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Ross Gload Haters....

Tiny by steve phillips on

Ross Gload is back in the lineup now that Trey Hillman found some knowledge in that moronic brain.  What has Gload done lately?  Try a 7 game hitting streak going 11/24 in that span with 5 doubles, a HR, and 6 RBI.  So he started off slow....lots of guys have bad April's and May's and heat up when the Summer starts...But you KC fans gave up on Gload and held the strong belief that Billy Butler was better...Now that Butlers back up in the bigs, he'll be a reserve guy or a DH only...They finally figured out that the guy has no clue how to play first... I'm sure Billy enjoyed his time in Omaha though; eating Omaha Steaks and all the meat and beef his fat-ass can put in his mouth... Now that Gload has his confidence back, he's in the lineup every day and RAKING... Gload is a pro Big-Leaguer, it's as simple as that.

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Ross Gload is the worst first baseman in major league baseball

Gload has been hitting for all of one week. Other than that one week he has been awful. Consistently, relentlessly, horrible. This season he has hit like a bad, light hitting shortstop. Even if he were a great defensive shortstop, his hitting wouldn’t be acceptable. As a first baseman, he’s an embarrassment.

Should we really change our opinion of him based on one week of hitting? Should we completely disregard the other 11 weeks? Gload is a defensive replacement at best. A first baseman who is only good in the field and horrible at the plate isn’t worth a roster spot on any team.

A week or two from now when Gload is hitting horribly again, will you be back to defend him then? Or will you blame it on the fact that Butler is back up and that this is making Gload uncomfortable?

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 29, 2008 10:46 AM EDT   0 recs

This might be...

...an overstatement! :) When I think of Ross Gload, I think of his exemplary time with the White Sox (i.e. their World Series year and more). He was a solid player for them. And Gload has a track record of hard work. I concede that he’s struggled offensively this year, and was moderate offensively last year. But he’s not THE reason the Royals have struggled this year. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 29, 2008 1:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think I or anyone has said that he's THE reason the Royals have struggled this year

He’s one reason. And he’s farther below average for his position than any player on the team, including TPJ. In short, Gload has been the biggest failure on the team.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 29, 2008 1:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Now, now, let's talk semantics

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I might actually disagree with this:

Gload has been the biggest failure on the team.

I guess it depends on what you mean. I suppose when I think “failure,” that assumes a faillure to meet expectations. Maybe he “failed” to meet DMGM’s expectations after the two-year contract, but I wasn’t expecting much more than this (although G-Oad did “fail” to meet even my low expectations). Like I said, this is probably just a semantic difference between us. I agree that G-Load has been “not quite” a league average first baseman this year.

However, as you know, Joel’s/steve phillips’/jmoney42’s return is something I’ve been eagerly awaiting for weeks now, and Gload’s, um, general lack of performance has delayed it. In fact, I’ve been pining for it to you so much, NYRoyal, that I half suspect you hacked his account in order to make this post! In any case, let’s not ruin it with nerdy “statistics” and “reasoned arguments.” This is a joyous occassion. Let’s celebrate with a discussion of who is qualified to comment on baseball players, etc., even if it has pushed my all-important Jose Guillen nickname poll, which I slaved over for hours (that’s really freaking sad, I know), down the queue.

I have to go eat, but I eagerly await posting a proper “welcome back” and entering what is sure to be a scintillating discussion.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 29, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not talking "disappointment" I'm talking about failure

Gload has failed. I’m not talking about expectations. I’m talking about failure as a major league baseball player and particularly as a major league first baseman. With regard to expectations, he has underperformed the projection systems (PECOTA, etc.) probably more than any other player on the team as well.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 29, 2008 5:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Uh, again, why...

...the bluster? He had a bad first half. He’s heating up. Being a mediocre major leaguer (looking at Gload’s overall history) is not the same as being a failed player.

And THE BIGGEST FAILURE on the Royals this season is Tony Pena, Jr. Hand’s down. End of story. Period. Argument over.

I’m not making another overstatement, am I? :) – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 10:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gload

was already a net loss at first, even if he had kept hitting the way he did in 2007.

Now his power has almost completely dried up, and he’s past “net loss” status. He is the worst player on the Royals (that is, if Fulchino isn’t back up).

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:34 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bluster?

He’s heating up? He’s finally had one good week this season. I hope it is meaningful. I fear it isn’t. He has been a huge failure, and his performance is, I think, further below average for his position than TPJ.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 1:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi Joel

How you been?

If I had a rocket ship, I'd never want to land.

by dman126 on Jun 29, 2008 10:52 AM EDT   0 recs

Seriously, I Click

The “KCSP” icon and I get Bird feed; at least it’s not NASCAR.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jun 29, 2008 1:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Wrong Thread

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jun 29, 2008 1:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's been too long

Hey steve/jmoney/joel42, it’s good to have you back. Gload’s apparently not the only one who can explode! We’ve been eagerly awaiting your return, and ever since G-Load’s first homer of the season, we’ve been expecting you. Did anyone from South Florida get drafted this year?

I know that you know the game of baseball from the inside in a way that I never can, so I have a question for you. Well, it’s a couple of qustions on one topic. Have you ever looked at the revised edition of the Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract? I’m not sure if it’s up your alley, but even if you don’t agree with the statistical approach (I’m sure you have your own proprietary stuff that the big leaguers use that you can’t really tell us about), there are a lot of great anecdotes and stuff in there.

Anyway, in the book, James says that the 5 top first basemen in baseball history (as of 2001) have been:

1. Lou Gehrig
2. Jimmie Foxx
3. Mark McGwire
4. Jeff Bagwell
5. Eddie Murray

A lot has gone down since 2001. Steroids aside, Albert Pujols has come on the scene and thus far has on OPS+ higher than anyone on that list other than the Iron Horse. I know that OPS+ isn’t what James used in the book, and isn’t the best stat there is for offensive performance. But it is easily accessible vis Baseball Reference. So I have two questions for a guy who can answer them: you.

1. Do you think Pujols can keep this up long enough to make it to #2 on the list, and perhaps even #1?

2. More importantly, while I know Ross is your boy, I also know that you wouldn’t say he is the greatest first baseman of all time. You’re a reasonable guy. So my question is this: should Ross Gload be ranked just ahead or just behind Jimmie Foxx.

Thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to answer a question from a guy who only played organized t-ball, and was never all that good at it.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 29, 2008 7:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Ross Gload's stats

BA .263
OBP .303
SLG .328
Doubles 9
HR 1
RBI 16

Gload’s rank out of the 30 MLB 1B’s with at least 200 PA’s

OBP 28th
SLG 29th

Any supporter and defender of Ross Gload should be embarrassed by these stats. Ross Gload should be embarrassed by them. If he had any dignity, he’d retire.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 1:18 AM EDT   0 recs

you idiot

ROSS IS BOSS!!!1!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jun 30, 2008 2:05 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm embarassed by...

...these stats, but they’re not as bad as TPJr’s. Gload is a mediocre, back-up player who owns a fantastic attitude and work ethic. Those traits, along with his relative cheap salary, make it easy to justify his being on a team full of young, aspiring players. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 10:55 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope

His 631 OPS makes it next to impossible to justify his employment.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:30 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ross Gload

is the worst player on this team, a drag on the offense, and possibly the worst decision Dayton Moore has made since taking over. I’ll be cheering at the top of my lungs when he gets DFA’d.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 9:39 AM EDT   0 recs

Worst decision?

Well, Tomko might be up there—-along with LaRue. TPJr is making Moore look bad too. Gload is not as bad those three. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 10:56 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oiy

Tomko was not a bad decision comparable to Gload. Gload is every day for some odd reason.

Tomko cost minimal cash and we were taking a chance on a guy with minimal upside. He might have been decent, but he wasn’t. No harm done.

LaRue had a good track record when we signed him, and he’s back to playing like he was. An off year for an average backup catcher. Who can predict off years?

And TPJ was an average offensive SS last year with good defense. Doesn’t seem so bad to me.

by Bornin85 on Jun 30, 2008 11:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Two claims

1. Gload is a failed player. Well, not really. He’s not performing up to expectations this year, having a bad first half. He might be washed up, but let’s reserve judgment for the end of the season.

2. Gload’s numbers don’t justify his contract. Well, you’ll get no argument from me here. He’s not living up to it. I wasn’t against his being signed, but he’s being overpaid.

In sum, Gload’s having a bad first half as a part-time player and he’s not living up to his contract. But neither justify called him calling him a failed player in a general sense—-at least not yet. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 11:43 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Retro called him a

“fringe” player, which is what he is – a 1B/DH type without the bat to start. That’s fringy.

As to him not being “failed”...exactly how bad would he have to be for you to say he was “failed”?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't like it when people...

...do this to me, but let me answer your question with a question:

What was Gload’s longest stretch starting this year? In other words, what’s been the best opportunity for him to find his rhythm?

If he has had a TPJr. stretch (i.e. 2+ months), then I’d say Gload’s failed. If not, the jury is still out. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 11:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gload's entire reason for being in the majors

is that he was reasonably productive as a bench player for the Pale Hose. Thus, no argument about his lack of consistent starts really holds weight.

And…we are almost three months into the year, and Gload still stinks.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

From what I understand

A .267 batting average isn’t that bad from your SS who has good defense.

by Bornin85 on Jun 30, 2008 11:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

TPJ

was fine last year thanks to his defense.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 12:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, he was

He was not a good player, but he ended up pretty close to average thanks to how well he fieled. Obviously, he was never a long term solution.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Apparently defense at SS doesn't count

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 3:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Your claim that TPJ

wasn’t “fine” last year seems to imply you were only looking at his hitting. Of course his hitting was bad, but he was actually fairly decent overall thansk to his glove. Just not the kind of guy anyone should commit to.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What I am implying is simple.

His UZR was +10 last year. Saving 10 runs a game is obviously good. His OPS was 640. That is obviously not good and more than offsets those 10 runs. Even for a good fielding SS he doesn’t hit enough.

by djk royal on Jun 30, 2008 3:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Right,

which is why I said no one should have viewed him as a longterm option.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hooray.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If you look at anything other...

than batting average, like OPS for instance, he was one of the worst hitters in all of MLB. Even with the 267 batting average.

by djk royal on Jun 30, 2008 12:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But what about compared to other shortstops?

Also, it’s the position you absolutely have to consider the defense when rating the player.

I’m not saying he wasn’t brutal compared to all other major league hitters, I’m saying that his defense balanced his offense enough that he made it to average.

And I honestly don’t know where to look to be able to compare SS batting stats, I’m just going off what I’ve seen on here/the telly. If you do know where to find that, please hook me up.

by Bornin85 on Jun 30, 2008 12:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How could Tomko be up there?

He’s already been let go, and his was a one year deal. TPJ is being paid zip. LaRue was a good gamble that went bad, which Bell made worse by obsessively playing. Gload was a career bench player who Moore, quite inexplicably, gave a two year contract extension with an option! The financial aspect of Gload’s being on the Royals compared to his production is what makes it such a strong candidate for the worst Moore misfire.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, at least Gload isn't taking playing time away from anyone...

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 11:39 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Eh...

What about Huber?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:41 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not here to talk about the past

but I can’t think of anyone who could have played instead of G-Load the last coyple of games, so I guess the Royals are stuck.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 11:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't understand

how you can forget about Justin this quickly.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 11:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Remember that first girl you had a crush on in high school?

The one who never knew about it until it was too late? The one who kept on getting banged by some jerk she didn’t even like that much?

Do try and remember her?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 11:55 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh

You just made me really nostalgic for high school, there.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 12:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you being sarcastic

Or have you already given up on Billy Butler?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 30, 2008 12:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, I wondered when we would finally get to his

I hope it was obvious I was being sarcastic.

Does anyone have anything resembling a good explanation as to why he would have done nothing but pinch-hit since coming back up? This is really insane.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 12:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No

there’s no good explanation. At least he isn’t pinch running.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 1:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't wait

for him to pinch-run, get caught stealing a base, pull a hamstring, then read a bunch of comments in the press about how Butler “isn’t ready to be a major leaguer” and crap like that.

I hope he get’s into the game tonight at some point! I have my fingers crossed!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 1:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Given the amount of playing time he got last year and this year before being sent down

...I don’t think we’re going to see a real “Huberization” of Butler. Huber never got much of a chance. Butler is just going to be underutilized for a while. What really sucks is that Butler gets called up during Gload’s one good stretch this season. Gload will cool off again (probably very soon) and hopefully Hillman will have the sense to start playing Butler more.

The worst thing I’ve heard is Hillman’s statement that Butler will be primarily DH’ing. That means he gets in line behind Guillen’s bad hips and Olivo’s reputation for hammering LHP’s. I don’t mind Butler DHing some, but he needs regular work. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be taking starts from the unrelentingly awful Ross Choad.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

I don’t think their going to totally leave him on the bench or whatever, but I really can’t believe their going to let him sit so G-Load can get his reps or whatever. This is so stupid.

I know Guillen’s been doing most of the heavy lifting, but is his injury the kind of thing that would be fixed with rest? I know he gets mad if he sits, but if this is going to be a long-term problem for him this season, and HIllman/Moore really can’t stand the HORROR of Butler playing first, the Royals lineup options are going to be really limited. I hope that if a bit rest/rehab can take care of it, that they aren’t afraid to put Guillen on the DL.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 1:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice use of "their" -- make that "they are" or "they would"

or appropriate contractions thereof

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 1:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Strained leg and groin muscles don't usually heal quickly

especially if you continue to play on them everyday. The best thing would probably be a little time off.

by Top Ramen on Jun 30, 2008 2:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

All-Star break!

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Might be a good idea to give him

a day or two (or three) off right before the ASB to get him almost a week of time off of the legs.

by Top Ramen on Jun 30, 2008 3:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Do the Royals really want to risk Hillman ending up in the hospital?

On second thought, they should bench him with no notice, just let him find out when the lineup is posted at the ballpark.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 4:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

South Florida baseball season

Must be over

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 30, 2008 10:47 AM EDT   0 recs

Over?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jun 30, 2008 11:19 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

nyroyal...nhz...timlacy, etc.......

First off, NYRoyal…Your hatred towards Gload isn’t understood at all by me….Do you even know anything about rhythm?...Ross was struggling early on b/c he was getting about 5 ab’s a week…It is humanly impossible to hit Major League pitching at that rate…What has he done since Butler’s demotion and Teahan’s disappearance from 1st?...First off, Hillman slapped Ross in the face putting Teahan at 1st; Gload is a Gold Glover if he plays every day…He’s played about 20 games in a row now and upped his average from .230 to .263….When the guy plays, he performs…it’s as simple as that….As far as the HR’s, he’s not going to hit 50 a year…not many guys do…he’ll get you 30 doubles and 10/15 Hr’s if he plays every day, and those are good numbers….What do you want him to do, shoot up?...He’s probably the cleanest guy in baseball, probably doesn’t even use creatine…TimLacy, it sounds like you have somewhat of a clue what your talking about, so thanks for posting on my discussion board…NHZ, I’ve got no use commenting to you, b/c you’re clueless about baseball…try bad mitten as a hobby. Devil Fingers…3 guys from USF got drafted this year…Yes, Pujols will keep it up, he’s unreal…and for your wise-ass comment about is Gload better than Jimmy Foxx…I won’t even waste my time…That’s it for now…Stop talking OPS., stop talking contracts….All you need to know is baseball is rhthym, and with playing time and repititions, Gload will shut all of you up with his bat, especially NYRoyal… P.S.—I’ll be at the Trop this weekend for the Rays/Royals series…meet me there during BP…You guys can learn something about the game.

by steve phillips on Jun 30, 2008 2:28 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm not sure...

...I have “somewhat of a clue,” I’m just suspicious of overstatements. For instance, although I appreciate your compliment, I seriously doubt “Gload is a Gold Glover if her plays every day.” If he were, with his White Sox track record, what are the chances he would’ve been let go? I don’t understand why they let him go as it was: Gload had a great comfort level with them, had success, and was integral to the WS push. Anyway, thank you again for the compliment. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 2:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh wow

tim, Gload was INTEGRAL to the WS push? Are you deliberately trying to swell Bad Mitten’s ego?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

At his best, Gload is an integral part of an ok bench

Unfortunately, we’re not even seeing his best this year. We’re seeing his worst. And massive downturns at this age aren’t always aberrations.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 3:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Very bitter

I just found out about it already I’m up in arms!

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You repeat yourself repeatedly

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jun 30, 2008 3:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Clearly I'm very, very bitter

There’s some kind of bug I sometimes get where when I hit “reply” the box pops up with my last reply already typed out again. And then somehow this reply got posted in multiple places. Weird.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jun 30, 2008 3:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was trying to...

...be nice. Gload was integral insofar as any productive bench is integral to a WS team. – TL

by timlacy on Jun 30, 2008 3:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs