Comments on: Five things you may not know

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:23:39 +0000

Here’s another dumb Steve Phillips quote, courtesy of one of the many Twins blogs that I read: http://overthebaggy.blogspot.com/2009/05/twins-lacking-true-leadoff-hitter.html

By: David in NYC

David in NYC — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:02:26 +0000

nightfly #61 –

I think what Isringhausen meant was “I would rather (throw pitches that could potentially cause me to) give up a home run than walk guys.” Having heard this from other pitchers (and managers) in a similar context, I believe this is just a version of “If he hits it, there’s 9 guys who could catch it; nothing prevents a walk.”

OTOH, I could be wrong: I have heard people who should know better, including Yankee broadcaster and marginal HoF candidate Jim Kaat, say that giving up a 3-run homer is better than giving up a single that leads to another 1st-and-3rd situation. In fact, I have even heard him call 3-run homers “rally-killers”. IIRC, another person who should know better who agrees with this is Tim McCarver.

Now, that’s some serious stupid.

By: nightfly

nightfly — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:19:28 +0000

We live in a world where the players themselves often don’t realize what they’re saying. After yesterday’s Rays meltdown against Cleveland, Jason Isringhausen said, in so many words, that he’d rather give up a home run than walk a guy.

Now, being a reliever, he’s got an interior understanding that dwarfs our own outside observances… such as, “Those one-run leads are tough to defend with guys on base, but if I give up a tater, hey! No more lead to worry about! I’m golden!” My outside observation tells me that, had he done as he said he preferred and given up a home run to even the first of the three men he’d walked, the game would have been tied. Instead, after three walks, the Rays were still winning, and retiring Martinez would have preserved the game.

Maybe he was auditioning to replace Steve Phillips in the booth?

By: Craig Hooten

Craig Hooten — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:26:58 +0000

Want to know why Beltran doesn’t get any love? He’s hit .300 twice in his career.

I really think people still tend to focus on that even now with all the advanced statistical measurements available today.

By: Craig Hooten

Craig Hooten — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:09:44 +0000

I guess “technically” your 40 homer, 40 steal statement is correct but:

Brady Anderson had a 50 homer and a 50 steal season. Granted his 50 steal season he played predominantly in LF, but he played most of his career games in center including 143 games during his ludicrous 50 homer 1996 season.

By: 94by50

94by50 — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:09:17 +0000

Beltran gets the privilege of being identified with the Mets’ failure the last two seasons, along with Wright and Reyes. This probably leads to further resentment/negativity.

Now if we want to talk about real underachievers and people not getting the most out of their talent, can we discuss Steve Phillips’ employer?

By: marc

marc — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:44:54 +0000

1) of course it’s vaguely racial – what’d Bill James call it, “the bullshit dump”? Look at those numbers Joe cites – Beltran is at least kinda good, huh?
2) Ah, Sabathia and Texiera can be “proud to be Yankees”, what every kid ever wanted to be, they get a pass. Guess if it’s a another team, then it’s all about money. Raise your hand if you routinely accept employment for the lesser salary.
3) Dimaggio got the same complaints – not trying in center. His hat didn’t fly off because he was already there when the ball came down. Get real… “pasta-diving Jeter”. ‘Nuff said.
4) Jim Bouton’s words still ring true – “in baseball, “colorful” means wearing your hat at a jaunty angle.” Being a flashy dresser can’t help Beltran in that regard – weirdo.
5) If one more person says “gets his hits when they don’t matter” I will jump off a cliff. Right up there with “clogging the bases” as pure nonsense.

“You don’t win games with statistics!” Uh, what are they for, then? Aren’t they something like you did x many good things in y number of opportunities? Aren’t good things, uh, good? I think Beltran’s done a number of good things over the years.

By: Frank

Frank — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:09:15 +0000

Your absolutely correct Joe, he’s a very under-rated player!

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:29:31 +0000

@CMG

I think the Cardinals fans literally quake at the concept of Carlos Beltran. We’ve watched him shred the Cardinals with a 1.521 OPS in ‘04 and 1.054 in ‘06. He’s hit SEVEN playoff home runs off of them in 14 games. Let’s just say we Redbird fans have seen his best, and as a group are bright enough to know that even something below his “best” is still amazing.

By: David in Toledo

David in Toledo — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:53:52 +0000

Consider what Carlos Beltran has accomplished in his career to date, compared to what Andre Dawson had done to the same age (age 32 the year Dawson was awarded the MVP). Dawson has seemed to many to be just below the Hall line. Will Beltran finish, years from now, just over that line?