@jz2016cubs said in BREAKING NEWS:

The MLB has informed NL teams to not expect to play with a DH. This means that there will most likely be no universal DH, so no DH in DD.

First ive heard of this but I hope its true! Not a fan if the DH here. Strategy is one thing that makes baseball the great game it is, having the pitcher have to hit just adds to it in my opinion.

The Zebra has spoken....it shall be done.

Love this post! I'm with the rest of you, 43 year old Dad of 2 here. Been playing baseball games since I was very young on the old Intellivision which I believe rivaled Atari at the time. From there graduating to Nintendo and so and and so on. Like some others have mentioned I loved the old game Baseball Stars. Fake teams and fake players but the ability to play a season and track stats and all that was awesome. I did the same as someone else said too, playing RBI baseball and tracking my own stats. My friends and I used to play seasons and track are stats and all that kind of stuff. At one point we even made up a D and D (Dungeons and Dragons) type dice based baseball game. We would have drafts and form teams with baseball cards and had several different types of dice and roll for hits and all that. It was so long ago I can't even remember all the details but we had it down pretty good. We would roll a hundred sided dice and use a players batting average on the back of their card to determine whether they got a hit or not. Like if a guy had a .340 average you would have to roll under 34 on the dice to get a hit. We then had a system similar to that to determine what type of hit it was. Good times!

I get made fun of too by my wife and kids for playing this game and getting as into it as much as I do. I usually play later at night to have more peace and quiet since this game requires so much concentration. I play a lot more now than I used to with more time at home due to the pandemic and all that. I think it would be an awesome idea for a league made of with some of us older guys and I'd definitely be down for that!

I'm a little scared to chime in here since everyone who has has been attacked....haha....but here I go. I think a case can be made for something being wrong with sinkers and what not, but like others have mentioned on here if you can't hit a particular pitch your opponent would be silly to lay off throwing that pitch. You are correct, you don't see MLB pitchers throw the sinker or any other pitch over and over and over again. The reason for that though is, MLB hitters would eventually tee off on that pitch. Even the worst hitter in baseball is still a good hitter and if they saw the same pitch repeatedly they would time it up and start hitting it. I never throw one pitch 100% off the time but I absolutely will throw a LOT of any given pitch if over the course of the game I realize my opponent struggles with it. That's baseball, and that's competition. Attacking your opponents weakness. Sinkers can be a pain in the rear to hit but I've played plenty of games where my opponent destroys them and I have to figure out other ways to go about trying to beat them. I've also played plenty of games where I know my opponent can't hit a fastball, sinker, slider, whatever the case may be, and absolutely I give them a steady dose of what they appear to struggle with.

And thanks to you my good man for being the OP and starting the "Dads playing the show" post a while back. A few of us from that post got a nice little league going out of that and it's been a ton of fun being part of it. Good people playing some good games!

I agree with you, this forum has helped me a ton over the past few years learn the ins and outs of this game. Definitely a good place to come and most people on here are good people and willing to help.

@TheGoaler said in What is the best Kontrol Freek to use? Ever made a homemade one? LMK please!:

Home made?
You're talented. I wouldn't even know what materials to use.

I'd have to agree, that is pretty impressive. Dudes like MacGyver.....see how many get that reference.

@scottswann said in What do you all do for work in the real world:

I drink beer, and I know things.

My good man, is your company hiring?

@writetoshawn said in Opponent Team Names:

@jz2016cubs said in Opponent Team Names:

@lazy_toast said in Opponent Team Names:

y wasn’t even in his lineup nor did he ever bring him in. Wake up bro lol

Confession:
I once had a "HR with (someone, can't remember who) and I quit" GASP
I know, sad.
After I played that game, I forgot to change the name, so I used that name the next game. LOL

Not sad bro. They set this prestige thing up that way. If you ask me, it’s a flawed system in a major way.

Agreed!

I played a RS game last night and his team name was....easy win for you. It may have been, easy win 4 u or something like that but the still. The person requested a friendly quit before the first pitch and I accepted. People with names like that often times don't offer the best game experience so I went ahead and just accepted.

I have Sale and love pitching with him. He's gotten rocked a few times for me but has been extremely effective way more than the times he's been hit. I think Sale is the type of card that once you get a feel for him and learn how to use his pitch mix he can be nasty. I know a lot of people don't like to throw the changeup but I use it a lot when pitching with Sale. When I do throw it though, i almost always throw it down in the zone. Either a borderline strike at the bottom of the zone or down and out of the zone. If you can throw his fastball in that same range it can be touch to pick up on what it is, fastball or changeup. Mix in the slider on top of it and he's tough. I try and mix up the fastball, changeup, and slider down in the zone and moving it east and west on the corners. Occasionally coming up and in with the fastball as well. If you can tunnel em well, the fastball, changeup, and slider can all look like the same pitch out of the hand.

100% agree. So much so that I dont even play madden or 2k anymore. Havent played madden in probably 4 years and this is the first year I didn't buy 2k.

@Twisted-_-Tea-_PSN said in Congratulations, Mets!:

Padres about to take it in 3 tho. LFGSD

Go Pads! Not gonna be easy though, the Mets are good. We're gonna have to face Scherzer and Degrom and with our struggles at times to score runs those 2 guys will be tough. We've got some good starters too that we'll be running out there so this should be a good, fun series. We got a shot though for sure and I'm definitely looking forward to it!

That Andre Dawson card from the April POTM program has easily been my most surprising. I never really expected to use him but now I can't take him out of my lineup. I'm hitting well over .300 with that card and I doubt I'm hitting over .300 with anyone else as I am not a good hitter in this game at all. Hits for some power too and always seems to get the clutch hits when I need em. Very surprised with how well I'm doing with that card.

@ibonafidescrub_ said in Kevin Brown:

@deadphish1976 said in Kevin Brown:

@twisted-_-tea-_psn said in Kevin Brown:

@deadphish1976 said in Kevin Brown:

@twisted-_-tea-_psn said in Kevin Brown:

My dad always said when the trade for brown was made the city just knew we were going to the world series. We've been heartbroken every year since

You're Dad is right on! Maybe not knew we would be going to the World Series but we knew we had a pretty good team even before the Kevin Brown trade. Once that trade was made though, that gave us a true stud number 1 pitcher and changed the entire complexion of our rotation. Definitely after that, we knew we would be very good and had a great opportunity to do some damage. That 98 season was a fun ride. Hopefully we've got another one coming in the not too distant future.

Nando, some pen reinforcements coming off the IL, and a couple moves at the deadline puts us in a great spot for our deepest playoff run since 98

Agreed. The fact that our record is what it is, with our bullpen struggles, nobody hitting except Machado and Hosmer, and Fernando being out is pretty impressive. We'll get the bullpen figured out and I think we'll make a few moves before the deadline. I'm hoping for that deep playoff run!

This is how it should’ve been last year, a battle between the Padres and the best team in baseball for the NL West

It should have been. Unfortunately the Padres couldn't live up to their end of the bargain with their 2nd half collapse. I hate to admit it, but the Dodgers are THAT good and they'll be there until the end. I don't see the Padres having a 2nd half like they did last year with Bob Melvin in charge so I'm looking forward to an exciting NL west race down the stretch.

@twisted-_-tea-_psn said in Kevin Brown:

@deadphish1976 said in Kevin Brown:

@twisted-_-tea-_psn said in Kevin Brown:

My dad always said when the trade for brown was made the city just knew we were going to the world series. We've been heartbroken every year since

You're Dad is right on! Maybe not knew we would be going to the World Series but we knew we had a pretty good team even before the Kevin Brown trade. Once that trade was made though, that gave us a true stud number 1 pitcher and changed the entire complexion of our rotation. Definitely after that, we knew we would be very good and had a great opportunity to do some damage. That 98 season was a fun ride. Hopefully we've got another one coming in the not too distant future.

Nando, some pen reinforcements coming off the IL, and a couple moves at the deadline puts us in a great spot for our deepest playoff run since 98

Agreed. The fact that our record is what it is, with our bullpen struggles, nobody hitting except Machado and Hosmer, and Fernando being out is pretty impressive. We'll get the bullpen figured out and I think we'll make a few moves before the deadline. I'm hoping for that deep playoff run!

@twisted-_-tea-_psn said in Kevin Brown:

My dad always said when the trade for brown was made the city just knew we were going to the world series. We've been heartbroken every year since

You're Dad is right on! Maybe not knew we would be going to the World Series but we knew we had a pretty good team even before the Kevin Brown trade. Once that trade was made though, that gave us a true stud number 1 pitcher and changed the entire complexion of our rotation. Definitely after that, we knew we would be very good and had a great opportunity to do some damage. That 98 season was a fun ride. Hopefully we've got another one coming in the not too distant future.

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@toeter83_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

I agree, it's time. His defense is stellar too. Time for an upgrade. Thanks goodness I finished the collection a few days ago.

As a Padre fan it's a pleasure to watch him play baseball everyday. The guy can do it all. His bat has been on fire all season, his defense at 3B is some of the best I've ever seen, and even his base running is fantastic. On top of it all, he comes to play everyday and rarely misses a game.

On a side note, congratulations on finishing the collection. I don't know how you can have it done so quickly. It usually takes me a couple of months at least, but this year I seem further behind than most years. For me, it's been a little more difficult to make stubs in this years game. Nice work!

Just wait til he pulls his Manny stunts when he gets mad. Things like intentionally kicking first baseman when he is running by or not running out routine grounders when the dog says of summer are weighing him down. Yeah that’s right Manny does these things. I can’t wait to see when it rears it’s ugly head. There is a reason the Dodgers didn’t re-sign him. I could be wrong but once you get that kind of reputation it’s pretty hard to shake.

He slide on purpose in to Pedroia's ankle as well which eventually was the end of Pedroia's career

Padres don’t seem to mind character issues, Manny’s numerous misteps, Jurikson Profar who was basically asked to leave Texas after multiple run-ins with teammates in the locker room. Joe Musgrove who has been known to headhunt when he gets mad. Jake Cronenworth and his questionable second base takeouts. The list goes on and on.

With comments like this, let me guess, Dodger fan?

And you would be wrong!!! The world champions are my team. But I’m also a baseball fan and I’ve watched all the top players careers from start to present. Manny has done too much goonish/bafoonish stuff in his career for me to just dismiss it as a bad day. When the team that traded for you doesn’t even offer you a contract or at least attempt to extend you speaks volumes. But as I mentioned earlier he’s not the only guy on that team with questionable character issues. I would argue that Profar is the most questionable guy on that team even more so than Manny. I guess only time will tell.

Fair enough in regards to Manny's past. Can't argue the fact that there has been a couple of bafoonish acts in his career. During his time as a Padre though, none of that has come to light. He's been an absolute professional. I'm not sure I can agree with the Padres being a team full of guys with questionable character issues. I'm not sure what took place with Profar and the Rangers so there may have been something there. To call Cronenworth and Musgrove questionable character guys though, nothing could be further from the truth. I would say that those are two of the best character guys on the team. I would guarantee that anyone who follows the Padres on a daily basis would 100% agree with this.

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

I agree, it's time. His defense is stellar too. Time for an upgrade. Thanks goodness I finished the collection a few days ago.

As a Padre fan it's a pleasure to watch him play baseball everyday. The guy can do it all. His bat has been on fire all season, his defense at 3B is some of the best I've ever seen, and even his base running is fantastic. On top of it all, he comes to play everyday and rarely misses a game.

On a side note, congratulations on finishing the collection. I don't know how you can have it done so quickly. It usually takes me a couple of months at least, but this year I seem further behind than most years. For me, it's been a little more difficult to make stubs in this years game. Nice work!

Hey @DeadPhish1976 good to hear from you. Full disclosure, I spent a little money at the beginning to put into the market. Not a ton but I can't run around screaming NMS....NMS!!!
Do you flip cards at all? I know that stubs are harder to come by this year but I found a avenue in the market and would be happy to share with a fellow Jam Band fan and San Diegan.

Hey man! Nothing wrong with spending some money on the game to get a bit of a head start. I do flip cards, yeah. I haven't been as active as years past up to this point but I am a flipper. I would love to hear your take on the market though! I'm far from an expert so am always looking for some good advice. Especially from a fellow Jam Band fan and San Diegan!

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@toeter83_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

I agree, it's time. His defense is stellar too. Time for an upgrade. Thanks goodness I finished the collection a few days ago.

As a Padre fan it's a pleasure to watch him play baseball everyday. The guy can do it all. His bat has been on fire all season, his defense at 3B is some of the best I've ever seen, and even his base running is fantastic. On top of it all, he comes to play everyday and rarely misses a game.

On a side note, congratulations on finishing the collection. I don't know how you can have it done so quickly. It usually takes me a couple of months at least, but this year I seem further behind than most years. For me, it's been a little more difficult to make stubs in this years game. Nice work!

Just wait til he pulls his Manny stunts when he gets mad. Things like intentionally kicking first baseman when he is running by or not running out routine grounders when the dog says of summer are weighing him down. Yeah that’s right Manny does these things. I can’t wait to see when it rears it’s ugly head. There is a reason the Dodgers didn’t re-sign him. I could be wrong but once you get that kind of reputation it’s pretty hard to shake.

He slide on purpose in to Pedroia's ankle as well which eventually was the end of Pedroia's career

Padres don’t seem to mind character issues, Manny’s numerous misteps, Jurikson Profar who was basically asked to leave Texas after multiple run-ins with teammates in the locker room. Joe Musgrove who has been known to headhunt when he gets mad. Jake Cronenworth and his questionable second base takeouts. The list goes on and on.

With comments like this, let me guess, Dodger fan?

@chuckclc5755_xbl said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

I agree, it's time. His defense is stellar too. Time for an upgrade. Thanks goodness I finished the collection a few days ago.

As a Padre fan it's a pleasure to watch him play baseball everyday. The guy can do it all. His bat has been on fire all season, his defense at 3B is some of the best I've ever seen, and even his base running is fantastic. On top of it all, he comes to play everyday and rarely misses a game.

On a side note, congratulations on finishing the collection. I don't know how you can have it done so quickly. It usually takes me a couple of months at least, but this year I seem further behind than most years. For me, it's been a little more difficult to make stubs in this years game. Nice work!

Just wait til he pulls his Manny stunts when he gets mad. Things like intentionally kicking first baseman when he is running by or not running out routine grounders when the dog says of summer are weighing him down. Yeah that’s right Manny does these things can’t wait to see when it tears it’s ugly head. There is a reason the Dodgers didn’t re-sign him. I could be wrong but once you get that kind of reputation it’s pretty hard to shake.

I think Manny is one of those, "as long as things are going well he goes well" type of guys. If things start going South for the Padres you will see his true self, but as long as they stay good, he should be ok.

There has been plenty of going south for the Padres and none of this stuff Manny has been accused of has come to light. Last year the Padres went from a viable world series contender to not being able to hardly win a game over the last two months, finishing the season below .500. Manny was the same player through the good and the bad.

@killerpresence4 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@deadphish1976 said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

@ericulous1_psn said in Manny Machado, stiiiill raking:

I agree, it's time. His defense is stellar too. Time for an upgrade. Thanks goodness I finished the collection a few days ago.

As a Padre fan it's a pleasure to watch him play baseball everyday. The guy can do it all. His bat has been on fire all season, his defense at 3B is some of the best I've ever seen, and even his base running is fantastic. On top of it all, he comes to play everyday and rarely misses a game.

On a side note, congratulations on finishing the collection. I don't know how you can have it done so quickly. It usually takes me a couple of months at least, but this year I seem further behind than most years. For me, it's been a little more difficult to make stubs in this years game. Nice work!

Just wait til he pulls his Manny stunts when he gets mad. Things like intentionally kicking first baseman when he is running by or not running out routine grounders when the dog says of summer are weighing him down. Yeah that’s right Manny does these things. I can’t wait to see when it rears it’s ugly head. There is a reason the Dodgers didn’t re-sign him. I could be wrong but once you get that kind of reputation it’s pretty hard to shake.

I can't speak to how Manny was as a player with Baltimore, or in his couple of month run as a Dodger. All I know is, as a Padre Manny has not done these things. This his fourth year as a Padre and watching him play day in and day out he has been an absolute pro, and I can guarantee that every other player in the clubhouse would say he could not be a better teammate. I know he has a certain reputation, but reputations are not always accurate. Having not watched him daily as an Oriole or a Dodger I can't speak to his behavior, but I have since he's been a Padre and I'll take Manny on my team anyday.