Great Bakich Probables Quote
Bakich's comments regarding his recruiting views got some national traction, but he's been full of gems in this run. While obvious this team is beyond prepared from game-to-game, I get a kick out of Earl-Weaver-esque media snippets like this one, when asked his choice of starter in game two:
"It'll either be a righty or a lefty," Bakich said. "We'll let you know."
Go Blue!
actually that is a big hint. freshman Glogthorp Xi'shian shoots baseballs out of his thorax so we know it's not him
Must be saving him for a potential game three?
If you don't have a middle-hander like Xi'shian on your roster, does that roster truly reflect America? I think not.
I thought they came out of his upper flermin...when did he change?
He's ambiflerminal.
The more I learn about baseball (thanks to my husband and son), the more I see it as a thinking man's game, and it seems like Bakich is the kind of coach who embraces that. He's calm and genial, but also clearly thoughtful and smart about how he wants to approach the mental game. I appreciate that.
The fascinating thing about baseball, in my view, is how much of it takes place in everyone's head. It's a pity that the institution got so hidebound--in so many ways--if not outright reactionary. I'm hoping that people like Bakich can save the wonderful game from itself.
you guys would fucking love cricket. its simply cause time is not a driving force.
"Sparky says Don Gullett is going to the Hall of Fame after the World Series. I'm going to the Eliot Lounge."
-Bill "Spaceman" Lee before his Game 7 start in '75.
Love it. We'll definitely have a human out there, probably one with both a left and a right hand. (also side shoutout to Jim Abbott and not necessarily needing to have both to be kickass). GO BLUE! LFG!!!
Dude pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees, so you clearly don’t need both hands for that either. Very kickass.
Jeff Bakich will never be Earl Weaver-esque.
haha, duly noted. I see a lot of parallels on the clever-quip and game theory-side, but he'll certainly never approach The Earl on the his ump relations, sheer ability to curse, or general fire. But of course, no one does!
From the wikipedia entry on Weaver:
"Weaver's oft-quoted managerial philosophy was "pitching, defense, and the three-run homer." Weaver expanded on his philosophy in three books he authored: Winning!(1972); It's What You Learn After You Know It All That Counts (1983); and Weaver on Strategy (1984), which was republished as Weaver on Strategy: The Classic Work on the Art of Managing a Baseball Team (2002, with co-author Terry Pluto). Weaver eschewed the use of so-called "inside baseball" or "small ball" tactics such as the stolen base, the hit and run, or the sacrifice bunt, preferring a patient approach ("waiting for the home run"), saying "If you play for one run, that's all you'll get" and "On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs". Weaver claims to have never had a sign for the hit and run, citing that the play makes both the baserunner and the hitter vulnerable, as the baserunner is susceptible to being caught stealing and the hitter is required to swing at any pitch thrown no matter how far outside the strike zone or how unhittable the pitch is."
This approach to the game doesn't sound very much like Bakich to me.
Well, if you're going to be literal with the P,D, and the 3R HR mindset, we basically embodied that yesterday, as our defense was on point, pitching great, and we won with dingers. But that's not the point of similarity I see with Earl.
it'd be mis-leading to say anyone really embodies the P,D and the 3R HR concept today, as the entire game has swung very far that way. Earl was prescient, and the game followed his lead. There are many managers today that steal much less than Earl did, and eschew traditional plays like the suicide squeeze and hit and run even more than Earl, it was just that he was one of the first to show open disdain for low-value plays. It also spoke to his roster structuring, as he was more apt to go after a power hitter over someone with speed, or a pitcher over a contact hitter. Because obviously everyone likes good pitching and defense, but structuring a team around those principles is another thing.
However, I think the Bakich parallels are more from his refreshing takes on where to find under-valued concepts in the game. I loved Brewer's quote about knowing Martin was going to run on a ground ball to RF by checking his play sheet in advance. I love the scouting, and his use of pitchers in this run. He's been great at finding value others overlook, something very Earl-like indeed. And again, has some great quips to entertain us along the way.
“Team speed for cris-sakes. You get them fucking fleas on the fucking base paths trying to steal, getting picked off (and) taking runs away from you. Gimme them big cocksuckers that can hit the fucking ball out of the ballpark and you can’t make no goddamn mistake.”
That’s a classic. The whole thing is hilarious.
"Jeff Bakich will never be Earl Weaver-esque"
While I have no idea about "Jeff" Bakich, maybe Erik Bakich could.
Growing tomatoes ? in the bullpen would be a start.
He then listed literally every pitcher on the roster except Kauffmann and Henry.
Was just listening to WTKA at lunch. Sounds like tonight will be pitching by committee, saving Kauffmann and Criswell for potential winner-take-all Game 3. Not sure if that's been decided/announced, but that's what it sounded like.
Not sure that makes sense! Been aggressively going after wins every game in the tourney, why change that now? But, like last night, I’ll defer to Bakich’s decisions!
Kauffman needs rest. What's the difference between having Kauffman and Criswell pitch today and pitcher by committee tomorrow vs. the opposite? The only difference that I see is that Kauffman gets 3 days off instead of 2. If we pitched Kauffman today and lost, we'd probably lose the third game anyway. If we lose this game, at least it gives us a better shot to win the one game that we need.
Kauffman's already had 3 days off today. Tomorrow would be four.
Agreed. And Game 3 (if necessary) would feature Vandy's best SP. I don't think we want to get to Game 3.
I'd throw Criswell tonight and hope the 'pen can do their jobs. I'd save Kauffmann for Game 3, no matter what.
But that's why Bakich gets paid the big bucks...and should be fired.
GO BLUE!
Michigan and Vanderbilt Starting Pitching Comparisons
Unless Jeff Criswell starts, it seems like pitching by committee might be Michigan's most reasonable option tonight.
Among the six Michigan pitchers other than Karl Kaufmann, Tommy Henry and Jeff Criswell who’ve started a game this season, none have had more than four starts. Isaiah Page and Angelo Smith each have had four starts. LINK
Vanderbilt has used FOUR starting pitchers throughout the season. First-game starter, junior righty Drake Fellows (13-2, 4.09 ERA), has had 19 starts; tonight’s starter, freshman righty Kumar Rocker (11-5, 3.38 ERA), has had 15 starts; senior righty Patrick Raby (10-1, 3.08 ERA) has had 15 starts; sophomore righty Mason Hickman (8-0, 2.08 ERA) has had 12 starts. LINK
Raby pitched last night, threw 42 pitches and gave up four hits, two walks two and Joe Donovan’s solo homer in two innings of relief. Presumably, he’d be available to pitch again in relief tonight or tomorrow if it goes that far. Fellows possibly could pitch in relief in a third game, if necessary.
Expected game-three starter Hickman last pitched six innings on Friday, June 21 in a 3-2 win over Louisville in which he gave up no runs on two hits, walked two and struck out three. Tomorrow, he'd be pitching on five days rest.
Kinda veering off a bit, but it dawned on me just how awesome this coaching staff is last night. I'd noticed that their 3rd base coach doesn't really do much, but they tackled it on the broadcast last night that the 3rd base coach (is it Nick Schnabel?) doesn't waive you home at 3rd. He just stands there like a statue and that's their sign to keep going.
I absolutely love it. You run your ass off and I'll stop you if I have to. But I'm not going to tell you to be aggressive and go score that run. That's your default. You just haul ass and I'll shut you down if necessary. Fantastic attitude.
Last night I noticed a perfect example that is worth pointing out. In the first inning, Jordan Brewer was on second base and Blake Nelson singled sharply to left field. In most cases, this type of play requires the third base coach to make a split second decision whether to send or stop the runner based upon a lot of factors such as ... How deep was the outfielder playing? How strong is his arm? How hard was the ball hit? Was it hit directly at him? How fast is the baserunner? Did he get a good jump? How many outs are there? Who is on deck? As Brewer headed for third base, there was absolutely zero reaction by our third base coach and Brewer never even looked at him (as far as I could tell), yet Brewer rounded third and never hesitated as he headed to home plate to score. My point is that 99% of the time in baseball, the runner is dependent upon the coach to signal him what to do in that situation and it sometimes leads to hesitancy on the bases and missed opportunities. Bakich has the team thinking two bases on every hit, so the athleticism can take over and that applies a ton of pressure on the defense. All the third base coach has to do is signal when to stop. This philosophy meshes perfectly with the speedy lineup that Bakich has built. It is a joy to watch.
That's exactly the play I was referring to.
A few games ago, I actually saw the 3rd base coach (and I think it is Nick Schnabel - credit where due) do the same thing and thought to myself as a Michigan baseball noob: "Dude, come on. Maybe make an effort". Seeing it again, especially when they replayed it last night, I finally realized that it's by design. 3rd base coach never took his hands off his knees. Never flinched. And when Brewer slid safely into home to score, Schnabel finally broke his pose and pointed at Brewer and fist pumped and all of that jazz.
Again, I just love it. Such a simple thing to reinforce attitude.
I actually think this is a pretty common way to handle a ball hit to the left side of the field. Most coaches will allow the runner to decide whether or not to advance to 3B on a ball hit to LF/Left-Center because they can see the play. At this level, a coach wants to let his players be athletic. Now a ball hit to RF is a different story because the runner can't see what is developing.
I do love the idea of only holding up a runner from scoring instead of the tradition "wave him home" idea. Here's hoping Schnabel is doing a whole lot of motionless standing down the third base line tonight!
Go Blue!
Somehow, our baseball and football coaches appear to be the same man trapped in different bodies. Michigan athletics slowly but surely turning into a Rick and Morty episode.
You’re *urrp* welcome.
sometimes you have to play with pain, even if it hurts.
The Bakich Abides
and is cheeky.