"The Knoblauch Catch/Non-Catch"

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by NetShrine
I know this is
But, I have to say that I'm sitting here from joy in that we can have this kind of action/thought/discussion about a non-catch in a 14-3 blow-out.

This, is why I LVE baseball so much. This doesn't happen with any other sport.

lol, Net!! this is educational to me lol!! I know it was just one play but it helps me to know whether I was the only one screaming and am the only one who shakes every time the ball even appears to go to LF off the bat!!

As for your question about did it impact the game? Did it impact the game? I think yes -- did it impact the ultimate outcome of the game - probably not...

It's all subjective but if El Duque (who's one of the most sensitive pitchers there are) pulls another Houdini, he feels more confident...maybe he doesn't fall apart -- he pitched great until those two walks -- and you could make a good case that at least one of those walks he got squeezed...then Olerud doesn't lead off the next inning -- at bats are changed, momentum is changed...

Like I said, you're right -- it was still probably going to be a loss, but I think it did change the momentum a lot...thank God the momentum swing didn't carry over into the next game...that was my biggest worry...

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
I tend to think Spencer makes the play. He's always flashed good leather.

As for Knobby diving/not diving, clearly he thought he could make the play, so I have no issue with the effort. If the M's had been running hard, it might have been three runs. Didn't turn out to matter, but there should never have even been a play at 3rd.

It's kind of a chance you take. Had he let it drop, the play at home didn't seem likely but he would've certainly have been wise to try anyway. The pitcher could've cut it off had the throw been wide if a play at 3B might've seemed more likely.

Shane seems very aggressive in LF. Even when Jason Giambi hit that infamous HR in the regular season, he'd climbed to the top of the fence to try getting to it. I'll need to view some more of my tapes but his hustle impressed me more than ex second baseman Chuckie.

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by b-ball-lunachik


As for your question about did it impact the game? Did it impact the game? I think yes -- did it impact the ultimate outcome of the game - probably not...

It's all subjective but if El Duque (who's one of the most sensitive pitchers there are) pulls another Houdini, he feels more confident...maybe he doesn't fall apart -- he pitched great until those two walks -- and you could make a good case that at least one of those walks he got squeezed...then Olerud doesn't lead off the next inning -- at bats are changed, momentum is changed...

But now we're going from wondering if Chuck should have or should not have A. Dove and B. Held on to placing blame on the inexperienced left fielder for El Duques inability to focus when the going gets tough and on his crankiness, which is, in my book, selfish.

Knoblauch busted his ass to get to the ball and to get his mitt down, that effort shouldn;t have hurt El Duque, it should have spirited him, it should have been a jolt.

Knoblauch doesn't bear an iota of blame for the outcome of that game.

Originally posted by NetShrine
I know this is
But, I have to say that I'm sitting here from joy in that we can have this kind of action/thought/discussion about a non-catch in a 14-3 blow-out.

This, is why I LVE baseball so much. This doesn't happen with any other sport.

Had he made that catch, I'd have seen this on playbacks for awhile. It's like move over Jete in the stands. It wasn't meant to be but he certainly tried doing what he'd needed to do.

When I'd seen Chuckie play LF before, someone mentioned he plays too far back. He seems to have good speed, especially since he steals a lot on the bases, so if he plays up some more in LF, that may make a big difference in future games.

Originally posted by ChrisCary
I'm sure if he knew he wouldn;t have come up with it he would have pulled up.

The thing is that for the most part he did make the catch so the decision to dive for it was a good one in my book and actually shows that over the season he;s become more comfortable judging balls

I feel that Chuckie will remember this catch and put it deep into his memory bank so that he can judge the arch of the ball much better. If he can get a better jump on it and practice with crazy shots like this. He obviously wants to help his team and Joe is a very faithful manager with his people who are trying hard.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by b-ball-lunachik
It's all subjective but if El Duque (who's one of the most sensitive pitchers there are) pulls another Houdini, he feels more confident...maybe he doesn't fall apart -- he pitched great until those two walks -- and you could make a good case that at least one of those walks he got squeezed...then Olerud doesn't lead off the next inning -- at bats are changed, momentum is changed...

On Duque, the pitcher - not the famed NetShrine member...hmmmm "NetShrine member" - - that could be taken a few ways? OK, not the famed NetShrine contributor! Anyway, on Orlando Hernandez, and I did not know this until I was stuck in traffic after the end of the game, Duque threw 115 pitches through 5 innings on Saturday. Chuck play or not, he was not going much longer - - and then the RP parade would have started anyway.

[Duque]

Originally posted by NetShrine
hmmmm "NetShrine member" - - that could be taken a few ways?

Just waiting for Post #1500 so I can change my user title to "The Big Unit"

Apologies in advance to the more genteel forumers.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Duque
Just waiting for Post #1500

After Buzz' change, I think I have to up the number to 2500!

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by Duque


Just waiting for Post #1500 so I can change my user title to "The Big Unit"

Apologies in advance to the more genteel forumers.

LMAO, Andy!! What's your shoe size anyway?

Net -- that Netshrine member thing made me spit out my drink -- it reminded me of that hysterical thread on BB -- I think you may have started it -- about eating crap and it turned into a hysterical topic about Lewinski logic, protein fuel, etc... that thread was one of the funniest ever on there!! Do you remember that one?

[NetShrine]

The famous "How much money would it take for you to eat a bowl of shit?" thread. Yeah, that was mine.

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by NetShrine
The famous "How much money would it take for you to eat a bowl of shit?" thread. Yeah, that was mine.

Still waiting for my money.


Is it appropriate that a conversation goes from El Duque to a bowl of shit?

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by NetShrine
The famous "How much money would it take for you to eat a bowl of shit?" thread. Yeah, that was mine.

Sorry if the memory embarrasses you but it was friggin funny ...actually you always seemed to be at the core of those types of threads over there!! I still owe you a friendly punch for that matchmaking one -- SE?? Only if I was able to take out a hefty life insurance policy on him first... 'cause he'd be dead within a month!!

Speaking of El Duque though -- you're right, he wasn't long for that game...and Stanton didn't do well either...

do you think the Yanks go into arbitration with El Duque next year?

[Jen]

Originally posted by b-ball-lunachik


Sorry if the memory embarrasses you but it was friggin funny ...actually you always seemed to be at the core of those types of threads over there!! I still owe you a friendly punch for that matchmaking one -- SE?? Only if I was able to take out a hefty life insurance policy on him first... 'cause he'd be dead within a month!!

What are you guys talking about? Care to enlighten the rest of us or what?

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by Jen


What are you guys talking about? Care to enlighten the rest of us or what?

It's just a bunch of silliness that has nothing to do with Chuck or Duque or Yankees or baseball or even this board.


It's (insert "off topic" smiley face)


By the way, Jen (since we're already off topic),

I miss you.

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by Jen


What are you guys talking about? Care to enlighten the rest of us or what?

Jen -- where the hell have you been? I miss you too!! Last I heard from you was your birthday and you were moving to Jersey and we were supposed to hook up -- what the hell happened to you? I didn't think you posted anymore -- I'll write you a PM instead -- want to hear how the b/f is feeling and stuff too!! I'm so glad to see your name pop up!!

As for what we're talking about, I didn't take this topic off topic -- just kind of went with it lol...there were some funny topics on BB -- and Net seems to always be at the center of controversy... I'd post the links but Net would kill me...

Cary -- you throw around that silly word around a little too much!