Delmon apologizes ...

The day after getting yanked from a game for not running hard to first base, rookie RF Delmon Young apologized, manager Joe Maddon said. Both Young and Maddon said the incident was behind them. And Maddon changed his mind and allowed Young to play in Sunday's finale - he went in to play rightfield in the sixth - so he will have played in all 162 games.

Maddon, who Saturday said Young showed a "blatant disrespect" for the game and the team, said Young initiated the Sunday morning conversation in the Rogers Centre clubhouse.

"I thought it went well,” Maddon said. “We talked about the situation and just reviewed what we had talked about in the past, he and I, and that basically I had to do what I did yesterday. I didn’t want to, but I had to and we talked about and came to the conclusion.
"He apologized and I’d like to see him play 162 games because he came in to see me today. Had he not come in and seen me today, I would not have done that, but he’s going to play at some point today to get that 162, based on our conversation.”

Young said the he felt the issues was resolved but not did want to discuss what he said or why he went to Maddon: "That was yesterday, we don't need to talk about any of this no more. End of conversation.''

Young, 21, said he learned "a lot" during his first full major-league season. What he learned specifically from Saturday's incident: "Do things that won't p--- people off.''

On Saturday, Young said he felt he was being unfairly singled out because other players were also not running hard to first. As for Maddon saying having all players run hard is one of his most sacred rules? "No comment,'' Young said.

Comments

[Doug]

The Rays have a lot of talent, but it scares me that ownership considers it a foregone conclusion that the Rays will compete for titles based on talent that has proven to be loose canons over time.

At some point 20 percent more spending has to mean more than just retaining the players we have. We need some guys who bring a positive influence to this clubhouse when guys like Delmon decide it's okay to start throwing bats again.

There's a lot of truth to what Kazmir said in regards to bringing in some veterans. I'm losing my patience.

[Paul]

Winning games will change a lot of attitude. Imagine if the Rays were fighting for a playoff spot with everything riding on the last game, would Delmon have threatened not to play that game? Just the thought of peer pressure would have shut him up.

If he had not apologized and been a no show for the last game, I felt that suspending him for spring training and then sending him to the minors for a while would have him thinking about his attitude. This would have been especially good if Baldelli came back healthy and played right field just as well or better than Delmon.

Maddon has a lot more to worry about than trying to keep peace with immature players. This isn't elementary school. Grow up Delmon.

[Joe]

Delmon is a good kid. I have met him on many occasions and seen him out socially. He is usually quiet and never a problem. I think his competitive greatness combined with immaturity causes him to make poor decisions at times in the dugout and on the field. I think his when all is said and done we will be talking about his achievements on the field and not his attitude. Going in to see Maddon was a good sign

[Joe]

Delmon is a good kid. I have met him on many occasions and seen him out socially. He is usually quiet and never a problem. I think his competitive greatness combined with immaturity causes him to make poor decisions at times in the dugout and on the field. I think his when all is said and done we will be talking about his achievements on the field and not his attitude. Going in to see Maddon was a good sign

[Eli]

Maddon showed blatant disrespect for the rest of the team when he allowed Young to play Sunday so he could play in all 162 games. Way to reward the brat!

[fellicio]

Eli, I'm sure you were perfect at age 21 and so probably are your young "brats." Get off your high horse, you moron.

[Jeff]

How can a team that has been "building for the future" for ten years STILL be so young and immature? The owners are the ones who should be apologizing: to Delmon, Maddon, the other players and especially the long suffering fans who have been stuck with owners who have "disrespected this community" as well as “baseball” by refusing to put a competitive team on the field for far longer than Madden and Delmon have been around. Multiply Delmon's frustration by ten to get a since of the frustration of the passionate baseball fans who for a decade spent their money desperately hoping for a competitive team to support. I know several who will not be renewing their season tickets and may not be back at all until ownership becomes as serious about baseball as they are.

Attendance is about half the MLB average and a large proportion of that is routing for the visiting team. Instead of building a fan base the past decade the owners have been killing it off.

Pinella was right. It is about Winning. If you win they will come. It worked for the Bucs and the Lightening.

Namoli's attitude was like an auto manufacturer who claims when you buy enough of my inferior crappy cars I will build a better one, instead of building a better car in the first place that is more marketable.

And, the new owner is a businessman? Is he the kind that is trying to grow a vibrant business or the type that rapes it and wrings it dry, then dumps it? Frankly, I wonder how he can even face his own young son.

[Ray]

"Do things that won't p--- people off.''

Not sure Delmon gets it after this. It's not to p--- people off, it's playing the game hard, running out every play no matter what because anything can happen and usually does, and proving to your teammates (and the fans) that you're not just there to take the money and run. And last but not least, you'll do anything and everything to "WIN".

[Eduardo]

Way to go Joe and Delmon. It is the sign of maturity to demand respect, on one hand, and on the other, to apologize for mistakes. "Pissing people off" and recieving just consequences is the way you learn. At 21 I coulda done a lot worse. Its a good sign on both accounts.

Now just put some green back(s) into the uniforms.

[Southern Girl]

Way to Go D now go and talk to Dukes,thats your boy right?