IGT>5/24<Braves @ Mets-Hefner's Gotta Be Due! Ike,We Need U!

[Edgy MD]

"When he came off after the sixth, he could have probably started the seventh inning, because he was feeling OK," Collins said. "But I was so excited that he pitched so well after he's been so down about not winning a game. I said, 'I'm not going to let this kid lose this game. I'm not going to do that.' He needs to move forward with a positive attitude that he pitched very, very well. Even though he did pitch well, had something happened the next inning, he goes home feeling bad about it. And I didn't want that to happen."

So it's not about winning, it's not losing.

And if it's about getting a win for the guy, isn't a useful component to getting that win using a pitcher who is pitching well as long as he is able to go?

If you see a long-term tangilble benefit to uplifting players by not putting them in a position to lose, please consider that it's a zero-sum game. So they take Hef out, and they lose, does he feel that much better, knowing the team lost but it's not on his record, and all his teammates know he wasn't permitted to help them any further for the protection to his delicate psyche. And now Lyon, or whoever gets the loss on his record is in need of psychological boost of his own.

I'd be mad at Terry, but this is too much the mainstream perspective for me to hang it on him alone. I imagine four out of five managers would agree with him.

[G-Fafif]

Ronnie indeed alluded to Davey doing that sort of thing, but as I recall, it generally wasn't when the pitcher in question was pitching very well (right up through his last inning of work) and his continued presence was a determining factor in maintaining a lead. Also, that was more of a raw rookie thing. By the second year, the training wheels were off the likes of Gooden, Darling and Fernandez. The Mets had games to win as much as they had pitchers to nurture. Somehow they managed to do both.

All of it is different from "not gonna let him lose," which is a weird priority and defeatist thinking. What's wrong with showing faith in Hefner for another inning? "He's our guy, we trust him in that spot" is confidence-building. "We knew he'd blow it eventually" would seem to be the opposite.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I'd be mad at Terry, but this is too much the mainstream perspective for me to hang it on him alone. I imagine four out of five managers would agree with him.

I imagine 4/5 players too.


Hefner HAS pitched well. I mean, maybe Terry knows he's bummed or something, but I think this is more in his own head than Jeremy's.

I agree with the sentiment in principle, to get a guy that's been struggling to leave on a good note, but that doesn't apply here. Hefner doesn't have 0 wins because he's put up stinker after stinker, (though he hasn't pitched well in May) but because they haven't scored for him. He seemed to have it working yestrday, 7 Ks..

[ashie62]

Hefner in the 7th was better than any option the Mets had in the pen..

Then again..the Mets don't hit...

[Ceetar]

6 oclock on SNY with Keith and Kevin. Don't see any word on what happens if it eclipses 7.

[Edgy MD]

Ashie62 wrote: Hefner in the 7th was better than any option the Mets had in the pen..

Certainly seemed like as good a bet. Plus, you get a wonderful redundancy when you elect not to pull a pitcher who is doing well. Your choice isn't really between Hawkins and Hefner. It's between Hawkins and Hefner plus Hawkins looking over his shoulder. How easy is that decision?


***

So, what's worse than going to bed after a four-strikeout game?

Going to bed after a four strikeout game that it isn't over, knowing you may have another few strikeouts in you before the books are closd.

[G-Fafif]

FYI, this is not the first rainy Braves @ Mets game to be suspended after eight innings. Revisit 1979's version and its quirks here.

[smg58]

Edgy MD wrote: So, what's worse than going to bed after a four-strikeout game? Going to bed after a four strikeout game that it isn't over, knowing you may have another few strikeouts in you before the books are closd.

And knowing that the conclusion of the game may have been the one thing separating him you from an all-expenses-paid overnight flight to Las Vegas.

[Zvon]

All indications tell me I will be blocked out for tonights game. Game listed is Phils on FOX, MLB.TV still has me blocked for SNY. Looks like I will be able to see this game picked up. This is strange. I'll be impressed if I can see the conclusion of this game, but if I can't see the reg game I'm gonna be pissed.

[Zvon]

MLB.TV had some activity: FOX image feed and Guys doing the voice over. Then it cut out. Now says game will begin shortly.

[Zvon]

This is indeed strange. Guys, Keith, and some stooge talking for FOX. Parnell on the mound to start the 9th, tied 5-5.

Lead off double for Pena. OOO, this could be over in plenty of time.

[Zvon]

Parnell wanted nothing to do with Heyward. Walks him on 4 pitches.

[Edgy MD]

My stars and garters. There are people at the ballpark.

[Edgy MD]

FANTASTIQUE time for a DP, though.

[Zvon]

Wow. Gets a big DP. Stays tied.

Citi is basically empty.

[Edgy MD]

What do they have --- the backup booth crew working here?

[Edgy MD]

Sounds like Burkhardt, Darling, and... somebody else.

[Zvon]

Weird winds there.

Edgy MD wrote: What do they have --- the backup booth crew working here?

I don't know the how and why we got what we got here. Its kool tho. I think the stooge might be a Braves announcer.

[Edgy MD]

No, Keef's there, too.

[Zvon]

I'm referring to the MLB.TV image feed atm, which is a mish mash of Braves,Mets, & FOX.

[Zvon]

If that third guy is a Braves boothman, this is interesting.

[metirish]

I like it, Joe Simpson with Keith and Kevin .

[Zvon]

Lyon for the 10th.

[Zvon]

BOOOOOOOOlyon!

Walk,Double,single

Down 6-5

[Edgy MD]

And Braves take the lead.

See, I told you Lyon's ego would be at stake.

[Zvon]

OH! I thought we had him! Gah, close but no cigar.

Safety squeeze(or something) scores another.

[Zvon]

Whew. Nice catch kid.

[Zvon]

Buck takes one for the team. Ouch. Ike should try and stand in front of a pitch if he can.

[ashie62]

Ike Vegas

[Zvon]

Or Viva Ike Davis?