Wakefield Has Carved Quite A Career For Himself
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 9:00 AM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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Tim Wakefield has really had an amazing career. He burst onto the scene as a 25-year old rookie with the 1992 Pirates, the Bonds-Bonilla-Van Slyke-Drabek Pirates that won three straight division titles. Wakefield went 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 13 starts down the stretch for Pittsburgh, then pitched two complete game wins in the NLCS against the Braves. Then, just like that, the honeymoon was over.
Wakefield struggled mightily in 1993, his knuckleball no longer as effective, and his record descended to 6-11 in 20 starts. His ERA ballooned to 5.61, and it might have been higher had Wakefield not ended his season with two successive shutouts. He spent most of July and all of August in the minor leagues in 1993, when he was 26, the current age as fellow knuckler Charlie Haeger, and stayed there for all of 1994 as well. He was released at the end of spring training in 1995, his future now largely in doubt.
He signed with the Red Sox one week later, looking to resurrect his career. He spent a month in Pawtucket to fine tune things, and once he was called up to the Red Sox, now in a new league, Wakefield proceeded to dwarf his Pittsburgh debut. Wakefield allowed three runs in his first four starts with Boston, including a 10-inning complete game win over Seattle. In his first 17 starts with the Red Sox, Wakefield was 14-1 with a 1.65 ERA. He ended the season 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA for the division-winning Sox, and placed third in the Cy Young voting behind Randy Johnson and Jose Mesa.
Wakefield has been with the Red Sox ever since. Year in and year out, he has eaten innings, putting up an adjusted ERA at league average or better in 12 of the last 15 seasons. He dabbled in the bullpen at times from 1999-2002, saving 15 games in 1999, but he has been a staple in the Boston starting rotation for a decade and a half. He has started at least 15 games for each of the last 15 seasons.
In the 110-year history of the Red Sox, nobody has made more starts or pitched more innings than the unassuming knuckleballer. This is a storied franchise that has given us Cy Young, a pitcher after which the sport's most prestigious pitching award is named, and Roger Clemens, the man who has won that award more times than any other. Yet, Wakefield sits atop the Sox franchise leaderboard in starts and innings.
In the interest of fairness, I should also point out that Wakefield also leads in home runs, hits, and walks allowed as well. Wakefield allowed the pennant-winning walk-off home run to Aaron Boone in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, but he also won two games in the series and might have won the series MVP award had Boston held on to their Game 7 lead.
Wakefield made his first All-Star team last season, at age 42, making him the second-oldest first-time All-Star behind Satchel Paige. Aside from today, I can't help but root for Wakefield. He truly has had a remarkable career.
Padilla is Back
One day after Garret Anderson hit his first home run since April 22, Vicente Padilla will take the mound for the first time since April 22. On the surface, Padilla's numbers aren't pretty, with a 6.65 ERA in four starts, but what was lost when he went down with an irritated radial nerve was a pitcher who was pitching very well, rebounding nicely after a poor beginning to his season. In his last three starts, Padilla walked three batters while striking out 21, and on the season his x-FIP is 3.95.
That's A Relief
The Dodger bullpen has had its share of troubles this season, from the struggles of the normally reliable Ramon Troncoso and George Sherrill to the mere existence of Ramon and Russ Ortiz, but as a unit looks awfully similar to last season at this time:
| Dodger Bullpen Through 67 Games | ||||||||||
| Year | IP | IP/gm | H | ER | HR | UIBB | K | ERA | FIP | WHIP |
| 2009 | 224.2 | 3.35 | 195 | 84 | 18 | 79 | 188 | 3.36 | 3.88 | 1.282 |
| 2010 | 226.0 | 3.37 | 202 | 95 | 18 | 76 | 190 | 3.78 | 3.70 | 1.283 |
Notes
- To make room for Padilla on the roster, Carlos Monasterios was placed on the disabled list with a blister on his right index finger
- Since 1994, the Dodgers are 10-1 against starting pitchers 43 years old or older, a subset that includes Jamie Moyer, Randy Johnson, David Wells, Roger Clemens, and Charlie Hough.
- Wakefield happens to be the only Red Sox player ever to lose a game to the Dodgers in Boston, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings, losing to Jeff Weaver on June 12, 2004
- Padilla has made three career appearances at Fenway Park, all coming in the month of June: a one-batter relief appearance while with the Phillies on June 10, 2001 and a pair of seven-inning, three-run starts as a Ranger, June 9, 2006 and June 7, 2009
Game Time: 1:10 pm
TV: Fox
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Sox lineup
Scutaro SS
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 1B
Martinez C
Beltre 3B
Hall RF
Nava LF
McDonald CF
When Troncoso left the game last night
he sat down on the bench and put his head into his heads. Manny came by and put one of his meathooks on his shoulder, and with a gleam in his eye whispered
Entonces, ¿qué mantras o rutinas psicológicas qué te inculcan para poder sacar todo el culo pateado hacia fuera allí hoy.
Which roughly translates
So, what mantras or psychological routines did you inculcate yourself with to get your ass kicked out there today
The Bullpen Gospels by Dirk Hayhurst
http://www.amazon.ca/Bullpen-Gospels-Dirk-Hayhurst/dp/0806531436
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
That book is on my list. I need to get that at some point
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Beltre has four homers against Padilla
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Cmeron not starting
the starting outfield for the RedSox will be Nava, McDonald, and Bill Hall.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Per Rotowire:
Brian McCann © ATL 6/19/2010
McCann has attributed his ongoing vision trouble to significant caffeine consumption, the Braves’ official site reports. He noticed a change in his eyes during the team’s recent road trip to Arizona, where he was encouraged to drink more water and cut out the energy drinks he was consuming. “I’ve been through a lot the last two years and I finally found a solution that works,” McCann said. “I’m really excited about this. For the first time in about a year and a half, I’m able to come to the baseball field and not worrying about my eyes.” If this proves to be a permanent solution for the Braves’ catcher, it can only help him at the plate where his persistent vision trouble had previously required him to where prescription glasses.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
If the Pirates were really offered Jeremy Hellickson and Reid Brignac for Bay in 2008, they were stupid to not take it.
Indeed
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm kind of surprised
the Rays have not made a big move to upgrade the DH position. They can’t keep Hellickson down for much longer. Desmond Jenning is on fire after being hurt and having a slow start. Wonder if they will simply turn to him or Joyce once they realize that the Blalock train left the building long ago.
They are in a dogfight now, they may need to move some pieces.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Hellickson is a big favorite of mine (obviously). I’m jealous that they have this great talent biding time in AAA while we are throwing virtual nobodies out there like last night.
by silverwidow on Jun 19, 2010 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
all of baseball is jealous
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Gotta love Dylan Hernandez
reporting on the important stories:
Encouraged by complimentary messages he received from friends, Reed Johnson didn’t shave his Fu Manchu mustache even though the Dodgers lost on Sunday.
Awesome.
So friends trump wife?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
I would imagine he shaves it before he gets home to the wife. For now, she’s far away
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions
The late starts to just about every single Knuckleball pitcher
is why I’m hesitate to simply give up on Haeger.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Like you said though
In these days of free agency, they have to produce within that team control window or you’re likely just paying market value.
by Chad Moriyama on Jun 19, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't feel so bad about Withrow as I did
given how his peers are also just piddling along.
Christian Friedrich, Martin Perez to name a couple.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Should that really be the benchmark? :o
Though I think the mantra “don’t panic” is always applicable for 20 year olds, right?
by Chad Moriyama on Jun 19, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I know he hasn't been as good as last year still
but hasn’t Withrow been pitching better as of the last month or so?
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Well, he's not been AS bad lately as the start of the season
He’s still striking guys out at a good level, just walking a crap load and has been more hitable.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Odds Monk doesn't back until Sept?
What’s the rule on rule 5 draftees? Every day on the DL must be made up next season?
Has to be active for 90 days. So far this season he has been active for 76 days, so he will hit 90 easily.
I highly doubt he is “disabled” until September. No way a blister takes 2.5 months to heal.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Wow, that sounds a lot easier to keep than a full season.
You can hide somebody for roughly half a season then.
Cue Ringo Starr's line in
“”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUI4-uUIcI" target="new">Helter Skelter"
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Oops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUI4-uUIcI
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I was hoping for a “when you get to the bottom, you go back to the top” joke in there somewhere. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Dodgers lineup
Kemp CF
Martin C
Ethier RF
Ramirez DH
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
Anderson LF
Carroll SS
DeWitt 2B
Padilla P
I find it sad that there is no real reason to get excited about this news
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/06/dodgers-looking-to-acquire-starting-pitching.html
What are the odds that Frank actually realizes that we may need someone else besides Ely/Padilla/Montesterious, especially with Bills out for a couple more weeks, because this rotation looks a lot less awesome right now. I’d like to be hopeful that they are really considering going after Lee or Oswalt, or possibly some number 2 starter that we haven’t thought about, something like that.
Idk, once Bills comes back the 1-3 is going to be very impressive, and the 1-4 with Padilla should still be very strong, but I’m wondering if Ely’s charm has worn off and people now know how to hit him? I hope it’s just a rough patch, but I’ve said it before, I think we should trade Ely plus prospects for a pitcher while his value is at the highest it’s ever been and might ever be.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Billingsley being out, especially for really only one more week, should have no impact on whether or not the team acquires a starting pitcher.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
The reason I brought it up was because the rotation seems so much more empty without him
It will help that Padilla is back, but it still worries me, especially with Ely’s struggles.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Also, i hate reading comments on MLBtr now
We obviously need an ace…because Clayton Kershaw is a Seven of Diamonds, right?
Ugh.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Don't worry
Spotlight is on him today, now all of the east coasters will see Kershaw as he shuts the Red Sox down with 15 Ks
by Julio Nievas on Jun 19, 2010 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Woah
I don’t know where my mind went on that comment.
by Julio Nievas on Jun 19, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
He's so good he will do that without even pitching today ;)
I can’t wait to see him against the Yankees, oh man, it’s making my mouth water.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
I would love to have Oswalt, but I would certainly settle for Martinez. The real question is how much money is Frank willing to spend? Considering this is Manny’s last year with us, I would hope that he is able to open up the wallet a bit more. Absorbing some of Oswalt’s contract for a couple of good, not great, prospects is the ideal situation.
Having the starting OF bat 7-8-9 like Boston is today
has got to be a little rare.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I don't think
that is how Theo had it in Spring Training.
I like the OF of Nava, Hall, and McDonald. For our sake, I like it!
It seems like one that could be taken advantage of defensively, although I say that without knowing or looking at any of the numbers.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
My money is on Weaver starting next Saturday vs Yankees
with Monday’s off day, the Monasterios spot in the rotation doesn’t have to come up until Saturday:
Today – Padilla
Sun – Kuroda
Mon – OFF
Tue – Kershaw
Wed – Ely (5 days rest)
Thu – Padilla
Fri – Kuroda
Sat – open spot
Sun – Kershaw
I know Gurnick mentioned Claudio Vargas last night, but even if he is ready to start a week from today, the days don’t matchup. He started Thursday, so regular rest would have him pitch Tuesday, then Sunday.
I think it will be Weaver starting what will be essentially a bullpen game.
That’s what I hate about bullpen games: they can popup at any moment! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Somewhere
James McDonald curses his hamstring.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Do we have an update on him? How long is gone for?
by Julio Nievas on Jun 19, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Josh Suchon said last night on Dodger Talk that McDonald is a few weeks away from returning (per DeJon Watson). But I would imagine he needs some time to build up his arm/stamina again.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
also to replenish the tear glands. ;)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
So does a disabled Monk mean a German in the pen until His Royal Thighness returns to the rotation?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
That assumes
an eventual return to effectiveness in the minors. That might not happen this season.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Real life
I hear a few innings on radio before I arrive at the Kennedy High School (where GA and Garland roamed) graduation. Dinner celebration started about 9:30. Don’t see “highlights” until this morning.
Today, swim team year-end party at 2 P.M., immediately followed by another graduation activity – won’t see highlights until tonight. (Maybe the game will be on somewhere at those events).
Good thing these exchanges students are good kids and worth it.
Tomorrow I should get to watch the game. Father’s Day festivities will be at my place starting at 3 P.M. or so.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Is that an invitation:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
The swim team might not notice an extra visitor :)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm pretty amazed
by those bullpen stats. Just yesterday I was thinking how a major difference between this year and last year has been the performance of the bullpen. Boy was I wrong. Does that mean Ohman and Vargas last year = the Ortizes this year? Or did or bullpen always just have “one of those games”?
Out of curiosity, how do the starters compare?
I'd be more interested in how the bullpen has done this year in high leverage situations
from last year to this year. We know the Ortiz’s sucked but they rarely were in high leverage situations. On the other hand Troncoso has sucked and he has been. Seems like a lot of leg work if any one wants to put in the time….
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 19, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Troncoso had the highest WXRL in baseball for a setup man last year, with Sherrill doing amazingly well in his two months. Bellisario was surprisingly average, and no one was awful.
This year Kuo and Bellisario are among the top setup men, with Troncoso average and Sherrill is awful.
Broxton owns either way.
by regfairfield on Jun 19, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I was surprised too
I looked it up after the bullpen performance was discussed in the comments last night.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Pythagorean record
has been interesting to me as well. It seems like we performed to expectation last year whereas this year we win a lot of close games and also get blown out more than a few times. Personally, I have less confidence in the team than last year. I’m trying to figure out if this is justified or not.
Vargas was great in 11 innings in the MLB last year
Ohman was bloody awful. I’m trying to think who else might have been a mop up guy who did very poorly, but i’m having a hard time right now.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Oh yes, that's right
He was as bad as Ramon Ortiz until then.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Starters through 67 games
2009: 378 1/3 IP (5.65/gm), 322 hits, 155 ER, 27 HR, 168 BB, 313 K, 3.69 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.295 WHIP
2010: 377 2/3 IP (5.64/gm), 374 hits, 182 ER, 40 HR, 152 BB, 328 K, 4.34 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 1.393 WHIP
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Bills went 6 innings in game #68 last season, so if Padilla goes 6 2/3 today the innings will be equal. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Top 4 starters
made 47 of 67 starts in 2009, and have made 44 of 67 starts in 2010.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Top four this season being
Kershaw, Bills, Kuroda, and Padilla/Ely?
I wonder how much of the difference is Wolf pitching out of his mind last year?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
No Ely
defined as top 4 going into the season:
2009: Bills, Kershaw, Kuroda, Wolf
2010: Bills, Kershaw, Kuroda, Padilla
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, with 44 of 67 this year, that makes sense
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
The Dodgers were 15-5 in those “other” starts in 2009, and are 11-12 this season. I haven’t looked at the performance of those others, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is very similar.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Great stuff by the way
The awesomeness of TBLA cannot be overstated!
Hey, I saw your shop on TV the other night
on one of those reality crime shows on TruTV or some channel like that! The bad actors were re-enacted a conversation between the bad guys that took place there.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The photo is a bit outdated, the mascot on top had the left hand broken by a rainstorm, and my dad tried to patch it up by holding it together by wire but that didn’t work. (Its all wood, and made back in the 50s), so it looks like the wrist is half cut off. It would hilarious if it wasn’t about my family, instead I’m just bemused.
Rename the place Dave Dravecky Donuts
Too soon?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
(and yes, I have a lot of respect for Dravecky and what he went through.)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I love single-store doughnut shops
so much better (generally) than the chains.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
For some reason, the digg link came along.
And I can’t find the Yahoo! link:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/06/17/mariners-bullpen-catcher-jason-phillips-tosses-ball-to-woman-ge/
So that will have to do.
I’ve been told goggles are an aphrodisiac.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice
Couldn’t resist looking at some other stuff there. I had never seen Vince Carter dunking over (I mean completely over) a 7’2" Frenchman:
Thanks
I find stories of perseverance like Wakefield and Jamie Moyer — or even Daniel Nava — fascinating.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2010 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
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