Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Mano a mano
Oops. Somehow my blogging got crossed and I ended up posting a non-baseball story here, instead of at my main blog. Back to the diamond: if, as they say, Boston fans care more about the Yankees than the other way around, why does the New York Post seem in such a state of panic?
Oops. Somehow my blogging got crossed and I ended up posting a non-baseball story here, instead of at my main blog. Back to the diamond: if, as they say, Boston fans care more about the Yankees than the other way around, why does the New York Post seem in such a state of panic?
Sox-Angels series preview: Turn, turn, turn
How do both Derek Lowe and Bartolo Colon both have an ERA over 5 and a winning won-loss record? Volume!
Tune for the series? "Monkey Gone to Heaven", by Boston's own Pixies. That simian ain't rallying no one around the Fens.
Edit: added the song parody
It's the most wonderful time of the yearWe play the Angels next. Big series. One thing to note is that the Angels are now on a 5th-day rotation i.e. Ramon Ortiz skips starts and goes to the bullpen wherever possible. It seems this year has a lot of pitching rotation experiments: the ChiSox going to a modified 4-man rotation using the bullpen instead of the 5th starter and then now going to the 4-man, the Rockies going to the 4-man rotation, the Yankees using the 6-man before demoting Loaiza to the pen. It's interesting times we live in. Guess 5th starters are really an odd commodity: no one values them very highly, but everyone wants them. Lucky for us our #5 seems to be Derek Lowe, who's had a weak first half but is hot now.
With Dougie Mirabelli
And everyone telling you "This is the Year"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
The Angels get beatings, the As we're defeating
When the West comes to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all...
How do both Derek Lowe and Bartolo Colon both have an ERA over 5 and a winning won-loss record? Volume!
Tune for the series? "Monkey Gone to Heaven", by Boston's own Pixies. That simian ain't rallying no one around the Fens.
Edit: added the song parody
Tim Tees Off
Tim Wakefield talks about his golf game on PGATour.com. I guess golf isn't on the list of banned recreational activities, unlike basketball.
Tim Wakefield talks about his golf game on PGATour.com. I guess golf isn't on the list of banned recreational activities, unlike basketball.
Q: Which three people -- past or present -- would be in your dream foursome?Tim has played with Bobby Jones. Unfortunately, it was Bobby M. Jones, the pitcher.
Wakefield: I would want to play with Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Sox 5, Tigers 3: Styles of radical will
And the Sox relied on that procession of looks for last night's nerve-wracking 9th inning. Lowe did a tremendous job, especially in not unravelling after the Craig Monroe homer, but Timlin letting men at 1st and 3rd meant my heart was in my mouth. Fortunately, he's Mike Timlin, bitch: lately Timlin has a knack of pulling out something when the Sox most need it, and his K of Monroe was a huge moment. And Tito suddenly looked like a managing genius with his use of Embree (sneaky, since Embree isn't really a LOOGY, and can get the right-handed batters out too) and Leskanic for one batter each. Shades of La Russa. Lowe got the win, as befits the man with the best run support in the majors, and Gutierrez stepped up to deliver. It's a sweet, sweet feeling, that confidence in the bullpen. It's like April all over again.
In related news, Alan Trammell has gotten pitch-count religion. Bullpens matter.
"It's never like riding a bike. It doesn't matter if you close every night, the last three outs are the hardest ones to get."One of the things I love about the Sox rotation is that it features pitchers with very distinctive styles: Pedro is man of a thousand pitches, Tim Wakefield is the current flagbearer for the knuckleballing cause, and Derek Lowe is, when on, the prime example of sinkerball pitching - all groundouts (his 2.98 groundball-to-flyball ratio leads the majors). This doesn't necessarily make it the best rotation in baseball (though it's certainly up there), but it makes it a great education in the different ways a pitcher can get an out. Add B.H. Kim's sidearm to the list and you've got a plethora of looks to give a hitter.
- Curtis Leskanic
And the Sox relied on that procession of looks for last night's nerve-wracking 9th inning. Lowe did a tremendous job, especially in not unravelling after the Craig Monroe homer, but Timlin letting men at 1st and 3rd meant my heart was in my mouth. Fortunately, he's Mike Timlin, bitch: lately Timlin has a knack of pulling out something when the Sox most need it, and his K of Monroe was a huge moment. And Tito suddenly looked like a managing genius with his use of Embree (sneaky, since Embree isn't really a LOOGY, and can get the right-handed batters out too) and Leskanic for one batter each. Shades of La Russa. Lowe got the win, as befits the man with the best run support in the majors, and Gutierrez stepped up to deliver. It's a sweet, sweet feeling, that confidence in the bullpen. It's like April all over again.
In related news, Alan Trammell has gotten pitch-count religion. Bullpens matter.
The first half of the game, we certainly didn't play very smart. Mike must have thrown at least 20 extra pitches because of that and that certainly hurt. It wasn't his fault.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Sox 4, Tigers 1: Bronson Does It Again
Not much going on in the standings, as the main rivals - MFYs, As, Texas - all won today. But Arroyo looked sharp again, with 8Ks. He's moved to 13th in ERA in the AL. Seems unfair that even with today's win his record is still only 7-9. Lots of scoring styles on show today: power in Ortiz's double and small ball in Roberts' bunt and Damon moving the runners leading to Mirabelli scoring, even making lemons out of lemonade in Millar's run-scoring double play. Mmm, mmm, good. One loves that dirty water, one does.
Speaking of Sox songs, does anyone have the lyrics to the Sox version of Terry Cashman's "Talking Baseball"? I looked online and could only find the Detroit Tigers' version.
Not much going on in the standings, as the main rivals - MFYs, As, Texas - all won today. But Arroyo looked sharp again, with 8Ks. He's moved to 13th in ERA in the AL. Seems unfair that even with today's win his record is still only 7-9. Lots of scoring styles on show today: power in Ortiz's double and small ball in Roberts' bunt and Damon moving the runners leading to Mirabelli scoring, even making lemons out of lemonade in Millar's run-scoring double play. Mmm, mmm, good. One loves that dirty water, one does.
Speaking of Sox songs, does anyone have the lyrics to the Sox version of Terry Cashman's "Talking Baseball"? I looked online and could only find the Detroit Tigers' version.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Bring it on home
It's scoreboard-watching time of the year... the wild card is neck and neck, with the Sox, Angels, and Rangers going 8-2, 9-1, and 8-2 in their last 10 games. Good thing Manny and Ortiz seem to be starting a Dominican Chapter of the Bash Brothers. Glad to see Tito use the dregs of the bullpen out there, although seems unfair to classify Ramiro Mendoza under "dregs", he's looking like the real deal (although Bruce Chen was the best Panamanian pitcher tonight). Terry Adams looked like he was taking pity on his former teammates...
Funniest thing today was watching that squirrel on the field in the Yankees-Indians game. Liked how he put himself between A-Rod and Jeter. I guess the Yankees really do need more infield defense.
It's scoreboard-watching time of the year... the wild card is neck and neck, with the Sox, Angels, and Rangers going 8-2, 9-1, and 8-2 in their last 10 games. Good thing Manny and Ortiz seem to be starting a Dominican Chapter of the Bash Brothers. Glad to see Tito use the dregs of the bullpen out there, although seems unfair to classify Ramiro Mendoza under "dregs", he's looking like the real deal (although Bruce Chen was the best Panamanian pitcher tonight). Terry Adams looked like he was taking pity on his former teammates...
Funniest thing today was watching that squirrel on the field in the Yankees-Indians game. Liked how he put himself between A-Rod and Jeter. I guess the Yankees really do need more infield defense.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Knuckleballers and unearned runs
Keith Scherer has an article on Rob Neyer's website arguing that the new Baseball Prospectus wisdom that a pitcher is as much responsible for his unearned runs as his earned runs (see Michael Wolverton's article) is a fallacy. I'm generally on Scherer's side - I think the evidence does show that defense is more responsible for unearned runs than earned runs - but I was intrigued by Wolverton's secondary argument that ERA as a stat generally favours knuckleballers. Scherer quotes Tangotiger:
18.2% - Hoyt Wilhelm
13.9% - Phil Niekro
13.0% - Tom Candiotti
12.9% - Tim Wakefield
12.5% - Charlie Hough
11.7% - Joe Niekro
It seems from a quick eyeballing of the data that knuckleballers do give up more unearned runs even as a percentage of their earned runs, if we take Scherer's 8-12% range as the standard range for major league pitchers. (Joe Niekro was only a part-time knuckleballer, which probably explains his lower percentages.) Admittedly, only Wilhelm and Phil Niekro are above the 13% unearned run percentage of such non-knucklers as Tommy John and Bob Friend, but still it generally seems to trend high. This is probably due to the most obvious fact: passed balls - which knucklers give up in greater numbers - count as errors. It would be interesting to see a stat for ERA that doesn't include PBs - but until then, ERA seems like a solid stat, albeit with a necessary adjustment for knuckleballers.
Keith Scherer has an article on Rob Neyer's website arguing that the new Baseball Prospectus wisdom that a pitcher is as much responsible for his unearned runs as his earned runs (see Michael Wolverton's article) is a fallacy. I'm generally on Scherer's side - I think the evidence does show that defense is more responsible for unearned runs than earned runs - but I was intrigued by Wolverton's secondary argument that ERA as a stat generally favours knuckleballers. Scherer quotes Tangotiger:
"If (Wolverton) had divided runs by unearned runs he would have found that the typical pitcher gives up 10% of his total runs as unearned (from 1950 through 1990, anyway."I decided to take a look at the percentages of unearned runs given up by knuckleballers:
18.2% - Hoyt Wilhelm
13.9% - Phil Niekro
13.0% - Tom Candiotti
12.9% - Tim Wakefield
12.5% - Charlie Hough
11.7% - Joe Niekro
It seems from a quick eyeballing of the data that knuckleballers do give up more unearned runs even as a percentage of their earned runs, if we take Scherer's 8-12% range as the standard range for major league pitchers. (Joe Niekro was only a part-time knuckleballer, which probably explains his lower percentages.) Admittedly, only Wilhelm and Phil Niekro are above the 13% unearned run percentage of such non-knucklers as Tommy John and Bob Friend, but still it generally seems to trend high. This is probably due to the most obvious fact: passed balls - which knucklers give up in greater numbers - count as errors. It would be interesting to see a stat for ERA that doesn't include PBs - but until then, ERA seems like a solid stat, albeit with a necessary adjustment for knuckleballers.
Running of the bulls
Now this is the bullpen we know and love... Timlin had a HUGE 6th inning coming in with the bases-loaded, no outs and giving up nothing. Mendoza looked sharp in the 8th too. Tito's bullpen usage has been looking sharper and sharper - arguably Myers should've been in at some point in the 7th, but no major disagreements. I thought Hinske tapping his head with the bat (the "stupid, stupid, stupid" tap) when he struck out swinging on Foulke's very high "fast"ball was hilarious.
Now this is the bullpen we know and love... Timlin had a HUGE 6th inning coming in with the bases-loaded, no outs and giving up nothing. Mendoza looked sharp in the 8th too. Tito's bullpen usage has been looking sharper and sharper - arguably Myers should've been in at some point in the 7th, but no major disagreements. I thought Hinske tapping his head with the bat (the "stupid, stupid, stupid" tap) when he struck out swinging on Foulke's very high "fast"ball was hilarious.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
No crying in baseball
When you woke up this morning everything you had wasYou gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em... clearly Lilly was superior yesterday, and it didn't matter that Pedro was himself throwing a quality start. That breaking ball was nasty, nasty, nasty - seemed to dive into the strike zone. No shame in losing last night. Time to start another winning streak. And time to hope Lilly repeats the performance in his next start, against the Yankees. Unfortunately, my sense of post-CG games is that they tend to be underwhelming. Oh well, the Sox just need to take care of business on their own end and everything should work out.
gone. By half past ten your head was going ding-dong.
Ringing like a bell from your head down to your toes,
like a voice telling you there was something you should
know. Last night you were flying but today you're so low
- Alabama 3, "Woke Up This Morning"
Monday, August 23, 2004
Shortstop news
When even a mass-market publication like the NY Post questions the value of small ball as played by Jeter, it seems like Yankee fans are panicking again.
Also, Nomar's Achilles is in trouble again. Hmm. Choosing to take the Cab lookin' like a good decision!
When even a mass-market publication like the NY Post questions the value of small ball as played by Jeter, it seems like Yankee fans are panicking again.
Like why would Derek Jeter, struggling again on offense, sacrifice with Bernie Williams on second, one run already in and no outs in the third? Jeter said because he felt the team needed to build toward another run and that Kelvim Escobar's 95 mph fastball tails into righties, and he did not feel he could shoot the ball to right field. But he also disputed he has sacrificed more this season, though the 12 he has are one more than he had produced in the three previous seasons combined.Love that last line - disputing a player's perceptions through stats.
Also, Nomar's Achilles is in trouble again. Hmm. Choosing to take the Cab lookin' like a good decision!
Homer Odyssey
A lot can happen in under 5 pitches. 2 pitches and Manny and Ortiz restore the lead, boom-boom. 4 pitches and Troy Percival gets the save. And just like that, the phrase "5 in the loss column" starts to resonate. As Eddie Floyd and Amii Stewart sang, better knock... on wood. (Cue horn section.)
I like this Manny in #3, Big Papi in #4 lineup. And the bullpen usage was impeccable. Francona-bashing fading...fading...fading...RISING...fading...fading...gone...
A lot can happen in under 5 pitches. 2 pitches and Manny and Ortiz restore the lead, boom-boom. 4 pitches and Troy Percival gets the save. And just like that, the phrase "5 in the loss column" starts to resonate. As Eddie Floyd and Amii Stewart sang, better knock... on wood. (Cue horn section.)
I like this Manny in #3, Big Papi in #4 lineup. And the bullpen usage was impeccable. Francona-bashing fading...fading...fading...RISING...fading...fading...gone...
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Ichiro's hit parade
Alan Schwarz has a piece on ESPN on how Ichiro is on pace to break George Sisler's record of 257 hits in a season. Schwarz notes that this could be because of sheer volume - because he doesn't walk (doesn't matter, the man still has a .413 OBP), Ichiro's on pace for 708 at bats, which itself would be a record - and adds that this is one bright spot in the Mariners' dismal season. But actually, thinking about it, isn't it the Mariners' dismal season that's giving Ichiro a chance to rap out 257 hits? If your home record is lousy, it creates more chances for you to bat in the 9th inning...
Alan Schwarz has a piece on ESPN on how Ichiro is on pace to break George Sisler's record of 257 hits in a season. Schwarz notes that this could be because of sheer volume - because he doesn't walk (doesn't matter, the man still has a .413 OBP), Ichiro's on pace for 708 at bats, which itself would be a record - and adds that this is one bright spot in the Mariners' dismal season. But actually, thinking about it, isn't it the Mariners' dismal season that's giving Ichiro a chance to rap out 257 hits? If your home record is lousy, it creates more chances for you to bat in the 9th inning...
Lovers, fuggers, and thieves
My thanks, incidentally, to Boston Online for the shout-out. I miss living in Boston. Anyone there have a nice job for a baseball fanatic graduate of a certain Cambridge college? :)
My thanks, incidentally, to Boston Online for the shout-out. I miss living in Boston. Anyone there have a nice job for a baseball fanatic graduate of a certain Cambridge college? :)
Brand names
That's Entertainment: the folks over at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, a Yankee website that actually has decent, well-considered analysis, were talking about Derek Jeter's value as an entertainer. It's a question I've often pondered too: sure, everyone loves a winner, but besides the winning aspect, is some element of the much-derided "intangibles" factor really a tangible in terms of ticket sales, merchandise and souvenir sales, and the like? It was said in the world of football/soccer that when David Beckham signed for Real Madrid, the value of having the David Beckham brand on board (well, before he tarnished it with those revelations of tawdry affairs) made him well worth the transfer fees.
So while I don't believe in the talk of Jeter's "leadership" or "intangible" qualities affecting the likelihood of winning, unlike the drooling Fox announcers, he may have a tangible effect on ratings, tickets, and merchandise, so presumably one player can be both overrated and correctly valued. Some players have the X-factor that lets them be franchise heroes: Pedro, for one, who beyond pitching supremacy also has the willingness to give controversial quotes (knocking down the Babe), get embroiled in TV-highlight moments (knocking down Zimmer), and has a goofy sense of humour (the whole red bat thing lately). Othr players are at a similar level of greatness on the field, but someone can't ignite the excitement in the same way. I love Manny, but for me while he's one of the greatest hitters of the balls in the game it's never as electric seeing him as seeing Pedro. Of course, if he hits a game-winning homer in Game 7, I'll gladly eat crow.
That's Entertainment: the folks over at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, a Yankee website that actually has decent, well-considered analysis, were talking about Derek Jeter's value as an entertainer. It's a question I've often pondered too: sure, everyone loves a winner, but besides the winning aspect, is some element of the much-derided "intangibles" factor really a tangible in terms of ticket sales, merchandise and souvenir sales, and the like? It was said in the world of football/soccer that when David Beckham signed for Real Madrid, the value of having the David Beckham brand on board (well, before he tarnished it with those revelations of tawdry affairs) made him well worth the transfer fees.
So while I don't believe in the talk of Jeter's "leadership" or "intangible" qualities affecting the likelihood of winning, unlike the drooling Fox announcers, he may have a tangible effect on ratings, tickets, and merchandise, so presumably one player can be both overrated and correctly valued. Some players have the X-factor that lets them be franchise heroes: Pedro, for one, who beyond pitching supremacy also has the willingness to give controversial quotes (knocking down the Babe), get embroiled in TV-highlight moments (knocking down Zimmer), and has a goofy sense of humour (the whole red bat thing lately). Othr players are at a similar level of greatness on the field, but someone can't ignite the excitement in the same way. I love Manny, but for me while he's one of the greatest hitters of the balls in the game it's never as electric seeing him as seeing Pedro. Of course, if he hits a game-winning homer in Game 7, I'll gladly eat crow.
Sox vs Sox
Haven't posted in a while. Was in Chicago the last few days, and, maddeningly enough, couldn't get to the Sox-Sox game. (Millennium Park is beautiful - that new Gehry building is stunning.) However, I was ecstatic to see all the (Red) Sox fans running along Michigan Avenue. (If you were part of a big group of women wearing Sox t-shirts or was bringing along a kid with a Sox baseball cap on around 7pm last night near the Water Tower - well, just wanted to say it makes me really pleased to see fellow Sox fans around.) Bronson Arroyo seems to have learnt from the Derek Lowe playbook of winning despite giving up 5 runs, but there's a lot of good things to be noted - Sox have been murdering the White Sox in the South Side in this series, Tek's homers today were long long long bombs, the OC is a stud on defense, and... MANNY'S BACK!!
Meanwhile, the Angels' win over the Yankees game in a rain-delayed game was about as good a result as could be hoped for: we catch up on the division race (hey, I'm still on the bus), and our rivals in both the division and wild-card races use up their bullpens.
Haven't posted in a while. Was in Chicago the last few days, and, maddeningly enough, couldn't get to the Sox-Sox game. (Millennium Park is beautiful - that new Gehry building is stunning.) However, I was ecstatic to see all the (Red) Sox fans running along Michigan Avenue. (If you were part of a big group of women wearing Sox t-shirts or was bringing along a kid with a Sox baseball cap on around 7pm last night near the Water Tower - well, just wanted to say it makes me really pleased to see fellow Sox fans around.) Bronson Arroyo seems to have learnt from the Derek Lowe playbook of winning despite giving up 5 runs, but there's a lot of good things to be noted - Sox have been murdering the White Sox in the South Side in this series, Tek's homers today were long long long bombs, the OC is a stud on defense, and... MANNY'S BACK!!
Meanwhile, the Angels' win over the Yankees game in a rain-delayed game was about as good a result as could be hoped for: we catch up on the division race (hey, I'm still on the bus), and our rivals in both the division and wild-card races use up their bullpens.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Get a cab
Wow, the OC came up with the game on the line and came up with a walkoff double. Brilliant. And Tito's bullpen management is looking more promising - I really like this new use of Foulke in high-leverage situations (i.e. tie games and 1 run down, not just 'save situations'). Moment I saw him come in at the top of the 9th I was convinced we'd win. The use of Timlin and Myers in the 8th was great too.
Meanwhile, Brocail got the save in a 12-run victory for Texas, which would've been 15 if not for the fact that he gave up 3 runs himself. Just because you pitch 3 innings and finish the game doesn't mean you should get the save. Cheapest save of the year.
Wow, the OC came up with the game on the line and came up with a walkoff double. Brilliant. And Tito's bullpen management is looking more promising - I really like this new use of Foulke in high-leverage situations (i.e. tie games and 1 run down, not just 'save situations'). Moment I saw him come in at the top of the 9th I was convinced we'd win. The use of Timlin and Myers in the 8th was great too.
Meanwhile, Brocail got the save in a 12-run victory for Texas, which would've been 15 if not for the fact that he gave up 3 runs himself. Just because you pitch 3 innings and finish the game doesn't mean you should get the save. Cheapest save of the year.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Say it ain't so
Bad Sox 5, Good Sox 4. I guess Carlos Arroyo had a good day. Bronson, on the other hand, still gets shite for luck. In 2 games in this series - the first and the last - we've almost, almost clawed back, then, on the cusp of success, the OC comes on. Clearly a rerun.
And now another random injury. Is Youk the sacrifice that finally gets Sveum pushed out? Ah, the Greek Gods, how they fall.
Bad Sox 5, Good Sox 4. I guess Carlos Arroyo had a good day. Bronson, on the other hand, still gets shite for luck. In 2 games in this series - the first and the last - we've almost, almost clawed back, then, on the cusp of success, the OC comes on. Clearly a rerun.
And now another random injury. Is Youk the sacrifice that finally gets Sveum pushed out? Ah, the Greek Gods, how they fall.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
25 Cabs
This is a really sad reason to keep playing the OC:
This is a really sad reason to keep playing the OC:
Manager Terry Francona has no intention of sitting shortstop Orlando Cabrera as he battles through an early slump with the Sox. Cabrera, 0 for 3 last night, is batting .151 (8 for 53) since he homered in his first at-bat with the team. But Cabrera played in his 284th consecutive game, a streak Francona plans to honor. Francona cited Cal Ripken's consecutive-game record as "the single most fantastic streak in baseball." (from Boston.com)I mean, it's not like we have that many options at SS, so I know Tito's hand is kind of forced, but if he's playing O-Cab just because of Ripken, then the Orioles are killing us even from retirement.
Sox vs Sox, redux
Great to win a close one today. Ortiz is really a Boston folk hero - Paul Bunyan with the bat, or something like that. Meanwhile, it seems really unfair that A-Rod times the dropping of his suspension appeal to coincide with his case of the flu.
Great to win a close one today. Ortiz is really a Boston folk hero - Paul Bunyan with the bat, or something like that. Meanwhile, it seems really unfair that A-Rod times the dropping of his suspension appeal to coincide with his case of the flu.
The wrong Sox won
How galling is the fact that Contreras got the win yesterday? Especially after that atrocious second inning where he couldn't find the strike zone.
How galling is the fact that Contreras got the win yesterday? Especially after that atrocious second inning where he couldn't find the strike zone.
Friday, August 13, 2004
You complete me
Pedro does it. 109 pitches, 10 Ks, shutout. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. The Sox need, need to sign Pedro - 1) because his ties with the Dominican Republic make him worthwhile for scouting purposes; and 2) because, rabid as Boston fans are, there's a limit to how much people root for the laundry; 3) because, quite simply, the man is a pitching god.
I can't believe that this was Pedro's first shuout in 4 years. Amazing. I also can't believe of his 16 shutouts, only half were with Boston. I guess that's a sign of his decreasing durability. No matter - he's still the modern-day Koufax. Today was his 97th 10-K game, same as Koufax - how appropriate.
Pedro does it. 109 pitches, 10 Ks, shutout. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. The Sox need, need to sign Pedro - 1) because his ties with the Dominican Republic make him worthwhile for scouting purposes; and 2) because, rabid as Boston fans are, there's a limit to how much people root for the laundry; 3) because, quite simply, the man is a pitching god.
I can't believe that this was Pedro's first shuout in 4 years. Amazing. I also can't believe of his 16 shutouts, only half were with Boston. I guess that's a sign of his decreasing durability. No matter - he's still the modern-day Koufax. Today was his 97th 10-K game, same as Koufax - how appropriate.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Love is all around
In the mutual-affection division:
In the mutual-affection division:
What helped him in the lowest of times, Millar said, was his friendship with Kapler, who sits next to him in the Sox clubhouse. They each have autographed color photos of the other hanging in their lockers. (From Boston.com)
Isn't that a bit... narcissistic? "I'm your biggest fan!" "No, I'm your biggest fan!"
No mercy
Nice to have a proper, thorough, let's-bring-out-Ricky-Groundintodoubleplayez thrashing today. Youkilis is really ready for the big time and Millar was on fire. All we need is some Orlando magic. It's really very encouraging to see the 2-out RBIs, and the big innings. I want to see that killer instinct, I want to see them go for the throat, I don't want it to ever be close. I want to see such thrashings that Ricky G starts getting regular playing time. I want to see Embree/Timlin/Foulke stop coming to the ballpark and hang out at Patriots training camp instead. I want McCarty's regular position to be RP.
Nice to have a proper, thorough, let's-bring-out-Ricky-Groundintodoubleplayez thrashing today. Youkilis is really ready for the big time and Millar was on fire. All we need is some Orlando magic. It's really very encouraging to see the 2-out RBIs, and the big innings. I want to see that killer instinct, I want to see them go for the throat, I don't want it to ever be close. I want to see such thrashings that Ricky G starts getting regular playing time. I want to see Embree/Timlin/Foulke stop coming to the ballpark and hang out at Patriots training camp instead. I want McCarty's regular position to be RP.
Playing for your job
Kevin Millar seems to be really lovin' it now that his job is on the line, with a .440 OBP over the last 7 days. The weird thing is his .316 slugging - aren't these big players supposed to be lumbering sluggers, not pokey singles hitters. But hey, it's 2 innings into the Rays game, and he's got 4 RBIs, so I'm not complaining.
Kevin Millar seems to be really lovin' it now that his job is on the line, with a .440 OBP over the last 7 days. The weird thing is his .316 slugging - aren't these big players supposed to be lumbering sluggers, not pokey singles hitters. But hey, it's 2 innings into the Rays game, and he's got 4 RBIs, so I'm not complaining.
So I Married an Axe Murdering Left-Handed Specialist
Tito's handling of the bullpen last night was much better - Mike Myers coming in for the LOOGY strikeout was great. I like that his theme music is the song from Halloween. Somehow Foulke , good as he can be, never comes across as that menacing.
Also "Everyday" Eddie Guardado is no longer so everyday, with a torn rotator cuff. Glad to see the Sox didn't make any trade for him.
Tito's handling of the bullpen last night was much better - Mike Myers coming in for the LOOGY strikeout was great. I like that his theme music is the song from Halloween. Somehow Foulke , good as he can be, never comes across as that menacing.
Also "Everyday" Eddie Guardado is no longer so everyday, with a torn rotator cuff. Glad to see the Sox didn't make any trade for him.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Take him out in the ballgame
Okay, I've figured out what it is that irritates me about Francona. It's not when he pulls the starters, although that is increasingly questionable. It's his unwillingness to have pitchers warming up. I don't blame him for having Schilling start the 6th. I do blame him for not having Adams warmed up when Schilling clearly had struggled to finish the 5th. So bang-bang, the D-Rays are hitting Schilling's meatballs, and there's clearly no one ready to take his place. I know warm up pitches take something out of the arm, but not that much, and Adams is not a critical middle reliever in any case. There's nothing wrong with insurance, y'know. It's not unmanly. It's not emasculating to the pitcher on the mound. It just says "hey, I got your back".
Okay, I've figured out what it is that irritates me about Francona. It's not when he pulls the starters, although that is increasingly questionable. It's his unwillingness to have pitchers warming up. I don't blame him for having Schilling start the 6th. I do blame him for not having Adams warmed up when Schilling clearly had struggled to finish the 5th. So bang-bang, the D-Rays are hitting Schilling's meatballs, and there's clearly no one ready to take his place. I know warm up pitches take something out of the arm, but not that much, and Adams is not a critical middle reliever in any case. There's nothing wrong with insurance, y'know. It's not unmanly. It's not emasculating to the pitcher on the mound. It just says "hey, I got your back".
Speak to my agent
Peter Gammons in his column this week writes about Nomar and why it was best for all involved to leave. Noteworthy is the fact that Nomar in the 2-hole is a great idea... meanwhile here in Indiana it's all Cubs stuff in the malls. Sigh. Well, actually it's all NASCAR. Five days here and all I want to do is ride in a pickup and watch stock car racing.
This whole Kevin Millar fiasco where he spoke to the media about not getting enough playing time and then was forced to apologise just kind of shows, maybe players in Boston should make like Hollywood stars and get PR agents. I hear Pat Kingsley does good work.
Peter Gammons in his column this week writes about Nomar and why it was best for all involved to leave. Noteworthy is the fact that Nomar in the 2-hole is a great idea... meanwhile here in Indiana it's all Cubs stuff in the malls. Sigh. Well, actually it's all NASCAR. Five days here and all I want to do is ride in a pickup and watch stock car racing.
This whole Kevin Millar fiasco where he spoke to the media about not getting enough playing time and then was forced to apologise just kind of shows, maybe players in Boston should make like Hollywood stars and get PR agents. I hear Pat Kingsley does good work.
Monday, August 09, 2004
This Bud's for you
Alerted to this post by the good folks at Boston Sports Media Watch... Nuf Ced over at Royal Rooters talks about a giant Sox-for-Dodgers swap conspiracy. Hopefully (probably?) not true, but does make you go "hmm..." I think the sad thing is that I can believe anything is possible under Selig.
Alerted to this post by the good folks at Boston Sports Media Watch... Nuf Ced over at Royal Rooters talks about a giant Sox-for-Dodgers swap conspiracy. Hopefully (probably?) not true, but does make you go "hmm..." I think the sad thing is that I can believe anything is possible under Selig.
Yard work
Again, better to be lucky than to be good - Wake gives up 6 HRs in Comerica Park (!), and somehow the Sox come out on top. It really looks like Youkilis is the real deal, and I'm so glad that he wasn't included in any trade deal. And I do think Steinbrenner forgot to send Mendoza his paycheck, he's become, inexplicably, the Sox's best reliever at this point in time...
Again, better to be lucky than to be good - Wake gives up 6 HRs in Comerica Park (!), and somehow the Sox come out on top. It really looks like Youkilis is the real deal, and I'm so glad that he wasn't included in any trade deal. And I do think Steinbrenner forgot to send Mendoza his paycheck, he's become, inexplicably, the Sox's best reliever at this point in time...
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Wrigley Spearmint
Also, the Nomar watch says Nomar went 3-5 with 2 runs scored for the Cubs. That gives him a .370 BA and an .898 OPS with 2 stolen bases in the NL. Pretty damn decent for a shortstop (although he does have a .923 career OPS, which is astounding). Is he going to turn in a Clemens-like "I'll show the Sox front office" season? I can see why the Sox have to make some trades. I just don't necessarily see why they need to burn bridges in doing so.
Also, the Nomar watch says Nomar went 3-5 with 2 runs scored for the Cubs. That gives him a .370 BA and an .898 OPS with 2 stolen bases in the NL. Pretty damn decent for a shortstop (although he does have a .923 career OPS, which is astounding). Is he going to turn in a Clemens-like "I'll show the Sox front office" season? I can see why the Sox have to make some trades. I just don't necessarily see why they need to burn bridges in doing so.
Dominican Dominance
Pedro! Pedro! Any game in which he surpasses a Clemens record (most double-digit strikeout games) is a great game by me. So the 7-4 win wasn't masterful, but only by the standards of the pantheon of greats. Of course, in the first ever Sox game I saw at Fenway, Pedro struck out 10, allowed only 2ER in 7 innings, and still got a no-decision - story of his Boston career.
Here's a quote from the Master on the possibility of re-signing:
Randomly: Smokey Joe Wood is #3 after Pedro and Clemens on the Boston record books with only 18 double-digit strikeout games. That's really strange. For a team that's had Cy Young, Lefty Grove, hell, even Luis Tiant, I would expect #3 to have more than 18. Guess I hadn't realised the extent to which the K has become more prevalent a means of getting people out.
Pedro! Pedro! Any game in which he surpasses a Clemens record (most double-digit strikeout games) is a great game by me. So the 7-4 win wasn't masterful, but only by the standards of the pantheon of greats. Of course, in the first ever Sox game I saw at Fenway, Pedro struck out 10, allowed only 2ER in 7 innings, and still got a no-decision - story of his Boston career.
Here's a quote from the Master on the possibility of re-signing:
"I definitely want it to work out with Boston. But I'm like the rest of you, we'll have to wait and see. I don't know how it's going to turn out right now. I just want to help this team get to the playoffs and then win a World Series."Very encouraging. Certainly sounds like the Nomar hubbub didn't affect the rest of the FAs' decision to sign.
Randomly: Smokey Joe Wood is #3 after Pedro and Clemens on the Boston record books with only 18 double-digit strikeout games. That's really strange. For a team that's had Cy Young, Lefty Grove, hell, even Luis Tiant, I would expect #3 to have more than 18. Guess I hadn't realised the extent to which the K has become more prevalent a means of getting people out.
Nothing you could say could tear me away from my Sox
First things first: I love Motown. It made me excited when I was in transit in Detroit a few days back just to see all the greats celebrated on the wall: Marvin Gaye, the Jacksons, even Mary Wells. But enough of that. This 4-3 loss stinks. These close 1-run game losses are infuriating - what do they say? "If you lose by more than 4 runs, blame the pitching; if you lose by 2-4 runs, blame the offense; and if you lose by 1 run, blame the managing." Well, actually, I blame the lack of offense last night, but I'd like to see Larry Dierker try his hand with these Sox. Hey, so Dierker lost in the NLDS each time. I'd just like to take these Sox reach the ALDS.
First things first: I love Motown. It made me excited when I was in transit in Detroit a few days back just to see all the greats celebrated on the wall: Marvin Gaye, the Jacksons, even Mary Wells. But enough of that. This 4-3 loss stinks. These close 1-run game losses are infuriating - what do they say? "If you lose by more than 4 runs, blame the pitching; if you lose by 2-4 runs, blame the offense; and if you lose by 1 run, blame the managing." Well, actually, I blame the lack of offense last night, but I'd like to see Larry Dierker try his hand with these Sox. Hey, so Dierker lost in the NLDS each time. I'd just like to take these Sox reach the ALDS.
Friday, August 06, 2004
It's morning in America
Currently, Singapore Sox Fan is in Indiana. This is weird. It's 7.30am in the morning, my usual waking-up time, but oddly enough there's no Sox game on! Man, time zones, they are very confusing things. Meanwhile, it seems that while I was settling in: 1) Nomargate, Nomargeddon, or whatever you want to call it still rages on; 2) the Sox only won a series when it should've swept it. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.... You are either with Nomar or the management, apparently, there's no in between.
Reading now: Stephen Rodrick's article in Slate on the futility of milestone chasers. Takes a bite out of the Crime Dog.
Currently, Singapore Sox Fan is in Indiana. This is weird. It's 7.30am in the morning, my usual waking-up time, but oddly enough there's no Sox game on! Man, time zones, they are very confusing things. Meanwhile, it seems that while I was settling in: 1) Nomargate, Nomargeddon, or whatever you want to call it still rages on; 2) the Sox only won a series when it should've swept it. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.... You are either with Nomar or the management, apparently, there's no in between.
Reading now: Stephen Rodrick's article in Slate on the futility of milestone chasers. Takes a bite out of the Crime Dog.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Civil blood makes civil hands unclean
Good game today, we need to smoke the D-Rays. I can't believe now Bellhorn is injured. This 2004 team is star-crossed. Broken thumb... hope he comes back soon. When I broke my hand (2nd metacarpal) in the army I was out for half a year, doing occupational therapy to try to relearn how to move my fingers. Hope Bellhorn's injury is nowhere near as serious, it's tough losing the #3 RBI guy. (Yes, #3. So that's for the snarky people who say that since Bellhorn loves to walk and K, he could just get up to the box and not swing.)
Incidentally, for the next few weeks, Singapore Sox Fan will become Indiana Sox Fan as I make my way across the Pacific back to the home of baseball. Chances I'll see Nomar play in a Cubs jersey? We'll see.
Good game today, we need to smoke the D-Rays. I can't believe now Bellhorn is injured. This 2004 team is star-crossed. Broken thumb... hope he comes back soon. When I broke my hand (2nd metacarpal) in the army I was out for half a year, doing occupational therapy to try to relearn how to move my fingers. Hope Bellhorn's injury is nowhere near as serious, it's tough losing the #3 RBI guy. (Yes, #3. So that's for the snarky people who say that since Bellhorn loves to walk and K, he could just get up to the box and not swing.)
Incidentally, for the next few weeks, Singapore Sox Fan will become Indiana Sox Fan as I make my way across the Pacific back to the home of baseball. Chances I'll see Nomar play in a Cubs jersey? We'll see.
No mas!
Sad Nomar.
Happy Nomar.
Goodbye #5, and good luck.
Or , the hysterical version: Fine. Just go. I never wanted you anyway. I never loved you. *hides paper with "Mrs Nomar Garciaparra" scribbles* You're a horrible, horrible person! I hate you!!! Why don't you want me? Am I not good enough for you? What does Chicago have that I don't?? *sobbing* I hate you!!! Just go! How dare you walk away! I want you to tell me you don't want me. *hysterical* How dare you tell me you don't want me! You're a jerk!
Sad Nomar.
Happy Nomar.
Goodbye #5, and good luck.
Or , the hysterical version: Fine. Just go. I never wanted you anyway. I never loved you. *hides paper with "Mrs Nomar Garciaparra" scribbles* You're a horrible, horrible person! I hate you!!! Why don't you want me? Am I not good enough for you? What does Chicago have that I don't?? *sobbing* I hate you!!! Just go! How dare you walk away! I want you to tell me you don't want me. *hysterical* How dare you tell me you don't want me! You're a jerk!
Gammons on Nomar
Peter Gammons has a column defending Theo Epstein and Paul DePodesta's acquisitions and trades. It's funny how Gammons likes to begin paragraphs with "Understand". It's like a subconscious tic, as though he's trying to get people to believe him. But ignoring the practical criticism aspect of reading Gammons, the scary quote in the column is this:
But enough of finger-pointing and conspiracy theories, there's too many of them emerging out of the Nomar trade. People either blame Nomar for supposedly pouting and threatening to go on the DL, or blame the management for supposedly running him out of town and smearing his name. I guess people can't believe that Nomar for Mientkiewicz and Cabrera would be a pure baseball trade. I don't know the truth, and perhaps from this distance it doesn't matter. All I can say is this: I became a Sox fan in the late '90s and Nomar (along with Pedro) was a big part of that time period. I'll miss seeing "Garciaparra 5" on the uniform, but maybe I just miss being in my early 20s in Boston in the halcyon heady days of the late-90s boom.
***
Actually, now that we've got the Gammons, here's the probable reactions to Nomar's departure by the other ESPN columnists:
Rob Neyer - People keep saying the Sox traded a Hall of Fame shortstop in Nomar. Is he really? Let's look at his OPS and Win Shares and factor the probable decline. Oh, and I'll also deconstruct what Gammons meant by his column.
Jayson Stark - Is Garciaparra to Grudzielanek the longest number of letters by a middle infield? Our friends at the Elias Sports Bureau say so.
John Kruk - Clubhouse chemistry is everything. By the way, here's what I think about all the TV shows I watch.
Joe Morgan - I spoke to Garciaparra at the Hall of Fame dinner. But while he has great numbers, he can't beat Concepcion. Because I played with Concepcion. I hope this is the end of the obsession with Billy Beane's book Moneyball.
Peter Gammons has a column defending Theo Epstein and Paul DePodesta's acquisitions and trades. It's funny how Gammons likes to begin paragraphs with "Understand". It's like a subconscious tic, as though he's trying to get people to believe him. But ignoring the practical criticism aspect of reading Gammons, the scary quote in the column is this:
veteran teammates constantly made private comments like "he is the biggest disappointment of my playing career -- I never knew what he was like."This suggests: someone who's new to the team, but who's a veteran. My guess is #38, but hey... yours is as good as mine. (Reese? Foulke?) Or SoSH's, apparently - just checked the site and they're talking about the same thing.
But enough of finger-pointing and conspiracy theories, there's too many of them emerging out of the Nomar trade. People either blame Nomar for supposedly pouting and threatening to go on the DL, or blame the management for supposedly running him out of town and smearing his name. I guess people can't believe that Nomar for Mientkiewicz and Cabrera would be a pure baseball trade. I don't know the truth, and perhaps from this distance it doesn't matter. All I can say is this: I became a Sox fan in the late '90s and Nomar (along with Pedro) was a big part of that time period. I'll miss seeing "Garciaparra 5" on the uniform, but maybe I just miss being in my early 20s in Boston in the halcyon heady days of the late-90s boom.
***
Actually, now that we've got the Gammons, here's the probable reactions to Nomar's departure by the other ESPN columnists:
Rob Neyer - People keep saying the Sox traded a Hall of Fame shortstop in Nomar. Is he really? Let's look at his OPS and Win Shares and factor the probable decline. Oh, and I'll also deconstruct what Gammons meant by his column.
Jayson Stark - Is Garciaparra to Grudzielanek the longest number of letters by a middle infield? Our friends at the Elias Sports Bureau say so.
John Kruk - Clubhouse chemistry is everything. By the way, here's what I think about all the TV shows I watch.
Joe Morgan - I spoke to Garciaparra at the Hall of Fame dinner. But while he has great numbers, he can't beat Concepcion. Because I played with Concepcion. I hope this is the end of the obsession with Billy Beane's book Moneyball.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Get me a cab
It was the best of debuts, it was the worst of debuts. So Cabrera comes to Boston and promptly: 1. hits a homer and 2. makes an error. Um, that sounds familiar. I thought the high-OPS weak-defense model was done with?
Actually, it's one game, so I won't judge Cabrera. (Remember Deion Sander's supposedly electric return to baseball? Hello, small sample size!) I just really want to know: why is it basically the same team as last year's, with a defensive upgrade (Bellhorn/Reese for Walker) suddenly became gaffe-prone?
It was the best of debuts, it was the worst of debuts. So Cabrera comes to Boston and promptly: 1. hits a homer and 2. makes an error. Um, that sounds familiar. I thought the high-OPS weak-defense model was done with?
Actually, it's one game, so I won't judge Cabrera. (Remember Deion Sander's supposedly electric return to baseball? Hello, small sample size!) I just really want to know: why is it basically the same team as last year's, with a defensive upgrade (Bellhorn/Reese for Walker) suddenly became gaffe-prone?
Turf wars
People keep talking about Cabrera and Mientkiewicz's Gold Gloves, but they don't really mention that these two guys put up a lot of their defensive numbers playing on the turf of Olympic Stadium and the Metrodome respectively. Maybe Theo and the Sox know something about measuring defense on the tougher surface? One can only hope. Sox 1 Twins 1... Cabrera does his best to make himself welcome.
People keep talking about Cabrera and Mientkiewicz's Gold Gloves, but they don't really mention that these two guys put up a lot of their defensive numbers playing on the turf of Olympic Stadium and the Metrodome respectively. Maybe Theo and the Sox know something about measuring defense on the tougher surface? One can only hope. Sox 1 Twins 1... Cabrera does his best to make himself welcome.
No comments
Apologies, I hadn't realised the archives and commenting functions on this site had stopped working with my new domain name, but that should be fixed now. Here's a comment I've received via e-mail:
Apologies, I hadn't realised the archives and commenting functions on this site had stopped working with my new domain name, but that should be fixed now. Here's a comment I've received via e-mail:
Have to disagree on your opinion. I was very sick of Nomar and his prima donna attitude, his sulking in the dugout, his joyless baseball and lack of effort, his goddamn ticks in the box during every at bat, and his sucking in the post season. He was terrible last year in the post season - he'd have men on base and was a guaranteed popup over the infield on the first pitch. He's gotten enough free passes from the fans and it's clear he wanted out anyway. He was the best SS in baseball till he got hit on the wrist, but he's past his prime and we got the best we could for him. I'm a fan of Mientkiewicz- he had a great 2003 season- I even voted for him for the all-star game last year. Weren't you sick of all those bloody unearned runs? We got ourselves gold gloves! When Pokey comes back we'll have an ironclad infield.And here's my $0.02: I'm not saying the Nomar trade will necessarily be bad. I just think it's the end of an era, and there's something to be said about mourning losses. Here's a shot of happier times:
Besides, this team wasn't going to win anything anyway with the current lineup. You gotta give Theo props for being brave enough to shake things up.
I guess time will tell. We'll see.
Mientkiewicz switches sides
Well, first game after the Big Trade, and at least Mientkiewicz went 2-4: could you imagine the howls if he'd gone hitless, or worse, made a defensive gaffe? Must be weird for him, suddenly having to play against his old teammates. The 5-4 loss was pretty run of the mill: standard way that the Sox have been losing this year, although Derek Lowe is now starting to look consistent if middling. I feel like now we can expect 7 innings, 4 runs from Lowe outings, which isn't great but is a damn sight better than some of the dreck he'd served this season.
On to the Nomar trade. Reading through SoSH (or, indeed, this blog) you can see Sox fans go through all the stages of grief: denial, when it dawned on everyone that Clement wasn't part of the deal; anger and blaming - has Theo ever been sworn at so much?; bargaining ("can't we have Nomar fail the physical and come back?"); depression; and finally acceptance. Which goes to say, us Sox fans are treating this like a death. And it is: the death of a Boston icon.
I managed to catch the NESN interview with Theo Epstein. He looked clearly nervous at the start, but got into a groove talking about the defence Mientkiewicz and Cabrera bring. I hope he's actually in love with this deal, rather than forced to do it. It's the biggest gamble of his career, and he better hope it pans out for him, because no town can eat its heroes like Boston.
Well, first game after the Big Trade, and at least Mientkiewicz went 2-4: could you imagine the howls if he'd gone hitless, or worse, made a defensive gaffe? Must be weird for him, suddenly having to play against his old teammates. The 5-4 loss was pretty run of the mill: standard way that the Sox have been losing this year, although Derek Lowe is now starting to look consistent if middling. I feel like now we can expect 7 innings, 4 runs from Lowe outings, which isn't great but is a damn sight better than some of the dreck he'd served this season.
On to the Nomar trade. Reading through SoSH (or, indeed, this blog) you can see Sox fans go through all the stages of grief: denial, when it dawned on everyone that Clement wasn't part of the deal; anger and blaming - has Theo ever been sworn at so much?; bargaining ("can't we have Nomar fail the physical and come back?"); depression; and finally acceptance. Which goes to say, us Sox fans are treating this like a death. And it is: the death of a Boston icon.
I managed to catch the NESN interview with Theo Epstein. He looked clearly nervous at the start, but got into a groove talking about the defence Mientkiewicz and Cabrera bring. I hope he's actually in love with this deal, rather than forced to do it. It's the biggest gamble of his career, and he better hope it pans out for him, because no town can eat its heroes like Boston.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
There's no emoticon for what I'm feeling!
So it really is true. Nomar for Cabrera and Mientkiewicz. And we lost Matt Murton. All I can say is, there must be something behind the scenes - his ankle injury being worse than thought, that sort of thing. Otherwise even 2 months of Nomar would've been good, given that we would get a free agent after that. No more Nomar. That's weird.
So it really is true. Nomar for Cabrera and Mientkiewicz. And we lost Matt Murton. All I can say is, there must be something behind the scenes - his ankle injury being worse than thought, that sort of thing. Otherwise even 2 months of Nomar would've been good, given that we would get a free agent after that. No more Nomar. That's weird.
Stacked trade
Argh! The new version of the story says it's just Cabrera and Mientkiewicz for Nomar. That's a bad, bad trade, unless Nomar's injury is worse than previously thought. Especially once you consider that the Sox lose the sandwich pick from Nomar's free agency.
Argh! The new version of the story says it's just Cabrera and Mientkiewicz for Nomar. That's a bad, bad trade, unless Nomar's injury is worse than previously thought. Especially once you consider that the Sox lose the sandwich pick from Nomar's free agency.
Blockbuster
Yup, looks confirmed. We get Clement, Cabrera, and Mister Mxyzptlk, I mean, Doug Mientkiewicz. Twins get Lowe. Cubs get Nomar. Expos get Alex Gonzalez and prospects. I still don't understand why the Twins agreed to this 4-way. And for that mattter, the Cubs in effect got just Nomar for Clement, Cabrera, Alex Gonzalez, and prospects. Right now I'd say the Sox won the trade, but I'll miss Nomar and Lowe. Time to change the pic on this page.
Yup, looks confirmed. We get Clement, Cabrera, and Mister Mxyzptlk, I mean, Doug Mientkiewicz. Twins get Lowe. Cubs get Nomar. Expos get Alex Gonzalez and prospects. I still don't understand why the Twins agreed to this 4-way. And for that mattter, the Cubs in effect got just Nomar for Clement, Cabrera, Alex Gonzalez, and prospects. Right now I'd say the Sox won the trade, but I'll miss Nomar and Lowe. Time to change the pic on this page.
Big wheel keep on turnin'
Wow. The rumour coming through is a doozy: the Sox get Matt Clement, Orlando Cabrera, and Doug Mientkiewicz. The Twins get Derek Lowe. The Cubs get Nomar. The Expos get Alex Gonzalez and prospects. If that's true, there's two quick questions: does Mientkiewicz at 1st mean Millar will take Trot's place in RF? Why would the Twins want a groundball pitcher like Lowe?
Wow. The rumour coming through is a doozy: the Sox get Matt Clement, Orlando Cabrera, and Doug Mientkiewicz. The Twins get Derek Lowe. The Cubs get Nomar. The Expos get Alex Gonzalez and prospects. If that's true, there's two quick questions: does Mientkiewicz at 1st mean Millar will take Trot's place in RF? Why would the Twins want a groundball pitcher like Lowe?
No-Trade?
Still looks like nothing happened. But then the Cubs game was going on, so they didn't necessarily want to announce it then. Ah well. To keep everyone entertained, here's Anna Benson's webpage. And here's a classic Anna quote:
Still looks like nothing happened. But then the Cubs game was going on, so they didn't necessarily want to announce it then. Ah well. To keep everyone entertained, here's Anna Benson's webpage. And here's a classic Anna quote:
"We hadn't had sex for a few days so we got into the back seat of our SUV in the parking lot at Three Rivers Stadium and while we were doing it fans were beating on the windows, we finished screwing then Kris got out and greeted the fans. Hell, I'm not stopping sex with my man so some overzealous fan can have an autograph!"How does Kris ever find the time to pitch?
Deadline for my memories
Rumours spinning around and around, the loudest being Nomar/Lowe for Clement/Cabrera. I think that's a bum deal, but if the Cubs threw in Angel Guzman that'd be awesome. Sox seem to hold the cards in dealing here, because we're not too badly off standing pat. 15 minutes to go.
Rumours spinning around and around, the loudest being Nomar/Lowe for Clement/Cabrera. I think that's a bum deal, but if the Cubs threw in Angel Guzman that'd be awesome. Sox seem to hold the cards in dealing here, because we're not too badly off standing pat. 15 minutes to go.
Singapore Sox Fan
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