JotCast | Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat

Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 10/17/18

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Meg Rowley

12:14

I will say that in chatting with Dodger fan friends of mine during the game, playoff baseball seems kind of terrible if you care about the teams involved.

tb.25

12:14

Machado. Throwing his bat, claiming he can us hit as a weapon if needed, and now kicking an ankle. Likely won't damper his market (teams ignore much worse things *cough Astros*), but what do you think of it?

Meg Rowley

12:15

I think that fierce competition often brings out unattractive aspects of our personalities and that knowing that to be a somewhat predictable outcome doesn't absolve us of the responsibility to not be a jerk.

12:16

In short, I think he should knock it off.

Airport Banana

12:16

I have a confession to make: I don't think Smoltzy has been THAT annoying in the NLCS. Maybe it's the power of low expectations, but I've been able to mostly tune out the "back in my day" crap and I've even learned like one and a half things from him.

Meg Rowley

12:16

I think it is good to acknowledge that broadcasting is really, really hard and filling that much time seems like an awful thing to ask of people.

12:17

My issue with him isn't so much that he has a preference for how the game should look.

I also have aesthetic preferences.

I think the mistake comes in refusing to acknowledge that other preferences might exist, and assuming that his individual preference should be the universal preferences.

12:19

I loved the nerdcast. I also acknowledge that the typical broadcast, while it should absolutely use analytics and avoid narratives like thinking that a batting having gone 5-for-8 against a particular pitcher means something, probably shouldn't be that analytics heavy, because that isn't how all fans understand the game.

You can have a smart, fun broadcast that strikes a balance, and tries to be broadly appealing.

Also Smoltz used irregardless as a word. He is dead to me.

jemile weeks

12:19

what up, meg? looking for some advice. v interested in applying for one of the QA jobs that you posted a few weeks back. i am currently a senior in college, studying education, which makes me pretty unqualified. will my application be DOA or is it worth at least trying?

Meg Rowley

12:20

I would say that the skills involved are more important than the specific degree. If you can do the work, and can demonstrate that, that's what is important.

12:21

Now, there tends to be an overlap between applied math majors and people who can build models. But it isn't impossible to be a competitive candidate with a different degree. You'll need to make clear why you're qualified though.

AKA22

12:21

Bad Joey Gallo played before the All Star break, and Good Joey Gallo played afterwards. If he replicates his second half he'll be a fringe MVP candidate. Do you think he's turned a corner or just got lucky and will continue to repeat the past couple seasons?

Meg Rowley

12:22

I think there is just always likely to be a lot of variance in the performance of guys with his profile.

12:23

Gallo isn't just the bat - he's a goodish defender and a weirdly good baserunner for a guy his size - but the bulk of the value is the bat. He's not striking out 60% of the time anymore but 35% of the time is still a lot of the time.

12:24

I will say, he can be good and useful without being an MVP candidate. Lots of guys are.

2-D

12:24

Scenario- crossed up catcher blocks umpires view from calling ball/strike. Solution- catcher is allowed to ask for an appeal to the second base umpire ala check swing calls. Thoughts?

Meg Rowley

12:25

Maybe I'm thinking about this incorrectly, but in order for the second base ump to see, won't they be off center? I'm not sure we want that angle determining balls and strikes. They don't have the benefit of the strike zone box.

Dan

12:25

Under what circumstances should a batter with 2 strikes intentionally swing and miss and then immediately sprint to first, in the hope/expectation of beating the throw?

Meg Rowley

12:26

A batter with two strikes should never try to strike out imo.

Ryan

12:26

What is your stance on pumpkin beer?

Meg Rowley

12:26

Some pumpkin beers are good, but many pumpkin beers are sweet. I do not like those pumpkin beers.

Lady Grittle

12:26

Is there EVER a time where you'd support a retaliatory HBP? I'm steadfastly against beanball wars normally, but Manny Machado is out there literally trying to hurt multiple Brewers and has yet to face any discipline. Best revenge = Living well, and all that, but if he pulls another dirty move...

Meg Rowley

12:27

I never support intentionally hitting a player.

It doesn't deter the behavior you want to deter. It just leads to other dumb behavior that can hurt people.

Archimedes

12:27

With fewer balls in play these days, we haven't yet seen much of a decline in consistent (and and often, impressive!) defensive plays. However, do think if the trend continues long term, we will eventually see fielders getting noticeably worse?

Meg Rowley

12:28

I don't think so. There certainly are fewer balls in play, but on a per game basis, it isn't a huge or even that noticeable shift.

Devil Ray Jay Johnson

12:28

How is it that the Royals won the World Series only three years ago? And how did that happen?

Meg Rowley

12:29

They had a really good bullpen, and also time has moved kind of differently since the year after their victory.

tb.25

12:29

After the game last night, how much coffee did it take to get up and ready for this chat?

Meg Rowley

12:30

Not a ton more than usual. I am normally awake by 7 and I had the benefit of that game not lasting until 2 AM but it certainly felt late.

Lady Grittle

12:30

How much freedom do you think the playoff broadcasters (radio or TV) would have to say something along the lines of, "Osuna should not be allowed to pitch right now, and the Astros were bad for making the move." ?

Meg Rowley

12:30

I think they editorialize all the time, so we should find out.

12:31

Talking about "clubhouse" culture and "controversy" when discussing that trade is just as much an active editorial decision as saying "This trade was unnecessary" and throwing up a graphic showing how good the rest of that bullpen is.

Derek

12:31

At least when Machado goes to the Yankees everyone will already be comfortable with hating him.

Meg Rowley

12:31

I think "hate" is strong.

12:32

Personally, I'm more annoyed and disappointed.

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