So it's come to this. Toronto Blue Jays' catcher J.P. Arencibia announced he has quit Twitter and the account has now been deleted.
Arencibia's statement, courtesy of a series of final tweets on Tuesday morning, reads as follows:
It's unfortunate to see how words are twisted to make false stories. I give way too much of myself to have others try and make me out to something/someone I'm not. Solution. I make myself very accessible with constant charitable events, and opening up to social media for the fans. I will no longer be on Twitter. Thanks to all the fans who support and praying for the others that hate. God Bless."
Where to begin? Well, let's review.
You might remember Arencibia's appearance on MLB Network Radio's "Inside Pitch" with Casey Stern and Jim Bowden last Friday, during which the catcher voluntarily revealed he went to Blue Jays' president Paul Beeston to ask him to stop the "negative stuff" coming from certain analysts "that we employ." We've explained the factual errors and other issues involved with that, so let's move on.
About two weeks before that, the 27-year old appeared on the Jays' flagship station, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, and singled out Sportsnet TV/radio analysts Gregg Zaun and Dirk Hayhurst for their criticism. In the interview, Arencibia accused Zaun of using performance-enhancing drugs, something Zaun refuted later that afternoon.
It's been a frustrating season for Arencibia and the entire Blue Jays' team, who many pegged as World Series favorites after a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins brought in the likes of pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, and shortstop Jose Reyes.
Compounding matters, the Jays were drubbed 14-5 by the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday and then blew a lead after the seventh inning for the first time in 35 games on Tuesday, losing 10-9.
Now the frustration seems to be reaching a boiling point for Arencibia after his accusations in the media and the board room, and the backlash from the media and fans alike.
Let's go back to those final tweets though.
It's unfortunate to see how words are twisted to make false stories.
False stories? Through 88 games, Arencibia is hitting .225 with an on-base percentage of .258. He leads (trails) the Major Leagues in passed balls with ten, and has thrown out just 24% of runners on attempted steals this season.
There's nothing false about that.
Arencibia is in his fourth season. He needs to stop trying to control the media and stop trying to shut out fans.
It's time to look in the mirror. Only then will he understand how this saga can come to an end.
