Oh yeah, TW relieves now
... being as we're running the M's an' all. :- )
SSI waves the white flag on this one, and with gusto. Kelly sez,
I know you see a starter in Wilhelmsen, but there is value to leaving well enough alone :) .... Maybe he's figured something out that he can implement on the mound no matter what his role is, but maybe he is mentally/emotionally better suited to relief pitching.
A relief pitcher has to be able to deal with the stress and anxiety of high leverage situations, but a starter has to maintain a razor sharp focus for 2+ hours. That is hard. Ever try to sit through a 2+ hour lecture without loosing focus? UGH!
"Leaving Well Enough Alone" is definitely the loudest instrument in the decision-orchestra now. Wilhelmsen's recent performances have changed the equation.
It's one thing to talk about Brandon Morrow starting, when he's doing kinda-sorta fair to middlin' as a reliever. It's a different thing when Jon Papelbon has demonstrated the best relief package in baseball, and then you're talking about a starting-pitcher hopeful.
There comes a point, amigos. A genuine Terminator (TM) gives your entire ballclub swagger. You're not going to move Mariano Rivera to starting pitcher, even if you do think he's a 17-game winner.
...
It's three weeks' performance, or something, but ... the last time I saw a guy murder people like that was Troy Percival. Well, lately Daniel Bard has looked like that.
There's nothing more fun than having a closer-elect in the 8th inning. Maybe you remember when Mariano Rivera was behind John Wetteland ... Bard now... remember Francisco Rodriguez behind Troy Percival?
There are a few occasions when an 8th-inning guy is actually one of the five best relievers in baseball, because of an anointed Closer ahead of him, and that is a gift unto itself...
Bobby Fischer sadistically annotated a chess move one time, "Bisguier slumped and his chest collapsed, as he saw that Black could not avoid losing a piece."
There's really no overstating the psych impact, when --- > the other club has relievers who embarrass you. It's tough to get all invested in a game and then watch the other team smirk as they step on your neck.
As you recall, the 2001 Mariners didn't realize that they were even going to win the division. Arthur Rhodes was the one who informed them of that fact.
...
As a completely side issue, Wilhelmsen radiates a danger and violence that even exceeds Randy Johnson's.
Al Hrabosky used to come out wild-eyed, but that was theatrical. Roger Clemens was real mean, but not irrational, exactly. Wilhelmsen vibes like .... Rob Dibble. Yeh, that's the ticket. Rob Dibble.
You might ask why such a sensitive, gentle soul as Dr. D is endorsing violence. Sports is vicarious war, something that prevents war by replacing it. Macho is spiritual. Yin and Yang are in harmony with the universe.
Or, as Salvador Dali once put it, the more violence the better. As long as it's on the canvas.
...
No 1H 2012 guarantees with Wilhelmsen, but it's looking verrrrry ominous. Savor the last few appearances in 0H 2012. They're dee-lish.
You guys were several yards ahead of me on this one. :- ) You don't fool with this guy, where he's at. No way no how.
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