Lou's Views #1: Alomar's Injury A "Blessing In Disguise?"

KingLouieLouie

Going Old School!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Posts
5,532
Reaction score
46
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Okay, I finally have 'net access back at home and I hope now I can finally post this message....I bet the suspense finally was getting to everyone, eh? :p

Seriously though.... Was Alomar's injury a "blessing in disguise?"

The reason why I pose this is Kata definitely deserves the opportunity to be in the Dbacks every day starting line-up.... He displays strong discipline at the plate, does exhibit the ocassional power, and also I dubbed him the "Ignitor" last season because he always was the catalyst in the Dbacks line-up to spark some major rallies.... He's also now on a mission to prove all his detractors wrong and to prove his worth...He'll probably seize this opportunity to its fullest, which obviously the Dbacks will benefit from....

In regards to Tracy being recalled (which we all know has been long overdue), he too will resort to everything at full cost to prove his keep into the Dbacks long-term plans and will play with such wreckless abandonment..... Also, I hope they bench Shea in favor of Tracy, especially after the way Shea swung at the 1st pitch in the top of the 9th....That to me totally defies logic and no mere words cant convey the idiocity on display there...

It's unfortunate though that all of this came at the expense of Alomar, however, we all know how the Dbacks would overcome "lofty" odds last year and would begin to excel.... Could this very well be the 1st "turning-point" of the Dbacks young season? Yes, since it will serve as a "wake-up" call that nothing is safe at this time, that everyone on their team must contribute or else.....

It will be interesting to see how all materializes from this point, but it's too premature to lose complete faith in this team...They proved several people otherwise last season and I wont be shocked if they do so now....
 
Last edited:

Mike Olbinski

Formerly Chandler Mike
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
16,396
Reaction score
13
Location
Phoenix, AZ
KingLouieLouie said:
Okay, I finally have 'net access back at home and I hope now I can finally post this message....I bet the suspense finally was getting to everyone, eh? :p

Seriously though.... Was Alomar's injury a "blessing in disguise?"

The reason why I pose this is Kata definitely deserves the opportunity to be in the Dbacks every day starting line-up.... He displays strong discipline at the plate, does exhibit the ocassional power, and also I dubbed him the "Ignitor" last season because he always was the catalyst in the Dbacks line-up to spark some major rallies.... He's also now on a mission to prove all his detractors wrong and to prove his worth...He'll probably seize this opportunity to its fullest, which obviously the Dbacks will benefit from....

In regards to Tracy being recalled (which we all know has been long overdue), he too will resort to everything at full cost to prove his keep into the Dbacks long-term plans and will play with such wreckless abandonment..... Also, I hope they bench Shea in favor of Tracy, especially after the way She swung at the 1st pitch in the top of the 9th....That to me totally defies logic and no mere words cant convey the idiocity on display there...

It's unfortunate though that all of this came at the expense of Alomar, however, we all know how the Dbacks would overcome "lofty" odds last year and would begin to excel.... Could this very well be the 1st "turning-point" of the Dbacks young season? Yes, since it will serve as a "wake-up" call that nothing is safe at this time, that everyone on their team must contribute or else.....

It will be interesting to see how all materializes from this point, but it's too premature to lose complete faith in this team...They proved several people otherwise last season and I wont be shocked if they do so now....


I agree...maybe this will be like the Young Dbacks from last year who revitaltized this team...

Mike
 

schillingfan

All Star
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Posts
672
Reaction score
0
Location
Northeastern Pennsylvania
I criticized the Alomar signing from the beginning. I believed he was washed up and that the DBacks, being a rebuilding team should give the youngsters a chance. The veteran future hall of famer means nothing if his skills have declined to the point where he isn't even an average second baseman.
 
OP
OP
KingLouieLouie

KingLouieLouie

Going Old School!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Posts
5,532
Reaction score
46
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Chandler Mike said:
I agree...maybe this will be like the Young Dbacks from last year who revitaltized this team...

Mike
I certainly hope so...It seems what has happened that many of the regulars have become too complacent since there's not much competition and I hope now with Tracy and Kata more into the mix, it will ignite that much needed fire...
 
OP
OP
KingLouieLouie

KingLouieLouie

Going Old School!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Posts
5,532
Reaction score
46
Location
Phoenix, AZ
schillingfan said:
I criticized the Alomar signing from the beginning. I believed he was washed up and that the DBacks, being a rebuilding team should give the youngsters a chance. The veteran future hall of famer means nothing if his skills have declined to the point where he isn't even an average second baseman.
I was initially against Alomar's signing, but warmed-up to it....

I thought that Kata and Baerga would be adequate enough to platoon at 2nd base and that the money they invested into Alomar should have been used on acquiring another OF that theyre desperately in need of...

Then, I realized Alomar came at such a bargain and would help be a mentor for the younger players (IE Cintron)....

Now, it's all moot and I hope that Kata and Tracy will step up to the challenge just like the "BabyBacks" did a year ago....
 

BC867

Long time Phoenician!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
17,827
Reaction score
1,709
Location
NE Phoenix
As Counsell before him, Matt Kata has the "knack" of doing what has to be done. Get some hits. Drive in the runner from third.

So far, he's 3-for-3 in this, the start of his new era.

His overall stats may not be outstanding (except perhaps for a .300 batting average), but he will provide the spark to our offense.

I would still like to see Kata hitting leadoff, with Cintron second. Next game, every game.

And, with Hillenbrand's line-drive potential, Shea hitting ahead of Gonzo and Sexson in the 3-4-5 spots.

With Bautista 6th (he just hit a clutch 3-run homerun), Finley or Terrero 7th and our Catcher 8th.

Our pitching staff would owe some steak dinners to someone.
 
OP
OP
KingLouieLouie

KingLouieLouie

Going Old School!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Posts
5,532
Reaction score
46
Location
Phoenix, AZ
BC867 said:
As Counsell before him, Matt Kata has the "knack" of doing what has to be done. Get some hits. Drive in the runner from third.

So far, he's 3-for-3 in this, the start of his new era.

His overall stats may not be outstanding (except perhaps for a .300 batting average), but he will provide the spark to our offense.

I would still like to see Kata hitting leadoff, with Cintron second. Next game, every game.

And, with Hillenbrand's line-drive potential, Shea hitting ahead of Gonzo and Sexson in the 3-4-5 spots.

With Bautista 6th (he just hit a clutch 3-run homerun), Finley or Terrero 7th and our Catcher 8th.

Our pitching staff would owe some steak dinners to someone.
I agree with everything you typed and will expand on something further....

The main drawback of batting Cintron at #5 is that he's developed the mentality that he must pull the ball every single AB, however, if Brenly inserted him into the #2 spot he'll revert back to the spray-hitting that enabled him to become the every day SS to begin with.....

Kata has the best approach of hitting on the team...He goes up there to select his pitches and doesnt try to pull regardless of the situation....

The model of any line-up should be...

1)AVG/OPS/SB
2) AVG/OPS/SB
3) OPS/SB/SLG
4) SLG/AVG
5) SLG/AVG
6) SLG/AVG
7) SLG
8) SLG/OPS/SB
 
Last edited:

BC867

Long time Phoenician!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
17,827
Reaction score
1,709
Location
NE Phoenix
KingLouieLouie said:
The main drawback of batting Cintron at #5 is that he's developed the mentality that he must pull the ball every single AB, however, if Brenly inserted him into the #2 spot he'll revert back to the spray-hitting that enabled him to become the every day SS to begin with.
I can't resist repeating that, after hitting just under .400 at AAA early last season . . . then leading all D'backs starters with a .300-plus average for the rest of the season . . . I believe that Alex is a future batting champion . . . if used correctly. Yup, 2nd not 5th.


1- AVG/OPS/SB
2- AVG/OPS/SB
3- OPS/SB/SLG
4- SLG/AVG
5- SLG/AVG
6- SLG/AVG
7- SLG
8- SLG/OPS/SB

Beautiful.
 
OP
OP
KingLouieLouie

KingLouieLouie

Going Old School!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Posts
5,532
Reaction score
46
Location
Phoenix, AZ
BC867 said:
I can't resist repeating that, after hitting just under .400 at AAA early last season . . . then leading all D'backs starters with a .300-plus average for the rest of the season . . . I believe that Alex is a future batting champion . . . if used correctly. Yup, 2nd not 5th.



Beautiful.
That model is based on the 104-58 '84 Tigers, however, Lou Whittaker generated more power than SB....

1) Lou Whitaker-2B
2) Alan Trammell-SS
3) Kirk Gibson-RF
4) Lance Parrish-C
5) Darrell Evans-DH/1B
6) Chet Lemon-CF
7) Larry Herndon-LF
8) Tom Brookens/Howard Johnson-3B
9) Dave Bergman/Barbaro Garbey-DH/1B


I know you would prefer that Brenly goes to a "set line-up" and I agree, however, he must send some players a message immediately....
 

BC867

Long time Phoenician!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
17,827
Reaction score
1,709
Location
NE Phoenix
KingLouieLouie said:
I know you would prefer that Brenly goes to a "set line-up" and I agree, however, he must send some players a message immediately....
Changing the lineup to improve it, at this time, would be good management.

Changing it again two games later, then two games after that, as last year, would not.

Pick the best combination, then give it a chance to produce. Especially early in the year.

My gripe with Brenly's 140+ different lineups last season was treating August as though it were Spring Training.

I also can't help but wonder if rotating three Catchers in the starting lineup will contribute to further chaos of our pitching staff.

Again, a decision, a commitment, and give it a chance to settle in.
 

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
556,116
Posts
5,433,453
Members
6,329
Latest member
cardinals2025
Top