A nifty win last night, indeed. It’s always nice to spoil a division rival’s appetite, as reportedly the D-Backs couldn’t bring themselves to eat after the game.
Speaking of pouting, a couple of Giants are unhappy about their playing time. Kevin Correia is losing his turn in the rotation today to Brad Hennessey, who has toiled in Fresno most of the year after starting 2008 disguised as a batting-practice machine. He’s recovered from a digestive disorder that caused him to shed weight. I haven’t seen this mentioned in the press, but weight loss and serious digestive problems aren’t something you want to see in a guy who’s had two surgeries to remove tumors.
Correia understands that he hasn’t pitched well, but he’s not happy about losing his assignment, according to this morning’s papers. Too bad, pal. A more disturbing report of discontent, however, is that when Bengie Molina saw that Pablo Sandoval was behind the plate for Barry Zito’s start last night, he felt dissed.
"It is a personal catcher whether they say that or not," he said. "I'm not very happy at all. I can't be happy. I came here to play. If they don't consider me a No. 1 catcher, if I can't catch the No. 1 guy on the staff, let me know.
"I ain't stupid. I don't think I've ever been stupid. I've been in baseball for a long time. Come to me and tell me. Of course I'm going to be mad, but there's nothing I can do about it. They're the bosses."
On its own, Molina’s complaint is dumb. If Zito can shake off the funk by throwing to Pablo Sandoval, who has caught four of Zito’s last five starts, all good ones, then Molina should be happy for him.
But this isn’t the first time Giants management has wounded Molina’s pride. Brian Sabean infamously said Bengie’s clock was “winding down” after picking Buster Posey in the draft. Sabean backpedaled and said he meant Molina’s contract, not his skills, but it was stupid stupid stupid. Molina shouldn’t have to be the cleanup hitter, but he’s done all the Giants have asked, and more. He’s a fan favorite, a clubhouse rock, and the heart of the team.
The “clock” remark was an insult to Molina; the Sandoval-Zito situation less so. (In fact it says more about Zito than Molina.) So if indeed the Giants want Sandoval catching Zito’s starts, tell Bengie that’s life but make it clear he’s still No. 1. Maybe he’s a little sensitive, but it does no good to make the big guy unecessarily angry.
Final note: say goodbye to FreddieLoo! for 2008: he’s having bunion surgery after today’s game and will miss the rest of the year. I’ll be there to thank him personally.
