Bob Smizik makes me angry

Bob Smizik is at it again. For what seems like the millionth time, Smizik is telling us that the reason the Pirates suck isn't Lloyd McClendon, the reason is that his team is full of people that don't know the fundamentals of baseball. Pardon me if I'm wrong, but ISN'T IT THE MANAGERS JOB TO MAKE SURE HIS PLAYERS KNOW FUNDAMENTAL BASEBALL? Spring Training isn't just some excuse for all of Major League Baseball to go soak up the sun on spring break, it's so the players can go somewhere and work on fundamentals before the season starts. And who's in charge of this whole process? The manager. When Josh Fogg throws the ball to someone that isn't covering second base, it's not a sign that Josh Fogg doesn't know fundamental baseball, it's a sign that the team he's playing on hasn't sufficently covered a comebacker and there is confusion as to whether the second basemen or the shortstop covers the bag. That play to me looked like Mackowiak was standing too close to the base, unsure of whether to cover the base or not and causing confusion for Fogg. Since Mackowiak is generally an outfielder being thrust into a position he has no business playing, THIS ISN'T HIS FAULT. Lloyd could easily put together a line-up with Mack in the outfield and Freddy Sanchez on second base, eliminating the confusion. If he feels that it's a necessity for Mackowiak to play second base, IT'S THE MANAGER'S JOB TO MAKE SURE HE KNOWS THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE POSITION. The point is, that most of the situations where sloppy play was a result last night could have been eliminated BY THE MANAGER. Daryle Ward drops a double play ball, but everyone knows he should be on the bench. Craig Wilson is competent enough at first base to field a ground ball. If Craig Wilson is at first base, he can't be in left field (where he doesn't belong) to screw up the Pujols pop-up. Mackowiak (who is an average to above average defensive outfielder) makes that play, and has enough of an arm and enough hustle to get the shot down the line that Craig Wilson misplayed into a run scoring double. Now if Mackowiak's in left field he's not at second base to cause confusion for Josh Fogg, and Freddy Sanchez (a natural middle infielder) doesn't make the same mistake. Getting rid of those plays changes last night's game from a 7-1 laugher into something considerably closer. Yeah, this lineup doesn't have Ward in it, thus eliminating our only run (a Ward homer) but it also saves us at least 3 runs in the field. Maybe that doesn't help last night against the Cardinals, but maybe it's a difference tonight against the Reds, or next weekend against the Giants. In terms of fundamentals, not knowing your players is every bit as grievous an error as going back on a popup in front of you or dropping an easy double play ball. Managers should be held to the same standards as players when it comes to fundamentals. And if you can't recognize that as a sportswriter, you shouldn't be writing about baseball.