The Law of Descending Pitchers In Order Of Their Non-Suckiness
by baseballgirl on Jul 25, 2007 4:19 PM PDT
in News
147 comments
So, for the first time in a long, long, LONG time, I actually jumped up out of my chair and cheered for the A’s like I cared as they scored three runs off Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth inning to tie the game. Unfortunately, that opened my cold, cold baseball heart just long enough to care about the bottom of the ninth.
I have an objection to the ninth inning pitcher, and I’m actually pretty angry about it. Kennedy sucks. Kennedy should be used when you are out of pitchers and the game is still going on in the twelfth. Kennedy is a giant white flag waved to Anaheim which said that our comeback was not important enough to actually try and win the game. The Angels should have beaten our best, or at least our second-best, and I don’t want to hear a La Russa-esque explanation for ‘saving’ someone for a situation that didn’t happen because you held back players.
You are on the road, Geren. Your job is to make sure that the Angels don’t score another run. You used the worst possible pitcher (even with matchups that you deemed favorable) to accomplish this, and you helped swing the A’s from an 8 ½ game deficit, where they could almost start the ‘what if’ rumblings, to a disappointing loss that put them over 10 back. I’m not saying that the A’s would have won the game sans Kennedy. But it was a virtual certainty that they would lose with him in the ninth. The A’s saw their last glimmer of hope for a competitive season go right out the window, and you allowed it to rest on Kennedy. Kennedy?
And in the "I’d like to lodge another complaint department", do you all remember the story of Dumbo? Small elephant, joins the circus, believes he can fly with the help of a magic feather? Loses feather, thinks he can’t fly, has to be told that he has the power, and it’s not in the feather?
You know what wouldn’t have helped the little elephant? If the radio announcer for the circus had repeatedly insisted that the feather was the reason for his skill and that he couldn’t do anything without the feather.
For all the joy I received in the first few innings from the hilariously bitter comments at Lackey’s expense, I really resent Fosse perpetuating the idea (which is no doubt in Blanton’s head already), that Blanton is a much better pitcher with Jason Kendall behind the dish. For the conspiracy theorists, the small sample size after the Kendall trade seems to lend credence to this, backed by Blanton’s own vigorous support of Kendall’s game-calling skill.
Not to go against the prevailing ‘good old days’ theory about how important a catcher is to a pitcher, but really...Suzuki didn’t give up eleven hits and five runs in six innings today; that was all Blanton. And lest we forget, the game that seemed to start Blanton’s recent slide, which included the now-famous Ichiro tackle, certainly showcased a really bad inning with the Blanton/Kendall battery. Kendall didn’t seem to be able to stop Blanton from giving up twelve hits and five runs over those six innings.
But that’s not even the point. The catching issue should be moot right now. Kendall is gone, and Suzuki is the catcher. Adjust accordingly. It does no one any good, least of all Blanton, to wish for anything different, and it actually may be detrimental to his pitching mental state.
Oh, and if anyone cares at this point, the summary of the game includes the A’s jumping on Lackey early, putting runners all over the bases in the first few innings. Donnie Murphy made his presence on the club known early, when he doubled in Marco Scutaro for the first A’s run (which is good, because I think the A’s are going to see a lot of both of them), and while Lackey proceeded to whine his way through the third, he actually walked Scutaro with the bases loaded to drive in the A’s second run. Piazza, continuing his torrid hitting against the Angels, added a solo homer to the cause and a huge single in the ninth as the A’s offense, after a few quiet innings, made it interesting against Rodriguez, who also did the unthinkable by walking in a run, giving our magical Marco one last shot at him, ultimately tying the game with a sac fly.
Unfortunately, today was one of those rare days when both Lackey and Rodriguez seemed...well...beatable, and the A’s just didn’t get the pitching to get the win. Not for the first time, I wish we could mix and match some of our dominant pitching performances that went for losses to help win a game like today’s. And I sure wish I knew what was going on in Swisher’s head right now, because he’s not right at the plate.
Taking two out of three from the Angels in a July series should feel better than it does. Unfortunately, the A’s are in a position where two out of three is no longer good enough to really keep them a part of this season, and they came so very close to shaving their third game off the standings in as many days.
Ugh.
The A’s head to Seattle, in search of making a dent in the race for second place, for a four game series, starting tomorrow.
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JoKe on DL for suckeritis!!
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 25, 2007 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Geren really knows anything..
about baseball, let alone managing a squad.
like Kendall told Geren: "Go F#%k yourself!"
by Erik being Erik on Jul 25, 2007 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
When did Kendall say that?
Interesting.
by One won lost won on Jul 25, 2007 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
when suzuki was brought up
by Erik being Erik on Jul 27, 2007 3:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
JoKe paraphrased in Anchorman...
Where did you get your pitcher...a toilet store??
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 25, 2007 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
kennedy...
Can Beane DFA him already? It seems it's a better idea than keeping him on the roster, even if we get nothing.
by swisherroks33 on Jul 25, 2007 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
DFA kennedy
and bring up ziegler. even if he isnt ready, anyones better than kennedy......
by jackcustismyhero32 on Jul 25, 2007 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you BBG
about the Suzuki, Kendall nonsense. DiNardo didn't seem to have a problem with Suzuki yesterday, nor did Braden the day before. I don't know whether or not Blanton is using that for an excuse or not, I would hope not, but why Fosse keeps harping on it is beyond me.
by china bob on Jul 25, 2007 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On the radio
I heard Fosse say Blanton's problems were all with pitches up. Same as his first inning today.
Now if the radio guy can see it, where is Curt Young?
I'm sure Suzuki can put down a lower target.
When the pitchers are missing, you see all the extra catcher glove work that tells the story.
by One won lost won on Jul 25, 2007 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lowering the
the tareget does nothing if the pitcher can not hit it.
by Tankbark on Jul 25, 2007 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would seriously consider firing Fosse
Fosse is sabotaging the career of a young catcher and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy in the pitcher's minds with his obsessive Kendall love. It may be time for Fosse to go elsewhere if he can't shut his fucking mouth.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 25, 2007 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you give Fosse too much credit
by rebus on Jul 25, 2007 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately
So do many players. He needs to shut up about Kendall, and quit perpetuating a myth that was always stupid and now is stupid and dangerous.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 25, 2007 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way does Fosse has that much influence.
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remember this
It's not just what he says on the air. He travels with the team and talks to players on the team off the air both formally and informally. If Fosse is constantly reinforcing the idea (I really don't know if he is) that Kendall was some mythical force in their success, it may impact the confidence pitchers have in Suzuki. If I were Beane, I would tell him to shut the fuck up and I would seriously consider keeping him away from my players if he didn't.
by BlameChannel53 on Jul 25, 2007 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe in the
"Kendall Effect" way more than I believe in the "Fosse effect." I suspect that Blanton (and probably many others) very much preferred working with Kendall; and Kendall is just a better catcher at this point than Suzuki. Kendall's game-calling was somewhat more of a factor on this team than others because he actually did basically call the pitches, whereas in many (probably most) clubs the pitcher basically calls the pitches.
None of this is to say that I miss Kendall in the slightest; just that I don't think Fosse is conducting a dangerous campaign of sedition.
by mikeA on Jul 25, 2007 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
< Fosse stages raid on Harpers Ferry >
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right on, Mike A!
I agree with you 98 percent.
However, I do agree that Mr. Fosse should begin to tout the positives in Mr. Suzuki's game as he shows, over time, what he does well. It may sound hokey to some, but most players do better when the fans are vociferously on their side. Home field advantage is a real thing. Fosse should help get the fans behind the rookie. He's a "homer," and it's okay to be (quite possibly) the voice of the pitchers' gripes about the loss of Mr. Kendall. I just don't want him to be doing it at the expense of Mr. Suzuki, either. Balance is key.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 25, 2007 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
both pitchers
have worked with Suzuki before---Dallas in AAA and then he was DiNardo's catcher before Kendall left...it will take sometime...you dont change centers in the middle of the game and have no exchange problems..
by Tankbark on Jul 25, 2007 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know our press is soft...
...but if the hard question isn't asked this time, I think I might stop reading sports pages forever.
Bill King was the only one to do it during the Macha years.
by NewPosterMojo on Jul 25, 2007 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And I'm not talking about the usual...
"Hey Bob, why'd you decide to use Kennedy in that situation?"
Then the next series of unrelated questions.
by NewPosterMojo on Jul 25, 2007 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No blame for Bowen?
He dropped a pitch that wasnt even close to the dirt that allowed the runner to go to 3rd. Even with Shan in LF, there would have been a play on the ball Izturis hit.
A catcher can;t just drop a ball like that in that situation. Kennedy is dogshit, yes..but Bowen should not escape for that passed ball either.
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
not sure whose fault that was
either Kennedy misread the sign or Bowen got confused.
by rebus on Jul 25, 2007 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me either...
But even if he is crossed up.....still has to catch or block that. Not like bitchboy Joe is throwing 98
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
my point
Bowen needs to take control...go out there explain what number the pitch is and make sure your team knows. the cathcer is in charge out there, somehting this team is lacking right now...I blame him for the lose today...no run scores on that hit if the runner is still at second
by Tankbark on Jul 25, 2007 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only problem is that you can't guarantee that
Joke wouldn't have given up another basehit after the single by Izturis. That could have easily happened.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 25, 2007 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bowen
It wasn't a cross up. Bowen flat out missed the ball. There is no way Kotchman scores on that line drive. He'd have to freeze in order to stay away from the DP.
Kennedy is taking too much of the blame. Here,s my order:
- Bowen should have caught the Passedball.
- Geren should not have used Embree in game1.
- Geren should not have thrown Kennedy out there in the 9th. The team NEEDED a shutdown inning right there, and he should have gone with Casilla, or Street, or another inning of Calero.
- Kennedy sucking.
by Colorado Fan on Jul 25, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On mlb.tv it was kind of sad to watch because
there was only an opening of about 4-5" between the umpires foot and Bowen's. The ball barely got through there and it was clearly under Bowen's glove. No doubt it was a horrible play by him.
mlb.tv- it's like they have a ZOOM camera to show the replay behind the plate.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 25, 2007 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wouldnt have froze..
There were 2 outs, he would have been off on contact...Would have definitely been a play at the plate if he went.
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Official Scorer
Ruled that it was an unearned run, so I guess that answers the Kennedy or Bowen question (for me).
by Colorado Fan on Jul 26, 2007 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Murphy
Murphy looked good at the plate. His outs were even well hit. I didn't realize it wasn't mandatory that your shortstop bounce out at least twice a game to the opposing team's shortstop.
by SA on Jul 25, 2007 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He smoked the ball off K Rod too....
for the last out of the 9th..little air under that and it's gone
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least our offense picked up!
Before this one, we only scored 5 runs in the series against the O's and we scored 22 against the Angels. It'll be interesting to see what happens against the Mariners.
by Kimberly on Jul 25, 2007 4:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Anything less than a sweep was a series loss
It doesn't really matter if we took 2 of 3 here. All the Angels really needed to do was win one game to keep the A's at a comfortable distance. 8.5 games out would have been soo much better than 10.5. I think this was a nail in the casket type of loss.
by GusanoQuemador on Jul 25, 2007 4:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ummm this is not how it works
The A's would've been 9.5 games back had they won today.
by awesomer on Jul 25, 2007 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No WormBurner is right
The A's started today 9.5 games back. If they won, they would go to 8.5 back. Since they lost, they fall to 10.5 back.
by AsFanInLA on Jul 25, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure as hell does...
There were 9.5 before the game.....Would have been 8.5 with a win and Angels lost. Instead 10.5
by OaktownPower on Jul 25, 2007 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is a great time to explain the magic # combo
but I'm too tired and want to go home now.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 25, 2007 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's generally a good idea not to go "Ummmm"
when you're flat out wrong.
by Flashfire on Jul 25, 2007 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ditto all that, bbg
When JoKe was brought in for the 9th, I decided that was the time I should go take my fresh-air break at work.
Where was Street? I don't understand this at all: activate Street yesterday, lengthen the pen while shortening the OF rotation and not addressing the already short-handed IF situation (Chavez unable to play, though Cros not yet hurt) -- and then not pitch Street either day?
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Street
was activated and used on monday. I would have expected him to be available again today, but if he wasn't I wouldn't be too alarmed just yet. Though I also wouldn't be surprised if his injury recurred, regardless of how cautiously he is used.
by andeux on Jul 25, 2007 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Embree?
Street? Geren was apparently saving Embree for the save. Fine. Then at least throw Street out there right now! Nope, he wants to do that whole lefty thing. Well then pitch Embree now and give Street the save! Joe Kennedy is so fuckign bad.
by ohad on Jul 25, 2007 4:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Options
Embree had thrown each of the last 2 days and 3 of the last 4. Casilla threw 30 pitches yesterday. I don't think we can assume Street was available.
by Danny on Jul 25, 2007 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
how can Street NOT be available?
Unless, of course, he's not actually healthy.
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope
Although the only reason I can think of to activate him if he's not healthy is that Beane's actively shopping him (an idea I wouldn't at all oppose).
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or
by Danny on Jul 25, 2007 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you activate him, but won't pitch him ...
... yesterday or today, there's something funny going on.
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Street was availiable...
Geren said it himself before the game. I don't have the link, but he was saying that since Street pitched Monday that he was given Tuesday off, even though Street said he felt great. And then Geren said he was definately availiable wednesday. So Street was definately availiable...Geren just decided to wave the white flag...
by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 26, 2007 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really
From the CC Times:
Closer Huston Street, who made his first appearance Monday after missing more than two months with a right elbow injury, has had some soreness in the elbow since then. But Geren downplayed it and said Street would have been available in an "emergency only" situation Wednesday. Geren had planned to be careful with Street anyway to ease him back into action.
As outsiders, management decisions often seem curious due to our incomplete information. This is often the case with bullpen usage and reliever availability.
by Danny on Jul 26, 2007 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda wonder who made the call for Kennedy
I wonder if Geren is under orders via Beane to showcase Kennedy in high leverage situations in an attempt to boost his trade value. Failure doesn't matter because his perceived value can't go any lower.
by grover on Jul 25, 2007 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I say you hide/not play him
so that you can say, "hey look at this <cough> great <snicker> pitcher. he's fresh!".
by DMOAS on Jul 25, 2007 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am certainly not naive enough to think Geren
actually runs the team especially in regards to personnel. JoKe was definitely not worthy of the assigment he was given but he also wasn't the only want to blame. Bowen clearly allowed a past ball that most high-school catchers would have stopped.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 25, 2007 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
only "one" to blame
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 25, 2007 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
bingo
Failure also doesn't matter because Beane's pulled the chain (justifiably so, at this point) on the season.
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is exactly
what I was thinking. Why else would you put your "worst" pitcher in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth????????
It does not make any sense otherwise.......and if that is the case then BB really and truly does not give a flying-fuck about this season, even if we had pulled off the sweep today.
and that..................is really sad.
by mrod on Jul 25, 2007 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really doubt that
I can certainly see, "Hey Bob, get Kennedy some innings out of the pen, we want to trade him." I really don't think he'd insist on putting Kennedy in in high leverage situations, or rebuke him for not putting Kennedy in in this situation.
Also, there have been reports that several NL teams are interested, and he basically succeeded as a starter this year, so it's just plain wrong that his perceived value can't/couldn't have get/gotten any lower.
by mikeA on Jul 25, 2007 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard 3 NL teams were interested
Milwuakee, LA and Philly. The Brewers just traded 3 pitching prospects for Linebrink so they're out of the running. Philly has very little to offer and no one above High-A ball unless they pull someone off the big league roster. The Dodgers have the prospects but they're busy fishing for the big names, they won't want to part with anyone who could net them someone they want more.
by grover on Jul 25, 2007 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absurd, Geren
The A's played like today's game was critical. Too bad the manager didn't follow suit. I can understand putting Kennedy out there for the two lefties and Matthews, who hits much better left-handed, but either Street or Casilla had to be out there for Izturis. I've generally liked the job Geren has done this year, but he blew it big time today.
by dylantravis on Jul 25, 2007 4:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess I am the only one
who did not have a problem with Kennedy starting the 9th. He comes in to face two lefties -- and lefites are hitting .164 against Kennedy (and only OPSing .465) this season. Matthews was a calculated risk, but he is OPSing .611 vs lefties this year, again not a bad matchup.
My problem was one I had with Macha in the past which is that of being proactive. You need to have Street loosening up in case Kennedy puts a guy in scoring position. Street would have matched up great vs Izturis/Quinlan/Mathis and I would have liked to have seen Kennedy lifted and let Street (or Casilla if available) face Izturis.
All you can do is put your guys in good situations. If you cannot use a LOOGY (which is what Kennedy really has become) against the three guys that the Angels had coming up in the 9th, then when can you use them?
<ducks in anticipation of AN response>
by AsFanInLA on Jul 25, 2007 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No, you're not
See my comment above.
by dylantravis on Jul 25, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you
I understood why Kennedy was brought in to start the inning - but leaving him in to face Izturis was certain failure.
As much as I dislike how Geren managed the 9th, this one I really hang on Blanton. Granted he made a couple of good pitches that got hit - that happens - but for the most part he was missing his spots and he continues to look awful in July. Vlad being out of the lineup was a gift and he couldn't take advantage of it.
by coffee roaster on Jul 25, 2007 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this too.
I didn't really have a problem with using him... until he got a runner on and in scoring position. They should have known he's Kennedy and he sucks and they should've had someone warming up to face Izturis.
by drmmerchk on Jul 25, 2007 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just saw the pass ball
by Bowen on ESPN, clearly the catchers fault which put the runner on 3rd. That changed the entire dynamic of the situation. Kennedy is not totally to blame for this loss, and god knows I am not a Kennedy apologist, I expected so much more from him than he has given the A's. I just hope the A's can get something for him.
by china bob on Jul 25, 2007 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I agree that the passed ball was on Bowen... but I still do not think that Kennedy should have been facing Izturis with a runner in scoring position.
I used to not mind Kennedy... I thought he was effective in short relief appearances (I thought his biggest problem was going through the rotation for a 2nd or 3rd time), but I'm starting to think that he is a lost cause now. I also hope we get something good from him. :)
by drmmerchk on Jul 25, 2007 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There has to be a way to get
Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers. Pleeeease!!!
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy Crapolini!
I just looked up Hu's stats and after 50 ABs in AAA, he's hitting .420/.442/.680--after hitting .329 in AA to earn the promotion.
<drool>
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suggested this on another thread
Would they accept Robnett and Kennedy for him? It would probably be a downgrade talent-wise for LA, but Hu isn't much good to them except as a bargaining chip.
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would do that, and I would even do
Kennedy and Braden. Every team needs good young pitching prospects and Braden is arguably one. That seems like an awfully good deal for the Dodgers--and yet a very good one for the A's. That trade would mean Oakland could still package any of Harden, Johnson and Crosby in the off-season, or any of Stewart, Johnson and Piazza now, to get a plus CFer and suddenly you could have (pick your own favorite batting order):
Hu - SS
Barton - 1B
Upgrade - CF
Cust - DH
Swisher - RF
Buck - LF
Chavez - 3B
Ellis - 2B
Suzuki - C
Rotation: Haren, Blanton, Gaudin, Loiaza, DiNardo (Harden?)
Bullpen: Street, Duchscherer, Casilla, Embree, etc.
Heck, yes--that team can win in 2008!
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Preface: This will never happen
but wouldn't it be nice if the A's could trade, say, Harden and Braden for Adam Jones, and Kennedy and Robnett for Hu?
This would be an awesome roster:
1B Barton
2B Ellis
SS Hu
3B Chavez
C Suzuki
OF Buck
OF Denorfia
OF Swisher
DH Cust
OF Jones
OF Snelling
INF Crosby
C/1B/3B J. Brown (or JD Closser if you will)
Starters: Haren, Blanton, Gaudin, Loaiza, DiNardo (Madsen, Simmons)
Relievers: Street, Duke, Calero, Casilla, Embree, A. Brown, Meyer
Bavasi is incredibly short-sighted and stupid, however. So even though Seattle desperately needs pitching, he won't deal Jones, certainly not to the A's who he fears and despises. Which is a pity, because if there's one thing the A's have in quantity, it's starting pitching. If you were to include Kennedy in the number, the A's have no less than TEN guys (Haren, Blanton, Gaudin, Harden, Loaiza, DiNardo, Kennedy, Madsen, Simmons and Meyer) who could be rotation pieces as soon as next year. Not to mention 7th starter/AAAA guys like Halsey, Windsor and Komine.
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the A's could negotiate an extension
(as part of the deal), wouldn't it make a hell of a lot of sense for both teams if the A's and Phillies swapped Harden for Rowand? Instead of getting nothing for Rowand, the Phillies get a potential Cy Young caliber pitcher--talk about a "prospect"! And the A's solidify CF for the next several years with a middle-of-the-order bat, for a salary not dictated by the FA market.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't have a good feeling about Rowand
He makes my spider sense tingle. He's never put together a consistent run of good seasons, he's kind of injury prone, and he's going to be expensive.
I have a better idea. Make the trade, but don't immediately resign Rowand. Also, give the Phillies Kotsay for, say, half his current salary. See how Rowand plays over the last few months. Sign him to an extension during the playoffs if he does a good job. If not, let him walk and take the draft picks (which are probably worth as much as Harden plus $5M at this point anyway).
This has the added advantage of probably being doable in the time frame we're looking at here (5 days), whereas an extension might just be too time-consuming to work out in advance.
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess my feeling is that
we don't need "oh my God!" great solutions at SS and CF if we can make significant long-term upgrades and keep our nucleus intact, as well as our defense solid. Let's say we could snag Hu for Braden and Kennedy (as an example).
I think Rowand is reliably a plus-fielder at an important defensive position, who can be relied on to put up solid--even if not spectacular--offensive numbers, as a right-handed middle-of-the-order bat on a team that just needs to be able to score 4-5 runs to win most of the time.
A lineup with Hu and Rowand to complement Buck, Barton, Swisher, Cust, Chavez, Ellis, and Suzuki seems plenty good to me behind a solid rotation (Haren, Blanton, Gaudin, Loaiza, DiNardo, Meyer) AND solid bullpen (Street, Duke, Casilla, Embree).
And most of that (exceptions being Loaiza, possibly Duke and Ellis) could be intact for the next 4 years.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You say Rowand
is "kind of injury prone" yet place Snelling on your potential 2008 roster? Please let me know your definition of injury prone. Rowand has played more games this year than Snelling has his whole career. And just for the record, the biggest injury of Rowand's career came from crashing into a fence catching a fly ball. You Snelling backers need to come to grips with the fact that the guy probably won't play another inning for the A's, and at best, cannot be counted on.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 26, 2007 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems to have escaped your attention
that as a #1 OF, Rowand would be expected to play upwards of 140 games a year, while as a #5, Snelling would be expected to play 60 at most.
Whatever. Replace him with Jason Perry, and I'm just as happy.
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was no such escape
You or I have as much chance right now of playing 60 games next year as Snelling has. I understand that Snelling has talent that some people like, but when you've had 9 knee operations it just isn't in the cards for the guy to be a Major League player, and it still doesn't change the fact that it is inconsistent to not want Rowand because he is "injury prone" and put Snelling on a projected roster. I realize there are other reasons you don't like Rowand, and that's fine. It's just that Rowand really isn't "injury prone" when you compare him to the guys on the A's roster. He'd be the most healthy player the A's have.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 26, 2007 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't given up on the season
and I don't think this or any July game can be considered "must win" -- but certainly this one was "really really really nice to win", and we can't discount the psychological effect on the offense of coming back and tying the game and then losing right away like that.
I really loathe Joe Kennedy right now and for the last few weeks, so I'd like to think that there was a compelling reason to put him out there today that isn't apparent to us. But maybe it was just bad managing.
by Englishmajor on Jul 25, 2007 4:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Some people gave me a hard time for booing
Kennedy before. I bet they felt like booing him, or Geren, for putting him in that sitch, today.
by McFood on Jul 26, 2007 7:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
McFood does it. Now ALL the cool kids are too...
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 26, 2007 7:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going in that was the biggest game of the season
And after the comeback in the ninth it got EVEN BIGGER. Did anyone ask Geren if Street was available? If he was--then Geren is truly an idiot. If he wasn't--what were the options other than Joe K?
AND, if he was truly looking at matchup splits--why wasn't a righty in there to pitch to Izturis--who for some ungodly reason (albeit small sample) is killing lefties this year (.324)? Does Geren only have career stats (which would indicate a lefty is the correct move)?
I spent my youth in NY following the Yankees (anyone watching Bronx is Burning?) and I KNOW what Billy Martin would have done in the bottom of the ninth of todays game (equivalent of Yankees-Red Sox). He would have put his best available pitcher in the game. 9.5 games out, the season slipping away, late July, a win can get him to 8.5--he would have had a starter pitch the freaking ninth if he had to. He'd worry about his rotation later. He would've wanted the WIN. Against the first place team. Today. Thats URGENCY. We all seem to agree that Geren has none. Goddamit.
by Steve in Napa on Jul 25, 2007 5:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Funny You Should Mention Billy Martin
When Bob Geren was dismissed as manager of Escogido of the Dominican Republic Winter League on Jan. 3 of 2006, he blew it off saying that everyone gets fired there, and the owner wanted a friend in the job.
The team's side of it seemed to be that Geren was unable to motivate his seriously underperforming team, and that he didn't necessarily deploy the talent in an effective manner. There seemed to be a sense that he cared more about being liked by his players than about winning.
I want to give him a good chance to succeed, but I want the A's to win even more. But NO, I'm not clamoring to fire him, I'm just upset because trotting Joe K. out in the 9th, is like running bamboo up my fingernails. And forever batting Chavvy in the... oh, never mind.
Plus, sometimes Geren's stubborn, valium-laced, dull optimism that everything is going splendidly, and he is totally OK with it, makes me wonder if some sort of sanity, polygraph, or sobriety test is in order. :>)
by Fungo on Jul 25, 2007 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i do worry about this
There seemed to be a sense that he cared more about being liked by his players than about winning.
He's there to manage the players, not be their friend.
by rebus on Jul 25, 2007 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where's Billy Martin when you need him?
A lot of times, Billy Martin would run pitchers ragged, but in this case, I agree.
This was a game that should have been treated like a playoff game. There's a huge difference between 8.5 back and 10.5 back in late July. This was much too serious a game to leave Joe Kennedy in after the two favorable LOOGY matchups.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 25, 2007 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Attentive East-coast media
Hate to do the east-coast media bashing thing, but here is a screen shot from the current MLB front page at SI.com:
Nothing like being attentive, SI guys
by doctorK on Jul 25, 2007 5:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
God Kennedy fuckin sucks
I know it, You know it, all of AN knows it. How come Geren was the only human on the face of the earth who thought sending Kennedy out in this situation was a good idea. We should NEVER have to see that Asshole unless we are up or down by more than 5 runs. Kennedy needs to be DFA ASAP. Sending Kennedy out there today, would be like Macha sending Yabu out in 2004...
by Shippee33 on Jul 25, 2007 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Amen Shippee!
and almost like pinch hitting Adam Melhuse for Jermaine Dye in 2003............
Geren takes the blame from my end today. That was the lamest move this year by far and even the players in the dugout probably tought the same thing. Horseshit!!!!!
by mrod on Jul 25, 2007 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Ghost of Ken Macha comes back
Giving the 9th inning to Kennedy today was a classic Ken Macha move
by Morada Mudshark on Jul 25, 2007 6:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a tough game to cover
Good write-up...it's a tough season. There's going to be more of it, I'm sorry.
by paradox on Jul 25, 2007 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Blanton needs to get over Kendall
If he's really that mentally weak the A's need to get rid of him pronto. It's not like Kendall was going to be back next year, so I'm not sure how Blanton was planning on functioning since the A's control him. I remember games like this last year with his man crush behind the plate. I understand the the relationship pitchers have with their catchers is just "different." But, really, Lenny DiNardo can adjust but Joe Blanton can't? C'mon Joe, you are a professional, it's time to act like one and go out there and pitch. Hanging a curve ball isn't the fault of the guy behind the plate, it's the fault of the guy throwing it. The Angels radio announcers (almost as bad at Hudler) were calling him soft, and while it pissed me off during the game it could be they are partially right.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 25, 2007 7:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree about Kennedy
He's not the one you put in when the games on the line! What was Geren thinking???
by Fongpay on Jul 25, 2007 7:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Let me put it this way
I had to stop listening after the 8th, so I missed the A's comeback and subsequent heartbreak. Shortly after I heard the score, I talked to my mom and asked who had pitched the bottom of the 9th. When she said "Kennedy," I--quite seriously--said, "That's not possible, are you sure it wasn't Embree or Street?"
If Street wasn't available and neither was Embree, fine. If either was available, you DO NOT SAVE THEM for a save situation, you use them NOW to try to buy an inning to score--hopefully a crooked number--against the back-end of the Angels' bullpen. Which is all the Angels had for extra innings, and which stinks big time. What a shame.
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One other semi-goat
If you're the tying run batting with 2 outs in the top of the 8th and your name is Jack Cust, you CAN'T stand there and take strike 3. I love walks as much as the next ANer, but there are some AB's where you can't be looking for a walk.
by boilerdan on Jul 25, 2007 8:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the fact that I thought Cust
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, yes and yes Nico
I really like him but he falls into the Swisher habit of just sitting there taking 3 or 4 pitches every at bat, then with two strikes waiting to get ball 4 rather than hit the damn ball. If he was a punch and judy hitter, then fine, try to walk, but he has power on a team devoid of any real power, use it.
By the way am I the only one curious about Cust sitting these past two days, are the A's disenchanted with him or are they showcasing Piazza?. I note that DJ is getting less and less time at 1st, is that a sign or did they finally realize DJ is a AAAA player. Could any team really give the A's something for him? Will Swisher ever hit another HR?
by china bob on Jul 25, 2007 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You just wonder what Cust is thinking--
Is he guessing with two strikes? How else do you take a fastball down the middle, which Cust has done several times? Call me krazy, but I think guessing with two strikes is a pretty bad approach to hitting.
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He probably travels with
a copy of the Deer Hunter DVD.....worked for them...so me?
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh deer.
I won't buck the odds with a man of your elk.
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah (crosses arms menacingly)
don't moose with me.
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doe n't worry.
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
go back to fawning over Hu
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I've been to venison Taiwan,
and there's no one better.
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
First and Formosa, lets end this now.
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Veal.
<shakes hoofs on it>
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i ruminated some, and decided on
one more post.
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
The whole point of "working the count" is not to take a walk. It's to get a good pitch to hit, a pitch you can drive for extra bases. The A's do stress the necessity of working the count as the main goal for each plate appearance but it seems like a lot of the hitters think that means walking is the main goal of each plate appearance.
It's disconcerting especially when you consider that the A's are second in the AL in walks but near the bottom in OBP.
by lenscrafters on Jul 25, 2007 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can deactivate my Cust-love to agree with this
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't
I would love to see him hit as much as the next fan, but his approach works for him. He's the best hitter on the team, and his patience works well for him.
A runner LOB in the 9th is no different than a runner in any other inning. We really only want people to come through in 30-40% of their at bats, which mean we have to be accepting of the 70% they don't.
by MrIncognito on Jul 25, 2007 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The whole purpose
of pinch hitting in the 8th is to hit. Not walk. They could have sent Suzuki up there and told him not to swing the bat and try to get a walk if that's what they wanted. What the A's struggle with, and particularly Swisher, Cust, and Chavez, is that take the same approach no matter what the situation is, and you simply cannot do that. Early in the game, work the count, fine. In the late stages, with pitchers who are only going to be in there for an inning, you have to take a different approach and look for a ball to hit hard, and swing. Taking a called third strike as a pinch hitter is about the worst thing you can do. It was a total wasted at bat and caused Bowen to even be in the game.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 26, 2007 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ohhh, shades of the 2002 ALDS
Melhuse and TLong end Game 5, looking at strike 3 for outs 2 and 3.
by popcornjames on Jul 26, 2007 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MrIncognito, I agree but Cust
takes called third strikes down the middle a lot; I wasn't just referring to the one AB. If he only got rung up on "pitcher's pitches" I'd be fine with it. But when you take pitches down the middle with two strikes, it suggests that either you aren't looking to swing or you are guessing and have guessed wrong. Neither approach makes much sense to me with two strikes.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree Monkey-man
WE ARE SPART-A-CUST
by AsFanInLA on Jul 25, 2007 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, son of a gun
never knew the reality of the game past the 4th inning, until just reading this now. Kennedy? you got to be freaking kidding me!!! Holy jumpin up and down martha!
And the Blanton Kendall thing....jeebus, go piss up a post Blanton...get over it. Crimony, did Kendall tuck him in bed too while they were on the road?
by ak_A on Jul 25, 2007 8:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Suzuki's a hard-ass
He won't leave a light on, he never checks under the bed, and he always leaves the closet door (where the oogumzboogumzmanz live) wide open.
by monkeyball on Jul 25, 2007 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In his defense...
Zuki does give a kiss goodnight which Kendall was adamantly against.
by DMOAS on Jul 25, 2007 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kendall didn't want cupcakes
to smell the chewing tobacco on his breath. He was trying to be a positive role model.
by scromulus on Jul 26, 2007 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see a whole lot of posts
criticizing Blanton for thinking that he needs Kendall. Do we actually have any evidence that this thought is in Blanton's head? If there was any sort of quote I must have missed it. As far as I can tell, Blanton is just in a mini-slump, and it has nothing to do with Kendall.
As for Fosse, is this what it takes for everyone on AN to finally wake up and realize what a bozo he is? Fosse is nothing more than Oakland's version of Hawk Harrelson and Rex Hudler. The only difference is that he's our clown.
by iglew on Jul 25, 2007 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"We're here with mdl, and mdl:
How pointless are my questions, the way I phrase them? Are you happy when you win a game? And how great does it feel when something happens that makes you feel great? But yet a clown, which you know I am one."
by Nico on Jul 25, 2007 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Fosse and Hudler...
They make me laugh! Don't take them too seriously...
Kruk and Kuip for the Giants also make me laugh, but sometimes they make me throw things at the TV set.
I wish Jon Miller wore a bad toupee, 'cause he'd look good as a two-tone.
by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jul 26, 2007 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jon Miller with a bad toupee = Jim Traficant
by monkeyball on Jul 26, 2007 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the mis-management
began when Calero pitched the 8th.
Andrew Brown had not pitched since Sunday and threw a scoreless 7th. down 5-3 why didn't he pitch the 8th??? instead it's Calero and it becomes 6-3.
without that run the A's lead 6-5 going to the bottom of the 9th and it's Embree's game.
instead Geren gives JOe KEnnedy the chance to undo 26 1/2 innings of work by the rest of the team.
by cvdoug on Jul 25, 2007 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I heard a rumor
That Crosby wore a t-shirt in the locker room protesting Beane's decision to trade Kendall. Anyone have a link?
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on Jul 25, 2007 10:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
he wore a shirt with a picture of them on it
by marco magic on Jul 25, 2007 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If this is what you mean...
then it doesn't seem like it was a protest, more like a tribute?
Kendall is gone, but not forgotten. In the clubhouse before batting practice, Bobby Crosby was wearing a T-shirt bearing Kendall's picture on the back and references to the card game Crosby and Kendall played every day. Crosby said he had mugs made featuring the same design.
by alamedagirl on Jul 25, 2007 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that sounds more innocent
than the person who described it to me thought. I guess that could be interpreted as some sort of passive aggressive grievance, but likely not.
I do think there are certain intangibles in the clubhouse, such as leadership, that correlate with team success. Obviously when you're slugging .280 it's hard to argue that your leadership qualities make up for your poor performance, but it would be interesting to figure out at what point they do make up for being dead weight in the line-up. I guess that's something where fans will always be left in the dark.
Thoughts on intangibles ... like leadership, positive encouragement, and helpful pointers for the young guys?
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on Jul 26, 2007 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kendall is Crosby's role model?
That explains the batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage, I suppose.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do think there has to be some value
in vets giving pointers to the young guys regarding the tricks of the trade, no? For example, I've heard Haren credit Zito multiple times with showing him how to handle the ups and downs of pitching. Whether he is just being nice or not I don't know, but my guess is that there is something to that.
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on Jul 26, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BBG you are on it.
It was just nice to see the guys fight their way back to even the game. too bad that loser JK took the ball.
I just hope BB either DFA's him or trades him for a can of wintergreen skoal for Geren. We all know he isn't worth a can of copenhagen.
by Jackson_A on Jul 26, 2007 5:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Piazza to press charges
Piazza to press charges against fan who threw bottle
"I'm pressing charges,'' Piazza told reporters. "He's going to spend the night in jail. He hit me right in the helmet. ... It's just inexcusable at a baseball game to throw a bottle at someone. Just a joke."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/s...
by jubjub on Jul 26, 2007 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pressing charges is the wrong solution--
The guy is 22 years old and he can throw strikes. Put him in the bullpen.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he's a flores
so he was born to pitch
by jubjub on Jul 26, 2007 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he could throw strikes
he wouldn't have hit him in the helmet.
by IndianaAsfan on Jul 26, 2007 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back to the game here's how, IMO,
You now have the 10th inning to try to score off of Darren Oliver, Chris Bootcheck, or whoever Scioscia is willing to throw out there, with Street still in to save it. If you don't score, Street works the bottom of the 10th to buy you another inning.
You now have the 11th inning to try to score off of Darren Oliver, Chris Bootcheck, or whoever Scioscia is willing to throw out there.
If you score, Embree tries to save it. If you don't score, you roll the dice with Marshall from the 11th inning on, with Embree still available to try to close it if somehow you score first.
How freaking hard is it to figure out that you have a better chance of getting 1.1 IP scoreless from Street than asking Kennedy to come up big against a right-handed hitter in a crucial situation?
What is this obsession, seen now with Piazza and Street, to get guys ready so we can not use them when we most need them?
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Obviosly, Street is hurt
or wasn't available. I like the idea of Brown pitching the 8th and Calero the 9th, or at least the 3rd batter after JoKe, the resident Loogy. Oh well, what can you do? Let's hope for a sweep in Seattle and a sweep by the Tigers. At least the team seems to be having fun, which will lead to more wins. Go A's!
by A'sfansince1970 on Jul 26, 2007 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
For all the frustration everyone
(myself included) is spewing over this, the reality is: If Street wasn't available, it's hard to blame Geren too much for the way it played out. Brown and Calero are, as far as I'm concerned, interchangeable in that neither is in the category of reliable. Brown could have pitched the 8th and given up a run, too.
From Kennedy, Marshall, and Embree (who pitched Monday, when he needed the work and Tuesday, when the work needed him), it makes sense to choose Embree as the guy to reserve for a possible save situation, partly because he's the only good choice and partly because that pitcher won't necessarily pitch and Embree would be going 3 days in a row.
So then it's down to Kennedy and Marshall, and one is a rookie who's been pitching badly lately and actually hasn't been pitching much at all. The other is Kennedy.
All this puts the blame back where it belongs: on Blanton for only giving the A's 6 innings and for allowing 5 runs to a Vlad-less Angels' lineup.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't be confused by Brown's ERA
He's pitched well so far, certainly way better than Calero. A WHIP of 1.09, OPS against of .481, K/9 of better than 9, and 3.25:1 GB/FB ratio are all very, very good. Granted, one must Beware the Small Sample Size, but these numbers are pretty much in line with his minor league performance as well. He was very unlucky in that he left two runners on, which then scored because of a combination of errors and Joe Kennedy, in one game.
I'd rather see him pitching than Calero by a damn sight. He has more and better pitches, and his peripheral numbers are waaaaay better than Kiko's.
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry, I'm not "confused"
by Brown's ERA. I've watched him pitch. His command is very erratic; he might be very good someday soon, but he's hardly a sure thing right now. Unfortunately, these days Calero and Kennedy ARE "sure things" but not in a good way.
Geren's main problem is that he doesn't have enough quality relievers to choose from. His secondary problem is that he's making some "interesting" choices from among the guys he has.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, I'm not saying he's Street or anything
Just that overall he's been doing what needs to be done as a pitcher so far.
I watched his game against the O's last Fri. and his fastball was indeed erratic. He spotted a couple of offspeed pitches for strikes though. Maybe he should study some K-Rod film and set up his fastball with the offspeed stuff?
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2007 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blanton is a mystery
I hope he figures it out real fast. He looked great up until the 5th and then back to bad Joe. Maybe he can right his ship Monday at home against Detroit. Yikes, do they have a great lineup.
by A'sfansince1970 on Jul 26, 2007 12:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that's kind of who he is:
He'll generally give you a lot of innings even in his poor starts, but you'll get 1 run sometimes and 5 runs sometimes, which is why he's a #3 and not a #1 or #2.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's not even about brown OR calero
it's about saving guys if you have a short bullpen.
assuming street was not available, then why risk putting yourself in the position of having no options???
decisions like that are why all-star games end in ties and league mvp's get steamed at their manager for remaining tied to the bench.
by cvdoug on Jul 26, 2007 12:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a very good point--
you could make an argument that had Calero finished the 7th, he should have pitched the 8th and that given that Brown finished the 7th, he should have pitched the 8th. That makes sense to me, and if Street wasn't available it REALLY makes sense to me.
by Nico on Jul 26, 2007 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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