15
2009
Do We Give Ollie Another Turn in the Rotation?
An article by Russell Zanca
A 7-2 victory was just what the doctor ordered. Yes!
When Ron Darling says that a guy “pitched really well tonight” who am I to dispute? Given the weather and lack of great run support, I agree. He looked good and maintained his composure. His slider looked good, and nice to see he’s sporting a new and rather effective changeup. No sense making any predictions given his erratic, “Jekyll-Hyde-esque” performances, but tonight we got the good Ollie. If only he would stick around for the next 20 or so starts.
Parnell and Putz tandem looked terrific. Something else to see that young fire-baller when he’s on. Sure, he’s inexperienced, but we’ve gotta hope that he’ll get better and better overall as the season progresses. Sean Green, aside from his gopher ball to Gonzalez, continues to pitch well, and he’s getting my confidence.
Don’t get me wrong because I really like Daniel Murphy, but he looks like a guy who was forced to play OF because everybody else is injured. Like Reyes playing catcher or something. Strikes me as a guy who wants to do great things out there, but looks kind of silly trying to do the routine stuff well. Well, I think it’s fair to say that there’s nowhere for him to go as an OF-er except up. He sure is something to watch at the plate. Is it just me, or does he remind some of you of Charley Hustle, too?
Speaking of hustle, any thought on that heartless, gutless base running? Jose didn’t steal home, but he sure as heck came close. Gotta love it.
And how about C-DOG’s shot into the Pepsi Porch, aka the second deck! God, I love that man’s swing. You pretty much have to throw it in the dirt to prevent Delgado from golfing it over the wall.
Prepare for tomorrow. Beating Peavy will prove a challenge, and Mainey will definitely need to be on.
Metsies! Metsies! Metsies!
About the Author: Russell Zanca
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Great piece Russell!
I agree with you on Daniel Murphy out in Left field. When he picked up that ball and improperly threw to Reyes to relay home, something struck me in his “turn”. He handled it like an infielder with his footwork.
He’s going to need to apply the same focus and intensity out there that he obviously has on his batting. All in all, I want him(and his bat) out there everyday.
Hey, Murphy’s defense will improve. He’s starting to sell me, though I still think it’s a little much to expect him to hit 300. I also don’t think he’ll much more than 10-12 hrs. this year.
Step in the right direction for Ollie
Hopefully Good Ollie will build upon this performance and keep Bsd Ollie under wraps for a while at least. By the way, both Jerry Manuel and Dan Murphy said the design play is to use Jose’ as the relay on throws to the plate. So it seems that the Mets announcers got this wrong regarding Murphy missing the cut-off man as the Mets intend Reyes to serve as cut-off and not Wright, Jose’ being more reliable throwing the ball. Even after the inteview, analyst Gary Apple continued the missed cut-off man critique of Murphy. Today will be a big test for the Mets as we get a chance to see whether Maine can position for a victory over Peavy. Not an easy task and a big win if we can get it.
it amazes me hpw many people wrote off Ollie after last start. He redeemed himself yesterday and picthed a great game.
The only worried I have are about Murphy. He is pulling his weight with the bat, but his lack of outfield experince is rearing its ugly head so much more than last year. It is strange how good he was in the outfield last year after no experice and now after a spring training of working the outfield he is worse.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH WAITING FOR MURPH TO DO WITH THE LEATHER WHAT HE DOES WITH THE LUMBER. THE MORE I SEE HIM & HEAR OF HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES THE MORE I’M CONVINCED HE’S REALLY NOT A BASEBALL PLAYER AS MUCH AS HE IS A HITTER. HIS COUNTLESS HOURS SWINGING THE BAT CERTAINLY COULD’VE STOOD JUST A TAD REDUCTION FOR FIELDING PRACTICE, WHICH I’M GUESSING HE USUALLY SKIPPED IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER TURN IN THE CAGE. JERRY’S A FOOL TO PLAY SHEFF @ CHURCH’S EXPENSE AGAIN, IF SHEFF IS MOST COMFORTABLE IN RF SLIDE CHURCH TO LEFT & SIT MURPH SO HE CAN CONCENTRATE ON HIS FAVORITE ACTIVITY, HITTING. CHARLIE HUSTLE WAS A SWITCH HITTER WHO HAD AT LEAST 2 RUNNING SPEEDS MURPH IS NOT. SORRY, THINK DAVE MAGADAN IF U NEED A COMPARISON FOR MURPH. A HIGH AVG. HITTER MAKING TREMENDOUS CONTACT WITH LITTLE POP AND PODEROUS ON THE BASES. I STILL PREFER IT IF MURPH WAS LEFT IN AAA UNTIL HE COULD BE FUNCTIONAL AT ONE POSITION DEFENSIVLY. I’VE READ AS A 3B HE WAS A BUTCHER IN AA, NO WONDER HE WAS NEVER LISTED OR TAUTED ON ANY OF THE PROSPECT REPORTS I’D SEEN PRIOR TO HIS CALLUP.
RE. OLLIE, CUT HIM SOME SLACK. I BELIEVE EVEN IF HE WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE LAST NIGHT’S PERFORMANCCE FOR THOSE 20 STARTS, TALK WOULD STILL BE OF “WHEN WILL ‘BAD’ OLLIE RETURN? I’M JUST HAPPY TO GET THE GOOD STARTS WE GET Vs TEAMS THAT TRULY MATTER LIKE ATL, PHL,POSTSEASON. NOTICE I EXCLUDED NYY SINCE IN MY MIND EXCEPT FOR 6G/YR THE NYY DON’T COUNT ANY MORE OR LESS THAN THE BOSOX OR RAYS.