As many of you, I'm a devout Giants fan, and I was distraught that the team will have to play the rest of the season without Buster Posey.
With that said, I have four words to say to Giants general manager Brian Sabean: "Shut the heck up."
Dude, it's been more than a week since Florida's Scott Cousins, a North Valley High grad, severely put a dent into the Giants' postseason chances when he steamrolled Posey at the plate to give Florida the win.
I know Sabean was speaking mostly out of frustration this week when he made his remarks during a radio interview, but he should have chosen to be politically correct. He wasn't, and it stirred up more problems. The Giants issued a press release apologizing for Sabean's rant. I think Sabean should apologize to Cousins.
The guy isn't a dirty player, but you wouldn't know it by the way people are talking.
It's been reported that Cousins has been getting death threats. Get serious people. It was a clean play defined by baseball rules. Would I have preferred that Cousins not leave his feet when he barreled into Posey? You bet. However, until the rules are changed, plays like that are going to happen, and injuries are going to happen.
If it had been Eli Whiteside on the receiving end, I doubt very seriously whether anything more would have been said on the matter. The fact that it was Posey, the reigning Rookie of the Year, makes it a much bigger issue.
I think something could be done to protect the catchers, but then you also have to address with runners trying to "kill" middle infielders while breaking up double plays. Most people associated with baseball are old school, and they are never going to change.
Rob Hastings coached Cousins at North Valleys, and now assists Ron McNutt with the Galena squad. I ran into Hastings at Saturday's All-Star game for juniors at Bishop Manogue on Saturday.
"I haven't talked to Scott since he graduated," said Hastings between games of the doubleheader Saturday. "I'm sure he sees his parents when he's in the area, but he's never called me.
"I didn't even see the play. Somebody told me about it, and I ended up watching the highlights. It was a clean play. He plays hard."
I wouldn't expect Hastings to say anything different. He's a former catcher, and he's very much old school.
It was unfortunate, but people need to move on and let it be. I know this is the last you will hear from me on the subject.
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Two more Dayton High soccer players will be moving on to play at four-year institutions in the fall.
Samantha Langer has signed to play with Waldorf College in Iowa and Amber Brooks will attend Northwood University.
Both played midfield for coach Jared Miklich.
"It will be a challenge for both of them," Miklich said. "It will be a good experience for them. Both Amber and Samantha have played at higher levels than we had at Dayton. They are both hard workers, and I think they will both fit in."
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Silver Stage High senior Shannon Chapman signed a letter of intent May 28 to play softball at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan.
Chapman was a three-year all-2A and all-state performer.
Chapman selected Brown Mackie College after meeting with coach Laura Christopher. "This has been my goal for many years," Chapman said. "My hard work has really paid off."
