5/3/15 Reds @ Braves 1:35 PM

[Dalyn]

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VS

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http://mlb.mlb.com/images/9/0/8/120070908/042315_teheranbitingball_med_2hcdl8s9.gif

[Dalyn]

You guys suck.

Teheran still looks off. Wild. Hit a batter already. Going to be a long day.

[keithlaw]

Utley is Johnson Lite

[CrimsonCowboy]

Pretty good start

[Dalyn]

Johnson is putting himself in the position to reward the Braves with perhaps a decent return at the deadline. Hope he continues. Nice to see him playing well.

[DaneHill]

Suspension announcement coming for KJ in 3...2...1.... I kid I kid! Great start for him this season at the plate. Surprised we're teeing off on Cueto. Now if we can get Teheran 14 runs, we should be good. I kid again! I think.

[USMA76]

Johnson is putting himself in the position to reward the Braves with perhaps a decent return at the deadline. Hope he continues. Nice to see him playing well.

Kelly Johnson is an easy guy to root for. The only problem I can see is where he went to college.

[USMA76]

Julio getting screwed by the home plate ump. Good thing that Bryan Pena flied out to center field on a 2-3 count.

[DaneHill]

Honestly, this mukaki rebuild season, I just like the nostalgic feeling of having KJ on the team again. That he's hitting well is a bonus.

[Dalyn]

Julio getting screwed by the home plate ump. Good thing that Bryan Pena flied out to center field on a 2-3 count.

You usually don't get the call when the ball is all over the place. Teheran has no idea where it's going right now.

[thewupk]

too much power in the first inning. can't win that way.

[Russ2dollas]

CB gets a double...no idea if he crushed it or not, but CB needs to not suck at hitting to make me feel a little better about the future.

Currently I feel like we suck and that the Mets, Nats, and Fish all have more money AND a better farm than we do.

[USMA76]

You usually don't get the call when the ball is all over the place. Teheran has no idea where it's going right now.

That was a perfect pitch fully within the confines of the pitch track. The ump previously called a ball on a JT pitch that was halfway in the pitch track (clearly a strike). JT's throwing two-thirds of his pitches for strikes so it's not like he's been terribly wild.

[bravesnumberone]

not ABC baseball

[thewupk]

well that was 2014ish

[Garmel]

Hope we don't pay for not capitalizing on the Phillips screw up.

[WaitingFor2017]

Andrelton went up there only wanting a grand slam.

[USMA76]

We're hitting Cueto hard. Freeman and Johnson would've had homers to anywhere other than the deepest part of the park.

[bravesnumberone]

Wooooooo

[WaitingFor2017]

The Reds broadcast now have KJ with 8 home runs and Gomes with 7 home runs. I can't wait to see which prospects we get when both of those guys have 20 homers in July!

[bravesnumberone]

Good hustle CB

[USMA76]

Been awhile since I've seen a catcher beat out an infield hit.

[thewupk]

Too much power. Not enough hitting the other way.

[bravesnumberone]

We have to lead baseball in issuing leadoff walks.

[bravesnumberone]

JT pitches around it.

[chop2chip]

JT pitches around it.his fastball is looking much better today. He's hit 94 a couple of times.

[Perfect Cell]

KJ being our cleanup hitter and doing so well. Who would have though.

[USMA76]

Cueto breaks up a strikeout streak with a swinging bunt...smh.

[thewupk]

KJ being our cleanup hitter and doing so well. Who would have though.

I mean he is Utley-lite so it's been a long time coming.

[Heyward]

Too much power. Not enough hitting the other way.

Stop it.

[USMA76]

Julio's through six innings with three hits but over 100 pitches. How much longer will they allow him to pitch?

[The Chosen One]

Maybin is trying to not get another start for another week.

[bravesnumberone]

Much like Simmons, if Maybin can ever put it together offensively, he'll be a very good player.

[USMA76]

Maybin needs more playing time. I realize his BA is horrible but he just looks like a guy who has considerable potential.

[CyYoung31]

Maybin needs more playing time. I realize his BA is horrible but he just looks like a guy who has considerable potential.

He was a top 50 prospect with the Tigers.

[thewupk]

He was a top 50 prospect with the Tigers.

So is flipping veterans for a top 50 prospect the same as getting players who were a top 50 prospect at one time?

[UNCBlue012]

Maybin is hitting .222 but with an OBP of .340, four homers and 9 RBI's. Not bad for a guy in such limited playing time.

[bravesnumberone]

Maybin is hitting .222 but with an OBP of .340, four homers and 9 RBI's. Not bad for a guy in such limited playing time.

:FrediWut:

[thewupk]

Maybin is hitting .222 but with an OBP of .340, four homers and 9 RBI's. Not bad for a guy in such limited playing time.

But he strikes out and doesn't have a good average. We are trying to get away from that.

[chop2chip]

Maybin is hitting .222 but with an OBP of .340, four homers and 9 RBI's. Not bad for a guy in such limited playing time.
The days of him platooning with EY need to come to a swift end.

[chop2chip]

But he strikes out and doesn't have a good average. We are trying to get away from that.
Thewupk, I admire your baseball knowledge too much for you to say this as much as you do.

[WaitingFor2017]

EY needs to be DFA'ed soon.

Fredi is ensuring that Martin won't be able to be used tomorrow by throwing him 2 innings....in a 5-run game.

[Garmel]

Martin is good.

[WaitingFor2017]

Votto just seems like a real hothead to me even though he struck out on a ball just now.

[thewupk]

Thewupk, I admire your baseball knowledge too much for you to say this as much as you do.

I'm just bitter. That's all.

[chop2chip]

EY needs to be DFA'ed soon.

Fredi is ensuring that Martin won't be able to be used tomorrow by throwing him 2 innings....in a 5-run game.
This is absolutely the correct baseball decision.

[UNCBlue012]

Just FYI, The Gat-man has been killing it the last few days. He now is only hitting .188, but with 5 homers and 16 RBIs.

[chop2chip]

I'm just bitter. That's all.
You seem bitter about being called bitter.

[bravesnumberone]

It was a bad call, but I like how the umpire handled it.

[thewupk]

You seem bitter about being called bitter.

Could be. Been a long weekend.

[thethe]

Jace Peterson can flat out field. I would love to see his positional versatility. You could get this kid 450 AB's just by giving guys rest all over the diamond.

[thewupk]

It was a bad call, but I like how the umpire handled it.

You mean he acted like a professioanl unlike the one who went after Freeman?

[Garmel]

The days of him platooning with EY need to come to a swift end.

Since working with Seitzer and shortening his swing, Maybin looks much better at the plate.

[USMA76]

Votto just seems like a real hothead to me even though he struck out on a ball just now.

I agree. He whined continually in yesterday's game about the same lopsided strike zone everyone was getting from that particular ump. The ump then adjusted the strike zone to Votto's whining--but for nobody else. So, yeah, he's a hothead and a crybaby.

[The Chosen One]

lol Fredi. Burning Avilan for this one out.

[sturg33]

Are you ****ing kidding me, Fredi?

[dak]

The Reds announcers are astounded that Fredi is making a pitching change in this spot, and I can't say I disagree with them. Wow.

[bravesnumberone]

5-0 with two outs in the 9th. How dare he walk a guy with the bases empty. Fredi just can't contain himself.

[USMA76]

On another note, the Mets lost again to the Nats 1-0. Tibetian monks scored as many times as the Mets did this weekend.

[CrimsonCowboy]

http://i.imgur.com/P6x0U.gif

[thewupk]

Fredi is clueless

[sturg33]

I mean - how do you even defend such a move. It's a 5 run lead with 2 outs in the 9th.

[Garmel]

lol Fredi. Burning Avilan for this one out.

Fredi being Fredi.

:fredi:

[bravesnumberone]

Fredi = Ramsay.
Avilan = Reek

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/posts/2014/06/Screen_Shot_2014_06_02_at_8.46.46_AM/f6958076c.png

[sturg33]

Hopefully this quiets down the "Teheran is injured" crowd

[dak]

Nice win to split the series, but the best news has to be the improved performance from Teheran. Who knows if his troubles were related to the knee or just something mental . . . but maybe today is the start of a good stretch for him.

[bravesnumberone]

Hopefully this quiets down the "Teheran is injured" crowd

I'll own it. He was back to normal today.

[thewupk]

Hopefully this quiets down the "Teheran is injured" crowd

It just means he's healthy now :)

[thethe]

Nice win to split the series, but the best news has to be the improved performance from Teheran. Who knows if his troubles were related to the knee or just something mental . . . but maybe today is the start of a good stretch for him.

Once Teheran starts pitching like we all know he can then all of a sudden the Braves look a bunch better. The hitting is just working this year. It could just be a one year fluke thing but who cares...the lineup is producing.

[thewupk]

Once Teheran starts pitching like we all know he can then all of a sudden the Braves look a bunch better. The hitting is just working this year. It could just be a one year fluke thing but who cares...the lineup is producing.

Certain people certainly are. KJ and AJ come to mind instantly. Seitzer effect.

[thethe]

Certain people certainly are. KJ and AJ come to mind instantly. Seitzer effect.

Could it be that he has had that much of an effect? If so, we need to extend him long term right now.

[TURBO]

Better late than never

http://media1.giphy.com/media/4wMlW2RcOCVCU/giphy.gif

[USMA76]

As others have stated, I hope this game is a springboard for JT for the rest of the year. As our #1 starter, he's obviously going to draw assignments against other teams' best pitchers. Not to belabor the obvious but in past years our 4/5 pitchers usually were better than their opposing counterparts. This year, with Stults, Folty/Cahill, that's no longer the case. If we don't want to be a 90 loss team, JT's going to have to step up.

[Nerfherders]

Nice to see Teheran back on track. If Wood can get going the same way this team will be a factor. The hitting is there. One factor is not having the star guys that have to be in the lineup every day, so we can mix and match at pretty much every position except SS, 1B, and RF. Sure having those star hitters is good, but the ability to have guys in and out of the lineup allows flexibility and makes up for it.

[USMA76]

Nice to see Teheran back on track. If Wood can get going the same way this team will be a factor. The hitting is there. One factor is not having the star guys that have to be in the lineup every day, so we can mix and match at pretty much every position except SS, 1B, and RF. Sure having those star hitters is good, but the ability to have guys in and out of the lineup allows flexibility and makes up for it.

While I normally prefer a lineup that's fairly constant, I guess one good thing about the current approach is that it keeps everyone on the team engaged knowing that they're going to get a share of playing time and nobody's going to languish on the bench.

[Braves1976]

@gondeee · 7h 7 hours ago
Braves are 6-4 when Beth starts, 5-8 when Pier starts. SSS warning, but it seems like good defense is trumping catching offense.

@gondeee · 7h 7 hours ago
Team ERA w/ Pierzynski catching: 5.04.
Team ERA w/ Bethancourt catching: 3.68.

[thethe]

I'm very confused how this team is hitting hte baseball.

[Heyward]

@gondeee · 7h 7 hours ago
Braves are 6-4 when Beth starts, 5-8 when Pier starts. SSS warning, but it seems like good defense is trumping catching offense.

@gondeee · 7h 7 hours ago
Team ERA w/ Pierzynski catching: 5.04.
Team ERA w/ Bethancourt catching: 3.68.

AJ's been alot better hitting the ball.

Baseball is a weird game though.

[nsacpi]

Last year we had a much better record with Uggla in the lineup than without him. Too bad we can't have both Uggla and Bethancourt in the lineup together.

Two years ago the issue was our record on Mondays.

[Braves1976]

AJ is hitting a ton but he's a terrible catcher, so bad that it seems he cannot hit enough to make up for it. AJ had a -11 DRS last year in a bit over 700 innings and is already -4 DRS this year with us in 123 innings. Also, Bethancourt came into today with a 2 DRS in 88 innings.

[nsacpi]

It is clear watching the games that AJ is a poor defensive catcher. Worse than Gattis.

[Braves1976]

It is clear watching the games that AJ is a poor defensive catcher. Worse than Gattis.

Yep, it seems AJ has only gotten worse over the years defensively.

[thethe]

What other catcher options are reasonable if AJ is traded soon?

[Braves1976]

What other catcher options are reasonable if AJ is traded soon?

Despite his hot start, I don't see AJ bringing much in a trade. He has a bad reputation as you know, that hurts plus no good team wants him starting because they know he is bad defensively. His problem has never been hitting so much, it's everything else.

[thethe]

Despite his hot start, I don't see AJ bringing much in a trade. He has a bad reputation as you know, that hurts plus no good team wants him starting because they know he is bad defensively. His problem has never been hitting so much, it's everything else.

So it can be to an AL team that is looking for a guy who can get 50% of the DH AB's and 10% of the cather AB's. Not a bad guy to have on your bench. Just looking to get a lottery ticket.

[Braves1976]

So it can be to an AL team that is looking for a guy who can get 50% of the DH AB's and 10% of the cather AB's. Not a bad guy to have on your bench. Just looking to get a lottery ticket.

I agree with trying to trade him while he's still hot, I just wouldn't expect it to happen before the deadline and if it does I don't expect much of a return.

[chop2chip]

So it can be to an AL team that is looking for a guy who can get 50% of the DH AB's and 10% of the cather AB's. Not a bad guy to have on your bench. Just looking to get a lottery ticket.
Eh... Do you really want AJ as your DH? He's a good hitter... For a catcher.

He's going to have value, so I have no doubt he will get traded, but it's not going to be for much.

[Braves1976]

Did y'all catch this from MLBTR?: "Twins Rule 5 pick J.R. Graham is here to stay, manager Paul Molitor tells reporters, including Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). “He’s going to be here all year,” the manager said. Graham threw two scoreless innings to close out the Twins’ 13-3 beating of the White Sox this afternoon."

[chop2chip]

Did y'all catch this from MLBTR?: "Twins Rule 5 pick J.R. Graham is here to stay, manager Paul Molitor tells reporters, including Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). “He’s going to be here all year,” the manager said. Graham threw two scoreless innings to close out the Twins’ 13-3 beating of the White Sox this afternoon."
I was disappointed when I saw this posted because I like Graham. But he's been pretty mediocre in Minnesota. i had to throw that out there before the Hart pirahnas had a chance to speak.

[GovClintonTyree]

It is clear watching the games that AJ is a poor defensive catcher. Worse than Gattis.

So, any idea where he lost the four defensive runs? Or do we just accept that?

Perhaps the higher ERA for Pierzynski is because the pitcher he was paired with pitched badly? Or the same pitcher pitched well when Bethancourt was catching?

I ask because I've seen Teheran's last three starts and know from observation that Teheran pitched poorly while Pierzynski caught, and Pierzynski had nothing to do with Julio being wild and leaving a bunch of meatballs up. Conversely he had decent to good command with Bethancourt today.

To suggest that delta is Pierzynski's fault would be incorrect, I believe. As usual, I watched the games instead of analyzing the data, so I've left myself open to be a Luddite again.

[50PoundHead]

I was disappointed when I saw this posted because I like Graham. But he's been pretty mediocre in Minnesota. i had to throw that out there before the Hart pirahnas had a chance to speak.

In his one "serious" appearance, he got totally lit up. He's been used almost exclusively in mop-up situations. That said, he would have been a better option than Jaime and we could have kept him in Gwinnett.

[GovClintonTyree]

In his one "serious" appearance, he got totally lit up. He's been used almost exclusively in mop-up situations. That said, he would have been a better option than Jaime and we could have kept him in Gwinnett.

?

He came in down two runs in the eighth with the bases loaded, and, after hitting the first guy, induced a double play ground ball that the SS misplayed. Then he got a strikeout. Then he gave up a hit and a run.

So he could have gotten out of the inning allowing one run, not his own. As it was, he gave up one hit and one earned run. That's not getting lit up.

Having said that, we could have protected him instead of Jaime and let him pitch at Gwinnett.

[nsacpi]

So, any idea where he lost the four defensive runs? Or do we just accept that?

Perhaps the higher ERA for Pierzynski is because the pitcher he was paired with pitched badly? Or the same pitcher pitched well when Bethancourt was catching?

I ask because I've seen Teheran's last three starts and know from observation that Teheran pitched poorly while Pierzynski caught, and Pierzynski had nothing to do with Julio being wild and leaving a bunch of meatballs up. Conversely he had decent to good command with Bethancourt today.

To suggest that delta is Pierzynski's fault would be incorrect, I believe. As usual, I watched the games instead of analyzing the data, so I've left myself open to be a Luddite again.

Since you were kind enough to quote my post, let me point out that it includes the following words: "It is clear watching the games..."

My critique of Pierzynski's defense is based on observing his play (I too occasionally indulge in that sort of Luddite activity). It is interesting to see that we might disagree here, which shows that observation can lead to different conclusions depending upon the observer. Or am I incorrect in inferring from your post that you like AJ's defense.

My main observation with respect to his defense is that he is slow in reacting to balls that bounce away. He seems below average in agility. Also a fair number of catchable balls seem to tick off his glove. Those are my observations from casually watching the games. And yeah his framing seems poor.

What is not present in any of my posts in this thread is any sort of claim that he has cost the team four defensive runs. So I'm going to pass on your request that I address that issue.

[Dalyn]

He also puts out a terrible LATE target nearly every pitch. I'm sure that's why some of the pitchers are wilder when throwing to him.

[GovClintonTyree]

Since you were kind enough to quote my post, let me point out that it includes the following words: "It is clear watching the games..."

My critique of Pierzynski's defense is based on observing his play (I too occasionally indulge in that sort of Luddite activity). It is interesting to see that we might disagree here, which shows that observation can lead to different conclusions depending upon the observer. Or am I incorrect in inferring from your post that you like AJ's defense.

My main observation with respect to his defense is that he is slow in reacting to balls that bounce away. He seems below average in agility. Also a fair number of catchable balls seem to tick off his glove. Those are my observations from casually watching the games. And yeah his framing seems poor.

Hyuk....No, I agree with you, I think his defense is below average.

My issue, as usual, is with the quantification, in particular the -4 DRS. I'm having a hard time squaring his rather obvious defensive issues with the fact that he's been hitting the dog**** out of the ball for a month.

I don't think the lousy defense comes close to eclipsing hitting.400 with power, which people quote as gospel after looking at a defensive metric system.

Hitting is the hard part. That's why Tulo makes $25m/yr and AJ has a job at 38. Defense is easier, certainly on a marginal utility scale defense is easier, and when I hear Bethancourt is as valuable or more valuable than AJ at this point in the season it rankles me because I know it's not close to true.

Add to that the difficulty various measuring systems have admitted concerning catcher defense and I'm skeptical. Then I see that part of that conclusion is drawn with results of the pitcher throwing to the two different players and I know the derivation of whatever metric they're using, while well-intentioned, is ultimately crap.

Jonathan Lucroy is a fine catcher, offensively and defensively. But now somebody has integrated framing into their measurement and he's worth 7.2 WAR. Using your $8m/WAR rule of thumb that's $65m or so. And while I agree Lucroy is an excellent catcher, I disagree with these crude and short measurements that some are hanging their hats on.

Yknow?

It bugs me. It's quasi science. Or misused and misinterpreted statistical science.

[nsacpi]

Hyuk....No, I agree with you, I think his defense is below average.

My issue, as usual, is with the quantification, in particular the -4 DRS. I'm having a hard time squaring his rather obvious defensive issues with the fact that he's been hitting the dog**** out of the ball for a month.

I don't think the lousy defense comes close to eclipsing hitting.400 with power, which people quote as gospel after looking at a defensive metric system.

Hitting is the hard part. That's why Tulo makes $25m/yr and AJ has a job at 38. Defense is easier, certainly on a marginal utility scale defense is easier, and when I hear Bethancourt is as valuable or more valuable than AJ at this point in the season it rankles me because I know it's not close to true.

Add to that the difficulty various measuring systems have admitted concerning catcher defense and I'm skeptical. Then I see that part of that conclusion is drawn with results of the pitcher throwing to the two different players and I know the derivation of whatever metric they're using, while well-intentioned, is ultimately crap.

Jonathan Lucroy is a fine catcher, offensively and defensively. But now somebody has integrated framing into their measurement and he's worth 7.2 WAR. Using your $8m/WAR rule of thumb that's $65m or so. And while I agree Lucroy is an excellent catcher, I disagree with these crude and short measurements that some are hanging their hats on.

Yknow?

It bugs me. It's quasi science. Or misused and misinterpreted statistical science.

Well this reminds me of a conversation I had with someone about how economic policy affects the number of jobs. The person I was talking to asked for "proof" that fiscal stimulus had increased the number of jobs. He wanted me to show him an actual job that had been created and claimed he only believed in things he could see rather than estimates. Well I got annoyed at his obtuseness. I knew he was a religious guy and asked him if he believed in God. He said yes. And I asked him if he had ever seen God. Anyhow afterwards I regretted reacting that way toward him and apologized. I will say that "estimates", even inexact ones, are often better than just relying upon your eyes in a lot of situations.

[50PoundHead]

?

He came in down two runs in the eighth with the bases loaded, and, after hitting the first guy, induced a double play ground ball that the SS misplayed. Then he got a strikeout. Then he gave up a hit and a run.

So he could have gotten out of the inning allowing one run, not his own. As it was, he gave up one hit and one earned run. That's not getting lit up.

Having said that, we could have protected him instead of Jaime and let him pitch at Gwinnett.

I watched the game. He stunk. Hit the first guy he faced. Twins yanked him when it was obvious he was on the verge of spinning out of control. 24 pitches, 13 strikes.

[nsacpi]

They should have taken Martin.
I watched the game. He stunk. Hit the first guy he faced. Twins yanked him when it was obvious he was on the verge of spinning out of control. 24 pitches, 13 strikes.

[50PoundHead]

They should have taken Martin.

Actually, the Twins drafted Martin at some point. It was frankly out of character for the Twins to draft Graham over Martin, given that Martin fits their profile a bit more closely.

Graham could be fine and I think he was a better option to protect than some of the guys they protected, but I wonder if he'd would have been a substantial improvement over what we've had out there to this point. With the DH, AL teams have a huge advantage with Rule 5 picks. Twins stashed Johan Santana way back when and seem to be doing the same thing with Graham. There are a lot of dead innings in a season for the 12th guy out of the bullpen to absorb. Same thing with fringe position players. You don't have as much of a need for PHs in the AL with the pitcher not hitting, so you can basically have a 25th guy who guards the water cooler from Chris Johnson clones.

[nsacpi]

Actually, the Twins drafted Martin at some point. It was frankly out of character for the Twins to draft Graham over Martin, given that Martin fits their profile a bit more closely.

Graham could be fine and I think he was a better option to protect than some of the guys they protected, but I wonder if he'd would have been a substantial improvement over what we've had out there to this point. With the DH, AL teams have a huge advantage with Rule 5 picks. Twins stashed Johan Santana way back when and seem to be doing the same thing with Graham. There are a lot of dead innings in a season for the 12th guy out of the bullpen to absorb. Same thing with fringe position players. You don't have as much of a need for PHs in the AL with the pitcher not hitting, so you can basically have a 25th guy who guards the water cooler from Chris Johnson clones.

I think they preferred Graham due to his fastball velocity. Martin has always had a decent strikeout rate in the minors, which goes a bit against the Twins history of having a pitching staff with high contact rates.

[smootness]

Graham has walked 5 and struck out 5, while hitting a batter and allowing 9 hits, in 7.2 innings. He has been bad.

[nsacpi]

But he had a great spring training.
Graham has walked 5 and struck out 5, while hitting a batter and allowing 9 hits, in 7.2 innings. He has been bad.

[smootness]

But he had a great spring training.

And?

[50PoundHead]

I think they preferred Graham due to his fastball velocity. Martin has always had a decent strikeout rate in the minors, which goes a bit against the Twins history of having a pitching staff with high contact rates.

Which is odd, because the Twins' brain trust has always been less fastball-centric than most big league organizations. Twins have characteristically valued command over stuff.

I hope Martin continues to do well. I think it's pretty obvious why everyone passed on him and it's largely due to his fastball velocity. I don't know if he stays in the bullpen long term or not, but he's clearly needed there now.

[Anthony J. Pierzynski]

You know what my job is, gents? To rake like a Honduran yard man on meth and catch the ****in' baseball, which I do, most of the time. I put the glove up and if the guy on the mound can't hit it, well, buddy, that's on him. I held up my end of the bargain.

[nsacpi]

Fair and accurate as they say.
You know what my job is, gents? To rake like a Honduran yard man on meth and catch the ****in' baseball, which I do, most of the time. I put the glove up and if the guy on the mound can't hit it, well, buddy, that's on him. I held up my end of the bargain.

[GovClintonTyree]

Fair and accurate as they say.

You're a boss, Tony. And you do rake. That's why your elderly ass is still making more money in six months than your Polack daddy made in 30 years at the GM plant.

Keep swinging that thunder stick and providing that veteran leadership. These pussies wanting defense can suck it. They don't pay for defense. Let some skinny little ****er bounce around and get beat up while you stay pretty.

[GovClintonTyree]

Well this reminds me of a conversation I had with someone about how economic policy affects the number of jobs. The person I was talking to asked for "proof" that fiscal stimulus had increased the number of jobs. He wanted me to show him an actual job that had been created and claimed he only believed in things he could see rather than estimates. Well I got annoyed at his obtuseness. I knew he was a religious guy and asked him if he believed in God. He said yes. And I asked him if he had ever seen God. Anyhow afterwards I regretted reacting that way toward him and apologized. I will say that "estimates", even inexact ones, are often better than just relying upon your eyes in a lot of situations.

So are you apologizing for being irritated at me for looking for better metrics or pointing out my obtuseness? Could go either way. Although, in my own defense, I'm not so much obtuse as abstruse. But I'm working on it.

[GovClintonTyree]

You know what my job is, gents? To rake like a Honduran yard man on meth and catch the ****in' baseball, which I do, most of the time. I put the glove up and if the guy on the mound can't hit it, well, buddy, that's on him. I held up my end of the bargain.

Has anybody ever seen Anthony J. and Julio in the same room?

[nsacpi]

Im saying imperfect metrics beat casual observation.
So are you apologizing for being irritated at me for looking for better metrics or pointing out my obtuseness? Could go either way. Although, in my own defense, I'm not so much obtuse as abstruse. But I'm working on it.

[Anthony J. Pierzynski]

Has anybody ever seen Anthony J. and Julio in the same room?

Do I sound like English is my second language, homes?

[GovClintonTyree]

Do I sound like English is my second language, homes?

Well, no. But Julio is pretty ****ing literate for a wetback.

By the way, 0-8 in your last two games? If you can't rake like a methed-up Honduran yard man, they're going to make you pay attention to defense.

Nobody gives a **** about -DRS or that framing **** when you rake, Tony. But a week of this and Fredi's going to tell you to come in early and work on blocking and framing. I dont want that **** any more than you do. So find your stroke. You might look in Mrs. Freddie's bed.

[Anthony J. Pierzynski]

Well, no. But Julio is pretty ****ing literate for a wetback.

By the way, 0-8 in your last two games? If you can't rake like a methed-up Honduran yard man, they're going to make you pay attention to defense.

Nobody gives a **** about -DRS or that framing **** when you rake, Tony. But a week of this and Fredi's going to tell you to come in early and work on blocking and framing. I dont want that **** any more than you do. So find your stroke. You might look in Mrs. Freddie's bed.

Did you even watch the game, bro? I raked the yard like a landscaper with OCD. Just got robbed twice.

Speaking of balls not dropping, if Christy Beth wants to step up and take my spot, he better wait 'til his have.

And FWIW, I would never sleep with a teammate's wife. Not overnight and ****. Nah, really, I wouldn't bang a teammate's wife. I mean, from this point forward, assuming sobriety of both parties and everything, I wouldn't.

[GovClintonTyree]

Im saying imperfect metrics beat casual observation.

Now there's a highly debatable position. What about keenly intent observation with a well-informed or expert observation?

[GovClintonTyree]

Did you even watch the game, bro? I raked the yard like a landscaper with OCD. Just got robbed twice.

Speaking of balls not dropping, if Christy Beth wants to step up and take my spot, he better wait 'til his have.

And FWIW, I would never sleep with a teammate's wife. Not overnight and ****. Nah, really, I wouldn't bang a teammate's wife. I mean, from this point forward, assuming sobriety of both parties and everything, I wouldn't.

Relative morality is always the most entertaining kind.

[nsacpi]

Id take keen well-informed observation.
Now there's a highly debatable position. What about keenly intent observation with a well-informed or expert observation?