Talked about the team evolving, and continue to do so-- expects them to continue playing better going forward.
High praise for Teykl (will stay in lineup even after Hoelscher returns--whether at DH or 1B, but emphasized that he's a 3B long term), Perrott (leading to the team in OBP) and Aquino.
Said pitching has been good, defense has been good, hitting is getting better and, calling me out personally, said the bunting is getting better (saying "Walt will be happy"!).
Says Ditman will definitely be getting more action. Not surprisingly since this is his first time pitching (remember, he was recruited as a Catcher), he has a tendency to get nervous and a bit hyper out there, which effects his control. However, when he's throwing strikes, as he was the other night, "he's unhittable" (particularly his spiked curveball).
Big John Simms will get the start tomorrow against SFA, but will be limitted to 80 pitches, and will be the Sunday starter against USM. Can't say I'm surprised. However, should Kevin McCanna put together another couple strong outings, I could very much see Simms returning to the closer role..
(This post was last modified: 03-18-2013 07:27 PM by waltgreenberg.)
Also addressed RPI. Mentioned 4 games against 2-15 Hawai'i killing RPI. But as they start to improve -- if they start to improve -- will help Owls RPI.
(This post was last modified: 03-18-2013 08:56 PM by grol.)
Congratulations on your shout-out from Coach, Walt! That is really amazing. From your newest online friend, who got his groove from your verbal stylings and deft use of emoticons, Dancing Banana
Kubitza was the student guest -- signing his poster.
The other Austin was the old vet speaker. Davis said he was busy with life, kept in touch with a lot of old teammates, and was very self-effacing (e.g., "if you have the most AB's, you better have the most hits.")
OG has been following Walt for years. I think it is a credit to him that he can engage constructively with a passionate and well informed fan on his own turf.
(03-18-2013 09:24 PM)MemOwl Wrote: OG has been following Walt for years. I think it is a credit to him that he can engage constructively with a passionate and well informed fan on his own turf.
Yup. He hits back sarcastically at times, but that's cool too.
Walt -- do you send coach Graham emails to push your bunting strategies and plate discipline, or is coach actually getting his information from this board? How is he aware of Walt's suggestions?
I'm pretty sure OG reads this, at least occasionally.
I recall homecoming lecture in oct-09 when OG spoke to about 100 people in the nice room on 2nd floor of Fondren. He talked about how much of a rebuilding year it would be, but noted, somewhat sarcastically, that "some fans didn't think he had much work to do in the fall because the lineup was all set"
IIRC, that fall Walt was particularly specific in projecting the lineup for spring-10.
btw, do we call him OG to separate him from Walt Greenberg (WG)?
Now that I'm recalling that day, there is another anecdote that I love. I told coach that I was hugely impressed that he got 18 or so pitchers to pay some chunk of their own tuition to compete for what would only really turn out to be 8 or 9 roles on the squad. With no hesitation at all, he said, "I have 18 throwers and I'm hoping to find 8 pitchers".
(03-18-2013 07:30 PM)grol Wrote: Also addressed RPI. Mentioned 4 games against 2-15 Hawai'i killing RPI. But as they start to improve -- if they start to improve -- will help Owls RPI.
The Rainbows have been shut out four times and scored only 1 run in five other games.
Their next nine games are at home against 11-8 Wichita State (5 games), who lost their last three to Long Beach State, and 11-8 UC Santa Barbara (4 games), who lost three at UT-Austin then beat Notre Dame and took 2 of 3 from Sac State.
(03-18-2013 09:29 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote: Walt -- do you send coach Graham emails to push your bunting strategies and plate discipline, or is coach actually getting his information from this board? How is he aware of Walt's suggestions?
You're kidding, right? Actually, I think it's Tanya who actively reads the message board. As for plate discipline and the ratio of free pAsses to strikeouts, I'm pretty certain from past comments that Wayne and the coaching staff tracks that closely.
(03-18-2013 09:29 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote: Walt -- do you send coach Graham emails to push your bunting strategies and plate discipline, or is coach actually getting his information from this board? How is he aware of Walt's suggestions?
You're kidding, right? Actually, I think it's Tanya who actively reads the message board. As for plate discipline and the ratio of free pAsses to strikeouts, I'm pretty certain from past comments that Wayne and the coaching staff tracks that closely.
(03-18-2013 10:04 PM)MemOwl Wrote: btw, do we call him OG to separate him from Walt Greenberg (WG)?
I always thought the "OG" moniker came about around the time Todd Graham arrived, and OG was used to designate "Original Graham" as opposed to the new Graham (aka DG).
(03-18-2013 10:04 PM)MemOwl Wrote: btw, do we call him OG to separate him from Walt Greenberg (WG)?
I always thought the "OG" moniker came about around the time Todd Graham arrived, and OG was used to designate "Original Graham" as opposed to the new Graham (aka DG).
(03-18-2013 10:04 PM)MemOwl Wrote: btw, do we call him OG to separate him from Walt Greenberg (WG)?
I always thought the "OG" moniker came about around the time Todd Graham arrived, and OG was used to designate "Original Graham" as opposed to the new Graham (aka DG).
All this time I assumed it meant "Old Guy".
OG is typically used by the young folks to mean "Original Gangster". I think you may have shown your own age here...