During his playing career, Former Reds reliever earned the nick name the “Nasty Boy” for his characteristics and attitude once he was on the mound. He probably well be most known for the player who got in the clubhouse fight with then Reds manager Lou Piniella. However, even though Dibble is retired he still brings that “nasty” attitude into the game of baseball. In fact, that may have been the reason why he was dismissed by Washington Nationals.
Dibble, who was a broadcaster for the Washington Nationals up till last week, recently made some discouraging comments about Stephen Strasburg two days after he was pulled out of the game due to elbow soreness. It should be noted that one Dibble made the following statement on his XM radio show, it was not known that Strasburg would require Tommy John Surgery.
"“So for me, a little bit has to be put back on Strasburg here,” Dibble said. “OK, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can’t have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow. … Stop crying, go out there and pitch. Period.”"
After hearing those comments about their prized possession, the Washington Nationals decided to unjustly fire Dibble.
That is where I believe the Washington Nationals are dead wrong with how they handled Dibble’s comments. Obviously, if we would have made these comments during a telecast then it might seem like a reasonable thing to do. But, Dibble made these comments on his XM radio show. While Rob Dibble may not be the best of announcers, he certainly should not be fired for these comments that he made.
The biggest reason is that as a analyst/radio host you have to give your opinion and analysis about whatever it may be that involves what your covering. Dibble had every right to make those comments about Strasburg because that was his opinion and analysis of what he has seen from him. Rob Dibble has always been a passionate man, and the Nationals knew that when they hired him, which brings up the point why did they hire him in the first place?
Again, I’m sure Dibble would not have made these comments if he had knew that Strasburg was to require tommy john surgery. However this is just another case of a team being to sensitive of their players and firing the broadcaster for doing the job he was intended to do. This may remind some of when the Chicago Cubs let Chip Caray and Steve Stone go after they made so called “critical comments” about the team after the 2004 season. All that needs to be said is that it was not their fault that the Cubs choked the final weeks of the 2004 season, when they essentially had the Wild Card locked up.
For what it’s worth, since learning that Strasburg needs tommy john surgery, Dibble has apologized for making those comments. Even, though he still had every right to do so.