The Hey its 2021 now guys MLB thread

[MU82]

I'm not surprised by any of the new and innovative ways MLB finds to not market its stars.

Great point. MUFiC is absolutely right about Ohtani, who is one of the most incredible ballplayers any of us have ever seen.

As for many pundits comparing Ohtani to Babe Ruth, the only other big-leaguer ever to both hit and pitch at a high level ...

From 1915-19, Ruth was 87-45 with a 2.16 ERA and 104 CG. In 1916-17, he averaged 23.5 wins, 325 IP, 29 CG and 7.5 ShO. Oh, and he also had the longest scoreless streak ever in the World Series (29 2/3 innings) until Whitey Ford broke his record 43 years later.

And as a hitter, he obviously was a legend with a long career of stellar accomplishments.

By the time he became known as the Sultan of Swat, however, Ruth was no longer a pitcher ... although in his last season with the Red Sox, 1919, the 24-year-old Babe went 9-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 12 CG while hitting 29 HR with 113 RBI and a 1.114 OPS.

(After that, he made only 5 more pitching appearances.)

Ohtani has only been healthy enough to have one full season of batting/pitching, and he's getting it done: 40 HR, 87 RBI, 1.011 OPS and an 8-1 record with 2.78 ERA.

Those numbers compare quite favorably to Ruth's in 1919.

Still, while I love watching Ohtani -- IMHO he's the only must-see player in MLB -- and while I certainly understand the comparisons to Ruth, I'm not gonna get carried away with those comparisons.

By the time Babe was Ohtani's age (27), he arguably was already the greatest player in baseball history. Ohtani is incredible ... but he ain't quite that!

[Uncle Rico]

Great point. MUFiC is absolutely right about Ohtani, who is one of the most incredible ballplayers any of us have ever seen.

As for many pundits comparing Ohtani to Babe Ruth, the only other big-leaguer ever to both hit and pitch at a high level ...

From 1915-19, Ruth was 87-45 with a 2.16 ERA and 104 CG. In 1916-17, he averaged 23.5 wins, 325 IP, 29 CG and 7.5 ShO. Oh, and he also had the longest scoreless streak ever in the World Series (29 2/3 innings) until Whitey Ford broke his record 43 years later.

And as a hitter, he obviously was a legend with a long career of stellar accomplishments.

By the time he became known as the Sultan of Swat, however, Ruth was no longer a pitcher ... although in his last season with the Red Sox, 1919, the 24-year-old Babe went 9-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 12 CG while hitting 29 HR with 113 RBI and a 1.114 OPS.

(After that, he made only 5 more pitching appearances.)

Ohtani has only been healthy enough to have one full season of batting/pitching, and he's getting it done: 40 HR, 87 RBI, 1.011 OPS and an 8-1 record with 2.78 ERA.

Those numbers compare quite favorably to Ruth's in 1919.

Still, while I love watching Ohtani -- IMHO he's the only must-see player in MLB -- and while I certainly understand the comparisons to Ruth, I'm not gonna get carried away with those comparisons.

By the time Babe was Ohtani's age (27), he arguably was already the greatest player in baseball history. Ohtani is incredible ... but he ain't quite that!

Ohtani is the Markus Howard of baseball.  Flashy stats, no wins when it counts. 

[dgies9156]

I'm surprised MLB is not putting the Angels in the 2022 Field of Dreams game, so they can showcase Ohtani.

The Cornfield Classic is not my idea of major league baseball. Good lord, Dubuque could not even support an "A" League baseball team at a time when Clinton, Davenport and Burlington could.

They're going to have the Iowa/Wrigley Cubs playing there next year, so at least one team will feel at home walking in from a cornfield. Wonder whether Arnold the Pig (Ziffel) will be their mascot?

My sportswriter brother told me Dyersville is "someplace special." I reminded him I married into a large family from Dubuque years ago and that the only thing Western Dubuque County is noted for is corn, hogs and occasional beef cattle. The folks out there are nice and their labor important, but if you're going to see the home of the Cornfield Classic, let me know if the Hee Haw Honeys entertain between innings.

By the way, the restaurant scene in Dubuque is much improved in recent years. If you're going out to check out a cornfield, go to dinner near downtown so your trip won't be a total waste.

[MU82]

Ohtani is the Markus Howard of baseball.  Flashy stats, no wins when it counts.

Ha!

He is gonna be third Angel to be AL MVP since 2016 (Trout got it in '16 and '19); those teams were a combined 47 games out of the last wild-card spot and 30 games under .500 ... and counting, as this season isn't finished yet.

[Uncle Rico]

Ha!

He is gonna be third Angel to be AL MVP since 2016 (Trout got it in '16 and '19); those teams were a combined 47 games out of the last wild-card spot and 30 games under .500 ... and counting, as this season isn't finished yet.

Giving MVPs to bad teammates.  Sad!

[cheebs09]

The Cornfield Classic is not my idea of major league baseball. Good lord, Dubuque could not even support an "A" League baseball team at a time when Clinton, Davenport and Burlington could.

They're going to have the Iowa/Wrigley Cubs playing there next year, so at least one team will feel at home walking in from a cornfield. Wonder whether Arnold the Pig (Ziffel) will be their mascot?

My sportswriter brother told me Dyersville is "someplace special." I reminded him I married into a large family from Dubuque years ago and that the only thing Western Dubuque County is noted for is corn, hogs and occasional beef cattle. The folks out there are nice and their labor important, but if you're going to see the home of the Cornfield Classic, let me know if the Hee Haw Honeys entertain between innings.

By the way, the restaurant scene in Dubuque is much improved in recent years. If you're going out to check out a cornfield, go to dinner near downtown so your trip won't be a total waste.

It's ok to say you are bummed the Cardinals didn't get invited.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

It's ok to say you are bummed the Cardinals didn't get invited.

2023

[Uncle Rico]

It's ok to say you are bummed the Cardinals didn't get invited.

Cardinals are above playing in gimmick games

[dgies9156]

Cardinals are above playing in gimmick games

Not to mention a bad day in St. Louis will far outdraw anything put together for the Cornfield Classic.

Much rather watch them at Busch

[Uncle Rico]

Not to mention a bad day in St. Louis will far outdraw anything put together for the Cornfield Classic.

Much rather watch them at Busch

https://www.google.com/amp/s/redbirdrants.com/2021/08/19/st-louis-cardinals-fans-show-frustration-disappointing-season/amp/

[🏀]

Cardinals are above playing in gimmick games

The food in Dyersville is better than St. Louis.

[Dish]

Not to mention a bad day in St. Louis will far outdraw anything put together for the Cornfield Classic.

Much rather watch them at Busch

Math isn't your friend here, the gate for the Field of Dreams game would at minimum double what a crowd of 40,000 at Busch would bring in.

[CreightonWarrior]

This would be nice timing for Yelich's welcome back party.

[Jockey]

This would be nice timing for Yelich's welcome back party.

If Yelly is back to 2018 form, the Brewers could win it all.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

If Yelly is back to 2018 form, the Brewers could win it all.

He's been hitting hard hit outs and has dropped his ego (bunting, comments from tonight about "coming through.for once".

All signs pointing in the right direction.  Let's hope he gets red hot.

[Dish]

The Mets epic collapse is very on brand.

[HutchwasClutch]

Understandably a lot of attention on Yelich's day hitting, but Wong tagging and scoring on a foul pop near home plate is one of the greatest base running plays I've ever seen!  If you're a baseball fan, check it out, it's really special.

What a fabulous addition Wong has been, really good all around player.

[wadesworld]

Understandably a lot of attention on Yelich's day hitting, but Wong tagging and scoring on a foul pop near home plate is one of the greatest base running plays I've ever seen!  If you're a baseball fan, check it out, it's really special.

What a fabulous addition Wong has been, really good all around player.

Well, aside from the nightly excitement of Baez, of course.

[Jockey]

Cubs did it again yesterday. Royal's pitcher has a no-no in progress, so they declare a rain delay. Wait a half hour (no rain) and just say "never mind". Ruin a chance of a lifetime for a young pitcher.

[cheebs09]

Cubs did it again yesterday. Royal's pitcher has a no-no in progress, so they declare a rain delay. Wait a half hour (no rain) and just say "never mind". Ruin a chance of a lifetime for a young pitcher.

I believe once the game starts, it is in the hands of the umpires. Unless starting the game was a poor decision, I don't think you can blame the Cubs here.

[Jockey]

I believe once the game starts, it is in the hands of the umpires. Unless starting the game was a poor decision, I don't think you can blame the Cubs here.

I think that is generally the case. I don't think it is at Wrigley. I was listening to an interview with Matheny this morning and he left the impression that Wrigley is different.

[JWags85]

I think that is generally the case. I don't think it is at Wrigley. I was listening to an interview with Matheny this morning and he left the impression that Wrigley is different.

FWIW, it wasn't a "rain delay".  Wrigley has a firm rule that they clear out the lower bowl if there is lightning within 5 miles of Wrigley, and play is automatically stopped if there is lightning within 3 miles.  I think I read lightning was within a mile or so yesterday.  Even if its sunny.  I was at a game a few years ago that went into lightning delay when it was sunny at Wrigley, but you could see ominous clouds to the West.  And the Cubs were winning handily 

You can call it a dumb rule, but its not subjective and certainly wasn't strategic

[Jockey]

FWIW, it wasn't a "rain delay".  Wrigley has a firm rule that they clear out the lower bowl if there is lightning within 5 miles of Wrigley, and play is automatically stopped if there is lightning within 3 miles.  I think I read lightning was within a mile or so yesterday.  Even if its sunny.  I was at a game a few years ago that went into lightning delay when it was sunny at Wrigley, but you could see ominous clouds to the West.  And the Cubs were winning handily 

You can call it a dumb rule, but its not subjective and certainly wasn't strategic

Thanks for the info.

[jsglow]

The Mets epic collapse is very on brand.

Word.  They're toast seemingly.

[jsglow]

Understandably a lot of attention on Yelich's day hitting, but Wong tagging and scoring on a foul pop near home plate is one of the greatest base running plays I've ever seen!  If you're a baseball fan, check it out, it's really special.

What a fabulous addition Wong has been, really good all around player.

I've never seen it before.  Wong is special.  Another great Stearns acquisition.