Why Can't the Sox Run Bases

[riverside sluggers]

Then why do the A's suck?

 

Actually the A's after what turned out to be a lackluster season, theyve been heating up the bats along with great pitching. they have won 7 out of their last 10, including taking 3 out of 4 from division mate Texas Rangers most recently.

[SCM33]

Why do the A's suck? PAYROLL, thats why. And actually, they haven't "sucked" in years using a similar approach. They are just handcuffed and have lost key players over the years. Considering losing Giambi, Tejada, Foulke, Hudson, and Mulder who are all allstars, all compete or have competed for the CY young or MVP i think they are doing just fine.

[BoSox21]

well, you can credit Billy Beane as being the best GM in baseball for that

[PeskysPole49]

First of all, lets not jump on Dale. A third base coach, especially in fenway, has one of the toughest jobs in MLB. I doubt anyone posting here can do a better job than he has done, although I'll admit he has made many errors. What Belli did the other day was completely his fault, and not Dale's.

 

The reason the Sox aren't trying to steal with Johnny and Rents is because there are so many bats in this lineup. Why take the chance of running out of innings, or taking runners off base, when you have a capable hitter at every spot in the lineup(except where bellhorn is batting)?

I agree, but wtf was he doing in the Sox/Yankee series in New York when he sent Johnny to home? I won't bitch at his calls in Fenway, in fact, I think he does great there, but in the Stadium?

[Sizzlin22]

well, you can credit Billy Beane as being the best GM in baseball for that

The A's won't make the playoffs this year, and the only reaosn he won before was because of the "Big 3" of Hudson, Mulder, and Zito. Anyone could win with those pitchers, anyone. The Moneyball crap, it jsut is ovewrhyped because the team won, and in reality the team won because of the big 3.

[MC Hammer]

I agree, but wtf was he doing in the Sox/Yankee series in New York when he sent Johnny to home? I won't bitch at his calls in Fenway, in fact, I think he does great there, but in the Stadium?

 

Well I'm still sticking by Dale. I was quick to jump on him last year until I really thought about it. If he holds up Johnny then I bet half of RSN is screaming that he should have sent him. No matter what decision any coach makes someone will always think he was wrong. Sure Dale makes some bad decisions, but he also makes some very good ones.

[Sizzlin22]

Well I'm still sticking by Dale. I was quick to jump on him last year until I really thought about it. If he holds up Johnny then I bet half of RSN is screaming that he should have sent him. No matter what decision any coach makes someone will always think he was wrong. Sure Dale makes some bad decisions, but he also makes some very good ones.

Please tell me one good desicion he has made that took any brain power at all.

[MC Hammer]

Sorry can't do that. I don't take many notes on the performance of the 3rd base coach during a game. We really only notice him when he makes mistakes.

[Sizzlin22]

Sorry can't do that. I don't take many notes on the performance of the 3rd base coach during a game. We really only notice him when he makes mistakes.

That's the point the fact that we are even discussing Dale Sveum proves that he sucks.

[YankeeDoodle]

The A's won't make the playoffs this year, and the only reaosn he won before was because of the "Big 3" of Hudson, Mulder, and Zito. Anyone could win with those pitchers, anyone. The Moneyball crap, it jsut is ovewrhyped because the team won, and in reality the team won because of the big 3.

 

Some people actually think Oakland are the winners from the Big 3 deal.

 

The A's are 2.5 GB in the AL Wildcard, 6.5 in the AL West division. Only team that doesn't figure to compete for a postseason bid is Seattle. Texas though has pitching holes. So that leaves Anaheim and Oakland, and with Harden, Zito, and the rest of the young staff peaking at the right time, it's looks to be closer than one would've thought a couple weeks back.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Another Millar moment, how to kill a big inning. Three hits ( one a HR ) and a walk and we get one run.

[riverside sluggers]

its really not just dale svelum, like how many times did sox get two men on, even a man on third with no outs and just strand them? ? sox left 35 men on base in the Chicago series, whil white sox left just 21. Its an issue they definitely need to address along with Olerud's slump making me feel Id rather have Millar in there for the offense. In Olerud's last 31 at bats, he has had just 3 hits

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Exactly, it's the overall picture. They don't advance runners, don't take etra base when available ( running on two out fly, advancing on a throw threw or missed cut-off man, etc. ), steals, etc. Dale is a whole issue in itself. What was the purpose of using Stern to pinch run last night. It served no purpose.

[riverside sluggers]

as well as not pinch hitting Edgar (even though he was stretchin in the dugout) for alex cora. Edgar has a 274 batting average with Runners in scoring position compared to Cora's .189--Id like to see Sox get more adventurous like actually pulling down more bunts, squeeze plays, steal bases, etc.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Yes. I keep hearing that "don't worry, the Sox score tons of runs" which they do. But, I assume the Sox are going to the play-offs. In the play-offs you are now facing the best pitching and defense. Which means that runs become precious. You must therefore, take advantage of your opportunities. If now is the time to fine tune and address problems, this should be one of ( although not the greatest ).

[Sizzlin22]

That all hangs on Millar. You want to imrove the base running? Fine a guy $5,000-$10,000 every time he runs on his own and gets thrown out, and fire Dale Sveum, that will fix any probblems we do have with baserunning.

[riverside sluggers]

dude its not all because of him, 11 men left on base yesterdays game, i dont think Millar was on base 11 times

[riverside sluggers]

how about terry not pinch hitting edgar for alex cora or tony g??? or how they had the tying men on bases with john olerud but he grounded out to end the game, or men on corners and no outs, and even if millar was able to get to 1st, el duque wouldnt have thrown the exact same pitch to Varitek--This season Sox have left total 778 men on base thru the first 98 games, averaging 8 a game

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Fine isn't the answer. The point is keeping your head in the game if the player can't, the remember situational play then the the coaches should. If not somebody is screwing up and should be replaced.

[Sizzlin22]

Fine isn't the answer.

If there's anything I've learned

from watching sports in my life, it's that money makes the world go 'round. If a guy loses 30 grand in two days by running into a ccouple of outs, he'll get his head in the game.

[Sizzlin22]

how about terry not pinch hitting edgar for alex cora or tony g??? or how they had the tying men on bases with john olerud but he grounded out to end the game, or men on corners and no outs, and even if millar was able to get to 1st, el duque wouldnt have thrown the exact same pitch to Varitek--This season Sox have left total 778 men on base thru the first 98 games, averaging 8 a game

We can't really say that Edgar should have pinch hit, there could be more to the story than we know. He could have a nagging injury and just really need the day off, we don't know the whole story.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

If there's anything I've learned

from watching sports in my life, it's that money makes the world go 'round. If a guy loses 30 grand in two days by running into a ccouple of outs, he'll get his head in the game.

One the team probably won't fine him and two pick a number, you're taking penny jar change.

[ORS]

If there's anything I've learned

from watching sports in my life, it's that money makes the world go 'round. If a guy loses 30 grand in two days by running into a ccouple of outs, he'll get his head in the game.

So then EVERYBODY holds up one base short to protect their wallet. If you instill that kind of fear of a mistake, then everyone will play very conservatively. I prefer aggressiveness on the basepaths. Yeah Millar goofed, but they were down and he was trying to get into scoring postion. He's not Kreskin, therefore he didn't know Tek would hit one out.

[CrespoBlows]

Why would you do this? The players would be so pissed, they'd beg to leave Boston. They'd purposely stop at a base and stare down Tito. It might work for the Yankees, but these are the Red Sox, were just a different team, with a different mentiallty. In a perfect world this would be a great idea.

 

It could work, if you cut the fines down to about 100 dollars, but 10,000 dollars? That's a lot of money.

[Sizzlin22]

Why would you do this? The players would be so pissed, they'd beg to leave Boston. They'd purposely stop at a base and stare down Tito.

And what ever players who do that should be traded. Manager>Player Players should abide by managers word and if manager decides he want's to fine people in certain situations, players should shut up and deal with it. I'm sick of the players running this team, you are a baseball player you're not paid to think, go ut and do what they tell you too.

 

For example Bill Mueller refusing to play second base. Who the hell is he to say where he plays or not. He is a not a third baseman, he is a baseball player. If he is told to go play second base for an inning or two, he should do as he's told.

 

Bottom line players shouldn't dictate what goes on with fines, and how the team is run. They should shut up and play baseball.

 

10-15 thousand is chump change for those guys, and fining them shouldn't make them any more or less agressive, it just forces them to keep thier head in the game. I'm also not saying fine them every time they get thrown out, I'm saying fine them every time they run into a STUPID out i.e Millar last night.

[riverside sluggers]

For example Bill Mueller refusing to play second base. Who the hell is he to say where he plays or not. He is a not a third baseman, he is a baseball player. If he is told to go play second base for an inning or two, he should do as he's told.

 

maybe thats because his kness would get messed up more playing that position--in other news today's game they stranded 11 more runners on base, 789 in 99 games

[Sox Fan on Cape]

And what ever players who do that should be traded. Manager>Player Players should abide by managers word and if manager decides he want's to fine people in certain situations, players should shut up and deal with it. I'm sick of the players running this team, you are a baseball player you're not paid to think, go ut and do what they tell you too.

 

For example Bill Mueller refusing to play second base. Who the hell is he to say where he plays or not. He is a not a third baseman, he is a baseball player. If he is told to go play second base for an inning or two, he should do as he's told.

 

Bottom line players shouldn't dictate what goes on with fines, and how the team is run. They should shut up and play baseball.

 

10-15 thousand is chump change for those guys, and fining them shouldn't make them any more or less agressive, it just forces them to keep thier head in the game. I'm also not saying fine them every time they get thrown out, I'm saying fine them every time they run into a STUPID out i.e Millar last night.

 

In the past the team leader(s) / captain would have a pool created by fined for dumb ass mistakes. The pool was usually either donated to charity or a night out.

[Sizzlin22]

maybe thats because his kness would get messed up more playing that position--in other news today's game they stranded 11 more runners on base, 789 in 99 games

1-2 innings at second is not going to kill him.

[riverside sluggers]

sizzlin dude there is no point of having mueller at 2nd!!! thats why alex cora and tony g are here, helllo

[SCM33]

Then why do the A's suck?

 

 

 

Haha, I just remembered this from a few weeks back......so how bad are those A's sucking now? Looks like MoneyBall found a way to win once again.