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APOSTROPHE

More By APOSTROPHE

Thought Experiment
5 votes, 11 comments
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Thought Experiment: It

by APOSTROPHE
created September 19, 2008, last edited September 20, 2008
8
Vote

The following is just a thought/philosophy and should not be taken as an opinion. It is simply a thought experiment to see where people stand on this situation:

What is it? Why do some players have it and others do not? Is it a learned skill or even a skill at all? Is it something received at birth?

Dustin Pedroia apparently has "it" (at least this statement can be argued). He is leading the Red Sox to the post season. He is batting at a high mark (.326 batting average) with decent power numbers (17 home runs) and showing decent speed (17 stolen bases). But he has this intagiable ability to play the game. Does he not have it?

It can be argued that Alex Rodriguez lacks the "it" factor. He is batting at a high mark (.305 batting average) with above average power (35 home runs) and decent speed (17 stolen bases). So does he have it?

What is "it" and why do some players have "it" and others don't? Is Rodriguez lacking it and that is why his team can never seem to win it all? Can you explain "it" or are you one of those guys who just knows "it" when you see it?


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KelsdadAll-Star
438 days ago
Score 2+-
Everybody in the major leagues has "it". Some just have more or "it" than others.
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APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 1+-
But why do some players have more it than others?
Permalink
KelsdadAll-Star
437 days ago
Score 2+-
"It"'s something you're born with. Coordination, eyesight, mental vision.

I think you can refine the "it" you've been gifted with, but you can't go to the gym or a physcologist to get more of "it".

Unless you're Barry Bonds, then you get more of "it" from a needle.
Permalink
AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity
438 days ago
Score 3+-
It is a synonym for clutch. *ducks head*
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APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 0+-
So having "it" is being clutch. Is there anything else that goes into being "it"?
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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
438 days ago
Score 0+-
It's "it" until people don't talk about it.. then it's "Shhhhhhh...it"
Permalink | Reply
AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity
438 days ago
Score 1+-
shouldn't you be watching Burn Notice?
Permalink
Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
438 days ago
Score 2+-
Follow the bouncing ball here, ASD... Mountain Standard Time Zone. I'm counting down the minutes... and go ahead and tell me if you want, I'm not reading your description of how it was.
Permalink
Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
438 days ago
Score 0+-
What is the difference between "It" and "sexy" - God, why hast thou made the '00's so brutally intolerable????
Permalink | Reply
AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity
438 days ago
Score 1+-
don't forget Who's Hot
Permalink
Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
438 days ago
Score 0+-
"Best Decade EVER"
Permalink
Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
438 days ago
Score 2+-
"Who's NOW"?
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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity
437 days ago
Score 1+-
You can't spell Titletown without "it"
Permalink | Reply
Manny StilesMajor Leaguer
437 days ago
Score 1+-
"Top Ten" is an anagram for "potent"... Clarify this for me... is this where we unleash our 90's angst on ESPN of the "Naughty Aughties"? (that's what I call this decade)
Permalink
AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity
437 days ago
Score 1+-
I'm voting yes.
Permalink
DRE-LOAAA-er
437 days ago
Score 1+-
Everyone has to have some sort of it factor whtn they make the majors. It's just a matter of degree. Now if you get to the point where you have a really low "it" factor, then you'll be playing Triple A ball looking to get it back.
Permalink | Reply
APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 0+-
Can a player in Triple A develop more of "it" or are you limited to the "it" you were born with? How does "it" work?
Permalink
Steel TownDraft Pick
437 days ago
Score 1+-
I can't back this up with any sort of fact, but, you can't coach "it"
Permalink
Steel TownDraft Pick
437 days ago
Score 0+-
But I do think you may be able to "grow into" or "develop" "it".
Permalink
APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 0+-
You can't coach it but you can learn it. Very interesting Steel Town, can you elaborate?
Permalink
Steel TownDraft Pick
437 days ago
Score 2+-
It can't be coached, but someone born with "it" can fine tune or develop "it". I feel it comes down to interaction between the nervous system and an athletes senses. How do you teach someone to process what they see or feel faster and then react sooner, harder and smarter. You can't. But, an athlete can improve their knowledge of the game which will help improve their responses on the field. But I don't think you can quantify how many reps or how many hours of film will shave 0.005 seconds of your reaction times. You can't teach someone to deal with stress. You can give them tips or suggestions, but in the end it comes down to a person overcoming their own anxieties.
Permalink
JuTMSY4Legend
437 days ago
Score 2+-
I coached it once...


and swampthing
Permalink
APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 1+-
Bravo Steel Town. I do believe in a great answer.
Permalink
Steel TownDraft Pick
437 days ago
Score 0+-
I think the "it" is really about anticipation, reflexes, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Permalink | Reply
CheezerAll-Star
437 days ago
Score 5+-
Abe Simpson: I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me.

I know it's not the same "it", but I couldn't resist.

For the record, I don't believe in "it", "clutch", "swagger" or "grittiness"
Permalink | Reply
Sj-hypocycloidAll-American
437 days ago
Score 0+-
I tend to agree with you, Cheeze. I feel that folks play and/or excel at pro sports because of "skill" "talent" and, sometimes, "luck" - how many careers have come around due to another's injury or day off? Gehrig. Brady. Not to say these guys would not have been greats without that "chance" - but it certainly did bring things about quicker.
Permalink
APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 0+-
I am interested that if you don't believe in "it" then what do you believe in?
Permalink
APOSTROPHESoccer Kid
437 days ago
Score 0+-
Who would you all say has more of "it"; Pedroia or Rodriguez? Rodriguez has better numbers but people say Pedroia just has "it". What is the verdict?
Permalink | Reply
Davis21wylieMVP
437 days ago
Score 1+-
"It" is what keeps Bill Plaschke employed.
Permalink | Reply
KelsdadAll-Star
437 days ago
Score 1+-
Rodriguez has more "it". Based on talent alone, Pedroia should be a stock boy at Walmart. He had to work his butt off 100% just to get to the majors, and 110% to stay there. Alex Rodriguez at 70% is still better than 110% of Pedroia. Pedroia has to work alot harder than Rodriguez does to accomplish the same things.
Permalink | Reply
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Categories: Opinions | Opinions by User APOSTROPHE | September 19, 2008 | September 2008 | MLB Opinions | Baseball Opinions | Dustin Pedroia Opinions | Alex Rodriguez Opinions

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