A pitcher's renaissance: Investigating logic forcasting our overpaid lefty's success.
by Grant on Apr 1, 2008 8:48 AM PDT
67 comments
Today's post was in the can long before Barry Zito made his first start. It would have helped my case if Zito pitched well, but I'm sticking with the theme:
I'm glad the Giants signed Barry Zito. I love that he's on the team, and I love that he's a part of this team's future. Let me count the ways:
1. He'll get better. He just needs to learn to pitch with an 85-mph fastball. The curve and change are there, so he just needs to spot his fastball better. Zito's approaching wily veteran status; he'll receive his spot-his-fastball-better tonic after the post-ceremony party.
2. He'll stay healthy. When a player has good health in his youth, it usually means he'll continue with similar luck through his thirties. Even if Zito is a league-average pitcher, he'll have value for the next five years. But I think he'll be better, as....
3. He's a former Cy Young winner. That's a pretty exclusive club, and they don't just hand those things out. The only difference between that Zito and the current Zito is about four miles per hour. That's it. How much difference can that make? He'll learn to overcome his velocity and control problems.
I've been wanting to come out against the Zito-grumblers for a long time. He had a down year last season, but so what? He'll be back, and y'all will look pretty silly when Zito is a 17-game winner in 2012. The salary won't be a concern, as the Giants will develop enough good position players to keep payroll down.
I'm not worried at all.
edit: Take the first letter from every word in the title. You can't stop that kind of cleverness; you can only hope to contain it. So, so, clev...zzzz....nnkx...zzzz....
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Counter Argument with Complex Statistical Analysis.
http://www.baycityball.com
by xanthan on Apr 1, 2008 8:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Heh, at least if the Giants are insufferable, we can look to Grant's development of his comic mit.. Dry, oh so dry.
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN
by zenbitz on Apr 1, 2008 8:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
that's him going insane, I believe
but we get to watch it as it happens!
Bonds stands alone.
by nostocksjustbonds on Apr 6, 2008 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's the date today?
Idolizing the Nuschler Face since April 8, 1986 / GIANTSPACE™ returns!
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 1, 2008 9:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Booooo this man!
Ugh...
"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark
by MeSoKrabby on Apr 1, 2008 9:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You had me until "I love that he's on the team."
by Dan from NM on Apr 1, 2008 9:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Aghhhh!!
How much is he paying you????????????
by Pitch 2 Barry on Apr 1, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
I get it.
He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!
by howtheyscored on Apr 1, 2008 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A pitcher's renaissance: Investigating logic forcasting our overpaid lefty's success.
I C what U did there.
Ruben Rivera: Incompetent oaf, or mad genius?
by Stuttering John Tamargo on Apr 1, 2008 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Ok. You got me.
Damn scared me for a minute.
by Pitch 2 Barry on Apr 1, 2008 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree!
When are you going to put up the April Fool's post?
Delaying the disappointment: I adopt Hector Sanchez because he's only 17.
by tedfordfan on Apr 1, 2008 9:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A post saying that Cain and Lincecum were traded to Toronto for Rolen and Accardo would have been too obvious. Pretty sneaky, Grant!
Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 1, 2008 10:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice Grant. Had me for a moment.
The all time best 4/1 post was when Kenshin announced Grant's retirement and that he was taking over the site.
2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!
by Goofus on Apr 1, 2008 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Very nice, Grant. You had me all the way 'till "2012."
If you'll pardon me, I need to go re-read today's Gwen Knapp column ... gotta reset the sanity meter.
by El4short on Apr 1, 2008 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was going to post a separate diary, but guess it works here. What will the team do if when Lowry returns (mid to late April?) if Correia and Sanchez are pitching well and Zito is still struggling?
Would they have the guts to yank him from the rotation and "work on some things" or will they just keep throwing him out there?
2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!
by Goofus on Apr 1, 2008 10:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No way that they'll ever take him out of the rotation unless he's injured.
http://www.baycityball.com
by xanthan on Apr 1, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Think they'd be willing to DL him then? A drop in velocity is good enough phantom dl reasoning for me.
And Boom Goes the Dynamite
by Andy from DC on Apr 1, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It'd be a tough sell with the fans to simply place Zito on the 2190-Day DL and be done with him.
by biff pocoroba on Apr 1, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, um....can we call Woody and get him to teach zito to pitch? at this point i'd be happy with vintage woody #'s.
And Boom Goes the Dynamite
by Andy from DC on Apr 1, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bring Woody back?
So we'll have Merkin, Bocock and Woody on the same team?
You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.
by Cookyman on Apr 1, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the fans would be good with that
Would be a good move for the G men they would iether get insurance money for him or force him to redo his deal so that he could pitcha again
by ZitoSlowball on Apr 1, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The best part about this is that the exact same column has been written by many sportswriters (hell, some posters here) without their tongues anywhere near their cheeks. Spot on.
Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar
by JakeS on Apr 1, 2008 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Gets me every time.
You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.
by Cookyman on Apr 1, 2008 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I laughed as I read this post.
And then I cried, when I realized that Zito was still collecting his $126 million at the end of the day. The last laugh belongs to him.
Milk was a bad choice.
by War on Apr 1, 2008 11:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Laughing?
I don't think Zito is really "laughing." I'm sure he's ashamed of the numbers he's putting up... it's always tough, demoralizing, and depressing when you realize you're no longer the best. Like, when I went from little league to high school ball, I thought I was the shit, until I didn't even make the frosh team. Ouch. Even worse was when I started graduate school and realized I wasn't the smartest kid in the class, anymore, as I had been all through undergrad. So in all seriousness, I think it must suck to be Barry Zito the overpaid pitcher, guaranteed money or not. Sure, he could be worse off, but when you realize that your life's work is failing, it's gotta be pretty hard on the ole' ego. The good pitchers can shake off bad innings or starts, but I suppose it takes a really great pitcher to shake off a whole season...
Attempted murder? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel prize for attempted chemistry? Do they?
by mbedard on Apr 1, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, I'm sure he feels terrible... for about five minutes. Then he remembers he can still afford endless amounts of hookers and blow.
by mxmob33 on Apr 1, 2008 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, laughing
Rainier Wolfcastle: My new movie is me, standing in front of a brick wall for 90 minutes. It cost 80 million dollars to make.
Jay Sherman: How do you sleep at night?
Rainier Wolfcastle: On top of a pile of money, with many beautiful women.
I doubt Zito feels ashamed at all -- at least, not ashamed enough to retire and void the last few years of his contract. He's collecting every penny of his $126 million and spending it on whatever Barry Zito spends his money on.
Milk was a bad choice.
by War on Apr 1, 2008 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Day of reckoning has arrived
Last spring The Albatross arrived and had a new pitching wind-up that was quickly dismissed. Time to bring it out once again and give it a try. Couldn't hurt.
by wilriv21 on Apr 1, 2008 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that's what he toyed with during spring training this year too.
SAVE_US.RAY
Get yer Nattowear: http://natto-chan.livejournal.com/125681.html
by Natto on Apr 1, 2008 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The solution is easy
We must replace his arm with a robot arm.
http://www.baycityball.com
by xanthan on Apr 1, 2008 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mannequin Skywalker
Idolizing the Nuschler Face since April 8, 1986 / GIANTSPACE™ returns!
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 1, 2008 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zito does not throw 85
He throws between 82 and 84
by ZitoSlowball on Apr 1, 2008 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
An MPH here, an MPH there
Pretty soon you're talking about a real fastball.
Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.
by Kitspool on Apr 1, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Austin...
Is That You ?
My adopted son Matt Downs. Bill Mueller without the two-flap helmet .
by nvsfg on Apr 1, 2008 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In other news, Lance Niekro is really close to putting it all together.
SAVE_US.RAY
Get yer Nattowear: http://natto-chan.livejournal.com/125681.html
by Natto on Apr 1, 2008 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if Zito could develop a knuckler
2002? I'm over it. But I'll never be over Rich Aurilia.
by wjackalope on Apr 1, 2008 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next time Zito his strumming his guitar, abduct him, and forcefully peform emergency Tommy John surgery on him. If that doesnt work, make him throw righthanded...Prolly throws harder that way
"Buy High-Sell Low"--The Brian Sabean Method Of Trading
by Mordy From Monsey on Apr 1, 2008 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
from knapp's column:
"Take a couple pitches back, and it's a one-run game," he said, also pointing out that Kent got the call on a 1-2 checked swing before the home run. "That could have been the difference there."
That's crap! I couldn't stand these types of postgame comments last year. And now, another year and the same damn sorry crap quotes. If he turns it around, it won't be contingent on check swings and calls from umpires. Ugh, can't wait until 2012...
"If I can change and you can change, then everybody can change!" Rocky Balboa, Rocky IV
by WithTechron on Apr 1, 2008 1:05 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
can't wait until 2012...
What a sad sentiment that so many around here share.
¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco?
by hairball on Apr 1, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really think he's gone by the end of next season.
It happens. All the time. Its just fades away. Its never one thing
by E Ticket on Apr 1, 2008 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thought
If Zito cannot improve velocity then how about getting some late movement on his pitches.
by wilriv21 on Apr 1, 2008 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't that be something that every pitcher would like to add, regardless of their velocity?
by marcello on Apr 1, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
However Zito won a Cy Young award with his previous pitches and is now suffering so new ideas and methods are required. He should be experimenting with new grips and pitches. Anything. Everything. Status quo be damned.
by wilriv21 on Apr 1, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Late movement on a fastball is dependent upon velocity. There is no way to make an 83 mph fastball move. If it moves at that speed, its not a fastball, its something else.
by E Ticket on Apr 1, 2008 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see what you did there.
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Apr 1, 2008 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And now this.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-giants033108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I hate you Magowan, I blame you for this one. And everything. Poop.
And Boom Goes the Dynamite
by Andy from DC on Apr 1, 2008 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
there is so much truthiness to that article. Thank you Yahoo for givin' it to us straight.
by WilliamVanLandingham on Apr 1, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"I was me today."?
Well , both you and you should hang up your respective jockstraps.
Collectively...you're Matt Morris.
Aaron "Swag" Rowand
by victor frankenstein on Apr 1, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I may have found some flaws in Zito's delivery. Studying these highlights make them even more pronounced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0
SAVE_US.RAY
Get yer Nattowear: http://natto-chan.livejournal.com/125681.html
by Natto on Apr 1, 2008 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That's if you follow the pitching theories of Tom House....
...but I'm not a fan of House's theories after watching him throw a punch at Tom Seaver.
by Grant on Apr 1, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't care if it makes me gay, I like that song. There, I said it.
http://www.baycityball.com
by xanthan on Apr 1, 2008 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Appropriate post regarding ineffective lefty's finding of oneiric legerdemain someday.
by 2X2L on Apr 1, 2008 5:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wish I had some of what Grant was smoking. In other notes, bp has a pretty accurate preview of the season as well.
by fusabean on Apr 1, 2008 9:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This piece reminds me of those tests where you're told to follow the directions exactly before beginning... and instead of following that direction, you just spend an hour filling out the test, which you fail because the directions are: "Do not fill out any questions whatsoever in this test. Place this page face down on your desk, put down your pencil, and leave." And this one test result keeps you out of DeVry's, or wherever.
EEEEEE! for archives and articles, Almost EEEEEE! for current stuff (with "current" really meaning "most recent," which a lot of the time means "way long ago."
by EEEEEEgp on Apr 2, 2008 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey
Looks like links are working in sigs again.
He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!
by howtheyscored on Apr 2, 2008 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please.
ITT. We were rivals with DeVry.
by Grant on Apr 2, 2008 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's all about Western Career College. We even had our own jingle. ("At Western Career College, you can do it!")
Beat that!
If you like things that are funny, perhaps you'll like ChatterBalks Dot Com?
by groug on Apr 2, 2008 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great, Grant
Great rant attacking nothing there. Is Barry Zito the April fool -- or would that be Brian Sabean. Actually, Brian is the December (29th to be exact) fool.
Incidentally, at baseball-reference.com, they list -- as they do with all players -- their total salary earnings. For Barry it is now over $28 million, with the note (may be incomplete).
Yes, Barry, HAS been incomplete, thank you very much.
by sharksrog on Apr 2, 2008 6:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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