2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

[SPTO]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

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.

Okay, if anyone is seriously saying Ichiro is as good or better than those guys than they're out of their minds. Still, I think most rational people wouldn't put Ichiro in their class.

[Blzer]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Another knock against Ichiro as a hitter (no pun intended) would be his number of infield singles. Sure, that rounds him out more as an overall player with speed as an added asset for him, but a player with average speed would not collect quite the number of hits that he had on those ground balls trapped by infielders, including Gwynn in his athletic prime (who himself was significantly better than average speed at one point).

All told though, that's the player that he chose to be, and may have made sacrifices along the way to do that. The slap-hitter style was probably a way of saying: "I'll take a loss in plate vision, control, and power if it means I can gain a little extra momentum to leave the box and potentially get on by way of an infield single, or stretch some of those balls between outfielders to doubles, or doubles to triples." Maybe if he stood at the plate firm, we'd take away some of the extra bases gained (including infield singles), but we'd see a more complete version of himself. Perhaps there is less incentive to swing so often so that he would take more walks, or strike out less, or pull more balls for an even more dynamic spray, etc. After all, everyone has said that he could win the Home Run Derby if he entered, because he just has those kinds of abilities. He chose his path though, so maybe we do acknowledge every hit, walk, and strikeout along the way.

On another plus note of his well-roundedness, he was a better career hitter against lefties (.329 BA) than he was against righties (.304 BA). So much for those lefty/righty splits.

By the way, let's not undervalue his arm at all when we're describing his tools. Guy had a cannon.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

I have literally seen no one proclaim in the same realm of those guys. I think that's more your issue. His wRC+ or OPS+ is always going to be low just due to the type of hitter he was. It looks to be in 115-120 Range before it got dragged down the last few years which combined with his defense and all around game was a heck of a player. He had one of the best arms we've ever seen. I think people are sleeping on how good he was defensively. He was the man.

[Scott]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Willie Calhoun officially optioned to AAA Nashville. Calhoun left camp and has yet to report. Definitely not a good move.


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[SPTO]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Here's something amazing about Ichiro. He's the all time leader in leading the AL in least GIDP with 4 seasons. The total number in those 4 seasons?

13!

In 2009 he only GIDP ONCE! That's just insane numbers there.

[Mabster]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Olson out 6+ weeks with hamate bone surgery. Luzardo out with rotator cuff strain. Lose both games in Japan.

A's need to hit quit and restart this season.

[Jr.]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Here's something amazing about Ichiro. He's the all time leader in leading the AL in least GIDP with 4 seasons. The total number in those 4 seasons?

13!

In 2009 he only GIDP ONCE! That's just insane numbers there.

Especially considering how often he put the ball in play and on the ground. That's really impressive

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Olson out 6+ weeks with hamate bone surgery. Luzardo out with rotator cuff strain. Lose both games in Japan.

A's need to hit quit and restart this season.

****. He got hurt in game?!

[franch1se]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Tatis scored from first on a routine single up the middle


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[Mabster]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

****. He got hurt in game?!

Wasn't even during game action. Taking a warm up swing in the fifth inning and cracked it.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

Scooter Gennett strained his groin yesterday. Expected to miss 2-3 months.

[Majingir]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

I said it before, ST atmosphere is really unique. For any audio specialist, is it possible for networks to capture regular season games the same way they do ST? I'm talking in terms of the "raw audio", where the sound or the ball off the bat, and other on field noises get picked up differently in ST broadcasts than regular ones.

If I could go to 1 preseason game in any league or sport, I'm choosing spring training for sure.

https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/1109650229303767040?s=19

[Blzer]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

I said it before, ST atmosphere is really unique. For any audio specialist, is it possible for networks to capture regular season games the same way they do ST? I'm talking in terms of the "raw audio", where the sound or the ball off the bat, and other on field noises get picked up differently in ST broadcasts than regular ones.

If I could go to 1 preseason game in any league or sport, I'm choosing spring training for sure.
https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/1...303767040?s=19

I'm not sure what qualifies, but many MLB.TV broadcasts allow you to enable natural park sounds so that the commentary is off. Generally the issue is that because there is such a large crowd they will cancel out all of the other noises you tend to get, or maybe they use less shotgun mics as a result of that.

Anyway, it was really eerie watching the ChiSox-Orioles game with natural park sounds during the Baltimore riots when no one was in the stands. Yes, there were people standing outside the stadium gates so you got a little noise here and there, but otherwise it was just far too bizarre of an experience.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

I'm not sure what qualifies, but many MLB.TV broadcasts allow you to enable natural park sounds so that the commentary is off. Generally the issue is that because there is such a large crowd they will cancel out all of the other noises you tend to get, or maybe they use less shotgun mics as a result of that.

Anyway, it was really eerie watching the ChiSox-Orioles game with natural park sounds during the Baltimore riots when no one was in the stands. Yes, there were people standing outside the stadium gates so you got a little noise here and there, but otherwise it was just far too bizarre of an experience.

It was even more bizarre playing it in The Show.

[Jr.]

Re: 2019 Spring Training Discussion Thread

The Cubs optioned Ian Happ to AAA today after a stellar .150 spring batting average

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