your comparison is not that close really. Come on, learning a new language is totally different, however, i met a Bulgarian guy, 22 years old at the Atlanta Omni hotel last week while I was there on business who moved here 2 years ago to work and spoke almost perfect English. he had an accent (thats why I asked him where he was from) but he pronounced the words correctly and in the right places. His English was an American English as opposed to that from Great Britain or Australia. He came here to work and was working as a valet at the hotel and had 2 other part ‘time jobs. My point is that he learned in order to make it here and earn money and not only that but he is giving it his all to move up in the world and is showing his appreciation to this country by working 3 jobs. He hustled to park cars and seemed ready and willing to do all he could for the hotel customers coming and going. Don’t you think it was hard to come here and learn a new language and work 3 jobs?
Upton is privileged to have the talent he has and work while playing a game and make more money than you and I make or will make in our lifetime. there is no difference in terms of hustle and heart and mental knowledge between the infield and the outfield. you mean to tell me that it takes more than 15 months to remember to throw the ball in ASAP to the right base? that a runner on first may tag and go to second? that you have to go all out and catch the ball even though you may run into the wall? that you need to hustle down the first base line even though other players don’t all the time? and finally don’t take so many third strikes with the game on the line?
His head is not in the game at all times. his attitude sucks. he doesn’t want to be here in Tampa. management has said that they tried to sign him to a long term deal like the other players but he doesn’t want to, why? he thinks there is more money on the free agent market for him, thats why. some sucker will pay him a bundle and get the same thing we see here. BJ thinks he has arrived, that he is a star and can command that sort of interest in him. he thinks he is an impact player. I think he can be but not until he eliminates his mental mistakes. think of Mark Derosa with the cubs. he plays all over the place and get makes the plays required at his position. At work don’t we all have to where different hats at times and we still hustle and think? its a poor excuse to say he’s only had 15 months at center. He is a product of this generation in that he doesn’t think he needs to work hard at anything. fundamentals are not important to him. its all about the highlights and all about looking and acting cool. My first post i mentioned that my son has a friend who lives on the same street as BJ in south Tampa and BJ showed up at a party. he apparently walked around acting cool, and not talking much to the kids. when asked about playing here, he just said that he was waiting out his time here and moving on. what is that mean? he is not committed here. he doesn’t care about this organization. why? maybe ‘cause they traded away his friends? who knows, but if he doesn’t want to be here then I don’t want him on our team. we have plenty of talent to be competitive.

how do any of you know that BJ is a hard worker? huh? how do you know? If mental errors are character-bashing then so be it. What, you can’t tell it like it is anymore because it is politically incorrect? What , he better not know that he is being called to the carpet because because he might fall apart or cry? I love the Rays and I like Upton, but he is not yet a superstar and he cannot get a pass, not with that .260 average, 8 HR, and 58 RBI. He has regressed from last years numbers and he is not looking good at the plate nor on the field. He has talent but lacks discipline and knowledge of the game, the strategy, the fundamentals. He can’t have a manny being manny moment out there. he can’t back it up with his stats or leadership, yet. BJ needs to step it up. this is his 3rd year in the majors. He is not a rookie. For the Rays to succeed in the post season, they need hustle, leadership, no ego, and stats. Why do you think that the Rays were looking for right hand outfield power? All playoff teams need at least 1 more likely 2 power hitters in the outfield. Crawford is a spray hitter, right field is a platoon of hitters, and BJ cannot be the same type of player as Crawford. Not when Hinske gets platooned and gets pinch hit for alot, not when our shortstop and 2nd baseman don’t hit that much either. This guy should have improved from last year’s numbers, am I right or wrong?

By the way, I am a minority also so I am not prejudiced against BJ. I also have a degree in business management from a southern californian university, so I am not stupid as you might be implying from the comments you and others are making. I just don’t spend a lot of time on this website because I have a life. I write fast and get out quickly.

You know what, I hope you continue to make love to BJ (BJ! no pun intended). Just like he could care less about what I have to say, he doesn’t care what you have to say either. Go ahead and slober all over him, but don’t be disappointed when he doesn’t sign your ball, you jerk.