SoxProspects News
|
|
|
|
Legal
Forum Ground Rules
The views expressed by the members of this Forum do not necessarily reflect the views of SoxProspects, LLC.
© 2003-2024 SoxProspects, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Home | Search | My Profile | Messages | Members | Help |
Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
2013 Non-Sox MLB Discussion
|
Post by mattpicard on Oct 9, 2013 13:32:23 GMT -5
Anyone been watching this A's-Tigers game? It's been a crazy back-and-fourth game. 5-4 in the 8th. Reddick showing some of that WMB syndrome - actually, Josh has a worse case of it than Will these days; as an overall player, he gets a huge value boost with terrific OF defense and good baserunning - with a pretty terrible approach in a critical bases-loaded at-bat. That was a great game. Scherzer was awesome after loading the bases with no outs. Great theater. Reddick ... is and will always be exploitable, and ended up looking foolish that at-bat, but he's gone from 6% to 8% to 10% walk rate over the last three years and cut down on his K's a little, so I'm higher on him than I've been in a while. Good observation. Focusing mainly on the jump from 2012 to 2013, he really cut down on his swing rate too, especially on pitches outside of the strike zone. His contact rate improved overall, but again it reflects his plate discipline issues: He sucked more than ever at making contact with balls outside of the strike zone, while improving on those inside the zone. He knows he needs to be more patient - people have been beating that idea into him his entire career - and he made a conscious effort to hold back more often this year. Still, he was consistently exposed, particularly on breaking and offspeed pitches that dip out of the zone, just like we saw him flail away yesterday. I'm not sure he'll ever gain the ability to truly command the hitting zone, and if he's facing a pitcher who knows these things about his discipline traits, he shouldn't be hard to get out every time. Also, his BABIP was a measly .255. That could regress upwards a bit, but he's only been a .270 BABIP guy for his career, perhaps indicative of the poor hits that he just barely makes contact on against pitches out of the zone. He was hitting more ground balls than ever this season, a large increase from last season. I'm doubtful that he'll be more than a .255/.290/.430 player, but I wish him the best. I hope, even if he struggles, people truly recognize his amazing defensive contributions. There's no outfielder in the game right now I enjoy watching throw more than Reddick.
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Oct 9, 2013 15:45:21 GMT -5
|
|
wcp3
Veteran
Posts: 3,842
|
Post by wcp3 on Oct 9, 2013 21:27:38 GMT -5
Oh look, another terrible call influencing the outcome of the game.
To me, the piss-poor umpiring in MLB deserves as big an asterisk as the Steroid Era.
|
|
|
Post by bigpupp on Oct 9, 2013 21:33:11 GMT -5
Oh look, another terrible call influencing the outcome of the game. To me, the piss-poor umpiring in MLB deserves as big an asterisk as the Steroid Era. Umpiring has always been bad, we just have more proof now.
|
|
|
Post by Chris Hatfield on Oct 9, 2013 21:33:40 GMT -5
Oh look, another terrible call influencing the outcome of the game. To me, the piss-poor umpiring in MLB deserves as big an asterisk as the Steroid Era. You realize that you'd be putting an asterisk on the entire history of the game, which would defeat the purpose of an asterisk? It's not like bad umpiring is a new phenomenon.
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Oct 9, 2013 21:35:59 GMT -5
Watching it in superslow motion I'm like 75% sure he was safe. That wasn't a good example of piss poor umpiring. An example of why we need to use existing technology to make sure we get calls right, sure, but given the limitations of being a human being it's really hard to take issue with a call on a bang-bang play like that.
|
|
wcp3
Veteran
Posts: 3,842
|
Post by wcp3 on Oct 10, 2013 8:43:46 GMT -5
I'm referring to the last several years, when the technology has been there but MLB has refused to get with the times. Far too many big games have been affected by a problem that has a very, very simple solution.
|
|
|
Post by The Town Sports Cards on Oct 10, 2013 9:28:07 GMT -5
The only reason umpires are "so bad" now as opposed to the past, is because we have HD televisions and high frame rate cameras that give 5 different views of the same play. The same calls were made 20 years ago, it's just easier for Joe Couchpotato to dissect. I don't really see how the MLB can "get with the times" without having constant instant replays and slowing the game down even more. Umpires are a human element that has always affected the game and always will. Games were won by blown calls in 1930, they should be in 2030, that's just part of the game.
|
|
|
Post by FenwayFanatic on Oct 10, 2013 9:47:31 GMT -5
I'm sorry, but if you're worried about the game getting slowed down by the ability to challenge a few ridiculous calls every game, you're watching the wrong sport.
If Joe West didn't overturn the Bellhorn "double" and the A Rod slap, we may not have won in 2004. I am all for the challenges and replays in order to get the calls correct as are most true fans of the sport.
If you don't have time for that, go watch the NBA or Soccer.
|
|
|
Post by elguapo on Oct 10, 2013 10:13:07 GMT -5
I am all for the challenges and replays in order to get the calls correct as are most true fans of the sport. Oh yeah, that's helpful - if you don't agree with my opinion you're not a true fan. I fell asleep for a few hours during Game 4 and still caught the last hour of the game. Good grief! There's no need for games to last 4 hours and yes, it's a real concern, and yes, other sports are more exciting as a result. Most true fans of the sport would rather watch baseball instad of hearing mediocre broadcasters trying and failing to fill hours of dead space during games.
|
|
|
Post by FenwayFanatic on Oct 10, 2013 11:08:02 GMT -5
I am all for the challenges and replays in order to get the calls correct as are most true fans of the sport. Oh yeah, that's helpful - if you don't agree with my opinion you're not a true fan. I fell asleep for a few hours during Game 4 and still caught the last hour of the game. Good grief! There's no need for games to last 4 hours and yes, it's a real concern, and yes, other sports are more exciting as a result. Most true fans of the sport would rather watch baseball instad of hearing mediocre broadcasters trying and failing to fill hours of dead space during games. Its an argument I often hear from the casual fans that show up around playoff time. There is nothing more infuriating than losing due to a blown call and 2-3 challenges per game won't slow the game down significantly enough for it to be an issue. Its absurd that people would rather keep having the umps blow some of these calls than have an opportunity to correct it - just because it might shave 15 minutes off of a 3 1/2 hr game.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Henley on Oct 10, 2013 11:08:10 GMT -5
I don't really see how the MLB can "get with the times" without having constant instant replays and slowing the game down even more. Umpires are a human element that has always affected the game and always will. Games were won by blown calls in 1930, they should be in 2030, that's just part of the game. There's not that many plays worthy of instant replay during a game, and such plays usually entail a delay while a manager (or managers) run onto the field to discuss/argue the matter with the umpires. In Game 3 of the Sox/Rays series, Berry got thrown out stealing at 2nd but he was ruled safe. There was no replay, yet the game was still delayed because Maddon ran onto the field and argued for a while. So the call was wrong AND the game was slowed down. Just have a dedicated replay umpire or have a central MLB replay location (like in the NHL). When a play needs replay, the booth looks at the play and tells the umpire the ruling. Any managers who go onto the field to argue are automatically ejected, and if they continue to argue they are suspended extra games, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
|
|
|
Post by elguapo on Oct 10, 2013 11:53:09 GMT -5
There are ways of increasing accuracy without slowing down the game - appropriately-placed sensors should be able to determine fair or foul on HR down the line, for example. I do like a central booth for video review, NHL-style, which in theory increases efficiency and consistency.
But no need to drastically curtain umpire duties -- imagine kids reading Casey at the Bat and wondering why anyone would shout to "kill the umpire" - this is an instinct that is part of our sports heritage and should be preserved for future generations.
|
|
|
Post by Gwell55 on Oct 10, 2013 12:00:47 GMT -5
I don't really see how the MLB can "get with the times" without having constant instant replays and slowing the game down even more. Umpires are a human element that has always affected the game and always will. Games were won by blown calls in 1930, they should be in 2030, that's just part of the game. There's not that many plays worthy of instant replay during a game, and such plays usually entail a delay while a manager (or managers) run onto the field to discuss/argue the matter with the umpires. In Game 3 of the Sox/Rays series, Berry got thrown out stealing at 2nd but he was ruled safe. There was no replay, yet the game was still delayed because Maddon ran onto the field and argued for a while. So the call was wrong AND the game was slowed down. Just have a dedicated replay umpire or have a central MLB replay location (like in the NHL). When a play needs replay, the booth looks at the play and tells the umpire the ruling. Any managers who go onto the field to argue are automatically ejected, and if they continue to argue they are suspended extra games, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders. However baseball is not played by robots... If a manager runs out on a field and protects his players and sparks them by such a attitude is NOT bad for baseball and is in fact part of the game. And such the rules and manager going on the field with your review calls such as with Berry the manager could then scream just as loud at the umpire as he feels that the ball wasn't there when the base was blocked causing obstruction by the infielder (not saying what the ruling is according to rule 7) but the manager does have that right to yell and scream and throw his hands up at those calls either way! Now your going to take his rights away too! That ain't baseball that is Roboball or something else not related to our game!
|
|
|
Post by godot on Oct 10, 2013 12:54:29 GMT -5
Can't see the Sox spending big bucks on him. It does not seem to be their MO now. The money for there are a few other teas willing to bid very high
|
|
|
Post by FenwayFanatic on Oct 10, 2013 13:21:23 GMT -5
There are ways of increasing accuracy without slowing down the game - appropriately-placed sensors should be able to determine fair or foul on HR down the line, for example. I do like a central booth for video review, NHL-style, which in theory increases efficiency and consistency. But no need to drastically curtain umpire duties -- imagine kids reading Casey at the Bat and wondering why anyone would shout to "kill the umpire" - this is an instinct that is part of our sports heritage and should be preserved for future generations. No one will ever not know what that means.
|
|
|
Post by okin15 on Oct 10, 2013 14:52:56 GMT -5
A booth or central office replay makes so much sense. I prefer the booth, because it makes 5-man crews who can then rotate off the field every few days to get rest. Other than that, little needed to change at the moment, although I think at some point we'll end up with computers calling balls and strikes.
|
|
wcp3
Veteran
Posts: 3,842
|
Post by wcp3 on Oct 10, 2013 15:35:20 GMT -5
How about speeding the game up by...ya know...actually enforcing the time limit between pitches and limiting the amount of time batters can step out of the box.
|
|
|
Post by bigpupp on Oct 10, 2013 18:12:52 GMT -5
How about speeding the game up by...ya know...actually enforcing the time limit between pitches and limiting the amount of time batters can step out of the box. And limiting the amount of times a catcher can visit the mound in an inning.
|
|
|
Post by Oregon Norm on Oct 14, 2013 21:44:05 GMT -5
Watching the Cardinals - Dodgers series and I'd like to go on record that John Jay is painful to watch in centerfield. He may take the worst routes of any outfielder in the game with horrible reads that leave him lunging at balls constantly. He's not very good at all.
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Oct 15, 2013 9:36:37 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by elguapo on Oct 15, 2013 9:56:49 GMT -5
More of this "unspoken rules" garbage last night. In what other sport is it "showing up the game" to celebrate a big hit? Just ridiculous. All of the quotes in that article were perfectly reasonable. I understand why the media feels the need to make something out of nothing, but not why you always get your panties in a bunch. For example: Perfectly reasonable and balanced: they're cartoonishly exuberant, but they're fired up because it's the playoffs. Beltran gave a couple of veteran reasons why he believes a more restrained manner around opponents - and umps - can be better for one's team in the long run.
|
|
|
Post by Oregon Norm on Oct 15, 2013 11:17:00 GMT -5
More of this "unspoken rules" garbage last night. In what other sport is it "showing up the game" to celebrate a big hit? Just ridiculous. All of the quotes in that article were perfectly reasonable. I understand why the media feels the need to make something out of nothing, but not why you always get your panties in a bunch. For example: Perfectly reasonable and balanced: they're cartoonishly exuberant, but they're fired up because it's the playoffs. Beltran gave a couple of veteran reasons why he believes a more restrained manner around opponents - and umps - can be better for one's team in the long run. The question to ask, from the perspective of viewership, is this one: How many people read the rational quotes as opposed to the blurb "above the fold" ...because if that's the takeaway, and it might be just that for the majority of those who give the page a quick glance, then the idea is just that, to get people's panties in a bunch. I watched a bit of the game and about the only thing that was remotely questionable was Puig convinced he'd hit a home run and raising his hands in celebration as he rather slowly started his move up the first base line. Once he realized it was in play, he got his ass in gear and got a triple out of it. The rest of it was, just as Wainright said, playoff baseball and the energy that comes from that. Look, baseball is a very deliberate game. What I like about it is the near unbearable tension that slowly builds during the game that has me on the edge half the time as the game winds up. That sort of slow-burn to a hot fire doesn't sell itself these days. Moreover, the old media outlets are on the ropes. As one large example, just read a piece in the Guardian about a friend of the writer's who'd taken on the thankless job of reviving another of the walking dead, Newsweek magazine. He thought that his buddy had 0% chance of success given his background in traditional journalism, with little in the way of digital chops. So the idea is to build some sort of Internet buzz where there is none, to fill the air with over-heated twitter feeds, that sort of thing. Understandable, but it all needs to be taken for what it is now that we've wired everything together. The folks behind this buzz are not journalists. At best they're cheap publicists. At worst they're offshoots from the Enquirer school of quasi-news, a parallel universe filled with Bill Clinton's alien progeny and Elvis sightings. Move along, there's nothing to see here.
|
|
|
Post by johnsilver52 on Oct 15, 2013 13:18:01 GMT -5
Watched bits and pieces of it also. Same with most of the Pirates vs STL Series. I came away with a STL mentality that thinks, especially after these quotes from the veterans similar to the veteran NYY finally retiring that they are entitled to playoff appearances just because they put on that Cardinals uniform and teams should just move on over for them.
Shame Orsillo and Eck are not announcing that series, would love to hear what Dennis has to say about that entitlement factor several Cardinals are taking way to far and showboating that some LAD were doing that wasn't even very much last night.
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Oct 15, 2013 13:44:27 GMT -5
No, the Cardinals players think they are entitled to playoff appearances because they win enough games to qualify every year. You just did EXACTLY what Oregon Norm said that people would do, and responded to the sensationalized headlines rather than the actual quotes.
|
|
|