Comments on: I Am Not A Frank McCourt Fan

By: Harold

Harold — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:59:55 +0000

Every young fireball pitcher doesn’t become a Koufax or a Clemens. But, everyone is given that opportunity to try it seems.

Why not give Charlie Haegar a shot? His predecessors with the knuckler include Wilbur Wood (164 W, 3.24 ERA), Charlie Hough (216 W, 3.75 ERA), Hoyt Wilhelm (143 W, 2.52 ERA), Tim Wakefield 189 W, 4.33 ERA), Phil Neikro (318 W, 3.35 ERA), Joe Neikro (221 W, 3.59 ERA), Tom Candiotti (151 W, 3.73 ERA). Wakefield is the only one with an unseemly ERA and he sticks around forever.

That is not to say Charlie Haegar will match those guys but he should be given the opportunity this year. He is out of options. His endorsement by Charlie Hough is a pretty good one. The knuckler provides a change of pace, virtually no arm injuries, stability on a staff for a number of years. As for holding runners on, it seems to me that is already one of our problems with our staff and would not be compounded by Haegar.

GO CHARLIE!!

GO DODGERS!!

By: Rory

Rory — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:18:21 +0000

I am not as worried about holding runners as much as I am impressed with an ERA under 4. Keep the other team from scoring and you give yourself opportunity to win. If Haeger can pitch an entire year the way he pitched in August and September of last year we would be stupid not to give him a shot at it. Why not? It’s not like we have a stronger candidate right now. Who else on this team did what Haeger did? And he did it in a pennant drive. If he gets bombed in Spring Training, then ok, his success last year was an aberration. But to not at least give him a fair chance is just silly.

By: Bill Russell

Bill Russell — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:56:33 +0000

The problem I see with Knuckleballers is that they can’t hold base runners very well and make it very difficult for catchers handling the pitch and setting up to make the throw to second or third. Not to mention the fact that it takes longer for a knuckleball to arrive home then say a fastball. That automatically makes it a problem when someone is walked or gets a single off the knuckleball pitcher. Maybe this is why Joe will try any other option first before awarding Charlie a rotation spot. Boone just showed what happens when the knuckleball doesn’t knuckle.

I enjoy watching a good knuckleball pitcher pitch but I’d personally rather watch them on the other team. That’s just my take and I bet it’s Joe’s as well.

By: Bootz

Bootz — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:02:20 +0000

Here here!