Karl Ravech destroying Billy Hamilton on the BBTN podcast

[dougdirt]

A 10th of a second is the difference between Olympic Gold Medal's and perhaps nothing. Sprinters, runners, swimmers, etc train their tails off for those minuscule tenth's. You know what a 10th of a second is, the difference between a good and bad tag. Its the difference between taking the ball out cleanly and having to spend a little extra time finding the seems of the baseball. Its the difference between a good break and an average break to cover 1st by the pitcher.

Take a look at a stolen base and all the components that go into catching Hamilton speeding. A pitcher is more likely to throw a fastball with Hamilton on base in order to save hundredths of a second. How much attention does he pay to make sure that he can shorten Hamilton's lead. Then you need a fast pitch, a quick catch and release by the catcher, a throw on line, and then a quick tag in order to have a chance to nab Hamilton. You know when tenths of a second matter, when the opposing team is worrying about hundredths.

I understand what you are trying to say with the whole timing thing, but here is my point. Billy Hamilton, Dee Gordon, Michael Bourne in his prime.... if they got a decent jump, their speed was so good that between the time to the plate and the catchers pop time, they there really isn't a way to catch them. Sure, perhaps Hamilton is a fraction of a tenth of a second faster than they are over that 90 feet (well, less because they are all leading off), but the point remains the same. If those guys get a decent jump there really isn't anything the combo can do to keep them from stealing the bag. Guys ARE in the same realm as Hamilton when it comes to that.

Hitters in the same realm as Bonds? Not until you go to Williams and Ruth. That is the difference.

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Here is a fun question for everyone.

What is the breaking point for moving Billy Hamilton down in the lineup? What does his OBP need to be and on what date do you finally say that enough is enough if he doesn't improve it?

[RedsLvr]

Here is a fun question for everyone.

What is the breaking point for moving Billy Hamilton down in the lineup? What does his OBP need to be and on what date do you finally say that enough is enough if he doesn't improve it?

If he doesn't have an OBP over .275 by the end of May it'd probably be worth it to move him down in the lineup IMO.

[Raisor]

Billy shouldn't be leading off at all.

Put the four best offensive players in the tip four spots.

That isn't Billy yet.

[RedsLvr]

Billy shouldn't be leading off at all.

Put the four best offensive players in the tip four spots.

That isn't Billy yet.

I don't know.. You don't want all of those slow guys with high OBPs clogging the bases....

[Raisor]

I don't know.. You don't want all of those slow guys with high OBPs clogging the bases....

I love base cloggers and lollygaggers

[wheels]

I understand what you are trying to say with the whole timing thing, but here is my point. Billy Hamilton, Dee Gordon, Michael Bourne in his prime.... if they got a decent jump, their speed was so good that between the time to the plate and the catchers pop time, they there really isn't a way to catch them. Sure, perhaps Hamilton is a fraction of a tenth of a second faster than they are over that 90 feet (well, less because they are all leading off), but the point remains the same. If those guys get a decent jump there really isn't anything the combo can do to keep them from stealing the bag. Guys ARE in the same realm as Hamilton when it comes to that.

Hitters in the same realm as Bonds? Not until you go to Williams and Ruth. That is the difference.

- - - Updated - - -

Here is a fun question for everyone.

What is the breaking point for moving Billy Hamilton down in the lineup? What does his OBP need to be and on what date do you finally say that enough is enough if he doesn't improve it?

He wouldn't bat lead off for me until he could prove that he makes an out less than 67% of the time. Until then, he bats seventh. It might take two years to convince me because I'm pig headed and don't care much about "speed".

[reds44]

I don't know.. You don't want all of those slow guys with high OBPs clogging the bases....

Because the Reds are a team full of high OBP guys?

[bucksfan2]

Billy shouldn't be leading off at all.

Put the four best offensive players in the tip four spots.

That isn't Billy yet.

Joey Votto says Billy Hamilton offers him protection. Joey Votto sees more fastballs hitting 2nd with Billy Hamilton on base. Every time Billy Hamilton reaches base Joey Votto will be up next.

I like those odds.

[Raisor]

I'm pig headed and don't care much about "speed".

Your parents shouldn't have named you wheels.

[Raisor]

Joey Votto says Billy Hamilton offers him protection. Joey Votto sees more fastballs hitting 2nd with Billy Hamilton on base. Every time Billy Hamilton reaches base Joey Votto will be up next.

I like those odds.

Unfortunately unless Billy gets on more, Joey won't get that benefit.

[dubc47834]

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/200...your-lineup-by

Some just don't learn!!!

[Raisor]

It's none of your business. You hear me?

Wow. Things got out of hand quickly.

[SteelSD]

Wow. Things got out of hand quickly.

Did you see junkhead? He killed a guy with a trident!

[Raisor]

Did you see junkhead? He killed a guy with a trident!

I love lamp.

[dougdirt]

Joey Votto says Billy Hamilton offers him protection. Joey Votto sees more fastballs hitting 2nd with Billy Hamilton on base. Every time Billy Hamilton reaches base Joey Votto will be up next.

I like those odds.

58.3% last year for Votto on fastballs, 56.2% for his career. So far this season (for the full season, not just with Billy on base), 63.2%. Random variance? Maybe. But it is certainly worth keeping an eye on moving forward.