So why are we acting like Jim Kaat’s statement is in any way noteworthy? “Old guy thinks newfangled stuff is lousy.” That’s newsworthy? It just comes with the territory dealing with older people, and you hear it and automatically disregard it to get the other things they have to say that actually are useful.

Lets grant that much of sabermetrics revolves around a unique language, and hardly anyone understands all the terms. This does not mean the more you understand the better you understand baseball if, for instance, YOU COMPLETELY ABANDON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH.

When Jim Kaat says throw Sabermetrics in the trash can, does anyone not invested in “controversy” actually think he is suggesting that sabermetrics has no value? Is he now some mouth breathing baseball old guy now for throwing off what could well be regarded as an ironic commentary on just how shit doesn’t seem to follow the numbers? This is often referred to as hyperbole, and most people figure that out without even using a calculator.

That’s how people talk. Relax.

What are the isolated Run Expectancy matrixes for these two situations, taking out all bunt situations? Wouldn’t that be the better measurement to determine whether or not bunting is effective/not-effective and to gauge just how ineffective it may be?

To clarify, by “bunting”, I mean purposefully giving away outs

Exactly. However, some people seem to read that “bunting” in all opportunities is bad when it’s only when you’ve decided to give away an out. Also, situations like a tie game, bottom of the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, isn’t a bad time to bunt because only one run is needed to win the game.

Also, context is huge. If it’s a poor hitter up but bunting can get to a good hitter (and stay out of a GIDP)…

Just merely stating the stances from both sides have become as nauseating as the players inability to execute a fundamental of the game.

If you don’t behave you’ll have to wear a dunce cap while you sit in Kaat’s Korner.

Kitty and Joe Torre are really really old. You can all kindly get off their lawns, and stop trying to tell them about baseball. Next thing you know, you crazy kids will be telling them that chewing tobacco is dangerous and 3-martini lunches are a bad idea. No wonder this country is going in the crapper. Have another triple caramel whappa-frapp-chino with a side order of SHUT UP you whippersnappers.

Bunting is like gambling at a casino. Yeah, it might work out from time to time, but the more you do it the more money (runs) you are giving away. This isn’t actually an opinion, it is a fact.

Sabermetrics says to NOT bunt….almost ever, because giving up outs to advance runners one base reduces the likelihood of scoring multiple runs….about the only time it is advisable to bunt is when you have a runner on 2B, no outs, and you need only one run to win the game.

Well not necessarily. Sabermetrics say it’s okay to bunt if the defense isn’t expecting. Here’s a nice long article by MGL on fangraphs that describes when it’s good/bad to bunt so it’s not “NEVER” bunt.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/were-the-yankee-sac-bunts-in-the-8th-inning-correct/

The dismissiveness from anti sabes is reaching the already annoying condescending nature of the sabe community.

Is it a players fault a manager calls for a bunt in a goofy situation?

Nope.

Is it a players fault he can’t execute a fundamental element of the game regardless of when he’s directed to do so?

Absofuckinglutely.

Bottom line, players that can’t execute when called upon (situation nonwithstanding) amplify the arguments to silly proportions.

Ben Zobrist will never be associated with that statement.

I just finished watching the Boston University Terriers beat the Northeastern University Huskies for the Women’s Hockey East title….there was more aggressive hitting in that game than in this WBC game (and there is no checking in women’s college hockey).