Gregory Pratt

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 08:42 PM) Hanrahan would have been a tremendous pickup. Again, I won't blame Kenny because I still think this team has the ability to get its s*** together. They aren't this bad of a defensive team, at least the infield isn't or shouldn't be. THe outfield, well f***, with Griffey it will be a bit ugly. The pen needs to get its s*** together as does the defense. Hopefully the offense can stay on its relative roll and help ease things. That said, we knew the pitching staff would slump and some point and now I think the key is hoping Griffey can provide a spark as will the return of Count (who apparently is looking very good now that he's healthy and that would be a major lift) and Linebrink (if he comes back healthy, this will be HUGE). On top of that Crede is apparently feeling very good and will be a significant upgrade over that over-rated prospect named Josh Fields (I can call him that since I've said that about him since day one practically). Hell, I think I was the only guy not raving about him last season. I never thought he was legit either, although I still like the guy and hope he can learn how to not strike out every other at-bat. ... Game's not over yet.

Ouch.

Sorry for the three copies of the same post... SoxTalk lagged and I guess I overclicked!

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 08:31 PM) f*** this, I hope Morneau beats us. f*** this.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 08:31 PM) f*** this, I hope Morneau beats us. f*** this.

Just got home after an evening out. 1. Has Griffey appeared in the dugout yet? 2. THORNTON!@!!#@$@#%$@!$@~!$@%%$^%$^ 3. Saw the Gardenhire-prompted rebellion at the Metrodome. Kind of cool.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 03:34 PM) Well, this trade should do wonders for drawing in the bandwagon fans. They'll turn on the TV and think, "OMG, we got Griffey" and probably buy his jersey; not knowing this may be his last season with the White Sox. Also, on a more offensive note, it's good to have another brutha in the clubhouse. I know Joe Morgan agrees.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 01:40 PM) So are you saying that morale has no impact on performance in the workplace? I'll say that morale has nothing to do with the ability to hit a baseball, throw a baseball and catch a baseball. Although that's a general principle, and not related to Griffey. I like this deal. We didn't give up anything.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

http://baseballevolution.com/gregory/weekreview17.html Gregory Pratt is busy. Leeryano -- Francisco Liriano claims that the Minnesota Twins are keeping him in the minors to limit his major league service time and consequently delay his arbitration eligibility. His agent is asking the players' union to investigate the matter, but I'm with the Twins on this: baseball players make no bones about their being mercenaries ("This is a business!"), and I think it's okay for management to play the same game. Of course, there's a strong argument to be made that it would be in the Twins' best interest to bring him up right now so that he can make a difference in the race against the Chicago White Sox, but if they think they can compete without bringing him up immediately, then who am I to tell them otherwise? All I know is this: mercenaries should not expect to be treated as if they were nuns, and I applaud the Twins for doing what they think is right against the MLBPA's objections. Lowe Esteem -- I was playing pool on Saturday night, when I looked up and saw that Derek Lowe was one-hitting the Washington Nationals on my friend's television set. He's done well for himself this year. I won't say he's "underrated" or anything, but he's a good pitcher who doesn't get as much attention or respect as he deserves. I think he's better than Brad Penny even at this stage in their careers, and I hope Clayton Kershaw takes time to learn from him in the time in which their careers coincide. Kershaw got the first win of his career Sunday following Lowe for what I hope is the first of many times. Haren -- While I have Dan Haren on my fantasy team, I did not realize until this weekend just how good he's been. How good? He's leading the National League in ERA. I don't think it's going to last, as I expect someone like Tim Lincecum or Edinson Volquez to take that crown, but he has definitely been a quiet ace in the shadow of Brandon Webb. New Rule -- "1000 strikeouts" is not a "milestone." It is a fine personal achievement, it shows that you've been in the majors for enough time to show you're a "legitimate" major league starting pitcher with a career to be proud of, but it does not mean anything beyond that. Ryan Howard strikes out that many times in a season, and you don't hear him bragging about it. Yankees on the Market -- The New York Yankees traded minor-league outfield prospect Jose Tabata with pitchers Dan McCutchen, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. I hope those guys all become something at the major league level, because I'd like to see a winning Pirates team in my adult lifetime. That said, I'm happy for the New York Yankees, who I'm hoping will win a playoff spot, preferably a Wild Card behind the Tampa Bay Rays, and I think these guys will be solid additions. Maybe Nady more than Marte, who I am going to be watching closely, as he has a reputation for being a man who cannot pitch in the most competitive of circumstances -- "million dollar arm and ten cent head" -- and I suspect that that is still the case. The Bronx is not the same as Pittsburgh or Chicago, where he previously had problems, for that matter. He sure looked good striking out David Ortiz on Saturday afternoon, but we'll see whether he can be the man the Yankees need him to be. Psychobabble -- I remember when I was a debater in the Chicago Debate League with Scott Glab as one of my judges. We were talking about the future of the Cleveland Indians, back in the days when Andy Marte's future was as bright as a Kennedys, and I thought of that short discussion on Marte's future (and the depths to which he has fallen) while watching Homer Bailey get lit up by the Colorado Rockies this week. His stock has definitely fallen, and he has had an ugly major league career so far, but I hope that he can get over it and make something of himself. Hawk Harrelson occasionally muses about preferring to draft pitchers with lesser stuff than objectively better pitchers because their sense of "competition" is keener and they are more likely to work hard and "compete" for their spots, but it is true that baseball is a game of adjustments, and that is something that Bailey is going to have to do now. It is entirely possible, on the other hand, that his agent and his family are pushing him to be mediocre now, so that he can conserve his arm until Dusty Baker gets fired and he can go pitch without fearing abuse. Minor Deals -- Jon Rauch got traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks by the Washington Nationals to shore up the bullpen, and I do not see it being a great addition to the Diamondbacks unless Rauch has a bat deep in his equipment bag somewhere. Randy Wolf got traded to Houston for reasons that only Ed Wade can understand. Casey Blake is a Dodger now, for what is, I think, the most interesting package dealt so far. The Indians got two minor-leaguers with potential for the decent third-baseman/outfielder, and I particularly like Jon Meloan, who might well be a good pitcher someday. He has great strikeout numbers, but is mediocre in every other aspect of the pitching game, which might well be something that good coaching can cure. Carlos Santana is a decent prospect, too, but Meloan appears a more interesting high-reward guy. Minor Deal II -- Manny Ramirez is tired of the Red Sox and willing to accept a trade. It is unlikely that anyone will be willing to part with the prospects necessary and take care of his contractual demands, so this is just another silly encounter for ESPN to talk about. And you know what I think is bad for baseball? ESPN, which featured I think four Dodgers-Cubs games in a two-week span a small while ago and continually features the same old matchups between the Red Sox and the Yankees and someone not either of those teams. It's embarrassing and disrespectful to baseball when more people have the "honor" of watching Derek Jeter play lousy defense than do Hanley Ramirez play lousy defense. History of the Week -- Goose Gossage was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday along with Dick Williams, Larry Whiteside, Dave Niehaus, Walter O'Malley, Barney Dreyfuss, Bowie Kuhn, and Billy Southworth. I don't have a problem with any of these guys in the Hall of Fame if the Hall is going to give space to broadcasters, owners, and relief pitchers, so I recommend reading all of their Hall of Fame pages, and their Wikipedia pages. I am especially interested in Dick Williams' career because he is one of the game's great managers and characters, but is often overlooked in favor of "flashy" contemporaries like Billy Martin, so I specifically recommend this article, although my favorite incident of his career -- and maybe my favorite 70s World Series moment -- is best-covered by the baseball-reference.com bullpen: It was still 1-0 in the eighth when Joe Morgan drew a one-out walk off Fingers and went to third on Bobby Tolan's single. That brought up Bench, who was still looking for his first RBI of the Series. On a 2-1 pitch, Tolan stole second as Bench took ball three. On the bench, Dick Williams was thinking. "Suddenly I remembered something that Billy Southworth had done when he was managing," Williams said. "I turned to my pitching coach Bill Posedel and told him, "If this next pitch is a strike, I'm going to go out there to the mound and act like I'm giving Fingers hell because he shouldn't be giving Bench anything to hit with first base open. "I'm going to wave my arms and act like I'm calling for an intentional ball four. But instead I'm going to tell them to throw the damn ball right down the middle of the plate for strike three. Bench will never know what hit him." The pitch was a strike and Williams went to the mound to explain his plan. He then told Fingers, "Be sure you throw a breaking ball, because if it's a fastball and somebody figures out what we're doing, Bench can hit the s*** out of it." He also warned Tenace not to jump back behind the plate too quick. Morgan, standing at third base, warned Bench to be ready but it was too late. Fingers threw a slider on the outside corner and Bench took it for strike three. Fingers called it the best slider he had ever thrown. This game of ours is a great game. Starting soon -- perhaps as soon as next year -- I am going to start attending every Cooperstown induction ceremony, because I think all baseball fans have a duty to protect the game and honor it, and that'll be my way. Until then, congratulations to those inducted and those who had the pleasure of enjoying their careers live.

The garlic fries are really good. Also: the Baby Bull Tri-Tip Sandwich or a Cha Cha Bowl. Upper deck seats give a beautiful view of the Bay area. Bleacher seats are fun, decent proximity to the field, and allows a good view of everything. They've got a "Build-a-Seal" store, too, if you want to get something for your mother or your girlfriend or both. And, I highly recommend going up and down the Coke bottle slide. You are not too old for it, I assure you.

Jack Egbert and Brandon Allen have little trade value. There's no one out there coveting them... at least not in the front offices of baseball. If we got Burnett for that package, it'd be a salary dump. But that's just not going to happen.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 07:11 PM) No one ever said he was going to be the "next Roy Halladay." And scouts and other experts project pitchers to be serviceable for the duration of their careers all the time. Simply because you won't do it doesn't disallow anyone else from doing so. re: italics/bold: no one at all except for wite in previous posts, and that's relevant because he's the man whose hyperbole I was criticizing. (For the record, we're friends and on good terms, so we can talk about each other's baseball conversations and exchanges.) And re: italics -- I specifically said that people can say what they want to say about whatever ballplayer. Good for them. But when I read that Gavin Floyd is going to be really good for 5-10 years -- that he's "probably" going to be that good -- I've got to laugh and hyperventilate at the same time. He's a guy whose career has to be taken one game at a time because he still walks a ton, he's allowing a ton of unearned runs and a bunch of homeruns. Baseball is full of guys who have one good year and never do it again, and his year this year hasn't even been all that hot. This gloating from people that Floyd's having a breakout season is fine and well. I figured if the guy has any success I'd be asked about it by everyone, and I was right. He's earned it, though. It isn't pretty, but that doesn't mean he's earned it. It's just that I didn't expect the forum to go nuts extrapolating him to be one of the better pitchers in baseball from now until he's 35 years old. I've given him the credit he deserves; I'm not going to put some extreme expectations on him in addition to the kind words about finally not having an ERA over five. I am rooting for him, but I am cautiously pessimistic.

And it's not a long post. Five hundred words is not long. It's thorough.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 04:07 PM) Thanks, I really couldn't understand what he was talking about. It's a thorough and intellectual criticism of a faulty claim. "Five to ten years." Yeah, for a guy who's been good but not that good at all.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 04:06 PM) Basically a long post saying that Gavin has been good, but you dont think he's that good. A Dissertation on Probable Success for Major League Pitchers

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 04:40 PM) Well, I agree with your general point, but you've been riding Gavin since he got here....wasn't he possibly the "worst pitcher in major league history" last year at some point? Give the kid some credit where credit is due... I do not think that I have ever said that he was "possibly" the "worst pitcher in major league history," first of all. Second, my original point in this thread was so pithy because I don't understand this "probably" declaration. What's this "probably" supposed to mean and how can anyone accept it? Why is it "probable" that Floyd will have success for five to ten years? I mean, do we understand "probability"? Probability is the likelihood that something is the case or will happen; why is it "likely" that Floyd will be a "#2-#4" for five to ten years? Based on what model of probability? He's had more failure than success in his career, so it's not an argument based on his track record. Is it his profession that makes it probable -- do people have sustained success like that for their entire careers in professional baseball, in the major leagues, on the pitching mound? You know, like a schoolteacher who gets a position and is protected from ever being fired by her union? Well, no. Few people have sustained success in the Major Leagues. So there's nothing probable about his position as a pitcher. So, "probability" is a bad word -- really bad word. Worse than anything George Carlin ever riffed about. I wouldn't project Roy Oswalt to "probably" be good for five to ten years. I wouldn't project Scott Kazmir to be good for 5-10 years. It's impossible to project "probable" success for five to ten years for anyone, let alone a guy who has never been successful for a sustained period of time before. And listen, I'm fine with people comparing Gavin Floyd to Roy Halladay or Greg Maddux like it happens. People can write whatever they want, compare him to whoever. Just like people can compare Josh Fields to whoever, or Joe Crede to Alex Rodriguez. I'm not in the business of regulating people's thoughts. But give me a break -- Floyd is eighth in the American League in walks and still gives up a good amount of homeruns. His BAA is way out of line with his past and so is everything he's put up this season. On this shaky, walk-prone, homerun prone basis we're annointing him for 5-10 years? And look, I've given him credit. On several threads here. People like asking me for it and I oblige them. He's had a "good" year at least superficially but it does have a fair basis in reality. He isn't giving up a lot of hits and that's good for him. He's been a fair pitcher in terms of preventing earned runs -- and a little bit worse at preventing runs, period. But he's been "good" and that's good for him and good for the team. But I'm not going to anoint him as the next Roy Halladay, as a man who is going to be a good starting pitcher for 5-10 years? Wite's one of my favorite posters, maybe the only person on SoxTalk I really ever chat with on AIM, but this "5-10 years" business is not cool.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 02:50 PM) Yeah, pitchers struggle. You apparently can't put the past behind you and understand that pitchers can change and grow and become good after they have figured it out under different coaching. His peripherals are much better, his ERA is good, he's pitching deep into ball games, and his stuff is pretty damn good too...yet for whatever reason you can't let go of the past. Gavin Floyd is a good starting pitcher and will probably be a solid #2-4 from this point on for 5-10 years. But because he struggled for a couple years, he's going to struggle for all of time. That makes sense, because that's not what pitchers like Halladay do....... Jesus. One game at a time, man.

We are not getting Roy Halladay for Josh Fields and Gavin Floyd.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 10:19 PM) If the season ended today and Hamilton won MVP over CQ the ONLY reason he would have won is because he loved drugs. There's a good lesson. That's a cruel and thoughtless manner to describe someone's drug problem. He wasn't sitting around sipping on syringes for the taste. By all means, there's a lot of ways to look at him, and there's a lot of people who resent Hamilton or dislike him or some other generally-negative feeling, but "he loved drugs" is one of the worst sentences written on SoxTalk.

Bleep bloop bleep.

QUOTE (DABearSoX @ Jul 23, 2008 -> 03:21 PM) it's a good story for the kids....lets them know that you can rebound after getting addicted to drugs in college.... re: bold -- that's not at all the story. But I guess that's what the green is for.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 06:13 PM) Doubt it, heard it on the radio on the way home. Said Buehrle shouldn't worry about his grandpa, because he's dead. He said all you can do is pray, and everyone has issues every day. Coming from a Latin culture I know what he means. It's an insensitive thing to say and I wouldn't say it -- I don't really believe it -- but it's not really what it sounds like.

http://baseballevolution.com/gregory/weekreview16 Gregory Pratt returned from the west coast this week to find a new bed in his bedroom. For the first time in years he has a headboard. It will make a noticeable difference in his life! American Boys -- I watched the Home Run Derby in Whittier, California with my best friend's family, and I was the only "serious" baseball fan in attendance. That did not stop anyone from enjoying Josh Hamilton's thorough domination of the first round of the Derby, however, and I very much appreciated the performance. Josh has been a favorite of mine for years, as he is a genuine five-tool ballplayer (scouting report here) who has always been known as a kind, considerate human being, and besides that, I find it easier to encourage my fellow man than put him down. Despite my familiarity with his good-nature, I was still surprised by how natural his performance was, and how little stress he appeared to be under. Whereas the other contestants looked like they were straining themselves and worrying about not looking good, Hamilton was simply smiling and taking in the event. I contrast Josh to Alex Rodriguez and his sourpuss (and shameful) refusal to hit in the homerun derby, and I feel proud of Hamilton for doing what's right for the game of baseball with a smile on his face. Someone in the ESPN booth mentioned that Reggie Jackson would've never sat out a derby in the final year of Yankee Stadium, and I would note that in comparison to Rodriguez, who really does not deserve to be a Yankee. I mean, listen. The New York Yankees are a special franchise, an American institution, and it is an honor to wear their uniform in their stadium and perform in the Derby or the ASG. But Alex Rodriguez isn't interested in being a true American hero. I still haven't gotten the chants of Ham-il-ton Ham-il-ton out of my head. Stirring the Soul's Dormant Fire -- In addition to being one of baseball's best all-around ballplayers, Ichiro Suzuki is one of its great characters, and I was as amused by this news story as his American League teammates were by the event it describes. Here's the story: before the All-Star Game each year, the manager gives a speech to get the team ready for the exhibition, and after his speech Ichiro gives his own. This is what he says (roughly transcribed by the great Jeff Passan): "Bleep ... bleep bleep bleep ... National League ... bleep ... bleep ... bleeeeeeeeep ... National - bleep bleep bleepbleepbleep!" Here is another good quote from Ichiro Suzuki about a defensive play he made during the All-Star Game: "I expected Pujols to try to get to second base because he is not Bengie Molina." River Dancing -- Jonathan Papelbon made some stupid remarks before the All-Star Game about how he should be closing over Mariano Rivera. He apologized, as he should've, and that would've been that, except for his being harassed during the All-Star Parade while riding with his pregnant wife. Here is a fascinating story titled "Driving Mr. Papelbon" about the scary ride. Obviously, no one deserves to be hounded for making a harmless-if-thoughtless-and-egomaniacal statement, so I'm glad he's alright. I'll bet it all would've worked out much more smoothly if he had stood up to dance for the crowd. Ozzie Guillen's Lineup Card -- Click this Onion story, and don't even think about it, meat, just do it. I can't excerpt it because there might be children reading, but it's the best paragraph you'll read today that wasn't written by me or George Carlin, who is, incidentally, a misunderstood comic. Jeter and The Nerds -- Slate Magazine is the best online-magazine out there, and while its sports page is its weakest page, it does put out good stories here and there. I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but I'd be shirking my duty as a columnist if I did not point Baseball Evolution and its readership to an article that seeks to explain "[w]hy baseball researchers are obsessed with denigrating the Yankee captain's defense." "Commie Ball" -- Okay, one more article recommendation. (Rich, especially, will like this one.) Michael Lewis went to Cuba to write about baseball in that country, and it is a great read that everyone who loves baseball and has some interest in the world around us should print out and give themselves to when they've got twenty minutes. And on that note, let me say that everyone has time to read, whatever protests they might give to the contrary. So have at it, because you're an American and you're glad to know you're free. Tragedies -- I lied. I have one more story to recommend. (Hey, the All-Star Break leads to much more literature than it does ballplaying.) This story is a real tragedy about a catcher in the Padres' system whose brother was killed in the military under dubious circumstances. His coach calls him "the best leader in the country" and he might not be far-off. True heroism is in perseverance. When Your Team Gives You Losses and No-Decisions, Steal Bases -- Okay, it's not as catchy as Cicero's proverb about lemonades, but it is more appropriate. Despite the fact that San Diego has refused to win a ballgame for Greg Maddux in thirteen straight starts, he is having himself a quality season. But there's some more, nifty news coming from his game lately: "[H]ere's something else about Maddux - he stole a base on Saturday night, the 11th of his career. Only one pitcher whose career started after World War II had more steals in his career than Maddux has now, and that's Bob Gibson. For a guy whose reputation as a pitcher is as more of an artist than an athlete, that's not too bad at all. Then again, six of Maddux's stolen bases have come in the last five seasons, which would speak again to his incredible blend of mind and body." Hideo Nomo -- Hideo Nomo has officially retired. I've always liked the guy, and I hope he finds happiness outside of baseball just as sure as he found success inside of it. He's a great man and a great ballplayer. Which you can't argue with, because I am defining "great" in baseball terms as someone who made a highly-notable contribution to the game of baseball. And that he did. Hurricane Katrina -- I didn't know that Ron Washington's home was damaged in Hurricane Katrina, or that he's still putting the finishing touches on its repair, until I read it this week. It's incredible how many people are still suffering from that tragedy, and I wish Washington and all others well in their attempts to patch up their lives. Obviously, it's easier for a guy like Ron Washington than someone getting by paycheck to paycheck, but nobody deserves that sort of pain. Unauthorized History of Baseball -- Speaking of Japanese contributions to American culture, let me direct you to Ben Sakoguchi's artwork. Here's a description, from the site: In 2004, Sakoguchi began a dedicated look at how the game of baseball, which has long been referred to as America's National Pastime, has reflected the quirks of American culture. He finished 120 new baseball canvases for the 2006 "Winter Ball" exhibition at Los Angeles City College, and is continuing to work on The Unauthorized History of Baseball in 100-odd Paintings. History of the Week -- Since I am feeling so literary today, let me direct you to this article as my history of the week. It is an imperfect piece for its neglecting to mention the time Mark Buehrle threw an eephus pitch to Ichiro, but it is a good article about the eephus pitch, with a special emphasis on the 1946 All-Star Game. Enjoy!

It might be a full week before I finish the article, but it'll be here within 10 days.