Another reason to love Michael Morse and Stephen Strasburg. Not so much for Jayson Werth

by RobBobS on Sep 4, 2011 12:20 PM EDT

Before yesterday's game, the Nationals hosted their first "On-Field Photo Shoot". It was an event which gave fans a chance to come down onto the field and take pictures and wave at the Nats players, coaches, and broadcast personnel as they walked by. The fans were allowed onto the warning track, which was roped off all the way around. The players, etc., would be introduced a few at a time and would make their way down the line, shaking hands and saying hi like the President after the State of the Union.

via i1202.photobucket.com

The fans were given strict instructions as they came onto the field:

Refrain from requesting personal photographs
Refrain from asking for autographs

Apparently, most people do not understand the meaning of the word "refrain". Many people asked for and most were granted the special shots and the autographed balls and hats.

Michael Morse and Stephen Strasburg were especially accommodating. While most of the players took around 20-30 minutes to do the entire circuit, Morse took over an hour. He was truly reveling in the moment. Strasburg came to each group of people and had a short chat and took all sorts of special shots -- with the kids, with the wife, with, well, anyone. When I said "welcome back and good luck", he flashed that big grin of his and he thanked ME for all I do (!). Jordan Zimmermann shook my hand and said "Nice Jersey!" (I happened to be wearing my number 27). Wilson Ramos said he hears my "WILLL-SONNN!!" cheer every time (that's comforting!) Davey Johnson spent a long time talking with each group, and I don't think he even made it all the way around.

via i1202.photobucket.com

Jayson Werth? No. He walked six feet from the rope line, so as to avoid any unnecessary contact with the fans (no hand shaking here!). He walked briskly to avoid anyone actually getting a good photo of him, and he barely acknowledged the people as he walked by. He did the entire circuit in under ten minutes. The lady next to me idly, and accurately, remarked "what a jackass!" Now, I can forgive a guy with a superstar contract for being aloof if he's actually performing up to the standards that his pay dictates. But for someone who's been a marginal Major League player in the first year of his huge contract in his new city, it would make sense that he reach out to the fans and try to be a bit more personable. He and the fans are going to be together for a long time, why work to build a toxic relationship? In the future I will be just a little less willing to justify his on-field failings and a little less scornful of the fans that boo him when he strikes out yet again.

via i1202.photobucket.com

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Good stuff, RobBobS.

Man, Werth can’t do anything right this year. At least his defense and baserunning are solid since his offense and personality are issues this year.

Bad move on his part not to interract, but I still hear every player in the clubhouse who’s asked saying good things about him behind the scenes, so hopefully next year is a better one for Werth, cause right now Rizzo’s bold move looks bad in a lot of ways.

Thanks again for posting this.

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Sep 4, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

I heard about some of Werth's "personality issues" coming into this year

In fact there was a good interview/article about him in Sports Illustrated last year that touched on it pretty well. He originally declined to do the interview and then accepted, but refused to answer probably half the questions, and just said “I don’t know” or “I guess so” to probably half of those he did answer. I guess he’s always been just a private person. And like you mentioned Patrick, it does seem like he’s well respected within the clubhouse. I think he just tries to stay out of the public eye.

But thanks RobBob. I always love hearing little tidbits about the players. Especially the Willl-SONN! thing; thats pretty cool

Whats the frequency, Kenneth?

by ZimforPrez on Sep 5, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I might cut Jayson some slack

Jayson must feel bad about his play this year. Maybe he wants the guys that are playing like stars to soak up the attention.

I think we’ll have a better idea next year about the real Jayson. Until then, I’m willing to cut him some slack. I’ll bet that the only person more disappointed than the average Nats fan is Jayson himself.

by GburgNatsFan on Sep 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

It's not like Werth didn't know this event was going to take place

Yeah, OK, maybe (I hope!) he’s disappointed with his performance at the plate this year, but these are some of the team’s biggest, most supportive fans. Figure out before you go out there how you’re going to handle it, but just going through the motions is not an option, especially when that’s what he’s been doing all year (esp. at the plate). He doesn’t have to get into any detailed conversations with fans at the event – but could stick with “I’m happy to be here, I’m excited to be a part of this club that has a great future, and I look forward to contributing to our success.”

But he didn’t. And with one of his biggest defenders (RobBobS) giving us his report, I tend to take the criticism more seriously than, say, if it were me (I’m much less willing to forgive, esp. all the strikeouts looking).

Still hoping this year is not going to be like the next 6 for Jayson. But it doesn’t excuse the behavior, esp. in contrast to the other guys.

If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!

by ricksnats on Sep 4, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I have tried to be fair to the guy, especially because he's going to be here for quite a long time

So, yeah, I’d say I’ve been cutting him slack all year long.

By the way, other players who are having miserable seasons were very personable and outgoing: Bixler came by and shook my hand when I was distracted and looking the other way; Slaten stopped by and asked how I was doing; even Detwiler (who is not having a bad year but had come off a particularly bad outing) looked calm and relaxed and enjoying himself with the fans.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Sep 5, 2011 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Good report

I got there late, dammitall, and missed Livan – who, according to Bill the Sec 131 usher, was the first player to come out. As for the last player to go in, I can personally confirm that it was Wilson Ramos. He talked with fans, posed for pics, signed autographs, and did all those friendly, self-effacing and personable things that will endear him to the hearts of Nats fans for a generation to come. I loves me some Wilson Ramos.

JayDub I did not see, but your report doesn’t surprise. He exudes aloofness, which is an unfortunate personal weakness.

"On my tombstone just write, 'The sorest loser that ever lived.'" - Earl Weaver

by Whupass on Sep 4, 2011 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

eh

No biggie – yea you want him to do the meet-n-greet, but as long as he’s not being actively hostile to fans, it’s not a big deal. And I don’t really see how his performance this year has anything to do with whether he should build a rapport with fans or not.

by mk7676 on Sep 5, 2011 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

Well, if he doesn't want to get booed a lot,

then he better be on the fans’ good side.

If he doesn’t care about getting booed, then I suppose it won’t matter to him if he makes himself out to be a jerk.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Sep 5, 2011 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, it seems he WAS being actively hostile to the fans...

and he DEFINITELY should try to build a rapport with the fans after this less-than-stellar year.

Baseball is a game …played for…wait for it…the FANS!

If there are NO fans, there’s no reason to keep the team (unless you’re Frank McCourt and use the team as your personal cash register until ..oh, look… the drawers are empty).
So, YEAH, he NEEDS to build fan support..it’s part of his job description.

"player development" should not be gladiator games. by cat daddy3000 on Aug 6, 2011

by MissB on Sep 5, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

It just proves...........

while not a “Bad character guy”……….Werth is not great either……….

Just think about the depiction Rob stated about MORSE………

by artistfork on Sep 5, 2011 2:04 AM EDT reply actions

LaFRaud........

And were going to replace Morse with that bum Laroache…………

by artistfork on Sep 5, 2011 2:05 AM EDT reply actions

I guess Werth had his own ideas

about how to approach this event.

I briefly conversed with Jordan Z-Mann at a Nats Park blood drive two years ago, right before he found out he needed TJ surgery. He wasn’t outgoing – not curt, just reserved. It didn’t affect his standing in my eyes; he’s one of my favorite Nats.

by Elvin Unseld on Sep 5, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

J-Zimm does seem like a quiet guy

Probably another reason why he’s been so underrated this year around the league

Whats the frequency, Kenneth?

by ZimforPrez on Sep 5, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

THANKS for this, RobBobS!

I LOVE reading about events like this and finding out that many of our beloved Nats can be so endearing and appreciative of fan love and support!

It’s neat to know that Ramos can hear you shouting for him …and now knows who’s doing it.

And thank you for wearing the ZNN jersey so he could see some real appreciation. He’s so quiet and unassuming…and so good. Can’t wait for his starts next year!

Werth? He gets ZERO pass from me for avoiding the crowds…and instead, a big fat RASPBERRY. This is what he signed up for…so he needs to suck it up and make the effort. Every team does this so it’s not a new concept for him.

BUT all the others? WOO HOO…and big warm fuzzzies!
(and that goes for you too, RBS)

"player development" should not be gladiator games. by cat daddy3000 on Aug 6, 2011

by MissB on Sep 5, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Thank YOU, MissB

It was an unqualified success, I had a great time. I hope they do it again next year, and I hope that Jayson takes some time to think about how his actions are perceived by a fickle fan base.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Sep 5, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

appreciate the report too

it wouldve been easy when you’ve spent time sticking up for someone to explain away his actions during an isolated incident but you described it as it was. i’m sure he wasn’t looking forward to this event since all accounts have him fully aware of his performance but I doubt these were bandwagon booers attending. i almost think he couldve dealt with this better by being candid/po’d at his playing instead of serving some koolaid but avoiding fan contact altogether has got to be the worst option

by TJL on Sep 5, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely an awesome event!

I hope they do this again. The players seemed to really enjoy it too (well some of them). Flores tweeted: It feels good to hear positive words from fans at the meet and greet. It make you feel like you need keep giving your best.

My friend who studied abroad in China spoke to Wang in Chinese, and asked him how he liked playing in the states (he said he really enjoys it).

I was able to tell Drew Storen that I enjoy his Twitter, and he was really excited and thanked me for following him.

by unleashthefury on Sep 12, 2011 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Too bad about Werth

It would’ve been a lot cooler had he taken the time to be personal like the other guys you mention. But in all honesty, is he going to come up to you and say “Hey man, I hear you booing me every night, it’s awesome!”

Werth isn’t exactly treated the best by the fanbase, and you can debate if he deserves it or not with his mega-contract (but remember he only signed it, he didn’t write it), but he still should have been somewhat personal. If anything, for the kids Jayson, for the kids.

by Andrew Davidson on Sep 14, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Do it for the baby raccoons!

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"

by jbg2772 on Sep 14, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Wish I got to go to this

The meet-and-greet sounds like a good time. Actual baseball aside, the thing I love most about Nats players is their wonderful character make-up. They seem like such a great bunch of guys.

As for Werth, I agree with your assessment. The fanbase hasn’t exactly been the most receptive of him, not only because of his performance, but I still feel like he hasn’t fully stepped up from the persona of being an outsider, especially coming here from Philly. I’m willing to cut him some slack because a) he’s aware of how disappointing his performance has been this year and I think he’s genuinely trying to be what we’d hoped he would be, b) he’s been improving, if minimally and nowhere near the level he needs to be, and c) the other guys seem to like him and his presence in the clubhouse. Of course, I’d like it if he was as friendly and outgoing as the other players, but you can’t get them all, I guess. I mean, last year, we had Nyjer Morgan. And it’ll be interesting to see how Bryce Harper meshes with the team and fans whenever he comes up.

by Angela on Sep 15, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Interestingly enough

Nyjer was as charming as all get-out at the 2009 Fan Appreciation Day. ’Course, that was when he was playing well for us.

If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!

by ricksnats on Sep 16, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

"WILLL-SONNN!!"

Also, I like that I’m not the only person who loves shouting this. :)

by Angela on Sep 15, 2011 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

I use a variation of this

I usually shout “C’MON, MR> WIIIIILLSOOOONNNN!” at some point during the game. Most of our fandom is probably too young to get the pop culture reference ;-)

by d_c_guy on Sep 16, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions