So my buddy Jim (with an assist from me) coined the term "Suck Ceiling" for players who will be given immense opportunity to perform badly. It originated in a baseball discussion about middle relievers, but has plenty of use across the sports universe. Ingredients for a high suck ceiling include:
- Indifferent fan base/small media market/Pittsburgh!
- Lousy GM or front office
- "old school" manager who places value on vague, ethereal qualities like
- "grittiness" or "gamer"-hood, usually in combination with being white
- High draft pick status
- Big contract based on career year
- Early dominance or hot streak to start career, especially against rivals or in postseason
- Championship rings
- Left-handedness (especially for pitchers)
Current examples of high suck ceiling include:
- Craig Hansen- He's got a huge arm, a small head, and now he's in Pittsburgh, where he could rack up historically bad numbers before anyone yanks him.
- Johnny Cueto- Jesus-like start means that Dusty Baker will never, ever remove him from the starting rotation. If he's terrible, it could be years before anyone acts accordingly.
- Brian Wilson (closer for SF, not Beach Boy)- Who's going to take his job?
Past examples include:
- Shelly Duncan
- Mike Williams (Pirates closer, highest ERA ever to make the All-Star team)
- Kwame Brown (PF, Washington Wizards and LA Lakers)
- Rob Johnson (QB, Buffalo Bills)
Suggestions and additions welcomed.
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Example in a sentence:
Sidney Ponson raised his suck ceiling dramatically tonight, and the Yankees didn't even get a win out of it.
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