Comments on: Monkeys on Roller Skates

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:17:02 +0000

#67@Dex: OK, I'm convinced. This is all I was looking for really. This is a logical, reasoned argument with some data to back it up. I've got nothing to refute this position with and, therefore, I must accpet that he is finished, done, kaput. Still, I will hope it's just a slow start and he can recover enough to be at least somewhat effective for the remainder of the season. Thanks for the insight.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:14:40 +0000

#66@parlo: "I said it was cause for concern to have a 40 year old struggling." I apologize then. I was lumping you in with other more emotional/knee-jerk posters. I can certainly understand being concerned.

By: Richard Wade

Richard Wade — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:35:04 +0000

#12@PM: Depending on the handedness of the batter, PetCo Park suppresses some or all of the following: singles, doubles, home runs, walks. It does, however, increase triples and strikeouts.

By: Masticore317

Masticore317 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:35:35 +0000

If we could just hit, the Hoffman issue wouldn’t seem so big.

By: Dex

Dex — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:36:06 +0000

#63@Pat: I don't think we need to simply rely on a sample to be able to tell that Trevor has been on a decline and isn't our best option out of the bullpen anymore, but I just thought I'd point out that for the near future, we're talking about a total population of probably around 55 projected innings pitched for the season. You might have looked already, but if we want to be about 70% confident in making a decision, the necessary sample size would be right around 17 innings pitched.

By: parlo

parlo — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:29:31 +0000

I said it was cause for concern to have a 40 year old struggling.
Since 2004 Hoffman has averaged about 57 innings a year. This month combined with the second half of last year produced 31.8 innings. Thats more than half a season. It would take many years to reach a sample size of 200 IP to statistically confirm his struggling performance. I am not saying he is finished, but I am very concerned. You stated that it is silly to predict a decline, yet you are quick to blame his numbers on his elbow and the trip to China. Unless you are the team physician, that seems equally silly

By: Geoff Young

Geoff Young — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:17:48 +0000

#64@sdsuaztec4: See, now that’s the kind of honesty I appreciate. Thank you.

By: sdsuaztec4

sdsuaztec4 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:09:20 +0000

The basis for my conclusion? I’m a pessimist.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:34:29 +0000

#60@parlo: And it's just as likely the chips in his elbow were bothering him at the end of 2007, while the operation to remove them and, perhaps, the trip to China have thrown off his normal preparation causing him some control problems this month. I'm not applauding "the good numbers, and then discount(ing) the poor numbers;" I am getting blue in the face trying to get people to realize how silly it is to try to predict a decline based on a sample size which is too small to be of any predictive value whatsoever.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:42:27 +0000

Hoffman feature on front of ESPN’s baseball page:

sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3363664