The Last of the Breed

[Edgy MD]

With the release of David Wright, Major League Baseball has lost the last of her captains.



I think Adrián Beltré held the role too before he retired at the end of November. Though it is largely a symbolic role, Wright clearly took it as seriously as he took all aspects of his job.

[MFS62]

It makes me happy that Derek Jeter did not have that distinction.



In case you have forgotten, A day without a Derek Jeter insult is still like a day without sunshine.

Thank you, Edgy, for brightening my day.



Later

[whippoorwill]

Teams should have captains. They hold things together in a way the managers and coaches cannot

[A Boy Named Seo]

Was Franco's "C" a little oversized? I picture him looking like a little tyke with a big ol "C" on his chest.

[Centerfield]

I keep reading "The Last of the Bread".



I think this low-carb new year's resolution is playing with my sanity.

[Frayed Knot]

When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.

*makes everyone around him better

*comes through in clutch situations

*plays the game the way it was meant to be

*is unselfish

*leads by example

*is accountable for his actions

*never gets too high or too low

*is passionate, cares

*is white (usually), speaks English as a first language

[Frayed Knot]

* gives gift baskets

[whippoorwill]

* C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?

Plus being a player and not a coach gives a captain an certain brotherhood with the other players that a coach doesn't have

[Frayed Knot]

=whippoorwill post_id=1399 time=1547845515 user_id=79]
* C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: and so then we had two captains, which was pretty much the same as having one, which was kinda the same as none.

lololol

[Benjamin Grimm]

Frayed Knot wrote: When someone informs me what a baseball captain actually does than maybe I'll get interested in this topic.

Keeps track of who's eating lunch, and when. Disposes of inappropriate sandwiches, as necessary.



http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2015/20150304_NYDN_02.jpeg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2015/20150304_NSD_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2015/20150304_NYP_02.jpg>

[Frayed Knot]

Apparently Captain Dave ably assisted by assistant captain Bobby Parnell during that infamous battle of lunch meat hill.

School children will read of their heroics for decades to come.

[whippoorwill]

Frayed Knot wrote: =whippoorwill post_id=1399 time=1547845515 user_id=79] * C'mon FK, remember how Keith kept everyone's heads in the game when Davey wasn't allowed any more mound visits?

Which he did from virtually the moment he got here, hanging the label of 'Captain' on him changed nothing except that it made the team feel like it had slighted Gary Carter in doing so.

So they then went and named Carter a captain too ... and so then we had two captains, which was pretty much the same as having one, which was kinda the same as none.

[whippoorwill]

PS Look how short Syndergaards hair is. I remember at the time not knowing who he was

[kcmets]

Lmao, I forgot all about Foodgate. 'Know your place, rook' is an amusing jock thing.



I'm not anti-captain per se, it's a case by case thing. Co-captains seems a bit much.

There's no one on the Mets today worthy of captainhood.

[A Boy Named Seo]

If I were a manager and I had a guy that I trusted (someone like David Wright) who had the respect of most or all of the players (probably like David Wright did), I think it would be smart to have that dude be a captain.



Of course it's a nebulous concept and the pace of baseball doesn't require an on-field general, but even the coolest "player's manager" around still isn't a player. But endorsing a peer of the players as their in-uniform leader could probably be helpful.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I feel like it's hard to find a jock who is good enough to be respected by all of his teammates and also a Goody Goody who the manager likes.



That's why we don't see that many captains

[Edgy MD]

It's also hard to keep the best and most respected players in one uniform for a long enough period to establish that equity.



And while I get the cynicism toward the nebulousness of the job duties, Wright clearly thought there was a meaningful, concrete responsibility that came with the title.

[Frayed Knot]

Have any team Captains ever been promoted to team Majors?

If so, that's something which might impress me!

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Have any team Captains ever been promoted to team Majors? If so, that's something which might impress me!

The only Major I can recall was Ralph Houk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Houkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Houk



Later

[Willets Point]

Is there currently any players on any team that might be considered for captain? Dustin Pedroia would seem eligible except it remains to be seen if he will be healthy enough to return to being an everyday player. Maybe Mike Trout?

[Edgy MD]

Buster Posey could certainly work. Adam Jones could captain the sinking ship in Baltimore.



Alex Gordon, how about you? You've been with the Royals over a decade and play both infield and outfield.



José Altuve isn't yet 29, but I'd make him Houston's captain on general principle, because he's a total badass.

[Willets Point]

Seconding Altuve!

[LWFS]

Edgy MD wrote: Buster Posey could certainly work. Adam Jones could captain the sinking ship in Baltimore. Alex Gordon, how about you? You've been with the Royals over a decade and play both infield and outfield. José Altuve isn't yet 29, but I'd make him Houston's captain on general principle, because he's a total badass.

Adam Jones is a FA, IIRC. But Posey and Altuve are definite contenders. Joey Votto would also be a possibility, no? And-- maybe the most obvious candidate of all (if personally difficult to admit)-- Yadier F. Molina.