Hey Nico, kaweah, etc. (re: Chavez)

by Vacafan on Oct 4, 2006 5:25 PM PDT

I need some Chavez "love." PLEASE tell me this was just a couple bad games. PLEASE tell me this was an abberation (you know, like the 10 pitches I've seen him swing at in the dirt or above his head.) PLEASE tell me this "oh no, here we go again" feeling is just my "anti-Chavez" bias. PLEASE tell me that he will begin to at least make contact, for cryin out loud. PLEASE.
And I'm writing this with a smile, by the way, in spite of the Ellis news, etc. Chavez is gonna show up for this thing, right? .... right?

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The problem with Chavez

The coaching staff is afraid to move Chavez down in the lineup because they don't want to show lack of confidence. The truth is that Chavez wilts under expectations. He would prefer to be down in the lineup. Why do you think he wanted to stay with Oakland? This guy has no desire for the spotlight and is afraid to be the "go-to" guy. He complained last year about not having hitting protection. This year it's his forearms. Then he tried to be a "bad ass." Bottom line: we're stuck with him and his huge contract. At least he saves runs on defense. But otherwise, the A's management need to get this guy to a psychologist, sports or otherwise, to get him back to enjoying the game. He's a painful player to watch.

by EastBayTeam on Oct 4, 2006 5:34 PM PDT reply actions

lack of confidence

That isn't true. Chavez was moved down in the order several times this year, he even hit eighth. And he admitted he should be down there too.

"Imagine all the Hebrews goin dumb"-Tell Me When To Go

by ohad on Oct 4, 2006 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

ohad

Old friend -- I know you're good for some encouraging words regarding our boy, huh?
C'mon man, let me know he's ok. PLEASE.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Oct 4, 2006 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions

to tell you the truth

I haven't been able to catch many at bats, only two, due to the wonderful timing of these games. I can only beg my teachers so much...

I will say that he looked bad against Santana. Ok, pass. He looked horrible though in the other at bat today that i saw. It was in the later innings, i think the eighth possibly. Juan Rincon was at the mound, where he swung horendously at a ball at his eyes for strike three. According to friends, that happened multiple times today. Anyways, i haven't seen enough to comment, but from what i have seen he is just trying way too hard.

"Imagine all the Hebrews goin dumb"-Tell Me When To Go

by ohad on Oct 4, 2006 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

AP Reporting that Chavez is

in a 1 - 30 playoff slump, dating to 2003.

Next year he should accept a salary reduction to help sign FThom, since Bigg Frank is doing his offensive work for him anyway.

Friends don't let friends read HalosHeaven

by BruceBochte on Oct 4, 2006 5:39 PM PDT reply actions

Well...

Lets hope Chavvy will do what Ellis would have done...then our team will be okay. But no more of this swinging at pitches in your eye, K's in 3 pitches, hitting approach.

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Oct 4, 2006 5:43 PM PDT reply actions

I haven't been to watch very much

of the ALDS so far, but definitely three truths emerge as I see it:

He should not have been hitting 5th, behind Frank Thomas, against Santana--I attribute Game 1 to the matchup, not to the hitter.
Chavy is pressing and will hit much better if he doesn't try so hard. I attribute that to the hitter.
The play Chavy made on Mauer's shot today (5th inning) was huge--even when he is hitting like Crosby-in-a-slump, he is an awesome third-baseman.

That's all I got.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 4, 2006 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

No doubt

his defense is irreplacable.
I just want the dude to relax and play like I know he's capable!!!!
Aaargghhh, I get so frustrated with the guy -- I want to grab him through the tv and say, "Stop doing that! Why are you swinging at pitches that hit off the speaker??!!"
You know -- and I mean this kindly - whatever "nice" word I can find -- the guy is just not "ready for prime time." You can see it -- his approach changes, his body language changes, everything. He's scared to death up there to fail, and he swings the bat like he's saying "Let me just swing it, and maybe I'll make contact and hit something." Seriously, that's how he's playing. It's just sad.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Oct 4, 2006 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

He hit one ball hard up the middle.

ESPN boneheads said at the time it would have been a hit if the pitcher wasn't so tall. Um, hey Jetersuckers, the ball hit him in the leg!

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic."- salb918 "Ellie plowed into him like an evil, pink unicorn."-ArakSOT

by McFood on Oct 4, 2006 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I mean, it just sucks that

they have to talk so much. It works out ok if you're Vin Scully and you know shit tons about every player and have lots of interesting things to say, but ESPN's guys are all dumbass ex-players with monosyllabic vocabularies.

by hunter on Oct 4, 2006 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't want any other 3B in the playoffs.

Period. The defense is so key to what the A's do. And while A's fans seem to give up on Chavvy before he even sniffs the on-deck circle, opposing teams still treat him with some respect at the plate.

Not A-Rod. Not David Wright. Not Hank Blalock. Not Scott Rolen. Not Troy Glaus. Not Mike Lowell. I don't want anyone but Chavvy at the hot corner and in the 5-spot when we're gunning for a World Series.

by Joey C. on Oct 4, 2006 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

I did think it was interesting

that when Gardenhire was asked about pitching around Thomas he pointed out that Chavy was batting 5th and he was a big threat too, so they'd probably pitch to Thomas--and this was before Game 1.

I was thinking, "Chavy a big threat against Santana? OK, that's not how I see it..." But it's interesting that opposing managers/teams seem to think so.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 4, 2006 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I admire your bravado . . .

but question your analysis. Chavez is probalby going to end up hitting .150 or so for the playoffs. I don't care how good his defense is, that does not make up for his lack of offense. If defense was that important, all field/no hit guys like John McDonald would be All-Stars rather than journeyman. Unfortunately, Chavez may be lucky to hit like John McDonald in the playoffs if he continues to flail wildly.

Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 4, 2006 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree that he's not the perfect player...

... in the playoffs. But you have to look at the potential factor. At any given moment, he can crank one out of the park, and opposing teams know that. His presence alone makes a difference, and if (I grant that it's a big "if") he does connect even once, it will greatly affect how opposing pitchers approach Oakland's lineup (as our fellow ANer mentioned above with the Gardenhire comment). That coupled with his unquestionably dominant and automatic defensive play make him the most valuable 3rd baseman in the playoffs. Again, my opinion, and I am biased. But I think it's grounded in good reason.

by Joey C. on Oct 5, 2006 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's my theory on Chavez

I think of Chavez the same way I think of Phil Mickelson; a magnificently talented person who for whatever reason does not react well to pressure. I hate it when people accuse Chavez of not caring, because it is obvious that Chavez cares, just like Mickelson so obviously cares. Sports is a physical activity, but the ability to use pressure to increase focus rather than allowing pressure to be a distraction is the difference between being good and great. Chavez has as much phyisical talent as just about any player in baseball, but given his proclivity to respond negatively in pressure situations, he will likely never reach his potential. It doesn't make Chavez a bad player overall, it just makes him a bad player in pressure situations.

Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 4, 2006 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

Mickelson and Chavez...

are comparable only in their relative lack of success when the stakes are highest (I refuse to use the word that we all know could be used here, so I'll settle for a polite euphemism, since I like both guys, especially the one the diary's written about.) But their approaches in high-pressure situations are actually exact opposites of one another...Chavez seems to press and almost lose all confidence at the plate, while Mickelson almost doesn;t adjust enough; he's so confident and aggressive that he often makes mistakes when he's, say, attacking the pin when the tournament situation and difficulty of shot calls for shooting for a safe approach to the other side of the green, which may not be guarded by water or whatever, and a long birdie opportunity. So in a sense, they both have the tendency to self-destruct, but in much different ways.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 4, 2006 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

eh...a bit of an oversight

It must be said that Mickelson has missed some "gimme" putts in crucial situations, so in that sense he is Chavez-esque.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 4, 2006 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Mickelson not a perfect analogy, partly because they play different sports. Also agree with you in hating the "C" word as applied to guys like Chavez and Mickelson. That's why I don't use that word. Chavez ends up being much like Mickelson in one sense: their own mental reaction to pressure ends up making them underdogs despite their enormous physical talents.

Please let 2006 be the year, and without an earthquake this time.

by BlameChannel53 on Oct 4, 2006 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I wish I could, amigo

But from what I can tell (and I admit I haven't been able to watch it), Chavez seems to be "pushing it" a bit this series. Granted, the first day he faced the best pitcher in baseball, but still...

Let's hope he can find his groove again on Friday. He sucked miserably in 2003 playoffs, but did well in 2000 and 2002 postseasons.

"[Frank's] a big battler. He's the mother of battleships."

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Oct 4, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

From the replies above I'm gathering

that the Chavez boosters have been averting their eyes.

The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 4, 2006 11:00 PM PDT reply actions

LOL

I know I've been. And I love Chavy... but wow. He looks horrible at the plate, in ways that numbers don't even begin to describe. I don't know if he's trying too hard, or still hurting too much, or what, but he looks horrible. And he's swinging at all sorts of stuff above his eyes.

Defensively, though... killer. In a good way. :)

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 5, 2006 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Chavez is not just making out

He's looking bad doing it. Bradley doesn't have any hits yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up a 3-4 on Friday. I'd be shocked if Chavez gets more than a slap single. Should definitely be moved down. Now is not a time to worry about egos - you have to win games. Move up Payton and Swisher, bat Chavez 7th.

by boilerdan on Oct 5, 2006 7:44 AM PDT reply actions

I agree, but because of the nature of the game...

I would not be shocked if Chavy hits a HR on Friday. Just when you think you've got it figured out, well, baseball happens.

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic."- salb918 "Ellie plowed into him like an evil, pink unicorn."-ArakSOT

by McFood on Oct 5, 2006 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Could happen

I just want it to happen while he's batting 7th.

by boilerdan on Oct 5, 2006 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

CHAVEZ IS THE MAN

He will come up big - I just have this feeling.

I do agree that it looks like he is pressing - but he did drill that ball yesterday - and that pitch was up out of the strike zone as well. I know from playing that the ball at your eyes looks great (it's the pitch that you actually see the best) - So I hope during this offday he is taking BP - with the pitchers mixing up the pitches to include numerous high ones that he must lay off.

He is the man though - and he does have the ability - opposing managers and pitchers know this - hopefully he'll stop helping them out by reducing his strike zone.

by SD Erik on Oct 5, 2006 1:06 PM PDT reply actions