Joe Posnanski: Not a Believer in Fernando Rodney
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 24, 2009 6:00 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintIf you watch Tigers game broadcasts on FOX Sports Detroit, you're probably familiar with those polls that run during the game. (You know, the one Brandon Inge always wins, if he's one of the choices.)
Joe Posnanski (a new senior writer at Sports Illustrated, if you didn't know) was recently watching a Kansas City Royals telecast with a poll asking "Who is the best closer in the AL Central?" and couldn't believe the results.
Now, you knew that the viewers — the overwhelming majority of them being Royals fans — would probably pick Joakim Soria, and he’s certainly a defensible choice. I don’t think he’s the RIGHT choice, and I say that as a huge Soria fan. I mean, Joe Nathan — since he became closer of the Twins — is 22-11, 1.81 ERA, a .923 WHIP, 491 Ks in 398 innings, I mean, this is a pretty serious body of work. But Soria has been mostly sensational in his two years as the Royals closer and he gets the hometown discount. Fine.
And Soria did get the most votes. But here’s the thing: Detroit’s Fernando Rodney finished second. Fernando Freaking Rodney. I mean no offense — Rodney can look dazzling at times, and he has great stuff, and he’s had a pretty nice year — but honestly, best closer? Would you trust him to close your car windows in case of a surprise rainstorm? The Tigers have been trying for YEARS to keep him away the closer’s role — they just kept bringing in pitchers like Ugueth Urbina and Troy Percival and Kyle Farnsworth and that guy who is just about MY AGE and throws only slightly harder than me, Todd Jones. Anyone. If Joel Zumaya could stay healthy for more than four innings at a time, he would be the closer.
"Would you trust him to close your car windows in case of a surprise rainstorm?" Hilarious.
The answer for me, by the way, would be no. Not necessarily because I don't think Rodney can close games well for the Tigers. I think he's probably the best they have right now.
No, it's because I always think people don't close my car windows tightly enough. I often hear the air hiss through when I'm driving on the highway and it drives me crazy. Almost makes me want to call the person I know is responsible, because he or she was the last person in my car with me. Close it tight!
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I would trust Fernando to close my windows in case of a surprise rainstorm
But I would not even let a healthy Zumaya come near my car.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
Does such a thing even exist?
Seriously, every time Zumaya has struggled, we find out later on down the road that he was hiding an injury. I would love to see what he can do if/when he can stay healthy and has grown up and learned how to pitch instead of just throw.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
good point
I saw an interview, I’m not sure where, with ryan perry about pitching vs. throwing. it always has seemed like that’s what zoom does.
thanks! leaving in a little while
I’ve missed being able to just go to games there whenever.. though the food isn’t that great. haha
Alas, I did not get any Maggs pictures at the game I went to
I did, however, discover (while adding captions to my Flickr album) that JV did sneak into the final picture I took (which was of Avila and Brandon Lyon high-fiving after the game).
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Jamie Samuelsen of the Freep has a nice commentary on Ordonez
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
there are 3 ppl in ordonez jerseys
so far waiting for the gates to open ;)
by allikazoo on Aug 24, 2009 7:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Just curious
What were the final numbers on that poll? Because although Rodney was second, Soria had to have about 80% of the vote from the Royals fans……cause if the numbers were like, 8%, 6%, 4%, 2% after Soria…..big deal.
Anyone else watching the All-Sox battle?
Clay Buchholz has had problems throwing strikes and the White Sox lead 4-1. Gordon Beckham has homered. The Red Sox scored their run on a caught stealing.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Bluh. Yes.
The Red Sox aren’t holding up their end of the bargain. Whatever bargain that may be.
by StringTheory on Aug 24, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Chisox lighting up Buchholz
Now 4-1 top of 3rd. No problem for Chicago scoring at Fenway, apparently.
I'm hittin' .361, don't y'all mess with me.
by StorminNormanCash on Aug 24, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions
And they'll continue having no problem as long as Buchholz keeps throwing hanging changeups
Meanwhile, what’s their offense’s excuse? They’re facing freakin’ Jose Contreras, for crying out loud.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Clearly the White Sox take their portable evil generator wherever they go. Damn Sox can’t be stopped. :(
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
(Currently, and sadly, on a self-imposed team-specific puck sabbatical.)
On the plus side, Contreras has already thrown 50 pitches and he's not out of the third yet
I hate the Red Sox, but I need them to win. One of my professors is a huge Red Sox fan, so I suppose he can cheer for them on my behalf.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I suppose if you normally have a really good one, you have to throw it to RHB
Rodney consistently throws changeups to righties, and Verlander also will occasionally throw changeups to righties as well.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Gordan Beckham
He’s the one the the…1990’s, 50 year old man, wall street investment banker looking hair???
I think that’s what it looks like, but it looks bad. Hair loss must run in the family and he’s going to keep it long young.
His hair always reminded me of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause.
by StringTheory on Aug 24, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Youk just got hit by a pitch and DIDN'T charge the mound!
Just as well, I suppose. His bat would be useful in this series.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Red Sox just got a gift run
Bases loaded, 2 out. On a 3-0 pitch, David Ortiz hit a little dribbler down the first base line, and Contreras bobbled the ball.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Well, if nothing else, Contreras has thrown a LOT of pitches so far
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
He walked him in!
I thought only we did that.
by StringTheory on Aug 24, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
In all fairness...
We haven’t done that in a while. In fact, I think we’ve only done it once since the break. Hey, the Florida Marlins have a penchant for giving up grand slams.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Funny thing is, the Red Sox don't have an RBI hit yet
Their runs have scored on a caught stealing, an error, a walk, and a wild pitch
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Spoke too soon
Mike Lowell 3-run HR
That’s more like it
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
BoSox should hit
250 HR’s every year with that green monster advantage.
I'm hittin' .361, don't y'all mess with me.
by StorminNormanCash on Aug 24, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
One of the weirdest statements ever
I’ve got the game on the NESN feed. They’ve got some guy visiting the booth who just said “Carlos Quentin flies out to right. He’s handsome.”
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
Another changeup hit deep
Um, maybe put that pitch away for awhile?
I'm hittin' .361, don't y'all mess with me.
by StorminNormanCash on Aug 24, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions
Maggs has hit the Angels well in his career
Hopefully he can tap into that.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
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