SB Nation User Blog: BrettJMiller

BMO update

BrettJMiller — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:26:25 -0000

We are starting on Friday. I am going to unpause simulations around midnight Thursday night/Friday morning, so that's when we will start.

Up until Firday, we will be making pre-season trades, and free-agent bids in the sub forums of this Main Forum

Available teams are FLA, NYM(?), and CHC (it's a non LL member in control of CHC and I think NYM right now, and LL members take precedence.)

I'm going to post who is with what team on here to make sure we are filled with LL members instead of random BMO players I didn't notice.

Arizona: Goose
Atlanta: Matthew
Baltimore: aestivalis
Boston: CoachOwens
Chicago N:
Chicago A:
Cincinnati: ejo
Cleveland: Sec 108
Colorado: ConorGlassey
Detroit: seattlebruin
Florida: Slurvey
Houston: Mbad
Kansas City: rlintott
Los Angeles A: Nuss
Los Angeles N: thewyrm
Milwaukee: Fin
Minnesota: tootthekazoo
New York N:
New York A: gborish
Oakland:
Philadelphia: Gomez
Pittsburgh: ness
San Diego: Garces
San Francisco: Robert
Seattle: BrettJMiller
St Louis: acblue
Tampa Bay: Taylor H
Texas: jhmoore
Toronto: kharbaugh
Washington: fuzz

So basically, if I didn't list your name, I didn't recogonize the name you were using for BMO, and what corresponding LL name it was. Let me know and I'll update the list. If we've really just got this many non-LL players in the league, we may have to delay start time until Saturday? Give me feedback and claim some teams, fuckers.

Request for photos

BrettJMiller — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:03:29 -0000

Hey all,

I'm writing an article for my campus paper about Dustin Ackley. The problem is, I have no photos for it. It's a long shot, I know, but does anybody have a picture of Ackley I can use that is not copyrighted? The sooner the better on this, really. Can anyone help a brotha out? :o

It can be of anything, though I would prefer if it was him in action. Maybe a swing, a dive, or a rare shot of him playing OF. But I'd settle for a face shot if that's all that anyone can do.

MLB Network's pre-empting of the Strikeout Marathon

BrettJMiller — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:58:53 -0000

Is it a little bit annoying to anyone else that MLB Network has pre-empted not only Randy Johnson's 19 strikeout games, but Clemens', Wood's, and RJ's 20 K's in Arizona to show 36 continuous hours of coverage about Alex Rodriguez taking steroids six years ago. So what to do? I'm not sure our voice will really be heard, but there's a few contact options on the MLB Network page.

raquel.ramos@mlb.com is the e-mail address given. It's the only one listed on the contact information of MLB Network's page. Snail Mail and Telephone options can be found HERE.

Maybe it's just me who's so bent out of shape about this, I don't know. I suggested MLB put up a poll about what the fans want to see--since supposedly the goal of MLB Network is to entertain the fans--so why don't we get something going that we can show to them here? It probably won't help too much, but it's possible, and I'll waste my time for even the slight possibility of getting to see RJ pitch in a Mariner Uniform tonight at 9PM...though it'll probably be just be the same A-Rod segments over and over again...

Poll

What do you, as a baseball fan, want to see aired on MLB Network:

Cycled coverage of Alex Rodriguez's positive steroid tests

5 votes

The regularly scheduled strikeout games marathon

102 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

LL Football: TODAY!!! AT 12PM--need more players!!

BrettJMiller — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:07:58 -0000

Facebook Link

Well, I'd say last week's football was a resounding success, and my aches and pains from that and the concert that night are finally (mostly) gone. It's clear we need to play more often so the aches don't linger as long. So how about we play again this weekend and get back in the swing of things?

I'd prefer anything but Sunday, since I'm going to the Hawks-Pats game, but Friday or Saturday would work for me. I'd have to show up late on Friday (about 2PM, meeting for work) but I can do that. My vote would be for Saturday at 12 PM...who's in? I plan on catching more than 4 of the like 12 targets I get this week, so hopefully that works out...I'll put up a roll call after some people commit.

Roll Call:

Starting:

Brett
johbai
wwbaker3 (+ 3 and kid, maybe 4 and kid)

Questionable:

Robert (after 3PM)
Two Rs and Two Ls (?)

Come on people, let's get some more players!!

EOF claimed by Braves; 40-Man changes

BrettJMiller — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:50:48 -0000

Via Geoff Baker

"UPDATE: 2:37 p.m.: Eric O'Flaherty was just claimed off waivers by the Atlanata Braves. Quite the dramatic fall for O'Flaherty within the organization the past eight months. He opened last season as the team's situational lefty, then didn't make it past the second week of the season in the majors. He was claimed when the Mariners took him off their 40-man roster to make room for incoming names. Pitchers Stephen Kahn, Gabby Hernandez, Marwin Vega and outfielder Greg Halman have been added. O'Flaherty is out, while pitchers Luis Munoz and Tracy Thorpe have been outrighted to the minors."

Interesting choices, but sweet god why would anyone put Tracy Thorpe on their 40-man?

Here's to Health in 2009

BrettJMiller — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:47:38 -0000

Through the dismal 2-7 start, we've learned that even good teams are fallible. Well constructed teams. Teams that are assembled by smart football people who can recognize talent. But this year, poor execution and a ridiculous slew of improbable injuries shot the Seahawks down before they could get airborne. But in the spirit of John Morgan's attempts to keep an optimistic outlook on this team, I want to take a look at a 2009 that can't possibly see us suffering this much bad luck.

First off, there's the receiving corps. Right now we're running a Robinson-Colbert-Engram split end, flanker, and slot rotation. It's not terrible, but it could be better. And in 2009, it will be. Assuming we keep Robinson (and why not, he's cheap and has been very good) we could potentially run sets of Branch-Robinson-Burleson-Taylor. It will be a position of depth with Kent, Bumpus, and potentially a draftee taking a bigger role. The receiving corps next year shapes up to be sure-handed and athletically gifted.

Secondly, the quarterback position. We've seen three quarterbacks line up under center for our beloved Seahawks this year, all due to a hit that should have been considered illegal on Matt Hasselbeck. Admittedly, he was hurting before then, but the prognosis of his injury seems to be better than we expected. Can we count on Hasselbeck in 2009? The man is a warrior, it's hard to say no, but we'll have the second half of the Season to see if his back injury hinders him from being an elite, championship-level quarterback in 2009. With a guy like Hasselbeck, my money is on him returning to form.

Next, Red Bryant has turned into quite the monster at defensive tackle. Paired with Brandon Mebane, it's possible we won't even look to re-sign Rocky Bernard. And if we do, great, we have incredible depth. Patrick Kerney being out isn't as terrible as we may think, because it gives Lawrence Jackson some time to learn on the job is a lower-pressure situation. It's not impossible that we draft another end this offseason, but a mature Tapp and Jackson will look good. Anything Kerney can give you in 2009 is just gravy.

Additionally, Locklear missed the start of this season, so our line took some time to get up to full strength. Not to mention Rob Sims missing the entire year is a little bit of a drawback. However, we may learn that Willis can be an even better right guard than Sims. It's a positional battle that leaves the Hawks well-served either way, as we have a good right guard and good depth behind him.

Add all this together with a new, modernized coaching staff (hey, we may even get a shotgun formation!) and most likely (hopefully) a new Safety to replace Brian Russell as well as any standouts from the draft (long-term replacements for Walter Jones, and/or Hasselbeck), the outlook on 2009 can't be anything but bright. Lofa's injury wasn't serious, and the biggest thing we may have to deal with is losing Leroy Hill. Worse comes to worse, the Seahawks can compete with D.D. Lewis taking Hill's spot. Injuries happen; they're a part of the game. But it's safe to assume the Seahawks won't be this injured in 2009. The thought of this team being healthy in 2009 should strike fear into the hearts of teams all around the NFL.

Here's to health in 2009.

(Tagged players are those with injury issues, those who may depart in free agency, or horrible horrible players. Kind of crazy to realize just how many Hawks got injured this year, huh?)

The Calling of Balls and Strikes Should No Longer Be Done by Humans

BrettJMiller — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:27:44 -0000

It's starting to get embarrassing:

We all know this isn't the first time poor umpiring has decided a game. Pitch F/X has a margin of error of 2.2 inches. 2.2 inches!! This umpire, apparently, has a margin of error of the strike zone. Obviously Pitch F/X won't be perfect, but you want to know something that is less perfect? Human umpiring. I can't wait till all the old traditionalist fucks in baseball die and things like Pitch F/X called balls and strikes could happen. It is clear that after Percival threw his last pitch to Rolen today, the count should've been 1-3.

Fuck you Umpiring, and fuck you MLB.

NFL Opening Day: Redskins @ Giants Game Thread

BrettJMiller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:21:59 -0000

Not sure who's watching, but I figured I'd put this somewhere. Eli Manning looked pretty solid on the first drive excepting a pass he threw to Burress in double coverage which he bobbled, then came down with. The Giants came out strong, but I still am not believing they're the team they looked like at the end of the year last year.

Now that those words are out of the way, have a game thread.

U.S. Cellular Field cares less about the on-field product than Safeco Field.

BrettJMiller — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:22:44 -0000

Today was my first and probably last game ever at U.S. Cellular field. Wrigley will hopefully be more fun than the shit-hole that was U.S. Cellular. If you think Safeco worships children and doesn't care what happens on the field, holy crap this puts it to shame.

We all hate the Hydro races. Well, they had two big screen races--Pizza (Cheese vs. Pepperoni vs. Supreme) and McDonalds (Big Mac vs. Fries vs. McGriddle). The crowd went wild for both.

They had a contest for a kid 10 or under to hit a home run, where they're in a small area of the park hitting a ball off a tee over a fence almost 30 feet away with a bunch of random people cheering, then they run the bases that are like 20 feet away from them, and the crowd goes wild.

They had T-Shirt throwing and cars driving on the warning track between innings. They were winning a close game at the time and everyone got up and yelled for shirts.

They had "Wave cam" between innings. Which isn't what you think, they just panned through the crowd and had people wave and smile so they could say they were on the big screen.

They had a video ring around the upper deck, with the player's name and their eyes on it when they came up to bat, and a bunch of huge ads when the M's were batting.

The most advanced stat they put anywhere was total walks, tucked away in a corner, no OBP or SLG anywhere. Not even the first time a player came up. It was AVG/HR/RBI all the way there.

They played literally 4 different intro songs before and during the White Sox taking the field. The whole crowd cheered about as loud when they announced the starting lineup for the White Sox as I did when they announced the Mariners lineup. They also had a bunch of "Get loud" signs during the big innings--no one cheered otherwise. On Cabrera's HR, no one cheered till it was literally over the fence.

They did the wave, a lot. It went around the stadium 10-15 times as the Mariners actually managed to get 3 quick outs, and no one seemed to notice.

They had contests to win hats and baseballs and food and gift cards and shit by answering easy questions such as "Who threw the last no hitter for the White Sox?" after showing clips of Buehrle's no hitter for.

They also advertised US Cellular products and had some girl say their slogan while standing in the crowd between innings. Also they put trivia and stuff on the video board DURING innings. I mean seriously. They displayed the guess the attendance thing during the 6th inning. While the players were playing. And the crowd erupted when the final number of the multiple choices went up on the board. There's proof that they weren't watching the game.

All the while I was talking to a Cubs fan who got free tickets from a White Sox fan buddy. It was his first time in U.S. Cellular and he just sounded disgusted talking about how horrible the atmosphere was all game. Hopefully he's right and Wrigley is better tomorrow. Because U.S. Cellular just accomplished what I thought was impossible before. The White Sox have created an atmosphere at their stadium that encourages fans to care less about the on-field product than even Safeco does. I expected to lose when we showed up at the park but I still ended up being angry because I learned the White Sox organization and fans are worse at being baseball fans than even Safeco fans are. They should be embarrassed.

LaHair up

BrettJMiller — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:48:55 -0000

Per Baker

Tuglett is the one who goes down. LaHair was running a .263/.357/.467 line in AAA. An .824 OPS. That will surely translate to the big leagues well.

Also with that article is this gem...

"Yes, Jose Vidro is still here. Riggleman sounds like he's going to keep batting him cleanup against righties, saying no major lineup changes are planned -- other than LaHair, who hits further down in the order to break into the majors. Against lefties, who the M's will see three of this coming series, it's Adrian Beltre hitting fourth and Jose Lopez batting fifth."

So -gasp- Churchill's source was wrong and Vidro's still with the team. I swear the only reason he's still here is because the M's hate it when word of their moves get leaked before hand so they have to make it look like they didn't cave to fan pressure. The Adam Jones thing Churchill talked about last year is pretty much exactly like this.

Anyway, at least our suck at 1B will be interesting suck now...