I understand why you can’t get super specific about an at-bat most of the time, but that explanation of the Millar at-bat in the 2nd was priceless for a true baseball fan. Thanks.

Matt

I want to keep this respectful for as long as possible. I’m a Yankee fan, so I probably don’t belong here. But when Curt Schilling comes out with a blog, my first reaction is that it’s bound to be the most pretentious thing going. But I will keep an open mind. First things first: Did you get the name of the blog from the number of pitches you threw in your first start against the Royals? Easy, big guy. You’re supposed to have a sense of humor, aren’t you? There’s sure to be some interesting stuff in your blog. I’ll at least give it a chance. By the way, what do you think of Alex Rodriguez’s start? Was just curious. Let’s chat soon.

Good luck in ‘07.

Now maybe we can help you guys whoop up on the Yankees a little bit!

As for the Kevin Millar stuff, I think it’s awesome that he’s still friendly with the Red Sox team. Just shows how really tight that 2004 group was.

I like that you are old school.

I like it when pitchers, believe they are in the game as more than the man with the ball.

It defys the addage - “Pitchers pitch, hitters hit, fielders field”

I always believed that a pitcher who understood the defensive approach as well as the whole theory, was all talk no action. In regards to placement on a particular pitch and count. However, it is more thoery than practice. Sometimes, this theory sounds great but rarely is the follow through there. Why is it the pitchers responsibility to position the fielders?

I know for a fact, I am not offering advice during an AB to a pitcher, unless I am catching or in the dugout with the pitching coach or manager. I may come in to settle down the pitcher, or give a break, but that is it. Do you feel that this is something that adds separation or a competitive advantage. Is it something you find gives you more piece of mind? Or is this something you learned from playing? Or is this an immediate reaction to a humbling experience? (Ie did you shake off an inside fastball, try and overthrow a slider, and the guy bangs it through, but it was a tweaner? Hardheadedness?

Personally I find it is a convenient scapegoat. For example as an IF, there is nothing more unnerving that watching a pitcher come apart at the seams, consistently get behind give up a few hits, a couple of walks, and then make a good pitch and the batter gets a little flare that falls in or a seeing eye ground ball that ventures past the outstretched arm of a diving infielder, and then the pitcher boils and says “I need to understand what the defense is doing or they need to understand what I am doing”. However, when the IF makes a play that was unexpected they are 1st ones to high five off the field. I always get a chuckle.

(I often wonder if that is the reason they practice separate from the rest of us.)

Tendencies aside, situational baseball calls for players with instinctive reactions. As INF and OF players get comfortable with the pitchers, more often than not, it becomes almost instinctive to be in position. They understand the weaknesses of that particular game along with what is working or will see something and bring it to the catcher’s attention. (Personally, the catcher 1st then the pitcher - baseball etiquette)

Its all follow through and trust. As a pitcher or an IF , understanding an approach is so different than instinctive approach.

I think that with the changing of the game to more specific and role players, this thoery becomes more a personal issue.

I appreciate your insight and hope to be able to discuss more as the season begins.

Whatever fandom you realized in the past will grow exponentially, as this season and your bloging continues. What a fantastic way to reach your fan base. Your description of the Millar at bat (and some of your replies to the idiot fan questions) border on hilarity. You didn’t mention if ‘tek was breaking up too, but I imagine he must’ve been.

My question: The Red Sox - Yankees is one of the (if not the) greatest rivalry in all of sports. Sometimes the rivalry spills out into bench clearing brawls, which (from the fans perspective) only increases the intensity (last one 2003). Are bench clearings (that you may have been involved in)mostly dust-ups that are shortly forgotten by the players, or do they really linger throughout the season, and increase the passion, as they do between the fans? (see the bleachers!)

Thanks.