The Saga that Has Become BJ Upton: Let's Give the Guy a Chance

I expect to receive a lot of negative commentary on this posting, but I believe it's a perspective that needs to be shared given all of the radio host and blog comment rantings by many fans (and I am sure those that are not Rays fans) recently.

If you were fired for every less than 100% effort at your job (think about that 2 hour lunch you take every now and then), I think we'd all be jobless. We should certainly have a very high standard for our baseball players, but don't crucify them when they make a couple of mistakes. I don't excuse what BJ Upton has been doing on these occasions, but I do think that Joe Maddon is handling this appropriately at this point (the punishment for the "relapse" has being escalated to get through to BJ).

But, rather than make this a purely emotional argument, let's take a more analytical approach. If you look at all instances where Joe Maddon or others are unhappy with BJ Upton, they are situations that have highly likely outcomes (routine ground balls, routine gap doubles, etc.). BJ Upton seems to think it's OK to dog it to first on sharply hit, cleanly fielded ground balls or on balls to the gap that will be doubles whether he sprints to the ball or half speeds it. Joe Maddon is clearly addressing that mindset and has let BJ know that he is entirely wrong to think that way. From the way folks talk on the message boards or on the radio shows, you'd think BJ is walking to first on every play and never hustles in the outfield (that is simply not true and any fan who has watched any meaningful number of games know).

Let's recall BJ's first benching. BJ was benched for not running out a ground ball against Cleveland on August 5th. But, also recall that he very likely won that game for the Rays when he made a SPECTACULAR catch in the deep left center field gap (I think it might have even been a Web Gem). BJ runs hard on the vast majority of plays and makes some ridiculous catches, so it does not appear to be a total laziness or unhappiness thing to me. I also don't think it's BJ wanting out of Tampa Bay (as some have suggested) as building a reputation as a lazy dude is not going to help him sign a big deal with a different team. I honestly think he believes it's OK to give half effort on balls blasted into the gap (that will probably be doubles anyway) or if he hits a routine ground ball out (where he will be out 95% of the time regardless of his effort. Maddon and BJ's team mates need to get through to him and change that mindset. This mindset might be acceptable in some clubhouses, but Maddon and the Rays are playing a different kind of baseball and BJ needs to get on board.

I think it's time our local radio hosts and blog commentators should give the "get rid of BJ" talk a rest and let things play themselves out. I have confidence that Maddon and the team are going to work on BJ and he is going to be a key member of the team for this pennant race. A talent like BJ Upton does not come along very often (just look at the guys in our farm system now - some decent talents, but no one with BJ's potential). The intelligent decision is to give this some time, let Joe and the team work with the guy and see how BJ develops as a person and as a ballplayer. Some things are fixable (effort and mindset) while others are not (lack of talent or injury). Let's get behind BJ and encourage him to join the team.