Thoughts on Mazzone

by SC on Oct 20, 2005 6:34 AM EDT in News

Simply put: You cannot argue with this hire. If you do, you're really stretching things. Mazzone has a proven track record and I don't think I've ever heard a bad word about him. I think it's about as exciting as hiring a new pitching coach can be.

A lot of his success can be attributed to the fact that he was coaching Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, yes. But then there are the years he got out of a lot of other, less-talented pitchers. Jaret Wright got $21 million from the Yankees at least in part thanks to Leo Mazzone's help. And just going through the starters doesn't even consider the work he's done with a lot - a LOT - of retread Atlanta relievers. Chris Hammond and Darren Holmes in 2002, anyone? What sense did those guys make?

Recommended Read: 'The Mazzone Effect' @ BaseballAnalysts.com

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Awesome.

I am so psyched. Now let's go get A.J. Burnett and Kevin Millwood.

Beltway Sports Beat: A blog or fans of Baltimore-Washington area sports

by CStoneNo37 on Oct 20, 2005 10:18 AM EDT 0 recs

I wonder what Chen thinks

Well, not really, but it will be interesting to see how he relates to his old coach from back when he was a hyped prospect who was eventually deemed uncoachable now that he's a seasoned journeyman.

I'm also interested in seeing which mediocre pitcher(s) bust out under Mazzone's guidance -- Maine? Parrish? Rakers? Dubose (is he even still around)? Eddy Rodriguez? Stephens?

This is an amazing signing. It makes sticking with Perlozzo make some sense -- if he gets along with the front office well enough to run interference, Leo can just do his thing without worrying about the dysfunction in the rest of the organization.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Oct 20, 2005 10:44 AM EDT 0 recs

Parrish

I'm going to guess Parrish is the breakout guy under Mazzone. I'm also going to go out on a limb and say that Perlozzo/Mazzone will be around a lot longer than Flanagan (or shudder Flanagan/Duquette).

The knock on Parrish, and not unrightfully so, is that he has good stuff but he can't throw strikes consistently. I think Mazzone figures something out for him and he ends up being a solid reliever (and maybe a fill-in starter when needed).

Would that completely vindicate Dave Ritterpusch, though?

Beltway Sports Beat: A blog or fans of Baltimore-Washington area sports

by CStoneNo37 on Oct 20, 2005 12:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mazzone's philosophies

Courtesy of The Sun, here are some of Mazzone's philosophies:

Throw at least twice on the mound between starts instead of the usual once. In spring training and in general, throw a lot but easily. "I had a great teacher: Johnny Sain. His motto was, 'You throw more often with less exertion.' ... What you have to do is regulate effort. You're trying to acquire command and touch. ... Your arm injuries occur from overexertion and overthrowing."
Command the down-and-away strike with your fastball and change speeds. Velocity is overrated. "I think they should throw radar guns out the window. ... It isn't how hard you throw. It's what you selected and where did it end up."
Pitch counts are overrated. "I wish they wouldn't put pitch counts on the scoreboard because they might convince some pitcher that they are getting tired."
Running is overrated. "You go to these other camps, and they're running these pitchers up and down these mountains and over these hills with parachutes and around these cones. Know what good that does you? Nothing, if you can't put a fastball where you want it."

I love this guy.

by zknower on Oct 20, 2005 12:42 PM EDT 0 recs

This is the best the O's will do

Ok maybe not but it's a great start, now if we can sign 2 great pitchers Millwood and Weaver and a ok back-up (injury reasons). Then work on trading for superstar outfielders... Wonder if Manny could play 1st? It's a tough position but the O's hire Eddie Murray to teach him how and watch out.. Also Manny played 1st a little in HS

PLay like you want it, Live like you need it

by merdon1332000 on Oct 20, 2005 12:53 PM EDT 0 recs

They also hired Jim Duquette today...

According to ESPN, the O's named Jim Duquette as VP of baseball operations. I know he worked for the Mets as GM for a short period, but have no idea what anyone thinks of him or whether it really has any impact or not.

by BirdFanInPhilly on Oct 20, 2005 1:13 PM EDT 0 recs

so far...

the only thing of note that Jim Duquette has done is trade Scott Kazmir to the Devil Rays for Victor Zambrano and Matt Peterson, Ty Wiggington, and Jose Bautista (for whom they gave up Justin Huber to the Royals) to the Pirates for Kris Benson. I have heard Mets fans refer to this as "Black Friday".

by erudite on Oct 20, 2005 2:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

i would like to know

what exactly are duquette's duties?

by birdman on Oct 20, 2005 2:23 PM EDT 0 recs

hmmmm

I'm going to venture to say the same thing Jim Beattie did... man this sucks.

by dayzd toe on Oct 20, 2005 4:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

re

I'm not sure it's quite the same, but who knows. Flanagan still has power over Duquette but Duquette can make decisions or some such crap. I don't even know how it makes sense. Anyway I'm not excited about this, but what can you do.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Oct 20, 2005 7:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mazzone

I just couldn't be happier about this whole thing. It's the best thing to happen to this team since Miguel Tejada.

Oh and SC,

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

That is absolutely classic!

by Mike Boehm on Oct 20, 2005 11:51 PM EDT 0 recs

re:

I can only imagine the laugh that got when he said it.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Oct 20, 2005 11:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re:

Does anyone recall the Miller Lite commercials with Frank and Brooks? If I recall, they denied that they were identical twins with Frank pointing out that he was at least an inch taller than Brooks.

"A manager's job is simple. For one hundred sixty-two games you try not to screw up all that smart stuff your organization did last December." Earl Weaver

by drj on Oct 21, 2005 10:56 AM EDT up 0 recs