Wednesday morning things

by Adam J. Morris on May 28, 2008 9:17 AM CDT Comment 68 comments

You know, last night's Spurs/Lakers game isn't going to help the NBA rebut those who claim that the league is rigged, and that the commissioner's office is trying to set up a Lakers/Celtics finals. Pretty egregious no-call on an obvious foul on Brent Barry at the end of the game.

Evan Grant notes that the Rangers lead the league in homers, sac bunts, sac flies, and stolen base percentage, something that no A.L. team has done over a full season since the DH was introduced. Personally, I could do without the sac bunts, but the rest of those items are awfully nice...

Ian Kinsler, incidentally, is on pace to steal over 40 bases this season, and has yet to be caught. Since the start of the 2007 season, he's attempted 40 steals, and been caught only twice.

We are now a third of the way through the season, and the Rangers are at .500. A third of the way through the 2007 season, the Rangers were 19-33.

Kevin Millwood is going to start on Friday, although it isn't clear yet who will go down to make room for him. Doug Mathis is the obvious choice, but he's impressed the coaching staff and may stick around in a middle relief role, which would make Kam Loe or Josh Rupe the optioned one.

Gil LeBreton doesn't get the move of Hank Blalock to first base, and discusses the various ramifications.

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Comments

I'll take the sac bunts anyday.

I think Wash is starting to realize when and when not to use this stragity. I could understand if this move never scores any runs, but if it is then there shouldn’t be a problem.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 28, 2008 9:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't in the act

of shooting. And the Pistons will put an end to the Lakers/Celtics dream.

by AirJordan on May 28, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha

went to SI.com come and the first link says, “Live! Dan Patrick debates Fisher-Barry no call” Man does he need ratings…

by AirJordan on May 28, 2008 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Spurs didn't lose last night because ...

... of that no-call (as egregious as it is). They lost because despite excellent defense, they went cold for a nearly five-minute stretch and were 1-7 during that time. They had tons of opportunities and just didn’t get it done. I am the biggest Spurs fan here (other than maybe Firebat) and as bad as that was, they beat themselves. I still have faith they can win.

by Melmart1 on May 28, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what?

Wasn’t in the act of shooting.

by Adam J. Morris on May 28, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean,, "so what?"

A foul isn’t going to get called in that situation. Barry was 50 feet from the basket he had no shot at making that 3 he was hoping the refs would bail him out. They didn’t. Spurs lost.

by AirJordan on May 28, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What he means is...

...he didn’t have to be in the act. A foul call gives him 2-shots.

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 28, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But what AirJordan means is

Hoping to get bailed out on a foul not in the act of shooting is a gamble, and even early in the game that often doesn’t get called.

by brettgardner on May 28, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

by AirJordan on May 28, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was a foul...

...that said, when you get a defender in the air with a head fake and then drive into him rather than coming straight up with a shot you’re making it tougher call for the official.

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 28, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo

Barry faked and then put the ball on the floor instead of faking and then shooting.

I’m no Lakers fan, but I’m even less of a fan of Synchronized Team Whining, something the Spurs win a gold medal in every year. They couldn’t hit shots down the stretch last night, but every time a call didn’t go their way, they all collapsed on the nearest referee like the defensive pros they are.

by Mister Naxal on May 28, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

"Chase. Dominguez is not really your liking" - Mr Santos

by Chase Irwin on May 28, 2008 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinsler

According to the Baseball Cube, Kinsler has hit into zero double plays in 2008.

by FuturePants on May 28, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's nice

Adam, what’s Kinsler’s EQA right now?

It’s kind of depressing that the Rangers have been playing at a 104 win clip during this series streak and they’re still only at .500 and 5 games out. Repeat, we are not buyers, we are not buyers. If June is just like May we may have to slow that mantra.

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 28, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not Adam, but

Kinsler’s EQA right now, per BP, is .294 for the season. They also have him at 2 fielding runs below average. Interesting note: in their translated stats for the season, they have Ian stealing 57 bases, and being caught -1 times. That’s not a typo.

For the sake of comparison, here are the four folks who are above Ian in All-Star votes, along with their EQA’s:
Pedroia, .260
Cano, .213
Polanco, .272
Roberts, .275

by Outworlder47 on May 28, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks,

that’s what my gut tells me. And looking over many different stats over at THT, Kinsler is the best 2nd baseman in the AL right now, hands down.

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 28, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

FRAA aren’t very highly regarded compared to UZR, RZR, +/-, Chris Dial’s DRS, etc. Mostly because it’s a proprietary BP statistic and nobody really has any idea how they calculate it.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on May 28, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinsler...

Until last nights GIDP in the 9th which contributed to leaving Hamilton in the on deck circle to end the game.

by Topgun22 on May 28, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a Wash hater

But the one thing I really can’t stand are the sac bunts. I’ve mentioned this in Gameday threads, but it seems anytime theres a runner on first no outs he employees the sac bunt. It doesn’t matter who is at the plate, or if we’re down 2 runs or up 2 runs. Teams are just waiting for it now. Hasn’t he had Hammy attempt a sac once or twice? If we’re second in the league in OBP, I say we let our hitters work the count and swing away. The worst example was when Shelton sac’d into a double play. That guy probably attempted one sacrifice in his career before he got to Texas.

Picking a random blog comment and wielding it as a club to bash "blogs" is like picking a random romance novel off an airport bookstore shelf and saying, "This book sucks. Fuck you, Tolstoy -- your medium is worthless!" - Ken Tremendous

by TheBZA on May 28, 2008 9:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Has he been implementing the sac bunt that way?

If so disregard my post above. I thought maybe he was using it in more meaningful ways.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 28, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slight exagerration

It’s not like he’s doing it in the 3rd inning, but if it’s the 6th or later, it’s like clockwork.

by TheBZA on May 28, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sac Bunts

Wash had Vasquez try and lay one down in the 2nd yesterday. Wash calls for them whenever someone gets on with no outs and then sometimes with only one out.

by sftxfan on May 28, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RW had Vazquez bunting

a couple of times yesterday. Why not just trust the hitter to hit the ball on the right side and move him to 3B? Bunting = automatic out.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 28, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am of the opinion that

managers who love to use the sac bunt are trying to show everybody how “smart” they are.

This is one of the very best offenses in all of baseball to go along with one of the very worst pitching staffs.

Under Ron Washington, this team is 48-108 (.308) when they don’t score 7 runs and 54-6 (.900) when they do.

Get out of the way, Ron Washington and let this team hit.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on May 28, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i can deal with sac bunts

in the late innings if you’re in a 1 run game and both teams are pitching well…

otherwise… just quit and go manage in the national league if you want to do that

by tangiers on May 28, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who's

our long man today?

by AirJordan on May 28, 2008 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kam, rupe, Mathis?

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 28, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

doubt it's Kam

by tangiers on May 28, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It should be

Loe.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 28, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really

I’ll take the sac bunts anyday. I think Wash is starting to realize when and when not to use this stragity. I could understand if this move never scores any runs, but if it is then there shouldn’t be a problem.

The second inning with our hottest hitter at bat and someone on second already, yea that is the right time to lay down a sac bunt.

by sftxfan on May 28, 2008 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who is our hottest hitter?

by Adam J. Morris on May 28, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope...

he’s not referring to Vasquez.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 28, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because

for the last 7 days Vazquez is only our 3rd hottest hitter with a paltry .970 OPS.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on May 28, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With a .400+

BABIP

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 28, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I imagine most folks

who are running that hot probably have a large BABIP. Not sure BABIP is particularly relevant in any discussion of who is the hottest hitter.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on May 28, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If...

the discussion of whether or not it’s valid to take the bat out of his hands is depending on the argument that he’s hot right now, I’d want to make the decision on whether he was hot because of something in his control.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 28, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hitters can control...

...their BABIP…

by Adam J. Morris on May 28, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So sayeth

Ichiro amongst others.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on May 28, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My understanding...

is that certain players with exceptional bat control can control their BABIP. Vazquez /= Ichiro.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 28, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

i don’t think it’s a blanket statement that hitters can control their BABIP. I think it is more that certain hitters can maintain an elevated BABIP. But, you can still look at someone like Vasquez and his high BABIP and say that he is probably getting more lucky.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on May 28, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trouble

In paradise.

by brettgardner on May 28, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

by Adam J. Morris on May 28, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

only child?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on May 28, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adopted

by SaltyGoesYard on May 28, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I know is

2 weeks ago folks were ready to dump Vazquez because he wasn’t going to be hot that much longer. Personally, I’m pretty happy he is staying in the lineup.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on May 28, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

who said that?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on May 28, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well i never said i want to get rid of him

but I would have been fine moving him from starter back to utility in the midst of the streak.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 28, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh

i guess so would I. but, at least for me, that was assuming that blalock would be replacing his bat. and I still would rather blalock replace vasquez than shelton.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on May 28, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed.

and magnified by davis and even maybe maxram coming down the pipe at 1b in case shelton fails, where as 3b has…. travis metcalf and co. behind vazquez.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 28, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NBA

Pau Gasol to whiny Kobe and the Lakers for ??? And the league is not fixed?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 28, 2008 9:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The NBA sucks

But I don’t think it was rigged to get the Lakers Pau. The smartest thing Memphis can do right now is have a full blown salary purge, taking as many draft picks as they can. LA was just the benefactor of the situation.

by TheBZA on May 28, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dumb.

by brettgardner on May 28, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Popovich and Brent Barry

both said they wouldn’t have called that a foul if they were the refs.

I don’t know what else can be said. Everyone knows the refs swallow their whistles at the end of games (unless you are Dwyane Wade).

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on May 28, 2008 10:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gritting my teeth and having flashbacks...

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 28, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many times did Brent Barry screw up in those final minutes?

There was the thrown away pass – didn’t he also let a ball go off his leg out of bounds with under a minute left?

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on May 28, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was ...

Robert Horry.

by Melmart1 on May 28, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody

Who thinks the NBA is rigged isn’t likely to be persuaded otherwise. Dumb ideas have a way of getting cemented in people’s heads.

by brettgardner on May 28, 2008 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It might not be "rigged",

but the officiating rewards the star players that the league needs to market. I’m a casual NBA fan who is really put off by the inconsistency and unobjectivity (is that a word?) of the officiating.

by Randy Richardson on May 28, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Subjectivity...

would be the word you’re looking for.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 28, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

Or maybe the star players are just better at every aspect of the game than the role players, which would include drawing fouls, making contact, driving, pump-faking, etc.—i.e. those things which generally get whistles blown.

Maybe some players get preferential treatment. I don’t konw. My suspicion is that any discrepancy is the result of respect, rather than a mandate from the top.

by brettgardner on May 28, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's the MLB record for most SBs in a season without getting caught?

out of curiosity

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on May 28, 2008 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

found it

21 – 1988 Kevin McReynolds

Most in the AL was 20 by Paul Molitor.

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on May 28, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought...

...McReynolds had a swim through here…but nope. I must be drunk.

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on May 28, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just hate the human element

How the refs get pressured into this “LET THE PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME” and “THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS, ALOT OF STUFF SLIDES”

If your not gonna call a blatant foul at the end of a game if one is committed might as well just go home, makes the entire game null and void.

by SaltyGoesYard on May 28, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably not Diary Worthy

ESPN has an article this morning about Orlando Cabrera – calling the press box to the official scorer to complain about the scoring of an error.

How common is this kind of stuff?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3415430

It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin

by txranger7 on May 28, 2008 11:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He needs

all the help he can get, he’s batting .242

"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos

by miles on May 28, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Foul or Not?

Go back and watch the final play of Game 4 on Youtube. It shouldn’t have even been a foul. Mark where Barry and Fisher are when Fisher jumps. Notice Fisher never enters the space where Barry is/was at the time of the jump. Barry initiates the contact by dribbling into Fisher while Fisher’s in the air. Barry could’ve been called for a charge, honestly.

by Apes and Androids on May 28, 2008 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

I read an interesting blog post about this earlier from another Rangers fan http://hankblalock.wordpress.com/ that thinks the club should at least get him or get him proper carpal tunnel treatment and stop just giving him cortisone shots.

by wonthedublein08 on May 29, 2008 12:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs