Ripken's opinion on going from short to third
You want to know what it's like to move from shortstop to third base?
You wonder about the adjustments, both mental and physical, that come with it?
You need to know whether Miguel Tejada can make the switch so late in his career?
Here's my question: Why are you asking me?
Instead of subjecting you to my theories and speculation, I'll just let Cal Ripken take it from here. He's more qualified, from what I've been told.
"The hardest part is reworking the way that you think about the position," Ripken said. "At a new position, you have to learn new responsibilities. There is a mental change.
"The physical change is that the ball comes off the bat at different angles. At shortstop, the ball comes off the bat pretty true. At third base, the ball slices differently off the bat of left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters.
"Dad used to say that when a guy moves to a new position, it would take about 100 games to get comfortable, and I found that to be about right. I have no doubt that Miggy will make the adjustment and do really well. I would tell him to be patient and not get discouraged. He will get more comfortable as the season progresses."
Ripken will be one of the speakers at the Gilman Baseball Coaching Clinic, to be held on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the school's Redmond C.S. Finney Athletic Center.
The clinic is designed for coaches and parents who have youth participating in all levels of baseball. Other speakers include Bill Ripken, B.J. Surhoff, Scott McGregor, Larry Sheets and Tim Bishop.
Sheets has been hired as Gilman's head baseball coach. Bishop formerly served as the Orioles' strength and conditioning coach.
The cost is $70 in advance (by Feb. 6) and $80 at the door. Call 410-876-7667 for more information.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
The good thing for Miggy is - unless Josh Bell puts up numbers in AAA this year, like Nolan did at the start of last season - the O's are planning on seeing it through this year. We haven't been as committed or patient with the learning cure on new first basemen in recent past - Javy Lopez, Luke Scott (I thought there was a third guy, but I'm pulling up a blank)
Can you ask Cal if Spring Training games count ... that way we can get 20-30 of those 100 games out of the way before the season starts. :o)
Roch,
Any chance Cal will be a guest instructor this spring to work with Miggy? Who better plus it makes a good story. I know the O's said no guest instructors this year but?
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It doesn't look that way. - Roch
Hey Roch, Are we playing 100 games in spring training? Let's hope so.
Roch,
Everyone needs to remember Mora's first season at third base. He had some major problems. Miggy needs to be cut some slack. I'm certain his bat will more than make up for the errors.
Jim Carter
The concern I have is that Miggy is already 35. Adjusting to a new position is a challenge enough in itself. Factor in father time and the results could be PAINFUL!
But Andy thinks this is an improvement for our team, so we must be on the right track!
Going back to the previous post, and the 1999 draft, yes, it is a shame the O’s got just one true relevant major leaguer (Brian Roberts) having 7 picks in the first 50. It shows just how difficult it is to make good draft picks, and it might show just how bad the O’s were then. Unfortunately for the O’s in that draft, most of the best players nabbed in the first round (those that are playing in the majors right now and have been/are still decent) were gone by the time they made their first pick.
Look at some at the names that came off the board before the O’s made their first selection—Josh Hamilton, Josh Beckett, Barry Zito, Ben Sheets, and Brett Myers. Some of the names they could’ve had—Jason Jennings, Alex Rios, Mike MacDougal, Chris Duncan, among others in the first round. Beyond the first round, there was Carl Crawford, Brandon Phillips, Ryan Doumit, Ryan Ludwick, John Lackey in the second, Justin Mourneau and Hank Blalock in the third, and, of course, in the 13th round, Albert Pujols.
Pujols, the current best player in baseball and arguably one of the all-time greats, being picked as the 402nd pick of that draft shows just how much of a crap shoot the draft can be. For most of the players in the draft, it’s near impossible to predict how they will progress once picked. The O’s missed out on a lot of good players, but so did every other team.
It would be interesting to see how the current O’s administration/scouting would fare with the 1999 draft. I would say maybe they’d produce 2 bonafide major leaguers out of the 7 picks. The best franchises in baseball might produce 3. It’s not just making good picks, but it’s also how you develop those picks. We’ll never know but I like to think that perhaps the current O’s would have known to have picked a John Lackey over a Mike Paradis, or a Carl Crawford over a Larry Bigbie. I’d also like to think that perhaps under the current system, Mike Paradis or Richard Stahl would’ve developed into major league starters and not been busts.
I definitely agree that Tejada needs to be cut some slack. Even the best SS have had some trouble moving to third their first season, so Tejada is going to go through his growing pains, and people need to realize that. With that said, I do hope that he makes up for it at the plate, but I think his propensity to swing rather than take ball 4 will hurt him more than help him in a very good pitching division.
To bad Ripken is not going to be there at ST to help Miggy out...I am sure Miggy will work and work and work to get it right...he is a good ballplayer and will adjust over time...Mora did from the outfield...he will be fine...if he needs a break or stressing he can DH and Wiggy play 3B or even Atkins can. Any other news about relieve pitchers coming to a decision on signing or not????
Brummie_Oriole said:
"Or worse yet, you guys would start leaving "Way to go BRUMMIE" comments in the comment section of an article. "
***********************
Oh, you mean TROLL your "online work?" Yeah that would be PAINFUL. Sorry kid, you've seriously overestimated any interest I have in your fictional journalistic "career." I get some of your points and find you humorous in tone sometimes but you're really not bringing much to the table otherwise.
If you were an actual journalist, one would think that you would be capable of coming up with something more to say than just repeating the same old drivel. Your inability to do this along with your severe lack of memory, (Oh, I've crossed the line, sorry Roch - I won't do it again....until the next time(S)) surely represents you are nothing more than a whiny antagonist.
Roch, didn't Tejada play some third base in the WBC last year? Any recollection of how he did?
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He was shakey in the game that I saw. - Roch
I love what he said about the angles. Cal is a class act guy.
Again, Cal had already played third base in the minor leagues and even played 3rd when he first came up to the majors. It was Earl Weaver who realized that Cal could play short stop. So when Cal switched to 3rd latter in his career it was going back to a familiar position. I don't think anyone can credibly argue that he "forgot" how to play 3rd during the time he was at shortstop.
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Nobody is saying he "forgot." He's just offering some insight on the differences and adjustments. And he's certainly qualified to do so. - Roch
Roch, great to hear from Cal! Too bad he will not be a guest instructor at spring training. Do you think new ownership would get him more involved. Unless of course he were the new ownership which would guarantee his involvement.
As a point of interest, when my girls graduated from collage, they both had Orioles give the commencement address: Cal at Johns Hopkins in 2002; and, Davie Johnson at Loyola in 1996. It was a real treat for a dad-Oriole fan. They both got honorary doctorate degrees. When my son graduated, he had some fat chick give the address. I was hoping for Earl Weaver!
Roch,
Did Cal Ripken say anything about the number of ground balls hit to him during practice? Seems to me this would be a big part of the 100 game formula.
Baldy
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I used every quote that I had. - Roch
Any idea if those guys will be signing autographs at that event?
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I'd be surprised if they didn't, but don't know for sure. - Roch
Tejada may hit better overall with this switch. 3B is less physically demanding than SS & he shouldn't get worn down as much.
I can't wait to hear Paul and Brum rip cal. Good times.
Own a shovel yet Roch?
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Yes. And unfortuantely, it's already paid for itself. - Roch
Roch,
Cal was at courtside for Villanova's basketball game last night and
cheered on the Wildcats......connection ? rumor has it he has been toseveral of their games in Philly....
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Don't know. Sorry. - Roch
no funny title for this story? you are slacking of roch ;)
i was going to try to get a picture with you at fanfest, but by the time i was done waiting in the autograph lines, anita marks was at the masn booth and i definitely didn't need to see her.
I can't believe I am doing this. I was catching up on yesterday's posts and comments and as much as it pains me to say this.
Ty Wigginton does serve a purpose. He is a utility player, not a starter. He plays the right side better than the left but he doesn't play all positions poorly. His first base was better than average, borderline good.
To further this point of him not being "useless" I was reading an old ESPN magazine (Tim Tebow on the cover) that had a section about sliding in it. Brian Roberts was listed as the "best headfirst slide" in the game... which is correct. Ty Wigginton was listed as the "best take out slide" in the game.
As a follow up Buster Olney had in his baseball blurb that the Orioles traded Sherrill for Josh Bell one of the best power prospects in baseball.
I just complimented Wigginton and referenced ESPN and Buster Olney. I feel dirty. I am going home to shower now.
Roch,
Prediction of a Brummie post:
"Dad used to say that when a guy moves to a new position, it would take about 100 games to get comfortable, and I found that to be about right. I have no doubt that Miggy will make the adjustment and do really well. I would tell him to be patient and not get discouraged. He will get more comfortable as the season progresses."
Geez Cal Sr. is supporting Andy from the grave! Another example of Andy and the Orioles sweet talking their way through another poor season.
What do you think Roch, did I get the tone of it right? LOL
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You left out "This is Birdland." - Roch
Michael Young made the switch from SS to 3B last year with Texas. He continued to hit well and I heard little about adjustment problems. He was very reluctant to make the switch but he had just signed a big contract and really had no options other than to move when the team told him to. He had won a Gold Glove at SS but most observers felt he lacked the range to stay at short. Sound familiar?
Rip should have a weekly spot in the blog...great stuff today
I won't be surprized if Tejada and Atkins switch positions by mid-season.
Tejada is going to need a defensive replacement in the 2nd inning.I guess they'll keep Wiggy as an insurance policy in case this doesn't work. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Tejada winds up playing more short this year.
Roch,
Did you happen to read the article by Hal Bodley (formerly of USA Today, and now MLB.com) on the Orioles' prospects yesterday on the team's website? I was amazed he actually got quotes from Peter Angelos since he doesn't seem too disposed to granting interviews regarding the team. I have always thought that Angelos would do himself some good by doing interviews wherein he took responsibility for some bad (executive) hiring decisions and spoke to how he saw the team improving.
Question is...how did Bodley beat you to the punch?
Baldy said:
Roch,
Did Cal Ripken say anything about the number of ground balls hit to him during practice? Seems to me this would be a big part of the 100 game formula.
Baldy
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It would be hard for Miggy to take 100 ground balls before a game if he shows up for work 30 minutes before it begins!
rk
fyi
Here's an Orioles tattoo Lenn Sakata could be proud of or Brummie
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/D12-Here-s-an-Orioles-tattoo-Lenn-Sakata-could-?urn=mlb,217348
Has anyone in the organization given any serious thought to having Tejada play first base instead of third? If games were held today, Atkins would be the better choice at 3rd, defensively. I expect that will still be true six months from now. By then, our minor league prospect may be ready. If Tejada is to learn a new position at his age, it seems like 1st would be a better move.
Roch
nice piece on T Bone...seems like a great dude...
http://www.westernwheel.com/2010/sports/former-big-leaguer-hits-homer-at-dawgs-banquet-2297/print/
Former big leaguer hits homer at Dawgs’ banquet
A former major leaguer who lived the dream of winning two World Series now has a new dream.
John Shelby’s dream is to coach a ballplayer from the Okotoks Dawgs’ organization in the major leagues.
Former Major Leaguer John Shelby urges the sold-out crowd at the Okotoks Dawgs banquet Saturday at the Foothills Centennial Centre to continue to support baseball. Shelby, a first base coach with the Baltimore Orioles, is the father of Dawgs’ centrefielder Jeremy Shelby. photo by Bruce Campbell
“Watching and listening how baseball has taken off here, I can’t wait until I hopefully coach one of the kids from Okotoks,” Shelby told a sold-out audience at the third annual Okotoks Dawgs banquet on Saturday.
“That is really my dream right now because I truly feel I am part of the O Dawgs.”
Shelby played 11 years as an outfielder in the major leagues and has two World Series rings, one from the 1983 Baltimore Orioles and another from the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers. Shelby is presently the first base coach for the Orioles.
He has been in professional baseball for 33 years and on Saturday he was in attendance to see his son, Dawgs centrefielder Jeremy Shelby, win the team’s True Grit award.
Although being in professional baseball is financially lucrative, it comes with a price — like missing your children play baseball.
“You all have seen something I have never experienced,” Shelby said. “The only time I get to see my children is in the off-season. I haven’t been home for summer since 1976… I think I have seen Jeremy play three times. Being able to stay connected with the Dawgs through the internet, I actually felt I was here all summer. I am thankful my son was able to come up here.”
Shelby missed a 30-year reunion of the 1980 Charlotte Orioles to attend the Dawgs’ banquet.
“I chose to come here and I don’t have any regrets,” Shelby said. “I feel like I found another team that was as close as the one I was on in 1980.”
He urged the community to continue its support for the Dawgs — that support is the key to the team’s success.
The senior Shelby knows about success. In his 11 years in the Bigs he played alongside Cal Ripken with the Orioles, who was a member of the 1980 Charlotte team.
“He was just a regular person,” Shelby said in an interview. “We played at every level of professional ball together. He always showed up, worked hard and played hard. No one knew that he would go on to do what he did — I’m sure he didn’t know.”
Ripken became the Iron Man of baseball when he played in 2,632 consecutive games. He is one of only a handful of players to have more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs.
Shelby was the starting centerfielder in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series for the Dodgers. That was the game when Kirk Gibson would hit his historic walk-off home run off Oakland A’s closer Dennis Eckersley to win the game 5-4.
“People forget that it was Gibson’s only at bat in the World Series,” he said of the injured Gibson. “It was unbelievable. It was one of the ugliest at bats you would ever want to see — he could barely swing.”
Gibson wasn’t even in uniform when the game started.
Shelby also played with three Hall of Fame managers, Earl Weaver in Baltimore, Tommy Lasorda in Los Angeles and Sparky Anderson when he finished his career with the Detroit Tigers.
Although he is part of baseball history, the elder Shelby was thrilled to read articles on the Internet from Okotoks last summer.
“I would look at the attendance figure and would just be blown away by what I saw,” Shelby said. “I just want to congratulate each and every one you for the tremendous support you show for the O Dawgs.”
Knocking on the door
John Shelby might not have to wait too long before he sees an ex-Dawg in the major leagues. The other guest speaker, Jim Henderson, was named Canada’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season and he will report to spring training in a few weeks with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Henderson credits the Dawgs program for getting his career on track.
“Throughout my time in pro ball, in the programs and the ball cards where it says ‘school or college attended’ I wish I would have said the Calgary Dawgs or Okotoks Dawgs,” Henderson said. “Without them I wouldn’t be where I am at.”
Henderson was drafted by the now defunct Montreal Expos in 2003, but the Chicago Cubs picked him up in 2007 where he had his best season amid speculation he would be called up to the Major Leagues. However, he blew his shoulder out the following season and was out of a job.
That is until an old Dawg went to bat for him.
“I missed the Olympics and the ’09 World Baseball Classic,” Henderson said. “I contacted every coach I knew, but no one wanted to take a chance on a 26-year-old minor leaguer coming off major shoulder surgery. That is when the Dawgs came to my rescue.”
Brandon Newell, a former coach with the Dawgs and now a scout with the Brewers, convinced Milwaukee to take a chance on Henderson.
Henderson urged Dawgs’ fans to cherish what they see at Seaman Stadium.
“You fans are treated to the purest form of baseball,” he said. “No millionaires fighting over their contracts, no individuals playing for themselves. These Dawgs players are playing as a team for the love of the game and for you fans.”
Henderson had 17 saves with the Brewers’ A club last season. He also pitched at the Double A level for the Brewers. Henderson was a member of Team Canada, which won a bronze medal at the Baseball World Cup in Italy. He picked up the save in Canada’s bronze medal victory over Puerto Rico.
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Article printed from Western Wheel: http://www.westernwheel.com
URL to article: http://www.westernwheel.com/2010/sports/former-big-leaguer-hits-homer-at-dawgs-banquet-2297
Roch, I apologize in advance for this, as it is very off topic.
Brummie_Oriole said:
... telling them that one of their employees spends way too much company time on SOR. Or worse yet, you guys would start leaving "Way to go BRUMMIE" comments in the comment section of an article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If I recall correctly, you slammed me for this very thing. I went back and pulled out your exact words: "I mean, at least I am on a computer/blackberry/i-phone all day, but you should be teaching/grading papers/doing lunch duty". So now, on top of being wrong most of the time, you're also a hypocrite. Nice, just the cherry on top of the Brummie sundae.
And so, my week away from posting has given me a little perspective. First off, I choose not to let Brummie, or Paul, or any of the other negatroids bait me into emotional arguments. I acknowledge that I have allowed myself to become too angry at the poster because of the insanity of the content of the post.
Second, I have engaged in personal attacks, for which I apologize and will attempt with all seriousness to refrain from further. I went back and read what sent me over the edge, and had it not been for other issues currently happening in my professional life I doubt I would have responded with the voracity that I did, and I feel like for a few moments I became one of those people I so despise.
Third, I missed engaging in intelligent discussion over valid baseball points. Although I believe that Brummie and Paul are clearly not trying to create actual discourse (rather, they wish to incite and inflame with no regard to the actual legitimacy of their post), there are times when they need to be argued with. By argue I mean in the purest, logical debate sense of the word possible. Since I rather enjoy these intellectual exercises, I will choose to engage these two (and others) in spirited debate about the baseball content they choose to write about, and I will do my best to remain passionate about what I believe while not resorting to the cajoling and "calling out" tactics I have used in the past. They do nothing to earn me any respect nor do they help win my argument despite how good they feel to write.
Finally, thank you to all who reminded me that there are those here who think my opinions are worth listening to. I did read everything over the past week, just refrained from responding to things. It was good to take that step back. My points of view haven't changed; I still believe what I believe. I will make a conscious effort to make my beliefs known with less sarcasm, less venom, and more... what's a good word... tranquility.
To Roch: Thank you for editing what I wrote in the post where I lost my head. I remember what I wrote, and you would have been perfectly justified in deleting the entire thing. Instead, you took the time to delete some of the less appropriate statements I wrote, and made a few word changes to some others. I appreciate you allowing the sentiment to get through despite my temporary insanity. I will try to keep my arguments to the point. You have a difficult job here, and I vow not to be the reason your job is more difficult than it should be. Your insight, your ability to get me the information I want to know, and the loyal following you have developed has kept me here, and I personally appreciate that you do what you do as well as you do it. Thanks for giving Orioles fans this place to call home.
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It's OK. No worries. I wish I had someone to go back and change the words that come out of my mouth sometimes, but I'm not having much luck. - Roch
Cal Ripken said: ""Dad used to say that when a guy moves to a new position, it would take about 100 games to get comfortable, and I found that to be about right. I have no doubt that Miggy will make the adjustment and do really well. I would tell him to be patient and not get discouraged. He will get more comfortable as the season progresses."
Brummie said,"The concern I have is that Miggy is already 35. Adjusting to a new position is a challenge enough in itself. Factor in father time and the results could be PAINFUL!
"But Andy thinks this is an improvement for our team, so we must be on the right track!"
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Let's see, do REAL Orioles fans trust Cal Ripken's point of view or Brummie's point of view? Considering that Cal is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer who successfully moved from SS to 3B in his 30s, and Brummie is nothing more than a whiner who has it in for Andy Macphail, I think I am going to have to trust Cal's point of view on this one.
CRB, fortunately, the same people are not making draft picks in the Warehouse.
Will the 2010 Orioles Reach .500 Ball?
Last year we finished with a won/loss record of 64-98 and 5th place in the AL East. We lost 20 of those 98 games by one run. We have added a veteran pitcher to our starting rotation, a closer and bullpen help. We have added offense at third with Tejada, and Atkins at first is still a question mark. To reach .500 we would have to win 17 more games then we won last year.
Can this team as structured do it?
With two 100+ win powerhouses and a team that will likely win 85-90 games (TB) it is the toughest division out there. Winning 81 games in the AL East is like 90-95 games in other divisions. We play 1/3 of our games against NY, Boston and TB. These 3 teams are ranked in the top 5 in the ML's. If we can win 40% of those AL East games, we need to win almost 60% of the other games to go over .500. We have to play the rest of the league very tough. A 60% winning percentage equates to about 97 wins.
19 games x 3 = 56 games x 40% = 23 wins (vs AL East)
106 games x 60% = 63 games (VS the rest)
= 86 wins
Hey Roch,
I remember when Mora moved over to play third, I believe Ripken made the same coment about a 100 game learning curve. I do believe that is how long it took Mora to look like a true everyday third baseman. I guess we can only hope that Tejada doesn't cost us any games through feilding blunders. I think Miggy will be a decent third baseman, and will field the position up to par with the average third baseman.
Here's to hoping miggy doesnt take all year to getting used to third, or it could be ugly, hopefully he'll make it up with his bat. dont put that shovel back in the woodshed just yet roch, looks like fri-sat could be a doozy. this winter i've learned to just keep mine inside so i can get to it. haha. have a good week roch
Miggy had trouble getting down on ground balls at shortstop whats it going to be like playing thirdbase when he has to go right or left on hard ground ball or bunts. I guess he will bring back some of his past, hitting into double plays when the orioles need runs,Its going to be another long baseball summer with Orioles fans.
Brummie,
First off, I am not one to call employees to get someone fired. If you are doing something wrong, that is your problem. Second, I still don't believe you what so ever. We were to meet at the flag pole during a game, you never showed, you told us your section you would be in, I went there and called out your name, you never answered, you said you met Roch but didn't reveal yourself because of what, who knows, afraid to show your just a kid. Then I give you my email and you said you would send me a picture of you and little brummie somewhere in Berlin, that never came, but you then said to me you would send me something from Berlin, but you wouldn't be in it. Roch and others call you out and you send nothing and have an excuse for it like everything else, Roch even said to send it and he would not post it, it would be just for him. I am sure you still didn't send anything.
You know Brummie, it really shouldn't matter what you do, who you are, how old you are, even whether your telling the truth or not. You bring this on yourself. Maybe if you just stuck to talking baseball, quit being negative on every subject, keep your personal life out of it, keep the anti MacPhail rants to once a week, and keep your negative attitude about Baltimore media to yourself, we would all just leave you alone and let you be you. You don't get respect till you earn respect, and you haven't earned it at all.
Sorry Roch, but I just had to say something. Now, "HOW BOUT THOSE ORIOLES!"
Unless something drastic changes the way Im taking this is that Tejada wont get the hang of third base this year, with the way that Trembley manages the team. Because you know Tejada is only gonna be in the field 4 games a week if that and you can count him out of Saturday or Sundays lineup for 3b at least.
I cant understand for the life of me why they are so insistant upon putting Tejada at 3b. Garrett Atkins HAS played there and has played there as long if not longer than any other Oriole on the roster. Ty Wiggintons strongest position is 3b, he really had some web gems last year at the hot corner. But he played once or twice a week for the most part last year.
The thing Im terrified with Tejada at 3b is him firing the ball across the diamond. His range is still decent and he normally puts a glove on everything hit in his area but he has little to no accuracy. I was at a game a handful of years ago when the Os where playing the Sox and Cabrera got Manny to ground out to Tejada with the bases loaded and 2 outs and instead of running to the bag which is where his momentum was taking him and David Ortiz was on first base , Tejada air mailed the first baseman and the Sox had a rally that won the game. Its almost like he has the mentality to make the throw over the easiest out and that really scares me with him at 3b because hes GONNA have to make all of those throws. Im also really worried about him getting down to receive a relay throw or a bullet from Markakis or Jones.
I think that Tejada was a good signing but I think its really unwise to put him at 3b. To me it just makes more sense given his accuracy to try him at 1b and let him DH when hes not playing there.
mstrchef13,
Great post, and I do admire your work, and respect your opinion!
At what point are you going to start measuring up to Cal's streak with having filed an entry every day since you've been here at MASN?
If I have the start date right (1 Aug 08) than with today's post you're at 552 consecutive days.
Just saying...
And for your sake, I hope you stay off the DL.
I'll piggyback on Todd's comment: if it will take 100 games to really feel comfortable at third (obviously a fairly arbitrary number) and Miggy has a one season contract... he better really be making up for his growing pains with the bat. But he isn't a middle of the order guy. All of this confuses me. Are we a "pitching and defense" team or a "get the best players that the market allows us to attain for a reasonable price" kind of team?
mstrchef13...I read you all the time! I don't necessarily respond when I agree w/ someone however. The nahbobs get responses because EVERYONE disagrees w/ them.
I remember seeing a report...I think it was on Sunday Morning, where the premise was that people on the whole collectively are always correct. They used the example on a jar of jelly beans. They had people off the street guess. Now no one was correct, but the more people they asked the closer the average got to the actual total until it was within 10 jelly beans or something like that. Point being that if everyone on SOR was saying AM was on the wrong track and doing a terrible, then I would say the nahbobbers were correct. However, most, and I mean a large % of SOR think the O's are going in the right direction, therefore they ARE going the right way no matter how negative and boorish some of the respondents are.
I would love if classmates would always respond to my entries, but I just assume, most agree w/ me.
Belive me when I tell you, I know a sure fire way to get hundreds of respnses...I'd just start bashing Cal on SOR, and people would come out of the woodwork to attack me...chin up mstrchef13, I got your back.
If memory serves me, before the Birds signed Miggy, Atkins was a poor signing. Now he should be the starting 3rd baseman? Atkins played first in the minors and was moved because Helton was an All-Star. Let's all give Miggy some credit. All-Star SS's can be All-Star 3rd basemen even at 35!!
Mstrchef, welcome back. Enjoyed your post. I do disagree on one point though. You don't need to argue any points with people that have no intention of listening.
Jim Carter, I couldn't agree more. Miggy will likely be an easy target those first 100 games. We should reserve judgement until then, but I'm hoping he makes his mistakes when it doesn't matter.
Roch, This article just reminds me of how lucky we were to have Cal to root for and watch all of those years. It's a shame we hear so little from him these days, so thanks for the words from Cal!
Brummie_Oriole said:
The concern I have is that Miggy is already 35. Adjusting to a new position is a challenge enough in itself. Factor in father time and the results could be PAINFUL!
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Could be, Brummie, but Cal was about that age when the Orioles moved him back over to third late in his career. Aside from the mental adjustments Cal talks about, there's really here's only one major concern and that's reflexes. As long as Miggy's reflexes are still sharp--and along with his arm, they were one of the good things about his play at short and that somewhat offset his limited range--and I'm betting they will be, he should be alright.
The fact that he's moving away from short is actually a plus as well; if he was trying to make the transition from third to short I'd bet against him, but this should work out fine. Cal thinks he'll make the switch without any major difficulties, so that's a pretty good endorsement right there from a man who speaks from experience. If Cal gives a thumbs-up to the move, then I'm good with it.
Sudhir said:
I won't be surprized if Tejada and Atkins switch positions by mid-season.
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I would.
I hope Miggy is a student at School of Roch.
Has anyone asked Cal what he thinks of the current Oriole situation? Our future as a whole, our prospects, the vision of Andy McPhail, recent trades, etc.? I'd like to hear what Cal thinks of what's going on in the organization today. When he left, things were pretty bad.
You don't think he goes by Brummie_Oriole, do you? haha!
Cal is the man.