Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel has been named American League Player of the Week. Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon was unavailable for comment.
Keuchel retired 21 of the last 22 to cap off a 4-1 win over McClendon’s M’s on Sunday afternoon. That, coupled with last Monday’s win over the Teaxas Rangers, helped make Keuchel the first Astros pitcher to win the award since the team was moved to the American League. Catcher Jason Castro won the award twice last season.
McClendon’s post-game comments tweeted by respected Seattle Times writer Ryan Divish drew the ire of Astros fans and Keuchel supporters.
McClendon on Keuchel: "I saw avg. stuff. We didn't swing the bats very good. At some pt, you have to stop giving credit to avg pitchers."
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) May 25, 2014
McClendon was probably just blowing off some steam after a frustrating loss, but his poor choice of words have made him an easy target.
Five hours later, I still can't believe Lloyd McClendon would call Dallas Keuchel an average pitcher with average stuff. #silly
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) May 26, 2014
Agree w/ @OrtizKicks. Lloyd McClendon calling Dallas Keuchel 'average' is pretty off-base, considering DK's season so far. #Astros #Mariners
— Adrian Garro (@adriangarro) May 26, 2014
I'm still not ok about McClendon's avg call. What step am I on you ask? Well, I've acknowledged that I have a problem w it. Now I'm mad.
— Morgan Ensberg (@MorganEnsberg) May 27, 2014
Keuchel is average player of the week in AL.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) May 27, 2014
Congratulations to Dallas Keuchel on a well deserved award.