I have two observations so far this spring

[SHOCKandAWE]

Yeah, who's Encarnacion hitting these off of exactly?

1) Lenny DiNardo
2) Ian Snell
3) Scott Baker - pretty legit
4) Randy Johnson -- I'm sure he gave a crap
5) Brad Radke - old and I'm sure he gave a crap
6) Willie Eyre -who??????

Why dont you put "I'm sure he gave a crap for everyone?"

Unless of course you spoke with RJ and Radke personally and they told you this.

I am sorry but i doubt any competitor goes out there and says I dont give two $hits about today. RJ and Radke dont strike me as two people that express this attitude. Usually players like this dont play that years.

Actually, pitchers who have a spot sewn up in their rotations really don't care too much about HRs or Runs in ST. They are there to get there arms in shape and work on pitches. So he is actually right. Some guys fighting for jobs will try a little harder than the guys with them in their back pocket.

I still disagree with him but everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Do you think if someone asked Randy Johnson if he doesnt give a crap during spring training that he would say that he doesnt care?

I think that real competitors always care and I would put Randy in this class.

Maybe I am looking at it objectively here but to say that someone has success against Randy because Randy didnt care doesnt sit well with me. I am willing to bet that Encarnicion had a good at bat instead of Randy not caring.

I guess its the whole glass is empty or half full theory. Some people can look at things in a positive way and some can think of it as a negative. I myself try to look at things in a positive way.

[foulballstrike3]

For the good players ST means nothing, but for the injured and the young it is quite meaningful.

Along these lines Edwin Encarnacion has hit 4 HR's in ST. I understand that it's really early but he's young, a solid prospect, and he will be hitting in Cincy's bandbox all year long. He's one guy I'm keeping an eye on in ST.

Someone had a quote last season that I'm going to bastardize for you...


"Fantasy Baseball Player says... 'OMG, Edwin Encarnacion has hit 4 HRs in ST already, he's gonna be a beast this year!!!'

Pitcher Facing Encarnacion says... 'This guy's a chump, it's time to get some arm workout time... fastball down the middle it is.' "

Yeah, who's Encarnacion hitting these off of exactly?

1) Lenny DiNardo
2) Ian Snell
3) Scott Baker - pretty legit
4) Randy Johnson -- I'm sure he gave a crap
5) Brad Radke - old and I'm sure he gave a crap
6) Willie Eyre -who??????

Ha, that's actually pretty good for what people normally see in ST. Johnson and Radke, can't say anything there, and Baker and Snell aren't bad.

[TheRawDAWG]

Yeah, who's Encarnacion hitting these off of exactly?

1) Lenny DiNardo
2) Ian Snell
3) Scott Baker - pretty legit
4) Randy Johnson -- I'm sure he gave a crap
5) Brad Radke - old and I'm sure he gave a crap
6) Willie Eyre -who??????

Why dont you put "I'm sure he gave a crap for everyone?"

Unless of course you spoke with RJ and Radke personally and they told you this.

I am sorry but i doubt any competitor goes out there and says I dont give two $hits about today. RJ and Radke dont strike me as two people that express this attitude. Usually players like this dont play that years.

Actually, pitchers who have a spot sewn up in their rotations really don't care too much about HRs or Runs in ST. They are there to get there arms in shape and work on pitches. So he is actually right. Some guys fighting for jobs will try a little harder than the guys with them in their back pocket.

I still disagree with him but everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Do you think if someone asked Randy Johnson if he doesnt give a crap during spring training that he would say that he doesnt care?

I think that real competitors always care and I would put Randy in this class.

Maybe I am looking at it objectively here but to say that someone has success against Randy because Randy didnt care doesnt sit well with me. I am willing to bet that Encarnicion had a good at bat instead of Randy not caring.

I guess its the whole glass is empty or half full theory. Some people can look at things in a positive way and some can think of it as a negative. I myself try to look at things in a positive way.

It's not that Randy doesn't care. It's that he isn't using his top notch stuff. ST is for pitchers to get ready for the season and try new things to see if they work. Now if you asked Randy if he would have prefered the homer never happened of course he'll say he'd rather it didn't happen. But make no mistake he pitches (like any vet) trying to get ready for the season. Trying new things and trying to stay healthy. Thats all Randy really cares about.

[SHOCKandAWE]

Do you think Randy Johnson is trying a lot of new stuff after being in the league for this long?

[AcidRock23]

If anything, I'd have to suspect the Unit is checking out his body as much as his stuff, seeing if he needs another quart in his knees or whatever. I got him on a team though, as I'm hoping he'll be a decent #2/#3 SP.

[houstonoilers]

For the good players ST means nothing, but for the injured and the young it is quite meaningful.

The closer position in Atlanta is a prime example of this.....Devine keeps this up he will open as the closer......It will be too hard to keep him out. I think its also good to see potential greats like Young, Makarkis and Drew against SOME starters to see what they have. ST has false meaning but at the same token it has great meaning. Jury said it best.

[houstonoilers]

if the guys have testicles they give two $heets...IMO. Who the heck wants to get rocked?