Cowgill, Valdespin, Byrd Staking Claims In Mets Outfield Battle

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• Valdedpin1 March 9, 2013 at 3:37 pm

  Valdespin #1, batting 1.
  • Russell's Mets March 9, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    I prefer Valdespin hitting 6th or 7th, let Cowgill bat lead off.
• Metsie March 9, 2013 at 3:52 pm

  In ST Pitchers come in with the advantage early….They don’t have to react since they set the tone….
  Batters take time to get up to speed.

  Once Batters do the Batter has the advantage….Pitcher is working on throwing strikes and controlling pitches and those strikes are hittable.

  Kids come in and are trying to prove…
  Vets come in and are taking it easy to avoid doing too much and getting hurt, they KNOW they can hit and everyone else knows it too so they do not have to have the same focus as some kid trying to make the team.

  In regards to Valde and Cowgill….Both are fighting fora Roster spot!
  I’m not sure about Cowgill but I know Valde was totally ahead of most due to his playing all winter long….

  I have no problem with people touting what they have done so far and I even understand people wanting them to replace Duda…

  But if this team is going to be a formidable team we need Duda to get the bat we all think he could have and win a spot playing LF.

  And I would remind everyone there is no reason to rush and name the roster just yet…
  Let them play…if they are good they will be good all spring long and get thier roster spot…
  What doesn’t look good now could look good in two weeks time!

  Just let them play and we can award positions to the performers after the spring is said and done and go from there!
  • Joey D. March 9, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Hi Metsie,

    You are so right. One can’t fall into the trap of making Cowgill more than what he is. It would be a wonderful turn of events if he does surprise us all but let’s curb our enthusiasm a bit based on spring training and not look for the silver lining just yet. As of this time, we still have a serious outfield situation to address.
    • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      If he is really good then he will sty good and therefore no need to rush to award him an everyday role yet…
• Sean March 9, 2013 at 3:53 pm

  I feel like it would be smart to have an outfield consisting of Byrd/Cowgill/Valdespin at least for the early season. Let Duda sit, Neuwenhuis isn’t going to be 100% and Den Dekker should be fine after a few months in the minors. If, in the regular season, you see none of the production from these guys, then you make a change. However, right now that would have to be the Mets’ starting outfield.
• DAP March 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm

  i’d like to see duda in left and a rotation of byrd, cowgill, and valdy in the other 2 spots, with valdy getting some pt at second too.
  • oleosmirf March 11, 2013 at 9:09 am

    I agree with Baxter getting some AB as well. Let’s be fair, he was very good last season in his limited AB…
• Metsr1 March 9, 2013 at 4:46 pm

  You’re in the SPIN ZONE! It’s just a matter of time before everyone realizes how much better he is than “El Stiffo” Murphy. He of the over rated variety. He of the Met fan hearts. He of the “he’s home grown and tries really hard” BS. He of the can’t run, field, with zero speed. Yes, that Murphy, who rarely walks and had six dingers in three times the at bats than that of Valdespin.
  • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    He of the can’t run, field also happens to hit right around .300 every year….
    • taskmaster4450 March 9, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      Amazing how fans are willing to throw away a legitimate .300 major league hitter like they are nothing.

      Do people forget that in 2011 Murphy hit around .320 and was on a hot streak when he got hurt. Without that injury, there is a chance the first Met batting title went to him.
      • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 8:59 pm

        It’s a KID FETISH Task….
        They just want young kids more than someone older even if that older guy can outproduce them…

        They want the Pirates and Oakland…You know…MONEYBALL!
    • Metsr1 March 9, 2013 at 8:44 pm

      A super soft .290!
      • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 8:58 pm

        Compared to a hard .241….

        Yes!
        • Metsr1 March 11, 2013 at 9:49 am

          I guess you forgot that he was a rookie. Add to that, Valdespin only had 151 AB’s in AAA before promotion. “El Stiffo will make his annual trip(s) to the DL and we’ll get the chance to see a better all around ball player, not someone who is only great at winning a popularity contest.
• goose March 9, 2013 at 5:08 pm

  they should let the players that performed best get the starting spots. I don’t understand how Duda( who has accomplished nothing) get handed an outfield spot. Let Cowgill, Valdy, and Bird(I would put Duda in instead of Byrd just to see if he can perform)
  • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Since when did 15 HRs in half a season constitute as NOTHING?
    • Hitman March 9, 2013 at 5:27 pm

      If someone is willing & able to produce just as much or even better than that, why is this an issue? It’s as much of a pointless issue as a few years ago when all anyone can come up with to defend Pelf, Maine, and Perez was “Well, they won 15 games….” when they were complete basketcases. Duda is in that circle. If you’re banking on ONE thing from a player, you’re in trouble.
      • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:39 pm

        Well first off I didn’t make it an issue….I said let them play and we will award jobs based on the total spring not just the first twoweeks of it…

        But consider this…

        What would be BETTER for the team?
        Getting Duda back to the guy who could hit 25-30 HRs a season or just dumping him to take what Valdespin and Cowgill are giving you today?

        Would you replace Ike with what one of those are bringing you?

        If you want the best team possible then you want the guys who can make it the BEST team possible to succeed and make the team no?

        Does Valde project as a 30 HR guy? Does Cowgill?

        Why ENSURE Duda never gets the time all because you liked the first two weeks of what someone else gave you?
        • Hitman March 9, 2013 at 5:59 pm

          I’m fine with giving them the entire Spring to see who the best of the best will be. If ST ended now, Duda would be in AAA because 10 Ks in 19 ABs is NOT getting you a guaranteed spot. You know what would be best for this team? Having the best product on the field, not late “projections”. With that said….

          “Getting Duda back to the guy who could hit 25-30 HRs a season or just dumping him to take what Valdespin and Cowgill are giving you today?”

          What would be better you ask? First of all, I value defense, so right there, that kills Duda’s chances but I’ll go a step further. With the questions about not only the outfield, but guys that’s able to step up in the first 2 spots of the starting lineup, you’re not gonna look at the two quickest guys with power to fill that void? I don’t know how you question that as an alternative to someone back to being somewhere he’s never been.

          I’ve heard it last year around this time with questions such as…”Can you imagine what the season will be like with Davis & Duda back to back in the lineup?”
          • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 6:39 pm

            If ST ended now….
            Santana would lose his rotation spot to Hefner, Marcum lose it to Montero, Gorski or McHugh
            Satin would be our 1B
            Recker would be our Starting Catcher
            Byrd would be our CF
            Quintanilla would be our starting SS
            Turner would be our Starting 2B

            All based on the same two weeks we are awarding Cowgill and Valdespin….

            So lets just hope and pray ST doesn’t end now shall we?
            • Hitman March 9, 2013 at 7:03 pm

              Way to go completely off course in an poor effort to defend Duda.
              • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 8:53 pm

                Your the one ho set the course basing who the starters were two weeks into ST or if it ended now….not me Hitman….
                • Hitman March 9, 2013 at 9:50 pm

                  Wrong. I didn’t base who the starters were because of Spring Training performances. I’ve been saying this long before camp even started who the starters would be come Opening Day when people were ready to give up on Valdy because of attitude issues and when barely anyone gave Cowgill a chance.
                  • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 11:33 pm

                    So you were ready to make Valdespin a starter no matter how good or bad he was in ST….OK!

                    Talk to me when the season starts and you can actually say to someone “See? I was right!”

                    Until then I haven’t seen anyone earn the everyday position in the OF yet…
                  • Hitman March 10, 2013 at 12:03 am

                    Don’t worry, I will.
                  • Metsie March 10, 2013 at 12:47 am

                    You seem so sure….And if Valdespin is not a regular everyday OFer come season start you’ll be hearing it not speaking it…
                    I ike Valde…Think he can be a great player…
                    But I don’t see how he could do enough to win a regular everyday OF position….Platoon and Spot Start at best!

                    He has a much better shot at 2B if Murphy doesn’t get off the DL
          • taskmaster4450 March 9, 2013 at 7:23 pm

            But defense is not something Alderson puts a premium on so right there you are going counter to what the Mets will do. Duda will be one of the Mets OFs to start the season.

            Plus, cut the guy a break, he has more success at the ML level than Valdy has plus is working on changing his swing. That is something that takes time for any big league player.
            • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 8:56 pm

              I wasn’t using Defense there Task…
              Just the current hitting stats of each so far….

              http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=nym#playerType=ALL
            • Just-Da-Damaja March 11, 2013 at 4:23 am

              “But defense is not something Alderson puts a premium on so right there you are going counter to what the Mets will do.”

              and thats why I think dude is a fraud…
          • gasparsarm March 10, 2013 at 12:41 am

            You know, there’s different ways to look at it.
            Duda is not there and some say, SEND HIM DOWN, and feel they are right.
            The other position is, he has a higher ceiling as a power hitter, it’s worth bringing him along because, while it’s not assured, if he does get it together, it’s that much better, and those folks feel they are right.

            I don’t think either side is “right”, no one knows how it will go with either one of these approaches. You pick an approach, try it out, and live with the results.

            IMHO
    • goose March 9, 2013 at 5:30 pm

      He had over 400, hit .239 and struck out 120 times and played the worst outfield defense since Mr. Met played right field lol. I meant that he did not accomplish anything to be guaranteed an outfield spot.
      • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:43 pm

        First off who said he had a guaranteed spot and why do you think it’s any better to guarantee the others a spot so soon?

        Second he also hit .292 with an .852 OPS and 10 HRs in even fewer gaes the year before….
        And all of his numbers were againbst FULL STRENGTH MLB PITCHERS…

        Not these Working out slowly, Not up to game speed and Minor League guys all trying to make a team type scenarios that Valde and cowgill are thriving in.

        And Valde hit .241 last year just .002 points better than Duda….and half the HRs…
        • goose March 10, 2013 at 8:32 am

          Collins is on record saying that Duda will be our starting left fielder.Duda hits .292, but that was in a limited number of at bats, and teams probably did not have a full scouting report on him. All im saying give the job to the players that have earned them at the end of spring training. Duda in my honest opinion(I hope im wrong) will never be a solid MLB’er. He does not have the mental toughness to grind out 162 games.
    • Valdespin1 March 10, 2013 at 10:10 am

      I believe duda played in 120+ games and 400+ ABs
• Hitman March 9, 2013 at 5:25 pm

  Remember when people were losing their shit at the possibility of Duda, Nieuwenhuis, and Baxter being the starting OF? Good times, good times.
  • Joey D. March 9, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Hi Hitman,

    That’s exactly what I meant by cautioning some not to get too keyed up over two weeks of exhibition games. After all, these are still the same players that caused Sandy to joke about and so many hoping for the Mets to get Braun and nothing has happened in the short period of time since to feel anything different.
  • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Remember a week ago when we were going to be the next Giants and win the WS?

    People should just stop counting eggs…and wait for the chickens to emerge!
    • Joey D. March 9, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      Hi Metsie,

      LOL – I couldn’t win either way with that one, remember? If some didn’t like not comparing us to the 2010 Giants there were others who didn’t like my comparison of us to San Francisco’s 2008 team and that unlike San Francisco we weren’t making any moves to supplement our core as the Giants had been even prior to the 2008 season.

      BTW – just got back from dinner and saw somebody wearing the really nice looking Team Puerto Rico jersey for the WBC with number 15 and Beltran on the back.
      • Metsie March 9, 2013 at 9:04 pm

        Thats because they are not the giants nor Oakland, No Sand Diego, or Pittsburg….
        They are the Mets and in the end thats who they will be!

        What that is can’t be determined two weeks into ST!

        I say if people are into such things they should take up the ponies!
        At least then they will have the instant gratification of looking at someone in a warm up, Deciding he is a winner and 10 Minutes later figure out how smart they are….
• Russell Zanca March 9, 2013 at 5:58 pm

  Time to the cue the “troll” chorus:

  No matter how well a position player hits in ST, it tells one absolutely NOTHING about how he will perform during the regular season.

  If one wishes to be excited about how well Valdy or Cowgill plays now, then enjoy; just stop the nonsense about how it serves as a bellwether for the 2013 season. Never has and never will.

  Having opined, I wish both players a fantastic 2013 season as Mets starters
  • Just-Da-Damaja March 11, 2013 at 4:28 am

    true…ST numbers dont mean squat…BUT…

    Valdespin has improved steadily with the bat…and has shown the ability to LEARN and IMPROVE on the fly…

    that in itself speaks volumes…

    he has been much more patient and disciplined since last season…he lit up the DWL…which is much more competitive than ST
    • Russell Zanca March 11, 2013 at 10:47 am

      Believe me, J-D-D, I want nothing more than to see Valdy succeed as a Met. Here’s hoping…
• RickeyBobby March 9, 2013 at 6:26 pm

  Its still early but Cowgill is CF, maybe full-time also, they could roll w Kirk or MDD to spell him(or VSpin for backup), or Kirk may need AAA Abs to get ready..Spin has RF locked and loaded prob in platoon w a vet Byrd, i dont know VSpins splits vs lefties in the minors, i wouldnt mind seeing him hit against some lefties as well. Duda everyday in IMO w a Baxter(Byrd)spell if gets in a funk or needs a day.

  The bigger prob is the 40-Man roster, I’d love an in-depth Metsmerized article on who we can cut off the 40-man roster. Possible inducties are MDD, Byrd, OmarQ, Atchison, Burke, Hawkins and Feliciano, Most of them will prob make the 25-man and need to be added, a problem IMO…
• ill_egl March 9, 2013 at 7:46 pm

  I agree with DAP 100%. You give Duda LF to start the season to show him a vote of confidence and give him a full chance to succeed or fail. Cowgill has played his way onto the roster as a potential CF, and Byrd has done the same with regards to RF. In my opinion this team absolutely needs a personality and a guy with the potential of Valdespin. He can be a spark plug for this club and his speed is something we lack heavily. He can definitely be worked into a regular rotation between spelling Cowgill and Byrd, giving Murph and Duda a day off every so often, and coming in late to pinch hit or on a double switch. His versatility is a plus that should allow him to get the playing time he needs to show what he’s capable of. This will allow for further evaluation of all four of these guys in real life situations when the games actually count.
• john pileggi March 9, 2013 at 7:47 pm

  To say this is a “transitional” year for the Mets outfield may be pushing it a bit, but assuming the pitching is not awful in 2013, probably none of these guys will be around in 2014. This is every young man’s dream, to be in the majors and patrolling the outfield of a New York stadium. Here is hoping that it is fun while it lasts for these guys.
• Valdespin1 March 9, 2013 at 8:05 pm

  Flip duda to the AL to a team who needs a cheap dh / 1b.
• Joey D. March 9, 2013 at 8:57 pm

  I’m happy for these guys personally that they are being given a shot at becoming a regular but realistically it is a reflection less of their talent than it is the lack of talent we have overall. And from what those who observe the game feel, Cowgill is no better than a reserve outfielder, definitely not a starting one.

  Here’s hoping Cowgill and the others prove us wrong, however, for our friends who are big supporters of sabermetrics, this quick summary based on advanced statistical analysis project what one would want for a starting center fielder – a below average to poor run creator and an scrub to role-player WAR.

  That’s not me – those are the conclusions as seen by those credited with knowing more about the game than anybody.

  http://www.fangraphs.com/fanpdetails.aspx?playerid=7250&position=OF
• Matt Mosher March 9, 2013 at 8:59 pm

  So we’re looking at

  1. Cowgill CF
  2. Murphy 2b
  3. Wright 3b
  4. Davis 1b
  5. Duda lf
  6. Valdespin RF
  7. Buck
  8. Tejada
  • Joey D. March 9, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Hi Matt,

    Let’s look at the bright side. Four of those eight starters ain’t so bad which means we are already half-way there!
    • Matt Mosher March 9, 2013 at 9:53 pm

      I’m not optimistic about this offense, but the lineup looks better than I thought it would.
• Lareplus March 9, 2013 at 9:30 pm

  I want to see Cowgill, Duda and Valdespin get some quality time in the outfield this year. I don’t think that MDD is ready and I’d say let him and Kirk play every day at AAA to see what comes of it. . .
• Valdespin1 March 10, 2013 at 11:16 am

  Let’s rank these mets OF for their potential ceiling / floor in 2013:
  (listed alphabetically)
  - baxter
  - byrd
  -cowgill
  - duda
  - kirk
  - valdespin
• Just-Da-Damaja March 11, 2013 at 4:57 am

  and since ST numbers mean so much….and guess who is having a great spring this year…
  ..hitting .368…completely healthy….
  if he were on this team, he would be the YOUNGEST OF candidate…

  http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=494686#gameType='S'&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2013&level='ALL‘
• Sloatsburg Mets Fan March 11, 2013 at 7:43 am

  I am not a big Valdespin fan and have been one of his harshest critics but I never denied his talent. That being said, if he continues to produce and continues to work on his attitude, I admit he is one of the better options for our outfield from within the organization. While I may never be his biggest fan (not that he cares) I do see value in him and hope for the best for him.
• Joe March 11, 2013 at 8:19 am

  Why isn’t Satin considered a contender for starting OF? He’s hitting .625 in ST!
  • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Well for one because it’s just ST and two because he like Valde doesn’t have a ton of experience in the OF….

    Basically it’s the same situation as when Murphy took over 2B and everyone wonders why he should get the start merely because of his bat….

    What we need is to find the happy balance between Bat and Glove….Enough bat to help and enough glove to not give whatever the bat gets us back to the opposition….

    Guys like Valde and Satin will not win an everyday job in ST….They will get their chances via platoon or injury replacement and if they do well enough they could get into the same position Duda is in right now, where they will give him every chance to prove this year because it’s make or break time for him…
    • Valdespin1 March 11, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      I believe Spin will play a lot for the mets in 2013. Not sure if we wins OF job and sticks or he serves as the zobrist and plays all over. Either way he is very valuable because of the power speed combo he brings.

      Wonder though if in 2014 mets have choo and den dekker in the of if spin takes over 2B and murphy becomes super sub at 1b 2b 3b.
• taskmaster4450 March 11, 2013 at 8:41 am

  I think it is very obvious how the OF is shaping up.

  Duda was assured a roster spot and has performed well enough while adjusting his swing to keep it. Since he has power he will be given the benefit of the doubt as starting LF. However, I think he is on a 2 month leash and if he fails, he is bound for Vegas.

  Kirk was assured a roster spot unless he played his way off the team which it seems he did. The injury is a setback and he should get ABs in AAA.

  Den Dekker is exactly what they thought….a defensive marvel who still needs to work on his hitting. AAA is his destination.

  Baxter had a chance to win a starting OF job which he has not earned thus far. His roster spot wasnt in jeopardy and I dont see he not being on the team.

  Cowgill has a roster spot and is proving he is worth it. So far, he looks like one in the starter mix.

  Byrd and Valdy have hit their way on the team and I dont see them losing their spots. Most likely in competition for starting roles.

  Brown and Hoffman showed nothing and are gone.

  LF-Duda
  CF-mix of Byrd and Cowgill
  RF-mix of Byrd and Valdy
  Baxter off the bench.

  This is my guess based upon what happened thus far and what I anticipate happening over the next 10 days.
• ronbo March 11, 2013 at 9:11 am

  Duda will get very chance possible to be the everyday leftfielder, the Mets invision him giving them 20 or more HR and 80 to 90 RBI a season.They are willing to over look his lack of defensive skills if he can produce at the plate.If it wasn’t for the fact that the outfield is such a mess Duda’s name would never enter in a conversation as an outfielder of even being considered as one, the Mets will start him in left at the beginning of the season no matter how he ends up number wise at the end of ST. The question is will he win us more games with his bat then we will lose with his glove,I give it to some time in May when we all will know that answer.
• Donal March 11, 2013 at 10:20 am

  Wasn’t MDD sub-Mendoza a week ago? If so, that’s actually encouraging.
• Matt Mosher March 11, 2013 at 1:01 pm

  Can someone explain to me why Mike Baxter is a candidate again? Please?
  • TRS86 March 11, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    He may end up not being but I think it’s because he’s more of a 5th OF and you are not as concerned about him losing AB’s in the bigs.
  • BadBadLeroyBrown March 11, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Because he’s Sandy and Depo pet project which they brought to NY from the Padres a la Hefner who blows chunks
• BadBadLeroyBrown March 11, 2013 at 1:35 pm

  Boy, i gotta say I LOVE this kid Valdespins confidence…lol…If only the rest of this team had half the intestinal fortitude that he and Matt Harvey have shown thus far…
  • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    LOL Leroy….He most certainly is not Pelfrey thats for certain!

    I think the kid will be ok in the end….That ego and immaturity he exhibits from time to time will go away once he has had some time in the league….
    The question is will if go away in time for us to benefit from what he can do or will it be after we have given up on the antics and traded him away….
    50/50 at this point.
• Metsr1 March 11, 2013 at 1:38 pm

  And…Valdy hits another dingerI You’re still in the Spin zone!
• BadBadLeroyBrown March 11, 2013 at 1:45 pm

  THE SPIN IS UNSTOPPABLE!!!

  LMAO….He needs to be pitch around like they did to Bonds in 2004….

  
  • Metsr1 March 11, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    That’s pretty funny Bad Bad. Someone will try and project that over season soon and say he’s on pace for 65 homers.
• Met Maniac March 11, 2013 at 3:00 pm

  Ban Valdespin!

  Mike Puma ‏@NYPost_Mets
  Valdespin says he is OK … Asked where he got hit: “My dick,” Valdespin said.
  • TRS86 March 11, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    LOL, did he really say that?
  • Bayonne Mets Fan March 11, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Valdespin is going to pass up Duda as far as being a starter if this keeps up. He may already have
    • TRS86 March 11, 2013 at 3:04 pm

      Don’t forget we still have RF and possibly a platoon mate for CF.
      • TRS86 March 11, 2013 at 3:05 pm

        Unless you think Byrd has it locked down as a full-time starter.
        • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 3:50 pm

          Byrd locked down a roster spot and will be our Harris/Hairston circa 2011 (Not the Hairston of 2012)

          He will make the team and serve as a PH and R/L splitter either as a straight platoon with someone else or as a platoon partner with whoever gets sat that day and not much more.

          In fact I expect the starting OF to be pretty much what we thought it was going to be with the only exception being maybe Kirk won’t be there….
      • van March 11, 2013 at 4:17 pm

        the OF still seems to be shaping up as the 5 man platoon (rotation, adding Duda into it). Only really difference is Spin and Byrd seem to have taken over for the early line favorites Kirk and Brown.

        still time, but hard to see any FT starters seperating from the pack there.
    • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Baxter maybe…Not Duda…

      Duda has his own track….This is make or break year on him. He will be a starter for at least the first half of the season because they are testing him this year….

      If he hits well and the glove is too much a liability they will trade him…
      If he doesn’t hit well they will eventually sit him, use him as a PH and backup to Ike.
      If he hits and the glove is not a big liability he will keep his job in LF and work on his fiedling which really isn’t his defensive problem it’s that he is a slower runner than the lions outside the Public Library!
  • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Thats Hilarious if true!
  • TRS86 March 11, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    It appears to be true. I wonder if he realizes that isn’t the most politically correct translation? LOL. If he’s going to play this well he’s gonna need a chaperon.
    • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      It does seem to fall in line with all his other behavior doesn’t it?

      The kid really doesn’t understand WHERE he is in relation to the world he came from….
      He has no frame of reference!
      In his mind he is just playing Baseball…Doesn’t know that he is at a much different level with much different rules and expectations about his public perceptions…

      To him he’s just on another field like he was back home…Doesn’t grasp the magnitude that people will see and hear everything he does and CARE about it to his detriment if he isn’t careful!
      • Valdespin1 March 11, 2013 at 3:50 pm

        “The kid really doesn’t understand WHERE he is in relation to the world he came from….
        He has no frame of reference!
        In his mind”

        Please explain what you mean here
        • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 4:10 pm

          Take a kid who all his life has lived in a poor town and throw him into high society and he is going to have issues KNOWING what is expected and PROPER as far as his behavior is concerned….

          No different than a kid with a Camera all of a sudden being thrown into the PROFESSIONAL camera man position and not realizing that taking upskirt shots for fun is no longer proper and tolerated and he is expected to act more professionally…

          He plays baseball and he has not realized yet he is on a much BIGGER stage where every action is amplified, Focused on and Scrutinized….

          To him Baseball is baseball…I just play it and act they way I always have….

          When you play in your neighborhood and take a shot to the jewels you probably say what he said too!
          But he doesn’t understand that the Camera in front of him is not just some Home Movie athat he and his friends will watch when he’s 50 and retired anymore….

          He has what it takes to play baseball but he needs to figure out he isn’t on that sandlot anymore and he is just as likely to get in trouble for what he does and says off the field as he is On it..
          • van March 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm

            It’s not like he is new here. He has been playing in the US for what, 5 years? and the league (and the teams) do run clinics of some kind to acclimate them.

            the vast majority of international guys manage to come over and not cause any kind of stir.

            just think in this case, it is a little more of spin being spin than some kind of cultural anomaly.
            • Metsie March 11, 2013 at 4:34 pm

              Has nothing to do with the US….
              Has to do with being an AMATUER and being thrown into being a PROFESSIONAL….

              He has not made that transition yet and maybe the problem is he doesn’t understand there IS a difference between how you act when your an amateur is not accepted as a PROFESSIONAL….

              Even playing in the Minors is much different than playing in the BIG SHOW!
              Most guys eventually get it….
              Valde probably will in time too!
              But it seems he isn’t there yet!
              At some point every boy must learn to become a man!
              If they stay a boy too long they have a hard time dealing with those MEN who expect him to act the part of the opportunity he has been given….

              If he said what he did on National TV he might even get suspended by the league….
              He’s just lucky it wasn’t on the air at the time!
• Ike March 12, 2013 at 11:22 pm

  Sorry this will be off topic somewhat but I can’t say how PROUD I am of David Wright right now, he just hit a base clearing bases loaded double to pretty much put the game away, way to go CAPTAIN AMERICA!! USA ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!! oh and the jerks on sny that said that the Classic didn’t matter to anyone WHAT A BUNCH OF A HOLES!!!
• Nick March 16, 2013 at 3:39 pm

  Duda LF Cowgill CF Valdespin RF Bench Byrd Baxter