June 05, 2007
Rangers and Washington
There's a philosophical split between Ron Washington and some Texas Rangers players:
Consider his dispute with Teixeira, which Washington describes as "nothing personal, just two competitors going at it." In Washington's view, Teixeira and the Rangers' other hitters need to demonstrate more patience at critical junctures. The Rangers rank fifth in the AL in pitches per plate appearance, but Washington laments their "swing-swing-swing" mentality.
"A lot of times we make three outs on four or five pitches," Washington says. "I just can't see that late in the game when you're four or five runs down. You're at the point where the starter is out of the game, you're in the middle (of the bullpen), these are the guys you want to get to. I've never asked him (Teixeira) to do it when the closer is in the game. But the middle guys, you want to make 'em throw.
"He feels like he's going to only get one pitch in that type of situation to do something with. He wants to take advantage of it. I've got no problem with that. But can you guarantee with that one pitch that you're going to do something with it?
"I don't think any ballplayer on earth can guarantee that. You might pop it up, miss it, roll over it, jam yourself. Then you make one out on one pitch. I want to see him get a pitchers' strike right there. Make him throw a pitch. Make him throw a first-pitch strike, then fight."
Managers face difficulty changing the approach of an established hitter. If Washington wants that kind of team, Daniels needs to get him those type of players, or train them from the ground up.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:31 AM
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I could understand Washington if Teixeira was significantly worse with RISP or Close and Later, but neither is the case. He's got a .468 OBP with RISP and a .548 OBP Close and Late. Doesn't sound like a guy who makes lots of quick outs.
if Washington really thinks Teixeira is impatient, he's dumber than I think he is. And I think Washington is really dumb already for getting into a public dispute with the team's franchise player, who just happens to be a free agent after the 2008 season.
Teixeira has a career .368 OBP, and has drawn 68, 72 and 89 walks in his past three seasons. He's on pace for more than 100 walks this year and has a .402 OBP. What in Hades does Washington want? He should be praising Teixeira's plate discipline.
Instead of pissing off his best player, Washington might consider doing something about the team's godawful starting pitching. But he's got no experience with pitchers and no clue about how to improve a staff. Washington seems to be all-round clueless.
One tiny correction: Teixeira is on pace for exactly 100 walks this season. Doesn't change the obvious fact that Washington should be thanking the baseball gods for giving him Teixeira instead of publicly ripping him. Real shrewd, Ron. How about working with that rabble you call "starting pitchers"?
maybe this is a perfect spot for pat burrell.