Al Hrabosky, meet Facts

Al Hrabosky spent the first few innings of this past game blathering about how A.D.A.M.'s velo is down and that he's overusing his slider, which he calls a cutter. That's not really a big deal, I think either way we know he's throwing a horizontally-breaking pitch. I digress.

However, as is so often the case Al said these things without any basis in data. According to his FanGraphs page, Waino's average fastball has been HARDER this year than last and he's used his slider less. Do announcers know this stuff is available? Or do they think that makes them basement-dwelling nerds?

over 2 years ago redbirdnation8206 9 comments 1 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

It's unfathomable how someone can have played the game for so long,

be one of the the most prominent team announcers out there, and be so bad at their jobs. It isn’t only him. Almost every time I turn on BBTN or MLB TV, the “analyists” their say things that have absolutely no factual basis behind them. I mean, it is literally unbelievable how bad these guys are.

St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/

by vivaelpujols on Jun 17, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

Amen.

What would the ratings be on a show on called “SABR says”? Roundtable includes Sky, BP specialist of the day, Rob Neyer. Player profiles would be amazing.

Mang Says...
"There is no "I" in team, or in B g Mac Land, either."

by all4tookie on Jun 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

IMO...

…Networks are scared to put on stats-guys because they think the public won’t like them or something. So, instead of being semi-imaginative, they stick with bringing retired players, failed coaches, and semi-retarded/fired GMs on to be their announcers and talking heads. It reflects, IMO, either a lack of confidence in the viewing public or a pure lack of imagination, and maybe a bit of both.

"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.

by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 17, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that the facts are off way too much...

But I have to defend these announcers because they are forced to talk non-stop for 3 hours every night all summer long. When you have to say that many words, some of them are bound to be less than accurate.

by salukihoops on Jun 17, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

I could stand it if they were small clerical errors..

like stating the wrong batting average for a guy, or attributing some anecdote to the wrong player, or forgetting the year that something happened. But when announcers/analysts make statements that imply that they have done research or know something to be true, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for that to actually be backed up. Newspapers print thousands of words everyday and routinely run corrections when they make mistakes – I have never heard any of these guys correct themselves later.

Mang Says...
"There is no "I" in team, or in B g Mac Land, either."

by all4tookie on Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

you'd think that being a good broadcaster would mean you'd go into each broadcast

with some actually researched, thoughtful points — 5-10 that you can sprinkle through the broadcast.

if you’re responding to something unusual on the field — e.g., the pitcher throws a wild pitch — that you couldn’t have prepared for, i’d be more willing to cut you some slack. but if you’re commenting on someone’s general performance, it would be nice if you prepped it for broadcast and backed it up.

remind me also to drop this the next time somebody says “i know his defense/swing/slider/etc. is no good because i see it with my eyes. i don’t need your stinking numbers.”

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Jun 17, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But the Wainwright velocity decrease issue was the lead topic last night, at least the first I saw when I switched from the CWS to the game at about 7. That should be the MOST researched topic, not just something that comes up in the 6th inning in a lopsided game when you have to say Something.

"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.

by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 17, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

He's bad, alright...

…but he’s no Joe Morgan.

Al v. Joe in a battle of wits between two unarmed opponents:

Al, after a Cardinal relief pitcher walks an opposing batter to load the bases: “You know, if you’re going to walk a hitter, you want to do it on four straight pitches. That’s a good way to walk ’em.”

Joe, talking about pitchers: “An e.r.a. doesn’t really tell you anything about a pitcher. If you want to know how good a pitcher is, look at his number of wins. An e.r.a. depends a lot on how good a team’s defense is, but the pitcher has total control over his number of wins.”

In the battle of Al v. Joe, humanity loses.

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

by p_lampe on Jun 18, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs