Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
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Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 6, 2007 12:24 PM
| HAN Fan
]
A very fine article and possibly an explanation of the 2005 Japan Series debacle. I have mentioned several times that I think Okada to be very rigid in his style. This is a common situation in business management (one case fits all) and it is unsurprising to see it in baseball as well. Okada's use of his relief team is scary in its regularity and one can't help worrying about overuse. I get the impression that, as he has an elite relief team, he feels that he doesn't need starters. So far he has gotten away with it, but one does detect signs of falling off in performance. Nothing serious yet, but it is there.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Sep 7, 2007 1:03 AM
]
- While I don't always agree with how Christopher presents many issues ...
You're certainly not alone judging by the other posters on this forum.
You're certainly not alone judging by the other posters on this forum.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: BigManZam | Posted: Sep 7, 2007 2:10 PM
| CLM Fan
]
I am not an Okada fan. I think he's going to end up blowing Fujikawa's arm out with the way he overuses him.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 8, 2007 12:40 PM
]
I've never been an Okada fan, but his ignorance here was especially shocking. The Tigers have a brutal stretch of games at the end of the month as they make up rain-outs, and they really need to be more careful with the use of the bullpen.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 8, 2007 10:19 PM
| HT Fan
]
Yeah, I must admit that even though I think Okada is often unfairly lambasted (must be his game face or something), this decision mystified me. It was clearly a non-save situation.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: zman | Posted: Sep 9, 2007 9:22 PM
]
All of the whiners here about Okada don't mention his results in the second half of the year. He is no doubt the favorite for manager of year. As I write this the Tigers are about to hopefully complete a sweep of the YGs and win their tenth straight.
Who cares if he blew a save call. Fujikawa's ERA has not changed in weeks. He is doing fine.
Give the man credit for the team's inspired results as of late, despite the awful stats the team has compiled this season. If the Tigers were still in the cellar then your comments may have had merit.
Who cares if he blew a save call. Fujikawa's ERA has not changed in weeks. He is doing fine.
Give the man credit for the team's inspired results as of late, despite the awful stats the team has compiled this season. If the Tigers were still in the cellar then your comments may have had merit.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 12:57 AM
| HT Fan
]
- Who cares if he blew a save call.
Sure, as you say, we have to keep it in perspective. But I do think Jim Allen has a point. Fujikawa looked very tired tonight, and really only just got the job done. A night off in the last series would have done him a world of good.
But having said that, with the Tigers now (hopefully) ensconced at the top of the league, we should extend Okada some slack, surely.
Sure, as you say, we have to keep it in perspective. But I do think Jim Allen has a point. Fujikawa looked very tired tonight, and really only just got the job done. A night off in the last series would have done him a world of good.
But having said that, with the Tigers now (hopefully) ensconced at the top of the league, we should extend Okada some slack, surely.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 7:40 AM
| HAN Fan
]
What is the question is not that it was a blown save call but that Fujikawa was used in a non-save situation because Okada didn't know the rules. Fujikawa is getting tired - he's pitched in 10 out of the 11 past games and he's starting to give away runs. The same can be said for Kubota. Whilst we do have to give credit to Okada for the phenomenal results recently, and the magnificent series triumph against the Giants, we do need to question the wisdom of over-relying on the relief team.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: zman | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 10:20 AM
]
Guys,
Fujikawa was cranking at 154 KPH last night. I ask you, who else do you want in the last inning pitching for the Tigers?
He can rest today and hopefully the games against the Carp will not require the use of the relievers so he can get more rest for the Dragons' and Giants' upcoming games.
Fujikawa was cranking at 154 KPH last night. I ask you, who else do you want in the last inning pitching for the Tigers?
He can rest today and hopefully the games against the Carp will not require the use of the relievers so he can get more rest for the Dragons' and Giants' upcoming games.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 8:17 PM
| HT Fan
]
zman, look, Okada did mess up the other night. He could've given Fujikawa a night off, but didn't. But I agree, it's not a big deal. All I'm saying is Jim Allen has a point. Okada fired off a bullet that he didn't have to. Fujikawa can probably handle it, but he did look kinda tired. And he almost lost it at one stage when Lee took time out while he was winding up. Did you see it? Threw the ball away in disgust and it took him a couple of pitches to get settled again.
But of course you're right - I'd rather have Fujikawa on the mound in the ninth. But we've only got one of him, so I'd like to keep him for the big occasions. It's nonsense to bring him on with a four-run lead. Even if it's the dreaded BayStars.
But of course you're right - I'd rather have Fujikawa on the mound in the ninth. But we've only got one of him, so I'd like to keep him for the big occasions. It's nonsense to bring him on with a four-run lead. Even if it's the dreaded BayStars.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: torakichi | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 1:09 PM
| HT Fan
]
mijow:
- But I do think Jim Allen has a point. Fujikawa looked very tired tonight, and really only just got the job done. A night off in the last series would have done him a world of good.
Christopher:
- Fujikawa is getting tired - he's pitched in 10 out of the 11 past games and he's starting to give away runs. The same can be said for Kubota.
After today's day off, the Tigers have nine games in nine days. The last six are against Chunichi and Yomiuri, but the first three are against Hiroshima. You'd think Hanshin could get by in the first three games without JFK but, ironically, the Tigers have struggled against the Carp this season.
Should be interesting.
- But I do think Jim Allen has a point. Fujikawa looked very tired tonight, and really only just got the job done. A night off in the last series would have done him a world of good.
Christopher:
- Fujikawa is getting tired - he's pitched in 10 out of the 11 past games and he's starting to give away runs. The same can be said for Kubota.
After today's day off, the Tigers have nine games in nine days. The last six are against Chunichi and Yomiuri, but the first three are against Hiroshima. You'd think Hanshin could get by in the first three games without JFK but, ironically, the Tigers have struggled against the Carp this season.
Should be interesting.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: Cardiff Carp | Posted: Sep 12, 2007 12:37 AM
]
You were all right - no need for JFK tonight.
Pleased that the Carp could do you a favor in that regard!
Pleased that the Carp could do you a favor in that regard!
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: Cardiff Carp | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 5:27 AM
]
I see that Fujikawa had a pretty awful inning in the win against the Carp today (I think he came in to "protect" a 4 run lead in the 9th and ended up leaking two runs). I hope for Hanshin's sake (yep, despite the bickering Hanshin fans on this site I would rather see them win the pennant than the other two behind them) it isn't a sign that the doom and gloom merchants on this thread were right.
I was thinking of starting a thread complaining about the number of base runners stranded by the Carp in this game, but doubt anyone would go for that kind of banality.
I was thinking of starting a thread complaining about the number of base runners stranded by the Carp in this game, but doubt anyone would go for that kind of banality.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 7:07 PM
| HT Fan
]
- ... the doom and gloom merchants ...
I think that should be singular.
I think that should be singular.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: Cardiff Carp | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 8:17 PM
]
Apologies.
Anyway, looks like we are doing you a favor at the Dome tonight.
Anyway, looks like we are doing you a favor at the Dome tonight.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: zman | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 10:52 PM
]
Well, keep your favors and try to get your team to not give up 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth and then lose in the bottom of the 12th.
Tigers lost a tough one tonight. It's all knotted up again.
Tigers lost a tough one tonight. It's all knotted up again.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: Cardiff Carp | Posted: Sep 15, 2007 3:47 PM
]
I know, I know. Sorry about that - spoke too soon. I should have known what was coming.
Problem is that being so far away from Japan, my exhortations seem to be having little effect on the way the team plays. However, I will do my best to ensure they don't do it again.
Problem is that being so far away from Japan, my exhortations seem to be having little effect on the way the team plays. However, I will do my best to ensure they don't do it again.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 11:47 PM
]
I'm trying to stay optimistic, but looks like this original post was a bad omen. Kyuji gave up a homer last night and lost the game tonight. Granted, Kurihara has been hot (homer in each game of Hanshin series) and Woods is a usual Tigers-killer, but can anyone remember two outings in a row like this by Kyuji? Woods fouled off about 5 pitches tonight in the 9th. Again, he is a great hitter, but it also shows that Kyuji might be a little fatigued.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 16, 2007 12:12 AM
| HT Fan
]
- ...it also shows that Kyuji might be a little fatigued.
Nah, he couldn't be - zman doesn't think so.
Nah, he couldn't be - zman doesn't think so.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: zman | Posted: Sep 17, 2007 11:17 AM
]
No, but your comments are becoming such. It turns out you and Christopher deserve each other.
Fujikawa was fine in his save on Saturday. Due to the lopsided losses recently he has had plenty of rest. I guess you prefer that the Tigers lose by 7 so that the relievers can rest.
Fujikawa was fine in his save on Saturday. Due to the lopsided losses recently he has had plenty of rest. I guess you prefer that the Tigers lose by 7 so that the relievers can rest.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 18, 2007 7:46 AM
| HAN Fan
]
Some 7 run victories would be rather welcome.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 26, 2007 8:09 PM
]
Looks like this posting was a bad omen. So everyone would agree that he's tired now? Or some other teams just finally figured him out?
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 27, 2007 10:04 AM
| HT Fan
]
Probably a bit of both. But it looks as if zman got it seriously wrong:
- Fujikawa was fine in his save on Saturday. Due to the lopsided losses recently he has had plenty of rest.
I think zman is really Christopher in disguise.
- Fujikawa was fine in his save on Saturday. Due to the lopsided losses recently he has had plenty of rest.
I think zman is really Christopher in disguise.
Re: Hot Corner Lambastes Okada-kantoku
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 28, 2007 11:05 AM
]
Well, another loss last night that made me sick to my stomach. Granted, the Dragons have great pitching, but the Tigers have reverted to their early season form of not hitting with men on base. They had some big rallies late in the game and could only manage one run.
Despite his one big grand slam, I still cringe every time I see Hiyama come out of the dugout. I can always tell by the wild reaction of the crowd. He's just not the guy I want up there with the season on the line, as it soon will be.
Well, I'm off to Koshien tonight. When I bought the tickets a few weeks ago, I had grand visions of maybe being at Koshien for the pennant-clinching game. Oh well, I will try to enjoy the game anyway and hope they get hot again in time for the playoffs. (I refuse to say "Climax Series.")
Despite his one big grand slam, I still cringe every time I see Hiyama come out of the dugout. I can always tell by the wild reaction of the crowd. He's just not the guy I want up there with the season on the line, as it soon will be.
Well, I'm off to Koshien tonight. When I bought the tickets a few weeks ago, I had grand visions of maybe being at Koshien for the pennant-clinching game. Oh well, I will try to enjoy the game anyway and hope they get hot again in time for the playoffs. (I refuse to say "Climax Series.")
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While I don't always agree with how Christopher presents many issues, I do agree with him that Okada-kantoku is clueless with regard to why some things work and others don't.
It's like the sacrifice bunt. Some managers just do it automatically because that's what they saw as a key strategy to the L.A. Dodgers in a spring camp about 50 years ago, or Mori-kantoku's sacrificing success with the Lions of the later 1980s. But Mori-kantoku wasn't sacrificing for the sake of sacrificing, he knew his team's strengths and weaknesses and that team worked well with it. He had a purpose. Hillman-kantoku used it efficiently last season - but he understood his team and why it worked in certain situations - but not every situation with a runner on first and nobody out.
The announcers call it a manager's "winning pattern." That is, the manager will run on auto-pilot in hopes that his team will just fall into the pattern that has won games in the past - despite the differences from one game to another.
Okada-kantoku, Hara-kantoku, and several others have always struck me as managers with a fixed algorithm that they will apply over and over to any and all similar situations covering a limited number of variables. And it's always bothered me that they don't take other variables into account.