06-01-2009, 09:24 AM
I posted this elsewhere and the responses sucked. Basically no one saw my point and it turned into a Mark DeRosa thread.
Anyway, the gist of what I'll write below is that I think having charismatic leaders on the team is of great benefit. This doesn't mean all players on a successful team should be grandstander, but rather we could use some guys that take charge and do it with energy. Also, I think the best thing for a team like ours--who appears stagnated-- would be to really shake things up. I'm not sure how, but it may help re-develop us.
With that said, here we go...keep in mind that these are just ideas and observations, and I'm merely trying to solicit opinions on whether or not team chemistry and energy is important.
---
First of all, this team sorely misses a player the caliber of Sammy Sosa. In fact, I think he may be looked at as the next Ron Santo in terms of an invaluable player. I hope I'm wrong. But steroid allegations aside, Sosa was someone who you could count on. Sure he went through his struggles in 2003, but he was a man who played the game hard. Yes, he wanted those beefy numbers, but he also wanted to rile everyone up in a good way. The way he sprinted out to the outfield, he was a good showman--but at the same time wanted to create energy.
We have no one on this team (and haven't since he left) that can do that sort of thing. Lee--boring. Ramirez--boring. Soriano--boring. All have had their successes on the field, but as far as energy and excitement, they are lacking.
Secondly, and building on that last point, I have always viewed A.J. Pierzynski as the reason the White Sox won the series in 05. Now for the record, I can't stand the prick. He was the kind of guy that all other MLB teams hate, but he plays to win. I remember during the Angels series that year, he hit a big double. And when the cameras jumped to him on second base--he was acting like a mad-man out there. People see that sort of aggression and energy, and it becomes contagious throughout the team. Bradley could be that sort of player--but he is too much of an excuse maker--and way too inconsistent.
I remember a few years back (I think it was 2003) that the Cubs were in a 1 run deficit heading to the 9th. Sosa stepped up to the plate, and he was looking to shoot one to the lake; and he did. That tied up the game. The crowd was going ballistic, absolutely buzzing. Alou comes up and feeds off that energy and guess what? Walk-off home run. I used to feel that sort of magic, and even though the past few years have been successful, it feels too corporate for me.
This all brings me to my last point--the Garciaparra factor. I am pointing to the fact that sometimes a big move such as getting rid of your "best" player or a fan favorite is just what the doctor ordered. Don't they have a term for it? The Patrick Ewing theory? Look, I am not going to say trade Lee, Soriano or whoever else. Rather, I'll just throw it out there that sometimes the best thing that can happen to a team is to make a major move.
To be concise, I feel that this team needs some sort of energy influx into the roster. Whether it be through player or coaching changes--that still remains to be seen.
Anyway, the gist of what I'll write below is that I think having charismatic leaders on the team is of great benefit. This doesn't mean all players on a successful team should be grandstander, but rather we could use some guys that take charge and do it with energy. Also, I think the best thing for a team like ours--who appears stagnated-- would be to really shake things up. I'm not sure how, but it may help re-develop us.
With that said, here we go...keep in mind that these are just ideas and observations, and I'm merely trying to solicit opinions on whether or not team chemistry and energy is important.
---
First of all, this team sorely misses a player the caliber of Sammy Sosa. In fact, I think he may be looked at as the next Ron Santo in terms of an invaluable player. I hope I'm wrong. But steroid allegations aside, Sosa was someone who you could count on. Sure he went through his struggles in 2003, but he was a man who played the game hard. Yes, he wanted those beefy numbers, but he also wanted to rile everyone up in a good way. The way he sprinted out to the outfield, he was a good showman--but at the same time wanted to create energy.
We have no one on this team (and haven't since he left) that can do that sort of thing. Lee--boring. Ramirez--boring. Soriano--boring. All have had their successes on the field, but as far as energy and excitement, they are lacking.
Secondly, and building on that last point, I have always viewed A.J. Pierzynski as the reason the White Sox won the series in 05. Now for the record, I can't stand the prick. He was the kind of guy that all other MLB teams hate, but he plays to win. I remember during the Angels series that year, he hit a big double. And when the cameras jumped to him on second base--he was acting like a mad-man out there. People see that sort of aggression and energy, and it becomes contagious throughout the team. Bradley could be that sort of player--but he is too much of an excuse maker--and way too inconsistent.
I remember a few years back (I think it was 2003) that the Cubs were in a 1 run deficit heading to the 9th. Sosa stepped up to the plate, and he was looking to shoot one to the lake; and he did. That tied up the game. The crowd was going ballistic, absolutely buzzing. Alou comes up and feeds off that energy and guess what? Walk-off home run. I used to feel that sort of magic, and even though the past few years have been successful, it feels too corporate for me.
This all brings me to my last point--the Garciaparra factor. I am pointing to the fact that sometimes a big move such as getting rid of your "best" player or a fan favorite is just what the doctor ordered. Don't they have a term for it? The Patrick Ewing theory? Look, I am not going to say trade Lee, Soriano or whoever else. Rather, I'll just throw it out there that sometimes the best thing that can happen to a team is to make a major move.
To be concise, I feel that this team needs some sort of energy influx into the roster. Whether it be through player or coaching changes--that still remains to be seen.
"Last year, I was sort of a kid and I was a little scared, I ain't scared any more."
Quote:- Hank Aaron