ExWNYer

@Gugny @Another Fan We're pretty much simpatico on this, brother....especially #4. The only thing I would flip is Astros at #2 and Rangers at #3. I don't like the Astros at all but I'm used to them at this point and I find Velander to be slightly less of a douche nozzle than Scherzer. Plus the Rangers have never won anything and I don't need to see another Dallas/Ft. Worth team hoist a trophy....any trophy...ever again. BTW, I checked in on the Philthies @ D'backs game last night when it was 2-2, left and came back to see Arizona issue three straight walks to open the top of the 6th, left again, came back to see they were down 4-2 and immediately left again figuring it was over, then checked one last time...and to my surprise...they were up 6-5 in the top of the 9th. Stayed to watch Paul Sewald (I miss you, Paul) shut them down to tie the series at 2-2. I'm shocked. I thought the series was over when Arizona went down two games to none. Finish these scumbags, Snakes! #LFGM

Hopefully, it's Jeremy Chinn.

@Gugny @Another Fan Nice post, agree with everything. Watching our two hated NL East rivals playing to advance is like being asked if you'd rather be shot or stabbed. Whenever I think I might want one of them to win over the other, I throw-up a little in my mouth (sorry if you're reading this over breakfast). Boola-boola everyone! I'm 'ride or die' at this point with Arizona. I can't stand either of the other two NL teams still battling...or Houston who is now in the ALCS for a seventh consecutive year (gimme a break)...and there is no way I'm pulling for Scherzer to get another ring. Bring it, Snakes! The possible prospect Scherzer v Verlander gives me the heebie jeebies, as well. Seriously, baseball gods? Last night was the second...maybe third time...I've flipped on this season's playoffs. When did I turn on the game? It was the bottom of the second at 0-0. I decided to hang around for the third and was treated to the D-backs HR barrage in the bottom of the inning. If you watched, you literally witnessed history being made. Ron Darling said that it was the first time in MLB history that four HRs were hit in the same inning. Wow, was that something to behold. The "BEAT L-A!!!" chant by the Arizona crowd was the icing on the cake. And hitting the fourth HR immediately after the previous pitch was declared a HR down the rightfield line only to be overturned (and rightfully so) was something straight out of a Hollywood movie. Sooooooo, yeah...thank you for that, baseball gods. 😇

How ironic would it be if little bro Trevon took it for a joy ride without telling him?

Haha! Now THAT is good. You honestly think that everyone on these boards currently lives n WNY and, if not, has no ties to the area or wants the Bills to move to where they are? You are more ridiculous and than I even imagined. And a Goodell apologist to boot. Talk about obtuse. 😂

And your "heart-string loyalty" comment was factual? No, it was laughably bad, Mrs. Goodell.

And several in most of yours. We'll disagree which is more than fine by me.

Whatever. He grew up a Giants fan in Jamestown. He doesn't give two sh*ts about the Bills or their fans despite his public proclamations. He'd move the Bills to a larger market with the potential for more money tomorrow, if he could. His only "heart-string loyalty" is to a fleet of Brinks trucks and the 32 billionaires who pay him a ridiculous amount of money to maximize every penny he can squeeze from rabid NFL fans.

@Gugny @Another Fan I have made no bones about it regarding my feelings for Billy 'Eppler-lectic fit'. You guys know I was not a fan. I was ambivalent about Buck going but am pleased about Eppler going. Clean sweep. Now start proving what you can do Wunderkind Stearns & Uncle Steve.

@SinceThe70s @Another Fan I agree with all of what you wrote, Gugs. I thought Stearns' comments at his presser on Monday about Alonso being with the team next season or in their plans next season seemed a little inauspicious. It wasn't, "Yeah, signing him to a long-term deal is one of our priorities this off-season". That coupled with the reports during the season that they were fielding offers for him and now with him hiring Boras, the writing may be on the wall. We'll see. I hope he stays with an extension. If Cohen really wants him he'll pony up the shekels but, either way, Pete is gonna get his bag. If they don't see him in their long-term plans, they'd be foolish not to deal him at the Winter Meetings and maximize their return. Power hitters like him don't grow on trees and God knows they don't for the Mets. If he goes, it will be a shame because I think he will shatter every record in team history by a position player (other than batting average), if he stays. Agree 100% on Boras. I know his clients love him because he is maximizing every penny they get but he is a scumbag, IMO, and I have never liked him. On another note, I hope they sign the starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Japan and go all out for Ohtani. Shohei can fill a huge need at power bat, especially, if Pete is dealt or walks after 2024 and he'll be another high end pitcher in a year or so when he's ready to take the bump again.

I remember the book but never read it. Thanks.

You're right about Mookie. Sorry, I should have included him. I like Bobby V but I don't know that he was a better manager than Davey Johnson. DJ was tasked with keeping all of those massive, partying egos in check & on task and he does have the 1986 Championship on his resume. Nobody since him has one, including BV. If one wanted to argue that Bobby V "got more out of his teams", I don't think I would argue that point. It's a valid thought and certainly open for debate. They were both good in their own right. Bobby certainly gets the edge in moustaches. 😉 😂

Yeah, that was laughable. Doc, Daryl, Keith, 'Nails'...they were all cokeheads &/or booze hounds. 'Kid' & Knight were about the only 'holy rollers' of the bunch.

Yeah, my comment was more a tongue-in-cheek reference to his antiquated approach of thinking that you can still win with defense and a 'three yards and a cloud of dust' offense in today's NFL. I hope he never changes his approach and is there another 10 years.

@Gugny @SinceThe70s I tuned in for a few minutes of the Marlins @ Philthies game in the 7th. Wheeler had been owning them up until that point and exited after 6 2/3 and allowing a run that inning with runners on base. It still irritates me that the 'Coupons' let him walk. His contract was not outrageous and he would be a very good two or three for the Mets right now. A little before your time @Another Fan but the only teams that come to mind for me might be the Davey Johnson teams of the mid-1980s. It's still disappointing that those squads only won a single World Series. The 1985 team was really, really good but finished 3 games behind a 101 win St. Louis Cardinals team: 1984: 90-72 (2nd in NL East) 1985: 98-64 (2nd in NL East) 1987: 92-70 (2nd in NL East)

They have huge problems. He was hardly the only reason. They play a lot of zone and he's only really suited for man-to-man. He was a square peg in a round hole.

Belicheat probably thinks he need another RB more than a QB or WR...

The Chargers defense is trash and in need of help yet they're still trading him. Pretty much sums up how underwhelming he has been for them.

I rest my case.

'Fireman Fraud'

IMO, the only path forward for Vientos is as part of a DH platoon. I don't see a position for him other than to occasionally spell the regulars at 1B or 3B.

I think Mauricio's future is partially tied to Baty's development. If Baty pans out as the 3B then Mauricio is the 2B. If Baty bombs then Mauricio assumes the mantel at 3B. While I am not sure of Baty at this point, I have a hard time not seeing Mauricio on the roster to start the season. Baty is going to have to have a helluva off season and Spring Training, IMO. I wouldn't mind seeing him play winter ball.

@Gugny Agree that Buck was part of the problem but not the number one culprit. There were a myriad of reason that this team spit the bit. Losing Diaz before the season even started, Eppler, Buck, Scherzer & Verlander, Lindor's horrible first half, other integral vets who were invisible in the first half, an overworked and not talented enough bullpen, having to rely on rookies earlier than wanted...the list goes on and on. I'm neither happy nor sad to see Buck go but I am excited to see what the future with Stearns and a new skipper might bring and I wish Buck the best, truly. Whether coming off of a good year or a bad year, I love the 'Hot Stove' season. I'm ready to move on and look towards the future. BTW, I'm still on cloud nine after the squishing and thorough gutting of the fish today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the coming week, friends.