WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 5/4/09
Posted by Steve L. on May 4th, 2009 · Comments (27)
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As butchie22 said in the topic below this one: “To add insult to injury, I couldn’t stand looking at Sleaza Roberts’ mug. She has a face made for radio.Her inherent mania for Arod, whether it is hyper penis envy(man hating lesbian )or just plain obsessed with Arod is quite strange,”
My question to all is…
What did you guys think of the WFAN interview? And the Mike and Mike interview on radio today?
I refuse to discuss the Selena book so I’ll just say something else:
Other than the first couple of games vs. Cleveland, the Yanks have had crap weather at the new ballpark. We got rained out vs. the A’s, played them in fog, and then had a miserably damp weekend. Good grief, can we PLEASE get some good weather for our homestands?!
And another thing: as bad as Jorge looked trying to throw out runners this weekend vs. the Angels, I was THRILLED to see Carl Crawford light up Jason Varitek like that yesterday.
I was THRILLED to see Carl Crawford light up Jason Varitek like that yesterday.
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Me too! I was a catcher all my life until the dream died after college, and nothing was more annoying than when one guy had your number like that. There were two throws that Varitek put on a line, right to the bag and Crawford still beat him…had to be frustrating.
What did you guys think of the WFAN interview? And the Mike and Mike interview on radio today?
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I don’t listen to either, so I’d have to say “no comment.”
And yes, MJ, it was great to see Crawford running wild on the bases. He stole on the pitcher, he stole on the catcher. Didn’t watch the game, shoulda tuned in; it was on TBS, but I wonder how often they threw over to keep him close?
Me too! I was a catcher all my life until the dream died after college, and nothing was more annoying than when one guy had your number like that. There were two throws that Varitek put on a line, right to the bag and Crawford still beat him…had to be frustrating.
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I was a catcher too. I know exactly what you mean. Crawford just owned the Sox yesterday.
I know the Yanks have done a fairly poor job with advanced scouting over the past few years but I hope someone was watching yesterday. The Yanks should be aggressive on the basepaths and if they get the opportunity to do so, they should test Varitek’s arm again over the next three days.
but I wonder how often they threw over to keep him close?
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Good point. Penny didn’t do his part and, in fairness*, not all the steals were off the catcher.
*I hate being fair to Varitek. He’s my least favorite Red Sock of all time. Classless bum.
he Yanks should be aggressive on the basepaths and if they get the opportunity to do so, they should test Varitek’s arm again over the next three days.
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Agreed, although it will be tough against Lester when the lefty keeps you close and still gets the ball to Tek at 95 mph, but they can certainly run all over Beckett if given the chance.
Btw, it’s always fun to talk to catchers. If you had to characterize yourself as a type of catcher, which mlb catcher would you fall under? The all bat and no glove type like Jorgy or Victor Martinez, or the all defense and little bat like Molina? Names of catchers can be subbed, of course.
Btw, it’s always fun to talk to catchers. If you had to characterize yourself as a type of catcher, which mlb catcher would you fall under? The all bat and no glove type like Jorgy or Victor Martinez, or the all defense and little bat like Molina?
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Jose Molina would be the best comparison. I’m a big guy like he is, I had no bat or foot speed, but I had a strong arm and worked the plate well with the glove. The only thing I was never good at behind the dish was getting to foul pop-ups. To this day, it’s the part of the catcher’s job that amazes me the most. You have to be so fast to spring up, toss the mask and locate the ball in the air.
Being born in 1975, I’m a little older than you so the catchers I idolized most were Tony Pena of the Pirates/Cardinals and Benito Santiago of the Padres. I loved Pena’s unorthodox squat behind the plate (you’d have to see it to know what I’m talking about) and I loved how Benny Santiago was the fist catcher I remember who could fire it down to second base from his knees.
Ever since Tony Pena joined the Yanks’ coaching staff, I’ve been thrilled. He was seriously one of my idols.
*fist = first
They should have installed a retractable roof in the new stadium. Rainouts don’t benefit anyone and trying to reschedule the games can become a nightmare. Safeco Field in Seattle is beautiful; it has an open air feel when the roof is open and functions nicely when the roof is closed. The weather is hardly an issue, which is exactly what everyone wants.
And don’t tell me there wasn’t enough money. If dinky Seattle can build a top notch stadium with a retractable roof, so can New York.
And don’t tell me there wasn’t enough money. If dinky Seattle can build a top notch stadium with a retractable roof, so can New York.
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The new ballpark cost somewhere along the lines of $1.3 billion dollars. How much did Seattle’s cost? Generally speaking, I’ve heard that retractable roofs cost around $300 million. Perhaps they just felt like $1.3 billion was enough.
And, frankly, as great as retractable roofs are, the Yanks played outdoors since their inception. It’s a nice thing to have but it’s not absolutely necessary.
Jose Molina would be the best comparison. I’m a big guy like he is, I had no bat or foot speed, but I had a strong arm and worked the plate well with the glove.
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Love the comparison, I was much more of a Mike Matheny catcher. Blocked everything, threw very well and was quick. But the bat just wasn’t comparable. That’s why i’m really impressed when catchers come along and are just complete players
That’s why i’m really impressed when catchers come along and are just complete players
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Agree completely. Its why I wish Joe Mauer could stay healthy. He’s the best all-around catcher since Pudge Rodriguez who was the best all-around catcher I ever saw.
so this is why we all like to play manager huh?
The all bat and no glove type like Jorgy or Victor Martinez, or the all defense and little bat like Molina?
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FWIW, in the leagues I’ve played in, catchers were always at a premium. Hard to sit back there for 3 hours while your pitcher isn’t throwing strikes.
I tried catching for one inning using the Dale Long method, and that was more than enough for me. Don’t envy you guys one bit.
FWIW, IIRC, when Bill James did his Catcher Pride Points analysis,
http://waswatching.com/2009/04/05/the-bill-james-gold-mine-2009/
Bill Dickey finished with the most career pride points, again, IIRC.
Bill Dickey finished with the most career pride points, again, IIRC.
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I’d love to see that list. Do you happen to know where Yogi ranked? Considering he caught the Larsen game and two no-no’s by Allie Reynolds, plus all those All-Star games, etc. he must be up there too.
I tried catching for one inning using the Dale Long method, and that was more than enough for me. Don’t envy you guys one bit.
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Funny, I tried playing at 3B and RF and hated them both. 3B was just scary with the balls flying past me and RF was the most boring place on earth.
There was no place on the diamond that I’d rather have been than behind the dish.
There was no place on the diamond that I’d rather have been than behind the dish.
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That’s because you never caught me
There was no place on the diamond that I’d rather have been than behind the dish.
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Amen brother.
There was no place on the diamond that I’d rather have been than behind the dish
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One exception though, the last few summers i’ve been playing vintage baseball…1800s rules and 1800s ball, unis, etc. The LAST place you want to be is behind the dish catching that hard baseball with your bare hands. Playing that kind of ball makes you seriously consider how crazy the early catchers of the game were…which is extremely insane if you ask me.
One exception though, the last few summers i’ve been playing vintage baseball…1800s rules and 1800s ball, unis, etc. The LAST place you want to be is behind the dish catching that hard baseball with your bare hands. Playing that kind of ball makes you seriously consider how crazy the early catchers of the game were…which is extremely insane if you ask me.
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Yikes! I’ll stick to this era’s baseball, thank you very much. I don’t think I’d care to stick my bare hand out there to receive a pitch. You’re LOCO buddy!
That’s because you never caught me
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LOL Raf!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/05/04/arod.pitch.tipping/
something to read if we get a rain delay today…
Why is Angel Berroa playing instead of Ramiro Pena? Jose Molina has looked very shaky on defense today, something he should be good at! Why is Matsui, who is raking, not in the lineup? Angel Berroa is a failure and I don’t think anyone trusts Molina to hit in the clutch. Who did Girardi consult when he made this abomination of a lineup, and does he really expect this pathetic lineup to beat Lester?
As soon as I rant about this, everyone starts proving me wrong. Its a good thing though.