I am hoping that I can get some opinions on this topic:
How does everyone feel about the recent incidents with hits batsmen? Ozzie Guillen stopped just short of declaring war on the rest of the American League. Youk finally had enough after being hit for the 10th time this season.
Have pitchers forgotten how to pitch inside? Or are hitters sitting so far over the plate, that anytime a pitcher tries to come inside, they have no choice but to hit the batter? Personally, I think it is a little bit of both.
Was Ozzie justified in his frustration?
Is there a dumber suspension in all of sports then a pitcher being suspended for 5 games? Really – what is the point?
Ginosays
I feel great about the hit batsmen. Pitchers haven’t necessarily forgotten how to pitch inside, they just learned how to hit the batter more consistently.
I agree with Ozzie more than with Youk. It’s been always known that pitchers will stand up for their team. While the brawl in baseball is commonly known as much ado about nothing. Out of all the brawls that have been, I can count the ones where something significant happened, like Nolan Ryan or even Pedro & Zim. Baseball has its way of conducting retaliations, and I’m all for that.
And no there is no dumber suspension than a pitcher getting suspended for 5 games, but what you gonna do.
Ginosays
And btw how come Biggio never rushed the mount? he had more chances than anybody else!!!
Great point about Biggio. He saw the advantage for his team in him being hit. You wanna give me the base? I’ll take it as long as it’s below the neck. Well, of course and away from the groin.
On the “getting hit by pitch” discussion: to the hitters, I say “take your lumps and run to 1st base. If you don’t want to get hit, then either get out of the way and/or don’t crowd the plate. Besides … you’ve got all that armor on anyway.” Charging the mound is bullcrap … this isn’t the NHL!!! Biggio didn’t charge the mound cuz he had class and was old school … he played the game the right way. Youk has a screw loose anyway … he’d charge his mother if she served a dish that was too hot. I like what Ozzie had to say for two reasons: he is letting people know that his pitchers will handle it which is the way it should be and, two, now ChiSox opponents have something to think about. Sometimes the head games are more effective than action on the field.
With regard to Joe Montana’s comments about ND settling for less than excellence on the gridiron, I definitely believe that’s the wrong way to think. If I want to be happy about going to the Rose Bowl once every 20 years, then I’ll become a Stanford fan. Sure, ND has some challenges in recruiting that most other teams don’t have … most notably, higher academic entrance standards and no juco transfers. BUT, ND has a demonstrated history of meeting those challenges head on and then some. How do you have one of the highest winning %’s of all time without getting a lot of talent?? How do you win 11 national chan’ships, plus another two dozen top 5 finishes, without great talent? Heck, ND can even recruit well when playing poorly … the class entering immediately after the 2007 3-9 season, was the highest rated class in the country that year. What ND has had trouble with in recent times is hiring great coaches … Davie and Willingham were duds … thus far, Weis is also a dud, but he has shown a penchant for recruiting. To summarize, ND has suffered on the field lately because they have hired mediocre coaches. College football is indeed a coach’s game because of the rapid roster turnover. Get a coach & staff who can 1) recruit AND 2) develop/motivate players AND 3) strategize the X’s and O’s, then you will win 80%+ of your games. But if you get coaches that only do one of those three things, then you’ll be Stanford … about .500 most years with a blip to 10-2 every 20th year. Charlie Weis has not yet proven he can hit the trifecta yet … he has only proven he can recruit. NDNation is reasonably expecting at least a 9-3 season, but with hopes for better. The talent is there and it is fairly mature … and the schedule is favorable. ND fans and administration should expect to go to a BCS game this year and next year, which essentially means you’re a top 12 team. Well … if that doesn’t happen, it simply means we don’t have the right coaching staff in place. So let’s get a new coach instead of settling for Stanford-type performance.
Crossword Petesays
I think we see where Montana is coming from when we read he line: He’s been friends with Weis since their undergraduate days.” Of course he’s going to think Weis is “OK at 8-4.” What good friend wouldn’t? I ditto Wally’s sentiments with one exception; I think Weis has hit 2 of 3 on “Wally’s trifecta”. The only one he can’t get a handle on is “develop/motivate players”. He just does not understand that he is dealing with kids. They need to be honed on the basics and hey need to be coddled into playing their best week-in and week-out. Because he fails at this component, his Xs and Os look weak, but in fact I believe they are solid. If his kids had the basic skills and the motivation to execute his game plan, they would be relevant nationally because the talent is there. Don’t get me wrong; I am NOT a Weis fan at this moment. I am just analyzing his situation, not defending his performance. Since the loss to SU in Nov. I have become quite skeptical and critical. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here: until Weis loses his arrogance and acknowledges his weaknesses, he needs to go. I’ve said this before as well; 11-1 is NOT good enough if the 1 is a blowout to USC. With his talent this year and his knowledge of the Xs and Os, he needs to compete with anybody n the country. Sorry, Joe Montana! I respect you, but in this situation I do not respect your opinion.
I’m sorry – Where has there been evidence that Youk has a screw loose? The guy plays the game hard and with emotion – not sure that is evidence of having a screw loose.
Now if you go out and do the Irish jig in your underwear in front of thousands of Red Sox fans, a la Papelbon – that is having a screw loose.
But I think Youk charging the mound had something to do with Victor Martinez being thrown at the inning before and then the next batter up is Youk who gets hit for the 2nd game in a row. Also it is the 10th time this season. He even admitted after the game that he regretted the decision and let his emotions get the best of him. A guy with a screw loose wouldn’t have question his own decision.
Still, I like the fact that pitchers are trying to take back the inner half of the plate. Too many hitters are crowding the plate and trying to pull that outside pitch over the fence. Some of these guys getting hit – their hands are just about hanging over the plate, that the pitch borderlines a strike.
Wallysays
Pete —
I agree that ND should compete with, if not beat, USC … THIS YEAR. Given that ND could, woulda, shoulda beat USC at Notre Dame a few years ago with Brady Quinn & Co only to lose a squeaker at the end (the Bush Push), I look at this current Irish squad and the circumstances this year and can say that the losing streak vs SoCal needs to end this season!!! My reasons: 1) ND’s talent right now is at least on par with that 2005 ND squad. 2) The game is at Notre Dame, 3) USC will be starting a very inexperienced QB (although I’m sure he’s good), 4) they lost their Offensive Coordinator (Sarkesian) to Washington, and 5) also lost a ton of experienced talent, esp on defense, to the NFL. Sure USC will reload with blue-chippers, but this time, the experience is on ND’s side … and SoCal doesn’t have Leinart and Bush. If the streak is going to end, circumstances dictate that THIS IS THE YEAR!!!
Wallysays
Some more information explaining the expectations for ND to maybe go 10-2 and make a BCS appearance. Their schedule this year is quite favorable to make a run. This is how ND is ranked preseason vs their opponents, according to SI’s College Football Preview:
4. USC (home game)
25. NOTRE DAME
29. Michigan State (home game)
30. Pitt
45. Nevada (home game)
52. Navy (home)
53. Michigan
62. Stanford
64. Connecticut
71. Boston College
85. Washington
87. Purdue
105. Wash State
ND is ranked higher than all opponents except USC and will play most key games at home. Sure, this could all change by week 3, but as of TODAY, expectations are quite high and they should be. Heck … Nevada and Navy are in the top tier of ND’s opponents this year!!! Charlie & Co better deliver this year … there are no excuses. But can they screw it up??? Sure they can … I never claimed that confidence is high … just expectations. ND lost a home game to Syracuse last year, so anything is possible. The Orange is ranked #96 by SI.
Quite weird to see Michigan, BC, Washington, Wash State and Purdue all ranked so low AT THE SAME TIME!!!
Crossword Petesays
“Quite weird to see Michigan, BC, Washington, Wash State and Purdue all ranked so low AT THE SAME TIME!!!”
That’s called “Divine Intervention”. ND needed for those teams to ALL be mediocre in order to eke out a semblance of self-respect. If we aren’t Jesus’ favorite team, we are certainly his Mother’s favorite (paraphrasing Lou Holtz quote at a BC gathering some years ago)!
Crossword Petesays
BTW, you heard it here first: Jeff Gordon will retire from NASCAR in November (because of his back) and move to the lighter, less back-stressing Indy cars. Hendrick Motor Sports will extend their racing ownership to Indy cars and own Jeff’s ride. Gordon will be the first to move in that direction as opposed to all those who have gone the opposite way. Be advised; this is only my uninformed opinion/guess!
Someone please pick a topic and get us started.
I am hoping that I can get some opinions on this topic:
How does everyone feel about the recent incidents with hits batsmen? Ozzie Guillen stopped just short of declaring war on the rest of the American League. Youk finally had enough after being hit for the 10th time this season.
Have pitchers forgotten how to pitch inside? Or are hitters sitting so far over the plate, that anytime a pitcher tries to come inside, they have no choice but to hit the batter? Personally, I think it is a little bit of both.
Was Ozzie justified in his frustration?
Is there a dumber suspension in all of sports then a pitcher being suspended for 5 games? Really – what is the point?
I feel great about the hit batsmen. Pitchers haven’t necessarily forgotten how to pitch inside, they just learned how to hit the batter more consistently.
I agree with Ozzie more than with Youk. It’s been always known that pitchers will stand up for their team. While the brawl in baseball is commonly known as much ado about nothing. Out of all the brawls that have been, I can count the ones where something significant happened, like Nolan Ryan or even Pedro & Zim. Baseball has its way of conducting retaliations, and I’m all for that.
And no there is no dumber suspension than a pitcher getting suspended for 5 games, but what you gonna do.
And btw how come Biggio never rushed the mount? he had more chances than anybody else!!!
Ozzie has very few competitors as far as entertainment goes. His sound bytes are priceless.
It’s August. Races are heating up. And the value of the plate is increasing. Two strikes = protect the plate = get my elbow protector in there.
Youk does a great job protecting the plate. He’s an emotional guy. He got carried away. I’m not supportive of the helmet throwing.
Kotchman sure wasn’t shy about trying to get hit the other night. On the other hand, Ramirez gets tossed without any warnings being issued. Go figure.
Gino
Great point about Biggio. He saw the advantage for his team in him being hit. You wanna give me the base? I’ll take it as long as it’s below the neck. Well, of course and away from the groin.
We have had a number of discussions about the upcoming college fb season and the expectations for ND. Check out Joe Montana’s take: https://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-08-12/montana-notre-dame-should-lower-expectations
Two responses here.
On the “getting hit by pitch” discussion: to the hitters, I say “take your lumps and run to 1st base. If you don’t want to get hit, then either get out of the way and/or don’t crowd the plate. Besides … you’ve got all that armor on anyway.” Charging the mound is bullcrap … this isn’t the NHL!!! Biggio didn’t charge the mound cuz he had class and was old school … he played the game the right way. Youk has a screw loose anyway … he’d charge his mother if she served a dish that was too hot. I like what Ozzie had to say for two reasons: he is letting people know that his pitchers will handle it which is the way it should be and, two, now ChiSox opponents have something to think about. Sometimes the head games are more effective than action on the field.
With regard to Joe Montana’s comments about ND settling for less than excellence on the gridiron, I definitely believe that’s the wrong way to think. If I want to be happy about going to the Rose Bowl once every 20 years, then I’ll become a Stanford fan. Sure, ND has some challenges in recruiting that most other teams don’t have … most notably, higher academic entrance standards and no juco transfers. BUT, ND has a demonstrated history of meeting those challenges head on and then some. How do you have one of the highest winning %’s of all time without getting a lot of talent?? How do you win 11 national chan’ships, plus another two dozen top 5 finishes, without great talent? Heck, ND can even recruit well when playing poorly … the class entering immediately after the 2007 3-9 season, was the highest rated class in the country that year. What ND has had trouble with in recent times is hiring great coaches … Davie and Willingham were duds … thus far, Weis is also a dud, but he has shown a penchant for recruiting. To summarize, ND has suffered on the field lately because they have hired mediocre coaches. College football is indeed a coach’s game because of the rapid roster turnover. Get a coach & staff who can 1) recruit AND 2) develop/motivate players AND 3) strategize the X’s and O’s, then you will win 80%+ of your games. But if you get coaches that only do one of those three things, then you’ll be Stanford … about .500 most years with a blip to 10-2 every 20th year. Charlie Weis has not yet proven he can hit the trifecta yet … he has only proven he can recruit. NDNation is reasonably expecting at least a 9-3 season, but with hopes for better. The talent is there and it is fairly mature … and the schedule is favorable. ND fans and administration should expect to go to a BCS game this year and next year, which essentially means you’re a top 12 team. Well … if that doesn’t happen, it simply means we don’t have the right coaching staff in place. So let’s get a new coach instead of settling for Stanford-type performance.
I think we see where Montana is coming from when we read he line: He’s been friends with Weis since their undergraduate days.” Of course he’s going to think Weis is “OK at 8-4.” What good friend wouldn’t? I ditto Wally’s sentiments with one exception; I think Weis has hit 2 of 3 on “Wally’s trifecta”. The only one he can’t get a handle on is “develop/motivate players”. He just does not understand that he is dealing with kids. They need to be honed on the basics and hey need to be coddled into playing their best week-in and week-out. Because he fails at this component, his Xs and Os look weak, but in fact I believe they are solid. If his kids had the basic skills and the motivation to execute his game plan, they would be relevant nationally because the talent is there. Don’t get me wrong; I am NOT a Weis fan at this moment. I am just analyzing his situation, not defending his performance. Since the loss to SU in Nov. I have become quite skeptical and critical. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here: until Weis loses his arrogance and acknowledges his weaknesses, he needs to go. I’ve said this before as well; 11-1 is NOT good enough if the 1 is a blowout to USC. With his talent this year and his knowledge of the Xs and Os, he needs to compete with anybody n the country. Sorry, Joe Montana! I respect you, but in this situation I do not respect your opinion.
I’m sorry – Where has there been evidence that Youk has a screw loose? The guy plays the game hard and with emotion – not sure that is evidence of having a screw loose.
Now if you go out and do the Irish jig in your underwear in front of thousands of Red Sox fans, a la Papelbon – that is having a screw loose.
But I think Youk charging the mound had something to do with Victor Martinez being thrown at the inning before and then the next batter up is Youk who gets hit for the 2nd game in a row. Also it is the 10th time this season. He even admitted after the game that he regretted the decision and let his emotions get the best of him. A guy with a screw loose wouldn’t have question his own decision.
Still, I like the fact that pitchers are trying to take back the inner half of the plate. Too many hitters are crowding the plate and trying to pull that outside pitch over the fence. Some of these guys getting hit – their hands are just about hanging over the plate, that the pitch borderlines a strike.
Pete —
I agree that ND should compete with, if not beat, USC … THIS YEAR. Given that ND could, woulda, shoulda beat USC at Notre Dame a few years ago with Brady Quinn & Co only to lose a squeaker at the end (the Bush Push), I look at this current Irish squad and the circumstances this year and can say that the losing streak vs SoCal needs to end this season!!! My reasons: 1) ND’s talent right now is at least on par with that 2005 ND squad. 2) The game is at Notre Dame, 3) USC will be starting a very inexperienced QB (although I’m sure he’s good), 4) they lost their Offensive Coordinator (Sarkesian) to Washington, and 5) also lost a ton of experienced talent, esp on defense, to the NFL. Sure USC will reload with blue-chippers, but this time, the experience is on ND’s side … and SoCal doesn’t have Leinart and Bush. If the streak is going to end, circumstances dictate that THIS IS THE YEAR!!!
Some more information explaining the expectations for ND to maybe go 10-2 and make a BCS appearance. Their schedule this year is quite favorable to make a run. This is how ND is ranked preseason vs their opponents, according to SI’s College Football Preview:
4. USC (home game)
25. NOTRE DAME
29. Michigan State (home game)
30. Pitt
45. Nevada (home game)
52. Navy (home)
53. Michigan
62. Stanford
64. Connecticut
71. Boston College
85. Washington
87. Purdue
105. Wash State
ND is ranked higher than all opponents except USC and will play most key games at home. Sure, this could all change by week 3, but as of TODAY, expectations are quite high and they should be. Heck … Nevada and Navy are in the top tier of ND’s opponents this year!!! Charlie & Co better deliver this year … there are no excuses. But can they screw it up??? Sure they can … I never claimed that confidence is high … just expectations. ND lost a home game to Syracuse last year, so anything is possible. The Orange is ranked #96 by SI.
Quite weird to see Michigan, BC, Washington, Wash State and Purdue all ranked so low AT THE SAME TIME!!!
“Quite weird to see Michigan, BC, Washington, Wash State and Purdue all ranked so low AT THE SAME TIME!!!”
That’s called “Divine Intervention”. ND needed for those teams to ALL be mediocre in order to eke out a semblance of self-respect. If we aren’t Jesus’ favorite team, we are certainly his Mother’s favorite (paraphrasing Lou Holtz quote at a BC gathering some years ago)!
BTW, you heard it here first: Jeff Gordon will retire from NASCAR in November (because of his back) and move to the lighter, less back-stressing Indy cars. Hendrick Motor Sports will extend their racing ownership to Indy cars and own Jeff’s ride. Gordon will be the first to move in that direction as opposed to all those who have gone the opposite way. Be advised; this is only my uninformed opinion/guess!