05-04-2010, 05:26 AM
<!--quoteo(post=94440:date=May 3 2010, 03:23 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ May 3 2010, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Pierre is a guy who was born at the wrong time.
Had he played at any time from 1947 to the '90's, he would have been revered as a speedy guy who "will hit .300 every now and then, and can put up 200 hits in his sleep. Plus, he's a gamer...never misses a start."
Nowadays, we look at other things; the large number of hits is a result of playing every game and leading off, and never walking. Thus, he leads the league in OUTS nearly every year he plays. Stolen bases aren't nearly as valuable as once perceived, especially when you're getting caught stealing at a solid clip.
And to have no power (in his case, zero), used to be perfectly acceptable for a leadoff guy ("hey, he's a table-stter"), until it dawned on people that, oh, you mean if the leadoff guy homers, it actually counts? Pierre has zero power.
Did I mention that he's probably the best bunter in the majors? At one time (especially if he played for Don Baylor) this was thought to be a big deal. Now, it's thought to be like having a really good dial-up internet connection.
I actually liked Pierre more than most Cub fans. I loved his effort. I liked the fact that in 162 games in CF, he didn't make a single error. But if you're trying to actually "win ballgames," he isn't the best choice. Thus, I'm glad that kW and Ozzie think he has value.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the whole notion of the "gamer" type is still valid, but the skills to make a player a "gamer" aren't particularly valued (or learned much anymore). I would also add that in the past, players that were valued in that mold--Brett Butler is the best example that comes to mind--had more than one skill to show off. Butler was a guy who'd steal 30-50 bases a year, but he'd also get 30-40 extra-base hits, walk 60-90 times a year (over 100 once), kept an .OBP around .380, bunt for 20+ hits a year, and he was defensively he was solid with OF assists (throwing arm) and range.
If Pierre could throw well, if he could learn to own the strike zone, or if he could learn to drive the ball to the gaps (he's had as many as 48 extra base hits once--as a Cub), and if he could learn to be more selective as a base stealer, he'd get the league-wide respect that Butler had... I don't think anyone would argue that Brett Butler wouldn't get the same respect today. Pierre doesn't get it because a 1-tool player is never really respected~ and Cust and Blaylock are in AAA to attest to it (HR or nothing, defensively irrelevant... 1 tool).
Had he played at any time from 1947 to the '90's, he would have been revered as a speedy guy who "will hit .300 every now and then, and can put up 200 hits in his sleep. Plus, he's a gamer...never misses a start."
Nowadays, we look at other things; the large number of hits is a result of playing every game and leading off, and never walking. Thus, he leads the league in OUTS nearly every year he plays. Stolen bases aren't nearly as valuable as once perceived, especially when you're getting caught stealing at a solid clip.
And to have no power (in his case, zero), used to be perfectly acceptable for a leadoff guy ("hey, he's a table-stter"), until it dawned on people that, oh, you mean if the leadoff guy homers, it actually counts? Pierre has zero power.
Did I mention that he's probably the best bunter in the majors? At one time (especially if he played for Don Baylor) this was thought to be a big deal. Now, it's thought to be like having a really good dial-up internet connection.
I actually liked Pierre more than most Cub fans. I loved his effort. I liked the fact that in 162 games in CF, he didn't make a single error. But if you're trying to actually "win ballgames," he isn't the best choice. Thus, I'm glad that kW and Ozzie think he has value.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the whole notion of the "gamer" type is still valid, but the skills to make a player a "gamer" aren't particularly valued (or learned much anymore). I would also add that in the past, players that were valued in that mold--Brett Butler is the best example that comes to mind--had more than one skill to show off. Butler was a guy who'd steal 30-50 bases a year, but he'd also get 30-40 extra-base hits, walk 60-90 times a year (over 100 once), kept an .OBP around .380, bunt for 20+ hits a year, and he was defensively he was solid with OF assists (throwing arm) and range.
If Pierre could throw well, if he could learn to own the strike zone, or if he could learn to drive the ball to the gaps (he's had as many as 48 extra base hits once--as a Cub), and if he could learn to be more selective as a base stealer, he'd get the league-wide respect that Butler had... I don't think anyone would argue that Brett Butler wouldn't get the same respect today. Pierre doesn't get it because a 1-tool player is never really respected~ and Cust and Blaylock are in AAA to attest to it (HR or nothing, defensively irrelevant... 1 tool).
"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." Albert Einstein