So along about, what? 5:00 yesterday afternoon, you were ranting over
how dumb it was for the Reds to either a: trade for Shin Soo Choo or
at least b: put him in centerfield. As if Drew Stubbs was some
cherished jewel that was traded for a box of pliers. Choo had a couple
of adventures in centerfield that suggested it was his first day in long
pants. A Stubbs, he is now. And as Marvin Lewis would say, that’s a
good thing.
Choo is on this team for one reason and one reason only: he can get
on base. Stubbs is not on this team for several reasons. But the
biggest reason Stubbs is not on this team is he can not get on base.
Defensively, Stubbs probably saves 9-12 wins per season. But
offensively, he probably costs is team twice that number through his
inability to get on base, or drive in runs or do anything with a bat
that furthers a team’s cause.
Choo certainly won’t cost the Reds 18-24 wins a season because he’s
not the defender Stubbs is. In truth, he’s better than adequate as a
centerfielder. But his ability to get on base (at a .400 clip last
season vs right handed pitching) is a complete game changer. Joey Votto
had 18 home runs before he hurt his knee in late June. He also had
just 47 RBI. The disparity in that production should tell you how few
runners were on base when Votto knocked the ball over the fence. And
with a runner on base when Votto is batting, other things happen that
would benefit Votto. The pitcher will have to pitch out of the
stretch. He’ll be distracted somewhat by the runner. And because of
all that, Votto (and Phillips and Bruce and Frazier after him) will have
a significant advantage over the pitcher. That’s what Choo offers, and
what Stubbs could not.
Heard this on the radio today and now I can't get the song out of my head..HELP!
Joey Levine of Ohio Express (Yummy Yummy and Chewy Chewy) is the voice. The song, which might be one of the first 'rap' songs (and I use the term loosely) was penned by Paul DiFranco and Norman Dolph. DiFranco wrote the melody and Dolph the 'rap'