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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Boston.com: Schilling: Keeping Manny could be a problem

Rehabbing Red Sox righthander Curt Schilling this morning said he thought the Manny Ramirez situation has affected the team and keeping him in Boston for the stretch run could present a problem.

“..I’ve always wondered how we came to be OK with ‘… he’s just not gonna play hard today,’ and that was OK. We’ve come a long way, especially in this city as devoted and as much as the Red Sox mean to people, the fact that you could have a Dustin Pedroia, a Jason Varitek, someone who would bleed and literally play his nine breaths to make an out or get a hit or win a game, and have somebody at the other end of the spectrum from a committed standpoint, you know these players love the uniform, love the fans, and believe in Red Sox and what it means to be a part of this and then you have guys who really don’t give a [expletive].”

“I enjoyed pitching with Pedro, but I watched Pedro for a year come and go as he pleased, and do whatever he pleased, from a schedule standpoint and to a point, All-Star break heading home and no one ever said a word… The things that Pedro said going out of town about Terry [Francona], that crushed me because of what I saw Tito do for him. Manny’s the same way...”

Guapo Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:25 PM | 100 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralBoston

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   1. JoeHova Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:30 PM (#2884090)
Schilling takes the high road again...
   2. Nasty Nate Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:33 PM (#2884098)
literally play his nine breaths


what does this mean?
   3. The Milton Bradley Effect (Voxter) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:34 PM (#2884100)
Boston.com: Everybody: Shut the #### up, Schilling
   4. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2884103)
what does this mean?


He's actually a cat.
   5. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2884105)
Go away Curt Shilling.
   6. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2884110)
There isn't some common thread between the players Schilling likes and those he doesn't, perhaps? Couldn't have anything to do with the relationships he's built through a shared language, or anything.
   7. Scatterbrain Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:37 PM (#2884112)
This supports my theory that Shilling is a nazi.
   8. Ryan Jones Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:38 PM (#2884115)
Even though I can't stand Schilling, I will give him a lot of credit for putting his name on his quotes, rather than going the anonymous route. That being said, it'd be a lot smarter for him to go the anonymous route. I get the feeling that, with all his public statements about other players, he's not going to have too many friends in baseball once he retires.
   9. aleskel Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM (#2884120)
There isn't some common thread between the players Schilling likes and those he doesn't, perhaps? Couldn't have anything to do with the relationships he's built through a shared language, or anything.

that's not fair - everyone knows that Pedro and Manny both subscribe to Mother Jones and regularly donate to MoveOn.org
   10. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:41 PM (#2884121)
Even though I can't stand Schilling, I will give him a lot of credit for putting his name on his quotes, rather than going the anonymous route. That being said, it'd be a lot smarter for him to go the anonymous route. I get the feeling that, with all his public statements about other players, he's not going to have too many friends in baseball once he retires.
-if this came after a trade was completed, that'd be one thing. With the Red Sox still not having dealt Manny, this is stupid, and hurts his team. The more desperate the Sox are perceived, the weaker the return.
-I thought it was established that Schilling was the anonymous source ripping Scott Williamson for not manning up and pitching with a busted forearm.
   11. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:44 PM (#2884129)
-if this came after a trade was completed, that'd be one thing. With the Red Sox still not having dealt Manny, this is stupid, and hurts his team. The more desperate the Sox are perceived, the weaker the return.
-I thought it was established that Schilling was the anonymous source ripping Scott Williamson for not manning up and pitching with a busted forearm.


I agree with the first point. He could ask Millar about the potential embarrassment.

As to your second point, I don't think Schilling anonymously ripped Williamson. I think his name was attached (which is one reason why I always doubted he was the anonymous guy ripping Manny. Schilling don't do anonymous).
   12. Stevens Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:45 PM (#2884131)
Who gives a #### what Schilling thinks?
   13. Ryan Jones Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:47 PM (#2884138)
-if this came after a trade was completed, that'd be one thing. With the Red Sox still not having dealt Manny, this is stupid, and hurts his team. The more desperate the Sox are perceived, the weaker the return.


Hey, I agree with you that it's stupid of him. I'm just pleased to see a player put his name to a controversial quote, rather than do the Mark Grace routine.
   14. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:47 PM (#2884139)
Who gives a #### what Schilling thinks?

Not me, but then who gives a #### about what anyone on this board thinks? Who gives a #### what any blogger thinks? Yet we'll certainly share our comments anyway...
   15. Ryan Jones Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:47 PM (#2884140)
Who gives a #### what Schilling thinks?


Schilling. That's why he's telling us exactly what he thinks.
   16. JC in DC Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:47 PM (#2884141)
I'm assuming Gammons planted this is Schilling's mouth.
   17. Dave Cyprian Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:49 PM (#2884147)
#6 (MCoA), I disagree with a ton, many, of the things that Schilling says, but I do think its a little unfair to dismiss his comments as racial or ethnically biased. Pedro and Manny are both very eccentric to say the least. Choosing two white players to compare them to may not be prudent, but it doesn't invalidate the criticism.
   18. Nasty Nate Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:50 PM (#2884151)
The more desperate the Sox are perceived, the weaker the return.


I guarantee that no potential trading partner's perception of the sox' desperation is affected at all by anything coming out of Curt Schilling's mouth.
   19. Fred C. Dobbs Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:58 PM (#2884166)
I'm assuming Gammons planted this is Schilling's mouth.


That's not the only these he's planted in his mouth. Yeah...just take a few seconds and picture that.
   20. tribefan Posted: July 31, 2008 at 12:59 PM (#2884169)
you know these players love the uniform, love the fans, and believe in Red Sox and what it means to be a part of this

Boy, he really knows how to act for the media and fans, doesn't he?
   21. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:01 PM (#2884176)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here; b.) thinks that his point was well-put and very probably true? I'm sorry, I refuse to believe that everyone on BTF is really ripping him for the diplomatic aspect of this quote...it's just more "I hate Curt" stuff.
   22. maharishi mahesh yogi berra (phredbird) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:01 PM (#2884177)
i was waiting for people to bring up a racial/cultural component to schilling's comments, but does schilling have a history of clashing with latin teammates? it would be one thing if there was a history.
also: how much truth is there to his comments? i don't follow the sox closely, but i have read some stuff about manny and pedro; manny being manny, etc., and pedro looking a little like he needed to do some offseason conditioning instead of whatever he does. any consensus in red sox nation?
   23. zonk Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:02 PM (#2884179)
Hilarious.

I was hoping the Manny deal would get done if only because I'm sitting on a lot of FAAB dollars in my NL only roto league, but for this stretch run entertainment, now I'm leaning towards Manny staying put.
   24. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:03 PM (#2884181)
Schilling clashes with anyone who takes a significant chunk of the spotlight on the team.
I think he was barely on speaking terms with Randy Johnson.
   25. aleskel Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2884184)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here; b.) thinks that his point was well-put and very probably true?

that's as may be, but he is still talking about someone who is, as of this moment, his teammate. And whatever we think individually about Schilling, or Manny, or the Red Sox, or whatever, I think most of us will agree that ripping your teammate in public is not something a professional athlete should do.
   26. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2884187)
Loving the uniform sounds weird and sort of vaguely fascist. Does anybody really love the uniform? The Red Sox uniform is nice and classic, and I like the Tigers and A's uniforms as friends, but I don't love any of them.
   27. Joe C isn't Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:06 PM (#2884188)
Who gives a #### what Schilling thinks?

Well, you came here to comment on it, so...
   28. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:06 PM (#2884189)
also: how much truth is there to his comments? i don't follow the sox closely, but i have read some stuff about manny and pedro; manny being manny, etc., and pedro looking a little like he needed to do some offseason conditioning instead of whatever he does. any consensus in red sox nation?


Yeah, they're generally true. Pedro kind of operated on his own schedule a lot of times, and the club looked the other way. Then again, I'm sure some bench guys might have been actively discouraged from being so open and forthright about teammates and the clubhouse as the old blogger has, so it's not like special treatment is only the province of the Latins on the club.
   29. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:07 PM (#2884191)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here; b.) thinks that his point was well-put and very probably true?
I think a lot--if not most--people here would agree with at least the truthfulness of what Schilling said about Manny. But what exactly does he gain by calling out someone who is--at least in theory--his teammate why that guy is still on his team? Why would the Sox benefit from this?
   30. Jimmy P Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:07 PM (#2884194)
i was waiting for people to bring up a racial/cultural component to schilling's comments

How about when African-Americans or other minority players speak out they're disruptive (Terrell Owens, Manny, Chad Johnson), but when guys like Brett Favre and Schilling put themselves in places where they don't belong (telling team what to do, other players contract squabbles), it's good for the team and being a stand up guy?
   31. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:09 PM (#2884203)
#6 (MCoA), I disagree with a ton, many, of the things that Schilling says, but I do think its a little unfair to dismiss his comments as racial or ethnically biased. Pedro and Manny are both very eccentric to say the least. Choosing two white players to compare them to may not be prudent, but it doesn't invalidate the criticism.
I was trying to be careful and not call bigotry.

My point was that Schilling's friends are mostly English-speaking, and likewise Manny's and Pedro's friends. That's what language gaps do. A little bit of critical thought might suggest to Schilling that he's been biased by this divide.
   32. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:10 PM (#2884205)
I think most of us will agree that ripping your teammate in public is not something a professional athlete should do.
And I think most of us would agree that such a prohibition only goes so far. Once your teammate has gone utterly beyond the pale, as Manny has over the last two months, all bets are off. I don't care if he's a hitting machine, this level of selfish behavior - behavior that has harmed the team - has in turn obviated his teammates' requirement to sit in silent tolerance. If he won't consider their interests, then why the hell should they consider his? At the very least they can unite around their disdain for him.
   33. Swedish Chef Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:13 PM (#2884210)
Schilling is just practising for his Senate run, in politics he will have ample opportunity to stab his teammates in the back.
   34. maharishi mahesh yogi berra (phredbird) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:14 PM (#2884211)
i didn't say i thought it was a good idea or that schilling did anything appropriate. i'm probably thinking it's more the opposite. i'm thinking the sox don't benefit from this at all, and that it shows schilling has his own agenda, which is something i believe most of us will agree with. seems like he's decided he doesn't like manny so much and wants to force the issue, but doing it in a dumb way.
   35. aleskel Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:15 PM (#2884215)
And I think most of us would agree that such a prohibition only goes so far. Once your teammate has gone utterly beyond the pale, as Manny has over the last two months, all bets are off. I don't care if he's a hitting machine, this level of selfish behavior - behavior that has harmed the team - has in turn obviated his teammates' requirement to sit in silent tolerance. If he won't consider their interests, then why the hell should they consider his? At the very least they can unite around their disdain for him.

yes, but what does opening this up to the press have to do with uniting in disdain? By all accounts, Manny has lost his teammates' support already, but there's no guarantee that he's not going to still be on the team come Friday. I'm all for players being open with the press/fans, but sometimes, for the sake of just a modicum of team cohesion, you need to keep things in-house.
   36. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:15 PM (#2884218)
If he won't consider their interests, then why the hell should they consider his? At the very least they can unite around their disdain for him.
It's not Manny's interests, it's the ballclub's interests.

Problems need to be dealt with internally. The front office needs as much as possible to be able to claim plausibly they don't need to make the trade. The team needs as few conflicts as possible if they aren't able to make the trade. This is Schilling putting Schilling ahead of the team.

Manny's done bad things, which are obviously worse than what Schilling's doing here. But being a professional is about recognizing that the team comes first and that means keeping your mouth shut. (At least before hte trade is complete.)
   37. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:19 PM (#2884224)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here; b.) thinks that his point was well-put and very probably true? I'm sorry, I refuse to believe that everyone on BTF is really ripping him for the diplomatic aspect of this quote...it's just more "I hate Curt" stuff.

No, I agree with you. Manny deserves every bit of this calling out.
   38. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:19 PM (#2884225)
Schilling's speculation on some of the motivation for the current controversy strikes me as probable:

Scott Boras stands to make zero dollars if the Red Sox pick up Manny’s options the next two years. Manny’s not 1- years from retirement, he’s maybe four obviously, that’s where he’s at. So does Scott Boras want to get a two year-deal for Manny or a four-year deal for Manny? At the end of the day it falls on the player because Manny’s an adult…
   39. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:21 PM (#2884231)
It's not Manny's interests, it's the ballclub's interests.

Why does anyone think Schilling gives two shits about the Red Sox ownership and whether they have to give up an extra prospect to get rid of Manny?

Schilling almost certainly gone after this season, and is probably still pissed they convinced him to delay surgery.

He certainly is working off his own agenda, and I don't really blame him.
   40. bunyon Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:23 PM (#2884235)
No, I agree with you. Manny deserves every bit of this calling out.

Unfortunately he was called out in English, which, apparently, he doesn't understand.
   41. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:23 PM (#2884236)
He certainly is working off his own agenda, and I don't really blame him.


So then his point is: It's bad for Manny to have his own agenda, but I can.
   42. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:29 PM (#2884243)
So then his point is: It's bad for Manny to have his own agenda, but I can.

No, I don't think anyone, most certainly not others players, begrudges a player the right to look after his own interests.
But, when you stop trying, or refuse to play, you've just crossed the line.

You can try and manipulate management all you want through the press, etc., but what Manny is doing is quitting on his teammates. That won't be tolerated by many people.
   43. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:30 PM (#2884245)
Why does anyone think Schilling gives two shits about the Red Sox ownership and whether they have to give up an extra prospect to get rid of Manny?

Schilling almost certainly gone after this season, and is probably still pissed they convinced him to delay surgery.

He certainly is working off his own agenda, and I don't really blame him.
The ironing is delicious.

This is precisely the Manny Ramirez situation - angry at his ballclub, lashing out, hurting the team to serve his own interests. While what Manny's doing is way, way worse, this is still is very bizarre defense of Schilling.
   44. Danny Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:35 PM (#2884255)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here; b.) thinks that his point was well-put and very probably true? I'm sorry, I refuse to believe that everyone on BTF is really ripping him for the diplomatic aspect of this quote...it's just more "I hate Curt" stuff.

Do you believe all conservatives are persecuted, or just poor, innocent Curt?
   45. Blackadder Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:38 PM (#2884261)
The effort meme has always rubbed me the wrong way. We know, for instance, that while Manny doesn't often run out ground balls or make much effort to catch fly balls, he works obsessively to perfect his hitting. As for Pedro, I don't know much about how he prepares, but I'm pretty sure you don't become the most dominant pitcher ever without putting some time in. It annoys me when people take outward demeanor as a perfect proxy for overall commitment.
   46. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:38 PM (#2884262)
This is precisely the Manny Ramirez situation - angry at his ballclub, lashing out, hurting the team to serve his own interests. While what Manny's doing is way, way worse, this is still is very bizarre defense of Schilling.

I'm not saying what Schilling is doing is right, it's just well within the realm of acceptable self-serving behavior.

Manny is WAY out in the pale.
   47. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:41 PM (#2884271)
The effort meme has always rubbed me the wrong way. We know, for instance, that while Manny doesn't often run out ground balls or make much effort to catch fly balls, he works obsessively to perfect his hitting. As for Pedro, I don't know much about how he prepares, but I'm pretty sure you don't become the most dominant pitcher ever without putting some time in. It annoys me when people take outward demeanor as a perfect proxy for overall commitment.

But life doesn't work this way. I can put together some brilliant analysis for my boss, but if I constantly refuse to check my work, so that there are careless errors, or random don't show up or refuse to work on certain days, I'm still going to get canned.

Doing part of your job really well doesn't excuse you from doing the rest of your job.
   48. Mike Hampton's #1 Fan Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:48 PM (#2884302)
Do you believe all conservatives are persecuted, or just poor, innocent Curt?

That's a weird tack to take; Esoteric didn't say jack about conservatives. You might as well ask if he believes all spotlight-hogging loudmouthed publicity hounds are persecuted.
   49. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:52 PM (#2884319)
My point was that Schilling's friends are mostly English-speaking, and likewise Manny's and Pedro's friends. That's what language gaps do. A little bit of critical thought might suggest to Schilling that he's been biased by this divide.


And in doing so you inadvertently revealed a bit of your own bigotry.

But what exactly does he gain by calling out someone who is--at least in theory--his teammate why that guy is still on his team?


Because doing so privately hasn't worked and because it was Manny himself who started the whole thing by deciding to go public with his dissatisfaction with not being renewed. manny has been thoroughly unprofessional as of late and I have no problem at all with one of his teammates calling him out about it in the press. Enough is enough. Manny needs to grow up.

Or, what eso said in #32.
   50. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:54 PM (#2884321)
Do you believe all conservatives are persecuted, or just poor, innocent Curt?


That's just Danny. He can't make a substantive point so he throws an ad hominem out there instead.
   51. Swedish Chef Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:56 PM (#2884326)
I can put together some brilliant analysis for my boss, but if I constantly refuse to check my work, so that there are careless errors, or random don't show up or refuse to work on certain days, I'm still going to get canned.

Well, if you work in software, technical brilliance can buy you an exemption from just about everything else.
   52. Jimmy P Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:56 PM (#2884327)
Doing part of your job really well doesn't excuse you from doing the rest of your job.

Not for us regular Joes. But, for people that are in very high demand (like athletes) it most certainly does.
   53. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:57 PM (#2884332)
And in doing so you inadvertently revealed a bit of your own bigotry.

...

That's just Danny. he can't make a substantive point so he throws an ad hominem out there instead.
Indeed.
   54. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:59 PM (#2884340)
Not for us regular Joes. But, for people that are in very high demand (like athletes) it most certainly does.

For a while, yes it does. But as soon as your talent slips, or an alternative appears, the knives come out, and everyone who you've pissed on and pissed off comes after you. That's what Manny's seeing now.
   55. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 01:59 PM (#2884343)
i'm thinking the sox don't benefit from this at all, and that it shows schilling has his own agenda, which is something i believe most of us will agree with.


If most of us agree with that then most of us are idiots.

Did it ever occur to you clowns that Schilling might be saying out loud what the rest of Manny's teammates have been saying amongst themselves in private?

Schilling has his own agenda? How about him ruining the rest of his career by leaving it all out on the field in the 2004 playoffs? You have selective memory or something? Really, I've seen some idiotic comments but that one just about takes the cake.
   56. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:01 PM (#2884348)
Indeed.


Well? You basically called Schilling a bigot, with absolutely nothing to back it up. Schilling's been around for 20 years and all of a sudden you're accusing him of cultural bogotry, or rather, applying your own ideas of cultural bigotry and papering them onto him.

Calling someone a bigot without reason is itself a form of bigotry. I thought you were better than that. I guess not.
   57. zonk Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:01 PM (#2884349)

Well, if you work in software, technical brilliance can buy you an exemption from just about everything else.


And as well it should -

I'll take one technically brilliant, creative developer in place of 10 well-schooled dolts who write pristine UML, labor eternally over copious release notes, and spend their time poring over every last word in technical requirements.
   58. Jimmy P Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:02 PM (#2884354)
For a while, yes it does. But as soon as your talent slips, or an alternative appears, the knives come out, and everyone who you've pissed on and pissed off comes after you. That's what Manny's seeing now.

Yes and no. First, his talent has slipped, but even in this "down" year he's still damn good. So good that the Red Sox aren't giving him away. In that way, they are still excusing him for his behavior. And, he's getting paid this year, and it's almost guaranteed that he's going to get paid next year, the following, and probably one or two after that. So, besides some carping in the media, he's excused.
   59. Mirabelli Dictu (Chris McClinch) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:02 PM (#2884355)
literally play his nine breaths


what does this mean?


It almost certainly means that the reporter has a crappy tape recorder. My guess is that Schilling actually said, "Literally play his dying breath."
   60. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:03 PM (#2884357)
So it's come to this.

I 100% agree with what kevin is saying in defense of Schilling.

Time for me to pack it in I guess.
   61. The Politics of Torre: How the HOF Really Works Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:08 PM (#2884361)
Will you guys quit fighting? Jesus. The Red Sox are my favorite team, but I can't even read the threads anymore.
   62. Danny Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:13 PM (#2884373)
That's a weird tack to take; Esoteric didn't say jack about conservatives. You might as well ask if he believes all spotlight-hogging loudmouthed publicity hounds are persecuted.


Sure, if Esoteric hadn't openly expressed his belief that Schilling is only disliked because he's conservative on other threads.
   63. The Politics of Torre: How the HOF Really Works Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:17 PM (#2884382)
I always considered Schilling a conservative version of Bill Lee. I may be the only Primate who likes both outspoken hurlers.
   64. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:20 PM (#2884389)
Get rid of Manny realize Thomas Yawkey (and many Boston fan's) dream of a lily-white Red Sox starting lineup (once and injured Ortiz is replaced by Pat Burrell next year).

Seriously, with Manny gone there isn't a single likable player on the Red Sox, besides maybe Elsbury (who gets blown so much on ESPN he's soon going to join Vartiek, Pedroia, Youk, Lester and Papelbaun in the ranks of the insufferable).
   65. AROM Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:27 PM (#2884411)
Get rid of Manny realize Thomas Yawkey (and many Boston fan's) dream of a lily-white Red Sox starting lineup (once and injured Ortiz is replaced by Pat Burrell next year).


It will be interesting to see how the front office and media treat Ortiz in a few years when he's in the last year of his contract.

I'm glad Ramirez isn't going anywhere. It really does appear he's become a distraction to the whole ballclub (or maybe the Angels are just playing on a whole other level), and it's in the best interests of every other team that might go to the world series that the Red Sox do not make a big trade to rejuvenate the team.
   66. Mayor Blomberg Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:27 PM (#2884415)
But life doesn't work this way. I can put together some brilliant analysis for my boss, but if I constantly refuse to check my work, so that there are careless errors, or random don't show up or refuse to work on certain days, I'm still going to get canned.


Sorry, snapper, but your analysis isn't brilliant enough, or your boss would hire someone just out of school to clean up after you. I've seen that often enough.

Wow, 3-4 other replies in the time it took to post mine, or maybe I shoulda refreshed sooner.
   67. Guapo Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:29 PM (#2884422)
38pitches.com, June 9, 2008:

Manny hits 500, wow. 500 of anything means you’re good. Be it walks, hits, runs, anything, but 500 home runs, while it can be argued is not the milestone it once was, is still an incredible feat. The thing about Manny is this. Those 500 homers come with other even more impressive numbers that make his 1st ballot HOF selection a lock. His consistency year in and year out are astounding and in some cases unprecedented. I’ve said before, when you do something in a game that is more than a century old, for the first time, or only time, you’ve truly done something. Congrats to Manny and here’s to him hitting 600 here at Fenway.
   68. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:30 PM (#2884425)
I'm like the biggest MAnny fan, and yet kind of agree that it would be best if he was traded (I mean Manny's pretty clearly at fault THIS time, as opposed to the past, though the Red Sox FO's Nixonian tactics are sickening even when justified).... but I pretty much only like the Red Sox anymore because of Manny soooooo...
   69. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:30 PM (#2884426)
Get rid of Manny realize Thomas Yawkey (and many Boston fan's) dream of a lily-white Red Sox starting lineup (once and injured Ortiz is replaced by Pat Burrell next year).


So true. We Red Sox fans hate Papi.
   70. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:31 PM (#2884429)
(who gets blown so much on ESPN he's soon going to join Vartiek, Pedroia, Youk, Lester and Papelbaun in the ranks of the insufferable).


Yeah, all of those guys are unlikable, especially the guy who survived cancer. That makes him really, really unlikable. Guy's like Pedroia, overachievers who succeed against especially long odds, they're just run-of-the-middle unlikable. I mean, how can you really like a guy who tries so hard and wants to succeed so badly?
   71. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:31 PM (#2884431)
Sorry, snapper, but your analysis isn't brilliant enough, or your boss would hire someone just out of school to clean up after you. I've seen that often enough.

Wow! I'm glad I've never worked at the places you guys have.

I've worked at some pretty high powered places (and some not so much ;-)), but I've never seen laziness, sloppiness or refusal to do work tolerated.

Edit: stupidity and poor judgement are often tolerated, on the other hand.
   72. Srul Itza Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:32 PM (#2884432)
Am I the only person in the world who a.) has absolutely no problem with what Curt Schilling said here

You mean, other than Curt and "snapper"?

Yes.

HTH.

Next question.
   73. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:33 PM (#2884439)
Guapo, that's what drives me crazy, Schilling Gammo, Bob Ryan and the rest need to be consistant. They shower Manny with chuckles and love when he's good, but when it's time to throw him under the bus they "reveal" all sorts of gripes from the past about how horrible he is.
They either have no memory, or get too caught up in the CW of the moment, or are FO schills.
   74. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:33 PM (#2884442)
Remember that series in 06, when the Yanks won 5 games in 4 days to bury the Sox?

Manny was the only Red Sox who didn't quit. The Yanks just ended their season right there, and Manny got on base about 15 times in those 4 games (I think he got hurt in the last game). Thats why I find it amazing people think Manny isn't competitive or is dogging it now. That was never the impression I got from him.
   75. rfloh Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:35 PM (#2884447)
But life doesn't work this way. I can put together some brilliant analysis for my boss, but if I constantly refuse to check my work, so that there are careless errors, or random don't show up or refuse to work on certain days, I'm still going to get canned.

Doing part of your job really well doesn't excuse you from doing the rest of your job.


Sure. This applies to Schilling too. He came into spring training fat. He was lazy and stuffed his face.
   76. AROM Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:35 PM (#2884448)
I've worked at some pretty high powered places (and some not so much ;-)), but I've never seen laziness, sloppiness or refusal to do work tolerated.


Yet they tolerate you posting on BTF all day...

Not that you're the only one.
   77. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:37 PM (#2884457)
Manny was the only Red Sox who didn't quit.


Yeah, sure, sj. The FO told them to quit. That's what happened.
   78. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:38 PM (#2884459)
I'm glad Ramirez isn't going anywhere. It really does appear he's become a distraction to the whole ballclub (or maybe the Angels are just playing on a whole other level), and it's in the best interests of every other team that might go to the world series that the Red Sox do not make a big trade to rejuvenate the team.


This is, of course, true, which is why I'm so pissed at Manny. He's being a first-class #######.
   79. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:38 PM (#2884460)
what are you talking about?
   80. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:41 PM (#2884469)
You're talking through your ass, that's what I'm talking about. The whole team except Manny quit. That's completely ridiculous.
   81. SoSH U at work Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:42 PM (#2884478)
Manny was the only Red Sox who didn't quit. The Yanks just ended their season right there, and Manny got on base about 15 times in those 4 games (I think he got hurt in the last game). Thats why I find it amazing people think Manny isn't competitive or is dogging it now. That was never the impression I got from him.


First, I think you're confusing didn't quit with didn't suck. I really doubt Mirabelli or Crisp or Alex Gonzalez quit. That they weren't as good as Manny in the series has more to do with them not being as talented, not their respective work ethic.

And I don't think anyone's ever said it's a permanent condition with Manny. But 5.6 seconds home to first on a play you could beat out doesn't exactly scream balls out.
   82. snapper Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:42 PM (#2884480)
Yet they tolerate you posting on BTF all day...

Not that you're the only one.


Did you notice the past tense? Worked not work in high powered places ;-)

God, I hated those places. Of course, if I'd stayed I'd be making three times as much. Oh well, I'd rather get home for dinner. My current boss, if there's no work to do, wouldn't care if you went to the movies. As long as the work gets done.
   83. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:42 PM (#2884482)
Kevin, having every baseball writer in america, and the population of Bristol drooling over you and heaping you withpraise can sure make a guy seem tedious and unlikable pretty quick.

I admire Lester, but just overcoming cancer (and having a great story) doesn't make me like him more. Jose Contraras's families struggle toe leave Cuba was inspiring and heart-wrenching, but i still loved it when the Red Sox would shell the guy. Joba Chamberlain's (equally over-played) story is a great one, but I still hope Ortiz takes him deep when they face each other.
Patrick Swazye has cancer, and I hope he can overcome it like Lester, but I won't be renting Roadhouse because of it.
   84. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:44 PM (#2884487)
You're talking through your ass, that's what I'm talking about. The whole team except Manny quit. That's completely ridiculous.

Are the game chatters still accessible? Go check them out.
   85. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:46 PM (#2884498)
Manny Delcarmen is a good story, and he is pretty likeable.
   86. Srul Itza Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:46 PM (#2884500)
I'm not saying what Schilling is doing is right

Okay, now I'm confused. I thought you agreed with Esoteric you had no problem at all with what he said or how he said it.

The ironing is delicious.

Jeez, I haven't cooked that way since I made grilled cheese sandwiches in college. Invest in a microwave, dude.

But as soon as your talent slips, or an alternative appears, the knives come out, and everyone who you've pissed on and pissed off comes after you.

As the old saying goes, be kind to people on the way up -- you'll pass them again on the way down.


As to the article itself: The very last thing Boston needs right now is somebody stirring the pot more. Sometimes it does make sense to call out a teammate, even publicly. But is there any reason to believe that this, especially coming from Schilling, would have a positive effect on Manny?

It sometimes seems like Schilling never has an unexpressed thought. There is a great deal to be said for honesty. But too much of anything can be a problem, even honesty. If you don't believe me, try answering your wife honestly the next time she asks you whether those pants make her butt look big.
   87. Srul Itza Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:48 PM (#2884508)
But 5.6 seconds home to first on a play you could beat out doesn't exactly scream balls out.

Unless, of course, his knees really were hurting him.

Nah, couldn't be. The MRI was clean.
   88. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:48 PM (#2884511)
I'm not excusing Manny's childish behavior of late, though this is a Red Sox team that has a terrible history of dealing with players they want to leave (either by trade of FA). Also, they should know more than anyone about Manny's childish behaviour and perhaps should have seen something like this coming, or avoided it by talking to MAnny, or not getting offended by Manny's comments the same way you'd get offened by a fully-functioning person saying the same thing.
   89. rconn23 Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:49 PM (#2884514)
"I'm assuming Gammons planted this is Schilling's mouth."

I think they take turns. Gammo is just a caricature of himself now. Sad.

I think Schilling and Goose Gossage should host a show about how real ballplayers should act. It would be solid programming if the new Sirius/XM ever decides to put together a "Who gives a sh#t channel?'' channel.
   90. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: July 31, 2008 at 02:50 PM (#2884517)
IO actually like Delcarmen a lot too, but he's not a very good player (and I still love Wakefield and Jacoby)
   91. maharishi mahesh yogi berra (phredbird) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:04 PM (#2884585)
If most of us agree with that then most of us are idiots.

Did it ever occur to you clowns that Schilling might be saying out loud what the rest of Manny's teammates have been saying amongst themselves in private?

Schilling has his own agenda? How about him ruining the rest of his career by leaving it all out on the field in the 2004 playoffs? You have selective memory or something? Really, I've seen some idiotic comments but that one just about takes the cake.


c'mon, kevin. of course he has an agenda. everybody has an agenda. and him saying out loud what his teammates are thinking is part of that. others have pointed out that speaking his mind at just this time isn't necessarily in the club's interest in reference to getting value for manny if he's traded. that doesn't mean he's wrong about manny, it's his timing that is off, and it demonstrates some of what schilling is about. he's a bumptious blowhard when he's not on the mound winning games. i salute his pitching and his 2004 heroics.
my comment is idiotic? whatever. throwing around the word 'clown' is pretty hot coming from you. if this board is so full of idiots, then why are you here? you don't add much to discussions from what i've seen.
   92. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:13 PM (#2884620)
RTFA. If you read the whole thing, Schilling's take is much more nuanced much more willing to see manny's side of things. Here:

"The hard part for me was this [situation with Manny] derailed into a train wreck so quick, so fast, and so oddly. You had the Buddah Zen Master guy in spring training, reading and 'life is good, don't worry be happy' and it just looked like he was poised to have a monster season. Physically he worked his butt off. Obviously he wants to play longer. Anytime a guy like that is motivated, you get excited. You get a chance to see some stuff...


And then this:

Schilling also said would give Jason Bay his No. 38 (and Bay's number with the Pirates) if Bay ends up joining the Red Sox in exchange for someone to give a five-figure donation to his charity, Curt's Pitch. "It pretty much can be had right now... yeah ...we'll work something out," Schilling said.


Yeah, Schilling is all about himself...

Look, I don't necessarily agee with the guy's politics either but he backs his #### up. Give him the respect he deserves.

my comment is idiotic?

Yes. At least this time it was. You are at once saying Schilling is right but his timing is bad. WTF? His timing is bad? When do you expect him to say something, 6 months from now after it's all blown over? And he's a bumptious blowhard but he's right on the money this time? Right. He's right but he's wrong. Up is down. Left is right. in is out.

Anything just to piss and moan.
   93. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:17 PM (#2884638)
I've never seen laziness, sloppiness or refusal to do work tolerated.

I'll call out the Illinois Department of Employment Security as one place where I saw all those on a daily basis, along with the other more generally tolerated faults you mentioned. The very embodiment of "we don't want nobody nobody sent."
   94. Guapo Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:22 PM (#2884663)
Schilling also said would give Jason Bay his No. 38 (and Bay's number with the Pirates) if Bay ends up joining the Red Sox in exchange for someone to give a five-figure donation to his charity, Curt's Pitch.

Requiring someone to give $10,000 to the charity you named after yourself as a condition of doing them a favor isn't the greatest example of selflessness.
   95. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:24 PM (#2884674)
10 grand is peanuts to MLB players. And it's not going to him, it's going to his charity. See, when money goes to charity, you don't get to spend it on yourself. Let's have a little perspective here, please?
   96. maharishi mahesh yogi berra (phredbird) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:28 PM (#2884681)
Yes. At least this time it was. You are at once saying Schilling is right but his timing is bad. WTF? His timing is bad? When do you expect him to say something, 6 months from now after it's all blown over? And he's a bumptious blowhard but he's right on the money this time? Right. He's right but he's wrong. Up is down. Left is right. in is out.


you are letting your emotions rule your responses. i wonder if you can see how silly you sound sometimes. your method of heaping scorn on people with little to go on makes you a very unattractive person to converse with.
think about it. it's perfectly possible that schilling is hurting his club's chances for getting good value for ramirez if that is what they want to do. and it makes it look as if curt schilling has decided what the red sox should do about ramirez, instead of leaving it to his betters. so even if he's 'right', he is hurting the club. and his timing is bad. period. part of what he puffs himself up about is being a good teammate, etc. ... how is this good for the red sox? fine, your take may be its time for manny to go and you don't care how. that's not strategic thinking at a time when it's needed.
   97. kevin Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:35 PM (#2884705)
I'm an unattractive person to converse with but you feel perfectly free to call someone who isn't here to defend himself a "bumptious blowhard". right.
   98. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:42 PM (#2884734)
Requiring someone to give $10,000 to the charity you named after yourself as a condition of doing them a favor isn't the greatest example of selflessness.

I think, charity of his choice would have been a little better.
   99. maharishi mahesh yogi berra (phredbird) Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:43 PM (#2884738)
oh brother. kev, i don't really know what one has to do with the other. you've called me an idiot. how am i supposed to react to that? and your habit of avoiding responding to a person's points in favor of changing the parameters of the debate or moving over to insults is, again, unattractive. don't you want to get along with anybody? sorry, i forgot, i'm ... well, you know.
   100. Russlan is an overhyped Met BTFer Posted: July 31, 2008 at 03:46 PM (#2884757)
Pedro may have operated on his own schedule and come to spring training late but he never came to spring training sporting a spare tire.
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