Read Sports Geek’s argument that a player has the right to call out a general manager, and Bleacher Fan’s argument that a player does not have the right.
This is a fascinating situation to me. And, quite frankly, I’m surprised this type of situation doesn’t happen more.
You know, for the sake of “Bleacher Fan has suffered enough” I am ruling in favor of him. Bleacher Fan wins! Finally! No more six debate losing streak!!
Pop quiz… which happened more recently? Bleacher Fan winning a court room debate or the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series? (Kidding of course!)
To the verdict explanation.
I’m on record as saying I am a fan of Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun. I’m a huge fan. If I’m starting a team, I want his bat in my lineup. But, his comments have soured me. He basically threw him teammates under the proverbial bus. Yes, the Brewers pitching rotation has struggled, sans
Yovani Gallardo, as Sports Geek pointed out. However, he could have taken up his concerns with them behind closed doors. That, Sports Geek, is what a real leader does. There is no need to air the dirty laundry out in the media, even though the media and the fans love it.
Second, he indirectly put his general manager, Doug Melvin, on the hot seat in public – and that’s a no-no. In any other profession, Braun would have been fired or suspended. He definitely would have gotten more than an “I’m ticked off” comment from the boss in the press, though I admit it is hard to compare baseball to everyday life. Let’s face it, not everyone makes millions of dollars.
It’s Braun’s job to perform out on the field. It’s Braun’s job to continue to put up the numbers he has been. If he wants upgrades, I’m sure Melvin will be glad to talk to him PRIVATELY in that comfy office he probably has. It is admittedly going to be hard for the Brewers to go out and get someone the stature of Toronto Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay. Heck, the only big bargaining chips the Brewers have are first baseman Prince Fielder and Braun. Nonetheless, be a TRUE leader and handle it behind closed doors.
Your Friday generosity and pity verdict are bogus. My argument was better! Who’s to say Braun is not making a last ditch effort after the “behind the closed door” approach has proven pointless? As I mentioned, baseball has a bizarre communication structure, Braun was using the most effective method to reach those he wanted to influence, perhaps after trying other avenues.
Also, Melvin put himself on the hot seat by trading away all of his best assets last year, instead of remaining committed to maintaining the franchise’s viability for years to come. He has set the Brewers back years by trading away his best assets (and not hiring the right manager).
Braun would not have been fired or suspended in any other profession. A good business is good because there are people who push those around them. It’s called motivation. Just because a comment makes someone uncomfortable does not mean it lacks effectiveness. Braun did the right thing, and he should do it again. It’s for that reason (plus the bat) that I would want him on my team. If Braun were having a lousy year and calling on the GM for help, he would be out of line. But, he’s taking care of his business. Who’s to say he shouldn’t demand everyone else does, too?
I don’t call it motivation, I call it disrespect!
Braun’s job is to hit and field baseballs. Nothing more.
Quite honestly, I don’t CARE if Braun likes what’s happening in Milwaukee, and I don’t CARE if he has ideas on how to change the team… he gets paid to play. That’s it! His opinions are completely irrelevant, and he insulted his team publicly – that’s not motivation.
So a player should just be a robot and not care about the organization? Teams covet a player that cares, and Braun is that player. He’s the real deal in every way, and shouldn’t be cast out for motivating his team.
I’m not suggesting that a player should just be a robot.
There are appropriate channels for a player to address his concerns, or to show that he “cares”. That is behind closed doors, either in the locker room or the front offices.
Public criticism of any kind, no matter the intention behind it, will ALWAYS be a bad idea!
You can’t criticize your boss in the papers, Sports Geek. If John Doe was to come out and say, “My boss needs to change some things. We aren’t near as successful as we can be” he’d be fired or severely reprimanded.
I’m not real sure the pitching staff appreciated it either.