Doug’s Four-Point Stance: Not all D-backs are ‘gritty’ yet
Apr 22, 2013, 5:32 PM | Updated: Jul 26, 2024, 1:12 pm
DIAMONDBACKS:
Judging baseball teams on wins and losses is an easy concept. A deeper way to judge an organization is on series victories. Before a series, teams go through meetings to digest scouting reports to cover different scenarios and matchups. The outcome of a series pits every member of an organization against each other. Which team has drafted and signed the best players; which team has the best advanced scouts to pick up the opponent’s secrets; which team’s manager makes the right decisions based on the info; which players properly digest the info and execute the game plan determines who will win the series.
The Diamondbacks have lost 3 of the last 4 series. The last seven losses have been by 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 and 1. “Grinders” should have won more of those games. Occasionally, grinders will get blown out because the opponent’s talent just overcomes you. However, grinders find ways to win close games.
Sure, if you’re in the Diamondbacks organization you’ll say it’s the grinder mentality that even made the game close at all. That’s an excuse. The errors, the base running and the lack of two-strike execution are the reasons why the Diamondbacks have lost three of their last four series. If you’re going to move more talented players for clubhouse chemistry, I’m on board if it’s for the right players. “Grinder” is a great compliment and some of the Diamondback players haven’t earned the title yet.
GREGG POPOVICH:
There are little things that coaches do. DeJuan Blair only played three minutes, which is more than I thought he would. He’s a bad matchup against Los Angeles because Pau Gasol will pass over the top of him to Dwight Howard. However, without Howard on the floor, it becomes Gasol’s weak physical stature against Blair’s brute strength. When Howard picked up his fourth foul, Blair went in. Three minutes: 1 assist, 1 block and a tip-out rebound, while Gasol was 0-1.
The other masterful job of Popovich was using enough of Ginobili to have a major impact in limited minutes. The team doctor gave Popovich 20 minutes to play Manu. Ginobili played 19 but put in 18 points on 13 shots.
CHAD FAIRCHILD:
Bud Selig has done some excellent things as commissioner. The steroid scandal is, by far, his biggest failure. I think umpire management is a distant second.
Fairchild’s ejection of Cody Ross Saturday was a joke. Fairchild clearly has an ego problem. Fairchild was bent out of shape at Martin Prado for complaining about balls and strikes, so he throws out Ross. There were two clear things that Fairchild doesn’t seem to understand: 1) You’re not that good of an umpire, and 2) No one bought a ticket or turned on the TV to watch you ump.
Where are you, Bud? When an umpire allows his feelings and ego to be interjected into the game, he must be fined or suspended. The penalty must be public so every player, fan and other umpires know this isn’t accepted. All of us know when players get suspended, why should umps be different?
NEW YORK JETS FAN:
I love the ignorance of the majority of Jets fans. You’re a fool if you rip this trade. Every two years, Darrelle Revis complains about his contract and threatens to not show up to camp. The Jets received a 1st and a 3rd round pick for a guy who is never happy that is coming off of ACL surgery. I’m sure the 20 percent of Jets fans who actually know football are thrilled.
