Raleigh comments on the team

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
Todd Raleigh comments summarized from a Thursday radio interview by John Wilkerson.


Raleigh thinks the team is getting better. He knew they wouldn't be sharp early, but there has been a steady progression, especially on the mound. He really likes the continued improvement.

Matt Duffy had an outstanding fall and has picked up right where he left off.

Chris Pierce has a tremendous arm. He can play behind the plate, left, center, right, second or third. He has really benefited from lifting weights. He will play somewhere.

Nick Blount has been the biggest surprise on the mound. He did not have a tremendous fall; he struggled the second half. But he was thrown in the fire as a freshman and probably shouldn't have been. As a result, he lost his confidence. He's throwing really well right now; up to 94 mph with a good breaking ball.

Catching is up for grabs because of injuries. Matt Ramsey is battling injury and hasn't been able to practice at 100 percent. He checked out by the doctor, but just isn't feeling up to par. Ethan Bennett pulled a hamstring and is out seven to ten days.

This year, in his fourth season, Raleigh feels better than ever. The team is more prepared and has better players, especially on the mound. In the past, his teams have been very close defensively and offensively, but fell short on the mound. Not this year. By far, this is the best pitching staff he's had. He has some guys that can shut people down. Last year, he asked a lot from pitchers that weren't ready. That's not the case this year.

The key between now and the start of the season is: don't get hurt, don't get hurt, and don't get hurt.

This weekend Raleigh wants to see guys like Steven Gruver and Jon Reed get up to 75 pitches. He hopes the other guys get to 65-70.

He would like to see three solid, consistent scrimmages in a row this weekend.
 
#2
#2
I noticed the nonconference schedule is very watered down. Could it be not alot of talent or Raleigh knows this is his last year or Both?
 
#4
#4
Will Ramsey be able to play next weekend?

Also, who will be the starters around the diamond?
 
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#5
#5
knoxville's finest said:
I noticed the nonconference schedule is very watered down. Could it be not alot of talent or Raleigh knows this is his last year or Both?
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I don't think this will be his last year if he can get the Vols into the SEC Tournament, and into the CWS. The third year look like the charm but it was failure to get a base hit to beat the Crimson Tide in the 2nd game. It was close but no cigar to get into the SEC Tournament but I don't think it will be another close but no cigar to get into the SEC tournament.
 
#8
#8
A whole month at home to start, they better have a good record after that vs. Some easy competition.
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#9
#9
volmountaineer said:
A whole month at home to start, they better have a good record after that vs. Some easy competition.
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THere is not a lot of easy competition. If your pitcher has a bad game you can lose to a team even if they aren't a LSU,Cal State Fullerton, Miami, etc.

Ideal would be 10-12 wins of their first 15.
 
#11
#11
Firestorm are you Todd Raleigh? Seems like you're making every excuse in the book for him

And yes....our OOC is really poor
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#12
#12
TNVols58 said:
Firestorm are you Todd Raleigh? Seems like you're making every excuse in the book for him

And yes....our OOC is really poor
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Wait a minute, I thought I was Todd Raleigh.
Now I'm REALLY confused.
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#13
#13
TNVols58 said:
Firestorm are you Todd Raleigh? Seems like you're making every excuse in the book for him

And yes....our OOC is really poor
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I was about to say the same thing. To even remotely think this is a CWS team is beyond delusional. And I for one am not going to think that barely getting into the SECT as the 8th team shows a ton of improvement, which is exactly my fear: that they barely squeak in and Raliegh is around longer.
 
#15
#15
Raleigh always says it's his best team....always says we have the most pitching he's ever had....he's so full of sh$t it's amazing

Raleigh is who Rex Ryan would be if his teams sucked
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#16
#16
TR also brought up today how we had our best player hitting against Bama in the 10th inning...keeps on making excuses

The most absurd thing he said today is that we wouldnt really miss Hawn and Forsythe because the composite bats made them the players they were....he just loves throwing people under the bus....he never shows any accountability...NEVER
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#17
#17
TNVols58 said:
Firestorm are you Todd Raleigh? Seems like you're making every excuse in the book for him

And yes....our OOC is really poor
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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No I'm not Todd Raleigh, and I'm not making exueses for him but it seem's like people think this situation is as bad as Rich Rod with Michigan. With each year Michigan got worse.
In his 3rd year the Vols improved from what they were in his 2nd year 2009, and in his 4th year I think they will get better.

Also I said if the VOls can get into the CWS not they will get into the CWS.
 
#18
#18
firestorm said:
No I'm not Todd Raleigh, and I'm not making exueses for him but it seem's like people think this situation is as bad as Rich Rod with Michigan. With each year Michigan got worse.
In his 3rd year the Vols improved from what they were in his 2nd year 2009, and in his 4th year I think they will get better.

Also I said if the VOls can get into the CWS not they will get into the CWS.
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Michigan went from 3-9 to 5-7 to 7-6. I'd call that improvement, certainly WAY better than Raliegh has done, yet Rich Rod was fired. So by your own example, Raliegh definitely should be gone.
 
#19
#19
VolsSportsFan said:
Michigan went from 3-9 to 5-7 to 7-6. I'd call that improvement, certainly WAY better than Raliegh has done, yet Rich Rod was fired. So by your own example, Raliegh definitely should be gone.
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They still had a defense that got worse, how many times did they beat Ohio State, and they were not even close to what they were.
 
#20
#20
TNVols58 said:
The most absurd thing he said today is that we wouldnt really miss Hawn and Forsythe because the composite bats made them the players they were....he just loves throwing people under the bus....he never shows any accountability...NEVER
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Ummm....Not sure that's exactly what he said. You may try reading one sentence further.

"I would take all of them back because Blake was one of the first catchers taken (in the draft) and Cody Hawn was one of the best hitters I've ever coached."
 
#21
#21
Yes I saw that.....but to say this right here is absurd

When you look at the guys we lost, we did lose them but if we were ever going to lose them last year was the year to do it because of the bats. I don't think Cody (Hawn) and Blake (Forsythe) would have those same kinds of numbers this year.

Basically he said the bats gave them those numbers, which is a GREAT way to keep a connection with successful alumni of the program
 
#22
#22
TNVols58 said:
Yes I saw that.....but to say this right here is absurd

When you look at the guys we lost, we did lose them but if we were ever going to lose them last year was the year to do it because of the bats. I don't think Cody (Hawn) and Blake (Forsythe) would have those same kinds of numbers this year.

Basically he said the bats gave them those numbers, which is a GREAT way to keep a connection with successful alumni of the program
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I don't know, I read that more as an indictment of the bats than Blake or Cody. From what I've heard, the new bats are awful and no one is going to hit a lot of home runs this year.

I fully agree that the point probably wasn't made very clearly, but I think this is his roundabout way of saying that speed is going to be more important than power this year.
 
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#23
#23
AllinVol99 said:
I don't know, I read that more as an indictment of the bats than Blake or Cody. From what I've heard, the new bats are awful and no one is going to hit a lot of home runs this year.

I fully agree that the point probably wasn't made very clearly, but I think this is his roundabout way of saying that speed is going to be more important than power this year.
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You are correct, sir! TNVols58 finds a way to spin everything Raleigh does and says into a negative.
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#25
#25
The team has talent... its Rollie Pollie .. as long as he does not have his come aparts they may do well. Maybe his anger management classes or medication will have some effect. I want the boys to do well regardless of you know who. Go Vols!
 
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