Carlos Marmol Boing-Stiffy-Splooge

[Lance Dicksons Arm]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

[CubFaninHydePark]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

I told my friend the same thing while we were at the bar.  You force the Giants to burn a bench player--but the only thing is that if it's Gary Roberts, you all but hand them 2nd as well.  A 2-base walk and Bonds out of the lineup is still better than a ball in the Cove, but it doesn't seem like an altogether easy decision in that instance.

As for pinch-running Pie, I think that was the absolutely correct move.  You need that run, bad.  It'll make a huge difference on a single that's in-between whether to send or hold him, or on a ball hit like Kendall's, if you send the runner on contact or not.  I think that might be the biggest difference.  You aren't going to see that spot batting for another 2 innings (most likely), it's the go-ahead run, and in a close game, you probably want the superior defense and fresh legs.  I think it was the right move.

Oh, and had Pie hit that ball, he would've been standing on second.  Clifford just barely got in.  That's the difference in speed right there.  A lot.

[Slaky+]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

Gary Roberts

Excited for hockey, are ya?

[Corn-fed]

I told my friend the same thing while we were at the bar.  You force the Giants to burn a bench player--but the only thing is that if it's Gary Roberts, you all but hand them 2nd as well.  A 2-base walk and Bonds out of the lineup is still better than a ball in the Cove, but it doesn't seem like an altogether easy decision in that instance.

?

Or?

Dave's not here, man?

[Corn-fed]

D'ohz0rs!

[Slaky+]

D'ohz0rs!

We doubled our fun. You searched for the pic, the extra mile is what got you beat. But the effort doesn't go unrecognized.

[Corn-fed]

D'ohz0rs!

We doubled our fun. You searched for the pic, the extra mile is what got you beat. But the effort doesn't go unrecognized.

Plus, I got sidetracked by comic book rape porn.

[Lance Dicksons Arm]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

I told my friend the same thing while we were at the bar.  You force the Giants to burn a bench player--but the only thing is that if it's Gary Roberts, you all but hand them 2nd as well.  A 2-base walk and Bonds out of the lineup is still better than a ball in the Cove, but it doesn't seem like an altogether easy decision in that instance.

As for pinch-running Pie, I think that was the absolutely correct move.  You need that run, bad.  It'll make a huge difference on a single that's in-between whether to send or hold him, or on a ball hit like Kendall's, if you send the runner on contact or not.  I think that might be the biggest difference.  You aren't going to see that spot batting for another 2 innings (most likely), it's the go-ahead run, and in a close game, you probably want the superior defense and fresh legs.  I think it was the right move.

Oh, and had Pie hit that ball, he would've been standing on second.  Clifford just barely got in.  That's the difference in speed right there.  A lot.

Yea, the Pie move last night was fine because he was being placed in scoring position with no one out...and because it was Cliff Floyd, not Barry Bonds leaving the game.  The chance that his speed comes into play is far greater when you still have three chances to get him in. 

In the case of Bonds being removed, there were already two outs and more than just a simple single was needed for it to have made any difference in the outcome.

One specific goof Lou made earlier in the year with pinch hitters and intentional walks, had to do with him using Darryle Ward as a pinch hitter in the manner below.  Here's the inning transcript from the April 23rd loss against Milwaukee.  The score was 4-4 at the time after Scott Eyre had just wet the bed and cost Z a chance to win.  Here, Lou essentially burned two bench players to get speed for a player (Hank) who was neither the tying or go-ahead run.  They ended up losing the game in 12 innings, and running out of position players. 

Bottom 8th: Chi Cubs - C. Villanueva relieved K. Mench 
- A. Ramirez walked 
- J. Jones sacrificed to first, A. Ramirez to second 
- M. DeRosa struck out swinging 
- D. Ward hit for H. Blanco 
- D. Ward intentionally walked 
- M. Barrett hit for C. Izturis 
- R. Cedeno ran for D. Ward 
- M. Barrett lined out to left 

So my point, is that Lou himself has been a little pinch-run happy at times.  It's especially odd considering how much he hates to bunt.

[Corn-fed]

In the case of Bonds being removed, there were already two outs and more than just a simple single was needed for it to have made any difference in the outcome.

Except Roberts was put in to steal his way into scoring position. And that steal was pretty much kismet against Manson's arm, fireballer on the mound or no.

Those 2 outs do make it a tough call, though, with the prospect of extra innings. And, considering the Giants were playing at home, and bearing in mind the disparity in power between Bonds and everyone else, yeah, I think I agree that losing Bonds' bat was probably too high a price for a single opportunity at pushing across the winning run.

But I don't think it was quite as bad of a call as you're making it out to be.

[Lance Dicksons Arm]

In the case of Bonds being removed, there were already two outs and more than just a simple single was needed for it to have made any difference in the outcome.

Except Roberts was put in to steal his way into scoring position. And that steal was pretty much kismet against Manson's arm, fireballer on the mound or no.

Those 2 outs do make it a tough call, though, with the prospect of extra innings. And, considering the Giants were playing at home, and bearing in mind the disparity in power between Bonds and everyone else, yeah, I think I agree that losing Bonds' bat was probably too high a price for a single opportunity at pushing across the winning run.

But I don't think it was quite as bad of a call as you're making it out to be.

Fair enough.  But that's working off the presumption at the time that the stolen base is certain.

Even as bad as Kendall has been, there was still a 10%-15% shot that Roberts could've been thrown out by Manson.  Or, there's the possibility that Benji either fouls off or puts the first pitch into play.  If Benji does take pitches to let Roberts steal he's more likely to fall behind in the count, first base is open, and then Carlos can essenitally pitch him using only unhittable dogshit (which is pretty much what happened).

So to me, it's not exactly as simple as Lou having chosen to "walk" Dave Roberts to 2nd base.

[CubFaninHydePark]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

Gary Roberts

Excited for hockey, are ya?

Just a little.  My other tabbed windows were opened to the Penguins website and letsgopens.com's message board.  Hence the slip, but still a moran moment.

I'd fix it, but I think it's funnier as is, since, well, I've been caught, and it'd just be revisionist history.

[Corn-fed]

In the case of Bonds being removed, there were already two outs and more than just a simple single was needed for it to have made any difference in the outcome.

Except Roberts was put in to steal his way into scoring position. And that steal was pretty much kismet against Manson's arm, fireballer on the mound or no.

Those 2 outs do make it a tough call, though, with the prospect of extra innings. And, considering the Giants were playing at home, and bearing in mind the disparity in power between Bonds and everyone else, yeah, I think I agree that losing Bonds' bat was probably too high a price for a single opportunity at pushing across the winning run.

But I don't think it was quite as bad of a call as you're making it out to be.

...If Benji does take pitches to let Roberts steal he's more likely to fall behind in the count, first base is open, and then Carlos can essenitally pitch him using only unhittable dogshit (which is pretty much what happened).

So to me, it's not exactly as simple as Lou having chosen to "walk" Dave Roberts to 2nd base.

Very true.

[Slaky+]

In the case of Bonds being removed, there were already two outs and more than just a simple single was needed for it to have made any difference in the outcome.

Except Roberts was put in to steal his way into scoring position. And that steal was pretty much kismet against Manson's arm, fireballer on the mound or no.

Those 2 outs do make it a tough call, though, with the prospect of extra innings. And, considering the Giants were playing at home, and bearing in mind the disparity in power between Bonds and everyone else, yeah, I think I agree that losing Bonds' bat was probably too high a price for a single opportunity at pushing across the winning run.

But I don't think it was quite as bad of a call as you're making it out to be.

Fair enough.  But that's working off the presumption at the time that the stolen base is certain.

Even as bad as Kendall has been, there was still a 10%-15% shot that Roberts could've been thrown out by Manson.  Or, there's the possibility that Benji either fouls off or puts the first pitch into play.  If Benji does take pitches to let Roberts steal he's more likely to fall behind in the count, first base is open, and then Carlos can essenitally pitch him using only unhittable dogshit (which is pretty much what happened).

So to me, it's not exactly as simple as Lou having chosen to "walk" Dave Roberts to 2nd base.

Not to mention, Bengie's OBP is a whopping 20 points above his .275 batting average. Pathetic.

[Kwyjibo]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

Gary Roberts

Excited for hockey, are ya?

Just a little.  My other tabbed windows were opened to the Penguins website and letsgopens.com's message board.  Hence the slip, but still a moran moment.

I'd fix it, but I think it's funnier as is, since, well, I've been caught, and it'd just be revisionist history.

We need to have a Desipio Hockee Night. It'll probably be just us three, though. And Mrs. Fork - she loves her hockey.

[Down In Front]

My favorite part of the Barry intentional walk is that it looked like Lou told him they were going to do it.  After the mound visit he walked right past the plate and smiled and said something to Barry.  I'm almost positive he told him they weren't pitching to him.

I think it'd be funny if Barry would actually throw the bat away with the elbow guard on ball three and see if the other team still intentionally throws ball four.  I'd be surprised if they even noticed, but how great would it be to see a guy without a bat get intentionally walked?

If Barroid took no bat to the plate whatsoever, he'd still the best hitter in that sorry Giants lineup.

Boche fucked up though last night, in my opinion.  I've criticized Lou for this in the past with Cliff Floyd, so why not when the other manager does it with Barry Bonds in that shitty lineup...

What is this trend of pinch-running for your best hitters in a tied game?  To me, it seems far less likely that the extra bit of speed will make more of a difference, than keeping that player in for possible extra innings.  I realize some of these power hitters are slow, and perhaps even lazy...but it's not exactly akin to going from a 90 yar-old in a walker to Ben Johnson, either.   Not only that, but you have one less option left on your bench.  It just seems like an extra-bad play in the National League. 

I wouldn't be surprised if anticipating that move by Boche made walking Barry go from an easy decision to an absolute slam-dunk, nothing to think about type of decision.  Not only do you not have to pitch to him, but he'll be out of the game completely.

Gary Roberts

Excited for hockey, are ya?

Just a little.  My other tabbed windows were opened to the Penguins website and letsgopens.com's message board.  Hence the slip, but still a moran moment.

I'd fix it, but I think it's funnier as is, since, well, I've been caught, and it'd just be revisionist history.

We need to have a Desipio Hockee Night. It'll probably be just us three, though. And Mrs. Fork - she loves her hockey.

If she's making shortcake, I'll be there, even though I'm not a big hockey fan.