DurableTear Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 Credit: ESPN.com ESPN's Jayson Stark He struck out in his first at-bat as a Marlin. He homered in his last at-bat of the day. In between, Pudge Rodriguez flied out to center, committed a passed ball that led to a Phillies' run and helped attract 37,137 people to Opening Day. But after his first game in Miami, the biggest Pudge news was the suggestion by Florida starting pitcher Josh Beckett that he and his new catcher never got on the same wavelength. After allowing seven runs (just two earned) in 2 2/3 innings, Beckett said he couldn't figure out how he wound up throwing 50 percent breaking balls. "It's mind-boggling," he told the media horde around his locker, "how it got like that. . . . That's not how I pitch." Beckett tried to accept his share of the blame, saying he only shook off Rodriguez "two or three times" and that, in retrospect, he should have shaken him off more. But Pudge appeared notably tense in answering questions about pitch selection -- which was always an issue when he was in Texas. "He kept getting behind," Rodriguez said. "That's why he got into trouble. . . . But we didn't lose because I called too many breaking balls or offspeed pitches or fastballs. We lost the game because of the errors we made." And he's right. But this is a story to keep your eye on as the Marlins' season unfolds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgator Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 And so it starts, the question about how he handles the staff. Does seem like a lot of breaking stuff, but maybe Pudge just assumed the guys would be agressive and looking for fastballs. Pudge is the only one that can truely answer that. Love the way he got on his new teammates for the errors though. later......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurableTear Posted April 1, 2003 Author Share Posted April 1, 2003 Isn't it the pitcher who pitches.. why didn't he shake him off more if he didn't like throwing so many breaking balls. 1/2 the blame goes to Beckett, if he doesn't want to throw a breaking ball he shakes the sign even if Pudge is his catcher... period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgator Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 True. However, the more you have to shake off, the more out of sync you are with your catcher. I really think it is just a matter of all the pitchers and Pudge using a day off (what do you know...a day like today) and getting a better feel for what each likes. You would hope that would have been done during ST. Beckett did say he should have shaken him off more. Beckett did try to take a good portion of the blame. He indicated that even though he didn't like the selection, it was his fault for not disagreeing. There is always the thought that some pitchers and catchers simply do not work well together. Thats where the "personal catcher" thing comes from (see Carlton/McCarver, Maddux/anyone not named Lopez.) later...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 To say Beckett deserves the blame is crazy. To say that Rodriguez deserves the blame is crazy. To say that neither of them deserve any blame is crazy.... What should of happened is that Pudge should of sat down with Beckett long ago and gotten on the same page. For that I blame Pudge...he is the veteran in this case...he needs to know his pitchers and what they like to throw.... However, Josh should have realized that if Pudge is not going to approach him....he should of gone to Pudge and say...look..we need to get on the same page here.... A catcher and pitcher not having some sort of 'chemistry' is very bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgator Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 A catcher and pitcher not having some sort of 'chemistry' is very bad. Oh so true! later....... p.s. what are you doing here Tex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 p.s. what are you doing here Tex? I rose from the dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBurnett34 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Yes it is not Pudges fault. The pitcher is the one that calls the pitches. Pudge was just signaling signs to see what Josh wanted to throw. He did a mistake with the passed ball. Josh just wasnt in his game on Monday. He just has to throw on the corners not in the middle like he did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 AJ.... Its not entirely Pudge's fault. Pudge deserves blame though...especially if his pitcher does not feel comfortable with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 All this finger pointing better stop or else we are in for another long season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawg31 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Beckett should never have gone there with the press.Even if he felt that way, he should remain silent and take the blame for his performance. We are in the big leagues and the catcher, right or wrong did not put a gun to his head and make him throw a paticular pitch. Saying what he said, will fester and this will grow into a cancer. He should have enough respect for Pudge to take it up with him privately. You never blame or even indicate a team member made you look bad. Time to grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Odd, they didn't seem to have any problems in spring training games. And I thought the knock on Pudge was that he called too many fastballs, not changeups. Anyway, Josh will be fine and Pudge will get more in sync with him as they get more comfortable with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBurnett34 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Anyway, Josh will be fine and Pudge will get more in sync with him as they get more comfortable with each other. Thank You, that is very true....they will feel comftable as the season progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlin2266 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 I was there. Josh threw about 80 pitches, and the defense "went to sleep" behind him. That is Beckett's fault - he needs to throw strikes and keep the infielders on their toes. btw, did anyone notice that Hollandsworth is using Kevin's song? Not a real smart choice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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