Kennedy, "Not Upset" ... You Can't Be Serious !!!
"It's always disappointing, but it's my first bad outing in a long time, since the All-Star break", said, Ian Kennedy, whose previous seven starts were in the minor leagues".
"I felt like I made some good pitches and got out of the second inning. 'I am not too upset about it'. You move on, and I have already done that. I am not going to look too much into it". ... Ian Kennedy, after Yankees 10-5 loss to Angels
Well, I'm sure that most Yankee fans have already seen, or heard, the quotes from Ian Kennedy, either after the game on the Yes Network, in his interview with Kim Jones; or, in the many newspaper reports, including the above quote, from George King's article in the New York Post; or, online, on the many Yankee and Baseball web sites; or, on the TV sports programs; or, Sports Talk Radio, etc., etc., etc.
The first thing that came to mind when I heard these quotes, was, "you got to be kidding". Then, I thought, Ian Kennedy should be thankful that the "great" Thurman Munson and the "great" Billy Martin are not here, because they surely would have given this "kid" something to be upset about.
The numbers tell the story; and, if Kennedy takes a closer look, he will realize that he has a lot to be upset about.
Ian Kennedy lasted only two innings, in which he allowed 9 hits; 5 earned runs; one walk; with only one strikeout. All that damage was caused by 61 "very upsetting" pitches.
In 10 games [9 starts] this season, Kennedy's record is now (0-4) with a 8.17 ERA . I would say, "that's a lot to be upset about" !!!
The quotes are very disturbing, Mr. Kennedy, because this is New York, and you play for the New York Yankees. A true Yankee does not react to a "loss" like you did at the end of yesterday's 10-5 loss to the Angels. This is just not the "Yankees Way".
Every player on the Yankees was upset about yesterday's loss. The whole coaching staff was upset. Everyone in the Yankees Organization was upset. All Yankee fans were upset about yesterday's loss. Everyone, in the Yankees Universe is upset. Everyone, except, you, Mr. Kennedy.
Ian Kennedy may be wearing a Yankees uniform, and on the Major League roster, at the moment. But, that doesn't make him a true Yankee, just yet.
When you play for the New York Yankees, you have to show that you "care", and "respect" the great Yankees tradition. By telling the whole world that you are "not upset" after you lose a very important game to the team with the best record in baseball -- you are telling everbody, especially, Yankee fans, that you do not respect "the Yankees"; or, "your teammates"; or, the "Great Yankees Tradition".
The Yankees Organization is learning a very costly lesson, that Ian Kennedy may only be a (AAAA) pitcher, at best. He may be one of those players that is only at a level somewhere between (AAA) and the Major Leagues.
But, also, we are all learning about the character of a very young rookie pitcher, who earlier this year said, maybe it was a good thing that he was being sent down to the minors, because there is "less pressure" down there. And, now we find out, "losing is not upsetting" to this young man.
Well, if that's the case, then, I guess, it wouldn't be upsetting to Mr. Kennedy if he was demoted to (AAA), (AA), or, the Gulf Coast League (A) ball; or, even, the Rookie Leagues. I also wonder, if a trade, or being released from the Yankees, would upset Kennedy.
I know all the above would upset most of us, but it doesn't look like it would upset Ian Kennedy. If a "loss" doesn't upset you, then I can't see what else in baseball could be more upsetting.
Hopefully, this event in Ian Kennedy's baseball life is a "major lesson", that Kennedy will "learn from".
But, this late in the season, in the middle of a pennant race, the Yankees can not afford any "on-the-job-training" session with any player, especially, Ian Kennedy. There is just too much at stake. The 10-5 loss to the Angels, should be Ian Kennedy's last start this year, for the New York Yankees.
It's time for the Yankees to put the training wheels back on Ian Kennedy, and send him back down to (AAA)-SWB, which has a lot less pressue; and, where, hopefully, Mr. Kennedy will learn to respect the "Game of Baseball", and, also, the "importance of winning".
This is all part of the great "Yankees Tradition", where "Losing Is Very Upsetting", no matter what Ian Kennedy may think.
Special Edit: Sunday, August 10, 2008 -- Before the Yankees final game in their three-game series against the L.A. Angels, in Anaheim, CA, the Yankees made a couple of roster moves, including, sending Ian Kennedy back down to (AAA) - Scranton / Wilkes-Barre; and recalling, left-handed reliever, Billy Traber, from SWB.
Sending Ian Kennedy back down to the minors was a great move by the New York Yankees, and a very quick, and necessary, response, to Kennedy's terrible outing in Friday's 10-5 loss to the Angels; and, also, his outrageous comments after the game, saying, he was "not upset about the loss".
It is very clear, Mr. Kennedy has a lot to learn about being a member of the New York Yankees, most notably, how to take responsibility when he does not pitch well. Also, the most important lesson he has to learn, is: The great Yankees Tradition is all about "winning". The goal every year, is to win the World Series. Anything less, is a losing season. Ian Kennedy has to learn to realize that "all losses are very upsetting", to all Yankee fans, and everybody in the Yankees Organization !!!
Final Note: This road trip is not going well, at all. After splitting the four-game series against the Rangers in Texas, the Yankees were swept in their three-game series against the L.A. Angels this weekend. The Bronx Bombers are now, 2-5, on this 10-game road trip, as they head into Minnesota, to play three-games vs. the Twins. Time is running out for the Yankees, as they remain in third place in the AL EAST, 9 games behind the Division Leading, Tampa Bay Rays; and, 4 games behind the second place, Boston Red Sox.
When I saw the post game, I saw a smirk on his face. It was an odd way to handle losing.
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Yeah, Sean ...
I also watched the post-game show, and yes, he had that same smirk on his face that I have seen in past interviews ... The outrage all Yankee fans feel towards Kennedy is that we are in the middle of a pennant race, and we are all "upset" by "every" Yankees loss ... For Ian Kennedy to say, he is "not upset" losing a game, is disrespectful to all Yankees fans, the Yankee players [his teammates], the whole Yankees Organization, and the great Yankee Winning Tradition that has won 26 World Championships ... If Ian Kennedy does not already know what the goal is, here in New York every season; then, someone should tell him ... The Goal Is To Win The World Series - Every Year !!! Anything less, is a losing season !!!
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I really didn't like what he said as well. Players try to "move on" from their mistakes all the time but he made it sound almost as if he didn't care. I know Pettitte and some other players have already talked to him about it but yeah, they probably weren't as harsh on him as Munson or Martin would be. Young players don't always say the smartest of things and it may have not come out the way he wanted it to, but he needs to watch what he says. He can say whatever he wants when he starts succeeding, until then, he shouldn't play down his performances.
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Hey, Vanessa ...
Well, as you probably already know, Ian Kennedy was sent down to AAA-SWB before today's [Sun Aug 10th] game vs. the Angels ... Hopefully, Kennedy will learn a lesson from this "event", and realize, "Yankees Tradition" is a winning tradition !!! ... Losing is never accepted; and, will always be "very upsetting" !!! ... The Yankees handled this situation very well -- by sending Kennedy down to the minors as quickly as they did !!! ... and, yes, I think it would have been very interesting to see how Billy Martin and Thurman Munson would have "taken-care" of Mr. Kennedy, after word got back to them about his comments ... also, another image comes to mind: That nationally televised game in 1978, when the Yankees were playing the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and Reggie Jackson didn't hustle after a base hit in rightfield ... Billy Martin pulled Reggie out of the game, and I never seen Martin so angry. I'm sure you seen the video clips of this confrontation ... Anyway, Kennedy's comments about not being upset about the 10-5 loss, was very upsetting to "all Yankee fans" !!! ... Take care, Vanessa !!!
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You wanna see upset, Ian?
Read my post from today's loss:
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/not_so_nice_after_giese.html
If you Mr Kenendy think that you shouldn't at least humor the rest of us who could only dream to be healthy enough or in good enough shape to play a kid's game for 6 figures+ then you are a slime ball and a spoiled brat that far excedes anything from the Hilton twins.
Thats because, well, it must be because you really ARE PARIS HILTON. Thats it. i just figured it out. BTW-I loved you in that movie! Fine. Fine acting.
Stay in Minor League hell making $200k and be a no-one you jerk.
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That was a good one Michael.
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Sometimes I feel like Ian Kennedy is an idiot. "My first bad start in a while." The other ones were in AAA, stupid!
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Michael,
Good "wrap-up" of a very "embarrassing" and "disappointing" three-game sweep of the Yankees by the L.A. Angels ... This road trip is a disaster ! .. The Yankees are now (2-5) on this trip, and falling quickly out of the race in the AL EAST ... The great start by Dan Giese was wasted by the bullpen. But, also, Why was Giese taken out of that game after "only" 6 innings ??? ... Dan Giese had a great outing, throwing "only" 83 pitches in the 6 innings he was in the game. The Yankees were leading [after 6 innings], 3-1, and, Giese could have easiely pitched [at least] one more inning. In my view, he could have pitched 8 innings, and then Girardi could have gone to Mariano in the 9th inning for the "save" !!! ... Once again, I say, "these pitch-counts are so over-rated" ... But, also, the Yankees are just not hitting, and leaving way too many runners on base !!! ... The only way the Yankees have any chance to get back into this "race" - is to sweep the three-game series against the Twins, and then, go from there ... The way they are playing, though, it is starting to look, less and less, likely, that the Yankees will make the playoffs this year !!! ... Jimmy [27NYY]
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Hey, William [NMYF] ... How's it going ?
Yeah, Ian Kennedy has totally no respect for the great "Yankees winning Tradition" !!! ... He needs to learn that he has to take responsibility when he does not pitch well; and, also, realize that all losses are "very upsetting" to all Yankee fans and everybody in the Yankees Organization!!! ... Well, Kennedy will have to learn these lessons in the minors, as the Yankees "rightfully so" sent him back down to (AAA-SWB) before yesterday's game ... At this point, I really do not want to see Ian Kennedy pitch any more, [at least the rest of this year], ... for the New York Yankees !!!! ................. William, take care !!! ... Jimmy [27NYY]
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In some ways it annoys me that he said this and in some other ways I really don't mind it. The thing you want most in a player, especially a pitcher is for them to forget easily. If a pitcher has a bad outing, the best thing is for them to move on. It appears Kennedy is doing this and that's good, but I guess I still feel he should have kept it to himself.
Check out my blog - "The Hot Corner" - http://dailyrant.mlblogs.com/
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Hey, David ...
Yeah, I agree. Like you said in your comments, "If a pitcher has a bad outing, the best thing is for them to move on" ... But, first, any pitcher that has a bad outing, needs to take responsibility for the loss -- then move on ... This is why Yankee fans, and Players on the Yankees, were so outraged at Ian Kennedy comments. He told everybody, he was "not upset by the loss", and already had moved-on [this interview was right after the 10-5 loss, in the Yankees Clubhouse] ... If Kennedy showed, "just a little anger", and actually, talked about [what everyone who watched the game, already knew], how badly he pitched; and, even offered an apology to his teammates, and all Yankee fans -- I think many Yankee fans [and, some in the media] would have given him "more of a pass" for this poor outing ... Also, he probably would still be in the rotation [at least, for one more start] ...Kennedy is now back down in the minors [AAA-SWB] ... Hopefully, he learns from these "major mistakes"; and, in the future, learns how to deal with the media by saying the right things [before and after games] ... Also, he has to learn to "take responsibility for his actions", especially, when he does not pitch well, and after a Yankees loss !!! ... Take care, David ... and, Keep up the great work on your Blog !!! ... Jimmy [27NYY]
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Nice Post Jimmy!! I am coming to New York City this weekend to see the Yankees vs the Royals. Let me know if you will be at any of the games? Check out my arizona post.
-Chris
The Baseball Collector
http://baseballcollector.mlblogs.com
http://snaggingbaseballs.com
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Hey, Chris ...
Thanks for the visit !!! ... It's good to see that you are having a "fun summer" visiting the many baseball parks that you have traveled to this year !!! ...Unfortunately, I'm not going to any of the games this weekend [vs. the Royals], but I will be watching on T.V., and rooting for the Yankees to win !!! ... Also, I 'm be rooting for you, Chris, to snag many baseball's during ths series; and, also, get many autographs !!! ... Have a great time in New York !!! ... Jimmy [27NYY]
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