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MLB Trade Rumors.com has linked a very nicely-done article on Reds GM Walt Jocketty published on September 2 in the New York Times. It discusses Jocketty’s influences and his relationships to others in the baseball business. It’s a very good read.
Rob Neyer of ESPN.com’s Sweet Spot, and one of my favorite writers, has a post on Rob Dibble’s comments about Stephen Strasburg. I know everyone’s coming down on Dibble, and I realize times have changed, but we all love the stories of those players playing through pain. I am in no way saying that he was right, but the question begs as to how a player or a team knows when to shut a player down?
Neyer and the Wall Street Journal Daily Fix blog discuss Aroldis Chapman and his 105 mph fastball, too. There seems to be lingering doubts. Folks are suggesting that “juiced radar guns” are now being used. I didn’t remember this, but the Wall Street blogger says Dibble hit 105 back in his heyday. Bill James (on his site) says he’d like to see it with his own eyes. There are lots of built in links if you want to read more. Here’s an interview with Dusty Baker from MLB Fanhouse, too
If the radar gun is juiced, how is AC still throwing way faster than everybody else on the same gun? Do they juice it just for AC and then “un-juice” it for the next guy?
Beat me to it ren. He’s still throwing harder than the other guys on the same gun. whatever.
Right! So when Chapman throws 88, is it really 88 or is it more like 79? And how do you “juice” a radar gun anyways? Is it like an orange or a grapefruit? Do you take a syringe full of winstrol and inject it into the handle? (Worked for McGwire. Hey, maybe that’s what Clemmens did! He didn’t juice himself. He juiced the radar gun!)
I don’t remember Dibble hitting 104, but I do remember him hitting 101 a lot. And there were people who tried to dismiss that as a myth as well—-including Bill James, as I recall
@renbutler: Whenever you say something my brain just assumes it’s Fry saying it.
Steve Price said: “…we all love the stories of those players playing through pain. I am in no way saying that he was right, but the question begs as to how a player or a team knows when to shut a player down?” I’m not sure how powerful the question begs when we’re talking about ROB DIBBLE
. Dibble makes a funnier Kenny Powers than Rocker, I’ll grant you. And, overall, John Rocker was (is) the darker figure. But Dibble IS KENNY F@#$%*! POWERS ! I’M F@#$%*! OUT!
Matt, Cinti
…with that said, I’m a Reds fan and i was always amped when one of the original Nasty Boys came in and shut down the side. But that’s where my public admiration for Dibs ends. I don’t see him the way I would another former Redleg, for example, one who exhibits shall we say, a tad less flamboyance? I’ll always honor him as a former Red, but he really does make one funny reality show Kenny Powers…
Torn ligaments seem like a good time to shut a player down.
Not to change the subject, but does anyone know when Brandon Phillips will be back? I’m new here, 1st post…..
I’m still not a believer in 105, but it won’t take too much more convincing. Regardless, isn’t there three guns at the park? One owned by the team for the scoreboard, one by FNSO, and an official one own by the MLB used on the gameday and for official scoring? (I heard that somewhere once. Don’t know how credible it is.)
I believe 105. He can hit 104, (or 103.9 or whatever the offical reading was) I see no reason why he wouldn’t be able to hit 105 on a good day after several days rest out of the bullpen.
FSNO – Sorry…
@DaveMooreWVU: He’s in the lineup tonight.
I know I’m wirely differently than most people, but I think the Walt Jocketty profile is a whole lot more interesting…click on the New York Times link…
Does it really matter how hard he throws? As long as he continues to get batters out he can throw 76mph for all i care.
Has anyone seen the Nasty boys of late? Dibs is in decent condition, but Norm and Randy have kinda letselfs go so to speak…
I read the article from Shotgun’s blog earlier. It’s awesome. Are there any Reds fans out there who aren’t absolutely tickled the Cardinals were stupid enough to let him go?
Yep Phillips is playing tonight. And Cabrera, who was brought back up from the rehab assignment today, is not:
Stubbs 8
Phillips 4
Votto 3
Rolen 5
Gomes 7
Hanigan 2
Heisey 9
Janish 6
Arroyo 1
Fay writes:
From the Reds:
Today the Reds recalled from Louisville LHP Matt Maloney (#56) and RHP Jordan Smith (#62) and returned from a rehab assignment and reinstated from the 15-day disabled list SS Orlando Cabrera (strained left oblique).
I think this tells you that Jay Bruces injury is not serious. I cannot imagine the Reds continuing to play with three outfielders.
I hope he’s right about Bruce. I’ll be at the games tonight and tomorrow. I’d like to see him in there Saturday!
@TC:
I don’t really get the inclination to hero worship, but ok.
@DaveMooreWVU: Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Cubs are winning 7-6 after coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the 6th.
This guy has been in the minors for 14 years withpout never playing a major league game. Guess who it is.
anyone like my avatar
I can’t understand why the Reds see no need in adding another OF when it’s clear Bruce is not 100% and can not play. This makes no sense.
anyone like my photo?
Cubs won 7-6
oh and about the minor leaguer he is on the Tigers
Thanks for posting the lineup, bearcats: Hanigan still looms pretty dangerous batting sixth, while Janish rarely gives you a bad ab in the eight spot. Janish is easy to overlook in this lineup, but then again Cabrera wasn’t always a dynamic offensive contributor either. The bottom line is they both contribute enough to the pie, what with their consistency and excellent chemistry with Phillips (and other fill-in second baseman). Stubbs thru Hanigan might be the best top 6 in the NL as we speak. Trivia: anyone know how many runs we’re scoring per game this year? What has it been over the last 12 weeks? Last six weeks?
preach: “Torn ligaments…down.”
Good stuff lol!
The Reds can’t trust the defense of Hernandez in LF, but Gomes needs to be platooning with someone out there right now. Who would THAT be?
Why not move Heisey to LF and put Ramon in RF? Heisey and Gomes can platoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVr6V9Gxryk
@Matt: I think the Phillies’ top 6 (now that they’re all healthy) trump our top 6. But I’d rank us #2. As far as runs/game for the year, 5.03.
@Matt: You guys aren’t really serious about Hernandez playing in the OF are you? You’re going to take a 34 yr old cathcer who has never played in the OF in his MLB career? I’m assuming you’re just joking around.
@dn4192:
I might be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure they don’t have any more on the 40-man after they let Sutton go.
@Brien Jackson: Edmonds is still on the 40 man. He hopes to get back before the end of the season, but I just don’t see it happening.
Drop Danny H. from the 40 and add Todd Frazier..
Interesting, Natural. The Phils have that kind of pop there too. I think the Reds are four players more talented in that top 6 than all others in the NL. There are other teams that fill those remaining two slots better, however (Phillies would be one of those, imo). A healthy Reds top six produces more runs than anyone in the NL. The avg. runs scored has to be near 7 if not higher over the last several weeks of the season. It’s the runs allowed by our pitching staff that seperates Cincy from two or three top AL teams. I don’t think we can keep this up unless the pitching improves and everyone stays healthy for the NLCS. I do think this team has more offensive threats off the bench than the 1990 team. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Baker pinch hitting more often, especially in the last two games of each series.
Re- Hernandez: yeah, I think if he can track the ball down in right field, a la somewhat Dave Parker, the risk and cost would be low until JB is back out there. Hernandez produces
Cairo is the back-up outfielder according to Dusty.
I’m a little disappointed Cabrera isn’t in there. I think he is one who definitely souldn’t be intimidated by the series. The more vets the better tonight.