Comments on: How not to score runs http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/ Curiously Long Posts Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:18:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wade http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12634 Wade Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:16:38 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12634 2 things Joe: First, I sent an email back to you about the Negro Leagues project, did you receive that one? Second- Here's a GREAT look at one of the Royals' problems so far this year. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=851 2 things Joe:

First, I sent an email back to you about the Negro Leagues project, did you receive that one?

Second- Here’s a GREAT look at one of the Royals’ problems so far this year.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=851

]]> By: Geoffrey http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12588 Geoffrey Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:27:41 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12588 First of all I'd have Bonds over Thomas any day, he is still the better hitter, has more speed and if push came to shove could play a little left field. This clearly leaves the question, if Thomas gets signed by another club (which he most likely will) are we looking at collusion against Bonds? I believe there has been collusion against Bonds, which is a real shame for baseball as it only serves to mar the record books even more. Sure people say Bonds is a cheat and he deserves an asterisk next to his records but surely stopping Bonds from playing and not letting him improve his records further is even worse. Nobody wants the scenario in a few years when A-Rod (probably) beats the home run record only for people to wonder what might have been if Big Barry had got his chance to smash a few more. First of all I’d have Bonds over Thomas any day, he is still the better hitter, has more speed and if push came to shove could play a little left field.
This clearly leaves the question, if Thomas gets signed by another club (which he most likely will) are we looking at collusion against Bonds?
I believe there has been collusion against Bonds, which is a real shame for baseball as it only serves to mar the record books even more. Sure people say Bonds is a cheat and he deserves an asterisk next to his records but surely stopping Bonds from playing and not letting him improve his records further is even worse. Nobody wants the scenario in a few years when A-Rod (probably) beats the home run record only for people to wonder what might have been if Big Barry had got his chance to smash a few more.

]]> By: Alejandro http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12470 Alejandro Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:46:07 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12470 I love it. I love that this entire post, purportedly about the Royals batters' inability to score runs, leading into a discussion about run-scoring factors in general, was actually a cleverly disguised pitch to bring in Frank Thomas -- and not only that, a pitch to bring in Frank Thomas that casts his utter lack of speed on the basepaths as a positive. And it all comes together. Really, the wickedly unfortunate thing in all this is that the Blue Jays are coming to K.C. for a 3-game series this weekend, which would be stunningly perfect if it weren't 6 days too soon. Since no one's likely to claim Thomas on waivers and have to pay his salary, he won't be joining another major league team until the first of May (having been released on the 20th) -- just after the Jays leave town. The Royals are going to Toronto in just under a month, sure, but that's just not as poetic. I love it. I love that this entire post, purportedly about the Royals batters’ inability to score runs, leading into a discussion about run-scoring factors in general, was actually a cleverly disguised pitch to bring in Frank Thomas — and not only that, a pitch to bring in Frank Thomas that casts his utter lack of speed on the basepaths as a positive. And it all comes together.

Really, the wickedly unfortunate thing in all this is that the Blue Jays are coming to K.C. for a 3-game series this weekend, which would be stunningly perfect if it weren’t 6 days too soon. Since no one’s likely to claim Thomas on waivers and have to pay his salary, he won’t be joining another major league team until the first of May (having been released on the 20th) — just after the Jays leave town. The Royals are going to Toronto in just under a month, sure, but that’s just not as poetic.

]]> By: Chris http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12416 Chris Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:44:33 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12416 Ok, forget Bonds. That's a pipe dream. Nobody wants that headache. What I say is...Put it on the boooooard...YES!!! Gimme Big Frank, baby!! I was a little on the fence about a move like this, but after always hillariously brilliant Junior pointed out today (http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/04/big-dead.html) the Hurt led the Blue Jays in the following categories last year: OBP OPS Home Runs RBI Walks OPS+ Adjusted Batting Runs Batting Wins I must say that my opinion changed a bit. Hitting on Joe's point that as a stand-alone stat AVG is a terrible indicator of overall baseball goodness, this year Frank is hitting at a .167 clip...BUT...he has 3 HR's and 11 walks. Find me any Royal that is as versed at getting on base. I'll make it easy for you...you can't. Ok, forget Bonds. That’s a pipe dream. Nobody wants that headache. What I say is…Put it on the boooooard…YES!!! Gimme Big Frank, baby!!

I was a little on the fence about a move like this, but after always hillariously brilliant Junior pointed out today (http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/04/big-dead.html) the Hurt led the Blue Jays in the following categories last year:

OBP
OPS
Home Runs
RBI
Walks
OPS+
Adjusted Batting Runs
Batting Wins

I must say that my opinion changed a bit. Hitting on Joe’s point that as a stand-alone stat AVG is a terrible indicator of overall baseball goodness, this year Frank is hitting at a .167 clip…BUT…he has 3 HR’s and 11 walks. Find me any Royal that is as versed at getting on base. I’ll make it easy for you…you can’t.

]]> By: Geoff http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12410 Geoff Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:13:35 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12410 As a Giants fan a small part of me would have loved them to re-sign Bonds for another year, even if it is the wrong decision. I mean when you put signing Bonds to a 1-year deal versus the contracts given to Zito and Rowand it suddenly doesn't seem so ridiculous. Still at leats as Joe points out there's Lincecum (I should mention Cain as well but Lincecum is just so much more fum/exciting to watch) who already looks like he might have an amazing year despite terrible run support. I'd also just like to say that I would love to see the Giants sign Thomas AND Piazza and have them play 1B and LF. The defense might be terrible but at least we wouldn't be subjected to the sight of Bengie Molina hitting fourth. As a Giants fan a small part of me would have loved them to re-sign Bonds for another year, even if it is the wrong decision. I mean when you put signing Bonds to a 1-year deal versus the contracts given to Zito and Rowand it suddenly doesn’t seem so ridiculous.
Still at leats as Joe points out there’s Lincecum (I should mention Cain as well but Lincecum is just so much more fum/exciting to watch) who already looks like he might have an amazing year despite terrible run support.
I’d also just like to say that I would love to see the Giants sign Thomas AND Piazza and have them play 1B and LF. The defense might be terrible but at least we wouldn’t be subjected to the sight of Bengie Molina hitting fourth.

]]> By: Joe http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12407 Joe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:03:00 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12407 I believe he was talking about Kenny Lofton in that last paragraph. I know he's old, but the guy gets on base and creates runs. I believe he was talking about Kenny Lofton in that last paragraph. I know he’s old, but the guy gets on base and creates runs.

]]> By: Tom http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12405 Tom Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:48:28 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12405 "I just finished reading “Dutch,” but that doesn’t mean I believe the Congress should immediately blow up that silly Jefferson face and carve Reagan into his place on Mt. Rushmore." Um... What? My point is that Barry Bonds = bad guy, bad in the club house, bad influence (as documented in "Game of Shadows"). Many of the same things could be said for Guillen based on his track record. Jury is still out on Guillen. Despite the start, this is a transition year for the Royals, why roll the dice and give at bats to a 43 year old malcontent (or 39 year old malcontent if you're talking about Thomas)? I'd much rather give the at-bats to Shealy... “I just finished reading “Dutch,” but that doesn’t mean I believe the Congress should immediately blow up that silly Jefferson face and carve Reagan into his place on Mt. Rushmore.”

Um… What?

My point is that Barry Bonds = bad guy, bad in the club house, bad influence (as documented in “Game of Shadows”). Many of the same things could be said for Guillen based on his track record.

Jury is still out on Guillen.

Despite the start, this is a transition year for the Royals, why roll the dice and give at bats to a 43 year old malcontent (or 39 year old malcontent if you’re talking about Thomas)? I’d much rather give the at-bats to Shealy…

]]> By: Snowman http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12401 Snowman Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:33:56 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12401 I took that statement to be referring to Thomas, not Bonds. I took that statement to be referring to Thomas, not Bonds.

]]> By: G Young http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12397 G Young Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:37:35 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12397 Joes Guillen is on this team, why not Barry Bonds? What did Barry Bonds do that Jose Guillen didn't? I know - he hit the ball with more power and got on base more often. And last year he did it while almost certainly having to pee in a cup 3 times a day, with blood testing coming in between. If somebody can convince me that Billy Butler's defense at first base will create more losses than Barry Bonds at DH will create wins, I'm happy to listen. I just finished reading "Dutch," but that doesn't mean I believe the Congress should immediately blow up that silly Jefferson face and carve Reagan into his place on Mt. Rushmore. Joes Guillen is on this team, why not Barry Bonds? What did Barry Bonds do that Jose Guillen didn’t? I know – he hit the ball with more power and got on base more often. And last year he did it while almost certainly having to pee in a cup 3 times a day, with blood testing coming in between.

If somebody can convince me that Billy Butler’s defense at first base will create more losses than Barry Bonds at DH will create wins, I’m happy to listen.

I just finished reading “Dutch,” but that doesn’t mean I believe the Congress should immediately blow up that silly Jefferson face and carve Reagan into his place on Mt. Rushmore.

]]> By: Mike Williams http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12396 Mike Williams Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:31:21 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/04/22/how-not-to-score-runs/#comment-12396 With all due respect, Joe G. , I think you are freaking crazy. After a 23 year (and counting) playoff drought, you'd rather miss the playoffs again than have Bonds on your team? No offense, but the Royals don't need your business. You should attend MLS games, or some other second-rate sport that caters to entertainment over quality competition. With all due respect, Joe G. , I think you are freaking crazy.

After a 23 year (and counting) playoff drought, you’d rather miss the playoffs again than have Bonds on your team?

No offense, but the Royals don’t need your business. You should attend MLS games, or some other second-rate sport that caters to entertainment over quality competition.

]]>