Friday morning Rangers news
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 9:00 AM CDT
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PrintNothing like the news that Derek Holland will be making his first major league start today to distract from getting swept.
Kevin Millwood says the only thing that bothers him about how he pitched yesterday was walking Clete Thomas in the 8th with Miguel Cabrera behind him, while Michael Young says the problem is that the offense isn't doing its job.
Getting Josh Hamilton back should help the offense quite a bit, and Ron Washington says that he expects Hamilton to be in the lineup today. Hamilton should start all three games at CF against Houston, and I am interested in seeing how playing time is divvied up this weekend, with no DH, although Washington says Chris Davis will start at least two of the games at first.
Jeff Wilson says that Rangers players don't think of this weekend as a rivalry series...they consider the Angels, M's and A's the team's true rivals. I have to agree...I think the only person who really cares about who wins this series is Drayton McLane.
With Frankie Francisco coming off the d.l. today, another move was inevitable, and I think we all figured it would be Warner Madrigal heading back to AAA...but instead, we have Vicente Padilla going to the d.l. That means Derek Holland makes the start today, and I'm guessing will be looking at 75-80 pitches, as Anthony Andro says this:
Daniels said Holland will be on a pitch count today.
I hope nobody tells Nolan Ryan...
T.R. Sullivan has some bloggy notes up this morning.
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Padilla
The DL move seems a bit…sudden? At least it seems like last year it would be abundantly obvious that he was way out of whack, then a short time later it would come out that he is hurt. This year, his velocity on the FB has been down in a few starts, but I haven’t seen something that made me say, “Vinny isn’t right,” like I would say last summer at various points.
At any rate, Padilla is a mystery to me. I never know what that dude is going to do.
Holland's start
In a rebuilding year, the Padilla DL assignment reads as “ok, this works as an excuse to start Holland.”
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
They said that he wasn’t going to be able to start today, and they weren’t going to go into interleague play shorthanded.
I don’t think this is some hokey pretend injury. I think Padilla just wasn’t going to be ready to go today.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
But if Padilla’s going to miss just the one start, does it necessitate a DL move? He almost sounds like he’s day to day.
Of course they’re probably alsoe thinking of the BP, and wanting to avoid sending Madrigal down.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's because of interleague more than anything
That, and JD said they had been looking for a reason to get Holland in the rotation.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
If he's only going to miss one start...
…they still don’t want to go into interleague play shorthanded, particularly given that they are going to have to push the pen today because Holland isn’t likely to go more than 5 innings.
And they are probably going to have to use the pen more anyway because of the PHing that will go on.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
You're pretty much missing just one more start from Padilla
Is a skipped start from Padilla worth playing shorthanded for 10 days or so.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
So you think...
…he’s not really that hurt, but was going to miss one start, so may as well 15 day him, put Holland in the rotation and have FX2 back without losing a bullpen arm?
If Holland is limited to 80 pitches..
…and say he only goes 4 innings, I guess it will be good we have an extra arm and wouldn’t potentially have to rely on Benson. Shudder.
Norm said Padilla hurt his arm taking batting practice
by ncrangerfan on May 22, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Fuck the NL!
Go Rangers...don't suck...
by Kinslerhomer on May 22, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Why do you think the Silver Boot matters to Drayton McLane and not to Tom Hicks?
Not that I disagree with you…just found that an odd conclusion.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
I always thought...
..the only people who cared are the ones who write the copy for the FSSW promos advertising this weekend. The Silver Boot is beyond pointless.
The Silver Boot
Without it, the Rangers’ team trophy case would be pretty empty, so that is probably something.
I've heard it mentioned...
…that it is a big deal to Drayton, but Hicks doesn’t care. I could be wrong.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Rangers lap dog Josh Lewin mentions it a lot..........
…….so either he cares about it, or someone in Rangers management pulls the string that makes Jewin bring it up ad nauseum.
First Place Mother Effin' Texas Rangers!!!
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on May 22, 2009 9:07 AM CDT reply actions 6 recs
I love your enthusiasm.
It’s contagious. Let’s hope it leads to a win.
I talked to Derek Holland last night, and he said he’s excited about the weekend series.
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 22, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Offense
I think that Hamilton’s impact on the offense will be less interesting than the subtraction of Blalock for at least 2 games. Hopefully he can sit and watch and rethink his approach because right now he is an easy out for any pitcher with a breaking pitch. Without Blalock I think Davis’ problems are less relevant. While much of the team are free swingers, most make far more consistent contact than Davis and Blalock and they have been major rally killers more often than not this season (the Seattle series aside). I think the offense will improve with one of them on the bench.
?
Davis’ strikeouts are really hard to watch sometimes but he definitely brings enough value to the table in terms of defense and power that I can handle it.
With DH you can start Andruw Jones, who leads the team in walks, or Blalock. I don’t see how there is even an argument any more for Blalock taking time away from AJ.
The best chance to score runs for this team is with Murphy and Blalock on the bench.
I'm starting to believe
that you play AJ every game when you get back to the AL, and have Davis and Blalock alternate until one of them gets their OBP up to a merely bad 300. We need to stop giving away so many outs.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Blalock and Davis
I’d just assume see davis develop more even if he’s struggling and let blalock be the oddman out here.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I'm not sure playing Davis every day
is the best way to develop him. I’m not sure why you don’t tell him he has to get on base more if he wants to earn that starting gig. At some point, Davis is going to have to do more than swing at balls grossly outside the strike zone.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
well...
you have two guys who are hackers with low obp, i’d roll with the one that has more of a future with the team
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
CD is getting to the point
where I’d be about a month from sending him down and bringing up Smoak. That 275 OBP shit he is throwing out is completely unacceptable. Benching him frequently is the first step I would take before sending him down if he can’t work it out.
300 OBP is also unacceptable, but I could at least live with that while he is developing. 275 OBP isn’t good enough to be an everyday major leaguer.
I don’t think people get how fucking unacceptable a 275 OBP is. Those 2 are both in the bottom 10 of all qualified players in MLB in OBP.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
What would benching him frequently accomplish, in terms of getting him straightened out?
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Good question
I would think you either play him every day in Arlington or in OKC, but benching him won’t accomplish anything.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
motivating him to get more get Playing time
and maybe getting him to show up to BP early.
I don’t think the 4 or so PAs that he gets or doesn’t get in a night is as important as the time in cage to get his stuff worked out.
Certainly, we saw a better approach from Josh Hamilton after he came back after not playing for 2 weeks, and the only cuts he had were in BP.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I doubt that Davis is lacking in motivation
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe not motivation but he may have become complacent
Hes the everyday 1B no matter how many strikeouts he makes or what his OBP is. As long as he hits the occasional HR he is good.
Maybe benching him a couple days a week or after another 2K game would start making him realize he can’t just go up there and hack away. He needs to make more contact.
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.
I don't think benching him does any good
He needs to be playing — so if he’s not good enough to do it here, then he needs to go back to AAA.
Only problem with that is his defense has been great, and they aren’t likely to just promote Smoak now.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he has to be playing to fix his problems
If you handle it right and bring him in to the office and sit him down and simply tell him hes not playing today because he looked like twice run over dogshit at the plate yesterday and he needs to put in some extra work in the cages and if he continues to hack away and looked like shit at the plate he will continue to sit that would get the point across.
Going to AAA isn’t going to fix whats wrong with Chris Davis
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.
Benching him won't fix it either
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Hamilton not playing for a couple weeks
seemed to help his strike zone judgement. He came back and actually let a few balls out of the strike zone go by.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
He wasn't benched for poor performance
he was hurt.
That’s a good red herring though — it doesn’t really apply to Davis’ ability to improve or not.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
See
These sort of comments lead me to believe that you don’t feel all that strongly about this, but just know that taking some extreme position about Davis will lead to a reaction.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I feel strongly
about Davis improving.
I don’t believe that you have to play every single AB of every single game to develop.
I do think RW needs to get the message out that extremely low OBPs won’t be tolerated, whether you are a rookie or a veteran. The message that the team needs patience has to go out, and there can’t be any sacred cows just because they need “development”.
Having so many folks in the lineup with OBPs under 300 is ridiculous, and RW needs to use every tool at his disposal to change the culture where that seems to be acceptable.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
In terms of patience...
…Davis isn’t even that bad. He’s drawing some walks…he’s just not hitting for average.
If you want to get a message out about the importance of patience, Byrd and Blalock are the guys you’d want to sit.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I do
want to sit them.
I’d have Blalock and CD playing ever other game until one or the other breaks out and stops swinging at pitches half a foot out of the strike zone.
Half this ballclub is atrocious at their approach at the plate. Anyone who goes in hacking is gonna sit a couple games a week. We have a deep enough bench to do it.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
With me its not necessarily about patience
It is maddening sometimes but at least with Byrd he is hitting for average which if Chris would just do that I could handle the strikeouts a little more. But hes not. Its either K or homerun. And the timing of his Ks has been the worst part. In situations where we just need the ball to be put in play he can’t do it. Productive outs are so much better than Ks.
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.
Personally
I could give a rats ass about productive outs.
And Byrd is posting a .266 EQA right now. It is better than Davis’s .244 EQA, but it isn’t like he’s been so much better that it justifies his hacktastic plate approach.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
I got no problem
with them working Murphy in a game or 3 a week and sitting Byrd.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Really?
A guy on 3rd base with one out and you don’t care about getting a sac fly rather than a K?
Or a guy on 2nd no out you don’t care about a simple ground ball to the right side rather than a K?
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.
"he's just not hitting for average"
Because he is swinging at pitches a foot out of the strike zone. We knew going into this season that Davis had contact issues, and if he is waiting for strikes and missing them, that’s one thing. But if you watch his at bats lately, he looks a lot like Wilkerson used to, deciding before the pitch is ever thrown if he is going to swing or not.
The issue isn’t that he isn’t hitting for average, the issue is that he is swinging at horrible pitches a foot outside the strike zone.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
Amen
I don’t know if Adam was actually able to watch yesterday’s game, but that was some ugliness. He doesn’t seem to have any idea where the ball is going.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
And sitting him on the bench...
…because you think he needs to be punished, as was suggested above, is stupid.
If he’s having pitch recognition issues that are so significant he shouldn’t be playing regularly in the majors, then send him to AAA. Having him play 2-3 days a week in the majors doesn’t seem like the way to fix the problem.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Why is it stupid?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Taking this out to left field...
has anybody given any thought that Davis may actually having vision problems?
I had thought it possible before, but that 2nd AB really made me think about it.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
I definitely thought
yesterday it might be worthwhile for him to get an eye exam.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I don't agree with Adam, either
Davis is a professional, and Wash has able replacements at 1B.
There’s nothing wrong with a system that features consequences for certain ABs.
Sitting the player, letting him know he needs to take some extra batting practice, seems like above-board communication that could help the player focus and improve.
No, Adam, you don’t have to send him to AAA.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Is sitting him and telling him...
…he needs to take extra BP as punishment for a bad AB really something that is going to help him long-term?
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Its not just one at bat
Its the first 40 games of the season
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.
Adam
Davis was truly awful yesterday, to be fair.
I mean, it looked like he made up his mind before the AB that he would be swinging at everything, regardless. Lewin had to be shaking his head just watching the same shit.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 22, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
just looked like
he was looking fastball the first 2 pitches and didn’t get one, and then tried to protect against the back door curve that stayed way out of the zone. the biggest issue with Davis is his ability to hit the high fastball. jackson blew a lot of belt high fastballs by our guys yesterday.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
x
If you handle it right and bring him in to the office and sit him down and simply tell him hes not playing today because he looked like twice run over dogshit at the plate yesterday and he needs to put in some extra work in the cages and if he continues to hack away and looked like shit at the plate he will continue to sit that would get the point across.
Going to AAA isn’t going to fix whats wrong with Chris Davis
I don’t understand this at all. What point are you trying to get across? You think Davis is struggling because he isn’t trying or working hard enough or doesn’t give a damn?
I’d rather see him go to AAA than sit 50% of the time in the majors.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Im not questioning his work ethic
But it seems to me that he isn’t being punished for looking so bad at the plate. Im sorry but when you look the way he has looked, not just yesterday but all season, you need to be punished in some form. In some cases that would mean a demotion to AAA but with Chris I don’t think there is anything he can do down there that would benefit him.
I think what Chris needs is just alot of time in the cages and maybe some extra video sessions but the mental aspect of being benched for a game due to poor play will do more than anything. Right now no matter how bad he does he still is in the lineup the next day. Sit him down and tell him its because of his play the day before and it should help him.
Thats the way I would handle it. I also would bench Hank for the same reasons although with Hank its a bit different because he is a veteran and is making good money. Its harder to motivate guys with big contracts than rookies making the minimum
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.
hmm
it him down and tell him its because of his play the day before and it should help him.
Or you could completely kill his confidence and he’d never recover. At this point that’s as likely as a scenario as what you are saying is. We just don’t know how he’d react to that.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
If that kills his confidence
he is never going to be a big time player because he’s weak between the ears.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
OK
but that doesn’t prove that benching him will help him, does it?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
There is no proof
that benching him will help.
There is also no proof, that benching him will hurt.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Well
I was just trying to point out that large steve is VERY convinced it would help him — and there’s really as much reason to think it would hurt him, that’s all.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
This reminds me of a few years ago...
…when someone on the NMLR board said that the next time Ian Kinsler made an error, he should be immediately yanked from the game in the middle of the inning, to embarrass him and to send a message to the rest of the team that that wouldn’t be tolerated.
That doesn’t seem solution oriented. Rather, it seems like acting out of frustration.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I can see where benching a player periodically will help him focus.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
That wasn't punitive
It was because he was doing terribly and they basically wanted to give him a chance to take a few days off, clear his head, and then come back and try to get it going again.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
and thats a bad idea
why?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
If that's what you want to do...
…I don’t have a problem with that.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
So what was this entire discussion about this morning?
I think all some of us have wanted is to sit him for a couple days to hopefully change his approach at the plate.
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.
Cahill said
He needs to get his nose rubbed in it a little.
That’s not exactly benching him to “clear his head.”
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I stand by it.
He swung at a pitch that was over half a foot out of the zone. Someone needs to show him that AB, ask him what his thought process was on that swing, and try to figure out why he is trying to golf stuff that is closer to the ground than to the strike zone.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
what you just described there
is not the same thing as rubbing his nose in it — to me that implies embarrassing him over his failures.
If all you’re suggesting that someone work with him on his approach — well then I think we all agree with that.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Trust me,
watching that tape with a guy like Rudy in the room is gonna embarrass the hell out of Chris, because Chris knows he is better than that.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Do you think Rudy is going
to say “look here you little shit — you suck ass and you need to fix your approach, got it?”
THAT is rubbing his nose in it.
Watching video and helping him improve is alot different.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Nah, you don't have to do that
just watching it with Rudy in the Room is gonna embarass the Hell out of Chris even if Rudy doesn’t say a word.
That at bat was really that atrocious that it stands on its own with no words needing to be said. Just having Chris watch it with Rudy and Wash in the room is what I mean by rubbing his nose in it.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
heh
So I guess it was just for shock value.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
the last thing you want to do
with a young player is amplify a rough day against a good pitcher by singling him out and risk damaging his confidence by having him think about it more than necessary. i’d rather he completey forget about a bad AB.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
So far
that approach hasn’t yielded great fruit this year.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
i think his bad AB's
are amplified because of his poor start to the season. his recent numbers are very respectable.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
Yep
If you want to say, “You’re our guy, you’re just struggling right now, and we want you to take a couple of days off to clear your head and work on some things in the cage with Rudy,” that’s one thing.
But if you want to punish him (which is the word that has been used) because he’s been sucking and tell him that he is sitting because he’s been terrible and if he doesn’t stop sucking he’s going to be riding the pine some more, well, I don’t see that as the same thing, and I don’t see that as terribly constructive.
I’d rather see Davis in AAA playing every day and working out whatever issues he has down there than playing 2 days a week in the majors and being told that he can either start producing in his limited ABs or continue to sit.
And really, I’m not sure why you’d want a 23 year old in his first full major league season to be a benchwarmer anyway.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
OK
I didn’t mean to imply Davis needed to sit 4 times a week. But after a game such as yesterday along with the way hes looked most of the time so far this year I think a day off would be a good thing. I have no problem letting the guy know why hes being benched. Again I don’t like coddling guys especially this early in their careers. But then you let him go out and play but if in another week he hasn’t turned things around and still looks like he has the first two months of the season then I think you should sit him again and again explain its because of his play on the field. If this happens 3 or 4 times in succession then yeah maybe a demotion should be looked into but not right now. Right now a simple benching should be sufficient to get your point across that he needs to play better.
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.
Which is exactly what I, and I think others are suggesting
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.
That's not what was coming across to me
You were saying that he needed to be punished for taking bad ABs, and needed to get a message that he was going to be benched if he didn’t start playing better.
And the BoSox may have no choice with Ortiz, since it isn’t like he can be sent down to the minors. But if you think that Davis is such a drag on the lineup that he can’t be a regular, you can send him to AAA to try to get on track, something that you can’t do with Ortiz.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Like I said below
This isn’t simply about one games worth of at bats. He has looked like crap for most of the season. I think after a game like yesterday where he looked especially bad would be the place to sit him.
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.
That is a bit kneejerky
But after 6 weeks of a baseball season, benching a guy because he has looked like crap at the plate not just one game but for awhile now isn’t I don’t think. Maybe I didn’t make that clear originally I wouldn’t be benching him simply off one games results. It may happen after a bad game but it would be because of his play so far this entire year.
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.
And with Smoak in the minors I am willing to take that chance
Because if he cant tell hes playing like shit and cant handle someone pointing it out to him then hes not the type of player I want on my club going forward. I don’t want to have to coddle players and always tell them they are doing good. Its not little league anymore. These guys are professionals and should be able to take criticism especially when its warranted
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.
Then just write him off now...
…and trade him and bring Smoak up.
Sitting someone on the bench and telling him he’s being benched because he sucks and oh, incidentally, there’s another guy who is about to take his job in the minors doesn’t seem like the best way to get him going.
If you are that down on him, trade him now, because his value will likely do nothing but go down.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Im not gonna tell him anything about Smoak
Im sure he knows the guy is in the system and probably knows how he is doing. But if he can’t take some criticism when it is warranted about his awful approach at the plate then I think we should trade him now. Im sorry but I don’t want to have to coddle my players when they are playing like shit. These guys get paid alot of money to play baseball and they should be able to take their manager telling them they are being benched for a game because of poor play. I think it would help them improve. It may not make them work harder because they may already be working hard but it may make something click. You can work as hard as you want but if you don’t take the things you work on to the actual game its pointless. Maybe thats whats happening who knows. Something needs to be done and I am of the thought that sending him to AAA would not be the best course of action.
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.
I don't get...
…why you think telling a player he’s being benched because you want to punish him for not playing well is going to make him play better.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Because right now
I get the feeling that he may becoming complacent. He is playing everyday no matter how he is performing and how he looks at the plate. Maybe a shot in the arm of reality would do him some good. It may make him look at being a starting major leaguer a little different.
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.
x
I get the feeling that he may becoming complacent.
I don’t. If anything, I think his problem is the opposite, that he’s pressing and making things worse.
The idea that Davis is becoming complacent and taking a shitty approach to the plate because he feels like it is his job and he doesn’t have to do anything to keep it seems ridiculous to me.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam...
What’s your take on this, Adam?
By the way, what’s the difference between Davis and Holland? Holland is kept on a schedule determined by management. Is that out of line?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
What do you mean, what is my take on that?
And I don’t understand what you are asking about the difference between Davis and Holland.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Holland and Davis
These are two young players whose chances to break in successfully depend on how they’re exposed.
We’ve got 432 ABs for Davis, compiled over a successful period (08), and a less successful period (09).
Just the same way Holland’s playing time has been, I guess some might say, haphazardly meted out, you could control Davis’ exposure to ML baseball.
Because he might not be adjusting.
Or he might have lost focus. If he’s K’ing on pitches out of the strike zone that’d be my guess.
Both players’ success depends on their level of exposure, though. Davis might not be catching up to ML pitchers catching up to him.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I really wish we had
the video on that AB.
I thought the video was even worse than the graph. I hit rewind on my TiVo because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
So you're going to bench him
because he looked especially bad in one at bat? What about the two walks he drew? Did you rewind those at bats?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
He looked terrible on those ABs too
He should have been benched right after taking that walk.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
don't tell him he's benched because he sucks
You’re being sensational. You tell him that if he continues to swing at pitches that are bouncing in the RH batters box then he is going to find his ass on the bench. Then if he continues to do it, you sit him.
The issue with Davis right now isn’t one of talent, it’s an issue regarding his approach and he won’t change it unless he becomes convinced that changing it is necessary.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
x
Im sorry but when you look the way he has looked, not just yesterday but all season, you need to be punished in some form.
Why does he need to be punished?
Sit him down and tell him its because of his play the day before and it should help him.
Why will benching him and telling him he’s being benched because he didn’t play well help him? What would that accomplish?
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Watching that
2nd at bat yesterday of his motivated me to get redass at him.
Thats about the worst at bat I’ve seen in a while. If playing him everyday gets us that, then the hell with playing him every day. He needs to get his nose rubbed in it a little.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
yeah it is frustrating
I just wanted to make the point that I doubt he doesn’t care about how performance — I’m sure he is trying to improve.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
x
He needs to get his nose rubbed in it a little.
And what will that accomplish?
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I won't have to watch him swing
at 3 pitches half a foot out of the strike zone every game. Thats something.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Then send him to AAA
You won’t have to see him at all.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep
I can’t watch the games, but I admit that it’s frustrating listening to Nadel call Davis’s ABs. Of course, Nadel is getting funnier about it too in his utter disgust with him. I can hear Nadel sneering at Davis.
PhD
I hate to keep going back to it
but I was home for lunch yesterday, and I saw that 2nd at bat, and it was ridiculous. One of the pitches might have been kind of but not really close, and the other 2 were pitches that only Vlad Guerrero in his prime had any business swinging at.
It was nauseating.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I have to agree with you here.
Davis was clueless at the plate.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 22, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
One of them was strike 3
that the ump missed, FWIW.
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
Um
Actually, you might have a point …
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 22, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know that motivating him to get more playing time...
…is going to do much.
I haven’t heard anything that suggests he’s not working hard enough.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah that's what I'm saying
He’s certainly trying — it just may be a case of him not being good enough.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
the difference between them is defense
davis has been playing first base defense well enough that i’d take him over blalock without a second thought.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Hack Blalock
is a bigger problem then CD. Davis has been batting 7th or 8th.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
+1 on that
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 22, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Davis
I am not advocating benching Davis, I am just saying that right now he and Blalock in the same lineup is a problem. I would bench Blalock but I am assuming that Blalock will play once in Houston since Wash alluded to that in his comments.
AJ coould play 1B
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
is he any better than
blalock at 1b?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 22, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
He's not any worse.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Bout even
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Have we seen enough of Hank
at 1B to definitively say what kind of 1B he is? He’s still a little bit of a fishouttawater but I don’t remember him being a hack.
On the spectrum of positions, that’s a pretty easy move to make and a lot of former 3B (Pujols, Tex, GBrett) become really good defenders at 1B.
AJ used to be great in the OF but he has never been an infielder or had to react to hard gb’s.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
I'm doubtful that Blalock sees any AB's before Monday night.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
I betcha Hank gets one game at 1B and
will be surprised if we don’t see him pinch hit at least once.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
awillis
said that he doesn’t think Blalock will see any ab’s before Monday.
I doubt RW lets Hank sit that long.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
I think it's more likely
Omar or Murph in the PH this weekend
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Over Blalock?
Why?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
Because
they actually show plate discipline and don’t hack away
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Can't imagine
why Jones wouldn’t be the first PH if he is on the bench.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I'd still take Omar/Murphy
over Blalock.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
That's not happening
If they need a PH, it will be Jones or Blalock.
It won’t be Vizquel, given that he’s the only backup IF.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Forgot that.
Sure would be nice if we had DeRosa back.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Why?
we need a .253/.318/.420 hitter? He’s not exactly tearing it up in DeRosa.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
And where is this "DeRosa" you speak of?
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
That should have been
Derosa hasn’t been tearing it up in Cleveland.
Our bench is about the best it has been, and I don’t miss DeRosa in the slightest.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I miss the flexibility he had as a utility player.
Didn’t he play pretty much every position except 1,2, and 8?
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
What positions do we need our utility guy to play?
Are you going to pull a double switch and take Kinsler or Young out of the game?
If Blalock or Jones PH they could play 1B in a double switch. So really SS is the only position we need our utility guy to play.
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.
My point was that it would nice to have more than 1 IF on the bench.
Not just for interleague, but the whole season. It doesn’t have to be DeRo. I’d be happy if we had somebody in AAA/AA that could fill the same type role.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
We do
Vallejo and Duran would both be utility guys up here.
And with Blalock (3B also) and Jones apparently being able to play 1B we have a few guys on the bench who can play the IF
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.
You have several guys in AAA that can fill that role
But you aren’t going to use Vizquel as a pinch hitter, and the every day infielders aren’t going to sit much, so you don’t really need two backup infielders.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd just like to see someone on the bench that can play any IF/OF
and have a better OBP than Hank. That is what I’m trying to say. Where is written that a PH has to be a giant power hitter. Right now I’d be happy with a good contact hitter for DH/PH, that can be more than just a bat.
Maybe I should be saying a DeRosa-like player, instead of actually saying him specifically.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Well
You’ve already got two guys right now who are splitting the DH ABs — Blalock and Jones.
If you have somebody out there who can play the outfield and the infield, and hit will enough to DH regularly, they are going to be in the starting lineup anyway.
That’s why DeRosa signed elsewhere…because he could be a starter rather than a bench player.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok...I give up
Just ready to see Blalock gone….it was a mistake to pickup his option and DFA Cat.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
DFAing Cat
was a genius move of pure brilliance by JD.
The last thing this team needs is a platoon DH thats worse than Blalock.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Really?
why do we need DeRosa back?
So we can pinch-hit Vizquel in our handful of interleague games?
Come on. We have little use for DeRosa.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
X
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Oops...keyboard malfunction
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Are any of the pitchers PH options?
I can imagine that one of the old NL guys like Jennings and Benson may actually be tolerable with the bat, compared to say BMac or Feldman.
PhD
Can't imagine why.
Unlike Blalock, Jones has hit lefties and righties equally well this year, and is 800+ OPS against both for his career.
While Blalock can deliver the big boom, he also delivers outs in almost 3 out of 4 PAs this year.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
...
…I think the only person who really cares about who wins this series is Drayton McLane.
and texasraider
You know the bandwagoners are hopping on when...
you start getting comments all the time when you are out in public with a rangers hat or t-shirt.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Totally
I was at a bar on the patio next to a sidewalk wearing one of my jerseys last Saturday. Two people stopped and asked me if we had won. Blew. My. MIND.
It's weird
I really don’t know how to react to such positive comments from strangers about the rangers. (whoa that rhymed )
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Just 5 innings, please
Mr. Holland, on 75 pitches or less. It would be nice if the offense tagged Paulino for at least 4 or 5 runs during those innings.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I hate Houston's center field circus hill
I cringe every time a Ranger player has to go after a ball on that hill
and in all honesty I hate Minute Maid Park
I’ve been to a few games there. It’s too dark and it smells.
I'd like to know how they got MLB to okay the designs
And I’m making my first trip yo Minute Maid Sunday.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
Agreed
I have been there a few times myself. First time I went there were no cup holders on the back of the seats. There PA guy sounds like an FM DJ and remember folks be nice to the other team.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
no cup holders?
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 22, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
I guess that means most women won't be buying seats at the game.
"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09
"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison
It's true
They added them later. We were in the lower bowl 12 rows behind the 3rd base dugout. Then out came Junction Bunny and friends and you thought Rangers Capt. was a beating.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
Minute Maid
The concessions staff are a bunch of assholes, too. Or at least they were when I went back in 2000.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
I went to an Astros game in 2002 when they played the Cubs
and I also went to Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
It’s different but I liked it and don’t remember any problems with the concessions although the t-shirt lines to buy a World Series shirt couldn’t be navigated.
Having ballparks in downtown areas is a good and the Stros did it right.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
I've never been to MM park
but I need to go. Because I am older than dirt I have actually been to old Colt stadium and numerous times to the Astrodome. I need to go to MM so I can say I have been to all 3 parks. I wish I knew how many could say that. A few thousand I guess, no way of knowing
What was Colt Stadium like
and were you there in July or August?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
My wifes grandfather
Has been to Sportsmans Park, Busch Stadium and New Busch Stadium now. I would think not many could say that either.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
It was hotter thatn a $2 pistol in august
and the mosquitos were the size of Barry Bond’s head but I didnt care because I was 11 and loved baseball more than anythng and I was watching Willie Mays play CF for the Giants. That summer I actually got to go twice and saw Koufax pitch the second time I went. If I remember correctly Koufax and Dick " Turk " Farrell locked up in a pitchers duel that Koufax won 1-0. I guess Bob Lillis, Al Spangler, Norm Larker and all those guys were no match for Koufax
I used to go when it was called Enron
and I enjoyed it a lot. Not as good as TBiA, but I still liked it. You feel close to the action regardless of where you’re sitting. Not all new parks are like that.
I think the hill is hokey, but not that annoying. The cupholder thing was weird, but I typically avoid buying drinks at games anyway, so it was fine.
PhD
The hill is hokey, but not that annoying
If it’s meant to be ‘different’, which it is, and has no room to improve upon itself, which it doesn’t, I don’t know how you can call it anything else but annoying
I think it was an
homage to a flagpole that was in play at the old Tiger Stadium.
Damn stupid idea though.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Trust me
If Hamilton is forced to run back toward that hill and aggravates his groin doing so I will personally drive down there and flatten that motherfucker myself
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.
The designers of Minute Maid Park
Forgot to build the center field fence.
"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09
"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison
I like seeing Houston lose
I’ll say it. After living in Houston for three years and (a) having to tolerate Houston’s undeserved run to the World Series and (b) not getting to watch the Rangers on tv, I openly root against the Astros.
Mr. Hollands Opus
So tonight is begins
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
Very Excited About Holland Starting
In a perfect world he wouldn’t be moving to the lineup until someone (read: McCarthy) either got injured or promoted. He’s learned some valuable lessons over time he’s been in the majors, but it’d be nice to see him get worked in a little more gradually. Then again, he seems like a very competitive kid and could thrive without a lot of growing pains.
I’m looking forward to this being the first of many, many starts from Holland.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on May 22, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions
Careful AJM..
I hope nobody tells Nolan Ryan…
.. you might start channeling Galloway with all that shtick.
The thing I'm looking for tonight with Holland
Will be if he throws his changeup, and how effective it is. Houston’s got a very right-handed lineup, and it’s a hitters park (well, if you hit it down the line it is) so if he’s going to be effective my guess is he’ll need his change (hell, it’s supposedly his second-best pitch – he hasn’t thrown it hardly at all out of the ’pen though).
"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09
"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison
This just in...
from the deparment of bad ideas.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I wonder what it's like to have a manager who is aware of a player slumping really bad
and acknowledges that a change might need to be made
by texasraider on May 22, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
It's funny...
when the team wins no one even mentions the manager.
When they lose though people can’t stop bringing him up.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
How does Wonderboy do with the stick tonight?
I say 1-2 with a single.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
I forgot all about that
He does have to hit.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
That's the only thing I don't like about the timing of his 1st start.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
People get way too worked up about pitchers hitting
Big deal. He can go up there and K three times for all I care. I’m sure his ABs will look no worse than Chris Davis’s.
PhD
by JBImaknee on May 22, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Watch your language.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
I came here to split hairs. And you?
by inactive lsb user on May 22, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
You think he'll be in there long enough for 3 ABs?
by FuturePants on May 22, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
You'd pick 3 Ks for Davis tonight?
Who’s on the mound? I go under 2.5 Ks.
by FuturePants on May 22, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Not worked about that,
I’d just rather his total concentration be on pitching tonight.
Of course I doubt the bat ever leaves his shoulder.
In 1991, I was 8 and thought Kirby Puckett would come beat up the monster in the closet if I prayed hard enough.
by GhettoBear04 on May 17, 2009 5:26 PM CDT
someone with better stat google-fu than I
needs to look up any previous plate experience for Holland…
Maybe he once hit a home-run in HS. That would start the crazy expectation crowd to start fapping…
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
Dykstra has all the money!
ElectricOkra.com
pitch count
obviously Holland needs to begin the process of building up his volume of pitches again. i’ve got no problem with that being a step process.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
Rangers vs. Astros rivalry
can we have our worst minor league prospects play a 3 game series against their best minor league prospects? I think that’d be fun to watch…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 22, 2009 12:23 PM CDT reply actions
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