I’ve seen and heard enough of Bill Hall

I was critical of the Bill Hall signing from the moment it happened. Now I’m just plain fed up with the guy. Hall wasn’t in the starting lineup for one game last week and felt compelled to start running his mouth. Hall said, “Sometimes, you’re going to get a day off because you’re not swinging the bat well or you’ve got to work on something to swing the bat better.  I’m swinging the bat well and finding the barrel. Everything is where it’s supposed to be, so I really have nothing to work on today.” Really? I think the eighteen strikeouts in 56 plate appearances would suggest otherwise. The .565 OPS  leaves room for improvement as well. Apparently Hall is happy with these numbers. Or is it the $3 million figure (Hall’s salary for 2011) that is making him so content. The best ballplayers are the ones that continue to hone their craft even when things ARE going well for them. Those that make comments like the ones Hall has made usually don’t last long in Houston.

This isn’t the first time that Hall has opened his big mouth either. Remember the spring training game when Hall took exception to high and tight fastball from Cole Hamels? The Phillies lefty shrugged it off and told reporters Hall was a “good guy.” But Chewy couldn’t let it rest.  The Astros second sacker was later quoted as saying, “He’s definitely a marked man for me now, so when I do some damage off him, I’m going to let him know I did some damage off him. I can guarantee that. … If you disrespect me, I’m going to do my best to disrespect you back. Obviously not in a way to disrespect the game, but obviously I’m going to let him know when I face him.”

Hopefully Hall will be wearing a different colored uniform the next time he gets to face Hamels. The Mets and Twins are both in need of a second baseman. When Jeff Keppinger and Clint Barmes come off the disabled list the Astros will have way too many middle infielders. Bill Hall’s days as an Astro should be numbered. I see no reason for keeping a player like him on this team.