Scioscia denies padding K-Rod's stats

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Fans of the Angels, who have the best record in baseball, are running away with the division and finally have an offense that looks fully capable of winning a World Series, apparently don't have enough to complain about. Several actually called the team's postgame radio show and e-mailed newspapers complaining that Manager Mike Scioscia "padded" Francisco Rodriguez's statistics by bringing the closer into Tuesday night's game with a 7-3 lead and two on in the ninth inning. Rodriguez needed four pitches to strike out Raul Ibanez for his 46th save, moving him to within 11 of Bobby Thigpen's single-season record of 57 saves, set in 1990. Because the tying run was on deck, it was a save situation. "I find that to be questioning our integrity," Scioscia said, a hint of ire in his voice. "Everything we do is what's best for the team. If the closer is available, why wouldn't you use him if the situation dictates the game needs to be closed out? Why wouldn't you?"

Los Angeles Times

Mike Scioscia, AP Mike Scioscia, AP
August 14, 2008  09:18 AM ET

Do what you do best ... Sciocia manages, KRod gets saves, haters hate ... it's the natural order.

August 14, 2008  09:19 AM ET

Why does this matter.......... This has been happening for many many years. What about team that are in last place and they wan their closer to get the recored. How many teams like Cubs etc were in last place and the only thing they had going was a batting leader or closer get saves in useless games? Let him do what he wants. I sure would want to do the same if i was in his shoes.

August 14, 2008  09:21 AM ET

Oh come on! What is this?

August 14, 2008  09:29 AM ET

Best avatar I've ever seen, A Fact!

August 14, 2008  09:29 AM ET

Save situation, bring in the closer...
These guys aren't used like the old relievers, why not do it.

August 14, 2008  09:32 AM ET

These critics are right. Scioscia shouldn't have even thought about bringing in K-Rod till it's 7-6 with bases loaded and a 3-2 count on the hitter at the plate. What was he thinking. I swear, these baseball managers and their silly tactics.

August 14, 2008  09:41 AM ET

It is what it is. The save rule needs to be drastically overhauled. To compare or equate most of the saves that today's relievers are enabled to achieve versus say the saves that someone like Goose Gossage achieved is tantamount to absurdity. The idea of the save that was originally concieved is not what it has turned into. it was supposed to be measure of a relievers true worth to a team. It quantified what that player actually was accomplishing. But now, as i have said, it has been reduced to absurdity. What is happening with K-Rod is no different than what any manager would do with any closer if he had the chance to achieve a new reord for saves. It is within the rules and in fact within the boundaries of fair play in my estimation. It is the rules that need to be changed not the way the manager uses his player.

August 14, 2008  09:42 AM ET

Anyone that truly thinks that the Angels are padding Rodriguez's stats is just dumb.

You see, Francisco, who is already thought of as one of the elite closers in the game, will be a free agent at the end of this year. Why then would the Angels be trying to drive up his value by padding his stats. It's stupid to even think.

August 14, 2008  09:44 AM ET

These critics are right. Scioscia shouldn't have even thought about bringing in K-Rod till it's 7-6 with bases loaded and a 3-2 count on the hitter at the plate. What was he thinking. I swear, these baseball managers and their silly tactics.
Arkelope | 08/14/08, 09:32 AM
now that is a save sitaution. balls to the walls. mano y mano. let's see who spits first. :)

August 14, 2008  09:46 AM ET

"It is what it is. The save rule needs to be drastically overhauled. To compare or equate most of the saves that today's relievers are enabled to achieve versus say the saves that someone like Goose Gossage achieved"

Why start now then say 10 years ago? What they should do is get rid of thos "HARD SAVES" etc..........those just are for players go back to the team at the end of the year and saying.."HEY I HAD 50 HARD SAVES" I want 20 million a year..................fix whats is broken first then fix whats not.

August 14, 2008  09:49 AM ET

Anyone that truly thinks that the Angels are padding Rodriguez's stats is just dumb.

You see, Francisco, who is already thought of as one of the elite closers in the game, will be a free agent at the end of this year. Why then would the Angels be trying to drive up his value by padding his stats. It's stupid to even think.
SlinkyRedfoot, Jr. | 08/14/08, 09:42 AM

intersting point Slinkster but i think that the LAAofA manager is doing a little padding here so his pitcher can get the record. Otherwise in the siuation indicated why not let someone else pitch? They certainly have room to experiment a bit to see if another pitcher can get outs in a so-called save situation. No? And if the pitcher allows a few base runners then you can still bring in the true closer. My vote: padding is going on but it is within the rules and not that big a deal. change the rule.

August 14, 2008  09:51 AM ET

Why start now then say 10 years ago? What they should do is get rid of thos "HARD SAVES" etc..........those just are for players go back to the team at the end of the year and saying.."HEY I HAD 50 HARD SAVES" I want 20 million a year..................fix whats is broken first then fix whats not.
Grossedout9 | 08/14/08, 09:46 AM

Okay, smack me down and call me silly but say again. Not trying to make light of your point but i just am not sure what it is.

August 14, 2008  09:53 AM ET

Up by 4, with 2 on in the 9th is a save situation and a no-brainer. Just last week the Yankees came back (with the aid of errors) to beat the Halos.

August 14, 2008  09:56 AM ET

He may break the record but I think fatigue will set in first.......and last nights game was proof that he is being over used. I wonder what they will do without him in the playoffs. Just my 2 cents.

August 14, 2008  09:56 AM ET

They need to go and change the way they use some of these relievers is what they need to do.

August 14, 2008  09:58 AM ET

Up by 4, with 2 on in the 9th is a save situation and a no-brainer. Just last week the Yankees came back (with the aid of errors) to beat the Halos.
sacked92 | 08/14/08, 09:53 AM

Paint he whole scenario: add in ttat there were two outs already and that "Rodriguez needed four pitches to strike out Raul Ibanez for his 46th save". Again it is what it is. Change the rule or live with it. At least no PEDs are involved.

August 14, 2008  09:59 AM ET

Didn't you guys read... Tieying run was on deck... Y would u be stupid to experiment and lose the game...That is y he is the closer, to close out games!!!!!

August 14, 2008  10:01 AM ET

By all means, pad his numbers so there's no way they can sign him. Before getting Texiera they were in the middle of the league in offense and played a lot of close games and used their closer to close.
I don't remember anyone blaming the Yanks the year Mariano had over 50.

August 14, 2008  10:02 AM ET

"Okay, smack me down and call me silly but say again. Not trying to make light of your point but i just am not sure what it is."

Little do people see beyond their own hand when trying to push their own views.........

 
August 14, 2008  10:04 AM ET

What next? We r going to accuse the yanks manager for putting ARod every at bat when he gets closer to bonds record? LOL

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