Non-closers don’t have a whole lot of value and that will remain true for both Jeff Samardzija and James Russell, but both of them have quietly put together strong seasons in relief for the Cubs. Russell was a starter early in the season and was banged up before moving back to the pen. Since then, he’s thrown 41 innings through Wednesday, allowed 31 hits and 12 runs. Only 9 of the runs have been earned so his ERA is below 2. He’s also struckout 28, which isn’t exactly a lot, but he’s walked just 8 and 2 of those were intentional. He has also hit a batter.
Jeff Samardzija has thrown 72 innings this year, allowed just 51 hits, struckout 72, and allowed 32 runs. Only 26 of them have been earned resulting in an 3.25 ERA. His RA, on the other hand, is 4.00. The Cubs aren’t known for their quality defense so we can forgive some of that, but surely not all of it. Samardzija has also walked 43 in those 72 innings. His 5.4 BB/9 rate is equal to his career rate. He has seen a jump in his strikeout rate, which gives him a passable K/BB ratio. He’s also allowed a .246 BABIP though his career average is a bit below .280.
It’s been a pleasant surprise to see both be productive this season, but the more important question is whether or not they will be next year. If Samardzija can continue to miss bats, there’s a chance he could remain a productive reliever. He’ll regress somewhat of course, but perhaps a new strikeout rate for Samardzija will allow him to be a decent reliever.
Russell’s stats are more interesting, though. As a starter he was just terrible. ZiPS includes that in their projections, as well as last year’s unimpressive rookie season. In order for a lefty reliever to stick around, he really only has to be good at one thing: getting lefties out. Russell has been very good against lefties this year. He’s faced 99 lefties this year. He’s struckout 22 of them and walked only 2. For the mathetically challenged, that’s an 11 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio. Lefties have hit just .214/.255/.331 against him. That’s good for a 68 sOPS+.
In 2010 he wasn’t nearly as good, but in his career vs lefties he has struckout 27.3% of them. He’s walked only 3.2% of them. His strikeout rate is very good and he’s not walking many at all. That’s a 51 to 6 K to BB ratio. Lefties have hit .231/.255/.410 against him.
If he can match that career rate vs lefties, he’s probably got a spot on in MLB bullpen as a LOOGY. If he can improve upon it and be somewhere between his career and his 2011 numbers, he’ll be a good one.
This ignores a lot of other information like regressing, which in small samples is very important. I’m not saying that’s what Russell can do, but there’s no denying he’s been great against them this year and good overall in his career. The strikeout to walk ratio is outstanding and that gives us a good reason to be optimistic.
I’m not sure there’s as much reason to be optimistic about Samardzija. The past numbers have been really bad and he walks way too many hitters, but like I said, if he can miss enough bats, he could be a decent reliever. He’ll never be a closer and probably never even a setup man, but if you can get some production out of him, that would be fantastic.
Comments
You Know The Team Sucks When You Are Writing An Article About Jeff Samardzija And James Russell
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
Oh. No. They. Didn’t
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/08/michael-vick-espn-white-photo/1
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
“A city like Chicago, it’s a big city, big media. He knows he had to talk to the guys here, apologize to the media because here in Chicago, they will make a little thing into something much bigger.
-Alfonso Soriano (about Castro not paying attention)
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
That would make me (dying laughing) if it weren’t unfortunately true. The Sullivans, Whittenmeyers and most of the others for that matter need to be apologized to in order to let it go. Even thought it affected them in no way whatsoever, they must be apologized to. It’s just odd.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]You Know The Team Sucks When You Are Writing An Article About Jeff Samardzija And James Russell
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]Glad you liked it.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That would make me (dying laughing) if it weren’t unfortunately true. The Sullivans, Whittenmeyers and most of the others for that matter need to be apologized to in order to let it go. Even thought it affected them in no way whatsoever, they must be apologized to. It’s just odd.[/quote]
What’s most interesting about it is that Soriano has it completely figured out. I love that even the players are keenly aware that the majority of the journalists in the city are total hacks.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Epic fail by the Oakland A’s. They gave up three grand slams for a major league record.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Epic fail by the Oakland A’s. They gave up three grand slams for a major league record.[/quote]
Moneyball has officially been debunked.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I’m not sure Sori meant that Castro had to apologize to the media because he owed the media an apology. I think he meant he had to give his apology publicly through the media in order to show the fans that he understands that what he did was unacceptable. That’s just my impression, I don’t think Sori meant the “media” deserved an apology just that the apology had to be given through the media. Sori also knows that if Castro doesn’t publicly apologize that the media will not let it die.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Moneyball has officially been debunked.[/quote]Luckily for the A’s, it only counts as one loss.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]You Know The Team Sucks When You Are Writing An Article About Jeff Samardzija And James Russell
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]
That was a tag I recently enjoyed.
Today’s loss was also one I recently did not enjoy, but it was inevitable (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I’m not sure Sori meant that Castro had to apologize to the media because he owed the media an apology. I think he meant he had to give his apology publicly through the media in order to show the fans that he understands that what he did was unacceptable. That’s just my impression, I don’t think Sori meant the “media” deserved an apology just that the apology had to be given through the media. Sori also knows that if Castro doesn’t publicly apologize that the media will not let it die.[/quote]That’s probably true, but it still seems ridiculous that a player would even have to say something like that.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Moneyball has officially been made into a movie starring Brad Pitt.[/quote]/Reality’d
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]/Reality’d[/quote]
I’ll take a wait-for-DVD approach.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’ll take a wait-for-DVD approach.[/quote]I probably won’t even bother watching it unless someone tells me it’s so good I can’t pass it up.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I probably won’t even bother watching it unless someone tells me it’s so good I can’t pass it up.[/quote]It’s clearly billing billed as a Sports Movie, which means Love Interest and Dramatic Come-From-Behind. My hope more than whether the movie is good or not is that it will drum up at least a little more interest in advanced metrics. I think overall the sport is wising up, but it’s pace so far is glacial among the fans.
binkyQuote Reply
From reading the IMDB, Carlos Pena will be depicted in the movie, so quell your fears.
binkyQuote Reply
Yeah, but really how much can you explain inside 2 hours? Or is it 90 minutes? I don’t think the movie focuses much on the stats and rather just mentions them several times. They surely explain the value of OBP and that stuff, but I think even the dumbest fan these days gets that.
mb21Quote Reply
Vogelbach went 3-5 with a homerun double and a walk today
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, but really how much can you explain inside 2 hours? Or is it 90 minutes? I don’t think the movie focuses much on the stats and rather just mentions them several times. They surely explain the value of OBP and that stuff, but I think even the dumbest fan these days gets that.[/quote]Yeah, you’re probably right. Nothing in the previews indicates they’re using Sabermetrics as anything but a new shortcut for “underdog.”
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Yeah, you’re probably right. Nothing in the previews indicates they’re using Sabermetrics as anything but a new shortcut for “underdog.”[/quote]Every once in a while a movie is smarter than it appears in previews, though.
binkyQuote Reply
I went into this sandwich shop here in town to pick up some sandwiches earlier this evening. There aren’t many seats in the establishment, but sitting in one of them was this guy reading a book. After I ordered and was waiting a couple people walked by and asked him for his autograph. Then a couple others went by and did the same thing. I was confused and didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t recognize the guy, but I didn’t want to stare. I figured he’s sitting there reading a book so whatever. Turns out it was this guy:
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21] They surely explain the value of OBP and that stuff, but I think even the dumbest fan these days gets that.[/quote]
The average fan knows the stats now (ESPN using OPS and WAR on national broadcasts has taken care of that) but still appears to lack understanding of the concepts.
As an example: I don’t know if any of you follow Keith Law on twitter (I really should just unfollow him), but he spends most of his time “answering” questions from fans that don’t really understand how to use statistics. I can’t tell if that is representative of baseball fans or if Law is just an asshole who likes to be a smartass on the internet.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Every once in a while a movie is smarter than it appears in previews, though.[/quote]
Examples?
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
What the fuck he was doing in a Topeka sandwich shop is beyond me.
mb21Quote Reply
I saw the preview right before “Green Lantern” (another disappointment especially as a GL fan) and they had a sequence with a slow-mo BB that made me cringe. They also changed Paul DePodesta’s name for some reason.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]The average fan knows the stats now (ESPN using OPS and WAR on national broadcasts has taken care of that) but still appears to lack understanding of the concepts.
As an example: I don’t know if any of you follow Keith Law on twitter (I really should just unfollow him), but he spends most of his time “answering” questions from fans that don’t really understand how to use statistics. I can’t tell if that is representative of baseball fans or if Law is just an asshole who likes to be a smartass on the internet.[/quote]Probably a bit of both, but I’d say few fans really know how to use baseball stats. I’m not sure I’d even put myself in the group that knows how to use them. I try to use them properly, but am well aware I don’t always do that. I try to emphasize the importance of regressing and I think that’s where almost all fans fail to use stats correctly. They see a small sample or some split and think it’s indicative of his talent in that situation.
mb21Quote Reply
I think it would be very difficult to explain sabermetrics in a movie. I had higher hopes it could do a better job before a huge name like Pitt signed on, but once he did that ruined any hope I had.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What the fuck he was doing in a Topeka sandwich shop is beyond me.[/quote]
Too bad you didn’t tell him that October was a month that you recently enjoyed. (dying laughing) Seriously, though, cool story bro.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21] They see a small sample or some split and think it’s indicative of his talent in that situation.[/quote]
This is by far the biggest mistake that I read on the internet or hear from people. Like I read that Rodrigo Lopez should have had his spot switched in the rotation with Dempster because of his 2011 performances against the Cardinals. Unfortunately I also think that managers still pay attention to a lot of this kind of stuff too. Probably because that kind of statistic was what passed for advanced analytics 20 years ago.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]Examples?[/quote]The Fighter, though I wouldn’t consider that a sports movie. I’m sure it’s classified as one, which is unfortunate, but I had high expectations before watching it and was impressed with how good it was. Christian Bale’s depiction of an addict was easily the best I’d seen in a movie or on television.
I don’t remember the previews for Bull Durham, but it was an awesome movie.
Most sports movies anymore are just utter shit.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I saw the preview right before “Green Lantern” (another disappointment especially as a GL fan) and they had a sequence with a slow-mo BB that made me cringe. They also changed Paul DePodesta’s name for some reason.[/quote]Because they made him fat. Seriously, I think that’s the reason.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]This is by far the biggest mistake that I read on the internet or hear from people. Like I read that Rodrigo Lopez should have had his spot switched in the rotation with Dempster because of his 2011 performances against the Cardinals. Unfortunately I also think that managers still pay attention to a lot of this kind of stuff too. Probably because that kind of statistic was what passed for advanced analytics 20 years ago.[/quote]I think managers are more likely to lean on silly splits when the team isn’t doing well, but I actually think overall that they do a fairly decent job of just playing the best player. There are exceptions and it’s not just one manager, if you look at who got the most plate appearances or innings pitched at the end of the season (over many years of course), the best players are going to be at the top of that list. The worst players will be at the bottom. I think the issue comes when managers go with their gut so they could choose player b in a situation when player a is the obviously correct choice. Their gut has been right many times so they think they know something. Overall though, I think they do a pretty good job and catch a lot more shit than they deserve.
mb21Quote Reply
DePodesta wouldn’t allow them to use his name. he wrote something about that on his blog awhile back. I think they changed the character somewhat and it didn’t really match what he did so he didn’t give them permission to use his name.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]Because they made him fat. Seriously, I think that’s the reason.[/quote]
Maybe DePodesta didn’t grant them permission. Plus I guess it’s kind of an insult to be played by Jonah Hill. He’s a funny dude though.
Yeah, what MB said.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]Examples?[/quote]The only one that comes to mind is Bad Santa. Not a sports movie, but much funnier than I expected. I have a sick sense of humor, though.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]The only one that comes to mind is Bad Santa. Not a sports movie, but much funnier than I expected. I have a sick sense of humor, though.[/quote]I liked that movie. A hell of a lot better than it looked in previews.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]DePodesta wouldn’t allow them to use his name. he wrote something about that on his blog awhile back. I think they changed the character somewhat and it didn’t really match what he did so he didn’t give them permission to use his name.[/quote]He was probably mad that they dumbed it down. The fact that the trailer has the scouts saying things like “He has an ugly girlfriend — it means he has no confidence” is a bad sign. That means they’re probably going to err toward making everyone into a caricature.
binkyQuote Reply
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/08/if_its_cool_with_everyone_paul.html
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I think managers are more likely to lean on silly splits when the team isn’t doing well, but I actually think overall that they do a fairly decent job of just playing the best player.
Overall though, I think they do a pretty good job and catch a lot more shit than they deserve.[/quote]
Definitely agree with both these points.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/08/if_its_cool_with_everyone_paul.html[/quote]I’m counting this as a point in favor of my theory.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]This is by far the biggest mistake that I read on the internet or hear from people. Like I read that Rodrigo Lopez should have had his spot switched in the rotation with Dempster because of his 2011 performances against the Cardinals. Unfortunately I also think that managers still pay attention to a lot of this kind of stuff too. Probably because that kind of statistic was what passed for advanced analytics 20 years ago.[/quote]I think people –I mean reporters and average fans– don’t like statistics because they interfere with the narratives they have built in their heads. People want guys like Reed Johnson to be their heroes. They want Starlin Castro to come in and save the day, even if the numbers don’t support those hopes. Plus, when things are going well for a player, the last thing most people want to hear is that they should temper their expectations by relatively predictable amounts. I think this is why the 2008 Cubs team is so beloved. No one had a particularly spectacular year, but there was always one or two guys hot, seemingly in every single game. I think it boils down to that pull between baseball being a team sport reliant on averages, and people wanting to focus on one heroic player. Perhaps this is what football and basketball give people that baseball can’t quite offer.
binkyQuote Reply
Plus learning shit is so HAAAAARD!
binkyQuote Reply
Thome ———> Full circle
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I think people –I mean reporters and average fans– don’t like statistics because they interfere with the narratives they have built in their heads.
I think it boils down to that pull between baseball being a team sport reliant on averages, and people wanting to focus on one heroic player. Perhaps this is what football and basketball give people that baseball can’t quite offer.[/quote]
There is a lot of truth in this statement.
I have to be honest, the more I know about statistics, the harder time I have watching individual games. I still enjoy following the sport, but it’s harder for me to watch individual games when I know a lot of what I’m seeing is random.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]There is a lot of truth in this statement.
I have to be honest, the more I know about statistics, the harder time I have watching individual games. I still enjoy following the sport, but it’s harder for me to watch individual games when I know a lot of what I’m seeing is random.[/quote]
You can think of it as randomly entertaining. You never know where the ball will bounce or how it will be fielded etc., so every sequence is a surprise.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]You can think of it as randomly entertaining. You never know where the ball will bounce or how it will be fielded etc., so every sequence is a surprise.[/quote]
It also hasn’t probably helped that my discovery of advanced statistics has coincided with 3 bad seasons from the Cubs.
Sabermetrics probably makes baseball more fun when it reveals how good your team is rather than how much it sucks.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]It also hasn’t probably helped that my discovery of advanced statistics has coincided with 3 bad seasons from the Cubs.
Sabermetrics probably makes baseball more fun when it reveals how good your team is rather than how much it sucks.[/quote]
Yeah, that kinda blows. But I guess it could be fun to think about what ways you can fix the team up too, so sabermetrics + scouting could be useful that way.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yeah, that kinda blows. But I guess it could be fun to think about what ways you can fix the team up too, so sabermetrics + scouting could be useful that way.[/quote]
That falls under the category of following the game rather than watching the game. I spend a lot more time reading about baseball than I do actually watching baseball now.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yeah, that kinda blows. But I guess it could be fun to think about what ways you can fix the team up too, so sabermetrics + scouting could be useful that way.[/quote]Yeah, I watch the games to play amateur scout, and because I find it entertaining. It’s random, but it’s also fun to get caught up in the moment and the drama of a player cracking a home run at just the right moment, or striking out a guy to end the game with the other team threatening. Such moments are rare, but they make it worthwhile, to me.
Although, I do listen more on the radio and tend to go in and out of paying attention when they are losing.
binkyQuote Reply
Plus, I always loved playing baseball when I was a kid. I had no particular strengths, though, and never got much past little league, but it was fun. I kind of use the game to live vicariously, a little.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Hector Villanueva ]That falls under the category of following the game rather than watching the game. I spend a lot more time reading about baseball than I do actually watching baseball now.[/quote]
My lack of cable prevents me from actually watching baseball unless it’s the MLB.tv free game of the week, on WGN/WCIU/FOX, or streamed off ESPN3.com so I’m sort of in the same boat as you. I do like watching baseball though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]My lack of cable prevents me from actually watching baseball unless it’s the MLB.tv free game of the week, on WGN/WCIU/FOX, or streamed off ESPN3.com so I’m sort of in the same boat as you. I do like watching baseball though.[/quote]Yeah, same here. Except I’m too far away from Chicago to get WCIU. I can get CSN+ games here in Champaign on that channel that shows 24/7 infomercials, though. It’s compressed, but it works. I watch as much as I can, though all the underdog teams I was rooting for this year are falling flat. No Rays, no Royals, no Tribe, no Nats, no Cubs. Sux.
binkyQuote Reply
Without Gameday Audio, my work day would be worthless.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Probably a bit of both, but I’d say few fans really know how to use baseball stats. I’m not sure I’d even put myself in the group that knows how to use them. I try to use them properly, but am well aware I don’t always do that. I try to emphasize the importance of regressing and I think that’s where almost all fans fail to use stats correctly. They see a small sample or some split and think it’s indicative of his talent in that situation.[/quote]Did you know that Marlon Byrd is only hitting .200 with runners in scoring position?
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Epic fail by the Oakland A’s. They gave up three grand slams for a major league record.[/quote]If the Yankees didn’t play conga music during that game, they missed out on a huge opportunity.
ACTQuote Reply
Off to new york city! Wish bubbles luck!
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I went into this sandwich shop here in town to pick up some sandwiches earlier this evening. There aren’t many seats in the establishment, but sitting in one of them was this guy reading a book. After I ordered and was waiting a couple people walked by and asked him for his autograph. Then a couple others went by and did the same thing. I was confused and didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t recognize the guy, but I didn’t want to stare. I figured he’s sitting there reading a book so whatever. Turns out it was this guy:
Fixed.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/08/myth-of-pressure.html
MishQuote Reply
Should we…go somewhere?
(dying laughing)
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I’d like to not be worried about that right now. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
I like how the guy who’s “been in two earthquakes” is the one that didn’t notice the building was shaking.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]I like how the guy who’s “been in two earthquakes” is the one that didn’t notice the building was shaking.[/quote]This is an earthquake.
This is an earthquake.
No fucking shit. Everybody had figured that out already.
mb21Quote Reply
Are we good?
I don’t know.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Are we good?
I don’t know.[/quote]
Dude…
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I saw the preview right before “Green Lantern” (another disappointment especially as a GL fan) and they had a sequence with a slow-mo BB that made me cringe. They also changed Paul DePodesta’s name for some reason.[/quote]
There’s a slo-mo base on balls sequence? Only die-hards are gonna enjoy this film (dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]There’s a slo-mo base on balls sequence? Only die-hards are gonna enjoy this film (dying laughing)[/quote]
Not even kidding. You can see the stitches on the baseball as it snaps just off the plate, the fire in the player’s eyes as he realizes it’s not a strike, and the gratuitous bat flip as he begins his victorious trot to first base. It was the opposite of awesome.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Off to new york city! Wish bubbles luck![/quote]If he’s a
Faget there
He’s gonna be a
Faget anywhere…
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Reuters]Former New York Mets star Lenny Dykstra was charged on Thursday with exposing himself to a string of women who answered his Craigslist employment ads, Los Angeles city prosecutors said on Thursday.[/quote](dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Almost QWOP:
http://firstpersontetris.com/
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Almost QWOP:
http://firstpersontetris.com/%5B/quote%5D
That is funky.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Did anyone see AZ Phil’s recap of Vogelbach’s game versus the AZL Giants yesterday?
“Vogelbach (called “Fat Boy” by the Giants when they first saw him) showed his hitting skill throughout the game, as the opposing pitchers mostly tried to work him away. While he pulled (tomahawked) a high, hanging breaking ball out for the monster HR onto the roof of the batting cages in the 4th, he also hit opposite-field ropes in four other ABs when the Giants tried to stay away from his pull-power (line-drive single to LF in the 1st, L-7 line-drive out in the 3rd, hard-hit 6-3 ground out in the 6th, and a ground rule line-drive double that sliced into the LF corner before going out of play in the 8th). Vogelbach also displayed plenty of patience in his six plate appearances, showing that he is not afraid to go deep into counts and hit with two strikes (the lead-off walk in the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 15-15 was vintage Rickey Henderson).”
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Almost QWOP:
http://firstpersontetris.com/%5B/quote%5D
So tired from kicking that game’s ass.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]”Vogelbach (called “Fat Boy” by the Giants when they first saw him) was vintage Rickey Henderson).”[/quote]
(dying laughing)
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
The first and last time Vogelbach will be mentioned in the same sentence as Rickey Henderson.
I couldn’t think of two more opposite players (dying laughing)
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]The first and last time Vogelbach will be mentioned in the same sentence as Rickey Henderson.
I couldn’t think of two more opposite players (dying laughing)[/quote]Huh? I am expecting Vogelbach to have at least 3 seasons in which he steals 100 bases. (dying laughing)
The fewest SBs Rickey had in a season from age 20 through 34 was 22. I doubt Vogelbach could steal 22 based in a 25 year career. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Next time Alvin talks about Carlos Pena saving a billion runs on defense, kindly show him this: http://www.billjamesonline.com/first_baseman_scoops/
mb21Quote Reply
Wow, Carlos is the leader in scoops by a wide margin, but it’s largely Starlin Castro’s work. Pena looks like he’s above-average, at least.
ACTQuote Reply
I’m surprised Derrek Lee did so poorly, given his reputation. Maybe it’s just age/injuries (as with his hitting, running, etc.).
ACTQuote Reply
The Cubs made 4 errors yesterday and lead the league with 108. Not that errors are the best indicator of how a defense performs, but it sure is worrisome.
I can’t remember the last Cubs team to be really good defensively. If they want to improve next year, that should be one of the first things they to look to correct.
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
The Cubs are tied for last place in DER (% of balls-in-play converted to outs). That’s my favorite defensive metric because there’s nothing subjective about it. They were 4th-best in 2009 and best in 2008.
ACTQuote Reply
Are you guys active in the BB thread throughout the week?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Even the 2008 team didn’t have any really outstanding defenders except for Edmonds, who was quite long in the tooth by that point. Derrek Lee has an excellent defensive reputation, but advanced metrics don’t like him so much.
ACTQuote Reply
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Are you guys active in the BB thread throughout the week?[/quote]A couple of them have been. The last couple haven’t. I’d love to see more people comment about the show, but too many people are too lazy to watch it or discuss. Assholes. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18441675&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_18441675&v=3
lulz
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs are tied for last place in DER[/quote]
Yes, but they’re in first by a wide margin in DERP.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs are tied for last place in DER (% of balls-in-play converted to outs). That’s my favorite defensive metric because there’s nothing subjective about it. They were 4th-best in 2009 and best in 2008.[/quote]It’s become my favorite metric, as well. I’m more inclined these days to weight scouting reports on defense at almost 100%. The current defensive metrics are broken as Colin Wyers has pointed out many times.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]A couple of them have been. The last couple haven’t. I’d love to see more people comment about the show, but too many people are too lazy to watch it or discuss. Assholes. (dying laughing)[/quote]I generally see it 2 or 3 days after it airs.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I generally see it 2 or 3 days after it airs.[/quote]
We should put you in touch with Robert Paulsen.
[quote name=Robert Paulsen]The descriptions with detail here are very well done. If I would choose one word to describe this show, that word would be “awesome”. Now that I have Sling technology with DISH Network, I never miss any episodes of Breaking Bad because I can use my iPhone to watch shows anytime I want. Being that I am a customer and employee of DISH I can’t recommend the TV Everywhere feature enough to anyone who likes TV on the go. Right now new DISH Network customers can get a free Sling Adapter. More info online at http://bit.ly/jy0qna%5B/quote%5D
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
(dying laughing) I didn’t know if that guy was serious or if he was plugging Dish network.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker](dying laughing) I didn’t know if that guy was serious or if he was plugging Dish network.[/quote]I couldn’t tell either. I read it twice and still didn’t know.
mb21Quote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]When the Brewers, Packers play simultaneously, fans are double teamed[/quote]http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/128384628.html
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Sorry, I have Comcast so I don’t feel the need to switch over the Dish Network. In fact, with Comcast Business Class, I can bundle high performance internet, phone, and cable TV service into one great rate that comes on one statement. The internet speeds are significantly faster than DSL, and I get dozens of channels in picturesque high definition quality.
GBTSQuote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Sorry, I have Comcast so I don’t feel the need to switch over the Dish Network. In fact, with Comcast Business Class, I can bundle high performance internet, phone, and cable TV service into one great rate that comes on one statement. The internet speeds are significantly faster than DSL, and I get dozens of channels in picturesque high definition quality.[/quote]
Do you work for Comcast?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]
[/quote]
The depiction of the bumblebee guy and Groundskeeper Willie made me chuckle. Apu looks like Mish.
But where’s the Simpson family? They don’t even have Grandpa.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Why is Fry in the back? Or am I not recognizing someone?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Sorry, I have Comcast so I don’t feel the need to switch over the Dish Network — in fact, with Comcast Business Class, I can bundle high performance internet, phone, and cable TV service into one great rate that comes on one statement — the internet speeds are significantly faster than DSL, and I get dozens of channels in picturesque high definition quality.[/quote]/Alvin’d
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Why is Fry in the back? Or am I not recognizing someone?[/quote]
That’s who I thought it was too.
There’s no Lenny or Dr. Hibbert. The black guy in the right corner has to be Carl then.
I thought the guy with the hat on the right was Fat Tony at first but that didn’t really make sense as Fat Tony has a bit of a mullet.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Jesse]Sorry, I have Comcast so I don’t feel the need to switch over the Dish Network. In fact, with Comcast Business Class, I can bundle high performance internet, phone, and cable TV service into one great rate that comes on one statement. The internet speeds are significantly faster than DSL, and I get dozens of channels in kafkaesque high definition quality, yo.[/quote].
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s who I thought it was too.
There’s no Lenny or Dr. Hibbert. The black guy in the right corner has to be Carl then.
I thought the guy with the hat on the right was Fat Tony at first but that didn’t really make sense as Fat Tony has a bit of a mullet.[/quote]Back right is Senor Ding Dong
alfQuote Reply
[quote name=alf]Back right is Senor Ding Dong[/quote]
Ah, that would explain the funky hat.
Can you name all of them? There are a couple I just can’t place but I’m not as big of a Simpsons-phile as some.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Looks like Q is continuing to platoon Baker with Pena today. Kind of weird since the Cubs apparently decided to keep Pena on with a salary that one would expect of a regular.
ACTQuote Reply
Of course, Pena will probably come in to pinch hit/play defense.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s who I thought it was too.
There’s no Lenny or Dr. Hibbert. The black guy in the right corner has to be Carl then.
I thought the guy with the hat on the right was Fat Tony at first but that didn’t really make sense as Fat Tony has a bit of a mullet.[/quote]
I think the one you thought was Fat Tony is the gambling Texan guy.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I love the depiction of Krusty.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Why is Fry in the back? Or am I not recognizing someone?[/quote]
That is also what i thought too. I can’t think of who else it could possibly be. Maybe a later episode character or something.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]That is also what i thought too. I can’t think of who else it could possibly be. Maybe a later episode character or something.[/quote]
I was thinking Troy McClure but the depiction is a bit too young for that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Who’s the albino-looking guy with goggles that’s between Snake and Moleman?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The depiction of the bumblebee guy and Groundskeeper Willie made me chuckle. Apu looks like Mish.
[/quote]
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]That is also what i thought too. I can’t think of who else it could possibly be. Maybe a later episode character or something.[/quote]
That character does look familiar, but I can’t place him. At first I thought Rory, but it’s not him.
Also, who’s the kid with glasses b/w Burns and Smithers? Milhouse is far right. Who else wore glasses?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]That character does look familiar, but I can’t place him. At first I thought Rory, but it’s not him.
Also, who’s the kid with glasses b/w Burns and Smithers? Milhouse is far right. Who else wore glasses?[/quote]
I was thinking it was Artie (Arnie?) Ziff. That guy voiced by Jon Lovitz who tried to seduce Marge.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) just noticed the duck that works at the Nuclear Plant behind comic book guy.
MishQuote Reply
The wife and I are attempting to ID all the ones I missed. I think 424 is right about the Texas gambler guy, but I was thrown off because I thought he had a moustache.
The albino-looking goggles guy is difficult to place.
The one girl in the back with the ponytail (not Cletus’ wife) also escapes me.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I think the one you thought was Fat Tony is the gambling Texan guy.[/quote]
Ahh that’s right. I was thinking Rex Banner but he had more hair.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The wife and I are attempting to ID all the ones I missed. I think 424 is right about the Texas gambler guy, but I was thrown off because I thought he had a moustache.
The albino-looking goggles guy is difficult to place.
The one girl in the back with the ponytail (not Cletus’ wife) also escapes me.[/quote]
Is she the belly dancer from the episode where homer gets caught?
The guy with goggles looks familiar but can’t place him either. Treehouse of Horror episode maybe?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]That character does look familiar, but I can’t place him. At first I thought Rory, but it’s not him.
Also, who’s the kid with glasses b/w Burns and Smithers? Milhouse is far right. Who else wore glasses?[/quote]The kid is the one nerd from the Super Friends in the comet episode, can’t remember his name.
I totally know the albino guy and its killing me that I can’t place him.
GBTSQuote Reply
Isn’t he a Radioactive Man villain?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Is she the belly dancer from the episode where homer gets caught?[/quote]
That makes a ton of sense.
The goggles guy I thought was Bender if they also stuck Fry in there. But too human-looking.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]The kid is the one nerd from the Super Friends in the comet episode, can’t remember his name.
I totally know the albino guy and its killing me that I can’t place him.[/quote]
Data I think – he’s also the “Team Discovery Channel” guy.
MishQuote Reply
The guy with goggles is behind Groening and Lovejoy here:
MishQuote Reply
^^^ Nothing here lends itself to Fry
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Data I think – he’s also the “Team Discovery Channel” guy.[/quote]That was Martin and Nelson, you IDIOT.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]That was Martin and Nelson, you IDIOT.[/quote]You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct…
MishQuote Reply
YES
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]A couple of them have been. The last couple haven’t. I’d love to see more people comment about the show, but too many people are too lazy to watch it or discuss. Assholes. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Tell those AMC fuckers to re-air the show during the week on a day when I’m not driving all night.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Someone needs to attach the Simpsons pick to one of these Fry pics and write “Not sure if me or obscure Simpsons reference”
MishQuote Reply
Variance.
GBTSQuote Reply
I thought Dr Colossus was one of Barman’s villains.
That was also the name of my high school car.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Variance.[/quote]
He’s now on pace to throw nothing but scoreless innings for the rest of his career.
BerseliusQuote Reply
That was unexpected.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/brett-jackson-and-strikeouts.html
mb21Quote Reply
First Castro, now B-Jax for the I-Cubs. Leadoff HRs FTW.
Rice CubeQuote Reply