The Idiocy Gene

Willie:

This is probably the most ignorant column I've ever read. I suspect this moron has never even seen either Halladay or Kershaw pitch.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_12927210

I second that emotion. Trading Kershaw and his many years of Dodger low cost control for 1.3 years of $20M/year Halladay makes no sense at all. Was that columnist's name Hoffarth or HotFart? That's what blew out of his pc.

How do idiots like him get a job at a major city newspaper?

shmolnick:

For reference, see Plaschke, Bill.

Point well taken!

BluePastorKyle:

Oy, that piece was pure crap. I feel a little violated after having read it.

I seriously believe that quality journalism has no place in today's business model for print or electronic media. It would seem that the only point of journalism today is to get people to talk about it, and it doesn't matter if the feeling is positive or negative. The idea is to increase readership, journalistic quality and integrity be damned. Due to Willie's post, at least 6 of us read the article that probably wouldn't have. It's the TMZ mentality.

Kevin (Connecticut): Who are your AL and Nl Cy Youngs/MVPs right now?

Joe Morgan: Well, the one thing to remember, there's a long way to go. In all of those awards, someone can still step forward. I think Pujols is the MVP in the NL. I still think Prince Fielder and Braun are legit candidates if the Brewers can win the division.

Fielder and Braun if the Brewers win the division. But no mention of Hanley Ramirez if the Marlins were to win? Or Utley and Ibanez for a Philly team that is the odds on favorite to win the division???

I sure hope Pujols gets that day off he needs to get back on track though, eh Joe?

As far as Cy Young, that's even more difficult for me, because I think people want to lean toward Tim Lincecum, but they ignore what Matt Cain has done. I think he's pitched more consistently from his first start to his last start than Lincecum. He's not going to get a lot of votes, but I think Jason Marquis has done a great job in Colorado. You always have to look at Santana, because of what he does for his team. He can get hot down the stretch and win many games in a row. It's hard to make a call, but those would be my leaders at the moment.

No Dan Haren . . . But you can’t really blame Joe. I mean, Haren used to pitch in the ultra-boring Oakland and now he’s in Arizona. I wonder if Joe even knows there’s a team in Arizona? Shoot, I’d be satisfied if Joe even knew there was an Arizona!

All Haren has done is post an unheard of 0.88 WHIP, a .198 BAA, a 2.38 ERA, has walked only 23 batters all year, and has an 11-6 record for a team that is ten games under .500.

But yeah . . . mention Jason Marquis, Joe…

Joe Morgan: As for the AL, you have to look at Josh Beckett. Greinke was there at the beginning of the season.

Edwin Jackson, Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, and Jarrod Washburn all have lower ERA’s than Beckett.

Edwin Jackson, Roy Halladay, and Jarrod Washburn all have lower WHIP’s.

Edwin Jackson and Jarrod Washburn both have lower BAA.

Jarrod Washburn has a lower OPS allowed.

So my vote for AL Cy Young . . . . . . . Jarrod Washburn!

Hey . . . At least I have statistical corroboration.

MVP, I think Tori Hunter was the leader until he got hurt. You have to look at Teixiera in NY. You can't count out A-Rod. And I think you have to look at someone from Texas and that's Michael Young...

Michael Young?!? You mention Michael Young and The ‘Rioder Formerly Known as Alex Rodriguez, but fail to mention Joe Mauer, Kevin Youkilis, Justin Morneau, or Miguel Cabrera?

Incomplete, shoddy, biased analysis . . . Yup. Joe Morgan at his best . . . . . . or is that worst…

Eric (Livingston): Why do you think Halladay ended up staying put? And which team do you think could have used him the most?

Joe Morgan: Well, I think it was a bad move by Riccardi to say publically that he wanted to trade him. He overplayed his hand, thinking that he was going to get Fort Knox for Halladay. No one would give him what he wanted and he kept Halladay. People will say, hey he kept Halladay. But that caused a lot of stress on Halladay every start for a team that he played with for so long. Now, I don't know what you do, because if you're Halladay, you want out of there, because they've shown you that they don't want to. His value was as high as it was going to get at the trade deadline.

During the time between Riccardi publicizing Halladay’s availability and the trade deadline, Halladay started four games. During those four games, Halladay pitched 32 innings (of a possible 36), threw two complete games, walked exactly THREE batters while striking out 31, and posted a 2.25 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP.

I don’t know Joe . . . Doesn’t it seem like Halladay handled that stress rather well to you?

Idiot.

I know this isn't baseball, but I'm going to rant just a second. We are NEVER going to get to the point we should as a nation when it comes to race relations if the African American leadership of this country continues to scream racism in situations that are obviously NOT racist. There may be plenty of situations where NFL teams still have a ways to go towards equality, but Rev. Jesse Jackson, this one is not it.

"I want teams to explain why they have a quarterback who has less skills but is playing or at least is on the taxi squad, and a guy with more skills can't get into training camp."

And for the record, I'm one who isn't as down on Michael Vick as many are, but Rev. Jackson can't understand why NFL teams aren't rushing to sign Vick? Really? Ever heard of public perception? If you want to cry about the stigma attached to ex-cons, Rev. Jackson, we're all ears. But, this is NOT a racial issue, not even close. So, how about you save all your photo ops for the times you could actually do something good.

If the Rev. Jackson and others were more concerned about making change and less concerned about getting face time, we might get somewhere on this issue.

hunteralan:

Heard one of the announcers earlier during the Detroit/Minnesota game on WGN make a reference to the Dodgers starting staff being in trouble due to injury right now, which made me think of Billingsley.

He however finished his thought with, "now that Jason Schmidt is back on the DL."

Won't be tuning into any more WGN broadcasts any time soon...

Had to be Harrelson.

ceyheyjay:

Rosenthal writes a column criticizing the Dodgers for not acquiring Heath Bell. Why does they make him an idiot? Am I saying acquiring Heath Bell would have been idiotic? Absolutely not.

But, Rosenthal is an idiot (actually this is reason #693038309683) because he writes this critical column without knowing what the Padres were asking. The Dodgers just should have given the Padres whatever they wanted for Bell.
Hey, Ken, you moron? What if the Padres were asking for Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw? Well, according to the Midget, we should have given in and included both. (He doesn't say that specifically, but since he doesn't know what was asked and is criticizing, we have to assume he'd be willing to pay whatever price for Bell, or at least the Dodgers should have been) Hey, stupid Fox Insider, what if the Padres wanted Dee Gordon included in the package? To which Rosenthal likely would have responded, who?

Lately it seems MLB Network is trying to make sure BoSPiN can't offer anything they can't as well as they've made sure they include idiots like the Midget on staff. Just say a bunch of stuff Ken, whether it makes sense or not, whether it's true or not, just say things. If you don't know what to do, watch Heyman.

Yeah, I was bummed to see MLBN added the midgit to their staff. I can't stand the way he talks, let alone what he actually says. He is a strange dude, seems socially inept, and never seems to add insight at all - just talks rumors that never pan out. Stupid move on the part of MLBN.

metiquet:

Since we're piling on, This is from Rosenthal yesterday via KF:

At least one GM expects the Rockies to win the NL West and the Cards to win the World Series.

In other news, Matt Vasgersian's favorite color is fuscia, and Barry Larkin likes mustard on his hot dog.

I'm surprised that scoop by Rosenthal didn't make front page headlines around the country.

Steve (Boston): Do you think the Tigers can hold on and win the Central?

Joe Morgan: It's going to be a race that goes down to the wire. I think Chicago will be better with Rios.

Jermaine Dye has 24 HR, 67 RBI and an .860 OPS. Jim Thome has 21 HR, 69 RBI and an .890 OPS. Rios can’t touch that. Now I know Podsednik (.741 OPS) and Quentin (.803 since returning from the DL) are not setting the world on fire, but how exactly has Rios (.744 OPS) shown he’s going to make Chicago better?

If they get Peavy back at the end of the month as projected, they'll be a better team.

Oh, so Rios needs Peavy to return at the end of the month to make Chicago a better team.

Does it matter how Peavy pitches, Joe? Or is it just his presence that will make Rios make Chicago a better team?

I don't see the Tigers getting much better, but they don't have to because they're in first place. But I see Chicago getting better.

Uhhhh . . . . . . . . . . Wha????

Chicago is going to get better, therefore challenging Detroit for the AL Central title. Detroit is in first right now, so they don’t have to get any better. But what if Chicago gets better and passes Detroit? Then what? Can Detroit get better then? Or is it not allowed because they are in first right now? Or maybe because Detroit is in first right now they are guaranteed to win, therefore they are not allowed to get any better because it wouldn’t be fair to the White Sox, who are trying to get better to catch the Tigers and win the AL Central. But Chicago’s not allowed to do that because Detroit is in first right now and the rules forbid it. Is that about it, Joe?

Seriously, someone get Neukom’s number…

I can't predict it, but it'll be a close race.

You have your contractions mixed up, Joe. It’s not that you CAN’T predict it . . . That’s as easy as saying, ’I think Detroit will win it.’ or ’I think Chicago will win it.’ . . . it’s that you WON’T predict it, you lilly-livered, yellow coward. You’re the lead baseball analyst for the Worldwide Leader in Sports for goodness sake! Do your job!

Gary (Buckeye Az.): Joe,what are your thoughts on the White Sox pickup of Rios from Toronto?

Joe’s already answered thi . . . well, attempted to answer this. But, what the heck, let’s hear the stupidity once again…

Joe Morgan: I think it's great for two reasons: 1) Rios can do a lot of things on the field. He'll be very motivated to show Toronto that they made a mistake. They're taking some chances. They took a chance on Peavy and now they're taking a chance on Rios. Kenny Williams has been a guy that's taken chances. It's definitely a risk, but it's worth the reward.

Uhhh, Joe . . . How about that second reason? I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I was waiting with bated breath. I was just sure it was going to be full of . . . . Well . . . let’s not say what I thought it was going to be full of…

And Rios is going to be motivated now!?!? Signing a $70 million contract wasn’t sufficient motivation to play his best? That’s kind of sad, don’t you think? I mean, if you take the money, give the effort, right Joe? If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort. It’s called being a professional, isn’t it Joe? Isn’t that like . . . your credo . . . your philosophy . . . your doctrine?

By the way, how is Kenny Williams coming out of this smelling like roses? He trades for a prima donna pitcher whom he doesn’t know what he’ll get from because he’s injured presently and is owed $52 million over the next three years, and he picks up an under performing outfielder whom he doesn’t really have room for and is owed $60 million over the next five years. But he’s heralded as some kind of savior. Meanwhile, Riccardi, who just purged his team of that $60 million and did not give away the face of the franchise for less than he was worth, is vilified as some sort of idiot.

Whatever…

Matt (Philly): Could Moyer in the bullpen could actually end up being affective... imagine him coming in after lee, hamels, or hap for an inning or two and the batters have been seeing 90 some mph pitches and then half to adjust to his low 80's pitch speed. Thoughts?

Speaken joe;s language, ren't you Matt…

Joe Morgan: Obviously, that can happen, but the question is can he adjust to being a bullpen guy? He's been a starter and he's used to starting. If he's capable of doing that, it can work that way. You have to see how he responds pitching out of the bullpen.

Pretty sad when Joe’s answer is more coherent and better grammatically…

Tom (Jacksonville): With Sabathia, Burnett, Chamberlain, and Pettite starting to show a lot of consistency are the Yankees the favorites for the World Series?

Joe Morgan: I think it makes them the favorite to win their division. That team is built so well for that ballpark. The ball flies out of there. Jeter has 13 HRs now and his power was almost all gone last year.

His power is STILL almost all gone, Joe! The fact that he’s hitting in a little league park this year doesn’t change that fact. Jeter had a slugging percentage of .408 last year and had 3 home runs at home. This year, thanks to the most extreme home run park in baseball, Jeter has a .496 home slugging percentage (to .404 on the road) and 11 home runs at home already. His power didn’t make some mystical, miraculous return, it’s completely park aided, you moron. Sheesh Joe, you yourself said the ball flies out of the stadium. Yet you can’t equate that to Jeter’s supposed power resurgence?

Pathetic.

Shane (Idaho): Brave's question Joe: Do they have enough offense to make a lagitimate run at the playoffs or are they at least a year away?

Joe Morgan: I don't know what a year's going to do.

Of course you don’t…

I kept thinking that they didn't have enough offense, but they keep winning and they keep closing in on Philadelphia. They do have enough to win, but their pitchers are going to have to continue to carry them.

So it’s pitching that will get Atlanta to the postseason. Okay, a solid opinion. Great.

Joe Morgan: Like everything else, it always depends on the health of Chipper Jones.

But Chipper isn’t a pitcher, Joe. He’s a third baseman and therefore not a pitcher. So is it actually the pitching that will carry . . . . .

Oh forget it. Why do I bother. You don’t know what you’re talking about anyway.

Idiot.

Allyson (Dallas): Ron Washington for AL Manger of the year?

Joe Morgan: He's definitely done a fabulous job there. He changed the whole mindset of that organization. It's been a 2-3 year process. If I was voting, he'd definitely get my vote.

See, what I’ve heard over and over is that it’s Nolan Ryan who has changed the whole mindset of the organization. And that would actually make sense, since Ryan is the President of the franchise and actually in charge of the whole organization.

In fact, Washington isn’t even the best manager in his own division. Mike Scioscia has done another absolutely magnificent job in Anaheim. He’s managed a team that has had only three of its regular positional starters around all year. They’ve been without Vladimir Guerrero for half the year and Torii Hunter for the last five weeks. Scioscia has a starting rotation that has relied on the likes of Matt Palmer, Shane Loux, and Sean O’Sullvan to start almost one-fourth of the games so far. Ervin Santana has been dreadful and Joe Saunders not much better. The only reliable starters he’s had are Jered Weaver and John Lackey, and Lackey missed the first month. The Angel bullpen has been at the bottom of the league all year. And all of that doesn’t even factor in the effect of the death of Nick Adenhardt in April. Through all that, Scioscia’s led his team to a FIVE game lead over Washington and his Rangers.

Washington doesn’t even compare, Joe.

Ben (Lincoln, NE): Would you have enjoyed playing for a manager like Ozzie Guillen?

Joe Morgan: That's a great question! I always felt I could play for anyone as long as their No. 1 priority is winning.

Uhh, Joe, isn’t winning the No. 1 priority of every manager? I mean, if they’re going to take the money, they’ll give the effort, right Joe? They’re a pro in their sport, so they’re supposed to give their best effort. It’s called being a professional, isn’t it Joe?

I think his is…

You think Guillen’s No. 1 priority is winning?!?

…but there's a lot of extra stuff you have to deal with there. I can't answer yes or no. It would probably be one of those situations where I could adjust to playing for him. There were a lot of guys that I didn't like playing for in my career, but I adjusted.

You can’t answer yes or no? You just did! The question was, ‘would you have enjoyed playing for a manager like Ozzie Guillen.’ And you answered it directly with, ‘I could adjust to playing for him. There were a lot of guys that I didn’t like playing for in my career, but I adjusted.’ In other words, ‘No, I wouldn’t enjoy it, but I would adjust.’

Crimeny, Joe doesn’t even know when he answers a question directly. That’s sad.

John (Bronx): Did you watch the special on ESPN about Luis Tiant?

Joe Morgan: I didn't get a chance to see the special.

Guess they didn’t have cable in that TV box. Lord knows Joe wasn’t watching the game.

I will watch it in the next couple of days, I have a copy of it. I played against him in the minor leagues. He reminded me of that the other day. He was a fun pitcher to watch. He won a lot of games. He's really one of the really good pitchers that I had to face in my career. I only speak on veteran committee guys, but I think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I'm on the board, so I don't like to speak about the other guys, but sometimes I speak about the guys on the veteran committee, because I have a vote.

I suddenly have an uncontrollable urge to bang my head against a wall . . .

Craig (Cincinnati): Do you think the Red's bringing in Rolen was a smart move or not?

No, it was stupid and completely counterproductive to what the Reds should be doing right now, which is not taking on old, declining, injury plagued players who have huge contracts.

But I’ve got BIG money Joe doesn’t see it that way…

Joe Morgan: He's a veteran player. That's what they wanted, I think. A professional leader. He's going to have a lot of success in that park. He got injured when he was hit in the head, so that might change. But I think it was a good move.

A professional leader? So Rolen is being paid eight figure money to be a leader, not to produce on the field?

What the heck is a professional leader anyway?!?!

Zack (Miami): Do you agree with several ESPN analysts that this 2009 season seems reminiscent of the 2003 season with regards to the progress of both the Yankees and the Marlins?

Joe Morgan: I can't remember back to 2003. I can't remember where I was yesterday.

Are you kidding me?!?!?

There’s that uncontrollable urge again…

But they are definitely getting hot at the right time. A couple of years ago, the Rockies peaked at the right time. There are still a lot of games to go. They will have some tough times along the way. The Marlins swept Philly to get back in the race. I don't know about the NL East right now. I thought the Phillies had it but they're coming back to the pack. It's hard to be hot for 40-50 games. All teams have weaknesses and all teams have strengths. Boston beat the Yankees 8 straight times, now they've lost 4 straight times. Its hard to call this far out.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…

My question now is . . . . . . . . . . . Which paragraph gave you less information?

Mark (Boston): Joe,Do you see Joe Mauer staying in minn,or do you see him later going to a big market team??

Joe Morgan: If he continues to play well, I don't think Minnesota will trade him.

I don’t think Joe understood the intent of the question. There’s no hint of ‘will Minnesota trade him’ in that question, is there? Besides, if Mauer continues to play this well and the Twins can not get him signed before his free agency comes close, I’d say it’s very possible Minnesota will trade him.

The thing he has to be leary of is at the beginning of the season people talking about him hitting .400. There's no way a catcher can hit .400. The wear and tear on the body of a catcher is too much.

Remember that uncontrollable urge? Yeah . . . . well, now there’s a hole in my wall and I need some Tylenol…

He's one of the better players in the league and he'll probalby stay that way. I don't think they'll trade him in the next 4-5 years.

Congratulations Joe, that has to be one of the stupidest, most misinformed comments you’ve ever made! Mauer is signed for one more year and then he becomes a free agent, so what on God’s green earth does 4-5 years have to do with anything?!?!?

Joe . . . . . . You’ve got that glassy eyed look again…

Clueless Count: 18 (Season Total: 48)

Throwdeuce:

While I agree the Dodgers rotation is on shaky ground right now, this made me laugh.
This morning I'm listening to XM Home Plate's "Baseball This Morning", and Buck martinez showed why he's not a manager any longer (or ever will be again). I quote " the Dodgers rotation for the playoffs without a trade right now would be Wolf, Weaver, and a cast of journeymen". OK, so Kershaw who's been amazing the last two months, sans one game and a inning in another is now a castoff? Plus Weaver isn't even in their regular rotation right now, but he'll be their number 2 if the playoffs started today?
Now if he said it would be hard to count on Kershaw and even Bills because they are young and inexperience he may have a better point (albeit still not with Bills, 3 starts in the playoffs, plus another relieve appearance in 2006 makes for plenty of experience considering what was on the market).
Anyway, hopefully Kuroda is healthy enough come playoff time, because he was looking like he could be the Dodgers number 1 come that time the way he's pitch, and the Dodgers could put Kershaw in the 2 or 3 hole to go face to face with a lesser pitcher.

Buck Martinez was a guest on some show on the radio over the weekend, too, and though I totally forget what he said about the Dodgers, it was so uninformed and idiotic, I considered adding him to this thread as well. I wish I could remember his comments, but I was thinking exactly the same as you, TD - it's no wonder this man no longer manages. And yet, he's given airtime to espouse his opinions which, to anyone who follows baseball at the level he's expected to follow it, are so awful it's a wonder he's allowed to speak on public radio.

hunteralan:

Well, if Joe Morgan is allowed to appear on public television...

Buck Martinez makes McCarver seem rational. He even gives Joe Morgan a run for his money when it comes to stupid statements.

David (Spokane, WA): Joe, Why is no one really talking about the Braves? It seems they are the team that has the best chance at winning the NL East, besides Philly. With the pitching they have and the new bats, they seem to be the team to watch.

Joe Morgan: I don't agree. I think the Braves have helped themselves and are a better team than they were in the first half, but I'm not sure they are good enough against the better teams to catch the Phillies. They've beaten the Phillies 8 of the last 12, but this is a different Philly team than earlier in the year. I'm just not sure the Braves can hit good pitching. Therein lies their soft spot. Pitching can take you a long way, but I'd still like to see the young pitchers, Jair Jurjens and Tommy Hanson before saying if their pitching is as good or better than Phillies. As good as the Braves pitching is, you put Happ, Lee and Hamels up against their three top guys and I wouldn't say the Braves have a big edge there. But the Phillies definitely have an edge offensively and speedwise as compared to the Braves.

A.) Braves aren’t good enough against good teams – They’ve beaten Phillies 8 out of 12… Idiot.
B.) Hasn’t seen Jurrjens or Hanson… Lazy.
C.) Includes Happ in his list of Philly starters, but questions Jurrjens and Hanson… Idiot.
D.) Atlanta has scored 158 runs since the All-Star break; Philly has scored 146… Ill-informed, lazy, dolt.

nick (des moinesf): does mauer win the al MVP? it looks like he's going to hit over 30 homers and bat close to .400. he's on fire. can we call him the best player in baseball. he's also a great catcher and defensive player.

Joe Morgan: I can't call him the best player, because it's hard for a catcher to be the best player.

Mauer leads the AL in batting average (.383 and climbing), on base percentage (.448), slugging percentage (.653 and eighty points above 2nd place), and OPS (1.101, over 100 points ahead of 2nd place!); He’s on pace for 36 home runs, 100+ runs and 110+ RBI; He’s a superior defender.

I don’t see how you couldn’t call Mauer the best player in the AL this year.

Then again, I’m smarter than a turnip…

The reason I say that is that he's not the best defensive catcher in the game and he doesn't run as well as some of the other players.

Doesn’t run as well as some of the other players?!?! Are you serious?

Some other AL MVP candidates: Kevin Youkilis, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Morneau, Mark Teixeira . . . How well do any of these guys run?

Idiot.

But he's definitely the best catcher in the game.

Yes he is. And you know what else? He’s the best player in the American League this year.

And he's not better than Albert Pujols.

The only true statement you’ve made.

However, Mauer is an unbelieveable talent.

Yes, he is. And you know what else? He’s the best player in the American League this year. An MVP you might say . . . Well, I might say.

We've never had a catcher win a batting title before.

WRONG YOU BRAINLESS BOOB!!! Even hear of Ernie Lombardi? How about Eugene ‘Bubbles’ Hargrave (No I didn’t make that up. That’s the guys name!)?

You know everything there is to know about the Reds teams of the 70’s, yet you admit you can’t remember 2003 and you don’t even know enough history to know of two other catchers who have won batting titles? ONE OF THEM A HALL OF FAMER!

ESPN pays you to be this lazy and incompetent? Man, I wish I could get that kind of job . . . . Come to think of it . . . No. I have more pride than that.

Now he's on to his, what?, 2nd or 3rd batting title? He is by far the best hitter in the league. But as an MVP, the Twins might finish 3rd or 4th in their division.

Where are Prince Fielder’s Brewers going to finish, Joe?

It’s okay for an NL team finishing in 3rd or 4th to have an MVP candidate, but not for an AL team?

Durden (NY): Joe Morgan, love when you do the games on ESPN. I have a question for you. Is Robinson Cano going to be one of the best 2nd basemen for years to come? His defense is slick and he makes a lot of plays that he shouldn't. And his bat is not bad either..

Joe Morgan: I think Cano is going to be a star. It seems like he's finally been able to focus all the time on the field. It seems like he was making mistakes before because he wasn't focused on the field. He makes good plays in the field. And his offense is turned around. He had an off year last year, but has improved this year. I think he'll be the best second baseman in the AL for a long time.

This just in: 2008 AL MVP, Dustin Pedroia recently decided to play in Turkey; Ian Kinsler is moving to catcher because he’s afraid of the aura that is Robinson Cano; And Brian Roberts . . . Well, he plays in Baltimore, so that really doesn’t count as the American League.

Robinson Cano . . . . Joe’s favorite jock…

Matt (NYC): Joe Mauer is batting .380. Why is no one discussing .400!!!!

Joe Morgan: Because he can't hit .400.

He can’t? Physically he can’t? Or you just won’t allow him to?

‘Cause in May, Mauer hit .414. And so far in August, Mauer is hitting .465. So it would seem to me, there is the possibility that, just maybe, possibly Joe Mauer could actually, physically, for reals hit .400.

Well, that is . . . If you’ll let him, Joe.

What you don't understand is how much wear and tear a catcher goes through in the season.

What you don’t understand could fill the Library of Congress, Joe, so please refrain from lecturing others on what they don’t know.

I'm just amazed that he is hitting .380. As a catcher, balls get tipped off his hand, his arm. Catchers play in pain. That's one reason catchers have not won batting titles.

My God, Joe… You’re just so horribly ignorant on all things baseball related. How pathetic that ESPN calls you an ‘expert’.

Aren’t you embarrassed?

Probably not…

Buzzmaster : Thanks Joe!

Yeah, thanks Joe…