Rick Eckstein / Lineup Protection

[tomterp]

'08, maybe.  I'm willing to give Zimm a pass for that year based on injury.

But both '07 and '08 for him were (lack of) protection suppressed.

I think the #1 factor is that he was simply growing and maturing as a hitter, and sometimes you take a small step backward when things you adopt don't quite work out. 

[Nick the Pig]

I think the #1 factor is that he was simply growing and maturing as a hitter, and sometimes you take a small step backward when things you adopt don't quite work out.

Sure.  But it's hard to grow as a hitter when the powers that be put has-beens and never-will-be's all around you in the lineup.

[tomterp]

Sure.  But it's hard to grow as a hitter when the powers that be put has-beens and never-will-be's all around you in the lineup.

Remember he had that groove early on where he was just drilling the ball straight up the middle, right past the pitcher's neck.  He seems to do that a lot more when things are going well for him than when not.

I think there's some benefit to "protection", but not as much as others think. 

[Nick the Pig]

Remember he had that groove early on where he was just drilling the ball straight up the middle, right past the pitcher's neck.

Which season are you talking about here ?

[DPMOmaha]

Protection is about depth.  Not about choosing between pitching to one or two guys.  I believe Sharp when he says having Dunn right behind (or occasionally in front) of Zimm has little to no statistical impact, but when you've got 7 or more guys in a lineup that can beat you, that's where your protection becomes more real.  That's why the Yankees and Phillies have some of the best offenses in baseball, it's because there's no holes in the lineup. 

[The Chief]

Discussion unrelated to the stated topic has been split off into a new thread:

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,20410.0.html

[Nick the Pig]

Discussion unrelated to the stated topic has been split off into a new thread:

http://www.wnff.net/index.php/topic,20410.0.html

And locked before I could respond to it.  Nice touch.

[The Chief]

And locked before I could respond to it.  Nice touch.

If you have anything else to add, feel free to PM me, but there's really nothing left to say.  You stated your views, I stated mine.  Further posts on the matter in this thread will be removed, and if you persist, you will be banned for a period of 3 days.  I'd prefer we all continue on with civil baseball discussion, but the choice is yours.