Ted Cox channeling Bill James last week

by aisle209 on Mar 3, 2008 11:20 AM CST

Ted Cox quotes Bill James on Friday at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=144098

Alfonso Soriano ranked No. 3 among hitters swinging at pitches outside the strike zone (467 times) in 2007, but he also helped the Cubs get on the scoreboard early.

After watching the way Soriano and Ramirez swung at anything and everything during the playoffs, I am wondering how many hittable pitches they will see this season. I don't have the stats to back it up but it seemed like they were over-anxious and helping out the pitcher by swinging at a lot of off-speed out-of-the-zone junk in October.

A stat like the one above surprises me to think that there is someone out there keeping track of every single pitch and categorizing it over the entire season for every team.

Then there's this...

Yet before you insist on moving Soriano out of the leadoff spot, mull this James nugget: "The Cubs were ahead after the first inning an astonishing 53 times in 2007, best in the National League." Credit Soriano.

James also labels Rich Hill as the NL hard luck pitcher in the article.

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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We'll have a love/hate...

...relationship with Soriano as long as he's in the lead-off spot.

As a fan, I love the energy and excitement he brings to the first few pitches of a game. And if the stats are correct and we led 53 times, well, let's leave him there. You can't underestimate how relaxing it is for a pitcher to come in the game with a lead---they'll pitch loose and their stuff will come easier.

All we really need is for Soriano to take his two big swings to start the game, and then for him to lay off and get the darn walk!

In sum, to all the Soriano-as-lead-off-hitter haters, leave him and Piniella alone!!!!!! - TL

"Why shouldn't we believe that we're going to win the World Series?" - Ted Lilly, 1/19/2008, Daily Herald interview w/Barry Rozner

by timlacy on Mar 3, 2008 11:29 AM CST reply actions