Breaking: Cal finally to the IL

[D-train]

Some pretty big names were getting platooned by Stengel. Of course it worked. He utilized his talent effectively

So use good hitter. Great idea. I get using Ref initially but we are approaching the 1/3 point of the season and he is hitting .116. Its f-ing over. He's cooked. Kick him to the curb.

Yes, it seems like they were all good hitters when they were being used in those Yankee platoons. Refsnyder this year is far from measuring up to that standard.

I think in the Stengel era there were more position players on the bench, weren't there? They didn't have 10 guys in the bullpen, or whatever it is we have now.

But in 2026, how many position players are on the bench in a given game? 4? That means there is a much higher opportunity cost - compared to the the Casey Stengel era - of using a platoon. I don't mean choosing your staring line up to get the L vs R and R vs L matchups, I mean pinch hitting during the game. We've seen just this year so many times the pinch hitting gets you the preferred matchup for one at bat. Then you are back to a suboptimal matchup (esp. when it's Refsnyder). If you have only 4 guys on the bench, pick hitting should be very strategic with an eye toward how the game will play out. That is, do not automatically PH when a lefty replaces a righty or vice versa.

Great point. Yes there were only 4 starters and 4 or 5 relievers so you could PH for the Pinch hitters unlike now when there are only 4 guys on the bench to PH because they have an entire Village of relievers.

[rockycola]

You forgot to mention Cole Young who did some damage. Is he the best 2nd baseman in the AL this year? He was leading the M's in RBIs this year till Raley went on his 7 RBI game barrage earlier a few days ago.

I did mention him in my next post, and yes, he's one of, if not the best 2ndbaseman in the A.L. this season. I still can't believe how much shit was thrown at him in the off-season. He has proven many wrong.

Maybe its because he ended the season on a 3-51 bender, finished with barely over a .600 OPS, his D was Bad, he was benched and left off the playoff rosters???

Fair point.
I viewed it as growing pains.
Many pounced on Young with total condemnation.

[D-train]

I did mention him in my next post, and yes, he's one of, if not the best 2ndbaseman in the A.L. this season. I still can't believe how much shit was thrown at him in the off-season. He has proven many wrong.

Maybe its because he ended the season on a 3-51 bender, finished with barely over a .600 OPS, his D was Bad, he was benched and left off the playoff rosters???

Fair point.
I viewed it as growing pains.
Many pounced on Young with total condemnation.

I still had hope for him but didn't want to rely on him and Colt to man 2B and 3B. Thank God he has had a very good start and Donovan has been good when available but apparently he is a gimp.

[rockycola]

Maybe its because he ended the season on a 3-51 bender, finished with barely over a .600 OPS, his D was Bad, he was benched and left off the playoff rosters???

Fair point.
I viewed it as growing pains.
Many pounced on Young with total condemnation.

I still had hope for him but didn't want to rely on him and Colt to man 2B and 3B. Thank God he has had a very good start and Donovan has been good when available but apparently he is a gimp.

Gimps are wimps.

[D-train]

Fair point.
I viewed it as growing pains.
Many pounced on Young with total condemnation.

I still had hope for him but didn't want to rely on him and Colt to man 2B and 3B. Thank God he has had a very good start and Donovan has been good when available but apparently he is a gimp.

Gimps are wimps.

He is 29 yo Cal Ripken JR. Played in every single game at age 37.

[rockycola]

Fair point.
I viewed it as growing pains.
Many pounced on Young with total condemnation.

I still had hope for him but didn't want to rely on him and Colt to man 2B and 3B. Thank God he has had a very good start and Donovan has been good when available but apparently he is a gimp.

Gimps are wimps.

Tacoma is at home so there's time to pull another catcher, I suppose, but somebody would have to be gone.

[rockycola]

I still had hope for him but didn't want to rely on him and Colt to man 2B and 3B. Thank God he has had a very good start and Donovan has been good when available but apparently he is a gimp.

Gimps are wimps.

He is 29 yo Cal Ripken JR. Played in every single game at age 37.

That still amazes me, except......................Cal, JR. is from Kalamazoo. I'm from Kalamazoo.
You can extrapolate from that what you will...