Long-time fans, tell me why I ought to be excited about Branch.

[emoney_33]

Well emoney said his 1975 world series performance was bad because of the slugging percentage, yet it was one of his worst years, he was thought washed up, yet his .310 average was second highest on the team and his 4 rbis, also the second highest totals.

So batting average is all that matters. And btw RBI is a completely USELESS stat by itself. BA w/ RISP is another statistic that throughout MLB history has not shown to UP the performance of a player. Yet logic would dictate that plate appearances with RISP are more IMPORTANT than plate appearances without RISP.

You can find an instance of a solar eclipse to prove that the sun doesn't come up every morning, but I'll let it rest by saying the opposition arguments, more than any player or situation, prove that statistics can be cherry picked, misunderstood and misused in absolutely any situation and that has nothing to do with Yastrzemski.

It is PRECISELY what you are doing. You are CHERRY picking a small sample size based on your ASSUMPTION that the "meaning" of the game is impactful to performance.

His only hit in game 7 of the WS was in an inning where the pitcher walked 3 guys unintentionally and allowed 2 hits. He made the last out.

In game 6 he singled 2 times with NO ONE on base and once with a man on 1st. He popped out with a man on 2nd. The at bat with a man on 2nd was.

In game 5 his RBI came on an OUT with a man on 3rd, he again singled with NO ONE on.

In game 4 he singled with no one on base (2 outs), he hit into a DOUBLE PLAY with men on 1st and 2nd, he singled in a run in an inning that the pitcher gave up 5 runs on 6 hits and 1 error.

In game 3 he didn't get a hit.

In game 2 he hit into a double play with men on 1st and 3rd (he being the only one not to be out), he singled with no one on base.

In game 1 he grounded out with men on 1st and 2nd. He singled with the bases loaded in an inning the pitcher allowed 6 runs on 5 hits.

It is you who has cherry picked one player's statistics and then tried to explain away the small sample size. You want to use his entire Batting Average as proof in the 75 WS, yet going by every single PA and any objective definition of "clutch", Yaz did NOTHING clutch in the 75 WS. As a matter of fact, given multiple opportunities he was the opposite of CLUTCH.

Not his fault though, as I said, he can't control WHEN his hits come.

 

[unoriginal]

Well emoney said his 1975 world series performance was bad because of the slugging percentage, yet it was one of his worst years, he was thought washed up, yet his .310 average was second highest on the team and his 4 rbis, also the second highest totals.

You can find an instance of a solar eclipse to prove that the sun doesn't come up every morning, but I'll let it rest by saying the opposition arguments, more than any player or situation, prove that statistics can be cherry picked, misunderstood and misused in absolutely any situation and that has nothing to do with Yastrzemski.

[yes, i realize the sun doesn't actually come up, it's an expression]

I realize all of emoney's opinions do not make sense. I wasn't trying to call Yaz a bad player. I just happen to think his clutchness was more about luck.

I think if in the ALCS Yaz had run into a team he didn't do well against — and given how much higher his stats were against Oakland than his AL averages, there must have been somebody he had a OBP of .250 against — and then gone out with, say, a .330 OBP — would people be making as big a deal of his "clutchness," given his season OBP was .371?

I would think that despite the fact in this hypothetical situation Yaz significantly raised his game against pitchers he didn't read well in a pressure situation, people would dismiss any idea of clutchness because he wasn't posting great numbers. Especially if other players were hitting better.

Yaz or any other player doesn't really have control over the matchups they face in the postseason. You may recall last week much of the baseball conversation was dominated by the talk of the Twins "choking" in the ALDS against the Yankees. I agree with the side that pointed out that it was a talent issue versus a pressure issue, because the Twins were just as abysmal against the Yankees in the regular season.

Specifically, the Twins pitchers are very well-coached and do better than they should because they know how to get outs by pitching around a lineup and by managing the game. They blow up against the Yankees because the Yankees have a stacked lineup Twins pitchers can't find easy outs in. So once the starter gets tired and/or they get to the bullpen all hell breaks loose and the Twins cough up another lead.

 

[aluminum seats]

I think this thread might have outlived its usefullness in a football forum.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

I don't know if you should be excited about him now at his age. But the guy was an integral part of two championships so now that he's back I hold no grudges.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't know if you should be excited about him now at his age. But the guy was an integral part of two championships so now that he's back I hold no grudges.

Obviously you haven't watched Zombie movies and seen what happens to those unprepared

 

[Haley]

I just wanted to say that the video Mo posted at the beginning of this thread was awesome!! Thanks for that!

Carry on....

 

[jmt57]

PatsFans.com: "Hi, Deion. This is a thread about you."

Branch: "Well, thank you. It's good to be back in New England..."

PatsFans.com: "Hold up, Deion...before we continue I'd like to introduce you to a good friend of our forums. His name is Jack."

Branch: "Hi, Jack..."

Regards,
Chris

Actually I had thought that I had somehow inadvertently clicked on the baseball forum, full of people looking for anything to debate since there were no longer any Red Sox games to discuss.

 

[shmessy]

Enough Yastrzemski obsessing.

Anyone want to chew on this:

*Deion Branch THIRD ALL-TIME NFL Super Bowl career pass receptions - 21 in two games. Behind Jerry Rice (5 games) and Andre Reed (4 games).

*Averaged 53 regular season receptions in the 4 years with the Patriots.

2003 Playoffs/SB: 3 games total: 15 rec. 166yds. 1TD

2004 Playoffs/SB: 3 games total: 16 rec. 264 yds. 2TD (1 rushing)

Yeah, he didn't step up big-time in the big games.

* Had 45 receptions last year in Seattle catching from Seneca Freaking Wallace.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Less Filling.

 

[emoney_33]

Enough Yastrzemski obsessing.

Anyone want to chew on this:

*Deion Branch THIRD ALL-TIME NFL Super Bowl career pass receptions - 21 in two games. Behind Jerry Rice (5 games) and Andre Reed (4 games).

OPPORTUNITY. Not every receiver plays in 2 superbowls with a HOF coach given 2 weeks to prepare and a HOF QB throwing to him, and the best ones are usually gameplanned against.

*Averaged 53 regular season receptions in the 4 years with the Patriots.

2003 Playoffs/SB: 3 games total: 15 rec. 166yds. 1TD

2004 Playoffs/SB: 3 games total: 16 rec. 264 yds. 2TD (1 rushing)

Yeah, he didn't step up big-time in the big games.

* Had 45 receptions last year in Seattle catching from Seneca Freaking Wallace.

No one said he didn't produce in some big games, that's a historical fact. The argument is that he doesn't have a special "skill" that makes him a better receiver in the playoffs.

 

[lurker1965]

My thread title is in no way facetious. I came in to football fandom and adopting Boston sports as my fanhood anchor in 2006. It was well into 2007 before I was learning all the players names and understanding the team's history, etc...

For those who've been watching since Branch was here (or longer), what can you tell me about him that makes you excited he's back?

I know the gist of what went down when he left, and I know he the MVP in one of the Superbowls, but that's about it. Hook a Canadian brother up with your memories?

Thanks guys.

J

look around the 6 minute mark
YouTube - Tom Brady Interview- part 1 from 60 minutes

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Less Filling.

More taste.

 

[CrazyDave]

Having Branch in this O will make it much more "unpredictible" imo.
I think he does more different things than Moss.
He plays smart, and runs good routes.
Pretty quick too, at least he used to be.

 

[mgteich]

Less predictable?

As always, Brady will throw to the open receiver. With Branch, Welker, Hernadez, Gronk and Green-Ellis on the field, there will be no long threat. I would think having Moss would make the offense less predictable.

If we're throwing to Tate, then one of Brady's top options comes off the field.

BTW, I'm fine with this trpe of offense with Green-Ellis giving his best Antowain Smith imitation, and Woodhead giving his best Faulk imitation.

Having Branch in this O will make it much more "unpredictible" imo.
I think he does more different things than Moss.
He plays smart, and runs good routes.
Pretty quick too, at least he used to be.

 

[eagle eye]

I'll tell you whats unpredictable is what Branch is going to do in New England. He could be the player he was before he left, he could be the jag he has been in Seattle or he could be a lame duck. We shall see in the very near future.

 

[JoeSixPat]

He's better than Sam Aiken.

In a manner of speaking that's about the essence.

The Pats still don't yet have a proven deep threat... at one point Branch was a marginal deep threat but let's not expect anything of that nature... if he surprises great.

But at his age and skill set he's yet another trusted dink and dunk receiver for Brady - and Brady has enough of those targets to potentially drive a DC bonkers.

It will be interesting to see this offense evolve, but between Branch and Welker and our TEs there's some decent quality depth at receiver now.

 

[shmessy]

I'll tell you whats unpredictable is what Branch is going to do in New England. He could be the player he was before he left, he could be the jag he has been in Seattle or he could be a lame duck. We shall see in the very near future.

He averaged 53 catches per season his 4 years in NE from Tom Brady.

He caught 45 passes last year from Seneca Wallace.

I'm going to keep an open mind.

 

[OldNEPatsFan]

With no deep threat defenses will be player their safties closer to the box. I imagine it won't be long before either Welker or Branch are carried off the field.

 

[shmessy]

Any questions?

 

[Mike the Brit]

Yeah. What do you think of Carl Yastrzemski now?