Not to interject politics into a baseball thread on a rock music discussion blog but... Is it me or does this CNN version of an ESPN clip have altered audio. Because I saw this in many other places and the booing was highly audible- http://youtube.com/watch?v=qHUAsTrl4JI

I was wondering where the boos went? I mean, the Prez is a wonderful first-ball pitcher, as the announcers noted - and the Nats fans were stoked for the first game in their new park - but still...

In fairness, we'll post this alternate clip as well.

I happened to tune into the game just at the point where W was in the booth with Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. I was reminded that he's not the embodiment of pure evil 24/7. It’s such a drag to be forced to face the fact that people you despise can be amiable and human. I always liked Miller (maybe only because I Morgan is so awful), but he kept bringing up the post 9/11 game. I don’t know maybe the guy is part of the 28%, but it drives me nuts that the sports broadcasting industry seems to think its demographic makes it an arm of the military industrial complex. Anyway…

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

Since just moved the KC I have decided to change allegiances, abandon the Braves (which will make Matt happy), and become a Royals fan. It’ll be weird, because I’m generally anti-AL. They say locally the only direction they can go is up, but I suspect I’ll have a leisurely October.

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?

For years, all I’ve wanted out of early April was tuning in to TBS and hearing my buddy Skip Caray say “Hello again everybody!” All of that is in the past, thanks to corporate maneuvering, so that’s another reason to switch to the Royals.

Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

The Phillies. (Just kidding.)

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

Alex Rodriguez will not be playing at all in October, so he won’t be able to disappoint everybody.

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?

In the present, all I know is that it’s NOT Manny. All time I would say Bruce Sutter -- love the fearsome bearded closer Look. Jeff Reardon was good too.

What's the best uniform/hat of all time?

I like graphical ones without letters, like the 1919 (?) Cubs cap where the cub is holding a bat.

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?

For.

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?

Royals (see above).

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?

No.

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

The gloves are juiced.

High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

Pitcher’s duel. Anyone who says otherwise does not understand the game.

What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?

The Expos. I loved their dysfunctional roof, their ugly uniforms, the French announcers... Vive la differance!

Btw the ending of last night’s ‘national opener’ was excellent – tied in the top of the 9th on a passed ball then won in the bottom of the 9th with a walk-off homer. What a great national pastime!

It’s such a drag to be forced to face the fact that people you despise can be amiable and human.

The banality of evil, as they say.

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

-Phillies - 92 Wins and another east crown

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?

- 2 - listening to johnny oates get injured and freezing my ass off one year going with you.

Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

- Johan Santana and the Red Sox

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

-The Nat's could be good

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?

-Is Sal Fasano still playing?

What's the best uniform/hat of all time?

- The Classics - Yankees or Dodgers. The early Padres hats were cool

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?

-for

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?

-Pirates

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?

-Yes, as long as Peter Angelos didn't own them

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

- Bud Selig getting caught in a wide stance

High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

-Pitcher's Duel
What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?

-Hoboken/NY Knickerbockers

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

I am somewhat proud of my underdog Nats, and will be root-root-rooting for them this season. In the AL, I have to go for my historical home team, the Tigers.

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?

Dunno about opening day, but I saw an Astros game when I was three or four, in the Astrodome, and had my mind completely blown by the big old-school proto-jumbotron. Come to think of it, that's probably one of my earliest memories, period.

Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

Red Sox

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

Nationals! Gotta have faith. Also, watch out for Elijah Dukes, Nationals outfielder, Hrrundi's Pick 2 Click, 2008!

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? Dunno

All-time Look? Rollie Fingers

What's the best uniform/hat of all time?

Detroit Tigers

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?

?

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?

I'd like the Orioles to do well again.

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?

No -- come on, the teams have nothing to do with one another, and neither do the cities. Mod, how would *you* feel about the chances of a united Pittsburgh/Philadelphia club?

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

I think it would have to involve aliens. Or a North Korean game-rigging operation.

High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

On teevee, a pichers' duel. Live and accompanied by beer, a barn-burner.

What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?

Dunno about defunct franchises, but I sure miss those Pittsburgh Pirate pill-box hats!

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

Gnats- I predict they will flirt with .500 but that .500 will go home with some other team who has at least one above average starting pitcher who can pitch 180 innings.

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?
Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

This last one was pretty damned vivid! The room-man came through once again! Charlie Slowes almost had a heart attack on the radio replay I heard. As Great 48 would say, all those Braves fans can suck it.

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

The Twins will have a better record without Santana, the Tigers will not lead he majors in runs after adding Miguel Cabrera.

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)?

I can't think of anyone, Ichiro just acts cool though.

All-time Look?
and a great name...

Rollie Fingers

What's the best uniform/hat of all time? I

I like the Detroit D, and the uniform lettering.

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against? Against. Those Royals things looked like pajamas.

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other? I always had a soft spot for the Royals, they used to be a well-run club. They can't afford to really compete. Management of the Pirates and Brewers have turned me against those teams whose fans deserve a taste of October.

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record? Yes, let Acta manage it. Keep Nick Johnson at first, Brian Roberts at second, hold your nose and try Bellylard at short, or some worse hitting bum, Zimmerman at third, Ramon Hernandez catching, get Bedard back from the Mariners and say Adam Jones is hurt, employ elaborate platoons in the outfiled and have four starters go five innings each, with one closer when you're ahead, alternate your setup men.

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

A-Rod is genetically a woman, and so are many other high-profile players like Big Floopy, Pedro Martinez, and Chase Utley.


High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

Pitcher's duel.

What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most

Providence Grays. Damn sissy pitchers don't hurl it like Ol Hoss anymore
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PRO/1884.shtml

A-Rod is genetically a woman, and so are many other high-profile players like Big Floopy, Pedro Martinez, and Chase Utley.

Wouldn't it be funny if it turned out that estrogen injections were performance enhancing?

Elijah Dukes has already pulled a hamstring. Better than pulling a robbery, I guess.

Also, Chad Cordero has tendonitis. However, we now have the world's tallest closer, Jon Rauch!

-Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?
Phillies. I project a slow start, the team coming together and making it exciting late and flaming out just when I’ve fooled myself into thinking they can do it this time.

-What's your most vivid opening-day memory?
Morbid and a national game, not one I saw in person, but that umpire dying on the field in the opening game in ’96.

-Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?
I think you answered this one with that Future of MLB Opening Pitches clip above, no?

-Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?
Present: Alfonso Soriano, with the high socks look
All-time: King Kelly. Better baseball 'stache than even Rollie Fingers.

-What's the best uniform/hat of all time?
I don’t like them, but the Yankees. I like the Yankees’ logo over the Tigers’ script-D. Also, if no one is doing it yet, I bet some throwback company could make good money selling a Kansas City Monarchs hat, with the ball-and-crown logo.

-Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?
Definitely for. I want the old blue-and-red back here.

-Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?
Royals

-What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?
At this point, it’s a race between a big name player getting nailed for murder or caught throwing games. Either way, Jose Canseco will break the story and continue his new career as the Bob Woodward of sports.

-High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?
Pitcher’s duel, easily.

-What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?
The Gas-House Gorillas. Or Bases Loaded for the Nintendo.

Ah, that chick is nothin', twenty years ago the biggest bust would have been Morganna.

Sure, Mockcarr, but Morganna wasn't ushered out to the mound to throw a pitch to a live batter. This woman's legit, and that ain't right!

It's funny how bearded relievers are almost always cool yet bearded rockers need to meet more stringent qualifications. I'm way down with Sutter, Reardon, and MLB's other bearded "firemen," including the mid-70s version, Gene Garber.

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

Detroit Tigers. I expect lots of runs to be scored by both teams. Maybe squeak into the playoffs based on their lineup.

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?

(1) Opening day of Comerica Park. Lousy game and lousy weather, but I met and hung out with my favorite TV news babe at the pub afterwards.

(2) Opening day in May in mid-1990s after the strike finally ended. Mayhem at Tiger Stadium. The weather was warmer and the fans were even drunker than at most opening days. Many drunken sprints across the field by fans that day.

Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

Yankees miss playoffs.

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

Devil Rays. This is their year to top .500

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?

Present day? Don't know. All time: Bake McBride, Rollie Fingers

What's the best uniform/hat of all time?

One from each league: Cardinals & Tigers. I also have a fondness for the cartoon Oriole of the 1970s.

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?

Against. Gray is the best road color.

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?

Royals: Bring back Freddie Patek, Hal McRae, Cookie Rojas, and Amos Otis.

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?

I don't think so.

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

Somebody legitimately beating one of Bonds' HR records. Maybe A-Rod.

High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

I'll take option A in the regular season and option B in the post season.

What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?

Expos

By the way, I really enjoyed the Japanese video. Thanks!

Hey, Mod -- can I take this opportunity to give my annual "big ups" to my fave baseballer of all time, Dan Quisenberry? That guy was aces, all the way.

Big ups, Dan! RIP!

Thanks --

HVB

"Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?" - Phillies. I think they'll struggle with pitching (again), kill the ball (again), and if they stay healthy, get hot late and sneak in with a low win total for the division lead or a wildcard spot. After that, it's all a matter of what I HOPE will happen.

"What's your most vivid opening-day memory?" - Maybe 1974-1975, Lou Brock is leading off for the Cardinals, He hits a foul ball down the leftfield line. Greg Luzinski bends over to retrieve it and crumples to the ground, tearing his knee and missing most if not all of that season. I'm pretty sure that was the first game, first batter of the new season. I also recall Johnny Oats getting his leg broken on an opening-day collision.

"Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?"
I'm hoping that the Mets will rapidly age and crumble horrendously. It could happen, and Jose Reyes may fail to progress in terms of maturity, becoming the next Gary Templeton. I hope... For an individual player, Aaron Rowand's going to get his ass kicked trying to carry that lousy Giants team. Also, Phils' 2007 wunderkind Kyle Kendrick will start the season 1-8, finding himself back in AA ball by June.

"Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?"
The Blue Jays will finish in second place in the AL East, just missing the wildcard to the Indians or Tigers.

"Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?"
I'm a big fan of Cole Hamels' surfer dude Look and neo-Carlton Zen Master style. Ryan Howard makes me happy whenever I see him. He's like an African-American Bob's Big Boy. Best all-time Look might have to go to the Mad Hungarian, Al Hrabosky.

"What's the best uniform/hat of all time?"
Easy, the 1972 Lumber Company Pirates, from Clemente's last season.

"Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?"
I want to be for, but the more I recall how much I hated those things before they became extinct, I must refuse to succumb to meaningless nostalgia.

"Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?"
The Pirates closely followed by the Royals. The Orioles can go to hell. They blew it for me during the Cal Ripken years.

"If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?"
No.

"What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?"
Peter Gammons will do an ESPN spot without mentioning the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

"High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?"
Pitcher's dual, although someone made a great point about the benefits of one versus the other depending on live or televised viewing.

"What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?"
The Expos.

Who's your team and what do you project for them this season?

Indians. I'm a homer. I think they'll knock the Tigers out of it again, and choke in the playoffs. Big ups to BigSteve for rooting for the home team in a new city.

What's your most vivid opening-day memory?

Cutting school in like 11th grade and going to the game instead.

Who will be baseball's biggest bust in 2008, team or individual player?

Yankees. They may have been the team of the last century, but so far in this one they've been a hugely entertaining failure.

Who will be baseball's biggest surprise in 2008, team or individual player?

I have no idea. It's a surprise!

Who's got the best present-day Look in baseball (individual)? All-time Look?

Jim Thome. He's exactly what a ball player should look like. All time I'll go with Albert Belle. He looked at pitchers like if they hit him with a pitch, his next at bat would be the last thing they ever did. He was a jerk, though.

What's the best uniform/hat of all time?

I like the Cardinals uniforms. Oscar Gamble had the best hat. It had to stay on using Space Age Technology.

Regarding the slow return of '70s-style road blues: for or against?

I like The Indians road blues, but some of them are awful. So long as the Indians never come back with their all red uniform that made Boog powell look like a giant tomato I don't care.

Which once-great franchise should baseball mandate a return to competitive play: Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Other?

Pittsburgh and Baltimore can rot. I'd like to see the Royals be good again.

If the Nationals and the Orioles merged into one team, could fans of this joint team envision them finishing with a winning record?

Not in this decade.

What baseball-related scandal or milestone will eventually knock steroids/HGH into the background?

Nothing. If congress can blame baseball for everything wrong and the Press will let them, then they're gonna talk about that for years.

High-scoring barnburner featuring multiple long balls or pitcher's dual?

I really like the "hit behind the runner, advance the runner" kind of inning. It's so cool to see guys do what your Little League coach said to do, and then see it work at the Big League level.

What defunct baseball franchise do you miss most?

Expos.

Before you guys get carried away about an Orioles/Nats combo, consider the Nats were actually 81-81 their first year, so it's not like a year with one more win than that can't happen. Plus, if you consider the consensus of the sports media from last year was that they'd lose 100 games, they can be at least 11 games better than everyone expects again.

Nobody but Art's relatives seem to miss the Philadelphia Athletics. I guess I'm nostalgic for an age yet to come.