the next Mickey Mantle ?

by Urban Pawnee on Aug 21, 2007 4:48 PM EDT Comment 3 comments

I'm a Card fan who has wandered far afield here to submit my query to the resident experts of this fine forum. For many years I watched Mr. Drew patrol right (and center) for the Cards, waiting for the emergence of those giant numbers and five tools that were constantly being ascribed to him - rejoicing in the bursts of excellence that gave us so much hope, then watching those hopes dashed in a miserable flurry of strike outs, hesitant play, achey gimpiness, and out-and-out DL disappearances.

Then he was gone. (sob)

Curious as I am with all ex-Cards (Geronimo Pena, where are you?), I've read the Bosox box scores for almost four months now, and am needing a little summation of what this season has held for J. D., why he's cresting at .260 now with very little production, despite playing in a hitter's park, with a great team that seemed to be a good fit. Beyond the numbers, what's the story with this guy?

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Re: Thats an easy question.

Eh, I imagine he'd probably suck no matter where he was playing this year. My uess is that his shoulder hurts and he's not letting on. Maybe he'll feel better next year.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Aug 21, 2007 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: the next Mickey Mantle ?

Drew draws his walks (.360 OBP), but otherwise hasn't added much at all to this team. Even his defense hasn't been good - for example, he misplayed a ball hit right at him in the Anaheim series. His range factor is below league average (1.51 to 1.77).

I don't know what is wrong with him. Usually when he makes contact it is a weak grounder to 2nd. He's having trouble dealing with breaking pitches, which he's seeing more than in the NL. There was a story about his son being hospitalized, and there's speculation about Drew being injured, but we have no real explanation for why he's underperforming.

Drew's hitting a bit better since the All Star Break - .271/.342 vs. .258/.368. What's most amazing is that, despite his poor performance, Sox fans haven't crucified him. He doesn't get booed mercilessly as so many in the rest of baseball expected he would.

BTW, urban pawnee, how are Cards fans liking Joel Pineiro?

by 0157H7 on Aug 21, 2007 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: the next Mickey Mantle ?

When we got him, there was a collective shrug of "So what? How does THIS guy help us?" But no one should be surprised that LaRussa/Duncan saw something in this dude (that nobody else did), and had a plan, and have him following through with it, pitching 5 or 6 innings of decent ball and giving the team a chance to win.

Duncan is truly the Pitcher Whisperer, in case you weren't aware. Pineiro will hold the line until Mulder returns.

by Urban Pawnee on Aug 23, 2007 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs