2005 MLB Playoffs

How 'bout that? Made a Simpsons reference, and I didn't even mean to!

I know that feeling of not knowing which smiley to use lol

Well he's no Trish

Doesn't look like I'm gonna be as happy tonight so far.

I'd be sad to see them lose, for you, Geoff, and for SB. Keep the faith, okay?

Well, if the Yankees lose, I won't be as ANGRY. But I still will be sad because Joe Torre will be fired. But I will root for the 'Stros.

I will still be sad because of Joe, but hey Casey Stengel only lasted 10 years, right?

Still, the Braves and Red Sux lost, so it will be easier sleeping tonight.

It's not over yet, though.

W0000000000000000000000000TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!

It's all tied UPPPP!

SAFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE YANKEES TAKE THE LEAD!!!!!!

no it's not


*my post has no other point than to make it look like Don Andrew isn't talking to himself*

I wish I'd known it was going to be this crazy, I would have watched it. I'm sick today with a fever, so I've been sitting at home watching TV and playing on the internet all day. So I totally could have watched it.

Anyway, congrats again Gigi!! I'm rooting for them. It'll be tough for them, but based on today, it looks like they've got it in them to go all the way!

Alright, chant with me!

J-E-T-... Wrong Thread.

The Yankees win! The Yankeeees win!

Let's play one more.

(BTW, did anyone see Brian Cashman looking EXTREMELY constipated?)

WOOHOO!!

Chalk up another victory to... my patented AntiJinx™!!

Aw, Zia, hope you feel better soon! Thank you for the support, as well!

See, Geoff, nothing to worry about! :p

What, me worry?

Preposterous, I know!

A Band friend of mine is now in what could've been my situation...he'll have to miss the game tomorrow, and he's a Yanks fan.

Your anti-jinx never fails, though!

VERY CLASSY post game interview by Roger Clemens, Burke just hit the walkoff and they are interviewing Clemens. Then Clemens kinda interrupted the woman and said "How about the Kid?"

That was nice.

Absolutely, DM. He's truly a good guy. He has such modesty, he's honest, and he always gives credit where credit is due. I missed some of that because I was setting my VCR to tape the celebration, but I saw him, as he was being approached by the reporter, just tug Burke over toward them so he could be interviewed.



Edit: Something else I meant to mention - Clemens' three shutout innings, the 16th, 17th, and 18th, marked his first relief appearance since 1984, his rookie year!

Congrats to the Yanks on pushing a game 5 tonight! Let's go Yanks and let's go Cards!

I'm disappointed - but - I'm not stupid, either. NYY didn't have it to do it. A-Rod was a bust, Sheffield was a bust, Matsui was a bust, Pussada & Bernie always a bust, and that Bad News Bears play in the outfield? WTF??

Jeter tried, but failed. The rest are all bums anyway. Except Cano - the future of the team. He's first class, like Jeter.

But - those no-hitting $100,000,000,000,0000 players blew it. Ya know, A-Rod made $40,000 every at-bat (a.k.a., each time he made an out). He made $160,000 -- plus any playoff bonuses -- for nothing, just tonight alone!! Fuckstickpieceofshit!

I'm not that upset because I know the '05 team didnt' have it, didn't play up to it, and, didn't deserve it.

Go Stros!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=second/guessing/2005

Interesting article.

I agree with Geoff. I'm not surprised that the Yanks lost because a lot of people didn't even think they would make the playoffs once the season began. It was great to win game 4 and they had their shot at it but Anaheim was the better team and I have no shame or hard feelings lossing to them. I think Chicago will play St. Louis in the Series and I'm gonna take the Cards to win it all in 2005. There's always next year for the Yanks and unfortunately they won't have Bernie Williams but maybe we'll get that idiot from boston

I'd love to see the ChiSox win it all. For Joe. Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Well, the $230 million payroll has almost clogged the Yankees. It seems as George Steinbrenner is picking up anyone he can, regardless of quality, as long as they are expensive. It's too bad they can't hit the reset button.

I was .500 in my picks for the DS hopefully I can do a little better in the CS. I think the White Sox are gonna beat the Anaheim Angels in 5 games and the Cardinals will beat the Astros in 6.

A-Rod was a BUST? Sheffield? Matsui? Posada? WTF? Off what, ONE game? Series? So what! The pitching staff were BUSTS! Those guys got the Yankees into the playoffs.

Off 1 game for A-Rod? No I think he batted under .153 for the series. This is the guy who wanted so badly outta texas to win a World Series ring and this is how he plays!?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Somewhat. And yes, the postseason. So what? EVERYTHING!

They all floundered when it mattered in the end. Sure, they helped to get them there, but when the time came, they all BLEW IT. When it really mattered in the end, we got nothing from those guys at all. In fact, they LOST it for the team - NOT the pitching.

I concur with Geoff. The pitching did there part but the hitters unfortunately didn't do there's

Quite an ending to the Sox-Angels game. Since it's already quite controversial, I figured I'd add my two cents, if for no other reason than to end all this talk about those playoff failures, the Yanks. :p

I just watched the press conference that the umps held and they are sticking to their call even after the replay because they saw change of direction in the path of the ball. I can't argue that, but I will argue that the change of direction wasn't caused by the ground, but by the webbing of catcher Josh Paul's mitt. To me, he clearly caught the ball, so everything that happens after that is moot. Of course they're going to defend their call though. They can't exactly come out and say that they blew the game. Also, the home plate umpire signaled what appeared to be the universal sign for "out." This is also the sign for strike three, which the pitch was. I think the umpire handled everything after the alleged trap properly. He made his sign for strike three, which he is supposed to still do, even if he believes the ball was trapped. Whether there needs to be a universal sign for strike three that differs from out is something Major League Baseball will have to address in the offseason.

The problem I have with the umpires trap call, is that by ruling in such a manner, the umpire is in effect stating that he witnessed the ball bounce off the dirt, therefore the catcher has to throw down to first for the out. During the press conference, the home plate umpire flat out said, "I thought the ball hit the dirt." If the pitch is low and the catcher comes up with it cleanly, all indications are that he caught the pitch in flight. The only way an umpire can rule otherwise is if he sees the ball hit the dirt. If the umpire didn't see the ball hit the dirt, than how can he call it a trap? Even Pierzynski took one step to walk away before he took off for first. Now if Josh Paul would have just tagged the batter right away, none of this would matter, but if you are a catcher and you catch strike three(which replay showed he did), the umpire makes a sign that, whether it was intended to or not, signals out, why would you feel the need to tag the runner?

I guess I'm just glad I'm not an Angels or White Sox fan. Otherwise I would be way too worked up to get any sleep tonight.

Glad to see the Cards beat Pettitte and the Stros

Yay for the Angels' loss!!

The strike three controversy: I didn't see the press conference with the umps, but it's a sad state when umps get press conferences. They are suppose to be almost invisible and yet here again (the Yankee game, with Joe West) they are getting face-time.

Question: How does a catcher know the ball didn't hit the ground first? He can't see it bounce an inch before his glove and at 90 mph he couldn't discern that by eye or feel. NOT to mention the home plate ump can't even make that call. He is totally out of position. The call should be made by another ump in the field who may be able to discern the change of direction -the bounce.

Trust me, there is a distinctive and noticeable difference between catching a ball in the air and one that short hops off the ground. The short hop gives the ball an extra zip as it hits your glove due to the acceleration it is experiencing after hitting the ground. A ball you simply catch in the air doesn't have that secondary force of acceleration created by the ground. The ball that doesn't bounce might actually still be traveling faster, but it is losing acceleration and doesn't have the same pop.

we just can't forget it was an ERROR by the umps that finished the game, but I really think that the Angels' catcher was a little bit naive. he really could've just tagged Pierzynski - not that there's anything to blame the guy (he had no idea of what was about to happen) but he must be pissed off right now.

Error, mistake, whatever.

The fact is, the White Sox won Game 2, with Game 3 at Anaheim tonight.

Don Sicilia, what is your feeling regarding The White Sox? As a Cubbies fan are you obligated to not root for them? Or as a resident of Chicago are you excited that your city is being represented?

Cubs fans should be rooting for the White Sox. Sure, the Cubs may not be the franchise that brings home the World Series title back to Chicago, but dammit for the whole city itself, you know?

Houston goes up 2 games to 1 !!

It's strange to watch Houston games on tv and see George and Barbara Bush sitting in their first row seats and the announcers don't even acknowledge that' they're there. Even having a former president sitting at your game takes back seat when it's the playoffs. I think that's the third time I've watched and Astros game and saw them in their seats.

BTW....congrats Gina and her Astros. And Willy caught the final out too.

Looks like Chicago is only 1 game away from the World Series In the NL, LET'S GO CARDS!

What a hell of a double play by The Astros to win the game. You think the game's gonna be tied, and in almost a split second they win the game. WOW! Congrats.

Astros up 3-1? Better change my quote...

Beth, my heart was beating so fast, I thought I was going to have a heart attack! When Lidge allowed the hit that Pujols advanced to third on, I just ran to my room so I could watch it alone. What a close and great game! Really makes me appreciate Garner, because Taveras came in as a pinch-runner, and he ended up scoring the go-ahead on the sac fly and making an incredible catch in center!

For anyone who saw the fuss LaRussa made about the strike zone, which he ended up being ejected on, check out the video I took of my dad impersonating him:

My dad as Tony LaRussa

Maybe we were drunk on baseball or something, but he had all of my family cracking up when he put on the sunglasses, because he looked so much like Tony! Then, I gave him a red Ferrari cap to put on, and I put a sticky note with the Cardinal logo on it.

Andrew, please don't jinx it. 1 more game. That's all I can say to myself - over and over - just one more. I'm still praying and cheering, as always.

That video is hilarious!!!!

Congrats to the Sox on making it to the World Series! I'm REALLY surprised Hopefully St. Louis can still meet them there

I think the most impressive thing about the Sox ALCS domination was their starting pitching. I may have misheard it on ESPN Radio, but I thought they said the starters pitched 44 1/3 out of a possible 45 innings. That's just amazing. And they certainly kept Vlad Guerrero in check, too...

Although I'm not a Sox fan, I must admit that it's pretty exciting for the city of Chicago to have a World Series participant.

In addition to their outstanding starting pitching (you heard it right Goombah - 4 straight complete games and in Game 1, Contreras got all but the last 2 outs in a loss), their hitting has been pretty clutch, especially from their 7-8-9 hitters.

Konerko hitting those first inning homeruns were also huge.

Great video Gina!

Is anyone else totally annoyed at Fox when they have insert that flying ALCS Championship Series graphic with the swooshing sound? They do it on every replay and every play has five replays. Enough already. I'm switching to reruns of the Andy Griffith Show on TV land.

Ohhh that's what that is!

Good luck tonight, Gigi... sit where you have to sit, wear what you have to wear, do what you have to do.

Glad y'all enjoyed the video - maybe he'll make an encore.

Thanks, Zia. I certainly will.

Albert Pujols!

*Background music (Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf)*

Lyrics

Who's Afraid of Albert Pujlos, Albert Pujlos, Albert Pujlos?
Who's Afraid of Albert Pujlos, Albert Pujlos, Albert Pujlos?

REPEAT!

You can take it up the Poo-Hole for all I care.

I can't believe that shit! WTF, Lidge??! I guess people I talk to are right -- it's SO much about the dollar, that they made sure it went to Game 7. More ad dollars. Just like all those pathetic calls against the Angels (whom I hate, by the way!) to assure that the ChiSox won... Apparently it's some Grand Plan to maximize ad dollars, and, to have a matchup to maximize ad dollars.

It's disgusting to me, how baseball has apparently sold out.

I guess Toyota (or whomever) paid for a Game 7, so there shall be one!!

:rolleyes:

It was only game 5, St. Louis still has to win 1 more to force a game 7

It'll go to 7, I bet. Unless some big sponsor insisted it'd end in 6. Who knows. Just disgusting all around at this point; and so damned OBVIOUS on the umps' parts! :rolleyes:

Wow, that's a lot of times to misspell "Pujols." Six times, in fact.

No kidding, Zia... kids these days...! Sheesh. :rolleyes: It's all copy/paste, copy/paste, copy/paste -- and they don't care if it's right or not!! :rolleyes:

I know seriously!! Copy/paste, what is that?! If you want it repeated that badly, stay with it till the bitter end!!
And that way you can catch your mistakes too... *ahem*

That's the way ESPN had it on it's home page so if anyone got it wrong it was them

Geoff, it's very possible that it's all planned out just for the big money (a friend even claims that the mafia is in on our series... ), but I just can't let myself believe that. I guess I just want to remain naive and ignore the possible tainting of baseball, and I know I'm being stubborn, but baseball is the only thing I truly love and enjoy, and to think that all these guys play for, and all that I watch, cheer, support, and live for, is fake, is just depressing. I can't even imagine that to be true, so I'd rather believe it's not.

Irish, sometimes it's just unbelievable how incredibly rude you can be. I remember you talking about how much you've "been through" this past season and how you deserve to rub things in the faces of fans who have done the same to you. Sounds silly to run off into a GF quote, but what have I done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Honestly. I know I'll never change your hatred for the Astros...I know you'll always go for any team that we're playing...but it's like you've just gone out of your way to root against my team and make them look bad. Talk about what someone's "gone through," and the first post I see after last night's game is what you wrote about Pujols? I can't stop you from saying what you want to say, but in my eyes, it's as if you're just continuing the circle of "revenge."

As a general sports post, last night's game truly was the most depressing of the season - we were one out (at one point, even one strike) away from making history, and we couldn't do it. I have to give credit to Pujols. Really, there's no reason not to, but I just want to say that he is just amazing, and he definitely deserves all the recognition he gets. The time between the end of the game last night until the start of the game tomorrow has gone and will go so slow. Today was pretty depressing at school - I talked with the friends who understood, and we just went through the "what if's" and "shoulda/coulda's," and those who don't give a flip about baseball were sure to add their two cents about the team and Pujols. However, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game. We're still in a good position, and I won't lose the faith until they make the very last out of the season. Praying and cheering, as always.

Irish even got Gina annoyed! A new low.

Hey Gina - I don't really think that's the case. I was just venting my frustration!! They were SOOOOOO CLOSE!! And I was kinda pissed. And I felt bad for you, too, of course! Sorry if that upset you... I think I was just frustrated; I don't really think it's fixed.

It's not football (like what happened to me in fantasy this week ) or boxing, after all!

Oh, no, Geoff. You didn't upset me at all. I just meant that the thought of baseball being fixed in any way is sad to think about. I didn't realize you didn't really think it was, but several other people have also given me theories on how different games can be fixed (not necessarily this one), and you truly never know. But, I'd rather believe it's not.

Gina, my rooting for St. Louis is not a personal attack at you at all. I wasn't trying to rub in in thinking "man I hope gina reads this" I was just venting my frustration as I had 3 people in class last night all talking about how houston was gonna go to the world series, yada yada yada and to see St. Louis just RIP it from them for at least 1 more game (because they were down to their last out), I had to celebrate. So again, it's nothing personal I just REALLY hate houston and won't be satisfied until they're knocked outta the playoffs

Then I would just ask that you please take it out with those that are annoying you instead of here at the board. As far as I know, I'm the only Astros fan here, so naturally, I'm going to feel that any Astros comment is at least somewhat directed at me. I only make general comments about them - I never brag about what we've done or trash talk other teams. I get plenty of teasing and rude remarks (in Houston, at that!) about my team, as well. I discuss baseball with every single person I talk to at school, so you can imagine that I don't look forward to the response after a loss...though most are nicer than others. But, I wouldn't take out my anger from that on here. As I said, I can't stop you, and I'm really not trying to start an argument. I'm probably not even in the right position to say all of this, but it's just been bothering me for a while, and I had to get it out of my system.

I understand what you're saying and again I'm sorry if it seemed that I was attacking you, but those who I need to take it up with, I won't see them until Monday and the series will be over by then. So in the mean time, this is my only medium to vent my frustration really. Also, this is a message board where we can come to talk and dicuss our problems among other things. So again, I feel bad if my "antics" have bothered you but I won't stop rooting against them until houston is out of the playoffs. But don't worry, they're gonna win the series (unfortunately) anyway

Thanks for your understanding. I know it is a message board, and you're certainly free to say what you wish. I honestly can't hold anything against you for doing that.

Congratulations Gina!

Well, I was .500 in predictions again. I picked Chicago to win the ALCS in 5 games and they did but I had St. Louis in the NLCS in 6 games. For the WS I think the Astros have the resilience and mental toughness to beat the White Sox and I believe they will win it in 7. I also predict this World Series will be one of the top 10 lowest scoring in history. Whatever happens, I can't wait for it to start happening on Saturday night. Oh yeah, I hope to see Jeff Bagwell DHing for the games in Chi-town.

Way ta go Houston!!

Gina, I'm happy for you. I hafta admit, though, I'm cheering for the ChiSox in the Series. Its for Shoeless Joe.

Let's go White Sox!

Congrats, Gina! You did a great job!

I wanted HOU to make it to the WS, cuz they never had... but I'm not quite sure who to root for now, actually... the 2 ex-Yanks are great, but, they're jerks :p But nothing really attracts me to the ChiSox, either.... so I don't know.... )

I thought you had the patent on that Anti-Jinx... it's no good anymore?

And I agree, Gigi played a hell of a game.

Congrats on the Astros, Gina.

I'm rooting for you all the way.

Don't take it personally, though. I picked them in our Fantasy Brackets game, and I need them to win the WS for me to beat DB.

Congrats Gina!

Astros-White Sox

Weren't the ChiSox supposed to choke against Cleveland and the Astros supposed to cough up the Wild Card?

:p

Hopefully next year I can carry the Blue Jays to their third World Series Chamipionship. Hey, I hit .269 with 28 HR and 97 RBI this year.

Wow, thanks to everyone who offered their congratulations! That really does mean a lot. I sure did work hard for it, huh? I get so into everything that it feels like I do actually play the games (what with my job as stay-at-home manager/cheerleader!), but if anyone deserves congrats, it's the team. I just love 'em all, and I'm so proud of them.

Geoff, if you already had a team picked, (like SC - thank you, and I understand!), then I'd be fine with it. You seem neutral here, however, so maybe I could play a little song on my new flute - just for you - and perhaps you'd make up your mind? Seriously, I appreciate all the cheering and support you've given the boys already, and it's your pick on who you want to win. You know who I'll be rooting for!

Gee, Plaw, you're too kind. :p Ah, I wish it were personal, but as long as you're rooting for them, I'm still grateful. Miss seeing you around (already!), by the way - you should stop by the ladies' thread. It being referred to as the ladies' thread is silly, anyway, what with all the guys running around!

Dye homers, 1-0 Sox

Mike Lamb HR. 1-1.

3-1 Sox in the bottom of the 2nd

The Rocket doesn't make it past two innings!

Home run Chicago, 4-3

Hamstring...

Sox score again, 5-3 bottom 8

Thhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeee White Sox win! White Sox win!!

Wow, Bobby Jenks pitched like a man possessed! I think the White Sox have found their Tom Henke (or Mariano Rivera for you Yankee fans).

It's still only 1 game but I'm glad Chicago won

Are you going to be doing play-by-play for this thread too? :rolleyes:

Are you going to be doing play-by-play for this thread too? :rolleyes: [/b][/quote]Only when the White Sox win of course (exhibit A: Yankee Thread:)

Are you going to be doing play-by-play for this thread too? :rolleyes: [/b][/quote]No, game 1 will be the only game I'm watching due to school or work

Tough game. Roger must've really been in pain to leave after two innings. I was hoping for a win even with the bullpen in, of course, but now that the game is over and done with, I'm glad Rocket left when he did. We just couldn't score the runners we got on base, so I'm glad he was able to get his rest and prevent any further damage. Now I'm just worried about what condition he's in.