Comments on: Question of the day: What to do about Sheffield? http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/2008/04/28/question-of-the-day-what-to-do-about-sheffield/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:56:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Scotsw http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/2008/04/28/question-of-the-day-what-to-do-about-sheffield/#comment-29773 Scotsw Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:03:13 +0000 http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/?p=1248#comment-29773 I sure am glad all the flavor of the week fans out there aren't managing this team. We'd have Galarraga as the #1 pitcher and Aquilino Lopez coming in for the save, with Clete Thomas playing left every day. Until one of them slumped under the pressure of the bigs, and then we'd be calling up the new flavor-of-the-week from Toledo to "stanch the bleeding." Good heavens. Gary Sheffield has been bothered by a variety of injuries the last 2 years, but during those periods when he's been healthy, he's been hugely productive. I'm not seeing impending disaster with Gary Sheffield, and I believe that he's earned the right to tell us when the pain or discomfort are too much to play with. The man's headed for Cooperstown, probably, and can contribute. He didn't look like he had any trouble swinging the bat last night when he put one in the cheap seats, and I haven't seen any evidence that his keen sense of the strike zone has left him. If he gets his timing down and goes on a tear in May, a lot of people sure will look foolish. If June 1 rolls around and he still isn't able to produce up to par, then let's hear the talk about him being washed up. I sure am glad all the flavor of the week fans out there aren’t managing this team. We’d have Galarraga as the #1 pitcher and Aquilino Lopez coming in for the save, with Clete Thomas playing left every day. Until one of them slumped under the pressure of the bigs, and then we’d be calling up the new flavor-of-the-week from Toledo to “stanch the bleeding.” Good heavens.

Gary Sheffield has been bothered by a variety of injuries the last 2 years, but during those periods when he’s been healthy, he’s been hugely productive.

I’m not seeing impending disaster with Gary Sheffield, and I believe that he’s earned the right to tell us when the pain or discomfort are too much to play with. The man’s headed for Cooperstown, probably, and can contribute. He didn’t look like he had any trouble swinging the bat last night when he put one in the cheap seats, and I haven’t seen any evidence that his keen sense of the strike zone has left him.

If he gets his timing down and goes on a tear in May, a lot of people sure will look foolish. If June 1 rolls around and he still isn’t able to produce up to par, then let’s hear the talk about him being washed up.

]]> By: Blake http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/2008/04/28/question-of-the-day-what-to-do-about-sheffield/#comment-29707 Blake Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:19:54 +0000 http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/?p=1248#comment-29707 Boy, I have to agree with you again. I think if we get to the middle of May or the end of May and he's still below .200 with very few HR and a lot of K's then it might be time to try something different. I can understand why Leyland doesn't want to judge a guy entirely on the first month of the season, but this cannot keep up with Sheff hitting third. What I don't understand though is why aren't we having the same discussion about Polanco? Polanco is apparently hurt as well and, while his hitting has improved a bit, he's still below .200 with more K's than usual. Boy, I have to agree with you again. I think if we get to the middle of May or the end of May and he’s still below .200 with very few HR and a lot of K’s then it might be time to try something different.

I can understand why Leyland doesn’t want to judge a guy entirely on the first month of the season, but this cannot keep up with Sheff hitting third.

What I don’t understand though is why aren’t we having the same discussion about Polanco? Polanco is apparently hurt as well and, while his hitting has improved a bit, he’s still below .200 with more K’s than usual.

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/2008/04/28/question-of-the-day-what-to-do-about-sheffield/#comment-29705 Carolyn Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:32:41 +0000 http://www.mackavenuetigers.com/?p=1248#comment-29705 I hate this all-or-nothing strategy by Leyland. Sheffield is 0-16 with RISP. A struggling Polanco, batting 2nd, was intentionally walked this past weekend to get to Sheffield. And yet Gary continues to hit in the 3-spot, normally a place reserved for your best hitter. A player of Cabrera's caliber should never bat 5th. He should be hitting 3rd, with Maggs behind him. It gives him more at-bats and also some protection in the lineup. Leyland's loyalty is obviously towards Sheff right now and it's hurting the lineup. I hate this all-or-nothing strategy by Leyland. Sheffield is 0-16 with RISP. A struggling Polanco, batting 2nd, was intentionally walked this past weekend to get to Sheffield. And yet Gary continues to hit in the 3-spot, normally a place reserved for your best hitter. A player of Cabrera’s caliber should never bat 5th. He should be hitting 3rd, with Maggs behind him. It gives him more at-bats and also some protection in the lineup. Leyland’s loyalty is obviously towards Sheff right now and it’s hurting the lineup.

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