SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants have gone from the ultimate victory to the height of hypocrisy. They have gone from champagne to fine whine.
Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and I appreciate those with candor in a world knitted together by mindless cliches. But Giants general manager Brian Sabean was dead wrong in his criticism of Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins last week.
Talking on flagship station KNBR, Sabean called Cousins’ barreling over of catcher Buster Posey “malicious.” The hit knocked Posey out for the season with a broken left leg and torn ankle ligaments. Sabean had every right to be furious over losing his star player, but crossed the line when he attacked Cousins and incited the Giants’ fan base when Cousins had already received death threats. When the Marlins return to Oakland for interleague play this month, MLB will provide Cousins with additional security.
“If I never hear from Cousins again or he never plays another game in the big leagues I think we will all be happy,” Sabean said. “He chose to be a hero, in my mind, and if that’s his flash of fame, that’s as good as it’s going to get, pal. We’ll have a long memory.”
Sabean’s stance widened eyes around baseball. The Marlins, naturally, took offense. Cousins left a voice message apologizing for the incident the night it happened, and said he was sorry again Saturday. Marlins teammate Logan Morrison said in a national radio interview, “the Giants are very immature and unprofessional in this entire situation.”
He’s right. And here’s why. Sabean basically said a role player like Cousins isn’t worthy of being on the same field as Posey. That’s petty. Along those lines, would Sabean have been as outraged if backup Eli Whiteside was lost for the year?
If so, then more power to his position. But I doubt he would have flown off the handle over the absence of a career backup.
Following this thinking, what happens when the cleat is on the other foot? Let’s say the Giants win today when Cody Ross plows over Chris Iannetta. Will the Giants still have a problem with home-plate collisions? Giants manager Bruce Bochy was asked that question recently and he said he “wanted his players to be smart” in plays at the plate. But this is the same Giants team that went crazy replaying Nate Schierholtz’s collision with the Japanese catcher during the Olympics.
So, it’s OK as long as it doesn’t happen to them?
This weekend, Johnny Bench said Posey deserves blame for his poor positioning: “He was laying in front of home plate, and it’s like having a disabled car in the middle of a four-lane highway. You’re just going to get smacked.”
Friday, the Giants released a statement saying Sabean spoke out of frustration. Posey helped defuse the situation more with a release this weekend, reading in part, “In no way do I condone threats of any kind against Scott Cousins or his family.”
The Giants are world champions for a reason. They were better than anyone else. Now, they need to be bigger than everyone else, and move on.
Dex-ing question.
Dexter Fowler is hanging by a thread, with Charlie Blackmon pushing the envelope in Triple-A. Fowler is a big-league defender, but to prevent him from being anything other than a fourth outfielder, he needs to stop switch- hitting.
I understood the left-handed experiment when he was leading off and trying to bunt, but he’s miscast at the top of the order, and left-handed he’s constantly in survival mode. Let him hit right-handed and see what happens. It can’t hurt, and just maybe his career will take off again.
Footnotes.
All is not lost for the Mets. They no longer have to watch Oliver Perez pitch every five days, and Justin Turner became the first Met to win rookie of the month honors since the award was created in 2001. . . . Starter Phil Humber has quietly put together a solid season for the White Sox. . . . Former Angels star Darin Erstad was named baseball coach at the University of Nebraska, where he starred as a player. . . . Shocker. Another umpire baits a player into an ugly confrontation. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is facing a possible suspension after bumping Tony Randazzo on Saturday. Randazzo lost complete control of the game, yet Jason Varitek and Papelbon end up being tossed and there Randazzo was, with no one paying to see him, still in the game. Makes no sense. . . . UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole is projected as the top pick in Monday’s draft. Teammate Trevor Bauer, out of the Tim Lincecum mold, could go in the top five.
EYE ON
OF Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
Background: Big things have always been expected of Jay Bruce since he arrived in the major leagues in 2008. He lived up to the hype as a rookie, but since then his career has been shrugged shoulders. Bruce was left to live in Joey Votto’s shadow. The Reds have the reigning MVP in their first baseman, but Votto might need to travel only across the locker room to hand off the trophy.
What’s up: Bruce is having the kind of breakthrough season that propelled the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez to stardom. Prior to this year, he was good for 21 home runs and roughly 60 RBIs. He’s almost reached those marks through nine weeks. Bruce — 17 home runs, 46 RBIs, .355 on-base percentage — can trace his success to a pertinent stat. He’s mashed left-handed pitching this year, batting .381 with five home runs in 42 at-bats.
Renck’s take: Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 in home runs, average and runs scored. Bruce is an important piece of the puzzle going forward, particularly if the Reds can’t afford to keep Votto. The 225-pound slugger is signed through 2016 on a $51-million deal. He’s just 24. His plate coverage and pitch recognition continues to improve, and he’s in a home ballpark suited for his swing. He might be an MVP this year. But fans can at least get one honor right — make Bruce an all-star. He’s as deserving as any NL player in a year dominated by pitching.
AT ISSUE
Is Mauer’s future as a catcher, or is the Twins’ star better off moving to outfield?
What: The Twins are a hot mess this season, buried in the standings and facing a perplexing question about their franchise icon, Joe Mauer. He has played just nine games this season and has spent the past two months rehabbing a sore shoulder and weak legs while shedding a virus. The injuries the last few seasons have prompted the question: Would Mauer be better served to remove the mask and move to the outfield?
When: Mauer played in his first game in more than seven weeks in extended spring last Thursday, and he repeated his desire to remain a catcher. That stance, however, has kept him from returning sooner. It’s fair to wonder whether he would be back if not so worried about handling the pitching staff.
Background: Mauer is to the Twins what Ryan Braun is to the Brewers and Troy Tulowitzki is to the Rockies. He is the face of the franchise, a former MVP. The Twins signed him to an eight-year, $184 million contract through 2018. That contract was a reflection of his hitting and, frankly, his position.
Renck’s take: I have no doubt that Mauer could seamlessly move to right field. He was a terrific athlete poised to play quarterback at Florida State. Here’s why I don’t make the switch. Mauer is a great catcher. He’s cerebral, brings leadership. As an outfielder, his bat doesn’t have the same value, especially at Target Field. He’s a career .326 hitter, but his power has nosedived. In three of the last four seasons, he hasn’t eclipsed double digits in home runs. Nine homers works as a .300-hitting catcher. With Mauer just 28, it’s worth keeping him behind the plate for at least one more season before revisiting this discussion.
THREE UP
1. Diamondbacks: Ian Kennedy is an all-star candidate, and more arms on way with two picks in top seven of upcoming draft.
2. Brewers: Won 21 of first 28 home games, including sweep of Rockies.
3. Mariners: Don’t hit much, don’t have much power, but sure can pitch.
THREE DOWN
1. Rockies: May is over. It’s safe to come out from under the bed Rockies fans.
2. Cubs: Mismatched roster, mediocre pitching point to another forgettable season.
3. Twins: Joe Mauer debate continues. When he returns, should he catch or switch positions?
