Reynolds making noise on, off the field

Mark Reynolds could have played nice Monday. The Diamondbacks' third baseman knew he bruised some feelings with his harsh comments after Arizona's 5-0 loss to Colorado last Friday.

While veterans Tony Clark and Augie Ojeda praised him for his honesty, and he received a complimentary text message from team president Derrick Hall, some players wondered why he spoke up publicly rather than in one of the three team meetings manager A.J. Hinch had called the previous couple of weeks.

A less secure player might have backed off. But not Reynolds. He not only stood by his words, he defended their critical tone.

Here's what Reynolds said Friday, in case you were on vacation:

"This is the major leagues, you can't go out there and make three errors and expect to win a game. We looked like the Bad News Bears out there. It's frustrating as (expletive) out there. It's to the point where stuff's got to change. You can give all the rah-rah speeches you want and have all the team meetings you want, yell at guys or whatever, but guys got to give a damn.

"I don't really see it. I know I care. I'm out there busting my tail every night. Physical errors are fine, but guys not doing the right thing, guys not being where they're supposed to be or guys giving up on (at-bats) is unacceptable at any level."

And this is what Reynolds said Monday when asked about the outburst: "I just felt it was time to say something. It was getting out of control and no one had said it yet ... I didn't say that to be a leader. I didn't say that to be the guy in the clubhouse. I just said it because there was an elephant in the room and everybody was ignoring it ... It needed to come out harsh. You can't sugarcoat things like that. It was meant to be direct and to the point and for people to understand I was mad."

Oh, they got the point.

"It was kind of his coming out party as far as speaking to the media and saying what was on his mind," outfielder Eric Byrnes said. "But I don't think he's as shy as you guys make him out to be. He always has an opinion."

Rarely has Reynolds expressed it publicly, though. He admits to being quiet and laid-back dating to his days at the University of Virginia. To say what he said, and then to defend the comments, speaks volumes about his maturity both as a player and as a person.

Let's be honest. Reynolds could get away with the rip job because he's one of the few Diamondbacks playing well this year. He leads the team in homers (24) and RBIs (61), and if the public knows anything about baseball, he'll get enough votes to earn the final spot on the National League All-Star team.

But there's also a new-found self-confidence about Reynolds that enabled him to speak out. Last season, Reynolds was so torn up by his errors and strikeouts he led the league in both categories that he wouldn't have dared criticize others.

But now he that feels good about himself, he isn't hesitant to criticize those who aren't working hard or taking the game as seriously as he does.

"I think it shows he understands his place on this team, the impact of making such comments and ultimately trying to do his part to rally the troops and get ourselves off the mat," manager A.J. Hinch said.

Too often, fans mistake noise for passion. The manager who kicks over the buffet table cares more than the manager who remains stoic through every win and loss. There were other Diamondbacks who felt the same way Reynolds did, and said so in team meetings.

But Reynolds had the guts to say it publicly, all the while knowing he may face a backlash inside the clubhouse.

That's what a leader does.

Stating his case

Mark Reynolds is one of five finalists for the final spot on the National League All-Star team. To vote, visit mlb.com or azdiamondbacks.com.