BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Home-run count against Erik Bedard blamed on dry Arizona air

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Home-run count against Erik Bedard blamed on dry Arizona air

Years ago, a sousy pal-o-mine would ALWAYS blatzbile after downing two quarts of Olde English 800, a bottle of Southern Comfort and a small bag of Wise potato chips. His constant reasoning?...“It must have been the taters.”

After allowing only 19 homers over 182 innings last season, the left-hander has given up seven long balls in 18 innings this spring. That would factor out to 70 homers over the same number of innings Bedard pitched last season.

“This has to be a record,” Bedard said after giving up two more blasts in an 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday afternoon.

It is indeed a record pace, and not only for Bedard. Bert Blyleven holds the major-league record with 50 homers allowed in 1986.

Something is clearly amiss with Seattle’s prized trade acquisition. Bedard insists he has no idea what’s going on, but Mariners manager John McLaren says the dry Arizona air is a prime suspect.

“I would think that would have a lot to do with it,” McLaren said.

Repoz Posted: March 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM | 10 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Seattle

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1. Walt Davis Posted: March 22, 2008 at 11:47 PM (#2717793)

mmmmmmm .... Blatz

2. J. Lowenstein Apathy Club Posted: March 23, 2008 at 12:04 AM (#2717798)

Southern Comfort? Eww.

3. shoewizard Posted: March 23, 2008 at 12:08 AM (#2717801)

As of right now Bedard is tied for the least fewest homeruns given up in the majors in 2008.

4. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: March 23, 2008 at 12:20 AM (#2717804)

Is 19 in 182 IP really worth an "only"? I mean, it's not a lot, but that's still more than one per 10 innings. Seems like the Wang/Webb/Carmona types merit the "only" category.

5. Dan Szymborski

Posted: March 23, 2008 at 12:46 AM (#2717818)

I always like how baseball is sort of in this creepy magical plane, where its not bound by any kind of classical mechanics. Dry air is less dense than humid air! The coefficient of friction of the dirt near 1B is less than 0! Cork inside a piece of wood acts like a magic rocket launcher! Fastballs thrown by a human generate enough spin to actually rise!

6. Belfry Bob Posted: March 23, 2008 at 02:22 PM (#2717956)

George Sanders for Blatz Beer.

Wow.

That is one unlikely spokesperson.

7. Walt Davis Posted: March 24, 2008 at 02:18 AM (#2718167)

George Sanders

That's The Saint to you buddy.

8. Walt Davis Posted: March 24, 2008 at 02:21 AM (#2718171)

Or Mr. Freeze

9. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: March 24, 2008 at 03:14 AM (#2718184)

It's the feet (altitude), not the humidity.

10. Boriole Forester Posted: March 24, 2008 at 04:36 PM (#2718563)

Oh but you see Bedard is from Canada, where the cold dry air imparts sinkage, as did the warm humid air of Baltimore. I think subluxations are significantly greater in Arizona, too. To test this, simply check the soles of his feet. If they are wet, he needs to compensate by wearing a flux capacitor on his right elbow. Send me $5 and I'll show you how to build one.

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Home-run count against Erik Bedard blamed on dry Arizona air

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