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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

MLB.com: Dunn denies phone call with Ricciardi

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any stranger…

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said his feud with Reds left fielder Adam Dunn was finally settled via a phone call between the two over the weekend. Not so, says Dunn.
...
“I talked to Adam on Saturday, so I see it as a dead issue,” Ricciardi told a group of reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “He called me. I tried to get his phone and I wasn’t having any luck. He had called me. I told him I made a mistake and apologized. I let my guard down, which I shouldn’t have done, but I did. All I can do is apologize.”

Found in the clubhouse tunnel on the visitor’s side of the field, Dunn was emphatic that he never called Ricciardi and that the two haven’t spoken.

“What? Not true. One million percent,” Dunn told MLB.com after being informed of Ricciardi’s comments.

When told of what Dunn said, Ricciardi was adamant that he spoke to the player on the phone.

“All I know is the person I talked to said it was Adam Dunn,” Ricciardi said. “That’s quite a prank to pull.”

NTNgod Posted: June 24, 2008 at 10:40 PM | 54 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Cincinnati, Toronto

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1. Esoteric Posted: June 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM (#2831296)

This is so, so funny. It just won't die for J.P.

But I wouldn't put it past Dunn to have called Ricciardi and then subsequently denied it, just to #### him over. Dunn's a prankster, and nobody deserves it more right now than J.P.

2. flournoy Posted: June 24, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#2831300)

Every time Ricciardi opens his mouth, he looks pettier and dumber. He should stop doing that.

3. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth) Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:14 PM (#2831366)

It says here Richard Griffin made the call, or hired somebody to.

4. Twoey Guillen Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:15 PM (#2831368)

The "Bababooey" at the end should've given it away.

5. Alberto Gilardino Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:21 PM (#2831384)

I can't believe someone is trusting their MLB franchise over to this guy. “That’s quite a prank to pull.” Ha Ha Ha Ha! I'd feel sorry for him if he didn't have it coming.

Blue Jays should have hired DePodesta. At least we know he won't return phone calls or talk to anyone, unless, maybe if they used Skype.

6. Perros Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:40 PM (#2831430)

It's taken some of us longer than others, but can we now agree Ricciardi is a dimwit, the bastard child of our collective love for Billy Beane?

7. Repoz

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 12:11 AM (#2831510)

One million percent

Is that more than 110%?

8. flournoy Posted: June 25, 2008 at 12:14 AM (#2831516)

Ricciardi reads like a man who cannot conceive that he might be held accountable for his words. I don't think it ever occurred to him that his initial comments on Dunn would make waves, much less actually reach Dunn and the national media. Here it looks like he's just flying by the seat of his pants, making up the lie, "Oh yeah, I talked to Dunn on the phone, we're cool now." on the spot. He didn't even stop to consider that someone will ask Dunn about that, and the lie will be uncovered immediately.

9. Perros Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:03 AM (#2831642)

Dunn calling him and now denying it's just too good to be true.

He's definitely going to get the last laugh in the offseason.

10. Shredder Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:03 AM (#2831645)

I hope he called and said:
Hello J.P.? J.P.? This is Adam, from Milwaukee. Do you think Scott Hatteberg's a good player? I think he's overrated. J.P.? Do you have your shirt on?

11. Perros Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:10 AM (#2831660)

Funnier than Tetanus Shot Night.

Thanks, Shredder. Perhaps AD did get his revenge.

12. Paul D (AKA The Other Canadian) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:33 AM (#2831706)

Blue Jays should have hired DePodesta.

And how would they have done that?

13. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:39 AM (#2831717)

JP Ricciardi is dumber than 10 Tommy Lasordas.

14. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:55 AM (#2831754)

Ricciardi isn't lying. Somebody called him and told him he was Adam Dunn. The question is... did Adam Dunn do it (he could; he has the reputation of a prankster) or did someone else impersonate him?

15. Morally Excellent Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:06 AM (#2831794)

It was probably Griffey.

16. Cyanocitta cristata Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:15 AM (#2831824)

Hello, J.P.? This is O-Daw ... uh, Adam Dunn. I just wanted to say I accept your apology, and, moreover, you're one smooth-lookin' cat.

17. NTNgod Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:26 AM (#2831837)

Ricciardi isn't lying.

He's knowingly lied publically before, so you can't completely eliminate that possibility.

Granted, if it's a lie, the lie he told makes him look rather, err, gullible.

18. The Mighty Quinn Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:26 AM (#2831838)

Sounds like Ricciardi has a witness, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball. My guess is that Dunn and his buddies were having some fun....

DePodesta apparently was approached by the Jays to interview for the G.M. job, but instead recommended Ricciardi for the position.

19. Lassus: Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:27 AM (#2831839)

I think the best story would be if it turns out to be Willie Randolph, simply bored out of his mind.

20. NTNgod Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:32 AM (#2831844)

Sounds like Ricciardi has a witness, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/baseball.

That link doesn't have anything about this on there that I can see. I think you meant this one:

Ricciardi was livid when Dunn's comment was relayed to him. He took the call on Saturday night, he said, while he was in Pittsburgh. Sitting next to him were director of security Ron Sandelli and assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos.
...
So is this a Dunn deal or what?

"I'm so sick and tired of this, foremost, but the real truth is, no, I have not talked to him," Dunn said after the game, clearly exasperated. "Again, I'm not going to go out of my way to get an apology from a guy I don't even know. No, it didn't happen and I hope this is the last time I have to talk about it. I'm sick and tired of it."

But about that phone call …

"No," Dunn said, "I mean, no. I didn't. I mean, if he said he talked to me, it was a lie … it's stupid. I don't get it. I got more important things to worry about than some guy I don't know."

I think the best story would be if it turns out to be Willie Randolph

John Gibbons

21. The elusive Robert Denby Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:34 AM (#2831849)

"Hello, Mr. Ricciardi? This is Ken Griffey. I have Adam Dunn on the line..."

"That improvident lackwit? Always too busy stridin' about his batting cage to call me. I'll give him what-fors 'til he cries brassafrax!

22. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:15 AM (#2831874)

Dunn released a statement:

Do you know the guy doesn’t really like phone calls that much? Do you know the guy doesn’t have a passion to talk on the phone that much? How much do you know about the general manager?

There’s a reason why you’re attracted to some front office guys and there’s a reason why you’re not attracted to some front office guys. I don’t think you’d be very happy if we called J.P. Ricciardi from here …

We’ve done our homework on guys like J.P. Ricciardi and there’s a reason why we don’t want to call J.P. Ricciardi. I don’t want to get into specifics.

23. JMM Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:20 AM (#2831879)

Blue Jays should have hired DePodesta.

If I recall correctly, they tried, but he turned down the job -- his wife didn't want to move back east -- before they hired Ricciardi.

24. Richard Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:16 AM (#2831906)

The question is... did Adam Dunn do it (he could; he has the reputation of a prankster) or did someone else impersonate him?

Frank Thomas has an axe to grind and DL time on his hands...

25. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:19 AM (#2831908)

Keith Law?

Kinda interesting how long the list is of people who might be inclined to mess with Ricciardi. You know that you're a Grade A Jack--- when you need a PIM database to keep track of your enemies list.

26. TakeandRake Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:30 AM (#2831927)

I believe Dunn, I mean he is one million percent sure and all.

27. snowles Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:38 AM (#2831990)

I like how neither Dunn or Riccardi seem to care about making this a further issue, yet everyone else - and especially the media - is dragging it on.

To thicken the plot, Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail adds this:

Dunn told MLB.com that he didn't speak to Ricciardi.

"Not true," Dunn said of Ricciardi's pregame comment. "One million per cent."

Ricciardi was livid when Dunn's comment was relayed to him. He took the call on Saturday night, he said, while he was in Pittsburgh. Sitting next to him were director of security Ron Sandelli and assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos.

"If it's not him, then it's some prank," Ricciardi said. "But I don't know how the person would get my cellular phone number. I mean, I don't even give it out to you guys [the press]."

So is this a Dunn deal or what?

So now there's witnesses, and it's clear one of them is a liar.

28. Keith Law Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:48 AM (#2831993)

Keith Law?

I don't have his new cell # either.

29. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:49 AM (#2831994)

It wouldn't surprise me if it were Griffey. Or Arroyo. The Reds clubhouse has a few guys with reps as pranksters.

30. Danny Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM (#2831999)

If I recall correctly, they tried, but he turned down the job -- his wife didn't want to move back east -- before they hired Ricciardi.

IIRC, Beane recommended JP after DePo turned them down.

31. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 11:57 AM (#2832002)

Blue Jays should have hired DePodesta.

If I recall correctly, they tried, but he turned down the job -- his wife didn't want to move back east -- before they hired Ricciardi.

Jays ownership seems steadfast. It would have been interesting to see what DePo could have done in an organization that ignored the press and just let him work.

32. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: June 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM (#2832011)

At least we know he won't return phone calls or talk to anyone, unless, maybe if they used Skype.

heh.

33. Delino DeShields & Yarnell Posted: June 25, 2008 at 01:16 PM (#2832061)

So is this a Dunn deal or what?

Not until this reaches its natural conclusion, which apparently is one of them passing the other a note in study hall - "Do you still like me? Circle Yes / No"

34. Dixiechick Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM (#2832145)

JP circles the drain.

The Blue Jays have a floater running their organization. Maybe that explains their drafting record.

35. Dan Szymborski

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM (#2832159)

The problem with saying is that you're a million percent sure is that if you later say you're a hundred percent sure, people will be suspicious of you.

36. standuptriple Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:08 PM (#2832168)

Why would Dunn call JP for an apology? I usually wait for people who have wronged me to approach with their tail between their legs. Besides, it seems like Dunn needs to focus on baseball more anyways.

37. Chris Needham Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:19 PM (#2832174)

So if he called his cell, he should have the number that called him, right?

This shouldn't be too hard for an enterprising reporter to solve.

38. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:22 PM (#2832176)

Could be Shea Hillenbrand, too. Was there cursing involved?

39. J.C. Bradbury Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM (#2832184)

JP claims to have deleted the number, how convenient. I am certain he can get his provider to supply the record. You would think he would want to at least identify the culprit...if there is one.

40. Paul D (AKA The Other Canadian) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM (#2832185)

JP says that he deleted the call log.

JP's employer probably gives him the cell and service for free, they should be able to check.

41. CFiJ Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:39 PM (#2832192)

I should note, in JP's defense, that I immediately delete the call log whenever someone high profile calls me to hear me apologize. Jeez, who doesn't? I don't want that reminder of my humiliation taking up precious memory space!

42. Weeks T. Olive Posted: June 25, 2008 at 03:45 PM (#2832195)

"If it's not him, then it's some prank," Ricciardi said. "But I don't know how the person would get my cellular phone number. I mean, I don't even give it out to you guys [the press]."

Who says "cellular phone"?

Next thing you know, he'll be claiming that he got an "electronic mail" from Dunn.

43. Dixiechick Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#2832205)

It's hard to see who looks more foolish. Ricciardi, for thinking that people would buy his ridiculous lies about getting a 'prank call' and 'deleting' his cell logs, or the dwindling gaggle of Ricciardi-fans who are still trying to make this clown out to be a GM, and his lies out to be a credible story.

44. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:12 PM (#2832212)

IIRC, Beane recommended JP after DePo turned them down.

Ha. Good one Billy.

45. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2832213)

#43

You are taking all of this very seriously. This thing is reaching Space Ghost levels of fun. Enjoy!

46. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:35 PM (#2832229)

Pardon me, Mr. Ricciardi, but is your refrigerator running?

47. bunyon Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:41 PM (#2832235)

JP Riccardi went on to say, in an unrelated matter, that he really liked the looks of free agent Micheal Hunt. He said, "I haven't personally seen Mike Hunt, but I'm told Mike Hunt looks really good. I know Mike Hunt has bounced around the league a good bit and been treated pretty badly in some major league locker rooms, but that, in Toronto, I feel Mike Hunt will have the opportunity to be a valued and loved member of the team. We do know that Mike Hunt really loves the game of baseball and that Mike Hunt has great passion for baseball history and its players."

48. bbc is prejudice bout men Posted: June 25, 2008 at 04:44 PM (#2832236)

IF jp wanted to find out who called him, all he has to do is call the cell company because they keep records of every call AND they can tell what tower (location) the call come from

and he best remember that it is only OK to be a el primo a**hole when your team is winning. which his ain't

49. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:19 PM (#2832255)

Eh, how hard would it be for a prankster to filch Dunn's cell and make a quick call? Not too hard, I think, if Dunn wasn't particularly careful with his phone.

50. Morally Excellent Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:22 PM (#2832257)

Presuming that Ricciardi uses Rogers, he can get the call log himself off Rogers.com. It's not very difficult.

51. Petooter: 11'6" 355 lbs of scrap and grit Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:25 PM (#2832260)

Why anyone would believe any J.P. Ricciardi claim over anyone else about anything at all at this point is beyond me.

52. birdlives is one crazy ninja Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:27 PM (#2832261)

JP, when Tyler Durden shows up at your door, remember, that's really you, not Tyler Durden.

53. Esoteric Posted: June 25, 2008 at 05:54 PM (#2832278)

Very funny, birdlives.

54. The Mighty Quinn Posted: June 25, 2008 at 09:13 PM (#2832410)

I guess the Blue Jays may really have a problem if Ricciardi starts bragging about how he was behind enemy lines with the Navy Seals in operation Desert Storm.

Basically this looks like a prank to me, maybe Ricciardi should hook up with some of those made guys as shown in the movie the movie Departed. You'd think he'd know who to turn to to settle this manner.

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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

MLB.com: Dunn denies phone call with Ricciardi

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