Tropical Storm Lunch Break – 8/19/08 – Boo-Birds
By Scott Caruso | August 19th, 2008 | Posted in Discussion
So, it’s come to this.
First, the B.J. Upton apologists claimed that Upton was being unfairly singled out by Joe Maddon. Then they, whether in jest or not, began claiming that B.J. was being singled out because of his race. Then, after B.J. clearly erred again by failing to run out TWO ground balls in a game, they took to trying to time the running speed of all other Rays batters out of the batter’s box. (Whether the point was that Maddon should be sitting other players or they were trying to make a “See! Everyone else is doing it!” 4th grade argument remains up for debate.)
And now, they’ve directed their anger towards the fans of the Rays, ripping them for expressing their right to free speech and booing B.J. Upton at the Trop last night.
I think what the Upton backers – most of whom tend to be the uberest of the uber stat geeks – tend to forget is that most fans don’t know about, and nor do they care about, things like EQA or even OBP. Is it true that a player who excels in these areas is going to help a team win? Absolutely. And if the team is winning, do the fans tend to be happier? Again, absolutely.
The problem is, however, that most fans – those who pay their hard-earned money to fund the team – care more about heart, hustle, and the perception that a player cares as much or more about the team as they do than they do about peripheral stats, ESPECIALLY when the team is going well. Is it paradoxical? You bet. But it’s the way it is.
Take, for example, the mother and father who take their 5-year-old son or daughter to the Trop and they see B.J. Upton loafing into second where he gets tagged out because he broke down to a jog 40 feet before the base. Do you really expect that mother and father to say to their child, “Don’t worry, son. It’s okay that he didn’t give full effort because he’s got the best on-base percentage on the team. Everyone knows that people who are better than everyone else don’t need to try as hard”? Of course not! What kind of lesson is that to teach to a kid?
We’ve ALWAYS been taught from the day we’re born that with hard work, hustle, and determination, you can really do or be anything you want. It’s just the nature of our society. You don’t like the guy who gets a promotion ahead of you even though he appears to be working half as hard, do you?
This is not meant to indict Upton as someone who loafs or half-asses it. I’m simply discussing the PERCEPTION as such, whether true or not. The discussion of whether or not he really is lazy or aloof or both has already been driven into the ground.
Instead, this is more about a fan’s right to boo players on his own team if he wants. And though it’s clear that B.J. Upton can be a superior offensive player, the fact of the matter is that he HAS been making a ton of bonehead moves on the basepaths this year. Many of those moves stem from this perceived lack of effort that has been discussed (heck, even Dwayne Staats is talking about it now, and those guys RARELY rip the home team). To expect the paying fans to either cheer for or sit on their hands while B.J. Upton continues to make such mistakes is both silly and irrational.
I’m not saying you SHOULD go out to the Trop and boo Upton. That’s your preroggative and I’m not going to try to sway you one way or the other. But, if you are displeased with his play or his effort, you are very well within your rights to go out there and show it. Most change, of course, comes from someone being so embarassed by their behavior that they need to straighten up. Maybe getting loudly booed at home is the kind of embarassment B.J. needs
August 19th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Good post. I still dislike the use of the term “apologists”, because there is a faintly pejorative connotation to it, and I don’t think most people who are examining the issue from various perspectives are apologizing for his behavior. They are simply trying to balance some of the more outrageous criticisms.
As for the rest of your post, although again I am tired of references to “stats geeks” as if that really stale cliche is a meaningful description, but I think your fundamental points are perfectly legitimate. Upton has made mistakes and it is important that he learn from them. Because I am pretty certain he is both intelligent and a very dedicated worker, I am confident he will. The only issue is whether those now attacking him will recognize the change and cheer when he deserves it.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
First, I never agree to booing one’s own team. Not saying no one else can, but just that I have never and will never. I simply refrain from applauding given player, unit, team, etc, as my own way of expressing my displeasure with something.
Second, I agree that the total lack of effort on B.J.’s part is very discouraging given that it continues to happen despite recent developments. Simply put, even if you want to excuse this, this team cannot afford to show a lack of effort. This team simply isn’t so much better than everyone else in baseball to be able to do this. What if these things happen in Game 7 of a playoff series? Will excuses be made then too? Right now B.J. is developing some very bad habits in regard to effort and hustle.
Third, I think Bossman might be the most talented player on the team, and that is why to me it is so much more frustrating to see him give away outs.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Stat geeks? You know you are stereotyping a very large group of people when you say this, right?? Sounds like someone is spending far too much time on draysbay.
Anyway, I’m not a stat geek or an ‘apologist.’ In regards to errors on the basepaths, I do feel Upton has been unfairly criticized. To me, his speed on the basepaths is an asset best utilized when used aggressively. While that might lead to outs or errors in judgment here and there, his 36 steals alone suggest his style of play has plenty of positives. Not to mention, the psychological effect and additional pressure it has on opposing pitchers and catchers when he is on the bases (ie. how many times have opposing catchers thrown the ball into centerfield when Upton is trying to steal second??)
In regards to his hustle lately, I totally agree with Maddon addressing the issue and benching Upton twice. While he is not the only one who is guilty of slacking while running down the line, he has been the most obvious as of late and was very much deserving of some form of punishment. In my mind, accountability will only make this team stronger in the end.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, Upton is only 23 years old. There are going to be growing pains in the early parts of his career. People need to understand that. In reading his comments in the paper recently, he appears to be taking full responsibility of his actions which in itselt is a great sign. As much as I appreciate hustle and effort, I can also admire someone who takes their lumps like a man.
Let’s give him the rest of the season to prove himself before we start jumping down his throat for every play he makes. Dude is an integral part of this team and has been scorching the ball in the last few games. Like we need Bartlett, Longo, Crawford, Aki, Pena or whomever, this team also needs BJ Upton offensively and defensively. While I agree criticism is fair when deserved, I sure hope people jump back on board the ship when Upton matures, limits his mistakes and goes back to crushing balls and making stellar catches in centerfield.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:23 am
We can chastised our own players just like we do our own kids and that doesn’t mean we don’t love them. I didn’t Boo but I understood and I did have a sign with RUN FOREST (X’ ed out and substituted with BJ) RUN. We also cheered BJ-BJ-BJ-BJ when he came to the plate in the 8th. It’s over and let’s play ball. Let’s clip the ANGELS wings
August 20th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I recommend John Romano’s column in today’s St. Pete Times. It starts on page 1A, not in the sports section, but it is about Upton.