24
2011
MLB Diamond Notes: October 24, 2011
An article by Former Writers
Lester Admits to Drinking in Clubhouse.
With reports swirling around about the behavior of the Red Sox pitching staff in September, Jon Lester decided to come out and set the story straight. He admitted that he, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey did in fact drink in the clubhouse during games that they weren’t pitching. However, all of the pitchers, including former manager, Terry Francona, said that the alcohol wasn’t in the dugout, contrary to reports. I agree with Lester that this wasn’t the reason that the Red Sox collapsed, but just say it once and then stop talking about it. I feel that he was quoted for almost a week straight. Do I think what they did was wrong? Absolutely; but do I think the 2004 team taking tequila shots before Game 4 of the ALCS? I do. At the end of the day, whether they were sober or drunk on the field, they stunk and didn’t deserve to be in the play offs. That’s a fact.
The McCourts Have Finally Settled Their Divorce.
After the season-plus long saga between Frank and Jamie McCourt, they finally were able to reach a settlement this week. The agreement includes Jamie receiving $130 million, but giving up any rights that she had to claim ownership shares of the Dodgers, giving Frank full ownership. To be honest, I’m glad that this part of the story is over because it’s a really sad one. The Dodgers are one of the most storied franchises in baseball and Frank McCourt is making a mockery out of them because he is too selfish to realize that holding onto this team during such a public dispute is not smart at all. I wish he would just sell the team and let Los Angeles get back to the play offs.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin is Under the Gun.
After the Milwaukee Brewers lost a chance to get to the World Series with a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals last Sunday night, the organization is forced to think of what life will be like if Prince Fielder doesn’t sign back with the team. It seems highly unlikely that Fielder will be back, especially since he said that it’s “probably” his last year with the team. While making $15.5 million this year (an arbitration record) and hitting .299, with 38 home runs, and 120 RBI, it’s safe to assume he’s going to command close to $20 million per year for a long-term deal in the open market. GM Doug Melvin is already defending himself, talking about the depth the franchise has at first base; I will be interested to see what the open market will offer Fielder, and what the Brewers will do to try and keep him.
Selig Talks About Two More Wild Card Teams.
In an interview with Bob Costas, Bud Selig revealed some of the things that he’s thinking about for Major League Baseball in 2012 and beyond. One of the topics of conversation was the proposed idea of adding two more Wild Card teams; if this does take place, it would be effective in 2013. His thought process is that the league can’t continue to expand without adding more play off opportunities. I don’t agree with this proposed idea because it can remove the excitement of a playoff race and take away from the mystique of playing in October. If that rule was in play this year, both the Red Sox and Braves would have made the play offs, even though they didn’t deserve it one bit. I think that just having one Wild Card spot is fine because it still shows teams that they have to work to be the best to get into the postseason, not just be one of the two teams towards the top. I hope that this idea gets shot down in the end because I also think that this idea is only coming about to generate more revenue, just like the NCAA is trying to do with March Madness.
Pujols Joins Elite Company in Game 3.
In a 16-7 slugfest won by the Cardinals on Saturday night, Albert Pujols stole all of the headlines by doing something that has only been done two other times in World Series history. The Cardinals first baseman may have put on the most impressive hitting clinic ever, tying three records, while setting one other one. Pujols tied World Series records with five hits, three home runs, and six RBI, while setting a new record with 14 total bases. This was an amazing performance and further entrenches the belief I had before this series started: the Cardinals are a team of destiny and I don’t see how they’re not going to win it all. Coming back from a 10.5 game deficit in the regular season and then knocking off the teams that had to two best records in the National League is reason enough to believe that they’re going to win it all. Now, with this historic performance from Pujols, there is no way not to think that.
About the Author: Former Writers
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It’s going to be very strange to see Pujols wearing anything but a Cardinals uniform. I think it’s better for the game if he re-signs with them. That kid Holland pitched a hell of a game last night and I was shocked to learn he pitched 4 shutouts this season. Why cant we draft pitchers like that?
More luck than strategy on Holland who was a 25th round pick. Sometimes you just get lucky and strike gold.
Regarding the Red Sox: I wouldn’t be surprised if every team has incidents of drinking in the clubhouse during a game. This is only a big deal because they badly need to explain their epic collapse. The proof is in the fact that anybody cares that they were eating fried chicken? Not just chicken either… fried chicken!
Dodgers: Good timing considering some pending free agents. I’d like to see them right the ship over there.
I’d be shocked if Prince is a Brewer next year. The Cubs are too perfect a fit, but I don’t doubt some AL Team could sneak in and grab him.
I’d be more shocked if Albert was not a Cardinal. I think their comeback and their playoff run and then his Game 3 performance proved he’s worth an open checkbook. There are few players ever who have that kind of impact on the game and he’s one of them. I don’t think any Cardinals fan ever will complain about what they are paying him, ever.
albert will be a great test case for money overriding everything else.
He is going to get paid a boatload even from the Cards, so just a question of how big a boat.
So, will the extra whatever ($ or years) going to be worth going from his comfortable home (and if he signs back up, he will have a lifetime pass!), to potentially becoming the next Lebron? Or at least A Rod…
If pujols jumps for a little extra money, he instantly loses a ton of his credibility, and certianly his aura.
Playing cards, eating fried chicken and drinking beer during games is just a symptom of a bigger problem. The mindset, and it’s almost always eminates from the expensive veteran and works it way down through the clubhouse.
Yeah usually rookies just called up don’t hang out and drink beer in the clubhouse.
Man you really hate Free Agents and any player over 29 don’t you?
You can’t contend without players over 30 and yes you do need OLDER veterans too. Once you realize that you’ll be happier
They’ve been doing that stuff for the last 2 years and no one cared until the end of this season. With all the goofy stories coming out about their 2 WS titles (Millar bartending before every game, Damon’s exhibitions, etc etc)I think everyone just needs to accept that club houses are not sacred shrines.
If the Red Sox had made the playoffs, the fried chicken and video games would have been an example of their club house chemistry and relaxed approach to the game and a bunch of brothers having fun or whatever stupid cliche you want to throw in there.
Or has everyone already forgotten the way the 1986 champs behaved?
Totally agree. If Boston wins it all, everybody sits and laughs about how those crazy loveable Red Sox just drinkin beer and eatin popeyes.
It’s all about scapegoats. Daniel Bard 11 games, 10.64 ERA 0-4
I didn’t hear anything about Bard drinking beers or Papelbon who gave up Game 162 eating chicken before blowing it to the Orioles?
The funny thing is, I know a ton of Red Sox fans and not one seems to mention the chicken/beer etc.
Ya, it really just seems to be a combination of a roster full of old guys who got hurt and/or injured and playing in a really tough division.
And I’m sure starting off ice cold in April didn’t help either.
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7142018/joe-torre-mlb-look-boston-red-sox-drinking-beer-ban
I really hate this stupid “morality for the cameras” crap.
“If we do happen to bar alcohol from the clubhouses, you have to understand the intent of this thing and what it looks like,” Torre said, according to the Globe. “We’re up there and we’re role models, or we should be role models for the youngsters and how they behave.
“Guys understand that if they want to do something, they’re going to do something. They’re grown-ups. It’s something where we implement rules that we feel would be best for the game and who we’re being watched by. We’ve got to look at it.”
1) How about take the press out of the club house? They are the ones that have no business in there
2) Does this mean the 800 beer commercials per game are now banned?
“Fans, here comes Lefty McGillicutty coming in to pitch the eight. Wait he’s being called back to the bullpen. Seems like he’s blowing into the breathalizer. I just found out he blew a point zero four, under the legal limit. Here comes Lefty in to face the top of the order.” “Boy , that was cl;ose, he’s the only left handed pitcher available. Looks like the team will have to ration the PBR in the pen.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8cCntaSEsc
YES