HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: Re: Astacio Shuts Out Mets for Dodger Win
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 92 17:46:08 GMT

In article <1992Aug21.161700.2982@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:

>[Alou]'s also played about 1/3 less than Karros. "much better"? No. Better, 
>perhaps, but left field is really not that much more difficult than 1st base.
>
>Right now it looks close. They'll have over a month to sort it out. One hot
>series by one and a cold series by the other (esp Alou with fewer PAs) and 
>your "much better" becomes much worse.

However, if you replace Karros with an average first baseman, you get more
offense.

If you replace Alou with an average left fielder, you lose some (not much,
though) offense.

The fact that Karros has played more probably in fact cost the Dodgers more
than it helped them, if an average replacement were available.

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
From: grabiner@math.harvard.edu (David Grabiner)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Absolutely Horrific Red Sox-Indians Game
Date: 16 Aug 92 17:06:34 GMT
 <1992Aug13.215527.20256@afterlife.ncsc.mil><14AUG92.02525565@vax.clarku.edu><14AUG199210431896@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov>
Organization: Harvard University Dept. of Mathematics

In article <14AUG199210431896@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov>, Ron Graham writes:

> The Red Sox payroll is up around $35M, which in and of itself is not such
> a big deal, except for payment for non-performance (e.g. Matt Young, and
> do people feel they are getting enough bang for the buck out of Danny
> Darwin, Jack Clark, Bruno, etc?).  These big buck players take up space
> on the roster that IMPO inhibits the development of reasonably good 
> younger players.

> Now, Boston could do worse than to adopt a similar policy, since this
> season has actually put Plantier, Vaughn, Naehring, Cooper and a few
> others behind in their development.  There are some players there whose
> minor-league performance indicates tremendous potential.  But if you 
> fart around with too many free agents, you bring your price up and take
> innings away from some of your younger players.  Which ones?  Tough choice.

I agree with this.  The Red Sox seem to have lost confidence in their
young players.  Plantier was just sent down; he might be producing more
if he were given a chance to play.

And other moves tell the same story.  In the first game of Friday's
doubleheader, there was a lefty on the mound in the 10th inning, the
left-handed Mo Vaughn due up, and Hobson pinch-hit with the
right-hander.  No problem with that, except that the pinch-hitter was
.219 hitter Luis Rivera.  When was the last time you saw a shortstop
pinch-hit for a first baseman?

In the 13th, there was a righty on the mound, and Rivera had to bat.
Yes, I know he hit a two-run triple, but before that hit, I would have
preferred to have a real hitter at the plate.

--
David Grabiner, grabiner@zariski.harvard.edu
"We are sorry, but the number you have dialed is imaginary."
"Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again."
Disclaimer: I speak for no one and no one speaks for me.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer)
Subject: Re: Cy Young Update
Keywords: eat more MVP moose
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 18:53:12 GMT


At least two people have complained that in my Cy Young update I
neglected to mention Eckersley.  Am I short-sighted?  Stupid?
Probably.  But in this case, I did it quite intentionally.  IMHO,
updating the progress of Eckersley is about as much fun as watching
cacti grow.  He pitches a perfect inning 2-4 times per week.  What is
there to update?  One day I say "Eckersley is 39-1 in save ops", the
next I say "Eckersley is 40-1 in save ops".  I assure you that I
*will* let you know if Eckersley blows another save, loses a game, or
even just has a bad outing.  But updating perfection is pointless.

At this point, if I don't update Eckersley's stats, assume that he
will finish with ~50 saves in 60-65 appearances with a 1.75-2.00 ERA
and about 8-10 wins with no losses and the one blown save.

I find it more interesting to trace what the starters are doing.  Even
if Eck remains perfect, I think that a strong finish by Brown,
McDowell or Clemens would probably unseat him.  There are a lot of
sportswriters who will put a 23 win starter at the top of their Cy
Young list, no matter how good Eckersley is.  But if no starter wins
20, Eckersley has it already in the bag.

Cheers,
-Valentine

-- 
Ob. woof: Clemens is the best pitcher ever!	tedward@cs.cornell.edu
From: rickc@wrigley.corp.sgi.com (Richard Casares)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Chicago Schedule Labor Day Weekend?
Date: 18 Aug 92 21:40:46 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Can someone post the baseball schedule in Chicago for Labor Day
weekend?  Also, will the Bears be in town? 


-- 
+========================================================================+
| Rick Casares					Silicon Graphics	 |	
| cubfan@wrigley.corp.sgi.com			2011 N. Shoreline Blvd   |
| "Just wait till next year."                 	Mountain View, CA 94039  |
+========================================================================+
From: demers@cs.ucsd.edu (David DeMers)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Kevin Gross No-Hits Giants---and Wins!
Keywords: Dodgers
Date: 18 Aug 92 21:18:17 GMT
Organization: =CSE Dept., U.C. San Diego

In article <18AUG199211273936@mary.fordham.edu> nissim@mary.fordham.edu (Leonard J. Nissim) writes:
>Koufax and Gross are the *only two* pitchers who have delighted a Dodger Stadium
>crowd by pitching no-hit shut-out victories over the hated jints there.  (Any 
>other similarity between Koufax and Gross is hard to find.  :-)  )

Oh, I disagree.  Both had a number of bad seasons early in their
careers.  

-- 
Dave DeMers			 ddemers@UCSD   demers@cs.ucsd.edu
Computer Science & Engineering	C-014		demers%cs@ucsd.bitnet
UC San Diego					...!ucsd!cs!demers
La Jolla, CA 92093-0114	(619) 534-0688, or -8187, FAX: (619) 534-7029
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: paladin@leland.Stanford.EDU (Jason Gische)
Subject: Re: Oriole News
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 23:56:57 GMT

In article <1992Aug17.203450.24008@leland.Stanford.EDU> claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu) writes:
>Just because Galarraga is horrible and Merced is mediocre means that Murray can
>be excused for his poor performance?  I love your logic.  By that same logic,

I don't undertand what's wrong with Eddie Murray's numbers.
Last I checked he was hitting around .260 but was in the top ten in the league
in RBI and in the top five in the league in doubles.   It's not his best season, but I sure wouldn't call it a poor performance.  Especially in a year that looks to be dominated by pitchers for the most part.
Please leave Eddie alone.  He's been one of the few bright spots for us Mets fans.  Pathetic, I know.  At least he's not on the DL!
-Jason Gische
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: Re: What happens if????
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 92 23:38:51 GMT

In article <1992Aug20.173652.22078@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> csquared@coos.dartmouth.edu (C Squared) writes:
>In article <1992Aug20.125800.1@gallua.gallaudet.edu> rlwilliams@gallua.gallaudet.edu writes:

>>This has indeed happened before and it was resolved, I believe, by a 
>>chili cook off among the respective firstbasemen on the three teams...

>So who makes the best chili, Mark McGwire, Kent Hrbek, or Frank Thomas?

Judging from the size of his appetite, I'd think that Hrbek would win that
one.

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
From: klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu (Bruce Klopfenstein)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Help, Cleveland! Nolan Schedule?
Date: 21 Aug 92 04:34:17 GMT
Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh.

It's a little difficult in NW Ohio to get *current* info on the
Tribe.  I know Nolan Ryan is scheduled to pitch Friday night in
Cleveland, but I also know his starts can be postponed.  I'd
appreciate any NE Ohio Tribe fans letting me know by email if
Ryan is still the announced starter as of Friday AM.

Thanks.

Bruce Klopfenstein
klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu

-- 

Bruce C. Klopfenstein             |  klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu
Department of Telecommunications  |  klopfenstein@bgsuopie.bitnet
322 West Hall                     |  klopfens@bgsuvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer)
Subject: Re: JEFF REARDON
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 20:40:36 GMT

Since the All-Star break, Reardon has allowed 15 H and 4 BB in 11.1
IP.  The 7 ER comes to a 5.56 ERA.

Cheers,
-Valentine
-- 
Ob. woof: Clemens is the best pitcher ever!	tedward@cs.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: kimmel@epx.cis.umn.edu (Eric Kimmel)
Subject: Re: Twins/Mariners Game-10   8/16/92
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 12:42:25 GMT

In article <19754@plains.NoDak.edu> sivaram@plains.NoDak.edu (Sivaram Hariharan ) writes:
>
>With only about 42 games remaining in the season, looks like
>the As, if they can avoid a major slump which looks like
>it could never happen with their blazing bats and the unhittable
>EK, could hold on.
>
The Twins basically need to play .800 baseball the remainder of the season.
Here's what the Twins need:

A pitcher to step up and take the lead.  Pitching has been absolutely pathetic.
They have been giving up leads in the next half inning many times, and giving
at least 1 run back most of the time.  The starters have been inconsistent.
One good start, one terrible start.  The Twins have not had back to back
quality starts in 3 weeks!

Leuis at third base.  Pags is still hitting less than .200 and is nowhere the
fielder Leius is.  Leuis was hitting nearly .300 as the regular 3B.

Park Hrbek.  He's been terrible.  A few days off should sharpen him up a
little bit.  His bat is slow and defense lethargic.

Baserunning 101.  Too many stupid baserunning errors are costing the Twins
games.  Last night's game was painful.  Munoz was TAGGED off 2B by the SS
because he just stood there as a ball was hit his direction (the SS then
tossed to 1B for the double play).  Knoblauch was easily doubled off of 2B
while he was running towards 3B and home on an infield fly.  Duh...

Aguilera healthy.  He's not.

Tom Kelly to give up his "one day at a time" because there aren't that many
left.  The were swept by Oakland and Chicago and lose 2 of 3 to Seattle.
Splits would have kept them in first place.

At Oaklands current pace they will win 26 more games.  The Twins will need
to win 32 of 42 (a .750 pace).  They have 6 games against Toronto and 3
against Oakland (at Oakland).

Not impossible, but getting more improbable every day.

-Rick

>S.H
>Forever Twins
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: Re: Dick Williams as Manager of the Padres?!?!?
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 06:12:33 GMT

In article <37132@sdcc12.ucsd.edu> demers@cs.ucsd.edu (David DeMers) writes:

>Billy Martin is working for the Angels now, as is Herzog.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>LaRussa and Leyland have jobs...
>I don't really believe Gene Mauch is a good manager...

Dave, is this a demented jokes of yours? :-)

Or, did you mean Buck Rodgers?

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: hasch@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu (Bruce M Hasch)
Subject: Re: JEFF REARDON
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University - HCF
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 21:22:00 GMT

In article <1992Aug16.063315.14427@news.stolaf.edu>, alvstad@mari.acc-admin.stolaf.edu (Joel D Alvstad) writes...
>In article <92228.041547IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> Ryan Robbins <IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> writes:
>>For three years I have cringed at the site of Jeff Reardon being called in
>>from the bullpen. For three years I have watched him blow leads that
>>other closers would have sewn up in no time. When is the Red Sox management
>>going to realize that Jeff Reardon must go? Tonight he blew a two-run
>>lead, and then lost the ball game, by giving up a home run to that frequent
>>home run hitter, Milwaukee veteran Jim Gantner. Reardon may be the all-time
>>saves leader, but he has lousy mechanics, and all he does is try to strike
>>hitters out by throwing watermelons up the heart of the plate. Doesn't he
>>realize that he's not as fast a pitcher as he used to be?
> 
>No way, Gantner hit a home run??!? 

Yikes!  Jim 'A Homer per Decade' Gantner?? Maybe Reardon really is cooked!! 

>Then again, while he was with the Twins, Reardon gave away many a game (one in
>Baltimore seems to stick in my mind.  Anyone else remember this?).

Yeah, I was there that night!  I don't remember the exact score of the game
(except that it was very high scoring-something like 10-8).  The O's were 
down four runs in the eighth inning and loaded up the bases against some
Twins set-up man.  Reardon was called in, and promptly game up a grand 
slam to Freddie Lynn.  In the last of the ninth, he game up the game-winning
homer, a two-run shot to the immortal 'Lumberin' Larry Sheets.  It was
certainly one of the more amazing comebacks I'd seen the O's pull out--
especially in 1987...

Right after that game, I started hearing Reardon being tagged with the
nickname 'The Equalizer'...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacobs: Sign Cal Now!!                    Bruce 'Slower than Sam Horn' Hasch
O's all the way in '92!?!                 E-mail: hasch@jhuvms.hcf.jhu.edu
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: zappala@Xerox.com (Daniel Zappala)
Subject: Re: Astacio Shuts Out Mets for Dodger Win
Reply-To: zappala@Xerox.com (Daniel Zappala)
Organization: Xerox PARC
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 16:48:40 GMT

In article <l93oneINNqqk@mizar.usc.edu>, pcaster@mizar.usc.edu (Dodger) writes:
> 
> The Dodgers are showing their look of the future, and
> suddenly, things don't look quite so bad.  Karros
> has all but sewn up Rookie of the Year honors, Rodriquez
> is hitting around .300, Goodwin is getting ready to
> replace Butler, Offerman is settling down at short,
> Young is getting work at second...and the two Pedros
> will soon be starting for the Dodgers with Ramon,
> Orel, and Candiotti.


When do you think Goodwin will replace Butler?  Next year?  With
Butler doing so well right now, I can't see them not playing him
next year.

This raises a good issue though: if Goodwin, Rodriguez, and perhaps
Ashley are ready to play, what do the Dodgers do with their "great outfield?"
I can see them using Butler less as he gets older the next few years,
but it seems like Rodriguez and Ashley and Mondesi would have to wait
a while for Davis and Strawberry....or will they not be re-signed?

Also, I heard that Lasorda may ask Gross to go to the bullpen so that
Astacio can start, and that Gross isn't thrilled (he just pitched a no-hitter!).
Is Gross not good enough to keep starting?  It seems like his numbers have
been good this year, but maybe I'm just fondly remembering his 13-strikeout
game.  Also, does this mean they'll release Crews??  Please???

Are there definite plans to bring up Pedro Martinez soon?  Or will this be
when they expand rosters?

And is there any hope in the minor leagues for a closer or other bullpen help??



Daniel

Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: trn@warper.jhuapl.edu (Tony Nardo)
Subject: Re: RULEBOOK TRIVIA 17
Organization: Johns Hopkins University
Date: 18 Aug 92 12:00:33 GMT

IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU (Ryan Robbins) writes:

>On a 3-2 count the pitcher sends a fast ball high and tight to a
>right handed hitter. The batter attempts to get out of the way by
>turning counter clockwise. The ball strikes him in the hip as he
>loses his grip on the bat. The bat falls to the ground in front of
>the plate. You're the home plate umpire. What's the call?

What happens to the bat in the above scenario is far more relevant
to the bat boy than the home plate umpire. :-)

Dead ball, runner entitled to first, as per rule 6.08(b) regarding the batter
being entitled to first base when

	"He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to
	 hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the
	 batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched
	 by the ball."

The key is the term "in the strike zone" (as opposed to "a strike").  The ball
was not in the strike zone, the player made an attempt to avoid being hit,
and the ball did not strike the bat before striking the batter.

A side note: I was unable to find a provision in the '85 rules which claims
that a ball be considered "struck at" if the bat crosses the plate, or the
wrists crack (earlier "batter committed himself" guideline of the '70s :-) ),
or anything along those lines.  Does anyone know if such a written definition
exists in the '92 rules?


>Similar play to last week's. Runners at corners. Grounder to short.
>The short stop flips to the second baseman for one out, and the
>second baseman throws to first. The batter-runner reaches out and
>"accidentally" knocks the ball off its path to the first baseman.
>The throw was wide toward the plate. What's the call?

I assume by the quotes around "accidentally" that you mean to say that the
throw was (in the umpire's judgement) interfered with deliberately, and that
the offensive team is claiming otherwise.

If I, as the umpire, believe that the batter-runner deliberately interfered
to break up a double play, then I call the batter out as well under 6.05(m).
Double play.  Dead ball (rule 2.00, interference, part a).  Your scenario
last week had this play occur with one out, so the runner on third would
not score.  Even with none out at the start of the play, no run scores -- the
runner must hold third base (again see 2.00).

If I judge the ball-hand contact to be accidental, then the ball is live and
the runner from third may attempt to score at his own risk.
--
Tony Nardo,		   INET: trn@warper.jhuapl.edu, trn@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu
 Johns Hopkins Univ./APL   UUCP: {backbone!}mimsy!aplcomm!trn
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: chrisdr@microsoft.com (Chris Dragich)
Subject: Re: Who to watch for '93
Date: 11 Aug 92 21:20:30 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <1992Aug10.062817.15788@leland.Stanford.EDU> claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu) writes:
>In article <1992Aug10.055436.21525@cs.cornell.edu> tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer) writes:
>>The Mariners have got to get better!  Griffey continues to improve,
>
>And what are they doing this season, pitching such junk pitchers as Brian
>Fisher and Mark Grant?  The scary part is that they are actually no improvement
>over Jim Acker.

Ain't no one else to pitch this season. Honestly, now that Woodson
is up, there are no starting-pitching prospects that are ready
for even trial runs in the majors. There's a few possibilites 
in AA, but they all started the year in single-A.

If you think Grant and Fisher are scary, the AAA Calgary rotation
includes Andy Hawkins, Brian Drees, Kevin D. Brown, and Pat Rice.
(Drees and Brown are actually pitching well right now, and will be
the next ones called up.)

 - Chris

Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: Re: Oriole News
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 92 17:23:52 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.125914.19419@brtph560.bnr.ca> dbloom@bnr.ca (David Bloom P025) writes:
>Lu says:
>
>>Besides, when you are batting cleanup, it is not that difficult to be in the
>>top 10 in RBIs!  Pete O'Brien had a thoroughly horrible season last season, but
>>he had 81 RBIs.  Murray's OBP is pathetic, and that means that when he walks
>>up there, *68%* of the time he will make an out.
>
>Ok, using this logic I guess if you hit .300, then 70 % of time you
>walk up to the plate, you don't get a hit.

A .300 average is above average.

A .328 OBP is *not* above average.  The average OBP for an NL first baseman
is .339, which means Murray is below average.  His slugging (.421) is also
just barely above average (.415).  He has "average" written all over his face.

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
From: paul@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Paul R Krueger)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Support-Neutral W/L Report -- NL
Date: 13 Aug 92 16:04:08 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

In article <1992Aug12.180102.29366@CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU> mjw@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Michael Wolverton) writes:
>
>
>                  NL Support-Neutral Win/Loss Report
>                 (through games of Tuesday, August 11)
>
>
>
>Luckiest 10 NL Starters (ranked by (W - E(W)) + (E(L) - L)):
>
>Pitcher       Team    E(W)  E(L)    W  L   Diff.
>------------------------------------------------
>Glavine        ATL   11.6   7.0    17  3    9.4
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Unluckiest 10 NL Starters (ranked by (W - E(W)) + (E(L) - L)):
>
>Pitcher       Team    E(W)  E(L)    W  L   Diff.
>------------------------------------------------
>Abbott         PHI    4.3   7.8     1 13   -8.5
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
>Comments and questions welcome.
   
   If this doesn't prove that it's better to be lucky than good,
   I don't know what will! Just imagine lucking out to back-to-back
   Cy Youngs. This guy oughta play the lottery!!!

   --salty ;)


>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Michael Wolverton                       "Is that clear?"
>mjw@cs.stanford.edu                     "No, but it's consistent!"
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: kettler@mitme5.mit.edu (KETTLER, THOMAS R.)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: infield fly II ?
Date: 15 Aug 92 07:36:00 GMT
Organization: MIT Lab for Nuclear Science
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1

In article <1992Aug13.194520.13189@cs.mcgill.ca>, hfrg@cs.mcgill.ca (Peter Choi)              writes...
>I'm a scorekeeper for Baseball Quebec. What we are told about the infield
>fly rule is as follows :
> 
>	If the ball is a pop fly (within fair territory) and inside the
>	infield, and that the infielder(s) can catch the ball effortlessly,
>	then it is an INFIELD FLY (batter automatic out), runners run at
>	thier risk. This applies even if under the above condition, the
>	infielder does not catch the ball (not due to an error).
> 
>Usually when the ump calls the infiled fly, the ball is dead. I have yet to
>see other scenerios.

Well, as a softball umpire and a player on a softball team, I have. On Tuesday, 
one of the players on my team hit an infield fly to the second basemen with the 
bases loaded. It went out slightly beyond the infield. The ump correctly called 
that the ball was an infield fly and the batter was out. The second basemen 
then leisurely let it fall to the ground. The runner at third then wisely used 
this to take home so a run scored. At the time, I was coaching first. I did, 
however, have to explain to the batter why he was out and the run was able to 
score.

					Sincerely yours,

					Thomas R. Kettler "Expos Fanatic"