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Friday, May 29, 2009

Wieters Round-up!

Yeah, you can laugh at me when he goes 0-4 tonight or rides the bench. Until that happens though, he’s going 4-4 with 4 Home Runs and a intentional walk with the bases loaded.

So, in the tradition of the great WBC round-ups, here is a one-day-only (I promise!) Matt Wieters round-up.

MLB.com has an article on Wieters.

Peter Schmuck talks about Wieters, and has quotes from one C. Ripken, a pre-Wieters Oriole.

Comments from coaches, Andy MacPhail, pitchers, etc. on Wieters

The Baltimore Sun’s “O’s on Deck” blog has a look at some of the media coverage.

The Above has a link to the infamous Matt Wieters Facts website…. the website that makes me want to kick myself and also makes me wonder if they stole the meme from here (and compiled a few from here too… it even says so) or (more likely) if it is just a case of parallel development.

Finally, the AP gives us the final word, from David Trembley:

It’s hard to overstate the anticipation for Wieters’ debut, although Trembley did a pretty good job of it.

“Should we open the clubhouse at 11? Have brunch here tomorrow for everybody? Is it going to be like Duke madness out there, where people are going to be out with tents?” Trembley said. “I’m going to go out and buy pizzas for everybody, and we’re going to have a pajama party out there waiting for Wieters to come.”

Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 12:47 PM | 83 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: fantasy baseball, hall of fame, orioles, prospect reports

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1. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:00 PM (#3198434)

No pressure, dude.

2. Best Regards, President of Comfort, Esq., LLC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:03 PM (#3198439)

Yeah, you can laugh at me when he goes 0-4 tonight or rides the bench. Until that happens though, he’s going 4-4 with 4 Home Runs and a intentional walk with the bases loaded.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth.

3. Mike Green Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:04 PM (#3198440)

Well, it's settled then. Wednesday, Thursday, Wieterday, Saturday.

4. Craig in MN Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:05 PM (#3198443)

"Hall of Fame"....nice.

5. Hack Wilson Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:05 PM (#3198444)

Is it going to be like Duke madness out there, where people are going to be out with tents?”

Yeah when I heard Zach was coming up I moved into a pup-tent, well the eviction notice had something to do with it.

6. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:06 PM (#3198449)

Not only will Wieters be the only person from now on who will be on Wheaties boxes...
They are going to change the spelling to Wieties.

7. JJ1986 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:08 PM (#3198453)

I'm excited.

8. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:09 PM (#3198456)

Not only will Wieters be the only person from now on who will be on Wheaties boxes...
They are going to change the spelling to Wieties.

That is a new one (I think)! Bravo, good sir!

9. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:11 PM (#3198460)

Do we roll back the calendar to the year 0?

10. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:24 PM (#3198470)

Do we roll back the calendar to the year 0?

Not until he comes to bat.

11. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:27 PM (#3198475)

Not only will Wieters be the only person from now on who will be on Wheaties boxes...
They are going to change the spelling to Wieties.

If that's a new one, that's really good, the first one of these I've found really funny.

12. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:31 PM (#3198477)

"Not until he comes to bat."

Maybe they should wait until his second at-bat?

13. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:40 PM (#3198486)

Maybe they should wait until his second at-bat?

They didn't wait until the second time for the other guy!

14. Greg Pope Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:48 PM (#3198497)

"Hall of Fame"....nice.

Nice and funny, yes, but all of these tags that are only there to be funny (usually obits) would really screw someone up who actually used the tags to search and/or find related items.

Not that I do that, but someone probably does. Right? Anyone?

15. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:50 PM (#3198501)

I wonder where Wieters will bat in the lineup. Trembley has been starting rookies off very low in the order, but Wieters is obviously no ordinary rookie, and you'd like for him to get as many at bats as possible.

Against a lefty tonight, could he bat cleanup?

S Roberts
R Jones
L Markakis
S Wieters
L Huff
R Mora
L Scott
R Reimold
S Izturis

16. Gary Truth Serum Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:50 PM (#3198502)

Will they unfurl a gigantic "1" in front of the B&O warehouse after the bottom of the fifth inning?

17. Hack Wilson Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:55 PM (#3198509)

I'm sure the cult of Wieters knows this but the word wieters actually means "who" in Dutch. Bud Abbott, the great seer and burlesque comic, prophecised Matt's coming many years ago. However for the apocalypse to be avoided the Orioles must move Wieters to first.

18. JJ1986 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM (#3198511)

Serious question, but Wieters is the best prospect (as a prospect) to debut since when? Mark Prior?

19. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM (#3198513)

Yeah, you can laugh at me when he goes 0-4 tonight or rides the bench. Until that happens though, he’s going 4-4 with 4 Home Runs and a intentional walk with the bases loaded.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth.

Uh, uh, it's gotta be in the bottom of the eighth. And then he goes and strikes out the side on one pitch in the ninth. And knocks up Miss California in the locker room.

20. Dock Ellis

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:01 PM (#3198521)

Against a lefty tonight, could he bat cleanup?

Has anyone made their major league debut starting and batting clean-up?

21. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:02 PM (#3198523)

Has anyone made their major league debut starting and batting clean-up?

I'm sure in 1871/1876 plenty of people did.

22. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:04 PM (#3198524)

Wieters is the best prospect (as a prospect) to debut since when? Mark Prior?

Chris Pittaro

23. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:06 PM (#3198528)

It's tough to compare him to a pitcher, but you could make the argument Wieters is the best hitting prospect since ARod.

It's hard to design a better prospect than a switch hitter with plus contact ability, plus power, and plus plate discipline who plays plus defense at the toughest position on the diamond. The scouts love him and his stats are ridiculous.

I guess if you were really greedy, you'd make him a 19-year old speedster (and probably a little shorter).

24. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:08 PM (#3198531)

And knocks up Miss California in the locker room.
Heck, any major leaguer can do that. He is so virile that he could knock up Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

25. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:11 PM (#3198535)

Against a lefty tonight, could he bat cleanup?

S Roberts
R Jones
L Markakis
S Wieters
L Huff
R Mora
L Scott
R Reimold
S Izturis

You silly-billy:

S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters

26. JJ1986 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:14 PM (#3198540)

It's tough to compare him to a pitcher, but you could make the argument Wieters is the best hitting prospect since ARod.

That sounds right, although I don't really remember the ARod hype. Kerry Wood is the earliest prospect that I remember being this huge a deal and since then it's basically just been Wood and Prior.

27. Hack Wilson Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:15 PM (#3198541)

And knocks up Miss California in the locker room.

I would only be impressed if Wieters had a sex-change operation and still knocked up Miss California.

28. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:18 PM (#3198544)

S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters

Maybe eventually, but Wieters needs to get into the good graces of his teammates- especially the younger and more talented teammates that will be with him for a few more years first. As a result, it'll instead be:
S Roberts
R Jones
L Markakis
S Wieters
S Wieters
S Wieters
L Scott
R Reimold
S Wieters

29. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:20 PM (#3198548)

ARod's prospect star peaked smack in the middle of the strike, so he probably got overshadowed a bit by that.

There was a lot of hype, though.

30. Dock Ellis

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:22 PM (#3198551)

Griffey was pretty hyped.

31. Best Regards, President of Comfort, Esq., LLC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:22 PM (#3198553)

I would only be impressed if Wieters had a sex-change operation and still knocked up Miss California.

Had a sex change operation and *married* Miss California USA.

32. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:29 PM (#3198565)

A peek into the future from Joe Sheehan:

Capping the greatest story in baseball history... no, sports history... the Baltimore Orioles became World Champions last night, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-1 to complete their sweep, and extend their winning streak to 129 games, a stretch that dates to May 25, four days before catcher Matt Wieters made his major league debut.

33. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:29 PM (#3198566)

I wonder where Wieters will bat in the lineup.

I considered this last night, and my guess is seventh.

34. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:36 PM (#3198580)

I actually feel bad for the guy. He's being anointed Yogi Lombardi before he's even played a game.

35. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:38 PM (#3198587)

From th Sheehan article:

Released the week before Wieters arrived, Eaton accepted a job at Triple-A Norfolk when no MLB team came calling. On July 5, Eaton was asked to step in for Brad Bergesen after the rookie pulled an oblique on his throw day. Working with Wieters for the first time, Eaton threw seven shutout innings and credited the catcher for spotting a mechanical flaw that made all the difference. Having carried an 8.56 ERA to the minors, Eaton made 16 starts for the Orioles after his return, posting a 1.92 mark and allowing just five home runs in that period. Eaton started the clinching games in both the ALCS and World Series.

"He saved my career, man," Eaton said as he dodged bubbly and beer in the clubhouse after the game. "I don't know how he saw it—we'd never worked together—but he set me straight. I'm never leaving Baltimore. I'll retire before I'll pitch to someone else."

Not even Wieters has that type of power.

36. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: May 29, 2009 at 03:48 PM (#3198608)

Yeah...A 129 game winning streak? Fine. A 1.92 ERA for Eaton? Now you're just being silly.

37. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:00 PM (#3198627)

Adam Eaton was once given 8 starts by a major-league team just to heighten the contradiction between the dismal pre-Wieters era and their glorious future.

38. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:13 PM (#3198658)

Adam Eaton is the Exact Opposite of Matt Wieters.
Well, technically, the exact opposite of Matt Wieters would be a female Adam Eaton, but close enough.

39. Sheer Tim Foli

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:25 PM (#3198681)

No you were right the first time.

40. You can keep your massive haul Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:53 PM (#3198722)

Do we roll back the calendar to the year 0?

Just do Unix style time. Wieters time will be counted in seconds from the first pitch he catches tonight.

41. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:57 PM (#3198729)

The Orioles are drawing 20,807 fans per home game. But this is a weekend, so anything less than 30,000 would be sign that Baltimorons have yet to catch on.

42. tribefan Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:58 PM (#3198731)

The guy who is in last place (by a healthy margin) in my Roto league has Wieters on his team, is it safe to assume that he'll be in first place by Monday?

43. You can keep your massive haul Posted: May 29, 2009 at 04:58 PM (#3198732)

I guess if you were really greedy, you'd make him a 19-year old speedster

Justin Upton?

44. NotLikely20 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:02 PM (#3198737)

Ryan Braun was hyped at a comparable level...lets see if MW can produce like RB...

45. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:02 PM (#3198738)

It's morning in America!

46. RJ in TO Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3198742)

Ryan Braun was hyped at a comparable level...lets see if MW can produce like RB...

In which case, he's Piazza, with better defense.

47. strummer Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:16 PM (#3198759)

Adam Eaton is the Exact Opposite of Matt Wieters.

The evil opposite of Wieters: the anti-Wieters
The anti-Wieters has no Wieters in him
Let me tell ya
Adam Eaton has no Wieters in him - Hup!

Wieters is even in Joan Rivers
But he's trying to get out, man!
He's trying to get out!
Listen up Joanie-baby

AhhhhWWWWWieters is everywhere!
Wieters is everything!
Wieters is everybody!
Wieters is still the king!

48. Champions Table Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:30 PM (#3198774)

Wieters is on the "cover" of baseballprospectus.com. Not surprisingly, the site has crashed. RAW POWER.

49. Champions Table Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:32 PM (#3198777)

Also, since it's the only good thing I'll ever do in life: I had "Wieties" a couple weeks ago (Post 1).

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/primer_dugout_5_13_09/

Yes, I realize it's sad to actually care about getting credit for this.

50. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:34 PM (#3198782)

Hi, the Prospectus is all about Wieters, MATT WIETERS. That site is awesome. Will Carroll can't stop thinking about ninjas. That guy are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.

REAL ULTIMATE POWER!

51. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:43 PM (#3198803)

Further Wieters-Links:

Tim Kurkjian brings us a article that includes the words switch-hitting Jesus.

Reports have it that at least 32,000 tickets had been sold as of last night, with rumors saying it is now up to 40,000 sold. There are worries about the weather, though, and Wieters, despite the similarity of name, cannot make the clouds stop pouring Waters.

Camden Chat corrects a quote by Dontrelle Willis.

I just hope I'm by a TV when the game is on.

52. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:48 PM (#3198812)

Yes, I realize it's sad to actually care about getting credit for this.
I owe you a coke then.

53. Sean Forman Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:53 PM (#3198820)

Debuts, batting cleanup.
http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/qD8A

Debuts batting third
http://www.bb-ref.com/play-index/shareit/4BS4

54. JJ1986 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 05:58 PM (#3198825)

Mark Fidrych 1980-09-16 4th DH

What's the story behind that?

55. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:06 PM (#3198839)

Mark Fidrych 1980-09-16 4th DH

What's the story behind that?

That question is seconded.

Oh, and here's a dilemma: Wieters will be playing on Extra Innings package EXACTLY the same time Strasburg is pitching on ESPNU. Can Planet Earth take the awesome?

56. Dr Love Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:09 PM (#3198843)

What's the story behind that?

Joe Maddon filled out the lineup card?

57. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:13 PM (#3198847)

That's weird. Fidrych didn't actually bat that game, as he was pinch hit for in the first inning.

Even stranger, the Orioles started a pitcher (Scott McGregor) at DH too. Terry f'ing Crowley pinch hit for McGregor.

Both teams had been eliminated from the playoffs at that point, maybe Earl Weaver and Sparky Anderson were bored and playing a twisted game of chicken.

58. ugen64 Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:14 PM (#3198848)

What's the story behind that?

Earl Weaver used to start a pitcher in the DH spot. That way, if the other team had to change pitchers really early on for some reason, they would be able to pick a DH that would match up well.

59. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:17 PM (#3198853)

Debuts, batting cleanup.

Fascinating.
1986 Pete Incaviglia
1992 Tim Salmon
1993 Jay Gainer
1999 Jeff Liefer
2003 Justin Morneau
2005 Brad Eldred

Well, he's got a 50% shot at success.

60. Chris Needham Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:19 PM (#3198857)

For non-ESPN Uers in the DC region, supposedly Comcast SportsNet is showing the Strasburg game, too.

The remote's going to get abused tonight.

61. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:20 PM (#3198859)

Earl Weaver used to start a pitcher in the DH spot. That way, if the other team had to change pitchers really early on for some reason, they would be able to pick a DH that would match up well.

Maybe Sparky was making fun of him.

62. Erix Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:25 PM (#3198865)

You know, I've been telling my less informed friends that Wieters will be a poor man's Brad Eldred...

63. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:31 PM (#3198872)

That was some lineup. I would have put Eldred at cleanup too. Maybe at fifth, behind Matt Lawton.

64. Austin Kearns: The Spy Who Shagged Flies Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:39 PM (#3198887)

1986 Pete Incaviglia

So Incaviglia's first professional start at any level was batting cleanup in a major league game?

65. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:47 PM (#3198905)

So Incaviglia's first professional start at any level was batting cleanup in a major league game?

...Yeah, looks like it.

66. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:48 PM (#3198909)

Wow, I was unaware of that.

Might explain why he had more strikeouts that year than anyone else in the 19th or 20th centuries (except Rob Deer and Bobby Bonds).

67. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3198913)

Yep, right here.

I didn't know Incaviglia's history — I was in junior high when he came up — but his college numbers are insane. 1.140 slg%, 48 homers, 143 RBI in 75 games as a junior? 100 homers in 213 career college games. Ye gods.

Edit: Also, five intentional walks in one game. Barry Bonds could only dream of such respect.

68. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:51 PM (#3198919)

Incaviglia is generally considered the greatest College HItter of all time.

69. Random Transaction Generator Posted: May 29, 2009 at 06:58 PM (#3198933)

I didn't know Incaviglia's history — I was in junior high when he came up — but his college numbers are insane. 1.140 slg%, 48 homers, 143 RBI in 75 games as a junior? 100 homers in 213 career college games. Ye gods.

WTF?! Can you imagine the near-Wieter-level hype he would have had if he was coming into the major leagues nowadays?

70. The Good Face Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3198938)

I didn't know Incaviglia's history — I was in junior high when he came up — but his college numbers are insane. 1.140 slg%, 48 homers, 143 RBI in 75 games as a junior? 100 homers in 213 career college games. Ye gods.

You hate to call a guy who hit over 200 HR in the majors a bust, but man, those college numbers are beyond ridiculous. Obviously Inky struggled with strike zone judgment in MLB, but was he any better with that aspect of his game in college?

71. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3198940)

I can only imagine what it would be like if Feller came up today. Lebron level, I'd guess.

72. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:06 PM (#3198949)

Rusty Staub hit cleanup on opening day at age 19, after spending one year in the minors with the class B Durham Bulls. I don't know what "class B" meant in 1962, but he hit pretty well there. Though not nearly as well as he hit in AAA two years later.

Rusty Staub minor league stats

I presume he's the only teenager to ever hit cleanup on opening day. In fact, he'd just turned 19 on April 1st.

73. Dr. Vaux Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:12 PM (#3198956)

Right now the weather doesn't look good, but I was surprised they played last night.

I was planning to walk up tonight--40,000 sold already?

74. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:17 PM (#3198959)

According to weather.com, the dark clouds and thunderstorms will be pushed aside by sunshine as Wieters debuts.

I doubt this game will sell out, although 40,000 is possible given the buzz.

75. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:18 PM (#3198960)

According to weather.com, the dark clouds and thunderstorms will be pushed aside by sunshine as Wieters debuts.

He can cause Sunshine at night?

Golly, he's even more powerful than even I thought.

76. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:39 PM (#3198991)

I can only imagine what it would be like if Feller came up today. Lebron level, I'd guess.

I guess Stephen Strasburg coming out will be the modern equivalent.

77. DKDC Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:47 PM (#3199002)

Alas, Wieters is batting 7th.

Brian Roberts - 2B
Adam Jones - CF
Nick Markakis - RF
Aubrey Huff - 1B
Melvin Mora - 3B
Luke Scott - DH
Matt Wieters - C
Nolan Reimold - LF
Cesar Izturis - SS
Brad Bergesen - RHP

78. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 07:59 PM (#3199016)

Obviously, Trembley and Leyland have agreed on a handicap.

79. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 08:58 PM (#3199208)

More Wieters Articles:

Big League Stew warns against getting ahead of ourselves.

The Baltimore Sun reports he is wearing number 15, and the other Orioles are having a bit of fun and disbelief with all the attention he is getting.

Matt Wieters is such a big deal, Under Armour has made special catching gear and cleats for him. The fact that a Google News search for "Matt Wieters" brought this up, is, quite frankly, too much for even me.

MOeller gets the honor of being sent down to make room for him.

80. Coach Mr. Potato Head Posted: May 29, 2009 at 09:07 PM (#3199249)

Who does Jamie Walker this he is? He's denying Wiet of his proper uniform number.

81. Gamingboy Posted: May 29, 2009 at 09:53 PM (#3199322)

Who does Jamie Walker this he is? He's denying Wiet of his proper uniform number.

Well, THunderstorms are in the Baltimore area.....

82. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: May 29, 2009 at 10:04 PM (#3199333)

If that's a new one, that's really good, the first one of these I've found really funny.

I've also got ennui regarding the rehashed ~~Vin Diesel~~ ~~Chuck Norris~~ Matt Wieters facts. It's like when the Polish jokes became blonde jokes.

#16: Will they unfurl a gigantic "1" in front of the B&O;warehouse after the bottom of the fifth inning?

Now THAT'S comedy.

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