2010 MLB Playoffs

[estranged4life]

What are your predictions?

Mine:

ALDS - Rays vs. Rangers (Rays in 5...I hate to say being a Rangers fan)
ALDS - Yankees vs. Twins (Yankees in 4...Was hoping Morneau be healthy for the Twins, but he will miss all of the playoffs)

NLDS - Reds vs. Phillies (Phillies in 3)
NLDS - Braves vs. Giants (Giants in 4)

ALCS - Rays vs. Yankees (Yankees in 6)

NLCS - Giants vs. Phillies (Phillies in 5)

World Series - Yankees vs. Phillies (Phillies in 6)

[GODDESS6]

i'm rooting for the phillies:thumbsup:, seeing the red sox didn't make it:distress:~

[Lee]

And I'm rooting for the Phillies because they are my team & the team to beat!

GOOOOOOO PHILLIES!!!

Lee :)

[estranged4life]

is no-hitting the Reds in the top of the 9th inning!!! Wow!!!

He did it...A no-hitter!!!!!!

[DavidMn]

Roy Halladay is one of the best pitchers of this generation. He also has perfect game to go with this no-hitter he just pitched. unbelieveable. I dont think there is anyone who can stop the Phillies.

[GODDESS6]

i am rooting for the phillies because cole hamels is dreamy!!!~http://i53.tinypic.com/14j6osi.jpg

halladay's no hitter was phenomenal!!!~

[estranged4life]

so far I have been 100% accurate....at being wrong! I thought the Rays would beat my Rangers team, but 'lo and behold the Rays have to win 3 in a row or their season is over.

[bucklind17]

Hoping for a repeat of last year, Yankees/Phillies with Yankees on top!

Though I do agree, Cole Hamels is dreamy.

[JWS]

The Twins are once again done in by the Yankees. Even their new ballpark didn't help. It'll be up to Texas now.

[estranged4life]

The Twins are once again done in by the Yankees. Even their new ballpark didn't help. It'll be up to Texas now.

having watched the Rangers all season long, They can compete with the Yanks, and have defeated Mariano Rivera when others couldn't (Including on consecutive occassions in September)...But don't count out the Rays just yet.

[GODDESS6]

having watched the Rangers all season long, They can compete with the Yanks, and have defeated Mariano Rivera when others couldn't (Including on consecutive occassions in September)...But don't count out the Rays just yet.

i pray the rangers pound the skankees:D~

[MissLadyLoki]

Hoping for a repeat of last year, Yankees/Phillies with Yankees on top!

Though I do agree, Cole Hamels is dreamy.

Woo hoo! I officially love you! :thumbsup:

Yeah, Cole Hamels is definitely a cutie. Most teams seem to have that great-looking player, another one being David Wright from the Mets.

[ragrsrocalot]

YANKEES- All the way!!!

[estranged4life]

CHOKED!!!! And I loved every second of it :thumbsup:

And the Giants just went up 3-0 in the 1st inning over the tomahawk CHOKING Braves (Ya know, that team of the decade that yet only won ONE World Series).

To do the much fun & LOVED tomahawk-CHOKE, do the "tomahawk chop" horizontally at your throat :thumbsup:

[estranged4life]

Gwynn: Mouth cancer small, treatable

Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn soon will begin treatment for parotid cancer, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Saturday.

The cancer was discovered last month after Gwynn, 50, underwent his third bout of surgery since 1997 to remove a tumor on his parotid gland, which pumps saliva into the mouth.

The former San Diego Padres star said he faces seven to eight weeks of five-day-a-week radiation treatments and once-a-week chemotherapy treatments, the Union-Tribune reported. Gwynn said doctors told him they feel they caught the cancer early and "there was not much of it there."

"They say this is a slow-moving but aggressive form of cancer," Gwynn told the paper. "I’m going to be aggressive and not slow moving in treating this."

Gwynn suspects the cancer could be linked to his career-long practice of using chewing tobacco.

“I haven’t discussed that with the doctors yet, but I’m thinking it’s related to dipping,” said Gwynn, who resumed using chewing tobacco after the first two surgeries.

Dr. Kevin Brumund, a neck and throat specialist at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, told the newspaper there have been no studies linking parotid cancer and chewing tobacco, which is now banned in minor league baseball.

Gwynn is San Diego State's baseball coach, and the school confirmed Gwynn's condition to The Associated Press. Gwynn plans to return to his alma mater, which he has coached since 2003. He retired from the majors in 2001 after 20 seasons with the Padres, in which he won a National League record-tying eight batting championships and was named to the All-Star Game 16 times.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[estranged4life]

Nice knowing ya :lol:

The Phillies complete the sweep of the Reds.

As I said, don't count out the Rays, they're making a game of their series with the Rangers.

[DavidMn]

Rays win 5-2. Force game 5. Bye Bye Rangers.

[DavidMn]

i am rooting for the phillies because cole hamels is dreamy!!!~http://i53.tinypic.com/14j6osi.jpg

halladay's no hitter was phenomenal!!!~Cole Hamels= Delicious! :cool:

[GODDESS6]

Cole Hamels= Delicious! :cool:

he looked delish last night as well:thumbsup:~

[estranged4life]

Rays win 5-2. Force game 5. Bye Bye Rangers.

but I believe my Rangers are doomed in game 5.

[DavidMn]

but I believe my Rangers are doomed in game 5.Well they do have Cliff Lee going in game 5 so its not out of the question.:)

[estranged4life]

Well they do have Cliff Lee going in game 5 so its not out of the question.:)

so true.

For some reason Cliff Lee hasn't been the success as a Rangers as he had elsewhere. I honestly don't see Lee staying in Arlington after this season.

[ILoveFM]

Braves, braves, braves!!!! Let Bobby go out on top!

[estranged4life]

The NLCS is set, the Phillies vs. Giants

Classy of the Giants giving Bobby Cox an ovation on the field after the game.

[ILoveFM]

The NLCS is set, the Phillies vs. Giants

Classy of the Giants giving Bobby Cox an ovation on the field after the game.

I'm going to miss Bobby so much! I've seriously grown up where Bobby is a known God. He can never be replaced :(

[LukeA]

I'm going to miss Bobby so much! I've seriously grown up where Bobby is a known God. He can never be replaced :(

Yes, yes, yes... but, for the life of me, I still can't figure out how the Braves only won one World Series. Seriously, its unfathomable. Not saying its Cox's fault, but to me, that's what sticks out when it comes to the last twenty years of Braves baseball.

[estranged4life]

"Ballgame!""

The ALCS is set.

I have to say the Yanks better be ready, and I cannot wait to hear Pay-Rod get booed in Game 1 in Arlington.

It's "Antlers/Claw" time :)

[GypsySorcerer]

Yes, yes, yes... but, for the life of me, I still can't figure out how the Braves only won one World Series. Seriously, its unfathomable. Not saying its Cox's fault, but to me, that's what sticks out when it comes to the last twenty years of Braves baseball.

I know. The streak of 14 consecutive division titles is so impressive, and yet they only won the 1995 series. And with the pitching they had? Crazy.

[estranged4life]

I know. The streak of 14 consecutive division titles is so impressive, and yet they only won the 1995 series. And with the pitching they had? Crazy.

the winning of the consecutive titles may have been a reason why the Braves won only 1 World Series title during their stretch run (1991-2005) of being a dominating team in the NL East - the Braves always looked tired once they entered the playoffs.

Possibly too much emphasis on the division title wore the team out? Who knows :shrug: I'm not a Braves fan, but even now I will say they should have won more than just one World Series title.

[ILoveFM]

Yes, yes, yes... but, for the life of me, I still can't figure out how the Braves only won one World Series. Seriously, its unfathomable. Not saying its Cox's fault, but to me, that's what sticks out when it comes to the last twenty years of Braves baseball.

Oh I know! It's still hard to believe we've only won one.

[estranged4life]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Bobby-Cox-a-true-one-of-a-kind-makes-his-final-exit-from-field-101110

Baseball won't be the same without Cox

The T-shirts hanging on the rack in the lobby of the hotel across the street from Turner Field proclaimed "Coxtober."

The signage above the awning of the center field concession stand simply read "11 for 6," a reference to the 11 wins the Braves needed in the postseason to reward No. 6, retiring manager Bobby Cox, with a second world championship.

Outta here
Bobby Cox has been ejected from more games than anyone in MLB history. At the end of this season, he'll exit of his own free will — by retiring. Look back at his impressive career here.

The hopes, however, turned into disappointment on Monday night.

The end came prematurely — if after 51 years in uniform anything can be considered premature.

A Braves team that became special to Cox because of the way it battled through injuries to claim the NL wild-card was eliminated in four games by San Francisco in the best-of-5 National League Division Series.

And then reality hit the stoic Cox, whose competitiveness is obvious by the fact he was ejected more times (158) than any manager in the history of the game, but whose personality was underscored by the fact that none of the 158 had the drama to make them memorable like a Lou Piniella-base-throwing or Earl Weaver dirt-kicking.

Facing the media in the aftermath of the 3-2 loss that was to mark his departure from the managerial job, Cox tried to keep it cool.

"It is hard to believe it’s the last time I will put (the uniform) on, but it is," he said, his voice suddenly breaking, and he muttered, "a grown man shouldn’t do this."

But nobody cared if Cox’s eyes teared up.

He earned the right in a 29-year managerial career — a four-year stint in Toronto interrupting his 25 years with Atlanta — that saw him win more games (2,504) than everyone who had ever managed except for Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa.

He took Toronto to the first postseason in its history in 1985, guided the Braves to a pro sports record 14 consecutive division titles (1991-2005) and then made his managerial record 16th postseason appearance this month.

A baseball lifer
"We knew this was inevitable, we had time to prepare for it, but I don’t think any of us were ready for it," said Atlanta President John Schuerholz, who came from Kansas City to be replace Cox as the Braves general manager when Cox returned to the dugout in 1990. "He was a great leader. He was so much of what this franchise stands for. You don’t replace a guy like that."

But there is a need to honor a guy like that. Even in the disappointment of their team’s elimination, not only did the fans at Turner Field coax Cox into a curtain call, but Giants players, in the midst of an on-field celebration for winning the Division Series, stopped and joined in applauding the manager in the opposition’s dugout.

"Anybody who has been in this game wants to pay their respect to Bobby," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "It’s going to be strange to come here next year and Bobby Cox won’t be managing the team. I’ve always looked up to him, not just how he manages the game, but his team, how professional they are. They are always in uniform. They play the game right."

Cox seemed embarrassed by the commotion.

"I saw them," he said. "I gave them a thumbs up."

A third baseman signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959, Cox spent eight years in the minor leagues with the Dodgers, Atlanta and Chicago Cubs before being acquired by the Yankees, who took him to the big leagues in 1968 and 1969 only to have his achy knees bring a premature ending to his playing career.

The Yankees, though, liked what they had in Cox and persuaded him to get into field management, a decision he never regretted.

Retiring types
A job in baseball is about the best work a guy can get. Still, for every player, manager or umpire, the time comes to step away from the game.

"It’s been a good ride," he said.

So good that there were many who really wondered if the ride would ever end as long as Cox was breathing and walking. He loves NASCAR and plays an occasional round of golf, but his life is baseball.

At home games he could be found seven hours before first pitch, in a small room off the dugout, having a cigar and watching the weather map.

On the road he would spend the early afternoon sitting on the bench.

Even in the postseason, the habits were hard to break.

Nearly seven hours before the first pitch in Game 1 of the NLDS he was walking the steps at AT&T Park in San Francisco, and once that part of the day’s activity was completed he could be found sitting in the stands, high enough to see over the right field wall and get a view of the serenity of the bay.

The Braves have given Cox a five-year contract as a special assistant to general manager Frank Wren.

"What you have to understand is you don’t replace a guy like that," said Schuerholz said. "This is a sad day for the game. … Suddenly we lose and you have the worse realization, that this is his last game as a manager.

"Thank God we are still going to have him around. He belongs here."

And the folks in Atlanta made Cox feel welcome even when he was telling them goodbye.

[JWS]

Bobby Cox is a legend. Before him, the Braves were just awful...finishing last or next to last for like 20 years.

[estranged4life]

2-1 in the Series with the Phillies, by winning game 3 by the score 3-0.

Let's see if the Rangers can go up 3-1 on the Yanks tonight in N.Y.

[bucklind17]

I don't recall a period in my life when the Yankee bullpen has ever been considered "good" and they seem to love reiterating that reputation. Ugggggh.

Granted, the offense was pretty lame last night as well. Way too many men left on base.

[estranged4life]

at least I have the Rangers to keep my mind occupied during this dreadful week of October...And to all those who thought the Rangers would've choked to the Yanks (This is the first time in a LONG time I'm not cheering for the Yanks in the ALCS) by now, I send you the following:

[MissLadyLoki]

As a big, lifelong Yankee fan, I won't be crying if they don't make it to the World Series. Besides, I got the best reason in the book: I can't physically watch it.

In case you're wondering, my cable provider, Cablevision, got into a huge fight with News Corp and with that, all Fox channels have been blocked, including WNYW, the New York Fox channel that I would have watched the World Series on.

Besides, rabbit ears or antenna would do no good (out here, you pick up Connecticut stations), I heard about my uncle in Queens having too many problems with his dish (and with the winds we get out here, it'd be blown right off the house), and Fios isn't in my area yet, so I'll just have to suffer.

[estranged4life]

As a big, lifelong Yankee fan, I won't be crying if they don't make it to the World Series. Besides, I got the best reason in the book: I can't physically watch it.

In case you're wondering, my cable provider, Cablevision, got into a huge fight with News Corp and with that, all Fox channels have been blocked, including WNYW, the New York Fox channel that I would have watched the World Series on.

Besides, rabbit ears or antenna would do no good (out here, you pick up Connecticut stations), I heard about my uncle in Queens having too many problems with his dish (and with the winds we get out here, it'd be blown right off the house), and Fios isn't in my area yet, so I'll just have to suffer.

either a satellite dish nor a TV, and I found ways to watch the games via Stream Torrent - Maybe not the most perfect way sometimes, but it beats nothing.

[bucklind17]

As a big, lifelong Yankee fan, I won't be crying if they don't make it to the World Series. Besides, I got the best reason in the book: I can't physically watch it.

In case you're wondering, my cable provider, Cablevision, got into a huge fight with News Corp and with that, all Fox channels have been blocked, including WNYW, the New York Fox channel that I would have watched the World Series on.

Besides, rabbit ears or antenna would do no good (out here, you pick up Connecticut stations), I heard about my uncle in Queens having too many problems with his dish (and with the winds we get out here, it'd be blown right off the house), and Fios isn't in my area yet, so I'll just have to suffer.

The Cablevision drama is one of the VERY minimal reasons that I'm glad I don't have cable. I use a digital convertor box and have no problem watching the major networks (all New York affiliates). Of course, I'm also cursing not having cable because I've been having to figure out how to watch the ALCS all week, since I can't get TBS. So far, I've visited my parents in CT, physically gone to a game, gone to a bar and used my work's breakroom TV. Friday'll be back to the bar, God willing!

But yeah, it's a silly investment when I'm sure Cablevision will break eventually, but if you wanted to spring for a digital convertor box and rabbit ears, you'd definitely be able to get the came on Fox.

[MissLadyLoki]

The Cablevision drama is one of the VERY minimal reasons that I'm glad I don't have cable. I use a digital convertor box and have no problem watching the major networks (all New York affiliates). Of course, I'm also cursing not having cable because I've been having to figure out how to watch the ALCS all week, since I can't get TBS. So far, I've visited my parents in CT, physically gone to a game, gone to a bar and used my work's breakroom TV. Friday'll be back to the bar, God willing!

But yeah, it's a silly investment when I'm sure Cablevision will break eventually, but if you wanted to spring for a digital convertor box and rabbit ears, you'd definitely be able to get the came on Fox.

It could work, but since I'm a bit far out (as in exit 62 on the LIE), I heard that I'd be getting CT stations rather than NY stations, so that'd be fun lol.

As for now, I'd probably grin and bear it, but since you're in Queens, wouldn't your cable be from Time Warner? :confused:

[bucklind17]

It could work, but since I'm a bit far out (as in exit 62 on the LIE), I heard that I'd be getting CT stations rather than NY stations, so that'd be fun lol.

As for now, I'd probably grin and bear it, but since you're in Queens, wouldn't your cable be from Time Warner? :confused:

Yeah, my area does have Time Warner but I do know people in the area that have Cablevision as well. I remember a LOT of issues when they pulled this last year with the Oscars.

On topic, yay for a Yankee win today! If they can keep this up, we might still have a chance. Sucks that Teixiera is done for the series though, even if he hadn't been doing much with the bat, he's great to have on the field.

[MissLadyLoki]

Yeah, my area does have Time Warner but I do know people in the area that have Cablevision as well. I remember a LOT of issues when they pulled this last year with the Oscars.

On topic, yay for a Yankee win today! If they can keep this up, we might still have a chance. Sucks that Teixiera is done for the series though, even if he hadn't been doing much with the bat, he's great to have on the field.

I saw Curtis Granderson's homer before leaving. While watching the TBS coverage, they mentioned how in 96 (hope you're reading this Sara) that the Braves were trailing 3-1 against the Cardinals and made a comeback to get the NLCS that year, so there's hope.

[bucklind17]

I saw Curtis Granderson's homer before leaving. While watching the TBS coverage, they mentioned how in 96 (hope you're reading this Sara) that the Braves were trailing 3-1 against the Cardinals and made a comeback to get the NLCS that year, so there's hope.

Not that I really want to remember it, but there's also the 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox came back to beat the Yankees and they were down 3-o. To quote Rocky, "Nothing is over!"

[MissLadyLoki]

Not that I really want to remember it, but there's also the 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox came back to beat the Yankees and they were down 3-o. To quote Rocky, "Nothing is over!"

Or to quote Yogi, "It ain't over till it's over!"

[Lee]

But I know if any team can come from behind & win it all, it's the Phillies. I've seen them in action, so I know they can do it.

GOOOOOOOO PHILLIES!! :blob2:

Lee :)

[DavidMn]

Not that I really want to remember it, but there's also the 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox came back to beat the Yankees and they were down 3-o. To quote Rocky, "Nothing is over!"As a Red Sox fan, that was probably the single greatest moment of my life. To slay the dragon in front of their fans is something I'll never forget!

[GODDESS6]

As a Red Sox fan, that was probably the single greatest moment of my life. To slay the dragon in front of their fans is something I'll never forget!

hell yeah it was & i cried!!!~ love my red sox & also loved when pedro threw don zimmer down by the head:D~

still rooting for the phillies to win tho, i have to swoon over cole:o~

[chiliD]

NLCS: Being a Dodger fan, I have absolutely ZERO interest in the NLCS. Eff both teams! (Hate the Giants, out of tradition; hate the Phillies because of what they've done to the Dodgers the past two post-seasons)

ALCS: Being an Angel fan, I'm pissed off that ex-Angel players have been playing well for the Rangers. The Angels should've kept them!! *

With my wife being a Yankee fan, by default, I'm rooting for the Yankees...and ONLY the Yankees, this post-season.

* (and, in a pseudo-typical Philadelphia fan way, I am kinda glad that Teixiera went down, since he screwed over the Angels by leaving via free agency)

Need to re-watch the Ken Burns PBS series Baseball to restore my love for the game...which is at an all-time low right now.

[estranged4life]

mainly because the Oklahoma City Redhawks WERE the Triple A affiliate for the Rangers, and Debbie & myself were always attending games...even made an appearrance during the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game broadcast.

In 2011 the Redhawks will be the affiliate for the Houston Asshole, err, Astros (I team I once loved that I now loathe)


Love the Rangers, Hate the 'Stros...

[DavidMn]

hell yeah it was & i cried!!!~ love my red sox & also loved when pedro threw don zimmer down by the head:D~

still rooting for the phillies to win tho, i have to swoon over cole:o~Ahh yes, as Bill Lee once referred to Don Zimmer as the Gerbil!:) The thing is, I know in my lifetime and probably several, The Red Sox will not come close to equaling the success of the Yankees, but to know in my heart that every Yankee fan has to live forever with the fact that they were up 3-0 against their arch enemies and lost the series in Yankee Stadium is all I really need as a Sox fan. I sometimes wonder if I was a Bostonian in a previous life.

[estranged4life]

the Oct.22 curse is over!!!

Tha RANGERS are your American League CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!


Wow!

[estranged4life]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)

Their Texas-sized wait is over. The Rangers are going to the World Series.

And they got there with a win over their old nemesis, the defending champion New York Yankees.

Vladimir Guerrero drove in three runs before Nelson Cruz hit a towering, two-run homer and the Rangers beat New York 6-1 Friday night in Game 6 of the AL championship series, the biggest victory in the franchise's 50 seasons.

Colby Lewis dominated for his second win of the series and Josh Hamilton earned the ALCS MVP award. And in a state where most sports fans gear up for fall weekends by watching high school football, the Rangers gave a new meaning to Friday Night Lights.

When Alex Rodriguez took a called third strike to end the game, fireworks exploded in the sky high above, confetti filled the air and the Rangers embraced each other near the mound.

Rangers icon Nolan Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher who is the team president and co-owner, embraced his wife in the front row before going on the field to join the team.

Cliff Lee was waiting if needed by the Rangers for a deciding Game 7 against the Yankees. Now the ace left-hander can get ready for Game 1 of the World Series, on Wednesday night in either San Francisco or Philadelphia. The Giants lead the NLCS 3-2.

The Rangers, who had never won a postseason series or a home playoff game before this year, dispatched the $200 million-plus Bronx Bombers with little drama - especially after a four-run outburst in the fifth inning snapped a 1-all tie.

And that makes it even more satisfying for the Rangers and their fans since New York knocked Texas out of the playoffs in each of the club's three previous appearances. Derek Jeter is among several players remaining from those teams in the late 1990s and Rodriguez is among several former Rangers now wearing pinstripes.


---------------------


Enjoy the early morning 'tee-time' Yanks, I'm sure there's many a good golf course awaiting your arrival :thumbsup:

[DavidMn]

the Oct.22 curse is over!!!

Tha RANGERS are your American League CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!


Wow!Dude, I'm really happy for you. Especially at this tough time. I was thinking about you when the Rangers won!:cool:

[DavidMn]

Giants win 3-2! what a finish! your 2010 world series:






Giants vs Rangers

[estranged4life]

this should be an interesting World Series...No guess whom I'm rooting for - Antlers, Claws & Ginger-Ale!!!!

[LukeA]

Rangers in 5, and that's almost being too generous. Big Game Timmy Jim will win one, but that'll be it.

[estranged4life]

Dude, I'm really happy for you. Especially at this tough time. I was thinking about you when the Rangers won!:cool:

last night. Josh "AL MVP in my opinion" Hamilton showed what a class-act he has become when he deferred to talk about his teammates instead of himself while accepting the ALCS MVP award.

The Rangers motto all season has been "It's Time"...and sure 'nuff it is now time.

Rangers in 6

[Lindsfan]

^^^ I was proud of them too, even though they're not mine! I'm a Mariners fan, and I never - never thought I'd be rooting for the Texas Rangers, but, GD I am STILL giddy over their game on Friday night :blob2: Lots of fans up here feel the same way...your guys have had us glued to the ALCS, and loving every minute of it! You gotta know how freaking happy we were when they took down the Yankees :thumbsup: Man, great job from a great team. GO RANGERS!!!!!

[estranged4life]

^^^ I was proud of them too, even though they're not mine! I'm a Mariners fan

so hopefully in 2011 the Mariners can right the ship.

[LukeA]

so hopefully in 2011 the Mariners can right the ship.

Arrrr! If only the Pirates be stupid enough to take on Chone Figgins' contract, then it be smooth sailin' ahead!

[daniellaaarisen]

GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!

[GODDESS6]

GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!

dani i love ya, but no way, i hate those mofo's as bad as i do the yankees!!!~

i did see he cameraman gave me a quick glimpse of hottie cole hamels before the phillies loss, he is so lip licking delicious!!!~ mama mia....

can someone explain to me the whole black beard crap the giants are sporting, well at least their pitchers?, they all look like the a in disguise~

[estranged4life]

Arrrr! If only the Pirates be stupid enough to take on Chone Figgins' contract, then it be smooth sailin' ahead!

have have become of ye.

Haven't had a great season since the early 1990's and no championship since the GREAT 1979 World Series win (aka "We Are Family" team with the great team leader Willie Stargell) over the Orioles.

[bucklind17]

Prob going to root for the Giants to win the WS, just because I have developed an odd liking of both Brian Wilson (I can't not sing "do do do do, do do dooo" every time they bring him in) and Tim Lincecum. There is something fun about them to me. Long as they promise not to cause any earthquakes with their World Series-ness this year.

But really, I'm game with either team, because neither has won in awhile (or the Rangers ever, right?) and that's kind of awesome.

[Lindsfan]

Arrrr! If only the Pirates be stupid enough to take on Chone Figgins' contract, then it be smooth sailin' ahead!

Oh please oh please oh please :thumbsup: Sadly, our new manager is talking about Chone being a piece of the puzzle that's already in place :eek: God help the Mariners in 2011...

[Lindsfan]

Prob going to root for the Giants to win the WS, just because I have developed an odd liking of both Brian Wilson (I can't not sing "do do do do, do do dooo" every time they bring him in) and Tim Lincecum. There is something fun about them to me. Long as they promise not to cause any earthquakes with their World Series-ness this year.

But really, I'm game with either team, because neither has won in awhile (or the Rangers ever, right?) and that's kind of awesome.

Me too, and I can't explain it. though it's still Rangers all the way for me :nod:

[DavidMn]

Arrrr! If only the Pirates be stupid enough to take on Chone Figgins' contract, then it be smooth sailin' ahead!How did he turn into such a dog after being such a sparkplug in Anaheim?:confused:

[Lindsfan]

How did he turn into such a dog after being such a sparkplug in Anaheim?:confused:

He got in trouble once this year...called out for not hustling. He denied it, but then came out for about 2 games playing amazing baseball. He was all over the place, making ridiculous plays, trying to prove his critics wrong. Then, poof, went right back to letting us down. Watching the play-offs, I keep wishing out loud that we ( Seattle ) could have Ian Kinsler. And Jason Werth. And Elvis Andrus. I know Kinsler and Andrus are pipe dreams, but Jason is available now!

[daniellaaarisen]

Prob going to root for the Giants to win the WS, just because I have developed an odd liking of both Brian Wilson (I can't not sing "do do do do, do do dooo" every time they bring him in) and Tim Lincecum. There is something fun about them to me. Long as they promise not to cause any earthquakes with their World Series-ness this year.

But really, I'm game with either team, because neither has won in awhile (or the Rangers ever, right?) and that's kind of awesome.

As a born and raised Californian who has never lived to see the Giants get beyond the first few rounds of the playoffs... I could not be more excited, nor could I be sadder that I'm not in
San Francisco right now :( My parents and sister are going to the opening game and I'm stuck here without a TV :(



http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs395.snc4/45772_1479213614123_1047240440_31600425_5414257_n.jpg

Sigh. Took that the night before I left for college-- my dad and I went to a game. SO EXCITED for us to WIN! :)

[estranged4life]

I keep wishing out loud that we ( Seattle ) could have Ian Kinsler. And Elvis Andrus.

Not gonna happen anytime soon...But I understand the desire.

After all these years the Rangers have a great double-play combo at SS & 2B and they're not leaving anytime soon.

[bucklind17]

Just read that regardless of who wins the World Series, Bengi Molina will get a ring, since he played long enough for the Giants earlier in the season and obviously, plays for the Rangers now. That's pretty awesome and can't be something that happens too often!

[Lindsfan]

Not gonna happen anytime soon...But I understand the desire.

After all these years the Rangers have a great double-play combo at SS & 2B and they're not leaving anytime soon.

Yeah, I know. Like I said, pipe dreams. I'll always have my dreams! Nolan won't let them go any time soon! I hope Smoak lives up to his potential for us. That would give the Mariners, IMO, 1 infielder, 2 outfielders and 2 pitchers. Woo hoo!!!! Not too bad, huh? :lol: I love 'em though :thumbsup:

[estranged4life]

Just read that regardless of who wins the World Series, Bengi Molina will get a ring, since he played long enough for the Giants earlier in the season and obviously, plays for the Rangers now. That's pretty awesome and can't be something that happens too often!

is Bengie is probably giving scouting reports to the Rangers lineup on what to expect from the Giants pitching staff. So that's a plus for the Rangers.


I hope Smoak lives up to his potential for us.

I felt Justin wasn't given much of a fair chance in Arlington with Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland, at the time, lying in the wait.

I think he will produce if given the amount of time to adjust to the majors since he is still relatively young and wasnt in the Rangers minor system all that long.

[bucklind17]

is Bengie is probably giving scouting reports to the Rangers lineup on what to expect from the Giants pitching staff. So that's a plus for the Rangers.




I felt Justin wasn't given much of a fair chance in Arlington with Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland, at the time, lying in the wait.

I think he will produce if given the amount of time to adjust to the majors since he is still relatively young and wasnt in the Rangers minor system all that long.

The article had a quote from Lincecum that basically said that Bengie molded him into the pitcher he is today, as well as gave his influence some credit for the success of a few other Giants pitchers, so this should definitely be interesting.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-molina102410

[estranged4life]

The article had a quote from Lincecum that basically said that Bengie molded him into the pitcher he is today, as well as gave his influence some credit for the success of a few other Giants pitchers, so this should definitely be interesting.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-molina102410

that Bengie helped the Giant starters to master their trade, so it will indeed be interesting.

As for Bengie, here is a link to my favorite Rangers broadcast moment of the year - Featuring Bengie Melina at Fenway on July 16th of this year (With FSW announcers Josh Lewin and Tom "Mr.Ranger" Grieve), watching Bengie running the bases for a triple has the best announcing dialog EVER:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9969169

[Lindsfan]

I felt Justin wasn't given much of a fair chance in Arlington with Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland, at the time, lying in the wait.

I think he will produce if given the amount of time to adjust to the majors since he is still relatively young and wasnt in the Rangers minor system all that long.

If nothing else, Seattle is definitely patient :D I feel good about him, and his chances of success here.

[Lindsfan]

that Bengie helped the Giant starters to master their trade, so it will indeed be interesting.

As for Bengie, here is a link to my favorite Rangers broadcast moment of the year - Featuring Bengie Melina at Fenway on July 16th of this year (With FSW announcers Josh Lewin and Tom "Mr.Ranger" Grieve), watching Bengie running the bases for a triple has the best announcing dialog EVER:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9969169

That made me smile! The way he looked not sliding into 3rd was priceless. I thought he'd have a heart attack right there!

And speaking of your starters, just wondering if you now think Cliff will be sticking around? I agree he struggled when he went to Texas, but, obviously he's a keeper. If the Yankees get him I'll cry. I think Yankee stadium is bad for him though, since he gives up some long balls, and it's a pint-sized, wind tunnel-blowin' stadium. I hope you guys keep him - or trade him back to us - LOL.

[estranged4life]

That made me smile! The way he looked not sliding into 3rd was priceless. I thought he'd have a heart attack right there!

And speaking of your starters, just wondering if you now think Cliff will be sticking around? I agree he struggled when he went to Texas, but, obviously he's a keeper. If the Yankees get him I'll cry. I think Yankee stadium is bad for him though, since he gives up some long balls, and it's a pint-sized, wind tunnel-blowin' stadium. I hope you guys keep him - or trade him back to us - LOL.

there's no telling where Cliff Lee will be in 2011, but I am sure the Rangers new ownership will be very helpful to keep him from leaving after this year with a good contract, because everyone knows the Yanks are sure as hell going to try to lure him away.

But as of now I am sure he will be a Ranger in 2011.




That night game at Fenway was great, Bengie got introduced to the 'Antlers' real quick with his 'ripping of the time-space continuum' cycle:


http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/17/bengie-molina-hits-for-cycle-creates-rip-in-time-space-continuum/

Bengie Molina hits for cycle, creates rip in time-space continuum

We have witnessed many unlikely events already this season — Stephen Strasburg striking out 14 in his major league debut, four no-hitters, two perfect games, one almost perfect game, the first-place San Diego Padres and the National League actually winning an All-Star Game — but I can say without hesitation that Bengie Molina‘s cycle against the Red Sox on Friday night was the most improbable of them all.

Molina was already 3-for-3 with a single, a double and a go-ahead grand slam when he came up to the plate in the top of the eighth inning. That’s a great night by anybody’s standards, but Molina wasn’t done. He proceeded to crank a long drive to distant center field, not far from where he hit his grand slam in the fifth inning. After the ball ricocheted off Eric Patterson‘s glove and into Fenway’s famous nook in right center field, the notoriously slow-footed Molina legged out his sixth career triple and successfully completed the first cycle by a catcher since Chad Moeller on April 27, 2004.

Even more incredible, Molina is the eighth player and the first catcher to hit a grand slam and complete the cycle in the same game. It happened.

If you haven’t seen it already, I recommend watching the video footage here.

Here’s what Molina told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com:

“This means a lot,” Molina said. “I’m not a stats guy; everybody who
knows me knows that. That’s an individual thing, but being one of the
slowest guys in the world, and being criticized for it all my career, to
be able to do something like that really makes me feel good.”

The fact that Molina was forced to leave the game immediately after the triple with a tight right quadriceps is rather appropriate. It’s like he was punished for messing with the cosmos or something.

[DavidMn]

If nothing else, Seattle is definitely patient :D I feel good about him, and his chances of success here.I'm not sure what to think of the Eric Wedge signing. Hopefully he will be able to get things under control in that clubhouse. YOu know the big elephant in the room is Ichiro. Yes he is a hall of fame player(first ballot in my opinion) but there have been more than a few rumblings that his 3 favorite words are I, me, and mine.

[Lindsfan]

there's no telling where Cliff Lee will be in 2011, but I am sure the Rangers new ownership will be very helpful to keep him from leaving after this year with a good contract, because everyone knows the Yanks are sure as hell going to try to lure him away.

But as of now I am sure he will be a Ranger in 2011.




That night game at Fenway was great, Bengie got introduced to the 'Antlers' real quick with his 'ripping of the time-space continuum' cycle:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/17/bengie-molina-hits-for-cycle-creates-rip-in-time-space-continuum/

Bengie Molina hits for cycle, creates rip in time-space continuum

We have witnessed many unlikely events already this season — Stephen Strasburg striking out 14 in his major league debut, four no-hitters, two perfect games, one almost perfect game, the first-place San Diego Padres and the National League actually winning an All-Star Game — but I can say without hesitation that Bengie Molina‘s cycle against the Red Sox on Friday night was the most improbable of them all.

Molina was already 3-for-3 with a single, a double and a go-ahead grand slam when he came up to the plate in the top of the eighth inning. That’s a great night by anybody’s standards, but Molina wasn’t done. He proceeded to crank a long drive to distant center field, not far from where he hit his grand slam in the fifth inning. After the ball ricocheted off Eric Patterson‘s glove and into Fenway’s famous nook in right center field, the notoriously slow-footed Molina legged out his sixth career triple and successfully completed the first cycle by a catcher since Chad Moeller on April 27, 2004.

Even more incredible, Molina is the eighth player and the first catcher to hit a grand slam and complete the cycle in the same game. It happened.

If you haven’t seen it already, I recommend watching the video footage here.

Here’s what Molina told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com:

“This means a lot,” Molina said. “I’m not a stats guy; everybody who
knows me knows that. That’s an individual thing, but being one of the
slowest guys in the world, and being criticized for it all my career, to
be able to do something like that really makes me feel good.”

The fact that Molina was forced to leave the game immediately after the triple with a tight right quadriceps is rather appropriate. It’s like he was punished for messing with the cosmos or something.

That's a great article :D I watched the video again today. He's so darn cute when he does the little antlers thing after his double. Just adorable. If I didn't already like him, I'm pretty sure that would have made me a fan!

[Lindsfan]

I'm not sure what to think of the Eric Wedge signing. Hopefully he will be able to get things under control in that clubhouse. YOu know the big elephant in the room is Ichiro. Yes he is a hall of fame player(first ballot in my opinion) but there have been more than a few rumblings that his 3 favorite words are I, me, and mine.

There was a collective groan in Seattle after Eric Wedge was announced. Most were hoping for Bobby Valentine. So, the jury is definitely still out. We're told he's kind of a hard-ass, and we probably need that. Babying these babies hasn't worked, that's for sure! I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Yeah, Ichiro is a different kind of guy. As long as he's been here, I don't feel like we know him that well, you know? Griffey seemed to genuinely like him, but most players don't say much about him at all. Most in the organization just ( rightfully ) praise his talent, but you never really hear what a great guy he is. The exception to that is HOF announcer Dave Niehaus. Like Griffey, he seems to genuinely like Ichiro, and that goes a long way in my book. Niehaus is as class a guy as there is. Period. Still, If Ichiro doesn't get along with someone ( Mike Hargrove ) that someone isn't going to be around too long, 'cause if Ichi ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy!

On the other hand, Ichiro is a perfectionist and obviously very disciplined. Something lacking in this org. ( Figgins, Betencourt, etc... ) Obviously we've had plenty of under achievers, so it's not the best mix :distress:

Man, my M's need help...

BTW, David, my son ( he's 12 ) is a big Red Sox fan. He's even a member of Kid Nation! He was 6 in 2004, and was always a baseball fan ( and player ), but he really followed the Sox that year, and of course, became a huge Ortiz and Ramirez fan, as most kids did. Winning the WS was icing on the cake. We always go to the Red Sox games when they're at Safeco, and he's absolutely in heaven surrounded by so many of his Nation! One of these days I hope to take him to Fenway ( atop the green monster of course ). He'd love it...

[estranged4life]

they capitalized on the errors that the Rangers made tonight, and turned those errors into runs in their 11-7 win.

[bucklind17]

they capitalized on the errors that the Rangers made tonight, and turned those errors into runs in their 11-7 win.

Safe to bet we won't see Vlad Guerrero in RF again? Almost felt bad for the dude.

I love a game with a lot of runs, but I don't love when they're the result of sloppy fielding. Still, was an exciting game and Freddy Sanchez, you go, dude!

[daniellaaarisen]

:D Gigantes!

[estranged4life]

Safe to bet we won't see Vlad Guerrero in RF again? Almost felt bad for the dude.

I remember when Vlad was in the field he didn't make mistakes like he did last night.

The Rangers bullpen is imploding :(

[bucklind17]

I remember when Vlad was in the field he didn't make mistakes like he did last night.

The Rangers bullpen is imploding :(

Seriously. Really felt for CJ Wilson tonight, he pitched a good game and it just went to hell once the bullpen got involved. Granted, there were no bats from the Rangers to back it up either. Reminded me of the Yankees in the ALCS!

[DavidMn]

I dont understand the Rangers. Its not over but they are playing like ****. DIdnt see this coming at all.:distress:

[Lindsfan]

I dont understand the Rangers. Its not over but they are playing like ****. DIdnt see this coming at all.:distress:

**** is right. It's hard to watch.
But they can come back. I hope the home crowd will inspire them...

[estranged4life]

unless the Rangers can pull a series comeback ala the 1979 Pirates, I think it's safe to say the Giants are going to win this series.

[daniellaaarisen]

unless the Rangers can pull a series comeback ala the 1979 Pirates, I think it's safe to say the Giants are going to win this series.

:blob1::blob2::blob1::blob2::blob1::blob2::blob1::blob2::blob1::blob2:

I am SO EXCITED. There aren't words. My parents have season tickets so they've been at all the home games. Feels weird to not be home for this.

[Lindsfan]

unless the Rangers can pull a series comeback ala the 1979 Pirates, I think it's safe to say the Giants are going to win this series.

Miracles happen all the time in baseball... though realistically your boys aren't looking so good. Dang, they're so much better than they are playing right now :distress:

[estranged4life]

to the Giants.

The Rangers offense was nowhere to be found the past 2 nights.

[daniellaaarisen]

Excuse my language but.....


F*CK YES MOTHERF*CKING GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Feels so weird to not be home right now. Apparently my city 45 minutes south of San Francisco is crazy right now. Firworks, etc.

[bucklind17]

So excited for the Giants and their fans! I really grew to like this team over the postseason and couldn't be happier for them!

[daniellaaarisen]

So excited for the Giants and their fans! I really grew to like this team over the postseason and couldn't be happier for them!

aklgfhaejlkgfdakbadkfljgofibamgpiwdgmlkFBALKGAJFHKLAFHKJAHKLlkgadjklfbal1!!!!!!!!!!!

[DavidMn]

The Giants are a team that I, as a baseball fan, can be proud of as world champions. Even though I'm not a Giants fan per se, I love the whole vibe with this team. A truly worthy champion!:cool:

[estranged4life]

Former Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care at his Thousand Oaks, Calif. home for complications resulting from dementia.

Anderson's family said in a statement Wednesday that they appreciate the support and kindness that friends and fans have shown throughout the Hall of Famer's career and retirement. No further details were released.


The 76-year-old Anderson was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 2000, culminating a major league career that included one nondescript season as a player and an historic run as a manager.

He won 2,194 games as a manager, which was the third-highest total in major league history when he retired, trailing Connie Mack and John McGraw. He now stands sixth, also trailing Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.

He led Cincinnati's Big Red Machine to World Series wins in 1975-76. He won four National League pennants in Cincinnati from 1970-78, then was fired after consecutive second-place finishes.

Anderson went to the American League and won there, too, directing the Tigers to a World Series title in 1984 and a division title in 1987. He retired after the 1995 season and was added to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

''We are very sad to hear the news of Sparky's failing health,'' Reds owner Bob Castellini said in a statement. ''Every day here we are reminded of his contribution to the success of this proud franchise.''

The Tigers said they would keep Anderson, his wife, Carol, and their family in their thoughts and prayers.

''Sparky led one of the most beloved teams in franchise history to the World Series title in 1984 and remains the winningest manager in franchise history,'' the organization said in a statement. ''His contributions to the Detroit Tigers remain a significant part of the club's history.''


--------------------------------------

Man, that's sad news, I liked Sparky regardless of what team he managed (I grew up hating the Reds) and always thought he was a class-act manager...And I loved the 1984 Tigers!!!!

Here's to ya Spark....

[estranged4life]

Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson dies

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP)

Reds fans were taken aback when Sparky Anderson showed up in Cincinnati for his first day as a big league manager, an unknown taking over baseball's first professional team.

Sparky who?

Really?

By the time he was done, this man with the shock of white hair and schoolboy nickname would produce a mighty list of achievements that featured three World Series titles — including crowns in each league — and a Hall of Fame entry on his resume.

Anderson, who directed the Big Red Machine to back-to-back championships and won another in Detroit, died Thursday from complications of dementia in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He was 76. A day earlier, his family said he'd been placed in hospice care.

Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.

''Sparky was, by far, the best manager I ever played for,'' said former Reds star Pete Rose, the game's career hits leader. ''He understood people better than anyone I ever met. His players loved him, he loved his players, and he loved the game of baseball. There isn't another person in baseball like Sparky Anderson. He gave his whole life to the game.''

Anderson's teams in Cincinnati featuring Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Rose that won crowns in 1975 and 1976 rank among the most powerful of all time. Led by Kirk Gibson and Alan Trammell, Anderson won with the Tigers in 1984.

''He was a good guy,'' former Tigers pitcher Jack Morris said, choking up over the news. ''Baseball will have very few people like Sparky. He was a unique individual. He was a character with a great passion and love for the game.''

Anderson never tried to overshadow his teams, giving his stars great leeway while trying to stay in the background. At Anderson's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Always affable, ever talkative and known for a self-deprecating demeanor, Anderson was equally popular among players, fans and media.

''Revered and treasured by his players for his humility, humanity, eternal optimism and knowledge of the game,'' his Hall of Fame plaque reads.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called Anderson a gentleman and dear friend.

''I recall with great fondness the many hours we would spend together when his Tigers came to Milwaukee,'' Selig said. ''Sparky was a loyal friend, and whenever I would be dealing with difficult situations as commissioner, he would lift my spirits, telling me to keep my head up and that I was doing the right thing.''

Anderson's win total of 2,194 was the third highest when he retired after the 1995 season, trailing only Connie Mack and John McGraw. He's still sixth on the career list — he won 863 games in nine years with the Reds and 1,331 in 17 seasons with the Tigers.

Morris helped the Tigers win their most recent title. Told of Anderson's death, he got emotional during a telephone conversation with The Associated Press from his home in the Twin Cities.

''Wow. He died way too young. I got a lot of phone calls yesterday about the hospice and the dementia, neither of which I knew about. I wasn't prepared for this. I don't know what to say. I'm kind of shocked,'' Morris said.

''He was a big part of my life, for sure. He had a lot to do with molding me professionally and taught me a lot about perseverance.''

Anderson knew all about perseverance.

George ''Sparky'' Anderson got his nickname in the minor leagues because of his spirited play. He made it to the majors for only one season, batting .218 for the Phillies in 1959.

Anderson learned to control a temper that nearly scuttled his fledgling career as a manager in the minors, and went on to become one of baseball's best at running a team. And he won with a humility that couldn't obscure his unique ability to manage people.

''I got good players, stayed out of their way, let them win a lot and then just hung around for 26 years,'' he said during his Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2000.

Of course, there was a lot more to him.

''To be around me, you have to be a little bit cuckoo,'' Anderson said on the day he resigned from the Tigers after the 1995 season. ''One day it's written in concrete, the next day it's written in sand. I always felt if I didn't change my mind every 24 hours, people would find me boring.''

Family spokesman Dan Ewald knew Anderson for about 35 years as a former Tigers spokesman and baseball writer for the Detroit News.

''Sparky Anderson will always be measured by his number of victories and his place in baseball's Hall of Fame. But all of that is overshadowed by the type of person he was. Sparky not only spiked life into baseball, he gave life in general something to smile about. Never in my lifetime have I met a man as gentle, kind and courageous as Sparky,'' he said.

Anderson's win total trails only those of Mack, McGraw, Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. His overall record was 2,194-1834 and he was a two-time AL Manager of the Year.

''Sparky was one of the greatest people I've met in baseball,'' Detroit Hall of Famer Al Kaline said. ''He was a leader to his players both on and off the field. He was an incredible person and I cherish the time I was able to spend with him.''

While Anderson was often surrounded by top players, there was more to his ability than merely filling out a lineup card.

He had the right touch with superstars, and it came in handy when he led the star-studded Reds to World Series wins in 1975-76. He won four National League pennants in Cincinnati from 1970-78, then was stung when the Reds fired him after consecutive second-place finishes.

Anderson took his disappointment to the other league and won there, too, directing the Tigers to the 1984 championship and a division title in 1987. He was voted into Cooperstown by the Veterans Committee.

SPARKY VS. SPARKY
Sparky Anderson drove the bus for two of baseball's best teams in the past few decades, the 1975 Reds and 1984 Tigers. WhatIfSports matches them up head to head.

Even then, he showed his usual self-deprecation. Anderson had refused to step foot inside the Hall until 2000 because he felt unworthy.

''I didn't ever want to go into the most precious place in the world unless I belonged,'' Anderson said.

For a long time, he was a long shot to make the Hall.

The only notable thing about Anderson as a player was his prematurely graying hair and his nickname. He was playing for Fort Worth in the Texas League in 1955 when a radio announcer, taken by his feisty play, started calling him Sparky.

The name stuck. He didn't. Anderson made it to the majors in 1959 and singled home the go-ahead run on opening day in Cincinnati, which turned out to be the highlight of his playing career. A light-hitting second baseman, he had 12 extra-base hits — zero home runs — and 34 RBIs in 477 at-bats.

He was back in the minors the next year, and soon realized it was time to think about another career.

He decided to try managing.

That almost flamed out, too. His first job was managing a minor league team in Toronto in 1964. He was overly aggressive in his strategy and argued every close call with umpires, showing a short fuse that soon got him fired. Cardinals general manager Bob Howsam gave him a second chance to manage in the minors, then moved to Cincinnati to build the Reds.

When he needed a big league manager there, he decided to call Anderson, who was shocked to get the chance. The youngest manager in the majors at age 35, he signed the $28,500 contract — by far the most money he'd ever made — and set out to make himself known in a city asking: Sparky who?

''Bob Howsam either had to be nuts or have a lot of savvy,'' Anderson said. ''As it turns out, he had a lot of savvy.''

Howsam assembled one of the most talented teams of all time — Bench, Morgan, Rose, Tony Perez, Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster, Davey Concepcion. Anderson was charged with making it work.

Anderson's plaque in Cooperstown calls him ''the crank that turned the Big Red Machine,'' and his players agree that it fit. Bench noted that Anderson treated his players respectfully and was always on top of game strategy.

''It's a lot like a chess game, and Sparky was a chess master,'' Bench said.

In Cincinnati, Anderson also got himself another nickname: Captain Hook, a reference to his habit of pulling a starting pitcher when he got into a jam late in a game. He also showed creativity in making lineup changes.

One of the most important moves: switching Rose from left field to third base on May 3, 1975, allowing Foster to play full-time in left. It was the final piece of the Machine, which beat Boston in a dramatic seven-game Series that year, then swept to another title while winning 108 games the following season.

Two second-place seasons led to a surprising firing. The Reds have won only one other NL title and World Series since he left, in 1990 under Lou Piniella. Anderson moved on to Detroit, where he had more longevity and added one more title.

He refused to manage replacement players during baseball's labor dispute in spring training of 1995, angering owner Mike Ilitch. He resigned after a 60-win season, saying the franchise needed a new direction. He hoped to manage somewhere else, but when an offer never came along, he retired.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; sons Lee and Albert; daughter Shirley Englebrecht; and nine grandchildren.