The Idiocy Gene

Greg (KC) Are you excited for Posnanski's new book, "The Machine?"

Joe Morgan: The only thing I think of when I think about the Big Red Machine are the unsung players who didn't get the publicity they don't get. Griffey should have won a batting title that year.

What year, Joe?

I'm going to guess '76 when Griffey hit .336. That same year though, Bill Madlock hit .339, which unless I'm confused is more than .336 . . .So why exactly should Griffey have won? Some kind of conspiracy? Official Scorer's errors? Madlock was on PED's? Or did you just not like him? The Pirates? Pittsburgh as a city?

Geronimo was the best center fielder in the game.

Geronimo arguably wasn't even the best center fielder named Cesar... Cesar Cedeno matched Geronimo's Gold Glove and out hit Geronimo. And let's not forget Garry Maddox, Joe. He also matched Geronimo defensively and he finished FIFTH in the MVP voting in 1976. Geronimo finished 25th . . . Behind even Cedeno.

Now, admittedly, I was eight that year and knew about as much about the Big Red Machine as I did about the Big Red Spot, but it looks to me like you're wrong here, Joe. I could be wrong, Joe, but given our past histories the percentages are much more in your favor here . . . So I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and say . . . Yes, in fact . . . you are wrong.

It's just easier that way, Joe. You understand I'm sure.

Concepion would have been my choice to start a team at shortstop.

Not going to stop until you succeed in getting Little Davey into the Hall, are you?

Then you had such great pitchers, like Gullet, Billingham and others.

If you cared half as much about baseball as a game as you do about the Reds of the mid-70's . . . You'd be one heck of an analyst.

Unfortunately, it is quite apparent that you don't care even one-hundreth as much about the game as you do your personal buddies from 30+ years ago.

I bet at home you still wear bell-botoms and listen to LP's of KC & the Sunshine Band, don't you?

It's 2009, Joe. Might want to catch up...

"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.

hunteralan:

Greg (KC) Are you excited for Posnanski's new book, "The Machine?"

Joe Morgan: The only thing I think of when I think about the Big Red Machine are the unsung players who didn't get the publicity they don't get. Griffey should have won a batting title that year.

What year, Joe?

I'm going to guess '76 when Griffey hit .336. That same year though, Bill Madlock hit .339, which unless I'm confused is more than .336 . . .So why exactly should Griffey have won? Some kind of conspiracy? Official Scorer's errors? Madlock was on PED's? Or did you just not like him? The Pirates? Pittsburgh as a city?

Geronimo was the best center fielder in the game.

Geronimo arguably wasn't even the best center fielder named Cesar... Cesar Cedeno matched Geronimo's Gold Glove and out hit Geronimo. And let's not forget Garry Maddox, Joe. He also matched Geronimo defensively and he finished FIFTH in the MVP voting in 1976. Geronimo finished 25th . . . Behind even Cedeno.

Now, admittedly, I was eight that year and knew about as much about the Big Red Machine as I did about the Big Red Spot, but it looks to me like you're wrong here, Joe. I could be wrong, Joe, but given our past histories the percentages are much more in your favor here . . . So I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and say . . . Yes, in fact . . . you are wrong.

It's just easier that way, Joe. You understand I'm sure.

Concepion would have been my choice to start a team at shortstop.

Not going to stop until you succeed in getting Little Davey into the Hall, are you?

Then you had such great pitchers, like Gullet, Billingham and others.

If you cared half as much about baseball as a game as you do about the Reds of the mid-70's . . . You'd be one heck of an analyst.

Unfortunately, it is quite apparent that you don't care even one-hundreth as much about the game as you do your personal buddies from 30+ years ago.

I bet at home you still wear bell-botoms and listen to LP's of KC & the Sunshine Band, don't you?

It's 2009, Joe. Might want to catch up...

Just one thing you had wrong HA, Madlock played for the Cubs in 1976, not the Pirates.

Now that Manny is finally signed, lets get Pierre off the team

Z Man (Chicago): Joe, do you expect the Reds to play more consistent once Joey Votto returns and brings his steady and consistent offense to the team?

Joe Morgan: The thing that's really hurt the Reds the last few weeks has been Votto's absence. He was the stabilizing factor on that ballclub. Had he not got hurt, the Reds might be in first place. But the offense has sputtered because he's been in and out of the lineup. He's definitely a difference maker in that lineup.

With Joey Votto in the lineup this year: 4.3 runs per game.
Without Joey Votto in the lineup this year: 4.1 runs per game.

Brad (NM): Is it probable that Houston will get back into the NL Central race or should they sell sell sell?

Joe Morgan: Houston has an uncanny knack of playing great in the second half. Last year, I think they might have made the playoffs if they didn't have to play those three games in Milwaukee instead of Houston. You can't count them out yet.

Houston Astros: 4.5 games out of first place on June 16th.

Can’t count them out yet.

Bold prediction there, Joe. Bold…

lee (cole): Joe, Lee from NADA 153, whats up with the yankees this year?

Joe Morgan: Well, the ballpark. To be honest the ballpark has helped them. They've gotten guys back offensively. The whole team is hitting more home runs in that ballpark. The park has made a difference in their team. When they've gone on the road and played Boston, they've not been able to beat them. That has to do with starting pitching. Boston has the pitching and the Yankees don't. I think the Yankees, starting pitching is a problem for them.

Really, I don’t think anything more needs to be said here…

Pete (NC): With AL pitchers having to bat in NL parks during interleague play, why isn't there a push to even the playing field? Either all pitchers bat or no pitchers bat. Will this ever change?

Joe Morgan: No, I don't think it's going to change. The AL has the DH and the NL doesn't. That's not going to change. I think the AL has an advantage. They have guys who have DH'd all year long. The NL teams have to send a guy up there who's not used to that position. The AL will always have an advantage as long as the DH is used.

Hunter Alan: No, I don’t think it’s going to change. The AL has the DH and the NL doesn’t. That’s not going to change. I think the NL has an advantage. They have pitchers who have hit all year long. The AL teams have to send a pitcher up there who’s not used to hitting. The NL will always have an advantage as long as the DH is used.

What? Tell me I don’t make just as much sense a Joe . . . . Uhhhh, hold on…

ron rittwage, parma, oh [via mobile]: good morning joe its an honor, What happened to my Indians, how do you fix them and is eric wedge the right man for the job? thank you.

Joe Morgan: I broadcast the game on Sunday. The Indians are just hoping they can get all their players back healthy. I'm not so sure the Indians are as good as they were supposed to be. A lot of people picked them to win the AL Central this year. Sizemore is one of their key players and he didn't get off to a good start. Peralta is not having a good year. I'm not so sure the team is as good as we thought. I'm not sure they have the talent we thought they had. But everybody in the AL Central is still waiting around and everyone is still in it. They still have a shot.

Parsed down: Was at Indians game on Sunday … Not sure the Indians are good … Not sure team is very good … Not sure they have talent . . .

Joe Morgan – Your very own ESPN baseball expert analyst . . . The Analyst of Analysts . . . Hall of Famer . . . All around good guy…

Cosmo (Anytown, USA): Are the Phillies your pick to represent the NL in the World Series again this year? Why or why not?

Joe Morgan: Yes. There's something about the Phillies. My great friend who passed, Harry Kalas, called them the Fightin' Phils. That was an affectionate name for them.

That’s nice. We also have some affectionate names for you Joe. It’s just that they are . . . Well, you see . . . . Ummmm . . . . . They’re really not fit for . . . . . . Hmmmm . . . .

Let’s move on…

"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.

matt (pittsburgh): the nl central is really close right now from top to bottom. who do you think will eventually win it? do you think my pirates can stay in the race deep into the season?

Joe Morgan: There's always a chance they stay in the race, but I'm not sure they win it. That division is tough to call, so you go with the team that's in first and that's the Brewers.

You go with who’s in first . . . On June 16th? That’s just stupid.

The Reds without Votto have struggled.

What does Votto’s jock smell like Joe?

The Cubs without Ramirez have struggled.

The Cubs with Ramirez have struggled. No news there, Joe.

The Cardinals have Pujols, but no one else stepping up.

Chris Carpenter is 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA. Adam Wainwright is 7-4 with a 3.33 ERA.

That’s not stepping up?

Jkahn (Maryland): How do you like having Steve Phillips in the booth with you this year?

Joe Morgan: It's an adjustment for me and for Jon, because the two of us have worked together for 19 years and have worked well. We knew how to give each other the right amount of space. Now we have to learn to give Steve the space he needs. It's a work in progress. It's different.

But it still sucks.

Ben (Lincoln, NE): Do you think Jose Contreras can continue to look like he has in his last 2 starts?

No, he can’t. That’s an easy one. But I’m guessing Joe will somehow see it differently.

Joe Morgan: He can, because he's done it before. He won, I think, 13-14 games in a row 2-3 years ago.

No, Joe. Unequivocally no! Jose Contreras has NEVER won 13-14 games in a row. EVER. Two years ago, Contreras was 10-17 so I’m pretty sure he didn’t win 13-14 in a row that year… Three years ago, he won 13 games yet I’ll bet your entire 1976 salary that he didn’t win those 13 games in a row… Four years ago, Contreras won a career high 15 games, but how much are you willing to bet 13-14 of those wins didn’t come in a row?

Dumb, dumb comment, Joe.

But he's also had some bad years inbetween.

Really? No kidding . . .

Which Contreras are we going to see?

Oooh, oooh, ooooh!!!! I’ll answer! I’ll answer!

The guy we've seen the last couple of times out is the guy we've seen in the past. But he's definitely capable, because he's done it before.

The guy we’ve seen in every other start this season (0-5, 8.19 ERA) is the guy we’ve seen in the past too.

Joe Morgan: I think it should be easier for all of you to evaluate your teams if you take these things in mind: 1) Starting pitching, you have to have starting pitching to win; 2) Offense, you have to have offense and score runs; 3) Bullpen. You need both middle and short relief; 4) Defense.

That’s Baseball For Dummies… Amazon for $1.96…

Now, do you need all four? Of course not, but the better you have them, the better the team will be. If you think about it, Boston probably comes closest to having those things on their team, which in my opinion makes Boston the best team right now.

Did you even think about it? I mean with any fact or reason, that is.

I guess I shouldn’t complain. At least Joe gave his opinion this time. As uneducated and wrong as it may be, at least he gave it…

Draining . . . Cell . . . Brain . . . Dying . . . B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b…

Things do change.

And sometimes they just . . . stay . . . . . the . . . . . . . . same…

Mind numbing . . . Truly . . . Mind numbing…

"It is called being a professional. If you take the money, give the effort. If you are a pro in any sport, you are always supposed to give your best effort." ~Joe Morgan.

grabarkewitz:

So, I am checking the Times' sports section for stuff about the upcoming NHL and NBA drafts (what can I say, I like drafts) and front and center on the page is another mindless diatribe from that scion of bad English, Bill Plass-Hat. I guess he couldn't find a bakery to eat or something compelling about Rick Neuheisel, so he decided to plagarize an earlier story by the one writer who makes Plaschke look somewhat literate, Tracy Ringolsby (aka Extreme Fat Bastid). I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Plass-Hat oinked that Manny should not be allowed a rehab assignment and it is all about money. Ya think, Fat Bill? Name three things in professional sports that are not about the money. What is really hilarious is that Plass-Hat is portraying himself as Don Quixote, tilting at windmills with little or no success. Instead of taking task with the suits who run the game, he feels some misplaced superiority in directing his moronic brain droppings at Manny.

I am saving this story, because when the Dodgers win the series Plass-Hat will change his tune and say he was all for Manny and those young kids he tossed under the bus, a couple years ago. At least Simers has not strayed from his point that the blame should be directed at the game, not the player. Shocking, in itself.

Plass-Hat writes poorly, is never funny, and rarely has any worthwhile insights. Tell me again why he has that job?

When I saw three new entries in the "idiocy gene" thread, I thought it had to be about the worst telecasting crew in baseball. That would be the White Sox tandem of Harrelson and Stone. No wonder they call Harrelson "Hawk". All he does is hawk the Chicago product on the field. Way back when, he was almost bearable when he had Tom Paciorek doing color to at least keep things loose. Now with Stone, it's Mute button after one inning. Thank goodness tonight's game is on Prime Ticket, and I will be able to watch with sound on MLB Extra Innings.

Oh, and I totally agree with the Plass_hat comments. What a dork.

SamAdams:

When I saw three new entries in the "idiocy gene" thread, I thought it had to be about the worst telecasting crew in baseball. That would be the White Sox tandem of Harrelson and Stone. No wonder they call Harrelson "Hawk". All he does is hawk the Chicago product on the field. Way back when, he was almost bearable when he had Tom Paciorek doing color to at least keep things loose. Now with Stone, it's Mute button after one inning. Thank goodness tonight's game is on Prime Ticket, and I will be able to watch with sound on MLB Extra Innings.

Oh, and I totally agree with the Plass_hat comments. What a dork.

The only problem I have with Prime Ticket is Eric Collins calling the game. He is so sickening that I am tempted to mute him and listen to Steiner and Monday. I am not a fan of Homerism, whether it is my team or the Gints, Putrids or Yankees. Maybe because we grew up on Vin, but calling it down the middle makes for a better game experience, IMO.

I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...

grabarkewitz:

The only problem I have with Prime Ticket is Eric Collins calling the game. He is so sickening that I am tempted to mute him and listen to Steiner and Monday. I am not a fan of Homerism, whether it is my team or the Gints, Putrids or Yankees. Maybe because we grew up on Vin, but calling it down the middle makes for a better game experience, IMO.

All I can say is if Collins is supposed to be the eventual replacement for Vinnie we will truly go from first to worst.

Willie:

As far as I'm concerned, the most suitable replacement for Vinnie would be Ross Porter, but unfortunately that's never going to happen.

Porter was shown the door with a total lack of class, but I don't know that I'd like to listen to him 9 innings per game, 162(+) games per year. I know I wouldn't lose as much sleep.

I think somebody touched on something the other day. I think that today's announcers are more homer-like because the owners of the teams want them to be. They want the broadcasters to be shills for the team, salesmen more than reporters. Whether it's Collins or somebody else, we're going to get stuck with a homer after Vinnie.

"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."

beefchopper:

Whether or not he's a homer isn't what bothers me about Collins. It is that he seems to think his role is to exclusively be a straight man for Lyons. He keeps asking Lyons opinions on everything as if Lyons is the oracle of baseball experiences.

Maybe he dreams he's Jon Miller and Lyons is Joe Morgan.

- Kyle... CrossRoads Church

Willie:

After Collins and Lyons had their little debate about the newer stats, I figured Collins would be a hero and Lyons a zero on Dodger Thoughts. I checked it out and sure enough that's what happened. For those of you who didn't hear the discussion, Collins was pro and Lyons was con.

I did notice that Collins is willing to look into the numbers more than Lyons. But, given that Lyons is more about personality than intelligence, that is not surprising. I just wish that Collins would call the game down the middle. Yeah, it is great when the Dodgers are playing well, but I don't want someone to sugarcoat it when they are playing badly, like Krukow does with the Giants or Hawk with the Sox. That is one reason I loved Harry Caray, he didn't shy away from ripping on someone who wasn't hustling or giving his all, on either team. I can remember Caray even complaining because Andre Dawson had zero patience at the plate.

I'll play the radio on Southern stations because Southern Belles are Hell at night...

grabarkewitz:

The way I look at it, the one person who might be able to replace Vin, somewhat, is Jon Miller. Miller, when not having to carry deadweight like Morgan or Krukow, is one helluva announcer. I would love to see him call a game all by himself, because I think he could do it nearly as easily as Vin. He knows the players, he is up on the history and trivia of the game and he can play it down the middle. His bad reputation is by association. He has to feed lines to Krukow or Morgan for either to pound their own drums and there are times when you can tell that he is not happy being Ed McMahon to these guys and their Karnak routine.

Stick him with Collins and let Collins just talk stats and numbers while Miller does his thing and it will be okay. No one can really replace Vin, but partnering someone smarter than Lyons or Steiner with Collins would be the best move.

I have to admit that the few times I've listened to Miller on the radio, I've enjoyed his call. I haven't heard him very many times, but it's like night and day. He's a different person when Morgan and Phillips are in the booth.

"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."

grabarkewitz:

The way I look at it, the one person who might be able to replace Vin, somewhat, is Jon Miller. Miller, when not having to carry deadweight like Morgan or Krukow, is one helluva announcer. I would love to see him call a game all by himself, because I think he could do it nearly as easily as Vin. He knows the players, he is up on the history and trivia of the game and he can play it down the middle. His bad reputation is by association. He has to feed lines to Krukow or Morgan for either to pound their own drums and there are times when you can tell that he is not happy being Ed McMahon to these guys and their Karnak routine.

Stick him with Collins and let Collins just talk stats and numbers while Miller does his thing and it will be okay. No one can really replace Vin, but partnering someone smarter than Lyons or Steiner with Collins would be the best move.

Have to agree. I usually enjoy Miller calling games. If he could do it solo, even better.

grabarkewitz:

The way I look at it, the one person who might be able to replace Vin, somewhat, is Jon Miller. Miller, when not having to carry deadweight like Morgan or Krukow, is one helluva announcer. I would love to see him call a game all by himself, because I think he could do it nearly as easily as Vin. He knows the players, he is up on the history and trivia of the game and he can play it down the middle. His bad reputation is by association. He has to feed lines to Krukow or Morgan for either to pound their own drums and there are times when you can tell that he is not happy being Ed McMahon to these guys and their Karnak routine.

Stick him with Collins and let Collins just talk stats and numbers while Miller does his thing and it will be okay. No one can really replace Vin, but partnering someone smarter than Lyons or Steiner with Collins would be the best move.

I agree. And not only that, but Miller does the best Vin impersonation I've ever heard. Maybe he could do him so well, we wouldn't miss Vin too much...

- Kyle... CrossRoads Church

BluePastorKyle:

Wise not fooled. Kemp with the valiant effort.

Wrong thread, Kyle.

"I know, everybody funny, now you funny too."