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December 31, 2006
Forget The Bopper, See The Big Whiff
With yesterday's thoughts still in my head, I decided to look at the "Torre Yankees" to see who were the big whiffers on each squad. To see the results, click on the thumbnail below.
Seeing these results, I now wonder - come October, does it make sense to have Giambi and A-Rod at least 4 batters apart (in the line-up) to help ensure against them whiffing the Yankees out of a chance to score a run?
For a second, I wondered if that was what Torre was trying to do in Game 4 of the ALDS this year. Then I remembered that Giambi didn't even play in that game (when A-Rod batted 8th).
I guess if I was a beat reporter, Torre would yell at me too. (Remember, Joe was upset because the writers were more interested in Alex batting 8th that day than the fact that Giambi was not playing at all.)
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 31, 2006 09:31 AM
Comments
I now wonder - come October, does it make sense to have Giambi and A-Rod at least 4 batters apart (in the line-up) to help ensure against them whiffing the Yankees out of a chance to score a run?
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A lot of things in baseball "make sense," but don't stand up when evaluated.
Posted by: Raf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 31, 2006 10:11 AM
I would have benched ARod and Giambi in Games 3 and 4 of the playoffs this year. Benched, not batted 8th. I said it then and still believe it would have been the move to shake up the team.
In September I said before the playoff opponent was even known that I would stsrt Karstens and Rasner in Games 3 and 4 rather than Johnson and Wright. At least one other contributor called me stupid for even thinking such a thing. Well, Torre must have agreed with him. How did that work out?
Posted by: Paul at December 31, 2006 01:34 PM
If you're so terrified of Giambi and Rodriguez striking out then you shouldn't play them at all.
It's one thing to try to tilt things in your favor, it's another thing to hobble yourself by managing from fear.
Posted by: RICH at December 31, 2006 04:38 PM
The problem with this whole thing is that strikeouts and power are normally entwined. Their are very few power hitters who don't strike out a bunch (Think sheffield, pujols, big hurt, barry bonds) People who hit for power and walk a lot will tend to strike out a lot as well. So are you willing to sacrifice homeruns for lower strikeouts?
Posted by: Kyle at January 1, 2007 01:00 PM