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Hern says decision to release four players
predicated on injuries, money and performance
SEAN ROONEY
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On one hand Jim Hern says he “hates
losing” and that his Medicine Hat Mavericks are simply trying
to field the best team possible even though their playoff hopes are
down the drain for a second year in a row.
On the other, the part-owner of the
Western Major Baseball League franchise admits money was the
primary reason four players were let go this week just as the team
embarked on its last road swing of the season.
A day after the Mavs released Shaun
Cameron, Dan Brown, Brennan Grubb and Mike O’Dwyer, Hern
promised the team will be back for a seventh season even though
some players contend the financial side of the operation is taking
a toll on the on-field product.
“I love baseball, there’s a
lot of people that love it and want to see it in Medicine
Hat,” said Hern. “I guess I’m the bad guy. If
I’ve got to make this team work and stay in Medicine Hat I
(have to be).”
Hern claimed that injuries
— Cameron and Brown have bad ankles, while Grubb pinched
a nerve in his throwing arm — were part of the reason
for the decision. Getting rid of four players means less rent at
the Medicine Hat College dorms, one less hotel room on the final
road trip and fewer mouths to feed. But O’Dwyer, who struck
out 10 times in only 20 at-bats this season, isn’t injured
and said in an e-mail to the News he’s not impressed how the
team is being run.
“If the fans (knew) everything that
the players had to deal with outside of actually playing the game
of baseball on that team, they would understand why the Mavs have a
(losing) record,” wrote O’Dwyer, who didn’t
return calls on Tuesday. “The Mavericks had all the talent
this year to be a successfull team with a winning record but
problems from the top level of managment down spoiled their
chances.”
At 13-23 Medicine Hat is five-and-a-half
games back of a playoff spot with six to play. All-star pitcher Cam
Rittinger also quit the team after Monday’s game, saying if
the team is packing it in by releasing players, he’s not
going to risk hurting his arm just to play out the string.
Messages left for Rittinger were not
returned Tuesday. Fellow hurler David Parker also left on Monday,
while catcher Brad Rintoul called to inform the News that he
actually quit the team a week ago and was not released.
Hern still thinks Rittinger will be back
when the team returns for its three remaining home games.
“Last I talked to (Rittinger) he was
coming back on the weekend,” said Hern. “As far as I
know he’s still with the team, still going to play.
“Either I’ve been way off base
or there’s something wrong.”
Something seems wrong anyhow.
Fans have noticed a lack of in-game
promotions at Athletic Park, the team has sat last in their
division for the better part of two seasons and there have been
ugly, unsubstantiated rumours floating around the team all
year.
Hern was determined to quash the rumour
that the team is folding after this season, but he’s been on
the record numerous times over the years about how tough it is to
keep the ship afloat.
“I’m trying to save my
franchise,” he said Tuesday. “As long as my supporters
keep coming back, the fans do, hopefully we’ll be better next
year.”
Hern seems dedicated to bringing back
manager Mike Greene, noting some consistency will certainly help
the on-field product. But the loss of once-heralded local talents
is a major concern public relations-wise.
Hern’s response is that some of the
players who were cut simply aren’t good enough to compete at
this level.
“I want to have baseball in Medicine
Hat that they’re going to be proud of,” said Hern.
“They know what’s going on. They know baseball. This is
a whole different level and if you want to play at this level,
you’ve got to play at the highest level possible.” |
