Running Baseball Thread, Part the XII

[hockeybeat]

I posted this on The XI Running Baseball Thread, but I think it bears repeating.

Saw the replay of the Joba pitches to Youkilis. Both pitches--back-to-back--were a foot over Youkilis' head. From what I saw, the pitches weren't intentional in the least bit.

Oh, and the Mets bullpen will cause them not to make the playoffs. Guar-an-****ing-teed.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If I may be allowed to repeat what I wrote here more than a week ago, before the Mets-Phillies series. The Mets will be out of first place by Sept. 15 is what I wrote then. I was wrong. It will be a lot sooner than Sept. 15.

And for all Jose Reyes MVP folks, I like the guy, too, but his bat has disappeared the last two weeks. He still helps with his legs but right now David Wright is the Mets' MVP. As for league MVP, almost impossible to decide right now. Let's see if Fielder can get the Brewers back on top and check out Howard-Rollins as the Phillies come down the stretch.

Hey... Ryan Howard disappeared for the final three weeks last year, and you nuts gave MVP to him.

If things go as they have been the past week, Reyes will not be MVP.

But, as of yesterday when I posted, there shouldn't be anyone close.

David Wright: .319 average, .414 OBP, .537 slugging, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 92 runs, 30 SB (in 34 attempts)
Jose Reyes: .295 average, .369 OBP, .433 slugging, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 100 runs, 72 SB (in 89 attempts)

Sorry, but even 42 more steals don't make up for Wright's advantage in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, homers and RBI. The only other edge Reyes has offensively is runs scored, but he's a leadoff guy and the difference is only eight.

And don't start with the distraction Reyes creates for Wright. They feed off each other and Wright also creates opportunities for the hitters behind him with his on-base percentage and speed. Pitchers can't exactly ignore Wright on the bases, either, and he's also on a good bit more than Reyes.

There are points worth arguing here, but there is no way you can rationally say that Wright isn't even close to Reyes right now as an MVP candidate.

Wright's numbers are a byproduct of Reyes scaring the **** out of pitchers.

Mets' 2-4 don't see many breaking pitches when he is on base.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

I posted this on The XI Running Baseball Thread, but I think it bears repeating.

Saw the replay of the Joba pitches to Youkilis. Both pitches--back-to-back--were a foot over Youkilis' head. From what I saw, the pitches weren't intentional in the least bit.

Oh, and the Mets bullpen will cause them not to make the playoffs. Guar-an-****ing-teed.

I bet they make it.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Mets went 15-9 with Wright absolutely sucking the tailpipe in April.

 

[heyabbott]

 

[outofplace]

If I may be allowed to repeat what I wrote here more than a week ago, before the Mets-Phillies series. The Mets will be out of first place by Sept. 15 is what I wrote then. I was wrong. It will be a lot sooner than Sept. 15.

And for all Jose Reyes MVP folks, I like the guy, too, but his bat has disappeared the last two weeks. He still helps with his legs but right now David Wright is the Mets' MVP. As for league MVP, almost impossible to decide right now. Let's see if Fielder can get the Brewers back on top and check out Howard-Rollins as the Phillies come down the stretch.

Hey... Ryan Howard disappeared for the final three weeks last year, and you nuts gave MVP to him.

If things go as they have been the past week, Reyes will not be MVP.

But, as of yesterday when I posted, there shouldn't be anyone close.

David Wright: .319 average, .414 OBP, .537 slugging, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 92 runs, 30 SB (in 34 attempts)
Jose Reyes: .295 average, .369 OBP, .433 slugging, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 100 runs, 72 SB (in 89 attempts)

Sorry, but even 42 more steals don't make up for Wright's advantage in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, homers and RBI. The only other edge Reyes has offensively is runs scored, but he's a leadoff guy and the difference is only eight.

And don't start with the distraction Reyes creates for Wright. They feed off each other and Wright also creates opportunities for the hitters behind him with his on-base percentage and speed. Pitchers can't exactly ignore Wright on the bases, either, and he's also on a good bit more than Reyes.

There are points worth arguing here, but there is no way you can rationally say that Wright isn't even close to Reyes right now as an MVP candidate.

Wright's numbers are a byproduct of Reyes scaring the **** out of pitchers.

Mets' 2-4 don't see many breaking pitches when he is on base.

And Wright helps Reyes by being a power presence behind him. And he helps the batters behind him with his speed and his on-base skills. And Reyes being on base guarantees NOTHING. Look at the erratic season Carlos Beltran has had or the ****ty one Carlos Delgado has had.

What next? When a guy pitches a good game for the Mets, it's really only because the opponent is just so shaken up by the intimidating presense that is Jose Reyes?

And please....stick April in YOUR tailpipe. I'll take the guy who is picking it up in the heart of the pennant race rather than a guy like Reyes, who got off to a great start and then fell off as the season went on.

I know it is beyond your capacity to admit when you are wrong, but in this case you are. You made a ridiculous statement (nobody is close to Reyes) and you keep trying to manipulate reality to justify it instead of just admitting that you overstated things.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If I may be allowed to repeat what I wrote here more than a week ago, before the Mets-Phillies series. The Mets will be out of first place by Sept. 15 is what I wrote then. I was wrong. It will be a lot sooner than Sept. 15.

And for all Jose Reyes MVP folks, I like the guy, too, but his bat has disappeared the last two weeks. He still helps with his legs but right now David Wright is the Mets' MVP. As for league MVP, almost impossible to decide right now. Let's see if Fielder can get the Brewers back on top and check out Howard-Rollins as the Phillies come down the stretch.

Hey... Ryan Howard disappeared for the final three weeks last year, and you nuts gave MVP to him.

If things go as they have been the past week, Reyes will not be MVP.

But, as of yesterday when I posted, there shouldn't be anyone close.

David Wright: .319 average, .414 OBP, .537 slugging, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 92 runs, 30 SB (in 34 attempts)
Jose Reyes: .295 average, .369 OBP, .433 slugging, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 100 runs, 72 SB (in 89 attempts)

Sorry, but even 42 more steals don't make up for Wright's advantage in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, homers and RBI. The only other edge Reyes has offensively is runs scored, but he's a leadoff guy and the difference is only eight.

And don't start with the distraction Reyes creates for Wright. They feed off each other and Wright also creates opportunities for the hitters behind him with his on-base percentage and speed. Pitchers can't exactly ignore Wright on the bases, either, and he's also on a good bit more than Reyes.

There are points worth arguing here, but there is no way you can rationally say that Wright isn't even close to Reyes right now as an MVP candidate.

Wright's numbers are a byproduct of Reyes scaring the **** out of pitchers.

Mets' 2-4 don't see many breaking pitches when he is on base.

And Wright helps Reyes by being a power presence behind him. And he helps the batters behind him with his speed and his on-base skills. And Reyes being on base guarantees NOTHING. Look at the erratic season Carlos Beltran has had or the ****ty one Carlos Delgado has had.

What next? When a guy pitches a good game for the Mets, it's really only because the opponent is just so shaken up by the intimidating presense that is Jose Reyes?

And please....stick April in YOUR tailpipe. I'll take the guy who is picking it up in the heart of the pennant race rather than a guy like Reyes, who got off to a great start and then fell off as the season went on.

I know it is beyond your capacity to admit when you are wrong, but in this case you are. You made a ridiculous statement (nobody is close to Reyes) and you keep trying to manipulate reality to justify it instead of just admitting that you overstated things.

Reyes doesn't need an ounce of the help that Wright does.

Throw me a meatball or walk me. Either way, I have a de facto double or triple within a handful more pitches.

And, the team did fine with Wright sucking donkey balls.

They are dying during Reyes' slump.

Dying.

If Reyes keeps slumping, there will be no MVP, but stop slinging this ill-informed dung around.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If I may be allowed to repeat what I wrote here more than a week ago, before the Mets-Phillies series. The Mets will be out of first place by Sept. 15 is what I wrote then. I was wrong. It will be a lot sooner than Sept. 15.

And for all Jose Reyes MVP folks, I like the guy, too, but his bat has disappeared the last two weeks. He still helps with his legs but right now David Wright is the Mets' MVP. As for league MVP, almost impossible to decide right now. Let's see if Fielder can get the Brewers back on top and check out Howard-Rollins as the Phillies come down the stretch.

Hey... Ryan Howard disappeared for the final three weeks last year, and you nuts gave MVP to him.

If things go as they have been the past week, Reyes will not be MVP.

But, as of yesterday when I posted, there shouldn't be anyone close.

David Wright: .319 average, .414 OBP, .537 slugging, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 92 runs, 30 SB (in 34 attempts)
Jose Reyes: .295 average, .369 OBP, .433 slugging, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 100 runs, 72 SB (in 89 attempts)

Sorry, but even 42 more steals don't make up for Wright's advantage in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, homers and RBI. The only other edge Reyes has offensively is runs scored, but he's a leadoff guy and the difference is only eight.

And don't start with the distraction Reyes creates for Wright. They feed off each other and Wright also creates opportunities for the hitters behind him with his on-base percentage and speed. Pitchers can't exactly ignore Wright on the bases, either, and he's also on a good bit more than Reyes.

There are points worth arguing here, but there is no way you can rationally say that Wright isn't even close to Reyes right now as an MVP candidate.

Wright's numbers are a byproduct of Reyes scaring the **** out of pitchers.

Mets' 2-4 don't see many breaking pitches when he is on base.

And Wright helps Reyes by being a power presence behind him. And he helps the batters behind him with his speed and his on-base skills. And Reyes being on base guarantees NOTHING. Look at the erratic season Carlos Beltran has had or the ****ty one Carlos Delgado has had.

What next? When a guy pitches a good game for the Mets, it's really only because the opponent is just so shaken up by the intimidating presense that is Jose Reyes?

And please....stick April in YOUR tailpipe. I'll take the guy who is picking it up in the heart of the pennant race rather than a guy like Reyes, who got off to a great start and then fell off as the season went on.

I know it is beyond your capacity to admit when you are wrong, but in this case you are. You made a ridiculous statement (nobody is close to Reyes) and you keep trying to manipulate reality to justify it instead of just admitting that you overstated things.

If I had a dime for every time I have been right and no one here ackowledged it, I'd live in the Hamptons.

I'd say "So, it works both ways." But that ain't true. I have admitted being wrong on numerous occasions here.

So, go mug Aunt Mabel for a clue.

 

[Chi City 81]

Still haven't figured out the modify button, huh, Pube?

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Still haven't figured out the modify button, huh, Pube?

Still haven't figured how to pull your head out, Doc?

 

[Chi City 81]

Still haven't figured out the modify button, huh, Pube?

Still haven't figured how to pull your head out, Doc?

Wow. I'm so in awe of your wit I have no response. Then again, maybe I'll come up with a few and post them seven or eight consecutive times.

 

[Platyrhynchos]

Oooh ... Oooooh ... Can I play?

OK.

My dad can beat up your dad.

 

[ondeadline]

The Cubs acquire Steve Trachsel from the Orioles. It must be a move to increase beer sales at Wrigley Field since the games in which he starts will be much longer.

 

[mike311gd]

If I had a dime for every time I have been right and no one here ackowledged it, I'd live in the Hamptons.

I'd say "So, it works both ways." But that ain't true. I have admitted being wrong on numerous occasions here.

So, go mug Aunt Mabel for a clue.

Would you have a pair of horses named Snoopy and Prickly Pete, too?

Reyes and Wright feed off each other. They are what make the Mets go. It's not one or the other. The fact that they're having remarkable seasons together is not coincidental. OOP made a great point: "I'll take the guy who is picking it up in the heart of the pennant race rather than a guy like Reyes, who got off to a great start and then fell off as the season went on."

I think Reyes is the lead candidate right now, but if he doesn't get his bat straightened out during the next couple weeks, he hasn't got a prayer. Meanwhile, Wright is on an incredible tear: 375 with eight homers, 36 RBIs and 12 swipes since the break. If Wright continues to swing like that, and the Mets win the East, it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top. ****, it might be Fielder or Howard that benefits the most.

 

[Chi City 81]

Marshall sucking donkey **** in the first inning. >:(

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If I had a dime for every time I have been right and no one here ackowledged it, I'd live in the Hamptons.

I'd say "So, it works both ways." But that ain't true. I have admitted being wrong on numerous occasions here.

So, go mug Aunt Mabel for a clue.

Would you have a pair of horses named Snoopy and Prickly Pete, too?

Reyes and Wright feed off each other. They are what make the Mets go. It's not one or the other. The fact that they're having remarkable seasons together is not coincidental. OOP made a great point: "I'll take the guy who is picking it up in the heart of the pennant race rather than a guy like Reyes, who got off to a great start and then fell off as the season went on."

I can't recall if OOP was one of the Howard wackos last year, or Pujols.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

Reyes was expected to be the guy going into the season, and solidified the thought in everyone's mind with a great start. Since then, he has had a disappointing season. Look at those numbers & tell me where you see an MVP.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Reyes was expected to be the guy going into the season, and solidified the thought in everyone's mind with a great start. Since then, he has had a disappointing season. Look at those numbers & tell me where you see an MVP.

I guess you have to have a deeper understanding of the game to be able to grasp what sort of havoc he wreaks on the way pitchers go at batters when he is on base.

 

[broadway joe]

Right now Reyes is still the Mets' MVP. Wright could change that with a good September, but it should not be forgotten that Reyes was the only spark of life on a team that pretty much slept-walked from April through July. Reyes hasn't had a month where he was invisible, as Wright did in April. The stuff about Reyes' effect on a game and his ability to set things up for his teammates isn't overblown. Wright and Beltran have had subpar years for the most part, but their averages with Reyes on base are far, far above their numbers when he's not. Wright is an underrated base-stealer, but there's no way he affects a game with his speed the way Reyes does. I've seen Reyes rattle pitchers into balks, I've seen him go from second to third on groundballs to the left side, I've seen him score from first on a single, I've seen him create runs and scoring opportunities in ways that hardly anyone else in the game can. Anyone who's watched the Mets closely since April would say that Reyes has been the one indispensible Met. One bad series in Philly doesn't change that.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Right now Reyes is still the Mets' MVP. Wright could change that with a good September, but it should not be forgotten that Reyes was the only spark of life on a team that pretty much slept-walked from April through July. Reyes hasn't had a month where he was invisible, as Wright did in April. The stuff about Reyes' effect on a game and his ability to set things up for his teammates isn't overblown. Wright and Beltran have had subpar years for the most part, but their averages with Reyes on base are far, far above their numbers when he's not. Wright is an underrated base-stealer, but there's no way he affects a game with his speed the way Reyes does. I've seen Reyes rattle pitchers into balks, I've seen him go from second to third on groundballs to the left side, I've seen him score from first on a single, I've seen him create runs and scoring opportunities in ways that hardly anyone else in the game can. Anyone who's watched the Mets closely since April would say that Reyes has been the one indispensible Met. One bad series in Philly doesn't change that.

Even though you don't deserve to be in the Pro Football HOF, that post needs bronzing.