It's not hard to understand why fans get impatient - and Coste, of course, is a favorite because of his story as well as his hitting - but there's a lesson here in why managers and coaches stay with people through adversity sometimes. It can pay off.
From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Chooch
Is this thing on?
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
Hey. Sorry. Was busy doing some column typing.
Yes, Chooch has been much maligned by the fans and the media alike. I'm one of the people who wanted to see Coste get more playing time because he always seemed to swing a bigger bat than Ruiz. Not to mention that Coste is one of the more consistent quotes in the clubhouse, and he ought to be rewarded for filling everyone's notebooks all the time.
But, as usual, Manuel was right and I was wrong. Just like with Pat Burrell, Charlie stuck with Ruiz, and it's paying off at the right time.
Re: Vox populi. I once dated a girl who spoke Latin. She taught me that, and a few other things.
From: Ford, Bob
To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
And, no knock on the Dobber, but Manuel didn't stick with Feliz and Dobbs booted the first ball that came his way in the game. Dobbs did begin the two-out, second-inning rally with a bleeding bloop just over the infield, but . . . wait a minute, I forgot what my point was.
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
Best Talkin' ever?
From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Chooch
It's OK to knock on the Dobber a little bit. He has to make the play when the ball is hit at him. In fairness, though, Manuel did point out that Dobbs' defense would likely improve if he played more. And he'd play more if his defense was better. I believe this is what is known as a Catch-22 for the Dobber. Or, in this case, an E-5 for the Dobber.
Re: Best Talkin' ever. I like to believe that our best one ever will be the next one we do. We should be really good at this by 2011.
From: Ford, Bob
To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
No question about it. Best Talkin' ever. I had to learn Latin when I was an altar boy. Can still recite the Suscipiat from memory. Doesn't really come in all that handy.
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Sheridan, Phil
Subject: Chooch
Wow.
Sheridan, thanks for carrying me and Ford today.
From: Sheridan, Phil
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Chooch
You ain't heavy, you're my foreheads.
