not sure what to think about this (rasmus)

[jagtrader]

I'll start worrying about what Rasmus's dad says when Rasmus's OPS cracks .700 in Triple-A.

[Popeye_Card]

Rasmus' father Tony was drafted in the 10th round in 1986 by the Angels, but he never panned out, so the family (including three brothers) scraped by in Alabama and lived in extremely modest conditions in a trailer for most of his childhood.

"I was 11 years old when I told my father I wanted to become a major leaguer and he worked with me and was my coach up until my senior year of high school."

Rasmus played in the 1999 Little League World Series and his Russell County High School baseball team (coached by Tony) was ranked first in the country.

Not sure if I really want to imply this, but the difference between Rasmus being with the team coming out of ST vs. waiting until later in the year has a big affect on his paycheck. Not just this year, but with his arbitration later. I'm sure his father is well aware of all of this. Is this really just sour grapes over not seeing the big payday yet?

[Socnorb11]

Rasmus' father Tony was drafted in the 10th round in 1986 by the Angels, but he never panned out, so the family (including three brothers) scraped by in Alabama and lived in extremely modest conditions in a trailer for most of his childhood.

"I was 11 years old when I told my father I wanted to become a major leaguer and he worked with me and was my coach up until my senior year of high school."

Rasmus played in the 1999 Little League World Series and his Russell County High School baseball team (coached by Tony) was ranked first in the country.

Not sure if I really want to imply this, but the difference between Rasmus being with the team coming out of ST vs. waiting until later in the year has a big affect on his paycheck. Not just this year, but with his arbitration later. I'm sure his father is well aware of all of this. Is this really just sour grapes over not seeing the big payday yet?

Certainly makes sense.

A father focusing on the financial ramifications would be an awful lot of pressure for a 21-year old kid, too. That could explain some of Colby's struggles, as well.

[greenback44]

Mather was told he'd be called up with Ankiel going to the DL.

He was told he "could" be called up, if Ankiel goes on the DL, right?

I'd guess this is one of those telephone game deals, where they said "could" and "maybe" a lot, but all Mather heard was "You're going to the majors." If I had been in Mather's shoes, that's all I would've heard. Unless they knock the guy out and cart his unconscious body up to St. Louis, I don't know that there's any way to avoid this kind of disappointment.

[skmsw]

(chuckle) nowhere did he say that it was not him; just that the remarks posted by that screen name were not appropriate. Maybe now he's sober, or feels foolish, or got yelled at, but noplace in his apology did he actually suggest it was not him who made them.

[Socnorb11]

Mather was told he'd be called up with Ankiel going to the DL.

He was told he "could" be called up, if Ankiel goes on the DL, right?

I'd guess this is one of those telephone game deals, where they said "could" and "maybe" a lot, but all Mather heard was "You're going to the majors." If I had been in Mather's shoes, that's all I would've heard. Unless they knock the guy out and cart his unconscious body up to St. Louis, I don't know that there's any way to avoid this kind of disappointment.

As stated earlier, this sort of thing likely happens every day. You've got to make sure a kid (Mather) is ready to go, if needed. There was a chance that he'd be needed. It's not like they were intentionally playing mind games with him.

How else would you handle it? It doesn't seem very prudent to wait until you know that Ankiel definitely can't play before beginning to develop Plan B.

[greenback44]

I'm spending too much time on this, but...

(chuckle) nowhere did he say that it was not him; just that the remarks posted by that screen name were not appropriate. Maybe now he's sober, or feels foolish, or got yelled at, but noplace in his apology did he actually suggest it was not him who made them.

Cory Rasmus (apparently) said over at Future Redbirds that it was the youngest brother that started this by posting under the dad's screen name.

This isn't a baseball discussion really, except I think I've got some heckling material if Rasmus gets traded.

[cpebbles]

Incidentally, we really could stand to get more of a look at Mather than we're going to get with a September callup. Ankiel, Barton, Duncan, Ludwick, Mather, and Schumaker will all need to have places on the 40 man roster for next year, and Rasmus, Stavinoha, and possibly Jon Jay or Shane Robinson are also going to be in the mix. Mather showing he can be for real in the big leagues would allow us to make some moves to relieve the congestion. Unfortunately, it's not happening without an injury in the outfield.

[thrill]

Would that be his brother, the Braves pitcher prospect, or some other cocky, obnoxious family member?

[Socnorb11]

Incidentally, we really could stand to get more of a look at Mather than we're going to get with a September callup. Ankiel, Barton, Duncan, Ludwick, Mather, and Schumaker will all need to have places on the 40 man roster for next year, and Rasmus, Stavinoha, and possibly Jon Jay or Shane Robinson are also going to be in the mix. Mather showing he can be for real in the big leagues would allow us to make some moves to relieve the congestion. Unfortunately, it's not happening without an injury in the outfield.

We could throw Ludwick into the trade with Garcia & Rasmus to "sweeten" the deal for Smoltz.