Class is in session!
Here we have an opposing pitcher, Tony Armas Jr., who has walked more hitters than he has struck out and in fact, has walked nearly five batters per nine innings, and has given up ten home runs in 51 innings this season.
He's also 1-5 lifetime vs. the Cubs with a 4.75 ERA.
So how would a good baseball team attack such a pitcher? Oh, yes, I see many hands!
Right! By waiting him out until he hangs a breaking pitch, and thus getting baserunners (by walks) so that you can get many three-run homers and win the game.
This one ought to be a no-brainer.
Apropos of nothing, but I was reminded of this by Armas' name -- I was at the old Comiskey Park on April 28, 1984 when Armas' father, the slugger Tony Armas Sr., hit a 480-foot homer into the center field bleachers off Tom Seaver, only a few rows away from where Mike and I were sitting. That feat was accomplished only seven times in that park's 90-year history, by Jimmie Foxx on May 18, 1934; Hank Greenberg on May 27, 1938; Alex Johnson on September 9, 1970, Dick Allen on August 23, 1972, Richie Zisk on May 22, 1977, Armas on April 28, 1984 and George Bell on August 23, 1985.
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Since there have been rumors about the Cubs being interested in acquiring Oakland's Mark Kotsay, I put that question to my SportsBLOGS colleague Tyler Bleszinski of Athletics Nation:
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 20 comments
ESPN Rumor
I just heard on ESPN that the rumor is the Cubs are trying to acquire Austin Kearns from the Reds?He's hitting .224 with 6 HRs and 25 RBIs.
He sounds like another "great potential" player, like Korey. Why would we need him?
What do y'all think?
JP
jpalaska - July 2, 2005
Kearns...
... does have great potential, no doubt about it. He's about six months younger than Corey. He had a great rookie year (.907 OPS in about half a season, 372 AB). But he has regressed, and been injured, and got so messed up this year that the Reds sent him down.The Reds organization is in turmoil, so it's not surprising he's so screwed up. But he has talent, and he has strike zone judgment, and if the Cubs could get him without giving up too much, I think I'd be inclined to do it.
Al Yellon - July 2, 2005
if Kotsay ...
became a Cub and struck out a lot, how would the fans spell his name?kjk - July 2, 2005
Cotsay?
:)Serena - July 2, 2005
K.O.tay?
?kjk - July 2, 2005
K.O.tsay ...
woopskjk - July 2, 2005
K.out.say
?kjk - July 2, 2005
This one seems good for me
but lets hope we never have to use it if he comes.sparkles721 - July 2, 2005
I'm sure
that the Cubs have asked about Kearns and he'd certainly come cheaper than Kotsay, although apparently the Reds are not going to ship him out at a discount.The problem is whether he can get himself straightened out and whether he'd be any better than Holly/Woods. (Get it? DuBois=of the Woods? Oh well.) He's never really recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in 2003. The doctors say there is nothing physically wrong with him, so that his failure to recover is more a mental thing--he's lost his stroke--and a conditioning thing, as he's been out of shape since the injury. Honestly, I think he's a great long term gamble, but I don't think he'd be any better than what we have in LF this year right now this season.
A's fans are nuts if they think they can get Pie for Kotsay. Pie is about as close to untouchable as you can get. But I can seeing giving up Nolasco OR Pinto and a lesser prospect (like John Koronka) for Kotsay and Beane might just take it, depending on how much he likes Nolasco or Pinto.
Josh Timmers - July 2, 2005
It shall be
very interesting stuff. Since Kotsay is a possible target and I really havent seen him play I decided to make a sacrifice and watch the Sox game. Contreras was horrible and handed the A's their 8th straight win. I think they are going to be buyers and sellers, even though they have to jump over many teams to get the WC. They have a chance though because five games out isnt really impossible. ESPN said it pretty well the other night Beane is going to get creative with the trading.sparkles721 - July 2, 2005
Why?
Why is Corey in the leadoff spot again today? Does anyone have thoughts on why Dusty seems to be a glutton for punishment when it comes to Corey?dfrancon - July 2, 2005
Sammy
Saw this on MLB.Com-----
Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli eventually knew he had to address Sammy Sosa's slump because there was no sign of improvement. So after a 35-minute meeting with Sosa before Saturday's game, Mazzilli decided to sit the slugger for an undetermined time.
cubsfan315 - July 2, 2005
Amazing...
...and why won't Baker do this with Korey? Because he is the most stubborn manager I've ever seen.hammerman - July 2, 2005
Dusty/Corey
Dusty seems to have a complete in-denial blind spot regarding Corey. It's like the wife of a drunk still hoping for his recovery after his 17th DUI.jpalaska - July 2, 2005
Not any more
Dusty looked pretty frustrated after the game and said something needed to be changed. I think that AB of Corey w/RISP and 1 out was important for Corey's future and it will be different tomorrow.sparkles721 - July 2, 2005
Appently
He just did.Josh Timmers - July 3, 2005
1 for 8
with 0 walks and 4 strikeouts from the 1-2 slots.makes this fan want to use a four letter word. is "ouch" permitted?
dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - July 2, 2005
Here's a thought...
Since MV-Lee is getting 3 hits per game, why don't we slide someone in front of him who might get on base. Just a thought. He had a homer and a triple today, and according to my calculations...yep, those kinds of hits would clear the bases. Sign me up, I'll manage for free.JD McCubbie - July 2, 2005
You know you're team is struggling
When you're down 2 in the 5th and your pitcher drops a beauty of a sac bunt to move runners to 2nd and 3rd with only one out and you don't even scoot to the edge of you're seat. Did we really expect Corey or Neifi to come through there.Sometimes it's not losing, but how you lose that is so discouraging. We certainly had our opportunities
JD McCubbie - July 2, 2005
Re: Sammy
You mean Mazilli didn't wait for his phone to ring?SonnyJ9 - July 2, 2005
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