Yoder Finds the Critics Hard to Swallow
WB2K3 News Staff

We're a couple weeks away from the 10th season getting underway, and already Yoder's none too happy about how the 2002 champion Horsemen have been treated by the press.

Seth Yoder

Many critics are predicting the Horsemen to be either barely holding on for a playoff spot or, at worst, not making the playoffs at all in 2003.

"I think that's absolutely ridiculous," said Yoder after getting an advanced newsletter with the thoughts inside. "No respect at all for the champions, and all we did was improve our championship roster ten-fold."

Yoder was a key component of the Horsemen's title run. He barely hit at all, posting just a .222 average last season, but his pitching made up for it. His 0.50 ERA was second only to Scott Carmichael. The improvement he's referring to is the trade of John Deatrick for Ian Byrd.

"For our team, that trade was money," stated Seth. "And we're just getting crapped on by the press. Unbelievable."

Seth was told that it was possible the media were coming down hard on them not for what the Horsemen did or didn't do, but because the league just got a great deal more competitive. He wasn't hearing it though.

"I really don't care. We're the defending champions. I think we proved time and time again last season that we know how to win. We may not hit 20 homers in a game, but we'll find a way to beat you, and that should count for something. And when I say something, I don't mean 4th place."

He cited the 2002 Series at the Sac as his main argument.

"If you were there, or you watch those games on tape, you can see it. We had the Whites beaten before the series even started. We simply wanted it more, and I would bet bottom dollar that the desire is still there. We're still hungry."

The world will have to wait an extra week to see Yoder back up his talk, as the Horsemen have opening day off, being the champions. Their opening day goes down on April 6th.