Friday, July 03, 2009

Juan Pierre and the Price of Readiness

Does this qualify as irony? Juan Pierre's famed work ethic has just cost him a starting job. By demonstrating his ability to produce with little or no warning, Pierre has made himself into the ultimate bench player.

Now that we've got that out of the way, time for the important stuff: When will Manny hit his first post-suspension home run? Participate in our new poll on the sidebar.

8 comments:

Nostradamus said...

If the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and the price of eternal vigilance is being demoted to fourth outfielder, does that make riding the bench Juan's patriotic duty?

berkowit28 said...

My theory is that Pierre's work ethic is what makes him a poor everyday player. He's now several years older than when he started this stuff. At this point in his life, after practicing for 6 hours or whatever it is, every day, and then going out there and playing a full game, he's getting too tired to give his best after 3 weeks or so of this regimen. When he goes back to the bench, the 6 hours practice doesn't do him the same harm, and he stays fresh, ready for the next bench appearance or to step in when someone gets injured or suspended.

But if he'd just sleep in a bit longer, take it easier, and reduce his practice to 2 hours a day like everyone else, he'd stay more alert and be a better everyday player. It's his work ethic and lack of smarts about it that's doing him in.

rbnlaw said...

Shed no tears for Beast Mode. He'll come in for Manny as a defensive sub for the first few weeks, then get his spot starts. Will he produce? Probably.
Will he be happy? Probably not, but one thing he's learned in the past year is to put up and shut up. Winning heals all wounds.

Oh, and Plashke is still an idiot. I'm listening to him on ESPN right now. He's taking the whole thing personally.

MR.F said...

I could see Beast Mode starting at least once a week, possibly giving Kemp, Ethier, and Manny one day off every 3 weeks.

Nostradamus said...

rbnlaw,

I am constantly amazed to find that there could be more subjects about which Bill Plashke and I disagree. He seems to delight in finding new ways to disgust me.

Unknown said...

Those who voted to bench anyone other than Pierre obviously hate baseball.

Unknown said...

Or are just Giants fans.

rbnlaw said...

So true, Mr. C. So true.
Plaschke used to be the nice guy and the "feel good" columnist. Now he makes Simers look like a journalist.