Koch will make you sweat every save

[Bisco Stu]

Living here in the Bay Area, saw many A's games and while Koch typically came through, every save was "hold your bong hit in."

Also, the reason he had so many wins was all the blown saves, coupled with the A's ability to come back. Hope we show the same kind of heart when Koch sends us into extra innings. Of course, getting all those wins means he was able to settle down after giving up the lead.

All in all, it's nice to have a flamethrower in the bullpen, and Koch is another reason the Sox reclaim the division in the OH 3.

[VeeckAsInWreck]

Thanks for the warning Bisco,

I saw Keith all of last year and he made me a sweat and eventually cry. For his sake, I hope he returns to his dominance. I like the Koch addition. However, da Sox still need veteran starting pitching.

[HITMEN OF 77]

Well, I will never forget opening day this year in Seattle. I was at the game and after the Sox jumped out to a nice lead, I thought for sure the game was over when Foulke came out in the 9th. Well, after giving up a few runs and then loading the bases with 2 outs in a 6-5 game. I was worried to say the least and boy did the Seattle fans yell at me all 46,000 off them. Well luckily Foulke got Cameron to pop out and we won. He saved the day on that occasion and made my first trip to Safeco field an enjoyable one! Thanks KF! That's my fondest memory of him. I'm sure a lot of you have better one's and a few have worse one's! Just thought I would share mine!

[mrwag]

I can honestly say Foulke used to scare me everytime he came out. Will it be any different with Koch?

[RichH55]

Heres an article from Oakland on the subject
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%7E10835%7E1029094,00.html

[pudge]

Originally posted by HITMEN OF 77
Well, I will never forget opening day this year in Seattle. I was at the game and after the Sox jumped out to a nice lead, I thought for sure the game was over when Foulke came out in the 9th. Well, after giving up a few runs and then loading the bases with 2 outs in a 6-5 game. I was worried to say the least and boy did the Seattle fans yell at me all 46,000 off them. Well luckily Foulke got Cameron to pop out and we won. He saved the day on that occasion and made my first trip to Safeco field an enjoyable one! Thanks KF! That's my fondest memory of him. I'm sure a lot of you have better one's and a few have worse one's! Just thought I would share mine!

I am at every Sox game in Seattle, and how about two days later when he blew a 3-run lead and the Mariners won with four runs in the 9th??

[Dadawg_77]

Originally posted by RichH55
Heres an article from Oakland on the subject
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%7E10835%7E1029094,00.html

From the story


But Koch's salary is likely to grow higher than that of Foulke, if only because Foulke is coming off a season in which he was neither the closer nor on a contending team.

That's the hidden factor here. Foulke was for two seasons, 2000 and 2001, a far more effective closer than Koch. Foulke lost his job two months into last season, and White Sox manager Jerry Manuel went to a closer-by-committee.

Yep, this why the Sox can't keep Mark, since they now have to pay more for the closer they traded for.


But Koch was a one-trick pony. He had the blazing fastball, often getting it up around 100 mph. After that, he had another blazing fastball. And if you hit that, he'd try to slip a blazing fastball past you

Welcome to our new gas can. At least Foulke had a fastball changeup 1-2 punch.


Throughout the season, Beane and Howe did the smart thing, the only thing. They consistently supported Koch. He was acquired to replace the departed Jason Isringhausen and was the most capable closer on their roster.

What did the Sox do with Foulke? Oh thats right they rag on any player that struggles which only decreases their value. Then they trade them.


The A's realize Koch struggled to maintain a 2-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, and that he typically averaged about 1.3 baserunners per inning.

Which compares unfavorably to Foulke, whose strikeouts-to-walks ratio over the past four seasons is about 41/2-to-1 and who averages closer to one baserunner per inning.

Yep, Koch has a proballilty of becoming a gas can.

[DVG]

Originally posted by Dadawg_77
.




Yep, Koch has a proballilty of becoming a gas can.

Great. That's all I need is someone to revive memories of one of
my all-time UN-favorite White Sox, Bobby Thigpen.

[Ol Aches & Pains]

I've been sweating every save for the last five years, since they traded Roberto Hernandez. Foulke was no sure thing either, and I'm willing to take my chances with Koch. Plus, Mark Johnson is gone, we are going to have a catcher who can throw out baserunners at second base. What a concept!

[Daver]

Originally posted by Ol Aches & Pains
I've been sweating every save for the last five years, since they traded Roberto Hernandez. Foulke was no sure thing either, and I'm willing to take my chances with Koch. Plus, Mark Johnson is gone, we are going to have a catcher who can throw out baserunners at second base. What a concept!

What catcher are you referring to?

[Soxheads]

Originally posted by daver
What catcher are you referring to?

I was wondering the same thing…

[Jerry_Manuel]

Originally posted by daver
What catcher are you referring to?

I'm sure he means Olivo, but he's in for a surprise.

[MarkEdward]

Originally posted by daver
What catcher are you referring to?


Duh! It has to be Josh Paul. That guy's got a gun!

[RichH55]

Originally posted by Jerry_Manuel
I'm sure he means Olivo, but he's in for a surprise.

Why is he in for a surprise?

[Ol Aches & Pains]

Originally posted by Jerry_Manuel
I'm sure he means Olivo, but he's in for a surprise.

What surprise? Wait, don't tell me, KW just signed Ivan Rodriguez, right?

Seriously, the Strangers didn't offer arbitration to Rodriguez, he's officially available. I guess they don't need him now that they've acquired the immortal Einar Diaz.

[Jerry_Manuel]

Originally posted by RichH55
Why is he in for a surprise?

I don't think think he'll be on the 25 man roster.

I've been wrong many times before though.

[Jerry_Manuel]

Originally posted by Ol Aches & Pains
What surprise? Wait, don't tell me, KW just signed Ivan Rodriguez, right?

Seriously, the Strangers didn't offer arbitration to Rodriguez, he's officially available. I guess they don't need him now that they've acquired the immortal Einar Diaz.

My guess is that he'll wind up with the Cubs.

[Ol Aches & Pains]

Originally posted by Jerry_Manuel
I don't think think he'll be on the 25 man roster.

I've been wrong many times before though.

If they send Olivo down and keep Josh Paul, I'm calling for a full congressional investigation and criminal indictments.