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batted balls · 07-27-2006, 06:22 PM

Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . .

Ole Max has been around baseball a looonnnng time. Ole Max thought he had seen everything this grand old game could toss out--until today. The announcement of Mike Couchee as the AABL West Pitcher of the Month has left Ole Max as befuddled as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

I'm happy for Mike Couchee; he's a great success story. He's as hard working a pitcher as I've seen. But can anyone from the AABL office explain to me how a pitcher with an 0-0 record wins Pitcher of the Month? Sure, Couchee hasn't given up a run yet this season. Sure, he's struck out 11 batters in 14 innings. But, look at how many other pitchers were more deserving. Even Couchee himself admitted that after receiving the award.

Take for instance, USC righty Jim Barr, who's 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Or how about lefty Floyd Bannister of Arizona State? He's 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA. Ray Lamb, Rod Dedeaux's new closer at USC, leads the West with eight saves. Heck, even Couchee's own teammate Justin Brunette has posted a 5-2 record (okay, so maybe his 5.87 ERA knocks him out of consideration).

Ole Max's point is this: How and why and since when does a pitcher with no wins earn Pitcher of the Month honors? It makes no sense! Are AABL officials trying to "spread the wealth"? Do they want San Diego State, last year's laughable losers, to gain some respect and noteriety? Well, take it from Ole Max, this ain't the way to do it.

Do we put students with no A's on high honor rolls? Do we name salesmen who move no inventory as Salesman of the Month? Do we elect presidents when they don't gain the most votes? Okay, bad example . . . Still, Ole Max wants to urge the AABL top dogs to take a closer look at their monthly award selections. Otherwise, pitchers like Mike Couchee, 0-0, might be in line for the 2007 Golden Arm Award.

This is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off until next time . . .

07-27-2006, 06:22 PM	#189 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Pitcher of the Month? Zero Wins Doesn't Add Up--Max Mercy, Jr. Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . . Ole Max has been around baseball a looonnnng time. Ole Max thought he had seen everything this grand old game could toss out--until today. The announcement of Mike Couchee as the AABL West Pitcher of the Month has left Ole Max as befuddled as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I'm happy for Mike Couchee; he's a great success story. He's as hard working a pitcher as I've seen. But can anyone from the AABL office explain to me how a pitcher with an 0-0 record wins Pitcher of the Month? Sure, Couchee hasn't given up a run yet this season. Sure, he's struck out 11 batters in 14 innings. But, look at how many other pitchers were more deserving. Even Couchee himself admitted that after receiving the award. Take for instance, USC righty Jim Barr, who's 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Or how about lefty Floyd Bannister of Arizona State? He's 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA. Ray Lamb, Rod Dedeaux's new closer at USC, leads the West with eight saves. Heck, even Couchee's own teammate Justin Brunette has posted a 5-2 record (okay, so maybe his 5.87 ERA knocks him out of consideration). Ole Max's point is this: How and why and since when does a pitcher with no wins earn Pitcher of the Month honors? It makes no sense! Are AABL officials trying to "spread the wealth"? Do they want San Diego State, last year's laughable losers, to gain some respect and noteriety? Well, take it from Ole Max, this ain't the way to do it. Do we put students with no A's on high honor rolls? Do we name salesmen who move no inventory as Salesman of the Month? Do we elect presidents when they don't gain the most votes? Okay, bad example . . . Still, Ole Max wants to urge the AABL top dogs to take a closer look at their monthly award selections. Otherwise, pitchers like Mike Couchee, 0-0, might be in line for the 2007 Golden Arm Award. This is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off until next time . . . __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-27-2006 at 06:24 PM.