As I sat in a panic about the season that lies ahead of my favorite teams, I decided to see who didn’t share my opinion.
I Googled, “Not worried about Spring Training,” and instantly was presented with a myriad of results—from this month.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki isn’t worried.
San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito says he's just working on "things mechanically."
Worried? Not Detroit Tigers' Todd Jones.
Mark Teixeira sees a sub-par spring as a good sign.
Does it take a hefty paycheck to not be worried because, sweeties, I am worried.
On Thursday, I made my way to AT&T Park for the first game of the (pre)season in the stadium.
A passed ground ball beelined its way into my boyfriend’s waiting hand. The beer lady told my friend that he just purchased the first beer of the year.
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These had to be positive signs.
As I sat in my frigid seat in AT&T Park, I felt a glimmer of hope—but then again, it was just batting practice.
My fool’s sanguinity was brought back to reality on the same play that Seattle’s Yuniesky Betancourt scored—the Giants’ Rich Aurilia failed to return the ball to the pitcher after a routine out at first and, oops! There goes Betancourt!
Don't we learn this in elementary school P.E.? Get the ball back to the pitcher when the play is over!
I should have known. I didn’t even stay the whole game. I used the freezing temperature as an excuse, but we all know it was the disappointment that fueled my early departure.
The next night, Tim Lincecum fanned my hopes to a high level as he pitched five hitless innings. Yes, it was against the Oakland A’s, but still.
Once Steve Kline entered the game, the hitless streak was gone, as was the upward momentum of my optimism.
We all know it’s preseason. The players say there’s no need to worry.
How can we not worry when games that are supposed to be easy produce lackluster numbers? If it’s a “whatever” game, let me see some astronomical numbers.
I’m an A’s and Giants fan. I know what I’m in for. The panic set in long before spring started, but c’mon, let’s be real.
A substandard spring does not produce confident fans.
Did I mention I’m a Phillies fan? Oh boy, I’m worried.
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5 months ago
Luckily, a substandard spring training season doesn't mean much this year.
But, a substandard spring training can mean a lot for the next 5 or 6 years. Spring training is a gauge of an organization's overall strength. A bad spring means the front office needs to get to work to sturdy the future prospects of the club. But for the 2008 season?
No worries.
5 months ago
"Does it take a hefty paycheck to not be worried because, sweeties, I am worried."
The difference is in 'practice', thats what Spring Training and the games are, 'practice'. If a pitcher is trying out a new pitch and it fails, chances are they will ditch it come Opening Day(s). If a hitter is working on a new approach in Spring- maybe laying off first pitches, shortening up his stroke, etc -that does not mean they will bring it to the plate when the games matter.
That said, consider when you text or email a friend. My guess is that you aren't writing as if that text or email is going to be published or critiqued. Does that then mean if you use short forms that you will be using them in your articles?
Again, Spring Training is practice. I think what should worry A's and Giants fans, more then how they perform in practice games or against single A players, is the current state of their rosters.
The Athletics are close, once again. This team has a lot of potential, but even if Barton, Cust, Ellis, Suzuki, etc hit .500 nobody would be expecting this team to finish higher then 3rd in the division.
Similarly, the Giants are currently fielding the equivalent of a double A team. Nobody needed Spring Training stats to tell them that, simply look at the players, their track records.
Their track records, that is exactly what you should look at. Not 55 at bats in ballparks the players will never play a meaningful out, but the previous 2-3 thousand at bats of their professional careers.
from 5 months ago
While I agree with many points in your comment, I feel my worry has been justified after today's Giants-Dodgers game.
Zito said he was working on things; after he gave up three runs in the first innings, I couldn't say I was surprised. But, as you said, the Giants are not a good example of this.
Look at today's performances by the aforementioned players: Teixeira—0-for-6; Ichiro—0-for-3; Zito—5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER; Jones, however, did pitch one inning without giving up a run.
It's the first week, I know it's way premature, but my point is that bad performances freak me out—spring or not.
Oh, and when I text/email friends, I do write as if I am being critiqued. I am an English teacher, after all, so I feel I am held at a different level when it comes to writing. It's my job to write properly and it's rare for me to be lax in that department. :)
But compare the manner in which I speak to friends and the manner in which I speak to students, then your point is well taken. :)
5 months ago
One of our writers (Doug) at Chatter Balks is a Giants fan and has pretty much stopped caring. It's not even fun to make fun of the Giants anymore because he doesn't even try to defend them.
Any I think Spring is a good indicator if you know who is trying and who isn't. People like Tex probably aren't really trying where as people like Josh Hamilton are swinging for the fences, and that shows. Is it a surprise that Zito is awful? I thought that it was pretty well known that Zito is washed up. I mean, he's on the Giants isn't he?
SNAP.
www.chatterbalks.com
4 months ago
You need to keep things in perspective. Most clubs use spring training to get a good luck at the players they have available that could potentially make the roster. That is why players often only get 2 or 3 at bats and 2 or 3 innings to pitch. Managers and other staff members are getting their first look at their team in several months. Spring training games just cannot be taken seriously. Players may not put in their best effort, players that will ultimately end up in the minor leagues are playing, and most important of all, the games do not count for ANYTHING. It is simply a way for players to get acclimated to playing again and to prepare for the long season ahead.
from 4 months ago
I totally agree, but it can also be indicative of what's to come.
Players mentioned in the article:
Ichiro Suzuki: Last 10 games- 10-for-42, .238 BA (.258 BA for this season)
Zito: 5.61 ERA, 0-5 record
Todd Jones: Doing okay, 2.25 ERA w/ 3 saves.. Not entirely his fault
Mark Teixeira: .235 BA
I know, it's still April, but just trying to say that spring training is not entirely useless.
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