So, did Lance Berkman *really* take back all he said?

[Noe]

He spent time defending his comments and his friendships (with Burke especially).  But he said this on 1560 with John and Lance:

"If you think that moving 70% of the team won't effect chemistry, then you're a moron".

Is that a shot back at Woody?  I think this is getting uglier the more Berkman talks.

http://1560thegame.com/page1_sub.php?id=153

Lance really does need to shut up talking to the media, he needs to talk to the folks that matter:

his teammates.

[kevwun]

I don't understand why he's so shocked that the lineup was shaken up.  The great chemistry in 2006 finished 16 games below .500 and missed the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.  Purpura and Garner were fired because of it.  Did he honestly think nothing was going to change?

[otterjb]

Boo‐fucking‐hoo, Maybelline. As has been said, what chemistry? Who gives a fuck about the chemistry of a losing team? Lance, it looks like, is showing his ass in that maybe he doesn't really care about winning, and that's sad.

[DVauthrin]

Memo to Lance:  When you go 73-89 the season before, change is inevitable. Also, if the chemistry was so good, where did all the wins go, your twinkieness?   Perhaps if you hadn't taken half a season to find your bat the record might have been better, don't ya think?

[coop]

If he's that worried about chemistry and the direction of the team, then maybe he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause (assuming that he has one)?

[Matt]

Like most bandwagon fans, if the team is winning then he'll get over it.

[Noe]

What I don't like (at all) is all this talking to the media (for public consumption) by the guy who says "I want to be the leader" of the ballclub.  Does he really... I mean *REALLY* believe that what he's doing with all his whining to the newspapers and radio stations is what a leader is all about.

It's something that shows more and more how immature and not ready he really is to be a leader in this clubhouse.

[Matt]

I imagine his goofy radio show appearances have gotten to him.

[matadorph]

"I don't want to throw [Valverde] in the grease before he gets here."

Uh, you just did you fucking blabbermouth idiot. Every sentence you uttered before that one was throwing him under the bus.

[BudGirl]

He said one day the Astros didn't need Matsui, that Burke could hit 20 homeruns and 80 RBIs (I think those were the numbers).  And he wasn't talking career.

Lance just needs to shut up.

Maybe we all need to send an email to Footer asking why Berkman won't shut up.  Maybe he'll get the idea then.

[kevwun]

Lance is going to get jolted back to reality when Burke stinks it up in Arizona.

[matadorph]

Lance says we fans need to oblige him because he has the right to whine since his little buddy got the boot.

[Bench]

"I don't want to throw [Valverde] in the grease before he gets here."

Uh, you just did you fucking blabbermouth idiot. Every sentence you uttered before that one was throwing him under the bus.

That's kind of like how my grandmother will say, "And bless her heart, but..." and then proceed to rip her subject to shreds.

[DVauthrin]

What I don't like (at all) is all this talking to the media (for public consumption) by the guy who says "I want to be the leader" of the ballclub.  Does he really... I mean *REALLY* believe that what he's doing with all his whining to the newspapers and radio stations is what a leader is all about.

It's something that shows more and more how immature and not ready he really is to be a leader in this clubhouse.

A leader would look in the mirror and realize his half season hiatus is largely responsible for the lack of success last year.   A leader welcomes everyone with open arms and doesn't air potential or real problems to the local gossip queens, instead keeping it in house.   

He is on the Manny Ramirez level now, where you just pray he shuts up and mashes.

[matadorph]

This interview is just incredible. Lance asks Lance point blank if he regrets not talking to Valverde privately before blasting him to the Comical, and not only does Twinkie answer no, he even goes on to criticize his antics even further and then has the gall to say that his words shouldn't be misconstrued.

Shut. the. fuck. up.

[DVauthrin]

This interview is just incredible. Lance asks Lance point blank if he regrets not talking to Valverde privately before blasting him to the Comical, and not only does Twinkie answer no, he even goes on to criticize his antics even further and then has the gall to say that his words shouldn't be misconstrued.

Shut. the. fuck. up.

Why don't we discuss Lance Berkman's mental lapses in the field if he wants to play this game?   I remember him trying to take home from 2nd base last year in washington when the ball gets no more than a few feet away from an infielder and he was gunned out easily.   

[Astroholic]

Why don't we discuss Lance Berkman's mental lapses in the field if he wants to play this game?   I remember him trying to take home from 2nd base last year in washington when the ball gets no more than a few feet away from an infielder and he was gunned out easily.   

He would just blow it off by making fun of himself.  Leader my ass!

[BatGirl]

i didn't get to hear the interview...
but a lot of what lance has said over the last week seems a bit misdirected, no?

i mean, if you've got a problem with almost 70% of the "new astros", or the way they were aquired, shouldn't you be going off on the folks in the front office?

and, maybe it's just me, but bashing your teammates (both new and old) through the media can't be productive toward creating good chemistry.   

[legs_of_eggs]

Can we trade Lance to fill the starting pitching needs?

[kevwun]

This all boils down to him being pissed that Burke is gone.  If all these deals go down with the exception of signing Matzui and letting Burke play second, you wouldn't have heard a peep out of Lance.  He admitted on 1560 that changes need to be made, just not a change that shipped out his bff.

[Noe]

and, maybe it's just me, but bashing your teammates (both new and old) through the media can't be productive toward creating good chemistry.   

In this interview, he offered some typical offhanded compliment to Woody Williams and then proceeded to blast the whole idea of "chemistry" as defined by Woody.  In fact, he took some of the leading comments by Richard Justice (the writer of wrongs?) as to "suck-ups" and "Chemistry is not allowing a homerun in the seventh inning to let a lead get away (aka Colorado, Matsui takes Woody yard)".  BTW - Justice removed his blog entry that said the same thing about Woody because in his own words (Justice) "It was too whiny, so I took it down".  So if it was too whiny for Justice to say, it is doubly too whiny for Berkman.  Now, I will grant that perhaps there was a huge amount of sarcasm amongst the crowd (Zerlien, Granato, Justice and Berkman)... but it did not come across well at all.  There was the occasion at the beginning of the interview that Granato says "Hey, why are you calling this radio station, de Jesus Ortiz doesn't work here... shouldn't you be calling the Chronicle?  Huh? huh? huh?"

Berkman may think it is all funny and the tone was about having fun with it, but after a while you got the impression Berkman was a little more serious about not being allowed to have a very public opinion about the club, the teammates and every thing else.

Well, that's the point, a leader knows where the line is and apparently Berkman does not know where said line is or in the worse case, even understand that a line exist at all.  (At one point, he threw the entire team under the bus by saying that all the guys he's called and he called everyone "did not like Valverde's antics... so I don't know what Ortiz means that some of my teammates differ in opinion about him... they don't".  Man, he basically told Valverde that *nobody* wants him on the team... what a leader).

He's pretty much discounted himself as the leader of this club.  Period.

[legs_of_eggs]

Isn't chemistry the ability to get on-base for a teammate then making smart base running decisions or turning double plays or running hard on groundouts, not just being butt buddies and screwing around in the dugout? I'm sick of how Lance hides behind "chemistry" as a sorry excuse for "we're just friends and now I have to make new ones."  If you have good chemistry you DONT go 73-89.

[DVauthrin]

This all boils down to him being pissed that Burke is gone.  If all these deals go down with the exception of signing Matzui and letting Burke play second, you wouldn't have heard a peep out of Lance.  He admitted on 1560 that changes need to be made, just not a change that shipped out his bff.

How sweet, we have the Astros version of Francis and Mobley.   Perhaps if his best friend for life played better he would have been an Astro today.

[kevwun]

What Lance is talking about is camaraderie and not chemistry.  Chemistry involves getting along AND playing well.

[Holly]

How sweet, we have the Astros version of Francis and Mobley.   Perhaps if his best friend for life played better he would have been an Astro today.

Well, there is the Cat-Puma comparison.

[legs_of_eggs]

1560 is fucking obnoxious, reminds me of Austin espn radio with the riverwalk references and the stupid unfunny jokes.

[Noe]

If you have good chemistry you DONT go 73-89.

He said that the same guys they got rid of were the guys who were part of a team that went to the World Series.  Good point, however in Berkman's own words, winning is about pitching and in the case of the World Series Astros, Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge is a very good reason why it was so.

If what Berkman is saying is that those guys are all gone and should be replaced with equal talent, he has a point.  But the reality is that he was speaking at the time about Burke and others (Lane, et. al.).

[pravata]

"If you think that moving 70% of the team won't effect chemistry, then you're a moron".

He's a moron if he thinks that wasn't Wade's intention.  Here's what Woody said,

"Chemistry is what you make of it," the veteran starting pitcher said. "It's how you approach people, and it's how open you are with your teammates and how willing you are to get to know different people."

I think Lance might have a problem with people who are "different".  Not that the Astros have acquired any moral degenerates, yet, but here's something he said last season,

"Truth has become very abstract," he says. "There's no absolute truth in our society anymore. Whatever you feel is right, well, do it. Well, that's no way to live."

"I think it's very dangerous. To me, the buzz word in America is `tolerance.' You have to tolerate anything."
http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4273760

And I don't think the part about not trying to be a leader on the team is genuine, he was very comfortable leading, Back in 2003

"I try to be a leader, spiritually, for some of the younger guys on the team," Berkman says. "It's a good position to be in. It's something that I really enjoy. I feel almost that it is a responsibility."

"Even though he hasn't been around that long, he's like a veteran," Puffer says. "He's a superstar in this game, but he treats you like anybody else. Having a guy at the top who gets the respect from the guys and is also a brother [in Christ] is huge."

Saarloos says "I was just amazed at the grasp he has on the Word and the ability to lead not only in the clubhouse, but the ability to lead the young Christians on this team. It was almost like sitting in church listening to him. It was amazing."

"People are going to think what they're going to think," Berkman says. "I'm not too concerned about how they view professional athletes. It would be impossible for us to sit here and explain. People are always going to think that if you play sports and make a lot of money that you're spoiled and kind of whiny."

http://www.newmanmag.com/display.php?id=7818

[Randy Watson]

Lance needs his father-in-law -- Johnny Baker, one of the toughest dudes every to play in the NFL -- to slap him and inform him to keep his mouth shut in public about his teammates.

[Noe]

He's a moron if he thinks that wasn't Wade's intention.  Here's what Woody said,

"Chemistry is what you make of it," the veteran starting pitcher said. "It's how you approach people, and it's how open you are with your teammates and how willing you are to get to know different people."

I think Lance might have a problem with people who are "different".  Not that the Astros have acquired any moral degenerates, yet, but here's something he said last season,

"Truth has become very abstract," he says. "There's no absolute truth in our society anymore. Whatever you feel is right, well, do it. Well, that's no way to live."

"I think it's very dangerous. To me, the buzz word in America is `tolerance.' You have to tolerate anything."
http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4273760

And I don't think the part about not trying to be a leader on the team is genuine, he was very comfortable leading, Back in 2003

"I try to be a leader, spiritually, for some of the younger guys on the team," Berkman says. "It's a good position to be in. It's something that I really enjoy. I feel almost that it is a responsibility."

"Even though he hasn't been around that long, he's like a veteran," Puffer says. "He's a superstar in this game, but he treats you like anybody else. Having a guy at the top who gets the respect from the guys and is also a brother [in Christ] is huge."

Saarloos says "I was just amazed at the grasp he has on the Word and the ability to lead not only in the clubhouse, but the ability to lead the young Christians on this team. It was almost like sitting in church listening to him. It was amazing."

"People are going to think what they're going to think," Berkman says. "I'm not too concerned about how they view professional athletes. It would be impossible for us to sit here and explain. People are always going to think that if you play sports and make a lot of money that you're spoiled and kind of whiny."

http://www.newmanmag.com/display.php?id=7818

One of the major problems with this sort of thinking is that those who follow Christ are inspired by Christ himself to go seek the lost, to visit those in jail, to clothe those who are without clothing, to feed the hungry, to do this to the *least of these*.  Many Christians, in Christ own words, will be surprised by this one the day he returns.  They will ask "when did we see *you* this way?"  And Jesus will tell them that they missed it... they were to do this to the lost, those in need because doing it to them is actually doing it for Him.  (all paraphrased).

Saarloos comments about Berkman's ability to grasp the Word is fine, but to act on it is what defines what a true Christian is in the eyes of Christ.  Those who do not have a country club mentality about Christianity, but an inclusive, seek those who are lost and befriend them and help them.  IOW - a clubhouse that is no longer very slanted towards a very religious clubhouse should be an exciting thing for a Christian.

It's when you're at your best and get to serve Christ in the way He wants you to instead of sitting around drinking tea and coffee with one another and saying your so wonderful and all.  Having said that, I think Berkman knows this, but his comments are a huge whine right now and totally subject to these sort of interpretation.

That is what comes with very public comments that shows a disdain and lack of respect for your fellow man and teammate.

[kevwun]

Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?

[coop]

I can't wait to see the new clubhouse chemistry when players report in February.  

[Noe]

Lance needs his father-in-law -- Johnny Baker, one of the toughest dudes every to play in the NFL -- to slap him and inform him to keep his mouth shut in public about his teammates.

Eggszactly the point.  He has every right to talk to them in private about all his concerns and then it's time to play ball after he said it.  He took a jab at Matsui and his interpretor in the interview and it was very uncomfortable to listen to that.

[Noe]

I can't wait to see the new clubhouse chemistry when players report in February. 

I think many players are not going to wait until February.  Woody and Backe (along with Sampson) took the lead and started a very public disagreement with Berkman so he can stop and drop and roll and call them if he has a problem with their going public with the "he's upset he lost his buddy" comments.

Doesn't feel good to have someone who has your back on the field saying this stuff, eh Lance?  Well....

[pravata]

One of the major problems with this sort of thinking is that those who follow Christ are inspired by Christ himself to go seek the lost, to visit those in jail, to clothe those who are without clothing, to feed the hungry, to do this to the *least of these*.  Many Christians, in Christ own words, will be surprised by this one the day he returns.  They will ask "when did we see *you* this way?"  And Jesus will tell them that they missed it... they were to do this to the lost, those in need because doing it to them is actually doing it for Him.  (all paraphrased).

Saarloos comments about Berkman's ability to grasp the Word is fine, but to act on it is what defines what a true Christian is in the eyes of Christ.  Those who do not have a country club mentality about Christianity, but an inclusive, seek those who are lost and befriend them and help them.  IOW - a clubhouse that is no longer very slanted towards a very religious clubhouse should be an exciting thing for a Christian.

It's when you're at your best and get to serve Christ in the way He wants you to instead of sitting around drinking tea and coffee with one another and saying your so wonderful and all.  Having said that, I think Berkman knows this, but his comments are a huge whine right now and totally subject to these sort of interpretation.

That is what comes with very public comments that shows a disdain and lack of respect for your fellow man and teammate.

I think Berkman is comfortable being a certain type of leader.  Unfortunately the people he led, those that were like minded, are no longer on the team.  Didn't the Astros go through something like this with Glen Davis?

[jbm]

Here's what Woody said,

"Chemistry is what you make of it," the veteran starting pitcher said. "It's how you approach people, and it's how open you are with your teammates and how willing you are to get to know different people."

The fact that Berkman completely missed Woody's point, and rebuts something Woody didn't even say makes me think Berkman either ain't too bright or ain't too honest.  I've never considered him worthy of admiration, but I did think he was honest and intelligent.  I don't think any of that any more.

I'm starting to wish he didn't have a no-trade clause.

[mihoba]

Eggszactly the point.  He has every right to talk to them in private about all his concerns and then it's time to play ball after he said it.  He took a jab at Matsui and his interpretor in the interview and it was very uncomfortable to listen to that.

Just wait until Matsui makes a couple of errors, then we get to hear about the GG second baseman the Astros traded away.

Cooper is going to have to step in at some point, since the real team leader is undefined at this time. The title goes to him by default, and he should tell Lance to shut the hell up.

[BudGirl]

Intelligent is definitely not the first thought I had to describing Berkman.  Goofy, yes, intelligent, no.

I didn't realize that quilting bee was so tight until all that pravata posted.

[coop]

Goofy, yes, intelligent, no.

I'm not even sure if he can be considered "goofy" anymore especially with all the good ol' boys gone.  Now he's nothing more than a whiny bitch.

[Matt]

How sweet, we have the Astros version of Francis and Mobley.   Perhaps if his best friend for life played better he would have been an Astro today.

I picture it as more of Lenny and George Of Mice and Men situation.

[Noe]

I think Berkman is comfortable being a certain type of leader.  Unfortunately the people he led, those that were like minded, are no longer on the team.  Didn't the Astros go through something like this with Glen Davis?

Yes.  Davis was very upset one year that Houston was not *religious enough*.  He decided to make a statement against Beer commercials at the stadium and his desire to have the MLB remove all of them.

Conversely, there was a time when Nolan Ryan and others on the team were accused by a Houston Post writer/columnist of being too many nice guys/Christians that they didn't really care to win ballgames.  I wish I could remember the name of said columnist, it may of been the guy who now does commentary at the end of games from a sports bar.  Any way, the point of the column as I remember it was that there was much talk in the clubhouse of Ryan, Harry Spillman, et. al. busy talking about anything but baseball in the clubhouse and dugout.  The conclusion by some in the dugout was that there were just "too many do good Christians" on the team who really didn't care or have the fire to win.

Besides all that, Berkman was in the clubhouse that included Jeff Kent, a guy Berkman liked.  Kent is Mormon, but also a fiery sort who would pick fights with anyone who didn't put it all on the field and play hard.  Heck, the greatest moment in recent Astros history was Kent rounding third and tossing his helmet in the air to show a huge amount of emotion after a key win.  A sort of Valverde moment (who I personally wish wouldn't do what he does).  But if Berkman had a problem with Kent, I'm sure he knew he could approach him privately... instead of saying in the papers or in the radio "Jeff Kent is someone who I personally don't like seeing do those sort of things... blah, blah, blah".

Berkman made a very bad decision to not wait to get to know Valverde (like he did with Kent) so he can have a private rapport and let him know how he felt and then move on.  When Kent was signed, Berkman and Bagwell were in attendance.  They were both asked if they welcomed this addition to the team since Kent was known as a clubhouse cancer.  Both Berkman and Bagwell said "You always welcome 100 rbis to a team".  It may of been more Bagwell saying it, but they said the right thing by Kent and later dealt with whatever idiosyncrasies and foibles that his reputation might bring into the Houston clubhouse.  A clubhouse under Bagwell and Biggio that could handle having a Carl Everett in it without problems.  About the only one that I can remember that did not get along with anyone in a Bagwell/Biggio clubhouse was Mitch Melusky... but I digress.

Berkman didn't learn anything about leadership under Bagwell.

[legs_of_eggs]

I don't understand why, and even if you have this incredible problem with Valverde and his antics, why do you whine to the media about it?  I don't think Berkman has even spoke to Valverde yet.  And I can tell you right now, you can't control what a player does in the moment and these "obnoxious antics" won't go away. 
So every time Valverde nails down a save is Berkman gonna ignore him or better yet make a scene trying to discipline him?  This really seems like an issue we shouldn't have even heard about.

[DVauthrin]

Yes.  Davis was very upset one year that Houston was not *religious enough*.  He decided to make a statement against Beer commercials at the stadium and his desire to have the MLB remove all of them.

Conversely, there was a time when Nolan Ryan and others on the team were accused by a Houston Post writer/columnist of being too many nice guys/Christians that they didn't really care to win ballgames.  I wish I could remember the name of said columnist, it may of been the guy who now does commentary at the end of games from a sports bar.  Any way, the point of the column as I remember it was that there was much talk in the clubhouse of Ryan, Harry Spillman, et. al. busy talking about anything but baseball in the clubhouse and dugout.  The conclusion by some in the dugout was that there were just "too many do good Christians" on the team who really didn't care or have the fire to win.

Besides all that, Berkman was in the clubhouse that included Jeff Kent, a guy Berkman liked.  Kent is Mormon, but also a fiery sort who would pick fights with anyone who didn't put it all on the field and play hard.  Heck, the greatest moment in recent Astros history was Kent rounding third and tossing his helmet in the air to show a huge amount of emotion after a key win.  A sort of Valverde moment (who I personally wish wouldn't do what he does).  But if Berkman had a problem with Kent, I'm sure he knew he could approach him privately... instead of saying in the papers or in the radio "Jeff Kent is someone who I personally don't like seeing do those sort of things... blah, blah, blah".

What is baffling is he talks about discussing these issues internally but thinks nothing is wrong with speaking his mind to the press.   Then his sad jab at matsui:  "I told chris if you can't produce 4 homers and 37 rbi I'll go to the boss and tell them to trade you."   The comment about Woody and a homerun was ridiculous.  If you need time to digest it Lance then don't talk to the media for the time being.

Lance is the Houston Manny Ramirez at this point.

[kevwun]

It's not a coincidence that the two players Berkman has had the most to say about are A) the guy who took Burke's job and B) the guy who Burke was traded for.  Where's the rant about Tejada or Bourn?  Hmmmmmm

[Noe]

I don't understand why, and even if you have this incredible problem with Valverde and his antics, why do you whine to the media about it?  I don't think Berkman has even spoke to Valverde yet.  And I can tell you right now, you can't control what a player does in the moment and these "obnoxious antics" won't go away. 
So every time Valverde nails down a save is Berkman gonna ignore him or better yet make a scene trying to discipline him?  This really seems like an issue we shouldn't have even heard about.

I have a problem with his antics and wish the leaders on the club would talk to him.  Brocail, yeah, that would be cool.  But Berkman didn't wait and spoke out in public which is the problem in all this.

[legs_of_eggs]

What is baffling is he talks about discussing these issues internally but thinks nothing is wrong with speaking his mind to the press.   Then his sad jab at matsui:  "I told chris if you can't produce 4 homers and 37 rbi I'll go to the boss and tell them to trade you."

Lance is the Houston Manny Ramirez at this point.

He's worse! Atleast Manny's drama pertains to his contract and where he wants to play not once have I ever heard him dog teammates like Berkman has. He's burned bridges at this point.

[Noe]

It's not a coincidence that the two players Berkman has had the most to say about are A) the guy who took Burke's job and B) the guy who Burke was traded for.  Where's the rant about Tejada or Bourn?  Hmmmmmm

Which is what diluted or discounted Berkman's original point that "pitching is what we need".  No, you need to speak up for your buddy and that is what you're doing instead of being a leader.

[Matt]

Eggszactly the point.  He has every right to talk to them in private about all his concerns and then it's time to play ball after he said it.  He took a jab at Matsui and his interpretor in the interview and it was very uncomfortable to listen to that.

Taking a jab at Matsui for his interpretor is beyond bush league.  Sorry Lance, not every one grew up in Texas. 

[pravata]

...Berkman didn't learn anything about leadership under Bagwell.

His quote on tolerance from last season made that very clear.  I don't mean to make this about religion, because I don't think it is.  Woody Williams is just as religious as Berkman.  But I think Berkman may have been in a comfort zone with a certain number of people and interacting with them in a certain way.   And they are now all gone.

[Noe]

Taking a jab at Matsui for his interpretor is beyond bush league.  Sorry Lance, not every one grew up in Texas. 

I cringed the most when he said that.  Not funny, even though everyone was laughing at the time.  It's like being at a party and everyone is laughing at a clown at the party going off on everyone and you stand there and say to yourself "what is so funny about that?  in fact, it's sad... I'm leaving".  And you make some excuse to leave because you don't want to see where that train wreck is going to end up eventually.

[DVauthrin]

Which is what diluted or discounted Berkman's original point that "pitching is what we need".  No, you need to speak up for your buddy and that is what you're doing instead of being a leader.

I loved Lance's I don't know maybe they did pursue Santana or another ace, but I'll just criticize anyway since i'm not sure what conversations Wade had with other teams.

[Noe]

His quote on tolerance from last season made that very clear.  I don't mean to make this about religion, because I don't think it is.  Woody Williams is just as religious as Berkman.  But I think Berkman may have been in a comfort zone with a certain number of people and interacting with them in a certain way.   And they are now all gone.

I agree.  Now it's time to grow up.  Bagwell set the tone to have a Carl Everett and a Jeff Kent come to this team.  Both of those guys played with Lance Berkman and he and they got along well enough.  The only time Berkman got someone in his face was when Bagwell's best friend, Moises Alou dressed him down in the dugout for lack of hustle and being a bit lazy.  Alou later apologized for the public display and Berkman was gracious enough to say that Alou was a veteran and someone he should listen to.

Alou was teaching Berkman something: you can have something against a player, no clubhouse is perfect.  But you also handle it right and Alou recognized he did it wrong and stood up as a man and apologized.  Berkman hasn't yet from his comments as far as I can see, so this is now a war of words between Lance, Woody, Backe and anyone else who wants to get involved.  He seems to have as much a problem with Matsui than anyone else.  Too bad he doesn't want to wait to get know him and perhaps even... *gasp*... like him!

Sad that Berkman can make this go away quickly like Alou did and he just isn't mature enough yet to see how he can.

[Cnote]

I'm pretty sure the only chemistry Lance should be concerned with is how the cream gets into the twinkie. 

[Matt]

Everything I've heard about Matsui is that be busts his ass and works hard every day for the game.  Can Lance say the same about himself?

[pravata]

Everything I've heard about Matsui is that be busts his ass and works hard every day for the game.  Can Lance say the same about himself?

And, in spite of needing a translator to understand English, is able to count to 3.

[legs_of_eggs]

It seems like all of this could've been good and well if initially in the McTaggert interview he said just one thing: "We hope to play well, obviously more pressure is on the starting staff now, if we all work hard together as a team we can win ball games." Interview done. All this goes away.

[Matt]

And, in spite of needing a translator to understand English, is able to count to 3.

You don't have to tell Lance about how them Asians are good at Math and stuff.  He's heard things.

[Noe]

You don't have to tell Lance about how them Asians are good at Math and stuff.  He's heard things.

That is what I was afraid I might hear if they let him talk enough.  I bailed just in case when I heard enough.

[Astroholic]

That is what I was afraid I might hear if they let him talk enough.  I bailed just in case when I heard enough.

Lance being Lance has run its course.  He had better produce this year (entire year), or the public will turn on him.

[legs_of_eggs]

Lance being Lance has run its course.  He had better produce this year (entire year), or the public will turn on him.

This is an understatement.

[Bench]

Lance being Lance has run its course.  He had better produce this year (entire year), or the public will turn on him.

Doubtful.

[Astroholic]

Doubtful.

Okay.  Hopefully we don't find out.

[Noe]

When Lance told McTaggart "I feel like I just got traded to the Houston Astros", it was a bit disconcerting to me.  Why?  No leader of a team would say that.  It is as if he washed his hands of the current team and only is concerned about himself.

[matadorph]

But you also handle it right and Alou recognized he did it wrong and stood up as a man and apologized.  Berkman hasn't yet from his comments as far as I can see, so this is now a war of words between Lance, Woody, Backe and anyone else who wants to get involved.  He seems to have as much a problem with Matsui than anyone else.  Too bad he doesn't want to wait to get know him and perhaps even... *gasp*... like him!

Sad that Berkman can make this go away quickly like Alou did and he just isn't mature enough yet to see how he can.

And he makes it worse when he plays the opinion card! His defense amounts to nothing but "hey, you asked!"

Yes, Lance, you *can* have your opinion, but sometimes it's just better to reach into #7's bag of cliches instead of feeding the talk radio trolls.

Lance doesn't seem to understand that the vast majority of Astros fans can sympathize with the emotions he's experiencing in the wake of a truly remarkable club shakeup, but most of us are also wise enough to know that there's some clubhouse dirt none of us should be privy to. Lance's new teammates did nothing to deserve this.

[pravata]

When Lance told McTaggart "I feel like I just got traded to the Houston Astros", it was a bit disconcerting to me.  Why?  No leader of a team would say that.  It is as if he washed his hands of the current team and only is concerned about himself.

"I look forward to welcoming my new teammates to the Astros."  Even if he doesnt.

[Noe]

And he makes it worse when he plays the opinion card! His defense amounts to nothing but "hey, you asked!"

Yes, Lance, you *can* have your opinion, but sometimes it's just better to reach into #7's bag of cliches instead of feeding the talk radio trolls.

Lance doesn't seem to understand that the vast majority of Astros fans can sympathize with the emotions he's experiencing in the wake of a truly remarkable club shakeup, but most of us are also wise enough to know that there's some clubhouse dirt none of us should be privy to. Lance's new teammates did nothing to deserve this.

Correct, the lines are blurred when a player speaks as if he's distant from the actual team and speaks like a fan (with his own opinions).  It's okay for a player to have opinions, but those are for private conversations with other players.  If you do spill them on the airwaves or in print, be sure you're ready to correct them the proper way and not add more fuel to the fire.  Having Richard Justice calling your teammates "suck-ups" and egging you on to throw them under the bus for being just that is very disheartening.  Berkman let Justice say that and he concurred and added his own vitrol to it.  Very, very, very unlike a player who is a leader... more like a player who is selfish and immature if you ask me.

Alou did it with his apology, Bagwell often corrected his rants in the offseason into productive talks with teammates (and he rarely followed up a statement he made out of order to the press with more defense of his statement until he talked to the other player... see Oswalt, Roy during the Michael Barrett incident).

[pravata]

And he makes it worse when he plays the opinion card! His defense amounts to nothing but "hey, you asked!"

Yes, Lance, you *can* have your opinion, but sometimes it's just better to reach into #7's bag of cliches instead of feeding the talk radio trolls.

Lance doesn't seem to understand that the vast majority of Astros fans can sympathize with the emotions he's experiencing in the wake of a truly remarkable club shakeup, but most of us are also wise enough to know that there's some clubhouse dirt none of us should be privy to. Lance's new teammates did nothing to deserve this.

He can't hold back.  He's just too honest.  The truth just busts out of him.  He doesn't want to be a hypocrite like the rest of us.

[Noe]

"I look forward to welcoming my new teammates to the Astros."  Even if he doesnt.

When Bagwell and Berkman were asked how they liked the Kent signing given he was a known clubhouse cancer, they said the right thing and then dealt with it later.  How much did Bagwell really mean at the time when he said he welcomed "100 rbis into this lineup any day of the week"?  Probably a lot, but I don't doubt he had his concerns even when his own *best little buddy*, Craig Biggio boycotted the presser announcing the Kent signing.  (Bidge was called and declined to attend, said he was dove hunting and too busy to make it there in time... yeah, right!).

Bagwell never used the occasion to blast the team and distant himself from Kent.  Because eventually, Biggio played the hand of "good soldier" well enough to give Kent second base and move his arse over to centerfield.  Bagwell have a hand in that?  I dunno, probably did.  But there would've been no way for Baggy to even approach Kent and Biggio on the subject along with the management had he decided to blast everyone at the Kent press conference and defend his "widdle buddy".

Handle your business the right way.  That was Bagwell and even when he was his surly self in the offseason, he recovered nicely at all times because he was the leader and knew how to do that job for this team.

[Noe]

He can't hold back.  He's just too honest.  The truth just busts out of him.  He doesn't want to be a hypocrite like the rest of us.

Lance then has a short memory given his welcoming of Kent.  Oh yeah, he wasn't the leader back then, Bagwell was... so Baggy was the hypocrite.  Nice to know.

[kevwun]

Lance just needs to pick his friends more carefully.  Bagwell's best buddy will be a hall of famer.  Berkman's best buddy aspires to be a mediocre utility infielder.

[Bench]

Lance just needs to pick his friends more carefully.  Bagwell's best buddy will be a hall of famer.  Berkman's best buddy aspires to be a mediocre utility infielder.

That's only because Bagwell's best buddy never let Berkman's best buddy get a chance to succeed in the majors.

[kevwun]

That's true.  He could have done something crazy and stole someone else's job, like that Hunter Pence fellow did.

[pravata]

...BTW - Justice removed his blog entry that said the same thing about Woody because in his own words (Justice) "It was too whiny, so I took it down".  ...

Twice, he tried again, http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2007/12/forget_berkman.html and removed that one too.  So, rather than stand behind what he writes, he has Berkman on, who will ramble the first thing he thinks, and sock puppets the comments.  Now Justice has his words out there but doesn't have to own them.  He tries to say pithy things, but his wit is a hindrance... so therefore nothing is provacative, it's just mixed metaphors.

[Towlie]

Bagwell still works for us right? Can he be clubhouse consultant or something?....berkman is being a bit annoying.

[Matt]

That's true.  He could have done something crazy and stole someone else's job, like that Hunter Pence fellow did.

Jesus doesn't like thievery on his baseball teams.  Hunter Pence be damned!

[Randy Watson]

Lance just needs to pick his friends more carefully.  Bagwell's best buddy will be a hall of famer.  Berkman's best buddy aspires to be a mediocre utility infielder.

Bagwell's best friend was Moises Alou.  He and Craig are friendly and like each other, but they never really socialized much.  They both played the game the right way, but they are completely opposite type people off the field.

[Lurch]

Twice, he tried again, http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2007/12/forget_berkman.html and removed that one too.  So, rather than stand behind what he writes, he has Berkman on, who will ramble the first thing he thinks, and sock puppets the comments.  Now Justice has his words out there but doesn't have to own them.  He tries to say pithy things, but his wit is a hindrance... so therefore nothing is provacative, it's just mixed metaphors.

Great find!  It's beautiful that he doesn't have the balls to leave it up for comments when he's suggesting the media should appreciate someone speaking their mind. 

Doesn't calling someone a suck up imply there's something to be gained by doing so?  What exactly would that be for Woody?

[Amy]

I liked this line:

We've got some insufferable suck-ups in the media, too, but let's not change the subject.

Is Pinwheel calling Footer a suck-up?  That would be funnier if it weren't so pathetic.

[Jose Cruz III]

I wish Wade would call Berkman's hand on this. Plain and simple. If you don't like what I've done, waive your no-trade and I will fix the rotation. I bet Lance declines.

[rambo2]

I guess that Lance will not be getting a statue in front of the stadium.

[The Spleen]

If/when he decides to test the market at the end of his contract... or tries to force a trade before it's up... or if one of his Bible buddies were to do the same... he'd be the first to tell all the angry fans that this is a business after all, and that their feelings have nothing to do with it.
WFW.
STFU & GBTW, Lance.

[Reuben]

Great thread (and it inspired me to send off a response to Justice's missing "suck-up" column, thanks Prav), but I don't get the Manny Ramirez comparisons. Manny acts goofy sometimes, but I can't really recall him publicy questioning or disrespecting his teammates. In fact, he rarely speaks to the media at all. Berkman is in a loud-mouth goofball league of his own here.

[pravata]

Great thread (and it inspired me to send off a response to Justice's missing "suck-up" column, thanks Prav), but I don't get the Manny Ramirez comparisons. Manny acts goofy sometimes, but I can't really recall him publicy questioning or disrespecting his teammates. In fact, he rarely speaks to the media at all. Berkman is in a loud-mouth goofball league of his own here.

No, the analogy is not exact.  However Ramirez is excused from the normal rules and expectations of his teammates, mostly because he is viewed as some sort of happy go lucky man child, who can hit.  Berkman's feckless buffoonery, off the field mostly, but sometimes on the field, combined with his seeming "affable apathy" is beginning to earn him the same dispensation. 

[mihoba]

No, the analogy is not exact.  However Ramirez is excused from the normal rules and expectations of his teammates, mostly because he is viewed as some sort of happy go lucky man child, who can hit.  Berkman's feckless buffoonery, off the field mostly, but sometimes on the field, combined with his seeming "affable apathy" is beginning to earn him the same dispensation. 

In other words, Bagwell was spot on.

“Berkman? Oh, man, he’s out there."

[das]

IOW - a clubhouse that is no longer very slanted towards a very religious clubhouse should be an exciting thing for a Christian.

This is exactly right, Noé.