2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

[countryboy]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Ichiro retiring after today/tonight’s game


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[kehlis]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Like I said, most people are at work for Opening Day games anyway. Plus its not every year. I didn’t mind when the Yankees opened in Japan 14 years ago. Felt fun and special to get up early for those games. Granted it’s beyond dumb to open your season and then have to wait a week for more games to count but you couldn’t really do it another way.


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It's dumb. I can take off opening day if I want. Not going to take a day off with no baseball on the rest of the day.

Today I got to watch four innings before having to leave for work. Will listen to a couple innings on the commute in and then follow on Twitter from there when I can.

Not the way I want to spend following my favorite team's opening games of the year.

Sucks even more for the fans who live on the same coast as their favorite team.


I will say it's cool that Ichiro got to finish the way he is going to, and if this had been scheduled specifically for that reason, I would not have minded at all.

But it is dumb as an ongoing practice.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Ichiro retiring after today/tonight’s game


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Not everyone likes Ichiro apparently.

He was on the Opening Day roster, I would think he would have to be in the game.

As for Ichiro himself... as Seattleite/Mariners fan; GROSSLY overrated.

Singles hitter who valued his stats over the team.

When things really hit the skids for the Ms, they asked Ichiro to bat closer to the middle of the lineup, as one of the most skilled hitters in history, undoubtedly, he could have driven in more runs.. but he declined because it would have meant less ABs.

Fitting that he never won squat, and played in next to no meaningful games.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Sounds like we missed a helluva game. Oh well.

[Mercury112491]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Another great game. Was fun to watch. And the Ichiro goodbye was done really well.


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[Majingir]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Pompey out for Jays. He "bumped his head on bats". The 2019 edition of tripping over a sprinkler.

Good news for Jays is that he wasn't making MLB roster anyways. Out of options though, but I doubt anyone would've claimed him anyways.

[KSUowls]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Wow can't believe those comments on Ichiro. I was never particularly a fan of his , but wow. Not sure how you call him overrated as a mostly singles hitter and still criticize him for not hitting middle of the order. Never knew that hitting singles was so valuable from the cleanup spot.


Regarding opening day in Japan. I love the place, and they absolutely love their baseball. I can't imagine what it would be like though if the Braves played opening day 7000 miles away at 5 am.

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[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Why wouldn't they just have spring training games over there? Or the ASG or something? Starting the season should be an event, this makes no sense to me. Too much time in between games.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Look, Ichiro is going to be a HOF'r...he's got 3,000+ hits, etc. That said, I absolutely get the argument that he's overrated. He was a singles hitter who didn't walk much. He provided value with his glove and his base running, but he really isn't even a Top 10 hitter over his career.

I know he's hung around and that drug down his OPS+, but even before that he wasn't that great. Taking just his "prime" years (2001-2010) he was at a 117...again, not saying he's not a HOF'r, but like Pete Rose before him he gets overrated for racking up lots of hits.

[SPTO]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

In many respects, Ichiro is a far more palatable version of Pete Rose except with Ichiro he could drive pitchers crazy with the threat of the SB. He's a sure fire HOF not only here in North America but in Japan as well. I don't think he's overrated but I can see why some people would think that way.

[Majingir]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Why wouldn't they just have spring training games over there? Or the ASG or something? Starting the season should be an event, this makes no sense to me. Too much time in between games.

I'm surprised we haven't seen leagues try for ASG in a diff country. Would be more special for those fans seeing an exhibition game with big names in it.

[Jr.]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Look, Ichiro is going to be a HOF'r...he's got 3,000+ hits, etc. That said, I absolutely get the argument that he's overrated. He was a singles hitter who didn't walk much. He provided value with his glove and his base running, but he really isn't even a Top 10 hitter over his career.

I know he's hung around and that drug down his OPS+, but even before that he wasn't that great. Taking just his "prime" years (2001-2010) he was at a 117...again, not saying he's not a HOF'r, but like Pete Rose before him he gets overrated for racking up lots of hits.

Do you consider Tony Gwynn overrated, too?

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Do you consider Tony Gwynn overrated, too?

No...but Tony Gwynn was a much better offensive player than Ichiro. Looking at their career totals, Gwynn was 32% better than the average player at the plate and Ichiro was only 7% better. Gwynn took his walks, posting a .388 OBP for his career compared to Ichiro's .355 OBP. I'm not trying to say Ichiro wasn't a GOOD hitter or even a really good player, but he just isn't the all-time great many seem to want to make him out to be.

I considered Tony Gwynn one of the best, if not best offensive players in his career. I don't think I'd put Ichiro in the top 10 during his career (note, this is just talking about his bat...I already mentioned he brought a lot to the table with his glove and base running). Just off the top of my head, players hitter's I'd take at the plate over Ichiro during his career: Pujols, Guerrero, Cabrera, Chipper Jones, Manny, ARod, Ortiz...I'm sure there are more.

[kehlis]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

No...but Tony Gwynn was a much better offensive player than Ichiro. Looking at their career totals, Gwynn was 32% better than the average player at the plate and Ichiro was only 7% better. Gwynn took his walks, posting a .388 OBP for his career compared to Ichiro's .355 OBP. I'm not trying to say Ichiro wasn't a GOOD hitter or even a really good player, but he just isn't the all-time great many seem to want to make him out to be.

I considered Tony Gwynn one of the best, if not best offensive players in his career. I don't think I'd put Ichiro in the top 10 during his career (note, this is just talking about his bat...I already mentioned he brought a lot to the table with his glove and base running). Just off the top of my head, players hitter's I'd take at the plate over Ichiro during his career: Pujols, Guerrero, Cabrera, Chipper Jones, Manny, ARod, Ortiz...I'm sure there are more.

Have you seen folks mention him as a better hitter than any of those you mention? I don't think I have.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Have you seen folks mention him as a better hitter than any of those you mention? I don't think I have.

Yes, and I'm sure it's "he's retiring", but the gushing over him the last few weeks has been insane. Today the ESPN guys were saying he should be a "unanimous" HOF while I've seen other people talking about how he should replace Pete Rose as the "best hitter" ever since he technically had more hits.

Again...great player, far and away from the "best hitter" ever.