Catch-All Papelbon Thread

[Dipre]

That's disappointing in light of Bard's three-digit cheese last night. I suppose the worst that could have been was 97 though.

 

Gameday.

 

Use it.

 

It's as accurate a tool in regards to velocity as you're gonna find.

 

According to it, Papelbon's top speed last night was 97.

 

According to it, Bard hit 100 three times the other night.

 

Speculation is no fun when you have the tools to verify the veracity of things.

[Dojji]

I've never been quite sure the Gameday gun is any more accurate than the stadium version. When they're within 1 MPH of each other it usually doesn't matter of course but when they disagree I'm not always sure which one to trust.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Gameday is excruciating.

[Dipre]

I've never been quite sure the Gameday gun is any more accurate than the stadium version. When they're within 1 MPH of each other it usually doesn't matter of course but when they disagree I'm not always sure which one to trust.

 

FAIL.

 

They have the best speed-measuring system, which functions the following way:

 

They take about 30 high-speed shots of the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand until it reaches the glove, recording the current speed of each point in the trajectory.

 

Saying the stadium and gameday guns are usually 1 MPH of each other is a flat-out lie.

[example1]

I've never been quite sure the Gameday gun is any more accurate than the stadium version. When they're within 1 MPH of each other it usually doesn't matter of course but when they disagree I'm not always sure which one to trust.

 

According to ORS (and the following article) Gameday doesn't use a gun per-se, they use 3 high speed cameras and triangulate the data:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071002&content_id=2245402&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

How did we know that data from Chamberlain? Well, for starters, it's not about radar guns anymore. They will become a thing of the past in baseball and are not used for this popular data. It's about video at 30 frames per second. It's about a tedious setup process that happens early in the day at a ballpark, very behind-the-scenes.

 

Before groundskeepers work on the mound and plate areas during the afternoon preceding a typical night game, a crew is on the field placing spiked and colored/numbered markers on the first- and third-base lines, as well as a marked eight-foot pole at home plate. That is called the "registration" process and is captured by three field cameras -- high home, high first base and center field -- so that the information is then stored into the truck computer software to create the "grid" that will allow the game's pitch-tracking to happen.

 

The center-field camera is used for two purposes, most important for "sizing" the batter. For the software to find the ball (or "blob" to the engineers who plot the application), there needs to be a different plane of location for Matt Holliday than for Kazuo Matsui, who is smaller in stature than Holliday. Then the crew in the truck sizes each player during batting practice, so that during the game each tracking plane is pre-set; it is remembered for each subsequent at-bat by that player.

 

 

"We take a series of high-speed photographs, 30 frames per second, as [the ball] moves from mound to plate. At each frame, we can identify the location of the ball. So if we take the time of that frame, we can calculate speed. [Radar guns] are the old days. It doesn't get any more accurate than this."

 

 

I challenge him to get more accurate than:

 

http://www.toysnjoys.com/radarball.jpg

 

perhaps someday...

[Dipre]

According to ORS (and the following article) Gameday doesn't use a gun per-se, they use 3 high speed cameras and triangulate the data:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071002&content_id=2245402&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

 

 

 

 

 

I challenge him to get more accurate than:

 

http://www.toysnjoys.com/radarball.jpg

 

perhaps someday...

 

Exactly 30 shots per pitch, iiirc,hell, they even get average speed.

[DirtDog]

He's got a nice little slider that he's shown a few times.

You're right. His slider is above average, but he rarely throws it. Does he have a curveball? I know he has like one other pitch that he rarely throws.

[Cocos Disciples]

lolol at the radar ball. I used to love that thing.

[SCM33]

In an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Jonathan Papelbon told Jody McDonald and Bert Blyleven that he would consider playing for the Yankees once his Boston career is over:

"Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can't come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that's pretty much the writing on the wall."

Papelbon says he'd consider joining other teams, too:

"Not only the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, "Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career" because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where I'm wanted."

 

 

Cya later Paps, dont let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

[Youk Of The Nation]

In an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Jonathan Papelbon told Jody McDonald and Bert Blyleven that he would consider playing for the Yankees once his Boston career is over:

"Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can't come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that's pretty much the writing on the wall."

Papelbon says he'd consider joining other teams, too:

"Not only the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, "Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career" because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where I'm wanted."

 

 

Cya later Paps, dont let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

 

 

So he acknowledges that it's rare for a guy to stay with one team, says he's prepared for the possibility of playing elsewhere, and then mentions he'd love to stay with the Sox.

 

What a douchebag. Yeah, you guys writing him off already sure got it right.

[SCM33]

Yeah, as an afterthought.

[Dojji]

Which makes it useful as a tiebreaker but not as bargaining leverage. Papelbon wants it clear that while he'd like to stay here, he isn't taking a discount for the privellege.

[SCM33]

Basically what I am reading is, all I want is the money. If the Yankees pay me more, then I am going to play for them totally dismissing any sentimental value towards the only club he has played for, and dismissing any emotion fans here have towards him.

 

Do I blame him for wanting the money? No, it makes it easier to say goodbye.

[BoSox21]

he's in a position to set his family up for generations, I cant fault him for that. Being the type of power pitcher he is, his career could effectively end at any time. Paps isnt some kid who grew up in the shadow of Fenway dreaming to play for this team all his life

[Mr Crunchy]

I dont think theyre overly worried about paplebon and history tells me that he doesnt have the IBM personality thats beloved by John Henrys ownership group.

[a700hitter]

I dont think theyre overly worried about paplebon and history tells me that he doesnt have the IBM personality thats beloved by John Henrys ownership group.

Do they want to get rid of every off-beat colorful character on the roster? Boring doesn't sell merchandise.

[a700hitter]

 

Cya later Paps, dont let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Say good bye to being a consistent playoff contender too. Those years that they make the playoffs by less than 5 games they will finish out of the money, because his replacement will be responsible for 3 - 5 more blown saves.

[Mr Crunchy]

Theyve gotten rid of every single personality on the team that they inherited and look at the guys theyve kept or traded for..

all quiet proffesionals who dont f*** off or dance on the field or have big mouths.

Its quite evident that they dont give a s*** who they move or when they move them and I suspect they will use Paplebon till the time comes to give him the big bucks over the long run and then they will use their whores in the media to grease the skids for him to slide out the door just as they have with Manny Petey Damon etc...You can see the begining of it happening already.

[Dojji]

Logic fail. They drafted, developed, and have committed themselves to Dustin Pedroia, a walking contradiction to your argument.

[a700hitter]

Theyve gotten rid of every single personality on the team that they inherited and look at the guys theyve kept or traded for..

all quiet proffesionals who dont f*** off or dance on the field or have big mouths.

Its quite evident that they dont give a s*** who they move or when they move them and I suspect they will use Paplebon till the time comes to give him the big bucks over the long run and then they will use their whores in the media to grease the skids for him to slide out the door just as they have with Manny Petey Damon etc...You can see the begining of it happening already.

Yes, sadly, I have seen this movie before. With those other guys, they had age/injury related issues. Papelbon will be right in his prime when he becomes a FA. Hopefully, the FO will see the value in keeping him. I don't want to go back to the days of Heathcliff Slocumb et. al.

[Dojji]

Say good bye to being a consistent playoff contender too. Those years that they make the playoffs by less than 5 games they will finish out of the money' date=' because his replacement will be responsible for 3 - 5 more blown saves.[/quote']

 

Really? Cuz I think Dan Bard doesn't need to make very much progress to be as dominant as Papelbon. He throws harder than Pap does, and has a better secondary offering than anything Pap's had since he lost his split.

 

That said, of course, definitely rather have both.

[a700hitter]

Logic fail. They drafted' date=' developed, and have committed themselves to Dustin Pedroia, a walking contradiction to your argument.[/quote']While he is full of personality, he has not been controversial in the least. If he becomes controversial and he starts to complain about his contract in a couple of years, rest assured they'll run him out of town too.

[a700hitter]

Really? Cuz I think Dan Bard doesn't need to make very much progress to be as dominant as Papelbon. He throws harder than Pap does, and has a better secondary offering than anything Pap's had since he lost his split.

 

That said, of course, definitely rather have both.

Plenty of guys throw as hard as Papelbon. Being Papelbon takes more than velocity. It takes incredible command, nerves of steel and a short memory. He also has the ability to make the adrenaline rush of a pressure situation work to his advantage. That type of adrenaline can destroy a pitcher's concentration and command. It is so much more than velocity. It is no mistake that he is the most dominating reliever that the Sox have had since Dick Radatz more than 40 years ago. They have had plenty of hard throwers throughout the years, but none have even come close. You are seriously underestimating his value.

[TheKilo]

THE FO LIKES BORING WHITE BASEBALL PLAYERZZZZ

[jacksonianmarch]

Aside from Mo, I would take Paps over damn near anyone else. I see Paps as a mini Mo if you will. Although paps is a bit more of an *******, but who cares, right? Paps has the ability to get into trouble, bear down and say, f*** you guys, you can't hit this. Mo used to do the same thing when his cutter had about a foot of bite and had 96-98mph cheese behind it. Now, Mo relies more on location than anything else. Paps, though, can throw a 95 mph fastball that hitters react to like its 120mph. Deceptive motion + overpowering stuff + nerves of steel = dominant closer. You dont find guys like him everyday

[jacksonianmarch]

and as much as I hate the guy, I would love to see him donning pinstripes one day

[Mr Crunchy]

Logic failed? Remembering this is a business 1st for a moment consider that they locked up the reigning MVP for several years at short money just like they did with Paplebon and Nomar for that matter.

They havent had to give him the high 8 figure deal yet and when they do?

He hasnt been a big mouth in the press, he has played waay above and beyond their expectations and although hes mouthy to the opposition he hasnt been a pain in the ass and a prima donna.

23 yr olds with little MLB experience are much easier to handle than the 28-30yr old vets who are about to make their big score, this is certainly agreed upon by the panel.

As far as Bard being groomed as the next closer?

Im sure they'd love to see him succeed in his current role 1st as we also know many guys who throw hi 90s who have failed at the closers role for a variety of reasons...

Mentally its different getting the ball with the lead and 3 outs to attain for success as opposed to coming into the game in the 6th 7th innings without the game on the line.

[jacksonianmarch]

Agree completely Crunchy. Logic fail? Stupid to say the least. He'll be 30 when he hits FA and probably the most successful closer over a 6 yr span in the history of the red sox.

 

Here's the issue with Paps. He had that shoulder subluxation episode that seems to have resolved with strengthening. That is the only reason to go yr to yr with him is health. Otherwise, right now he possesses a fastball that nobody can hit, even when they know its coming. What I do like about Papelbon is that he's using some mopup time to try out new pitches. I've seen him throw changeups, sliders and a curveball as well as the splitter that seems hit or miss. The more pitches he develops, the better he will be as he ages and the heat starts cooling off. This is something that will make him more marketable long term

[a700hitter]

Aside from Mo' date=' I would take Paps over damn near anyone else. I see Paps as a mini Mo if you will. Although paps is a bit more of an *******, but who cares, right? Paps has the ability to get into trouble, bear down and say, f*** you guys, you can't hit this. Mo used to do the same thing when his cutter had about a foot of bite and had 96-98mph cheese behind it. Now, Mo relies more on location than anything else. Paps, though, can throw a 95 mph fastball that hitters react to like its 120mph. Deceptive motion + overpowering stuff + nerves of steel = dominant closer. You dont find guys like him everyday[/quote']A young Mo... yes. Mini Mo ... No. I never thought Mo was an *******. Papelbon certainly can be one, but who cares. I think the fact that he is a bit of an empty headed idiot makes him better able to cope with the stresses of closing.

[Mr Crunchy]

MJ,didnt you say a couple weeks ago that Paplebon didnt scare you anymore and his whip would be his eventual downfall as a premier closer?...

In any case I was thinking about you last night.

Specifically about the umps and its brutal how they seem to screw the yanks at every oppurtunity they get..Hey those Nats are good,nobody should takem lightly inspite of their .280 winning%

in 2 games they threw 17 shutout innings against that vaunted Yank lineup and now have finally won 2 in a row, thats a dynasty like performance for them...

The Yanks bats are dead and I dont get it.

they have no f***ing patience at the plate,Arod is useless and Joba still has no command with men on base...At least their bullpen has improved in the last 2 months..Thank Christ for Castillo dropping that floating duck or there would be a lot of anxiety in ny after getting swept by the sox, losing 2/3 against the timid Mets and the horrid Nats at home...

Yankee stadium doesnt have the Aura and Mystique it once had ever since Curt Schilling came to Boston and this new barn they play hasnt been warm to the yanks at all...

The NY tax payer really took this one in the ass and how long will the Fredo brothers put up with such lackluster play from this paper juggernaut?

Joe Girardi must be looking over his shoulder,especially with Willie Randolph available.