MLB: Lessons in baseball

With 1 out in the bottom of the 8th, San Diego Padres catcher Ben Davis bunted a blooper in between Diamondbacks Curt Schilling and Jay Bell. Safe. Much to the dismay of D'Back manager Bob Brenly and Schilling, perfect game and no hitter were broken up. More importantly, Bubba Trammell, who represents the tying run, was now at the plate.

Bob Brenly deemed the move "chicken s#!t", a simply laughable notion in itself. The Padres (were in first at the time of the incident) currently sit 2.5 games out of first at 26-24; one of the teams in first is the Diamondbacks at 29-22. I find it unbelievable that Brenly would dog Davis for his hit when every single game counts when contending, especially against division rivals. Brenly went on to say that Davis has "got a lot to learn about how the game is played." Ooooh, the irony of that statement is rich.

eSports writer Jose Camacho wrote about this incident the following and also had some laughable ideas. This one being one of the peaches, "Ben Davis showed a total disrespect for one of baseball's greatest pitchers." Yes, that's right how dare he try to put his team in position to win a game. Breaking up gems is total disrespect!! Mr. Camacho continues, "It showed that Davis was desperate and was trying to be "the man" and show the 49,300 in attendance that he could beat this guy with something totally unexpected."

Mr. Camacho, where on earth do you get this idea? A bunt single does not make anyone "the man" or else Ozzie Guillen and Tom Goodwin jerseys would be selling as fast as Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds ones. Davis was trying to put his team in a position to win the baseball game, but you know this because you acknowledge it in your piece. However you follow it up with this gem of a line, "Every Padre was trying to get on base like a man, swinging." So Davis is a less of man for not swinging? Hmm, stunning logic there. Keep this in mind Mr. Camacho, swinging did not work for 7.1 innings, maybe Davis found it futile to keep trying.

Mr. Camacho ends his piece by implying that Davis did not earn his way on base. That's funny because, as I recall, Davis put the bat over the plate for the bunt, made contact and then hustled to first base. It sounds like he did all the work there and earned his way down to first. I am sorry you, Brenly, that Diamondback fans cannot see this for what it was, strategy.

Kudos to Davis on a very gutsy play that even Mark Grace wouldn't try. Grace is smart enough to see why the play was done, however, "I can see with a 2-0 game, they were trying to win and keep first place." He continues, "In that respect, it was a good play. But I can tell you this much: I don't have the (guts) to do it."

Well Dan Miceli, you blasted your manager and he decided to have himself dismissed as manager of the Florida Marlins. Good job, now get out there and show everyone you mean business. Zero outs, two runs and a 5 straight loss for Miceli and his credibility are out the window. Given the fact that many players on the team agreed with Miceli makes his rant excusable; however, his key reason is severely misguided. Miceli believes that former Marlin manager John Boles lacked qualification because he never played big league baseball.

While experience in the majors is certainly helpful, it is far from necessary. Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson, two highly respected former managers, come nowhere near the 15 years required by Miceli to be a major league manager. Lou Pinella might be on the border in Miceli's book, having playing just 14 years in the major leagues. Jim Leyland won 1069 games including three division titles and a World Series. He never played a major league game. If you and the rest of your mates don't have confidence in your manager, it is understandable and it is right to speak out. However, to throw out a lame reason such as that to back it up is weak.