Comments on: One Intense Royals Preview, Part II

By: NYRoyal

NYRoyal — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:41:25 +0000

Joe, I still don’t get your Soria argument. Your points are basically:

1. It’s extremely rare (nearly unprecedented) for a pitcher to break into the majors as a closer and then become a starting pitcher.

2. Is there any going back?

What does that mean? Are you saying that if he came up as a starter then he’s probably lacking in some way and wouldn’t succeed as a starter? Are you saying that once a young pitcher really succeeds as a closer, his team won’t want to move him out of that role?

From everything I’ve read and heard about Soria, the former seems unlikely. The latter is certainly possible. But at least McClure has been quoted as saying that he thinks Soria would make a good starter.

So there are two separate questions:

1. Will Soria ever be moved to the rotation?

Hard to say. We really have no idea.

2. Should Soria be transitioned at a reasonable, safe pace into the rotation?

Definitely. There’s no good reason not to.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:49:19 +0000

My grandmother’s hairdresser was on vacation with her family at Myrtle Beach, and she had been drinking Coke from a can. It was hot, and the beach was crowded, so they were near a trash can. She dozed off for a bit, and when she woke up, she was parched, and reached for her coke. She took a huge gulp, swallowing a couple of bees in the process. They stung her throat, on the inside, and she nearly died. Fortunately, there was some kind of lifeguard home-base nearby, and they gave her one of those shots that stop swelling, and she was rushed to the hospital. Scary. Since then, I’ve been leery of drinking canned pop that’s been outside.

On a Royals-related note, I just don’t get the Tomko signing. Surely there was somebody else they could’ve thrown out there in the 5th spot who would’ve been at least as good. What a waste of money.

By: Shonepup

Shonepup — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:14:22 +0000

When I was 10, and my brother 14, he took a sip out of a Coke can and a bee came out and stung him on the lip.

He looked like the elephant man for about 3 days.

Funniest thing I’ve ever seen (once we realized he wasn’t going to die or be disfigured for life – but man I’ve never seen anything uglier – his head was literally the size of a basketball).

Love everything you write Joe – Go Giants!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:08:33 +0000

Joe-
I received my copy of The Soul of Baseball on Tuesday night and finished it on the way to work this morning. I had a few tears streaming down my face and the girl next to me kept giving me sideways glances like I was a nut. It was well worth it. I just want to thank you for sharing Buck O’Neil’s story. Unfortunately I don’t have any Buck stories of my own, but now I feel like I do. Thanks again.

By: Dwight K. Schrute

Dwight K. Schrute — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:00:44 +0000

Is it crazyto think that a rotation of Meche, Bannister, Greinke, Hochevar and #5 Du Jour can at least be competitive? I’m not a Royals fan but if a few things bounce their way (Bannister K’s a few more guys, Greinke and Hochevar find their groove), that’s at least a respectable starting rotation.

By: Josh in DC

Josh in DC — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:49:45 +0000

(You know, it dawns on me that given all the bashing you’ve gotten recently, some may not realize that was a joke.)

By: Josh in DC

Josh in DC — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:49:07 +0000

Now do the Astros!

By: Perry

Perry — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:43:01 +0000

Bob Gibson lost 9 games in ‘68, the year he had a 1.12 ERA. His ERA in his losses was 2.14.

IP ER
9 3
8 2
9.2 1
8 1
8 3
9 3
8 2
8 1
8 2

Another tough-luck year was Nolan Ryan’s 1987. He led the league in ERA at 2.87, but went 8-16.

By: G Young

G Young — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:28:44 +0000

I think it is pretty obvious who Elizabeth should adopt – Billy Butler.

I can’t think of a better player for a 6 year old to follow then a guy who can flat out hit. Plenty of opportunities to jump up and cheer.

Plus, he looks a little bit like a cartoon. And not a scary cartoon like Barry Bonds.

By: Snuckles

Snuckles — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:25:55 +0000

Re: hard luck pitching seasons
Well, you couldn’t call it a hard luck season, but in 2000, Pedro Martinez averaged 8 IP in his six losses, with a 2.44 ERA and an 0.79 WHIP (48 IP, 60 K, 30 H, 8 BB). He lost a 1-0 complete game in which he had 17 strikeouts and 1 walk. Martinez’s losing-games-only ERA would have won the 2000 ERA title over in the National League.