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Tigers manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit media tonight that if Luke Scott comes up with a base open tomorrow in any kind of scoring situation, he's going to get a first base scholarship -- four free pitches -- every time.
Leyland reasoning was fairly straightforward.
"I've seen enough,'' he said.
Peter Schmuck wants you to know that, contrary to popular belief, he is more than just a bon vivant, raconteur and collector of blousy flowered shirts. He is a semi-respected journalist who has covered virtually every sport -- except luge, of course – and tackled issues that transcend the mere games people play. If that isn’t enough to qualify him to provide witty, wide-ranging commentary on the sports world ... and the rest of the world, for that matter ... he is an avid reader of history, biography and the classics, as well as a charming blowhard who pops off on both sports and politics on WBAL Radio. That means you can expect a little of everything in The Schmuck Stops Here, but the major focus will be keeping you up to the minute on Baltimore’s major sports teams and themes, whether it’s throwing up the Orioles lineup the minute it’s announced or updating you on the latest sprained ankle in Owings Mills. Oh, and by the way, that’s Mr. Schmuck to you. 
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Comments
Come on Leyland, be a man. Mano vs Mano. Find out who is better.
Posted by: Bill In Elkton | May 30, 2009 11:04 PM
That's called getting off Scott free.
Posted by: Barry | May 31, 2009 12:23 AM
Peter- Hitting is just so darn fundemental, for those with the hand eye coordination to do it. I hit .340 as a junior in High School, but tailed off as a senior to just 290.
My point is, you can see when a hitter is going to be good very easily. Nolan Reimold was in an 0-2 count against Verlander, but he didn't panic. He got the count back to 2-2 and singled in Weiters.
If you try to pull the ball every single time, you are going to hit 250 MAX. Ask Kevin Millars, and Ryan Howards, and Carlos Pena;s of the world. The difference between 250 and 300 over a season is about 35 hits or so. When you step to the plate looking fastball, and have patience, just get the bat on the ball with a level swing and you are going to be above average. Markakis, Weiters, Roberts, Arod, Mauer, Ichiro, etc. This is why these guys are or will be good hitters. Its so simple. Some use speed to help them along, some power.
Its great Luke is locked in right now, but as AJ is seeing, when you start getting into that kind of zone, you start to try and crush and pull everything. The next thing you know you are in a Jay Gibbons 0-35 slump. Or reaching for a 1-2-3 DP grounder.
The way to see how good a kid is gonna hit in the pros is, how often do they take BB's. Grant Green is NOT one of those. If Ackley is there, take him, if not, Scheppers and Crow have had major success at the independant leagues.
Posted by: Ryan | May 31, 2009 7:09 AM
Hey Pete,
Why wouldn't you go with Bass over Albers with the game tied going into the seventh? Bass has simply pitched better all year.
Posted by: C. J. | May 31, 2009 7:25 AM
...that's too bad. I want to see Scott break Reggie Jackson's team record! The guy is on FIRE!
Posted by: BaltimoreSportsReport.com | May 31, 2009 12:25 PM
Jimmy Leyland is actually smart. Smarter than the various NL managers who keep having pitchers pitch to Albert Pujols. You would think he'd get the Barry Bonds treatment out of anyone in baseball, but apparently NL managers like seeing their guys give up homeruns.
Posted by: Matt | May 31, 2009 6:36 PM