Base Clogging version 2.0

[Jon]

Cubs.com[/url]"]Do the Cubs need to improve their on-base percentage next year? They currently rank last in the National League with a .318 OBP.

 

"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me. The problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem."

 

The Cubs have been outslugged at home, 101-58.

 

"We have to address power and we have to address pitching," Baker said. "Is [Mark] Prior going to be back? Who's going to be here? Who's going to be themselves? We built this team when the season started on who's available. Our pitching's been injured."

 

That's an understatement. The Cubs have had 13 players on the disabled list this year; the team high is 16, set in 2002. The most stints on the DL by a Cubs team in a season was 17 in 1999 and 2002. They've now topped that, using the DL 18 times.

 

The injuries have forced the Cubs to call up young players from the organization. The Cubs have used 41 players this season, including 19 who have made their Cubs debut.

 

"I've always said since I started managing that I'd like to have a team full of young guys and young players who you can teach to play the game the right way," Baker said.

 

Be careful what you wish for.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yay, it was in my sig a second before you posted!

[Bruce Miles]

What took you guys so long to find this one?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

"On base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on base percentage.....the problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem"

 

If it weren't for my horse, if it weren't for my horse...

[Jon]

What took you guys so long to find this one?

I've cut my base clogging related google news searches down to every other week.

 

When was it said/when did the IQs of everyone in that room lower?

[dalgreen]

Okay, maybe my hatred of Baker doesn't keep me from misreading things... or maybe it does. But I read that quote as saying OBP means nothing if you can't score runs. And his "clogging bases" meant leaving runners on base and not bringing guys home. Did I misread something?

[Bruce Miles]

What took you guys so long to find this one?

I've cut my base clogging related google news searches down to every other week.

 

When was it said/when did the IQs of everyone in that room lower?

 

Actually, I'm off today as I get ready for the road trip and to send a kid off to college for her senior year. But I will weigh in on the subject in the next few days. It's probably a good thing I wasn't in that room today.

[Drew Doughty]

"On base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on base percentage.....the problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem"

 

If it weren't for my horse, if it weren't for my horse...

 

you wouldn't have spent that extra year in college.

 

Anyways, he sort of has a half point. I mean, it's a dumb, convoluted point that's cluttered with nonsense, but we do have a severe lack of power.

[Bruce Miles]

Okay, maybe my hatred of Baker doesn't keep me from misreading things... or maybe it does. But I read that quote as saying OBP means nothing if you can't score runs. And his "clogging bases" meant leaving runners on base and not bringing guys home. Did I misread something?

 

Nah, he really believes that if a lot of slow guys walk, it clogs the bases for guys who can run. He stated that in the spring of 2004 in response to a question by me. Maybe we can get the NL to go back to all Astro-Turf fields and 385-foot power alleys.

[Guest]

I agree that half his point is correct. The Cubs also need to address getting additional power into the lineup and more consistency on the mound.

 

But the other half is asinine.

[USSoccer]

He does have a point-we lack SLG%. He just said it in the stupidest way possible-by understating the importance of OBP.

[Bruce Miles]

I agree that half his point is correct. The Cubs also need to address getting additional power into the lineup and more consistency on the mound.

 

But the other half is asinine.

 

You're right, Tim. Dusty is accurate on the power point. A homer can unclog those bases, too.

 

The other point? Geesh.

[Jon]

What took you guys so long to find this one?

I've cut my base clogging related google news searches down to every other week.

 

When was it said/when did the IQs of everyone in that room lower?

 

Actually, I'm off today as I get ready for the road trip and to send a kid off to college for her senior year. But I will weigh in on the subject in the next few days. It's probably a good thing I wasn't in that room today.

We'll be waiting. And congrats.

 

Okay, maybe my hatred of Baker doesn't keep me from misreading things... or maybe it does. But I read that quote as saying OBP means nothing if you can't score runs. And his "clogging bases" meant leaving runners on base and not bringing guys home. Did I misread something?

It shows that Dusty still doesn't understand that OBP is a means to scoring runs, just like hitting for power. The clogging comment is in reference to his previous base clogging comment, in which he said walks by slow guys are not valuable/actually detrimental since they can't run:

 

"I think walks are overrated unless you can run. If you get a walk and put the pitcher in a stretch, that helps, but the guy who walks and can’t run, most of the time he’s clogging up the bases for somebody who can run."

 

Dusty still hates guys taking walks, and still hates when his pitchers walks opposing batters because it leads to runs...or something.

[goonys evil twin]

Simply put, more baserunners means more runs. Dusty doesn't think that's true. Dusty thinks baserunners can be a negative. There's no way to spin this. Dusty doesn't like guys getting on base. He likes power, and he likes runners, but getting on base, in and of itself, does nothing for Dusty. And it shows in the pathetic results the Cubs have put up under his watch.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

The Cubs are playing in a ballpark which should suit them great in this era of baseball. Yet, they think they should build a team on speed and defense. Wrigley has a very small outfield with the exception of the lines. The Cubs should be out there pusuing pitchers who sink the ball and batters who get on base and hit long balls (that's the only part Baker has somewhat correct). The Cubs do need to increase their power, but it does no good if no one is on base in front of those power hitters. It's amazing how this concept continues to elude this club. How is this so difficult to comprehend ?

 

They seemed to be on the verge of getting this in '03 with Lofton and Grudzielanek getting on base at a .390 rate. Then, followed with Sosa, Alou, and Ramirez. Instead of being proactive, they've plugged holes. The only guy they've signed in the past 3 years to fit correct approach is Walker. And, they've started to grow Murton into a very servicable player.

[Mizzou]

Oh Good God.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Oooh boy. I'm speechless in regards to this quote...or maybe I've just become desensitized.

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs are playing in a ballpark which should suit them great in this era of baseball. Yet, they think they should build a team on speed and defense. Wrigley has a very small outfield with the exception of the lines. The Cubs should be out there pusuing pitchers who sink the ball and batters who get on base and hit long balls (that's the only part Baker has somewhat correct). The Cubs do need to increase their power, but it does no good if no one is on base in front of those power hitters. It's amazing how this concept continues to elude this club. How is this so difficult to comprehend ?

 

They seemed to be on the verge of getting this in '03 with Lofton and Grudzielanek getting on base at a .390 rate. Then, followed with Sosa, Alou, and Ramirez. Instead of being proactive, they've plugged holes. The only guy they've signed in the past 3 years to fit correct approach is Walker. And, they've started to grow Murton into a very servicable player.

 

The Cubs were the 2nd highest slugging team in the leage in both 2004 and 2005, yet they were only middle of the road or worse in runs scored, because of their lack of baserunners. It is so blatantly obvious what the problem is. Everybody can see it. But some just refuse to admit it.

 

 

And some wonder why people are rude to the ignorant non-believers.

[Rob]

It's so depressing that this didn't shock me into a sense of outrage and disbelief...

[dalgreen]

The Cubs are playing in a ballpark which should suit them great in this era of baseball. Yet, they think they should build a team on speed and defense. Wrigley has a very small outfield with the exception of the lines. The Cubs should be out there pusuing pitchers who sink the ball and batters who get on base and hit long balls (that's the only part Baker has somewhat correct). The Cubs do need to increase their power, but it does no good if no one is on base in front of those power hitters. It's amazing how this concept continues to elude this club. How is this so difficult to comprehend ?

 

They seemed to be on the verge of getting this in '03 with Lofton and Grudzielanek getting on base at a .390 rate. Then, followed with Sosa, Alou, and Ramirez. Instead of being proactive, they've plugged holes. The only guy they've signed in the past 3 years to fit correct approach is Walker. And, they've started to grow Murton into a very servicable player.

 

The Cubs were the 2nd highest slugging team in the leage in both 2004 and 2005, yet they were only middle of the road or worse in runs scored, because of their lack of baserunners. It is so blatantly obvious what the problem is. Everybody can see it. But some just refuse to admit it.

 

 

And some wonder why people are rude to the ignorant non-believers.

 

There are people on here who don't believe in the importance of OBP? :shock:

[stitchface]

how can this guy be making $4 million a year? its incomprehensible.

[stitchface]

ignorant non-believers

 

I think they prefer the term "dinosaurs"

[goonys evil twin]

There are people on here who don't believe in the importance of OBP? :shock:

 

On this site? I don't know, probably, if you just think of the percentages. But I know there are people on here that don't think increasing OBP should be a priority.

[dalgreen]

how can this guy be making $4 million a year? its incomprehensible.

 

Come on, you know Hendry's m.o of overpaying for mediocrity isn't just confined to players. I can't wait to see Pierre's contract next year.... better yet, yes I can wait.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

how can this guy be making $4 million a year? its incomprehensible.

 

Well, when you bid against yourself, this is possible. Hendry is developing quite the reputation for this. I'm sure those skills will be put to use this offseason. If I were Freddie Gonzalez, I might as for $7 million/yr to manage the Cubs because I might just get it...