First here is tip….make a big TIP your opinion which you are entitled to have right or wrong I have nothing against, but when you express it in such a cavalier attitude then you better stand and take it.

Your premise was….allow me to characterize was that you didn’t buy the back spasms whole thing because it was not mentioned in the press….ESPECIALLY (now isn’t that right especially meaning that this was the cornerstone of your logic) that he had control problems before THEREFORE…this confirmed for you that Rich Hill was a headcase…..

For one thing I am not, nor am have I ever been a KNOW IT ALL KNOTHEAD….that said I actually did compete at a level…collegiate level oh yes it was some three decades and two fake knees ago in another sport….and yes I actually played baseball at a high school level, something more than most of you have. My godbrother (yes there are some old Catholic families who like to inbreed or exchange godparents….) got as high as AA baseball in the Twin organization. My brother got as far as the junior tour, last day of the Q-School and my niece is an genuine Olympic Skating hopeful…...why is this important…..because I and many of my family know what is is to compete at a high level.

Injuries are not to be dismissed as head cases. The level of success or not at this level is unforgiving. A bad back and it can throw off every mechanic. I reveled at Tiger Woods winning the US Open with his injuries…..his concentration and execution was unbelievable.

The thing is you used as part of your opinion logic his previous control problems and acquainted them as being mental as well. Most control problems of players at this level are physical, mechanical down to the finger tips, and all the way back to the big muscles throughout the body.

Now getting my facts correct I was incorrect I should have looked up baseball reference and reacquainted how amazing his 2006 record was. He came up August 1st having been sent down again, 0-4…..and then went 6-3 making his record 6-7 that year. Last year he was 11-8 and thus 19-15 in the year and half in the bigs. sorry…

But this is what really gets me. Fans who acquaint so much to a player’s supposed attitude, or mental state (sanity) et cetera, when it is so much physical. IT is plain and utter ignorance and prejudice expressed. Sure you can have a prejudice but be prepared to be challenged for it…..

Take for example my niece who was competing last year in the US Nationals and finished out of the running. Some one came up to me and said she wasn’t trying…..she was hurt and shouldn’t have competed at all but gutted it out.

Hill is hurt…whether it was reported appropriately by the press or squelched by the Cubs initially or not is was hurt and it affected his performance. So now who is the headcase…..the fan or the competitor?

More in line example: Last year Soriano was not hitting HR’s until after August. People said he was reacting to his contract or this or that…..His wrists were hurt was the reality. When they healed he went off. But did anyone take back those attitude calls….no….

Edmonds was given up to for dead here and in SD. He was hurt….he didn’t have spring training and he had a mechanical flaw…..but so many were convinced it was mental and he was old. Now he has 11 HR’s and is a key component to this club…..

so be educated and think a bit before saying your opinion has some sanctity…...for as tips go….don’t discount injuries….and stop acquainted mental problems for every performance item…...

Did you ever see him? I know you won’t answer.

ignorance in the face of evidence.

...he doesn’t need to “come up” with another pitch. He has one. As mentioned, I do agree that his changeup needs to get better.

But, in any case, it’s next to impossible for any of us to say which of Hill’s pitches is working at the moment, because very few if any of us has actually seen him pitch in months. His “pedestrian” fastball was working quite well at times last season and in late ‘06. If he can rise above his back problems and the accompanying mental/confidence issues, his fastball, curve ball and changeup could all surprise us with their effectiveness.

...the changeup clearly needs to get better. I was merely disputing the fact that Hill needs to acquire a third pitch – he’s already got one, it’s just not very good (again, as far as we know). And I think it’s far too easy for us to focus on all of Rich’s failures – he has commanded his fastball and wielded his curve ball with a fair amount of success at the major league level, just not consistently (or recently).

that he’s throwing strikes again doesn’t mean anything to you?

They don’t allow debate either…...