The annual Jackie Bradley Jr thread (2019 Edition)

[moonslav59]

Trading away Cooper was much worse than Lee for Papi.

 

I think I remember reading that Darrell Johnson said Cooper "would never hit in MLB," this after a decent rookie season in 1975.

[moonslav59]

It was hard enough being a Sox fan back then, but the mismanagement made it exceedingly rough.

[Slasher9]

Also, 1978 ended with the Yankees winning their second World Series in a row, to push the knife in as deeply as possible.

 

i was only 8 at the time so that one wasnt too painful for me.

2003 i dont think i was able to sleep for 2 days....

[moonslav59]

i was only 8 at the time so that one wasnt too painful for me.

2003 i dont think i was able to sleep for 2 days....

 

I was 16 in '75, but I still remember crying after game 7. I was at Notre Dame, when we lost in 1978. That sucked royally.

[mvp 78]

Yeah, you don't have to convince me.

 

1978 was the worst for me as a Sox fan. It nearly killed me.

 

86, because it was just beginning my childhood baseball obsession, knew about the "curse" and was woken up by my dad to see the last outs of game 6.

 

"MVP, wake up. The Sox are going to win the World Series." Sees Stanley's wild pitch and run to my bedroom crying.

 

2003 was frustrating as hell, but it was a trainwreck that I saw coming when Grady didn't pull Pedro out. I punched the s*** out of my work van and took a break from watching sports.

 

I was still in diapers for 78 so can't say I remember it.

[notin]

86, because it was just beginning my childhood baseball obsession, knew about the "curse" and was woken up by my dad to see the last outs of game 6.

 

"MVP, wake up. The Sox are going to win the World Series." Sees Stanley's wild pitch and run to my bedroom crying.

 

2003 was frustrating as hell, but it was a trainwreck that I saw coming when Grady didn't pull Pedro out. I punched the s*** out of my work van and took a break from watching sports.

 

I was still in diapers for 78 so can't say I remember it.

 

 

1986 was awful because they were one out away with no one on base and a two run lead.

 

And because right before Carter’s rally-starting single, they televised the scoreboard at Shea Stadium flashing “Congratulations Red Sox. 1986 World Series Champions.”

 

And then it fell apart. Even after Evans started game 7 with a 3-run home run to give the Sox an early lead, the hangover from game 6 made it feel like they still had no chance...

[Maxbialystock]

Back to JBJ. He was useless at the plate last night, but I thought he had a good game because he made a couple of nice grabs in CF. And Mookie got one too. As much as I complain about JBJ, I have no problems with how Cora is using him, which is just about every day. It definitely helps that on most days the other 8 hitters--Beni, Betts, JDM, Bogie, Moreland, Devers, Chavis, Vazquez--are all hitting pretty well. Moreover, the three guys usually on the bench--Leon, Nunez, Pearce--ain't hitting too well either.

[mvp 78]

Back to JBJ. He was useless at the plate last night, but I thought he had a good game because he made a couple of nice grabs in CF. And Mookie got one too. As much as I complain about JBJ, I have no problems with how Cora is using him, which is just about every day. It definitely helps that on most days the other 8 hitters--Beni, Betts, JDM, Bogie, Moreland, Devers, Chavis, Vazquez--are all hitting pretty well. Moreover, the three guys usually on the bench--Leon, Nunez, Pearce--ain't hitting too well either.

 

If everyone else is hitting, JBJ's offensive ineptitude doesn't matter. It really shows up when the entire team is struggling though.

[moonslav59]

Back to JBJ. He was useless at the plate last night, but I thought he had a good game because he made a couple of nice grabs in CF. And Mookie got one too. As much as I complain about JBJ, I have no problems with how Cora is using him, which is just about every day. It definitely helps that on most days the other 8 hitters--Beni, Betts, JDM, Bogie, Moreland, Devers, Chavis, Vazquez--are all hitting pretty well. Moreover, the three guys usually on the bench--Leon, Nunez, Pearce--ain't hitting too well either.

 

He did walk and score a run, and he had a SAC, so he wasn't completely useless last night.

[Slasher9]

he had a sac and a BB. i wouldnt call that useless.

the leadoff hitter was 0-4. maybe that is who you meant to call useless in this particular game?

FFS

[cp176]

He laid down a great bunt. i loved it but when he did it all i could think of was all of the crap we were going to hear from the host of people who are opposed to bunting to move runners along. I thought that it had been proven (stat masters) that it was one of the worst things that you could do. Considering when he bunted and the game situation i was really surprised. Does it say anything about the confidence level that Cora has in him?

For the record, I liked the move. If he can move runners along by using the lost art, he has value at the plate.

[moonslav59]

He laid down a great bunt. i loved it but when he did it all i could think of was all of the crap we were going to hear from the host of people who are opposed to bunting to move runners along. I thought that it had been proven (stat masters) that it was one of the worst things that you could do. Considering when he bunted and the game situation i was really surprised. Does it say anything about the confidence level that Cora has in him?

For the record, I liked the move. If he can move runners along by using the lost art, he has value at the plate.

 

He did what he was told to do, so we can't fault JBJ.

 

On bunting, although I am opposed to doing things that seem to go against the odds, sometimes when someone is struggling maybe the odds improve for bunting. Also, it's nice to keep the opponents guessing. If you never bunt, they will stop playing for one, and you lose the increased chance of getting a hit when an IF is drawn in.

 

Keep 'em guessing!

 

[Slasher9]

He laid down a great bunt. i loved it but when he did it all i could think of was all of the crap we were going to hear from the host of people who are opposed to bunting to move runners along. I thought that it had been proven (stat masters) that it was one of the worst things that you could do. Considering when he bunted and the game situation i was really surprised. Does it say anything about the confidence level that Cora has in him?

For the record, I liked the move. If he can move runners along by using the lost art, he has value at the plate.

 

he has been so bad in his recent AB's perhaps just making contact with the ball via bunt is what Cora was looking for. the bunt was a good one and vaz has been firecracker hot and hitting the ball hard so it wasnt the normal 8 batter bunting in front of 9 batter situation. IMO.

[mvp 78]

He laid down a great bunt. i loved it but when he did it all i could think of was all of the crap we were going to hear from the host of people who are opposed to bunting to move runners along. I thought that it had been proven (stat masters) that it was one of the worst things that you could do. Considering when he bunted and the game situation i was really surprised. Does it say anything about the confidence level that Cora has in him?

For the record, I liked the move. If he can move runners along by using the lost art, he has value at the plate.

 

With the amount he strikes out, sacrificing every time a runner is on isn't the worst idea in the world.

[Kimmi]

Bunting for a hit, okay.

 

Sac bunting in the 6th inning, no. Just NO. Play for the big inning.

 

That said, having Jackie sac bunt there in hopes of maybe getting him going somehow might be a different story.

[cp176]

He did what he was told to do, so we can't fault JBJ.

 

On bunting, although I am opposed to doing things that seem to go against the odds, sometimes when someone is struggling maybe the odds improve for bunting. Also, it's nice to keep the opponents guessing. If you never bunt, they will stop playing for one, and you lose the increased chance of getting a hit when an IF is drawn in.

 

Keep 'em guessing!

 

Do you really see what I am saying here Moon though? Having anyone bunt to move runners around in that situation, just doesn't get done. Not today and not yesterday. I am going with the thought that they really are losing confidence in Jackie. Don't get me wrong - hell of a bunt but really. I believe that there is a time to attempt to move runners over anyway you can including by bunting but this really seemed like an odd time to do it. IMO - if JBJ doesn't pick up the pace soon, he will sit more and sadly ultimately he will be gone.

[a700hitter]

This guy needs to get moved. I don't care how much talent he has. The hallmark of a major leaguer is consistency. His prolonged slumps are too frustrating.

[iortiz]

This guy needs to get moved. I don't care how much talent he has. The hallmark of a major leaguer is consistency. His prolonged slumps are too frustrating.

 

I’ve been a huge supporter of him but sometimes you just have to realize that some things will never pan out.

 

I’m agree compadre.

[moonslav59]

Do you really see what I am saying here Moon though? Having anyone bunt to move runners around in that situation, just doesn't get done. Not today and not yesterday. I am going with the thought that they really are losing confidence in Jackie. Don't get me wrong - hell of a bunt but really. I believe that there is a time to attempt to move runners over anyway you can including by bunting but this really seemed like an odd time to do it. IMO - if JBJ doesn't pick up the pace soon, he will sit more and sadly ultimately he will be gone.

 

I hear you and agree 100%.

 

I'm JBJ's biggest fan, and he's very close to losing his job.

[moonslav59]

I’ve been a huge supporter of him but sometimes you just have to realize that some things will never pan out.

 

I’m agree compadre.

 

I wouldn't say "never," but he's about to be benched...perhaps for good.

 

(If he ends up playing somewhere else, my guess is he will do well again at some point before his career is over.)

[iortiz]

I wouldn't say "never," but he's about to be benched...perhaps for good.

 

(If he ends up playing somewhere else, my guess is he will do well again at some point before his career is over.)

Hopefully I’m dead wrong, but as Ted said, this is a game of consistency to keep your ass in the game and I don’t remember one single season during his career showing that. I thought, this was going to be the one, I guess I was wrong.

It’s a shame. His glove is elite.

[a700hitter]

Hopefully I’m dead wrong, but as Ted said, this is a game of consistency to keep your ass in the game and I don’t remember one single season during his career showing that. I thought, this was going to be the one, I guess I was wrong.

It’s a shame. His glove is elite.

We were very encouraged about him in Spring Training, but it hasn't worked out at all. He has been in one of his worst stretches in the last few years.

[iortiz]

We were very encouraged about him in Spring Training, but it hasn't worked out at all. He has been in one of his worst stretches in the last few years.

 

Yeah it’s frustrating. You just can’t go and compete as a NL team in the ALE. It’s a lot of advantage to the other teams.

[moonslav59]

Hopefully I’m dead wrong, but as Ted said, this is a game of consistency to keep your ass in the game and I don’t remember one single season during his career showing that. I thought, this was going to be the one, I guess I was wrong.

It’s a shame. His glove is elite.

 

From 2015-2016, JBJ hit over .830 in 900+ PAs.

 

That's 1.5 seasons.

 

That seems like so long ago.

[iortiz]

From 2015-2016, JBJ hit over .830 in 900+ PAs.

 

That's 1.5 seasons.

 

That seems like so long ago.

 

Wonder whether his stats were consistent month after month or were only 4 months very good and 6 for the oblivion.

[Slasher9]

Like I have always said...he can get 1 single every 10 AB and he is my starting CFer

[moonslav59]

Wonder whether his stats were consistent month after month or were only 4 months very good and 6 for the oblivion.

 

He missed most of 2015 but played regularly the last 2 months:

 

1.163 AUG

.739 SEP (not too bad)

 

2016:

.807 APR

1.175 MAY

.805 JUN

.839 JUL (That's 6 straight months over .739 with 5 of 6 over .800)

 

Then...

.651 AUG (not as bad as now)

.731 SEP (not too bad)

 

In 2017, he only played 12 games in April (.596), then hit...

.808 in May

1.009 JUN

 

If you discount that April, he hit over .730 in 9 of 10 months and over .800 in 7 of those 10.

Edited May 9, 2019 by moonslav59

[iortiz]

He missed most of 2015 but played regularly the last 2 months:

 

1.163 AUG

.739 SEP (not too bad)

 

2016:

.807 APR

1.175 MAY

.805 JUN

.839 JUL (That's 6 straight months over .739 with 5 of 6 over .800)

 

Then...

.651 AUG (not as bad as now)

.731 SEP (not too bad)

 

In 2017, he only played 12 games in April (.596), then hit...

.808 in May

1.009 JUN

 

If you discount that April, he hit over .730 in 9 of 10 months and over .800 in 7 of those 10.

Well, seems like I missed this stretch over what? 6 career years in the majors?

 

Hopefully somehow he can bounce back and hit at least average consistently this year.

[moonslav59]

Well, seems like I missed this stretch over what? 6 career years in the majors?

 

Hopefully somehow he can bounce back and hit at least average consistently this year.

 

If you had to guess the last time JBJ hit over .800 for three straight months, what would you say?

[moonslav59]

If you had to guess the last time JBJ hit over .800 for three straight months, what would you say?

 

Answer: July-August-September of last year! (Then he went nutty in the playoffs.)