Buck's defense of JJ

[crawjo]

If there's one thing I can't stand about forums like these, it's when we all dissect the manager's comments to the press after a game, as if they carry nuggets of wisdom and are not the pre-packaged cliches that they actually are.

[crawjo]

Why interview the manager, Moose?

To here him tell you that his closer, who gave up 4 runs before he could get 3 outs, made a lot of good pitches. The fans deserve a little better than that. The game is played for the fans. The game is supported by the fans. Without the fans, Buck Showalter needs to find a different line of work.

I'm a fan and I don't give a **** what the manager says to the press. It means nothing. I will know what Showalter thinks of his bullpen by the way he manages from here forward.

Honestly most sports journalism is just a waste of time devised to get sports fans to waste their time by having discussions exactly like these.

[El Gordo]

I'm surprised at the number of people who haven't figured out that post game manager interviews are a pro forma media ritual, where substance occurs only by accident. To expect it is naive. To act like Crash Davis homilies are an insult to one's intelligence is to call the existence of the latter into question, IMO.

[LookitsPuck]

Buck shouldn't put his closer on blast. It's a lot different if someone isn't in it mentally or isn't hustling. Players owe it to their manager to give it their all. When Buck sees JJ jumping on the workout bike immediately after a tough loss, watching video after a tough loss and working with Wieters and the pitching staff...then you can't in any capacity question his work ethic or the classic "want-to". The results aren't there, but not for lack of effort. He's going to talk to the media and tell them JJ is our closer. But I can guarantee you he's working behind the scenes to get him right...or eventually put the club in the right position to succeed down the line.

Here's hoping we have the lead tomorrow in the 9th inning. I don't know if Buck will put JJ out there in 3 consecutive games, especially after throwing 37 pitches...the most pitches he's thrown since September 5th, 2011 when he threw 42 pitches....in 3 innings.

Looking back on the blown save, I think Buck was in a precarious situation. He's already used Matusz and Hunter. Steve Johnson was used yesterday. Strop is hurt and on the DL. Buck wanted to stay away from O'Day since he's been using him like crazy this year. It really only left McFarland and Patton. Patton is struggling...but he's probably the most logical choice. I kind of feel after the last walk you need to take Johnson out of there. 37 pitches is the most he's thrown in 1 inning in at least 2 years.

Buck probably saw the ground ball and thought that he could get Kawasaki. Wishful thinking, obviously. But I think you play the match up there and hope for the best. Worst case scenario you have a lefty/lefty matchup with a fresh arm. You take your chances there with JJ struggling.

[Bradysburns]

It's one thing to stand by your players. I don't have a problem with that. What I DO have a problem with is, getting defensive when reporters bring up any problem with your player, especially if he's a veteran, or one of your favorites, and being snarky with your response, as if..."How DARE you question me?"

That's Buck.

I get the frustration. But I call that circling the wagons. Why do you think the players would run through brick walls for Buck? If he did what many on this board seem to want, he wouldn't have the same kind of loyalty he does - the kind of loyalty that took a scrappy team with mediocre talent to the cusp of the ALCS last year.

I think I'm okay letting Buck manage and respond to the press as he sees fit. I think there's a method to his madness that nobody outside of Buck or his clubhouse can likely grasp fully.

[LookitsPuck]

I get the frustration. But I call that circling the wagons. Why do you think the players would run through brick walls for Buck? If he did what many on this board seem to want, he wouldn't have the same kind of loyalty he does - the kind of loyalty that took a scrappy team with mediocre talent to the cusp of the ALCS last year.

I think I'm okay letting Buck manage and respond to the press as he sees fit. I think there's a method to his madness that nobody outside of Buck or his clubhouse can likely grasp fully.

Yup.

And I think it's pretty apparent...think about it from a manager's standpoint. JJ has been dreadful going on 2 weeks now. He's been ask countless questions about him. He got asked again about him after a very, very, very tough loss (being up 3 in the 9th)....it's gotta wear on Buck. Buck has his player's backs. And I don't mind that whatsoever.

[MDK02]

If you don't know by now, Buck is not the kind of manager to throw a player under the bus. If he makes a change at closer, he will do it without within the clubhouse before he announces it to media.

[mclumsy53]

Alot of you are being ridiculous. When Buck sticks with Johnson and he starts pitching well again your all going to praise him for having the patience to stick with him. Cut the crap.

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[Moose Milligan]

Why interview the manager, Moose?

To hear him tell you that his closer, who gave up 4 runs before he could get 3 outs, made a lot of good pitches. The fans deserve a little better than that. The game is played for the fans. The game is supported by the fans. Without the fans, Buck Showalter needs to find a different line of work.

Well golly gee whillikers! I'm gonna go get my propeller beanie and lick my giant swirly lollipop from here on out!

[Norfolk orioles]

Jim Johnson is a grown man getting paid millions to play a game for a living.

If he can't handle his coach saying "yeah he sucked today" in the media he should find a new career. He knows he sucked, buck knows he sucked and we know he sucked.

All buck did is strain his credibility. I've never understood why these grown men need to be treated with kid gloves, god forbid someone actually say "yeah you've been terrible lately".

If I'm bad at my job, my boss is absolutely going to let me know about it and I'm only making a fraction of what Johnson makes.

Absurd.

[Moose Milligan]

Jim Johnson is a grown man getting paid millions to play a game for a living.

If he can't handle his coach saying "yeah he sucked today" in the media he should find a new career. He knows he sucked, buck knows he sucked and we know he sucked.

All buck did is strain his credibility. I've never understood why these grown men need to be treated with kid gloves, god forbid someone actually say "yeah you've been terrible lately".

If I'm bad at my job, my boss is absolutely going to let me know about it and I'm only making a fraction of what Johnson makes.

Absurd.

Is your boss gonna tell everyone else in the office about how bad you are at your job? I hope not.

[Norfolk orioles]

Alot of you are being ridiculous. When Buck sticks with Johnson and he starts pitching well again your all going to praise him for having the patience to stick with him. Cut the crap.

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Sort of like how people said we should stick with strop at the end of last year because when he improves, he's gonna dominate again!!! How's that working out?

Or arrieta! Or matusz as a starter! Or Britton! Just wait until they find it like they has it with they were dominant for that one stretch!

Hey look, Kevin Gregg found it in the national league! That must be the norm!

[Norfolk orioles]

Is your boss gonna tell everyone else in the office about how bad you are at your job? I hope not.

If I'm costing the company production and screwing it up for my co workers? Absolutely. Actually in my line of work, after my second "screw up", id probably be fired. No warning, no media, just get out.

But I really feel bad that poor Johnson's feelings my get hurt! Thankfully he can wipe his tears with 100's.

Give me a break. He knows he sucked, buck talking out of his rear end doesn't make him feel any better, I guarantee you that.

[Moose Milligan]

If I'm costing the company production and screwing it up for my co workers? Absolutely. Actually in my line of work, after my second "screw up", id probably be fired. No warning, no media, just get out.

But I really feel bad that poor Johnson's feelings my get hurt! Thankfully he can wipe his tears with 100's.

Give me a break. He knows he sucked, buck talking out of his rear end doesn't make him feel any better, I guarantee you that.

When did this ever become about your line of work being on par with a major league ballclub and JJ's feelings?

[mclumsy53]

I don't feel like we waited to long for any one of those players. Are you one of the people that wanted Tommy Hunter gone? Chris Davis should be gone too right? Nate Mclouth? Who else had a tough patch that you people wanted gone? You guys know better than Buck and DD though right?

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