Duda Abides Applesauce - Mets fall in Duda debut, more Francoeur reactions, Nyjer Morgan loses it
by Joe Budd on Sep 2, 2010 8:28 AM EDT
in Applesauce
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Meet the Mets
The Mets started September in remarkably similar fashion to their August, by getting one hit through 7 innings and losing 4-1 to Atlanta. But, at least you got to see Lucas Duda's MLB debut and Jerry mock the Met outfield defense that he threw out there. This is the same Manuel, by the way, who has made several of the dumbest moves of the year in all of baseball.
There's been a lot written about the Jeff Francouer trade. Toby Hyde gives us an idea of what to expect from Joaquin Arias. Patrick Flood writes that it's our fault if we are disappointed in Frenchy's time with the Mets. Francouer is a direct piece from the Lastings Milledge trade, a move that is still having consequences for the Nats and Mets.
Possibly the best consequence of trading Francoeur is that Lucas Duda gets a shot, a guy whose minor league stat line is oddly similar, and in some respects better than, Chase Utley's. In case you had gotten confused with all the minor league transactions, here's a quick list.
Jenrry Mejia is excited for Saturday, but Mets ownership (not just their GM) thinks that you can't go young.
Mike Hessman's time with the Mets is certainly unique among the team's history. The closest comparison is Eli Marrero.
Around MLB
Crazy night for Nats fans. Nyjer Morgan continues to implode, stealing second and third base (while down 11 runs) after getting hit by a pitch (in retaliation for another dive into a catcher) and sparking a benches clearing brawl following a pitch behind him. I personally like the stealing second and third, retaliation through your play, but fights and more problems with the fans have caused some Nats fans to call for Morgan's departure. Oh yeah, and Rob Dibble is done.
Busy night for the Marlins too. After letting Ricky Nolasco pitch with a knee injury, Florida has shut him down for the season. That makes room for Jorge Sosa.
Brian McCann is good. So is Carlos Gonzalez.
Manny Ramirez will have to shave his dreadlocks in order to comply with the White Sox personal appearance rules.
Finally, Jason Fry of Faith and Fear and SportsJournalism.org writes about the difference between bloggers and mainstream media members when it comes to steroid speculation.
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Right move, wrong reason for Dibble's ouster
I am exceedingly thrilled that he is off my tv, but he should have been canned for just plain sucking, not for his comments about Strasberg.
And I don’t think the issue with Morgan is that he stole in the 4th – at least not with the Marlins themselves. And while I don’t think what he did on the field was all the despicable, his taunting the fans is what really makes me think the guy isn’t dealing with a full deck.
Really
What did he say that was so bad? I mean, it was ill timed and probably not the best but other people had been saying versions of the same thing. I.e. the Nats were babying Strasburg.
"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning
Well, it was fairly ignorant
He made it sound like Strasberg wasn’t being tough enough and was basically to come out of the game. So the basic premise of his argument was factually incorrect. Also, the fact that a guy who had a short career that ended by injury was urging someone to pitch through pain was a bit off-putting.
That said, I repeat that I don’t think have been fired over these comments, but rather for his over craptacularness.
Agree it was ignorant
and I’m no Dibble fan. I, like you, just didn’t think it was a fireable offense.
"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning
I think it was a firable offense
considering that it came only a week after an on air misogynistic rant.
The National Association of Retarded Assholes
is going to come down hard on the Nats for firing Dibble. They’re in for a fight if they think they can fire such a supremely retarded asshole.
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Sep 2, 2010 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
thats what I expected from Arias
he seems to be a 2B for us the rest of 2010 anda callup INF for 2011 and beyond. maybe someone who can fill in or be a bench guy for 15 days at a time and at least give us decent D and maybe a couple of basehits
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
so if Duda is successful then what in 2011
we will have Bay, Pagan, and Beltran..do we deal someone. it won’t be Bay simply because he has only been here 1 season. I doubt someone wants Beltran at that pay. It leaves Pagan who has been probably the most consistent hitter this season on the Mets. I think he would back something decent as I am sure the league sees his value, but that leaves us without a CF when Beltran is gone.
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
That's a good problem to have too much talent
Carry Duda, and play him in the outfield or 1B when the starters get a day’s rest, and at DH during interleague play. If by some strange reason a Met starter should actually get injured and miss playing time, Duda becomes a starter.
I have a feeling
Beltran won’t be on the team next year. I think they will send him off, even if the Mets have to eat contract.
Beltran's Spring Training
Mt guess is that the Mets won’t make any moves until they see Beltran in spring training.
From what I understand...
Duda is not a speedster. So, if Beltran is gone (either via retirement, trade, release), I guess Pagan in Center, Bay in left, Duda in right? Would that even work? I like the idea of Duda as 4th OF/back up 1st base. How much of a utility guy can he be?
weak arm though
they were talking about his weak arm last night so left field probably makes more sense
his arm isn't that weak
carter is much much worse
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
he's made some amusing throws for sure
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Carlos Gonzalez may be the NL MVP
seems like every night he is doing something awesome. great break out year, and I do not think it is a fluke. I believe he will be good for a few years.
A nice pairing in the middle of the line up for a few years with him and Tulowitzki
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
With Pujols and Votto dueling for a theoretical triple crown, I think there's no way Gonzalez is MVP.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Sep 2, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
although the fact his name has been totally absent from the discussion is unfortunate. He’s a distant 3rd or 4th, but he’s still had a spectacular year. He deserves some recognition.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Home: .386/.431/.781
Away: .275/.296/.437
I love him, but you probably have to point it out. And people are probably going to be saying that about him as long as he’s with the Rockies, unfortunately. I mean, that’s a 1.200 OPS at home… on the road his K:BB is 8:75. Just ridiculous splits.
ain't had enough...
agreed his splits are noticable
but I don’t think its fair to take the credit away from him just because of where he plays. We don’t take Cy young consideration away from Padres pitchers for having a very pitcher friendly park.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah but there's been some articles about this
most players who play in extremely quirky stadiums, whether offense inflating or the opposite, have extreme splits because they have to make so many adjustments to fit to their park. Our players have insane splits too despite the fact we play in an extreme pitchers park, they’re all much better at home.
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
for the mets
on the road .238/.297/.360
at home .258/.332/.395
albiet we’re awful regardless but not quite as awful at home, and we’re only the like 6th worst offense in the NL at home as opposed to the 3rd worst on the road.
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
And Ny. Morgan continues to climb up my list
Reasons:
1.Its nice to see someone actually connect on a punch in a bench clearing brawl.
2.He took Gabby Sanchez’s closeline like a champ.
3.He walked off the field with a “are you not entertained” swagger.
P.s. I hate those announcers.
P.p.s. Its clear that the losing and his .288 wOBA is getting to him
by Coolpapabell on Sep 2, 2010 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He climbs up my list too
off assholes. He takes cheap shots at catchers, charges the mound on a pitch that was nowhere near him (sure it was behind but there was no threat of it hitting him). He then proceeds to act like a tool as they pull him off the field. And he plays in division, so across the board I can say screw that guy. If he were throwing punches defending a teammate, or even himself, it would be one thing. But he pretty much went off at the slightest provocation and thats worrisome.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
So he gets hit. He decides not to charge, just steal 2nd and 3rd. The Marlins persist and throw at him again. Well…………I can’t say I blame him for getting pissed. He also gets extra credit for bumping the catcher for the Marlins and the Cardinals.
I'll add one more thing to this:
Doug Slaten is an idiot. Gaby Sanchez clothesline Morgan to protect his pitcher and then gets plunked by Slaten in his next at-bat. This, of course, leads to his ejection and the ejection of his manager.
This leads me to believe a couple of things about Slaten:
1) He didn’t want to pitch last night.
2) He’s a moron for not understanding that it was over.
3) He basically told his infielders don’t help me if someone charges the mound on me in the future.
/rant
If there's ever a riot at Citi Field and Oliver Perez was the starter, I started the riot.
Acting on instructions
Slaten was told by Riggleman to hit Sanchez. They had a pitcher warming up in the bullpen to cover the ejection.
Why is the word "dysfunctional" always on my mind?
by metfanintheuk on Sep 2, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
in that case add Riggleman to the annoying list
nothing annoys me more than managers that incite when shit is over
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
Sanchez handled it right at least
just walked to 1b like it was no big deal.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
My guess is that if you're a guy named Gaby....
You have experience in defending yourself from bullies. That flying clothesline was nearly Ray Knight level in terms of fighting ability, and Knight was a Gold Glove boxer before becomin a pro ballplayer.
I would imagine Gabby isn't all that uncommon in certain cultures
kind of like Ashley as a guys name is more common in some place.
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
you know if they hit him the second time, i could see him getting angry
but the pitch missed him by a mile. It was just a “know your place” pitch. And why would he get extra credit for hitting catchers twice who weren’t in the way of home plate? In the case of the Marlins, he actually cost his team a run by not just sliding to the wide open home plate. This is not behavior to give credit for, even though I do share your hatred of the cards and marlins. He’s going out of his way to start fights, and thats not commendable under any circumstances.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly
I would have been totally fine if he like, slowly walked to the mound, just to show he wasn’t having it. But charging the mound because of that pitch? Not cool.
John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.
yeah his intent wasn't to make a point
he was going in to injure there, which I can’t condone
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
the dude was throwing at him...that shit causes injury
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The first pitch sure
but the second pitch was nowhere near him. He’d have had to taken a full step backwards for that pitch to even graze him. If they had actually drilled him twice, I agree, go for the mound. But they intentionally threw behind him and not at him the second time. I think charging the mound was ridiculously overreacting.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
it wasn't behind him on purpose...that's the point you're missing
it was meant to hit him
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
i doubt if he was intending to hit him
that he would have missed behind him by a foot or two.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree with you
getting thrown at twice is charge the mound worthy. No doubt about that.
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
oh please
guy gets thrown at twice and he’s expected to do nothing?
since when is stealing bases down 11 runs out of line? excuse me but I thought that was his job as leadoff hitter to get his team going…
by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Sep 2, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes
I hate Florida ever since Olivo attacked Jose on 3rd base. That time at the end of one of those nearly seasons, I forget which one. So, correspondingly I like the cut of Nyjer Morgan’s jib.
Why is the word "dysfunctional" always on my mind?
by metfanintheuk on Sep 2, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
yes thats exactly what he's expected to do
I didn’t say the stolen bases were out of line either. I agree its his job to try to score. I said taking cheap shots at catchers for no reason is bush league. Furthermore, charging the mound when the pitcher didn’t even come close to hitting you the second time is an overreaction. I don’t consider it poor form to throw at Morgan twice, considering a totally unnecessary collision at the plate saw one of their players knocked out for the year. Let your pitchers deal with the retaliation like everyone else does.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
why was the hard slide a cheap shot?
if anything it was dumb and cost the Nats a run… if he slid he would have been safe. Even if you or the Fish thought the slide was out of line, how many times are they going to throw at him? cause you’re saying the stealing isn’t an issue…
so, they threw at him and he took it w/o saying a word. so the 2nd time they threw at him it was clearly with the intent to incite a brawl… and a brawl they got.
by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Sep 2, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
it wasn't a hard slide
he threw a shoulder tackle at the guy. There was no slide, he just ran directly at the catcher and leveled him, even though the catcher gave him the plate.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
the epitome of class that is Yankees fandom
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I shouldn't have said "slide"
I don’t know of any reason why he’d intentionally be looking to take the catcher out rather than score the run by sliding… I think he just made a bad decision, on a close play at the plate you have to make a split second decision. Coming in hard and bowling over a catcher really is part of the game… in this case it was just a dumb thing to do… I don’t accept that he was just looking to bury Hayes there…
and please don’t bring up Morgan’s past transgressions to prove why he’s wrong about this.
like Gina said, that’s just playing hard the Yankee way… ;)
by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Sep 2, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't brought up any past transgressions
just this one. If you want to believe he was just negligently stupid instead of willfully aggressive there, I can’t disprove you. Either way he made an unnecessary play that lead to the serious injury of another player. Whether it be a violent nature or just poor decision making skills, his actions had the same effect, and the Marlins had a right to be angry. I have no problem with running over a catcher at the plate if he’s actually blocking it, thats part of the game. However the catcher hadn’t even set his feet from jumping to catch the throw home when morgan got there, a simple slide clearly would have sufficed and I have a difficult time believing Morgan didn’t notice this. There was no way the catcher had a shot at making a tag if Morgan had slid into home, so I question why he opted to go high on a catcher on a tag play with a high throw. Maybe Morgan just wasn’t paying attention to the play and didn’t realize the catcher had no play on him, maybe he just likes being an ass, I don’t know which, but either way the play was a cheap shot.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I couldn’t understand why the stealing was a problem when they were LOSING. And can we put it in the rules how big the margin should be when teams have to stop trying?
"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning
according to the mets 0-0 is sufficient
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
by Gina on Sep 2, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Bazinga!
"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning
by blains2000 on Sep 2, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's showing up the pitcher/catcher, basically.
Plus, their OF, or whoever it was broke his wrist, and that wouldn’t have happened (in theory) if Morgan wasn’t on 3rd. He also almost took out their 2b a little unnecessarily hard sliding into second. Not defending anyone, but there’s certainly reason for FLA to be a bit miffed.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Sep 2, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Come on
Other things about Morgan: he calls himself “an aggressive type of cat,” he named his car Charlene because “she rides real clean,” and he has earned long features about his dedication to wearing stirrups, with Uni Watch’s Paul Lukas saying Morgan has “the best lower-leg look in baseball.”
-Washington Post
Guy is awesome.
John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.
Yeah me too.
Old timey ballplayer in modern ballplayer mold.
stupid paywall
can’t view the list of 10 dumbest moves in baseball
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
Yeah
Can anyone with access list them? or at least Jerry’s?
by Pack Bringley on Sep 2, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
That brawl was pretty good
As obnoxious as I find the Marlins to be, I think this must be their fault and I salute DJ Ny Ny Ny Ny Nyj Nice for his role in smacking them up a little.
Tony Plush is a seriously unhinged dude
Nyjer vs. Dibble, cage match
by James Kannengieser on Sep 2, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
dibble HATES morgan with a passion
and constantly talks shit about him during broadcasts
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
This seriously was like the best baseball brawl in forever.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Sep 2, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah i could watch that clothesline by Sanchez all day
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
The Clothesline > Kung Fu Cueto
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Sep 2, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Pinela v.s. Fisk
Has to be the best besball fight ever. Play at the plate, and they just threw down right then and there. Can you say sick. I think Bill Lee got body slammed and got his sholder dislocated.
Martinez vs Zimmer
was fun. as was Ryan vs Ventura
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Ray Knight cold cocking Eric Davis
Ahhhhhh memories
"Sometimes you make a mistake and you get hit in the head." - Eli Manning
I thought that
August comes before September…
by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Sep 2, 2010 10:03 AM EDT reply actions
Sheesh
I hate Manuel so much. How can we continue to employ this guy. And is there like a required amount of time we have to keep Arias on the roster before we can dfa him? If Omar realizes Manuel is a professional troll and will continue doing stupid shit like pulling prospects for sub replacement level players who’ve never played in the outfield why is he keeping him on the roster at all? We’ve got 3 MI’s all are sufficiently awful to cover the awful quota.
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
Ive heard rumor somewhere around here that Duda said he had cramps and was removed for that reason
dont remember who said it but someone posted a quote of some sort. That said, the less we see of arias the better.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah mestradamus said the same thing
but I meant hating Jerry more from his quote about the outfield defense.
Manuel on Carter, Duda, Beltran defensive outfield: “Whoooo, Lord have mercy…I’ve got to tell Pelfrey, Keep that (ball) down.”
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
haha at least he realized how bad it was
Jerry realizing anything is a rare event indeed
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
but the thing is it really wasn't that bad
Carters been about average in the outfield and Duda hasn’t even had a chance to prove his suckage, and actually looked decent last night. not to mention Duda is a prospect that just got called up, and before he even plays a game you’re going to shit on him to the media?
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
yeah i'll agree they're unknowns in general
but at least AAA scouting suggests neither is a great outfielder, and Beltran is currently hampered by that knee brace. I agree talking about your team that way is plain stupid, but I don’t disagree with the assessment. Carter has been ok, hasn’t embarassed himself at least, and duda made a pretty good play last night, but I get the feeling given regular play time we’d probably see a slightly different picture if we had an OF of Carter/Duda/Beltran. Doesn’t change the fact that telling your players they suck before their game (especially one in their first ML game) is a poor choice to say the least
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
question: is there any indication
that Beltran is going to be bale to remove that brace? He is supposedly bone on bone in that knee.
I don't know, haven't heard any reports
but my gut feeling is no
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
cause
he has no power lefty, and I think if he keeps wearing it, he won’t
i'd agree with that assessment
that brace doesn’t allow him to drive the ball from the left. If the brace stays, i’d almost rather see him just hit righty. Switch hitting is nice, but if you can’t swing a bat from one side its not doing you much good anyway.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah thats one thing I don't understand
why do we continue to have him switch hit when it’s obvious it’s not working
mediocrity thy name is Wilpon- jdon
yeah they're using the
because he’s a switch hitter, he should switch hit logic
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
what dawns on me now about this statement
Shouldn’t they be encouraging Pelf to keep the ball down anyway? Clearly his warnings didn’t work.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
It was in Rubins Twitter last night
that Duda had cramps
thanks, knew i saw it somewhere
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I won't worry too much about Arais vs Duda
until I see tonights lineup. If Arias is in the outfield, i’m gonna have to buy more beer before the game starts.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I am ashamed to admit
tht I actually saw some of the post game last night and Duda said it there
not a rumor...duda said it in an interview
by Mike Clemente on Sep 2, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
so you're saying duda started this rumor about himself
to ease the pain of being replaced by Arias
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 2, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I LOVE that he stole 2nd and 3rd
I wish more fast guys would get on and steal their way to 3rd, put pressure on the pitcher. Great way to retaliate after an intentional peg
I thought the steals were great.
The charge was dumb. Whatever, he’s hilarious to watch.
John Olerud, Hall of Famer. Got a nice ring to it.
That was a good article by Fry
It’s funny that a random blogger will get jumped by “real journalists” & Raul Ibanez with the old “mom’s basement,” “no integrity” & “you’re not a journalist” line. Meanwhile, a newspaper columnist can do essentially the same thing & everybody’s quiet(although Bautista didn’t whine about it like Ibanez did). If you’re gonna tell us “the difference between a journalist & basement blogger” as Geoff Baker tried to do last year,(Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2009327134_the_difference_between_real_jo.html) & “with great power comes great responsibility” when it comes to journalism, you need to criticize the columnist the same way you criticized the blogger, which Baker didn’t do or even bother to mention.(Other Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2012708489_call_me_an_idiot_mariners_fans.html)
Is the sun going to come up tomorrow?
jerry's mistakes
2) and 1) Jerry Manuel embraces Frenchy and Fernando
Finally, we come to one manager that may have achieved the double-whammy. Jerry Manuel is beginning to feel the heat in New York, and for good reason. For a good portion of the season, Manuel used Fernando Nieve as his setup man. He really liked Nieve, using him so often he was once on pace for close to 80 innings. It wasn’t until Nieve had made 40 appearances and his ERA reached 6.00 that he was banished to the minors. Young fireballer Bobby Parnell would have been a better option — but perhaps we can blame Omar Minaya for leaving Parnell in the minor leagues for so long.
On the other hand, Manuel squarely gets the blame for one of his lineup decisions. Jeff Francoeur has his uses — against left-handers he’s a decent option, which is apparently why the Rangers traded for him last night, and of course he owns that golden arm. But Manuel ran him out there for over 440 plate appearances, in which Frenchy racked up exactly zero WAR by hacking away at any pitch that didn’t hit the dirt. In about 300 fewer plate appearances, Francoeur’s backup, Chris Carter, has managed to rack up 0.2 WAR by walking more, striking out less and showing just about as much power. If Manuel leaves New York, it won’t all be Omar Minaya’s fault.
Sometimes a manager gets it right and usually receives little fanfare. For instance, Joe Girardi has run Brett Gardner out there in left field despite an up-and-down major league resume before this season. All Gardner has done is shown himself to be the second-most valuable Yankee by wins above replacement (WAR). He’s done this by providing a spark plug on top of the lineup — stealing 37 bases efficiently and walking over 13 percent of the time — and also by playing great defense in center and left.
by Joshuah on Sep 2, 2010 5:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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