Upton apologizes: "It can't happen"

Update 7:45 What a difference a day makes. One day after getting booed by the Tropicana Field crowd, B.J. Upton received a standing ovation in Tuesday's second inning after making a spectacular defensive play; he charged a single by Juan Rivera and threw out Torii Hunter at the plate.

When the inning was over, Upton was greeted by teammates - and received another ovation from fans behind the dugout.

.........

CF B.J. Upton apologized for what he said was a "mental lapse" in Monday's game.

"There's no excuse for it,'' Upton said. "It can't happen. Especially in the middle of a pennant race. Every run matters, every out matters. So I want to apologize for it. It's just something that can't happen.''

It was the third time in the last two weeks Upton has been in the center of controversy for a perceived lack of hustle, and he was booed by the Tropicana Field crowd, but Upton said the reputation is undeserved.

" I know that's not me,'' he said. "I feel like I go out and play hard every day. I want to win as much as anybody in this room. Once again, things like that can't happen. It just so happens they're magnified a little bit more now than they have been in the past. It's something I've got to deal with and not let it happen again.''

Upton was tagged out from behind by Angels first baseman Mark Teixiera when coasting into second on what should have been an easy double on Monday. He was benched Aug. 6 for a lack of hustle in the previous night's game, then pulled off the field Friday in Texas for not running hard to first base and benched again Saturday.

He is in the lineup tonight, as manager Joe Maddon said he was would be. Maddon said he considered this incident more of a mental mistake than a lack of hustle, but also made it clear he wanted other players on the team to step in. Veteran Cliff Floyd did, and said he would make sure there are no further incidents.

Upton said, as he had after the previous incidents, he hoped to put this behind him and didn't think he needed to apologize to his teammates.

"The last thing I want to become is a distraction to this team,'' he said. "We've got something way too good going on right now to have to deal with this. I think we just want to win ballgames and right now I think I'm becoming a distraction. So I just can't let it happen, and for my sake and for the team's sake, so we can move on and get to where we need to be.''

The lineup, as the Rays look to surpass the Angels as the team with the best record in the majors, and improve to 9-0-1 in series play since the All-Star break:

Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Shields, p

Comments

[dick]

I think Tony's entry hits the target dead center and I agree w/zeke's argument w/matt. I have been on Upton's case long before it bacame fashionable and I believe Tony has described where Upton is when you are comparing position players. Someone said he is "among the top 5 CF's in the bigs"..Stupidity at it's best. If Rocco is healthy, Upton can't compare.

[zeke]

For Matt---before you open your pie-hole about something you obviously have no clue about, perhaps you had best check with something like Snopes.com before you throw out erroneous info. For the record - got to rays baseball batting stats and compare the three you mentioned..To say he "is actually tied w/Longoria and waaaaay better than Crawford" is as ridiculous as the umps call last night. Here is reality Matt:
Games Avg RBI HR BB SO SLG
Longoria-- 104 278 71 22 43 102 533
Crawford 107 273 57 8 30 60 400
Upton 119 269 58 8 82 110 376

So, Mr. Motor Mouth, just where do you see him "tied w/Longoria" and "waaaay ahead of Crawford?" He walks a lot and strikes out a lot; even though he is a rookie, Longo hits for average, has power as evidenced in his SLG% (in the event you don't know, that means slugging percentage)-- there is NO camparison between the two and if you think he is better than a proven all-star, who has injuries, like CC, go ahead and think it..

[Tony]

Upton COULD be a great player. Right now he is an average player. He is an infielder molded into a centerfielder. If anyone knows anything about baseball, the centerfielder is the quarterback of the outfield just like the catcher is with the infield. Upton has yet to learn how to PLAY the position. Right now he is just PLAYING it. Anyway one who is fast with talent can run down a flyball. Being a centerfielder means knowing where to play on certain batters, knowing when to back up your teammates, knowing where to throw the ball based on the situation, knowing how many outs there are and making sure your left and right fielders know too, and last but not least realizing AND accepting the fact that you are in a leadership position and examples are made out of leaders. He may be good, but he's not CONSISTENT, and that's what makes a player GREAT. Hit well, field well, run well, and be a great LEADER and than maybe he can be considered one of the better ones in the League, but certainly not the best. He needs to show me much more for me to believe his is the Rays centerfielder of the future. That's if he still wants to be here at the end of the season.

[Matt]

Zeke you honestly have no idea what you are talking about. BJ isn't putting up 'conventional' numbers, but anyone that knows baseball can tell you he is way above average. This year he is actually tied w/ Longoria offensively. WAYYYYYY better than Crawford. Defensively the guy is an absolute stud. He is one of the best centerfielders in the game without question.

Right now BJ is about equal to Beltran.

[zeke]

Dave--tks for stats but all I was attempting to do was point out that BJ is not among the top 5 CF's in the game today as that guy tried to make him. Anyone that follows baseball with an open mind cannot logically compare BJ with the likes of Sizemore, Erstad, Edmonds, Hunter, Beltran--just to name a few--his offense just isn't there, never has and never will on a consistent basis unless his swing is dramatically altered, either by himself or some hitting instructor that figures out what is wrong.

[Dave]

Actually Zeke, if you're still here, if you go to BJ Upton's player page at bb-reference and scroll all the way to the bottom, it provides a list of comparable players through age 22. Be interesting to see how BJ goes through age 23 (he turns 24 on Thursday), but here's the top 10 comparables through 22:

1. Scott Rolen (970)
2. Richie Hebner (957)
3. Hank Blalock (956)
4. Tommy Davis (953)
5. Grady Sizemore (952)
6. Duke Snider (949) *
7. Jim Tabor (948)
8. Harlond Clift (945)
9. Eric Chavez (945)
10. Carlos Beltran (944)

[bill]

What a bad call by the first base unp. Out what was he thinking could he be an LAA fan look into some betting...

[Jon]

Feel the boomeranging hurricane anti angel ray heat.

A GREAT WIN!!!

[Go Rays!!]

THE END
RAYS WIN
RAYS WIN
RAYS WIN
FEEL THE HEAT BABY!!!!!

[Go Rays!!]

STRIKE THREE CALLED!!! ONE OUT LEFT

[Go Rays!!]

2 outs left baby!

[Go Rays!!]

3 outs left baby!

[T-bird]

Have to completely agree with Dave and unknown entry posted @9:02 about Upton on that play at first. I also watched it several times and Upton is loping toward first and then, when it looks like he has a chance, he turns it on. Therefore, to me, repeat, to me--he hasn't got the message, doesn't get it for whatever reason and doubt if he will. I think he actually doesn't know or realize that he is not trying his hardest to run, no matter what..This tells me it ain't the end of the story..

[chux2]

Fat Sign Guy is adorable. Hey, shut up. I'm just sayin'

[zeke]

For "Bill James"--nice try, impersonating BJ and referring your vast evaluation skills and then referring me to a site where you make your stand. Guess what-- I did and BJ is not listed anywhere, let alone the (Top 5) as you suggest. In fact, let me provide you with their top seven (7) -- Sizemore, Hunter, Jones, Damon, Edmonds, Pierre, Beltran. They must have been smoking something by including Andruw Jones based on recent performance. Anyway, whoever you are, enjoy your inflated ego and resulting mediocrity.

dave:

Must agree there. I don't think he was going 100% there.

[dave]

Agree with everyone's take on the horrible call on Upton. However, when you look at the replays, and I have seen 4 of them already and am certain there will be more, does it honestly look like BJ is going full-out down the line? It didn't to me and in fact, would have been out had Santana been covering. Whatever..

[chux2]

BJ can't catch a break right now. It looked like he took a hesitation step to avoid stepping on the ball. I think the ump must think he can read people's minds, and he thought BJ might run to second. Who was that manager screaming and swearing at the ump? Could that have been Gentle Joe?

[zeke]

No Bill, I have never heard of you--have you ever heard of me. Just what is that supposed to mean or imply? If your name is supposed to impress me, sorry, it doesn't. You cannot show me any stats that shows Upton is among the top 5 CF's--in any category. I named you 4 already and if I took the time, could name several more who are vastly better ballplayers than Upton.

[Jon]

I am speechless regarding the call at first base. If that ump is not fired or fined MASSIVELY.... well, there should be a riot. That was THE WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF TROPICANA FIELD, INDEED THE RAYS.

[Joe Maddon]

That ump should be fired. You should have heard what I called his mother!

What a terrible call. How could BJ be called out and Joe be ejected for arguing. These umpires are obviously fixing games. Anyone who thinks MLB games are not fixed, check out tonight's game!

[Jim]

I am from Detroit. I watched Lou Whitaker play with Alan Trammel. Best double play combo I have seen.... The Rays are coming close.... Anyway, Sweet Lou Whitaker made plays LOOK EASY. He too was criticized for being lackadaisical... Brilliant player, easy to overlook, like Upton in Center and at the plate.

[Rodger]

not that it's any kind of excuse but even I thought the hit was going over the wall, suck it up BJ we all make honest mistakes that should'nt have happened.

[Joe]

BJ "can" be a great centerfielder. He just isn't yet because he doesn't give 100% on easy plays. He is awesome on "webgems". Baseball comes so easy to him that he doesn't put the full effort into it on all plays.

On another note, Cliff Floyd is reminding me a lot of Terry Pendleton in 91 when the Braves went worst to first. I watched that entire season. If Cliff wasn't just a part time DH, he would have a legit shot at MVP. He has shown outstanding leadership this year.

[kyle]

A MLB team scout who is at every game had told me that Upton has every skill to be a top 3 CF in the game. But, he may not have the personal discipline. Take it for what you want.

[Adam]

Hey BJ, if it was a mental lapse, then you must be mentally challenged. It takes NO TALENT to HUSTLE.

[Russ]

BJ is sounding like a broken record. After each incident he says, "lesson learned. Let's move on." Then he goes right out and does it again. He did'nt "learn" anything. I think the veteran player have to get on his butt.

[Danieldoesnt know]

Daniel, go read the LA Times from this morning. It wasnt a "scouted" play based on tendencies. He threw to the wrong base. You never throw to 2nd in that situation, thats why no one was covering. Aki should have been going home as soon as that throw went into 2nd.

[James]

I think "Fat Sign Guy" needs one with a picture of Forrest Gump and his Jenny on it screaming "Run B.J. run!!!"

godamit!

[BJ]

Rip

[9equals8.com]

I like that he is not making excuses and is publicly pledging (in a remoreful way) to not let it happen again. If he had been stubborn and not acknowledged his mistakes, it would have been a very bad sign. I think (and am hopeful) that we are going to see some good things from BJ over the next 2 months. It's time to stop focusing on this issue as it's distracting from one of the most amazing stories in sports this year!!!

Go Rays!

[Dave]

make that Angels a new A-Hole.

[Dave]

BJ's comments are spot on. I believe him. Let's go rip the A's a new A-Hole.

[Bill James]

Zeke,

Have you heard of me? I am a keen baseball analyst. If you were me you would know that BJ is a far from an average CF. He is actually one of the 5 best in baseball. Have fun with your incorrect generalizations. Baseball-reference.com is a good place to check stats, so you don't look so ill-informed.

[Bud Selig]

I thought I told you not to come around here Pete. You are banished from baseball. I don't care how much you hustle, you are a jerk. I am just glad BJ doesn't sprint to first like you did after a walk. Remember when you hustled so hard in the AS game you ruined one of your friends careers!

[Pete Rose]

Bush league...wants a matter dont you get paid enough....I bet he does it again.

[Waldo]

Who is Grady Sizemore?

[tomas]

Disagree and Agree. B.J. is great CF. He runs down things no one else gets to. He's got a rifle for an arm. Love watching him in center.

He just sucks at running the base paths and is an average-to-good hitter.

[zeke]

Just the facts please..BJ is an average ballplayer. He has never (in organized ball) put up great numbers and sucked at SS and the organization was forced to play him someplace else and BJ bitched about the move. Get over it, he is not a "great" player--he is what he is, an average ballplayer on a team with average ballplayers, with the exception of a couple of pitchers and the future that is Longoria. Don't expect so much from him and you won't be so disappointed.

[Hugh Culverhouse]

Kyle is a girl, Steve Duemig is not only a racist, but a horrible radio personality that makes millions being Tampa's best rated radio show at drive time. That makes us all in Tampa Bay look very, very bad (and stupid).

BJ is a great centerfielder, and seems like a fine person. Never shot the president as Saint Bobby says.

He's fine.

And by the way, he's been pretty hot at the plate as well since his benching.

He just got bamboozled last night. And being at the Trop, not watching replays on TV, the throw was towards second WITH NO second baseman! Texiera hustled and made a great play.

I was embarrassed for BJ.

By the way, when he hit a 2 Run HR vs. Detroit last month to tie the game in the 8th after the Rays were being 2-hit, Rays fans didn't know how to do a curtain call.

Whenever Rays make huge plays, unless it’s a walk-off, fans sit right back down. They don't know how to stay on their feet and call a player out of the dugout.

I was embarrassed for BJ then too. Embarrassed because us fans don't truly appreciate what this team is doing. They are going to the playoffs. Who knows from there?

[dick]

re Drew @4:55 "BJ can be the best CF in the bigs"....Huh, What, Upton isn't among the top 30% Cf's in baseball--have you ever watched someone like Brady Sizemore play the game on both sides of the ball?? How about some names and you can compare who you would opt for--Erstad, Hunter, Bradley, just to name a few and that's not even counting Beltran--would you take Upton over Beltran? No, not yesterday, today or tomorrow. Upton will never be the player those guys were and are. We're talking about a 260-270 hitter with limited power, draws walks, has great speed but hardly uses except when it serves an individual purpose like stealing a base for stats, strikes out at an alarming rate, has less than 60 rbi's and is an average CF, at best..

[Rays News]

The Forest Gump suggestion to right on, I have posted it on my blog, Its all good

[Jay]

He needs to learn the lesson and hustle; move on - at least he's not hurt like CC, Evan, Rocco, Troy, etc. We need him to win the division. Get off his back, I'm sure each of you were loafing at work when you read this article and left a message.. lucky for you .. you're entire job is televised... SLACKERS in GLASS HOUSES ... Shut Up-ton!

[saint bobby bowden]

dadgummit, it ain't like he shot the president!

[kyle]

Drew, with all due respect, go ask George about Carl Crawford. When Carl tweaked his hamstring he told the coaches he would not be playing until he got to Seattle.

[jp]

To the guy who made the comment about the Big Dog. Do you even know what you are talking about. Take alook at some of the athletes who he associates with in the Tampa Bay area. Most of them are black athletes. And all of them give 100% on every play and every second that they wear their team colors. Regarding the drinking and driving incident, that is just ignorant. Get the facts straight.

[Rays Baseball News]

How many times would your boss lets you apologize before your butt gets canned? Nice guy, good heart and all that crap, but he doesn't play hard , thats the bottom line

[Brian]

The fact that he will be under the microscope is a good thing; if he hustles, everyone will notice and he will be welcomed back with open arms.

Mike, best line of the week!