Maine Problem

By Jim Walters

John Maine got lit up yesterday following Johan Santana’s strong starts in the spring. However, it was his post-game comments that really made him worthy of 45,000 jeers at Citi Field in three weeks.

Following the game, one in which he only pitched 2/3 of an inning and served up five runs to the Marlins, Maine said this:

“My mechanics felt fine,” Maine said. “I just wasn’t kind of that into it. It wasn’t good. It’s just I wasn’t all that prepared. The feeling that it’s not my game is the hardest thing. It’s a waste of a day.”

“I wasn’t into it. I wasn’t all that prepared.”

Are you kidding me.

This is simply unacceptable.

It wouldn’t be acceptable if it came out of Santana’s mouth. It’s certainly not acceptable when it comes from a pitcher who has only won more than 11 games in a season once in his career.

This team is supposed to be different. They are supposed to be embarrassed from last season, doing everything they can to rewrite the history books.

It’s just a matter of time before Maine is history. And I will be first in line to show him the door.