How To Misinterpret An Ethier/Orr Situation
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 9:30 PM PDT
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PrintAllow me to set the scene for you of the final play of tonight's Dodgers/Nationals' game:
- Justin Maxwell on third base, Jorge Padilla on first base, one out, game tied at four, Pete Orr at the plate
- The infield was playing in, trying to cutoff the run on a grounder
- The outfield was playing shallow, meaning any kind of deep or medium-deep fly ball wins the game for Washington
Pete Orr lofted a medium-deep fly to right, definitely deep enough to score the speedy Maxwell from third base. Andre Ethier was backtracking to catch the fly ball, but the chances of him throwing out Maxwell at the plate were slim and none. Essentially, once the ball was in the air that deep, this game was over.
Ethier dropped the ball, of course, and the game officially ended on a sacrifice fly, with an error on Ethier allowing Orr to reach base. But that error didn't really matter. However, here is how the Associated Press decided to lead their game story:
Andre Ethier booted pinch-hitter Pete Orr’s fly to right field in the ninth inning, allowing Justin Maxwell to score, and the Washington Nationals averted their 100th loss of the season with a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.
What? The story wasn't Ethier's error. Orr's fly to right field allowed Maxwell to score. There was no way Ethier was throwing out Maxwell on that play, especially since he was backtracking on the play. Its as if the AP reporter wasn't watching the game.
I can just imagine how Game 7 of the 1991 World Series would have been described by this anonymous reporter. Remember Gene Larkin's deep fly to left, allowing Dan Gladden to score from third base and win the series for the Twins? That, too, was deep enough that even if Brian Hunter had caught it the game was over anyway. Perhaps we would have seen this opening sentence:
Brian Hunter failed to catch a fly ball off the bat of Gene Larkin, allowing Dan Gladden to score from third base to win a second World Series for the Minnesota Twins.
What about the home run by Jack Clark in Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS?
Pedro Guerrero failed to make an attempt to catch the home run by Jack Clark, instead throwing his glove to the ground, allowing Clark and the Cardinals to take a 7-5 lead and eventually win the National League pennant.
Tonight's game was over when that ball off the bat of Pete Orr was in the air. End of story. Or, rather, beginning of story.
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It’s as if the AP reporter wasn’t watching the game.
Although the third paragraph mentions backtracking specifically. Maybe the AP writer just doesn’t understand baseball.
Even though you are right, I think its clear my main purpose of this article was to use Ethier/Orr in a meaningful way :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions
As I said in the last topic
The AP articles don’t even name a writer, so they are less credible than blogs.
I feel bad because there is one AP guy who does the games at Dodger Stadium, and he’s always there, and I have talked to him, but I forgot his name.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe EEEEEEEEEEEEEthier was distracted by Hazel Mae’s low cut dress tonight on MLB Network.
by KellyStephen on Sep 23, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I am not particularly attracted to Hazel Mae. I do like the resuscitation of the name Hazel, however.
Once syllable away from a Dave Stewart special
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, I belatedly realized that the error, in addition to hurting Ethier’s UZR, also costs McDonald 1/3 of an IP, bumping up his ERA a smidge.
HOw the fuck is it an error if the guy is playing deep 2nd base?
Defensive fly ball Indifference, not an error, get a clue MLB.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 23, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
MLB Just Totally went the other way
MLB story just totally ignoring the fact that Ethier was playing too far in to get the ball and just call it a sac fly
"The Nats took advantage of that lapse, scoring the winning run with one out as Justin Maxwell came home on a sacrifice fly to right field by Pete Orr."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090923&content_id=7120170&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Just throwing hand grenades I guess.
That was a much more accurate depiction of what happened. The sac fly scored the run, not the error.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, the “lapse” in that story is referring to the Dodgers not scoring more than one run in the ninth; it has nothing to do with Ethier’s positioning. The final two paragraphs:
But the Dodgers roared right back before flaming out, loading the bases with no outs in the ninth inning, but only managing to bring home one run to send the game into the bottom of the ninth tied.
The Nats took advantage of that lapse, scoring the winning run with one out as Justin Maxwell came home on a sacrifice fly to right field by Pete Orr.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the problem is
the AP writer thought this was a Blernsball game.
The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".
Maybe he over-estimated Ethier's arm
Hey, it could happen
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Sep 23, 2009 10:25 PM PDT reply actions
ESPN Sportscenter going to break:
…Dodgers, meanwhile, lose via a walk-off error…
I know, why am I watching ESPN?
ESPN's Baseball Staff sucks
They suck off the AL East (Namely the Yanks and Red Sox) and to a certain extent, the NL East. Terrible analysts. Terrible analysis. List goes on…
The NFL and the NBA are covered well for the most part. They show love to everyone, it seems to me. Hell, the NHL is better covered than MLB on ESPN. (Not dissing hockey, I like hockey)
now you're all speaking my language
Don’t forget about the Cubs:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn/090922
caption below the picture: “Despite their problems, the Cubs would still be in the playoff hunt if there were two more spots.”
For the record, even though they clearly play favorites, their baseball coverage is lousy even for teams they DO like. (Yankee coverage is centered on “Joba Rules” and how long before we anoint Derek Jeter emperor of the galaxy.) But I think even among SPORTS they like- NFL, NBA, World Poker (!)- their coverage is very gimmicky. They ham up their highlights like they are an FM morning zoo show. Their coverage is very entertainment driven, where it doesn’t seem to occur to them that sports ITSELF is entertaining. I know that Kilborn, Patrick, Olbermann and the like set the tone in the 90’s, but it was fresh when they did it, whereas now it’s just completely forced.
Oh well. At least we have other mediums to go to now.
I can’t wrap my head around the fact that we only have Kemp for 3 more seasons. It actually makes me sick. If he becomes as good as predicted, I just don’t see Frank coughing up 100M to keep him.
Speaking of Bison
There’s a huge article in the new ESPN Magazine. Haven’t read it yet.
by silverwidow on Sep 23, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Broxton is eligible after 2011
Hopefully Eovaldi is ready by then.
by silverwidow on Sep 23, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions
ye of little faith
My guess is at least half of those guys will be locked up before that happens. McCourt spent a ton on A. Jones, Schmidt and Pierre, he could afford a few bucks to lock up these guys. Great players = more wins = more fans = more money. This ain’t the Pittsburgh Pirates!
(…and don’t forget Martin!)
I expect/hope the Dodgers lock up Bills and Bison (and Kershaw.)
Ethier will be 30, Loney may well be traded before then and Broxton is a closer so he’ll get way more on the open market then he’s worth.
by Michael White on Sep 24, 2009 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Really
You are worried about something that may happen 3 years from now.
by bhsportsguy on Sep 23, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
Kemp could be the centerpiece of a dynasty. It’s sad to think that it could only be a 3 year window.
by silverwidow on Sep 23, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
ESPN_baseballGiants 2B Sanchez needs surgery on left knee – http://tinyurl.com/yacv7ap3 minutes ago from API /blockquote>
Martin, Billingsley’s catcher since their days in rookie ball, said he wanted him to get the win.
Martin said he had no doubts Billingsley would be back in All-Star form in time for the postseason.
“He’ll be there,” Martin said. “I’m not worried about it. I know Chad. He’s tough enough.”
Asked about questions regarding Billingsley’s mental durability, Martin replied, "They don’t know him as much as I know him. I don’t think anybody knows him as much as I know him. He’s always been a competitor.
“Just seeing him pitch today, it made me realize again how good he is, really.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-nationals24-2009sep24,0,5858172.story
that's why I continue to give Martin the benefit of the doubt
…and this whole team, for that matter- the way that they have each other’s backs, through all the ups and downs, is great. All the cliches that get thrown around- character, heart, hunger- really seem to apply to this team. You look at Uggla/H. Ramirez, Crawford/Burrell, Youkilis/everyone and all the other nonsense that you come to expect with professional sports teams, and you realize how great it is to root for this crew. The guys the Dodgers let go last year versus the ones they’ve picked up has only made it better. (Not really counting Nomar in that group, but sadly, he didn’t have much left to contribute, anyway.)
For old timers that complain that sports isn’t the way it used to be, they should take a look at the ’09 Dodgers.
ehhhhhhhhhhhhh....
once the ball was hit that deep the game was over
even if ethier made the catch
the runner on 3rd woulda tagged up and ended the game…
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
I figured out what Ethier was doing
He was trying to bobble it continuously and run it into the infield.
Brilliant, he could also try to volley ball it not keeping control and catching it.
Ethier is way ahead in defensive theory.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 23, 2009 11:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
i bet he was trying to catch it at first...
then he realized the situation and in his head said, “Oh fuck it,” and didnt try at the end…
cause it wouldnt have made any difference
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
Excellent
I love the outside the box thinking :)
…except the runner is allowed to tag up as soon as the ball touches the fielder’s glove regardless of whether or not the ball is caught.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 23, 2009 11:34 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yup
I asked my coach about that 35 years ago when I wondered if I could do such a thing. Between that and jumping at the last second just before the elevator crashes to the ground I kept my brain cell working.
dang i realized smoltzy pitched game 7 of the 1991 world series for the braves
daaaaaamn hes been around forever…hahaha
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
Still the best World Series I've seen
But I want that to change this year.
by silverwidow on Sep 24, 2009 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions
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