SouthSideRyan

That's the point, you gotta take Thomas's defense to get his offense. You have to take Mink's "offense" to get his defense. Just because teams don't evaluate pitcher's offense doesn't mean it doesn't have an effect.

they were 16 games over .500 in one-run games too? you're being intentionally dense. if you have a team with a good run differential and good execution of fundamental play, you probably have a WS contender. i can't believe this is so controversial, but the groupthink evident in this thread is that the 2nd aspect is simply BS. it's really a bizarre bias. I'm being intentionally dense???? The '03 Tigers were one of the worst teams EVER. Yet they managed to perform above 500 in 1 run games. 19-18 in 1 run games. 24-101 in non 1-run games. You don't see what I'm getting at here? You have one of the worst teams in baseball history, yet according to your definition of what wins 1 run games, they were a fundamentally sound worst team in baseball. Imagine how many losses they'd have if they weren't fundamentally sound? They may have only won single digit games!

They were 35-19 in 1-run games and outproduced their expected W-L by 8 games. That indicates to me they excelled at fundamental play and situational hitting (and featured a strong bullpen). I believe the '03 Tigers had a winning record in 1 run games. Yep 19-18 in 1 run games, despite an overall 43-119 record.

This is true, if you just left the lineup card blank in the 1 spot and took an out every time that spot came up it would hurt the team. You forgot about my mother's basement!!

Because a HR is the best possible outcome of any at bat. You don't sacrifice everything for power, but, given the choice between 8 HR hitters and 8 IF single hitters, I don't think the choice is difficult. ...

Jacque Jones was acquired by Dave Dombrowski and Crisp would be acquired by Jim Hendry.

Never said that. And I'll give it until the end of June until Bruce is up. Rumor has it Dusty has wanted Bruce up since spring training, but Krivsky wouldn't allow it. Damn Dusty. Yeah that makes perfect sense and is right in line with Dusty's history.

Crisp doesn't even play 2B.

Corey Patterson still your starting CF. But he's turned around his career, I forgot

Marty Brennamen is dumber than Dusty Baker.

If Rich Hill gives up more than 3 runs, he'll be sent to extended Spring Training.

This is good, cause it keeps him as the starter.

I personally thought it'd be funny if Dusty never won at Wrigley again.

This inning is the reason Volquez is having Tommy John Surgery in 2 years.

I can't wait to see what Blanco does next.

Just call me butter.

It could just be one of those patented Dusty lets the pitcher hit, then inexplicably pulls him moves.

If they kept hiring guys like Dusty, it'd be a good idea.

I'm glad Lilly's got his spot locked up.

I don't know how to put into words how awesome it is that Bako is their starting catcher.

The sad thing is, he once was a really patient and selective hitter in the minors. Dusty was actually quoted in ST about how he had to be more aggressive too. The only way this would be better would be if it happened to a team I truly hated. The Reds were always so blah, I mean who cares that he's ruining their franchise? Sure they're in our division, but it woulda been cooler if it was some team whose demise I could really revel in.

I'm fine with it. His shortcomings were the result of his own decision making. He also refused to accept any responsibility for bad things and expected nothing but praise for the good. That's different from booing a guy for the specific reason that he's just not a good baseball player. Agreed on all counts. Though, I think I booed Bynum during a game in '06 when he made 4 errors. He may not have been charged for them, but he should've. Jacque Jones was in RF laughing at him. Not to go on forever about booing, but the Bynum thing is bad baseball, and it makes sense to boo that. What I find most odd is booing a guy returning to the team a couple years after he was last on the team and playing poorly. And on another booing note, Philly fans hate Bruntlet. He's filling in for an injured all-star and they are brutal to him. The next time somebody whines about mistreating Theriot, point them that way. He'd do well in one at bat and they'd still kill him. Utley throws the ball away and they were all over Bruntlet. I kept saying, "that was Utley." But they didn't care. I felt awful for Latroy Hawkins in his first series back at Wrigley with the Giants. Not only was he booed all 3 games as he came in. He also played a direct role in them blowing a lead in all 3 games. All this from the fans of the team he grew up rooting for.

Homer Bailey is well on his way to no longer being a prospect.

I'm fine with it. His shortcomings were the result of his own decision making. He also refused to accept any responsibility for bad things and expected nothing but praise for the good. That's different from booing a guy for the specific reason that he's just not a good baseball player. Agreed on all counts. Though, I think I booed Bynum during a game in '06 when he made 4 errors. He may not have been charged for them, but he should've. Jacque Jones was in RF laughing at him.

I hope it remains a hole all year and they don't fill it with someone else, let's call him Bray Juice. Although, I guess Lenny Kofton makes too much sense. I could approve of that.