Tempering his temper
PITTSBURGH – Lloyd McClendon no longer wants to be known as baseball’s angry manager.
Despite being ejected during Pittsburgh’s 11-4 victory over Washington on Tuesday night, McClendon wonders if his on-field arguments have become counterproductive. That is why he is being selective when to argue – sometimes not going on the field when it is evident a bad call has gone against the Pirates.
McClendon didn’t argue June 15 in Yankee Stadium when first-base umpire Tony Randazzo incorrectly called Gary Sheffield safe at first on what would have been a game-ending double play. Rather than winning 5-4, the Pirates lost 7-5 in the 10th.
Crew chief Ed Montague apologized for the blown call a day later, saying, “When something like that happens, it tears your guts out.”
McClendon had argued with Randazzo twice earlier in the game, but did not do so in the ninth inning. He also didn’t argue three nights later after catcher Humberto Cota exchanged words with third-base umpire Ed Rapuano in Boston, when Cota thought David Ortiz went around too far on a pitch that was called a ball.
After the Pirates returned home from the 1-5 road trip to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, McClendon was surprised to learn some fans were disappointed he didn’t argue more.
“When I’m arguing, I’m mad,” McClendon said Wednesday. “When (Tampa Bay manager) Lou Piniella does it, he’s motivating his players. When I do it, I’m the angry manager.
“The manager’s supposed to do what he thinks is right at that particular time. (Yankees manager) Joe Torre didn’t come out and argue, but if I don’t come out and argue, it’s a big deal? Give me a break.”
McClendon thinks he has been targeted by umpires since June 26, 2001, when, during his first season as a manager, he pulled up the first-base bag and carted it off the field to protest a call.
McClendon wasn’t happy when the incident was replayed on the PNC Park scoreboard during this week’s series against Washington.
“I don’t like that being shown, I don’t want people to identify (that) with me,” McClendon said. “To me, that’s ridiculous. That’s not who I am. That’s something that happened and it should be over with.”
McClendon seems worried that arguing too much might hurt his players more than it helps them.
“If I’m going to argue to appease you guys (the media) or appease the fans, I’m in the wrong business. I’m trying to win baseball games,” McClendon said.
Several Pirates players suggested the manager was venting several days’ worth of frustration over missed calls when he was ejected Tuesday for arguing Bobby Hill was safe at the plate on a close call.