Thanks to Robinson, all quiet on the Nationals front
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published September 11, 2005
This is what happens when your season goes down the tubes. You start looking for something, anything, to blame.
The Nationals were on that path last week when manager Frank Robinson banned pregame music in the clubhouse.
That was more serious than it sounds. The Washington Post reported the boom box on the table in the middle of the drab RFK Stadium clubhouse was the main source of entertainment for a team that, other than batting practice, rarely went outside in the summer heat.
But considering the way the Nats have fallen from first to fourth in the NL East and are hanging by a thread in the wild-card race, something was needed.
"I don't get the same feel. I don't get the same electricity, the same energy about the situation now that I did at the beginning of the year," Robinson said. "That is missing out of the clubhouse."
Will banning music get it back?
"He's the manager," third baseman Vinny Castilla said. "He puts down the rules. We just work here."
Others agreed a shakeup was necessary.
"I'm very surprised about the stuff that's happening and the attitudes," pitcher Brad Wilkerson said. "I just can't understand why it seems the willingness to go out there and give it all you got and win is just not there."
The Post reported the music ban generally was not popular and the Washington Times reported outfielder Jose Guillen was so angry he missed two games because of it. Guillen said he was nursing a sore left shoulder that may require surgery.
"I don't want all that music," he said. "I don't have any problem with Frank. I want people to know that."
MORE UNREST: After Twins manager Ron Gardenhire pulled starter Kyle Lohse in the second inning Tuesday, Lohse, upset by the early hook, damaged a clubhouse door and injured a finger in a tirade.
"I've been out there battling my butt off," he said after the game. "I would have liked to have somebody stand behind me and say, "We've got your back. Go out there and shut them down from here on.' "
Gardenhire was not amused.
"Who's got your back?" he said. "It's not about that. It's about winning. If you don't understand that, take a hike out of the clubhouse."
The two settled their differences Friday during a 30-minute chat.
CLUTCH: Texas' Michael Young entered Saturday batting .460 (23-for-50) with a home run and 26 RBIs with runners in scoring position and two outs.
The Dallas Morning News reported only one player has done better since 1974: Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, who hit .472 last season and .460 in 2001.
CARDINALS STUFF: St. Louis is moving toward its fifth outright division title in 10 years by beating up on division foes. St. Louis is 42-20 against the NL Central, with winning records against every team except the Cubs (4-8). ... Cy Young candidate Chris Carpenter is having the best season by a Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1970. Carpenter's 21 wins are two fewer than Gibson had that year. The right-hander has won 13 straight decisions. "I can't remember a pitcher for as long as I've been managing who has been so good every time out," manager Tony La Russa said. ... First baseman and MVP candidate Albert Pujols could miss up to five games if he decides a procedure is necessary to cure a plantar fasciitis condition in his right foot. "It's sore," Pujols said. "Hopefully, it will settle down."
THE RIGHT STUFF: Indians ace Cliff Lee, 15-4 on the season and 6-0 with a 3.43 ERA since July 6, is making a big push for the Cy Young award.
Gaylord Perry in 1972 was the last Indians pitcher to win the Cy Young, and his .789 winning percentage is second in Cleveland history to Johnny Allen's .938 (15-1) in 1937.
"There are guys with a knack for winning games and Cliff is one of them," teammate Aaron Boone said. "It's very underrated."
OVERPAID, OVERRATED: Royals starter Jose Lima has a $2.5-million base salary and likely will make another $1-million in incentives, according to the Kansas City Star. All that for a 5-14 record and a 6.60 ERA.
ET CETERA: Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro isn't sure if he will retire after this season, but told the Washington Post he will play again this season after rehabbing his sprained right ankle. ... The White Sox have six pitchers lining up for four starting spots in the playoffs. The Chicago Tribune reported Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle are locks, with Orlando Hernandez, Jose Contreras and rookie Brandon McCarthy fighting to get in. ... The firing of Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon sparked stories that Cardinals scout Jim Leyland, who managed Pittsburgh for 11 seasons, will take over for next year. "I think everybody knows I'm interested in managing again," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ... When Rockies first baseman Todd Helton went 0-for-4 Wednesday, it was the first time in 53 games the Padres kept him off base.
