Choo playing in WBC, but sticking to DH for now
Amy K. Nelson does a nice and fairly in-depth story about Choo and his situation, with some great insight into his personality and development. I knew he was a converted pitcher, but I didn't realize that he basically had never even attempted to be a hitter at any level before 2001. My guess is that his quick adaptation to hitting and fielding was a significant part of why the Indians wanted him. The Indians acquired him just days after his 24th birthday, and as good as he already was at that point, he also had 10 to 15 years less experience swinging the bat than others his age.
As for the WBC, it appears that South Korea really does have the final decision on this, at least within Choo's wishes. Whatever examinations have been done and whatever discussions have occurred, the South Korean team has cleared Choo to play for the moment, while promising to use him only as a DH (at least for the first round). The Indians obviously would rather Choo at least return to the U.S. for an exam, but it looks like that isn't going to happen.
almost 3 years ago
Jay
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Amy K. Nelson has a serious TribeCrush.
And, my tags were better.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Yes, but my link is better, and I also just wanted to get the latest news on Choo up to the top. I couldn’t do that with yours, for reasons that are both technical and kind of stupid.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 1:42 AM EST up reply actions
Watching Korea’s first game live in Hong Kong. Choo is batting sixth – In the first, he took a walk after fouling off a few 3-2 pitches. He scored when the next batter hit a grand slam. Unfortunately, the pitcher responsible for both the walk and the grand slam – Chen Lee – is also in the Indians organization. He left after getting one out, walking three and giving up six runs.
Choo, whose arm is so strong other teammates break in their new gloves by playing catch with him
As if he needed to become a more mythological figure.
by Pronktastic on Mar 6, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
One thing to remember is that if the Koreans get through the first round, they’ll be playing the second in PETCO and practicing in Arizona. So either way, Choo should be accessible to the Indians staff shortly.
Does anyone know why MLB calls the nation officially known as the Republic of China “Chinese Taipei”? That’s a loaded phrase to the Taiwanese.
I’m pretty sure the team called “Chinese Taipei” is Taiwan, not China. That’s what it’s called in the Olympics. It’s a political compromise — China would prefer that Taiwan doesn’t even have its own team, not seeing them as their own nation. It’s like if we had an unresolved dispute with Puerto Rico.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Didn’t bat at any level? Really? You have to bat in youth levels / high school in America, at least.
That’s the claim. Maybe he batted as a small child. If you read the part about total focus on one sport, it kind of makes sense that the pitchers would never screw around with hitting.
The DH is the worldwide standard. It’s in every pro league except the NL, in every college conference, every high school, and even Little League for the most part.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Yeah- though at those lower levels there is a lot of DH-ing for your SS or 3B or something instead of for your pitcher. I’ve always wanted to see an American League team try that with a really good hitting pitcher and a terrible hitting SS or 2B.
Think how stigmatizing that would be for the infielder, though.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
Eric Wedge missed his opportunity to start Andy Marte at 3B and use the DH for him when CC was on the mound last year.
by woodsmeister on Mar 6, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Continuing my habit of following the Choo WBC/injury news with WBC/injury news of future lineup-buddy Weglarz:
Nick Weglarz showed his sore ankle was fine by playing all nine innings in the outfield, moving from left to right in the seventh.
Here’s the link, but that’s all there is about NW.
I love that he’s batting third and starting in the OF for bat-heavy Canada.
But a 14-2 game against arch-rival Japan… I can’t feel mad about that. They were trying to avoid the humiliation of the mercy rule.
I’m not buying it. Choo came to the plate in the 7th, score 14-2. They have to score three runs in order to avoid the mercy rule. And then Choo gets hit by a pitch. It’s bush-league.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 7, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
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