Comments on: News of the Day – 5/29/09 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 22 May 2013 02:03:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Bum Rush http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174877 Bum Rush Fri, 29 May 2009 22:09:07 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174877 I became absolutely convinced it’s mostly the shorter porch when I looked at <a href="http://www.hittrackeronline.com/detail.php?id=2009_1268&type=ballpark" rel="nofollow">this homerun tracker</a>. Look at how many are out where the wall goes straight where it <a href="http://riveraveblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/yscomparison.gif" rel="nofollow">used to be curved</a>. I count 22 homers just beyond the right field wall that could have easily fallen in last year. Then compare the leftfield porch. There are another 11 that wouldn’t have been out at the last place. That’s the difference between last year and this year! The doubles have become homeruns! Still doubt me? Some interesting math: 2009 Yankees: Home = 43 doubles, 45 homeruns Away = 56 doubles, 32 homeruns See that? Let's simplify: Home = -13 doubles, +13 homeruns Away = +13 doubles, -13 homeruns Case closed. It's all A-Rod's fault! I became absolutely convinced it’s mostly the shorter porch when I looked at this homerun tracker.
Look at how many are out where the wall goes straight where it used to be curved.

I count 22 homers just beyond the right field wall that could have easily fallen in last year. Then compare the leftfield porch. There are another 11 that wouldn’t have been out at the last place. That’s the difference between last year and this year! The doubles have become homeruns!

Still doubt me?

Some interesting math:

2009 Yankees:
Home = 43 doubles, 45 homeruns
Away = 56 doubles, 32 homeruns

See that?

Let’s simplify:
Home = -13 doubles, +13 homeruns
Away = +13 doubles, -13 homeruns

Case closed. It’s all A-Rod’s fault!

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174876 The Hawk Fri, 29 May 2009 20:24:31 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174876 [8] <i>"Instead of atmospheric conditions causing the short porch in right to play even smaller, could it be that something about the YSII caused it to play bigger?"</i> There's something beautifully deranged about this. [8] “Instead of atmospheric conditions causing the short porch in right to play even smaller, could it be that something about the YSII caused it to play bigger?”

There’s something beautifully deranged about this.

]]> By: Shaun P. http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174875 Shaun P. Fri, 29 May 2009 20:19:59 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174875 [17] I'm not sure our former DT neighbors would consider that progress. OTOH, because its a division rival, I'm sure they are thrilled! [17] I’m not sure our former DT neighbors would consider that progress. OTOH, because its a division rival, I’m sure they are thrilled!

]]> By: Diane Firstman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174874 Diane Firstman Fri, 29 May 2009 19:33:19 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174874 Rockies fire Hurdle, hire Tracy http://tinyurl.com/nppmd8 Rockies fire Hurdle, hire Tracy

http://tinyurl.com/nppmd8

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174873 monkeypants Fri, 29 May 2009 19:07:00 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174873 [12] There will never be a definitive study, because it's not in the Yankees' interest to call attention to any differences--especially given the organizations propaganda about the dimensions being "exactly the same." Yet everything I have seen, and these have been pretty good analyses, show that the power alley in RF is a good bit shorter. Maybe when google maps updates, we someone can do a comparison, but even then those images are slightly distorted. In any case, I am firmly convinced that the dimensions are not "exactly the same", regardless of whether they are deeper of shorter. Just look at the contour of RF: in YS the wall juts out at an angle while in NYS the wall runs basically straight from the corner to deep RCF. They are simply not identical contours and thus not identical dimensions. Bur Lonn Trost says they are identical, so it must be true. Maybe it has something to do with the architectural shadows or something. In any case, I'm on limited internet access from Italia. I'll be back in full swing in a few days. [12] There will never be a definitive study, because it’s not in the Yankees’ interest to call attention to any differences–especially given the organizations propaganda about the dimensions being “exactly the same.” Yet everything I have seen, and these have been pretty good analyses, show that the power alley in RF is a good bit shorter. Maybe when google maps updates, we someone can do a comparison, but even then those images are slightly distorted.

In any case, I am firmly convinced that the dimensions are not “exactly the same”, regardless of whether they are deeper of shorter. Just look at the contour of RF: in YS the wall juts out at an angle while in NYS the wall runs basically straight from the corner to deep RCF. They are simply not identical contours and thus not identical dimensions.

Bur Lonn Trost says they are identical, so it must be true. Maybe it has something to do with the architectural shadows or something.

In any case, I’m on limited internet access from Italia. I’ll be back in full swing in a few days.

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174872 williamnyy23 Fri, 29 May 2009 18:59:33 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174872 [13] Again, the difference is in trying to determine why there are so many more HRs (even if the small variations in fence distances are accurate), and subsequently trying to "fix" it, assuming it is viewed as a problem. Also, while the chart cited may be accurate, it does indicate the some areas of the park are actually deeper. What's more, even though foul territory behind HP is less, there is more down the lines (also, I saw a study suggesting that only a handful of balls caught in the old place in 2008 wouldn't be caught this year). [13] Again, the difference is in trying to determine why there are so many more HRs (even if the small variations in fence distances are accurate), and subsequently trying to “fix” it, assuming it is viewed as a problem.

Also, while the chart cited may be accurate, it does indicate the some areas of the park are actually deeper. What’s more, even though foul territory behind HP is less, there is more down the lines (also, I saw a study suggesting that only a handful of balls caught in the old place in 2008 wouldn’t be caught this year).

]]> By: RIYank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174871 RIYank Fri, 29 May 2009 18:56:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174871 What I find most striking about the 'bandbox' controversy is that nothing that anyone has proposed is remotely an explanation for the astounding homer increase this year over last. I mean, it would take a hurricane to suck that many fly balls over the fence, and shorter walls might add two or three homers. So whatever your view, you <i>have</i> to think that either there is some huge unnoticed explanatory factor, or else that a large chunk of the increase really is just random fluctuation. What I find most striking about the ‘bandbox’ controversy is that nothing that anyone has proposed is remotely an explanation for the astounding homer increase this year over last. I mean, it would take a hurricane to suck that many fly balls over the fence, and shorter walls might add two or three homers. So whatever your view, you have to think that either there is some huge unnoticed explanatory factor, or else that a large chunk of the increase really is just random fluctuation.

]]> By: 51cq24 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174870 51cq24 Fri, 29 May 2009 18:50:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174870 [12] i don't see what the difference is between saying that the wind here causes balls to go out and that the lack of wind at the old stadium caused balls to stay in. there's a diagram here that i think is accurate. http://tiny.cc/DPfQu on top of that, remember that there's significantly less foul room behind the plate, which obviously adds to overall offense. if i were in charge, i'd cut the backstop back to where it used to be, thereby eliminating some of the embarrassing seats, cutting down slightly on offense, and restoring one of the nicer looking features of the old stadium (the acute angle). [12] i don’t see what the difference is between saying that the wind here causes balls to go out and that the lack of wind at the old stadium caused balls to stay in.
there’s a diagram here that i think is accurate. http://tiny.cc/DPfQu
on top of that, remember that there’s significantly less foul room behind the plate, which obviously adds to overall offense. if i were in charge, i’d cut the backstop back to where it used to be, thereby eliminating some of the embarrassing seats, cutting down slightly on offense, and restoring one of the nicer looking features of the old stadium (the acute angle).

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174869 williamnyy23 Fri, 29 May 2009 18:42:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174869 [9] But, if run production isn't up (and that's not to say it wont be over the season), then it could still wind up being a slight pitcher's park, except with doubles being exchanged for HRs. I can understand why one would prefer to see more balls in play, but more HRs alone doesn't make for a band box, at least not in terms of overall scoring. [11] It does matter IF you are trying to figure out why. I would really like to see a definitive measurement of the fences because everything being discussed is still speculation. [9] But, if run production isn’t up (and that’s not to say it wont be over the season), then it could still wind up being a slight pitcher’s park, except with doubles being exchanged for HRs. I can understand why one would prefer to see more balls in play, but more HRs alone doesn’t make for a band box, at least not in terms of overall scoring.

[11] It does matter IF you are trying to figure out why. I would really like to see a definitive measurement of the fences because everything being discussed is still speculation.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174868 monkeypants Fri, 29 May 2009 18:36:45 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174868 [8] Does it really matter which way you say it: the old park played bigger than it was v. the new park plays smaller than it is? And in any case, there is simply no way at all that the dimensions are "exactly the same" at the two parks. At the very least, they could have replicated the distances to the fences--if the parks still played differently at that point, then what can you do? [8] Does it really matter which way you say it: the old park played bigger than it was v. the new park plays smaller than it is? And in any case, there is simply no way at all that the dimensions are “exactly the same” at the two parks. At the very least, they could have replicated the distances to the fences–if the parks still played differently at that point, then what can you do?

]]> By: Diane Firstman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174867 Diane Firstman Fri, 29 May 2009 18:35:22 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174867 Our former Toaster friend Jon Weisman has some interesting notes on Torre's bullpen management this year: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgerthoughts/2009/05/bullpen.html The 2009 Dodger bullpen is averaging 3.38 innings per game. The 2009 major-league average is 3.21 bullpen innings per game. The best team in baseball in this category is Pittsburgh, with 2.76 relief innings per game. . . . The Dodger bullpen is only two outs per game behind the least-used bullpen in baseball. . . . Obviously, not all Dodger relievers are used equally, but as readers of this site know, I've been tracking daily pitch counts by the team, and with the possible exception of Cory Wade in April, the relievers all have gotten regular rest after a tough game or after a tough stretch of games. . . . Broxton, the team's top reliever, has thrown more than 20 pitches in consecutive games twice this year, Each time, he got at least two days' rest afterward. Every time Ramon Troncoso or Ronald Belisario has thrown more than 25 pitches in a game, he has gotten the next day off. No other reliever on the team has thrown more than 18 innings all season. Our former Toaster friend Jon Weisman has some interesting notes on Torre’s bullpen management this year:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgerthoughts/2009/05/bullpen.html

The 2009 Dodger bullpen is averaging 3.38 innings per game. The 2009 major-league average is 3.21 bullpen innings per game. The best team in baseball in this category is Pittsburgh, with 2.76 relief innings per game.

. . . The Dodger bullpen is only two outs per game behind the least-used bullpen in baseball. . . .

Obviously, not all Dodger relievers are used equally, but as readers of this site know, I’ve been tracking daily pitch counts by the team, and with the possible exception of Cory Wade in April, the relievers all have gotten regular rest after a tough game or after a tough stretch of games. . . .

Broxton, the team’s top reliever, has thrown more than 20 pitches in consecutive games twice this year, Each time, he got at least two days’ rest afterward. Every time Ramon Troncoso or Ronald Belisario has thrown more than 25 pitches in a game, he has gotten the next day off. No other reliever on the team has thrown more than 18 innings all season.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174866 monkeypants Fri, 29 May 2009 18:34:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174866 [5] It's not simply a matter of run production, at least for me. It's also a matter of aesthetics. If NYS is turning pop flies into HRS but robbing players of doubles and triples (yielding the same overall run production), itl lends itself to a style of play that I personally find unappealing. YS even after it was remodeled and the fences were pulled in played as a (at least) a slight pitchers park with big gaps in the OF. That the new stadium appears to be Fenway Light does not excite. [5] It’s not simply a matter of run production, at least for me. It’s also a matter of aesthetics. If NYS is turning pop flies into HRS but robbing players of doubles and triples (yielding the same overall run production), itl lends itself to a style of play that I personally find unappealing. YS even after it was remodeled and the fences were pulled in played as a (at least) a slight pitchers park with big gaps in the OF. That the new stadium appears to be Fenway Light does not excite.

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174865 williamnyy23 Fri, 29 May 2009 18:29:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174865 One more point on YSIII. Instead of atmospheric conditions causing the short porch in right to play even smaller, could it be that something about the YSII caused it to play bigger? Everyone knows about the Mattingly theory with regard to judging the wind based on the direction of the bat wind vane, not the flags. Maybe the old structure created swirling winds that worked against the ball, while the openness of the new place has canceled that out? One more point on YSIII. Instead of atmospheric conditions causing the short porch in right to play even smaller, could it be that something about the YSII caused it to play bigger? Everyone knows about the Mattingly theory with regard to judging the wind based on the direction of the bat wind vane, not the flags. Maybe the old structure created swirling winds that worked against the ball, while the openness of the new place has canceled that out?

]]> By: Bud Wisenheimer http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174864 Bud Wisenheimer Fri, 29 May 2009 17:51:55 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174864 [5] NYS has an offensive park factor of 1.06. hardly coors field east. [5] NYS has an offensive park factor of 1.06. hardly coors field east.

]]> By: Bud Wisenheimer http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174863 Bud Wisenheimer Fri, 29 May 2009 17:51:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174863 Long time listener, first time caller. Congrats to cliff. People, they've played like 25 games in the new stadium. The Yankees have good hitters. The Yankees hit far fewer home runs last season than they were projected to. Derek Jeter is hitting much differently this season than last. The sample is so small and the noise is so abundant, that determining that NYS is a "bandbox and something needs to be done about it!!!" is sloppy, lazy and knee jerk. Long time listener, first time caller. Congrats to cliff.

People, they’ve played like 25 games in the new stadium. The Yankees have good hitters. The Yankees hit far fewer home runs last season than they were projected to. Derek Jeter is hitting much differently this season than last.

The sample is so small and the noise is so abundant, that determining that NYS is a “bandbox and something needs to be done about it!!!” is sloppy, lazy and knee jerk.

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174862 williamnyy23 Fri, 29 May 2009 17:12:38 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174862 I really wish everyone would stop getting so hung up on the HRs and instead look at the total level of offense. If you pro-rate the runs the Yankees have scored at home so far, it would amount to 454. That would place it below the teams output in 2005-2007, in line with 2004 and above 2008. The OPS level is also inline with 2005 and 2007. Also, compared to the their 2009 road totals, the Yankees do have a higher OPS, but have actually scored fewer runs per game. So, if YSIII is not inflating run production, but only HR levels, why is everyone getting so bent out of shape. Are we back to everything revolving around the sanctity of the HR record? Also, can you call YSIII a band box even if run production isn’t boosted significantly? Instead of trying to come up with conspiracies and wringing our hands, maybe we are seeing the perfect storm of a stadium somewhat more conducive to hitting HRs colliding with a lineup that is a lot more prone to hitting them? Year Runs OPS 2009 454* 0.858 2008 412 0.789 2007 520 0.854 2006 479 0.805 2005 477 0.846 2004 446 0.816 *prorated 2009 Runs/G OPS Home 5.6 0.858 Away 5.7 0.831 I really wish everyone would stop getting so hung up on the HRs and instead look at the total level of offense. If you pro-rate the runs the Yankees have scored at home so far, it would amount to 454. That would place it below the teams output in 2005-2007, in line with 2004 and above 2008. The OPS level is also inline with 2005 and 2007.

Also, compared to the their 2009 road totals, the Yankees do have a higher OPS, but have actually scored fewer runs per game.

So, if YSIII is not inflating run production, but only HR levels, why is everyone getting so bent out of shape. Are we back to everything revolving around the sanctity of the HR record? Also, can you call YSIII a band box even if run production isn’t boosted significantly?

Instead of trying to come up with conspiracies and wringing our hands, maybe we are seeing the perfect storm of a stadium somewhat more conducive to hitting HRs colliding with a lineup that is a lot more prone to hitting them?

Year Runs OPS
2009 454* 0.858
2008 412 0.789
2007 520 0.854
2006 479 0.805
2005 477 0.846
2004 446 0.816
*prorated

2009 Runs/G OPS
Home 5.6 0.858
Away 5.7 0.831

]]> By: cult of basebaal http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174861 cult of basebaal Fri, 29 May 2009 16:44:19 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174861 Brett Marshall's May: 2-1 2.54 28.1/23 13/27 last start was his best yet 6/1/0/1/9 Losing Cole still hurts though. Brett Marshall’s May:

2-1 2.54 28.1/23 13/27

last start was his best yet 6/1/0/1/9

Losing Cole still hurts though.

]]> By: jonnystrongleg http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174860 jonnystrongleg Fri, 29 May 2009 16:30:32 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174860 i think his 120 ft bloop single cum inside the park homerun is a perfect way to look at brett gardner's 2009 season : thankful for the unexpected contribution, unwise to expect it to be repeatable. and yes, it's also nice to see that ellsbury is apparently not that good either. too bad he helped them win the friggin world series. he picked a great time to play out of his mind. i think his 120 ft bloop single cum inside the park homerun is a perfect way to look at brett gardner’s 2009 season :

thankful for the unexpected contribution, unwise to expect it to be repeatable.

and yes, it’s also nice to see that ellsbury is apparently not that good either. too bad he helped them win the friggin world series. he picked a great time to play out of his mind.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174859 Rich Fri, 29 May 2009 15:51:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174859 [1] I was once roundly attacked on BBTF for using their names in the same sentence. Some more numbers (same order): SB: 9 CS: 2 (22.2 %) SB:: 21 CS: 6 (28.5%)) OPS+: 97 OPS+: 80 wOBA: .344 wOBA: .326 UZR: 6.5 UZR: -0.2 [1] I was once roundly attacked on BBTF for using their names in the same sentence.

Some more numbers (same order):

SB: 9 CS: 2 (22.2 %)

SB:: 21 CS: 6 (28.5%))

OPS+: 97

OPS+: 80

wOBA: .344

wOBA: .326

UZR: 6.5

UZR: -0.2

]]> By: RIYank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/05/29/news-of-the-day-52909/#comment-174858 RIYank Fri, 29 May 2009 15:41:30 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=19640#comment-174858 Here's a somewhat interesting comparison: .277 .339 .416 .755 .302 .336 .371 .708 The first is Brett Gardner this year. The second is Jacoby Ellsbury. Here’s a somewhat interesting comparison:

.277 .339 .416 .755
.302 .336 .371 .708

The first is Brett Gardner this year. The second is Jacoby Ellsbury.

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