The Seattle Mariners lost to the Tampa Bay Rays last night, which is something they're quite good at this season. I mean, they do it with a precision that nobody else in baseball has been able to match in 2008, and call me crazy, but I think they ought to be commended for that. So congratulations, Mariners. You guys are better at losing than anybody else, and you should be proud.Unfortunately, some folks on the Mariners feel differently about this situation. Instead of taking pride in their ability to lose, some of the guys find Seattle's amazing consistency to be aggravating. Take Carlos Silva for example, who doesn't appreciate his teammates attitudes this season, and he's not afraid to tell us about it.
"I don't care if we are 40 games behind, we should have played better than this," Silva said. "For me, every game is important. For me, if we are where we are right now, we should take it one game at a time and play one day at a time. Thinking, 'We've got to win this game.' And when the day is over, 'We've got to win the next one.'
"Maybe half of the team wants to do the best they can. Take the starting rotation ... every time we cross that line, we want to do our best. No matter how many games we are behind. But maybe half of the team doesn't have that mentality. They are only thinking of finishing strong. And to put up their numbers. That's great, but that affects us. As a team, that doesn't work out."
Well, Carlos, I feel the need to point out that you're making $8.25 million this season to post a 5.93 ERA. In fact, of your 24 starts this season, you've only managed to allow one run or less twice. On the other side of the coin, in 24 starts, you've allowed four or more runs thirteen times. Oh, and you've only seen the eighth inning three times.
If you're taking these games seriously, I'd hate to see you when you don't care.
Ever think your teammates are trying their best, it's just they aren't good enough (when your team is 45-71 you might just suck) to overcome the runs you're allowing the other team to put up? I mean, going by your statements, I assume you're one of those "team" guys, not a "Carlos Silva" guy. So wouldn't that mean some of the blame has to be placed on you?
I don't know, just a thought.
