By Alex
Years ago when I was coaching u-12 soccer I had a superbly talented player who belonged in a category higher than where he was. As most coaches know, it’s a joy to coach a talented kid; especially one that values hard work and effort. It’s less fun to handle one who doesn’t value it.
My player was a kid who didn’t feel he needed to play hard to the best of his abilities. His team mates noticed it.
A kid on the team said to me. He said, “I’d rather have a guy with less talent but plays with his heart and for his team than one who has all the talent in the world but mocks it with his selfish play.” The kid was 12.
That’s what I thought about after watching Hanley Ramirez pull his lazy stunt. Sure, it was but one play in a 162 game series, however, is it too much to ask of an athlete who earns millions to play out every other play? Seriously.
Ramirez mocked his team mates, his manager, the fans and above all else himself.
He’s not the first or last athlete to “dog it.” Far from it. That happens for a multitude of reasons (injury being one of them and Ramirez has been playing on a bad shin). It’s in the response of the athlete to it that reveals his true colors. Ramirez first let his ego control his actions and then he proceeded to offer the weak excuse “many players are dogging it here.” Or to that effect. Who cares what the others do? You can control your own actions.
He acted like a spoiled athlete who refused to take responsibility and only offered an apology once someone caught his ear. For that his manager was correct in disciplining him.
All one can hope is that he learns from it.
