Bored. So so bored.
I can’t take it anymore. Baseball needs to be here now. I’m slowly losing my will to live. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to watching every second of the NFL Combine coverage on the NFL Network. I’m that bored. Large men running around in circles all the while sporting lycra shorts and tanktops is a notable event in my life at this point.
Did I watch the NBA All-star game to pass the time? No, I’d rather get stabbed in the face.
How bout thouse Flyboys, big win over those Rangers on Saturday eh? Yes sir. Yes sirree.
I’m trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but all I find is darkness. Meaningful baseball doesn’t start for another 41 days. The NFL Draft is 68 days away.
I guess I have March Madness to look forward to. Only 20 days until Selection Sunday. Twenty! That’s three god damn weeks! Which illustrates another problem of mine: I don’t give two shits about college basketball outside the local scene, until the tournament.
Someone help me. Yesterday I watched NASCAR and Golf. Why? There is just so much Madden 2007 one man can play.
(By the way, I did a Yahoo image search for a picture for this post, so I type “bored.” Wouldn’t you just know it, 7 out of the first 12 images that appeared were explicitly pornographic. Use you imagination, they were).
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The Great Batting Order Debate
The leader in the clubhouse:
1. Rollins
2. Victorino
3. Utley
4. Howard
5. Burrell
6. Helms
7. Rowand
Can Burrell protect Howard, that is the burning question. The question is actually burning me up since its been discussed ad nauseam, and as such, I have to go vomit from overexposure.
1. Victorino
2. Rowand
3. Utley
4. Howard
5. Rollins
6. Burrell
7. Helms
Bill Conlin’s analysis:
Batting No. 5 and playing short, Jimmy Rollins. I never thought I’d see a player with a chance to drive in 125 runs batting behind two of the top hitters in baseball act as if he’s being dissed. Now think about this a little… Alfonso Soriano struck out 160 times last year. Pat Burrell struck out 131 times last year. Yet GM Pat Gillick was ready to lavish $120 million of Teflonics cash to make Soriano the guy “protecting” Howard. Go figure.
Did you know that Rollins had only 10 fewer extra-base hits last season than Soriano (89-79), only 12 fewer RBI than the Nationals’ leadoff man and struck out exactly half as many times while having a far superior stolen-base percentage?
Another option:
1. Victorino
2. Rowand
3. Rollins
4. Howard
5. Utley
6. Burrell
7. Helms
The top three guys in the order can run. Rollins gets an RBI opportunity bump in the 3-spot. My question becomes: How much plate discipline does Rollins lose due to a decreased OB% duty in the 3-hole as compared to the leadoff spot? Rollins has always been criticized for a lack of patience and discipline in the leadoff spot, but could he maintain his previous levels with an increase in pop? Utley protects Howard, but Utley’s basepath prowess is missed at the top of the order.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?
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ESPN.com trips all over the Phillies
A Jayson Stark feature on the Fightins.
ESPN’s fantasy preview has the Phillies going 162-0 this year, or at least thats what I got from the article.
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Posted on February 20, 2007 by Dave | Filed Under General, Philadelphia
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Last year Victorino stuck out 54 times in 415 AB and only walked 24 times. And once he got on base he only swiped 4 bags (and got caught 3 times.) Maybe he can lead off next year, but right now he needs more plate discipline and has to prove that he can run the base paths.
Dave, I really like your lineup. Like, REALLY like it. I was rooting for Conlin’s lineup, but I like yours 10x better. And the logic behind it. However, this is Phillies baseball, so let the dissapointment over the neglect of actual logic set in.
If you are bored, take a drive on the Road To Wrrrrrrrrestlemania! That’s about as good as it gets anymore…..yeeeeeee-ikes.
What do you think of Eskin’s suggestion that Howard might hit 3rd and Utley 4th to accomplish two things: guarantee that Howard gets up in the 1st inning and also have a clutch hitter behind Howard for every time opponents give him the intentional walk.
Mike - I do not disagree with you that Victorino is a question mark, but I’d give him a shot. He will run the bases better than last year, guaranteed. I just think Rollins is better suited as a 2 or 3 hitter these days, especially in our lineup. In the end, this doesn’t matter at the time since Charlie scoffed at the notion of batting Rollins at any spot but leadoff.
As for Eskin’s idea, it isn’t bad, but I think your leaving a lot of RBIs on the table, and if the lineup goes 1. Rolins 2. Victorino 3. Howard 4. Utley - the back end of the Phils lineup becomes a black hole.