Considering the Red Sox Starters

Going into this season most people, Cavman included, thought starting pitching was the Red Sox greatest strength.  I didn’t think the offense was as “average” as some people.  But so far the starting pitching has been the weakest link, despite numerous injuries to key position players.  We have seen Lowrie, Lugo, Kotsay and now Youkilis [...]

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Considering Teammates

I just loved David Halberstam’s book, The Teammates: A Portrait of Friendship.  It tells the tale of Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and Bobby Doerr’s last visit to see their friend, Ted Williams, before he died.  It was the story of 4 friends who shared more than a love for the national past time.
I am reminded [...]

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Considering a Pathetic Start

The season opened with so much promise.  Suddenly the Red Sox were 2-6, getting slapped around on the West Coast.  And now their depth has evaporated.

Lugo and Kotsay began the season on the DL.
Lowrie’s wrist injury returned.  He’s on the DL and may need surgery.
Dice-K is on the DL with shoulder fatigue, well before Smoltz [...]

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Considering the Power Potential

Much has been made in some quarters about the “lack of power” in the Red Sox farm system.  The argument goes that they have done a great job developing pitchers (Lester, Papelbon, Buchholz, Masterson, and Bard looks like he’ll be ready soon).  They also have some good all-around players (Pedroia, Ellsbury and Lowrie), but no [...]

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Considering the 2009 Red Sox

In the midst of juggling my 3 jobs, I’ve decided to come up for air and talk some Boston Red Sox.  Many commentators are focusing on their offense, as if it won’t get it done.
Let’s look back at last season.  We had a less than healthy Papi, a nearly crippled Mike Lowell, an injured Josh [...]

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Considering MLB Team Salaries

While fixing the kids’ lunch today, I was watching the Sports Reporters.  They were talking about the economy’s effect on salaries, and just about every team but the NY Yankees.  The salary cap was mentioned, and one of the reporters repeated an oft mentioned error.  I can’t stand it when supposed experts (like this guy [...]

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Considering Learning from Mistakes

The Red Sox learned from one of their earlier mistakes.  Dice-K has done well in his 2 years with the Red Sox.  But not as well as perhaps anticipated.  The difference in balls (Japanese teams often use a smaller ball) and Dice-K’s relatively small hands meant that he had trouble gripping the ball for certain [...]

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Considering Teixeira Hold ‘Em

Mark Teixeira is like the anti-Manny.  Money Ramirez just wants to hit, be adored on the field and ignored off the field.  He forfeited 2 one-year team options for $20 million a piece in the hopes for one last big contract.  He’s not known for his fielding, nor his community involvement.
Teixeira is a 2-time Gold [...]

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Considering the Yankees’ Big Offers

One of my good friends was IMing me on Facebook the other day.  We talked about ministry and moved into a common passion- baseball.  He asked if my Sox had bought up the good players yet.  He kiddingly expressed a common sentitment- that we are the Yankees Jr.
Since the new owners took over the Red [...]

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Considering the Hot Stove Season

A second Red Sox post in 2 days?  Yes, because the Hot Stove is overheating!
Coco Crisp is now a Kansas City Royal (sorry, dude).  I’ll miss his superb defense despite his weak arm.  Obviously Theo and Terry think Jacoby will make the necessary adjustments to return much better next season after going through some disappointing [...]

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Considering Dustin Pedroia, AL MVP

Dustin Pedroia’s professional career so far.

May 2007- fans want rookie Dustin Pedroia benched for lack of production.
2007- World Series Champion
2007- A.L. Rookie of the Year
2008- One win away from the 2008 World Series.
2008- Golden Glove Award: best fielder at his position in the A.L.
2008- Silver Slugger Award: best hitter at his position in the A.L.
2008- [...]

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Considering the ALCS

I was nearly jumping for joy with them after an exciting final 2 innings to last night’s game.  Jon Lester continues to build a reputation as a money pitcher, throwing 7 shutout innings that was nearly wasted by a spent bullpen.
Francona made an uncharacteristic mistake, I think, by pulling Okajima.  Another walk, a passed ball [...]

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Considering the Red Sox’ Loss

For hours last night I was wondering what in the world the Angels have to do to actually beat the Red Sox in the post season.  Look at that stat sheet and it should have been a blow out, not a 12-inning barn burner.
The Red Sox should NOT have been in that game.  Beckett was [...]

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Considering the Red Sox’ Win

Yes, I stayed up well past midnight, though I nearly fell asleep at 9.  I was in the intermediate state where I’m semi-conscious and snoring, but don’t realize it.  This is much to CavWife’s consternation.  I went to bed after Big Papi’s single in the 9th gave the Red Sox another insurance run.  I was [...]

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Considering the Red Sox’ Chances

It has been a miserable season for the Red Sox in terms of injuries.  They have been hit hard from the very beginning of the season as Beckett had a back issue.  Those who’ve missed time include Big Papi, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, Lugo (thankfully), Dice-K, Wake, Colon (the low-risk gamble didn’t really pay off).
But [...]

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Considering Reversing the Curse

While I was on vacation, my dad gifted me with Dan Shaughnessy’s book Reversing the Curse: Inside the History-Making Red Sox Championship Season.  It is one of the MANY books to be written about the 2004 World Series Champions.  This book was actually written as the season progressed, and like the movie Fever Pitch, had [...]

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Considering a Shrinking Lead

After just 1 loss some of th Rays’ fans were panicing.  Now that they have lost 4 out of 5 games, and their lead is merely 2 games (with the Red Sox still to play tonight), they must be lining up to jump off the bridge.
I heard some talk radio guys whining about Red Sox [...]

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Get Well Soon, Yaz!

Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is recuperating after a triple bypass.
#8 is the last man to ever win the Triple Crown in the magical ‘67 season (giving birth to Red Sox Nation).  It was a different era because .326, 44 HR and 121 RBIs won’t get you far these days.  But that magical [...]

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Considering Youkilis’ Rise in Stature & Other Sox Stuff

An odd thing happened this year.  Kevin Youkilis made a transition from a hard-working, Gold Glove, OBP guy to a player on the brink of stardom.  He is hitting for more power, having equalled his career high in HRs with about 6 weeks to go, and should soon pass his career high in RBIs.  His [...]

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Manny to LA-LA Land

Frank McCourt continues his attempt to build Boston West.  He often gets Sox players past their prime.  He also had a former manager until he realized too late that Grady Little may be a great guy but not the best manager.
Today, they traded for Manny Ramirez who has worn out his welcome in Beantown.
The Red [...]

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