Red Ruffing, Thurman Munson, No. 15, Onward with the Baseball Thread

Rhody, do you have a link to a story with Baldelli saying it was a self diagnosis? Otherwise, it might be best if you didn't dismiss a medical condition just because you don't understand it.

I know a high school coach with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is not well understood at all and it is a bitch to diagnose. I'm not sure if there really is any treatment. But just because it is hard to get a handle on doesn't mean it isn't real.

 

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Looks like they're finally gonna give Kunz a shot, but if it doesn't work out, the next guy in line is probably John Maine. That's how bad it is. They've talked about converting a starter.

 

The John Maine possibility is legitimate, according to one Mets insider. When he's healthy, he will be the Mets' closer.

And the first No. 15 I think of is ... George Foster, not the easiest person to deal with as I recall.

 

When is Wagner expected back?

I think until then he should forget about closers, and go batter to batter righty lefty. Have the SPs go as deep as you can, and shorten your bench a bit (generally a terrible idea) to go with an extra RP to make it work.

 

Wagner will be back Monday... and Manuel has been using 5 relievers a night.
Heilman closed two days in a row successfully, so he got a third chance after a day off and remembered he's Aaron fucking Heilman, who sucks.

 

Baldelli is a good guy.

 

That would be Angels vs. Red Sox in the opening round with the Rays getting home field in the ALDS vs. the Twinkies.

NL matchups would be Cubs vs D-Backs and Brewers vs. Phillies.

On an unrelated topic, Arizona has traded away something like 30 minor-leaguers over the past two seasons. Hope that works out for them.

 

Exiting Aug. 11, 2007, here's who the playoff teams would have been had the season ended a year ago:

AL: Boston (+5), LA Angels (+3.5), Cleveland (+0.5), NY Yankees & Seattle (tie for wild card)
NL: NY Mets (+2.5), Milwaukee (+1.5), Arizona (+4), San Diego (+0.5, wild card)

Four teams (in red) didn't make it come October. Of the teams in the playoffs as of today, who do you think won't make it? You may pick only one team.

AL: Tampa Bay (+4), Minnesota (+0.5), LA Angels (+14), Boston (+2, wild card)
NL: Philadelphia (+2), Chi. Cubs (+3.5), Arizona (+1), Milwaukee (+3, wild card)

My pick? Minnesota.

 

Arizona. In any other division, that team gets knocked around like a kickball.

 

What, you don't think adding Adam Dunn will turn that whole offense around?

Are they really going to conider using Mark Reynolds at second base when Upton returns? (moving Dunn from right field to left, Conor Jackson back to first base and Chad Tracy to third) Do they even remember that the biggest advantage they have come playoff time is Brandon Webb? It might be a good idea to put a halfway decent infield behind a guy who makes his living with a great sinker.