Are you kidding me? Bonds strikes again

[Sharpieman]

Another night, another walk-off homerun by Barry Bonds in the 10th inning, that 0-6 when Bonds was away and 3-0 against the team with the best record in baseball, the Braves when Barry is back. If Bonds doesn't win the MVP, it would be a crime.

I told my friend, "Watch he's going to hit a homer on the first pitch, I'll bet you 10 bucks." Right after I said that, WHAM, Bonds hits a shot into right center field, one of the deepest parts of the ballpark. Although I thought that he would hit the homer, I was still amazed that he actually did it.

[mrskippy]

I've done that during a few games I went to. Notably during last year's NLCS. I was like, Bonds is gonna hit a splash shot right here. WHAM! He does.

[Sharpieman]

For some reason, I can just get this feeling that he's going to hit one, its amazing that he can be so focused with his father so sick also.

[Neuqua]

Calling a Barry Bonds shot isn't so tough.

I've successfully predicted a Kerry Wood and Keith Lockhart homerun, Lockhart had two homeruns the entire year!

[mrskippy]

Originally posted by Sharpieman
For some reason, I can just get this feeling that he's going to hit one, its amazing that he can be so focused with his father so sick also.

Of course with Barry the odds are either he's going to hit a homer or get walked.

But like you, I just get this feeling that he's going to do it. It's amazing how Pac Bell lights up when he slams one into the Bay.

[TroyF]

Is this the thread where we should all get into the debate about who you want hitting at the end of the game again? Ichiro or Barry?

Nah, I don't want to have to try to explain that someone with a 100+ point advantage in OBP and a well over 300 point difference in OPS (which is actually a 600+ point differential this year) in close & late situations is better. :)

TroyF

PS: Yeah, I know the debate centered around 2 out and a man on third. . . but even there the stats don't hold up. From 200-2002 Ichiro hit .468 in that situation. Barry hit .451 Barry had a 150 point advantage in OBP though. This year? Ichiro still chimes in at a solid .294 (with a .381 OBP) Barry? How about .714 batting average with a sickening .870 OBP. Unbelievable.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You know what really amazes me?

Braves lose three straight to the Giants, all by one run, all in the last at-bat ... and Booby Cox never used Smoltz in the series.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
You know what really amazes me?

Braves lose three straight to the Giants, all by one run, all in the last at-bat ... and Booby Cox never used Smoltz in the series. Jon, Jon, Jon. Don't you know that Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in baseball? The Braves haven't won all those division titles on talent alone, it has been Bobby's genius. It is his utter brilliance that causes him to reserve his best relief pitcher ONLY for save situations. TRULY intelligent managers NEVER use their best relief pitcher when the game is tied and on the line.....

:rolleyes:

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
You know what really amazes me?

Braves lose three straight to the Giants, all by one run, all in the last at-bat ... and Booby Cox never used Smoltz in the series.

I heard a theory today that Bobby (with a huge lead in the division) might have just been trying to figure out who can and who can't pitch to Bonds. Don't know if there's much to the idea though.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by cuervo72
I heard a theory today that Bobby (with a huge lead in the division) might have just been trying to figure out who can and who can't pitch to Bonds. Don't know if there's much to the idea though. There was an article in the AJC a few weeks back that mentioned that Bobby has decided that Smoltz will be used pretty much exclusively in save situations, even if he hasn't pitched in several days.

As far as pitching to Bonds goes, unless it is Smoltz on the mound, if the game is tied and you're in his house, just walk him. I don't care if first base is open, just walk him.

[Ksyrup]

I couldn't stay up last night to see the ending. Who did Bobby bring in, Alejandro Pena or Juan Berenguer?

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

Or God forbid, Charlie Leibrandt!!!

[GrantDawg]

This series doesn't make me worried about the playoffs at all. I'm so glad the Braves didn't make any moves to improve the pitching staff.:rolleyes:

[Ksyrup]

What are you talking about? They brought Kent Mercker back.

I hear they're talking to the Tigers about Steve Avery.

[MizzouRah]

Hey, Jimmy Edmonds hit a walkoff last night as well.


:)



Todd

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, let's see.

We now know that Hodges can't pitch to Bonds.
We now know that King can't pitch to Bonds.
We already know that Hernandez can't pitch to anybody.

I'm thinking Smoltz would have looked pretty good at least once.

[cuervo72]

Well, I guess he's just narrowing it down :) But suppose its in the 7th or 8th inning, and not a situation where you would obviously walk Bonds. Then what? Probably not Smoltz. Part of the conversation (Mike & Mike, with Gammons) was that in the post season, Barry wouldn't have been given the same opportunity to hit as he got last night. The question was why Cox pitched to him at all.

They also noted that in the 85 ALCS, Cox pitched around George Brett with the bases loaded (at least that's what they recalled).

[44Niners]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
You know what really amazes me?

Braves lose three straight to the Giants, all by one run, all in the last at-bat ... and Booby Cox never used Smoltz in the series.

I was thinking the same thing - In fact I was wondering if he was hurt.

[ISiddiqui]

There was an article in the AJC a few weeks back that mentioned that Bobby has decided that Smoltz will be used pretty much exclusively in save situations, even if he hasn't pitched in several days.

Oy! :rolleyes:

Not like Smoltz was a STARTER or anything?!