Dave Bush was under a lot of scrutiny tonight and faced a lot of pressure to stop a losing skid. He came through with flying colours, firing 6 shutout innings and striking out 7 Yankees in the Bronx. One monster Blue Jay inning did in the pinstripers tonight.
YAY BLUE JAYS!
*Alex looks forward to tonights post game report featuring a breakdown of Dave Bush's career third inning pitch selection versus dominican - born switch hitters under six foot one*
Oh God, please dont.
Cheers
A
*Alex looks forward to tonights post game report featuring a breakdown of Dave Bush's career third inning pitch selection versus dominican - born switch hitters under six foot one*
Oh God, please dont.
Cheers
A
We get the point. You don't have to post it in two threads.
A 9-run inning...talk about releasing a lot of pent-up frustration. And a sensational dive into the stands to boot.
I think the funniest moments of the game all involved Tony Womack, ace centre fielder for the New York Yankees.
Can anyone explain to me why Tony Womack is playing centre field for the New York Yankees?
My new baseball radio finally has a win. I was starting to think I'd have to return it. Also, just before the nine run inning, little Theo decided to take a mouthful of barley cereal and lean forwards and directly spew it into my chest -- he mushed his face around and smeared it all over my shirt -- so the two of us spent the entire rally sitting on the floor in our underwear. I'm hoping I won't have to spend every game in my underwear, but if I gotta I certainly will. At least tomorrow's game is a day game.
Can anyone explain to me why Tony Womack is playing centre field for the New York Yankees?
My new baseball radio finally has a win. I was starting to think I'd have to return it. Also, just before the nine run inning, little Theo decided to take a mouthful of barley cereal and lean forwards and directly spew it into my chest -- he mushed his face around and smeared it all over my shirt -- so the two of us spent the entire rally sitting on the floor in our underwear. I'm hoping I won't have to spend every game in my underwear, but if I gotta I certainly will. At least tomorrow's game is a day game.
I bought a nice new mini Ridell baseball helmet, put it my monitor...Jays lost, put it on my printer, jays lost, put it on my dresser (wife hadn't noticed) Jays lost, Put it on my night stand Jays lost....friend told me I had to burn it, I told him I had one more option...I put it under my night stand...jays win...superstitious???? nah
Every single Jay except for Rios got a run in the 5th inning. Every single Jay except for Rios and O-Dog got a hit and O-Dog walked and got an RBI.
Let's hope that the Jays can continue to get lots of runs, but hopefully they can get runs in mor than one inning.
Let's hope that the Jays can continue to get lots of runs, but hopefully they can get runs in mor than one inning.
Recap of WWJP
- When asked why isn’t there more bunting JP replied “bunting absolutely stinks” And then he said “it’s a lost art”
- Purcey will start at AA next season, Jackson will start at AAA next season
- Romero won’t be appearing with the Jays next September. He hopes he ends the season at AA or AAA.
- Says Wells is good at the 3 hole but Hillenbrand isn’t a 4 hole hitter.
- When asked if JF-Griffin or Arnold would be called up September 1st, he said they are still discussing who they will call up. Call ups will see action.
- When asked why isn’t there more bunting JP replied “bunting absolutely stinks” And then he said “it’s a lost art”
- Purcey will start at AA next season, Jackson will start at AAA next season
- Romero won’t be appearing with the Jays next September. He hopes he ends the season at AA or AAA.
- Says Wells is good at the 3 hole but Hillenbrand isn’t a 4 hole hitter.
- When asked if JF-Griffin or Arnold would be called up September 1st, he said they are still discussing who they will call up. Call ups will see action.
Let me clarify JP hopes Romero ends up at AA or AAA at the end of next season not this season.
Great game for the Jays, that inning was a long time coming. I dont think theres a better feeling for a Jays fan than to see those loub, abusive Yankee fans go so quiet like they did in the 5th inning.
Nice little plug by JC tonight although I dont know why he mentioned bluejayway.ca first!!!! Just a testament to how great this website is so keep up the good work guys.
Probably the funny moment for me was when the commentating team said they could use these websites to help answer some of our questions about the Jays, and the entire time I thought, hmmm I'm doubtful that they can answer anything more than this comprehensive website already covers.
GO JAYS GO.
Nice little plug by JC tonight although I dont know why he mentioned bluejayway.ca first!!!! Just a testament to how great this website is so keep up the good work guys.
Probably the funny moment for me was when the commentating team said they could use these websites to help answer some of our questions about the Jays, and the entire time I thought, hmmm I'm doubtful that they can answer anything more than this comprehensive website already covers.
GO JAYS GO.
How nice it is to see Mussina get beaten like a gong. I feel better now. :-)
The team seems to score runs in bunches. I guess it's because they don't hit many home runs, but that's just a guess.
The team seems to score runs in bunches. I guess it's because they don't hit many home runs, but that's just a guess.
Chacin vs Chacon tomorrow
Anyone see Chacon's mug shot? Looks like they were sitting in the bullpen and some guy said "hey Shawn look over here"
Anyone see Chacon's mug shot? Looks like they were sitting in the bullpen and some guy said "hey Shawn look over here"
Says Wells is good at the 3 hole but Hillenbrand isn’t a 4 hole hitter.
Damn straight. This will actually be covered, in part, in tomorrow's Game Report, which I am happy to announce will feature no analysis of Dave Bush's pitch selection.
I'm also glad to hear Romero won't be rushed. If he follows Purcey's career path -- start his first full season at Dunedin, finish it at New Hampshire -- and handles himself as well as Purcey, the Jays ought to be pleased. I do expect Jackson and Purcey to see time in Toronto next year, however -- maybe as early as June or July for one or possibly both of them.
Oh boy, are we going to talk about Shea Hillenbrand again?
I hear he's better than Dave Berg but worse than Julio Franco.
Jordan, are you saying Dave Berg is the worst human being ever? That's quite a statement!
Can anyone explain to me why Tony Womack is playing centre field for the New York Yankees?
Shure. It's a natural-like progression. Earle Combs, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Mickey Rivers, Rickey Henderson, Bernie Williams ... Tony Womack!
Voila!
Shure. It's a natural-like progression. Earle Combs, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Mickey Rivers, Rickey Henderson, Bernie Williams ... Tony Womack!
Reminds me of the Boston Red Sox left fielder descent: Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, Mike Greenwell, Bob Zupcic.
Some of my best friends are Dave Berg.
Dave Bush deserved really deserved a 9-Run inning and it couldn't of come at a better time.
Jordan, are you saying Dave Berg is the worst human being ever? That's quite a statement!
There's a certain Bauxite's significant other who has a tenuous connection to royalty that would definitely beg to differ.
At least my wife likes Miguel Batista for his eyes.
There's a certain Bauxite's significant other who has a tenuous connection to royalty that would definitely beg to differ.
At least my wife likes Miguel Batista for his eyes.
I am a "newbie" to Battersbox, so hope I am doing this right!!
I am glad the Jays had this great game last night, however, I believe the Yankees will win today, and the Jays will begin their "slide" as they do every year. I get so angry with them every year as the Season nears the end! They are so inconsistent, it hurts!!Batista has got to go!! Would Spier make a good closer?
I put NO bets on Chacin today - he gets flustered, and today will be the Jays demise, mark my words!
I will keep my fingers crossed! Nothing I would like better than to see the Yankees lose yet one more game!!
I am glad the Jays had this great game last night, however, I believe the Yankees will win today, and the Jays will begin their "slide" as they do every year. I get so angry with them every year as the Season nears the end! They are so inconsistent, it hurts!!Batista has got to go!! Would Spier make a good closer?
I put NO bets on Chacin today - he gets flustered, and today will be the Jays demise, mark my words!
I will keep my fingers crossed! Nothing I would like better than to see the Yankees lose yet one more game!!
What slide? As I recall last year was one big slide, but the three years prior, the Jays went on a tear in the last month. Not a 'contending tear', but they've been better in the last month in all of the years form 2001-2003.
Does Miguel Batista have to go because he blew the save two days ago?
Does Miguel Batista have to go because he blew the save two days ago?
Batista has to go because one more blown save than Mariano Rivera is the dividing line between "automatic closer" and "bum". Didn't you know that, VBF?
And I, too, was under the impression that the Jays usually turned it up in the final two months. I remember '02 and '03 having nice finishes to them.
MsBaseball looks like another short-termer -- the team was bad last year, Batista was bad yesterday, therefore both are bad. Not to pick on you, MsBaseball, but a lot of people show up and post things like this without support and then never come back -- Batter's Box is about conversation, not venting. You can surely believe what you like, but in talking about it here we'd either like to hear some support for what you say or to hear you ask questions. You say that Chacin gets flustered and therefore the team will lose today -- when did he get flustered? I'll counter with his spectacular Yankee Stadium game last year where he totally shut down a far better Yankees offense than he'll be facing today.
"Batista has to go" is just silly. Who do you want to replace him with, and why? Speier has been much better than last year, but isn't he more valuable in higher-leverage situations in the late innings of a game? And can he pitch as frequently as Batista? Batista isn't Eric Gagne or Mariano Rivera, but he doesn't stink, not by a long shot. But if you think he does, try to convince me -- tell me why he's so terrible that the team needs to jettison him.
And I, too, was under the impression that the Jays usually turned it up in the final two months. I remember '02 and '03 having nice finishes to them.
MsBaseball looks like another short-termer -- the team was bad last year, Batista was bad yesterday, therefore both are bad. Not to pick on you, MsBaseball, but a lot of people show up and post things like this without support and then never come back -- Batter's Box is about conversation, not venting. You can surely believe what you like, but in talking about it here we'd either like to hear some support for what you say or to hear you ask questions. You say that Chacin gets flustered and therefore the team will lose today -- when did he get flustered? I'll counter with his spectacular Yankee Stadium game last year where he totally shut down a far better Yankees offense than he'll be facing today.
"Batista has to go" is just silly. Who do you want to replace him with, and why? Speier has been much better than last year, but isn't he more valuable in higher-leverage situations in the late innings of a game? And can he pitch as frequently as Batista? Batista isn't Eric Gagne or Mariano Rivera, but he doesn't stink, not by a long shot. But if you think he does, try to convince me -- tell me why he's so terrible that the team needs to jettison him.
It's a natural-like progression. Earle Combs, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Mickey Rivers, Rickey Henderson, Bernie Williams ... Tony Womack!
Voila!
Hey, you missed Bunny High, Whitey Witt, Jake Powell, Tuck Stainback, Joe Pepitone, Elliott Maddox, and Omar Moreno...
Wow, maybe it is a natural progression.
Incidentally, how many years does Matsui have to play before he overtakes Charlie Keller as the best leftfielder in Yankees history? Is it possible for him to do it? I'm not sure...
The only reason Batista has the Wins that he does, is because of the Defense behind him. It is NOT his ability to Strikeout! As far as Chacin goes - my opinion of him is that he impressed a lot of us at the beginning, rookie of the month, if I recall, however, as of late, he has not impressed me!
I agree that the Jays are a better Team this Season, a lot of fresh, young, and eager guys, and perhaps they will give us a better "show" next Season, but for this year, I truly believe it is too late. I am still, however, hoping they might get a Wildcard spot??
I agree that the Jays are a better Team this Season, a lot of fresh, young, and eager guys, and perhaps they will give us a better "show" next Season, but for this year, I truly believe it is too late. I am still, however, hoping they might get a Wildcard spot??
Not all pitchers are strikeout pitchers. Roy Halladay, for instance, induces a lot of ground balls that are eaten up by the defense. So by your argument, Halladay also has to go.
Again, I'm asking you where Chacin got flustered, and why Batista has to go.
Again, I'm asking you where Chacin got flustered, and why Batista has to go.
"I'm hoping I won't have to spend every game in my underwear, but if I gotta I certainly will."
Just the games in the comfort of your living room right? Although, if you were going to do it at the Rogers Centre it would be much more interesting!
Forget the fu-manchu mustache. Do the underwear thing!
;)
Just the games in the comfort of your living room right? Although, if you were going to do it at the Rogers Centre it would be much more interesting!
Forget the fu-manchu mustache. Do the underwear thing!
;)
First timer here.So a big hello to all Blue Jay-baseball fans.
Love the site and all the attention to detail that you guys offer up.
I've been a Blue Jay fan since their inception but honestly my true fervor started in the 83 season when they won 89 games,with a better bullpen that year maybe they could have given Baltimore a run for their $.
I digress though.
I can see so much symmetry between that 83 team and this years squad.
Lots of promising rookies mixed in with some veteran leadership.
A recipe for success?I'm hoping.
Great game last night,with 2 outstanding grabs.
Bush was awesome and I think he could have been rattled if Vernon doesn't catch that ball.
Best offense always seems to be initiated by even better defense.
Gotta run but I look forward to adding my $.02 worth, constructively,in the days,wks to come.
Later..........
Love the site and all the attention to detail that you guys offer up.
I've been a Blue Jay fan since their inception but honestly my true fervor started in the 83 season when they won 89 games,with a better bullpen that year maybe they could have given Baltimore a run for their $.
I digress though.
I can see so much symmetry between that 83 team and this years squad.
Lots of promising rookies mixed in with some veteran leadership.
A recipe for success?I'm hoping.
Great game last night,with 2 outstanding grabs.
Bush was awesome and I think he could have been rattled if Vernon doesn't catch that ball.
Best offense always seems to be initiated by even better defense.
Gotta run but I look forward to adding my $.02 worth, constructively,in the days,wks to come.
Later..........
NFH, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but saying that Batista has one less save then Rivera is disengenious. It suggests that their performances have been close this year, which they haven't (and I'm sure you know this).
Also, Roy Halladay is not a huge strike out pitcher, but he was on pace for about 175 SOs this year, which is hardly chopped liver.
Josh Towers looks like he'll finish with about 100 SOs, and I think it's fair to say that he's not a strike out pitcher.
Also, Roy Halladay is not a huge strike out pitcher, but he was on pace for about 175 SOs this year, which is hardly chopped liver.
Josh Towers looks like he'll finish with about 100 SOs, and I think it's fair to say that he's not a strike out pitcher.
I agree - I was thrilled to see Mussina blown out of the water!!
I also agree that the Team scores runs in bunches, and I am of the opinion that that is good!! Home runs are great, however, RBI's are the best!!
I also agree that the Team scores runs in bunches, and I am of the opinion that that is good!! Home runs are great, however, RBI's are the best!!
We were close to losing that game last night - one more inning of pitching by Batista, I sincerely believe the Jays would have left the field with their heads hanging down!!
Chacin does well when no one is on base. He pitches faster and more accurately. My opinion is that he loses his concentration when he has to watch runners on the bases. He takes much longer to throw a pitch, which isn't always a bad thing, but he seems to be trying too hard, perhaps? Hence, he throws a lot of "balls"! The, I see him getting flustered!!
My opinion, of course!!
I think Roy is a great Pitcher, granted, he is NOT a strikeout Pitcher, but I think we might have a few more wins if he had been on the Roster the past 7 weeks. On the other hand, I think the Jays have done "quite well" in his absence!
Will Roy be back before the Season ends? What do you think?
Chacin does well when no one is on base. He pitches faster and more accurately. My opinion is that he loses his concentration when he has to watch runners on the bases. He takes much longer to throw a pitch, which isn't always a bad thing, but he seems to be trying too hard, perhaps? Hence, he throws a lot of "balls"! The, I see him getting flustered!!
My opinion, of course!!
I think Roy is a great Pitcher, granted, he is NOT a strikeout Pitcher, but I think we might have a few more wins if he had been on the Roster the past 7 weeks. On the other hand, I think the Jays have done "quite well" in his absence!
Will Roy be back before the Season ends? What do you think?
for those that missed it, mr campbell plugged the site during last nights broadcast.
I can empathize with the 'batista has to go' statement, but it really is just a case of him having had 2 bad outings in a row in an otherwise pretty good season. He has made some games interesting that fans probably would have rather he'd just come in and shut down, but if you look at the season as a whole he has generally done the job. I don't think he's had any more 'bad outings', or has a substantially higher percentage of 'bad outings' than any of our other relievers.
Batista's bad outings just stand out because it usually means they lose the game.
I can empathize with the 'batista has to go' statement, but it really is just a case of him having had 2 bad outings in a row in an otherwise pretty good season. He has made some games interesting that fans probably would have rather he'd just come in and shut down, but if you look at the season as a whole he has generally done the job. I don't think he's had any more 'bad outings', or has a substantially higher percentage of 'bad outings' than any of our other relievers.
Batista's bad outings just stand out because it usually means they lose the game.
A short-termer I will not be. I didn't know about the Battersbox until last night's game, so I will get in on the conversation whenever I can!!
I certainly don't want to be reported for any ABUSE, so if I am out of line, or, seem to be "venting", I will accept the criticism, no problem!
I certainly don't want to be reported for any ABUSE, so if I am out of line, or, seem to be "venting", I will accept the criticism, no problem!
but saying that Batista has one less save then Rivera is disengenious. It suggests that their performances have been close this year, which they haven't (and I'm sure you know this).
While they certainly have been different in many ways, in the only way that makes a difference to the team's record they have been very similar. I'm not going to complain about, say, K rate or K:BB ratio if the job is being done. I wouldn't carp about a lack of home runs on a winning team.
I've said, mostly as a joke, that Batista could be the Jack Morris of closers -- meaning that he gets it done, but his numbers aren't great and he's regarded by many as "not as good as his record". I understand what "not as good as his record" means, and I can understand why someone would say that, but I really couldn't give a damn about it.
Also, Roy Halladay is not a huge strike out pitcher, but he was on pace for about 175 SOs this year, which is hardly chopped liver.
Josh Towers looks like he'll finish with about 100 SOs, and I think it's fair to say that he's not a strike out pitcher.
I was trying to make a ridiculous comparison, but the Towers one is definitely more accurate.
While they certainly have been different in many ways, in the only way that makes a difference to the team's record they have been very similar. I'm not going to complain about, say, K rate or K:BB ratio if the job is being done. I wouldn't carp about a lack of home runs on a winning team.
I've said, mostly as a joke, that Batista could be the Jack Morris of closers -- meaning that he gets it done, but his numbers aren't great and he's regarded by many as "not as good as his record". I understand what "not as good as his record" means, and I can understand why someone would say that, but I really couldn't give a damn about it.
Also, Roy Halladay is not a huge strike out pitcher, but he was on pace for about 175 SOs this year, which is hardly chopped liver.
Josh Towers looks like he'll finish with about 100 SOs, and I think it's fair to say that he's not a strike out pitcher.
I was trying to make a ridiculous comparison, but the Towers one is definitely more accurate.
We were close to losing that game last night - one more inning of pitching by Batista, I sincerely believe the Jays would have left the field with their heads hanging down!!
Batista didn't pitch last night. Chulk gave up some runs, but I think he was pitching very aggressively because of the score -- he wasn't concerned about giving up a few runs.
Batista didn't pitch last night. Chulk gave up some runs, but I think he was pitching very aggressively because of the score -- he wasn't concerned about giving up a few runs.
More to the point, why *wouldn't* a pitcher want to rely on this defense to make outs for him? It's a good defense - 8th best in all of baseball at turning balls in play into outs. Strikeouts are boring and besides, they're fascist. Get some groundballs - they're more democratic.
I perhaps should have said - "IF" this had been a tied ballgame in the 9th, or even 1 run in favor of the Jays, and Batista pitched in OT, we would have LOST the game!
A few runs here, and a few runs there, especially the Yankees, makes for a very "nerve-wrecking" 8th and 9th innings!!
A few runs here, and a few runs there, especially the Yankees, makes for a very "nerve-wrecking" 8th and 9th innings!!
this year and next year are huge for the jays with obvious reasons. but in order to keep Doc around, they need to show him something. I think this year showed him alot and if i am the Jays i might try to get him extended for 2 more years after this season. i know its a huge a risk for the jays considering he is a pitcher, but honestly, does anyone think he won't be good for at least 3 more years.
See, and I don't get this -- MsBaseball, Batista has blown, what, five saves in thirty opportunities? Something like that. So why is he all of a sudden an automatic loss?
Batista's Gamelog: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4815/gamelog
Batista has only actually lost a game 4 times this season. He has been shakey of late though, so perhaps had he pitched yesterday in a tied game they might have lost. But next week he might be back into the form he was in a couple of weeks ago.
Batista has only actually lost a game 4 times this season. He has been shakey of late though, so perhaps had he pitched yesterday in a tied game they might have lost. But next week he might be back into the form he was in a couple of weeks ago.
At least nobody is saying the Vernon Wells or the Jays' offense as a whole is "unclutch."
As far as Chacin goes - my opinion of him is that he impressed a lot of us at the beginning, rookie of the month, if I recall, however, as of late, he has not impressed me!
Yes, he was rookie of the month in April. He was also rookie of the month in July. His ERA since the allstar break is 3.04 so I hardly think he's slowing down.
Chacin does well when no one is on base. He pitches faster and more accurately. My opinion is that he loses his concentration when he has to watch runners on the bases.
That's simply not true at all. Opposing batters are hitting .286 (.795 OPS, that's bad) with runners on base and .240 (.649 OPS, that's good) with runners on base. He actually pitches much better with runners on.
That confirms an observation I've been making. I would also bet his numbers are better again when he has two on.
Of course, that should read:
Opposing batters are hitting .286 (.795 OPS, that's bad) with no one on base and .240 (.649 OPS, that's good) with runners on base.
Opposing batters are hitting .286 (.795 OPS, that's bad) with no one on base and .240 (.649 OPS, that's good) with runners on base.
Lefty, right on! With two runners on or the bases loaded, opposing hitters have hit just .200 against Chacin this year (12-for-60) with five doubles and ZERO homers.
Chacin allows a slugging percentage of .440 with the bases empty, .348 with runners on, and just .283 with two or more runners on.
His walk and strikeout totals also go up in each situation, which pretty much confirms that Chacin knows how to pitch - he's trying to expand the strike zone with runners on base, prevent the big hit. A walk is as bad as a hit with the bases empty - but with runners on, it doesn't hurt as much.
Chacin allows a slugging percentage of .440 with the bases empty, .348 with runners on, and just .283 with two or more runners on.
His walk and strikeout totals also go up in each situation, which pretty much confirms that Chacin knows how to pitch - he's trying to expand the strike zone with runners on base, prevent the big hit. A walk is as bad as a hit with the bases empty - but with runners on, it doesn't hurt as much.
Batista is a pitcher who has streches of being useful (2001, 2003)combined with patches of being one of the more frustrating pitchers in baseball (Pre 2001, 2002, 2004).
He hasn't been too bad this season until very recently, but I don't see how this isn't an area on the team that can be improved for 2006.
He hasn't been too bad this season until very recently, but I don't see how this isn't an area on the team that can be improved for 2006.
Incidentally, how many years does Matsui have to play before he overtakes Charlie Keller as the best leftfielder in Yankees history? Is it possible for him to do it? I'm not sure...
Craig, in my 2005 NYY preview here on Batter's Box, I had Matsui already ahead of Keller, but the two of them were just fourth and fifth overall:
- Dave Winfield
- Roy White
- Bob Meusel
- Hideki Matsui
- Charlie Keller
You're way underselling Charlie Keller, Mick. Keller is one of the more productive hitters in Yankee *history*... a team that's had some decent hitters.
Winfield's probably the lowest of those five players, to be honest with you - speaking strictly as a Yankee leftfielder. Winfield's three seasons in left for New York were 1981 to 1983. The team played poorly in 1982, Winfield failed to score 100 runs in any of the three seasons, and the '81 strike year was his best year hitting of the three but he went 1-for-22 in the World Series!
Meanwhile, in six years as the Yanks' starting LF, Keller went to World Series four times, and slugged *.611* in those games. It wasn't DiMaggio delivering the crushing blows in those Series - it was King Kong Keller. Winfield was putting up EqAs right around .300 from 81-83, but Keller's were like .330. Essentially, the difference between a Matsui and a Vladimir Guerrero. Except Keller was a bit better than Guerrero.
Purely as Yankee LFs, I'd rank them 1. Keller 1A. White 3. Meusel 4. Matsui 4A. Winfield. Matsui ranks ahead of Winfield, I think, because like Keller he's put up huge numbers in the clutch, performing his best in the postseason.
Winfield's probably the lowest of those five players, to be honest with you - speaking strictly as a Yankee leftfielder. Winfield's three seasons in left for New York were 1981 to 1983. The team played poorly in 1982, Winfield failed to score 100 runs in any of the three seasons, and the '81 strike year was his best year hitting of the three but he went 1-for-22 in the World Series!
Meanwhile, in six years as the Yanks' starting LF, Keller went to World Series four times, and slugged *.611* in those games. It wasn't DiMaggio delivering the crushing blows in those Series - it was King Kong Keller. Winfield was putting up EqAs right around .300 from 81-83, but Keller's were like .330. Essentially, the difference between a Matsui and a Vladimir Guerrero. Except Keller was a bit better than Guerrero.
Purely as Yankee LFs, I'd rank them 1. Keller 1A. White 3. Meusel 4. Matsui 4A. Winfield. Matsui ranks ahead of Winfield, I think, because like Keller he's put up huge numbers in the clutch, performing his best in the postseason.
I didn't include Ruth, by the way, because I think he only had one season (1921) where you can actually describe him as the Yankees' starting LF.
Lunch is almost over. Oh well.
Lunch is almost over. Oh well.
A very bad game today - Chacin - WOW!! 4 runs right off the bat!!
Too bad, so Sad!!
Too bad, so Sad!!
and Batista pitched in OT
We are talking about baseball, right?
I AM WATCHNG THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE METS - MAN!! THE BLUE JAYS COULD SURE USE PEDRO MARTINEZ - I love WATCHING HIM PITCH!!
Enough with all the exclamation points. It's like you're screaming.
I don't think we need to pile on during a rough part of the season and I love the great fans on this site that stick up for the Jays when people start jumping off the bandwagon, but... Miguel Batista has been the definition of mediocre (if not worse), since joining the Jays last season. Mariano Rivera is a potential Hall of Fame pitcher - Miguel Batista is not in the same universe as Rivera. Please, there are other ways to make an argument then to cherry pick stats that make Miguel look OK. Batista is certainly not an automatic loss, but 25/30 is really not that good. I think it was Rob who wrote an excellent piece a few days back about closers so there's not much to add, but please don't compare Batista to Rivera. I know what you're trying to say, but please - don't. In fact, I would not mind seeing Speier as closer next year. He has been far more effective than Batista. The whole "bottom line, he gets the job done" thing is the kind of argument made in the past for pitchers like Russ Ortiz and Kirk Rueter who won games in spite of their mediocrity. They were not great pitchers, no matter what the W-L column said. They were average/mediocre pitchers on good teams.
I don't think we need to pile on during a rough part of the season and I love the great fans on this site that stick up for the Jays when people start jumping off the bandwagon, but... Miguel Batista has been the definition of mediocre (if not worse), since joining the Jays last season. Mariano Rivera is a potential Hall of Fame pitcher - Miguel Batista is not in the same universe as Rivera. Please, there are other ways to make an argument then to cherry pick stats that make Miguel look OK. Batista is certainly not an automatic loss, but 25/30 is really not that good. I think it was Rob who wrote an excellent piece a few days back about closers so there's not much to add, but please don't compare Batista to Rivera. I know what you're trying to say, but please - don't. In fact, I would not mind seeing Speier as closer next year. He has been far more effective than Batista. The whole "bottom line, he gets the job done" thing is the kind of argument made in the past for pitchers like Russ Ortiz and Kirk Rueter who won games in spite of their mediocrity. They were not great pitchers, no matter what the W-L column said. They were average/mediocre pitchers on good teams.
I thought I was the only one who thought Batista is mediocre, or worse. I truly believe Speier would make a good closer - give him a good Coach, and he would be awesome!
Huh?
We don't like Arnsberg all of a sudden? Ms. Baseball, please define to me what a good coach is.
We don't like Arnsberg all of a sudden? Ms. Baseball, please define to me what a good coach is.
I like Arnsberg. I meant that the pitching coach the Jays have should work "hard" with Speier, train him as the "closer", and we will be in fine shape!
I have no complaints at all about any of the coaches - they are doing just fine.
I have no complaints at all about any of the coaches - they are doing just fine.
I read an interesting piece in the National Post yesterday.
Washington manager, Frank Robinson, wants Rafael Palmeiro's hitting statistics wiped out because he failed a drug test. He said "to eliminate all that, you will get the player's attention, and you wipe the whole thing out".
That makes a lot of good sense to me - how about they do that with ALL players that fail the test? That may stop the abuse, particularly for next season. Everyone would be starting out with a "clean" slate.
What a great concept! (They could start with Giambi).
Washington manager, Frank Robinson, wants Rafael Palmeiro's hitting statistics wiped out because he failed a drug test. He said "to eliminate all that, you will get the player's attention, and you wipe the whole thing out".
That makes a lot of good sense to me - how about they do that with ALL players that fail the test? That may stop the abuse, particularly for next season. Everyone would be starting out with a "clean" slate.
What a great concept! (They could start with Giambi).
That sounds like the worst idea I have ever heard in my life.
Any thoughts on the Jays vs. the Indians?
Frankly, I am afraid to watch this series!
I think we need to cross all toes and fingers, collectively!
Frankly, I am afraid to watch this series!
I think we need to cross all toes and fingers, collectively!
Oh, I don't know. Sounds pretty fair to me. Maybe wiping out ALL a player's stats is a bit much, but certainly the stats covered by the probable use of performance enhancers; say, from the player's last negative test to the player's positive test. They're already tainted, after all.
If MLB want to lean on their "official" source (Total Baseball) to remove those stats, that's fine I guess. The result will be that nobody with a serious interest in stats or history will buy it. If MLB want to deny official recognition of records, for all intents and purposes they already do that for players they don't like. When Rickey Henderson broke the career records for walks drawn and runs scored, MLB barely raised its collective head to acknowledge him. If I remember correctly, no one from MLB was at either event and the Padres handled both (low-key) celebrations.
And unlike Mark McGwire's then-record, which MLB went collectively cuckoo over, Rickey's records are almost certainly untainted in any way.
Who cares what MLB think, anyway? They can no more take a player's records away from him than they can erase the past injustices they have perpetrated. The records form a part of history, and unless MLB have been spending all the money they've saved by not drug testing the past 25 years on building a Super-Secret Time Machine inside an old DeLorean in one of Bud Selig's used car lots, they're going to have a hard time changing it.
If MLB have a sudden yen to start engaging in revisionist history, I can think of some other excellent places to start rather than by selectively sucking stat lines out of record books. I never bought the idea of the asterisk next to Maris's record, and I don't buy this idea either.
I am wondering if anyone of you know the "demise" of Billy Koch and John Rocker? To my knowledge, they are NOT on any Team, so are they working at Target in the U.S. or pumping gas here in Canada? Perhaps they have become pro Broomball players?
Also, where is Buck Martiniez? I do believe I read, or heard, that he is a Sports Analyst? Anyone know? Not a very good Baseball Manager, but I liked him a lot!
Also, where is Buck Martiniez? I do believe I read, or heard, that he is a Sports Analyst? Anyone know? Not a very good Baseball Manager, but I liked him a lot!
Buck is now a commentator with the Baltimore Orioles.
Billy Koch is enjoying retired life, and last I heard John Rocker was attempting a comeback in the minors which I believe was/is a failure.
Billy Koch is enjoying retired life, and last I heard John Rocker was attempting a comeback in the minors which I believe was/is a failure.
Any chance we might hear Buck "commentating" when the Orioles play the Jays August 30th?
That would be so good!!
Good Luck to the Jays tonite, right?
Thanks for the info on the guys. I couldn't find out anything on the Internet!
That would be so good!!
Good Luck to the Jays tonite, right?
Thanks for the info on the guys. I couldn't find out anything on the Internet!
Hey Guys!
In the words of my Dad, who is also a huge Baseball Fan - "Goodbye Charlie"!
Goodnight Guys! There is always tomorrow!!
In the words of my Dad, who is also a huge Baseball Fan - "Goodbye Charlie"!
Goodnight Guys! There is always tomorrow!!