RME JICO

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=3225649&page=1 This happens all the time in sports, but A-Rod seemed a little careless here.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 30, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) Boy you would think we are mathematically eliminated by the talk on this board. This team isnt supposed to lose a single series I take it? Its hard to be positive with the play of the team. No they can't win every game or every series, but losing 11-5, 10-4, and 9-2 is not really a good sign. The pitching has regressed like it was going to eventually do, the bullpen is still in shambles and the hitting has only showed small signs of recovery. With the easier schedule until mid July, this team will continue to hang in there until that point. However, if the team does not improve over that time, the season will be over a lot sooner than last year.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 29, 2007 -> 08:02 AM) He might have left him in too long, but the bullpen is loaded with gascans who can't throw strike 1. It couldn't have been much worse than what Count was doing. At least there was a chance that they could do better. Ozzie loves the matchup game, but he failed to use it until he brought Logan in with the bases loaded vs Morneau. He could've brought him in several batters earlier before the damage was done to face two Lefties and switch-hitters Castillo and Punto. I think the comments about the Dome are warranted because we could easily be 25-8 there instead of 19-14. The Twins have stolen several games from us there, but that is how they win. They use their home dome advantage. That is why they made it to the playoffs last year - on their home record alone.

I will base my comments off what I can see, because the whole "players love him" thing is too much speculation. Positives - 1. Handling of Danks. I feel like Ozzie is actually handling Danks' starts pretty good. He pulls him at a comfortable spot and doesn't let him leave with a bad taste in his mouth. 2. Use of Jenks. Ozzie has been really good lately when using Jenks. 3. Confidence in players. The one thing you can see is that Ozzie allows a player to work out his kinks, and gives him every opportunity to get out of a slump or rut. Negatives - 1. Handling of rest of pitching staff. He seems to be going off something other than logic, especially when a pitcher has struggled all night. I have no complaints when he runs guys out there when they are clearly pitching strong, but it seems like he plays Russian Roulette when they are off - and he always loses. 2. Matchup craziness. Ozzie does this more than anyone in baseball, and it is better when used in moderation. He is like a matchup addict. I can't remember the exact game, but Ozzie brought in a reliever to face one batter who the other team just pinch hit for once Ozzie made the call to the pen. He looked so silly in that situation because the PH got a hit and we ultimately lost the game and ended up using like 6 pitchers in a 9 inning game. 3. Pinch Hitters. He was doing ok in this department until recently. With the game close, he pinch hit for Cintron with Ozuna, then had Erstad bat vs a LHP? I am still baffled by that whole sequence. Both Terrero and Hall were available on the bench. I would almost like to see Ozzie take a week off (suspension/etc) to see what someone like Shines could do. Also, I am wondering if Cora on the bench has anything to do with some of his questionable decisions.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 28, 2007 -> 06:48 PM) Cumulative total means absolutely nothing. You don't simply add up the players totals, you take the team total cuz in the end that is how many men are left on base at the end of an inning. It means absolutely nothing? Come on now. It actually means a lot, by showing there were players on base with less than two outs. The cumulative total shows that they had 23 opportunities with runners on and did not convert. The 12 value does not show that.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 28, 2007 -> 06:37 PM) They had 12.Actually I was wrong, it was 23: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2...chamlb_minmlb_1 It is a cumulative total.

Ozzie still does not know how to manage the pitching staff. No reason Count should have been in that long when he clearly did not have his best stuff and had a lead going into the 6th, against Santana no less. The score could've been much worse - The Twins had 21 LOB.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:10 PM) 1-10 on the day for Sox lefty hitters. Good thing AJ told Ozzie he's going to play today.Thats funny, because I don't understand why Hall is on this team if AJ is going to play vs tough LHP. Terrero looked pretty good. Again, more great managerial moves by the Oz.

Man, when we lose, we lose. Losing Ugly?

Morneau 10 LOB today.

3 walks to get to Morneau with the bases loaded, great strategy.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:34 PM) Our staff ace with a 4.45 ERA and diminishing fastball? Sounds like 2006 all over again. I am really hoping Contreras is the one moved this offseason.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:28 PM) Contreras should have been pulled after Bartlett's single for Logan.Exactly, how hard is that to do?

QUOTE(mr_genius @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:22 PM) who the hell did you guys want him to bring in? the whole pen has been sucking lately. no matter what ozzie does some of you guys will spazYou don't bring in Logan after the initial damage is done. Count faced two lefties who Logan could have faced. Ozzie always waits too long. He always wants 6 innings from his starters, regardless of the situation.

Thanks Ozzie. Worst manager in baseball, bar none.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:20 PM) Haha....we deserve that for the stupid PK play at first base.Yep, should've been out of the inning already.

Again, why did Ozzie wait that long? Once Count let up the first hit to Bartlett, he should've brought in Logan who would face 2 out of 3 Lefties.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:14 PM) I'd rather have Logan face Morneau than anyone else. Ozzie must love losing games that we lead in the 6th inning. Seems like it happens twice a week. That is something to look up, because it almost feels like every loss is one where the pitcher was left in an inning too long.

Why would Ozzie wait this long? Tyner and Punto were both Lefties, just bring in Logan to start the inning.

There was no contact. Did Morneau say something?

Wow, 3 great AB's by the Big 3. Nice to see.

I hate that dome. Freakin baggy.

Count at 97 pitches thru 5, so I guess Ozzie will let him go until the 8th?

I actually thought this was a good fit the minute he was released. He is great vs LHP .290/.389/.527/.916, and can play emergency catcher if needed. That adds a whole new element because the Sox can PH with Hall and still have Wilson to backup AJ in the event of an injury. He can play 1B, 3B, RF, and C, and if he doesn't work out, no big deal.

Sox just signed him.