things I learned about in baseball this week/how i learned to stop worrying and love baseball

i've been watching some world series games from the late 2000s/early 2010s, and it's interesting how even just a couple of years after the recent pace of play rule changes, these games from 15ish years ago feel so slow. so much time between pitches, so many throws over to first base when there's a baserunner, so many meetings at the plate. another interesting thing is that they don't put the pitch count up on the score chyron - i keep finding myself wondering what the pitch count is and there's no way to know.

A NON-SCIENTIFIC AND AGENDA-BASED STATS INVESTIGATION

A little while ago TH & I were talking about the first AL player to get a splash hit in what is now Oracle Park: David Ortíz in June 2010.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN201006270.shtml

While watching the video of this game, he made the observation that Lincecum would have been fine in the era of the pitch clock. Sure enough I went through his 2010 starts and even though he was a guy who threw a ton of strikes and pitched a lot of innings, there’s plenty of evidence to support this.

Digging into some random data, there’s a start from 2009. 9 IP, 95 pitches thrown, game time: 2 hours and 6 minutes. That’s crazy.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200906290.shtml

Looking at BR’s aggregate team data, the average SF game was 2.49 in length in 2009, good for 4th shortest timing in the league. By 2019, the average shortest game time was 3.02 and the Red Sox games averaged 3 hours 25 minutes. In fact the Red Sox were constantly top of the list for the longest average game times according to BR:

2019 - 3.25 (1st)
2018 - 3.13 (1st)
2017 - 3.20 (1st)
2016 - 3.12 (2nd)
2015 - 3.06 (4th)
2014 - 3.17 (2nd)
2013 - 3.15 (1st)
2012 - 3.09 (1st)
2011 - 3.13 (1st)
2010 - 3.10 (1st)
2009 - 3.06 (3rd)

Then I started thinking about the other side of the equation, hitters. Between the same period, the Red Sox were placed as follows in the pitches/plate appearance leaderboards:

2019 - 3.94 (15th)
2018 - 3.92 (10th)
2017 - 3.97 (5th)
2016 - 3.94 (5th)
2015 - 3.95 (2nd)
2014 - 4.05 (1st)
2013 - 4.01 (2nd)
2012 - 3.89 (3rd)
2011 - 3.95 (1st)
2010 - 4.02 (1st)
2009 - 3.93 (3rd)

What caused the dropoff? Well in 2018, Dustin Pedroia (career ave 3.97 pitches/PA) suffered a career ending injury. In 2016, David Ortíz (career ave 4.05 pitches/PA) played his last season. Who played 2B after Pedroia? Eduardo Nunez (3.52/PA), Brock Holt (4.12/PA but with fewer than half the PA).

DH? JD Martinez, 3.88/PA.

IN SUMMARY

The dominance of the Red Sox in the 21st century and specifically Dustin Pedroia and David Ortíz are to blame for the pitch clock.

lol there’s some truth in that. the premiere matchup in those years was Sox/Yanks and those games were famous for lasting well past midnight.

You can blame Brett Gardner as well (4.26). Jeter, Arod, Ichiro, Melky - all of these Yankees had much lower pitches/PA than you’d expect. Ofc, you don’t need to be a tough out if you can hit like they do.

get Ichiro’s name out of the Yankees’ mouth!!

“patience” was really the prime virtue in those years, nobody talked about launch angle or even plate discipline as such. it was like the more pitches you saw the better

i think you can also blame Nomar Garciaparra and the velcro on his fucking batting gloves

Why not both
https://i.postimg.cc/CLGBFfRT/IMG-5138.jpg

Triston Casas vs Johan Oviedo#DirtyWater

Home Run (1) 💣

Exit velo: 105.8 mph
Launch angle: 44 deg
Proj. distance: 350 ft

This would have been a home run in 26/30 MLB ballparks

PIT (3) @ BOS (5)
🔻 1st pic.twitter.com/9H9bePWYC3

— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) April 4, 2023

(No I’m not saying 44 degrees is optimal, it’s just funny)

Attending at least two (and up to three) baseball games this year with real (American) baseball fans. The remaining game, alas, is with the Astros fan I married.

19/4/24-21/4/24 - Red Sox @ Pirates

9/6/24 - Mets v Phillies (in London)

gyac - I just wanna say, as a Giants fan who lived through those glorious WS years, I adore the fact that you've stumbled upon baseball fandom by reading about and watching those teams. I'm obviously biased, but that era was pure magic here in SF (aside from a celebratory bus burning or two), and it's impossible for me to know how it looked from the outside in. Your perspective and awe is making me even more appreciative, grateful and nostalgic for those years.

Also as a followup (I've largely overlooked this thread of late) I'm really impressed how much you GET baseball and the beautiful things that make it unique as a sport and its general vibe. Some of the posts and discussion here are just beautiful to read and relive. So ... thanks! I look forward to reading and posting here more this year.

My condolences for marrying an Astros fan though

Octobeard, these are the nicest comments! I’m so happy. I really just started this as a general sort of dumping ground for my stupid thoughts about baseball/two time Cy Young winner of my heart Tim Lincecum and current fixations. I’m genuinely touched any time anyone besides me gets anything from it. ❤️❤️❤️

My condolences for marrying an Astros fan though

Ha! I love it. ❤️❤️❤️ right back at ya. I bet you both are fun to watch games with!

FWIW Timmy has also stolen my heart too. And so many others. The passion for him out here in the Bay is unique and unparalleled. It felt like he was truly one of us in a deep, culturally connected way that few pro athletes remotely touch. You definitely have great taste. Good luck to your Mariners! One of these years I'd love to catch a game up there.

BTW I know you're a fan of Grant Brisbee's so if you haven't yet seen it yet, here's one of his all time legendary moments during the 2012 run predicting (accurately) the outcome of the World Series:
https://www.sbnation.com/2012/10/24/3549608/baseball-nation-predicts-the-world-series

One of the many joys of those years was watching Grant's rise as an amateur blogger to big time baseball writer with pizazz. He catalogued so many beautiful moments with intense personality and humor, I feel he was truly a part of the magic of those times.

I love Bochy so much 😭

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy made his first appearance at Scottsdale Stadium wearing a uniform other than the Giants since 2006.

“I didn’t get lost coming here, I’ll say that,’’ said Bochy, who wound up entering through the stands with two of his coaches. “Great memories.

“I mean, (Brandon) Belt could have a statue here for what he did in spring training. And my first year, I’ll never forget the first two fly balls hit to (Barry) Bonds, he didn’t draw leather on them. I said, 'Oh, geez.’

“And (Tim) Lincecum, too. Even before he pitched for me, he’s warming up, and (pitching coach Dave Righetti) goes, 'There’s your No. 1 pick.' I looked out there, and I say, 'There’s no way.’ He weighed about 140 pounds. Then, I saw that arm action, and I said, 'Whoa!'’’

Bochy, who won three World Series titles, received a huge ovation when introduced to the crowd.

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1bu5qx3/pirates_release_the_renegade_a_foot_long_fusion/

I SAW THIS

But I will not be trying it

And yes I see REAL AMERICAN BASEBALL in REAL AMERICA this month 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Welcome and enjoy :)

For reasons best understood by herself my friend decided to text me her updated rankings of player positions by sexiness
https://i.postimg.cc/CxfV4GTM/IMG-8655.jpg

Well, that makes her next birthday easy: Alejandro Kirk poster(s)

Mariners catcher I’m afraid

Lol. My gf I think is legit jealous of my feelings for him

Kirk or Raleigh? I have to admit I love watching Kirk run the bases

Kirk rounding 3rd base is one of my favourite things in baseball. But Cal is the way to go if your thinking of getting me a poster for my birthday!

I thought Blue Jays fans feared Cal Raleigh!

It can be both!

Came home today & found this:

https://i.postimg.cc/43RcD9cc/IMG-8956.jpg
on my desk, part of a really thoughtful gift from clemenza.

Article should in theory be display on the vault, but none of this issue is.

https://vault.si.com/vault/1977/07/18/43697

I’m going to read it tomorrow, and will report back. I need to work out how to handle and take care of it properly since this magazine is quite literally older than I am. Clemenza also sent me an incredible amount of baseball cards which I’ll go through and photograph my faves off tomorrow for that thread. There’s an incredible Bumgarner rookie card in there which reminds me of this:

https://i.postimg.cc/PxQYd5Hq/IMG-7275.jpg

Since starting this thread I’ve been the recipient of incredible generosity from posters across ILBB and it means the world to me that you’re all so willing to share your knowledge, trivia and baseball cards with me. Thank you so, so much. ❤️

It can be both!

I love this.

aww <3

Also by this time next week I will be in Pittsburgh! I just checked and Brayan Bello is lined up for a start in that series which is great, hopefully Devers is back from his shoulder injury. Too bad about Story, guess I’m going to hope the bats have woken up by then and that clown fielding doesn’t dominate as it has all week (it will).

i realize the chances of this happening are infinitesimal, but as john sterling will tell you, you can't predict baseball

if you find yourself in a situation where a ball is coming your way, and you are standing anywhere near zack hample, it is your duty to prevent him from getting that ball by any means necessary

i think he only cares about home run balls, so if you're sitting in left field, be aware (tbf he was in pittsburgh last weekend, so you're probably safe)

I’m aware of Zack Hample but I also do not want to be on TV elbowing him out of the way

you would be a hero to millions tho

most importantly, to me

162 is hard! It’s wild to read and read about seasons past when teams were slumping and got out of it, because the time that must have lasted eternally for them passes in an instant for you looking back, but even when they’re playing every day, it’s tough.

I remember, perhaps even at the very beginning of this thread, someone very wisely advising me to not pay close attention. Reader, I wish I had taken (or even was capable of taking - ocd) said advice, but alas.

The only part of the season that really matters is in aggregate when it’s over. Does it mean anything that George Kirby had two terrible starts and two good ones? Who knows/cares, it’s four games. Does it mean anything that Raffy Devers may be rusty because he missed six games due to a sore shoulder? Who the fuck cares? Yet these questions and more, the trivia and the detail of the almost meaningless fraction of the season? They plague me.

I’m sure this is something people who follow from childhood get out of the way very quickly. You learn not to live and die on every pitch, you stop paying attention for weeks or even months. Maybe you’re like Tracer Hand claimed he was and only check in once it’s summer. But man, it is painful atm and I’m very glad to have this thread. How do you care less?

To end this, a list of things I have enjoyed at this early part in the season:

Justin “I can’t believe the Mets traded him” Slaten:

Justin Slaten's Filth

5Ks in 2 innings. pic.twitter.com/dWS2hl3wKK

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 7, 2024

Some catch probability numbers on Ceddanne Rafaela this season:

1) Rafaela diving forward to rob Cal Raleigh - 35%

2) Game-saving grab against Shea Langeliers - 50%

3) Leap against the wall to take a hit away from Brent Rooker - 95% pic.twitter.com/qbc8hbdtr1

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 6, 2024

Wilyer Abreu's catch and Kutter Crawford's amazed reaction. pic.twitter.com/S0JyQolzyX

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 15, 2024

Jung Hoo #Lee’s double !! 👏🏻 5-game hitting streak 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/Ex76dU4MDK

— Joseph Kim (@blackwings2011) April 13, 2024

OH YEAH HOW DID I FORGET TO POST ROMAN ANTHONY

Roman Anthony hits his second homer of the day pic.twitter.com/tF8cO17Eag

— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) April 14, 2024

I blame you and your great posts for caring this early lol

You blame me but you should really blame him

Triston Casas on going for the Red Seat.

Said he's not sure if it's a myth or not, but 429 FT is all he had. pic.twitter.com/rA4UhNH0nQ

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 13, 2024

oh man you will die if you hang on every pitch for six months. not even the players do that (apart from The Captain, Derek Jeter)

as earl weaver said, 'this ain't a football game; we do this every day'

I know, clearly I need to Make The Adjustment ☹️

And as everyone who’s had the ad repeatedly pumped into their brane for months on end knows, it’s “The Captain, Derek Sanderson Jeter.”

And as everyone who’s had the ad repeatedly pumped into their brane for months on end knows, it’s “The Captain, Derek Sanderson Jeter.”

My favourite players on teams I don’t follow (non exhaustive list):

- Kodai Senga (pls be healthy for London)
- Kerry Carpenter
- Mason Miller
- Tatis Jr
- Bobby Witt Jr
- Brandon Pfaadt
- Christopher Morel
- Lars Nootbaar
- Nolan Jones
- Yainer Diaz
- Francisco Lindor
- Andre Gimenez
- Nico Hoerner

Good nonfollow choices.

Wishing yinz wicked safe travels to your first MLB games on North American soil. Enjoy!

DO NOT be tempted by the Primanti Bros. sandwich at PNC park, it's a faint shadow of their off-stadium locations which I would highly recommend instead.

anyone recommending primanti bros is just recommending the pittsburgh equivalent of the cincinnati chili