2006-12-13 08:50:48 · 17 answers · asked by Hack 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I actually saw a feature on CBS news about the Gyroball. This was before the season was over, and before most of us had heard of Matsuzaka. The reporter actually interviewed a scientist in Japan who is given credit for inventing the pitch. He used physics just for a baseball pitch. The reporter, using footage of the pitch, interviewed Al Leiter, who was honest, and said "I threw one of these for 19 years, it's a cut fastball, that's all".
I think it's a lot of hype. He will be a solid pitcher, maybe have a great first half or first year, but hitters will figure him out. Also, Matsuzaka may be like Nomo. They both threw a tremendous amount of pitches in Japan. Nomo had a few good years, then tailed off. I think Matsuzaka will do the same.
2006-12-13 16:18:05 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They will still have a lousy bullpen. They wasted most of the winter meetings and off season going after this guy but the bullpen blew it for them last year and put them in 3rd. I give credit to the Orioles, they might have spent a little too much on the on relievers (still 4 million a year is a better hit than 10+ million that the Astros and the Cubs spent)...but they are addressing their biggest problem that could have put the Orioles in a possible contention last year or at least a winning season. I think they will be the dark horse this year.
2006-12-13 16:18:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if it is real, they wasted a lot of money on an untested player. I was watching sports center the other day and they showed the lineup they could have if they would have paid one year of the salary of other major league pitchers from last season with the $51 M they spent to talk to this pitcher. Thier starting rotation would include Robertson, Verlander, Halladay, and Santana, they could pay the five best relievers in terms of ERA in the majors and have Nathan as thier closer. Not a bad rotation if you ask me.
2006-12-13 08:53:58 · answer #3 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hype. he never admitted that he has a gyro ball. thats something the media created. the red sox wont win a world series without a lot more help.
2006-12-13 08:53:30 · answer #4 · answered by Akeja 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all for the people saying they havn't signed him yet, they signed another pitcher besides Matsuzaka.
Second of all, all the people named by the guy who said the Sox could've signed them with the money they used to bid on Matsuzaka wern't free agents.
Thought I'd clear that up.
2006-12-13 17:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
apparently, he got the idea of the gyro ball from a japanese cartoon or anime that featured a character that threw a gyro ball.
2006-12-13 13:39:59 · answer #6 · answered by vegasbrother98 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's never actually claimed to be able to throw the pitch. It is rumored that he is the only dude who can pitch it...so I'd say hype.
It's something he messes around with, but hasn't ever really "thrown" as in part of his repitore.
2006-12-13 08:53:19 · answer #7 · answered by tkatt00 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is hype if you ask some of the japanese players who played with him they say it is a glorified slider. At least that is what Hedeki Matsui of the Yankees said.
2006-12-13 12:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by Eddie S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all they did not sign him yet but are really close and second they never proved he could throw it he just said he made it and he could so i would say it is HYPE!!!
2006-12-13 09:31:06 · answer #9 · answered by yupyupyup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He used the darn pitch to help Japan win the World Baseball Classic. It is real.
2006-12-13 16:44:32 · answer #10 · answered by ninjadanielsan03 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋