Notes: Matsuzaka faces Boston's finest

[NewsBot]

Notes: Matsuzaka faces Boston's finest

More... (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070226&content_id=1817242&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos)

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

The awesome part of this article is hidden down at the bottom, re: Beckett kicking major be-hind.

[JD10367]

Beckett's problem isn't that he's a good pitcher; his problem is that he gives up too many Giant Glass home runs (you know, breaking windows on Lansdowne Street). I don't know why he does. Bad pitch selection? Just makes too many bad pitches at inopportune times?

As for Daisuke, throwing BP against Ramirez and Ortiz will only make him a much better pitcher. It's like the Pats, or the Celtics of the 80s; when you practice against great players--often against the best in the league--it should make a real game that much easier for you, IMO.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Well, the speculation is endless - He wasn't trusting Tek's pitch selection (supposedly he is more on board with that this season, by his own admission), he is trying to hard to just be a fireballer and forcing in fastballs when he shouldn't, he is not throwing his curveball enough for fear of blisters, he has changed his mechanics for fear of blisters, he has been having trouble adjusting to the AL...who knows what's right.

But to see him singled out for such unadulterated praise, especially when everyone is focused on Matsu, and to a lesser extend Schilling, is a fantastic sign, imo. We all know he has the talent. Methinks the extension he signed may start to look like the bargain of the decade.

[JD10367]

We all know he has the talent. Methinks the extension he signed may start to look like the bargain of the decade.

Whoa, there, pardner! The Hyperbole Kid just rode into town, LOL.

Beckett's got a career mark of 57 and 45 with an ERA just under 4; I'd like to see a wee bit more out of him before he gets "bargain of the decade status." (I'd consider a good start to be, "Not so many home run balls.") :D

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Okay, right, a little carried away maybe, I am.

But at 13 mil per (that's the price of his new contract, IIRC?), we would be paying him less than current market value, if he lives up to potential. Obviously it's premature to make any judgements on whether that will happen or not, but I find this an encouraging sign, at least.

[luso2kx]

In all honesty, all he did was toss some pitches to vets who are just going through the motions. Hell, all Manny did was track the 3 pitches thrown to him.

Removing all the media fellating both Boston and Japanese media is giving to him after every bowel movement he has, his real test will only come once the season actually starts.

As for Beckett. I hope he is able to pitch better this season, but his comments in the article were rather troublesome considering that he still shows alot of arrogance on his part.

[JD10367]

In all honesty, all he did was toss some pitches to vets who are just going through the motions. Hell, all Manny did was track the 3 pitches thrown to him.

Removing all the media fellating both Boston and Japanese media is giving to him after every bowel movement he has, his real test will only come once the season actually starts.

I don't agree. Guys like Ortiz and Willy Mo were trying to hit those pitches, and they all said that Daisuke has really good stuff, a variety of pitches, and stays in the strike zone. It's certainly a good sign (much better than, say, if Ortiz had golfed four balls to Orlando).

As for Beckett. I hope he is able to pitch better this season, but his comments in the article were rather troublesome considering that he still shows alot of arrogance on his part.

This is a great point. Perhaps his arrogance is the reason he gives up so many homers (i.e., "I can throw it by this guy, I'm better than he is," and then WHACK!, it's gone)

[Mikiemo83]

I don't agree. Guys like Ortiz and Willy Mo were trying to hit those pitches, and they all said that Daisuke has really good stuff, a variety of pitches, and stays in the strike zone. It's certainly a good sign (much better than, say, if Ortiz had golfed four balls to Orlando).I don't think they were trying to hit him, I think they said they were but they were holding the company line and promoting him - If either hit a longball at that point the media would be insane



This is a great point. Perhaps his arrogance is the reason he gives up so many homers (i.e., "I can throw it by this guy, I'm better than he is," and then WHACK!, it's gone)
arrogance is needed but controlled arrogance

[Klaatu]

Notes: Matsuzaka faces Boston's finest

More... (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070226&content_id=1817242&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos)


Triva Question: Who is Johnny Ayers?

[Lord Papelbon]

I don't think they were trying to hit him, I think they said they were but they were holding the company line and promoting him - If either hit a longball at that point the media would be insane




arrogance is needed but controlled arrogance

I think arrogance is needed for a tier one pitcher, he just needs to back it up. (i.e. not throw fastballs all the time)

[Mikiemo83]

I think arrogance is needed for a tier one pitcher, he just needs to back it up. (i.e. not throw fastballs all the time)I believe he was protecting the finger too much and laying off anything that might cause a blister - it was more an attempt to prove he could go 200+ innings than anything else.

I really don't worry about beckett, he will be fine remember he had to pitch to Mirabelli and Lopez for a stretch - that could mess anyone but Wake up

[luso2kx]

He doesn't need arrogance, he needs swagger. There's a little difference there.

With arrogance, he disregards what people say is wrong with him and keeps doing the same mistakes over and over again, and gets burned by it. What he showed last season was arrogance.

With swagger, he knows how to use what he has and get people out. Papelbon is a very good example of someone with swagger.

Hopefully, what we see form Beckett this season is the latter and not the former.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

There are a lot worse problems a pitcher can have than arrogance. Certainly it can be a hindrance, but at least he has the physical tools to perform at a high level. Of course, there have been some cases, notably Byung Huyng Kim (speeling, anyone?), where his refusal to learn from coaches and veterans eventually cost him a promising career. I don't think Beckett is that badly off. I only hope his experience with the pitching coaching last year haven't increased his arrogance, specifically the issue where he was taught to not throw his changeup, and now he feels the change was what was missing.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Well, the speculation is endless - He wasn't trusting Tek's pitch selection (supposedly he is more on board with that this season, by his own admission), he is trying to hard to just be a fireballer and forcing in fastballs when he shouldn't, he is not throwing his curveball enough for fear of blisters, he has changed his mechanics for fear of blisters, he has been having trouble adjusting to the AL...who knows what's right.

But to see him singled out for such unadulterated praise, especially when everyone is focused on Matsu, and to a lesser extend Schilling, is a fantastic sign, imo. We all know he has the talent. Methinks the extension he signed may start to look like the bargain of the decade.

EToE, you are starting to look a genius! :icon_pray ;)