Carlos Lee Actively Trying to Prove Me Wrong
by David Coleman on May 7, 2010 12:00 PM CDT
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PrintI don't like it. I really don't. See, you may remember a certain article I wrote during spring training? One that involved a certain outfielder going to a certain place in upstate New York?
Because of his consistency at the plate and aging patterns for statistically similar players, I figured he'd play at least five more seasons at a relatively high level. What does he do?
He hits below the Mendoza Line for April. He doesn't hit his first home run until last Wednesday. He plays horrible defense in left field. Basically, he does everything in his power to make me look bad. At least it's not just me. Zach Levine recently opined that Lee wouldn't break 100 RBIs this season. All he's done since then is pick up three RBIs in two games. It doesn't feel so good, does it Mr. Levine?
Now, he tells Bernardo Fallas, Brian McTaggart and anyone else who would listen that he's thinking of retiring after the 2012 season. That could just be because he thinks the world is ending with the Mayan calendar, but I tend to think of it as a personal affront. What, he couldn't play another couple of years? Is that so hard?
With the way this Astros team has been playing, I couldn't blame him for thinking about retirement. He's already got more money than most of us will ever see. He's got a ranch he enjoys. Why would he want to get beat up and yelled at by fans during a slump. Is this just a reaction to the overwhelming emotion of his slow start?
I don't know the answers to any of that.* What I do know is Carlos Lee made me look bad. I'll remember that, Carlos, once I get my Hall of Fame vote in 20 years.
*I do suspect that two years is a long time. Lee will have plenty of opportunities to change his mind and forget these interviews ever happened.
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Pathetic
I read you guys posts daily but have never chipped in. Today in the 6th inning of another pathetic performance I had to add something. Tonights starting lineup, excluding pitchers spot boasts an BA of .192. Wonder why we have 1 hit through 6 innings?
Thanks for the comment! Feel free to keep them coming. And yes, the offense is pretty lame right now. No one is hitting, though we assume Lee, Pence and Berkman will at some point. It’s tough being a fan right now.
by David Coleman on May 7, 2010 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Bud Norris...
…should probably be in the bullpen. Am I alone in this thinking? Just about every time out, he strikes out at least 5 but only goes 4 or 5 innings while giving up 4+ runs. Not to mention he’s mostly a 3-pitch guy.
I would like for him to prove himself as a starter. And I’m still holding out that hope. But it’s possible he is better suited for the bullpen. Howe and Sparks were both making the point on the broadcast that Norris seems to run into problems his second time through the batting order. Whether this is due to his 3-pitch repertoire or simply lack of experience, I don’t know. Sparks noted that Norris has shown batters “everything he’s got” in the first time they see him, and doesn’t save anything new for later times through the order. Sparks also thinks Norris loses concentration on occasion, particularly when he first comes back out for the beginning of an inning. He pointed to the second HR given up by Norris. Howe said that Norris is too fixated on striking everybody out. When he gets down 2-0 in the count, he is still trying to strike out the batter. Howe thinks this happens to most young hard throwing pitchers, and it just takes experience to correct the problem. Take your pick on these diagnoses.
While I’m giving diagnoses for Norris, I should mention what Mills said in his press conference. Mills says he still believes Norris has the stuff to become a good starter, and he isn’t giving up on him. Mills said that they may try to get Norris to dial down his velocity a little bit if that is what it takes to improve the location of his pitches.
Golf
Wasn’t it Dierker that encouraged a young pitching staff years ago to take up golf to improve their concentration? I still believe in Norris and Paulino. Our pathetic offense is putting too much pressure on the pitching staff, seems like we are never leading a game. This especially wears on young pitchers I think.
Yeah
It’s pretty sad that Roy has put up 6 consecutive quality starts right out of the gate, and the offense has only put up 13 runs total support in his starts. Myers has been a lot better than I expected; despite the ridiculous amount of baserunners, he’s given up either 2 or 4 runs (alternating) in his starts. I thought he’d easily ring up an ERA of 5+, but it’s at a decent 3.60. Just what you’d expect from a #3.
Norris mentioned in spring training that he picked up golf, I believe it was Blum who invited him to go.
by Timothy De Block on May 8, 2010 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Need a better coaches
The Astros need some help real bad I think some players that can play baseball & some coaches like a hitting coach & a bench coach. I would like to see Larry Dierker as a bench coach & Jose Cruz Sr as hitting coach. Bye now the Astros are going down fast, I wonder if Brad Mills knew what he was getting into when he took the job. u think Phil Garner could do better. All I know is the Astros are not hitting & scoring runs. I know it can’t be the pitching Brad Arnsberg is doing OK but since Jim Hickey was let go & get what the Rays are doing the hitting is good the fielding is good the pitching is good. So what is the diffrent between the Astros & the Rays. I saw that the Chicago White Sox are not doing anything good that Paul Konerko might be traded, well that might be a good trade for the Astros & the White Sox, Astros trade Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez to the White Sox for Paul Konerko, Mark Buehrle, & prospect. And released Kaz Matsui & bring up Edwin Maysonet. And sent Felipe Paulino & bring up Chia-Jen Lo.
the difference is
The difference between the Rays and the Astros is talent. The Rays are young and on the way up, the Astros are old and most of their key players are on the way down.
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St. Louis
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