gosox41
08-05-2003, 09:21 AM
Phil,
In one of your earlier columns this yea, you suggested the players like and respect Manuel because they play hard for him. You referred to the Sox late season runs the last 2 seasons. It appears to me most Sox players are in love with the long ball and fail to do the little things to help the team win. Isn't this infatuation with the home run and not playing in a team concept asign that the players don't respect Manuel? There's enough guys playing for a free agent/arbitration contract next season and one way get the most money is to hit home runs. To me, a sign that most players quit on a manager is not when they go up to bat trying to make outs, because 99% of all players have to much pride to just not hit the ball intentionally. Players have quit on the manager when they stop buying in to the team concept of baseball. Do you agree?
Based on this thinking, it looks to me like the White Sox quit on Jerry Manuel back in 2001. It's feast or famine. When the team gets hot they're fun to watch. It was a couple of good September's where the long ball helped the Sox win, but for the most part it's been famine for this so-called team.
Just wondering what you think on this issue. Also, what kind of message did Manuel send to the team yesterday when he pulled Garland after 5+ innings and less then 80 pitches when he had one shaky inning?
Bob
In one of your earlier columns this yea, you suggested the players like and respect Manuel because they play hard for him. You referred to the Sox late season runs the last 2 seasons. It appears to me most Sox players are in love with the long ball and fail to do the little things to help the team win. Isn't this infatuation with the home run and not playing in a team concept asign that the players don't respect Manuel? There's enough guys playing for a free agent/arbitration contract next season and one way get the most money is to hit home runs. To me, a sign that most players quit on a manager is not when they go up to bat trying to make outs, because 99% of all players have to much pride to just not hit the ball intentionally. Players have quit on the manager when they stop buying in to the team concept of baseball. Do you agree?
Based on this thinking, it looks to me like the White Sox quit on Jerry Manuel back in 2001. It's feast or famine. When the team gets hot they're fun to watch. It was a couple of good September's where the long ball helped the Sox win, but for the most part it's been famine for this so-called team.
Just wondering what you think on this issue. Also, what kind of message did Manuel send to the team yesterday when he pulled Garland after 5+ innings and less then 80 pitches when he had one shaky inning?
Bob