Tradewinds
The subject of postgame interviews in both clubhouses following Evansville's 4-3 come-back-from-the-dead win over the Wild Things Saturday night was the same.
Trades.
Washington manager Greg Jelks talked about how his club needs to find reliable relief pitchers to work late in games. After two bullpen meltdowns in four days, Jelks apparently has seen enough and wouldn't mind giving his bullpen a makeover. Washington enters Sunday's game against the Otters with eight blown saves and only seven saves.
When asked where he can find relief pitchers at this point in the season, Jelks said he planned to work the phones over the all-star break in an attempt to swing a trade. He'll talk to teams in other independent leagues, but admitted the Wild Things will likely have to give up a quality player in a deal.
Across the field in the visitors' clubhouse, Evansville manager Jason Verdugo was talking about how Evansville pulled the trigger last week on a trade and several other roster moves that have righted what was a sinking team. Evansville was the surprise of the league when it bolted to a 9-0 record. After that, the Otters lost 24 of 34 games and the skid had Verdugo feeling the need to make major roster moves.
What the Otters did last week was trade their closer, Jonathan Lewis (0-1, 1.42, 9 saves), to Gary in the Northern League, which is a small step up the independent ladder from the Frontier League. In return, Evansville picked up three pitchers, including Billy Phillips, who was Saturday night's starter. Phillips played for Windy City last year, won eight games and pitched the ThunderBolts to a win in Game 3 of the finals against Washington.
The Otters also picked up outfielder Luke Hetherington, who was released by Sioux City of the American Association, a league on par with the Northern League. All Hetherington did Saturday was triple and score in the seventh inning and hit the game-tying two-run homer in the ninth.
The Otters' moves have paid off.
"And we're not done," Verdugo said. "We're just scratching the surface. We have a couple of deals pending."
With teams packed so tightly in the standings, it seems that the club that tweaks its roster with a key pickup or two, either by trade or free-agent signing, will be one that goes on a winning streak, separates itself from the pack and heads off to the playoffs.
"The biggest thing is, when you make a move, it has to be something that improves your team," Verdugo said. "You can't make a move just to make a move - it has to be an impact move."
Are the Wild Things capable of making an impact move? They have lost so many players to injury - both of their catchers, a shortstop, a third baseman - that their cranky offense has been running on spare parts for several weeks. Losing another hitter to acquire quality bullpen help means the Wild Things will be committed to trying to outpitch every opponent - winning games by scores like 3-2 and 2-1. That's tough to do in this hitter-heavy league.
Who among the Wild Things' hitters could be trade bait? There is no chance that Chris Sidick will be dealt, simply because he runs a baseball academy in North Strabane Township and that's something he can't give up. The toughest position to trade in any league is first base - everyone has a first baseman who can hit - so Nathan Messner is unlikely to go. Robbie Knapp is currently injured and I don't think teams will be willing to deal for him until seeing him play for a couple of weeks. Jacob Dempsey has plenty of value, but can Washington afford to deal their biggest extra-base-hit threat?
Washington likes what its starting rotation will look like after the all-star break with Aaron Ledbetter, J.J. Hollenbeck, Mike Schellinger, Brooks Dunn and possibly a healthy Zach Groh. This is the only area where the Wild Things have some depth. Trading one of these guys might bring a reliever or two but leave a big void in the rotation.
Making a trade for relief help is going to be very difficult simply because of what the Wild Things can offer in exchange. They're more likely to bring in a pitcher or two released from a higher-level independent league or affiliated ball.
Trades.
Washington manager Greg Jelks talked about how his club needs to find reliable relief pitchers to work late in games. After two bullpen meltdowns in four days, Jelks apparently has seen enough and wouldn't mind giving his bullpen a makeover. Washington enters Sunday's game against the Otters with eight blown saves and only seven saves.
When asked where he can find relief pitchers at this point in the season, Jelks said he planned to work the phones over the all-star break in an attempt to swing a trade. He'll talk to teams in other independent leagues, but admitted the Wild Things will likely have to give up a quality player in a deal.
Across the field in the visitors' clubhouse, Evansville manager Jason Verdugo was talking about how Evansville pulled the trigger last week on a trade and several other roster moves that have righted what was a sinking team. Evansville was the surprise of the league when it bolted to a 9-0 record. After that, the Otters lost 24 of 34 games and the skid had Verdugo feeling the need to make major roster moves.
What the Otters did last week was trade their closer, Jonathan Lewis (0-1, 1.42, 9 saves), to Gary in the Northern League, which is a small step up the independent ladder from the Frontier League. In return, Evansville picked up three pitchers, including Billy Phillips, who was Saturday night's starter. Phillips played for Windy City last year, won eight games and pitched the ThunderBolts to a win in Game 3 of the finals against Washington.
The Otters also picked up outfielder Luke Hetherington, who was released by Sioux City of the American Association, a league on par with the Northern League. All Hetherington did Saturday was triple and score in the seventh inning and hit the game-tying two-run homer in the ninth.
The Otters' moves have paid off.
"And we're not done," Verdugo said. "We're just scratching the surface. We have a couple of deals pending."
With teams packed so tightly in the standings, it seems that the club that tweaks its roster with a key pickup or two, either by trade or free-agent signing, will be one that goes on a winning streak, separates itself from the pack and heads off to the playoffs.
"The biggest thing is, when you make a move, it has to be something that improves your team," Verdugo said. "You can't make a move just to make a move - it has to be an impact move."
Are the Wild Things capable of making an impact move? They have lost so many players to injury - both of their catchers, a shortstop, a third baseman - that their cranky offense has been running on spare parts for several weeks. Losing another hitter to acquire quality bullpen help means the Wild Things will be committed to trying to outpitch every opponent - winning games by scores like 3-2 and 2-1. That's tough to do in this hitter-heavy league.
Who among the Wild Things' hitters could be trade bait? There is no chance that Chris Sidick will be dealt, simply because he runs a baseball academy in North Strabane Township and that's something he can't give up. The toughest position to trade in any league is first base - everyone has a first baseman who can hit - so Nathan Messner is unlikely to go. Robbie Knapp is currently injured and I don't think teams will be willing to deal for him until seeing him play for a couple of weeks. Jacob Dempsey has plenty of value, but can Washington afford to deal their biggest extra-base-hit threat?
Washington likes what its starting rotation will look like after the all-star break with Aaron Ledbetter, J.J. Hollenbeck, Mike Schellinger, Brooks Dunn and possibly a healthy Zach Groh. This is the only area where the Wild Things have some depth. Trading one of these guys might bring a reliever or two but leave a big void in the rotation.
Making a trade for relief help is going to be very difficult simply because of what the Wild Things can offer in exchange. They're more likely to bring in a pitcher or two released from a higher-level independent league or affiliated ball.
posted by Chris Dugan at
10:51 PM
62 Comments:
Robbie Knapp is the odd man out. Injured or healthy, his bat can't make up for what he lacks with the glove.
Once Arnett arrived to play third base, there was no place to hide Knapp anymore. The Wild Things will shop him, quickly, for a hitting outfielder. That will enable them to make Jacob Dempsey a full-time DH.
That will make Alberts, Sidick and the newcomer the everyday outfield.
Arnett, Grandstrand, Butch & Messner around the dirt. And O'Brien needs to come back healthy, and soon.
A successful Knapp trade will set the table. A key acquisition for the bullpen could be the final piece needed.
The final piece needed would be to can the ignorant and blind manager. Jelks doesn't know what he is doing and has done all he could to destroy the Wildthings.
Roger “the Rocket” Clemens is still available. I know the pay would not be great for him but it’s a lot better work than going before a congressional committee isn’t it? Why not also try to sign Barry Bonds? With Roger on the mound and Barry Bonds in the lineup how on earth could the Wild Things lose!! Fire the whole fieakin’ bullpen who the hell needs them? Barry would present the League with entire with an entirely new set of problems though. The grounds crews would spend three quarters of their time repairing the fences where Barry slammed another screaming line drive that he hit off the vaunted Frontier League pitching.
Another problem would be providing enough EMS units to pick up the dead pitchers – gory job but it would have to be done. The teams that were dumb enough to have installed artificial turf would also suffer due to the ‘rug burns’ caused by the hot ground balls hit by Barry. Repairing that stuff ain’t cheap. Of course they would have to wait for the fire department for extinguish the flames first!
So Mr. Jelks please use caution about the new players that you attempt to lure to the Frontier League. It’s only a game and we don’t want anyone to get hurt!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Received an email from WJPA Radio's Randy Gore this afternoon. Randy said he saw Robbie Knapp "unhappily" packing gear into his truck last night. Knapp told Randy that he was traded to Rockford. Rumor is that the Wild Things will receive Chris Raber, a first baseman/outfielder. Raber spent last year in the New York Yankees' system after playing at Coastal Carolina University. There is no word from the Wild Things about this trade or when it's effective. Nothing on the Frontier League transactions page.
Well, well. You can't fix a problem unless you diagnose it correctly. The Wild Things began the season with many players returning from last year's near-championship team. The biggest difference was .....the new coach, Greg Jelks?
Jelks coached the worst team (by far) in the league last season, so how was that performance a resume builder. If a ball player is only as good as his last week's performance, than why doesn't that standard apply to the coach too. Whoever hired (and continues to employ) Jelks is engaged in an ongoing game of Russian Roulette with the Wild Thing's future. The Wild Things will go down in flames.
Jelks hasn't a clue what he's doing, but he has plenty of cover provided by the sycophants at the Observer-Reporter.
Things are different this year. Team moral is down, so attendance is down, so revenue is down. The flavor of the Wild Things has changed. Those who could diagnose the problem won't touch it. So last year's fans who still want to believe might consider bringing their own hot dogs to the bonfire the Wild Things will be for the rest of this season.
In the end, here's hoping management will trade Jelks for a peanut vendor or something else the Wild Things can really use.
Knapp must be one of the last "Maz" guys that wasn't clicking with the new manager. It's tough to see guys go like that. Chris was it like this when Isom left and Maz came in?
Ron, you can’t really be serious. Having those three in the ball park at the same time would be like having the Three Stooges all contending to see which is the biggest jerk! You know they would be like the Keystone Kops but without as much intelligence They would also make Larry, the Cable Guy look like a genius!
Brad Hite
Rockford is in Chillicothe. Perhaps Raber will be in town tonight for the game...
Sure hope Robby doesn't let that "legitmate" revolving door him him in the face!
This Wild Things management bunch are something else - stab you in the back at a blink of an eye! Sure can't be good news to hear you've been traded to the Wild Things any more! You have to be looking over your shoulder all the time - somebody will be behind you just waiting to pierce you with some cold steel.
Woops! Meant to say HIT him in the face!
I personally am sorry to see Robby Knapp go. I thought he was a good player, almost as good as Chris Sidick whom I like very much. First he gets hurt and has to sit on the sidelines for a few days, now he no longer plays with the WT. Thanks a lot WT management. you really know how to hurt the fans. If it wasn't or us you wouldn't have a team.
Blondie
Ron,
Phrase illegitimati non carborundum, usually "translated" as "don't let the bastards grind you down," is fake Latin from c.1939. Carborundum was a brand of abrasives (reg. trademark U.S. June 21, 1892, by Carborundum Co. of Monongahela City, Pa.). The compound was made from carbon and silicon; the word from carbon + corundum.
(http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=i&p=1)
Please quit claiming your phrase as a real Latin one, as it is obviously not. Find something new.
Your friendly local etymologist.
Trust me the Wild Things have a peanut vendor...you can't miss him.
Where on this blog, or any other blog, did I EVER say it was Latin or any other language? False Latin or not, you got the message. I got the phrase from the same place as you!
I appreciate the information however.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum! That's what it is to me and it will remain the same - with no claims be be Latin, or even Pig Latin
Claude Cainmaker said...
Trust me the Wild Things have a peanut vendor...you can't miss him.
Claude, have you ever bought any of those stale peanuts from him? Have you ever notices how the poor kid NEVER smiles even when you give him a $1 tip?
Just another heart attack waiting to happen a few years down the road.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum! Excuse my 'false' Latin please
Wild Things Management knows how to screw everything up. I wonder what was the point in trading a two time all star. Whoever hired Jelks should watch how he hangs the pitchers out to dry and then trades decent players like Knapp. Your position players aren't the problem. The problem is Jelks.
Anonymous said...
“Well, well. You can't fix a problem unless you diagnose it correctly.”
Now why would you say that? Do you have some sort of experience of a bad nature with them?
Of course they can’t diagnose a problem correctly, That’s about as obvious as a horse turd on a tennis court to me!
I had a slight problem with them about the Gestapo like tactics of an usher nazi. I mentioned this to a person that could have, and should have, corrected the problem. This person assured that me that they were the ”boss” and told me exactly what they were going to do about it. Like the stupid jackass I am – I actually believed them! Poor diagnoses on MY part! I found out that, at least when it comes to ushers, that the employees dictate the way it is going to be to the management– period, end of story! I didn’t even know they had a union! Seems like a lack of strong leadership to me. This nazi was actually allowed to encourage an action that would be an absolute cause for immediate dismissal in most work places. Now, instead of handling a small problem quickly, there is a BIG problem that does not seem to have any apparent solution. They have allowed hard feelings to be generated by their indecisiveness, and these hard feelings are not going to just go away! As a result, and I have told them this, they have lost us season ticket holders after five years. These people seem to think all they have to do is put a team on the field to make their business a success – WRONG!!!!
So, if you think these people can diagnose what is wrong with this team – a perhaps difficult problem, I very seriously doubt it! Geez, they don’t seem capable of controlling part time grunt employees1
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum! The next thing you known some SA will tell me they don't speak Spanish in Los Angeles!
Robbie Knapp is a nice kid. He works hard. He is a defensive liability and the next curveball he hits will be the first.
Always sorry to see a good kid go, but the Wild Things have to find a good kid that can hit a curveball AND play the outfield.
Please And I do mean please. I would love if Ron wilson would keep his comments to himself. This blog has turned into THE RON WILSON BLOG. He is so negative but claims to be a Wild Thing Fan. Just support the team or not. I enjoy reading the blogs but not yours. I believe in freedom of speech but really do you need to give a speech every day??
Gentle Gregg Jelks is getting a lot of flack. If you were to trade Gentle Gregg for John Maz., with the team assembled this year, I would say they would be worse off.
Perhaps a better trade would be to trade general managers. Ross for Dave Littlefield sounds like an even swap. Besides, Ross got an incomplete in the mid term management ratings for the Wild Things.
I think that would improve the Washington Wild Things play and overall everything at Falconi Field including the Nazi usher and the delicious food.
I will now probably have my b_lls cut off for saying that.
It's official.
Knapp traded to Rockford for Chris Raber (.269 batting average). Raber has played mostly 1B but also in left.
Everyone is expendable I guess. Look out Messner the new guy plays 1B.
I have never seen Gentle Gregg Jelks. When I've been at the ball park the only time you see Jelks come out of the dugout is after the pitcher has been thoroughly humiliated. And of course to argue a call that the umpires are not going to change. Pretty savvy coaching, huh.
Raber is coming to Washington to play outfield, with an occasional appearance at 1b to spell Messner.
How fashionable to have a black manager! Do you suppose it would be even more fashionable to have a black manager with both people and managerial skills? Or a black manager that didn't undermine his players' moral by waving a clipboard full of replacements' names at them at every turn?
Who can play their best under that pressure?
Save the Wild Things. Dump Jelks ASAP.
Even though the Wild Things won Sunday night, I believe this was another blown save by the BULLpen.
Am I right?
They won in spite of Jelks.
Yes, it was a blown save.
Anytime a relief pitcher CAN earn a save and loses the lead, it is a blown save.
Gutless anonymous said
THE RON WILSON BLOG. He is so negative but claims to be a Wild Thing Fan. Just support the team or not. I enjoy reading the blogs but not yours.
---------------
You are almost certainly a product of some local school! It’s for sure that you failed logic 101 – you know, simple answers for simple problems. The solution to your problem is as near as your mouse. Gently caress it and scroll past his remarks if you don’t want to read them. There now - wasn’t that really easy? Sometimes persons such as you are just too lazy to use that thing located between their ears. Or, perhaps you how to use it.
I know that this is going to case you to have a headache, but why don’t you post something here that would make us proud of you rather than something so stuuuupid! Is this organization is so great why are they having so much trouble this year with everything from concessions to the play on the field? I’d love to hear your brain rattle on that one.
Don’t be such a spineless dolt!
Brad Hite
BTW: I’m going to call Ron and tell him that you don’t like his post and that he should refrain from posting here. I’m sure he will take that into consideration the next time he wants to say something. I DO know that his feeling are going to be hurt by this.
Jelks & Ross are out of control. Jelks publicly announced that the WT would win a championship this year. That was a check written that his *** can't cash. He is a poor loser and places all the blame on the players. He even goes as far as making up lies about players to undermine their careers and cover his butt. A warning to any player coming to the WT: Do not stand up to Jelks without knowing the consequences. He is destroying one player at a time.
Do not even take a chance of getting injured. I have known for some time that Knapp was gone. Don't look for O'Brien back. He is also on the trading block. Want the real story about Sutton? Talk to the players. He had the guts to stand up to this jerk.
As a fan it is sad to see players continually leave for the most part as a convienence to the management. The players become part of our family during the summer. Our kids become friends with them and it breaks their heart when they are gone. In years past the players were here long enough to become a part of the family. Not anymore.
Anonymous said
“Jelks & Ross are out of control.”
What a negative thing for someone to say. If you can’t you stick to positive, syrupy stuff you should not post here. We are all supposed to make nice while everybody gets hosed over one way or the other. Everything is just fine – isn’t it obvious that all is well? Can’t we just all get along – pretty please? From now on I’m only going to post when I have approval from the guy now in charge. Poster Brad called me this morning to let me know some person was not a fan of my post and was calling this THE RON WILSON BLOG. Thanks for the heads-up Brad.
I have decided to re-name to blog in honor of that person so it is now - THE MORON BLOG! I will post only with permission of the moron and only when I can say something positive. So, with pre-approval from ‘Moron’
Here is my post for this morning; SOMETHING POSITIVE! Thank you Moron for your stamp of approval on this post.
Ron W
Illegitimati non carborundum!
i was a player on the team THIS SEASON. i'll remain anonymous. but all of you people are dead on. ESPECIALLY Anonymous from 2 posts before this
Accountability is a difficult thing for young men to handle. It's a real shame that previous field managers didn't require it of their charges.
Now, that it's the law of the land, a few, like "was a player on the team THIS SEASON," are finding/making excuses.
You don't know anything about being part of a team. This squad has several malcontents who want to anonymously make accusations about their manager because he calls them to be accountable.
Grow up, young man. IF, your statement about having been a player on the team THIS SEASON is true, you either couldn't control your off-the-field actions or your mouth, or you failed to perform adequately on-the-field--hitting, pitching, fielding, throwing or running, and were either released or traded.
Sure, it's possible that this manager doesn't know what he's doing and has cost the teams some wins. It's also possible that some of your teammates (and you) haven't done their jobs and don't like being told that by their boss.
Get over it.
I agree that it is ok to voice what you feel but seriously this Ron person never says anything new. We can all agree that the team has major problems starting with Jelks. He should leave. And as far as scrolling past what Ron says, I scroll past it every time.
Jelks will not be back in Washington next year. It's a shame that the small window of opportunity that these young men have to play professional baseball is ruined by this self-serving jerk! Some of these young men were FORCED to put their career in his hands and now it's ruined.
Shame on you John, Leo and Ross for being swindled by this fake.
Thank you to Mazz and Isom for being the stand up men that you are. These men been led by example both on the field and ESPECIALLY off the field!
Mazz led his team in an excellent, extremely professional manner following the 2007 League Championship Series Game 5 loss...
Why pick on the boy who is no longer on the team!!! He knows first hand what goes on. All he did was agree with what everyone else was sayin!
"Why pick on the boy who is no longer on the team!!! He knows first hand what goes on. All he did was agree with what everyone else was sayin!"
Picking on? He stuck his nose in and identified himself as a team member. He's the one not behaving as a member of any team I've ever been around.
He didn't like being accountable for his actions, on and off the field. Now, you're saying he shouldn't be accountable for acting in a fashion that is outside the accepted norm of "team"... You do what the boss says, when he says it. If you argue, fuss and fight, you do so inside the private walls of the clubhouse and then you shut your mouth.
If this "was a player on the team THIS SEASON" why isn't he a player somewhere else now? Why is he hanging around the Wild about Things blog instead of getting about finding another baseball job or getting after his life's work?
Here's a clue for both of you: Behave like that in the REAL world, and you'll get fired, again.
Learn how to conduct yourself as a member of a team and shut your mouth. If that's "picking" on this used-to-be professional baseball player, so be it. It appears it's way past time that somebody did.
Jelks post above or has the same vocabulary.
I am going to jump in here and say something about Ron Wilson. I’m getting fed up with a lot of you jerks that jump on him all the time just because he has the courage to say what he thinks. You may not like what he says, or you may not like the way he expresses himself. But, he does have what it takes to let you know that it is HIS opinion because he places his name on what he posts! Most of you idiots that bitch don’t have the balls of a piss ant and hide behind the ‘anonymous’ moniker.
Yes, I do know Ron and he is a good friend of mine. I know him to he opinionated and sometimes abrasive.
Those people that know him well enough also know that a great deal of his comments are sarcastic humor and should not be taken seriously. He can tell the most fantastic lies and you would never be able to tell by the expression on his face – it’s just his type of humor.
I know that he is a VERY loyal friend and would never leave you in need if you ask him for help. Some of the WT office personal can really be jerks – one in particular, but I’ll bet Ron would be there in a minute if this guy needed help. He even defends you ‘anonymous’ types that lash out at him. We have talked about this a few times at CEP and he just says ”what the Hell they are entitled to their opinion also” I know of his excellent military service record. He has served in both the Air Force and Marine Corp in Viet Nam. He went through some crap that I’m sure he would not want you to have to endure. That alone should at the very least earn him your respect but I doubt if you ‘anonymous’ types have much respect for anything or anyone. You don’t even have respect for own name. I know that because you don’t have enough self-respect to use it! If you do, than I guess just about all of you are named Anonymous! How weird is that?
So, if you want to throw s*** at him please at least identify yourself. If he had something to say to you, good or bad, you would at least who said it! You should all be embarrassed!
As for some of you guys on this blog – most of what you put on here is downright incoherent dribble.
This is the first and the last comment I ever intend to make on this blog. I will read it that that’s all.
Bill Stanhouse
Anonymous said
"You do what the boss says, when he says it. If you argue, fuss and fight, you do so inside the private walls of the clubhouse and then you shut your mouth."
Don't taze me bro'!
This comment either has to be Ross or Jelks. Who else would be that dumb?
This team has no cohesiveness and the reason they don't is the leader. You can't expect these men to respect the coach because the coach hasn't earned it. In the real world the coach should have to answer for some of his actions and shortcomings. But in the world of the Wild Things he can just act like it is the guys fault and he can replace them before their next at bat. I'm a 51 year old adult and I can tell you that constant negativity gets you nowhere. Welcome to nowhere, Mr. Jelks.
I am Robbie Knapp's father. For 1 1/2 seasons I've thought the Wild Things organization was a class act. However, the way my son was "disposed" of was anything but classy. He deserved better. I guess this team is just your average slug-a-guy-in-the-gut-when-he's-down baseball team after all. My advice to the remaining Wild Things players: get ready to turn the other cheekbone.
llib said that if Maz had this team they would be worse off. Maybe. The point is Jelks keeps these guys in a panic. Maz at least kept the trades to a minimum. Is there a limit to the number of trades? I bet Jelks is fast approaching the maximum allowed. When he gets his last "Great White Hope" I wonder if he will be able to pull off his brag about bringing home a Championship. Probably not, but no one will care by then because they won't even know the guys playing. At least he has enough sense not to release Aaron Ledbetter. Give the man a cookie.
Everyone wants to blame Jelks but doesn't the GM make the deals. Doesn't anyone realize it's Ross pulling the trigger on these trades. Jelks might make some suggestions but Ross is the one who makes them happen. He also has the power to tell Jelks to deal with a player cause he ain't leaving. You people really need to understand how baseball works. Quit hating on Jelks so much.
Ross believes everything this nut case says. It is not about the wins, losses and championships. Jelks is pond scum that treats people like second rate citizens.
I agree with John Knapp.
Rockford is laughing. Rockford may have made the trade of the year.
Minor league baseball is no more than a slaugher house where as soon as you have an ailment, you are put out to pasture.
If you are to make a trade, you would think it would be to improve the weakest part of the team the BULLpen.
I believe the players get you into the playoffs and the manager is the one who brings the championship home once they make the playoffs.
If by luck, the Wild Thing make the playoffs, then Gregg Jelks is the manager to bring the championship to Washington. Something they have lacked in the previous two managers.
However, I don't think Ross has assembled a playoff capable team and unloading Robbie Knapp is futher evidence of my point.
I like Robbie Knapp. He seemed to me to be a fine man. I met his folks last year and we have corresponded several times via email.
The business of baseball can be very painful, particularly in situations like the Frontier League where players move into the homes and hearts of people here.
As much as I like Robbie Knapp, the man, I don't see where he was going to play on this team. Arnett is a superior third baseman, and can play the outfield. Messner is better at first. Dempsey can play outfield, though there are stronger fielders, but Knapp isn't one of them.
The Wild Things can not afford the luxury of having two DH's. Either one sits, or you have to try to hide one in the field. Neither of those put the team in the best situation to win a game.
Now, to Mr. Knapp's point--I was extremely disappointed at the way this worst-kept secret spread around. However, that is partially Robbie Knapp's fault. Long before we were ever officially told the trade had happened and that we could release it, numerous people heard Robbie outside the clubhouse talking on the phone about the trade. And there were other players talking in public about it as well.
This part of the business of baseball stinks. But, to this day, even the Major League teams haven't found any good way to tell a player that his stay in this town is over.
Best wishes to Robbie Knapp. A good man from a good family. Unfortunately, as one of the "anonymous"es said at the beginning of this string--as the Wild Things are trying to put the pieces in place for the second half, "Robbie Knapp is the odd man out."
There surely is a lot of pro and con on this blog column. You people that don't like what Ron Wilson are jealous because you didn't think of it first and won't admit it. His comments get pretty long winded but sometimes make sense - sometimes not. Jelks is a jerk and is the cause of the problems of the team's lack of playing better this year. Why is everyone picking on Ross? He's not coaching the players. I agree with Robbie's dad, he didn't deserve what the management gave him and Rockford got the best of the deal. He is really going to surprise everyone. As far as a "dark secret" I don't know what that is but then again, don't we all have secrets? Leave Knapp and Ross alone.
"Newly acquired third baseman Robbie Knapp, who was originally slated to miss the game because of injury, was 1-for-2 and singled in a run in the West's ninth-inning comeback."
quoted from a Riverhawks newsletter.
Nice job, Robbie.
Pat O'Brien is done. Longer than expected healing and a solid job offer made it a simple decision.
"Robbie Knapp....is a defensive liability and the next curveball he hits will be the first."
Bet the Wild Things' pitchers know how to pitch when the Riverhawks come to Falconi...If he gets a hit, it'll have to be on a bender...unlike what the Kings' closer tossed him in the ninth last night.
Playing for Jerks.. oops... Jelks... probably was a consideration for Pat O'Brien too.
"Playing for ... Jelks... probably was a consideration for Pat O'Brien too."
Might have been. Won't have to worry about that anymore, will he?
Again, a post from Jelks above. He has to get in the last word.
Jelks is the manager of the Washington Wild Things. As far as they go, he HAS the last word.
And that's the case whether you like it, or him, or not.
And, in case you hadn't noticed, Jelks is probably too busy to be posting on a blog populated by a bunch of mal-contents. He's trying to find a catcher, and a bullpen.
Jelks couldn't find his butt with both hands tied behind his back.
And you couldn't find your head with both hands on your ears!
Walk out of dugout and take a right.
Looks like Jelks doesn't have enough players who can find first base. Too many guys who go to the plate and straight back to the dugout.
Webcasters need to get your facts straight. Robbie did not know he was going to be traded. I know Robbie well enough to know that he would not have let us (his parents) drive 14 hours to watch the Wild Things with his departure on the horizon. Robbie hoped the trip to the doctor on Tuesday would clear him to play while we were there. When he called us to tell us he was upset. You can beat this horse if you want to, but we know it is just to cover up your embarrassment over how you treated Robbie. If everyone knew this worst kept secret I have one thing to say , there is a shortage of decency among Washington Wild Things Management. We would have like to have known this while we were there cheering on the team.
Mr. Knapp, I/we never said Robbie knew it was GOING to happen. We did talk about Robbie letting it out for public consumption before it was announced.
And, for the record, I/we never treated Robbie poorly. The announcers at WJPA Radio (Wild Things Radio Network) have always called the game as we see it. Sometimes that means saying the WT players did well. Sometimes that means saying they didn't.
The fact that the secret was poorly kept came AFTER the deal had been done. And I heard about it walking past Robbie talking on the phone, outside the clubhouse, possibly telling you that he had been traded to Rockford. I heard about Saturday night, from Robbie, 20 hours before the team made it public.
There is no good way to be told you've been traded. There is no good time to be told.
Sincere best wishes to Robbie in this next phase of his baseball career.
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