Inside the Astros August 21, 2000 SportsWritersDirect INSIDE PITCH The honeymoon is over between Jose Lima and Larry Dierker. Lima, never one to mask his feelings, was visibly upset when Dierker pulled him after the fifth inning during Sunday's (Aug. 20) 6-5 loss to Milwaukee, and the right-hander was further angered when he learned of Dierker's post-game comments. "He (Lima) threw 102 pitches and still didn't look like he was getting it straightened out," Dierker said. "It's the same old thing. He didn't pitch inside, and they were running when he reached his belt. He's doing the same things wrong now that he was doing wrong before the break. He's not pitching inside, and he's putting too many balls out over the plate, and he's not using his breaking pitches effectively. It's the same things we've talked about over and over again. Some days he gets away with it; some days he doesn't." Lima (5-14) did not mince words when informed of Dierker's post-game critique. "It seems like everything I do here is wrong," he said. "Now, I know who's your friend and who's not your friend. I'm real hurt now because I know I'm better, and I know I deserve respect. I feel there's no respect here." Dierker said if he didn't have confidence in Lima he wouldn't have left him in the rotation all year long. Lima leads the majors with 38 home runs allowed. He won 21 games last year and has a shot at losing 20 this year. Lima has also been the focus of most of the fans' wrath. The Astros, who had won the division the past three years, have been in last place since April. "I know it's been a bad year; you don't have to tell me," Lima said. "I know I haven't pitched well, but I've pitched better since the break, and I deserve more respect than this." Dierker wouldn't say if he plans to talk to Lima before his next scheduled start. Lima left the Astros clubhouse without talking to Dierker. "I know it's frustrating," Dierker said. "It's frustrating for all of us the way things have gone this year." ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Lima's a freaking baby! If the coaches see Lima doing something wrong repeatedly, then it's their job to point it out and keep pointing it out until it is corrected. And, if they feel like yanking the SOB because he's ignoring the things to get better or not making improvements, then that is their perogative. I'm sure Dierker was seeing those mistakes and thinking that this is still a close ballgame but the way Lima is making those mistakes, we are going to get burned again. So, better go to the rotation. Or, he was thinking Lima is not listening and improving in the areas they have worked all year with him on. Lima gets respect; he's still in the rotation. He doesn't get my respect because he's nothing but an over-emotional wanker who can't concentrate and is liable to be tagged for 10 runs at any moment in the blink of an eye. Get rid of his sorry ass. See ya. If he wants more respect, send him to triple-A...they got lots of respect for him. Wah wah wah...boo hoo hoo. Surf ------------------
Pitching this poorly would normally get you sent back to the minors. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I say see ya Dierker. ------------------ "I'll drop kick those f*ckin' dogs if they come anywhere near me." visit www.swirve.com
Lima will be on the team next year unless the astros sign a FA pitcher. He is probably somewhere in between last year and this year. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
If that's true, then why have our pitchers sucked all year? It's not just the ballpark because it's happened just as often on the road. ------------------ "I'll drop kick those f*ckin' dogs if they come anywhere near me." visit www.swirve.com
Dierker is the b****. ------------------ "I talked about what degenerates they [Mets fans] were, and they proved me right. Just by saying something, I could make them mad enough to go home and slap their moms." John Rocker
Then please explain why Scott Elarton is currently 10 games over .500. Crediting overcoming a mini slump earlier in the season, with a problem in his mechanincs pointed out by the coaching staff? Why is it Shane Reynolds was all but the same pitcher? Only struggling with walks this year, which is why his record isnt quite as nice. Walking batters has nothing to do with the new field. Sorry, I agree with the statement that most pitchers would of been sent down to the minors by now. He wants repect, go earn it. He has always given up gopher balls at an alarming rate. Just because he doesnt have the Dome to hide behind anymore isnt the coaching staffs fault. The mere fact that hes in the rotation is respect enough. Can you even fathom the fact that Lima is on pace to give up 50 homers for the season? That he has given up more homers than any player minus maybe 2 has hit in the majors? Why is this Deirkers fault? For finding Limas problem and pointing them out. For keeping him in the rotation even though he continues to not correct them? ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
I agree with you 100% shake,but I think I can answer your question:"Why is this Deirkers fault?" answer: They are paying Lima a hell of a lot more money than they are paying Dierker. And its also easier to replace a manager than a 20 game winner. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
True Finn, but at this pace Lima is giong to be a 20 game loser. He very well may be resposible for 1/5th of the Astros losses. Don't get me wrong, I like Lima's attitude towards the game, but he simply isn't cutting it and is showing no signs of returning to form. I had a bad feeling this offseason when the Astros signed the home favorite and let a true star in Everett and good pitcher in Hampton go. It's my opinion that the Astros should entertain some offers in the offseason, but should not do anything rash. If Dierker is given the boot, it won't be because of the pitching problems, it will be because of some of his managerial decisions. ------------------ Don't you have anything better to do?
Explain to me why Dierker is now being questioned for his managerial decisions but for the past three years he has been using the same managerial style to lead the Stros to 3 straight Division titles. I do not think the problem is Dierker. Winning is a such a funny thing. If you win, everyone is happy. Start losing and heads must roll. I think Dierker has been a great manager. I just think we lost to much talent this off-season and it caught up with the Astro's. Every other team that is leading or in contention made strides to improve themselves. The Astros did not. In fact they took several steps backwards by giving up Everett, Hampton and believe it or not even Bell. They each provided veteran leadership to this club. If you want to be pissed at someone be pissed at Drayton McClane. The ******* sold out all Astro fans. He got his stadium and we the fans got shafted. ------------------ Titan's fanatic!!!! It was the first time the Titans sent an offense to the line of scrimmage with Eddie George in the backfield behind McNair to go with Wycheck at tight end and Carl Pickens, Kevin Dyson and Yancey Thigpen at wide receiver. So many choices, with a full season still ahead. "I think that might be scary for a defense," Dyson said.
D34, I am a big supporter of Deirker. When a team has a bad season it is never the players fault. I hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Drayton made Deirker the fall guy. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
It's a hazzard of the job. Think of how much criticism Rudy T recieved last year. ------------------ Stay Cool...
If anyone should be listened to when it comes to pitching mechanics it is Dierker. Sometimes I question his managerial decisions, but not this one. It was time for Lima to be pulled. ------------------ Don't you have anything better to do?
