The Legend of Doug Mientkiewicz

Well again the team seems to be playing with us. After looking like some team that was lost in the woods, they go and do something like this. I can only offer one explanation, Doug Mientkiewicz.

Not to say that Doug's sharp tongue yesterday was the direct cause of the outpouring of offense in the game, but he is proving to be one of the few reasons to want to keep on watching. He, to me, epitomizes what t professional should be on the field. He just goes about his job, puts in the extra work, and performs. That is what all of these guys should be doing.

Coming into the season I had only really watched Mientkiewicz from afar, but always appreciated him. He was a gold medalist, a scrappy guy, who wore his pants high and had not batting gloves. How can anyone who really loves baseball not appreciate just seeing a guy that looks like him out there?

Aside from looking the part, Mientkiewicz has more than acted the part. Playing new and different positions while trying to be a role model for guys that probably should know better on to play baseball.

Therein lies the question. As great as it has been to watch Mientkiewicz and talk about how he is mentoring the players, is he really? I think his quips after the game on Tuesday go to show that perhaps he thinks that it is all for naught. Could we really be seeing a repeat of what happened in the clubhouse when Kendall and Giles where here? I like to think not, but I have no access to the players so I would not know at all.

I think we can all say that Doug most likely will not be back next year, which will be somewhat sad, as I do enjoy watching him. Hopefully some of the other players will pick up on his habits and exhibit the traits of a professional ballplayer, or instead we will see what we have seen for the past decade plus. I am hoping for the better, but we know things never seem to get better for the Pirates.