Strategy/Baserunning

[shellback]

This is a minor point- why in the hell did Pujols attempt to steal early in yesterdays game? Did the batter miss a sign? Or was this a sick attempt at humor by our coaching staff?

With Pujols known plantar facieitis problem, why would they ever give him the steal sign. That play marks the earliest expended curse words by me in an angel season all time.

lots of questions but you guys have all the answers.

[Blarg]

You are going to go crazy obsessing about every in game mistake the day after. Pujols, like Torii, and like Vlad, is compulsive and thinks he still is 25 years old on the base paths. This is going to happen again.

[shellback]

crazy? already went. maybe pujols just doesn't  care about the condition of his wheels. perhaps a better question is if the steal attempt was his idea ? if thats the case he needs a reality check/ass chewing.

[AngelArcher]

The old saying goes, run until you're tagged out until also something good happens for you. Words to live by IMO.

[katrinab]

they said on the broadcast that no one was holding him on or paying attention to him so he took a shot

i dont mind as long as he doesnt do stuff like that all the time

[gotbeer]

IMO, not a bad move to have him try to steal.  There were 2 strikes on Hamilton, who is a historically better first pitch hitter.  So you have Pujols steal, and not saying you do it all the time, to take a chance that the pitcher throws an offspeed or in the dirt pitch.  And if he gets thrown out, like he did, then you have Hamilton leading off.  And if he makes it, you have a RISP.  

 

Also, it might be a message to the pitcher that if we get on, we will run.  Just to put something in the back of his mind.  

[acro2008]

During game 1 Gubi or Rojas implied that we wouldn't see Pujols stealing anytime soon citing his planter faciitus.  I guess it's tempting when you're not being held on and nobody is paying you any mind.  Still, the ball beat him easily.  Hopefully a moratorium is placed on Pujols stealing.

[shellback]

i aint going for it. watchin Pujols try to run last year made me cringe. he is a station to station baserunner at this stage of his career and  if he is not smart enough to protect his wheels  we will soon be enjoying him in a new position- dl.

his arch problem is a potential career ender.

[Blarg]

they said on the broadcast that no one was holding him on or paying attention to him so he took a shot

i dont mind as long as he doesnt do stuff like that all the time

They weren't holding him on because they knew he didn't have a shot at stealing second and proved it.

[LBHalos17]

Time to employ a "ghost-runner" for him?... I didn't see it, but agree that he probly shouldn't be trying to steal bases.  If he's not being held-on, get that huge lead and maybe go first-to-third.  I imagine we won't see him straight-stealing the rest of the season.

[Blarg]

IMO, not a bad move to have him try to steal.  There were 2 strikes on Hamilton, who is a historically better first pitch hitter.  So you have Pujols steal, and not saying you do it all the time, to take a chance that the pitcher throws an offspeed or in the dirt pitch.  And if he gets thrown out, like he did, then you have Hamilton leading off.  And if he makes it, you have a RISP.  

 

Also, it might be a message to the pitcher that if we get on, we will run.  Just to put something in the back of his mind.  

Would you have employed this same straight steal mentality for Benjie Molina because that is about where Pujols is for speed on the basepaths.

 

Also, since when is giving up on an at bat with your number 4 hitter a brilliant philosophy? Just because Josh had 2 strikes on him doesn't mean he can't recover and either draw a walk or a hit. But sending a guy that isn't a 70% basestealer on a non hit and run play is simply saying we want the inning to end.

 

I don't want Hamilton leading off innings, I want him at the plate with a runner on base. Pujols negated that by being a dumbass thinking his gimpy feet could steal a base and for what purpose? He is likely not even going to score on a solid base hit and be thrown out at the plate like he was at second.

 

Leave the baserunning moves to players that can run. Pujols needs to go station to station and pay attention to his base coaches, otherwise he is a liability on the basepaths.

 

The only message the Reds got was the Angels are just plain stupid on the basepaths.

[yk9001]

The only message the Reds got was the Angels are just plain stupid on the basepaths.

 

It was just reinforced this series. 

 

Scioscia broadcast that the Angels are stupid on the basepaths years ago.

[Blarg]

THe Reds never saw it in person until now.

[Glen]

The old saying goes, run until you're tagged out until also something good happens for you. Words to live by IMO.

 

 

I was talking to my girlfriend (more like acting like I was paying attention while she's babbling on) when I read this, and had to make up an excuse as to why I suddenly laughed.  Good times.

 

Excellent post.

[shellback]

Would you have employed this same straight steal mentality for Benjie Molina because that is about where Pujols is for speed on the basepaths.

 

Also, since when is giving up on an at bat with your number 4 hitter a brilliant philosophy? Just because Josh had 2 strikes on him doesn't mean he can't recover and either draw a walk or a hit. But sending a guy that isn't a 70% basestealer on a non hit and run play is simply saying we want the inning to end.

 

I don't want Hamilton leading off innings, I want him at the plate with a runner on base. Pujols negated that by being a dumbass thinking his gimpy feet could steal a base and for what purpose? He is likely not even going to score on a solid base hit and be thrown out at the plate like he was at second.

 

Leave the baserunning moves to players that can run. Pujols needs to go station to station and pay attention to his base coaches, otherwise he is a liability on the basepaths.

 

The only message the Reds got was the Angels are just plain stupid on the basepaths.

 

thanks for amplifying my thoughts. well said.

[Blarg]

It does not help that Ebel encourages this by waving Pujols home today and the only reason he wasn't out was the catcher blew the tag.

[shellback]

came up limping, eh? to repeat- that was a stupid move by ebel.

[AngelArcher]

The old saying goes, run until you're tagged out until also something good happens for you. Words to live by IMO.

See, it worked for Pujols.

[ELEVEN]

Another reason to bat slow assed Callaspo in the 2 spot.