Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[Machado]

Angels have already irritated
Pujols and the season has not even started.

To the surprise of no one, the Los Angeles Angels have built their marketing efforts around newly acquired slugger Albert Pujols.

But one segment of that campaign has run afoul of the player's wishes. The Angels have 20 billboards around Southern California with Pujols pictured in an Angels uniform alongside the Spanish words "El Hombre."

Pujols has asked not to be called that in deference to St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who was referred to as Stan "The Man" during most of his 22-year career.

The Angels said they did not consult Pujols or his agent before launching the campaign. It was planned shortly after the Angels signed the first baseman to a 10-year, $250 million contract in December.

"Like I say, I haven't talked to them, but I prefer not to use [El Hombre]," Pujols said Wednesday.

It's an emotional issue for Pujols because he became acquainted with 90-year-old Musial in his 11 seasons playing in St. Louis. In 2010, Pujols asked St. Louis media and fans not to call him "El Hombre."

"I still have the same respect for him as I had, not just for what he's done in baseball but for what he did for his country," Pujols said. "That's something you have to appreciate."

Angels vice president for communications Tim Mead said the signs featuring "El Hombre" represent 20 of the 70 Angels billboards in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties.

"We're more aware of his feelings about that now, but I don't think his feelings are directed at our marketing campaign," Mead said. "He hasn't approached us with anything and it's been explained to him [that] it's one prong of our campaign, not its full-fledged focus."

[johnk5150]

Braun won't be suspended.

[Machado]

Braun won't be suspended.

What a shock!!

FUCK YOU BUD SELIG!!!!!
The man is a hypocrite.
If Pete Rose was a former Brewer, you can bet your last dollar that he would have already been elected to the HALL OF FAME

[MurrayFiend]

Just read the Dodgers knocked off close to 25 million off of last year's team salary. What the f?
This is a team that is in a major market.
What a joke!

The Mets have managed at least twice that!

The Braun thing is interesting. There was an issue with the chain of custody and the sample wasn't shipped in a timely fashion?

[killeverything]

Braun won't be suspended.

What a shock!!

FUCK YOU BUD SELIG!!!!!
The man is a hypocrite.
If Pete Rose was a former Brewer, you can bet your last dollar that he would have already been elected to the HALL OF FAME

He got off because they didnt follow procedure on shipping the sample. MLB issued a statement of being in disagreement of the ruling.

Unreal.

[MurrayFiend]

This will follow him. He'll always be somewhat tainted by this IMO.

[tin00can]

This will follow him. He'll always be somewhat tainted by this IMO.

Especially because MLB "vehemently" disagrees with the ruling. That screams technicality.

[MurrayFiend]

Prince won.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

This will follow him. He'll always be somewhat tainted by this IMO.

Especially because MLB "vehemently" disagrees with the ruling. That screams technicality.

Come on, the dude has a STD. Have some compassion for the Hebrew Herpe.

[johnk5150]

I guess they have to catch them with the needle sticking out of their ass now.

[johnk5150]

Braun won't be suspended.

What a shock!!

FUCK YOU BUD SELIG!!!!!
The man is a hypocrite.
If Pete Rose was a former Brewer, you can bet your last dollar that he would have already been elected to the HALL OF FAME

This makes MLB look really bad.

[johnk5150]

Ryan Braun is pissed right now.

[Machado]

Ryan Braun is pissed right now.

Braun said at the time and reiterated Friday at a news conference at the Brewers' training facility in Maryvale, Ariz., that he had not taken a banned substance resulting in the positive test result.

"If I had done this intentionally or unintentionally I'd be the first one to step up and say I did it," Braun said. "I would bet my life this substance never entered my body."

Braun, the 2011 National League MVP, said the testing process "broke down and failed."

"The truth is always relevant and the truth prevailed," he said.

Braun, thanking his team, teammates and fans who backed him, said baseball players are "part of a process where you're 100 percent guilty until proven innocent."

We need to make sure that we get it right," he added.

Although MLB officials would not comment on the record, sources told ESPN legal analyst Lester Munson they are still convinced that the sample tested came from Braun, and that the positive test result was correct. They emphasized that the FedEx package that arrived in the Montreal laboratory was sealed three times with tamper-proof seals -- one on the box, one on a plastic bag inside the box, and again on the vial that contained the urine.

The lab chief, an MLB source told ESPN.com, testfied that the urine was not tainted, that it was appropriate for testing, and that it tested positive for testosterone. The baseball officials, sources said, were incensed that Braun, his attorneys and the union successfully attacked the integrity of a collection procedure that is a "joint" procedure.

The word "joint" in this context means that the union and the league agreed to the procedure, made a mutual decision to hire the collection agency and were both obligated to abide by the results. Any failure to follow the joint procedure, the league officials assert, is a "technicality" and had no effect on the integrity of the sample or the results of the test.

In his appeal, Braun didn't argue evidence of tampering and didn't dispute the science, but argued protocol had not been followed. Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN investigative reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and T.J. Quinn that Braun questioned the chain of custody and collection procedure.

MLB officials argued that there was no question about the chain of custody or the integrity of the sample, and that Braun's representatives did not argue that the test itself was faulty.

[killeverything]

Basically Braun is MLB's equivolant of OJ.

[Machado]

Basically Braun is MLB's equivolant of OJ.

From ESPN.COM:
Still, this is not exactly a clean result for anyone. Braun will return, but with a split decision. His MVP is intact and the record book will show no suspension, but his 2011 performance is still suspect and he has yet to explain to the public the 20-1 testosterone ratio that triggered the first positive test. Most likely he will not try, for he has his victory; but winning an appeal because his second test didn't reach the FedEx guy in time does not exactly represent a mandate.

[johnk5150]

Basically Braun is MLB's equivolant of OJ.

Perfect example of not guilty but not innocent.

[MurrayFiend]

That was a nice Checkers Speech.

[Facedown]

Nationals extend Ryan Zimmerman for 6yr/100mil.

[killeverything]

Joel Zumaya's out for the season with a torn elbow ligament.

[Machado]

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/network/sched ... _Games.jsp

I was going to post the entire schedule, but I decided against that.

MLB Network plans to air 150 games this spring. Very impressive.

[MurrayFiend]

http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/network/sched ... _Games.jsp

I was going to post the entire schedule, but I decided against that.

MLB Network plans to air 150 games this spring. Very impressive.

Can't get the Network here. Fucking Rogers Sportsnet is showing two Jays games all spring. Oh well.

[Machado]

Kill-
Your boy Tek is supposed to retire in 2 days.
How does that make you feel?

[killeverything]

Kill-
Your boy Tek is supposed to retire in 2 days.
How does that make you feel?

Fine, he like Wakefield are unable to fully compete at the ML level anymore. I would like to see Tek back with the organization in a coaching role though. He's caught 4 no hitters, and has a rep for pitcher preparation.

[Machado]

Kill-
Your boy Tek is supposed to retire in 2 days.
How does that make you feel?

Fine, he like Wakefield are unable to fully compete at the ML level anymore. I would like to see Tek back with the organization in a coaching role though. He's caught 4 no hitters, and has a rep for pitcher preparation.

I was hoping he would hang around 1 more season and bring the team down
with him.
You just know he was one of the many drunks in the locker room last
Sept,

Pettitte retired
Posada retired
Mo will retire at the end of the season

We are getting old

[Machado]

Someone needs to tell Bobby V. he is no longer in Japan and he is no longer in the NL East.
This is the AL East.
The rivalry between the Yankees & sox does not need any help from a burned out manager who was successful in the far east.
Is he looking for a smack

Bobby Valentine has only been wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform for about two weeks. That isn't stopping him from taking a few jabs at the archrival Yankees in pinstripes already.

Valentine grinned a little today when he recalled how retired Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek "beat up" Yankees star Alex Rodriguez during a confrontation in 2004.

He also called into question the claim that Derek Jeter practiced his famed flip-to-home relay that nailed Jeremy Giambi at the plate in Game 3 of the ALDS in 2001.

On Jeter's clutch play, Valentine says he believes the initial throw from the outfield would have got Giambi without the flip. And on the Yankees saying Jeter practiced it, Valentine said "I don't believe it."

[MurrayFiend]

Fangraphs had fans submit TV "broadcaster rankings" for each of the 30 MLB teams (worked out to 31 broadcasting crews, since the Dodgers have Scully for home games and the other dudes for away).

Here's the intro and #31 (Chicago White Sox):

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.ph ... ro-and-31/

And 30-21:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.ph ... nt-2285496

[Machado]

A couple quotes from Jeter and ARod regarding
Bobby V's ridiculous comments about each player that I previously posted.


“I’m indifferent,” Jeter said. “I mean, think about it. We don’t practice it? We do. You guys have seen it, so what else can I say? I was out of position? No, I was where I was supposed to be.
Talking about Varitek, point out the good things he’s done. Unbelievable career. I’m happy for him. I enjoyed competing against him all these years. That’s what we should be talking about.”
Valentine said he thought Jeremy Giambi would have been out without Jeter making the flip. I disagree, and so does Jeter.
“No,” Jeter said, “but who cares? They must be bored over there, huh?”

Rodriguez seemed most interested in staying as far from the story as possible.
“I’m not going to win many battles when it comes to words, especially against Bobby,” Rodriguez said. “But I will tell you this: I’ve got my new press secretary that should be landing in the next couple of days, Reggie Jackson, so I’ll let him handle that.”

[Machado]

This is not a good start to his 2nd career
in the NL
A.J. Burnett He has fractured right orbital bone and will undergo surgery on Friday.
I saw the video yesterday on ESPN.
Brutal blow to the eye.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Random blatherings:

Joel Zumaya, yer killing me.

I hate AJ Burnett, but I hate to see that happen to anyone.

Godspeed, Tek. Wish you coulda held on for one more season, then I could've seen you in Miami.

Since it's now Friday....ZOMGGGG FANFEST IS TOMORROW!!!!! And we season ticket holders get to go in an hour earlier than the masses. They're putting on the finishing touches now...it'll be all done by the time the Yankees exhibition series starts. The fishies are in the fish tanks now!

And Mike Stanton is no more. He is now going by his real first name...Giancarlo.

[Facedown]

Grady Sizemore had back surgery and will be out for 8-12 weeks.
Man, chalk up another kid with endless potential that can't escape the injury bug.
This could be it for him.