May 5, 200421 yr For a team that plans to "run all year long", our base-runners get supringly sloppy with their basestealing, something you can see on replays in particular. Olivo, Uribe, Magglio...short lead + slow to read the pitcher = a lot of caught stealing in the future. Who is teaching these baserunners, Ozzie? Either run less or use better technique.
May 6, 200421 yr Well in Miggy's defense, I think it was a botched hit and run. Plus he was 3-3 on the season until he was thrown out.
May 6, 200421 yr Author Well in Miggy's defense, I think it was a botched hit and run I tired of hearing this excuse all the time. If anything that says Sox can't execute a hit-n-run OR steal a base wtih ease. Step 1. Get a huge "Valentin" lead. Step 2. Remember what you learned in the film room re: pitcher's delivery Step 3. Use your youthful wheels and quickness to swipe the bag standing. Most of Sox steals seem to be of bang-bang variety, and watching the replays of the lackadaisical leads and poorly timed jumps, I can understand why, Do you think Brian Roberts has incredible speed? No, but he does know what he is doing when he goes, so he swipes bags often without a throw. Sox should emulate that.
May 6, 200421 yr Ya, I do think Brian Roberts is pretty damn fast. He also didn't have anyone watching him. And most stolen bases are close or at least semi close. If it was so easy we'd be seeing a lot of guys still racking up 100 steals and that isn't happening anymore. Oh ya, swipe the bag standing, ya right. Have you played baseball, that is damn near impossible unless its a crappy throw or no throw. Its a far distance to go and stealing bases isn't easy. Oh ya, signs get missed, not a big deal as long as it doesn't happen often.
May 6, 200421 yr Author Ya, I do think Brian Roberts is pretty damn fast. He also didn't have anyone watching him. And most stolen bases are close or at least semi close. If it was so easy we'd be seeing a lot of guys still racking up 100 steals and that isn't happening anymore. Oh ya, swipe the bag standing, ya right. Have you played baseball, that is damn near impossible unless its a crappy throw or no throw. Its a far distance to go and stealing bases isn't easy. Oh ya, signs get missed, not a big deal as long as it doesn't happen often. Roberts is not that fast. Above-average speed. It's instincts, technique and homework that make it look easy. Taking advantage of Showenwiess is also a big part of it - do whatever it takes. Obviously I was exaggerating with "without a throw" comment, but the point still strands: best basestealers make it look EASY -- except when I-Rod or Olivo are behind the plate and someone like Buerhle is on the mound, of course. Yes, I've heard the "botched hit-n-run" excuse at least 3 or 4 times so far this year. If true, then for a team that was supposed to beat the opposition with small-ball, it happens too often. Watch their leads. Watch the jump. Only Willie Harris has the speed to make up for it, but guys like Magglio, Uribe, Olivo, Perez, Rowand need to work on both areas. 70% is the cut-off point.
May 6, 200421 yr Do you think Brian Roberts has incredible speed? No, but he does know what he is doing when he goes, so he swipes bags often without a throw. Sox should emulate that. No. We just don't hold runners on.
May 6, 200421 yr Step 3. Use your youthful wheels and quickness to swipe the bag standing. Yeah since its just so easy to coast into second standing up in the major leagues when stealing a base
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