Markakis speaks out

[ledzepp8]

What is even more said it the unheralded right fielder of the Nationals is even posting numbers virtually identical to Markakis right now! Nick isn't exactly having an outstanding year himself either.

Nick is having a better season than Roger Bernadina. Only you would think differently.

[enchiridion]

Nick expected Matt, Adam, and Nolan to be his running mates but they are just not keeping up their end of the bargain.

[DuffMan]

I think it's interesting that Markakis mentions the need for a 40 HR guy in the lineup, and then also mentions that you don't need guys that can hit a lot of HR's.

Nick has lost so much of his power this season and looks frail to be honest. We don't even have a leader who has an opinion that means anything. When you have three HR's and look like a slap hitter most of the time I don't think you have a lot of room to criticize others. I know Nick is patient, but times like last night show that he's TOO patient sometimes as well.

Frail??? Did you see the pictures of him at ST, b/c it looked like he hit the weights hard this offseason.

[Old#5fan]

I was waiting for you to chime in with something like this... obviously he could hit more home runs, but he's doing everything else he can. He's one of the few on the team who actually look like he knows what he's doing at the plate. Also, for one to always say the O's need a leader, or the O's need a manager to fire the guys up.. I don't see you commending Nick for directing some tough but fair criticism at his teammates.

I am not criticising him for showing leadership. I am just pointing out his stats aren't any significantly better (homers and rib's are slightly worse) than the nobody who plays RF for the NATS! When you can say that about the Orioles best player (indeed Markakis right now clearly is) what does that say about the talent on this team?

[flashjordnk]

I am not criticising him for showing leadership. I am just pointing out his stats aren't any significantly better (homers and rib's are slightly worse) than the nobody who plays RF for the NATS! When you can say that about the Orioles best player (indeed Markakis right now clearly is) what does that say about the talent on this team?

Not all of his stats. Just the ones you look at.

You probably think Ryan Howard is the best player on the Phillies too...

[soxhotcorner14]

Having his hitters go up to the plate with a plan and an approach absolutely should be part of the hitting coach's business.

This statement is where I 100% disagree with the line of thinking of some posters.

Yes, the hitting coach is supposed to help you out with an approach at the plate. And most hitting coaches do work with you at this ALL the time if you ask for the help. You guys have to keep in mind, the hitting coach is like Santa Claus at a party and every kid is trying to get a gift from him. He's a busy dude, so as a player you need to be proactive and get with him and try and work out your mechanics, approach, video etc. to go over your approach.

So yes, the hitting coach does help with this aspect of hitting. But it's up to the individual to execute the plan. Guys I know in baseball have nothing but nice things to say about Crowley when you ask them about him. He's a very good hitting coach. But a very good hitting coach can't put perfume on a turd and expect it to smell nice.

Has anyone taken the time out of pissing and moaning and thought that it might not be the hitting coach, it just might be the talent that O's are bringing in??????

[SrMeowMeow]

I am not criticising him for showing leadership. I am just pointing out his stats aren't any significantly better (homers and rib's are slightly worse) than the nobody who plays RF for the NATS! When you can say that about the Orioles best player (indeed Markakis right now clearly is) what does that say about the talent on this team?

N...nothing?

[SombodysMom]

Wow--where is this leading? Any guesses as to whom he's shaking down? And would you think it's unfair if he's pointing a finger at some of our youngest players?

No I don't (think Nick is being unfair), because he had to make the same adjustments his first two years.

[McLovin]

Thank you Nick. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. More please!

With regard to Jones, his approach has improved, and from his comments in the media, he seems to get it. I don't think Nick is singling him out.

[Sports Guy]

Wow!

Good for Nick.

He is essentially throwing the team and the FO under the bus...Good for him.

Now, I do think we see a little bit of why he isn't hitting homers...Talking about the poor approaches of guys, how it is so important to get on base, etc...Almost as if he is making a concerted effort to get on and show the team the proper approach.

[33rd&Ellerslie]

I think it's interesting that Markakis mentions the need for a 40 HR guy in the lineup, and then also mentions that you don't need guys that can hit a lot of HR's.

Nick has lost so much of his power this season and looks frail to be honest. We don't even have a leader who has an opinion that means anything. When you have three HR's and look like a slap hitter most of the time I don't think you have a lot of room to criticize others. I know Nick is patient, but times like last night show that he's TOO patient sometimes as well.

A couple odd things: You and I have zero homeruns combined, probably couldn't even squeek out a "slap hit" and yet we find room to criticize others.

The calls for leadership have been deafening lately and finally our best player comes out and says something from his heart, due to frustration, embarassment and personal pride, you respond by saying he has no room to criticize, yet follow up with your own criticism.

Certainly his power numbers are down and I would bet he is more frustrated with that than any of us, he says he is a part of it. Whether you prescribe to the theory or not, Nick has very little protection in the lineup and his quotes refer to a lot of things that SG and others have said. You don't always get pitches that you can drive and not every at bat needs to be a homerun. It seems to me that he is saying that right now the team needs to focus on getting on base; whatever the pitcher is giving you to hit, have a plan and attack it. If you are getting fed sliders on the outside edge, then "slap" them into left field, draw a walk, whatever. Good things happen when you just get on base, it puts more pressure on everyone in the field.

I am glad someone finally spoke up and I am more impressed that it was Nick. He seems to like Terry Crowley; he seemed to like Dave Trembley and this must be incredibly difficult to be a part of right now.

[H0smash]

I am not criticising him for showing leadership. I am just pointing out his stats aren't any significantly better (homers and rib's are slightly worse) than the nobody who plays RF for the NATS! When you can say that about the Orioles best player (indeed Markakis right now clearly is) what does that say about the talent on this team?

He has more rib's than Markakis? That's difficult. I know you're talking about RBIs, but maybe the fact that some of the other guys on the Nats get on-base helps their RFs RBI numbers? RBIs are a number that you can't really control, so it doesn't really tell you too much about any given player.

Also, if you're talking about Bernardina he has one more homer than Markakis and he has less RBIs as well?

Markakis' wOBA is very good this year at .362, and he has a lot of potential to bring it up even more if he has a power surge at some point this season.

[Sports Guy]

Thank you Nick. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. More please!

With regard to Jones, his approach has improved, and from his comments in the media, he seems to get it. I don't think Nick is singling him out.

I agree...There are similarities between what Jones said the other day and Nick here...Although Nick was more harsh, which is a good thing IMO.

Jones admitted his approach was wrong and is now making an effort to fix it...That being said, he does go up their clueless a lot of time, so Nick could be talking about him.

But I do think this basically applies to the entire offense...the orioles aren't getting on base, aren't scoring, look terrible with RISP, etc...Everything he said was dead on and he also took responsibility for his issues as well.

BTW, has their been a players only team meeting called yet? These guys probably need to get in each other's face and tell it like it is.

[RShack]

He is essentially throwing the team and the FO under the bus...Good for him.

Quote of the day...

[tvz1997]

Wow!

Good for Nick.

He is essentially throwing the team and the FO under the bus...Good for him.

Now, I do think we see a little bit of why he isn't hitting homers...Talking about the poor approaches of guys, how it is so important to get on base, etc...Almost as if he is making a concerted effort to get on and show the team the proper approach.

I think you may be right about this, but it is another depressing note -- our best hitter thinking he has to play down his own aggresiveness to prove a point to clueless teammates who probably aren't paying attention anyway.