Heyman on Nolan and pitch counts

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 9, 2008 10:37 PM CDT Comment 68 comments

Jon Heyman's latest notes column has some discussion of Nolan Ryan and his impact on the minor league pitching philosophy of the Rangers:

Ryan is said to be taking a very active role in his new position as Rangers club president, and sources indicate that he spoke to the pitchers throughout Texas' minor league system in an effort to re-emphasize the goal of throwing complete games. Ryan wants things back the way they were when men were men and pitchers finished what they started.

In today's game that's revolutionary talk. Rangers officials say they are very cognizant of Ryan's desires. But they also won't take chances with anyone's arm and will set complete games as a goal only for those pitchers that may be able to handle it. Rangers executives remain mindful that Ryan himself was a "freak of nature,'' and all in all are making sure "not to do anything crazy.''

Complete games are a noble goal. But the guess here is that their time may be gone. Too bad.

So. I'm not exactly sure what that means.

Anyway...also of note in the column is Jamie Moyer's all-time favorite teammates team, which includes former Rangers teammates Nolan, Buddy Bell, and Gary Pettis.

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I want to see

Nolan call our minor league pitchers pansies every time they leave before the 6th inning.

by Gdawg on Jun 9, 2008 10:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see

Nolan Ryan wrestle Wilmer Font.

Dalton

by jparks77 on Jun 9, 2008 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and

search for Sidney Ponson and just kick him in the throat

by Gdawg on Jun 9, 2008 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: heyman

that was the biggest bunch of nothing i’ve read in a long time.

by Longhorn on Jun 9, 2008 10:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 9, 2008 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

But when was the last time you saw anything from Heyman or SI that actually meant anything?

Sometimes I think all guys like Heyman exist for is providing fodder for MLBtraderumors.com. This might be one of those times.

A Lonestar in California

by lonestarJon on Jun 10, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

when it was about Buck

by Longhorn on Jun 10, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can Nolan stop this and just be the figurehead he was hired to be?

by albyman32 on Jun 9, 2008 11:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw several opinions about what Nolan said

and none indicated that he suggested a pitcher should go nine. I think he asked that they go a little harder on conditioning and maybe try to go one more inning than what they were now. Stuff like this is why people distrust the media.

by Jea103 on Jun 9, 2008 11:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just about every pitcher (other than Nolan)

has a finite number of bullets. Starters are usually good for 100-115 pitches…maybe more.

This philosophy works two-fold. Pitchers are much more economical with the number of pitches they throw (which keeps their defense on their toes) plus they are forced to stop being pussies when it comes to challenging hitters.

Nolan isn’t asking his starters to throw 150 pitches a game. What he is doing is asking them to be more intelligent.

Is that a problem?

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 9, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I have as many bullets as Nolan got?

Or does he still have some in the clip, but he chooses not to use them?

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 10, 2008 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet he could still hit 90 on the gun

by venturafearsnolan on Jun 10, 2008 12:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't

he actually hit something like the upper 80s when he threw out the first pitch in a game a few years ago?

by Gdawg on Jun 10, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Efficiency

That is my take on this as well. He is asking pitchers to be better, to take more pride in throwing as many innings as possible for the sake of the team. He’s not asking them to injure themselves.

At least, I hope that’s what he means.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 10, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

sounds like a douche article.

by iorange555 on Jun 9, 2008 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is just about....

Trying to push starters to get an extra inning or the next out.

In the long run its probably a good idea, as long as the team is safe with pitch counts.

by clinton33 on Jun 9, 2008 11:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels losing 10-4 looks like will be only 7 out now.

by iorange555 on Jun 9, 2008 11:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Buddy Bell

When I read that I thought it couldn’t be possible that Bell and Moyer were on the same team but sure enough they were in 1989. Buddy tore up the AL with a gaudy OPS+ of 35 that year.

Still my favorite Ranger ever.

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jun 9, 2008 11:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Buddy didn't give a shit in 1989 but

10 years before that he was a special player.

he was not only a clutch hitter and fan-friendly player but he was one of the very best fielding 3B I ever saw, on par with Nettles and just below Brooks.

Tangent – Buechele may have been one of the top 10 fielding 3B I ever saw as well.

Bell came in all bright haired and bushy-tailed in ‘79 from Cleveland where he had been beaten down by incompetent ownership and a franchise going nowhere only to see the same thing happen in Texas a couple of years after he got here.

Loved the player and along with Michael Young, my all-time favorite Ranger.

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 10, 2008 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had the Julio Franco all-time teammate team

on Baseball Tonight the other day. The anchors said he had something like 600 players to choose from. Ridiculous.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 10, 2008 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey

I listened to Abbey Road this afternoon.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jun 10, 2008 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Always shouts out something obscene

I think Josey Wails is the real Mr. Mustard.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 10, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Get It

I’ve been reading this blog for many years and have really enjoyed the insightful commentary about the Rangers. I just don’t get the incessant need to continually bag on Nolan. Maybe I’m interpreting something that’s not there, but to me, this organization has much bigger flaws than Nolan. Given our piss-poor track record of developing pitchers, I don’t mind someone having a different approach.

by Kyle Mc on Jun 10, 2008 12:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My problem with

Nolan isn’t really anything personal against Nolan. Its more how he is perceived. He is looked at as a savior to this franchise as a GM and manager when neither are his actual position on the team, and he is being given credit for things he has very little to do. The main problem I’ll have is if he actually believes that he should have the final say on all things in the Rangers organization. Things like this where he is supposedly telling pitchers to go an extra inning and going around through the minors as a pitching coach and minor league coordinator better be for show because he isn’t the person who should be doing this. And please spare me the replies of saying how the Rangers haven’t developed any pitching and how Nolan has 1000 years of experience in pitching, none of that has anything to do with what is going on in the system now.

by Gdawg on Jun 10, 2008 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When does this blog bag on Nolan?

Mostly they (we?) bag on people deifying Nolan or thinking that Nolan has a job (GM) that he doesn’t have.

Here AJM doesn’t even do that. He offers an article written by someone else that we as Ranger fans might be interested in, and adds no opinion of his own on the subject.

The 40 trumps all!!!

by thedirkatron on Jun 10, 2008 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People Deifying Nolan

That I get. I roll my eyes as well when I read an article explaining that Ponson was DFA’d because there’s a new sheriff in town. But, who cares if he challenged the pitchers to get their legs in shape and throw an extra inning? If people are willing to accept the limited resume of Jon Daniels as the GM, why complain about Nolan’s lack of experience in running an organization? It just seems to me that Nolan is this year’s Buck Showalter, Rod Barajas, and John Hart all rolled up into one.

by Kyle Mc on Jun 10, 2008 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not his job to micromanage

that would be the first issue.

but he doesn’t get bagged on nearly as much as you’re saying. the only time eyebrows are raised is when he seemingly steps out of his role and treads on JD’s territory: hiring/firing a manager, Cashner hype pre-draft, and pitch counts.

And, Hicks might have given him the ok to do those things (no one knows), but if that is the case, then the anger should be directed at Hicks and not Nolan.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 10, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nolan gets bagged on

in here because people see him as a threat to JD.

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 10, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

The only threat is that all the hard work JD has done to turn this organization into a competitive one with a bright future will be praised as Nolans doing. Like people have said if we win its because Nolan is here and if we lose then its JDs fault.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 10, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We don't care a whit about JD

we care about the direction of the organization. If we feel that things Ryan is saying/doing will threaten what we feel to be the long term positive direction, we’ll complain.

Right now I don’t see much to complain about, and I think the hoopla here is more fear than reality.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 10, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gen Gap

Since many bloggers are as young or younger than JD, the response to NR is one of “oh no, there’s an adult in charge now” type reaction. Not that literal, not that pronounced. But still, that’s kind of a natural reaction and a classic case of generation strife or distrust.
Its completely irrational to think that a HOF pitcher would be put in charge of an organization and not have some input to the pitching staff. Especially if pitching is a chronic problem.
Until NR goes off the deep end with archaic pitching theories, I think this blog should stop assuming that NR will be some idiot, old windbag. Wait until it happens instead wringing hands in anticipation.

by mcgee48c on Jun 10, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see it that way at all

The way I see it is the game has changed and changed significantly since Nolan last played and is almost completely different from when Nolan broke into the league. Top pitching prospects, and top prospects overall are making the jump to the big leagues much quicker. With the amount of investment nowadays in these young players you have to be more careful and more cogniscent of the long term outlook for them. You simply can’t keep letting kids throw complete game after complete game fresh out of high school after giving them a $750,000 signing bonus and expect them to last until they can make an impact on the major league level.

When Nolan first broke into the league and for the most part throughout his career the bullpens were not the weapon they are today. You didn’t have specialists out there. That led to the idea that the starter had to go deep into games. Nowadays, if you have a good bullpen managers will want to get to it as quick as possible because they have those weapons at their disposal.

I don’t think many people on here are complaining about the urge for pitchers to go deeper into games. I think the sentiment is that Noaln was a “freak of nature” and as long as he doesn’t expect our young guys to be like him physically then a little longer in games is fine. But if he starts mandating tings down to our youngest prospects that in turn start resulting in more injuries then it is going to make alot of people mad.

Also I think some of the anger toward Nolan is the few people who praise Nolan for anything that goes right with this organization since he started here. The same people that point to his career numbers and say that automatically makes him an expert on everything baseball.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 10, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Point Was

That NR hasn’t really gone off half cocked yet. He wants the starters to strive for longer outings. We’re always lamenting that the bullpen is overworked and this is one way to help with that.
My point is that all the speculation by many of you on what NR is going to do all presupposes that he is going to mess everything up and/or steal all the credit. Why not wait til this happens before we go off like he’s some kind of story spinning codger?

by mcgee48c on Jun 10, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's a flip side to that coin

Most of the JD bashers that keep singing the” There’s a real baseball man in town now” refrain ad nauseum seem to be between the age of 50 and curmudgeon.

Riddle me this: How many other team presidents have direct input on minor league pitching development?

And FYI: nobody here thinks Nolan isn’t a smart guy with something to offer.

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 10, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Early 40's here, BT.

I have no problem with a young executive with actual substance (see Theo Epstein) and competence.

JD has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he does not know what the bleep he is doing. Where this franchise was, where it is now and what has happened to baseball in DFW (attendance down nearly 8500 per game since JD took over) since Hart was fired is testimony to his incompetence.

A GM with experience would not be given a honeymoon to learn on the job so why should JD get special treatment?

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 10, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a moronic comment

What experience did Epstein have when he took over in Boston?

Where this franchise was? Yeah I guess taking an aging team with little to no hope in the minors and turning it into a young team with an abundance of talent in the minors isn’t what you want out of your GM. Accepting responsibility for actions he makes that don’t turn out on our side. Hell speaking to the media at all. I guess you just want a yes man that will do whatever hicks tells him and plays golf everyday instead of trying to build a winner not only now but in the long term.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 10, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The most moronic comment I have

read in a long time came when somebody said that Ian Kinsler only makes his errors in low pressure situations. Oh, were you the genius who mentioned that yesterday?

Epstein is revered in Boston because he was the real deal. Those fans would not have given Epstein a pass on the learning curve because of his age. They don’t care about his age, they just care about his competence and that’s how I am with JD.

If Tex, Soriano, Cordero, Danks, CYoung & Adrian Gonzales had all played for the Red Sox and Epstein didn’t have anything to show for it on the major league roster, do you think Red Sox fans would have said those trades were a part of his learning curve?

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 10, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet many here have lumped Nolan in with Isiah Thomas

which is just as irrational.

And did you just say “moronic” ?
He doesn’t sgree with your opinion, so his is “moronic”?

I think you’ve clearly made my point.
Most intelligent people are so because they are respectful and tolerant of the opinions of others. You are neither.

lol -CI

by Clueless on Jun 10, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the comment

that Kinsler only makes errors in low pressure situations or somesuch wasn’t all that brilliant.

If I failed to impress you, I’ll try to get thru the end of the day.

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

by Josey Wales on Jun 10, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think He's a Smart Guy

So he should just keep quiet and go procure bobble head doll deals or some such. NR is a good business man I guess you’ll concede but you don’t think he has just as good a foundation to be involved in the on-field side of things?
How many teams have a president that is over both management and on-field would be another riddle to decifer. Different teams do it different ways. I don’t think NR was hired to be Mike Stone or Tom Schieffer, do you?

by mcgee48c on Jun 10, 2008 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm older than JD

and I think you’re way off base. I think most fans here, whatever their age, are very hopeful that Daniels finally has the ship moving slowly in the right direction after several dreadful years. Naturally, if we feel that way, we’re going to be skeptical and defensive about anything or anyone that might upset that.

Generation has nothing to do with it except that people that are skeptical of JD tend to use his age as an insult.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 10, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am older than JD by twice nearly

I hope he can turn this rudderless ship to the right direction but I have to wonder sometimes. 36 years of ineptitude with this team tells me he has a big uphill job. Nolan is doing what his owner is allowing him to do. Someone posted that NR is not telling every pitcher to go out and throw a complete game but to work harder and take pride in your work.

I admit to using JD’s age as an insult. I stand by my comments.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the mile high club.

by Sr Horsedooty on Jun 10, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Nolan comes in and is relatively quiet other than a few hires and this. I can think of a lot worse he could be doing or saying. He picked this battle. I think its a helluva one to pick. He knew that it was unconventional by today’s standards yet he did it anyway. And the crazy thing, its against the grain and I agree with him. I think if all our pitchers worked as hard at conditioning their legs and building endurance as Nolan did, you would see more complete games. The guys in the 40’s and 50’s weren’t drinking special sauce, they set it in their mind they were going 9 and were prepared to do so. I hate the Nolan was a freak defense.

Yep, Nolan was a well prepared freak:

222 Complete games

by corbsclinton on Jun 10, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

It’s always difficult to convince those who maintain a double-standard.
It is what it is.

I can't stay too long. I got a babysitter waiting for me at home. I don't have any kids, but where else can you find a good-looking 17-year old girl for $4 an hour? - The Unknown Comic

by Clueless on Jun 10, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet you bag on people who bag on people who deify JD.

Now you can say how you will call out JD, and that you know he isn’t perfect…but that’s simply not the case on LSB. Jon Daniels is the savior, and anyone who disagrees is attacked.
It’s just the reverse of this blog…same guys saying the same thing…attacking anybody that thinks that Nolan is indeed the difference-maker in the future of this franchise.
Nolan is so discounted around here that it’s nothing more than denial.
And you know what? I don’t care…JD might be the great GM you think he is.
But the intolerance and double-standard are real…whether to admit it or not.
The frequency of comments that bring it up ought to convey that fact.

lol -CI

by Clueless on Jun 10, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a conspiracy

AJM is actually Jon Daniels himself, and LSB is not in fact a baseball blog, we’re here talking in secret code about stockpiling weapons for a coup of the united states government.

Once we’ve stormed the white house and taken over the countrys nuclear arsenal, the first thing JD/AJM is going to do is force all organizations to trade their Chris Young’s for Adam Eatons. Then we’re gonna hang Nolan’s corpse from the white house flagpole.

WHOO-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!

A Lonestar in California

by lonestarJon on Jun 10, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get you

You’ve been repeating the same mantra practically non-stop since your first log in.

If everyone here is such an idiotic lemming in your eyes, why do you waste your time with us?

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 10, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

who you talking to here? EOM

I soloed in the mile high club.

by Sr Horsedooty on Jun 10, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's talking to Clueless

Clueless is among the growing crowd here who believe that most of LSB does nothing but praise every move JD makes, which is ridiculous. Red Shoe Ranger in the other thread joined that crowd today. The point seems to be that unless you are damning every move JD makes unequivocally you are simply a Rangers apologist. I do not lump you in with this crowd, you seem to be skeptical but reasonable and willing to look at each decision with an eye on the big picture.

There are many valid criticisms of Daniels, and he’s made one moster of a terrible trade and had two other notable deals not work out anywhere near as well as most thought at the time they were made (Soriano and Danks.) The completely understandable frustration of Ranger fans is being expressed here, and it is blinding some to seeing any hope in the direction the team is going. People want success and they want it now. It’s going to take a couple of years, Clueless, so in the meantime, enjoy bashing everyone who chooses not to just dogpile on Daniels and lionize Ryan no matter what they actually do.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 10, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well said t ball

It amazes me how many JD bashers rely on hindsight in their arguments. It’s foolish to say that JD “doesn’t have a clue” with the way he’s turned around the farm system. Yes, he’s made bad trades (All GMs do, especially early in their careers). Besides stockpiling the system JD has made some very low-key deals that have helped the team short term. Do you goes forget how we got Padilla? We gave up nothing for him. There are several other minor trades that JD has made to improve the roster short term. (Corey for Mendoza, Koronka/Rhenicker helped the first half)

I have nothing against people who are anti-JD, but please give credit where credit is due and stop making him out to be clueless.

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jun 10, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

talking to Clueless

thanks it sorta got confusing for an old fart.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the mile high club.

by Sr Horsedooty on Jun 10, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 10, 2008 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

throwing complete games

that’s just crazy talk!

by SteveP on Jun 10, 2008 1:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

throwing complete games

only two teams (Cleveland – 5, Toronto – 6) have more than the Rangers (3). Four other teams have 3 CGs as well…

by JBImaknee on Jun 10, 2008 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasnt that mostly sir sid =p

Bring up Justin Smoak

by DSheppard on Jun 10, 2008 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

that was mostly Nolan. Don’t you get it?

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 10, 2008 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lmao

by corbsclinton on Jun 10, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

I can't stay too long. I got a babysitter waiting for me at home. I don't have any kids, but where else can you find a good-looking 17-year old girl for $4 an hour? - The Unknown Comic

by Clueless on Jun 10, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One each

of Vicente, Millwood, and the great Knight of Aruba…

by JBImaknee on Jun 10, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I keep watching

The fight between the rangers and Mariners always gets me pumped for the day.

by iorange555 on Jun 10, 2008 8:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Murphy

Speaking of pitchers…Tim Murphy has agreed to terms with the Rangers.

by JackDublin on Jun 10, 2008 8:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

# of Murphys

How many Murphys do the Rangers have in their system. Can they field an all Murphy team?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jun 10, 2008 9:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

names

didnt we have Eric Young, Michael Young and Chris Young within 50 feet of eachother at one point?

Bring up Justin Smoak

by DSheppard on Jun 10, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murphies

OF Kyle Murphy, OF David Murphy, OF Steve Murphy
1B Clark Murphy

SP Tim Murphy

by FirebatM3 on Jun 10, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam's Nightmare

has become a reality.

I can't stay too long. I got a babysitter waiting for me at home. I don't have any kids, but where else can you find a good-looking 17-year old girl for $4 an hour? - The Unknown Comic

by Clueless on Jun 10, 2008 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tonights game (6/10 vs Royals)

is a good example of when your starter needs to go the extra inning. Gil Meche threw 100 pitches in 6 innings. He gave up 4H 1ER and was pretty much dominating the Rangers as much as someone like Gil Meche can dominate. He is their “ace”. Hillman pulled him after 6. In comes Mahay. He is a veteran reliever who has no problem going 2 innings. Mahay pitches a quick 1-2-3 seventh inning followed by 2 quick outs in the 8th. Teahan commits the fatal error after Mahay walks Young. If Meche can pitch the 7th, Mahay comes in with a 5-1 lead and should be able to finish the game. Your SPs are your best pitchers. Even after 100 pitches Meche is better than just about everyone in the KC bullpen. If Hillman pulled Meche simply because he threw 100 pitches then that is just plain stupid.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jun 10, 2008 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sure it works for one game

But how many times do you really think Meche is going to throw 110-120 pitches without throwing his arm out? You have to have faith in your bullpen. You can’t throw your ace’s arm out when he’s one of the only good SPs you have.

by TheBZA on Jun 11, 2008 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs