wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler) (07/23/84)
I ain't sayin nothin till after the cubbie series this weekend. TCW
jimph@ihuxs.UUCP (Jim Hendricks) (07/24/84)
Well, we have two months left in the season and the Mets and Cubs are still fighting it out for first place. Anyone who doesn't believe in miracles should now be convinced! However, I want to go on record right now by saying that the Mets will fade and not be a factor in the race by Oct. 1. The reason is very simple: they rely on young pitching to get the job done and that will catch up to them. The biggest asset they have is named Keith Hernandez and he will try his damndest to try to keep them in contention, but without some veteran pitching (and when Orosco starts to hit a little bad period) the Mets will be down the tubes. Jim Hendricks ihuxs!jimph
rkp@drutx.UUCP (07/24/84)
>Well, we have two months left in the season and the Mets and Cubs are >still fighting it out for first place. Anyone who doesn't believe in >miracles should now be convinced! However, I want to go on record right >now by saying that the Mets will fade and not be a factor in the race >by Oct. 1. The reason is very simple: they rely on young pitching to >get the job done and that will catch up to them. The biggest asset they >have is named Keith Hernandez and he will try his damndest to try to >keep them in contention, but without some veteran pitching (and when >Orosco starts to hit a little bad period) the Mets will be down the >tubes. Has anyone informed you that the season ENDS on October 1 (give or take a day). Did you mean September 1? Personally, I would like to see a Cubs-Braves playoff, but the Braves had better shape up. Realistically, I believe it will be a Padres-Phillies playoff with the Padres winning and beating ___________(pick your team) in the World Serious. See you next time, Russ Pierce Denver, CO drutx!rkp
claus@inuxd.UUCP (David Claus) (07/25/84)
The TIGERS Signed, Detroit Fans in Indy
david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) (07/25/84)
Ahh, the myth of the veteran!
Mike Torrez essentially said the same thing when he was released, that
the Mets were going to be sorry in September when they didn't have a
veteran pitcher. "In September", he said, "you'd see the real Mike
Torrez!". Well, I saw him in April, May, and June, and I didn't like
it.
The Mets starting rotation consists of three rookies (Fernandez,
Gooden, and Darling), a second-year man (Terrell), and a fourth-year
man (Berenyi). In 1969, the Mets had two rookies (Gentry and Ryan), a
second-year man (Koosman), and a third-year man (Seaver). I bet Cub
fans said the same thing then.
Also, the Cubs are far more vulnerable in the bullpen. "What happens
when Orosco has a bad spell?", the Cub fan asks. The Mets go to Sisk,
of course. The Cubs have no comparable second reliever if Lee Smith
should lose it for a week or two.
David Rubin
{allegra|astrovax|princeton}!fisher!davidjeff@dual.UUCP (Jeff Houston) (07/25/84)
Well, I don't know if they can come back from last in the East to win
it all, but it looks like the Lumber Company is swinging big bats again
instead of the toothpicks they had been using the first half of the
season. The Pirates came up with 17 hits against the Giants a week ago,
and Tuesday (24th) had 12 runs 21 hits in a game! Shucks, Pittsburgh
is but 16 games out of first anything is possible... So much for the
Eastren half of the NL.
Now, if only the Giants could get some good starting pitchers to go along
with their .270 team batting average. Always hopeful.
To quote the immortal Bill the Cat, "GACK".
Bill the Cat for President!!!
Jeff Houston
Dual Systems Corp., Berkeley, CA
{ucbvax,ihnp4,cbosgd,zehntel,fortune,decwrl,a few more I dont know of}!dual!jeffdak@ihuxn.UUCP (Dave Krunnfusz) (07/25/84)
<> >Also, the Cubs are far more vulnerable in the bullpen. "What happens >when Orosco has a bad spell?", the Cub fan asks. The Mets go to Sisk, >of course. The Cubs have no comparable second reliever if Lee Smith >should lose it for a week or two. Though I don't want to get too involved in this, Tim Stoddard is 7-1 with an ERA of 2.47 and 6 saves and does very well as the Cubs second reliever.
david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) (07/26/84)
Stoddard is not used to "close the door" (only 6 saves), but rather
as short relief in games where the Cubs are tied or close (seven
wins). Perhaps he could be used as a game-ender if Smith falters, but
the Mets already have a proven game-ender behind Orosco in Sisk (14
saves, 1.47 ERA).
David Rubin
{allegra|astrovax|princeton}!fisher!davidran@bentley.UUCP (R. Novo) (07/26/84)
The Mets starting rotation and late inning relief is not all that should receive full credit. The middle relief men of Brent Gaff, Tom Gorman and Ed Lynch have proven to be one of the finest trios in the majors. After a rough time in the starting rotation, Lynch was sent to the bullpen, and is regaining his fine control. These three will allow the Mets to take some pressure off Orosco and Sisk, and Lynch will come in handy when the Mets have to face any make-up doubleheaders down the stretch. In my opinion, the Mets pitching has enough depth so that it will not falter. The only possible weaknesses that I see on this club, are a failure of depth at third base, where Hubie Brooks has no real backups, and an absence of right-handed bats coming off the bench. Staub and Heep are two of the league's premier pinch hitters, but Jerry Martin has not been able to regain his swing after his bout with drug addiction. If John Stearns can regain his true form for the pennant drive, even if he cannot catch, his bat will provide a boost for the club. Robert Novo AT & T Bell Labs Piscataway, NJ
david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) (07/27/84)
Martin does seem to be swinging the bat better since he came up from
Tidewater, so maybe he will provide that right-handed punch off the
bench. I don't think we're going to hear from Stearns again this year.
Third base is the Mets' shallowest position, and if Brooks does get
hurt, they will have to pull some one out of the farm system to do the
job (Clint Hurdle?). We wouldn't lose much defense (!), so I'd say we
need worry less about Brooks going down then about some other critical
injury. I will not tempt the fates by naming any of the other players
who are less replaceable. There's always someone to play the field---
it's the bats that are hard to find.
David Rubin
{allegra|astrovax|princeton}!fisher!davidmax@bunker.UUCP (Max Hyre) (07/27/84)
Keenan:
As another displaced (Connecticut) Oriole fan, I have to disagree--I kept
hoping for the Birds to straighten out and fly right, but after months of
watching them lose when the Tigers do and occasionally lose when Detroit
wins, I don't see how they can pull it off. Only a major Tiger tailspin
could make a difference now, and even then we'd still have Toronto to beat
(though things look a bit better this week than they have in the past.)
A question for O's radio listeners: What happened to Chuck Thompson
and his sidekick (*not* Tom Marr)? I thought they were one of the
all-time best baseball announcing teams ever--they knew the subject, the
team, gave *intelligent* descriptions and explanations, and best of all,
knew when there was nothing to say, and *shut up*. I missed a lot of
broadcasts the last few years, and now that I'm back, they're gone.
Why?
I can only get the O's after dark, on Washington (D.C.)'s WTOP,
a clear-channel station, and it's not great. Does anyone know of a
rogue station around New Haven, Connecticut, that carries their games?
Max Hyre
(Somewhere in the vicinity of decvax!ittvax!bunker!max)
...still hoping for the Tigers to come down with the flu...
~h
~t
~vgregbo@hou2e.UUCP (Greg Skinner) (07/27/84)
The Mets' biggest asset is their bullpen. The Met bullpen has been the key
throughout the season ... when the Mets were not scoring runs and Gooden,
Lynch and Darling were not completing games Sisk and Orosco would come in and
do the job. Now, the Mets have started to hit, Strawberry and Foster especial-
ly. Hernandez is a valuable man on the field and has been instrumental in
keeping the young pitchers cool. However, when it all comes down to it, it
has been the Met bullpen which has enabled the Mets to win ballgames which
early out this year they would have lost, and that's why they are where they
are now.
If the Mets continue to hit as they have, I see no reason why they won't
finish at least second. However, if they hit AND the bullpen continues to
come through, they ought to come out on top. San Diego is a totally different
story, though, and we will have to wait until the Mets play them (especially
at home, since they have had trouble at home) to see if the Mets can take
the pennant. Who can predict the World Series?
Greg Skinner (gregbo)
{allegra, cbosgd, ihnp4}!hou2e!gregbokcd@drutx.UUCP (DeCockKC) (08/01/84)
Dear USENET I'm posting this as a last ditch effort to save the World Champion Baltimore Orioles from final damnation(the tigers) however, I still think if they got going they would have a chance. but not next week (they can't lose for awhile) Keenan (drutx!kcd) (AT&TIS Denver)
radio@spuxll.UUCP (Rick Farina) (08/02/84)
After the Cubs destroyed the Mets at Shea last weekend, it seemed that those Cubbies with that great starting eight were the best team in the East. But then the Mets go to St. Louis and get swept by the mediocre Cardinals. So, after making such household names as Dave LaPoint and Kurt Kepshire look like Cy Young candidates, maybe that Cub series can be written off to the effects of an inevitable slump, eh? All of a sudden, the middle of the Mets order has stopped hitting, and the vaunted bullpen has collapsed. And they are losing in classic Mets-style: blowing leads late in the game, failing to come back, getting beaten by lazy ground balls, rallies crushed by incredible plays. Is this the start of another New Breed?
gds@mit-eddie.UUCP (Greg Skinner) (08/04/84)
Well, now, we have seen the (temporary) demise of the Mets, but after
last night's 4-1 victory, Walt Terrell's complete game and Candelaria
touched for three home runs (!!) the Mets are definitely back on the
track.
But seriously, folks, even if the Mets don't win, they will probably
still finish over .500 and will most likely be in the race in September.
After all, *nobody* expected them to do this well this year. (Certainly
not I! I was in Boston until May and when I happened to catch the
sports page of the Daily News I was shocked to see the Mets in first
place!) After all, Toronto was hot in the first half of the '83 season
and if it were not for the Tigers' extremely good season they would be
in the race also. No one expected Toronto to be in the race in '83.
As an aside, anybody notice the Yankees are over .500 again?
SUBWAY SERIES! GO FOR IT!!
--
Those who know me have no need for my name.
Greg Skinner (gregbo)
{decvax!genrad, eagle!mit-vax, allegra!banyan, whuxle, ihnp4}!mit-eddie!gdsrs@hou3c.UUCP (rs) (08/08/84)
I am so tired of hearing about the METS! Start talking *after* they have won 2 or 3 consecutive pennants. *sigh* Bob Switzer
dave@rlgvax.UUCP (Dave Maxey) (08/09/84)
There seem to be several opinions, but they're mostly emotional ones. We all have our favourites, but it would be nice to be realistic. Here are some of the replies I've seen under this heading. After those, I'll list my own opinions. If everyone else can do it, so can I. >Why not have the METS trade for Roger Craig, Tiggers pitching >coach. Rog could teach Dwight the split fingered fastball >that has put Detriot on top. I agree I like to see hitters >challenged, but even more I enjoy seeing them walk back to the >bench mumbling to themselves. > > Pat McMonagle > advanced systems group > boulder >>Realistically, I believe it will be a Padres-Phillies playoff with >>the Padres winning and beating ___________(pick your team) in the >>World Serious. >> >>See you next time, >>Russ Pierce >>Denver, CO >>drutx!rkp ->If the Mets continue to hit as they have, I see no reason why they won't ->finish at least second. However, if they hit AND the bullpen continues to ->come through, they ought to come out on top. San Diego is a totally different ->story, though, and we will have to wait until the Mets play them (especially ->at home, since they have had trouble at home) to see if the Mets can take ->the pennant. Who can predict the World Series? -> ->Greg Skinner (gregbo) ->{allegra, cbosgd, ihnp4}!hou2e!gregbo +> ... TIGERS! +> +> - David Claus Well, David, you didn't give as long a reply as the rest of the people writing to this network, but you sure can pick a winner. And a winning team they are. No one seems to know why. They are vastly underrated. No one really expects them to "take it all." You list the Mets, the Cubs, the Phils, the Orioles... why not the Tigers? The only team everyone did not list was the Reds. Indeed. They're hopeless. Why? They used to be the devastation of the National League. I can recall some Dodger fan bemoaning that the 70's could have been a great decade for L.A. if only it weren't for the Reds. Well, Cincinnati has faded into the record books with the other teams that flared for a moment and fizzled. What made them great? What makes the Tigers great? What makes any team great? Over and over I hear how such-and-such a team could be in the lead if only they could get their act together. "They have great talent, but it just doesn't seem to be working... yet." Yet... a word used by a baseball fan who sees a multi-talented team getting flushed down the tubes, and can't explain why. Here is a big why... Leadership. ALL of the teams in the majors seems to chock full of talent. To perform at their best, to reach their full potential, you need a manager that can bring it out. You need someone who convinces them that they can WIN! Someone who inspires his players. Just like the Tigers are underrated, even more so is George (Sparky) Anderson. Even he will tell you "...I was lucky to be working for a team that had such talent as the Reds did. Rose, Bench, Mays, Perez, Morgan, Driesson, Concepcion and all the rest." He's either too humble or too politic. The Tiger players have been saying, repeatedly, that Sparky has inspired them to win, to do their best. With all of the talent spread out among the teams in the majors, this is the one thing that always makes the difference. Leadership. If not from the manager, then from the captains. Somebody. There has to be someone who says "You're just as good as any of the best in the game today. You can win. Go out there and win!" As a final statement: consistent winners win World Series. There are very few "Cinderella" teams that win even their own pennants, much less the Series. That's why they're called Cinderella teams. Look at the records. The team that leads with the best record, usually goes on to win it all. This is not always true in any sport, but it bears out quite well in baseball. Any thing can happen, sure. But if you're out there making bets, the odds are going to favor the Detroit Tigers. P.S. I've never lived in Detroit, I don't even remember if I've ever been there. I never was a Detroit fan (until now), and the only reason why I am now is that they have the qualities it takes to win. I may be fickle but I'm not crazy. - Dave Maxey (alias tbm) {seismo,mcnc,brl-bmd,allegra}!rlgvax!dave
kovalsky@trwspp2.UUCP (08/31/84)
Seems like most of the talk in this newsgroup has been centered around the Cubs/Mets race and whether Detroit will take it all. Some of you may be overlooking a very good team: the San Diego Padres. At last count they had the best record in the NL (better than the Cubs or the Mets), and are running away with their division easily. Now I am really a Dodger fan, but since their youth drive has failed them this year (but wait 'till next year!), I am rooting for the Padres. They are no longer the perennial Cellar Doormat they have been of recent years. They have added veterans like Garvey and Gossage for leadership, and they have a good host of other talent such as Tony Gwynn (league leader in average), Terry Kennedy, and a decent pitching staff (Dravecki, Show,etc). You also can't use the excuse that they don't have playoff experience, since none of the other teams currently leading their divisions (Tigers, Twins, Cubs) have been in post-season play for several years. So WATCH OUT for the Padres in '84... ----- Bruce Kovalsky ..sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwspp!trwspp2!kovalsky
sdi@loral.UUCP () (09/06/84)
FLASH! Daring Padre Fan Makes Prediction!! 1984 World Series - Padres vs. Tigers Padres take it in 6! -- ******* I have given up my search for truth and am now looking for a good fantasy. *******