While We’re Waiting… A Mercy Rule, Questionable Officiating, and Point-Shaving
May 8, 2009Round Two Game Two Numbers and Words
May 8, 2009Ladies and gentlemen, your prize of last year’s off-season: Masa Kobayashi.
It’s days like yesterday where Cleveland fans have to be thankful that the Cavaliers are still playing basketball. It was during two different commercial breaks that I switched over to the Indians game. The first, I noticed that it was 2-1 Tribe and second baseman Luis Valbuena had just made a very solid play behind second base to gun out the runner. Rick Manning went on to discuss how Jeremy Sowers was simply pounding the strike zone, with over 70 percent of his pitches going for strikes.
Then, after reading a Matt Underwood tweet about how solid Sowers was still doing, I opted to head back to the Indians game. After all, the Cavaliers were destroying the Hawks, so if I were to miss anything, it would be alright.
What I witnessed was an utter embarrassment. Lead-off hit to Julio Lugo. A walk to Dustin Pedroia (so much for “pounding the strike zone”). A Jason Bay double. At this point, the camera pans over to Eric Wedge phoning the bullpen. And who gets up? Masa Kobayashi.
If any of you were wondering why – through all of the bullpen turmoil and desperate need for arms – we haven’t seen much of Masa Kobayashi, you now have your answer. Opting for Tony Sipp on zero rest, or Aaron Laffey for a third inning; both better options than Kobayashi, who now has to have absolutely zero confidence in his ability to successfully go day-to-day as a professional baseball player.
Though he inherited an absolute mess, what transpired once Kobayashi took the mound was an utter disgrace.
Two-run double. Single. Two-run single. Single. Two-run single. Good night, Masa. Newly called-up Matt Herges took over the sinking ship and proceeded to allow a home run to Bay, successfully completing Kobayashi’s box score for the evening.
Five earned runs on five hits. Zero outs.
We can’t even tally an ERA for yesterday yet as he has no denominator. Are you kidding me? Someone get this guy a denominator! No. On second thought, scrap that. I don’t want to see him take the hill ever again as long as he is wearing an Indians uniform.
The end result was a 12-run sixth inning that put the game very out of reach. As Paul Hoynes said best, the good news is that it only took two hours and 37 minutes – way better than one of those very slow debacles that we are definitely prone to at this stage.
Eric Wedge’s answer to this bullpen issue comes in the form of human cloning.
“Jeremy didn’t have it and we need someone to come in and pick him up. The kid [Aaron] Laffey did a great job on Wednesday. We need more people like that to step up.”
Given how the majority of the free agent cash was spent on “improving” the bullpen – remember, this was to be our strength coming into this season – I have a feeling that any sort of genetic chemistry labs will not be on the payroll for 2009. Also, as I mentioned above, remember that Masa Kobayashi was one of our big free agent additions last season; an off-season that was so inept that it could have possibly set the Indians back another two years.
Perhaps Roberto Duran meant “No Masa?”
Someone. Please. Make it stop.
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(AP Photo)
30 Comments
His ERA is infinity.
Hey Masa – to infinity, and BEYOND!!!
The Indians played last night?
WORST PEN EVER!
Can someone tell me why Wedgey was playing the infield in on like 5 consecutive batters during the sox scoring fest? Most of those hits went over infielders’ heads and gloves cause they were in so tight, including what should have been a couple double play grounders. And i love that as soon as they play normal infield depth, one of the bosox reached on an slow roller up the 3rd base line. Classic.
The Indians have gotten to the point where I could care less. I want them to win, but at the same time, it’s almost more interesting to see how badly they can ruin games. I guess I’m just trying to find some kind of entertainment out of this.
Shapiro, admit your mistake(s) and let Masa (and Delucci) go.
@ Boom – I would like to amend your statement to include Wedge as well.
Sure the bullpen sucks right now, but Boston fans still suck the worst. No contest.
Send Kobayashi down and bring Vizcaino up.
Back to the Pacific Rim.
Can we just trade our Kobayashi in for a different one?
Lemme lemme upgraja
I also love in that picture of Masa walking off the field how Murph and Sully are heckling him.
“Domo ahhhrigahhhto! You saaaahhck!!”
Human cloning… that’s hilarious, Scott. Laffey squared…
I don’t know what the team should do at this point. The mid-game hurlers who used to inspire confidence have all gone soft.
This is a tough one to watch. We ruined his career in July and the first half of August of last year. Might not’ve had anything left regardless (or been much good in the first place), but still, it stinks. Just a nice guy who went out on a limb over here (okay, for $3M) and it didn’t work out.
(In the course of looking up Masa’s contract, saw this nugget: the Tribe’s going to owe Ol’ Dave Dellucci 50 grand if he snags the World Series MVP this year. Excellent.)
yeah i had the great pleasure of witnessing that apparently historic inning (2nd most runs ever recorded before getting an out, so ive heard) in person. I was sitting near a few other Tribe faithful, and im pretty sure the only thing on our minds was trying to figure out how to make a graceful exit. Masa didnt waste any time either-1 pitch, 2 runs.
there were just way to many happy Bostonians last night, lame.
“One cannot be betrayed if one has no people.”
Masa sucked last year. Should not have made the big club out of spring training this year. Period.
Can someone please address our Japanese talent evaluators? We seem to miss — waaaaaay outside — on our far eastern imports while other organizations hit home runs.
@ #20 – I’d have no problem going to Japan to check out the ‘talent’. Just sayin…
@ #21 –
/rim shot.
And I’m not throwing Choo under the bus, this is strictly in reference to the pitchers. That one guy who liked porn, and now the hot-dog-eating impersonator.
“And I’m not throwing Choo under the bus”
I assumed not, as he’s not Japanese.
Thank you, as I’m an idiot.
Why couldn’t I have just left well enough alone?
22- I’m not sure Tadano just “liked” porn.
is it illogical to think that Danny Ferry can run the Indians too?
Danny Ferry made one great trade and one pretty good free agency signing. Mark Shapiro does that for breakfast. We’ve got one of the absolute best front offices in baseball. This ain’t nobody’s fault.
That said, I’d be okay if Danny Ferry took over City Hall, the Browns, and/or the Federal Reserve. The man could herd cats.
Addendum- ought to have been more specific; we apparently have the 4th best organization and in fact the #1 front office in baseball.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/organizational-rankings-4
Dave Cameron usually knows what he’s talking about, but, um, it feels pretty meaningless now.
Did anyone see the Indians game today, the Tribe lost again this time to Valbuena’s stupid play on what should’ve been an out or called a error.
Good call here. Kobayashi has accepted his assignment to Columbus and will now be wearing a Clippers uniform. Have fun with that C-Bus people!