Never take the job lightly
Part of what makes up a big league pitcher is learning the major league hitters.
It's as big a part of your game as mastering off-speed pitches when you are behind in the count.
You have to know when they aren't catching up to your fastballs and when they're setting you up to throw another breaking ball.
What makes this such an important part of your game is that all hitters want to be the hero; all hitters get paid to beat you; and they don't care if you lose your job.
Baseball is a game of mental toughness, matching wills, and I always knew my will would win out. Why? Because first, I never took any hitter, even the pitchers lightly.
Anyone at the Major League level is capable of beating you. Knowing that, you can never, and I mean NEVER let up on a pitch or think you have this game figured out.
When I wasn't in a game, I was a student of the game; I asked everyone from Pete Rose to Ken Griffey Sr., from Paul O'Neill to Gary Sheffield what they looked for at the plate, what Hall of Famers like Tony Gwynn were trying to do off of me and other pitchers; any hitting coach who wouldn't be annoyed with me for the last 20 years; anything I could do to better myself. I knew that was part of the job of being a pitcher.
If you think you have this game figured out from one side or the other, you're only fooling yourself.
Know the hitter. Think like a hitter. And don't ever trust a hitter. His job is to beat you and beat you bad! Period.
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Categories (click for archive)MASNblogs | Rob Dibble |
I hope every Nats/Orioles fan get the opportunity to catch a game on MASN this weekend. Jim Palmer and Rod Dibble are just amazing to listen too. Unbelievable to just listen to them talk the game of baseball. Thanks Guys......
Go Nats!!! RR-Winchester, VA
Listening to Jim Palmer, Rob Dibble and the play by plays guys call the game is like having friends over who love baseball and are very knowledgeable about the game.
Living in Boston, I didn't get the MASN feed for the Sox-Nats, but a friend of mine that did get the feed, told me all the great things Rob Dibble and Bob Carpenter said about our beloved Jerry Remy aka the Remdawg. My friend also told me about how Rob was talking a lot about one of my favorite players of all time, Jim Rice. I thank you for the kind comments towards Jerry Remy; you two are very similar, two of the absolute best at breaking down the game. You good folks in Nats town have a very fun and upcoming team, that I equate to the Braves of the late 80s as they were very similar at this stage. Plus, Nats town has one of the absolute best broadcast teams(2nd best in my opinion) in Dibble and Carpenter.
Keep up the great work!
I'm normally not a fan of the broadcast team mix and match but I, too, have enjoyed listening to Palmer and Dibble talk pitching together this year.
Dibble is a moron. I haven't heard one bit of analysis come out of his mouth yet. He talks about anything BUT baseball. Poor Bob has to do play by play and color. He's even worse on radio.
Palmer and Dibble tell it like it is,and they both know what they're talking about.excellent!
I have been impressed with Dibble. He does his homework and has great rerspect for the history of the game. I remember him from the old Dan Patrick show on ESPN radio and he came off as a Dufus. After listening to him this season I can see great improvement and really enjoy his work. Although I am primarily an Oriole fan when I catch RD on MASN he really impresses me.
Elpo
Rob:
The nostalgic trip through your Dad's career last week was great! I grew up listening to Walt Dibble at WDRC -- and then had the pleasure of watching your Dad take the place of my Dad when he left WTIC. I spent some time with your Dad at 'TIC and was impressed with not only his talent but his class. Thanks for sharing your memories.
- Jim Bertel -
Is it time to move Stammen back to the bullpen and get Glavine and give him a starting spot. He could show the youngsters HOW to pitch when he's on the mound and explain to them what they need to do in different situations when they are in the dugout?
I wasn't sure if the TV broadcast team could be as good as it was last year (Don and Bob) but I am pleased how well it is. I think the check swing counting as a strike has changed over the years. Like to hear some comments about that. (It used to be if the bat crossed the plate, then if the player broke their wrists, and its harder today to hold up a swing.) I think the Nationals should give Tom Glavine a look. He did good in his rehab assignment. If nothing else, he would be a good mentor.
Rob, if you read this, I think you and Bob do an excellent job. I watch a good part of nearly every game and you have taught me so much about pitching in particular and the game in general. Don Sutton was clearly very knowledgeable about the game but somehow you have a knack of saying the right thing at the right time to get the ideas across to us laymen. Just as one of many examples, I remember a couple months ago when Dunn scored, and then stood in the on-deck circle. You explained it was because the next batter was slow coming up out of the dugout and Dunn went to the on-deck circle to coach a potential runner coming home. That's the kind of stuff we fans rarely learn about from broadcasters.
I also appreciate how you have really made the Nationals "your" team - in my personal opinion, that really makes the game more enjoyable to watch. I'd rather have that than a bland, colorless commentary any day. I look forward to many years of listening to you guys. Keep up the good work!
I totally agree with Gary above and several of the others. My husband and I both enjoy Rob and Bob so much! I've been a baseball fan for about 55 years but I have learned more about the game from Rob and Kevin Kennedy on "The Show" and from Rob and Bob on the Nats' broadcasts, than I ever thought possible. We too appreciate how you've made the Nats "your" team. It makes the rough games more bearable and the good games real reasons to cheer! Thank you for the great job you do!
I just want to make it clear for every person watching basbeall on TV. There is no such thing as a tie on a play and there is no such rule that says " a tie goes to the runner". Bob and Rob were not the first to say this and will not be the last. I have heard everyone from Joe Morgan to Joe Buck say it. If you do not believe me, read the Major League Baseball rule book sometime.
Dibble for Manager - His approach is exactly what the Nats need. Even Lyndsay Czarniak of NBC 4 said Rob was "spot on" with his assessment of the lacksidasical attitude of some of the players. I liked Manny (and maybe if the Nats players weren't so young and un-disciplined, he would work out very well), but Rob would whip them into shape.