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The Last of the Breed

Edgy MD
Jan 12 2019 09:01 PM

With the release of David Wright, Major League Baseball has lost the last of her captains.



I think Adrián Beltré held the role too before he retired at the end of November. Though it is largely a symbolic role, Wright clearly took it as seriously as he took all aspects of his job.

MFS62
Jan 13 2019 08:06 AM
Re: The Last of the Breed

It makes me happy that Derek Jeter did not have that distinction.



In case you have forgotten, A day without a Derek Jeter insult is still like a day without sunshine.

Thank you, Edgy, for brightening my day.



Later

whippoorwill
Jan 18 2019 08:28 AM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Teams should have captains. They hold things together in a way the managers and coaches cannot

A Boy Named Seo
Jan 18 2019 12:38 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Was Franco's "C" a little oversized? I picture him looking like a little tyke with a big ol "C" on his chest.

Centerfield
Jan 18 2019 01:21 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

I keep reading "The Last of the Bread".



I think this low-carb new year's resolution is playing with my sanity.

Frayed Knot
Jan 18 2019 01:39 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.

Centerfield
Jan 18 2019 01:46 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Frayed Knot wrote:

When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.


*makes everyone around him better

*comes through in clutch situations

*plays the game the way it was meant to be

*is unselfish

*leads by example

*is accountable for his actions

*never gets too high or too low

*is passionate, cares

*is white (usually), speaks English as a first language

Frayed Knot
Jan 18 2019 02:02 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

* gives gift baskets

whippoorwill
Jan 18 2019 02:05 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

* C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?

Plus being a player and not a coach gives a captain an certain brotherhood with the other players that a coach doesn't have

Frayed Knot
Jan 18 2019 02:16 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

=whippoorwill post_id=1399 time=1547845515 user_id=79]
* C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?



Which he did from virtually the moment he got here, hanging the label of 'Captain' on him changed nothing except that it made the team feel like it had slighted Gary Carter in doing so.

So they then went and named Carter a captain too ... and so then we had two captains, which was pretty much the same as having one, which was kinda the same as none.

Centerfield
Jan 18 2019 02:27 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Frayed Knot wrote:

and so then we had two captains, which was pretty much the same as having one, which was kinda the same as none.


lololol

Benjamin Grimm
Jan 18 2019 02:31 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Frayed Knot wrote:

When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.


Keeps track of who's eating lunch, and when. Disposes of inappropriate sandwiches, as necessary.



http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150304_NYDN_02.jpeg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150304_NSD_02.jpg> http://ultimatemets.com/covers/2015/20150304_NYP_02.jpg>

Frayed Knot
Jan 18 2019 02:35 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Apparently Captain Dave ably assisted by assistant captain Bobby Parnell during that infamous battle of lunch meat hill.

School children will read of their heroics for decades to come.

whippoorwill
Jan 18 2019 03:03 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Frayed Knot wrote:

=whippoorwill post_id=1399 time=1547845515 user_id=79]
* C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?


Which he did from virtually the moment he got here, hanging the label of 'Captain' on him changed nothing except that it made the team feel like it had slighted Gary Carter in doing so.

So they then went and named Carter a captain too ... and so then we had two captains, which was pretty much the same as having one, which was kinda the same as none.



Yeah that was....odd. I remember Keith saying he was kinda weirded out by the big C on his chest. Doubtful Gary was, lol

whippoorwill
Jan 18 2019 03:06 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

PS Look how short Syndergaards hair is. I remember at the time not knowing who he was

kcmets
Jan 18 2019 03:35 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Lmao, I forgot all about Foodgate. 'Know your place, rook' is an amusing jock thing.



I'm not anti-captain per se, it's a case by case thing. Co-captains seems a bit much.

There's no one on the Mets today worthy of captainhood.

A Boy Named Seo
Jan 18 2019 03:56 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

If I were a manager and I had a guy that I trusted (someone like David Wright) who had the respect of most or all of the players (probably like David Wright did), I think it would be smart to have that dude be a captain.



Of course it's a nebulous concept and the pace of baseball doesn't require an on-field general, but even the coolest "player's manager" around still isn't a player. But endorsing a peer of the players as their in-uniform leader could probably be helpful.

Johnny Lunchbucket
Jan 18 2019 10:22 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

I feel like it's hard to find a jock who is good enough to be respected by all of his teammates and also a Goody Goody who the manager likes.



That's why we don't see that many captains

Edgy MD
Jan 19 2019 08:58 AM
Re: The Last of the Breed

It's also hard to keep the best and most respected players in one uniform for a long enough period to establish that equity.



And while I get the cynicism toward the nebulousness of the job duties, Wright clearly thought there was a meaningful, concrete responsibility that came with the title.

Frayed Knot
Jan 19 2019 01:40 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Have any team Captains ever been promoted to team Majors?

If so, that's something which might impress me!

MFS62
Jan 19 2019 07:55 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Frayed Knot wrote:

Have any team Captains ever been promoted to team Majors?

If so, that's something which might impress me!


The only Major I can recall was Ralph Houk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Houk



Later

Willets Point
Jan 20 2019 10:48 AM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Is there currently any players on any team that might be considered for captain? Dustin Pedroia would seem eligible except it remains to be seen if he will be healthy enough to return to being an everyday player. Maybe Mike Trout?

Edgy MD
Jan 20 2019 11:00 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Buster Posey could certainly work. Adam Jones could captain the sinking ship in Baltimore.



Alex Gordon, how about you? You've been with the Royals over a decade and play both infield and outfield.



José Altuve isn't yet 29, but I'd make him Houston's captain on general principle, because he's a total badass.

Willets Point
Jan 21 2019 12:58 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Seconding Altuve!

LWFS
Jan 21 2019 09:35 PM
Re: The Last of the Breed

Edgy MD wrote:

Buster Posey could certainly work. Adam Jones could captain the sinking ship in Baltimore.



Alex Gordon, how about you? You've been with the Royals over a decade and play both infield and outfield.



José Altuve isn't yet 29, but I'd make him Houston's captain on general principle, because he's a total badass.


Adam Jones is a FA, IIRC. But Posey and Altuve are definite contenders. Joey Votto would also be a possibility, no? And-- maybe the most obvious candidate of all (if personally difficult to admit)-- Yadier F. Molina.