3/5 Wrap
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3/5 Wrap
Andy Martino
Well, first of all, Rich Dubee was very annoyed with Kyle Kendrick today. Much more on this in tomorrow’s paper, but just to take you behind the scenes for a moment: Kendrick was terrific through his first two and 1/3 innings today, retiring Jimmy Rollins, Dustin Pedroia (who, by the way, makes Jimmy look like this guy), David Wright, Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, Ryan Braun and Brian McCann. Then Shane Victorino reached first base on a chopper, followed by Rollins and Pedroia singles.
After the Pedroia hit, Kendrick lost control of his emotions and started shaking his head and raising his arms in the air. He'd already done that a few moments before after making a throwing error on a pickoff attempt that allowed Victorino to advance to second. Dubee became annoyed after the second outburst, bolting to the mound and telling Kendrick to pull himself together and pitch. Before Dubee could settle back into his seat, Kendrick allowed a three-run homer to Larry “Chipper” Jones. It had gotten ugly quickly.
After games, the beat reporters meet with Charlie Manuel in a conference room near his office. Dubee usually sits nearby, his back to the group, organizing spring training schedules on a laptop (he is in charge of coordinating camp).
I asked Charlie for his assessment of how Kendrick did in controlling his emotions, a problem that Kendrick admits led to his struggles last year. Charlie started saying something benign about how it was a tough lineup when Dubee spun around in his swivel chair and said in a sharp voice, “Poor today. He made a good pitch to Pedroia at the time, and he inside-outed a fastball and hit a little chopper between first and second and he threw his arms up like, 'Poor me,' or whatever. That doesn't show control of your emotions. He threw the ball OK. Victorino hits a chopper. Jimmy hits a ball in the hole. Pedroia hits a ball in the hole. It's going to happen to a sinker ball guy." There was much more, and it's in my story for tomorrow.
Whether Dubee was strategically employing tough love through the media or was simply so disgusted he couldn’t hold his tongue, the message was clear: Kendrick, who needs to show that last year won’t happen again, made no progress today toward that goal.
***
A few things to watch tomorrow: Jayson Werth plays in the B game at 2:05, where he will presumably swing and test his mildly strained shoulder. Chan Ho Park, another fifth starter candidate, pitches in a night game against Toronto in Dunedin. And Manuel says that Pedro Feliz took live BP for the first time today, and tomorrow will be a “big day” for him, as he and the team sees how he feels.
***
This did not seem like a positive indication of the state of my industry. A telemarketer phoned the press box at Bright House Field this afternoon, trying to sell newspaper subscriptions. You heard that right: they were trying to sell newspapers to a group of reporters in a press box. The News’ David Murphy, who picked up the call, said no thanks.
Comments (30)
Not defending Kyle here, but Dubee has never struck me as a good pitching coach. It really is hard to argue with results; but, this is the same coach that couldnt get Meyers, who he also called out, to throw long toss between starts. Do the pitchers not respect him? I cannot remember (but not saying it hasnt happened) a single pitcher ever saying how he has helped them with anything. Almost leads me to believe that maybe Moyer is coaching some of these guys more than Dubee is. This is just an observation, not rooted in fact. But with the success of the bullpen, and the health of the starters, last year -- one would have thought Dubee would have gotten a lot of praise from his pitching staff.— Master Dreamz
Yeah, Andy, we know Chipper's real first name because we chant it when he comes to the plate. And we never confuse him with the other Larry Jones, the one who pitches for the Mets!! (?) Good post otherwise.
Welcome Andy. You know what they say... if you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere! I like what I see so far of your work. We need some new blood in sportswriting in Philly. It took me a while to get used to D. Murphy so I'm sure you will fit in here.- Keeping his emotions under control was one of Kendrick's top strengths when he came up--he could give up a homer, shake it off, get the next guy and get out of the inning with no more damage. It's what separated him from some of the J.D. Durbin types who came through Philly. Whether it's a question of stuff or confidence (or both), he has to make the adjustments that will get him back there, because if he can't pitch that way anymore, he's toast.— RickB
- Happ is the answer, Not sure why Dubee is fixated on developing KK at major league level. If he goes to AAA to work on pitch selection, attitude et al, he may have a chance. He cannot stay in NL, despite past success because the league has caught up to him. If an I-Pigs stint does not work out, he could contact Barcelona Fan who could intro him to Woody Allen and thus pursue a new career.— mick314
- I didn't even know Chipper's first name was Larry. Ha! I always wondered what kind of moron gives their kid a legal name like Chipper anyway. Too bad about Kendrick. However, according to the box, Condry and Madson seemed to do ok, though the two BB by Madson left a few questions. Anyone know who these two faced in the USA lineup?— Timmy
- By the way, what's with all of this "you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere" garbage? It's just a city full of a bunch of spoiled kids from NJ and Long Island who think they are better than everyone else after never actually working a hard day in their lives. Actually, having to support the Mets is a just punishment for them. :)— Timmy
- I don't know Andy, but my guess is that the Larry "Chipper" Jones was intentional, given that Chipper is taunted with chants of "LARRRRRRRRY!" at games. See, Charlie Bravo, Andy isn't a low grade knuckle scraper like you, so he has a sense of humor.— Frosty Beverage
- Andy has done a fine job thus far with this blog.. Kendrick is done. He's been done since mid year last year. His problem, other than having one pitch, is between his ears. No confidence. Dubee can teach mechanics, he can teach confidence - you either have it or not. Expect KK to slowly drop off our radar.— Gary Varsho
- That was supposed to be he "can't" teach confidence.— Gary Varsho
- Maybe its time to try the old traded to Japan trick again. This time for real.— mick314
- I have inside information that "EMAN" is David Murphy— flash gordon
- Good one, Frosty Beverage! Name calling! The point was, and it still stands, the "Larry" chant started in New York...at Shea...during the '99 season. For Andy - a reporter, mind you - to still be bringing up that up ten years later...well, you can take the boy out of New York...— charlie bravo
- Good story. Great quote from Dubee. Best case: Kendrick as fifth starter, Park and Happ (second lefty in the bullpen unitl Romero returns) and Carlos C. back to minors for more experience. Let's hop Kendrick gets his act together.— 76er
- Andy, good read so far I think you are beating your competition handidly. Murph can't write/spell a lick and Zo has become a primadonna not the type of gritty on the ground reporting we as fans need and deserve. Anyhow. I'll allow you a few days to get your feet wet before I take over as focal point and begin adding my two cents.— Truth
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