Sorry, not Footer, it was the Jesus: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4043688.html "Ensberg, who reluctantly admits his right shoulder is hurt, welcomes Huff." And earlier from Purp: "And the thing with Morgan is, I know he hasn't admitted to having (right) shoulder problems, but he did hurt his shoulder. I don't know if that's still affecting him, but I think we'll have a good, frank conversation tomorrow. Unfortunately, we're in a position where we have to start moving forward." And voila: Ensberg rests. Will be interesting to watch Burke in RF...any tags from 2nd or 1-3rd on singles?
Ensberg, even hurt, is still a better hitter than Willy Taveras. Eric Bruntlett is a better hitter than Willy Taveras. Orlando Palmeiro, batting lefty against Willis, is still a better hitter. Half the fans in the stands might be better hitters than Willy Taveras. Sensing a pattern here? I hope Lane regains his stroke quickly so we can bring him back as a CF reserve and send Willy down...
So Morgan admits his shoulder still hurts and sits. What the hell is wrong with Lamb that he has sit on the pine. We acuire an extra bat to bolster our offense but we trot the same lineup of days past...whatever we gain with Huff for Ensberg tonight we lose with Willy for Lamb/Burke.
Agreed... it might all be moot, since we're facing Willis tonight, but Willy's continued regression was just as big of a problem in the first half as Ensberg slumping, or Lane being terrible. On top of it all, at least the other two would get on base some of the time... Willy is hitting worse than most MLB pitchers would, given the amount of AB's he gets. The other two have seemed to be put on notice... but Willy still gets a free pass (and a high spot in the lineup, no less). I don't like it.
Garner has an obsession with lefty/righty matchups. He frequently falls into the trap that any lefty in the bullpen, even if they're terrible (Mike Gallo) can get out lefty batters. Likewise, on offense, he assumes that lefty hitters have no chance to hit lefty pitchers... even if they are good and their track record says otherwise (Lamb). And instead, even if they're terrible (Willy Taveras), he assumes right-handers are the better option. For the most part, Garner's correct in his analysis of when it's better to use typical lefties and righties... but there are exceptions, and he seems to make very few, carrying the rule through all sorts of extremes.
I hate players like this - Wagner pulled this same crap. Its pretty easy to see you're hurting the team by playing. Tell someone you're hurt and get it fixed instead of just sitting there going 0-4 every day.
Alright Willy... maybe somebody lit a fire under your ass. Now, do what you're supposed to do when you actually do get on base (steal).
I can understand him trying to play through his wrist in the WS last year. Not this. There's a fine line between being a gamer & being a dumbass.
I don't think he really trusts the organization. They have never really liked the guy, especially when Jimy W was here. I know Jimy's gone, but old habits may die hard.
