Speaking of Soriano I notice that the Yankees put that old goat Ichiro out there in right. Got a timely hit, stole a base, got to third, and then left him out there. As far as I'm concerned they can leave Ichiro in there, dude has some sack.
...^^^ yup, and the thing about it, you can't even use the excuse about platooning Ichiro and Soriano as a "lefty/righty" platoon because in reality, Ichiro hits lefties better than he does righties. ( career .330 vs LHers vs .314 vs RHers )...not to mention that he's light years better defensively than Soriano...and Ichiro is still a speedy base runner.
Hey'a Ron, Hey'a anyone who desires: What do you all think the odds are of Ichiro being tendered another 1 yr contract in 2015. I don't like to speculate, (or ask others to speculate on hypothetical subjects)....yet I'd sign him next year, IF he remains productive and healthy. (when the season is over), if he meets the noted criteria. Even tho' he turns 41 in October. IF he can still bring it, in ST, I wouldn't hesitate to sign him. Although- I would be looking for his full time replacement in the mean time, yet if that person can't be found or signed, then bring him back....! I've always been a big fan of Suzuki, yet, I know he's not the answer to the Teams hitting woes. Yet, he doesn't seem to be part of the problem. 241 innings in the OF, he's still yet to make an error.....I know we can't go by that small sample size, yet I wish Ichiro the best, and would like to see a Farewell Tour for a sure MLB-HOF'er. My own opinion, is we can't count on Suzuki to be the starting RF'er next year, tho' I'd like to see him spell some players, and groom his own replacement, (in more ways than one)....just my 2 cents, and hell that won't even get ya' a stick of bubble gum anymore.
Rob is the one that made the initial video game reference to Tom's post. Alright that does it, I'm putting out an ATB to recover your sense of humor.
My thread is self-explanatory: the days of yore, were horrid in comparison to today's use of state of the art technology. Then: Paper metrics-cumbersome, and extremely time consuming to compile, as well as inaccurate at times, also lacked the 100s of variables today's software systems can and do take into account. Today's Technology has made old standards and processes laughable. A Coach or appointed Computer Software Data/Metric/Stat-Guru, can merely sit with a laptop in the dugout and access a huge plethora of data in a flash, computed in seconds. In the past such was impossible, information was slow in coming, often lacking many variables and/or information. Or-Old Metrics/Data, would require a few notebooks or a library to access data, and it was NOT quick, timely or accurate. The software and data, today's teams have at their disposal, literally make the days past, look very outdated, and primitive by today's standards. The point isn't about gaming systems, tho' it may be construed as much errantly. The point IS: all about the use of today's incredible technology systems. Which create variables, and metrics, often not even taken into account by journeymen or lay persons. Fans are not privy to such systems, information, and its endless variables, which are taken into account. Well, they don't have to be taken into account, but then one can still drive a horse driven covered wagon, they just can't do it on a freeway. Atari is/was a joke then and now. Some thought is was cool, because it was new tech.
He is one of less than a handful of players that have any real value that we can trade. Sad but true.
Thank You 59, I wondered as much, yet wasn't sure where or who would wind up with Ichiro in 015. Haven't heard anything from Suzuki or his agent, whether he's seeking another year, to the contrary, no news must mean, he want's to play until he's not wanted, or can't play....(Hell I don't know if Ichiro has even said to the press if he even wants to play next year,....that's how in the dark I am on The Wiz). ' that being said, he would probably be a better fit elsewhere, enough teams need a RF'er even if he's 41. Plus, the Yanx need to find a solid replacement for him, either before the trade deadline or perhaps during Winter Meetings. I'd like to see this once classic high caliber player, get the recognition he's due, for his contributions to US-MLB. Someone will have the honor of celebrating all year, his Farewell Tour.
Man, I love watching The Wizard Play, still....he's one of few current players, other than Jeetz, who remind me of watching MLB in our youth. Knowing those great players still in MLB, eg, Mantle, Mays, Koufax, Marichal, were Hall of Famers in the making, knowing it was only a matter of time, before they were handed plaques in CoopersTown...!
