Spooner
05-29-2004, 03:36 PM
Raul Mondesi turned his back on the Pirates organization. He didn't demand a trade like any normal Clubhouse Cancer, he instead took the more direct route and faked "personal problems," flew off to home, and had the Pirates terminate his contract.
Maybe it was being under .500. Maybe it was the obscurity of the team, constantly being snubbed by ESPN. Maybe it was striking out to push Roger Clemens farther up the K list. But whatever the cause, the effect is obvious.
After leaving the Pirates, it only took his replacement Daryle Ward a few games to match his HR and RBI totals. He even hit for the cycle. It's possible the best thing Mondesi did for this team was leaving it.
But that doesn't change the fact that what he did was an insult to the Pirates. He didn't like his contract from the minute he signed it, and once he found a way, he got out of it. Then signed with a contender. What he did is not only extremely disrespectful, it also sets precedent for other players. What if Jose Mesa decided he was too good for the Pirates? What if Jack Wilson decided his bat would be put to better use on a contender? Of course they didn't leave, they're not the person Raul Mondesi is, but the point is that they could if they very well wanted to.
Raul screwed us over. He turned his back on us. But luckily for us, we have Interleague. On June 15-17 Mondesi will return to PNC Park with his new best friends the Angels. When he comes up to bat, don't boo. Don't hiss, don't throw anything. Just stand up and turn your back to him. From the time he steps up to the plate until his at-bat is over, keep your back facing the field. Let him know how much he is despised in the burgh for what he did. So bad, we don't even want to see his face.
Pass this on to any Pirate fans and message boards you know, and keep it in mind if you attend any games against the Pirates.
Maybe it was being under .500. Maybe it was the obscurity of the team, constantly being snubbed by ESPN. Maybe it was striking out to push Roger Clemens farther up the K list. But whatever the cause, the effect is obvious.
After leaving the Pirates, it only took his replacement Daryle Ward a few games to match his HR and RBI totals. He even hit for the cycle. It's possible the best thing Mondesi did for this team was leaving it.
But that doesn't change the fact that what he did was an insult to the Pirates. He didn't like his contract from the minute he signed it, and once he found a way, he got out of it. Then signed with a contender. What he did is not only extremely disrespectful, it also sets precedent for other players. What if Jose Mesa decided he was too good for the Pirates? What if Jack Wilson decided his bat would be put to better use on a contender? Of course they didn't leave, they're not the person Raul Mondesi is, but the point is that they could if they very well wanted to.
Raul screwed us over. He turned his back on us. But luckily for us, we have Interleague. On June 15-17 Mondesi will return to PNC Park with his new best friends the Angels. When he comes up to bat, don't boo. Don't hiss, don't throw anything. Just stand up and turn your back to him. From the time he steps up to the plate until his at-bat is over, keep your back facing the field. Let him know how much he is despised in the burgh for what he did. So bad, we don't even want to see his face.
Pass this on to any Pirate fans and message boards you know, and keep it in mind if you attend any games against the Pirates.