2016 MLB thread. THE CUBS HAVE BROKEN THE CURSE! Chicago Cubs are your 2016 World Series champions

[jdcurt2]

Billy Hamilton with a solid game tonight. 3 hits, 2 walks, 4 steals.

 

[albooboo5]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention Escobar stole home on a pickle tonight 

 

[finallyfamous]

AL Wild Card race

 

[lightweight champion]

The AL race is crazy. I'm rooting for KC simply because its refreshing to see new teams succeed.

 

[mfreshm]

Braves are so close to clinching

BJ Upton needs to be kept off the Playoff roster idgaf if hes making 15 million dollars he sucks. Id rather have Jordan Schafer even if hes sucking at the moment.

Braves desperately need Jason Heyward hope he can come back at the end of the month.

 

[mr jordan04]

Oddsmakers: Dodgers the favorite to win the WS.

Matty time.

 

[albooboo5]

Escobar and Gordon double steal

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?c_id=kc&content_id=30728865&partnerId=as_mlb_20130919_12099254

 

[proshares]

As long as LA avoids St Louis.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

I think we'll be seeing a Red Sox-Cards WS.

 

[jjs07]

Why is it in today's MLB, no one is approaching 100 steals in a season, or even 80 for that matter? Reyes came close w/ 78, but still.

I'm just curious b/c I was reading about Billy Hamilton swiping 4 bags...

 

[albooboo5]

I think we'll be seeing a Red Sox-Cards WS.

worst possible scenario 

 

[champcruthik]

J's:

 

[jewbacca]

Why is it in today's MLB, no one is approaching 100 steals in a season, or even 80 for that matter? Reyes came close w/ 78, but still.

I'm just curious b/c I was reading about Billy Hamilton swiping 4 bags...

Teams probably just don't run as much in general. Runs are scored much easier with homers. Teams/players are also much smarter about when they actually attempt to steal bases instead of just going. 

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Why is it in today's MLB, no one is approaching 100 steals in a season, or even 80 for that matter? Reyes came close w/ 78, but still.

I'm just curious b/c I was reading about Billy Hamilton swiping 4 bags...

1. Baseball is cyclycal.

A true 80 rating on any scouting tool is rare, dring the 70's and 80's we just happened to have THREE guys who possessed it Rains, Henderson and Coleman. Reyes is probably 70, same with elsbury and BJ,

2. Teams are more numbers inclined.

The numbers say you gotta steal at a 70% clip to break even, teams have a better understanding that outs are the most precious resource in the game and they are not to be wasted. A guy like Bill North who got caught 30 times when he stole 50 bases, that would never be allowed now. Also understanding how important OBP, people were more willing to play guys who were statues, but could walk and get on base, like Nick Johnson, Jack Cust or Dimitri Young. big fat old and slow guys who were obp guys were more acceptable now than in the 80's.

3. The MLB changed the ball in 1994.

leading a league wide spike in offence that persist to this day, better hitters= less stolen bases.

 

[kevin cleveland]

Speaking of...

@jjcoop36 Added to story: scout says he and other scouts had Billy Hamilton 2.98-3.03 on SBs, said Rickey Henderson was 3.04-3.10 in his prime.

9-for-9, and he has no familiarity with any of these pitchers.

 

[proshares]

Here's hoping he gets on base enough to make a difference as a regular.

 

[champcruthik]

No Dee Gordon syndrome.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Man, I thought Dee Gordon was going to be good, too.

 

[lpheat22]

Dodgers first to clinch

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Congrats to the boys in blue.

 

[mjshoefanatic]

 

[freddie black]

 

 

[proshares]

That's a pretty awesome celebration

Prince

 

[dmxfury]

Speaking of...
9-for-9, and he has no familiarity with any of these pitchers.

And I haven't really seen one throw yet that was a close play. Dude is dangerous

 

[mr jordan04]

The dodgers celebration
No dambs given