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The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a very disappointing first half of the season. They are currently sitting only one game over .500 after almost every baseball expert in America (including me) predicted that they would run away with the NL Central. Granted, they still may be able to run away with the division in the second half of the season and to date, they are only a game out of first place, but there’s not a Cubs fan on Earth that will tell you they are pleased with the team’s record through the first half.
With that said, fans have a right to be frustrated with the team. That’s why they’re fans. Players, on the other hand, are expected to be professionals at all points through the ups and downs of the season. Yes they can get frustrated too but part of being a professional athlete is being able to conduct yourself in a professional manner at every point in the season.
12-year-veteran catcher Miguel Montero apparently doesn’t beleive in that philosophy. After last night’s game against the Washington Nationals, he acted in an unprofessional way that would eventually cost him his job.
After the Washington Nationals set a club record by recording seven stolen bases off of him, Montero decided to point the finger at his starting pitcher rather than acknowleding his arm is a wet noodle.
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Here’s what he had to say.
“It really sucked, because the stolen bases go on me. But when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time, so yeah, ‘Miggy can’t throw anyone out,’ but my pitchers don’t hold anyone on.”
Yeah, ok Miggy.
Not counting the seven bases that were taken off of him last night, opposing baserunners were 31 for 31 in attempted steals. But that’s probably all the pitcher’s fault too huh?
I’m not saying that he’s completely wrong because certain pitchers are relatively slow to the plate but what is there to gain by deflecting all the criticism onto one of your teamates? Cubs leader and overall bad ass Anthony Rizzo heard enough of Miggy’s bullshit.
“We win as a team and we lose at a team. When you start pointing fingers, I think that labels you as a selfish player.”
If you recall, this isn’t the first time Montero cried like a baby to the media either. After last year’s World Series win, Montero critcized Joe Maddon for his use of Aroldis Chapman and also cried about his playing time during last year’s postseason.
“I expected to be treated a little better. I was expected to get communication. Just let me know. Put me in the loop. That was the toughest part for me because I never understood what my role was going to be.”
Well Miguel, your role is pretty clear now.
Montero was designated for assignment this morning and in a related move, called up his replacement Victor Caratini. The 23-year-old catcher is hitting .343 with eight home runs for AAA Iowa and many people in the organization beleive that he’s the team’s best hitter.
Now, is he ready to be a big league catcher? That remains to be seen. What is known very clear is that the Cubs front office will not put up with selfish “me first” bullshit like the crap Miguel Montero just pulled.
See ya later bud.
