Mike Scioscia is an utter moron

[declansharbor]

Bottom line. This 3 page thread wouldnt even exist if Aybar makes contact with the ball. (foul ball bunt even, as it would have changed the complexion of the count.)

Would there be a thread devoted to the Halo's manager if the call worked? (which it should have) I, for one, agree with the call. It just didnt turn out the intended way.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

Bottom line. This 3 page thread wouldnt even exist if Aybar makes contact with the ball. (foul ball bunt even, as it would have changed the complexion of the count.)

Would there be a thread devoted to the Halo's manager if the call worked? (which it should have) I, for one, agree with the call. It just didnt turn out the intended way.

It was probably the worst situation of the entire series in which to try it. I don't give a **** if it worked or not. If it had worked, I would've shrugged and said, 'hey, that was a pretty stupid decision to make, but at least it worked.' You 'agree' with the call? Why? And don't give me that nonsense about Aybar having nine sacrifices. There are plenty of great bunters in baseball, but most managers would have the sense to not be that needlessly risky when everything is on their side.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It was probably the worst situation of the entire series in which to try it. I don't give a **** if it worked or not. If it had worked, I would've shrugged and said, 'hey, that was a pretty stupid decision to make, but at least it worked.' You 'agree' with the call? Why? And don't give me that nonsense about Aybar having nine sacrifices. There are plenty of great bunters in baseball, but most managers would have the sense to not be that needlessly risky when everything is on their side.

I shouldn't have said that I necessarily 'agree' with the call, but I sure as $hit can't knock it either. Yes, the risk factor was through the roof, but when the potential winning run got to third, he assumably talked to his staff, checked out the defensive depth, thought of what Francona would be thinking etc and thought maybe they could snag the run. It's all too easy in hindsight.

All I was pointing out, was how close this thread came to non-existence. If Aybar even touches that ball with his bat, it changes the whole thing. Either a series "momentum" swingin' run, or a foul ball that changes the count along with the defensive positioning. It could have went either way and they caught the short end.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

All I was pointing out, was how close this thread came to non-existence. If Aybar even touches that ball with his bat, it changes the whole thing. Either a series "momentum" swingin' run, or a foul ball that changes the count along with the defensive positioning. It could have went either way and they caught the short end.

There was no momentum to swing. The Angels had it all. The crowd was dead as a doornail and the Red Sox players were noticeably tight. After that play, the crowd got back into the game and the Red Sox were playing with house money.

[dalakhani]

Pitchers pitch differently with a lead and hitters hit differently when they are playing from behind. Crowds, for better or worse, can affect performance.

These ideas are not easily quantifiable as they effect each player differently for better or worse from situation to situation.

The suicide squeeze was not a smart move in my opinion in that situation. Your team has battled back into contention and is a routine fly ball away from going up. Any move outside of the norm in that situation not only risks catastrophic error but also sends a message of desperation.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Pitchers pitch differently with a lead and hitters hit differently when they are playing from behind. Crowds, for better or worse, can affect performance.

These ideas are not easily quantifiable as they effect each player differently for better or worse from situation to situation.

The suicide squeeze was not a smart move in my opinion in that situation. Your team has battled back into contention and is a routine fly ball away from going up. Any move outside of the norm in that situation not only risks catastrophic error but also sends a message of desperation.

Gracias.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Pitchers pitch differently with a lead and hitters hit differently when they are playing from behind. Crowds, for better or worse, can affect performance.
These ideas are not easily quantifiable as they effect each player differently for better or worse from situation to situation.

The suicide squeeze was not a smart move in my opinion in that situation. Your team has battled back into contention and is a routine fly ball away from going up. Any move outside of the norm in that situation not only risks catastrophic error but also sends a message of desperation.

Yeah sure they do...thats why Aybar whiffed on the ball, because they were tied. If they were leading he would have been so relaxed and Shields wouldnt have been in the game. Once again the call should not be the main issue, the lack of execution should be. That is tangible, your intangibles arguement is impossible to quantify. Saying that Shields pitched differently because they didnt score is silly.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Yeah sure they do...thats why Aybar whiffed on the ball, because they were tied. If they were leading he would have been so relaxed and Shields wouldnt have been in the game. Once again the call should not be the main issue, the lack of execution should be. That is tangible, your intangibles arguement is impossible to quantify. Saying that Shields pitched differently because they didnt score is silly.

I took you for a guy that actually PLAYED sports. If not, I at least would expect you to appreciate the fact that there is a psychology. If you don't think that execution is effected by different situations in the game, I dont know what to tell you. What you are saying defies years of research on the subject.

I do agree, as i stated in my earlier post, that it is impossible to quantify the amount of effect.

A link to a small study on the subject:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...12a243696bb035


even better:

http://www.dartsperfection.com/free%...ext%5B1%5D.pdf

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Saying that Shields pitched differently because they didnt score is silly.

Seriously, have you ever played baseball?

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

There was no momentum to swing. The Angels had it all. The crowd was dead as a doornail and the Red Sox players were noticeably tight. After that play, the crowd got back into the game and the Red Sox were playing with house money.

As they are with Tampa.....even there own media has been picking against them with the realities of 1) Papi's wrist requiring him to literally start a swing before he sees the ball...(not exactly a recipe for success at the plate) and 2) Lowell is done for the year. They can call it "ineligible for the division series of they want but Mike Lowell likely needs a repair. (don't underestimate the potential for Lowell to develop avascular necrosis of the hip with this which would end his career ala Bo Jackson should he go on to develop this.

The Rays are the favorite buy because of the nutty 2-3-2 format the Sox have a chance if they can steal on in Florida. Rays in 6 to face the Dodgers and I hope I am wrong...