Comments on: Gold vs. the Bible

By: Richard Aronson

Richard Aronson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:16:16 +0000

I used to really like Keira Knightly. No more. I lost all my respect for her as an actress in the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie. If you watch the first movie, she was an actress; when she was in mud, she got muddy, when she was in dirt, she got dirty. But by the time of the last one, she had become a movie star. Not just a movie star: a movie star who not only never had a speck of dirt besmirch her face in close ups, but was wearing so much makeup it made me wonder when her character had time to put it all on. There was one fight scene where I just completely broke out of the movie because not only was her face spotless, but also seemed to have six times as much makeup as necessary. Her makeup choices ruined the third movie for me. Portman deserves lots of negative points for Episode 3, but she didn’t make any of the other casting decisions, and has been trying to make it up to us.

As for Gold Gloves, reputation is almost everything. When an insane choice wins GG, look to number of errors and fielding percentage. As for outfielders, well, the reasoning is that almost every center fielder in baseball could play left or right better than almost every corner outfielder, so why punish the second or third best outfielder in the league? But by that logic, it’s possible if not probable that the second or third best defensive shortstop would be the best defensive second or third baseman. Cesar Izturis played a *great* defensive third base for the Dodgers after they got Furcal, for example (of course, he didn’t hit enough to justify playing him there). So I’m with Joe; vote GG for the folks actually playing those positions.

By: Tony B

Tony B — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:51:46 +0000

Pujols was moved to 1B because of his elbow. It wouldn’t have held up with all the throwing from 3B or LF. The move had little to do with his glove. He wasn’t Miguel Cabrera or Ryan Braun at either position.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:20:26 +0000

I don’t think that Utley was at his best defensively during the playoffs. If you have only seen him play in the play-offs, well, I’m not surprised you would think he is not a good defensive second baseman. But based on all the regular season games he has played well in, I would argue that he is a very good defensive second baseman.

By: BlackFrancis

BlackFrancis — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:25:10 +0000

“Natlie Portman wins simply because of V For Vendetta”

Bravo, Amen and +1000 for Kyle Davidson

By: RoyalsRetro

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:01:16 +0000

MANTOOTH!!!!

By: Mike Cieslinski

Mike Cieslinski — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:30:33 +0000

Great column Joe. I wrote a similar column at the DYNASTY League Baseball MLB.com News Bog for the DYNASTY League Baseball fielding ratings.

Albert Pujols is incredible in that he is the best hitter in Baseball and also the best defensive 1b. Pujols had excellent defensive range stats at 3b and could well have been a Gold Glove 3b. Early in his career people forget he even played shortstop.

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:16:21 +0000

If I remember correctly Pujols was also considered a decent 3B and LF when he played there, just that the Cardinals got Rolen and then I don’t remember who forcing Pujols to move around to accommodate those two.

They decided to make him a 1B and it’s been great for all involved, except the opposition, but the fact that he was in 3 positions in his first 4 years or so probably made people undervalue his defense.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:34:27 +0000

I think the fact that Pujols kinda sucked defensively before moving to first (and for awhile after making the move) probably hurts him with Gold Glove voters. They already formed their opinion of him as a defensive player and aren’t willing to change it, even though he’s finally found the right position and is awesome at it.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:39:57 +0000

Hey Padre…

Here’s why Mauer had a down year with passed balls and whatnot…Mauer had to catch Livan Hernandez quite a bit. He was not used to the ball making it to him because it was being hit very hard the other way. He lost his ability to actually catch the ball. Very sad.

By: Brian Gunn

Brian Gunn — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:03:29 +0000

My theory about Pujols getting jobbed out of Gold Gloves (supported by no evidence whatsoever): I think managers and coaches vote primarily based on images, and their image of a great defensive player is someone who’s fast and wiry. Therefore they tend to prefer rangy guys like Derrek Lee, John Olerud, or Mark Grace at first over thick, blocky guys like Pujols.

You’d think we’d be over these kinds of stereotypes, but might I remind you that Juan Pierre batted leadoff in 65 games this year.