I have come to praise Wickman, not to bury him...
25/08/07 14:54 Filed in: Editorial
As just about everyone
know by now, Wickman was DFA'ed
by the Braves
Friday. There have been reports
that Wickman was
unhappy in pitching in anything other than a
closing role. The bad news was that lately the
Braves haven't needed a closer. Either they blow
the other team out by 6 runs or they lose.
Personally, I always thought Wickman was a good guy. He would pitch every day and he always gave 100% on the bump.
Wickman gave the Braves hope at the end of last year and he helps out the Braves next year. Next year you ask?
Don't forget what Big Bob did last year during negotiations
In fact, Wickman was offered a two-year contract by the Braves. Players simply don't turn down additional contract years in normal circumstances, but Wickman did in this case. That decision tells you something about Wickman, who does not put his personal interests before those of the organization.
"I was offered a two-year deal here and I said no to it -- we're just going to go a year at a time," Wickman said. "If something happens with my age [38] and stuff like that, I've never had a track record of getting hurt, other than the Tommy John [elbow ligament replacement] surgery, but if I just don't feel good at the end of the season, I'm not going to go through the embarrassment, letting the organization down after signing a big contract. I felt guilty getting hurt when I had a three-year deal with the Indians. But if I'm healthy, yes, 100 percent, I'll keep playing."
I think the combination of Bob blowing a few saves, the tightness in his arm, the stint on the DL, his age and weight finally caught up with him.
When Bobby called him to tell him the news, did Big Bob throw a fit? Nope. His words 'Sorry I let you down.'
I'm sorry to see him go and I wish the best for him and his family.
Personally, I always thought Wickman was a good guy. He would pitch every day and he always gave 100% on the bump.
Wickman gave the Braves hope at the end of last year and he helps out the Braves next year. Next year you ask?
Don't forget what Big Bob did last year during negotiations
In fact, Wickman was offered a two-year contract by the Braves. Players simply don't turn down additional contract years in normal circumstances, but Wickman did in this case. That decision tells you something about Wickman, who does not put his personal interests before those of the organization.
"I was offered a two-year deal here and I said no to it -- we're just going to go a year at a time," Wickman said. "If something happens with my age [38] and stuff like that, I've never had a track record of getting hurt, other than the Tommy John [elbow ligament replacement] surgery, but if I just don't feel good at the end of the season, I'm not going to go through the embarrassment, letting the organization down after signing a big contract. I felt guilty getting hurt when I had a three-year deal with the Indians. But if I'm healthy, yes, 100 percent, I'll keep playing."
I think the combination of Bob blowing a few saves, the tightness in his arm, the stint on the DL, his age and weight finally caught up with him.
When Bobby called him to tell him the news, did Big Bob throw a fit? Nope. His words 'Sorry I let you down.'
I'm sorry to see him go and I wish the best for him and his family.
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