Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 23, 2004
Bad Bunters

Ken Mandel of MLB.com has an article on how the Phillies are trying to correct an offensive flaw; their pitchers can't bunt.

I'm not a big proponent of the bunt in general, but it is the one offensive contribution pitchers can make. Why is this issue just being addressed now? Clearly, if pitchers weren't good at laying down bunts, something should have been done in the middle of last season. It shouldn't be that difficult to teach a professional ballplayer how to bunt.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:24 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I actually just commented on this over at my own blog. You make a good point that something probably could and should have been done about it last season, I won't complain about it being done now.

I also wouldn't mind seeing Jimmy Rollins take some pointers from Thompson. I don't want to see him bunting all the time, but if it helps turn him into the leadoff hitter he was always supposed to be, then great.

Posted by: John Y. at February 23, 2004 11:29 AM

My favorite was the time Buddy Harrelson asked Sid Fernandez to bunt in a game against the Padres - Davey mostly just let him hit away - and Sid got so flustered he ran up the third base line.

Posted by: Crank at February 23, 2004 01:10 PM

I think people need to stop complaining about the bunt, or lack of. Players don't do it anymore and a loaf of bread is no longer a nickle.

Posted by: jfox at February 23, 2004 01:21 PM

It's good to see that anybody is taking the time to teach pitchers how to bunt. It isn't hard to learn, and the better you can bunt, the more a manager (on either side) has to actually manage the game.

I just hate it that the Phillies are doing this and not my Mets.

Posted by: Brian at February 23, 2004 01:32 PM

The Phillies pitchers were gadawful at bunting last year. My ears cringed everytime the #8 hitter got on base to lead off an inning.

I reckon if they work on that, and holding runners on base (something Kerrigan has promised to do this year, which he abandoned last year), they might squeeze an extra win or two out this season that they probably wouldn't get by playing like they did last year.

Posted by: Michael at February 23, 2004 02:20 PM