BBTF.org/m/pennant_race : MLB.com: Nationals clinch first trip to postseason

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Washington Post: Tom Boswell: Yankees Are Monuments To Baseball Success

(www.washingtonpost.com)

posted on May 21, 2013 at 02:30 AM by The Yankee Clapper to aging, great baseball players, injuries, pennant race, veteran leadership, yankees | 15 comment(s)

Boz pays homage to the gritty, gutsy, scrappy, first place 2013 underdog Yankees:

Perhaps for the first time in their history, the Yankees now epitomize exactly the kind of team that always used to try to beat them: a group of inspired-by-adversity, too-old-or-too-young, one-last-chance players who band together to prove that baseball is a team game, not just an aggregation of talent and fat contracts.

Put a few all-star seasons, such as Cano’s 31 RBI, Kiroda’s 1.99 ERA and Rivera’s 16 ...

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1. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:19 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Good for them. Congrats Nats fans!

2. bunyon posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:23 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I was glad to see there wasn't too much celebrating. Clinching the play-in game shouldn't be a big deal, unless it is done after you're eliminated from the division race.

3. flournoy posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:34 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I wouldn't want to see a team celebrate clinching the Wild Card Game either way.

4. Chris Needham posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Which team's going to be the first to hang a banner commemorating a year they lost the play-in game? I've got money on the Padres.

5. Chris Fluit posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:40 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think that either the A's or the O's would do it this year.

6. flournoy posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Am I correct to assume that the team with the better record hosts the Wild Card Game? And in the event of a tie, the better head-to head record? And in the event that the tie is still unresolved, then either a coin flip or the previous year's record?

7. Robert in Manhattan Beach posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:07 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

#6 - Sure that would make sense, but it's actually decided by which team's players racked up more WPA in the All-Star Game. We are going to make that f#cker count yet.

8. beer on a stick posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The Rockies used to have one on the left field wall that said 1994(?) Wild Card "Champions".

9. TerpNats posted on September 20, 2012 at 11:59 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

'95, Glenn.

10. Gamingboy posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:01 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I certainly hope that whoever loses the play-in game has the banner says something semi-generic like "Playoff Appearance" and not something stupid like "Second Wild Card Champion".

11. flournoy posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:20 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I know that MLB has declared otherwise, but I don't see a Wild Card Game loser as any more of a playoff team than any other Game 163 loser. I see the game as one that determines which team gets to be a playoff team.

12. Horror posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:32 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Pirates under .500. First time since May 29.

13. Voros McCracken of Pinkus posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:45 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think the wild card loser should be called the 2012 Bud Selig Award winner.

14. JoeHova posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:47 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't see why a team couldn't hang a sign that said "2012 Wild Card." Sure, it's not something the Yankees would probably want to do but not every team has had that kind of success and for the fans of some teams, any postseason appearance is special and worth commemorating in some way.

15. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:51 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Washington D.C. ballclub clinches first postseason berth since 1933 - local D.C. media says "What the hell is 'baseball''"?

16. ShoeGrit posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:53 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Wait....wasn't Detwiler fading and the Nationals a question mark to make the playoffs at all ? I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

17. Dr. Vaux posted on September 21, 2012 at 01:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I see the game as one that determines which team gets to be a playoff team.

Everyone does, but Bud Selig says they both "made the playoffs," just like they had "hope and faith" they could do because of how he expanded them. And if you don't call it the playoffs, he'll probably come put you in a gulag or something.

18. SoSH U at work posted on September 21, 2012 at 01:43 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Everyone does.

Not me. I think it's an awful and unnecessary addition to the postseason, but I don't see any logical reason why the teams that are in this game aren't playoff teams. This isn't the equivalent of the traditional one-game playoff, which was played by tied teams in a game that wasn't on the postseason calendar. The teams will have the opportunity to clinch a berth quite a long time before the game is played. The stats will not be included in the regular season, but in the playoff column on BBRef.

The losers of this year's (and subsequent year's) wild card games will undoubtedly enjoy the least satisfactory postseason experience ever, but they'll be playoff teams nonetheless.

19. AndrewJ posted on September 21, 2012 at 07:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Congratulations to the Nats. The last time Washington made the postseason, Babe Ruth was still a Yankee and Hank Aaron was still in utero.

20. Coot Veal and Cot Deal make $486 every day posted on September 21, 2012 at 07:50 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Washington D.C. ballclub clinches first postseason berth since 1933 - local D.C. media says "What the hell is 'baseball''"?

wtop.com has the Nats' clinching as its lead story this morning... I'm honestly surprised. It's above the fold at the Post as well.

21. depletion posted on September 21, 2012 at 07:57 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Congrats to the Nats and their fans. Congrats to Davey Johnson for working wonders at Yet Another Baseball Team!

Did Teddy win the PrezRace? It's time!

Congrats to the Reds and their fans, as well.

22. Tim Wallach was my Hero posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:09 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm happy for Nats fans and everyone in the organization. Nevertheless, this piece of news makes me nostalgic of a time when I still had a baseball team to root for.

23. ThisElevatorIsDrivingMeUpTheWall posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:28 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The reaction of Harper sums it up, he didn't realize they did anything until someone handed him a shirt and a cap. So I guess there will be some kind of "wildcard"ish memorabilia.

24. ThisElevatorIsDrivingMeUpTheWall posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:30 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The other thing that occurred to me is the Nats' owner, Ted Lerner, is probably one of the few guys left around that remembers that 1933 team. Then Boswell wrote about that this morning too.

25. tfbg9 posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:36 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Congrats. Now win the whole damn thing.

26. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:40 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think the idea that a team shouldn't consider reaching the Wild Card game a playoff appearance as silly as the idea that Melky Cabrera should be stripped of the batting title. How you "feel" about it is one thing but the fact is it IS a playoff game.

I think this all stems from the college sports approach of "stripping" teams of wins or titles. Things happen, pretending they didn't happen doesn't change that. UMass was stripped of their 1995 Final Four berth but you know what? They played in the 1995 Final Four (or whatever year it was). It is simply a record of what occurred, not a value judgment. People are welcome to assign as much or as little to a WC Game appearance as they want but it IS a playoff game.

27. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:44 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

And by the way, good for the Nats. They are a fun team to root for.

28. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:50 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Let me be the first to give a big shout-out to Rockville's very own Jim Riggleman. Riggles, I simply can't thank you enough for quitting on us in the middle of last season like you did. Thank thank, thank you, a million times, thank you! Replacing you with Davey Johnson was one of the absolute best things that could ever have possibly happened for this team. We couldn't have done it with you.

I sincerely hope that things are going well for you with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and that you're finally getting the respect that you deserve.

29. boteman posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't consider this so much a "clinching" as an "unclenching", as in sphincter. The real clinching comes once the Nats have outrun the Braves and they clinch the National League East division.

I had a sneaking suspicion they might do this for one of these celebratory events, but they shot off fireworks when the game was won last night. Even Charlie Slowes got to reprise his "BANG! ZOOM! go the fireworks!" call on the radio at the end of the game. Good times.

30. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:57 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

So I guess there will be some kind of "wildcard"ish memorabilia.

The Braves postseason shirts from a couple years ago just say "2010 playoffs" on them, and don't include the words "wild card".

31. Steve Parris, Je t'aime posted on September 21, 2012 at 08:59 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Don't know if this has been linked around here, but Dusty Baker has not been in the dugout the past couple of games while being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat. He may not manage tonight at home against LA. It doesn't sound serious, but best wishes to Dusty while he rests up for the playoffs.

32. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:11 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The losers of this year's (and subsequent year's) wild card games will undoubtedly enjoy the least satisfactory postseason experience ever, but they'll be playoff teams nonetheless.

Hey, a one game sweep's better than a three-game sweep. At least it's over faster.

33. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:39 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Joey B the ONLY Nats fan here? Can we have ONE person express some sort of happiness when the Nats accomplish something, instead of responding with \"#### you, DC sports media" and \"#### you, Jim Riggleman"?

34. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:42 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Is Joey B the ONLY Nats fan here? Can we have ONE person express some sort of happiness when the Nats accomplish something, instead of responding with \"#### you, DC sports media" and \"#### you, Jim Riggleman"?

Esoteric is also a fan and Andy is at least something of a fan though more Yankees than Nats I think.

I've had Joey on ignore since about May. I really want to enjoy the Nats season but every time I read one of his posts I found myself rooting for Strasburg's arm to rip out of its socket and go through Jordan Zimmermann's brain. Ever since I've been much happier.

35. JJ1986 posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:47 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Chris Needham is a Nats fan and I think BourbonSamurai is.

36. Harveys Wallbangers

posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:48 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

congrats to the nationals, the organization and its fans.

good work

37. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:48 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

As a diehard Nats fan from Day One in 2005 I'm thrilled, of course...but I want the division, not just the WC. I'll hold off on the fireworks for now.

But I just want to point something out. In February of this year -- before Spring Training even began -- a lot of people were saying that the Nationals could "be better this season," maybe make some noise, but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single baseball analyst or fan who pegged them as a playoff team.

Davey Johnson didn't merely disagree. He outright announced that the front office should fire him if the Nats failed to make the postseason in 2012. That's how confident he was in this team, and in his ability as a talent evaluator. That's some damn near Rollins-esque stuff, right there.

Put this man in the Hall of Fame, for chrissakes.

38. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:55 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

But I just want to point something out. In February of this year -- before Spring Training even began -- a lot of people were saying that the Nationals could "be a better team this season," maybe make some noise, but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single baseball analyst or fan who pegged them as a playoff team.

Believe it or not, Rick Sutcliffe of all people did. Other than Davey and Sutcliffe, I'm not aware of anyone else prominent who went on record with that prediction before the season.

39. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Chris Needham is a Nats fan and I think BourbonSamurai is.

Yes, please consider my charming and insightful posts when thinking of the Nats. It will ease your pain.

I will be at the game tonight with a big group of my office people. Most of them are foreigners so they will be a little more interested in hot dogs. Wish I could have gone last night but we had a concert. I annoyed my wife by staying in the bar and not going up to the music until the last out was in the books.

40. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire posted on September 21, 2012 at 09:57 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm happy for Nats fans and everyone in the organization. Nevertheless, this piece of news makes me nostalgic of a time when I still had a baseball team to root for.

Man, Harper is the best. I'm just so happy about him in every possible way.

41. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:02 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Believe it or not, Rick Sutcliffe of all people did. Other than Davey and Sutcliffe, I'm not aware of anyone else prominent who went on record with that prediction before the season.

Huh, nice catch there Joey. (You obviously remembered this from all the way back in February, which is even more amusing!) Gotta give credit to Sutcliffe, he was right and for the right reasons to boot.

42. booond posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:04 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Were they celebrating in Montreal?

43. McCoy posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:05 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Got my playoff tickets! See ya at game 3!

44. McCoy posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:17 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

And now game 5 as well!

45. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:19 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Welcome to our bandwagon!

46. Kurt posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

But I just want to point something out. In February of this year -- before Spring Training even began -- a lot of people were saying that the Nationals could "be better this season," maybe make some noise, but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single baseball analyst or fan who pegged them as a playoff team.

I made a similar comment in a recent thread, someone called me out on it and they were right.

Plenty of people here picked the Nationals to make the playoffs.

47. bunyon posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:31 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single baseball analyst or fan who pegged them as a playoff team.

I thought they were widely considered to be a solid wild card threat. I imagine if you'd told people in February that the Phillies would suck they might well have picked Washington to win the East.

48. Yonder Alonso in misguided trousers (cardinal) posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:33 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I certainly hope that whoever loses the play-in game has the banner says something semi-generic like "Playoff Appearance" and not something stupid like "Second Wild Card Champion".

"Participant"

49. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:34 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Davey Johnson didn't merely disagree. He outright announced that the front office should fire him if the Nats failed to make the postseason in 2012. That's how confident he was in this team, and in his ability as a talent evaluator. That's some damn near Rollins-esque stuff, right there.

I had missed that. That's good stuff. I love managers who take the pressure on themselves.

17. Squash Posted: March 28, 2012 at 05:20 PM (#4091643)
AL East: Baltimore
AL Central: Minnesota
AL West: Seattle
AL WC: Kansas City
AL WC: Oakland

NL East: New York
NL Central: Houston
NL West: San Diego
NL WC: Pittsburgh
NL WC: Chicago

I predict at least one of these will be correct.

Looks like one, and possibly two of those will be right. Sadly Pittsburgh is going to come up short on making it three.

50. jmurph posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:36 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Plenty of people here picked the Nationals to make the playoffs.

I had them in the Wild Card. It's probably best if we don't review the rest of my picks.

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Washington Post: Tom Boswell: Yankees Are Monuments To Baseball Success

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Pennant Race Think Factory