Mot(te) Your Average Fastball
by azruavatar on Apr 17, 2011 9:00 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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Ryan Franklin is what he is: a soft tossing right-hander that La Russa likely has a higher than warranted degree of confidence in. Periodically, the lack of strikeouts and a few meltdowns causes us all a great deal of anxiety. He is definitely not the reliever I'm most worried about early into 2011. No, that distinction belongs to Jason Motte.
After a poor spring training, Jason Motte is exhibiting the signs of a reliever with an average fastball. With a 3.29 FIP last year built on a 96mph fastball, Motte has been tinkering again. It's a common refrain: he's working on a second pitch. Sometimes that's a slider, sometimes a cutter . . . heck, he may be working on a gyroball for all I know. And probably for all he knows too.
See that's the thing about Motte: he lives and dies by his fastball. The chart below shows the frequency of fastball selection and the linear weights run value of his fastball over the course of the season. (SSS Caveat Applies)
| Year | FB % | FB Value |
| 2008 | 89.4 | 5.6 |
| 2009 | 75.3 | -4.2 |
| 2010 | 81.9 | 11.7 |
| 2011 | 73.6 | -0.4 |
There's a chicken and an egg element to this kind of analysis. Does Jason throw his fastball less because it's not effective or is his fastball not effective because he throws it less? I tend to think it's a messy combination of the two. Motte's fastball is, well, fast regularly clocking in at 95+mph. It doesn't have a lot of movement on it and tends to be straight. What has made it effective in the past is the superb command he had of the pitch. High and away? Check. Low and inside? Check. Low and away? Check. Motte could put his fastball where the catcher called for it and confounded hitters.
When Motte can't locate his fastball, it's more of an accelerated meatball. It comes in fast and can leave the park just as quickly. The problem is that Motte has never developed a second pitch. That's been the part of the listing for years. "For Sale: Good reliever. Great fastball. Questionable Secondary Stuff." The Cardinals have worked with him on various secondary offerings (slider, cutter, splitter, changeup) but nothing has been consistent enough to use in a game. And that's not a bad thing . . . if his fastball is working.
I have a lot more faith in Ryan Franklin returning to his mediocre junkball ways. Motte without command of his fastball is more problematic in my mind.
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I have bad news for you all, los vivi birders
I will probably be able to watch some of, if not most of, the game today. As my non-participation in real-time baseball fandom has clearly been the decisive factor in our recent hot streak, there is a good chance I will succumb to temptation, actually watch the game as it happens, and thus destroy our groovy and positive energy, thus damning us to another prolonged period of offensive ineptitude.
After Motte’s success last year, I wonder why the coaching staff didn’t just pull him aside and say “hey Jason, that was great. Let’s just do that again and not mess around with the plan.” I could be misunderstanding. Is Motte actively working on another pitch this year that he wasn’t working on last year? Obviously in the small sample he is clearly throwing the fast ball less relative to other pitches.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
always wondered f cleveland would have taken motte instead of perez
and why the cards really valued him so high
both he and perez could go better than 95
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Better command and early success
And the thought that he would actually develop a second pitch. It was justifiable at the time. Besides, maybe Sanchez could make the whole we miss Perez thing a little more ok
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Apr 17, 2011 12:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Pining over relief pitchers is kind of a useless exercise
Unless they’re Mariano Rivera or Trevor Hoffman, you’re probably not losing a whole lot of value either way
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
yeah pretty much this
They knew what Perez was; which is what he turned into; they thought Motte had the potential to be greater.
But it really doesn’t matter nearly as much as Derosa getting hurt two days after the trade.
"Why are you here? You should be mowing Albert Pujols' lawn right now." - Conan O'Brien to TLR, after noting he was in the audience for Bob Costas' benefit show.
-0.5 WAR in 5 appearances...
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
I hate WAR for relievers
He’s given up only 1 run during a meaningful appearance.
"Why are you here? You should be mowing Albert Pujols' lawn right now." - Conan O'Brien to TLR, after noting he was in the audience for Bob Costas' benefit show.
Six of one....
In 168 career ML innings, Perez has a 3.97 FIP and a 4.11xFIP. In 127 innings, Motte has a 3.81 FIP and a 3.82 xFIP.
The thing I didn’t like about Perez is that he walks too many people for my tastes, though I liked his “stuff” better than Motte’s. Especially if Motte’s velocity drops to 94-95.
It’s not hard to see why the Cards preferred to keep Motte at the time and it’s not clear that Perez is the better pitcher going forward.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
same here mb
although me watching the game sporadically last night did not affect our streak. interestingly enough, the cards had won all 4 of the games i didn’t watch this past week.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
after Al made a comment about a change in Motte's arm slot
well, I’m pretty sure his shoulder is only being held together by his insanity
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Apr 17, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
chipper's hr
did anyone else see this @ :10
dude dropped the ball i believe and was just looking to grab something
by guillermozeliak on Apr 17, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions
Nice dude...
I had to watch that like five times to figure out what you were talking about…
Sign Carlos Silva!!!
by guayzimi on Apr 17, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Answer to the riddle:
When does a home run mean you got to second base?
Sorry.
by lightbulb on Apr 17, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
have they worked with
motte on a straight or circle change? or both? i just can’t imagine what the reasons would be that a pitcher wouldn’t at least be able to pick up some variety of a changeup.
"Bob Gibson pitches as though he's double parked."~Vin Scully
really? a curve or slider is the easiest pitch to pick up, IMO.
an effective changeup is hard to throw and hard to command. Plus, how many relievers are two-pitch pitchers with only a fastball and change?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't his mechanics have something to do with being unable to pick up a second pitch?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I think that may have something to do with it but that's just
my opinion based on watching him pitch. Looking at his motion, I think some kind of cut fastball or very tight slider would be his best second pitch, but who knows.
I have been of the opinion that he is effective only when throwing 98 with pinpoint control. When his velocity drops to 94-95 and/or he falls in love with his secondary offerings, he does not look good.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Trevor Hoffman?
He’s pretty much the only one I can think of.
I think we'll reconcile it by winning!
-Kim English
Hoffman did have a great changeup
but I would say he had more than two pitches – he threw a slider/cutter almost as often as his changeup, especially earlier in his career. For example, Hoffman’s pitch f/x data shows that Hoffman threw a slider/cutter 35% of the time in 2007 and 24% of the time in 2008.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
to be honest,
i never pitched, so i don’t have an understanding of how it would be easier to locate a pitch that breaks, as opposed to one that is simply off-speed.
"Bob Gibson pitches as though he's double parked."~Vin Scully
by threadkiller on Apr 17, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
the difference is that oftentimes, a breaking ball is just a matter of changing your grip
and offspeed can get complicated.
Now think about your Dad.
A changeup is held deep in your hand as compared to a fastball being on your finger tips
It’s a very awkward pitch to just learn.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
I think a slider
or cutter is the easiest to pick up. Not a curve and def not a circle change. Circle change might be the toughest.
Of Craig's first 24 ML RBIs, 13 have come with 2 outs.
He must be a clutch hitter!
(hides)
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 17, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions
Before you hide, let Tony know this
He buys into that crap and we need the Craigen as far from a milk carton as possible
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Apr 17, 2011 12:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Before you hide, let Tony know this
He buys into that crap and we need the Craigen as far from a milk carton as possible
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Apr 17, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sbn'd
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Apr 17, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This deserves a rec for the article
and another rec for the caption. Although you left out “listen to the voices in the glove”.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
And also
“blogging from inside the glove.”
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 17, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
on the bright side
no one knows when he’ll start throwing weird random pitches again that are not fastballs.
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions
although
the glove knows… perhaps we could interrogate the glove
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Motte is a catcher. Don't forget that.
He didn’t grow up as a pitcher. He is a relative babe in his development as a pitcher. Chris Perez is what his is. Motte still has a ceiling that he has not reached. Patience.
My name's not Richie. My name is Dick. Dick Allen.
Yawn
The idea that Motte is too new to pitching is a tired trope and excuse for Motte’s inability to develop a second pitch. I’ve heard that for 3+ years. When can we retire this nonsense?
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
by azruavatar on Apr 17, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed. And he's 29.
If there’s any age-related velocity decline, he may not be able to compensate.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Who is this player?
line: 298/360/458
154 hits in 550 at bats, 30 doubles, 18 home runs, 81 rbis, 10 steals (3 CS)
50 walks and 95 strikeouts
Sign Carlos Silva!!!
is that Rasmus's line going back to about this time last year?
"Why are you here? You should be mowing Albert Pujols' lawn right now." - Conan O'Brien to TLR, after noting he was in the audience for Bob Costas' benefit show.
stephen drew
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Apr 17, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He's close, but the numbers aren't exact...
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
jus
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Apr 17, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
guessin'
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Apr 17, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, yup
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Fritz is awesome
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I can't decide if Fritz is more Faulkner or McCarthy...
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
Injury report:
BJRains Skip Schumaker has a hyperextended elbow and will not play again today, per Tony La Russa on KMOX.
BJRains Now La Russa says on KMOX that Allen Craig has a “groin or leg problem” and probably won’t be available today.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions
Tyler Greene at second again, it would seem
glad to get his speed in the game
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Craig thing could get pretty bad
Now is Greene’s time to show what he has.
"Why are you here? You should be mowing Albert Pujols' lawn right now." - Conan O'Brien to TLR, after noting he was in the audience for Bob Costas' benefit show.
When did that happen?
Friday during the game? If so, I missed it.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." - Rogers Hornsby
by StanTheManFan on Apr 17, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure.
He was lifted for Batista last night, but I don’t recall anything that might have caused an injury.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Sizemore is back!
High five, ClemsonGirl!
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
Woooo!
2nd at bat jack.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
And of course he's not eligible for games until tomorrow in my fantasy league.
"Sometimes you scare me." - azruavatar
Not sure about mine.
I think I just didn’t get my roster changed in time. Oh well, nice to have him back.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome
time to turn on the tv
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
man, I wish I was Edinson Volquez
I would totally show up and pitch in my jammies. Just like, “fuck it”.
Now think about your Dad.
sweet
something to distract me from all the work i need to do
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
opinions of Vin Scully?
MY quick history is that I have always despised him; a) because I was always ‘told’ how good he was, but mostly b) because he was a Dodger, who were, to ME the Yankees of the National League.
I listened to him some over the last three days. I still cannot stand his incessant, unrelenting babble (nor do I understand why he does not work with a color man) but I admit he gives out a lot of interesting information. Even if it is only a few nice trees here and there in a cluttered forest.
I guess my point is: Mike Shannon leaves out a hell of a lot of stuff, and often is in error (eg says a pitch was low when it was over the belt).
I’ve always loved me some Mike Shannon, but the contrast still has me reeling. And, suffice to say, neither one are Jack Buck.
I really enjoy listening to him.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
I'd take Vin Scully over any other baseball announcer
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
that said
I wish Mike Shannon was the tv announcer, along with some younger sabermetrically inclined guy, it wold be a fun tandem.
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
i, too, prefer Mike Shannon
i’m not in desperate need of tidbits
but stone cold classic lines like "If you had all the beach balls they have confiscated over the years here, you could build yourself quite a sailboat."?
that’s how i wanna listen to baseball.
Now think about your Dad.
More specifically,
-I like how even-keeled he is calling the game. I think it lends a gravity that the fanboy broadcaster utterly fail at.
-I like how much information he throws out there that I would otherwise not know, even if not all of it is exactly relevant.
-I love his voice.
-I like that while he is clearing representing the Dodgers, he clearly respects the opposing team a great deal, and acts as if it is a special treat to see other teams’ good players. It shows tremendous class and respect for the game.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
by a fink on Apr 17, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I learn more things about Cardinals players from a few innings of Vin a year
than I do from 150 some odd games from the FSMW jerkasses.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
This is correct
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
The Cards should just save some money
and simulcast Mike and John
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
I would love this.
I’ve been actively avoiding the FSN broadcasts.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I sync MLB audio w/ the TV feed
it’s better, but the radio feed dowsn’t have as much ballpark ambiance noise as the TV feed. But no Al.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
I really love the condensed games on At Bat
just ambiance noise.
Bliss.
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
there was a great moment last week when john rooney
Read a letter from a lady in oklahoma or kentucky who said she watched FSMW with the sound off and listened to the KMOX broadcast.
Mike said: “seems like we have a lot of people who do that.”
)Very long, very pregnant pause(
"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 Apr 17, 2011 3:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Beautiful.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with all of these
I’ll add that the one-man booth is wonderful, and I’d like to see some other teams with nothing to lose give it a chance sometime.
Mariners could make it work, post-Niehaus
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I think his voice is one reason he's so beloved
Not that he not good, he is. But I think the smooth voice puts him over the top.
I still would rank Jack Buck higher, but Vin is close behind.
by ArkansasTravs on Apr 17, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he's, by far, the best living broadcaster
Then again, I also wish that most color “analysts” would just shut up 95 percent of the time, which may influence things.
I also seem to be one of the few Cardinal fans who isn’t enamored my Mike Shannon, who seems increasingly likely to have things other than the game in mind. When he’s concentrating on the game he’s fine, but that just seems less and less often nowadays.
I’m relatively young (30), so I never really heard Jack in his prime, but I do remember that the times I heard Joe Buck do radio broadcasts were some of the most vivid broadcasts I can remember.
that is what I hate most about Al (if not most, it's right up there):
his freakin inability to shut the freak up
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
So much for Greene
Theriot-6,
Rasmus-8
Pujols-3,
Holliday-7
Berkman-9,
Freese-5,
Molina-2,
Descalso-4,
Carpenter-1
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
That's interesting. The first surprising lineup in quite a while.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
i'm sort of surprised that Freese is in
but other than that, it’s a pretty normal lineup.
Now think about your Dad.
I'm surprised it's not a we've-won-the-series-let's-play-the-scrubs lineup
Auburn Tigers - 2010 National Champions, 2011 Fulmer Cup Champions
by jd is legend on Apr 17, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
TLR tried, Carp wouldn't allow it
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Carp doesn't give a fuck.
Unless you fuck with his lineup. Then he fuckin’ gives a fuck.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
oh, is he? That explains it.
What happened?
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
got it. Thanks.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
Chad Billingsly shows virtually no split, and it's actually a small reverse split
3.58 FIP, 4.06 xFIP against lefties
3.81 FIP, 3.90 xFIP against righties
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Well... reverse FIP split
Negligible normal xFIP split
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I can't decide who is more...
overmatched by good pitching – Greene or Descalso. La Russa should keep one and replace the other with FA pickup.
Sign Carlos Silva!!!
Punto. He's definitely not overmatched by good pitching.
He’s just overmatched by pitching.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
by a fink on Apr 17, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I keep forgetting about that guy...
Yeah all three pretty much suck. Theriot has made me want more middle infielders who can take a walk.
Sign Carlos Silva!!!
Punto has a 10% career BB%
which is better than Theriot’s 8.4% (and Theriot’s 7.2% so far this year)
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
oh really...
I don’t know a thing about him other than every male Minnesotan under the age of 40 hates him with an abiding passion.
Sign Carlos Silva!!!
I honestly don't know why you would ever throw Punto a ball (this kind of applies to Theriot as well)
He’s probably not going to hit it. When he does, it’s going to be a single
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I'm interested to see what happens with Theriot's walk-rate.
it seems like the Dodgers just decided not to throw him any balls, and he is hitting well. I think we’ll see a “don’t walk” approach from some teams, but not all.
The important thing is for Theriot to not fall in love with the hits he’s getting and remain patient against teams that are willing to walk him.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
And Punto hit almost 14% in '09. That's the Punto we need.
If he can OB in the .330’s and play really good D, he’ll be a semi-useful player for us.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
"hit" meaning "reached the walk-rate of.."
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
good middle infielders are hard to come by.
The dodgers being exhibit A, as they shift from miles, to carroll, and on to the other detritus in their infield. You almost got a sense of desperation last night, as if mattingly only realized that his infielders weren’t very good once he put them in.
Descalso and greene and punto would beat a lot of team’s backup infield, I suspect.
"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 Apr 17, 2011 3:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't get this
dude is not a very good player. hopefully he’ll be in full regression mode when we play them!
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
especially after the 'wainwright's gone' incident.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
He can hit a little
He doesn’t have great contact rates, pretty average walk rates. He is bad at defense. But he can hit, and hit some extra bases. He’s just in a hot streak is all. He’s still a below average player.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
This is now Colby's end-of-season line, according to ZiPS
.286/.366/.477 with a .368 wOBA
I’ll still take the over
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Um. OK.
Fox_Sports_MW #stlcards have become team turtleneck. In a show of unity many players wearing turtlenecks with sportcoats. #pureclass #ronburgundy
Fox_Sports_MW Full tale of the Cards new turtleneck look coming at 230pm. Plus we crunch all the numbers of this historic run. And Sunday 7’s countdown
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
I guess they read Fritz bemoan the dearth of fashion consciousness today.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Tune in to Fox Sport Midwest to find out!
/noidea
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
i have no words
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Apr 17, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That is amazing.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
we deserve a better picture than someones crappy phone pic though
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Descalso and Sanchez? Or is that Jay?
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
they have an apartment together
could be a new version of boog and bombs?
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
we should bombard Joe Strauss's chat with nothing
But sartorial questions about boat shoes and seersucker suits this week.
"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 Apr 17, 2011 3:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
Take a look inside
It’s my dick in a box
Auburn Tigers - 2010 National Champions, 2011 Fulmer Cup Champions
by jd is legend on Apr 17, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
wind really blowing in Boston
Jed Lowrie just hit a ball down the left field line that should have easily been in the stands. It landed just inside the line. Replay looked like it curved the wrong way.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
and now Jon Lester is thisclose
to getting hit in the face with the business end of a broken bat. Scary
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Question:
I know that what is needed for a FanPost is a somewhat longer article, that’s thought out and not thrown together…so to play it safe I just wrote a really long FanShot instead. BUT with a FanShot I couldn’t add in any quote boxes, extra links, or formatting… Do you think I should delete it and make it a FanPost instead?
2011 MLB All Star Game FanFest: July 8-12 at the Phoenix Convention Center!
Cool. I'll try to delete it and make it a FanPost then.
Thanks!
2011 MLB All Star Game FanFest: July 8-12 at the Phoenix Convention Center!
VEB has never been known to be anal about Fanposts or Fanshots, so I don't know what you're talking about
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Apr 17, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you've got it the other way around
fanshot for short stuff, fanpost for long stuff.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
He knows that
He’s probably just underselling how much content his post has
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I remember a time when fanposts were one of the joys of VEB
there would be about 10 new ones each week.. some interesting. some not. but there would always be numerous conversations to jump into. Then people decided to act like they owned the site, and throuw a bitch fit at everything that was posted, even though useless posts were always taken down anyway. VEB made it quite clear theat they only cared to discuss pitch f/x and swing mechanics. What a shame.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Apr 17, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
that is so not true
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
by mattyfrommo on Apr 17, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
and I'd say it's a rarity when people like the pitch f/x and swing mechanic posts more than more general posts
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
You should do a fanpost on this.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
A fanpost would certainly be inappropriate; it should be a fanshot.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
They met?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
(last exit to springfield, jerk. this is two days in a row!)
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
I used to watch the Simpsons every single day after I got home from school. Haven’t caught an episode in years =(
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
(sorry, I'm straight)
If I had a nickel for every time I procrastinate, I'd be so rich that I probably wouldn't be procrastinating anymore.
by hr on Apr 17, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
(I thought it might be but I had no witty response to your re-joinder
because I have no idea how the fanshots or fanposts actually work)
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 17, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I know it's early in the season
but still, that AL Central is a head scratcher… the Royals and Indians tied for first with respectable records?
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 3:04 PM EDT reply actions
i've got a cousin who's a royals fan
and he made his FB status about the royals being 7-4 and cards being 5-7 the other day. i told him it’s early.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
the Royals have a real chance to be scary in a couple years, if Moore doesn't find a way to eff it up
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
the Royals are not going to keep hitting the way they are
and their starting pitching is meh. They may not lose 100 games this year but I don’t see them really competing for the division in September.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
some of the fans on the radio call-in shows
have become wildly optimistic all of a sudden. It’s kind of both funny and sad.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
Good for them, though. The future is bright.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
I think it's great that they have so many guys hitting right now (in particular Gordon)
but their rotation is just terrible and while their bullpen is pretty good, it’s going to get leaned on heavily over the summer. Francis & Chen are their best pitchers; Hochevar is kind of like their version of Anthony Reyes, from what I gather; O’Sullivan is a converted reliever and can’t get deep into games; and Davies just sucks.
They have to outscore everybody which they are not always going to be able to do.
Whatever happened in Cincinnati, stays in Cincinnati.
pitch f/x on MLB.TV
I think someone here mentioned this already, but the pitch f/x overlay on the MLB.tv broadcast is great. Only wish it worked in full-screen.
Also, 6-5 Pirates.
I wish it told a bit more information though
Just location and pitch type doesn’t tell me a whole lot
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I use it for whining purposes
I always want to see where the pitch was relative to what was called by the ump.
You know what I'd like to see?
A “dynamic” strike zone that shows what that particular umpire’s strike zone was for the day, and how consistent he was at calling it. It would change a little for each pitch, and by the end of the game, should be a pretty good representation
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Wow, Laynce Nix has a brother named Jayson Nix
with an equally pointless y in the first name. Man I hate their parents.
Are the Sprungfeld Cardinals still scheduled to play a game at Busch this year?
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
Wasn't that Quad Cities?
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought they were
but I don’t see it on the Springfield schedule
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
and what what? Are the Springfield Cardinals also having a Stan Musial bobble-head day?
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
I think that one was a lie
but Steve Carlton bobblehead!
Skip Schumaker fields like a goat wearing capes
Lyra Silvertongue
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Reds look like they are about to break it open....
At least Volquez still looke horrible.
by mick311 on Apr 17, 2011 3:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Watching four baseball games at once
is equal parts awesome and disorienting.
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions
then you probably wouldn't want to be the fan of the year
having to watch every MLB game this year. that guy must be exhausted already.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
He's probably just making stuff up by now.
“What are they gonna do, check every game? Who’s gonna know?”
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
And Seth Smith just loses one.
4 – 1 Rockies over Cubs
Boog might've. Who's to say, really? With the extraordinary number of variables to account for, Boog very well mightn't've.
by The Continental on Apr 17, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions
joe nathan lost his closer job after 2 blown saves
how does franky have his after 3? and, at that, 3 atrocious blown saves?
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
I think he'll have to blow about 20 before he loses his job
dingers
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 17, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it'll be one more
Then Boggs get his shot. Then Boggs has the job until he has one or at most two blown saves, and then I think it’ll be Sanchez closing.
funny, that’s how rui’s mom keeps her job
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
by mattyp on Apr 17, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
We don't have Matt Capps in the 8th. Also, Nathan didn't pitch last year.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
eventually, yes.
and, whenever that happens, i will be scared to death whenever franky gets another opportunity.
take his most recent blown save for example. i knew as soon as he was shown on the screen warming up in the pen that we would lose the game. i knew that when tejada fouled off every pitch, franky couldn’t fool him and somehow we’d lose the game.
EH #2
Ryan Franklin sucks.
twitter
Cards walk up songs/entrance music
unless Rasmus caught that ball he probably should have, right?
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
Bro you should probs make money off of that
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Yeah, I think we should probably just keep winning by 132 runs/game, or whatever it is.
7-2-5! Craig to Yadi to Descalso!
I am out of the closet as a member of the St. Louis Riot, 2011.
Didn't Nathan ask to be taken out of the closer's role?
Heard something about his elbow not being completely healed or something.
by WizardofOz1982 on Apr 18, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Is Aranthor here?
I need to ask him a question.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
Yes, mesh is bad for your skin
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Apr 17, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gamethread up
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
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