Blogs: All Sports   Baseball   Football   Basketball   Hockey   Golf  

Cliff Lee: Don't Steal on Me Posted by Ted Rossman at 5/18/2008 11:28:00 AM View more posts by this author

I heard an amazing stat today while watching the Indians-Reds game. Entering the game, Cleveland starter Cliff Lee had not attempted a pickoff throw all season (53.2 innings). Furthermore, no one had attempted a steal against him all year. Now, I realize that Lee has pitched extremely well and he hasn't allowed many baserunners (32 hits and four walks), but the lack of stolen base attempts and pickoff throws is still mind-boggling. From what the announcers said, Lee doesn't even have a good pickoff move. Maybe opposing teams are so afraid of losing a rare baserunner against Lee that they don't even try to steal? But you'd think a lack of scoring opportunities would lead to more stolen base attempts, as opponents try to manufacture a run against a tough hurler.

Comments....

I heard the same thing. So why didnt the Reds try and steal? Because of Martinez? I also found it amazing. Posted by mrdhatch at 5/18/2008 2:07:00 PM

Stepping off the rubber, which Lee does somewhat regularly, is almost the same as a toss over. But eventually this fact will circulate around the league and runners will start taking advantage. I wonder if Lee's new angle on the mound affects the pickoff throw in some way. Posted by spianow at 5/18/2008 7:29:00 PM

Andy Pettitte, fwiw, has a league-high 61 pickoff throws. Some of those Yankee-Red Sox games seem like they'll never end. Posted by spianow at 5/21/2008 9:48:00 AM

You must be logged in to post a comment. Click here to log in or register with RotoWire.com.