Mr "no way" Spivey

[mark1]

This attitude of Junior's, saying there is "no way" he is going to play outfield may get him shipped out of town. I'm getting sick of athletes who put themselves ahead of the team. The object is still to win isn't it? If the manager asks you to play a different position than you're accustomed to, your answer should be, OK skipper, I'll do whatever helps the team. This makes Junior look like a me first player, and we don't need any more of them on this team.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/0722dbnb0722.html

 

[FORKTUNG]

'Spivey, who returned from a left ankle sprain, said there is "no way" he's going to play outfield.'

I'm sure Mr Colangelo will be happy to accomodate his demand by sending him to another team that needs a second baseman.

Don't you find it interesting though that once these players leave AZ they suddenly become willing to play other positions? Tony says he'll play outfield. BK says he'll close.

Myers is another complainer. Oh and Mantei too. Of course with the lack of save opportunities lately Mantei isn't getting to pitch much, heh.

 

[AZZenny]

Some much-better players than Junior have agreed to try a new position to accomodate their team's needs, over the years. I'm pretty disappointed with this attitude, if it's accurately reported. (OF COURSE! it could be just media scattering bread crumbs to lead the fans towards accepting a trade which 6 weeks ago would have been quite unthinkable.)

No wonder the organization really likes utility guys. You can reposition them if needed without tripping over an overstuffed sense of self-importance. I hope Grace and Counsell and Miguel pull Spivey into a corner and give him a little "Come-to-Jeeeesus" talk about putting team needs first and shutting your trap.

 

[mark1]

I have no idea who will be involved but, I think a trade is in the works.

 

[BC867]

Brenly was quoted as saying that Junior will start tonight at 2B against the Giants left-hander . . . but made no commitment beyond that.

 

[Matrix31]

I dont see how you can get a complete opinion from two words. You dont know what else he said or what the question was. Im actually getting pretty sick of the Arizona media laying the seeds for players being bad for "team chemistry." Ill ive heard before this is how great a guy Junior is. Like someone else said, its funny how when the players that are seen to be cancers here go to other teams you never here this sort of thing. Kata is starting to cool off as teams realize he has trouble with breaking balls. He is 1 for his last 16 and is hitting .250 in the month of July with an OPS of below .700. I believe he needs to go down with Hammock and work on hitting offspeed pitches, because thats all they are getting. I still remember Kata's first at bat against Williams, got strike one with a fastball then threw two consecutive curve balls in the dirt to strike him out swinging.

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by FORKTUNG
'Spivey, who returned from a left ankle sprain, said there is "no way" he's going to play outfield.'


Myers is another complainer. Oh and Mantei too.

Seems like a lot of people are "disgruntled" on the team....Wonder why that is.

 

[moviegeekjn]

The quote could be a condensed version of the longer interview published in the Mesa Tribune a couple weeks ago... We HAVE seen the Arizona media crucify certain players in the past out of context.... Could Junior be the next media target?

 

[sly fly]

People need to quit scrutinizing every little thing a player says.

Thin skin is the common theme around here.

 

[schillingfan]

Originally posted by moviegeekjn
The quote could be a condensed version of the longer interview published in the Mesa Tribune a couple weeks ago... We HAVE seen the Arizona media crucify certain players in the past out of context.... Could Junior be the next media target?

Yeah, but the players who received this treatment also received a one way pass out of town to another team. That's enough to make me at least raise my eyebrows. Teams subtly send all kids of messages through the media in order the "prepare" the fans for the loss of a popular player.

 

[Mojo]

That really doesnt sound like Junoir saying no way to the outfield, he never seemed like that kind of guy. But then again after this whole Kobe Bryant thing we never know what these athelets are really like.

 

[RLakin]

Originally posted by sly fly
People need to quit scrutinizing every little thing a player says.

Thin skin is the common theme around here.

Yeah, I don't really have a problem w/ a player one year removed from an All-Star appearance voicing displeasure about a potential position change.
It's been a unwritten rule that players don't lose their jobs due to injury. They want to resume their everyday status, and often become angry when they do not. We already saw this Mantei, which may be why Spivey is a little touchy on this subject.
Still, you talk about media bias and it's funny how columnists jump all over Durazo for what they think he said and then brush off what Spivey directly stated (on the same subject) in that same publication.

 

[Mojo]

Yeah but Spivey didnt refuse to play outfield in the playoffs when everyone other offense weapon on that team was pretty much hurt.

 

[FORKTUNG]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0724dbnb0724.html

Kata, who has a .304 batting average, will expand his versatility to improve his chances of staying sharp. He said he played on the left side for one or two games a week during the Arizona Fall League season.

"But there will be matchups where Kata will play second and Junior will sit against tough right-handers," Brenly said. "But the playing time will sort itself out, depending on who gets the job done."

That could place more pressure on Spivey to produce since he is reluctant to play any other position.

 

[AZZenny]

I recall Kata at third a couple times in AZFL and it didn't look especially comfortable for him, so sort of hate to see him have to develop that skill now. But he has played a fair amount of SS in the past.

 

[Lefty]

Originally posted by AZZenny
I recall Kata at third a couple times in AZFL and it didn't look especially comfortable for him, so sort of hate to see him have to develop that skill now. But he has played a fair amount of SS in the past.

What is the difference than with Kata going to third and Junior to right?

 

[AZZenny]

What is the difference than with Kata going to third and Junior to right?

Well, let's see... Kata is willing to give it a try?

Oh, I know! ...we already have 4 other guys who can play third with a lot more experience, whereas at the time the RF issue came up we were looking for a productive/power bat in RF and didn't have one, and thought maybe Junior could give us something extra that way - assuming he'd be productive at the plate, of course.

Beyond that - got me!

 

[Lefty]

That is not the point. You're saying you don't want Kata to have to develop another skill, Junior feels the same way. He has been brought up to play second.

 

[AZZenny]

I can see how you could easily read it that way - my fault. I meant, however, now is not exactly the ideal time to be learning a position he'd looked poor at, whereas OK, at shortstop he might be adequate. Sort of how I feel about Hillenbrand at third, come to think of it. Hate to see someone play there who doesn't know how to do it effectively. I feel less so about outfield positions, frankly, because I think there usually is less action and less finesse involved.

 

[WizardOfAz]

How do you like me now......double in a run late in the game....

 

[FORKTUNG]

1 for 4

I think Spivey's BA is still lower than Overbays, heh

go figure