Comments on: How do the best-shape-of-their-life guys end up performing?

By: Jack Marshall

Jack Marshall — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:13:34 +0000

It’s meaningless—except when it isn’t. All winter in 1967, Red Sox writers were buzzing in Boston about how single/double hitting Carl Yastrzemski had been working out like a demon, was seeking more power, and was “in the best shape of his life.” He won the Triple Crown, of course, and took the underdog Sox to the World Series. He WAS in the best shape of his life.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:13:17 +0000

It’s not like bamboo, is it? ‘Cause if so, I would think twice about Panda Claus—he might get hungry and try to…oh, you know…

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:13:22 +0000

Oh, Absolutely, the more people that can hang on your deck the better off you are I say… Ask your wife about the size of a man’s deck, if she’s honest she’ll come right out and say it. I bet I could have every HBT commenter hang on it at the same time and it would be just fine.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:42:03 +0000

Ah…so the size of your deck is totally reactionary? I see…

(I was going to use purely instead of totally, but all purity has been sullied in these comments…)

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:38:31 +0000

Ut, You know it does…I mean that’s why my deck is sooo big.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:25:33 +0000

Jonny, I refuse to read anything titled “Does Size Matter.” I’m afraid of the answer it may give….

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:00:53 +0000

Depending on how many decades you’ve been alive, it could be the best shape of your life.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:59:46 +0000

Fernando…El Sid…

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:59:37 +0000

Or just look at the link I provided. Fat dudes can play ball. Apparently.

By: BC

BC — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:37:06 +0000

Tell that to CC Sabathia. Or David Wells for that matter – the guy pitched forever and was so fat he had to have flashing yellow lights on him when walking down the street.

By: sportsdrenched

sportsdrenched — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:05:19 +0000

And let’s not confuse “Best shape of their life” with. The best shape they could be in. If they lost 70 lbs, but still have 40 lbs to lose. They are in better shape, but they are not the “best” shape they could be in.

If you’re making millions of dollars with your athletic talents. Have access to world class excersise equipment, trainers, doctors, and nutritionists…Then there is no excuse not to be in the best shape you could possibly be in.

By: evanhartford

evanhartford — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:59:18 +0000

Being in the “best shape of your life” is description used when their is some kind of doubt cast upon a player. You usually hear a player use that description when they’re coming out of a serious injury and they want to assure fans (and potential GM suitors) that they’re even BETTER than before.

I don’t really pay attention to that description. Its almost as cliche as descriping an undersized player as “scrappy” or a semi-successful team as “full of swagger”.

The bottom line is, if you’re a professional athlete and you’re NOT in the best shape of your life, you’re probably not going to be a professional athlete much longer…

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:58:45 +0000

Here is the most in depth study I have seen to date in regards to size and weight. In a nutshell fat dudes hit. And fat dudes pitch. Very interesting actually.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/does-size-matter-part-6/

By: Lukehart80

Lukehart80 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:53:38 +0000

It would be fun to see a database not only of which players had this kind of thing said about them each spring and how they preformed, but also which sources were responsible for the claims. Maybe it’s basically a wash, but when Peter Gammons says something about a guy’s fitness level,…

Baseball-Reference, get on it!

By: markfrednubble

markfrednubble — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:15:15 +0000

Hey, I still like it because it forces some accountability on the player who puts it out there. Removes an excuse.

I, on the other hand, am not in the best shape of my life and haven’t been for decades.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:58:12 +0000

Guess that Babe Ruth has be vindicated at long last. Giving up demon rum makes a “bump”. Not worth it.