Red Sox

[RedSoxFan]

Any fellow Red Sox fans out here? I thought we could start a topic to discuss the plight of the team. Exciting game on tap for tonight with Pedro starting, the offense has had two great games in a row, and we get some revenge on the Royals for taking 2/3 from us in Fenway.
Possible topics for discussion:
- How long is Offerman going to stick around? He certainly made up for his getting picked off twice in two recent games with a 3 for 5 effort on Wednesday, actually getting time at first.
- with Burkett due to come off the DL and start tomorrow, who are we going to send down? Grady has indicated he might want to keep an extra pitcher on the roster in case the Burkett experiment goes sour, so I guess it means Merloni, because he has options.
- another issue is Michael Coleman will be ready to come up soon too. I'm assuming we'll send Sunny down, but he's been doing well. Maybe we'll just release Banks?
- they should have given Willie some work Wednesday during the blowout so he could get some work in and get some confidence back after blowing that game against the Yankees.
- Who should DH? Surely not Offerman. Should it be Rickey vs Lefties and Daubach vs. Righties?
- When is Clark going to drive a ball out of the infield, much less get a hit?

[RedSoxFan]

No Red Sox fans here? Would anyone like to become a Red Sox fan?

I wanted to add one more question to ponder:
- When will Urbina have a 1-2-3 save? He always seems to get into trouble, allowing multiple men on base, even if he does come away unscathed. I'm just waiting for a Lowe-type disaster like last year when Lowe blew like 5 save opportunities in a row.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Geez, do I have to wait forever for a World Championship, or is that paht of the chahm?

[Lee Mellon]

http://www.redmeat.com/redmeat/1999-05-24/index-1.gif

[Pseudolus]

- When will Urbina have a 1-2-3 save?

Yesterday, Tim Wakefield had a 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, 10-11-12 save. That should count for something. How often do you see any kind of a 4-inning save these days?

Oogie scares me, too, and I'm only an "H-1B" resident of Red Sox Nation. (I'm an exiled Mets fan trying to fit in among the locals. I keep my prize Mookie Wilson bobble-head safe where no one can see it.)

[RedSoxFan]

Outstanding weekend for the Sox. The highlights:
- Went 3-0, on the road, setting a record for consecutive road wins to open a season (8). We also have the 2nd best start in 16 games in franchise history (12-4). Only the Mariners (15-4) have a better record right now in the majors.
- Scored 24 runs.
- Outstanding performances by Pedro (1 hit in 8 innings) and Wakey (4 perfect innings), and a surprisingly decent performance by Burkett.

LeeGreenwoodIsCool's latest notes: (I think this will be a regular feature)..
- Boston Globe reports Michael Coleman is going to be released rather than called up to Boston in exchange for sending a pitcher (probably Sunny) down. Also interesting: Offerman would have played CF Saturday night if it hadn't been rained out (thank goodness) because Damon's finger was still sore. If we had Coleman, he would've been able to play. I know the logic in bringing up the 12th pitcher in the first place was because the bullpen was going to be in trouble with Burkett feeling the waters, but he seems to be fine now. If we're going to release someone, why don't we just get rid of Offerman?
- Coleman getting released is good news for Merloni, who is due to come back up when Grady decides the 12th pitcher is extraneous. Also good news for Offerman.
- Arrojo and Banks might be a little rusty next time they get in a game: neither has pitched since Tuesday the 16th.
- Uugie still doesn't have a 1-2-3 inning, but still has seven saves and only two losses.
- Daubach went 4/5 in the first game yesterday. Why not have him play in the 2nd game, even if that's not the plan? Instead, Grady puts Clark in at 1B, who goes 1/5 improving his average to a measely .184.
- Should Baerga get more playing time? Despite his 0/4 outing in the 2nd game yesterday, he is still batting .400 (6/15).

[Pseudolus]

- Daubach went 4/5 in the first game yesterday. Why not have him play in the 2nd game, even if that's not the plan? Instead, Grady puts Clark in at 1B, who goes 1/5 improving his average to a measely .184.
- Should Baerga get more playing time? Despite his 0/4 outing in the 2nd game yesterday, he is still batting .400 (6/15).

I think you're putting a little too much faith in perceived streakiness and small sample sizes. Baerga was out all of last year, and hasn't been a good player since 1995. I think that's more predictive of his future output than 6 hits in April. Similarly, a good first game shouldn't be given a lot of weight in deciding whether to throw out the existing plan for the second game. (Was it a lefty/righty thing?)

[RedSoxFan]

I think you're putting a little too much faith in perceived streakiness and small sample sizes. Baerga was out all of last year, and hasn't been a good player since 1995. I think that's more predictive of his future output than 6 hits in April. Similarly, a good first game shouldn't be given a lot of weight in deciding whether to throw out the existing plan for the second game. (Was it a lefty/righty thing?)

Well, I know Daubach played the first game because he had a really good average against the starting pitcher (but then again, it was a small sample size...)

Hitting is a streaky activity. Clark just had like 21 ABs in a row without a hit. Players go hot and cold all the time. It's quite possible Daubach just was seeing the ball real well yesterday, and would've had good odds to do well in the afternoon game. I think it makes sense to try to get players who have been doing well recently in to more games. I agree that one shouldn't depend on streaks too much, but it seems like we should try to play these guys more when they've been hitting well.

[urysohn]

Clark isn't going to break out of his slump by sitting on the bench, and I think it's way to early to just write him off. The thought all along has been: Clark's the first baseman and Daubach will come in for him from time to time (and DH at still other times). Given that, it makes sense that one of them will play in the first game of a doubleheader and the other will play in the second. So then, it just becomes a question of choosing your matchups, and Daubach looked good against the first-game pitcher.

[RedSoxFan]

I think you're putting a little too much faith in perceived streakiness and small sample sizes. Baerga was out all of last year, and hasn't been a good player since 1995. I think that's more predictive of his future output than 6 hits in April. Similarly, a good first game shouldn't be given a lot of weight in deciding whether to throw out the existing plan for the second game. (Was it a lefty/righty thing?)

Well, I know Daubach played the first game because he had a really good average against the starting pitcher (but then again, it was a small sample size...)

Hitting is a streaky activity. Clark just had like 21 ABs in a row without a hit. Players go hot and cold all the time. It's quite possible Daubach just was seeing the ball real well yesterday, and would've had good odds to do well in the afternoon game. I think it makes sense to try to get players who have been doing well recently in to more games. I agree that one shouldn't depend on streaks too much, but it seems like we should try to play these guys more when they've been hitting well.

[Pseudolus]

(trying again following internet wonkiness)

Hitting is a streaky activity.

Is it, really? I agree that, retrospectively, we can point to lengths of time where a player did particularly well, or particularly poorly, but we would see stretches like that even in purely random data (like tossing dice and looking up results on the back of a Strat-o-Matic card). If streakiness really exists, we should be able to isolate it in the stats by looking at things like batting averge vs. average in the last N at bats. (We'd have to control for things like park effects. What looked like a hot streak might just have been a road trip to Colorodo.) I've never seen anyone find results like this, so I don't believe that streakiness is important.

[RedSoxFan]

Clark isn't going to break out of his slump by sitting on the bench, and I think it's way to early to just write him off. The thought all along has been: Clark's the first baseman and Daubach will come in for him from time to time (and DH at still other times). Given that, it makes sense that one of them will play in the first game of a doubleheader and the other will play in the second. So then, it just becomes a question of choosing your matchups, and Daubach looked good against the first-game pitcher.

I think this is a very good viewpoint, and I agree. It probably would've annoyed Clark a little bit too to not get playing time in the 2nd game just because Daubach had a good first game. Maybe I just got too used to Jimy and his random lineup generator last year.

[RedSoxFan]

(trying again following internet wonkiness)

Hitting is a streaky activity.

Is it, really? I agree that, retrospectively, we can point to lengths of time where a player did particularly well, or particularly poorly, but we would see stretches like that even in purely random data (like tossing dice and looking up results on the back of a Strat-o-Matic card). If streakiness really exists, we should be able to isolate it in the stats by looking at things like batting averge vs. average in the last N at bats. (We'd have to control for things like park effects. What looked like a hot streak might just have been a road trip to Colorodo.) I've never seen anyone find results like this, so I don't believe that streakiness is important.

(I'm not the only one having problems with the board right now am I? First the duplicate post, then I lost my first reply to this...)

The chances of a .250 hitter going hitless in 20 at bats (a la Tony Clark) is 1 in 315, so pretty rare. But there are many examples of players going in a batting funk (or batting really well). Here's a good example: Hillenbrand batted something like .400 in April last year, then went .200 the rest of the year. I think the odds of something like that happening is pretty low. Anyway, I think there is definitely streakiness, but maybe not to the extent that it would have a beneficial effect on messing around with the lineups.

[Waylon]

Go Red Sox! That first post disoriented me a bit because we are playing the Royals tonight after losing the first 2 and Pedro is on the mound.

Red Sox should reease or trade Offerman (or O-fer man as I prefer) and make room for some younger players who might have a future.

Same with Rickey.

I think that relying on Urbina as a closer is asking for trouble.

[RedSoxFan]

Disappointing start to the three game set in Baltimore, with two straight losses. Both occurred on our first two bad pitching starts since Pedro's start in game 1 of the season. However, yesterday brought a sigh of relief to Red Sox fans everywhere as Pedro allowed just one hit, that coming with two outs in the sixth. Fossum and Banks ended the game in the eighth and ninth innings, allowing just one more hit between them. Boston's record is now 13-5, one game ahead of the Yankees, and a half game ahead of Minnesota in the wild card race.

LeeGreenwoodIsCool's latest notes:
- The Sox are 6-2 so far in this 18 game stretch against some of the lesser teams in the AL: 2-0 out of 2 games vs. Toronto, 3-0 in 3 games vs. Kansas City, 1-2 out of 6 games vs. Baltimore, and 7 games vs. Tampa Bay. We need to do as well as possible during this stretch because right after it finishes, we have 6 vs Seattle, 6 vs Oakland, 3 vs the White Sox, and 4 vs. the Yankees.
- Latest word I've heard on Coleman is that he hasn't been picked up off of waivers, and is willing to play for the Sox in AAA Pawtucket.
- Clark is still cold as ice. Current slump: 5/49. Why is he still batting 5th? Just two days ago with two outs Manny was intentionally walked with first base open to get to Clark, in the first inning! Why not put someone hot, like Shea or Dauber, there? Then stick Tony ninth until he starts hitting.
- Hermanson is probably still a month from starting: he recently re-aggrivated his groin pull while trying to come back. He still hasn't made an official appearance for the Sox: he pitched one inning in a game that was postponed due to rain (the 2nd game of the season) before injuring the groin.
- Burkett makes his first start for the Sox in Fenway tonight, as he faces the team that released him in spring training two years ago, the Devil Rays.
- Yankees took 2/3 in their series vs. the A's, but now have to face the team with the best record in the AL, the Mariners.

[Tony the Tiger]

weren't the Mariners supposed to test the Yankees a year ago? I think NY took 2 of 3 at Seattle. Just a foretelling of what was to come in the playoffs.

[RedSoxFan]

GO LOWE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Derek Lowe has just pitched a no-hitter! The first in the majors this season, the first one for the Red Sox since the 2nd game of the season last year, and the first one in Fenway since 1965. It was Derek's first ever complete game in the majors.

[Pseudolus]

How could a guy we couldn't trust to get 3 outs last year go and get 27 of them, with just one walk mixed in? Baseball is a funny game...

[Ben Kenobi]

A bold prediction: Johnny Vandermeer's record is not in jeopardy.

[RedSoxFan]

An outstanding weekend for the Red Sox, winning two games against the Devil Rays. Yesterday's game was rained out. Friday's game, a 4-2 victory, featured homers by Mirabelli (yes, Mirabelli) and Manny, as well as a score on an error by Shea. Arrojo gave up the Devil Rays' only runs on a 2-run homer by Cox. Burkett had another great start, going six innings with six strikeouts, and Urbina had his first 1-2-3 save of the 8 saves he's earned this season. Then, of course, Saturday's game was the no-hitter, a 10-0 victory. Everyone got a hit, led by Nomar (2 for 5, 2 for 4 on Friday) who extended his hitting streak to something like 13 games, Offerman (2 for 3), and Rickey (2 for 4), who won't hesitate to tell anyone that the Sox are 7-0 in games he has started.

LeeGreenwoodisCool's latest notes:
- Damon didn't play on Saturday because he twinged his hamstring in the cold weather on Friday. He's expected to play this afternoon.
- Yankees beat the Mariners in 2 out of 3 in Seattle. Uh oh.
- Grady sat Clark for both games. He'll probably be in the lineup this afternoon (he better start hitting...).
- Grady Little quote of the week: an explanation for why he game Baerga a start at 2nd base on Friday. "Every once in a while," Little said, "we've got to give everybody in the dugout a break by getting Baerga out on the field. He drives everybody crazy in there."
- Lowe's got as good a chance as anyone to run two no-hitters in a row, a la Vander Meer. He is scheduled to face the same Devil Rays on Saturday. He really has been impressive this season. Remember his first start was a no-hitter for seven innings. He has really come a long way from a few years ago.
- Due to the rainout yesterday, Pedro avoids having to start on only four days rest for the first time this season. He will likely have to make his first four-day rest start in a couple weeks.
- Next up for the Sox: a three game set hosting Baltimore. Castillo, Oliver, and Pedro are expected to start. Rain is expected in the area today, so tonight's game may be postponed as well. After a rest day on Thursday, the Sox will travel to Tampa Bay before embarking on a west-coast road swing vs. the A's and Mariners.
- By the way, a good site to keep up with the Sox is the Boston Globe's online Red Sox site: http://www.boston.com/sports/redsox/

[JO]

Leaving for the Red Sox game in 15 minutes! yoohoo :D

[RedSoxFan]

So how was the game JO? As long as you brought a raincoat I'm sure you had a good time, as Oliver pitched a gem: a complete game shutout. This after a disappointing game yesterday with lots of missed chances. Nomar and Damon both went 2/4, extending their hitting streaks to 14 and 10 games, respectively. Also, Rey Sanchez homered!

JO - did you see Katie Holmes there? She was sitting behind the Sox dugout sitting with Chris Klein (from American Pie). They showed them on NESN.

Side note: Does it get any worse for the Indians? They've won only 2 out of their last 16, just after winning 10 in a row. Tonight's game they lost 21-2!

[JO]

So after I couldn't get on any of the first 12 trains that were packed with Red Sox fans and office workers, I finally got to Fenway. Then the rain..

Since I had frozen my a$$ off on the second game (who had been eventyally rain-delayed), I figured I didn't want to repeat the experience and just went home since I had the ticket for free.

I watched the Toronto-Islanders game in the comfort of my living room instead ;)

Not a big baseball fan anyway..

[RedSoxFan]

Red Sox pick up another victory, winning 15-3 over Baltimore. Pedro picked up the win pitching only 5 innings and giving up 2 earned runs, but not bad considering he has been battling a cold all week. Lots of great batting stats yesterday, including Offerman going 4/4 with a walk.

LeeGreenwoodIsCool's Latest Notes:
- The Sox are going to recall Lou Merloni from the minors. Willie Banks cleared minors and accepted an assignment to Pawtucket. This ends the stretch where the Sox had 12 pitchers on the roster in order to make sure Burkett got readjusted to pitching in the majors.
- Nomar's hitting streak is now around 15, Damon's is around 12.
- Damon, Manny, Nomar, Offerman, Daubach, Hillenbrand, Baerga, Varitek, and Merloni are all batting at least .300.
- Manny is tied for the lead in RBIs in the AL with A-Rod with 31. The Expos' Guerrero has 32 to lead the NL. Manny trails A-Rod by 1 in the AL HR race. Berkman of the Astros leads all major-leaguers with 11. Manny leads the AL in OBP and Slugging %.
- Hillenbrand is 8th and Nomar 18th in the major leagues in RBIs.
- Is Grady thinking about benching Tony Clark and having Offerman and Daubach start at 1B and DH? Tony missed yesterday's game and has only played in 2 of the last 5 games.
- Pedro is now 4-0.
- Boston achieved more shutouts in April, 5, then they have had in any month since August 1974!
- Boston embarks on a 9 game road trip tomorrow, starting in Tampa Bay, then going to Oakland and Seattle.

[urysohn]

Clark isn't going to break out of his slump by sitting on the bench, and I think it's way to early to just write him off.

I'm starting to think the time is rapidly approaching to reconsider writing Clark off. :-?
And what's up with the consistently good play from Awful-man??

[RedSoxFan]

I'd be ok with Clark playing every other day or so, at least for a while longer. I saw that he's much better hitting from a certain side of the plate (maybe as a righty?) so we could platoon him. He's supposed to be good, and he always has slow Aprils, so maybe that's it. Of course, you have to remember that the Tigers waived him, purportedly because of injury problems, but maybe they knew something else..

As for Offerman, hasn't the knock on him largely been his poor fielding? So we brought in Sanchez and Baerga to help out. As long as Offerman's batting is decent, he can't hurt the club by DHing or playing first. I know he's also well overpaid, but that's a sunk cost at this point. And you can tell Grady likes him, because he has threatened to play Offerman in the outfield.. and is so comfortable with that idea, he'd rather have a 12th pitcher or another utility infielder rather than the customary 5th outfielder. So anyway, as long as he produces, I won't complain.

[gloid]

This is going to be a tough month for the Sox, they play the A's, the M's, the A's again, the M's again, the White Sox, and the Yankees all in a row. If they even go .500 in that stretch, they will be looking good.

It's good to see them get these late inning wins, even if it is against the D-rays. I hopr they can keep it together the whole season.....

[urysohn]

And they just keep winning...even if they lose this afternoon, they've won the series against Oakland.

[Lee Mellon]

I C H I R O

[Lee Mellon]

I was at the game last night.
I C H I R O
Bunts for a base hit, bases loaded and 2 out. HA! I predict a sweep. Pedro who? And you haven't even seen Moyer or Freddie this trip. See you in Beantown next week.

[urysohn]

Manny's out two weeks with a broken (?) index finger. Ouch! Bad time to lose him! (not that anytime is a great time)

[RedSoxFan]

LeeGreenwoodIsCool is back after a brief hiatus and has changed his name to the more appropriate (for these purposes, at least) "RedSoxFan".

Let's look at the highlights of the past 10 days:
- The Sox have just finished a 10 game road trip with a great 8-2 record. They swept the Devil Rays in four games, swept the A's in 3 games, and took one out of three vs. the Mariners.
- The first two games were comebacks in the top of the ninth with two outs. Counting their most recent game vs. the Twins before they played us, that was three games in a row, apparently a major league record, that they blew a lead in the ninth inning with two outs.
- There were some confrontations in the third game of the Devil Rays series. The Rays hit Hillenbrad for hitting the game winning grand slam the night before, then hit Nomar because they thought he was stealing signs from the catcher. So Castillo hit one of the Rays and Nixon "accidentally" let his bat leave his hands while swinging and it nearly hit the Rays' pitcher. So what does Bob Watson do? Suspends Nixon for four games, Castillo for five (so he'd miss one start), but doesn't suspend any Rays. Currently the suspensions are being appealed, so the players won't have to start serving them until the appeal is ruled on. They'll probably get reduced, maybe by one game each, so Castillo won't have to miss a start.
- The Sox averaged nearly 9 runs a game in their sweep vs. the A's.
- Uugie picked up four saves for 12 total, including a couple 1-2-3 saves.
- Last night wasn't one of the best for the Sox. Oliver, who had been pitching great so far this season, only lasted 1 2/3 innings. He walked five batters in the 2nd inning before getting lifted. In the top of the 2nd, Manny, Mr. "I like to slide head first a lot, even sometimes into first base" got tagged out at home plate. Manny slid head first and broke his index finger on some of the catcher's equipment. The news today is that he's going to be out 4-6 weeks, and his finger might require surgery. It seems like Rickey will be the chief beneficiary in terms of playing time. Manny will be placed on the DL tomorrow, and they might call up Michael Coleman.
- Pedro pitched great last night and is now 5-0 on the season. The Sox won 10-4. After getting terrible run support through most of his Red Sox career and especially last year, he leads the AL right now in run support.
- The Sox are now an amazing 25-9 on the season.
- Just heard on Sports Center that this is the first time two teams, both with at least a .722 winning average, have met this far into the season since sometime like 1905.

[Lee Mellon]

And they'll do it again next week. Should be fun to watch.

[Tony the Tiger]

HA! I predict a sweep. Pedro who? And you haven't even seen Moyer or Freddie this trip.

HA HA

It seems like Rickey will be the chief beneficiary in terms of playing time. Manny will be placed on the DL tomorrow, and they might call up Michael Coleman.

Playing Ricky more is not gonna be good. Will lead to his inevitable breakdown.

Playing Coleman is even worse.

[gloid]

HA! I predict a sweep. Pedro who? And you haven't even seen Moyer or Freddie this trip.

HA HA

It seems like Rickey will be the chief beneficiary in terms of playing time. Manny will be placed on the DL tomorrow, and they might call up Michael Coleman.

Playing Ricky more is not gonna be good. Will lead to his inevitable breakdown.

Playing Coleman is even worse.

25-9

[Captain America]

25-9


Ummm, it's May.

Red Sox fans, of all people, should understand what this means.

[JO]

25-9


Ummm, it's May.

Red Sox fans, of all people, should understand what this means.

Reverse the onibmaB curse !! :D

[RedSoxFan]

Should we really be worried about Moyer and Garcia?? You know, we have the only guy in the majors with a no-hitter thus far. Too bad the Mariners won't have to face him. And don't forget you get to see Pedro again on Saturday. Have we mentioned he's something like 10-0 with a 1.00 ERA career vs. Seattle?

More on the outfield situation: I wouldn't be surprised to see Offerman and Daubach (and maybe even Merloni) get some time in the OF. I just don't see Rickey getting a lot of time out there, no matter how much he whines, and I don't see Coleman or any other AAA call up getting time. It's not like the loss in defense is that much from Manny to Offy or Dauber is so big (and they might even be better than Rickey). Of course, losing Manny's bat hurts. But at least Offy and Dauber have been hitting well, and we can play them more often now. At least it wasn't as bad as last season replacing Nomar with first Grebeck and then Lansing. Something else you might see is more platooning of Clark: he's hitting .333 as a righty. Dauber and Rickey are lefties, and Offy switches.

[Tony the Tiger]

Which is it, RSF?

It seems like Rickey will be the chief beneficiary in terms of playing time. Manny will be placed on the DL tomorrow, and they might call up Michael Coleman.


I just don't see Rickey getting a lot of time out there, no matter how much he whines, and I don't see Coleman or any other AAA call up getting time.

[RedSoxFan]

Glad to see people paying attention. And it's a very good question. Rickey will clearly play more, and will have his playing time increased the most on a % basis. But I also think we'll see at least Offerman, and maybe Daubach and Merloni see some time out there too. Also remember that Rickey might be just as valuable off the bench: imagine a ninth-inning situation when we're down by one.. it'd be nice to be able to bring one of the best base runners in history off the bench to pinch-run.

[RedSoxFan]

I just added an avatar by the way.. that's Lowe after his no hitter. I resized it to the max 80 pixels along the heighth.. is that really the largest I can show it?

[Tony the Tiger]

. it'd be nice to be able to bring one of the best base runners in history off the bench to pinch-run.

That's if you can get him to break away from his card game! :P

[RedSoxFan]

Rickey started again in the outfield last night, but so did Daubach (in right)! Trot came down with the flu so decided to go ahead and serve his suspension. He would probably have missed four games with the illness anyway. Castillo is still going to try (and probably will suceed) to get his suspension reduced by a game, so he won't have to miss a start. The Red Sox ended up winning, 6-2, improving their record on this 19-game stretch of death to 5-2. Burkett spread out 9 hits over 6 innings allowing only one run; Arrojo allowed the other in the seventh. Rickey went 2/5, Damon 2/4, but Rey broke his 14-game hitting streak, but still got two walks. A player made his major league debut last night: Bryant Nelson replaced Daubach in the top of the eighth as a defensive replacement (he didn't get a chance to come to the plate). Nelson got called up when we put Manny on the DL. Nelson has bounced around the minors for eight years and nearly retired after last season because he hadn't yet made it to the majors. The Red Sox might have called up Michael Coleman or Edgard Clemente had they been healthy.

Lowe goes up against Hiljus tonight.

[Pseudolus]

Lowe goes up against Hiljus tonight.

Just thought that this would be an opportune time to point out that, according to one particularly geeky measure, Lowe has been the most valuable pitcher in the American League (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/current/snwlreport02.html).

[RedSoxFan]

Thanks for the link Pseud. It's interesting that Hudson was one of the luckiest. What is he now, 3-5? And he's still one of the best pitchers in the AL. Also interesting is that Pedro is lucky.. he's had an average of something like 9 runs per game in run support.

Lowe had another great outing last night leading the Sox to a 8-2 victory. Sox are now 27-9, 5-0 vs the A's, and 3-0 without Manny (what was his last name again?) Shea went 4/5, Rickey and Damon both had 2 hits. Shea and Dauber both had homers. Offerman played right last night while Dauber DH'd.

Tonight: Zito (3-2, 4.34) vs. Castillo (2-3, 3.79)

[Lee Mellon]

6-3. Was that Ricky in left? Are they going to have him run the ball in rather than throw it?

[RedSoxFan]

GO PEDRO!!!!! Pedro became the first pitcher in AL history to strike out all three batters he faces in the top of the first using just 9 pitches. It is now the top of the fourth, and he just gave up a 1 run home run, but the sox still lead 3-1.

Trot is finally back.. he had the flu so he dropped his appeal and served his four game suspension. He had a home run in his first at bat..

Daubach and Offerman had to share the duties in right because of Trot's absence, and Rickey has been playing in left for the injured Manny Ramirez. Today, Daubach is playing in left giving Rickey the day off.

[Cho Da]

GO PEDRO!!!!! Pedro became the first pitcher in AL history to strike out all three batters he faces in the top of the first using just 9 pitches.
It took him only four pitches to retire the side in the second inning. The M's are now, what, 0-10 against Martinez?

[urysohn]

GO PEDRO!!!!! Pedro became the first pitcher in AL history to strike out all three batters he faces in the top of the first using just 9 pitches.

There are, what, 162 games per year? 14 AL teams. That's 2268 chances each year for this to happen. It's just striking out 3 guys in a row without throwing a ball. This is the first time it's ever happened (in the AL)???? I wouldn't expect it to happen all the time, but first time seems hard to believe.

[Ben Kenobi]

Don't forget foul balls.

Striking out the side on nine pitches in any inning is rare. Pedro is apparently the 35th pitcher ever to do it at all (though I think Bruce Sutter did it twice).

[Pseudolus]

A few random thoughts on things that might make the odds of a 9-pitch-3-K-first steeper than they would first appear:

1) With two strikes, most pitchers will "waste" a pitch or two by throwing it in the dirt, or way outside.

2) Top-of-the-order batters are usually your high-OBP guys, who are more likely to be trying to work out a walk than, say. your 4-5-6 batters, and tend to take more pitchers.

3) Against ace pitcher's, and particularly Pedro, the conventional wisdom is to try to get him out of the game early by making him throw lots of pitches. Since Pedro's coming off of an injury, and is still being kept (AFAIK) on a pretty tight pitch-count, this would be an even better strategy.

4) Could there be an umpire's (unconcious?) bias against calling 9 straight strikes?

I was away, and didn't see the game. What was the mix of called/swinging/fouled strikes?

[Captain America]

IIRC, Koufax is the only other pitcher to have accomplished this feat in the first inning. So Pedro is the first to do it in the AL.

[Cho Da]

1st:
Ichiro: Called, Called, Swinging
McLemore: Swinging, Foul, Called
Sierra: Called, Called, Swinging

2nd:
Cameron: Pop to SS.
Olerud: Ball, GO43
Boone: GO63

Source (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/scoreboard/mlb_scoreboard.jsp?ymd=20020518) Click Box Score...

[RedSoxFan]

The key was this was the first time it was done in the first inning. It had been done 11 times before in other innings, in the AL at least.

The Sox are winding down a victory against the White Sox: they're up 7-0 through eight and a half innings. Lowe has had another outstanding performance: the third time he has pitched 7 innings of one-hit or less. He gave up one more hit in the top of the 8th. Kim was warming up (and Guapo is now) in the bullpen so one will probably pitch the ninth. Tonight's game has featured great defensive plays by Damon and Clark, and great batting: Varitek, Nomar, Dauber and Damon all have two hits.

The weekend series against the Mariners went well, the Sox took 2 of 3. Pedro (10-0 vs Mariners) and Burkett (5-0) got wins, Urbina got his 13th and 14th saves. Sox will now be 9-4 on this 19 game crucial stretch that features games vs the Mariners, A's, White Sox, and Yankees.

Breaking news: Varitek hits a two run homer to score Nixon. Red Sox now lead 9-0.

[RedSoxFan]

Some things I wanted to add:
- Bryant Nelson just got his first at bat. He grounded out, but Fenway gave him a standing ovation anyway.
- Daubach has been recently playing in LF, primarily because Rickey has been sick with the flu.
- Grady Little's mother passed away a couple days ago. Stanley managed yesterday's game vs. the Mariners and tonight's game against the White Sox.

[Lee Mellon]

It wasn't enough to take 2 out of 3, you had to burn the bus with the team on it?

[RedSoxFan]

Sorry about that Lee Mellon.. fortunately, nobody was hurt..

Anyone else fed up with Arrojo? He's given up at least one earned run in each of his last four appearances. May 10, 3IP, 1ER. May 14, 2IP, 1ER. May 17 2.1IP, 4ER. May 21 (yesterday) 2IP, 2ER. And it's not like he was pitching stellar before these games either.

Anyway, Sox won 9-0 on Monday but lost yesterday 8-3 due to a poor start by Oliver (started out by giving up walk, double, single, single to the first four batters)and poor relief by Arrojo. Something interesting happened in the bottom of the first: Nomar struck out on a wild pitch. He tried to (and thought he succeeded) check his swing, so he just waited near the plate and waved Damon to advance from 2nd to 3rd. The White Sox appealed and won, and tagged Nomar to get the out. Had Nomar ran to first, which he could have done easily since the wild pitch ended up at the backstop, he would have been safe.

Tonight's game, which will be shown on ESPN2 will feature Castillo going up against Garland.

Red Sox start a four game series vs. the Yankees tomorrow. Sunday night's game will be on ESPN. It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with their rotation: both Wells and El Duque missed recent starts with injuries, and some starters have been going on three-days rest.

[Captain America]

Anyone else fed up with Arrojo? He's given up at least one earned run in each of his last four appearances. May 10, 3IP, 1ER. May 14, 2IP, 1ER. May 17 2.1IP, 4ER. May 21 (yesterday) 2IP, 2ER. And it's not like he was pitching stellar before these games either.


Actually, Arrojo is probably my favorite player on the Sox right now. I'm hoping he pitches in all four games against the Bombers this weekend!!

:P

Right now it looks like Lilly today, Clemens tomorrow, Wells (or a AAA call up) Saturday, and Moose on Sunday. Yanks better win games two and four if they want to split.

[RedSoxFan]

Yankees fan, I take it?

The Red Sox got all their bad hitting out of the way last night in anticipation of all the hits they'll get during this series. I think we only got three hits: a double by Damon around the 4th inning or so, then Baerga and Offerman both got pinch singles in the bottom of the ninth to chase their starter (who did a fine job, btw) before a pinch-hitting Nomar, Damon, and Shea got out 1-2-3. Castillo actually pitched very well. He went eight innings, giving up six hits and two runs. Guapo pitched the top of the ninth.

We'll if the Red Sox improve their 3-1 record vs the Yankees so far this year, and 1 game lead over them in the AL East. We'll be sending Pedro, Burkett, Lowe, and Oliver. Glad to see CA agree that games 1 and 3 will be tough ones for the Yankees. I think he can pretty much claim game 4 right now (Mussina (had a no-hitter through 8.2 disrupted by Carl Everett last time in Fenway) vs. Oliver???).

[Captain America]

Game 1: :cry:

[RedSoxFan]

I don't think you should get too upset about that.. Pedro pitched a masterpiece. Actually, he didn't even have his best stuff.. He got into a ton of full counts, and spent over 100 pitches on his seven innings of work. Lilly pitched quite well.. and your reliever did great (Mendoza).. I wish we had relievers like that. Anyway, for those who haven't heard, Pedro's now 7-0 as we won 3-1. Nomar, Sanchez, and Jeter all had two hits. Rickey, Nomar, Trot, and Bernie Williams each got an RBI. Uugie has now converted 15 of 16 save opportunities.

Anyway, you have to budget for the fact that Pedro's probably going to beat Lilly. You'll probably get your revenge no later than Sunday night on national TV when we send Oliver to the mound against Mussina.

Still, the fact remains, Red Sox have taken 4 of 5 from the Yankees so far.

[Cho Da]

I was at the game. What a beautiful night for baseball.

[Captain America]

He got into a ton of full counts, and spent over 100 pitches on his seven innings of work.


Any chance the Yankees had something to do with that?

[Tony the Tiger]

Still, the fact remains, Red Sox have taken 4 of 5 from the Yankees so far.

Didn't something similiar happen at the start of last season? Don't get too cocky, you are setting yourself up for a big fall (and I don't mean playing in the world series!).

[Captain America]

Still, the fact remains, Red Sox have taken 4 of 5 from the Yankees so far.

Didn't something similiar happen at the start of last season? Don't get too cocky, you are setting yourself up for a big fall (and I don't mean playing in the world series!).

He'll learn. :wink:

[RedSoxFan]

He got into a ton of full counts, and spent over 100 pitches on his seven innings of work.


Any chance the Yankees had something to do with that?

Some cocky stuff I'm reading here recently. Pretty bold smack for us having beat your team 4 out of 5 and having a 2 game lead. I wouldn't give the Yanks too much credit for the pitch count. Pedro threw a lot of pitches inside well off the plate, so I don't think he had his best control. It's well known that the Yanks are very patient at the plate so in that sense, sure, the Yankees made him throw more pitches.

[RedSoxFan]

Big win for the Sox tonight. Great start: Burkett pitched great for six innings and we built up a 8-2 lead. Yankees score 5 runs in the top of the 7th and one more in the next inning to tie it up. But the Sox, who blew great chances in the 8th and 10th innings to score, load the bases in the 11th with one out and Baerga scored Rickey on a fly sacrifice. Shea was 4/5, and Nomar was 3/5 (though 0/2 in last two at bats, which were both crucial parts of the game). The big surprise of the game: Arrojo earned the win on two perfect innings to end the game.

Sox are now 5-1 vs. the Yankees this season so far.

[Captain America]

Actually, Arrojo is probably my favorite player on the Sox right now. I'm hoping he pitches in all four games against the Bombers this weekend!!


:swear:

[RedSoxFan]

Really, what kind of Red Sox fan am I if I fail to remember to write about Roger Clemens' start last night! Lets see here... 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.

I did find it kind of interesting that Torre left Karsay in for all of those 3.2 innings. He didn't even replace him when he got in big trouble in the 11th. I guess he just didn't want to overwork his bullpen as long as he though Karsay could do a decent job.

[Captain America]

Really, what kind of Red Sox fan am I if I fail to remember to write about Roger Clemens' start last night! Lets see here... 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.


It wasn't anything the Red Sox did, he just didn't have his good stuff. :P

[Tony the Tiger]

Where's the RSF commentary after the two losses this weekend? Only post after wins?

I missed watching the rout and could use a recap.

[RedSoxFan]

My apologies.. though it is more exciting to post after a win than a loss, I don't purposefully wait for a win.. (though we did get one last night..)

Losses on Saturday and Sunday to the Yankees evened the series 2-2. Saturday's game was frustrating, as Lowe pitched decently, but the Sox failed to convert on good opportunities to improve upon an early 3-2 deficit, including a bottom of the eighth situation where we had two men on with none out, but Offerman hit into a double play and we didn't score. Baerga and Sanchez were both 2/4, and Fossum pitched the remaining 3 innings, allowing only 2 hits (A great recovery from the previous night when he allowed 2 ER in 2/3 innings).

Sunday's loss was pretty frustrating. Oliver allowed 7 ER in 4 innings, and we found ourselves down 8-2 after 4.5 innings. In the bottom of the fifth, we mounted a comeback as we scored 3 runs, but shoddy relief work (Wakey 2 ER in 3 innings, Sunny 5 ER in 2 innings) doomed us to a 14-5 defeat. Baerga and Sanchez were both 2/3 (anyone notice a pattern?) but Rey hurt his hamstring and is expected to miss a few games.

The Sox rebounded to win last night in Toronto. The 8 RBIs were earned by Garciaparra (with 3, batted 3/4), Varitek (with 3, batted 2/5), and Hillenbrad (with 2, batted 1/5). Merloni batted 2/4 in relief of Rey, and Bryant Nelson made his first start and hit 1/3. Castillo allowed 4 ER in 5 IP, but Arrojo had his second straight excellent outing, giving up just 4 hits in 3 innings. Garces inherited a 4 run lead in the bottom of the night and gave up a 2 run homer, but then Urbina came in and got the last two outs to earn the save.

Other notes:
- Little announced Arrojo would from now on start in place of Oliver. Arrojo has had two straight solid relief efforts, and Oliver has had 3 poor starts in a row. I'd expect to see Arrojo to return to the bullpen when Hermanson returns in 2-3 weeks.
- Clark has now missed four games in a row. The word is that Little just wants to give him some rest to prevent injury. Clark has been injury-riddled the past few years, which led to his release by the Tigers after last season. Offerman has been playing first in his absence. Dauber and Rickey have been sharing the LF duties. Dauber has been DHing when Rickey plays, but Baerga has seen time at DH when Dauber plays in the field. Clark is expected to play tonight.
- The Sox got through their toughest 19 game stretch this season with a record of 11-8, though Oakland has turned out worse than most expected. Without the Oakland games, our record was 6-7. Still not terrible given that these games were vs. Seattle, Chicago, and the Yankees. Certainly the Sox have shred some of the cloud that hung over their major league leading record from their until recently friendly schedule.

[Captain America]

Easy Tony. RSF has got a good little thing going here. I like the fact that he cares enough to do it at all. And it gives me someone to tease a bit - and I welcome it back. You know it's all in fun, right RSF?

[Pseudolus]

As a guest commentator on the Channel 25 telecast of Monday's game, Ben Affleck stuck a few bees in some bonnets in the Sox clubhouse. The actor and rabid Sox fan from Cambridge, Mass., critiqued a few players, who heard about it from family and friends.

Lou Merloni was particularly miffed that Affleck chastised him for saying the Sox had made ''a mockery'' of his career by repeatedly demoting him.

''A mockery?'' Merloni said. ''A mockery is his last four movies. That's a mockery.''

:rofl:

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/149/sports/Ramirez_stays_in_Florida+.shtml

[RedSoxFan]

I thought that was pretty funny. I think Affleck was criticizing them just how any Red Sox fan would. I really thought the players should have ignored him. Affleck makes some good points though. He said Trot struggles against lefties, which is true. And this.. I don't think the Sox have made a mockery of his career. Merloni has barely been a legitimate major-leaguer, at least for the Red Sox, an above average team. We called him up when someone was injured, and sent him down when they were healthy. We were able to do that because he has options left on his contract. If he didn't have options, we probably would have released him. The Sox had other players they wanted to be full-time backups on the major league team. I don't think that is a mockery at all. If you have options on your contract, the team might use them. If you bat like Nomar or play defense like Rey, then the team probably won't use them.

Sox win last night despite Pedro giving up 4 ER in his first two innings. He pitched 4 more without incident. Sox steadily came back during the duration of the game for the win.

In regards to the bantering, I enjoy it. It's better than having everyone ignore your posts. I think that is part of the fun of following a sports team: the discussions and arguments, especially between fans of rivals.

Now, everyone, lets engage in probably every Red Sox fan's favorite chant: "Yankees suck! Yankees suck! Yankees suck!......"

[Captain America]

Any previews/predictions for this weekend's series in NY?

[Tony the Tiger]

You first

[Captain America]

:P

Actually, I was asking RSF, since this is his gig, but here goes. Yanks take 2 of 3. One game goes into extra innings and one is a blowout (win by more than 6 runs).

[Captain America]

Why do I feel like I'll be eating those words come Tuesday? :)

[urysohn]

Any previews/predictions for this weekend's series in NY?

Yeah, I have one: Yankees suck! Yankees suck! Yankees suck!

But I agree with Zack - Yankees take 2 out of 3, at least one game is a blowout. (but I haven't looked at anything like recent injuries, pitching matchups, etc.)

[urysohn]

As a guest commentator on the Channel 25 telecast of Monday's game, Ben Affleck stuck a few bees in some bonnets in the Sox clubhouse. The actor and rabid Sox fan from Cambridge, Mass., critiqued a few players, who heard about it from family and friends.

Lou Merloni was particularly miffed that Affleck chastised him for saying the Sox had made ''a mockery'' of his career by repeatedly demoting him.

''A mockery?'' Merloni said. ''A mockery is his last four movies. That's a mockery.''

:rofl:

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/149/sports/Ramirez_stays_in_Florida+.shtml

If you get continually demoted, that should tell you something about your career. Either you're constantly injured/rehabbing (which he isn't) or you aren't good enough to play with the big boys full time. Don't think of it as a wasted MLB career, think of it as a very successful AAA career. Then the Sox haven't made a mockery of it, but have given him the biggest highlights of his career.

But I would say that he could have a decent, if certainly not spectacular, run with a team that doesn't have quite so much depth and skill as the Sox.

[Tony the Tiger]

Agree that Yanks take at least 2 of 3. Boston is not going to pitch Pedro or Burkett. And NYY won't pitch Clemens, who has bad outings against Boston. Bosox only real shot is tonight with Lowe.

[RedSoxFan]

Sox beat the Blue Jays on Wednesday for the three game sweep. Another great matchup this weekend between the two teams with the best records in the majors, but this time its in New York. My prediction: much like the others on here.. Yankees take 2 of the three. I think we can win with Lowe, but sending Castillo and Arrojo out there will be tough. Arrojo might have a decent start: his last two stints have been great, including shutting down the Yankees recently for 2-3 innings. But I can't see Arrojo lasting more than 5 innings, and our bullpen has been vulnerable lately.

As for Merloni, he might be able to play major league ball for some teams. He couldn't start. As for playing in another team's AAA club, that might not be possible for many teams as well. He's getting a little old, and I'd imagine many teams have better prospects they'd like to play the infield in AAA. Remember the Red Sox have one of the worst minor league systems. I think he should be happy with how his career has gone, especially now that he seems to be a full-time backup on the major league level.

By the way, my commentary will be much less for the next month or so now that the World Cup has started. Most of my time awake will be spent working and watching soccer.

[Pseudolus]

By the way, my commentary will be much less for the next month or so now that the World Cup has started. Most of my time awake will be spent working and watching soccer.

Proof that soccer is a communist plot - it distracts people from baseball. Anyone who plays or watches soccer instead of baseball is either a commie himself or a commie dupe.

Commie.

[Captain America]

By the way, my commentary will be much less for the next month or so now that the World Cup has started. Most of my time awake will be spent working and watching soccer.

Proof that soccer is a communist plot - it distracts people from baseball. Anyone who plays or watches soccer instead of baseball is either a commie himself or a commie dupe.

Commie.

Here Here!!

(or is it Hear Hear!!)?

I'm never sure...

[Ben Kenobi]

If you're at the CD store, maybe it's "Hear here!"

[Captain America]

Yanks take 2 of 3.

Why do I feel like I'll be eating those words come Tuesday? :)

:shake:

And why Tuesday? :duh:

[Pseudolus]

"RedSoxFan" needs to change his name. Anyone who pays attention to soccer instead of watching a Red Sox - Yankees series -- with the division lead on the line, no less -- is no Red Sox Fan at all.

I suggest "FidelTrotskyHiss".

[gloid]

Yanks take 2 of 3.

Why do I feel like I'll be eating those words come Tuesday? :)

:shake:

And why Tuesday? :duh:

Sorry Bud, you can eat them now. Go Sox!!

I think I'll be eating these words by Octover, when it really counts.

There has been some talk about getting some bullpen help for Fossum and Ugie. I hope that works out...

[Pseudolus]

What's a guy got to do to pick a fight around here?

Hey, ARSF (AllegedRedSoxFan)! Your personal grooming habits leave something to be desired! What are you, some kind of Underwriter? You wouldn't know an OPS if one landed in your pocket protector! Your dearest female relative is a sackbut! You have all the charm and charisma of Youppi (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1187703.html)!

[RedSoxFan]

This is the World Cup.. the biggest sporting event in the world. And it's just one month, and it's not like it's September or anything.

Anyway, the Sox took 2 of 3 from the Yankees. Then they lost a 10 inning game to the Tigers last night. Pedro gave up home runs to the first two batters and a total of 4 runs in the bottom of the first. The Sox scored 4 right back in the top of the 2nd, but the game went tied 6-6 into the 10th before Shane Halter had an RBI double. Nixon had a two run home run.

On Sunday, Castillo pitched 8 innings giving up just 1 ER in a 7-1 victory. Rickey, Mirabelli, and Nomar all homered. On Saturday, the Sox lost 10-2. Arrojo had a decent start, but El Guapo gave two home runs in the 6th (and is now on the DL). On Friday, the Sox won 5-2. Varitek had a two RBI double and Clark had a two run home run in the 8th inning to break it open.

[Mr. Penguin]

Hey, ARSF (AllegedRedSoxFan)! Your personal grooming habits leave something to be desired! What are you, some kind of Underwriter? You wouldn't know an OPS if one landed in your pocket protector! Your dearest female relative is a sackbut! You have all the charm and charisma of Youppi (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1187703.html)!

Please don't malign the fair Youpster by comparing him to a Red Sox fan!
:D

[RedSoxFan]

The Sox take 3 of 4 from the Tigers. Highlights include some great hitting by Damon and Baerga, poor pitching by Fossum, great pitching by Burkett (7-0), Lowe (first ALer to 9 wins) Arrojo (7 scoreless innings today), and Haney (the journeyman who saved last night's blowout with three scoreless innings).

Notes:
Sanchez is still hobbled by an injured hamstring and has been playing sporadically. Guapo was sent down, and lefthanded submariner Chris Haney was called up. He's a 33 year old journeyman with one major league appearance, in 2000, for Cleveland, who spent last season in Japan. Sunny Kim was sent down for Willie Banks. Rickey hit the wall the other night and will miss a couple games. Pedro pitched very poorly on Monday. He was having trouble finding his arm slot, they say. Crawford recently had a 6 inning 3 hit performance in AAA.

Sox open up a three game series against defending champions Diamondbacks in Boston. Schilling (11-1) faces Pedro (7-0) in Saturday's game. Next up are the Rockies, also in Boston.

Red Sox currently have a 3.5 game lead over the Yankees.

And finally, from the Boston Globe, proof that it's cool to watch soccer:
Garciaparra, who had gone 0 for 9 the first two games here, had three singles and three RBIs last night, even though he woke up early to watch the stunning US win over Portugal in World Cup soccer. ''I was going crazy,'' said Garciaparra, a huge soccer fan. ''It was tough for me to go back to sleep, but I managed.''

[Pseudolus]

Don't you know sarcasm when you read it, Comrade?

[RedSoxFan]

Of course! I'm just having fun too.

USA vs South Korea.. early Monday morning at 1:30 am.. watch it if you want to be cool like Nomar.

[Tony the Tiger]

A sweep and not a peep.

[Captain America]

Give him time, Tony. He probably got up to watch the US play South Korea and is now recovering. And if I know RSF, I'm betting he'll find something positive to report from this weekend's drubbing at the hands of the D'Backs.

Here's hoping the Yanks fair better.

:toast:

[Captain America]

Give him time, Tony. He probably got up to watch the US play South Korea and is now recovering. And if I know RSF, I'm betting he'll find something positive to report from this weekend's drubbing at the hands of the D'Backs.

OK, I could be wrong.

[urysohn]

Derek Lowe picks up his tenth win of the season.

(I vote we just ignore the whole Arizona series debacle. Just pretend it didn't happen :))

[RedSoxFan]

Over the weekend, the Red Sox lost three in a row at home to the Diamondbacks, 5-7, 2-3, and 3-7. Pedro and Burkett both picked up their first losses of the season. Let's forget about those.

Last night, the Red Sox beat the Rockies 7-2. Highlights include:
-Lowe is now 10-2, leads the AL in wins and ERA.
-The Sox stole four bases in one game for the first time since 1996.
-Matt Damon threw the first pitch.
-Nixon, who has been batting .157 since his four-game suspension, had an RBI single in the fifth.

Other news:
-Manny took BP and could return by the weekend. We have nine straight games visiting NL teams, however, and Manny would need to play in the field as well.
-We put Rey on the DL, backdated to June 4. They were about to put him on the DL anyway, hoping he'd miss just a week trying to get the hamstring fully healed. But they noticed additional inflammation and he could be out for longer. They called up Juan Diaz, normally a good bat but mired in a 3 for 45 slump. They may at some point want to call up Gary DiSarcina, who is more of a utility infielder, while Diaz is mostly 1B.

[Captain America]

I don't suppose Ben Affleck walked out to the mound with his friend Matt, did he? :)

[RedSoxFan]

I don't think so. I also read that Matt Damon played catch with Johnny Damon in the outfield before the game as well. If it was Ben Affleck, I think you might have seen some errant practice throws coming from Nixon and Merloni in Affleck's general direction.

[Captain America]

So, the Jets beat the Broncos 20-10 last night. I didn't realize preseason football had started.

What?

That was a baseball game? Yankees over Rockies?

Oops. My bad. :oops:

[sb_jim]

The American League looks a little weak without their DH rule. The lowly Padres took 2 out of 3 from the AL West leading M's last weekend. I was there Saturday night for American Flag Hat Night and enjoyed the victory and the new hat.

The BoSox are in town and right now it is 1-1 with the rubber match today. As is my style, I will predict a Padre victory today and as the Yankees come into town for the weekend I'll ask: Is that all the AL has this year?

Of course I know what the Padres have this year and it isn't much. At least they're not getting swept at home this week.

[sb_jim]

Why didn't someone tell me Pedro was pitching? I missed again. Next prediction: Yankees will at least catch and probably pass the Red Sox in the AL East standings by 5pm Sunday.

[Guerilla poster]

This interleague stuff is unfair - the Yankees get to play the Mets six times while the Red Sox play Atlanta six times - how did Atlanta get picked as Boston's intercity rival - I mean come on the Boston Braves were along time ago.

[urysohn]

Dang! Yankees take possession of first place. Maybe they won't be striking after all :x

[Tony the Tiger]

Next prediction: Yankees will at least catch and probably pass the Red Sox in the AL East standings by 5pm Sunday.

You were right on the mark.


Of course, we won't hear from RSF until the Sox win another game.

[Abducens]

Phillies looked good yesterday. Typical close game crap-out, what a joke.

[RedSoxFan]

The World Cup is winding down so that means more time to devote to the Red Sox. The Sox just finished 15 games of interleague play, but only won 5 of the games. They started and ended the stretch being swept, first by the Diamondbacks and later by the Dodgers. In the middle, the Sox took 2 of 3 from the Rockies and Padres, and 1 of 3 from the Braves. Pedro went 1-2, and Burkett went 0-3. The offense was paltry, as the team bat in the low .200s. As a result of the stretch, their record drops from 40-17 to 45-27, and they fell behind in the AL East by a game to the Yankees.

Tonight, the Red Sox looked to get their game back on, and avoid a four game losing streak, but were unsucessful. They fell behind 4-0 after 1.5 innings, as Castillo was having trouble with his control. The Sox scored twice in the bottom of the second, as Clark doubled in Shea, who singled, and Nixon, who walked, advanced to third. Merloni then walked, and Damon singled Nixon in. But then, with the bases loaded and just one out, Baerga flied out and Nomar popped out.

The Red Sox had a great chance to come back in the bottom of the eighth, as they loaded the bases with no outs as Manny (his first game back after missing 39 with a broken finger), Shea, and Tekkie all singled, but then Nixon flied out to short left field and Daubach, pinch hitting for Clark, hit into a double play. We had another chance in the bottom of the ninth, as Manny approached the plate with Damon on third and Nomar on first, but Manny struck out.

Other updates I can think of right now:
- As I mentioned, Manny is back after his stint on the DL and rehab assignment, where he only hit 3/30. Tonight, Manny went 1/5 with 2 strikeouts.
- The Sox traded the Padres recently for Alan Embree. The Sox gave up two prospects and received one additional player. Embree had been pitching sub 1.00 ERA ball, and in his Red Sox debut tonight, he pitched a scoreless eighth, getting a strikeout and allowing just a walk.
- To make room for Embree, the Sox sent Fossum down. They also sent Oliver down and brought up Garces. El Guapo rescued Castillo in the 6th inning, getting the last two outs. Well, actually it was Damon, who made a diving catch and fired the ball to first and caught Broussard too far off base.

[Abducens]

RSF, don't feel you have to respond just because TTT called you out. If he waited to post till his Phils won a game, we'd never hear from him again.

[RedSoxFan]

Don't worry about it. I was going to post last night regardless.. I usually just ignore him anyway :)

[Captain America]

Hey RSF, if you've got some free time I'd like to recommend a book to you. It's called "At Fenway" by Shaunessy (I'm not sure I spelled that right). I'm about halfway through it and it's a pretty good read. He's written a couple of books about the Sox, including the (somewhat) famous "The Curse of the Bambino". The first chapter is my favorite so far, since it goes into the history of the park. The rest of the book visits different points in time during the history of the team and the characters that made that history interesting. Being a relatively "new" fan, I thought you might be interested. If you read it, let me know what you think.

Go Yanks!

[Guerilla poster]

You read, CAT! astonishing.

[Captain America]

Actually, my wife reads to me. And if I stay quiet and pay attention, she lets me look at the pictures.

[Tony the Tiger]

Another weekend, another sweep.

[RedSoxFan]

Finally something to write about. Pedro had a great performance tonight, striking out 14 in eight scoreless innings leading the Sox to a four run shutout of the Blue Jays. I was a little concerned when I saw Pedro threw 116 pitches: that seems like a tad much for a pitcher who always seems to break down around this time of year. Also interesting is that Arrojo's start was skipped: normally when the team has an off day (last Thursday) Pedro gets an extra day of rest.

It was good to get a win after we got swept last weekend by the Braves. That came after a two game set against the Indians that we split (the third game was rained out). The Sox have won only 3 of the last 11, all of those three have been Pedro wins.

Updates:
- Baerga hurt his hamstring and had to leave the game tonight.
- Nixon has been playing well.
- Rumors are that the Sox might trade for Indian Jim Thome.
- Pedro has largely offset the poor starts he had earlier in the season and now sports a 10-2 record with a 2.85 ERA, and 133 K's.
- The Sox have a doubleheader tomorrow against the Jays. Rumors are that Sunny Kim will start one of the games. Their Thursday game against the Jays will be a regional telecast on ESPN2.

[Pseudolus]

2 more Sox items my radio told me about this morning:

Frank Castillo has dropped his appeal of a 5-game suspension. With today's double-header counting as 2 games (expected game 1 starter is Tim Wakefield, game 2 is Kim), Castillo will be able to "serve" his suspension without missing a start.

The Red Sox have reportedly "contacted" the New York Metropolitans about acquiring the services of LHP Al Leiter (8-6, 2.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP).

[RedSoxFan]

One thing I'd like to add to Pedro's performance last night is that he had no walks.

Almost forgot to give an All-Star update. Five Sox were selected to go: Pedro, Lowe (he's going to start, right?), Manny, Nomar, and leading 3rd base vote getter Shea Hillenbrand. It's a shame Damon didn't make it outright, but he's one of five players that the fans can vote in as the 30th man! Go here (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/allstar2002/mlb_asg_30.jsp).

Also, Pedro has elected to stay home from the all-star game this year (good idea.) When he went in '99 when the game was in Boston, he dominated two innings. Then in his first start thereafter, he lasted less than 4 innings and then went on the DL. I believe in each of the last two years he missed the game due to injury.

Sox are now 47-31, Yankees are 50-31, and they just acquired Mondesi to play right field.

[Tony the Tiger]

Finally something to write about.

Like I've said, only something to write when they win.

[Captain America]

As a Yankee fan, I've got mixed emotions about this trade. At least the Yanks didn't give up much (talent-wise). As a baseball fan (which I am above any allegiance to any one team), it is more evidence the system is broken and absolutely needs to be fixed.

[RedSoxFan]

Another great day for the Sox, as the sweep the day-night doubleheader from the Jays. Great pitching performances by starters Wakey and Sunny Kim. Kim earned a win, Wakey left while his game was still tied 0-0. The first game was a 2-1 victory with all runs scored in the 7th inning. Merloni had both RBIs on a triple. The Sox started quickly in the night game, with 3 runs in the bottom of the first off of a 1-RBI double by Daubach and a 2-RBI single by Nixon. Daubach got another RBI in the 5th and Varitek got 2 RBIs that inning, and the Sox led 6-0. Sunny came unwound in the 7th and was responsible for all of the Jays' 3 runs.

The startling item of mention tonight though, is the fact than new Red Sox Alan Embree, who hadn't earned a save in over two years before tonight, earned two saves in one day! That has to be some kind of record...

The Red Sox are now 1 game behind the Yankees.

Lastly, good news for Damon: he is going to the All-Star game! He was voted in by the fans to be the 30th man. He won with a narrow margin over Thome. Andruw Jones became the 30th man in the NL.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

So, what you're saying is that all GM's should be intelligent?
Or the fact that the Jays were in the uncomfortable position of having to unload cash flow in order to be less unprofitable, and since the season tix have been sold, who cares about the product out there?

Solution: make the game competitive by sharing all revenues. Capping expenses is not effective. Sure, the richest owner will win, but he'll lose money doing it, and we'll all enjoy seeing him lose games, too (oh wait, we're already doing that with the Rangers!)

To do this, the investors of the valuable teams will have to be compensated by the investors of the less valuable teams. One time payout. Call in the actuaries to figure it out.

Also, all local TV packages need to be publicly bid upon. No special deal for owner who happens to own a local or super station.
Also, luxury box revenue is shared as well. Real fans don't need them anyway, except maybe for the waitress service.
Only revenue not shared: revenue from attendance over 75% of capacity. Take the vending money from that as well.
Also, National over-the-air Games Of The Week EVERY SATURDAY, not after All-Star Game, and not regional favorites (we see them all the time).

MLB, take a walk down to Augusta to learn how to show off your product.

[Pseudolus]

Only downside for the Sox yesterday: Garces still stinks.

[RedSoxFan]

It's the all star break, and a good time to catch up. The Sox are now 52-33, two games behind the Yankees. We lead the wild card race, with Anaheim at 51-35 and Oakland at 50-38 (guess who's next? The Orioles! At 42-43).

After struggling with interleague play, we swept a five game series with Toronto, but then dropped 2 of 3 to the Tigers. In the game against the Tigers that we won, Pedro pitched five one-hit innings to earn the win, and is now 11-2. Wayne Gomes, recent call up from Pawtucket, gave up one hit in two innings, and Haney and Banks no-hit the Tigers the rest of the way, each pitching one inning. Mirabelli had a 3 run homer (he had a solo homer in the previous game), and Manny and Nomar both had two hits in the 8-0 victory. As good as the pitching was in that game, it was poor in the other two games of the series. Castillo gave up 4 runs in 5 innings in the first game, and in the third, Kim gave up four in 2 and two-thirds and Wakey gave up four in 2 and one-third. The offense could definitely not be blamed for losing the series, as the Sox scored 5, 8, and 8 runs. Nixon and Varitek both went 3/5 in the last game, and Damon went 3/4 in the first game.

Other notes:
- RedSoxFan is predicting that the Sox will trade for Jim Thome. We might get Cliff Floyd, but it looks like the Expos are really interested. Thome will be a marked improvement at first base for us.
- Manny was 2 for 2 in the All-Star game tonight. Hilly went 0/2. Lowe gave up 1 earned run in 2 innings as he started off the game. Damon started the AL's rally to get a 6-5 lead with an infield single in his first at bat, and followed it up with a steal, and then later scored on a sacrifice grounder by Garret Anderson. As I type, neither Ugueth nor Nomar have made an appearance yet.
- Bryant Nelson has been playing quite a bit, usually at 2B. He will likely be sent down soon, however, as Rey will be healthy very soon. Hermanson also has been throwing pain free recently and will probably pitch some in Pawtucket soon.
- Embree is really proving to be a great acquisition. He hasn't allowed a run in some enormous amount of innings (40ish?).

And finally, the greatest hitter in the history of baseball, the only man to hit over .400 has passed away. He was honored tonight as the MVP award of the all star game will from now on be named after him. Just before the game the Red Sox all-star reserves, Nomar, Uugie, and Damon, unveiled a large 9 painted in left field. His ashes will soon be scattered over the Florida Keys if his sane child gets her way.

[Pseudolus]

Hey, RSF - did you see what uni Rickey was wearing when he was introduced? What did you think of that?

[RedSoxFan]

Are you implying that I might have a problem with it? I don't really care.. all those people that were there during the pregame show were there because of the memorable moments, and Rickey was an A during his memorable moment...

In case anyone wants to know my opinion on ending the game, I agree with Bud. I think the most compelling reason is that anyone who would have pitched in the 12th inning would have been at an above-average level of risk of injury, whether he was a real pitcher or a field player. These are multi-million dollar athletes and if some owner's player got injured pitching the 12th inning of a game whose result doesn't matter, I bet he'd be a little upset. Even if you had a position player come in and lob balls from the mound, it would be a rather undignified way to end an all-star game, and the game could last another hour with the field player struggling to get three outs to end the half inning. On top of that, you have to stick Garcia/Padilla out in the field somewhere where they have no clue what they're doing.

Bottom line, the game is just for fun. Who wins doesn't matter (anymore, at least). It's just an opportunity to watch the game's stars play against each other for a little while. It's about Torii Hunter robbing Bonds of a homer, not about getting villified for ending the game.

With that being said, they should still have definitely announced an MVP. I don't see any reason why not.. and plenty of guys deserved it. But they should have done it this year for sure to honor Ted Williams. And if they couldn't decide who to give it to, just give it to a Sox, say Manny, who was 2 for 2, just to kind of honor Ted again.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Yeah, why did Torii do that? Doesn't he realize the positive aspects of home runs on the game?

[Pseudolus]

Are you implying that I might have a problem with it? I don't really care.. all those people that were there during the pregame show were there because of the memorable moments, and Rickey was an A during his memorable moment...

Actually, I had a (very minor) problem with it. After Rickey's retired, Rickey can wear what ever jersey Rickey wants. And I certainly don't think that Rickey will be wearing a "B" on Rickey's cap when they escort Rickey to the Hall. [/Rickeytalk] But as of right now he's on the Boston Red Sox, who may very well end up battling the A's for a wildcard spot or in the playoffs.

I thought that his wearing an A's jersey while he's still an active player for another team was just a little tacky.

[RedSoxFan]

The Red Sox start the second half of the season off poorly, dropping 3 of 4 to the Blue Jays after beating them 10 consecutive times. The first game, on Thursday, was a comfortable 10-3 victory. Daubach was 3/5 and Manny was 2/4 including a HR. Rey Sanchez returned from the DL and was 2/3. Burkett earned the win with 6 innings giving up just 1 earned run. Wayne Gomez gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Sox scored 5 in the fifth to chase the Jay's Walker who ended up giving 8 earned runs in 4 innings.

The joy didn't last for long, as the Sox got shutout 5-0 in Friday night's game. Halladay pitched 8 innings, giving up just 3 hits, and Escobar pitched a perfect ninth to finish the Sox off. Lowe gave up 4 earned runs in six innings.

Rey Sanchez got the RBI in the top of the ninth that prevented a second straight shutout in a 4-1 loss. Hinske went 4/4 (8/15 in the series) and New England native Chris Carpenter allowed 4 hits in seven innings. Shea Hillenbrand did manage to go 3/4.

Tonight's game was the heartbreaker. The Sox scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie it 5-5, but Hinske took the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth, from Urbina, out of the park in right field to win it 6-5. Varitek and Sanchez were both 2/4, and Nixon got his first and only hit of the series on a 2 run homer to tie it at 3 in the 5th.

Latest Notes:
- It still seems like we'll trade for Thome. The Sox seem intent on upgrading on Tony Clark at first base, but the Cleveland media makes it look like there's no way Thome is leaving. Apparently, the Indians originally asked for both Nixon and Fossum, but the Sox said they wouldn't trade Nixon. The latest rumor, though, involves us trading the Mets for former Sox Mo Vaughn.
- It appears that both Arrojo and Hermanson (finally!) will be ready to come off the DL in time for this weekend's series against the Yankees. Hermanson pitched 3 hitless innings in his most recent relief appearance in Pawtucket. It's not clear whether he will enter Boston's starting rotation right away or will make his first official appearance of the year out of the bullpen.
- Before the Sox visit the Yankees this weekend, the Sox travel to Detroit nd Tampa Bay for two game series in both cities.
- The Sox are now 3 games behind the Yankees (today, Rivera gave up a 3 run lead in the bottom of the ninth to Cleveland, and yesterday Clemens went on the DL) with a 53-36 record. We are a half game ahead of Anaheim and 1.5 games ahead of Oakland for the wild card spot.

How's my old buddy Bill Buckner?

[Mr. Grim]

Anyone know the pitching matchups for the weekend series against the Yanks. Might head out to game if I get a ticket. Go Sox.

[RedSoxFan]

An up and down week for the Red Sox. On Monday, they dropped the first game of a two game set vs. the Tigers, but came back to win the rematch the next day. In the first game, the Sox took a three run lead in the fifth, but the Tigers scored 2 in the 7th and then 1 in the 9th and 11th innings. Arrojo left after five innings without giving up a run, but Urbina blew the save in the bottom of the ninth. Wayne Gomes gave up the winning run in the 11th, when Inge, who had all four RBIs, had an infield single that scored Jackson who got to third on a wild pitch. The Sox won the next night in the same fashion as the Tigers won game 1: the Sox trailed 4-0 before scoring 1, 3, and 5 runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Manny looked like he was over his finger injury, as he got a personal record five hits with three RBIs. Shea was 3/6 and Dauber was 3/3. Trot was 1/4, but hit a grand slam in the top of the 8th. Burkett improved to 9-3.

On Wednesday and Thursday the Sox swept the Devil Rays. The Sox won the first game 6-1, and Lowe improved to 13-5. Guapo pitched a scoreless ninth, and has not allowed a run in three innings pitched since the all-star break. In the next game, Castillo gave up three runs in four innings. The Sox came back though, thanks to rare home runs by Rickey and Merloni. Wakefield got the win and Urbina got the save.

Now for the big weekend matchup: Sox vs. Yankees. The Sox took the first one, a great pitching duel involving Pedro and Mussina. Both gave up 2 earned runs, but left with Pedro and the Sox leading 3-2. Shea and Tekkie were both 2/4, and Urbina got his 24th save. Today's matchup was really close: it took 11 innings to decide this contest between Cuban defectors and good friends Arrojo and El Duque. In the bottom of the 11th, the Yankees managed to load the bases with one out. Robin Ventura hit a grounder, but Rey couldn't turn the double play and had to throw home, but it didn't get there in time. The Sox found themselves down 6-3 after seven innings, but scored five runs in the top of the eighth. Sanchez and Nomar singled and doubled, and after Manny struck out against Rivera, Tekkie got a 2-RBI single. Rivera then came out of the game after just six pitches with shoulder tightness. Shea and Dauber both got singles, and after Nixon had a sac fly, Offerman singled, but then Damon got out. The two run lead didn't last long however, as Hermanson made his official Red Sox debut and gave up two runs. His inning went like this: fly out, single, double, ground out, single, ground out. The big goat of the game wasn't Hermanson though, it was Mirabelli, who went up to bat with the bases loaded and two outs twice, in the top of the 9th and 11th innings, but got out both times.

[Abducens]

How 'bout those Phillies. Rolled over and died vs. Braves again, what a shock. :D

[Tony the Tiger]

Abby making a post that has nothing to do with the topic. What a shock :D You seem to be obsessed with those Phillies, why not make a separate topic?

Coming back to the topic, nice win again for the Yanks yesterday. Someone forgot to tell Urbina to stop the intentional walks when the bases are loaded.

[DonkeyPunch (Banned)]

Yeah. Anyway, those Phillies sure do suck.

[Abducens]

Rolled over and died vs. Cubs too. I guess it's not just the Braves you can suck against. Your Phils are equal-opportunity awful, Tony :lol:!

[Tony the Tiger]

Wrong again Abby. They aren't my Phils. Read the posts more carefully, maybe you can figure it out.

[Abducens]

*Gasp* You wouldn't be a bandwagoning Yankees fan, would you? But bandwagoning is so unlike you, Tony. :D

[Not Mike]

*Gasp* You wouldn't be a bandwagoning Yankees fan, would you? But bandwagoning is so unlike you, Tony. :D

Tony, I think you have a secret admirer... this guy follows you around everywhere... as much as he feels the need to put down Philly teams, he MUST be trying to overcompensate for something.... any idea what it is?

[Abducens]

The fact that my team's QB is a homo. Oh, wait, that's you.

[Not Mike]

The fact that my team's QB is a homo. Oh, wait, that's you.

Actually, the Steelers will be your team if they win the Super Bowl this year, won't they?

It was nice to see that the Rams extended their playoff futility to 2006... but hey, Mike's fantasy football team will definitley put up good numbers this year!!

[Abducens]

I was hoping they'd nab Bill Cowher, the king of playoff failure. I'll anoint Martz once he loses a home playoff game or 5.

[Not Mike]

Cowher has definitely had his share of disappointments in the playoffs, but it's hard to aruge against being 0-2 with the best team in the league.... definitely worth a 4-year extension.... I'd rather have a guy that can turn nothing into something, than a guy that turns something into nothing.... there's no doubting it, Mike is the favorite to win the fantasy football championship this year....

[Pseudolus]

Meanwhile, the Sox are up 12-4 over Tampa Bay. They scored 10 runs in the third inning with 4 homers, 2 of them by some guy named "Nomar".

[Abducens]

>>the best team in the league

They sure are.

[Tony the Tiger]

*Gasp* You wouldn't be a bandwagoning Yankees fan, would you? But bandwagoning is so unlike you, Tony. :D

Tony, I think you have a secret admirer... this guy follows you around everywhere... as much as he feels the need to put down Philly teams, he MUST be trying to overcompensate for something.... any idea what it is?

Yeah, at first it was cute, but now it is getting scary.

And I don't want to know what it is he is overcompensating for. :lol:

[DonkeyPunch (Banned)]

TTT, are you a Yankees fan?

[RedSoxFan]

Just wanted to let you know, its going to be hard for me to pull myself to the computer to do an update after we had a second heartbreaker to the yankees and then two straight losses to the Devil Rays...

[Abducens]

Like I said, RSF, don't feel you need to post just because a bandwagoner like TTT calls you out. Hey maybe I'll root for Duke U and the NY Yankees. Let me just apply for that No Annual Fee Gutless card. :D

[Captain America]

Tony, I'm a Yankee fan as well. How long have you been following the Yankees? Would you care to reflect on some obscure Yankee trivia from, say, the eighties that only someone who grew up in love with the Yankees (even when they sucked) would even remember? You know, to prove your devotion? I can start, if you'd like.

[Captain America]

And whatta ya say we move all this to another thread and let RSF have his forum back? It's kinda been hijacked.

[Abducens]

I bet we'll hear his tale of how he stuck with them even after losing '96 Game 1 to the Braves. Such intestinal fortitude. :lol:

[Pseudolus]

Last night's game should've cheered you up, RSF. Pedro looked unbeatable.

[Abducens]

What, no TTT post yet? Another mark of a bandwagon fan - run and hide when called to the carpet. :D

[Tony the Tiger]

Tony, I'm a Yankee fan as well. How long have you been following the Yankees? Would you care to reflect on some obscure Yankee trivia from, say, the eighties that only someone who grew up in love with the Yankees (even when they sucked) would even remember? You know, to prove your devotion? I can start, if you'd like.

I have no need to prove anything, and nothing to gain from it.

I did enjoy the enthusiam of RSF at the beginning of the season. But as someone pointed out, he will learn that they always come up short against the Yanks. That post yesterday was the start of the learning curve.

[Captain America]

I have no need to prove anything, and nothing to gain from it.

I just thought you could vindicate yourself and stick it to your arch-nemesis. Or appear foolish. Whatever.

How about I put it this way instead?

I bet I can stump you more often than you can stump me. I figure a tried and true Yankee fan would welcome the opportunity to relive the not-so-good old days. I know I would.

Try this one. Jay Buhner was traded from the Yanks to the Mariners. Everyone knows that. What was the name of the young outfielder packaged with Buhner and who did the Yanks get in return? C'mon, that last part is easy!! Chicken!

That post yesterday was the start of the learning curve.

I agree with that. Which is kind of too bad. I too enjoyed his enthusiasm. He seems to be giving up awfully early, though. It's still only July.

Even Mookie knows the answer.

[Tony the Tiger]

Yanks got Ken Phelps. I don't know the other player the Yanks gave up.

Here's the return volley. Who did the Yanks get Buhner from and who were the main players in that deal?

[Abducens]

>>I don't know the other player the Yanks gave up.

Capt Amer Tree 1, TTT 0.

[Captain America]

Very good. Don't feel bad about not knowing the other player. I only remember his name because at the time it struck a chord with my younger brother, who for years after used to say "Don't be such a Balabon". Yup, kids can be weird. It was a trick question anyway. The guy was a pitcher, not an outfielder That wasn't very nice, I admit. The Yanks dealt a young outfielder to the Mariners in a seperate deal that year and I thought I might catch you remembering him. I'll play fair from now on, I promise. I don't think Balabon ever made the bigs.

You have asked an excellent question! He came from the Pirates. The main players in that deal were Steve Kemp (another failed George idea) and Yogi's kid, Dale. There were a couple other players involved (I think Tim Foli was one).

Who was the pitcher for the Yanks in the late eighties/early nineties that threw a no-hitter and lost ? Also, who was the leftfielder that made one of the two errors that allowed the runs to score? I'm pretty sure the game was on the road and therefore the pitcher did not get to pitch all nine innings and didn't get credit for the no-no.

Hey, this is fun!

[Abducens]

What is the name of North Carolina's arena? That's right, that arrogant jerk Dean Smith let it get named after himself. Oh wait, Duke plays on Coach K Arena? Never mind then. :D

[Guerilla poster]

Abducens seems to post in the wrong thread quite often. Is it just my imagination or are all his threads irrelevant to the topic at hand?

[Tony the Tiger]

CAT, you got the names I was looking for (Kemp, Foli, Berra).

The bad luck pitcher was Andy Hawkins. I don't think he got credit for the no hitter, either. Leyritz was one of 3 that made an error, but he made up for it in later years in October.

Since this is a Red Sox thread, how about a question on Bucky Dent? Who did the Yanks give up to get him? And who did they get when they let him go?

[Pseudolus]

Pseudolus Phun Phact number Phive: My mom used to play racquetball with Dale Berra's wife at the NJ facility owned by Dale Berra's wife's father-in-law. Mom got her picture taken with the man himself once after she won a tournament, but inexplicably didn't think to ask for his autograph.

[Abducens]

GP trying to get me banned. How cute. :lol:

[Guerilla poster]

I am not sure you can get banned for mis-posting, we may need to send you to a training class before we allow you back into the forum.

[Maine-iac]

. . . owned by Dale Berra's wife's father-in-law.

i.e. Dale Berra's father?

[Pseudolus]

Lawrence Peter himself.

[Not Mike]

>>I don't know the other player the Yanks gave up.

Capt Amer Tree 1, TTT 0.

What did the Rams get in return for Jerome Bettis, Mr. diehard Rams fan?

[Abducens]

More than he's worth. Bettis is probably one of the most overrated players in the league - especially when you consider how decently they did without him. If Bettis is smart, he'll know to stay in Pitt for the duration of his career, where the fans are blind "we grow up fortified with running, defense, and 8 vitamins and minerals" morons who will never hold him responsible for any troubles the Steelers have. Same goes for Cowher. Looking forward to the visit in 2003 where we'll show you that offensive football has made some innovative strides since 1975.

[Not Mike]

More than he's worth.

NM: 1
Ab: 0

Maybe you'd be more comfortable with this question... who was the 49ers leading receiver in 1996? Probably more up your alley, the 49ers were winning back then...

[Abducens]

Probably TO. Hard to ignore the 49ers back then, when they beating the heck out of my team all the time. In fact, the less I think about 1996, the better (Phillips draft).

[DonkeyPunch (Banned)]

Does anyone else think it's stupid to have a trivia contest over the internet, where any statistics can be looked up in seconds?

[Captain America]

Stats are easily looked up, but I don't know if trade info on transactions from 15-20 years ago is so readily available. I've checked Google to find out who the Yankees traded to the White Sox for Britt Burns and haven't had any luck. Plus, this is the type of contest where you've got to actually know something already to know what to ask. It's not like we said "Who's the all time Yankee leader in RBI?" That would necessitate no prior knowledge on the part of the questioner at all. Asking who pitched eight innings of a losing no-hitter requires some prior knowledge. And maybe one of us is jerking the other's chain. So what?

[RedSoxFan]

Actually, do you guys mind letting me have my thread back? thanks...

Quick catch up: The Sox lost a heartbreaker to the Yankees on the 21st, as the Yankees won the weekend series 2-1. Then we merely split a 4 game series vs the Devil Rays, despite scoring 37 runs. The first game was a 22-4 victory, but pitching let us down in the next two games, losses 5-4 and 9-5. We did rebound to take 2 of 3 against the Orioles, though, fighting for our lives in the wild card race, we really should have taken 6 of those 7 games, not just 4. Then last night, the bullpen blew another late lead, as the Angels scored two in the bottom of the eighth off of usually dependable Alan Embree, who just came off the DL.

Bright spots for the Red Sox include great hitting by Nomar, Manny, Tekkie, Dauber, and especially Trot, who bat 13/25 last week. Pedro has been one of the few pitchers playing well for us lately, as he pitched an 8 inning 2 hitter against the Devil Rays (and right now has a two hitter through 4 innings vs the Angels). I should also mention Lowe, who hasn't allowed an earned run in 13 straight innings and 1 ER in 21 innings. Also, Burkett rebounded from a poor start vs the Yankees to blank the Orioles in a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits.

Other updates: Wakey and Fossum are now in the rotation, and Castillo and Arrojo are in the bullpen. Tomorrow trade deadline should be interesting: the Red Sox are actively shopping around, especially for pitching, but don't have enough prospects. We might be able to swing a cash deal with the Expos. But some owners might be leery of making a deal with a rumored strike date on the horizon.

[Pseudolus]

Cliff Floyd traded to the Sox. (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0730/1412091.html)

The most glaring hole is still 1st base, but a guy who can hit like Floyd is always welcome.

[Ben Kenobi]

The most glaring hole is still 1st base

Maybe Bill Buckner can come out of retirement.

[Pseudolus]

The dilemma of a Mets fan transplanted to Red Sox Nation - I don't know whether to :lol: or :cry: .

[urysohn]

So Damon's a lock to keep his spot in the outfield. Does Floyd replace Trot full time or do we send Manny to full-time DH work? The story I read didn't even speculate. I'd guess it's going to seriously cut into Trot's playing time, but I'd hate to think the Sox are giving up on him. Unless we trade Trot (with cash maybe. there aren't many prospects in the AAA team) for a first baseman?

[Pseudolus]

Lots of discussion on the Floyd trade here (http://www.baseballprimer.com/bosox/archives/00000275.shtml).

The consensus there seems to be Manny to DH, Daubach to first (I forgot he used to play there) and one or both of Offerman/Clark to the scrap heap. That seems to make a lot of sense. If you had to pick for your lineup either Offerman/Clark or Trot Nixon I don't think you'd have to think for long.

[frummie]

Last night's game should've cheered you up, RSF. Pedro looked unbeatable.

You can say that about last night's (July 30) game, too. Boy he made my Angels look sorry, and they've been pretty hot lately. Too bad we didn't get to your bullpen. We've feasted of some of the best bullpens that last few weeks (Oakland, Seattle, Red Sox on Monday).

[Mr. Grim]

Things really heat up after the Texas series. 18 of the next 21 against playoff contenders. Then the schedule seems to lighten a bit until the end of the season.

The Sox have 21 games against playoff contenders, the Yanks have 15 games. 5 games against each other. Yanks look like they will hold on.

[Mr. Grim]

Anaheim has a tough road to make the playoffs:


6 left vs. NY
4 vs. Boston
8 vs. Oakland
6 vs. Seattle.

Seattle has 18 against play off contenders.

I see Boston, Seattle, NY and Minnesota in the AL playoffs. I think the AL west is at a disadvantage because there are more games left against quality inter-division rivals. They could really beat up on each other. Of course, you never, Boston could fall apart down the stretch. Who could believe that would ever happen?

[RedSoxFan]

We finally got around to promoting someone from our farm team, the Expos: Cliff Floyd. He and Manny will share LF and DH duties. There's no way they're going to remove Damon or Nixon from the lineup. Dauber might play in the OF occasionally to relieve one of those two guys, but will have to split time now at 1B with Clark.

The Sox have to move two players because of our two new major leaguers: Floyd and "Bullet" Bob Howry from the White Sox. If it were me Offerman would be one of those cut. Merloni still has options. The second guy might be Haney or Gomes.

One other thing I failed to report on: El Guapo is basically no longer a Red Sox. He's had a disastrous season, with his ERA over 7 (it was over 10 for a long time). He was optioned to Pawtucket (to call Embree up) but with >5 years experience he exercised his option to decline. If I have the process right, we have 10 days to trade him or another team can sign him for the minimum salary (and we have to pay the rest).

[urysohn]

Who says God doesn't answer the prayers of Red Sox fans? Awful-man was indeed one of the two players released. For somebody who's going to get $4mm to be unemployed, it doesn't sound like he took it all that well either.

[Pseudolus]

Awfulman was PO'd because the Sox didn't tell him he was released until after the flight from CA (his home state) to TX. The team didn't know if their new acquisitions were going to make it in time for last night's game, and didn't want to risk being caught without a full roster of players. So Offy threw a hissy fit.

[RedSoxFan]

Poor Offerman. NOT. He is way over paid, can't hit .250, is slow, makes countless errors, including a recent event where he was doubled off first on a fly out because he thought there was 2 outs instead of 1. Then, in the last game vs. Anaheim, Grady asked Offy to get ready to pinch run for Baerga, and he declined. He better have been throwing those bats and obscenities around at himself and not at management, because he had this coming for him for a long time.

Maybe we really did need him. So far in the post-Offerman era, we are 0-1 with 6 runs scored and 19 scored against. Famous ex-Sox Carl Everett had a 3-run homer and a grand slam by the time the 2nd inning was over!

By the way, Banks was also designated. If he clears waivers, he will go to Pawtucket and earn his way back on the team come September.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Too bad for Offerman. Loses job, gets paid 4 mil. Sounds like a nice golden parachute. Apparently, he got upset because he flew from Anaheim series to Boston, only to learn he has to fly back again. 4 mil, Joe, keep thinking: 4 mil.
It probably hurt more to be cut before Rickey. But then, Rickey has at least one talent worthy of his smaller salary.

Is this why there's a union? So pitiful players don't lose their jobs without a nice sendoff?

[urysohn]

Is this why there's a union? So pitiful players don't lose their jobs without a nice sendoff?
Don't be ridiculous. There's also a union to fight against drug testing, avoid a salary cap,...

[Captain America]

"I think it was frustration and disappointment on Jose's part,'' Port said. "When you deliver bad news, it goes with the territory. He was disappointed that we didn't do it yesterday when he was home, but our charge is to make sure we field a 25-man team and we needed to protect ourselves in case of travel difficulties. It was my call. For $6.5 million, I felt he could wait another day.''


I'm no Sox fan, but I like how this guy thinks!

[Pseudolus]

Tough ending to the game last night. Terrence Long reaches over the fence to turn what would have beena game-winning homer by Manny into the final out of a Sox loss.

Should be a great game tonight: Zito vs. Lowe.

[RedSoxFan]

Nearly two weeks since my last update, so I have a lot to get caught up on. First though, I thought I'd mention Pedro's career best scoreless streak of 31 innings. Lowe had a 29 inning streak stopped by the A's on Aug. 8th, but the Sox still won 4-2 to avoid a sweep. Lowe earned his 16th win of the season, the first in the AL to do so, and on Aug 10th Pedro got his 16th win. Lowe and Martinez lead the majors in ERA, with 2.09 and 2.14, respectively (and remember, Pedro gave up 7 ER in 3 IP in his first start, and then 4 ER in 5.1 IP in his third start, and still has gotten his ERA down to 2.14), third is Maddux with 2.42.

After my last update, which ended with a heartbreaker to the Angels, the Sox won the last two games of the series. We then lost to the Rangers 19-7 (and they had just beaten the Yankees the night before 17-6), but somehow shut them out the next day 13-0 (I think Lowe on the mound had something to do with it). We then split the next two games vs. the Rangers. After that, we lost two of three to the A's. The middle game was the one with the big highlight: Sox were down 3-2 with one man on, two out, and Manny at the plate in the bottom of the ninth: he hits a home run into the bullpen except that Terrence Long managed to barely get to the ball and cathch it to prevent the home run and seal the game. We then lost to Minnesota but got nearly identical Twin wins each of the last two days: Pedro and Wakey each gave up just 4 hits in 8 innings (Wakey did allow 1 ER) and Urbina pitched the ninth for saves in both games.

Other highlights:
- Damon does not have an error in his last 234 consecutive games.
- Red Sox pitchers have not walked a batter in 21 innings.
- Cliff Floyd is day to day with a hip flexor.
- Sox face the Mariners next, then continue the road trip in Minnesota. I believe Monday, Tuesday, and next Sunday night's games are all on ESPN. Lowe is scheduled to face Moyer on Monday.

[Pseudolus]

I keep waiting for the Sox to be officially eliminated, but they keep winning and the Angels keep losing. If they go 5-0 to end the season, and the Angels go 0-5, there will be a one-game playoff for the wildcard.

If you view each game as a coinflip, that gives the Sox a 1/1024 chance of getting to that one-game playoff and a 1/2048 chance of winning the wildcard. That's higher than it's been in weeks!

[Cho Da]

But what happens if the M's win out as well? then there will be three for the wild card. Granted, Boston has to face Chicago and Tampa while Seattle has Oakland and Anaheim.

[Gandalf]

True, Seattle winning out is unlikely. But conditional probability that Seattle wins out, given that Angels lose out (required for the Boston-Anaheim tie) is higher.

[Pseudolus]

I hadn't noticed the Ms were in the same position. I don't know what would happen, but it would be pretty cool (if a scheduling nightmare)! Your schedule is tough, but if we ignore that and stick to the coinflip model, then we find a 1/2^(5+5+5-3) = 1/2^12 = 1/4096 chance of that happening. (Five each for the Ms/Angels/Sox, minus three to avoid double counting Ms/Angels games.) Could happen.

[RedSoxFan]

Hey.. I almost forgot about this thread. With the combination of Exam 8F coming up, the NFL (and fantasy football), and the lack of success with the Red Sox, I just haven't gotten around to posting.

Yeah, it will be a miracle if we make it. It's just about a miracle that we're still mathematically alive at this point. Maybe it's destiny... Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up, just like I do at the beginning of every Red Sox season...

[Gandalf]

I hadn't noticed the Ms were in the same position. I don't know what would happen, but it would be pretty cool (if a scheduling nightmare)! Your schedule is tough, but if we ignore that and stick to the coinflip model, then we find a 1/2^(5+5+5-3) = 1/2^12 = 1/4096 chance of that happening. (Five each for the Ms/Angels/Sox, minus three to avoid double counting Ms/Angels games.) Could happen.

In the coin flip model, Ms are in a much better position. Their chances become 1/2^7, Sox need 1/2^10.

Also true IRL. Both require Angels to lose 5. In addition, the Sox need to win 5 other games; Mariners need to win only two others. The Sox's opponents aren't that much easier.

[Cho Da]

Red Sox are out. :(
Anaheim losing to Texas 4-2 in the 9th. :)
Seattle losing to Oakland 2-0 in 3rd. :(
Can Seattle pull of a miracle? Will Anaheim completely collapse? What does Frummie think? :D

[Cho Da]

Good morning Mike Cameron! Seattle wins 3-2. Still alive. :)

[frummie]

Sorry, Cho. Halos finally got past the ghost of Dave Henderson (whom the Mariners trotted out last Saturday to jinx us. It work for a few days. I was ready for the halos to tank again. Not this time.)

WOOO HOOO! WE MADE IT! Nice to see my guys celebrating for a change. I mean the Marlins and DBacks win a world series, we've never even been to one. Its our turn, baby!

Bring on the Yankees! We have a winning record against them 1998-2000. I realize its the playoffs, but we ain't afraid of no ghosts! (anymore, that is).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Bring on the Yankees! We have a winning record against them 1998-2000. I realize its the playoffs, but we ain't afraid of no ghosts! (anymore, that is).


Sigh. Sometimes it happens here, too.

[Pseudolus]

Note for Sox fans: Tim Wakefield is likely to pitch this Saturday. If he has a decent game, he will likely have enough innings to qualify for the ERA title and could end up as high as third place - behind two guys named "Pedro" and "Derek". It's not the playoffs, but it's still something to root for.