Comments on: Darren Oliver leaning toward playing next season at age 41

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:38:33 +0000

Unfortunately, it’s the enthusiasm that can be cured without surgery or sadistic looking restraints….

By: theolgoaler

theolgoaler — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:24:35 +0000

Gator — I’ve got enthusiasm and scoliosis; had ‘em both since I was a teenager. Unlike Oliver, however, I can’t get anybody out (never could…) The enthusiasm has served me well; the scoliosis, not so much…

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:12:23 +0000

No doubt, he can still muster the enthusiasm if he’s paid enough.

By: cur68

cur68 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:55:46 +0000

Bad hip.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:40:47 +0000

Oliver is probably leaning because he's 41. Is that enthusiasm or scoliosis?

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:32:30 +0000

Fortunately for Oliver, there’s always a good demand for left-handed relief pitchers. Agree that he shouldn’t be used in, or paid for, what these days are called “high-leverage” situations.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Those numbers look better than they probably are, as Texas plays about a third of their games against weak offenses in the AL West, including Seattle and Oakland, who can be described as pathetic and historically bad, and Anaheim, who aren’t good. The same effect that has CJ Wilson looking better than he is applies to Oliver. Watching him (Oliver) in the offseason, I did not see an out pitch, no real velocity, nothing to indicate he was more than a soft tossing lefty in a relief role. Texas needs at least one “out” guy from the left side in the pen. If he slots in as the second lefty, fine, provided he’s paid as such.