It seemed so easy for young Cole during last year's playoffs. It was like the game was his own personal toy, and it looked like the only questions left were how many championships and Cy Young awards were in his future.
It was quite a contrast with this year's playoff run when fans didn't even want him on the mound.
But have no fear, young Cole has learned his lesson. He's no longer going to be preoccupied with being a celebrity. He's going to focus on his job:
You know, I lived and learned a valuable lesson in what it takes to be even more of a celebrity than an actual athlete so you know it's just something I'm gonna take in strides and push towards the next level of being the best athlete I possibly can versus being the best celebrity or the most popular celebrity.
Great. The Phillies blew a chance to repeat and continue the Yankees championship drought because Cole wanted to be popular.
Part of Cole's PR problem is that he has a little (I'm really sorry I have to say this) Alex Rodriguez in him - trying too hard to say or do the right things and winding up making things worse.
I'm sure when Cole said that quote, in his mind he thought he was saying the right thing: I'm sorry I was unprepared this season. It will not happen again. Other than my family, my sole focus will be on being the best pitcher I can be to help win another championship for our great fans.
Unfortunately, he dropped a poisonous word - celebrity - that is bound to further alienate Cole with the fans who still haven't forgiven him for his mediocre season and disastrous postseason, which he admitted could not end soon enough.
Without Cole, the Phillies would be going on 30 years without a championship, so he's earned some benefit of the doubt, but he should really watch his act or his championship performance will be overshadowed by his attitude.
By the way, thanks to new philly.com blog, Pattison Ave. for catching Cole's interview on Comcast SportsNet. Hopefully its authors don't wait days or weeks between posts, unlike Andy Martino, who hasn't blogged in a week.
1 comment:
He obviously has the ability to be a 20 game winner every year for a long time. But this year he proved that ability alone doesn't cut it. Ability has a partner, and it's called preparation.
If what he says is sincere, then he'll be winning back the fans next year. You're right, he does deserve the benefit of the doubt. But, just like a leash, it will be a short benefit.
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