Odds And Ends II: Longoria, Manny, Giambi, Tejada

I think the fact that Manny is one of the best right handed hitters of all time is a given, and anyone who dismisses such a comment really doesn't watch baseball. He hits every kind of pitcher, whether a finesse artist or a flame thrower.

Also, I think a lot of people really only see the periodic mental lapses when they look at his fielding, and don't credit him with anything positive. The reality is that he had only 2 errors in each of the last 2 seasons and had 17 assists in 2005. Not that it should be a surprise, given that his arm was mentioned in the same breath with Raul Mondesi's back when they were both young.

Who doesn't give Manny enough credit? He's a space cadet, but that seems to have no effect on his ability to be an amazing hitter.

One thing about Manny's fielding. Say what you want, but he's done what few players have, mastered the Monster. It's tough to field left in Fenway and MAnny does a good job knowing how to work the Monster.

Verducci has a point though. In the last couple of years Manny hasn't been seen as the scary hitter of the Red Sox, Ortiz has. I've heard several arguements in the last couple of years how Manny is "overrated." Ultimately you have to listen to some of his teammates, they all agree that Manny's one of the smartest hitters which makes him more dangerous.

So let me get this straight, Joe.

Sports journalists shouldn't ask any difficult questions, for fear that players won't grant them future interviews?

Given that Tejeda had perpetrated a FRAUD to this point, ESPN wasn't in their right to challenge him on it?

Frankly, the treatment Tejeda has been given on this issue sickens me. When Tejeda called a press conference and "came clean", the ESPN announcers on Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight practically applauded the guy, ignoring the fact that the only reason he CAME clean was that he'd been caught and his fraud was going to be revealed on the upcoming E60 program. Tejeda didn't do anything worthy of praise; he LIED and got caught.

People can rationalize this all they want with the "Latin players need to be dishonest in order to help their families" garbage but a lie is a lie. Teams base their decisions partly on a player's age, and by lying, a player CHEATS the signing team.

Sure, Tejeda has posted a fine, steroids-enhanced career. But to use the "ends justifies the means" arguement is fallacious. There are plenty of OTHER Latin ballplayers who lied and DIDN'T enjoy success, but were paid and kept around based on a faulty assumption. The teams paid for those lies, and other ballplayers who were released instead paid for it too with lost opportunity.

MLB should issue a blanket statement, that any player who lies regarding his age will be released immediately and banned from baseball for five years.

We don't need role models who cheat and lie; and the cost (hidden though it may be) is one no one should have to pay.

One thing about Manny's fielding. Say what you want, but he's done what few players have, mastered the Monster. It's tough to field left in Fenway and MAnny does a good job knowing how to work the Monster.

Say what you want about my sister's missing right arm, she sure does have a nice left one.