Troy Percival Apparently Ahead of Schedule

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 27, 2009 5:32 PM EST

While Percival pitched through pain last season, watching him compensate for injuries may have been equally painful to Rays fans. Percival often looked totally out of sync as he tried to figure out a way to manufacture a strike.

"It was a long year, mentally and physically, trying to figure out how I can possibly throw the ball up there today," Percival said. "Now all I'm working on is trying to throw the way I used to throw, which is using my midsection for torque as opposed to all arm.

"It's a totally different mechanic. Hopefully the hitters won't see the ball as well and I'll be able to command the strike zone a lot better, like I was early in the season last year. I was pretty good."

MLB.com

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And yesterday's Rays/Yanks game is the highest rated spring game in YES history.

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"trying to figure out how I can possibly throw the ball up there today"

how about next time you feel like that, you sit your big fat ass down and think about it from somewhere besides the mound…

by davidsmarch on Feb 27, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions

If only those ratings counted pirated video feeds

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 27, 2009 5:58 PM EST reply actions

it makes me uncomfortable

to see percy talking about wanting to put the ball “up there.”

by yeseggs on Feb 27, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions

Please get healthy fast

So you can blow your arm out BEFORE the season starts.

Signed,

DRaysBay

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 27, 2009 6:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yay

Now that we finally have a closer maybe we can win more that 78 games this year. BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!!!!

Why yes, I am this big of an asshole in person.

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 27, 2009 6:42 PM EST reply actions

As for injuries

at least it’s not this guy

Remember when i was one of the few who disliked him for several reasons

Just a day after injuring his left quad, Milton Bradley reported to Cubs camp with a case of the flu.

“I would think that (playing) this weekend is probably in doubt,” said manager Lou Piniella. Working with a longer spring training than usual this year, the Cubs are not yet concerned about Bradley’s health issues. “It doesn’t matter to me,” Piniella added. "One thing we do have is plenty of time on our side.
Source: Chicago Tribune

by Raymondo on Feb 27, 2009 6:59 PM EST reply actions

The flu?

Well that’s damning.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 27, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

this guy is the 'walking red cross'

you know 10x me on baseball, but my instincts on this one say ‘thank God’

by Raymondo on Feb 27, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Take that, Virginia Tech.

Woooo!

by RATW on Feb 27, 2009 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Hmm

…which is using my midsection for torque as opposed to all arm.

I thought he used his midsection as a popcorn holder.

by steve-o1285 on Feb 28, 2009 1:03 AM EST reply actions

Give Percy some mercy

Give him a break guys. without him we would not be AL Champs. First half last year he was untouchable and the closer we need this year. The second half he had stunk. If he can regain the momentum he had in the 1st half we will be a better team. Don’t beat him up before you can see how he dose or you could find yourself in the in the same category as those who beat up Madden in 2007, looking like an idiot

by CharlieRay on Feb 28, 2009 8:08 AM EST reply actions

Um, no.

For one, I’m pretty sure nobody on this site was calling for Maddon’s head, because most here understand he had crap for players. Next, if you’ve read the site, our issue is with Percival pitching while he knows he’s hurt. That’s selfish and made Percival into a below replacement level pitcher. He actually had negative value to last year’s team because of his macho attitude.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 28, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions