Comments on: Fernando Rodney is one scoreless inning from tying Dennis Eckersley’s ERA record

By: nascarlightningrays

nascarlightningrays — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 22:25:01 +0000

Have you heard of R.A. Dickey by chance? Seriously, that’s a B.S. thing to assert. He’s shown this kind of stuff in the past. What would you expect to happen when he joins the best pitching staff in baseball, with one of the best pitching coaches in Jim Hickey?

By: jashton11

jashton11 — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:42:47 +0000

This is from earlier in the season, but it gets into why Rodney has been so much better this year.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/fernando-rodney-is-ricky-vaughn/

And in case you’re wondering, here’s his average fastball velocity for the last six seasons:

2007: 93.8 mph
2008: 95.4 mph
2009: 95.9 mph
2010: 95.6 mph
2011: 95.5 mph
2012: 96.2 mph

By: madhatternalice

madhatternalice — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:36:44 +0000

He’s always had the raw stuff. He’s also been very hurt for a lot of his career. Maybe a pitching coach in Tampa gave him an adjustment? Maybe he’s more comfortable pitching in the southeast?

Maybe you should not jump to conclusions about a player’s abilities? Unless you have proof that he’s been juicing, or that he hasn’t been tested this season.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

By: jhorton83

jhorton83 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:38:32 +0000

It is a bit suspicious, but unless he tests positive, we just have to take it for what it is. One of the all-time great seasons by a closer.

By: mazblast

mazblast — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:31:09 +0000

For the last several years before this one, I took chances on Rodney, thinking he was THIS close to having that great season I thought was in him. I didn’t even bother this year. The joke, as usual, was on me.

I was right on Jim Johnson, but otherwise I’ve never had as bad a year at picking potential closers as this one.

By: gerryb323

gerryb323 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:35:54 +0000

You know, the Eck was 35 in the same season….and a member of the Canseco/McGwire A’s….of which Canseco said a member who is also in the Hall juiced….

By: mdpickles

mdpickles — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:15:51 +0000

Yup, I’m thinking the same thing. Is he a member of Eric Gagne’s 80%?

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:45:10 +0000

A guy who has been so distinctly average-crappy his entire career, suddenly rips off one of the most dominant seasons by a relief pitcher in baseball history…at age 35….
Hmmm interesting….

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:41:32 +0000

Trying to get talent for Anthony Bass is not an indictable offence (but it probably should be). Next season I shall stick with relief pitchers with great facial hair.

ps: Good luck against J5: I’m ~~rooting~~ barracking for you.

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:33:01 +0000

The centerpiece of most of your trade requests involved Anthony Bass…. Yes. Anthony. Bass. I figured you thought he was your most valuable Relief pitcher?!

By: willclarkgameface

willclarkgameface — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:58:21 +0000

Camaro haircut artists around the Tampa area await your arrival Mr. Rodney.

By: stlouis1baseball

stlouis1baseball — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:48:18 +0000

I would guess that same thing 42. And if I were making the call for the Rays…I would do the same thing.

By: number42is1

number42is1 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:45:10 +0000

so im guessing that even if the remaining games are blowouts, on either side, they will allow him two more innings just to break that record.

By: jashton11

jashton11 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:40:05 +0000

In a word: No. In two words: Hell no!

By: atworkident

atworkident — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:22:01 +0000

I’d still rather have Jim Johnson.

Any chance the Rays would trade Rodney back to the Tigers for Papa Grande?

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:21:09 +0000

Rodney’s been Fantasy League Magic, I know that. One thing he can’t match, though: Eck’s Mustache. Also, Eck can put HIS cap on straight. There. Even if Rodney can equal or better Eck pitching-wise, he still has some work to do in other baseball areas.