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Time for Pudge To Wise Up
Random thoughts
- Even during the best of times for Kenny Rogers, there are reminders of the worst of times - of when he pushed the TV cameraman in Texas. During his post game press conference Sunday, Rogers refused to answer questions from reporters who asked them from Texas. Even the real softball ones. Also, it was kind of weird how the media focused in on the dirt on his hand issue. It was as if many believe he is cheating. They had to notice how well he pitched after he cleaned his hands.
- The Lions inability to score when they need to, or stop anybody when they have to, is uncanny. Their performance against the Jets Sunday was pathetic. They seem to try to claim some sort of moral victory for gaining a lot of yards when in reality it only makes their continual losing more haunting. Can�t wait for that stinker on Thanksgiving Day when Joey Harrington returns to Ford Field. That it is an easy stretch of schedule - vs. the 49ers, the Cardinals and Dolphins.
- Was it good that Michigan State rallied at Northwestern? Or was it just a mirage that will delay the inevitable departure of John L. Smith as head coach? I am not sure if making some flea bag bowl because of a patssy is going to cure the Spartans woes.
posted by Pat Caputo at
5:12 AM
20 Comments:
Mr.C. Funny about your take on Pudge. Last night i was swearing at the tv when he was at bat. Hard to figure with all his experience hitting and behind the plate watching that same pitch. It seems to me the home plate umpire calls pitches that are outside a bit as strikes. A couple of years ago i was watching Atlanta play someone and the stadium was equipped with an overhead camera. The atlanta pitchers name escapes me i think he has been traded. Watching the pitches with the help of the o/h camera i couldn't believe how far out side the plate some of pitches were and they called them strikes. Watching this i thought one would have to crowd the plate to reach the pitch, then you risk one high and inside. Guess thats why they call it hardball. Vinny
Pat,
I listened to your after game show on Saturday and must say I wonder about you sometimes. First to all the fans complaining about people asking fans to sit down....If I wanted a standing room only ticket I'd have purchased one. Fans should be expected to stand and cheer at appropriate times but to expect people to pay 250.00 or more and stand the entire game is rediculous. The fans Saturday were not as loud and excited as in earlier series but with the play they didn't give us a whole lot to cheer for. I would expect that had that been a regular season game you might even have heard booing when 3 errors were committed and the offense was pretty much non existant. I think the fans supported them very well in a game that was poorly played.
The second item....your amazement at Anthony Reyes pitching like he did.....I thought you were a baseball junkie....minor league knowledgeable....Reyes was not the Cards #1 rated prospect by Baseball America for nothing. He is the Verlander of the Cards system. If the Cardinals had a record better than 83 wins Reyes might have a better record too. As you should know a #1 prospect is capable of putting it all together for one game at any time. That is what Reyes did that night and I was not surprised. I just didn't know if he'd bring his "A" game or if he'd get knocked around...much like you wonder about with Robertson and Bonderman....both are capable of pitching stellar and both can stink up the joint on a given night.
With all that said I think in the long haul Detroit comes out on top...If they can keep the big guns of St. Louis from going yard. The Tigers don't fair well when they give up the multi homer game. Decent pitching and a little timely hitting, with the bullpen depth will bring Detroit to the top in a hard fought 7 game series.
I agree BOOK about Pudge. His swings at the plate have been awful. Another guy is Granderson. You could have a faked a toss to home plate and he would have swung at it. Maybe he is a guy that needs to find his way to the pine. Why not put Monroe in Center and maybe Gomez (who has been swinging the stick pretty good) in left. If Casey could have played first. I wouldn't have been opposed to sticking Vance behind the plate and maybe sit Pudge for a game or putting him at DH. At the same time. Pudge has been calling an awesome post season behind the plate. I think is presence is being felt in that regard. SO I wouldn't change much. Leyland has mentioned about changing the lineup some. I hope that means putting granderson in the 8 or 9 whole. We can't complain much about santiago either. The kid has played very quality at shortstop as well did a nice job at the plate yesterday. All you can ask is he don't pull a perez and looked lost at the plate and he is at least putting fourth effort. I picked the Tigers in 5 and I think it will probably be just that. Unless they want to bring it back for a game 6. I just think the tigers are that much better then the Cardinals.
As far as Rogers. If the cardinals were that concerned they would have had him thrown out of the game. Kenny ROgers is pitching on nothing more then raw emotion and intesity. He is so pumped up right now. Its like they said if you have enough adrenaline you could lift a car and not even realize it. Joe Buck can stick his head in the toilet and flush, because he wants to here them say Rogers cheated so bad he could taste it. I was happy to here TOny and Jim say we aren't going to talk about it. becasue it wasn't an issue.
One good thing about the Tigers this year is that we can focus our Sept. and October on them and when they are done compeltely focus on Michigan Football, Spartan Basketball, the Wings and Pistons. Hell we don't even need to talk about the pathetic lions the rest of the year. THere is nothing to talk about this is a lost year. Yes looks like Martz system is what we needed. However the fact of the matter is this team has no talent. WHo built this talentless team none other then Randy Smith (matt Millen). It be nice for once to hear Mr. Ford come out and do a press conference. Let people ask him what the hell is wrong with his orginization. Kind of like Illitch did a year or so ago to address the Tigers. At least show us he is not oblivious to what has been happening. If you don't care about the product being put fourth sell the team. Let us get a winning team into what is a true football town. Lions should have easily one that game. You can tell a big difference with out Rogers. At the same time where in the hell were are linebackers and safeties to fill the gaps. THe Jets could have run up the middle all game long if they wanted to. If I were the lions. I'd keep the o-line in tact. They are playing about as good as any offense we seen in years. I'd put lehmaan back at middle. leave simms outside along with either boss or lewis at outside. This is why I didn't give 2 craps taht we beat j.p. lossman. If we can't beat the 49ers, cardinals, and miami then we as fans need to give up and stop supporting these guys.
As far as spartans. John L. should be very thinkful of stanton. BEcasue he might have save another year on his contract.
Michigan looked awesome. If Michigan or OSU lose that game. and are a 1 loss team. Do they both still go to the championship game? I think they should.
maddog52
I agree BOOK about Pudge. His swings at the plate have been awful. Another guy is Granderson. You could have a faked a toss to home plate and he would have swung at it. Maybe he is a guy that needs to find his way to the pine. Why not put Monroe in Center and maybe Gomez (who has been swinging the stick pretty good) in left. If Casey could have played first. I wouldn't have been opposed to sticking Vance behind the plate and maybe sit Pudge for a game or putting him at DH. At the same time. Pudge has been calling an awesome post season behind the plate. I think is presence is being felt in that regard. SO I wouldn't change much. Leyland has mentioned about changing the lineup some. I hope that means putting granderson in the 8 or 9 whole. We can't complain much about santiago either. The kid has played very quality at shortstop as well did a nice job at the plate yesterday. All you can ask is he don't pull a perez and looked lost at the plate and he is at least putting fourth effort. I picked the Tigers in 5 and I think it will probably be just that. Unless they want to bring it back for a game 6. I just think the tigers are that much better then the Cardinals.
As far as Rogers. If the cardinals were that concerned they would have had him thrown out of the game. Kenny ROgers is pitching on nothing more then raw emotion and intesity. He is so pumped up right now. Its like they said if you have enough adrenaline you could lift a car and not even realize it. Joe Buck can stick his head in the toilet and flush, because he wants to here them say Rogers cheated so bad he could taste it. I was happy to here TOny and Jim say we aren't going to talk about it. becasue it wasn't an issue.
One good thing about the Tigers this year is that we can focus our Sept. and October on them and when they are done compeltely focus on Michigan Football, Spartan Basketball, the Wings and Pistons. Hell we don't even need to talk about the pathetic lions the rest of the year. THere is nothing to talk about this is a lost year. Yes looks like Martz system is what we needed. However the fact of the matter is this team has no talent. WHo built this talentless team none other then Randy Smith (matt Millen). It be nice for once to hear Mr. Ford come out and do a press conference. Let people ask him what the hell is wrong with his orginization. Kind of like Illitch did a year or so ago to address the Tigers. At least show us he is not oblivious to what has been happening. If you don't care about the product being put fourth sell the team. Let us get a winning team into what is a true football town. Lions should have easily one that game. You can tell a big difference with out Rogers. At the same time where in the hell were are linebackers and safeties to fill the gaps. THe Jets could have run up the middle all game long if they wanted to. If I were the lions. I'd keep the o-line in tact. They are playing about as good as any offense we seen in years. I'd put lehmaan back at middle. leave simms outside along with either boss or lewis at outside. This is why I didn't give 2 craps taht we beat j.p. lossman. If we can't beat the 49ers, cardinals, and miami then we as fans need to give up and stop supporting these guys.
As far as spartans. John L. should be very thinkful of stanton. BEcasue he might have save another year on his contract.
Michigan looked awesome. If Michigan or OSU lose that game. and are a 1 loss team. Do they both still go to the championship game? I think they should.
maddog52
Trtune,
I agree about Pudge standing too far away from the plate. His plate coverage isn't good as a result - and he still swings at pitches out of the strike zone. It's strange. He's been doing it for awhile, too, but didn't back in the day with the Rangers and Marlins or his first couple months with the Tigers.
Caputo
Vinny,
The umpiring has gotten a little more consistent the last couple years. They have cracked down on those guys a little bit and made them call the zone more consistently to what it is meant to be. A decade ago, the umpiring was awful.
Caputo
Anonymous,
I never said people should stand for the whole game. Some listeners did. I just said people have the right to stand and scream - and I was surprised it wasn't a little more charged up crowd. I know all about Reyes and why he dropped to the 15th round out of USC. His whole background. Not sure what the point is about your condescending tone with that comment, but it's not appreciated. It's just my opinion - and I have a right to one just like you do. It was he shouldn't have done so well pitching in the first game of the World Series. I stand by it.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
I agree. I am not sure if three runs per game is going to get it done. You can't put that much pressure on a pitching staff and expect to win.
Caputo
Maddog52,
Martz's system is just good enough for the Lions to play just well enough to lose. It's good enough for him to say it isn't his fault, to improve the offense statistically and then get out of Dodge before his career is destroyed by being associated with that woeful organization.
Caputo
I Rule,
Good point about Granderson. He is like a gauge for how they will do offensively. When he produces, they are fine. When he strikes out a lot and struggles, they struggle collectively. He is a very important player for that team.
Caputo
Hey Pat, Seems like FoxSports knew there was a sensationalistic story, maybe a tip from previous ESPN producers?, and were ready to jump on it in the first inning. La Russa knew as well too but was holding his card till a further inning opportunity. Yes, Im a conspiracy theorist.
But I don't think it was a foreign substance other than mud, but discoloring the ball is still not right. Nonetheless, too late now and let's hope Rogers pitches the sixth here and let's bring on all the challengers, he'll still look good.
Pat,
Reread my post. I never said you did say that fans should stand the whole game...I said to the "fans who...." My reason for commenting to you on it was that you are not shy about telling us when you don't agree...IE the callers saying Pujols should have been walked, so when you didn't disagree with those callers about standing and immediately said you thought we'd be a little more enthusiastic I commented. Fans don't have the right to obstruct the views of other fans for very long. There are usually 2-3 people in every section that think they do...they want everyone on their feet all the time...that is why they get shouted at until they sit down...and for the record they usually do. I also agree with other posters to your blog...We come ready to cheer but the team has to keep that going. For 17 batters we got shut right down...and with the 3 errors(sloppy play) we didn't have much to cheer about. I'm just glad the fans didn't start booing the team during a WS on National TV. That would have been tragic.
As for Reyes I'm not talking about his draft slot. He might just be a steal for the Cardinals where he was drafted. He was rated #1 prospect in 2005 and #41 out of the top 100 prospects. Once he got into their system he has shot to the top of it. I was condecending(in your words not mine) because you make it sound like the odds of him pitching a good game is like the odds of breaking the bank in Vegas...that is not the case. He is very capable of pitching a gem of a game and he proved it.
Russell,
I brought up the crowd topic on the Extra Innings Show only because I didn't think they were what I expected them to be or what they had been earlier in the postseason. I don't think they have been horrible, but just a little underwhelming. At times, it was nearly silent. I didn't expect that.
Caputo
Anonymous about FOX,
I agree that it seems like it was a creation almost of FOX. And I find that to be odd.
Caputo
Anonymous about Reyes and crowd,
Guess we have to agree to disagree about a couple things. That's cool.
Caputo
Pat,
I like Rogers City too; think it has the best sunrises in Michigan during the camping season. The way this World Series is unfolding, Kenny Rogers might be destined to be the sunshine hero for the Tigers. One more game like the last one, with all attention focused even more on him, and perhaps the Tigers will clinch, with Rogers collecting the MVP.
But before that, the Tigers have their work cut out for them. Nate Robertson needs to deliver his best game vs. Chris Carpenter, and Carlos Guillen, with the strong support of Craig Monroe, must continue to deliver at the plate. I believe the Tigers will need more than 3 runs tonight in Game 3. This game is one that they can't afford to let slip away, as I expect Jeff Suppan to be very tough on them. I don't feel real good about Justin Verlander in Game 5; actually, I'd like the possibility of seeing Wilfredo Ledezma starting Game 5, if he isn't needed in the next two.
I'm understanding now why you thought this Series was going to be a dogfight. It clearly is! Anthony Reyes was not suppose to win the first game, and that performance has made this anyone's series. The rust must come off the bats for Game 3, or we might find ourselves in dire straights suddenly. I'm glad Nate is pitching this one, and expect a bulldog performance from him; that might ignite the hitting. This is a very pivotal game. It's time to move Sean Casey up the lineup, and Curtis Granderson will need to get on base, to set the table. Placido Polanco isn't getting enough opportunities to do what he does best.
It will be interesting to watch how Leyland uses the bench and bullpen now. Somehow, you can even envision Neifi Perez doing something big, although, it's more likely to come from Alexis Gomez, Marcus Thames, or maybe Vance Wilson. Ramon Santiago has provided some great play at shortstop. More and more you realize that he is truly the Tigers best middle infielder.
One game at-a time now, with each one now the biggest one. Who's your Tiger for Game 3? I'd move Pudge down to 7th, and see how he responds there. We probably need him to deliver now, or it might be too late. After 9 stranded runnners, he knows it too, with the schedule shrinking. Chris Carpenter is tough, but this is the better matchup for the Tigers than tommorrow, and possibly Thursday as well. I guess we'll see what the Tigers are made of tonight. Who knows what the batting order will be? Does Monroe need to stay in the two hole, or does Leyland move Polanco there? Leyland has a tough decision, and how long can he stay golden?
Russell,
It is different in the press box becasuse there is no cheering allowed, but you can hear and see exactly what the crowd is doing. Also, Stoney isn't in the press box for the playoffs. He is outside in right field, in auxilery box, so whatever seats he has are probably better than the press one he has.
Caputo
Garold,
Robertson should do well against the Cardinals. They really struggle against left-handed pitching. Thing is, I wonder how the Tigers will do against Carpenter. They didn't swing the bat very well during the first two games of the series and need to wake up offensively.
Caputo
Garold,
Robertson should do well against the Cardinals. They really struggle against left-handed pitching. Thing is, I wonder how the Tigers will do against Carpenter. They didn't swing the bat very well during the first two games of the series and need to wake up offensively.
Caputo
Russell,
You would think he would go that route on a double switch, but Leyland isn't that predictable. It'll be interesting to see how he runs a National League-style game.
Caputo
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