Lastings Millstone

Posted Saturday, September 30, 2006

According to David Lennon in Newsday (among other sources) someone hung a sign in Milledge’s locker saying: “Know your place, Rook! — Your Teammates.” Milledge’s clothes were also removed.

Once again, it seems, Milledge was mouthing off to a veteran teammate and has made himself the least loved rookie since Jeff Kent — maybe even Gregg Jefferies.

But you also have to put this in perspective. Unlike Kent and Jefferies, who entered a clubhouse with some unsavory characters, you have to go far and wide to find a jerk in the current room. This isn’t a team that beats up on rookies — Jose Reyes and David Wright had zero issues with the veterans. Nor has Brian Bannister.

So for things to go this far — and don’t think for a moment that Willie Randolph isn’t just as annoyed at the kid as his teammates — Milledge has had to basically storm through the clubhouse of a veteran team, a division winner, and act like he’s an All-Star. I can’t say I know he’s done that – although the media reports suggest exactly that — and it was his MO in the minors.

So what to do? Trade him. Dangle him to get more pitching and sign a veteran right-handed hitting left fielder.

Maybe the kid grows up and becomes a superstar. Maybe. But this is a now team — not one that can afford having a guy with attitude who, in my mind, hasn’t shown he can play in the Major Leagues.

If they keep him, he could prove nothing more than a millstone.—MM