SB Nation User Blog: The Clyde

Squeeze Rant

The Clyde — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:35 -0000

Somebody please explain to me the "squeeze play" as a strategic move (in general).

I for one, have always HATED this play and think it has very limited place in the AL (except as a truly surprise move where the odds of contact are way up).

It's so all-or-nothing and if you don't want to get beat by it, pitchers can protect against it. I have always felt it's a "cute" play you do to surprise teams or to over-manage. It's a frickin' little league parlor trick. I have also always felt Sosh uses it way to much (like he likes to tinker because he can't play anymore).

Tonight, it was so predictable I was literally praying that Sosh would show some restraint and let Aybar swing.

Maybe I'm looking for some statistical justification, because to me, the all-or-nothing success percentages are worse than all the other variable possibilities that would also score a run.

I'll boo the play from now on, even it it works. Just swing like you've got a pair.

Whodoya Like?

The Clyde — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:40:40 -0000

I pretty much like all the Angels players, but some I like for oddball reasons outside of the obligatory clutchness or scappiness.

Who’s your favorite Angel and, more importantly, why?

Here’s mine:

Chone Figgins – why? because I like saying “cho-nee”. I know it’s juvenile; it’s like saying boobies. Maybe we need a player nicknamed “Boob” - like Boob Spier. Then I might like him again.

GA- because I love using “lazy” and “great” in the same sentence. The more ridiculous and outrageous the lazy references, the better. Sign that big lazy cruiser up for another year already!

Torii Hunter – I love how he acts like he’s been an Angel his whole career. He’s a bigger Angel honk than Hud. And I like his bat flip- let’s me know when he’s hit it well.

Teixeira – I must admit, I shed a little tear when we broke up with Kotchman. Then I realized it was just a man-crush. When Sexy Texy strolled in, that was true man-love.

Vlad – I love how his strike zone is the size of a soccer goal. And I love how the closer pitches get to his head, the more he digs in wanting to dole out the punishment.

Howie- I would take HK’s swing over AK’s looping crapshoot any day.

Lackey – He’s like Napoleon Dynamite with Tourettes.

Johnnny Rivers- (Technically Johnny Shoreline), if he can make Arte eat $50 million, he must be doing something right.

Kendry Morales - I biggest reason I like K-Mo is that acuda loves him sooo much. Someday Kendry will hit a huge walk-off HR and acuda will ruin his favorite pair of chinos.

Tippy-toes Quinlan- I like how he gets out of the batter’s box. It’s cartoon funny.

Frankie – I love how he is the only pitcher who gets away with showing up the other team. His delivery looks like a mannequin getting hit by a bus, then he piles on by humping the air after striking you out. Honestly, I’d like him even more if he just walked off the mound like a stone cold killa’. That would be bad-ass.

Soth- He’s like that little McDonalds soccer kid taunting Dodger-fan with his Happy Meal. And I like typing "Soth" because I can't spell Sosha. Side note: with all of our small-ball, why do we seem like the worst-bunting bunting-team in baseball?

More on K-Rod: He’s like a crack-heroin cocktail. He gets your heart racing, adrenaline rushing, mix in some paranoia, sweats, and anxiety, followed by a glorious euphoria. Whoever pays him 15 million likes to dance on the dark side.

Now you go.

Big Bat Theory

The Clyde — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:12:24 -0000

Remember when Arte promised a "Big splash" i.e, big bat, signing last off season? I love Arte, but...

I couldn't believe it when I heard it because my first thought was he just compromised Stoneman's ability to get a reasonable deal done.

"Sonny, don't ever tell anyone outside the family what you're thinking..."

Every GM read that and probably asked Stoneman to throw in his first born on any deal because they knew his boss was motivated. Ask an agent like Scott Boras what he thought and he'd probably just smile. I'll bet that comment added and easy million to his pocketbook in the inflated free agent market last season.

Stoneman was probably asked to step aside because after this season ended, he leaned over to Arte and asked, "Fredo, do you think you can keep your pie-hole shut this off-season?"