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Blue Jays 2008 Season

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shack

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Herodotus said:
But there is something to be said for riding the hot hand, don't you think, shack? You just keep a shorter leash...
Baseball's a streaky game, as is evidenced by salsamarc's relative lack of complaints during the Jays' recent hot stretch! :D
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LOL. I'd noticed how this thread is much quieter and less analytical when the Jays are winning. They're losing tonight so it may change quickly.

I can see riding the hot hand but we are, after all, talking Marco Scutaro.

Reed Johnson vs. Shannon Stewart?

AB 142.....................136
R 24.......................11
RBI 23........................11
SB 1..........................3
CS 3..........................1
OBP .345.....................342
AVG .261.....................265

Not much to choose and considering how well Reed started he must be really cold right now. Jim Edmonds, he of the .167 batting average, is getting some starts in Johnson's place. My feeling was always, picking one over the other was not going to make or break the success of this team. I think the difference in runs and RBI's is partly due to the lack of hitting by the Jays as a team.
 
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hunter001

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shack said:
LOL. I'd noticed how this thread is much quieter and less analytical when the Jays are winning. They're losing tonight so it may change quickly.

I can see riding the hot hand but we are, after all, talking Marco Scutaro.

Reed Johnson vs. Shannon Stewart?

AB 142.....................136
R 24.......................11
RBI 23........................11
SB 1..........................3
CS 3..........................1
OBP .345.....................342
AVG .261.....................265

Not much to choose and considering how well Reed started he must be really cold right now. Jim Edmonds, he of the .167 batting average, is getting some starts in Johnson's place. My feeling was always, picking one over the other was not going to make or break the success of this team. I think the difference in runs and RBI's is partly due to the lack of hitting by the Jays as a team.
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I notice the same as well. I was going to post something about 2 games over 500, some decent hitting, good pitching but didn't get around too it.

I think it would be a great idea to cut Mench when Wells get back. Wilkerson still is striking out a lot more then he hits. He has got a couple of timely home-runs but still think they could upgrade the position.

It appears Johnson has been sitting on the bench lately. Hopefully SS can keep it in gear.
 
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teassoc

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Strong outing by Burnett let down by batting (and errors) once again. Funny thing to see Mench and the returning Eckstein getting half the hits.

Oakland seem to have the Jays number. :(
 
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Herodotus

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Another great outing by Doc. Luckily this time it didn't go to waste... thanks to a huge clutch hit by Rios! (Does that mean he's finally coming around? I hope so.)

I'd just like to add that BJ's going to give me a heart attack one of these days. I'm sure that's how closers had the nickname "fireman" in the past - they put out fires that others started or they create themselves!

Kudos to A's starter and oft-injured Canadian Rich Harden, who went pitch-for-pitch with big Roy.


Ok, now I will pose this question to the masses: exactly what is a "professional hitter"? Aren't all MLB players - everyday players at the very least - "professional hitters"? Last I heard, there are no amateurs in the major leagues.

I say the term "professional hitter" is the most over-used and silly cliche in baseball. Thoughts?
 
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shack

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Herodotus said:
Ok, now I will pose this question to the masses: exactly what is a "professional hitter"? Aren't all MLB players - everyday players at the very least - "professional hitters"? Last I heard, there are no amateurs in the major leagues.

I say the term "professional hitter" is the most over-used and silly cliche in baseball. Thoughts?
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It was amusing hearing Rance call Stairs a professional hitter because that's what Mulliniks was routinely called in his day.

In my mind what professional hitter means is a real thinking man's hitter. He analyzes the situations and knows what to expect, when to take and when to swing. Basically he's a professional among professionals.

I only watched the last 3 innings but it was fun/tense to watch. That's the beauty of baseball. When the games mean something and it's a tight one the anticipation of what's going to happen on the next pitch just keeps you riveted.
 
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popodaki

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Herodotus said:
Another great outing by Doc. Luckily this time it didn't go to waste... thanks to a huge clutch hit by Rios! (Does that mean he's finally coming around? I hope so.)

I'd just like to add that BJ's going to give me a heart attack one of these days. I'm sure that's how closers had the nickname "fireman" in the past - they put out fires that others started or they create themselves!

Kudos to A's starter and oft-injured Canadian Rich Harden, who went pitch-for-pitch with big Roy.


Ok, now I will pose this question to the masses: exactly what is a "professional hitter"? Aren't all MLB players - everyday players at the very least - "professional hitters"? Last I heard, there are no amateurs in the major leagues.

I say the term "professional hitter" is the most over-used and silly cliche in baseball. Thoughts?
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I was just thinking the same thing tonight about Ryan and his nervous ninths. It's a little reminiscent of Randy Myers back in '98. However, I have a lot more faith in Ryan than I did with Myers. All that really matters is that he gets the job done. It might be best to leave the room for the ninth inning, or chew on a Rolaids if you plan to sit through it.

As for the term "professional hitter", I agree that it is one of those overused baseball clichés. I suppose it just describes a veteran hitter who has earned a reputation for good, consistent hitting.
 
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hunter001

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Herodotus

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hunter001 said:
I think the scafice bunt by Hill is lost in the shuffle. If not for that bunt Steward doesn't score.

Any reason Thomas wasn't DHing? His big beef in Toronto was when they didn't have him start everyday.
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Yes, that was the appropriate use (score/situation/inning/hitter/runner) of a sacrifice. But I still am against the use of them in most instances... because at the end of the day, you still have to get a clutch hit to drive in the run!

Thomas apparently tweaked something (his already-hurting quadriceps I believe) yesterday.


Keep your thoughts on the term "professional hitter" coming! :D
 
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hunter001

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A few professional hitters I would consider for different reasons would be:

Mark Mark McGwire (known way more for his bat then his fielding.)
Wade Boggs (perennial league leader in b.a.)
Pete Rose (Hitting machine, dumbass)

They are some names that immediately come to mind but there are other elite hitters.

Guys like Stairs, not so much. (Not to take away anything from him.)
 
The Oracle

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As for the term professional hitter. I'm thinking it is meant to apply to players that are all hit and no field. Many Ramirez comes to mind. Frank Thomas as well.
 
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blueline

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The Oracle said:
As for the term professional hitter. I'm thinking it is meant to apply to players that are all hit and no field. Many Ramirez comes to mind. Frank Thomas as well.
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Don't kid yourself into thinking Manny is 'all hit and no field'. While he will never win any points for style, nor will he win any gold gloves, be compared to Willie Mays or even teammate Coco Crisp, the guy is more than adequate. Did you not see that play he made recently? Total athleticism to do that. Of course his game is hitting, but no way you can put him with the likes of a Dave Kingman, who is the poster boy for 'all hit no field'. Manny gets the job done, not as well as many others, but he does okay. Watch him play ever day and you will see that he can make plays. Just the other night he made a perfect peg to throw a runner out at third base, while being fairly deep in LF. He is better than you give him credit for.
 
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OnTheWayOut

The Oracle said:
players that are all hit and no field. Many Ramirez comes to mind.
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Let's see you catch a fly over your shoulder and then give a fan a high five!! *lol*

at least he has 1 great catch on his resume ..... :p
 
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shack

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The Oracle said:
As for the term professional hitter. I'm thinking it is meant to apply to players that are all hit and no field.
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It has nothing to do with their defense. It just means that they are a very smart hitter. They aren't guessing when they are at the plate. They have a well thought out plan for their at bat depending on the particular situation.
 
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blueline

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slurp said:
Let's see you catch a fly over your shoulder and then give a fan a high five!! *lol*

at least he has 1 great catch on his resume ..... :p
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Not to mention that spectacular play a few years back. He cut off a throw from CF Johnny Damon while he was still in LF about 20 feet away. Now that's hustle.
 
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hunter001

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B.J.s crushed the A's 12-0. Good starting pitching, good defense by Rios, good relief, good hitting (cough). Even my buddy Mench got the bat going.
 
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