Less small-ball in '07?

[CiscoKid]

According to today's Denver Post, Hurdle is taking a more hands-off approach this season:

Hurdle said he was "guilty of overmanaging" during the second half as the team went into a funk. He promises a slightly different approach this season, both philosophically and personally.

When spring training starts Feb. 15, Hurdle's primary focus will be improving an offense that he said will be more wide-open and rely less on bunting. Over the past two years, the Rockies have led the league in sacrifice bunts despite playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

"The bunting was a function of our dysfunction," Hurdle said. "My personal preference going into this year is to turn these guys loose and give them freedom to swing the bat.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[hiaspire]

And as I've always said, I'll believe it when the team personnel changes. I do believe game strategies will shift IF the personnel on the field allows for it.

In the past few seasons we have primarily been dealing with an inept offense full of AAAA type talent. Even the very best ones (Atkins, Holliday) are not all that experienced to have complete faith. If you have an all-star team of killer bats, you can give them more freedom to decide the game on their own individual offensive skill. If you have weak bats that can't accomplish much individually on their own, you need to play more of a team game.

The "rules" applied to everybody and every team equally are nonsense. Each team has different levels of talent and different skills to apply to their unique situations. There are no one-size-fits-all strategies to employ.

If Taveras stays and is a speed demon racking up SBs, I don't believe you'll see the hitter behind him bunting nearly as much. That's not Hurdle so much as it is reflected in the players provided.

If this offense stops looking so meek and really starts to rack up the hits, then I do believe you'll see less of a team-approach and more reliance upon the individuals to deliver for themselves.

A good manager shifts his strategy depending upon the talent. The numerous Hurdle haters here don't have to believe he'll change, but if the personnel and results do then I believe they'll see it on the field.

[indianadrew]

"The bunting was a function of our dysfunction"



kinda sounds like schoolhouse rock

[Roxpert]

Hmm, it seems there's still someone around here who has never figured out that bunting in the 1st inning of a tie game actually REDUCES your runs expectancy a bit, and thus your chances of winning the game, no matter WHAT the level of talent is on the ballclub.

This isn't rocket science. The SH is a waste in most situations in which Hurdle employed the tactic. The level of talent, whether AAAA or not, is irrelevant to the issue of the team having a manager who doesn't even understand the odds of basic strategies. He's like the blackjack player I sat next to last week in Las Vegas who hits on 17, and splits pairs of 10's and 6's.

Ahh, but my view doesn't matter. After all, we've been dsimissed as "Hurdle haters". LOL.

[BigRapidsJackass]

21-3.

Usually it's unfair to blame the quarterback, as in Brady vs. Manning.

Usually, but not in this matchup.

Time to start thinking about baseball again, Indiana Drew.

[BigRapidsJackass]

Hey, guess I spoke too soon. Who'd have thunk it ... a Colts comeback.

Now go kick some Bear ass ... go AFC/go Colts!

[indianadrew]

it was a great game and the whole city was going crazy. GO COLTS