Les Smith Heading Home

[cajun2bag]

_ I thought he didn't get enough of a chance. I think this is a big loss. Sorry to see him go, but I wish him the best.

My main concern is that he isn't the first. Something just isn't quite right with the program, but I can't put my finger on it. _

Wells guys that aren't playing because they aren't producing get mad and think people are out to get them. I am not saying that this is what happend in this case, but I am not going to say it wasn't either. I mean it is real easy to point the finger and say this and that, but the FACT is if you don't produce you shouldn't play. I had a pretty good year my junior year and then struggled my senior year, I never once complained about being benched. When I got a chance to get back on the field I took advatage of it. The players need to realize that Coach is not out to get any of them if you preform you will play, if you don't you will not play.

If you are going to pout, _____, and moan about playing time either do something about it or move on. In some instances players have moved on and in others they did something about it.

Again I am not saying this towards Benzel, but more in response to the concern of "this is not the first player to leave the team"

People can say what they want about certain guys and why weren't they playing, I can promise you this next year if Greg (as good a year as he had) doesn't produce he won't play. Coach treats everyone the same, at least in my experiences!

[cajun2bag]

_ BINGO!!!! You are the winner!! Trust me..Les Smith is the next shoe that is going to drop..This should get Robe's attention..He needs to re-evaluate the way he has coached these kid's the last two years..It is real easy to lead a team that is winning it is quite different to lead a team that is struggling and needs guidance..Robe's report card the last 15 years: B- ; Robe's report card the last two years: D- ... He has been flailing away making numerous mistakes and constantly blaming the players(not enough hitting,poor defense,bad pitching)for losses--Just ONCE after a loss I would like to hear Robe deflect the criticism away from the player's and say "this loss is on me,I did not prepare the kid's properly but we will get back to work tomorrow and play better the next game" Great Manager's do that periodically..Robe never has..I know all the Robe "Kool-Aid Drinker's" do not like to hear that but sometime's the truth hurts _

Fact is Robe can go out and field, hit, or throw, the players do that, and Robe has taken the heat for a loss, but it is hard for him to do so when our team is having a snowball fight in the infield....or when you have more errors than hits....or walks than innings played...get my drift....we didn't have the talent to do that well this season. We did about what we were supposed to do.

[CajunProud]

_ Wells guys that aren't playing because they aren't producing get mad and think people are out to get them. I am not saying that this is what happend in this case, but I am not going to say it wasn't either. I mean it is real easy to point the finger and say this and that, but the FACT is if you don't produce you shouldn't play. I had a pretty good year my junior year and then struggled my senior year, I never once complained about being benched. When I got a chance to get back on the field I took advatage of it. The players need to realize that Coach is not out to get any of them if you preform you will play, if you don't you will not play.

If you are going to pout, _____, and moan about playing time either do something about it or move on. In some instances players have moved on and in others they did something about it.

Again I am not saying this towards Benzel, but more in response to the concern of "this is not the first player to leave the team"

People can say what they want about certain guys and why weren't they playing, I can promise you this next year if Greg (as good a year as he had) doesn't produce he won't play. Coach treats everyone the same, at least in my experiences! _

I understand what you are saying and agree for the most part. In Benzel's case specifically, I think he did produce when he had the chance (I don't have his stats in front of me though). On the other hand, it is hard to produce when you are only put in once to pinch hit in the 8th or 9th inning and haven't been given a chance since 10 games ago (again, not saying this is the case with Benzel).

You played for him and I didn't, but I have spoken to former players who have said that he does play favorites. Of course, those players could have the red ass from not getting the playing time they thought they were due.

We'll have to see what happens with Smith and others. It just seems that Coach Robe has lost some control over the team the last couple of years.

[Cajun90]

If Les Smith leaves the Cajuns program, it won't be because of Rob. Sorry, you missed the boat on that one ballfan.

T....you are allowing facts to get in the way of speculation. It totally screws up the whole point of these internet bulletin boards.

[cajun2bag]

_ I understand what you are saying and agree for the most part. In Benzel's case specifically, I think he did produce when he had the chance (I don't have his stats in front of me though). On the other hand, it is hard to produce when you are only put in once to pinch hit in the 8th or 9th inning and haven't been given a chance since 10 games ago (again, not saying this is the case with Benzel).

You played for him and I didn't, but I have spoken to former players who have said that he does play favorites. Of course, those players could have the red ass from not getting the playing time they thought they were due.

We'll have to see what happens with Smith and others. It just seems that Coach Robe has lost some control over the team the last couple of years. _

2008 hit 258 and fielded .893
2009 hit 229 didn't make an error in 31 chances

Gotta hit better to play 3rd base

[MetryCajun]

Player avg gp-gs ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb slg% bb hbp so gdp ob% sf sh sb-att
Benzel, Tyler .229 32-22 83 18 19 5 1 0 9 26 .313 13 4 14 1 .356 1 3 1-3

Not very good stats.

[gottacomment]

_
You played for him and I didn't, but I have spoken to former players who have said that he does play favorites. Of course, those players could have the red ass from not getting the playing time they thought they were due.

I'm a long time reader, but I feel like I needed to back 2bag up on this one.

I played for Robe as well. I pretty much rode the bench my whole career. Trust me when I say, Robe doesnt play favorites. If guys have said he does, then you are talking to the wrong guys.

This is the same coach that often starts walk ons and benches major scholarship guys.

the best guys play in this program. plain and simple.

I understand Benzel's decison to move on and I hope it works out.

I hope Smith stays because I believe he's the future of the program

[TuffGuy84]

_ Wells guys that aren't playing because they aren't producing get mad and think people are out to get them. I am not saying that this is what happend in this case, but I am not going to say it wasn't either. I mean it is real easy to point the finger and say this and that, but the FACT is if you don't produce you shouldn't play. I had a pretty good year my junior year and then struggled my senior year, I never once complained about being benched. When I got a chance to get back on the field I took advatage of it. The players need to realize that Coach is not out to get any of them if you preform you will play, if you don't you will not play.

If you are going to pout, _____, and moan about playing time either do something about it or move on. In some instances players have moved on and in others they did something about it.

Again I am not saying this towards Benzel, but more in response to the concern of "this is not the first player to leave the team"

People can say what they want about certain guys and why weren't they playing, I can promise you this next year if Greg (as good a year as he had) doesn't produce he won't play. Coach treats everyone the same, at least in my experiences! _

I tend to agree, Matt Hicks got benched even though in 2007 he had what everyone thought was his breakout year. After that, he hit .220 in 08 and .079 in 09 now and what did coach do when he was playing terribly, he rode the bench, which is deserving.

In my opinion, what makes the Robe situation different than Lee or Bustle is this, Robe does what he can to put the players in the best position to be successful. I never look out on the field and think "playing the infield in is the wrong decision" or "Player A trying to bunt here is a bad decision". His decisions are mostly on par for what I think should happen in those situations. On the other hand, I'm always scratching my head going "Why did we just run a draw play on 3rd and 20 with 2:00 left to go in the game, down by 7". I'm not saying that someone can't criticize Robe, because that's what an open forum is for, but understand what you're arguing. Is it a problem with the players just not making plays or is it a coaching issue?

[CajunT]

_ T....you are allowing facts to get in the way of speculation. It totally screws up the whole point of these internet bulletin boards. _

If it happens, I will speak my peace then. Rob makes decisions on kids and he has made some mistakes just like every other baseball coach. The ones that come to mind transfered to other programs and performed well. There are more then a few that left this program and have never been heard from again in the realms of college baseball. He has gotten more of those right, then those that were released and performed well. If Les Smith leaves this program, his departure won't fit in either category. If it happens, we will discuss it then and perhaps a few individuals that have some posted comments on this board with look foolish and childish.

[wcd35]

_ If it happens, I will speak my peace then. Rob makes decisions on kids and he has made some mistakes just like every other baseball coach. The ones that come to mind transfered to other programs and performed well. There are more then a few that left this program and have never been heard from again in the realms of college baseball. He has gotten more of those right, then those that were released and performed well. If Les Smith leaves this program, his departure won't fit in either category. If it happens, we will discuss it then and perhaps a few individuals that have some posted comments on this board with look foolish and childish. _

Good call.

I hope Les makes the right choice for him and his family, no matter what that decision is. We can have our opinions on wanting him to stay, but it is this young man's decision to make and I'm sure it is a tough one.