Comments on: New York Mets Known To Let The Ball . . . Drop http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sat, 18 May 2013 19:49:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187019 The Hawk Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:48:19 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187019 <i>"Pujols now has 27 homers on June 27th…"</i> !!! “Pujols now has 27 homers on June 27th…”

!!!

]]> By: thelarmis http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187018 thelarmis Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:01:12 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187018 wow, both Bruce Chen and Eric Milton are starting pitchers today. oh, and Pujols now has 27 homers on June 27th... wow, both Bruce Chen and Eric Milton are starting pitchers today. oh, and Pujols now has 27 homers on June 27th…

]]> By: thelarmis http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187017 thelarmis Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:39:44 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187017 RI - travel safely and enjoy Scotland!!! i played there about 3 years ago. beautiful country! RI – travel safely and enjoy Scotland!!! i played there about 3 years ago. beautiful country!

]]> By: thelarmis http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187016 thelarmis Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:38:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187016 [13] i can attest to that. it was completely INSANE how freaking fast Gritner got down the line. i watched him do pre-game sprints and he just exploded past whatever running partner he had. he's got many extra gears and they begin with the very first step. it was amazing how close the plays were when he just grounded to 2nd base. wow. [13] i can attest to that. it was completely INSANE how freaking fast Gritner got down the line. i watched him do pre-game sprints and he just exploded past whatever running partner he had. he’s got many extra gears and they begin with the very first step. it was amazing how close the plays were when he just grounded to 2nd base. wow.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187015 The Hawk Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:52:55 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187015 I'd love it if Gardner actually turns out to be very good, but it seems like a lot of his hits are weakly hit 'tweeners, bloops, etc. I just get the feeling he's had a lot of luck recently. And good lord his swing is still awful to behold. But if he keeps his OBP over .350 he is a real asset. I’d love it if Gardner actually turns out to be very good, but it seems like a lot of his hits are weakly hit ‘tweeners, bloops, etc. I just get the feeling he’s had a lot of luck recently.

And good lord his swing is still awful to behold.

But if he keeps his OBP over .350 he is a real asset.

]]> By: Evil Empire http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187014 Evil Empire Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:43:14 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187014 I'm loving Brett Gardner right now. He has a 113 OPS+ ... He's got 17 walks and only 21 Strikeouts in 176 plate appearances, which is a good ratio. AND, he can steal bags with the best in the game. I don't know if he can keep up that OPS+, most of it is tied to his on-base percentage which is perfectly fine with me, but he's earned a shot. And platooning him with Melky in center (and occasionally putting Melky in right) seems to be working. More than anything I have NEVER seen anyone get down the line to first faster than Brett Gardner. And I mean in my whole life I've never seen anyone that fast. I thought he was fast on TV, but then I saw him live and he absolutely booked down the line in the first inning Thursday night in Hotlanta. Meanwhile, "the great-amazing-wonderful-second-coming-of-Ted-Williams-or-Yaz-or-at- least-Mike-Greenwell-or-Dewey-Evans" Jacoby Ellsbury has a 92 OPS+ in 303 plate appearances, to go with his career 94 OPS+... I’m loving Brett Gardner right now. He has a 113 OPS+ … He’s got 17 walks and only 21 Strikeouts in 176 plate appearances, which is a good ratio. AND, he can steal bags with the best in the game. I don’t know if he can keep up that OPS+, most of it is tied to his on-base percentage which is perfectly fine with me, but he’s earned a shot. And platooning him with Melky in center (and occasionally putting Melky in right) seems to be working.

More than anything I have NEVER seen anyone get down the line to first faster than Brett Gardner. And I mean in my whole life I’ve never seen anyone that fast. I thought he was fast on TV, but then I saw him live and he absolutely booked down the line in the first inning Thursday night in Hotlanta.

Meanwhile, “the great-amazing-wonderful-second-coming-of-Ted-Williams-or-Yaz-or-at- least-Mike-Greenwell-or-Dewey-Evans” Jacoby Ellsbury has a 92 OPS+ in 303 plate appearances, to go with his career 94 OPS+…

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187013 The Hawk Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:42:57 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187013 [11] That makes sense. I feel bad for Cabrera I guess. [11] That makes sense.

I feel bad for Cabrera I guess.

]]> By: Bum Rush http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187012 Bum Rush Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:41:04 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187012 <i>Cabrera on a shorter leash</i> Only because he has no outstanding tools. Gardner's speed alone changes the game. Melky does a lot decently but nothing outstandingly - a better fourth than a starter especially where the fourth on this team will get 400 ABs. Gardner probably should steal more and I think he will as he gets more adjusted. And it's how he'll stay a major leaguer too so long as his OBP is north of .350. They could get four years of high value innings from him. Cabrera on a shorter leash

Only because he has no outstanding tools. Gardner’s speed alone changes the game. Melky does a lot decently but nothing outstandingly – a better fourth than a starter especially where the fourth on this team will get 400 ABs.

Gardner probably should steal more and I think he will as he gets more adjusted. And it’s how he’ll stay a major leaguer too so long as his OBP is north of .350. They could get four years of high value innings from him.

]]> By: PJ http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187011 PJ Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:30:35 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187011 [7] I completely agree with his inexperience with major league pitchers’ motions leading to his tentativeness on the paths, RYI. I just wish he'd err on the side of aggressiveness because he has enough raw speed, blown pickoff calls or otherwise notwithstanding. Aggressive base running forces the defense to make perfect plays given his tremendous speed. Most of these guys aren’t that good to make those perfect plays all of the time because of the “rush factor” (2112 references aside), which such speed promotes (see also infielders hurrying on grounders only to bobble or wildly throw, not to mention the pitchers’ command decreasing because their delivery timing is disrupted). Tentative base stealing doesn’t distract pitchers as much either. I mean is there anyone with the big club who can teach that, unless they bring in Henderson during ST as a Special Instructor? I would do that next year if I were Cashman, if only to work with Gardy, Pena, and Cervelli. However I would argue he would have a <i>lot</i> to teach <i>everyone</i>. I will give Gardner credit for being more confident however, which is probably the single largest factor for stealing bases. You can have all of the speed in the world, but without confidence bordering on arrogance, you are “scared money” and tentative. Turning walks, singles, doubles and reaching on errors into triples is what made those Henderson/Mattingly/Winfield Yankees teams put at least one on the board just about every first inning, specifically in 1985, when he scored 146 runs in 143 games. At least it sure seemed that way back then. When Rickey was tired or his jersey was snug that day, he would simply hit one out with a jersey pop or three! Gardy doesn’t have <i>that</i> in his game yet... I always loved that "Countdown to Launch" footage of "The Man of Steal!" : ) [7] I completely agree with his inexperience with major league pitchers’ motions leading to his tentativeness on the paths, RYI. I just wish he’d err on the side of aggressiveness because he has enough raw speed, blown pickoff calls or otherwise notwithstanding. Aggressive base running forces the defense to make perfect plays given his tremendous speed. Most of these guys aren’t that good to make those perfect plays all of the time because of the “rush factor” (2112 references aside), which such speed promotes (see also infielders hurrying on grounders only to bobble or wildly throw, not to mention the pitchers’ command decreasing because their delivery timing is disrupted).

Tentative base stealing doesn’t distract pitchers as much either. I mean is there anyone with the big club who can teach that, unless they bring in Henderson during ST as a Special Instructor? I would do that next year if I were Cashman, if only to work with Gardy, Pena, and Cervelli. However I would argue he would have a lot to teach everyone. I will give Gardner credit for being more confident however, which is probably the single largest factor for stealing bases. You can have all of the speed in the world, but without confidence bordering on arrogance, you are “scared money” and tentative.

Turning walks, singles, doubles and reaching on errors into triples is what made those Henderson/Mattingly/Winfield Yankees teams put at least one on the board just about every first inning, specifically in 1985, when he scored 146 runs in 143 games. At least it sure seemed that way back then. When Rickey was tired or his jersey was snug that day, he would simply hit one out with a jersey pop or three! Gardy doesn’t have that in his game yet…

I always loved that “Countdown to Launch” footage of “The Man of Steal!”

: )

]]> By: Just Fair http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187010 Just Fair Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:28:14 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187010 "Some legs are trouble, some legs have pace Gardner's get legs that will run all over the place" I was definitely one of the Gardner haters. His swing at the beginning of the year simply looked pathetic. No wear near Major Leage ready. It's good to see him finding a groove. When he leads off like last night and gets on, I am admittedly disappointed when he does not run on the f irst pitch or two. “Some legs are trouble, some legs have pace
Gardner’s get legs that will run all over the place”
I was definitely one of the Gardner haters. His swing at the beginning of the year simply looked pathetic. No wear near Major Leage ready. It’s good to see him finding a groove. When he leads off like last night and gets on, I am admittedly disappointed when he does not run on the f irst pitch or two.

]]> By: seamus http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187009 seamus Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:44:20 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187009 [7] they'll also get to know him. he steals at a very high clip so i'm not too concerned about him stealing more. [7] they’ll also get to know him. he steals at a very high clip so i’m not too concerned about him stealing more.

]]> By: RIYank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187008 RIYank Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:09:01 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187008 [4] I think part of the reason his % is so high is that he goes only when he feels like he can understand the pitcher's move. That's why he doesn't go more often. I also figure once he's played around the league a little more, he'll get a good sense of the pitchers and he'll snatch a bunch more. (I'm in Newark airport. Could be worse. Could be in Newark.) [4] I think part of the reason his % is so high is that he goes only when he feels like he can understand the pitcher’s move. That’s why he doesn’t go more often.
I also figure once he’s played around the league a little more, he’ll get a good sense of the pitchers and he’ll snatch a bunch more.

(I’m in Newark airport. Could be worse. Could be in Newark.)

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187007 The Hawk Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:50:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187007 While Gardner's doing really well and I hope it continues, it seems to me that Girardi had Cabrera on a shorter leash than Gardner. While Gardner’s doing really well and I hope it continues, it seems to me that Girardi had Cabrera on a shorter leash than Gardner.

]]> By: The Mick536 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187006 The Mick536 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:36:34 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187006 I like it when A-Rod looks at a lot of pitches and doesn't swing at them. Didn't realize that he passed Reggie on the all time homer list. Sorry Reggie. A-Rod hit with two outs, too. Like that also. I like it when A-Rod looks at a lot of pitches and doesn’t swing at them. Didn’t realize that he passed Reggie on the all time homer list. Sorry Reggie. A-Rod hit with two outs, too. Like that also.

]]> By: PJ http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187005 PJ Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:55:45 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187005 [3] He needs to steal more, running every chance he can the way Henderson used to. Keep those hurlers distracted! He's got the kind of speed such that he doesn't need a perfect jump every time, even stealing third. It's kind of difficult to do that if Sabathia gets on base in front of him though... heh "So whatcha whatcha whatcha want?" Seein' Metsies makin' errors we can taunt! Serves Mets fans right mock-cheering Castillo on popups! Now they can mock-cheer just about everyone! If I were a Mets fan, I really don't think I'd be chanting "Steroids" during A-Rod's Ab's while Sheffield is on my team's roster! Is that "clear?" Or was it "cream?" : ) [3] He needs to steal more, running every chance he can the way Henderson used to. Keep those hurlers distracted! He’s got the kind of speed such that he doesn’t need a perfect jump every time, even stealing third.

It’s kind of difficult to do that if Sabathia gets on base in front of him though…

heh

“So whatcha whatcha whatcha want?”

Seein’ Metsies makin’ errors we can taunt!

Serves Mets fans right mock-cheering Castillo on popups! Now they can mock-cheer just about everyone!

If I were a Mets fan, I really don’t think I’d be chanting “Steroids” during A-Rod’s Ab’s while Sheffield is on my team’s roster!

Is that “clear?”

Or was it “cream?”

: )

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187004 Cliff Corcoran Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:41:00 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187004 Gardner is 29-for-32 on the bases as a major leaguer, that's a 90.6 percent success rate. Sick. Gardner is 29-for-32 on the bases as a major leaguer, that’s a 90.6 percent success rate. Sick.

]]> By: Bum Rush http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187003 Bum Rush Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:09:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187003 Damn, Gardner is looking like a major leaguer. Add in his 17 steals, and (big) if he keeps it up, he's in the running for ROY. I wonder if Girardi would ever consider dropping the whole lineup to put Gardner at the top. Damn, Gardner is looking like a major leaguer. Add in his 17 steals, and (big) if he keeps it up, he’s in the running for ROY. I wonder if Girardi would ever consider dropping the whole lineup to put Gardner at the top.

]]> By: unmoderated http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/06/27/new-york-mets-know-to-let-the-ball-drop/#comment-187002 unmoderated Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:38:46 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=20950#comment-187002 ad rock? ad rock?

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