to win more than 70 games in one season for the first time ever. The Rays who have finished 5th of 5 in the AL East in 9 of 10 complete seasons. (They were 4th once.) Compare and contrast with the best hitters in Rays' history: Aubrey Huff and Fred McGriff. Huff leads the franchise with 128 career HR. McGriff played 577 games for them and put up an OPS+ of 122 in them. This is the best-ever Ray!

If basketball was a real force in sports, the Rays would have a team.
First, since when does a baseball team have a basketball team? Second, ratings for NBA and MLB games are very similar, and as far as logo merchandise goes, the NBA ranks ahead of the MLB (both trail the NFL). Basketball is also widely believed to be the second-most popular sport worldwide, behind only soccer. As for how the world views baseball? Well, you'd better watch the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. You'll see baseball for the last time. It has been eliminated for the 2012 games in London.

"ask 1000 passer by on the street who the Celtics are. Guarantee you 80 percent or more would say, 'Isn't that those pretty Irish girls that sing?' I guarantee it."
Hmmm. Well, I wasn't on the street and I didn't ask 1000 "passer by", but I did ask 6 people at work. My results:
100% basketball team from Boston
0% pretty Irish girls that sing

"one of those stupid Sox fans living in the Tampa Bay area"
Listen to how the Tampa "faithful" react when Ortiz makes an out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eA8N_a2AA

Now listen to how they react to an Ortiz HR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLeASp5LP6A

Seems there might be more Red Sox fans in Tampa than Rays fans. Embarrassing.

I've been a Rays fan since 1998, have listened to or watched every inning of every game for years. I am also a lifetime Yanks fan, but more interested for the past 10 years in the Rays.
What can I say about a front-runner who roots for two teams in the same division, and jumps to the one performing better? I think everyone reading this can draw their own conclusions.