You are acting like we haven't been down this road with Bergmann before. We have. Numerous times. Over the past three years. When do you finally say enough is enough? Again, this isn't everyone else's problem. This is a Jason Bergmann problem and he needs to answer to his mistakes just as much as anyone else. Last night was his night.
Also, just because Manny rarely shows that emotion during games in plain sight does not mean it doesn't happen behind closed doors. I have heard players say that Manny may not do things publicly, but that they get an earful in private. In this game, both Bergmann and Flores heard it from Manny, not just Bergmann. Managers rarely go to the mound without making a pitching change, but they do it occasionally, and for good reason. This was a good reason.
Starting pitchers have more responsibility than anyone else. They touch the ball on every pitch and account for 80% of the defense. Pitchers have nights when they don't have it, and sometimes guys just get hit. The question is how you respond on the nights when you don't have your best stuff. Unfortunately, Bergmann has a history of getting into patterns where he pitches out of fear, or simply serves up meatballs. Walks kill, leadoff walks are sinful, walking a pitcher is inexcusable, walking a pitcher with bases loaded and two outs is borderline criminal. It was early in a game. We need starters that can keep the team in the game and give the team some innings to protect the bullpen. The situation presented the possibility to end the damage or potentially put the game out of reach.
Manny had every right to be completely pissed under that situation. There had to be part of him that wanted to yank him right after walking Lincecum. I would have. But Bergmann had put Manny in a tough situation. It was only the 3rd inning and bullpen had been taxed the day before. The pitcher has a responsibility to not simply give bases and runs away, particularly to the opposing pitcher.
Bottomline, most if not all people in the stands can not perform anywhere close to the level these guys can on the field, that is why those guys get paid. But everyone can go out there and walk a guy. I don't need to pay to see that garbage. As soon as Bergmann walked the pitcher to score a run, he may as well have put a sign on his back that said I don't belong here.
