2024 Regular Season- First Half

[Lance]

Speaking of Syracuse, had a good time at their game against Buffalo on Saturday even thought it was a lopsided one - Buffalo won 13-5. Wanted to ask John if he knows about any of the Buffalo players - especially Spencer Horowitz, who went 5 for 6 in that game.

[Lance]

One other item from that game - first game I saw the ABS challenge system used. ABS = automated ball-strike. System call the pitch, home plate umpire hears call in earpiece and then relays the call. Each team is allowed three challenges to the ball/strike call. If successful, challenge is retained. Never heard of this and the fan next to me informed this is the second year. Maybe robo umps are closer than we think.

[Brina]

There are ads for sports duel, fan bet, etc in every stadium. Some teams even have a sports book betting site on site. Fans are encouraged to bet on every play. And the coup de grace is that there will be a team in Vegas relatively soon. Ok these minor leaguers bet on other games. So does practically everyone else. I think mlb has to update their player rules on gambling for the 21st century.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Even though I agree with MLB'S ban &,suspending policy (which is very hypocritical considering how many ads are betting related!) it still makes me sad that these players ..."

Great point about betting on game vs cheating in WS. That WS with Dodgers was heartbreaking. Remembering how my friends hated the Astros as far back as the 1970's so I inherited that dislike. Of course back then there was only the West & East divisions in NL & AL. Padres were so bad in the 1970's that we went to games to see great players on other teams!

[Harold]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Even though I agree with MLB'S ban &,suspending policy (which is very hypocritical considering how many ads are betting related!) it still makes me sad that these players ..."

RJ, are you referring to the 2017 Astros? I'm not sure they are the same infraction. The rule on stealing signs with a telescope or electronic buzzer never had any punishment notice ser forth in 2017 about the consequences of cheating. Yes, there was a memorandum in 2001 saying teams were not permitted to use electronic means to steal signs, but there was no sanctions set forth. After the 2017 series, Manfred issued another memo about serious sanctions for violations.

[Ashley Marie]

Glad to see the Phillies still on a tear, Harold!

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

C. John wrote: "The reason the 1919 White Sox get singled out is that they were throwing the games on behalf of gamblers (supposedly)..."

As portrayed in the excellent film Eight Men Out. Highly recommended for those who have never seen it.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Great point about betting on game vs cheating in WS. That WS with Dodgers was heartbreaking...."

Yeah, it was a bummer. I'm sure I sound biased since it was my Dodgers who lost, but I just think the punishment was far too light for what happened. I'm would never want the championship to be given to the Dodgers if they didn't win it, but I do think it should have been stripped from the Astros.

Harold wrote: "RJ, are you referring to the 2017 Astros? I'm not sure they are the same infraction. The rule on stealing signs with a telescope or electronic buzzer never had any punishment notice ser forth in 2017 about the consequences of cheating...."

I definitely do not have enough direct knowledge to debate your point, or probably any other technical rule violations in MLB, but I have heard an awful lot of teams and media say that the league made it very clear that electronic sign stealing was a big no-no. And if there wasn't anything wrong with it, I'm sure the Astros wouldn't have tried so hard to hide it, and the rest of the league wouldn't have been so upset about it.

[Lance]

Re: players betting on games - I don't understand why so many are upset about players not betting. Regardless of whether MLB (and the other pro sports) are advertising the betting apps or not, how in the world can one defend players making bets? It certainly would affect the integrity of the game - no matter which game. And...it doesn't have to be so obvious like the 1919 World Series was. Think of point shaving in basketball - even a great shooter will miss 50% of the time - will one or two purposely missed shots to make sure the point spread is covered really be noticed?

Betting by players is far from the same thing as betting by fans. To me, the two matters are NOT related and I think players in any sport should not be allowed to bet on their sport. If that Padres player wanted to place bets on the NBA or Stanley Cup Finals, go for it - but NOT baseball.

[Brina]

I agree but it’s way more tempting especially with younger players. Managers and leading players in the clubhouse should hold these guys accountable. Perhaps have team betting pools for other sports so the temptation to bet on baseball isn’t as big. Even video game and uno tournaments for cash. Anything to discourage players from betting on baseball.

[Harold]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Glad to see the Phillies still on a tear, Harold!"

Thank you, Ashley Marie. And they are doing it without Trea Turner. The pitching has been phenomenal-both starters and relievers. The hitting has been sparse at times but clutch when it was crucial. Congratulations to you as well. I've only seen bits and pieces. I'm still amazed at what they are doing, On paper, they don't look like a playoff team, but Fry, Freeman, and of course Kwan, Giminez, Ramirez, and home run Naylor have been clutch. The pitching is what surprises me.

[Ashley Marie]

Harold wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "Glad to see the Phillies still on a tear, Harold!"

Thank you, Ashley Marie. And they are doing it without Trea Turner. The pitching has been phenomenal-both starters and relie..."

I'm with you on the Guardians' pitching, although I'm most surprised by the starters. Cleveland's bullpen have been fairly lights-out this season and Clase seems to be back to his reliable self to close.

[Lance]

Another one-sided Yankees-Twins game. Although Royce Lewis homered again - 2nd time in two days. Learned an interesting bit of trivia - Lewis attended the same high school as Tom Brady.

[Brina]

And Barry Bonds among others :-)

[C. John]

Ohtani’s former interpreter is now delivering Uber Eats in the Los Angeles area.

[Lance]

Right now, I have about as many words to say about the Twins as the runs they are scoring - not much! Ryan and Woods Richardson were both great against the Pirates in this series - but where’s the run support?

[Brina]

Put Cubs in the same sentence. Starting pitching has been great but this team can’t score. And hasn’t won a series not counting the W Sox for over a month. It’s been brutal.

[C. John]

Jayson Werth, who was with the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies is a part owner of Dornoch, the horse that won yesterday's Belmont Stakes. I guess it takes a champion to know a champion.

[C. John]

Anyone else hear about the bat that Bryce Harper used for the Mets/Phillies game in London. The Phillie Fanatic dressed as a member of the Royal Guard.

[Lance]

C. John wrote: "Jayson Werth, who was with the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies is a part owner of Dornoch, the horse that won yesterday's Belmont Stakes. I guess it takes a champion to know a champion."

I saw that when he and the NY governor entered the winner circle, per the local paper, “one of them received boos.” Educated guess says it wasn’t Werth

[Beth]

TOO much

https://apple.news/AWXhaRjQeTlabZqEkQ...

[Harold]

Very disturbing, but MLB won't do anything because they make too much money. That's why I dislike Manfred more than Bud Selig.

[C. John]

Harold wrote: "Very disturbing, but MLB won't do anything because they make too much money. That's why I dislike Manfred more than Bud Selig."

I don't get too bothered by what the commmissioner does. If something annoys me I just remember that he is an employee of the owners and is going to act on their best interests.
Interestingly during the last parliament in the UK the Tories, the governing party, were proposing to make an independent position of someone to regulate Football.

[C. John]

Hey Brina, how does Vlad, Jr. in a Cubs uniform sound.

[Brina]

Right now with the Cubs anemic offense, beautiful.

[Lance]

Took until the 10th inning yesterday, but the Twins bats finally woke up. Now hopefully that stays the same against a not-so-good Colorado staff.

Amazing how many teams in both leagues are just 3 or so games above or below .500 - meaning practically everyone is close to a WC slot. I would say only 5 teams right now have little chance - White Sox, A's, Angels, Marlins and Rockies. Everyone else - go for it! Will make for very few sellers as we get close to July 31

[C. John]

C. John wrote: "Hey Brina, how does Vlad, Jr. in a Cubs uniform sound."

Apparently if the Jays do sell the Cubs are very much in the mix for getting him. I look at it this way. I don't want him to go (and he doesn't want to go) but if it must be better the Cubs than the Dodgers or Red Sox.

[Brina]

Not the Red Sox. My husband as you guys are aware at this point is a Yankees fan. Also they most likely wouldn’t deal to a team in their own division.

[C. John]

Brina wrote: "Not the Red Sox. My husband as you guys are aware at this point is a Yankees fan. Also they most likely wouldn’t deal to a team in their own division."

The Jays will deal within their division if the deal is a good one for the team. They won't be dealing with either the Mets or Yankees as Guerrero has stated he won't play for a New York team. I don't know that he has ever said why though.

[C. John]

Card Corner is Mike Boddicker.

https://baseballhall.org/discover/car...

[C. John]

My wife mentioned to me that the memorial service for her father is on the 8th of July. The 7th then popped into my head. I think I know why but there is anything special about that date for baseball that anyone knows about. I was thinking HOF induction but that is on a saturday I believe and the 7th is a sunday.

[Harold]

C. John wrote: "My wife mentioned to me that the memorial service for her father is on the 8th of July. The 7th then popped into my head. I think I know why but there is anything special about that date for baseba..."
Sunday July 21st. It is always on a Sunday.

[C. John]

Thanks Harold. So what my memory was thinking of was the just called French election. July 7th is the the second round of voting. For some reason the French always have their elections on a Sunday.

[C. John]

With Cavan Biggio DFA'ed by Toronto there are suggestions that the Astros make a play for him. To my mind the idea does have some merit. See how it goes I guess.

[Harold]

For what it's worth, here is USA Today's ranking of all 30 farms systems. It should make Brina optimistic for a while.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-farm-sys...

[C. John]

Came across this while sort of browsing through various links in articles. Interesting read.

https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/th...

[Lance]

Football at Target Field today - Vikings 17, Broncos 9. 24 hits, most since 2017

[Lance]

Harold wrote: "For what it's worth, here is USA Today's ranking of all 30 farms systems. It should make Brina optimistic for a while.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-farm-sys......"

Twins in the middle of the pack. The comment about many good players above average but no one who truly stands out sounds much like the big club.

[C. John]

Well so much for the Astros getting Cavan Biggio. He has gone to the Dodgers it seems.

[Brina]

Was offline for two plus days. The last time the Cubs and Cards were both this bad at the same time was probably before I was born. Neither can hit and if they do it’s with 2 outs. They are the two worst teams in the NL with RISP. It used to be that Cubs and Cards at Wrigley on Friday would be the game of the day. It would be Sunday night baseball. Now they are both shells of their former selves. Sad.

[C. John]

So Lance, what do you think of the Twins' new HR celebration.

[Beth]

Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined for violating gambling rules.

[Harold]

Beth wrote: "Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined for violating gambling rules."

I wonder if the lifetime ban applies to umpires as well.

[Beth]

Good question. I know very little about umpires.


Harold wrote: "Beth wrote: "Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined for violating gambling rules."

I wonder if the lifetime ban applies to umpires as well."

[Lance]

C. John wrote: "So Lance, what do you think of the Twins' new HR celebration."

I love it! Certainly better than the sausage! But I do miss last year’s fishing vest of the land of 10,000 rakes

[Lance]

Beth wrote: "Good question. I know very little about umpires.


Harold wrote: "Beth wrote: "Umpire Pat Hoberg disciplined for violating gambling rules."

I wonder if the lifetime ban applies to umpires as well.""

Per an article I found on ESPN, Rule 21 applies to umpires in baseball as well. Lifetime ban if found gambling on game in which one is involved, one year ban if gambling on baseball games person is not involved in. Hobert is appealing the ruling (not specified if lifetime or one year).

[C. John]

The Jays have DFA'ed Daniel Vogelbach and called up Addison Barger. Vogelbach just wasn't performing for the Jays as they had hoped he would so this is why the moves were made. This is Addison's second stint with the team. His first one didn't produce much be he has been performing really well in Buffalo so the hope is the he can continue that with the big club.

[C. John]

Going by this article Machiavelli is now running the Blue Jays ticket office.
https://fansided.com/posts/bold-blue-...

[C. John]

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony over the weekend (Saturday I think). The inductees were Russell Martin, Ashley Stephenson, Paul Godfrey, Rod Heisler, Howard Birnie, Jimmy Key and Buck Marinez (media wing). If you don't recognize some of those names don't worry, I didn't either. Ms. Stephenson by the way is considered the best female baseball player to come out of Canada and currently works for the Blue Jays.

[Lance]

Only know of Key, Martinez and Martin. Is Justin Morneau already a member?