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Monday, July 23, 2012
And get off my expanded Texas grazing land!
Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan joined Galloway and Co. on 103.3 KESN-FM this week to talk about the state of the team. Here are some highlights:
On Josh Hamilton’s struggles:
I think we’re all seeing the same thing. You’re right that some of his at bats aren’t very impressive from the standpoint that he doesn’t work deep into the count, he’s swinging at a lot of bad pitches, he just doesn’t seem to be locked in at all. So what you’re hoping is that his approach will change and he’ll start giving quality at bats because there’s a lot of those at bats that he just gives away. One of the things I’ve always commented on is I can’t ever say that I ever saw Henry [Hank] Aaron give an at bat away. I think as a hitter, you have to go up there and you have to focus on the guy that you’re facing and what he’s been doing as far as the game’s concerned and try to engage what your attempt to do as far as getting a hit off him.
Repoz
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 11:49 PM | 30 comment(s)
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1. Xander Posted: July 24, 2012 at 12:07 AM (#4190524)I assume it's mostly a case of simply noting that the guy hasn't been hitting lately, combined with not being able to provide a meaningful reason why not. But it's probably fair to say that the GM and manager might be taking a different tone towards that if they weren't anticipating losing the player.
I assume it's mostly a case of simply noting that the guy hasn't been hitting lately, combined with not being able to provide a meaningful reason why not. But it's probably fair to say that the GM and manager might be taking a different tone towards that if they weren't anticipating losing the player.
It's a fair point, and I can't say I know what's going on. But even when Hamilton's hitting the cover off the ball, he has an abominably stupid approach at the plate -- swing at everything, all the time, no matter what pitch it is or in what location. And when he's hot, somehow he can hit terrible pitches a long way. But when he's cold, the pitcher can beat him by just throwing offspeed stuff in the dirt on every pitch.
If he doesn't, Nolan can plunk him right in the kidneys!
Sounds like Vladdy Guerrerro - and what a bum he was. You sure wouldn't want anyone who hit like that on your team.
Hank was no Yaz in this department, but he hit Ryan pretty good anyway.
Here something that I think is interesting: In 1909, Ty Cobb won the traditonal Triple Crown, the slash line Triple Crown, while also leading the league in runs, hits, and stolen bases. I don't think that anyone else ever did that.
Split G PA AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+Home 41 172 152 43 4 0 14 16 39 .283 .355 .586 .940 .287 96 149
Away 46 204 179 54 11 1 14 20 51 .302 .368 .609 .977 .339 103 171
*checking his career stats*
Yep, sure enough, he's generally hit at least as many doubles as home runs. Probably just a fluke, I imagine.
1) people speak in hyperbole all the time; Ryan saying, "I'm sure Hank Aaron occasionally gave away at bats, but probably less than Hamilton is doing now, even though I don't know the exact number", is ridiculous in a verbal interview;
2) he was trying to make a point; sure, comparing Josh Hamilton to Hank Aaron is an overreach no matter what, but it's also flattering to a player than Ryan wants to do well; saying "Hamilton's not as good as Mo Vaughn right now" sounds silly, doesn't it?
Hamilton has turned 28.3% of his flyballs into HR, compared to a career average of 19.2%.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1875&position=OF
How the frig do you make a link nowadays?
My snark is because Ryan is publicly criticizing his player AND comparing him to a Baseball God.
But only after the AB is safely over. I fully expected Hamilton to hit a 3 run homer in the 9th off Frieri the other day. He'll have to keep swinging and missing a bit longer to convince me it's anything but a temporary slump.
Exactly. Hamilton has always, even in his best years, tended to alternate months where he hits .400 with months where he hits .250. This year may be a bit more pronounced, but it's typical for him.
I must respectfully disagree with #8. Hamilton, in good or bad stretches, tends to go with the ball where it's pitched. Not quite as extreme as Vlad, but Srul's point is a great one: in many ways Hamilton's hitting style is the mirror image of Guerrero's. Both can look bad when they top a low-outside pitch on the ground or pop up on a ball out of the zone, but that's the price they pay for hitting .300 with opposite-field power, just as the strikeout is the TTO hitter's price.
I watched both of them a lot, and Hamilton has nothing in common with Juan Gonzalez, who truly was a sucker for the same bad pitch all the time: breaking ball low and away, Gonzalez would try to pull it, usually fanning. Hamilton does not do that. He lines that pitch to the opposite field when he's on his game, and he hits it weakly to shortstop when he's not. And I think when he's off his game, minor (or not-so) injuries always have a lot to do with it. His timing and range of motion are missing, and he can't make his usual splendid adjustments.
To pile on Mr Ryan, one thing Hank Aaron had going for him was infinitely better health than Josh Hamilton. And he deserves credit for that. But I doubt that Hamilton's problems have to do with his approach; much more likely they're 90% physical. (Of course the other half may be mental, to quote Yogi Berra.)
Only an absolute, complete moron would do this!
Dale - I realize this probably isn't who you are talking about, but the Frank Robinson comparison is one I hadn't thought of before!
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