Whilst masticating on , Ed Grinnell (1:170/1701)
wrote to Alan Hess:
AH>> Surhoff wasn't a bum at third.  He's no Matt Williams or Brooks
AH>> Robinson, but most aren't.
EG> He's a bum. If he wasn't, why was Johnson so adament about moving 
EG> Ripken to third? Why did they go after Zeile last year? They're 
EG> hiding him where they feel he can hurt them the least.
Johnson was so adamant about moving Ripken because of Davey's ego.  Even so, 
the Orioles almost signed Tim Naehring to play third base.  In fact, Bordick 
was signed just as Naehring re-upped with Boston, and until then it was a 
toss-up as to which player we'd sign.  Why did they let Zeile go?  Because of 
the one play in the 1996 ALCS where he double-clutched on a throw, threw the 
ball into the dirt in his feet, and Bernie Williams scored.
AH>> Did I say he'd improve?  No.  I said that the Orioles are a better team 
AH>> with him at third
EG> Davey Johnson didn't think so.
Johnson also thought Shawn Boskie could pitch, and Bobby Bonilla could DH.
EG> Wrong. How can a team that loses 137 runs improve by 10 games 
EG> with a player that so weakens their offense that his defense 
EG> isn't worth it? The team was better off this year with Bordick 
It's called PITCHING!  Jeez, Ed, you sound like Peter Gammons.  When a team's 
ERA drops from around 5.2 to around 3.7 (it went up to 3.91 while the O's 
cruised through September), of course the team's record should improve.  The 
Orioles won in spite of their weakened offense, just as the Braves have often 
done.
EG> and Ripken where they're at and not with Ripken and Todd, the God 
EG> or Stonehands Surhoff.
I watched them - you didn't.  If Surhoff had stone hands, I'd say so.  He 
doesn't.  Neither does Zeile.  Bordick is above average defensively, but so 
was the guy he needlessly replaced.  Ripken is a better shortstop than he is 
a third baseman, and offensively, he and Bordick are worlds apart.  *adh*
--- Msged/2 4.10
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