Doug Fister
A Post I Was Going To Write Until It Backfired On Me
I appreciate snark. To various degrees and put more aptly, when it’s done in a way that doesn’t generate a rise out of me. I’m not very good and disguising any type of snark in written form or in real life speak. Normally, if I have something to say and it’s not going to be nice it ends up being either one of two things. A) It comes across a bit whiny or B) it’s blurted out rather bludgeoned. Similar to using the jack in Thief. It just… just… well it didn’t kill anyone but obviously it would come across as a bit crass and if I didn’t get plumbed, I certainly didn’t make friends.
Well, see I enjoy putting together little posts over certain subjects that I had believed and others had said I was “wrong” for thinking. I don’t mind being wrong but discovering proof that your previous line of thought was correct, gives you too much ammo to sit on. So, at times, I’ve been known to throw something together and come across rather pompous.
Hey it’s my blog and if you think that no one else does that well… that would be a stupid opinion. I’m human and I like proving I’m not entirely stupid. My writing of course does that for me.
Yet, this time it kind of backfired a bit. It started after both Keith and Marqman responded in the comments about Hector Noesi. I basically called him a better more serviceable starter than Blake Beavan, because Beavan basically sucks in my mind. While others keep bringing up Doug Fister and talking about how Beavan might morph into what Fister has become. I’m hesitant to agree and that’s where things go wrong on my end.
Tags: Blake Beavan, Casper Wells, Chance Ruffin, Charlie Furbush, Chris Hawkins, Chris Young, David Pauley, Doug Fister, Felix Herandez, Francisco Martinez, Jeff Marquez, Jesse Hernandez, John Stilson, Matt Dean, Off-Season
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Ex-Mariner Doug Fister set to try and stop Rangers Machine
I just got back from my trip to Italy yesterday afternoon and finally got to watch some playoff baseball after trying to follow things via twitter and online reports. I managed to catch most of the Tigers-Rangers game yesterday including the grand-slam walkoff homer by Nelson Cruz to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the ALCS as the series now moves on to Detroit. The Tigers will be sending none other than ex-Mariner Doug Fister to the mound this evening to try and stop the explosive Texas offense.
I am sort of looking forward to watching the gangly Fister on the mound tonight just to see if he is doing anything different from his days here in Seattle. It is amazing to read how the fans in Detroit love Fister and that his trade has been called the best mid-season trade in baseball this year by some in the National press. Once gain this could go down in the long line of trades here in Seattle that resulted in player sudenly blossoming once they leave here and we get stuck with some mediocre players who don’t produce.
Of course unles the Detroit bats wake up tonight Mister Fister could find himself in familiar circumstances from his old Seattle day wherin he pitches a great game but still loses due to lack of run support. The Rangers lineup is so dangerous all the way through the order that this game for Fister could determine whether the Tigers can make a series of of it or go down with a whimper.
It is nice to see that all the East Coast teams are out of it this year and it is even possible that a small market team like the Brewers could win it all in 2011 which would perhaps give us some home here in gloomy Seattle. The Rangers look like the team to beat however as much as I hate to see our AL West rival win it all after all the punishment they have handed us over the past few years. But maybe Doug Fister will pitch the game of his life tonight and stop the Rangers machine…..stay tuned! Go M’s http://jeffsmar
Tags: 2011 postseason, Detroit Tigers, Doug Fister, Texas Rangers
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The Implications Of Doug Fister’s Start
via annarbor.com
I don’t deny the rapport that general managers must build with each other to be successful in this industry. I embrace it. There must be a sense of trust to complete a deal. There must be a sense of equity in a trade. One team doesn’t want to feel ripped off, although it might be in the competition’s interest for that team to get ripped off. For order to be had in the economy of baseball a reputation must be built. Jack Zduriencik is building a good reputation.
It’s not a coincidence that it feels like Mariners players are consistently being traded to the Royals or Tigers. It’s because of the relationship. It’s because they have that rapport. The GMs can call on each other for favors, and hopefully, the end results yield beneficial to both parties.
Roles are important in these types of transactions. Typical roles that usually envelope these trades are the buyer and seller roles. The team with the soon-to-be, highly-sought-after commodity will usually try to trade off that player, and thus occupies the seller role. Much like the roles that GMs play in the front office, there are roles within the pitching staff. The number one pitcher is expected to be the ace of the club, to be the most reliable pitcher on the staff. The number five pitcher is there to eat up innings, and they are usually expected to give up runs. The number five pitcher is a humbling position, because no one wants to be the number five pitcher.
Game one of the American League Division Series was postponed yesterday to be played today. Instead of Justin Verlander being the pitcher than the Detroit Tigers could count on to pitch twice in the series, Doug Fister now occupies that role. He will pitch tonight, and he will pitch again if there is a game five. Doug Fister has gone from being a number five starter, to a number two starter – and because of the role he plays in this series, he could be considered a number one starter.
How Fister does in his start tonight will indirectly influence the way general managers critique Zduriencik’s quality of talent evaluation.
Tags: Detroit Tigers, Doug Fister, jarrod washburn, Mariners General
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Mariners Win 4-2 over A’s on my Final Visit to the Safe in 2011
I made my final trek of the year from Fremont down to Safeco Field tonight and was rewarded with a pitching gem by Jason Vargas combined with a couple of timely homers by Miguel Olivo and Justin Smoak in the 4-2 win. I usually attend about 15 games a year so I can experience the sensation of watching Major League baseball live even though I invariably spend $75 each time when I could probably just watch all the games on TV. But there is something about the sound of the ball off the bat and the smells and energy of a home game that is comforting to me and tonight it did the trick.
I grabbed a $3o seat outside the park as usual then began my migration around the stadium resting in six different spots including the Hit it Here Cafe for dinner as well as a couple innings in the bullpen area. I usually don’t interact much with the other fans and prefer to roam around checking things out as if I owned the Safe. And why not after all these years of following this club through thick and thin not to mention all the money I have spent I kind of feel entitled.
I showed up earlier than usual and watched the A’s take BP down with a swarm of Japanese tourists who still fly over here year after year to catch a glimpse of their hero Ichiro. I was kind of in awe as I noticed how big and graceful the players looked from the ground level and maybe for the first time in my life watched a game as if I wasn’t in it and was just observing a game played by a group of men who I will never speak to. It was kind of sad watching this game with the cool damp air and empty seats reminding me that again it is time to settle in for another long wet winter in Seattle after another long losing season.
Jason Vargas used his new delivery with the added twist to his advantage tonight and fanned 10 A’s only allowing 5 hits and 1 run in the first inning to finish strong in 2011. Miguel Olivo also had a nice night belting a solo shot to tie the game in the fifth off A’s starter Brandon McCarthy and adding a double in the sixth. With his 19th homer Olivo passes Dan Wilson and Kenji Johjima to set the record for home runs by a catcher since the Mariners came to Seattle in 1977. Oliva has played with heart all season and barring an offseason trade deserves to come into camp next year as the starting catcher for this club.
The big blow in the game came in the sixth when Justin Smoak smashed a 2-out 3-run bomb to right for his 15th homer of his injury plagued season. Smoak should be able to hit 25 home runs next year if he can stay healthy and is another guy who comes into camp as a starter in 2012. The real question marks in my mind are left and third where things are up in the air and possibly the spots where we could add a more seasoned player with a proven history of producing at the plate this winter. We shall see what Jack Z. comes up this winter but for now I am emotionally detaching from this season and preparing for what looks to be an exciting postseason in baseball.
With the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays now tied for the AL wild card there is still some suspense left and I was watching the scoreboard all night at the Safe including the Cardinals Astros game which ended up going to Houston denying the Cards the chance to catch the Braves who lost tonight. Also of note our old friend Doug Fister won his 7th straight game since being traded to Detroit and is billed as their #2 starter going forward which is hard to believe after watching him pitch here the past couple of seasons. Fister is a nice enough guy and never complained while pitching here about his lack of run support so I am happy for him.
I will be writing my final Mariners Blog post of 2011 Tuesday night as I am flying to Italy Wednesday for a business/pleasure trip and won’t be around for the final game of the season. I hope to put together a more comprehensive season overview with thoughts on 2012 when I get back on Oct. 11th along with some postseason Sea-stories once I finally pick my bandwagon team for 2011. See you next year Safeco Field. Go M’s http://jeffsmariners.com
Tags: Doug Fister, Is it over yet?, Jason Vargas, justin smoak, Mariners Blog, miguel olivo, Safeco Field
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Mariners Deal Fister, Land Furbush
I don’t really have much to say. I just wanted to make sure I got to use “Fister” and “Furbush” in a headline once in my life.
I’ll be honest. I’m sad to see the Doug Fister era end. Doug, we hardly knew ye. I made the photo you see to your left a little over a year ago. Barely got to use it. Never got around to t-shirts or anything. Now it’s Detroit’s to have fun with.
So much for my Double Fister Night at Safeco Field. Mariners never could find a way to make that one happen. Two-for-one beers would have been great.
I saw two girls at the Mariners game last night, in fact, each wearing Fister jerseys. I can only imagine how they feel right now. Probably in quite a bit of pain.
The M’s dealt David Pauley in the deal, as well, but who really cares. David Pauley’s name isn’t Doug Fister.
And as for what we’re getting in return, the trade centers around a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher by the name of Charlie Furbush. I feel like he capably replaces Fister for Best Name On The Team. We can certainly promote around him. Maybe not two-for-one beers, but perhaps a Ladies’ Spa Night or something of the sort.
In addition, the M’s reportedly land 26-year-old outfielder Casper Wells (he’s okay) and 20-year-old third base prospect Francisco Martinez, who’s currently batting .282 in Double-A. It’s believed that the Mariners will also receive a fourth player in the swap, with Duane Below’s name being tossed around. Below is a 25-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who has seen time at the big league level this year.
Well. So it is. Doug, I heard that you were an absolutely horrible interviewee and had the personality of cardboard with the media. But that’s okay. Because your name more than made up for it. You weren’t that bad throwing the baseball, either. You will be missed.
Detroit, enjoy my picture. Enjoy Double Fister Night. Enjoy getting Fisted.
Filed under: Mariners
Tags: Charlie Furbush, Detroit Tigers, Doug Fister, Fisted
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You Wanted A Move… It’s Here
visit site to read moreTags: Chone Figgins, Doug Fister, Mariners General, Wily Mo Pena
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Why the Mariners should trade Jason Vargas
First of all, I’d like to say that this will be my last post here at Sodo Mojo. I believe that I’ve grown a lot in my time here, and learned a lot about myself as a writer. While my posting has been infrequent due to school, work, and a personal … [visit site to read more]
Tags: Doug Fister, erik bedard, Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Mariners General, Michael Pineda, Yonder Alonso
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Vargas and Fister: The Challenge
Tags: C.J. Wilson, Doug Fister, Jason Vargas, Jonathan Sanchez, Justin Masterson, Mariners General, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill
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MARINERS: Doug Fister and the Mariners’ baffling lack of run support
Tags: Doug Fister, offense
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Graphing The Mariners Starting Pitching
Tags: Blake Beavan, Doug Fister, erik bedard, Felix Hernandez, graphs, Jason Vargas, Mariners General, Michael Pineda
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Beavan’s Debut
Starting pitcher Blake Beavan made his major league debut last night. Saying … [visit site to read more]
Tags: Blake Beavan, Doug Fister, erik bedard, Mariners General, Michael Pineda
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Fear the Mustache! Is Eric Wedge Finally Our Guy?
By Scott Rinear
Happy 4th of July weekend! Hopefully most of you in the region were able to get out and enjoy a picture perfect summer day in the northwest, finally.
So in case you missed it, Seattle Mariners pitcher Doug Fister, who has developed the unfortunate and unbelievably frustrating reputation of being the tough luck kid because he pitches so well but never wins, lost another heart breaker by one run, a run that should not have scored. San Diego Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin walked in the 5th inning and scored the game’s only run. However, upon further review, it was discovered that the count was 3 balls and 2 strikes when Maybin jogged down to first base. A walk with only 3 balls. The fact that a run scored in this manner was the only run surrendered by Fister in 9 innings of work makes “tough luck” an understatement. There’s not much more to say…keep doing what you’re doing Doug! Your fortunes will improve. And for those of you wondering about protesting the game:
Rule 4.19 Comment: Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch, play or attempted play.
Let’s take the positive out of this. Doug Fister is pitching out of his mind, and that is very promising for the future of this team.
As we pass the technical half-way point of the 2011 season and approach the All-Star Break, I wanted to weigh in and perhaps start a discussion about Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge. Sprinkled throughout the posts on this blog in 2011 have been some brief opinions, praise, and criticisms of the Mariners’ second go-around with a former Cleveland Indians manager, but I feel the man (Wedge, aka Mt. Mustache) deserves a little more attention and discussion.
The founding father of this blog, Jeff, and I, in our back and forth Mariner banter this season have long since come to the conclusion that Eric Wedge is The Man, plain and simple. “Fear the Mustache” is Jeff’s brainchild. It’s not about Wedge being a particularly scary individual. It’s about Wedge’s style as a manager and the respect he commands from his players and their opponents, and of course, very literally, his utterly fantastic mustache!
“Fear the Mustache” is also a warning. Wedge became the faltering Indians manager in 2003. The Indians moved up a spot in the final AL Central standings each of his first 3 seasons, and by 2005 they were within 2 games of the playoffs. Then, after a down year in 2006, Wedge lead the 2007 Indians to a 96 win season, a 4-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, and were one game away from reaching the World Series, losing the ALCS game 7 to the Boston Red Sox.
Wedge was awarded Manger of the Year honors for that 2007 season and I believe he’ll receive that award again, soon, as the manager of the Seattle Mariners. Think about it. The 2011 Mariners were “supposed” to be well out of the race by now. And on paper they probably should be. Through his managerial decisions Wedge has gotten the most out of a team offense ranked last in hits, runs, batting average, on-base %, slugging % and OPS. A team with numbers like that has no business anywhere but the cellar. Of course the Mariners’ brilliant pitching staff has a lot to do with their current “striking distance” position in the AL West, but I think a lot of the credit should also be given to Wedge.
I realize one half season might not be enough for some to reach this sort of conclusion, but for me it’s an intangible gut feeling that Wedge is finally our guy, and that he’s made it far enough into the building that he’ll avoid falling victim to the Mariner manager revolving door that was installed when Lou Piniella exited said building.
Eric Wedge was a catcher in his playing days, which included a College World Series title with Wichita State in 1989 and some time in the minors and a few stints in the majors. He and his wife Kate Wedge are very active in the community, both in Cleveland and in Seattle, giving a lot back and offering their help during a time when there a lot of people that need it.
So that’s my opinion and feelings about our new manager, but I want to know what other Mariner fans think of Eric Wedge at the mid-way point of his first season as our manager. Is he our guy? Go Mariners! http://jeffsmariners.com
Tags: AL West, Doug Fister, eric wedge, san Diego Padres, Scott's Posts, seattle mariners
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Mariners Win Rubber Game at “Home” Versus Marlins in Extra Frames
By Scott Rinear
The first ever Seattle Mariners road series at Safeco Field came to an end in tonight’s first ever 7:10pm Sunday night game, as the Mariners beat the Florida Marlins 2-1 in 10 innings.
Once again Doug Fister pitched very well, throwing 8 solid innings, walking none, and surrendering only 1 earned run. Fister decided to address his own tough luck run support problem when he laced a double into the right-center gap past the drawn-in Marlins outfielders in the 5th. He then personally scored the game’s first run on an RBI single by Brendan Ryan. In fact, in their Safeco Field offensive debut, Mariner pitchers batted .250 with a double and a run scored in 8 at bats.
It would have been a great story if the single run Fister scored ended up getting him the win, but it was not to be. After an 8th inning single by our old pal Jose Lopez and a sacrifice bunt, Marlins second basemen Omar Infante fouled off pitch after pitch in a great 12-pitch battle with Fister. Infante ended up with the bigger half of the wishbone, lining a 2-out RBI double down the left field line to tie the game. So it would be another no decision for Doug Fister, and extra innings for the Mariners.
Doug Fister gets another no decision after solid outing / photo courtesy of bostonherald.com
Dustin Ackley lead off the 10th with a double, finishing the game a home run shy of the cycle. Ackley then tagged up and moved to third on a fly ball to left by Miguel Olivo. You wanted a bizarre ending to a weird series? The Marlins “attempted” to intentionally walk Carlos Peguero, and relief pitcher Steve Cishek missed the catcher completely, allowing Ackley to score the go-ahead run on the wild pitch.
It was a crucial win for the Mariners as the Athletics, Angels, and Rangers all lost on Sunday, pushing the M’s back into 2nd place in the AL West, and only 1.5 games out of first.
In the spirit of this goofy road series at Safeco, I wanted to deviate somewhat from the normal subject matter and talk about a few pet peeves of mine. Let’s call it the first installation of what I like to so cleverly call “Scott’s Pet Peeves.” Mainly I want to know if I’m the only one.
Pet peeve #1: The behind-home-plate camera angle Root Sports seems to grow fonder of with every pitch. Bottom line: we can’t see anything! Sure we can see the ball on its way to the plate, which is kind of neat. But once the ball gets to the hitting zone, the place where a lot of the action of baseball occurs, everything becomes a jumbled mess of umpire/catcher/batter with a flash of the ball heading somewhere that we won’t really know until they switch camera angles. Enough Root Sports! Stick to the center field camera please. Am I the only one?
Pet peeve #2: Booing the opposing pitcher for trying to hold a baserunner close. This Major League-wide phenomenon is more of a curiosity than a pet peeve. Holding a runner close by throwing over to first a couple of times is as much a strategic part of the game as a pitcher working the corners. I’ve never understood why keeping runners close ALWAYS warrants an appearance by a flock of boo birds. Am I the only one? If anyone out there reading this goes to games and boos in this situation, I just want to know why.
Pet peeve #3: Dave Sims. I can’t be the only one?
The Mariners will be right back on the field tomorrow night as they welcome the Atlanta Braves to the Safe, although this series will see the DH position again. I wonder if the Mariners should just pretend it’s National League rules again, because .250 with a double and a run scored actually looks pretty good. Go M’s! http://jeffsmariners.com
Tags: AL West, Doug Fister, dustin ackley, Florida Marlins, Scott's Posts, Seattle Mariners Blog
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Boxscore: Game 72
What a horrible way to lose a ball game. It had to happen when I was already frustrated trying to fix a few things for my wife and I wanted just to take a moment and watch what could have been the Mariners taking first place (as the Rangers WERE … [visit site to read more]
Tags: adam kennedy, Boxscore, Doug Fister, dustin ackley
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Wedge pulls Fister after 8 opening the door for a Nightmare finish
An hour ago I was preparing my post for tonight feeling quite smug as the Seattle Mariners were up 5-1 on the Washington Nationals and Houston was leading the Rangers 4-2. I was beginning to formulate a post about our first place Mariners and the great game tonight featuring Doug Fister and the wonderful defense and offense put together tonight by his teammates on a hot night back in D.C.
But then the Baseball Gods stepped-in and scolded manager Eric Wedge for pulling Fister after throwing only 99 pitches through eight innings in order to allow closer Brandon League to get some work. You don’t see Mariano Rivera coming into games like this in order to get work, no this is a situation where you either leave the starter in or use someone that does not get the ball often. But alas Eric Wedge went against the established wisdom of those who have gone before him and made a huge mistake in judgement that cost the Mariners the game as the Nationals rallied and won 6-5. And to add insult to injury the Texas Rangers came back and beat the Astros 5-4 to complete the nightmare.
Now don’t get me wrong the error that started off the ninth by Justin Smoak on a routine grounder by Jason Werth was no thing of beauty either, but League managed to induce a double play before coming out of the game after getting hit by a line drive off the calf. Wedge then went to the overused David Pauley with a couple runners on and two outs to face Wilson Ramos who proceeded to hit a three-run walk-off homer which allowed the Nationals to ruin the night for Mariners Nation.
Once again Eric Wedge went too one of the guys he is comfortable with instead of utilizing relievers Chris Ray or Jeff Gray which continues the pattern of basically operating with a four-man bullpen which in my opinion is unsustainable. If Ray or Gray are not good enough to pitch when needed then it is time to bring back Dan Cortes or someone else to give our bullpen some depth.
This is the first time I have posted a critical post about our new manger Eric Wedge and I still think he is great, but he needs to take the heat for his decisions tonight, and the way has gone to the well too many times with his four favorites out in the pen. Knowing the character of Wedge I imagine he will own his part in tonight’s debacle and hopefully he will learn from his mistakes so they do not continue to happen as we struggle to stay alive in the AL West race. Go M’s http://jeffsmariners.com
Tags: Doug Fister, Eric Wedge bad decision, Justin Smoak Error, Melt-down, seattle mariners, Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos walk-off
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