Comments on: Roger Clemens: The Lifetime Original Movie http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/ In-your-face baseball commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:48:13 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54309 Sarah Green Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:36:43 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54309 Oh no, Paul, now that you've explained further, I completely agree. I thought you were saying you didn't believe the report. I concur that the report is woefully incomplete. WOOT we agree on something! Let's mark this day on our calendars. Oh no, Paul, now that you’ve explained further, I completely agree. I thought you were saying you didn’t believe the report. I concur that the report is woefully incomplete.

WOOT we agree on something! Let’s mark this day on our calendars.

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54310 Paul Moro Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:53:34 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54310 Yeah, I did a piss-poor job explaining myself there. Take 2: Yes, it's bad. But I really think it's actually going to get worse. I'm skeptical about the Mitchell Report for reasons that aren't unique to me. The Commission couldn't get current players to talk. Mitchell essentially ended up with very little to work with. As a result, there was no way that the Report could even begin to accurately portray what was/is/will be going on. So, at least in my mind, the Mitchell Report was very much incomplete. But it was enough to make it seem to the general public that MLB actually gives a rat's ass about this. And that's what they want. They don't want a full expose. They wanted enough to win a PR war. And so far, that's what they've gotten. Look at the fact that MLB donated $3m to PED-research. Sounds like a lot, but consider that Kip Wells will be making more than that in 2008. It's enough to make it look like they care. I just think there's so much more to this than we know. And while Clemens is being a total idiot (unsurprisingly), this gives us a chance to potentially learn more about how the Mitchell Report was created. If it turns out that certain unfair liberties were taken by the Commission, it no longer becomes something that MLB can hide from. Ergo, they may have actually start taking this thing REALLY seriously. Again, I'm a total cynic (actually, to be consistent, 64% cynic). I don't expect many people to agree. Yeah, I did a piss-poor job explaining myself there. Take 2:

Yes, it’s bad. But I really think it’s actually going to get worse.

I’m skeptical about the Mitchell Report for reasons that aren’t unique to me. The Commission couldn’t get current players to talk. Mitchell essentially ended up with very little to work with. As a result, there was no way that the Report could even begin to accurately portray what was/is/will be going on.

So, at least in my mind, the Mitchell Report was very much incomplete. But it was enough to make it seem to the general public that MLB actually gives a rat’s ass about this. And that’s what they want. They don’t want a full expose. They wanted enough to win a PR war. And so far, that’s what they’ve gotten. Look at the fact that MLB donated $3m to PED-research. Sounds like a lot, but consider that Kip Wells will be making more than that in 2008. It’s enough to make it look like they care.

I just think there’s so much more to this than we know. And while Clemens is being a total idiot (unsurprisingly), this gives us a chance to potentially learn more about how the Mitchell Report was created. If it turns out that certain unfair liberties were taken by the Commission, it no longer becomes something that MLB can hide from. Ergo, they may have actually start taking this thing REALLY seriously.

Again, I’m a total cynic (actually, to be consistent, 64% cynic). I don’t expect many people to agree.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54308 Sarah Green Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:53:41 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54308 Paul it's already gotten pretty bad! And yes, I should have said "what's left of" his own good name with regards to McNamee. However, I fail to follow your logic here. If Clemens succeeds and casts doubt on the Mitchell report, MLB will have to make additional moves to clean up its act? How so? And why are you skeptical about the report's veracity? Paul it’s already gotten pretty bad! And yes, I should have said “what’s left of” his own good name with regards to McNamee.

However, I fail to follow your logic here. If Clemens succeeds and casts doubt on the Mitchell report, MLB will have to make additional moves to clean up its act? How so? And why are you skeptical about the report’s veracity?

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54306 Paul Moro Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:15:52 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54306 Well, McNamee technically no longer has "a good name" either. Better than Clemens, I suppose, but it ain't good. Nick, McNamee's broke supposedly. There's nothing he can give up. There's a part of me that thinks this could actually be a good thing in the long run. Personally, I'm still a bit skeptical of the whole veracity of the Mitchell Report. That's not to say that I think Clemens is innocent. But even if a shadow of doubt gets cast as to its credibility, it may force MLB to make additional moves to clean up. I'd love to see the sport "move on" after the Mitchell Report. But since I'm made up of 64% cynic (12% jerk, 23% baseball fan, 5% gumdrops, and 7% mathematical dimwit), I think it's going to get worse before it actually CAN get better. Well, McNamee technically no longer has “a good name” either. Better than Clemens, I suppose, but it ain’t good.

Nick, McNamee’s broke supposedly. There’s nothing he can give up.

There’s a part of me that thinks this could actually be a good thing in the long run. Personally, I’m still a bit skeptical of the whole veracity of the Mitchell Report. That’s not to say that I think Clemens is innocent. But even if a shadow of doubt gets cast as to its credibility, it may force MLB to make additional moves to clean up. I’d love to see the sport “move on” after the Mitchell Report. But since I’m made up of 64% cynic (12% jerk, 23% baseball fan, 5% gumdrops, and 7% mathematical dimwit), I think it’s going to get worse before it actually CAN get better.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54305 Sarah Green Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:54:46 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54305 Yes, it is a high-stakes game of chicken. But McNamee has so much at stake as well. Is he really going to go to jail for Clemens? Is he really going to abandon his children, one of whom is extremely sick? Is he really going to completely torpedo his own good name? Yes, it is a high-stakes game of chicken. But McNamee has so much at stake as well. Is he really going to go to jail for Clemens? Is he really going to abandon his children, one of whom is extremely sick? Is he really going to completely torpedo his own good name?

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]]> By: Nick Kapur http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-54307 Nick Kapur Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:41:24 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-54307 Sarah your post just convinces me even more that Clemens's strategy is going to be to try to force McNamee into a settlement. I can't imagine why he would possible want to go through years of trial and have all his secrets aired in the court of public opinion, even more than they already have been. Sarah your post just convinces me even more that Clemens’s strategy is going to be to try to force McNamee into a settlement.

I can’t imagine why he would possible want to go through years of trial and have all his secrets aired in the court of public opinion, even more than they already have been.

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]]> By: Doogan http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-38628 Doogan Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:53:34 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-38628 No doubt the D-Backs have to be considered the National League front-runner in '08. Webb and Haren is a lethal duo and all those young position players will be a year older, with the experience of having already won the division and a playoff series. No doubt the D-Backs have to be considered the National League front-runner in ‘08. Webb and Haren is a lethal duo and all those young position players will be a year older, with the experience of having already won the division and a playoff series.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-38347 Sarah Green Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:25:29 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-38347 Bill B, funny you would mention Theo in connection with Byrnes, as Byrnes worked under Theo for the Red Sox through 2005! And of course, Theo and Kevin Towers of the Padres were both mentored by Larry Lucchino. That's not a bad record for Larry, considering how each of those three teams finished last year. Bill B, funny you would mention Theo in connection with Byrnes, as Byrnes worked under Theo for the Red Sox through 2005! And of course, Theo and Kevin Towers of the Padres were both mentored by Larry Lucchino. That’s not a bad record for Larry, considering how each of those three teams finished last year.

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]]> By: Paul Moro http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-38073 Paul Moro Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:30:09 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-38073 Melissa, I understand your point about Valverde, and I agree that while Saves are overrated, it's also not possible to convert just *any* good middle reliever into a closer. However, that said, I still think this was a great trade for the D-Backs. Arbitrators love shiny stats like saves, so Valverde is due for a huge raise this offseason. Also, Valverde has a long history of shoulder troubles, and some pretty sucky seasons in his past, such as 2006, when his ERA was nearly 6.00, so I don't feel like he is necessarily a sure-bet, lock-down closer going forward. Byrnes did a good job of selling Valverde when his value was at the absolute highest it has ever been. Also, I don't think Byrnes has any intention of making Chad Qualls the closer. I think he is going to turn to one of his other young arms and give them a shot. But Qualls has great value as a reliable setup man. Melissa, I understand your point about Valverde, and I agree that while Saves are overrated, it’s also not possible to convert just *any* good middle reliever into a closer.

However, that said, I still think this was a great trade for the D-Backs. Arbitrators love shiny stats like saves, so Valverde is due for a huge raise this offseason. Also, Valverde has a long history of shoulder troubles, and some pretty sucky seasons in his past, such as 2006, when his ERA was nearly 6.00, so I don’t feel like he is necessarily a sure-bet, lock-down closer going forward.

Byrnes did a good job of selling Valverde when his value was at the absolute highest it has ever been. Also, I don’t think Byrnes has any intention of making Chad Qualls the closer. I think he is going to turn to one of his other young arms and give them a shot. But Qualls has great value as a reliable setup man.

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]]> By: melissa http://umpbump.com/press/2008/01/10/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-38044 melissa Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:53:52 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/roger-clemens-the-lifetime-original-movie/#comment-38044 It's nice to finally read someone questioning Beane. This doesn't seem like a deal where equal value was exchanged. I still can't understand why he wanted to move Haren in the first place as he's locked in at a reasonable price for 3 years, this seems like the kind of guy you build your team around. I'm sure people will come to Beane's defense by saying wait until you see what these prospects turn into. The D-Backs could afford to give up the prospects for a proven starter because they already have so many good young players on their roster. I thought this was the deal that would put Arizona in the driver's seat to win the NL this season until I saw they dealt Valverde. That guy was integral to their success this past year because of the fact that they did not score a lot of runs. Many of his saves were in one run ball games. You may say the save is an overvalued stat but outs 25, 26, & 27 are the hardest to get. Rarely do you see a team win the World Series without a guy that is a lock down closer. If Qualls had been capable of closing, Houston would have moved him into that role, he wasn't able to fill that void on their team over the last 2 seasons. I don't understand bolstering your rotation and then weakening the end of your bullpen. Set-up men don't always have the same success when you move them into the closer role. It’s nice to finally read someone questioning Beane. This doesn’t seem like a deal where equal value was exchanged. I still can’t understand why he wanted to move Haren in the first place as he’s locked in at a reasonable price for 3 years, this seems like the kind of guy you build your team around. I’m sure people will come to Beane’s defense by saying wait until you see what these prospects turn into. The D-Backs could afford to give up the prospects for a proven starter because they already have so many good young players on their roster. I thought this was the deal that would put Arizona in the driver’s seat to win the NL this season until I saw they dealt Valverde. That guy was integral to their success this past year because of the fact that they did not score a lot of runs. Many of his saves were in one run ball games. You may say the save is an overvalued stat but outs 25, 26, & 27 are the hardest to get. Rarely do you see a team win the World Series without a guy that is a lock down closer. If Qualls had been capable of closing, Houston would have moved him into that role, he wasn’t able to fill that void on their team over the last 2 seasons. I don’t understand bolstering your rotation and then weakening the end of your bullpen. Set-up men don’t always have the same success when you move them into the closer role.

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