People who know me probably know that I love to ask questions. I think it is the single most important way to build relationships, because questions often get people talking. I’ve come to enjoy twitter for a couple reasons. First, it’s the quickest way to learn about breaking news in the world of sports. Secondly, it is a platform to spew quick thoughts that don’t require a post, and lastly, twitter provides an opportunity to have a conversation with people you probably never could have arranged to speak with. They have to be willing to reply of course, but surprisingly a lot of sports writers do respond, especially when posed with a question.
Last night, and again today, I was able to engage Dave Cameron in a twitter conversation. I was pleased to speak with Dave because I read USS Mariner regularly and although I agree with him on some things, I find myself disagreeing often, usually because I think he gets stuck in stats world and loses site of other aspects of the game. Below is the conversation/debate we had. I should mention that Dave Cameron really knows his stuff, far more than me, and I respect his opinion.
d_a_cameron David Cameron
Jack Cust is on the bench for the sixth time in the last 10 games. I’d bet he gets released before the All-Star break.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Fine by me. Roll your eyes but I’d rather watch Peguero than Cust looking at pitches all night. You disagree?
d_a_cameron David Cameron
The best hitters in baseball swing the least often.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Ya but when they do swing, they make things happen. Cust has a nice OBP but no future here. Pegeruo hacks but power is precious.
d_a_cameron David Cameron
Power is only useful if it comes from a player who can actually hit.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
He can hit some, improving day by day, and his 5 HR in 30 games is a welcome sight in Seattle even if he strikes out 30%.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Besides, lots of power hitters strike out at that same rate (i.e. Nelson Cruz) I just think watching Peguero develop and provide some pop outweighs 3 more months of Cust.
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d_a_cameron David Cameron
The M’s have had five players post a BB% over 10% (min 50 PA) this year – 2 have been released, 1 optioned to AAA, and 1 has been benched.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
So you’re saying M’s don’t value BB? Fine. Lhans, L-Rod, Milton, Cust are gone/benched because they hit .173, .167, .218, .214
d_a_cameron David Cameron
Not the M’s – Wedge. Also, people stopped using batting average to evaluate hitters about 20 years ago.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Wedge doesn’t value walks, or did those players just suck? I’d say the latter. Lots of hitting stats back this claim.
d_a_cameron David Cameron
There are a lot of sucky hitters on this roster. The only ones who have gotten tossed are the high walk guys.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
M’s are 6th in AL in walks, not too worried. I know you’d prefer to see Cust play over Peguero, but of Bradley, L-Rod, Lhans, who would you have kept around?
d_a_cameron David Cameron
Was just making a point. It’s a problem that the manager thinks walks aren’t useful.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Fair enough but Wedge has been terrific w/ this team despite your line-up & BB gripes. Sorry there’s no sabermetric to show ya.
d_a_cameron David Cameron
The point of sabermetrics is to get people to think critically. Be willing to go beyond “team winning = manager good.”
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
I just think you need balance. Sabermetrics provides in-depth, critical info, but people play this game. Wedge = people pro.
d_a_cameron David Cameron
Heading to bed, but I’d just ask you to think why you believe that. Because someone said so? That shouldn’t be good enough.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Mike Salk has eluded to this, yes. But simply seeing Wak vs. Wedge, I see accountability, guys being called out. Refreshing.
goodguyssports Dan Scansen
Thanks for your time Dave, really do enjoy the blog and learning more about sabermetrics.
andrewlong7
dpscansen
Joe Loughery
Matthew
The Good Guys Sports Blog 
I agree with Cameron about Peguero/Cust, but he does go to extremes at times. The fact that he has the writing style of an obnoxious teenager doesn’t help, but his main flaw in my opinion is to overlook things like a player’s mentality in coming to judgements.
For instance, when Ackley was called up he made the case that he should bat second immediately. His logic was that the principle of starting rookies lower in the order was about as legitimate as an old folktale. To make that argument, however, is to neglect a key aspect of what makes players perform the way they do. How players cope with pressure and adapt is a fundamental element in their performance – countless academic studies have been done on the subject – yet Cameron will dismiss it in a sentence because you can’t put a number next to it.
As it happens, Ackley might have benefited from batting second – different players react to situations differently and they don’t all benefit from starting lower in the order. You can’t just throw a whole branch of science out with the bathwater, though. There’s a middle ground between old school baseball types like Wedge and what people like Cameron believe.