MLB Playoffs Weekend Open Thread
by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 7, 2011 1:42 PM EDT
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PrintHere's a thread for this weekend's games. On Friday, there are two Game 5's: the Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy) against the Brewers (Yovani Gallardo) at 5:07 PM, and the Cardinals (Chris Carpenter) against the Phillies (Roy Halladay) at 8:37 PM.
On Saturday, the ALCS starts between the Tigers (Justin Verlander) and Rangers (C.J. Wilson).
Serious question: What exactly happened to Don Kelly to make him a valuable player? He wasn't particularly young when he was with the Pirates, and as a big-leaguer, he really was a joke - a Ciriaco-grade bat (a bit more OBP, but even less power), but without as much speed or defensive value. Now he's 31, and while he's certainly not good, he's not totally without value, even though he really doesn't play the middle infield anymore. The Tigers used him a bunch in the divisional series, and he hit a homer in the clincher against the Yankees.
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DK
No idea what happened to Kelly. My theories: Pirates have bad luck and baseball performance is maddeningly volatile. Another possibility is that he has a great work ethic and improved.
its The Pirate Effect
player’s suck when they’re in Pittsburgh, but increase their value several-fold when they leave or were more valuable before they arrived.
See Loaiza, Esteban; Arroyo, Bronson; Bautista, Jose; etc.
Kelly was pretty bad before he was with the Pirates, too.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 7, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Don Kelly still isn’t any good. Leyland just has an affinity for scrubby, Wehner-type no-talents, which you can get away with when you have players like Bonds and Bonilla, Sheffield and Alou, and Cabrera and Verlander. If Don Kelly was on a team like this year’s Pirates, he’d have no more value than a Brandon Wood (and probably less), and would be the subject of constant “When are we going to release this guy?” posts.
Don Kelly had a pretty good minor league career up until AAA. BA rated him as the best hitting prospect in the Eastern League at one point. It seems the tools were always there, he just finally put them together.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on Oct 7, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions
I saw that on his Wikipedia page. Looking over the numbers, I’m not sure why BA ever would have rated him that way. He didn’t even get to AA until he was 23 and didn’t really start hitting there until he was 25.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 7, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
(Other than that, your point is taken – he did show some hitting ability in the low minors.)
by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 7, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I came across that on his Wiki page, too, when I was trying to determine if this Don Kelly was the same one as the Don Kelly that used to play for the Pirates. I couldn’t believe he had any sort of pedigree. I’m wondering if his hitting ability in the low minors has to do with playing college ball (albeit at Point Park) so he was able to look incredible.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on Oct 7, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No, he does legitimately have some talent, or he wouldn’t have gotten to the big leagues in the first place. Most guys who can even keep their heads above water in the big leagues hit pretty well in the low minors.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 7, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
his talent
he’s played every single position in the majors (including pitcher and catcher, though only 1/3 and 6 innings respectively) and has a positive UZR at each and every one (yes, SSS caveats here). versatility appears to get you a long way, especially considering your career OPS is .648
It must have been marrying Neil Walker's sister
She probably fixed a hitch in his swing or something.
Is .3 WAR worth of value really value, though? Kelly is what he is, I suppose.
Thank you Ned Colletti.
better than a below-replacement -level guy
coughOverbaycoughDiazcough
The Diamondbacks are hoping for some 9th inning pinch hit magic from Lyle Overbay. That’s about the only thing more unlikely.
by ElDuce on Oct 7, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why do so many Brewers have to be abject douchebags?
Great town with a storied baseball past. Knowledgeable fanbase. Bob Uecker. Fellow small market team built mostly through the draft. I’d love to be rooting for them but the overpowering douche-baggery coming from Braun, Fielder, Plush, etc. prevents me. This bums me out.
well, that was the one place i wanted a bunt
when Aaron Hill came up with men on 1st and 2nd, no outs, and Upton to follow… 9th inning of a game 5
If Hill bunts, Upton is intentionally walked, and the D’Backs have to rely on backup-catcher Blanco to drive runners in.
The real question is : why in the world did they pinch-run for Montero (their 2nd best hitter) ? It’s not like he runs like Big Papy anyway. Sometimes managers overthink themself.
you're probably right on the IBB
but I’d still be much more comfortable with Blanco in a situation where one out could still score a run. (Rather, I’d expect it would be more likely to get a run with Blanco in a situation…)
Milwaukee does have a long history
with pro baseball, dating back to the 1880s. In 1953, they entered the major leagues as the Braves when Boston relocated. The 1957 club won the lone world title in Milwaukee history, as the Braves beat the Yanks. Unfortunately, the 1958 club could not hold a 3-1 series lead against the Yanks in a series rematch, and lost. Milwaukee lost the Braves to Atlanta after the 1965 season.
Ugh.
Don Kelly hitting a home run was mind boggling, but at least he’s easy to root for.
But Nyjer Morgan. I really hope he has a career ending injury in the NLCS.
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
Tony Plush! I really don’t mind the Brewers. I’d rather see them win the pennant than the Cardinals.
by bolton on Oct 7, 2011 9:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn't.
I’d rather see the Cardinals or Phillies win the NLCS.
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
This could get me banned, but I like Morgan, Braun and Fielder. I don’t hate the Cards, either, but it’s kind of fun to root against LaRussa.
I'd ban ya.
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
by IAPiratesFan on Oct 7, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Take him out Charlie!
He’s blaspheming!
"WHITESNAKE! DOKKEN! NIGHT RANGER!" -- Ronny Cedeño
Eh.
I’ll take it over Brewers-Phillies, personally.
Would’ve been brilliant if the D’Backs could’ve advanced, of course.
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Certified Grabbo Lover, though only by accident.
Total Internet Points: 9001
Yeah.
I was really hoping for an Arizona-Detroit World Series. I could just enjoy it and not worry about who’s winning, like last year’s World Series.
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
agree with you, Maguro
Brewers v. Cards? It’s like rooting for cholera.
Detroit over Texas, but either AL team over either NL team.
I'll certainly be rooting for cholera
"WHITESNAKE! DOKKEN! NIGHT RANGER!" -- Ronny Cedeño
by Superstar25 on Oct 8, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Phillies
Looks like they’re going to throw Halladay and Lee in the same game. Doesn’t matter if they don’t hit eventually.
Ugh....
The NLCS is gonna f***ing suck. At least the ALCS has two teams that’ll be fun to watch.
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
For all the success the Phillies
have had in recent years, including the ‘08 world title, it’s troubling they weren’t able to finish this season. The so-called “experts” seemed to pencil in the Phils for the WS, it reminded me of the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
Obviously, with their payroll, the Phillies will continue to contend, although this injury to Ryan Howard could be serious. Still, it’s worth noting, the Phils have only two world titles to show since they became a franchise in the 1880s. That’s a disappointing total to say the very least.
by SteelStealth on Oct 7, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Can't be..
Bonds and Van Slyke would still choke.
by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 8, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
My sister and her boyfriend just called me.
They said they’re getting tickets for games 3, 4 and 5 in St. Louis.
Her boyfriend said “Hey Jerry, how are the Pirates doing today? Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
I used to like him….
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
True.
But can you imagine the playoff team the Pirates would have with Nyjer Morgan, Lyle Overbay, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Ian Snell, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and Tom Gorzelanny still on the team? The Pirates would have swept the Diamondbacks….
You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu
by IAPiratesFan on Oct 8, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm starting to wonder
If this year might be the start of a move away from the “mega contract”. The way people are reacting to Howard and A-Rod, and to a lesser extent Teixeira now combined with the complete flops from Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford, and the way Joe Mauer’s health has declined has created a pretty big storm. Does this hurt a guy like Prince Fielder this offseason? You’d think at some point someone would just decide this is completely insane.
by ElDuce on Oct 8, 2011 12:18 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of Howard, early speculation
suggests he may have a torn Achilles tendon. If that’s correct, the Phillies could pursue Derrek Lee as a replacement at 1B.
by SteelStealth on Oct 8, 2011 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
They can play Mayberry
I doubt they make a move for an older bat.
Ugh
Zack Greinke calls Chris Carpenter a phony.
Epic FAIL.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 9, 2011 2:57 AM EDT reply actions
Absolutely
I watch the Carpenter being interviewed right after the Cards beat the Phillies. Guy seems very laid back, thoughtful and real. Greinke and that whole squad are a bunch of jags.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 10, 2011 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn't a "jag"
be someone who made up stuff to condemn other people?
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
A jag is basically another name for jerk
So anything that can be associated with a jerk can be associated with a jeg.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 10, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes I know
I was pointing out that you invented something and used it to condemn someone him.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
Do you simply troll every SBN site,
looking for people who say things about the Brewers?
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 10, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
You've failed
Greinke never refers to Carpenter as a phony. I don’t think he ever gives his opinion at all.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
Actually I didn't fail
He basically thinks of him as a phony in that interview. Maybe I can understand it alittle since it’s the CS and there trash talking involved because the stakes are so high, but he shouldn’t be referring to him as names that are just untrue.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 10, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You fail completely
He never says that he is a phony.
And Carpenter is a huge jerk. You can call it whatever you want but the language that would accurately describe him would probably get me a warning from Charlie.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
"They think that his presence, his attitude out there sometimes is, like, a phony attitude,"
The word “like” here is not used as a description (“Her poofy hair made her look like a dandelion.”), but as vernacular part of speech, the way people say “you know” when they are not, in fact, looking for agreement.
And don’t pretend you didn’t know that.
I can only wonder why you spend so much time on other teams’ boards – even so far as being on the Astros’ gamethreads when the Brewers are playing Houston, instead of on the Brewers’ board – but I guess it’s because they don’t like you there, either.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 10, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
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