SB Nation User Blog: dtpollitt

What's your 2009 All-Star ballot look like?

dtpollitt — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:02:09 -0000

What's your 2009 All-Star ballot look like? Here's my 2009 ballot. Whether you like it or not, the voting process is in the hands of the fans, and as such, I take my vote seriously. I vote based on individual performance and contribution to the team, nothing more. I'd like to see your ballot, too, and hear some of your reasonings.

Dan

1B - Morneau over Cabrera and Teixeira. I can't give my vote to Tex because he plays in that Juice Box that is new Yankee Stadium, and I'd rather have Justin in my lineup (paired with Mauer) than Cabrera and any Tiger.

2B - Hill over Kinsler, simply because Hill has a better batting average. He's cooled off a bit, but he's been great this season.

SS - Bartlett has been great this season, even with a DL stint. The trade with the Twins for Garza is looking more and more lopsided as Young isn't doing too well for the Twinkies.

3B - Longoria. No brainer here. MVP candidate.

C - Mauer. Victor Martinez deserves a nod, too, but the Minnesota hometown hero Joe has been unreal with a .407 clip. Who's got a better swing: Pujols or Mauer? I could watch either all day long.

OF - Bay, Hunter, Jones. Bay's been a great slugger, Hunter looks like he's 5 years younger, and Adam Jones may be the real 5-tool player. How craptastic does that Mariners trade for Bedard look now? Andy McPhail, you genius you.

1B - Pujols, the best player on the planet. For as great the NL Central's first basemen are (Pujols, Votto, Berkman, Fielder, Lee, LaRoche), no one comes close to King Albert.

2B - Utley over Phillips. IIRC, Brandon had an off-year last season and has really progressed back to his 2007 form.

SS - Hanley. Somewhat of a slow start offensively in the major slash stats, but still worthy. I'll tell you who should NOT make it--Reyes.

3B - Wright. Fantastic average and OBP clip, and 18 steals to boot. Zimmerman is a fine choice on the worst team in baseball, too. I'd love to pick Aramis here, but 66 ABs just doesn't cut it.

C - Molinas. I'll take either, but I assume the St. Louis version will make the cut. McCann, with his vision problems, hasn't played nearly enough (170 ABs) to be Atlanta's everyday catcher, and Martin has had a poor offensive showing this year.

OF - Ibanez, Braun, Beltran. Probably the most crowded of the MLB picks, with Hawpe, Upton, and Pence all fine choices, but the three I've chosen have been intergral to their team's successes.

There you have it. I'll get around to pitchers here soon enough.

Towel throwing employee shares insight of being first round pitching phenom

dtpollitt — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:00:23 -0000

Towel throwing employee shares insight of being first round pitching phenom

The latest issue of Sports Illustrated gives about a dozen different perspectives from first round pitching phenoms. With Stephen Strasburg being the first pick this year, guys like Tim Belcher, Andy Benes, Floyd Bannister, and Mark Prior give their takes on the pressures of being The Next Big Thing: "The Hype", "The Expectations", "The Show", "The Fall", and "The Aftermath". Here's what Prior said:

The Show - When I got called up, I was replacing a guy who was 1--7, and Don Baylor was getting fired and we were on our way to losing 95 games. Joe Girardi was my catcher and he said, "Be professional, know your job, know your responsibilities on the field and off." My transition happened so fast, I don't think I appreciated what it took to get there.

The Fall - Injuries make you look at the big picture, at what it means to be in the major leagues. It's not like I was one of those guys who was drafted high and never made it or barely made it. I made it, performed at a high level and because of injuries wasn't able to maintain that level.

The Aftermath - Unfortunately, there's no timetable for my return right now. It's good, it's bad, it's rehab. The Padres are giving me the time I need. The more I'm away from the game, the more I appreciate the intricacies of it. That's what I miss. I miss watching guys and knowing, 'This is what I would do in that situation.' I just want to play again.

Dan

Question about pitcher abuse statistic

dtpollitt — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:57:58 -0000

Question about pitcher abuse statistic

Group--

I'm fairly new here, so if this question has been asked elsewhere, please feel free to direct me. I'm looking for a measure of pitcher abuse points for relievers. Specifically, I'd like to look at Carlos Marmol's usage over the years. I've tried looking at BP's PAP, but I don't see any metric for relievers. If you could help, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Dan

The break of the curveball (1st prize) - Best Visual Illusion

dtpollitt — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:28:37 -0000

Why can't you hit a curve ball? Why can't major leaguers hit a curve ball? This visual illusion helps us understand the pitch a bit more.

The Vision Sciences Society just announced the winners of this year's 5th Annual Best Visual Illusion. First prize was the project entitled "The break of the curveball". Click on the link and explictly follow the directions on the right side of the screen. I don't want to say anything more about this neat illusion!

Dan

PS - I could never hit a curve ball in high school.

Yet another reason MLB is run by mindless idiots - Padilla is fined, Burnett is suspended 6 games

dtpollitt — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:50:46 -0000

Yet another reason MLB is run by mindless idiots - Padilla is fined, Burnett is suspended 6 games

I'm having a hard time understanding why Padilla--who hit Teixiera twice, seemingly on purpose--was fined for an undisclosed sum, whereas Burnett was suspended 6 games for throwing--and missing--at a hitter. It is quite clear to me that Padilla started this whole thing and Burnett was simply protecting his batters. The only justification for this I can remotely understand is that Mark got plunked in the butt & back, but Nelson Cruz received a "high and tight" pitch, closer to the face.

Still, it boggles the mind that Vincente received no suspension (granted, he doesn't have a team at the moment). Furthermore, it is somewhat odd that Burnett is receiving the same suspension Carlos Zambrano received, and I do not perceive the two incidents to be on the same level of stupidity or detriment to Major League Baseball. Just another reason MLB head officials are mindless idiots.

Dan

Mr. T sings @ Wrigley - What do you think?

dtpollitt — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:21:17 -0000

Mr. T sings @ Wrigley - What do you think?

Mr. T. sung the stretch @ Wrigley Monday night. I thought he was fantastic--he had Len & Bob cracking up the entire time, he put his own impassioned twist on the 'old classic, and he took pictures with just about every one that asked.

The questions - What did you think? Did you like Mr. T's performance? Do you like the tradition of having a celebrity or IL sports team sing the stretch every game? Would you rather have Santo sing it every time? Weigh in, BCBers.

Dan

Delaware about to pass gambling law

dtpollitt — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:19:49 -0000

Delaware about to pass gambling law

Looks like the fine state of Delaware will be taking your legal bets in no time. I don't gamble and don't really have an opinion on this either way. Get your Cubs' WS bids in now.

Dan

Carpenter could be back May 23

dtpollitt — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:56:55 -0000

Carpenter could be back May 23

Slow news day, but considering how well the Cardinals have been doing (third best record behind Dodgers & Blue Jays), it's important to note that our biggest division rival could see their ace returning shortly.

Chris Carpenter was scheduled to throw off a mound today and could return as soon as May 23rd. I'd link to VEB, too, but I don't see any posts from them at the moment. Cubs @ Cardinals 05/19-05/21, and not again until the last series before the all-star break.

Dan

One fan's already fed up with GameBoard

dtpollitt — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:44:22 -0000

One fan's already fed up with GameBoard

I've been complaining about the signing of Bradley since it happened, and this pretty much summarizes how I feel over 14 games. I said I'd withhold judgment until the season started...and well, we are almost at 10% of the season now. Not a fan.

A significant change in the signing of GameBoard, as the poster notes, is how much his absence changes our lineup. The middle of the lineup really suffers without Lee performing, Micah playing (at all), or a solid #4-5. Not to mention our RF defensive troubles. Meh.

Jerk umpire to report Bradley for contact

dtpollitt — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:27:47 -0000

Jerk umpire to report Bradley for contact

I think we can all agree yesterday's umpire is a jerk. Now he says Bradley made contact with him, which could result in a suspension. Thanks, bud, for your bad umpiring and your report!