Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Snog!'s List...
Snog! feels that Blog! has put together an excellent list of closers and Snog! would feel moderately comfortable with any of those guys on the mound in the hypothetical situation. Snog! would make a few substitutions though and, well, Snog! will...
10.) Trevor Hoffman - Sort of defaults to the list, though not without SOME reason. His changeup is one of the best in baseball history, but let's face it... its a changeup. The slow stuff doesn't exactly terrify Snog!. Still... 500+ saves is pretty impressive and he was VERY dominant for a while.
9.) Billy Wagner - ESPN.com currently lists Wags as having -113 career blown saves. How can the guy NOT be on the list when he has blown negative games!?!?! Seriously though, any pitcher that can hit triple digits on the gun and who doesn't really have the best aim should scares the heck out of everyone.
8.) Joe Nathan - C'mon Blog!! How does this guy NOT make the list. Think of the best in the game each year, and I promise that this guy is there EVERY year. He has had an ERA below 2 in 4 of his 5 closing years. In fact, if you add together his ERA's from each season he has closed, you get 911. You may now thank Snog! for providing you with that absolutely wonderful piece of baseball trivia.
7.) Smoltzy - He's gotta be on the list. The very idea that he didn't really WANT to close makes him even more intimidating. The guy was pissed off BEFORE he even entered the game. Would you wanna stand in there? Snog! wouldn't. Maybe Jack Bauer would, but then Jack Bauer just killed Germany.
6.) Papshmear - Snog! does not want to appear to be a homer (even though Snog! is) but that won't stop Snog! from using common sense. This kid TRIES harder than any closer in history to make the batter wet himself before he actually throws a pitch. Then he takes a deep breath, blows it out, and humiliates you.
5.) K-Rod - Funny that he is actually PAST his prime at the ripe old age of 16, but this guy has been around a while. He's got the funky windup and put together a heck of run for a few years. Using the "TV Camera Method" Snog! would say this guy has the greatest breaking stuff in history. Of course, using the "TV Camera Method" is exactly why one shouldn't trust Snog!
4.) Goose - Snog! never actually saw him pitch, but LOOK at the guy! Snog! would be terrified to serve the man coffee let alone stand at the plate while he shot bullets at Snog!. Snog! will now have nightmares forever.
3.) Eric Gagne - In Snog!'s lifetime, Snog! cannot remember a closer having a more dominant run that this goofy Canadian (Snog! likes the way he talks). Would have been #1 had he held out a bit longer.
2.) The Eck - Its funny, but Snog!'s exact line of thinking on this was that Eck's brilliance is truly the reason that Gibson's homerun was the greatest moment in MLB history. Then Blog! goes and uses that exact same thought. Is Blog! somehow sneaking into Snog!'s brain at night? terrifying.
1.) Mo Rivera - Even the biggest Skankee hater can't really argue against this one. I'll say no more.
Snog! acknowledges that there are some historical figures omitted from this list, but if one looks at the numbers of guys like Sutter and Lyle, one is underwhelmed. Well, at least Snog! is.
10.) Trevor Hoffman - Sort of defaults to the list, though not without SOME reason. His changeup is one of the best in baseball history, but let's face it... its a changeup. The slow stuff doesn't exactly terrify Snog!. Still... 500+ saves is pretty impressive and he was VERY dominant for a while.
9.) Billy Wagner - ESPN.com currently lists Wags as having -113 career blown saves. How can the guy NOT be on the list when he has blown negative games!?!?! Seriously though, any pitcher that can hit triple digits on the gun and who doesn't really have the best aim should scares the heck out of everyone.
8.) Joe Nathan - C'mon Blog!! How does this guy NOT make the list. Think of the best in the game each year, and I promise that this guy is there EVERY year. He has had an ERA below 2 in 4 of his 5 closing years. In fact, if you add together his ERA's from each season he has closed, you get 911. You may now thank Snog! for providing you with that absolutely wonderful piece of baseball trivia.
7.) Smoltzy - He's gotta be on the list. The very idea that he didn't really WANT to close makes him even more intimidating. The guy was pissed off BEFORE he even entered the game. Would you wanna stand in there? Snog! wouldn't. Maybe Jack Bauer would, but then Jack Bauer just killed Germany.
6.) Papshmear - Snog! does not want to appear to be a homer (even though Snog! is) but that won't stop Snog! from using common sense. This kid TRIES harder than any closer in history to make the batter wet himself before he actually throws a pitch. Then he takes a deep breath, blows it out, and humiliates you.
5.) K-Rod - Funny that he is actually PAST his prime at the ripe old age of 16, but this guy has been around a while. He's got the funky windup and put together a heck of run for a few years. Using the "TV Camera Method" Snog! would say this guy has the greatest breaking stuff in history. Of course, using the "TV Camera Method" is exactly why one shouldn't trust Snog!
4.) Goose - Snog! never actually saw him pitch, but LOOK at the guy! Snog! would be terrified to serve the man coffee let alone stand at the plate while he shot bullets at Snog!. Snog! will now have nightmares forever.
3.) Eric Gagne - In Snog!'s lifetime, Snog! cannot remember a closer having a more dominant run that this goofy Canadian (Snog! likes the way he talks). Would have been #1 had he held out a bit longer.
2.) The Eck - Its funny, but Snog!'s exact line of thinking on this was that Eck's brilliance is truly the reason that Gibson's homerun was the greatest moment in MLB history. Then Blog! goes and uses that exact same thought. Is Blog! somehow sneaking into Snog!'s brain at night? terrifying.
1.) Mo Rivera - Even the biggest Skankee hater can't really argue against this one. I'll say no more.
Snog! acknowledges that there are some historical figures omitted from this list, but if one looks at the numbers of guys like Sutter and Lyle, one is underwhelmed. Well, at least Snog! is.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Random Baseball Exercise #1
Time for a mental exercise. Snot on the Ball asked the following:
your team is up by 1 in the bottom of the 9th inning in game 7 of the world series... the game has been a slugfest... lots of offense... everyone has a hot bat... the road crowd is hostile and is pouring it on... the 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup are coming to the plate... gimme your list of the top 10 closers of all time that you would want on the mound in that instance... these pitchers would be in their prime...
So here we go. Blog’s unscientific list in descending order:
10: Sparky Lyle – I didn’t see him pitch, and he is somewhat overshadowed by the later emergence of Goose, but according to Bill Lee’s book, Baseball Eccentrics, Lyle had a habit of sitting on cakes. He one time sat bare-bottomed on the birthday cake of Tom Yawkey. When Jean Yawkey heard about it, Lyle was traded to the Yankees the next day, where he became a stud closer. That story alone should get Sandy in the HOF.
9: Trevor Hoffman – Yes. He did blow the Padres season in that 07 playoff game with Colorado, but this is about when they were in their prime. In his prime, Hoffman was pretty darn good. In a 5 year span (1996-2000) he had 42,37,53,40,43 saves and 2.25, 2.66, 1.48, 2.14, 2.99 eras. His playoffs numbers weren’t overpowering though. In fact, he’s slip all the way to 9 after I originally planned to have him in the top 5. I could be convinced he’s still too high. John Smoltz should be here, but I’m too lazy to redo it.
8: Robb Nen – Probably one of the more underratedd closerss in the past 15 years, Nen was a majorr flamethrowerr who could reach 100mphh. In 3 trips to the playoffss, he threww 20 innings with a 2.25 era, 11 savess and 20Ks. The 20 hits andd 8 BB certainly don’t helpp the whip, but he was still a solidd closer.
7: Rob Dibble – In the 1990 post season, where he won the NLCS MVP, Dibs pitched 9 innings in 7 games. He gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, no runs, and had 14K’s. He recorded one win, one save, and one all time great manager beat down when he throttled Lou Pinella. I don’t think that was in the playoffs, but it certainly adds to the fact that Dibble was very nasty.
6: Eric Gagne - In his enhances prime, he was devastating. He was also super ugly, which seems to
fit many on this list. He’s one guy I just would not want to face in a tight spot. (though in one of the all time roid moments, Giambi crushed a Gagne fastball in some all-star game a few years ago).
5: Bruce Sutter – The guys in the HOF. Doesn’t he have to be on the list? I have no idea. He was in the post season once, in 1982. He pitched in 6 games, 11 innings, 6H, 9BB, 3.27era, 7K, 2W and 3saves. Plus, he had a GREAT 1981 Topps card where he looked like Grizzly Adams in pastels.
4. Dennis Eckersley – In the late 80’s, there was no one more automatic in the 9th inning that Eck. What made Kirk Gibson’s 1988 game one walk off so memorable was the fact that he hit it off Eck. In fact, it was so surprising, that if you look at Eck’s career post seasons stats on ESPN, it doesn’t even show that a HR was hit off of Eck in 1988! Regardless of that one hit, Eck was lights out in his prime. Just ask the 88 and 90 Red Sox. The 48 saves with an 0.61 era in 1990 are video game numbers.
3. Goose Gossage – Intimidating. Aggressive. Fast. Ugly. Everything you want your closer to be, Goose was. In the late 70’s, he was probably the most feared pitcher of his day. He had the numbers to land in the HOF, and his post season numbers were solid as well, but Goose’s effectiveness was beyond just stats. He scared hitters into submission, and that’s the kind of closer you need when the opposing hitters have been a bit too comfortable in the first 8 innings.
2. Jonathan Papelbon – I can hear it now. ‘you’re a homer!’ ‘way too early!’ Are you sure? He has been a closer now, in the second toughest market in the sport, and he has already been in 3 post seasons. The results speak for themselves: 25 innings. 0 runs. 10 hits. 6 walks. 22K’s. 2 wins. 7 saves. That is dominant. He is clutch. He is intimidating. He is fearless. He is already the 2nd best prime time closer, behind…
1. Mariano Rivera – He is #2 all-time in saves behind Hoffman, and he is really, really good. 76 post season games. 117.1 innings. Think about that for a second in this day and age. 117.1 innings, and his era is 0.77. sick. What Red Sox fan doesn’t remember Game 7, 2003, when he threw 3 straight scoreless innings allowing Aaron Bleeping Boone to eventually deal the curse’s last blow. He is a first ballot HOFer when he retires (hopefully soon) and he is by far the most clutch closer that the game has ever seen. That he does it with one pitch, and that he’s a nice guy just add to the legend. Imagine if anything other than his stuff were intimidating!! The stuff is enough though. That’s why he’s #1.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Hoffman (I’ve officially moved Smoltz to 9, even though you don’t see it), Troy Percival, Rollie Fingers, Dick Radtz, Calvin Schiraldi (just checking to see if you’re paying attention) and Pedro Martinez, just for game 5 in 1999 at Cleveland. The Indians scored 8 times in the first 3 innings, and then didn’t get another HIT!
your team is up by 1 in the bottom of the 9th inning in game 7 of the world series... the game has been a slugfest... lots of offense... everyone has a hot bat... the road crowd is hostile and is pouring it on... the 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup are coming to the plate... gimme your list of the top 10 closers of all time that you would want on the mound in that instance... these pitchers would be in their prime...
So here we go. Blog’s unscientific list in descending order:
10: Sparky Lyle – I didn’t see him pitch, and he is somewhat overshadowed by the later emergence of Goose, but according to Bill Lee’s book, Baseball Eccentrics, Lyle had a habit of sitting on cakes. He one time sat bare-bottomed on the birthday cake of Tom Yawkey. When Jean Yawkey heard about it, Lyle was traded to the Yankees the next day, where he became a stud closer. That story alone should get Sandy in the HOF.
9: Trevor Hoffman – Yes. He did blow the Padres season in that 07 playoff game with Colorado, but this is about when they were in their prime. In his prime, Hoffman was pretty darn good. In a 5 year span (1996-2000) he had 42,37,53,40,43 saves and 2.25, 2.66, 1.48, 2.14, 2.99 eras. His playoffs numbers weren’t overpowering though. In fact, he’s slip all the way to 9 after I originally planned to have him in the top 5. I could be convinced he’s still too high. John Smoltz should be here, but I’m too lazy to redo it.
8: Robb Nen – Probably one of the more underratedd closerss in the past 15 years, Nen was a majorr flamethrowerr who could reach 100mphh. In 3 trips to the playoffss, he threww 20 innings with a 2.25 era, 11 savess and 20Ks. The 20 hits andd 8 BB certainly don’t helpp the whip, but he was still a solidd closer.
7: Rob Dibble – In the 1990 post season, where he won the NLCS MVP, Dibs pitched 9 innings in 7 games. He gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, no runs, and had 14K’s. He recorded one win, one save, and one all time great manager beat down when he throttled Lou Pinella. I don’t think that was in the playoffs, but it certainly adds to the fact that Dibble was very nasty.
6: Eric Gagne - In his enhances prime, he was devastating. He was also super ugly, which seems to
fit many on this list. He’s one guy I just would not want to face in a tight spot. (though in one of the all time roid moments, Giambi crushed a Gagne fastball in some all-star game a few years ago).5: Bruce Sutter – The guys in the HOF. Doesn’t he have to be on the list? I have no idea. He was in the post season once, in 1982. He pitched in 6 games, 11 innings, 6H, 9BB, 3.27era, 7K, 2W and 3saves. Plus, he had a GREAT 1981 Topps card where he looked like Grizzly Adams in pastels.
4. Dennis Eckersley – In the late 80’s, there was no one more automatic in the 9th inning that Eck. What made Kirk Gibson’s 1988 game one walk off so memorable was the fact that he hit it off Eck. In fact, it was so surprising, that if you look at Eck’s career post seasons stats on ESPN, it doesn’t even show that a HR was hit off of Eck in 1988! Regardless of that one hit, Eck was lights out in his prime. Just ask the 88 and 90 Red Sox. The 48 saves with an 0.61 era in 1990 are video game numbers.
3. Goose Gossage – Intimidating. Aggressive. Fast. Ugly. Everything you want your closer to be, Goose was. In the late 70’s, he was probably the most feared pitcher of his day. He had the numbers to land in the HOF, and his post season numbers were solid as well, but Goose’s effectiveness was beyond just stats. He scared hitters into submission, and that’s the kind of closer you need when the opposing hitters have been a bit too comfortable in the first 8 innings.
2. Jonathan Papelbon – I can hear it now. ‘you’re a homer!’ ‘way too early!’ Are you sure? He has been a closer now, in the second toughest market in the sport, and he has already been in 3 post seasons. The results speak for themselves: 25 innings. 0 runs. 10 hits. 6 walks. 22K’s. 2 wins. 7 saves. That is dominant. He is clutch. He is intimidating. He is fearless. He is already the 2nd best prime time closer, behind…
1. Mariano Rivera – He is #2 all-time in saves behind Hoffman, and he is really, really good. 76 post season games. 117.1 innings. Think about that for a second in this day and age. 117.1 innings, and his era is 0.77. sick. What Red Sox fan doesn’t remember Game 7, 2003, when he threw 3 straight scoreless innings allowing Aaron Bleeping Boone to eventually deal the curse’s last blow. He is a first ballot HOFer when he retires (hopefully soon) and he is by far the most clutch closer that the game has ever seen. That he does it with one pitch, and that he’s a nice guy just add to the legend. Imagine if anything other than his stuff were intimidating!! The stuff is enough though. That’s why he’s #1.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Hoffman (I’ve officially moved Smoltz to 9, even though you don’t see it), Troy Percival, Rollie Fingers, Dick Radtz, Calvin Schiraldi (just checking to see if you’re paying attention) and Pedro Martinez, just for game 5 in 1999 at Cleveland. The Indians scored 8 times in the first 3 innings, and then didn’t get another HIT!
Jobu's Hats for Bats 08 Final Draft Review
Here you can actually see Jobu's poor second half. The only players who improved their rankings in the 2nd half were Matt Kemp, Jim Thome, Joakim Soria, BJ Ryan and Kelly Johnson. Not exactly Murderers Row.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Jobu's Hats for Bats 08 Schedule
A very tough first month, a dynamic next 3 months, and a fairly disappointing final 2 months just about sums it up. The final top 3 teams: Snot, Legends and Regs were the only team that Jobu had a losing record against though. Until the playoffs, that is...
Jobu's Hats for Bats 08 Weekly Stats
The lousy numbers in the pitching % categories reflects the streaming. It is very tough to compete though, when you're conceding 3 out of 10 categories on Monday morning. The poor record in AVG can be called the Adam Dunn effect. Let's all take a look at saves... Jobu went 21 weeks without losing in that category... but week 22, ironically, Jobu lost saves to Regs, who, for the 50th time, did not draft a closer.
Jobu's Hats for Bats 08 Pitching Tracker
Let Blog tell you how much Blog hates having to track pitcher streaming...
Jobu's Hats for Bats 08 Offensive Tracker
Jobu cut a top 100 offensive player 11 times! 7 different players (Ibanez and Bradley twice, Votto 3 times). Aubrey Huff was the highest ranked player cut (26), but really, who DIDN'T cut Huff before 6/1? Trading one top 15 player (Berkman) for 2 top 15 players (Beltran and Sabathia) is usually a good move, even if it costs a #1. Heading into 2008, Jobu had all 3 CI positions occupied by Grade A studs (Pujols, Braun, Berkman). Now, losing Berkman and Braun's 3B eligibility, Jobu has a mess of OF to choose from (Beltran, Braun, Kemp, B. Young, Dunn Hart). If Jobu can replicate this offense in 09, he'll be in very good shape.
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