Do0mT3cH

Never been to AW event (I dont post that much) but it would be cool to meet some of the personalities on the board that I have been reading every night for years. 

27 minutes ago, Glen said:

This thread is working.

Maybe if we keep talking shit he'll actually do better. 

3 hours ago, Lou said:

not if Cam throws it 

11 hours ago, Inside Pitch said:

@True Grich Check out the stuff that guy has done graphs for on his twitter -- truly cool stuff..   That Ichiro one seemed tailor made for your request!.

39 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

Catchers are one of the hardest positions to assess both by WAR and the Hall of Fame because of both the simple fact that few catchers manage to play their entire careers as catchers, and no position puts such wear and tear on the body, which reduces overall numbers.

Here are the top catchers by fWAR, with Hall of Famers in bold and active players in italics:

1. Johnny Bench 74.8

2. Pudge 69.6

3. Gary Carter 69.4

4. Carlton Fisk 68.3

5. Yogi Berra 63.7

6. Mike Piazza 63.7

7. Joe Torre 62.3

8. Bill Dickey 56.1

9. Brian McCann 55.5

10. Russell Martin 54.6

11. Ted Simmons 54.2

12. Gabby Hartnett 53.7

13. Yadier Molina 53.2

14. Buster Posey 51.1

15. Joe Mauer 51.0

Other Hall of Famers: Mickey Cochrane (16th 50.6), Buck Ewing (18th, 48.1), Ernie Lombardi (23rd, 41.9), Roger Bresnahan (29th, 39.6), Roy Campanella (31st, 38.2), Rick Ferrell (56th, 27.2), Ray Schalk (74th, 22.4); Negro Leagues: Josh Gibson, Biz Mackey, Louis Santop.

Perhaps even more surprising among the top catchers than McCann is Russell Martin, he of the .249/.349/.399 batting line, and 105 wRC+. According to Fangraphs, Martin has 302.7 Def, which is better than everyone except Yadier Molina (365.1) and Pudge (323.6), with McCann just behind at 299.8.

Anyhow, I think the top six are no-brainers for the Hall. Torre played a lot at 3B so probably doesn't make the cut. Dickey is also borderline but given the fact he was a lifelong Yankee, he's got that going for him. Ted Simmons used to be rather controversial: he was sort of a poor man's Mike Piazza: all bat, no glove at an important defensive position.

Yadier and Posey will probably eventually get in, at least if they can play a few more years at a decent level. Mauer will be interesting as he was really good for the first two-thirds of his career, mediocre for the last five years.

Anyhow, the basic point is that traditional numbers don't do catchers justice and it is just damn hard to give them proper credit. Third basemen are in a similar boat, and this is illustrated by their respective under-representation in the Hall:

83 Pitchers

25 SS, RF

24 1B, CF

22 LF

21 2B 

18 Catchers

17 3B

2 DH

I'm not saying that voters should pad catchers and third basemen to bring them up to be at least comparable to 2B, but the idea has some merit. No eligible catcher jumps out, but eventually Posey and Molina will probalby get in, possibly Mauer, and maybe even McCann or Martin, depending upon how this analysis holds up.

Among third basemen, I think Scott Rolen probably deserves entry. The fact that Dick Allen isn't in is just criminal, especially with the atrocious voting in of Harold Baines.

 

the names at 13-15 are really blowing my mind rn. 

Got the notification for this in the morning, read it and fell back asleep thinking it was a dream. Finally got up to a phone full of messages/notifications confirming its real life and it was a surreal feeling. Mike is one of a kind and him signing this extension makes you love him and appreciate that much more. It was a great day to be an Angels fan today and this off season is a win no matter what. Next extend Simmons and the core we have going for ward is very bright and promising. Mike Trout forever. 

Bard looked real good today.

Cowart 0_0

20 minutes ago, Lhalo said:

Jarrett Parker is a big freakin' dude. Reminds me of a Glaus or McPherson type build.

Was thinking the same thing Mcpherson was the first player that popped in my head. 

Cozart scratched shoulder is already acting up. Also Thames is a monster of a man.

13 hours ago, Taylor said:

The Expos

Always thought they were a unique and cool club. Those unis

4 hours ago, Ray McKigney said:

 

Really dont care for the modern white and reds. The throwbacks always look amazing (^ these in particular). The 90s era is clean. I also especially like this one:


Also they could throw it wayyyyy back:


 

6 hours ago, Dochalo said:

he's from San Diego.  Not Rancho Cucamonga 

3 hours ago, Lou said:

i might be making the trip to Monterey, too

Definitely trying to make it out as well. I hear baseball games in Mexico are a different but good experience.

4 hours ago, Troll Daddy said:

 

Love seeing them blow this many games. "gooooooooooooooooood"

Kid looks pretty similar to young Harper. Posting now cause the kid will probably end up being an all star in 10 years.

On 8/5/2018 at 4:45 PM, Lou said:

I had another Miller Lite last night. The bar I go to in Rancho has it pretty often.

The "Hide-a-While" I'm assuming??

9 hours ago, ADHB said:

I think it's just that most realize that EY would have been much more useful than Chris Young, once it was clear Chris could no longer hit major league pitching or field with any sort of consistency.  EY could've been a much better defensive replacement while being a factor as a pinch runner.   And I don't think it would be possible for him to have hit any worse than Chris.

 

This, I don't think it takes an expert to see that EYJ gives you a better AB and plays the field wayyy better than Blash/C.Young. It seemed like a struggle to make a routine play for them. He's a very capable 4th OF and I don't see why the team wasted so much time on others. 

On 3/13/2018 at 4:02 PM, mrwicked said:

Pliny is a double IPA - thus the hops (I like it better than standard IPAs).  I buy two cases every time I'm in Santa Rosa, just really good beer. Pliny the Younger is even on another level, man it is just comically delicious.  Also their Bling Pig standard IPA is really good.

Lagunitas is great, very popular around here, fantastic to go up there for lunch. I love me some Sculpin too. 

Bummer you don't move up sooner, the Bay Area brew festival is in a couple weeks and always a good time. https://www.bayareabrewfestival.com/

Folks here know IPA better than myself, but I also like Citra from a place down in Kern County called Kern River Brewing.

Pliny is delicious, theres a bar in burbank that has it pretty often. Still haven't had Pliny the Younger because of its rarity. Also Lagunitas is my go to normally, still gotta go by the brewery in Azusa. 

Burrata is fantastic in salads, nice recipe. Didnt know that recipes were a thing here. 

5 hours ago, WeatherWonk said:

You really have to be OK with that much ingredients on a pizza. Personally I prefer a better balance between ingredients and crust. The ingredients on a pan pizza can overwhelm a good crust. I prefer a Neapolitan style or a NY style pizza with a thin crust. Something you can actually pick up and eat.

But that pizza does look awesome!!!! Well, maybe except for the cheddar cheese. Mozzarella and Romano or Parmesano all the way, for me. Feta, if it is a Greek style or something.

I'm really not a fan of California Pizza Kitchen style, either. 

Same here. Ovolini Mozz is the way to go. Parmasian di reggianno and a little olive oil for me. I made a pizza the other night with some stuff laying around. Fresh Burrata, Ovolini, fresh Parm, Salami, Arugula and shaved black Truffle.  Clock spoiler for lame video. 

sorry for the pizza porn.

16 hours ago, Vladdylonglegs said:

Don' forget Baldoquin over Vlad jr.

This one still hurts. Awesome write up! 

The pine tar on the helmet, the accolades, the patch and the handle of the bat are all perfectly vlad. I specifically like how each item kind of touches back on different parts of his career (the Expo's helmet is awesome). Great picture, I need to take a trip to Cooperstown. 

Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and more recently the Mariners. Love seeing them lose these days.

Nice to see him putting it together after a position change that left me scratching my head. Would like to see how he does against MLB pitching and see his speed on the bases (17 SB's?!).