Orioles @ Rangers WC Play-In Game Thread

[happydude]

Originally Posted by Saracen

It's really hard to deal with a guy with so much innate talent who is just living in his own universe. Blurred vision due to much caffeine, Copenhagen withdrawal, lackadaisical play, needing the organization to watch over him any time he goes out, God telling him which contract to sign. I think he's just way too high risk to ever be dependable.

Wash will be an interesting case. He gets a lot out of the players as players, but he doesn't put those players in good situations to win.

I really think this game was lost in Game 6 last year - they still haven't recovered.

Hell, I still can't believe Cruz couldn't get back and corral that rocket, myself, and I'm not really even a fan (I did pull hard for them last year, though; I detest the Cardinals).

[amsteel]

Its OK Rangers, you'll always have Lil Ron Washington.

[palehozenychicty]

Originally Posted by Saracen

It's really hard to deal with a guy with so much innate talent who is just living in his own universe. Blurred vision due to much caffeine, Copenhagen withdrawal, lackadaisical play, needing the organization to watch over him any time he goes out, God telling him which contract to sign. I think he's just way too high risk to ever be dependable.

Wash will be an interesting case. He gets a lot out of the players as players, but he doesn't put those players in good situations to win.

I really think this game was lost in Game 6 last year - they still haven't recovered.

Indeed. Their time was last year. They were arguably better than the Giants too.

Wash is a solid manager of people, but his strategy is always off.

It has to be hard as a franchise on the move to be one strike away twice and not get it done.

Their time may come later with a different staff. A lot of talent and money in that franchise.

[happydude]

Man that kid LOOKS like he's only 19, too...

[amsteel]

Originally Posted by Saracen

It's really hard to deal with a guy with so much innate talent who is just living in his own universe. Blurred vision due to much caffeine, Copenhagen withdrawal, lackadaisical play, needing the organization to watch over him any time he goes out, God telling him which contract to sign. I think he's just way too high risk to ever be dependable.

In general it would seem his story is inspirational when he's playing well, a reason to look down upon him when he's playing poorly.

[Soxman219]

Camden Yards is going to be ROCKING on Sunday.

[MUsoxfan]

Craig Sager needs to disappear from television

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by palehozenychicty

Indeed. Their time was last year. They were arguably better than the Giants too.

Wash is a solid manager of people, but his strategy is always off.

It has to be hard as a franchise on the move to be one strike away twice and not get it done.

Their time may come later with a different staff. A lot of talent and money in that franchise.

They should have plenty of money to spend in the next two offseasons, as well.

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by Soxman219

Camden Yards is going to be ROCKING on Sunday.

That ought to be fun.

[palehozenychicty]

Originally Posted by DSpivack

That ought to be fun.

An old co-worker, born and raised in Bmore, can barely think right now. He's hitting Game 2.

[Zakath]

And so finishes a REALLY bad week in Texas.

[Frater Perdurabo]

It's not a realistic scenario at all, but hypothetically, I think Ventura's calm intensity and Herm Schneider's expertise would benefit Hamilton. Also, if I were Hamilton's friend, knowing that his troubles with the Rangers got magnified as the team attracted more media attention, I might try to steer him toward a team like the Sox for the following reasons:

1. The Sox are second fiddle to the Cubs in a football-first town, and therefore don't get a ton of media coverage;

2. Chicago isn't as overtly evangelical as Texas or even other Midwestern markets, meaning a big part of the fan base in Chicago won't be putting added pressure on you to be a religious role model (no one in Chicago will judge you if you have a few beers);

3. Avoid the overly negative fans and sports media in Boston, Philly and New York;

4. Stay away from the permissive drug culture prevalent on the West Coast.

[Soxman219]

Originally Posted by Frater Perdurabo

It's not a realistic scenario at all, but hypothetically, I think Ventura's calm intensity and Herm Schneider's expertise would benefit Hamilton. Also, if I were Hamilton's friend, knowing that his troubles with the Rangers got magnified as the team attracted more media attention, I might try to steer him toward a team like the Sox for the following reasons:

1. The Sox are second fiddle to the Cubs in a football-first town, and therefore don't get a ton of media coverage;

2. Chicago isn't as overtly evangelical as Texas or even other Midwestern markets, meaning a big part of the fan base in Chicago won't be putting added pressure on you to be a religious role model (no one in Chicago will judge you if you have a few beers);

3. Avoid the overly negative fans and sports media in Boston, Philly and New York;

4. Stay away from the permissive drug culture prevalent on the West Coast.

Chicago has a vibrant night-life. I'm positive he would relapse here.

[amsteel]

Originally Posted by Frater Perdurabo

4. Stay away from the permissive drug culture prevalent on the West Coast.

I'm pretty sure you can get drugs anywhere if you really want them. The Sox just got rid of Guillen's kids. We don't need another member of the organization that needs a babysitter.

[Frater Perdurabo]

Originally Posted by Soxman219

Chicago has a vibrant night-life. I'm positive he would relapse here.

The difference is that no one would care unless and until it affected his performance on the field, and he could get help without having to explain it to the megachurch crowd.