Comments on: The great, the bad

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:27:06 +0000

Since the MLB telecast speculated that the HR would be big news in Caracas, I took a look at a headline from the El Nacional: Félix Hernández le bateó un gran slam a Johan Santana

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:56:56 +0000

dingdangdo… Yes, agree to disagree.

I like the plexiglass Pope Box idea.

By: et_blankenship

et_blankenship — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:30:01 +0000

You know what . . . I’m with Hank Steinbrenner on this. The National League needs to get with the program and adopt the designated hitter rule. In addition, in light of the Felix Hernandez injury, I believe it’s time for baseball to replace that treacherous pitcher’s mound with a Pope Box, accessible only through a tunnel from the dugout and kept at an even 77 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. The front of the box shall be concave, so any batted ball that comes into contact with it is corralled and funneled to a voice-activated motorized wheel that can precisely shoot the ball to any of the four bases. Should a play unfold that requires the pitcher to field a bunt, back up a throw, cover a base, or be involved in a run down, the pitcher may opt to deploy the Maddux GG18 from a rear compartment of the Pope Box. The Maddux GG18 is a bi-pedal robot with a soft, polymer shell and wispy porn stache designed to do nothing but play fundamentally sound defense and make small talk about golf and wine.

By: dingdangdo

dingdangdo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:28:36 +0000

That sounded kind of curt, sorry dude, got about 3 things going on right here, shoulda waited to respond, or not responded at all. Can we agree to disagree? Rigglemania

By: dingdangdo

dingdangdo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:25:45 +0000

He started off last season 17 innings his first 2 starts, then sat out injured for 2 weeks or so after experiencing tightness in his elbow. He’s apparently playing on an injured calf now, some other posts (#13, #23)address that issue. So yeah, I think the kid kid has guts, and guts is enough. Except when it might cause other injuries, and that concerns me more than what he might lose by skipping some starts. And no, I don’t trust the M’s to be smart w/him, I don’t think this a brains kind of operation.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:11:37 +0000

Felix needs to be completely healthy before letting him back on the mound or he’s liable to try and gut it out. He starts compensating for injury by changing his mechanics and he’s liable to have shoulder, elbow problems crop up.

1. You’re assuming a lot if you feel Felix will try to “gut it out”. Other than wanting to throw one more pitch last night, I don’t see any other evidence that he engages in risky behavior that would cause injury.

2. Every trainer, pitching coach, and pitcher is familiar with the issue of niggling injuries forcing a change of mechanics on the mound. Since it has happened on occasion, fans jump to the conclusion that it happens often. Whenever Felix does start again, it is highly likely that he is ready to go with his normal mechanics.

3. Every person screaming for them to shut down Felix for several weeks is totally ignoring the opportunity cost of Felix not pitching. It is just possible that he has more to gain in skills & experience by pitching than by sitting on the shelf. By not missing a turn, he might become more ready for 2009, not less.

The franchise has made some crappy decisions since 2001, but sacrificing Felix’s arm has not been one of them. He doesn’t get thrown out there for 130+ pitches game after game. If there is one silver lining to me in enduring all of the troubles of this team in recent years, it’s that they’ve made good decisions about Felix, to date. I don’t think that philosophy of caution gets thrown out the window as they make their next decision.

By: dingdangdo

dingdangdo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:07:43 +0000

[what does this have to do with the topic, again?]

By: smb

smb — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:36:09 +0000

dingdangdo, You just described Rod Beck, may he R.I.P. ROD BECK OHHHH YEAAAHHH!!

By: dingdangdo

dingdangdo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:16:46 +0000

I read Beltran contacted Felix after the game, Felix needs to be completely healthy before letting him back on the mound or he’s liable to try and gut it out. He starts compensating for injury by changing his mechanics and he’s liable to have shoulder, elbow problems crop up. He’s the future, the now is totally meaningless this season. Plus, given a rest, it will give him time to grow a mullet, and maybe a Goose Gossage foo manchu. Rigglemania

By: bakomariner

bakomariner — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:11:51 +0000

Rusty-

Nice!!!!!!