Appreciate Fernando Rodney's Arrow

Pitchers are odd little creatures. They have their walk-in music, funky windups; they mess around with physics and have their own little celebrations. Especially closers.  They have some fun celebrations.

They do this thing called save games. They finish the ninth inning in a sorta-close game and rack up this stat called The Save. As long as said closer doesn't blow the lead, they get that save. Anyone can do this. Even 3 innings in a blowout win qualifies. But the important part is how you finish.

Admittedly, closer walk in music is a whole science, determining the right tunes to hype up the crowd. From ACDC's Hells Bells (Trevor Hoffman) to Abba's Dancing Queen (John Smoltz), the whole science of closer music can impact every genre. But a nice walk in song means nothing if you can't close the deal. And how you are after you close the deal is far more important.

Normally what occurs is a little celebration, some handshakes and the occasional fist bump, or - in Dennis Eckersley's case - a pump. Some pitchers decide to remain stoic and show little emotion. But not in the case of Fernando Rodney.

Fernando Rodney is a unique pitcher. From an objectively odd hat tilt to an interesting career trajectory, Rodney is unique. He is well traveled due to one of two reasons. Either teams don't like him to lock him up long term to be a closer, or teams fight over the arrow.

Rodney has fired his arrow after every save, or sometimes when he gets pulled. The Arrow is the sign to celebrate, that Rodney has done his job. The team has won, and Rodney finished the game. Though the celebration is widely known in baseball circles, Rodney is the sole pitcher to use it.

Please note that the following italicized portion follows the highest of journalistic standards:

The Arrow is irresistible for MLB teams. Rodney travels year to year because every team wants him, and Rodney wants everyone to experience the power of his archery skills. Teams reportedly fight over him at the trade deadline, according to sources such as Theo Epstein, Terry Francona and many others. During the trade deadline (according to the aforementioned), teams reportedly send an intern each to a Hunger Games-style simulation to determine who will get Rodney. Of course this very well may be false, but is far more interesting than the reality: Rodney is a mediocre pitcher.

Fernando Rodney was just called to the majors by the Nationals.  Hopefully we'll see even more archery in the future.

May your pennants, and arrows, fly forever.

-Prentiss and Ryan

The Professor Went Down. Will a Student Take His Place?

Things are not all sunshine and rainbows in the Windy City. As many of us know, pitching can be finicky; the Cubs have a problem now.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has been shifted to the 10 day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation. This comes after a 4.1 inning, 5 run start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 14th. Hendricks, a key piece to the Cubs' rotation, was having one of his better seasons. Although not comparable to the 2016 campaign in which he led the MLB in ERA, he still boasts a 3.36 ERA and 134 ERA+. Hendricks, this year, was posting a career best 1.6 BB/9 and a 4.69 K/BB ratio. The Cubs had an off day Monday, and the plan was to start Cole Hamels on Tuesday and Jon Lester on Wednesday facing the Chicago White Sox.

After that, the plan is a bit murky. The Cubs will be facing the Mets on Thursday, and the rotation has not been set. Hendricks was slotted to start Thursday, and the Cubs could, but most likely will not, skip Hendricks’ rotation spot and continue with You Darvish and Jose Quintana, therefore bringing Hamels out on short rest Saturday. The Cubs could also give Tyler Chatwood a start. Chatwood is still battling control issues, with 21 walks thus far in 35 innings; that is somehow better than his dreadful 2018 season of 95 walks in just over 100 innings.

They could also turn to young prospect Albert Alzolay. Aldozay is posting a 3.09 ERA in AAA ball and is striking out 12.94 per 9 against only 1.69 BB/9, a ratio of 7.67 K/BB. He is also posting a WHIP of 0.94, and a FIP of (coincidentally and awesomely) 3.09. Aldozay seems like a good candidate to start, as facing the White Sox is an easier debut for a rookie as compared to the Twins lineup, for example. What will the Cubs do?

May your pennants fly forever.

-Prentiss