I believe that there are changes that need to be done. As a former “purist”, I would just like to see subtle changes . I know that getting rid of the unbalanced schedule would be subtle enough as it has been done before.
The only drastic change I would like to see is interleague play expand. It's only right to have every team play every team. NL play AL in a two game home and home series limiting the inter division play (which no one really wants to see anymore). One other scenario would have the teams play each other at home every other year. Rays at Colorado in the even years and Colorado play at Tampa Bay in the odd years. It CAN be done fairly it's just that the old heads need to listen and come off of the “fear of change” mentality.

The unbalanced division schedule stinks. I hate seeing the Red Sox, Yankees, Jays and Orioles here (Tampa Bay) 8-9 times a season.  I think that if you played EVERY opposite league team four times a year (two home, two away), more games will sell out. Being around  Major League Baseball every day, I get a chance to talk to the fans and most seem to think similarly . Not 100% -  but similar.
Here in Tampa Bay, the Red Sox are here so much that I hear all of the time-
“Oh, I’m not going to this series. I’ll wait ‘til the week end series.” That makes sense to me.  However if they limited the times that they are here , those fans will be “forced” to go and the game will most likely sell it out. Add the Cubs, Cards Reds, Dodgers, ect for two games here instead of Toronto (which NEVER sell out), it only adds to the revenue and desire to attend games.

Fans want to see more teams. I mean, we see Baltimore here nine times here this year. Nine !
I understand that baseball is unique and I used to consider myself a “purist” however this is one issue that I’d like to see MLB get with the times . Actually, I think that I swayed a little less purist since I went to work for the Rays.

As for re-alignment. I believe that it can be done fairly and have some roots to it.
The divisions could consist of the AL East and the AL West. NL East, NL West.
Just like it used to be. Division winner from each division. The next two best teams get the Wild Card. No matter what division.

AL EAST            AL WEST              NL EAST            NL WEST    
NY  (d)                 Ana (d)              Phi (d)              LA (d)
Bos   (w)               Tex  (w)            Fla                    Col (w)
TB                        Sea                   Atl                    SF  
Bal                        Oak                  NY                    SD
Tor                        Min                  Was                   Ari
Det                        KC                   STL (w)             Hou
Mil                          Chi                  Pit                    Chi
Cle                                                Cin

(d)= Div. Winner. (w) = Wild Card for 2009 final standings

Check out my site   www.myspace.com/triplecrown59  for some interesting links.

I believe that there are changes that need to be done. As a former “purist”, I would just like to see subtle changes . I know that getting rid of the unbalanced schedule would be subtle enough as it has been done before.
The only drastic change I would like to see is interleague play expand. It's only right to have every team play every team. NL play AL in a two game home and home series limiting the inter division play (which no one really wants to see anymore). One other scenario would have the teams play each other at home every other year. Rays at Colorado in the even years and Colorado play at Tampa Bay in the odd years. It CAN be done fairly it's just that the old heads need to listen and come off of the “fear of change” mentality.

The unbalanced division schedule stinks. I hate seeing the Red Sox, Yankees, Jays and Orioles here (Tampa Bay) 8-9 times a season.  I think that if you played EVERY opposite league team four times a year (two home, two away), more games will sell out. Being around  Major League Baseball every day, I get a chance to talk to the fans and most seem to think similarly . Not 100% -  but similar.
Here in Tampa Bay, the Red Sox are here so much that I hear all of the time-
“Oh, I’m not going to this series. I’ll wait ‘til the week end series.” That makes sense to me.  However if they limited the times that they are here , those fans will be “forced” to go and the game will most likely sell it out. Add the Cubs, Cards Reds, Dodgers, ect for two games here instead of Toronto (which NEVER sell out), it only adds to the revenue and desire to attend games.

Fans want to see more teams. I mean, we see Baltimore here nine times here this year. Nine !
I understand that baseball is unique and I used to consider myself a “purist” however this is one issue that I’d like to see MLB get with the times . Actually, I think that I swayed a little less purist since I went to work for the Rays.

As for re-alignment. I believe that it can be done fairly and have some roots to it.
The divisions could consist of the AL East and the AL West. NL East, NL West.
Just like it used to be. Division winner from each division. The next two best teams get the Wild Card. No matter what division.

AL EAST            AL WEST              NL EAST            NL WEST    
NY  (d)                 Ana (d)              Phi (d)              LA (d)
Bos   (w)               Tex  (w)            Fla                    Col (w)
TB                        Sea                   Atl                    SF  
Bal                        Oak                  NY                    SD
Tor                        Min                  Was                   Ari
Det                        KC                   STL (w)             Hou
Mil                          Chi                  Pit                    Chi
Cle                                                Cin

(d)= Div. Winner. (w) = Wild Card for 2009 final standings

Check out my site   www.myspace.com/triplecrown59  for some interesting links.

I believe that there are changes that need to be done. As a former “purist”, I would just like to see subtle changes . I know that getting rid of the unbalanced schedule would be subtle enough as it has been done before.
The only drastic change I would like to see is interleague play expand. It's only right to have every team play every team. NL play AL in a two game home and home series limiting the inter division play (which no one really wants to see anymore). One other scenario would have the teams play each other at home every other year. Rays at Colorado in the even years and Colorado play at Tampa Bay in the odd years. It CAN be done fairly it's just that the old heads need to listen and come off of the “fear of change” mentality.

The unbalanced division schedule stinks. I hate seeing the Red Sox, Yankees, Jays and Orioles here (Tampa Bay) 8-9 times a season.  I think that if you played EVERY opposite league team four times a year (two home, two away), more games will sell out. Being around  Major League Baseball every day, I get a chance to talk to the fans and most seem to think similarly . Not 100% -  but similar.
Here in Tampa Bay, the Red Sox are here so much that I hear all of the time-
“Oh, I’m not going to this series. I’ll wait ‘til the week end series.” That makes sense to me.  However if they limited the times that they are here , those fans will be “forced” to go and the game will most likely sell it out. Add the Cubs, Cards Reds, Dodgers, ect for two games here instead of Toronto (which NEVER sell out), it only adds to the revenue and desire to attend games.

Fans want to see more teams. I mean, we see Baltimore here nine times here this year. Nine !
I understand that baseball is unique and I used to consider myself a “purist” however this is one issue that I’d like to see MLB get with the times . Actually, I think that I swayed a little less purist since I went to work for the Rays.

As for re-alignment. I believe that it can be done fairly and have some roots to it.
The divisions could consist of the AL East and the AL West. NL East, NL West.
Just like it used to be. Division winner from each division. The next two best teams get the Wild Card. No matter what division.

AL EAST            AL WEST              NL EAST            NL WEST    
NY  (d)                 Ana (d)              Phi (d)              LA (d)
Bos   (w)               Tex  (w)            Fla                    Col (w)
TB                        Sea                   Atl                    SF  
Bal                        Oak                  NY                    SD
Tor                        Min                  Was                   Ari
Det                        KC                   STL (w)             Hou
Mil                          Chi                  Pit                    Chi
Cle                                                Cin

(d)= Div. Winner. (w) = Wild Card for 2009 final standings

Check out my site   www.myspace.com/triplecrown59  for some interesting links.

I'm getting offers for Davis. Do y'all think that I should wait to see how he handles big league pitching or pull the trigger while he is "hyped"? There are a lot or Rowbots in other parts of the country/world that could contribute information that they hear about their local team that might be helpful to someone who has a  fantasy player in that market. Like here in Tampa Bay - As BJ Upton is hitting, Patti Burrell is seeing better pitches. Use this to your advantage.

I've also been offered Matt Holliday, Ian Stewart and Brian Wilson for Hanley Ramirez, Zimmerman and Wagner.
I’m thinking of countering with Maybin instead of Zimmerman. What do you think ?

More here -

http://www.purplerow.com/2010/3/29/1396070/fantasy-forum

I know that a lot of you play fantasy baseball so I thought that maybe there should be a central location to post fantasy questions, advice and comments.  Of course this doesn’t have to be just about Rockies players.  I know that I have posted quite a few questions and asked opinions here in the past year. There are a lot or Rowbots in other parts of the country/world that could contribute information that they hear about their local team that might be helpful to someone who has a  fantasy player in that market. Anyone else think that this idea will fly?

I’ll start: Tulo for Hanley Ramirez straight up in a head to head league?

What are your favorite Spring Training stadiums and fields ?
I’ve been to every spring training facility in Florida at least twice and I have to say that McKechnie Field in Bradenton is my favorite.  I’m not even a Pirates fan but McKechnie Field is very intimate and you are so close to the action. Aesthetically, Al Lang used to be it when it was utilized. Roger Dean is in the nicest area while Brighthouse Networks Field is one of the best all around . I sure do miss Al Lang. It was old and decrepit but it sure did create some great memories. Baseball City (Royals) used to be great too. They had the first berm that I can remember. Charlotte County is nice now however I most remember it as a kid when I would skip school to go watch Nolan Ryan pitch when the Rangers were there. My first game this year will be Saturday at- where else? McKechnie Field. This is my favorite time  of the season.
So…what’s your favorite stadium.

So what do we do tonight? The day after the All Star Game is the most boring sports day of the year. I believe that today is the only day of the year that a major college sport is NOT being played. Nor is a Major League Baseball, NFL, NHL or NBA game being played. ABC's Wipe Out is on. That's always entertaining. So tell me.....what are you going to do tonight?

So I was planning my trip to Denver to see the Rays series and plans fell through.I was going to travel alone ( unless one of my Rays co-workers want to go).
It did raise some questions though. I found a few decent hotels but was wondering about renting a car or should I use the mass transportation.
Where can I catch the light rail?
How much are the cab fare rates?
I was talking to a friend yesterday who said that when he got there he definitely felt the difference in altitude (we're from sea level, ya know). I know I can expect the nose bleeds but is there anything else that I should expect if I decide to come out?

Also....what is your opinion as to when would be the best time to come out to see a couple of games? Now? Or later in the season? The biggest reason that I chose the Rays series is that, well it's the the Rays and I'd be able to get tickets for free and possibly stay at the team hotel at the team rate. Well it's a 5 star hotel and even with the discount, I'd be paying more. So...with that being said, would there be a better time to come? Also, which would be better? Night games? Or night and a day game?

Nothing is definite, just putting the feelers out at this time.

I will be seeing Matt Holliday this week during this homestand.

Our club house is adjacent to the visiting team's and I should have plenty of chances to harass him.

Does he know about Purple Row and are there any messages that I can relay?
I will be working Monday-Wednesday however not the day game on Thursday since I can't get the day off at the P.D so if there is any messages for Matt, let me know.

I'd like to get a picture with him (although this is not generally permitted) and send it to someone there before the Purple Row get together so I can represent.

Or we can just start a fan post that I can print out and give it to him like a stalker......

MLB.com have a neat article this morning (5/15) about who would get the next Triple Crown. Man or beast. This subject has fascinated me for over 10 years. Every year we get close (in horses).

The last baseball Triple Crown was in 1967, with Carl Yastrzemski becoming the 13th player overall and ninth in the American League to lead his league in batting average, home runs and RBIs. It wasn't quite that long ago for horse racing - in 1978, when Affirmed made it back-to-back Triple Crown winners and three in the '70s as the 11th horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

What do you think would happen first?

Being baseball fans, I'm sure that some of you are superstitious. What I think comes with that is the jinx. How many of you felt that you have "jinxed" your team or a player at some time or another and how? 

Last season in my fantasy league I picked up Helton - worst season of his career. Atkins became, well Outkins. Not the worst season, but not like 2007. But Helton's season ? Then the 74-88 season. Could it be me? Nah.

This should be interesting .

I posted this before and got a really good response so I thought I'd post it here.

Does anyone get to any of the Rox away games? If so, what city ? I was planning on attending the series in Atlanta however something came up so I'll only be getting to the series in Florida.
So.....if anyone plans on getting to that series, let me know. Also, if anyone ever plans on going to see a Rays game in St.Pete, let me know and come down and say hello.