The Doctor turns 40

[JoeDirt]

I am going to make a stand here.  Everybody can disagree with me if they want to, but as someone who loves the game with such a passion, and has played it so many times, you have to hear me out:

I think we all applaude your passion, but just know that there are a good 10-20 people who regularly read this RBI board that have as much passion as you do...and I think that's fucking fantastic.  

I have been there, I have seen Gibson take that base, I know he can do it.  I think he can get a better jump than Gladden can, I just do.

If by "take that base," you mean steal, think again.  I can throw out both Gladden and Gibson practically 100% of the time (as can most here)...as long as the pitcher isn't chucking 50 mph fastballs up there.

But Blyleven does bring up an interesting point about good leads.  I don't know who among this board has noticed that each runner gets a varying sized lead (meaning, on pitch one Gibson's lead might be one step off of first base and on pitch two, his lead might be several steps off first base).  I have always assumed that a guy like Coleman will get the great lead and a guy like Jack Clark will often get the short lead...but Nightwulf--is there anyway to determine how the size of the lead is determined?

Perhaps in Blyleven's defense, maybe Gibson gets the good lead more often than Gladden...?

Who do you like up there when you need a fly ball, or a bunt or whatever, you guys know.  

I think you'll find that whomever you want up there in a bunt situation generally has a better contact rating...however, I don't think it makes much of a difference who is actually bunting (unless you're attempting a base hit); a successful bunt is really more dependent upon technique/execution of the bunt.

Let's bring it back to the central argument, pitchers hitting.  There is no way, there is NO WAY, that you cannot tell me that Don Robinson on the Giants is not one of the best hitting pitchers in the game.   I won't hear it.  

Why does this crack me up?    I'm not sure I've ever used Robinson to bat, in the 15+ years I've been playing RBI...okay, so I'm sure I have, but not enough to remember any of 'em.

That is what R.B.I. is all about.  Gantry can love Spielman, I can love Aldrete, it's OK.  

You are correct on this; however, the "statistical" argument does not support the opposite of your statement, so it's a non-factor.  All the statistical argument is saying is that with "all things being equal," these are the odds that x will happen (generally).  This is so because human ability is heavily factored into the result of a 2 player RBI game.  I think that is why the game is so loved by most of us (see your statement above--you are exactly right).

Thank you.

No, thank you.  It's great to "see" such passion for the game of RBI...especially from newbies of the forums.

[Flood]

No_No is an oldie...he registered in '02

[BeefMaster]

I don't know who among this board has noticed that each runner gets a varying sized lead (meaning, on pitch one Gibson's lead might be one step off of first base and on pitch two, his lead might be several steps off first base).

I've never noticed this before.  I'm going to have to play a game or two on my lunch break to check this out.

[ultimate7]

It does seem like if you quick pitch, the runner doesn't get a full lead off, but that may just be in the pitcher/batter display and not be what really happens.

[Blyleven_No-No]

thanks for the props CurtFlood, I am old school, and just made a recent comeback, that's all.

I assume that you are a Cards fan, and I used the Cards last night, even winning a 10-0 slaughter rule against a semi-respected RBI player (I felt that since he turned off the NES as the final out was in the air on the previous game that he deserved the thrashing).

My question is, who do you put in the 3 hole?  Sometimes I sub in Morris or Oquendo, I like both of them but I don't love them.  Sometimes I leave Herr in that 3 spot, I love their 4-5-6, I hit back to back dongs with Mcgee-Pendleton last night, but can't get a good read on the three spot, please share your thoughts.

[JoeDirt]

thanks for the props CurtFlood, I am old school, and just made a recent comeback, that's all.

Don't call it a comeback...I've been here for years...

--Mr. LL Cool J

I assume that you are a Cards fan, and I used the Cards last night, even winning a 10-0 slaughter rule against a semi-respected RBI player (I felt that since he turned off the NES as the final out was in the air on the previous game that he deserved the thrashing).

My question is, who do you put in the 3 hole?  Sometimes I sub in Morris or Oquendo, I like both of them but I don't love them.  Sometimes I leave Herr in that 3 spot, I love their 4-5-6, I hit back to back dongs with Mcgee-Pendleton last night, but can't get a good read on the three spot, please share your thoughts.

I say throw Lindeman in there.  You need some back to back punch (Lindeman/Clark) in that weak line up...but for me, my line up depends on a few things:

1) in the 3 spot in the top of the first inning, are there two outs with the bases empty?  If so, I stick with Herr and try to slap a base hit to set up Clark with a man on.

2) if Coleman/Smith get on, I throw Lindeman in the 3 hole...trying to get a good pitch bc the pitcher won't want to walk him to face Clark.

3) if I know my opponent doesn't intentionally walk people (every batter sees at least 1 good pitch), I put Lindeman in the 7 hole.  It makes no sense if the pitcher will walk him to face Pena, but if not...

There you have it.

[fknmclane]

I usually leave Herr in for a couple of at-bats regardless of the situation.  If both Vince and Ozzie get on, I might roll the dice with Blank and see what he can do.

Lindeman ALWAYS goes in the 7 hole.  This is his natural spot in the order and he cleans up the bases when ET and Pendlesack get on.

[JoeDirt]

I usually leave Herr in for a couple of at-bats regardless of the situation.  If both Vince and Ozzie get on, I might roll the dice with Blank and see what he can do.

Lindeman ALWAYS goes in the 7 hole.  This is his natural spot in the order and he cleans up the bases when ET and Pendlesack get on.

That's because you play slurve (and thus can't walk somebody)...but trust me, if I walked him to get to Pena everytime, you'd move him from the 7 hole.

[Blyleven_No-No]

I think Pena has some real pop for a catcher in the eight spot, I wouldn't be walking Lindeman to face Pena if I was on the mound.

.286, 10 hr??  he can drive a ball to the gap without a doubt.

[JoeDirt]

I think Pena has some real pop for a catcher in the eight spot, I wouldn't be walking Lindeman to face Pena if I was on the mound.

.286, 10 hr??  he can drive a ball to the gap without a doubt.

Not that those are all that great of stats, but I think it's fair to say that player statistics do not equal quality RBI player (see Glen Davis)...and the opposite is true, too (see Wilfong, Lindeman, Spillman, etc)...

However, I also think that Pena can hammer a mistake pitch...but Lindeman can hammer both a mistake pitch and a pitch that hits its target (and Lindeman is more likely to crush a mistake pitch than Pena)...

That's not to take anything away from Pena (I think he's decent at best--I'd rank him slightly below/equal to Boone as far as 8 hole hitters go)...that is just to say that Lindeman is definitely better than Pena (in my opinion).

Blyleven, do you play online?  I'd like to play against you sometime.

[Blyleven_No-No]

I don't play online, I have never tried it.

Call me a purist but I just like the classic NES version of RBI.  I guess I should try it some time, is it really differnt??  You play with the keyboard??  Do you get to listen to the music??

I dunno, it just seems like a foreign concept to me.

I will be getting together though with Great Scott, GDavis and Dryden for some match ups in the near future, so we'll let you know how it goes.

[BeefMaster]

You can use the keyboard, but most of us have a controller that we hook up to your computer (mine is similar to a PlayStation controller, while some have actual NES controllers).  The game itself is exactly the same - you use a digital copy of the NES cartridge that is run by an emulator, which pretends to be the NES itself.  See this FAQ question (and the ones near it) for more info.

[BeeJay]

I just bought something off ebay that allows me to use my Gamecube controller on the computer.  I'm looking forward to trying it out since I haven't had a computer controller since before Windows came out.

[JoeDirt]

I don't play online, I have never tried it.

Call me a purist but I just like the classic NES version of RBI.  I guess I should try it some time, is it really differnt??  You play with the keyboard??  Do you get to listen to the music??

I dunno, it just seems like a foreign concept to me.

I will be getting together though with Great Scott, GDavis and Dryden for some match ups in the near future, so we'll let you know how it goes.

I was hesitant like you are, Blyleven.  But then I got a NINTENDO controller that plugs into the back of my computer.  

You can use the original NES version of RBI (that's what I like to use) and it's exactly the same...music, through the wall hrs, and everything!

I hightly suggest you give it a shot.

[Blyleven_No-No]

wow, that's thrilling, I will give it a go, as for now, I will stay with the glitchy NES system!!!

Thanks guys...