2019 Phillies Season Discussion

[andyb]

The Cubs, while they have the same record as the Phillies, are actually in first place now by a half game. Hamels is not likely going anywhere.

[bkeich]

How is that the worst week of the year in Sports has been extended. I remember when the All Star Break used to be 3 days, now it is 4+.

No Baseball (I couldnt care less about the All Star Game), no Basketball, no Football, no Hockey. Anyone know if ESPN can start showing the Australian Rules Football or Camel races again?

[andyb]

One small improvement this year - they introduce a Thursday night national game to kick off the second half. I think all teams were off Thursday the last several years.

[Jeff05]

bkeich, the Tour de France goes for three weeks during July.

[Dirk41]

So it sounds like Arrieta may have known that he has been injured for a while. Not sure everything ticks right in that guy’s brain.

Arrieta's stay in town has been so bizarre from the beginning. He doesn't ever to have gotten over his poor market last year. He hasn't helped his case.

[Lawman]

Agreed on the All Star game, but I love the Home Run derby.

[Lawman]

Agreed on the All Star game, but I love the Home Run derby.

More importantly. my teenage kids love the HR derby. They were watching on TV/listening on radio and cheering on Vlad Jr. and watching Alonzo with awe. The Pederson/Vlad Jr. showdown was epic.

[zambonir]

There is Wimbledon and WNBA. Surprised MLS doesn't try to have a few games on Wednesday.

The all-star game is flawed but fun, I never mind watching it. With this long a break they chould have the futures game on Monday and the Derby etc. on Tuesday.

[julio]

Lessee.... Wife. Kids. Friends. Meetings to prepare for, and attend. Meals to cook and enjoy. Lawn to mow (in raging heat ). I think I can survive with out passive entertainment for four days.

[allentown]

As MLB moves toward a more balanced schedule and rational playoff format, the All-Star game and the days around it can be harvested to provide additional days of regulation play, without extending the season farther into October. Inter-league play does away with much of the rationale for the All-Star game as fans do have a chance to see stars from the other league live. The baseball All-Star game is superior to those of the other major sports, because baseball isn't as much of a true team sport and the injury risk per game is less, but I still see it as an anachronism. If it must be played, do it at the end of the season, perhaps during an off-day in the playoffs. As in football, teams who advance in the playoffs wouldn't have their players appear in the AS game -- they could still be voted/named as All-Stars, but would be replaced, as injured players now are replaced (some with dubious injuries). It seems wrong to run the risk of an AS-game injury impacting the pennant races. I'd also shorten Spring training a little and do the utmost to avoid early games in the north -- baseball wants to play games in other countries, open the season with some team's doing that. This probably necessary, because I don't think even a dozen teams can be counted upon to have warm enough playing conditions if the start of season were pushed a little earlier.

[bkox]

I dont want to see the ASG moved and I bet the players dont either. Baseball is a longer season with less off days than any of the other major sports. Getting to rest from after the game sunday until Friday (or thursday) and see their family is probably a very nice recharge.

And if the ASG is after the season.. I cant imagine how many players would bow out. Those that arent in the playoffs are already having surgeries to fix things to be ready for next season. From what Ive read, most pitchers rest their arms for the first month or two before starting a throwing program. So unless its right after the season.. like the first series. ALOT of players are going to bow out.

Also you now have the futures game and HR derby tied in with the ASG. Cant see them moving all of that to October.

[bkeich]

Also you now have the futures game and HR derby tied in with the ASG. Cant see them moving all of that to October.

They would never move it.

Others are right, it is a nice break for the players it just falls at a bad time for fans where there is nothing else to watch during this period (sorry, but bicycling and soccer are not real sports according to George Carlin )

They could never move the futures game to October. Most of those guys had not played for a month, there would be too much of an injury risk and at that point young pitchers are mostly at their limit and need rest.

[julio]

bicycling and soccer are not real sports

Fascinating that somebody would mention hockey as a "real sport," but denigrate soccer football. What's the difference? I mean, other than the brawls? Basic dynamic - put the ball/puck in the net. You've got forwards, you've got defensemen (midfielders, backs). You've got rules about lines and offsides. You've got teams that are great at ball/puck control, with great passing skills. You've got individual players who excel at penetrating defenses.

OK, one is played on ice, with skates and sticks, and the other is played on grass. One requires that you invest in often-expensive equipment, and in the absence of a frozen pond (which do not exist in much of the United States), requires a very expensive venue. The other does not - any mown field will do. But really - if you understand hockey (the offside rule, a two-line offside, etc.), how can you not understand soccer?

[andyb]

I would never move it also. Baseball is unique where you can play it without too much fear of injury.

Moving the future game to Wednesday would be good. Sunday overlaps with some games so is unnecessary.

[bkox]

Baseball is unique where you can play it without too much fear of injury.

David Robertson, Andrew McCutchen, Pat Neshek, Jerad Eickhoff, Seranthony Dominquez, Vic Arano, might disagree. lol

[bkeich]

Fascinating that somebody would mention hockey as a "real sport,"

Clearly you are not a George Carlin fan... my reference was to part of his act where he explains that Soccer is not a real sport because there is a spot on the ball, cycling (and running) are not real sports because because they are "just a way to get somewhere". (he also says Hockey is not a real sport because it is the combination of 3 activities, figure skating, playing with a puck and ... .well, the fighting you mentioned phrased differently).

In your quote of my post you missed the smily face, which was intended to show that I was kidding around.

Soccer and Hockey are very similar sports, I agree, in fact I assume they are both based on the same style of sport originally (players in lines, goals, concepts like offsides, etc).

That having been said, watching Hockey in the US and watching Soccer in the US is very, very different. Watching Hockey in the US you are seeing the best players in the world play in a competitive season (6 months). Watching Soccer (MLS) is about the 10th best league in the world (if that). You are seeing marginal players that probably could not even play in Germany or England or other strong leagues. Basically, the MLS is about a High-A league level with players too old to be called prospects (obviously there are some exceptions)

[zambonir]

As the original poster I appreciate the George Carlin reference.

MLS is a lot better than that now though. It's AA/AAA/AHL caliber.

Isn't the All-Star break basically in the CBA? Of course they could change it but I don't think anyone wants to. It's a TV show and a convention for sponsors and would do MLB no good in October because the World Series is also that, and nobody would care (just like nobody cares about the Pro Bowl).

I think all three mid-season all-star games are fun. I don't enjoy defense-free hockey as much as defense-free basketball but they are entertaining. Baseball's charm is that it is close to real baseball. And as dumb as the home field rule was, it did add something.

Not sure interleague makes a difference, everyone can see everything on TV, it's not like the chance to see Christian Yelich makes fans in Cleveland buy tickets for the ASG.

[BostonRoss]

I like the All-Star Game. It’s not what it used to be when you couldn’t see any game you wanted to, but it’s fun to see all the great players together competing against each other. It would be even better if the managers played more to win.

[BostonRoss]

And hockey isn’t much like soccer. Because of the ice and the smaller playing surface, it moves much faster. It is not reasonable to equate all games that involve moving the ball/puck into a goal. In that case, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey are also the same game. You could argue that American football and rugby are also the same if you equate the goal line with the net.

[Austinfan]

Ice hockey is faster and more exciting.