Doc's TML: Joey Votto remains Reds' top option
The first missive from, um sunny and ahem delightfully 80 warm AwesomeYear commences with tales of Joey Votto and bighorn sheep. The former was engaging. The latter was magnificent.
As for Joey: He will make his spring debut Saturday. B.Price said Votto ran the bases "twice at full speed'' Thursday, including some sliding. I guess that means he's ready to go.
As some might know, Votto and I don't exactly see things the same when it comes to hitting theories. Of course, Votto forgets more about hitting before breakfast than I'll ever know. But I will not change certain beliefs; nor will he. Yesterday we agreed to disagree.
I could go over our discussion here, re the importance of RBI v. the importance of getting on base. But damn, it's dull. Let's just say that what he says makes sense. And what I say makes sense, too.
The interesting aspect for me is wondering whether Votto is unique in his loyalty to advanced numbers, or is sort of a visionary among his peers, when it comes to allowing numbers theory to dictate how he approaches hitting.
For the moment, advanced metrics is embraced by a fair portion of the media, and by most of those charged with running teams. Players? Not so much. Certainly not to Votto's extent.
Numbers crunching suits Votto. It's an intellectual way to look at the game , and Votto is that. He has an analytical personality. His idol is Ted Williams. If analytics had been around in Ted's time, he'd have used them, big time. It's easy to see why Votto has become such a SABR student.
To each his own.
As I've said here before, if he hits 2nd, there is no debate. Hitting behind Billy Hamilton, he'd see lots of fastballs. He wouldn't be asked to hit with the sort of power he had earlier in his career. Doubles to the gaps and walks would be fine. Votto says he wouldn't change his approach no matter where he hit, so that's not an issue.
Lots of very good hitters have hit 2nd recently: Mauer, Trout, Beltran, Batista. The issue, obviously, is if the Reds have a good enough replacement for the 3-hole. Who'd you like to see there? Bruce? Phillips has hit there and, depending on how you see the numbers, done OK. Byrd? Mesoraco, Frazier? Truth is, none of those players has Votto's versatility at the plate. All of 'em K a lot.
I still think Votto is The Club's top option . And I still think RBI are more than simply a function of opportunity.
NOW, STUFF MORE IMPORTANT . I've been coming to the Phoenix area, on and off, for more than a decade, even before the Reds made the move to FabulousYear. I've done the drive to the Superstition Mts. 20 times. I've hiked lots of desert trails. And I've never seen an animal. Not one, save some birds and the occasional lizard.
Yesterday, we saw bighorn sheep. I mean, at least 10 of 'em, no more than 100 feet from the car, out in the middle of dirt-road, Superstition nowhere. I posted a photo on Twitter and Facebook.
B.Price has lived here half his life. I showed him the photo, he said he's never seen bighorn sheep. I have to feel blessed to have witnessed these magnificent animals close enough to hear them snort at me.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG ...Column No. 1 was on Votto.Column No. 2 is on M.Byrd, a very glad presence in a clubhouse that's a little on the laid-back side. Tomorrow, a state of the state from DDBP. For whatever reason, he talks to me.
After that, a piece on the Art of Forgetting. It's one of the most important traits a baseball player can possess.
PRICE ON MESORACO. . . "We universally admire Devin for his work ethic and his makeup.'' Price said Mesoraco's ability to call games, block the plate and throw out baserunners improved from the first half of last year to the second. He said he's like to see the catcher throw behind baserunners more, to cut down on their secondary leads, something Y. Molina does so well.
NOW FOR SOME FUN AND GAMES. BEER-ESPONDENT TRISTEN:
Untapped' Is Pretty Cool, Beer Badges Are Dumb
I'm not quite an OG yet, but I can be a little grumpy about social media. Some of its really cool and other stuff is a total waste of time. This being the beer section, let's talk about UNTAPPED.
The interface allows you to log/rate your beers and add friends to keep up with their brew activities. It's a good way to research new beer, track what you drink (my main reason for using it), and stay in touch with beer buds scattered across the country. What I dislike are the badges and recommendations.
Badges are designed to reward you for drinking new beers with digital charms like you're a third grader. The result, EveryoneGotTrophiesGrowingUpGuy could care less about quality or loyalty versus the tally of distinct check ins. It's changing beer selections offered at bars because they have to constantly rotate taps to keep the badge hounds happy.
The recommendations are more suspicious so let me explain. Some directional math of my brew history has me drinking around 20% Brown/Amber Ale, 15% Lager, 15% Stout/Porter, 11% IPA, 8% Pale Ale, 6% Belgian/Saison, 25% Seasonal/Other/Misc. (If Doc had an account his history would be 77% keystone light). Yet, when I go to their recs supposedly based on my drinking history, over 75% are IPAs?
Trusting algorithms is one step closer to robot domination, but this feels more like being pushed to a genre because it's big business and trendy. The beer recs are supposed to feel like Pandora helping you find a new band, but it's either a bad formula or a sneaky beer ad.
Wherever you land, here's a handful of my top rated brews:
Founders Breakfast Stout
Uinta Sea Legs Baltic Porter
Hangar 24 IPA
Bells Two Hearted Ale
Sláinte,
for more on the world of beer
twitter and untapped: @coldbrewpost
email: coldbrewpost@gmail.com
AND YOUTH-ESPONDENT B. KORS…
Cincinnati's longstanding beer tradition will be celebrated this weekend with Bockfest. Bockfest kicks off Friday at Arnold's Bar & Grill with a parade and continues with a party throughout the weekend at the Christian Moerlein Brewery in OTR. View the full Bockfest schedule at www.bockfest.com . In other beer news, Rhinegeist Brewery in OTR is hosting a release party Saturday at noon for their Imperial IPA Saber Tooth Tiger. Admission is free.
From the interesting file… come to Fountain Square for the CinciCARTic Race Saturday at noon. Teams of five ride grocery carts around the city and are tasked with picking up grocery items. Hopefully no one cries over spilled milk.
Finally…Collective Espresso is opening a location in the Contemporary Arts Center. If you have not been to the CAC, it is worth a trip to see the unique artwork. Learn more from the Enquirer.
INDIE TUNE O' THE WEEK - Here is the tune "Bloom" by The Paper Kites.
Mobsters that is all I have this week. As always, here are five artists that deserve a listen.
1) Philadelphia Grand Jury
2) The Oh Hellos
3) Lucy Rose
4) Nic Hessler
5) Toro y Moi
AND FINALLY. . .
IF YOU READ JUST ONE THING TODAY , make it this , on Toronto mega-prospect and very cool dude, Daniel Norris.
Love this, from Norris' journal:
"Research the things you love," he wrote one night. "Gain knowledge. It's valuable."
"Be kind. Be courteous. Love others and be happy. It's that simple."
TUNE O' THE DAY . I reprise this one every year when I'm out here, so here it is again. Robert Earl Keen, on Sonora's Death Row.