Feed Post-Mortem
Not since my college debate coach took a header into a mud puddle after rounding third base have I laughed so heartily at a game-of-ball-and-stick related event.
Thanks are in order to all of the 150-some folks who showed up to the feed for taking the time, for indulging my digressions, and for chortling along with us as Derek and I tried to one-up each other with esoteric analogies. We’re obliged also to Bill Bavasi for graciously answering our questions and to Dave and his family for organizing work above and beyond the call of duty.
With a little luck, Friend of USSM Jim Thomsen will grace us with some of the many photos I saw him snapping. Speaking of snapping, it’s a miracle that no one lost a finger during the locust plague around the dessert tray. But man, were those little brownie concoctions good.
If you’re inclined, use this thread to share feed memories and suggestions for next year. Opening Day is almost here: I’ll see many of you at the game tomorrow, and have a fresh post in the morning, when the M’s will definitely possess an unblemished record.
#49. I think Bavasi sort of addressed that some of the information available to the Ms in years prior to his arrival was not optimal, and that he had instituted some changes in that. (I’m thinking Mattox? I don’t know). I believe the little segment I’m thinking of was when Bill was replying to the ‘you DFAed a lot of big contracts/names lately’ question….
The Everett defense was irritating, I thought. He didn’t come out and SAY ‘he has grit’ but he might as well have, what with the whole ‘he’s PROVEN that he can hit’ thing….
One thing nobody has mentioned yet is his response to the ‘is Raffy Soriano ever going to start’ question. The answer was, yeah, maybe, down the road, but the medical staff didn’t figure it was a good idea now.
I think Bill’s point is that the guys mentioned haven’t had the responsibility to hit in the middle of the order, where you’re under more pressure to knock guys in and generate the offense.
Carl has shown he can do that over a full season again and again. The other guys mention have put up good peripherals, but not full time, or not consistently in the 3-4-5 hole.
I can’t believe I forgot this funny line. Bavasi said that YuBet got special protective gloves because he slides head-first, then said that, when Doyle comes back, they’re gonna teach Doyle to slide head-first, and get him a set of gloves like YuBet.
Carl has shown he can do that over a full season again and again. The other guys mention have put up good peripherals, but not full time, or not consistently in the 3-4-5 hole.
AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH. This is the most annoying thing ever to keep being regurgitated, whether it’s by Bill Bavasi or USSM posters. RBIs are a function of position in the batting order. I repeat: RBIs are a function of position in the batting order.
Cases in point:
Bret Boone, 2004:
.251, 24 HRs, 83 RBI, .317 OBP, .423 SLG
Carl Everett, 2005:
.251, 23 HRs, 87 RBI, .311 OBP, .435 SLG
Pedro Feliz, 2005:
.250, 20 HRs, 81 RBI, .295 OBP, .422 SLG
You can be a very crappy hitter and get 80+ RBIs in the middle of the order- simply because if there are runners on base when you get up to the plate, you WILL knock some in even if you are a .250/.310/.425 hitter.
OK…that’s good to know. Apparently Bavasi still has problems with Conventional Wisdomitis, but perhaps not as much as some fans think he does.
I sort of overdosed on the whole ‘proven veteran’ crap when Lou was here, so I’m clearly over-sensitized to it. (like developing an allergic reaction over time).
Sign me up for the podcast as well. Definitely Derek and Jeff since their schedules match the best, and if Jason and Dave can call in via Skype (recordable, easily edited into the podcast) even better.
i got there a little late and must have missed bavasi’s comments on his own potential firing. could someone summarize those?