Pitching and Politics: Both Will Make You Shake Your Head

I don't know what frightens me more—the idea that all three Presidential candidates appeared on WWE Raw Monday night—OR the state of pitching in baseball, especially the bullpens.

Having elected officials connect themselves with some of the most stupid and absurd elements of our society is scary and questions character in their desperation to get votes. Ralph Nader and Grandpa Al Lewis are looking great now. Can you imagine John Adams, Abe Lincoln or Harry Truman—guys who clearly didn't care about what people thought; only about doing what they thought was right—appearing on a wrestling show?

The thoughts of managers these days can't be too stable either. Friday night, Johan Santana goes 7 great innings. Two batters get on in the eighth, and Santana—the 137.5 million dollar man—comes out of the game. The bullpen nearly blows the game.

Saturday: after having a horrible Friday night, Aaron Heilman redeems himself, getting out of a bases loaded jam. The Mets win the game. Sunday: Andy Pettitte throws 7 shutout innings, and is removed. The same day, the Rangers remove Kevin Millwood after two runs over six, and the BoSox rally to beat the Rangers. The same day, Olson allows 1 run over 7 and is taken out by the Marlins. The Fish DO AT LEAST go on to win the game.
Monday night, Carlos Zambrano—18 game winner last season-holds the Mets to 1 run over 7 and is lifted. Meanwhile, the Rockies pen allows 5 runs to the Phillies in the final two innings of the game.

So I ask: WHERE is the stud starter who says, "Skip, you ain't going to the bullpen today." That's what happened in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series. Jerry Koosman spotted the Orioles an early 3-0 lead, and told the team, "That's it boys, they get no more. The Mets chipped away, and finished off the Birds.

WHY isn't Santana saying, "Willie, (Randolph) I'm the man, let me go." WHY isn't Zambrano saying last night, "Lou, (Piniella) tell the guys it's on me tonight." You wish there was a politician out there that would say, "Come hell or high-water, we'll do the right thing. It may not be perfect, but I'll do my best. Joe Lieberman, Alan Keyes, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul all comes to mind. But they don't, at least on the surface, have the savvy, political clout (NOT to mention connections and money) to get the job done for the country. Perception is everything in our world. THAT'S why we accept men of poor virtue like Eliot Spitzer or David Paterson as elected officials. They fool us and smooth talk us for awhile, and then show their true colors. Our country is so beat down, we think ALL politicos are crooked, or at best, the "lesser of two evils" when we have to make a choice. When we think that way, we're afraid of stepping out and assuming leadership for ourselves and others. So we wind up with politicians that have their own agendas wrapped in smiles and promises

The same holds true in baseball. Fans, and players, managers, GM's are beat down with talk of pitch counts and 'roles.' I mean, if a closer (a fireman in the old days) is YOUR BEST guy out of the pen, why can't he come in the 6th or 7th with the bases loaded? NO-Billy Wagner HAS to enter a game in a save situation. Otherwise, he's NOT comfortable. Same holds true with Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Palpelbon—as close to 'automatic' as any bullpen pitcher in the majors. Why can't Pedro Feliciano pitch the 8th or 9th if the matchups dictate?

Plus, I ask again—if most nights your starter is better than anyone else in the bullpen—why have him on a pitch count? If you take, for example, Oliver Perez out after five and two thirds (like Willie Randolph did the day of the Mets' home opener) HOW will Perez learn to get out of trouble and find his rhythm in a game? I was SHOCKED when Wang was allowed to pitch a complete game at Fenway a while back. Instead, like shady behavior from our celebrities and elected officials, we just 'accept' and say, "Gagne's blown 3 saves already, but we're paying him money, he's got to start the 9th."

I don't have to agree with that thinking anymore—put your best people out there. If the starters are the best, leave them in to set their own course. I don't need a 6th or 7th inning guy to fail just because that's his role, anymore than I need to hear someone claim a former First Lady or war hero is fit for the White House. As for change, I don't need to "smell what Barack is cooking" to bring about change in my life. I have enough worries these days figuring out how the Mets will get 27 outs AND what to do with Carlos Delgado just to win a game.

All that said, VOTE in November (may God help us) and pray your ace can go at least 8 innings every 5th day.