When something goes terribly wrong, people want it to be fixed, and if the management isn't doing enough, people turn hostile. Firing the hitting coach is the go to move for a desperate GM. This was probably done because it is something. Something to try to ward off the hostility and something to keep Bavasi off the streets for a little while longer. Unfortunately, this moves sends another person to the same fate, one that he didn't deserve.
Sure, we are hitting like 27th worst in the league right now, but last year we were one of the best under the exact same hitting coach. I can imagine that the M's management just wanted to pull the plug on Pentland's job to calm down the fans for a little while, a stall until they get lucky and something turns around. It is irrational to put that much weight on the connection between the hitting coach and the hitting success. Maybe I am just a little bit ignorant on what exactly a hitting coach does, but I can't see it being something that can raise or lower a teams batting average by 30 points. However, it makes a lot more sense to see the connection between the players themselves going up to the plate and hitting success. And frankly,(I'm aware that I'm making a very bold assertion right now) our line-up is garbage.
Thats where things need to be done. I would start with dealing Betancourt. I would need to look further into the logistics of this, but a prospect one or two years removed from the majors that would take his spot would be best, although someone whose up now would be perfectly fine. We just cannot afford his .305 OBP, even for a 9-hitter as well as his too often fielding mistakes. This won't assure a Mariner turnaround, but it is a first step. Replacing Pentland with Elias is not. no comments
Sure, we are hitting like 27th worst in the league right now, but last year we were one of the best under the exact same hitting coach. I can imagine that the M's management just wanted to pull the plug on Pentland's job to calm down the fans for a little while, a stall until they get lucky and something turns around. It is irrational to put that much weight on the connection between the hitting coach and the hitting success. Maybe I am just a little bit ignorant on what exactly a hitting coach does, but I can't see it being something that can raise or lower a teams batting average by 30 points. However, it makes a lot more sense to see the connection between the players themselves going up to the plate and hitting success. And frankly,(I'm aware that I'm making a very bold assertion right now) our line-up is garbage.
Thats where things need to be done. I would start with dealing Betancourt. I would need to look further into the logistics of this, but a prospect one or two years removed from the majors that would take his spot would be best, although someone whose up now would be perfectly fine. We just cannot afford his .305 OBP, even for a 9-hitter as well as his too often fielding mistakes. This won't assure a Mariner turnaround, but it is a first step. Replacing Pentland with Elias is not. no comments
Do you want to meet Raul Ibanez? Macy's is holding a special event at their Bellevue Square location. I was reading the front page of the Seattle Times and came across an ad for Macy's promotional event next weekend.
When? Saturday, June 14th 12p.m.-1p.m.
Where? Bellevue Square Macy's Men's Department no comments
Wow, nobody saw that coming. What is it with us and the Red Sox? We always seem to come out on top. I wouldn't have it any other way, but still, its surprising.
I love beating the Red Sox, because, the way I see it, with every Red Sox loss, a few fans fall off the giant mountain of a bandwagon known as Red Sox Nation. I have been to enough Red Sox games at Safeco with those parasites hanging around, thinking that they are superior to the fans that are willing to toil for a team that has no clue.
On to the actual game. The biggest news is the performance of the pitching staff, particularly Felix. I love to see Felix succeed, but I don't think he is officially "back" yet. He still threw way too many fastballs. However, I think today was his best performance in a long time. Lately Felix has been giving up too many flyballs. Today that went down, with an FB/GB ration of 5/8. I haven't had the time to look at Pitch F/X or anything, but it looks like we may be seeing the King back very soon.
I don't expect this to mean that we will suddenly play like its 2001. We are the same team with the same players and the same front office as we were yesterday. However, a win like this is rare enough that we should cherish it. So here is what I want you to do. Call up your Red Sox fan friend ( we all have one) and just, for once, laugh at them until you are blue in the face, make fun of their lack of individualism, and crush their feelings. (note: don't really do this). You deserve it. no comments
I love beating the Red Sox, because, the way I see it, with every Red Sox loss, a few fans fall off the giant mountain of a bandwagon known as Red Sox Nation. I have been to enough Red Sox games at Safeco with those parasites hanging around, thinking that they are superior to the fans that are willing to toil for a team that has no clue.
On to the actual game. The biggest news is the performance of the pitching staff, particularly Felix. I love to see Felix succeed, but I don't think he is officially "back" yet. He still threw way too many fastballs. However, I think today was his best performance in a long time. Lately Felix has been giving up too many flyballs. Today that went down, with an FB/GB ration of 5/8. I haven't had the time to look at Pitch F/X or anything, but it looks like we may be seeing the King back very soon.
I don't expect this to mean that we will suddenly play like its 2001. We are the same team with the same players and the same front office as we were yesterday. However, a win like this is rare enough that we should cherish it. So here is what I want you to do. Call up your Red Sox fan friend ( we all have one) and just, for once, laugh at them until you are blue in the face, make fun of their lack of individualism, and crush their feelings. (note: don't really do this). You deserve it. no comments
| The former fan favorite in Seattle dropped out of the Major Leauge Basbeall scene after playing just 42 games for the Mariners in 2004. But what a 42 games it was for the rookie from a rural Oregon town. The 6 foot 4, 270 pounder hit 9 home runs and had 28 RBIs in his 7 week stint, before having to undergo knee surgery in September of that year. Things couldn't have gone worse for Bucky who played just 18 games in 2005 for the AAA Tacoma Rainers. He was released by the Mariners organization after posting a .136 batting average with no home runs. Where is Bucky now? After an unfruitful attempt of making it big in Japan, Jacobson's latest baseball stint was in the Mexican Minor Leagues for the Tabasco Olmecas in 2007, and is now working for his father's sign company while trying to rekindle his baseball career. Will he ever make it back to the bigs? Probably not, but he will always be remembered as that summertime hero for Northwest baseball fans alike. Despite the ongoing rumors and the shockingly close comparisons in looks, size, and sheer athletic ability, it has been comfirmed that Bucky Jacobson is not related to SeaTownSports blogger James Satterberg. |
Two dunks that blew my mind during last night's NBA Finals...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNh3fAgm5i4&hl=en] no comments
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNh3fAgm5i4&hl=en] no comments
Although Washburn only allowed 4 runs last night, the Mariners still lost, and it still won't stop me from ranting on... Last night's game story: [Seattle Times]
When will the Mariners realize that Jarrod Washburn is not a viable option?
Any competitive team will agree that a pitcher with a (2-7) record and a 6.56 era should be booted from the starting staff. That's 7 runs a game. When John McLaren hands him the game ball, he's handing the Mariners another loss. This is ridiculous.
After analyzing his pitch location, he fails miserably to keep his pitches low, and most of his pitches end up and over the plate. Usually a pitcher at least tries to make adjustments (I hope Washburn has), but he's not making the right adjustments, or just not putting the effort in to see what's wrong. I am hoping desperately for a solution, there are rumors to slot in Brandon Morrow in the rotation by the all-star break..but that's a whole different situation. In the meantime, Washburn remains washed-up. no comments
When will the Mariners realize that Jarrod Washburn is not a viable option?
Any competitive team will agree that a pitcher with a (2-7) record and a 6.56 era should be booted from the starting staff. That's 7 runs a game. When John McLaren hands him the game ball, he's handing the Mariners another loss. This is ridiculous.
After analyzing his pitch location, he fails miserably to keep his pitches low, and most of his pitches end up and over the plate. Usually a pitcher at least tries to make adjustments (I hope Washburn has), but he's not making the right adjustments, or just not putting the effort in to see what's wrong. I am hoping desperately for a solution, there are rumors to slot in Brandon Morrow in the rotation by the all-star break..but that's a whole different situation. In the meantime, Washburn remains washed-up. no comments
AGAINST THE RED SOX! NO, SERIOUSLY!
Time to celebrate!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no comments
Time to celebrate!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no comments
Sometimes I feel like we need to start all the way over with this team, but realistically, we have an okay core at least. We have a few players we can build around now. Ichiro, Beltre, Felix, even Bedard (although he helped start this mess in the first place) these are players that we can build around over the next few years. We don't need to get rid of everybody, because we have the players we an start with. Our problem is that we have so much resources invested in crap, and instead of getting a good supporting cast, we have players who drag the team down. We don't need to trade everything with value to get a good team. We just need to stop paying losers like Vidro, Sexson, Washburn, Cairo, etc., and we need to learn the proper value of talent (not paying Silva 44 million would have been nice). If we learned that track records aren't as important as talent, we would be on the fast track to recovery.
The only problem is, I don't trust our current front office to learn that. It is a horrible thing when you realize that you could actually be a GM of a team and do better than that guy, especially when you have no baseball management experience, and the GM in question runs your favorite squad. Also, unlike with most teams, you would actually be right. Bavasi and Co. are absolutely unqualified to run a small business, let alone a baseball team.
The ownership, however, is the problem. I am afraid, that with their stubbornness and resistance to new ideas, even if we get a change in front office, that they will just hire another front office without a clue, and nothing will change. So misters Lincoln and Armstrong, I beg of you. I am just a fan who devotes much of their life to your business. One of many. I know, however, that I am not alone in what I want to see:" a winning team. You should have an incentive to provide us, the consumers, with the product we want, or many of us will turn elsewhere or lose interest entirely. So Here is what I want you to do. Interview one of the "smart" GM's. one who is acquainted with advanced statistics, replacement value, The value of defense, etc. (and by the way, if you in particular are not aquainted with these, and you love baseball, I would suggest that you find out something about them. I may give you a deeper understanding and love for the game. But I digress). Or just somebody from the Indians/Rays/Red Sox/A's organizations. Listen to what they have to say, and weigh if it might be better than the current system, which has led us nowhere. Then after careful thought, maybe some discussion with friends, family, or (gasp) fans, make a smart decision. Then, let whoever you hired do their job without meddling too much. You'll get your money. I promise. no comments
The only problem is, I don't trust our current front office to learn that. It is a horrible thing when you realize that you could actually be a GM of a team and do better than that guy, especially when you have no baseball management experience, and the GM in question runs your favorite squad. Also, unlike with most teams, you would actually be right. Bavasi and Co. are absolutely unqualified to run a small business, let alone a baseball team.
The ownership, however, is the problem. I am afraid, that with their stubbornness and resistance to new ideas, even if we get a change in front office, that they will just hire another front office without a clue, and nothing will change. So misters Lincoln and Armstrong, I beg of you. I am just a fan who devotes much of their life to your business. One of many. I know, however, that I am not alone in what I want to see:" a winning team. You should have an incentive to provide us, the consumers, with the product we want, or many of us will turn elsewhere or lose interest entirely. So Here is what I want you to do. Interview one of the "smart" GM's. one who is acquainted with advanced statistics, replacement value, The value of defense, etc. (and by the way, if you in particular are not aquainted with these, and you love baseball, I would suggest that you find out something about them. I may give you a deeper understanding and love for the game. But I digress). Or just somebody from the Indians/Rays/Red Sox/A's organizations. Listen to what they have to say, and weigh if it might be better than the current system, which has led us nowhere. Then after careful thought, maybe some discussion with friends, family, or (gasp) fans, make a smart decision. Then, let whoever you hired do their job without meddling too much. You'll get your money. I promise. no comments
I am in a depression phase with this Mariner stinkfest.
It's depressing enough as a Seattle Sports fan when considering the following:
Our one perceived strength by fans and players alike (check out the latest sports illustrated players poll, in which 8% of baseball thought we had the best rotation, the 4th strongest in the poll)..sucks. Pitching has been horrendous, so far on this road trip the opposing team has scored an average of 11 runs and the Mariners have lost by an average 6 runs. Obviously this will get better, but seriously, something like this shouldn't even happen to a pitching staff that was thought of as the 4th strongest in the league.
It'd be a mistake to just blame the starting pitching. Our fielding is also horrendous, everyone is making errors, our offense only drives in runs when it doesn't matter, our bullpen was shaky when we were winning games, and now the bullpen doesn't even matter when the starters are allowing so many runs.
I agree 100% with Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times that the players need to be held accountable. But for right now, I'd just like the sinking ship to stop sinking, so I could instead enjoy this beautiful weather with a decent baseball team, not the worst in the MLB. no comments
It's depressing enough as a Seattle Sports fan when considering the following:
- The Seattle Sonics were the 2nd worst team in the NBA
- Despite their 2nd worst team standing, they ended up getting the 4th pick in the draft removing all chances of grabbing Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose
- Oh ya, and they might end up moving to Oklahoma....
- UW football ended being last in the Pac-10
- The UW basketball team missed the big dance, and ended up losing in the weakest post-season tournament, the CBI
- And although the Seahawks had a great season and won their conference, they failed to make it to the NFL Championship game, and their superbowl chances seem to be getting smaller and smaller
Our one perceived strength by fans and players alike (check out the latest sports illustrated players poll, in which 8% of baseball thought we had the best rotation, the 4th strongest in the poll)..sucks. Pitching has been horrendous, so far on this road trip the opposing team has scored an average of 11 runs and the Mariners have lost by an average 6 runs. Obviously this will get better, but seriously, something like this shouldn't even happen to a pitching staff that was thought of as the 4th strongest in the league.
It'd be a mistake to just blame the starting pitching. Our fielding is also horrendous, everyone is making errors, our offense only drives in runs when it doesn't matter, our bullpen was shaky when we were winning games, and now the bullpen doesn't even matter when the starters are allowing so many runs.
I agree 100% with Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times that the players need to be held accountable. But for right now, I'd just like the sinking ship to stop sinking, so I could instead enjoy this beautiful weather with a decent baseball team, not the worst in the MLB. no comments
by designating Cha Seung Baek for assignment and calling up the knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
Of course forget about the horrible offense, the overpaid, whining sack of crap named Washburn (who was about as good as Baek according to Lookout Landing), the dreadful Jose Vidro, the useless Miguel Cairo, etc. No, our problem was the cheap, mildly useful Baek. Nice knowing ya buddy.
On the plus side, I love the knuckler. It may be a gimmick, but it's a cool looking gimmick. no comments
Of course forget about the horrible offense, the overpaid, whining sack of crap named Washburn (who was about as good as Baek according to Lookout Landing), the dreadful Jose Vidro, the useless Miguel Cairo, etc. No, our problem was the cheap, mildly useful Baek. Nice knowing ya buddy.
On the plus side, I love the knuckler. It may be a gimmick, but it's a cool looking gimmick. no comments
