Comments on: The Great Wedge … http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/ A Rough Draft Blog Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:03:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ticket 4 SuperBowl http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-176 Ticket 4 SuperBowl Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:17:12 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-176 Amazing article. I hope you'll comment my blog.. Thank You Again Amazing article.
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]]> By: Anthony Cartouche http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-101 Anthony Cartouche Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:33:24 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-101 What ISN'T scintillating is my HTML skills, such as they are. The second game's box score is <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270806109" rel="nofollow">here</a>. What ISN’T scintillating is my HTML skills, such as they are. The second game’s box score is here.

]]> By: Anthony Cartouche http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-100 Anthony Cartouche Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:32:00 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-100 Greg Andrew: <i>But I’m not sure if Paul Byrd has ever given a performance on the mound that could reasonably be referred to as scintillating . . .</i> On Sept. 1, 2007, Byrd threw <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270901105" rel="nofollow">a four-hit complete game shutout</a> against the White Sox. He did <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270901105" rel="nofollow">the same</a> against the Twins on Aug. 6. That's plenty scintillating enough for this Tribe fan. Greg Andrew:

But I’m not sure if Paul Byrd has ever given a performance on the mound that could reasonably be referred to as scintillating . . .

On Sept. 1, 2007, Byrd threw a four-hit complete game shutout against the White Sox. He did the same against the Twins on Aug. 6.

That’s plenty scintillating enough for this Tribe fan.

]]> By: Mark Finch http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-95 Mark Finch Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:48:51 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-95 "...(T)his after spending the first three games sacrificing more than the Aztecs." "I suppose this is true if Gwynn meant they are both right handed. And carbon-based life forms." Great stuff. That's writing. “…(T)his after spending the first three games sacrificing more than the Aztecs.”
“I suppose this is true if Gwynn meant they are both right handed. And carbon-based life forms.”
Great stuff. That’s writing.

]]> By: Greg Andrew http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-92 Greg Andrew Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:11:48 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-92 I almost fell off my chair laughing when the TBS announcer described Byrd's effort as "scintillating." Now, I like Byrd, and I thought Wedge's decision to start him was defensible, given the fact that the Indians' are trying to maximize their chances of winning the World Series, not just the Division Series. But I'm not sure if Paul Byrd has ever given a performance on the mound that could reasonably be referred to as scintillating, and if he has this sure wasn't it. I almost fell off my chair laughing when the TBS announcer described Byrd’s effort as “scintillating.” Now, I like Byrd, and I thought Wedge’s decision to start him was defensible, given the fact that the Indians’ are trying to maximize their chances of winning the World Series, not just the Division Series. But I’m not sure if Paul Byrd has ever given a performance on the mound that could reasonably be referred to as scintillating, and if he has this sure wasn’t it.

]]> By: Bob R. http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-86 Bob R. Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:50:16 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-86 I have one quibble. Although you do not say it, the implication is that unlike Wedge Torre does not trust his players. As a matter of fact, what he is often most criticized for is exactly the opposite, that he puts his faith in players who have performed for him before even if the wiser choice would be to use others. In any case, going with Wang was not showing a lack of faith in Mussina but confidence in Wang. Was Torre up 2-1 it is entirely possible Mussina would have started game 4. And if the situation were reversed, it is equally possible the Yankees would have seen Sabathia in game 4. I have one quibble. Although you do not say it, the implication is that unlike Wedge Torre does not trust his players. As a matter of fact, what he is often most criticized for is exactly the opposite, that he puts his faith in players who have performed for him before even if the wiser choice would be to use others.

In any case, going with Wang was not showing a lack of faith in Mussina but confidence in Wang. Was Torre up 2-1 it is entirely possible Mussina would have started game 4. And if the situation were reversed, it is equally possible the Yankees would have seen Sabathia in game 4.

]]> By: Deaner http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-81 Deaner Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:21:07 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-81 I am very impressed with Eric Wedge. Great blog! I am very impressed with Eric Wedge. Great blog!

]]> By: steve http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-70 steve Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:57:46 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-70 Even though stats ARE important, I think a lot of people forget that a manager isn't just plugging number into a computer, he is managing human beings, people who have emotions that have to be managed. Paul Byrd is the protypical "crafty vet," but this team believes in him, Wedge believe sin him, and he himself admitted, he had some extra adrenaline pumping because he was anxious to prove everyone wrong about him. And you know what? He did. The confidence Wedge has in JoBo and Byrd has absolutely shown up in their ability to pitch through all this pressure. Sometimes we forget that players are still people, and Wedge has done a great job managing them this year. Even though stats ARE important, I think a lot of people forget that a manager isn’t just plugging number into a computer, he is managing human beings, people who have emotions that have to be managed. Paul Byrd is the protypical “crafty vet,” but this team believes in him, Wedge believe sin him, and he himself admitted, he had some extra adrenaline pumping because he was anxious to prove everyone wrong about him.

And you know what? He did. The confidence Wedge has in JoBo and Byrd has absolutely shown up in their ability to pitch through all this pressure. Sometimes we forget that players are still people, and Wedge has done a great job managing them this year.

]]> By: Cody Jarrett http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-69 Cody Jarrett Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:38:21 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-69 I have always believed as Sgt. Oddball believes - "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" I predict the Tribe will avenge the loss by them Detroiters last year and bring the World Series trophy back to the Central Division where it belongs. Then next year the White Sox will win it and hell maybe even the Royals will get a turn. Oops...I see it's past time for me to take my meds. I have always believed as Sgt. Oddball believes – “Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”

I predict the Tribe will avenge the loss by them Detroiters last year and bring the World Series trophy back to the Central Division where it belongs. Then next year the White Sox will win it and hell maybe even the Royals will get a turn.

Oops…I see it’s past time for me to take my meds.

]]> By: Guelphdad http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-67 Guelphdad Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:56:21 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2007/10/08/the-great-wedge/#comment-67 Let me preface my remarks by saying I understand VORP, OPS, WARP and all those other stats. Your column though underlies why stats are only a part of the bigger picture. They aren't the anti-christ some would make them out to be, nor though, are they able to explain the human side of the equation. The players and managers alike are living breathing baseball men. Sometimes they need a kick in the butt, other times you have to believe in their qualities as ball players, be they the number one guy on your staff or that middle relief pitcher/utility infielder doing a job that you or I think we could do from the comfort of our armchairs. It is the ability of a manager to get the most out of his charges, managing the cerebral/emotional side of the players that will make the difference. It's how the underdog becomes top dog! Glad to see you blogging again Joe! Let me preface my remarks by saying I understand VORP, OPS, WARP and all those other stats. Your column though underlies why stats are only a part of the bigger picture. They aren’t the anti-christ some would make them out to be, nor though, are they able to explain the human side of the equation.

The players and managers alike are living breathing baseball men. Sometimes they need a kick in the butt, other times you have to believe in their qualities as ball players, be they the number one guy on your staff or that middle relief pitcher/utility infielder doing a job that you or I think we could do from the comfort of our armchairs.

It is the ability of a manager to get the most out of his charges, managing the cerebral/emotional side of the players that will make the difference.

It’s how the underdog becomes top dog!

Glad to see you blogging again Joe!

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