UNDER SCRUTINY
Did you ever have your boss looking over your shoulder while you worked? Did your sudden rise in blood pressure affect your performance?
Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan and minor league director Jim Rantz will be visiting New Britain during the current homestand -- three games against Harrisburg and three against the Connecticut Defenders through Sunday -- and you wonder how their presence will affect the young players trying to impress.
What they'll say is one thing. Exactly how they feel inside may be something else. It's human nature, but players who give it too much thought are probably not long for the game.
When former Eastern League pitcher Josh Hancock of the St. Louis Cardinals was killed in an auto crash Saturday, April 29, Sunday's game between the Cards and Cubs scheduled to air on ESPN was postponed. ESPN aired an impromptu Baseball Tonight show that emanated from the St. Louis ballpark featuring game commentators Jon Miller and Joe Morgan.
Miller said that the Cardinals team would have to fly to Milwaukee for a game the following night. He asked Morgan how the players would react when they took the field against the Brewers with the tragic scenario haunting them and memorial services pending.
Morgan said that the players, being professionals, would be able to put their emotions aside when they play the game. Afterwards, when they dress in a clubhouse where Hancock should have been, the sorrow would undoubtedly return just like any other personal off-the-field problems. As professionals, they have to compete and deal with the task at hand during the game or they wouldn't be in the big leagues.
The minor leagues have a variety of ways to weed out those who aren't deemed capable of playing in the majors. Skill, of course, is the primary benchmark, but other less discernible factors can contribute to the process.
For some, it may be emotional instability. Younger players,particularly those from foreign countries, may be homesick. Some can't handle the travel, living out of suitcases and eating fast food. Some don't function well in terms of group dynamics, which are so important in team make-up. Some may find it difficult to perform as the crowds get bigger and bigger.
So when Ryan and Rantz go through their process of evaluation and re-evaluation, those who can't cope with the scrutiny would never have made it anyway.
Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan and minor league director Jim Rantz will be visiting New Britain during the current homestand -- three games against Harrisburg and three against the Connecticut Defenders through Sunday -- and you wonder how their presence will affect the young players trying to impress.
What they'll say is one thing. Exactly how they feel inside may be something else. It's human nature, but players who give it too much thought are probably not long for the game.
When former Eastern League pitcher Josh Hancock of the St. Louis Cardinals was killed in an auto crash Saturday, April 29, Sunday's game between the Cards and Cubs scheduled to air on ESPN was postponed. ESPN aired an impromptu Baseball Tonight show that emanated from the St. Louis ballpark featuring game commentators Jon Miller and Joe Morgan.
Miller said that the Cardinals team would have to fly to Milwaukee for a game the following night. He asked Morgan how the players would react when they took the field against the Brewers with the tragic scenario haunting them and memorial services pending.
Morgan said that the players, being professionals, would be able to put their emotions aside when they play the game. Afterwards, when they dress in a clubhouse where Hancock should have been, the sorrow would undoubtedly return just like any other personal off-the-field problems. As professionals, they have to compete and deal with the task at hand during the game or they wouldn't be in the big leagues.
The minor leagues have a variety of ways to weed out those who aren't deemed capable of playing in the majors. Skill, of course, is the primary benchmark, but other less discernible factors can contribute to the process.
For some, it may be emotional instability. Younger players,particularly those from foreign countries, may be homesick. Some can't handle the travel, living out of suitcases and eating fast food. Some don't function well in terms of group dynamics, which are so important in team make-up. Some may find it difficult to perform as the crowds get bigger and bigger.
So when Ryan and Rantz go through their process of evaluation and re-evaluation, those who can't cope with the scrutiny would never have made it anyway.
posted by Ken Lipshez at
2:34 PM
2 Comments:
I read on Baseball America's website that the Twins have suspended Luke Hughes. Do you have any further information on that?
Luke Hughes incurred a three-day suspension for his role in a brawl on sunday, May 6.
After striking out three times -- the third time to end the eighth inning -- he barked at Trenton pitcher Edwar Ramirez, apparently for not challenging him with a fastball instead of throwing all changeups.
When Trenton came up, leadoff hitter Jason Brown noted that several Rock Cats were conversing on the mound with pitcher J.P. Martinez. Brown was convinced he was going to be hit by a pitch. When Martinez's first pitch was up and in, Brown charged the mound.
Brown landed a shot and Martinez a counter before the mound was covered with humanity.
If you would like to know more, please check The Herald archives or the new team-related website, www.rockcatsnews.com
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