LaHair to try really hard
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 11:34 AM PST
70 comments
Jim Street reports that Bryan LaHair will do everything in his power to make the team. LaHair said:
I think I can be a run-producing guy in the lineup, because I have visualized myself being that kind of guy my whole life. I think there have only been a few times that I haven't been that guy. Who knows? Maybe I'm not that guy, but I truly, truly believe that with the right opportunity I think I can be that guy.
Earth to Bryan. I like to visualize myself as a sexy beast, but my lack of a relationship history would beg to differ (as does the mirror).
There is good news for LaHair. His LD% was at 19.8 last season, so there is something there to bank on. He was also a good fielder, with a UZR/150 of 13.3. But, his OBP was a miserable .315, barely over the Mendoza line for the stat.
With the additions of Branyan and Shelton, one would have to believe that there is no place for LaHair on the MLB team. And with Mike Carp likely taking over the spot in AAA, where will Bryan even play? Double-A? Could LaHair be trade bait, and would anyone want him?
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Brian LaHair has a much a chance as starting this year as I do of replacing Pete Townshend in the Who
by JI on Jan 14, 2009 11:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we can send him to Anaheim
as part of the same deal that lands them Jermaine Dye. I’ve really visualized that deal taking place. There were only a few times when I visualized a different deal taking place.
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 14, 2009 11:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
And
who would be get back? A big pile of money maybe?
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
*we
who would WE get back
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's kidding.
It’s best to at first observe and find your internet voice before going into fill on responding to everything mode.
by JI on Jan 14, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
who said
I wasn’t kidding? you never know with these things…
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I read the heading over and over again trying to figure out what the pun was.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Jan 14, 2009 11:56 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Not a pun
just making fun of LaHair.
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You've missed a lot at Lookout Landing haven't you?
by JI on Jan 14, 2009 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
only been reading for a few weeks
if I miss something from LL history, go easy
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Good Shit
thanks.
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I know
just saying it for the record. It is appreciated
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He goes pretty eweasy* around men
*I don’t get this pun but I have had a few drinks and so I included it just for ACBlue.
by Robert on Jan 15, 2009 12:12 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Ah the early days at LL..
Before I started thinking in puns and reassuring myself that no matter what happens, it was just because of GTE .. I like it better know
by seattlesundevil on Jan 14, 2009 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Qwest, as bad as it is, is so much better though!
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Jan 14, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We still had it last year.
Except it was Game Thread Ennui.
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Jan 14, 2009 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
LaHair finds it easy to try hard.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Jan 14, 2009 12:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
His UZR data from last year is almost irrelevant given the sample size
by Edgar for Pres on Jan 14, 2009 12:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
could be
still gives us some idea.
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No it doesn't because drawing conclusions based on incomplete data is worse than admitting you don't know.
by acblue on Jan 14, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hear hear!
Uncertainty isn’t to be feared.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Jan 14, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting point you bring up there, at what point is a sample size large enough?
I’ve seen SSS used in situations I feel it’s appropriate, and others where I think the person is using it as a lazy cop out when they’re getting their ass kicked in an argument. Are there acknowledged standards for sample size?
Formerly dpseadvr.
by Kermit. on Jan 14, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
With defense I think it's a 3-year span.
Even a single year of data can be misleading.
by BrianL on Jan 14, 2009 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Adrian Beltre for example (UZR)
2006:18.4
2007:-3.8
2008:12.9
by Edgar for Pres on Jan 14, 2009 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm talking about the minor league guys, where their historical numbers may not mean as much.
The 3 year span for veterans is an easy call. It’s the minor league guy making the jump. At some point they’ve reached an acceptable sample size, what’s that number of games, plate appearances, fielding chances?
Formerly dpseadvr.
by Kermit. on Jan 14, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There is no good answer
You need to know a lot about the variance of all events as well as the variance in performance of the player. There are no set acceptable sample sizes for offensive or defensive stats. The more the better as long as the player’s abilities are constant.
by Edgar for Pres on Jan 14, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Its useful info but calling him a good fielder might be preliminary
I’d say it helps make the case that he’s a good fielder but it can’t be your primary evidence.
I think that data can help us say he is probably average or above average. If you scan through the UZR data and look at everybody with over 250 PA and similar UZR rates almost all are fairly good defenders. I just don’t feel comfortable drawing conclusions from it yet. 1B gets so few opportunities that the data would probably be much more fluky than players at SS for example.
by Edgar for Pres on Jan 14, 2009 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The way I think about it
it shifts the probability a little bit. So, if you had absolutely no knowledge of Bryan LaHair at the start of the season, his small sample size performance would tell you that he’s probably more likely to be decent than he is to be bad.
by Jeff on Jan 14, 2009 2:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
His defense was never something people talked alot about in the minors (or at least I don’t remember much said about it). That means he’s probably average-ish. This UZR makes me think he “could” be above average. I’m still assuming average until I get more data since his long career in the minors doesn’t tell us he is an elite defensive player.
by Edgar for Pres on Jan 14, 2009 2:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Using subjective word of mouth is not a great indicator of defensive success.
See: Gold Glove voting
I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!
by abender20 on Jan 14, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Not the same thing at all.
Professional scouts!=Gold Glove voters.
by acblue on Jan 14, 2009 3:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE!!! I DRINK IT UP!!
by abender20 on Jan 14, 2009 3:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Gentleman... our new run producing player in the lineup will be... THAT GUY!
Diamonds, Daisies, Snowflakes,
That Guy
Chestnuts, Rainbows, Springtime …
Is That Guy
He’s tinsel on a tree …
He’s everything that every guy should be!
Sable, Popcorn, White Wine,
That Guy
Gingham, Bluebirds, Broadway …
Is That Guy
He’s mine alone, but luckily for you …
If you find a guy to love,
Only one guy to love,
Then he’ll be That Guy too …
That Guy!
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jan 14, 2009 2:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I thought the title of this thread was underrated in its deadpan contempt
You’re just a few read-throughs the Lookout Landing Style Guide and LL wiki away from being a solid poster, Mr. Notebook.
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Jan 14, 2009 3:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Thank You
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 9:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Can anyone
point me to the LL wiki? Looked for it, and got lost in the LL woods.
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Found
my way out of the woods. Thanks anyway.
-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com
by mlbnotebook on Jan 14, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The wiki is shit. Don't pay any attention to it.
Just follow the guidelines.
by Matthew on Jan 15, 2009 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It was once a good repository of LL myths and legends.
It’s out of date now, sadly.
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Jan 15, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Good for him! Keep working hard man!
Seriously, what else are you going to say to a guy? Put your full effort into it and you will continue to be paid to playing baseball.
Who knows? Maybe Kanas City will sign you someday!
by mark sobba on Jan 14, 2009 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he sounded a lot like Bloomquist to me, too
Fortunately, he’s a lot less likely to inspire an irrational managerial man-crush than Bloomers was.
by The Ancient Mariner on Jan 15, 2009 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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