SB Nation User Blog: WITwinsfan

Keeping the Ball down?

WITwinsfan — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:41:03 -0000

We hear this same phrase mentioned in regards to various pitchers each year. Scott Baker has historically been the scapegoat for the "Keeping the ball down" adage. Yesterday the phrase was mentioned in writings by Phil Miller, Joe C, and the Twins MLB site. Both Perkins and Barrett were ineffective yesterday and gave up runs. I have always wondered what is behind the phrase. When Gardy says a pitcher needs to keep the ball down. Is it that the pitcher is pitching high in the zone? Is it a referring to a pitcher that is giving up hits that are in the air, as both Perkins and Barrett did yesterday. Or is it a general term for when a pitcher just doesn't pitch well for a variety of reasons. This "keeping the ball up" trend also seems to only be used for young or rookie pitchers. Former staff aces who gave up home runs, or setup men who can't hold a lead never seem to be exempt from this phrase. What gives? What does this really mean?

Poll

Keeping the ball up. What does it mean?

Phrase manager uses because he can't say he doesn't like young players.

11 votes

Other, please comment.

1 votes

Ball pitched up in the strikezone.

55 votes

Pitcher who gives up to many deep flys in a game.

1 votes

Ineffective pitching performance.

2 votes

70 votes | Poll has closed

Zach Day

WITwinsfan — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:35:32 -0000

Joe C. Reports that Bill Smith signed Former Starter Zach Day to a minor league deal with Spring Training Invite. I really don't think this is such a bad deal. Especially if he starts the season at AAA. Day pitched formerally for the Expos, Nats, and Rockies. He was a Royals minor leaguer last year making a hand full of starts. Go ahead, tell me why I am wrong to think that he might be handled differently that the last two scrap pile pitchers. [editor's note, by WITwinsfan] Retraction: After doing examining his stats over at Baseballreference and comparing them with pitchers we already have I have come to the conclusion that: 1. This signing is pointless. 2. This is a poorly worded post.

Young for Garza

WITwinsfan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:34:02 -0000

LEN3 Just posted this:
http://www.startribune.com/blogs/neal/

We would also be losing Bartlett and Rincon in the deal. For Young, and some other players.

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Hunters Comments

WITwinsfan — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:53:26 -0000

Hunter recently made comments to the Chicago Tribune regarding his free agent status at the end of this season. Hunter commented that :"Three months from now, I'm going to be a free agent. And if we don't start talking [about a contract] now, we'll never talk." Hunter basically is saying that he wants a deal now, or not at all in case you didn't get that. TR has recently stated on KSTP that for a Hunter deal to work that the contract has to be "sane" for both parties and only then could a deal be reached.

But this comment just kills me:
"But I see the New York Yankees on TV every night, a lot of people know who Johnny Damon is. No one knows who Torii Hunter is, and I've been playing for 10 years, and it's tough. I want to be out there in a big market and I want to try it out before I get out, and I know I got a chance to win in a bigger market."

Ouch...That's more than a little insulting to the fans that have been cheering for him since he became a full time player in 99. Hunters comments regarding his contract are increasing, and increasingly annoying. I'm tired of the show me the money attitude Hunter has. He now has repeatedly thrown the fans under the bus with his comments and insulted the intelligence as well as passion of the fans.

Here is the link:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070709allstarbits,1,6345913,print.st ory?coll=cs-home-headlines

We need some of this.

WITwinsfan — Fri, 18 May 2007 19:46:09 -0000

From ESPN Page2 from awhile back.

The most extreme uni-related example of the Interventive Mojo was the maneuver pulled off by Mike Redmond on May 25, 2003, when he was with the Marlins. With the team struggling and manager Jeff Torborg having just been fired, Redmond ambled off to the indoor batting cage wearing nothing but shoes, socks, and batting gloves. The team won that day, and Redmond got two hits, so he continued his naked batting practice during the course of what became a six-game winning, uh, streak. He dusted off the routine in August, leading the Fish to a 20-8 finish and a World Series title.

I never heard about this before, but desperate times call for...

TR and pitching

WITwinsfan — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:24:14 -0000

Recently TR's effectiveness as a GM has been called into question. Few can argue that he lacks skills in acquiring quality pitching via trades and that one good rule 5 pickup, but he has failed year after year to fill positions in the lineup (Batista?). Whether or not this is TR's fault is up for debate. His recent attitude is an obvious sign of frustration. My question: is he frustrated with 1. Fans,media,bloggers? or 2. Ownership and spending?

Piazza or Thomas

WITwinsfan — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 06:18:05 -0000

All right, now that the void on third has been, well, addressed, sort of..., there still leaves the roll of the designated hitter batting cleanup. Espn has been flashing rumors of interest in Mike Piazza and Frank Thomas. Both would seemingly fit the roll but I feel that Piazza would be the best deal for the team. While not being expected to catch daily or even at all Piazza could concentrate on hitting the ball and hitting it a lot. Besides the added offense, Piazza would provide a veteran presence for Mauer and get him to calm down a bit. Not only could Piazza help out Mauer but also other players, Morneau, and Cuddyer with there confidence. Thomas would also be a solid replacement but missed the majority of last season and still appears iffy in my humble opinion. For what its worth now that Jones is gone, the Twins should target Piazza. I really would like to know what everyone thinks about this, but don't be too hard on me, first timer.