An open letter to Brian Roberts...
by hdgfred on Jul 5, 2009 8:52 AM EDT
59 comments
Dear Brian:
When you first arrived in Baltimore, I loved the way you played. Your uniform was dirty by the end of the first inning. You ran out every ground ball-pity the poor opposing infielder who took his time getting the ball to first! You would bunt for base hits, dragging the ball just hard hard enough to get by the pitcher, but leaving the second baseman no chance. Coaching my son's team, you were the role model as to how to play the game.
But then something awful happened: a prima donna took over. Was it your first all star selection? The MIguel Tejada influence? The power stroke that produced 18 HR's in 2005? Your first big contract? You stopped bunting. You stopped running hard to first base on ground balls you percieve as routine. In the field, the routine plays were made with a nonchalant air. You seemed almost giddy when an opposing star stands on second base and you get a chance to chat with him. David Ortiz? Derek Jeter? It looks like you're almost rooting for them to get on base. It's embarassing to watch.
Brian, you can't turn on and turn off intensity without mishaps and last night's game in LA is a perfect example of what happens. Rushing a flip to second results in an error and an unearned run. Hitting a high chopper toward Izturis at second: your speed could have made it a close play. Instead, your jog down the line barely gets you halfway there. If you run hard, who knows? Maybe Izturis rushes the throw.... When was the last time that you used your speed to pressure the opposing infielder into an error?
Then comes the straw that broke the camel's back. You became a spectator, drifting out to get a closer look at Markakis running in to catch a pop up. Game over; we lose. How basic is it that it's your play until the outfielder calls you off? I guess when you're a "star" you no longer have to concern yourself with things such as fundamentals.
That play also raises the fear that, just as you learned how to be a star from Tejada, Markakis is learning the same thing from you. Who's next? Jones? Reimold? Wieters?
There are so many things in baseball that we can't control that can play a significant role in the outcome of a game: the line drive that hits on the line or an umpire blowing a check swing call (see the Boston game a few nights ago, for example). There is one thing, however, that we can always control and that's our effort. Who knows? That sprint down the line may cause only one error all year but it may be the difference in that game. Isn't that what you get paid to do? Isn't that what we pay to see? Isn't that how your Dad taught you to play?
I love baseball and would have given a lot to have your talent. As a child, like many others growing up in this area (especially back in the days; not so much now, unfortunately), my dream was to play for the Orioles. It irritates the heck out of me to see you (and others), whom God gave that ability, take it for granted. I used to go to several games a year. Now, I go to a few-I still haven't been this year. It's not because I don't want to go to the Yard. I just don't want to go and watch a lack of effort. I remember a comment I read a few years back made by a dad who wouldn't take his kids to see an O's game because he didn't want his boys to think that what they would see was how to pay the game. Pretty sad, isn't it?
Brian, stop acting like a star and start being a star.
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An open letter to hdgfred:
That was 100% Markakis’ ball.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 5, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
word
I don’t know why people love to hate Brian Roberts.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jul 5, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean he had that one error yesterday, but of all the people who sucked yesterday
To pick on Roberts seems odd.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 5, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea
all of a sudden hating on BRob is the cool thing to do. People need to calm it down.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on Jul 5, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All the cool kids are NOT doing it.
Just sayin’
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
people aren't hating on brian roberts
we’ve just been noticing for a while something that his own manager spoke to the press about today. it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have pretty decent numbers. it doesn’t mean he isn’t a good player. it sure as hell doesn’t mean we should trade him. but it’s ok to acknowledge that the guy looks lazy and bored and that he generally seems to have a bad attitude about running to first if he doesn’t get a clear base hit.
it doesn’t mean he can’t still help the team, but he’s harder to root for when he doesn’t seem to be trying his hardest. i think that’s a legit complaint from fans. below is part of what roch said today in his blog – this isn’t some crazy theory about roberts that somebody fabricated and got everyone to pile on. it seems to have some legitimacy. i know it’s about last night specifically, but it seems to have a an overtone of a more general problem.
“I caught part of manager Dave Trembley’s pre-game session with the media while I sat in the MASN studio in Hunt Valley. Ah, the magic of television. Trembley said he doesn’t believe that Roberts is injured, and that the second baseman accepts responsibility for letting “other factors” affect him.
Roberts also told Trembley that he feels as though he’s letting the team down, and promised that we’ll all see a better approach from him. Trembley, in turn, said he’s spoken to Roberts about improving his focus.
“I just know he can play better,” Trembley said."
by joet on Jul 6, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This makes sense
That’s not what the person who wrote this post said.
Brian has pretty good numbers this year, but you’re right that there have been times where he hasn’t seemed the most focused. But I think it’s been pretty isolated and I’m glad it’s being addressed. I would call what the person who wrote initially Brian Roberts Hate.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jul 6, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true enough.
there are some people just bashing the guy. and the calls for him to be traded are stupid. if we were going to trade him, it should have happened last year.
but i’ve seen an equal number of people defend him no matter what, with silly logic and a “how dare you” point of view. he’s just a baseball player, not a saint. questioning his focus and his hustle is ok when it looks like he’s slacking.
in fact, i’d argue that criticizing a baseball player’s hustle, heart, approach, and focus is the only thing you can reasonable attack. how can you blame a guy for just not being good enough? i’m guilty of it too, but when i think about it, i feel bad when i say that felix pie sucks or adam eaton is a pile of crap. it’s not like they want to suck. and as long as they are giving 100%, the only people you can really feel good complaining about is the people that build the roster and the stupid moves trembley makes.
by joet on Jul 6, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to O'sfan21
The infielder is to keep going until called off by the outfielder. That’s just basic, fundamental baseball. Should Markakis have called him off? Absolutely, but it was obvious that he didn’t. Instead of going hard for the ball, Roberts clearly expected to be called off and just went through the motions. It was definitely a mental mistake by each of them.
by hdgfred on Jul 6, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude the infielder is not supposed to just go after every fly ball in the outfield though!
He made a reasonable attempt at it and then when it became obvious (to everybody in the stadium and watching on TV) that it was the outfielder’s ball he slowed up. It was not at all unreasonable – Markakis just made him look bad, which is why he took responsibility for it after the game. Wake up.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 6, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I beg to differ
My niece (and the other 14 kids out there) goes after EVERY ball in T-ball. It’s quite comical.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
by BPinOK on Jul 6, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so you're basically calling brian roberts is a cancer to the team now
un ****ing believable. Its only a matter of time before the entire team stops bunting and make the occasional error!
I seriously dont understand the hate on Roberts. Its mind numbingly stupid the criticism he gets some times. Start criticizing the players that suck for one, hes one of the better players in the league.
Another thing: hes not a bunter!. He didnt wake up one morning and just say to himself “Well golly, im a star now. I’m too good to bunt.” To even think that is ridiculous. Hes on top of the leaderboard in doubles in every year. You know why? Because hes looking to drive the ball genius. Just because hes a leadoff hitter and a middle infielder doesn’t mean he has to bunt. Get your head out of your ass. It sounds like you prefer a crappy player like David Eckstien who plays hard and his “uniform is dirty by the end of the first inning.” Well fine then, thats your opinion. If thats the case, then maybe you aren’t qualified to be coaching your sons team.
by UMterp08 on Jul 5, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There was....
A lot more to last nights loss. Yes that was horrible to see my man Markakis look like that, but it’s not all just that play why we lost. Andino getting pulled off the bag to load the bases, Mora not covering third and swining at bubbles(ok that didn’t make a difference but had to put it in there) and the overall pitching of course!!!! Stop the hating on Roberts and redirect it to where it belongs, on the whole team as one.
I want to move to 2110 Eutaw st.....
"I'll never play for New York"-The dumb one... Johnny Damon
by O's21girl on Jul 5, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have watched Brian Roberts his entire career in Baltimore
And there is no bigger fan than me. My GF simply loves him. Many of you are in denial in regrards to Brian’s play this season. The season will continue. Please observe his play, hustle and attitude. Sometimes it is hard to accept the obvious when you develop a “bond” with a player. McPhail should do all he can to trade Brian to upgrade our farm system and turn this “losing attitude” around..
"Losing teams find ways to beat themselves" Jim Palmer
by Baysox39 on Jul 5, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's about the most retarded thing I've read today.
And I read the headlines of the Enquirer when I was at the store.
" I'm happy to announce that we've made Adam Jones our 4th and 5th starting pitcher as well as bench coach and team chaplain" - peter_angelos 8:04 AM May 14th from digsby
"Matt Wieters Adopted Mark Texiera's Parents Because He Felt They Needed A Son To Be Proud Of."
by getxstoked on Jul 5, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a ton of stupid going on
when the subject turns to Brian Roberts lately. Geez, you’d think he switched uniforms with Felix Pie in April or something…
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel your attachment to Roberts
As a business you sometimes have to offer something valuable to get something valuable in return. Let’s remember Brian is older and could begin a downslide soon. I can remember the debate regarding trading a number one starter (Bedard). I did not want to trade him and was adament about it. Hindsight it was a great trade because it brought Adam Jones to Baltimore and a potential top 3 starter (Chris Tillman) So as we look forward and place the emphasis on winning we have to be smart and make the trades that make us better. The Pappas for Robinson trade may have been the greatest Orioles trade of all time so far. Let’s try to break the cycle of losing and do the best for the team.
"Losing teams find ways to beat themselves" Jim Palmer
by Baysox39 on Jul 5, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, how are all those similar trades
the Pirates have made in the last 2 years working out for them?
Signing a player to an extension and trading him the same season does nothing but create distrust in your clubhouse. It’s a bad business model.
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 6, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, trade Brian
I mean, a 2B who leads the MLB in runs scored and doubles can’t be that hard to replace, right?
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently, Brian reads the blog...
What up?
by snakethejake on Jul 5, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Here's what a leader does....
“He hasn’t played up to his expectations on a consistent basis, and I think that’s bothering him,” Trembley said. "I think he’s searching for an answer for that. I think he feels like he’s let some factors get to him and affect the way he’s played. He told me the other day that he accepts responsibility for that. He felt like he let me down, let his teammates down. I told him all he can do is go forward.
“Whether he wants to or not believe it, he should be the guy that sets the example and sets the tone for this team all the time. And that’s the responsibility that he has. I think he understands that. He told me that we’ll all see a new and better approach from him.”
Roberts, who has been dealing with an illness, offered little about his meeting with Trembley, saying only that he requested it and it was a “personal conversation between me and Dave.”
Illness? First I’ve seen of it. Mono, maybe? That would explain a lot of issues…
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 7:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting about the illness. Hadn't heard of anything like that.
If he’s put up the numbers that he has while battling something like Mono that would be pretty damn impressive. That shit knocked me on my ass when I had it.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 5, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have NO IDEA what illness they are talking about
Maybe it’s just a bad a summer cold or a sinus infection. Who know. Maybe swine flu. That was a completely uneducated guess. But this article IS the first time I’ve seen a reference to Brian being sick lately at all. It’s never been even alluded to before this.
And since we’re posting on a blog, we’re legally compelled to wildly speculate with no-first hand knowledge of the situation. I even went to a class for it. :)
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In my opinion it is not about Roberts heart, humility, feelings or taking responsibility
It is about trying to get better as a team so we don’t lose games like we did this weekend to the Angels. We have to use our resources to upgrade as we move forward to compete in the Eastern Division with Boston and New York. Going to war with these teams year after year with the same arsenal of players is not working. We are getting killed. Losing heartbreaking games with team wide meltdowns. We all should have had enough getting our asses kicked and rivals fans running us out of our own stadium. If that means trading Roberts, Huff, or a pitching prospect to get some power at the plate, power arms in the bullpen (Chris Ray and Jim Johnson can’t throw strikes consistently) we will continue to get killed. So guess what? I will trade Roberts if it helps us improve. If not I will keep him. But we must use what we have to attract talent going forward. Just my thoughts.
"Losing teams find ways to beat themselves" Jim Palmer
by Baysox39 on Jul 5, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is different from what you initally said
which is that Brian has a bad attitude and lazy play and is only going to get worse, and you basically blamed Brian for the fact that the team has what you call a losing attitude. I agree that no one should be untouchable trade wise, and if someone offers you something for a player that makes the team better then, duh. But that’s not what you said.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jul 5, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is my beef.
If a trade proposal came along that would obviously make the O’s better, I’d be behind it. I’d be sad to see Brian go, but obviously the good of the team is more important.
What I can’t get behind AT ALL is this absurd idea that he’s got a losing attitude and getting rid of him would make the team better regardless of the return.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 6, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is a process called
Listening, communicating and trying to understand what the other person is saying and feeling. At time my positions or the way I communicate them come across a little strong at times. I have no problem changing my position if the opposing view makes sense and is backed up accordingly. That is why I like to listen to what people have to say. Diverse opinions is what makes this blog the best on SBN.
"Losing teams find ways to beat themselves" Jim Palmer
by Baysox39 on Jul 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the illness, on his blog on MASNSports.com, he said he had the summer bug.
Feeling under the weather, stuffy nose, etc. Like a cold. That very well could be a factor.
by LenaO on Jul 6, 2009 6:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also this...
It’s not like Trembley’s letting him off the hook, he just doesn’t embarrass his players in the media.
“I had a long discussion with the team before we left. I addressed some things and effort was one of them and eliminating mental mistakes,” Trembley said. “I told Roberts, ’You’re one of the guys I was speaking directly to.’ He knows that. I just know he can play better, and he shouldn’t be so affected by making an out or not getting a hit. He can bring so much more to the game, to the team. That’s what we want from him.”
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-osnotes705,0,5451077.story
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 5, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Trade Roberts? We should cut him outright!!!!
He obviously violated the clause in his contract that said, "And you must at all times stand as a shining beacon of all that is right and virtuous to hdgfred’s son. And you must embody hustle, and run out every stupid play under the sun, as hdgfred will be watching you. And if, at any moment, hdgfred perceives your hustle to be less than satisfactory, this contract shall be tendered null and void.
“You shall run to first base upon being walked. You shall attempt to catch every ball that is hit to our center fielder. And you must remember, hdgfred is counting on you to be a role model to his son. He never got to be an Oriole like you. You owe him.”
by Crank White on Jul 6, 2009 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Crank, thanks for the post
I’m with duck, the CHANCES of even getting something remotely positive in place of Brian is absurd. Of all the trades that take place to assume you will get a Bedard like trade is insane.
Brian has more class than most All-Stars have talent. He is a leader, he has owned up to his problems, he’s loyal … and he is a team player with personality. Cut the guy some slack. Playing in the MLB with time zones, travel from family etc is tough.
by col_kl1nk on Jul 6, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Roberts is more valuable to us as an Oriole than as trade bait.
You hit it spot on, colonel. We’d never get value for him. He’s not perfect, but I’ll take him over three quarters of the second basemen out there. Maybe more.
I, for one, am happy that the “Baby Birds” are going to be able to develop around a guy like Roberts. Fans who think that he would be able to command the kind of prospects on the trade market that a proven ace like Bedard did are delusional.
by Crank White on Jul 6, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See: Hudson, Orlando
If teams weren’t jumping to sign him for less than he was worth, then what makes anyone think we’d get a good deal in return?
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on Jul 6, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah seriously
With this economy, teams are holding on tight to prospects. Hudson is a great player and got signed for a measly 3 million and it took until February. Dont believe if Roberts gets dangled in the trade market the O’s would get a fair package for him.
by UMterp08 on Jul 6, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i do wish he'd bunt a little more
…he was damn good at it for a while :-)
also, i don’t get the whole “markakis is learning to be a star from roberts” thang. what does that mean? markakis doesn’t talk much, leads the AL in OF assists, hits for a great average (okay maybe he’s a bit down right now), and probably deserves a gold glove so he’s lazy and bored? ……maybe i misunderstood
by twistedlogic on Jul 6, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He tried to drop one down last night.
by O'sFan21 on Jul 6, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh rearry?
i was too busy nearly blowing off several appendages with fireworks over the weekend to watch any of the games.
note to self (and anyone else who cares): fireworks, flame, and beer do not always go well together
by twistedlogic on Jul 6, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to twistedlogic
My reference to Markakis was intended to be more the expression of a fear than criticism. I think Roberts was affecting by the negativity that Tejada displayed. A losing attitude can be infectious. As a team, and as an organization, I think that the Orioles have come to accept losing and I find that irritating. I think that McPhail has done a lot to counter the losing tradition. For the first time in quite a while, I think that we, as Oriole fans, have a reason to be optimistic.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear about Markakis.
by hdgfred on Jul 6, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answer to that
Because he is tired of LOSING. Im tired of it as a die hard fan. I can’t emagine actually playing in the games. He just needs to be refreshed like a winning season, some time off, or a new team.
by Oriolebird88 on Jul 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK, I'll take a stab....
“He just needs to be refreshed like a winning season, some time off, or a new team.”
Well, a winning season with teh O’s would solve everyone’s problem.
Some time off? If he’s really sick, 2 days off would probably help a lot. And you know, there’s a 3 day break coming up next week.
A new team? What the hell for? How does that help the Orioles? I’m an Orioles fan first, a Brian Roberts fan second. I’m not trading Brian Roberts just because someone thinks he needs a change of scenery.
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 6, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WOW! It appears that I’ve volated the 11the Commandment: Thou shalt not criticize Brian Roberts. Note that I did not suggest for a second that he be traded. All I did was point out that he does not go all out on plays that appear to be routine. Heck, even Trembley went on record saying the same thing (which I was not aware of until after my original post).
Many of you agree with points that I made but yet conclude that I am a Brian Roberts hater. I don’t hate Roberts and I don’t want him traded. What I do want is for him to play with the intensity that he did earlier in his career.
It is clear that the Orioles have a losing attitude. Their lack of heart and pride as a team is on display every August and September when they pack it in for the season. Their record in September speaks for itself. As one post stated, it’s easy to get tired playing for a lousy team year after year. Hopefully things will change this year.
Until the attitude changes, however, we will continue to lose. My point is that as an established veteran, Roberts is in the position to lead a change in this attitude and he’s not going to do it by nonchalantly drifting out toward a pop up or jogging to first base on a ground ball.
A perfect example of the difference between an underachieving team and a winning team occurred in the Mets-Yankees game when Luis Castillo dropped a routine pop up that would have been the last out in a Mets victory. Instead two Yankees scored on the play for a walk-off win. On that play, what should have been a routine, game ending out, Mark Teixeira hustled his ass off and scored from first. Watching the O’s play this year, and in years past, I cannot imagine any of them scoring from first on that play.
Like every youth coach, I taught the kids to run out every ground ball. I taught my infielders to go hard to make a play on the ball until called off by the outfielder. The kids obviously look up to the pros and it’s frustrating as a coach to see the pros set a bad example.
If you want to turn a blind eye to the examples of the O’s losing ways, that’s your choice. Just because I pointed them out doesn’t make me a hater: just someone who is tired of the O’s losing.
by hdgfred on Jul 6, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was more
the prima donna, “star” crap then any of your actual observations.
For the record, I don’t think Brian Roberts should bunt. He’s proven he doesn’t need to. If he did do that in the beginning of his career (I don’t remember) perhaps he doesn’t do it anymore because it’s better to lead the AL in doubles than bunt singles. Just because he’s a leadoff hitter doesn’t mean he has to bunt. I also don’t care if his uniform is dirty. There’s no doubt he’s made a few mental mistakes this year. We’ve all noticed it and pointed it out. My problem is with your assertion that he’s lazy due to the fact that he’s a rich, established player. That’s all conjecture and, I think, unfair.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
by Stacey on Jul 6, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was more the prima donna, "star" crap then any of your actual observations
Yeah, that’s the only thing that caught my attention. I wouldn’t characterize B-Rob as a pima donna, but hdgfred is right about Robert’s kind of loafing it at times, although if it’s due to an “illness,” it’s more understandable.
"Your wife told you to play in New York.
Well, my wife told me you look like a dork." Boo Teixeira guys.
by birdman on Jul 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, I'll take back the part about being a prima donna.
That may have been a bit of an overstatement. But I’ll stand by the rest of it.
To my observation, the change in his style of play goes back a number of years and has gotten more pronounced with each passing year. Perhaps it bothers me so much because I really enjoyed the way he played when he first came up and it’s such a disappointment to me that he’s lost that intensity.
My favorite players are the ones who will run through a brick wall to win but who remain humble and down to earth-the perfect description of the young Brian Roberts.
As far as illness, Jim Palmer said the other night that he was getting over a sinus infection, nothing chronic in nature and nothing going back more than a few days.
by hdgfred on Jul 6, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the biggest problem with "running through a brick wall to win" is
you’ll get hurt, ALOT and I would rather see brian on the field as much as possible than on the DL 2/3 of the year and the older you get the more it can happen. Now I am not saying I condone the “loafing and lazy” play but you can’t be going balls out all the time or you’ll end up hurt more than healthy.
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on Jul 7, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Freel runs through walls. And he sucks!
by O'sFan21 on Jul 7, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone see that he's headed back to the hated AL?
Royals just picked him up the other day.
And to your point, I agree. You may admire the type of guy who’ll do anything to get that ball, but I’d guess that a concusion doesn’t usually add to a team’s win total.
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jul 7, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ask Mariners and Reds fans
how well that worked out for Junior. Running into walls doesn’t help your team win.
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
by duck on Jul 7, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the perfect example Ken Griffey Jr.
a great ball player but think of how much better he could have been if he didn’t have all the injuries or even half of the injuries
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on Jul 7, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exhibit B
Aaron Rowand
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jul 7, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bunting
Ive always personally thought BRob was a terrible bunter. Maybe its just when ive tuned in and seen him try to lay one down, but ive always gotten the impression that hes not very good at it (and I know ive heard SOMEONE on air agree with me, but they arent exactly always baseball knowlegable…)
Regardless, I think this whole thread has made me MORE of a BRob fan. Yea, i’d love him to hustle all the time and be the model of perfection, but the guy has done a ton for the organization AND the community, not to mention he is still one of the better 2nd basemen in the game. If everyone wants to trash him, i’ll just have to be a bigger fan.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
by daveh873 on Jul 6, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't have a problem with criticizing Roberts
He talks to opposing players? His uniform isn’t as dirty as it used to be? He made the routine plays nonchalantly? He’s corrupting Wieters, Reimold, Jones and Markakis? He’s taking his ability for granted? He doesn’t bunt? He’s rooting for opposing players to get on base? Some insane Dad wouldn’t take his kids to a game a few years ago because he doesn’t want them to see how the game shouldn’t be played??
I think this letter should be closed.
"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle
by BirdFanInPhilly on Jul 6, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get over it already!!!!
Yes Markakis took responsibility for that play, but can we be sure we still wouldn’t have lost the game? We had a lead before that!So why all this coming down on Roberts? I love him in lead off and at second base, it’s the game of baseball, how many of you have gone to work and performed shall we say “not up to par”???? I know I have. Also, Nick does not need to “look” at Roberts to be a star, in case you haven’t noticed, Nick is a quiet star in his own way. May I add that Jonesy is as well. Gee golly, let’s just ask BILLY RIPKEN to come back and play second base! By the way if your lead off guy is leading the league in 2baggers why? I ask- do you want him to bunt? I think Brain said to all you bashers of late, WHAT UP when he hit his lead off homer yesterday! I maybe he should have bunted…..
I want to move to 2110 Eutaw st.....
"I'll never play for New York"-The dumb one... Johnny Damon
by O's21girl on Jul 6, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is dumb. It’s like there’s suddenly a “Hate B-Rob” bandwagon. Why? Because he’s had a slump after signing another extension to stay with the O’s? I don’t buy it. Roberts hasn’t suddenly become a bad or lazy player.
"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"
by NHZ on Jul 6, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hgdfred
HOW can I say I agree with you but yet dont on most complaints.Wisom has said
that if you havn,t walked in a mans shoes or can fill them.its best to be quiet.
Nobody can prove to me that Roberts dogs it.I have not missed an oriole game
for yrs.He makes bad judgements & errors,all players do.please dont tell us
he dogs it.OR dont care.
by hagers on Jul 7, 2009 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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