Ibanez to Phillies

[kbwsb]

<!--quoteo(post=4672:date=Dec 14 2008, 02:11 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Dec 14 2008, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Career On-base percentage:

Adam Dunn .381
Dave Kingman .302

Those 2 players are not in the same <i>universe</i>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BTW, Lance, I didn't mean to sound like a dick. It's just that a LOT of people think of Dunn as being part of that group of players that includes Rob Deer, Pete Incavilia, Dave Kingman, etc...
big, lumbering, unathletic guys who swing for 500 ft. homers, and have zero value besides that.

However, Dunn is actually much closer to someone like HOFer Ralph Kiner...tons of homers (always a good thing, right?), but also a REAL high OBP (the very BEST thing a hitter can have).

So, therefore, the Kingman/Deer comparisons don't hold water, IMO.


(This is where Ruby comes in to say that I've never witnessed a game of baseball, and that I consider Dunn be a 1st-ballot HOFer. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] )

[Rappster]

He's Gorman Thomas.

[rok]

Dunn is a high OBP version of Kingman.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=4711:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:29 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Dec 14 2008, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dunn is a high OBP version of Kingman.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That's kind of an important part of the "version." That's like saying, "pfft, Rich Harden is just a low ERA version of Jason Marquis."

[HTC]

Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)-->QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.

[HTC]

<!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You mean no one wants a great hitter?

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Isn't Riccardi the GM for the Blue Jays? What does he have to do with this?

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=4720:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM:name=HTC)-->QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You mean no one wants a great hitter?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They think he doesn't care and doesn't enjoy playing baseball(and they're right), so why hand him a ton of guaranteed money? Dunn won't give a shit after he gets paid. He's only been playing for this contract.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=4722:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:53 PM:name=PcB)-->QUOTE (PcB @ Dec 14 2008, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Isn't Riccardi the GM for the Blue Jays? What does he have to do with this?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->On Wednesday night, a caller to Ricciardi's radio show suggested that a deal for Dunn might help the struggling Toronto offense, and Ricciardi responded bluntly. "Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much?" Ricciardi said. "Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player?

"There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=4723:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4720:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You mean no one wants a great hitter?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They think he doesn't care and doesn't enjoy playing baseball(and they're right), so why hand him a ton of guaranteed money? Dunn won't give a shit after he gets paid. He's only been playing for this contract.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think an incentive laden deal would work, it would give him financial security but it would also make him play to hit those incentives.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=4724:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:57 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4722:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:53 PM:name=PcB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PcB @ Dec 14 2008, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Isn't Riccardi the GM for the Blue Jays? What does he have to do with this?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->On Wednesday night, a caller to Ricciardi's radio show suggested that a deal for Dunn might help the struggling Toronto offense, and Ricciardi responded bluntly. "Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much?" Ricciardi said. "Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player?

"There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Gotcha.

[HTC]

<!--quoteo(post=4723:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4720:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You mean no one wants a great hitter?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They think he doesn't care and doesn't enjoy playing baseball(and they're right), so why hand him a ton of guaranteed money? Dunn won't give a shit after he gets paid. He's only been playing for this contract.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] Just so everyone knows, I'm no Dunn fan and don't actually think he's a great hitter.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=4729:date=Dec 14 2008, 09:03 PM:name=HTC)-->QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4723:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4720:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4719:date=Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2008, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=4718:date=Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Dec 14 2008, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why aren't many teams interested in Dunn? I mean, I really haven't seen his name mentioned too much at all.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all feel the same way Ricciardi does.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You mean no one wants a great hitter?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They think he doesn't care and doesn't enjoy playing baseball(and they're right), so why hand him a ton of guaranteed money? Dunn won't give a shit after he gets paid. He's only been playing for this contract.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] Just so everyone knows, I'm no Dunn fan and don't actually think he's a great hitter.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I had thought that was the case. I'm an idiot. Me= [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/teh.gif[/img]

[kbwsb]

Ricciardi, who has proven to be a dud as a GM (one reason is his obvious lack of an eye for talent), was lambasted for that quote, and apologized profusely.
But even if it were 100% true, who gives a shit? Lots of major stars have said that the game can be boring, or that the schedule is too long, or blah blah. It doesn't affect their performance, if they're even remotely professional.

Marlon Brando used to say over and over again how much he detested acting, and that he only did it for the money, and that he <i>especially</i> couldn't stand being in plays where he had to repeat himself night after night. Apparently that didn't prevent his portrayal of Stanley in "A Streetcar Named Desire" from being considered among the most outstanding stage performances in acting history.

In fact, if Ricciadi were correct, Dunn's career stats would more resemble those of Milton Bradley...lots of games missed, lots of time off. Instead, he plays almost every single game, and puts up almost identical numbers year-in and year-out. Based on his past 6 seasons, you can practically pencil him in for 40+ homers and a .386 OBP.