SB Nation User Blog: Dale

30 Teams 30 Days: Twins

Dale — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:03:38 -0000

Twins will get a profile on the new MLB network series 30 Teams in 30 Days. Series starts tonight with the Red Sox, then the Twins are on tomorrow at 7:00. I think it will be rebroadcast a couple of times over the next few weeks if you miss it.

I doubt there will be any new Twins info for the people on this site, but it should be pretty fun to watch nevertheless.

Baseball Playoff TV ratings

Dale — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:34:17 -0000

Since we're all baseball fans here, I'm wondering what your thoughts are about baseball,s continued lousy TV ratings in the playoffs are? (I haven't seen results from this year's LDS yet, but early signs aren't good.)

Baseball seems to be healthy overall, with revenues up, attendance solid, better parity, and strong local TV ratings. But when it comes to the post season, people just aren't tuning in. Why is that?

Short of having the Yankees in every world series, what thoughts do people have about this? Do people love their local team, but just not care about other teams? Why is a generic Redskins/Titans game a better TV draw than postseason baseball? Is it all about TBS and scheduling?

Thoughts?

Yanking Pitchers

Dale — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 21:00:10 -0000

[As I'm new to this blog, here are some caveats about me: I'm a baseball fan, not a fanatic. I like stats, but not enough to research my half-baked theories for a blog.]

I'm not a Gardenhire hater like others around these parts. But I do have a beef with one aspect of his managerial moves:

I think that Ron Gardenhire leaves his pitchers in too long. Am I the only one who feels that way?

In game after game, in close situations, and at pivotal points in the game I'll watch a pitcher work himself into a major jam and instead of Gardenhire pulling him before it gets worse, he'll let the pitcher give up the big hit AND THEN pull him. I'm not talking Bradke giving up a couple of dingers in the 1st inning. I'm talking about a middle/late inning hold situation where, for example, Crain might come in with a two run lead, and promptly load the bases. Instead of Gardenhire pulling Crain out at that point, he'll let the Crain give up the bases clearing double before he pulls him.

Another example might be a shaky start for a Twins pitcher who has given up 4 or 5 runs, but still holds a slim lead in the 5th inning. (A rarity, I know.) So, we start the 5th, the pitcher is laboring. Our guy gives up a quick single and a walk. Does Gardenhire pull him at this point for a long reliever? NO. Gardenhire lets him give up the dinger, or the double or whatever. And, now, the Twins have been put in a position to lose, rather than to win.

I grew up watching Bobby Cox manage the Braves during the 90's. He was great at pulling his pitchers out just before they went over the cliff. The pitcher was given a long leash, up until the point they could lose a winnable game for the team.

I know pitchers need to be able to work out of jams, and have ice water in their veins yada yada yada. I just don't think we always need to give games away to do it.

I'd like to hear what others think.