HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: kenf@darkstar.cso.uiuc.edu (Ken Fortenberry)
Subject: Re: ARTIFICIAL TURF: EMBARASSMENT TO THE GAME
Reply-To: kenf@uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 13:49:43 GMT

In article <92202.183405IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU (Ryan  
Robbins) writes:
> 
> Why do the Cardinals, the Royals, the Reds, the Pirates, and the
> Phillies (all non-dome teams) elect to have artificial turf? If a
> team is not playing in a dome, then it has no business playing on
> anything but natural grass.
>
When Busch Stadium opened in 1966 it had natural turf. After a
few seasons of Cardinal baseball, Cardinal football, professional
soccer, the occasional Mizzou football game and a rock concert
every so often the "turf" could better be described as green
painted dirt. 

The combination of advances in turf technology and fewer events
in Busch Stadium had them thinking about installing natural turf
before the start of this season. The rug had to be replaced anyway.
I am not privy as to why this idea was rejected but can speculate
that it doesn't really make good sense to switch to grass when your
team has been built for playing on an artificial surface.
 
--
Ken Fortenberry                            | Internet: kenf@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | BITNET: KENF@UIUCVMD.BITNET
Computing & Communications Services Office | UUCP: uunet!uiuc.edu!kenf 
1304 W. Springfield Ave.  Urbana, IL 61801 | Phone: (217) 244-3215
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: stailey@snoopy.comm.mot.com (Mike Stailey)
Subject: Re: GMaddux to Test Free Agency Waters
Reply-To: stailey@comm.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Land Mobile Products Sector
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:21:54 GMT

(Jeff Comer) writes:

*Didn't Maddux (and his agent) *accept* the offer after mulling it over 
*for 2 days, only to hear that the Cubs weren't offering the 25/5 deal 
*any more? Or was this the agent's story? If this is true, it tells me
*the Cubs aren't serious about keeping him...


 The Cubs were very serious about keeping him. They offerred to make him
 the third highest player in the league and the highest paid pitcher.
 Apparently Greg felt he could do better someplace else. 

 BTW, he was also a little hacked off that the Cubs did not make a more
 serious offer to him last winter. Harboring a grudge against management
 as it were.


 --
 Michael                      
 stailey@comm.mot.com
From: rickert@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (John H. Rickert)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: ARTIFICIAL TURF: EMBARASSMENT TO THE GAME
Date: 23 Jul 92 21:05:07 GMT
Organization: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology


In article <1992Jul23.203649.24892@news2.cis.umn.edu> kimmel@epx.cis.umn.edu  
(Eric Kimmel) writes:
 
> I have NEVER seen a single team practicing catching balls against the dome
> backdrop.  If they felt it was that big of a deal, they'd be out there
> working on it.

I recall Gorman Thomas doing this back in '82.

john rickert
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: dtate+@pitt.edu (David M Tate)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: More on Big Frank
Date: 23 Jul 92 03:38:14 GMT
Organization: Factors of Ys, Inc.

As of about a week and a half ago, Frank Thomas was on a pace to finish the
season with 309 times on base and 286 total bases.  (My McThang didn't arrive
on time this week.)  If Frank can pull that up to 300 total bases and 300 
times on base, he will be the first player in over 30 years to have back to
back 300/300 seasons.  Can you name the last 3 players to put two such seasons
back to back?

-- 
        David Tate         |   When I was a rookie arm and bit 
  dtate@unix.cis.pitt.edu  |   And the greenest hurler to take the mound
  Prof. of Story Problems  |   (Sighed the old southpaw, dying of innings)...
  Member ORSA, TIMS, SABR  | 	"Lament", Dylan 'Big Frank' Thomas
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: RC/27 for Cs
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 00:09:07 GMT

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Darren Daulton, Philadelphia	8.33
Don Slaught, Pittsburgh		7.54
Dan Walters, San Diego		5.53
Greg Olson, Atlanta		5.06
Tom Pagnozzi, St. Louis		4.97
Joe Oliver, Cincinnati		4.13
Joe Girardi, Chicago		4.10
Kirt Manwaring, San Francisco	3.85
Mike LaValliere, Pittsburgh	3.76
Benito Santiago, San Diego	3.74
Damon Berryhill, Atlanta	3.35
Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles	3.17
Gary Carter, Montreal		3.15
Carlos Hernandez, Los Angeles	2.76
Todd Hundley, New York		2.75
Eddie Taubensee, Houston	2.50
Scott Servais, Houston		1.84

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chris Hoiles, Baltimore		8.73
Mickey Tettleton, Detroit	6.42
Terry Steinbach, Oakland	5.76
Brian Harper, Minnesota		5.51
Jeff Tackett, Baltimore		5.31
Ivan Rodriguez, Texas		4.95
Pat Borders, Toronto		4.56
Dave Valle, Seattle		3.96
Matt Nokes, New York		3.85
Mike Fitzgerald, California	3.72
B. J. Surhoff, Milwaukee	3.61
Mike Macfarlane, Kansas City	3.42
Sandy Alomar, Cleveland		3.29
Ron Karkovice, Chicago		3.18
Tony Pena, Boston		2.75

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
Committee to Elect Johnny Ray as Angels Second Baseman
Committee to Elect Mike Witt as Angels Ace
Committee to Elect Cookie Rojas as Angels Manager
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: rsmith@strobe.ATC.Olivetti.Com (Russ Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Value of Stats
Date: 27 Jul 92 20:07:57 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino CA, USA

In article <Bs29sK.6H0@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu> djohnson@cayley.uwaterloo.ca (David Johnson) writes:
>You can't know for sure but through interviews with players, managers and
>that player himself, and through *many* media reports (although we should 
>consider media bias's thats why we look at many reports) I feel we can get
>a good reasonably accurate opinion of the player.

Does the name George Hendrick ring a bell? The media told us for years he
was "moody, sullen, silent, stoic, aloof" etc. becuase he didn't speak
to the media. Well I've read numerous accounts of fans who met George and
were amazed at what a nice guy he was. I met a guy at a Stanford football
game who's been friends with George since gradeschool, and he says George
is one of the nicest, trustworthy people he's ever come in contact with.
George's son Brian plays hoops at Cal, so he's been interviews a few times
about that in the last 3-4 years, and guess what he comes off as an intelligent
individual with a "positive attitude". George simply felt the media had
printed some untruths(or quotes which weren't accurate) and knowing that
the responsible parties would never retract the statements, he chose to
keep quiet, play ball, and mind his own business. The media hated it,
so they made things up.



Russ Smith
*******************************************************************************
"Mellow is the man, who knows what he's been missing
many, many men can't see the open road".
                                    Over the hills and far away- Led Zeppelin  
******************************************************************************




Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: st1ge@Rosie.UH.EDU (Edward Hui)
Subject: Re: Best Looking Swing
Reply-To: st1ge@Rosie.UH.EDU
Organization: University of Houston
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 05:17:59 GMT

In article <92204.121229ALWHC@CUNYVM.BITNET>, <ALWHC@CUNYVM.BITNET> writes:
>    When I watch a good hitter at the plate, they will show the swing of the
>  hitter in slow motion. IMHO the best looking swings I've seen are:
>        1) Dave Justice
>        2) Will Clark
>        3) Don Mattingly
>        4) George Brett
>
>    These  are all good hitters. Of course, there are more but these are the
>  ones that I can name offhand. If you care to add more or comment on those
>  that I have just named  feel free. I know that George Brett was influenced
>  by Charlie Lau's  style of hitting, I don't know about the others though...
>
>                                           Al

       Notice that the above players are all left-handed hitters.  The first
three are real lefties.  I am right-handed myself.  But I have to agree that
left-handed hitters always have a better looking swings than righties, 
especially those who are good opposite field hitters.  I also enjoy watching
Tony Gwynn, Robin Ventura, Ken Griffey Sr. (Jr. is pretty good too).

Edward Hui
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: twromero@McRCIM.McGill.EDU (Michael Lin)
Subject: Re: Expos Update
Originator: twromero@fangorn.mcrcim.mcgill.edu
Organization: McGill Research Centre for  Intelligent Machines
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 22:16:54 GMT


In article <1992Jul24.141703.12574@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov>, dgemoets@kong.gsfc.nasa.gov (Darren Gemoets-- CSC) writes:
|> p_emond@pavo.concordia.ca (PATRICK EMOND) writes:
|> 
|> 
|> > and The Gazette reported today that Darren Reed, who has barely played, would 
|> >  be sent down or released when Alou returns to the lineup.
|> 

    He was placed on waiver and could be had for the price of $20,000 or so.
    No one was interested, next thing you know, he hit a 3-run homerun to 
    help the Expos beat the Cards in a very important game.
|> 
|> 
|> Whoa, now!  I'm a devout Expos fan and sometimes overstate their greatness,
|> but I don't think these four Expos are yet up to F/S/G/Mc proportions.  Have
|> you seen those four guys' stats lately?  They're outrageously good.  There
|> should be a law against what these guys do.  I don't mean to cut the Expos
|> fab-four short, though:  Grissom & DeShields 1-2 in SB and in the leaders in
|> runs; Walker showing his promised power, speed, and arm; and Alou (when
|> healthy) has been really exciting to watch.
|> 
|> >Any other legitimate candidates for NL manager of the year besides Felipe Alou
|
    Win or lose, Felipe Alou WILL be Manager of the Year in NL.
|> 
|> >--4 games out and breathing down the Pirates' necks...
|> 
     They are now tied for 1st place with the Bucs, as of July 27, 1992.
     No bad for a team just three months ago doesn't even know if it will
     survive another year in Montreal.

Michael Lin
From: riff@coos.dartmouth.edu (Christopher P. Riff)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Strike 1 on Commissioner
Date: 30 Jul 92 18:56:51 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

acw@sbmsg1.UUCP (Alvin White) writes:

>In article <5117@transfer.stratus.com> jmann@vineland.pubs.stratus.com writes:
>>> What makes more sense Cubbie fans, Atlanta in the NL west or your Cubs?
>>> This is really stupid!!!  Waaa  Waaaa
>>
>>Which city is closer to Pittsburgh, New York, Montreal, and the other
>>Eastern cities?
>>
>   
>Atlanta


This reminds me of a funny Mike Royko column of a couple weeks ago.
He was accusing the commish of not checking a map before deciding
on realignment.  Royko points out that if you drive east 800 miles
from Chicago you reach New York.  However, if you drive 800 miles
west, you reach some town in Colorado (I forget which one he mentioned).
If you then get up the next morning and drive another 800 miles west,
you are somewhere in Utah.  Since there isn't much going on in
whichever Utah town he mentioned, Royko suggests you keep going on this
second day an additional 200 miles, at which point you finally reach
Los Angeles, which is a poor reward for such a long journey.

Certainly Cincinnati and Atlanta do not belong in the Western division,
but neither do the Cubs, which is a problem since you need the same 
number of teams in each division.

------------------
Chris Riff
riff@dartmouth.edu
From: grabiner@math.harvard.edu (David Grabiner)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Real-life rulebook trivia (was Re: Braves lose - finally!)
Date: 27 Jul 92 21:42:13 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Dept. of Mathematics
In-reply-to: dtate+@pitt.edu's message of 27 Jul 92 04:40:18 GMT

In article <3796@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP>, David M Tate writes:

> The most blatant missed call went against the Braves in game 3.  Ron Gant (I
> believe it was) was attempting to steal second, and the Pirates called a
> pitchout.  Don Slaught took the throw at the front of the righty's batters'
> box, and threw Gant out.  It was a flagrant catcher's balk, but no call was
> made.  Slaught was *not* behind the plate when the pitch was released.

I didn't see the play, but I checked the rules, and it doesn't look like
this is necessarily a balk.  The rules here are a bit confusing, though.

2.00: The CATCHER'S BOX is that area within which the catcher shall
stand until the pitcher delivers the ball.

8.05(l): [It is a balk when] the pitcher, while giving an intentional
base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box.

4.03(a): The catcher shall stand directly back of the plate.  He may
leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except
that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the
catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box
until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.  PENALTY: Balk.

So it looks like the catcher is required to stand in the catcher's box,
but the balk penalty only applies on an intentional walk.  Here is
another rule which might have applied, but doesn't.

7.07: If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a
squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or
in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the
batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter
shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.

The only remaining way for this to be a balk which might apply is
this:

8.05(a): [It is a balk when] the pitcher, while touching his plate,
makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make
such delivery.

Thus, if the catcher prevented the throw from becoming a pitch, that is a
balk.  A footnote to rule 8.01(d) suggests that it becomes a pitch when
it crosses the foul line; thus, if the ball was in fair territory when
the catcher caught it, this should be a balk.  The "front of the righty
batter's box" could be in either fair or foul territory.

Whether or not there is a balk, there is the additional issue of whether
the catcher interfered with the batter, which would send the batter to
first, but would award runners a base only if they were forced, or if
they were attempting to steal the base (both apply to Gant).  Assuming
that the batter didn't swing, it is unlikely that there was
interference.
--
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.
From: dtate+@pitt.edu (David M Tate)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Strike 1 on Commissioner
Date: 24 Jul 92 17:27:41 GMT
Organization: Factors of Ys, Inc.

In article <5117@transfer.stratus.com> jmann@vineland.pubs.stratus.com writes:
>In article <1992Jul24.101912@IASTATE.EDU> jkness@IASTATE.EDU (Joel K  
>Ness) writes:
>> 
>> What makes more sense Cubbie fans, Atlanta in the NL west or your Cubs?
>> This is really stupid!!!  Waaa  Waaaa
>
>Which city is closer to Pittsburgh, New York, Montreal, and the other
>Eastern cities?

You mean like Miami?  Uh...let me guess.

Come on.  Which city is closer to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego,
and Denver?  The only possible reason to prefer that Chicago and St. Louis
be in the east is a selfish regard for local "me first" thinking (and cash).
Nothing wrong with looking out for Number One, as far as that goes, but
don't expect the rest of us to buy it as a compelling argument.


-- 
        David Tate         |  "Complacencies of the fungo, and late 
  dtate@unix.cis.pitt.edu  |   Infield and B.P. in a sunny field
     "Sunday Afternoon"    |   [...]         mingle to dissipate
  Wallace "Vern" Stevens   |   The holy hush of Pastime National..."
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu)
Subject: Re: RC/27 for CFs
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 22:34:05 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.153228.1782@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:
>In article <1992Jul17.190453.27517@leland.Stanford.EDU> claudius@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nelson Lu) writes:

>>It is definitely excellent.  However, [Puckett] is overrated in the sense that if you
>>are listening to the mediots, they would say that he's one of the best
>>offensive players in baseball, which he isn't.  He is one of the best
>>offensive *CFs*, for sure.
>
>He not one of the best offensive players? He's got a higher SLG, more HR, 
>about the same OBP, more 2bs, 3bs, and SBs than Bobby Bonilla, who we were told
>*IS* one of the best offensive players in the game (at least in refutation of
>Mr Galvanek's arguments), but BB is one of the best, and Puckett is NOT?

Here are their numbers since '86, year by year.  ('86 was Bonilla's rookie
season).
		Bonilla			Puckett			Advantage
'86		.256/.352/.333		.288/.330/.385		Puckett
'87		.300/.351/.481		.328/.366/.537		Puckett
'88		.277/.366/.476		.356/.375/.545		Puckett
'89		.281/.358/.490		.339/.379/.465		Even?
'90		.280/.322/.518		.298/.365/.446		Bonilla (small)
'91		.301/.391/.492		.319/.352/.460		Bonilla (big)

On a career basis entering this season (which Puckett is dominating), however,
Puckett and Bonilla are on about the same level (equal OBP, Bonilla with 6
points higher SLG), so your point is taken.  However, Puckett, as you can see,
has really been in slight declines since his excellent '88 season, but was
still considered a top offensive player even last year, when, by RC/27, he
was inferior to at least these players in the AL:  (Also, Puckett is 2 years
older)

Mickey Tettleton
Frank Thomas
Rafael Palmeiro
Paul Molitor
Wally Joyner
Kent Hrbek
Cecil Fielder
John Olerud
Dan Pasqua
Julio Franco
Lou Whitaker
Willie Randolph
Wade Boggs
Edgar Martinez
Cal Ripken
Rickey Henderson
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Danny Tartabull
Jose Canseco
Ruben Sierra
Shane Mack
Chili Davis
Harold Baines
Jack Clark
Brian Downing
Sam Horn

At least last season, he wasn't anywhere close to being a top offensive
player, but was still touted as one.

===============================================================================
GO CALIFORNIA ANGELS!
Committee to Elect Johnny Ray as Angels Second Baseman
Committee to Elect Mike Witt as Angels Ace
Committee to Elect Cookie Rojas as Angels Manager
===============================================================================
Nelson Lu (claudius@leland.stanford.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: lsmith@cs.umn.edu (Lance "Not Here" Smith)
Subject: Re: Both Canadian teams in first place
Keywords: Canadian first
Organization: The Little Canucks of the Poor
Distribution: na 
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 20:28:11 GMT

In article <1992Jul29.172619.28809@panix.com> spira@panix.com (Greg "Sarcasm Is A Way Of Life" Spira) writes:
>In <1992Jul29.123959.22646@nstn.ns.ca> maceache@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Tim Maceachern) writes:
>
>>I believe this is the first time (other than the first one or two days 
>>of a season) that both Canadian teams have been in first place at the
>>same time.  How'd you like a World Series played completely in Canada, eh?
>
>The more interesting question is - how would CBS like a World Series
>played completely in Canada?  

Let's say that the three Canadian teams win their respective divisions.
(Hey, we're honorary Canadians, OK?) Then either Atlanta or Cincy wins
in the NL West. (I think Cincy = lower ratings but don't hold me to that.)

Hoooo Booooy, we're talking execs hitting the concrete like sacks of wet 
cement! 

I'm trying to decide what the potential Dream Play-Off picture is for
CBS. (Of course, I have to be realistic. No Dodgers making an amazing
comeback.) I'd guess Mets in the NL East, just nudging out the Cubbies.
Maybe the Padres in the NL West, though the Braves might still have the
nations' attention. Baltimore in the AL East just so that they could show
some games at (OPa) Camden Yards. Oakland in the AL West. (People either
love or hate Oakland so they should attract more attention than the 
Twins, Rangers or Pale Hose.) 

Of course the ideal CBS match-up would be Yankees vs. Angels and Mets
vs. Dodgers. With some sort of NY-LA match-up in the WS. 
-- 
  Lance "On Vacation" Smith    | "Upon the corner of the plate
    (lsmith@cs.umn.edu)        |  There hangs a curve ball to be hit;
  More replica World Series    |  I'll smote it ere it reach the mitt."
  rings than David Thornley    |          "The Scottish Player," III. v. 23
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
From: yl44729@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Rick Lin )
Subject: Re: Cubs totally finished with Maddux?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 22:07:18 GMT
Keywords: Listen to the money talk....

peppler@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Randy Peppler) writes:

>	There was much speculation on Coppock's show last night that
>	Maddux will end up in Yankee pinstripes next year.  Remember,
>	Moneybags is back next year, plus Gene Michael knows Greg well
>	from his Cub days.  Besides, I really think the Yanks want to
>	reclaim their throne as "New York's Biggest Spending Team" (tm)...
>	Some of the west coast teams were mentioned, too, since Greg
>	hails from Las Vegas.  His agent last night even sidestepped
>	Coppock's view that there is at least a 30% chance that Greg
>	will return to the Cubs...

>	Two upcoming free agents, Greg Swindell and Doug Drabek, are
>	from the Houston area.  The new owner there wants to throw some
>	money around, too...

I think another reason that Maddux may end up being traded to the Yankees is
that the Yankees have 4 pitching prospects in the minors.  If they are willing
to give up 2 of them and throw in a couple more players, the Cubs should be
willing to negotiate.
From: jm0i@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (JOSEPH ALOYSIUS MCVEIGH)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Switchhitting HRs
Date: 31 Jul 92 19:55:34 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University


Can anyone help me?

Last night, a friend and I were going through some Labatt's Blue coasters,
which are done up to look like blue baseballs, and have "trivia questions" on
the back (e.g. "Who won the NL MVP in 1958-59" is a sample of average
"difficulty").

The answer provided for "Who is the NL career leader for HRs by a switch
hitter?" is none other than Pete Rose! I disagreed, but the bartender is a
dope and thought Rose was called Charley Hustle because he hit a lot of
dingers (true story) and insists that it can't be wrong.

I have been without my Encyclopedia for a couple of years (ex-roommates don't
just steal cassettes and CDs any more), but I have a strong suspicion that
this can't be right. Can someone help me win a free pitcher [not Acker, but
the kind whose delivery is a *good* thing for paying customers] by refuting
this?

E-Mail is fine. jm0i@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu.


-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Aloysius McVeigh | "Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong, and some
                        |  things that haven't gone wrong were assumed to have
       "N.I.N.A."       |  gone wrong." - Michael Barish (on Mexican stocks)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------