Does A.J. deserve more credit?

by justjc on Jul 21, 2010 12:41 PM CDT

OK, PR is already saying yes, but hear me out.

Right now A.J. is on pace for a one WAR season. Many on this site, myself included have ridden him for that because it simply wouldn't fly as quietly as it has from any other regular starter. However, pitchers talk about how well A.J. calls a game, and because I can't get the nightmare ninth inning Castro called on Sunday against the Twins out of my head, (full disclosure: It's the last game I saw since I go to bed too early for our West Coast killings) I've been wondering if there is any creedence to it or if pitchers just offer traditional happy talk for a respected veteran.

Does A.J. make a difference with the way he calls the pitches and if so, should he receive a percentage of the pitching staff's WAR, thus raising his number to a more acceptable number? Does he deserve any credit for 2010's incredible FIP levels?

Poll

Does A.J. deserve a portion of the pitching staff's WAR?

Yes

56 votes

No

18 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

aj ISDAMAN

lack of war aside, he is beisbol through in through. everyone hates him until he’s on their team (obviously some hate him now for being on their team). but point is the guy can call a game and that is a key role. not only that, but his theatrics and way to manipulate plays are uncanny, and that alone is an intangible that cant ignored.

Just taking a couple minutes to act like a retard.
Thank you, thank you, SSS. Thank you for accepting people who act like retards, if not actual retards. by Mitch. on Jun 24, 2010 1:16 PM CDT

by Grinder Rule #42 on Jul 21, 2010 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

no

This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.

by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 21, 2010 1:58 PM CDT reply actions

well in that sense...

of course not. no one deserves shit…ya just gotta take it

Just taking a couple minutes to act like a retard.
Thank you, thank you, SSS. Thank you for accepting people who act like retards, if not actual retards. by Mitch. on Jun 24, 2010 1:16 PM CDT

by Grinder Rule #42 on Jul 21, 2010 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

MB STILL raves about the job he did during the perfecto!

So yes, the catcher/pitch caller clearly deserves a portion of the WAR.
Others can argue how much, but I’d say the R part.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else."
Earl Weaver

by Chiburb on Jul 21, 2010 4:09 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Didn't Castro catch the perfect game?

Or am I getting whooshed?

by joewho112 on Jul 21, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Whoshity whosh whosh

Thanks alot for these ridiculous ticket prices, 2005.

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 21, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

but aj told him to throw the no-no so he gets the

/ part of the W

Just taking a couple minutes to act like a retard.
Thank you, thank you, SSS. Thank you for accepting people who act like retards, if not actual retards. by Mitch. on Jun 24, 2010 1:16 PM CDT

by Grinder Rule #42 on Jul 21, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

hmm give him hi dues for putting down the right finger

i know what its like to be a catcher, it is not easy

2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you just LOVE my SOX LOVING PRETTY GIRL SWAG....

by pierzynskirules on Jul 21, 2010 8:44 PM CDT reply actions

Way too easy, PR.

Put on some shin guards or something. Protect yourself.

Now, I will continue to live life in the exact same way I have been, just to appease the gods. Seriously, I will suck the dick of karma ten times over to see the good guys keep up this stellar play for the rest of the season.
by Campbell32

by winningugly on Jul 21, 2010 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions

we know

thats the last thing cip ever said. “man, that pr really knows how to catch!”

Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok

by BoeJouma on Jul 22, 2010 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions

what is that soupposed to mean?

2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you just LOVE my SOX LOVING PRETTY GIRL SWAG....

by pierzynskirules on Jul 22, 2010 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions

i should. hey my shinguards had knee savers. had bad knees

2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you just LOVE my SOX LOVING PRETTY GIRL SWAG....

by pierzynskirules on Jul 21, 2010 9:08 PM CDT reply actions

uh wrong place

2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you just LOVE my SOX LOVING PRETTY GIRL SWAG....

by pierzynskirules on Jul 21, 2010 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I give him the credit

If he takes the blame for how they sucked at the beginning.

"it’s over, tdogg.

no. it’s not unlike me. when i make an unqualified statement, it means i’m sure i’m right" Larry

by Tdogg on Jul 22, 2010 11:06 AM CDT reply actions

He will if Flowers is catching a bunch of veteran guys

He has no clue about and also strikes out at the rate he is doing in AAA. It’s not like Flowers has been promoted because of his great catching skills.

With that said AJ has been shitty at the plate and isn’t getting younger. A walk here and there and some power might be a good thing for that position. Let the pitchers give signs to Flowers and he can catch what they throw.

by Duck99 on Jul 24, 2010 9:09 PM CDT via mobile reply actions