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Taking shots at K-Rod

metsguyinmichigan Mar 12 2009 08:24 AM

[url:290aoyga]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ge-krod031109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns[/url:290aoyga] Here's a column takign a few shots at KRod for, at first, not talking to the media after WBC games. Then he makes a big deal about him walking the first batter, saying he did that in 10 of 76 apperances last year. Is that a bad number? Seemed like Schoenweis last year would walk the first batter every time, then give up a homer to the second batter....

Frayed Knot Mar 12 2009 08:32 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 12 2009 08:37 AM

He walks more than you'd like to see from a closer (or anyone for that matter) about 1/2 man per inning) He partly makes up for that with ridiculously low hits/IP ratio (well under 1/inning for years now), high K-rates, and reasonable HR rates. Still, the high-BB rates make his WHiP numbers only middling (1.25-ish) so anyone who thinks they're getting a guy who's never going to dance on the edge now & then hasn't been paying attention.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2009 08:34 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 12 2009 08:42 AM

Sound like the guy had half an article about how jerkface wouldn't talk to him, then when Rodriguez acquiesced, he didn't feel like re-writing. The guy sits down and gives him usable stuff and still gets called a putz?

metirish Mar 12 2009 08:34 AM

We are in for a wild ride , lots of emotion , lots of walks...34 last season in 68 innings , 77 strike outs and 54 hits....

metsguyinmichigan Mar 12 2009 08:42 AM

="Edgy DC"]Sound like the guy had half an article about how jerkface wouldn't talk to him, then when Rodriguez would, he didn't feel like re-writing. The guy sits down and gives him usable stuff and still gets called a putz? That's kind of what I was thinking. "KRod stiffs the media. Well, not really. But he made us wait 90 minutes and we really wanted to go home."

Centerfield Mar 12 2009 08:55 AM

What an ass. I can't believe he called K-Rod a putz just on that. And of course, he can't help but momentarily lick Jeter's balls even while reporting that he got thrown out as the tying run in the 9th inning.

metsguyinmichigan Mar 12 2009 09:08 AM

"K-Rod’s inning of work was not a clean one, a foreshadowing of what Mets fans are advised to expect. He walked leadoff man Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies to bring the tying run to the plate. Last season, even as he rang up a record 62 saves, Rodriguez walked the first batter he faced 10 times in 76 appearances. By contrast, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon issued just one walk to the first batter he faced in 67 appearances" By contrast, Papelbon had 21 fewer saves and gave up a couple more hits in 10 fewer appearances. Papelbon is obviously a great closer, as is K-Rod. But Edes is cherry-picking his stats. I missed the Jeter-licking last time around. Good catch!

G-Fafif Mar 12 2009 11:38 AM

What an Edeshole.

attgig Mar 12 2009 11:40 AM

I think this article does a better job explaining the rift between team venezuela and the venezuelan media... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclas ... id=3972122

G-Fafif Mar 12 2009 11:49 AM

If anybody's the villain here, it's Luis Sojo.

Frayed Knot Mar 12 2009 11:57 AM

A lot of the Venezuelan players were upset (and some threatening not to play) going back six months or more because they believe the 'Ministry of Sport' (or whatever the gov't agency is called) is skimming money off the top that's intended for the players. At least the Cuban players KNOW their gov't is taking all the loot and will dole it out if and when they feel like it. That's assuming, of course, that the players are even aware that there's money involved in the first place.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 12 2009 12:39 PM

Have an ex-diplomat Venezuelan expat friend. Her (admittedly HIGHLY opinionated) thoughts? Think late-Soviet era Politburo corruption with a twist of beisbol-madness, and that's what you've got in the Venezuelan Sport Ministry (and the ministries in general); Chavez makes a better demagogue than an administrator. And, yeah-- apparently the Venezuelan notices have been BRUTAL (flat-out ad hominem stuff, a lot of it without solid grounding, against Sojo's staff and other management-- apparently, Venezuelan libel laws aren't too strict).

Nymr83 Mar 12 2009 01:03 PM

]Venezuelan libel laws aren't too strict Unless you insult Chavez, then you're out of business.

MFS62 Mar 12 2009 04:11 PM

="Centerfield":3epdtaj1] I can't believe he called K-Rod a putz just on that. . [/quote:3epdtaj1] Shows you what that reporter knows. Those are two different guys. Later Edgy DC Mar 12 2009 07:16 PM If you read it, that's how he prefaced it. RealityChuck Mar 13 2009 07:54 AM I thought it was A-Rod taking shots, not K-Rod. seawolf17 Mar 13 2009 08:17 AM Can we stop calling him K-Rod? Ugh. There has to be a better nickname out there. Someone get Valadius on line one. metirish Mar 13 2009 08:21 AM Yeah I thought we had this discussion when he was signed , I know I resolved not to call him that. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 08:21 AM He's a practitioner of Santeria, and I was thinking of going with "Voodoo Chile," but I'm afraid it will come out derogatory. (You think?) More seriously, I think releivers are like dogs. Give them a week or two and they'll name themselves with their behavior. Frayed Knot Mar 13 2009 08:31 AM ="seawolf17":12qcz28l]Can we stop calling him K-Rod? Ugh. There has to be a better nickname out there.[/quote:12qcz28l] Well I think the clear intent of the article that started this thread was to dub him BB-Rod John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 13 2009 08:38 AM Can I make a general comment about there being a certain level of paramoia and hypersensitivity to bias in the media here? That's not a good article and it appears that he's missing a good deal of the bigger picture but I'm certain Gordon Edes isn't out to attract attention to himself by hating the Mets for no reason. I'm also at least open to the possibility that Rodriguez really is a dick. soupcan Mar 13 2009 08:43 AM 'Dick-Rod' Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 08:48 AM I'm more than open to that possiblity. But the bait and switch on the lede is jarring. And it's certainly possible that Edes is bringing it, not because Mets are always a good target (though they are), but because: 1) Latinos are always a good target 2) Relievers are always a good target 3) Guys who won't talk to the press are always a good target But he's standing on the battle line of a three way PR war centered in a country where the media is far from free and he's missing the story completely, because "asshole athlete's got no time for me therefore he holds you the fan in contempt and that is not going to fly in New York, foreign guy" is a story that there is always a market for. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 09:55 AM ="soupcan":1yx70c9l]'Dick-Rod'[/quote:1yx70c9l] Wouldn't it just be "Rod"? seawolf17 Mar 13 2009 10:13 AM Let's call him Nightcrawler. soupcan Mar 13 2009 10:27 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":1ycvojue] ="soupcan":1ycvojue]'Dick-Rod'[/quote:1ycvojue] Wouldn't it just be "Rod"?[/quote:1ycvojue] How about 'Rod-Dick'? Oh, nope - that's already taken. metirish Mar 13 2009 10:30 AM ="seawolf17"]Let's call him Nightcrawler. Good times , speaking of Nightcrawler , from the Snooze ] PORT ST. LUCIE - Billy Wagner, who has been throwing in his native Virginia, has been shut down by the Mets. But there's no bad news. Mets officials are concerned an enthusiastic Wagner is trying to rehab from Sept. 10 Tommy John surgery too quickly and requested a throwing moratorium to avoid the risk of re-injury. Wagner is not expected to visit camp, but Mets rehab specialists Chris Correnti and Guy Conti are expected to visit the southpaw at his home when the Mets break camp in three weeks. Wagner expects to be with the Mets for the season's final month, if not earlier, a source close to the former closer said. I guess that is where Conti landed with the org. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 10:39 AM Go, Guy! soupcan Mar 13 2009 10:55 AM ] PORT ST. LUCIE - Billy Wagner, who has been throwing in his native Virginia, has been shut down by the Mets. But there's no bad news. Mets officials are concerned an enthusiastic Wagner is trying to rehab from Sept. 10 Tommy John surgery too quickly and requested a throwing moratorium to avoid the risk of re-injury. Wagner is not expected to visit camp, but Mets rehab specialists Chris Correnti and Guy Conti are expected to visit the southpaw at his home when the Mets break camp in three weeks. Wagner expects to be with the Mets for the season's final month, if not earlier, a source close to the former closer said. Why on earth do they care? Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 10:57 AM Because he could be back pitching for the Mets late this season. soupcan Mar 13 2009 11:00 AM Now we all know that's not gonna happen. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 13 2009 11:04 AM Very haterly of me, but I never warmed to Wagner even a little. He can go screw an alpaca for all I care. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 11:06 AM ="soupcan":i7excr8s]Now we all know that's not gonna happen.[/quote:i7excr8s] Hey, you so certain, take it to Paddy Power. TransMonk Mar 13 2009 11:08 AM I give him a little cred for rehabbing so hard. If I were 38, due to make (a lot of) guaranteed money this year and my team had replaced me with 2 capable players, I would probably move to Mexico and sip Margarita's all day. I do admire his drive and competitiveness...even if he is mostly a dick. metirish Mar 13 2009 11:14 AM "Wagner has re-dedicated himself this season to the task at hand"... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 11:20 AM ="TransMonk":3jzzxrpz]I give him a little cred for rehabbing so hard. If I were 38, due to make (a lot of) guaranteed money this year and my team had replaced me with 2 capable players, I would probably move to Mexico and sip Margarita's all day. I do admire his drive and competitiveness...even if he is mostly a dick.[/quote:3jzzxrpz] Also, he's so wittle! (You can put 'im in your pock't!) Frayed Knot Mar 13 2009 11:39 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1fzhr4jb]Can I make a general comment about there being a certain level of paramoia and hypersensitivity to bias in the media here? That's not a good article and it appears that he's missing a good deal of the bigger picture but I'm certain Gordon Edes isn't out to attract attention to himself by hating the Mets for no reason.[/quote:1fzhr4jb] I've long yapped about the idea that Met fans have a tendency to see bias far too easily. Edes is, I believe, Boston based, and should have no particular reason for Met-hating or Jeter-kissing (even beyond just journalistic ethics) and I don't think that piece shows much of either. I just think he was going for the angle that if Frankie is going to blow-off the media every time he's pissed off about something that it's not an act that will play well in the city where he's going to be cashing his paychecks for the next few years (and you know it won't). He probably should have stayed away from the Putz/putz line even if it was (maybe especially because it was) seemingly set up on a tee for him. Benjamin Grimm Mar 13 2009 11:44 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2o3vtj44]Can I make a general comment about there being a certain level of paramoia and hypersensitivity to bias in the media here?[/quote:2o3vtj44] I agree. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 11:46 AM I just dislike journalists who take cheap and easy snarks. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 12:42 PM Agreed about the hypersensitivity to bias-- likely a function of "kid brother" status in the eyes of most local media/observers from out-of-town (see also: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Not Los Angeles, New Jersey Nets/Devils, Los Angeles Clippers). Also, I'm not a professional Met fan. Being held to higher standards comes with the paycheck (and/or journo degree). metsguyinmichigan Mar 13 2009 01:03 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3vxc1rj7]Can I make a general comment about there being a certain level of paramoia and hypersensitivity to bias in the media here? That's not a good article and it appears that he's missing a good deal of the bigger picture but I'm certain Gordon Edes isn't out to attract attention to himself by hating the Mets for no reason. I'm also at least open to the possibility that Rodriguez really is a dick.[/quote:3vxc1rj7] Guilty. Maybe it's a professional thing. Bad writing and reporting jumps out at me. And we on the news side are often peeved at what we see coming out of the sports side, which often doesn't have the same standards. If I referred to a school board memebr as a putz, there would be hell to pay. I'd also never get away with all the unnamed sources. We see a lot of these guys sitting back and pontificating, or grumbling about stuff readers don't care about. As a reader, do I really give a rat's butt that he had to with 90 minutes for Rodriguez to answer questions? That said, once you're concious of it, there are a lot of cheap shots at the Mets' expense, and the Yankees do get a lot of passes. But I'll try to tone it down. Apologies. Nymr83 Mar 13 2009 04:27 PM ="metirish"]"Wagner has re-dedicated himself this season to the task at hand"... he should have dedicated himself fully the moment he signed a multi-million dollar contract to do a job. themetfairy Mar 13 2009 04:33 PM Wagner may not have been a favorite of mine, but I've never doubted his work ethic. G-Fafif Mar 13 2009 04:50 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3ia9onl8]Very haterly of me, but I never warmed to Wagner even a little. He can go screw an alpaca for all I care.[/quote:3ia9onl8] I'm also at least open to the possibility that Wagner is a decent guy who is working really hard for money he could easily sit back and collect. I'm also at least open to the possibility that Wagner might enjoy that thing with the alpaca. Benjamin Grimm Mar 13 2009 05:12 PM Well, don't forget that Wagner is going to be a free agent again after the 2009 season. He'll get more money if he gets a chance to demonstrate his health in September than he would otherwise. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 05:18 PM ="Nymr83"] ="metirish"]"Wagner has re-dedicated himself this season to the task at hand"... he should have dedicated himself fully the moment he signed a multi-million dollar contract to do a job. Don't you think that it's a large stretch to draw the inference from the quote that the writer is arguing that there's any indication that Wagner was ever under-dedicated? G-Fafif Mar 13 2009 05:48 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":20chkz02]Well, don't forget that Wagner is going to be a free agent again after the 2009 season. He'll get more money if he gets a chance to demonstrate his health in September than he would otherwise.[/quote:20chkz02] True enough, though with what Billy pulled in (and that thriving alpaca business), theoretically he could let it heal slowly and move on. But I've yet to see a pitcher do that. Without knowing their individual finances, Billy, Pedro and Glavine could all do that, but they're competitors by nature (though one could cite one particular Sunday where I might not have included one of them as possessing loads of fire in the belly). There's a fun chapter in Tim Kurkjian's book about how ballplayers, especially the great ones, compete at every stupid, little game in the clubhouse and absolutely have to win. Cal Ripken had to defeat his wife when it came to trampoline-jumping. John Smoltz must prevail at H-O-R-S-E. So maybe there's no way a Wagner would sit back and collect on his contract. But he might screw that alpaca. It's just something I heard somewhere. metsguyinmichigan Mar 13 2009 05:59 PM ="G-Fafif" But he might screw that alpaca. It's just something I heard somewhere. As long as there is dinner and a movie included, I guess that's OK. It's gotta be a chick flick, though. You can't take an aplaca to Saw 4 or something then hit a Taco Bell drive-thru and expect that kind of treatment. Nothing is more pathetic than seeing a guy standing alone at a stable yelling "But baby, I bought you a gordita!" to a closed door. MFS62 Mar 13 2009 06:39 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 14 2009 06:03 AM If you go on alpaca.com, it has a link for "alpacas for hire" (not joking) Maybe you CAN hire one for a night of fun. (sluts) EDIT: Insert your own non regional-specific comment about where they fuck wooly animals here. Later Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 07:20 PM Oh, right, that anti-Southern bigotry just keeps giving. Fman99 Mar 13 2009 07:44 PM Wags was one of the 10-12 best goatfuckers ever to come out of that bullpen. Gwreck Mar 13 2009 08:35 PM Let me just say that Billy Wagner as our 7th inning guy (or lefty specialist, if you want) would be a thing of beauty. He can take all the time he needs, so long as he's ready for September 15th when the Mets have a 15 game lead and he can start tuning up for the playoffs. MFS62 Mar 13 2009 09:10 PM ="Edgy DC":36pyynka]Oh, right, that anti-Southern bigotry just keeps giving.[/quote:36pyynka] So does defending alpaca fuckers. Later Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 09:21 PM What does that mean? LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 11:54 PM ="Gwreck"]Let me just say that Billy Wagner as our 7th inning guy (or lefty specialist, if you want) would be a thing of beauty. He can take all the time he needs, so long as he's ready for September 15th when the Mets have a 15 game lead and he can start tuning up for the playoffs. Dude... if we have a fifteen-game lead in September, I'm campaigning for Wags-as-beanball-specialist for those last two weeks. Bruised asses heal a lot of psychic scars. MFS62 Mar 14 2009 06:01 AM ="Edgy DC":3qmphvjc]What does that mean?[/quote:3qmphvjc] It was meant to be funny, just like all the other posts in this thread referring to alpaca fucking. Its ok, I understand. I'll go back and edit my original post. Later LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 16 2009 09:16 PM Yanqui go home: Sojo just plugged in K-Rod in the 8th inning for the second game in a row. Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 09:50 PM Twenty pitches. No big whoop. Feliciano threw for the losers also. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 16 2009 10:34 PM 4 outings, 70-plus pitches in 6 days, for a max-effort thrower? I'm mildly annoyed.