Adrian Beltre's Night, by PA
by Matthew on Aug 26, 2008 2:49 PM PDT
in Game Recaps
26 comments
THE LOWS
1. Adrian Beltre lines out sharply to LF.
2. Adrian Beltre flies out deep to LF.
3. Adrian Beltre lines out sharply to RF.
THE HIGHS
4. Adrian Beltre doubles on a line drive to CF.
5. Adrian Beltre homers on a line drive to LF.
If there's anyone who deserves a month in which he hits .400 with 8-10 homeruns and has every single dink fly fall in, it's Adrian Beltre in September. The man has been a beast at the plate all year long; drawing walks and squaring up the ball with great frequency and has just been flattened by bad luck.
I've known for a while that Beltre leaving is going to be a sad moment for me. It's honestly hard to imagine following a team with him not on it, providing some curious histrionics at the plate coupled with just goofy strength and a jaw-dropping third base defense complete with such grace as to make you wonder if the hitter and the fielder are split personalities.
I don't know if Adrian has any interest in sticking around Seattle, but I'd understand completely if he doesn't. And with a new GM coming in this winter and a rebuild at least somewhat likely, we might not even get to enjoy Beltre's contract year here. I have no inside knowledge on this, I just want to make sure that I fully appreciate what we have now because someday it will be gone, and that day might be just a few short months away.
Adrian, I know far too many people have labeled you a bust, but I hope you know that we don't feel that way*. We have your back Adrian and we'd love for you to stay. If you don't, that's fine too, there's always going to be a soft spot in our hearts** for you.
* screw you if you disagree.
** unless you sign with the Angels. Please don't do that to us. There's only so much we can take.
2 recs |
26 comments
Email
Print
Comments
I want to like him more but those awkward swings he has every PA make me cringe
by Fogel on Aug 26, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It makes him human and therefore likable.
Nobody likes perfect people. They’re just a constant reminder of how you aren’t as good as they are.
by Matthew on Aug 26, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
by Jeff on Aug 26, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. I'm consistent.
I bet some of what irks some people about situations like what Jeff describes is that these perfect people are just a constant reflection of your negative qualities. “Jesus, why is she always so damn happy?” is really just “I wish I could be that happy all the time.” and we end up resenting the person for making us confront the fact that we are not.
Go me.
by Matthew on Aug 26, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It didn't occur to me at the time you posted this
But I now realize this is exactly why I hated the movie For The Love Of The Game.
by Gomez on Aug 26, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
=
We might not even get to enjoy Beltre’s contract year here.
Everybody knows he only tries during his contract year. The Mariners would be stupid to trade away a guaranteed 45 HR season next year..
by JI on Aug 26, 2008 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What do you make of Beltre's lefty/righty splits?
They are about as drastic as spilts can be
by coasty141 on Aug 26, 2008 3:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
17-point OPS difference for his career
Single-season platoon splits are meaningless.
by Jeff on Aug 26, 2008 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See: Raul Ibanez 2008
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
by BrettJMiller on Sep 1, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said.
Seeing him in Rally-Monkey Red would be a crushing blow to my morale as well.
It’s still difficult, despite the evidence to the contrary, to convince non-M’s fans that Beltre has been worth his contract.
by Omerta on Aug 26, 2008 3:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Vladimir Guerrero used to be my favourite player.
Then he signed with the Angels.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Aug 26, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I took my folks to the game last night.
My mother informs me he has a great smile.
I'm The Alaskan, and I approve this message.
by The Alaskan on Aug 26, 2008 3:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
With all the empty seats, someone needs to start going to the games with huge signs professing our support.
“Lookout Landing loves Adrian”
“[insert name] for GM”
“Washburn isn’t worth a stick of gum”
Unfortunately, I live out of state so I cannot lead this cause.
by Wilder. on Aug 26, 2008 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Adrian would like to show his appreciation by inviting you out meringue dancing, Matthew.
I'll shut up lest you ban me like you banned butthol.
by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 26, 2008 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He wants to dance in egg whites?
Well that’s weird, but ok. I’ll try most things once.
by Matthew on Aug 26, 2008 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's at least the third time I've posted using that spelling and the first time it's been caught.
Well done.
I'll shut up lest you ban me like you banned butthol.
by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 26, 2008 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said.
An elegantly written and heartfelt piece.
by John Morgan on Aug 26, 2008 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
While it's obvious that people who criticize the signing are not paying attention to defense,
They’re also completely ignoring age. There’s a huge difference between giving a big contract to a 26-year-old slick-fielding third baseman who just hit 40-something homers and signing a 31-year-old potted-plant left fielder like Carlos Lee.
Beltre hit free agency at an unusually young age. Free agency doesn’t normally offer players like Beltre or A-Rod, who are both already good and likely to get better or at least sustain their current levels for a while. The fact that Beltre has never again hit 48 homers doesn’t change the fact that it was a good move at the time, and one that has paid dividends even without the lofty power numbers.
The national writers/analysts who are still criticizing this deal do not appear to be looking past anything other than batting average and home runs.
by Teej on Aug 26, 2008 5:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
