The struggles that the Indians have had the last couple of years has raised a nagging question for me - can it be put on the shoulders of Eric Wedge?
Now, I am not using the Reds in this example, even though we know they have struggled longer than the Tribe, because during their disastrous performances the Indians have been pretty loaded. Loaded with a mix of excellent young talent and solid veteran leadership. But for some reason they have been unable to put together the type of season they are capable of on a consistent basis. Yes, they show flashes of talent, and yes, they have had a few good seasons and a couple excellent ones lately. But with the personnel they have, they should be contending every year.
So this begs the question of who is to blame? This certainly does not apply simply to the Indians, but to all teams. Take the Yankees. They believed it was Torre’s fault, so he was sacked.
Maybe it is just me, but when a manager is fired and no other changes are made it seems like the manager is getting shafted, big time. There are plenty of others that are also responsible for a team’s performance.
What do you think? Should the manager be where the buck stops?
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that, according to Sports Illustrated, Eric Wedge has been voted as one of the most unpopular managers in baseball. Of course, this is not a survey of every player in the MLB, but rather of 380 players. The question posed was “Which manager do you least want to play for?” Wedge received 4 percent of the vote, good enough for fourth place.
“Sweet” Lou Piniella garnered the most ire with 26 percent of the vote. The entire story can be viewed here.
Apparently Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo has problems with his pitching hand, and no, it’s not from pitching. Arroyo plays the guitar and has even put out an album, held concerts and performed in commercials. Personally, I laughed out loud the first time I saw the commercial. And to this day I enjoy making fun of it.
However, the guitar playing has led to Bronson to develop carpal tunnel syndrome in his right hand. As such, he has decided to lay off the guitar playing for a bit. The complete story can be read here.
I’m sure I speak for all Reds fans in saying that hopefully Arroyo will realize his right hand should be saved for something a teeny more important than strumming. Like throwing strikes. Consistently.
Via the Dispatch blog and the Oklahoman, a video from the press conference introducing former Buckeye B.J. Mullens as a new addition to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with lottery pick James Harden.
