This just in -- Mike Wilner's guest tonight on the pre-pre-game show (7:00, FAN 590) will be Josh Phelps. The phone lines will be open. A family emergency prevents me from listening, so I hope someone can fill me in on what one of my favourite Jays has to say.
Josh was just discussing getting back behind the plate, and how much he would like to don the tools of ignorance again.
Man, I would enjoy that... but given the questions over his knees, I see why the Jays aren't keen on it.
Man, I would enjoy that... but given the questions over his knees, I see why the Jays aren't keen on it.
The Jays did some research indicating how alarming the breakdown rate is for catchers taller than 6'2", so we won't be seeing Phelps (or Werth) back there except in an emergency.
What did you ask, Craig? Whether Josh knew the beanball was coming on opening day? I'm also wondering if any BB readers have thanked Mike Wilner on the air for doing such a great interview with us.
What did you ask, Craig? Whether Josh knew the beanball was coming on opening day? I'm also wondering if any BB readers have thanked Mike Wilner on the air for doing such a great interview with us.
Coach, that's exactly what I asked.
Apparently during the spring he was getting a lot of teasing that Roger was going to put him on his butt... but Josh was very diplomatic and said that until you had evidence by a guy saying he did it intentionally, when he does it in a 2 on, one out situation you have to assume he's not doing it intentionally.
Apparently during the spring he was getting a lot of teasing that Roger was going to put him on his butt... but Josh was very diplomatic and said that until you had evidence by a guy saying he did it intentionally, when he does it in a 2 on, one out situation you have to assume he's not doing it intentionally.
Interesting, Coach. I have a bet with Aaron Gleeman about the performance of Quiroz and Navarro vs. Mauer and Mathis; he's got M and M. Mauer as you probably know is over 6'2" tall (6'4" IIRC), and I feel that while he may make a good rightfielder at some point, he's likely to get injured if he remains a catcher.
Mike, I didn't see the data, just heard J.P. refer to it in an interview last year. Fisk (the original Pudge) was 6'2" and so was Bob Boone, so that pretty much establishes the durability height limit. Otherwise, it might be even shorter.
This doesn't mean it's impossible for a 6'3" man to last 10 years; see Mike Piazza. It's just unlikely. Among taller catchers, you come up with a lot of guys who prove the point, like Sandy Alomar Jr., whose 6'5" frame would have lasted much longer in another position.
This doesn't mean it's impossible for a 6'3" man to last 10 years; see Mike Piazza. It's just unlikely. Among taller catchers, you come up with a lot of guys who prove the point, like Sandy Alomar Jr., whose 6'5" frame would have lasted much longer in another position.
Ironically, Mauer has tremendous catching skills. The challenge for the Twins though will be watching his catching workload, especially playing the majority of his games on turf. You can DH him half the time but at the first sign of health problems I'd move him to a different position...his hitting potential is just too valuable.