Crow on Pie
Sounds like the start of a nursery rhyme.
We'll assume that Felix Pie is starting in center field tonight, which will present a challenge with CC Sabathia on the mound for the Yankees. But Adam Jones is nursing a sprained ankle and Pie is carrying a hot bat.
Pie has collected at least one hit in six straight games and 10 of his last 12. He's homered in four of his last five, five of eight and six of 17.
While continuing to meet regularly with hitting coach Terry Crowley in the early afternoons, Pie batted .333 with five homers, 13 RBIs and a 1.045 OPS in August. Since the break, he's hitting .317 with six homers, 16 RBIs and a .983 OPS.
"He's been terrific to work with," Crowley said. "In spring training, I took my time with him. We're from different cultures. I'm from New York City, he's from the Dominican Republic by way of Haiti. We took our time, got to know each other a little bit, and gradually I tried to incorporate some things in the tunnel that we worked on. And quite honestly, he had some trouble with it at the beginning. He had a little trouble doing the things that we tried to do.
"Just a couple days ago, getting ready for a game, I flipped him five or six balls that he was supposed to hit one-handed, with his bottom hand, and he hit five peas in a row - boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. And I said, 'Remember in spring training when you couldn't do this?' And we both laughed so hard. We had a good laugh. That just shows how much he's worked, how far he's come along. He's put in time and sweat and energy. He's left there wringing wet.
"He didn't mope when he was on the bench for a long period of time. He used the time well and he's going to be a nice pick-me-up to help these other guys out a little bit down the stretch.
"You can't rely on the same two, three, four guys every day. And right now, it's new energy. He's been here all year, but now he's getting a chance to play again. What he adds to our lineup is all a bonus. And I think gradually, the guys are thinking he can help us. He can score from first base on a long single or a double. Sometimes, he tries to do a little bit too much and he has to try to play a little more under control, but you'd rather see a guy trying to do too much than a guy who's complacent and doesn't care about anything but swinging the bat. I take that as a positive, and we can mold him into a real solid player, from what I've seen.
"I had these feelings when he was hitting under .200."
Crowley might have been in the minority, but Pie is making him look awfully smart these days.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Crowley said. "In spring training, I took my time with him. We're from different cultures. I'm from New York City, he's from the Dominican Republic by way of Haiti.
Ummmmm ... When was the last time Crow spent some time in NYC???
Roch, I know Crow would never name players specifically, but you can't help but wonder who he had in mind when he said "but you'd rather see a guy trying to do too much than a guy who's complacent and doesn't care about anything but swinging the bat."
With the season over in terms of our record, I still tune just to see what Pie will do every at-bat (much like I did when Reimold and Wieters came up). With the way Jones has been getting hurt this season, I think Pie has cemented his spot on our roster for the next several years.
In terms of offensive production Pie has outperformed both Scott and Jones in the 2nd half.
The next blog entry should be titled "Trolls know more about hitting than Crow, just ask them." Or perhaps we can try, "A guy's first 75 at bats tell you everything you need to know, but his next 125 are meaningless."
I think Jones could use some Crow time as well to shorten his swing.
Roch,
Off topic, Meredith has been pitching very well of late, as in since he got here from SD. He looks like a great pick up! Your thoughts? Where does he fit in the O's future plans?
Thanks,
Michael
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He's been OK. Impressive at times, not so much others. Can be useful seventh inning-type guy, sort of like Bradford was back in the day. - Roch
Blow and Pie? You wanna talk about blow and pie? Now those are two things I know about... Oh, wait, wrong blog. My bad... "Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy..."
Hey Roch,
Its good to see a young player like Pie enjoy the fruits of working hard. Looks like he is going to get a few more at bats while Jones is out.
With this season all but done, let all the kids get a taste.
Hey Roch,
Just wondering what you think Pie's trade value will be going into the offseason. It would be great if he could get us a solid starting shortstop in return. Maybe the Rays would be interested considering their stable of shortstop prospects.
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He could be packaged in a deal for perhaps a starting pitcher or slugging first baseman. Obviously would have to be a team looking for outfield help. - Roch
I won't be surprized, if Pie has good at-bats vs Sabbathia also. Pie hit the ball hard a couple of other times, last night.
Hope Mr. Crowley works his magic on Wieters also. Roch, I know that you like to hobnob with the scouts, if the opportunity presents itself. Next time, could you please ask them what're their impressions of Wieters as a hitter. At this stage his bat looks painfully slow to me. He can't catch-up with the fastballs even when he starts the bat early. Last week, against the Twins, he swung-and-missed at six straight sliders out of the strike zone. I guess he was trying to anticipate a fastballs from Joe Nathan. His .264 average is deceptive as several of his soft liners and bleeders have found safety. Wieters has, thus far, been the biggest disappointment for me. It's not the numbers so much, but the way he appears outclassed. I'm really worried about him.
I think it's time for him to start experimenting with different stances: maybe close his stance a little; maybe crouch a little. It'd be wise for Mr. Trembley to sit Wieters tonight against Sabbathia.
Roch said:
“Yes, I used "conducting" and "symphony" in the same sentence. I'm clever that way.”
Roch,
All of your students, with very few exceptions, enjoy your humor – although it is unseemly and pathetic to toot your own horn (see what I did there?).
In your honor, I offer the following, gleaned during endless hours on the Internet:
THE CURE FOR ORIOLES FEVER:
There's a story told about Dodger Pedro Guerrero playing third base; whether it is true is not recorded:
After a disastrous day at third, Tommy Lasorda asks Guerrero, "You're playing third ... what are you thinking?"
Guerrero responds, "Please, don't hit the ball to me."
Lasorda: "All right ... what else are you thinking?"
Guerrero: "Please don't hit the ball to Steve Sax, either."
Luis Polonia who, after being traded from the Yankees to the Angels said, "The New York Yankees are only interested in one thing ... and I have no idea what that is."
Do the Simpsons, the Griffins, and other animated characters celebrate by calling for a “High Four?”
Because he couldn’t get permission, Steven Wright was forced to write an unauthorized autobiography.
You could look ‘em up, maybe.
Roch,
I only wish the rest of the team had the desire Pie has. Seems there are a few vets on the Orioles that would benefit from the sort of hitting regimen that Pie has taken on this year. I'll be sorely disappointed if Pie is dealt this off-season. I'm eager to see what kind of a ballplayer he becomes.
Roch, I’m willing to eat crow on Pie. He has turned things around at the plate. I’m still wary about his fundamental lapses on the field and bases since I think that’s a significant deficiency, but I’ll take whatever we can get and hope for continued improvement. I really did not think this experiment would have any positive outcomes, but if it helps the team, how can I not like it? It appears he’s got a good work ethic and wants to be a better player, too, which makes it hard not to root for the guy.
I think some calls I’ve seen here and elsewhere for dealing Reimold or Jones because Pie is so improved are premature and not even well conceived. If Pie has truly figured things out and can be a productive player, the club needs him and the rest of these young players who have shown they can play in the big leagues. An abundance of talent that creates “problems” of getting everyone adequate playing time is what this club needs, not trying to deal away players so the lineup card is easier to fill out. At some point, perhaps you make deals from excess to improve in other areas, but I hardly think the O’s are ready to do that with their young position players.
You look at other teams in the division and see that they have more players than they can plug into the lineup that would be everyday starters on many teams. When you have this luxury, you’re built to withstand injuries, not rush your minor league talent to the majors, and make deals that improve your team when needed without creating significant deficiencies. Oh, yeah, you just might win more games too.
Brian said:
"Tom C.. prozac dude, or trying getting laid at least...Some people (TomC) are easily baited."
Yeah, DUDE, I'm easily baited when someone threatens me or others with bodily harm, whether it was "in jest" or not. Totally classless move. My offer stills stands for you to try to throw me from the upper deck "and find out if they can fly".
2 whipping boys, Crowley and Pie, making good and shutting up the critics...until they find something else to complain about.
Amazing how things change. No one was behind this guy during the first half and now he's arguably the most popular O. I love Lou, but I can't help but think Pie might be a little more versatile, and I love his enthusiasm. Burnett and Scossia and all the others who want to criticize him for playing like a baseball player should can go pound sand.
Any more word regarding Arrieta getting called up or shut down? I might have missed with all this talk about the young guys.
I never thought I'd say this sentence. I like Pie more than Jones right now. Can someone please post both their stats since June 1st? Jones had the fast start, got homer happy and has failed to adjust. Meanwhile, Pie is putting in the time, playing with energy (too much some days) and is becoming the 5 tool player MacPhail and Crowley knew was there.
Jones needs to humble it up and get back to what made him a good hitter...taking pitches. Most days when I would watch him hit, he'd swing widly at the 1st 2 pitches and look terrible. With 2 strikes, he looks more like his old self. The problem is that it isn't good enough. He needs to look like his old self in the beginning of that at-bat, not the end.
Thank you Andy MacAwesome! You were right again, as usual.
Even though I know it's pronounced pee-A, whenever I read it I always say Pie in my head.(Very similar to Radhames Liz (Leez) haha. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this.
Also, Oscar Salazar had ANOTHER pinch-hit homerun. That guy is clutch.
George Sherrill also had his first blown save... still has a 0.59 ERA for the Dodgers.
Good for both of them.
Is his back pocket hanging out in that picture?!
..sigh...
Though I do find it nice that the only thing I can find fault with now is his uniform difficulties. Keep it up Pie!
Great idea for a blog topic, picking Crowley's brain on Pie. Thanks for thinking of it and sharing with us.
Remember when 1-for-4 was a good Pie game? We cannot get rid of him, need for 2010 4th outfielder.
Brummie/Jack's credibility takes a punch to the face every time Pie hits another bomb, takes the ball the other way with power, or hustles to make a tough catch in the outfield. And we're supposed to listen to his plan, which he believes is better than Mc(Genius)Phail? He wanted to DFA Pie for months now...would you still like to have Salazar over Pie? Ridiculous. Why should we listen to anything this guy writes in here? Go back to Cubs blogs and cry while Pie becomes a staple on a winning Os team for years to come.
Pie is only playing because Andrew is forcing DT to play him. Andrew will not trade Pie because he is Andrew’s pet.
Patients Jack, BO, Kyle
Andy saw something in the kid and it is paying off. Andy took his time with the Bedard trade and it is paying off. Peter hiring Andy will also payoff!!
Looked it up myself. Since June 1st.
AB BA OBP SLG TB RBI HR 2B 3B Cycles
Pie 102 .333 .383 .598 61 20 6 5 2 1
Jones 290 .234 .286 .362 105 34 8 9 2 0
Which one is the all-star again? I'm confused.
Crow on Pie might make him better
Crow on Pie might make him freer
Crow on Pie and he will never be a winner
Pie runs really fast
but always to the wrong base
sometimes running past third base and into the other teams dugout
He is not as good as pie
You can't eat him and he isn't good inside
You can't throw him in someones face or bake him for a party
He is not as good Jones
and not close to Nolan
we can't make it with him
leave the game
Crow on Piiiieeee
A crow on pie makes me sad
a crow on pie makes me mad
a crow on pie is totally a waste
why did that crow take my pie
it will problably die from having my pie
I wish that I could eat my pie
Now I'm left with watch Pie
Why can't the league have a cap
Why else would we be stuck with Felix Pie
How could he mess this game up
Who tags up on a foul ball out
He tried to go to third but was out by a mile
He is not as good Nick
and I know the small price tage
we can't make it with him
Leave the game
Crow on Piiiieeeee
Is that the nursery rhyme you were talking about. I used the beat of Nirvana's Old Age which can be found
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idGePD4md-s
Tom C said:
Brian said:
"Tom C.. prozac dude, or trying getting laid at least...Some people (TomC) are easily baited."
Yeah, DUDE, I'm easily baited when someone threatens me or others with bodily harm, whether it was "in jest" or not. Totally classless move. My offer stills stands for you to try to throw me from the upper deck "and find out if they can fly".
September 2, 2009 2:12 PM
Get help for yourself. Apparently you are really way too messed up to be doing much. Did I ever mention you by name??? Nope. You took that upon yourself somewhere in your dank little basement, cruising the Internet. Frankly, you were barely a pimple on an elephant's @ss to me until a day or 2 ago. What rock did you crawl out from under?
BTW, I have never been afraid of anyone, including a mental midget in a chat room. You should be careful, you might annoy someone....
Brion:
I've never been a Pie hater. I said the kid played hard and was still learning. My criticisms of Andy revolve around his aggressiveness or lack thereof in bringing in free agents and his over reliance on "the calvary" to turn things around. I've also railed on Trembley for consistently making poor decisions. In the future if you are going to rip posters for their opinions, at least make sure you get their opinion right to begin with.
Some of you need to relax. Pie is doing well and we should all be grateful. No decisions need to be made beyond next spring training. He has overcome the odds and proved he belongs on a ML roster. That's about it. I loved that he has been working hard, yet it baffles me that his hard work is viewed as an exception. It also bothers me that we should view Crowley as exceptional because of his work with a backup outfielder while our "all-star CF" and uber-prospect swing long quiet bats. I believe Crowley has considerable knowledge and a solid pedigree but you can't deny that we have had few star hitters over his tenure. But then what talent have we had beside Roberts and Markakis? I definitely am against his hit anything that looks good approach in this era of soft middle relief. ANd who knows about Kranny? Garbage in = garbage out. I try not to be one of those guys, but watching a few Ravens games will do us all some good (unless you follow another team- then just watch them).
Ok everyone...calm down. It seems the bandwagon has gotten bigger and is heading the other way, as in wanting to put Felix in the O's HOF already. I'm as happy as anyone that Felix has turned it around (with copious amounts of help from Crow) and has seemingly justified his roster spot. And yes Adam Jones is struggling the past couple months...seemingly ever since he got back from all-star break (maybe he's sleepwalking and dreaming he's in the HR derby cause he's been trying his best to murder every ball he's seen). HOWEVER, Felix was as awful in the first half as he's been good in the second, so lets wait awhile to see if consistency is around the corner.
I like Felix but I don't believe he's ultimately going to be more than an extremely good 4th outfielder or marginal 3rd. And yes, teams need those. But he is not better than Adam Jones or Nolan Reimold. To say that is very short-sighted. I still think the mental lapses and lack of great baseball instincts is worrying and would keep him behind Reimold and Jones in the O's pecking order. And with Lou Montanez coming back next year (and with nothing left to prove in the minors) as well as still having Luke on the roster, the O's are going to have a numbers crunch next year. That's a good thing, but it also means it finally allows this franchise to deal from a strength to address a weakness. And this team still has enough weaknesses to address (AS IS CORNER INFIELDERS, specifically 1st base). Ultimately, I believe Pie becomes an intriguing trade chip instead of long-term Oriole.