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Who Said That?

batmagadanleadoff Feb 27 2014 09:23 AM

Rips of Mets' Ruben Tejada irk David Wright The anonymous comments painted Tejada as still seemingly out of shape after he spent much of his winter in Michigan working out to try to win back his job as the Mets’ starting shortstop. By Kristie Ackert / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS PORT ST. LUCIE — Put a name on it. That is what Mets captain David Wright had to say to whoever was the anonymous source taking shots at Ruben Tejada in the press this week. “That’s one of my biggest pet peeves in all of baseball,” Wright said. “If you’re going to criticize the guy, put your name behind it.” The anonymous comments painted Tejada as still seemingly out of shape after he spent much of his winter in Michigan working out to try to win back his job as the Mets’ starting shortstop. General manager Sandy Alderson said the organization had some reasonable options, but right now the 24-year-old is the Mets’ No. 1 choice at short as they enter into Grapefruit League play. That, however, does not rule out the Mets making a move before Opening Day, Alderson has conceded. While the Mets have not made an offer to free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew, they are not opposed to making a deal if his demands come down considerably. Alderson said Wednesday, however, that he had not had any conversations with Drew’s representatives “recently.” The Mets are also watching Mariners infielder Nick Franklin “very closely” this spring, a team source confirmed. The Mets like Franklin’s power, but are concerned about his ability to play shortstop every day, according to the source. With the signing of Robinson Cano this offseason and with Brad Miller already established at shortstop, the Mariners are at least willing to talk about dealing Franklin. But Wednesday, with the criticism of Tejada still lingering, Alderson also said he was disappointed. “It is unfair that comments of that sort (were) made,” Alderson said. “It’s not something that I am proud of in terms how it necessarily represents the organization.” Alderson went on to say that even though he can not discern much of a difference from looking at Tejada, the organization was happy with his commitment and approach this spring. “I think we’re happy with the attitude he demonstrated in the offseason,” Alderson said of the embattled shortstop’s time training in Michigan. “I think we’ve seen greater enthusiasm. I’ve always felt from his standpoint it was more about his mental and emotional approach to the game than his capability. Taking all those things into account, we’re pleased.” While the Mets are pleased Tejada showed commitment in the offseason, Alderson said it has to translate to the field to make a difference. Wright seems to think is will. “This is the best shape I have seen him come into spring in,” the third baseman said, “and I can see he is moving around a lot better out there.” Tejada is trying to win back his job after a brutal 2013. He hit .202 in 57 games, and was demoted and twice injured. He showed up to spring training in 2013 heavy and slow. Terry Collins said Tejada will get plenty of chances to prove his critics wrong this spring. “At this moment, Ruben Tejada is the shortstop here,” he said. “We’ve got to be patient with him, get him a number of at-bats this spring. He’s been told that and we’ll see how he plays. We don’t have a lot of options. He’s the guy right now.” http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... -1.1703276 _____________________________ Carlos Beltran slams anonymous critics of former Mets teammate Ruben Tejada 'If you have something to say, come forward and say it,' Beltran defied those who have gone off the record with negative stories about Tejada, who played with Tejada in 2010 and 2011. By Andy Martino / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 9:45 PM BRADENTON, Fla. — Carlos Beltran’s Yankee experience began with Wednesday’s game, as he trotted from a dugout for the first time alongside new teammates such as Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury. And while the longtime Met is enjoying his new job, he did spend a few moments wondering about the drama in Port St. Lucie. “What’s going on with (Ruben) Tejada?” Beltran asked in the Yankees clubhouse, referring to the extended cycle of negativity surrounding the young shortstop. Mets officials have long criticized Tejada, on the record and anonymously, for his work ethic and conditioning, and that pattern continued this week. This struck Beltran, who has endured similar experiences, as unfair. “Anonymous?” Beltran said. “Come on. Anonymous? Come forward, brother. If you have something to say, come forward and say it.” Beltran said that when a young player such as Tejada sees negative stories about him, he is affected. “Imagine,” he said. “Of course, it has to make you feel bad. Horrible. When you see all that coming out, you feel bad about yourself, and feel bad about the whole situation. The best way to solve that is by communicating. Not in the papers. You solve things by talking to the person. Person-to-person.” Beltran played with Tejada in 2010 and 2011, and was impressed. “Sometimes when you’re quiet and you don’t say much, and you respond back with a smile, some people misunderstand,” Beltran said. “Maybe they start putting a stamp on him, that he is that type of guy. But my experience with him is that he is a great kid, and I love him.” In Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB Network radio: “Look, we have probably 30 front office and coaching staff down here. There’s going to be a stray comment about players from time to time. That’s unfortunately the nature of the media in New York.” Over in Tampa, Beltran could only chuckle at the situation. “I’m not surprised,” he said, shaking his head and laughing. “No, I’m not surprised. By anything anymore.” http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... z2uXZ8PG9u

Edgy MD Feb 27 2014 09:27 AM Re: Who Said That?

Neither of those excerpts includes the actual quote, which (if it's the one I think they are referring to) was pretty tame and may well be torn from mitigating context.

G-Fafif Feb 27 2014 09:35 AM Re: Who Said That?

Anthony Seratelli.

metirish Feb 27 2014 09:38 AM Re: Who Said That?

I blame the butler.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 27 2014 09:58 AM Re: Who Said That?

It was probably Scott Boras.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 27 2014 11:40 AM Re: Who Said That?

Hence the unnamed source.

Mets Guy in Michigan Feb 27 2014 01:22 PM Re: Who Said That?

1) Wright and Beltran are correct 2) Many sportswriters are lazy and sloppy when it comes to using unnamed sources.

MFS62 Feb 27 2014 01:59 PM Re: Who Said That?

metsguyinmichigan wrote: 1) Wright and Beltran are correct 2) Many sportswriters are lazy and sloppy when it comes to using unnamed sources. When you see the same stories being written by several writers, the source is unnamed because they plagerized it from another writer's column. Later

Mets Guy in Michigan Feb 27 2014 03:10 PM Re: Who Said That?

MFS62 wrote: metsguyinmichigan wrote: 1) Wright and Beltran are correct 2) Many sportswriters are lazy and sloppy when it comes to using unnamed sources. When you see the same stories being written by several writers, the source is unnamed because they plagerized it from another writer's column. Later The thing is, how would we know if they are plagiarizing or completely making stuff up? That's the danger of unnamed sources, and they are disgracefully rampant on the sports pages. There is zero accountability. Tejada's taken sort of a hit here because people have accepted this as truth. Someone on the team should tell the writer to back up what he wrote. And don't get me wrong, players and agents use the writers this way and the front office uses the writers this way. And the writers are willing accomplices. A writer with stones would say, "I'm not going to let you take that shot at the player/manager/scout/hot dog vendor/whatever without you standing behind it with your name." If enough did that, this crap would stop.

Edgy MD Feb 27 2014 03:36 PM Re: Who Said That?

This is, as far as I know, what we've got. “He looks pretty much the same,’’ one source told The Post on Monday. Now, that could mean, "He looks pretty much the same. I mean, same height and face and all. I'm sure he's worked hard. The proof's in the pudding, so don't go by what I've seen." Or it could mean, "He looks pretty much the same. But then again, I haven't showered with the guy. Hey, how about that gay guy who wants to play football? Are you covering that story?" Or it could mean, "He looks pretty much the same. We haven't seen him on the field yet, and it's silly to ask me about notable changes in a guy's physique. You can judge that for yourself." And that's pretty much where the rubber hits the road. If a beat guy wants to write about how fit Tejada is, he has all the access in the world to take a peek and judge for himself. Watch the guy in the field and describe his speed, strength, and agility relative to what you've seen before. Ask the guy what's changed in his physical abilities and watch him perform to give a first-hand impression of whether that's bullshit. Report. My problem isn't so much the un-named source. That's par for the course and that's Sandy's problem, but reporters have long used them. My problem is the magic-quotiness of it all. He looks pretty much the same? Well that's good, because he's six months older.

Ashie62 Feb 27 2014 04:23 PM Re: Who Said That?

How about an interview with Ruben? I don't know that I have seem him quoted about anything... All it takes is one dork to post something and it gets all over the interweb...

Edgy MD Feb 27 2014 06:23 PM Re: Who Said That?

Well, that same Post article had three quotes from Tejada, all pretty much saying the same thing. I'm glad I worked hard in the offseason and now I'm here to continue working hard.

Ashie62 Feb 27 2014 06:36 PM Re: Who Said That?

I hope this blows over quickly as Ruben appears to be a victim here...

Nymr83 Feb 27 2014 08:33 PM Re: Who Said That?

Or it could mean, "He looks pretty much the same. But then again, I haven't showered with the guy. Hey, how about that gay guy who wants to play football? Are you covering that story?" Or it could mean, "He looks pretty much the same. We haven't seen him on the field yet, and it's silly to ask me about notable changes in a guy's physique. You can judge that for yourself." Or we could combine the two... "He looks pretty much the same. why are you asking me about his "physique"? ask the gay guy."

Zvon Feb 27 2014 09:51 PM Re: Who Said That?

This whole thing is just lame. The type of workouts Tejada did would not make him look any bigger or smaller. It's supposed to make him quicker and more durable. Lets just watch and we'll see what kind of shape Mr T is in. Hey MGIM, did you know Ruben was training out there?