August 22, 2006

HILLENBRAND WAS RIGHT—THE JAYS SHIP IS DEFINITELY SINKING

       There are certain aspects of a major league baseball campaign that most fans accept, such as injuries and slumps, but the disappointing record of the Toronto Blue Jays in the second half of this year may be attributed to more than just poor play.  It is obvious that the inexperience of being involved in a pennant race has affected this club, but recent issues may indicate that there is more going on within the confines of the clubhouse that may be directly affecting the team’s performance.  The team looks and feels as if it is imploding.

       Frustration.  How one deals with this emotion goes a long way in establishing one’s character.  The same can be said about a baseball team.  The Jays had high hopes when this season began and, despite serious injuries to their starting rotation, the club was able to stay in contention by riding its heavy artillery and maintaining its place just behind the perennial powerhouses from Boston and New York.  But the inconsistency of the pitching staff wore down the enthusiasm and the productivity of the offense, and with that ended any possibility of the Jays being in contention for a playoff spot.  The club now is dealing with the frustration of a failed season, and they certainly aren’t dealing with it very well.

       When manager John Gibbons confronted Shea Hillenbrand and presumably challenged the former Jay to a fight the reaction was swift, from both the organization and the fan base.  Hillenbrand was vilified, and rightly so, for being an individual who seemed more interested in his own playing time than in the results of the team, and for allegedly writing “the ship is sinking” on the blackboard.    Now the Jays have a second player/manager incident on their resume.  This time the incident took place in public view, and that is much worse.  When Ted Lilly defied his manager and refused to come out of the game he showed his frustration and his immaturity.  When manager Gibbons immediately went to confront an obviously agitated Lilly just inside the walkway between the dugout and the clubhouse he showed a lack of leadership.  Gibbons proved, at that very moment, that he, just like his player moments before, was a prisoner of his own emotions and that common sense and control were not prevalent.  A bad situation was turned into a mess by the manager’s volatile instincts.  This turns back the calendar and immediately casts doubt on the entire Hillenbrand affair and whether the manager was greatly responsible for that mess as well.

       John Gibbons is going through a personal crisis.  His father is seriously ill.  His father’s failing health is obviously top of mind for a loyal son.  Could this serious issue be affecting the manager’s behaviour and contributing to his quick temper and the actions, born out of insecurity, that follow?  Possibly.  But this young and inexperienced club needs strong leadership and if Gibbons is unable to provide this then he needs to step aside.  There doesn’t seem to be an underlying resentment or concern about Gibbons from the players, but if they believe that in a stressful moment their manager will blow up then it does not create an aura of togetherness and good will.  On the contrary it creates a sense of nervousness and allows questions of whether the manager, and to a much greater extent, the entire organization, has a strategy and a confidence for success.

      The Vernon Wells issue is one that would take place within any organization, but the fact that it is taking place within this one, and at this time, casts further doubt for future success amongst the players.  Wells is easily the team’s best player and, according the dearly departed Eric Hinske, is the team leader.  If a report comes out that the team’s leader is anxious to leave then the club becomes rudderless and, despite denials from both player and management, creates a sense of unease.  The club looks like it doesn’t have a firm direction—it looks like its just treading water. 

     The Wells issue is complex.  Apparently the writer, Keith Law a former Jay executive and assistant to General Manager JP Ricciardi, maintains that sources from both sides of the negotiating table have given him the information.  The fact that both Ricciardi and Wells have denied that the conversation, in which Wells indicated he had no intention of re-signing with the club, does not mean that conversations about the subject did not take place between representatives of the two sides.  If it is disclosed that one of the people involved initially was Law himself, when he was a member of the Jays, then that could easily create a conflict of interest for the writer and severely impact his credibility as a writer.  Apart from that it is easy for Ricciardi and Wells to distance themselves from the subject matter by simply having others involved in the discussions—then they could honestly and publicly state that they themselves have never had this conversation.

     If Wells wants to leave; if Lilly wants to leave (as a free agent this off-season he will) and if Hillenbrand wanted to leave (and did) then the two questions that will run rampant throughout the clubhouse is—who wants to stay, and who would want to come here?  These are not questions and this is not the mood of a competitive organization.  This off-season will be key for this club.  Can Ricciardi solve these issues once and for all and re-create the sense of optimism that was so pervasive at the beginning of this season?  Will Ricciardi be able to put his personal feelings aside and make an honest judgment of his manager and whether he has the over-all leadership qualities needed to run, with all the inherent difficulties and pressures, a major league contender?  Will other major leaguers be willing to listen to the Jays and list them as a possible destination?  Will JP be able to bring in the quality individuals needed to keep the ship afloat during those times when rough waters appear, or will he once again be stuck with those who want to jump when times get tough?

     So many questions…but then it’s still a whole lot better this way than it was when a.500 record was the club seasonal goal.  And that was just last year.