March 21, 2006
Wagner Gets the Finger
MetsBlog.com notes that Billy Wagner will be shut down for a few days due to a swollen middle finger. (Insert joke here.) Maybe the Mets should let him pitch with it. The swelling might put a crazy spin on the ball and make Wagner more difficult to hit. :-)
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Posted by David Pinto at
01:05 PM
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Injuries
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It's funny, if you've ever looked at Pedro's fingers, he's got these knobby parts of them at the joints and tips. I can't help but think it contributes a little bit to the movement of the pitches.
won't be the last time wagner gets the finger. wait until he comes to philly.
re: Billy Wags Wagner & injuries
Well, this is what happened to Wagner in 2004, when he was on the disabled list constantly for what seemed (to many of us working folk in Philly) constant minor injuries which limited his actual appearances to about half of what they should have been.
Even though he had a dominant 2005, in 2004 he was on the shelf during key parts of the season and Bowa was rightfully aggravated that Wagner wasn't available. In some measure, Wagner may have gone on the disabled list in part to avoid playing for Bowa and in order to get him fired, in my opinion. The facts at any rate suggest such an explanation, though this is mere speculation and not an outright assertion.
Now that Wagner has his big contract, I wouldn't look for him to actually work too hard.
Like a lot of players, he worked really hard during his option year, earned a pile of money, and now will sit on his behind.
If I were a met's fan, I wouldn't expect too much.
The A's strategy of drafting young hungry players its better.
The Phillies got immensely better once they started playing younger players like Chase Utley and Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins who were excited about the game. Aaron Rowand also brings the right attitude.
Note; Phillies have been in first or near 1st in the Grapefruit League all spring; they have lead all teams in home runs; Ryan Howard has set a Phillies record with 10 HRs in spring training, breaking Dick Allen's 1964 mark of 9spring training HRs, and the Phils starting spring training 5-0.
Also, Gavin Floyd, another youngster, has had a very strong spring training. He will be ready to pitch when they give up on the extreme flyball pitcher Ryan Franklin.
--Arthur John Kyriazis
--Philly
PS I still wish the Phils has as good a farm system as the Braves. The Braves won last year with rookies from the farm, not with their vets. That was amazing and further proof of the argument being made in favor of youth.
