Odds and Sods

In honor of Jackie Robinson day, I felt that I should reiterate some of my earlier points about why Major League baseball’s celebration is an outrage.

Jackie Robinson was a great person.  He showed astounding strength and performed a necessary service for both baseball and society.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating his legacy or having a day to honor him.

For the 50^th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut in 1997, MLB retired his number 42.  This was seemingly well intentioned, but, as with many Selig institutions, it has become an overblown farce.  The act shifted the emphasis to his number, 42, something that was entirely trivial, rather than the player himself.  He is no longer a civil rights hero, but a bombastic blue plaque in every ballpark.

Last season for the 60^th anniversary, baseball allowed Ken Griffey Jr. to wear 42, followed by every team having a designated 42, followed by all the Dodgers wearing 42, followed by an eventual free-for-all with no individual or team wanting to be out 42-ed.  This year they will do the same.

The original gesture was cheap.  The secondary one is a mere gimmick.

The worst part is, it has ruined the only legitimate tribute, allowing an African-American player to wear 42 every day, in his own solitary tribute. 

Jonathan Papelbon is a closer.  He struts purposefully to the mound with palpable intensity.  His eyes glare forward with a look that chills the knees ­– two parts testosterone and one part crazy.  He slings his ferocious fastball toward the plate.  He knows, the batter knows, everyone watching knows this game is over.  That is a closer.

Joe Borowski is not a closer.  He ambles to the mound.  He gazes with a stupid stare displaying every ounce of fear.  The only certainty is with the hitter.  Tonight it is Manny Ramirez.  He knows the mediocre fastball is coming.  He knows he is going to hit it 400 feet to win the game.  He holds back a smirk before the pitch leaves his hands.

Every team has a guy who pitches the ninth inning, but only a few teams have a closer.

Borowski led the American League with 45 saves last season, casually impressive.  Among the top ten AL closers, he was dead last in WHIP (1.43), ERA (5.07), Earned Runs (37), Blown Saves (8), and Opponents’ OPS (.768), not so impressive.

Teams look at one number with closers, saves.  Borowski has three 30-plus save seasons, therefore, he becomes designated as a guy who can close.  No matter how bad his other numbers become, teams still give him a chance. 

Cleveland was good enough last season to win the Central, withstanding Borowski’s eight blown saves.  Because the team won with him, he automatically gets designated a winner, though he did nothing to help the Indians win last season.

Why designate a closer if you have no dominant pitcher? 

The mere suggestion of closer by committee seems a nightmarish flouting of conventional wisdom.  It notably failed once – with the 2003 Red Sox – and has been scoffed at ever since.  However, teams should not dismiss the idea out of hand.

Unless you have a Jonathan Papelbon, a J.J. Putz or a Joe Nathan, the numbers prove that sending the league average pitcher into the situation would be as good of an option as most “closers” and a better one than guys like Borowski.

Designating a “closer” where non exist is detrimental.  It creates a cordon sanitaire for the ninth inning, forcing the manager’s hands in save situations.  For a club without a dominant presence, it would be far better off playing match-ups and going with the hot hand, as they would in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning.

Jonathan Papelbon can win you a World Series, but Joe Borowski intimidates no one.

This will hopefully be a semi-weekly feature over the course of the baseball season.  If you would like to be a part of our panel, e-mail me at tyduffy@gmail.com

Top 5

1. Diamondbacks - Winning Streak
2. Red Sox - Epic Journey
3. Cardinals - Pujols Rage
4. A’s - Road Warriors
5. White Sox - Played Tigers

Bottom 5

1. Giants - No Offense
2. Tigers - Dontrelle’s Woes
3. Nationals - Losing Streak
4. Rangers - Nonexistent Pitching
5. Astros - Clemens Return?