Quick Thoughts on Current Happenings

Short one today, decent amount going on at work combined with a slow period of ideas. I seriously can't wait for the NBA playoffs to start, I will be flying with all the content that should be generated from that. Anyway, there's some small stories that I don't think I have a full article's worth of content from but I still want to get my thoughts out. This might be a bit of a hodgepodge but I think I'll still have fun and isn't that all that matters?

Juiced Bats

The story of the first weekend in baseball so far! If you haven't seen, there's been a lot of chatter, particularly around the Yankees, about a new design in the baseball bat that supposedly increases power. The bat fits within the weight and size constraints set out by the MLB only it takes wood from the handle and tip and moves it towards the "sweet spot" on the bat. Now, I am skeptical about things like this, how could the first major innovation on the bat come after 150 years? So far though the results have spoken for themselves, in the least amount of games played in the MLB so far (3) the Yankees have hit the most Home Runs (15). Reacting to 3 game sample sizes is pretty crazy in baseball, and it could be more about poor opposing pitching and luck than the new bat, but as you can imagine it's got people talking. 

Personally, I hope the bats are juiced, I think that's hilarious and will be funny to see the MLB try to outlaw to protect the integrity of the game. It reminded me of my house league softball days, I wasn't much of a power hitter. One game we got a shiny new aluminum bat, people told me it was built with springs or some kind of technology to let the ball travel farther, sounded good to me. In my first at bat I hit the ball farther than I ever had in my life. With no fence at our park, home runs all had to be run out, I ran around the bases so fast I nearly tripped, the catcher laughed at me as I sprinted across home plate before the outfielder even got to the ball. Anyway, clearly I can relate to the New York Yankees.

Bowden Francis

I was watching the Jays game last night when I came to the conclusion, Bowden Francis might just be the team's best pitcher. In an era where analytics play an increased role in the on field product, Francis doesn't jump off the page. He's not a high strikeout guy, his stuff is just pretty good and he doesn't throw heat like a lot of the great pitchers today. I mean, just look at his Baseball Savant page (such a cool site, if this existed when I was a kid I'd be over the moon), nothing really jumps off the page as out of this world. What Bowden does though is throw strikes constantly and throws them in good places. Bowden Francis very rarely walks guys, he makes you beat him. With the Jays prioritizing defense the last few seasons, beating him with your bat is a tough ask. Pitchers like this are my favorite to watch, he works quick, gets us exciting defensive plays and doesn't drag innings out by falling behind in counts or walking guys. Even yesterday the 2 home runs he gave up weren't back breakers because they were solo shots, he doesn't walk guys! Watching him reminded me of a right handed version of Mark Buehrle, not crazy stuff, just knows how to locate and always throws strikes. Pitchers like this don't get enough recognition, but not here on Lohensports!

Quick aside, I'll never forget the Buerhle game where he had tickets to a country concert in Toronto on the night he was starting. If I remember correctly Buerhle pitched a complete game shut out in a game that lasted just over 2 hours, working as fast as he possibly could to get out on time for his show. What a legend.  

Would Aaron Rodgers Be So Bad?

I feel like I am going crazy seeing how opposed fans are to Aaron Rodgers joining the Steelers. I understand he's had some issues with being a bit of a nut off the field, but unless I'm missing something it's been mostly questionable political opinions and hippie behavior, nothing overly disgusting. This is also coming from the same fanbase that watched Ben Roethlisberger lead the team for nearly 20 years, one of the biggest pieces of garbage off the field ever! At the end of the day Rodgers is kind of washed at this point, but he's still probably better than Mason Rudolph or whatever rookie they might bring in. I can't imagine his deal will be a long term one and with the Steelers investing heavily in the WR position this offseason, why not. If it flames out spectacularly then throw it in the bin and start over next season. It's not like anyone on the roster is knocking down the door to be the long term Steelers QB. We've been spoiled as a fanbase for a long time with a franchise QB bringing stability year after year. After that guy retires, every team not called the Packers struggles to find who's next. Embrace the craziness, bring me ARod. 

And that's that! Just a quick one today, like I said I don't have a fully flushed out article on any of these topics but all 3 have been burning on my mind so we get a smorgasbord today! Go Blue Jays and I guess go Steelers too!