Pierre addition is huge

[Blueheart05]

Pretty good article about Pierre's work ethic:

 

Link

 

Lots of good stuff in that article. Definitely worth reading. Sounds like Pierre works his butt off.

 

Let the propaganda machine begin.

 

 

There's no reason to call it propaganda. We're not talking about a guy who has a checkered past or someone that the fans need to be convinced about because he's replacing beloved Cubs. He's already a member of the team so it's nice to know he works hard. :?

My old HS basketball coach always praised my work ethic and said I displayed the most hustle of anyone on the team. I'm pretty sure it was his nice way of saying that I sucked. 'Cause I did.

 

 

So the moral of your story is Pierre sucks and that's why so many people say he's a hard worker? Ok,that makes sense...

[SeldomSeen]

Because Buddy Bell and Jeff Torborg really want Cub fans to like Juan Pierre. I will not use the eye roll smiley, even when appropriate.

[Mizzou]

Pretty good article about Pierre's work ethic:

 

Link

 

Lots of good stuff in that article. Definitely worth reading. Sounds like Pierre works his butt off.

 

Let the propaganda machine begin.

 

 

There's no reason to call it propaganda. We're not talking about a guy who has a checkered past or someone that the fans need to be convinced about because he's replacing beloved Cubs. He's already a member of the team so it's nice to know he works hard. :?

My old HS basketball coach always praised my work ethic and said I displayed the most hustle of anyone on the team. I'm pretty sure it was his nice way of saying that I sucked. 'Cause I did.

 

It's one thing to not like a player (Pierre), it's another thing to take positives about the player and try and spin them to make the player look even worse.

[Guest]

Pretty good article about Pierre's work ethic:

 

Link

 

Lots of good stuff in that article. Definitely worth reading. Sounds like Pierre works his butt off.

 

Let the propaganda machine begin.

 

 

There's no reason to call it propaganda. We're not talking about a guy who has a checkered past or someone that the fans need to be convinced about because he's replacing beloved Cubs. He's already a member of the team so it's nice to know he works hard. :?

My old HS basketball coach always praised my work ethic and said I displayed the most hustle of anyone on the team. I'm pretty sure it was his nice way of saying that I sucked. 'Cause I did.

 

 

So the moral of your story is Pierre sucks and that's why so many people say he's a hard worker? Ok,that makes sense...

Not at all. The moral of the story is just because someone has a reputation for being a hard worker doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a valuable asset to your team. Pierre's not a great player but he's not a bad player, either. Whether or not he's a dedicated professional or the laziest man on the planet is entirely inconsequential to me. I only care about what he does on the field. I'll take Manny over Augie any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

It's one thing to not like a player (Pierre), it's another thing to take positives about the player and try and spin them to make the player look even worse.

I didn't intend to imply that Pierre was a bad player, as I don't think that. (Nor do I hate him, though I do believe we overpaid to get him.) I was just trying to point out that a player's work ethic doesn't always translate into results, and as I said above it's what a player does to help his team win games that's important. In this regard, Pierre doesn't exactly get me excited. (Though to reiterate, he's not bad, either.)

 

Sorry for any confusion.

Edited December 11, 2005 by Anonymous

[CubinNY]

I am confident in my assumption that the puff piece written about Pierre could have been written for just about any professional ballplayer. They all work hard to get to where they are whether they be the lowest guy in A ball or a perenial all-star in the majors.

 

What would people say if one changed the name from Juan Pierre to Corey Patterson?

 

EDIT: Working hard is a pre-requisit for the job. I wish someone would have told Bush that 6 years ago.

[Blueheart05]

I am confident in my assumption that the puff piece written about Pierre could have been written for just about any professional ballplayer. They all work hard to get to where they are whether they be the lowest guy in A ball or a perenial all-star in the majors.

 

What would people say if one changed the name from Juan Pierre to Corey Patterson?

 

EDIT: Working hard is a pre-requisit for the job. I wish someone would have told Bush that 6 years ago.

 

I guess one could argue that the Tribune wants to print feel good stories about the club's newest member (considering their vested interest) However, I contend that you view it as a "puff piece" only because you don't agree with the trade. I'm pretty sure the author's intention was to be informative.

 

BTW, I noticed that Bruce Miles also made mention of the good things others have to say about Pierre in his column (so we can't dismiss it as propaganda coming from TribCo).

 

If the testimonials mean anything, the Cubs got themselves one heck of a ballplayer and an even better guy in center fielder Juan Pierre...

 

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was a coach with the Marlins in 2003, when they won the World Series after beating the Cubs in the NL championship series. Guillen called Pierre the hardest worker he has ever seen.

 

Hendry’s top assistant, Gary Hughes, called Pierre his favorite ballplayer and echoed Guillen’s sentiments.

 

“I gave up trying to beat him to the ballpark, because you couldn’t do it,” Hughes said. “I guess he’s very close with (the Angels’) Chone Figgins. Chone Figgins came down to spend some time with him in South Florida. He got there at 11 o’clock at night. By 1 o’clock in the morning, they were at the stadium hitting.”

 

Link

 

Also, the idea that all ball players work hard is ridiculous. There are plenty of guys who get to the park at the last possible minute, don't hustle in game situations, and don't come highly recommended by anyone. At the very least, it's nice to know that the Cubs didn't trade for a slacker (which, I believe, was the point of WilliSC48's post).

[CubinNY]

I guess one could argue that the Tribune wants to print feel good stories about the club's newest member (considering their vested interest) However, I contend that you view it as a "puff piece" only because you don't agree with the trade. I'm pretty sure the author's intention was to be informative.

 

Also, the idea that all ball players work hard is ridiculous. There are plenty of guys who get to the park at the last possible minute, don't hustle in game situations, and don't come highly recommended by anyone. At the very least, it's nice to know that the Cubs didn't trade for a slacker (which, I believe, was the point of WilliSC48's post).

 

It is a puff piece becuase it is not news, nor is it news worthy. In addition, it could have been writtten about the vast majority of all professional baseball players.

 

As I wrote, what would people be saying if the story was about Patterson rather than Pierre? Patterson spent last offseason in Mesa working out so he would be ready for the 05 season. A fat lot of good that did him.

 

Whether I like the trade is competly irrelevent.

 

I find it beyond my scope to comunicate how foolish it is to think that professional athelets don't work hard.

 

The people that fit the profile I bolded in your above post usually don't stay around long no matter how much talent they have. Nor would they ever make it to the majors.

[CUBZ99]

I guess one could argue that the Tribune wants to print feel good stories about the club's newest member (considering their vested interest) However, I contend that you view it as a "puff piece" only because you don't agree with the trade. I'm pretty sure the author's intention was to be informative.

 

Also, the idea that all ball players work hard is ridiculous. There are plenty of guys who get to the park at the last possible minute, don't hustle in game situations, and don't come highly recommended by anyone. At the very least, it's nice to know that the Cubs didn't trade for a slacker (which, I believe, was the point of WilliSC48's post).

 

It is a puff piece becuase it is not news, nor is it news worthy. In addition, it could have been writtten about the vast majority of all professional baseball players.

 

As I wrote, what would people be saying if the story was about Patterson rather than Pierre? Patterson spent last offseason in Mesa working out so he would be ready for the 05 season. A fat lot of good that did him.

 

Whether I like the trade is competly irrelevent.

 

I find it beyond my scope to comunicate how foolish it is to think that professional athelets don't work hard.

 

The people that fit the profile I bolded in your above post usually don't stay around long no matter how much talent they have. Nor would they ever make it to the majors.

 

#-o How is a background story about a newly added player not news worthy? Not every Cubs fan is as dedicated as you or already knew all about Pierre's background or work ethic.

[CubinNY]

 

#-o How is a background story about a newly added player not news worthy? Not every Cubs fan is as dedicated as you or already knew all about Pierre's background or work ethic.

 

It is a fine filler story in the middle of the winter to help us starving baseball fans. Maybe I'm too critical. In fact, I am too critical. However it is not news. And again, and for the final time, the story could have been written about anyone.

 

I would love to read a story about what Patterson is doing to try to rebound from his horific season. About what he is thinking about his appearent departure from the Cubs. About his decision not to play winter ball. To me that would have been much more interesting. They could have spun it anyway they want to.

[Blueheart05]

I guess one could argue that the Tribune wants to print feel good stories about the club's newest member (considering their vested interest) However, I contend that you view it as a "puff piece" only because you don't agree with the trade. I'm pretty sure the author's intention was to be informative.

 

Also, the idea that all ball players work hard is ridiculous. There are plenty of guys who get to the park at the last possible minute, don't hustle in game situations, and don't come highly recommended by anyone. At the very least, it's nice to know that the Cubs didn't trade for a slacker (which, I believe, was the point of WilliSC48's post).

 

It is a puff piece becuase it is not news, nor is it news worthy. In addition, it could have been writtten about the vast majority of all professional baseball players.

 

As I wrote, what would people be saying if the story was about Patterson rather than Pierre? Patterson spent last offseason in Mesa working out so he would be ready for the 05 season. A fat lot of good that did him.

 

Whether I like the trade is competly irrelevent.

 

I find it beyond my scope to comunicate how foolish it is to think that professional athelets don't work hard.

 

The people that fit the profile I bolded in your above post usually don't stay around long no matter how much talent they have. Nor would they ever make it to the majors.

 

Apparently, the definition of news is subjective. I certainly learned something new by reading it...

 

Also, it doesn't matter if you believe it or not, there are professional athletes who do not work hard. Most of those people rely heavily on natural ability while applying little or no preparation to their game. I also argue your contention that players who don't work hard don't last. Moises Alou, a 14 year veteran, has long been identified as a player who lacks discipline and preparation as well as being someone who arrives to the ballpark at the last possible moment. Luckily for Moises, he has survived this long on his athletic ability (but as his skills erode he can be viewed as more of a liability). On the other hand, learning team signs and picking up the thirdbase coach require work.

 

To answer your question about Patterson, some people would say he's lazy and or defiant because he has refused to go to winter ball. He might also fit the mold of a player who has relied on his athletic skills without actively working to maintain (or at this point improve) his game.

 

It's obvious we aren't going to agree so I'll leave it that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

To answer your question about Patterson, some people would say he's lazy and or defiant because he has refused to go to winter ball. He might also fit the mold of a player who has relied on his athletic skills without actively working to maintain (or at this point improve) his game.

 

It's obvious we aren't going to agree so I'll leave it that.

 

Odd since Corey's strong work ethic has been mentioned often by many people in the system. Just because someone works hard at improving doesn't mean he will.

[Blueheart05]

To answer your question about Patterson, some people would say he's lazy and or defiant because he has refused to go to winter ball. He might also fit the mold of a player who has relied on his athletic skills without actively working to maintain (or at this point improve) his game.

 

It's obvious we aren't going to agree so I'll leave it that.

 

Odd since Corey's strong work ethic has been mentioned often by many people in the system. Just because someone works hard at improving doesn't mean he will.

 

First of all,there's no doubt that some people may work hard and still come up short; that wasn't my position. I contend that there are athletes that don't work hard at all because they depend on their athletic ability to get them by. IMO, it's nice to know that Pierre works on his game instead of just showing up with his natural speed.

 

On the subject of Corey Patterson, I have heard that he's a very nice guy but I haven't heard too much about his "strong work ethic" in the last 2 years. By the way, is that the same Corey Patterson who, after being demoted, surprised his Cubs manager and coaches by telling a minor league coach that no one had worked with him on his swing (they had to read about that in the print media and on Fox TV)? He later denied saying those words.

 

If you listen to the things Baker, Clines, and others have said about him it's easy to decipher that they think he's stubborn and uncoachable. His most ardent supporter (Jim Hendry) is now ready to ship him out of town. Of course, the Cubs are probably as much to blame for his regression as he is for encouraging him (by promoting him in 2000 before he learned plate discipline). Even in Corey's one good year of hitting .298 his OBP was .329 The only way he's going to get better is by working hard to resist swinging at everything thrown at him.