On Ross Atkins, Matt Chapman, FA targets, the trade market, Alek Manoah, Vlad Jr., Davis Schneider, James Click, Jordan Hicks, the Varsho deal, Shohei Ohtani, umpiring standards, and so much more!
I've got a confession to make. I'm a die hard tragic fan who's losing interest in the Blue Jays. Hear me out. I was 12 in 1977 so grew up and fell in love with them and 1983-1993 was a glorious run. I moved to Australia in 1993 and somehow my passion for the team remained alive and even got stronger for the 20 years of mostly mediocrity we had to endure. 2015 and 2016 were wild rides and despite falling short, my passion was at an all time high.
I bought into the new regimes plan. A few lean years - no problem. 2020 was just weird. 2021 and 2022 were great, but this year? Something has really turned me off. Sure we won 89 games, but I'm having trouble seeing how we're going to produce teams with a deep playoff run over the next few years. It would take everything - pretty much everything - to go right. And my optimism is low. But baseball is crazy so you never know what might happen.
Nevertheless, I just don't know if I have it in me to go through another long run of good teams, mediocre teams, or even great teams, that can't make it past the wild card. Or miss the playoffs entirely. Did I mention that I am a die-hard fan and not a bandwagon jumper?
That’s tough man. It’s been dispiriting for sure. But also… the Diamondbacks just went to the World Series. The Rangers just won. There’s more hope for mediocre teams than ever!
About Vlad and spin, a year after the Sarris interview you excerpted, Dr Nathan published the results of a study demonstrating that baseball sidespin did take away from flyball distance. So no need to speculate that baseball is a game of millimeters or that it’s hard. It’s now proven by science!
Just a down year. It’ll work out. I hope. Sigh. Would winter feel shorter and less bleak if we’d won? I’d certainly like to give it a try. For science.
No worries. Dr Nathan’s work doesn’t get enough attention so like to steer people his way whenever I can. The real fun is his conference papers and research he publishes on his website. Can even play with his Trajectory Calculator
Long time reader, first time supporter. Outside of Drew Fairservice, you are the best my friend.
Thanks so much man!!
Fine job again Andrew.
I've got a confession to make. I'm a die hard tragic fan who's losing interest in the Blue Jays. Hear me out. I was 12 in 1977 so grew up and fell in love with them and 1983-1993 was a glorious run. I moved to Australia in 1993 and somehow my passion for the team remained alive and even got stronger for the 20 years of mostly mediocrity we had to endure. 2015 and 2016 were wild rides and despite falling short, my passion was at an all time high.
I bought into the new regimes plan. A few lean years - no problem. 2020 was just weird. 2021 and 2022 were great, but this year? Something has really turned me off. Sure we won 89 games, but I'm having trouble seeing how we're going to produce teams with a deep playoff run over the next few years. It would take everything - pretty much everything - to go right. And my optimism is low. But baseball is crazy so you never know what might happen.
Nevertheless, I just don't know if I have it in me to go through another long run of good teams, mediocre teams, or even great teams, that can't make it past the wild card. Or miss the playoffs entirely. Did I mention that I am a die-hard fan and not a bandwagon jumper?
Am I alone in feeling like this?
That’s tough man. It’s been dispiriting for sure. But also… the Diamondbacks just went to the World Series. The Rangers just won. There’s more hope for mediocre teams than ever!
Thanks, Stoeten, for the off season content.
About Vlad and spin, a year after the Sarris interview you excerpted, Dr Nathan published the results of a study demonstrating that baseball sidespin did take away from flyball distance. So no need to speculate that baseball is a game of millimeters or that it’s hard. It’s now proven by science!
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/contributions-to-variation-in-fly-ball-distances/
Just a down year. It’ll work out. I hope. Sigh. Would winter feel shorter and less bleak if we’d won? I’d certainly like to give it a try. For science.
Great catch. Thanks man.
No worries. Dr Nathan’s work doesn’t get enough attention so like to steer people his way whenever I can. The real fun is his conference papers and research he publishes on his website. Can even play with his Trajectory Calculator
http://baseball.physics.illinois.edu/trajectory-calculator-new3D.html
In addition to stuff like sidespin, you can specify atmospheric conditions to calculate an estimate batted distance. Nerd heaven.