With the MLB Postseason fast approaching at the end of this month, TBS is now airing MLB on Deck this week and next week leading into its Pennant Chase coverage. We have the notes and quotes from MLB on Deck with a cast of thousands.
Notes from Sunday MLB on TBS – September 18, 2011
Sunday MLB on TBS concludes on Sunday, Sept. 25, with a special doubleheader featuring the Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees (1 p.m. ET) followed by the San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks (4 p.m. ET). TBS’ coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. (ET) with a 30-minute pre-game show prior to the games.
TBS’ exclusive coverage of MLB’s Division Series gets underway on Friday, Sept. 30.***** ***** ***** ***** *****
TBS MLB on Deck
Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David WellsEckersley on the Red Sox struggling down the stretch: “If the Red Sox collapse, it would be a tremendous collapse…almost historic like 1978. I don’t think it’s going to happen but it’s nice to see a club like Tampa make a run. It makes it exciting.”
Milwaukee Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder’s comments to TBS about possibly playing his final season with the team: (Braun) has been great…he’s one of the best players in Brewers’ history. The guy hits .330 every year and he’s been great. Unfortunately, this might be the last year for the one-two punch. I think it’s been good. The six years with me and him has been a good run. Hopefully, we can go out with a blast this year…I’m signed through this year but being real about it, it’s probably my last year (with Milwaukee).”
Ripken on free agent-to-be Prince Fielder’s recent comments that this is probably his last season with the Brewers: “I don’t think it’s a big deal at all. I think he started to think about the reality and it was a sad reflection on it. I think it’s just a sad reflection, I don’t think it’s a story and it doesn’t affect the team one bit.”
Wells on if Fielder’s comments will be a distraction for the team: “We all speak our minds but why would you say this when you know you’re going to the playoffs. All of sudden, it’s a distraction. Teammates might have to answer questions, especially Ryan Braun. Will it distract them? Who knows…we’ll find out.”
Eckersley on Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez’s recent comments that he wants to close more games: “If anything affects the (Brewers), it’s what K-Rod (Rodriguez) said. He got traded (to Milwaukee) a long time ago and he knew what he was getting into. He came (to Milwaukee) and set up (closer John) Axford, who has had an incredible season, and (Rodriguez) has done a nice job. But then he comes out and says, ‘When I came here, they said I would get some opportunities to close.’ Everything has been going so well and he’s done a nice job…why would he say anything? To me, it makes no sense and the timing is absolutely awful. Is it going to affect the team? Probably not but it just didn’t need to be said.”
Ripken on how Rodriguez’s comments could disrupt the Brewers: “This could be disruptive. This could affect the balance in their bullpen. You should accept your roles at this point now no matter what was said early on. It comes down the stretch, you’re the eighth inning guy right now, don’t make any waves, just be the eighth inning guy. It’s great to have two closers in the bullpen.”
Eckersley on the Red Sox’ starting pitching: “It’s all about starting pitching and that’s why (the Red Sox) have been limping in September. John Lackey has been absolutely awful all year long. (Jon) Lester has been consistent and (Josh) Beckett is coming back from injury. It’s all about Lester and Beckett and (the Red Sox) are going to take them as far as they’ll go.”
Eckersley on the Braves’ bullpen: “The pitching in the Braves’ bullpen is incredible. Everyone has an eighth and ninth (inning pitcher) but they’ve got a seventh, eighth and ninth (inning pitcher). That doesn’t match anybody.”
Eckersley on the Texas Rangers’ offense: “It’s all about offense and it always has been with the Texas Rangers. This is a great offensive team, one of the three best offensive teams in the American League. Ultimately, they are going to get into the (Postseason), I can’t see them blowing this lead.
That will do it until we get NBC’s stuff tonight.
