JIM: Hey, Nelson, worry about your pitching
Seriously, Anthony, this has to be my easiest debate argument yet.
So let me get this straight -- Nelson Figueroa, a guy who hasn’t pitched in the majors before this season since 2004, just stunk it up against the lowly Nationals last night and then he chooses to rip them?!?!?!
Nelson, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and be accountable.
I know, Mets fans, he wasn’t blaming them for his troubles. Blah, blah, blah.
Here’s what you need to take from this: when Figueroa was on the mound last night, he allowed himself to get distracted by the Nationals. They were in his head, and there is no debating that. If they weren't in his head, he wouldn't have cared if they were doing jumping jacks, making fart sounds or dancing the macarena in the dugout.
All that should have mattered to Figueroa was who was at the plate and the pitch he was going to throw. So they were chanting, “Let’s Go Austin!” Yes, a little sophomoric. But big whoop! Must we go talk to high school pitchers and see how they deal with that!?!??
Lack of professionalism? Lack of class? Offensive?
Pfffft.
You need to worry about one person: yourself.
ANTHONY: Nelson showed them Brooklyn
Nelson Figueroa is my kind of guy, and not just because we’re both from Brooklyn.
Figueroa was asked a question on Monday night about the Nationals’ juvenile clapping and cheering in the third inning and he answered honestly. That’s what Brooklynites do: We say what’s on our mind. We get in your face.
Figueroa didn’t bring it up. He was asked, he answered. He wasn’t ranting, he wasn’t raving. He threw in a few insults, basically calling the Nationals girlie men and pointing out that they are a last-place team. Nice.
Some people have said “who is Nelson Figueroa” to be talking about professionalism. Well, Figueroa is a guy who has been eeking out a living in baseball since he first appeared in the majors in 2000. He had to play in Taiwan before landing with the Mets this spring. He appreciates everything he has and knows it could be taken away at any time. He respects the game and how hard it is to play it at this level.
If the Nationals want to act like bush leaguers, there’s nothing wrong with calling them on it.
Nationals have a problem with that? They know where to find him. And now they know where Nelson Figueroa is from. Brooklyn.
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Who do you agree with?
Comments (13)
I agree with ripping them, though I wish he did it with a fastball to the gut.
Just go out there and backup your words with a good performance next time.
So now you need to be a star player or perform well to be eligible to speak up? The chanting was bush league and he said so. Let's see how other teams react to this nonsense. Remember who was leading the chorus in the Nats dugout? That's right: the model of professionalism and tenure, Mr. Dukes.
We've got two teams in New York who were supposed to be battling for pennants, and instead they're struggling to remain mediocre ... and we're griping about whether the opposition is cheering on its own players. Hey, Nelson -- and Jorge, and Heilmann -- just play ball.
If we're OK with Joba pumping his fist, we can't complain about the Nationals' cheers.
While the Nationals behavior was certainly bush league, the losers have no right to complain. Suck it up and win the next one. Speaking of annoying antics, Jose Reyes should act like he's been in the majors before and stop with the school yard enthusiasim. Perhaps the Mets could spring for a youth size hat for Reyes so he doesn't have to go out there looking like the clown he embarassingly is.
Showing the other team up is OK as long as you win. Jose Reyes and Lastings Milledge went from joy personified to overrated punks last year. Why? Because they kept dancing and celebrating after the team stopped winning.
I'm also inclined to believe that if it's done to the Mets, it's OK, no matter what it is. Mets could have won 13-3 last night, and people would be telling them to "get over it" if they said anything about the cheering. And could you imagine the uproar if they were the ones doing those cheers? We'd hear about it for the rest of time.
While I agree with Figueroa in general that professional players should show class and sportsmanship, I also think he should keep his mouth shut and worry about doing his own job. I have often cringed at some of Reyes' antics, but at the same time consider it sour grapes when other teams complain. Similarly, Duaner Sanchez and Oliver Perez often pump their fists after big outs and none of the Mets seem to have a problem with that.
The Mets should start worrying more about their inability to throw strikes, field the ball and hit with runners in scoring position, and less time worrying about what their opponents are doing. Next time take the high road, Nelson, and just say you would not behave that way if the shoe was on the other foot.
Is baseball turning into tennis and golf? Shhhhh don't cheer loud, the other team might get upset. tears SHUT UP!! already. It's great to see the Nationals and Joba showing their emotions by cheering. What is wrong with that? To much down time in baseball you need something to make it exciting. To many up tight codes to live by. It's a kids game have fun. You all make millions anyway what are you really complaining about. Playball.
This was some young guys on a last place team having some fun. The fact that Figueroa was so focused on it goes a a long way towards explaining why he is not much of a pitcher.
i have to agree with anthony..............in all my years watching MLB i've NEVER seen or heard that stuff coming from a major league dugout................and Figueroa was right..........ive only see girls college softball teams do that stuff...............very un professional as far as i'm concerned, on the other hand the thing is.......Figueroa shouldnt have let it get to him....thats being a professional also.
if he cared enough during the game, a high and tight fastball says it all. that's the way the game is played.
Reyes dances, Joba fist pumps, its a different game now than it was. but the old school way to ensure 'respect for the game' still exists
This is baseball, not golf- stop whining!!!! They can scream and cheer if they want-
Doesnt Jose Reyes do the same thing with the handshakes and dancing?????
Nelson told it like it is, you are the one whining Babs. Yeah they can do whatever they want, and yeah it was silly to talk to the media. That issue has always been resolved in baseball with a fastball. Ribs, between the shoulders, Clemens liked to go at the head. That is how clowning kids like the Nats are dealt with
I agree with Jim