(Photo of TV/MASN by Nationals Enquirer Staff. In the late innings at Land Shark Stadium last night, Cristian Guzman sulks and cuddles with coaches and teammates in the dugout. Anonymous sources say Jim Riggleman did not offer Guz a hug.)
"As far as him being open to it, that's really not even a factor. We'll make a call on that; the player doesn't make the call on that... It's a pretty natural thing. A lot of times we think, 'Oh, heaven forbid, we don't want to ruffle any feathers with a ballplayer.' But I mean, Robin Yount, Michael Young, David Eckstein, Cal Ripken -- many guys have moved off shortstop. ... It's about what's best for the team."
(Jim Riggleman, via Nationals Journal, 9/11/2009)
Riggles doesn't give a crap about Guzman's feelings; Guz pouts.
A night after being blindsided by a meeting with Rizzo and Riggleman about a potential move from SS to 2B in 2010, and being benched in favor of rookie Ian Desmond that same night, Cristian Guzman was back on the field last night and enjoyed an 0-5 at the plate against the Marlins. In the late innings, Guz could be seen on TV sulking in the dugout, seeking hugs and comfort wherever he could find it.
Seems eerily similar to July, when Guz was dropped from second to sixth in the batting order, and went into a slump...Riggleman had this to say when he finally caved and moved Guzman back up to #2:
"Most players don't really care where they hit. They really don't... I said to him a few nights ago, 'You don't want to hit down there, do ya?' And he was just like, 'Nah.' "
(Jim Riggleman, via Nationals Journal, 7/22/2009)
Hopefully Riggles starts Ian Desmond tonight; to hell with Goozie's feelings!
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