tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post3985230168704944795..comments2024-02-17T04:00:25.925-06:00Comments on The Platoon Advantage: Baseball Teams' Blind Spots and Burned BridgesThe Common Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09994070642805307798noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-19905661508086114112011-07-27T19:21:40.632-05:002011-07-27T19:21:40.632-05:00Daric Barton for the A's and Khalil Greene for...Daric Barton for the A's and Khalil Greene for the Padres.Larrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-63256685793370303992011-07-24T20:42:24.173-05:002011-07-24T20:42:24.173-05:00It has to be Abreu for the Phillies. I thought yo...It has to be Abreu for the Phillies. I thought you were going to say hate, not love, for Howard, because talk radio here explodes with the haters every time Ryan strikes out. Like Howard, Rollins produces irrational love and hate with little middle ground. For truly irrational love, it has to be Aaron Rowand who some people still dream of bringing back... all because he broke his face on a fence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-86438839396302389302011-07-24T19:20:00.897-05:002011-07-24T19:20:00.897-05:00I would say the easy choice for most hated player ...I would say the easy choice for most hated player by Mariners fans is Alex Rodriguez. He gets loudly boo'd everytime he steps up to the plate at Safeco, ever since he signed that huge deal with Texas. Mariners fans will admit their hatred towards A-Rod is drawn out and maybe immature but he will always be boo'd in Safeco, which is probably one of the most laid back stadiums in baseball.Tylernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-17382512588511175922011-07-24T19:17:34.575-05:002011-07-24T19:17:34.575-05:00Mariners fans loved Adrian Beltre. Especially thos...Mariners fans loved Adrian Beltre. Especially those who actually knew something about baseball, like the M's blogosphere. There's even a guy in the stands who holds up a giant Beltre cardboard cutout head and now wears a Texas Rangers Beltre jersey when the Rangers come to town.Tylernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-72607226391208104542011-07-24T06:52:47.091-05:002011-07-24T06:52:47.091-05:00Andrew Jones in Atlanta was the kind of player tha...Andrew Jones in Atlanta was the kind of player that would tick you off. Great power and defense, but his batting average, strike outs, and lack of hustle plays made him hard to watch sometimesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-30937786247959822052011-07-23T21:43:16.435-05:002011-07-23T21:43:16.435-05:00As an O's fan and a Tampa resident I can agree...As an O's fan and a Tampa resident I can agree fully on both those picks, though I still love Moose. I don't know if I have ever met any Rays fan who didn't think Upton was the laziest player ever.<br /> Speaking of lazy, I wonder if Andruw Jones could be another candidate for the braves?Lotasohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09024289574441546651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-89844074597698706882011-07-23T21:23:04.383-05:002011-07-23T21:23:04.383-05:00DAMMIT! That's the one I mentioned that I was ...DAMMIT! That's the one I mentioned that I was forgetting. You're exactly right.<br /><br />I was living in Seattle (well, Tacoma actually) at the time, so I well remember how it went down. I was planning to make it A-Rod from the moment I decided to write this post, and then the Mariners were way down at the end, and it slipped my mind. Thanks.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-38953996364178684392011-07-23T21:21:18.326-05:002011-07-23T21:21:18.326-05:00I would posit Alex Rodriguez as the most irrationa...I would posit Alex Rodriguez as the most irrational feeling generator for fans of the Seattle Mariners (see: Mussina, Mike above). <br /><br />HE LEFT US!!! HE LEFT US!!! We brought him through the minors, had him for a great run in the '90s, and then he up and left us for a bad division rival.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-39675648021884672132011-07-23T18:26:41.042-05:002011-07-23T18:26:41.042-05:00Whilst I see your point on Buster Posey, I also th...Whilst I see your point on Buster Posey, I also think that given a couple more years (assuming he comes back fine from injury) the love will be justified to a large extent.<br /><br />Maybe not anymore but a couple of years ago I would have suggested Matt Cain as being irrationally hated by Giants fans because "he didn't know how to win". Improved run support and a WS ring helps turn people round.Geoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-48550602943848111902011-07-23T07:08:59.667-05:002011-07-23T07:08:59.667-05:00I like Ryan Howard, but thinks he's entirely o...I like Ryan Howard, but thinks he's entirely overrated. His huge extension starts next year (5 yr/$125M) and he's declining offensively, so more hatred will come his way. <br /><br />I never understood the Bobby Abreu hatred. The man was consistent. Hell, he's still getting on base a ton. Not his fault the Angels don't have a real RBI guy to drive him in.<br /><br />Oh, Chase Utley being below replacement level is still seasons away. The man can just flat out play.GM-Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06805746782773160139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-13715120275510517882011-07-23T03:13:02.856-05:002011-07-23T03:13:02.856-05:00The Dodger that so many fans irrationally hate is ...The Dodger that so many fans irrationally hate is Jonathan Broxton. They hate him for the two heartbreaking losses in the 2008 NLCS (Stairs homer) and the 2009 NLCS (Stairs walk, Rollins XBH).<br /><br />He had started to redeem himself in LA eyes by his 0.80 ERA for the first half of last season, but then Torre killed him by having him appear in four games in five days, while the one day he didn't appear Torre had him warm up hard in the bullpen for 20 minutes. That fifth day was against the Yankees, when Torre brought him in with a 6-2 lead in the 9th when other relievers were available, and after announcing before the game that Broxton wouldn't pitch because he had appeared in three of the previous four days and warmed up hard the one day he didn't pitch.<br /><br />So that game against NY? His fastball velocity was off by 5 MPH, and Torre left him out there for 48 pitches! He gave up the lead, and his ERA for the rest of the season, including that game, was just under eight. He was never healthy this season, and isn't even throwing yet in his rehab. Dodger fans (and Bill Plaschke) hate him and call him names (fat, etc.), but he wasn't nearly as bad as his local reputation. Good job Joe!The Dude Abideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08951679655198393800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-50104619189154382842011-07-22T22:12:34.268-05:002011-07-22T22:12:34.268-05:00I'm actually from Houston. Those of us who ar...I'm actually from Houston. Those of us who aren't Milo Hamilton don't hate Lance. He'll always be one of us. But Beltran still...seven years later...is universally booed every time he's here.<br /><br />What's the difference between Carlos Beltran and Willy Taveras? Willy knows what playing in a World Series is like.Jim Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15028048785945971401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-4709284437212220892011-07-22T21:15:24.216-05:002011-07-22T21:15:24.216-05:00It's not just that Francoeur failed to live up...It's not just that Francoeur failed to live up to expectations, but more his sense of entitlement. He pouted when they sent him to the minors for sucking and kept getting paid more and more through arbitration each year. But yeah, he is universally and viciously hated in ATL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-51660154950073196212011-07-22T19:00:17.036-05:002011-07-22T19:00:17.036-05:00I expected jeter on there for the yankees. Irratio...I expected jeter on there for the yankees. Irrationally loved! I'm a huge jeter fan but Yankee fans love him far beyond for Joseph past play as opppsed to the player he is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-74760325845659821052011-07-22T18:07:34.275-05:002011-07-22T18:07:34.275-05:00Jeez, the Phillies have a host of irrational love/...Jeez, the Phillies have a host of irrational love/hate candidates! On the 'irrational love' side, I'd say Howard does get a lot of irrational love, but for the most part, the fans are fairly split on that one so he wouldn't be my pick. In recent memory... Chris Coste was a rabbid fan fave while barely clinging onto a back-up catcher gig. There are a lot of fans who would still stick up for Dude and Pete Rose and there's a awfully large contingent of Valdez fans??? And no doubt there will be Utley fans defending him long after he's below replacement level. Nothing too crazy though. HOWEVER, on the hate side of the ledger, Phillies fans still boo J.D. Drew and Scott Rolen with a particular venom that goes beyond normal. Sure, both guys snubbed the team... but they really did stink up the joint back then, played in a terrible park and there was no real indiction any of it would change. Can you really blame them? And just look at the irrational hatred of Abreu, who just happened to have a remendous string of seasons with the Phils only to get traded just as they won their 1st division so people made the irrational assumption that Abreu provided the 'addition by subraction' spark needed to win the title. Huh? Maybe, but why the hate? Still, J.D. Drew had a 'D' Battery thrown at him during a game in Philly once. So he's gotta be the guy!Bobbanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-70346514375017668992011-07-22T16:26:33.165-05:002011-07-22T16:26:33.165-05:00ummm... Jeter? Almost impossible to have a ration...ummm... Jeter? Almost impossible to have a rational conversation about him, because the majority of fans fall into one of two categories: Yankees fans and those who despise everything about the franchise and by extension, the face of it. Ever suggest to a Yankee fan that Jeter might have a flaw? Keep a hand up when you say that...Riverfish72https://www.blogger.com/profile/03494235377976488028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-9471292056034761752011-07-22T16:25:42.335-05:002011-07-22T16:25:42.335-05:00That whole Hanley "assume most people are rac...That whole Hanley "assume most people are racist" bit was really out of place and uncalled for. Hanley's dogging it is the sole reason for his rep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-82901640453724193422011-07-22T16:24:31.977-05:002011-07-22T16:24:31.977-05:00I agree that the Rockies' blind spot is for Ca...I agree that the Rockies' blind spot is for CarGo, but that's for his bat, not his glove. The article linked to here referred exclusively to his glove and Rob Neyer's absurd assertion that CarGo is a mediocre defender. There was nothing blind about that counterargument. As for his bat, he's another case of absurd talent and a beautiful swing being held back by a bad eye and injuries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-15724258496233146192011-07-22T15:52:45.435-05:002011-07-22T15:52:45.435-05:00Great article . . . for the other teams. We Marlin...Great article . . . for the other teams. We Marlins fans tend to go the other way on Hanley, though -- there are a few Spanish speakers/not-white people in South Florida.Mark Alvarezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670919380056243337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-79181872219827598032011-07-22T15:49:52.172-05:002011-07-22T15:49:52.172-05:00As far as your Blue Jays post goes, yes to irratio...As far as your Blue Jays post goes, yes to irrational love for Roy. However, Al (Blisters) Leiter has to be hated unquestionably by Jays fans.<br />You said Canadians are too nice to do the whole hate thing. Just mention Vince Carter's name in Toronto...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-74098127475718882402011-07-22T15:37:35.358-05:002011-07-22T15:37:35.358-05:00Eckstein and Drew would've been fine picks for...Eckstein and Drew would've been fine picks for multiple teams. I wish I'd used Ecks for the Padres. I think Drew fits slightly better with the Red Sox and decided not to use anyone twice (or I could've gone to Milton Bradley like five times).Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-78593001375999904032011-07-22T15:21:39.638-05:002011-07-22T15:21:39.638-05:00I'm an Indians fan, and although there is some...I'm an Indians fan, and although there is some merit to the Sizemore argument, I'd more or less nominate Casey Blake as the Tribe's representative. There are fans who loved his "hard-nosed gamer"-style of play, and there are others who hated him, (like me), because, well, he was a utility player who started on a playoff team. Really no in-between with Blake.Ed Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09897561844841946127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-56209400163875847682011-07-22T15:15:47.878-05:002011-07-22T15:15:47.878-05:00You obviously do not know what's going on in S...You obviously do not know what's going on in St. Louis. Most fans still love Colby Rasmus and blame Tony LaRussa for messing him up. The irrationally hated player here is still J.D. Drew. He is the only former player who I have heard booed on his return.j40bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13322959921569659690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-85502016914014557352011-07-22T14:37:36.810-05:002011-07-22T14:37:36.810-05:00The only recent Padre I can really think of is Dav...The only recent Padre I can really think of is David Eckstein.Jake Presleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10887550745586916473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-66578245775955801652011-07-22T14:27:15.820-05:002011-07-22T14:27:15.820-05:00Most recent anon: it's irrational for the exac...Most recent anon: it's irrational for the exact same reason that Braves fans' hatred of Frenchy is. I had Pavano in my intro initially and cut him out. By last fall, Pavano had firmly reestablished himself as a dependable, quality mid-rotation starter, which on paper was exactly what the Yankees needed, certainly a better fit than a Colon or Millwood. <br /><br />So it's understandable that Yankee fans wouldn't like Pavano (to SOME extent: I do think it gets insanely overblown, injuries do just happen). But their reaction to the idea of his return had nothing to do with what he was likely to do on the diamond. That's pretty much the definition of "irrational" as I'm using it here (or one of them, anyway).Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.com