49er16: Did you see Leyland's rant yesterday about the media and umpires?
The Colonel: Yeah I did and I disagree with Leyland on the media. There are media members that have criticized the umpiring throughout the past couple of seasons at least. My theory on why baseball doesn't reign these guys in are because Bud is afraid of unions. He was humbled by the 94 players strike and the 99 umpire strike and rather than trying to be tough and fair with unions, he basically let's these guys roam free.
49er16: I can buy that to an extent. Selig was tough with the umpires in 99 and basically told them to hit the road, which they did. Selig I believe is just too old for fights anymore. Look at how quietly the new CBA was signed. I would go so far to guarantee there will be a strike or lockout in baseball when the CBA is up. Look at the contracts that have been signed by Votto and Pujols. You're telling me there won't be a tipping point with those deals that will lead to a lockout/strike? Selig to me is like Paul Tagliabue in his final days with the NFL. Just trying to tread water until he can escape and dump all the problems on the next guy.
The Colonel: This is probably closer to the truth than my explanation. Getting back to the umpires though, what should baseball do with them?
49er16: Baseball did suspend Bob Davidson for his unprofessional conduct towards Charlie Manuel. I think that's all what they can do is just suspend these guys. They can't fire them because they're union protected, so all they can do is punish them when they act in unprofessional matter.
The Colonel: Baseball can always demote these guys in a way of punishment by not allowing them to work post-seasons.
49er16: Let's go back to the Red Sox for a second. Do you see their act this weekend against the Rays?
The Colonel: I love the Rays split personality when they play against the Red Sox. When the Rays play other teams they're like, "Hey brah lets catch some waves" or "We're so nerdy. We spend all of our extra time on Fangraphs". When they play the Red Sox though they become, "Hey bro let's fight right here right now bro". It's fantastic.
49er16: They're still the little brother that has to pick a fight with one of his older siblings even if they are respected by the older sibling.
The Colonel: Yes and for some reason that older sibling is the Red Sox. The Rays are like, "Yeah the Yankees broke our toys but we forgive them. Fuck the Red Sox though for breaking our Stretch Armstrong."
49er16: "WE WANTED TO RIDE SHOTGUN BUT BIG PAPI'S FATASS ALWAYS RODE IN THE FRONT SEAT!"
The Colonel: Then they go right back to "Cool brah" when they play Orioles or Jays.
49er16: You see Doc Halladay has to visit an actual Doc for his shoulder?
The Colonel: We've paid a lot of attention to the AL East but the NL East is even more wild. The Natinals have racked up the injuries. The Phillies are old. The Marlins and Braves are inconsistent. It wouldn't surprise me if the Mets just continued their current pace and end up winning the division. Unless everyone on the Mets gets hurt and don't rule this out.
49er16: That would be something if the Mets won this division. I know they're in 2nd place right now, but it would still feel like they sneak into the playoffs if they did win that division.
The Colonel: I'm still not giving up hope for the Phillies and especially the Braves. The Phillies age and injuries are worrisome but if they just tread water until September then they'll be contenders. The Braves though are the team I believe that could blow everyone out of the water if they were more consistent.
49er16: The Braves could also have an epic collapse like last year, but that gets back to the consistency you're talking about.
The Colonel: The Marlins I also find interesting. If Reyes can get on base more and Morrison finally snap out of his slump, they could be a really dangerous team. I like their bullpen besides Bell, but their rotation is sadly very average.
49er16: The Artist Formerly Known as Mike Stanton though is fun to watch.
The Colonel: He's my favorite player this year. He's Dave Kingman right up to his high strikeout rate. Fun times.
49er16: He won't leave any rats though for female reporters.
The Colonel: Which is a good thing.
49er16: How about them White Sox?
The Colonel: That division is so, so bad. There isn't a team in that division with a winning percentage over .600. I still think though the Tigers will win.
49er16: When their manager isn't calling out umps though right?
The Colonel: Yep.
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