Up and Adam (Or Adam and Eaton)
You have to feel sorry for Koji Uehara. He has a tough act to follow tonight.
I wouldn't want to be the next starter after Adam Eaton.
And while we're on the subject of following, I'd like to pick up a topic that was pretty hot two nights ago. I'll use an oven mitt.
Adam Jones was criticized and scrutinized Wednesday because of two throws from center field that missed the cutoff man and allowed the batter to take an extra base. One of them scored on a ground-rule double.
Does outfield coach John "T-Bone" Shelby:
A. Pull Jones aside in the dugout and point out his mistakes.
B. Approach Jones in the clubhouse after the game and point out his mistakes.
C. Drive Jones to an isolated spot, push him out of the car and speed off.
D. None of the above.
If you guessed "A," you get two desserts.
If you guessed "C," you're creeping out the rest of the class. Stop that.
"He's the kind of person who, you can talk about it during the game," Shelby said. "If I don't go to him, he'll come to me. It's not something we just leave alone, because he's not the kind of guy who will take it the wrong way. He knows that whatever I tell him is the truth. And usually, when he does something that he shouldn't do out there, he's one of the first to know it.
"When he comes off the field - good throw, bad throw, good play, bad play - we usually have a conversation anyway. We're always talking during the game. When he came off the field, we talked about it. We very rarely miss opportunities, whether something good happens or something bad. And I very rarely miss what my outfielders do. And especially with him and Nick (Markakis), they already know before I ask them, which is a credit to them. I've never had two young outfielders like that before. They're on top of the game and know how to handle situations. But we'll talk about it anyway. That's part of our relationship."
It's worth noting that Jones has only been playing the outfield for a few years. He used to be a shortstop.
"Last year was a big learning phase for him," Shelby said. "The first line drive that was hit to him in spring training, he misjudged it, and we started talking."
And they haven't stopped.
"We got a chance to know each other, and we're in a relationship where he trusts and believes that what I tell him is the truth," Shelby said. "And when something happens now, he knows. He's a quick learner. And one of the best things about him is, when I tell him something or remind him about something, he'll go right out and correct it during the game. We don't have to come to the park and do early work. He'll go out there and you'll see the results during the game."
 |
Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
so, what about the play where jones caught the fly ball at the fence in front of pie?? it's obviously cf's ball, anything he can get to, and he was calling for it. but, i'm more interested in the body language between the two players. jones didn't even look at pie. and pie had a sort frustrated look on his face. what is the relationship like between these two?? seems like pie needs to learn his place.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it was just a brief flash of frustration over a near-collision. Nothing more. - Roch
Morning Roch, You are quick on the whit this moring too....what are you eating for breakfast? Would be great to see Koji pitch just like Eaton did tonight too...maybe he will....we know he can....Jones...don't you just love the inside stuff between players and teamamtes and coaches and managers..I eat that up.....wonder how we know this..would not be your doings would it Roch??????? Thanks..making my morning down here in FL.
John Shelby has always been a pro, whether playing the game or coaching. It must be a pleasure for him to have two such willing students as Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. Both of those young men are a credit to the Orioles and to the game of baseball. Doing it right is paramount to them, and I, as a fan, appreciate their dedication. Go O's!
Well Andrew must have been in rare form last night. Lot’s of back slapping, champagne and laughing I imagine. He was probably telling his minions about Pie and Eaton: “ See, I was right all along. I am a baseball genius”
Whatever. Pie gave us two meaningless singles. Was this what he meant when he told DT he was going to have “big game”?
As for Eaton: Every dog has its day.
Neither of these players deserves a spot on this roster but every time they even show a glimmer of hope or do a half decent job mimicking a pro ballplayer, Andrew will renew their roster spots for another 30 days.
Way to go Adam! Thanks for making sure that the young guys stay in the minors for another month or two.
Roch, I have a bit of a question that you may or may not be able to answer. Why is it that Gregg Zaun has this beautiful artwork on his catching equipment yet Moeller is out there using a cap and mask like he plays little league? Obviously this is Zaun's own personal gear; I guess I just want to know a little more about it. Did he create the paintings himself or did he pay out of pocket to have that done by an artist? Its just something that caught my eye that I think is really neat. Any info is greatly appreciated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zaun has his gear custom-made. I guess he's just a little flashier than your average catcher. But I don't know whether he created the design. I'll try to remember to ask him. - Roch
I remember when we signed Eaton a couple of Phillites commented that he would torture us with a really good game foloowed by two or three clanks. I have been waiting for any signs of the "really good one." I saw it last night - now I'll wait like I did after a really good Cabrera performance and hope for the best. I honestly will be looking forward to his next start.
Hey, you're the one writing C as an option. Now who's creepy?
Remember class, do not feed the trolls.
For those critical, last night was a perfect example of the Plan. Is Eaton that good? No way. He'll mix solid performances with ugly ones, to the general tune of his 5-ish career ERA. Even last year he threw quality starts more than half the time. He's not the sort of guy to build around, nor rely on if you're a contender. But if half the time he pitches like last night and half the time he's giving up 5 runs in 5 innings, he's useful to have until guys like Tillman and Matusz are ready.
Also an obvious Pie point: it's popular here to criticize how he's looked on defense ("clueless," "poor routes," etc.), and at the plate. It seems extremely likely to me that such issues are mental. There is no way someone with such baseball deficiencies makes it through the minors as successfully as he has. There is no guaranty he overcomes such mental issues, but if we give him the right environment we might be richly rewarded and we're not hurting Reimold (yet) by getting him regular time at AAA.
i cannot feel sorry for Koji Uehara - that is what we are PAYING HIM FOR. Seriously, tough acts to follow are a mark of a good winning team, which is what everyone here wants.
Also, bravo to Eaton - he is someone we need on this roster - a person who can actually strike people out and not issue walks (unlike Koji and Guts this year). I think people will be looking back to Trembley's comments and Eaton's performance and realize that management and the coaches actually know what they are doing. Do people realize that we are LUCKY to have gotten a player of the caliber of Eaton for what we are paying??? So sign me up for the bandwagon (Adam, please don't prove me wrong - I believe!!)
You know Roch, I was one of those strong critics and I was pleased to see some improvement yesterday. I am certainly glad to hear that a pro, (Shelby) jumped right on him, in his way. That is encouraging. Still, I believe he would be better in left field with Pie in Center, if nothing more than the fact that he is right handed. I consider he and Pie equal in fielding ability otherwise. BTW, I am warming up to Pie. I see some glimmer of hope there for a long term good player for the O's.
Tough act? I hope it's looked on another way, gotta keep up with the Eaton's... Now the pressure falls on Hendrickson bec/ we all know, someone has to go when Hill is ready. He is the "pie" of the pitching staff, earned or not, shelled or not, Hill will start.
Congrats to Eaton. I must say I am surprised. Let's hope it continues.
That Pie/Jones moment on that deep fly ball.... I know what happened, for a moment Pie probably thought it was Montanez & he was going to take him out. Gotta eliminate the competition somehow. What is Pie batting now, .150? He can't see the Mendoza line without the Hubble Telescope.
It speaks a lot that Kirk basically told him to take pitches, try to draw walks. That was what we all used to tell the bad kids on our team, don't swing until you have 2 strikes, hope they walk you...then they still swung at pitches in the dirt or over their heads.... you all know what I mean, you have lived it too if you played ball on any level.
"Jason C.".....great post and great question. I will follow it up with (yet another) question of curiosity that is probably only of interest to hard-core baseball fans.
Roch, Zauny has his personal gear including "Z-Man" on his under garment (still love that chest protector). Guts has 46 stitched into his glove and Koji has a special mitt which you commented on in a thread a ways back. Who pays for it? The manufacturers, the team or the players? I know it is a minor point but I am very intrigued.
And while I am on the attire theme, you still need to respond on the shirt you were wearing last night. It Roched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure the team doesn't pay for it. The players probably do, unless they have some sort of deal with a manufacturer. I'll try to remember to ask Zaun. As for my shirt, nothing special. Rayon/Polyester. Must be the way I was Roching it. - Roch
Just looking at Eaton's game by game stats of previous years: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=4392&year=2008. Last year he only recorded 3 quality starts. In 2007 he strung together two of his 3 quality starts in a row. We have to go back to 2004 to see any sort of glimmer of consistency with this guy. O's fans, don't get your hopes up, especially since he's been a NL pitcher is whole career and now he's in the hard hitting AL east. I'll be surprised if he gets one more quality start before he's released
Brummie...I can only guess that Andy did something to offend someone in your family. Come clean now. I really don't understand how anyone can look at Andy and not like the guy. He seems like a pretty straight shooter. Even Roch, who's met the man reflects those sentiments, yet you...with no prior knowledge...know better than everyone else...
I don't think anyone is thinking that from here on out, Pie and Eaton will have smooth sailing.
But thanks for pointing out the small dark cloud on an otherwise sunny day.
Even at a free beer party, there's always someone who says "Yeah...but..."
You're our resident Yeah...but.
Congrats.
trachsel had some excellent starts, too. didn't stop him from being steve trachsel in the end tho.
shelby was a fine hire.
i have yet to see anything dave jauss has to say. does he talk?
People act like the near collision (which wasn't even all that close) between Jones and Pie was some unique event and some negative thing that calls into question how Pie fits in with the other players. Give me a break. If he pulled up and the ball dropped, he would have been excoriated for not going after it. As it was, both players did their job getting into perfect position to make the play. One called off the other and made the catch. They nearly collided, which happens pretty often in baseball. They didn't stop and hug each other before leaving the field which means they must despise one another. Pie's two hits were "meaningless" and prove nothing. On top of that, Eaton's successful outing was somehow a negative thing because it just delays the promotion of a minor leaguer who hasn't even had a month at AAA yet. You have got to be kidding me. I am a big First Amendment guy, but at some point stupidity ought to disqualify some from posting.
I agree with the one post. T-Bone is a professional in every aspect. Pulling him aside and pointing out his error in judgement was the right thing to do. I never critisize a player in front of another player. Quickest way to lose the respect of your team.
Jones is a quality 4 tool player at this point in his career. We all have lapses in our game. Look Andrew put this starting rotation together in the off season and a few on here forgave him. So those same few can forgive Jones for the two miscues.
You put Jones, Markakis and Reimold in the outfield with your fourth/Dh being Montanez, that is a quality defensive outfield with some pop.
Roch,
Off topic question:
Have you heard anything on the update of Freel and his concussion. Any lingering problems?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He felt fine the next day. No problems. - Roch
I was at the game last night and it was a rousing ovation from the somewhat small crowd for Eaton. And one thing never gets old, high fiving people at the Yard.
It's a lot easier to see the strike zone on TV, but from my vantage point it looked to be somewhat expanded last night. Anyone notice?
Tracy, sorry to read about your vehicle. I just don't understand some people.
Speaking of not understanding some people, I don't get Dummie_Oriole chastizing our organization for not spending money when he contributes absolutely nothing to it. All he and Jack do is bog down this blog.
As always, you do a great job Roch. Thank you! By the way, were you the one who passed along the idea to the Sun to put the cartoon Oriole back in the paper? Pair of socks, great stuff!
LOST & FOUND
Has anyone found PIE's power...he surely has lost it.
By the way Reimold had another multi hit game and is now up to .440 with 4 times the home of Pie. It is early but I am not seeing the subtle signs a struggling player still exhibits when things are going bad....ie Wiggy. With Wiggy you still see balls hit hard and great defensive plays.
Any volunteers to help Pie find his items lost?
Ah, the kumbaya moment has arrived for Oriole baseball and all is well now and forever. Horseradish!
As usual, I'm with Sheets. I've avoided entering the fray in the Pie controversy except in a general way -- my oven mitts aren't that thick -- but he did have a couple of two-strike hits last night, and as someone (CRB?) wisely pointed out previously, he made a really nice play on Konerko's ball, spinning and firing a perfect throw to second to hold him to a single. I'm a left fielder, and, believe me, that's no easy play.
Let's be frank: None of us can possibly predict how the Pie saga will play out. But I for one would love to see what he can do with a long leash. If nothing else, before he gets sent down I want to see him go from first to home on a double. From what I've seen the guy can fly, but he's like a colt, not very sure of himself yet. If he can build some confidence off the Vicente Padillas of the world, we might have something. I'm also rooting for him because he's an Oriole, and because he was a smart, low-risk/high-reward acquisition. Oh, and for another reason: because if he succeeds it just might encourage some extremely annoying people around here to curb their criticism (aka STFU). Although I guess if Trolls 1 and 1A had that capacity, they'd certainly have exhibited it by now.
Despite the fact that according to his last post terpfan would call my intelligence into question...I too noticed the lack of exchange between Jones and Pie after that relatively close call out there. It was more AJ's reaction that had caught my attention, because he didn't even so much as glance behind him at Felix...whereas I HAVE seen similar plays between Adam and Nick where Jones never fails to turn after the play and check in with Nick in a "no harm, no foul" sort of way.
Not to say that I think it is a sign of some huge drama boiling under the surface, but it was slightly curious and caught my attention.
Since when is a single meaningless? Just because a run was not driven in or he didn't come around to score does not make the hits meaningless. A hit means an out was not made which means the pitcher must pitch to at least one more batter and the defense must stay out there a little longer. Given Pie's spot in the order it brings up the ninth hitter which is always a good thing especially if there are already two outs in the inning, which in turn gives the top of the order one or two more at bats. In addition, each hit should boost Pie's confidence which should make him more valuable to the club.
Zaun gets his mask custom painted by a company in Toronto.
Stew - Thanks. According to my insurance agent there has been a LOT more of that going on the past couple months unfortunately.
Brian - Thanks for the advice...unfortunately most all of my baseball peeps are female (and none of them are all that large and intimidating). For some reason the guys I do know aren't all that into baseball, it's total role reversal in my world.
Well said Orange Crayon. I've been saying that since ST. Those who argue against that and call people like you and me Pie huggers mischaracterize the debate. None of us have said we're sure he will succeed, just that it makes sense to find out. Rather than articulating a cogent argument for why it doesn't make sense, the Pie haters trash the guy at every turn, even when he gets to a ball in the gap and is called off by Jones, and make the baseless accusation that he is a MacPhail favorite that Trembley is forced to play.
So, we have gone from "gives us, no, zip, nada chance to win" to "every dog has its day" in the first month of the season. Soon to come is "no better than average" in May and "sure fire ace" in June and "all star calibre" in July and "Cy Young" in August and "first ballot hall of famer" in September. Dont ya just love revisionist history? We also had no chance to beat Sabbathia on opening day, win the opening series from the Yankees . . . dont people ever learn that any time you use absolutes such as always or never, you are asking to eat your own words? I didnt know there was a psychosis that manifests itself in one revelling and taking such delight in being wrong. How many times have you pointed out that the message they think they heard is NOT what Andy actually said? And yet they just keep right on plowing forward with blinders on. Sad really. But we should all be prepared to be extra nice to them soon because after all, May is mental health awareness month.
just a note on a previous comment...
"brother country said:
so, what about the play where jones caught the fly ball at the fence in front of pie?? it's obviously cf's ball, anything he can get to, and he was calling for it. but, i'm more interested in the body language between the two players. jones didn't even look at pie. and pie had a sort frustrated look on his face. what is the relationship like between these two?? seems like pie needs to learn his place."
---I personally saw it as two center fielders playing the ball and the one center fielder who wishes he was still in center field getting frustrated over being called off by the REAL center fielder..
Tracy, what time can I pick you and your friends up tonight?
Comment not directed at you Tracy, even though I really doubt there was anything to Jones not looking at Pie or saying something to him after they nearly collided. It was directed at the person who criticizes Pie's every move, discounts anything positive he does as "meaningless" and then tries to argue that Eaton's outing was somehow negative because it keeps others in the minors. I've heard some stupid stuff before, but that may take the cake.
They aren't going to ship Pie out to make room for Montanez or Freel.What they are going to do is look at where Reimold and Pie are later on.If Pie isn't showing signs of improving and Reimold is holding his own, they'll make the switch.They don't see Montanez as anything more than depth.Over a period of time Montanez's numbers would probably be better across the board but they don't care about that,it's about showing how clever they were to nab Pie.Even at his best Pie isn't going to be a run producer,that's what the Pie huggers are missing.Getting a slap hit here and there isn't enough for a corner OF spot.I'm not even sure Pie's production would be good enough for a SS.
So am I correct in thinking that both Jones and Montanez both played shortstop at one time? Has anyone discussed seeing if one of them could move back there to get some more hitting from that position?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a chance. - Roch