A Tough Loss

LouGehrig · July 8th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Know why they lost?

The Yankees Lose A Close One: A Pinch Hitter? American Leaguers Don't Need One?

nanwynnfan · July 8th, 2007, 05:06 PM

REF: Quoting from the link article, Yankee loss...

"American League teams carry 12 or 13 pitchers. They are concerned with the designated hitter and build their teams with that in mind, but what is ignored is that most teams have one or two weak hitters in the lineup. Since there usually is no room for a pinch hitter, most American League managers rarely pinch hit. Joe Torre might be second guessed for not pinch hitting for Melky, but considering the alternatives, Torre shouldn't be criticized. The onus falls on the make up of the roster that has only 12 position players."

I'm surprised this got published without question or some kind of editor screening.

The AL DH is one position out of 25 on the standard roster. It is generally agreead that pitching talent has been very much stretched over the most recent generation of play; so the "smarts" invoved in having > half your personnel assets devoted the thinnest position should hardly be a given.

The extended regular season, from 154 to 162 games compounded by the interjection of post-season play make the "wear and tear" argument on pitchers a bit more credible; but adding 30%-40% of your position allocation is out of whack with the extra games played as a % of the schedule.

Teams should plan for offense as well as defense if they want to compete. Exchanging at least one of 12 or 13 pitching slots for more position depth with hitting ability just makes plain sense.

Melky had an awful night. He deserves better than being selected to serve as an example of a weak link, and argument for a flawed basic strategy.

July 8th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
LouGehrig Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 225	A Tough Loss Know why they lost? The Yankees Lose A Close One: A Pinch Hitter? American Leaguers Don't Need One?

July 8th, 2007, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
nanwynnfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,579	REF: Quoting from the link article, Yankee loss... "American League teams carry 12 or 13 pitchers. They are concerned with the designated hitter and build their teams with that in mind, but what is ignored is that most teams have one or two weak hitters in the lineup. Since there usually is no room for a pinch hitter, most American League managers rarely pinch hit. Joe Torre might be second guessed for not pinch hitting for Melky, but considering the alternatives, Torre shouldn't be criticized. The onus falls on the make up of the roster that has only 12 position players." I'm surprised this got published without question or some kind of editor screening. The AL DH is one position out of 25 on the standard roster. It is generally agreead that pitching talent has been very much stretched over the most recent generation of play; so the "smarts" invoved in having > half your personnel assets devoted the thinnest position should hardly be a given. The extended regular season, from 154 to 162 games compounded by the interjection of post-season play make the "wear and tear" argument on pitchers a bit more credible; but adding 30%-40% of your position allocation is out of whack with the extra games played as a % of the schedule. Teams should plan for offense as well as defense if they want to compete. Exchanging at least one of 12 or 13 pitching slots for more position depth with hitting ability just makes plain sense. Melky had an awful night. He deserves better than being selected to serve as an example of a weak link, and argument for a flawed basic strategy.