On Jonathan Papelbon and leadership
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On Jonathan Papelbon and leadership
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE (12:03 p.m.): Papelbon addressed his comments and more this afternoon. Read the story here.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — It is no coincidence the Phillies' season soured last June. They were 9-19, the franchise's worst month in 12 years, and it dug an inescapable hole.
That month, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley played in a combined four games. Those were all Utley, who made his return June 27. He batted 14 times in those four games, all Phillies losses.
Before 2012, Halladay was the team's best pitcher. Howard and Utley were the team's two best hitters. Losing them would damage any team, no matter how strong the leadership is in a clubhouse.
This point is being made on the heels of a rather interesting comment from Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon. He spoke to the Allentown Morning Call and stressed this team must find its "identity" quicker than last year's bunch.
"Since I've been here I haven't seen any leadership," Papelbon said.
That is a strong statement, no doubt. Papelbon is never afraid to speak his mind. Earlier this spring, when reflecting upon 2012, he told The Inquirer, "I think the panic started in the spring. It started from everywhere. Not just the team. I think at times last year the front office panicked. I think the coaches panicked. I think our players and team panicked. This team had never been through that kind of adversity before, where you lose your best two hitters."
Papelbon, for what it's worth, declined comment Friday morning. He said he had to prepare for Friday's intrasquad game, a game in which he is not scheduled to pitch.
Last May, Charlie Manuel bemoaned the lack of a "vocal leader" on his team. The manager said Aaron Rowand was the only player during his tenure upon which he would bestow that label.
With Rowand on the roster, the Phillies were 174-150 (.537) and did not win a postseason game. The Phillies were 465-345 (.574) after Rowand departed, and won two pennants.
"But at the same time," Manuel said last May, "we got guys in there – especially when they're playing good – they lead by example, and who they are and their personalities and everything, they can lead that way. But that's kind of how it is."
When Manuel said those words, his clubhouse lacked the presence of Utley and Howard. Later, in June, it worsened when Halladay succumbed. Manuel started Ty Wigginton 21 times in June. He started Michael Martinez 13 times and Mike Fontenot nine times. Hector Luna started six June games. John Mayberry Jr. started 18 times.
The 2012 Phillies did not fail because they lacked leadership. The 2008 Phillies did not succeed because guys rallied around one another in the clubhouse.
A lack of leadership is just a convenient way to couch the truth: Those Phillies were not good enough on the field.
"If you win, I guess [leadership] works," Manuel said last May. "If you lose I guess people look at it and say something isn't working. To me, on our team, I think I'm the leader."
Papelbon is right; the Phillies must find their identity quicker in 2013. By that, he means the team's best players must stay on the field. That is better than any leadership.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
"leadership" would begin with a closer who wouldn't routinely blow 2, 3 or 4 runs leads in hard-fought games so that team wouldn't get into a "why bother" frame of mind -- biggest waste of $50 million— warbiscuit- Papelbum's Greatest Hits 2012 (plus many more in which he gave up runs):
5/7 vs. Mets 3 ER, Loss;
6/4 vs. LA 1 ER, Loss;
6/23 vs TB 2 ER, Blown save;
7/5 vs. Mets 2 ER, BLown save, Loss;
7/18 vs. LA 2 ER, Papelbon Blown save leading to loss;
7/21 vs SF 1 ER, Papelbon Loss;
8/21 vs Cinc. 1 er, Papelbon Loss;
9/2 vs. Atl, up 7-3 with 2 outs to go; 2 inherited runs score, 3 more earned runs, Blown save, Loss..season over
Papelbon was the worst signing of last winter (per Stark of espn Feb '12 poll; fangraphs feb '12, many others), despite padding his stats with non-pressure saves against weak hitting teams -- he had 6 devastating losses and 4 blown saves that were as season-detroying as anything else that wrecked the Phils season -- he has a mediocre to terrible WAR for past several years and hitters last year batted far over .300 against him when his pitch count gets to 15 -- no worse reliever to see on the mound in an important spot past few years than this one-dimensional loser-- good hitters foul off his straight fastball, work out a walk or wait for him to tire and then usualy shellack him in any big spot - he's not "elite" but rather an annoying unreliable loser who would prevent the Phils from ever winning anything meaningful --even if the Phils were to ever improve -- until his contract expires in 2016— warbiscuit - There are Papelbon supporters, but he leaves me lukewarm. We're not talking a Brad Lidge here with a devastating in-the-dirt slider. I too seem to recall too many flat pitches, too many at bats patiently working him. The run in last year with the umpire, now a humorous soundbite on 97.5 "I jes, I jest wanna ask you a question" He makes me appreciate more Brad Lidge as a player and as a person. Never one bad word from him during his time here. As great as his perfect 2008 season was, I think the fans should consider for one moment his gracious character in his bitterest of defeats. Brad never blamed the umpire or his team mates or his manager. As much as I can picture the end of 2008, it's the walk off defeats; the handing the ball off to CM after another shellacking, his quiet moments in the locker room, answering each and every question with dignity in class. For me, that defines what a class and dignified person is. And for me, Brad Lidge had it in spades. He is missed.
- I was always under the impression that this team led by example, not by mouth. And those that did not fit that mold were moved, one by one, starting with Abreu and working it's way through Myers. A likable team, they are. Pat Burrell, for all the K's, never lashed out at the fans. If anyone, Werth met that criteria. On the face of it, this team is heads and shoulders easy to like compared to my team, the 70's bunch. Is the gist of Papelbon's issue that we need a Pete Rose type here? I'm not sure. The teams's overall record suggest success with their formula in place. What team can absorb the loss of an Utley, Howard, Halladay and still win? Much ado about nothing, IMO, this story......
- Being good helps. Then comes leading by example. Then if all else fails, a team needs a vocal leader to set everyone straight. I hope there's enough lead by example guys on the team because if they're back to needing a cheerleader, they are in trouble.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Baseball dudes are half-crazy as it is...take Papelblownsave's comments with a grain of salt...— CaptAwesome
- Papelbon is the best closer in the national league. I guess Seabiscuit want Lidge back.— oakmontleo
- Come on man... I love the Phillies and as optimistic as almost anyone. But, the best closer in the NL? Have you ever heard of Craig Kimbrel?
— madecaro - Well, I'd rather this be the news than Lee's back, Doc's shoulder or Utley's knees.— Timmy
- Go to the Squaws' board then and let your juices flow. How many rings does that cubby little Kimbrel have?— oakmontleo
