According to David Lennon at Newsday.com, the Mets have finally had it with Lastings Milledge. As you may remember (especially because he keeps reminding the media) Milledge had a rocky road during his time with the Mets. Milledge felt singled out by the team’s veteran players, but David Wright, who is only 3 years out of his rookie season, disagreed, saying:
“The veterans were never mean to him or singled him out,” Wright said. “They always tried to teach him. Some of that comes through tough love. I went through it, Jose [Reyes] went through it. All the young guys in the game go through that tough-love period. Some handle it better than others.
As usual, Billy Wagner spoke up regarding Milledge yesterday, claiming that “everyone in the organization babied the heck out of him”. Wagner explained that they were told to go easier on him and that the now infamous “Know Your Role, Rook!” sign hung by Wagner in Milledge’s locker was nothing more than typical rookie hazing everyone goes through. However, perhaps the most surprising response came from Wright, stating:
“Personally, I like Lastings. There were times when he messed up and he knew it and he learned from it. I don’t see where this is coming from. I don’t know if it’s just trying to play that ‘bitter traded guy’ role. I don’t know what he’s trying to accomplish by the things that he’s saying.”
Some people were sad to see him go, I wasn’t. Do I think the kid had talent? Of course! But if the Mets didn’t like him and weren’t going to use him, then why bother keeping him around? I think he needs to get over it. For someone who hated being on the team so much, he is still certainly very focused on them. He should be glad to have been traded but instead, as Wright says, he seems like he is trying to play the “bitter traded guy” role. I think it’s time for Millz to put on his big girl panties and deal with it.
