QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 29, 2005 -> 04:54 PM)
Tex, either they're good enough to be a regular or they're not. Not necessarily their fault if they're not. But if someone is brought in to be the #1 guy and you're told you're a reserve, play hard and compete but accept your role. There's a fine line we're talking about here. Doesn't sound like Harris gets it, just my opinion.
It is a fine line and it can be drawn in different places depending on the player.
Players decline, players improve. The only way a guy will become a starter is if he thinks he should be a starter. If Harris, at his age, accepts that he is #2 to a guy who has never played game 1 in the MLB, then Harris is not a competitor. Harris is not some 35 year old veteran, easing into retirement. He's building his career, and just handing over a starting job without a fight is accepting defeat and not IMHO a winners attitude.
And I will repeat, the role of a reserve is to push the starter so everyone gets better.