By now I am sure you all have caught wind of this he-said-he-said story regarding the HOF sock. Mike and Mike in the Morning brought my attention to the story, and coined the phrase "he-said-he-said". Deadspin put their typical humorous spin on it, and Curt hasn't addressed it yet. Not sure if he will, my guess is he tries to ride this out (e.g. hopes the story goes away).
Personally, I think the story is a dead-end. It's interesting that Thorne called out Mirabelli by name, which certainly lends some credibility to his story and/or at least puts Mirabelli in the hot-seat. The team has circled the wagons and has presented a unified front, which leads me to believe the story will go no-where. As the Deadspin guys point out, are any of us surprised at the thought of Curt "self-aggrandizing"? No, not really. Should we have the HOF test the sock? I hope it doesn't get to that, but that certainly would put end to the story. I am not sure I can take another fake story right now.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Panic or Good Managing?
With the rainout last night for NY, there was excitement because Pettitte will now be able to pitch during the Sox series. He would have pitched tonight.
Hughes pitches tonight instead.
Is Torre trying to give Hughes the start that he thought he was going to get, or matching up Pettitte against the Sox? Both?
It is only game 20 or so. Again, even if the Sox sweep this weekend and go 7-8 games up, it will still only be April. As a Sox fan, I would be concerned to fall behind that much this early, but with 140 games to go, 7-8 games isn't a huge deal.
Isn't it just as important to beat Toronto tonight as the Red Sox this weekend to the Yankees?
The reason I really ask is because the Sox claim to play every game as if it is as important as any other. Of course, the argument can be made that Francona gave Tavaras that in between start before the Yankees series to line up Schilling, Beckett, and Daisuke.
So what is the real story with pitching matchups this early in the season?
Hughes pitches tonight instead.
Is Torre trying to give Hughes the start that he thought he was going to get, or matching up Pettitte against the Sox? Both?
It is only game 20 or so. Again, even if the Sox sweep this weekend and go 7-8 games up, it will still only be April. As a Sox fan, I would be concerned to fall behind that much this early, but with 140 games to go, 7-8 games isn't a huge deal.
Isn't it just as important to beat Toronto tonight as the Red Sox this weekend to the Yankees?
The reason I really ask is because the Sox claim to play every game as if it is as important as any other. Of course, the argument can be made that Francona gave Tavaras that in between start before the Yankees series to line up Schilling, Beckett, and Daisuke.
So what is the real story with pitching matchups this early in the season?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Puttin' on the Brakes...
So this morning I did a bad bad thing. I listened to the sports radio despite my current ban...
All the yahoos were out in full force claiming the Yankees are done. Seems to me like we've had this early-season conversation a few times before.
As a Sox fan it is very tempting to jump all over the Yankees right now. A sweep, a four-game lead. As well, the Yankees are rushing Hughes up to pitch this week despite saying this wouldn't happen...3 of their 5 starters are on the DL. Their bullpen is already tired and looks very weak. But we've got to stay focused and realistic here.
The Yankees lineup is silly. They are going to score a bazillion runs and there are a lot of teams with bad pitching out there right now. They will win many of those games. I was too lazy to look it up, but most of us agreed in a post last year that beating up on the bad teams is a great way to notch many wins...And they will again add Matsui to the mix...They will score a ton and just outscore teams.
They will also shower Clemens with money...
They will also make trades for relievers...
Their "lower" payroll will again skyrocket well over $200MM.
They will be there all year.
The Sox, meanwhile, are winning with pitching, but have also lost many low scoring games due to lack of offense. They are scoring like crazy at home and go silent on the road. Until the Sox show consistency on the road and offensively, and Mussina and Wang do not come back, I am holding up my victory parade.
I do, however, think the Sox have vastly superior pitching in all aspects. The starting rotation from 1-5 at this point is better than the Yankees (and this will probably be the case for the entire season). The middle relief is better, and the closer is better. They have extra pitching in Pawtucket.
Manny hasn't started to hit, yet, and A-Rod will cool off a bit. Lowell looks like he is going to have a better year than last, as does Crisp. That lengthens the Sox lineup a lot which means they will eventually be consistent. And don't rule out the acquisition of another big bat at some point.
Playing at their current pace, the Sox would win 108 games. I don't think they'll get there, but (if they find offensive consistency), 100 is not out of the question. If they don't find that consistency (and struggle on the road) 93-95 wins...
With their lineup, I see the Yankees very capable of winning 92-93 games with their current pitching situation. If Mussina and Wang come back strong, they should make the playoffs, and could win 95-96 games.
That's kind of close to call, isn't it? There are a ton of what-ifs? And let's not forget the injuries...We saw what happened last year...
I am not being pessimistic here...just realistic. There are so many games to play, and such a small current sample size on which to make judgements.
Of course, another 3-game sweep in the Bronx could push me over the edge...
All the yahoos were out in full force claiming the Yankees are done. Seems to me like we've had this early-season conversation a few times before.
As a Sox fan it is very tempting to jump all over the Yankees right now. A sweep, a four-game lead. As well, the Yankees are rushing Hughes up to pitch this week despite saying this wouldn't happen...3 of their 5 starters are on the DL. Their bullpen is already tired and looks very weak. But we've got to stay focused and realistic here.
The Yankees lineup is silly. They are going to score a bazillion runs and there are a lot of teams with bad pitching out there right now. They will win many of those games. I was too lazy to look it up, but most of us agreed in a post last year that beating up on the bad teams is a great way to notch many wins...And they will again add Matsui to the mix...They will score a ton and just outscore teams.
They will also shower Clemens with money...
They will also make trades for relievers...
Their "lower" payroll will again skyrocket well over $200MM.
They will be there all year.
The Sox, meanwhile, are winning with pitching, but have also lost many low scoring games due to lack of offense. They are scoring like crazy at home and go silent on the road. Until the Sox show consistency on the road and offensively, and Mussina and Wang do not come back, I am holding up my victory parade.
I do, however, think the Sox have vastly superior pitching in all aspects. The starting rotation from 1-5 at this point is better than the Yankees (and this will probably be the case for the entire season). The middle relief is better, and the closer is better. They have extra pitching in Pawtucket.
Manny hasn't started to hit, yet, and A-Rod will cool off a bit. Lowell looks like he is going to have a better year than last, as does Crisp. That lengthens the Sox lineup a lot which means they will eventually be consistent. And don't rule out the acquisition of another big bat at some point.
Playing at their current pace, the Sox would win 108 games. I don't think they'll get there, but (if they find offensive consistency), 100 is not out of the question. If they don't find that consistency (and struggle on the road) 93-95 wins...
With their lineup, I see the Yankees very capable of winning 92-93 games with their current pitching situation. If Mussina and Wang come back strong, they should make the playoffs, and could win 95-96 games.
That's kind of close to call, isn't it? There are a ton of what-ifs? And let's not forget the injuries...We saw what happened last year...
I am not being pessimistic here...just realistic. There are so many games to play, and such a small current sample size on which to make judgements.
Of course, another 3-game sweep in the Bronx could push me over the edge...
Monday, April 23, 2007
Best of the week Part III
The look on Chase Wright's face pretty much says it all. What a great weekend.
Runners up include a montage from former Red Stocking Freddy-I-can-dance-like-Michael-Jackson-Sanchez and this photo of what happens when you mess with Freddy
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Back to back to back to back
Don't think I've ever seen that before. Think they figured out something about this Chase guy?
Of course, Daisuke just gave up a ground rule double to Mientkiewicz, so this game is far from over.
Also, I hate the term "back to back to back". Makes no sense.
Of course, Daisuke just gave up a ground rule double to Mientkiewicz, so this game is far from over.
Also, I hate the term "back to back to back". Makes no sense.
Well, then.
The other day Grieve4Eva made the comment that the one upside to A-Rod's insanity is that he could actually get 74 HR, knocking Bonds off the single-season record books (which, if the Yanks were out of playoff contention, might even be worth rooting for). I realized that's a big reason I don't really care about Bonds's overtaking Hank Aaron. It seems so temporary - barring some huge injury problems (which he's never had so far) A-Rod's a lock to pass both of them. He'll very likely be the first to the 800 club, and 850 even seem possible. I was thinking about posting something about this, but then the Mysterious Baseball Hermit ("Andrew") came out of nowhere (in only his fourth post of the year!) with a far better discussion of this topic than I could have possibly done. So I'll just leave it to Andrew.
On the topic of goodness from other blogs, via Twitch 124, here's a ridiculous ad for ESPN fantasy baseball starring John Kruk, Peter Gammons, Joe Borowski, Carlos Lee, Bronson Arroyo, Gary Sheffield, a lecherous Florida Marlin, some others I can't identify...and the lead singer of Rush. Holy crap.
On the topic of goodness from other blogs, via Twitch 124, here's a ridiculous ad for ESPN fantasy baseball starring John Kruk, Peter Gammons, Joe Borowski, Carlos Lee, Bronson Arroyo, Gary Sheffield, a lecherous Florida Marlin, some others I can't identify...and the lead singer of Rush. Holy crap.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Random Thoughts for a Saturday
Great game last night. I will try to keep it in perspective but the matchups now favor the Sox for the last two games. And as we know, a sweep in April does not mean much. That being said, it reveals one more chink in the pinstriped armor.
As the eighth inning started and the game looked lost, I kept reminding myself of what seemed like 10 series in the last 4-5 years where the Sox would drop a tough series opener to the Yanks and then storm back on Saturday (in fact I think both the 17-1 games were on the heels of tough Friday losses). So, I’m sure the Yanks will brush it off and be ready to go this year.
Seeing Posada leave the game made me think he could be the most irreplaceable Yankee of all.
That being said, I need to be careful what I wish for. Boone gets hurt, the Yanks get A-Rod. There is not that big of an impact catcher out there, but you never know. I’m sure the Yanks wish they had not traded for the Unit even more, having gave up Navarro.
I’m very happy Fox is doing only one game of the week to start the season. That means no blackout out here.
And I sure hope they have Dick Stockton calling the game today, like they did last week. What a refreshing change.
As the eighth inning started and the game looked lost, I kept reminding myself of what seemed like 10 series in the last 4-5 years where the Sox would drop a tough series opener to the Yanks and then storm back on Saturday (in fact I think both the 17-1 games were on the heels of tough Friday losses). So, I’m sure the Yanks will brush it off and be ready to go this year.
Seeing Posada leave the game made me think he could be the most irreplaceable Yankee of all.
That being said, I need to be careful what I wish for. Boone gets hurt, the Yanks get A-Rod. There is not that big of an impact catcher out there, but you never know. I’m sure the Yanks wish they had not traded for the Unit even more, having gave up Navarro.
I’m very happy Fox is doing only one game of the week to start the season. That means no blackout out here.
And I sure hope they have Dick Stockton calling the game today, like they did last week. What a refreshing change.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A-Rod
Dude is insane. 10 HR (2 walkoffs), 25 RBI in just 14 games. Pretty amazing how one guy is singlehandedly carrying the entire team - reminds me of Vlad with the Angels the last couple weeks of 2004. But then I see pictures like this and get all pissy. Is it just my intense anti-Yankee bias, or does he seem incredibly obnoxious in most of his celebratory photos?
On the topic, this - from a week ago! - is pretty hilarious.
Off the topic, so is this. And this and this.
On the topic, this - from a week ago! - is pretty hilarious.
Off the topic, so is this. And this and this.
Come from behind! It's our favorite way to do it
Oh yeah! Manny tied it with Coco on base. What's that you say, "Coco who?". Well as it turns out Coco figure into today's come from behind victory in a couple key ways, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI. The one run was in front of Manny which tied the game and his RBI was in the form of a sacrfice fly in the 9th to help seal the deal. Way to go Coco. It is nice to see some production, finally! It begs the point to look at Coco's production by situation:
Batting 1st: .261/.308/.366
Batting 2nd: .313/.358/.482
Batting 8th: .268/.321/.429
Batting 9th: .230/.269/.339
I know this year is a ridiculously low sample size but it works in my favor so of course I am going to reference it. His recent production came from batting 2nd and 1st in the order. The rest of the season he has struggled at the bottom of the line up (mostly 9th). Would they consider a move? In my opinion, you can't move Lugo. He's a table setter as well and when you compare Coco to Lugo, Lugo wins. However, if you look at Youk and his production batting 6th (.389/.421/.611) you have to wonder if it could work (18 AB - so this is really silly). Just because I am on a ridiculous roll, here goes my proposed line up change:
Lugo
Crisp
Ortiz
Manny
Drew
Youk
Lowell
Varitek
Pedroia
It's a long shot, but I just might be able to say, "you read it here first".
Batting 1st: .261/.308/.366
Batting 2nd: .313/.358/.482
Batting 8th: .268/.321/.429
Batting 9th: .230/.269/.339
I know this year is a ridiculously low sample size but it works in my favor so of course I am going to reference it. His recent production came from batting 2nd and 1st in the order. The rest of the season he has struggled at the bottom of the line up (mostly 9th). Would they consider a move? In my opinion, you can't move Lugo. He's a table setter as well and when you compare Coco to Lugo, Lugo wins. However, if you look at Youk and his production batting 6th (.389/.421/.611) you have to wonder if it could work (18 AB - so this is really silly). Just because I am on a ridiculous roll, here goes my proposed line up change:
Lugo
Crisp
Ortiz
Manny
Drew
Youk
Lowell
Varitek
Pedroia
It's a long shot, but I just might be able to say, "you read it here first".
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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