Olivo again. I mean, I couldn't be doing this without him. He's been keeping me in the games and,...

Olivo again. I mean, I couldn't be doing this without him. He's been keeping me in the games and, I mean, he's struggling at the plate but he's still doing a fantastic job with me.

Zack Greinke in a post-game interview on FSKC. Looks like his personal catcher is here to stay. He can have him. If Greinke thinks he's important, then he's important.

6 months ago NYRoyal 23 comments 2 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Maintaining the illusion

Starring Zack Greinke as Marlin Fitzwater

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on May 4, 2009 11:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But the illusion in his head is arguably all that matters

If Greinke thinks that Olivo is helping him, then Olivo is helping him. It’s like Ebby Calvin LaLoosh and his streak. He thought the streak was about him not having sex, so him not having sex became important. So as long as Zack wants Olivo to be his personal catcher, then he should have him. But Olivo should play less overall. He should catch when Greinke pitches, on a day game after a night game and against some other LHP starters. But that’s about it.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 5, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, I actually was sort of hinting that I don't think that Greinke really believes that it makes that much of a difference

I don’t know, of course, but don’t almost all pitchers talk about how much their catchers helped them when they are on fire?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on May 5, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who knows what he's thinking

He’s just gone out of his way in two interviews that I know of to rave about Olivo. And these were instances where he wasn’t asked about Olivo, pitch selection or anything related to the catcher. And I really don’t think pitchers usually rave about their catchers.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 5, 2009 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanna announce my presence with authority.

Russ Gload = Doug Mientiewicz....without the pop

by Dubya on May 5, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya know, if olivo really makes zack as comfortable as zack says....

then it 100% justifies his absurd salary…

no sarcasm font

Fire Hillman

by billybeingbilly on May 5, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Just for the love of god don’t pick up Olivo’s option for next year. Let him go and then spend the offseason and spring training convincing Greinke that some other catcher will help keep him in games.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 5, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Greinke like pitching to Buck last year?

Or did my peanut-sized brain make that up? I really can’t remember.

I mostly think you’re right re: Olivo’s allocation of playing time from here on out.

by DarthYoshi on May 5, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

last year the story was that all the pitchers loved Buck, and Olivo couldn’t call a game to save his life.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 5, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2008 Starting catchers for Greinke

Buck 19 times
Olivo 13 times

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 5, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its obvious now, why greinke had a 3.47 era last year

Fire Hillman

by billybeingbilly on May 5, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zack's OOPS and BABIP

Were much lower with Olivo last year than Buck.

OOPS: Olivo .675 Buck .741

BABIP: Olivo .284 Buck .326

SO/BB: Olivo 2.73 Buck 3.73

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 5, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice stats

by I need more Esteban on May 5, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've said it before...

but the notion that Olivo calls a good game… when you watch this guy swing himself, with no semblance of a plan…

by royalsreview on May 5, 2009 12:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he's so smart

that he’s outsmarting himself at the plate. Yeah, that must be it.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 5, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Olivo's game calling is all about not nibbling on one corner but...

changing locations and throwing strikes, it seems to work ok to me.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on May 5, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if Olivo calls a good game

I just know that Greinke loves him catching him this year.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 5, 2009 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

he made a real point of pointing that out ealier also. I think his first complete game a couple of starts ago.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 5, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he knows the art of striking out

seems like a good gamecaller to me!

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 5, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

olivo just seems to call a more aggressive game than john buck

I think it probably speaks to Greinke, because he is very competitive. You definitely see Olivo calling for more “strikeout” pitches than Buck – IE, throwing 3-2, 2-2 sliders, etc. Also he calls a lot more balls inside / out and up / down. I doubt he’s a genius, his style probably just appeals more to Zack.

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 5, 2009 12:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs