Baseball Thread VI

The specific type of forearm injury he had is actually one or two steps removed from the dreaded name of a certain 70s-era pitcher that Patterson's no doubt familiar with. It didn't look like he was throwing his breaking stuff with anything on it, which is a pretty good sign that his 'strain' wasn't/isn't healed.

 

What a catch by Coco

 

I just hope they didn't rush him back. This season is lost and he's more important to them next year than this year.

 

Gordon Lightfoot is the greatest Canadian singer since Lorne Greene.

The best part of the Coco catch was Mike Timlin's reaction. He was going back to cover home for backup and you can tell he never expected Coco to be able to make that catch. His "Wow!" and "yeah!" were as animated as i've ever seen him.

 

The Reds bullpen falls apart against the mighty Royals. KC bats around in the eighth, scores three runs and ties the game 5-5.

 

For those who like a good stat.

Coming into tonight's game - Jonathan Papelbon's ERA+ is 1,033 (ERA in comparison to league average - league average ERA=100 on this scale)

For reference - Bob Gibson's nutty 1.12 ERA in 1968 was an ERA+ of 258

 

How is this a good stat? Bob Gibson was a starting pitcher who threw over 300 innings in 1968. Papelbon is a closer who only has to face maybe three hitters a game. Sure, he's good. But don't be comparing him to the effectiveness of a starting pitcher.

 

I'll compare whoever I like thank you very much.

How about this then - Dennis Eckersley's ERA+ in 1992 when he won the MVP was 196 (on an ERA of 1.91 and a league ERA of 3.75). Point is - Papelbon's ERA is crazy-fantastic right now.

 

Here's what I would really like to Know about Papelbon... Did he finally receive a jersey that fits?

I didn't see him pitch today so I am not aware if he did. I just know that he looks pretty stupid wearing one of David Ortiz's left overs.

 

I heard from someone that Papelbon wears the larger jersey because his nipples chafe easily (even with a petroleum jelly coating). That can be an even worse problem for a pitcher than blisters.