Let Yost Go... | dizzle18's Blog

I have been a strong Ned Yost supporter ever since he arrived in Milwaukee to manage this team. I think he has done wonderful things for this franchise, and has done an outstanding job of helping a very young, and very talented team mature. I think most of the criticisms he has taken have been completely unfair, and I always have felt that the people who criticize him the most, are basically bandwagon fans who have no clue whatsoever about what they're talking about. That being said, after watching the Brewers look completely clueless against Chicago, a team which they had already beat four out of six times at Wrigley Field, I too feel that Ned Yost's time in Milwaukee should come to a close. Make no mistake, this team is a playoff caliber team. They have the talent, and they do have the pitching - in fact, if their was any bright spot in this entire week, its the fact that the pitching staff has performed admirably against an opponent much more determined then the Brewers. Their struggles have nothing to do with talent. This team can hit. Which makes their recent struggles all the more confusing. There really is no rhyme or reason of why they have been so pitiful lately. Except, maybe there is. At some point, the manager has to take the fall for his teams underachievement. Even Joe Torre, and his 4 World Series titles, had to go at some point. Except, Ned Yost hasn't even been to the playoffs in his career. He has had only one winning season in Milwaukee. Now, to be fair, the majority of his time in Milwaukee has been spent on building the franchise into a contender. And he did a great job of keeping this team afloat, even when he had to mix and match his lineup, while waiting for all of the minor league studs to move into Miller Park. Ned Yost was the perfect match for the job of turning the Brewers franchise around. The biggest point that you can make in favor of Ned Yost, is the fact that 6 years ago, this team lost over 100 games. In fact, the Brewers just surpassed the win total from that year a week or so ago. But like I said; Ned Yost WAS the perfect match for this team. He worked tirelessly to deflect criticism from his players towards himself. This was very important for a young team, looking for the confidence necessary to win in this league. But now this team needs something different. The players on this team no longer need a friend in the clubhouse - they need a manager. They don't need someone to give them a hug, and tell them, "well, you gave it your all." They need someone who will walk into the clubhouse, and toss a rack of bats all over the floor - and then proceed to go into the press room and publically say his team is playing like a bunch of sissies. They need a manager who won't hesitate to bench a player for batting .220 in the leadoff spot. They need a manager who will bench a player every time he hits a weak pop up with runners in scoring position. Yes, a manager should absolutely defend his players, IF a defense is warranted. But the current struggles the Brewers have experienced are absolutely indefensable. Having a few games where you struggle to score runs is one thing. But, my GOD. What are they now; 3 for 6,234 with RISP? At some point, you have to look beyond whether or not these struggles are simply a fluke, and look instead at how motivated this team really is. In this homestand, against Chicago and Houston, this team looks flat - in fact, flat is truly an understatement. It almost seems like they don't care - the absolute most uninspired play I have seen in a long time. Which is saying something, considering that this team not only should make the playoffs, with the talent they have, but should be contending for the World Series! They seem to have the thought in their heads, that no matter how poorly they play, their skipper is still going to tirelessly defend them. That's not what this team needs anymore. They need the fear of God in them. They should be playing every day with the thought that, if they don't perform to the level that they should be, they will ride the pine. Now, we could all be wrong - for all we know, Ned probably screams at this team until their ears bleed. But, I think the most damning evidence against that theory, is the fact that, when this team went into Boston and basically got pummled, it was Ryan Braun, the second year player (who I believe hadn't even played a full year yet) who publically stated the obvious; "We don't expect to win." And while I was extraordinarly happy that Braun, only a week or two after signing a $45 million contract, chose to show excellent leadership, it was even more discouraging that he, and not his manager, had to do such a thing. But again, I think Milwaukee fans should look at where this team was 6 years ago - and realize that we should give Ned Yost thanks for assisting in the rebuilding of this franchise. He helped a team of prospects, turn into a a team of major league baseball players. But now Milwaukee needs a new direction. The next level for this team never involved signing CC Sabathia (although that helped quite a bit). No, the next level for this franchise involves signing an experienced manager. One that knows how to win. A manager that has been to the playoffs and beyond. Who this is, I don't know yet - Bobby Valentine comes to mind, perhaps? I'm sure he gladly would trade sushi for brats and beer. We will see - I do trust Doug Melvin, and I do think that if this season continues to tail spin the way it has over the past week, the wheels will start spinning towards finding a new manager. And who knows, there still are two more months left in the season, and this series alone will not make the season. The playoffs don't start tomorrow - and I would love more than anything to have Ned Yost prove me wrong.