Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

The Philadelphia Eagles game on December 6th at the Georgia Dome against the Falcons just got a whole lot more interesting... Torn testicle and Internal bleeding - no not a punk rock double-header - that's what happened to Adrian Beltre. I'm guessing that when Beltre gets back to action that he'll start wearing a cup... I'm guessing that he'd like to take this quote back: "[Josh] Beckett is to Boston what Jeff Weaver was to the Yankees: the ace that never was." Tom Verducci August 2006... Heh heh - it's a RAT!! EEEK... I'm thinking of writing a play based upon Kevin Youkilis' baseball career. But here's the twist - I'm going to make it a musical... Something for Boston fans to keep in mind - the Red Sox play 16 of final 19 games against the Orioles, Royals, Toronto and Indians, 4 of the 5 worst teams in the league...

Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.

Ken Rosenthal raises the interesting question about the Red Sox NOT exercising their option on Manny Ramirez for 2009. I think the Red Sox will exercise the option but if Manny finishes the year with 30 HR, 100 RBI and an OPS+ of 130 - then they will definitely think about it. And if Manny acts up again between now and the end of the year - then they will think long and hard about whether having Manny around is worth it. Manny is lucky that there are no big name outfielders available in this year's free agent crop. I think Rosenthal is correct that the Red Sox will check with the Rockies about the availability of Matt Holliday before they re-up Manny.... LyfLines has a great review of the Red Sox performance in June. I had forgotten that the Red Sox entered June a game back of Tampa Bay. It also looks like the Red Sox were actually a better club with Coco Crisp in the line-up. Crisp had an OPS of .880 for the month (compared to Jacoby Ellsbury's anemic .592). Good stuff... David Pinto points out that Edgar Gonzalez has been a hit for the Padres. A 30-year old career minor leaguer making the most of his opportunity is always a great story. I would like to point out that the Red Sox also have a career minor leaguer playing second in Pawtucket who I think would do well with a shot at the bigs. Joe Thurston is leading Pawtucket with a .324 BA but at 29-years old - time is running out for him... Tom Verducci has an excellent article on Tim Lincecum. Well worth the read...

Jim Thome for the Hall of Fame? Take II

SI's Tom Verducci has a very well thought out article on whether Jim Thome is Hall of Fame worthy. Verducci says "no".

I agree 100% with Verducci's reasoning and argument. However, I also agree with his disclaimer:

Thome, 37, may play three more seasons and finish his career with about 575 home runs and 1,600 RBIs. He's the kind of player, like the pre-steroid tested Palmeiro, whose greatness is an accumulated one, rather than one that is defined by a fabulous peak. Thome's power, even with the other limitations, ultimately may be too prolific to ignore.

Tom Verducci's All-Time Team

SI's Tom Verducci picked his all-time baseball team. I have three quibbles with his choices.

1. OK - I can see picking Bunyanesque Josh Gibson to be the starting catcher but I cannot see picking Pudge Rodriguez as the back-up and mentioning Mike Piazza. Where's Johnny Bench or Yogi Berra? Both of those players are more deserving than Rodriguez or Piazza.

2. This one's not really a quibble but more of an observation - I couldn't help but notice that Barry Bonds is not even mentioned on the list.

3. OK - I can see picking Pete Alexander to be in the bullpen (373 wins with a 2.56 ERA) but my choice would have been Warren Spahn.