Today's Washington Post
I'm not a big fan of Thomas Boswell's (he likes to throw around statistics, but he doesn't really know how), but today's column in the Post, which was right next to a story about the Nats' managerial job that lists Mattingly and Valentine (and Bob Melvin, as well as Jim Riggleman) as active candidates, caught my eye. It's about Charlie Manuel, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome.
More than that, it's about the difference between players who strive for success and those who strive for excellence: "Don't get hung up on success and what people think of you; focus on excellence, play the game the right way, enjoy the moment and don't be scared of it." Jimmy Rollins is entered as Manuel's Exhibit A. The column made me think to myself, how many clutch players (i.e., players who strive for excellence, rather than success) are on the Indians' roster (now that Victor is in Boston)?
3 months ago
ken from alexandria
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Garbage article. It’s a fluff piece.
These are the kinds of stories you write about teams when they’re winning.
by xrickx on Oct 22, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe, but I think there’s some real insight here.
I was totally unsurprised when Rollins got the walk-off double the other night. He walked to the plate, and I know this player pretty well, you could see the body language. He had a bad season, and I’m not saying he doesn’t know it, but it’s almost as if he doesn’t. It’s not important to him, because he’s where he wants to be.
What would you call A-Rod’s bizarre behavior over the years, if not an emphasis on success over excellence?
by Jay on Oct 22, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m trying to get on board with this, but I’m struggling.
No doubt, players have different motivations. One would have a hard time finding an answer other than “greed’ when asked why Alex Rodriguez, one of the wealthiest professional athletes in the history of the world (yes, ever), starts buying ”http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/sports/baseball/07roberts.html" target="new">slum-level apartment complexes. Not that a man can’t have investments, but it’s clear what truly motivates this man. He wants success — on and off the field.
If we’re talking statistical success rather than monetary success, sure, Alex values his counting stats. But so does Jimmy Rollins. And every other player.
But now we’re going to start using phrases like “values excellence rather than success” to describe some characteristic that we’ve identified as desirable? I can’t decide get beyond the suspicion that this phrase is a way just to dress up what Joe Morgan calls a “gamer” and “pro,” and I think we’re all beyond that.
by xrickx on Oct 24, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sioux City Sarsaparilla! I’ve never had the pleasure. I googled it. Sounds good.
by ken from alexandria on Oct 23, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that’s a good one.
Chugga-chugga chugga-chugga, Choo Choo!
by USSChoo on Oct 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me? How’s come? Are you sure you don’t mean Hal Lebowitz?
by ken from alexandria on Oct 22, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, Jay. Get down here for a Bowie Baysox – Akron Aeros game next summer, and I’ll find you a sarsaparilla.
by ken from alexandria on Oct 23, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome. You have an excellent memory. Either that or the world’s best tickler files. The Aeros are in Bowie April 22-25, afternoon game on Sunday the 25th.
by ken from alexandria on Oct 24, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stumbled across it by accident a week ago. I had totally forgotten about it.
by Jay on Oct 24, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how many clutch players (i.e., players who strive for excellence, rather than success) are on the Indians’ roster (now that Victor is in Boston)?
I don’t see how we have any way of knowing. You’re asking me, “How many players on this team have heart,” or something, and while the question is perfectly valid, none of us know the motivation of each player.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Oct 22, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough. But as TribeJay and odradek point out below, Droobs is showing some signs. The next Pat Tabler?
by ken from alexandria on Oct 23, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He and others in the front office, like Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro, believe you can identify players who are at their best under pressure because they are both energized and focused by the spotlight, not paralyzed or distracted by it.
Why does this remind me of the Cleveland Indians coming to the plate with the bases loaded?
I don’t get the Boswell hate. If he didn’t try to use stats people would say he was out of it. He’s a pretty good writer, though given at times to getting carried away and ponderous.
by odradek on Oct 22, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t say I hated him, but yeah, he can get ponderous at times. He’s obviously smart and well read for a sportswriter. What I can’t abide is the arbitrariness. You know, “Since June 17 of 2005, no one has won more games than Leffty Gearshift.” (Okay, I made that up, but if the caricature fits, you have to wear it.)
by ken from alexandria on Oct 23, 2009 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not quite, yet. But he’s getting there. Maybe 2010.
by odradek on Oct 23, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grady is never going to play again because the Indians waited to scope his elbow.
Or something like that.
Biting tongue.
by afh4 on Oct 24, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I award you one rec. Spend it wisely.
Chugga-chugga chugga-chugga, Choo Choo!
by USSChoo on Oct 24, 2009 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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