National Pastime

Today marks one year to the day that Hurricane Katrina pounded the Gulf Coast communities into an unspeakable oblivion, and in just under two weeks America will observe the five year anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. In the shadow of these monstrous events, baseball seems so incredibly trivial.

Or does it?

This game, for all it's flaws and shortcomings, for the idolatry and hypocrisy of it's players and administrators, really is our national pastime. People use it as the light at the end of the winter tunnel as spring training approaches, they build their nightly schedules around it, and look to it as the last refuge of summer's warm breath. Football, to be sure, has rooted itself firmly in the crisp bite of autumn and winter, but in no way can football lay claim to the broad strokes that baseball has painted across the American landscape since the mid-nineteenth century.

Players come and go, dynasties rise and fall, the stands fill, empty, and fill again. With scotch or steroids, weights or offseason work, baseball truly has marked the pass of time in our young nation. We remember the winning seasons and try to forget the lost ones, but beyond those we remember the milestones. Ruth's greatness, Robinson's integration, Clemente's charity, Buckner's blunder, and a young Yankee nine's rise at century's close, and fall at millenium's opening: all of these events have woven themselves into the mythic fabric of Baseball's past.

The Red Sox are falling and October baseball, for the first time in three years, looks to be nothing more than summer's daydream. But regardless of their troubles, watch the game tonight, or, if particularly nostalgic, give it a listen on the radio. As we remember our nation's greatest tragedies, be sure, too, to recall our nation's brighter times, and continue the tradition that Baseball has handed us.

Coco Puff

Really, there isn't a whole lot you can do anymore. Watch the games, listen to the broadcasts, sure, but it's hard to manage any sort of optimism about this team. I don't agree with Shaughnessy often, but his article (and Tony Massarotti's piece) in this morning's Globe (and Herald, respectively) does speak to certain points.

First of all, Francona is off the hook. No more criticisms (aside from the occasional poor decision). He's trying to catch up with the EA Sports All-Stars, er, Yankees, by throwing players that are at or below the league average level at a wall and hoping something, anything, will stick.

It hasn't.

I know Johnny Damon betrayed Sox fans, and I know Kevin Millar started to drive everybody a little bit crazy, but those two guys had, I think, just enough insanity lurking in their illiterate brains to help them look beyond slumps. I certainly don't want them back, but I would like to see a little more effort both on and off the field.

Manny can't play, we know that, and frankly, I believe the guy. He limps visibly when he's out there, and I believe that his spotty availibility is due more to the manager's desire to try and field a major-league offense than Manny being a flake. This whole lineup is in shambles, but don't blame the guys who are injured or their oft out of position replacements. Look instead to some of the regulars who are healthy and not producing.

Actually, at the moment, I can think of just one: Coco Crisp.

I hate to do that, to call out a single player, especially when I've been trying to back the guy all season. Here's the thing, though: he very visibly does not want to be here, and it's manifesting itself in his on-field production. You know his average (.264) and his on-base percentage (.322), and that his walk-to-strikeout ratio (BB/K) is a palid 0.53 (that's from striking out 15.6% of the time and walking only 7.6%), but did you know that he's only seeing 3.1 pitches per plate appearance?

That's awful. He's going up there and just hacking at everything, turning into this year's Edgar Renteria. Maybe I should cut him some slack, but he needs to remember that he's a professional trying his best to win. He may have landed the big contract, but he's still just a guy who's supposed to collect base hits, not hit for the cycle every game. He needs to become a roleplayer, and in order to do that he's going to have to swallow his pride a little bit. I don't doubt that he can do it, and I know he's capable of producing the way we all projected.

But right now, he just represents all the frustration and lack of motivation on this speedily sinking team.

Apologies

After some thought, reflection, and experience watching the debate at OverTheMonster.com unfold around my criticism of Terry Francona, I've come to a few conclusions and would like to make amends for past statements.

First of all, I like Terry Francona. I know, the last post was a fairly serious indictment of the man I held responsible for all that has happened in the last couple weeks. Fact of the matter is, though, that it's not his fault. I do believe he should be held accountable for Mirabelli/Beckett, but really, there isn't much better than Mike Timlin in the bullpen.

He's a pretty solid manager. He does appear a little less than inspirational during the in-game camera shots on NESN, and he's not as well-spoken as Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre, but he's the right kind of manager for Boston. He's a player's manager, giving guys the day off when they need it and rarely pointing the accusing finger. He could be better, it's true, but not too much.

Bob Ryan wrote a great piece in the Globe today that basically sums up the way we should be seeing things. He's got his finger on the pulse of things, and I think we could all use a little perspective, don't you?

Sorry, Tito.

He's Ruining It for Everybody

Terry Francona is losing these games.

Before I go any further, let me just say that this is not going to be a mind-numbing rant. There has been some awful play on both sides of the ball by both teams during this series, to be sure, but the manager needs to make the best decisions possible in-game so as to put his team in the best position possible.

Two things stand out: Josh Beckett pitching to Javy Lopez on Saturday, and Mike Timlin in the eigth inning.

I and others have written at length about the success Josh had pitching to Doug Mirabelli. For some reason, though, Javy Lopez was on the other side of the plate for his last three or so starts, resulting in terrible pitch selection and a particularly gruesome sight after chasing a wild pitch on Saturday. Not only has Beckett lost with Lopez, but Mirabelli hasn't even been given a second chance.

It really is inexcusable. There is hard evidence that Beckett and 'Belli are effective, and considering the fact that Lopez cares so much about his pitcher during a bases-loaded jam to wipe his glasses over the span of a minute. C'mon, gimme a break.

Finally, Mike Timlin in the eighth inning is not a good idea. Last year he was Iron Mike, but this year he's human. Tito deserves a little bit of a pass based solely on the fact that every pitcher we've got has been slumping lately, but I think the graver offense is watching a man with a recent history of not getting the job done continually be given the chance to extend that history.

I'm upset we're losing, certainly, but I'm more upset about the way this team is being handled in certain aspects. Even if, somehow, the numbers don't support these claims, isn't it at least time to shake things up?

*The postings are going to be spotty over the next few days, as they have over the last two weeks, but they'll kick into gear once I get back home.

Which Beckett Will We See Tonight?

"Beckett was OK tonight, all in all. He picked up a few K's and really only got hurt on a few home runs. Otherwise, he looked alright." Lather, rinse, and repeat through the first half of 2006.
Here's the difference between tonight's start and his last one:

Doug Mirabelli.

Remember, throw the curveball first and ask questions later.

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Airing It Out: A Fan's Online Rant

DISCLAIMER: Anything mentioned below is to be regarded no more seriously than the pinings of your local mechanic who, in the middle of a sweltering heat wave, bitches about the woes of his beloved Red Sawx without any evidence more credible than "Mahk Bellhoahn shoah strikes out way too much." He bleeds with every word, that much is certain; but the intricacies and workings of reason and logic tend to escape his mental faculties. Also, there are swear words. Mind the young ones.

We had absolutely no right to expect a win. Outside of Manny's home run, the Red Sox did nothing right. I do everything I can to provide you, the readers of this site, with balanced and occasionally humorous insight into the Sox, but right now, that's the last thing on my mind. On a night when the Yankees were shut out by Adam Loewen and the miserable Orioles, the Sox decided it was a good night to just kick back and see if they couldn't scrape out a win. Against the smaller, weaker teams, Mystique and Aura put the Bombers over the top. The Sox just think they get the W's for showing up. Sigh, let's do this in order:

1. David Wells: Do everyone a fucking favor: pitch and act like you care, or retire. If we were the Yankees would you be so wishy washy? What about if we were in San Diego? I hear that an extra 140+ pounds is great for your knees, so I'm glad you're trying to take things in the right direction.

2. Terry Francona: I love you, man, I really do, but you need to stop trotting out the B Team when you feel someone's owwie needs a break. Manny's got knee troubles? Fine, that's cool. Ortiz at 1B? Not terrible, but not the best thing, considering you could've kept Youkilis at first and put Alex ".379 OBP" Cora at third and maintained our defense, which, in case you haven't noticed, is the only part of our team showing up with consistency. That big inning for the Devil Rays could've been prevented if Ortiz doesn't boot the ball.

3. Kevin Youkilis: You're a fan favorite. You cost me pennies in the draft. You're currently one of my favorites, but you're starting to slide down the list. You're playing great, and I'm super excited for you. Here's the thing, though: you are not the next Mo Vaughn, nor are you the next John Olerud. You're an above average offensive and defensive player at a power position. When you start bitching about strikeouts, when you start whining and rolling your eyes and throwing a hissy fit about lining out to the second baseman or flying out to the warning track instead of raking your four RBI, you look like a baby. Cut it out. It makes it that much harder for me to watch games without frustration.

4. Coco Crisp: Do you have any idea how many time's I've gone to bat for you? And would you believe most of the time I bloop it into the gap instead of bouncing/grounding/flying out? That's a lot more than you've done. You're a lot of fun, Coco, but don't kid yourself: you're not a superstar yet. Your job is to be the guy who gets on base and then runs. You're supposed to see pitches and get them in for hits, not hit five-run home runs. Your defense has been admirable, but that's all you've got going for you. Everyone's down on you, man, and I'm trying to convince them you'll come around, but you need to help me out for a change. Miss your Binkie? Sorry, Willie "Caught Stealing" Harris isn't going to be showing his face around here for some time.

5. Craig Hansen: I know you're the man. I know you got the sweet contract right out of St. John's. But you're not yet a big league reliever. Locate more, throw less. Listen to Schilling, not Beckett.

6. Al Nipper: Aren't you supposed to have an idea of when your guys are done before they cough up the game? You've been great at coming out and looking studious, but you have no feel for it.

7. Matt Clement: Grow up. Wear a helmet if you have to, but grow up. Pouting gets you nowhere.

Javier Lopez, Meet Javier Lopez

We did just like the message boards said we would, acquiring catcher Javy Lopez from Baltimore for a split of his remaining salary and a player to be named later (PTBNL). The question now is, does this make the Sox better for the time that they're going to be without Jason Varitek? Despite the defensive shortcomings of our new backstop, the answer is, "Yes."

It's really not necessary to look beyond more than the career lines for both Lopez and Doug Mirabelli, the man he will undoubtedly be platooning with. Lopez is a career .288 hitter, posting a .338 OBP and .494 SLG. Compare this with Mirabelli's .236/.313/.416 line, and you have a small offensive improvement over our backup. Lopez's offensive, unlike Mirabelli's, comes over more than 5000 career ABs, while Doug has only had 1268 career ABs, meaning that just on pure talent alone Lopez is a better player. Defensively, they're pretty much a wash for behind the plate. Neither player is renowned for their soft hands, and the fact that they're both getting up there in age doesn't help.

What we should be looking for is a catcher who can contribute at the plate and fill an offensive gap. He's no Barry Bonds, but he's not Kelly Shoppach, either. As the saying goes, when poorly timed injuries give you lemons...

NUMB3RS

If chicks dig the long ball, then Josh Beckett has done more than his fair share to help out the lonely hitters of the American League. In tonight's 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians, Beckett served up his 29th, 30th, and 31st home runs to Aaron Boone, Travis Hafner, and the man currently known as Choo. There used to be a time when Beckett, like Curt Schilling, was nigh-untouchable at home in Boston, but just like his mentor he has begun to reveal the chinks in his armor. We've all smartened up to the fact that wins and losses (13-6) are a terrible indication of a pitcher's success, so combined with all these long balls and an ERA of 5.00 (up .90 over his previous career high, set in 2002) it seems fair to say that Beckett has poorly acclimated to the Junior Circuit.

Or has he?

Without a doubt, the home runs have been a problem. Beckett is climbing a rather infamous ladder in an unintentional attempt to join Burt Blyleven and José Lima for the highest HR/Season totals, but otherwise his pitching numbers have been surprisingly good.

Nobody can expect a pitcher, particularly one of the young, hurler variety, to enter the Land of the Designated Hitter and continue to post NL-dominant numbers. With this in mind, it's fair to say that Josh has done alright. Wins and losses aren't that important, but he has picked up 13 and will probably end up in the 16-18 range, no small feat in the AL East. His K/9 number is down from his normal range of 8-9, but remains an impressive 7.5. The home runs are definitely up (1.88 HR/9), but his opponents are batting a weak .245 against him and only getting on base just barely 1/3 of the time (.313). Walks per nine innings are just barely higher than his career best at 2.95, and he's remained very close to his career average of 16 pitches per inning. A very telling overall sign of Beckett's success is his WHIP, which remains at 1.27.

Whew, that's a lot of numbers. I'm not usually one to just spit them out like so many sunflower seeds, but these numbers say one thing: Josh Beckett is pitching well. Again, the long ball is absolutely killing him, but outside of that he has been, essentially, his dominant self. The strikeouts, while a smidge lower, are still there and the walks are down. Opponents are really having a tough time stringing hits together against him with regularity, it's just that when they do, they tend to be capped off by a big fly into the bleachers.

Just like everyone else, I was upset to see Beckett lose in another crucial game, especially when it meant that the Yankees moved into first place. I just can't say that he's a terrible pitcher. My eyes tell me he's a risk on the hill, but the numbers convince me that he's about as good as one can expect for the first year in a new, hitter-friendly league.

All I can say is, let's try and cut him some slack, and hope he can rack up a few more of those insignificant W's.

Clearly I was wrong...

I apologize to anyone listening yesterday to our radio show, I clearly was talking like a horse's ass when speaking about the Yankee's chances of winning the division. I said that when you get into a situation where you aren't steering your own wheel it's hard to come out on top. Last night the Yankees took over the division and I clearly was not up on current events. My apologies, it won't happen again.

Is This Where The Panic Sets In?

Mike Lowell bruses his right ankle in Tuesday night's game by fouling a pitch off of it during an AB; Jason Varitek moves to the 15 day DL, likely to miss 4 to 6 weeks with surgery on his left knee; Trot Nixon also goes to the 15 day DL with a grade 2 bicep tear; Tim Wakefield, eligible to return from his DL stint, is still not close to throwing; Keith Foulke, scheduled to pitch earlier this week in Pawtucket, was unable due to back stiffness; Matt Clement is, apparently, able to throw without pain, but is now dead to the Red Sox front office; Lenny DiNardo declared dead, search parties unsuccessful after phantom injury (that's a joke in case you think I'm serious).

David Wells, back from his knee injury, allowed 8 runs in 5.6 innings in his debut.

And the Yankees acquired Bobby Abreu.

Et tu, Brute?

I'm going to stick by my guns and maintain my position that the front office was justified in sitting on their hands during what proved to be a Playstation-esque trade weekend. The pitching talent available was not worthy of the asking price, and despite my displeasure with the Yankees' acquisition, I'm not sure I would've wanted to see Abreu in the Fens.

Still, what to do?

The worst part off all this is that the Varitek, Nixon, and Lowell injuries all fell after the deadline had already passed. That simply means that, instead of going out to try and trade for some spare parts to buy time while the regulars work their way back, Theo has to go out and play the waiver wire, and if you're doing fairly well in your fantasy league, you know what that's like as a winning team. Ken Huckaby was called up for this evening's game, but he's a far cry from what we'd hope for in a replacement. It's now, when Josh Bard is tearing up the National League, that we see why it was so nice to have a young catcher in the fold in the first place.

Logical moves from this point out go like this, followed by their results:

1. Any time Lowell misses because of his bruise should be filled by Alex Cora. Offensively, this is a downgrade considering the way Lowell has swung the bat this year, but defensively this is pretty close to a wash. Cora is known for his smarts and his glove. Though he's not a 3B by trade, that combo will help him fill in for the time being.

2. With Trotman out, Wily Mo is going to get the playing time he deserves, and we saw last night the kind of production he's capable of. His defense isn't going to be as good, as his reads on balls isn't as clean. His arm, however, is a cannon, and his offense has a little more spark to it than Trot, particularly as of late. We'll miss the defense, but hopefully the bat will make up for it. Also, expect Gabe Kapler to get some time here as well, given his favor with Tito.

3. It's really difficult to judge just how big of a loss Varitek is. Offensively, he's been miserable, and defensively, he's been limited to his ability to call games. Both he and Mirabelli have a tough time with base stealers, so don't expect much change there. Mirabelli is even more of an offensive hole than 'Tek, but all we really need him to do is keep the staff together. I suppose Huckaby will have to see some time, but I hope we'll witness a waiver pickup of a young catcher somewhere.

4. Pitching is where we will continue to struggle. Schilling and Beckett need to remain healthy, and I'd like to see Lester be a little more efficient with his pitch count. (Sidenote: Beckett and Mirabelli worked really well against Oakland, we might see an improvement of some sorts). Wells needs to get the rust out, and Wake needs to begin throwing as soon as he's able in order for them to help the rotation. Kyle Snyder was so effective as a long man that I think he'd be best used in that role from here on out, particularly since that's something we've been lacking since Bronson left. Jason "Three Run" Johnson, while not stellar, was not godawful tonight and probably earned himself another start. Unfortunately, he's going to have to be replaced at some point, and the options in the minors aren't making me salivate.

5. The bullpen is doing ok, but at any point we could see them start to slide, especially given Delcarmen's soreness.

The fact of the matter is this: the Red Sox need to tread water (minimum) for the month of August if they want to even consider the playoffs. There's still a chance that we'll see some sort of deal made soon on the waiver wire, but we're likely already carrying what we'll use in the meantime. It's here that the Sox really get to prove what they're made of. Hopefully it's sterner stuff than the talking heads believe.

Wrong Finger...

The time has come for Barry Bonds to say farewell to his teammates, thank the fans for watching him play and give a big middle finger wave to MLB while driving away from the ballpark for the last time. His being a target for the FBI (according to Jason “seriously, I was on steroids” Grimsley) and being leaked as a target for a grand jury (that now is setting its sights on Olympic sprinters and the track coach of the past decade instead of baseball players) is more than enough drama in this charade. I am not defending Barry Bonds or his cashing in his quality of life during the final 20 years for 209 homers in 4 years (200-2004, 52.25 a year). I am however holding Bud Selig and MLB just as culpable; indeed, they were his banker.

What truly irks me is that MLB is acting as if they had no idea that he (and potentially 50% of his coworkers across the continent) was/is doing steroids. What irks me even more is that they are not treating his breaking Babe Ruth’s (spiritual) record of 714 homers (has only happened once before in the past 71 years, not a big deal or anything) like anything special. Their handling of this whole situation is second ONLY to the United States government subsidizing (and still doing so btw) tobacco for over 200 years, airdropping cartons of cigarettes to our soldiers around the globe and then acting shocked when doctors tell them that smoking is bad for you and suing tobacco companies. To complete the act MLB need only sue Barry Bonds to reclaim his salary to be equally hypocritical.

Barry Bonds has made the San Francisco Giants and MLB an unbelievable amount of money over the past 6 years in particular but technically since 1986. That money acted as blinders for MLB, it allowed MLB to repress their ethics and not suspect players that showed up after four months off work 20-60 pounds heavier and jacked with muscles. For the better part of a decade, that we can reasonably be sure of, MLB ignored the fact that wiry players all of the sudden showed up to spring training looking like professional wrestlers. As Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine pointed out, “Chicks dig the long ball”. Not only do chicks dig them, but so do men, little boys that look up to players and everyone else that has a pulse and enjoys baseball on any level.

It was that love of the long ball that brought people to the stadiums to see players like Barry Bonds. Mark McGwire, Junior, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmiero, David Ortiz, Steve Balboni (although judging from his Ruthesque physique nobody dare accuse him of steroid use without looking like a McCarthy reincarnation) and countless other clean-up hitters and super studs like A-Rod, Tejada and Pujols have sold-out countless stadiums. In truth, we the consumers are as culpable as MLB is for the current situation in baseball. We are the ones that pay $8 a beer, $4.50 a hot dog and $3.50 a small soda after spending $45 on a ticket. If we did not give so much money to see the long balls fly MLB might have actually attempted to police itself before the Representative from California intervened.

I have heard people claim that were it not for steroids MLB would have died after the 1994 strike shortened seasoned. To this, I say bullshi#. Players like Junior and Cal Ripken brought people back because they showed up for work without pretense, without media spots and without a chip on their shoulder. Junior should have been quite pissed as he could have broken Maris’ record that year with the clip he was on before the strike. The chase four years later did not save baseball, Big Mac and Sammy clearly did not hurt baseball but they should not be credited with being saviors when players like Junior and Cal are more deserving. I enjoyed their race probably more than most being a fan of Big Mac since the `84 Olympics (he and Cory Snyder were frequently impersonated by me at the plate and on the diamond), but I cannot agree with those that crown him king.

Now, back to Barry. I have already explained that MLB deserves to get the finger from him for their ridiculous handling of steroids in general and him in particular. Let me give the best reason of all for him to walk away. Babe Ruth. He has surpassed THE legend of the game in home runs, he is in the record books and he is running on thin treads. He will not catch Hank, he can barely WALK let alone play solid defense. He is a shadow of his previous self (much like Ruth in a Braves uniform), he is hurting his team and he is going to leave an image in the minds of the fans that he does not deserve. He should walk away while he still can, literally and figuratively. I respect Barry Bonds as a baseball player, regardless of what he has or has not done off the field. I just wish he could have learned from Lyle Alzado what he gave up for those four glorious years of the long ball. I enjoyed them as much as the next person, but they only cost me $45 at most to see them. They are going to cost Barry a great deal more than that.

And As The Clock Struck 4, Silence.

So, the Red Sox took my advice and stood pat. They didn't send Lester, Hansen, Delcarmen, Crisp, and a box of brand new baseballs to the Orioles for Jon Lieber, and it's a good thing. The Yankees got their man, too be sure, and in doing so they undoubtedly pushed the needle in the right direction as far as making the postseason and winning the AL East. Add to that tidbit the fact that Varitek is likely out of a few days (minimum) with a knee injury, and it all amounts to good reason for concern for Sox fans. But regardless, they made the right decision.

The WEEI phone lines are full of fans clamoring about how "we couldah had Roy Oswahlt oah Miguel Tejadar," but in reality, we know no such thing. The baseball media, both local and national, turns the trade deadline into Christmas in July. What gifts will we find waiting for us under the tree at 4 pm? The Hype would have you believe that World Series glory is simply a few middling prospects away, just around the corner, where you superstar and saviour is waiting to bring home the gold. Unfortunately, that's rarely the case. 2004 was an exception, a situation where people managed to gel as a team in a very rare way, to the point where it allowed them postseason swagger. Otherwise, the deadline is just another day and another chance to tweak the team.

Will Lester be the next Santana? Probably not, and he probably won't ever win a Cy Young. He will, however, keep the Sox out of the free agent market by being a young, talented arm under Sox control.

The point of the matter is, as I struggle not to fall asleep on my keyboard, that the Sox refused to mortgage the future. When Bobby Abreu collects his first base hit tonight, try not to have an anheurism. Sit back, relax, and go watch some highlights of Lester working out of a jam or Papelbon striking out the side. That'll remind you why we did what we did.