SB Nation User Blog: GameSix

Harold Reynolds thinks OPS is dumb

GameSix — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:12:08 -0000

Harold Reynolds thinks OPS is dumb

Reynolds blog post on how lame OPS is cuz its dumb lol. Excerpt below:

"But what I've been witnessing while I've been a broadcaster is everyone using these stats to try and explain the game of baseball. Not all statistics work. Some do, some don't. And one of the stats that has become real popular is OPS. On-base plus slugging. All of a sudden, it's this stat that defines whether a guy is a good ball player or not. And the fact of the matter is, if you're a power hitter then the situation will dictate what a pitcher does with you - either walk you or pitch you real careful. So more than likely you're going to end up on base and therefore your on-base percentage goes up. This in my mind has become the stat the everyone thinks is the be all and end all. It is not. If you have a ball club that's a great offensive team then that changes everything. But if you have a guy like Adrian Gonzalez, for example, his OPS is going to be high - he's got a lot of home runs and walks a lot...because you're not going to pitch to him. Power guys like Giambi and Dunn have always had high OPS because no one wants to pitch to them. But it takes two hits to score them from first.

This is how the game has changed. Dick Williams is pulling his hair out. This is not something people have reinvented in the game. You can go all the way back to Dave Kingman. When Kingman was hot, you didn't pitch to him. If he wasn't hot, you pitched to him. Big power hitters swing and miss and strikeout. Or they hit home runs and walk. And at the end of the year their OBP is always going to be higher than most of the other guys on the team because they clog the bases."

Read the story URL for some more Reynolds gold.

Fangraphs: Second Look at Sandoval

GameSix — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:31:37 -0000

Fangraphs: Second Look at Sandoval

Fangraphs takes a look at our resident Panda. Flooding their comments with "ginats brassss" is optional.

Disillusioned in Mannywood

GameSix — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:58:10 -0000

Disillusioned in Mannywood

From the LA times article "Disillusioned in Mannywood," comes an interview with a fan in the left field area of the same name.

Once you get past the shock (LOLDGER fans are human, have thoughts)...dude makes a lot of sense. Really speaks to the realization that a lot of fans are now coming to. It wasn't just Barry, it was everybody. Sure, many fans are late to the party...but they're here now.

I'd love for Manny, BLB, etc...to step up and respond to THIS fan, face to face, instead of hiding behind a press conference, released statements, and other lame duck attempts at "apologizing." Where is the no-tolerance policy that this sport needs? The PSAs? Is MLB really just pretending this is a non-issue still? rant rant rant

Bobby Abreu signs for 1 yr/$5mm

GameSix — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:23:00 -0000

Bobby Abreu signs for 1 yr/$5mm

Really? I mean, I know we have like 40 outfielders...but dude would instantly be the best hitter in our lineup. For 5mm. I suppose age is a concern...and maybe his defense is atrocious...but, 5 million for some much needed pop in the lineup is sort of worth it.

Monta Ellis: The Countdown Begins

GameSix — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:21:28 -0000

Big ups to Matt Steinmetz for reporting on all things warriors. I'm a fan. He just posted a video at the examiner, where he shows Monta at full speed in an actual 5 on 5 practice game, for the first time since the injury.

Video here

Also reported by Steinmetz just moments ago (link here), Monta addressed the rumors of being unhappy w/the team. Go to examiner and hook Steinmetz up w/some hits to read the whole story, but basically here's what he had to say:

"Listen," Ellis said. "Whatever it is about me leaving, wanting to go, not wanting to play for Nellie, that never came from my mouth. I don't know where they got that from. I'm here for the next six years. I'm a Warrior; I'm always going to be a Warrior. Whoever put that out there did it because they wanted a story.

"I'm making it known right now I'm a Warrior, and I love playing for Nellie, and I never said that (he didn't like playing for Nelson), not one time. So you don't have to worry about that."

Good first step by Monta to regain the trust of his fans.

My hope is that this, coupled w/recent articles regarding Randolph's maturity, put to rest certain sensationalist bay area media people trying to create stories where there aren't any (see: front page). It's not as interesting as OMG DON NELSON v RANDOLPH CAGE MATCH, but maybe it'll force everyone to concentrate on bball and the development of the players.

I can't *wait* to see a full gsw squad out on the floor at once. The depth is there. The bigs we so desperately need may be right under nose in Wright and Randolph. Belinelli has shown flashes of bball iq brilliance. CJ Watson is collld blooded and ideal for a backup scoring pg. Sjax, when he's not asked to be your first option, takes a good team and makes it great. Biendris earns his contract nightly out on the floor. Crawford is not Al Harrington. I've been tough on Mags- but if he's used correctly he's efficient at what he does (Biendris is similar, no?)

Monta, with his quickness, opens things up for the ENTIRE team. Can't double team the hottest warrior anymore, otherwise he'll blow past you. Biendris suffered when teams focused on him. Jax became a turnover machine when asked to shoulder the load. When Monta comes back...it'll give everyone on the team an extra split second, a more open shot, and a chance to do what they do best.

Monta is still learning to play defense, but it'll sure beat Watson's turnstyle on a nightly basis. He's fast and gets in the lane. I am beyond anxious to see what this team is capable of w/ME8 at the helm.

Let the countdown begin!

KG calls out Maggette

GameSix — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:34:41 -0000

A lot of people were against this FA signing from the beginning. Mags had put big numbers for a perennial loser. We had lost Baron, and the move appeared to be a despearte swipe at the clips, or some sort of act of desparation. As a warrior fan, and as a realistic human being, you figure Mags is in it for the long haul. 5 years, better give him a chance.

So far, Mags has been as advertised. He has the ability to drive whenever he wants, and he nails his free throws when he gets fouled.

That's about it.

For anyone watching the games, is it any surprise he has never been on a winning team? "Team" being the operative word here. Now, nobody is expecting him to dish 10 dimes per game, because that's not his game. However- its in the way that he gets his points that is detrimental to this bball team. He kills the flow of the game everytime he touches the ball. He kills the rhythm of the team when he takes a top of the key jumper. He drives, never looks to pass, and may/may not get fouled. It that sounds familiar to Stephen Jackson, it isn't. Jax gives you great defense AND he looks to involve the team. He's a basketball player, where Magette is, what exactly?

That brings us to the Kevin Garnett quote, that basically cements what many of us have been thinking both instantly after hearing about the signing, and after the first month and change of the season. You can google this quote, its everywhere. I got it from hoopsvibe.

Kevin Garnett Calls Corey Maggette Out as Ballhog

12.4.2008 - Updated on 12.4.2008
Five games, five Golden State losses and a more than 2:1 turnover-to-assist ratio. Maggette’s selfish play hasn’t gone unnoticed by other players. According to sources, after the final buzzer against Boston, Celtics forward Kevin Garnett turned to Maggette and shouted, "Way to get your numbers."

"He just puts his head down and goes to the basket," an Eastern Conference scout said. "He doesn’t even look to pass."

Word from team sources is that the Warriors are already regretting signing Maggette to a five-year, $50 million deal last offseason. When Monta Ellis returns to the lineup early next year, Golden State will have to figure out how to spread the wealth among three players (Ellis, Jamal Crawford and Maggette) who aren’t very good at spreading it.

Can't say that I'm surprised. Way to get your numbers, indeed. I just hope that Mulson pulls another rabbit out of their collective hat, and unloads this abomination of a player on a team run by bigger morons than we are (see: pacers).

Matt Herges apologizes for steroid use

GameSix — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:59:54 -0000

Link to story here

DENVER -- Colorado Rockies reliever Matt Herges and first base coach Glenallen Hill have issued written apologies for using performance-enhancing substances.

Herges says he has "no excuse for my actions" and says he's deeply remorseful.

Herges was a stud in 2003 for the Gmen and I'm sorry to hear he's a part of the RoidAges. Oh well we're stupid Americans and will eat up his apology like the fried foods we love.

Both issued their statements Wednesday, the same day Roger Clemens his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, testified before Congress about drug use in baseball.

Nice timing on your apology, Matt.

Giants interested in Ensberg

GameSix — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:35:12 -0000

This from an article in the chronicle this morning.

Trade talk: Barry Axelrod, the agent who represents pitcher Matt Morris, said Monday night he has not heard anything about a possible trade by today's 1 p.m. deadline. Axelrod also represents Sweeney and said general manager Brian Sabean hinted he might try to find Sweeney a spot on a contender. Also, ESPN's Peter Gammons reported the Giants are interested in third baseman Morgan Ensberg, who was designated for assignment by Houston.

Good to see the Giants exploring klesko-like opportunities. Yes, I know it's Gammons we're talking about...but hey he was right on about the Braves and Texiera. ;)

Any Grateful Dead fans here?

GameSix — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:28:33 -0000

And of you dead-heads, how many of you have some cash lying around for this sweet little number? Not a GD fan myself...but I'm sure there are people on here over 70 years of age who know of this.

Kidding!! I just don't have that kind of money.

http://www.monstervintage.com/Vintage_Clothing/Mens/Tee+Shirts/Vintage+Grateful+Dead/1980s_SF_Baseba ll_Skull_Head_Large_15404.html

Bonds open to, doesn't expect trade

GameSix — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:49:15 -0000

Article from Insidebayarea.com

I never thought I needed a signature until I read this Bonds quote:

<quote>"They can trade me," Bonds said. "They can do that. I don't think they will, though. It's not like I want to be traded, man. I'm a Giant. I'm stuck here till the end."</quote>

And so we are.