Climbing Mount .500

[Catfish]

Well now-----just when it appeared that we blew one, we got all uppity and grew some backbone and stiffened up to pull out a HUGE win. The Grand Slam by KJ was perfect scripting for the story, ( .194 hitter delivers huge payoff for the team). Then JJ comes in and puts the game away. (Pun intended). We now stand at 22 up and 23 down on the way to the crest of mount .500. Great job guys, (ALL OF YOU) !!!!!!!!

 

[Brian]

Well now-----just when it appeared that we blew one, we got all uppity and grew some backbone and stiffened up to pull out a HUGE win. The Grand Slam by KJ was perfect scripting for the story, ( .194 hitter delivers huge payoff for the team). Then JJ comes in and puts the game away. (Pun intended). We now stand at 23 up and 23 down on the way to the crest of mount .500. Great job guys, (ALL OF YOU) !!!!!!!!

FTFY.



BTW- I really think Kelly may be coming out of his slump. He has really been squaring up the ball the last few days. Today he hit the ball to the track, another out to left center that the CF had to dive to catch, and then the double in the 8th. Good for him. Hope Miranda is ok, he's swinging well also. Hate to see him go on the DL.

 

[Lefty]

Baseball is exciting again. I know some don't like Gibson but he has this team playing better. Also, what a difference a year makes regarding the bullpen.

 

[devilalum]

Baseball is exciting again. I know some don't like Gibson but he has this team playing better. Also, what a difference a year makes regarding the bullpen.

I like managers that win.

 

[azmike74]

I like watching a baseball team that has a chance to win

 

[BC867]

I know some don't like Gibson but he has this team playing better

I like Gibson. He brings a killer instinct to the team which was severely lacking enthusiasm under both Melvin and Hinch.

I just don't like that it takes him so many games to make a commitment, just as his predecessors. Such as batting either Bloomquist or Roberts leadoff for the past few games. He's finally narrowing it down.

We have a talented Manager and Coaches. Can't someone do something with our current heart of the batting order -- Justin .240 and Chris .225.

Add in Johnson's .191 (although he is hitting the ball more solidly) and there are the three players with the most at-bats on the team this season. Our worst hitters have the most at-bats. Is that logical?

 

[Catfish]

I just don't like that it takes him so many games to make a commitment, just as his predecessors. Such as batting either Bloomquist or Roberts leadoff for the past few games. He's finally narrowing it down. : Quote BC867 ]

If you look closely, he HAS made a commitment. He is starting Bloomquist leadoff against Left Handers, and Roberts as leadoff against Righties.

 

[Catfish]

Boom: Just like that, the D-Backs find themselves firmly atop Mount .500 with a record of 23 up and 23 down. Take a deep breath and see how much cleaner the air is up here.

Now-----lets just hope the injury to Miranda's wrist/hand isn't something that is going to be lingering. He was really rounding into shape at first base. Before today, he was hitting at a .364 clip in the last 10 games.

For those of you who don't like Gibby, you might as well settle in, because he looks very much like he will be here for awhile. He has used competition to settle position battles, and has done something even more astonishing. In this era of me-first millionaire players, he has these kids suddenly playing for each other, (and liking it). They no longer just show up for a pay check. He has these kids believing in themselves, and more importantly, in what he is preaching. Note how he has them, (for the most part), unafraid to make a play, (did you see Roberts' throw to second base today the get the leadoff runner on a bunted ball). He is a confidence builder, and is a man who has been through all the turmoil that these kids are going through. More importantly, he recalls those tough times in his career and relates them to these kids each day, some individually, and others as a group. It is obvious to them that he remembers his own struggles and can relate to their present plight. They know he is not B. S-ing them when he points something out, because he recalls from his own hurts, short-comings, and hard lessons. This guy is a winner, and he is setting about making this team into one too, sure as you are reading this.

Yes, he still has much to accomplish. Hernandez is still afraid to throw a ball in the strike zone once he has been touched for a hit. Gutierrez is also slow to catch on in the self belief factor.

Gibby is obviously working on Upton's approach at the plate, and right now everything is seemingly going badly for this kid. Gibby will not give up on him easily though, because Upton reminds him of the way he was early on in his career. My money is with Gibby in getting this kid lined out, and when he does, he just might have the makings of a super-star on his hands. With the way that Gibby has arrived at a roster that genuinely likes each other and genuinely cares for each other, (and their fans), these players are just like All-State customers. They are in good hands.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I like Gibson but I give the lions share of the credit to Towers so far.

Part of that is giving Kirk the chance to keep managing and not looking to make a change for one of "his guys". But also there were some very astute offseason moves that are panning out as well. Make up of the team is just so much better then under the Byrnes regime.

So much for "Organizational Advocacy". Numbers aren't everything.

 

[Catfish]

I like Gibson but I give the lions share of the credit to Towers so far.

Part of that is giving Kirk the chance to keep managing and not looking to make a change for one of "his guys". But also there were some very astute offseason moves that are panning out as well. Make up of the team is just so much better then under the Byrnes regime.

So much for "Organizational Advocacy". Numbers aren't everything.

Agreed-----you will find no dispute with me on that. Heck, last year nobody in the pen wanted to come out and throw when the game was on the line, and even sometimes when it wasn't.

I was just commenting on how Gibby whittled down his roster by genuine competition, (with the winning person being rewarded), to arrive at a group he could work with. It is obvious that he is putting in the work too, as first they became competitive as a team, (a whole bunch of 1-run losses), followed by a very healthy winning streak.

 

[BC867]

... he HAS made a commitment. He is starting Bloomquist leadoff against Left Handers, and Roberts as leadoff against Righties.

Exactly. My point was that it took Gibby a long time to decide that Chris Young isn't a leadoff hitter. The same slow reaction time as his predecessors.

Hopefully, we won't find Young back at leadoff for a third go-round this season.

 

[Catfish]

Exactly. My point was that it took Gibby a long time to decide that Chris Young isn't a leadoff hitter. The same slow reaction time as his predecessors.

Hopefully, we won't find Young back at leadoff for a third go-round this season.

Gotcha---------

 

[dogpoo32]

Baseball is exciting again. I know some don't like Gibson but he has this team playing better. Also, what a difference a year makes regarding the bullpen.

I agree, it's been fun to watch!

 

[82CardsGrad]

I like Gibson but I give the lions share of the credit to Towers so far.

Part of that is giving Kirk the chance to keep managing and not looking to make a change for one of "his guys". But also there were some very astute offseason moves that are panning out as well. Make up of the team is just so much better then under the Byrnes regime.

So much for "Organizational Advocacy". Numbers aren't everything.

The make-up would include both players and coaches. Gotta believe guys like Baylor, Nagy, Young, Williams and Trammell have all played a role in the remaking of this teams' chemistry.

Saw this report that I thought was pretty cool:

... A car trip to Chase Field with friend and former teammate Chipper Jones finally rolled the tumblers into place and clicked with slumping second baseman Kelly Johnson.


In addition to some technical changes in his swing -- Jones and Johnson talked about "hinges" the elbows, knees and wrists that are the key to a swing -- they talked about how much time there was to turn a frustrating start into a good season.

"I'm frustrated like anyone else would be," Johnson said. "But it is what it is and anything that's happened in the past has nothing to do with the future. We have four months left. I feel good at the plate. I'm seeing it pretty decent and it's going to come."

It started coming this week. Johnson had the game-tying hit in the 11th inning on Thursday in a come-from-behind win over Jones' Braves. And on Saturday, Johnson belted his third career grand slam in the eighth inning to help Arizona rally from deficits of 4-1 and 6-3 to keep the Diamondbacks winning with a 9-6 victory.

"I gave (Jones) a ride to the park and we talked about hitting. He saw me a lot and noticed how different it was last year compared to now," Johnson said. "I'm certainly going to ask and see what he says. It's nothing I'm not hearing here. ... 'Groove' (Don Baylor) and Gibby (Kirk Gibson) have pointed it out. But hearing it from a different direction, sometimes all of a sudden it clicks and it takes off."

The Diamondbacks are clicking as well. Their six-game winning streak is their longest in three years and they are back to .500 (23-23) for the first time since April 20. They pulled within a half-game of the second-place Rockies in the division as they head to Colorado beginning with a doubleheader on Tuesday.

 

[BC867]

In our big comeback inning vs. Houston, Bloomquist hit for the pitcher and got an opposite field base hit. Roberts got an opposite field base hit. Johnson got an opposite field base hit. Drew walked.

But in between them, Justin Upton hit a harmless mile-high popup inside first base. In the 9th inning, he struck out on a pitch half way up the 1B line (OK, a slight exaggeration.)

After the popup, he threw a tantrum in the dugout. Which has become common for him. Hey, Justin, that didn't happen to you, a$$hole. It's your lack of adjusting.

We need to send him uptoWn -- way uptown, to Reno. He just doesn't get it.

It is sad when your weakest spot in the batting order is your number three hitter.

That is without even mentioning Upton's stupid plays in RF. Running in to catch a fly ball, he slides and misses it. You slide to stop at a base. You run to reach it faster. Again, he just doesn't get it.

He is hurting us more than he is helping us.

 

[devilalum]

In our big comeback inning vs. Houston, Bloomquist hit for the pitcher and got an opposite field base hit. Roberts got an opposite field base hit. Johnson got an opposite field base hit. Drew walked.

But in between them, Justin Upton hit a harmless mile-high popup inside first base. In the 9th inning, he struck out on a pitch half way up the 1B line (OK, a slight exaggeration.)

After the popup, he threw a tantrum in the dugout. Which has become common for him. Hey, Justin, that didn't happen to you, a$$hole. It's your lack of adjusting.

We need to send him uptoWn -- way uptown, to Reno. He just doesn't get it.

It is sad when your weakest spot in the batting order is your number three hitter.

That is without even mentioning Upton's stupid plays in RF. Running in to catch a fly ball, he slides and misses it. You slide to stop at a base. You run to reach it faster. Again, he just doesn't get it.

He is hurting us more than he is helping us.

You left out the slow rolling ground ball he booted that cost us a run.

 

[BC867]

You left out the slow rolling ground ball he booted that cost us a run.

Plus he put on a show, falling over the railing, on a foul ball that was clearly out of his reach. When Roberts does it, it is because the ball is in the first or second row.

Upton is all show and no substance. I dread getting to him in the batting order with runners on base.

The problem is heightened because, even though he looks like he is trying, Chris Young is pretty close to being a detriment, whether batting leadoff or fifth, with all of his popups and strikeouts. At least his fielding has remained solid.

With their batting averages of .241 and .234 (12th and 13th on the D'backs), our heart of the order is not the strongest part of our lineup.

The way he has found himself, Johnson will pass them both by before too long, leaving only one recently called up Minor League infielder behind Upton and Young in batting average.

And these guys talked about being All Stars at the start of the season. 12th and 13th on their own team. Indeed!

 

[Bert]

You must be right in that Upton just doesn't "get it" because the guy has all the talent in the world. He SHOULD BE an all-star but he just cant get it together. Can you imagine with as well as the rest of the team is playing if Upton would actually start contributing how dangerous the Dbacks could be?

Hope he gets it together soon.

 

[Gaddabout]

Glad to see some of you finally look ready to get on my "Trade Upton" train.

 

[Catfish]

Plus he put on a show, falling over the railing, on a foul ball that was clearly out of his reach. When Roberts does it, it is because the ball is in the first or second row.

Upton is all show and no substance. I dread getting to him in the batting order with runners on base.

The problem is heightened because, even though he looks like he is trying, Chris Young is pretty close to being a detriment, whether batting leadoff or fifth, with all of his popups and strikeouts. At least his fielding has remained solid.

With their batting averages of .241 and .234 (12th and 13th on the D'backs), our heart of the order is not the strongest part of our lineup.

The way he has found himself, Johnson will pass them both by before too long, leaving only one recently called up Minor League infielder behind Upton and Young in batting average.

And these guys talked about being All Stars at the start of the season. 12th and 13th on their own team. Indeed!

Upton has an eye problem, (make that an I problem). With him it is all about me, me, me and not the team. He is all about show, just pay him the dough. He has not bought into what Gibby is preaching. He is still on his one man show-off extravaganza. Swinging hard enough to knock himself down, or to knock his batting helmet off. During the swing, the first thing up is his head, (so he can see how far he is going to hit it). Then there is his slow stroll around the right field area when he blows a play. He even starts out slow, (it would make catches easier if he gave enough effort to get a jump on the ball instead of showing off his glide and being late). Somebody needs to take this kid to the woodshed. It is a real shame, because he has all the right tools except the head.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Plus he put on a show, falling over the railing, on a foul ball that was clearly out of his reach. When Roberts does it, it is because the ball is in the first or second row.

Upton is all show and no substance. I dread getting to him in the batting order with runners on base.

The problem is heightened because, even though he looks like he is trying, Chris Young is pretty close to being a detriment, whether batting leadoff or fifth, with all of his popups and strikeouts. At least his fielding has remained solid.

With their batting averages of .241 and .234 (12th and 13th on the D'backs), our heart of the order is not the strongest part of our lineup.

The way he has found himself, Johnson will pass them both by before too long, leaving only one recently called up Minor League infielder behind Upton and Young in batting average.

And these guys talked about being All Stars at the start of the season. 12th and 13th on their own team. Indeed!

CY is trying for sure... that's part of the problem. It would be easier to hate on him if he both sucked and loafed. But make no mistake, he is a huge reason why this team has been sub-par offensively for the past few years...

Glad to see some of you finally look ready to get on my "Trade Upton" train.

Been on this train for 2 years now. In fact, I was one who said we got rid of the wrong guy when we dumped Reynolds...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

We're talking about the same Mark Reynolds currently hitting .198/.309/.377?

 

[82CardsGrad]

We're talking about the same Mark Reynolds currently hitting .198/.309/.377?

Yup... that's the one! The guy who has averaged 34 HR's and 98 RBI for his career...

Plays a very solid 3rd base. Not great by any stretch with his crappy average, OB% and OPS. However, I think we could have gotten better trade value had we parted ways with Upton vs Reynolds...

 

[devilalum]

Moving Reynolds was a good move. Unfortunately the window for getting top dollar for Justin Upton has sailed. Every day he plays his value goes down.

 

[devilalum]

We're talking about the same Mark Reynolds currently hitting .198/.309/.377?

The Dbacks were really smart to move Reynolds when they did. If he continues to hit below .200 for the rest of this season there won't be a team in baseball that will touch his contract.