Written by Greg Fertel | 29 May 2008

Yep, that's right. Jose Tabata was once again pulled from a Trenton game, this time vs. the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, for disciplinary reasons. John Nalbone, a sports writer for The Times At Trenton, has the scoop, and Mike Ashmore, a Trenton Thunder beat writer for the Hunterdon County Democrat, has the specifics. Basically, JT was removed as he didn't back up Austin Jackson, who dove for a fly ball and missed out on the putout, resulting in the ball rolling passed both players. Tabata, as a result, played an apparent single into a triple. He was yanked shortly therafter, and did not return for the rest of the game. In my opinion, Tabata deserves another suspension. You can say all you want. But a highly touted prospect playing at the Double A level should know when he needs to back up his center fielder on a tough play. I just don't get it. I really don't. Mike Ashmore (whose opinions I highly respect), covers the team almost everyday, and intially was giving Tabata the benifit of the doubt when it came the 19 year old's lackadaisical and inconsistent play. After all, Tabata had off-season surgery to remove a bone in his body. We as Yankees fans have to give Tabata a break right? However recently, Mike's mentioned how many times he's seen Tabata "make no effort on catchable balls that are hit right at him." In addition, Mike now agrees with a scouting report that states that Tabata "tends to turn his talent on and off" in game situations. Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe there's really nothing too it. Maybe being the father of infant twins is getting to him, I don’t know. All I can tell you is that I’m starting to get a little worried...

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