Once again, Andrew Friedman has proven he is a man of integrity.
And he has made it clear, that is what he wants his Tampa Bay Rays to embody as well.
Allow me to explain.
Friedman traded relief pitcher Juan Salas to the Cleveland Indians for minor league infielder Isaias Valasquez.
In his breakout 2006 season, while playing for the double A Montgomery Biscuits, Salas gave up no earned runs in 23 games, struck out 52 batters and notched 14 saves in 34 2/3 innings worked. Salas was so dominate, he received a call up to play for Triple-A Durham, a minor league team that has a reputation and swagger that could match some of the worst teams in the majors.
Salas continued his dominance in Durham, pitching in 27 games, striking out 33 in a 28 2/3 innings of work with a ridiculous 1.57 ERA.
How was parting ways with a guy who had an undoubtedly bright future with the Rays organization a move of integrity?
Simple, Salas tested positive for the use of performance enhancing drugs in 2007, resulting in a 50 game suspension handed down by Commissioner Bud Selig.
A lot of General Manager or Executive VP's would find a way to look past the fact that this young player made a mistake, and took an illegal substance that cheated the players he competes against, and hell, with numbers like Salas's it would be easy to see why.
With numbers like Salas posted, the idea to part ways with Salas seems like something from the Chuck LaMar era.
But Friedman seems to see past the dominating stats and potential that Salas carried.
The Rays, in my opinion, embody all that is right with professional sports in this day and age.
A team that lacks a true superstar ego, heck, the face of the franchise, Carlos Pena, is just happy to even be playing baseball still...less than three years ago he had one foot out of the game, and a swing that would make Tom Emanski cringe. baseball Pena turned it around, and has helped lead a squad that is founded on fundamentals, grit, hard work and determination.
They play like a team. They make less money COMBINED in a year than what the Yankees spent this OFFSEASON. They earn what the wins and accolades they get, they don't buy them. That is what Tampa Bay Rays baseball is all about. Friedman gets that, and has been a master mind as cutting out cancers within the clubhouse, and keeping negative press away from the team organization.
The move to eliminate Salas from the organization isn't the first time Friedman has cut the fat. Not many execs would part ways with the likes of Delmon Young, who was runner up for AL Rookie of the Year honors, but was quickly jettisoned for blue collar cogs Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett last off season. Perhaps it was due large in part to the short temper Young displayed in his time with the team?
Elijah Dukes, another great example. All the talent in the world, but come on, who wants to play with a guy who has been arrested at least three times for battery, and once for assault. Not only that, Dukes have five children by four women between 2003-2006. Wonder if the Washington Nationals are going to have a bobble head of Dukes wearing prison stripes instead of his Nat's uniform?
Friedman understands that having players like this on your team not only negatively impact the morale and image of the team, but helps to paint a very negative picture for the youth of the world...employing people like this allow children to think these types of behavior are ok.
They aren't and Friedman understands that.
Hats off to you Andrew Friedman...let's continue to show the world that you can have a team of 25 guys, who are focused on winning without the use of PED's, and can show character on and off the field.
True role models.
Something to be admired.
Thomas E Gemkow
thomas.gemkow@tampabayraysfan.com
No comments:
Post a Comment