Carlos Quentin got his work ethic from Kurt Gibson. He got chewed on one time for not running out a ground out early in spring training last year. Believe me, it never happened again. When Gibby talks, youngin's listen. Now that I think about it, I don't think anybody dogs it on the D'Backs since Gibson got here. The man is intense.
Pitcher18,
Glad you brought that up about Dunston. I always liked that about him too. Even though it seemed like he did everything easily, Ryne Sandberg always ran hard too.
By the way,
BJ Upton did play for the USA National Team.
This copied from the TB Rays official site...
"As a junior, he batted .647 (46-for-71) with 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 47 stolen bases...That year also batted .462 (12-for-26) in nine games for Team USA's Junior National squad that went 9-2 and won the Silver Medal in Cuba."
That was the only year he tried out for the National Team! No one cut him! He was one of the stars of a very talented team that included Scott Kazmir, Lastings Milledge, Delmon Young, Jeff Allison, and several other future first round picks.
On another note... He was at the PG National Showcase (oddly enough in Tropicana Field that year) before he went to Joplin for the TOS (USA Trials). We had to deliver his billfold to him because he forgot it in St Pete.
BJ has had a lot of coaches in his young life.
I only bring this up because I've seen how these things can get once they get going and everyone decides to pile on.
If BJ makes a habit out of taking it easy, it will hurt him. Even though we all hate it, there are many who have jogged down to 1B in the Major Leagues. In fact, you can see it in most every game.
If a guy is capable of running 3.9 home to first... isn't he loafing if he runs it in 4.6? Happens all the time, in nearly every game. I understand there's a difference in not putting out 100% and not hustling and just plain dogging it (jogging). I will always like the 100% all the time guys.
This manager is the odds on favorite (by a long ways) to be named Manager of the Year. He knows his players. He knows his job depends on winning. I agree with everything Coach May and coach2709 believe in, but this is much different than coaching high school kids.
Glad you brought that up about Dunston. I always liked that about him too. Even though it seemed like he did everything easily, Ryne Sandberg always ran hard too.
By the way,
BJ Upton did play for the USA National Team.
This copied from the TB Rays official site...
"As a junior, he batted .647 (46-for-71) with 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 47 stolen bases...That year also batted .462 (12-for-26) in nine games for Team USA's Junior National squad that went 9-2 and won the Silver Medal in Cuba."
That was the only year he tried out for the National Team! No one cut him! He was one of the stars of a very talented team that included Scott Kazmir, Lastings Milledge, Delmon Young, Jeff Allison, and several other future first round picks.
On another note... He was at the PG National Showcase (oddly enough in Tropicana Field that year) before he went to Joplin for the TOS (USA Trials). We had to deliver his billfold to him because he forgot it in St Pete.
BJ has had a lot of coaches in his young life.
I only bring this up because I've seen how these things can get once they get going and everyone decides to pile on.
If BJ makes a habit out of taking it easy, it will hurt him. Even though we all hate it, there are many who have jogged down to 1B in the Major Leagues. In fact, you can see it in most every game.
If a guy is capable of running 3.9 home to first... isn't he loafing if he runs it in 4.6? Happens all the time, in nearly every game. I understand there's a difference in not putting out 100% and not hustling and just plain dogging it (jogging). I will always like the 100% all the time guys.
This manager is the odds on favorite (by a long ways) to be named Manager of the Year. He knows his players. He knows his job depends on winning. I agree with everything Coach May and coach2709 believe in, but this is much different than coaching high school kids.
PGStaff,
The Rays manager has benched Upton "Three" times in two weeks for not hustling. That is fact, not piling on. It doesn't matter if it is high school or pro ball, you are benched once for something, YOU LEARN.
If the coached benched him three times, I think it was more than the "Major League jog to first".
PG, you are obviously more qualified at anything that has to do with baseball than I am, but his lack of hustle was obvious to those that matter and any stats or personalities you want to throw out here will not change the facts.
Having said all this, please know that I respect you and all you do!
The Rays manager has benched Upton "Three" times in two weeks for not hustling. That is fact, not piling on. It doesn't matter if it is high school or pro ball, you are benched once for something, YOU LEARN.
If the coached benched him three times, I think it was more than the "Major League jog to first".
PG, you are obviously more qualified at anything that has to do with baseball than I am, but his lack of hustle was obvious to those that matter and any stats or personalities you want to throw out here will not change the facts.
Having said all this, please know that I respect you and all you do!
That Green Eyed Monster is one busy beast.
quote:The good news is, there are more big league players who give 100% than those who don't.
Precisely why the lolly gaggers stick out so brightly.
I wonder if because the game has come so easy for him, that he just takes it for granted that he can nonchalant his way through a game. Watching the game on TBS today, he DID IT AGAIN...this time in the field...and it may have cost his team a game. I was happy to see John Kruk on Baseball Tonight rip his lack of effort.
quote:I was happy to see John Kruk on Baseball Tonight rip his lack of effort.
I agree but then he was defended by Steve Phillips.
What happened this time?
With AJ Pierszinski on first base a fly ball was hit to center field, Upton went back in the wrong direction but eventually made the catch and then took two more steps toward the wall and then turned and threw the ball in-Pierszinski tagged and made it easily to second. It looked as though Upton was surprised that Pierzinski was tagging. He also previously hit a ball to right field and stood at home for a second and then started running, the ball bounced in the stands for a ground rule double-he may not have gotten a double if it had stayed in the park.
quote:He also previously hit a ball to right field and stood at home for a second and then started running, the ball bounced in the stands for a ground rule double-he may not have gotten a double if it had stayed in the park.
But if it was a foul ball and he ran, he would have had to jog all the way back to the plate. That's a long way.
Whoa. When a 32 year old catcher can tag up and take second on a fly to center, you don't need Kruk to know you have been called out.
I'm not defending lack of hustle but pro players play 163? games a yr not counting spring training .
99% of the time that pop up is an out etc. the play becomes routine...players assume. Then theres that 1% of the time they are caught napping...
thats when the team,fans coaches will wake them up.
99% of the time that pop up is an out etc. the play becomes routine...players assume. Then theres that 1% of the time they are caught napping...
thats when the team,fans coaches will wake them up.
I may be misunderstanding your comment, nj, but IMO AJ wasn't tagging and running on the off-chance Upton was experiencing a little Late Season Fatigue. That was (again, IMO) a demonstration of We Know How You've Been Playing, Son, And We Will Take Advantage. It being AJ was just another way to show Upton up.
I must admit, it's getting a bit tougher to stick up for BJ. He's doing well, but he is really in a funk with these sort of things. This almost seems to be some type of a mental issue. I still think he's a great kid!
Speaking of mental issues...
How about that experienced catcher getting caught in a rundown between 2B and 3B on a groundball hit directly to the SS.
Worse yet... how about that mental block by the umpire in giving him 3B. Not a replay he will want to watch very often.
Speaking of mental issues...
How about that experienced catcher getting caught in a rundown between 2B and 3B on a groundball hit directly to the SS.
Worse yet... how about that mental block by the umpire in giving him 3B. Not a replay he will want to watch very often.
I wish that was the first (or even second...or third) time I'd seen/heard that in a pro game. Yet another example on the complete lack of emphasis on baserunning skills! 
You can get away with lack of Hustle on some sport's, Kind of hiding in there with the other players.
But Baseball, Lack of Hustle stick's out like a sore thumb.
And Fan's have a right to be upset if they see lack of Hustle in a Player.
I know that injuring a hamstring running out a pop-up is a concern.
Going full speed right after the swing can cause this injury.
Thats one reason they don't run it out.
I guess having money invested in a player isn't worth them injuring themselve's on a pop-up.
I don't agree with that attitude.
It show's no respect for the game.
100% all the time.
Taking advantage of whatever the other team will give you.
EH
But Baseball, Lack of Hustle stick's out like a sore thumb.
And Fan's have a right to be upset if they see lack of Hustle in a Player.
I know that injuring a hamstring running out a pop-up is a concern.
Going full speed right after the swing can cause this injury.
Thats one reason they don't run it out.
I guess having money invested in a player isn't worth them injuring themselve's on a pop-up.
I don't agree with that attitude.
It show's no respect for the game.
100% all the time.
Taking advantage of whatever the other team will give you.
EH
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
Worse yet... how about that mental block by the umpire in giving him 3B. Not a replay he will want to watch very often.
It's the same umpire whose (since revised) dropped third strike mechanic allowed that experienced catcher to reach first base in the second game of the 2005 AL Championship series. Maybe Doug Eddings just likes A.J.!
From my angle this seems far more about "stylin" than laziness.
B.J. seems to believe he can turn it on and off and....is frequently failing.
In baseball, substance isn't multiplied by style points.
When the ball is in play, really great players play with consistent urgency. Its the 6th tool.
B.J. seems to believe he can turn it on and off and....is frequently failing.
In baseball, substance isn't multiplied by style points.
When the ball is in play, really great players play with consistent urgency. Its the 6th tool.
Did any of you watch the Philly Dodgers game last night? I thought I was out of it when I knew the batter for LA had just walked on a 3-2 count. Then he got back in the box and walked on ball 5! Later they showed a clip of the pitcher asking the umpire "Whats the count"? I dont think I have ever seen that in a ML game before. I remember the 5th down that Colorado got one year. But this was a first for me in baseball.
has he alway's played this way? since the d'ray's are winning more people are watching them.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
I must admit, it's getting a bit tougher to stick up for BJ. He's doing well, but he is really in a funk with these sort of things. This almost seems to be some type of a mental issue. I still think he's a great kid!
Speaking of mental issues...
How about that experienced catcher getting caught in a rundown between 2B and 3B on a groundball hit directly to the SS.
Worse yet... how about that mental block by the umpire in giving him 3B. Not a replay he will want to watch very often.
I hear ya! I told my Son not to watch Pro baseball, because he might develop bad habits! It's really sad to think that all three of those guys get paid to do what they do!