In inverted order:
I take no joy in Barry Bonds' indictment. I see no persecution in Barry Bonds' indictment. It was inevitable, not racist, and just sad. I have written before about my childhood experience of Barry's dad, Bobby Bonds. I won't rehash the whole episode here, but whatever problems arose later, Bobby Bonds was a good man, a great player, and good for baseball. His son could have been all of that and more, but has chosen to be sullen, difficult and needlessly hard-headed. He also appears to have lied to a federal grand jury. Jason Giambi bit the bullet and owned up to what he had done before the same grand jury, and he has never been charged with anything except being a dope. Barry is not under indictment because he's black. He's not under indictment because he's a jerk. He is facing jail time because he is arrogant enough to have believed that he was above the whole process. He will now learn in painful, expensive detail that he isn't. I am looking for a ton of lawyerly posturing, then a Vick-style plea. There won't be any 30 years' jail time, but he will serve a brief term that will be intended to teach other athletes that they better cooperate and tell the truth in doing so when the feds come calling.
I take a great deal of joy in seeing superagent Scott Boras slapped down so publicly. In case you've been out of the country, Mr. Boras informed Tweedle Dee Steinbrenner and Tweedle Dum Steinbrenner that they had to bring $350 million to the table to get to talk to his client. And that was after furthering the perception that ARod is a money grubbing jerk like no other, by announcing the opt-out during Game 4 of the World Series. In a rare moment of lucidity, the Sons of George invited Mr. Boras to go look for his vast fortune somewhere else. When said quest was undertaken, the bane of sports owners everywhere couldn't find a bidder. And why in the world would anyone else bid so stupidly when the Yankees had announced, "Not us, boys!" Boras has been a terrorist-like presence in Major League Baseball for a long time. He has gotten his way far, far too often. For crying out loud, he got $70 million for J.D. Drew! But this time he screwed up. Badly. So when Prince Hal Steinbrenner told the press that ARod could come home to the Yankees, but Boras couldn't be part of the process, Alex came running with his tail tucked between his legs. Or between his mistress' legs. Sorry, Mrs. ARod; please don't aim your vulgar tshirt at me. Alex will sign a 10 year, $275 million contract with the MFYs this week. That just doesn't sound like suffering or punishment to me. But kicking Boras out of the negotiations after he so publicly misread the market is totally wonderful. And then Kenny Rogers fired him. And hopefully other players and other owners will go and do likewise. The world becomes a better place.
Finally, it appears that Tom Glavine is going home. Not in the Southern Baptist, ultimate sense, but in baseball terms. This is extremely good news! The Atlanta Braves have an atrocious record of letting their legends leave. John Smoltz may retire after an entire career in the Braves uni, but Hank Aaron didn't, Dale Murphy didn't, Phil Niekro didn't, Andruw Jones won't, and, five years ago, they let Tom Glavine leave. I don't know if Glavine's work in the MLBPA had anything to do with it. John Schuerholz has a long and detailed memory, and Tom's role as the Players' Association's face during the '94 strike made a lot of management-types angry. And that's apart from their little dustup over the details of Tom's departure for the Mets. But Schuerholz moved up to club president, and Frank Wren took over as GM. And now, it appears that Glavine will go home to finish his Hall of Fame career. He won't be the pitcher he was before he left, but it appears that he will have to be no more than the #3 behind Smoltz and Hudson. If Mike Hampton's Fall League workouts turn into a productive year, Tom can be the 4, and even at 42 he will match up well with every other National League 4. He will post his last wins with the Braves. They should all have been for the Braves, but he will be a 300 game winner pitching for the team that he led for 15 years previously. That feels like good karma to me.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
More Money than Sense
Foxsports.com is reporting that the MFYs have re-signed Jorge Posada for 4 years at $52 million. Jorge Posada is a good guy. He handles a pitching staff well. He is also 36 years old. When was the last time you saw a 40 year old catcher making $13 million? Me, either. He had a great year last year, no doubt about it. He hit almost 70 points higher than his pre-2007 lifetime average. That's called a career year. Except for the fact that his RBI total merely matched his average of the last 6 seasons, and his homer total was 3 below the average of his last 7 seasons. Career year? Hardly. Posada has never been the offensive player that Mike Piazza was, and Piazza was basically done as an everyday catcher at age 37.
While there will surely be changes, the MFYs are now looking at fielding this team:
Jorge Posada, catcher, 37
Jason Giambi, first base, 37
Robinson Cano, second base, 25
Derek Jeter, shortstop, 33
Wilson Betemit, third base, 26
Hideki Matsui, left field, 34
Melky Cabrera, center field, 24
Bobby Abreu, right field, 34
Johnny Damon, dh, 34
I make that two guys, Cabrera and Cano, whose best days are in front of them, and Cano is said to be the one piece that the Twins will require in a deal for Johann Santana with others to be negotiated. Betemit is a suspect. And the rest of them have played their most productive years already. 31.5 is a very old average age for a successful Major League Baseball team, one that is expected to win the World Series every year. They are believed to be offering a gold mine for three years to their 38 year old closer, the great Rivera, who already has his biggest problems with that rival to the north east. Clemens, 45, has begun his personal services contract with the Astros. Pettitte, 36, has turned down his '08 option. Mussina will be 39. Cashman is right: it's time for the generational change. But George's boys apparently didn't get the memo. Signing the old guys to long contracts for big money doesn't just delay the inevitable; it makes the downturn longer and uglier.
Enjoy!
While there will surely be changes, the MFYs are now looking at fielding this team:
Jorge Posada, catcher, 37
Jason Giambi, first base, 37
Robinson Cano, second base, 25
Derek Jeter, shortstop, 33
Wilson Betemit, third base, 26
Hideki Matsui, left field, 34
Melky Cabrera, center field, 24
Bobby Abreu, right field, 34
Johnny Damon, dh, 34
I make that two guys, Cabrera and Cano, whose best days are in front of them, and Cano is said to be the one piece that the Twins will require in a deal for Johann Santana with others to be negotiated. Betemit is a suspect. And the rest of them have played their most productive years already. 31.5 is a very old average age for a successful Major League Baseball team, one that is expected to win the World Series every year. They are believed to be offering a gold mine for three years to their 38 year old closer, the great Rivera, who already has his biggest problems with that rival to the north east. Clemens, 45, has begun his personal services contract with the Astros. Pettitte, 36, has turned down his '08 option. Mussina will be 39. Cashman is right: it's time for the generational change. But George's boys apparently didn't get the memo. Signing the old guys to long contracts for big money doesn't just delay the inevitable; it makes the downturn longer and uglier.
Enjoy!
Monday, November 05, 2007
This Great News Just In...
The Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox and Curt Schilling are nearing agreement on that one year deal that Schill said after the World Series he'd like to sign before walking away after next season. That is great news.
You can read elsewhere on this blog (two posts down) that I have come to believe in the Sox' business model, namely, no multi-year deals beyond 35th birthdays. That's why this will be a good move for the team. Curt doesn't want even the second year on this deal. He'll be 41 a week from Wednesday. He seems to have come to grips with the fact that he can't be the ace anymore. But he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox have Josh Beckett. Curt can't be the number 2 anymore. But he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox have Daisuke Matsuzaka. Can he be the number 3? Again, he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox watched Jon Lester light up the radar gun in the mid-90's in his World Series Game 4 start.
So Curt and Tim Wakefield can comfortably be the 4 and 5 guys. They can be the elder statesmen. They can advise and suggest. They can lead. Curt can deal with the press, and continue to provide some cover for the younger guys. And he loves to do that. Schill and Wake can glory in their roles of making the Red Sox winners again. And Curt should never again have to worry about matching up with C.C. Sabathia or Fausto Carmona. Hey, wouldn't you feel better about adding to your Hall of Fame argument if you're going against Jake Westbrook or Paul Byrd? Or missing Lackey and Santana for whoever's behind them in the Angels' rotation? Me, too.
For one more year, the risk of injury isn't that great. And the pitcher that emerged at the end of the year is fun to watch, much like Maddux or Glavine. He doesn't have to be Smoltz anymore. And, when he leaves the mound in his final start next fall, perhaps in the World Series, he will walk right into that place where Red Sox legends live forever in the hearts and minds of all New England, and all the far reaches of Red Sox Nation.
Curt is going to stay. And that's great news!
You can read elsewhere on this blog (two posts down) that I have come to believe in the Sox' business model, namely, no multi-year deals beyond 35th birthdays. That's why this will be a good move for the team. Curt doesn't want even the second year on this deal. He'll be 41 a week from Wednesday. He seems to have come to grips with the fact that he can't be the ace anymore. But he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox have Josh Beckett. Curt can't be the number 2 anymore. But he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox have Daisuke Matsuzaka. Can he be the number 3? Again, he doesn't have to be; he and the Sox watched Jon Lester light up the radar gun in the mid-90's in his World Series Game 4 start.
So Curt and Tim Wakefield can comfortably be the 4 and 5 guys. They can be the elder statesmen. They can advise and suggest. They can lead. Curt can deal with the press, and continue to provide some cover for the younger guys. And he loves to do that. Schill and Wake can glory in their roles of making the Red Sox winners again. And Curt should never again have to worry about matching up with C.C. Sabathia or Fausto Carmona. Hey, wouldn't you feel better about adding to your Hall of Fame argument if you're going against Jake Westbrook or Paul Byrd? Or missing Lackey and Santana for whoever's behind them in the Angels' rotation? Me, too.
For one more year, the risk of injury isn't that great. And the pitcher that emerged at the end of the year is fun to watch, much like Maddux or Glavine. He doesn't have to be Smoltz anymore. And, when he leaves the mound in his final start next fall, perhaps in the World Series, he will walk right into that place where Red Sox legends live forever in the hearts and minds of all New England, and all the far reaches of Red Sox Nation.
Curt is going to stay. And that's great news!
How the Terrorists Really Win
The nominee for Attorney General of the United States of America has declined to repudiate torture in any shape, form, or fashion. And there is a discussion about how many senators will support his nomination?
We have heard over the last six years many formulations that conclude with "then the terrorists win." The first was by the Moron-In-Chief who bravely declared that if we didn't go on with our lives, going to the mall and shopping, then the terrorists win. It has become a refrain for supporting whatever cockamamie pet hobby/observance/practice any given speaker enjoys, believes in or wants to advocate for. Like, if you don't attend the Memphis in May Barbeque contest, then the terrorists win. Or, if you don't mark Clergy Appreciation Month (all month in October), then the terrorists win. (Ok, the last one really matters. If you're an insecure goof. Imagine the Hallmark section on Clergy Appreciation Month: Dear Preacher, Thanks for being there when Aunt Matilda died, and having the good taste to stay as far away from us the rest of the year as possible; or, Dear Clergy Member, I guess we're grateful for your work at our church, but it means so little to us that we haven't been there since Labor Day; or, Dear What's Your Name, thanks for not making us feel bad about your salary, as I needed to make the boat payments this year. But I digress.)
Here's how the terrorists really win: we behave as badly as they do. That's what this is all about. If they can entice us into forfeiting our character and our freedoms in the name of a little neurotic grab at security, they they have what they really want in the first place. We've now joined the list of the hideous who have instigated unprovoked wars. Now, we're up in the air about whether or not it's alright for our chief law enforcement officer to be ok with torturing prisoners. The problems are obvious, almost too much so to name: 1) if we torture, we have no right to tell others they better not torture our soldiers or citizens when they become prisoners, and 2) when you torture people, they will tell you anything you want to hear just to make you stop. Remember that little problem with faulty intelligence before the Iraq War? No, not the President's faulty intelligence; that that was provided by the CIA's wonderfully named "inside man", Curveball. It was all a load of crap. And we never laid a hand on him, or him on a water board.
We don't get to run around the world advocating for our superior way of life if we make human life as cheap as they do. We have no moral upper hand when we make people believe that we are about to do the equivalent to them of what was done to Daniel Pearl and other poor unfortunates captured by the wretched people who believe that beheading one's opponents is a good way to go about your day.
The moral corruption of the Bush administration knows no bounds. And this one isn't about no bids handed out to Halliburton and Blackwater so that they could misplace our billions of tax dollars in the "rebuilding" of Iraq. Where they still have no reliable electricity or water. Nice job. It's no longer about Cheney accusing people who question the war strategy of being agents of Al Qaeda. No, this is about rejecting two hundred and thirty years of striving to live up to the principles on which our nation was founded, and acting no better than the Hitlers, Stalins, Pol Pots, bin Ladens and Husseins of the world.
We were supposed to be better than that.
Ben Franklin's still right: Those who would sacrifice liberty to have security deserve neither.
And the terrorists win. Again.
We have heard over the last six years many formulations that conclude with "then the terrorists win." The first was by the Moron-In-Chief who bravely declared that if we didn't go on with our lives, going to the mall and shopping, then the terrorists win. It has become a refrain for supporting whatever cockamamie pet hobby/observance/practice any given speaker enjoys, believes in or wants to advocate for. Like, if you don't attend the Memphis in May Barbeque contest, then the terrorists win. Or, if you don't mark Clergy Appreciation Month (all month in October), then the terrorists win. (Ok, the last one really matters. If you're an insecure goof. Imagine the Hallmark section on Clergy Appreciation Month: Dear Preacher, Thanks for being there when Aunt Matilda died, and having the good taste to stay as far away from us the rest of the year as possible; or, Dear Clergy Member, I guess we're grateful for your work at our church, but it means so little to us that we haven't been there since Labor Day; or, Dear What's Your Name, thanks for not making us feel bad about your salary, as I needed to make the boat payments this year. But I digress.)
Here's how the terrorists really win: we behave as badly as they do. That's what this is all about. If they can entice us into forfeiting our character and our freedoms in the name of a little neurotic grab at security, they they have what they really want in the first place. We've now joined the list of the hideous who have instigated unprovoked wars. Now, we're up in the air about whether or not it's alright for our chief law enforcement officer to be ok with torturing prisoners. The problems are obvious, almost too much so to name: 1) if we torture, we have no right to tell others they better not torture our soldiers or citizens when they become prisoners, and 2) when you torture people, they will tell you anything you want to hear just to make you stop. Remember that little problem with faulty intelligence before the Iraq War? No, not the President's faulty intelligence; that that was provided by the CIA's wonderfully named "inside man", Curveball. It was all a load of crap. And we never laid a hand on him, or him on a water board.
We don't get to run around the world advocating for our superior way of life if we make human life as cheap as they do. We have no moral upper hand when we make people believe that we are about to do the equivalent to them of what was done to Daniel Pearl and other poor unfortunates captured by the wretched people who believe that beheading one's opponents is a good way to go about your day.
The moral corruption of the Bush administration knows no bounds. And this one isn't about no bids handed out to Halliburton and Blackwater so that they could misplace our billions of tax dollars in the "rebuilding" of Iraq. Where they still have no reliable electricity or water. Nice job. It's no longer about Cheney accusing people who question the war strategy of being agents of Al Qaeda. No, this is about rejecting two hundred and thirty years of striving to live up to the principles on which our nation was founded, and acting no better than the Hitlers, Stalins, Pol Pots, bin Ladens and Husseins of the world.
We were supposed to be better than that.
Ben Franklin's still right: Those who would sacrifice liberty to have security deserve neither.
And the terrorists win. Again.
Hot Stove: Red Sox
Red Sox Nation is clamoring for the return of Mike Lowell. I wrote in my previous post that Mikey's return should be the first item on Theo's To Do List. That said, the brain trust should keep faith with their principle: you don't give multi-year contracts that extend beyond the 35th birthday.
There was anger, heartbreak and gnashing of teeth when Pedro Martinez was allowed to walk after the 2004 victory, Johnny Damon, Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar after the 2005 season, and Trot Nixon after 2006. They were integral parts of the 2004 Championship, and many of us wanted them to stay forever. The truth is that while Pedro went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA for the 2005 Mets, he made only 23 starts for 132.2 IP, a 9-8 record, and a 4.48 ERA at age 34 in 2006, and barely pitched in 2007, posting 5 starts and 28 IP coming off of surgery at age 35. Bill Mueller was in the Dodgers' front office until pressed into service as their hitting coach last year. Damon can hardly play the outfield any more, spending significant time at DH, and dropping off precipitously in his offensive production:
2004: 20 HR, 94 RBI, .304 AVG, .857 OPS
2005: 10 HR, 75 RBI, .316 AVG, .805 OPS
2006: 24 HR, 80 RBI, .285 AVG, .841 OPS
2007: 12 HR, 63 RBI, .270 AVG, .747 OPS
That is, obviously, a dramatic fall. Johnny will turn 34 tomorrow.
Millar is a great guy, but he's hardly a full time player anymore. Trot is a wonderful human being, still a major part of the Jimmy Fund's efforts, but he only started two games in the ALCS for the Indians. At age 33 this year, he only had a half season's at bats, 3 HR and 31 RBI.
This is all to say that whatever the emotion has made the loss of these guys feel like, in business terms letting them go has been the right decision in every instance.
There are two Boston-caliber 3rd basemen available this off-season. Even for the Red Sox, shelling out for Alex Rodriguez would so limit the team in other areas, it just isn't worth it. Combine that with the ample evidence that the man just can't deal with postseason pressure, and he's nowhere near what we want or need at the hot corner.
That leaves the incumbent and World Series MVP, Mike Lowell. The Yankees will certainly bid big and long for their former farm hand. Mike had his career year at age 33 in 2007. He should be very good next year. But do we want the office to abandon a proven approach because we all love Mikey? If it takes a 4, or certainly a 5, year contract to keep him, I just can't see it (and by the way, ARod is only two years younger than Lowell). At that many years, the reasonable and wise approach becomes a shifting of Youkilis back to third and addition of another first baseman. No disrespect intended, but firstsackers are much easier to come by than third basemen.
So, to recap, just as we are better off with Jacoby Ellsbury in center rather than Johnny Damon, with Josh Beckett leading the staff instead of Pedro Martinez, Youk at first instead of Kevin Millar, Mikey Lowell at third instead of Bill Mueller, and even with the predictably disappointing JD Drew in right instead of Trot Nixon, so would we be better off over the next 4 to 5 years with Kevin Youkilis at third instead of a 37 and 38 year old Mike Lowell by the end of such a contract.
I'd hate to see Lowell walk, especially if he's walking into pinstripes. But truth be told, Johnny Damon helped the Red Sox much more this year by wearing a Yankees uniform than he ever could have in a Sox uni. The clock and the calendar march on, and neither of them care a whit about our emotional attachment to these guys who have done so much for Red Sox Nation. The business model can feel harsh, but it has delivered two World Series victories in four seasons after the celebrated 86 years with none to be found. Work the plan! It will keep us in contention.
There was anger, heartbreak and gnashing of teeth when Pedro Martinez was allowed to walk after the 2004 victory, Johnny Damon, Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar after the 2005 season, and Trot Nixon after 2006. They were integral parts of the 2004 Championship, and many of us wanted them to stay forever. The truth is that while Pedro went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA for the 2005 Mets, he made only 23 starts for 132.2 IP, a 9-8 record, and a 4.48 ERA at age 34 in 2006, and barely pitched in 2007, posting 5 starts and 28 IP coming off of surgery at age 35. Bill Mueller was in the Dodgers' front office until pressed into service as their hitting coach last year. Damon can hardly play the outfield any more, spending significant time at DH, and dropping off precipitously in his offensive production:
2004: 20 HR, 94 RBI, .304 AVG, .857 OPS
2005: 10 HR, 75 RBI, .316 AVG, .805 OPS
2006: 24 HR, 80 RBI, .285 AVG, .841 OPS
2007: 12 HR, 63 RBI, .270 AVG, .747 OPS
That is, obviously, a dramatic fall. Johnny will turn 34 tomorrow.
Millar is a great guy, but he's hardly a full time player anymore. Trot is a wonderful human being, still a major part of the Jimmy Fund's efforts, but he only started two games in the ALCS for the Indians. At age 33 this year, he only had a half season's at bats, 3 HR and 31 RBI.
This is all to say that whatever the emotion has made the loss of these guys feel like, in business terms letting them go has been the right decision in every instance.
There are two Boston-caliber 3rd basemen available this off-season. Even for the Red Sox, shelling out for Alex Rodriguez would so limit the team in other areas, it just isn't worth it. Combine that with the ample evidence that the man just can't deal with postseason pressure, and he's nowhere near what we want or need at the hot corner.
That leaves the incumbent and World Series MVP, Mike Lowell. The Yankees will certainly bid big and long for their former farm hand. Mike had his career year at age 33 in 2007. He should be very good next year. But do we want the office to abandon a proven approach because we all love Mikey? If it takes a 4, or certainly a 5, year contract to keep him, I just can't see it (and by the way, ARod is only two years younger than Lowell). At that many years, the reasonable and wise approach becomes a shifting of Youkilis back to third and addition of another first baseman. No disrespect intended, but firstsackers are much easier to come by than third basemen.
So, to recap, just as we are better off with Jacoby Ellsbury in center rather than Johnny Damon, with Josh Beckett leading the staff instead of Pedro Martinez, Youk at first instead of Kevin Millar, Mikey Lowell at third instead of Bill Mueller, and even with the predictably disappointing JD Drew in right instead of Trot Nixon, so would we be better off over the next 4 to 5 years with Kevin Youkilis at third instead of a 37 and 38 year old Mike Lowell by the end of such a contract.
I'd hate to see Lowell walk, especially if he's walking into pinstripes. But truth be told, Johnny Damon helped the Red Sox much more this year by wearing a Yankees uniform than he ever could have in a Sox uni. The clock and the calendar march on, and neither of them care a whit about our emotional attachment to these guys who have done so much for Red Sox Nation. The business model can feel harsh, but it has delivered two World Series victories in four seasons after the celebrated 86 years with none to be found. Work the plan! It will keep us in contention.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Hot Stove Beginnings
Joe Torre made the only move that made sense for him. Pinella and Guillen are, at least for the moment, entrenched with the two Chicago teams. Mike Scioscia isn't going anywhere. Tony LaRussa reupped with the Cardinals. And the Giants are going to be horrific next year. The Dodgers have more than enough talent to win the NL West next year, and, sadly, it just isn't that hard to get to represent the National League in the World Series these days. And as the Cards proved in 2006, once you get to the Series, anything can happen. Although as the 2004 Red Sox, 2005 White Sox, the 2006 Tigers and 2007 Red Sox all proved, your pitching staff will have to channel the Keystone Kops in the field to allow a National League team to win. The Rockies might not have been swept by all of them, but I don't see Colorado having beaten the Indians, Angels, Yankees or Tigers if any of them had found their way to the Fall Classic. Anyway, Joe made the right move, as at 67 he probably didn't need to sit out a year. If he still wanted to manage, no need to raise questions about distance from the game as he approaches 70.
Newsflash time: Scott Boras is bottom-feeding scum, and loves it. And Alex Rodriguez is worse for allowing his agent to behave in such a manner. First, it's the middle of Game 4 announcement of the opt-out. The subsequent apology said, in essence, "Gee, was the World Series going on? I didn't realize that. So, so sorry!" Right. Then, the story gets out that the Yankees actually wanted to give this loser a five year extension at $30 million per. That $150 million, combined with the $81 still owed him totals in excess of $230 million. And Boras, carrying pure brass in his jockeys, told them that they were $120 million short of even having the conversation. I didn't think it was possible to make Mr. May-through-September any more despicable, but I was wrong! Oh, so wrong! How great would it be if the Yankees kept their word and refused to talk further with Team ARod, and every other MLB owner rented the integrity to avoid him at those prices. Yeah, I know some knucklehead like Artie Moreno will ask how high when Boras says jump, but the fantasy is nice. I do believe that the Red Sox have wised up since the attempt to send Manny to the Rangers for Rodriguez a few years ago.
The Sox need to resign Mikey Lowell, although the Yankees will make that harder if they really are done with Alex.
Newsflash time: Scott Boras is bottom-feeding scum, and loves it. And Alex Rodriguez is worse for allowing his agent to behave in such a manner. First, it's the middle of Game 4 announcement of the opt-out. The subsequent apology said, in essence, "Gee, was the World Series going on? I didn't realize that. So, so sorry!" Right. Then, the story gets out that the Yankees actually wanted to give this loser a five year extension at $30 million per. That $150 million, combined with the $81 still owed him totals in excess of $230 million. And Boras, carrying pure brass in his jockeys, told them that they were $120 million short of even having the conversation. I didn't think it was possible to make Mr. May-through-September any more despicable, but I was wrong! Oh, so wrong! How great would it be if the Yankees kept their word and refused to talk further with Team ARod, and every other MLB owner rented the integrity to avoid him at those prices. Yeah, I know some knucklehead like Artie Moreno will ask how high when Boras says jump, but the fantasy is nice. I do believe that the Red Sox have wised up since the attempt to send Manny to the Rangers for Rodriguez a few years ago.
The Sox need to resign Mikey Lowell, although the Yankees will make that harder if they really are done with Alex.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
World Series Postgame
The Commissar-for-Life is presenting the trophy to John Henry, Tom Werner, Lucchino, Theo Epstein and Terry Francona. Mr. Henry is his usual, gracious self. He has made all of this happen. Camera Lights Larry is horning in on the owners. That guy stinks.
Mikey Lowell gets the MVP! That's outstanding! He gets cars, he gets a trophy, and he's going to get one heck of a contract somewhere. I just hope it's in Boston. What a year for Lowell.
It took the Fox jerks about 37 seconds to spoil the celebration and ask about his contract. They stink.
Tito's on tv. They have to make him one of the highest paid managers, and extend him for a long time. It is amazing how he handled that clubhouse this year. Not a word all summer. Remarkable.
Jon Lester, indeed, caps his miracle season with a win in the World Series clinching victory. Absolutely awesome for that young man, who is such a big part of the Sox' future. A year ago, we didn't even know if he had a future. Couldn't be any happier for him.
The Boston Red Sox have their seventh World Series title. The first great era was from 1903 to 1918 when they won the Series five times. The second is right now. The 2004 title and tonight's make the Sox the best team and organization in the game today. Two sweeps just make it that much sweeter.
Clint Hurdle is being interviewed, and he is quite a guy. No excuses, respect for the winners, joy in this year's accomplishment and determination to finish the job. Good man. They should be very proud to have him in charge of their team.
If Curt Schilling is done in Boston, he has ensured his place in Red Sox Nation forever. Curt's arrival before the 2004 season announced that John Henry was serious about bringing a title to Boston. Curt did for the Sox what Terry Pendleton's arrival did for the Atlanta Braves in 1991. He made them winners, by his credibility, by his reputation and accomplishment, and by his work ethic. Curt has a big mouth and likes the media attention more than anyone else in the game, but he has earned that position. Thanks, Curt, for everything. You had a tremendous hand in making all of this happen.
David Ortiz. This is Big Papi's team. He is the guy who keeps it loose, makes it fun, deals with problems, reins Manny in, and so many other things, before you ever get to the field. And what he does on the field! He is a ferocious presence in the batter's box. and no team can face the Sox without recognizing his importance to and ability in our lineup. He is rapidly building a Hall of Fame career. And the Minnesota Twins couldn't find a place for him. God bless you, Twins. Papi makes us a great team.
The future is incredibly bright. When the Series ended, there was a rookie in left field, a rookie at second base, a second year player on the pitcher's mound, a second full season player at first, the win went to a second year player, Beckett is 27, Dice K is 27, Clay Buchholz is 23, and Breslow and Hansen and all the others are on the way. Combine that with the demonstrated willingness to spend well and wisely, and this team will be in contention for the next decade. What a time to be a Sox fan! My wife's dad lived his entire 85 years in between Red Sox World Series wins; we've been blessed to see two in three year's time. There should be more to come.
Usually when the season ends my thoughts turn to Bart Giamatti's Green Fields of the Mind, but this will all be extended a bit for the celebrations to come in Boston. I'll get around to reflecting on the late Commissioner's beautiful essay after the Duck Boats are parked.
It's been a great season, with record attendance for Major League Baseball and many individual clubs. And it should just get better next year as, hopefully, some resolution is achieved on the issue of steroids and other supplements. With the labor peace that's been achieved with the last two CBA's, the enhancement issue is the only dark cloud hovering over the game at this moment.
More on that stuff later, but tonight, we celebrate! The Sox have won again!
Mikey Lowell gets the MVP! That's outstanding! He gets cars, he gets a trophy, and he's going to get one heck of a contract somewhere. I just hope it's in Boston. What a year for Lowell.
It took the Fox jerks about 37 seconds to spoil the celebration and ask about his contract. They stink.
Tito's on tv. They have to make him one of the highest paid managers, and extend him for a long time. It is amazing how he handled that clubhouse this year. Not a word all summer. Remarkable.
Jon Lester, indeed, caps his miracle season with a win in the World Series clinching victory. Absolutely awesome for that young man, who is such a big part of the Sox' future. A year ago, we didn't even know if he had a future. Couldn't be any happier for him.
The Boston Red Sox have their seventh World Series title. The first great era was from 1903 to 1918 when they won the Series five times. The second is right now. The 2004 title and tonight's make the Sox the best team and organization in the game today. Two sweeps just make it that much sweeter.
Clint Hurdle is being interviewed, and he is quite a guy. No excuses, respect for the winners, joy in this year's accomplishment and determination to finish the job. Good man. They should be very proud to have him in charge of their team.
If Curt Schilling is done in Boston, he has ensured his place in Red Sox Nation forever. Curt's arrival before the 2004 season announced that John Henry was serious about bringing a title to Boston. Curt did for the Sox what Terry Pendleton's arrival did for the Atlanta Braves in 1991. He made them winners, by his credibility, by his reputation and accomplishment, and by his work ethic. Curt has a big mouth and likes the media attention more than anyone else in the game, but he has earned that position. Thanks, Curt, for everything. You had a tremendous hand in making all of this happen.
David Ortiz. This is Big Papi's team. He is the guy who keeps it loose, makes it fun, deals with problems, reins Manny in, and so many other things, before you ever get to the field. And what he does on the field! He is a ferocious presence in the batter's box. and no team can face the Sox without recognizing his importance to and ability in our lineup. He is rapidly building a Hall of Fame career. And the Minnesota Twins couldn't find a place for him. God bless you, Twins. Papi makes us a great team.
The future is incredibly bright. When the Series ended, there was a rookie in left field, a rookie at second base, a second year player on the pitcher's mound, a second full season player at first, the win went to a second year player, Beckett is 27, Dice K is 27, Clay Buchholz is 23, and Breslow and Hansen and all the others are on the way. Combine that with the demonstrated willingness to spend well and wisely, and this team will be in contention for the next decade. What a time to be a Sox fan! My wife's dad lived his entire 85 years in between Red Sox World Series wins; we've been blessed to see two in three year's time. There should be more to come.
Usually when the season ends my thoughts turn to Bart Giamatti's Green Fields of the Mind, but this will all be extended a bit for the celebrations to come in Boston. I'll get around to reflecting on the late Commissioner's beautiful essay after the Duck Boats are parked.
It's been a great season, with record attendance for Major League Baseball and many individual clubs. And it should just get better next year as, hopefully, some resolution is achieved on the issue of steroids and other supplements. With the labor peace that's been achieved with the last two CBA's, the enhancement issue is the only dark cloud hovering over the game at this moment.
More on that stuff later, but tonight, we celebrate! The Sox have won again!
WS Game 4 Bottom 9
Jonathan Papelbon is out to win the World Series. He allowed us to get to this point by deciding during Spring Training to forget about starting and being the closer. It was all for this moment...
Pap will start with Yorvit Torrealba. There's a whole lot of hard chewing going on in both dugouts. Pap goes with a 95 mph heater for called strike one. Torrealba couldn't stop his swing; strike two. He grounds to Pedroia, Dustin's up and throws to Youk for the first out. Two to go.
Jamey Carroll's up. The same 95 mph fastball for a called strike to him. Foul to the right, strike two. Carroll drives Jacoby Ellsbury to the fence, but he hauls it in for the second out. Manny doesn't get that ball. Tito did it again. One more!
Seth Smith hits for Corpas. Foul for strike one. Low for ball one, 1-1. Pap bounces one up for ball two. Pulled foul along first for strike two, 2-2. Last strike time! Pap throws it by him for the Championship!
The Boston Red Sox are the first team to win two championships in the new millenium! Terry Francona has yet to lose a World Series game!
Pap will start with Yorvit Torrealba. There's a whole lot of hard chewing going on in both dugouts. Pap goes with a 95 mph heater for called strike one. Torrealba couldn't stop his swing; strike two. He grounds to Pedroia, Dustin's up and throws to Youk for the first out. Two to go.
Jamey Carroll's up. The same 95 mph fastball for a called strike to him. Foul to the right, strike two. Carroll drives Jacoby Ellsbury to the fence, but he hauls it in for the second out. Manny doesn't get that ball. Tito did it again. One more!
Seth Smith hits for Corpas. Foul for strike one. Low for ball one, 1-1. Pap bounces one up for ball two. Pulled foul along first for strike two, 2-2. Last strike time! Pap throws it by him for the Championship!
The Boston Red Sox are the first team to win two championships in the new millenium! Terry Francona has yet to lose a World Series game!
WS Game 4 Top 9
Manny Corpas continues.
Strike one, called, to Lowell. If the Yankees are serious about being done with Rodriguez upon the opt-out, the Sox could have a much harder time retaining Lowell's services. Mike skies the second pitch to Holliday toward the line in left. One down.
Drew's up. Ball one. Ball two, low. Drew's last shot to extend a nine game postseason hitting streak. He won't get it, as he grounds to Carroll at second. Two down.
Tek will give Corpas a look. Strike one, called, low and away. Tek swings for strike two. Ball one, away; 1-2. Tek hits a slow roller, by Corpas, but fielded by Carroll and on to first for the third out.
Corpas was outstanding; Pap will have to be the same with only a one run lead.
4-3 Sox, to the bottom of the ninth!
Strike one, called, to Lowell. If the Yankees are serious about being done with Rodriguez upon the opt-out, the Sox could have a much harder time retaining Lowell's services. Mike skies the second pitch to Holliday toward the line in left. One down.
Drew's up. Ball one. Ball two, low. Drew's last shot to extend a nine game postseason hitting streak. He won't get it, as he grounds to Carroll at second. Two down.
Tek will give Corpas a look. Strike one, called, low and away. Tek swings for strike two. Ball one, away; 1-2. Tek hits a slow roller, by Corpas, but fielded by Carroll and on to first for the third out.
Corpas was outstanding; Pap will have to be the same with only a one run lead.
4-3 Sox, to the bottom of the ninth!
WS Game 4 Bottom 8
Okajima comes on with other changes I'll get to momentarily.
Foul to Holliday. Ball, 1-1. Called strike two. Foul to the right side. Matt grounds to Pedroia. One down!
Now Helton. Called strike one. Called strike two. And a foul back to the left. Ball, 1-2. Helton singles past Lowell into left. One on, one out.
Called strike to Atkins. Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract. Scott Boras is Satan. Film at 11. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Oki is on fumes at this point. Pap is warming. Atkins makes it a one run game with a homer to left. 4-3 Sox. Papelbon will be appearing momentarily. Here's Tito, and the call to the pen. The Man is in. And he'll have to be perfect tonight. No room for error.
Spilborghs will face Pap first. Foul along third, 0-1. A Meriwether ball, better known to everyone else as a strike down the middle, 1-1. A strike called at 96 mph. A foul back, still 1-2. Foul again. Ball two, according to the ump; 2-2. Spilborghs grounds the 7th pitch of the at bat to Lugo, on to Youk for the second out.
Hawpe's turn. Strike one called, 95 mph. Another 95er gets a weak swing for strike 2. Low and away for ball one. A foul keeps it at 1-2. He whacks one to deep center, and Coco tracks it down for the third out. Done, finally.
To the ninth, 4-3 Sox. Three outs to go, and Pap's in to get them.
Foul to Holliday. Ball, 1-1. Called strike two. Foul to the right side. Matt grounds to Pedroia. One down!
Now Helton. Called strike one. Called strike two. And a foul back to the left. Ball, 1-2. Helton singles past Lowell into left. One on, one out.
Called strike to Atkins. Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract. Scott Boras is Satan. Film at 11. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Oki is on fumes at this point. Pap is warming. Atkins makes it a one run game with a homer to left. 4-3 Sox. Papelbon will be appearing momentarily. Here's Tito, and the call to the pen. The Man is in. And he'll have to be perfect tonight. No room for error.
Spilborghs will face Pap first. Foul along third, 0-1. A Meriwether ball, better known to everyone else as a strike down the middle, 1-1. A strike called at 96 mph. A foul back, still 1-2. Foul again. Ball two, according to the ump; 2-2. Spilborghs grounds the 7th pitch of the at bat to Lugo, on to Youk for the second out.
Hawpe's turn. Strike one called, 95 mph. Another 95er gets a weak swing for strike 2. Low and away for ball one. A foul keeps it at 1-2. He whacks one to deep center, and Coco tracks it down for the third out. Done, finally.
To the ninth, 4-3 Sox. Three outs to go, and Pap's in to get them.
WS Game 4 Top 8
Brian Fuentes relieves Affeldt.
Bobby Kielty pinch hits for Timlin. And HOMERS ON THE FIRST PITCH! We got that run right back! 4-1 Sox. We didn't have a pinch HR all season, and what a place for the first one!
Ellsbury takes ball one. And a called strike. Ball two. At 2-1 Jacoby has an infield single between Atkins and Tulo.
Dustin's up with one in and one on. Fuentes threw to first and Dustin slid his hand up the bat, indicating bunt. Another throw over, and no indication this time. Dustin bunts foul, back into the seats. Pitchout for ball one, Jacoby's not running. A full swing this time, same result; foul back into the seats; 1-2. Another foul. Ball two, way inside. Ball three, same spot. Full count. Dustin grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.
Papi takes ball one. Youk will come in for him in the bottom of the inning. Ball two. Ball three. At 3-0 the courtesy strike is called. Papi walks at 3-1. Coco comes on to run for him. Corpas will come in to pitch to Manny. Strike one, swinging. Strike two, called. Ball one. He goes down swinging to end the inning.
Good one, though, courtesy of Bobby Kielty. 4-1 Sox to the bottom of the 8th.
Bobby Kielty pinch hits for Timlin. And HOMERS ON THE FIRST PITCH! We got that run right back! 4-1 Sox. We didn't have a pinch HR all season, and what a place for the first one!
Ellsbury takes ball one. And a called strike. Ball two. At 2-1 Jacoby has an infield single between Atkins and Tulo.
Dustin's up with one in and one on. Fuentes threw to first and Dustin slid his hand up the bat, indicating bunt. Another throw over, and no indication this time. Dustin bunts foul, back into the seats. Pitchout for ball one, Jacoby's not running. A full swing this time, same result; foul back into the seats; 1-2. Another foul. Ball two, way inside. Ball three, same spot. Full count. Dustin grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.
Papi takes ball one. Youk will come in for him in the bottom of the inning. Ball two. Ball three. At 3-0 the courtesy strike is called. Papi walks at 3-1. Coco comes on to run for him. Corpas will come in to pitch to Manny. Strike one, swinging. Strike two, called. Ball one. He goes down swinging to end the inning.
Good one, though, courtesy of Bobby Kielty. 4-1 Sox to the bottom of the 8th.
WS Game 4 Bottom 7
Delcarmen remains in the game.
Hawpe takes a ball, up and in. And another, 2-0. A strike on a terrible pitch. Meriwether strikes again. Hawpe fouls one to the left side, 2-2. A ball to fill the count. It's 3-1 as Hawpe smacks one to the right field seats. If the Rockies were going to score, that's exactly the way we wanted it to happen. A solo home run isn't a rally.
Torrealba takes a ball. And another. The infield comes to the mound to either threaten Delcarmen's life or give Okajima a second to warm up. Strike one, called; 2-1. He drives one to JD Drew at the foul line. One down.
Corey Sullivan pinch hits for Affeldt. He takes a called first strike. And ball one. High for ball two. He hits a solid single between Pedroia and the bag. Man on first, one out. Tito's headed out of the dugout. He will bring Mike Timlin into the game. Good call. Oki had to throw a lot of pitches last night. Tim can handle the situation.
Matsui's up. This will be an interesting confrontation. Ball one. And a called strike. Tim makes him look bad swinging at strike two. Tim got him! A weak swing at an inside pitch. Two down.
Now Tulo. Called strike one on the outside corner. Ball one. Ball two on a better pitch than strike one was. A legit ball three. Tim comes back with a called strike two. Tulo fouls it straightback; we'll do it again. TIM GETS HIM SWINGING! That's huge-the old guy came in and struck out Matsui and Tulo. Holliday will lead off the bottom of the 8th with the Sox at least two up. Healthy!
After 7, 3-1 Sox. Six outs away.
Hawpe takes a ball, up and in. And another, 2-0. A strike on a terrible pitch. Meriwether strikes again. Hawpe fouls one to the left side, 2-2. A ball to fill the count. It's 3-1 as Hawpe smacks one to the right field seats. If the Rockies were going to score, that's exactly the way we wanted it to happen. A solo home run isn't a rally.
Torrealba takes a ball. And another. The infield comes to the mound to either threaten Delcarmen's life or give Okajima a second to warm up. Strike one, called; 2-1. He drives one to JD Drew at the foul line. One down.
Corey Sullivan pinch hits for Affeldt. He takes a called first strike. And ball one. High for ball two. He hits a solid single between Pedroia and the bag. Man on first, one out. Tito's headed out of the dugout. He will bring Mike Timlin into the game. Good call. Oki had to throw a lot of pitches last night. Tim can handle the situation.
Matsui's up. This will be an interesting confrontation. Ball one. And a called strike. Tim makes him look bad swinging at strike two. Tim got him! A weak swing at an inside pitch. Two down.
Now Tulo. Called strike one on the outside corner. Ball one. Ball two on a better pitch than strike one was. A legit ball three. Tim comes back with a called strike two. Tulo fouls it straightback; we'll do it again. TIM GETS HIM SWINGING! That's huge-the old guy came in and struck out Matsui and Tulo. Holliday will lead off the bottom of the 8th with the Sox at least two up. Healthy!
After 7, 3-1 Sox. Six outs away.
WS Game 4 Top 7
Lowell takes ball one. Mikey homers on the second pitch! 3-0 Sox! The fat lady is warming up.
Hurdle is out to remove Aaron Cook. He has nothing to apologize for. Great effort by him. The Rockies should contend for several years to come. Just not this year for a championship. They've run into the best team in the game.
JD fouls off Jeremy Affeldt's first offering. And takes the second for ball one. A swinging strike two. Foul, keeping it at 1-2. Way inside for a skip the rope, 2-2. Ball three, in again. Drew takes a Little League swing for strike 3. He just stinks. One out.
Tek takes a hook for a called strike. The Captain drives the second pitch through the left side for a single.
Lugo stands in. He fouls the first. And the second. And a grounder to Helton for an unassisted double play, forcing Lugo first and then tagging Tek.
At the stretch, Sox lead 3-0.
Hurdle is out to remove Aaron Cook. He has nothing to apologize for. Great effort by him. The Rockies should contend for several years to come. Just not this year for a championship. They've run into the best team in the game.
JD fouls off Jeremy Affeldt's first offering. And takes the second for ball one. A swinging strike two. Foul, keeping it at 1-2. Way inside for a skip the rope, 2-2. Ball three, in again. Drew takes a Little League swing for strike 3. He just stinks. One out.
Tek takes a hook for a called strike. The Captain drives the second pitch through the left side for a single.
Lugo stands in. He fouls the first. And the second. And a grounder to Helton for an unassisted double play, forcing Lugo first and then tagging Tek.
At the stretch, Sox lead 3-0.
WS Game 4 Bottom 6
Matt Holliday inexplicably pops to Papi on the first pitch. What's he thinking? He's down 3-0 and 2-0 for the World Series, and he swings at the first pitch! Amazing!
Helton's up. Ball one. Ball two, and three. The obligatory 3-0 strike is called. At 3-1, Helton slices one to left, and Manny is up to the task. Two down.
Garrett Atkins will try. Ball one. A big swing for strike one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, 2-2. He works it full. Jon gives up his third walk of the evening, and Tito's headed to the mound. He makes the changes. Lester leaves at 92 pitches. Great effort for the kid!
Manny Delcarmen's headed in to pitch to Spilborghs. Ball one. Ball two. A fast strike down the middle, 2-1. Swinging strike two. Manny gets him swinging! Out of the inning with the lead intact.
2-0 Sox after 6! Nine outs to go.
Helton's up. Ball one. Ball two, and three. The obligatory 3-0 strike is called. At 3-1, Helton slices one to left, and Manny is up to the task. Two down.
Garrett Atkins will try. Ball one. A big swing for strike one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, 2-2. He works it full. Jon gives up his third walk of the evening, and Tito's headed to the mound. He makes the changes. Lester leaves at 92 pitches. Great effort for the kid!
Manny Delcarmen's headed in to pitch to Spilborghs. Ball one. Ball two. A fast strike down the middle, 2-1. Swinging strike two. Manny gets him swinging! Out of the inning with the lead intact.
2-0 Sox after 6! Nine outs to go.
WS Game 4 Top 6
Pedroia leads off. A ball to Dustin. He pulls the second foul. Ball two. At 2-1 Cook makes a good play on a shot back to the box. On to Helton for the out.
Papi pulls a foul for strike one. High for ball one. Papi grounds to Tulo to the right of second base. He throws to Helton for the out. Two down.
Manny just misses a double, foul along the third base line. He dribbles a swinging bunt to Atkins, and across for the third out.
Cook couldn't have done much better for them under the circumstances.
Inning: Nine pitches, six strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 46 strikes.
Papi pulls a foul for strike one. High for ball one. Papi grounds to Tulo to the right of second base. He throws to Helton for the out. Two down.
Manny just misses a double, foul along the third base line. He dribbles a swinging bunt to Atkins, and across for the third out.
Cook couldn't have done much better for them under the circumstances.
Inning: Nine pitches, six strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 46 strikes.
WS Game 4 Bottom 5
Yorvit Torrealba takes a called strike. And a ball, 1-1. He swings and misses for 1-2. A burner, foul, along first. Another, fouled at the plate; still 1-2. Torrealba pops to Lugo in shallow left, one out.
Cook will bat for himself. He pulls the first pitch foul along third. Cook bunts for a single, past Lester and in front of Pedroia. Good move. Well done.
Matsui bluffs a bunt, and takes ball one. New strategy? We'll see. A big swing for strike one. At 1-1 Matsui also pops to Lugo. All night long, boys, all night long.
Tulo will take a crack. He rips the first pitch to Mikey, and on to Pedroia for the force on Cook. Three outs.
Sox, 2-0.
Inning: 12 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 80 pitches, 54 strikes. Lester's doing great. Probably one more inning for him.
Cook will bat for himself. He pulls the first pitch foul along third. Cook bunts for a single, past Lester and in front of Pedroia. Good move. Well done.
Matsui bluffs a bunt, and takes ball one. New strategy? We'll see. A big swing for strike one. At 1-1 Matsui also pops to Lugo. All night long, boys, all night long.
Tulo will take a crack. He rips the first pitch to Mikey, and on to Pedroia for the force on Cook. Three outs.
Sox, 2-0.
Inning: 12 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 80 pitches, 54 strikes. Lester's doing great. Probably one more inning for him.
WS Game 4 Top 5
Mikey Lowell doubles to left center to start the 5th.
JD Drew will fail to advance him any minute now. Ball one. The idiot taps back to Cook, failing to move Mike over. One down.
Tek should do better. He takes ball one in what may turn into an intentional unintentional walk. They screw up and throw Tek a strike and he pulls it through the right side, scoring Lowell. 2-0 Sox. Tek stops at first.
Lugo drives the first pitch back up the middle for another single, Tek to 2nd. Two on, one down.
Lester will most likely bunt them over for Ellsbury. He misses the first attempt. A strikeout is much better here than a double play. Brilliant insight! That's what I'm here for! Ball one. Lester wants to give them an out; they don't want to take it. Ball two. Another attempt, another miss. 2-2. Ball three to fill the count. He finally strikes out. No reason for that to take 6 pitches to Lester. Two down.
Ellsbury fouls the first pitch. A ball, 1-1. Ball two. A foul into the third base seats, 2-2. Jacoby strikes out on a bad pitch, down and in. The inning is over.
2-0 Sox halfway through.
Inning: 17 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 59 pitches, 40 strikes. Cook's spot is due second; he could be through.
JD Drew will fail to advance him any minute now. Ball one. The idiot taps back to Cook, failing to move Mike over. One down.
Tek should do better. He takes ball one in what may turn into an intentional unintentional walk. They screw up and throw Tek a strike and he pulls it through the right side, scoring Lowell. 2-0 Sox. Tek stops at first.
Lugo drives the first pitch back up the middle for another single, Tek to 2nd. Two on, one down.
Lester will most likely bunt them over for Ellsbury. He misses the first attempt. A strikeout is much better here than a double play. Brilliant insight! That's what I'm here for! Ball one. Lester wants to give them an out; they don't want to take it. Ball two. Another attempt, another miss. 2-2. Ball three to fill the count. He finally strikes out. No reason for that to take 6 pitches to Lester. Two down.
Ellsbury fouls the first pitch. A ball, 1-1. Ball two. A foul into the third base seats, 2-2. Jacoby strikes out on a bad pitch, down and in. The inning is over.
2-0 Sox halfway through.
Inning: 17 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 59 pitches, 40 strikes. Cook's spot is due second; he could be through.
WS Game 4 Bottom 4
Helton takes a called strike. And a ball. Ball two. Ball three. Meriwether is umpiring creatively again. Todd chases a bad pitch and grounds it to Pedroia. The Rockies are pressing now. One out.
Atkins lines softly to Lugo on another outstanding play. Julio has been the shortstop that the Sox thought that they were getting throughout the postseason.
Spilborghs takes ball one. And a called strike. A foul for 1-2. Ball two. High to fill the count. Half the time I want to call this guy "Spielberg" and the other half I think he's a Star Trek Next Generation character. Ball four and the walk.
Hawpe takes a big cut for strike one. A ball, 1-1. Fouled back for 1-2. He flies to Ellsbury in right center for the third out.
Still 1-0 Sox, after 4.
Inning: 16 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 44 Strikes.
Atkins lines softly to Lugo on another outstanding play. Julio has been the shortstop that the Sox thought that they were getting throughout the postseason.
Spilborghs takes ball one. And a called strike. A foul for 1-2. Ball two. High to fill the count. Half the time I want to call this guy "Spielberg" and the other half I think he's a Star Trek Next Generation character. Ball four and the walk.
Hawpe takes a big cut for strike one. A ball, 1-1. Fouled back for 1-2. He flies to Ellsbury in right center for the third out.
Still 1-0 Sox, after 4.
Inning: 16 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 44 Strikes.
WS Game 4 Top 4
Pedroia takes a ball to start. At 2-1 he grounds to Helton, Cook covering. One down.
Papi's up. He takes a strike at the knees. And another, 0-2. A foul to the left side, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2 Papi pops to Tulo. Two down.
Manny takes strike one. And a ball. A swinging strike two. At 1-2 Manny rips one on a line to Holliday.
Another fast inning.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 strikes.
Papi's up. He takes a strike at the knees. And another, 0-2. A foul to the left side, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2 Papi pops to Tulo. Two down.
Manny takes strike one. And a ball. A swinging strike two. At 1-2 Manny rips one on a line to Holliday.
Another fast inning.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 strikes.
WS Game 4 Bottom 3
Cook leads off. He takes strike one. And swings for strike two. He fouls one back, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2, Cook flies to Drew in medium right. One down.
Back to the top of the order, and Matsui. He takes strike 1. A slow breaking ball entices Kaz to swing for strike 2. He fouls one in self-defense, still 0-2. Now a double over Manny's head; Manny did everything he could have done on that one. Man on second, one out.
Tulo stands in. Foul to the right side. Another foul, back to the screen; 0-2. Ball one. Another ball, 2-2. He strikes out swinging, failing to move Matsui. Two down.
Matt Holliday gets a shot. Low for a ball. He's way behind, swinging for strike one. Ball two, down and in. He swings at one on the ground, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Holliday can't catch up to the 94 mph gas! The inning is over.
Inning: 20 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 52 pitches, 36 strikes. Still running a little high. St. Leo would call this four innings pitched.
1-0 Sox. Time for the bust out inning.
Back to the top of the order, and Matsui. He takes strike 1. A slow breaking ball entices Kaz to swing for strike 2. He fouls one in self-defense, still 0-2. Now a double over Manny's head; Manny did everything he could have done on that one. Man on second, one out.
Tulo stands in. Foul to the right side. Another foul, back to the screen; 0-2. Ball one. Another ball, 2-2. He strikes out swinging, failing to move Matsui. Two down.
Matt Holliday gets a shot. Low for a ball. He's way behind, swinging for strike one. Ball two, down and in. He swings at one on the ground, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Holliday can't catch up to the 94 mph gas! The inning is over.
Inning: 20 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 52 pitches, 36 strikes. Still running a little high. St. Leo would call this four innings pitched.
1-0 Sox. Time for the bust out inning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)