Game 31, Mariners at Yankees

Dave · May 3, 2008 at 9:24 am · Filed Under Mariners 

Hernandez vs Mussina, 10:05 am.

Happy Felix Day!

John McLaren is starting Miguel Cairo at second base, telling Geoff Baker that Cairo has some history of success against Mussina.

Here’s their history, and yes, note that they haven’t faced each other since 2003.

7 for 28, 1 double, 0 walks, 1 strikeout – .250/.250/.286. Cairo is a career .258/.315/.368 hitter, so to the extent that you believe that 28 at-bats means anything at all (they don’t), you have to conclude that Cairo is worse than he normally is against Mussina.

To come to the conclusion that Cairo should play because he has a history of success against Mike Mussina takes a special blend of ignorance. Here’s to hoping that McLaren has another reason for playing Cairo today and is just using the 7 for 28 thing as the public story, because if he’s actually playing Cairo because he thinks it gives the team a better chance to win, then he’s not qualified to manage a lemonade stand.

Comments

138 Responses to “Game 31, Mariners at Yankees”

  1. Benne on May 3rd, 2008 12:02 pm

    We still love you Felix. Better luck next time.

  2. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:04 pm

    It didn’t matter Felix the offense wasn’t going to score more then 1 run for you anyways. See you next Felix Day!

  3. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 12:05 pm

    They’re not even the worst in the AL anymore.

    Actually, I agree there…I think the Red Sox “wagon jumpers” are probably more obnoxious these days.

    And for Premier League, I’ve heard that Chelsea is actually among the worst in that catagory.

  4. Lauren, token chick on May 3rd, 2008 12:06 pm

    Cha Seung Baek looks like a pleasant guy to hang out with. I think it’s the pudginess of his face.

    Talking about the game? Why bother?

  5. Lauren, token chick on May 3rd, 2008 12:08 pm

    We still love you Felix. Better luck next time.

    I suggest visiting http://www.offsettheevil.com to make yourself feel better. Click on the pink pony (pony!!!) to hear a message to Felix!

  6. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:09 pm

    I think Bedard would be a fun guy to hang out with. Sit at a bar and make snarky comments about people that walk in.

  7. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 12:10 pm

    Ah…gotta love the awesome veteran defensive captaincy that is Jeter…

  8. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:11 pm

    Wlad trying to quickly move his way to the top of the DP leaders on the team. Jeter being the veteran he is won’t let that happen.

  9. saward on May 3rd, 2008 12:12 pm

    Can someone help me understand why they brought Felix out to start that inning. Down by 3 runs at 90 pitches. What good is it gonna do to bring him in. Hes been over the century mark way to many times this year and its still early in the season. You had to know him going back out there was gonna result in more runs especially considering what Jeter and Damon have done to him so far today. Hes not gonna get many wins at least show sympathy and allow him to keep his stats respectable.

  10. Paul B on May 3rd, 2008 12:13 pm

    Dear Bill and John:

    OPS+ splits, 2008 and Career

    Sexson: 78/183 98/105
    Ibanez: 106/81 109/75

    Can you spell P-L-A-T-O-O-N?

    I thought you could.

    Please find another outfielder.

    Your friend,
    a Fan

  11. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 12:23 pm

    Talking about the game? Why bother?

    Actually, at this point, you’re right.

    I think there’s an ancient episode of Bonanza on RTN right now that’s probably more exciting than this.

  12. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:27 pm

    Lauren- I don’t know how but that game made my day better. Except every time I let a pony fall in the water I felt like the offense letting a starter down. But they still love me.

  13. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 12:29 pm

    Fall in the water? Hell, I think the boys ran all the ponies over a cliff like a herd of bison today! 😮

  14. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:32 pm

    Ugh, I just remembered we don’t have anything close to resembling a pinch hitter on this team. Sure glad we got rid of Greg Norton.

  15. UofMichgoMs on May 3rd, 2008 12:40 pm

    This team has got to find some offense somehow.

  16. Benne on May 3rd, 2008 12:41 pm

    I suggest visiting http://www.offsettheevil.com to make yourself feel better. Click on the pink pony (pony!!!) to hear a message to Felix!

    I feel about 60% gayer now after having played that game. And by “gayer” I mean “happier.”

  17. HamNasty on May 3rd, 2008 12:45 pm

    Benne- Only 60%? I jumped to at least 80%. Then I started watching the game again so I am in for a few more rounds after the game.

  18. Benne on May 3rd, 2008 12:47 pm

    The Fangraphs win expectancy has been around 98% since the 7th inning, and Jeff at LL already has the recap thread up.

    I’m off to work. Enjoy your weekend, those of you fortunate enough to not work on weekends.

  19. Lauren, token chick on May 3rd, 2008 1:04 pm

    Blergh.

  20. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 1:10 pm

    Yep…the mojo’s sputtering.

  21. joser on May 3rd, 2008 1:20 pm

    Matt Pittman, after the game announcer guy: “At this point, any time the Mariners don’t hit into a double play, that’s one of our plays of the game.” He then said he was kidding, but I think we all know he wasn’t.

  22. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 1:28 pm

    Heh…Pittman, on the post-game, is actually asking the question, “What would you do with this team at this point?”

    Well, Matty, to answer your question: (1) you wouldn’t like my suggestions, and (2) you’d never play them on the air, anyway.

  23. scott19 on May 3rd, 2008 1:31 pm

    Then, the idiot says, “It’s spring…it’s supposed to be sunny and the Mariners are supposed to be in first place.”

    In what freakin’ parallel universe do you reside, Pittman?!

  24. Paul B on May 3rd, 2008 1:49 pm

    1, 1, 2, 3, 7, 2, 5, 3

    That’s the M’s runs scored in recent games.

    Makes me want to sing that song from Sesame Street, “One of these things is not like the others, …”

  25. SABRcat on May 3rd, 2008 3:45 pm

    Well, watching and keeping track while attempting to research a paper on how video games enhance skill transfer really makes for a piss poor saturday. I think a nice tall glass of scotch is in order in a little bit.

  26. terry on May 3rd, 2008 4:30 pm

    Is it too early to discuss when JM will get fired?

  27. sealclubber253 on May 3rd, 2008 4:38 pm

    I am ready, mac needs to go last week. Fire him, and hire who ever…. I can’t see anyone managing this team to beat themselves as much as Mac is.

  28. John in L.A. on May 3rd, 2008 5:15 pm

    Just glancing through the thread and saw the idea about do-it-yourself game commentary.

    I thought it sounded great. I’d pay to hear DMZ and Dave calling the game. The only big loss would be the actual game sounds, I guess. Bat hitting ball, etc.

    Because if you don’t use any part of the MLB broadcast, not sure how you’d get in legal trouble.

    Anyway, while googling it to see if live podcasting was at all realistic I found this:

    http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/youcastr-live-podcasting-for-sports-fans/

    Talking about this:

    http://www.youcastr.com/

  29. currcoug on May 3rd, 2008 5:51 pm

    It is difficult to imagine another club in MLB that would allow a GM to survive five years of this, especially with the resources the M’s have.

    On the other hand, the rot starts at the top.

    Meanwhile the A’s are the top of the AL West, despite the fact they have far less resources and are rebuilding.

  30. msb on May 3rd, 2008 6:01 pm

    I never thought grocery shopping would be better than a ballgame.

  31. mln on May 3rd, 2008 6:04 pm

    After the loss today, McLaren “goes off” on the team according to Geoff Baker:

    http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2008/05/mclaren_goes_off_on_team.html#start_comments

  32. msb on May 3rd, 2008 6:11 pm

    Niehaus and Blowers are still surprised that the M’s defense is bad.

    The Mariners are still suprised the M’s defense is that bad.

    Wow, Sexson hit into a DP. Didn’t see that coming.

    last night they said (after someone bitched about it) that Sexson had only hit into 2 DPs this year, the same as Ichiro …

    I think there’s an ancient episode of Bonanza on RTN right now that’s probably more exciting than this.

    I love RTN.

  33. Dave in Palo Alto on May 3rd, 2008 6:26 pm

    FWIW, I watched the NFL game with no broadcasters. It was basically a mute button thing, the stadium announcer was all echoey and weird, and all the usual graphics were thrown up on the screen.

    It wasn’t great, but when I hear the NFL game guys harp on the prescripted “themes” and “stories” during the game, I miss the silence.

  34. strong silence on May 3rd, 2008 7:55 pm

    Oxymoron of the Day: Mariners Baseball!

  35. hitchhiker42 on May 3rd, 2008 8:06 pm

    Dave, are you sure McLaren actually told Baker his reason for starting Cairo was Cairo’s history against Mussina? Because Baker doesn’t really say that at his blog.

  36. Dayve on May 3rd, 2008 10:15 pm

    Mariners are boring.

  37. scott19 on May 4th, 2008 12:28 am

    I love RTN.

    Yes, I do too! I’m glad somebody finally figured out just how bored a lot of us were with getting with some of the utter crap that networks are churning out these days…and realized that, indeed, there’s still a market out there for quality, well-written classic TV shows.

  38. scott19 on May 4th, 2008 12:32 am

    *Oops…one too many “withs” on that last rant, but as the Geico lizard says, “you get my point!” 🙂

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