Kennedy's skewed perspective

During last night's YES broadcast of the Yankees/Angels game, Michael Kay said: "The general feeling from the players was that he (Kennedy) was too cocky for someone who hadn't done anything in the big leagues."

After publishing my recap of last night's train wreck, I read this at LoHud: "I felt like I made some good pitches,” he said. “I’m not too upset about it. … What was it, a bunch of singles and three doubles? I’m just not real upset about it. I’m just going to move on and I’ve already done that.”
"Those comments will not be popular among his teammates or within the front office."

Ian Kennedy's delusions are understandable. A young player who has enjoyed success, followed by over-the-top adulation and hype, figures to have his perspective skewed. When reality bites and the bubble bursts, it can't be easy to deal with. The organization will have a challenge getting Ian's stuff and head straightened out.

It's another example of how hype hurts development. Playing in the Big Apple is a daunting challenge. The tabloid media will do their thing, but the organization needs to tone down their rhetoric. The next time a wanna-be comes from the bushes, rather than say he's, "The next Joba" or "The Franchise" or an "Impact player" (the GM's words to the media in the spring about Gardner) say something like, "Maybe , in a few years, he won't be selling cars." Set the bar low, the self-serving hype will dissipate and the kid will have a chance.