Comments on: Observations From Cooperstown http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sun, 19 May 2013 20:09:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Bruce Markusen http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268636 Bruce Markusen Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:41:13 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268636 It was nice to see that the Yankees put out a statement on the passing of Matty Alou. While so many organizations have little sense of history, the Yankees remain steadfast in paying respects to their past, even in the case of a player who played part of only one season with them. It was nice to see that the Yankees put out a statement on the passing of Matty Alou. While so many organizations have little sense of history, the Yankees remain steadfast in paying respects to their past, even in the case of a player who played part of only one season with them.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268633 monkeypants Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:30:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268633 [5] The Yankees did outscore the Tigers over five games. I'm not sure there's much need for worry or change. [5] The Yankees did outscore the Tigers over five games. I’m not sure there’s much need for worry or change.

]]> By: Chyll Will http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268632 Chyll Will Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:20:20 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268632 [3],[4] Perhaps more of an emphasis on situational hitting should be made during playoffs; when you know you're going against better pitching then normal for the foreseeable future, you should be prepared to cut down your swing when necessary. Is it just a mental block with some guys or what? [3],[4] Perhaps more of an emphasis on situational hitting should be made during playoffs; when you know you’re going against better pitching then normal for the foreseeable future, you should be prepared to cut down your swing when necessary. Is it just a mental block with some guys or what?

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268631 monkeypants Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:55:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268631 [3] Huh? Where did the team finish in runs scored? [3] Huh? Where did the team finish in runs scored?

]]> By: Bruce Markusen http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268625 Bruce Markusen Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:22:56 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268625 I agree that the Yankees could use a Matty Alou or two in their 2012 lineup. They do need a better two-strike approach. We see way too many strikeouts and pop-ups with runners in scoring position. I agree that the Yankees could use a Matty Alou or two in their 2012 lineup. They do need a better two-strike approach. We see way too many strikeouts and pop-ups with runners in scoring position.

]]> By: OldYanksFan http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268618 OldYanksFan Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:18:57 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268618 While Hoss Clarke wasn't the worst leadoff hitter, I can remember salivating at teams that had a true force leading off... especially that guy in Pittsburg, who I thought (right or wrong) was the best in the game. In those days, the Yanks getting a really good player in trade was a rare thing. Danny Cater was a great pickup and Curt Blefrey had a bit of value, but most pickups were castoffs and well-past-their-prime players. Maybe this was because the Yankees had nobody of value to trade in return? Anyway, when we got Matty, I was STUNNED! ELATED! Literally FLOORED... as we got the BEST leadoff hitter in bastball (although he wasn't by that time in his career)! And so what did the Yankees do with this truly great leadoff hitter who avereraged 2.5 HRS/yr? ... ... ... We batted him THIRD! Not Murcer. Not Munson. Nor Roy White, Nettles, Callsion or Bloomberg. The Yankees batted the best leadoff batter and most famous slap hitter in the world...... THIRD! And in about 500 AB, Matty slugged 2 HRs and 28 RBI, while posting a 99 OPS+ (Slugging% .356) Gotta love my Yankees. Matty Alou showed what can happen when you prioritise making contact, as opposed to driving the ball. My guess is more balls hit 160' find grass, than those hit 320'. It's nice to watch Teix and Robbie and ARod and Swisher and Granderson hit the shit out of the ball, but those 160' soft LDs are really very helpful. Especially in the PS. I really feel this is our weakness, and why our awesome offense is prone to slumps/bad games. We have an all-or-nothing offense. Even with 2 strikes, Gritner is the only one willing to cut down his swing. There ain't nothing wrong with slapping at the ball. Just ask Ichiro. While Hoss Clarke wasn’t the worst leadoff hitter, I can remember salivating at teams that had a true force leading off… especially that guy in Pittsburg, who I thought (right or wrong) was the best in the game.

In those days, the Yanks getting a really good player in trade was a rare thing. Danny Cater was a great pickup and Curt Blefrey had a bit of value, but most pickups were castoffs and well-past-their-prime players. Maybe this was because the Yankees had nobody of value to trade in return?

Anyway, when we got Matty, I was STUNNED! ELATED! Literally FLOORED… as we got the BEST leadoff hitter in bastball (although he wasn’t by that time in his career)!

And so what did the Yankees do with this truly great leadoff hitter who avereraged 2.5 HRS/yr?
…
…
…
We batted him THIRD!
Not Murcer. Not Munson. Nor Roy White, Nettles, Callsion or Bloomberg.
The Yankees batted the best leadoff batter and most famous slap hitter in the world…… THIRD!

And in about 500 AB, Matty slugged 2 HRs and 28 RBI, while posting a 99 OPS+ (Slugging% .356)

Gotta love my Yankees.

Matty Alou showed what can happen when you prioritise making contact, as opposed to driving the ball. My guess is more balls hit 160′ find grass, than those hit 320′. It’s nice to watch Teix and Robbie and ARod and Swisher and Granderson hit the shit out of the ball, but those 160′ soft LDs are really very helpful. Especially in the PS.

I really feel this is our weakness, and why our awesome offense is prone to slumps/bad games. We have an all-or-nothing offense. Even with 2 strikes, Gritner is the only one willing to cut down his swing.

There ain’t nothing wrong with slapping at the ball. Just ask Ichiro.

]]> By: Normando http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/04/observations-from-cooperstown-4/#comment-268606 Normando Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:10:45 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=74800#comment-268606 This is a wonderful piece - thanks very much for this. The Alou's made a big impression on my then 8-year old self. Maybe I should have known better, but the news of his passing resonated with me much more than I would have expected. This is a wonderful piece – thanks very much for this. The Alou’s made a big impression on my then 8-year old self. Maybe I should have known better, but the news of his passing resonated with me much more than I would have expected.

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