Keep Cito away from the microphone
I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between the Blue Jays “State of the Franchise” meeting and last night’s repeat episode of The Office entitled “Shareholder Meeting“.
Both are very similar scenarios – in both instances, the faces of the company are put on display to assure the fans/shareholders that all is well with business and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Just as things couldn’t be going any worse, Michael Scott chimes in and riles up the crowd and builds them up with hope and false promises of a 45 day plan to guide the company out of financial insecurity.
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And that’s exactly what Cito Gaston did at the State of the Franchise.
Cito was guilty of a huge faux pas when he reignited the fires of the Carlos Delgado signing rumours. Last week, Alex Anthopoulos clearly stated that the Blue Jays were out on any Delgado talks. Then good old fan-friendly Cito does a complete 180 and tries to appease the fans by filling them with false hope of bringing back one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
Then Cito blabs on that he believes the Blue Jays have seven hitters in the lineup who could potentially hit 25 home runs a piece. That’s great and all, but realistically I think it would be optimistic to think that the Blue Jays might have two hitters who could crank 25 home runs.
That’s not all! According to Mike Wilner, Cito confused Jeremy Accardo with Casey Janssen again – that would make it the second time in the last twelve months that has happened. He did the very same thing last March, getting Accardo and Janssen mixed up when asked about who would be starting pitcher possibilities.
Just as the Dunder Mifflin executives on The Office were shocked at Michael Scott’s ramblings, I’m sure Alex Anthopoulous and Paul Beeston were hoping that Cito would keep his mouth shut.
Not to over criticize a minor misstep, but if The Manager is going to confuse his relievers in front of fans, who’s to say that he won’t do it within the context of the game?
Hypothetical situation here: Cito picks up the phone and calls to the bullpen to tell Janssen to warm up. What he really meant to say was to get Accardo warmed up, who has four days rest. Meanwhile, Janssen is a little gassed after having worked out of the bullpen the last two games.
Mistakes like that can easily cost the Blue Jays games. Now, while there is no indication the above scenario has in fact happened, who’s to say it hasn’t? The decision last year to tell Travis Snider to bunt was a red flag that something might not be right with the manager.
I enjoy a cheerleader as much as the next guy, but at some point you have to step back and realize that the “rah-rah-siss-boom-bah” will only keep the fans happy for so long. Eventually, you have to produce a winning team, and it’s not going to happen with this manager at the helm.
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I've never stopped to consider the parallels between the two, but once again you're spot on, Ian! I wonder if Cito also likes to wake up to the smell of bacon every morning…?
(shakes head)
Hilleraj, it just so happened that episode of The Office was on last night – and it eerie how similar the two events were. Maybe if we check Cito's feet for George Forman grill marks, we will find out if he likes to wake up to the smell of bacon.
Ack, is that a head shake of approval or disappointment (or both)?
It was a headshake at the slippery slope of senility The Manager is sliding down – not at you my friend.
"WALTON! Get Janssen up."
"Uh…skip? Casey's in the rotation. He threw 6.1 innings yesterday? Remember?"
"WALTON, GET HIS ASS UP IN THE PEN OR YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR BUDDY GALEN CISCO TO HOUSTON"
I wonder who else Cito confuses on the roster?
Ack, thankfully we only have one more season left (albeit a painful one) of Cito Gaston managing this team. I say we have a big celebration after the final game of the 2010 season.
Colt, I'm sure that's not the only instance Cito has gotten players mixed up. The Accardo/Janssen thing is the only one the public has heard of, I'm sure there are plenty more.
Cito often confuses Jose Bautista with a league average, everyday ballplayer.
Hey-O!
As is evident by his plan to run Bautista out there as the Blue Jays every day right fielder.
I'm the chairperson for the Bautista Appreciation Society, and even I think that's a dumb idea.
He can have all the microphones he wants if he'll get the hell out of the dugout post haste.
It really is time to put Cito out to pasture…
Great post Ian. Though I'm pretty sure there are checks in place to help Cito along (e.g. the guys in the pen just make decisions collectively now — Cito won't know what pitcher is on the mound anyway. I think Aaron Hill actually makes phone calls down there from the clubhouse if the bench wants to chime in on the decision-making – which, of course, makes up for any possible drop off in offense for the coming season.)
I just wish the guy would put on his slippers and make it official. Maybe time for Beeston to do the same.
Southpaw, I hope that AA is learning that Cito shouldn't be the mouthpiece for this franchise. When Cito says things like wanting to bring Delgado back, it makes everyone look bad. But you're right … he is better off as a PR person than a manager, IMO.
Mattt, mark this day on your calendar – October 3rd, 2010. The last time you will ever have to watch Cito coach the Blue Jays.
QJays, luckily the other coaches have a better sense of what's going on, so they wouldn't allow Cito to make mistakes like that. These missteps are just further evidence that he needs to hang up his manager's hat for good.