MLB 2019

[ursus arctos]

It's the 50th anniversary of them ruining my childhood, and the local media is awash in nostalgic celebration.

I prefer to take a somewhat different approach.

[Flynnie]

Leo Durocher ruined your childhood, not the Miracle Mets.

Randy Hundley caught 150 games. 150. He hit .214 after the break. Fergie Jenkins threw 15 complete games by the break, he had a 4.07 ERA in the second half, almost a run and a half higher.

[ursus arctos]

He didn't act alone

[Ginger Yellow]

Well, fuck.

[Janik]

Pitching duels are for aficiandos aren't they? There probably aren't that many of those at the London Stadium. Good job etc. (6-6 after one innings!).

The Yankees put tomorrow's planned starter in for the during first innings. Do they have a replacement over here with them? Or is someone getting a call that their weekend off is cancelled and to get their ass to to JFK pronto?

[ursus arctos]

Normally the entire squad would travel for something like this.

[Janik]

Flip channel. Immediate home run for NY. 8-6 in the top of the 3rd. This game is going to take hours, isn't it?

[ursus arctos]

Every game takes hours

And these two clubs are notorious for playing the slowest matches in the sport.

The question is if they will come in under four hours.

[Toby Gymshorts]

The Yankees are currently tearing Boston a new one. 14-6 in the bottom of the 4th.

[Janik]

The question is if they will come in under four hours.

After 3h7m of play, it had reached the middle of the fifth with the Yankees 17-6 up. Four hours is a given. It's more like whether they drag it out to a cricket-esque six!

[ursus arctos]

Keep in mind that the Sox will almost definitely have to bat in the bottom of the ninth

[Femme Folle]

I hate the sound of Joe Buck's voice. He ruins everything.

[ursus arctos]

These two clubs played a 6 hour 49 minute game in 2015

[Femme Folle]

I remember that. The only reason I watched to the end was because it was a Friday night. Well, and because it was a close game. Who am I kidding, I would have watched on a work night anyway.

[Levin]

Were the fireworks I just heard, this?

[San Bernardhinault]

Is there any way both of these teams can lose?

[Janik]

Oh Christ, Boston are fighting back. 17-10, bottom of the sixth. If it goes to extra innings, they might run in to very British things like inflexible finishing times due to planning constraints...

[Janik]

Sorry, bottom of the seventh.

[Janik]

Were the fireworks I just heard, this?

Probably. Boston hit a home run a few minutes ago. Seems a likely candidate.

[Janik]

I think that last incident may have summed things up. 2 outs, runners on 1st and 3rd, full count, and the pitcher walks the batter on a wild pitch that allows the player on 3rd to score and bring it to 17-12. Are the pitchers being driven out from the bullpen in a clown car?

[Janik]

Double, 17-13, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Fourth six run half-inning of the night, two per side. Just because bat-and-ball games in England generally last all day and involve ~300 runs scored, doesn't mean everyone has to.

[Levin]

When this guy releases the ball his back foot it way off the mark. I still don't get how that's ok.

[Diable Rouge]

I presume US viewers aren't suffering the purgatorial "delights" of Craig Doyle.

[ursus arctos]

It needs to be in contact at the beginning of the delivery, not when the ball is released

[Levin]

Ah, ok. Thanks Ursus. That makes more sense now.

I read that IPL games are getting longer on average season by season. But this is very leisurely.