What opposing players say doesn’t mean much, because a team that just got beat probably isn’t in the mood to praise a phenom. But saying “he’s the same as when he was a reliever — nothing special” is pretty stupid. If he’s out there throwing the same as when he was a reliever, and doing it over four+ innings instead of one, then that’s a great thing — since he was basically unhittable as a reliever. If Joba rocks it out every inning as a starter the same way he did as a reliever, then that would make him the best starter in baseball.

Plus, looking at his stuff and thinking it’s nothing special is absurd. Joba’s fastball and slider are potentially the best in baseball.

Much ado about nothing…

No, but in the playoffs he’s been pretty darn close.

Josh Beckett gets his ass kissed a lot for having had one good season. Josh Beckett isn’t Curt Schilling yet.

How often do you hear opposing players praise a guy who gave up six baserunners in fewer than five innings? Yes Joba was better, mostly because he didn’t walk the park. But he was far from unhittable, and he isn’t Josh Beckett yet.

When he goes 8 and gives up two hits and one walk, then you might hear some praise from the other clubhouse.

I don’t think it’s that big a deal. The truth is that Joba WAS nothing special yesterday. He improved over last Tuesday but he wasn’t as good as we all think he can be. This is just the Royals trying to say something to make themselves feel better about being 15 games under .500. Again.