The Shift

[JL25and3]

I don't remember Giambi ever doing such a thing - by design.

Yes, he did - once. After that, people continued to shift on him and he continued to hit right into it.

[Big_E]

OT: that concept of insanity is one of the biggest misunderstandings in pop culture. Doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different outcome is not any kind of definition of insanity. Some people claim that Einstein came up with the saying, but there's actually no evidence that he ever said it let alone made it up. Insanity is actually a legal concept to determine if a perp could not possibly have known what he was doing was wrong because of mental illness.

Worrying about the definition of insane on an internet message board is the very definition of insane.

[GordonGecko]

Worrying about the definition of insane on an internet message board is the very definition of insane.

No way man, you're crazy!

[effdamets]

Yes, he did - once. After that, people continued to shift on him and he continued to hit right into it.

Obviously - I missed that at bat....

[Hitman23]

I could change the word insanity to frikkin stupid if it will make everyone happy. :-)

[Mr Coffee]

OT: that concept of insanity is one of the biggest misunderstandings in pop culture. Doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different outcome is not any kind of definition of insanity. Some people claim that Einstein came up with the saying, but there's actually no evidence that he ever said it let alone made it up. Insanity is actually a legal concept to determine if a perp could not possibly have known what he was doing was wrong because of mental illness.

I read this in Cliff Claven's voice.

[effdamets]

I could change the word insanity to frikkin stupid if it will make everyone happy. :-)

I thought insanity was the description of the broads I dated when I was younger...

[Mr Coffee]

I thought insanity was the description of the broads I dated when I was younger...

You're thinking of 'imaginary'.

[effdamets]

You're thinking of 'imaginary'.

Oh yeah....

[madjack]

You have to practice hitting the ball to the opposite feild to know how to do it.

Do you think they have never practiced to do that in their life?

[Yanks3]

Is it a pride thing? When they preform the shift, aren't they just giving the go-ahead for a free infield single if you lay down a quality bunt?

[madjack]

You don't even have to bunt. Just close your stance, or check swing it down the line. It's like 1 or 2 at-bats they sacrifice, in exchange for an entire season of hitting against a balanced defense.

[effdamets]

Do you think they have never practiced to do that in their life?

Yes. Hitters like Giambi and Tex hit the ball well to the opposite field before they arrived in the Bronx.
My feeling is that they don't practice it when they get here.

[JL25and3]

I could change the word insanity to frikkin stupid if it will make everyone happy. :-)

You're insanity to frikkin stupid.

[ajra21]

Giambi did it once but it needed to be more than that. Once a series, for a few series and very soon the shifts will disappear.

[madjack]

Giambi did it once but it needed to be more than that. Once a series, for a few series and very soon the shifts will disappear.

The shift ends as soon as the other team thinks there is a possibility of going the other way. If they do it for 2 consecutive at bats, it will stop. They just have to know in their minds it was not a 1 time thing.

[StaleMilk]

He then added, "It's cool, though. I'll just keep pulling the ball and see what happens."

It's pretty insane. He kept saying he was going to bunt, however he didn't try once all Spring Training.

[effdamets]

It's pretty insane. He kept saying he was going to bunt, however he didn't try once all Spring Training.

Probably because he realized he doesn't know how!

[snapple]

I think it's more psychological than anything at this point. You wrap around that one defensive alignment and you're toast. If he steps up and the shift sets, bat right handed. Sure they'll move, but then you're showing them that you can move, too.

[Mr Coffee]

I think it's more psychological than anything at this point. You wrap around that one defensive alignment and you're toast. If he steps up and the shift sets, bat right handed. Sure they'll move, but then you're showing them that you can move, too.

He should act like he's going to bat from one side, then switch and keep switching until the defense is exhausted from running back and forth.

[snapple]

I agree. Do it when the West crew is officiating, too.

[effdamets]

I agree. Do it when the West crew is officiating, too.

Joe West.... blech.

hate

[yanksphan]

What annoys me is I remember watching Teix in an Angels uni dropping hit after hit right over Jeter's head. I remember thinking what a pure hitter he was and how the Yankees needed that. Excited when we got him but needless to say that excitement has waned.

Damon's still available folks.....

[BRNXBMRS]

Yes, he did - once. After that, people continued to shift on him and he continued to hit right into it.

Yeah, I thought he'd continue to do it every now and then just to catch the other team sleeping.

[BRNXBMRS]

I don't remember Giambi ever doing such a thing - by design.

Saturday afternoon vs Boston. Probably happened by accident.