Joe Morgan on Baseball tonight

by tal1286 on May 15, 2006 9:58 PM CDT Comment 28 comments

I wish I had a transcript of this interview because Joe Morgan just spewed out more incompetence than I thought was possible. For example,

I wish I had a transcript of this interview because Joe Morgan just spewed out more incompetence than I thought was possible. Joe Morgan basically said that Dusty Baker is not at fault in the slightest for the cubs struggles this season. Does he actually look at stats? Does he actually know what a platoon is? I'm being serious when I say that I got very angry at Joe Morgan and actually yelled at the screen about how Morgan needs to stop spewing this nonsense out to ESPN's viewers. I was floored.

Did anybody else see this? It really wasn't so much what he said because frankly, he said nothing, as much as it was his position and what he didn't say.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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sorry about the repeat there

this is the first time I've posted a diary.

by tal1286 on May 15, 2006 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I know

I heard it, too. Just try to put it out of your head.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 15, 2006 10:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

it's just that

he CLEARLY does not know what he is talking about. CLEARLY!!!!! HE needs to SHUT UP and stop using his platform as a hall of famer to promote these views among people who know they know nothing and are looking for information.

by tal1286 on May 15, 2006 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe Morgan

I TiVoed it. Let me go see if I can come up with a loose transcript.
I despise Joker Morgan, though, so I might get too angry to focus.

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on May 15, 2006 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Never mind.

Evidently the little woman decided to stop recording Baseball Tonight in the middle of the show. Anyone else get it?

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on May 15, 2006 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Basically

he said that there have been times in the past when you could have layed the teams poor performance at Dusty's feet (funny, because I don't remember Morgan EVER saying that at the time), but that this slump is not Dusty's fault.

Pretty pathetic.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 15, 2006 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Morgan's an Idiot

Anyone with half a brain can see Baker is a lousy manager. So what if he wears wristbands and he looks like he's ready to take the field with his players. Baker reminds me of the dad who wants to go with his sixteen year old son to a Disturbed concert because he wants his kid to like him. When there is no authority we see what happens.

Anyone hear of this Adam LaRoche situation in Atlanta? He took his time getting to the bag after fielding a grounder in front of firstbase and Nick Johnson beat him to the bag, opening the door to a 4 run 9th. Bobby Cox immediatley benched him. When has Dusty ever shown that type of leadership? JJ misses a cutoff man, gets doubled off second. Cedeno gets picked off twice in the same inning. Batters swinging at pitches over their head. And Baker just continues to trot their dead asses out there day after friggin day.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on May 15, 2006 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At least...

LaRoche tried hard to redeem himself for that lapse in judgment by hustling around the bases when he got put into the game to pinch hit last night. He was doing his best windmill impression his arms were pumping so hard.

by koramcub on May 16, 2006 7:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bobby Cox

Did the same thing to Andruw Jones about 7 or 8 years ago. Jones was lightly jogging toward a fly ball that ended up dropping in front of him. It was a ball that he clearly could have caught if he'd been running for it.

Cox pulled him right there.

I don't watch the Braves as much as I used to, but I've never seen Jones not hustle on the field since then.

Some people say that managers shouldn't show up players like that..it might be bad for their psyche. I say, crap on that. They're paid to play a game and if they aren't giving it all of the effort they can, they deserve to be benched. If they're not paying attention or make a stupid baserunning error, take them out and let them think about it a bit.

Bobby Cox is a HUGE reason that the Braves are in it every year, even when they have lackluster talent. The team does the things it needs to do to win. Bobby isn't afraid to bruise an ego or two if need be.

Dusty could learn a few things by watching Bobby manage.

by Scott on May 16, 2006 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That game, incidentally..

... was against the Cubs, on July 21, 1998. It was notable for its pitching matchup, too: Wood vs. Maddux.

by Al on May 16, 2006 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

More on this...

... here's the PBP:

CUBS 8TH: ROCKER REPLACED PRIDE (PITCHING); Wood grounded out (first to pitcher); Johnson singled to center; WILLIAMS REPLACED A. JONES (PLAYING CF); Johnson stole second; Morandini was called out on strikes; Sosa was walked intentionally; Rodriguez struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Cubs 3, Braves 0.

Note that Cox pulled Jones during the inning, after Johnson's hit.

by Al on May 16, 2006 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

It was immediate.

I was watching that game and I remember the impact that the move had on me as a spectator. I didn't remember that it was a Cubs game, but that seems about right.

by Scott on May 16, 2006 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

Sadly, I thought that was one of Morgan's more insightful opinions. And if you really want to hear it, it looks like it will replay on SportsCenter.

The current slide isn't all Dusty's fault, but I don't know that he's helping matters any. And that in itself is a problem.

Even though the team finished a game better in 2004 than it did in '03, things have actually gotten worse each year he's been here. Or at least worse from 2003 to now, each year. That should tell Hendry something.

Of course, Hendry's not the most keen observer of things on the planet, either.

And speaking of LaRoche, now might be a good time to make a run at him if we really want a stopgap. I think he'd fit right in with some of the guys.

"If it takes forever."

by JDay on May 15, 2006 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At the moment

they're blaming it on his ADD. I'm not saying that's an excuse, I'm just pointing it out.

--Tim http://fridayafternoonintheuniverse.blogspot.com

by elscorcho0682 on May 15, 2006 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the article I read....

....Laroche took full responsibility for his actions, apologized to Cox, the pitcher and then teammates. He refused to use ADD as an excuse. Others, however are pushing their agendas and doing so. Laroche will get a pass on this and will not be on the trade market.

"I was not in optimum condition to manage ," Dusty said. "I regret that lapse in judgment."

by Reverend Jim Ignatowski on May 16, 2006 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

I really applaud that. He's not letting it become an issue. Same with Bobby Cox, who I think is a really great manager who would never leave Atlanta for Wrigleyville. Unfortunately.

--Tim http://fridayafternoonintheuniverse.blogspot.com

by elscorcho0682 on May 16, 2006 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's beautiful

n/t

"If it takes forever."

by JDay on May 15, 2006 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We're

talking about the same man who would analyze a box of sunflower seeds in the dugout if the box was colorful enough.

Pay no attention, he's a tool.

...the artist formerly priorpwnz.

by Faith plus 1 on May 16, 2006 8:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone read Morgans ESPN chats?

He's said repeatedly that he'll never read "Moneyball" because the author didn't play the game, therefore he can't teach Morgan anything about baseball. Apparently if you didn't play baseball in the big leagues Joe knows more about baseball than you ever could. Joe apparently does not believe in statistics either since they are the tools of oppression handed down by the suits who use them only because they were never good enough or smart enough the play the game at a major league level.

Basically it's safe to ignore Joe Morgan. Respect him for his ability as a baseball player but pay no attention to anything he says.

by pageian on May 16, 2006 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Did he keep insisting

that Billy Beane wrote Moneyball?

"If I was Billy Beane, I wouldn't write the book Moneyball!"

lmao--I love it when he does that.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 16, 2006 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does he really say that?

What a maroon.

And if he DOES believe that, then he ought to change the other part of his belief, because Billy Beane DID play major league baseball.

OK, not for very long or very well, but in his short time there, Beane sure did learn what makes a winner.

He was a #1 draft pick, too.

by Al on May 16, 2006 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And a total headcase

But I love him anyway.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 16, 2006 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And remember...

This is also the guy who skipped out on Sandberg's induction to the HOF, the first one Morgan had missed since 1990. He said it was due to "family commitments" but we all know Morgan was jealous of Sandberg breaking his record for home runs by a second baseman.

I also can't stand the way Morgan stands up for Bonds all the time. We get it, you know him and his dad, blah, blah, blah.

Poppppppppped it up...

by nextyearcub on May 16, 2006 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Here's a quote from one of his chats. It's kind of been an ongoing discussion so this isn't the first time he wrote something to this effect either. Pretty scary that someone in his position thinks like this.

Joe Morgan: "The guy that wrote Moneyball can't teach me about the game. That is what I meant. If you haven't been on the field, why should I read your book? How can that person teach me about the game? I learn plenty about the game everyday. Every Sunday night I learn something. The game changes almost every day. But I'm still not going to read Moneyball or books written by people who haven't been on the field or really experienced what goes on in the game of baseball."

by pageian on May 16, 2006 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs