Held to Account

Today’s lecture concerns the subject of accountability in sports, the willingness of athletes to own up to actions or not, with consequences hanging in the balance.

 

On Monday in Cleveland, the White Sox bullpen was tasked to hold a two-run lead.  Lefty reliever Jace Fry proceeded to walk the first batter, lefty-swinging Leonys Martin, on five pitches.  An out and a double later, in comes Dylan Covey, who fared worse than Fry.

 

Covey issued an intentional walk, followed by an error by second baseman Yolmer Sanchez.  Now, it’s a one-run lead, time for Covey to bare down.  Did he?  You be the judge—a single on the first pitch to Max Maroff followed by a four-pitch walk  with the bases loaded.  Exit Covey, enter Caleb Frare.  Love the name, hate the control, as Frare walked in another run, this time on five pitches.  White Sox lose, 5-3.

 

I know that after the game Fry said walking the leadoff hitter was unacceptable; maybe Covey offered something of the same about his performance.  Whether or not he did, he’s gone, optioned to AAA Charlotte.  That’s how it’s got to be, with Fry and Frare close behind if they don’t produce.

 

So, maybe the rebuild has progressed to the point there’s talent enough in the system to hold players accountable; at least I hope it has.  Along those lines, God-with-a-glove Adam Engel gets his first start of the season in today’s home opener.  Engel has to produce, too, and not with the glove.

 

It’s time for people to be held accountable, and I mean players, the manager and coaches, the front office and ownership, too, while we’re at it.  Otherwise, what’s the point of tearing it down to build anew?