Kurt Suzuki is/was good at *something*

Congrats on the THT gig! Oh, and this is really awesome!

Kurt doesn’t come off all that well though.

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

And congratulations to THT for landing El Croata.

He’ll be a tremendous boon to their site, and they’re lucky to get him.

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 18, 2011 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks, Mark

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

You can tell that they know that from the comments at the bottom

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

I really think we might be seeing some results of an overuse with Suzuki.

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

yes, until your article there was no way to see definitively if he has been getting worse at blocking pitches

Your article and data show a pretty steep decline.

Thanks for the good work.

by Billy Frijoles on Oct 18, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Congrats EC!

My posting guide for newcomers to AN

My blog about Sports, God, and whatever else I want to talk about.

by Rebuilding Season on Oct 18, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

how many catchers qualified for the pool?

It’s hard to understand if being in the top 15 is good or expected.

Also did I read it right that catchers perform better with a runner on 3rd base? Why is that – are they more attentive to the wild pitch, or is there a different slice of pitches called for?

And nice to learn your TrueName™

by MobiusKlein on Oct 18, 2011 9:11 AM PDT reply actions

- 59 (there is a complete .csv list available in the original article)
- No, the catchers perform the same, but the runners have tougher time advancing. So, say, a ball that rolls 10 feet away from the catcher will result in a passed pitch with a runner on first, but not with a runner on third. So, without controlling for baserunners, it would seem that catchers do a better job with a runner on third
- It’s been on my profile forever :)

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions

profile page?

that’s cheating!

by MobiusKlein on Oct 18, 2011 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions

I think he's Banjo Coppervitz

Something like that.

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 18, 2011 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Borat Goforpizza

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Ooh, I like the pizza part!

I still prefer Banjo, though. I’m going with Banjo Go-for-pizza.

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 18, 2011 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

sold!

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

"L'ombelico del mondo" is pretty catchy

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 9:11 AM PDT reply actions

It sure is

To me “Lorenzo” (1994, I think) is one of the best albums I ever heard. Music is fun and the lyrics are just hilarious.

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Is that the one with "Serenata Rap"?

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes!!!

And “Voglio di +”, one of my favorites fun songs, and “Io ti cercherò”, one of my favorite sad songs

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I want a giant sandwich

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

with millions of things in it!

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Humberto is an awesome defensive catcher

He used to be the catcher for my local winter league team, he always led the league in caugh stealing.

by jahs34 on Oct 18, 2011 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

This is shocking; absolutely shocking

that someone still pays Humberto Quintero to catch this much.

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My blog about Sports, God, and whatever else I want to talk about.

by Rebuilding Season on Oct 18, 2011 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

I wouldn't say that at all

I would say it illustrates WHY someone still pays Humberto Quintero to catch that much. I’d definitely take him catching a third of my games if he’s that good behind the plate.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Oct 30, 2011 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Let's enjoy elcroata's work while it's still publicly available.

As good as he is, and the fact that Tango and other people connected to MLB teams hail his work as “MLB research of the year” …

It might not be publicly available for long.

The Oakland A's: If you have a no-trade clause in your contract, we're in it.

14 straight seasons with at least 74 wins (1998-2011). We haven't lost 90+ games in a season since 1997. Not bad on a shoestring budget.

by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2011 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

We'll get to say we knew him when he was just "elcroata"

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm still Jenny from the block!

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Athletics Nation is just like the Oakland A's.

Enjoy the great players while you can … before they get traded or sign with another team.

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 18, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Or make their own team.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 18, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Baseball Prospectus has posted a link to the THT article

Mike Fast

I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2011 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah, following the twitters on it (without having an account)

and reading the THT list of external referrals was fun, I have to admit

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Different takes

Lookout Landing (Jeff) is funny:

You’ll never guess where Rob Johnson and Miguel Olivo show up! Unless you guess worst and third-worst over the study window. Then you will guess where they show up.

Halos Heaven is strange

Would have enjoyed the article a tad more if he didn’t start it of by being a tremendous douche bag.

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I am sad there are so many 'ugly americans'

Probably annoyed at having to look at words from a foreign language.
Some people out here think unicode is the rules for harem guards.

by MobiusKlein on Oct 18, 2011 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

One guy's take can't represent such a big group of people

And the responses were so overwhelmingly positive that I can not be bothered by it.

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

yay for ignoring irratating people

eunuch code- pronounced quickly – Unicode – lame nerd humor.

by MobiusKlein on Oct 18, 2011 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

When he said douche bag he probably meant A's fan

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 18, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions

For those who didn't visit HH to check it out,

it’s worth noting that the “douche bag” comment was not from the Rev nor any other representative of HH, but just from one guy in the comments.

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 18, 2011 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

However, Rev Halofan posted a response effectively agreeing with the commenter

I don't feel that I'm feeling your feelings, about these feelings that you feel.

by doctorK on Oct 18, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Congrats on the THT gig, elcroata

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 18, 2011 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

Thanks, grover

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Kudos, elcroata.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 18, 2011 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks, Don

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Hardball Times, impressive EC!!!!

"If we start getting into that sh*t, we might as well get out the plastic sheeting and have an orgy." --Gaijin Suketto

by emperor nobody on Oct 18, 2011 12:36 PM PDT reply actions

Thank you :)

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

You got the "must click link"

from Craig Calcaterra’s site……

"The whole world is fueled by bullshit… What? The kid asked me for advice on his science fair project so I’m giving it to him." - shitmydadsays

by RickeyRun on Oct 18, 2011 12:47 PM PDT reply actions

Yup, that was great

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Very, very awesome, EC

"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer

by cuppingmaster on Oct 18, 2011 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks, cup

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

question

And if you don’t wanna answer it’s cool: If, say, the Angels (or another rival) came calling and asked you to consult for them, would you do it?

"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer

by cuppingmaster on Oct 18, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Angels will hire Tony Reagins they'll hire anybody! elcroata is too smart for them

Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!

by dwishinsky on Oct 18, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it is a very hypothetical question

Hypothetical gut response would probably be “no” to Angels and “yes” to most everybody else.

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Hanshin Tigers!

"I'll guarantee this: The A's will have a better season in 2012." - George Zimmer

by cuppingmaster on Oct 18, 2011 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions

If I want to go international

I’ll just go to Holland. That’s where the current Baseball World Cup winners are :)

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions

i would work for any team willing to give me a job and compensate me at a fair rate

We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley

by Future Ed on Oct 18, 2011 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I didnt make the connection when I read the article earlier on THT and was astounded

Incredible stuff! Congrats!

Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!

by dwishinsky on Oct 18, 2011 1:14 PM PDT reply actions

Excellent work, ec.

And congrats on the gig and subsequent publicity you’re getting.

Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!

by UrgentMirth on Oct 18, 2011 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

Good job, B! :)

by lynnzgal on Oct 18, 2011 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

Damn, this is great stuff

Someday I’ll be telling people that I read you when…

(I know who Jovanotti is though)

by Glorious Mundy on Oct 18, 2011 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

I really love the illustration of the catcher

It reminds me of the pictures in my elementary-school readers, but with better execution.

Scott Hatteberg, English major.

by Englishmajor on Oct 18, 2011 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

It's my wife

This is how I drew it:

2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too

by elcroata on Oct 18, 2011 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

This is absolutely fanstastic

feel really lucky to have you posting here!

jaggin around

by oakinboston on Oct 19, 2011 12:02 AM PDT reply actions

absolutely blown away. i'm devastated by your intellectual curiousity and your creativity. i offer you the mother of all recs.

the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust

by stm72 on Oct 19, 2011 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

Recs tremendae majestatis

Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree

by iglew on Oct 19, 2011 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions