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Thread: The NL Central is improving.

  1. #1
    Member Ron Madden's Avatar
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    The NL Central is improving.

    And Tony La Russa wants to win it his way.

    http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colum...0ef479b8a.html


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  3. #2
    Et tu, Brutus? Brutus's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his son?
    "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda

  4. #3
    Mr.Redlegs is my homeboy Eric_the_Red's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Isn't "his way" tested for now?

  5. #4
    Back from my hiatus Mario-Rijo's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    One thing I can safely say about the current version of our on the field Reds they ain't short on desire to win or scrappyness so bring it on LaRussa.
    "You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."

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  6. #5
    Member Ron Madden's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brutus the Pimp View Post
    How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his son?
    Maybe Carpenters son can explain a few things to his dear ol' dad.

    Sounds like the writer Bernie Miklasz isn't real happy with the Cardinal defense.

  7. #6
    Member RedsManRick's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Isn't it the manager's job to get the most out of his players? The article makes it sound like Tony is tired of trying to motivate more talented players.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

  8. #7
    Member Ron Madden's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    Isn't it the manager's job to get the most out of his players? The article makes it sound like Tony is tired of trying to motivate more talented players.
    I think Miklasz is saying Tony favors scrappy guys over some guys who play better defense or have a better OBP.

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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Larussa has no interest in winning playing conventional strategy.

    He needs to put his mark on the game or he isn't satisfied, even if he wins.

    It has to be about him, or not at all.

    His ego is the size of Barry Bonds' head.

    Maybe even bigger, if that is possible.

  10. #9
    Member RedsManRick's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Madden View Post
    I think Miklasz is saying Tony favors scrappy guys over some guys who play better defense or have a better OBP.
    Yes, I get that. I'm trying to figure out how LaRussa believes scrappy leads to scoring more runs than one's opponent than do defense and OBP. Does he believe that a scrappy team that plays worse defense and gets on base less will win more games than a less scrappy team who does those things better?
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

  11. #10
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
    Yes, I get that. I'm trying to figure out how LaRussa believes scrappy leads to scoring more runs than one's opponent than do defense and OBP. Does he believe that a scrappy team that plays worse defense and gets on base less will win more games than a less scrappy team who does those things better?
    Ssshhh! TLR is showing his genius here. You may NOT question the great and powerful TLR! If you DO question the great and powerful TLR, you may be subjected to severe repurcussions!

  12. #11
    Member traderumor's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    So Tony talks about WASP, Wins Above Scrappy Player? I think this article could be plugged in about any era, find a coach who is "going back to the good old days," and discover he is just cycling old tired myths about what makes a baseball team win games. There is nothing new under the sun.
    "Rounding 3rd and heading for home, good night everybody"

  13. #12
    You're soaking in it! MartyFan's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brutus the Pimp View Post
    How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his son?
    never gets old...ever!!!
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  14. #13
    Moderator The Operator's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by PuffyPig View Post
    Larussa has no interest in winning playing conventional strategy.

    He needs to put his mark on the game or he isn't satisfied, even if he wins.

    It has to be about him, or not at all.

    His ego is the size of Barry Bonds' head.

    Maybe even bigger, if that is possible.
    I think you've hit the nail on the head.

    TLR would rather lose his own way than win someone else's way.
    Quote Originally Posted by BCubb2003 View Post
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  15. #14
    Box of Frogs edabbs44's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    For what it's worth, they mention Eckstein as someone who fits the mold TLR speaks of "when they signed him off the reject pile in 2005". And he only put up OBPs of .363, .350 and .356 in his 3 years there after coming off seasons of .325 and .339 in Anaheim.

    So here's a question. Does scrappy, in some regard, lead to OBP? Fouling off pitches, making a pitcher work, working the count and the walk, etc?

    Just food for thought on this cold winter's morning.

  16. #15
    Redsmetz redsmetz's Avatar
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    Re: The NL Central is improving.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Madden View Post
    Sounds like the writer Bernie Miklasz isn't real happy with the Cardinal defense.
    I'm not sure that's what he is getting at. I think the only judgments he is making is that LaRussa's going to do it his way, it's not the way most folks see things and that it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Of course, this could prove to be a complete disaster (and I hope it is), but I've learned to never count Tony LaRussa out. We'll see.
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