Blake named AL Player of the Week

by ploni on May 29, 2007 5:57 PM EDT

Posted on cleveland.com by Paul Hoynes, May 29, 2007 13:53PM

BOSTON -- Indians third baseman Casey Blake is the American League Player of the Week.

Blake hit .347 (8-for-23) with four homers and eight RBI. He scored eight runs and hit three doubles and one triple.

He's hit in 18 of his last 20 games, batting .347 (26-for-75) over that stretch.

The versatile Blake has started five games at first, seven in right field and 33 at third. He's hit second (25 starts), fourth (one), fifth (seven), sixth (six), seventh (one) and eighth (one) in the lineup.

Blake took over third base when Andy Marte was injured in April and has solidified the No.2 spot in manager Eric Wedge's lineup.

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Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Thats damn gritty.

...and yet so Casey Blake gets so little respect.

by world dictator on May 29, 2007 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

gets so little respect*

by world dictator on May 29, 2007 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

It'd be foolish to think Blake can continue to produce for us at this level, but when they're mired in a slump in late august, I'll make sure to remember Garko and Blake carrying our offense for a huge part of the early going.

by MikeCP on May 29, 2007 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Does this mean Blake loses his LO- nickname?

by ploni on May 29, 2007 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Nope, the splits are just as extreme as before:

None On: .312/.407/.624
Men On: .218/.307/.356

I know this is backwards thinking, but perhaps the Indians put him second in the lineup to get as few players on ahead of him as possible.

by Ryan on May 29, 2007 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

That's a pretty funny idea.

by osoc13 on May 29, 2007 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I actually believe that. Also to maximize his prodigious pitch-seeing.

by Jay on May 29, 2007 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I've been a huge proponent for Blake in the 2-hole for these two reasons. He also breaks up the lefties with a righty who can go deep. I think he is a fantastic #2 hitter for this team.

Blake batting second is pretty clear in hindsight, but I never thought about the advantages until he was actually placed there. I give Wedge tons of credit for trying him as a #2 hitter, and sticking with him there.

by oxforddave on May 30, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

To me, the 2 spot is best with either Blake or Barfield there. For the reasons that you cite as well.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 30, 2007 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

POWblake

by Brick. on May 29, 2007 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Classic.

by Scott @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 30, 2007 4:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

and as a reward, he's benched so Mike Rouse can get his cuts in.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Makes perfect sense to rest him once a month, particularly in favor of a lefty (Rouse) with a righty on the mound.

There was nothing strange about Rouse starting last night. I'm mystified that anyone has made a big deal about it.

by Jay on May 30, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Not to mention blake got hit in the hands in his last ab the night before.

by Brick. on May 30, 2007 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Once a month? He just rested last week when Marte started. With Hafner struggling, we need to get the hottest bats in the lineup, even if that bat is (gulp!) Blake. Nothing mystifying about it.

by kov on May 30, 2007 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

perfect sense?

Rouse, vs. RHP:
AVG OBP SLG OPS
.185 .290 .222 .512

Blake, vs. RHP:
.246 .310 .438 .748

if it was because of getting hit on the hand, fine. while Blake has often been labeled a AAAA player, Rouse should be lucky to have a job in Buffalo, let alone in the bigs.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

while Blake has often been labeled a AAAA player

By whom? By those who irrationally hate him?

by Ryan on May 30, 2007 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

No kidding. He and Garko have basically carried the offense through May. Give it rest. Right now there is no reason that Blake's bat should remain on the bench unless his hands are sore from the HBP/K.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 30, 2007 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Quite possibly. When reading articles in the newspaper or online, I can ask questions directly to my monitor or the paper, but it's unlikely that I'll get a response from either of these inanimate objects.

I'm a Blake fan, obviously... I'm just questioning the purpose of an obvious downgrade in your lineup against the best ballclub in the majors.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

He's averaged 21.75 HR and 70.5 RBI over the last four years. I'd take that.

by world dictator on May 30, 2007 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Yes, perfect sense.

a. Sample size.

b. Your argument is basically that Rouse should never start and Blake should never rest.

c. If you're going to rest your righty starter and start your lefty backup, of course you would do that against a RHP starter.

To sum up, duh.

by Jay on May 30, 2007 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

a.) If the 27-year-old slugger had more than 63 career at-bats, than you could argue sample size. There's a reason we're dealing with a small sample size for him.

b.) Barring an injury, yes. As it stands right now, Mike Rouse should never start over Casey Blake, unless you're tanking games in an effort to draft Greg Oden. It's an offensive downgrade against right-handed, left-handed, and magical pitchers who will the ball to home plate with extrasensory skills. Additionally, it's reasonable to assume that if Rouse is having trouble against the average MLB pitcher, he's not going to provide much help against Josh Beckett.

c.) Blake received an off-day on May 22. He'll receive another on Monday, June 4. My point is in questioning WHY he needed a day off. Since he pinch-hit, you can't blame the previous HBP/K.

If you can debate any of these points, I'd appreciate it, rather than creating my arguments for me.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

We don't know why. I was certainly disappointed to see that Rouse was in and Blake was out last night, but really, you think that all starters should be played like Cal Ripken?

Sore hand? Other aches and pains? Preserving him over the course of season?

I'd assume that one of these is the reason that Blake sat. Wedge does not think that Rouse is a better player.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I should have included the little nugget of info provided by Matt Underwood. To paraphrase, he noted that having Rouse in the lineup provided an additional left-hander against the tough righty in Beckett. Plus (and here's where it gets maddening), with three tough lefties in the Boston bullpen, it would allow righties Blake and Jason Michaels to pinch-hit in the later innings.

In summary, we should trot out lesser batters for the majority of the game, in the hopes that our better hitters will have a chance to get one at-bat late in the game, most likely while we're trailing.

I did not catch whether Underwood concocted this idiotic plot to lose a baseball game by himself, or if this was an actual explanation provided by Wedge. I'm hoping it was the former, as I already have a low opinion of Woody.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

a. I'm not arguing that the sample size means that the players are equivalent. In fact no one is arguing that. But the sample size does mean that the stats can't be taken at face value. There are plenty of players of Rouse's ability who have gotten more opportunity than he has -- go back and read about how he got here, the kinds of players who were ahead of him. There is a good chance that given regular playing time, his stats vs-RHP would be every bit as good as Blake's.

b. Blake is not the most durable player to begin with. Your suggestion is awful.

c. Players are rested-but-PH-available all the time. Any "blame" arguments are speculative anyway.

rather than creating my arguments for me

Bad news, dude: No one person gets to frame all the arguments definitively. Get used to it.

by Jay on May 31, 2007 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

"b. Your argument is basically that Rouse should never start and Blake should never rest."

This is the best answer.

Actually, the argument should be Rouse should not be on a Major League team, let alone one that is leading its division.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

What's with all the hate for our BACKUP infielder? We hashed this out last year as well. Honestly, is this really a concern? He's basically on the team as a late inning defensive replacement (if necessary) and to give guys a day off here and there. End of story.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 30, 2007 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

And he's one injury to a middle infielder away from being an everyday player. Apparently, he's also a reliable substitute for the Indians' 2nd hottest hitter against the best team in the league.

I'm not sure what the discussion was focused on last year. But, to me, the bigger problem is that he's on the team at all, especially when they've had no problems dispensing of better alternatives over the past several years.

If he was just a late inning guy with 1 or 2 starts a month, fine, but he's on pace for 250+ AB's.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

250+ ABs? I don't think so. More like half that.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

with Marte down, he's now the primary back-up at 3B, SS, and 2B. While not a sure thing, it's not unreasonable to say he'll be getting more at-bats from here on out than he did in the first 2 months unless Marte is brought back up.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Yeah, because we've got a 13 man staff right now. I don't know how long that will last.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I have to believe, that if Peralta or Barfield goes down for a month or more, the FO will be exploring other options.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

We're 50 games into the season - he'll be lucky to get 150 at-bats.

by Ryan on May 30, 2007 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

My bad, I mistakenly used ESPN's projection.

He's actually on pace for 198 AB's. That's still 40-50 full games worth of AB's for him, which comes to 6-8 starts per month.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I don't mean to get too detailed, but this should not be that hard. It is 120 ABs. The Indians have played 50 games, and he's had 37 at-bats. 37/50 times 162 is 120.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

My fault, this is correct, I was looking at the career line.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Actually, the argument should be Rouse should not be on a Major League team, let alone one that is leading its division.

Multiple Choice Time!

A.Mike Rouse: good defense, bats left-handed, can't hit
B.Joe Inglett: bad defense, bats left-handed, can hit
C.Luis Rivas: decent defense, bats right-handed, can't hit
D. Hector Luna: horrible defense, bats right-handed, can hit

by Ryan on May 30, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

This should be a poll. I choose A.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 30, 2007 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Least fun poll ever. I'd just as soon close my eyes and reach into the bag for any of them. Ok, that's not true, it has to be Rouse. Go with defense and hope the guy can reach base 35% of the time. But I'm not happy about it.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

So the alternative Utility Infielder Who Can Play on a First Place Team, if one is acquired, will come from a mid-season trade.

by Ryan on May 30, 2007 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I feel like I'm stuck arguing both sides of this argument. Rouse is an absolutely pedestrian backup.

On one hand, there's no reason to whine about that. Very few teams have better. On the other hand, he's not a strength of this team, to the extent that someone like Shoppach is. Shoppach plays D and hits a little. Shoppach might have a shot at starting for another team.

Now that I think about, we're a little spoiled by the depth that this team has at catcher and in the outfield.

Of course, Rouse is not our backup third baseman. Casey Blake is. The team has decided to send the starter to AAA to work further on his game. So we've already dipped into our depth once.

by dgcambridge on May 30, 2007 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

You forgot:

E. Ramon Vazquez
F. Brandon Phillips

But, I understand your points. they need to do better than what they've got.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Silly me, I limited my choices to players currently in the organization.

by Ryan on May 30, 2007 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Why don't you make a list of all the backup infielders in the AL who can play 3rd, 2nd, and SS and then use that to show how terribly the Indians have done when it coems to filling this incredibly crucial role?

by afh4 on May 30, 2007 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Rouse's WARP1 is 0.1, so I don't get why people are ripping on him. Sure, his batting line is awful (in like 40 plate appearances), but isn't that why he's a utility infielder? If he could put up a .260 EqA, he'd be starting somewhere.

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 30, 2007 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Well, since you asked. There are 7 players in the AL who are not listed as starters, but on the depth chart as backups for all 3 positions (Chris Gomez, Alex Cora, Alex Cintron, Neifi Perez, Miguel Cairo, Willie Bloomquist, and Matt Kata), plus Johnny Mac, who is only listed as SS and 3B backups, but we know he can play 2nd. All 8 of them have better numbers than Mike Rouse, both this year and career.

So the short answer is: 100% of the alternatives.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Are you joking? Most of those guys don't even have 40 at bats and a number of them are historically terrible hitters. You're not getting any offensive value out of any of these guys except maybe Cintron and Cora. They all have win shares within +/- of 0.5 for the year. Some are even worse (Hello, Bloomquist).

Rouse is younger than almost all of them, much younger. Plus Rouse is much, much cheaper than all of them and especially cheaper than the ones who would be any kind of significant upgrade.

Rouse gets paid $380,000.

Nefi: 2,500,000
Alex Cora: 2,000,000
Alex Cintron: 1,900,000

Really, you're jumping to trade Rouse for any of these guys? Who gives a shit which one you have? At least Rouse saves us money.

by afh4 on May 30, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

A question was asked, I answered.

My original point was and is that the Indians seem to have no problem cycling through more talented players and letting them go. And now that they have their best team since '01 they've settled on Mike Rouse, ouch.

by timmys24 on May 30, 2007 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

You didn't do anything to show the Indians have mismanaged the middle infield backup position. They've got a cheap option that's about as productive as anyone else's. If they wanted a little more hitting, then I'm sure Inglett could deliver that sterling .600 OPS in 40 appearances that is so desperately needed.

Mike Rouse isn't an "ouch." He's a completely innocuous and normal backup. If you want a stellar backup, like Cora, go cheer for the Red Sox. We can't afford to keep fringe starters as backups.

Where are all these talented players the Indians have discarded carelessly? If this is about Brandon Phillips, just say so and I will cease to care immediately.

by afh4 on May 30, 2007 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

You're right. Whether we make the playoffs or not depends on Mike Rouse. Let's get all bent out of shape about the 25th player on the roster. This continues to be one of the stupidest arguments we get into on LGT. Simply, Rouse will do just fine. Again 25th on the roster. Not a big deal. Unknot the panties and move on.

I've changed my mechanics and now I throw over 100.

by Brad D on May 30, 2007 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

"Most of those guys don't have 40 ABs".

If most is 44% (including Rouse), than you are correct. Cairo has just a handful, Perez under 30, and Gomez has as many as Rouse.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Using Neifi Perez and Willie Bloomquist as examples of better players is probably going to get you killed around here.

Neifi's 2007 WARP: 0.0 (shocker)
Bloomquist's 2007 WARP: -0.4 (even less of a shocker)

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on May 30, 2007 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I am declaring this, officially, the Dumbest Argument of the Month. This is, without exaggeration, even dumber than the ridiculous stuff in the Gregorio Rosario thread, which actually had some substance behind it. If we were arguing about whether Grady has enough range to play center, that would be not even 1% dumber than this. That's how dumb.

I think we're very fortunate to have picked Rouse up off waivers. He is the first infield defensive sub, he's a lefty backing up three righties, he's the very last bat off the bench, and he's very well qualified for these role.

I think there are all-glove shortstops in starting roles who are no better than Rouse. Given a little more of an opportunity earlier in his career, Rouse probably wouldn't even be available.

My view of Rouse is that we basically got a Johnny Mac, which we badly needed last year. I think he'll be an Indian for several years, and I'm happy about it. Those who think other teams have it better are absolutely living in a fantasy world.

by Jay on May 31, 2007 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Do you still have your gavel?

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 31, 2007 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Andrew? Where's my damned gavel?

by Jay on May 31, 2007 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Now he's going to repost the picture. Oh well, you asked for it. Hey Mike, where's our movie poster?

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 31, 2007 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

This is me giving Jay his gavel on our trip to the UN. Directly after this Jay suggested optioning the representative from Sweden to the League of Nations to create a roster spot for a right-handed power peacekeeper.

by afh4 on May 31, 2007 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Awesome. I can't wait to see how many pictures of gavel handing off ceremonies you've stock-piled on your computer. This one is better than the last.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 31, 2007 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Who are the three people seated to the left of the two of you?

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 31, 2007 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Oh great, we unload Sweden now and the Middle East will pick them up. We will spend the next two years listening to people who get live 200 miles to the south and get to see Sweden every day complain about how we should have kept it. Sweden may need a change of scenery but we better get more than a 3rd world country for it.

Also, I'm part Swedish, can't we unload Poland?

I've changed my mechanics and now I throw over 100.

by Brad D on May 31, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

well played

by Brick. on May 31, 2007 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Yes, I agree, nicely done.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on May 31, 2007 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I'm not sure what opportunities you're talking about. He spent three years in the PCL and couldn't crack 800. That's why he's available.

He's a fine backup infielder. Well-suited as you say. As I said before, you don't have to pretend that he's a potential starter (i.e. Shoppach) to say he's good enough for his role.

by dgcambridge on May 31, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Dave, we are talking about a shortstop here, remember? Considering the difference in defensive value, Rouse's track record in Triple-A is absolutely comparable to Ryan Garko's.

(Well that should fire some people up.)

Not that they're really comparable, but if you're going to go to the numbers, use them right.

I like the Shoppach comparison, and Shoppach definitely comes out a bit ahead. Rouse gets the edge in contact hitting -- I'm thinking speed to first base is a significant factor there. Shoppach has a huge edge in power.

Power is in fact the only bad thing about Rouse's track record. His walk rate is a more-than-solid .11, consistently through the minors. So he fits the Indians model of piling up hitters with a patient approach at the plate.

So let's add it up:

Above-average fielder at shortstop.
Comfortable switching between 2B, SS, 3B.
Decent contact hitter with above-average selectivity.
Good speed.
Pretty much no power.

I really think there are several teams don't have a starter this good -- not to mention, we're going to pay something like $2.5 million for four seasons, age 27 to 30.

by Jay on May 31, 2007 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

Forgot to mention, anyone else think this guy might have had something to say about the Rouse acquisition?

by Jay on May 31, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I like him, I really do. Part of the problem I having with this is that I can't believe Shapiro is that far ahead of the field. Here's a guy who's been doing the same thing for 3 years in AAA, and no team with a hole at shortstop went to get him?

Agreed: his walk and contact rate are acceptable, he's versatile, and he has no power. Maybe he could get by without the power as an everyday player, but he no plus skills. Nothing above-average.

Unless his defense is there. I guess I haven't heard any evaluations that put him on that Johnny Mac level, i.e. the kinds of things said about Drubs (yeah, I'm sticking with "Drubs".) That would make a big difference.

The Shoppach comparison is my point. If both are put on the market, would you not expect the returns for the two to be drastically different? (And can we assume that GMs will look at more than their small 2007 numbers?)

by dgcambridge on May 31, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

no team with a hole at shortstop went to get him?

The Indians were fourth in line. AL teams get first dibs on AL waiver claims, in order of current record, worst-to-best. The Indians had the fourth-worst record in the AL when they claimed Rouse.

So you really only have to accept that Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Kansas City missed out on him. Starting to sound more believable, right? I would not be surprised if five or more teams put in a claim.

Rouse may not have Johnny Mac's skills, but he's above average and a faster baserunner, and Johnny Mac was even more of a zero at the plate. I think the value of the lefty bat is also being overlooked -- you won't find many skilled infielders who bat from the left side, and being able to rest a starter on a day that would have been an against-platoon day for him anyway does help.

I agree with you on Shoppach, I just don't see what that has to do with Rouse. Both are guys who would start on some other teams -- Shoppach on more than Rouse, and also Shoppach having more potential as a long-term answer than Rouse. But Rouse is still a potential starter and a better short-term answer than most teams would have in the event of an injury or trade or poor play -- e.g., the 2006 Indians.

by Jay on May 31, 2007 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

if rouse was good enough to be a starter we'd be sitting here bitching back and forth every time a starter struggled that he should be starting or one of them should be traded for a closer or some other nonsense... i for one am glad he has a defined role as backup utility infielder for that reason alone.

by Brick. on May 31, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

We're splitting hairs here. I just think of Shoppach as different level of player, not a guy you would usually see on waivers. Rouse is, in my opinion, exactly the kind of guy you would see there. You've got a higher opinion of Rouse than I do, but the lefty point is one that I hadn't fully considered. I have no complaints.

by dgcambridge on May 31, 2007 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

too lazy to look up, but does blake have a troubled history against beckett - there can't be much of one either way. i still think it had mainly to do with the HBP...

by Brick. on May 30, 2007 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

I stand by that it wasn't so much HBP-related if he was well enough to pinch-hit and play in the field. If it was that big of a concern that he could injure the hand any further, then 1 AB and inning in the field was one too many.

SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT: Blake is 2 for 5 with 2 singles and 1 K in his career vs. Beckett.

by rolub on May 30, 2007 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Blake named AL Player of the Week

like i said, i knew there wasn't going to be much of a history, just thinking out loud about the types of things that play into such a decision and i also don't think the hbp disabled casey - it was just a factor in "i guess now's as good a time as any to sit him" kind of a thing...

by Brick. on May 30, 2007 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions