Author Topic: Berkman (Read 6589 times)

das · « **on:** May 08, 2009, 11:14:34 am »

I did not see the game last night. Did he look as lost as his line suggests?

Does one get a Golden Sombrero for 4 K's if they had 5 AB's?

Noe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:17:10 am »

Quote from: das on May 08, 2009, 11:14:34 am

I did not see the game last night. Did he look as lost as his line suggests?

Does one get a Golden Sombrero for 4 K's if they had 5 AB's?

Yes. He looked like a guess hitter last night. He had no pitch recognition. He, instead, had a guess he was getting pitch "A" and instead got pitch "B" and looked weak swinging the bat.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:21:35 am »

I heard one
AB on the radio where he took a 1-2 fastball down the middle of the plate that got me to wondering if he has always been this much of a guess hitter. Something is making him lock up.

Astroholic · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:23:23 am »

Quote from: Ron Brand on May 08, 2009, 11:21:35 am

that got me to wondering if he has always been this much of a guess hitter.

Hell no. You have him mixed up with Morgan. When Berkman is on, I bet the ball looks like a basketball.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:30:05 am »

Quote from: das on May 08, 2009, 11:14:34 am

I did not see the game last night. Did he look as lost as his line suggests?

Does one get a Golden Sombrero for 4 K's if they had 5 AB's?

Berkman wasn't too swift in the field last night, either.

Noe · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:33:40 am »

Quote from: Ron Brand on May 08, 2009, 11:21:35 am

I heard one
AB on the radio where he took a 1-2 fastball down the middle of the plate that got me to wondering if he has always been this much of a guess hitter. Something is making him lock up.

I don't really see Berkman as a guess hitter. He has always struck me a player who knew his strikezone (thus he takes quite a bit of walks). He may argue with umpires about a strike because he knows his zone well. But last night, he was lost in terms of the zone he has. So he reverted to guessing and that is when you know a guy is trying too hard.

Don't think, react.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:37:33 am »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on May 08, 2009, 11:33:40 am

I don't really see Berkman as a guess hitter. He has always struck me a player who knew his strikezone (thus he takes quite a bit of walks). He may argue with umpires about a strike because he knows his zone well. But last night, he was lost in terms of the zone he has. So he reverted to guessing and that is when you know a guy is trying too hard.

Don't think, react.

I think Deshaies said he was a career .105 or something against Lilly. Still, he looks like he isn't having any fun out there.

TheWizard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2009, 12:27:32 pm »

Quote from: Taras Bulba on May 08, 2009, 11:37:33 am

I think Deshaies said he was a career .105 or something against Lilly. Still, he looks like he isn't having any fun out there.

Maybe someone else can explain this to me. I don't know how many career ABs Berkman has against Lilly (I'm sure a simple google search would do the job, I'm just lazy), so I don't know how meaningful that .105 is. But why is it that superior hitters will have one or two pitchers out there that is just their kryptonite? Why would Berkman have particular trouble against a guy like Ted Lilly? Is it something like switching him to the right, his release point, type of pitches, or is it just the law of averages.. well.. averaging out?

Astroholic · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2009, 12:29:05 pm »

Quote from: TheWizard on May 08, 2009, 12:27:32 pm

Maybe someone else can explain this to me. I don't know how many career ABs Berkman has against Lilly (I'm sure a simple google search would do the job, I'm just lazy), so I don't know how meaningful that .105 is. But why is it that superior hitters will have one or two pitchers out there that is just their kryptonite? Why would Berkman have particular trouble against a guy like Ted Lilly? Is it something like switching him to the right, his release point, type of pitches, or is it just the law of averages.. well.. averaging out?

Why cant the reds beat Roy? Why indeed?

Fredia · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2009, 12:34:26 pm »

maybe berkman is trying the pence approach or cooper has been coaching him.doesnt he go through these funks at least once a season

Craig · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2009, 12:46:00 pm »

Quote from: TheWizard on May 08, 2009, 12:27:32 pm

I don't know how many career ABs Berkman has against Lilly (I'm sure a simple google search would do the job, I'm just lazy), so I don't know how meaningful that .105 is.

ESPN says Berkman's 2-for-22 (.091) with one homer, one walk and 7 strikeouts against Lilly. I'm assuming that includes last night's game but I don't know for sure.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2009, 12:48:19 pm »

Quote from: TheWizard on May 08, 2009, 12:27:32 pm

Maybe someone else can explain this to me. I don't know how many career ABs Berkman has against Lilly (I'm sure a simple google search would do the job, I'm just lazy), so I don't know how meaningful that .105 is. But why is it that superior hitters will have one or two pitchers out there that is just their kryptonite? Why would Berkman have particular trouble against a guy like Ted Lilly? Is it something like switching him to the right, his release point, type of pitches, or is it just the law of averages.. well.. averaging out?

As Deshaies pointed out, Lilly does well at moving the ball up and down in the zone. Berkman seemed to be guessing on every pitch. I'm not so sure that it isn't just a case of being in a funk right now, no disrespect to Lilly.

BlownRanger · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2009, 01:55:13 pm »

Quote from: TheWizard on May 08, 2009, 12:27:32 pm

Maybe someone else can explain this to me. I don't know how many career ABs Berkman has against Lilly (I'm sure a simple google search would do the job, I'm just lazy), so I don't know how meaningful that .105 is. But why is it that superior hitters will have one or two pitchers out there that is just their kryptonite? Why would Berkman have particular trouble against a guy like Ted Lilly? Is it something like switching him to the right, his release point, type of pitches, or is it just the law of averages.. well.. averaging out?

If you ever meet Bob Uecker, ask him about his grand salami off of Sandy Koufax.

geezerdonk · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2009, 01:56:37 pm »

Quote from: Taras Bulba on May 08, 2009, 11:30:05 am

Berkman wasn't too swift in the field last night, either.

On his error, he definitely lollygagged his first two steps toward the bag. By the time he remembered to hustle, it was too late. It probably isn't his fault but I'm going to blame it on Cooper anyway. He is damaging Berkman's fragile psyche, making him a basket case in the field as well as at the plate.

outlookdude · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2009, 02:02:10 pm »

I saw a large part of the game and several of Berkman's ABs last night. I am by no means a hitting expert but to me he looked lost. I saw him take two consecutive huge hacks at fastballs around shoulder height. Once doesn't concern me so much. Two times in row….hey, didn't you just see that pitch? It reminded me of one of those Pence ABs that makes everyone crazy. I have never thought of Berkman as a guess hitter. But, lately that seems to be what he looks like. Maybe he is having trouble seeing the ball for some reason. But, it looks more like he is trying to guess his way out of a slump.

Berkman seems to me to be one who thinks he is smarter than everyone else so it wouldn't shock me if he thinks he can out guess the pitcher.

But my best guess would be that Coop told him he was run producer - so just turn on it and pull the ball, boy.

pravata · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2009, 02:27:36 pm »

Remember last season when whenever anyone asked Roy whether he was hurt he'd say no. Then when they asked him if he was hurt would he tell anybody, and he said no. Then he got a cortisone shot in his back and murdered the League. Remember last night when Lance went diving for a couple of balls at 1b. HEY LANCE, how's your left shoulder?

Reuben · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2009, 04:18:06 pm »

Quote from: pravata on May 08, 2009, 02:27:36 pm

Remember last season when whenever anyone asked Roy whether he was hurt he'd say no. Then when they asked him if he was hurt would he tell anybody, and he said no. Then he got a cortisone shot in his back and murdered the League. Remember last night when Lance went diving for a couple of balls at 1b. HEY LANCE, how's your left shoulder?

It seems like Lance dives for a lot of balls at first. Perhaps he's been watching too may Darin Erstad highlight films.

pravata · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2009, 04:43:44 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on May 08, 2009, 04:18:06 pm

It seems like Lance dives for a lot of balls at first. Perhaps he's been watching too may Darin Erstad highlight films.

(End of March) Berkman first irritated his shoulder early in the spring, and apparently a number of recent events aggravated the injury, beginning with a diving play on a Chase Utley grounder...

"...they'll give me a cortisone shot, and it'll knock it out pretty quick. We're going to try not to do that ..."

Berkman met with a team doctor Sunday morning but doesn't think he'll have to undergo an MRI.
Link

No cortisone shot, no MRI, plenty of diving and generally pretending he's a shortstop. I've seen him raise his arm when asked "who wants ice cream" so probably it's not as bad as it was in ST.

SaltyParker · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:35:17 pm »

FSSW saying Cooper moved Lance to the 5 spot tonight (Pence 3rd) then Berkman came up w/ a sore wrist and was scratched.

Fredia · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:48:21 pm »

i hate to say it but it seems like things are going to hell in a handbag

JaneDoe · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:49:54 pm »

Quote from: SaltyParker on May 08, 2009, 06:35:17 pm

FSSW saying Cooper moved Lance to the 5 spot tonight (Pence 3rd) then Berkman came up w/ a sore wrist and was scratched.

Lineup posted in the GZ

Astroholic · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:51:44 pm »

Quote from: Fredia on May 08, 2009, 06:48:21 pm

i hate to say it but it seems like things are going to hell in a handbag

Always Johnny on the spot you are.

MRaup · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2009, 02:08:25 am »

Quote from: Fredia on May 08, 2009, 06:48:21 pm

i hate to say it but it seems like things are going to hell in a handbag

Good call. That was a horrible win tonight.

Fredia · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2009, 10:52:30 am »

hey i put the fear in them. it worked

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2009, 11:04:27 am »

Our otiose yet lovable Fredia...

juliogotay · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2009, 04:05:17 pm »

Berkman out of Saturday lineup as well. Couldn't go in BP due to the sore wrist. May be out a while. Hurt it Thursday nite on a checked swing.

TheWizard · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:29:53 pm »

Trying to pick out whats wrong with his swing...
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/deadspin/2009/05/nose.jpg

Reuben · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:20:42 pm »

Quote from: TheWizard on May 10, 2009, 12:29:53 pm

Trying to pick out whats wrong with his swing...
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/deadspin/2009/05/nose.jpg

That looks like a "hey, look, I'm pickin' my nose!" type of pick right there. Wonder if it was intended for the cameras or just the dugout.

otterjb · « **Reply #28 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:52:14 pm »

Berkman says that he'd like to coach UT someday.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2009/05/09/berkman_wants_t.html

otterjb · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2009, 07:58:23 pm »

The Footer article:
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=4676678&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

Andyzipp · « **Reply #30 on:** May 11, 2009, 09:26:07 pm »

I'm pretty sure you have to be able to keep track of how many outs there are at any given time to be considered a head coach.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2009, 10:31:30 pm »

As if UT would hire a guy who had never coached before. I thought that Bohls' article was just Berkman joking around but Footer latching on to it lends it more credence than it probably should have.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #32 on:** May 11, 2009, 10:42:51 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on May 11, 2009, 10:31:30 pm

As if UT would hire a guy who had never coached before. I thought that Bohls' article was just Berkman joking around but Footer latching on to it lends it more credence than it probably should have.

He does tend to overlook the whole coaching experience thing...

JimR · « **Reply #33 on:** May 12, 2009, 07:41:39 am »

Quote from: Andyzipp on May 11, 2009, 10:42:51 pm

He does tend to overlook the whole coaching experience thing...

and the degree thing

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #34 on:** May 12, 2009, 04:17:25 pm »

Quote from: JimR on May 12, 2009, 07:41:39 am

and the degree thing

Just a minor detail.