Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Baseball vs Sex and the City
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 1:
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 2:
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 3:
(all quotes from the AP report of the Pirates-Cardinals game)
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 1:
"told me at least a dozen times, `I really like that guy, I really like that guy... I knew as soon as he said it once he was good. He is a very good-looking pitcher."
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 2:
"I felt we were going to be able to get to him, but he kept bearing down"
Quotes from baseball that could be dialogue from Sex and the City, part 3:
"He said I was going to wear out the rubber"
(all quotes from the AP report of the Pirates-Cardinals game)
Rumble in the Bronx, part I
Okay, I know, a game against the Yankees counts only as much as a game against, say, the Padres. Only not. Yuck. Honestly, though, if this loss spurs the Sox to play like the Y*nk**s have for the last month, I would be very grateful.
As I said elsewhere, why do Sox fans have to be the ones to report to the Tobin? I've been thinking about James Surowiecki's new book on the wisdom of crowds, and it does seem crowds can have an innate intelligence about them. So can't a mob form to carry Millar to the bridge for the old heave-ho?
More seriously, can we put McCarty at first? He can't be worse than Millar at the plate at the moment, and he has a glove.
Okay, I know, a game against the Yankees counts only as much as a game against, say, the Padres. Only not. Yuck. Honestly, though, if this loss spurs the Sox to play like the Y*nk**s have for the last month, I would be very grateful.
As I said elsewhere, why do Sox fans have to be the ones to report to the Tobin? I've been thinking about James Surowiecki's new book on the wisdom of crowds, and it does seem crowds can have an innate intelligence about them. So can't a mob form to carry Millar to the bridge for the old heave-ho?
More seriously, can we put McCarty at first? He can't be worse than Millar at the plate at the moment, and he has a glove.
Keb' Mi'
Baseball Prospectus' Teams: a Critical Guide makes for good reading. "No real villains on the pitching staff" just about sums it up, and I feel the same way about most of the lineup. I think one of the frustrating things about the '04 Sox is that on any given day anyone can be great or stink. Except Kevin Millar, of course, who needs to stop yee-yahing around and actually put up some numbers. :)
Baseball Prospectus' Teams: a Critical Guide makes for good reading. "No real villains on the pitching staff" just about sums it up, and I feel the same way about most of the lineup. I think one of the frustrating things about the '04 Sox is that on any given day anyone can be great or stink. Except Kevin Millar, of course, who needs to stop yee-yahing around and actually put up some numbers. :)
And what is good, Theo, and what is not good - need we ask anyone to tell us these things?
Theo Epstein managed in his interview with the Globe to allude to the sabermetric concept of expected win-loss numbers, while noting that sabermetrics doesn't mean you completely ignore defense and base running...
Interesting thoughts. Wonder what that translates into? Trades? Fundamentals 101 with Tito?
Theo Epstein managed in his interview with the Globe to allude to the sabermetric concept of expected win-loss numbers, while noting that sabermetrics doesn't mean you completely ignore defense and base running...
"we had scored more runs than the Yankees and allowed fewer runs than the Yankees. What's frustrating is our inefficiency. Right now we're just not finding ways to win games. We're 5-8 in one-run games and that's gotta change. A lot of that falls on our defense and base running."
Interesting thoughts. Wonder what that translates into? Trades? Fundamentals 101 with Tito?
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Back in the saddle
Was away for the whole series against Philly, hence the lack of updates. But great to see the Sox win a series, finally. And Ortiz's play has been astounding: even the New York Times has noticed. (Side note: how come the Times doesn't need to mention that it's a part-owner of the Sox when it covers the Sox?) 72 RBI with more than half the season to play? Dear me, Manny's going to have a hard time getting any RBIs if the Big O keeps clearing up the bases ahead of him. :)
Also saw Boston.com's photo journal of the Sox wives' gathering. Learnt (okay, I'm slow) that Schilling has a kid named Gehrig Schilling. Much as I respect the need to respect one's idols, seems a tough name to give a kid.
Was away for the whole series against Philly, hence the lack of updates. But great to see the Sox win a series, finally. And Ortiz's play has been astounding: even the New York Times has noticed. (Side note: how come the Times doesn't need to mention that it's a part-owner of the Sox when it covers the Sox?) 72 RBI with more than half the season to play? Dear me, Manny's going to have a hard time getting any RBIs if the Big O keeps clearing up the bases ahead of him. :)
Also saw Boston.com's photo journal of the Sox wives' gathering. Learnt (okay, I'm slow) that Schilling has a kid named Gehrig Schilling. Much as I respect the need to respect one's idols, seems a tough name to give a kid.
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Hit parade
MANNY! What a game! Fielding, hitting, the man had it all. Even a sense of humour:
So, the great Beltran mystery is over and he's in Houston. Yeah. Best possible outcome: Sox don't give up too much, Y*nk**s don't get him, and ups the chances of the Sox beating Clemens in the 2004 WS. :)
And from Jayson Stark:
Time for them pitchers' bats to wake :)
MANNY! What a game! Fielding, hitting, the man had it all. Even a sense of humour:
"I think Dwight Evans is going to have nightmares tonight," Ramirez said with a smile
So, the great Beltran mystery is over and he's in Houston. Yeah. Best possible outcome: Sox don't give up too much, Y*nk**s don't get him, and ups the chances of the Sox beating Clemens in the 2004 WS. :)
And from Jayson Stark:
We're now in the eighth season of interleague play, and only one team (the Red Sox) has never gotten an RBI from a pitcher.
Time for them pitchers' bats to wake :)
Friday, June 25, 2004
He put his right foot in...
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The injury gods have seemed to conspire to come up with a solution to Boston's infield logjam: Pokey's out with a thumb injury. Listed as day-to-day. I don't really trust Dr Morgan's estimates so let's just hope he gets back soon. Competition for spots is always good...
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The injury gods have seemed to conspire to come up with a solution to Boston's infield logjam: Pokey's out with a thumb injury. Listed as day-to-day. I don't really trust Dr Morgan's estimates so let's just hope he gets back soon. Competition for spots is always good...
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Grounded
Sigh. Another loss. Can't this team ever get on a winning streak? Randomly, today's game had 0 flyouts by Boston pitchers: G-F ratio Lowe 14-0, Timlin 2-0, Embree 1-0. Manny/Damon/Trot getting some good rest out there.
Sigh. Another loss. Can't this team ever get on a winning streak? Randomly, today's game had 0 flyouts by Boston pitchers: G-F ratio Lowe 14-0, Timlin 2-0, Embree 1-0. Manny/Damon/Trot getting some good rest out there.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Sox 9, Twins 2
Nomar and Trot's returns have really reignited this offence (well, excluding the Jason Schmidt game, but then when someone tosses a 1-hitter sometimes you just gotta tip your cap and take the loss). That grand slam was a thing of beauty, but I really liked the feeling I had just when Nomar stepped to the plate. It was like '03 - the bases were loaded and for a change this year I actually expected runs to score, rather than seeing Runners Left in Scoring Position.
Other point: Foulke had a dicey outing. I think he's a bit rusty from the underuse. At least, I hope the underuse was why he was out on the mound today in a 9-2 blowout win.... Manny goofing on Schilling's studious preparation was the highlight of the game for me.
Nomar and Trot's returns have really reignited this offence (well, excluding the Jason Schmidt game, but then when someone tosses a 1-hitter sometimes you just gotta tip your cap and take the loss). That grand slam was a thing of beauty, but I really liked the feeling I had just when Nomar stepped to the plate. It was like '03 - the bases were loaded and for a change this year I actually expected runs to score, rather than seeing Runners Left in Scoring Position.
Other point: Foulke had a dicey outing. I think he's a bit rusty from the underuse. At least, I hope the underuse was why he was out on the mound today in a 9-2 blowout win.... Manny goofing on Schilling's studious preparation was the highlight of the game for me.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
The trading bell has rung
Sox get Curt Leskanic, yeah. His shoulder is a worry, but that 212 ERA+ last year is pretty impressive, even in a small sample size. Looks like it's south for Malaska, down I-95. Whatever happened to Phil Seibel?
Sox get Curt Leskanic, yeah. His shoulder is a worry, but that 212 ERA+ last year is pretty impressive, even in a small sample size. Looks like it's south for Malaska, down I-95. Whatever happened to Phil Seibel?
Monday, June 21, 2004
O Canada
In honour of Eric "I Didn't Speak English Till I Was a Teenager" Gagne shutting down the Yankees today, I tried to construct an all-Canadian team, a look at the potential lineup for any Baseball World Cup. Unfortunately, these are the Canadians in the majors:
C Cody McKay
3B Corey Koskie
LF Aaron Guiel
RF Matt Stairs
RF Larry Walker
RF Jason Bay
SP Rich Harden
SP Ryan Dempster
RP Erik Bedard
RP Rheal Cormier
RP Paul Quantrill
RP Jeff Zimmerman
RP Eric Gagne
Which gives a good-to-great bullpen (even Cody McKay's pitched 2 innings this year, for 0.5 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA), a decent pair of starters, and hardly any infield, or indeed hardly anyone besides Koskie at the tougher defensive positions (SS, 2B, 3B, CF).
In honour of Eric "I Didn't Speak English Till I Was a Teenager" Gagne shutting down the Yankees today, I tried to construct an all-Canadian team, a look at the potential lineup for any Baseball World Cup. Unfortunately, these are the Canadians in the majors:
C Cody McKay
3B Corey Koskie
LF Aaron Guiel
RF Matt Stairs
RF Larry Walker
RF Jason Bay
SP Rich Harden
SP Ryan Dempster
RP Erik Bedard
RP Rheal Cormier
RP Paul Quantrill
RP Jeff Zimmerman
RP Eric Gagne
Which gives a good-to-great bullpen (even Cody McKay's pitched 2 innings this year, for 0.5 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA), a decent pair of starters, and hardly any infield, or indeed hardly anyone besides Koskie at the tougher defensive positions (SS, 2B, 3B, CF).
Getting to first base
So anyway I was just thinking about cases where a batter reaches a base on error, and whether it's worth counting these cases in their OBPs. Whaddya know, Baseball Prospectus runs the numbers and comes to the conclusion that there's no correlation between a player's speed and the likelihood of him reaching a base on error. And OBP is a better predictor of runs than OBP + reached on errors. Sometimes luck is everything.
So anyway I was just thinking about cases where a batter reaches a base on error, and whether it's worth counting these cases in their OBPs. Whaddya know, Baseball Prospectus runs the numbers and comes to the conclusion that there's no correlation between a player's speed and the likelihood of him reaching a base on error. And OBP is a better predictor of runs than OBP + reached on errors. Sometimes luck is everything.
San Francisco Bay Blues
For some reason just the mention of San Francisco makes me think of music of the 60s. Janis Joplin's "San Francisco Bay Blues" just about sums it up... Pedro, 1st inning, deja vu all over again. Maybe we should take a leaf out of the way buildings skip the 13th floor, and start the game with the 2nd inning and end in the 10th. And Embree - all his fastball has is velocity, as far as I can tell, not movement, so if he's not clocking it's going yard. And as for Ortiz stretching for second, all I can say is Tito and gang better rerun that Baserunning 101 course...
Got the blues from my baby
Left me by the San Francisco Bay.
For some reason just the mention of San Francisco makes me think of music of the 60s. Janis Joplin's "San Francisco Bay Blues" just about sums it up... Pedro, 1st inning, deja vu all over again. Maybe we should take a leaf out of the way buildings skip the 13th floor, and start the game with the 2nd inning and end in the 10th. And Embree - all his fastball has is velocity, as far as I can tell, not movement, so if he's not clocking it's going yard. And as for Ortiz stretching for second, all I can say is Tito and gang better rerun that Baserunning 101 course...
Sunday, June 20, 2004
We spent the night in Frisco / in every kind of disco
Can I say, having had time to ponder last night's game, how great Timlin was. How do you spell relief? Add that to Millar making good, the Sox actually not leaving too many on base, and the Yankees seeing the might of Mota and Gagne, and it's the Phillies on Labor Day all over again. :) During the game the announcers said that the Sox and the Giants were #2 and #1 in leaving men on base - how much of the Giants' total is due to people not being able to drive Bonds home?
My San Francisco memories: San Francisco was my port of entry into the US when I went to college. At that time I was scrawny and weighed 100 lbs, and the INS guy thought I was going to America for high school. When he found out I was going to college he tried to convince me to join a frat! Funny stuff. Later memories: Staying on 8th and Market, and eating at a nearby Carl's Jr while shifty-looking people kept trying to get money from me. Walking down Haight and realising that on the Haight-Ashbury corner stands a Gap. Reading "Scars of Sweet Paradise", the Janis Joplin biography, at night. Too much wine at B44, throwing up in Chinatown's streets afterwards. Hare Krishna adherents as I stepped into SFO. Discovering Amoeba Music by serendipity - love at first sight.
My new SF memories: Bombs away, Sox homers galore, Millar's 3-run jack over Bonds' head. SBC = Seeya! Bye! Ciao! Now for Pedro to K Bonds and Marquis Grissom. And launch one into the cove.
Never slumbered or slept or waited for lightning to strike
There's no excuse for you to say that we don't think alike
You said you were going to Frisco stay a couple of months
I always liked San Francisco I was there for a party once
Can I say, having had time to ponder last night's game, how great Timlin was. How do you spell relief? Add that to Millar making good, the Sox actually not leaving too many on base, and the Yankees seeing the might of Mota and Gagne, and it's the Phillies on Labor Day all over again. :) During the game the announcers said that the Sox and the Giants were #2 and #1 in leaving men on base - how much of the Giants' total is due to people not being able to drive Bonds home?
My San Francisco memories: San Francisco was my port of entry into the US when I went to college. At that time I was scrawny and weighed 100 lbs, and the INS guy thought I was going to America for high school. When he found out I was going to college he tried to convince me to join a frat! Funny stuff. Later memories: Staying on 8th and Market, and eating at a nearby Carl's Jr while shifty-looking people kept trying to get money from me. Walking down Haight and realising that on the Haight-Ashbury corner stands a Gap. Reading "Scars of Sweet Paradise", the Janis Joplin biography, at night. Too much wine at B44, throwing up in Chinatown's streets afterwards. Hare Krishna adherents as I stepped into SFO. Discovering Amoeba Music by serendipity - love at first sight.
My new SF memories: Bombs away, Sox homers galore, Millar's 3-run jack over Bonds' head. SBC = Seeya! Bye! Ciao! Now for Pedro to K Bonds and Marquis Grissom. And launch one into the cove.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Rally!
Keith Foulke's changeup is SWEET. Bonds, check swing, K. Amazing. And I thought Pac Bell (okay, fine, SBC) was a pitcher's park. Sox seemed determined to prove that wrong.
Keith Foulke's changeup is SWEET. Bonds, check swing, K. Amazing. And I thought Pac Bell (okay, fine, SBC) was a pitcher's park. Sox seemed determined to prove that wrong.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Trading Places
It's trading season! Hidalgo (the player, not the horse in that Viggo Mortensen movie) to the Mets for Weathers. On the Billy Koch trade to the Marlins, here's my thoughts (first posted on Boston Sports Media: I'm lazy these days and doublin' up comments). Isn't it weird to trade with a team that you're playing a series with? It's like Beinfest went, hmm, I like the look of that guy sitting on the bench, I'll take him.
Next thing you'll know we'll hear about an in-game trade. I can see it now, Theo Epstein and Brian Sabean in a clandestine meeting on a yacht off McCovey Cove. "Here, we'll give you Cesar Crespo, and you give us Barry Bonds. Bonds will lead off for the Sox in the next inning." Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
Edit: all that written before Bonds' ridiculous statements about Boston being a racist town despite not actually having played there. I don't doubt the Sox had a racist past (or, at the least, took shamefully long to integrate) but right now, that doesn't seem to be the case.
It's trading season! Hidalgo (the player, not the horse in that Viggo Mortensen movie) to the Mets for Weathers. On the Billy Koch trade to the Marlins, here's my thoughts (first posted on Boston Sports Media: I'm lazy these days and doublin' up comments). Isn't it weird to trade with a team that you're playing a series with? It's like Beinfest went, hmm, I like the look of that guy sitting on the bench, I'll take him.
Next thing you'll know we'll hear about an in-game trade. I can see it now, Theo Epstein and Brian Sabean in a clandestine meeting on a yacht off McCovey Cove. "Here, we'll give you Cesar Crespo, and you give us Barry Bonds. Bonds will lead off for the Sox in the next inning." Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
Edit: all that written before Bonds' ridiculous statements about Boston being a racist town despite not actually having played there. I don't doubt the Sox had a racist past (or, at the least, took shamefully long to integrate) but right now, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Sinkin' Lowe? Feelin' Mile High
Great, great win. A shutout at Coors, led by Derek Lowe. Who'd have thunk it? And it sounds like he knew what he was doing, which is a nice change:
Mmm. I like the Resurgent Derek Lowe (that 5.25 ERA is still ugly, but at least it's plummeting). Nice bunt too.
Great, great win. A shutout at Coors, led by Derek Lowe. Who'd have thunk it? And it sounds like he knew what he was doing, which is a nice change:
"The air doesn't really affect the change of speed, so if you can throw a sinker and a changeup you'll have a lot more success than the breaking ball because the breaking balls are the ones that spin," Lowe said. "You've got to give yourself the best chance to have success and throwing breaking balls isn't the right way to go."
Mmm. I like the Resurgent Derek Lowe (that 5.25 ERA is still ugly, but at least it's plummeting). Nice bunt too.
McCarty? I'm not lovin' it
England 3, Switzerland 0. I'm focusing on the sports news that makes me happy and ignoring the teasing comeback at Coors. La-la-la-I-can't-hear-you.
(And yes, I do watch football aka "soccer". My favourite team is Everton - supposedly John Lennon's, but maybe that's apocryphal. As I said on Boston Sports Media Watch, great in the 80s, went nowhere in the 90s, now has a great young talent - Wayne Rooney - and a good youth system whose best products play for other teams. It's like being a Royals fan.)
England 3, Switzerland 0. I'm focusing on the sports news that makes me happy and ignoring the teasing comeback at Coors. La-la-la-I-can't-hear-you.
(And yes, I do watch football aka "soccer". My favourite team is Everton - supposedly John Lennon's, but maybe that's apocryphal. As I said on Boston Sports Media Watch, great in the 80s, went nowhere in the 90s, now has a great young talent - Wayne Rooney - and a good youth system whose best products play for other teams. It's like being a Royals fan.)
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Station to station
Since I'm currently fuming about Embree giving up a HR, I'll just go to my Happy Place. Or I can read the Bill James chat wrap-up on ESPN.com, which produced this interesting comment:
Now that's a stat I'd like to see. I presume this season the Sox are doing pretty badly on the offensive errors...
Add: at least Detroit trashed the Lakers, 100-87. (And they said Detroit couldn't score!) There goes the buy-a-championship strategy. I love the fact that Ben Wallace actually got 22 freakin' rebounds.
Since I'm currently fuming about Embree giving up a HR, I'll just go to my Happy Place. Or I can read the Bill James chat wrap-up on ESPN.com, which produced this interesting comment:
Russ (San Diego): When will they start tracking offensive errors ie... base running
Bill James: I don't know. I track them, for and against the Red Sox. It's not hard. . .
Now that's a stat I'd like to see. I presume this season the Sox are doing pretty badly on the offensive errors...
Add: at least Detroit trashed the Lakers, 100-87. (And they said Detroit couldn't score!) There goes the buy-a-championship strategy. I love the fact that Ben Wallace actually got 22 freakin' rebounds.
Rocky V
#@$! Saw that awful 5th inning where we loaded the bases with none out, and still managed to get zip. Nice catch by Bellhorn in the bottom of the 5th though. And I got all excited to see ESPN's game log, which claimed "K Youkilis struck out looking, M Ramirez scored." Thought Manny managed to steal home! But I guess, freaky as Coors Field is, it ain't that freaky.
Now, come on, it's Coors, will the Sox stop teasing and put some runs on the board?!
#@$! Saw that awful 5th inning where we loaded the bases with none out, and still managed to get zip. Nice catch by Bellhorn in the bottom of the 5th though. And I got all excited to see ESPN's game log, which claimed "K Youkilis struck out looking, M Ramirez scored." Thought Manny managed to steal home! But I guess, freaky as Coors Field is, it ain't that freaky.
Now, come on, it's Coors, will the Sox stop teasing and put some runs on the board?!
Fast, faster, fastest
I'm an economist by training, and a former writer by profession: in much the same way, I a sabermetrician by inclination, but I watch and write about baseball for the poetry. Which is a long-winded way of saying, here, please read this excerpt from Neyer and James on pitchers, because not only are they great at breaking down - and reconstituting - the data, they do so in a way that doesn't dessicate baseball, but makes you love the game even more. The part from the excerpt about pitchers not knowing what made their fastballs rise or sink reminds me of Derek Lowe's attitude to his sinker:
I'm an economist by training, and a former writer by profession: in much the same way, I a sabermetrician by inclination, but I watch and write about baseball for the poetry. Which is a long-winded way of saying, here, please read this excerpt from Neyer and James on pitchers, because not only are they great at breaking down - and reconstituting - the data, they do so in a way that doesn't dessicate baseball, but makes you love the game even more. The part from the excerpt about pitchers not knowing what made their fastballs rise or sink reminds me of Derek Lowe's attitude to his sinker:
Pitchers universally seemed to regard the movement of their fastball not as a function of strategy, but as a gift from the heavens. "My fastball had a natural sink to it," they would say, or "My fastball had a pretty good hop to it," or "I had pretty good speed, but my fastball was straight, so I had to keep it away from the middle of the plate."
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Mendacity? Nah, just equivocation
From the article on Theo Epstein and trading in today's Globe.
... wait a minute. Isn't the official line supposed to be that Mendoza's injured? "Adjusting to adversity" doesn't sound like an injury report. :)
From the article on Theo Epstein and trading in today's Globe.
If there's been one deep disappointment in Epstein's tenure, it's been that Mendoza, such a big part of the Yankee championship teams, has never been a factor in Boston.
"Oh sure, it's been disappointing," said Epstein. "A lot of it is associated with a tough two weeks to start last season and the difficulty in adjusting to adversity in a new environment and a new and talented environment."
... wait a minute. Isn't the official line supposed to be that Mendoza's injured? "Adjusting to adversity" doesn't sound like an injury report. :)
Monday, June 14, 2004
Nixon in Colorado
Man, I love that Trot's coming back, but he's only going to play Wednesday's game, so my political wonk's desire to see a Kennedy pitch to Nixon with Johnson catching is shelved.
Meanwhile, with Trot coming back and Youkilis and Bellhorn learning 1B, Kevin Millar should be glad his option was triggered early this season.
Man, I love that Trot's coming back, but he's only going to play Wednesday's game, so my political wonk's desire to see a Kennedy pitch to Nixon with Johnson catching is shelved.
Meanwhile, with Trot coming back and Youkilis and Bellhorn learning 1B, Kevin Millar should be glad his option was triggered early this season.
Ante up
A great Dustin Pedroia story, buried in the Globe:
Man, I like the kid more and more. I don't necessarily believe in "intangibles", but putting your money where your mouth is - that's real, tangible heart. Hell, the Dodgers said Pedro's small size wasn't gonna cut it, and look at him now. Here's hoping Pedroia makes it.
A great Dustin Pedroia story, buried in the Globe:
After his freshman year at ASU, Pedroia gave back his $20,000 scholarship for the next two years. The son of a tire company owner, he could afford it, and he gave it up so the program could recruit more pitching.
Man, I like the kid more and more. I don't necessarily believe in "intangibles", but putting your money where your mouth is - that's real, tangible heart. Hell, the Dodgers said Pedro's small size wasn't gonna cut it, and look at him now. Here's hoping Pedroia makes it.
Double doubles, no mo' Nomo
Isn't it nice now that Red Sox Nation can go back to resting easy on days when Pedro is pitching? Of course, it helps that Pokey's making ridiculous, ludicrous catches. It also helped that Nomar and Millar got on base through the BB and HBP. Why is it we have the cluster of Bellhorn/Pokey/Nomar and Youklis/Mueller vying for 3 spots, and we still have to play Millar on first? And how much is Steinbrenner paying these teams to roll over?
Jim Tracy's use of the LA bullpen was brilliant - for the Sox. We only saw the vaunted Gagne and Mota in the blowout. For a better management example, arguably, Dave McCarty's mop-up last night saved Embree for tonight. Now on to Coors. I have no idea at all what that'll do to our pitchers and mashers.
Isn't it nice now that Red Sox Nation can go back to resting easy on days when Pedro is pitching? Of course, it helps that Pokey's making ridiculous, ludicrous catches. It also helped that Nomar and Millar got on base through the BB and HBP. Why is it we have the cluster of Bellhorn/Pokey/Nomar and Youklis/Mueller vying for 3 spots, and we still have to play Millar on first? And how much is Steinbrenner paying these teams to roll over?
Jim Tracy's use of the LA bullpen was brilliant - for the Sox. We only saw the vaunted Gagne and Mota in the blowout. For a better management example, arguably, Dave McCarty's mop-up last night saved Embree for tonight. Now on to Coors. I have no idea at all what that'll do to our pitchers and mashers.
He's no Brooks Kieschnick, but he can mop
What can you say on a night where Dave McCarty was the best pitcher on the team? Let's just call it a wash. The low-scoring pitcher's-park-abiding Dodgers probably got more runs today than they did in their last 10 or so.
What can you say on a night where Dave McCarty was the best pitcher on the team? Let's just call it a wash. The low-scoring pitcher's-park-abiding Dodgers probably got more runs today than they did in their last 10 or so.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Boston 2, Brooklyn 1
When I was writing for Let's Go: New York, part of my duties was writing about Brooklyn (except the stuff along the L like Williamsburg, which another writer covered). So one day, since I was checking out the Brooklyn Children's Museum I decided, what the hey, let's look for what's become of Ebbets Field. So there I was in the middle of Crown Heights during a summer drizzle, gazing at the depressing sight of the Ebbets Field Apartments. It was a desolate Sunday afternoon, not many people on the streets, but it was a special moment.
Okay, enough of reminiscing. Dodgers in town. There were probably a few Boston Braves-Brooklyn Robins/Superbas games back in the day, but Sox-Dodgers - at least this interleague matchup has some history. I wasn't expecting Odalis Perez v. D-Lowe to be a pitchers' duel - but I loved seeing it. D-Lowe, never great, 5H 4BB, always leaving us on the cusp of thinking it'll all end in tears but deftly pulling himself out. At the end, I thought we might get to see Gagne v. Foulke (or even Mota v. Foulke), the Battle of the Changeup Artists, but LA stupidly brought in Martin.
And the Yankees lost, Mussina's hurt, life is sweet.
When I was writing for Let's Go: New York, part of my duties was writing about Brooklyn (except the stuff along the L like Williamsburg, which another writer covered). So one day, since I was checking out the Brooklyn Children's Museum I decided, what the hey, let's look for what's become of Ebbets Field. So there I was in the middle of Crown Heights during a summer drizzle, gazing at the depressing sight of the Ebbets Field Apartments. It was a desolate Sunday afternoon, not many people on the streets, but it was a special moment.
Okay, enough of reminiscing. Dodgers in town. There were probably a few Boston Braves-Brooklyn Robins/Superbas games back in the day, but Sox-Dodgers - at least this interleague matchup has some history. I wasn't expecting Odalis Perez v. D-Lowe to be a pitchers' duel - but I loved seeing it. D-Lowe, never great, 5H 4BB, always leaving us on the cusp of thinking it'll all end in tears but deftly pulling himself out. At the end, I thought we might get to see Gagne v. Foulke (or even Mota v. Foulke), the Battle of the Changeup Artists, but LA stupidly brought in Martin.
And the Yankees lost, Mussina's hurt, life is sweet.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Error of their ways
I tuned in early and it looked like another pitchers' duel. Next thing I know the floodgates are opened, the rain is down, and a rout is on. Sigh. That "Pokey" chant when Bellhorn made the mistake was really declasse, though: Bellhorn's not that bad a fielder, and putting him at 2B behind Arroyo and Wakefield instead of Pokey is pretty decent strategy. And in any case, chanting for a backup is hardly any way to boost a player's confidence or of getting behind the team in general. That's my $0.02. (Which, in US$, is $0.013 or so.)
I tuned in early and it looked like another pitchers' duel. Next thing I know the floodgates are opened, the rain is down, and a rout is on. Sigh. That "Pokey" chant when Bellhorn made the mistake was really declasse, though: Bellhorn's not that bad a fielder, and putting him at 2B behind Arroyo and Wakefield instead of Pokey is pretty decent strategy. And in any case, chanting for a backup is hardly any way to boost a player's confidence or of getting behind the team in general. That's my $0.02. (Which, in US$, is $0.013 or so.)
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Keeping it in the family
Ain't nepotism grand? I see Nick Francona got taken in the 40th round of the draft. I remember being stunned the first time I heard that baseball had 50 draft rounds - I grew up following football (aka what's known in America as "soccer"), which doesn't have any such thing as a draft, and the first draft I ever followed was the NBA's, which is nowhere near this deep. (Funny how the more socialist Europeans seem to reject the idea of a draft for their pro sports - for better or worse, the English Premier League is more of a free market than MLB.) It's great to see the names of the lower draft picks - it's almost like Theo Epstein is using the picks to give a few shout-outs to friends, family (Beau Mills, this means you), and local boys (in the 39th, the Sox took Zak Farkes, a Back Bay kid and the SS at my old college).
Ain't nepotism grand? I see Nick Francona got taken in the 40th round of the draft. I remember being stunned the first time I heard that baseball had 50 draft rounds - I grew up following football (aka what's known in America as "soccer"), which doesn't have any such thing as a draft, and the first draft I ever followed was the NBA's, which is nowhere near this deep. (Funny how the more socialist Europeans seem to reject the idea of a draft for their pro sports - for better or worse, the English Premier League is more of a free market than MLB.) It's great to see the names of the lower draft picks - it's almost like Theo Epstein is using the picks to give a few shout-outs to friends, family (Beau Mills, this means you), and local boys (in the 39th, the Sox took Zak Farkes, a Back Bay kid and the SS at my old college).
All Sox, all the time
Checking out the blogosphere, it seems Sox blogs are proliferating. I quite like Surviving Grady, especially since it's as skeptical about interleague as I am. Plus, I agree: clearly, Richie Aprile was the most intense of them all.
The one that puzzles me is SkyKing 162's Baseblog, which is great on stats but claims to be written by "a fan of the Yankees, Red Sox, and large sample sizes". Can one be a fan of the Yankees and the Red Sox at the same time? I thought such a situation would be like Schrodinger's cat, a weird hypothetical situation arising from a quantum physics duality. It's not like loving the Beatles and the Stones: the Beatles never played the Stones in the ALCS.
Checking out the blogosphere, it seems Sox blogs are proliferating. I quite like Surviving Grady, especially since it's as skeptical about interleague as I am. Plus, I agree: clearly, Richie Aprile was the most intense of them all.
The one that puzzles me is SkyKing 162's Baseblog, which is great on stats but claims to be written by "a fan of the Yankees, Red Sox, and large sample sizes". Can one be a fan of the Yankees and the Red Sox at the same time? I thought such a situation would be like Schrodinger's cat, a weird hypothetical situation arising from a quantum physics duality. It's not like loving the Beatles and the Stones: the Beatles never played the Stones in the ALCS.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Rookie Watch
Using the nifty Infoseek BlogPulse tool, I thought I'd track blogosphere interest in three of my favourite rookies, Youkilis, Lew Ford, and Khalil Greene. The results are here. It's quite cool to see the results - clearly people are talking more about Youkilis in general, but of late Greene has gotten a bit more attention.
Using the nifty Infoseek BlogPulse tool, I thought I'd track blogosphere interest in three of my favourite rookies, Youkilis, Lew Ford, and Khalil Greene. The results are here. It's quite cool to see the results - clearly people are talking more about Youkilis in general, but of late Greene has gotten a bit more attention.
Pedro 1, Padres 0
What an amazing Pedro performance (tied for 3rd-best pitched game this season in the AL, with an 85 Game Score). The curveball was biting, the radar gun was clocking. Vintage, vintage, vintage - a veritable Turn Back the Clock day. Back to 1999 that is, what with Pedro v. Wells, a 1-0 scoreline with the Sox giving poor run support... ah. First 1-0 game that the Sox have won since 2000, which is either testament to our offence or a slur on our pitching.
If all I knew about San Diego's pitchers was from today I would think that they're all either portly eccentric white guys (Wells, Beck) or Japanese (Osuna, Otsuka). :) Is it heresy to say I actually like Wells, mainly 'cos he doesn't seem to give a damn and was willing to speak up to Steinbrenner last year? And gave up that nice 8th inning homer to Ortiz? Great to see Rod Beck back. I remember the halcyon days of the Beck and El Guapo tandem. What a couple of characters. That whole thing about Beck living in a trailer next to Qualcomm and just sharing brewskis with the fans - man, he's like the Dude from the Big Lebowski. Of course I'd take Foulke any day, but you gotta love a character.
What an amazing Pedro performance (tied for 3rd-best pitched game this season in the AL, with an 85 Game Score). The curveball was biting, the radar gun was clocking. Vintage, vintage, vintage - a veritable Turn Back the Clock day. Back to 1999 that is, what with Pedro v. Wells, a 1-0 scoreline with the Sox giving poor run support... ah. First 1-0 game that the Sox have won since 2000, which is either testament to our offence or a slur on our pitching.
If all I knew about San Diego's pitchers was from today I would think that they're all either portly eccentric white guys (Wells, Beck) or Japanese (Osuna, Otsuka). :) Is it heresy to say I actually like Wells, mainly 'cos he doesn't seem to give a damn and was willing to speak up to Steinbrenner last year? And gave up that nice 8th inning homer to Ortiz? Great to see Rod Beck back. I remember the halcyon days of the Beck and El Guapo tandem. What a couple of characters. That whole thing about Beck living in a trailer next to Qualcomm and just sharing brewskis with the fans - man, he's like the Dude from the Big Lebowski. Of course I'd take Foulke any day, but you gotta love a character.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
More draft meanderings
Having had time to digest the draft a bit more... I still don't know anything! :) And that's the way it is I guess in baseball, unlike say basketball. Found this site which has a bit more coverage.
Also, whaddaya know, Retrosheet has a hidden ball trick listing! Amazing. I love trick plays.
Having had time to digest the draft a bit more... I still don't know anything! :) And that's the way it is I guess in baseball, unlike say basketball. Found this site which has a bit more coverage.
Also, whaddaya know, Retrosheet has a hidden ball trick listing! Amazing. I love trick plays.
Draft Lite
Seeing as I was waiting at a hospital with nowt to do but write in my Palm, there's a deluge of postings today... here's my thoughts on the draft.
Who knew Weaver and Drew would drop as far down as 12 and 15? But then if you're holding out for $5 million or whatever ludicrous amount Boras wanted lots of people won't take you. $5 million got the Sox 1 year of 2003-vintage Ortiz, and while you could argue that there was no way of knowing he'd be as phenomenal as he was last year, there was a lot less uncertainty than with draft picks. (Sox salaries here - is Cesar Crespo even worth the $309,500?) Still seems unfair that the Angels had a pick as high as #12 though, given their World Series win.
I'm glad that they're scrapping the alternate AL-NL picks. Given the woefulness of the Tigers last year, they deserve 1st pick. (Incidentally, did the NL get screwed by getting first pick in 2000 and 2004, two weak draft classes?)
Sox picked a lot of college relievers this year. The few SoSH posts that I glanced at had speculations that this was due to rested arms (less injury) and the idea that such pitchers can be converted to starters - ie spotting hidden value. But an additional point is that these relievers can make a quick transition to the majors (see Wagner, Ryan or Aardsma, David) and given that the owners don't want to pay the luxury tax again and that the Sox fanbase probably wouldn't stand for a rebuilding year, they may also be looking for prospects that will be ready for the majors quick.
And how cool is a name like Kyle Bono?
Seeing as I was waiting at a hospital with nowt to do but write in my Palm, there's a deluge of postings today... here's my thoughts on the draft.
Who knew Weaver and Drew would drop as far down as 12 and 15? But then if you're holding out for $5 million or whatever ludicrous amount Boras wanted lots of people won't take you. $5 million got the Sox 1 year of 2003-vintage Ortiz, and while you could argue that there was no way of knowing he'd be as phenomenal as he was last year, there was a lot less uncertainty than with draft picks. (Sox salaries here - is Cesar Crespo even worth the $309,500?) Still seems unfair that the Angels had a pick as high as #12 though, given their World Series win.
I'm glad that they're scrapping the alternate AL-NL picks. Given the woefulness of the Tigers last year, they deserve 1st pick. (Incidentally, did the NL get screwed by getting first pick in 2000 and 2004, two weak draft classes?)
Sox picked a lot of college relievers this year. The few SoSH posts that I glanced at had speculations that this was due to rested arms (less injury) and the idea that such pitchers can be converted to starters - ie spotting hidden value. But an additional point is that these relievers can make a quick transition to the majors (see Wagner, Ryan or Aardsma, David) and given that the owners don't want to pay the luxury tax again and that the Sox fanbase probably wouldn't stand for a rebuilding year, they may also be looking for prospects that will be ready for the majors quick.
And how cool is a name like Kyle Bono?
Collision Course
Where does a 240-lb first baseman plant his foot? Anywhere he wants... Seriously, even looking at it now, the Grimsley-Harvey collision makes me wince. The Sox deserved to win, but winning via injury is somewhat sour. Still, not as scary as Johnny Damon-Damian Jackson. Incidentally, Damon's merciless against his former team, no? (Where did the idea that Jesus - the real person, not Johnny D - was full-bearded come from?)
Where does a 240-lb first baseman plant his foot? Anywhere he wants... Seriously, even looking at it now, the Grimsley-Harvey collision makes me wince. The Sox deserved to win, but winning via injury is somewhat sour. Still, not as scary as Johnny Damon-Damian Jackson. Incidentally, Damon's merciless against his former team, no? (Where did the idea that Jesus - the real person, not Johnny D - was full-bearded come from?)
Forgive me Padre for I have sinned
Interleague starts tomorrow. Even though they are in first place, I can't get excited about the Padres. There's no shared history, no storylines. Somehow NL teams don't interest me that much, and even the NL players that intrigue me tend to be former American Leaguers - Clemens, Griffey. I know Pujols is destined for greatness, I think Prior-Wood-Zambrano-Clement-Maddux is one heck of a lineup, I know Dontrelle has an exciting delivery - but the words are "know", "think". When I watch the NL it's all head not heart.
Speaking of the NL, Casey Fossum was a pinch-runner yesterday. There, another former American Leaguer. Funny, I never remembered him as so speedy.
Interleague starts tomorrow. Even though they are in first place, I can't get excited about the Padres. There's no shared history, no storylines. Somehow NL teams don't interest me that much, and even the NL players that intrigue me tend to be former American Leaguers - Clemens, Griffey. I know Pujols is destined for greatness, I think Prior-Wood-Zambrano-Clement-Maddux is one heck of a lineup, I know Dontrelle has an exciting delivery - but the words are "know", "think". When I watch the NL it's all head not heart.
Speaking of the NL, Casey Fossum was a pinch-runner yesterday. There, another former American Leaguer. Funny, I never remembered him as so speedy.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Merrily we roll along
5-3. Both the scoring for a routine groundout and the score for last night's game, yeah. D-Lowe now has a .500 W-L percentage (5-5), which is amazing for a pitcher whose ERA is closer to 7 than it is to 6. Maybe some people are just born lucky. Now if he'd only recognise that instead of giving that hangdog look...
5-3. Both the scoring for a routine groundout and the score for last night's game, yeah. D-Lowe now has a .500 W-L percentage (5-5), which is amazing for a pitcher whose ERA is closer to 7 than it is to 6. Maybe some people are just born lucky. Now if he'd only recognise that instead of giving that hangdog look...
Sunday, June 06, 2004
2 Legit 2 Quit
YEAH! I love the two-run homer. As do the Sox, apparently, and I'm stoked that three of my favourites (Ortiz, Bellhorn, Youklis) hit the launchpad. Losing streak's over, Yankees have a chance to start a losing streak of their own, this Sunday morning is beautiful.
Bellhorn vs Reese at 2B? Oh man oh man. Bellhorn has 45 (!) walks now. Reese is as slick a field as they get. I like the solution in which Bellhorn plays almost daily, by subbing alternately Reese, Nomar, and Youklis. Can he play 1B? Wow, a power-hitting utility infielder. Wonders never cease.
YEAH! I love the two-run homer. As do the Sox, apparently, and I'm stoked that three of my favourites (Ortiz, Bellhorn, Youklis) hit the launchpad. Losing streak's over, Yankees have a chance to start a losing streak of their own, this Sunday morning is beautiful.
Bellhorn vs Reese at 2B? Oh man oh man. Bellhorn has 45 (!) walks now. Reese is as slick a field as they get. I like the solution in which Bellhorn plays almost daily, by subbing alternately Reese, Nomar, and Youklis. Can he play 1B? Wow, a power-hitting utility infielder. Wonders never cease.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Royally screwed
Okay, that's the last time I try putting up pre-game wishes online. Why oh why was Bellhorn going? The Manny fly-out would've been a sac fly. And Mirabelli was pinched on strikes.
Current song title that reflects my mood: "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", Wilco.
Pollyanna puts the kettle on: Next week, we trade Crespo for Nomar.
Okay, that's the last time I try putting up pre-game wishes online. Why oh why was Bellhorn going? The Manny fly-out would've been a sac fly. And Mirabelli was pinched on strikes.
Current song title that reflects my mood: "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", Wilco.
Pollyanna puts the kettle on: Next week, we trade Crespo for Nomar.
Credit where credit is due
To whomever placed this humble little site in the listings of fan sites at dKosopedia... many thanks. Especially since I love Daily Kos. Didn't even know dKosopedia had non-political content.
Sox play Royals tomorrow morning my time. Gobble better be gobbled and Soriano better be whupping Brown when I wake up.
To whomever placed this humble little site in the listings of fan sites at dKosopedia... many thanks. Especially since I love Daily Kos. Didn't even know dKosopedia had non-political content.
Sox play Royals tomorrow morning my time. Gobble better be gobbled and Soriano better be whupping Brown when I wake up.
Friday, June 04, 2004
All your base are belong to us
I thought this quote from ESPN's recap of the Oakland-Toronto game was quite funny:
Translation: Next time I will touch the base. (Lather, rinse, repeat)
I thought this quote from ESPN's recap of the Oakland-Toronto game was quite funny:
Eric Byrnes believes all of Oakland's close games are great training for how to win the tight ones late in the season that matter even more.
Translation: Next time I will touch the base. (Lather, rinse, repeat)
Suckiest Bunch of Sucks
And what will it take for the Orioles to win a game against the Y*nkees? Contreras was losing it on the mound, Tanyon Sturtze was pitching, and still the Os rolled over and played dead. TANYON STURTZE! That's not even a real name! That's one of those fake spammers' names, one of those people trying to sell you c1al!s and v1agRa! Man. To quote Homer (Simpson, not the author of the Iliad), "I've seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks who ever sucked!". Maybe we could do a straight-up swap, Contreras for Lowe. Like for like. You want baserunners? We got baserunners!
Meanwhile, Bambino's Curse mentions an Aussie Sox fan. The number of Sox fans on this side of the International Date Line seems to be rising... which is good, I was feeling lonely.
And what will it take for the Orioles to win a game against the Y*nkees? Contreras was losing it on the mound, Tanyon Sturtze was pitching, and still the Os rolled over and played dead. TANYON STURTZE! That's not even a real name! That's one of those fake spammers' names, one of those people trying to sell you c1al!s and v1agRa! Man. To quote Homer (Simpson, not the author of the Iliad), "I've seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks who ever sucked!". Maybe we could do a straight-up swap, Contreras for Lowe. Like for like. You want baserunners? We got baserunners!
Meanwhile, Bambino's Curse mentions an Aussie Sox fan. The number of Sox fans on this side of the International Date Line seems to be rising... which is good, I was feeling lonely.
Vlad the Impaler
On the one hand, Pedro was quite mortal. ERA at 4+ - ugh. Time to become a superhero, Pedro Parker. On the other hand, it did seem that you could've flung anything at Vlad and he would've hit it. He was Motown yesterday - nothing but a hit machine. He could have sung like William Hung and it would be a hit. I'm just glad he didn't sign with the Y*nkees. And on the third hand (hey, I'm just extending the Spiderman analogy), who the hell does David Eckstein think he is? Of course, he's the only major leaguer who's my height. Thus was I consigned by my genetics to a non-sporting life. Well, that, and I have no workout ethic. Speaking of short pro athletes, Muggsy Bogues' sons have formed a group, 3 on 3. I don't know why that piece of trivia amuses me so much, but it does. And finally, YOOOOOOOOOOKILIS! Thank you Pokey and Yook, for giving me those little moments of joy in last night's game. Sometimes one needs drops of joy in an ocean of tears. Ah, sports. How they bring out the maudlin.
All-star watch: so Nomar is #1 SS? Duh, he's added more value to his team than Jeter. :)
On the one hand, Pedro was quite mortal. ERA at 4+ - ugh. Time to become a superhero, Pedro Parker. On the other hand, it did seem that you could've flung anything at Vlad and he would've hit it. He was Motown yesterday - nothing but a hit machine. He could have sung like William Hung and it would be a hit. I'm just glad he didn't sign with the Y*nkees. And on the third hand (hey, I'm just extending the Spiderman analogy), who the hell does David Eckstein think he is? Of course, he's the only major leaguer who's my height. Thus was I consigned by my genetics to a non-sporting life. Well, that, and I have no workout ethic. Speaking of short pro athletes, Muggsy Bogues' sons have formed a group, 3 on 3. I don't know why that piece of trivia amuses me so much, but it does. And finally, YOOOOOOOOOOKILIS! Thank you Pokey and Yook, for giving me those little moments of joy in last night's game. Sometimes one needs drops of joy in an ocean of tears. Ah, sports. How they bring out the maudlin.
All-star watch: so Nomar is #1 SS? Duh, he's added more value to his team than Jeter. :)
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Slipping around in the O.C.
Bleah, bleah, bleah. Angels beat Arroyo, the Yankees are up in the top of the 9th with Rivera on the mound, and now the Angels are up 2 on Pedro. I'll chalk that last part up to the usual first-inning issues (what's Pedro's ERA after inning uno?), but still, bleah. Only piece of good news is that Contreras stunk up the joint again tonight. 1ER in 2/3IP, and 5 runs overall. Funny that wins take unearned runs into account, but not ERA.
Bleah, bleah, bleah. Angels beat Arroyo, the Yankees are up in the top of the 9th with Rivera on the mound, and now the Angels are up 2 on Pedro. I'll chalk that last part up to the usual first-inning issues (what's Pedro's ERA after inning uno?), but still, bleah. Only piece of good news is that Contreras stunk up the joint again tonight. 1ER in 2/3IP, and 5 runs overall. Funny that wins take unearned runs into account, but not ERA.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Thumbs down
Bleah. Bleah. Bloody thumb, bloody loss. Lowe was okay for the first few innings - RoLo was gold, but I held out hopes that we could chase him out and get to the bullpen. And then the moment we all knew was coming but hoped valiantly wouldn't happen... To watch Lowe pitch this year is to watch a grown man crumble, to watch $500,000 of his contract go down the tubes with each pitch. You know the implosion is coming; you know that, despite Reese ranging and the swirl of infielders valiantly pursuing the balls in play, it'll all end in tears. All I want is to see is anger. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
He's still, amazingly, 4-5 despite that 6.84 ERA. What if being win-lucky is persistent for one or two select folks? What if Lowe is baseball's Chauncey Gardiner, stumbling into success? What if, what if, what if...? And that's what I've been reduced to when Lowe pitches lately: searching for luck, wishing on a rabbit's foot, holding myself still not moving not budging hoping that nothing goes terribly wrong. I've stopped looking for greatness, stopped looking for the devastating sinker that plows through the strike zone, stopped looking for the parade of ground-ball outs. I just want to survive till the fifth inning, just want to make it through. I just want to be able to exhale.
Bleah. Bleah. Bloody thumb, bloody loss. Lowe was okay for the first few innings - RoLo was gold, but I held out hopes that we could chase him out and get to the bullpen. And then the moment we all knew was coming but hoped valiantly wouldn't happen... To watch Lowe pitch this year is to watch a grown man crumble, to watch $500,000 of his contract go down the tubes with each pitch. You know the implosion is coming; you know that, despite Reese ranging and the swirl of infielders valiantly pursuing the balls in play, it'll all end in tears. All I want is to see is anger. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
He's still, amazingly, 4-5 despite that 6.84 ERA. What if being win-lucky is persistent for one or two select folks? What if Lowe is baseball's Chauncey Gardiner, stumbling into success? What if, what if, what if...? And that's what I've been reduced to when Lowe pitches lately: searching for luck, wishing on a rabbit's foot, holding myself still not moving not budging hoping that nothing goes terribly wrong. I've stopped looking for greatness, stopped looking for the devastating sinker that plows through the strike zone, stopped looking for the parade of ground-ball outs. I just want to survive till the fifth inning, just want to make it through. I just want to be able to exhale.
Singapore Sox Fan
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