If you have reached middle age, you know where the lyrics to this Jimmy Soul classic are headed, but stop in your tracks as I’m handing out baseball advice and not marital warnings.
Mr. Wizard often cautioned Tudor the Turtle to be what he is and not what you isn’t. I’m with Mr. Wizard on this one, don’t fret over the mistakes of other teams. Lose sleep over your team’s woes-especially as we’re discussing the Red Sox and Phillies. Both teams’ front offices recently fired their managers and some of the coaches. If you want to argue the baseball merits of the moves, have at it, but don’t worry about Rob Thomson or Alex Cora. I have it on good authority that neither one of them has concerned himself with your job security or status. Managers and coaches are hired to be fired. Have we already forgotten that Thomson replaced the fired Joe Girardi.
As one friend correctly pointed out, the general managers and owners might be to blame. However, in both cases, those heads aren’t likely to roll anytime soon. One can also argue that their interim replacements or future next managers aren’t likely to be any better. How both teams axed the fallen heroes might have been handled poorly, but unless it’s your team, don’t lose any sleep over it. Before you can say Preston Gomez, your team’s coach will be riding the pines with Gene Michael and Yogi Berra.
Seeing big payroll teams flounder should bring smiles to 25 other fanbases. When other teams are swirling in chaos, enjoy the moment. Just don’t get too smug because your failure is likely around the corner.
I always laugh when a group of underperforming, overpaid .206 hitters and dudes sporting 4.86 ERAs develop a work ethic/conscience. Right now, the question on everyone’s mind in NYC, is whose holding their breath, Carlos Mendoza or Mets fans?