Justice has been busy! In yet another blog post, Richard Justice says this:
Mills must set standards. He can't tolerate Carlos Lee loafing or Lance Berkman showing up whenever. He must lighten the mood, too. He absolutely, positively must figure a way to make Berkman and Roy Oswalt enjoy the game again.
If he surrounds himself with smart coaches, if he shows that he's competent and communicative, it'll be a step in the right direction...
...Brad Mills deserves that same chance. He may be a great manager, and he may be a complete failure. He was hired for the right reasons. Now the Astros must do the right thing in giving him a real chance.
The thing that continues to baffle me is the bone the Houston media is willing to throw to anyone and everyone that Berkman, Lee, and Oswalt's motivation has to be external. If no one can show them how to have fun playing baseball, then they'll pout, and we'll be looking for our fifth manager since the beginning of 2007 because they can't enjoy the game for what it is. Drives me crazy...
Oh, and want to hear a bunch of non-answers? Read Justice's interview with Drayton.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
