There's a surprising amount of animosity for JJ Putz floating around the Mariner blogosphere. I should know - I feel it too. And it's weird, because my memories of JJ are very nearly all positive, as he was one of the most electric and exciting Mariners I've ever had the privilege of watching. I know he had some struggles there towards the end, but for a couple years he was as dominant as any reliever I've ever seen, and even his departure did us an astonishing amount of good by bringing in Franklin Gutierrez.
But then he went to New York and said some irritating things about Ichiro and, in a flash, all goodwill was lost. Fair? I'm not here to judge fairness. He said what he said, though, and people stopped liking him in an instant. And so, more than a year later, today seemed so perfect. Playing against JJ for the first time and taking him deep for a game-losing grand slam? Sweet retribution right there. That's how we all felt, and we took delight in seeing JJ walk off with that expression of shock and dismay that remains singed in our brains.
It wasn't to be. It wasn't to be, because Alex Rios hit a good pitch and Andruw Jones hit a bad one. Revenge is a dish worst served bittersweet. We made JJ feel bad, which is nice, but it means little without the win, which retroactively takes some of the shine off the dinger. A little while ago, I was jumping around my living room praising Jose Lopez for his timeliness. Now I'm sitting down, typing angrily, and thinking critical thoughts about Jose Lopez's power. I suppose, if nothing else, that was one weak-ass grand slam. A true Jose Lopez special, only a little further to the right. Proper revenge takes the ball at least into the first row. That grand slam was just embarrassing for everybody involved.
It wasn't supposed to go like this.
God dammit.
Now for some one-sentence bullet points! Friday night, everybody.
0 recs | 82 comments
A phantom beaning, which is even more girly.
I think he took lessons from Pierzynski.
Wilder. - April 23, 2010
For some reason
I don’t really feel bad about this loss. I know I should, as I usually feel miserable after a walk-off defeat. Maybe it’s been the good games we’ve been having lately, but I’m relatively okay with this. It didn’t feel like we were going to win anyways.
barabuski - April 23, 2010
I think that is why
It doesn’t feel like we ‘deserved’ this win. If we had won, it would have felt like we snuck away with it.
But it’s still unnerving to lose a one-run game. Our margin for error to get to the playoffs this year is so small.
Snuffleupagus - April 24, 2010
Three walkoff losses already
I have absolutely no historical or mathematical evidence to back it up, but that feels like a goddamn boatload
Sportszilla - April 23, 2010
I think it would be fun to watch Eric Byrnes find land mines.
I love Eric Byrnes. He would do it in the most enjoyable fashion.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
I would also like to see Eric Byrnes explode
Aaron Campeau - April 23, 2010
Byrnes would live.
MFAN - April 23, 2010
Nothing can kill the Grimace
Willie Mays Haze - April 23, 2010
Regarding League and White
Per Baker
Not a big fan of the “he hasn’t given up a run” argument but I can’t say he didn’t think this idea through.
ThundaPC - April 23, 2010
Wak can't evaluate pitchers worth a shit
Graham MacAree - April 23, 2010
Why they are equal in his mind, we will never know.
OlSalty - April 23, 2010
I doubt that he regards them as equals.
But as a manager not named Ozzie Guillen, he’s not ever going to say anything like that to a reporter.
Steve Nelson - April 24, 2010
The tying run in scoring position for Alex Rios is "good shape"?
Griffin Cooper - April 23, 2010
2 outs?
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 24, 2010
I don't consider it good shape when there's a good hitter up and a single ties the game
Griffin Cooper - April 24, 2010
There's also the whole part where Sean White doesn't actually throw a ball that sinks worth a damn.
abender20 - April 23, 2010
Cut out the bullshit Wak. Between this obsession with White and the refusal
to adjust the lineup I’m beginning to wonder why I’m so supportive of this guy. He’s got a nice mellow attitude which apparently the players are down with, but in regards to his actual in game managing, I’m not all that impressed.
Rudy4three - April 23, 2010
A twist on an old favorite
Click on picture for full size.
Slurvey - April 23, 2010
Why do we give Wak the benefit of the doubt?
Seriously, I don’t remember.
What decisions has he made that make us feel like he is a good manager? I like him. The players like him. Is that enough?
The Sweeney decision and the White analysis is some bad baseball.
I’m not trying to be confrontational, I’m genuinely asking what management decisions Wak has made that we use as evidence that he is a good manager.
Snuffleupagus - April 24, 2010
We could probably come up with some list of good decisions he's made.
Griffey/Sweeney is not one of them, obviously, but I’d say bringing an inexperienced Shawn Kelley onto the squad in 2009 was a great move.
JY - April 24, 2010
You don't remember the decisions that managers get right
only the ones you disagree with. Remember when he put Branyan in the 2-spot? How many other managers would ever do that and that was a good move.
Look, every manager is going to have too much loyalty to the internet crowd. And yes, I’m using a derogatory term here. It is true that we will tend to gloss over or minimalize the personal parts of a clubhouse. I’m not talking about chemistry per se, but a manager is going to want to have control and jumping players between roles every week and dumping players you relied on before is going to be seen as weakness and being unsure.
Is his use of Sean White frustrating? Yes. But some of you seem to have a skewed concept of the proportional impact Sean White over Brandon League in the 7th actually is.
Matthew - April 24, 2010
I think it has to do with his bringing the clubhouse together.
The players seem to respect his management style and that is something we can appreciate. As for in-game decisions, there appears to be “belief system” that GMZ or Blengino need to break down a little.
But in reality, other than bullpen and lineup moves, I think Wak has done a good job. He at least recognizes when pitchers need to be replaced, which is huge.
Wilder. - April 24, 2010
Thanks
I genuinely was trying to remember reasons (that I know are there).
The fact that he is willing and able to pull pitchers is wonderful. Something I praised all last year, so I appreciate the reminder.
Snuffleupagus - April 24, 2010
This is great:
At that point I knew it wasn’t going to go our way.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
I caught this game in a non-sports bar, with one screen only about 10 people could see.
When he lofted that ball, every patron seemed to jump to where they could see what was going on. And the entire bar erupted in laughter. Everyone was holding their breath when Jones fell on his butt for a slow 3 count, then when we knew the ball barely cleared… laughter. It was the most amazing reaction
Kermit. - April 24, 2010
I couldn't stop laughing for about five minutes.
It was just so Jose Freaking Lopez of a home run coming at the most crucial time against a pitcher we are used to blowing guys away. It was so improbable, it was destined to happen.
Wilder. - April 24, 2010
No backups for the next few games???
With Wilson out a few games, Bradley’s quad acting up, and our hugging DH tandem unless the M’s make a roster move tonight they will not only have no IF backups, they won’t have any backups that can play in the field, this is insane roster construction. If someone gets hurt tomorrow, who goes out there. Other than 1B I can’t see where Jr. or Sweeney could play. PLEASE MAKE A ROSTER MOVE ASAP—-DFA Colome and Sweeney, bring up Langerhans and Hannahan.
littlelinny6 - April 23, 2010
My guess is we might see Sweeney play 1B
Edgar for Pres - April 23, 2010
Good. Then he might get hurt.
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
I don't want him to get hurt, but I want him to realize he's hurting the team.
PULL SOMETHING ALREADY. Go on the DL and let the M’s use your position with someone useful. You can still hang out in the dugout and give hugs as needed.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
I'm also a little amazed Putz is hated on so much around here
Sure, he talked shit about another player on the team. If Randy Johnson would have called ARod a little bitch in 1998 would you have turned on him too? Its not the greatest moment in Putz’s life but Ichiro is probably not the most likable guy and probably legitimately looks like he is not trying that hard.
There are very few times in baseball that you get so excited you get chills but when you were at the game and heard Thunderstruck as Putz entered the game during the 9th inning you knew it was gonna be awesome. That’s what I remember about JJ Putz.
Edgar for Pres - April 23, 2010
I felt the chills when I heard Thunderstruck and it was awesome, but don't %^^$#$@ mess
with ICHIRO. He’s awesome and he is the HOFer, not Putz. At that point JJ was a bad teammate and a loser. If you don’t think Ichiro is “trying that hard” I guess I just don’t get it. Ichiro is doing things that have never been been done before, and I don’t see him slowing down.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
I went to a game for my friend's birthday in 2006 against the Giants.
Putz came in in the 9th with a 1 run lead. He got the first guy on a groundout, second guy on a swinging strike, and then struck out Barry Bonds looking. That was such a good match up.
seattle_since_81 - April 23, 2010
I remember watching that game on TV.
For me that was the moment Putz arrived.
Hopefulmsfan - April 23, 2010
It'
Hopefulmsfan - April 23, 2010
Not sure how that happened.
Anyway, it’s fine for JJ to think those things because he can think whatever he wants. But don’t say those things right after you get traded. Just because you’re on another team doesn’t make it ok to slander your former teamates. That’s why I hate Jose Canseco so much.
Hopefulmsfan - April 23, 2010
Absolutely right. Think whatever your want but don't do that to a former team mate.
That is just being an ass.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
Randy Johnson >>> J.J. Putz
And Ichiro is a lot more likable than A-Rod. So no, I wouldn’t have responded the same way. Randy Johnson complaining about A-Rod = superstar squabbling. Putz complaining about Ichiro = rank ignorance, bad camaraderie.
pygmalion - April 24, 2010
I cannot believe you just compared Ichiro to Alex Rodriguez
Matthew - April 24, 2010
Well I needed some analogy
Its not the best but I was using him as an example of the team MVP
Edgar for Pres - April 24, 2010
He's a good ol' boy and that doesn't play well in Seattle.
waldo rojas - April 24, 2010
Apparently Felix was literally hanging over Lopez in the post-game press group, reminding him of his own grand slam.
msb - April 23, 2010
Felix got one first - I'd lord that over Lopez if I were Felix. What fun.
TrustBaseball - April 23, 2010
That was Lopez's first grand slam, wasn't it?
seattle_since_81 - April 23, 2010
Lopie said he thought he'd have to get two to shut Fifi up.
msb - April 23, 2010
When's the next time we face the Mets?
JAH - April 23, 2010
More importantly Santana.
the other side - April 23, 2010
Is it possible RRS is just a slow starter?
We’ve never really gotten a good feel of how he does in April/May since he’s always either been hurt or in the bullpen. I know he’s not the greatest but maybe(hopefully) he just needs some time to get a feel for his pitching.
Scrupio - April 23, 2010
RRS taking pitching advise from Twitter.
I have no idea whether he’s serious or not.
JAH - April 23, 2010
I don't know, but I'd like to see RRS go right after those fuckers!
Gihyou - April 23, 2010
He's facing the Royals next start. I don't think they qualify as fuckers.
MFAN - April 23, 2010
Er...
CapSea - April 23, 2010
If you recall the Fanshot picture not too long ago, their fans barely qualify as kissers, let alone fuckers.
JAH - April 23, 2010
That's not what I saw.
I saw something that was not consensual, but it was going to happen.
CapSea - April 23, 2010
Well, for a given definition of being a fucker, yes you are correct.
JAH - April 23, 2010
SURPRISE!
CapSea - April 24, 2010
You're right. He's Australian.
They’re “Fuk-kahs!”
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 24, 2010
What the hell!? Fell asleep and Jose Loepz hit a grand slam?!
DAMNIT.
joof - April 23, 2010
Please never use the word disconcerting again.
It is never used in the proper context and you’re unfortunately guilty of the same infraction.
refuse2lose2010 - April 24, 2010
I'm confused
How is that not the proper context? “Disconcerting” means disturbing/frustrating/confusing.
I think that stat about RRS counts as “disconcerting”
Karma Police - April 24, 2010
I'm 95% sure you're wrong and even if you are not holy cow no one cares.
CapSea - April 24, 2010
Wow you're a dick.
brayden04 - April 24, 2010
This is one of those things that is not going to endear you to people here
Especially when he is using it correctly.
OlSalty - April 24, 2010
I'm not going to point out how much this comment makes you like an idiot and an asshole ...
… You’ve done that job far better than I ever could have.
Steve Nelson - April 24, 2010
Being a grammar scold requires walking a fine line
between being informative and being an ass. It also requires always being right.
pygmalion - April 24, 2010
I'm not sure you deserved to get slammed this hard
But on the other hand, it’s not like dictionaries are a hard thing to find online . . . .
Disconcerting
Snuffleupagus - April 24, 2010
I want LL to be more tolerant of beginner's ignorance.
Not of condescension or asshattery. If someone acts like an asshole, that behavior is fair game to trash from where I sit.
Matthew - April 24, 2010
It's going to be no fun watching Mark Lowe blow a lot of games again this year.
I miss Rhodes and Nellie.
Sam Regens - April 24, 2010
Yeah, cuz those guys never had blown saves.
JAH - April 24, 2010
"He was the only male performer I have ever seen to whom I responded sexually;
it wasn’t real arousal, rather an erection of the heart, when I looked at him I went mad with desire and envy and worship and self-projection."
That was rock critic Lester Bangs eulogizing Elvis Presley. I don’t hate JJ Putz, but if you want to know why someone would hate JJ Putz for saying bad things about Ichiro, the answer was given more than three decades before the question was posed.
groovewrangler - April 24, 2010
Sigh... When's Josh Fields going to be ready?
Coach Owens - April 24, 2010
When he finds out where the strike zone is.
Eyeball Kid - April 24, 2010
Jeff - looking back, what do you think you missed seeing or overlooked about Thornton when he was with the Mariners?
When he was traded, I certainly agreed that he looked like he was never going to be anything. Looking back, was there anything we should have picked up on but didn’t?
Steve Nelson - April 24, 2010
A couple things stand out:
1) He’s a lefty who threw in the high 90s. I should’ve been more patient
2) His home run rate was completely unsustainable
3) Related to #1, his contact rate in his bad year was 74%. That’s really really good. He clearly had stuff he was young enough to harness
Of course, I can’t speak to the mechanical changes in Chicago. I didn’t pick up on those, and I couldn’t pick up on them now.
Jeff Sullivan - April 24, 2010
I can't believe Matt Thornton is 33 years old
Jeff Sullivan - April 24, 2010
Do you think there were actual mechanical changes they made that made a difference?
I haven’t heard anything definite about any of it.
Edgar for Pres - April 24, 2010
Absolutely
His control got tons better, he started getting more groundballs, and his velocity shot up.
Jeff Sullivan - April 24, 2010
When the trade was made Cooper specifically mentioned mechanical flaws that he thought he saw
They figured there was a good chance they could adjust some things and make Thornton more effective.
Worst case that nothing changed and they were no worse off than they were with Borchard. So the trade was nothing but upside for them, and it worked. Cooper and the White Sox deserve a (grudging) tip of the hat on that deal.
Steve Nelson - April 24, 2010
Ryan Rowland-Smith is beyond horrible
Dewey N - April 24, 2010
Maybe then you and I can love him like Snell!
Decatur - April 24, 2010
Why would I love a player who plays so terribly and is below replacement level?
Dewey N - April 24, 2010 via mobile
*sigh*
You shut your whore mouth.
Mariner John - April 24, 2010
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