tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026253508517273511.post6331709773149119128..comments2023-12-10T00:24:45.849-08:00Comments on Los Angeles Angels Blog | AngelsWin.com: The Angels Past, Present, and Future -- Part 1: Intro & CatcherUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026253508517273511.post-85038027307982299962007-11-04T21:33:00.000-08:002007-11-04T21:33:00.000-08:00Howie?! Love it!Looks like we're in agreement on ...Howie?! Love it!<BR/><BR/>Looks like we're in agreement on catcher. Can't wait to hear about the other positions.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work Jonathan.Michael James Gwaltneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607238622123946714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026253508517273511.post-33072795789405943832007-11-04T18:23:00.000-08:002007-11-04T18:23:00.000-08:00Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Mike. To reply...Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Mike. <BR/><BR/>To reply to your main question, I don't think it is necessary to have a strong offensive catcher to win the World Series--it really depends upon everyone and everything else combined! A team can be extremely dominant on paper and flop in the post-season--it happens all the time (look at the Yankees).<BR/><BR/>As far as catching goes in the postseason, I think the most important aspect is what he does behind the plate, not next to it: defense and calling the game. Hitting is secondary, at least at that position. Notice how there is a direct correlation between how hard it is to play a defensive position and the number of good hitters (or lack thereof) at that position. The order is something like this, clumped in groups:<BR/><BR/>Pitcher<BR/>Shortstop/Catcher<BR/>Second Base/Third Base/Center Field<BR/>Right Field/Left Field<BR/>First Base/DH<BR/><BR/>The higher up that list, the more important defense (including pitching) is. <BR/><BR/>2017?! We shall see...a lot could and will change. Who knows if anyone on the team now will still be here? "Batting 3rd and playing second base, 34-year old five-time batting championship Howie Kendriiiiick!!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026253508517273511.post-67039552548291739922007-11-04T09:20:00.000-08:002007-11-04T09:20:00.000-08:00Great post Jonathan.I too think Bob Boone may have...Great post Jonathan.<BR/><BR/>I too think Bob Boone may have been the most critically important Catcher the Halos have had because he was so good with the glove and managing the pitching staff.<BR/><BR/>Now I wonder how much recent World Champion teams have needed a strong offensive catcher. Here's the most recent five: Varitek '07 (.255/.367/.421), Y. Molina (.216/.274/.321), Pierzynski (.257/.308/.420), Varitek '04 (.296/.390./482), I. Rodriguez (.297/.369/.474). None of these guys carried the offensive load for their team by any stretch of the imagination, though Rodriguez was a threat any time he was at the plate based on his power potential.<BR/><BR/>If the numbers you project for a platoon of Napoli and Mathis turn out to be correct, the data indicates that they are good enough offensively to support a World Championship team.<BR/><BR/>If offense isn't such a great need from the catching position for a World Series Championship team, what is? Clearly the most important part of catching on World Series Championship teams seems to be down to "clutch hitting" (as opposed to consistent offensive production) which all those guys above did for their team, and quality defense. Napoli and Mathis can improve in both areas, but I think they have it in 'em. Boone and B. Molina were good clutch hitters to be sure. As for defense Boone was hard to top and B. Molina was pretty darn good. Defensively, Mathis seems to be better than Napoli but they can both be expected to improve since they're young and Scioscia is their manager.<BR/><BR/>So I'd say the catching position for the Angels looks good from here through the next decade barring injuries and I'd expect one or both of these guys to be on your "Guide to Angels" in 2017.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for a great post.Michael James Gwaltneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607238622123946714noreply@blogger.com