From: cabanrf@wkuvx1.bitnet Subject: Re: My Belated Predictions (NL) Organization: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY Lines: 56 In article , mss@netcom.com (Mark Singer) writes: > In article gajarsky@pilot.njin.net (Bob Gajarsky - Hobokenite) writes: >>i've said the braves would improve by injury as well. here's how. >> >>javier lopez is a better catcher than greg olson. >>ryan klasko is a better firstbaseman than bream. >> chipper jones is a better shortstop than anyone the braves >> put out there. >> >>mel nieves is better than nixon/sanders. >> >>that's how. it FORCES them to play the young guys. >> >>- bob gaj > > I continue to be amazed at these comments. While Lopez might *some > day* be a better catcher than Olson, I find it totally amazing for > you to suggest that this 22 year-old with three seasons of professional > baseball is *now* better than Olson, a five-year MLB veteran who is > noted for his ability to call a game, and who has a better-than-average > arm. Oh, perhaps you are talking about hitting. Well, sure, Lopez > *might* hit better. Perhaps he *probably* will. > > But has there ever in the history of baseball been a 22-year-old (or > younger) *rookie* catcher who compared favorably among all league > catchers in terms of defense and brought a .247 bat? Wasn't it Yes, Ivan Rodriguez, last year. Batted .260 and threw out 51% of the baserunners. Not too shabby for a rookie from AA. 20 years old last year. > Sandy Alomar who was supposed to be that good in his rookie year? > Not. Wasn't it Benito Santiago who was supposed to be that good > in his rookie year? Not. > > I can continue this thread with the others mentioned, but you get > the point. You and others seem to be so quick to dismiss the > seasoned veterans in favor of the hot *young* rookies. Perhaps - > just perhaps - the management team of the pennant-winning Braves > knows something more than you do. And perhaps what they know is > that very, very few 21- and 22-year old rookies come up to the majors > and make an impact. > > > -- The Beastmaster > > > > -- > Mark Singer > mss@netcom.com -- Roy F. Cabaniss......................*Wait till Tommy meets the Lord and Western Kentucky University..........*finds out that He's wearing pinstripes. All opinions contained herein........*Gaylord Perry (talking about Lasorda) Are all mine own, and that's the sin.*Baseball, what a way to spend a day!!