Comments on: “Shutdown centerfielder”? Really?

By: kingbuccaneer

kingbuccaneer — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:10:18 +0000

Hello Earth,

Have we met?

I’ve been watching BugJuice since he came up to the bigs and he REALLY is not that good.. He defines inconsistent. If I was paid a nickel every time I saw BJ not hustle down the line or for a hit in the gap, watch a pitch right down the middle for strike 3 (then argue about it), or get picked off, I would be a very rich man.

Then, he wants a raise EVERY year and turns down long term offers EVERY year… I’ll take a million Joyce’s, Jennings’, or Zobrist’s over BugJuice any day of the week.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:54:38 +0000

I cannot argue with your description of Jones, but Upton is better than you report.

By: Richard In Big D

Richard In Big D — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:49:26 +0000

Couldn’t possibly agree more, Craig. If we don’t stop this before it gets completely out of hand. Is a 1 for three game “par”, 2 fer a birdie, and 0 fer a bogey? Is a line drive up the middle a 7-10 split? Is a hard grounder into the corner “icing” or a balk “offsides”? This just isn’t right, and needs to stop NOW!!!

By: royalsfaninfargo

royalsfaninfargo — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:29:02 +0000

You speak the truth my friend.

By: FC

FC — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:19:37 +0000

Garry Maddox, from the great Harry Kalas himself: “Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water, the other one-third is covered by Garry Maddox.”

By: 5thbase

5thbase — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:02:21 +0000

All these comments about the terminology and nobody is mentioning that Upton isn’t that good anyway? If there is such a thing as a shutdown CF in baseball, that would be someone like Andrew Jones back in his prime when he would play massively up and steal singles and still get back on the deep balls. Upton is merely good.

By: hittfamily

hittfamily — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:52:58 +0000

If you cut in line at the Raiders post-game buffet, they call it a suicide squeeze.

By: nategearhart

nategearhart — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:52:40 +0000

Integration weakened Bo, actually. Weakened his hip into a million little pieces. He was supposed to be George Foster + Roberto Clemente.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:41:24 +0000

But…but…but…he’s terrible at rumor mongering, too…

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:39:33 +0000

To be fair, it sounds like he’s quoting someone else.

That said, Heyman should stick to rumors. He’s terrible when he attempts actual sportswriting.

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:38:00 +0000

I believe that would be the “A-gap” which actually brings up another question.

Who owns the word “gap” Craig? Football, Baseball, or Junior High Preps?

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:34:55 +0000

Hey! Lay off Wily Mo!

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:32:51 +0000

I never took you for someone against inter-sportal marriage. Segregation weakens, integration strengthens. Just ask Bo, cause as always Bo Knows.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:26:45 +0000

Craig, I say this with all possible respect.

Chill.

By: bennoj

bennoj — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:16:59 +0000

How about playing man-to-man defense in baseball instead of sticking with zone?

By: sdelmonte

sdelmonte — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:13:31 +0000

Football…isn’t that the game that everyone in Europe and South America loves?

By: JBerardi

JBerardi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:05:35 +0000

When did baseball start having platoons again?

By: JBerardi

JBerardi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:04:19 +0000

Watch more Rays games.

By: hittfamily

hittfamily — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:03:46 +0000

I believe they call the 3-4 the Papi shift

By: skerney

skerney — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:01:27 +0000

Especially when aubrey huff is batting.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:59:44 +0000

So Cashman “took it right up the A-hole” when Lee signed with Philly? AHHHH, I miss that big dumb Madden already…..

By: drmonkeyarmy

drmonkeyarmy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:49:06 +0000

That is the best one I have heard yet. Well done.

By: hittfamily

hittfamily — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:45:58 +0000

With the pics of ARod and Cameron Diaz posted here yesterday, I believe it’s safe to say he made a pass at the tight end.

By: purnellmeagrejr

purnellmeagrejr — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:43:42 +0000

sportswriters are a jealous backbiting lot.

By: adeedothatswho

adeedothatswho — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:42:58 +0000

Specialization isnt a rarety in baseball at all anymore. Platoons, dh, pitchers that dont hit, the entire bullpen, Wily Mo….

By: nolanwiffle

nolanwiffle — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:42:47 +0000

How then do you explain the dude squatting “offsides” in foul territory?

By: kopy

kopy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:42:03 +0000

I would love to see a baseball team lineup in a 3-4 if they had a strong flyball pitcher or a 5-2 for a great groundball pitcher.

By: kopy

kopy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:38:33 +0000

Can we say that the Giants need someone that will go to WAR for them?

By: dexterismyhero

dexterismyhero — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:38:28 +0000

Was Mike Schmidt a “Shut Down” corner?

By: tsi4431

tsi4431 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:37:49 +0000

The fact is every MLB team plays the 4-3 defense.