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After yesterday’s 1-0 win over the Brewers, Jerry Manuel was asked about Mike Pelfrey’s outing, to which he said:
“…that was huge for us…he economized his pitches…when the starting pitching goes out there, works fast, throws strikes, pretty much keeps the ball on the ground, he keeps everybody involved and thats what the big fella did today – he kept everybody involved and that’s a big effort for us. We needed to have that type of effort against another quality starter…that was big for us…”
In response David Wright’s tough day at the plate and being a leader, Manuel said:
“…David shows up ready to play…unfortunately he didn’t have a good day…that guy was a very good pitcher and he is still a part of the leadership…he’ll be ok.”
…i don’t understand why the question of leadership always comes up when the Mets struggle – in my mind, the team lacking leadership is not the main issue right now; its the fact that they are missing 40% of their starting rotation and three core players, among others…and as far as Wright’s leadership abilities are concerned I think that anyone questioning him should remember what he did in the dugout to Pelfrey in Baltimore last month…
Leadership is influence. Leadership is ultimately not about power, control and authority as much as it is about the type of positive relationship that you have with others. It doesn’t require it to be the person with the biggest mouth or ego or the most intimidating presence. It is about leading by example in both word and deed.
On these fronts, I would say that David Wright fits the bill. He shows up to play every day, takes his lumps, and never makes excuses. I can’t imagine that he has been totally injury free during his career, but we don’t know it because he doesn’t complain.
Leadership is also about respect, and David Wright has mine.
Its not leadership this team is lacking, its mental toughness.
Mental toughness means focusing on the task at hand… it means that before a pitch, the fielders are thinking about what they will do in all situations (i.e. daniel murphy not throwing from first to third in the first inning the other day). It means taking charge on pop-ups. It means touching all the bases on a hit…
This team has made more stupid mental errors than any team I’ve ever seen. Its not leadership this team is lacking… its mental toughness.
I would agree that it requires more than leadership. It requires a whole bunch of things including mental toughness, talent, luck, experience, and the failure of every other team to do the same. In a long 162 game season, it might come down to just one lucky or unlucky bounce that could make all the difference in the world.
The leadership thing is really beginning to annoy me. For starters, David is only 26 years old … regardless of what anyone says, age matters. You can lead by example at 26, but it’s very hard to command presence among veteran players when they are older than you.
If David starts barking at guys in their 30’s, they will not respect him. At 26, it’s not his job yet to be the clubhouse general.
David has done everything else he can to be a leader at this point over the past several years. He’s been in the race for the batting title this year, and in past years he has won gold gloves, made all-star teams and finished in the top 10 for MVP each year. He even steals bases and speaks often with the media. What more can he do to lead by example?
Anyone journalist making a comment about David not being enough of a leader (at 26) should get an instant bucket of green slime dumped on them, old school style the way they used to roll on “You Can’t Do That on Television” when someone was caught saying the phrase “I Don’t Know”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBTrjZCyO94
I really think there is more to leadership than barking. Jeter is a pretty quiet guy, but he’s been the leader of that club for more than a decade. It’s an aura thing – you just recognize it.
In 69 it took Clendenon to show the team the way. Not to mention Seaver and Koosman were sick.
In 1973, Rusty was the man
In 1986, Keith
1999-2000 – Piazza
I don’t see Wright or Beltran or Reyes having the leadership thing. I’d never name either of them captain at this stage
The guy I miss is Delgado. Beginning in June of last year, i think he figured out his role as leader
I agree with your assessment of past leaders, but please note all of those guys were in their 30’s when they were leaders. Jeter as well, because although Jeter was a respected younger player, there were other veterans who were the leaders on those 90’s Yankees teams. Jeter became more of a leader after 2000, as he was closing in on 30 years of age.