Sorry if I hurt your feelings...
I've been told on more than a few occasions that I'm a little rough around the edges, that maybe I'm a little harsh.
I'm sorry you feel that way, but get in line.
My wife has told me that, so has my mother--and they love me. But I'm going to tell you about five baseball players who were 'harsh' with me, but helped me become less selfish and more of a team player in my playing days.
Let's start in the minor leagues. A man, a very good player and my pitching coach in Triple-A Nashville was Wayne Garland. He was still being paid for what was then, a record Major League contract. I was in the middle of one of my little childlike meltdowns, arguing with an umpire, being held back by my manager and some teammates.
Wayne looked me in the eye and said, "That's enough." Out of respect for him, I stopped what I was doing and walked into the clubhouse.
My first year in the big leagues, our team had just been beaten by the Pittsburgh Pirates. I was sitting on the team bus after the game, smiling and carrying on because I had played well. Our second baseman and one of the toughest players I ever played with, Ron Oester, proceeded to tell me to shut up and stop thinking about myself.
He said that when we lose, we all lose. When we win, we all win. And those words are still true today.
Then, one of the best players I ever played with on and off the field, Eric Davis, told me after a solid outing, 'That was okay, but don't ever be satisfied. You have to work hard every day to get better, no matter how great you perform.'
Another time the Reds were in Chicago. I had just been ejected from the game, following a four-game suspension, and I was getting some work in a one-sided game and melted down. I was sitting in front of my locker when chairs started flying past me. Our hardnosed third baseman Chris Sabo was furious.
He told me to stop being a jerk on the field because the team needed me. Of course he was right, and I realized how my actions were hurting the Team...Again.
The last thing, and something I've never been proud of because it was totally my fault, was the altercation between myself and my manager, Lou Pinella. Lou and the team needed me, and I wasn't there for them. Lou was right, and we remain Family to this day...
Maybe all the Nationals need now is someone to step up and be "Harsh."
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Categories (click for archive)MASNblogs | Rob Dibble |
Remember its Terry - 0, not Therio, not Teario, it Terry-0, nice try with "the riot", just learn the players names before the game, especially one of the better players on the team. This entire organization is depressing, from the players to the cocky color analyst. Good luck "Being Harsh"...
Really Mark? You don't know that the guys nickname is "the riot" since his name is spelled Theriot. Really? If you are going to criticize someone you should probably remove your head from your backside before you try it. Hope that wasn't too harsh for ya.
Mr. Dibble: I enjoy your truthful comments and comments about pitching strategy. Way to stay nasty after all these years! As someone who recently moved to Virginia (from Cleveland) and have just started watching the Nats; I think I can offer a hypothesis why they are so pathetic. How many former Cleveland Indians do they have on the roster? It is like being in an evil parallel baseball universe.
Ed L.
Midlothian, VA
You want to "Be Harsh"....remember the great Casey Stengel and the long lasting quote "CAN'T ANYONE HERE PLAY THIS GAME". We don't have a team of Throneberry's but the question has crossed several National's fans mind. It seems to be inevitable the National's will have a worst team record season. But, through those teribble Met's teams, there was a World Series to follow in 1969. We'll just keep chipping away. Now is the time for players to show signs of consistency to remain with the big team. Rizzo/Riggleman will use the second half to evaluate and develop. They have nowhere to go but up. Hey guys, take this time to reverse the Stengelese........
Go Nats !!! RR-Winchester, VA.
Having someone kick some player butt sounds good, but Riggleman is a 'nice guy' like Manny. He's got lots of baseball sense, good man to encourage the youngsters, but does not appear to be a butt-kicker. The youngsters have been very respectable (starting pitching, getting better all the time, Gonzales, Hernandez (up and down), and now Morgan) but we have too many veterans that just seem to be going through the motions and counting on their reputations to keep them in the major leagues. They wear a major-league uniform and cash their paychecks quick, before anyone notices that they can't do it anymore. We've heard all year how relaxed our dugout is - but is there ANYONE (player or coach) that will get in someone's face and tell them to fly right?
You are the only one speaking the truth! You're right the NAT's ( Not Able To Succeed )need someon to be harsh and critical. You go Rob!
Rob, Don't change a thing. My wife and I love you just the way you are. You are a Nasty Boy! We followed you with the Reds and became Nats fans when they signed Adam Dunn. We bought the extra innings package from Directv to follow Adam then when we found out you were doing the games we can't tell you how thrilled we were. Having played this game you know what you're talking about. You ad so much to the games.
Rob,
You are spot on with your observations. I read in the Post today that Willie Harris asked Ryan Zimmerman whether he got mad after a loss and he said once he leaves the ballpark he forgets about it. Man, when I played it would bug me when we lost. I could not wait until the next game to get out there and kick butt. That is what is wrong with this team, they do not care about losing. Zimmerman needs a wake up call. Notice he was not in the game when the team scored 13 runs, and he comes back and the offence goes south. The team needs a real shake up, they should be mad after a loss. This is horrible, poor attitudes and no chemestry. They may be nice guys but hard nosed ball players they are not.
Hello Rob. I don't mind your style at all! It's refreshing to hear yours and Bob Carpenter's comments during the games. MASN has made good choices hiring you, Bob C. Ray Knight and Johnny Holliday. I am a Nats fan going back to 1949 when Joe Kuehl managed the original Senators. (We called them Nats then too.) I've endured it all, including all the years without a Washington presence in MLB, so It's a little easier to remain loyal knowing that there is solid ownership and senior management in place. Let's stay tuned for future developments and hope that someone lights a fire under the middle of the batting order this season and makes them produce.
Please continue to call it like you see it. The fans are sick of watching the hitting into double-plays with bases loaded, pitching meltdowns and batters who are more concerned with their gloves than putting the ball in play.
Rob, you and Ray Knight are the only ones who tell it like it is. 1- Ryan Zimmerman is not at present a #3 hitter, he takes to many strikes but we don't have anyone else. He needs to choke up shorten his stroke with two strikes. I disagree with you on his throwing though, on balls he has all day, he has gotten sloppy with his foot work. Watch his front shoulder it's wide open and his feet are not under him properly. It's like a pitcher (front shoulder opens up and everything goes high and tight.) That's why his arm slot is wrong (elbow below shoulder) he's short arming the ball. 2- I wish we would trade for Reid Beignac SS- Tampa Bay (good looking prospect)
Rob you are spot on!
You and Ray Knight are the only ones with the guts to say what all the fans are thinking.
We all appreciate it so much.
Keep up the good work!
Rob,
I hope you'll share this thought with the powers that be: It seems to me that, among other things, this club needs a song. The RedSox juice up their crowd with Sweet Caroline; why can't we adopt "You Gotta Have Heart" as our very own? Historically, it's totally appropriate, and before you think it's too defeatist, remember Damn Yankees was based on "The Year The Yankees Lost the Pennant", and the Senators won! I say put it up on the scoreboard during the game and see if it catches on...Lord knows, anything would help.
Best wishes,
Marty Burns (fellow Nutmegger & Jimmy (yes, he too played for the Nats) Piersall devotee...
Rob,
We luv your analysis. We were sick and tired of the previous color guy (you remember him, curly haired old pitcher) who was an apologist for the team. Keep up the GREAT work. Nasty works.
I was at one of the games when you were thrown out. It was a double-header in Cincy and you were thrown out at the end of the first game. I can't remember the unpire's name but we kept on him the rest of the night telling him to throw other players out if they looked at him or even stepped out of the box.
Rob:
I absolutely hate the Tomahawk Chop. It doesn't get any more annoying than that crap.
So, knats are annoying and they should hand out kazoos at the ball bark so the faithful can go BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ at the appropriate times. You can't make much noise with abobble head or "T" shirt.
Love you guys in the booth.
Go knats er Nats
for the most part I enjoy your comments, however, with that being said, I feel there are times you flip flop on your take of the players, i.e. a couple of weeks ago you were going off on Zimm's throwing errors and just this week you were totally facetious because some sports writer got up your crawl on his analysis of the errors; and you come across as a "be all, know all" at times. Especially when you spout off about stuff that is not always correct about the players. Like I said, for the most part I appreciate your take and truthfulness about the team. You don't hurt my feelings.
I did a 'Ctrl + F' search to see if you mentioned 'Reds' in this topic. You did, therefore I will not read it. I know you have big league experience Dibble. I'm just tired of hearing/reading about the irrelevant Reds on a non-Reds broadcast. So sick of it.
Rob,
Since your first appearance on MASN I found myself subconsciously fist-pumping at about 90% of what you were saying about Nat's performance and attitude issues. I played and coached soccer at the highest levels and KNOW what "team" is about. No way would I tolerate a player who I asked to make small improvements/changes in his playing style and he flat-out refused. His azz would be collecting wood or aluminum splinters for the next two games. Why Zimmerman WON'T make small changes--which you pointed out recently (choking up, moving around the batter's box, but NOT stand in the same spot 350 times out of 350)--and continue to call himself a "pro" is beyond me.
As one poster pointed out for that one game, when Zimmerman was out, the bats were a-swinging. Now, one data point does not a trend make, but I recall a similar situation in Seattle in 1995 (I think), when Ken Griffey, Jr., made a spectacular play in the outfield, running into the wall and breaking his right wrist. Over the next few months while Ken was rehabbin' the Mariners were kicking the league's butts.
Sometimes a key replacement--or trade--SHOCK! trade the Jesus-like Zimmerman, perish the THOUGHT!--is all it takes is to get the fear of Gawd Almight into the hearts and minds of a ball team.
Rob,
Thnaks for the comments and the honesty. I am a present day college baseball coach and occasionally have to get harsh with the kids about situations similiar to your story. I played a little Minor league baseball nearly 40 years ago and those old school Managers would drive home the point everyday about team wins and team losses. Vada Pinson was my hitting instructor he would always say to remain humble even when you had a good day, because if you played the game long enough tough days were looming. Boy was he right, I have used those words over and over again even in coaching scenerios.
Again thanks for your honesty, if you ever get a free afternoon I would love to have you speak with my Division II college squad just outside Lancaster Pa. Thanks
Bob
One persons "harsh" is another persons "blunt honesty". Personally I respect the latter, and believe it applies in this situation. The world would be a better place if people weren't so conscientious about being PC all the time and really told it like it was. One thing that annoys me are homer commentators/announcers.
To sum up, Rob... don't change a thing.
Rob,
The first thing I would like to say is I don't know how you and Bob can remain so focused on the games as the Nats find more ways to lose a game that I ever seen. That being said the whole crew you Bob, Ray , Johnny and Debbie do a outstanding job telling it like it is, it would be nice if the players hear some of these comments. Once we get through these growing pains and become a winning team all of the past will be forgotten.
Been a Washington fan for over 50yrs and still love them no matter what happens its just great to have a team again.
Keep up the good work and I enjoy your broadcast.
Go Nats........
Tony Z Chatham, VA
My wife and I were at the game today (Sunday) when McDougald gave up the game tying run. I turned to my wife and said the problem with actually being at the game is you can't hear what Rob Dibble said (we were in 416, right near the press box). Just then another fan a few rows away was heard to say "I wonder what Dibble is saying about this." We were both big Don Sutton fans but you can hold your own with anyone as an insightful and enjoyable commentator. You can't please all the people all of the time.
Nuff Said
Hey rob, I just created a Jose Morales Facebook page. Please spread the word!
Hi Rob,
I'm really enjoying your and Bob Carpenter's lively commentary on this Nats' Season From Hell, and appreciate your telling it like it is. If you have any pull at all with the Nats' brass, please please tell them not to trade Josh Willingham. He's got to be part of the Nats' future. After so many wannabe's passing through Natstown, Josh is the real deal. Thanks again for making this otherwise forgettable season memorable for so many Nats fans.
Dibs -pitchf/x is a triangulated system of cameras that was installed in 22 MLB parks in 2007 (not RFK) but was installed in NatsPark for opening day. Three cameras take pictures at the rate of 30 per second as the ball leaves the pitchers hand and track it all the way to the plate. They feed the data to a van outside the park which in turn sends it to New York to provide data for Gameday's pitch-location chart. Previously, some guy in the press box had to guess, Hmm, that looked like a curveball, maybe four inches inside and a couple of inches above the knees. Now the computer generates all of this automatically—how high the pitcher's throwing hand was off the ground when he released the ball, how fast the ball was traveling both when it left his hand and when it crossed the plate, to what degree and in what direction the ball diverted from a straight path on its way to the plate, and finally, if the pitch really was four inches inside and a couple of inches above the knees. The negative numbers you were commenting on last nigh show how much the ball breaks from a straight path.
"The crowning achievement of the Gameday researchers and, I would argue, one of the greatest moments for nerdom since Ric Ocasek married Paulina Porizkova, occurred earlier this summer in Seattle. Dave Cameron, a writer for the U.S.S. Mariner blog, was trying to figure out why hitters were getting to M's ace Felix Hernandez in the early innings. Cameron turned to Gameday's database, which helped him figure out that King Felix's problem is pitch selection: The dude throws too many fastballs. So, Cameron posted his findings in a beautifully argued open letter to the Mariners pitching coach. The coach printed out the post and handed it to Hernandez. Next time out, the pitcher laid off the fastball and threw eight innings of shutout ball. Bloggers around the world should tack up portraits of Cameron in their living rooms."
quoted material from Slate, Baseball's Particle Accelerator
The new technology that will change statistical analysis forever.
By Nate DiMeo
Posted Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007
Rob,
I like your way of "putting it" out. You say just what needs to be said about the Nats. I have really started liking them better. I go to a few games and now I feel a little bad about going to the O's game when the Nats are just as good...Keep it up Rob and it is okay to leave the shades at home you look better without them..LOL.
GO NATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dibs you are the freaking man. I hope you stay on the broadcast team for the next 30 years.
Rob, it was great meeting you Saturday as you were leaving the blood drive at Nationals Park. I didn't realize it was you at first, you're much taller than I am and your guns are much bigger than I. You truly are "the man, the myth, the legend" and I think you're doing a great job with MASN. Your stories about your playing days are much more insightful than the basic "Well, when I was playing..." stories many color guys resort to and, most importantly, I learn a lot about the game from listening to you. Keep up the good work.
hey rob i have a new arctic cat for you, lol drop me a line long time no hear. tom joy southington ct
Hey Rob, You are sure shaking things up! Keep at it. Bob is getting looser, too. He has been great since the beginning, but you are a superlative addition to the crew. Also, love the way you have corrected yourself in using "good" and "well" properly. I live in Omaha and ama bit out of the loop,but I am with you every game carried by MLB..
Love ya both
JS
I just wanted to say that my husband and I just started watching the Nationals this year on MASN...and part of the reason is because of Rob Dibble. We LOVE his sarcastic comments!
Keep up the good work....you definitely keep us entertained. :)
Missy
Forest, VA
Rob - you guys are AWESOME.... MASN, don't change A THING. Cheers!