2012 MLB Season

[Kramerica Industries]

I know we all love to proclaim "free speech!" whenever we say something stupid, but all free speech does is allow one to, well, freely speak their mind. Given that human beings are dumb by their very nature, odds are dumb things will be said, and just as one reserves the right to speak stupidly, everyone else reserves the right to "freely speak" out about how stupid they are.

God, I wish freedom of speech allowed me to get carte blanche for every dumb thing I've ever said, be it in real life or on the internet. I'd get a brand new friggen lease on life.

[ninersdd]

Doesn't freedom of speech mean only the government can't punish you for speaking?

[rams80]

Doesn't freedom of speech mean only the government can't punish you for speaking?

And we have a winner!

[Kramerica Industries]

Doesn't freedom of speech mean only the government can't punish you for speaking?

To a degree.

I mean, you can't just slander someone's good name, under the right of free speech, and expect to get away with it. Ditto with wishing for Obama'a assassination.

But I think we already know about those kind of exceptions to the rule.

[CubsFanBudMan]

Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Nazis.

[Sport]

I don't think any words should be censored.

THIS WEBSITE IS TAKING AWAY MY LIBERTEES THANKS CANDA

(but I agree)

[sportstar1212]

I don't think any words should be censored.

THIS WEBSITE IS TAKING AWAY MY LIBERTEES THANKS CANDA

(but I agree)

I believe Cody21's mom didn't want us swearing.

EDIT: Back on the topic of baseball, Cabrera hit a grand slam making the score 12-2 Tigers.

[Lights Out]

I know we all love to proclaim "free speech!" whenever we say something stupid, but all free speech does is allow one to, well, freely speak their mind.

Ironically, while bigots always try to cover their ass with the "free speech" clause of the First Amendment when called out on their anti-LGBT bigotry, they really have no clue what they're invoking, because the First Amendment also prevents Congress from making religious laws (there goes the Biblical justification for gay marriage bans), and gives EVERYONE - including gay people, the thought of which seems to elude the bigots - the right to petition Congress for a redress (remedy) of their grievances (in this case, a basic lack of equal rights).

[Funky Bunky]

Thanks to the Blue Jays for the remidner...I'd forgotten they don't have freedom of speech in Canada.

EDIT: Not saying he was right...just saying an American team wouldn't have suspended him...they'd just fine him. Besides, a lot of people don't even know what that word means, so it'd go over almost everybody's heads.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ I don't even.

Freedom of speech does not protect you from responses to your speech. You can't go out on a baseball field with "you're a f**" written on your :censored:ing face and not expect to be reprimanded by your employers (whom you're representing) and your league (whom you're also representing).

The right to free speech does not protect you from the ramifications of your free speech.

I feel if this happened in the US (especially if this was in San Francisco, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles or New York, cities with gargantuan gay communities, and who are at the forefront of the league - excepting the Stros) they'd be even harsher.

EDIT: Surprised "f**" doesn't automatically get censored out, like "" and " " do.

A-:censored:ING-MEN!

Shut up Iceback!

[ninersdd]

8.5 games up! SF is almost back to a return to the playoffs!

[Kramerica Industries]

Doesn't matter how many innings, or the venue.

Baltimore cannot lose in extra innings.

[Sport]

Doesn't matter how many innings, or the venue.

Baltimore cannot lose in extra innings.

It really is remarkable.

That cartoon bird is magical.

[pmoehrin]

So I know Tank mentioned it on his website, but Miguel Cabrera has a really good shot to win the Triple Crown this late in the season and almost nobody is talking about it.

He's leading the AL in batting, RBI's, is only two back of Hamilton for the home run lead and has just been on an absolute tear in the month of September. He's hitting around .370 with 7 home runs, including two last night.

[Kramerica Industries]

Doesn't matter how many innings, or the venue.

Baltimore cannot lose in extra innings.

It really is remarkable.

That cartoon bird is magical.

I lauded the return of the cartoon bird.

I am now cursing it.

[FiddySicks]

8.5 games up! SF is almost back to a return to the playoffs!

And don't look now, but Tim Lincecum is starting to turn back into the freak again. He's not quite there yet, but if he's firing on all cylinders come playoff time this team is going to look downright scary.

Cain

Bumgarner

Lincecum

Vogelsong

Zito

That's going to be one helluva task for any NL team. Cain, Bungarner, and Lincecum at his best Makes for a terriffic top three. Vogelsong hasn't been quite what he was last year, but he's still a very solid 4th starter. Hell, even Barry Zito has been rock solid for the Giants in the second half. And despite some injuries, the bullpen is still very strong.

And on offense you have Busyer Posey, who will probably end up winning NL MVP and who is hitting the cover off of the ball since the All Star break. Hunter Pence has added a solid bat too, even if his numbers are slightly down. Guys like Pagan and Scutaro are picking up the slack. Add to the mix that this team is somehow hitting even better now than when they had Melky Cabrera's inflated steroid numbers and you've got a team that looks prime for a deep playoff run.

I normally refrain from saying these kind of things, but I have a really good feeling about this team heading into the playoffs.

[pmoehrin]

Zito is probably going to be coming out of the pen. Really no need for a five man rotation in the playoffs.

The key is Lincecum. The three big starting staffs Cincinnati, San Francisco and Washington are very evenly matched 1-4. Lincecum at his best though will probably tip the pitching scales in favor of the Giants. If he's not they may be in some trouble though.

Also the real key for the Giants offensively in my opinion has been the addition of Marco Scutaro. Only Buster Posey has a higher OPS in the Giants lineup right now, but not only that its filled a huge hole for them because they were getting zero production offensively from the middle infield.

[YessSir32]

So I know Tank mentioned it on his website, but Miguel Cabrera has a really good shot to win the Triple Crown this late in the season and almost nobody is talking about it.

He's leading the AL in batting, RBI's, is only two back of Hamilton for the home run lead and has just been on an absolute tear in the month of September. He's hitting around .370 with 7 home runs, including two last night.

Just smacked another home run. 1 back of Hamilton. I swear, he may be the best hitter I've ever seen. That home run he hit, the ball was thrown near his chin.

All but secured MVP.

[Gary]

So I know Tank mentioned it on his website, but Miguel Cabrera has a really good shot to win the Triple Crown this late in the season and almost nobody is talking about it.

He's leading the AL in batting, RBI's, is only two back of Hamilton for the home run lead and has just been on an absolute tear in the month of September. He's hitting around .370 with 7 home runs, including two last night.

Just smacked another home run. 1 back of Hamilton. I swear, he may be the best hitter I've ever seen. That home run he hit, the ball was thrown near his chin.

All but secured MVP.

Did he secure the MVP crown? I don't quite yet. Right now it's a race between him and Trout. The way Trout is playing and the defense he has shown. If Miggy doesn't get the Triple Crown, there is a very good chance he could be the bridesmaid once again.

[pmoehrin]

So I know Tank mentioned it on his website, but Miguel Cabrera has a really good shot to win the Triple Crown this late in the season and almost nobody is talking about it.

He's leading the AL in batting, RBI's, is only two back of Hamilton for the home run lead and has just been on an absolute tear in the month of September. He's hitting around .370 with 7 home runs, including two last night.

Just smacked another home run. 1 back of Hamilton. I swear, he may be the best hitter I've ever seen. That home run he hit, the ball was thrown near his chin.

All but secured MVP.

Did he secure the MVP crown? I don't quite yet. Right now it's a race between him and Trout. The way Trout is playing and the defense he has shown. If Miggy doesn't get the Triple Crown, there is a very good chance he could be the bridesmaid once again.

Cabrera has the closed the gap alot, but I would still give it to Trout. Offensively I would still say its about even if you account for Trout's baserunning, defensively Trout wins by a landslide, and Trout is playing a position where offense is at more of a premium.

[Kramerica Industries]

Can't really go wrong with either, but I think just as some people will discredit Trout for being in the minors for a month to start the season (not his fault, but it did happen), I can only wonder what some of his counting stats would be if he were in the majors all year. He leads the AL in steals; how many more would he have had starting on April 6? How many more HR-robbing catches?

And that second part is also why I kinda have to give the edge to Trout. Miggy hasn't been a disaster at 3B (hell, he's having the best season of his career), but Trout is an elite CFer in addition to an elite all-around hitter. Miggy is probably the most naturally talented hitter in MLB today - it is damn near impossible at times to get him out at the plate, or at least, so it seems. Trout is remarkable with both the bat and the glove.