I recently watched the movie “Moneyball” for the umpteenth time and there’s a scene in there that always reminds me of Buster Posey. After the A’s lost yet another game, Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland A’s at that time, walked into the players locker room to raucous music and laughter among the players. Beane then walks over to a rather large water cooler, picks it up and throws it across the floor creating a real mess and a really large noise, followed by complete silence. After a short time, Beane asked everyone what they’re so happy about’. Complete silence. He asks if they liked losing. Again, complete silence at which time Beane says “Do you like losing?………. This is what losing sounds like!” He then turns around and walks out with the bat ~ I think he had a bat. Whew! An intense scene.
I always think of Buster Posey when I watch this part, because I remember reading about him as a young player. I couldn’t find the article, but it had something to do with him chastising his teammates after a game they lost and asking them why they were celebrating, which in my mind was a completely reasonable attitude. And after 12 years having the privilege of watching Buster Posey with the Giants, I believe that’s exactly how he would react in that same circumstance if it were to happen again today.
So a few weeks ago I’m reading Evan Webeck’s article in the Mercury News about Blake Snell’s scheduled start, his last of the season but he decided he “didn’t want to play”. That’s what he decided. Basically, he said he would have played if the Giants were in contention, in the playoffs, but since they weren’t, the game had no meaning and he didn’t want to play, to make his final “scheduled” start of the season.
A few things for Mr. Snell to ponder. For one thing, the grass isn’t always greener, free agency can be a crapshoot, your teammates are listening, and your fan base can fall apart as fast as it came together. The real surprise to me is that Management seems to be seriously working on a proposal to get you back with the Giants again, whatever it takes. Seriously?
A few things for Management to consider. What about the effect this mght have on the younger players and for that matter for those seasoned players who’ve been there and done that? What message are you sending to them if you allow a player with a helluva lot of talent, but not a lot to show for it, at least not this year, to call the shots? To dictate how, what, where, when and why?
And please don’t forget the fans! Well, okay, we can always watch it on TV, or can we? If we quit coming to the games, the prices on the telly will have to go sky high to pay for all this and then where will you be? My thought is embrace the strong fan base that we do have now.
To our dear Buster Posey. We’re all thrilled you’re a “forever Giant” and you’re here. I’m sure there’s nothing being said that you haven’t heard before. You seem to understand the plot, or ploy, that Mr. Snell finds himself in. But your heart can’t possibly be in it. You spoke with your bat every time you stepped up to the plate and we know you. As President of Baseball Operations how will you handle this situation? When free agency comes up will you forget self-serving motives or will you embrace the team spirit attitude that prevailed around your entire team when you were a Giant? My prayer is that you and Bob Melvin embrace the spirit of the game, the fans and especially the players, and not the “what’s in it for me and it’s the money stupid” mentality so prevalent in all sports today. Of course, it “is” about the money, but it isn’t everything to everybody.
Someone recently wrote that resigning Blake Snell was a strategic necessity for the Giants’ future. I feel that by not signing him, not even being in the race, is a bigger necessity and that’s to help develop the best possible attitude in each of the young players coming up and in those already here for the good of the Team.
My hope is that this No. 7 has no chance of returning to the Giants with his bravado personal opinions of himself and how important and special he thinks he is to the team.
Nice guy? Maybe, probably. But a Team Player? ~ In this writer’s opinion, No, he is not!
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