Matt Williams is gone

mark1 · June 1st, 2003, 01:52 AM

There should be alot of D-Back fans jumping for joy.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diam...1dbnb0601.html

IndyDevil · June 1st, 2003, 05:19 AM

I'm stunned by this move - not that it is a bad move, but that management actually did it!! Of course, after last night's fiasco I dreamt I would wake up and hear that Myers was released, Dessens went down to Tucson, and that BB got whacked - - they still have one more roster move to make today, so does anyone have a guess? I really would love to see Dessens get sent down and reprogrammed, but our rotation can't afford it....then again, we could probably throw in someone to give up early inning runs like Elmer, right?

Forrestham · June 1st, 2003, 05:26 AM

This is absoulutely the right move. I am so glad they had the balls to do it. It is a move that needed to be done. Roster moves had to be done and the only infielder that could be sent down is Cintron. After his game last night there would have been a mutiny by the fans. I could see Matt moaping and pouting on the bench. I know this was not Brenly's decision. While it is managements fault by giving him such a contract, they at least knew it was time to cut their losses.

mark1 · June 1st, 2003, 06:36 AM

My guess is that Wohack will go when Counsell comes back. BB better start Cintron at short everyday for the rest of the year. The guy can hit and needs to play everyday.

FORKTUNG · June 1st, 2003, 06:56 AM

Well as it all comes down I hope Williams 2 months he had here this year was worth it to him. His kids are out of school now so he can go play anywhere, heh. *Can* being the keyword if somebody wants to pick him up.

Grace has been a good tutor for Lyle but with Williams and his sulking I think it's best not to poison the waters with Hilly coming on board.

RLakin · June 1st, 2003, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Forrestham
I could see Matt moaping and pouting on the bench.

No doubt this was the reason why they released him. I'll commend management for executing the move four years in the making, but it's funny (to me) that a public disclosure of such info about Williams wasn't needed. Seems like that was the case w/ Durazo and Kim. Now, I realize that those moves needed justification, while Williams’ clearly does not. Still, it doesn’t seem right to me that the professional reputations of young players like Kim (recently) and Durazo were called into question while a aging baby like Williams gets a graceful (and silent) exit.

AZ Shocker · June 1st, 2003, 08:04 AM

Hallelulah! Too bad Matt never wanted to become a "hitter" ala Mark Grace or Craig Council. He never tried to just hit the ball. Always wanted the long ball. Well Matt, after 3 years of pitchers not giving you "your" pitch to hit, you should've figured it out by now. Especially given the fact you've been in baseball for so long. One word will describe Matt Williams for me the rest of my life that unfortunently ruins the good career he had..."Stubborn"

AZZenny · June 1st, 2003, 08:14 AM

Let's see, RLakin - Bickley called him an "enraged bear in the clubhouse" last week, and had an article a couple days ago saying he is a bad clubhouse influence when he's struggling or not playing and needs to be gone; even Dave Burns came out and said Matty was a problem guy - it was a short, fast campaign - probably because there weren't going to be many fans upset by losing him.

I am thrilled by this move. JC has come back from vacation! Now...think we could sell Elmo to Japan??

RLakin · June 1st, 2003, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZZenny
Let's see, RLakin - Bickley called him an "enraged bear in the clubhouse" last week, and had an article a couple days ago saying he is a bad clubhouse influence when he's struggling or not playing and needs to be gone; even Dave Burns came out and said Matty was a problem guy - it was a short, fast campaign - probably because there weren't going to be many fans upset by losing him.

I read Bickley's column. It was very good, and addressed the issue that I'm talking about. Other than that, I hadn't heard anything. The Dave Burns comments are news to me. When did he say that?

Smolder · June 1st, 2003, 08:41 AM

holey moley batman! they shot down the mattbatross! geezus, this is so great. i don't mind losing kim if that's the price of getting rid of matbatross. man, i'm so happy. it's almost better than winning the world series!

moviegeekjn · June 1st, 2003, 09:24 AM

Sitting here in San Diego before heading towards the Q, first heard the word via ESPN and very glad to see the team make the hard choice to do the right thing.

Saw Bickley's column Friday, and then seeing Cintron playing 3rd began to think perhaps this could come true... It explains the little signs of emotion I witnessed between Gracie and Matty after they scored the tying and go-ahead runs last night... a brief exchange just before they got to the dugout. Not sure the TV caught it.. I just happened to be sitting right above where they came in.

A clear signal that the D'backs are serious about improving and not going to make all their decisions based on sentiment.

bankybruce · June 1st, 2003, 09:34 AM

Do you think he will retire or go else where, because in the Chicago Tribune said that Dusty Baker would like to see what he has left and that he could do no worse the Mark Bellhorn.

sly fly · June 1st, 2003, 09:35 AM

Saw Bickley's column Friday, and then seeing Cintron playing 3rd began to think perhaps this could come true... It explains the little signs of emotion I witnessed between Gracie and Matty after they scored the tying and go-ahead runs last night... a brief exchange just before they got to the dugout. Not sure the TV caught it.. I just happened to be sitting right above where they came in.

Yeah, the TV caught it.

The right decision was made. Many of you are glad he's gone. But, he was still a Dback. And, I don't think I've ever seen him take a play off.

His quality of play at the plate left a lot to be desired. His fielding was "Matt Williams-like".

It's hard to feel sorry for a guy who still has $10 mil left on his contract.

Thanks for the memories, Matt! Good or bad.

AzKarl · June 1st, 2003, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sly fly
Saw Bickley's column Friday, and then seeing Cintron playing 3rd began to think perhaps this could come true... It explains the little signs of emotion I witnessed between Gracie and Matty after they scored the tying and go-ahead runs last night... a brief exchange just before they got to the dugout. Not sure the TV caught it.. I just happened to be sitting right above where they came in.

Yeah, the TV caught it.

The right decision was made. Many of you are glad he's gone. But, he was still a Dback. And, I don't think I've ever seen him take a play off.

Yeah Sly, he never took a day off, just a couple of seasons with injuries and pukey play. Goodbye and don't let the door hit you. If he was becoming a clubhouse cancer the last thing you want is a sulky veteran around young players.
His quality of play at the plate left a lot to be desired. His fielding was "Matt Williams-like".

It's hard to feel sorry for a guy who still has $10 mil left on his contract.

Thanks for the memories, Matt! Good or bad.

Skkorpion · June 1st, 2003, 04:30 PM

The move is three months late but at least the team finally made it and I commend management for it.

We may not win but it was exciting to see all those new young pitchers and a restructured lineup.

Matt Williams is gone

Wow...

Better late than never