From: macole@wam.umd.edu (Mario A. Cole)
Subject: Re: For METS FANS only: re Bonilla
Organization: University of Maryland at College Park
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 00:36:36 GMT

In article <u8e8iB6w164w@banana.ithaca.ny.us> henning@banana.ithaca.ny.us (Henning Pape-Santos) writes:
>In the game that ended with a 15-7 loss, the Mets staged a late 
>rally for four runs in the 9th during which Bonilla had to be 
>dragged out of the clubhouse. He appeared after some delay with 
>his shirt still unbuttoned.

Hmm, sort of reminds me of the time Strawberry and McRenolds headed
out of the Club house and into the locker room before the game was
over.

> 
>Today, in the 3-2 loss to the Phillies, he hit what he thought 
>would be the game-tieing HR in the 9th. He then hot-dogged around 
>instead of running all out, which might have gotten him to third 
>instead of to second (not that it mattered, however).

Can he run? :-)

> 
>My question is: Do you think this kind of attitude is in order for 
>a man being paid what Bonilla is being paid? (Or for anyone, for 
>that matter.) 
> 
Nope...it's in order for anybody playing the Majors.  Whether you are
getting paid $5 million or $5, it's a sport in which giving your all
should be your reward (guess you figured out that I don't get paid to
play)  

>IMO the first incidence above is inexcusable. If I were the 
>manager he would have been fined or at least dressed down 
>severely. 

This is where Bob Knight would make an excellent Manager. :-)

>The second incident shows me that Bonilla lacks maturity. After 
>all, even if he had hit a HR in the situation, what was all the 
>celebrating about? It would have merely tied the game and given 
>the Mets a _chance_ to go to 3 and 5 instead of 2 and 6. Is this 
>"important" enough for a $5 million man to throw his bat, jump 
>around and hot dog it? He should have taken a homer in that spot 
>matter of factly, I think.
> 
>Any opinions?
> 
Opinion:  

It seems to me that this is where Torborg comes into play.  Davey Johnson
was known to let his players slack off quite a bit.  How much Bonilla 
gets paid should not be the issue.  I believe that any incident of slacking off 
is totally inexcusable.  The finger should point to Torborg.  He has to 
show muscle against his players.  Unfortunately, it seems that only money
matters in sports.  Do you think he's the only player in baseball to act as
such?  I think that he should be fined (ouch...that might hurt his pocket);
better yet, make him sit.  There are few players who will give it their all
for the team, not for the paycheck.  Unfortunately, the Mets don't have many
players like that.  But it is not up to us to decide, some dumb ass is paying
them to act as such.  If I were owner of the Mets, Torborg and his crew
would be gods and the players would only serve them not their paycheck.
Of course will change when (ok..if) start winning...If Bonilla hits a homerun
every game, all will be forgotten.  Notice how these things tend to noticed
when a team is losing...coincidence?

You asked!

>And please: All non-Met fans are actively discouraged from 
>replying. Thank you.
>
Mets in '92 (hmm, 1992 or 2092?)
"For bandwagon repairs call 1-900-Met-HELP"

Yeah, I'm a Mets fan...just wait and see...
-- 
Mario A. Cole      | HJ Ford Associates |"A faithful friend is the  
Univ. of Maryland  | Crystal City       | medicine of life."                 
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