Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important although
that is the best
way judging whether a player has above-average speed.

Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did no
want to see Blue Jays speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain inning, get
on first because it would add more
pressure on Baltimore pitcher and the infielders. Certainly the outfielders
also.

Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was cut down
at the plate by Markasis, throw from right field. If the runner had been
Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily. Then I asked myself
what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like Stairs, batting .245 and who
cannot run.

Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases and
and is hitting .275 to DH?

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Wayne%20Lydon&pos=&sid=t552&t=p_pbp&pid=430671
--
The Jays would then have three very fast players like the LA Angels and
Boston Red Sox. It would be a positive step.
Speed really does pay dividends in MLB.

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:tIlik.273546$Tj3.30431@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
> Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
> And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important
> although that is the best
> way judging whether a player has above-average speed.
>
> Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
> Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did no
> want to see Blue Jays speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain inning,
> get on first because it would add more
> pressure on Baltimore pitcher and the infielders. Certainly the
> outfielders also.
>
> Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was cut
> down at the plate by Markasis, throw from right field. If the runner had
> been Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily. Then I asked
> myself what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like Stairs, batting .245
> and who cannot run.
>
> Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases and
> and is hitting .275 to DH?
>


1) Stolen bases, while they can be a tool at times, do not win ballgames.
2) More importantly, .275 in AAA ball hardly equates to superstar.

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:qKWdnUR8-og1DxfVnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:tIlik.273546$Tj3.30431@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>> Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
>> And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important
>> although that is the best way of judging whether a player has
>> above-average speed.
>>
>> Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
>> Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did
>> not want to see Blue Jays' speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain
>> inning, get on first because it would add more pressure on the Baltimore
>> pitcher and
infielders. Certainly the outfielders also.
>>
>> Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was cut
>> down at the plate by a Markasis' throw from right field. If the runner
>> had been Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily. Then I
>> asked myself what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like Stairs,
>> batting .245 and who cannot run.
>>
>> Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases
>> and and is hitting .275 to DH?
>>
>
>
> 1) Stolen bases, while they can be a tool at times, do not win ballgames.
They win some ball games. And as was said, it is not justs stolen bases but
also
scoring from second, and putting pressure on the pitcher with the threat to
steal. It also
can reduce the number of double plays. Toronto now leads the league in that
dubious
category.

Speed also increases the range of position players player defense, as was
stated.


> 2) More importantly, .275 in AAA ball hardly equates to superstar.

How many superstars, other than Doc Halladay, do the Jays now have?
>
It was not stated nor implied that Lydon was anywhere near being a
superstar. But a .275 batting average with 39 stolen bases is relatively
impressive in any league.
>

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:iHEik.349117$ng7.59672@en-nntp-05.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:qKWdnUR8-og1DxfVnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:tIlik.273546$Tj3.30431@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>> Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
>>> And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important
>>> although that is the best way of judging whether a player has
>>> above-average speed.
>>>
>>> Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
>>> Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did
>>> not want to see Blue Jays' speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain
>>> inning, get on first because it would add more pressure on the Baltimore
>>> pitcher and
> infielders. Certainly the outfielders also.
>>>
>>> Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was cut
>>> down at the plate by a Markasis' throw from right field. If the runner
>>> had been Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily. Then I
>>> asked myself what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like Stairs,
>>> batting .245 and who cannot run.
>>>
>>> Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases
>>> and and is hitting .275 to DH?
>>>
>>
>>
>> 1) Stolen bases, while they can be a tool at times, do not win ballgames.
> They win some ball games. And as was said, it is not justs stolen bases
> but also
> scoring from second,



ther vast majority of MLB players will, in most cases, score from second on
a hit. That's why it's called "scoring position."






and putting pressure on the pitcher with the threat to
> steal.



Stolen bases don't win ballgames.


It also
> can reduce the number of double plays.



minimally.





Toronto now leads the league in that
> dubious
> category.
>
> Speed also increases the range of position players player defense, as was
> stated.
>
>
>> 2) More importantly, .275 in AAA ball hardly equates to superstar.
>
> How many superstars, other than Doc Halladay, do the Jays now have?


none




>>
> It was not stated nor implied that Lydon was anywhere near being a
> superstar. But a .275 batting average with 39 stolen bases is relatively
> impressive in any league.
>>





..275 in AAA? I'm not impressed.





>

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:FI2dndEzzqeszhDVnZ2dnUVZ_r_inZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:iHEik.349117$ng7.59672@en-nntp-05.dc1.easynews.com...
>>
>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:qKWdnUR8-og1DxfVnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>> news:tIlik.273546$Tj3.30431@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>> Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
>>>> And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important
>>>> although that is the best way of judging whether a player has
>>>> above-average speed.
>>>>
>>>> Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
>>>> Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did
>>>> not want to see Blue Jays' speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain
>>>> inning, get on first because it would add more pressure on the
>>>> Baltimore pitcher and
>> infielders. Certainly the outfielders also.
>>>>
>>>> Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was cut
>>>> down at the plate by a Markasis' throw from right field. If the runner
>>>> had been Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily. Then I
>>>> asked myself what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like Stairs,
>>>> batting .245 and who cannot run.
>>>>
>>>> Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases
>>>> and and is hitting .275 to DH?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 1) Stolen bases, while they can be a tool at times, do not win
>>> ballgames.
>> They win some ball games. And as was said, it is not just stolen bases
>> but also
>> scoring from second,
>
>
>
> ther vast majority of MLB players will, in most cases, score from second
> on a hit. That's why it's called "scoring position."
>
But often a below- average runner is thrown out. Not just from second but in
trying to score from first on a double.
Note that the Jays' fastest runner Rios, also leads the team in scoring by a
wide margin. For example, Overbay has a higher on-base percentage than Rios
but he has scored 12 fewer runs because of his lack of speed.
>
>
>
> and putting pressure on the pitcher with the threat to
>> steal.
>
>
>
> Stolen bases don't win ballgames. Yes, they do. And when faster runners
> are at bat and on base they put extra pressure on the opposing team.
>
> It also
>> can reduce the number of double plays.
>
>
>
> minimally.
>
>
>
>
>
> Toronto now leads the league in that
>> dubious
>> category.
>>
>> Speed also increases the range of position players player defense, as was
>> stated.
>>
>>
>>> 2) More importantly, .275 in AAA ball hardly equates to superstar.
>>
>> How many superstars, other than Doc Halladay, do the Jays now have?
>
>
> none
>
>
>
>
>>>
>> It was not stated nor implied that Lydon was anywhere near being a
>> superstar. But a .275 batting average with 39 stolen bases is relatively
>> impressive in any league.
>>>
>
>
>
>
>
> .275 in AAA? I'm not impressed.
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>
>

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:4oXpk.28800$6p1.10458@en-nntp-07.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:FI2dndEzzqeszhDVnZ2dnUVZ_r_inZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:iHEik.349117$ng7.59672@en-nntp-05.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>
>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:qKWdnUR8-og1DxfVnZ2dnUVZ_gednZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:tIlik.273546$Tj3.30431@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>> Speed is very valuable defensively as it increases a player's range.
>>>>> And offensively it is not just in base running that it is important
>>>>> although that is the best way of judging whether a player has
>>>>> above-average speed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yesterday I watched on MLB Extra Innings T.V. telecast of the Toronto
>>>>> Baltimore game. The two Baltimore broadcasters mentioned that they did
>>>>> not want to see Blue Jays' speedster Alex Rios, leading off a certain
>>>>> inning, get on first because it would add more pressure on the
>>>>> Baltimore pitcher and
>>> infielders. Certainly the outfielders also.
>>>>>
>>>>> Then later Blue Jays' DH Matt Stairs chugging from second base was
>>>>> cut down at the plate by a Markasis' throw from right field. If the
>>>>> runner had been Rios or Englett he would have beaten the throw easily.
>>>>> Then I asked myself what the hell good is it in keeping a DH like
>>>>> Stairs, batting .245 and who cannot run.
>>>>>
>>>>> Why not bring up from AAA Syracuse Wayne Lydon who has 39 stolen bases
>>>>> and and is hitting .275 to DH?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 1) Stolen bases, while they can be a tool at times, do not win
>>>> ballgames.
>>> They win some ball games. And as was said, it is not just stolen bases
>>> but also
>>> scoring from second,
>>
>>
>>
>> ther vast majority of MLB players will, in most cases, score from second
>> on a hit. That's why it's called "scoring position."
>>
> But often a below- average runner is thrown out. Not just from second but
> in trying to score from first on a double.
> Note that the Jays' fastest runner Rios, also leads the team in scoring by
> a wide margin.




And?? That's surely no surprise, that the speediest guy on any team might
lead in runs scored/ SERIOUSLY look at the AL team numbers (just go to
MLB.com, mouse over "stats," then choose "sortable team stats" from the drop
down menu. You will clearly see that (as I pointed out in another post) 75%
of the teams with fewer stolen bases than the Jays (i.e. even less speed)
have scored more runs than the Jays. Then sort by HRs. Who's dead last in
the league?!?!? Trust me on this, and increase in the power numbers is going
to win *****FAR***** more ballgames than any increase in stolen bases.








For example, Overbay has a higher on-base percentage than Rios
> but he has scored 12 fewer runs because of his lack of speed.
>>
>>
>>
>> and putting pressure on the pitcher with the threat to
>>> steal.
>>
>>
>>
>> Stolen bases don't win ballgames. Yes, they do. And when faster runners
>> are at bat and on base they put extra pressure on the opposing team.
>>
>> It also
>>> can reduce the number of double plays.
>>
>>
>>
>> minimally.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Toronto now leads the league in that
>>> dubious
>>> category.
>>>
>>> Speed also increases the range of position players player defense, as
>>> was stated.
>>>
>>>
>>>> 2) More importantly, .275 in AAA ball hardly equates to superstar.
>>>
>>> How many superstars, other than Doc Halladay, do the Jays now have?
>>
>>
>> none
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>
>>> It was not stated nor implied that Lydon was anywhere near being a
>>> superstar. But a .275 batting average with 39 stolen bases is
>>> relatively impressive in any league.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .275 in AAA? I'm not impressed.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>
>>
>