1821

I think baseball should kill off 6 teams and go back to a 24 team league, 12 in each league.

And they should do it like Survivor. Every year, kill off 2 teams. Maybe its the worst record in each league, or the worst attendance.

And of course I’m joking, but I do think the talent pool has already been diluted way too much and I don’t really want to see two more teams anytime soon.

1822

Sadly, I really wouldn’t be too opposed to the idea. It would probably have to be worst attendance. It’s a sad sight to see these 40-50,000 seat stadiums only get attendance of 10-15,000 per a game. Though the sad could be said of the Giants before they moved into Pac Bell, they regularly only got 5-10,000 people going to games.

1823

I’m not sure I buy the “diluted talent pool” argument. In the 1940 baseball had 16 teams and the US population was 132 million. African americans and all dark skinned people from outside the country weren’t allowed to play. In 2011 we have a population of 310+ million (more then double), racial restrictions have greatly if not totally disappeared, and baseball has 30 teams. Granted, other sports are taking some of those athletes away from baseball. But the size of the effective pool of potential talent has almost certainly kept up with the growth in the number of teams.

And attendance numbers are misleading. Baseball attendance historically was never that great. In 1950, during the “Golden Age” of baseball, only one team topped 2 million fans, most of the league was in the 1- 2 million range, and five teams didn’t even hit the 1 million mark. This year 9 teams will top 3 million (with three more just barely missing that mark) and the lowest attendance will be just under 1.5 million (which is 18,200 per game).

1824

To take it a step further, the US is much richer now (the long Panic not with standing). Its easier to cultivate and scout talent. OK, scouting talent is still the big problem. The MLB draft has a crazy 50 rounds, and while I am exaggerating it seems that first round picks are as likely to burn out as round 30 picks are to succeed. Maybe a bigger problem is fewer people play baseball these days.

1825

So it sounds like Buck Showalter is out as Orioles manager . . . because he is going to take over as GM. That’s the rumor, anyway. Good luck Baltimore fans.

1826

big night tonight. Red Sox, Cards, D Rays, Braves…exciting.

1827

And the 2/3 seeds in both leagues are also up in the air.

1828

Dumb Dodgers. The Hawk knows he’s supposed to cover first base. Sheesh.

*The Diamondbacks would not be able to catch the Brewers had they lost last night and the Dodgers basically gave them four outs in the tenth by the pitcher not covering first base. The closer then came in and gave up a grand slam. Sigh.

1829

Did you go to the Mets game today, hoping to get a look at Jose Reyes in what could be his final game as a Met? Hope you didn’t hit traffic.

Reyes led the game off with a bunt for a hit and then the Mets yanked him from the game to preserve his league-leading .337 average to increase his chance of winning the batting title.

Laaame.

1830

No, but I forgot to turn the game on. That said, I don’t care one way or the other. I hope that he holds on to the batting title.

That said I am disappointed with this season. I really hoped they could finish at .500 and to finish two games worse than last year is frustrating. Granted Ike Davis was gone for most of the year, Johan never came back (during spring it was projected to mid-July), Reyes went on two DL stints (i.e. a month) and Beltran was traded away, so there is some justification for being ‘only’ 2 games worse than last year.

1831

Boom! Tex hits a grand slam and gives the Yankees an early 5-0 lead, while Boston leads the O’s 1-0 in the 3rd. Still a long way to go, tho.

Edit: O’s hit a 2 run HR to take a 2-1 lead! And personally, I’m rooting for two playoff games tomorrow between Red Sox/Rays and Cards/Braves.

Edit 2: Boston ties the game 2-2 on a balk; Cards’ first 5 batters all score before Carpenter even takes the mound. Fun stuff. :)

1832

Lost a lot of respect for Reyes. What a turd. It was his decision to get pulled if he got a hit in his first AB. The appeasing manager said “sure, whatever you want.” What a load. You don’t see Miguel Cabrera pulling that crap.

— Alan

1833

This is going to be such a letdown if the Rays don’t at least force a playoff tomorrow.

1834

Now pitching in relief for the Yankees in a 7-0 game: AJ Burnett.

I would assume this is an unofficial sign he’s out of the playoff rotation.

And he faces one batter, retires him, and he’s pulled from the game. How odd. Is Girardi thinking about bringing him along as a possible spot reliever who can get one big strikeout in a tight spot?

1835

So while the Red Sox and O’s sit in a rain delay, plausibly watching the Yankees game, the Rays strike for 6 runs in the 8th and it’s a 7-6 ballgame. Wow.

1836

Holy crap, Tampa tied it.

1837

Holy crap indeed.

1838

Whoa, down to their final strike, Rays tie it!

1839

Wow. Off a 2-2 pitch with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Also his second home run of the year. Wow.

Good job making the last day of baseball interesting guys.

1840

Wow, amazing play at the plate by the O’s to hold the game at 3-2 heading to the bottom of the 8th. These games have been pretty entertaining.