I Like This: Piniella Wants Pitchers to Throw Strikes!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Courtesy of Bruce Miles.

 

Link.

 

“What we ask more than anything else is concentrate on throwing strikes,” Piniella said. “It gives me an idea, too, of watching them, who I feel can get the ball over the plate and how ready they are to pitch in games. It’s an important function of spring training, although, really, it’s a little boring.”

 

“Look, I like to win, and I know that when you don’t get the ball over the plate and you walk people and you’re pitching behind in the count, it makes it much tougher,” he said. “One good way to describe me is don’t assume what you see. I wouldn’t believe some of the things you read about me. I’d rather be judged on what you see rather than what you’ve read or what you heard in the past.”

 

[RichHillIsABeast]

This approach should really help Zambrano, who has phenomenal stuff, but tends to waste a lot of pitches not being near the strike zone.

[baseball7897]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

[wade]

Now get the hitters to swing at strikes and we're set!

[Balsa]

As our pitching staff that gave up the most walks last year in the entire MLB, an astounding 687 free trips to first, I am VERY glad to hear this.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

[goonys evil twin]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

And a GM who cares about walks.

[CuseCubFan69]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

And a GM who cares about walks.

 

I'm hoping Lou can help him see the light regarding that. I think Hendry repects him and hopefully this will be the start of a beautiful friendship.

[baseball7897]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

[CuseCubFan69]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

You have to be able to locate your pitches too. A strike is nice but getting too much plate in MLB will kill you. I hope the Cubs try to buy some of those umps the Braves had for years.

[Chocolate Milk]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

[erik316wttn]

Not to dump on anything Bruce wrote, but who DOESN'T want their pitchers to throw strikes?

 

If this means more going after the hitters and less nibbling at the corners though, I'm all for it.

[baseball7897]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

[Chocolate Milk]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

[CuseCubFan69]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

 

Guys...please discuss what you feel about this subject and not take shots at each other? Thank you.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Dusty didn't enforce anything.

[baseball7897]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

 

If you don't throw strikes, locate your pitches, change speeds, and change the eye level of the hitter, you will NOT be pitching for any big league manager. Simple enough?

[Banedon]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

 

If you don't throw strikes, locate your pitches, change speeds, and change the eye level of the hitter, you will NOT be pitching for any big league manager. Simple enough?

 

It's simple in that it's not true. If what you're saying is true, there wouldn't be any bad pitchers in the majors, and that's just not the case.

[Chocolate Milk]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

 

If you don't throw strikes, locate your pitches, change speeds, and change the eye level of the hitter, you will NOT be pitching for any big league manager. Simple enough?

 

It's simple in that it's not true. If what you're saying is true, there wouldn't be any bad pitchers in the majors, and that's just not the case.

 

Last I checked, the Cubs lead MLB in walks last year and still have a pitching staff.

 

I don't know how anyone could argue that Lou putting an emphasis on throwing strikes isn't important after last year.

[Danny82]

no post, sorry

[baseball7897]

Im pretty sure every manager wants their pitchers to throw strikes consistently. It's not like this is a whole new strategy Lou is trying to work with. Though, I am happy to see Lou actually make these comments public.

 

There's a big difference between a manager who wants something and a manager who will enforce something.

 

Each manager enforces their pitchers to throw strikes. If they dont throw strikes, they wont be pitching for them anymore.

 

Huh?

 

You would be confused.

 

I'm often confused by nonsensical rambling.

 

If you don't throw strikes, locate your pitches, change speeds, and change the eye level of the hitter, you will NOT be pitching for any big league manager. Simple enough?

 

It's simple in that it's not true. If what you're saying is true, there wouldn't be any bad pitchers in the majors, and that's just not the case.

 

How is it not true? Each MLB pitcher had to show the abilities I said to get to where they're now. If they did not show those abilities, they would not be in the big leagues.

[goonys evil twin]

How is it not true? Each MLB pitcher had to show the abilities I said to get to where they're now. If they did not show those abilities, they would not be in the big leagues.

 

So there's nobody in the majors who struggles with control and walk guys?

[goonys evil twin]

Not to dump on anything Bruce wrote, but who DOESN'T want their pitchers to throw strikes?

 

If this means more going after the hitters and less nibbling at the corners though, I'm all for it.

 

Well, the results would seem to indicate that some sort of combination between the Hendry and Rothschild styles is to not focus all that closely on throwing strikes. Between those two guys, the Cubs have ammassed a pitching staff with record breaking ball throwing ability.

[baseball7897]

How is it not true? Each MLB pitcher had to show the abilities I said to get to where they're now. If they did not show those abilities, they would not be in the big leagues.

 

So there's nobody in the majors who struggles with control and walk guys?

 

I never said there was not pitchers who struggle from time to time with their command. But what seperates big league pitchers from the majority of minor league pitchers is the ability to change and locate their pitches consistently. Those who do not throw strikes consistently enough, will have a hard time getting to the big leagues.

Edited February 22, 2007 by baseball7897

[goonys evil twin]

How is it not true? Each MLB pitcher had to show the abilities I said to get to where they're now. If they did not show those abilities, they would not be in the big leagues.

 

So there's nobody in the majors who struggles with control and walk guys?

 

I never said there was not pitchers who struggle from time to time with their command. But what sperates big league pitchers from the majority of minor league pitchers is the ability to change and locate their pitches consistently. Those who do not throw strikes consistently enough, will have a hard time getting to the big leagues.

 

And yet there are plenty of big league pitchers who struggle with all of that, and a lot more often than "time to time".