09-12-2008, 02:13 AM | #1651 | |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Where Hip Hop lives
|
Quote:
Yeah, I know. But most people still look at it as a worthwhile accomplishment, so kudos to K-Rod.
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
|
09-12-2008, 02:18 AM | #1652 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Neptune Beach, Florida
|
Well, the goal going into '08 was a Winning Season for the first time in a while.... Now sitting at 66-80, can the RedLegs somehow win their final 16 and achieve the basic goal that Dusty laid out before the season began?
66-80 right now?? WTF!!
__________________
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLACK & GOLD!! |
09-14-2008, 04:43 AM | #1653 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Where Hip Hop lives
|
I know some won't give the record it's just due, but congrats to Frankie Rodriguez on passing Bobby Thigpen for the single season saves record.
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
09-14-2008, 12:56 PM | #1654 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
|
Indeed, congrats to him. I wonder where it would rank on greatest season for a closer?
|
09-14-2008, 01:05 PM | #1655 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: The Mountains
|
Great year - but I think it's a shame that teams STILL limit pitchers of this caliber to 60 innings a year. And a lot of those innings come when the team is winning by 2-3 runs, and almost ALL of those innings come with nobody on base when he comes in. It's a total waste of his talent. He's going to get MVP votes, which is a joke.
The closer role is stupid. It drives me crazy. When a manager puts his best relief pitcher into a tie game in the 7th inning I think that someone's finally figured it out. But it's always an anomaly. Last edited by molson : 09-14-2008 at 01:08 PM. |
09-14-2008, 02:00 PM | #1656 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
|
Hey CR, my knowledge of K-Rod is basically his stats and your rants on him at different times during the season. With Wagner out next year, it's expected the Mets will make a run at him. Should I be nervous?
|
09-14-2008, 02:24 PM | #1657 | |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Where Hip Hop lives
|
Quote:
Yes and no. I'll start with the yes. K-Rod has a very good (but not great fastball), a wicked forkball/slider that is his out pitch and one of the best of its kind in the league, and a change and curve he occasionally uses, but not nearly as mucha s the first two. When he is throwing his heater with control and confidence, he is virtually unhittable a la World Series 2002. Hitters are torn between whether to expect the fastball or try to be prepared for that slider that's in the back of their mind. I can't tell you how often K-Rod seems to groove a fastball right down the pipe, easy as pie, and the hitter is frozen, can't swing, because he bet on the slider that pitch. He just stares at the ball hopelessly as it flies by. Why is this a bad thing? Because K-Rod doesn't always have pinpoint control of his fastball, and he doesn't have enough heat or movement (about 95 mph) on it to make major league hitters miss all the time. When hitters see they don't have to worry about the fastball, they lay off the slider--which is almost always a ball and in the dirt. It's an intense pitch and hitters love to take a hack at it, and they almost always miss. Its late bite is incredible. But if you know the slider won't be a strike, and K-Rod's fastball is off, you can basically wait for your pitch or take the walk. Also, K-Rod just always seems to put one or two guys on. Seeing him shut the door so often in the end, it just seems like he does it on purpose. Silly, I know, but if you watch him every day, you get the sense that he isn't always focused until the pressure is on. So the result is a cardiac situation every time he pitches (or so it seems). 1-2-3 innings are extremely rare. He will also probably only sign for $13-15 M per year, because he thinks he's as good as Mariano (and that's what his agent is telling him), and he won't sign for less than 4-5 years. That's a ton of money to devote to a closer pitching limited innings (which is the primary reason the Angels will probably look elsewhere). Also, a lot of people think his wild delivery will lead to longterm arm problems. Hasn't happened yet, but then, he's only 26. But he already has a lot of innings on that arm, for a reliever anyway. Now, the reason not to be nervous. Start with the obvious. He gets the job done. Whether you like how he does it or not, it can't be argued that he shuts the door. He just does. I have already talked about hsi quality pitches. That's for real; he has that. Next, he has pitched in all sorts of relief situations, and in high, high pressure spots like playoffs and World Series, and he has come through with flying colors. He thrives on pressure and crowds and noise, feeds off of it. He's a very emotional guy, but the sort that grabs that emotion and focuses it into an angry determination that helps him on the mound. His emotion will play well in New York. The fans will love him for it. Opponents will hate it, and his finger pointing to the sky and his displays of emotion when he fist pumps with a yell after getting a strikeout. New Yorkers are used to Joba, though, so this would be no biggie to them. He is popular in the clubhouse, both among Hispanic and non-Hispanic players, and speaks English very well, almost unaccented, despite being from Venezuela. He WILL talk. That will play well in New York, too, and the papers will love it, but he'll probably say something mildly stupid or controversial at some point that people will comment on. He'll shrug and go on. If that's your only real hole and you have $15 M in your budget to burn, there are few better ways to spend that money, IMO. But few teams are in the situation, and it's definitely an overpay. But so long as he's healthy and you have some Tums always available for his cardiac relief spots, he'll get the job done for you.
__________________
. . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. |
|
09-14-2008, 02:34 PM | #1658 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
|
That was a healthy write-up. Thanks. A lot of my fellow Mets fans don't seem to understand that he has a downside, and I probably wouldn't either if not for threads like these.
We have a couple potential closers in the system, but none that will be ready for next year unfortunately. If they don't grab K-Rod, it will probably be the length of the deal that's the issue, for the reasons you stated. |
09-14-2008, 02:35 PM | #1659 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
The Mets need to overpay for KRod and I am optimistic they will.
|
09-14-2008, 04:17 PM | #1660 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NYC
|
|
09-14-2008, 10:03 PM | #1661 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago
|
Anyone watching the Cubs?
|
09-14-2008, 10:13 PM | #1662 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Jul 2001
|
|
09-14-2008, 10:15 PM | #1663 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago, Ill
|
I don't know what you guys are talking about. La dee da dee da.
__________________
Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? |
09-14-2008, 10:19 PM | #1664 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
|
09-14-2008, 10:27 PM | #1665 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago
|
I thought my question was innocuous enough
If I recall correctly, Z has had a couple of close calls in the past. Great to see him get the no-no. |
09-14-2008, 10:29 PM | #1666 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Jul 2001
|
|
09-14-2008, 10:31 PM | #1667 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago, Ill
|
Man that was exciting. The first no-hitter I have ever watched. I was shaking.
__________________
Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? |
09-14-2008, 10:36 PM | #1668 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago
|
How much of it did you guys see? I turned over to it in bottom of 5th, first batter I saw was the HBP. So I got to take in about 1/2 of it.
Barkeep went up to the game tonight - can't wait to talk to him about it. |
09-14-2008, 10:38 PM | #1669 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago, Ill
|
I've been watching the entire game, flipping between the game and the replay of Fringe.
My buddy was in the left field bleachers too, what an experience that must have been.
__________________
Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? Last edited by Neuqua : 09-14-2008 at 10:38 PM. |
09-14-2008, 10:47 PM | #1670 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Jul 2001
|
|
09-14-2008, 11:27 PM | #1671 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
Rats, I thought everyone was talking about the Phils 4 game sweep of the Brewers....
|
09-15-2008, 01:34 AM | #1672 |
General Manager
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Town of Flower Mound
|
I knew I never should have stuck my fucking head into this thread the other day...
__________________
UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO |
09-15-2008, 03:17 PM | #1673 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2003
|
Just announced during the Cubs game that the Brewers fired Yost. WTF? I mean ok if they don't make the playoffs by all means do it if you feel it should be done. But when you're tied for the wild card and could do some damage if you could somehow sweep the Cubs in the upcoming series. As a Cub fan and an outsider I don't get it.
|
09-15-2008, 03:42 PM | #1674 |
General Manager
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago
|
Well, there is the little matter of back-to-back September collapses by the Brew crew last year and this year. Couple that with the jolt a couple of teams seem to have gotten with new managers (Blue Jays and Mets) and I'm guessing they are looking for something/anything to help them get into the postseason this year.
It has been something like 25 years since their last appearance. They aren't going to have CC next year and I think Sheets is a (restricted?) FA as well. If it isn't this year for Milwaukee, then when is it going to be? That's the best argument I can come up with for axing him today, instead of after the season. Not sure I buy it, but maybe some Brewers fans can chime in with info on Yost + clubhouse that suggest why this had to happen. |
09-15-2008, 03:53 PM | #1675 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
|
Go Cito Gaston.
|
09-16-2008, 10:04 PM | #1676 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Land O Lakes FL
|
Rays have not "choke" away the AL East yet.
__________________
"The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946 Last edited by miami_fan : 09-16-2008 at 10:04 PM. |
09-16-2008, 11:35 PM | #1677 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
The big man strikes again!!!
He's got a chance at 50. |
09-16-2008, 11:40 PM | #1678 |
Favored Bitch #1
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: homeless in NJ
|
|
09-16-2008, 11:43 PM | #1679 |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: St. Pete, FL
|
Huge win for the Rays tonight!
|
09-16-2008, 11:51 PM | #1680 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
|
09-17-2008, 12:13 AM | #1681 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
|
Quote:
Last edited by BishopMVP : 09-17-2008 at 12:14 AM. |
|
09-17-2008, 08:22 AM | #1682 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
|
Considering how inflated power numbers are these days, there's a good chance the AL home run champ has under 40 this year and it's possible Ryan Howard is the only one in either league over 40.
SI
__________________
Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
09-19-2008, 04:40 PM | #1683 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newburgh, NY
|
Bochy is the new Dusty. Look at the pitcher stress numbers from Baseball Prospectus. Sabathia is #2 at 29 and Lincecum is #1 at 51!
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/st...php?cid=204015
__________________
To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers |
09-19-2008, 04:43 PM | #1684 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Decatur, GA
|
For a young pitcher, who has been referred to as "The Franchise", that's unconscionable.
__________________
"A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams |
09-19-2008, 05:21 PM | #1685 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
And that stat tells us what exactly?
|
09-19-2008, 05:27 PM | #1686 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2003
|
Yeah, don't get me started. I want that oversized cranium the hell out of SF/
|
09-19-2008, 05:33 PM | #1687 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newburgh, NY
|
It's a measure of stressful starts a through pitch counts. The real shock is the gap between #1 and #2.
__________________
To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers |
09-19-2008, 06:04 PM | #1688 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
Again, that stat tells us what?
|
09-19-2008, 06:06 PM | #1689 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Newburgh, NY
|
It's a measure of how some people either don't want to read or pay attention to what's been written.
__________________
To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers |
09-19-2008, 06:18 PM | #1690 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA
|
It's a meaningless stat, it means nothing in the bottom line of things.
|
09-19-2008, 09:05 PM | #1691 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
|
|
09-19-2008, 10:19 PM | #1692 | |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
|
Quote:
Particularly an injury prone one with a build that isn't ideal for a pitcher. SI
__________________
Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
|
09-19-2008, 10:29 PM | #1693 | ||
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
|
Quote:
Tim Lincecum is a 24y/o pitcher, future ace of the franchise, throwing 138 pitches in meaningless September games for a team mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. He has never thrown more than like 160 innings in a season, and he's at 221 now. Possibly in a futile effort to win him a Cy Young or keep fans coming to the ballpark. (Matt Cain is also top 5 in PAP.) Maybe his space-age delivery keeps him injury-free, but past examples like Mark Prior and Kerry Wood suggest it's unconscionable to be risking such a valuable long-term asset for absolutely no gain this month. Aaron Harang is another example Quote:
|
||
09-19-2008, 10:32 PM | #1694 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
|
|
09-20-2008, 02:23 AM | #1695 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: the yo'
|
Shit, if I paid that much in trade for CC, I'd definitely be pitching him till his arm fell off.
Anyways, they need a fan abuse pitcher stress metric. One can only take so much of Ian Snell. And while I'm at it, is it safe to say that John Van Benschoten is one of the worst pitchers in major league history yet? 90 IP, 2.14 Whip, 9.20 ERA |
09-20-2008, 03:19 AM | #1696 |
Pro Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2005
|
For some reason BP adapting hurricane rating terminology to pitch counts amused me.
Nice K/BB ratio for Benschoten there. They don't have anyone better than that somewhere in the organization? |
09-20-2008, 11:19 AM | #1697 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
|
If you look at his career earnings, it looks like he's been playing for free in 2007 and 2008.
|
09-20-2008, 11:51 AM | #1698 |
Go Reds
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio
|
John Van Benschoten went to my HS!
|
09-20-2008, 05:34 PM | #1699 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Puyallup, WA
|
Quote:
He should have never been a pitcher to begin with. Especially after he tore his labrum and rotator cuff in '04, but by that time the Pirates probably thought major arm surgery was typical for young pitchers. |
|
09-21-2008, 02:43 AM | #1700 |
High School Varsity
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: St. Pete, FL
|
I have the stub from the game that the Rays clinched their first ever playoff appearance!!!!!!!
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
|
|