I realize many fans are appalled at C.C. Sabathia’s admission that he gave up in Wednesday’s 9-2 loss to the Cubs after defensive misplays by Ben Broussard and Ronnie Belliard. His own manager, Eric Wedge responded to the big lefty’s comments by saying he wished more of Sabathia’s teammates would be so forthcoming about their performance. If Sabathia never lets that happen again and he learned from the experience, I have no problem with what happened. And I agree with Wedge on the rest of the Tribe.
What I would like to see tonight is Belliard and Broussard on the bench and not in the starting lineup. Play Joe Inglett at 2B, and either Eduardo Perez or even Travis Hafner at 1B. Perhaps the last weapon Wedge has is to take playing time away from those who play with their head up their ass. I understand that this is the big leagues, and that players have worked a long time to get there, but it might just send a message.
Many coaches and managers have said they can tolerate physical errors, but not mental ones. The mistakes made in the third inning were most definitely mental. What could Broussard have possibly be thinking about when the ball was hit to him. The play was right in front of him. A simple look at third would have told him the Ronny Cedeno was not going. Plus, Phil Nevin is slow and Broussard could have easily beat him to the base after looking back the runner.
Belliard had two options on the jam shot hit to him, either force the runner at second or throw the batter out at first. He picked neither, electing to eat the ball. It should have been no worse than a 3-1 or 4-1 game at the end of the frame, instead of 9-1.
This team will not make the playoffs, but it could finish the season over .500. Sitting people who have given up on the team is necessary for that to happen.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 