Did Bud Black cross the line?
Shame game. It is a baseball manager’s job to keep individual players and the team in a positive frame of mind. Manager Bud Black isn’t doing that with the Rockies. His outburst on the mound with rookie pitcher Kyle Freeland during a recent loss to Cincinnati was unacceptable. You don’t correct or instruct someone during the action of any game, whether it’s baseball or bridge. Let the heat of the battle and intensity of emotion have some time to dissipate, then coach them up after the game, or the next day. You certainly don’t shame someone in front of anyone else, especially in front of the hometown crowd.
Bill, not the manager’s buddy
Kiz: Did it make me a little uncomfortable to watch Black dress down a rookie pitcher in front of 48,338 witnesses at Coors Field? Yes. But did I avert my eyes? No, because the scene was too dramatic to ignore. Two things worth mentioning: 1) Freeland is one tough cookie who responded to the lecture by retiring the next eight Cincy hitters, and 2) The manager and pitcher did meet in Black’s office the next day, to settle the issue face to face and man to man.
Swept away. The Nuggets will win 45 games next season. after signing power forward Paul Millsap as a free agent. Can’t wait to buy my “Swept as an 8 seed” T-shirt.
Jarrett, San Francisco
Kiz: So if I catch your drift, Warriors fans in the Bay Area aren’t shaking in their boots about the prospect of a firstround challenge by Denver?
Free-agent envy. The signing of Millsap feels like we got a date to the prom, and even though she has a nice personality, we’re looking at everyone else’s dates.
P.R., eyes full of envy
Kiz: Dance with the one that brought you. So here’s hoping Millsap averages 18 points and nine rebounds, statistics that are well within his reach. But whatever happened to Denver also signing point guard George Hill, as the wishful thinkers wanted everyone to believe? The salary cap happened, that’s what. After overpaying for Millsap, the Nuggets didn’t have enough nickels left in their piggy bank to acquire Hill.
Not so hot. I am not and never will be a baseball fan. But I do read The Denver Post very closely every day, and I am curious why you and other sportswriters would use the word “star” for Carlos Gonzalez. It does not make any sense to me. Just sayin’.
John, demands explanation
Kiz: Well, maybe the staffers here at Kickin’ It Headquarters are a bunch of sentimental fools. But Cargo has been named to the All-star Game three times, including a year ago. Add his three Gold Gloves and the National League batting title he won in 2010. Those achievements seem fairly stellar to us.
At what price? And today’s parting shot insists I shot an air ball when suggesting $365,854 per game might be a bit too much to spend on Millsap.
Very poor take, Kiz. You are completely entitled to your opinion, but lord have mercy, that’s quite the miss.
S.A., swishes every shot