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Slica · December 23rd, 2006, 08:38 PM

Depends on your definition of Ace. Calling both Johnson and Schilling 'Aces' is exactly why I use the term 'Staff Ace'...people are defining Ace as the #1 guy on a particular team, so if you go by that, then you just have to go by who is in fact the Staff Ace. If you use the word by its origin in baseball terms, than yeah, they both were aces.

As for making someone an ace, I dont necessarily mean that in a literal sense. Bad wording once again on my part. Im just saying if he (Zito) is your #2 pitcher, you are probably in good shape. Unfortunately on most teams, he would be a #1, because there are not many true aces out there. Thats why I prefer TOR over the word 'Ace'. People use that term for every #1 pitcher, and Gil Meche of the Royals is no 'Ace'. Then again, hes no longer a TOR pitcher either.

Hmm this is a harder question than I thought.

I just think the term 'Ace' has gone from a great pitcher to simply being the #1 guy on a team's pitching staff. Since its become used so loosely, ive begun using 'Staff Ace' more. The logic there is...I just add staff to it because hes only an ace on THAT team.

I personally think that 'Ace' shouldn't be used anymore on free agent pitchers, because, take Zito for example, is not a Staff Ace on Toronto, but would be on Kansas City. The word means different things to different people, hence why its become such a confusing term.

I think people should stick with 'our teams best pitcher' to save confusion. Other sports are comparing players with the word 'Elite'...so perhaps that will lessen the confusion. Santana is elite. Halladay is elite. Zito, should he become a Mariner, will just be 'our teams best pitcher'...until King Felix puts his potato chips down, wipes his hands, and winds up...

Hope that wasnt confusing on its own. I might of confused myself, as my head is spinning. Im up for intelligent discussion, but im pretty tired right now.

December 23rd, 2006, 08:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Slica Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 168	Depends on your definition of Ace. Calling both Johnson and Schilling 'Aces' is exactly why I use the term 'Staff Ace'...people are defining Ace as the #1 guy on a particular team, so if you go by that, then you just have to go by who is in fact the Staff Ace. If you use the word by its origin in baseball terms, than yeah, they both were aces. As for making someone an ace, I dont necessarily mean that in a literal sense. Bad wording once again on my part. Im just saying if he (Zito) is your #2 pitcher, you are probably in good shape. Unfortunately on most teams, he would be a #1, because there are not many true aces out there. Thats why I prefer TOR over the word 'Ace'. People use that term for every #1 pitcher, and Gil Meche of the Royals is no 'Ace'. Then again, hes no longer a TOR pitcher either. Hmm this is a harder question than I thought. I just think the term 'Ace' has gone from a great pitcher to simply being the #1 guy on a team's pitching staff. Since its become used so loosely, ive begun using 'Staff Ace' more. The logic there is...I just add staff to it because hes only an ace on THAT team. I personally think that 'Ace' shouldn't be used anymore on free agent pitchers, because, take Zito for example, is not a Staff Ace on Toronto, but would be on Kansas City. The word means different things to different people, hence why its become such a confusing term. I think people should stick with 'our teams best pitcher' to save confusion. Other sports are comparing players with the word 'Elite'...so perhaps that will lessen the confusion. Santana is elite. Halladay is elite. Zito, should he become a Mariner, will just be 'our teams best pitcher'...until King Felix puts his potato chips down, wipes his hands, and winds up... Hope that wasnt confusing on its own. I might of confused myself, as my head is spinning. Im up for intelligent discussion, but im pretty tired right now.