07-28-2009, 05:15 PM
<!--quoteo(post=52822:date=Jul 28 2009, 03:33 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Jul 28 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=52821:date=Jul 28 2009, 03:26 PM:name=Giff)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giff @ Jul 28 2009, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Honest question Butch. Is a suicide squeeze ever the right move (and thus not a "retarded" move), in your mind?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Here are a few things that could make it a defensible decision:
- the bases aren't loaded
- the bases weren't just walked loaded (all three batters reached base via the walk) by the pitcher currently on the mound
- the current batter can't hit a fly ball with any degree of consistency (Cesar Izturis, Juan Pierre, etc.) -- those types of players are usually more adept at bunting because they are forced to
- your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter
- the batter isn't a LHB (a RHB would obscure the play from the catcher somewhat)
I could go on.
I'm not saying a squeeze play is *always* a bad decision. But it sure was last night.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not talking about last night's play, I'm talking about squeezes in general.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->In my book, if there's a decision that has the highest probability of success, and you go with a different choice (even if the the probability of success is only *slightly* lower (which wasn't the case last night)), then it was a stupid decision.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Based off of this statement, I'm asking if a suicide squeeze is ever the correct play, in your eyes. It's not an argumentative question, I'm just curious how you look at it.
Here are a few things that could make it a defensible decision:
- the bases aren't loaded
- the bases weren't just walked loaded (all three batters reached base via the walk) by the pitcher currently on the mound
- the current batter can't hit a fly ball with any degree of consistency (Cesar Izturis, Juan Pierre, etc.) -- those types of players are usually more adept at bunting because they are forced to
- your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter
- the batter isn't a LHB (a RHB would obscure the play from the catcher somewhat)
I could go on.
I'm not saying a squeeze play is *always* a bad decision. But it sure was last night.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not talking about last night's play, I'm talking about squeezes in general.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->In my book, if there's a decision that has the highest probability of success, and you go with a different choice (even if the the probability of success is only *slightly* lower (which wasn't the case last night)), then it was a stupid decision.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Based off of this statement, I'm asking if a suicide squeeze is ever the correct play, in your eyes. It's not an argumentative question, I'm just curious how you look at it.
The thing you need to remember is that all Cardinals fans and all White Sox fans are very bad people. It's a fact that has been scientifically proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Being a Cubs fan is the only path to rightousness and piousness. Cardinal and White Sox fans exist to be the dark, diabolical forces that oppose us. They are the yin to our yang, the Joker to our Batman, the demon to our angel, the insurgence to our freedom, the oil to our water, the club to our baby seal. Their happiness occurs only in direct conflict with everything that is pure and good in this world.
-Dirk
-Dirk