The Baseball Book Club discussion

Welcome to Opening Day 2024 when everyone is 0-0 and has the same chance to win the World Series. Whether you are a fan of the Dodgers, the A’s, or any team in between, today everyone knows that there is hope because the new year is a clean slate. Just a reminder- even if our teams are rivals (thinking of you Double D), it does not mean that we have to be so keep that trash talking to a respectable minimum. May it be a great year for all. Happy Opening Day to the teams and all of us.

I have a rainout, so I can't lose today.

Been a long winter. Here’s to hope!

Always so excited on opening day! Athough technically Padres games in Korea were counted as MLB season games :) As Brina said above all teams have a clean slate. And Beth you're right about hope. That's why baseball is my fav sport. Not a game based on time instead based on outs. Our teams can be down and it's the bottom of the ninth and each player up to bat has that chance to foul off pitches and keep the inning going, chance to get on base & tie the game to go to extra innings or hit that walk off home run! Baseball games aren't over til the last strike of the last out. To me the most beautiful sports game!

Harold sorry you're rained out. Hope team can play tomorrow!

Thanks for opening this, Brina. And come 4 PM local time - don't interrupt me until the final out of the Twins-Royals game!

Lance, you can come on as I go off. The Cubs start at 7:35. I have to cook tonight but have the game on my phone. My only interruption is giving Mendel play by play. I’ll be back once it ends.

Votto didn’t make the team. At least he was not on the roster I saw. As someone used to say “And away we go” (though I think they added some ‘a’s’ to away.

C. John wrote: "Votto didn’t make the team. At least he was not on the roster I saw. As someone used to say “And away we go” (though I think they added some ‘a’s’ to away."

That is a shame about Votto, but maybe it's best that he retire as a Red.

Beth wrote: "Been a long winter. Here’s to hope!"

Well said! I don’t even know the Red Sox roster. Lots to learn.

Votto is rehabbing with AAA team with a chance to make blue jays at some point the year. Not sure if he’s officially part of the team or not.

Happy Opening Day everyone!

Good start for my team - Lopez threw 7 good innings, Stewart and Jax shut the door on KC, Twins win 4-1. But OMG, Royce Lewis leaves the game in the 3rd after straining his right quad running the bases. After hitting a HR and single in his 2 plate appearances. I’m starting to fear he’s going to have the same issues as Buxton - never seems to stay injury-free

Brina wrote: "Votto is rehabbing with AAA team with a chance to make blue jays at some point the year. Not sure if he’s officially part of the team or not."

Not right now - he’s not back to baseball activities yet. When ready, which should be next week, he’ll be at the extended Spring training and then, like you said, at AAA Buffalo

Let's go!! Happy Opening Day, gang!

Padres 6 Giants 4. Crowd for first home game were pumped up and loud! Listened on radio. Will watch the replay "condensed" game tomorrow. Starting pitcher, Darvis, had a solid 5 innings.

Even though I don't follow basketball, San Diego State Aztecs are facing UConn today so this is a big sports day for our city!

Only the first inning but I’m so happy to hear Cubs radio announcers. I don’t like night games but I purposely took off tomorrow so I can stay up and watch. Truth be told as a sub teacher I make my own schedule but it’s usually everyday. I’m already ready for summer break and baseball everyday with no work.

The Jays expect that Votto will be on the major league team at some point, just not sure when or how. Most likely scenario is if something goes wrong with Vogelbech.
I susspect that Votto would like to get in a few games with the Jays being he is from the Toronto area and grew up rooting for them. I daresay Jays management would like that as well and know the fans would. It would be a feel good story and we can use more of those these days.

So Bryce Harper has announced that his wife and him are expecting their third child. Congratulations to them and here is hoping it is a happy and healthy child. Nice to get some good news out of baseball for a change.

C. John wrote: "So Bryce Harper has announced that his wife and him are expecting their third child. Congratulations to them and here is hoping it is a happy and healthy child. Nice to get some good news out of ba..."
He lives six miles from me in Haddonfield NJ along with JT Realmuto, and Aaron Nola.

I stayed up past ten pm and was rewarded with hearing Cleveland's first hit AND first run before I fell asleep last night :D then woke up to find out they broke out for an 8-0 shutout in Oakland. Happy Friday!

Ashley Marie wrote: "I stayed up past ten pm and was rewarded with hearing Cleveland's first hit AND first run before I fell asleep last night :D then woke up to find out they broke out for an 8-0 shutout in Oakland. H..."

Hubby is Angels fan so thats good news for AL West. Angels lost big yesterday.

2 ex Padres in Cleveland: Josh Naylor, he can hit for power, & Austen Hedges. IMO Hedges is a smart catcher & I was sorry when Padres let him go.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "2 ex Padres in Cleveland: Josh Naylor, he can hit for power, & Austen Hedges. IMO Hedges is a smart catcher & I was sorry when Padres let him go."

I adore both of these guys. I missed Hedges when he went to Pittsburgh/Texas last season and was thrilled when Cleveland brought him back - LOVE having him behind the plate. Elite defensive catcher. And Naylor is just a ton of fun to watch whether he's hitting or in the field, and I'm delighted that his brother Bo plays for Cleveland as well. The ultimate dream would be to acquire the youngest, Myles, and have all three brothers play together :D

Ashley Marie wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "2 ex Padres in Cleveland: Josh Naylor, he can hit for power, & Austen Hedges. IMO Hedges is a smart catcher & I was sorry when Padres let him go."

I adore both of these g..."

Cool! I didnt know Bo was with Cleveland. I occasionally check the box scores as so many ex Padres are scattered through out the league. The nature of the game now!

Brina wrote: "Only the first inning but I’m so happy to hear Cubs radio announcers. I don’t like night games but I purposely took off tomorrow so I can stay up and watch. Truth be told as a sub teacher I make my..."

Quality of radio announcers is SO important. If MLB streams Padres for free I mute the sound and listen to Jesse Agler & Tony Gwynn Jr on radio as I'm not a fan of TV color commentator Mark Grant.

I saw a picture of Oakland stadium. The fans boycotted the game. I didn't see one fan there

I think that baseball should contract the A’s. Any player good enough to make a major league roster, can sign as a free agent. Anyone else can be a minor league free agent. Then, baseball can put a new expansion team in Vegas, Nashville or wherever else they want leading to two additional expansion teams. A’s haven’t helped themselves. Contracting the team is probably the best course of action at this point.

Harold wrote: "I saw a picture of Oakland stadium. The fans boycotted the game. I didn't see one fan there"

Sounds like they honestly had a fantastic time in the parking lot. This is a fanbase that truly adores their team.

Royce Lewis has a “severe” quad strain and in the IL. Figuring he’s going to need at least 1 month of recovery then can rehab - optimistic time frame is out two months. Buxton 2.0…

Looking for something on Bing I came across the cover for the Official 1983 Pete Rose Price Guide to Baseball Cards.

Lance wrote: "Royce Lewis has a “severe” quad strain and in the IL. Figuring he’s going to need at least 1 month of recovery then can rehab - optimistic time frame is out two months. Buxton 2.0…"

Yes, it is uncanny.

While I have had mlb.tv for three years now, I haven’t been using the audio very much. That changed yesterday and I’ll have to use it more often. I had tickets to meet a friend at a hockey game in Glens Falls, about an hour drive for me. Had to leave after 6 innings of the Twins-Royals game so I put the audio on for the drive north - caught the great late inning comeback by the Twins. Then on the drive home, the only game still going without a rain delay was Rockies-D’backs so listened to about three innings of that. I know what I am going to be doing on longer drives this spring and summer now…

I listen more than watch only because the Cubs radio man is in the Hall and the tv guys leave much to be desired. Also April looks to be a frustrating month so maybe I don’t want to watch.

I truly believe Atlanta will win 112 games this year. They destroyed the Phillies at home. It's like a college team playing a team of pro all- srars.

Brina wrote: "I think that baseball should contract the A’s...."

I don't agree with this at all, but I wouldn't mind if the League told the owners to either get their heads and their (bleep)s wired together or else sell the franchise.

What a concept. It’s just something I thought about for awhile. The owners have constructed a roster of minor leaguers who can barely compete. Contracting would give the players who are halfway decent a chance to catch on with a real major league roster. I do hope that Manfred does something now that he’s in his last term. Whole thing is a mess.

Before I forget further, to all who celebrate the day Happy Easter, and for those who have something else to celebrate today I hope that was happy for you as well. Next holiday for us, after Monday, is Victoria Day (as it used to be called) in May.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Brina wrote: "I think that baseball should contract the A’s...."

I don't agree with this at all, but I wouldn't mind if the League told the owners to either get their heads and their (bleep)s wire..."

Now this I agree with - contraction? One, the union will have something to say about eliminating jobs. Two, look how well that suggestion worked on the Twins - when Selig was going to PAY Pohlad $250 M to contract his team. Solved nothing then won’t solve anything now

Love reading overreacting during the first week or so. While the Twins did have a bad day today, it’s still a series win on the road. But what have I been reading online? “The season’s over - can’t lose like that to the Royals”; calls to DFA today’s starting pitcher Bailey Ober, we “desperately” need to sign Trevor Bauer and since they were shutout, the offense won’t score runs. Geez, people, it’s been THREE games. A loss like this in June - it’s a bad day, look ahead to Monday’s game. A loss like this on opening weekend - OMG the sky is falling.

Well the Cubs need to trade for Shane Bieber because they went 1-2 at Texas and one of the losses was in 11 innings. No one will ever be happy unless the team goes 162-0.

Not that I mind that. 40 years ago - I can’t believe it was that long - the Cubs traded for a pitcher from Cleveland in April/May who went 16-1 for them that year and helped them to win division.

And Scott Barlow/Eli Morgan need never pitch again after today's performance in Oakland, while we're airing overreactions.

...seriously though, that 9th inning was something. Cleveland was SO close. If Bo Naylor didn't get picked off third, they might have stolen that game. Instead the pitchers juiced the bases and promptly walked in the winning run. Baseball.

Today is the real opening day- the Cubs home opener. I got lucky that the teacher I subbed for had last bell off so I got home before the first pitch. It’s about 36 degrees at the ballpark but that doesn’t seem to bother anyone. There is no place like home.

Every player on the Braves had a hit today against the White Sox through 7 innings. There is a rain delay. 6-0

Lance wrote: "Love reading overreacting during the first week or so. While the Twins did have a bad day today, it’s still a series win on the road. But what have I been reading online? “The season’s over - can’t..."

Sounds like Dodgers fans lol. Seriously, the overreaction after Joe Kelly gave up 5 runs in Saturday's game - I thought Kelly might have to enter the Witness Protection Program. Good grief! Let's have some perspective please!

Your presuming that sports fans, at least the most fanatical, have a sense of perspective. I make no such presumptions. I daresay some of these fans would also insist under oath that professinal wrestling is not scripted.

For soe reason I am being denied access to today's Card Corner. I am going to give it a try tomorrow and see what happens.

First no-hitter of the season came early - Ronel Blanco of the Astros no-hits the Blue Jays 10-0.

https://www.mlb.com/news/ronel-blanco...

C. John wrote: "For soe reason I am being denied access to today's Card Corner. I am going to give it a try tomorrow and see what happens."

I just tried as I get the HOF emails and can’t access it either.

Yankees are 5-0. My husband is happy.

Brina wrote: "Yankees are 5-0. My husband is happy."

Is he going to be upset when they don't go 162-0?