uhh... Chavez is catching tonight... and he didn't throw it because nobody was covering 2nd. Web gem by Biggio gets us out of the inning. BTW, AL games take like 5 hours to actually play, so grab a nap now while you can, so you can catch the final innings. I hate interleague...
Yeah, wasn't watching the game when I said that, actually. More just a general comment. But he's not, anymore, even if my comment did lose some of its immediacy. Ausmus used to be an incredibly good defensive catcher with a good enough eye to not be a total liability with the bat. The great defense is mostly gone, the great eye is gone, and he's a liability now. Frustrating. *note: It's funny how bad Kent looks when he K's. There are many players who manage to look like they just lost a dual, or they got beat by a good pitch, etc. Kent always looks like a moron. He'll totally miss some very average pitches. But it's hard to hold it against him, since he hits so well generally. Just kind of an oddity.
Biggio looked much worse on his strikeout. As for Ausmus, while he may not have the numbers in throwing guys out (although he has been better of late), he's still far superior at blocking balls in the dirt. I have a feeling that the only reason he's still in the organization is to a.) handle guys like Pettite and Clemens, who prefered him, b.) he's a great clubhouse guy, with the ability to be the spokesperson for the team (despite his lack of production), and c.) he's being groomed as a future manager of this team. You could do much worse than having Brad manage... he handles pitchers well, has good game sense, and gets along with the media.
I'd believe it, if catcher ERA weren't one of the single most debunked statistics in the history of sport. It doesn't exist. If catchers really did "manage pitchers" well, we'd some meaningful statistical correllation. There isn't - not for very good defensive catchers, and not for very bad ones.
Incidentally, Biggio often looks bad reaching for that ball on the outside corner. I almost wish he would stop swinging at it and take his chances that he'll get a break on the call. But you would disagree that Kent often strikes out on some very ordinary looking pitches? Might just mean he guesses a lot. *shrug*. Would make sense with his power #'s but relative lack of size.
When I said that, I meant he relates to them well... talks to them... knows what they're thinking... knows how to calm them down... knows when they have nothing left... has the ability to be their confidant... qualities a good manager normally has. I agree with you that catcher ERA is basically meaningless... unless you're talking about Greg Zaun...
Well, yeah... but if everything you're saying in the first paragraph is true... and it translates to absolutely nothing in terms of runs... who gives a crap? I mean, he gets a long better. Super. They feel happier. Great. And you know, I actually think that it would make sense that a catcher like that would improve pitcher performance. Intuitively, it just makes sense. But the statistics just don't bear it out... and not just in a "well, maybe we can't see it way." heh... the guy I think of when I imagine the worst defensive catcher ever is our own Mitch Meluskey. Mike Piazza with a worse attitude and half the stick.
Why is it that every time the Astros face a guy making his major league debut, the make him look like Cy freaking Young?
what a waste of time. everett was the only good thing about tonight. missed the biggio play someone was callin a gem.
This was pathetic ... I was hoping that Roger Clemens would give this team some heart but obviously it has not happened. I don't mind them losing, but when I see Viz laughing it up with Bret Boone after he had just singled to give them a 3-0 lead and then taking a look at the Astros dougout in the 8th they are joking around it is pathetic. Why should I be proud of a team that can't take pride in their game? If they are losing(and as bad as they were losing) they should be pissed just like I was. I guess this team doesnt care about winning.
Well....that totally sucked. Glad to see our offense came to life tonight. ....not. damnit, so much for my expectations. I was seriously thinking this was our season, and it seemed so at first. But man....we have been playing horrible ball in the last month+. Anyways, last night's performance really really pissed me off. The struggling Mariners shut us out....pathetic.
Of course I know. Last night was the first time all season Chavez caught for someone other than Oswalt, and he has earned more playing time. He hasn't won the job outright, but I expect he will be catching more than 1 in 5 games now, creating the very definitnion of a platoon situation. Virtually every team in the league has a pitcher wih a personal ctahcer That hardly makes creates a platoon situation for the catchers. It just means a guy need a littel rest every once in a while.
