I suppose my only quibble is that focusing on a particular incident adds fuel to the fire of those who already are predisposed to criticize him. That does not mean he should be immune from such criticisms, but I think it helps if we are aware of the possible ramifications and that we couch our criticisms in such a way as to avoid giving aid and comfort to the nitwits.

In any case, this is a fun site. And as it is your personal responses, I heartily applaud your frankness and honest appraisals.

Also I think that Maddon did deal with that. He chewed them all out for not hustling, and I can guarantee that part of that rant was directed at BJ.

Finally I would never lump BJ with Young and Dukes. He has always been one of my favorites, and was one of the players that gave me hope for the future.

Like you, I dislike loafing to 1B. I am not sure we always see that right in any case. There may be some trompe d’oeil in it as we tend to follow the ball first and then see the runner the last few steps to 1B when he may slow down seeing the ball in the glove or about to be caught.

I also think that, like it or not, it is pretty much the norm in baseball (and always has been despite the misty eyed reveries of old farts’ memories) that players do not always bust their butts to 1B on every play. Again, the manager is responsible for dealing with that, as Maddon did last year with Young.

I think the most recent posting on Upton at DRays Bay is very apropos this discussion and a worthwhile read. The “3 amigos” title, for example, hung on Upton along with Dukes and Young at Durham, was absolutely invalid yet became a FACT in many circles. That is what I mean being a sucker for idiocy, that people accept that stuff at face value, and if they republish it or refer to it uncritically they become part of the problem.

I just have a pet peeve about guys not running hard down to first base. Twice in the last month, BJ has been involved in plays that were ugly because of his lack of effort down to first.

I also think when Maddon went off on the team, it wasn’t just directed at Aki. He got his message across. Thankfully you’re right he’s not going to put up with that garbage.

Hopefully you weren’t calling me a sucker for idiocy…If so I will leave that alone.

Upton has always been a tremendously hard worker and dedicated ballplayer. Like everyone-and that means everyone-I am sure he occasionally is not up to par, but he is in the top echelon of hustling ballplayers.

It is possible that his smooth, elegant style may look like loping rather than running full out. It is also possible that he makes judgments early on to play the carom rather than recklessly go for a catch that would likely fail and lead to a triple or HR and so does not run out of control but deliberately to be in the best position to limit the damage.

Anyway, don’t buy into it. That is talk radio stupidity or fodder for commentators who have nothing to say and no capacity to think about the actual game, just cliches they turn to in place of real observation or thinking. If enough people become suckers for that kind of idiocy, it becomes FACT and is very hard to get rid of. Upton does not deserve that. He is the best player on this team and vital to its success, and he takes that role seriously.

In any case, you can be sure that Maddon does not countenance lack of effort. It has been his mantra since arriving; the Rays’ way is always to play the game right, always to be mentally prepared and alert. You may remember his immediate response last year when Delmon loafed in the penultimate game. If he has not commented on it, it is not an issue.