Still rewriting Astros History...

[Clark in Denver]

Bud and Crane continue to hack away at the history of a once proud franchise. Colt 45 throwback jerseys will have the gun removed.

[Mr. Happy]

God damn mother fucking political correctness strikes again. Fuck you Bud.

[MusicMan]

Bud and Crane continue to hack away at the history of a once proud franchise. Colt 45 throwback jerseys will have the gun removed.

This one's on Bud.  The club submitted the jerseys as their originals.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Well, we wouldn't want kids thinking it was alright to go around killing people because the team once known as the Colt 45's had a stylized piece of cloth in the outline of a pistol--representing a proud part of American history. Also, a tomahawk isn't a violent image, Pirates aren't really thieves, not all Padres molest children, Diamond-Backs are the nicest of all snakes and their bites tickle, nothing Jingoistic about the Nationals or the Yankees, and the Brewers are actually hoping that people wont drink beer, get drunk, drive and kill people... like they could with a gun.

[BizidyDizidy]

When are we going to get at least the common courtesy of a reach around?

[Fredia]

pc and the new tampa kitty whats next the three bs bambi barney and the big red dog

[Noe]

This one's on Bud.  The club submitted the jerseys as their originals.

"Once you allow a camel to stick his head in your tent, don't be upset when his whole body is soon to follow." - a wise Bedouin

[Texifornia]

The club submitted.

Yep

[Bench]

Poor kids these days.  They're going to think the town was in the throes of malt liquor back in the early '60s.

[strosrays]

Poor kids these days.  They're going to think the town was in the throes of malt liquor back in the early '60s.

Yes.  If they are going to remove the pistol, they should replace it with this.

Or this.

[Andyzipp]

The uniforms were submitted as they were in 62.  MLB made the change despite the Astros' wishes.  Sounds familiar.

[JimR]

you have to be fucking kidding me. if i run into Selig at a restaurant in ST like we did two years ago, i will make headlines.

[Texifornia]

you have to be fucking kidding me. if i run into Selig at a restaurant in ST like we did two years ago, i will make headlines.

I will contribute to bail.

[MusicMan]

you have to be fucking kidding me. if i run into Selig at a restaurant in ST like we did two years ago, i will make headlines.

Highlights

[Fredia]

does anyone have the book and movie rights yet

[JimR]

Highlights

you, sir, are a bastard

[MusicMan]

you, sir, are a bastard

Don't get me wrong, you'd be the one left standing.

/still laughs at the guy yelling "Finish him!"

[Waldo]

Worst professional sports commissioner ever?

Not that Bud didn't already have that sealed up.

[MusicMan]

Worst professional sports commissioner ever?

Not that Bud didn't already have that sealed up.

I used to think Gary Bettman has put that title far, far away.

But I'm starting to believe.

[Ebby Calvin]

Worst professional sports commissioner ever?

Not that Bud didn't already have that sealed up.

Wild card.
Interleague.
Home series in Milwaukee.*
Roof closed in playoffs.*
Convincing Drayton to stay within slot.*
Cecil Cooper.*
AL West.*
.45s Logo

What am I missing?  I know there's tons, but I'm working on 3 hours sleep.

*Denotes times when a stronger owner would've told Bud to shove it.

[Limey]

Wild card.
Interleague.
Home series in Milwaukee.*
Roof closed in playoffs.*
Convincing Drayton to stay within slot.*
Cecil Cooper.*
AL West.*
.45s Logo

What am I missing?  I know there's tons, but I'm working on 3 hours sleep.

*Denotes times when a stronger owner would've told Bud to shove it.

"Tied" ASG.
Playing the 2005 WS Game #1 in a blizzard

[Bench]

"Tied" ASG/"This time it Counts" result.
Playing the 2005 WS Game #1 in a blizzard

Completed it for you.

[austro]

"Tied" ASG.
Playing the 2005 WS Game #1 in a blizzard

Montreal Expos/Florida Marlins/Washington Nationals fiasco.

[Limey]

Contracting the Twins.

[HudsonHawk]

Wild card.
Interleague.
Home series in Milwaukee.*
Roof closed in playoffs.*
Convincing Drayton to stay within slot.*
Cecil Cooper.*
AL West.*
.45s Logo

What am I missing?  I know there's tons, but I'm working on 3 hours sleep.

*Denotes times when a stronger owner would've told Bud to shove it.

Count me among those who like the Wild Card and making the ASG count.

[Houston]

Maybe they can retroactively name the team the I-45s. Might as well because all road lead to Dallas anyway.

[MusicMan]

Count me among those who like the Wild Card and making the ASG count.

I'm with you on this.

Prior to Hurricane Ike, I was actually a pretty staunch Selig defender.

[Bench]

Count me among those who like the Wild Card and making the ASG count.

I like the wild card but can't join you in cheering the ASG that counts.  I find it to be wildly stupid.

Speaking of wild cards, have they decided how many playoff teams there will be this season?

[Limey]

I like the wild card but can't join you in cheering the ASG that counts.  I find it to be wildly stupid.

+1

Speaking of wild cards, have they decided how many playoff teams there will be this season?

Everyone*.

* Not called the Astros.

[HudsonHawk]

Maybe they can retroactively name the team the I-45s. Might as well because all road lead to Dallas anyway.

I don't get the animosity towards the Rangers.  They've simply done a better job of building a team in recent years than the Astros have.  I don't begrudge them for that.  I only wish the Astros would have let the baseball people run the baseball side of the team for the last 7 years. 

[HudsonHawk]

I like the wild card but can't join you in cheering the ASG that counts.  I find it to be wildly stupid.

Let me clarify.  It's not that I think it's a great thing, it just doesn't really bother me.  I like that it makes the ASG more competitive, and I find it no less stupid than determining home field advantage in any other way.

Speaking of wild cards, have they decided how many playoff teams there will be this season?

I hadn't heard they were going to change.

[JimR]

I don't get the animosity towards the Rangers.  They've simply done a better job of building a team in recent years than the Astros have.  I don't begrudge them for that.  I only wish the Astros would have let the baseball people run the baseball side of the team for the last 7 years. 

i totally agree.

[Limey]

I don't get the animosity towards the Rangers.  They've simply done a better job of building a team in recent years than the Astros have.  I don't begrudge them for that.  I only wish the Astros would have let the baseball people run the baseball side of the team for the last 7 years. 

I agree that the divergent one-field fortunes of the teams is no reason to hate the Rangers.  However, I think it started to grate on many of us when we were forced into supposedly giving a shit about the Glass Boot - which I never have - and, subsequently, forced into a move into the AL West which suits the Rangers fabulously and the Astros not at all.

Certainly there's a stink that some of the league move momentum came from up I-45.

[Bench]

I hadn't heard they were going to change.

They announced at the same time as the league realignment that they're adding two more wild card teams, but I haven't seen if that will be this year or next year.

[Limey]

They announced at the same time as the league realignment that they're adding two more wild card teams, but I haven't seen if that will be this year or next year.

I'm presuming that it's next year if it's tied to realignment.

[Bench]

However, I think it started to grate on many of us when we were forced into supposedly giving a shit about the Glass Boot - which I never have - and, subsequently, forced into a move into the AL West which suits the Rangers fabulously and the Astros not at all.

Certainly there's a stink that some of the league move momentum came from up I-45.

Yes.  I never begrudged the Rangers their success, I just begrudge having a non-existent "rivalry" forced down my throat that resulted in paving the way to changing leagues.

Starting in 2013, I have little choice but to begrudge their success.  But in the meantime, my begrudgment rests with St. Louis. 

[Noe]

I'm presuming that it's next year if it's tied to realignment.

Or when Nolan Ryan says so!

[Bench]

I'm presuming that it's next year if it's tied to realignment.

Don't presume when it comes to Bud.

In an article from yesterday:

Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training without the profound uncertainty that preceded the NBA and NFL seasons, but they don't have a final answer about a fundamental part of the game. How many teams will be in the playoffs?

Bud Selig says 10, with an asterisk. He still doesn't have final approval to expand from the current field of eight, and he's facing a March 1 deadline set by the Basic Agreement with the Players Association.

The article goes on to say if it's not done now it's likely not going to happen this season.  

[juliogotay]

I agree that the divergent one-field fortunes of the teams is no reason to hate the Rangers.  However, I think it started to grate on many of us when we were forced into supposedly giving a shit about the Glass Boot - which I never have - and, subsequently, forced into a move into the AL West which suits the Rangers fabulously and the Astros not at all.

Certainly there's a stink that some of the league move momentum came from up I-45.

I can't even work up a mad at the Rngers or the move to the AL. The commissioner could have easily said "let me see what the Houston franchise feels about that and I'll get back to you." Instead he chose to play the JIm Crane is of dubious character card. And for years Drayton was his lackey ready to go along to get along.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm presuming that it's next year if it's tied to realignment.

That would be my guess as well. 

[Limey]

Don't presume when it comes to Bud.

In an article from yesterday:

Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training without the profound uncertainty that preceded the NBA and NFL seasons, but they don't have a final answer about a fundamental part of the game. How many teams will be in the playoffs?

Bud Selig says 10, with an asterisk. He still doesn't have final approval to expand from the current field of eight, and he's facing a March 1 deadline set by the Basic Agreement with the Players Association.

The article goes on to say if it's not done now it's likely not going to happen this season.  

I'm assuming that the asterisk will be removed, depending on whether the Astros finish 9th or 10th in the seedings.

[Houston]

And now one more reason to hate the MLB front office...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7597478/tony-la-russa-says-talks-job-major-league-baseball

[MusicMan]

And now one more reason to hate the MLB front office...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7597478/tony-la-russa-says-talks-job-major-league-baseball

Thank you sir, may I have another?

[Noe]

And now one more reason to hate the MLB front office...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7597478/tony-la-russa-says-talks-job-major-league-baseball

Diector of Weather Forecasting and Co-championship banner making?

[Fredia]

micro brewing

[Limey]

Diector of Weather Forecasting and Co-championship banner making?

Red Light Signal Watcher.

[moriartp]

Diector of Weather Forecasting and Co-championship banner making?

Director of Bullpen Communications Technology.

[Mr. Happy]

I don't get the animosity towards the Rangers.  They've simply done a better job of building a team in recent years than the Astros have.  I don't begrudge them for that.  I only wish the Astros would have let the baseball people run the baseball side of the team for the last 7 years. 

+1

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I don't like the Rangers.

[strosrays]

The Rangers suck cock.

Always have.  Bob Short started that tradition, and they've built on it ever since.

The Rangers don't just suck cock literally, they suck cock in a metaphysical sense.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

When Bob Short was starting that tradition I believe it was Tom Vandergriff who was coddling the balls.

[drew corleone]

I don't mind the Rangers, but I reserve the right to change my opinion when they are a real rival, compared to the fake rivalry of the past decade. I still wish they would have beaten St. Louis. Fuck the Co-Ards.

[The Spleen]

Weapon

Weapons

What are you waiting for, Bud?

[SoonerJim]

Weapon

Weapons

What are you waiting for, Bud?

You're showing an implement of Indigenous peoples used to subsist off their land, which was taken by the Colt 45-wielding melanin-deprived colonialists who sacked and pillaged the New World for their selfish ends. That's one theory why Bud is selective in his PC enforcement.

[Noe]

You're showing an implement of Indigenous peoples used to subsist off their land, which was taken by the Colt 45-wielding melanin-deprived colonialists who sacked and pillaged the New World for their selfish ends. That's one theory why Bud is selective in his PC enforcement.

New York Mets - to be a Metropolitan, one must subscribe to the ideal of urban living and the congested sprawl.  Said sprawl contributes to global warming unless everyone is on a bicycle. Contract the Mets!

Florida Marlins - to catch a Marlin in the deep sea, often times the poor dolphin is caught instead. This must be stopped! Ship the team to Cuba, they don't care about the poor dolphins... those Commies!

Boston Red Sox - fashonistas unite... this cannot go unpunished!

Cincinnati Reds - need I say more, comrade?

LA Trolley Dodgers - See New York Mets

Texas Rangers - may as well be the Colt 45s, same difference.

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuck the Rangers!

[Fredia]

agreed , but what if ryan sends them to arrest you

[ValpoCory]

Don't presume when it comes to Bud.

In an article from yesterday:

Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training without the profound uncertainty that preceded the NBA and NFL seasons, but they don't have a final answer about a fundamental part of the game. How many teams will be in the playoffs?

Bud Selig says 10, with an asterisk. He still doesn't have final approval to expand from the current field of eight, and he's facing a March 1 deadline set by the Basic Agreement with the Players Association.

The article goes on to say if it's not done now it's likely not going to happen this season.  

I'm not sure how I feel about the proposed playoff changes.  Until the Astros win a World Series, I'll always look at proposed playoff changes through a "does this increase or decrease the odds of the Astros winning a World Series" lens.  I'm not sure this helps or hurts.  It sure makes it tougher for the 1st wild card team.  Had this rule been in play in '04 and '05, we may still be without an Astros World Series appearance or even a playoff series win.

[Taras Bulba]

Crane grabbed his ankles by agreeing to the AL switch in order to buy the Astros--sort of like a prison rape type of deal.  Now, that he has the team, he again allows Selig to get his way, stripping the logo.  Crane had a golden opportunity to stand on his hind legs and tell Selig to go fuck himself--we're keeping our pistols.  He didn't.  I'm in no way impressed.

[ValpoCory]

Crane grabbed his ankles by agreeing to the AL switch in order to buy the Astros--sort of like a prison rape type of deal.  Now, that he has the team, he again allows Selig to get his way, stripping the logo.  Crane had a golden opportunity to stand on his hind legs and tell Selig to go fuck himself--we're keeping our pistols.  He didn't.  I'm in no way impressed.

I couldn't care less about the gun on the jersey thing.  It's one game, and it's a jersey.  Now the AL switch thing, FYB.

[Limey]

I couldn't care less about the gun on the jersey thing.  It's one game, and it's a jersey.  Now the AL switch thing, FYB.

It's a dingleberry sprinkled on top of the giant shit cupcake that Astro fans are being forced to eat.

[Taras Bulba]

I couldn't care less about the gun on the jersey thing.  It's one game, and it's a jersey.  Now the AL switch thing, FYB.

My experience is that if you allow yourself to get pushed around, you'll keep getting pushed around.   I don't like getting pushed around.

[austro]

It's one game, and it's a jersey.

Exactly. So why does Bud need to fuck with it? And why isn't Crane saying "Bud, why do you need to fuck with this?"

[MusicMan]

My experience is that if you allow yourself to get pushed around, you'll keep getting pushed around.   I don't like getting pushed around.

I promised you dad, not to do the things you done;
I walk away from trouble when I can...

[S.P. Rodriguez]

It's a dingleberry sprinkled on top of the giant shit cupcake that Astro fans are being forced to eat.

Is it any coincidence then that most people eat crap, all the time?

[JimR]

I don't like the Rangers.

hey, i do not either. hate 'em, actually, but i do not begrudge them their success.

[JimR]

I couldn't care less about the gun on the jersey thing.  It's one game, and it's a jersey.  Now the AL switch thing, FYB.

i sure as hell do. it is not the jersey.

[Mr. Happy]

i sure as hell do. it is not the jersey.

Me too, Coach. They're rewriting history, as the thread suggests.

[Houston]

I promised you dad, not to do the things you done;
I walk away from trouble when I can...

Now please don't think I'm weak, I didn't turn the other cheek,
And papa, I sure hope you understand:

Sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man.

[JimR]

Me too, Coach. They're rewriting history, as the thread suggests.

i fucking hate political correctness.

[MusicMan]

i fucking hate political correctness.

I still think the best recourse is to cover the entire front of the jersey with Bliy Dee Williams holding a can of Colt.

[moriartp]

I still think the best recourse is to cover the entire front of the jersey with Bliy Dee Williams holding a can of Colt.

Jim Crane, I hope you're listening with 2013 in mind.

[NeilT]

i fucking hate political correctness.

And puppies?  What do you think about puppies?

[strosrays]

You're showing an implement of Indigenous peoples used to subsist off their land, which was taken by the Colt 45-wielding melanin-deprived colonialists who sacked and pillaged the New World for their selfish ends. That's one theory why Bud is selective in his PC enforcement.

Can you have a jersey with smallpox on the front?  Not sure what it would look like, but then Selig probably doesn't know, either.

I think it is odd that Bud would object to the symbolism or whatever of a pistol.  He has no problem with a giant mug of beer in CF.  I wonder which has caused more mayhem over the years?

[NeilT]

Can you have a jersey with smallpox on the front?  Not sure what it would look like, but then Selig probably doesn't know, either.

I think it is odd that Bud would object to the symbolism or whatever of a pistol.  He has no problem with a giant mug of beer in CF.  I wonder which has caused more mayhem over the years?

It's light beer.

[Bench]

Can you have a jersey with smallpox on the front?  Not sure what it would look like, but then Selig probably doesn't know, either.

There is no good reason to do a google-image search for "smallpox image."  Horrifying.

I think it is odd that Bud would object to the symbolism or whatever of a pistol.  He has no problem with a giant mug of beer in CF.  I wonder which has caused more mayhem over the years?

I thought they had to remove the giant vat of beer for Bernie to slide into?

[austro]

I thought they had to remove the giant vat of beer for Bernie to slide into?

And now I think we've gotten to the bottom of it. Like a small child, I'm sure that Bud is thinking "if I can't have mine, they can't have theirs!".

[SoonerJim]

And now I think we've gotten to the bottom of it. Like a small child, I'm sure that Bud is thinking "if I can't have mine, they can't have theirs!".

I got it! A foolproof way to doublecross Selig and bring back the good ole days, since the booze Colt 45 meets with greater approval than the weapons 45sP. Reinvent the franchise with the House of David moniker, complete with a Christian amusement park similar to Astroworld.

http://james-a-watkins.hubpages.com/hub/The-House-of-David

[NeilT]

I got it! A foolproof way to doublecross Selig and bring back the good ole days, since the booze Colt 45 meets with greater approval than the weapons 45sP. Reinvent the franchise with the House of David moniker, complete with a Christian amusement park similar to Astroworld.

http://james-a-watkins.hubpages.com/hub/The-House-of-David

They tried that already, when Bagwell grew that beard.

[D.H.]

I don't get the animosity towards the Rangers.  They've simply done a better job of building a team in recent years than the Astros have.  I don't begrudge them for that.  I only wish the Astros would have let the baseball people run the baseball side of the team for the last 7 years. 

I concede sentences 2-4 but still bear animosity towards the Rangers. Don't want to pick a scab, though, in terms of the details.

[Gizzmonic]

They do realize that the team name is still the fucking Colt 45s, right?  What do they think it represents?  Baby horses listening to records?

[MikeyBoy]

They do realize that the team name is still the fucking Colt 45s, right?  What do they think it represents?  Baby horses listening to records?

Didn't Colt McCoy have 45 wins in college?

[Gizzmonic]

The Houston Washington Wizards

[Noe]

They do realize that the team name is still the fucking Colt 45s, right?  What do they think it represents?  Baby horses listening to records?

*ding, ding, ding* Bud and his cronies (and those who appease to them... like TeamCrane) think people/fans are basically... STOO-PID!

[MusicMan]

*ding, ding, ding* Bud and his cronies (and those who appease to them... like TeamCrane) think people/fans are basically... STOO-PID!

In most cases, they are correct.

[EasTexAstro]

In most cases, they are correct.

DUDE! I am right here reading this!

[S.P. Rodriguez]

DUDE! I am right here reading this!

He means the other idiots.

[JimR]

He means the other idiots.

HEY!

[MusicMan]

Keep firing, assholes!

[austro]

Keep firing, assholes!

"I think there's just a couple o' guys up there and this asshole is one of them!"

[Texifornia]

I still think the best recourse is to cover the entire front of the jersey with Bliy Dee Williams holding a can of Colt.

I believe the Commissioner's Office has approved these uniforms.
http://www.boozingear.com/colt-45/colt-45-bottle-costume-40oz-malt-liquor-bottle
I believe Selig said something about the need for preserving the dignity of the game...

[Fredia]

then they must remove most of the mascots and half the beer drinkers to preserve said diginity

[Bench]

I believe the Commissioner's Office has approved these uniforms.
http://www.boozingear.com/colt-45/colt-45-bottle-costume-40oz-malt-liquor-bottle
I believe Selig said something about the need for preserving the dignity of the game...

That mascot would beat the ever-living shit out of Junction Jack.

[Ebby Calvin]

That mascot would beat the ever-living shit out of Junction Jack.

Yes, but he couldn't shoot him, which is the point here.

[Fredia]

colt 45s equal a 45 year old pony..geeze everyone get a grip

[strosrays]

There is no good reason to do a google-image search for "smallpox image."  Horrifying.

It would be cool.  While the home team was taking the field, they could play "Cortez The Killer" over the PA system.

He came dancing across the water ... Cortez, Cortez
What a killer ...

[Ron Brand]

It would be cool.  While the home team was taking the field, they could play "Cortez The Killer" over the PA system.

He came dancing across the water ... Cortez, Cortez
What a killer ...

Don't go to Free Blanket Night.

[chuck]

Don't go to Free Blanket Night.

This is a post I would nominate if there were any tangible result to doing so.

[JimR]

This is a post I would nominate if there were any tangible result to doing so.

he has a different job and apparently cannot even post much any more.

[Mr. Happy]

he has a different job and apparently cannot even post much any more.

All of us certainly understand that the job of compiling the POTW is time-consuming. I appreciate the fact that he did it for a long time and provided me with much comic relief.

[Reuben]

All of us certainly understand that the job of compiling the POTW is time-consuming. I appreciate the fact that he did it for a long time and provided me with much comic relief.

Me too, and I don't begrudge him a bit if he can't find the time to do it anymore.

[MusicMan]

All of us certainly understand that the job of compiling the POTW is time-consuming. I appreciate the fact that he did it for a long time and provided me with much comic relief.

Indeed.  My tongue was always firmly in cheek.

[MRaup]

I'm hopeful that, once my training is over, I'll have time to rededicate myself fully to dick jokes and making fun of people.

[Noe]

Yes, but he couldn't shoot him, which is the point here.

Guns don't kill people, mascots kill people!

[Limey]

Yes, but he couldn't shoot him, which is the point here.

Because it's duck season?

[astrosfan76]

Guns don't kill people, mascots kill people!

So, Randall Simon was being proactive?

[Noe]

So, Randall Simon was being proactive?

Yes. Yes he was. Randall Simon, misunderstood superhero.

[HudsonHawk]

Because it's duck season?

I'm really disappointed that this didn't go further than it did.


Wabbit Season!!

[juliogotay]

Sans the pistol on the jersey, are all references to the gun being disallowed by His Budness? Is the jersey going to be Colt .45s without art or simply Colt which would look pretty stupid. Are they going to be the plural Colts? Seems to me that would give the reference that they are named after young horses. Oh wait, the hats say .45s. And wasn't the impetus to become the Astros because of legal action taken by the gun manufacturer? Maybe they should scrap this whole idea and just wear Astros throwbacks.

[MusicMan]

I'm really disappointed that this didn't go further than it did.


Wabbit Season!!

Duck season!

[Reuben]

Sans the pistol on the jersey, are all references to the gun being disallowed by His Budness? Is the jersey going to be Colt .45s without art or simply Colt which would look pretty stupid. Are they going to be the plural Colts? Seems to me that would give the reference that they are named after young horses. Oh wait, the hats say .45s. And wasn't the impetus to become the Astros because of legal action taken by the gun manufacturer? Maybe they should scrap this whole idea and just wear Astros throwbacks.

The jerseys did just say "Colts", with .45s on the hat.

[Limey]

I'm really disappointed that this didn't go further than it did.


Wabbit Season!!

I was having a crisis of confidence that this one appeared to have slipped by everyone.  Crisis averted!

[HudsonHawk]

I was having a crisis of confidence that this one appeared to have slipped by everyone.  Crisis averted!

I am a HUGE Bugs/Daffy fan.  I've seen every episode, have them all on tape (old school VCR), and can quote many verbatim as well as the classical music soundtrack that accompanies them.

[JimR]

I am a HUGE Bugs/Daffy fan.  I've seen every episode, have them all on tape (old school VCR), and can quote many verbatim as well as the classical music soundtrack that accompanies them.

Wascal Wabbit

[MusicMan]

I am a HUGE Bugs/Daffy fan.  I've seen every episode, have them all on tape (old school VCR), and can quote many verbatim as well as the classical music soundtrack that accompanies them.

I killed de wabbit, I killed de wabbit, I killed de wabbit..

[HudsonHawk]

I killed de wabbit, I killed de wabbit, I killed de wabbit..

Oh Mighty Warrior, 'twill be quite a taaaaaassssskkk
How will you do it, might I inquire to aaaaaaassssskkk?

[geezerdonk]

I am a HUGE Bugs/Daffy fan. 

What a maroon. What an ignoranamus.

[Jacksonian]

Oh Mighty Warrior, 'twill be quite a taaaaaassssskkk
How will you do it, might I inquire to aaaaaaassssskkk?

Did you watch all of these unedited on TBS back when you were an undergraduate?

[HudsonHawk]

Did you watch all of these unedited on TBS back when you were an undergraduate?

I watched them all when I was a kid, and whenever I could.  I have every Bugs cartoon every made on video, unedited, even the one with Bugs in black face, and the one's that reference Hitler (which I don't think they show anymore).

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I watched them all when I was a kid, and whenever I could.  I have every Bugs cartoon every made on video, unedited, even the one with Bugs in black face, and the one's that reference Hitler (which I don't think they show anymore).

The bull fighting episode(s) - seen different variations on typical Bugs antics - is my favorite.  Spent an evening introducing them to my kids.  I can't imagine growing up now, where the most popular modern cartoon is pokemon....

[strosrays]

I am a HUGE Bugs/Daffy fan.  I've seen every episode, have them all on tape (old school VCR), and can quote many verbatim as well as the classical music soundtrack that accompanies them.

I had those, also all of Bullwinkle.  My oldest son told me recently he attributes a lot of . . . whatever he is to watching Bullwinkle over and over as a kid.

[Bench]

I'm presuming that it's next year if it's tied to realignment.

Looks like expanded playoffs is happening this season

Rosenthal:  The agreement on the additional wild cards is not yet final, and one source said there are "still a few loose ends" to resolve. But an announcement could occur as soon as Thursday, sources said.

[Texifornia]

Looks like expanded playoffs is happening this season

Rosenthal:  The agreement on the additional wild cards is not yet final, and one source said there are "still a few loose ends" to resolve. But an announcement could occur as soon as Thursday, sources said.

How is that possible? The leagues aren't BALANCED!

[jwhudson]

Careful, Bud will want to change the Astros over at the break.

[Bench]

Careful, Bud will want to change the Astros over at the break.

Honestly, the Astros could play the same 2012 schedule they already have but have their standings count in the AL west and it really wouldn't matter much. 

[Texifornia]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-expandedplayoffs

Oh, the unbalance!

[geezerdonk]

You know, of course, this means war.

[Limey]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-expandedplayoffs

Oh, the unbalance!

Anyone know how it works now with the extra teams?  The article is less than clear on that point.

[jbm]

If you mean playoffs, then the two wildcards play a one game playoff.  The winner plays the division winner with the best record in a best of five, and so on and so on. 

btw, fuck Bud and MLB.  It appears that they can actually add a fifth playoff team with an unbalanced league.

[HudsonHawk]

If you mean playoffs, then the two wildcards play a one game playoff.  The winner plays the division winner with the best record in a best of five, and so on and so on. 

btw, fuck Bud and MLB.  It appears that they can actually add a fifth playoff team with an unbalanced league.

Count me as one who likes the "play-in" game to determine the Wild Card team. 

[MusicMan]

Count me as one who likes the "play-in" game to determine the Wild Card team. 

Ditto this.  It adds meaning back to winning your division.

[NeilT]

Ditto this.  It adds meaning back to winning your division.

I like it too.  It makes it harder for the wild card.

edited also.

[Reuben]

It appears that they can actually add a fifth playoff team with an unbalanced league.

This x 1000. Not that it's a surprise at all, and I suppose MLB/Bud will tell you, "Oh, but this is only for one year, and it's far from ideal; we need the leagues to be balanced." I still just don't get it.

If the basic premise is that 5-in-16 playoff odds is unfair for the NL teams, well:

1. Then why weren't any NL teams volunteering to switch to the AL, to escape their horribly unfair situation?

2. Going from 16 to 15 teams improves the average NL team's odds from 31% to 33%. Is that 2% really worth the hassle of the idiotic schedule that necessitates interleague games every day of the season?

3. Isn't the imbalance or unfairness of teams' differing interleague schedules much, much bigger of an issue than having "imbalanced" leagues, as far as playoff chances go? (edit: ie., NL Contender A plays the Royals, Twins, White Sox, etc. in interleague. Contender B plays NYY, BOS, TAM, TOR... and loses out on the WC to Contender A by two games. Fair?)

I feel like I must be missing something here. Surely more owners besides Nolan Ryan were heavily in favor of moving the Astros to the AL; what exactly is in it for them?

[jbm]

I thought I read, sometime during the nightmare, that the players union was behind the league balance.  How serious they were, who knows.  So, I assume some owners supported the Astros move just to throw a bone to the union. 

In the article linked above, it appears the union wanted 6 playoff teams per league, but only got 5.

I also think the issue about schedule balance (your point 3) will likely follow, both intra and inter.  The same mentality which drives equal leagues will desire a balanced schedule. 

[Limey]

I thought I read, sometime during the nightmare, that the players union was behind the league balance.  How serious they were, who knows.  So, I assume some owners supported the Astros move just to throw a bone to the union. 

The number of roster spots for a fat, over-paid, 1-tool slugger DH increases by one in 2013.  The union likes this.

[Limey]

Count me as one who likes the "play-in" game to determine the Wild Card team.  

Ditto this.  It adds meaning back to winning your division.

I like that division winners have more of an advantage over the W/C team(s), but it seems a little socceresque to determine this by a one-game playoff after 162 games.  At least make it 3 with, say the better team playing 1 on the road then coming home for 2.

Actually, if you take this to its logical conclusion, a 6-team NFL-style playoffs would work better IMHO.  The top 2 seeds get a bye while the rest play off for the right to get into the league semi-finals.  This way, the top 2 seeds get a real leg up, while the #3 division winner (typically a much weaker winner than the other two) goes into the mixer with the wild cards.

[Ron Brand]

I like that division winners have more of an advantage over the W/C team(s), but it seems a little socceresque to determine this by a one-game playoff after 162 games.  At least make it 3 with, say the better team playing 1 on the road then coming home for 2.

Actually, if you take this to its logical conclusion, a 6-team NFL-style playoffs would work better IMHO.  The top 2 seeds get a bye while the rest play off for the right to get into the league semi-finals.  This way, the top 2 seeds get a real leg up, while the #3 division winner (typically a much weaker winner than the other two) goes into the mixer with the wild cards.

Or, y'know, you could just let the 162-game season speak for itself and not fuck around with wild cards and expanded playoffs. But that's heresy.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Or, y'know, you could just let the 162-game season speak for itself and not fuck around with wild cards and expanded playoffs. But that's heresy.

MADNESS!!!!!

[Fredia]

what would bud do then shame oh the shame

[Limey]

Or, y'know, you could just let the 162-game season speak for itself and not fuck around with wild cards and expanded playoffs. But that's heresy.

Most soccer countries run two (or more) concurrent tournaments.  England, for example, has the league championship which is a 92-team stack divided into 4 divisions - the top division being the Premiership - with promotions and demotions between the divisions at season's end.  Winning the "league" is the most prestigious trophy, because it is the hardest to attain.

Alongside that, and intermingled among the league fixtures over the season, are knockout competitions.  The FA Cup, for example, starts at the beginning of the season and involves any team with a suitable venue who plays in an FA-sanctioned league.    There are 14 rounds of single-elimination games - home team decided by whose name comes out of the hat first.  There are no seedings, except that the teams from the lower 2 of the top divisions come in at the 7th round and the top 2 divisions are fed into the competition at the 9th round.  Blind draws for each round mean that a "non-league" team can get a trip to Old Trafford just as easily as Spurs can draw Arsenal in their first match.

There is a third domestic competition, another knockout tournament, involving only teams from the top 4 divisions, being the League or "Carling" Cup.  It runs parallel to the others and on the same format as the FA Cup.  All three competitions can secure a place in the following season's European tournaments, being the increasingly mis-titled Champions League, and the second tier Europa Cup, both of which are hybrid league and knockout tournaments.

The upshot of all this is that, regardless of how shitty your team's season is, there is a very good chance that you have a very important match coming up at regular intervals.  Bad teams are battling against relegation, while trying to bolster their mood (and coffers) with "a run" in "the cup", be it domestic or European.  Good teams stay alive in all competitions, and then have to deal with a pile up of fixtures.  Even the best teams struggle to win two or more trophies in one season due to the fatigue and stress of all the "big" matches they play.

I have always found it odd that US sports make teams slog it out for a whole season (16 or 162 games or whatever the NBA/NHL do), and then reset everyone to zero for another tournament to decide the best.  Didn't the league play already decide that?

[HudsonHawk]

Or, y'know, you could just let the 162-game season speak for itself and not fuck around with wild cards and expanded playoffs. But that's heresy.

Expanded playoffs is simply good business.  I don't long for the good old days of one league and 8 teams.

[NeilT]

Wasn't the season shorter?  Somewhere around 140 games?

[HudsonHawk]

Wasn't the season shorter?  Somewhere around 140 games?

Back in the day it was like 80 games. Let's go back to that. God knows, change is a horrible thing.

[NeilT]

Back in the day it was like 80 games. Let's go back to that. God knows, change is a horrible thing.

Jim, how did they set up playoffs for rounders?

[Ron Brand]

But Limey - soccer is for Communist countries.

[Ron Brand]

Back in the day it was like 80 games. Let's go back to that. God knows, change is a horrible thing.

Yeah, like changing leagues.

As long as they don't turn it into the NBA or the NHL where more than half the teams get into the playoffs.

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah, like changing leagues.

As long as they don't turn it into the NBA or the NHL where more than half the teams get into the playoffs.

Think of this as a "play in", not a "play off".  You gotta win to get in.

[Ron Brand]

Think of this as a "play in", not a "play off".  You gotta win to get in.

I think of it as a foot in the door for more revenues. I can't fault them for maximizing their investment, I'm just afraid I'm going to get to my NBA point before I die.

[HudsonHawk]

I think of it as a foot in the door for more revenues.

Well, that *is* the point of the league, is it not?

[Bench]

Well, that *is* the point of the league, is it not?

IT IS A NATIONAL TREASURE!

[Ron Brand]

Well, that *is* the point of the league, is it not?

Yep, it is. I was going to say that I'm torn, but I'm fighting a fever and not only feel like shit but even the voices in my head don't make sense any more.

Success=good, reaching Ron Brand's tipping point=bad.

Sam? What is it, Sam?

[Fredia]

sam i am

[Matt]

Yeah, like changing leagues.

As long as they don't turn it into the NBA or the NHL where more than half the teams get into the playoffs.

There may be 16 teams to start the NHL playoffs but it is by far the most entertaining and flat out intense playoffs in all of professional sports.

[Matt]

Alongside that, and intermingled among the league fixtures over the season, are knockout competitions.  The FA Cup, for example, starts at the beginning of the season and involves any team with a suitable venue who plays in an FA-sanctioned league.    There are 14 rounds of single-elimination games - home team decided by whose name comes out of the hat first.  There are no seedings, except that the teams from the lower 2 of the top divisions come in at the 7th round and the top 2 divisions are fed into the competition at the 9th round.  Blind draws for each round mean that a "non-league" team can get a trip to Old Trafford just as easily as Spurs can draw Arsenal in their first match.

I love watching the FA Cup and I do like how they handle the different tournaments and cup competitions in soccer around the world.