2015 MLB Season Thread

[MU82]

Obviously, Harper should have run it out.

That being said, Papelbon is a dope for hashing it out in public and then going for Harper's throat. If you have a problem with a teammate, you take it into the room. Or better yet, you let your manager or maybe a player who has been on the team for more than a couple months deal with it.

It was somehow fitting that, after the incident, Papelbon went out and pissed down his leg.

[jesmu84]

Matt Williams is so dumb. So, so dumb.

http://www.barstoolsports.com/dmv/matt-williams-just-had-a-bizarre-press-conference-where-he-lied-through-his-teeth-the-entire-time/

[brandx]

Matt Williams is so dumb. So, so dumb.

http://www.barstoolsports.com/dmv/matt-williams-just-had-a-bizarre-press-conference-where-he-lied-through-his-teeth-the-entire-time/

I've always thought Matt was in the same class as Kirk Gibson when it came to managing. Long term, I think this is a good thing for the Nats, as hopefully they will have enough sense to can him after the season.

[4everwarriors]

Matt Williams is so dumb. So, so dumb.

http://www.barstoolsports.com/dmv/matt-williams-just-had-a-bizarre-press-conference-where-he-lied-through-his-teeth-the-entire-time/

Smart enough to marry some pretty good lookin' broads doe, hey?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Smart enough to marry some pretty good lookin' broads doe, hey?

Pics?

[4everwarriors]

2 outta 3 here, hey?

[MU82]

Nats suspend Papelbon.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/09/28/jonathan-papelbon-suspended-four-games-for-bryce-harper-altercation/

Great pic of Papelbon going all Neil Reed on Harper.

[MerrittsMustache]

It was somewhat similar to the Bonds-Kent fight way back when - if either guy got knocked silly, teammates weren't going to shed any tears.

[ChicosBailBonds]

It was somewhat similar to the Bonds-Kent fight way back when - if either guy got knocked silly, teammates weren't going to shed any tears.

This.  Two a-holes

[wadesworld]

It was somewhat similar to the Bonds-Kent fight way back when - if either guy got knocked silly, teammates weren't going to shed any tears.

Yeah, good comparison.

[MU B2002]

Nats suspend Papelbon.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/09/28/jonathan-papelbon-suspended-four-games-for-bryce-harper-altercation/

Great pic of Papelbon going all Neil Reed on Harper.

And also sat Harper for 1 game.

[MerrittsMustache]

And also sat Harper for 1 game.

He wasn't technically suspended though (i.e. didn't cost him any money).

[GGGG]

Do Harper's teammates not like him?

[JWags85]

Do Harper's teammates not like him?

Depends if you ask a Harper hater or supporter...

Also, just for some late season MLB lolz

https://twitter.com/Haudricourt/status/123897642869735424

MJS always striving for greatness!

[brandx]

And also sat Harper for 1 game.

More Matt Williams foolishness.

Harper was already scheduled for a day off on Monday.

[buckchuckler]

I thought the talk of Harper not hustling was weird. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-much-does-bryce-harper-actually-hustle--quite-a-lot-195153539.html

The knock on him has always been that he is too intense and aggressive.  Which, I think is ridiculous. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Nats suspend Papelbon.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/09/28/jonathan-papelbon-suspended-four-games-for-bryce-harper-altercation/

Great pic of Papelbon going all Neil Reed on Harper.

You mean he went all Bob Knight on him.

RIP Neil Reed.

[jesmu84]

What is the problem with that play?

Just so you know, I think the Utley play was incredibly dirty too. And he's not a Cardinal.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on August 09, 2015, 07:59:23 PM

Cubs sweep the Giants to open up a 3.5 game lead for the last wildcard spot, all while starting 4 rookies most days. Arrieta needs to be in the Cy Young conversation.

There shouldn't even be a conversation.  Greinke could be named it today.  Has better numbers than Arrieta in everything other than wins and strikeouts.  Winning percentage, WHIP, BAA, ERA, hits, runs, earned runs, home runs, walks all favor Greinke.

What was that, Wadesworld?  Shouldn't even be a conversation?  Congrats, Jake!

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

In fairness to Wade, and I don't do this often. That was wayyy before he started his 2nd half tear. His 1st half numbers weren't close to Greinke.

[CTWarrior]

In fairness to Wade, and I don't do this often. That was wayyy before he started his 2nd half tear. His 1st half numbers weren't close to Greinke.

Even with Arrieta's second half tear, it was a tossup between the two if you ask me.  Voters couldn't get it wrong between the two.  I like ERA+ and IP as best stats to use for Cy Young, I don't like stats like FIP for awards because ERA+ and IP tell you the value of what actually happened, as opposed to what should have happened.  And Grienke was slightly ahead in ERA+ (225 to 222) and Arrieta was slightly ahead in IP (229 to 222.2).  Too close to call.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

In fairness to Wade, and I don't do this often. That was wayyy before he started his 2nd half tear. His 1st half numbers weren't close to Greinke.

After that start I posted about he had a 2.36 ERA.  All I said was that he should be in the conversation but that Greinke was still the clear favorite.  To say there shouldn't even be a conversation with such an absolute conviction was just silly. 

Even with Arrieta's second half tear, it was a tossup between the two if you ask me.  Voters couldn't get it wrong between the two.  I like ERA+ and IP as best stats to use for Cy Young, I don't like stats like FIP for awards because ERA+ and IP tell you the value of what actually happened, as opposed to what should have happened.  And Grienke was slightly ahead in ERA+ (225 to 222) and Arrieta was slightly ahead in IP (229 to 222.2).  Too close to call.

Arrieta, Greinke, and Kershaw were all deserving candidates.  There are so many metrics now that you can pick and choose to make a solid argument for any one of them. 

[wadesworld]

After that start I posted about he had a 2.36 ERA.  All I said was that he should be in the conversation but that Greinke was still the clear favorite.  To say there shouldn't even be a conversation with such an absolute conviction was just silly. 

Arrieta, Greinke, and Kershaw were all deserving candidates.  There are so many metrics now that you can pick and choose to make a solid argument for any one of them.

Greinke's ERA was roughly half of that at the time.

Congrats to Arrieta for his absurd second half. Doesn't change the fact that the only candidate worthy of discussion in August was Zack Greinke.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Greinke's ERA was roughly half of that at the time.

Congrats to Arrieta for his absurd second half. Doesn't change the fact that the only candidate worthy of discussion in August was Zack Greinke.

A 1.65 ERA is roughly half of 2.36?  Interesting.  Because you thought it wasn't worthy of discussion certainly doesn't make it a fact. 

[wadesworld]

A 1.65 ERA is roughly have of 2.36?  Interesting.  Because you thought it wasn't worthy of discussion certainly doesn't make it a fact.

Go look at their numbers through July.  Arrieta's ERA was 2.62, Greinke's was 1.41.  Roughly "have" (really, half).  Interesting.  It wasn't even close.  Those are facts.  I will provide you with more facts (see: stats...numbers never lie) if you would like.  Or you can continue to pretend that anybody other than Greinke was even worthy of discussion for the Cy Young Award "have" way into the season.

Congrats to Arrieta for having one of the greatest second halves to a baseball season ever.  He closed a gap that I didn't think anybody could.  But that doesn't mean we can rewrite history and pretend he was right there with Greinke on August 9.

Just like if you said today, "Russell Westbrook should be in the discussion for NBA MVP."  No, there is only 1 person worth discussing for NBA MVP right now, and it's Stephen Curry.  By the end of the year will that be the case?  Maybe, maybe not.  But as of November 19, nobody is even close to Stephen Curry, just like on August 9, nobody was even close to Zack Greinke for NL Cy Young.