greasywheels121 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Takatsu's turn as closer? Koch's flops may result in 'Mr. Zero' getting Sox job By Bob Foltman White Sox reliever Shingo Takatsu was talking with a group of Japanese reporters following Sunday's gut-wrenching loss to the Seattle Mariners. Takatsu had pitched another perfect inning and extended his streak to 13 consecutive batters retired. Billy Koch, meanwhile, gave up three runs, three hits, three walks and four stolen bases in the ninth inning as the Sox's 4-2 lead evaporated into a 5-4 loss, the winning run scoring on a bases-loaded walk. Takatsu said he knew what Koch was going through. Before joining the White Sox, Takatsu was one of the dominant closers in Japanese baseball, and he knows what it's like to be sent out to nail down a victory in a close game. He also knows what it's like to come up short. Perhaps soon Takatsu will be asked to reprise the role that earned him the nickname "Mr. Zero" in Japan, where he never allowed a run in a postseason game. Koch also blew a save in Oakland during the trip, and after Sunday's meltdown manager Ozzie Guillen hinted that changes may be in order. If the way Guillen has used his bullpen recently is any indication, Takatsu may be next in line to get a shot as the closer. Guillen, his coaches and general manager Ken Williams will discuss the situation before the Sox begin interleague play Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at U.S. Cellular Field. "I'm just as disappointed as anybody in Chicago with what transpired on the West Coast," Williams said Monday. "We had a chance to win four out of five and didn't get the job done." The Sox instead lost four of five. Guillen didn't want to make a rash decision in the heat of the moment Sunday night, but he did hint that a change might be made. In spring training, Williams said Takatsu would be this season's version of Tom Gordon, whom the Sox signed as a setup man last season. By midseason he had supplanted Koch as the closer. If Guillen decides to make a change, Takatsu would seem the likely choice. He not only leads the pitching staff with a 1.27 earned-run average, but he also has walked only six in 211/3 innings and has yielded a staff-low 11 hits. In 212/3 innings, Koch has walked 13. It's the walks that drive Guillen nuts. "As long as Billy Koch doesn't walk anybody, I can deal with it," Guillen said last week. "The walks kill me." At the time, he rebuffed the idea of Takatsu as closer. "The only way Shingo is going to [close games] now is if we go to extra innings," he said. But that was before Sunday. Former manager Jerry Manuel waited until July of last year before making Gordon the closer. The Sox are five games better than they were after 54 games last season, with a one-game lead on the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central Division. Does that give Guillen more time to be patient, or does it prompt him to make a move now and try to put some distance between the Sox and the Twins? Damaso Marte is regarded as the closer of the future, but he has had his share of adventuresome outings this year. Is now the time to anoint him? Mike Jackson has been a closer in the past, but now serves as the bridge between the starter and the back end of the bullpen. Takatsu is a rookie by Major League Baseball's definition, but he's 35 and no stranger to pitching under pressure. In Japan, he made 10 postseason appearances without yielding a run and is the career saves leader in Japanese baseball with 260. Though his fastball only hits the mid-80s, it comes behind a changeup that barely exceeds the speed limit, which makes his fastball seem a lot faster. He's also a savvy veteran with movement on his pitches and the know-how to get hitters out. "You don't save [that many] games just because," Guillen said. "You're good." Takatsu is still waiting for the chance to save his first major-league game. He might not have to wait much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpy2121 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Takatsu is still waiting for the chance to save his first major-league game. He might not have to wait much longer. SHINGO!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Hopefully Shingo will be the closer and keep extending that scoreless streak.. Damaso Marte is regarded as the closer of the future Didn't even know that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxin' Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The avatar says it all....GO SHINGO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandwhite Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 who closes once Shingo fails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 who closes once Shingo fails? SHINGO will not fail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The fact is that Koch has failed. You can't be afraid to put Shingo in there. If he fails, we are no worse off than we are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 who closes once Shingo fails? Shingo will not fail -- The line then falls to AAA Santiago, Majewski, then even Bajenaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The fact is that Koch has failed. You can't be afraid to put Shingo in there. If he fails, we are no worse off than we are now. I couldn't have said it better myself, YASNY. By the way, where do you find those fantastic retro photos that constantly appear in your sig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I couldn't have said it better myself, YASNY. By the way, where do you find those fantastic retro photos that constantly appear in your sig? That's the only one I have. My last sig was a baseball card. This is off of a wall plaque I bought for one of my kids years ago. I don't even remember where I got the plaque. I just scanned it and shrunk the image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? Middle relief. 6th or 7th inning man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? Same role he had last year after JM demoted him. Occupy roster spot. Pitch in blow outs. That's about all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Seldomly Used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippedoutpunk Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? His role will be to teach our minor league pitchers how NOT to pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? Jock strap washer. Instead of handing him the ball, Oz will hand Botch a brush & a bucket of soapy water & tell him "her jew go billy, we got sum smelly ones down dere". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Jock strap washer. Instead of handing him the ball, Oz will hand Botch a brush & a bucket of soapy water & tell him "her jew go billy, we got sum smelly ones down dere". I'd happily do that job for 6 million bucks ..But, seriously guys. Unless we trade him we have to do somethin with him. He's makin too much money to just ride the pine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I'd happily do that job for 6 million bucks ..But, seriously guys. Unless we trade him we have to do somethin with him. He's makin too much money to just ride the pine. I dont care how much money he's making. If he's hurting the team he needs to sit & thats the end of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 All I can say is that I'm glad we've got that option on Shingo for next season. I know most ppl want Shingo to become the new closer, but I'm in the minority that want Marte to given the next chance. My reasoning behind this is that Shingo has pitched fantastically well as a set - up man, and we should keep a good thing goin. If Marte gets goin as a closer, we hav a dominant 8th 9th inning set up. If Shingo blows up as the closer and his confidence is shot, he mite not go back to bein the dominant set - up man he is rite now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 All I can say is that I'm glad we've got that option on Shingo for next season. I know most ppl want Shingo to become the new closer, but I'm in the minority that want Marte to given the next chance. My reasoning behind this is that Shingo has pitched fantastically well as a set - up man, and we should keep a good thing goin. If Marte gets goin as a closer, we hav a dominant 8th 9th inning set up. If Shingo blows up as the closer and his confidence is shot, he mite not go back to bein the dominant set - up man he is rite now. Shingo knows how to close games already. He knows the mind set you have to have to be a successful closer. Sure, it was in Japan. But it was still closing games. Marte has a better chance of failing as a closer because he hasn't been an established closer. In fact, last year, Tom Gordon kind of just took the closer spot after Koch lost it. Both Marte and Gordon had the opportunity to step up and grab the spot. Gordon did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 What happens to Koch when Shingo is named the closer? What do you guys think is role will be? Koch should pitch in the 7th inning, ahead of Marte and Politte. If he can't get outs in this role, or grumbles at all about losing his closer's role, release him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The fact is that Koch has failed. You can't be afraid to put Shingo in there. If he fails, we are no worse off than we are now. I believe once Koch is removed from the roll, his career as a closer is over. I do not see him regaining the confidence and intimidation, to be a closer again. I am certain that is why Ozzie has been slow in making a switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I believe once Koch is removed from the roll, his career as a closer is over. I do not see him regaining the confidence and intimidation, to be a closer again. I am certain that is why Ozzie has been slow in making a switch. Intimidation?!?! HOLY s***!!! Now thats some funny s***!!! Billy Botch would have trouble intimidating a pee wee leauge let alone MLB batters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 let koch pitch in blowouts. maybe he can refine his command and regain his confidence. But it's silly to let him ruin another season. STOP THE MADNESS! No more Koch in the ninth inning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 who closes once Shingo fails? Negative. Shingo is Mr. Zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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