There is a difference between having power and having more power than Jerry Owens.

 

There's also a difference between having no power and having a little power. That is the difference between Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson.

There's also a difference between having no power and having a little power. That is the difference between Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson.

 

I think this argument is flawed. Jerry Owens has almost zero baseball intelligence. However, Brian Anderson had the job handed to him in 2006 and admitted to being unprepared. Yet he still had time to enjoy the Chicago nightlife.

I think this argument is flawed. Jerry Owens has almost zero baseball intelligence. However, Brian Anderson had the job handed to him in 2006 and admitted to being unprepared. Yet he still had time to enjoy the Chicago nightlife.

I will never understand why fans expect a young 20-something ballplayer to not have a life.

I will never understand why fans expect a young 20-something ballplayer to not have a life.

 

If you aren't ready on the field, it doesn't look go to be putting more work into your social life. It has nothing to do with having a life, its about doing your job first, then having a life.

I will never understand why fans expect a young 20-something ballplayer to not have a life.

He leaves USCF, has neighborhood ladies over to his apt. for their weekly knitting circle, watches Lawrence Welk, and is in bed by 8pm.

If you aren't ready on the field, it doesn't look go to be putting more work into your social life. It has nothing to do with having a life, its about doing your job first, then having a life.

It's got nothing to do with his preparation. It's romantic to think these young players are taking batting practice at 8 pm Saturday night, but it's not happening.

I think this argument is flawed. Jerry Owens has almost zero baseball intelligence. However, Brian Anderson had the job handed to him in 2006 and admitted to being unprepared. Yet he still had time to enjoy the Chicago nightlife.

Where does the statement that JO has zero baseball intelligence come from? I could expect someone to say that about Anderson, but why Owens?

It's got nothing to do with his preparation. It's romantic to think these young players are taking batting practice at 8 pm Saturday night, but it's not happening.

 

Funny at 8pm on a Saturday night, I would expect him to be on a baseball field most of the time.

Funny at 8pm on a Saturday night, I would expect him to be on a baseball field most of the time.

 

Anders-OWNED!

Funny at 8pm on a Saturday night, I would expect him to be on a baseball field most of the time.

Fair enough, I'm thinking in spring training mode now. But the point stands.

Where does the statement that JO has zero baseball intelligence come from? I could expect someone to say that about Anderson, but why Owens?

 

"Zero" might be a stretch. But he is new to baseball and seems to have a lot of Brain farts that most players not named Carlos Lee would have. For example, I remember a game last year where J.O. picked up a single in CF kept bluffing a throw to 3B, while the runner at 2B kept faking a run. Even Hawk said J.O. needs to get the ball in as quick as possible. This should be baseball 101.

Fair enough, I'm thinking in spring training mode now. But the point stands.

 

If it were just a little thing, it wouldn't be a problem. Kenny Williams, more than anyone else on the planet, wants Anderson to succeed to pad his ego, and shut up the Chris Young talk. They wouldn't just make stuff up when it is in their best interests for Anderson to be their CF. I can't see how anyone would think otherwise.

Except that Brian Anderson does have power. In fact, his major league slugging percentage is much higher than Owens' slugging and it's almost higher than his minor league slugging percentage too. And he's a .220 career major league hitter.

 

If he can hit about .250, he'd slug .400 and that's a pretty damn good 4th outfielder. It's not a stretch to see him hit .250. Add to it that he's better defensively and actually has the talent to still develop into a starter, and I too would prefer Anderson on the bench over Owens.

 

But I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Owens either.

 

I agree with your analysis that BA does have power. Owens is the punch and judy hitter with speed of the two. Speed is a good thing mind you, but I would guess BA could steal 15-20 bases a year. Owens of course could hit 60 plus in SB, but he is the one with no power.

You don't think he could win a job with a great spring?

No. Where does he fit in the lineup? Putting him in CF means Swisher is probably the leadoff man. And that doesn't make much sense since he's a run producer. Plus I think everyone is sick of his mouth. I know I am.

If it were just a little thing, it wouldn't be a problem. Kenny Williams, more than anyone else on the planet, wants Anderson to succeed to pad his ego, and shut up the Chris Young talk. They wouldn't just make stuff up when it is in their best interests for Anderson to be their CF. I can't see how anyone would think otherwise.

There are a lot more explanations than that. I don't know which one is the truth. All I know about THIS is that...Anderson enjoyed going out at night. Who the f*** doesn't?

 

If he was coming into team meetings drunk or missed practice with hangovers, that would be something. Just noting that he wasn't at home every evening? Good for him.

"The effects of signing Grinderstad continue..."

 

Without question, the Sox have dealt Brian Anderson a raw deal. In '06, he finally started coming around with the bat then Ozzie benches him. In '07 spring training, they couldn't wait to put Darin Erstad in CF over Brian despite the fact Brian hit very well. Yes, Brian's attitude is a bit of a problem but his CF defense hasn't or wasn't ever a problem.

 

Brian could hit 1.000 in ST and Ozzie/KW will still start Owens. I just don't get it.

Edited March 2, 200818 yr by Allsox

"The effects of signing Grinderstad continue..."

 

Without question, the Sox have dealt Brian Anderson a raw deal. In '06, he finally started coming around with the bat then Ozzie benches him. In '07 spring training, they couldn't wait to put Darin Erstad in CF over Brian despite the fact Brian hit very well. Yes, Brian's attitude is a bit of a problem but his CF defense hasn't or wasn't ever a problem.

 

Brian could hit 1.000 in ST and Ozzie/KW will still start Owens. I just don't get it.

How about Owens has proven a better hitter in the MLB and this spring training. I dont know how much more clearer it can get.

How about Owens has proven a better hitter in the MLB and this spring training. I dont know how much more clearer it can get.

27 combined AB

I never thought Jerry Owens versus Brian Anderson would be such a divisive issue. Its like getting to spin the wheel of torture to chose your own death. In the big picture, neither are really that good at what is important ... playing baseball.

How about Owens has proven a better hitter in the MLB and this spring training. I dont know how much more clearer it can get.

 

A .324 OBP is terrible for a leadoff hitter, which is what Owens is expected to be. Plus, his defense is just meh with no arm to speak of.

27 combined AB

 

Ya, and if you add in their career major league numbers on top of it.

Edited March 2, 200818 yr by SEALgep

A .324 OBP is terrible for a leadoff hitter, which is what Owens is expected to be. Plus, his defense is just meh with no arm to speak of.

 

I'm not all pro Owens, but his minor league numbers suggests his potential is better than this. Whether it happens next year or not is yet to be determined, but if I were to bet on who would produce a better OBP, I would be laying it on Owens.

I say trade him if possible. I'd rather have Owens as a 4th outfielder mainly because he has a lot more speed than Anderson does.

I say trade him if possible. I'd rather have Owens as a 4th outfielder mainly because he has a lot more speed than Anderson does.

 

Exactly, we shouldn't be debating the better player, but rather the better fit.

27 combined AB

Ah yes pick out the smaller sample size while completely ignoring the more relevant MLB service time.