(Photo of TV/MASN by Nationals Enquirer staff. Out! Speed kills: On Saturday, Nyjer Morgan's base running blunder with two outs in the sixth wiped out the potential go-ahead run against the Dodgers.)
So, at what point does Nyjer Morgan's Hockey Mentality become a concern?
"I was being aggressive, but not intelligent...I was locked in. I had tunnel vision there. I have to be a little smarter in that situation, but still, it was an aggressive play."
(Nyjer Morgan, via Ben Goessling/MASN Sports.com, 4/24/2010)"I don't know what he's thinking, but if they throw the ball home, he walks into third. If they throw the ball to third, he's got to stop, let him cross the plate first."
(Nats' third base coach Pat Listach, via Nats Insider, 4/24/2010)
Okay, okay, let's not go crazy, but 18 games into the 2010 season, doesn't it seem like Nyjer Morgan's "aggressiveness" could be better characterized as recklessness half the time? Is it just us, or does every positive thing Morgan does on the field get canceled out -- or worse -- by something negative?
Case in point, yesterday's "aggressive" base running miscue in the bottom of the sixth, where Mr. Plush was thrown out at third base trying to stretch a double into a triple before the potential go-ahead run (Craig Stammen) could touch home plate.
At what point does Riggleman talk to him about it? Has he already?
The after-game interview made me ill. Riggleman explained it away....c'mon Riggles....at least fine the jerk. It was inexcuseable to throw a tantrum like that when the ball is in play. You NEVER take your eye off the ball. Every little leaguer knows this.
Posted by: Angelab | May 23, 2010 at 08:08 AM