Dear old dad- If you saw the tape, you wouldn't say such silly things about my post...
Coach Knight,
The reason I said lighten up is because I did see the tape. You made quite an attack on him and I disagree with what you said. I do not think that he disgraced himself. In fact, I think he endeared himself to most of the people who saw the tape or were at the game. As far as coaching rants go, his was a classic. And don't forget, at the end of the day ballplayers and coaches are really just paid entertainers.
The reason I said lighten up is because I did see the tape. You made quite an attack on him and I disagree with what you said. I do not think that he disgraced himself. In fact, I think he endeared himself to most of the people who saw the tape or were at the game. As far as coaching rants go, his was a classic. And don't forget, at the end of the day ballplayers and coaches are really just paid entertainers.
That's baseball, even those with great love and respect for the game can view the same behavior as radically different.
Me, I think the minors are the one place his behavior would be entertaining. College or below --- no, not as a leader of amateur players. Way too overblown for the Major Leagues, maybe AAA as well. The minors, however, are all about entertainment and putting backsides into seats. We all know about the wacko promotions a lot of A & AA clubs put out there; taste and dignity are not prerequisites.
I'd be willing to bet ticket sales went up, not down. Mission (as they say) accomplished.
And the re-drawing of home plate was the clearest message I've ever seen from a manager to an umpire!
Me, I think the minors are the one place his behavior would be entertaining. College or below --- no, not as a leader of amateur players. Way too overblown for the Major Leagues, maybe AAA as well. The minors, however, are all about entertainment and putting backsides into seats. We all know about the wacko promotions a lot of A & AA clubs put out there; taste and dignity are not prerequisites.
I'd be willing to bet ticket sales went up, not down. Mission (as they say) accomplished.
And the re-drawing of home plate was the clearest message I've ever seen from a manager to an umpire!
The reports are coming in. Heard from two relatives, both thought it was the funniest, most entertaining ejection they'd ever seen.
My college-playing son said he'd kill to play for someone like Wellman. His college coach wouldn't back his players and didn't know how to lighten anything up, a big part of why they haven't done as well as they should have.
My wife (as casual fan) stopped laughing a few minutes ago. She hasn't laughed that much since ... well, never mind.
Hey look, I'm as old school as they come as far as playing the game is concerned. And while this situation is over the top, it still is wonderful baseball theatre.
I can't stand political correctness anyway. But there is just so much real drama going on in our lives that we can't appreciate an oasis when we really see one.
My college-playing son said he'd kill to play for someone like Wellman. His college coach wouldn't back his players and didn't know how to lighten anything up, a big part of why they haven't done as well as they should have.
My wife (as casual fan) stopped laughing a few minutes ago. She hasn't laughed that much since ... well, never mind.
Hey look, I'm as old school as they come as far as playing the game is concerned. And while this situation is over the top, it still is wonderful baseball theatre.
I can't stand political correctness anyway. But there is just so much real drama going on in our lives that we can't appreciate an oasis when we really see one.
Well said, OVM. 
quote:Originally posted by OldVaman:
My wife (as casual fan) stopped laughing a few minutes ago. She hasn't laughed that much since ... well, never mind.
Lemme guess. She hasn't laughed so hard since...
You were at your son's high school baseball awards dinner and you sneezed so hard that your minestrone soup came out your nostrils.
Ouch...that hurts! Am I close OldVaman?
BTW...you've got a chunk of Great Northern white bean and a piece of zucchini stuck on your upper lip!
That's your story and I'm sticking to it!
Personally I thought it was an all time Classic!
Dear Old Dad- I guess if you see a guy ranting & raving to get attention a GOOD thing, I'm on board with you. I laughed at him too - but is THAT the point of arguing a call? I don't remember EVER going out of my way to make a fool of myself just to be entertaining....is that what a coach is SUPPOSED to do? If so, I guess I'm missing the boat all these years! It's one thing to argue - Francona the other night went ballistic....but didn't throw bases, make dirt piles or pretend to go Navy Seal on the field!
I think the word "class" has to come into play at some point. I'm probably the most intense competitor I know, but I think I can get my point across without making an arse of myself...and if the fans don't like that, who cares? The minute they practice with us and work as hard as we do, I'll care if they are happy with my theatrics...until then, I'll do what I need to do for the sake of my players, NOT the viewing public.
I think the word "class" has to come into play at some point. I'm probably the most intense competitor I know, but I think I can get my point across without making an arse of myself...and if the fans don't like that, who cares? The minute they practice with us and work as hard as we do, I'll care if they are happy with my theatrics...until then, I'll do what I need to do for the sake of my players, NOT the viewing public.
Coach Knight: Your Texas Tech namesake sure knew how to throw a chair or two. Peoples attitudes toward Wellman may bear some similarity to THAT Coach K: Love him or hate him.
Maybe both should double-up on their medication.
Maybe both should double-up on their medication.
KB- You have NO idea how many times I've been asked "Are you related to Coach Knight?"...and I always answer "yeah, my dad's a great guy!" (my dad coached basketball for 34 years....but he's not named Bobby!)