A's inside the park home run and Jacque Jones

by pageian on Oct 4, 2006 10:37 PM CDT

I just saw the replay of Hunter's missed dive on ESPN. That was the second inside the park home run in the playoffs in the A's history. ESPN showed the replay of the other from way back in 2002. The previous was also against the Twins, and also because Hunter missed a ball in center field. Hunter said this time that it seemed like it took Cuddyer an hour to get to the ball (he wasn't commenting on Cuddyer's speed, he was commenting on what it felt like to have to watch the ball roll all the way to the wall).

In the replay of the 2002 inside the park home run Hunter missed the ball but this time it was the Twins left fielder who ran to get it. The one and only Jacque Jones. What happened? Jones picks up the ball and throws it back into the infield, except.....(wait for it).....he threw it into the ground about 50 feet in front of himself, just like we saw him do all season.

I thought he was supposed to be playing hurt this year? Was he hurt in 2002 as well? Same injury? Chronic or freak injury? Did I miss something about this or is he hurt or not?

My guess? The Cubs brass new he couldn't throw before they signed him, and they didn't care. This is just more talk with a side of smoke and mirrors thrown in by the Cubs wonderful PR driven spin machine. Thank you for the legacy you've left us, Andy McPhail.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Jacque's defense

His arm has never been good. But his last season in Minnesota he had 10 outfield assists in 133 games.

On the other hand, his range has always been good. Well above league average.

On the whole, Jones' defense isn't going to hurt a team. At worst, a couple of runs a season.

For what it's worth, in 1992, Diamond Mine Baseball, which I've never gotten into but some people swear by, rated Jones the best left fielder in all of baseball. http://www.diamond-mind.com/articles/gg2002.htm

by DSZ on Oct 4, 2006 11:06 PM CDT reply actions

One more thing

In the dome, his throws into the ground were likely less of a problem than at Wrigley as balls bouncing on Astroturf don't lose nearly as much momentum as balls on grass.

How this plays out over the course of the season is something that may never have been quantified. Anyone?

by DSZ on Oct 4, 2006 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point

Maybe Jones throws end up that way because he played on artificial turf for so long where it wasn't as harmful to that type of throw and now it's a part of his mechanics. Shouldn't one of the coaches have caught that and tried to get it fixed? No doubt he's got plenty of arm strength to make better throws, he just needs to be a lot less erratic.

Would it be a better idea to shift Jones and Murton? Murton has a weaker arm he's got a better chance of hitting his target.

by pageian on Oct 4, 2006 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions

1992?

Jacque was about 16 or 17 years old. 2002 maybe?

by Thelonious on Oct 5, 2006 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

No, clearly not!

Jacque Jones was the best left fielder in Legion ball, unfortunately he hasn't improved since then. :(

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 6, 2006 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

As Aaron Gleeman will tell you

Jones has always had an erratic arm.

by VS on Oct 4, 2006 11:11 PM CDT reply actions

Yes, his arm has always been like this...

that's why it seemed very odd that he has an injury. Maybe he's just trying to say something to quiet all of his critics so he can start anew next year, I don't know? But the guy has always had an arm like this.

Remember the Twins playoff series against the Yankess when he forgot how many outs there were and made a weak toss to the cut-off man as the run scored? Morgan immediately makes all kinds of excuses for him in the booth about how is arm is injured. After the game he takes full responsibility and admitted that he forgot the game situation.

Jones is a tough guy, there's no question, he played under a lot of pressure this season. It's also possible that he has a chronic condition in the shoulder and has tried to avoid surgery.

by DudeVf1 on Oct 5, 2006 1:41 AM CDT reply actions

Tori Hunter

Hunter is, no doubt, the best defensive outfielder in baseball, and only a handful of guys even compare with him defensively. But holy cow, I cannot believe he dove for that ball, because he really was not even close to it.

Sure, it's easy for me to criticize, I realize that. In the heat of the moment, he was being aggressive and trying to make a play. But you're already down 1 game in the series, and you're in a tie game. For God's sake, keep the ball in front of you. Don't turn a single into a home run by being overly aggressive. And by the way, that being said, I'd give anything to have Tori Hunter as my center fielder.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 5, 2006 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

I will give Hunter credit...

... at least for this: in the postgame interview, he owned up to what he did and admitted he screwed up. He seems like a standup guy, someone who would be good to have on your team.

That's not an argument for the Cubs signing him, just an observation.

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2006 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

He did own up

and that's refreshing to hear. It's much better than hearing a player say "I don't want to make excuses, but..." So they don't want any excuses and then they proceed to rattle off excuses. Kind of like saying your throwing arm is hurt this year when you've been throwing that way your whole career.

Hunter is a good player but I doubt the Twins bring him back at $12 million. He wouldn't be my first choice but he'd be a descent option.

by pageian on Oct 5, 2006 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Just pure speculation...

And I have no reason at all to think this...

I wouldn't be surprised if the Twins decline the option but resigned Hunter for 4 years for $8-10 million.

Just thinking...

Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 5, 2006 2:04 PM CDT reply actions