I’ve talked about this before and how it is one of the highlights of my life, so let’s just sit quietly and enjoy MLB allowing me to embed this video for the first time in the history of ever.
Happy 27th Anniversary, Sandberg Game. Dude, we’re getting old.
Comments
This might be the best thing to every happen to this blog.
MishQuote Reply
Happy birthday, Aisley.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Well, consider also that he’s a year older than Castro, and look at the gap between the two. I know Szczur went to college, & therefore, etc. but what Law is probably thinking is that most guys that are destine to be stars aren’t beating up on A+ pitching at age 22. If Szczur can slug .400+ at AA, then he might be something, but almost all the scouting reports that I saw suggested his swing would not be able to generate power vs. MLB pitching.[/quote]
fwiw, the midwest league is a pitcher’s league. last I checked he was top 10 in woba; that will play for a cf. I’m higher on him than I was, I think he deserves a little slack regarding his age for having recently started focusing full time on baseball.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Happy birthday, Aisley.[/quote]
Thanks, Ricey.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Muskat’s mail:
Koyie —> split-finger + cutter!
/recycled joke
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]fwiw, the midwest league is a pitcher’s league. last I checked he was top 10 in woba; that will play for a cf. I’m higher on him than I was, I think he deserves a little slack regarding his age for having recently started focusing full time on baseball.[/quote]I’m not down on him. I’m just saying there’s good reason for Law saying what he said. It’s not like KG telling everyone Castro was slow, in defiance of every other scout and Castro’s actual performance. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]
[/quote]
I’ve seen this episode millions of time but just now the absurdity of Mr. Burns wearing a “Mr. Burns” sash.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m not down on him. I’m just saying there’s good reason for Law saying what he said. It’s not like KG telling everyone Castro was slow, in defiance of every other scout and Castro’s actual performance. (dying laughing)[/quote]
agreed.
GWQuote Reply
Riggleman’s resignation:
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Instead of throwing to first base, Sandoval lumbers after the guy who broke off 2B almost all the way back to 2B and just gets him with a diving panda paw tag. WTF (dying laughing)
Giants win!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Joe Nathan ———-> Activated from DL after TJS surgery.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Sutter’s reaction to the second homer always kills me. Good times…
uncle daveQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]it’s not that they get better, it’s that the baseline for comparison gets worse.[/quote]Yeah, this. I’d be curious how many players who have a decent sample size in CF and then a corner got worse. I know the number is small and I’m betting in most cases the player who moved to the corner had injuries.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) no doubt.
mb21Quote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16207315
Because that was apparently easier than throwing to first to end the game, right? (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, this. I’d be curious how many players who have a decent sample size in CF and then a corner got worse. I know the number is small and I’m betting in most cases the player who moved to the corner had injuries.[/quote]Dawson?
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Dawson?[/quote]Dawson is an example of a player who was healthy when he played CF and then pretty much working on a Soriano-ish body by the time he moved to RF.
mb21Quote Reply
I guess the point I’m trying to make is that it’s not really theoretical. There’s a reason why teams move players from the left of the defensive spectrum to the right. Sure, there’s the occasional player who is probably worse, but the overwhelming majority are better. Move Castro to LF and when you compare his defense to guys like Soriano, he’s going to look pretty damn good. Comparing him to SS makes him look pretty bad.
mb21Quote Reply
Soriano’s defensive numbers definitely jumped up a lot when he moved to LF. It helps to be compared to the likes of Manny and Dunn, and those baserunner kills were nice, too.
ACTQuote Reply
Yeah, there’s no doubt that the overwhelming majority of players improve when they move to the right on the defensive spectrum. We not only have statistical evidence, but we have common sense based on how players are moved to different positions in the minor leagues. Scouts have said Castro may not stick at SS. Where do they have him going? To an easier position. Might Castro actually be worse at 2nd or 3rd? Sure, it’s entirely possible, but it’s a complete waste of time to discuss that possibility. The same is true with Brett Jackson’s defense in a corner outfield spot. The reports I’ve read say he’s average to above average in CF. He’d likely be +5 or higher in a corner, which is plus or plus-plus as was said in the last thread.
mb21Quote Reply
Hey mb-y, I thought you were in KC to watch the Royals.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, there’s no doubt that the overwhelming majority of players improve when they move to the right on the defensive spectrum. We not only have statistical evidence, but we have common sense based on how players are moved to different positions in the minor leagues. Scouts have said Castro may not stick at SS. Where do they have him going? To an easier position. Might Castro actually be worse at 2nd or 3rd? Sure, it’s entirely possible, but it’s a complete waste of time to discuss that possibility. The same is true with Brett Jackson’s defense in a corner outfield spot. The reports I’ve read say he’s average to above average in CF. He’d likely be +5 or higher in a corner, which is plus or plus-plus as was said in the last thread.[/quote]
Yes, I think the key thing here is not that the player improves and his skills get better, but that the player improves his distance from being a liability with the glove. You don’t stick a slow poke in CF, you “hide” him in LF, RF, or 1B as he has less to do to not be a liability at those spots.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Nathan actually started the year as the closer MO. And sucked and went back the DL
dylanjQuote Reply
i understand the idea of moving a CF to a corner spot and how they should improve. And it makes sense but I dont think I’ve ever seen data to back it up.
dylanjQuote Reply
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/fielding_differences_in_the_positions/
Tango explains his findings using UZR in that post and Colin’s first post in the comments thread links to a spreadsheet containing lots of data.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]i understand the idea of moving a CF to a corner spot and how they should improve. And it makes sense but I dont think I’ve ever seen data to back it up.[/quote]
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]Yes, I think the key thing here is not that the player improves and his skills get better, but that the player improves his distance from being a liability with the glove. You don’t stick a slow poke in CF, you “hide” him in LF, RF, or 1B as he has less to do to not be a liability at those spots.[/quote]
They don’t improve, the amount they can help the team versus the average fielder with the glove is what improves, often because this lessens the damage they do the club with the glove on.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Hendry is being interviewed in Omaha right now at the Virginia-Cal elimination game.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hey mb-y, I thought you were in KC to watch the Royals.[/quote]I fly to KC tomorrow. I’m done with my meetings and just hanging out in the hotel room right now. I get to see Dempy, Z, and Wellsy so I’m pretty happy. Would rather see Garzy than Wellsy, but at least it isn’t Dougie.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]They don’t improve, the amount they can help the team versus the average fielder with the glove is what improves, often because this lessens the damage they do the club with the glove on.[/quote]Yeah, it’s easier to play LF/RF than it is to play CF. The reason if fairly obvious. The CF covers a lot more ground than the corner outfielder does. The CF has a lot more balls hit into his zones than the corner outfielders do. More balls in zone equals more chances to to add runs above or below average. Less chances, and lesser fielders, means less chances to hurt the team and now the same fielder is compared to lesser fielders.
As for data, it exists. A SS gains 5 runs on defense by moving to 2nd, 3rd or CF. A 2nd, 3rd or CF gains 5 runs by moving to LF/RF. A LF/RF gains 5 runs by moving to 1st. It’s not that they get better. They have lesser fielders to compete against.
The SS has more balls hit in his zone than 2B/3B/CF do. Right handed hitters tend to pull the ball.
The bottom line is that the most difficult positions on the field are the ones that have the field the ball the most. That’s why catcher is the most difficult position. It’s involved in every play. After that is SS, 2B/3B/CF, LF/RF, 1B, DH.
Since Bill James came up with the defensive spectrum, it’s been revised a time or two and each time with data backing it up.
mb21Quote Reply
If Marshon Brooks falls to the Bulls at 28, I will flip a fucking shit.
GBTSQuote Reply
Those 5 runs per position change are a ballpark figure.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I fly to KC tomorrow. I’m done with my meetings and just hanging out in the hotel room right now. I get to see Dempy, Z, and Wellsy so I’m pretty happy. Would rather see Garzy than Wellsy, but at least it isn’t Dougie.[/quote]
Garzy is pitching against the Rockies on Monday to make up for the earlier wussout.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
No more Cal in College World Series.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Trey McNutt tonight:
5 batters faced; 4 walks and a line drive single. Then lifted with no one out in the bottom of the 1st. 26 pitches…. 8 strikes.
Gameday makes no suggestion of an injury and it was the 2nd mound visit he came out on.
Tennessee sucked in general tonight, with the exception of Clevenger who had half the hits and the only XBH.
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Trey McNutt tonight:
5 batters faced; 4 walks and a line drive single. Then lifted with no one out in the bottom of the 1st. 26 pitches…. 8 strikes.
[/quote]
He’s ready.
Aisle424Quote Reply
On Sandberg’s 2-homer game: Ha! Too young to remember this. But just barely. I do remember growing up with Sandberg as 2nd baseman, though. I started to become aware of baseball a couple years after this.
binkyQuote Reply
i think this was mcnutts first game since he busted his ribs a few weeks back
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]If Marshon Brooks falls to the Bulls at 28, I will flip a fucking shit.[/quote]
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I know in terms of ticket sales, sending Castro to the minors is a bad move, but could it be done under the pretense that they need him to learn second base?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I know in terms of ticket sales, sending Castro to the minors is a bad move, but could it be done under the pretense that they need him to learn second base?[/quote]Not without seriously pissing off MLBPA…and Hendry is already on their shit list.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I know in terms of ticket sales, sending Castro to the minors is a bad move, but could it be done under the pretense that they need him to learn second base?[/quote]
I swear we already talked about this before (dying laughing)
You guys see this?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-insider/2011/06/stark-cubs-officials-claim-wrigley-maybe-beyond-rehab.html
The plot thickens!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I swear we already talked about this before (dying laughing)
You guys see this?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-insider/2011/06/stark-cubs-officials-claim-wrigley-maybe-beyond-rehab.html
The plot thickens![/quote]Ah, get it condemned. Interesting strategy.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Ah, get it condemned. Interesting strategy.[/quote]
It just might work.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Not without seriously pissing off MLBPA…and Hendry is already on their shit list.[/quote]Just for general shittiness?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I swear we already talked about this before (dying laughing)
You guys see this?
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-insider/2011/06/stark-cubs-officials-claim-wrigley-maybe-beyond-rehab.html
The plot thickens![/quote]
If Ricketts is doing what I suspect he’s doing, it’s very shrewd…but maybe pointless, for two reasons.
1.) He can’t hold the state hostage by threatening to move. There. Is. No. Money. But this is a clever gambit.
2.) It’s being played through the media, which will turn off the very people whose palms he needs to be greasing. Chicago politicos like things to be done discreetly, and Ricketts is behaving like a bull in a china shop.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Just for general shittiness?[/quote]He did not provide Bradley’s people with written notice of suspension, as he must per the CBA, a move which almost brought a grievance, and there were reports that MLBPA were none too happy with the suspension of Zambrano last season. Sending down Castro just to save money would almost certainly draw a grievance, either from the player, via his agent, or the MLBPA.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If Ricketts is doing what I suspect he’s doing, it’s very shrewd…but maybe pointless, for two reasons.
1.) He can’t hold the state hostage by threatening to move. There. Is. No. Money. But this is a clever gambit.
2.) It’s being played through the media, which will turn off the very people whose palms he needs to be greasing. Chicago politicos like things to be done discreetly, and Ricketts is behaving like a bull in a china shop.[/quote]I forgot about what happened with Bradley. As far as the field goes, maybe he’s trying to beat the politicians at their own game? Maybe they figure if they can get a grassroots support, they might be able to work up enough fervor to get people to vote against their own financial security and approve a new “Wrigley only” tax. Not saying it is a good idea or would work, but it could be the thought process.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If Ricketts is doing what I suspect he’s doing, it’s very shrewd…but maybe pointless, for two reasons.
1.) He can’t hold the state hostage by threatening to move. There. Is. No. Money. But this is a clever gambit.
2.) It’s being played through the media, which will turn off the very people whose palms he needs to be greasing. Chicago politicos like things to be done discreetly, and Ricketts is behaving like a bull in a china shop.[/quote]
Agree with you on both points. I’d like to see how his fundraising goes though. Allegedly he has $200MM that he wants to match with state funds that he’s not going to get, so let’s see what happens.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I forgot about what happened with Bradley. As far as the field goes, maybe he’s trying to beat the politicians at their own game? Maybe they figure if they can get a grassroots support, they might be able to work up enough fervor to get people to vote against their own financial security and approve a new “Wrigley only” tax. Not saying it is a good idea or would work, but it could be the thought process.[/quote]I can’t imagine too many Cub fans wanting to be a part of a “We’re Going to Tear Down Wrigley” grassroots campaign. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Hmmm…theoretically, what do you think would happen if Ricketts was flat out honest and said that Wrigley Field is past its useful life and that the Cubs cannot waste any more money maintaining it as their home and instead would divert money to building a new park in the suburbs? I assume there will be lots of rioting (figuratively and literally) but there’s a shred of truth to those statements and people have to see that…right?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Agree with you on both points. I’d like to see how his fundraising goes though. Allegedly he has $200MM that he wants to match with state funds that he’s not going to get, so let’s see what happens.[/quote]But he needs 3 times that amount. Matching funds (that, as you say, he’s simply not going to get) still leaves him short.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hmmm…theoretically, what do you think would happen if Ricketts was flat out honest and said that Wrigley Field is past its useful life and that the Cubs cannot waste any more money maintaining it as their home and instead would divert money to building a new park in the suburbs? I assume there will be lots of rioting (figuratively and literally) but there’s a shred of truth to those statements and people have to see that…right?[/quote]I honestly can’t imagine what the reception of that announcement would be.
FWIW, Aisle 424 has had people in the know tell him the the steel girders that support Wrigley, that sit in the underbelly of the stadium, are literally crumbling.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I honestly can’t imagine what the reception of that announcement would be.
FWIW, Aisle 424 has had people in the know tell him the the steel girders that support Wrigley, that sit in the underbelly of the stadium, are literally crumbling.[/quote]
I think they also said that most of the stadium funds are separate from the payroll but it’s all coming from the same finite pot. I guess we’ll see in a couple months what they do, depending on the draft picks they are able to sign and what not.
Also, this is amusing…
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/baserunner-caught-in-rundown-bites-cyanide-capsule,20710/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
If Wrigley literally collapses and kills people…..they probably still won’t believe it.
binkyQuote Reply
What you have to do is get Wrigley officially condemned. Then you might be able to win people over. “Help save the team!”
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]What you have to do is get Wrigley officially condemned. Then you might be able to win people over. “Help save the team!”[/quote]Well, it’s a landmark, so probably quite a lot.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Probably easier to get the Cubs condemned than Wrigley (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
Can’t believe the Mavs picked Jordan Hamilton and then flipped him for
Nolascosome spare.Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Can’t believe the Mavs picked Jordan Hamilton and then flipped him for
Nolascosome spare.[/quote]Don’t worry, it will manifest itself as Matt Cain soon enough.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Probably easier to get the Cubs condemned than Wrigley (dying laughing)[/quote]Sabotage. I know a guy who knows a guy.
binkyQuote Reply
Hey Alvin, let’s go ride on the world’s tallest wooden rollercoaster. Don’t worry, they checked it out in 1968.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Hey Alvin, let’s go ride on the world’s tallest wooden rollercoaster. Don’t worry, they checked it out in 1968.[/quote]
Events just 40 years ago are events I’ve recently enjoyed.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Don’t worry, it will manifest itself as Matt Cain soon enough.[/quote]
Jordan Hamilton for Rudy Fernandez? Hated it.
/Men on Sports
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
/Men on Men[/quote]
.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]/Men on Men[/quote]
If that’s what you want.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If Ricketts is doing what I suspect he’s doing, it’s very shrewd…but maybe pointless, for two reasons.
1.) He can’t hold the state hostage by threatening to move. There. Is. No. Money. But this is a clever gambit.
2.) It’s being played through the media, which will turn off the very people whose palms he needs to be greasing. Chicago politicos like things to be done discreetly, and Ricketts is behaving like a bull in a china shop.[/quote]
I actually disagree with both of these. I think we said early on this is exactly how you should play it. No reason for the Cubs execs to pile on Wrigley and be hated even more when the media can do it for them. As for the money, the money will suddenly be there if the Cubs threaten to move and if Stark and his source are right, that’s where this is headed. There may be no money at all, but there’s a lot of people that can be fired to create money to keep the Cubs in Chicago.
The politicians will come down on the side of their constituents in the end. They can talk tough early and probably will, but the Cubs aren’t leaving Chicago. The city would kick the White Sox out of town before that happened. The Cubs make too much money for the city for that to even be considered.
I’m skeptical of Stark’s source, but if what he wrote is accurate, this appears the direction they’re heading and I think it’s perfectly played. Perhaps it should have been done 18 months ago, but it’s not too late.
There’s one thing I know as an absolute fact: the Cubs are staying in Chicago.
My guess is they’re playing this through the media right now to get the funds to rehab Wrigley like Yankee Stadium was and this means additional land being purchased nearby Wrigley that would allow for better facilities.
I’m OK with Ricketts if he is being the bully. He can be. There’s no way the city lets the Cubs leave so Ricketts should let them know this. That’s how other owners have gotten the money they “needed” to build a new stadium.
Unfortunately, Ricketts is still a dumbass so I’m not sure we can be certain of any logical path this is taking. (dying laughing)
mb2111111Quote Reply
Can you do anything fun with this, Ryno?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Agree with you on both points. I’d like to see how his fundraising goes though. Allegedly he has $200MM that he wants to match with state funds that he’s not going to get, so let’s see what happens.[/quote]I think what we see in the near future is that the state suddenly finds a piggy bank they had lost that has $200 million and offer it to Ricketts to help renovate Wrigley. If Ricketts has even half a brain, he then tells them to give him $800 million more so he can build the Cubs a new stadium.
Like Mish, I hate the public financing these stadiums, but it’s done in other cities and there’s no reason Ricketts shouldn’t take advantage of it either.
mb2111111Quote Reply
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110623/sports/706239814/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I can’t imagine too many Cub fans wanting to be a part of a “We’re Going to Tear Down Wrigley” grassroots campaign. (dying laughing)[/quote]Sometimes I wish we had a typical Cubs fan base here so a poll would be somewhat representative of what the fans think. Many of us are not anything like the average Cubs fan so any poll asking such a question here would likely represent the opposite of what the average fan thinks. (dying laughing)
mb2111111Quote Reply
Joe Poz’s Top 14 dominating performances; you should click through but there’s this:
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/06/14-most-dominant-performances.html
MishQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I fixed that for Joe Poz. He must have made an error when publishing the list. Easy fix. No big deal.
mb2111111Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb2111111]I fixed that for Joe Poz. He must have made an error when publishing the list. Easy fix. No big deal.[/quote]
Joe Poz says a horse > Kerry Wood
MishQuote Reply
McNutt ——-> 0+ IP, 4 BB, 1 H, 2 R
Fuck.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110623/sports/706239814/[/quote]
I do like how it usually takes more than one pitch to get Kosuke out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/24/2012-top-111-free-agents-nos-20-1/
MishQuote Reply
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2007356/Shocked-woman-dies-funeral-heart-attack.html
MishQuote Reply
MB’s new shit: http://obstructedview.net/articles/general/blacks-in-mlb-baseball-and-how-it-relates-to-the-college-scholarship.html
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=mb2111111]I actually disagree with both of these. I think we said early on this is exactly how you should play it. No reason for the Cubs execs to pile on Wrigley and be hated even more when the media can do it for them. As for the money, the money will suddenly be there if the Cubs threaten to move and if Stark and his source are right, that’s where this is headed. There may be no money at all, but there’s a lot of people that can be fired to create money to keep the Cubs in Chicago.
The politicians will come down on the side of their constituents in the end. They can talk tough early and probably will, but the Cubs aren’t leaving Chicago. The city would kick the White Sox out of town before that happened. The Cubs make too much money for the city for that to even be considered.
I’m skeptical of Stark’s source, but if what he wrote is accurate, this appears the direction they’re heading and I think it’s perfectly played. Perhaps it should have been done 18 months ago, but it’s not too late.
There’s one thing I know as an absolute fact: the Cubs are staying in Chicago.
My guess is they’re playing this through the media right now to get the funds to rehab Wrigley like Yankee Stadium was and this means additional land being purchased nearby Wrigley that would allow for better facilities.
I’m OK with Ricketts if he is being the bully. He can be. There’s no way the city lets the Cubs leave so Ricketts should let them know this. That’s how other owners have gotten the money they “needed” to build a new stadium.
Unfortunately, Ricketts is still a dumbass so I’m not sure we can be certain of any logical path this is taking. (dying laughing)[/quote]Trust me. He’s going to piss off the wrong people with this move. These guys could give a fat shit about their constituents. They only care about what can line their pockets. They pacify their voting base by giving lip service to a pet cause, maybe throwing them a scrap or two, but they really don’t care. Honestly, you should read up on the Democratic machine in Chicago. It works in a very particular way, and not like any other particular political system I’ve ever seen.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply