Personally, I think that Dierker needs to get his ass canned so we can bring in someone who knows how to manage a freakin' ballclub, like Felipe Alou for chrissake. Why the hell did he bat Ausmus in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded and 2 outs? We all know that Orlando Merced is money in those type of situations. I was freakin' pissed we didnt score, and yelling at the TV because I knew that Ausmus couldnt hit a damn underhanded softball. Im a huge Astros fan, but its depressing to watch this underachiving team play .500 ball. Hunsicker needs to grab his sack and fire Dierker. ------------------ I stole your money and I did your daughter at Texas A&M University
I believe Eusebio was hurt, and thus unable to play. So he couldn't take out Ausmus. If you want to get mad at Dierker, perhaps you should mention the word "Bunt", Come on Larry, do you know what that is? Its how you move runners over a base, it helps to manufacture runs, more so than having players like Julio Lugo swing for the fences. Lay on down man, lay on down for the team. I want Felipe Alou. ------------------ "I always thought it was something that went around my house" - World B. Free on Defence
Or a stolen base for the love of almighty God. Can anyone tell me the last time we tried to steal 2nd base??? ------------------ I stole your money and I did your daughter at Texas A&M University
Why the hell did he bat Ausmus in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded and 2 outs? Part of a manager's job is to know when his backup catcher is hurt and unavailable. If you're going to play "I know better than the manager", you might want to consider knowing these facts too. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
Besides, I doubt seriously that Drayton would be willing to shell out the kind of money that Felipe Alou would command. It is true that he was working on the awful Expos for so long, but everyone in the league knows he is one of the best managers, so he will not come cheap. ------------------ Feeling claustrophobic, like the walls are closing in. Blood stains on my hands, and I don't know where I've been. I'm in trouble for the things I haven't got to yet. I'm chomping at the bit, and my palms are getting wet. Sweating Bullets Runnin', Ravin', Endin', Out.
Whoever said "bunt" is right. It's like Dierker has forgotten the word. Bunts and steals can manufacture a run when you really need one, and not every game will be decided by homers, even at TenRun Field. ------------------ "We're having a pretty good time considering one day we're all going to die." Steve Martin, 1976
Whoever said "bunt" is right. It's like Dierker has forgotten the word. We do need to play more small ball, but our lineup just isn't suited for it. You can't ask Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman, Alou, Hidalgo, or Castilla to bunt. They are (theoretically) too good hitters and have little to no real-game experience bunting. That's 6 of 9 players. The pitcher already bunts, so that leaves Lugo & Ausmus. Lugo is a strikeout master, so he probably isn't a good bunter anyway. Besides, I don't recall any good time yesterday for either of them to bunt. Besides, the bunt doesn't help unless we can get the single to drive the runner in from 3rd, which we appear incapable of anyway. Also, stealing bases isn't an option because our players are too slow -- they've been caught more than they've been successful this year. I miss the speed & defense of our late 90's teams. Hmmm... I think Shanna just told you to shut up. I have no problem with Dierker-bashing, but I do want people to at least do it for the right reasons. BTW, for what it's worth, in a very blunt interview with Bagwell, he basically said that Dierker has made all the right moves this season and the players just haven't gotten it done. He also said he thinks there needs to be salary cap & floor, which I thought was interesting. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets. [This message has been edited by shanna (edited June 22, 2001).]
This I do not like. The fact that they are big power hitters doesnt preclude them from bunting. Berkman and Alou are hitting for average, so they can swing away, but the rest of them should be bunting. They are all veteran major league hitters and know how to do it. We definitel need to play more small ball. On a different note, from what i heard, Griffey Jr. had owned Slusarki prior to last night, and, of course, he still does. ------------------ I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
This I do not like. The fact that they are big power hitters doesnt preclude them from bunting. Berkman and Alou are hitting for average, so they can swing away, but the rest of them should be bunting. They are all veteran major league hitters and know how to do it. We definitel need to play more small ball. It'll never happen. Whether it's pride or whatever, *no* major league superstar ever bunts. Not Sosa, McGwire, Griffey Jr, none of them. Why? I don't know, but they never do. I agree that it's stupid. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
Doesn't biggio throw down a bunt occasionally? I know he did in 99. My only true problem with Dierker is his abuse of young pitchers. He lets them throw way too many pitches per game. Should be capped at 100. I think Wade Miller's decline could be partly his fault for those 125 pitch outings. Makes you wonder about Elarton, too. Grrr.... The Astros aren't going to win the WS this year... so I'm not concerned with bunting. Sacrificing the future for a win or two now bothers me very much. ------------------ Lacking inspiration at the moment...
Lugo is a good bunter. He frequently attempted bunts for hits earlier in the season when he was leading off. I have seen him lay down some really good bunts, so I know he can do it. And I do remember a situation yesterday at one point when it was tied, and Biggio (or some PH) was on 1st, and there was 1 out. We needed only one run, because it was 9th inning or later... and Bagwell was on deck. Lugo decides to swing away... double play, thank you Dierker. ------------------ Feeling claustrophobic, like the walls are closing in. Blood stains on my hands, and I don't know where I've been. I'm in trouble for the things I haven't got to yet. I'm chomping at the bit, and my palms are getting wet. Sweating Bullets Runnin', Ravin', Endin', Out.
Anybody who saw the Colorado game will see that Larry Walker, a power hitter in his own right, is willing to bunt to put his team in scoring position. I'm not saying that was Buddy Bell's call, but I thought that showed Walker's team first attitude. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
They did it again. ------------------ "I always thought it was something that went around my house" - World B. Free on Defence
Shanna, I consider the bunt to the baseball equivalent of the lay-up. If a guy is having trouble putting the bat on the ball, which all of them have from time to time, the bunt is a way to at least make contact and get something. It forces the player to watch the pitch all the way in, and it gives him a chance to break out of a slump. Bags and Biggio could both do that some, because they both tend to get in slumps where they are taking cuts at terrible pitches. The fact that the infield is back and not expecting it enhances their ability to get on. And once they start seeing the ball and making contact, they can start swinging away again. Admittedly, we do not have the legs to steal, but better execution of hit and run plays would help a ton. One of the things I respect about the Braves is they seem more willing to put aside their egos to win. When playoff time comes, they bring an ace out of the bullpen if that is what they need to do to win. Dierker tip toes around egos too much. I'd like to see what Felipe Alou could do with this talent. ------------------ "We're having a pretty good time considering one day we're all going to die." Steve Martin, 1976
You can't really blame Dierker for the players. This team has slowly turned from a fast team that could execute on the basepaths and generate runs to an American League style wait for the big blast team. I'm sure if you asked Dierk he would love to have more speed and some more versatile players on his bench so that they could manufacture runs when it's needed. Not having Bill Spiers particularly hurts Dierk's ability to manuever. Also though, when this team has been in the playoffs Dierk has just sat back and let his guys play while the opposing managers have constantly made changes to keep the percentages in their favor. Dierker may know a lot of baseball but too many times it seems he's sitting on his hands while he should be putting his team in the best position to succeed. ------------------ The death penalty SUCKS.
I dont see them getting Felipe Alou when there about to dump his son to free agency. Memo Gerry! Moises wants to resign. ------------------
Ive just heard from a variety of sources, and dont quote me on this, but many of the players on the team have expressed discontent with LD's style and laid back approach. Its like the honeymoon is over for Dierker. We had some great teams in the late 90's with solid pitching, base running, and fielding. Not to mention the fact that we were in the pitcher friendly confines of the Dome. But I think a change is in order to get this club to the next level. Someone needs to light a fire under their asses, and to me Dierk isnt getting the job done. And the situation with Alou upsets me even more. I know he is getting older, but he is by far the best hitter in the league right now. And we all know that Drayton McLane's Wal-Mart philosophy means that Alou is gone next year. We built you a new stadium, now give us a team. ------------------ I stole your money and I did your daughter at Texas A&M University
