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Roger Mooney
Roger Mooney covers the Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.
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Maddon yanks Young for lack of hustle
Posted Sep 29, 2007 by Marc Lancaster
Updated Sep 29, 2007 at 03:41 PM
TORONTO—Rays manager Joe Maddon pulled Delmon Young from the game after the top of the sixth inning today not because he wanted to give the player a few extra innings of rest, but because he wanted to send a message. Young didn’t run out a grounder to third base leading off the inning, and Maddon termed that “unacceptable”—particularly coming just a couple of hours after Maddon’s year-end talk with the team touched on issues just like that.
“I did not like the way he ran to first base,” said Maddon. “I have one simple rule and that’s to run hard to first base. I’ve had different conversations with him regarding this during the season. We just had a meeting with the players before the game and all I want our players to do is respect – respect the game, respect their uniform, do things right. I thought it was a blatant disrespect for the game and I couldn’t tolerate that, based on everything I’ve talked about all year and where I want us to go. It’s unacceptable. It also speaks to our minor-league people and the people that want to be fans of the Rays. I want them to expect a certain level of effort, and that’s not acceptable.”
Asked what Young’s reaction to the move was, Maddon said he didn’t know because he hadn’t had a chance to speak with Young. At that point, Young walked by outside the manager’s office, paused by the door and said, “I’m no-go tomorrow.”
Young went back to his locker, quickly finished getting dressed and left the clubhouse before outfield coach George Hendrick could corral him for a meeting with Maddon.
“I’m not the only one doing it,” Young said of his transgression. “I play every day, don’t complain.”
Apparently Young will not be playing in his 162nd game of the season, though.
“I’ll see you guys next year, because I’m shut down tomorrow,” he said as he left.
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Reader Comments
Por (vince corio) on September 29, 2007 (Suggest removal)
good job madden..these attitudes that can been seen on tv are pathetic..delmon you are a professional who is lucky as hell to play baseball for a living..suck it up boys
Suggest removalPor (joe) on September 29, 2007 (Suggest removal)
Stuart Sternberg is an absentee owner who treats the club like a toy and Silverman and Friedman, although smart, are naieve and incompetent in the sense they don’t know their players and talent.
You anger the fans by ripping Tampa Bay on the road uniforms. You have your AL K champion question your resolve, you got the owner justifying “the price is right” and the “most exciting” last place team in history! And Young, although not directly related, indicating there are discipline and leadership problems on the club. And all of that falls square at the Three Amigos of Stu, Andrew and Matt. Its time for real action, real money and and fortitude. Get off the wallet, and maybe you wouldn’t have this.
Suggest removalPor (BRuce Galle) on September 29, 2007 (Suggest removal)
Glad to see Maddon getting some balls. The Rays are way to young (no pun intended) to start slacking. This is an excellent example of why the team has a big hurdle ahead to make the next step as individuals and a team.
While I certainly don;t think the Rays are a hustle team (no way) the fact that Young things others are doing it is a poor excuse.
We forget that players like Upton, Young, etc. are still very immature and have not learned many if any lessons in the minors.
The Rays are putting a lot into being contenders in 2009. They will have to win 80 games next year or the expectations are going to kill them.
I hope the grow and mature during the off season as they have much upside!
Suggest removalPor (bobby k. carr) on September 29, 2007 (Suggest removal)
we don´t need that kind of player. send him home, for good. we´ll be OK with Crawford, Upton, Rocco & Ruggiano. No doubt!!!
Suggest removalPor (Charlie Troeger) on September 30, 2007 (Suggest removal)
The Manager needs to be the BOSS. He is not a friend or a Pal. Maddon did just what he needed to do. If Young is a no show he will need to address that also. If there is one thing that I have noticed is that some players have lacked hustle at times and coming into a new season it is time to nip it in the bud NOW. From now to the start of next season is fix the problems time. Thanks Maddon
Suggest removalPor (Mike Cook) on September 30, 2007 (Suggest removal)
I think we have the next major headcase like Milton Bradley. Earlier in the season he verbally assaulted reporters who were questioning Dukes and we all remember the bat throwing. It’s time to look for trade partners for pithching while his value is high. If the Rays wait too long, this could be another Dukes situation.
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