Everybody slumps, even Mannywood

by meercatjohn on Aug 4, 2009 8:51 AM PDT Comment 44 comments

Manny has lost his mojo as he flies out with for the last out of the game with the bases loaded during the ninth inning leaving the tying and winnings runs on base. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

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Back when I made the con argument in the sign Manny Ramirez debate I pointed to a slump he had in 2008 that if it had happened when he became a Dodger would have changed our perception. Lost in 600 at bats are many ups and downs for hitters and pitchers, and contrary to popular belief even the best hitters have these ups and downs including our own Manny Ramirez.

As Manny struggles, many will now point to steroids as being the cause for our Mannyman showing signs of weakness. I'm not here to dispute those claims but the sample size is much much to small to start talking about such things, I'm just going to point out that as recently as 2008 Manny Ramirez was a mortal hitter. From May 1st to May 23rd of 2008, Manny had 89 plate appearances which produced an awful slash line of .195/.303/.312/.615 with only eight runs batted in.

Slumps happen, Manny is in one, the question isn't will Manny hit again, the question is are we going to get Mannywood when he does emerge from this slump, or a 37 year old left fielder who already gave his best last Sept and our expectations should be tempered knowing he's a 37 year old left fielder who would be bucking history if he was to continue to be the force we have seen in the recent past.

Then again HOF's have a way of bucking history, that is why they are unique, that is why Ted Williams leads the leaderboard when we look at offensive performances from left fielders at an advanced age who were not known steroid users Manny is now a known steroid user, not only recently, but as far back as 2003. Does this change the equation of expectations? Probably, but to what degree I can't even begin to guess so we will have to let the games play to find out what he can and can't do.

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fwiw,

(and it might not be much) both Ned Colleti and Mitch Kupchack are going to be interviewed today on the Cowherd show.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Aug 4, 2009 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Colletti will be on Jim Rome sometime after 9:30am too

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hm...

His bat speed is the same. I think the whole steroid thing is just getting into his head a bit. He’s home now, he hit a nice double yesterday. He’s in a slump. Normal. Pujols in a slump right now, no one talking about him. Slumps happen. Everyone settle down…

by PHAT JULIO on Aug 4, 2009 9:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

His double would have been caught by a good left fielder - just saying

by meercatjohn on Aug 4, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both LF contributed an extra hit to each other last night. Unfortunately, Braun scored.

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Ned Colletti on Jim Rome, 570 KLAC. NOW

by PHAT JULIO on Aug 4, 2009 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here is the link, if anyone wants to listen (currently in commercial).

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did he say the usual stuff? Like, it’s a baseball “season”, not a baseball “week” or “month”.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Aug 4, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mostly…talked up Sherrill, and also was asked about the 2003 list, and he said he just wished MLB could get behind it. He said Manny is just slumping, nothing physically wrong with him (hand).

Ned is on Cowherd right now, I missed the first part. I believe they even talked Vick. They are talking about how much background checking you have to do before acquiring a player. He said back in the old days, it used to be only about talent, and now “by the time you get to the talent part, you have already checked off 8 or 9 other things.”

“When I started, the highest paid Cub was Bill Buckner, making $400,000.”

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fairly amazing stat

fom Buster Olney and ESPN:

“Hoffman has now faced 134 batters with the bases loaded. He has allowed ZERO grand slams (and only 21 hits). He has now been in the following situation six times — team ahead by one run, bases loaded, two outs in ninth inning. On all six occasions, he has gotten the hitter out, including both times this season.”

For flashback purposes, those other five occasions were:

   1. July 8, 2009, versus Cardinals (Yadier Molina grounded out)
   2. April 3, 2002, at Diamondbacks (Steve Finley popped out)
   3. May 22, 2000, versus Mets (Mark Johnson flew out)
   4. July 31, 1998, at Expos (Brad Fullmer struck out)
   5. June 6, 1995, versus Phillies (Gary Varsho flew out)

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The dream killer.

by ladodgers2716 on Aug 4, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think he caught something from david ortiz or albert pujols back in st louis…..

by shaqfor3 on Aug 4, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh O-Dog why didn't u run

hey guys I also made a new blog

http://duckdodgersbatscleanup.blogspot.com/

by Kenchanayoh on Aug 4, 2009 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I finally got around to watching the replay on that Furcal bunt…Hudson had a good 15-20 feet to move further down the 3B line, and still safely get back to third if he had to. He should have been further down the line, then once the ball was out of Hoffman’s hand to first, Hudson should have broken for the plate.

That really was such an odd, confusing play.

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right. Once Hoffman went to first, Hudson should have broke for home.

I don’t care how good a throwing arm Prince had. No way was he going to throw out Hudson at home.

by Tripon on Aug 4, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also want to add that, with condensed games now available on the MLB Gameday App for the iPhone, that is a $10 that was well worth it.

Every event of the game (every hit, walk, out, HBP) is shown, and last night’s game was just over 16 minutes in that fashion.

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’s a bit tougher than that. If Hoffman had faked to first, with O-dog breaking, he would have been hung out to dry and everyone would be killing him and Bowa today. At least that’s how I rationalized it last night. I also think that had it been a squeeze both would have been safe.

Just very frustrating in either case.

by KellyStephen on Aug 4, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh O-Dog

What is Furcal doing bunting in that situation? You don’t suicide squeeze with two outs. And you don’t bunt for a base hit with a runner on third.

What was Pierre doing bunting in that situation? Hudson was running on the pitch. Let him steal second, thhen bunt him to third. Russell Martin’s flyout would have scored the tying run.

by SaMo Dodgerfan on Aug 4, 2009 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody have ever accused Juan Pierre of being the smartest baseball player in the majors.

by Tripon on Aug 4, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when juan pierre bunted hudson over to 2nd

did juan do it on his own power… or did joe tell him to bunt??

by matthewmafa on Aug 4, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe whoever is in the blogspot tonight can find out.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Aug 4, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t seen it addressed. My first instinct is that it was a called play, but the fact that Hudson was running makes me think something else was up. Either:

1) Hudson missed a sign, thought he should run
2) Pierre missed a steal sign, sacrificed
3) Play was a hit & run, but Pierre’s attempt at a hit was a bunt

Odd play to be sure. Basically both bunts were very confusing plays.

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phil Rogers did:

It is one thing to be a gifted player, and another again to constantly develop your gifts. Juan Pierre is not the greatest hitter in the majors, but he’s somehow piled up 200-plus hits in three of the last four seasons.

That speaks to his standing as a true craftsman.

It’s no coincidence that the best at their business are often the smartest.

Granted, it was four years ago, but still :)

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think that hoffman hit ethier on purpose

he wanted to pitch around ethier to get to manny. theres a few reasons too

by matthewmafa on Aug 4, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wasn’t the tying run on third at the time? I don’t think you risk throwing a wild pitch in that situation. IBB could’ve safely done the job. I am not sure if you are serious or not though.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Aug 4, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It didn’t look like that to me. It seemed like the pitch just got away.

by Eric Stephen on Aug 4, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I was all ready for an Ethier slam.

And then Hoffman took that away. :(

by Tripon on Aug 4, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if Ethier hit a HR

You would still be waitng for that slam.

by bhsportsguy on Aug 4, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW - Old friend

Greg Brock was at the game with me and he said to me just as Hoffman threw that pitch, Ethier needs to take one for the team.

by bhsportsguy on Aug 4, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ethier would have won the game, it was destined to be and Hoffman took that away. He will pay for that.

by meercatjohn on Aug 4, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hoffman sucks vs left handers..

ethier is the walk off king.. mannys in a slump.. hoffman kills right handed batters… those are a few reasons why i think hoffman hit ethier

by matthewmafa on Aug 4, 2009 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

With a runner on 3rd he couldn't take a chance

that a pitch meant to hit someone would not end up up wild pitch which is why I think your scenario is 100% off base.

by meercatjohn on Aug 4, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Xeifrank on Aug 4, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

John

any news on Garret Gould?

by PHAT JULIO on Aug 4, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Trust us, when we hear something we will post it. Between

Eric, Brendan, Silverwidow, Tripon, and myself I think we will know something. I don’t expect an announcement until Aug 17th and I hope I’m not bummed but since we haven’t signed any notable international signing I’m not holding my breath that Frank is going to go over slot for him. I’m the guy who thinks Frank is tapped so until he proves me wrong by increasing payroll again or spending money to improve the farm I’m sticking with my story.

by meercatjohn on Aug 4, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs