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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Bruce Jenkins: Not every move that fails in World Series is boneheaded

Yeah, only because Jeff Torborg never got there.

So what’s the deal, La Russa is the dummy now? Knock off this nonsense. Just as in Game 1, when Washington’s moves didn’t work, it’s part of the deal. Nobody screwed up and missed a spot in the batting order. Nobody called for a sacrifice bunt with two outs. These guys know more about their players than we do, every time, so it’s best to just appreciate the thought process.

...I’d love to see La Russa completely ignore the DH tonight as the Series moves to the American League park, batting his pitcher ninth - or even eighth, as his history reflects. Washington would be reluctant to comply - have you seen his bench? - but I bet he’d be up for the challenge. Let’s play the real game here. The DH is so unsatisfying, so totally contrary to the game’s essence, it’s remarkable that anyone defends it. (And no, “more jobs” doesn’t cut it. This isn’t the steelworkers’ union.)

Repoz Posted: October 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM | 16 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: cardinals, rangers

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1. TomH Posted: October 22, 2011 at 12:40 PM (#3971271)

Dear Bruce - when a complicated subject appears to you to be crystal clear ('remarkable that anyone defends it), it's not a sign that you made a complex subject clear. It's a sign that your brain can't comprehend some concepts, OR your emotions are willing to contemplate them.

2. Dale Sams Posted: October 22, 2011 at 03:11 PM (#3971315)

My fave part of a pitcher batting is when the manager forbids him to even swing.

3. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: October 22, 2011 at 03:23 PM (#3971320)

No pitcher batting means no LaRussa out thinking Washington and getting him to bat Esteban German in a key spot. That was fun.

NL:AP Calculus
AL:Counting by fives

4. Morty Causa Posted: October 22, 2011 at 04:22 PM (#3971351)

Yeah, and let's make those pitchers wear those oversize clown shoes. How about we force the shortstop to tie his shoelaces together from the 7th inning on. Think of the strategy going to waste.

5. TomH Posted: October 22, 2011 at 05:34 PM (#3971384)

NL: should I have the 9th batter (P) bunt? duuuuhhhhh
AL: should I have the 9th batter bunt? Wow, actual thought involved! Way harder than duuuuuhhhhh

6. Morty Causa Posted: October 22, 2011 at 06:27 PM (#3971411)

Raise your hand if when the pitcher comes to bat in a tight situation, your instinctive reaction is, "Oooo, we going to see a little razzle-dazzle strategy."

Or, (be honest!) if in that same situation your gut reaction is, "Oh, ####."

7. Dan The Mediocre Posted: October 22, 2011 at 06:35 PM (#3971415)

NL: should I have the 9th batter (P) bunt? duuuuhhhhh
AL: should I have the 9th batter bunt? Wow, actual thought involved! Way harder than duuuuuhhhhh

This is at least as dumb as what Jenkins said about the DH.

Not to say that having pitchers bat leads to tons of strategy. Since it's a game where there isn't much room for strategy (i.e. not many opportunities, and most opportunities don't lead to more than a 10% higher chance at a favorable outcome) it's basically a "tallest midget" sort of thing.

8. Walt Davis Posted: October 22, 2011 at 08:21 PM (#3971465)

Worst article about lack of managerial miscues ever!

9. Bhaakon Posted: October 22, 2011 at 08:48 PM (#3971478)

Or, (be honest!) if in that same situation your gut reaction is, "Oh, ####."

That depends on which team I'm rooting for, doesn't it.

10. LionoftheSenate (feels sorry for the Pirates) Posted: October 22, 2011 at 09:23 PM (#3971484)

Best managerial move in WS so far was the gutsy call to have I Kinsler steal in 9th vs best defensive catcher in baseball. It worked wonderfully. Even if you need a SB in that spot, it was a high stakes call.

11. Sunday silence Posted: October 22, 2011 at 09:31 PM (#3971489)

apparently Kinsler did that on his. From all the reports I've seen. (trans: some guy on tv said this at some pt)

I guess Bill James did a study one time to see if the DH decreased managerial options and instead it found it increased them as the 9th batter wasnt an automatic whatever. i guess it kinda makes sense, I would like to see that issue studied more.

12. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: October 22, 2011 at 09:33 PM (#3971491)

13. PreservedFish Posted: October 22, 2011 at 09:39 PM (#3971493)

Am I the only person that enjoys the variety of having one DH league and one non-DH league? And then enjoys seeing them combine in the WS?

14. Ebessan Posted: October 22, 2011 at 09:55 PM (#3971498)

I always enjoy when sportswriters drop the "Be a man and make stupid decisions!" tack.

15. Bob Evans Posted: October 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#3971540)

I’d love to see La Russa completely ignore the DH tonight

I'd rather see him completely ignore his bullpen.

16. Bob Evans Posted: October 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#3971541)

Edit: aargh, crummy mouse!

17. Shock Posted: October 22, 2011 at 11:37 PM (#3971557)

Am I the only person that enjoys the variety of having one DH league and one non-DH league? And then enjoys seeing them combine in the WS?

Nope, I love it. Only downside is the never-ending arguments about which is better (with fans of NL teams being predictably anti-DH and fans of AL teams being predictably pro-DH)

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Bruce Jenkins: Not every move that fails in World Series is boneheaded

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