Meet a Baseball Fan (Welcome to Anyone)

He never dogged it.  He was always trying.

Mike from South Jersey rocking the kelly green tonight.

Good luck, DS.

Who doesn’t love a Game 7? After 118 years, it’s about time the Phillies had one.

Where did the time go?

Aaron Judge’s May: .406, 1.506 OPS, 306 wRC+

Phillies fans.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40272426

Phillies friends.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40272651

Phillies fans again.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40272683

(As The Philadelphia Inquirer reported it: “This is when the boos to rain down. He took it all in, sticking his hand up in celebration as he rounded second and third. The boos turned into cheers — and golf claps — by the time his home run trot was over.”)

Congratulations to former Columbia High shortstop Eliot Dix and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels on reaching the College World Series.

With Taijuan Walker starting today’s London Series game, Tim Kurkjian resurrected from three years ago his “all-country team.” (Get it? Taiwan Walker.)

C: Bill Poland
1B: Tim Ireland
2B: Ty France
3B: Germany Schaefer
SS: Jonathan India
OF: Chad Pinder
OF: Turkey Stearns
OF: Brian Jordan
P: Mark Portugal
P: Derek Holland

Pesonally, I’m starting Chili Davis over Chad Pinder. And giving Pat Borders a categorical exemption to replace whoever Bill Poland is or was.

Get Mike Camero(o)n in there.  

jfinnegan said:

Get Mike Camero(o)n in there.

I like the idea of taking some liberties. El Salvador Pérez. Carlos Zambiano. Ron Ceylon.

It was great watching the crowd (on ESPN) start chanting "We want Soto" as Grisham stepped up to the plate last night, batting .082.  Then he stunned everyone with a 3-run homer, as the Yankees came from behind and broke the game open.

Jasmo said:

It was great watching the crowd (on ESPN) start chanting "We want Soto" as Grisham stepped up to the plate last night, batting .082.  Then he stunned everyone with a 3-run homer, as the Yankees came from behind and broke the game open.

Was at the game...Next time up, the place was rockin' with "We want Grisham". A good time was had by all.

DaveSchmidt said:

With Taijuan Walker starting today’s London Series game, Tim Kurkjian resurrected from three years ago his “all-country team.” (Get it? Taiwan Walker.)

C: Bill Poland
1B: Tim Ireland
2B: Ty France
3B: Germany Schaefer
SS: Jonathan India
OF: Chad Pinder
OF: Turkey Stearns
OF: Brian Jordan
P: Mark Portugal
P: Derek Holland

Pesonally, I’m starting Chili Davis over Chad Pinder. And giving Pat Borders a categorical exemption to replace whoever Bill Poland is or was.

not a lot of stars in that bunch, are there?

ml1 said:

not a lot of stars in that bunch, are there?

Other than Turkey Stearnes, no big ones. (Though Brian Jordan and Mark Portugal had memorable careers.)

ETA: And Stearnes is kind of a liberty-taking selection himself, since he was born Norman Thomas Stearnes.

In 309 PAs in 1972, at age 41, he was still 30 percent better at the plate than the average major-leaguer.

R.I.P., Mr. Mays.

I remember seeing this happen during the first pitch-clock spring training. Now, for the first time in a game that counted:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40412756/rockies-win-walk-bases-loaded-pitch-clock-violation

First 1-3-5 triple play in MLB in 95 years.

https://www.mlb.com/video/curtain-call-phillies-turn-a-triple-play?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share

ETA: My wife and I once came soooo close to witnessing an unassisted triple play. Runners on first and second breaking on the pitch. Liner hit right to second baseman Randy Ready as he goes to cover the bag on the steal. He steps on second and, with the runner from first pulling up within easy reach — throws to first. Top of the first, too, so we were among the relative punctual few to see it.

I wouldn’t call it a snub, because the position is loaded as always, but is Christian Walker the most qualified player ever to not make an all-star team?

74.

That’s how many 2024 MLB all-stars I count.

Ten years ago, there were 62. Thirty years ago, 56.

Do they still make it where every team has to have at least one All Star? I haven't watched it the last couple of years. I might turn it on to see Skenes.

jfinnegan said:

Do they still make it where every team has to have at least one All Star?

Yup.

More selection details:

https://www.mlb.com/news/all-star-game-roster-rules-faq-c239654292