Comments on: Holy schnikes! Jack Wilson made a heck of a play last night

By: cur68

cur68 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:49:03 +0000

“Optimum scrappiness?” That’s a hell of a nerdilicious thing to say there lions. Better polish up that pocket protector if that’s how you’re going to roll.
However, you do provide some traction for paradigm change (which never rests); Willie Mays fell down after that terrific 1954 World Series catch. So here we can now add “Optimum Scrappiness, to natural athlete, with excellent instincts, and rhythm” to Mr. May’s legend. Ayup. He was ballplayer, that Willie Mays.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:40:22 +0000

There may be some optimum level of scrappiness that can be incorporated into an athletic/talented player. For example, if Wilson had fallen at the end of the play and got dirt all over his uniform, that would make him “scrappier”, but still good.

By: cur68

cur68 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:47:57 +0000

paperlions: I agree but your evident logic leaves me no traction for paradigm change. Paradigm change never rests!

By: marinersnate

marinersnate — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:03:01 +0000

It was a great play by Jack. The feeling in Marinersland is that Wilson is just a place holder at 2B for Ackley who is due in the Bigs probably in June. The thought is that they are trying to show that he can play 2B and SS so they may be able to get something useful for him at the deadline. (Hope springs eternal). Ryan is probably the long term SS going forward.

Not sure if you will be at tonight’s game or not, but if you are watch the kid that is the starting pitcher for Seattle. Pineda looks like he has the stuff to become the real deal. When I saw him in AAA last year, the kid was lights out. He may get blown out as tonight is his first MLB start, but he reminds me a little bit of what Texas will have when Feliz is in their rotation.

Now, if Cruz will just quit going yard……….

By: paperlions

paperlions — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:52:58 +0000

A scrappy player doesn’t make that play. As far as I can tell “scrappy” describes a player that tries really hard, still fails or is below average, and is lauded for the effort while the failure is ignored. So, a scrappy player either doesn’t field that ball or he fields it but can’t make a throw…no matter what, a scrappy player winds up in the dirt on that play.

By: bringpudgebacktotx

bringpudgebacktotx — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:42:26 +0000

I was at this game last night, and it truly was a remarkable play. It was almost like Wilson tripped over second while trying to catch his balance enough to make the throw to first.

He’s a really great infielder.

By: JB (the original)

JB (the original) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:33:43 +0000

arrghhh, not to be confused with “Jeter-ish”… (damn lack of an edit button)

By: JB (the original)

JB (the original) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:32:54 +0000

Awesome play showing great awareness. I’m not sure whether it’s “scrappy” or “Jeter-like” though…..*

*”Jeter-like” meaning the way he makes it looks so smooth and natural/easy, not to be confused with “Jeter-like”, in which the ball would have to be hit half as hard, you’d have to convince him that “the play ‘could’ be made” before getting him to move towards the ball, and Jim Thome would have to be the baserunner.

By: roycethebaseballhack

roycethebaseballhack — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:08:27 +0000

It was freakin’ nuts. One of those plays that I was glad I got to see on TV, because The Rangers’ broadcast folks replayed it about a dozen times. They (Tom Grieve and John Rhadigan), were pretty impressed. It will very likely be on those, ’2011 Season Defensive High Lights’, shows they run during the Hot Stove months.

By: shawnuel

shawnuel — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:44:42 +0000

Wilson grew up playing a lot of soccer which certainly hasn’t hurt his footwork. That play was unbelievable but virtually no one calling the game recognized how great it was until a moment after it happened. All the calls were fairly uninspired, especially Ron Fairly’s (rim shot).

By: dodger88

dodger88 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:23:19 +0000

Sweet and legit without a stupid phantom tag of the bag either. Great effort.

By: cur68

cur68 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:18:44 +0000

Jack Wilson is a natural athlete, with excellent instincts, and rhythm. I wish he were scrappier.