tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1465180488770795433.post3787735409333653453..comments2023-10-31T05:07:56.981-04:00Comments on Maldonado Over Everything: A bit more on small ball and hindsight, which I have heard is 20-20Razzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09290145448748153659noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1465180488770795433.post-22268254958232317722010-04-01T03:36:46.963-04:002010-04-01T03:36:46.963-04:00Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if...Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?<br /><br />Can someone help me find it?<br /><br />Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.<br /><br />Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.<br /><br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1465180488770795433.post-46320182624024966242007-10-13T16:58:00.000-04:002007-10-13T16:58:00.000-04:00Razzer/Dr. K:Actually, it wasn’t hindsight. I firs...Razzer/Dr. K:<BR/><BR/>Actually, it wasn’t hindsight. I first mentioned the Jays problems and the potential need to move runners along in May.<BR/><BR/>http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/rick-ankiels-comeback/<BR/><I>On to more current matters: I know J.P. Ricciardi is loath to give up outs for runs or to sacrifice. I hope John Gibbons realizes he has to be pragmatic. Right now, due to injuries, the Jays may have as many as three major out-producers at the bottom of lineup. If Troy Glaus’ legs are being rested it’s entirely possible that your 7-8-9 hitters could be some combination of Jason Phillips (78 OPS+), Sal Fasano (27 OPS+), Royce Clayton (78 OPS+), Jason Smith (44 OPS+) and John McDonald (67 OPS+).<BR/><BR/>Thus far this season (as of this writing), this quintet has drawn just 19 BB in 322 AB and struck out almost as often as they get a hit (77 K/ 78 hits). Occasionally there will be runners at first and second with none out and one of these five players coming to the plate. Suffice it to say, the odds of a popup, strikeout or double play ball are much more likely than that of a hit or walk.<BR/><BR/>What Gibbons should do in this scenario is try to bunt the runners over. Every day, Gibbons should be giving these guys bunting practice. When the odds of an out (and possibly two) are so strong, a double play more probability than possibility, the Jays would be better served in making sure that the almost inevitable out (the aforementioned five players have an aggregate OBP of .292) at least moves runner along. That way a groundball or ball hit to the outfield at least gets you a run.<BR/><BR/>The Jays' offense has been struggling for a while now and they should look at doing whatever it takes to gets runs across even if it means making an intentional out.</I> <BR/><BR/>My comments/suggestions on MSN (and later on the Hardball Times) about biting the bullet and utilizing the dreaded “productive out” began in May. This wasn’t seeing something in hindsight. As I mentioned in my other columns, it wasn’t about going all-out on a small-ball approach but rather realizing what the lineup could and could not do and making the best of a bad situation. <BR/><BR/>Part of the problem folks have (and I’m to blame for this too) is that they take columns like those (on MSN) in isolation rather than seeing how the points have developed over months. It’s my fault too for assuming that folks reading MSN have also been reading my Blue Jays’ musings on THT. Of course, having a word limit (about 1000 although there is a bit of room for flexibility if the situation arises--but not much) on MSN doesn’t help. <BR/><BR/>When I wrote the first two columns on Gibbons (that inspired our first discussion) at MSN where I discussed the situation, I really couldn’t go back chapter and verse into my THT columns to bring readers of it up to speed on what had been discussed all year. So when they read column in August on MSN or September at THT discussing the Jays' offense, without knowing the background, it’s easy to say “Yeah, it’s real easy to say that in hindsight.” <BR/><BR/>In my own defense, it wasn’t hindsight at all but part of a season long evolution regarding the 2007 Blue Jays’ offense and what could or could not be done with it.<BR/><BR/>Obviously, you disagree what I wrote and did a good explanation on why you felt that way however it’s not entirely accurate that I wrote those MSN/Sept. THT columns with the benefit of hindsight. It was something that I had observed when the Jays hadn’t even played 50 games.<BR/><BR/>At any rate, if we didn’t disagree we would’ve had to come with something else to write about and I have enough trouble coming up with stuff as it is.<BR/><BR/>BTW: As I wrote back on October 5:<BR/><BR/><I>“<B>A Note of Gratitude</B><BR/><BR/>With the Toronto Blue Jays season in the books, I reflected on those folks who were a big part of my writing experience covering the Jays and would like to pass along some thanks. In no particular order: … Thanks to Mike Green and the folks at Batter's Box, who gave me a steady stream of excellent e-mails containing tremendous feedback. I got terrific information from the lineup of Jonathan Hale, Todd Devlin, Dave Rouleau and David Moro at The Jays Nest.<BR/><BR/>I’d like to pass along props to my worthy foes at Mockingbird and Maldonado Over Everything. I salute Razzer, Dr. K., Mr. Hale and mulliniks. We have differing views on what transpired during 2007, but they made their points well and gave me a cornucopia of useful data. I thoroughly enjoyed our exchanges. I have to add Tao of Stieb for their hilarious take on our debates (and I want my talcum powder back!) and of course their links were always appreciated. Same time next year, guys? … Thanks to all of you who made an 83-79 season so enjoyable!”</I> <BR/><BR/>http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/will-bonds-be-barried-in-2008/<BR/><BR/>Hopefully, we’ll find something in ‘08 we can bat around.<BR/><BR/>Best Regards<BR/><BR/>JohnJohn Brattainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12556478291131951192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1465180488770795433.post-8675809470190754922007-10-02T21:17:00.000-04:002007-10-02T21:17:00.000-04:00please do a season ending re-cap..thanksDan O'tool...please do a season ending re-cap..<BR/><BR/>thanks<BR/>Dan O'tooleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com