Mcclendon Doesn't Know Jack; Managers Play Favorites, Just Like Everyone Else

Summary

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McClendon stood idly by when Pirates veterans Kendall, Brian Giles and Mike Williams made Wilson's life miserable during his 2001 rookie season. When they hid his clothes, made fun of his teeth and ridiculed his wife working as a waitress during spring training. If McClendon knew what was happening and didn't stop it, that's unforgivable. If McClendon didn't know, that's flat-out ignorant.

Wilson won a $1.85 million contract in arbitration following last season. He will likely go to arbitration again after the current campaign. If Wilson's award is too high, the Pirates might trade him. That's right, even though he's their best player. Wilson's enthusiasm outstrips that of management, which makes him an organizational pain in the butt no matter how good he may be.

The point of all this isn't to get Pirates fans depressed, although that's probably an inevitable side effect. I just want you to know that managers and coaches in big-time sports don't treat all players the same. They don't approach every decision in detached, objective fashion.

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Mcclendon Doesn't Know Jack; Managers Play Favorites, Just Like Everyone Else

"What's he tired from? Think about it. He flew in Sunday, watched the home-run derby on Monday. That couldn't have been too exhausting, could it? Go ask [Jason] Kendall if he's tired."

-- Pirates man...

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