WHITESTONE, NY – So this is what it’s come to! Once-upon-an-ace pitcher Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays has fallen down of late. The 25-year-old righthander has flashed greatness in his last two seasons. Going 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in his rookie season of 2021 and following up with a 16-7 mark and a 2.24 ERA, Manoah started 2023 with a 1-7 record and a 6.36 ERA. In a surprise move the Blue Jays lost patience with him and sent him down to Dunedin, Florida to right himself.
?In his last MLB start vs. the Houston Astros, Manoah lasted only one out. His batting practice performance led to 6 earned runs and 7 hits. In his first game since returning to the minor leagues it got even worse. Facing a bunch of 17 through 19 year olds from the Florida Complex League of the Yankees he gave up 10 hits and 11 runs in 2 of an inning. His Blue Jays manager, John Schneider threw a blanket over the performance.
?“Obviously saw the line score, but heard that the things we were talking about, In terms of strike throwing, delivery, tempo, velocity, were all positive.” Schneider ended it with, “The rest of the stuff, you can take it with a grain of salt.” He also said, “We’re not expecting him to go throw a perfect game just because it’s the minor leagues.”
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What the F—K! Did they expect him to get his butt handed to him by a bunch of youngsters? So what that his delivery tempo and velocity were all positives, it’s all about the results. Does a runner’s form and stride in a sprint matter if he finishes last? Does a guy’s great looks matter if can’t score with a gal? What about a student who spends months studying for an exam and then fails it?
?It’s come to this, Results Don’t Matter! While we’re at it, Failure Don’t Matter, either! Beam me up Scottie! There’s no intelligent life here on Planet Earth anymore.
