Oh Dear Heavens

When JB sees this he will kick you square in the nuts and you’ll cry like Nancy Kerrigan!

Of “traditional scouting” vs. number crunching come into play. I appreciate that the stats dictate that Bartlett is mediocre at best. That being said, a price cannot be put on a pitcher’s confidence in knowing that all routine plays are going to be made up the middle (also a tribute to Aki.) I really don’t think we would be sniffing the playoffs if Harris were our shortstop this year. I would have given the MVP to Bartlett or Howell….Now please let the “where is your proof” and “observations with no statistical backing are logical” statements rain down.

This kind of “crap”, like over the past year shows why Marc Topkin needs to check his ego and his constant five o’clock shadow at the door.

Obviously, he would not make this comment if he knew/knows this selection was widely unaccepted. Maybe Marc needs to look in the mirror and prioritize why Jason Bartlett was selected for MVP. Personally, if you look at it as a whole, you got to consider Upton, Pena, Longoria and even stalwarts like Howell and Wheeler above Bartlett, and then there are still others that would merit higher consideration.

Why do I take this kind of jab? Because Marc Topkin feels that he knows more than anyone and would rub it in people’s collective faces, that’s why. You know something Marc, being the BBWAA chapter president is a privilege, not a birth given right. Rubbing it in people’s faces is pathetic and insulting. The fact that you want to make an issue out of it with “experts” shows even more you don’t like being second-guessed!

My commentary has nothing to do against Jason Bartlett. Absolutely not, he is one of the key cogs in the total machine. But overall throughout most of the season, has he ever been “THE” reason why the Rays won over a consistent basis? Not entirely, no. He has chipped in and played solidly. Great baserunner, good “instinctive” player and plays hurt. But with all due respect for him, he hasn’t been the man offensively and defensively, he is as complementary as Aki, Longo and Pena OVERALL.

RATW, I share your feelings completely. I do believe that maybe there should be some disciplinary action into Marc Topkin. Who died and made him Emperor of Tampa Bay Baseball? This is bizarre and peculiar and also unprofessional and perhaps insulting.

RJ, I will say it right here. When he tries to qualify comments, KNOWING that there are industry experts that can refute him, is a show of naivete or brazen arrogance. Being one of the best beat writers wouldn’t dare make a comment or provide information that can be as easily refuted as that. He puts his own reputation and the reputation of his employer in peril.

The dispute here is the fact that there is this much dispute. Am I happy for Bartlett, you bet, its minutia, but again, Topkin seems to be mad at the world and comes across as a petulant brat seeming that he had the right answer, almost as if he picked the team MVP himself.

I wonder if the local members will reveal their AL MVP votes. If logic dictates, then Jason Bartlett if MVP of the team, is then one of the six best players in the league? If the team is that good, then he is the reason for it? Why isn’t Bartlett’s name not in league MVP conversation?

I got this warm fuzzy that Carlos Pena is going to harness most of the MVP votes for the Rays. Longo may get a few too, but I would think that Jason Bartlett won’t get any votes. If Topkin is indeed true to himself, he should put Bartlett right there with Pedroia, Sizemore, A-Rod and Youkilis. Let’s see if Marc Topkin the Magnificent is truly logical!