His manager wished Brandon Phillips hadn’t called the Cardinals names, but the Reds second baseman wasn’t backing down Tuesday from his critical comments of the team a day earlier.
And the Cardinals weren’t shy about responding to Phillips’ rant. The resulting exchange touched off a first-inning brawl in Game 2 of the NL Central rivals’ series.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina made his feelings known when Phillips came to bat in the bottom of the first inning. Phillips tapped Molina’s shin guard with his bat, a ritual Phillips performs before every at-bat. Molina took offense.
"The comment he made yesterday that he’s got no friends over here — then why you touch me?" Molina told reporters after the Cardinals’ 8-4 victory. "You are not my friend, so don’t touch me. I mean, if we’re no good for you, you are not my friend."
Molina’s reaction sparked a heated exchange between the two at home plate. The benches and bullpens quickly emptied.
Reds manager Dusty Baker and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa got into a shouting match during the scrum. Both were ejected.
As Baker and La Russa were having their exchange, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter yelled at Baker, who responded in kind. Judging from video footage, Reds third baseman Scott Rolen, a former Cardinal, came to Baker’s defense and tried to push Carpenter away. The ensuing pileup stopped at the backstop behind home plate.
"It was two teams defending their own people, and standing up for their own players and managers and coaches, so … that got ugly and obviously it was heated when it started," Rolen said.
Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto soon was pinned against the netting. He tried to kick way out, injuring Carpenter and Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue in the process.
"I was in the net, with somebody kicking me from behind. Where I was held down. I couldn’t do anything," Carpenter told reporters after the game, per the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz. "I wasn’t throwing any punches. And we’ve got some guy kicking me and kicking my backup catcher in the face. He could have done some real damage. … Totally unprofessional. Unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like that."
Baker had a slightly different take on Cueto’s situation: "They had him pinned up like a rat in a corner. It wasn’t pretty," Baker told reporters.
"I don’t know where Cueto learned how to fight," Carpenter said.
The Post-Dispatch reported LaRue might have a concussion and could be placed on the disabled list. LaRue did not discuss his condition with reporters after the game.
Phillips, who made the final out Tuesday, had little to say about the fight.
"We lost today, man. Regardless of what happened, we lost and that’s the only thing that really (stunk) today. … We’re just mad that we lost the game," he said.
Earlier Tuesday, Phillips stood by his comments of a day earlier.
"People (other than the Cardinals and their fans) respect me for what I said," Phillips told reporters before the second game of the teams’ series in Cincinnati. "Those were my comments, and a lot of people feel that way all throughout the league — many people feel that way. Regardless of what I say, we’ve got to go out there and take care of business."
Phillips told the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy that he "hated" the Cardinals and that they were constant complainers.
La Russa expressed his anger over the comments following Monday night’s Cardinals victory, and Baker said he expressed his displeasure to Phillips on Tuesday.
"Brandon knows what he’s saying," Baker told reporters. "It doesn’t make it right, but he knows what he’s saying and that’s his opinion.
"I talked to him about it and put a little pressure on him to play better personally. The Cardinals have given him a pretty rough time historically." Phillips was 0-for-5 Monday night.
Baker’s scolding and La Russa’s reaction didn’t deter Phillips.
"To tell you the truth, I really don’t care what (La Russa) said. I play for the Cincinnati Reds; I don’t play for the Cardinals," Phillips told reporters. "I respect him for what he said, but we have to go out there and beat the Cardinals regardless (of what) he said or what I said."
Phillips scoffed at La Russa’s claim that Phillips unwittingly ripped some of his teammates who once played for the Cardinals.
"I said what I said. That’s all I can say. They can say what they want. I don’t give a (expletive) what they say," Phillips said.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sporting News staff reports
His manager wished Brandon Phillips hadn’t called the Cardinals names, but the Reds second baseman wasn’t backing down Tuesday from his critical comments of the team a day earlier.
And the Cardinals weren’t shy about responding to Phillips’ rant. The resulting exchange touched off a first-inning brawl in Game 2 of the NL Central rivals’ series.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina made his feelings known when Phillips came to bat in the bottom of the first inning. Phillips tapped Molina’s shin guard with his bat, a ritual Phillips performs before every at-bat. Molina took offense.
"The comment he made yesterday that he’s got no friends over here — then why you touch me?" Molina told reporters after the Cardinals’ 8-4 victory. "You are not my friend, so don’t touch me. I mean, if we’re no good for you, you are not my friend."
Molina’s reaction sparked a heated exchange between the two at home plate. The benches and bullpens quickly emptied.
Reds manager Dusty Baker and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa got into a shouting match during the scrum. Both were ejected.
As Baker and La Russa were having their exchange, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter yelled at Baker, who responded in kind. Judging from video footage, Reds third baseman Scott Rolen, a former Cardinal, came to Baker’s defense and tried to push Carpenter away. The ensuing pileup stopped at the backstop behind home plate.
"It was two teams defending their own people, and standing up for their own players and managers and coaches, so … that got ugly and obviously it was heated when it started," Rolen said.
Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto soon was pinned against the netting. He tried to kick way out, injuring Carpenter and Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue in the process.
"I was in the net, with somebody kicking me from behind. Where I was held down. I couldn’t do anything," Carpenter told reporters after the game, per the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz. "I wasn’t throwing any punches. And we’ve got some guy kicking me and kicking my backup catcher in the face. He could have done some real damage. … Totally unprofessional. Unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like that."
Baker had a slightly different take on Cueto’s situation: "They had him pinned up like a rat in a corner. It wasn’t pretty," Baker told reporters.
"I don’t know where Cueto learned how to fight," Carpenter said.
The Post-Dispatch reported LaRue might have a concussion and could be placed on the disabled list. LaRue did not discuss his condition with reporters after the game.
Phillips, who made the final out Tuesday, had little to say about the fight.
"We lost today, man. Regardless of what happened, we lost and that’s the only thing that really (stunk) today. … We’re just mad that we lost the game," he said.
Earlier Tuesday, Phillips stood by his comments of a day earlier.
"People (other than the Cardinals and their fans) respect me for what I said," Phillips told reporters before the second game of the teams’ series in Cincinnati. "Those were my comments, and a lot of people feel that way all throughout the league — many people feel that way. Regardless of what I say, we’ve got to go out there and take care of business."
Phillips told the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy that he "hated" the Cardinals and that they were constant complainers.
La Russa expressed his anger over the comments following Monday night’s Cardinals victory, and Baker said he expressed his displeasure to Phillips on Tuesday.
"Brandon knows what he’s saying," Baker told reporters. "It doesn’t make it right, but he knows what he’s saying and that’s his opinion.
"I talked to him about it and put a little pressure on him to play better personally. The Cardinals have given him a pretty rough time historically." Phillips was 0-for-5 Monday night.
Baker’s scolding and La Russa’s reaction didn’t deter Phillips.
"To tell you the truth, I really don’t care what (La Russa) said. I play for the Cincinnati Reds; I don’t play for the Cardinals," Phillips told reporters. "I respect him for what he said, but we have to go out there and beat the Cardinals regardless (of what) he said or what I said."
Phillips scoffed at La Russa’s claim that Phillips unwittingly ripped some of his teammates who once played for the Cardinals.
"I said what I said. That’s all I can say. They can say what they want. I don’t give a (expletive) what they say," Phillips said.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan discusses this week’s key series between the Rangers and Yankees, and Reds and Cardinals.
Sporting News
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan discusses this week’s key series between the Rangers and Yankees, and Reds and Cardinals.
The Cardinals-Reds series got a lot spicier Monday courtesy of Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Phillips told the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy that he "hates" the Cardinals because they complain too much, and added a few expletives for good measure.
"I’d play against these guys on one leg," said Phillips, who is nursing a sore shin. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them."
Phillips then called the Cardinals the technical term for female dogs, and he followed that up by saying:
"I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals."
McCoy speculated Phillips is upset over gamesmanship by Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan in previous series. The Cardinals said baseballs the used at Great American Ball Park were too slick because they weren’t rubbed up properly, and they also had umpires check pitcher Bronson Arroyo’s cap for illegal substances.
La Russa was still steaming over Phillips’ comments after St. Louis’ 7-3 victory at Great American Ball Park. He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss: "We win the right way; we lose the right way. Over the years we’ve done both those things. If we get beat, we tip our caps. If we win, we don’t get arrogant and show anybody up."
La Russa also pointed out that several ex-Cardinals, including newly acquired center fielder Jim Edmonds, now play for Cincinnati.
"I don’t think that will go over well in his clubhouse," La Russa told the Post-Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz. "Phillips is ripping his teammates. (Scott) Rolen, Edmonds, (Miguel) Cairo, (Russ) Springer, all of the ex-Cardinals over there. He isn’t talking about this year. He’s talking about the way we’ve always played. And those guys are old Cardinals. Tell him he’s ripping his own teammates, because they were all Cardinals."
Phillips was 0-for-5 against the Cardinals on Monday.
Sporting News staff reports
The Cardinals-Reds series got a lot spicier Monday courtesy of Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Phillips told the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy that he "hates" the Cardinals because they complain too much, and added a few expletives for good measure.
"I’d play against these guys on one leg," said Phillips, who is nursing a sore shin. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is (complain) and moan about everything, all of them."
Phillips then called the Cardinals the technical term for female dogs, and he followed that up by saying:
"I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals."
McCoy speculated Phillips is upset over gamesmanship by Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan in previous series. The Cardinals said baseballs the used at Great American Ball Park were too slick because they weren’t rubbed up properly, and they also had umpires check pitcher Bronson Arroyo’s cap for illegal substances.
La Russa was still steaming over Phillips’ comments after St. Louis’ 7-3 victory at Great American Ball Park. He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss: "We win the right way; we lose the right way. Over the years we’ve done both those things. If we get beat, we tip our caps. If we win, we don’t get arrogant and show anybody up."
La Russa also pointed out that several ex-Cardinals, including newly acquired center fielder Jim Edmonds, now play for Cincinnati.
"I don’t think that will go over well in his clubhouse," La Russa told the Post-Dispatch’s Bernie Miklasz. "Phillips is ripping his teammates. (Scott) Rolen, Edmonds, (Miguel) Cairo, (Russ) Springer, all of the ex-Cardinals over there. He isn’t talking about this year. He’s talking about the way we’ve always played. And those guys are old Cardinals. Tell him he’s ripping his own teammates, because they were all Cardinals."
Phillips was 0-for-5 against the Cardinals on Monday.
Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter confronted shortstop Brendan Ryan in the dugout on Monday for not being ready for the start of the game.
Carpenter had to wait for Ryan to take his position, then get the correct glove, before beginning the bottom of the first inning.
After the inning, Carpenter asked Ryan to join him in the tunnel adjacent to the St. Louis dugout. Television cameras showed Carpenter speaking sternly to Ryan, with Ryan staring back at Carpenter, then nodding at the end of the discussion.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Ryan was working in the indoor batting cage inside the clubhouse. "All of a sudden, we made three quick outs in the first inning, then he scrambled out there, and he forgot where his glove was. So Carp said, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’
"I think that’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to let guys know, first inning, I don’t want to be out there waiting. He’s ready to pitch in the top of the first and the guy’s not there."
Carpenter told reporters there was a "miscommunication" or "misunderstanding" between he and Ryan. "We’re fine. Everything is good. We’re good," Carpenter said.
Carpenter appeared to again chide Ryan in the dugout after the seventh inning, presumably because Ryan failed to get to a ground ball that became a run-scoring single. Carpenter yelled in frustration on the mound after the hit, though not directly at Ryan.
He told reporters he was just upset about allowing runs on several soft hits.
"I didn’t want to give up any runs," Carpenter said. "I was throwing the ball well and my pitch count was low, and I just wanted to keep going. And unfortunately, I found a way to get my pitch count up and get myself out of the game."
MLB.com reported Ryan left the park without speaking to the media.
Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter confronted shortstop Brendan Ryan in the dugout on Monday for not being ready for the start of the game.
Carpenter had to wait for Ryan to take his position, then get the correct glove, before beginning the bottom of the first inning.
After the inning, Carpenter asked Ryan to join him in the tunnel adjacent to the St. Louis dugout. Television cameras showed Carpenter speaking sternly to Ryan, with Ryan staring back at Carpenter, then nodding at the end of the discussion.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Ryan was working in the indoor batting cage inside the clubhouse. "All of a sudden, we made three quick outs in the first inning, then he scrambled out there, and he forgot where his glove was. So Carp said, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’
"I think that’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to let guys know, first inning, I don’t want to be out there waiting. He’s ready to pitch in the top of the first and the guy’s not there."
Carpenter told reporters there was a "miscommunication" or "misunderstanding" between he and Ryan. "We’re fine. Everything is good. We’re good," Carpenter said.
Carpenter appeared to again chide Ryan in the dugout after the seventh inning, presumably because Ryan failed to get to a ground ball that became a run-scoring single. Carpenter yelled in frustration on the mound after the hit, though not directly at Ryan.
He told reporters he was just upset about allowing runs on several soft hits.
"I didn’t want to give up any runs," Carpenter said. "I was throwing the ball well and my pitch count was low, and I just wanted to keep going. And unfortunately, I found a way to get my pitch count up and get myself out of the game."
MLB.com reported Ryan left the park without speaking to the media.
The site, citing two unnamed sources, reported Blake once worked as a vice president for Wichard’s agency, Pro Tect Management. Wichard told the site he didn’t employ the former Oklahoma head coach. Yahoo!, however, obtained a promotional brochure for Wichard’s agency in which Blake is referred to as leading Pro Tect’s football operations.
"The brochure is [from] like 1997 or whatever," Wichard told the site. "He was on the brochure for whatever, dealing with football-related situations. But it has nothing to do with anything. He was not working as a coach at that time. The relevance to me is ridiculous."
Blake operated the "Chance to Advance" football camp from 1999 to 2002 after Oklahoma fired him.
"I don’t care what the brochure says. That brochure is so old," Wichard said. "He worked with some of my players. He got Dwight Freeney ready for the combine when he was coming out. That’s kind of what the situation was. Then he went back into coaching.
"[The brochure] doesn’t prove a thing. It’s absolutely meaningless. John coached my guys in between coaching jobs."
Yahoo!, though, reported that the brochure might have prompted NCAA investigators to visit Chapel Hill a second time.
"If that’s what [the NCAA] is investigating, I think it’s just absurd," Wichard told Yahoo! "I hope – I really, truly hope – that Marvin Austin’s whole case is based on me and John Blake. I hope that for Marvin Austin’s sake. At the end of the day, there’s nothing to investigate."
North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour told Yahoo! in a statement: "NCAA representatives were on campus this week as we work with them on the review. The University of North Carolina continues to fully cooperate with the NCAA and we are working hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible."
Austin, though, may have more ties to Wichard than just Blake. Austin worked out in 2009 with Wichard client and former Tar Heel Kentwan Balmer at Proactive Sports Performance, a California training facility near Wichard’s agency. Yahoo! reported the facility’s website claims a dozen Wichard clients work out at Proactive.
Wichard said he spoke with Austin once and did nothing improper.
"I told him to go back to school when Kentwan Balmer put him on the phone in January," Wichard said. "I said go back to school and be [like] Ndamukong Suh and make some money. … I’m not even recruiting the kid. I’ve never said one word to him about the business other than football – go back to school. Now, if I wanted to represent him in January, I could have said ‘Come on out, guy. Let’s roll. Let’s make some money.’ That’s not who I am."
Wichard also told Yahoo! he assumed Balmer paid for Austin to travel to California and work out at Proactive.
The NCAA also is investigating trips Austin took to Florida. Austin has also been mentioned in NCAA investigations involving South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders and Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.
Blake, Austin, Balmer and representatives of Proactive Sports did not respond to Yahoo!’s requests for comment.
The site, citing two unnamed sources, reported Blake once worked as a vice president for Wichard’s agency, Pro Tect Management. Wichard told the site he didn’t employ the former Oklahoma head coach. Yahoo!, however, obtained a promotional brochure for Wichard’s agency in which Blake is referred to as leading Pro Tect’s football operations.
"The brochure is [from] like 1997 or whatever," Wichard told the site. "He was on the brochure for whatever, dealing with football-related situations. But it has nothing to do with anything. He was not working as a coach at that time. The relevance to me is ridiculous."
Blake operated the "Chance to Advance" football camp from 1999 to 2002 after Oklahoma fired him.
"I don’t care what the brochure says. That brochure is so old," Wichard said. "He worked with some of my players. He got Dwight Freeney ready for the combine when he was coming out. That’s kind of what the situation was. Then he went back into coaching.
"[The brochure] doesn’t prove a thing. It’s absolutely meaningless. John coached my guys in between coaching jobs."
Yahoo!, though, reported that the brochure might have prompted NCAA investigators to visit Chapel Hill a second time.
"If that’s what [the NCAA] is investigating, I think it’s just absurd," Wichard told Yahoo! "I hope – I really, truly hope – that Marvin Austin’s whole case is based on me and John Blake. I hope that for Marvin Austin’s sake. At the end of the day, there’s nothing to investigate."
North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour told Yahoo! in a statement: "NCAA representatives were on campus this week as we work with them on the review. The University of North Carolina continues to fully cooperate with the NCAA and we are working hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible."
Austin, though, may have more ties to Wichard than just Blake. Austin worked out in 2009 with Wichard client and former Tar Heel Kentwan Balmer at Proactive Sports Performance, a California training facility near Wichard’s agency. Yahoo! reported the facility’s website claims a dozen Wichard clients work out at Proactive.
Wichard said he spoke with Austin once and did nothing improper.
"I told him to go back to school when Kentwan Balmer put him on the phone in January," Wichard said. "I said go back to school and be [like] Ndamukong Suh and make some money. … I’m not even recruiting the kid. I’ve never said one word to him about the business other than football – go back to school. Now, if I wanted to represent him in January, I could have said ‘Come on out, guy. Let’s roll. Let’s make some money.’ That’s not who I am."
Wichard also told Yahoo! he assumed Balmer paid for Austin to travel to California and work out at Proactive.
The NCAA also is investigating trips Austin took to Florida. Austin has also been mentioned in NCAA investigations involving South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders and Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.
Blake, Austin, Balmer and representatives of Proactive Sports did not respond to Yahoo!’s requests for comment.
SEATTLE — The last-place Seattle Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu on Monday, more than halfway through a season that began with a boosted roster and hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners started the day at 42-70, the second-worst record in the American League.
Daren Brown, the manager of Triple-A Tacoma for the last three-plus seasons, took over on an interim basis hours before a game against Oakland.
Seattle also fired bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and pitching coach Rick Adair. The team also released performance coach Steve Hecht.
"I have concluded that these changes needed to be made now and that they are in the best interest of the Mariners as we move forward," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Don, Ty and Rick are all good baseball men and they have done their very best. But we are where we are. I no longer have confidence that Don, Ty and Rick are the right long-term fit for our organization. New leadership is needed and it is needed now."
Roger Hansen, who had been the Mariners’ minor league catching coordinator, takes over as the bench coach. Carl Willis, who was the Mariners’ minor league pitching coordinator, takes on the responsibility of big league pitching coach.
Wakamatsu, the majors’ first Japanese-American manager, is the fifth manager in the big leagues to be fired this season. Baltimore’s Dave Trembley, Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
The Mariners added pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Chone Figgins and outfielder Milton Bradley in the offseason. Wakamatsu had guided Seattle to an 85-77 record in his first season after taking over a team that went 61-101 in 2008.
But a poorly constructed roster has produced the worst offense in baseball and doomed them to 22 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West.
Wakamatsu was asked last week by The Associated Press how he was doing amid rampant speculation that he would become Seattle’s fall guy.
"I’ll be all right," the 47-year-old Wakamatsu said. "I’ve been in this game a long time, and I have a lot of people pulling for me – most of all my family."
He went 127-147 since getting Seattle’s job in November 2008.
Wakamatsu watched slugger Ken Griffey Jr. slump this season to the point the manager finally benched the franchise icon, before Griffey drove home in early June to retirement in Florida in a huff without saying goodbye to most in Seattle. The manager sent an irate Bradley home from a game in May, and the next day Bradley asked him and the GM for help dealing with emotional issues.
Wakamatsu has also had multiple public spats with Figgins, whom Zduriencik signed to a $36 million free-agent contract before the season. The most recent incident was an in-game fracas inside the home team’s dugout between Wakamatsu, Figgins and other coaches and players in full view of half the stadium and a national television audience.
The only support Wakamatsu received publicly was a limited one that came days after he led the Mariners through the worst July in team history – 6-22. On Aug. 3, Zduriencik said: "Don is our manager. Don and I, and his son went out to dinner last night. We had a very nice evening, spent like three or four hours together and talked about a lot of things. We talked where we’re headed with the club, about Don and Don is our manager."
But when asked if Wakamatsu will return for a third season as Mariners manager in 2011, Zduriencik was evasive and noncommittal.
"Everybody is evaluated at all times," he said. "As we go forward, you have to realize there is always an evaluation process going on at all times. You take a week at a time, a month at a time, a season at a time with everyone."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
SEATTLE — The last-place Seattle Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu on Monday, more than halfway through a season that began with a boosted roster and hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners started the day at 42-70, the second-worst record in the American League.
Daren Brown, the manager of Triple-A Tacoma for the last three-plus seasons, took over on an interim basis hours before a game against Oakland.
Seattle also fired bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and pitching coach Rick Adair. The team also released performance coach Steve Hecht.
"I have concluded that these changes needed to be made now and that they are in the best interest of the Mariners as we move forward," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Don, Ty and Rick are all good baseball men and they have done their very best. But we are where we are. I no longer have confidence that Don, Ty and Rick are the right long-term fit for our organization. New leadership is needed and it is needed now."
Roger Hansen, who had been the Mariners’ minor league catching coordinator, takes over as the bench coach. Carl Willis, who was the Mariners’ minor league pitching coordinator, takes on the responsibility of big league pitching coach.
Wakamatsu, the majors’ first Japanese-American manager, is the fifth manager in the big leagues to be fired this season. Baltimore’s Dave Trembley, Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
The Mariners added pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Chone Figgins and outfielder Milton Bradley in the offseason. Wakamatsu had guided Seattle to an 85-77 record in his first season after taking over a team that went 61-101 in 2008.
But a poorly constructed roster has produced the worst offense in baseball and doomed them to 22 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West.
Wakamatsu was asked last week by The Associated Press how he was doing amid rampant speculation that he would become Seattle’s fall guy.
"I’ll be all right," the 47-year-old Wakamatsu said. "I’ve been in this game a long time, and I have a lot of people pulling for me – most of all my family."
He went 127-147 since getting Seattle’s job in November 2008.
Wakamatsu watched slugger Ken Griffey Jr. slump this season to the point the manager finally benched the franchise icon, before Griffey drove home in early June to retirement in Florida in a huff without saying goodbye to most in Seattle. The manager sent an irate Bradley home from a game in May, and the next day Bradley asked him and the GM for help dealing with emotional issues.
Wakamatsu has also had multiple public spats with Figgins, whom Zduriencik signed to a $36 million free-agent contract before the season. The most recent incident was an in-game fracas inside the home team’s dugout between Wakamatsu, Figgins and other coaches and players in full view of half the stadium and a national television audience.
The only support Wakamatsu received publicly was a limited one that came days after he led the Mariners through the worst July in team history – 6-22. On Aug. 3, Zduriencik said: "Don is our manager. Don and I, and his son went out to dinner last night. We had a very nice evening, spent like three or four hours together and talked about a lot of things. We talked where we’re headed with the club, about Don and Don is our manager."
But when asked if Wakamatsu will return for a third season as Mariners manager in 2011, Zduriencik was evasive and noncommittal.
"Everybody is evaluated at all times," he said. "As we go forward, you have to realize there is always an evaluation process going on at all times. You take a week at a time, a month at a time, a season at a time with everyone."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Oakland Athletics infielder Eric Chavez tells the San Francisco Chronicle he has "pondered" retirement because of multiple injuries but hasn’t made up his mind.
Chavez says in an e-mail to Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser that he wants to return to action this season. He is on the disabled list because of bulging disks in his neck. Chavez played in 33 games, mostly as a DH, before going on the DL.
"It would mean the world to me to be in uniform when the season ends," Chavez says. "Either way, I’ll be in Oakland one way or the other, to come back and play, or to say goodbye."
The A’s are not expected to exercise their $12.5 million option on Chavez for 2011, so Chavez may need to continue his career elsewhere — health permitting.
"I still would love to play this game, whether or not I can and whether or not my body can go through any more is yet to be determined," he says.
Sporting News staff reports
Oakland Athletics infielder Eric Chavez tells the San Francisco Chronicle he has "pondered" retirement because of multiple injuries but hasn’t made up his mind.
Chavez says in an e-mail to Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser that he wants to return to action this season. He is on the disabled list because of bulging disks in his neck. Chavez played in 33 games, mostly as a DH, before going on the DL.
"It would mean the world to me to be in uniform when the season ends," Chavez says. "Either way, I’ll be in Oakland one way or the other, to come back and play, or to say goodbye."
The A’s are not expected to exercise their $12.5 million option on Chavez for 2011, so Chavez may need to continue his career elsewhere — health permitting.
"I still would love to play this game, whether or not I can and whether or not my body can go through any more is yet to be determined," he says.
"(This season) is very disappointing," the newspaper quoted Ilitch as saying, "(but) I’m staying with Dave and I’m staying with our manager. I feel that we’re going to move forward."
Detroit entered its game Saturday with a 53-56 record and third in the AL Central, nine games behind the first-place Twins.
Leyland and Dombrowski will be entering the final year of their contracts.
Ilitch also told the Free Press he will continue to spend big money to improve the team, though he said he’ll be "a little bit more caerful" with his signings.
"(This season) is very disappointing," the newspaper quoted Ilitch as saying, "(but) I’m staying with Dave and I’m staying with our manager. I feel that we’re going to move forward."
Detroit entered its game Saturday with a 53-56 record and third in the AL Central, nine games behind the first-place Twins.
Leyland and Dombrowski will be entering the final year of their contracts.
Ilitch also told the Free Press he will continue to spend big money to improve the team, though he said he’ll be "a little bit more caerful" with his signings.
The Red Sox signed free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado on Saturday to help shore up their first base situation, according to FoxSports.com.
Earlier this week, Boston lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season because of a thumb injury. Youkilis had season-ending thumb surgery Friday. That same day, the Red Sox worked out Delgado.
Delgado, who hasn’t played since May 2009 with the Mets, will be assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket. He is expected to serve as the lefthanded-hitting half of a platoon with Mike Lowell once he reaches the majors.
In his 17-season career with the Blue Jays, Mets and Marlins, the two-time All-Star has hit .280 with 473 homers and 1,512 RBIs.
Sporting News staff reports
The Red Sox signed free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado on Saturday to help shore up their first base situation, according to FoxSports.com.
Earlier this week, Boston lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season because of a thumb injury. Youkilis had season-ending thumb surgery Friday. That same day, the Red Sox worked out Delgado.
Delgado, who hasn’t played since May 2009 with the Mets, will be assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket. He is expected to serve as the lefthanded-hitting half of a platoon with Mike Lowell once he reaches the majors.
In his 17-season career with the Blue Jays, Mets and Marlins, the two-time All-Star has hit .280 with 473 homers and 1,512 RBIs.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable joined KNBR in San Francisco to talk about his thoughts on how his team is approaching the coming season after a tumultuous 5-11 season last year. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable says he has confidence in new quarterback Jason Campbell.
How does Cable think this year’s training camp feels different from last year’s?
Cable: I think, in many ways, it is just night and day. It is just a different mentality, a different energy level that is going around this football team, and even with the additions to this team and kind of with this coaching staff, it has kind of helped us in the big picture.
And the draft was good for us. The free agents that we brought in, the trades have all, at least to this point, paid off thus far. We are looking forward to the next few days as we are getting ready for Dallas next week.
What will new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson bring to the Raiders?
Cable: Well, Hue and I have a background together. We were at Cal together in ’96 with Steve Mariucci. Then we kind of went our separate ways, and then there was a chance for him to come back and taking over an offense that, obviously, wasn’t very good.
It has helped me tremendously and has allowed me to coach the team and keep my eyes on the offensive line a little bit more, and just overall look after the team like the head coach should.
What does Cable think of new quarterback Jason Campbell?
Cable: I think he’s a guy that can be consistent. I think that is the first thing that jumps out of your mind. What I like most about him is that he takes care of the football. If you look at his career thus far, all that being in Washington until now, he really did a nice job of not throwing many interceptions, and I think if this team just gets where he has been — you know that low number of interceptions and kind of that medium number of touchdowns — we will be one hundred times better…
I think if he will be just who he is, he will be fine.
What would Cable like to see out of the running backs this season?
Cable: First and foremost, we want to get back to where we were prior to last year and that is being a top-ten rushing team. I don’t know anywhere in pro football that you could just do it with one guy — I mean, Chris Johnson in Tennessee is probably the only exception to the whole thing — but if you look at every other team there is always a number two.
I think we have two ones [Darren McFadden and Michael Bush]. I don’t think you can even call either of them twos. That is a good thing and I think it is something else to be able to hold on to as we go. Their job is to hold on to the football, not put it on the ground, and stay consistent and take what the defense gives you in terms of hitting holes and making plays.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable joined KNBR in San Francisco to talk about his thoughts on how his team is approaching the coming season after a tumultuous 5-11 season last year. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable says he has confidence in new quarterback Jason Campbell.
How does Cable think this year’s training camp feels different from last year’s?
Cable: I think, in many ways, it is just night and day. It is just a different mentality, a different energy level that is going around this football team, and even with the additions to this team and kind of with this coaching staff, it has kind of helped us in the big picture.
And the draft was good for us. The free agents that we brought in, the trades have all, at least to this point, paid off thus far. We are looking forward to the next few days as we are getting ready for Dallas next week.
What will new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson bring to the Raiders?
Cable: Well, Hue and I have a background together. We were at Cal together in ’96 with Steve Mariucci. Then we kind of went our separate ways, and then there was a chance for him to come back and taking over an offense that, obviously, wasn’t very good.
It has helped me tremendously and has allowed me to coach the team and keep my eyes on the offensive line a little bit more, and just overall look after the team like the head coach should.
What does Cable think of new quarterback Jason Campbell?
Cable: I think he’s a guy that can be consistent. I think that is the first thing that jumps out of your mind. What I like most about him is that he takes care of the football. If you look at his career thus far, all that being in Washington until now, he really did a nice job of not throwing many interceptions, and I think if this team just gets where he has been — you know that low number of interceptions and kind of that medium number of touchdowns — we will be one hundred times better…
I think if he will be just who he is, he will be fine.
What would Cable like to see out of the running backs this season?
Cable: First and foremost, we want to get back to where we were prior to last year and that is being a top-ten rushing team. I don’t know anywhere in pro football that you could just do it with one guy — I mean, Chris Johnson in Tennessee is probably the only exception to the whole thing — but if you look at every other team there is always a number two.
I think we have two ones [Darren McFadden and Michael Bush]. I don’t think you can even call either of them twos. That is a good thing and I think it is something else to be able to hold on to as we go. Their job is to hold on to the football, not put it on the ground, and stay consistent and take what the defense gives you in terms of hitting holes and making plays.
