Wedge: using the media or blowing off steam?

by macasson on May 3, 2008 1:38 PM EDT

Sheldon Ocker, in Saturday's article , again references Wedge's disappointment and disdain with the quality of the team's offensive approach in Thursday's win.

''You have to pull yourself back and assess things, maybe talk to the coaches,'' Wedge said.

-snip-

''Last night, I got the hell out of here,'' he said.

When things aren't going smoothly, Wedge makes sure to leave his anger at Progressive Field and have some idea how he will initiate corrective measures the next day.

''That's what I did last night,'' he said. ''I sorted it out, so when my head hit the pillow I would have some clarity when I woke up. I'm a big believer in separating (from one game to the next). I have my moments, but I try to keep those private.''

It seems like Wedge here is offering an explanation for his anger from the post-game comments after Thursday's game. At first, when I read some of those quotes on Friday, I just skimmed through and couldn't figure out why he'd choose to react this way - through the media after a victory. After all, I was just glad that they won, Blake's 4 strikeout performance be damned. So, I went back to Friday's paper and the quotes from directly after the game. Here's the set that drew the most reaction from us at LGT:

''I wasn't happy with our at-bats tonight,'' Wedge said. ''Our at-bats have to get better. We have to stick our nose in there with two strikes [and not be timid]. We have to concentrate and be disciplined every at-bat.''

Wedge's voice rose as he continued: ''That's the only way we've done it in the past, and that's the way we need to do it now. It's not OK to do it one day and not the next or for one guy to do it and the next guy not to. I try to be as positive as I can, but it's time for us to turn the corner.''

Seems like a true, non-premeditated reaction, I think. And, it really shows his frustration with the state of the offense (as further evidenced by line-up changes, etc.).

Some thoughts/questions before I completely lose my train of thought:

-Can Wedge's post-game comments/anger be seen as anything more than venting? Was he '"pulling a Leyland" and using the media as a source of motivation/way of calling out particular players? Was this an out-of-character moment for Wedge?

-Could it be that Wedge, in his post-game comments, was directly calling out everyone's favorite Shocker, the Beard? And, might this finally be seen as a sign that Blake has been put on notice, so to speak? Was the method behind his madness?

-Or, alternatively, did Wedge wake up on Friday, realize that he may have been too raw in his comments after the game and decide to explain his reactions, diffusing the tension that they may have caused?

-Or, much ado about nothing?

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I think that Hoynes article in this morning’s PD was based on an interview that was televised, around 6PM or so, on STO. Wedge seemed to be unusually honest and forthright in that interview. He got really effusive in his praise for Gutierrez and made some rather sharp negative comments on other things that have been happening. I didn’t see the whole thing (Hoynes was standing there taking notes and asking questions, so that’s what makes me think it’s the source of the story), but I thought Wedge was saying what he thought, not being tactical. Either that, or he’s a very skilled actor.

by peter m on May 3, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Wedge typically is in control of his emotions—that’s why everybody says he’s a tight ass, right? I think he is a skilled actor. He seems pretty good at handling his players. He seems as good a psychologist as Leyland, even if their temperaments differ. I think he must have been addressing something not apparent to us. It would be nice to think he’s getting weary of Blake’s act, but…

by odradek on May 3, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Wedge has never had to coach a team that had such high expectations. So, either he is using different tactics to motivate them or he is just more on edge than in the past.

by Toxicadam on May 3, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

This team isn’t quite so young anymore and Wedge must now take different approaches in managing them.

Some people, and we all know who, are consistently having bad at bats and are just not executing at all. I’m sure Wedge has talked to the players in private before he shared anything with he media as all good managers do.

by gahnki on May 3, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

If he is in fact not happy with Blake, he certainly has a strange way of showing it in giving him yet another start last night.

by supermarioelia on May 3, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

It’s the classic abused woman scenario.

Wedge: “LIsten, Chin, if you ever wear golden headwear again, it’s over. I’m beching you.”

Chin, unconcerned: “And what are you going to do? Play that kid? C’mon, we both know it’s not going to happen.”

Wedge: “But, listen-”

Chin: “Wedgie, I could poop on the plate and you’d tell the press it was a veteran move. So I plan on striking out my next 12 at bats, if you don’t mind. And I know you don’t.”

Wedge, after a pause: “Noooo, I don’t mind! You’re right. Still friends?”

by tabler84 on May 3, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Blake was down at the bottom of the order on Friday’s lineup, no?

Maybe just pitching match-up, though, and not a ‘demotion’.

by macasson on May 3, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

THIS SHOULD BE A FANSHOT!

not really. it seemed in character to me. he waits and he waits till it gets to the point where he feels like he needs (or has) to say something. or it’s just he gets to the point where the don’t say anything voices are drowned out by the frustrated ones – which is just human.

by Brick. on May 3, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

to defend the poster..nobody reads and/or comments on fanshots. At least that’s what it seems like.
I don’t get the whole freaking out over a fanpost that one may think deserves to be a fanshot.
Why is this a big deal in every fanpost/diary?

You have no idea the physical toll that three vasectomies have on a person

by jakesinger777 on May 3, 2008 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that Brick was kidding.

Jay’s basic ground rule, that Fan Post = something to say; Fan Shot = something to share is a good one.

by macasson on May 3, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah. just kidding. seems like every post or shot is getting called out to be the other. just having some fun with that. i think this is definitely a fanpost.

by Brick. on May 3, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Why is this a big deal in every fanpost/diary?

that was my joke, basically.

by Brick. on May 3, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I figured there was a decent chance you were just joking, and I just wanted to understand it a little better. I just simply don’t think it matters that much..

LGT!

You have no idea the physical toll that three vasectomies have on a person

by jakesinger777 on May 3, 2008 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

For lack of a better place to put this…

Did anyone else read Pluto’s take on Hafner’s swing in today’s PD (or cleveland.com, linked through the Browns’ page)? Anyone think it’s legitimate?

Here’s the link. And part of the passage as a tease:

There is something wrong with Travis Hafner’s swing. The result is that he seems to be “pulling his head out.” That means he’s not following the ball with his eyes. It also means that his right shoulder tends to move up—creating an uppercut swing. There are some things that he’s doing earlier in his at-bat that causes all this, but that’s the problem.

by APV on May 4, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions