Quote: John Maine just Wasn’t In to It
Yesterday, John Maine pitched in relief of Johan Santana, and faced just eight batters, walking three, and allowing five runs and three hits in less than an inning.
Maine pitched yesterday as a result of last Friday’s rain out.
“My mechanics felt fine. I just I wasn’t into it,” Maine told reporters. “The feeling that it wasn’t my game as a starter - that was the hardest thing… It’s a waste of a day… I was up, down, I can’t put my finger on exactly what was wrong. My delivery was fine. I was rushing a little. But that’s normal when you haven’t pitched in a while.”
…i am most concerned with maine…
…i don’t worry about Oliver Perez, because i know what he can be, and what he is, at worst… so i have an idea of what to expect, and, though i don’t like it, i’m comfortable knowing that there is as good of a chance that perez throws a no hitter as there is he lets up five runs in the first inning… also, i believe Mike Pelfrey is growing up and getting smarter and better as he moves forward…
…maine, though, i don’t know what he is, or what to expect… what’s worse, i don’t think he knows… also, i’m growing tired of his excuses, and how he is always so dejected with himself… i feel like, with him, it’s always something… he pitches OK, and there’s always some reason he wasn’t comfortable, or not healthy, or, in this case, not in to it…
…look, i understand it’s just spring training, but now is when these guys need to start building towards the regular season… yes, the first start is always a throw away… but, now, it’s time to get serious, no matter where or when you are working… i understand he’s used to being a starter, and yesterday he pitched in relief… but, what’s the difference… you have a job to do… so focus, and do it the best that you can… whether practice or Game 7, every pitch should count… just like games in April count like games in September…. and, it bugs me a little that he feels pitching in relief is a good-enough excuse… i don’t want to read in to this, and make it a big thing… because, again, it is just spring training… but, in terms of focus and worth ethic, this statement from him yesterday feeds in to why, entering this season, he worries me more than the other two…
…if he’s not ready, for whatever reason, i wonder if the Mets will consider keeping him back at camp, for extended spring training, and going with Hisanori Takahashi in the rotation to start the season…
To read more about Maine’s start, check out Mike Puma’s report in the New York Post.
