Wait 'til next year
The Wild Things have been traveling a dead-end road for quite some time. They reached the end of the line Tuesday night.Washington's 5-3 loss to the Lake Erie Crushers, combined with Southern Illinois; win over Evansville, eliminated the Wild Things from the playoff race. No surprise there. Sheer mathematics kept the Wild Things in contention but their play eliminated them weeks ago. Washington has been playing out the string at least since it was swept at Midwest early this month.
The loss to the Crushers had the all-too-familiar characteristics of many Washington defeats. There were too many walks (7, including 6 in only 4 innings by starter Brian McCullough) and a lack of timely hitting (13 runners left on base) even when Lake Erie pitchers tried to give the game away by walking 10 batters and hitting two others.
It even seems like the Wild Things are without a trainer on the road trip. According to Radio Randy, when Brett Grandstrand left the game with an injury after being taken out on a hard slide by a Crushers player at second base, Granny was checked out by the Lake Erie trainer (I know, the trainer was fired several weeks ago but there was an assistant).
The Wild Things seem destined to finish with the first losing record in the franchise's eight seasons. So what happened? What went wrong? Why has this season been worse than last year? What must be done in the offseason to get this franchise back to producing playoff-caliber teams? On this blog and in the newspaper, I'll give my opinions and try to answer these questions. I'll also let the players and coaches answer them.
However, with the ballclub on the road, this is the perfect time for you to step to the plate, take the first swing at those questions and provide some ideas for next year. You can play owner, director of baseball operations or manager. What went wrong? What changes need to be made?
posted by Chris Dugan at
9:09 PM
31 Comments:
Why was the trainer fired?
It starts at the top.
When John Switek was named the managing partner, he brought in talent that knew the baseball side of operations and he ran the business side.
This and last year it seems the ownership has flexed their muscles and althought they may be the smartest lawyers in the country, they know little about baseball.
That combined with the Frontier League moving west has made the long bus rides a very poor tool when recruiting players.
I doubt if much improvement can be made until they appoint some management that knows baseball or stay out of the decision making on players.
The Washington ballpark is no longer a recruiting tool for players. The teams with the most time spent on a bus were two of the worst teams in the east division most of the year.
I may be time to join another league with closer teams if one is available. Is this an option?
Is this really breaking news? The Mild Things, along with the Pirates were out of the playoff race in mid-June. The organization has been in a doward spiral the last 3-4 yrs
Its interesting that this was the first year that Ross Vecchio was completely un-involved in player decisions. Mark Mason's teams consistently struggled in Chillicothe -- especially the last two years, and this team seemed to follow a similar path.
Obviously Jelks struggled as well -- but Jelks' team played better at the end of the year once the organization had dealt with the transition from Maz's players to the type of players Jelks wanted to bring in. Its pretty tough to clean house the way they did and expect to compete the same year but that was the standard Jelks was held too.
Now rumors of Ross leaving? It seems to Me Ross was one of the few constants in terms of players up until this year... And the argument that the ballpark or region can't draw players is ridiculous. Has anyone seen Kalamazoo's stadium? Their field? Its a community park -- yet they win year in and year out.
When Maz left the organization took a step back -- it then had an opportunity to rebuild with the Team of Ross & Jelks. When Ross was stripped of his authority to bring in players and Mason given control -- things went downhill fast. Mason is not a good on-field manager, and very poor at recognizing talent, his days at Chillicothe should have made that clear. Bringing in guys like Blackstock that have contributed nothing -- having a pitching staff with an ERA around 6 -- when your a 'pitching guy'... Obviously guys will struggle (sutton and siddick) but not one trade or signing during this season has helped the team.
I don't know who in the organization makes those decisions...But if they were smart they would keep Ross, give him power over players, and go get a young former affiliated manager or a young former player that can handle the team and recognize talent. Former hitting coach Carter? I don't know... Pat O'Brien? I really don't know... But Mason is not an answer if you want to compete...And if Ross is leaving -- despite what the naysayers say, he is the one consistent over the past years...
I agree with Bill on pretty much everything he said. The only thing about Ross finding players in the past was he had Mazz. Say what you want about Mazz, the guy does a great job putting together winning teams. When Mazz was with WTs, he made the player decisions, with Ross' input. Look at what Mazz's first year team is doing. Looks like the Wild Things of old. We need another Mazz. Don't count on O'Brien - he's at George Washington coaching and don't count on Carter - he's with Coastal Carolina now. We need someone like Mazz. Mason is not going to produce a winning team.
The only reason Ross is a constant is because he can't find a job anywhere else in baseball? He moved from team to team each year until he ended up in the frontier league. Now he's blacklisted in affiliated ball and basically stranded in Washington.
I think your right about MAZ. Us here at Lake Erie are realizing quickly that his instinct for finding talent (and his connections) is why we're having a amazing first season. Plus, when you talk to the players, they really like playing for him.
Chris Dugan = Manager/Reporter. He could turn down his own interviews.
Wow how things have changed on this blog. I remember not too long ago when everyone criticized Mazz left and right and you were happy that he was leaving. The truth is that Mazz will win every year that he manages in this league and you will NEVER have a manager that is as good at finding and developing talent as Mazz.
I guess they'll let anyone say anything on this blog regardless if the facts are correct or not (though Bill seemed to be on the mark from what I know). For example:
Bus rides have nothing to do with recruiting players.
No, moving to another league with closer teams is not an option unless you consider the Atlantic League and that would cause spending about $10 million on stadium expansion and upgrades. Are you willing to pony up for that?
Mazz is given WAY to much credit for the Wild Things' roster during his time in Washington. I have a feeling its that way in Lake Erie. The only players Mazz recruited were from that league Kent State plays in and the Astros. Ross found the players. Mazz coached them.
I have a feeling that Lake Erie has a GM or someone that is involved in player deals. Lake Erie has a lot of hispanic players (at least judging by the names). I bet Washington didn't have a hispanic player the whole time Mazz was here and that makes me think someone else is getting his players in Lake Erie. Isn't it funny how Mazz gets all kinds of credit and Jeff Isom got none?
If you're going to say that Ross has been blackballed from affiliated ball show some proof and put your name to the statement. That's probably libelous or slanderous. I'm not a lawyer but we have enough of them around here to know for sure.
The one thing obvious to all is the Wild Things are declining and they have no idea how to correct the situation.
I'd agree with most of the comments since mine. I don't think Ross is at all Blackballed... Since coming to washington his family is in the area, he has a lot of extended family connections in PA and I think he's enjoyed the area. I could be wrong, but I know a lot of players were signed BECAUSE of ross' affiliated ball connections.
As for Maz, he IS the director of player personal in Avon. There is a GM but my understanding is he doesn't actually make player decisions.
Whoever said that Maz/Ross used to colaberate is correct. I know they used to take trips to spring trainings and schools to 'scout' potential players.
I think Mason's biggest problem is that he relies on word of mouth and isn't a great judge of talent. He doesn't seem like a bad guy -- but I think he'd be doing OK if Ross had put together this team himself. Perhaps the reason ross is looking to leave is because he is taking heat for the bad season -- even though he didn't put the players on the field?
As for bus rides... I've never heard players complain (except for the Midwest guys). Traverse has it far worse...or so it seemed before Midwest/Lake Erie came into the league.
Everybodys happy when you win, and there are always faults to be found when you lose.
As for people turning against maz. I've never been against him. I think sometimes there is a perception that managers need to be emotional and firey -- it isn't football guys....Its baseball. Often the more laid-back guys are the most succesful (look at LaRussa, Torre, Francona etc.) I think maz was already taking heat for not 'firing up the troops' before the situation unfolded with Chris. And a bit of a snow-ball effect ensued.
FInally, if I'm not mistaken Maz left to take a year off and wanted to come back to Washington. In fact he was offered a new contract and invited back -- so its not like he was run out of town on a rail. He *left* Washington and ended up in Lake Erie which is much closer to his family in Ohio.
Road Trip...Off to Ohio to see the Wild Things play the Lake Erie Crushers tonight!
I'm not a lawyer but we have enough of them around here to know for sure.
............
Too freakin' many of them are in the WT ownership group
Snoopy
Maybe H.M. should manage the team tonight so we'd have a better chance to win. Anyone who had anything to do with putting this team together should be shown the exit... today!
i say everyone boycott the next 2 home series at CEP, cause even though the level of play has suffered this year, im sure the front office considers this season a success cause people are still showing up for the games.
DONT GO TO THE GAMES!
show franni that how your team plays effects your attendance, maybe then she'll actually bring in someone that knows something about baseball and player selection instead of people that know how to make a quick buck
never thought i'd see the day when Washington was only .5 game in front of Midwest for the last place spot in the league,...... down right PATHETIC !!!!!
that shows how intelligent the people on this blog are, Franni has been gone since the All Star Break. They brought a new managing partner in who made it 0ne week and quit and now they bring a Cory in to work
Franni is still listed on the team's webpage as the boss. So who's this Cory guy?
Congrats on the Wild Things first losing season.
I hope Ross and Mr. Mason get their year end bonus for the teams fine performance.
The question is not when but how soon after the season changes in the organization are made.
DONT GO TO THE GAMES!
....................
Sounds good to me. I had already intended not to attend the Sunday day game. What is the reason for a day game? Too hot for me. I'm not about to sit in the hot sun to watch the WT even if they were in 1st place!
MYLAN KABS SUCKS. Their attorneys also!
Snoopy
Oh MY! I meant to say MYLAN LABS SUCKS! Sooner or later, we WILL get the goods on this bunch and Tim Solobay.
Snoopy
Snoopy will get on the case right after proving Oswald didn't act alone, Princess Diana was murdered, the moon landings were staged in a studio in the desert, the real Paul McCartney died prior to the Abbey Road album cover shoot, Elvis faked his own death and a flying saucer landed in Roswell, Arizona.
Snoopy will get on the case right after proving Oswald didn't act alone, Princess Diana was murdered, the moon landings were staged in a studio in the desert, the real Paul McCartney died prior to the Abbey Road album cover shoot, Elvis faked his own death and a flying saucer landed in Roswell, Arizona.
----------
AND when he proves you are a mindless Washington County educated
bonehead.
Too hot for me. I'm not about to sit in the hot sun to watch the WT even if they were in 1st place!
for christ sake. take your skirt off.
take your skirt off.
.....................
If I did you would never go back to women!
Snoopy will get on the case right after proving Oswald didn't act alone
If you watch the Zapruder film very closely, you can see Ross Vecchio on the grassy knoll.
Peppermint Patty
If you watch the Zapruder film very closely, you can see Ross Vecchio
-----------
You got all wrong. Ross is too young to have done it!
My theory is that an agent working for Frannie Williams did it. Now, just try to prove me wrong.
"My theory is that an agent working for Frannie Williams did it."
You got it all wrong. Frani would have stopped the motorcade, given everyone a ticket, then made the motorcade stop 100 feet up the road to give the tickets to some kid.
No one ever explained why the trainer was fired.
Ross Vecchio still has connections in affiliated ball, he got me out of Western PA, with the stupid idiots that are there.
-Ian Snell.
The trainer was apparently let go because of a series of pranks involving at least one player that got out of hand. Triple-A was called to the ballpark one day as a result of the pranks. Too bad. He seemed like a pretty good trainer. Players haven't had many games missed because of injury.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home