Diamondbacks Bullpen

TAP · Number Retired Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 11282

Dan Bickley just had Eric Byrnes on his 910 AM radio show and I was starting to see Eric in a new light. I was filled with respect and awe as Eric seriously and thoughtfully analyzed his performance. He talked about his GB/FB ratio and talked about where he stood in comparison to the league last year in popouts. He said his popup ratio last year was completely unacceptable for someone not hitting at least 40 HR's. He's been working heavily with his coaches and with video to try to get his swing under control.

Eric said that he was swinging too hard last year and getting under the ball. He's been working this year to stop getting under the ball so much and is finding himself getting on top of the ball instead and driving the ball into the ground. He talked about his frustration yesterday of popping up to start the game, then while working to correct it he instead drove the ball into the ground during his next three AB's.

Eric talked about his K ratio and ......

Bickley at that point interrupted Eric as if Dan's mind couldn't take anymore and started pressing Eric about what bars he was going to hit tonight in Chicago and how many beers he was going to slam down. Eric politely played along but said he was going to have a quiet weekend as they are playing all day games. Focused on baseball.

Bickley's partner MJ would have none of that as he again cut Eric off to talk about the blowup dolls incident with the White Sox. It's as if Eric has created this shaggin wagon persona that has become bigger than life. When he tries to be a serious thinking athlete, clowns like Bickley and MJ won't allow it to happen.
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"You wait for a strike, then you knock the sh*t out of it."
- Stan Musial, with his easy to understand definition of OPS

qudjy1 · Face of the Franchise Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 5797

Wow. I didnt hear that TAP. That is good that he recognizes the problems, and is working hard to figure it out. Maybe too hard.

Just go up there and swing hard EB. For all our bitching - we will take last years performance from him at this point.

I dont think anyone here thinks that EB is a bad guy. He just represents bad baseball decision making - and the FO involvement in baseball operations that we dont like.
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Arizona Diamondbacks - 2007 NL West Champions

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

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levski · Face of the Franchise Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 7160

matt · Hall of Famer Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 4687

I have a lot of respect for Byrnes, both as a player and a person. Yes, he's a clown and he adds showmanship when it is unnecessary but there is so much work that he does that people don't even see.

Maybe he's thinking too hard right now. Just take a series and don't think so much. See ball, hit ball.

Adam · Everyday Player Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 637

Bickley is an idiot
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"I didn't really say everything I said."

shoewizard · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

Thats pretty cool

He's not bullshitting either:

Graphs

Numbers

The GB rate is up and the popup rate is down......slightly. And his line drive rate is up a tick to 20% and his BABIP is only .248

So there is a good chance he will start getting better results sometime soon. He's obviously a better player than his current numbers add up to. Just how much better is up for debate of course.

EDIT:

It should also be pointed out he STILL has the 3rd highest IF/F rate in the NL. He still pops up alot, he's just not currently leading the majors by a whopping margin.

Link

A.M.M. 343 AB, .236, 8 HR 38 RBI Confused

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League avg for league minimum is excellent, league avg for 10 million?........not so much.

levski · Face of the Franchise Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 7160

xjwheelr · Everyday Player Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 633

shoewizard · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

Reposting from the series odds thread:

This is going to be a very interesting series.

D backs pen goes in with an extra day of rest. (Thank you Webby). That will help.

The Cubs and D backs are tied for Most R/G at 5.74

The D Backs allow 4.23 R/G, the Cubs 4.44

But the Cubs are KILLING it at home, averaging over 7 R/G with a team OPS over .900 leading to an 11-6 home record.

Meanwhile the D Back's have not hit much on the road, just a .725 OPS, but still managed to score 5 R/G and have a 9-5 record. Of course they have played a lot of road games in pitchers parks so far, and Wrigley ain't that.

Zambrano is pitching GREAT, and isn't walking many batters at all.
Dempster has a great ERA, but is walking a lot of guys, he will regress
Lilly got off to a horrible start, but in his last 3 starts, 19 IP, has allowed just 6 ER

Tough series.

We'll beat Dempster, and lose to Zambrano. Today is the rubber match.
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League avg for league minimum is excellent, league avg for 10 million?........not so much.

jillian1 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

Morning everyone!! Another great day to win today!

Oh Shoewizard,, my 5 year old daughter saw your avatar while I was reading posts,, and she asks me : mommy, can we put earrings on Sienna (her 2 year old little sister) like on that picture of the baby,,she would look good with earrings on her nose and mouth!!!" LOL Cracked me up,had to share with you. Smile

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

Adam · Everyday Player Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 637

Just wanted to get this on pg 2.

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"I didn't really say everything I said."

jeninboston · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Apparently Byrnes is leading off today:

1 Byrnes LF
2 Drew SS
3 Young CF
4 Jackson 1B
5 Upton RF
6 Reynolds 3B
7 Snyder C
8 Burke 2B
9 Haren P

1 Soriano LF
2 Theriot SS
3 Lee 1B
4 Ramirez 3B
5 Fukudome
6 Soto C
7 DeRosa 2B
8 Johnson CF
9 Lilly P

shoewizard · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Well you got to get him as many PA's as possible to keep his hit streak going. (currently at 3)
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League avg for league minimum is excellent, league avg for 10 million?........not so much.

jillian1 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:

Soooo bummed these games aren't in HD this weekend, boy, am I getting spoiled...LOL. My hubby had to talk me into getting this HD tv, and now, well,, I thank him when I see my guys playing in HD!

shoewizard · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

Boy...when you are slumping, you get a first pitch changeup for strike one.....sheesh
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League avg for league minimum is excellent, league avg for 10 million?........not so much.

TheDesertSurfer · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

jimbo4net · Number Retired Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 12341

Byrnes strikes out to start the game...

wildmex · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

jillian1 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

It looks WAY cold in Chicago,,so glad I don't live in the midwest anymore!

jillian1 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

darn, 2 outs

jimbo4net · Number Retired Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 12341

Drew with a grounder to 2B for the 2nd out...

TheDesertSurfer · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

jimbo4net · Number Retired Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 12341

Young with a BOMB!, 1-0 good guys... Very Happy