The Curious Case of David Ross
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
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PrintThe Braves are two weeks into their season and to say they've struggled at times would be an understatement. Regardless of whether it's from a poorly constructed lineup, inconsistent performances from the pitching staff, or some plain old bad luck, a few things need to be addressed. One of the concerning trends has to do with one of our bench players.
Why the heck isn't David Ross being utilized more often?
Through thirteen games, David Ross has appeared one time. He made a start in place of Brian McCann on April 4th against the Milwaukee Brewers, a game which the Braves won 2-1. Ross recorded a hit and drew a walk, and (like always) did a great job of handling Brandon Beachy on the mound. He hasn't played behind the plate or even made a trip to the batter's box since the fourth game of the season. That's just not right.
Ross became a full-time back-up catcher in the Major Leagues in 2005, and he's posted a stat line of .244/.349/.458 in that time. Since joining the Braves in 2009, he's hit .282/.388/.492 in 299 at-bats. If you need further convincing of his ability at the plate, his wOBA of .385 and wRC+ of 137 with Atlanta are both well-above the league averages. He also hits righties better than lefties, and his OPS of .887 in the last three years against right-handed pitchers shows he shouldn't be brought in just to face a lefty.
That's pretty damn impressive for anyone, let alone a back-up catcher who has a rocket arm behind the plate.
For the first few games of the season it was understandable to not give Ross many opportunities to make an impact. He was, after all, our one and only back-up catcher. Fredi Gonzalez could have given him the chance to pinch-hit, but you run the risk of not having a true catcher on your bench should Brian McCann need to leave the game. While a manager always like to have a backup plan, the odds of a team needing their emergency catcher are slim-to-none and giving Ross a pinch-hit opportunity is well worth the risk.
There's an even bigger issue, though. David Ross isn't the only catcher on our bench, and he hasn't been for a week now. J.C. Boscan has been with the club since last Friday as our third catcher, but for one reason or another, David Ross still hasn't been utilized off the bench as a much needed right-handed pinch hitter. What is the purpose of having Boscan on the roster if we're not going to use Ross to help bolster our offense? We might as well just carry an extra relief pitcher.
This is Fredi Gonzalez's fault and no one else's. And while batting Jason Heyward sixth or using George Sherrill in a crucial situation is at least (*ahem) defensible, there is absolutely no reason to not use David Ross off the bench as one of our primary pinch hitters and as an occasional replacement for Brian McCann.
We're paying the man two million dollars and he's the best back-up catcher in baseball. Utilizing him on a nightly basis would probably go a long way in helping the Braves win a few extra games this season.
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You're right...
This, among other things, does not make sense…at all.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Fredi is leaving a lot to be desired in terms of managing his assets
In terms of pinch hitting
Ross > Hinske > Conrad > Young > Hicks
How he can fail to utilize him as a pinch hitter when we have another emergency catcher as a failsafe is beyond me.
I don’t know if its just culture shock from diverging away from 2 decades of Bobby ball or what, but I have found myself annoyed and confused with Fredi’s moves a lot more than I had hoped to be this early into his tenure.
Nathan Richard - Please come home. We all miss you.
Agreed
Yeah I’m not sure if it’s culture shock or what, but I always would guess which PH Bobby would use when it was a PH situation, and I had like 97% correct guess rate. I’ve tried doing that with Fredi so far, and it is seriously a mystery to me who and when he will use certain guys off the bench.
+ 1 million
I wholeheartedly agree with this post. I don’t even know what to type right now because you’ve basically said everything that I feel.
I also fear running McCann into the ground if he doesn’t get some off days. I know he’s in better shape and he’s still young, but he’s a catcher, nonetheless. I see no reason to not have David Ross starting every so often, and pinch hitting when we need it.
McCann said himself that he was exhausted last season with 1 month left (and yes, he’s in better shape, etc etc), so that’s an excellent reason to put Ross out there. Heck, I think most could agree that (I’ll probably get blasted for this) Ross has a better arm behind the plate than McCann*.
Disclaimer*- I love Brian McCann and know that he is awesome, so don’t accuse me of anything other than that.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
Well
Let’s remember, we are only 13 games into the season. The weather is cooler, legs are fresher, the offense has been sucking (except for basically McCann and a couple others). Ross will get his starts for Mac. I do agree it is strange that he hasn’t used Ross off the bench. I’m very disturbed by Fredi’s bench usage — why are Conrad and Young being used before Hinske, by far our best bench bat?
I did read Ross will be starting Sunday against the Mets. Once it warms up and we are a little deeper into the season, I’m sure Fredi will employ the Sunday-Ross-Starting that Bobby used last year.
we have to factor in that mccann has been one of our hottest hitters
and its early in the season while he is fresh..
I also think that it helps bench hitters to get some regular at bats, he may have just felt like rossy would be stepping up there cold..
At the same time, he should be taking BP before games when he knows boscan is around
I'd like to see him employed as a personal catcher for a starting pitcher
Maddux did it partly to give Javy much needed rest. It would help McCann and let Ross get the playing time he deserves.
That Heyward guy is pretty good.
by another simpsons avatar on Apr 15, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions
I thought Maddux did this because he could not stand Javy Lopez…
It’s not all that uncommon in recent history. McCann was Smoltzies personal catcher a few years ago.
by TBuzz on Apr 15, 2011 1:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
maddux did this
because he couldnt have more than one catcher in the world know all his secrets..
i don't like this idea
mccann is too valuable to sit every fifth day.. I get that he needs rest some, but not every fifth day..
and how come if mccann is on the bench he will pinch hit, but ross wont?
I've been preaching this for a while now
I don’t like how Fredi has been using the bench in the early going. We have some really good bats on the bench that aren’t getting utilized. While I don’t think that doing this is going to automatically put us on a winning streak, it is something that needs to be corrected, and fast.
by thenightstallion on Apr 15, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions
I agree. I’m trying to give Fredi the benfit of the doubt, but I’m starting to lose patience with his curious moves. Ross is probably the best backup catcher in the majors and Fredi refuses to use this valuable asset. Meanwhile, McCann will be tired at the end of the year and produce little again in Sept when it counts.
Again...
We are 13 games into the season. Legs are fresh, and the weather is cool. Ross will get PLENTY of starts for Mac in May-September.
but why Matt Young instead of Ross… it literally doesn’t make sense
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Because Ross can't play right field?
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
If you think the double-switch was a bad decision, that's fine.
That’s a different issue, though, and there actually is a decent amount of sense to the decision that Fredi made.
Don’t act like it was just a “Hrm, do I put in Ross, or do I put in Matt Young?” decision. It wasn’t.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Hinske not an option?
Definitely the better hitter to have up at the plate in the 9th
Dunno, can't say I've ever seen 'ske in RF.
Since the whole point of the double switch was to safeguard against a tie, there was obviously some credence given to which one was the better fielder, as well.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Definitely agree
However, I would put Hinske just for that inning, let him hit, and then replace him with Young if the game goes to extras.
You wouldn't want to, say,
save Hinske for a good occasion?
Putting him in the lineup means you lose control over when he bats.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Well
The double-switch guaranteed the bench player would be hitting 3rd in the bottom of the 9th. It’s not a huge deal, but with all of the other things that Fredi has annoyed me with, it’s piling up.
The best option, in hindsight...
Would probably have been to let Venters throw another inning. Hadn’t pitched in four days, so he was fresh.
Of course, Kimbrel had presumably already warmed up, etc., but he could have been held until extra innings, allowing the Braves to PH with whomever instead of a double-switch.
It took me until today to come up with this plan, though, and no one else has mentioned it, so I’m guessing this manager job must be a little more difficult than many are willing to admit…
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
by cthabeerman on Apr 15, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
But really… it is… you can’t ASSUME you are going to tie a game… You’re losing you have to put your best people in to WIN… or at least tie the game…And Matt Young pinch hitting… instead of Ross does not make sense
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Matt Young didn't pinch hit.
If he had, I would agree with you. But he simply didn’t.
Also, there’s a difference between assuming you’re going to tie, and planning for the possibility that you might tie.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
but the same thought process is there bringing him in in the top of the 9th… planning on hitting him 9th in the order… and if Heyward isn’t injured… why bother?
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure what you're trying to say here.
But the reason you bother is so that you can get another inning out of Kimbrel if you need it.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
yeah, I guess it’s just a tactics choice… but if I had three outs left I’d put my best guys in in hopes to tie the game… I understand the progressive thinking… and would like the decision too if we are tied… but you’re losing and you bat a rookie… who isn’t known for his Bat… instead of Ross or at least Hinske… who could maybe even play right field
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems like overmanagement to me. Put your team in the best situation to win the game. Bring in a pitcher, then pinch hit for him with your best bench bat. So he was going to let Kimbrel go 2 IP? What’s the difference if you a) dont tie in the ninth and lose or b) tie in the ninth, let kimbrel pitch another inning and you have to pinch hit for him in the bottom of the 10th anyway. Doesn’t make sense.
by CharlotteChop on Apr 15, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And if we'd tied the game
and then lost in the 10th because Sherrill and Martinez couldn’t contain the fish, we’d all be sitting here moaning about why Fredi didn’t leave Kimbrel in for another inning.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
You don’t have to pinch-hit for him in the 10th because his spot was up in the ninth. He couldn’t go two innings without a double-switch.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
on the double switch, assuming the Braves tied the game in the 9th, wouldn’t Kimbrel have to be pinch hit for in the 6 spot when it came around?
by CharlotteChop on Apr 15, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Not unless we bat around, which wouldn’t be possible. Heyward was the last batter of the eighth inning, meaning it’s literally impossible for him to bat in the ninth during a one-run game.
No more than seven batters can get PAs in the ninth in a one-run game…1 run in (ties game), 3 runners on, 2 outs…that’s six batters with the seventh being the final batter no matter of the outcome.
By the time he’s up in the 10th at Heyward’s spot, he’s thrown his two innings.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Right Right Right….got it, my math is off. Thanks
by CharlotteChop on Apr 15, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
That wasn't what BravesFan was saying
It was regarding McCann getting tired and Ross not getting any starts. I’m fully on board with using Ross more off the bench.
But what’s the problem with giving Brian those off-days now? Why wait until he’s exhausted to throw the Ross switch?
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
He’s going to get get off-days. He’s getting one on Sunday. Not even 2 weeks into the season, and Brian’s been red hot…I don’t see the point.
Now if we’re 50 games in and Ross has gotten 4 starts we can start to bring this up. The main point is to just use Ross more in general, such as a PH role.
I agree with you for the most part, it is way to early in the season to complain about anything realistically.
But the thing is even if it is early, giving McCann a rest now, with his fresh legs will pay dividends later in the year. the less games he plays now, the less tired he will be in September. I know McCann wants to play and is raking, and it’s hard to take him out, (and i wouldn’t take McCann out while he is on a hot streak, but you have to).
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
this
is exactly what I was about to respond with.
Don’t wait until he’s tired to rest him. Keep him rested, he stays rested.
Gracias.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
You guys do know that he’s already sat out one game already, and he’s sitting out again on Sunday. It’s not like he’s going a month without taking a day off. This is a non-issue. The issue is that David Ross is by far our best right handed pinch hitter, if not our best pinch hitter overall, and he’s not being used in pinch hit situations despite the fact that there is a THIRD CATCHER on the roster. There’s no excuse for that. Why have a freaking third catcher if you’re not going to use Ross? Dumbest thing I’ve seen the Braves do in a while.
Questions are piling up
I like that Fredi seems to believe we have 8 starters and is running those guys out there most days. Platoons suck! But catchers need days off. What happened to Chipper taking a day or two off each week? Why is Fredi dealing with Heyward the way he is? I hope he’s not being hard headed just to show “this is Fredi’s team”.
"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G
13 games
Early in the season. Chipper is healthy. He did get a game off. He will get more. Ross will get starts. 13 games people.
3 at-bats, yucavich.
We know he’s going to get starts eventually. That’s not the discussion. It’s why is Fredi not giving David Ross pinch hitting opportunities with a 3rd catcher on the bench?
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 12:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, doesn’t make sense. It’s becoming a moot point, anyway, since Jurrjens should be activated tomorrow with Boscan going down.
I’d still use Ross on occasion off the bench. Anything to get our pinch hitters going. What are we now? Like 0-for-19?
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If you've read any of my other posts on this thread...
That’s exactly what I’m saying. I want Ross to be used off the bench, but for all the people saying Mac is going to get tired, I just wanted to make sure people understand that Ross WILL get his starts.
My mistake. I’m in class and on my phone and it’s easy to miss stuff.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's all good.
I wish I could be in class. Enjoy it.
Just read your tweets about the Office last night.
Agreed completely. I thought that was an epic fail of an episode. That’s the best they could do with Ferrell and Carell?
The issue with The Office is how much they’ve under-utilized the minor stars that made the show so great. When was the last time Creed got a line or two? What about Ryan and Kelly? Even Phyllis and Kevin can deliver a big laugh or two. But it’s basically been the Michael, Andy, and Dwight (who is, sadly, no longer funny) the last 2 seasons and the show is suffering because of it.
And yeah…horrible use of Farrell. His scenes with Andy were painful and the opening with Michael was funny for about 10 seconds.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 1:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i want more Daryl, and always want more creed, not a lot of creed, but if he could come in and crush like two lines an episode , that would be perfect.
I cant stand Kelly, although I understand her role and tolerate it, the same is true with Ryan, I like the balance they bring, but dislike them by themselves.
another big loss is there has been less Stanley, and that hurts…
You are complelete right, the show lost it’s balance and is falling down.
I am holding out hope that Ferrel doesn’t stay and the new boss is Dwight with Jim as Co-Manager, that is the best way to change the dynamic enough to inject some life, but maintain the awesomeness that is the show.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Shows don't last forever...
it’s dying my friend, we’ve just got to deal with it. The wedding was the beginning of the end. There have been some solid ones since, but on the whole, that was the signal that the run was over. Shows that try to keep going too long get stale and stupid (see the Simpsons).
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 15, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They should’ve ended it with Jim and Pam’s wedding. It’s gone steeply downhill since then.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 2:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
we would have missed the cartwheel episode, thus I can’t agree with this statement
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Ha. One of the few gems since the wedding. This year’s Christmas episode was also great, as was Michael’s proposal to Holly.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 2:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
for those of you who are scrubs fans, I just hope they can end the Office like season 8 of scrubs ended (or as I call it the greatest finale since MASH)
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
I have had a few discussion about the ninth season of scrubs, or the new class..
If it had been made separately from Scrubs it would haev been successful, but they tried to market it as a continuation of scrusb and no one bought it.
I approached it with optimism and it was ok. Then I got it as a gift (bc the person had gotten me every season and decided i needed the ninth too). And after multiple viewings it is actually a really good show. it’s not Scrubs, and you shouldn’t approach it as such, but Drew and Jo are really good together, Cox is still awesome and Turk does a solid job in a different role.
overall the show is solid
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
i think the Office is different. I am a big Scrubs fan (or was, I still love the show, but its dead so I’m not sure of the proper conjugation). you could tell the show was dying because the main poriton of the cast (J.D., Carla, Elliot, Kelso) were leaving.
In the Office, Michael is leaving, and while he is a big portion of the show, there is enough left over to keep the showing going, but it needs to change slightly. And that change is allowing Dwight and Jim to run the office and have a sort of Odd-Couple dynamic going for 2 years.
i agree shows die, but I think there is enough here for it to keep going for a bit (plus I don’t want to find a new show, I have HIMYM, but i want two).
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Parks and Rec is hilarious.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 2:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I have watched the beginning of it, bc it is on after the Office and I record 5 minutes past the end of the office to make sure I get everything.
seems funny love the Ron guy, but i don’t really like Amy Poehler…I thought about maybe Community, or 30 Rock or that new CBS show with Jason Briggs…
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
We were talking about this on Twitter the other day…I’m not a fan of Poehler at all (though she was really good in last night’s episode). I even think the show would be a little better with someone else at the helm, but she is a producer and probably wouldn’t put up the money unless she got to star in the show.
Ron Swanson is great and Tom Habaford (Aziz Ansari) is great…pretty much a male version of Kelly from seasons 1-4 on The Office. The show was also improved greatly since Adam Scott and Rob Lowe joined as full-time characters.
I haven’t seen Community or 30 Rock, but I’m planning to try them out this summer on Netflix and Hulu.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Community is the funniest show on TV,
IMO.
30 Rock has faded the past couple seasons, but in its prime it was hilarious. It’s still pretty good.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 15, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I love community but..
Archer is the funniest show on TV right now.
We'll trade you for Cheryl Tunt. Tome again? Still nothing?
I need to watch that.
It’s not comedy, but Friday Night Lights come back on NBC tonight. Incredibly underrated and it’s one of the better TV dramas of the last 5 years or so. Great story lines and the acting is top-notch for a show with 75% of the cast being under 21-years old.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m splitting hairs here, but most of the actors on the show are playing down significantly.
Only Aimee Teagarden (Julie Taylor) and Jesse Plemons (Landry) were anywhere near high-school/early college age when the show was filming. The other “kids” were all born between 1980-1983, which makes them at least 23 when the show began in 2006. And the newer cast members in seasons 4 and 5, Michael B. Jordan and Jurnee Smollett (Vince and whatsherface), were born in ’87, making them 22-23 around the time of filming, but still not really anywhere near high-school age.
SEMANTICS
Still better than most crap on TV, though.
by Ivan the Great on Apr 15, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
How old is Lila Garrity? She is a FOX.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
’83, and you know Jeter is tapping that, right?
by Ivan the Great on Apr 15, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, it’s ‘80. Jeter’s tapping-it status remains true, however.
by Ivan the Great on Apr 15, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I do like Archer,
but it’s a bit hit or miss at times.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 15, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
No
It’s hit or hit! All the time. I don’t laugh out loud to TV shows often, but that one and IASIP get me all the time. H. Jon Benjamin is the man
Season 1 was kinda hit or miss
every episode of season 2 so far has had me rolling. The entire time. It’s brilliant.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
I love Aziz Ansari, i was sad he left Scrubs to join Parks and Rec, he was hilarious.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
I do like the Ron character oin P&R...
30 Rock is my show, Alec Baldwin is a helluva comedic actor. And Community has some great moments as well. Their paintball episode was top notch.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
They’re supposedly doing a “sequel” of that episode, and it’s either going to be aired as two parts or as one hour-long episode. If I remember correctly, Dan Harmon said that it won’t be another paint ball fight, but that he does intend for viewers to view the new episode(s) as if it was a sequel to the epic paintball episode.
http://www.ugo.com/tv/community-modern-warfare-2-details
Here’s an article about it. It’s going to be amazing.
I felt the same about the Sopranos as it got into later years...
and went on weird story lines or stories focused on Carmella for some reason. They didn’t need Gandolfini if he wanted to be a movie star, and I felt could let Chrissy, Meadow, Sil, etc have a season of war to replace him.
And what the hell happened with the Russian gd it!!!!
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Creed, Ryan and Kelly are all writers on the show. They may not be that interested in being a “core player” on the show anymore.
"Give him the heater Ricky."
I know it’s early, I also know that I’m not blind. In my opinion, Fredi is struggling with the making of decisions, following a legend like Bobby Cox is not an easy thing to succeed at. Look at the guys that tried to follow Bear Bryant at Alabama. Good coaches, but lots of failures. Fredi seems to have put his foot down in regards to Heyward. Fine, it’s Fredi’s decision to make. Doesn’t mean I have to blindly agree with it.
"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G
You are talking to one of Fredi's biggest critics.
I just think there are bigger fish to fry when it comes to Fredi’s tactics.
I mean it’s not like Bobby’s in game decisions were the greatest in the world… but yeah Fredi just seems to be trying to prove he’s different so much that it’s hurting the team
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree 100%
In baseball terms, I feel that Fredit is pressing. He’s trying too hard to show he’s the boss, even to the detriment of the team.
Who knows? Maybe if we bat Heyward higher in the order, pinch hit David Ross more, not pitch Sherrill as much etc., we actually go 3-10…
It’s frustrating that when something isn’t working, he still refuses to fix, or try to fix, the problem…Surely, he’s not that oblivious…
That
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
I actually don't want Chipper taking two days off every week.
That’s essentially conceding that even if he stays healthy, we’d be maxed out at getting 120 games from him. Give him days off when he needs them (and he hasn’t really needed many so far), and try to get your 130-140 games out of him.
it’s hard to sit your best hitter at the moment because he “might” get tired
by SuperHeyward on Apr 15, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
FACT:
J.C. Boscan has more appearances off the bench than David Ross.
(I know Boscan’s game was the Phillies blowout, but that is just lunacy.)
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 15, 2011 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
another FACT:
Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe, and Brandon Beachy all have at least twice the number of plate appearances that David Ross has.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 15, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Well,
we do need another righty in the pen, am I right?
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Apr 15, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Without a doubt. I love Moylan, but he’s not all that great anymore. And Scott Linebrink is pretty decent. With Martinez being saved for long-relief situations and Kimbrel not pitching outside of the 9th inning, we could use Marek (or any other righty besides Proctor) out there.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Apr 15, 2011 1:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
More than any other fan uprising, I think the uselessness of George Sherill needs to be heard loud and clear. He serves no purpose, and as BenDuronio states in his Fan Post, there is no need for a 4-3 RH/ LH split out of the pen. Get rid of Sherril, get Marek up and problem solved. There is no need for 2 LOOGYs and 3 LHP in the pen.
by CharlotteChop on Apr 15, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Fredi Gonzalez is terrible.
Just terrible. Can’t believe we waited through all those extra Bobby years just to end up with a guy who can’t get the basics. I mean, I used to rag Bobby for not being aware of reverse splits. But this guy … I just, I don’t even…
13 games into the season….good to know you make rational decisions
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
How many games in
will “Golly gee if At Batz wuz so danged important why don’t Pujols hitz lead off derp derp derp?” suddenly sound indicative of a manager with half an ounce of baseball savvy or even basic rhetorical skill?
English please
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
he took a team with a 30M payroll and made them incredibly competitive in a good division, despite having no bench and no bullpen.
he has managed thirteen games, and you have decided those thirteen games outweigh the previous 3ish years. that is completely irrational
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Your rationale is well-constructed and compelling
and I find your conclusions to be as charming as they are profound.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
You should see me when I actually put effort into being sardonic...
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
I thought the above was pretty tight.
I chuckled, even as the recipient.
Shouldn’t Ross just catch Hanson so that he can compensate for Big Red’s inability to hold runners?
Granted, Mac hasn’t been awful behind the dish at throwing people out, but he’s not as accurate as Ross.
a worthwhile solution, good job that makes a ton of sense. I am now fully in support of this idea.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Chances Fredi G will wake up to something as sensible as this = Zippo.
Ross will get all his starts versus LHP.
All I know is..
…personally, I feel much more like something good is about to happen when I see Ross step to the plate than I do Conrad.
The man usually has a good at bat.
I also think he would be a great match to help bring Beachy along as the catcher for his starts.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Great analysis MVHS...
I really hope the first 2 weeks of Fredi’s tenure are not indicative of what we can expect going forward. This team has major issues right now and Fredi is apparently too stubborn to try anything different to solve the problems. Its bizarre that a manager would stubbornly stick to a lineup that isn’t working for weeks for what appears to be no reason other than a quest to eventually prove all of the fans and media wrong if it ever starts to produce runs.
So, at what point do we agree that just because someone is an “MLB G.M.” or “MLB Manager” that he still might be a dumbass? I mean, Dayton Moore. Bill Bavasi. Steve Phillips. Just because someone has been around the game for a long time doesn’t mean he has half of a brain. Fredi probably isn’t terrible, but he sure isn’t impressing me so far.
KLaw RT
Jason Heyward has walked 11 times this year and not once scored a run. Alex Gonzalez is 1-11 following those BB #fredifail
by kbertling353 on Apr 15, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
BOO!
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
Heywards going to get like 50 less PA’s than McLouth this year
by kbertling353 on Apr 15, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
True story
So sometime in the ‘09 season I went to Citi field when the Braves were in town, and was enjoying Braves BP along the third base line when Ross comes up. He took back to back pitches and deposited them to the exact same spot over the left field wall. A pair of Mets fans—a father/son combo—were standing behind me also watching: “Wow, that guy can hit!” the dad says. Wearing my #16 jersey, I turned around, and as smugly as possible informed them "He’s our backup catcher." “He should be playing everyday” says the dad.
And that is my David Ross story.
I was actually going to make a fanpost about this
It seems to me that Fredi doesn’t believe in off days or something. What’s really surprised me is that Chipper has been in all but one game this season and he’s an older player recovering from a serious knee injury.
Its even more surprising when you look at the fact that we basically had one off day in about a 10 game span to start the season including some ST exhibition games.
I would love to see him utilize our bench more. I was expecting to see Chip out of games late with Prado going to 3B and Young in LF. Stuff like that.
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