I defer to my baseball writers when discussing their teams, but I'm getting ready to say "I told you so" about Reed Johnson to a few people.
I realize Jim Edmonds has been playing well, and it's hard to argue with the platoon system of a team that's done as well as the Cubs.
But don't you get the impression Johnson would get even better if he played every day? Baseball people have told me this is as good as he's going to get.
Maybe, but this still is pretty good. Another clutch hit Sunday wins a game.
Who do you want up in October with a playoff game on the line, ninth inning, Cubs down a run with a runner on second: Johnson or Edmonds? And yes, it's a right-handed pitcher.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Jim Edmonds has been a gift, as has Reed Johnson. There are several games that were won by Edmonds' bat or his fielding. The same is true of Johnson, no doubt. Lou Pinella has done a great job making the decision and they have worked out.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Pinella's knowledge, instinct and professionalism have carried us this far. Respecting baseball includes respecting the time, intellect, wisdom and effort that goes into the work done by professionals like Pinella.
I've generally enjoyed your comments. This one however, shows more arrogance than reason.
If you look at Reed Johnson's career statistics, he's pretty solid accross the board. The only knock on him was the ability to stay healthy and because he plays with such reckless abandon at times, he is a righ risk to be depended on as an everyday player not as talented as certain five-tool studs. At least from what I've seen in the interviews, he seems to embrace his role on this team. If the platoon system works and everyone is happy about it, why try to fix something that isn't broken? Jim Edmonds has already won several games for the team in the clutch as well. You can't just designate him to a pinch hitting role. And if I'm not mistaken, isn't Johnson's batting average against lefties over 100 pts. more than against righties? I say leave the platoon as it is. Leave Edmonds in there in a clutch situation during a playoff game against a right-hander, but no need to pinch hit Reed Johnson for Edmonds if that situation arises.
Reed is hitting .337 against lefties vs. 262 against righties. For his career, it's .312 against lefties and .267 against righties. Would he be better playing every day? When he was doing so earlier, he wasn't very good. He's performing so well because he is in the role that is best suited for him.
Jim Edmonds has a .965 OPS with the Cubs....that is ridiculous good. He's been the best hitter of the last two months. Reed Johnson has a .702 OPS vs. Righties this year. You want to bring up this phantom "clutchness" theory? How about Edmonds' huge "Hey Hey" homerun in the ninth against the Braves, or his big-time game in "the comeback" vs. the Rockies, or single-handedly wiping out the Brewers in the 4th game last week. If you're talking about "clutch", surely you have to bring up Edmonds playing in 61 career playoff games and OPS'ing .888 in them. Reed Johnson has yet to have a postseason at bat.
Regardless, the whole clutch thing is immaterial and non-existent. Talent wins out. However, Reed Johnson mashes lefties and Edmonds is the overall better player so keep the platoon.
I like both of them better than Fukodome. Any way Reed can play RF?
Doesn't anyone miss me?
He said it himself, when he said his LEAD OFF hitting experience makes him perfect for coming off the bench cold, in clutch situations. Thats a great talent.
Along with the "I told you so" are you also going to throw in some "nah na na na nahhhhhhhhhs"?
Why not take the high road and just bask in your own self awareness that you were right... this time.
From watching sports writers on TV, I know that humility is not part of the sports writing equation, but perhaps you can raise the bar a little.
It's kind of like that message you were trying to send bloggers about the booing of Rex at family night. Or are only fans the focal point of boorish, childish behavior -- not sports writers.
70!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Romsox you think that first team reaching 70 wins is worth a measly Cubs post?