Most selfish man in baseball?

[TheLetterZ]

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/15132648.htm

This is ridiculous. They should kick his *** off the team for saying this.

Phillies reliever Ryan Franklin keeps six to seven pitches in his arsenal - about four more than the best-loaded reliever. They have not served him well.


He gave up a game-winning homer to the Diamondbacks' Carlos Quentin in the 11th inning Tuesday, his 10th allowed this season, tied for the second most in the National League. That dropped him to 1-5 with a 4.64 ERA.
Quentin hit a hanging slider, which Franklin estimates nine of the 10 homers have come on. So, has he considered whittling his pitches to, say, three... effective ones?


"Yeah," Franklin said. "But I want to start somewhere next season. So, I'm going to keep throwing all of them."


Pitching coach Rich Dubee says Franklin doesn't really need to throw fewer varieties; after all, Franklin seldom throws anything besides his fastball, slider, curveball and split-finger.


"I think he definitely should throw more strike ones and more fastballs," Dubee said.


Franklin said that, if he trimmed his pitch selection, it would be fastball, split and slider. If the hanging slider has been a problem, would that not remain an issue?


Maybe if he junked some of the other pitches, not so many sliders would hang. And leave.

[Skerik]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Who needs 6 or 7 pitches to be an effective starter? Oh, that's right, someone whose stuff absolutely sucks.

So basically, screw being a good relief pitcher this season and helping his team, he's going to use this year as practice for landing a starting gig next season. What a great teammate. If I were on this team, I'd lead the motion to get him frozen out of the clubhouse for remarks like this.

[MagicBucsWsoxFan]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Who needs 6 or 7 pitches to be an effective starter? Oh, that's right, someone whose stuff absolutely sucks.

So basically, screw being a good relief pitcher this season and helping his team, he's going to use this year as practice for landing a starting gig next season. What a great teammate. If I were on this team, I'd lead the motion to get him frozen out of the clubhouse for remarks like this.

I agree, but at the same time the phillies are out of any playoff race so its not like hes ruining their season.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

that's quite possibly the worst written article I have ever read.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

I agree, but at the same time the phillies are out of any playoff race so its not like hes ruining their season.

The Phillies are 6 and a half games out of the wild card. As unlikely as it is that they go on a tear and threaten for a postseason bid, it's unfair to both his teammates and the fans that he basically pitches batting practice to opposing teams in the hope that he can get a starting job somewhere next year.

[Blzer]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Hey Franklin, just because you can throw six or seven pitches does not mean that they're decent.


I can (rather effectively for high school level) throw the following pitches:

4-Seam Fastball
2-Seam Fastball (Sinker)
Slider
12-6 Curveball
Power Curve
Slurve
Splitter
Circle Changeup



Then, if I'm to start that day, I warm up in the bullpen, and I see which four pitches are working best for me (I have to keep a fastball, so I decide at least which one of those two is the best to use that game). It's not exactly the best way to go, though... I should stick to only four pitches, and try and improve on them. I'd really like to improve on my Circle Changeup in terms of arm-action, though. Scouts have told me that I come too much over-the-top with it, thus it being not as deceitful, etc.




The fact is, Ryan Franklin is making his catcher work too much, and when you have TOO many pitches, you're not going to be so good. Offspeed is offspeed... hitters can hit it if they're looking offspeed. One may not know this, but the speed of the pitch is more important than the break of it. At least, in terms of "contact" vs "no contact".

There are more selfish men out there. I won't say any names, but I think we all know who I'm going for.

[Skerik]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

There are more selfish men out there. I won't say any names, but I think we all know who I'm going for.

I do, but I bet it's not who you think I think it is.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Isn't he the guy who got caught for 'roids?

[Stu]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Isn't he the guy who got caught for 'roids?

Yes...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2122665

[Stu]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Explain his selfishness... above everyone else's.

A little defensive aren't we? He was talking about Franklin...

[Blzer]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

A little defensive aren't we? He was talking about Franklin...

I just realized that, actually. Haha thanks.

[SPTO]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Hm well a pitcher doesn't NEED 6 or 7 pitches in his arsenal. I've seen guys with 2 very good pitches and be able to be competent starters. It's not about the number of pitches you have but the quality and diversity of said pitches.

Oh well like I care....

[CMH]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

I don't think it's selfish.

He's just dumb. I mean, really. I can't understand how he doesn't realize that by throwing ineffective pitches he's actually hurting his chances of being a starter next year. He's throwing his chances of actually being in the league next year.

Then again, I'm also a guy who believes a pitcher can be effective with just a changeup and fastball in his arsenal - if he knows how to use them.

[DirrtySouth78]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Then again, I'm also a guy who believes a pitcher can be effective with just a changeup and fastball in his arsenal - if he knows how to use them.

Mariano Rivera only has 2 Pitches, Now I know they aren't even in same League in terms of talent, But it goes to show you you don't need lots of pitches, just pitches that are successful

[CMH]

Re: Most selfish man in baseball?

Mariano Rivera only has 2 Pitches, Now I know they aren't even in same League in terms of talent, But it goes to show you you don't need lots of pitches, just pitches that are successful

Technically he has three. He added a two-seamer that he throws to right-handers. It's not as effective as his cutter and four-seam fastball. I get your point, though.