Ex teammates on Rios

[michelangelosmonkey]

Harold Baines was the sleepiest looking player I ever saw. He looked like he was sleeping at the plate...and in RF...and now they have a sleepy looking statue of him. It is such nonsense to suggest Rios isn't trying hard. Do people really think he had an .850 OPS prior to the contract and he loafed his way to an .800 OPS the next year? He goes up to the plate half the time and decides not to try?

[G&T]

There were the stories of him not preparing before games, sitting in the San Fran locker room and watching Twins games rather than going over tape of the hitters they'd be about to face, not talking to the pitchers, etc.

 

That was one alleged incident where he was playing cards. Fact was, the pitchers just didn't like him. Hermanson, as I recall, never saw any of that and even advocated his coming in. I don't know about Rios. I'll trust, however, that KW, learned his lesson with Javy. I'll guess he did his homework.

[jphat007]

I don't care how long he sleeps. I just don't want to be paying a guy 10 mil a year to hit 261 with a 315 OBP, so he better pick his s*** up.

[caulfield12]

Don't forget the Viciedo rumors, too...the same rap on him.

 

Carl Everett was a pariah to many and become a beloved teammate on the White Sox (albeit information-age challenged).

 

 

[103 mph screwball]

That's why the Sox got him off waivers without trading anybody for him. It is a definite buy low situation. I hope Rios reads that stuff. Maybe it will be a bit of a wake up call and drive him to prove them wrong with a fist full of World Series rings. Clean slate from me. KW has been after him. He knows what he's doing.

[OldSmoky2]

I don't think Kenny would have gone after this guy so hard, especially with his contract, if he thought anything like this was going to be a problem. And I think Jerry Reinsdorf might have asked Kenny, at least briefly, what kind of guy Rios is before giving the OK.

So I go with the clean slate, too.

[witesoxfan]

I don't care how long he sleeps. I just don't want to be paying a guy 10 mil a year to hit 261 with a 315 OBP, so he better pick his s*** up.

 

If he is a top 3 defender in CF and can put up a .750 OPS, I'll be happy. Hell, the Sox damn near brought in Torii Hunter for $15 mill a year; he's become a better hitter, but he is not that good defensively anymore.

[chisoxt]

Let's hope if he does pull any of that stuff here Ozzie or some of the vets will set him straight.

 

How does the old adage go? If a guy owes you? If someone owes you $10,000 hes's in trouble....if he owes you $1,000,000, you're in trouble. This deal reminds me of that...Rios is owed so much money for so many years, why should he listen to anyone to 'set him straight'?

[beck72]

"He was a guy who just didn't go after it. He'd be sleeping in his locker 10 minutes before he had to go out on the field. And not just once."

 

I especially didn't like this quote

So, it's OK for guys to be playing cards or watching TV before games, but not OK for a guy to be sitting in chair with his feet up, eyes closed, resting?

 

I don't know the particulars of the "sleeping" charge, and if Rios was lethargic in the games he was "sleeping" prior to games, but that quote doesn't bug me. There is too much information missing. During the course of a 162 game schedule, I want my players resting prior to games, so they can perform at a high level once they get on the field.

 

Many people can "sleep" in a chair and nap in 5 minutes and then be perfectly ready for anything, myself included.

[beck72]

That's why the Sox got him off waivers without trading anybody for him. It is a definite buy low situation. I hope Rios reads that stuff. Maybe it will be a bit of a wake up call and drive him to prove them wrong with a fist full of World Series rings. Clean slate from me. KW has been after him. He knows what he's doing.

I agree. This has to be a humbling, and a bit of a humiliating experience for Rios. Going from a huge contract, to such a huge disappointment that your team gets rid of you for nothing. This is a hug.e wake up call for him personally and professionally. Whether he has that drive and determination, who knows. But he's been given a fresh start

 

Only one team really wanted him--the White Sox, and they have a reputation now of being a first class place to play, with the vets like Thome, Griffey, Dye and PK all speaking well of the clubhouse, coaches and management. That has to factor in, wanting to show the team that showed faith in you that all the other teams made a big mistake. Hopefully, it pushes him to be the player people think he can be.

[joeynach]

Do I really care WTF he does 10 minutes before the game in his locker, he could be surfing internet porn constantly in the clubhouse. As long as when hes on the field he busts his ass, plays 100% all the time, and performs up to his capability I could care less what he does.

[Lemon_44]

to me, it shows lack of leadership in the Blue Jays locker room. Have they had any real veteran team leaders up there? With the Sox, i'm sure PK, Thome, Dye, and AJ will hold him accountable. BTW, the washing dishes post was hilarious.

Edited August 14, 2009 by Lemon_44

[Harry Chappas]

Ladies and gentleman I present to you the case of the grossly over paid and woefully lazy Aramiz Ramirez......funny what happens to a guy when there is actually a chance at winning something as oppossed to knowing by Memorial Day that your season is over again and your stuck there for another 5 years.....oh and they are going to get rid of the best pitcher in baseball for s***s and giggles.

 

He may bomb but he may not.......

 

Remember when Slick Nick rolled into town and Dirty 30 was all the rave......how'd that turn out.

[Milkman delivers]

That was one alleged incident where he was playing cards. Fact was, the pitchers just didn't like him. Hermanson, as I recall, never saw any of that and even advocated his coming in. I don't know about Rios. I'll trust, however, that KW, learned his lesson with Javy. I'll guess he did his homework.

 

And where are those assholes Matt Herges and Brett Tomko now? In the minors or out of baseball. AJ, on the other hand, is hitting the best of his career and shining his ring daily.

[hogan873]

I would imagine that you'd hear this kind of talk about many players after they are traded, released, waived, etc. Like someone pointed out, you heard bad things about Griffey, too. Time will tell with Rios.

[LittleHurt05]

I think it was Lee Smith that used to sleep until the fifth inning or so. Granted he knew they wouldnt call on him any earlier than the 7th inning, but 478 saves later, it didnt seem to be a problem

[BamaDoc]

I wish pride was enough to motivate all players. I hope playing games in the second half that matter, instead of knowing you have no playoff chance, will bring out his best.

[Pants Rowland]

I do not know Rios' full preparation schedule, attitude, etc. but I do know each player gets ready to perform differently. My understanding is Julio Franco was a serial catnapper and attributed his longevity in the game to his ability to stay relaxed and let the game come to him. I doubt that is what ex-teammates are insinuating with Rios, but unless you are a HOF player, you should probably take care of yourself and set the best example possible in the clubhouse. Hopefully Rios would take a cue from such examples, then. Maybe not. Time will tell.

[greg775]

I think it was Lee Smith that used to sleep until the fifth inning or so

 

If that's true, that's funny. That's a helluva nap. He must have been one tired dude.