A Vote of Confidence for Mench
Kevin Mench’s physical returned “no irregularities” and the outfielder is on his way home to rest for a few days before joining Hanshin’s minor league team.Â
In a vote of confidence for Mench, Hanshin owner Shinya Sakai said, “we’re not at all thinking of adding reinforcemts (signing another foreign player)”, before adding “I want Mench to get a good rest and then do his best”.
Patience with foreign players is notoriously short in Japan, but in this case Hanshin’s management appears to be saying the right things. The Tigers brass notably stood behind Jeff Williams when he was named in the Mitchell Report a few years ago as well.
26/04/2009 at 9:10 pm Permalink
Tigers management couldn’t exactly drop Williams as they had absolutely no proof that he was using steriods (buying them doesn’t prove use). Furthermore, he is a star relief pitcher.
Don’t necessarily take anything that is said about Mench at face value, there are two popular hitters who are waiting in the wings (Lin and Sakurai) and Sakurai has started well. He is driving in runs, can play centre field and fans are glad to see him back. They were glad to see the back of Mench. Unless, Mench can lift his performance dramatically (both fielding AND hitting) he will be gone at the end of the season.
26/04/2009 at 10:54 pm Permalink
Well, Sakai just said that they’re not looking to acquire anyone new. It will obviously be better for everyone if Mench has to play his way back into the lineup.