Add new comment

1
Sandy - Raleigh's picture

I saw the Langerhans ring-up ... and want to say as an unbiased (as much as any person can be unbiased) party -- that was one of the single most egregious blown strike calls I've seen in 40 years of watching baseball on TV. 
That said ... here's the difficult reality.  As noted by others ... rookies in *ALL* sports do not get credit.  Veterans get the calls, rookies get screwed.  It's not just in MLB.
The problem in Seattle TODAY is the basic problem squared.  Part of what allows rookies to move from getting screwed to being allowed to voice their displeasure is by making it thru the systemic 'hazing' of bad calls.  You pay a season of dues while keeping your mouth shut, THEN you've demonstrated "reasonableness" (sic).  So, in year 2 and beyond, complaints can be viewed as more than simply whining from brats.
But, you've got a whole lineup of rookie pitchers, being coached by a rookie manager.  The problem here is that the same rule that applies to the players, applies to coaches also.  Wak has to pay HIS dues, too.  (It's stupid -- it's sad -- and it's unfair -- but it's reality).  So, while I would COMPLETELY agree with the assessment that Wak has to get out there and show he's got his player's backs ... doing so TODAY is likely to be detrimental long term, (same as with the players).
He's a rookie Manager, who has done a great job at a lot of things.  But, he's still learning exactly what the job entails.  Get through 2009 as a "good boy", and Wak likely gains 10 times more respect NEXT season when he starts challenging the umps.  (If he fails to adjust next season - THEN I will fully support the position that he needs to get his duff off the bench and start going Bobby Cox on some of these umps). 
 

Filtered HTML

  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd><p><br>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

shout_filter

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.