Anderson vs. Ozzie

[thomas35forever]

Ozzie made some critical comments about Anderson not playing the second game of the doubleheader, and Anderson responded to the clip on Twitter by saying Ozzie needs to shut the **** up. Definitely a sign of a World Series contender, right?

[Kobo]

What's the problem? Ozzie isn't in the clubhouse. He has no idea what is going on. Should Anderson have played? I don't know. I wanted him to play, but I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. Ozzie is entitled to his opinion, and TA has every right to respond. Should he have responded? Probably not, but I don't think this is a big deal.

[Kobo]

And another thing, while it is frustrating that guys are getting games off we have to remember ST was short this year. And, the Sox had a lot of injuries last year and are dealing with injuries again this year. So I understand why they are being cautious with playing time for some guys.

[Chez]

I happened to be watching the post-game show when Ozzie made those comments. I interpreted them as criticism of LaRussa (for resting or coddling TA) not of Anderson.

[ChiTownTrojan]

I happened to be watching the post-game show when Ozzie made those comments. I interpreted them as criticism of LaRussa (for resting or coddling TA) not of Anderson.

Ozzie knows who makes the lineups.

I have no problem with TA sitting out a game of a double-header. However I was surprised/annoyed that he didn't get in as a pinch hitter, late in a game where your team is losing by a couple runs. La Russa had a comment after the game that TA was available as a pinch runner - which makes no sense to me since TA (a) is one of the best hitters on the planet, and (b) is probably more likely to get injured running the bases than hitting.

[shingo10]

I know it isn't a popular opinion after 2011 but I believe that people can grow and change and as such would 1000th percent prefer Ozzie in that dugout right now. La Russa consistently gives games away with these pathetic lineups that are reminiscent of split squad games. For Anderson's part he might be defending his current manager which is fine but I dont think Ozzie is wrong here.

[Dumpjerry]

Ozzie made some critical comments about Anderson not playing the second game of the doubleheader, and Anderson responded to the clip on Twitter by saying Ozzie needs to shut the **** up. Definitely a sign of a World Series contender, right?

That rates a Zero on the Worry Scale where 1 is absolutely no worries and 100 is total nervous breakdown.

Whatever relationship TA and Ozzie have, or perceive to have, has no bearing whatsoever with the team's or TA's performance since Ozzie has nothing to do with the team.

[voodoochile]

TA defending TLR and telling Ozzie to stay the **** out of the clubhouse actually sounds like a positive thing. Team first everything else is noise…

[Nellie Fox]

TA defending TLR and telling Ozzie to stay the **** out of the clubhouse actually sounds like a positive thing. Team first everything else is noise…

He could have handled it with some class, but no. All he had to say was "Ozzie's entitled to his opinion."

[Irishsox1]

That's just Tim Anderson. I don't know what else to say about the guy. I kinda get flicking off Cleveland fans but I wouldn't have done that. I get being annoyed but what Ozzie said, but I wouldn't have responded on Twitter.

But the problem with this team isn't Tim Anderson sitting out game 2 of a double header, it's all of the other guys who are not hitting above .220. Which as of right now is 7 guys with over 70 at bats.

[voodoochile]

That's just Tim Anderson. I don't know what else to say about the guy. I kinda get flicking off Cleveland fans but I wouldn't have done that. I get being annoyed but what Ozzie said, but I wouldn't have responded on Twitter.

But the problem with this team isn't Tim Anderson sitting out game 2 of a double header, it's all of the other guys who are not hitting above .220. Which as of right now is 7 guys with over 70 at bats.

At least the main ones are showing recent signs of life. Heck even Harrison and Leury are improving slightly.

[voodoochile]

He could have handled it with some class, but no. All he had to say was "Ozzie's entitled to his opinion."

That stuff doesn't bother me at all and I'd rather have a player who is buying in to the point of responding with igh emotions than a player who doesn't care.

[Krs1]

Does Ozzie honestly attract an audience that makes up for the fact that even closed captioning can't follow him?

[Nellie Fox]

That stuff doesn't bother me at all and I'd rather have a player who is buying in to the point of responding with igh emotions than a player who doesn't care.

He's been put forth as "the face of the franchise." There's a real lot of space between giving people the finger and telling people he disagrees with to "shut the **** up" as opposed to not caring. It's time to grow up. I've never accepted the idea that professional athletes are somehow excused for behavior that might get you fired in other occupations because they need to be emotional to play well.

[Foulke You]

He's been put forth as "the face of the franchise." There's a real lot of space between giving people the finger and telling people he disagrees with to "shut the **** up" as opposed to not caring. It's time to grow up. I've never accepted the idea that professional athletes are somehow excused for behavior that might get you fired in other occupations because they need to be emotional to play well.

Pro sports are not like other occupations at all. Consider that Michael Jordan was the face of the Chicago Bulls as well as the entire NBA and was one of the biggest behind the scenes tyrants and trash talkers around. He needed that behavior to fuel his insatiable competitive drive. TA strikes me as someone who plays with a bit of an emotional edge. If you want him to be an emotionless guy like Harold Baines was, I don't think you're gonna get it from him.

As far as bad mouthing Ozzie on Twitter? Again, a whole lot of something being made of nothing. TA and TLR have reportedly become close in the clubhouse. I have no issue with TA trying to protect his friend on social media. (He has since deleted the post) I also have no issue with Ozzie correctly saying that TA shouldn't have sat Game 2.