Commentary: 6/15/07

Watching tonight's game, I began to see the same things and issues that dropped Syracuse 10 games back earlier this year. As a fan, I cannot help but get frustrated, not by the loss, but by the way the game occurred. So I guess without further ado, my takes on the team's issues, which seem to be returning.

1. Managing

Now before I go off on this rant, I want to say I am sure that manager Doug Davis is a nice guy and that this has to do with his decisions only. The fact that he is probably a nice guy, actually factors into some of the issues themselves.

The main issue I am catching now is that he coaches way too by the books. What I am talking about is that of every 3-0 count, he has not yet EVER given a player the green light to swing away. Obviously there are many situations where the red light is a must, but when you have a hot hitting guy knowing he will get a great pitch down the middle, why not give him a chance. Any pitcher who has a scouting report on this team is bound to be confident that he can make the count 3-1, with very little fear of his blatant fastball down the middle being even having a chance at being swung at. Another "by the books" issue is bunting. Tonight there was a situation with Erik Kratz on second and Wayne Lydon on first with no one out. Anyone who has watched a game knows that Kratz just doesn't have good speed. He is a bulky player and a catcher. Jeff Duncan shows bunt the 1st pitch and everyone in the stadium sees a beautiful shift by Toledo, who obviously knows a bunt is coming and is setting up for the throw to third. After seeing this move, is there a change in plan? Nope. You can't help but thing if Duncan even put the ball in play with a swing that there would be some interesting confusion amongst the infield, who are running around to cover the bunt. Pretty much anything up the middle was going to be a hit. If I can call these plays out myself, you know any opposing manager who pays attention is going to be catching it too.

Another issue is the lack of defending his players. This season, the umpires have been extremely inconsistent for all sides. Players are feeling that they are getting hosed on calls and arguing with umpires. Only once have I see Davis step in. What baffles me is that he is not even attempting to get explanations from umpires in these situations. While it would be nice to see some heart and fire from him (which would carry over onto the field with his players), I think the guys at least deserve to have SOMEONE back them up.

I also think that in regards to pitching, Rick Langford and Davis are way too slow to react. I understand in some situations there are pitch counts for rehabbing players, but when a guy like Josh Banks or Ty Taubenheim are having an off day like both had in games earlier this season, giving up 7-8 runs in the first inning, the bullpen should be called much earlier. If the guys work through their issues before the guy is warmed up, then you can decide to keep him in, but these guys have been way too reactive and not even well at that, instead of being proactive.

2. Heart

When this team wants to play a nine inning game, we get some amazing comebacks and great play. Unfortuately, there are too many nights where there is just not enough hustle or care. For example, tonight in the field, Ray Olmedo took a couple late inning grounders and each throw had no umph on it and Kevin Barker had to make a scoops. There was no rush, no unplanted feet, nothing...just what looked like a lack of caring. On a hit to left-center, Mike Vento watched a ball assuming it was going to be a home run, if he hustled he could have made the catch. Now, I am not grouping every guy into this, as there are many who want to prove they belong and that they can do better. A dive or a jump here and there isn't going to hurt anyone.

3. Toronto

This is a continual problem I have. The Blue Jays reaction time kills me. I have mentioned it before, but there is no reason to keep Curtis Thigpen in Toronto, who now have FOUR catchers, and enough guys besides that who can cover their first base injury. We are left with a struggling Kratz and a guy who was barely allowed to play in New Hampshire. They leave us half the season without even one lefty pitcher, while two great lefty pitchers (David Purcey and Lee Gronkiewicz) were down in New Hampshire, both guys having seen time in Syracuse before.


So take it or leave it, these are a few major points that need to be taken care of if this team has any shot at fighting for a playoff spot. This team has the talent to do it, very little weak spots overall, at least on paper. Here's to hoping it starts gelling again on the field. And let me leave you with one last question... John Hattig, why on Earth are you not in the lineup, especially since you were finally showing some good consistency?