Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Ben Jacobs over at Universal Baseball Blog does a great job of breaking down the series.
Rob Neyer thinks Hatteberg could be big in the series.
Jim Caple's take on the playoffs is anti-Spankee.
Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus is predicting a sweep but is concerned about the Sox's spilts vs. LHP even though only Nixon and Walker have career significant differences.
Sean McAdam writes the pressure is on the A's.
Rob Neyer thinks Hatteberg could be big in the series.
Jim Caple's take on the playoffs is anti-Spankee.
Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus is predicting a sweep but is concerned about the Sox's spilts vs. LHP even though only Nixon and Walker have career significant differences.
Sean McAdam writes the pressure is on the A's.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Many folks have written good pieces on the Sox-A's matchup so instead of repeating them here are the links and other interesting articles. Tomorrow, I'll post my own thoughts on the series focusing on topics the articles/posts did not include.
Buster Olney on key matchups - 1) Lowe vs. Himself, 2) southpaws vs. Chavez more on this one tomorrow
Gammon's on the Celebrate Good Times Come On .
Aaron Gleeman's wonderful analysis on both AL series.
The Sox's other Rule V pick sent a mile high (no Manny was not involved).
The KC Star has two good journalists in Bob Dutton and Joe Posnanski.
Buster Olney on key matchups - 1) Lowe vs. Himself, 2) southpaws vs. Chavez more on this one tomorrow
Gammon's on the Celebrate Good Times Come On .
Aaron Gleeman's wonderful analysis on both AL series.
The Sox's other Rule V pick sent a mile high (no Manny was not involved).
The KC Star has two good journalists in Bob Dutton and Joe Posnanski.
I did not get playoff tickets. Being in the Virtual Waiting Room is like being in some kind of cruel baseball purgatory. If anyone has an extra for the ALCS, please let me know. I'll be there in a Beantown minute. I maybe able to hook you up with standing room for ALDS too.
I just heard Al Sharpton is going to be on The Daily Show tonight! Ask and you shall receive.
Sunday, September 28, 2003
The talk around RSN is that the post-season roster will carry 11 pitchers including Jeff Suckpan. The last spot going to Todd Jones (no appropriate nickname), Charles In Charge Bronson or Heart of a Lyon. As most of you know, I think it is a mistake for the Sox to take 11 pitchers. In most cases in the playoffs, a long-man comes into the game when your club is very unlikely to comeback and win the game. The value of holding your opponent is minimal since the outcome is likely determined. The only benefit is saving your pen for future games and in a five game series with a day off that value is almost nothing. An extra bench player, rather than a mop up pitcher, can help win a game when your club has better shot at doing so. The player can pinch hit or bunt, steal a base, be used as a defensive replacement which all could be critical in a determining the outcome of the game.
Specifically, the Sox should have 10 pitchers on the roster for the following reasons:
*The three announced starters average over six innings per outing.
*Pitch counts = NA in the playoffs.
*At least seven arms in the bullpen for each game.
*Soursuck and BK could pitch in each game of the series without fatigue being much of a factor.
*Wakefield would be available out of the pen for games four and five assuming a four-man rotation.
*If a starter is pulled after one or two innings, he could be available out of the pen later in the series.
*David McCarty could throw an inning.
Plus, Suppan, Jones and Lyon's have been, for the most part, ineffective. The last pitcher, the tenth, taken should be Charles In Charge. Bronson has been the most productive of late and can pitch multiple innings as the long-man. Hopefully, we will not be seeing Bronson take the mound in October of 2003.
Specifically, the Sox should have 10 pitchers on the roster for the following reasons:
*The three announced starters average over six innings per outing.
*Pitch counts = NA in the playoffs.
*At least seven arms in the bullpen for each game.
*Soursuck and BK could pitch in each game of the series without fatigue being much of a factor.
*Wakefield would be available out of the pen for games four and five assuming a four-man rotation.
*If a starter is pulled after one or two innings, he could be available out of the pen later in the series.
*David McCarty could throw an inning.
Plus, Suppan, Jones and Lyon's have been, for the most part, ineffective. The last pitcher, the tenth, taken should be Charles In Charge. Bronson has been the most productive of late and can pitch multiple innings as the long-man. Hopefully, we will not be seeing Bronson take the mound in October of 2003.
From Rob Neyer’s chat on espn.com,
According to the New York Observer's Jim Callaghan, thanks to Rudy Giuliani the city of New York is paying $5 million per year to both the Yankees and the Mets for the "planning and design" of new ballparks . . . which aren't anywhere near the planning and design stages. Baseball is a great game, but Major League Baseball is a disgusting racket.
George and Fred, please call Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council to instruct them to use the money for NYC public schools or donate a combined $5 million. I do not like vomiting in my own mouth.
According to the New York Observer's Jim Callaghan, thanks to Rudy Giuliani the city of New York is paying $5 million per year to both the Yankees and the Mets for the "planning and design" of new ballparks . . . which aren't anywhere near the planning and design stages. Baseball is a great game, but Major League Baseball is a disgusting racket.
George and Fred, please call Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council to instruct them to use the money for NYC public schools or donate a combined $5 million. I do not like vomiting in my own mouth.
Random Rumblings
• Speaking of BONDS, here is an update on my NL MVP standings (this time I added walks; I am a dumb ass). PUJOLS comprises 24.13% of the Cards total bases plus walks; Bonds 24.28% of the Giants in 131 fewer plate appearances. WICKED AWESOME.
• Relief - the Sox did not have to clinch in St. Pete. Weird things happened down at the Trop.
• Lucky LL, “the magic number is now eleven.”
• BK should throw some BP to simulate the A’s CHAD BRADFORD, another sidearm reliever. BK throws everyday anyway.
• In TROT we trust will get better.
• MO LITE (a.k.a. David Ortiz) OPS of 961 at 27. MO VAUGHN OPS at 27 was 984.
• SCOTT WILLIAMSON will pitch better and will be a difference maker. He can now focus on getting hitters out. Pitchers with over a 2 to 1 K/BB ratio while averaging a K per inning in their prime do not sport 6.63 ERAs for long.
• The TWINS will BEAT the YANKS in five if the rotation goes Santana, Radke, and Chicken Roaster.
• Five days until the Sox play another meaningful game. Well, I have five days to get my prescriptions filled. ;)
• Even if you are not into politics, which I find hard to understand since most of us pay taxes, watch the debates for the comedy of Rev. Al Sharpton. The man is hilarious! I am demanding Sharpton on The Daily Show. Come on, they live in the same city. It would be easy. Get it done folks.
• Howard Dean is a Red Sox fan? I think not. President Dean? Maybe. Jimmy Dean?
• Hardcore paseball analysis coming. Otherwise known as baseball numbers geek alert scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. I’ll have to reload the tape to my adding machine over the weekend.
• Speaking of BONDS, here is an update on my NL MVP standings (this time I added walks; I am a dumb ass). PUJOLS comprises 24.13% of the Cards total bases plus walks; Bonds 24.28% of the Giants in 131 fewer plate appearances. WICKED AWESOME.
• Relief - the Sox did not have to clinch in St. Pete. Weird things happened down at the Trop.
• Lucky LL, “the magic number is now eleven.”
• BK should throw some BP to simulate the A’s CHAD BRADFORD, another sidearm reliever. BK throws everyday anyway.
• In TROT we trust will get better.
• MO LITE (a.k.a. David Ortiz) OPS of 961 at 27. MO VAUGHN OPS at 27 was 984.
• SCOTT WILLIAMSON will pitch better and will be a difference maker. He can now focus on getting hitters out. Pitchers with over a 2 to 1 K/BB ratio while averaging a K per inning in their prime do not sport 6.63 ERAs for long.
• The TWINS will BEAT the YANKS in five if the rotation goes Santana, Radke, and Chicken Roaster.
• Five days until the Sox play another meaningful game. Well, I have five days to get my prescriptions filled. ;)
• Even if you are not into politics, which I find hard to understand since most of us pay taxes, watch the debates for the comedy of Rev. Al Sharpton. The man is hilarious! I am demanding Sharpton on The Daily Show. Come on, they live in the same city. It would be easy. Get it done folks.
• Howard Dean is a Red Sox fan? I think not. President Dean? Maybe. Jimmy Dean?
• Hardcore paseball analysis coming. Otherwise known as baseball numbers geek alert scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. I’ll have to reload the tape to my adding machine over the weekend.
The folks over at Elephants in Oaktown are calling Mr. Todd Walker a jack ass. Okay, he made some foolish remarks. At least, the Sox can sell out playoff games. One can have two tickets in the lower level. Are there A's fans? I think we, RSN, should buy up all of the remaining tickets and charter a plane to Oakland.
Friday, September 26, 2003
I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest,…, I shook up the world, I am the greatest, I'm king of the world, I'm pretty, I'm pretty, I'm a baaaad man, you heard me I'm a baaad man,…, I'm king of the world!!!!! - Muhammed Ali
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest ballplayers of all-time. He is a legit five-tool superstar. He is feared by the baseball community. I will not recite his numbers as they and his legend are still growing but it leads me to the question: Is Barry Bonds the greatest baseball player ever?
Most label Babe Ruth as the greatest of all-time. There is little doubt that Ruth dominated the game during his era, but is he the best of the best?
Ruth did not play against the best competition in the world as Bonds does. Ruth never faced pitchers of African, Asian, or Latino descent or be compared to hitters of color. Could Ruth handle a Randy Johnson’s slider, a Roger Clemens’ split finger fastball, the assortment of sidearm LOOGYs and how would he compare to Josh Gibson if they faced the same pitchers? I believe Ruth COULD do very well, but we will never know. Just like we will probably never know how Bonds would fare with Lou Gehrig or another first ballot, unanimous HOF hitter in the same lineup. Also if Bonds took aim at the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium (please God, no), how many more home runs would the man hit not having to put it over a wall 420 feet away into a stiff cold wind coming off the Bay.
Right now, Bonds and Ruth are very close and most would say Ruth is still the best. But with each passing day, walk, hit, RBI double, outfield assist, and game winning walk off puts Mr. Bonds one step closer Ruth. Bonds IS and will be known widely as the greatest of all-time. This fact should end the irrational notion of the so called Curse, since it is based on trading the best ballplayer ever. It is over; if it ever was. We, citizens of Red Sox Nation, need to simply BELIEVE!
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest ballplayers of all-time. He is a legit five-tool superstar. He is feared by the baseball community. I will not recite his numbers as they and his legend are still growing but it leads me to the question: Is Barry Bonds the greatest baseball player ever?
Most label Babe Ruth as the greatest of all-time. There is little doubt that Ruth dominated the game during his era, but is he the best of the best?
Ruth did not play against the best competition in the world as Bonds does. Ruth never faced pitchers of African, Asian, or Latino descent or be compared to hitters of color. Could Ruth handle a Randy Johnson’s slider, a Roger Clemens’ split finger fastball, the assortment of sidearm LOOGYs and how would he compare to Josh Gibson if they faced the same pitchers? I believe Ruth COULD do very well, but we will never know. Just like we will probably never know how Bonds would fare with Lou Gehrig or another first ballot, unanimous HOF hitter in the same lineup. Also if Bonds took aim at the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium (please God, no), how many more home runs would the man hit not having to put it over a wall 420 feet away into a stiff cold wind coming off the Bay.
Right now, Bonds and Ruth are very close and most would say Ruth is still the best. But with each passing day, walk, hit, RBI double, outfield assist, and game winning walk off puts Mr. Bonds one step closer Ruth. Bonds IS and will be known widely as the greatest of all-time. This fact should end the irrational notion of the so called Curse, since it is based on trading the best ballplayer ever. It is over; if it ever was. We, citizens of Red Sox Nation, need to simply BELIEVE!
Thursday, September 25, 2003
One of the latest from the AFKATBSG and espn.com,
Q: As I sat in my 8:30 class staring at the hottest girl for a solid 20 minutes, I began to wonder what day of the year Dunkin Donuts stops making iced coffee and everyone switches back to regular hot coffee. Is it the Albanian lady who struggles with your order every morning? Is she the one who decides it’s getting too cold for iced coffee? Is it the manager that you feel bad for because he’s so stressed out by 7:30 a.m. each day? Or could there be a correlation with the end of iced coffee and the time when the Red Sox fall out of the pennant each year? – Casey C., Worcester, MA
SG: Brilliant question. I like the Red Sox corollary, but the good people at D & D usually stop making iced coffee in mid-October, after it’s been a little Nipsy Russell outside for a few weeks. The bigger question: How do they know? How can a group of people who rarely grasp anything instinctively know when to stop making the iced coffee? I’m guessing that it’s a collective Epiphany, almost like birds deciding to fly south for the winter. That’s the only way it makes sense.
• Forget the Sox theory, how about the start of the C’s training camp.
• I bet Dunkin corporate makes the call on the ice coffee based on morning temps, but is it regional. Do Dunkins in the south and west have the option of keeping it on ice longer?
• Is it wrong for me to factor in the proximity to Dunkin when selecting an apartment? How about pubs?
• When are Dunkins in the greater Burlington, Vermont area going to realize that COFFEE ONLY lines are necessary in the morning? Hello, McFly!
• I forgot about all of the eye candy college classes produce. I got two words for you: Tuition Reimbursement.
• Why is Casey taking 8:30 classes? I quote the Beastie Boys, “sleep late it is much easier on your constitution.” Plus, the hottest girl will be even hotter when she has more prep time.
• I believe about ten colleges are in Worcester. I am not sure what school he attends, but we can rule out WPI with their five female students.
• Is it just me or are the AFKATBSG’s email columns collectively much better than the others? If so, then AFTKATBSG should just get half of the credit.
Please email me with your answers and comments.
BTW and FYI, I revised my links to the right.
BTW number two, Dave Matthews and others played in Central Park yesterday for free to raise money for the New City Public Schools. From CNN.com,
AOL pledged $1 million to a public school fund supporting music and arts education, and concert organizers have committed another $1 million, according to the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The concert was the idea of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy who has volunteered to raise philanthropic funds for the city's school system, which serves 1.1 million children.
These types of events is one of the things I miss about living in a large city and was my first reaction when I heard of the event last night on The Daily Show. My second thought was how screwed up are our priorities as a country that we need to raise money to properly educate our future. My third notion was Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg - Bush? CKS, how about raising funds to create an organization to promote full and equal government funding for public schools as an entitlement similar to Social Security and Medicare for seniors? How about trying to make a lasting difference?
BTW number three, great time for a debate 4pm. est. on a Thursday! Everyone is home from work at four and citizens on the west coast can check it out over their lunch hour. Chalk up another one for the large media conglomerates desire to increase apathy in the political process.
Q: As I sat in my 8:30 class staring at the hottest girl for a solid 20 minutes, I began to wonder what day of the year Dunkin Donuts stops making iced coffee and everyone switches back to regular hot coffee. Is it the Albanian lady who struggles with your order every morning? Is she the one who decides it’s getting too cold for iced coffee? Is it the manager that you feel bad for because he’s so stressed out by 7:30 a.m. each day? Or could there be a correlation with the end of iced coffee and the time when the Red Sox fall out of the pennant each year? – Casey C., Worcester, MA
SG: Brilliant question. I like the Red Sox corollary, but the good people at D & D usually stop making iced coffee in mid-October, after it’s been a little Nipsy Russell outside for a few weeks. The bigger question: How do they know? How can a group of people who rarely grasp anything instinctively know when to stop making the iced coffee? I’m guessing that it’s a collective Epiphany, almost like birds deciding to fly south for the winter. That’s the only way it makes sense.
• Forget the Sox theory, how about the start of the C’s training camp.
• I bet Dunkin corporate makes the call on the ice coffee based on morning temps, but is it regional. Do Dunkins in the south and west have the option of keeping it on ice longer?
• Is it wrong for me to factor in the proximity to Dunkin when selecting an apartment? How about pubs?
• When are Dunkins in the greater Burlington, Vermont area going to realize that COFFEE ONLY lines are necessary in the morning? Hello, McFly!
• I forgot about all of the eye candy college classes produce. I got two words for you: Tuition Reimbursement.
• Why is Casey taking 8:30 classes? I quote the Beastie Boys, “sleep late it is much easier on your constitution.” Plus, the hottest girl will be even hotter when she has more prep time.
• I believe about ten colleges are in Worcester. I am not sure what school he attends, but we can rule out WPI with their five female students.
• Is it just me or are the AFKATBSG’s email columns collectively much better than the others? If so, then AFTKATBSG should just get half of the credit.
Please email me with your answers and comments.
BTW and FYI, I revised my links to the right.
BTW number two, Dave Matthews and others played in Central Park yesterday for free to raise money for the New City Public Schools. From CNN.com,
AOL pledged $1 million to a public school fund supporting music and arts education, and concert organizers have committed another $1 million, according to the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The concert was the idea of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy who has volunteered to raise philanthropic funds for the city's school system, which serves 1.1 million children.
These types of events is one of the things I miss about living in a large city and was my first reaction when I heard of the event last night on The Daily Show. My second thought was how screwed up are our priorities as a country that we need to raise money to properly educate our future. My third notion was Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg - Bush? CKS, how about raising funds to create an organization to promote full and equal government funding for public schools as an entitlement similar to Social Security and Medicare for seniors? How about trying to make a lasting difference?
BTW number three, great time for a debate 4pm. est. on a Thursday! Everyone is home from work at four and citizens on the west coast can check it out over their lunch hour. Chalk up another one for the large media conglomerates desire to increase apathy in the political process.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
MEMO
To: Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe Columnist
From: Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr., Chairman of The New York Times Company
CC: Richard H. Gilman, Publisher of The Boston Globe
John Henry, Principal Owner of New England Sports Ventures
Sub: Abuse of Power
We at The New York Times Company, owner of the Boston Globe, request that you discontinue using our publication to promote your book. At times, negative columns and/or referring to the so called Curse are appropriate for publication, but now is not the time. After last evening's game, it was not appropriate to write about a message “…left on my office voice mail this week” for print in today’s Globe (Shaughnessy, Globe). It is a non-story. The man who left the message is irrelevant to the 2003 Boston Red Sox. The 2003 Boston Red Sox is the news.
Even though the Times Company is a minority partner of New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park and 80% of the NESN, we want fair coverage of the team and organization. History and a supernatural phenomenon without a logical link to the 2003 Boston Red Sox performance is irresponsible journalism which appears to be motivated to increase sales of your book. Thus, we are suspending your column until further notice. At the Times, we still work by the motto: All the News That’s Fit to Print.
To: Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe Columnist
From: Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr., Chairman of The New York Times Company
CC: Richard H. Gilman, Publisher of The Boston Globe
John Henry, Principal Owner of New England Sports Ventures
Sub: Abuse of Power
We at The New York Times Company, owner of the Boston Globe, request that you discontinue using our publication to promote your book. At times, negative columns and/or referring to the so called Curse are appropriate for publication, but now is not the time. After last evening's game, it was not appropriate to write about a message “…left on my office voice mail this week” for print in today’s Globe (Shaughnessy, Globe). It is a non-story. The man who left the message is irrelevant to the 2003 Boston Red Sox. The 2003 Boston Red Sox is the news.
Even though the Times Company is a minority partner of New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park and 80% of the NESN, we want fair coverage of the team and organization. History and a supernatural phenomenon without a logical link to the 2003 Boston Red Sox performance is irresponsible journalism which appears to be motivated to increase sales of your book. Thus, we are suspending your column until further notice. At the Times, we still work by the motto: All the News That’s Fit to Print.
Monday, September 22, 2003
GAME NOT ON
Various family commitments did not allow me to view any of the weekend games so I do not have any comments. Gammons had some interesting news and notes in case you missed them on espn.com.
• The Red Sox, who talked to the Diamondbacks about Spivey before the trading and Aug. 31 deadlines, internally discussed trying to make a preemptive strike on Schilling in the waning weeks of the season, but decided against it. So watch for Vazquez and Schilling this winter.
• But while Piniella enthusiastically is embracing the young players, one GM warns, "The problem is that as soon as they're ready to win, the players will leave. You can argue that the two best high school players of the last 15 years were A-Rod and Manny Ramirez, and as soon as their times came, they left their originally clubs." - This is why you do not bring up your organization’s top prospects until they are ready. Rebuilding team’s can not afford to develop players at the show.
• One of the most amazing comebacks of the second half was Tom Gordon. "He's better than ever," said Sandy Alomar. "He's throwing 98 (mph) with the great curveball, but now he's also come up with a nasty slider. He's as good as anyone in the league." – Flash is the man and El Guapo’s Ghost’s first choice for the Red Sox back in July and in the off-season.
• He [Doug Mientkiewicz] is a great defensive first baseman and superb situational hitter, though his RBI totals may not be those of the prototypical first baseman. Also his .396 on-base percentage and 72/54 walk/strikeout ratio are remarkable… - Say hello to the future second baseman of the Olde Towne Team.
Various family commitments did not allow me to view any of the weekend games so I do not have any comments. Gammons had some interesting news and notes in case you missed them on espn.com.
• The Red Sox, who talked to the Diamondbacks about Spivey before the trading and Aug. 31 deadlines, internally discussed trying to make a preemptive strike on Schilling in the waning weeks of the season, but decided against it. So watch for Vazquez and Schilling this winter.
• But while Piniella enthusiastically is embracing the young players, one GM warns, "The problem is that as soon as they're ready to win, the players will leave. You can argue that the two best high school players of the last 15 years were A-Rod and Manny Ramirez, and as soon as their times came, they left their originally clubs." - This is why you do not bring up your organization’s top prospects until they are ready. Rebuilding team’s can not afford to develop players at the show.
• One of the most amazing comebacks of the second half was Tom Gordon. "He's better than ever," said Sandy Alomar. "He's throwing 98 (mph) with the great curveball, but now he's also come up with a nasty slider. He's as good as anyone in the league." – Flash is the man and El Guapo’s Ghost’s first choice for the Red Sox back in July and in the off-season.
• He [Doug Mientkiewicz] is a great defensive first baseman and superb situational hitter, though his RBI totals may not be those of the prototypical first baseman. Also his .396 on-base percentage and 72/54 walk/strikeout ratio are remarkable… - Say hello to the future second baseman of the Olde Towne Team.
Friday, September 19, 2003
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS, BABY.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times has an article that is too interesting not to post on that contrasts the approaches of rival General Managers, Pat Gillick and Billy Beane.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001736121_rivalry19.html
"They have a theory what they do, but I think what they're doing is limiting themselves, maybe because of economics. They think high-school kids are too much of a longshot, too much uncertainty. But the old saying is, if you want to hit it big, you'd better take a risk." (Stone, Seattle Times)
The above quote was made by Gillick regarding the A’s draft philosophy focusing on college players. Gillick hits the nail right on the head. It is economics; risk versus reward. Low revenue teams do not have the resources to make high risk/reward investments. Even if one pans out to be a great player, he can not bring a championship to the franchise alone.
Another benefit to drafting college players that does not get as much media attention is that the club should have the college draftee in or near their prime performance years as pre-arbitration players. If the college pick plays short season A-ball at 21 and follows the normal track (a year at each level), he would arrive in the majors at 26 years old. (Of course, a star player is probably going to advance through the minors more quickly, but platoon, backup, middle relief players are valuable too.) The club would pay the player at basically the league minimum during his prime years and control him through age 31. Drafting college players appears to be the most cost (signing bonus + MLB salary) effective approach to the draft both short and long-term.
Jumping squarely on the soap box…
The A’s and other low revenue teams can not always afford the monetary requirements of the top amateur players in the world. This is a major reason for “competitive imbalance” and it has not been addressed by MLB. I do not know enough about the draft to propose in depth reforms, but making it world-wide with the club owning the rights of a player for four years before they can re-enter the draft should decrease the number of “signability” picks and Alfonso Sorianos.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times has an article that is too interesting not to post on that contrasts the approaches of rival General Managers, Pat Gillick and Billy Beane.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001736121_rivalry19.html
"They have a theory what they do, but I think what they're doing is limiting themselves, maybe because of economics. They think high-school kids are too much of a longshot, too much uncertainty. But the old saying is, if you want to hit it big, you'd better take a risk." (Stone, Seattle Times)
The above quote was made by Gillick regarding the A’s draft philosophy focusing on college players. Gillick hits the nail right on the head. It is economics; risk versus reward. Low revenue teams do not have the resources to make high risk/reward investments. Even if one pans out to be a great player, he can not bring a championship to the franchise alone.
Another benefit to drafting college players that does not get as much media attention is that the club should have the college draftee in or near their prime performance years as pre-arbitration players. If the college pick plays short season A-ball at 21 and follows the normal track (a year at each level), he would arrive in the majors at 26 years old. (Of course, a star player is probably going to advance through the minors more quickly, but platoon, backup, middle relief players are valuable too.) The club would pay the player at basically the league minimum during his prime years and control him through age 31. Drafting college players appears to be the most cost (signing bonus + MLB salary) effective approach to the draft both short and long-term.
Jumping squarely on the soap box…
The A’s and other low revenue teams can not always afford the monetary requirements of the top amateur players in the world. This is a major reason for “competitive imbalance” and it has not been addressed by MLB. I do not know enough about the draft to propose in depth reforms, but making it world-wide with the club owning the rights of a player for four years before they can re-enter the draft should decrease the number of “signability” picks and Alfonso Sorianos.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
MY [BLANK] IS TALKING AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE IT.
My gut tells me that the Sox need to get to 95 wins for the Wild Card meaning taking seven of the next eleven. BP has them at needing 91 wins. Each M’s loss drops the Sox number as well so I guess I am saying that my Red Sox magic number is seven. (I do not know what this means but as I was writing I just said out loud seven deadly sins. Now I am thinking about the Seinfeld episode when George wants to name his kid Seven. I am a freaking nut job.)
Check out some good Sox stuff:
• Hench’s Harball on dirtdogs.com for his take on Nomar.
• Tony Maz in the Herald for his opinion on Shady Chicken Little.
Speaking of S.C.L., if the Sox make the playoffs and go with more than 10 pitchers in the first round, it would be a huge roster blunder.
My next post will not be until Monday unless some crazy news goes down that compels me to write. Busy weekend and some research on a future post needs to get done.
My gut tells me that the Sox need to get to 95 wins for the Wild Card meaning taking seven of the next eleven. BP has them at needing 91 wins. Each M’s loss drops the Sox number as well so I guess I am saying that my Red Sox magic number is seven. (I do not know what this means but as I was writing I just said out loud seven deadly sins. Now I am thinking about the Seinfeld episode when George wants to name his kid Seven. I am a freaking nut job.)
Check out some good Sox stuff:
• Hench’s Harball on dirtdogs.com for his take on Nomar.
• Tony Maz in the Herald for his opinion on Shady Chicken Little.
Speaking of S.C.L., if the Sox make the playoffs and go with more than 10 pitchers in the first round, it would be a huge roster blunder.
My next post will not be until Monday unless some crazy news goes down that compels me to write. Busy weekend and some research on a future post needs to get done.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
COWBOY UP
The media has pronounced that the Derek Lowe of 2002 is back. Here are the numbers per 9:
last 7 / 2002 / Avg
BB 3.59 / 1.97 / 3.16
SO 4.99 / 5.21 / 6.13
HR 0.20 / 0.49 / 1.12
BABIP.248 / .231 /.290
Other than the walk rate, we have seen the Derek Lowe of 2002 over the last seven starts. The numbers are comparable as well as the level of competition. The Sox defense and luck (groundballs finding glove and not holes) has also aided Lowe. BA BIP dropped to 248 over the last seven games with a league average of 290 and the Sox at 300.
My concern is the increase in his walk rate, 3.2 over 9, this season over last for a pitcher that does not strikeout hitters. Strikeout pitchers can get out of jams by not allowing the hitter to put the ball in play. The runners can not advance to any base and score in most scenarios. Batters hit most of Derek Lowe’s pitches allowing runners more ways to advance around the diamond. The extra free pass/additional runner per nine will cause more potential jams and runs being scored with Lowe pitching over the long haul.
Lowe could again be the second Ace with a decrease in his walk rate. If not, hopefully, the defense can continue to be more efficient over the next month, so that Lowe’s starts can continue to be productive.
The media has pronounced that the Derek Lowe of 2002 is back. Here are the numbers per 9:
last 7 / 2002 / Avg
BB 3.59 / 1.97 / 3.16
SO 4.99 / 5.21 / 6.13
HR 0.20 / 0.49 / 1.12
BABIP.248 / .231 /.290
Other than the walk rate, we have seen the Derek Lowe of 2002 over the last seven starts. The numbers are comparable as well as the level of competition. The Sox defense and luck (groundballs finding glove and not holes) has also aided Lowe. BA BIP dropped to 248 over the last seven games with a league average of 290 and the Sox at 300.
My concern is the increase in his walk rate, 3.2 over 9, this season over last for a pitcher that does not strikeout hitters. Strikeout pitchers can get out of jams by not allowing the hitter to put the ball in play. The runners can not advance to any base and score in most scenarios. Batters hit most of Derek Lowe’s pitches allowing runners more ways to advance around the diamond. The extra free pass/additional runner per nine will cause more potential jams and runs being scored with Lowe pitching over the long haul.
Lowe could again be the second Ace with a decrease in his walk rate. If not, hopefully, the defense can continue to be more efficient over the next month, so that Lowe’s starts can continue to be productive.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Not much to say today. I am preparing an analysis of DLowe. The Sox are scheduled to play at PacBell next season. Dude, I am so there.
A couple recommendations:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/09/16/
young_red_sox_fans_are_not_haunted_by_the_teams_past/
http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=98011
A couple recommendations:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/09/16/
young_red_sox_fans_are_not_haunted_by_the_teams_past/
http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=98011
Monday, September 15, 2003
SACRIFICE?
Sometime after my fifth drink on Saturday, I realized that every year that one of my squads did not win a fantasy baseball championship the Red Sox made the playoffs. With two weeks to play, it appears that I will not win in any league this season. (Of course, I have analyzed why I did not win; I am a numbers geek. No need to get into the details, but basically, I did not anticipate needing over 72 points to win in a 88 possible point league.) So it looks good for the Sox at least off the field.
For my fourth straight trip to Fenway, I found a free parking spot yesterday and as many of you probably guessed that was the highlight of day. I am skipping over the game because it liked sucked.
On my way home to Vermont, I needed to stop at Best Buy to pick up a card for the cable modem coming tomorrow. I was planning on breaking my word and purchasing Madden 2004 and the internet attachment, since I would not be subject to sales tax in New Hampshire. (Hum, Live Free or Die? How about just Free?) I proclaimed earlier that I was not going to play Madden until the end of the Sox season. Now, it looks like I won’t be having thumb pain and blurred vision until November - my next scheduled trip through the Granite State. Best Buy in Manchester closes at six on Sunday. The silver Saturn pulled in at 6:16 EST according to the clock on radio/CD player. This is another omen that the Sox will make the second season.
BTW, did anyone catch K Street on HBO? It is pretty on! I highly recommend checking it out. Next Monday after the second episode, I’ll review the first one. I do not want to ruin it for anyone. Okay, just one tidbit. I found out that Howard Dean stole the “then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King” line from James Carville when answering how he would relate to African-American voters coming from Vermont. The line was funnier coming out of Carville's mouth.
Sometime after my fifth drink on Saturday, I realized that every year that one of my squads did not win a fantasy baseball championship the Red Sox made the playoffs. With two weeks to play, it appears that I will not win in any league this season. (Of course, I have analyzed why I did not win; I am a numbers geek. No need to get into the details, but basically, I did not anticipate needing over 72 points to win in a 88 possible point league.) So it looks good for the Sox at least off the field.
For my fourth straight trip to Fenway, I found a free parking spot yesterday and as many of you probably guessed that was the highlight of day. I am skipping over the game because it liked sucked.
On my way home to Vermont, I needed to stop at Best Buy to pick up a card for the cable modem coming tomorrow. I was planning on breaking my word and purchasing Madden 2004 and the internet attachment, since I would not be subject to sales tax in New Hampshire. (Hum, Live Free or Die? How about just Free?) I proclaimed earlier that I was not going to play Madden until the end of the Sox season. Now, it looks like I won’t be having thumb pain and blurred vision until November - my next scheduled trip through the Granite State. Best Buy in Manchester closes at six on Sunday. The silver Saturn pulled in at 6:16 EST according to the clock on radio/CD player. This is another omen that the Sox will make the second season.
BTW, did anyone catch K Street on HBO? It is pretty on! I highly recommend checking it out. Next Monday after the second episode, I’ll review the first one. I do not want to ruin it for anyone. Okay, just one tidbit. I found out that Howard Dean stole the “then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King” line from James Carville when answering how he would relate to African-American voters coming from Vermont. The line was funnier coming out of Carville's mouth.
Friday, September 12, 2003
SOX FAN ON THE LEFT COAST
The Sox are making a push for the playoffs and I am stuck on the west coast of New England. Please do not misunderstand me. I like Burlington, especially now in the summer and fall. It is a charming little city in the most picturesque setting one could imagine snuggled between the Green Mountains and the once “Great” Lake Champlain with New York’s highest peaks to the west. But it is just not the same as living in the Hub of Red Sox Nation when fall games are meaningful.
I do not talk with various co-workers about Little’s managing of the bullpen.
I do not speculate with my supervisor at lunch over Nixon’s return date.
I do not converse with a fellow bar fly about Merloni’s ability to crush LHP.
I do not spark up conversation on the train about Nomar’s slump at the plate.
Vermonters are Sox fans. They are just not consumed by the possibility of witnessing an event that others have waited a lifetime for. Entire bars on Church Street will not be chanting “Let’s Go Red Sox”. I won’t be engaging in a conversation about Pedro’s shoulder on the bus ride to work. I won’t be using “cowboy up” in normal conversation. It is, of course, healthier. But I do miss the sense of community that only other neurotic Sox fans can form.
The Sox are making a push for the playoffs and I am stuck on the west coast of New England. Please do not misunderstand me. I like Burlington, especially now in the summer and fall. It is a charming little city in the most picturesque setting one could imagine snuggled between the Green Mountains and the once “Great” Lake Champlain with New York’s highest peaks to the west. But it is just not the same as living in the Hub of Red Sox Nation when fall games are meaningful.
I do not talk with various co-workers about Little’s managing of the bullpen.
I do not speculate with my supervisor at lunch over Nixon’s return date.
I do not converse with a fellow bar fly about Merloni’s ability to crush LHP.
I do not spark up conversation on the train about Nomar’s slump at the plate.
Vermonters are Sox fans. They are just not consumed by the possibility of witnessing an event that others have waited a lifetime for. Entire bars on Church Street will not be chanting “Let’s Go Red Sox”. I won’t be engaging in a conversation about Pedro’s shoulder on the bus ride to work. I won’t be using “cowboy up” in normal conversation. It is, of course, healthier. But I do miss the sense of community that only other neurotic Sox fans can form.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Thomas L. Friedman Reporting: Searching for the Roots of 9/11 (Reversion)
Get a broad portrait of the roots of Muslim rage and the mistrust towards America with three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Tom Friedman. Friedman provides reports from Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Europe and beyond.
http://dtc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=30378&gid=0&channel=DTC
Discovery Times Channel 9pm tonight.
Get a broad portrait of the roots of Muslim rage and the mistrust towards America with three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Tom Friedman. Friedman provides reports from Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Europe and beyond.
http://dtc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=30378&gid=0&channel=DTC
Discovery Times Channel 9pm tonight.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
WHY? WHY? WHY?
Royals GM Allard Baird says he hopes to bring back Carlos Beltran for his final arbitration-eligible season in Kansas City. "I think we can make it work," Baird said. "It won't be easy (the arbitration number may approach $11 million), but I hope it can. I think with the salary and the one-year remaining, it will be difficult to get two good young players who can step right in, and what Beltran brings to this team is too important to lose as we try to develop our young pitching." (Gammons, espn.com)
I am going to toot my own horn here folks. As some of you may recall, I advocated that the Royals should come out publicly and say that they were not looking to trade Beltran and that they could afford him in 2004. Stating you can’t keep your superstar only lessens your position at the future bargaining table. Plus, the Royals can actually afford Beltran’s estimated 2004 salary giving them real flexibility going into 2004. I am glad that Baird finally got my projected Royal’s salary spreadsheet. If I worked for him, he would have had it before Beltran became a real issue.
I NEED NUMBERS…
…but the right numbers. The major media has been spouting out about Derek Lowe’s home (3.39) and away (5.72) ERA splits for a good portion of the season. The media have written stories about his pre-game Bertucci’s meal, sleeping in his own bed, the home crowd, etc. trying to explain the vast difference in his performance at and away from Fenway Park. But they are focusing on the wrong numbers.
The real story is Lowe’s ERA on grass (3.80) versus turf (9.70). Lowe has been horrible in four starts on turf giving up 23 earned in 21 innings. When you exclude Lowe’s numbers in four starts on turf from his away ERA, Lowe’s ERA is 4.43. A one run difference is not an issue. Lowe has had more problems on turf this season than in the past. Hopefully, he will not get the ball in the Metrodome come October.
JUST SAY NO.
Below is an excerpt from Bill Simmons (AFKATBSG) on espn.com.
Me: What are you going to be like if we [Red Sox] make the playoffs?
Hench: I'm going to be a maniac. My wife actually thinks I should take sedatives.
Me: Like the stuff people take when they have to fly?
Hench: Yeah. Exactly. I'm thinking about it.
Hench forget the sedatives. When the Sox win it all, you will be kicking yourself for being drugged up. Plus, I assume your wife knew you were a "maniac" before the wedding and she still married you so she will have to deal with it for a couple of weeks. Perhaps, this is why I am still single.
Royals GM Allard Baird says he hopes to bring back Carlos Beltran for his final arbitration-eligible season in Kansas City. "I think we can make it work," Baird said. "It won't be easy (the arbitration number may approach $11 million), but I hope it can. I think with the salary and the one-year remaining, it will be difficult to get two good young players who can step right in, and what Beltran brings to this team is too important to lose as we try to develop our young pitching." (Gammons, espn.com)
I am going to toot my own horn here folks. As some of you may recall, I advocated that the Royals should come out publicly and say that they were not looking to trade Beltran and that they could afford him in 2004. Stating you can’t keep your superstar only lessens your position at the future bargaining table. Plus, the Royals can actually afford Beltran’s estimated 2004 salary giving them real flexibility going into 2004. I am glad that Baird finally got my projected Royal’s salary spreadsheet. If I worked for him, he would have had it before Beltran became a real issue.
I NEED NUMBERS…
…but the right numbers. The major media has been spouting out about Derek Lowe’s home (3.39) and away (5.72) ERA splits for a good portion of the season. The media have written stories about his pre-game Bertucci’s meal, sleeping in his own bed, the home crowd, etc. trying to explain the vast difference in his performance at and away from Fenway Park. But they are focusing on the wrong numbers.
The real story is Lowe’s ERA on grass (3.80) versus turf (9.70). Lowe has been horrible in four starts on turf giving up 23 earned in 21 innings. When you exclude Lowe’s numbers in four starts on turf from his away ERA, Lowe’s ERA is 4.43. A one run difference is not an issue. Lowe has had more problems on turf this season than in the past. Hopefully, he will not get the ball in the Metrodome come October.
JUST SAY NO.
Below is an excerpt from Bill Simmons (AFKATBSG) on espn.com.
Me: What are you going to be like if we [Red Sox] make the playoffs?
Hench: I'm going to be a maniac. My wife actually thinks I should take sedatives.
Me: Like the stuff people take when they have to fly?
Hench: Yeah. Exactly. I'm thinking about it.
Hench forget the sedatives. When the Sox win it all, you will be kicking yourself for being drugged up. Plus, I assume your wife knew you were a "maniac" before the wedding and she still married you so she will have to deal with it for a couple of weeks. Perhaps, this is why I am still single.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
The post below was written before yesterday's game. The Sox loss capped off a horrible day for the Ghost.
REALISM, PESSIMISM, OR SELF PRESERVATION?
It was a great weekend for the Sox taking two out of three at the Stadium. But if I counted correctly (BIG if), Tampa is one game over 500 after the break. Most recently, earning a spilt with Oakland and Seattle over a twelve game stretch. The Rays are playing some good ball and the O’s seem to match up well versus the Sox. It is not going to be an easy road to the postseason.
I think a part of me looks for any relevant facts to curb my enthusiasm regarding the Sox’s postseason and championship chances because I know that they will only break my heart in the end. At 27 years young, I barely recall 1986 and nothing but the lowlights replayed numerous times of 1975 and 1978. I have not really lived through Red Sox disappointments. I would like to blame the media for my pessimist attitude, but come on…I know that what occurred in the past has no influence on this season. I need to get it together and believe in this hitting machine, Pedro’s right arm, Lowe’s sinker, the dancing knuckleball and Theo’s revamped pen.
It is better to love and loss than to never love at all. Hopefully, I won’t have to experience the loss.
REALISM, PESSIMISM, OR SELF PRESERVATION?
It was a great weekend for the Sox taking two out of three at the Stadium. But if I counted correctly (BIG if), Tampa is one game over 500 after the break. Most recently, earning a spilt with Oakland and Seattle over a twelve game stretch. The Rays are playing some good ball and the O’s seem to match up well versus the Sox. It is not going to be an easy road to the postseason.
I think a part of me looks for any relevant facts to curb my enthusiasm regarding the Sox’s postseason and championship chances because I know that they will only break my heart in the end. At 27 years young, I barely recall 1986 and nothing but the lowlights replayed numerous times of 1975 and 1978. I have not really lived through Red Sox disappointments. I would like to blame the media for my pessimist attitude, but come on…I know that what occurred in the past has no influence on this season. I need to get it together and believe in this hitting machine, Pedro’s right arm, Lowe’s sinker, the dancing knuckleball and Theo’s revamped pen.
It is better to love and loss than to never love at all. Hopefully, I won’t have to experience the loss.
Friday, September 05, 2003
BUSY OR LAZY?
I am both. So here a just some random thoughts by EGG.
I have only two comments on the upcoming series:
1. As long as there is not a sweep, both teams’ playoff chances will depend upon how well they play against Baltimore and Tampa. With that being said, Pedro and the Sox really need to win tonight for my own peace of mind over the weekend.
2. Timlin vs. Bernie 125/333/256 in 16 AB and Embree vs. Giambi 077/188/077 in 13 AB. If anyone else pitches to these two guys in the late innings with runners on, Shady Chicken Little is going to hear me screaming in the Bronx.
• Does anyone else get the feeling that the last series in Tampa is going to be meaningful? RSN on a Road Trip. The Trop. should feel as much like Fenway as possible.
• Why does the Globe continue to allow the CHB to pimp his book?
• I wish I could bet on stuff like Larry Bird will fire Isiah Thomas and hire his buddy. The Pacers will win the East and I would put money down on them for the Championship. I am giving Donnie Walsh a mulligan on the Thomas hiring.
• I am NOT “…ready for some football” just yet. I’ll watch the Pats on the second set, but I vow not to buy Madden 2004 until the end of the Red Sox season.
• And thanks for asking my move is going well. It seems like everyone moves in the fall.
I am both. So here a just some random thoughts by EGG.
I have only two comments on the upcoming series:
1. As long as there is not a sweep, both teams’ playoff chances will depend upon how well they play against Baltimore and Tampa. With that being said, Pedro and the Sox really need to win tonight for my own peace of mind over the weekend.
2. Timlin vs. Bernie 125/333/256 in 16 AB and Embree vs. Giambi 077/188/077 in 13 AB. If anyone else pitches to these two guys in the late innings with runners on, Shady Chicken Little is going to hear me screaming in the Bronx.
• Does anyone else get the feeling that the last series in Tampa is going to be meaningful? RSN on a Road Trip. The Trop. should feel as much like Fenway as possible.
• Why does the Globe continue to allow the CHB to pimp his book?
• I wish I could bet on stuff like Larry Bird will fire Isiah Thomas and hire his buddy. The Pacers will win the East and I would put money down on them for the Championship. I am giving Donnie Walsh a mulligan on the Thomas hiring.
• I am NOT “…ready for some football” just yet. I’ll watch the Pats on the second set, but I vow not to buy Madden 2004 until the end of the Red Sox season.
• And thanks for asking my move is going well. It seems like everyone moves in the fall.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
MR. MAYOR
Assistant: Mayor Mo Lite, Governor Lou--------------- Merloni is on hold and Mr. Manny is still waiting with some kind of device containing dirty water.
Mayor Mo Lite: Tell them all to wait. I have to bail Shady Chicken Little out again.
Timlin has had difficulty this season with the long ball, most notably against LHB who SLG 507. Jose Valentin is a switch hitter that has hit 100 home runs from 2000 to date. 93 of the 100 home runs have been hit left-handed. Shady Chicken Little put Timlin in a position with a high probability for failure; just the opposite of a manager’s responsibilities. The expanded rosters gives the Sox three lefties (Embree, Fossum, Sour-patch) in the pen. The Sox can mix and match lefty/righty when the situation warrants. Shady Chicken Little needs to have the data and make the appropriate decision that will most likely yield the desired outcome like any manager. How many times do the bats need to bail out the rest of the club?
Assistant: Mayor Mo Lite, Governor Lou--------------- Merloni is on hold and Mr. Manny is still waiting with some kind of device containing dirty water.
Mayor Mo Lite: Tell them all to wait. I have to bail Shady Chicken Little out again.
Timlin has had difficulty this season with the long ball, most notably against LHB who SLG 507. Jose Valentin is a switch hitter that has hit 100 home runs from 2000 to date. 93 of the 100 home runs have been hit left-handed. Shady Chicken Little put Timlin in a position with a high probability for failure; just the opposite of a manager’s responsibilities. The expanded rosters gives the Sox three lefties (Embree, Fossum, Sour-patch) in the pen. The Sox can mix and match lefty/righty when the situation warrants. Shady Chicken Little needs to have the data and make the appropriate decision that will most likely yield the desired outcome like any manager. How many times do the bats need to bail out the rest of the club?
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
HITTING TO ALL FIELDS
It has been awhile so I am just going to empty out my notebook, Pocket PC recordings taken while driving around New England, and random comments on numerous scraps of paper.
• I saw a typical Yanks fans’ car with a big “NY” on rear window, huge poiler, tinted cloudy windows, big rims, chain around the license plate all on a Mystic. I was laughing my ass off on the way to work that morning. Good times. Good times.
• I think Theo really does read El Guapo’s Ghost. Everyone together now, Lou---------------------------. He should really run for Governor of Mass.
• I think I am only one that does not like the Padres acquisition of Giles and definitely not when they made the deal. More on this at a later date.
• Can someone please tell me why school buses do not have seat belts? Even the state with the motto “Live Free or Die” requires children to be buckled in a car.
• What’s up with Danys Beaz? The Indians have used him as a set-up guy, starter, closer and now back to setting-up. The rumor is Wickman will be back next season and the Indians can not pay both of them around $5 million to be in the pen so Beaz is going to be moved. Then why take him out of the closer role where he could have continued to rack up the most overrated stat upping his trade value? I wish I could have made it to the Baseball Prospectus Pizza Feed in Cleveland to ask the Indians Assistant GMs that very question.
• If the airlines are bankrupt, why is nearly every airport expanding?
• LHB SLG 507 and RHP 293 against Timlin. LHB with any kind of power should be Embree time.
• Obey Pedro (link to right) is selling wonderful CHB stuff.
• STOMP! is a drill team on steroids using everyday props. It is a nice show but Blue Man Group is unbelievable.
• There is little I hate more than fair weather fans like the Yanks fan at Sunday’s Sox-Yanks game wearing a Patriots Super Bowl t-shirt and a Yanks hat. I bet he had Lakers underroos on too.
• The major media gave us, Sox fans, credit for respecting Clemens, but Sox mgt deserves just as much for the message on the jumbo-tron that encouraged the fans response.
• Q&A with Dontrelle - Which of the following do you want if you can have only one -- money, fame, power, the ability to drive all women crazy or the ability to dance like Hammer in his prime? ''[Laughter] Give me Hammer time. You dance like Hammer in his prime, you are getting all that other stuff, too. That's not even a joking matter. In his prime, you could have gone to Wisconsin and found people who were too legit to quit.'' - You get 20 bucks a day in meal money in the minors. You still find it weird when they hand you your major-league meal money before a road trip and it is about $700 cash that you don't even need because every clubhouse has plenty of food? ''It's still unreal. It's going to take me a long time to get over that. We already have a cafeteria. We already have a cook. And then they give us a stack of cash.'' (Batard, Miami.com) - This guy seems awesome, someone you want to hang out with and honest, no PR spin. I guess Crash Davis never caught the D-Train.
• I would like to thank one of Boston’s Finest for allowing me to cut through a street closed to all traffic other than residents due to BU moving day last Sunday. I did not have to wait in Kenmore Square traffic after the Sox game. Yes, I did find another free parking spot for the game. Life is good. Life is sweet. You know you can’t resist. Come on everyone and sing along with me. It is hold up…
• In a reply e-mail, he [John Henry] said, "It is outrageous for a fan of ours to be thrown out of the game for tossing an opposing home run ball back onto the field. I will look into it and personally apologize to this man." (McGory, Boston Globe). These guys get it.
• It speaks volumes that the team was right behind Pedro, but not Manny.
• Sox RP Diary http://premium.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2263
• Interview with John Henry http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20021213keri.shtml
• Facing the Nation (Red Sox Nation that is) http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/08/29/facing_the_nation/
It has been awhile so I am just going to empty out my notebook, Pocket PC recordings taken while driving around New England, and random comments on numerous scraps of paper.
• I saw a typical Yanks fans’ car with a big “NY” on rear window, huge poiler, tinted cloudy windows, big rims, chain around the license plate all on a Mystic. I was laughing my ass off on the way to work that morning. Good times. Good times.
• I think Theo really does read El Guapo’s Ghost. Everyone together now, Lou---------------------------. He should really run for Governor of Mass.
• I think I am only one that does not like the Padres acquisition of Giles and definitely not when they made the deal. More on this at a later date.
• Can someone please tell me why school buses do not have seat belts? Even the state with the motto “Live Free or Die” requires children to be buckled in a car.
• What’s up with Danys Beaz? The Indians have used him as a set-up guy, starter, closer and now back to setting-up. The rumor is Wickman will be back next season and the Indians can not pay both of them around $5 million to be in the pen so Beaz is going to be moved. Then why take him out of the closer role where he could have continued to rack up the most overrated stat upping his trade value? I wish I could have made it to the Baseball Prospectus Pizza Feed in Cleveland to ask the Indians Assistant GMs that very question.
• If the airlines are bankrupt, why is nearly every airport expanding?
• LHB SLG 507 and RHP 293 against Timlin. LHB with any kind of power should be Embree time.
• Obey Pedro (link to right) is selling wonderful CHB stuff.
• STOMP! is a drill team on steroids using everyday props. It is a nice show but Blue Man Group is unbelievable.
• There is little I hate more than fair weather fans like the Yanks fan at Sunday’s Sox-Yanks game wearing a Patriots Super Bowl t-shirt and a Yanks hat. I bet he had Lakers underroos on too.
• The major media gave us, Sox fans, credit for respecting Clemens, but Sox mgt deserves just as much for the message on the jumbo-tron that encouraged the fans response.
• Q&A with Dontrelle - Which of the following do you want if you can have only one -- money, fame, power, the ability to drive all women crazy or the ability to dance like Hammer in his prime? ''[Laughter] Give me Hammer time. You dance like Hammer in his prime, you are getting all that other stuff, too. That's not even a joking matter. In his prime, you could have gone to Wisconsin and found people who were too legit to quit.'' - You get 20 bucks a day in meal money in the minors. You still find it weird when they hand you your major-league meal money before a road trip and it is about $700 cash that you don't even need because every clubhouse has plenty of food? ''It's still unreal. It's going to take me a long time to get over that. We already have a cafeteria. We already have a cook. And then they give us a stack of cash.'' (Batard, Miami.com) - This guy seems awesome, someone you want to hang out with and honest, no PR spin. I guess Crash Davis never caught the D-Train.
• I would like to thank one of Boston’s Finest for allowing me to cut through a street closed to all traffic other than residents due to BU moving day last Sunday. I did not have to wait in Kenmore Square traffic after the Sox game. Yes, I did find another free parking spot for the game. Life is good. Life is sweet. You know you can’t resist. Come on everyone and sing along with me. It is hold up…
• In a reply e-mail, he [John Henry] said, "It is outrageous for a fan of ours to be thrown out of the game for tossing an opposing home run ball back onto the field. I will look into it and personally apologize to this man." (McGory, Boston Globe). These guys get it.
• It speaks volumes that the team was right behind Pedro, but not Manny.
• Sox RP Diary http://premium.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2263
• Interview with John Henry http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20021213keri.shtml
• Facing the Nation (Red Sox Nation that is) http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/08/29/facing_the_nation/
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!
Dirt Dogs (link to right) is reporting that Manny has been benched indefinitely.
The Pats have released Lawyer Milloy due to the cap which is one of the reasons I like not love football.
"This is a player and person I have immense respect for, and he meant a lot to this team and organization," Belichick said. "Unfortunately he's a casualty of the system. The timing is not good. We tried to find a way to make it work. In the end, we weren't able to get to that point." (Wilbur, Boston Globe).
I have a ton of notes to go through and hope to put out a "real" post tomorrow.
Dirt Dogs (link to right) is reporting that Manny has been benched indefinitely.
The Pats have released Lawyer Milloy due to the cap which is one of the reasons I like not love football.
"This is a player and person I have immense respect for, and he meant a lot to this team and organization," Belichick said. "Unfortunately he's a casualty of the system. The timing is not good. We tried to find a way to make it work. In the end, we weren't able to get to that point." (Wilbur, Boston Globe).
I have a ton of notes to go through and hope to put out a "real" post tomorrow.
Thank you - Red Sox!
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