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Tonight, K-Rod Is Spelled With an 'E'

As_kings_cal_tiny by louismg on

I don't know what I like better - seeing the A's win four straight, or making the Angels look like complete idiots in the process, but tonight, I'm glad I don't have to make that choice, because we got both. K-Rod, the new all-time single season saves leader, again left us with a memorable sulk-off, aiding the process with his inability to throw anywhere that wasn't named home plate.

After a scary top of the ninth inning, which saw the A's precarious 1-0 lead dashed when Brad Ziegler served up a two-run shot to Mark Texiera, I was not looking forward to another one of K-Rod's anger-inducing goggle-eyed celebrations on our home field. But that never was a risk, as Barton's lead-off single in the bottom of the frame was extended to a double when Gary Matthews tossed the throw in the infield, back to nobody. With Barton on second, K-Rod walked Hannahan, putting the tying and leading runs on base for Cliff Pennington.

Pennington's would-be bunt was awesome as he smacked the ball off the plate, sending it sky-high. K-Rod sent his throw to first well past the base, into the Angels bullpen while the A's came racing around to score and win the game. It was ugly, but as mentioned in the thread, many things about the Angels are ugly, and we'll take wins however we can get them.

The issue of pitchers being unable to field and throw to first or second continues to boggle my mind. They should be among the best, most accurate throwers in the world, but by and large, they make the most bone-headed throws to the bases of any position players. If it were the A's making this mistake, I'd be begging for more defensive practice, but if this is the Angels' style, more power to 'em. Tonight, I am a K-Rod fan. We love you, K-Rod. Thank you.

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Woo-hoo!

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 9:50 PM PDT   0 recs

Bobby Crosby was robbed...

I say ROBBED!!! on the BBTN web gems. Wasn’t even close.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT   0 recs

Prob did not have time to get it up

GREAT play

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 17, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, that's probably true...

after all, what other reason would BBTN have to ignore the A’s?

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 10:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Prob did not have time to get it up

GREAT play

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 17, 2008 10:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's usually my excuse

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 Sep 17, 2008 10:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Right move by ESPN

That play was a graphic demonstration of just how badly Crosby’s range has decayed this season. 90% of MLB shortstops field that ball standing up.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 17, 2008 10:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you're kidding...

or didn’t see it.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It was a graphic demonstration?

The ladies must have been pleased.

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 Sep 17, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, Crosby's range is WAAAY down this year

to the point where I’m not sure he’s a plus defensive shortstop. But that was one heck of a play.

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Sep 18, 2008 4:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

on what basis do you say his range is down?

Is there a moving average of multiple-year data, or is it just this year’s range numbers that are down? I was under the impression that it took multiple years of defensive data to draw a reasonable conclusion about a player’s overall D — wouldn’t that obtain for the various D components as well?

I’m not disputing that his range may be down, just that I’m agnostic on whether D stats can provide that degree of precision.

But, if you and PT et al. agree otherwise, I’ll take y’all’s collective word on it.

And, yeah, that was a heck of a play. Off the bat (from the vantage point of The Dogfather’s excellent seats in 119) it sure looked like it was going through.

cocky whacko @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 18, 2008 9:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think PT's excuse is going to be something along the lines of...

…“They were in double play position so any good shortstop gets to that standing up.”

At which point I’d just agree to disagree, but whatever. It was right up the middle and no play is that routine there.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 18, 2008 10:09 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's ZR and RZR

ZR:
2005: .867
2006: .855
2007: .870
2008: .831

RZR:
2005: .875; .035 (OOZ per inning, higher number good)
2006: .808; .029
2007: .834; .05
2008: .822; .033

Some of the better metrics released in June or so hated him to the tune of being one of the few worst SSs in the league, but his ZR and RZR have improved since then. I would say it is likely that his range has diminished to some extent, but I think it is overblown. I would guess that his D is a tic below average.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 18, 2008 10:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A general note about judging D by eye:

My observation has been that it’s extremely difficult to judge a player’s range watching on tv, whereas one can get a very good sense watching at the park, whereas the opposite is true with hitting and pitching.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 18, 2008 10:23 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I would conditionally agree with all of that

There are certain elements of pitching and hitting that are better observed in person (from good seats), but, yeah, tv gives a much more complete and precise view.

cocky whacko @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 18, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Question for people who know about this stuff

Is it methodologically “bad” to add OOZ to BIZ to create a “total plays made/balls in zone” ratio? It seems like it makes more sense on its face than splitting the two and then leaving it to the reader to somehow mentally combine them.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 18, 2008 12:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think the reason they separate is that

ooz plays are thought to me more along the lines of “taking charge on a popup” than “great range” for the most part.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 18, 2008 8:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Can't speak to salb

It’s purely observational for me. Balls that are taking multiple seconds to get through the infield are going by him not that far from his starting point.

It’s not that his range is horrible by shortstop standards— it’s probably about average— but in prior years it was good enough to mask (to some extent) his abysmal throwing mechanics and inaccuracy, and now it isn’t. He’s still screwing up just as many marginal plays on bad throws, but he’s making fewer easy plays.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 18, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you'll get no argument from me that his fundamentals and mechanics are poor

He’s really a waste of an excellent pedigree and physiognomy. He’s like what would happen if the hypothetical five-year-old learned baseball by watching Vlad.

cocky whacko @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 18, 2008 2:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe the loss of Wash stunted his development defensively...

Though no hitting coach in the world will help develop him to his full (probably over-hyped) potential, I do feel that losing Wash has probably hurt not only Crosby’s development as a defender, but the entire infield.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 18, 2008 9:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that sounds plausible to me

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 19, 2008 11:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually don't think his range has decayed that much

I never thought he was a great, or even very good defensive player. I think in the past he’s been decent, and now he’s probably somewhere a bit below average.

I agree that the play probably shouldn’t have looked quite so difficult, but I don’t think it was an easy play either.

by thejd44 on Sep 18, 2008 11:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Beating Lackey and K-Rod on back to back games?

Yum.

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 Sep 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT   0 recs

I hope this is just a preview of the ass-kickin'...

the A’s are gonna hand these ass-hats in "09.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 9:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

New name for the Angels in '09

The Los Angeles Asshats of Anaheim

by thesteve9x on Sep 17, 2008 9:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it certainly has a ring to it...

in an alliterations sort of way.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Many things about the Angels are ugly"

should be QOTM if it were in a comment.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT   0 recs

TY. I do what I can.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Party over here

Don’t forget the whipped cream in the other thread.

by thesteve9x on Sep 17, 2008 9:52 PM PDT   0 recs

I will say it again:

Angels D: WORST. EVAR.

Go A’s!

A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 17, 2008 9:52 PM PDT   0 recs

If I were Mike Scioscia, I would NOT be pleased

with the level of energy and commitment everyone but Teixeira showed.

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 Sep 17, 2008 9:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If you were Mike Scioscia

I’d take away your sheep

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If I were a sheep I'd still say no to Scioscia

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 Sep 17, 2008 9:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As the bottom of the 9th was unfolding...

…he looked like his head was about to explode.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Sep 18, 2008 6:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude, did you see how fast Scioscia walked off to the tunnel?

Haha!!!!!!!!!!!! Eat that bitch hole!!!!!!!!

by mrod on Sep 18, 2008 9:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Garret Anderson is a thoroughgoing embarrassment in the field

He makes the phrase “Adam Dunn, defensive replacement” plausible.

cocky whacko @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 17, 2008 11:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

almost

Jack is faster than Garret, has better instincts, and tries harder. As is/has/does Dunn.

cocky whacko @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 18, 2008 9:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Garret Anderson has never been even a very good player

He puts up numbers that are great for a middle infielder, but just sorta ok for a corner OF. And he’s never been anything special defensively. The only thing going for him is he’s always been consistently a hair above average (and he’s been mostly healthy), so he’s got all these pretty counting stats and not-terrible rate stats. The guy is going to get some HOF votes when he was probably never a top 15 corner OF.

by thejd44 on Sep 18, 2008 11:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Listening to Ken's call again

Chills-ville

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 9:54 PM PDT   0 recs

He's just so professional - few broadcasters

can deliver the level of excitement and maintain a professional sound the way he does.

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 Sep 17, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Truly

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 9:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you should have heard my call

I’m surprised the neighbors didn’t call the cops

by OaklandSi on Sep 17, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was laughing like the Joker...

all manic-like when F-Rod made that throw.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 9:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

this was like the sulk off

only it lasted longer, and K-Rod looked stupider

by OaklandSi on Sep 17, 2008 9:55 PM PDT   0 recs

And just as fun

Total schadenfreude

"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all games and holes are created equal." --George F. Will

by anomaly_kat on Sep 17, 2008 10:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

More like that please.

Awesome finish.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like Cliffy,

it’s a shame he isn’t better…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 17, 2008 10:02 PM PDT   0 recs

From what I've seen, he's sufficiently good at 2B defensively

If he could learn to slap his way to a .260 batting average and take a few walks, I could forgive his Kendallesque power.

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 Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I could maybe forgive it at SS

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 17, 2008 10:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just think his D has been a lot better at 2B

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 Sep 17, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he reminds me of Mark Ellis...

at least, in the post-game interview. Maybe he can step up.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

isn't better?

I thought for a second you wrote butter. Better than mayo.

by LibrariAN on Sep 17, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: pitchers having trouble with this throw...

…it could be said it’s not the kind of throw they’re used to making. I mean, pitchers are used to specific timing and positioning in their motion to the plate and this kind of throw is rushed and there’s little time to pick out the target first.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM PDT   0 recs

With that particular play, the only good throw

was not to make one. And for a strikeout pitcher like K-Rod, bases loaded nobody out is still a jam you can escape with 0 or 1 run.

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 Sep 17, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

against the August A's, maybe...

against most MLB teams anytime, probably not.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know why he fielded the play

Pitchers always avoid pop-ups, and that’s pretty much what it was. Let the 1B or 3B get it.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly Nico

K-Hole should have never made that throw. He had “0” chance of throwing Penny out at 1st base.

Still, I love watching that piece of shit blow up!

by mrod on Sep 18, 2008 9:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that's why they ruled it a hit

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Remember Nathan and the Twins?

A’s down 2-1, no outs, bottom of the ninth, men on first and second, closer tries to make close play, throws ball down the line, two A’s score and win 3-2. Twice… in less than three weeks!

by muscatel on Sep 17, 2008 10:06 PM PDT   0 recs