Maybe the least appreciated excellent all around player, even with the two World Series titles with him at SS?Crawford is a beast
68 through six. 100 is doable with him given that he induces groundballs at an elite rate.Pitch count limit.
The broadcasters are saying his limit is 95 pitches but is that waivable if Toronto consents? It would great to see him pitch a complete game.68 through six. 100 is doable with him given that he induces groundballs at an elite rate.
Inexcusable? Santa Maria!!Fuck you and your Truping, Matt. Seriously. I knew that wasn't even close based on the outfield depth and lack of going back. No reason for that, and it was blatantly a can of corn. Inexcusable at this level for announcer who has been around this long, on this stage.
This. But still great job by that kid. I am not looking forward to the Sox facing this guy.Well, poop.
Using up precious bullets, I hope.This. But still great job by that kid. I am not looking forward to the Sox facing this guy.
Yeah, I was just thinking I'm happy this wasn't a Red Sox pitcher throwing this game.Using up precious bullets, I hope.
You know there's a difference between racism and nationalism, right?Yeah, I'd call it racism. I don't even think it's very borderline. Your last 3 sentences are dead on, and I hope Kinsler blows his fucking knee out running to first base after Lugo hits him in the back.
Damn, I missed this one. This is some brilliant work.Matt Vastrupiano is at it again.
Real baseball starts soon.... but it was nice to finally have it on my hotel TV
Nice!
This is an amazing post.Yup, and now Drew Smyly ust got pulled even though he's 20 pitches under the limit. Why the hell did he even take a roster spot if he was limited to his own personal pitch count? America's participation in this tournament is downright embarrassing. I would honestly prefer it if we didn't bother playing.
All due "respect" to Kinsler. He's a straight white male. He doesn't have the right to speak about other cultures. Just sit there enjoy the win and STFU.Jonah Keri sums up nicely what was wrong with Kinsler's pregame comments yesterday:
"Team USA second baseman Ian Kinsler took a lot of flak for comments he made before the tournament’s deciding game. Rightfully so. Kinsler claiming his team played the game in a better way than their opponents from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic was a breathtakingly arrogant and ill-founded move. His close-minded comments didn’t merely offer a hint of subtle bigotry. They spoke to something that’s long been my biggest problem with a sport I otherwise adore.
Go to a game in Japan or Korea or Puerto Rico, and the common theme will be fun. Not merely the kind of fun you get watching great athletes at the top of their game. But also players being allowed -- even encouraged -- to play with flair. Blast a home run in many other baseball-mad nations, and flipping your bat to the sky and skipping around the bases is embraced by similarly giddy fans. Watch a ball even a half-second too long off the bat in a major league game, and you might end up with a 97-mph fastball in your ear the next time up.
Baseball offers many wonderful traditions worth preserving. But the extent to which American players are taught to value decorum above all else -- and to punish any player that dares show a hint of style or bravado -- is absolute bullshit. Sports are far more enjoyable when athletes get to enjoy themselves, when they get to show joy in their faces, and in their actions. Celebrations and shouts of triumph are de rigeur in basketball, football, soccer, and so many other sports. Only baseball insists of having a stick up its collective butt.
Want to put your head down and trot silently around the bases after a homer? Go for it. But if you want to pump your first and let out shouts of delight, that should be cool too. Credit Kinsler for coming up huge in the finals. But he’s dead wrong about the right way to play. Baseball has a real chance to broaden its appeal if both players and fans ape their Dominican and Puerto Rican counterparts."
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/six-things-from-the-usa-vs-puerto-rico-wbc-final-that-turned-me-into-a-believer/amp/
Ehh after what happened with 45, straight white males have no right to do so. Sorry but that's just how it is in my opinion. It's an opinion shared by most. Just the way it is. SWM's need to stand up for people that Kinsler offended. His comments at first I didn't see as racist but then I read he supported 45 so I think it's obvious that it came from a xenophobic/racist point of view.I think a straight white maile has as much a right to speak about other cultures as much as anyone else. And the rest of us have the right to think a bit less of him because of it. Like the straight white male typing this message.
Agree with Keri, too. This was a fun tournament to watch in part because of the joy on display. I hope the powers that be figure out a way to play the WBS at a time when the best players from these countries can participate without limitations or fear of injury due to lack being in mid season conditioning form.