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10-3

One thing I hate when browsing my feed reader is seeing nothing but apologies for lack of posting, so you won't find that here. I'll offer no apology for being too busy enjoying a wedding or a gorgeous holiday weekend. But the Sox, and the rest of the AL Central, haven't sat still in my absence, so rather than a game recap, I thought I'd just give a brief roundup on the last couple of weeks.

Jenks' Back Issues

Bobby Jenks hasn't pitched since June 28th, went for an MRI on his upper back, and although he was given a thumbs up, he might not be available for the first-half closing road trip. He wasn't exactly in top form over the last month, with just one 1-2-3 inning in his last 12 outings. And while the bullpen has hasn't been spectacular in Jenks' absence, with Scott Linebrink struggling, in particular, I'm not in any hurry for him to come back.

The first and most obvious reason is that I want a 100% healthy Jenks, not 85% or 95%, but 100%. And if that means a trip to the DL, so be it. (Remember we suffered through a 2006 season when seemingly everyone in the rotation could have used a break, and we know how that turned out.) Another reason is Matt Thornton, who has allowed just 12 hits while striking out 24 in his last 21 appearances.

Thornton would be my choice to close out games right now. I don't but much into the theory that there are guys who can pitch in high leverage 8th innings situations but can't hack it in the 9th, but it remove two guys who haven't exactly had success in their brief stints as closers. Linebrink has actually expressed a desire to stay out of that role. I've probably put too much time writing about this already, so I'll just stop now.

The Konerko Kwandry

In addition the Jenks/bullpen mess, Paul Konerko could be coming off the DL any day now. While conventional wisdom seems to be that his return will hasten the trade of Juan Uribe, I'd bet that the Sox would just as soon put Bobby on the DL and avoid rushed decision if Jenks is out much longer. Jenks will be eligible to be back after the All-Star break, giving the Sox extra time to make there roster decisions.

If Jenks returns to bullpen duty as usual, the roster crunch could get more complicated, which is another reason I don't think they should rush him back. Either Pablo Ozuna or Dewayne Wise could be DFAd, because nobody will bother to claim them, or Brian Anderson could be optioned, or Uribe could be gone to the Dodgers or Orioles.

As poorly as Uribe has played over the last two plus seasons, I have a hard time believing the Sox are a better team without him on the bench. Uribe, a quality glove man, is Sox best backup at 3 positions, even though he's only used at two of them, and offers some unusual pop for a bench middle-infield bat. And removing him from the roster would leave Ozuna as the primary backup at 2B, 3B, and I assume SS. Chris Getz, who has seen time at short in Charlotte this season, is only a phone call away, but that seems like a really thin infield, pun intended, if Uribe's no longer around.

All-Star Selections

Individually, I can understand why each player on the Sox Major League best pitching staff was left off the roster, but it's hard to figure out how that happens. The staff has combined for the lowest ERA in baseball while playing in a high run-scoring environment. How does everyone get left at home?

There's still the opportunity for the Sox to add one more with Jermaine Dye on the 32nd man ballot, but I think his road will be tougher than Scott Podsednik and AJ Pierzynski in front of him. In those elections, the Sox were able to Get Out The Vote thanks in large part to home series during the balloting. This meant a constant reminder in the form of a backstop graphic, and a stream of interviews in the booth and shots of teammates voting in the dugout. Those efforts will be considerably harder while on the road. So even though JD's only real competition is Jason Giambi, I don't expect him to make it.

Those Pesky Twins

I'm not a scoreboard watcher. I'm of the mind that if you take care of the opponents on your schedule, you won't have to worry about the rest of the division. Still, it's hard to ignore a 16-2 run.

The Twins started by beating up on the NL Central, and have continued to do the same this week sagainst the AL Central also-rans. I think it goes without saying that the Twins aren't going to continue to lose only 2 games every 3 weeks, but they're not be taken lightly. It's going to take more than 90 wins to take the division now. The good news is that 91 wins is 20 games over, and the Sox sit at 14 over right now.

The Sox have a soft schedule until they travel to Detroit and Minnesota in late July, which gives them another opportunity to gain some breathing room, and possibly creep towards that 20-over number. Maybe I'll start worrying about the nightly division standings then, but I doubt it.

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I think you missed the memo Cheat

It’s Kornerko now.

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 7, 2008 2:21 AM CDT   0 recs

But the Twins are amazing and will never lose games for the rest of the season arghh!!!111

As far as the closer situation goes. Linebrink doesn’t look comfortable in that role, and if he’s expressed desire to not close games, then shit don’t let him near a save opportunity this week unless the Sox are up big time.

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 7, 2008 8:35 AM CDT   0 recs

Um, how would it be a save situation if the Sox were up "big time"?

He’s never, never going to pitch 3 innings in a game.

Has he stated that he doesn’t want to close? If so, it’s a no-brainer not to put him there. I’d rather see even Dotel in that situation than an uncomfortable Liney. (And how Cust didn’t cream that hanger yesterday in the 9th is another good omen for us – were very lucky re: the result.)

CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.

by winningugly on Jul 7, 2008 8:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't like Linebrink as the closer...

but I don’t think that Dotel is a good option either because he walks too many guys. Dotel has a 1.31 WHIP.

I prefer playing the matchups like madvillian just posted below.

by SSH2005 on Jul 7, 2008 9:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I meant to say no save opportunities, and no 9th inning appearances

Unless there’s some kind of blowout at hand. And I don’t know if Linebrink said he didn’t like closing games, I was basing it off the recap.

Linebrink has actually expressed a desire to stay out of that role.

Jenks can’t be out for much longer, playing the matchups shouldn’t be a big deal.

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 7, 2008 9:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

linebrink doesn't seem effective pitching more than one inning too

I may be wrong here since this is an impression on my mind and not backed up by any numbers

anyone else thinks the same?

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 12:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he doesn't have a lot of experience, either here or elsewhere, doing so.

he’s pretty much been utilized as a one inning guy, and usually starting, and not coming in during, that inning.

the times he did it, what, in late april or early may for the sox i recall him doing adequately.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 12:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Closer By Committee is fine with me

Thornton if there are some lefties coming up, Dotel if there are more righties.

I’d like to keep Liney in the setup role. If he’s not comfortable closing then I wouldnt’ mess with his head and risk messing up the 8th inning monster that he is now.

by madvillian on Jul 7, 2008 9:03 AM CDT   0 recs

Adam Russell

Has closer stuff, I wonder if he will get a shot in the 9th.

by Rockraines on Jul 7, 2008 9:25 AM CDT   0 recs

I think Nessie should gradually get higher leverage innings

but I don’t think throwing him into the closer’s role right away is a good idea. It took Jenks a while to go from call-up to closer in ‘05.

From what I’ve seen so far I like Nessie over Masset and Logan, but not any of the other guys in the pen.

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Jul 7, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It is getting more obvious...

with Jenks losing his velocity and Lidge getting a big contract that Kenny will eventually have to trade Jenks in the not-so-distant future.

by SSH2005 on Jul 7, 2008 10:38 AM CDT   0 recs

Jenks' loss of velocity + high-priced contracts for closers...

means that Jenks should be dealt sooner rather than later.

by SSH2005 on Jul 7, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Should or Will? I think it’s your opinion they should, what suggests KW agrees with you?

Until the last few opportunities when he apparently was experiencing back pain, he was still pitching quite well with or without a ridiculous fastball.

I see no reason to trade a guy they have relatively cheaply for now in the not-so-distant future when just two or three weeks ago it could have been argued he should be in the all star game.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to mention

Look at what he paid Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel, what makes you think he won’t pay a better then average closer in his prime ? He obviously realizes the value of a solid bullpen.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 11:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

one might call that a classic KW sell high move.

while jenks was/is still getting it done, it is rather interesting and somewhat disconcerting how he was getting it done.

and bobby is about to get quite a bit more expensive now that he’ll be arbitration eligible.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 12:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking arbitration vs. free agency, but I guess it still won’t be cheap.

I just don’t see KW moving him, I think with Alexei, Q, Danks & Floyd playing at the levels they have it has changed KW’s long-term plan some. He’s got a solid core going forward and looking at how much he is spending on the bullpen I’d have to think he assumes Bobby will be a part of that core. If these guys had not turned out to be solid ball players, I think it would have been a lot more likely that they move Jenks.

KW has set himself up for at least the next 3 years it looks like to me, and I just don’t see him getting rid of the closer who is still getting it done on a team that is competing for division titles or more. I guess my main point is, I don’t see enough holes in this team the way it is currently built, that would warrant trading away your young closer.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 12:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you should probably be thinking arbitration/free agency/whatever v. cheap(er) in house options.

a closer with a k rate of 5 per 9 ip and trending downward tends to not be a closer for long.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 12:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I’ll wait to judge until I see how much the backpain had to do with his performance over the last month or two before I judge his ability to be a closer going forward. Lots of guys look terrible when hurt.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If you make a big deal out of this

Jenks injury thing then it will become a huge problem. The best thing to do is to ignore it and it will go away. I mean look at Tampa, they lost their closer right? And they’ve got the best record in MLB.

regards

Sox fan from England, marching on together

by hoodlight on Jul 7, 2008 11:25 AM CDT   0 recs

the best thing to do is ignore it and it will go away.

there you have it. ladies and gentlemen, sage wisdom that can be applied to all things courtesy of hoodlight.

regards

fuck you, that's my name!! you know why, mister? 'cause you drove a hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar bmw. that's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2008 1:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

FWIW, if Jenks gets healthy and pitches well this season

I think trading him this offseason would be a great idea. Would Texas want him in exchange for someone like Teagarden? The Sox will need an OF (preferably CF) and 2B next season and they have no decent C/1B/DH prospects in the system. Moving Jenks to fill one of those needs would work for me.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 7, 2008 11:29 AM CDT   0 recs

Why would we trade Bobby Jenks to fill a position we can fill through free agency? Considering Cabrera makes around 10, Thome around 10, Crede around 5, the sox can just fill those holes with free agents, keep the young talent we have.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Have you seen the list of free agents this offseason?

It’s unpretty. In particular, the Sox are are not going to find a good young catcher there.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 7, 2008 12:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

3B?

Umm….*mumbles about Josh Fields

gonna out-energy a lot of guys, simply by over-attituding them

by defensive indifference on Jul 7, 2008 12:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The only potential FA is Hank Blalock...

could be intriguing but Rangers have an option on him.

by stanchar on Jul 7, 2008 12:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why would they be in need of a 3B?

Josh Fields has done nothing to prove he won’t be a major league ball player. He’ll be just fine in that 7 hole next year.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 12:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or Catcher?

In 2010 they’ll probably need one, AJP seems to have taken the offseason pretty seriously, he should be at least serviceable for one more year. Hall is a good enough back up catcher.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 12:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the year 20never

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 12:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well, perhaps i should note that wieters is a boras client.

so if he ends up panning out and he keeps boras and boras continues to not have his players sign contracts that buy out FA years, i guess the answer is like 2017 or something. let’s start saving now.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 1:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly my point..

so why even mention there isn’t a good one on the market this year. It’s a given there won’t be any good young catchers available as a free agent, but AJ doesn’t look like he will be a liability for at least another year, so I’d think that isn’t on the top of KW’s concerns.

by Grinder in Training on Jul 7, 2008 1:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude....

You asked why the Sox should trade Jenks when they can just fill their holes through free agency. The answer is that they can’t fill their holes with FAs because there aren’t a lot of good FAs. I singled out C, but you can add in CF if you want. And you say there’s no point in mentioning that since there’s never any good FA catchers—but that’s the exact answer to your question. So I don’t know what you arguing about at this point.

C and CF are important long-term positions. It’s possible moving Jenks this offseason will get the Sox a good prospect at one of those positions. If the Sox wait, his value will only decline…perhaps precipitously. AJ is having a good season, but the Sox shouldn’t wait on lining up a successor given his age.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 7, 2008 2:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe we can get one in the draft...fuck. that already happened? did we get one? ...fuck.

fuck you, that's my name!! you know why, mister? 'cause you drove a hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar bmw. that's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2008 1:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

kevin dubler, 8th round, ill st.

supposed to be decent, but not exactly an insta-prospect.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 5:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

cole armstrong is the current best bet

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 5:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

screw teagarden; I want smoak!

:p

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 12:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cheat

I think hit the nail on the head re: Uribe. We do not have a major league SS (even replacement level) in our syatem if we trade Uribe. Getz had never played SS in the minors before this year and 2B was his primary position in college. He is not a major league SS, he’s just playing the position at Charlotte because they’ve already started the competition for 2B next year so they want him and Richar to play middle infield every day. Ozuna can’t even play 3B. If something happens to Ocab we’d be in trouble. Not to mention the negative impact when O takes a day off.

With a league average fielder at SS with a replacement level bat (Uribe) you can still win. With a replacement level glove (let’s say -25 runs a year with the glove) and bat not so much. Unless we get a SS back (Hu?) it’s a no brainer to hold onto Uribe and DFA pablo.

by bhoov on Jul 7, 2008 11:30 AM CDT   0 recs

wouldn't alexei count as a replacement level major league ss?

fuck you, that's my name!! you know why, mister? 'cause you drove a hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar bmw. that's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2008 1:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Shh!

You ruined his argument!

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Jul 8, 2008 9:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Something that has changed in the last month

If the playoffs started today, Twinnesota would be the wild card.

A month ago, we thought the only way the Sox would get in the playoffs is by winning the division, because our division was so far behind in the wild card race. Now our division is in the thick of it.

I still think we can beat the Twins for the division, but the wild card is winnable too, which just has to increase our playoff chances.

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Jul 7, 2008 11:43 AM CDT   0 recs

Damn

It sure would be sweet seeing both the media darlings out east kept out of the playoffs. The TV stations would be PISSED!

by sti3 on Jul 7, 2008 11:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh that would be great

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 7, 2008 11:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The greatest thing in the world

Would be the White Sox, Rays, Brewers, and Diamondbacks be the teams making the pennant run.

Though I’m not sure about the Wild Card scenario. If the Sox keep winning at their rate, they should be fine. The Twins are good, but as Cheat pointed out, no team can bust out 16-2 clips all the time. If anything, the Twins breathing down the team’s back just gives them more motivation to keep playing hard after the All-Star break, something I’ve seen this team not do all too often.

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and the legend continues (article from saturday)
... Quentin was the quintessential three-sport athlete. Though not a starter on the state championship basketball team, he stood out as a role player, as “the guy you’d put in to rebound and he’d grab 13, 14,” Green says. “He would do whatever the coach asked him and do it with this amazing sense of pride.”
...
Some, including Quentin, say football may have been his first love. He excelled at linebacker and H-back enough to garner Division I attention.

“He had an unbelievable desire to win every battle,” says Sean Doyle, his high school football coach, citing the city championship game his senior year in which Quentin forced and returned a fumble for the tying touchdown, then set up the game-winner with his running.

But it was baseball where Quentin made his biggest impression. As a high school underclassman, he hit a home run off the top of the scoreboard in left-center field at the University of San Diego stadium. In his senior year he hit one over the scoreboard, every bit of 400 feet-plus.
...
As a 12-year-old Quentin was 5 feet 9 inches and 140 pounds, and sported a mustache. His mom and dad sympathized with parents who complained that he was too big to play with their boys.

“No way was he going to play [Little League],” Queta says. “We were afraid he was going to hurt somebody. The poor little third baseman would be gone if he hit it hard.”

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-080705-carlos-quentin-chicago-white-sox,1,4893290.story?page=2


rebounder, linebacker, returner

Q! can do it all!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 12:56 PM CDT   0 recs

Wiz...

You have a Q! poster hanging on the ceiling over your bed don’t you?

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 7, 2008 1:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

doesn't everybody in SSS have one?

:p

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nah

Though I do sleep with the Q! plush doll every night.

It coos “good night little one” and “I am so awesome” when you squeeze it’s hands.

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 7, 2008 1:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's what he says in real life, too.

fuck you, that's my name!! you know why, mister? 'cause you drove a hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar bmw. that's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2008 1:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Q!>>>>Patton and Eisenhower
"He had an unbelievable desire to win every battle,"

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Q! is so much bigger I can't type enough '>' signs to describe it

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 3:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If Q! was alive in WWII

he would have invented the masset bomb that would have made all the germans as fat as uribe.

Thome is old and washed up.

I think i got everyone there.

Property of: PAUL KONERKO Track and Field Academy & Steakhouse

by thecip on Jul 7, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs


http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/070708aab.html

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 7, 2008 10:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i just got a chubby.

fuck you, that's my name!! you know why, mister? 'cause you drove a hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar bmw. that's my name!!

by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2008 1:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hahaha

look at him…got that trot downpat

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Twins get 3 against the Red Sox and 4 against the Tigers this week on the road...

Sox get 3 against the Royals and 3 against the Rangers on the road this week. Now would be the perfect time for the Sox to increase their lead right before the All-Star break.

by SSH2005 on Jul 7, 2008 1:14 PM CDT   0 recs

red sox will be looking to beat some ass after losing two one run games to the yankees...

hopefully the sox capitalize and take care of business against the royals and rangers

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 7, 2008 1:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

They are catching Boston at the right time. Hopefully the Tigers continue to show some spunk.

All I’m asking for is 3 games going into the break. For my health.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 7, 2008 1:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see it being the right time...

The Twins get to face the Red Sox top three starters — Dice-K, Lester, and Beckett. The Twinkies should lose at least two out of three, unless they are better than I think.

by SSH2005 on Jul 7, 2008 2:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So that would be the right time, in terms of helping the Sox put some space between 1st and 2nd place

When Pablo’s name shows up in the lineup, I die a little inside. - OM

by rhythm on Jul 7, 2008 2:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Matchup: Twins (50-38) at Red Sox (52-39), 7:05 p.m. ET
Probable Starters: Scott Baker (69 IP, 3.65 RA, 1.20 WHIP, 57 K) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (75, 3.48, 1.39, 65)
Pythagorean Record: Minnesota, 47-41 (436 RS, 406 RA); Boston, 53-38 (453 RS, 377 RA)
Hit List Rankings: Minnesota, #11; Boston, #2
Prospectus: Minnesota enters Fenway for the start of a four-game set having won 16 of it last 18 games to pull within a game of first-place Chicago. Today’s contest features two pitchers with widely varying styles—Matsuzaka has walked 5.9 per nine, while Baker has passed only 1.6. Matsuzaka has had success against the Twins, who are not a very patient team, ranking 11th in the American League in walks: the right-hander beat Minnesota back in early May with seven innings of two-run ball, walking three while striking out seven, and he also beat them in his last start of 2007, with an eight-inning, two-run, 8/2 K/BB performance.

In the game Matsuzaka pitched against the Twins earlier this season, he managed to fan catcher Joe Mauer twice while walking him once. Mauer has struck out more than once in a game only twice this season, with the other occasion coming on June 21st against Arizona and Micah Owings. On the season, Mauer has struck out exactly half as often as he has walked, 23 whiffs to 46 free passes. Achieving that ratio over the course of a full season is an uncommon feat in today’s age of high power and high strikeouts: in the past 10 seasons, just five players have walked twice as many times as they’ve struck out while qualifying for the batting title: Luis Castillo in 2005, Barry Bonds from 2002-04, Mark Grace in 2000, Eric Young in ‘99, and Gary Sheffield in ‘98 (Bonds in ‘06 and ‘07 and Tony Gwynn in ‘99 also did so without qualifying for the batting crown). This season, both Mauer and Albert Pujols (58 walks, 28 strikeouts) are on pace to join that list. The last catcher that qualified for the batting title with twice as many walks as Ks was Mike Scioscia, in 1987 (Scioscia finished with a 2/1 ratio every year from 1984-87). Yogi Berra is the king of this category amongst catchers, with six such seasons in his Hall of Fame career, and 704 walks against 414 strikeouts overall. Mauer’s counterpart on the Red Sox, team captain Jason Varitek, has conversely struggled with strikeouts all year, and has racked up an AL-leading 70 in the final season of his four-year, $40 million contract.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 7, 2008 2:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i just meant in terms of how they'd been playing lately

but it is good to see that they get Beckett, at least.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 7, 2008 2:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah would be nice

I am still not buying into the Twins yet…my gut won’t let me do it. I still think they are just a slightly above average team that is hot at the moment. I worry more about the Tigers – they have a lot of talent that has been underperforming but is starting to heat up. If Verlander g