Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

savafan · 07-16-2006, 08:19 PM

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sp...oweColumn.html

By KERMIT ROWE COMMENTARY

Kenton Ridge graduate Rick White has a message for the team closest to his heart, his and your hometown Cincinnati Reds.

“I think they gave up on me too soon,” said the 37-year-old Springfield native, now a Philadelphia Phillies reliever, via his cell phone on Friday. “I told them I’m sorry I didn’t pitch the way they wanted me to, but they didn’t pitch me the way I needed to be pitched, either.

“I told them when they told me I was being designated for assignment, ‘I wasn’t your guys’ problem.’ ”

There’s evidence to back that up. When White left on June 18, the Reds bullpen got worse, to the point where they had to trade two everyday starters in their prime Thursday in an effort to fix the problem. Granted, no one can say White wasn’t part of the problem the first month of the season, when his ERA was in the stratosphere, but near the end of his stint with the Reds, he was showing some consistent success. And he was enjoying himself.

Was it the emotion of finally realizing his dream of playing for his boyhood idols that led to the slow start?

At this point, a lot of pros clam up and answer a probing question like this with a cliche. But not White. In his career, in all my dealings with him, he has been honest and open.

“It probably was (a distraction) at the beginning,” said White. “Especially in the first month. We were just finishing building a new house, trying to get everything taken care of on the farm (a getaway he owns in Kentucky), I was driving back and forth from Springfield every day, the people back home, the ticket requests ... It was just too much.

“I talked to (Ken) Griffey about it and he said he went through the same thing the first two years he was in Cincinnati and he finally had to say no.”

So White cut back, stopping his daily commute — and it seemed to be working.

“I had just gotten all that stuff under control and had gotten some things rolling for a couple of games,” he said. “They just gave up on me too soon. One of my goals for the rest of the season is to prove that to them.”

Things have gone better in Philadelphia since being signed June 23.

“I’ve been throwing the ball pretty good. It’s just like I’ve been telling them all along: If I can get some consistency on the field, I’m still a pretty good pitcher.”

The numbers have been bearing that out as of late. Coming out of the All-Star break, White had posted a 3.55 ERA in his last 10 outings. He didn’t give up a run in eight of those 10 outings. His ERA for 2006, which had been a disaster in Cincinnati, is headed back down and currently is 5.91.

Now he is tantalizingly close to a career milestone few pro players ever see — 10 years of major league service.

“It should come sometime near the end of the month, or the beginning of August,” he said. “That’s a pretty good milestone for anyone in the sport.”

Especially for a boy from Springfield, Ohio.

fisch11 · 07-16-2006, 08:55 PM

Ok, if you're not "part of the problem" than you are "part of the solution". Right? I don't believe you were part of the solution, Rick. Sorry.

reds44 · 07-16-2006, 08:55 PM

Am I the only one that laughed while reading that?

fisch11 · 07-16-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reds44

Am I the only one that laughed will reading that?

Nope!

KronoRed · 07-16-2006, 08:59 PM

Well good luck to him

GAC · 07-16-2006, 08:59 PM

My younger brother is good friends (and neighbors) with the Whites..... and he thinks he sucked with the Reds too! Just don't let Rick find that out.

toledodan · 07-16-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisch11

Nope!

me too!

Tom Servo · 07-16-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reds44

Am I the only one that laughed while reading that?

Not by a long shot

Matt700wlw · 07-16-2006, 09:16 PM

He has a future on the comedy scene.

Redhook · 07-16-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

His ERA for 2006, which had been a disaster in Cincinnati, is headed back down and currently is 5.91.

That's classic.

Jr's Boy · 07-16-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhook

That's classic.

RRTF

redsupport · 07-16-2006, 09:31 PM

rick white, now there is a definitive answer, I am glad that his ERA is a "respectable 5.91" KInd of reminds me of an old Mike McQueen

goreds2 · 07-16-2006, 09:33 PM

Rick White, you lose. Good day, sir.

jimbo · 07-16-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reds44

Am I the only one that laughed while reading that?

No you weren't. White needs a big dose of reality.

KronoRed · 07-16-2006, 09:41 PM

Danny Graves like

07-16-2006, 08:19 PM	#1
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,485	Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sp...oweColumn.html By KERMIT ROWE COMMENTARY Kenton Ridge graduate Rick White has a message for the team closest to his heart, his and your hometown Cincinnati Reds. “I think they gave up on me too soon,” said the 37-year-old Springfield native, now a Philadelphia Phillies reliever, via his cell phone on Friday. “I told them I’m sorry I didn’t pitch the way they wanted me to, but they didn’t pitch me the way I needed to be pitched, either. “I told them when they told me I was being designated for assignment, ‘I wasn’t your guys’ problem.’ ” There’s evidence to back that up. When White left on June 18, the Reds bullpen got worse, to the point where they had to trade two everyday starters in their prime Thursday in an effort to fix the problem. Granted, no one can say White wasn’t part of the problem the first month of the season, when his ERA was in the stratosphere, but near the end of his stint with the Reds, he was showing some consistent success. And he was enjoying himself. Was it the emotion of finally realizing his dream of playing for his boyhood idols that led to the slow start? At this point, a lot of pros clam up and answer a probing question like this with a cliche. But not White. In his career, in all my dealings with him, he has been honest and open. “It probably was (a distraction) at the beginning,” said White. “Especially in the first month. We were just finishing building a new house, trying to get everything taken care of on the farm (a getaway he owns in Kentucky), I was driving back and forth from Springfield every day, the people back home, the ticket requests ... It was just too much. “I talked to (Ken) Griffey about it and he said he went through the same thing the first two years he was in Cincinnati and he finally had to say no.” So White cut back, stopping his daily commute — and it seemed to be working. “I had just gotten all that stuff under control and had gotten some things rolling for a couple of games,” he said. “They just gave up on me too soon. One of my goals for the rest of the season is to prove that to them.” Things have gone better in Philadelphia since being signed June 23. “I’ve been throwing the ball pretty good. It’s just like I’ve been telling them all along: If I can get some consistency on the field, I’m still a pretty good pitcher.” The numbers have been bearing that out as of late. Coming out of the All-Star break, White had posted a 3.55 ERA in his last 10 outings. He didn’t give up a run in eight of those 10 outings. His ERA for 2006, which had been a disaster in Cincinnati, is headed back down and currently is 5.91. Now he is tantalizingly close to a career milestone few pro players ever see — 10 years of major league service. “It should come sometime near the end of the month, or the beginning of August,” he said. “That’s a pretty good milestone for anyone in the sport.” Especially for a boy from Springfield, Ohio. __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

07-16-2006, 08:55 PM	#2
fisch11 Fielder's Indifference Join Date: May 2004 Location: Warsaw, OH Posts: 2,334	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong Ok, if you're not "part of the problem" than you are "part of the solution". Right? I don't believe you were part of the solution, Rick. Sorry. __________________ "Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?!"

07-16-2006, 08:59 PM	#5
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,342	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong Well good luck to him __________________ Go Gators!

07-16-2006, 08:59 PM	#6
GAC What Me Worry? Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bellefontaine, Ohio Posts: 26,416	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong My younger brother is good friends (and neighbors) with the Whites..... and he thinks he sucked with the Reds too! Just don't let Rick find that out. __________________ "panic" only comes from having real expectations

07-16-2006, 09:16 PM	#9
Matt700wlw Making sense of it all Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 26,130	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong He has a future on the comedy scene. __________________ An excited shade of Red

07-16-2006, 09:31 PM	#12
redsupport Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,783	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong rick white, now there is a definitive answer, I am glad that his ERA is a "respectable 5.91" KInd of reminds me of an old Mike McQueen

07-16-2006, 09:33 PM	#13
goreds2 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH H - EYE OH Posts: 2,567	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong Rick White, you lose. Good day, sir. __________________ * Attended the 1990 and 2010 Reds Division clinchers * Watched the 2012 Clincher on FOX. Proud owner of a 1990 Dodge Class B Motorhome: A chick magnet! GO STEELERS www.tracyjonesonline.com Great YOUTUBE videos.

07-16-2006, 09:41 PM	#15
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,342	Re: Rick White aims to prove Reds wrong Danny Graves like __________________ Go Gators!

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