I wrote this on Friday morning so it’s updated through Thursday’s games. I’m too lazy to update it to include Friday’s blowout loss.
This is something I’ll try to update once a month just so we can see where players are at compared to their projections. It’s something SG has done on RLYW a few times over the last couple years and I really like the idea so I’m going to borrow it. Mike Leake would steal it.
I’m using the projected wOBA and actual wOBA to calculate each players wRC. That’s based on the number of plate appearances of course. It’s the run value the player has contributed to his team.
| Name | PA | wOBA | wRC | Proj-wOBA | Proj wRC | Diff |
| Starlin Castro | 83 | .405 | 15.1 | .328 | 9.4 | 5.7 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 77 | .374 | 12.1 | .352 | 8.7 | 3.4 |
| Alfonso Soriano | 70 | .375 | 11.1 | .338 | 7.9 | 3.2 |
| KosukeFukudome | 41 | .408 | 7.6 | .342 | 4.6 | 3.0 |
| Jeff Baker | 31 | .381 | 5.1 | .321 | 3.5 | 1.6 |
| Reed Johnson | 16 | .427 | 3.2 | .302 | 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Darwin Barney | 61 | .323 | 7.2 | .293 | 6.9 | 0.3 |
| Geovany Soto | 65 | .307 | 6.8 | .363 | 7.4 | -0.6 |
| Blake DeWitt | 14 | .269 | 1.0 | .319 | 1.6 | -0.6 |
| Koyie Hill | 10 | .229 | .4 | .272 | 1.1 | -0.7 |
| Marlon Byrd | 77 | .274 | 6.1 | .335 | 8.7 | -2.6 |
| Carlos Pena | 60 | .261 | 4.1 | .362 | 6.8 | -2.7 |
| Tyler Colvin | 48 | .234 | 2.3 | .328 | 5.4 | -3.1 |
There are sample size issues here to consider before you start saying how much a player sucks. Marlon Byrd is not going ot post a .274 wOBA this season. Get real. Colvin and Pena won’t hit as poorly as they have either. On the other hand, Castro, Fukudome, Johnson and Baker won’t hit nearly as well as they have. Overall, the offense has produced 8 more runs than expected so far.
| Name | IP | RA | FIP | Proj-RA | Proj-FIP | Diff-RA | Diff-FIP |
| Randy Wells | 6 | 1.50 | 5.18 | 4.48 | 4.10 | 2.98 | -1.08 |
| Andrew Cashner | 5.1 | 1.76 | 5.26 | 4.73 | 4.5 | 2.96 | -0.76 |
| Sean Marshall | 9 | 1.00 | 1.35 | 3.85 | 3.51 | 2.85 | 2.16 |
| Jeff Stevens | 3.2 | 2.81 | 3.56 | 5.49 | 4.57 | 2.68 | 1.01 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 11 | 4.09 | 5.1 | 5.79 | 5.33 | 1.70 | 0.23 |
| Kerry Wood | 6.1 | 2.95 | 4.75 | 4.03 | 3.73 | 1.08 | -1.02 |
| Casey Coleman | 10.2 | 4.41 | 6.2 | 4.89 | 4.45 | 0.48 | -1.75 |
| Carlos Marmol | 9.2 | 2.93 | 2.29 | 3.25 | 3.07 | 0.32 | 0.78 |
| Carlos Zambrano | 25.2 | 4.29 | 3.91 | 4.18 | 3.89 | -0.10 | -0.02 |
| Matt Garza | 24.2 | 4.83 | 1.23 | 4.34 | 4.27 | -0.50 | 3.04 |
| Marcos Mateo | 7.1 | 6.34 | 1.51 | 5.46 | 4.86 | -0.88 | 3.35 |
| Ryan Dempster | 25 | 7.20 | 4.61 | 4.17 | 4 | -3.03 | -0.61 |
| James Russell | 9 | 9.00 | 6.57 | 5.46 | 4.92 | -3.54 | -1.65 |
| John Grabow | 6.2 | 10.16 | 8.11 | 4.71 | 4.53 | -5.45 | -3.58 |
Too small a sample to even talk about. Just wanted to post it so you could see it for yourself.
First game I’ve seen that has a decent crowd at Wrigely this year.
This Castro kid is all right.
Starlin Motherfucking Castro
[quote name=Suburban Kid]First game I’ve seen that has a decent crowd at Wrigely this year.[/quote]I’d say it’s the first game with great weather.
[quote name=Mish]This Castro kid is all right.[/quote]Nice li….
The anti-TOOTBLAN
Average speed on display.
More steals today that every other game combined…
Barn Dance Fever!!
Purple Revolution!
Darwin Barney is killin’ it today.
Barney’s inside-out swing: does he wait for an inside pitch every time so he can use it?
Also, another anti-TOOTBLAN
(dying laughing) at the double reverse tootblan
I thought this was the part of the game where you’re supposed to stop trying to score runs. It’s an unwritten rule.
This was obviously interference. Barney had nowhere to go.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing) at the double reverse tootblan[/quote]I don’t think Castro’s was a mistake. I think he knew he could beat Lilly to 2nd even if he threw to 1st. We saw runners do that against Lilly when he was a Cub. I think it’s one of those things where the runner is going regardless of what Lilly is doing because his pickoff move sucks.
Wasn’t starting pitching supposed to be a strength?
Darn. 5-3.
Dempster is getting mauled by the longball this year
Dempster blows now
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Barn Dance Fever!![/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Wasn’t starting pitching supposed to be a strength?[/quote]Depends on what you mean by strength I guess. It’s an above average rotation, but far from great. Assuming they stay relatively healthy, I’d expect the rotation to rank in the top 5 in the NL when the season ends.
We often talk about variance and the problem with pitching is that the variance is so large. It’s about 1 run per 9 innings for a pitcher who throws 200 innings. So a guy like Dempster could post a 4.8 FIP and that would be well within what we reasonably expected him to post. Now consider what that variance is for a reliever who throws 60 innings and why investing any money in the bullpen is silly.
Does Demp blow today or should a couple homers be expected with the wind howling out?
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Wasn’t starting pitching supposed to be a strength?[/quote]
I think we had significant depth in the rotation going into this year- not necessarily strength. When I hear SP strength i think Phillies and Giants.
I also think Brewers with Greinke, Gallardo and Marcum. Before the season I also thought of the Cardinals with Wainwright and Carpenter.
The Cubs were below all of them, but better than your average rotation. The problem is that if you’re only going to be above average on the mound, you have to be outstanding elsewhere. Their defense sucks, which makes it harder on their pitching staff. Their offense sucks, which makes it nearly impossible to post a winning record. Then factor in their awful baserunning and looking at this team right now you have to be somewhat impressed with their record. It’s going to get a lot worse.
Defense has been pretty good. Castro looks a lot more confident on the field, Barney has been real good and Ramirez remembered how to get infront of ground balls again.
Knock on wood, (Just not hard, hes fragile)
Cubs have the 4th worst team UZR and 6th worst team DRS: http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Here are the individual Cubs: http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Cubs&pos=all&stats=fld&qual=0&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Tiny sample size as far as individual players go so don’t look too much into them, but they’ve allowed about 10 more runs than an average defense would have this season (average between DRS and UZR).
[quote name=mb21]Cubs have the 4th worst team UZR and 6th worst team DRS: http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Here are the individual Cubs: http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Cubs&pos=all&stats=fld&qual=0&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Tiny sample size as far as individual players go so don’t look too much into them, but they’ve allowed about 10 more runs than an average defense would have this season (average between DRS and UZR).[/quote]
Fun-sucker.
(dying laughing) @ fun-sucker. That had to be a joke on Al’s part. Had to be.
Too bad the Cubs got nothing from Coleman yesterday. They could have pinch hit for Dempster here if they got even 5 or 6 innings from Coleman.
[quote name=melissa]Does Demp blow today or should a couple homers be expected with the wind howling out?[/quote]
well, it’s not really just today. He’s given up 5 runs in pretty much every start, although that’s just my memory, so it may not be true
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) @ fun-sucker. That had to be a joke on Al’s part. Had to be.[/quote]I don’t know, it’s hard to tell with some of the shit he has said.
Kerry Wood going to the rotation? I mean come on.
[quote name=mb21]Too bad the Cubs got nothing from Coleman yesterday. They could have pinch hit for Dempster here if they got even 5 or 6 innings from Coleman.[/quote]they could still do that, Marshall, wood and marmol havent pitched in a few days. one of them could go 2
[quote name=fight2win]they could still do that, Marshall, wood and marmol havent pitched in a few days. one of them could go 2[/quote]
Too late.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]well, it’s not really just today. He’s given up 5 runs in pretty much every start, although that’s just my memory, so it may not be true[/quote]
People seemed to be saying he sucked today after he gave up the homers. I don’t think that’s fair considering the wind. His previous struggles should not negate today’s wind factor.
Dempster calls the shots on this team.
Why aren’t the Cubs hitters getting any fly balls up into that jet stream? They’ve had plenty of balls knocked down in previous games.
[quote name=mb21]Cubs have the 4th worst team UZR and 6th worst team DRS: http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Here are the individual Cubs: http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Cubs&pos=all&stats=fld&qual=0&type=1&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011
Tiny sample size as far as individual players go so don’t look too much into them, but they’ve allowed about 10 more runs than an average defense would have this season (average between DRS and UZR).[/quote]Eh, I really think a lot of that is the fault of Garza having given up about 500000000000 line drives his first few games.
Fuck. Ryan. Dempster.
Soriano is as fucking stupid as Reed Johnson. Even more so.
Fuck Cubs fans. Dempster lets half the lineup homer, silence. Soriano dives and misses, and the boos come out.
[quote name=Doogolas]Eh, I really think a lot of that is the fault of Garza having given up about 500000000000 line drives his first few games.
Fuck. Ryan. Dempster.[/quote]line drives are taken into account in UZR though. It could just be a sample size issue that will even out, but we expected this to be a bad defensive team. The only way it’s a good defensive team is if they get a little lucky.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Fuck Cubs fans. Dempster lets half the lineup homer, silence. Soriano dives and misses, and the boos come out.[/quote]Home runs are going to happen on a day like this. Dumbass dives shouldn’t. I think it’s ridiculous he got booed, but that was as dumb as the dives Byrd has taken that we’ve all bitched about around here. It shouldn’t have been done. You have to e clueless about the game situation to take that risk and that’s what Soriano did. Terrible decision on his part.
The curse of the Cubs number 1 starter continues. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]line drives are taken into account in UZR though. It could just be a sample size issue that will even out, but we expected this to be a bad defensive team. The only way it’s a good defensive team is if they get a little lucky.[/quote]Sure, but all the guys that you’d expect to be bad individually have been good and all the ones you’d expect to be good have been the bad ones.
I mean, Castro, Ramirez have been good. Meanwhile Pena has been God awful apparently as has Barney, even though watching the game I doubt any Cub fan would say Pena has been anything but excellent, same with Barney.
[quote name=mb21]Home runs are going to happen on a day like this. Dumbass dives shouldn’t. I think it’s ridiculous he got booed, but that was as dumb as the dives Byrd has taken that we’ve all bitched about around here. It shouldn’t have been done. You have to e clueless about the game situation to take that risk and that’s what Soriano did. Terrible decision on his part.[/quote]If he doesn’t dive Cub fans would bitch about him though.
Soriano is fucked either way.
So apparently Quade hasnt picked up on Dempster- when he starts giving up long fly balls he’s close to the end.
Pissed me off so much that Quade:
A) Let Dempster hit with the bases loaded.
B) Didn’t give Dempster the take sign on the 3-2 pitch.
What an idiot.
[quote name=fight2win]So apparently Quade hasnt picked up on Dempster- when he starts giving up long fly balls he’s close to the end.[/quote]It’s because Dempster hasn’t told him yet.
We’re fucked.
I don’t see the Pena as a great fielder thing. He’s OK, but I haven’t seen anything special. He makes the plays that every other 1st baseman makes.
As for good and bad, you can’t look at the player numbers at this point on defense and claim one has been good or bad. You’re FAR FAR better off looking at each player’s career numbers than you are the individual season numbers. That’s true after a full season has been played. Ramirez didn’t get better on defense. He simply had easier balls to field or whatever. His defense sucks and any scout would say that. Same with Soriano.
The Cubs defense is bad and the team metrics bear that out. It’s not surprise and it will continue to be a bad defense.
I didn’t say it wasn’t bad. Nor did I say the metrics were necessarily wrong. I just don’t think the metrics are hitting the right guys. Pena has made outstanding plays all year. Even if EVERYTHING else about him were awful, his range has been outstanding. He’s gotten to some balls that I’ve never seen a 1B get in my life.
Also, I should add that I know uZR is worthless this early. I was just pointing out that the individual numbers that are there look completely insane. Which really isn’t that surprising or anything.
[quote name=Doogolas]He’s gotten to some balls that I’ve never seen a 1B get in my life.[/quote]
(dying laughing). Are you Bill Walton?
Is Soto below average on defense?
I wish Quade would get fired.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Is Soto below average on defense?[/quote]He’s pretty much average.
Shark —-> 1 pitch 1 out —> on pace to throw 6 more pitches the rest of the game.
The only players that seem “below average” would be Soriano and Ramirez. Everyone else at least fits the eye test for “Average”. I would even venture to say that Pena, Barney and Fukudome excel in defending their positions on the diamond. If Castro continues to make positive strides we may actually have a solid defensive club.
As a manager, Quade is a good third base coach.
I love castro
I hate this team
Why is samardzija trying to get me to like him? This is a pretty big cock tease bubbles thinks
Holy shit Castro
Starlin Motherfucking Castro is still good at sports!
Castro is really good at baseball
Castro and Barwin Darney are kickin ass!
Castro and Barney have been unbelievable in the top 2 spots.
As for defense, this is how the fans see the Cubs defenders: http://www.tangotiger.net/scout/index4.php?teamid=112&team=Chicago%20Cubs
[quote name=mb21]Castro and Barney have been unbelievable in the top 2 spots.[/quote]
Barney should be well above average on defense at 2B; if he can get even relatively close to league average with the bat, he’d be quite valuable in his first 3 years.
Clearly, it is a stone cold fact that last year’s team would have collapsed under similar circumstances. Anyone else who thinks differently is a fun-sucker who doesn’t like to allow other people to have opinions.
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Barney should be well above average on defense at 2B; if he can get even relatively close to league average with the bat, he’d be quite valuable in his first 3 years.[/quote]
So the Cubs will lock him up long term (dying laughing)
Agreed, Nate. He looked to have some issues early on his season, but has been excellent since. Barney’s wOBA is about league average (higher after today). If he can take a few more walks and maybe hit a more doubles knowing the average won’t always be that high, he’ll be a damn good player for the Cubs.
[quote name=Aisle424]Clearly, it is a stone cold fact that last year’s team would have collapsed under similar circumstances. Anyone else who thinks differently is a fun-sucker who doesn’t like to allow other people to have opinions.[/quote]Imagine how much the Cubs would lead by if Quade didn’t want to run up the score when they were leading 2-1. They’d be leading by 30.
I like barney… Seeing as he can pkay a good ss from all reports he might be a valuable trade chip. Something to think about
That’s a lot of heart on display.
Alexander ovechkin is good @ hockey
What are the unwritten rules in the 9th inning of a 2-run lead? Closer can’t strike anybody out?
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I like barney… Seeing as he can pkay a good ss from all reports he might be a valuable trade chip. Something to think about[/quote]I don’t want to trade a league minimum player who has value.
[quote name=mb21]What are the unwritten rules in the 9th inning of a 2-run lead? Closer can’t strike anybody out?[/quote]
Closer can’t throw breaking balls. Fastballs only.
[quote name=mb21]What are the unwritten rules in the 9th inning of a 2-run lead? Closer can’t strike anybody out?[/quote]Of course he can. But since the Dodgers scored 12 runs yesterday, they’re not allowed to score any more during this series.
Surprised pena didn’t pinch hit there but what the fuck do I know?
Also: I’m in the seventh circle of hell (rural southern Michigan), so I can’t see the game. How did Quade not try to go for more runs?
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Of course he can. But since the Dodgers scored 12 runs yesterday, they’re not allowed to score any more during this series.[/quote]Unless they pay some of Silva’s $11.5M contract
Barney playing some defense.
[quote name=Aisle424]Barney playing some defense.[/quote]
Gamer.
Quade must have told Pena back in February that he would only come in to play the 9th on April 23.
[quote name=mb21]I don’t want to trade a league minimum player who has value.[/quote]
I dont necesarrily either but he might have more value to someone else than he does to us
Yikes.
Roller coaster ride to 500 continues. Good win
Leys go caps and bulls
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I dont necesarrily either but he might have more value to someone else than he does to us[/quote]Like the Royals? The Cubs aren’t going to be contending. They’ve been trying to shed payroll for a few years. Seems to me the Cubs might be the single team who needs a player like Barney the most. As long as Barney is cheap and valuable, I see no reason to trade him and pay someone else to do what Barney can.
[quote name=Steve Swisher]Also: I’m in the seventh circle of hell (rural southern Michigan), so I can’t see the game. How did Quade not try to go for more runs?[/quote]It was an unwritten rule not and we know Quade gets pissed when people break unwritten rules.
Apparently the Cubs will neither win nor lose consecutive games this season.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]Apparently the Cubs will neither win nor lose consecutive games this season.[/quote]False. They already won 2 in a row. They were 1-2 and then 3-2, right? Once is enough though. Unwritten rule against winning 2 in a row.
[quote name=mb21]False. They already won 2 in a row. They were 1-2 and then 3-2, right? Once is enough though. Unwritten rule against winning 2 in a row.[/quote]
How dare all those teams with better records break such a sacred unwritten rule.
I would never have guessed that there were zero Cubs HRs on a day where the Cubs scored 10 runs, Ted Lilly was pitching, and the wind was blowing out.
Bulls are infuriating
[quote name=Berselius]I would never have guessed that there were zero Cubs HRs on a day where the Cubs scored 10 runs, Ted Lilly was pitching, and the wind was blowing out.[/quote]
You can’t hit homers against a former teammate. Professional courtesy/unwritten rule.
Dempster gave up enough homers for both teams anyway.
[quote name=Suburban Kid]As a manager, Quade is a good third base coach.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
Aren’t unwritten rules kind of negated when the guy trying to steal gets thrown out?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14074475
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Bulls are infuriating[/quote]Yes ma’am.
[quote name=mb21]Like the Royals? The Cubs aren’t going to be contending. They’ve been trying to shed payroll for a few years. Seems to me the Cubs might be the single team who needs a player like Barney the most. As long as Barney is cheap and valuable, I see no reason to trade him and pay someone else to do what Barney can.[/quote]
I agree with your premise im just saying if someone sees him as a ss and wants to pay the price for a cost controlled ss wd should be willing to listen. I like him a lot and him and castro have a great thing going together but he is tradeable for the right price.
[quote name=mb21]False. They already won 2 in a row. They were 1-2 and then 3-2, right? Once is enough though. Unwritten rule against winning 2 in a row.[/quote]
False. Cubs were 1-1, , 2-2, 3-3, all the way to 10-10. An MLB first
[quote name=Suburban Kid]As a manager, Quade is a good AAA third base coach.[/quote]fixed
[quote name=melissa]False. Cubs were 1-1, , 2-2, 3-3, all the way to 10-10. An MLB first[/quote]This team is special.
[quote name=mb21]This team is special.[/quote]
Special Olympics special.
That was a pretty fun game today. Last year’s Cubs would have not shown up for their at-bats after the seventh inning. They would have forfeited and went out partying.
[quote name=AndCounting]That was a pretty fun game today. Last year’s Cubs would have not shown up for their at-bats after the seventh inning. They would have forfeited and went out partying.[/quote]
They would be too busy holing up in their race-delineated fortresses in the locker room to go party.
What the fuck is wrong with Dempster? I didn’t see any of the game and only heard the end. Was this a wind-blowing out thing?
[quote name=Aisle424]What the fuck is wrong with Dempster? I didn’t see any of the game and only heard the end. Was this a wind-blowing out thing?[/quote]
It seems like he’s going to 3-2 on every batter he’s faced. The Barajas HR today was wind aided but the other two were no doubters
mb21, I know you and someone were recently talking about the value of a strikeout compared to other outs. So you may want to check out this article:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/pimp-my-woba/
It looks at the various lwts for the different outs in the wOBA calculation, and gives you a modified version. Ultimately, the value of the different types of outs tends to have at most a 3 point effect on wOBA, so it’s not a huge deal.
Dempster was the number 1 starter this year and those guys suck at the beginning of the year for the Cubs. If Dempster was Hispanic he’d be getting a bullpen test, but by the end of the season he’ll do what we expect him to do. Next season I think the Cubs should just have their worst starter start on Opening Day.
[quote name=Aisle424]What the fuck is wrong with Dempster? [/quote]
Be nice. We’re talking about a human being here.
I wish I was good at photoshop.
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing), SK.
hilarious, good luck with your blog
[quote name=melissa]Be nice. We’re talking about a human being here.[/quote]
Sorry for being a fun-sucker.
[quote name=Aisle424]Sorry for being a fun-sucker.[/quote]You know the punishment.
If Ryno worked weekends, he’d be saying Al has got to be a bit.
So, uh, what happened here?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14087409
[quote name=Aisle424]Clearly, it is a stone cold fact that last year’s team would have collapsed under similar circumstances. Anyone else who thinks differently is a fun-sucker who doesn’t like to allow other people to have opinions.[/quote]
[quote name=Al Yellon] It’s absolutely clear to me that this team is different from last year’s. Last year’s team would have folded up its tent after going behind 8-5; this year’s club seems to know how to come back, having done so on several occasions already even in games they haven’t managed to come all the way back and win.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Aisle424]Sorry for being a fun-sucker.[/quote]
I’ve come to expect it from your ilk.
More for your Starlin Castro is good at sports file:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14087403
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing)[/quote]Clearly, it’s absolutely clear, Al is a creation of Aisle 424.
(dying laughing), well played Tim
Jay Jackson is pitching for Iowa on Tuesday. He might as well make that start for the Cubs instead of Russell
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]Jay Jackson is pitching for Iowa on Tuesday. He might as well make that start for the Cubs instead of Russell[/quote]
I like this idea.
Ryan Franklin sucks at baseball.
Sorry, but I never saw these before.
Is that Castillo and Mateo with Darlin’ Starlin?
Castro, but who are the other two? Marcos Mateo? Marquez Smith?
A lot has been said about Castro’s swings, but holy shit, Darwin Barney makes a shitload of contact and rarely swings and misses. Prior to today, his swing percentage is just under 40% and league average is close to 46. His zone contact % is 98.5% and his swinging strike percentage is only 2.7%.
New stuff: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/measuring-heart-a-scale-of-1-to-santo.html
Yeah, I think the reason people are amazed with Castro’s is that he seems to swing so hard and hits everything so hard. Theriot was a fantastic contact hitter too, but like Barney more of a singles guy (though Barney has shown a slightly bigger propensity for finding gaps than Theriot to this point) but all the same. A guy like Castro who swings so hard and hits it so hard just doesn’t seem like he should make the really, really great contact that he does.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), well played Tim[/quote]
(dying laughing) I had not seen the quote from Al when I wrote that.
So was that Castro play early in the game ruled an infield fly? I was at the game and super confused.