2009 MLB Season Thread

[infrared41]

Congratulations Pittsburgh Pirates, you've just clinched your 17th straight losing season!

And from what I understand that's a record. Congratulations Pirates fans. Persistence does indeed pay off. Just remember, The Browns are gunning for you.

Didn't the Browns just have a winning season a year or two ago?

Yeah but there's still hope right?

[BrySmalls]

So during the top of the 7th, in a span of four Phillie batters, three hit solo HRs (two were back to back) off of Lannan to give the Phillies the lead, 4-2.

[BBTV]

Have we finally seen the last of Brad Lidge?

He looked like he had tears in his eyes when Charlie came out to pull him. Charlie looked really uncomfortable about it too, but it was the right move.

Cannot believe the man went from a perfect season to probably not even on the playoff roster in one season.

Hopefully Myers gets the spot, as Madson has already shown that he's not ready. Never thought I'd ever be rooting for Brett Myers - I feel dirty.

[Jigga]

Have we finally seen the last of Brad Lidge?

He looked like he had tears in his eyes when Charlie came out to pull him. Charlie looked really uncomfortable about it too, but it was the right move.

Cannot believe the man went from a perfect season to probably not even on the playoff roster in one season.

Hopefully Myers gets the spot, as Madson has already shown that he's not ready. Never thought I'd ever be rooting for Brett Myers - I feel dirty.

It's okay, Vet. Like Billy Shakespeare said, "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows."

As long as Myers treats opposing batters like he treats his wife, your boys will be okay.

[BBTV]

Have we finally seen the last of Brad Lidge?

He looked like he had tears in his eyes when Charlie came out to pull him. Charlie looked really uncomfortable about it too, but it was the right move.

Cannot believe the man went from a perfect season to probably not even on the playoff roster in one season.

Hopefully Myers gets the spot, as Madson has already shown that he's not ready. Never thought I'd ever be rooting for Brett Myers - I feel dirty.

It's okay, Vet. Like Billy Shakespeare said, "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows."

As long as Myers treats opposing batters like he treats his wife, your boys will be okay.

Ho so? If he hits them, they'll just move around the bases and score runs.

[Jigga]

Have we finally seen the last of Brad Lidge?

He looked like he had tears in his eyes when Charlie came out to pull him. Charlie looked really uncomfortable about it too, but it was the right move.

Cannot believe the man went from a perfect season to probably not even on the playoff roster in one season.

Hopefully Myers gets the spot, as Madson has already shown that he's not ready. Never thought I'd ever be rooting for Brett Myers - I feel dirty.

It's okay, Vet. Like Billy Shakespeare said, "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows."

As long as Myers treats opposing batters like he treats his wife, your boys will be okay.

Ho so? If he hits them, they'll just move around the bases and score runs.

If he attacks opposing batters...goes after them (in the figurative sense). Throw in whatever baseball cliche makes sense.

[VandyDelphia Mike]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

[STL FANATIC]

Cardinals went through the same thing with Jason Isringhausen last year. The loyalty, the repeated blown saves, all of it. It was even harder on Tony, I think, because Izzy had been there so long, was the Cardinals saves leader, was after save #300, and was a hometown guy. Real difference is Phillies are a better team than the 08 Cardinals, so they're able to get through it. The Cardinals imploded. Plus, Lidge has probably been better than Izzy was. Izzy was getting nobody out, and then anyone else who tried to close didn't feel right about taking Izzy's job (see Franklin last year vs. this year closing) and did very little better.

[BBTV]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

I have to disagree here. Madson is so good in his role, I don't think you want to mess with that - not this close to the end. It's just too perfect - Madson is a fantastic 8th-inning guy, and Myers is drooling at the opportunity to close (of course he still has to actually perform for this to work.) It requires the least amount of tinkering with things.

Of course things will be tinkered with in the bullpen, as Eyre's and Romero's injuries will likely force Happ to the 'pen in October, a move which he certainly won't be Happ-y (sorry) about, but will accept.

[dfwabel]

Injuries and all, the Rangers are hanging in there. Plus, Pudge seems like he never left. 11-10-10 for a three game total against CLE, and 19 games over .500 for the first time since 1999.

[mania]

Scott Feldman is trying his damndest to put his name in the Cy Young mix too.

7-0, 2.29 ERA since August 1st, and with 5 starts forseeably left, he has a shot at 20 wins.

[VandyDelphia Mike]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

I have to disagree here. Madson is so good in his role, I don't think you want to mess with that - not this close to the end. It's just too perfect - Madson is a fantastic 8th-inning guy, and Myers is drooling at the opportunity to close (of course he still has to actually perform for this to work.) It requires the least amount of tinkering with things.

Of course things will be tinkered with in the bullpen, as Eyre's and Romero's injuries will likely force Happ to the 'pen in October, a move which he certainly won't be Happ-y (sorry) about, but will accept.

But we agree that NotLidge is the way to go.

[BBTV]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

I have to disagree here. Madson is so good in his role, I don't think you want to mess with that - not this close to the end. It's just too perfect - Madson is a fantastic 8th-inning guy, and Myers is drooling at the opportunity to close (of course he still has to actually perform for this to work.) It requires the least amount of tinkering with things.

Of course things will be tinkered with in the bullpen, as Eyre's and Romero's injuries will likely force Happ to the 'pen in October, a move which he certainly won't be Happ-y (sorry) about, but will accept.

But we agree that NotLidge is the way to go.

Hmmm... Werth just put them up by 1 in the 8th. Who pitches the bottom??? Madson? Myers? Who then pitches the ninth? Oh, the drama.

EDIT: Feliz puts them up by 2. Still interesting to see who comes in the 8th and 9th.

EDIT2: Lee is staying in.

[BrySmalls]

Only the Nats can flub a no out, bases loaded situations against Chan Ho Park!

[NJTank]

Only the Nats can flub a no out, bases loaded situations against Chan Ho Park!

Actually the Mets did it a few months ago

[BrySmalls]

Only the Nats can flub a no out, bases loaded situations against Chan Ho Park!

Actually the Mets did it a few months ago

Well damn, I feel your pain Tank.

[BBTV]

Only the Nats can flub a no out, bases loaded situations against Chan Ho Park!

Actually the Mets did it a few months ago

Well damn, I feel your pain Tank.

Chan Ho has been an absolute stud in the 'pen this year. So it's not "only the Nats" who have failed against him.

[BBTV]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

I have to disagree here. Madson is so good in his role, I don't think you want to mess with that - not this close to the end. It's just too perfect - Madson is a fantastic 8th-inning guy, and Myers is drooling at the opportunity to close (of course he still has to actually perform for this to work.) It requires the least amount of tinkering with things.

Of course things will be tinkered with in the bullpen, as Eyre's and Romero's injuries will likely force Happ to the 'pen in October, a move which he certainly won't be Happ-y (sorry) about, but will accept.

But we agree that NotLidge is the way to go.

Hmmm... Werth just put them up by 1 in the 8th. Who pitches the bottom??? Madson? Myers? Who then pitches the ninth? Oh, the drama.

EDIT: Feliz puts them up by 2. Still interesting to see who comes in the 8th and 9th.

EDIT2: Lee is staying in.

...and it's Madson.

Would've gone with Myers. Was he available tonight?

Lidge said that Charlie told him he would go to him tonight if they had a save situation in the 9th. Apparently, Charlie had a private meeting with Lidge prior to tonight's game. No word yet on what was said, but obviously he's getting at least one night off.

EDIT: leadoff man on board.... here we go again.

[BrySmalls]

Based on last night, Madson should close and Myers should set up Madson. Just because Madson blew some save opps while Lidge was on the DL does not mean he can't close. He should get at least as much of a leash as Lidge did, especially if we are throwing out any references to the past and are playing for now.

Charlie is genuinely broken up in reassigning the closer duties from Lidge. Lidge is willing to relinquish for the good of the team. As much as you have to worry about one player's psyche from being demoted, even more do you have to worry about the psyche of an entire team when trotting out a closer that can no longer close. We hope Lidge can regain his form in 2010 but you do all you can to win the title in 2009, feelings be damned.

I have to disagree here. Madson is so good in his role, I don't think you want to mess with that - not this close to the end. It's just too perfect - Madson is a fantastic 8th-inning guy, and Myers is drooling at the opportunity to close (of course he still has to actually perform for this to work.) It requires the least amount of tinkering with things.

Of course things will be tinkered with in the bullpen, as Eyre's and Romero's injuries will likely force Happ to the 'pen in October, a move which he certainly won't be Happ-y (sorry) about, but will accept.

But we agree that NotLidge is the way to go.

Hmmm... Werth just put them up by 1 in the 8th. Who pitches the bottom??? Madson? Myers? Who then pitches the ninth? Oh, the drama.

EDIT: Feliz puts them up by 2. Still interesting to see who comes in the 8th and 9th.

EDIT2: Lee is staying in.

...and it's Madson.

Would've gone with Myers. Was he available tonight?

Lidge said that Charlie told him he would go to him tonight if they had a save situation in the 9th. Apparently, Charlie had a private meeting with Lidge prior to tonight's game. No word yet on what was said, but obviously he's getting at least one night off.

EDIT: leadoff man on board.... here we go again.

Hooray for base running mistakes!

[TrueYankee26]

Derek Jeter is a baseball god!!!!!!