September 10, 2007

Tulowitzki CLEARLY Best Choice for NL ROY : A little home cookin' for Troy.

read story | posted by BlueCarp to Baseball at 9:42 AM CDT (34 comments total)

But on actual comparison with Tulo-witzki, going into Sunday's games, judging the whole season and not some fanciful projection of it, Tulowitzki has more RBI, more runs scored, more hits, a respectable total of home runs and a range and arm at shortstop that anchors the best fielding team in the league.

Good thing he got this article in while most of this was still true. Nice try, Bernie.

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 10:09 AM CDT on September 10

Not to mention, and this seems never to be mentioned, an unassisted triple play.

Maybe it never seems to be mentioned because it is basically a freak occurrence?

I agree on the nice try by Bernie, but I don't think it's particularly close. Braun's greater power, average and OBP more than make up for the disparity in glove work and team-dependent counting stats (R and RBI -- both of which Braun will likely be higher in by year-end). Also, since Coors is back to playing like Coors, it's worth pointing out Tulo's .337/.401/.571 home line (nifty .973 OPS) vs. his away line of .244/.315/.357 (for a not so pretty .672 OPS). I might also consider Hunter Pence ahead of Tulo in ROY balloting (not that I have a vote), even with a lengthy DL stop. All that said, I really like Tulowitzki -- I just don't think he deserves the hardware over Braun.

Oh, and as for the great backstory, this was the first time I read/heard that Braun was Jewish.

posted by holden at 10:55 AM CDT on September 10

anything baseball that happens in Milwaukee must be taken with the same faith as anything baseball that happens in Denver

To be the Hammerin' Hebrew or the Hebrew Hammer, one of those, as Braun is, and to have the same original surname as Sandy Koufax, to have the same nickname as a Hollywood movie, to be hitting home runs at a rookie ratio unseen since Mark McGwire . . . To be any kind of Hammer in Milwaukee, the beginning and ending place for Henry Aaron, is a hook to hang a vote or two on . . . Tulowitzki might lose out because his name is not unusual enough.

What does any of that mean?

posted by yerfatma at 11:22 AM CDT on September 10

I don't have a preference for Troy or Braun, but good lord that article was painful to read.
Is Bernie at all respected? Because that came across to me as one of the worst-written articles I've ever read (ie - on preview, what yerfatma said)

posted by littleLebowski at 11:25 AM CDT on September 10

I'm sorry, but anyone who doesn't go with Braun should have some examination performed on his cranium. If you take out the minimum plate appearances, Braun is third in the NL in OPS, sixth in average and tied for 5th in homers. The power/average combo is better than Pujols.

Tulowitzki is one of those 'gamer' type players that, I think, is easy to fall in love with because he brings charisma and gumption to his game - but he isn't close to hitter that Braun is - who's having one of the greatest rookie years in history.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:34 PM CDT on September 10

Wait, wait, wait. Did I just read an article that essentially claims Braun will win because he's Jewish?

Wow, the Global Zionist Conspiracy reaches farther than I imagined...

posted by MKUltra at 2:12 PM CDT on September 10

Ssshhh!!! You wanna wake Steve Carlton or something?

posted by yerfatma at 3:10 PM CDT on September 10

Personally, Bernie is one of my least favorite columnists around. He is the worst in Denver, and considering Woody Paige is a Denver columnist that says a lot. He used to be in Chicago, and it was apparently a big deal when the Rocky Mountain News hired him away.

posted by BlueCarp at 3:17 PM CDT on September 10

Personally, Bernie is one of my least favorite columnists around.

You've posted six links in two years, yet your careful selection process gave the green light to an article by a writer you don't like making an argument that is completely ludicrous and just about totally incomprehensible? Where were you going with this? Are you using double secret reverse psychology to lobby for Tulowitzki, or did you just want us to feel sorry for you because you live in Denver?

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 3:40 PM CDT on September 10

If he didn't start a month late into the season and lose 3 weeks to an injured wrist, I'd have to put Hunter Pence of Houston right up there too. Power with a great average (323) AND stolen bases.
I have to agree with BlueCarp about Bernie though, if you're worst than Woody Paige, that's really saying something, and not a good something.

posted by MGDADDYO at 3:44 PM CDT on September 10

I am officially lobbying for Hideki Okajima to win the NL ROTY freeing up the AL ROTY for Dustin Pedroia (there now I am the biggest homer in the room).

But if that dosn't fly I guess Braun is a pretty good choice.

posted by kyrilmitch_76 at 4:48 PM CDT on September 10

Keep this in mind.

Why wasn't Braun up on opening day?? Was it Tony " The Hitman" Gaffanino stopping him?? Or do you need to field a baseball to play in the majors.

Baseball is more then hitting.

I tell my son everyday. Hitting the ball will get you in the game. Fielding the ball wil keep you in the game. But you have to do both.

posted by 3pounddickey at 12:39 AM CDT on September 11

I saw a game in Milwaukee last month, and I don't remember Braun being so awful in the field. Of course, it was just a game, I don't recall a lot of balls were hit at him, and I was drunk. In any case, Braun would be rookie of the year, and one of the best hitters at his positions, even if he played first base or left field, which is what will keep him in the majors despite his fielding abilities.

posted by qbert72 at 8:48 AM CDT on September 11

Dear Crafty Sousepaw,

You are absolutely correct. I am so sorry for posting this article.

Sincerely,

Jack Miov

posted by BlueCarp at 10:13 AM CDT on September 11

I tell my son everyday. Hitting the ball will get you in the game. Fielding the ball wil keep you in the game. But you have to do both.

Maybe you have to do both passably to keep getting moved up, but there are a number of players in MLB who have no real skills in the field but who don't really have to worry about their job security. David Ortiz, Travis Hafner, Ryan Howard, to name a few.

Ultimately, with Fielder entrenched at first and Matt LaPorta, an excellent hitter but not so good fielder who was drafted in the first round this year as a 1B but who has been playing OF in the minors, being groomed for LF, I'm not sure Braun has anywhere to go. Hopefully he'll get better at third.

posted by holden at 10:36 AM CDT on September 11

Classy, Blue Carp. I think Crafty made a valid point.

posted by hawkguy at 10:36 AM CDT on September 11

Hey, Jack, no apology necessary. When you conceded that the writer is "the worst in Denver," I thought it was then valid to ask why you are sharing him with the group. I only used your posting history to demonstrate that you aren't the type to just throw every little article you find onto the site. Is your point that, although the article is crap, the argument being made -- pushing Tulowitzki for the ROY -- is worth considering? I'm seriously not baiting you or poised to pounce, I'm just wondering where you're coming from.

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 10:51 AM CDT on September 11

I tell my son everyday. Hitting the ball will get you in the game. Fielding the ball wil keep you in the game. But you have to do both.

Bad advice. Any level of baseball will find a place for you if you can hit. If you can hit well, you can name your price, even if you suck in the field.

posted by justgary at 11:25 AM CDT on September 11

I don't know if it's bad advice so much as it's inaccurate. It may be wrong to say you can't make it on the hitting side alone, but it can't be bad to suggest working on excelling at every facet of the game.

The opposite must have some value, too. D'Angelo Jimenez is still in the majors.

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 11:37 AM CDT on September 11

I don't know if it's bad advice so much as it's inaccurate.

You're right, not bad advice for a kid, simply inaccurate in today's game (or truer in the past, less so in the present).

posted by justgary at 11:43 AM CDT on September 11

Ohhh if hitting is what it takes to win the award.

Might I suggest Chris Young.

Young > 29 HR's 60 RBI's 78 R and 24 SB's caught 4 times and hit into 4 DP's

Braun > 30HR's 79 RBI's 74 R and 14 SB's caught 4 times and has hit into 11 DP's

They both strikeout at about the same percentage. 25%.

posted by 3pounddickey at 12:29 PM CDT on September 11

I really like Chris Young, but there's some pretty big-time cherry picking going on in your analysis 3PD, considering that Young is batting .236 with a .293 OBP and has racked up his totals in about 6 weeks more playing time than Braun. I do like Young a lot, although I think he'll need to hit more around .260 - .270 going forward to be a truly above average CF (assuming he doesn't get moved to a corner to make room for Upton long-term, in which case he will need even more production).

posted by holden at 12:43 PM CDT on September 11

but there are a number of players in MLB who have no real skills in the field but who don't really have to worry about their job security

You forgot Dunn. The guy plays drunk, for chrissake! I heard that on the big Juan.

posted by tahoemoj at 1:43 PM CDT on September 11

The opposite must have some value, too. D'Angelo Jimenez is still in the majors.

As was Neifi Perez until he was suspended.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 2:52 PM CDT on September 11

You guys are forgetting the biggest no bat all glove ( he was fun to watch ) ...

Rey Ordonez.

posted by 3pounddickey at 10:36 PM CDT on September 11

There was also the Centre fielder for Detroit about 15 years ago, who couldn't hit to save a drowning child. Gary something.... Gary Pettis! Noooooo bat.

John McDonald is a no bat good glove.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:50 PM CDT on September 11

There was also the Centre fielder for Detroit about 15 years ago, who couldn't hit to save a drowning child. Gary something.... Gary Pettis! Noooooo bat.

John McDonald is a no bat good glove.

Shouldn't that be no bat, gold glove?

posted by tommytrump at 11:25 PM CDT on September 11

If only Hunter Pence hadn't been injured......

posted by freeze_over98 at 2:52 AM CDT on September 12

Braun is now up to 82 RBIs. He definitely isn't a very good third baseman (yet), but on the other hand, he's helped the Brewers win far more games than he's lost them. Apparently, part of the problem was that he was moved to third from short (which currently has an entrenched player). I love Braun, but if Pence hadn't been injured he probably would have been my first choice.

posted by drezdn at 8:44 AM CDT on September 12

John McDonald is a no bat good glove.

That was a badass play he made the other night.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 2:18 PM CDT on September 12

John McDonald is a no bat good glove.

That was a badass play he made the other night.

Could you be more specific? He makes an amazing play almost every game.

posted by tommytrump at 4:13 PM CDT on September 12

The early ninth inning of this game. He made a fantastic diving stop and was able to flip it to second basemen with his glove who then turned the double play.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 5:18 PM CDT on September 12

Ying, I was pretty sure that was the play you were talking about.

Honestly, that's nothing special for Johnny Mac. He does something with a wow factor similar to that almost every game.

posted by tommytrump at 6:27 PM CDT on September 12

I don't see much of the Blue Jays so I wouldn't know. I think every team has a certain player who tends to make fantastic plays. Curtis Granderson would be that player for the Tigers.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 3:14 PM CDT on September 13

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