Mark Bowman: The Biggest of the Oso Bullies
I have constantly called out baseball media on the whole for their suggestion that the Braves use Evan Gattis as a trade market sacrificial lamb in the off season. However, the biggest proprietor of such poisonous talks have been none other than MLB beat writer, Mark Bowman.
His constant praise of Christian Bethancourt and downplay of Evan Gattis has been as sickening as food poisoning. You know you probably shouldn't eat it, and regret it later when you do. I am referring, of course, to the dribble of writing he does in an apparent attempt to stump for Gattis to leave Atlanta.
Here are some examples of Bowman's bullying:
1. "But as they look toward next season with the confidence that Christian Bethancourt is prepared to handle the catching duties on an everyday basis, there is reason to wonder where Gattis will fit." If the Braves organization are that confident in a kid that still leaves a lot of question marks, while handing over a difference-making offensive weapon and serviceable catching slugger over to another team, they deserve any bad luck that comes to them from such a decision. Can we say, "Another sub .500 season for the Atlanta Braves?"
2. With Bethancourt, Atlanta has one of the game's finest young catchers. With Gattis, it also has a powerful offensive talent who could provide value as long as his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame does not consistently affect him during the course of long season. Bowman's definition of finest is incredibly diluted. Even Braves scouts, many of whom are former catchers for the squad, have used words like "lazy" and "unfocused" to describe the abilities of the "Catcher of the future for the Braves." You can tell the subjectivity put forth in his tone, as someone that is supposed to be objective.
3. Quotes from Gerald Laird: "For me, [Bethancourt] is the catcher of the future," veteran backup catcher Gerald Laird said. "He's a commodity in my opinion you can't get rid of." "This leaves a tough decision," Laird said. "I know you want to leave Gattis in the lineup, but you can't sit this kid. In my opinion, he's ready to go." These quotes have soured what I once thought of Gerald Laird as being a nice veteran presence. But now, I want him to go for saying such a remark against the guy he was supposed to be grooming. If the Braves re-sign him and start Bethancourt, they are much more delusional than I thought.
Oh, and then there's this:
4. Bethancourt has shown off his strong arm while throwing out three of the seven baserunners who have attempted to steal against him in September. But the three passed balls he has been charged with while making 15 starts are a reminder that he is far from a finished product. Bethancourt was charged with 10 passed balls in the 80 games he played for Triple-A Gwinnett this year.
His constant praise of Christian Bethancourt and downplay of Evan Gattis has been as sickening as food poisoning. You know you probably shouldn't eat it, and regret it later when you do. I am referring, of course, to the dribble of writing he does in an apparent attempt to stump for Gattis to leave Atlanta.
Here are some examples of Bowman's bullying:
1. "But as they look toward next season with the confidence that Christian Bethancourt is prepared to handle the catching duties on an everyday basis, there is reason to wonder where Gattis will fit." If the Braves organization are that confident in a kid that still leaves a lot of question marks, while handing over a difference-making offensive weapon and serviceable catching slugger over to another team, they deserve any bad luck that comes to them from such a decision. Can we say, "Another sub .500 season for the Atlanta Braves?"
2. With Bethancourt, Atlanta has one of the game's finest young catchers. With Gattis, it also has a powerful offensive talent who could provide value as long as his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame does not consistently affect him during the course of long season. Bowman's definition of finest is incredibly diluted. Even Braves scouts, many of whom are former catchers for the squad, have used words like "lazy" and "unfocused" to describe the abilities of the "Catcher of the future for the Braves." You can tell the subjectivity put forth in his tone, as someone that is supposed to be objective.
3. Quotes from Gerald Laird: "For me, [Bethancourt] is the catcher of the future," veteran backup catcher Gerald Laird said. "He's a commodity in my opinion you can't get rid of." "This leaves a tough decision," Laird said. "I know you want to leave Gattis in the lineup, but you can't sit this kid. In my opinion, he's ready to go." These quotes have soured what I once thought of Gerald Laird as being a nice veteran presence. But now, I want him to go for saying such a remark against the guy he was supposed to be grooming. If the Braves re-sign him and start Bethancourt, they are much more delusional than I thought.
Oh, and then there's this:
4. Bethancourt has shown off his strong arm while throwing out three of the seven baserunners who have attempted to steal against him in September. But the three passed balls he has been charged with while making 15 starts are a reminder that he is far from a finished product. Bethancourt was charged with 10 passed balls in the 80 games he played for Triple-A Gwinnett this year.
Still, because he possesses great tools and has shown significant improvement offensively, Bethancourt has at least given the Braves the option to shop Gattis this offseason. Bethancourt should be given absolutely no more excuses for mistakes like this. Gattis has never been given any in his entire time in the big leagues, so why should Bethancourt? If he really can't handle playing 162 games in any capacity between the Majors and Minors, then is he really ready to be starting catcher? Absolutely not!
If these quotes aren't enough to make your stomach turn over at the Pro-Bethancourt, Anti-Gattis sentiments expressed by Bowman, then you reader are as duped about the Braves future as Bowman is. We get a valuable asset like Gattis, he makes a few non-detrimental mistakes, a few health setbacks, and now a huge chunk of Braves Country and baseball fans in general want to run him out of town, with what seems to be Bowman leading the torch-and-pitchfork charge? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!
Mark Bowman, for your verbal crimes of bullying, and on behalf of Oso Blanco fans everywhere....
I'M CALLING YOU OUT!!!!
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| This guy, right here....(points upwards, and contemplates laying the smack down on him!) |
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