Hey kf9,
"Huff did come to camp out of shape following the World Championship season. For that there is no excuse. However, there has never been ANYONE say he has had a behavior issue in the clubhouse."
Actually, yes, I have read (and no, not here, or on any individual blogs) that Huff went negative in the clubhouse in 2011, and that it did cause problems with the rest of the team.
It was part of the get your act together talk that Bochy and Sabean had with the guy at the end of 2011. It was not just about his physical fitness.
LoneSetar
"LoneSetar"
Did you take up a Persian musical instrument?
Hey JG,
"If you want to be a celebrity or a Pro Athlete and get Rich because of millions of people watch and adore you, you better be able to handle it when you start letting them down. You can't have it both ways."
I agree. It's all well, good and appropriate to feel for a guy whose life is in disarray, BUT...when a guy is getting paid $11M a year to play a key part on a professional sports team, he has a responsibility to his employer and teammates to either play at the highest level possible, or stand down, without pay.
Let him get himself well...but let him do it on his own time, and on his own dime. This is not like a work-related injury. And yes, I felt the same way about Grienke, Votto, Ankiel, and others who've suffered from one mental problem or another.
That said, the collective bargaining agreement may guarantee Huff's contract, regardless of the cause of his inability to play.
Too bad his anxiety disorder doesn't cause him to be so anxious he can't cash his checks.
LoneStar
Hey AGJ,
LOL...no...that would be "LoneSitar"
Hey Ajay31,
"That 2nd base assignment would have been tough for even the most well-adjusted player."
Oh, please. Aubrey Huff is a professional infielder. The coverage options on ground balls for a 2B are incredibly simple. I'm not saying he should be expected to turn double plays as a LH 2B, but he should have known to go to the bag on a ball hit to the SS side of 2B.
On a ball hit to the left side of 2B, with a runner at 1B, the 2B goes to take the throw at 2B, backing off if the SS takes the ball to the bag himself. On a ball hit to the right side of the bag, the 2B fields the ball and goes to either 2B, with the SS covering, or 1B.
Two options, based on where the grounder is hit. If the guy's head is in the game at all, he makes the play.
Isn't a no Huff in the lineup a good thing?
Let him take the rest of the year off for all I care..
This via John Shea: Statement from Aubrey Huff: #SFGiants “Thank you to the fans, media and Giants organization for the outpouring of support during this very difficult week. I’m especially grateful for the texts and calls from my teammates, who are like my brothers and have let me know they’re here for me. . . . (MORE COMING)
Rest of Aubrey Huff statement: "My goal is to get back on the field as soon as possible. To do that, I have to focus completely on getting well. I know I’m in a public job, and I’ve been one of the more open guys. But sometimes you have to pull back and work on things in private. This is one of those times. I appreciate your understanding and patience.’’
If you could provide a link it would be great, because I follow things pretty closely here in the bay area and I have never seen nor heard anything about Huff being a problem in the clubhouse. In fact exactly the opposite.
"Pitcher Barry Zito did not know what happened until told by reporters."
"You guys see Huffy like we do," Zito said. "He keeps everyone loose in the clubhouse and he reminds us all the time to have fun. I'm not sure what to make of this."
"Huff suffers from performance anxiety from hitting below the Mendoza line (eg .182)"
You stupid <moron...
"If you could provide a link it would be great, because I follow things pretty closely here in the bay area and I have never seen nor heard anything about Huff being a problem in the clubhouse. In fact exactly the opposite."
I'm not going to go digging through the ExtraBaggs from the end of the 2011 season to find the reference for you, but Andy Baggerly wrote that he had heard that Huff went negative in the clubhouse in 2011, causing his teammates to be unhappy with him.
The reason I remember this is that, like you, I always thought Huff was a good clubhouse guy, and was surprised to read that he went negative. Now, whether he was primarily down on himself, or the team as a whole...I have no idea...but either direction is damaging, coming from a veteran leader.
Regarding Zito's quote, what do you expect him to say? "Well, Huffy's been really terrible on the field for more than a year now, and frankly, we're all tired of him and his performance issues." Right, like that's going to happen...especially coming from the Chief Headcase of the Giants clubhouse.
Even if there were 24 guys in the clubhouse who'd be happy to see Huff gone, you'd never see any of them say a peep about it.