Comments for On Baseball

Comment on About the author by Who Is Brad Peacock?

Who Is Brad Peacock? — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:19:52 +0000

[...] a “Peacock”, and so am I. Well, my name obviously isn’t “Peacock” but I played baseball for the St. Peter’s Peacocks (did you know SPC is the only athletic team named for that fancy bird? I digress [...]

Comment on Swinging on 3-0 Counts by Mets Game 148: Loss to Nationals

Mets Game 148: Loss to Nationals — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:13:46 +0000

[...] first base, Willie Harris swung on 3-0 and hit a fly ball to the warning track in right field. Now, I do like seeing guys swing on 3-0 on occasion. But I’m not sure I like Willie Harris doing it in Citi Field. Ya know what [...]

Comment on Buster Posey Aftermath: What Should Be Done? by Mets Game 142: Loss to Braves

Mets Game 142: Loss to Braves — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:35:10 +0000

[...] continue to block the plate without the ball, sometimes resulting in major injuries such as the one suffered by Buster Posey. By the way, do missed cutoffs get counted in UZR or other advanced defensive metrics? [...]

Comment on Catching: How to Frame by Mets Game 134: Win Over Marlins

Mets Game 134: Win Over Marlins — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:32:55 +0000

[...] you know my take on “framing”; if you don’t know my stance or need a refresher, go here. Why is this an issue? Because some (many?) umpires do not respond well to catchers who try to [...]

Comment on Buster Posey Aftermath: What Should Be Done? by TheDZA

TheDZA — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:03:48 +0000

On that rule Joe. I have a – perhaps incorrect – memory of Paul Lo Duca blocking the plate with a trail leg (kneeling facing the mound – waiting to receive the throw), the runner sliding in feet first and not touching the plate – due to the leg. Then Lo Duca almost immediately receiving the throw and tagging the guy out. Does that constitute an illegal move?
It is a pretty quick play and possibly could be argued to be unintentional?

Comment on Swinging on 3-0 Counts by TheDZA

TheDZA — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:58:09 +0000

Joe – Interesting the meatball on 3-0, particularly the pitchers mindset (assumptions):-

A. The hitter isn’t going to chase anything
B. I need to get back in this count with a definite strike
C. I may as well forget this guy and start afresh on the next one (situation dependant of course)

I am not sure – the situation woul dictate and I guess if the pitcher is getting good calls – is he getting the corner of the plate etc.

From the hitter POV – what type of hitter you want to be must come into it, you stated you didn’t hit that many homers, was that because you were concerned more with getting on base? What kind of hitter did you want to be?

Comment on Why Johan Santana May Not Return in 2011 by Rob from NYC

Rob from NYC — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:50:18 +0000

Great article. Honestly, the real proof would be comparing his mechanics from when he was pitching for the Twins vs. his pitching for the Mets (also comparing his delivery on the same type of pitch). In any event, a capsular injury is a severe injury to have as a pitcher. If during the healing process the capsule becomes tighter (more fibrous scarring), his velocity will be significantly diminished. Therefore, the conclusion that he may never pitch effectively at the MLB level may not be far off. If any doubt, look at ChienMing Wang so far.

Comment on Ron Swoboda on Outfield Play by Where They Are Now: Endy Chavez

Where They Are Now: Endy Chavez — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:07:01 +0000

[...] Of course you remember “The Catch” … meaning, the one by Endy Chavez rather than the one by Ron Swoboda. [...]

Comment on Buster Posey Aftermath: What Should Be Done? by Joe Janish

Joe Janish — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:13:17 +0000

Have to agree: leave the rule alone!

Also agree that more baserunners are injured than catchers. I bet if the situation were reversed, and Posey broke the no-name player’s leg, no one would have made a peep.

As for blocking the plate without the ball … isn’t it already illegal? I think there is a rule somewhere in 7.00 (The Baserunner) that forbids any fielder without the ball from blocking a base.

Comment on Buster Posey Aftermath: What Should Be Done? by Mike Steffanos

Mike Steffanos — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:39:07 +0000

Joe, wonder what you think about the suggestion of some to make blocking home plate illegal without the ball? I don’t know how you can make it illegal to run into the catcher but allow catchers to even partially block home plate. I’ve been watching baseball for 40+ years and have seen far more baserunners hurt than catchers on these plays.

If it was me I’d leave the rule alone. I don’t even think there are as many home plate collisions today as there were 20 years ago.