Why all the Theriot hate? Last night's recap focused on Theriot's TOOTBLAN and I have often been...

Why all the Theriot hate? Last night's recap focused on Theriot's TOOTBLAN and I have often been frustrated by Theriot's seemingly mindless baserunning. However, the constant berating of Theriot seems misplaced. He is at best an average player; to pin the disappointment of this season on Ryan is unfair. Yes, he was thrown out, but I think the aggressiveness stems from a sense of urgency in terms of trying to score runs, even outside of smart baseball. Notably absent from the recap was the fact that Nady, Castro, and Lee failed to register a hit. Shouldn't we be critical of them?

almost 2 years ago brocubsbro 11 comments 0 recs |

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I see no need to be critical of Castro.

Everyone knew Nady wasn’t going to hit. Everyone is used to Lee not hitting this season.

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon

by Cubbiegoon on Jul 9, 2010 3:14 PM CDT reply actions

Well I would say here

That most everyone knows Riot will make baserunning mistakes as well, except Lou since mindlessly starts Theriot everyday. And knowing about it shouldn’t mean I give up my right to mention it in a recap. Theriot does indeed hustle, I have no doubt he is making these mistakes with good intentions. That doesn’t change the fact he’s making horrible choices.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 9, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

to pin the disappointment of this season on Ryan is unfair.

who the hell is doing that?

by jesus christos on Jul 9, 2010 3:31 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah,

That’s my problem with people worrying about Theriot criticism. This point about blaming the season on him has been stated on here before by others besides the author of this post, and I haven’t seen anyone blaming the season on Theriot, just calling him out for very poor judgement, which he surely has earned. Saying he is the reason the season has been poor would indeed be very wrong.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 9, 2010 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree when I criticize him I'm not saying w/o him the Cubs will go to the play offs

But when I see a player who repeatly makes the same mistake over and over again… I think he should be called out. I don’t hate him. Besides hitting lots of singles, which helps his BA. I don’t think he is even an average player. Not only that, Lou seems to hi lite Theriot short comings by where he puts him in the line up.

"Actually, Major League Baseball is more like Neverland

And the Lost Boys don’t have to ever grow up. Some do, anyway, but that is not a universal characteristic"

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 9, 2010 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

The picture really drives home your point.

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by daver on Jul 9, 2010 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

Back in 08 when he was at his best (and yet still an average player, like you said)

Theriot became somewhat of a darling to Cubs fans. Hell, even Lou said he should be an All-Star. Many Cubs fans were dumbfounded by the love for a guy who wasn’t even all that good to begin with (unlike guys like Lee and Aram, who, at their best, are actually really, really good. Although that seems like a very long time ago…).

So the fact is, he doesn’t have all world talent. Fine. There are many players on this team who either never had it or lost it as well. Eventually, you can deal with that. A lack or loss of talent happens. But when Theriot makes a stupid decision on the basepaths, or his ability to hit weak singles makes him believe that he’s above taking walks, well, that’s all mental stuff. You can’t just shrug off a player’s performance by saying “Hey, his logical thinking skills declined. It happens to the best of them.” Because it doesn’t. Theriot’s not just a bad baseball player; he’s a dumb one, too. And that, good sir, is the cause of all the Theriot hate.

by shoemile on Jul 9, 2010 5:09 PM CDT reply actions