Almost, But Not Quite

I wrote all day at my job today, so I'm basically out of sentences.

But a few need to be written about the Bautista thing. Or THE BAUTISTA INCIDENT, if you prefer.

It was major bad form for Bautista to get so worked up and get himself tossed. The strike zone was stupid, but the strike zone is usually stupid. Pointing out that a person is shit at their job is never a wise strategy.

At the bottom of the 10th, I was praying to the Baseball Sanity gods that Reimold would do something to at least score that run at third. Not just because it would've tied the game, but because I knew plenty of idiots would come out and everyone would have to have a big discussion about how Bautista failed society. And I get drawn into black holes like this. 

So maybe I'm giving Bautista "a free pass" by writing what I'm about to write, but this is just how I see it.

Bautista being up in his usual spot in the 10th would've been very useful, but it really shouldn't have gotten to that point. Basic, decent baseball would've won that game. Reimold screwed up in right field in extras. It was a routine catch that nine times out of ten he makes. The Jays had a guy on third in the 10th with less than two outs. Reyes and Cabrera needed to step up and score that run.

Bautista is their best player and by many accounts, a leader on this team. But he's also allowed to have a shit day. The short fuse he has displayed in the past has really been a non-factor all season. Bautista has been a lot better in that regard, and people should maybe give him more credit.

The thing that really irritates me about the outrage of this is that I know if he didn't show that kind of fire, he'd get variations of the "lazy/entitled/spoiled/ indifferent" label that gets lobbed at players of colour all the time. Has a Latin player ever been described as "gritty"?

He's also, rather quietly, having one of the best seasons of his career. Bautista's fire and his high standards are part of what drives him. This guy is one of the best players this team has ever had, and I think it's unfair to dump on him after a screw up. This purgatory of "almost, but not quite" is terrible to witness, so it's also likely terrible to play in.

Maybe Bautista's team should bail him out for once. He's done plenty of the heavy lifting.

In other news that made this loss irritating: Drew Hutchison pitched a really good game and he did it at home, which, for whatever reason, he hasn't been able to do very often. Also, the Cubs swept the Orioles over the weekend, so some ground could've been made up.  The division is the key to the playoffs.

Also, to people in various corners saying that "Garbage Clowns" is mean. Mean is having to listen to the Garbage Clowns talk their idiotic spiels of nonsense. Accept that you are clowns and also garbage, Garbage Clowns. Stop trying to trade Encarnacion and Bautista, who are on two of the friendliest contracts in baseball for the next two seasons. Just stop.

Finally, from Jake, in the DJF comments:

Quick comment on those who are quick to say Bautista is a selfish piece of shit for being ejected…..not that it’s related, but—->my daughter was picked as part of Jr Jays starting lineup, you know when little kids get to stand next to the players during the anthems. Well she got to stand next to Jose….and he engaged her and talked to her the entire time, while the other players showed little interest in the kids they stood next to, or so it seemed. He didn’t have to talk to her, but he was genuine and clearly cared about her experience. Maybe it’s nothing, but maybe not. All I’m saying is we’re awfully quick to judge when it’s something negative happening, but overlook some of the more important positive things. Let’s not forget Jose took EE under his wing and helped him (how much? who fucking knows) become the player he is today…..