SB Nation User Blog: Toxicadam

Indians batting stances .. past and present.

Toxicadam — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:02:58 -0000

Indians batting stances .. past and present.

Fun stuff.

A Dellucci thread.

Toxicadam — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:58:12 -0000

First some stats.

Last 112 plate appearances: .186 average .661 OPS 28k's 9 BB's 3 HR's

As of today, his 2008 and 2007 seasons are almost mirror images. The one difference is that he has 3 more home runs. 2007 was widely viewed as a disappointing season (not only to himself but to the front office) and became a forgotten man in the last part of the 2007 season. So, Dellucci is basically a .230 hitter with the ability to hit a homerun every 25 or so AB's. A guy who will strikeout 4 times to every walk.

He has 1 hit as a pinch hitter (the Joba HR) in 10 tries. He's only had 9 AB's all season against lefties and has yet to collect a hit. So, it's questionable why he would even be brought on as a late inning replacement when he hasn't performed better than anyone else on this team.

So, it's a lot of words and numbers to tell you something you already know. Dellucci is poor. Dellucci even sticks out among a bunch of other poor hitters in the Tribe lineup.

But what to do with him? Is he really blocking anyone from playtime? Will he just become another Trot Nixon and spend the second half on the bench?

Terrific write-up on Randy Newsom

Toxicadam — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:59:06 -0000

Terrific write-up on Randy Newsom

We had no problems calling up Lewis and Perez last year ... whats the hold up on Newsom and Stevens?

Read the article at the bottom. Newsom is involved in an interesting (scheme?) business plan that can allow fans to invest into their favorite minor league players and then receive
a payout if they make it.

Gimenez to AAA, Toregas to AA

Toxicadam — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:50:54 -0000

Gimenez to AAA, Toregas to AA

Gimenez, 25, was having an outstanding season with Akron. In 55 games he has hit .339 (60-177), with 15 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 26RBI. He ranks 4th in the Eastern League in average, 1st in on-base percentage (.487) and 5th in slugging percentage (.537). He also leads the league with 46 runs scored and has drawn 52 walks to only 33 strikeouts.

[Rumor] Richie Sexson to be released within the week.

Toxicadam — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:39:40 -0000

[Rumor] Richie Sexson to be released within the week.

Think any team would take a flier on him for 7 million (the remainder of his contract)? The White Sox or the Rangers?

[Ominous music] Interleague claims another victim ...

Toxicadam — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:54:14 -0000

[Ominous music] Interleague claims another victim ...

First Wang hurts himself running the bases .. now:

When Bartolo Colon flailed helplessly last night at the plate, and with more authority than he had in years, the Red Sox pitcher understood there might be consequences.

This time, the payback for trying to hit the ball was a sore lower back, one Colon said he battled throughout his career. This time it would end his night after four innings.

Travis "is not where he wants to be." Rehab assignment is delayed.

Toxicadam — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:31:48 -0000

Travis "is not where he wants to be." Rehab assignment is delayed.

Link; quote by Wedge at bottom

It's an uncommon injury, it's an injury we have never seen before.

Toxicadam — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:08:35 -0000

It's an uncommon injury, it's an injury we have never seen before.

Lonnie Soloff, on Barfield's possible surgery

Josh is to see a specialist in Baltimore on Monday to see if he needs surgery. No word on how long that may take to recover. I feel bad for Josh ... his chance for some legitimate playtime and it's probably gone.

I liked baseball better when I didn't know Lonnie Soloff's name.

JustinWatch 2008: The Greatest Moment in the History of the Sport!

Toxicadam — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:28:21 -0000

I thought this would be a good thread for discussion of the most epic moment in baseball history tonight. Thoughts, observations and comments for the most pivotal moment in baseball this decade. You may argue with this, but ESPN says you are wrong.

So, I got into a discussion with my boss (who is a Yankee fan) who is convinced that Justin is a "once in a generation" type of guy. I think he is too emotional and on edge to acheive the kind of long term success he is espousing. More of a Doc Gooden than a Ron Guidry.

We began to think through history of pitchers that are so demonstratively emotional and how they fared for their careers. Most of the greats have that quiet intensity (think Randy Johnson or John Smoltz) rather than the theatrics of a Jose Lima or Mark Fydritch. We couldn't really come up with any great pitchers that were very emotional that lasted the long haul. Most had 2-3 great seasons and flamed out.

Can you think of any highly-charged pitchers that acheived long term success? Would you consider Clemens to be one?

"I’m sick and tired to watch this thing for a year and a half. I’m not protecting anybody anymore...

Toxicadam — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:40:57 -0000

"I’m sick and tired to watch this thing for a year and a half. I’m not protecting anybody anymore. (Bleep) it.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/06/01/sportsextra/doc484364879e00d139866104.txt

Just be ready because I expect movement Tuesday," Guillen said after the Sox went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position in a loss capped by Gabe Gross’ walk-off home run off Matt Thornton on an 0-2 count in the bottom of the 10th inning. "I expect (general manager) Kenny Williams to do something Tuesday, and if we don’t do anything Tuesday, there are going to be a lot of lineup changes. That’s all I’m going to say about the offense."

But Guillen wasn’t finished after the Sox dropped the final three games of the series to the Rays, managing just four runs in the three games.

"It can be me. It can be (hitting coach) Greg Walker. It can be the players. It could be anybody," he said. "I’m sick and tired to watch this thing for a year and a half. I’m not protecting anybody anymore. (Bleep) it. If they can’t get it done, Kenny should find someone to get it done."

While taking a break from dinner with his children, Williams took exception to his manager’s comments.

"It’s just not a good idea to throw your boss under the bus, especially when that boss has had your back as much as I have had his," Williams wrote in an e-mail. "I expect this team, if the leadership remains positive and the players stick together and continue to play hard, it will be a fun summer.

"The offense will begin to produce when collectively they say the hell with all the theories, stay loose, pick the pitch you want to hit and hit it hard. It will be nice to see them lighten up and have some fun."