Doomed.
by Matthew on Mar 3, 2009 9:16 AM PST
in Fluff Stuff
35 comments
March 2nd, 2009:
This spring, thanks to a minor hip alteration during [Jarrod Washburn's] delivery suggested by pitching coach Rick Adair and bullpen coach John Wetteland, his fastball may have more movement than ever.
"It was something simple they suggested," Washburn said, being purposefully vague. "It allows me to get out in front farther."
That gives the ball a tad more whoosh as it gets to the plate.
"It adds some life," said Washburn
------------------------------------------- REWIND ------------------------------------------
April 21st, 2008:
It seems there's a reason Batista logged an impressive 7-2/3 shutout innings and eight strikeouts on a day his fastball was down several miles per hour in velocity.
"I might have found something that I wish I might have found years ago in my career," Batista said. "I don't know if I'm right yet. It's going to take me at least four or five more starts to figure out if it's going to be able to work as good as I believe it might work.
"And if it does, I might be able to pitch another five years."
That's a negatory, Houston. No Go.
Miguel Batista after that game: 90.1 IP, 57 Ks, 69 BB, 18 HR
Well, we're screwed. Thanks, Chuck.
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I'd much rather his sucky changeup had more movement and command.
I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.
by EnglishMariner on Mar 3, 2009 9:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Meh... I wish my FB had late life
The change-up was the only pitch working today for me.
You got slurved bitch.
by Slurvey on Mar 3, 2009 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh. No slurve today, eh?
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Mar 3, 2009 8:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey wait, Fluff Stuff?
I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.
by EnglishMariner on Mar 3, 2009 9:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Standard spring training stories
It wouldn’t be spring training if we didn’t have at least one story about how an underperforming pitcher, usually with the help of the coaches, found and fixed a flaw in his delivery and is poised to return to form/realize his potential.
by Steve Nelson on Mar 3, 2009 9:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nah
Slight pitching adjustment vs. Startling “fountain-of-youth” discovery.
If only Batista’s discovery was the broken bones in his back….
by ThundaPC on Mar 3, 2009 9:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to spring training
where we take minimally-sized samples against non-representative competition and extrapolate the results into a season’s worth of performance, unless it’s not the performance we want, in which case we talk about “rust” and “kinks.”
by philosofool on Mar 3, 2009 9:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Next week: Ace Groundskeeper Unsung Hero of The M's!
The mess with the height of the bullpen mound in the visitors dugout! They customize the third base line just for Beltre!
The longest part of the offseason, it’s like the calm before the storm.
by Kermit. on Mar 3, 2009 9:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
It’s still better than no news at all.
"Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated."
by Thingray on Mar 3, 2009 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The M's have hired that Zombie Groundskeeper away from the Cubs.
He intimidates opposing teams.
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Mar 3, 2009 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
As soon as I saw that article yesterday
I remembered several fantastic arguments from here and USSM that show that this “tweaking” doesn’t do a damned thing…Also my reaction when I saw the article?…
FACEPALM
—will they ever learn shakes head?
by MissoulaMarinerFan on Mar 3, 2009 10:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Well every once in a while, I'm sure a pitcher figures something out over the offseason that helps him be successful
whether it be a new way to throw a previously weak pitch, a new pitch altogether, or some mental adjustment to how he attacks hitters. Look at Brian Bannister or JJ Putz.
It’s just that for every “JJ Learns a Splitter” or “Bannister Figures Out His Fastball Tails More When He Doesn’t Throw It Hard” story, there’s a “Hey, If I Close My Eyes and Hold my Glove Over my Face When I Throw, I Did Well, I Must be Onto Something!!!” story
by seattlebruin on Mar 3, 2009 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If Batista could throw strikes he'd probably be pretty good.
by Edgar for Pres on Mar 3, 2009 10:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
If frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their ass when they hopped.
And no, I don’t know how my grandfather got ahold of my SBN account.
Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.
by pdb on Mar 3, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Highly rec'd for being ancient school.
"Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated."
by Thingray on Mar 3, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok I should have spelled out my thought a little more
Batista has the “stuff” to succeed but his ability but just has a problem walking batters. In the past when his walk rate isn’t as horrible, he is almost a good pitcher. I am more optimistic that a guy like this may be able to turn it around than a guy without any talent.
by Edgar for Pres on Mar 3, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
speaking of ST notes
I’m enjoying reading Ryan Divish
"Cubs manager Lou Piniella wasn’t happy with something ESPN analyst Steve Phillips said. Um, Lou, that line forms around the corner and down the street. "
by msb on Mar 3, 2009 12:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Steve Phillips has to be the blow hardiest of blow hards on ESPN.
I mean this guy thought the Mariners would take the division last year because we had good defense, and then said we had a terrible off season.
by Fin on Mar 3, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait until Jim Bowden returns to "Cold Pizza."
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Mar 3, 2009 8:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey
At least he’s aware his breaking ball sucks:
“There are five or six weeks left in the spring,” he said after facing seven batters, giving up one hit and no runs. “There’s plenty of time to refine the pitch. I don’t have a great breaking ball, anyway.”
by batura on Mar 3, 2009 1:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He usually seems pretty unapologetic about his crappy stuff.
But refuses to take any responsibility for his pitch selection.
by appleshampoo on Mar 3, 2009 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd really like Batista if he was a better pitcher
His personality is pretty great and his quotes can be Ichiroesqe at times.
by Edgar for Pres on Mar 3, 2009 4:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Coming up next . . . . .
Punching bag pitcher discovers he has been tipping his pitches.
by Paytheline on Mar 3, 2009 3:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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