The Case for John Lannan's Continued Freedom
by David S. Cohen on Apr 14, 2011 4:09 PM EDT
in The Great John Lannan Debate
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PrintWe are, as a world-renowned constitutional scholar once wrote, "facing a crisis of incarceration." That was in 1997. Yet, here, in 2011, my usually-wonderful co-blogger FuquaManuel wants to exacerbate the situation in the country with the world's highest incarceration rate. That, my friends, is not the answer. Imprisonment for John Lannan? Where are the world's civil libertarians, suspicious of all state-imposed restrictions on liberty? For them, I rise up and speak today. And I say, John Lannan deserves to live free!
Sure, John Lannan has done some very bad things. But, beyond his failure to have the requisite suspicion of state coercive power that all respectable citizens must have, my esteemed colleague FuquaManuel ignores one important thing in his argument in favor of John Lannan's incarceration: Lannan sucks against the Phillies.
In 12 games against the Phillies in his career, Lannan has been brutal. He is 0-9 with a 5.80 ERA. The Nationals have a 1-11 record in those 12 starts. He has allowed 105 base runners in just under 64 innings, good for a 1.65 WHIP. He has struck out only 38 Phillies and allowed 14 home runs. The Phillies collectively have a pristine .311/.388/.520 triple-slash line against him, good for a .908 OPS.
In other words, against John Lannan, the Phillies are better than the 2010 version of Adrian Gonzalez (.904 OPS) and just slightly worse than the 2010 version of Robinson Cano (.914 OPS).
And, what's wonderful about Lannan is that for whatever reason, he pitches against the Phillies very frequently. He has faced the Phillies 12 times, more than any other team in his career. Maybe the thinking is that he's a lefty and the Phillies have a lefty-dominated lineup, so it's good to have him face the Phillies. But, while that may be sound in theory, that's been pretty horrible in practice for John Lannan and the Nationals . . . but wonderful for the Phillies.
Which is exactly why he should not be immediately incarcerated. Rather, John Lannan should be free to grace the mound whenever the Phillies play. Let him be free and pitch.
Free John Lannan! Free John Lannan! Free John Lannan!
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Are the wins against him more valuable than the loss in games for Utley? Or anyone he may hand-hunt on our current roster?
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
@boknows71
Oh, sure, bring some rationality into the discussion.
by David S. Cohen on Apr 14, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe let Lannan be free but escort Utley and Howard to undisclosed, safer locales while he is on the mound?
Per Baseball Reference, Lannan vs. Phillies Batter numbers (with admittedly smaller and smaller sample size) —
Howard: 33 PA – 5 for 29, .172/.273/.414
Rollins: 34 PA – 8 for 32, .250/.294/.406
Victorino: 33 PA – 9 for 29, – .310/.394/.345
Ruiz: 21 PA – 5 for 18, .278 / .333 / .444
Ibanez: 20 PA – 10 for 18, .556/.600/.1.056
Polanco: 12 PA – 5 for 10, .500/.500/.500
Howard does have a couple homers against Lannan, but honestly let’s save his and Utley’s hands. Also, send Ibanez up there as often as possible.
"He takes a pitch low, and loses his helmet in the process. How did that happen?"
Mr. Cohen, may I suggest that while advocating for Lannan’s freedom, you also advocate for the use of titanium batting gloves for the Phillies facing Lannan?
by Phrozen on Apr 14, 2011 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It’s all fun and games until one of your players is maimed and relegated to the 15, or worse 60-day DL.
John Lannan’s assassination of Chase Utley when he was on the MVP campaign trail four years ago is one of the most heinous crimes in our nation’s history. And to this day, it has gone unpunished. As I document, in the intervening time period, he has gone on to attempt murder on 7 additional occasions. Yes, I understand that in Utley’s place, his (less deserving) running mate was still able to capture the MVP in 2007, but how long will we let an unrepentant murderer roam free? A .900 OPS is nice, but it is hardly justice.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
David S. Cohen is soft on crime! Do you want prisoners to rob your house and assault your kids while they’re on furlough? David S. Cohen does!
Vote FuquaManuel! He’s right for you and right for America!
This is not very contributory to the new tone we expect here in America!
A proud member of the Church of BaseBa'al
by WanderingMoses on Apr 14, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
This thing is friggin’ hilarious. I will have to start having to reading SBNationDC more often to get the links to pertinent out of town posts more often.
By the way, I want Lannan in jail! Call up Ross Detwiler, whose better stuff will provide more competitive contests.
/Nats fan’d
/rec’d
Souldrummer twitters at @souldrummer25
"Derek Norris walks." - Gameday. 'Nuff said. Souldrummer is all in for Derek Norris - almost as all in as his battery mate Ryan Tatusko.
Mrs. Lovejoy approves of this sentiment
A proud member of the Church of BaseBa'al
by WanderingMoses on Apr 14, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually, I believe that picture
is of Lannan’s Catcher carying him prior to putting him in that little seat on top of the shopping cart. John’s a little nervous about the height, but he made it through fine and enjoyed some Animal Crackers in the check out line.
Stopped clocks are right twice a day against the Atlanta Braves.
A proud member of the Church of BaseBa'al
by WanderingMoses on Apr 14, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Middle ground: I would approve furloughs for series against the Braves. If he kills again, at least it will be people who deserve it.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
by FuquaManuel on Apr 14, 2011 5:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Howard_sore_but_in_line-up.html
Second baseman Chase Utley remains on the disabled list and still is a considerable way from returning. He did some running on Wednesday, but Manuel said there is still no timetable for Utley’s return. There are indications that the Phillies are hoping Utley will be back on the field sometime in May.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Howard_sore_but_in_line-up.html
Second baseman Chase Utley remains on the disabled list and still is a considerable way from returning. He did some running on Wednesday, but Manuel said there is still no timetable for Utley’s return. There are indications that the Phillies are hoping Utley will be back on the field sometime in May.
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
So, Howard… Dead?
If so, let that wrist assassin burn, says I.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Apr 14, 2011 6:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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