Diamondbacks Bullpen

TAP · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:42 am Post subject: Mel Stottlemyre to Arizona?

Mel Stottlemyre, a Yankees pitcher from 1964-74 and their pitching coach from 1996 to 2005, is speaking with the Diamondbacks regarding "a potential fit," Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes e-mailed. Stottlemyre's son Mel Jr. is the Diamondbacks' pitching coordinator, and his son Todd lives in Phoenix, so the 65-year-old would seem to fit.

Dangerfield · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:08 am Post subject:

We need a daily link thread. wonder what role he'd like, or perform?

My favorite story of the day, Hudson shakes off the sign, about his fastball being off.

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/01/31/0201spthudson.html
_________________
My wife is always trying to get rid of me. The other day she told me to put the garbage out. I said to her I already did. She told me to go and keep an eye on it

diamondbacker · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

I like the idea of bringing Mel to AZ.
_________________
Free Scotty! Trade Byrnes!
Go D-backs
Go Dolphins
Go Penguins
Go Suns

levski · Veteran Presence Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1618

TAP · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

matt · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

Awesome news.

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Sweet! I like this a lot. I think it's a great time for Mel Stottlemyre to join the organization, what with the crop of young arms they're going to have to sort through and help grow.

With the likes of (off the top of my head)...

Scherzer (hopefully)
Buck
Torra
Eveland
McLane
Anderson
Castillo
Brown
Owings
The Gonzalezes
Etc. etc.

...on the way, pitching might go from a weakness to a strength for the club sooner than later.
_________________
Oops in the 2 hole!

diamondbacker · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

Sweeeeeeeeeet. If the give him a chance to help out Valverde, they'll be playing Mel's Bells every time Papá Grande walks out.
_________________
Free Scotty! Trade Byrnes!
Go D-backs
Go Dolphins
Go Penguins
Go Suns

McCray · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

wang learned his sinker at yankees camp, right? anyone know if mel taught him about it?
_________________
Hank, you're dead to me.

diamondbacker · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

I think Owings could blossom under Mel and become a STUD, and Nippert could start to pitch decently in the bigs.
_________________
Free Scotty! Trade Byrnes!
Go D-backs
Go Dolphins
Go Penguins
Go Suns

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

shoewizard · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

Not getting much of a positive review of this hiring over at BBTF

levski · Veteran Presence Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1618

Ryan · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:53 pm Post subject:

I remember Mel as the pitching coach of the Mets in the mid-late '80s when I was a young Mets fan living in New Jersey. I agree with Lev in that we're probably making a mountain out of a molehill over this announcement, but to say he hasn't fixed a player might be unfair. He was with the Mets when Dwight Gooden came up and dominated. Plus, as I recall, the NL strikeout leaders consisted of, essentially, the Mets starting rotation during that time (Doc, David Cone, El Sid, etc.).
_________________
Ryan
D-Backs die-hard fan in enemy territory

stu · Everyday Player Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 536

To be fair to the boys at Primer, it has been Yankee fans going back years who have trashed Mel. They have been consistent in their view. I liked the one comment that anything that pisses off Yankee fans is enough never to say an ill word about him. I agree 100%.

I don't think this is a big deal. I think it is more of a help an old boy out and give him something to do than anything else. I don't see him doing much harm, but not a lot of good either. Of course, if he adds one good pitch for one pitcher he will be worthwhile.

Projekt · AAA Stud Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 67

I think this hiring is good. Pitching coaches are a good thing to have, and last year some of our guys seemed to lack a certain focus. (Vargas was the biggest offender, but he is gone). He could help this problem...

McCray · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:50 pm Post subject:

we still have bryan pryce as pitching coach, right? and mel is just a roaving instructor or some such. so i can't see any bad in this deal at all. we used to have 1 pitching coach. now we have 2. more eyes to watch the kids' deliveries, their weaknesses, etc, and hopefully correct them.

do i think mel is going to become a savior and give us 5 CYA contenders? outlook not so good. but i just cannot see how this hurts us, and i can only imagine it helping.
_________________
Hank, you're dead to me.