Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
In 1984 George Orwell had his 2 minutes of hate. On modern US social media the hate can last much, much longer.. A Series of Unfortunate Abortions? Sad... Reminder - just 169 days till Saint Patrick's Day... Very cool - 3-D printed cars making 3-D printed shelters... Do you have a resigned Boehner? Ask your doctor about Cialis... Just so we are clear - Comedy Central is OK with a cartoon Donald Trump getting raped and killed on South Park but not OK with a cartoon Muhammad doing nothing... Interesting - players backing Papelbon over Harper...
Showing posts with label Jonathan Papelbon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonathan Papelbon. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, April 14, 2014
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Honest slogans
- Jeff Francoeur getting pranked by his minor league teammates is epic.
- I'm so happy that Jonathan Papelbon is some other team's problem
- The Gospel of Jesus' wife may be real.
- "Did someone eat a bat? Did someone scavenge another dead chimp, one that had shared fruit with a bat?" Your Ebola update. Scary stuff.
- 11 amazing insect close-ups
- George R R Martin has a sense of humor
- Honest slogans
- Jeff Francoeur getting pranked by his minor league teammates is epic.
- I'm so happy that Jonathan Papelbon is some other team's problem
- The Gospel of Jesus' wife may be real.
- "Did someone eat a bat? Did someone scavenge another dead chimp, one that had shared fruit with a bat?" Your Ebola update. Scary stuff.
- 11 amazing insect close-ups
- George R R Martin has a sense of humor
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Derek Lowe
Derek Lowe was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers and his big league career may be over. And what a unique career it has been. Lowe once led the league in saves - something Jonathan Papelbon never managed to do. Lowe had as many 20-win seasons as Mike Mussina - but whereas Mussina was nicknamed Moose - it was Lowe who really shouldered the load and who led his league in games started 4 times (Mussina managed the trick just twice).
The Red Sox do not win the 2004 World Series without Lowe's pitching heroics. But it is Curt Schilling and David Ortiz who still get all the kudos. For his part in the 2004 Championship - Lowe was shown the door and allowed to sign with the Dodgers as a free agent.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying Lowe and his career 4.03 ERA is a Hall of Famer. It is also hard to feel bad for a man who spent all or part of 17 seasons in "the show" while raking in more than $110 million in salary. It's just that Lowe seems a decent guy and has been so enigmatic that the passing of his big league career seemed worthy of note.
Thanks for 2004.
The Red Sox do not win the 2004 World Series without Lowe's pitching heroics. But it is Curt Schilling and David Ortiz who still get all the kudos. For his part in the 2004 Championship - Lowe was shown the door and allowed to sign with the Dodgers as a free agent.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying Lowe and his career 4.03 ERA is a Hall of Famer. It is also hard to feel bad for a man who spent all or part of 17 seasons in "the show" while raking in more than $110 million in salary. It's just that Lowe seems a decent guy and has been so enigmatic that the passing of his big league career seemed worthy of note.
Thanks for 2004.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, who won the NL Cy Young today, was the 7th pick of the 2006 MLB draft. The Tigers took Andrew Miller who had 5.54 ERA for Red Sox this year with the 6th pick... I still say that NCAA should give a blanket waiver exemption to any Penn State athlete who wants to transfer. Players should not have to sit out a year in order to get out of that situation... I had one of these mats once but if it was like this one I'd still be playing with it (probably NSFW)... Interesting point by Doyle Brunson - 100 years ago the population of Las Vegas was just 30 people. Amazing what can happen in a century... If the Tigers took Kershaw with that 6th pick instead of Andrew Miller in the 2006 draft would they be World Series champs today? Justin Verlander and Kershaw would be very tough to beat... John Amaechi on Joe Paterno: “You can’t be a part-time man of principle”. Amaechi perhaps the most eloquent athlete I can recall... I'm going to invent a version of Spanish Fly but for women. I'm going to call it Spanish Spider... I think the Red Sox should make a trade offer of 1st baseman Lars Anderson and outfielder Josh Reddick to the Dodgers for Andre Ethier who is free agent after 2012 season. I think that would be a win-win for both teams... Awesome photography... I'm still ticked that Andre the Giant wasn't even nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in The Princess Bride... Next time I'm in Las Vegas I'm going to put some coin on a prop bet that Jonathan Papelbon will lead the NL in saves for 2012. That seems like a lock to me.
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, who won the NL Cy Young today, was the 7th pick of the 2006 MLB draft. The Tigers took Andrew Miller who had 5.54 ERA for Red Sox this year with the 6th pick... I still say that NCAA should give a blanket waiver exemption to any Penn State athlete who wants to transfer. Players should not have to sit out a year in order to get out of that situation... I had one of these mats once but if it was like this one I'd still be playing with it (probably NSFW)... Interesting point by Doyle Brunson - 100 years ago the population of Las Vegas was just 30 people. Amazing what can happen in a century... If the Tigers took Kershaw with that 6th pick instead of Andrew Miller in the 2006 draft would they be World Series champs today? Justin Verlander and Kershaw would be very tough to beat... John Amaechi on Joe Paterno: “You can’t be a part-time man of principle”. Amaechi perhaps the most eloquent athlete I can recall... I'm going to invent a version of Spanish Fly but for women. I'm going to call it Spanish Spider... I think the Red Sox should make a trade offer of 1st baseman Lars Anderson and outfielder Josh Reddick to the Dodgers for Andre Ethier who is free agent after 2012 season. I think that would be a win-win for both teams... Awesome photography... I'm still ticked that Andre the Giant wasn't even nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in The Princess Bride... Next time I'm in Las Vegas I'm going to put some coin on a prop bet that Jonathan Papelbon will lead the NL in saves for 2012. That seems like a lock to me.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Who knew? According to Myth Busters Astronauts can't belch normally in space. Without gravity, belching brings up liquid as well as gas... Supposedly there will be a Doctor Who movie not tied to the TV series that will be done by the folks who did the Harry Potter movies... Quote for the Day: "Laws should be like clothes. They should fit the people they are meant to serve." Clarence Darrow... JoJo White is perhaps the most underrated player in NBA history... I haven't been paying attention but has David Letterman been making any Herman Cain sexual harrassment jokes?... When someone says "You look familiar - were we in a police lineup together?" What's the proper response?... Doesn't Antonio Bastardo have to give up his number 58 to Jonathan Paplebon? Would he be a bastard if he doesn't?... Political Quote of the Day: “My brain is like a chicken pot pie,” real quote from Rick Perry from 1994. Could explain a lot actually...
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Who knew? According to Myth Busters Astronauts can't belch normally in space. Without gravity, belching brings up liquid as well as gas... Supposedly there will be a Doctor Who movie not tied to the TV series that will be done by the folks who did the Harry Potter movies... Quote for the Day: "Laws should be like clothes. They should fit the people they are meant to serve." Clarence Darrow... JoJo White is perhaps the most underrated player in NBA history... I haven't been paying attention but has David Letterman been making any Herman Cain sexual harrassment jokes?... When someone says "You look familiar - were we in a police lineup together?" What's the proper response?... Doesn't Antonio Bastardo have to give up his number 58 to Jonathan Paplebon? Would he be a bastard if he doesn't?... Political Quote of the Day: “My brain is like a chicken pot pie,” real quote from Rick Perry from 1994. Could explain a lot actually...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Papelbon has signed with the Phillies pending a physical. The deal is reported to be 4-years for $50 million with a vesting 5th option year that would be for another $13 million.
I wish Jonathan Papelbon nothing but the best. I'm guessing most Red Sox fans feel the same way. Papelbon had 219 saves for the Red Sox to go along with a career 2.33 ERA. Papelbon gave his best every time he took the mound and he always took the mound - never injured or begging off. That didn't go unnoticed by the fans.
Papelbon made no secret of what he wanted to accomplish regarding his contract. When he was under team control he publicly said he wanted to get the highest arbitration award amount ever for a closer. He publicly spurned the idea of a long-term deal because he wanted to set the record contract amount for a free-agent closer as well. Which now he has. Papelbon signing elsewhere for a mega-deal was easily predicted by anyone paying attention.
The Red Sox paid Papelbon $12 million this year and I'm guessing they didn't have any issue with that given the fine season Papelbon gave back in return (4-1 2.94 ERA with 31 saves). It was the 5-years that I'm guessing gave the Red Sox pause. The unwritten baseball 11th Commandment is "Thou shall not give a pitcher a 5-year deal." There's good reason for that. The problem I see is the fact that Papelbon's career numbers through his first 7 seasons are scarily similar to Mariano Rivera's first 7 seasons. Would you hesitate to give a 31-year old Mariano Rivera a 5-year deal?
It is easy to argue that any comparison to Mo Rivera is unfair because Rivera is one of a kind. But the same can easily be said of Jonathan Papelbon. He's much closer to Rivera in fact than to guys like Frankie Rodriguez or Joe Nathan. Having said that - Papelbon and his 8 blown saves were a big reason the Red Sox did not make the playoffs in 2010 and I don't think you can lay a claim like that at the feet of Mariano Rivera for any of his 17 seasons.
In the end I predict that the Red Sox will move on from Papelbon with some success and some failure. Papelbon will probably finish his career with 300+ saves and a World Series ring with both the Red Sox and Phillies. His case for the Hall of Fame when he retires will be very strong. I also predict that after Papelbon retires that he'll miraculously find the ball from the final out of the 2007 World Series that supposedly his dog ate.
Jonathan Papelbon has signed with the Phillies pending a physical. The deal is reported to be 4-years for $50 million with a vesting 5th option year that would be for another $13 million.
I wish Jonathan Papelbon nothing but the best. I'm guessing most Red Sox fans feel the same way. Papelbon had 219 saves for the Red Sox to go along with a career 2.33 ERA. Papelbon gave his best every time he took the mound and he always took the mound - never injured or begging off. That didn't go unnoticed by the fans.
Papelbon made no secret of what he wanted to accomplish regarding his contract. When he was under team control he publicly said he wanted to get the highest arbitration award amount ever for a closer. He publicly spurned the idea of a long-term deal because he wanted to set the record contract amount for a free-agent closer as well. Which now he has. Papelbon signing elsewhere for a mega-deal was easily predicted by anyone paying attention.
The Red Sox paid Papelbon $12 million this year and I'm guessing they didn't have any issue with that given the fine season Papelbon gave back in return (4-1 2.94 ERA with 31 saves). It was the 5-years that I'm guessing gave the Red Sox pause. The unwritten baseball 11th Commandment is "Thou shall not give a pitcher a 5-year deal." There's good reason for that. The problem I see is the fact that Papelbon's career numbers through his first 7 seasons are scarily similar to Mariano Rivera's first 7 seasons. Would you hesitate to give a 31-year old Mariano Rivera a 5-year deal?
It is easy to argue that any comparison to Mo Rivera is unfair because Rivera is one of a kind. But the same can easily be said of Jonathan Papelbon. He's much closer to Rivera in fact than to guys like Frankie Rodriguez or Joe Nathan. Having said that - Papelbon and his 8 blown saves were a big reason the Red Sox did not make the playoffs in 2010 and I don't think you can lay a claim like that at the feet of Mariano Rivera for any of his 17 seasons.
In the end I predict that the Red Sox will move on from Papelbon with some success and some failure. Papelbon will probably finish his career with 300+ saves and a World Series ring with both the Red Sox and Phillies. His case for the Hall of Fame when he retires will be very strong. I also predict that after Papelbon retires that he'll miraculously find the ball from the final out of the 2007 World Series that supposedly his dog ate.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Red Sox Demise - I'm Sick to My Stomach
Seriously. I've eaten more Tums the past few hours than I have in the past year. And why? I thought the Red Sox would win last night and either have a play-in game today or be matched up against Texas in the first round. Either way this team was heading for an early exit. So why did last night's debacle so upset my tummy?
If there was a game today - who would have any confidence in John Lackey pitching the team to victory? Even if they made the playoffs the team just didn't have the pitching to win a series. The team was doomed either way. There wasn't even a "Little left Pedro in too long" situation to gripe about. So why is it that every time I hiccup it feels like acid might squirt through my tear ducts?
So what's next? What does the team do to fix this? Here's my suggestions.
The first step is to get rid of John "F*cking" Lackey. If anyone deserves to be the scapegoat - this piece of sh*t deserves it. Opposing batters hit .353 against him in September - a month where he posted a 9.13 ERA. Those 5 starts for Lackey in September easily was a difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. Giving Lackey those starts may be what in the end costs Terry Francona his job. And it's not like this is a Monday morning QB situation. EVERYONE knew Lackey was hurting the team!
Top off the Lackey situation with the fact that Lackey is divorcing his wife who had a double mastectomy and is still fighting cancer. The Red Sox have long supported the Jimmy Fund and all facets in the fight against cancer. No way they can keep this loser.
The question is who will take Lackey? If the Red Sox eat $30 million of the remaining $45 million - I think (hope) some West Coast team would take a chance. If they can't find a taker - my hope is the Red Sox exile Lackey to pitch in Pawtucket the way the Yankees exiled Kei Igawa to the minor leagues.
Some quick thoughts:
- JD Drew is gone. He will retire. That clears $14 million off the books.
- Do the Red Sox bring back David Ortiz? Would a 2-year $25 million offer get it done?
- Will Jonathan Papelbon come back? He's a free agent and will some team just throw the moon at him or will the Red Sox be able to bring him back? I was one of those guys who thought the team should go with Daniel Bard as closer next year but right now none of us guys feel comfortable with that thought. You could argue that it was Bard's September meltdown that was just as responsible for the team missing the playoffs. Bard went 0-4 with a 10.64 ERA in September.
- Do the Red Sox trade Kevin Youkilis? He's got one year and an option on his contract so he would be attractive trade bait which could bring back the pieces needed to fill any hole in the roster.
- The Red Sox should bring back Marco Scutaro who has a $6 million team option.
- I'm guessing that the team will part ways with both Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek -who will both probably retire. Wakefield could open a knuckleball academy while it would be cool if Varitek could stay with the team as assistant pitching coach and emergency 3rd catcher.
- As far as free agents - I would make a strong push for Mark Buehrle and maybe Chris Young (if he passes a physical) but otherwise I don't trust Theo to make a big splash.
- Bring back Theo and Tito for another year. Give them extensions and one more shot.
- I would love if the Red Sox traded for Marlins ace Josh Johnson who is coming back after injury but is owed about $26 million for the next 2-years. Offer them a big package for Johnson - please!
Less than 140 freakin days until pitchers and catchers.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Red Sox Magic Number - 58
The Red Sox won and the Yankees loss so the new magic number is 58 which also happens to be the uniform number of Jonathan Papelbon. Many Boston fans think Papelbon will be gone after this season and with good reason. Papelbon makes $12 million this year and is a free agent at season's end. The only way I can see Papelbon returning is if he unexpectedly accepts arbitration. Otherwise Daniel Bard will probably be elevated as the new Red Sox closer - a move that many fans are both expecting and looking forward to. Bard is 4-years younger than Papelbon and his ERA is almost half of Papelbon's this season (1.81 to 3.59). I still blame Papelbon's 8 blown saves last year as a big reason the Red Sox didn't make the playoffs (plus his blown save against the Angels in the playoffs the year before cost me a lot of money so I'm biased). For people outside New England it may seem strange that so many would be so willing to jettison a hero of the 2007 Wold Champion team but think about this - is that any different than Keith Foulke?
The Red Sox won and the Yankees loss so the new magic number is 58 which also happens to be the uniform number of Jonathan Papelbon. Many Boston fans think Papelbon will be gone after this season and with good reason. Papelbon makes $12 million this year and is a free agent at season's end. The only way I can see Papelbon returning is if he unexpectedly accepts arbitration. Otherwise Daniel Bard will probably be elevated as the new Red Sox closer - a move that many fans are both expecting and looking forward to. Bard is 4-years younger than Papelbon and his ERA is almost half of Papelbon's this season (1.81 to 3.59). I still blame Papelbon's 8 blown saves last year as a big reason the Red Sox didn't make the playoffs (plus his blown save against the Angels in the playoffs the year before cost me a lot of money so I'm biased). For people outside New England it may seem strange that so many would be so willing to jettison a hero of the 2007 Wold Champion team but think about this - is that any different than Keith Foulke?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
Gil Meche retired yesterday and some people are praising him for putting his family happiness ahead of the $12 million remaining on his contract. I think my family would have been happier if I took the $12 million... The Red Sox signed Jonathan Papelbon and Jacoby Ellsbury to one-year deals yesterday to avoid arbitration. Papelbon got $12 million and the consensus is that this will be his last season with the Red Sox. I would agree but not for the same reasons many think. The Sox have positioned Daniel Bard to be the closer in waiting with Bobby Jenks as insurance. Next year the Red Sox won't want to pay Papelbon what he'll think he's worth so they will let him walk. They will also covet the draft picks that will come for him as a Type A free agent. They will rid themselves of him and not the other way around... When you look at the stats - Gil Meche was basically same pitcher as Matt Clement except Meche was 30 pounds heavier and $10 million richer. Gil Meche was also basically the same as Kris Benson - 84-83 with a 4.49 ERA for Meche vs Kris Benson's 70-75 with a 4.42 ERA. Benson was the same player who just got less fanfare when he announced his retirement last week... To illustrate why those draft picks (a 1st and a sandwich) would be so important to the Red Sox if they were to let Papelbon walk next season consider Jacoby Ellsbury who signed a $2.4 million deal with the Red Sox yesterday was drafted in 2005 with a pick that was compensation for losing Orlando Cabrera to the Angels. Jed Lowrie, who could be the starting shortstop this year, was also compensation in 2005 for Anaheim signing Orlando Cabrera. Lowrie was the sandwich pick... LAPD confirms Milton Bradley was arrested for violating California penal code section 422 - making a "criminal threat". The Royals may have saved $12 million in 2011 with Meche retiring and now the Mariners may have just saved $12 million too with Milton Bradley being Milton Bradley... I can't believe this is true but I read yesterday that the Twins offered Francisco Liriano $5 million and he countered with $3.6 million. I wonder if this guy was Liriano's agent.
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
Gil Meche retired yesterday and some people are praising him for putting his family happiness ahead of the $12 million remaining on his contract. I think my family would have been happier if I took the $12 million... The Red Sox signed Jonathan Papelbon and Jacoby Ellsbury to one-year deals yesterday to avoid arbitration. Papelbon got $12 million and the consensus is that this will be his last season with the Red Sox. I would agree but not for the same reasons many think. The Sox have positioned Daniel Bard to be the closer in waiting with Bobby Jenks as insurance. Next year the Red Sox won't want to pay Papelbon what he'll think he's worth so they will let him walk. They will also covet the draft picks that will come for him as a Type A free agent. They will rid themselves of him and not the other way around... When you look at the stats - Gil Meche was basically same pitcher as Matt Clement except Meche was 30 pounds heavier and $10 million richer. Gil Meche was also basically the same as Kris Benson - 84-83 with a 4.49 ERA for Meche vs Kris Benson's 70-75 with a 4.42 ERA. Benson was the same player who just got less fanfare when he announced his retirement last week... To illustrate why those draft picks (a 1st and a sandwich) would be so important to the Red Sox if they were to let Papelbon walk next season consider Jacoby Ellsbury who signed a $2.4 million deal with the Red Sox yesterday was drafted in 2005 with a pick that was compensation for losing Orlando Cabrera to the Angels. Jed Lowrie, who could be the starting shortstop this year, was also compensation in 2005 for Anaheim signing Orlando Cabrera. Lowrie was the sandwich pick... LAPD confirms Milton Bradley was arrested for violating California penal code section 422 - making a "criminal threat". The Royals may have saved $12 million in 2011 with Meche retiring and now the Mariners may have just saved $12 million too with Milton Bradley being Milton Bradley... I can't believe this is true but I read yesterday that the Twins offered Francisco Liriano $5 million and he countered with $3.6 million. I wonder if this guy was Liriano's agent.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Jonathan Papelbon has 7 losses on the season of which 3 were against the Yankees. Rafael Soriano only has 2 losses for Rays. If Papelbon was as effective as Soriano then the Red Sox are still in it. If Daniel Bard was the closer then the Red Sox are still in it... Here's a girl spinning around in circles on an escalator . Admit it - after watching that you are thinking of trying it yourself... August was the 44th consecutive month in which Nevada led the nation in housing foreclosures. I'd blame Barney Frank and Harry Reid for that. I can't believe that one or both could be re-elected... Mike Cameron's and Adrian Beltre's seasons both ended so they could attend births of their children. Haven't they ever heard of family planning? Seriously - what if the Red Sox were still battling for a playoff spot?.... Unemployment in Nevada is 14.4 percent - how can voters in that state even think of re-electing Harry Reid?... The things you learn on the Internet - Joe Paterno still holds a share of Brown University's record for career interceptions with 14.... Barack Obama - more paranoid than Nixon and less competent than Carter... The coolest photo you will see all day... The death of Stephen J. Cannell brings up an old question - was the audience ever told why Jim Rockford went to jail? He was an ex-con turned private eye but what was his crime that made Jim Rockford an ex-con?... How about a Jonathan Papelbon for Carlos Beltran trade? Beltran could have 1-year rebirth just like Adrian Beltre just did.... The things you learn on the Internet - A single sperm has 37.5 MB of DNA information in it. That means a normal ejaculation represents a data transfer of 1,587.5 TB. Talk about TMI?.... Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley!
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Jonathan Papelbon has 7 losses on the season of which 3 were against the Yankees. Rafael Soriano only has 2 losses for Rays. If Papelbon was as effective as Soriano then the Red Sox are still in it. If Daniel Bard was the closer then the Red Sox are still in it... Here's a girl spinning around in circles on an escalator . Admit it - after watching that you are thinking of trying it yourself... August was the 44th consecutive month in which Nevada led the nation in housing foreclosures. I'd blame Barney Frank and Harry Reid for that. I can't believe that one or both could be re-elected... Mike Cameron's and Adrian Beltre's seasons both ended so they could attend births of their children. Haven't they ever heard of family planning? Seriously - what if the Red Sox were still battling for a playoff spot?.... Unemployment in Nevada is 14.4 percent - how can voters in that state even think of re-electing Harry Reid?... The things you learn on the Internet - Joe Paterno still holds a share of Brown University's record for career interceptions with 14.... Barack Obama - more paranoid than Nixon and less competent than Carter... The coolest photo you will see all day... The death of Stephen J. Cannell brings up an old question - was the audience ever told why Jim Rockford went to jail? He was an ex-con turned private eye but what was his crime that made Jim Rockford an ex-con?... How about a Jonathan Papelbon for Carlos Beltran trade? Beltran could have 1-year rebirth just like Adrian Beltre just did.... The things you learn on the Internet - A single sperm has 37.5 MB of DNA information in it. That means a normal ejaculation represents a data transfer of 1,587.5 TB. Talk about TMI?.... Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
2011 Red Sox
Wait till next year? Why wait? Let's start thinking about the 2011 Red Sox now. Here's how I see next year's team.
Catcher: I see Victor Martinez as almost a must sign in the offseason. He's said he wants to stay and the Red Sox really don't have any options. My guess is that the Red Sox re-sign both Martinez and Jason Varitek and carry Jarrod Saltalamaccia as a third catcher. John Buck is a long-shot free agent acquisition.
1st Base: The Red Sox are set here with Kevin Youkilis as the regular and if they re-sign Victor Martinez he can be the back-up (plus Saltalamaccia can also play 1st which makes carrying 3 catchers easier to justify).
2nd Base: The Red Sox should also be set here with the return of Dustin Pedroia. Bill Hall or Jed Lowrie as the back-ups.
Short: I'm not a Marco Scutaro fan. He's had 18 errors so don't sell me on his defense. His OPS+ this year is just 89 - so don't sell me on his offense. He'll be 35 next season. Unless there was personality issues - I don't understand why they went with this guy over Alex Gonzalez. Best case next year is Jed Lowrie is the starter and Scutaro is traded to a new location.
3rd Base: I don't think Adrian Beltre will be re-signed. He has Scott Boras as his agent and he also has a preference for the West Coast. If he comes back I'll be happy but skeptical due to his history of only performing during contract seasons. If he doesn't come back then Jed Lowrie is the logical replacement (the free agent pool after Beltre is pretty thin). I could see Lowrie as the starter with Youkilis playing every once and a while.
LF: I would like to see the Red Sox sign Carl Crawford and trade Mike Cameron (probably eating half of Cameron's final year). The Red Sox would most likely be losing Adrian Beltre's and Mike Lowell's contracts so that's $21 million right there to help pay for Crawford. Hopefully Bill Hall will be back to be the reserve.
CF: Jacoby Ellsbury gets another chance to show he's healthy. Ryan Kalish is the back-up.
RF: JD Drew.
DH: Pick up David Ortiz's option and let's see how he does / ages.
Starting Pitching: Pretty set with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Bullpen: I hope the Red Sox trade Jonathan Papelbon. I really don't care what they get in return. I just don't want him back as closer especially at the probable $12 million price tag he'd get through arbitration. I would spend the money in free agency on Rafael Soriano to close (he'd probably cost less than what Papelbon would get through arbitration) with Daniel Bard as his set-up man. If you keep Tim Wakefield as the long relief/ spot starter that leaves four spots (assuming the Sox carry 12 pitchers). It is the bullpen that really needs attention this offseason. Please no more Joe Nelson's or Scott Schoeneweis' this time around. As a suggestion - how about a trade of Jonathan Papelbon for Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers? Broxton could use a change of scenery and the Dodgers could use a closer.
Conclusion: The top three priorities for the Red Sox this offseason should be:
1. Re-sign Victor Martinez
2. Sign Carl Crawford
3. Trade Jonathan Papelbon / sign Rafael Soriano / rebuild the bullpen
Wait till next year? Why wait? Let's start thinking about the 2011 Red Sox now. Here's how I see next year's team.
Catcher: I see Victor Martinez as almost a must sign in the offseason. He's said he wants to stay and the Red Sox really don't have any options. My guess is that the Red Sox re-sign both Martinez and Jason Varitek and carry Jarrod Saltalamaccia as a third catcher. John Buck is a long-shot free agent acquisition.
1st Base: The Red Sox are set here with Kevin Youkilis as the regular and if they re-sign Victor Martinez he can be the back-up (plus Saltalamaccia can also play 1st which makes carrying 3 catchers easier to justify).
2nd Base: The Red Sox should also be set here with the return of Dustin Pedroia. Bill Hall or Jed Lowrie as the back-ups.
Short: I'm not a Marco Scutaro fan. He's had 18 errors so don't sell me on his defense. His OPS+ this year is just 89 - so don't sell me on his offense. He'll be 35 next season. Unless there was personality issues - I don't understand why they went with this guy over Alex Gonzalez. Best case next year is Jed Lowrie is the starter and Scutaro is traded to a new location.
3rd Base: I don't think Adrian Beltre will be re-signed. He has Scott Boras as his agent and he also has a preference for the West Coast. If he comes back I'll be happy but skeptical due to his history of only performing during contract seasons. If he doesn't come back then Jed Lowrie is the logical replacement (the free agent pool after Beltre is pretty thin). I could see Lowrie as the starter with Youkilis playing every once and a while.
LF: I would like to see the Red Sox sign Carl Crawford and trade Mike Cameron (probably eating half of Cameron's final year). The Red Sox would most likely be losing Adrian Beltre's and Mike Lowell's contracts so that's $21 million right there to help pay for Crawford. Hopefully Bill Hall will be back to be the reserve.
CF: Jacoby Ellsbury gets another chance to show he's healthy. Ryan Kalish is the back-up.
RF: JD Drew.
DH: Pick up David Ortiz's option and let's see how he does / ages.
Starting Pitching: Pretty set with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Bullpen: I hope the Red Sox trade Jonathan Papelbon. I really don't care what they get in return. I just don't want him back as closer especially at the probable $12 million price tag he'd get through arbitration. I would spend the money in free agency on Rafael Soriano to close (he'd probably cost less than what Papelbon would get through arbitration) with Daniel Bard as his set-up man. If you keep Tim Wakefield as the long relief/ spot starter that leaves four spots (assuming the Sox carry 12 pitchers). It is the bullpen that really needs attention this offseason. Please no more Joe Nelson's or Scott Schoeneweis' this time around. As a suggestion - how about a trade of Jonathan Papelbon for Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers? Broxton could use a change of scenery and the Dodgers could use a closer.
Conclusion: The top three priorities for the Red Sox this offseason should be:
1. Re-sign Victor Martinez
2. Sign Carl Crawford
3. Trade Jonathan Papelbon / sign Rafael Soriano / rebuild the bullpen
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
So Reggie Bush says that returning the Heisman is not an admission of guilt. So is Reggie Bush now going to write a book called "If I Did It" just like another USC running back?... Heh heh... I doubt Jonathan Papelbon will use the Drop Kick Murphy's Shipping Up to Boston for entrance music next season because I don't think he'll be with the Red Sox... Very sad. UMass band director dies on way to Ann Arbor for today's game. My sympathies and best wishes go out to the family of George Parks... I do not apologize for being happy that the WNBA finals are over. Now we can go months without ESPN jamming the WNBA down our throats... Giant Manta Ray swipes $5k camera rig from diver, shoots some video...
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
So Reggie Bush says that returning the Heisman is not an admission of guilt. So is Reggie Bush now going to write a book called "If I Did It" just like another USC running back?... Heh heh... I doubt Jonathan Papelbon will use the Drop Kick Murphy's Shipping Up to Boston for entrance music next season because I don't think he'll be with the Red Sox... Very sad. UMass band director dies on way to Ann Arbor for today's game. My sympathies and best wishes go out to the family of George Parks... I do not apologize for being happy that the WNBA finals are over. Now we can go months without ESPN jamming the WNBA down our throats... Giant Manta Ray swipes $5k camera rig from diver, shoots some video...
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Two Jonathans
Jonathan Broxton has been demoted by Joe Torre and the Dodgers from his role as the team's closer. Fans in Boston are hoping Terry Francona does the same to Jonathan Papelbon.
Broxton - 3.42 ERA / 47.1 IP / 21 Saves / 5 Blown Saves
Papelbon - 3.20 ERA / 50.2 IP / 29 Saves / 6 Blown Saves
Papelbon's 6 blown saves are 4 more than either Tampa Bay's or New York's closers. If the Red Sox had those 4 games back then they would be tied for the Wild Card with the Rays and would be just 2 games back from the Yankees in the AL East. If the Red Sox miss the payoffs then Papelbon's poor performance will be the main reason in my mind. If the Red Sox miss the playoffs this year - then look for the front office to trade Papelbon in the offseason.
Jonathan Broxton has been demoted by Joe Torre and the Dodgers from his role as the team's closer. Fans in Boston are hoping Terry Francona does the same to Jonathan Papelbon.
Broxton - 3.42 ERA / 47.1 IP / 21 Saves / 5 Blown Saves
Papelbon - 3.20 ERA / 50.2 IP / 29 Saves / 6 Blown Saves
Papelbon's 6 blown saves are 4 more than either Tampa Bay's or New York's closers. If the Red Sox had those 4 games back then they would be tied for the Wild Card with the Rays and would be just 2 games back from the Yankees in the AL East. If the Red Sox miss the payoffs then Papelbon's poor performance will be the main reason in my mind. If the Red Sox miss the playoffs this year - then look for the front office to trade Papelbon in the offseason.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Morning Links
Some stuff I found interesting and thought I'd pass along.
- A good look at the contract situation for Jonathan Papelbon
- First person Tetris = Awesome!
- Jay Leno's 2004 announcement
- "Internet service for dead people"
- Heh Heh
- Map of USA in Beer Labels. I'd argue Massachusetts since Sam Adams isn't brewed here anymore. I'd replace it with Wachusett Brewing.
Some stuff I found interesting and thought I'd pass along.
- A good look at the contract situation for Jonathan Papelbon
- First person Tetris = Awesome!
- Jay Leno's 2004 announcement
- "Internet service for dead people"
- Heh Heh
- Map of USA in Beer Labels. I'd argue Massachusetts since Sam Adams isn't brewed here anymore. I'd replace it with Wachusett Brewing.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Unbearable Lightness of Boston
It was a beautiful day Sunday in New England. The sun was out, the temperature was in the mid-sixties and there was just a slight breeze. The wind was enough to rustle the leaves on the trees but not strong enough to blow them off the branches.
I had watched the first 8 innings of the Red Sox / Angels game at home. Going into the 9th the Red Sox were leading 6-4 with Jonathan Papelbon on to close out the game. The outcome was assumed to be a foregone conclusion so I left my house for a local watering hole to watch the Patriots.
When I stepped into the bar the score was 7-6 Angels. I still don't know how exactly it unfolded and I don't care. The strange thing was that I was not surprised. Jonathan Papelbon despite his numbers this year has been a heart-attack waiting to happen. Pride goeth before a fall and it seems like nobody has more hubris than Papelbon. It is no accident that the Red Sox locked up Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester to longterm deals but Papelbon is on just a one-year deal. Papelbon has made no bones about wanting to break the arbitration salary records for closers. And after that he's made no bones about wanting the highest salary available from free agency even if that means signing with the Yankees. The feeling among many fans is to trade him - and that feeling just grew that much stronger after Sunday's debacle.
Papelbon's final line for the 2009 playoffs was 2 appearances and a 13.50 ERA. Eric Gagne says hello. And for those out there who are surprised that Boston fans would jettison Papelbon so readily - I have two words for you - Keith Foulke.
Keith Foulke was the real MVP of the 2004 playoffs. He gave up just one run in 11 games. Now he's just a distant memory.
Anyway - the Red Sox lost and their season is over. Like many Red Sox fans - as far as I'm concerned baseball is now over. I'm baseballed out. It may seem like heresy but I'm kinda rooting for the Yankees. The thought is that if the Yankees win it all with Johnny Damon playing a big role then the Yankees may not be in such a hurry to throw mega-bucks at Jason Bay.
Immediately after the Red Sox loss the question in New England was "Where have you gone Tom Brady, our Red Sox Nation turns our lonely eyes to you?" The answer to that question was that Tom Brady was in Denver to play the Broncos. The first half went very well for the Pats. They were leading 17-7 and seemed in control. I left the bar to go to the American Legion where I could enjoy a cigar.
The second half was just the cherry on top of a lousy day for Boston fans. The Pats couldn't score and it seemed predestined that the Broncos would tread the path that eventually lead to their overtime victory. One storyline that hasn't gotten enough play is the role the referees played in the Broncos game-tying drive. First there was a fumble recovered by the Patriots that was ruled not a fumble because of forward progress. Replays show it to have been a fumble. The Pats got screwed. Then there was the "taunting" penalty that kept the Broncos drive alive. Replay clearly shows the ref throwing the flag before the defender said or did anything. My guess is that the ref was going to call pass interference but the fact that the ball was tipped making contact OK seemed to have made him opt for the taunting call instead. Fishy call? You bet! (Or somebody was betting if you know what I mean.)
All-in-all it was a lousy day for Boston sports but that's OK. Boston fans have been to a large extent spoiled over the past few years. In my life I've seen championship teams from the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots and from local college hockey teams (Harvard, BC and BU). This post was not meant to sound like I was whining. It was just a chance to say my peace and move on.
It was a beautiful day Sunday in New England. The sun was out, the temperature was in the mid-sixties and there was just a slight breeze. The wind was enough to rustle the leaves on the trees but not strong enough to blow them off the branches.
I had watched the first 8 innings of the Red Sox / Angels game at home. Going into the 9th the Red Sox were leading 6-4 with Jonathan Papelbon on to close out the game. The outcome was assumed to be a foregone conclusion so I left my house for a local watering hole to watch the Patriots.
When I stepped into the bar the score was 7-6 Angels. I still don't know how exactly it unfolded and I don't care. The strange thing was that I was not surprised. Jonathan Papelbon despite his numbers this year has been a heart-attack waiting to happen. Pride goeth before a fall and it seems like nobody has more hubris than Papelbon. It is no accident that the Red Sox locked up Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester to longterm deals but Papelbon is on just a one-year deal. Papelbon has made no bones about wanting to break the arbitration salary records for closers. And after that he's made no bones about wanting the highest salary available from free agency even if that means signing with the Yankees. The feeling among many fans is to trade him - and that feeling just grew that much stronger after Sunday's debacle.
Papelbon's final line for the 2009 playoffs was 2 appearances and a 13.50 ERA. Eric Gagne says hello. And for those out there who are surprised that Boston fans would jettison Papelbon so readily - I have two words for you - Keith Foulke.
Keith Foulke was the real MVP of the 2004 playoffs. He gave up just one run in 11 games. Now he's just a distant memory.
Anyway - the Red Sox lost and their season is over. Like many Red Sox fans - as far as I'm concerned baseball is now over. I'm baseballed out. It may seem like heresy but I'm kinda rooting for the Yankees. The thought is that if the Yankees win it all with Johnny Damon playing a big role then the Yankees may not be in such a hurry to throw mega-bucks at Jason Bay.
Immediately after the Red Sox loss the question in New England was "Where have you gone Tom Brady, our Red Sox Nation turns our lonely eyes to you?" The answer to that question was that Tom Brady was in Denver to play the Broncos. The first half went very well for the Pats. They were leading 17-7 and seemed in control. I left the bar to go to the American Legion where I could enjoy a cigar.
The second half was just the cherry on top of a lousy day for Boston fans. The Pats couldn't score and it seemed predestined that the Broncos would tread the path that eventually lead to their overtime victory. One storyline that hasn't gotten enough play is the role the referees played in the Broncos game-tying drive. First there was a fumble recovered by the Patriots that was ruled not a fumble because of forward progress. Replays show it to have been a fumble. The Pats got screwed. Then there was the "taunting" penalty that kept the Broncos drive alive. Replay clearly shows the ref throwing the flag before the defender said or did anything. My guess is that the ref was going to call pass interference but the fact that the ball was tipped making contact OK seemed to have made him opt for the taunting call instead. Fishy call? You bet! (Or somebody was betting if you know what I mean.)
All-in-all it was a lousy day for Boston sports but that's OK. Boston fans have been to a large extent spoiled over the past few years. In my life I've seen championship teams from the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots and from local college hockey teams (Harvard, BC and BU). This post was not meant to sound like I was whining. It was just a chance to say my peace and move on.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Crazy Roy Halladay Trade Proposal
Just tossing this out there but if I were the Red Sox GM for today - this is a package I'd offer to Toronto for Roy Halladay. I would offer Clay Buchholtz (everyone has him in a package), Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson (JP Riccardi gets to pick one), a lower level prospect and Jonathan Papelbon.
Yup - Jonathan Papelbon.
That would be the package. Four quality players for Halladay with one being a big name who is a current All-Star and one of the premier closers in the game. And if JP Riccardi wasn't interested in Papelbon (who is under team control for another two years) - then hey flip him to another team for a top prospect or two. The Blue Jays could get as many as five or six top prospects in this deal.
From the Red Sox perspective - they would be getting one of the top starters in the game. Replacing Buchholz in the rotation with Halladay would be awesome. Boston can afford to lose Papelbon because they have Josh Bard ready to step in with his overpowering fastball to become the new Papelbon. What many outside of Boston don't realize is that Papelbon is setting himself up to leave as a free agent after two years and that talk along with his inconsistent performance have soured many Boston fans on the closer.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
Just tossing this out there but if I were the Red Sox GM for today - this is a package I'd offer to Toronto for Roy Halladay. I would offer Clay Buchholtz (everyone has him in a package), Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson (JP Riccardi gets to pick one), a lower level prospect and Jonathan Papelbon.
Yup - Jonathan Papelbon.
That would be the package. Four quality players for Halladay with one being a big name who is a current All-Star and one of the premier closers in the game. And if JP Riccardi wasn't interested in Papelbon (who is under team control for another two years) - then hey flip him to another team for a top prospect or two. The Blue Jays could get as many as five or six top prospects in this deal.
From the Red Sox perspective - they would be getting one of the top starters in the game. Replacing Buchholz in the rotation with Halladay would be awesome. Boston can afford to lose Papelbon because they have Josh Bard ready to step in with his overpowering fastball to become the new Papelbon. What many outside of Boston don't realize is that Papelbon is setting himself up to leave as a free agent after two years and that talk along with his inconsistent performance have soured many Boston fans on the closer.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
East Boston Bound and Down
The recent Chris Jones profile of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has generated a lot of buzz due mainly to Papelbon's labeling of ex-teammate Manny Ramirez as a "cancer". When it's all said and done though - I hope someone explains to Papelbon that the real joke was on him.
Lost in all the hoopla of the cancer quote is the underlying inferences from the article that Jonathan Papelbon is just not a very bright person. Chris Jones was just one "You are fucking out!" quote away from not so subtly painting Papelbon as a real life Kenny Powers.
Just look at some of the words and phrases that Jones used to describe Papelbon; "trademark histrionics...the character in a comic book...a few days left to summon the rage." Jones writes about Paelbon's wife Ashley needing to "be safely removed" to another car while the couple drives to Spring Training - a drive that has Papelbon cranking his stereo to 11 and screaming out the window. Again - all Jones had to add was that Papelbon was screaming "You are fucking out!" and it would have been a spot-on profile of the fictional Kenny Powers.
Jones tosses out Curt Schilling's assessment that Papelbon was "not exactly a charter member of Mensa" only to refute that Palebon isn't stupid (wink, wink) - he just "says all the dumb things most of us probably think but keep back." How Kenny Poweresque of him.
In the infamous Manny Ramirez section Jones goes out of the way to note that the quotes are UNEDITED as if to say - can you believe what the yokel is actually saying?
The not so subtle digs are everywhere. Papelbon's handwriting is a "frantic scrawl", he has multiple garages and loads of hunting gear. Papelbon may read the profile and think it was complementary but others will look at it as him being painted as the stereotypical dumb redneck. As one astute observer noted, Papelbon was just one well placed question away from maybe being the next John Rocker. I prefer to look at it as being just one "You are fucking out!" quote away from being the real life Kenny Powers.
The recent Chris Jones profile of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has generated a lot of buzz due mainly to Papelbon's labeling of ex-teammate Manny Ramirez as a "cancer". When it's all said and done though - I hope someone explains to Papelbon that the real joke was on him.
Lost in all the hoopla of the cancer quote is the underlying inferences from the article that Jonathan Papelbon is just not a very bright person. Chris Jones was just one "You are fucking out!" quote away from not so subtly painting Papelbon as a real life Kenny Powers.
Just look at some of the words and phrases that Jones used to describe Papelbon; "trademark histrionics...the character in a comic book...a few days left to summon the rage." Jones writes about Paelbon's wife Ashley needing to "be safely removed" to another car while the couple drives to Spring Training - a drive that has Papelbon cranking his stereo to 11 and screaming out the window. Again - all Jones had to add was that Papelbon was screaming "You are fucking out!" and it would have been a spot-on profile of the fictional Kenny Powers.
Jones tosses out Curt Schilling's assessment that Papelbon was "not exactly a charter member of Mensa" only to refute that Palebon isn't stupid (wink, wink) - he just "says all the dumb things most of us probably think but keep back." How Kenny Poweresque of him.
In the infamous Manny Ramirez section Jones goes out of the way to note that the quotes are UNEDITED as if to say - can you believe what the yokel is actually saying?
"The beautiful thing about our team is, we don’t let anybody get above the team. He wasn’t on the same train as the rest of us." And here Papelbon starts banging his kitchen table for emphasis, the punctuation marks in his sentences changing: "He was on a different train! And you saw what happened with that. We got rid of him, and we moved on without him. That comes from the manager, and it comes from guys like Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz. Nobody is ever going to be allowed to do that. Even a guy like me, just heading into my fourth year in the big leagues — if David Ortiz gets a little, you know — I’ll tell him what’s up! I’m not afraid to do that. I’m not afraid to put him in his place, because I think everybody needs that. And if somebody does it to me, I understand that. I most certainly understand that. Varitek tells me all the time, 'Just shut up. Do what you’re supposed to do.'"Not on the same train? What sort of metaphor is that? I'm guessing Papelbon in the past probably heard the phrase "operating on a different plane" and misunderstood what was said or meant. And why is the Captain of the team always telling you to just shut up? Is it because of moronic utterances that makes one cry "enough!"?
The not so subtle digs are everywhere. Papelbon's handwriting is a "frantic scrawl", he has multiple garages and loads of hunting gear. Papelbon may read the profile and think it was complementary but others will look at it as him being painted as the stereotypical dumb redneck. As one astute observer noted, Papelbon was just one well placed question away from maybe being the next John Rocker. I prefer to look at it as being just one "You are fucking out!" quote away from being the real life Kenny Powers.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Top 5 - Baseball Players from Mississippi State University
In honor of Bobby Thigpen's 45th birthday - here are who I consider the top 5 players from Mississippi State University.
1. Will Clark - he started over Palmeiro in college and for the Orioles - so he gets the nod on this list too
2. Rafael Palmeiro* (gets the asterisk for obvious reasons)
3. Bobby Thigpen - it's his birthday so he gets the nod in 3rd place
4. Dave "Boo" Ferris - won 21 games his rookie season and 25 games the next year for the Red Sox
5. Jonathan Papelbon
Just missing the cut - Buddy Myer and Jeff Brantley (who used to really annoy me when he was on Baseball Tonight).
In honor of Bobby Thigpen's 45th birthday - here are who I consider the top 5 players from Mississippi State University.
1. Will Clark - he started over Palmeiro in college and for the Orioles - so he gets the nod on this list too
2. Rafael Palmeiro* (gets the asterisk for obvious reasons)
3. Bobby Thigpen - it's his birthday so he gets the nod in 3rd place
4. Dave "Boo" Ferris - won 21 games his rookie season and 25 games the next year for the Red Sox
5. Jonathan Papelbon
Just missing the cut - Buddy Myer and Jeff Brantley (who used to really annoy me when he was on Baseball Tonight).
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Red Sox Milestones
Miscellaneous Red Sox milestone thoughts and observations.
Manny Ramirez is in the last year of his contract but the Red Sox also hold the rights to two option years. It is amazing that as good as Manny has been for the Red Sox that even if he played 3 more years with the Red Sox averaging 35 HR and 125 RBI per year - Manny still would not be able to crack either the top 4 in HR or the top 5 in RBI in Red Sox history. Manny currently has 254 HR and an even 800 RBI in a Red Sox uniform. The top spots go to Ted Williams (521 HR and 1839 RBI), Carl Yastrzemski (452 and 1844), Jim Rice (382 and 1451), Dwight Evans (379 and 1346) and Bobby Doerr also has Manny beat in RBI with 1247... Jason Varitek has already passed Carlton Fisk for most RBI by a Red Sox catcher (611 to 568) but with 148 HR - Varitek still needs 14 more HR to catch Pudge on the Red Sox all-time list... If David Ortiz has just 100 RBI this season - that will put him in the top 10 all-time. Currently Ortiz has 642 RBI in Boston and Joe Cronin is in 10th on the list with 737. I can easily see Ortiz also passing Mo Vaughn who is in 9th place with just 10 more RBI than Cronin... Of course overall - Manny Ramirez has 490 HR which means he needs just 31 this season to tie Ted Williams (and Willie McCovey) career mark of 521 HR. In overall RBI - Manny currently has 1604 which means another 100 will move him into the top 20 all-time passing Reggie Jackson's 1702... Currently Jonathan Papelbon is in 6th place on the Red Sox all-time saves list but he needs just 32 to tie Dick "the Monster" Radatz in second place with 104 saves. Bob "Steamer" Stanley is the all-time leader with 132. I'm thinking that Papelbon needs a nickname... Tim Wakefield is 38 wins away from tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens for most wins in Red Sox history at 192. However, Wakefield is only 3 strikeouts away from tying Pedro Martinez's 1683 for second place on the all-time list.
Miscellaneous Red Sox milestone thoughts and observations.
Manny Ramirez is in the last year of his contract but the Red Sox also hold the rights to two option years. It is amazing that as good as Manny has been for the Red Sox that even if he played 3 more years with the Red Sox averaging 35 HR and 125 RBI per year - Manny still would not be able to crack either the top 4 in HR or the top 5 in RBI in Red Sox history. Manny currently has 254 HR and an even 800 RBI in a Red Sox uniform. The top spots go to Ted Williams (521 HR and 1839 RBI), Carl Yastrzemski (452 and 1844), Jim Rice (382 and 1451), Dwight Evans (379 and 1346) and Bobby Doerr also has Manny beat in RBI with 1247... Jason Varitek has already passed Carlton Fisk for most RBI by a Red Sox catcher (611 to 568) but with 148 HR - Varitek still needs 14 more HR to catch Pudge on the Red Sox all-time list... If David Ortiz has just 100 RBI this season - that will put him in the top 10 all-time. Currently Ortiz has 642 RBI in Boston and Joe Cronin is in 10th on the list with 737. I can easily see Ortiz also passing Mo Vaughn who is in 9th place with just 10 more RBI than Cronin... Of course overall - Manny Ramirez has 490 HR which means he needs just 31 this season to tie Ted Williams (and Willie McCovey) career mark of 521 HR. In overall RBI - Manny currently has 1604 which means another 100 will move him into the top 20 all-time passing Reggie Jackson's 1702... Currently Jonathan Papelbon is in 6th place on the Red Sox all-time saves list but he needs just 32 to tie Dick "the Monster" Radatz in second place with 104 saves. Bob "Steamer" Stanley is the all-time leader with 132. I'm thinking that Papelbon needs a nickname... Tim Wakefield is 38 wins away from tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens for most wins in Red Sox history at 192. However, Wakefield is only 3 strikeouts away from tying Pedro Martinez's 1683 for second place on the all-time list.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Top 5 - Baseball Players Born in Louisiana
Here are who I consider to be the top 5 baseball players born in Louisiana.
1. Mel Ott - Hall of Famer who 6-times led the league in HR and was named to 12 All-Star teams
2. Bill Dickey - Hall of Fame catcher
3. Ron Guidry - just having the name "Louisiana Lightning" is good enough to be on the list
4. Lee Smith - his 478 saves are second all-time but that's still not enough to get him into the Hall of Fame
5. Albert Belle - 9 straight seasons of 100 or more RBI. Three times led the league in RBI. Injury ended his career at 33-years old. Major league jerk.
Just missing the cut:
Will Clark - 6-time All-Star who had over 1100 runs and 1200 RBI
Rusty Staub - 6-time All-Star and 50th all-time in RBI
I hope someday that Jonathan Papelbon will be in the top 5 in this list. Special mention goes to JR Richard whose brilliant career was cut short by a stroke,
Here are who I consider to be the top 5 baseball players born in Louisiana.
1. Mel Ott - Hall of Famer who 6-times led the league in HR and was named to 12 All-Star teams
2. Bill Dickey - Hall of Fame catcher
3. Ron Guidry - just having the name "Louisiana Lightning" is good enough to be on the list
4. Lee Smith - his 478 saves are second all-time but that's still not enough to get him into the Hall of Fame
5. Albert Belle - 9 straight seasons of 100 or more RBI. Three times led the league in RBI. Injury ended his career at 33-years old. Major league jerk.
Just missing the cut:
Will Clark - 6-time All-Star who had over 1100 runs and 1200 RBI
Rusty Staub - 6-time All-Star and 50th all-time in RBI
I hope someday that Jonathan Papelbon will be in the top 5 in this list. Special mention goes to JR Richard whose brilliant career was cut short by a stroke,
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