Comments on: Cardinals hit by pitch overreaction… or is it?

By: Axcion

Axcion — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:52:21 +0000

“Thompson’s missile”; either a wonderful tongue in cheek remark or at the very least an oxymoron in it’s truest form. Good one CFS57.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:17:31 +0000

That shot was nothing compare to the line drive off of Kuroda’s noggin. That baby had tone and could have been fatal. A dangerous game this is.

By: CardFanSince57

CardFanSince57 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:08:54 +0000

The crocodile tears of Wright were indeed moving, when he had absolutely no regard for what could have been a season-ending wrist injury to Albert! While Thompson’s missile represented a mere shot across the bow, Cain’s was a direct hit.

By: Axcion

Axcion — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 06:29:14 +0000

Going back to the original topic; Matt Cain beaned David Wright in the head tonight. Does Watson have any choice but to suspend him for 5 or more games for it?

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:49:28 +0000

Its is problematic. He would probably have to adapt his delivery, not so much just his arm motion. He needs to get to a place where he lessens the visual keys between the delivery for an effective slider and change up, and then find his fastball without to much deviation. Probably a years worth of work……….but doable.

By: blingboy

blingboy — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:08:23 +0000

Westy, I agree that would be good. I’m wondering if he would ever be able to get on top of a breaking ball and keep it down, or get a sharp break, or do much of anything except gas, with that short arm throwing from behind the ear motion of his. Trying to think of other hard throwing short arm pitchers who had other effective pitches, and what they were. Of course, I’m sure Super Dave is all over it.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:17:28 +0000

I don’t send him there to be succseeful BB. I send him there to work on his breaking pitch, like 60% of the time. 20% change ups and the rest gas.

By: Nutlaw

Nutlaw — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:28:40 +0000

You beat me to it, Ax. Motte may be an assassin, but maybe not an intentional one…

By: blingboy

blingboy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:16:18 +0000

Westy, Motte would go to AAA, have great success, come back and be the same. His problem is the difference between AAA and big league hitters. Brute force alone doesn’t work for long in the bigs and his former catcher’s short arm motion doesn’t really lend itself to anything else.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:14:18 +0000

We can put cross hairs on his glasses, and then screw with the sighting.

Motte’s problem is his motion. He can’t help but lift his breaking pitch. He needs to go throw in Memphis everyday for 10 days, then come back and try out for a playoff spot.

By: Axcion

Axcion — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:07:29 +0000

WCW are you actually insinuating that Motte could actually hit a target he aims for???

By: CardFanSince57

CardFanSince57 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:09:14 +0000

Brian, you are quite accurate with the observation that “there is a pattern in Capps’ behavior (and that of his club)”. In the same way that the miserable, insult-ridden culture of Philadelphia is seen in the capricious treatment of the city’s home town players, a violence-prone culture, for many decades entrenched within Pittsburgh society, is manifested in the manner that victorious opposing teams are treated. During the ’50s, when the NFL Steelers were perenniel losers, Art Donovan had observed that superior teams (like his Baltimore Colts) could not play in Pittsburgh, without sustaining significant injuries. I believe that the “pattern” of which you speak is not only “long entrenched”, but impossible to extricate: It will continue, impervious to fines and suspensions. When visiting the Pittsburgh Pirates, the attitude of superior teams can only be, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”: It’s like you said, Brian; “Too bad Capps doesn’t bat”!

By: blingboy

blingboy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:49:40 +0000

Since they don’t have a slugger worth hitting, the strategy is to target the biggest orneriest guy they have, who would know who he has to thank. Clubhouse justice.

By: Brian Walton

Brian Walton — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:36:05 +0000

bb, I don’t see the two as mutually exclusive. Fine or not, suspension or not, I am pretty sure that next series, the Bucs are going to see one of their top hitters (who is left?) get drilled. Too bad Capps doesn’t bat.

By: blingboy

blingboy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:06:31 +0000

There is the issue of whether ejections, fines and suspensions is a more effective deterrent than letting such matters be dealt with on the field or in the clubhouse.

By: JumboShrimp

JumboShrimp — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:55:43 +0000

Capps is a closer with an ERA of 6. He allows a homer every 5 innings. Schumaker is not a power hitter, but took him out to a deep part of the park. Probably made Capps mad.

Maybe Capps is a heaver. Throw as hard as he can and sometimes has zero idea where it is going. If velocity does not work, what does he have to fall back on, save scaring hitters by hurting some?

Men like Pujols and Fielder are important to fans and to the business health of the game. Watson should give Capps a long suspension. We will see if Bob is up to his job.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:49:23 +0000

This Leher kid is a very good pitcher. He does everything well. He just doesn’t have an arm. Everyone that tried to take what he wasn’t giving was out. Pujols pulls out of a meat pitch again. Shu trying to turn something away……again….. and Ludwick forgetting that he wasn’t set up to go that way. Rasmus gets on with another defeated Hr attempt. Boggs is history.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:51:48 +0000

Thats what Motte is good for. The assassin.