Quote: Johan Santana is a Pitcher
During last night’s win over the Nationals, Johan Santana allowed two runs and seven hits while striking out three through seven innings, while also going 2 for 2 at the plate.
Santana had the following to say after last 
night’s game, speaking about ‘pitching,’ his catcher, and the difference between the National League and American League…
“The National League is a little bit different than the American League. You work by innings, and you’re trying to set everything up, and you’re trying to see who is coming up the next inning – and that’s what we’re trying to do. At the same time, the pitching coach is going to let you know what’s going on. Brian Schneider did a pretty good job, he knows these guys and we’re trying to stay on top of the game at all times – and we’re trying to set everything up hitter by hitter and inning by inning…[Schneider helps] a lot. I’m new here in this league and so far everything has been good. He’s a pretty smart guy. He has a lot of knowledge of the game. He knows the league pretty good. He makes your job a lot easier because he knows how to call a good game.”
…oddly, the 7–8–9 hitters were 5 for 7 against johan early in the game…usually, it’s the other way around…the pitcher dances around the top of the lineup, some times even allowing them to reach base, knowing he can just mow through the bottom…
…that said, i love knowing it is all strategic with santana…i’m sure he must enjoy this, in that, in the American League, it’s simply about getting this batter out, the next batter out, etc…in the National League, as he explained in the quote, there is a bigger picture in place, because of the weaker lineups and how they are stacked, plus knowing the opposing pitcher will eventually be pulled in favor of a pinch hitter…i can only assume this is more fun for a guy like santana, who clearly enjoys the art of pitching…not just throwing…also, it’s a lot of fun to watch…
For more on Santana, read David Lennon in Newsday.
