The Red Sox played the Tigers tonight. Boston was up 9-8 going into the bottom of the ninth, after coming back from an 8-4 deficit. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon took the mound.
In the bottom of the ninth, Papelbon gave up two unearned runs, blowing his first save in 11 chances, and the Red Sox lost 10-9.
Papelbon, in a rage, took out his frustration on a couple of beverage coolers in the dugout, shoving and kicking them around while also throwing down his glove. There was no audio for the footage shown on ESPNews, but I'm sure Papelbon also had a few choice words for those coolers!
When was the last time you saw a Reds pitcher show such emotion after blowing a save, or getting rocked for a bunch of runs in an inning before getting pulled? When was the last time you saw ANY player on this team show ANY emotion during a game? I think that is one of the elements missing from the Reds. There is no fire, there is no real commitment, except among a very few players.
The Reds need to let out some rage, vent some frustration, show some emotion once in a while. I think it would help unify the team and get some fire going in their bellies. They're not hungry for some reason, and that needs to change, and quickly.
Aaron Harang, one of the most docile players in the entire league, threw his glove, hat, and a few other things around in the dugout after he gave up a 2 run seeing eye single to Ronny Cedeno against the Cubs. I would like to see more of that.
You're right, rh -- and Harang may be one of the few who feels the commitment strongly enough to let it out!
Something else, too. I remember, when the Reds would get a walk-off win, they would always gather around the plate and then "jump around" as a group when the winning run reached the plate. Do they still do that? I can't remember the last time I saw it. Maybe there simply haven't been many opportunities recently.
Last time I checked, every team still did that type of celebration at home plate after the winning run scored. Problem is we haven't had those opportunities this season because our awffense is so awful.
The water coolers in Boston are very old and easy to assault.
In the GABP, the coolers are much more aggressive, having been trained at the Sly Stallone Academy.
Gotta learn to pick your fights!
But I did want to put this out there ... does anybody beside myself believe that Griffey is hiding an injury? This guy is hitting like old people f**k ... I would not be surprised to see him on the DL soon.
(BTW, I am one of the old people, so don't start on that one.)
John - I have noticed two occasions at the plate in the last week. One time shaking his wrist, and another time limping around the plate. I'll bet he has some aches, no bdoubt, but is probably playing through them trying to get this team back on track. Dusty even asked him if he wanted to sit the other day when he found out about the passing of one of his best friends, and he said he would rather be ni the lineup. Griffey is still a class act in my book. He is aging, and the numbers reflect that. I still think he has the heart of Jr. "The Kid" though.
I'm not sure if I want the Reds to run around in a rage, kicking things and swearing but I would like them to play like they want it. You can show your emotions on the field. They just need to focus their frustrations. When a player is playing with passion you can tell. Just look at Freel. You could tell he was really ticked at himself after he missed that catch off the tip of his glove a few days ago but he goes out later and plays his ass off. That's what I think is lacking from the Reds. Just watch Dunn out there. He never hussles or lays out. I just don't see much effort out there sometimes. Plus, when we strike out they just walk away like nothing happened. It's annoying.
