NickPapagiorgio

Missed the IGT today but was a little surprised that Milledge was not running when LoDuca hit into the DP that I am sure everyone knew was coming. I understand what the TV guys were saying about not wanting to get picked off but I always felt there the decision to run or not to run is more about the guy at the plate. LoDuca almost never strikes out and it isn't like Milledge needed a great jump since he wasn't trying to steal the base. Not that I think it would made a difference but maybe it gets the IF guys moving and that ball gets through or at worst they have no play at second. I thought it was a bad call on Willie's part not to send Milledge.

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UConnMike

They were saying on the broadcast that Willie probably called off the stealing sign b/c of inexperience at 1st running against a lefty pitcher (Milledge on 1st), b/c he didn't want a strike out, throw 'em out DP (which didn't matter b/c Lo Duca hit into a DP anyway) and not have the runner on 3rd score w/ less than 2 outs.

KingOlerud

Because there wasn't a 14-year-old at 2nd base?

Paulie Cee

In all seriousness, if Steamboat doesn't believe Milledge has enough to savvy to know when a pitcher is definitely going home, Milledge shouldn't be in high school ball, never mind the big leagues. I watched that whole sequence and was as dumbstruck as everyone else.

NickPapagiorgio

Exactly. I can understand not letting him try and steal the base outright but if Milledge can't figure out when the ball is being thrown to the plate why is he in the majors. As I said above, it isn't like he needed a great jump there. You run when you know the ball is going to the plate. LoDuca almost never strikes out so if you run into a strike-em-out-throw-em-out DP you tip your cap and move on. Not running there made no sense to me.

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FrankStylV7

14?? That's practically AARP material.

"Thrilledge" likes 'em young.

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"The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum." -

Havelock Ellis

Rey-YES

The thing I still haven't figured out about Willie is that, while he likes an aggressive running game, he rarely uses a squeeze play or hit-and-run. Either would've been appropriate in that spot.

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TPFKABM

NYRomy

Not to mention the fact that you have one of the best who ever played the game in reading a pitchers delivery in the first base coaching box. Just makes no sense to me that he wasn't running and that, to me, is ALL on Randolph.

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FrankStylV7

Unless you stop and think that, although he is being showcased in the Majors, the whole Met brass knows that Milledge is actually untrustworthy on the basepaths.

I thought that this kid was supposed to be some kind of electric runner or something.

Remember when the Mets could've gotten about any MLB player for Benitez, and by the time they FINALLY dumped his ass they "acquired" a couple of lousy Yankee prospects that have amounted to even less than Milledge??

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"The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum." -

Havelock Ellis

Mr. Met

Agreed.

I didnt watch the entire game, so I cant be sure about this next comment, but wasnt there anyone else on the bench that could have PH'd other than LoDuca ? Sure, Duke's a good hitter, but the way he's been going of late, we all knew a grounder was coming, and that was the last thing you needed there.

If Duke was the only choice, why not have Milledge be more agressive there, since the entire universe saw a ground ball coming.

Paulie Cee

The one thing that LoDuca can still do is make contact. Playing hit-and-run with him, especially at 3-2 is a no brainer.

Rey-YES

I'm glad you agree.

http://www.nysportsday.com/themofo2/...wreply&p=64302

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TPFKABM

Paulie Cee

KingOlerud

Once a day is stretching it.

Rey-YES

Maybe. But I'll give him the two anyway.

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TPFKABM