Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisThe Maine Problem...
May 21st 2010 10:57
Despite what the Mets coaching staff would have you believe, John Maine was hardly the bad guy last night. Pitching coach Dan Warthen and manager Jerry Manuel yanked Maine after throwing only five pitches against the Washington Nationals.
After Maine walked the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first, he threw one more pitch (for a ball) before getting a visit from not only Warthen but trainer Ray Ramirez and Manuel as well. Manuel almost immediately signaled to the bullpen for lefty Raul Valdes, leaving Maine shaking his head in disbelief.
After the game, Warthen gave the media as unprofessional of an excuse as I have ever heard regarding this rash move. He called Maine a “habitual liar” as it relates to his chronic injury. He went on to explain that Maine was not throwing well in the bullpen prior to the game but Maine had convinced him that he felt fine and he was ready to pitch.
During what looked like a mini press conference at Maine’s locker after the game, he stated that he felt fine and he reiterated that it was hardly the first time in his career that he walked the leadoff hitter.
Three and a half hours after being pulled from the game, Maine was still visibly upset as his answers to the media were so unintelligible that it sounded more like Boomhower than a usually well spoken athlete.
During spring training, Warthen expressed on many occasions that his focus for the starting pitchers was to throw strikes. Obviously his coaching has been a more of a detriment to the team as no pitcher in the major leagues has gotten there by throwing balls at a lower level.
This rash move was spurred by something else.
Jerry Manuel and his coaching staff are clinging to their jobs like a group of rodeo riders. It is these kinds of moves that show the sheer desperation of this motley crew. Players don’t appreciate it, fans don’t appreciate it, and I can’t believe that ownership will appreciate it either.
Dan Warthen’s contributions to this team make Mets fans long for the days of Mel Stottlemyre, Bob Apodaca, and dare I say it Rick Peterson.
The good news is the Mets won the game on a great effort by relief pitcher Raul Valdes. The even better news is that soon these rodeo riders will be bucked off; unfortunately, well after 8 seconds.
Check out www.thejfexperience.com for fun analysis on all of the days major sports topics!
After Maine walked the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first, he threw one more pitch (for a ball) before getting a visit from not only Warthen but trainer Ray Ramirez and Manuel as well. Manuel almost immediately signaled to the bullpen for lefty Raul Valdes, leaving Maine shaking his head in disbelief.
After the game, Warthen gave the media as unprofessional of an excuse as I have ever heard regarding this rash move. He called Maine a “habitual liar” as it relates to his chronic injury. He went on to explain that Maine was not throwing well in the bullpen prior to the game but Maine had convinced him that he felt fine and he was ready to pitch.
Three and a half hours after being pulled from the game, Maine was still visibly upset as his answers to the media were so unintelligible that it sounded more like Boomhower than a usually well spoken athlete.
During spring training, Warthen expressed on many occasions that his focus for the starting pitchers was to throw strikes. Obviously his coaching has been a more of a detriment to the team as no pitcher in the major leagues has gotten there by throwing balls at a lower level.
This rash move was spurred by something else.
Jerry Manuel and his coaching staff are clinging to their jobs like a group of rodeo riders. It is these kinds of moves that show the sheer desperation of this motley crew. Players don’t appreciate it, fans don’t appreciate it, and I can’t believe that ownership will appreciate it either.
The good news is the Mets won the game on a great effort by relief pitcher Raul Valdes. The even better news is that soon these rodeo riders will be bucked off; unfortunately, well after 8 seconds.
Check out www.thejfexperience.com for fun analysis on all of the days major sports topics!
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