Random Baseball Musings

[Clem Fandango]

http://www.cubby-blue.com/.a/6a00d83451fe4669e201b8d0779811970c-800wi

 

FWIW, this came from a Cubs illustration blog called Cubby Blue where the author makes a lot of really nice illustrations that are predominantly Cubs related. No real analysis or anything, just some fun browsing.

[UMFan83]

One of the 16 @MLB franchises that existed in 1903 has been in every World Series. Because the Giants now face Cards in NLCS, same for 2014.

[George Hayduke]

One of the 16 @MLB franchises that existed in 1903 has been in every World Series. Because the Giants now face Cards in NLCS, same for 2014.

I had to read that like 4 times to get what it was saying. My brain kept trying to interpret it as, one specific team has been in every WS since 1903.

[SouthSideRyan]

One of the 16 @MLB franchises that existed in 1903 has been in every World Series. Because the Giants now face Cards in NLCS, same for 2014.

I had to read that like 4 times to get what it was saying. My brain kept trying to interpret it as, one specific team has been in every WS since 1903.

 

Right, the Cardinals.

[Wilson A2000]

David Eckstein was interviewed on ESPN Radio yesterday. Said Scoscia is a great manager even though he plays small ball. Bunting might be anti-sabermetric, but it builds team confidence and team unity he said because you can see people sacrificing for the team. It's an unquantifiable managerial decision that sabermetrics overlooks. That's why Scoscia's great.

 

Stupid baseball decisions build team unity?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Bunting really isn't that bad.

[MWV]

It's what smart managers do to win ballgames.

[jersey cubs fan]

it's awful

[sneakypower]

Joe Maddon attempted the most non-pitcher sacrifice bunts this year; there might actually be something to it

[Cubswin11]

Joe Maddon attempted the most non-pitcher sacrifice bunts this year; there might actually be something to it

And they won 77 games

[sneakypower]

Joe Maddon attempted the most non-pitcher sacrifice bunts this year; there might actually be something to it

And they won 77 games

would have only won 18 without all the bunting, though

[Wilson A2000]

Eckstein said his brother works for the Angels as an envoy between the stats geeks and Scioscia to help Scioscia understand how advanced metrics relate to in-game strategy. Do most teams have a guy like this or does the GM do it? What about the Cubs?

[Guest]

I imagine that's a small part of Brandon Hyde's role, since he moved from the front office to the dugout. But it's probably far less of a deal because the front office actually got to vet and hire the manager instead of inheriting one who had been around for 10+ years.

[DiamondMind]

There's nothing wrong at all with bunting in the right context. But there's also terrible bunts - like that 3-1 count that Kalhoun bunted on in the ALDS. Why does it have to be a black and white thing...? Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

bunting is for pitchers

[DiamondMind]

I just find the grit vs sabr stuff really silly - there's truth in both sides.

[jersey cubs fan]

I just find the grit vs sabr stuff really silly - there's truth in both sides.

 

no

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I just find the grit vs sabr stuff really silly - there's truth in both sides.

 

Don't be that guy.

[Guest]

I just find the grit vs sabr stuff really silly - there's truth in both sides.

 

math is truth. numbers are truth. gut feeling nonsense is not. when it works, it's because a lot of times it works.

 

it's not like numbers never say bunting or stealing or what have you is the right play.

[DiamondMind]

Trust me I'm not Eckstein or Kirk Gibson. But I don't TOTALLY dismiss it either. Baseball is a super mental game, the most of any major sport.

[DiamondMind]

Don't be that guy.

 

I'm already on the cross for Seinfeld....what more respect can I lose on this board? lol. I swear I'm not THAT crazy.

[Guest]

Trust me I'm not Eckstein or Kirk Gibson. But I don't TOTALLY dismiss it either. Baseball is a super mental game, the most of any major sport.

 

You don't totally dismiss what?

[DiamondMind]

That things in baseball aren't 100% right or wrong - or always quantifiable

[Guest]

That things in baseball aren't 100% right or wrong - or always quantifiable

 

With respect to every decision made, there are good ones and bad ones (and relatively inconsequential ones). Numbers and probabilities are our best bet at figuring out which ones are which. What the hell else is there?

[DiamondMind]

I like bunting and stolen bases sometimes, that's all. Don't kill me. :beg: