The Battery

So Molina has been able to get some good ol' PT by becoming Burnett's personal catcher. Question of the day: Is that cool?

It's weird, because you think at least one side of the battery would be willing to give in and play the game with the best team on the field. But then - who should it be? Should the pitcher start trusting the catcher over his instincts? Should the catcher ignore advanced scouting reports and visible adjustments by the batter, so the pitcher can throw what he wants?

I'll say this - there's always a reason why a catcher calls a pitch. Whether it's because he thinks it's a hitter's weakness, pitcher's strength, or just to set up another pitch. Now there are absolutely some pitchers who are smart and they are aware of the batter's intentions and adjustments. But most just want to throw a pitch for no specific reason. At least, when I get shaken off, and I ask the pitcher why he wanted to throw a certain pitch, I am seldom met with a good reason.

I don't mean to be so against pitchers. False. I do. But I can understand that if I was on the hill, I'd like to take charge as well. I can definitely understand that kind of Type A personality. But there has to be an understanding that the catcher is using game strategy. Now, if the pitcher is also using his own strategy and just feels more comfortable using his (and it's working), you can't argue with that. But as a catcher, if my pitcher has another method that works, I have no problem using it.

I just finished reading a book by Chris Coste, The 33 Year Old Rookie. Great book, and one of his early points was that pitchers loved throwing him, and one of the ways he almost made the Phillies after a great spring training was many of the pitchers requested to throw to him. At least, it got him into many spring training games.

I hope it's very clear that there is a lot more going on in those 60 feet 6 inches than just throwing and catching. And obviously, it's not something with a clear answer. Ultimately, the starting catcher needs that day or two off, and if a certain pitcher likes throwing to the backup backstop, it works out well. In the playoffs, though? Hasn't worked badly for the Yankees so far.

I'll finish off with one quick story. I had been playing on a team, but didn't get to catch for a while. I don't think most of the players knew I caught, I had been DHing and a little first. When the starting catcher was late to a game, I finally got the chance to start, and was really happy to finally get it. The first inning was a bit rough. I was shaken off a couple times and a couple hits (one XBH) led to some early runs, and this wasn't what I needed, as this pitcher was a rock for us all season, and his first bad appearance was with me behind the plate. After the first or second inning, we get to the dugout, he says to me, "OK, that was last time I'm shaking you off." I was very happy to hear that. He didn't give up a run the rest of the game, and we ended up getting the runs back, and either tied or won the game, I don't remember exactly.

My point is that I had never caught this pitcher before and I let him call the game. But he realized it wasn't working, and gave me control. It worked. It won't all the time, because it ultimately relies on the pitchers stuff and command.

Answer: Yes.