i don't necessarily like ozzie as a manager, but...

[Magnetic Curses]

i heard him on the radio talking about Thome batting 3rd, he mentioned that he DOES strike out a lot, but he WALKS a lot, too.

 

mike north actually sounded like an informed sportstalkin' guy while discussing this. wow, chcago radio personalities talking about the benefit of WALKING? what has the world come to. the only other mention of OBP that i've ever heard on the score is when murph had steve goldman on.

 

i don't think that ozzie is an upgrade to baker, really, but at least he recognizes who to hit and where.

[Mark_R]

Couldn't he nullify that by placing Juan Uribe second in the order? .327 is his high OBP.

 

Unless he just wants hiim to bunt scotty pods over all the time.

[wolf stansson]

Uribe is batting 2nd as of now he said. Apparently the theory is to pu Uribe there in hopes of him embracing his new role and being more selective. Then Tad Iguchi's power numbers will go up in his new run creating role. I don't necessarily think this is a terrible move, because if Uribe sucks they can always switch he and Iguchi up again.

[RationalSoxFan]

It's just an experiment with Uribe for now...there's really no one on the time who can slide into the 2 hole and provide a solid OBP. They hope they can get Uribe to be as selective as possible. Iguchi has more power potential and can produce a little more consistency in the 6-7 hole.

[SouthSideRyan]

I just don't understand why you move a guy with the same power potential as Iguchi into the 2 hole when his obp is horrific.

[Mark Priors Calves]

why does Iguchi have power potential? Just because Hawk Harrelson says it, doesn't make it so.

[RationalSoxFan]

His last four years in Japan he hit 30, 18, 24, and 27 home runs. Moving him down in the line up would theoretically give him more RBI opportunities and he won't have to worry about anyone on base stealing.

[1908]

His last four years in Japan he hit 30, 18, 24, and 27 home runs.

It's actually 30, 18, 27, and 24. Roughly equivalent to 21, 13, 19, and 18 home runs in MLB ball if you put any stock in Jim Albright's conversion method, and right in line with Uribe's power potential.

[wolf stansson]

I think it's just a Uribe experiment. They know Tad will do what he does anywhere but are trying to maximize Uribe's performance. Maybe the change in order will change his philosophy.