Comments on: The Big Bopper http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 22 May 2013 21:38:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: weeping for brunnhilde http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238176 weeping for brunnhilde Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:20:21 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238176 Who was it that Torre would run out against Pedro? Was that Enrique Wilson? Who was it that Torre would run out against Pedro? Was that Enrique Wilson?

]]> By: RIYank http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238175 RIYank Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:17:49 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238175 I think all of the Girardi Binder numbers telling how players do vs. Pedro are bogus. The sample size is tiny, and as matt b. and others note they are against a different guy, practically. I too would rather have Hinske for Swish. I'm liking our chances less than I did before I saw the line-up. I think all of the Girardi Binder numbers telling how players do vs. Pedro are bogus. The sample size is tiny, and as matt b. and others note they are against a different guy, practically. I too would rather have Hinske for Swish. I’m liking our chances less than I did before I saw the line-up.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238174 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:48:26 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238174 OK, I got a meeting...I'll be back later for the game. trying to remain calm... OK, I got a meeting…I’ll be back later for the game. trying to remain calm…

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238173 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:47:09 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238173 [40] And then I will praise him to he stars, and Girardi for his genius!! : ) [40] And then I will praise him to he stars, and Girardi for his genius!!

: )

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238172 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:46:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238172 [34] <i>and, like you (i assume), i think the biggest problem is molina still in there instead of posada.</i> It is madness, but expected madness... [34] and, like you (i assume), i think the biggest problem is molina still in there instead of posada.

It is madness, but expected madness…

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238171 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:46:32 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238171 [38] I think you make a lot of sense here. It would seem that if you're going to bench Swisher, you go to Hinkse for power or Gardner for speed. Anyway, maybe Jerry will make us all look dumb and he really DOES own Pedro! [38] I think you make a lot of sense here. It would seem that if you’re going to bench Swisher, you go to Hinkse for power or Gardner for speed.

Anyway, maybe Jerry will make us all look dumb and he really DOES own Pedro!

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238170 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:45:00 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238170 [37] It would be, if the alternative was not worse---a BUIF with a weaker bat as your corner OF. [37] It would be, if the alternative was not worse—a BUIF with a weaker bat as your corner OF.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238169 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:44:10 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238169 [33][34] I agree entirely that looking at outdated numbers against Pedro is bogus. So this really comes down to benching Swisher. I don't agree with the move, but it is reasonable considering how bad he has looked. But if it is a matter of sitting Swish, and if we don't trust the numbers v. Pedro, why not play Hinske, who is a much better bat overall than Hairston? Or for that matter, take a flyer on Gardner starting against a RHP? At least then the OF defense might be improved slightly? It seems that the ONLY reason Hairston as chosen to start is because of what he did against Pedro 5 years ago. And to pair him at the bottom of the order with Molina...egads. (Actually, if Girardi really thinks that Hairston has the magic touch against Pedro, why not bat him second and move Johnny down, or something similar)? [33][34] I agree entirely that looking at outdated numbers against Pedro is bogus. So this really comes down to benching Swisher.

I don’t agree with the move, but it is reasonable considering how bad he has looked.

But if it is a matter of sitting Swish, and if we don’t trust the numbers v. Pedro, why not play Hinske, who is a much better bat overall than Hairston? Or for that matter, take a flyer on Gardner starting against a RHP? At least then the OF defense might be improved slightly?

It seems that the ONLY reason Hairston as chosen to start is because of what he did against Pedro 5 years ago. And to pair him at the bottom of the order with Molina…egads. (Actually, if Girardi really thinks that Hairston has the magic touch against Pedro, why not bat him second and move Johnny down, or something similar)?

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238168 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:39:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238168 [36] That strikes me as a perfectly good reason to not have someone play a corner outfield position for you! [36] That strikes me as a perfectly good reason to not have someone play a corner outfield position for you!

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238167 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:38:17 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238167 [29] <i>...and his season long .776 ops at home.</i> Interesting. The average AL player this year hit .764 OPS. So one of the criteria for benching Swisher is that he was merely above average at home. [29] …and his season long .776 ops at home.

Interesting. The average AL player this year hit .764 OPS. So one of the criteria for benching Swisher is that he was merely above average at home.

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238166 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:37:17 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238166 [34] Totally agreed about Posada/Molina! [34] Totally agreed about Posada/Molina!

]]> By: 51cq24 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238165 51cq24 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:34:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238165 [31] if he was going to bench anyone, i really think swisher was the right choice. i'm not so sure i trust any of the numbers against pedro, as he's almost completely different than he used to be (yes, he throws the same pitches, but the drop in velocity makes a huge difference (although i almost expect him to come out throwing 95)). still, i don't like hairston playing the outfield. right field is much better than left, but it still worries me. and, like you (i assume), i think the biggest problem is molina still in there instead of posada. [31] if he was going to bench anyone, i really think swisher was the right choice. i’m not so sure i trust any of the numbers against pedro, as he’s almost completely different than he used to be (yes, he throws the same pitches, but the drop in velocity makes a huge difference (although i almost expect him to come out throwing 95)). still, i don’t like hairston playing the outfield. right field is much better than left, but it still worries me.
and, like you (i assume), i think the biggest problem is molina still in there instead of posada.

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238164 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:34:31 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238164 [31] The trouble is, the guys with the bad numbers against Pedro probably haven't seen much of him in the last 5 years either. I do think you're downplaying how lost at the plate Swisher is. 3 of those 4 rbi and the lone HR of those last 77 ABs came in the regular season. If you just take the PS #s, they're even worse. My question is - why not Hinske? [31] The trouble is, the guys with the bad numbers against Pedro probably haven’t seen much of him in the last 5 years either.
I do think you’re downplaying how lost at the plate Swisher is. 3 of those 4 rbi and the lone HR of those last 77 ABs came in the regular season. If you just take the PS #s, they’re even worse. My question is – why not Hinske?

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238163 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:33:57 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238163 [30] Right, so that basically amounts to saying he should be benched because he has slumped in the PS. Maybe. I'd rather stick with the guy with longer term success...after all, Swish's poor numbers at home this season (for example) are still a significant upgrade over Hairston's career numbers. Plus we get to watch Jerry stumble around in RF. [30] Right, so that basically amounts to saying he should be benched because he has slumped in the PS. Maybe. I’d rather stick with the guy with longer term success…after all, Swish’s poor numbers at home this season (for example) are still a significant upgrade over Hairston’s career numbers. Plus we get to watch Jerry stumble around in RF.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238162 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:30:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238162 [28] I'm trying. Seriously, though, why not bench Matsui or Johnny, who have been awful against Pedro? At least that would be consistent. Girardi is using long term statistics for one player (Hairston's numbers against Pedro, from 2004 and earlier) to justify starting him over a player who is benched because of short term statistics (Swish has been bad in the PS). It's problematic reasoning to say the least. [28] I’m trying.

Seriously, though, why not bench Matsui or Johnny, who have been awful against Pedro? At least that would be consistent. Girardi is using long term statistics for one player (Hairston’s numbers against Pedro, from 2004 and earlier) to justify starting him over a player who is benched because of short term statistics (Swish has been bad in the PS). It’s problematic reasoning to say the least.

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238161 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:26:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238161 That includes post-season. That includes post-season.

]]> By: matt b http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238160 matt b Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:26:22 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238160 [26] 11 for his last 77, 1 hr, 4rbi...and his season long .776 ops at home. [26] 11 for his last 77, 1 hr, 4rbi…and his season long .776 ops at home.

]]> By: Yankee Mama http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238159 Yankee Mama Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:25:34 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238159 I sure hope Girardi knows what he's doing because from what I see, the bottom part of the order seems....well, anemic. [23] Secret anti-Pedro weapon. At least you're maintaining your sense of humor. I sure hope Girardi knows what he’s doing because from what I see, the bottom part of the order seems….well, anemic.

[23] Secret anti-Pedro weapon. At least you’re maintaining your sense of humor.

]]> By: Sliced Bread http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238158 Sliced Bread Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:24:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238158 we just have to hope the heretofore Magnificent 7 Yankee hitters knock the stuffin' outta the muppet. they will. we just have to hope the heretofore Magnificent 7 Yankee hitters knock the stuffin’ outta the muppet.

they will.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/29/the-big-bopper/#comment-238157 monkeypants Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:23:09 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25681#comment-238157 [22] <i>In any case, I’m fine with benching Swish. He hasn’t hit in a month or more.</i> Does that time frame include his .936 OPS in September and October, or his .878 OPS in August? [22] In any case, I’m fine with benching Swish. He hasn’t hit in a month or more.

Does that time frame include his .936 OPS in September and October, or his .878 OPS in August?

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