To the Chagrin of Indians Fans, Eric Wedge Has Support of Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro
Apparently, Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro is no admirer of President Harry S. Truman. That is, when it comes to results and accountability, the “buck (does not) stop here,” as in, with the man at the top.
It was reported Sunday that, despite a team that was a pennant contender in April having the AL’s worst record most of May, June and July, manager Eric Wedge will serve out his term the rest of 2009, and perhaps beyond.
“As I’ve said all along, the responsibility for the disappointments of this season don’t rest on one person,†Shapiro said. “The responsibility is spread equally throughout the players, the front office, Eric and his staff.”
Really? In most jobs, or in politics, the man at the top is rewarded or punished for the company’s or his administration’s successes or failures. In sports, it is often the same, especially in baseball. But apparently, not on the southern shore of Lake Erie. Who knew?
On the surface, sure, the team has been doomed since mid-April after they lost eight of their first nine games, so why bring in an interim skipper at mid-season?
On the other hand, why not? It might spark the team, help them avoid an embarrassing 100 loss season, and maybe that interim manager might stick, as they occasionally do?
In fact, many Indians’ fans believe Joel Skinner, who took over for Charlie Manuel when the current Philly manager was fired seven years ago this week, deserved the job over Wedge, who took over at the outset of the 2003 season.
It’s easy to argue that Wedge’s hire was a mistake at this point. He had a great team built for him to contend for years after the bad 2002-2004 stretch, and has just a .500 record to show for it, one playoff appearance (2007) and three very disappointing seasons (2006, 2008 & 2009.)
Shapiro, disagrees, and has cashed in 2009:
“I thought it was important for the second half to remove a potential distraction that exists from that speculation,” he said.
He then spoke in clichés:
“This is not a vote of confidence, nothing has changed,” said Shapiro. “I have the ability to be decisive about this right now. I want to eliminate distractions and make sure there is accountability.”
Sure, Mark.
Actions speak louder the words.
And what a shame for a city desperate for a winner.
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In other non-Indians news…
I should add that, while we all know all-star selections are silly, if Ryan Howard made the NL reserves, so should Adam Dunn or Mark Reynolds, who have better statistics with about 10% of the talent around them.
This is not opinion, but fact. It’s laughable only because it was predictable.
ESPN was so confident and biased toward Ryan that earlier this week they were talking to him about how many ticket requests he had, not about whether or not he deserved to be chosen.
* – Mark Shapiro / Eric Wedge photo credit: AP via MLB.com
