Oct
2
Written by:
Norman Rumack
10/2/2009 1:20 PM
A Canadian Press story that was featured on TSN.ca today detailed current Blue Jays players disenchantment with manager and two time World Series winner as manager, Cito Gaston.According to the story, there are "major problems in the relationship between the players and Gaston", as well as an un-named player quote stating there was "constant negativity" coming from the manager.The CP story also states that "also at issue is Gaston's hands off in-game decision making-a criticism that dates back to his first tenure as manager from 1989 to 1997." latenightvampire.com contacted former Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter, to get his response to the Canadian Press story. Joe Carter didn't mince his words in responding to the criticisms of the Jays manager. Carter said "If they can't play for Cito, they can't play for anybody !" Carter also stated Cito is "not a negative person,he's honest, he means what he sais." The Wichita State University alumnus also added that Cito "never embarrassed anyone, it was all done behind closed doors. The purpose was to better the team." The former Blue Jay, now residing in Kansas City, also told latenightvampire.com that "kids can't take criticism" and that "the players should blame themselves". Carter went on to say the "players were not policing themselves" and that "talking about the manager is the wrong avenue." In recalling the World Series championship teams that Carter played on and Gaston managed, the Oklahoma native detailed how the 1992 and 1993 champions had players who would "police the room", like Dave Winfield,(1992) Paul Molitor (1993) and Dave Stewart (1993). Joe Carter also stated that the "best players had to take charge" and "make the players around them better ". Carter used the analogy of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, specifically how their intense efforts during practice, rubbed off on their peers, and made them better players by setting a high standard for consistent work ethic and discipline all the time. Carter added that especially when things are going badly, is the most important time for a player "to step up". He said that "during adversity is when you need to lead". Carter, the second pick of the first round of the 1981 amateur draft, recalled how when his "offence wasn't working well", he would "play hard on defense", and how it is important "to show effort when things are going bad" and that the "team should play hard all the time". Carter also backed up Gaston's focus on plate discipline. " Guys have to be willing to go to the plate with a plan" and feel relaxed at the plate. He added that former Blue Jay Devon White also benefited from Gaston's advice on a game plan at the plate, as he did as well. Carter had some very specific advice for current Blue Jays players who are unhappy with losing and their manager. His advice was very simple. "Look in the mirror...do your part..the blame goes on you..don't point fingers". The former Jay made the analogy that "home is what you make it" and that same line of thinking applies to a team, much like a family. He said the players need to "do something about it yourself." As for the criticism from the un-named players in the C.P. story that Gaston was to laid back during the game and needed to be more hands on, Carters response was very blunt, stating that the criticism was "hogwash". Carter said he couldn't believe that players would ever criticize any manager for being too laid back. He said he has "not once ever heard a player say that." Carter recalled that while playing for the Baltimore Orioles in 1998, his manager at the time Ray Miller, was "too hands on in the game" and that "players don't complain about laid back managers". Joe Carter also added that the combination of Paul Beeston and Cito Gaston are "advantageous for the Jays" and that the now long history of being out of the post season can't be turned around by Beeston and Gaston in a year or two. Carter concluded the conversation with latenightvampire.com in the same way it began. He wanted to remind the current Toronto Blue Jays, that they should "look in the mirror, because for every finger you're pointing, there are 3 coming back at you". Carter who also played for the Cubs, Indians,Padres, and Giants, concluded with his earlier advice for the Blue Jays players, "If you can't play for Cito, you can't play for anybody ."
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