Norman’s conquest - Elburn Herald

I was truly gratified to receive the following updates regarding the progress of one of my former players -- Beloit College LHP Alex Norman -- from an understandably proud father.

After a week where the news of the day made things tough on anyone who puts the title of Coach in front of their name, it did my heart good to see the visions and aspirations that we had for this young man develop and play out over the last seven years.

Here's my Three Lefties Kaneland High School Freshman Baseball, 2005.

Alex is on the far left.

A great trio of pitchers who formed the nucleus of a pitching staff and team that I believed was a special group capable of accomplishing special things.

We wanted to build a strong foundation for a Kaneland program and tasked this group to turn around the fortunes of a program that did not have great success before 2005. We expected that they would achieve great things at the varsity level and that the program would arrive as a force to be reckoned with and respected in the conference and the surrounding area.

I believe that this group of kids did, in fact, lay the groundwork for a program that would later bring a state title back home to Kaneland.

http://slavieboy.blogspot.com/2011/06/kaneland-shuts-down-opponents-stars.html

Alex has always been the epitome of a stylish left-handed pitcher and a great student of the game. You always felt comfortable with him on the mound that you would get a solid effort, he could control a running game as well as one his models -- Andy Pettitte --, and he would find ways to get guys out and get out of innings without damage.

Hitters would go home wearing different size collars and maybe wondering how. But in the end, they took the collar home. Next game, same story. It was fun to watch him develop and grow as a pitcher.

As coaches and fans, we sometimes wonder where the guys -- like a Jamie Moyer or an Alex Norman-- who pitch effectively with guts, guile and finesse are. Why do they seem to be so hard to find and identify?

All the while they are right there. Right in front of our noses. Pitching their asses off while we peer into the radar guns, reading off numbers and shaking our heads. If only pitching, or pitching evaluation could be that easy.

In baseball, sometimes we focus too much on the laundry list of things we can easily identify and quantify. We focus too much on things that kids cannot do and fail to identify and cultivate the things that kids can do. It's a little bit of CYA on our part as coaches. We play the evaluation game a little bit too safe. Intangibles are difficult to evaluate and harder for folks to see. So we tend to miss a lot on guys like Alex Norman. We go home as coaches shaking our heads, thinking "how did we miss?" in much the same way hitters walk away from an AB against Alex.

This is a can-do type of kid who finds a way to succeed and win. I never get tired of seeing success stories of this kind and Alex deserves all the success and notoriety he receives. A real classy kid.

During difficult, turbulent times, his story gives me a tangible answer to the question "Why do you keep doing this crazy thing called coaching?"

WAY TO GO ALEX!!!

We are all very proud of you. Keep up the good work.

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THE ALEX NORMAN FILE:

Norman’s conquest - Elburn Herald:

"Junior pitcher Alex Norman, graduate of Kaneland High School in 2008, earned First Team honors on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Central Region Team for Beloit College.

One of three Buccaneers honorees, Norman established himself as the ace of the staff this season. He closed the regular season with a 7-2 record, tying him for the most wins in a single-season, and a 2.55 ERA, the fifth-best mark in Beloit history. He also has a better than 4 to 1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, having fanned 42 while walking just 11 in 67 innings.

He led the MWC in wins, ERA and innings pitched.

He earned MWC First Team honors this season."

http://triblocal.com/des-plaines/community/stories/2011/06/patriots-norman-pitches-perfect-game/

Des Plaines Patriots’ ace, Alex Norman, pitched a perfect game Sunday, June 5th beating the Park Ridge Indians 13-0 at Maine East High School. Due to the incredible run support by the Patriots, the game was called after five innings under what is known as the “mercy” rule.

It took Norman only 44 pitches to get through five perfect innings, retiring 15 batters consecutively. “I didn’t think it was going to happen,” said Norman, “ I’ve always thought about pitching the perfect game-every pitcher does.”

Will Tim Lincecum sign a multiyear contract? | Extra Baggs

I think you have to sign Timmy and Matt Cain just as a reward for services rendered. Both should be able to pitch effectively well into their low to mid thirties. Neither one show signs of being high risks for injury or ineffectiveness. Linceum has already made the transition from thrower to pitcher and Cain is showing signs of doing the same.


From Extra Baggs blog:

Will Tim Lincecum sign a multiyear contract? Is the book of Eli coming to an end? Plus other Giants notes | Extra Baggs:

"As we all know, the Giants front office is in favor of a rule change that would protect catchers from being targeted in home-plate collisions. GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy both came out strongly in favor of changing the rules after Buster Posey’s season-ending injury at the plate May 25. But neither Sabean nor Bochy has been able to build any consensus within the industry. Joe Torre, MLB’s on-field operations chief, told Bochy a few months ago that he would not support any rule changes to protect catchers. Amid that climate, my understanding is that the Giants will not even bother to raise the issue."

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Will Tim Lincecum sign a multiyear contract? Is the book of Eli coming to an end? Plus other Giants notes | Extra Baggs:

"The Giants face one immediate action date on Friday. They must set reserve lists, which means protecting those players who otherwise would be eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft. You protect eligible players by placing them on your 40-man roster.

Charlie Culberson, Roger Kieschnick and Nick Noonan are the most recognizable names of minor leaguers who are eligible to be snatched up by another club unless they’re protected. You might not know about right-hander Hector Correa, but I consider him the easiest slam dunk to be added to the 40-man. He’s a potential impact relief arm and will be graded appropriately on Baseball America’s top prospects list. (Huge extra credit points if you remember that the Giants got Correa two springs ago when they traded Jack Taschner to the Pirates for Ronny Paulino, then flipped Paulino to Florida.)"

Right now, the Giants have 36 players on the 40-man. I suspect they will add Correa and Culberson, at least. Kieschnick is a tougher call but probably ranks third on the list. Noonan, sadly, has dropped off the map.

The Giants also might look to protect lefty David Quinowski and right-hander Justin Fitzgerald. Right-hander Daniel Otero has been a closer in the system and isn’t a pure stuff guy, but has solid numbers and might merit a roster spot. Catchers Johnny Monell and Jackson Williams would be in play, too. Monell is not a premium defender, but has left-handed power and that is a rarity.

One thing is for sure: The Giants won’t max out their 40-man. They need to keep space open in case they sign a free agent or add a player in a trade, etc.

But there is a way the club can create more space to protect some of these prospects: By cutting ties now with others on the roster who are not in the plans for 2012. The Giants have a slew of arbitration-eligible players and they don’t plan to offer contracts to all of them. Officially, they don’t have to tender those contracts until midnight on Dec. 12. But if they already know they aren’t going to bring back players like Eli Whiteside, Jeff Keppinger, Mike Fontenot, etc., they might as well do them a favor and let them loose by Friday. That way, they can have more time to catch on with another team.

Whiteside, in particular, is a candidate to be taken off the roster. He’s beloved by his teammates, he caught the only no-hitter by a Giant in almost four decades and he owns a World Series ring. I think Giants fans will always think fondly of Eli. But Chris Stewart clearly brought more defensive skills to the table last year.

Sabean Explains Sanchez-for-Cabrera Deal: Bleacher Report

Sabean Explains Sanchez-for-Cabrera Deal:

Just got off the conference call with Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy and Melky Cabrera about the Cabrera/Jonathan Sanchez deal. Here are the highlights:

Sabean can’t yet say where Cabrera will bat in the lineup, what position he’ll play, how this will affect other trades or free-agent pursuits, and who will replace Sanchez in the rotation.

He said he needs to reconvene with manager Bruce Bochy, who just returned from Taiwan, and come up with an updated plan ahead of next week’s GM meetings in Milwaukee.

In spite of all the Sanchez trade talks over the years, Sabean said he never got a good offer or was close to dealing him, and Sanchez’s struggles and injuries this year actually hurt Sabean’s ability to make a better deal this year.

Bochy on Cabrera: “He crosses home plate, and that’s a need here.”

This sounds a lot like the Pablo Sandoval story. Cabrera got fat and out of shape and had a terrible 2010 season, then rededicated himself to working out last offseason. Cabrera and Sabean said that was they key to his career year offensively, and Cabrera pledged to maintain his workouts this winter.

Bochy acknowledged what a lot of you saw on TV from the Taiwan tour, saying he thought Sandoval looked as though he gained weight since the end of the season. Sandoval swore he didn’t, said the uniform made him look big and promised to come into camp weighing less than he did last spring. Sandoval also will play about 10 games in Venezuelan winter ball in December.

Cabrera said he can cover center field at AT&T Park.

Sabean said he has no regrets not trading Sanchez before, when his value could have been higher, because they needed his arm. “In this case, given the player available and given our acute need for more offense, this was the time to cross that bridge.”

The Giants ended Gary Brown’s Arizona Fall League season early because he got severely ill, but tests showed no Valley Fever.

Sabean has no plans to go after Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes, an outfielder.

Eight is enough for Tebow - AFC West Blog - ESPN

"Just win, baby", right? Thanks Al!!

Eight is enough for Tebow - AFC West Blog - ESPN:

"The Broncos are 3-1 with Tebow as their starter this season. Since the start of last season, Denver is 4-3 with Tebow as its starter, 4-14 with Kyle Orton. All three of Tebow’s victories this season have come on the road. The truth is the Broncos just play better with Tebow as their quarterback. With the exception of the complete stinker at home against Detroit two weeks ago, Denver’s play has been very competitive with Tebow."

Good pitchers win when they don't have their best stuff. They find a way. That's the mark of a champion. That's what people don't get about this kid. He's a winner.

His W-L record stands in stark contrast to those who wanted to grade him based on his mechanics in the pre-season, some placing him fourth or fifth on the depth chart.

Everyone compared him unfavorably to Cam Newton, and while the fantasy geeks may prefer the stellar numbers Newton puts up, I'll take Tebow's W-L record every time. Heck, I would rather lose with Tebow than win with (S)cam anyway. Tebow is a winner if his team finishes 0-16. How many kids can you say that about? Meanwhile the NCAA will be vacating Auburn victories in about five years if the Reggie Bush experience is a reliable indicator.

Now the doubters are beginning to realize their darkest dreams are slowly turning into somewhat of a nightmare. The fear among the haters was that if given the chance, this kid would succeed. So they had to make the Broncos brass feel like fools if they even considered giving Tebow a realistic opportunity to start.

4-3 as a starter versus 4-14 for Orton. With the same personnel at their disposal. Those numbers speak volumes. Let's go to Todd McShay or Mel Kiper or Trent Dilfer for another critique of Tebow's mechanics, though. Maybe throw in Merrill Hoge for good measure.

I keep telling folks, this kid will be a winner if given the chance.

His character and work ethic and abilities will not allow that to happen. His leadership ability will create synergies on this team that will make those around him better.

That's what great players do.

They take 1 + 1 and make 3.

Average to good players take 1 + 1 and make 2.

Bad players turn 1 + 1 into 0. Or a negative number.

I watched Jay Cutler get equally frustrated by the Lions defense two weeks after Tebow suffered his worst start as a pro against them. The stats were only slightly in Cutler's favor. And nobody doubts that Cutler belongs in the league. His mechanics are so pretty. And the ball moves so well throught he air when he throws it. STOP!!! Enough already.

"You play to win the game!!"" Thanks Herm.



Now the narrative will change to "Well, Fox had to completely change his team's offensive approach to accommodate Tebow". Well "No duh!!!" That's what coaches do. Put the personnel that they have in the best position to win.

Bill Belichick could have maintained and protected his reputation as a defensive genius while the game changed around him. But he adapted and allowed Tom Brady and the offensive personnel the Patriots gathered to flourish. They started to outscore people instead of grind people out.
By doing that, in my mind, he elevated himself from defensive genius to coaching genius.

John Fox is demonstrating the same thing here with Tebow and the Broncos.

I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT IT'S TRUE

Giants Make Decision on Beltran??

If this happens, we know the total cost of the Rent-a-Beltran program. One top-flight, potential top of the rotation starter in exchange for a roll of the dice on defending the crown.

A crown that it now seems like the bulk of the rest of the team had little or no interest in defending.

One reason why it is difficult to evaluate trades when they are made. Using 20/20 hindsight when more information is available, makes it more informative and clearly more fun.

Score this one a bust, although at the time Sabean can be excused for trying to inject some life into an otherwise life-less squad. IMO, this team needed a bit of a heart-transplant. Beltran was asked to provide something he had no ability to provide.

Giants Make Decision on Beltran:

Jon Heyman reports that the Giants are no longer going to try to re-sign Carlos Beltran. Because when you add an .809 OPS outfielder like Melky Cabrera and take away a .910 OPS outfielder like Beltran, your severe offensive problems are all better.

Giants trade Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City for Melky Cabrera | Extra Baggs

Interesting deal. A little stop-gap measure in CF. Say bye-bye to Torres. Keep the seat warm for Gary Brown in CF until 2012.

A bit of a disturbing trend in that Cabrera joins a team laden with guys whose resume includes the following phrases:

- "when healthy, he produces". Problem is, he's rarely healthy, always on the DL.
- "when he's in shape, he produces". Hmmmm.... that's like the guy at work who the boss says "when he shows up, he's a good worker". Those guys tend to get fired, or hurt morale.

Another "odd-even", "good year, bad year" guy. At least we traded a guy who has some of the same problems with inconsistent performance. The classic trade that hurts both teams.

A good deal for the Giants, if all the "ifs" come through.

Including Verdugo seemed like a bit much. He will advance easier through the Royals organization, perhaps starting for them at some point. He's a high-K, high-BB LHP prospect. Seems like you have to be more patient with those. He misses bats and keeps the ball in the park, so in a good pitchers park, he could really shine. KC has one of those as well.

We do seem to be getting a bit light on the LHP side of the ledger.

Giants trade Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City for Melky Cabrera | Extra Baggs:

"Sanchez misses bats as well as anyone, he has great stuff and he’ll forever be a breakout candidate. But he led the NL in walks in 2010 and then his walk rate went up this past season. He wasn’t a picnic for the coaching staff to deal with, and while he was on disabled-list limbo with mild elbow tendinitis, he told me he felt underappreciated by the organization. I know those comments did not go over well in the front office. All of that added up to a non-tender move, especially after the Giants basically spent Sanchez’s money on lefties Javier Lopez and Jeremy Affeldt.

Still, they were able to turn Sanchez into Cabrera, and sure, he is neither a premium defender nor does he walk enough for a leadoff man. But he is coming off a 200-hit, 100-run season and he’s entering the prime of his career. The Giants were able to sell low and buy high, all while plugging in a player at a position of need and saving a few bucks. They also found a way to get a center fielder without blocking top prospect Gary Brown."