From: kbos@carina.unm.edu (K. Mitchell Bose)
Subject: Re: Expos Clinch! Wallach to Dodgers
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 93 04:55:26 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <kbanaian.136.0@bernard.pitzer.claremont.edu> kbanaian@bernard.pitzer.claremont.edu (King Banaian) writes:
>In article <1993Jan3.092505.4128@Princeton.EDU> niepornt@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (David Marc Nieporent) writes:
>
>>1) What rational reason is there for choosing a 35 year-old Tim Wallach
>>over a 24-year old Dave Hansen, when they put up similar numbers last
>>year?  Okay, defense, but who gets a 35 year old guy for many million 
>>dollars to play defense at an offensive position?  Oh, and I know,
>>leadership and experience, because he's led the Expo's to the WS many 
>>times in his career, and the Dodgers are really short on experienced
>>veterans.
>>

"Rational" reason?  None.  Claire reason.  Hey, he likes the guy.  What better
testimonial can one get?  :)

>  I think this in the end comes down to the fact that Hansen, who 
>may be OK, did not fulfill their expectations.  He was even more wretched 
>with the bat than Wallach.  And while Hansen may improve, I doubt he reaches 
>over 700 OPS ever.

Huh?  Hansen "may be OK", but you doubt he'll ever reach 700 OPS?  Hmmm... :)

I'm not as high on Hansen as I am on other players.  This isn't because he's
not good (I think his confidence needs a positive boost, myself...), but because
Dodger brass like his attitude and work ethic enough that I believe they haven't
really addressed the question of what type of player he is.  He doesn't hit for
as much power as you'd expect at a glance, mostly because he hasn't been driving
the ball in a home run-style stroke with any success.  Hansen isn't anything
really special, and he's not a coming star.  What he _is_ is a young guy with 
a good attitude and no glaring flaws.  Offensively, his value is going to be 
tied to his batting average - when he's hitting well, he'll be grooving the ball
into the gaps for doubles, and he'll be patient at the plate.  If he's off,
he'll press, sky the ball for popups, and drag his game down.  Defensively, he's
a pretty smart player, who could learn from Wallach.

I think that the Wallach acquisition might work out IF Wallach "tutors" Hansen
and takes Hansen aside and teaches him the game at the major league level.
Remember, Wallach isn't a bum; he's just slowed down some.  The whole Wallach
thing, IMHO, centers around whether or not Wallach is asked to prepare Hansen
for the job, and whether or not Wallach accepts that role...

>And there isn't a blessed thing in the minors behind him, IMO.

If someone teaches Mike Busch to make contact with the ball, there is.

>>2) Did Mike Sharperson get hit by a truck?  Is he a free agent?  I
>>suppose he could be, only I didn't see his name anywhere on the fa
>>lists.  What happened to the idea of playing *good* players?
>>
>I believe Sharpie is still under contract, and I believe he is a few service 
>days short of free agency.  The original plan I heard was that Har-Person 
>would move back to third, (after the Reed trade), and now they are without a 
>home.  I think Sharpie will stay, and it is Lenny that has to go.  (Lenny 
>has lost his power stroke;  11 2bs & 0 dingers last year.)

Damn, I wish Earl Weaver would manage him...

-- 
Kurt Bose (as in Daisy, not Rose) * kbos@carina.unm.edu * Walks: not that sexy.
"Halt!  Based on conclusive dental evidence that truly bites, I arrest you 
 hereby for the murdering of the dead Belzic Tascar.  I am obliged to warn you 
 that my weapons are registered as offensive fronds!!"- R.M.Allen, "Monkey See"
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball