Lou Pinella is using what I'll call "the Detroit rotation." He has resorted to starting relievers, and then, inserting the scheduled starting pitcher around the 3rd inning. I frequently employ this practice when using Dt, because this prevents me from putting in Willie Hernandez in a late clutch situation (which typically turns out poorly for me when using Old Guillermo).
I also used this strategy with Bo and Calvin Schiraldi, but eventually came to the conclusion that I'm better off just never putting him in the game.
Tampa Bay is likely to win at least 60 games this season now thanks to Lou and his RBI strategy
I heard he's telling his catcher to throw to home if someone steals second
all he needs to do now is emply the PH bonus in someone's first at-bat.
I understand that he is looking for all of his pinch-hitters to have names starting with "h" as well.
What the hell are you talking about?
The rotation looks perfect...I must say I'm a bit disappointed to find out this isn't true, so sorry if that came out as harsh or anything.
Quote from: BDawk on 07/06/05, 11:29:38 AM
I heard he's telling his catcher to throw to home if someone steals second
POW!!! nice work
Quote from: Attezzobal on 07/06/05, 02:40:58 PM
What the hell are you talking about?
The rotation looks perfect...I must say I'm a bit disappointed to find out this isn't true, so sorry if that came out as harsh or anything.
Attez...
Do you really think that I'd lie to you? Pinella really told the media this. Apparently, he's had a change of heart. Here's a copy and paste of an article that explains it a little.
CHICAGO -- The first thing that reliever Chad Orvella did when he walked into the Devil Rays clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon was to check the lineup card posted on the door to make sure his name wasn't written on the bottom of it.
Orvella, 24, has never started a game in his short career, but after hearing that manager Lou Piniella had told the media on Tuesday night that he was changing up his strategy to win games by starting relievers and bringing his starters in for the third inning and on, Orvella decided it would be best to check the card.
"We didn't know if he was serious or not," Orvella said. "It's kind of funny, but he's the boss and you don't know what he's going to do."
The plan was short-lived as the name of intended starter, Casey Fossum, graced the lineup card, but Piniella sure did cause a bit of a stir with his unique idea.
ESPN's Dan Patrick dedicated a half-hour of his radio show to discussing the proposed plan, and phone calls kept coming in to Rick Vaughn, vice president of public relations for the Devil Rays, to see if Piniella would really go through with his announced plan.
Seeing the horde of reporters gathered in the dugout to ask him questions, Piniella just sat and shook his head for a moment.
"I didn't think this would draw that much attention," Piniella said.
The change of heart for Piniella came later Tuesday night when he sat down to weigh the pros and cons of starting a reliever. When he saw some items on the con side that disturbed him, Piniella decided to stick with his pitching rotation the way he has had it all along.
"I've got some young kids in the rotation that I thought about," Piniella said of changing his mind. "We're trying to develop a ball club as well as win baseball games here, so we just decided to stay the conventional way and that's it.
"It sounds intriguing. It may work, or it may not work, but we'll let somebody else try it first."
Though Piniella may not want to try the idea with his club, he still believes that the idea has some merit -- in the Minor Leagues.
"These kids never get a chance to pitch meaningful innings, to pitch the seventh, eighth and ninth innings," Piniella said. "I think pitch counts rob Minor League pitchers of that opportunity, and this would allow them to do that."
The news that his club won't be using relievers to begin games any time soon came as a big sigh of relief to Orvella, who said that he would rather just remain in his usual role of coming in during the later innings, even if it did mean giving up the opportunity to start his first Major League game.
"I like the role I'm in," Orvella said. "You get comfortable in your role, and to be taken out of that would mean having to test new waters, so I'm happy to stay right where I am."
QuoteESPN's Dan Patrick dedicated a half-hour of his radio show to discussing the proposed plan, and phone calls kept coming in to Rick Vaughn, vice president of public relations for the Devil Rays...
Sweet.
QuoteESPN's Dan Patrick dedicated a half-hour of his radio show to discussing the proposed plan, and phone calls kept coming in to Rick Vaughn, the "Wild Thing" loose cannon pitcher for the pretend Cleveland Indians...
I suppose that's why the D-Rays are so bad.
Rick Vaughn must need glasses
"I look like a banker"
Quote from: Gantry on 07/07/05, 01:27:17 PM
"I look like a banker"
I remember when Lou was coaching SL he tried batting the pitcher in the 8 spot for a while. Don't remember exactly what his strategy was though.
He would also at times put McGwire in the line up as a 2nd baseman (or some weak power position) to start the game for away games. Not sure exactly why but something like, this way he could bat 2 first basemen in the first inning and then just replace the other first baseman with a second baseman and switch mac to first in the bottom of the inning.
Crazy Lou would be great at RBI.
I remember Placido Polanco spent many games with the Cards in the 9 spot.
Don't or didn't the Oakland A's minor league (single A mostly) teams used to use 4 pitchers a game in rotation? I always bat my pitcher in the 8 spot in MVP Baseball and kick some ass.
It should also be noted that Lou Pinella never coached the Cards, but LaRussa did and did all that stuff as well.
Quote from: Attezzobal on 07/07/05, 03:01:27 PM
I remember Placido Polanco spent many games with the Cards in the 9 spot.
Don't or didn't the Oakland A's minor league (single A mostly) teams used to use 4 pitchers a game in rotation? I always bat my pitcher in the 8 spot in MVP Baseball and kick some ass.
It should also be noted that Lou Pinella never coached the Cards, but LaRussa did and did all that stuff as well.
Right... he was the one I was thinking of.
It has been a long day at work. First day back from a week vacation and I am swamped, plus we are in the middle of a move to a new location... tons of crap on my mind.
I like the idea of batting the pitcher in the 8 hole. When I was in College, the coach had this theory to never bat the worst hitter in the 9 hole.
When I read the title of this thread I figured the DRays were gonna trade away players and just make a team of fat white guys.
placido polanco may or may not be from outer space. he has the weirdest shaped head of anyone i've ever seen. scary stuff, check it out sometime.
i root for him to make the last out i an inning just so the camera will show him taking his helmet off. ouch.
Enrique Wilson, that is all.
Quote from: nice gaetti on 07/08/05, 03:55:09 PM
placido polanco may or may not be from outer space. he has the weirdest shaped head of anyone i've ever seen. scary stuff, check it out sometime.
i root for him to make the last out i an inning just so the camera will show him taking his helmet off. ouch.
I couldn't agree more. I've only seen his head with the helmet on and it scares the shit out of me. I can only imagine his head without a helmet...shades of Sam Cassell come to mind.
When Scottie Pippen shaved his head, he looked weird too.
I guess we've just learned that all black/dark hispanics look weird with little hair?
no.
you've got to check out polanco. its different. there's something uniquely different going on there.
its almost like his skull....is diformed in some way.
It's true. He has huge bulges in his temple area.
a la Bald Bull
Quote from: Nacho on 07/10/05, 12:46:30 AM
a la Bald Bull
Yes!
(http://www.saturn.dti.ne.jp/~kamei/game/punch/bull.gif)
(http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/20011007/Polanco_boohoo.jpg)
That may simply be a receeding hairline, coupled with a large forehead.