jaxxradio

Raisin, you bring up a good question.. okay, let me break down this situation even more. Let's say there is a right-handed hitter up with a runner at second and less than two outs. There are some people that would say get a hit and without doubt that is the ultimate goal, but that batter had better not pull the ball to the left-side unless he is 100% sure he can get a hit. Otherwise there is a better than average chance that you got two outs and the runner stays at second. Most managers, coaches and every other decision maker in this game will tell that batter to try and hit the ball to the right side. If the batter is successful in getting a hit, it's all good. If the batter grounds out or hits a fly ball deep enough to move the runner up, the runner goes to third base where a wild pitch, passed ball or a hit drives him in. The batter goes into the dugout knowing he has done his job. Stitch.. we are in complete agreement that a hit is much better in this situation, but moving the runner over even if the batter makes an out is a good thing as long as it wasn't an inning ending out.

kc, I don't see how you guys can read those numbers without getting a migraine.. lol The next time you go to Wrigley or any other stadium, I want you to watch the bench's reaction when a batter moves a runner from second to third with a groundball to the right side of the infield or a long flyout. Chances are, the batter gets a pat on the back from his manager and a high five or two from his teammates for getting the runner over (as long as it's not an inning ending out). It's interesting to see everyone's perspective on this. Since this discussion began, I have made it a point to ask other coaches, managers, scouts and broadcasters about moving the runners over like the example I just gave. Everybody I have talked to said that the batter did his job and would be commended.

Stitch, I couldn't field a team of all "over achievers" and win a World Series, much like you couldn't field a team of loafers that put up good numbers and win a World Series. Although if you go back to 1988, the Dodgers didn't have alot of talent offensively other than Gibson and they smoked a more superior Oakland team. There are plenty of guys out there that play the game hard and put up solid numbers. All I am saying is that I can do without the guys that don't play this game (or any other professional sport) hard. USSoccer, I didn't talk down to you at all. You're the one who asked why Jones can't keep from spiking EVERY THROW from right field (go back to one of your last responses). That's why I asked if you watched every inning of every game. I'm not damning Ramirez at all. I think he has developed into a very good player. I'm just saying that I'd like to see the guy play the game a little harder. Your opinion of the coaching staff is quite fascinating. If the coaching staff in the entire Cubs organization is "clueless and incompetent", please explain to me why the Cubs are consistently among the top ten minor league farm systems in all of baseball? If I had to choose between Jones and Ramirez, I'm going to take Ramirez everyday of the week because of what he can do for me at third base and because we have a guy in Felix Pie that can move up and play the outfield. Now, if you ask me who I would rather have at third base Ramirez or Scott Rolen, I'll gladly take Rolen, his Gold Glove and his work ethic. It would be an upgrade. I am curious USSoccer, what do you think a team needs in order to win a championship? How much does pitching fall into your equation? Do you feel you need to have solid defense to win? I'm curious to hear your opinion as well as everyone else's.

I hope the internet is working too.. for my sake.. lol

kc, I meant team.. not player on the amount of times a runner moves up and it does matter. In fact, it's huge because moving a guy into scoring position dramatically improves the odds of scoring on a hit, wild pitch, sac fly, etc. I'm going to plead ignorance, but what kind of math are you using? I don't understand the numbers. I DO understand that if a player has put a runner into scoring position so the next guy up can drive him in, that player has done his job. We agree to disagree on chemistry.. but I will say that there is alot more communication on the baseball field than you think. I'd like to take in a game with you and some of the other folks on the website and see what everybody watches. I'm always fascinated by what people see when they watch a baseball game. US, dude if you want to ask all those questions then lets turn the tables. Have you seen every inning of every game this season? Has Jacque spiked EVERY throw from right into the ground? Has he been picked off EVERYTIME he strays from second base? If you want to be picky, I can do that. BTW, if you want my answers, I'll be glad to give them to you. How do I know Aramis isn't a hustler? From the MANY COACHES in the Cubs system that have told me so. No offense, but they know a hell of alot more than you do my friend. How do I know what kind of a person he is in the clubhouse? From the MANY PLAYERS I know that are in the clubhouse and oh, by the way, I'll know first-hand since I'll be up there to cover the team in mid-September. I'll send him your best. Was he terrific in 2003? Absolutely. We're the Cubs unlucky in post-season? Dude, they were LUCKY to have been in post-season that year to begin with. The plan (and there was a plan in place) was to have the Cubs get in the post-season in 2004. It got moved up one year because everyone was relatively healthy and alot of the breaks went the Cubs way.

KC, do me a favor.. from now to the end of the season, I want you to keep track of the amount of times a player moves a runner up one base without a sacrifice. You would be surprised how often it does occur. I've got a scorebook full of those situations. When the season ends, I am going to figure out the exact number.

Somehow I knew Manny's name would come up.. I suppose there are fans out there that believe when your as great a hitter as Manny is, it doesn't matter how much you hustle. As much as I love Manny (and believe me, as an Indians fan, I still miss his thunderous bat in the lineup), I wish he would hustle alot more. BTW, thanks for bringing up the 1997 World Series (I think that was the year you were talking about). Just when i thought I could let go.. why don't you just bring up Elway and the 98 yard drive or Jordan and the shot.. or Byner and the fumble..lol I still remember being in Cleveland for game 7 (even though the game was in Miami). Three outs and the city would have gone nuts

Let me make one thing perfectly clear.. I don't like guys that don't bust their butt. I am very old school when it comes to that. Is Aramis a better player than Jacque? Of course he is and there is no denying that. Aramis has improved his defense, hits the ball well and doesn't suck against lefties. Having said that, the one thing that hasn't been mentioned in this conversation is the intangibles of the player. What I mean by intangibles is this. What does the guy bring to the clubhouse? How much pride does the guy have in his job? Does he hustle? Is he willing to do the little things (move runners over, slide hard into second to try and breakup a double play, run out every grounder, etc.)? The intangibles are totally overlooked becuase this game has become more "stat oriented" in recent years. Is Aramis the better player? Absolutely. Is he the better influence in the clubhouse? No, he isn't. Guys that have great numbers but don't play the game hard are useless to me because they don't have a championship mentality. As much as I despise the Yankees, they win because they have guys that do the little things needed to be a champion. Derek Jeter is the best example of how a player should act both on the field and in the clubhouse. This game isn't a personal game, it is a team game. If you have 25 guys that play the game the way it's supposed to be played (hustle, 100% everyday, pick up your teammate when he screwed up, etc), I guarantee you that team will win alot more often than a team full of guys that are only in the game for themselves.

Jaxx lose 3-1.. Huntsville wins 1-0.. one more win and Huntsville wins the second half title.. Have Ii told you all how much I hate the 70 game half format.. a team BELOW .500 is going to go into the playoffs before the team with the second best record iin the division.

Jaxx down 2-0 going to the ninth.. Gallagher: 7IP 2R 2ER 5H 2W 9K 111 pitches great way to end the season..

Gallagher thru five: 1R 1ER 4H 0W 7K 67 pitches

Jaxx down 1-0 after four innings. I refuse to root against this team, so naturally I hope we sweep these guys and end the year on a good note. BTW, I hate the half season.. it is total BS

Scoreless thru two at Pringles Park. Gallagher looks good

Have I told you lately how much I hate our internet service provider?? :wall:

why doesn't that surprise me?? :wall:

Raisin, can you get the Jaxx game online??

Jake needs to learn another position if he wants to further his chances of making to the show. His bat is miles ahead of his D behind the plate.. by moving to RF (or at least learning the position), it gives him another option to speed up the process. He has the arm to play there.. not sure about the range since he hasn't been tested yet.

baseball is still an Olympic sport in 2008. That's why Baez is on the inactive list. Hopefully, he leads Puerto Rico to an Olympic berth.

i'd love to broadcast a game from Wrigley.. Lord knows we'd draw more people.. lol Seriously though, the Cubs almost had the Diamond Jaxx host games 3 and 4 of the Southern League Championship at Wrigley last fall.. that would have been a blast..

Jaxx drop their fourth straight game 4-2. The only hope for the Jaxx is to have Chattanooga win the second half.

I'm voting for Scott Moore. He has been the best player on the Diamond Jaxx squad this season. Jaxx down 4-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning.

Gallagher's fiinal line: 5 2/3IP 4R 4ER 8H 3W 8K 107 pitches he also surrendured a three run homer. He could lose the game as the Jaxx are down 4-2 entering the 7th inning.

Gallagher done. 5 2/3 innings of work four runs to this point (runner at second is his responsibility) eight hits three walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 107 pitches.

Gallagher gives up a three run homer to Michael Johnson.. 3-2 Mobile with two out in the fifth

bottom five in Mobile.. 2-0 Jaxx