Not much to say, an interesting weekend ahead
Posted on April 10th, 2009 – 12:57 AMBy Howard
Thursday’s game was probably best followed on the web. Perkins played the Scott Baker role from last season, losing despite pitching extremely well. The box score says hitters were shut down by a turd-tosser who hadn’t won since last July. Didn’t bother to watch the 30-minute replay. What would be the point? The offense won’t be that putrid, as a rule. On to Chicago, a team that had its own batch of struggles in losing 2 of 3 to Kansas City.
It wasn’t really a day to focus on the field, anyway. The Nick Adenhart tragedy was jarring, jolting and disorienting. You read the story about how the 22-year-old rookie pitched on Wednesday nigth, telling his father that he should fly from Baltiimore to Anaheim because something special was going to happen. Then he pitches six scoreless innings and, according to his agent, “was so elated … he felt like a major leaguer.”
Hours later, he’s dead. Anyone who has lost a child or a young family member can relate to the disorientation described in this story: Adenhart’s father, Jim, a retired Secret Service agent, walked onto the field in the empty stadium Thursday and spent several moments alone on the pitcher’s mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt, the Angels’ color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.
Jim Adenhart also spoke during a closed-door meeting of players and team officials. “He just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity, thank you for raising his kid in minor league ball on up through the system in the Angels’ organization,” outfielder Torii Hunter said.
Rooting for your team like it’s life-and-death is fine … as long as you know it really isn’t.
(Note: Weekend posts from here will be light, as a rule, throughout the season. Joe and/or La Velle will be blogging.)
79 Responses to "Not much to say, an interesting weekend ahead"
As one about Adenhart’s age, this is pretty sobering. Coming off the mound, he must have felt like all his hard work had finally paid off, that his life had just begun. Hours later, it was over.
In some situations, I’d feel sorry for the guy that hit him, whose life is now ruined as well, but finding out he was DUI and driving on a suspended license for a previous DUI makes me angry to the point of madness.
The tragedy in losing a child is something that I hope not many of your readers have ever had to deal with. Losing a teammate is very tough, losing friends, and family is breath-takingly painful. I have seen what this sort of thing has done to people. My heart goes out to the Angels, but mostly to this young man’s mother, father, and other family members.
Jim Morrison of the Doors wrote a lot of poetry of mixed quality… he has a line in one poem that seems very fitting for this.
“Death Makes Angels Of Us All…”
This story has brought back too many ghosts for me. Far too many ghosts.
[…] A Fan’s View – […]
The part that makes the day even sadder is that even after the events surrounding Adenhart, Joe Martinez, another rookie, for the Giants took a line drive off the bat of Mike Cameron in the 9th inning of an already won game. Just have to hope that he, along with the lone surviving passenger of the crash, have a speedy recovery.
I think the driver should pay heavily since he had a prior, but of course, I am from the state that loves their death penalty….. but I do remember how the Astros were distraught after Darryl Kile died (and he wasn’t even on their current roster) and I wish the best to the Angels franchise and Nick’s family.
*line drive to the right of the temple
And yet, when Tony LaRussa passes out while driving over the limit, he gets a slap on the hand, while PED users are vilified? Odd world we live in, odd world.
Thanks for sharing the moment Jim Adenhart endured at Angel Stadium.
As for the stuff that doesn’t matter, I am still a little confused as to why Gardy is going with the outfield carousel approach. To me, and I’m not a major league manager, it seems like the best way to handle it would be to pick at least two outfielders to anchor two spots (now it looks like we have one with Go-Go in center) and platoon the other position. And keep Kubel as a DH. If, after three weeks or so, someone is really stinking it up, then make changes. By putting a different outfield out there every day, how do you expect to get any continuity?
On that note, I really would go with Young-Gomez-Span and have Cuddyer sit on the bench. I’m not saying Cuddy is spent as a major leaguer; I am saying he’s not a 3-hitter–and 6 strikeouts in 4 games seems to back me up on that. So the next question is “If not Cuddy, then who?” To me, it could be Joe Crede or even Go-Go. I also am officially lobbying for Brendan Harris to surplant Nick Punto. I think he’s a much better offensive threat and as I’ve said many times before, defense is overrated in baseball.
Other than that, I’ve been impressed with the pitching. Now let’s hear some *itching….
Jason, I’d generally agree with you, except that I think the platoon is going to be at DH. Right now it looks like Gardy does not trust Delmon in the field, which is valid. However, I think Kubel is in for a huge year if given the at bats. As much as it pains me to say it, as I have been a Cuddy backer, RF should be the platoon. Gardy should go with the hot hand, which should mean a lot of Cuddy in April and May, and a summer of Delmon. I still wouldn’t be shocked if Cuddy is moved for some relief pitching later in the year.
Speaking of relief pitching. I’m not liking the Ayala experiment….at all. I still don’t trust Jesse “man necklace” Crain, so I really don’t know about the 8th inning. At this point, the only reliever I kind of trust is Breslow. It is early, so we’ll see what happens, but by the end of April we should have some answers. Right now, giving up runs in the 8th and 9th inning is not a pleasant sight.
Oh and on Punto/Harris. I was a huge Harris backer last year. I thought he should have played more, however I think it’s still early to start complaining about Punto. I’d say give him until May 4th, and then if he is hitting below .250, I’ll join the Harris masses.
I’d give the most starts to the outfielders who will figure in the Twins future for many years to come. I put Young and Gomez in that category. Span is on the fence. Cuddyer is on his way out.
I like the outfield of Span in left, Gomez in center and Young in right - it plays to the strength and speed of Span and Gomez and right field would be good for Delmon in light of his limited range. I would be in favor of Cuddyer alternating the DH with Kubel with Kubel getting the most bats and using Cuddyer to spell one of the outfielders when they need a break. Perkins looked real good yesterday and frankly was a surprise since I thought he would be the one to struggle as a starter.
Perkins will be our number 2 starter by midseason. He has the mind set we need, I am tires of Radtke type demeanors out there, we need a guy like Morris to light a fire under these guys. As for Gomez…where is the patience at the plate we heard so much about? He looked horrible and his swing looks worse. As for Rotoblinders, wow May 4th to keep Punto in? He would not make many ball clubs why did we give him 4 mill a year? He has defense and hits in the lower 200’s, worst move since Bautista. Tolbert should be up with Harris playing second and Casilla at short and Plouffe waiting in the wings.
Agree with Roto 100 percent.
Bert mentioned that The Man Necklace was to be the set-up man on Wednesday night’s telecast. He got the job done Wed., but I’m far from convinced of this.
Walter, what do you mean SPan is on the fence? He is their best OF by far, he has all of the tools AND the knowledge to be their most important piece of the puzzle. To be honest and in my small opinion, Gomez is only up here still because of Bill Smith and his need to show that we did not get screwed over last year. If Gomez came up with our system I think he would not even be up here yet.
Cuddtastrophe,
I agree 100% on Perkins. Regarding the outfielders, I tried to make clear that I am not just talking about THIS YEAR. Right now, yes, defensively Span is a more polished outfielder than Gomez. Offensively, I am not convinced. It is too soon to tell. I don’t want to give away a bat on a purely defensive outfielder.
I think the driver should pay heavily since he had a prior…
Rafael Furcal and Tony LaRussa, among others, also have priors. About the only difference between the driver who killed Adenhart and them is the grace of God.
This is the real deal,” outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s why you’ve got to kiss your kids, kiss your family every day when you get up in the morning and before you leave for work.”
Amen, Torii.
You give away power in CF if you have to. You don’t want to give away power in the corner OF positions. Gomez has the potential to be a CF with power. Span should be a CF somewhere. You could move Gomez to left in a year or so to make room for Span in CF. I’d rather keep Gomez in CF and bring in someone new. Then you’d get power at all three positions. I want Young and Gomez to get as much playing time as possible so they can continue to develop. Apparently Span peaked last year.
The box score says hitters were shut down by a (deleted) who hadn’t won since last July.
Very disappointing word choice there, Howard. You’re a journalist and a teacher and better than that.
Who is purely defensive? Gomez is horrible with his at bats. Denard has patience and can go for power. Hopefully Gomez will show some of that, but with big league pitching, I think he looks lost. I think if we get any more defensive with our players, fans won’t want to watch. Punto is a liability and right now…and it pains me to say this, but Cuddyer is as well. We preach defense however we made a lot of errors last year and we did not upgrade except for Crede (great pick up!) We need an identity on this team and the only ones I have noticed with that hustle and go get ‘em attitude is Redmond, Perkins and Span, otherwise, this is a boring team. That is what made the 80’s teams great, the attitude and moxy.
Adenhart was a Cedar Rapids Kernel in 2006, where he went 10-2 on his way up the Angels organization. The Kernels opened their season last night with a moment of silence in his memory before taking on the Twins’ low-A affiliate, Beloit.
Fans of minor league teams, especially lower level organizations, take a great deal of pride in the kids who pass through and go on to “make it in the Bigs”, so Adenhart was definitely a CR favorite.
I can’t begin to imagine the heartbreak his family feels today over losing him to a drunk driver’s recklessness. My prayers are with them and the loved ones of the others so needlessly lost.
I think he’s a much better offensive threat and as I’ve said many times before, defense is overrated in baseball.
Defense is not even close to overrated in baseball.
Walter, you must be looking into a crystal ball, how on earth do you know that Span has peaked after only 1/2 year in the bigs?
I thought Gomez’s triple the other night was pretty exiting.
How do you know Span is going to hit for power after only four games?
“…how on earth do you know that Span has peaked after only 1/2 year in the bigs?”
It’s a guess.
Fran-I agree, defense is very important, but to what degree? Do you give up two or possibly three bats in the lineup for a mediocre at best team in the field? We are no where near the defensive specialists the 80’s Twins were, they were taught to be defensive specialists, they were not found and placed because of their defense alone. GArdy does an ok job, but does he really teach the players anything? Our minor league system and pitching coaches have done the heavy lifting…in my opinion.
WJ - I clearly said he has the ability to hit for power as does Gomez (which I also said) and it is proven through the minors, unlike Gomez.
Fran, God had nothing to do with that jerk driving his car while drunk and on a suspended license. Stop using God in that way. These (bleeps) made the worst decision imaginable and took a life and they need to get theirs here and they will get it later in life as well.
Span hit a total of 10 HRs over 6 minor league seasons. Gomez hit 18 in four seasons.
Cuddta…you don’t seem to understand my point. I maintain that grace of God is the reason Furcal, LaRussa and other drunk drivers did not take a life. They are no different than ‘that jerk.’
Minor league numbers (career):
Span; AVE-.287, OBP-.357, SLG-.358
Gomez: AVE-.278, OBP-.339, SLG-.399
Walter, it’s also worth noting that Span posted those numbers between the ages of 19-24 while Gomez posted his between the ages of 18-21.
Fran-I agree, defense is very important, but to what degree?
I don’t know. I just disagree that defense, pitching and fundamentals cannot be overrated. The Twins (and other teams) will go as far as those things take them. I think, if anything, it’s offense that is overrated.
Oops…should be:
I just disagree that defense, pitching and fundamentals *can* be overrated.
Howard, I’m shocked at the death of young Nick Adenhart. I was just watching him pitch zeros on the scoreboard and then…,
On the discussion of defense. Last year’s Tampa Bay Rays are a great example of how important defense is. They went from something like a -23 to +45 is run potential based on defense. (A lot had to do with Delmon leaving and Bartlett showing up). However, if they wouldn’t have played stellar defense all season, they would not have made the playoffs, let alone been in the World Series.
On that note, I’d rather have a guy like Span, who will hit for average and score some runs, but be outstanding in the field over a guy like Adam Dunn, who will hit for power and get RBI’s but give back many of those runs with poor fielding.
Is defense as important as offense?
In my opinion, yes.
But I understand those who say that offense is more important.
BUT
Is defense overrated?
No, not even close.
Stat geeks become baseball “experts” by citing offensive metrics incessantly.
Defensive metrics have less validity and definitely have less popularity.
Therefore defensive metrics are at least partially minimized, while defensive visual evaluation is dismissed as too subjective.
Defense is overrated?
Not a chance.
I’d rather have Span in the OF and Dunn at DH, can I get that combo please?
Sane, lots of people are now trying to stat out D. Frankly, few people tried in the past, and there isn’t much data to look at from the past. This has begun to change in teh last few years.
Of course, just calling people that believe in stats geeks says a lot….as does putting “experts” in quotes.
“Defense is not even close to overrated in baseball.”
I’ll say it again folks, loud and clear: Defense is overrated in baseball. If you have a guy out there who is making errors, then yes, you have a problem. But under no circumstance would I play a web-gemmer who bats 40 points less and drives in 30 fewer runs than an average defender.
I know we live in the web gem era and few things are prettier than a great defensive play–but defense is overrated in baseball. It just is. Give me an on-base, stolen base, hit for average, run producing guy any day of the week over a guy who plays great defense. This isn’t the NFL–you can’t make a goal line stand with your defense in baseball.
As long as you’re not making errors, go with offense every time when you talk about who should or shouldn’t start.
mike,
No offense intended.
Some REAL experts are stats aficionados. (better choice of words?)
I was referring to baseball novices who become overnight “experts” by reading the works of Bill James before they have watched a game.
“(A lot had to do with Delmon leaving and Bartlett showing up).”
Didn’t Bartlett have like 20 errors in his last season with the Twins? As for Delmon, he had 16 outfield assists and just 7 errors in 2007 (a .979 fielding percentage).
I agree, however, that at this moment in time Delmon appears to be a defensive liability, at least in the Metrodome.
I agree with Jason. Comparing an average fielder with a Gold Glover, I’ll take the one with the better offense, except up the middle (SS, 2B, CF). You have to weigh defense and offense against each other.
I think most of the debate regarding Span vs. Gomez, or Span vs. Young is only occuring becuase Gardy illogically will not give up on K-uddyer. The OF should be Gomez-Span-Young w/ K-uddyer as 4th OF and alternate DH.
The fact that some of you are just using ‘errors’ as a measure or definition of good or bad defense explains why you think it’s over rated. There is more to good defense than whether you commit errors or not. Things like range, arm strength and accuracy play bigger roles than errors in determining good defense, but since they’ve been much more difficult to quantify, they haven’t historically received the same value as offensive production.
If it weren’t for Cuddyer, this team might be 0-4 right now. Delmon Young does not do one baseball thing better than Cuddyer, except maybe hitting to the right side of the field. Young is easily the 4th best OF on the team, and I’m not so sure he is a better OF than Kubel either. It was a bad trade, and he is in his rightful spot on the bench.
WJ: “I agree with Jason. Comparing an average fielder with a Gold Glover, I’ll take the one with the better offense, except up the middle (SS, 2B, CF). You have to weigh defense and offense against each other.”
When I weigh defense vs offense, this is what I consider:
The difference between my defensive standout who hits .250 with 8 HRs and and your offensive producer who hits .300 with 20 HRs is approximately 1 hit per week and 1 HR every 2 weeks throughout the season.
I believe the guy who consistently makes plays that other guys dont (not just web gems), that result in outs and thus fewer scoring opportunities for the opponent, more than make up for the one hit per week a poorer defender might generate.
That’s the old pitcher in me coming out, I would imagine. I wanted guys behind me who could make plays.
LOL JimCrikket…that did sound like it was spoken from a pitcher.
You’ve heard my take on this…I know a lot of you are big “fundamentals” guys, but I’ll take the consistent production at the plate most times, with the exception of one or two positions.
fcmlefty: What did Cuddyer do Wednesday night to help us win? If memory serves me, he hit a double in his fourth at-bat and promptly got picked off at second, finishing 1-for-4 at the plate. Additionally, while his two-run single on Tues. night was a big hit, he got extraordinarily lucky and should’ve been called out on strikes, which would’ve resulted in back-to-back 3 strikeout nights for him.
But let me be clear: I like Michael Cuddyer. He’s a good guy and he works hard. I just don’t understand why he got the three-hole in each of the first four games. Gardy seemed willing to rotate everything under the sun when it came to the outfielders, except for that.
“As long as you’re not making errors, go with offense every time when you talk about who should or shouldn’t start.”
Three stationary outfielders would not make many errors.
Four stationary infielders would not make many errors.
Venus de Milo catching would not make many (any?) errors and would not throw any base stealers out. (for obvious reasons)
Errors are overrated, but defense is not.
anyone notice the power surge in the Rochester Red Wings season opener?
Dustin Martin and Trevor Plouffe hit back to back HR’s in the 4th, and Luke Hughes and David Winfree hit back to back shots in the eighth to give the Wings a 7-4 victory in their opener.
and my boy anthony slama has a 27.0 K’s per 9IP rating after Striking out the side in his first inning of work for New Britain this year.
Anthony Slama one inning pitched at New Britain.
Three strikeouts.
TNG,
The scoop goes to you.
TNG,
I’ll concede the scoop to you, but I’ll ask for Anthony Slama as “MY” boy, because I coached him in travel ball one year.
“Venus de Milo catching would not make many (any?) ”
I’m not sure but if the pitch hits you in the chest and you dont catch it i think it’s an error.
Hard to find a silver lining…….but i’s wonderful that Nick Adenhart “made the bigs”. He truly did.
That’s a gold nugget of memory this his parents can keep in their hearts forever. An authentic source of grace that will always temper their grief.
I just hope the Players Association does — and if not — WILL share its riches with the families of the likes of Adenhart.
Minor league ballplayers deserve much more than they currently get, especially when compared to the unfathomably high players salaries at the MLB level.
BC of ND,
“I’m not sure but if the pitch hits you in the chest and you dont catch it i think it’s an error.”
Passed ball - yes.
Error - no.
sane - I’ll concede that.
He’s ‘my boy’ in the fact I developed a ‘man crush’ (to quote my blog) on him last year after his stats caught my eye.
disappointed that Aaron Hicks is being kept in Florida for Extended Spring training and not on Beloit’s roster at the moment. Going to definitely make a road trip to wisconsin this year to see him in person when he gets there.
Sane i guess your right but what if it’s strike three and he drops it and the runner advances to first wouldn’t that be ruled an error?
BC,
Even a dropped strike three is a Passed Ball, not an Error.
Now if Venus makes a wild throw to 1B and the batter-runner goes to 2B……
Never mind!
TNG,
“disappointed that Aaron Hicks is being kept in Florida for Extended Spring training and not on Beloit’s roster at the moment.”
If that is more than a temporary setback, I will be crushed.
Aaron Hicks took several BP’s at our HS practices this winter, and after coaching against him for five years, I got to now him a little.
Great kid.
Caveat - I offered NO batting instruction.
I never give unsolicited batting instruction to players who have $1.75 million in their accounts.
So, if he is having batting difficulties now, to quote Sargeant Schultz, “I KNOW NOTHING!!”
Sane - I wouldn’t worry about it too much, they did the same thing with Revere last year. I was just hoping they’d move Hicks along a little faster.
Also surprised Robert Delaney is not in AAA. Him and Slama are gonna close a lot of doors for New Britain in the late innings.
“I got to now him a little”
I got to KNOW him a little.
Sheesh!
TNG,
What scares me is that Revere had defensive and base-running-decision-making issues last year which led to his late escape fom EST.
I KNOW that Hicks does not have the same issues, and that maybe his hitting development has hit speed bumps. (or a wall?)
I hope not.
sane it doesn’t matter Venus plays tennis so it would be like 40 - love or something like that.
I will admit to frustration at the “speed” that the Twins move up prospects in general. I’d love to see Slama and Delaney in AAA, and not some never will bes.
There are two players in AAA I’d rather have up with the Twins than the hitters they do have…..
Speaking about Slama (and Delaney). Do you know who closed the Rochester game out yesterday for the save?
Tim Lahey.
Yeap. Not Mijares. Lahey (of 5.43 ERA in 2008)
thry - ya, I was hoping Delaney would get a bump to AAA to start this season…guess they want to see more than 34 innings of pure dominance at New Britain first…
another minor league side note: no starter in any of the minor league team’s season openers lasted longer than 4 innings…
BEL - Shooter Hunt 3.1 IP
FTM - Tyler Robertson 1.2 IP
NBR - Jeff Manship 4.0 IP
ROC - Jason Jones 4.0 IP
TNG,
but another big side note: former 1st round draft pick and highly touted prospect, Kyle Waldrop, who sat 2008 with shoulder surgery, pitched 2.1 scoreless innings for the Miracle, yesterday. A very big thing.
This isn’t the NFL–you can’t make a goal line stand with your defense in baseball.
Jason, I think we only have to go back to yesterday’s game to refute that.
Goal line stands, baseball version, times three:
sane: “I never give unsolicited batting instruction to players who have $1.75 million in their accounts.”
And you call yourself a blog commenter? I thought offering unsoclicited instruction to millionaire ballplayers (and other organization personnel) was required around here!
JC,
“I thought offering unsoclicited instruction to millionaire ballplayers (and other organization personnel) was required around here!”
Not when the millionaire ballplayer knows your REAL name and where to find you, in case your instruction turns into sh*t!
JC that was funny the post of the day i think.
“Not much to say, an interesting weekend ahead”
Life is wearing Howard down.
Hang in there, oh Bearded One.
:)>
Romer,
Mostly just didn’t want to go deep on Twins-White Sox because of the Adenhart thing. Life is energizing right now, actually. Passover/Easter. Gefilte fish/chocolate. Twins-White Sox/Masters. Weekend/good weather. Have a great weekend, all.
I really hate uniforms w/o names on them. Why, oh why, is that considered a good idea? Let me get this straight - it’s a good idea for at least half of the people watching a game on tv not to know who the players are? I don’t get it at all. It is not at all customer friendly. Is there any other sport where they have unis w/o names on them?
Hey Howard, can you tell the genuises who hid the Twins Golden Ticket that they hid it in DAKOTA COUNTY!!!!!
Jeez, the Strib/Twins could at least pick a clue maker who knew how to look at a map.
I love all the pre-season talk about how the Twins have too many hitters than lineup spots. This season is already looking exactly like 2003, so let’s hope it ends that way as well. No matter what, how much do you want to bet that the Twins will be forced to trade for or sign an outfielder next off-season? Cuddyer will never repeat his one good season, Young is hopeless, and who knows if Gomez will ever get it.
