Just for Grins and Giggles I was wondering if there were to be realignment into  2 leagues of 15 teams each with the top 4 teams in each league in the playoffs, what would the standings look like and what would be the implications for playoffs and trade deadline decisions.  The standings are assuming that the Astros move to the AL.  For the AL the standings would be as follows: 1st  Red Sox, 2nd NYY -1.5, 3rdTexas -4, 4th Tie Rays and Angels  -8, 6th Tie Tigers and Indians -8.5, 8th Jays -10.5, 9th CWS -13, 10th Twins -13.5, 11th Tie Mariners and A's -17, 13th O's -19.5, 14th KC -20, and 15th Astros -27.  NL standings would be as follows: 1st Phillies, 2nd Braves-4.5, 3rd Giants -5, 4th Brewers -9, 5th Tie Pirates and D'backs -9.5, 7th Cards -10.5, 8th Mets-12.5, 9th Tie Reds and Nats -13.5, 11th Tie Rockies and Marlins -14.5, 13th Tie Padres and Dodgers -18.5, and 15th Cubs -23.5

This would mean 6 teams reasonably assured of playoff spots (RS, NYY,Rangers, Phillies, Braves,and Giants). 4 AL teams tied or with in .5 games of final playoff spot (Rays, Angels, Tigers, and Indians) and Jays withing striking distance of a playoff spot.  In the NL, there would be Brewers in last playoff spot with three teams within 1.5 games or less( Pirates, D'backs, and Cards) with the Mets only 3.5 out.

Wonder what the NY papers and sports talk shows would say to the Mets trading Beltran and/or Reyes if only 3.5 games out of a playoff spot?  I believe some of the remaing teams that are way out of a playoff spots would be more likely to be sellers at the trade deadline.

I know this post is not about baseball.  Today is Pearl Harbor Day.  I believe it is a good time to pause and thank all the Veterans of WWII.  Their numbers are dwindling each year.  We who are children and grandchildren of these Veterans should take time to remember the sacrifices made by that generation. If nothing else, we as baseball fans can stop to remember all the Major Leaguers who  interrupted their careers or had the start of their careers postponed by WWII.  Think of the numbers that might have been put up by Dimaggio, Williams, Feller, Coleman and Reese to name but a few.

Was just hearing my father-in-law recalling his youth in Astoria.  Note he grew up a Giants fan and later switched to the Mets when the Giants left for the West Coast.  He was saying that the subway ride from Astoria to the Polo Grounds was $0.05 each way.  On Sundays and holidays there was always a single admission doubleheader.  It cost $.50 for a bleacher seat, $1.25 for reserved seat or $2.50 for Box seat.  People could bring in food from outside and purchase a Pepsi for the exhorbitant price of a dime.  Total cost including transportation for a kid to see 2 MLB games 70 cents.

Went to Citi Field for the first time today.

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http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/13549577/in-command-why-pitchers-have-taken-back-the-game?tag=headlines;mlb

The writer makes some very good points here.  That dominance of pitching or hitting is cyclical at any time in the history of the game.  That  steroids were used by both pitchers and hitters.  That many teams are emphasizing pitching and defense.  That we are far enough removed from expansion to allow pitching to catch up.  Historical parallel HRs were way up in '61 and '62 after expansion, but by '68 pitching caught up.

Went to first game at thr new stadium on 04/21/09.  The tickets were courtsey of my wife the Met fan as a birthday gift.  We thoroughly enjoyed the trip.  Got there shortly after gates opened. It is very easy to get around the stadium.  The wider concourses were fantastic.  The ease of accessing even the upper deck is fantastic.  The food choices are overwhelming.  I loved the main hall and the wall dedicated to Yankee winners of the AL  MVP.  The entire stadium experience is outstanding.  We were asked "May I help you?" so often that I thought I was back in the South.  The customer service attitude has increased exponetionally.  I know I'll be going back.  I have photos, now I just gotta figure out how to upload them from our computer to the site. 

Yes, folks everything is overpriced at the concession stands.  That is true at any sports venue in the country.  $19.00  for parking is up from last year, but it is not that far out of line for parking in a garage anywhere else in NYC. 

Some thoughts by Scott Miller on CBS Sportsline.com

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10926838

However you score the bouncing ball, the Yanks are taking on water and time is running out, and there is a direct correlation between the disappearance of Kennedy and Hughes this summer and the Yanks being in very real danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

After 13 consecutive Octobers, tying Atlanta's major league record at 14 this season is looking exceptionally problematical, what with Tampa Bay refusing to wilt, Boston owning better overall pitching (and in Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, better young pitching, especially) and the Yankees banged-up and pitching-thin.

His main point was that IPK and Hughes have ZERO wins and it is already second full week of August.  Clearly, the indication from non Yankee fans is the decision to rely on the two youngsters has backfired.

Hey Folks.  Just wanted to let all here know I made the big move to the big city.  The Tennessee born and raised Yanks fan moved to Queens on July 1.  After honeymoon cruise to Canada with the new bride, have settled in here in the big city.  We were married on May 27.  Biggest hurdle is that the wife and all my in-laws are big time Mets fans.  However, since the woman cooks the second best fried chicken in the world--after Momma's of course--I think I'll keep her.  Rolled into town with the XM blaring Lynard Skinard.  Now just have to find gainful employment in this burg.  If the Yanks win a Subway series this year, I might need someone's couch to crash on for a coupla days!

Saw this while browsing. Thought some of you might want to look at it also.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Five-and-Fly-Perp-walk-on-a-tightrope;_ylt=AgzP4ep cNhRIfGpTF3cvtDIRvLYF?urn=mlb,35857
Personally I don't think this is such a "break" for Giambi.  He is correct that the Union will circle the wagons on this issue.

Yahoo sports is reporting the passing of Clete Boyer.  Long time Yankees fans will remember Clete from the infield of the early 60's Yankees.  He may have been the most under-appreciated player of those famous Yankee teams.  He was certainly appreciated by the pitchers on those teams.  I will always remember him making those great diving plays and throwing runners out from his knees.