The Thursday Thinker: Still thinking about Felipe Lopez
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 3, 2009 12:00 PM CST
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PrintYeah, I can't help it: I'm hung up on the decision not to offer arbitration to Felipe Lopez.
Between the Brewers and D-Backs last year, Lopez posted a .383 OBP. Only fourteen players in Brewer history have done better while getting enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. How many can you name in five minutes?
Again, here are the rules: Post your score in the comments, but do not comment on any specific answer until after 6 pm Central time, so everyone gets a chance to try it out without having it spoiled for them. And, of course, there's no reason to cheat here, because there's no prizes.
Each week, I mention something about how this quiz is challenging and there's a couple of names you might not think of. If you manage to get them all, though, post your time along with your score in the comments.
Have fun, and don't forget to post your score in the comments!
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I got 11
MAJOR brain malfunction — should have gotten 13
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:11 PM CST reply actions
Spinal Tap rules
Someone should get 14.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
TWSS
And shame on all of you for letting this one go for so long. (TWSS)
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
Rubie?
Were you making a wiener joke, or Spinal Tap reference?
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 4, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
I missed 2 that were unreal
I am going to blame Melvin’s antics over the last few days for that.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
13....
… and the one I missed is absolutely shameful…
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 12:31 PM CST reply actions
Estrada WAS a shocker!
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
I kept typing in Newman!...
… couldn’t remember Estrada’s real name.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
5
But I’m finding these quizzes a good way to educate myself on Brewers history.
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
You do better in FtJ sporcles.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:36 PM CST up reply actions
Brewers History is harder to learn than "Brewers fans dislike Cubs fans"
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
Here are 10 more Brewer History tidbits.
1.) Everyone forgets George Scott, I am not sure why, he wore a shark tooth necklace
2.) Sixto Lezcano was the greatest Brewer ever.
3.) Steve Busby still pisses me off to this day.
4.) Harvey Kuenn chewed a lot of tobacco
5.) Jim Slaton is the answer to just about every Brewer’s lifetime pitching trivia question
6.) Del Crandall screwed Pedro Garcia in the ass, which is why Pedro went from ROY candidate to expansion Blue Jay.
7.) Ken Sanders saved a bunch of games in the 1970s, even though the Brewers didn’t win many.
8.) Lary Sorensen is spelled with one “r”
9.) Bud Selig was frugal.
10.) Most of the Pilots you read about in Ball Four never played for the Brewers
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Sixto was indeed awesome. Mostly in 1979 which happens to have been the second year I really followed the Brewers.
I’m old enough to have been young enough to have been outraged when they dealt him. Mostly because I was unfamiliar with the notion of the “career year”.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
Useful info...
Who’s Del Crandall, and how did he screw Pedro Garcia?
How does the payroll under Bud Selig compare to his current income as MLB Commissioner?
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
Well
as to the “how did Crandall screw Pedro Garcia,” I think FtJ already answered that. :)
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
Del Crandall
Del Crandall was probably the best catcher to ever play in Milwaukee — Once inaugural Brewer manager Dave Bristol was fired, Crandall was hired to take the Brewers to glory. One of the young stars Crandall inherited was Pedro Garcia. Pedro finished 2nd in ROY voting and a few years later was a castoff for the expansion Blue Jays.
George Scott seemed to think that Del Crandall torpedoed Garcia’s rising star. Scott also seemed to think that Del Crandall wasn’t the most enlightened hitting guru.
George Scott when not talking about his main man Pedro, was giving Gorman Thomas shit at the rate of one metric ton per minute. The Boomer had Gorman against the ropes.
A sample:
Boomer: Hey Gorman, do you know how many Gold Gloves I got?
Gorman: No George
Boomer: Take a guess
Gorman: 6?
Boomer: I won 10, but they only gave me trophies for 8, but God and my mama know I won 10 though.
Gorman: OK
Boomer: How many you win Gorman?
Gorman: You know I didnt win any
Boomer: Why’s that Gorman?
Gorman: (beaten at this point) I don’t know George, I just don’t know
And then Boomer would move on to another topic. He talks non-stop.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Don't forget Gorman Thomas vs. The LaLob.
That may be my favorite Gorman Thomas moment, and there were many to love.
In 81 (the Brewers forgotten playoff year), the Brewers faced the Yankees in Yankee stadium. Dave LaRoche was pitching for the Yankees. LaRoche had an “Eephus” pitch known as LaLob, which looked startlingly similar to a slow pitch softball pitch. Thomas came to the plate with 2 out, 2 on (2nd and 3rd). Thomas was still one of the more feared sluggers in the game at the time.
LaRoche tossed his first LaLob, which arced towards the plate at something less than 40mph. Thomas flailed away, but couldn’t stay back on it. He even resorted to a bunt attempt, which also failed. On the third strike, he swung so hard he fell down. Thomas got up and fired his helmet into the ground so hard it broke. Legend has it that Thomas signed the ear flap and sent it to LaRoche.
When they face each other later in the season, LaRoche did the same thing to Thomas again. Thomas finally managed to hit one for a single. When he got to first base, he stuck his tongue out at LaRoche.
The next year, they used video clips of the strikeout and Thomas annihilating his helmet, followed by a clip of his bloop single and sticking his tongue at LaRoche, as a commercial for MLB games. They played (if I remember right) carnival music underneath and introduced the commercial with a blank screen and a title reading “Gorman Thomas vs. The Lob”.
I wish I had a video of that commercial. It made me laugh every time I saw it.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
I'd love to see someone try an Eephus now.
Not sure anyone actually does that anymore. I don’t think I’ve seen one since LaRoche’s LaLob.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
*Tear* I feel like I finally belong here on BCB.
I was about to post the exact same thing but TheJay beat me to it. That’s one of the requirements to be a full-fledged member right?
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
you need to blame more things on Sal Bando
Especially Revenge of the Clones
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 8:57 PM CST up reply actions
I think I remember seeing A-Rod whiff on one thrown by Orlando Hernandez a few years back, can’t seem to find the video anymore though.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
by SRB on Dec 3, 2009 6:22 PM CST up reply actions
You're kind of an Everyman, FtJ.
That makes your quizzes easier — I just think: “What kind of stuff do I hate?” and — PRESTO — cauliflower.
It tastes like drywall
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
8
not bad for me
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
10
Couldn’t remember the spelling of one, and one I knew but I can never remember his name ever, which is terrible of me since he’s a .307 career hitter as a Brewer.
13
…and then spent the last two minutes trying to remember #2 on the list to no avail.
by Infield Fly Rule on Dec 3, 2009 12:52 PM CST reply actions
12
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
Melvin has some sort of man-crush on Weeks
How else do you explain him sticking with Weeks this long? In his six seasons in MLB, Weeks has had four seasons with 400 or more ABs. Of those, he hit above .240 only once. His fielding, although improving ever so slightly each season, still puts him near the bottom of all second basemen.
Apparently, DM doesn’t want to give Weeks any sort of inkling that he doesn’t have faith in him.
Rickie Weeks
Career OBP is .351 and OPS is .767, which isn’t that bad. I am assuming that you are saying that we should have kept Lopez to play second base, but Lopez’s career OBP is .338 and his career OPS is .738. Also Felipe Lopez is not good at defense, either. And is more expensive.
Also, Rickie Weeks is my favorite Brewer. :)
Weeks’ career BA is also only .247 too… which is horrible.
Lopez’s defense may not be stellar, but it’s still better than Weeks.
Batting average is almost completely irrelevant
It’s a component of OBP and should be treated as such.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
kinda
different denominators. but essentially speaking….
Plus there are the weird freakazoid mutants with an OBP under their BA (sacrifices and whatnot)
9
obviously missed some easy ones, including my favorite player growing up.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
7. I'm not last!
And I passed on Dave Nilsson because I just figured there was no way in hell he did it. I was wrong.
Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.
The coolest motherfunker on the planet.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 3, 2009 2:15 PM CST reply actions
No giving away answers!
"A D+ Grade? That must have been a Wittardo grade"- @73_MC
by BrewHaHeather on Dec 3, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions
Ah shit. My bad. I had blood drawn right before & was loopy from it. Sorry.
Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.
The coolest motherfunker on the planet.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 4, 2009 12:17 AM CST up reply actions
Playing with the Brewers all-time stats
I noticed Fielder has a chance to make a significant move on the club HR record list this next season (17 puts him in 5th, 42 for 4th, 49 for 3rd and unlikely but still possible 53 puts him in 2nd). Sadly, unless he signs an extension or Melvin decides to keep him his entire contract I don’t think he will get the club record, he needs 92.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
11
Can’t believe I missed two guys who did it more than once.
TWSS
Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.
The coolest motherfunker on the planet.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 3, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
nice catch
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
I don't miss many of those.
I will never grow up.
Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.
The coolest motherfunker on the planet.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 3, 2009 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
OK, it's after six, and I feel the need to berate myself.
I forgot Lyle Freaking Overbay. I stared at that last blank entry for 2 solid minutes while the clock clicked away racking my brain for some obscure 1 year wonder from the mid to late 80’s or the early 70’s.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 3, 2009 6:20 PM CST reply actions
It's easy to forget the early- to mid-2000s Brewers
I kept insisting Mark Loretta did it, and totally forgot about Fernando Vina.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
Agreed.
I did the same thing
Be cool, and relax. Take a breath, take ten paces back.
The coolest motherfunker on the planet.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 3, 2009 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
I forgot Braun and Fielder
Ooops
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
Randolph
What I want to know is how did Willie only manage to score 60 runs that year? He reached base over 215 times, for a Brewer team that finished third in the AL in runs scored. Also, why did it take Trebelhorn until August to figure out he was a good option to hit second behind Molitor?
by Infield Fly Rule on Dec 3, 2009 6:45 PM CST reply actions
175
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 3, 2009 9:46 PM CST up reply actions
100
I’m actually pleased that I was good until 2005.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
Yeah
I was excited to get the first couple years, the infamous catcher of ’05 was the beginning of the end though.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Dec 3, 2009 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
125
I was good in the late 80’s and early 90’s faded ‘94-’04, and came back 2005-2009. I wonder why?
Well, I'm talking about his playing days.
And, replacing Yost will always rank him high with me. In reality however, my prime interest with Sveum has always been his last name.
I was at game 4.
I was still high from game 3, the single best sporting event I’ve ever had the pleasure to attend. I had SRO tickets, I won the the lottery for non season ticket holders. I went home hyped from the game and over paid for tickets to game 4, I’ve still never seen a replay of Counsell’s catch of the ball that bounced off a roof beam. I can’t see blaming Sveum for that loss. The Phillies just had that indefinable it for that entire playoffs.
I had the indefinable it once
Some penicillin and hydrocortisone knocked that right out.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Dec 4, 2009 7:45 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Forgot a word.
Now. it’s a day later and and I think it was either something, or it.
Maybe someday with advancing technology we can edit our posts.
I didn't say I completely blamed him
I was there as well, for both game 3 and 4, and when I saw Gallardo warming up…let’s just say I was very frustrated
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
Ouch
78…that was a rough one, I think my brain stopped working at 9:30 this evening.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Dec 3, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
So there is no news today, thus we get another “how many can you name” blogs. This is why we come to this site?
Dude
Read the Frosty Mug. Plenty of news in there.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 4, 2009 8:30 AM CST up reply actions
It's Thursday
I do this every Thursday. And, as commented above, read the Mug for news.
Furthermore, on days when there’s no news, what am I supposed to do about it?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
I heard a rumor
That medium cheese pizzas at Pizza Shuttle are buy 1-get 1 free this week. And they’re awesome.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Rumor = Fact.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I can vouch for this.
So good that Mrs. Snow, who normally prefers pizza without meat on it, snagged the leftovers before I could get to them.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Make your own news...
Rob a bank
Hijack a bus
Trade for Carlos Gomez
Sign Doug Davis
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 4, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
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0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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