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Mark Belanger?
2003-03-13 07:52
Phil Rogers and Mike DiGiovanna write that because the Cubs had a losing record once Fred McGriff joined the team, maybe McGriff isnŐt a winner. Jim Tracy says that because the Baltimore Orioles had a winning record with weak-hitting Mark Belanger at shortstop, then your shortstop doesnŐt have to hit for you to be successful. Do any of these people know the difference between correlation and causation? I donŐt know that Alex Cora is so much better than Cesar Izturis that he should be starting for the Dodgers in 2003, or that choosing one over the other will make a huge difference. But if youŐre going to put the worst-hitting player in baseball in your starting lineup, which Izturis would have been last year with just a few more plate appearances to qualify, at least have a better justification than ŇMark Belanger couldnŐt hit.Ó For better or worse, the Dodgers think Izturis is their shortstop for the long-term. ThatŐs a good reason to play him. ThatŐs the justification. Putting forward the idea that his as-yet undeveloped hitting skills are irrelevant Đ thatŐs no justification. That said, I think that although Cora is depressed about Tracy's Belanger comment, he will get his chances this season.
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