Should LoDuca bat 2nd?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I think it's obvious WWSB's main reasons for setting a batting order aren't strategic in the "win today's game" sense -- no lineup is precise enough for that, so he's right -- but rather as rewards and carrots that emphasize roles he'd like the guys to play.

So,

Beltran isn't a likely No. 2 because
a) He's "The Man"
He stayed with Beltran at No. 3 even though it might have hurt last year as though to tell him �We still believe in you� while Matsui�s drop to 8 meant �We�re disappointed in you�

WWSB started hitting Wright 7 last year as a means to tell him: I want to motivate you to improve enough to take over at 3, 4 or 5.

To Reyes, leadoff means: �We value your speed� � etc etc etc.

As I�ve said a billion times, I believe even the most sophisticated analysis of which slot is ideal for which guy would make only random impacts in any particular game, and only a small difference (but maybe an important one) over the course of a year.

Considering that pretty much has to balanced with such mushy feeeeeelings as �keeping guys happy and motivated� I�m not gonna blow a gasket over the lineup unless it�s obvious his choices suck, which to me would mean lousy OBP out of Reyes combined with with superior OBP out of who�s playing right field or second; or Beltran lacking the proper authority in his hitting again at 3.

Otherwise, BFD.

[Guest Bret Sabermetric]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: no lineup is precise enough for that, so he's right -- .

Well, he's right as long as every other manager is roughly as hidebound (i.e. primarily "motivational" in the sense that you suggest) as Willie is.

But someday (and you mark my words, young un, the day is fast approaching) some far-seeing manager will try one of these eggplant lineups, and win some games, and every manager will become an eggplant advocate.

Don't you wish Willie would be that pioneer?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

You're probably right.

Look at the change in the way relief pitchers are used. One manager (LaRussa, I think, when he was in Oakland) decides that there should be a ninth inning guy, and eighth inning guy, and a seventh inning guy and now that's practically become conventional wisdom.

I'd love to see a manager undo that particular eggplant. The bullpen method that worked before Dennis Eckersly should still work today, but nobody's daring enough to try it.

We'll never see innovation from Willie Randolph. And that's too bad. It may not win or lose a whole lot of games, but I'd enjoy seeing a Mets manager tinker with new ideas.

[Guest sharpie]

LaRussa also spent an entire season batting his pitcher eighth. That he stopped doing so must have meant that he didn't think it worked, but I'm wondering why it took him a whole season to come to that conclusion.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

When did he do that?

How did I miss that?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I don't think it was a whole year -- but parts of the year (1998?) including a series against the Mets.

Edit -- I'd be happy to see a superior new idea in lineup construction experimented with, but I maintain big doubts as to whether any one lineup philosophy could be shown to provide an edge more in any one game, consistently, if you know what I mean.

[Guest sharpie]

If it wasn't the whole year it was a lot of the year. Either '98 or '99.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Look up Aug. 10, 11, 12, 1998.

[Willets Point]

Eggplant would get lots of bases on balls because it would be hard for any pitcher to locate Eggplant's strike zone. However, pinch runners would be necessary becauase Eggplant would be doubled up every time.

[Theoldmole]

The St. Louis Browns used to bat Ned Garver 7th when he pitched, but they probably should have batted him cleanup, since he was far and away their best pitcher.