SpringfldFan
05-13-2003, 11:39 AM
I am getting sick of the Score's Jay Hood coming down on everyone on the Sox *except* Jerry Manuel! It happened again last night as caller after caller chimed in about why JM has to go. Yet Hood continues to make excuses for him. I swear I should have called in last night His assertion was that the team was not built for speed and fundamentals but to hit, and since it isn't hitting it is doomed and the blame has to go to the players and a new manager won't suddenly make these guys hit.
Well, Jay, that was very insightful but I didn't hear a solution from you now did I? Why are these guys to a man unable to hit? Coincidence? Coincidence?!!! If it is totally the players problem, why have we had these prolonged offensive slumps ever since the 2000 all star game ended, huh? Why in late 2000-2001 were Perry, Singleton, Leifer victims of this deadwood phoenomenon and why after that were Durham, Lofton, and Clayton victims of it, and now why for God sakes are Crede, Rowand, and Olivo now victims of it? Don't you think there is a common demoninator to the fact that every new infusion of talent the Sox throws out there winds up in this lifeless offesive apathy?
Hell yes the manager can do something about this, Jay, and how dare you smugly ask your callers if a new manager will "suddenly make the team hit" as if it is a ridiculous idea that has no answer. I can say right now that a capable manager can get this team back on the right track and give them some hope (and no, not in just one day or two, Jay). The manager needs to make his team act like pit bulls and believe that it is the best, unbeatable, and just dare, just DARE, any other team to try to take a game (or even an friggin' base) from us. I don't care if you come out and lose a game 15 to zip, you still come out the next day with a chip on your shoulder and an attitude that says the opposition is gonna pay and pay dearly!
With that attitude comes confidence, focus and enjoyment in playing the game. When you step up to the plate you are then looking forward to whatever the pitcher dares to throw you and the confidence puts you in a comfort zone. You see the ball better because you wan't to see it - you anticipate it and want to hit it. If you have to move a guy over, you look forward to doing it and putting the other team on the defensive - where that team should be. When you hit the ball or are on the basepaths, you *always* go full speed, and always slide (spikes up if need be). Again, you have the chip on your shoulder and you take it to the opponent. Will you become a "better hitter" with this attitude - heck yes. It is *so* difficult to hit a moving baseball that any negative attitude or defensive thought can throw a wrench into your mechanics, or affect your patience and there is such a fine line to a successful swing that you may not even realize the problems you cause yourself when you begin to inch out of that perfect comfort zone.
It is all attitude, focus, and unrelenting confidence. You want other teams to hate to have to play you and this is dad-gum well within the realm of the manager ability. As manager you use your soapbox. You come out to fight disputed calls. You instruct and have your coaches instruct your players how to be aware and harness game situations to their advantage. You call out guys on your team who you see dogging it. You cheer and make an example of guys on your team who show enthusiasm and a never-say-die attitude. You make damn sure you are confident in what you and your team can do and you make just as sure your players can see that in you.
Mr. Hood, Jerry Manuel does none of that.
LT
Well, Jay, that was very insightful but I didn't hear a solution from you now did I? Why are these guys to a man unable to hit? Coincidence? Coincidence?!!! If it is totally the players problem, why have we had these prolonged offensive slumps ever since the 2000 all star game ended, huh? Why in late 2000-2001 were Perry, Singleton, Leifer victims of this deadwood phoenomenon and why after that were Durham, Lofton, and Clayton victims of it, and now why for God sakes are Crede, Rowand, and Olivo now victims of it? Don't you think there is a common demoninator to the fact that every new infusion of talent the Sox throws out there winds up in this lifeless offesive apathy?
Hell yes the manager can do something about this, Jay, and how dare you smugly ask your callers if a new manager will "suddenly make the team hit" as if it is a ridiculous idea that has no answer. I can say right now that a capable manager can get this team back on the right track and give them some hope (and no, not in just one day or two, Jay). The manager needs to make his team act like pit bulls and believe that it is the best, unbeatable, and just dare, just DARE, any other team to try to take a game (or even an friggin' base) from us. I don't care if you come out and lose a game 15 to zip, you still come out the next day with a chip on your shoulder and an attitude that says the opposition is gonna pay and pay dearly!
With that attitude comes confidence, focus and enjoyment in playing the game. When you step up to the plate you are then looking forward to whatever the pitcher dares to throw you and the confidence puts you in a comfort zone. You see the ball better because you wan't to see it - you anticipate it and want to hit it. If you have to move a guy over, you look forward to doing it and putting the other team on the defensive - where that team should be. When you hit the ball or are on the basepaths, you *always* go full speed, and always slide (spikes up if need be). Again, you have the chip on your shoulder and you take it to the opponent. Will you become a "better hitter" with this attitude - heck yes. It is *so* difficult to hit a moving baseball that any negative attitude or defensive thought can throw a wrench into your mechanics, or affect your patience and there is such a fine line to a successful swing that you may not even realize the problems you cause yourself when you begin to inch out of that perfect comfort zone.
It is all attitude, focus, and unrelenting confidence. You want other teams to hate to have to play you and this is dad-gum well within the realm of the manager ability. As manager you use your soapbox. You come out to fight disputed calls. You instruct and have your coaches instruct your players how to be aware and harness game situations to their advantage. You call out guys on your team who you see dogging it. You cheer and make an example of guys on your team who show enthusiasm and a never-say-die attitude. You make damn sure you are confident in what you and your team can do and you make just as sure your players can see that in you.
Mr. Hood, Jerry Manuel does none of that.
LT