7/4/07: Those Aren't Fireworks, That's Just Davis Sitting There.

I was just listening to tonight's game and quite frankly a commentary is needed. When I hear Bobby Mac stating that a call was horrific and that he is shocked that the manager didn't even move to argue the play, it tells me a lot. With all due respect, when guys paid for BY the Chiefs are criticizing the lack of emotion of the coach, it should wake people up. I want a cushy job that involves doing nothing. Apparently that is what Davis has. He has been so apathetic towards this team, it embarrasses me as a fan.

Under the management of Davis, Syracuse has had two players suspended. Both of which were for off field incidents. He has had multiple players involved in verbal confrontations with both umpires and other players, none of which were visibly punished on field, via suspension, nor the player being sat out. I have lost count as to how many calls have been blown or changed that there has been to explanation even requested for. We aren't asking for you to go out there and throw bases and kick dirt, but at least defend your team. When an umpire does not get in position to even see a play at third base and there is no big deal made when the guy was out by a mile (May 21 vs Durham), that isn't managing.

You can tell managers who want to win by the way they handle themselves. They are the guys who have the fire in their eyes, who are willing to fight for their team. When close calls go against them, they at least make the umpire take notice that they want their share of the calls. They don't stand there and play their third base coach role, clapping as their player swings at a ball in the dirt or as the umpire calls him out on strikes on a ball at the shins. The ones who want to win are at least acknowledging that the player needs to shape up or that the umpire blew the call.

Anyways, in other news...

Brandon League has been sent back to Syracuse.

Outfielder Jeff Duncan was released. That's great Toronto. Keep Beau Kemp on the official roster (as per syracusechiefs.com) but release a guy who fought back from injury caused partially by the stadium's lack of warning track. I understand that either Adam Lind or Reed Johnson will be in Syracuse after Johnson rehabs, but that's still a tough pill to swallow.