TERRY MOSHER
I don’t know where I get my attitude, but I’m a person who doesn’t like to jump on bandwagons. If I do jump on one, it’s usually way after it’s overflowing with people hanging on by their fingertips.
Even though I have not expressed myself on Jack Zduriencik, for example, I have also not jumped on the bandwagon that has carried him with great favor so far. There is something about Jack Z that hasn’t impressed me. For one thing, the Mariners front office led by CEO Howard Lincoln does not hire people who don’t toe a strict franchise line. And that goes for manager Lloyd McClendon, who comes across in public as one tough hombre, but I suspect he’s not as tough as he seems when it comes to being asked to toe the line.
I don’t know why I’m this way. Maybe it comes from my early years and my family. They were all doers, not talkers. Still are. If there was hard work, it was done without question and not talked about after it was done. It was just done because, well, it had to be done.
So when I see somebody fly into town and is decorated as the second-coming of whoever, I stand back and wonder why? Same goes with Robinson Cano. Yeah, I will agree he’s a very good second baseman and has a sweet swing. But he’s not a $240 million man in my opinion. Why sign a guy of that stature and not provide him with support around him in the lineup? Because, no matter if it’s Babe Ruth in the lineup, he needs protection in that lineup or else teams would be foolish to pitch to him.
And one $240 million man is not going to carry this team, or any team, to great heights. Baseball teams need more than one superstar guy. Even Randy Johnson, one of the most feared pitchers I have seen, could not carry the M’s by himself.
But, yeah, I did jump on Randy’s bandwagon. He was that good, and tough as nails once on the mound. He wasn’t the greatest of guys to like. His moods were dark, and he treated writers like me with distain. He gets my vote for the Hall of Fame, though, even though he often could be a jerk.
I just like tough guys. I like the Jay Buhner’s and the Edgar Martinez’s. Buhner was talkative and funny and Edgar was not talkative. Both, however, were very strong and tough.
So, yeah, I got on their bandwagons early.
Jack Z doesn’t fit the mold of a tough guy. And I think he’s been snookered on a couple trades – Doug Fister and Adam Jones. Fister bought mainly Charlie Furbush and Casper Wells from Detroit. Jack Z got Erik Bedard and three others for Jones.
Bedard is the exact opposite of toughness. You were lucky to see the sixth inning with him, when he was healthy, or wasn’t complaining about being hurt. Where were team scouts and Jack Z when they tossed about this trade?
McClendon’s previous managerial experience was with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-2005. In his five seasons there his Pirate teams were 336-446, a .432 winning percentage. If that percentage holds true, the Mariners will wind up this season with a 70-92 record. Since they are on an eight-game losing streak as I write this that may be stretching it a little.
And, yes, I believe a manager can make a difference. They just don’t fill out lineup cards and toss out the baseballs. Lou Piniella is my answer to that. Now, Lou was tough. He might be the toughest of the tough.
I haven’t jumped on the Seahawks’ bandwagon, either. Yeah, they were very, very good this past Super Bow champion season. The dismantling of Peyton Manning and the Broncos was most impressive, maybe the most impressive of any Super Bowl.
If the back it up with another great run – they don’t have to win the Super Bowl – I will be convinced that Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider are nearly an unbeatable combination.
However, because of salary cap limitations, the NFL is a league that makes it difficult to build a dynasty like the old Browns, Bears, Cowboys, Steelers, 49ers, Raiders, Lions and Packers.
So we’ll see. In the meantime, I’m not getting on any bandwagon. I’m walking.
Be well pal.
Be careful out there.
Have a great day.
You are loved.