No AB for AJ?

by tait644 on Aug 8, 2007 7:27 PM PDT Comment 20 comments

Ok, we know that McLaren will hit Raul against a LHP in the late innings in a tight game. Obviously, Raul's "veteranness" is more important than splits and talent. Stupid, but we might as well expect it.

So here's what I don't get: McLaren planned on putting AJ in LF in the bottom of the ninth. We had a four-run lead. But AJ doesn't get the AB in the top of the inning, against a LHP?? WHY???

WTF is with this damn organization? Churchill regularly comments on how the M's are the laughingstock of the league when it comes to handling prospects (see Tui, Clement, Morrow), but why in the world would you not give AJ an at-bat in the bottom of the ninth against a LHP with a four-run lead when you are planning on putting him in LF in the bottom of the inning?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE???

F-YOU, John McLaren, and F-YOU M's. You win in spite of your horrible stupidity and mismanagement.

Adam Jones = The New Jason Ellison

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Oh, no one's gonna like this:

From Baker's Blog, per Larry Stone:

John McLaren had some interesting pre-game comments about Adam Jones that indicated a decided lack of urgency to get him into the lineup. I asked him if he had crystallized his plans on how to use Jones. Here's his reply:

"You know what, even if he doesn't play it's a good learning process for him. We're going to use him in different places, spot starts, defense, pinch running, possible pinch-hitting. It's not a priority for me to find him a place to play right now. We feel like he had done all he could in Triple-A, and he could just learn by being here, around some of the guys: See how they go about their business, and let him get his feet on the ground and so forth.

"The situation is going to dictate his playing time, who needs a rest and so on and so forth. That's not a knock on Adam. That's just the way we had it planned."

by ThundaPC on Aug 8, 2007 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I saw that

It speaks to the organization's incompetence on so many levels.

The fact that they planned on making him a platoon player. The fact that they think he'll benefit more from sitting on the bench than by playing on a regular basis. The fact that they refuse to acknowledge the severe defenciencies that Ibanez and Vidro bring to the park each day.

It makes me sick. Rooting for this team is no fun.

by tait644 on Aug 8, 2007 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Replace "platoon"

with "reserve."

by tait644 on Aug 8, 2007 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Rooting for this team

is no fun.... then why root? This is a pastime and a game, its supposed to be fun above anything else.

by MfaninAlaska on Aug 8, 2007 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Mariner fans would make a great case study

for people who have to separate the way they cheer for the team from the way they cheer for the organization. It really is a remarkable disconnect.

by Jeff on Aug 8, 2007 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree..

and I'm not trying to tell anyone to stop rooting for the M's... I'm more curious as to why if its not fun do you continue? We as fans don't have a financially vested interest in the organization, and alot of the fans I see post here don't even live close to Seattle (like myself and Jeff)... so why stick with them if its not fun?

by MfaninAlaska on Aug 8, 2007 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're missing the point...

Team = Fun
Organization = AGHHH!!! WHY!!!! WTF!!!!!

What Moses was to the Jews, Adams Jones is to the Mariners

by SethGrandpa on Aug 8, 2007 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One theory

is that a lot of us take pleasure in complaining. I know I do.

Plus, even when the team's a stinker, the highs always seem to outweigh the lows.

by Jeff on Aug 8, 2007 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I admire your optimism

For me, there's no way that the highs of being a Seattle sports fan have outweighed the lows.

by Katal LM on Aug 8, 2007 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps its better to have useless things

create distress. The way I figure at this very moment, deep down we all know that this all means pretty much nothing. And yet, by emotionally investing in this, and often getting dissappointed means we establish a lower baseline for everything we encounter.

Or... maybe its the cause of all the drinking.

by Matthew on Aug 8, 2007 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

that theory was a primary reason, but didn't want to accuse anyone of anything. :)

So basically Jeff = A Wife (always complaining!)

by MfaninAlaska on Aug 8, 2007 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't do dishes.

...

by Jeff on Aug 8, 2007 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're anthing like my parents

you make the kids do the dishes.

by JI on Aug 8, 2007 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me, personally...

I love baseball, and I grew up on the Mariners, and I was rooting for them long before I realized they were a poorly run organization. I tool a lot of shit as a child (like totally pre-95) just for wearing Mariner gear. I'll be damned if it was all in vain... You can't just turn off something you love, even if they are acting like a total fuckwad.

//sentimental B.S.

by JI on Aug 8, 2007 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

People don't learn by doing.

by JI on Aug 8, 2007 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ibanez did hit a double

and yes I know he can't hit lefties

Shop smart......Shop s-mart...... YOU GOT THAT!!!!

by Scruffy Lefty on Aug 8, 2007 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

but

at least 3 of Felix's ERs are related to Ibanez's terrible defense. I would trade that 3 runs with the double.

by whwang on Aug 8, 2007 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats not the point

that happened earlier. They're talking about why wasn't he PH for in the 8th

Shop smart......Shop s-mart...... YOU GOT THAT!!!!

by Scruffy Lefty on Aug 8, 2007 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it no fun

rooting for the team?

Because it is an exercise in paradox. Root for Raul and Vidro, and you root against Adam Jones (impliedly). Root for Brandon Morrow to kick butt as a reliever, and you root for his further disconnect from a future as a starter. Root for HoRam, and you root for justification for Bavasi's decision making.

The way they've built this thing, there's a downside to success.

It's maddening...

by tait644 on Aug 8, 2007 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs