258 Responses to “Game 41, Jays at Mariners”

1. beadyeyes123 on May 20th, 2010 4:24 pm

   I’m not sure this makes any sense. If we were in the pennant race, I think you would hear significantly less calls for Griffey to go away.

   If it came from Steve Phillips, consider the source 🙂

2. Oolon on May 20th, 2010 4:37 pm

   Great fun to be away from work and at the ballpark today.

   Some head scratching love of the bunt early in the game by the Ms.

   More head scratching when Ichiro headed to second when we’re two runs down in the eighth.

   And great to see Griffey get the big walk off hit in the end.

   This team definitely needed a win…

3. mrt1212 on May 20th, 2010 4:40 pm

   Krugman, while I can see that take, I have to question that mode of thought as a base mode of thought.

4. Oolon on May 20th, 2010 4:56 pm

   Exactly what is the measure of each or any particular player for losing a game, and rank them — what single player is most responsible for losses, and give evidence of each.

   Here’s a start – I went to the fangraphs site here and grabbed the WAR for the hitters. Then I multiplied by 4 to get an approximate full season WAR. Here are the results:

   Gutierrez 6.8
   Ichiro 5.2
   Josh Wilson 1.6
   Lopez 1.2
   Johnson 0.8
   Saunders 0.8
   Langerhans 0.4
   Sweeney 0.0
   Bradley 0.0
   Bard -0.4
   Moore -0.8
   Jack Wilson -0.8
   Kotchman -0.8
   Figgins -1.2
   Tuiasosopo -1.6
   Byrnes -1.6
   Griffey -3.2

   Griffey is (of course) at the bottom, but compared to the production we were expecting from the various players I think Figgins is probably the most negative producer. Do we have a list of our pre-season WAR expectations to compare this to?

5. Krugman on May 20th, 2010 5:25 pm

   I’m not sure this makes any sense. If we were in the pennant race, I think you would hear significantly less calls for Griffey to go away.

   Go figure?

   So, we’re in a pennant race — and need one more bat to get us over the top. Say under that hypothetical Griffey is batting the same he is right now — under 200 and no power. You don’t think it would be more meaningful to dump Griffey to open a roster spot under that scenario? It would actually mean something then.

   But, in the reality we’re in, if we dump him, what does it get us? Another “bat” from Tacoma? Jermaine Dye? Luke Scott? (Or take your pick and fill in any name here). Regardless, this team still has too many issues to compete this year, IMO.

   Don’t get me wrong. I hardly think Phillips is any sort of genius. But I do think he probably knows a more about MLB management dealings than anyone on this board. And whether he’s right or wrong, his perspective on the Griffey situation is one that I haven’t heard anyone (media, etc.) in Seattle raise in the “what to do with Junior” cacophony these past few weeks.

   IMO, the time to dump Griffey would have been two weeks ago, when the M’s appeared to still have a chance. It makes no difference whether he stays or goes now (playing-wise; of course, in terms of team reputation with players, it does — according to Phillips). We’re done this year.

6. chimera on May 20th, 2010 5:31 pm

   Oolon: In that example, the WAR stat is being used out of context. For one thing, I mentioned “each or any particular player for losing a game”. Where are the pitchers? The bullpen has been stellar, hasn’t it? How about the management? For another, you are misusing WAR in this sense. What about qualified vs. not?

7. The Nickster on May 20th, 2010 5:35 pm

   I was at work, debating whether to ignore the game and watch the replay later, or follow the game on GameCast. So happy I chose GameCast (figured if it was another loss, save me the pain of watching another defeat. It’s killing me).

   So I sat there, trying to work, constantly flipping back to GameCast in the ninth inning. Leadoff hit! Switch. Come back. Two guys on, nobody out! Then bases loaded, nobody out. Switch, check back… a run in! Then… tied up!!!! Come on, all we need is a basehit, we have a terrible extra innings record, we have to win this here….

   Wait a minute, are you kidding me? The Mighty Griffey is coming to bat, attempting to bring joy to Mudville?? Could it really happen, or is he going to break our hearts again with a weak pop up?? I can’t watch… come on Kenny, one more bit of magic for old time’s sake….

   Oops, boss is coming, switch back to work screen, ok, she’s gone, back to GameCast…

   I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!! THE KID COMES THROUGH!!

   Happy happy joy joy. I’m just gonna enjoy this one tonight and worry about the repercussions tomorrow. 🙂

   (BTW, what was the attendance? On a huge losing streak and a Thursday day game, I can’t imagine it was much….)

8. Krugman on May 20th, 2010 5:57 pm

   Attendance – 20,452

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