Kerfuffle - 2

=== Clubhouse Code ===

Problem B is pettiness and small-mindedness by the young player(s) who reportedly themselves broke code, by running to the teacher and trying to get another kid kept after school.

Sweeney reminded them that there is a certain amount of pettiness and small-mindedness that does not fly in a Marine Corps fire squad.  He's the perfect man to do a job that needs to be done.

Army combat units in the trenches, nuclear submarines, and baseball dugouts are managed a little differently than are the cubicles downtown.  :- ) 

Part of what keeps the tension down, in a super-testosterone environment, is the ever-present knowledge that somebody might punch.  That keeps everything under control.  10,000 years, or 65 million years, of evolution and conditioning does not get overwritten by 40 years of politics.  Well, not in combat settings it doesn't.

You get 60 angry football players into a volatile training camp, and if some pithant agitates too often, then you're going to see the confrontation take place in a primal way.  The air is clear afterward.  They forget it and they go on.

.

=== Mike Sweeney ===

Sweeney didn't intend to fight, of course, if he offered to fight.  He intended to remind his teammates that he's not going to put up with pithants in his locker room for the next six months.  I approve of this. 

I think that most ML baseball players would endorse Sweeney 100%.  I'll bet you Box seats to Garlic fries that Don Wakamatsu will love Mike Sweeney the rest of his life for it.

Note carefully that Mike Sweeney was protecting the man, Ken Griffey Jr., who takes AB's away from him.  This is the opposite of pettiness and small-mindedness.  This is warrior mentality:  not solo-gunslinger mentality, but USMC mentality, you got my back and I got yours.

And it's part of why Sweeney's message will resonate:  in this clubhouse, it is us against them.  "Them" is the other baseball team.  I approve of this also.

.

The irony is, Mike Sweeney is about to step into Ken Griffey Jr's job -- the one he just stood up and protected.  And when he does step in, Sweeney will have earned his one more season in the sun.

By the way, I didn't know that Mike Sweeney could still hit the ball 400+ feet the center/right field, did you?  Just 'cause Junior may be outta gas, doesn't mean Mike Sweeney necessarily is. 

An upgrade from Griff to Sweeney -- along with the Saunders and Bard upgrades, and return of Bradley, could help the M's get on toppa this thing...

.

=== Ken Griffey Jr. ===

Drayer reports that there are no more "ticklefests" going on. 

I wouldn't call that toxic:  I'd call it Junior's rep.   His rep (for what it's worth) has always been that when HE is having fun, fun playing baseball and fun in life -- that his entire clubhouse is a joy to be in.

His rep has also been that when he personally isn't having fun, his clubhouse is melancholy.

............

We presume that this has been his "chemistry add" to the 2010 season thus far:  gloomier than joyfuller.

Which, if he's there in large part to help others' state of mind, isn't good news for him.

.............

Folks assume that Zduriencik "can't" unload Griffey.  SSI assumes the opposite.  If it goes another week we'll be surprised.

.

My $0.02,

Dr D


Comments

1

GREAT, GREAT posts, Doc.
What annoys me most about all this - (other than the Godzilla proportions ascribed to a Benji sized issue) - is that the general reaction has been to interject INTENT onto every party in the entire mess.
The young players were "ratting".  The team is just 'covering' for Griffey because he's a star.  Larue was lying.  The players were lying.  Wak was lying. 
Having read "Ball Four" almost 40 years ago, I know that players sleeping during games not only happens - but the PLAYERS understand the vast number of reasons WHY it happens - and players don't have a problem with it.  Perpetual jet-lag -- a 6-day (and often 7) work week.  The constant up/down adreneline cycle of being a pro athlete.  The basic boredom of a a game that naturally moves slowly.  The added boredom from having been playing said game for decades.  Add to all of the above, being 40 years of age -- most PLAYERS likely think -- "Hey, if you can catch a nap, Dude -- more power to ya."
Truth is - the whole thing (and the accompanying banshee cries from the bleachers) has *ZERO* to do with napping.  It is 150% about *LOSING*.  If the Ms had been on a 10 game winning steak, instead of an 8 game (or whatever) losing streak, the story would've never seen print.  If the club had been winning and scoring runs -- even if the story had appeared - the response would've been pretty much across the board excoriation of the press - for reporting on a completely pointless piece of garbage whose only purpose was to (as you so aptly described) - "stirring up slop".
The players, the fans, the coaches and the reporters *ALL* suffer when a team is playing badly.  So, a reporter opted to put out a piece completely designed to "stir up slop".  Why?  (Since everyone else is applying intent - I figure I might as well give my go at mind-reading 101).  Because he's ticked off that the team is playing badly.  He's in a foul mood - so he ends up writing a piece that reflects *HIS* mood.  Anyone who has written a blog can attest to personal mood influencing output.
In the end, Griffey may well be gone soon.  And it will have *ZERO* to do with napgate, and everything to do with a .400 OPS.  And the distrurbing reality in all this for me is that the story likely EXTENDED the time Griffey will be with the club.  Another couple weeks of .400 OPSing - and he almost certainly would've been DLed - or graciously announced his retirement.  But, in the wake of this sludge, management, the players and Griffey are almost universally on the same page -- SUPPORT GRIFFEY!
That's good for the team in terms of rapport and unity and chemistry.  But, a .400 OPS sucks just the same. 
==============
As a completely disjointed side note,  (in response to your Matthew Broderick reference), the official WHO ICD-10 code for "Bitten or crushed by (non-venomous) reptile" is W59.  We refer to it as the Godzilla code. 

2

This is all very well said.
Over at MC, I am primarily annoyed with the TNT for (evidently) covering up that the posting of that article that started all this slime slinging was done before the sources were properly cross-checked.  You don't take agents at their word, but I don't buy that Goldberg is completely making that story up.
Beyond that, I have viewed many of these events as GOOD SIGNS for the Mariner clubhouse.  Sweeney sticking up for his teammates without question, the teammates all instantly buying in (and the ones who told LaRue what they did hopefully getting an important early lesson in how to behave in the big leagues), Cliff Lee - the guy who's supposed to be here on temporary assignment before he resumes his career in Boston or wherever - buying in to the ponit of refusing to talk to the media with LaRue present, the team's handling of Milton Brandley, etc.  The Mariners are 13-21 and yet they are still one big family in the locker room.  If any team can turn around a 13-21 start...it would be this one.

3

Having journalists in my family and some background myself, I can say with pretty good confidence that LaRue went with the story ONLY because it appeared to affect the GAME.  That is, Jr. did not pinch hit.  (Note that yesterday, in the 9th Jr. did pinch hit for RJ.)  That makes it a "story" in a way that just catching a nap does not.
Journalists do know lots of "inside dirt" that they don't use unless they determine it becomes a "story."  And I think that's what happened, and no great motivation beyond that.  If it serves to expose some toxicity that can now be bled out, then that's good.
I agree with Sandy that the biggest effect is that there is now a "political" halo around Jr. that MIGHT effect the judgment of the brass as to his on-field role.  Doc may be right that Z won't go there, but we'll need to see.  My own view is that they will now need to give him a month or so of "buffer" UNLESS they can negotiate "nagging knee problems."
Of course, at this stage you can only worry so much about bald tires when you've got a blown engine.

4

As Doc notes -- there are a number of unwritten rules surrounding pro sports in general, (and baseball in particular). 
I think the disconnect from some fans is that they either just don't get (or are choosing to temporarily ignore) the #1 rule in MLB. 
YOU DO NOT THROW TEAMMATES UNDER THE BUS -- EVEN IF IT IS TRUE.
The telling point in all of this is that the players and management (many of whom were players at some point) are angry at either the reporter and/or the players who spoke to said reporter.  NOBODY on the team is angry with Griffey in all of this.  Why?  Because he's the one being thrown under the bus. 
When Palmeiro said Tejada gave him a B12 shot -- he was immediately personna non grata in the baseball world.  Not because Tejada was a potential Hall of Famer -- but because Raffy had broken rule #1.  From Jim Bouton to Caminiti to Canseco -- the TRUTH is not a factor in the discussion (as far as the players are concerned).  The simple reality is all kinds of stuff goes on in the dugouts and clubhouses that players understand are NOT for public consumption.
In this case, the nature of the quotes appears to be a case where it doesn't appear the intent of the PLAYERS was to throw Griffey under the bus.  And Sweeney's tirade was simply intended to convey very clearly that "if it was" - that behavior is unacceptable.  And it is unacceptable in ANY MLB clubhouse - against ANY MLB player.
The notion that the players are playing favorites in regards to this rule is just plain nonsense.  Washburn was excoriated because his comments about Johjima's pitch-calling were perceived to be throwing Joh under the bus. 
The problem here is that LOTS of times, players answer a question honestly, without intending to come across as slamming another player.  To this day, I think Washburn was more annoyed at HIMSELF for not shaking Johjima off -- than he was at Johjima.  Basically, *I* don't think it was Washburn's intent to throw Joh under the bus.  But, the near universal interpretation of that Wash was intentionally attacking Joh.  And, I suspect that this WAS an issue - which was handled quietly and in the clubhouse - *AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE - PER THE UNWRITTEN CODE*.
Tomes could be written on the many stupid aspects of said code.  But, in the end, players need to feel they can trust the guys they roam around the country with to not go blabbing every indiscretion in the world to a press that (nowadays) is not hesitant to print anything that might sell. 
And if Griffey were hitting .750 with 2 or 3 HRs ... the fans would be all over the press every bit as much as the players are at the moment. 

5
RockiesJeff's picture

In the world of chapter 11 and newspapers being one in the same, any word on LaRue joining a hitting coach to walk off together into the sunset?  Good articles Jeff.  Thanks.  Everyone loves Griffey.  Who in the northwest could not?  But excellent point about a focal point being whether Jr is having fun or not.  Most people seem to forget how he originally left.  Welcome to the big leagues Wak and Z!!  Shame so much energy goes into All My Children.

6
RockiesJeff's picture

I live in Colorado and did not watch the game but seeing a box score immediately wondered why a pinch hitter was not in for Johnson.  That is not rocket science as you well pointed out.  Thanks.  If a left handed hitter on the bench is not better than Johnson at that point....DFA or something is going on...injury, etc.
Great picture of the bald tires and blown engine!  Thanks!  Hopefully, this is not a bunch of people bickering over lawn chairs on the deck of the Titantic!

7
moe's picture

Spectator hits the grandslam on this one.  Larue was correct for going with the story because, if it was true,  it may well have influenced the outcome of the game.  That's his job, to report on events that influence, or potentially influence, the outcome of a game.....or the next game even.
Jr. may well have been snoozing.  I would bet that he was if I had to bet.  If it came at a time when he may be called upon to pinch hit, then it was worthy of mention.  In fact, it needed to be mentioned. 
Larue isn't a shill for the Mariners or for Jr.  He's supposed to REPORT.  "Nap-gate" was reportable.  Nobody is assuming Larue made this up.  IIRC Larue said that the story was told/confirmed by two "younger" players.  Well, it might not be science, but I would assume that means somebody who is young and wasn't around for the hug-fest last year.  That leaves (I think) League, Moore and Texeira.  League has six MLB seasons, he should know the unstated rules of MLB locker rooms.  dThat leaves Moore (who was up for a bit last year) and Texeira.  A total seat of my pants guess, of course.
Anyway, Larue owes Jr. nothing.  He owes his readers the truth.  I suspect they got it.
Wak's response was basically, "This is a family matter."  That's an appropriate response from a manager.  Sweeney's challenge is a bit over the top, especially since it was behind closed doors but seems to have been quickly leaked.  Lee's response was childish.  It was also insulting to the fans who make his large salary possible.  It was also insulting for other journalists who were there to not be critical of that move.  Not answering questions becauseyou don't like one of the journalists who is in the room is a temper tantrum akin to saying, "I'm taking my ball and going home."  I wouldn't begrudge him if he refused to answer Larue's questions (well...I do a bit because I think Larue told the truth as he had heard it....and I don't think there are many of us who will deny that it is probable that Jr. was napping at that point OR soon before) but even that would be somewhat childish.
Something has changed this year from early last year....and the frustration is about the same.  Perhaps hug-fests have a limited one year lifetime.  Perhaps Jr. isn't interested in being a cheerleader with a crappy bat.  Even HOF'ers can be selfish.  Or perhaps for an already "on eggshells" locker room (see Bradley) this was an event too many.
Option two and three sound about right to me.
This team still has an 8 for 10 or 9 for 12 stretch in it, a few lucky breaks with the bat will coincide with great starting pitching for a while.  The snakebit thread above has it right.  But the M's need that stretch soon.
moethedog

8

If so, Wok sits Griff down and tells him what Wok expects in the late innings.  That's Wok's job.
Wakamatsu was fine with Griffey's readiness.  LaRue and two young players (?) weren't.  Whose concern was it?
................
If you think that a co-worker is surfing the web too much, does he need to answer to (1) you, (2) their boss, or (3) somebody who doesn't work for the company?
Don Wakamatsu decides whether Griffey is ready enough for Wok's liking.  End of story.  :- )

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