Monday, June 05, 2006
TITO DOES NOT DO IT YET AGAIN
Sometimes repetition is the only way a concept can be learned so here we go again. Tito did not put his ball club in the best situation to win Saturday night’s game. With men on first and second, one out and down one run in the bottom of the eighth, Francona elected to insert Tavarez in relief of Delcarmen to face the Tigers’ best hitter, Ordonez. It was clear that this was a big moment in the game and Tito went with Tavarez apparently (his press conferences are all spin, all the time - Tito is the de facto Press Secretary for the Henry Administration on 4 Yawkey Way) because Ordonez is 0 for 6 against the fiery groundball reliever.
Six times! Six freakin’ times! That was the Manager’s rationale. Hopefully, it was more than that after inking a long-term deal with the organization. I want to know that Tito looked at film of Ordonez who was completely lost against Tavarez like Wily Mo Pena and sliders from righties. If it was solely 0 for 6, then I’m probably not the only one with an issue.
In Steve Kettmann’s book, One Day at Fenway, Lucchino states to Henry regarding a pitching matchup, "Posada was 0-for-4 lifetime against Kim." Henry's reply, "You think that's statistically significant?" "'It is to the manager,' Lucchino said." The Manager being referred to was Grady Little. As we know, he was dismissed for not only leaving Pedro in too long, but for not understanding the how to apply the statistically reports from the Baseball Operations staff supplied. It was my understanding that Tito was different. May be, may be not, Tito is the spin master.
Without Mike Timlin, throwing only ten pitches in the previous night and an off day on Thursday, the Sox should have had Papelbon come in and put out the fire on Saturday. He was needed to shut down the Tigers in the most critical part of the game. Killing that rally would have given the bats a chance for another comeback victory in the ninth with Manny, Nixon and KY ready. The Sox youngster needs to used, at least in the short-term with Timlin out, more like relief ace rather than a closer.
Sometimes repetition is the only way a concept can be learned so here we go again. Tito did not put his ball club in the best situation to win Saturday night’s game. With men on first and second, one out and down one run in the bottom of the eighth, Francona elected to insert Tavarez in relief of Delcarmen to face the Tigers’ best hitter, Ordonez. It was clear that this was a big moment in the game and Tito went with Tavarez apparently (his press conferences are all spin, all the time - Tito is the de facto Press Secretary for the Henry Administration on 4 Yawkey Way) because Ordonez is 0 for 6 against the fiery groundball reliever.
Six times! Six freakin’ times! That was the Manager’s rationale. Hopefully, it was more than that after inking a long-term deal with the organization. I want to know that Tito looked at film of Ordonez who was completely lost against Tavarez like Wily Mo Pena and sliders from righties. If it was solely 0 for 6, then I’m probably not the only one with an issue.
In Steve Kettmann’s book, One Day at Fenway, Lucchino states to Henry regarding a pitching matchup, "Posada was 0-for-4 lifetime against Kim." Henry's reply, "You think that's statistically significant?" "'It is to the manager,' Lucchino said." The Manager being referred to was Grady Little. As we know, he was dismissed for not only leaving Pedro in too long, but for not understanding the how to apply the statistically reports from the Baseball Operations staff supplied. It was my understanding that Tito was different. May be, may be not, Tito is the spin master.
Without Mike Timlin, throwing only ten pitches in the previous night and an off day on Thursday, the Sox should have had Papelbon come in and put out the fire on Saturday. He was needed to shut down the Tigers in the most critical part of the game. Killing that rally would have given the bats a chance for another comeback victory in the ninth with Manny, Nixon and KY ready. The Sox youngster needs to used, at least in the short-term with Timlin out, more like relief ace rather than a closer.
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