Chisoxfn Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 Commentary: All Fingers Point at Manuel By Rob Knowles June 13, 2003 SoxNet.net Jerry Manuel loves to send Bartolo Colon out to the mound for nine innings: Colon’s five complete games rank second in the American League. It wasn’t surprising, then, to see Colon firing warm-up pitches before the bottom of the ninth Thursday night. Holding on to a 4-2 lead, Colon was rapidly closing in on his sixth complete game. Sox faithful, however, saw No. 6 deteriorate into complete shambles. Typically in a close game, a manager calls for a reliever after the first runner reaches base. After Durham’s single to lead off the ninth, it made sense to keep Colon in to face Bonds. After all, Colon had sat Bonds down on strikes in Barry’s previous 3 at-bats. Unfortunately, in his fourth trip to the plate, Bonds clubbed a 2-run game-tying shot. At this point, Manuel decided to shrug off the scoreboard and let Colon carry the team. In a tie game, Manuel most definitely should have called for a reliever (probably Marte, who has been doing rather well in the closer’s role of late). Instead, Manuel opted to carry on with Colon. Benito Santiago then singled, making a call to the pen seem absolutely necessary. After a fielder’s choice, Manuel watched, lackadaisically, as Colon gave up another single, balked, and then preceded with the intentional walk. The game had reached a superfluous and startling pinnacle. With powerful right-handed shortstop Rich Aurilia coming in to pinch hit, Manuel went with lefty Damaso Marte. Why not Billy Koch? Sure he has had some rough performances this season, but why not go with a hard-throwing righty who is showing vast improvement? Marte would have been a nice call with the bases empty and a clean slate, but bringing in the lefty to face Aurilia, with the bases loaded, was absurd. Aurilia is a career .286 hitter against southpaws, and has fleeced five homeruns off lefties this year. The battlefield being set as such, Aurilia fired the deciding bullet - the grand slam, signaling defeat for Colon, White Sox, and whatever coaching “strategy” Manuel had pulled out of his …er … playbook. Who is to blame here? Colon? Obviously not - you can’t possibly blame the big ace for running out of gas. Marte? How can you blame Marte? He was put in a mismatch and was simply beat. Manuel is to take the fall for this one. All signs were pointing to the Sox playing real baseball again, but Jerry put a stupidly dramatic end to the good times last night. While Manuel was asleep in the dugout, the White Sox lost the rubber match of a series that could have ended with a decisive, momentum-sustaining victory. Why is Manuel still wearing a White Sox hat today? Losing a crucial series at a crucial point in the season must have no effect on the bosses upstairs. If Manuel does not feel comfortable using Koch, what business does Kenny Williams have being a White Sox executive? How can Williams not be searching the Jobs section after trading for a star closer that now suddenly won’t even be given opportunities to close? Perhaps Neil Cotts will salvage the trade for Koch, but last night Neil Cotts was no help to the White Sox. Nor is Billy Koch if Manuel will not give him opportunities. Sorry, Jerry, I think I have seen enough of your managing. It’s too bad for Sox fans that Big Jerry can’t get enough of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 13, 2003 Author Share Posted June 13, 2003 Rob, I really enjoyed the article and agree with you. I don't blame JM for leaving Colon in to start the ninth, but after Bonds homer, there is no reason he should of been left in and then leaving him in after a single was absolutely ridiculous. Awesome job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I was stunned and angered when Manuel left Colon in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I dissagree. Colon should've started the inning, should've pitched to Colon and should've stayed in. Perhaps after the single I would've taken him out, but I think you gotta let your pitcher, especially one like Colon who was on few pitches, try to finish it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I would have also had Marte pitch. with the bases loaded, the game tied and one out, you have to go with your best reliever. matchups are useless at this point. Marte is our best relievers and he's actually done better against righties than lefties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 dissagree. Colon should've started the inning, should've pitched to Colon and should've stayed in. Perhaps after the single I would've taken him out, but I think you gotta let your pitcher, especially one like Colon who was on few pitches, try to finish it out. I have no problem with Colon starting the inning, after that homerun to bonds, he has got to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 13, 2003 Author Share Posted June 13, 2003 I dissagree. Colon should've started the inning, should've pitched to Colon and should've stayed in. Perhaps after the single I would've taken him out, but I think you gotta let your pitcher, especially one like Colon who was on few pitches, try to finish it out. When you give up 3 straight hits in the ninth and the game is tied you make a change. You don't keep him out there to give up another hit and then balk and eventually load the bases on an intentional walk. After the homer you pull him. No point in letting him go the distance with the game tied and you know he could be tired. You definately have him out there entering the ninth and to face Bonds. After that you could maybe let him face another batter, but after that single there is absolutey no reason to have Colon out there. It was a very very stupid move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted June 13, 2003 Share Posted June 13, 2003 I would've pulled him after the third hit, but I still don't think it was a MUST to take him out. I just believe sometimes you have to give the pitcher the benefit of the doubt. After the third hit, although I would pull him, I still honestly thought he could've gotten out of it. just so happens he didn't. I don't think he was tiring though, he simply got hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Showtime Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 Rob, I really enjoyed the article and agree with you. Whom might I ask is Rob? In terms of his screen name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 our jerry.......the rock .. the hard place?? which feels better......lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted June 14, 2003 Share Posted June 14, 2003 Whom might I ask is Rob? In terms of his screen name. In terms of screen name, I am Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Showtime Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 In terms of screen name, I am Rob Alright then, now I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 Marte VS Bonds was the matchup that should have been, Bonds is a stud not an everyday average player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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