Holliday, Weekend
by DanUpBaby on May 21, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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If you asked the Cardinals' ad agency to draw up an ideal post-Holliday baseball game, like they do ideal car or cell phone owners—35 year-old city-dweller Judith loves to take her Honda Element to the beach, when she's not busy hauling plants for her organic landscaping company!—it would look, almost without divergence, like that one.
Albert Pujols gets pitched around and stranded on base, but Matt Holliday drives in some runs, the Cardinals' deep lineup gets on base, and Adam Wainwright goes deep into a game that rarely seems in doubt. Those are the New Cardinals; Albert Pujols hits, most of the time, but it's okay if he doesn't, Felipe Lopez gets playing time in particularly advantageous situations, Brendan Ryan isn't being followed around by special episode sitcom music.
Tony La Russa may well have sensed the gravity of the situation and brought out the bullpen equivalent of the good china, sending Franklin and McClellan out instead of their less-established right-handed understudies. The only thing I missed in yesterday's ideal Cardinals game, in fact, was some inspired La Russian weirdness; short of platooning Skip Schumaker and Colby Rasmus—admittedly, platooning Colby Rasmus with a guy he once groomed as a starting third baseman—it was a conventionally managed affair. When the team is performing according to plan it seems like all of La Russa's tricks, not just the pitcher hitting eighth, go back into the bag.
I'm most fond of WPA in all its variants as a novelty—as a stat it's far too situational for my liking, and as a way of thinking about baseball it seems almost regressive in the way it confirms our earliest and least helpful suspicious about baseball: that the ninth inning is the most important part of the game, that the most important players are the ones who come through in the clutch, et cetera.
But with Matt Holliday finally having done something, the world famous Fangraphs WPA Graph can wax a little profoundly about the difference between a team playing listlessly and a team playing perfect, concise baseball:
If Matt Holliday takes that gawky swing of his and pops one a mile high to the second baseman, that muddling around from the second inning on looks a lot more like a tightrope walk than a breezy walk through a day game. And that's what listless baseball looks like: choppy WPA waters when the win expectancy is at 45%, instead of 75%. When it's the team's new, highly paid acquisition riding the waves down it's worse yet.
It was one game against Nate Robertson, so I won't get too excited about things, but it was also interesting, and in keeping with the pleasant atmosphere, to see just one strikeout for the Cardinals' recovering dinger addicts. That's the most restraint the Cardinals, who've struck out as many as 12 times in regulation, have shown all year, and with two of Cardinals fandom's most pressing concerns—Brendan Ryan's inability to hit, Albert Pujols's latent humanity—manifesting themselves first as excessive and out-of-character strikeouts to see just the one, coming from an out-of-slump's-way Ryan Ludwick, is a welcome surprise.
Finally, it's probably still too early to talk about this, but Adam Wainwright is having an even better season this year than he did in 2009. He's aging conspicuously like a hitter—in place of a pitcher's usually injury-pocked, age-independent, sudden improvement is the gradual development of the hitter who adds power into his late twenties. Not that I'm complaining.
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. When the team is performing according to plan it seems like all of La Russa’s tricks, not just the pitcher hitting eighth, go back into the bag
It does seem that LaRussa would prefer not to get gimmicky. However as soon as one of his teams starts under performing, out comes the craziness. Which doesn’t get to me as much as it seems to get to some of the other posters on here.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
I agree
I may be positioning myself for some flak, but I like TLR’s tenure in STL. It is an historic era, win-wise, like it or not. OK, sometimes his saving position players, then not saving them, like earlier this week, may be questionable, but I figure that he has more angles and rationale sprouting in his head at any given moment than I do, so I just sit back, don’t relax, and try to enjoy the show. His willingness to finally bat Albert 4th, as often requested here, indicates his (belated) willingness to innovate on this one. Was there a post the other day that TLR reads fan websites – this one? Bernie had also suggested Albert batting 4th last week. Looking forward to Jo-el getting belted tomorrow!
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on May 21, 2010 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we have Stockholm syndrome. but it's okay; it's better than what the cubs have.
I think the majority of the tricks are for the benefit of his players and messing with the other dugout. The problem is there’s been so little turnover of managers that they have the book on Tony, already.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I like
the way he has been handling Brendan, for instance. OK, not hitting, sit him a few days, get Floppy in, then mix and match. Using the whole bench, although Jon Jay has not been much in evidence lately. One question, how long is Blake going to last? His outings have not been exemplary. Who to replace him, PJ?
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on May 21, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt PJ would be the first up.
Remember that he understandably missed some time, due to his child’s death.
I would actually think that the order of likely call-up would be first Ottavino (a Duncan favorite) and then Salas.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I stand corrected.
Oh, the live in the St. Louis area…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
If he's the 5th right-handed arm in the pen
Hawksworth is fine IMO. He looked good for a while and, whilst he’s been getting hit recently, I think he’s fine as a long man. He doesn’t walk too many and he’s giving up an unlucky 20% HR/FB rate. Sure, his K rate is poor, but he gets groundballs, and he’s not really any sort of prospect so it’s not like we’re stunting his development by using him as Puppykicker mk2.
I think he’s exactly the right guy to have around to throw those bridging innings in the (currently rare) occasions when our starter doesn’t get beyond 4 or 5. I’m just much happier (at present) with Boggs, KMac, Motte or Franklin throwing anything in the 7th, 8th and 9th.
He does have options left, though, so it might not be the world’s worst idea to bring up Salas and give him a run in the majors. I think he’s going to ultimately be the better pitcher, and we could always use KMac or Boggs for multiple innings (if needed) in a blowout as both have stretched out to start in recent times.
Chris Carpenter doesn't give a fuck about your fantasy team.
by Felonius_Monk on May 21, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Hawksworth is out of options.
Other than that, I agree with Felonius. He is the last arm in the ‘pen, at current, and his numbers are about right for someone in the “Wonder” role. WonderHawk’s HR rate ought to even out and he’ll have decent numbers. However, if his newfound walking tendancy isn’t corrected, it could get ugly.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I find myself becoming frustratingly bored with the lineups on a regular basis.
Tony has laid out a consistently regular lineup night after night. Apart from a few Stavinoha starts, I’ve had not a first inning where I’ve seen the lineup and thought “Tony! What are you doing?!”
My blood pressure likes that the best (or hottest) players are starting every night. My sense of superiority does not.
by arch support on May 21, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
My blood pressure likes that the best (or hottest) players are starting every night.
Like Hotbert Hotjols?
Chris Carpenter doesn't give a fuck about your fantasy team.
by Felonius_Monk on May 21, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I read this...
and think Ray/Aaron Holbert
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
our minor league system may not be stacked...
but it is freakin weird. this is how they’ve coped with the absense of ryan and mather:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/PrehistoricTube-Dinosaur-throws-out-first-pitch?urn=mlb,242606
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
ugh
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
Hahahaha
RaptorJesus is in our system, I honestly had no idea.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
Of course you are on the right track...
…we need Jesus riding the T-Rex armed with friggin lasers to throw out the first pitch to an alien.
That would be full of win.
that is absolutely hillarious
so our minor league system is crazy too.. also, we might have learned something: t-rex is extinct because he couldn’t use his tiny hands
and when are we finally going to see rocky redbird and fredbird together beating on another team’s mascot?
all minor league systems are crazy
it’s like all bullpens are crazy
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Slightly OT:
What’s everyone’s favourite mascot from another team?
I think I’d go with the Phillie Phanatic. That stupid baseball thing that the Mets have is good, in a kinda ironic-wow-isn’t-that-a-shit-mascot sort of way.
I quite like the A’s elephant as well.
Chris Carpenter doesn't give a fuck about your fantasy team.
by Felonius_Monk on May 21, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll second the Rockies' mascot
because his name is Dinger.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
I'd have to see the Phanatic and Raymond the Seadog have a dance-off, first.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Raymond is my favorite.
I hate the Phanatic with a passion, what a dumb mascot
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Oh, obviously the Brewers' sausages, too
if they count. Anything who can scare the shit out of Jason LaRue must be pretty impressive.
Chris Carpenter doesn't give a fuck about your fantasy team.
by Felonius_Monk on May 21, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
they have it in for catchers in general
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm all about the sausage.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Pirate Parrot
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on May 21, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
The part of Judith will be played by spants
Enter spry, elderly woman stage right leisurely walking by a Honda Element. Judith is seen tending a garden full of organic vegetables amid historic, aged buildings. The verdant garden encapsulates an island of new hope and serenity amid a pleasant but aging infrastructure.
Elderly Woman: Judith, your garden looks lovely as usual.
Judith turns the music playing iPad down resting on the garden’s low single brick wall. She looks up with a smile as she reaches for a Crate&Barrel watering pot.
Judith: Thank you so much.
Elderly Woman: I’m continually amazed at your green thumb. I always look forward to walking by your garden on my morning strolls. What is your secret?
Judith: You just have to feed your plants well. It all starts with the fertilizer.
Scene cuts to a dim, moonlit midnight. Judith is seen watering her plants from the same Crate&Barrel watering pot. Her iPhone rings and she extricates it from her pocket.
Judith: Hi dear. (pause) No, no. I’m just outside watering the plants. I’ll be up to bed shortly. . . (conversation quiets)
The camera pans slowly from Judith as the sound fades to a dull, discordant tone. In the background, down the alley, lies the Elderly woman. A single precise stab mark is seen above her heart. The camera pans back to Judith.
Judith: (ongoing conversation) . . . because if I feed them at night, it won’t evaporate in the sun. Plus, I don’t want anyone to know the secret to my gardening. Of course dear. I’m coming up now.
Judith hangs up her iPhone and the camera pans down to the watering pot which is raining blood red liquid upon the voracious, organic vegetables. Judith carries the watering can inside. The back of her worn shirt reads “STAB” in glittery letters.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
by azruavatar on May 21, 2010 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 14 recs
For some reason, my one-act plays come out a little darker than danup's.
C’est la vie
Think; It's not illegal yet.
for future reference, this is a Crate&Barrel Exclusive watering can
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
You know, dried blood
is very rich in nitrogen. I was using blood meal just the other day.
rec'd
I have a picture for you that I am going to have to get one of the photoshop boys to do that would just go perfectly with this. It has robots and dead bodies and everything.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t that the idea in “Motel Hell”, the old Rory Calhoun horror-comedy flick?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6b/POSTER_-_MOTEL_HELL.jpg
anyone pumped for the Dave Duncan Rematch of the Titans tonight?
Piñeiro vs. Penny. Kick Save vs. Centiquid. Piñata vs. Fat Beaker. Reigning Champion of the Cardinals Fantasy Football League vs. The Funniest Dude in the Clubhouse, even Chris Carpenter Thinks So.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
like
FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!
PIÑEIRO VS. PENNY!
KICK SAVE VS. CENTIQUID!!
PIÑATA VS. FAT BEAKER!!!
REIGNING CHAMPION OF THE CARDINALS FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE VS. THE FUNNIEST DUDE IN THE CLUBHOUSE, EVEN CHRIS CARPENTER THINKS SO
ARE YOU EXCITED YET!?!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
thanks
I got SBN’d in there, with an SBN I’ve never seen before.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Chris Carpenter doesn't give a fuck about your fantasy team.
by Felonius_Monk on May 21, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
....NO, MR. PENNY, NO HEADLOCKS
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
not wrestling?
Too bad. In a wwf type scenario, jose oquendo would tag in and pineiro would at last have his chance to avenge his wbc snub.
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
by tom s. on May 21, 2010 12:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
save it for the movie
I swear I’ve seen an actor who’d fit for Joel, but I can’t remember where/who he is. If all else fails, there’s always Wilmer.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
however
Dennys Reyes does have a wrestling mask. The GoodStalker finally made mention of it, so I’m hoping we get photos soon.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi Eduardo Perez in the Truck
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
of course I waited for the 10@10 then forgot about it.
Made it green
with envy :))
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
can't wait!
it’s like a special occasion, even going to watch this at the bar
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
ot... they just fired the Credit Score band
whoa.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
they're auditioning for a new band
which is hilarious given that the “band” is a real band that’s lip-synching somebody else… because they’re Canadian.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Their report must have come back
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
by TBender on May 21, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well at least the Geico Cavemen are still employed
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
lol i've never seen the
the zimmerman ones are awesome.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
one of the press dudes throwing to K-Mac makes not-top-ten
because his first pitch hit Fredbird.
sadly a few spots later it’s Skip’s glove betraying him. well, it was Troy Glaus’s glove.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Can we put together a fund to buy Skip a new glove already?
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
you know how he is with gloves...
one of the latest 10@10s says the equipment manager just put extra laces on it, to cover the gaps.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Skip's glove has gaps
The Equipment mangager’s laces have gaps.
You put ‘em together they fill each other’s gaps.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
by albrtfn on May 21, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
30th anniversary!
(Looks in mirror. Yep, still old.)
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
the google course is difficult
but so cool
(i’m also quite old. on the other hand, the kids nowadays will never experience old games like we did. suckers)
MORTAL KOMBAT
(finish him)
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
my knuckles have scars from that game
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Missile Command
was the perfect game for the Cold War, Evil Empire, Reagan, Andropov, “The Day After” age in which we grew up.
Tell me you didn’t have nightmares thinking of that final screen, an expanding nuclear explosion revealing the flashing words “The End.”
by Michael_68_1999 on May 21, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
ASTERIOD
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Loved Asteroid....
Defender was the bomb as well.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I have the first four years of SNL on dvd.
It absolutely cracks me up in the skits of “Conversations during Pong”.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Defender was my game
And by that I mean “I sucked slightly less at Defender than most other video games.”
We had two places to play video games then- the roller rink or the bowling alley. Yeah, hadn’t thought about that in a while…
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know how many controllers I wore out during Defender
And who can leave off Donkey Kong and Pitfall.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Have you tried playing the old games on PS?
I don’t know if they are waaay harder or I am just waaay older.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
i've played all kinds of stuff
bloodshot eyes all summer long
they were harder, i think, but maybe because we were younger
Sorry.
I meant to say “the old Atari” games on a PS. I don’t remember them being that hard to play.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Give me Tempest or give me death.
Also, I’ll accept Asteroids.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
by vexedtechie on May 21, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I loved Tempest
My church growing up had a tempest arcade machine. I played that thing every sunday
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Yep....I remember the first one sowing up in my town.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
My employer thanks you
for ruining any chance of me having a productive day at work.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
This seems like a good place to post this, which was on EDSBS.com this morning
by jd is legend on May 21, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I had to watch this w/o sound
and it was still awesome.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Galaga rulz!
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
that and centipede and also zaxon were my faves
also the old star wars sit down arcade game with the vector graphics was the shit!
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
...
Evilfrog’s investigation Log, May 20th 2010.
Day game today. I was hoping that the crowd would thin out early so I could sneak into the bullpen. Unfortunately, or fortunately.. Depending on if you are routing for a Cardinal win or for me to solve this mystery and save millions of souls that reside in the St. Louis area, due to a rare Holliday double with Runners in scoring position, the Crowd lingered long after the game was over. I must confess I also was taken in the jubilant celebration of a Wainwright win, Holliday being Holliday, and Branden Ryan making his way on base not once, but twice.
After what seem like hours of waiting for the media to remove themselves from the field I became thirsty and wandered over to Mike Shannon’s steak and seafood. There I enjoyed a few tall and frosty. After maybe a little too much to drink I managed to engage Mike Shannon himself into a conversation. I must say, there is not a better person in the world to speak about mysteries than Mr. Shannon. Almost everything he says I am positive has some underline meaning. Either that or it is just Gibberish.
Speaking of gibberish, those tall cold frosties betrayed me. All of my notes from my meeting with Shannon are all just scribbles! Simply Dreadful!
They say Angles are coming into town next. We could use some Angles in these Dark times. Mina had a setback a few days ago. Again with the loss of Blood. Van Helsing has hung reefs of garlic in her room last night. She seems to have slept peacefully throughout the night. I pray for her and Mr. Haker.
by Evilfrog on May 21, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs
The Shannon Code.
It’s all coming together, frog. I think you’re on the verge of breaking this thing Wide Open.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
previous chapters
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Leach has the rundown on Boog.
All of it is pretty heartening.
Brendan Ryan actually had some fun on Thursday. He got a hit, drew a walk, played solid defense and smiled on the field. All of those things count as progress for the Cardinals infielder.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
which is a better sign
Brendan Ryan getting on base a few times and smiling?
Or Holliday getting a few hits.
Me, personally, I think the Ryan thing is better. Since him failing means Aaron Miles and Holliday IS going to come around sometime with the RISP.
agreed.....also,
when Boog has fun, everyone has fun.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I hadn't seen him smile *all season*
not just during the bad parts of the slump. not just upset at himself, but dour. all the time.
he cracked a smile during the close one, and yesterday it was more like old Boog.
Tony said his whole body was a smile.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Our long national nightmare is over.
And, in response to a clamor from fans and teammates — he’s bringing back the mustache. Ryan was wearing his “Respect the Redbird ’Stache” t-shirt in the clubhouse on Thursday afternoon, and showing the first signs of growth on his upper lip — though he joked that the full effect may not be seen for another month.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
heh, I was right. NONE of you read the fanshots.
none. disappointing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been lucky to keep up with the
main threads, lately.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i'll let you off with a warning...
j/k
anyway, I gathered all of his slumpbusters (not counting the extra BP) that we caught on VEB this season.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
just read it.....
I still can’t get over the man thong.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
The Cat has clearly bought in, because he was SO SINCERE when he told Dan and Al about it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
It's been mentioned in a couple of gamethreads too, I believe.
As happy as I am that Boog may be starting to get on track, I’m also glad that my Respect The Stache t-shirt will have a little more relevance again.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought I saw it earlier, then he shaved again.
that’s a really cool photo….
speaking of, this is classic. it’s like our slice of the Cardinals era in a nutshell.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
How has this not been rec'd to the sky?
Is it a repeat? I hadn’t seen it before.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
sig updated
and it’s about time!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's reviving the 'stache!!! Woohoo!
i want to know what that means
from the GD
"Joe [Mather] has had some nights where he’s stayed up with me and made sure, I mean I’m five stories up, and not like I’ve gotten real, real close, but I think he’s kept an eye on me," Ryan said.
are we referencing jumping out of windows, or what..
I think so....Just Boog sense of humor, methinks.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
we started this conversation about fourteen hours ago
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/5/20/1480611/may-20-2010-gamethread-i-have#38025095
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
in this case, there was a bit of ground covered
no sense reinventing the wheel /mixed metaphors
I’d also rather link, ’cause searching for these individual posts — in the future — will oftentimes erase the context.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
all i know,
if i ever have the mother of all databases and i need someone to manage and organize it, you’re the son of a gun i’m gonna call
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Funny-ish anecdote
So I can basically attend every I game I want here for free (by myself), and since yesterday was a day game, I ditched work for 2 hours and caught the first 6 innings or so of the Toronto game. As the game reached its apex in the 9th inning with a huge comeback (this is Seattle’s offense, after all), people are gathered around their work televisions watching the game.
The action was 20 steps outside our office! I honestly wanted to just yell at them to go out and watch the game in the seats, but it seemed like I was the only one who wanted to do that, so I did the intern thing to do, and that was shut up and follow everyone else.
Also: Seattle is beautiful. But cold and rainy.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
He should, that's a helluva gig.
Mysterui, once you’re more established there, maybe you can lead the troops outside.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm... Maybe you're right. I just don't wanna piss of the people who actually have real responsibilities (aka not me)
And this job is just incredible. I’ve worked various jobs over the years, but I’ve never woken up excited for work. People are happy here, I work at fucking Safeco, and Seattle’s an awesome town with great beer. Hell, even Safeco sells a bunch of microbrews, and the Pyramid brewery is right across the street
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Oh, and to top it all off
Since I have backup mail duties, I have access to the clubhouse
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
don't tell us if anyone's sleeping
Sweeney might kill you.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
and the Pyramid brewery is right across the street
Nice. I’ve just gone from Jealous to Fucking Jealous.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
So, did you see the Griffey hit live?
If I did, I probably would not watch him for the rest of the season, to make that my final lasting memory of Junior.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
(note to bgh: cards play the mariners)
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Did I mention that I have Commisioners Box seats for that game?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I wonder if we have a Crate and Barrel watering can around here....
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Go figure that the one time that the Cards play the Mariners, and that I work for the Mariners
The game is in St. Louis
Eff that ess
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I noted that when you were hired
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
the cardinals have only played the mariners in seattle ONE TIME since interleague play started
and actually, i think that one series in seattle (2002 I think it was) was the only time they’ve ever played seattle.
i was in portland for the summer when they played in 02. i got my first and only speeding ticket driving up to seattle for the games.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
That also
was the series that featured the major-league debut of one So Taguchi.
by Michael_68_1999 on May 21, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought about going,
but it occurred to me that Junior likely won’t play since he is terrible in the field these days. So, I’m aware, but I don’t want my lasting memory of Junior to be him striking out or something at a Cardinals game. While good for the Cardinals, it would not do his career justice. After all, my Greg Maddux final memory is of the Cardinals torching him and chasing him from the game after 4 innings pitched.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I might still go
because I dig Ichiro.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't blame you.
I have only seen Ichiro once, in Boston, during his first MLB season. (I refuse to call it his “rookie” season because I don’t believe him to have been a “rookie” that year.) It was awesome, although some of the Bostonian taunts were terrible. We sat along the right field foul line, so the bleacher taunts were audible. It’s hard to believe that was almost ten years ago and Ichiro is now 36 years old.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
i'm a stick-in-the-mud about my usual sections
I’m torn between getting my usual seats in view of the batter’s box and mound, and moving closer to the outfield.
(I, uh, don’t like sitting at field level. don’ttaseme.)
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Prediction:
NL goes 25-17 this weekend.
Philly beats Boston like a drum, Colorado underperforms at KC, the Cubs get steamrolled at Texas, Florida stomps the crap out of the White Sox in Chicago, the Cards muddle their way to two wins.
FESPN dedicates Sunday night BBTN to the end of AL dominence. Colin Cowturd apologizes for being an as**ole and promises equal airtime to both the Brewers and Yankees.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
have they met Nick Stavinoha, PH?
*professional hitter
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone should recognize that the DH...
is part of the modernist trend that values above all else efficiency and specialization. In that sense, it is always a threat to be implemented simply because the default setting in the western world is towards these ideals. It takes work to resist efficiency-generating changes like the DH; it takes less (or no) work to implement them. I think that’s what Al is recognizing.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
i disagree with this
It takes work to resist efficiency-generating changes like the DH; it takes less (or no) work to implement them
efficiency usually equates to increased complexity. therefore it costs more initially, then less in longer time frame.
Efficiency = lower cost, same product
The cost in this case is outs, yeah?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
People hate the fact that pitchers are not as good...
at hitting as position players. Why? Because we are a nation of people who watch singing shows, but don’t sing; watch dancing shows, but don’t dance; watch sports, but don’t play… Doing something badly or in a mediocre fashion is the worst place to be. Better to do it not at all.
My favorite argument is that pitchers are so good at pitching they can’t be allowed to swing a bat or run 90 feet. This is specialization taken to an ridiculous degree, but it’s reflective of people’s expectation that in a modern society we do one thing very well and let others take care of all other tasks.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
by guayzimi on May 21, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we've upgraded
to A.D.A.M.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
outsource hitting!
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
I will quit watching baseball
if that happens. Done. Fin. No More. I may go rogue and have to take care of Se…..I’ve said too much.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on May 21, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
the DH is why the AL will always be inferior
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
let's start a new baseball league if that happens
called the real NL, or the non-mutant league, or something
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Al has been pushing the inevitability of the DH
as a justification for soriano’s contract for quite some time.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He will soon evolve.
And begin pushing the inevitability of the DH as a justification for Holliday’s contract and Pujols’s (hopefully forthcoming) contract.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Doesn't Holliday need to hit better
to be worth it as a DH?
/doh
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you may overestimate how productive the position is for many AL clubs.
Despite having “hitter” in its name, only four full-time DH’s in the AL have a higher wOBA than Holliday’s .363 this season. I would twist the knife a bit and say that Holliday also needs to hit better to be worth at a $17MM salary. Good thing he has 6.5 years to turn things around.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I don't over-estimate it, they do.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t go out and spend the money they do to acquire “hitters”, that can do little else other than sub at first base when needed. #2. You really don’t need to twist that knife on my account, I am well aware of what we are going to get for our $17.5 MM.(The extra .5 is for what we could be paying Walrus to be a noodle-armed LF.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
i think the point
is the holliday derives value from playing the field. if he were moved to DH, he would have to hit even better just to break even
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
To be a 17M DH
He’d have to be damned near Pujolsian at the plate. He’s good, but not that good.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
ahahahahahaahah!!!
he’ll justify anything
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't care about pitchers not hitting
Pitchers hitting is actually kinda pointless at the MLB level at this point, but what I find so fucking annoying about the DH is the fact that there are players whose position is exclusively DH. It’s not a guy taking a day off from the field, it’s lardasses like David Ortiz playing professional sports who are too unathletic/too lazy to stay in shape to ever pick up a glove.
I wouldn’t be too opposed if both leagues adopted a rule where you can pinch hit for a pitcher without taking the pitcher out of the game (but the batter is out of the game after scoring/getting out). It would add strategy over the DH crap, it’d reduce the number of times we watch a guy do something at the professional level he isn’t more than an amateur at, you wouldn’t really want to carry a hitting exclusive player and you’d almost certainly want to carry at least another position player (reducing the number of near pointless pitching changes).
Not afraid to nitpick
Why don't the damn pitchers just practice more?
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
Major League hitting isn't exactly that easy
There are the 99% of minor leaguers who don’t make it to attest to that.
Not afraid to nitpick
and then there's
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Right...
but 180/200/220 should be attainable. Why does it matter if the pitcher is any good anyway? Trainwrecks are fun.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
That's basically what the average pitcher hits
Trainwrecks aren’t nearly as fun when you see them 6 times a game.
Not afraid to nitpick
Last year the average was quite a bit lower...
These artificial rule changes to make a perfectly good sport flashier/more exciting/more palatable to FESPN make me sick. Why not have a designated fielder for guys like Adam Dunn. Or once-per-game batting order change so that Pujols always comes up as the go-ahead run in the ninth?
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
It's the fact that pitchers are terrible at hitting
They aren’t drafted for it, they don’t practice it and there’s no reason for them to practice. Most aren’t much better than the average athletic guy out there.
It doesn’t make sense for pitchers to spend an extraordinary amount of time on hitting seeing as how they are going to get to face 30 batters and get 2-3 ABs in a game. Why would you practice hitting when 90+% of your job is something else?
Adam Dunn is among the worst fielders in the game and it very much detracts from his value—-basically EVERY pitcher is terrible. It doesn’t much matter if a pitcher is great or terrible, we’re talking +/- 5 runs over the course of the year.
Not afraid to nitpick
i'm not saying they necessarily should
but pitchers could practice batting all they wanted without detracting from the time they spend practicing pitching, because pitching isn’t something you can “practice” everyday. sure, they can throw a little every day, but only “practice” pitching once between starts.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
wow
.323 wOBA for mulder. why hasn’t he tried to come back as a CFer?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
there was an 11-run gap between dontrelle and brett myers
and when you’re talking about spread out over the course of a year, you’re really talking about 30 games. as the article states, if hitting is taken into account, it could equal a half-run swing in ERA, which could be significant.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
How could you not be excited...
It was one game against Nate Robertson, so I won’t get too excited about things.
Though the offense wasn’t perfect (as I feel we still had a few too many missed opportunities yesterday), it was able to muster 4 runs off of a relatively soft-tossing LEFTY! I’m excited that the offense was actually able to score some runs off of a) a lefty, and b) a pitcher who should give up some runs. We didn’t make a lesser-talented pitcher look like Cy Young!
he was kinda showing signs of PTSD, though
pitcher’s post-traumatic stress disorder….
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno 'bout you, I could use a little flashback:
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
That's beautiful.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, Jim Edmonds's swing is beautiful.
Especially in world championship winnning series.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Everything tastes better when accompanied with a WS trophy.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Recap
Been out since May 5 with no access — Cards were humming along. What’s happened in the last three weeks? Seems like they are less than .500 in that time
Just win
everyone panicked prematurely, then there was reason to panic, players may have been talked off ledges, Albert declared everyone out of the car for a lineup shuffle
pitchers still nails.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
oddly, I don't even recall if there are any new memes in that span.
sorry. tis not like me.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
It's all luck.
Seriously, I think VEB did fail to memorialize this span with a pithy soon-to-be-overused saying.
We’re slacking.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
it was all a little too srs bznz
in between needing a towel
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Team's collectively hit...
240/320/370 with 6 dingers.
Basically a season’s worth of Little Grit in 16 games.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
a not-so-fun laughing-through-our pain meme
http://twitter.com/search?q=%23BudChuck
and… hmm, I’m just brainstorming what I could’ve forgotten. Carpenter nearly ate a moth, under the influence of Boog. Lohse is confirmed as the hair artist of the man stew. uhhhhhmmm Skip needs a new glove. Yadi is steals leader, and I believe his caught-to-stolen ratio is good.
Ryan Fucking Ludwick. Just watch all his highlights, that’s all you need to know.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm sucking at this sum up
i swear there’s more than that
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope....RFL pretty much
covers the offense for the last month.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
And defense
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
yesssss. hahahaha.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Bullet With Moth Wings?
Cardinals Baseball 2010...Catch the Infection!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on May 21, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So, at this juncture.
We are .500 on the road, and have a 65% winning percentage at home. Not a bad pace to be honest.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I find this interesting.
Primarily because of our home/road splits from Rasmus and Holliday—two of our top three hitters—are dramatically better on the road.
Holliday wOBA: .314 at Busch and .404 away
Rasmus wOBA: .234 at Busch and .504 away
It’s a good thing David Freese likes his home cooking: .467 at Busch and .275 away
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Rasmus splits are fascinating to me personally.
His splits warrant some deeper investigation methinks.
Also, Freese surprised me, didn’t know he picked up Luke Gregorson Syndrome.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
BTW- Yesterday's gamethread doesn't show up in SBN's coverage of the game.
I thought I had it tagged correctly. What’d I do wrong?
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 12:58 PM EDT reply actions
i thought you did too
I forgot to merit badge you.
is it in a tab? or did you get sbn’d?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I dunno. Maybe they just don't pull FanShots into that regardless of how they're tagged.
It just looks like VEB didn’t have a thread. F’n SBN.
It’s tagged the same as the one at Fishstripes, except ours didn’t have the starting pitchers. Ah, well.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
rage against the darkness, TC
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
this:
I’m most fond of WPA in all its variants as a novelty
i definitely agree with. with me, WPA falls into the same bucket as RBI and W/L. fun to look at, but lacking much real significance
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
WPA
I find it useful as a barometer of fan sentiment toward a player. As fans, I think we tend to remember “clutch” events more than those that occur in lower leverage situations. As an example, we remember Holliday more for dropping the flyball in the 9th against the Dodgers than for clubbing the early-inning home run. And WPA seems to reflect that. Looking at each player’s WPA tends to give one a reflection of what the fanbase thinks of them at that particular moment. For instance, last year most folks were pleasantly surprised by Hawksworth (1.22 WPA) and this week people are ready to DFA him (-0.57 WPA). It’s the same with Skip, who has had a WPA of 0.49, 0.58, and 0.98 in the three seasons before 2010. In 2010, it is -0.30. DFA Skip! Perhaps, we should rename it the “Wielded Pitchforks Added” or something…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I am percolating about a theory
that the Wave is really nervous anxiety that in other stadiums would manifest in taunts and throwing things. Hence its annoying occurrence in late-and-close situations. One wonders how that would look charted against a WPA graph.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i might tl;dr and i've not much time
so in lieu:
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/5/18/1477951/game-40-open-thread-nationals-at#37838952
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/5/20/1480611/may-20-2010-gamethread-i-have#37988861
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Definitely not
I’ve seen it done, at a minimum, in San Francisco and in both Chicago stadiums.
Oakland didn’t have enough people present to do a wave. Poor A’s.
at fenway
I saw it make it around 14 consecutive times!
That’s a personal viewing record. I was enjoying those fools making all my presuppositions and prejudices about red sox fans come true.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
i remembered reading an article a while back
on the guy credited with starting the wave. it may be in here – i just skimmed it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience_wave
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I tend to agree with this
but you can sure tell the difference at the end of the season between someone who chokes a lot in high leverage situations, and someone who doesn’t. it’s basically a nice periphery stat to go along with the more important ones
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
from the fangraphs article calling mccutchen the new crawford:
“He’s still just 23 years of age, but has now racked up essentially one full year’s worth of playing time in the big leagues (148 games, 664 plate appearances), and he’s been worth +4.5 wins over that time. That’s an all-star level performance, and he’s done it as a rookie. In fact, over the last calendar year, McCutchen has the highest wOBA (.377) of any center fielder in baseball.”
pick it up, colby.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Colby is no McClutchen
Pirates have the best CFer in the division. Colby is good. But McClutchen is a game changer day in and day out.
this overstates the difference...
he just looks better due to:
1) Good offense right out of the gate
2) Being the best player on his team
3) dreadlock/braid things
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
Because of the dreads, I always mix him up with Milledge
There should be a dread limit for each team. Although, admittedly, some teams produce a lot more dread than others.
Testicle-exploding shit storms, to date: T.E.S.S '08, T.E.S.S '09
Does this make you Judge Dread?
by Willie McGee's Twin on May 21, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
It makes him...
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
.384 and .390 on the season
and one is better at fielding their position
i’ll take what we have
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
fwiw...
Colby has been worth 3.1 wins in the same amount of PT… I think he’ll eventually surpass McCutch due to better defense.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
I don't think I would...
but it would be a tough call.
Early returns on defense has Rasmus > McCutch, and I don’t see why that would change. The question is how much the two will improve on offense. I think Rasmus can eventually do what McCutch is doing right now plus a little more.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
just going by the eyeball test
McCutchen’s defense looks fine. Fangraphs has his UZR pretty bad, but it also has Colby’s UZR pretty bad this year. I’m bias though, McCutchen is my favorite non-cardinal right now. I just like the guy.
Now that's a real shame when folks be throwin' away a perfectly good white boy like that.
by Willie McGee's Twin on May 21, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd say more like McCutchen is the new McGee
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Not be overly contradictory...
but this is not accurate… McCutch walks 10% of the time, McGee 5%. McCutch has an ISO of 180, McGee 100.
McGee might be the most massively overrated player in Cardinal history. If he played today, he would barely hang on to a roster spot.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
SACRILEGE!
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
McGee rocks!
whatever man, you didn’t watch 80s cardinal baseball, I bet
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
It's kind of shocking...
how bad many of our 80’s heroes were… Also shocking: the greatness of Jack Clark.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
You leave John Morris and Curt Ford alone!
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
that team made up for it by stealing bases and being defensive wizards
duh. Jack Clark was like the motor of that offense
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
That '87 team was really no great shakes...
OPS+ (>70 PAs)
176 Clark
118 Bob Forsch LOL
105 Ozzie (!)
103 Pendleton
99 Oquendo
94
92
91
88
80
67
66
55
15
-28
When your top five hitters include Ozzie Smith, Jose Oquendo, and Bob Forsch… my god…
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
I was saying that the other areas of their games besides hitting were good
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
They...
struck out 5.3 per 9 and walked 3.3. The entire staff was a collection of junkballers: three soft tossing lefties (Magrane, Tudor, and Matthews), Danny Cox, and Bob Forsch’s carcass. The back end of the bullpen was stout and the defense was obviously quite good, although I suspect Pendleton, Pena at that stage of his career, and Coleman may not have been as good as advertised.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
without defense and basestealing/runs manufacturing, that team woulda been going no where
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
True dat
but at 248 for 320 in stolen bases… that only translates to around, what, 40 runs. The defense was, I believe, truly great. I’ll admit that.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
made a mediocre pitching staff tons better
I wonder what else you could say that made that team great. or were there just no great teams back then…
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
A large part of it...
was the greatness of Jack Clark. He was the Pujols of the league that year. He out-OBPed the MVP winner by 131 points.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
yeah
I was always in awe of that guy. I know people don’t like clutchiness and rbis, but McGee was often coming up with a big hit
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Big expectations come hand in hand
with Big money.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
very good point
sometimes people don’t really realize what they are doing.
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been working on a Fanpost for, like, 6 months
(largely due to not working on the Fanpost) about how Dawson stole the 1987 MVP.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Chicks dig the long ball
and by chicks, I mean the BBWAA
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
smoking hot bartender was wearing a shirt
that said “chicks dig the longball” wed night. I tried to order her.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
How'd that work?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
You did notice that he said "tried"?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
oh come on,
you should know not to ever go in that direct on a bartender. If I did that i’d probably be the 100th guy to pull that shit that night…I’m pretty but not that pretty.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
I generally don't hit on bartenders,
but I live in a city small enough where I generally get to know the bartenders at the bars we frequent.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Bartenders, Servers and Dancers
are my absolute favorite girls to date:
1. They have awesome hours at work so you can go get drunk w them while they work.
2. Daytime visits are plentiful
3. They’re always hot and party girls
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Number 2 is not a consideration for me,
because I work. In fact, the three categories you list would probably work when I am not working and not work when I am working…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I'm a let you fnish,
but the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals are my favorite baseball team of ALL TIME.
I’m calling spants. You’ve been warned. You may want to take precautions.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I'm not afraid of spants...
though she can slow my computer down with those animated gifs of hers…
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
I think that's the only one
I’ve ever seen her post. She’s not even on my radar for .gif offenders.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I think she put them all in one...
thread and my computer was not liking it.
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
You watch movies in English class?
Back in my day we actually had to read and write stuff in that class…
Tis better to lose bunting than win with dingers alone...
by guayzimi on May 21, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
What about Rithmatic?
Since there’s not supposed to be any math?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on May 21, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I have the charm of him oozing out my ears
She likes me for me?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
You are blessid with verse
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Smoltz did not make the
cut, but Romo did. He has to be in the top 3 of a four man playoff to go to the open.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
yeah, i saw where he qualified for one tourney already
but had to miss it because of football practice.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
mean while, back at the WWL
Jaime Garcia get’s mentioned as one of the reason’s why the NL is better than the AL
If you need another reason to buy into the NL, look no further than its young, talented pitching corps. Ubaldo Jimenez, Jaime Garcia and Tim Lincecum are all incredibly impressive players who have been in the league for less than five years.
wow
i’m a little nervous about jaime being mentioned in that company
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Yeah...would like to wait until a full year of results
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Or even, um, two full months of results...
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
wow!
and even mentioned before Timmeh! hope he can continue the dominance
on a related note, I was a little disappointed to not see Wainwright’s name mentioned in the Cy Young race last night while watching a west coast game. they said it’s between Lincecum, Halladay, and Jimenez
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
that's because carp hadn't fix him yet.
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
yeah, he had a rough start to the season
that arguably cost him the cy more than the blown save for win 20
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
lincecum hasn't been himself yet this year
i’m waiting for ubaldo to drop another no-no on somebody. he took a 1-hitter into the seventh, iirc, his last start, and that was an infield hit. waino was mentioned 6th by SI, behind jaime – that was before their last starts.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Lincecum hasn't been himself yet? Really?
His most recent start was his only bad one. Prior to that he was 7-1 with 1.76 ERA, .188 BAA, .502 OPS against, K/9 just above 11, K:BB of 4.6, and was 2nd in the NL in pitcher WPA behind Jimenez. If he hasn’t been himself the rest of the league is going to be completely fucked when he becomes himself.
by BTown Birds fan on May 21, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, he hasn't been himself
he’s so good that at 80% he’s going to get the job done well, but remember he pitched against us and was not sharp at all. the start before his last i watched and he was not sharp. his location if off and his velocity is down. because of this, his most recent start was bound to happen at some point.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Why wouldn't they use Wainwright in that example?
He’s been in the league for less than 5 years.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Eduardo Perez
quietly trying to take down the Coast bias, though they openly mock him.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Think Gaudin might be on the Duncan list?
MLBTR link
He’s been release. He’s got good K/BB numbers, but has been hit for the longball this season to the tune of a 8.83 ERA.
It’d be interesting to see what he could do if he started throwing more sinkers.
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
I like the way you think,
even if it is, what, six months behind vivaelpujols?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
haha
I don’t read all the fanposts/comments/mainpage posts not by danup.
Well in any case, he just got released now, so let’s talk about it again.
His skillset is very duncan-esque. 90mph fastball, slider, changeup that only lacks 5mph from the fastball. Give that kid a sinker, and he’d be Jo-el 2.0
"...football games always make me thankful for two things:
1. Teams that pass the ball downfield.
2. Baseball games. "
--DanUpBaby
Tonight's Lineup
Lopez SS
Ludwick RF
Holliday LF
Pujols 1B
Rasmus CF
Freese 3B
Molina C
Schumaker 2B
Penny P
I like this lineup for now with Skip and Boog interchanging.
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
yeah
his playing time should be very limited there. unfortunately, I don’t think they are going to bench skip over boog most of the time.
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Not until Boog starts hitting anyway.
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is ALBERT when I lay my vengeance upon thee." -The Bible
by Cardinals645 on May 21, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
catch 22 with both him and skip
they are not going to start hitting unless they play, but if they both continue to suck hitting, I dunno. it’s not as if Skip is hitting that much better than boog, and boog’s defense is tons better
RFL
by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 21, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
especially given his recent elbow problems
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's reviving the 'stache!!! Woohoo!
if tony goes strictly by handedness of the opposing pitcher
to determine which of boog or schu plays, then schu will get much more time than boog
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
so do you think that if the stache helps boog's bat recover
that he will ever get rid of it?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome
i really wish everybody would grow a mustache on the team… can you image tony with a stache?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Why yes, yes I can.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
by vexedtechie on May 21, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 13 recs
Most excellent
+1 million baskets of kittens to you
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Tony looks like a narcotics detective doesn't he?
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's a Mario!
Actually, if he were wearing some green, he’d look more like Luigi. Someone please photo shop a mushroom or green turtle shell into that picture, and also, please have him sliding into a green pipe.
I've done my work...This is up to somebody else now. Heh
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
good stuff
i think that guy there just saw tony’s stache for the first time.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
rec'd
but he needs more of an al swearingen style facial hair
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Crash Davis:
If you believe you’re playing well because you’re getting laid, or because you’re not getting laid, or because you wear women’s underwear, then you are! And you should know that.
If Boog believes he’s hitting because of the ’stache, then he is hitting because of the ’stache…
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
im so upset that "bull durham" isn't on listentoamovie.com
i would listen to it once a week at work if i could
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
So here's an idea that I've been turning in my head today at work
We all know that players get lucky and unlucky, and in large sample sizes, they tend to even out
But, even in large sample sizes, do they even out to the tune of a zero-sum game? This may just be speculation and error on my part, but to me, a “lucky” hit is a single that bloops in or a slow roller that gets through. An “unlucky” out is a line drive that is more likely to go for extra bases. Therefore, for the result of luck to truly even out, a player needs to have more lucky hits than unlucky outs
Am I being stupid?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i would think that an unlucky out also includes spectacular diving plays
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
what about hitting two long homers in one at-bat but both are foul by inches on review
and then you make an out?
also, what if you tag four deep flies to center at wrigley on a day the wind is blowing in strongly, so they are caught at the wall (robbed, even) rather than homers, which they would have been the day before or after?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
sure
but i wasn’t questioning him.. i was just offering another type of unluck out
When a reporter asked Gaylord Perry's 5-year-old daughter if her father threw a spitball, she replied, "It's a hard slider."
by FredbirdisaDork on May 21, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, same here
i just put question marks because i’m unsure if those scenarios fit into the unlucky category.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Weather factors are undoubtedly out of my intellectual reach
A lot of it depends, I suppose, and exactly what you define as luck and unlucky. That very basic, fundamental step in the research could widely swing the results
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
how would it even out
having good luck more often than bad luck?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Well, that's how it WOULD even out
But it doesn’t.
Let me try and explain it another way. This may or may not be true, but we’ll just assume it is. You have an equal probability of having an unlucky out or a lucky hit, so the total quantity of hits/outs you make even out over the long run
But, I’m saying that the unlucky outs have a more negative impact than lucky hits, so the theory that luck evens out over the long run doesn’t hold true
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Sounds like a good research project.
Off to Retrosheet’s play-by-play logs with yee.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
the unlucky outs have a more negative impact than lucky hits
why?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Refer to what cardball said below
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by the way, i think it's an interesting theory
determining what is a lucky hit and what is an unlucky out would be very subjective, i’d think – you might impress somebody in seattle with this notion, though i’d first give it a bit more thought/research (has this ever been studied, for instance)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i think he's suggesting that a high percentage of unlucky outs would have been extra bases
whereas a high percentage of lucky hits are only singles, so there would be a disparity in total bases if the luck were only “even”
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
there might be some truth to that
but i think plenty of “lucky hits” go for extra bases. these are usually hits that probably should have been errors. i still wouldn’t say that most of the hard hit balls that were hit right at someone would have necessarily gone for extra bases
last year, 66% of hits on the NL went for singles. i would imagine that that would remain relatively static regardless of the luck associated with the hit
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
You very well might be right
At this point, it’s all academic. If/when hit f/x comes out, though, I’m sure we’re going to see a LOT of information like this come out
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i'm gonna do some very flawed quick analysis on this
check back in a few
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Looking forward to what you come up with
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
okay
this is very flawed. but!
i took the five highest and lowest BABIPs in MLB for 2009 with at least 450 ABs, then looked at the percentage of their hits that went for singles. this assumes a couple of things. it assumes that BABIP correlates perfectly with luck, which we know it doesn’t. it also assumes that 10 batters is a large enough sample to tell us much; also not true. but here we go anyway
a couple things to be pointed out, here. votto is quite the outlier in the high BABIP column. ichiro might as well be thrown out; his BABIP is going to be much less luck driven because he’s a slap hitter who gets a lot of hits based on his ability to leg them out. then there’s your 3TO guys like pena who are not going to hit many BIPs period. when pena makes contact, it’s hard and it’s probably leaving the park. makes for a lot of XBHs when they don’t leave the park.
in all, i don’t think we know much more, but this suggests, i guess, that the lucky hits are probably mostly singles and the ones getting robbed were probably going to be singles. the guys getting robbed a lot aren’t hitting many singles and the guys getting really lucky are hitting a ton of singles
it’d be cool for someone to do something like this with a lot more batters and see what kind of correlation we really have
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Great stuff
I follow the high 1B/H% for those with high BABIPs, but I don’t follow your conclusion on why the hits getting robbed were more likely to be singles
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i think because it would move their singles percentage up to league average or so
but you could look at it the other way and say that since they don’t hit many singles, then most of those balls getting robbed were x-base hits, right?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yeah, that's what I was going to say
It’s a causation/correlation issue
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
well,
just realized that i left HRs in the total hits, which i shouldn’t have. the results are way different when HRs are excluded from the hits. so, i’m not sure if this tells us anything or if it’s even the best way to go about it
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I'd add in SLG for a little bit of additional context
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i'm gonna think about it some more
and if i come up with something that seems useful, i’ll probably just write a program to sort through all the data and then we can look for some correlation
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
noticed the ability to leg out infield singles
in the bottom section, that (outside of kinsler – whats up with him?) doesn’t exist in the top section
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
HAWK is injured - no trip to DL tho
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
i think yadi2 suggested that might be the case
don’t know if it just never came around 100% since spring training, or if it was reinjured – maybe they should check what he’s doing in the weight room that so impresses the other relievers, because it has to be leg/core stuff.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
cardinal fans are crazy (about uniform numbers):
http://www.halosheaven.com/2010/5/21/1467033/st-louis-pitchers-batting-antique
i hadn’t even considered that “ank’s” 24 would never be worn again.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
the posters an asshat
comments are fair though
"Franklin has no patience for bloggers who believe because he pitches to contact, his start last season was something of a fluke."
lol Angels fans are all distraught that Piniero HAS to hit...
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
but he is 1-1 with a 1.13 in 2 starts against us
…until tonight, of course.
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's reviving the 'stache!!! Woohoo!
when he becomes
2-1 with a .089 in 3 starts against us?
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
F'n regalia
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
Oswalt wants to be a Cardinal.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/05/roy-oswalt-requests-trade-from-houston.html
Find a way for them to take Lohse (and get Lohse to wave his no trade clause). Get it done Mo!
If only :P
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
doubt it will happen
no way that oswalt will be traded to a division rival, and no way lohse waives his ntc.
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's reviving the 'stache!!! Woohoo!
i'm wondering if there's any closed-door stuff going on
he’s stated for awhile that he wouldn’t oppose a trade if it helped the team. i wonder if management asked him to turn that statement into an official request, for two reasons: he’s a fan favorite, but they can’t revolt against management if he himself has requested it – they could be perceived as the good guys, helping out roy; and it would seemingly give them more leverage in what they get back if it doesn’t appear to be their idea but just something they’re willing to do for roy if the return is right, which eliminates the desperation factor.
i think the nats would be an interesting destination.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
blow that shitty team up and ship him to us.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
and 16 mil a year
if we have that kind of spare change, let’s just buy a whole new bullpen. he’d be great to have in the playoffs, but his value is to a team that needs him to contend for a spot. i’d really like to see him and strasburg inserted into the nats’ rotation, plus whenever they get jordan zimmerman back.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i'd like it more though if he went to the rangers
they might still be restricted, financially, but it seems they could offset some of that salary with increased revenues. and he’s a texas legend (via mississippi) – worked out with nolan ryan going from houston to texas.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Ed Wade
We are talking about Ed Wade. Never underestimate his propensity for stupidity.
Cards won't take him unless the Astros eat a ton of money
And the Astros won’t eat a ton of money for the privilege of trading him in the division. Pretty much no chance this happens for us.
Need to tap into the collective knowledge.
What’s a good scotch to give as a gift that won’t crush my bank acct? < 40 or 50 would be great.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
by hazel on May 21, 2010 7:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
any single malt will do :)
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
Sean Connery
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on May 21, 2010 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I still rec'd it,
Because it’s Sean Connery.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
word
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on May 21, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
VEB: WWGTD
by The Continental on May 21, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions
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