Thursday, June 30, 2005
Sox 5, Cleveland 2: Back to Back, Belli to Bellhorny
I know the Belli-to-Belly Monster Mash homers won the game for the Sox, but Mike Timlin's been the one reliever who's been dependable this season, and it was good to see him get the save yesterday. I was having this debate with people about Timlin as a closer - I could see some team next season paying a high price to get him as a closer, given how he closed in the late 90s...
Of course, perhaps influencing my opinion of Mike Timlin is the fact that the first baseball game I can recall watching anywhere featured Timlin. A great game for a first game - Game 6 of the 1992 World Series, perhaps one of the finest non-Sox postseason games I've seen, with Timlin getting the 1-out save in the 11th. Here's Retrosheet's fine description of that last half-inning:
And Tim Wakefield and Doug Mirabelli - what a team. 19 2/3 scoreless innings, and clearly Doug handles the knuckler way better than Tek.
I know the Belli-to-Belly Monster Mash homers won the game for the Sox, but Mike Timlin's been the one reliever who's been dependable this season, and it was good to see him get the save yesterday. I was having this debate with people about Timlin as a closer - I could see some team next season paying a high price to get him as a closer, given how he closed in the late 90s...
Of course, perhaps influencing my opinion of Mike Timlin is the fact that the first baseball game I can recall watching anywhere featured Timlin. A great game for a first game - Game 6 of the 1992 World Series, perhaps one of the finest non-Sox postseason games I've seen, with Timlin getting the 1-out save in the 11th. Here's Retrosheet's fine description of that last half-inning:
BRAVES 11TH: Blauser singled to left; Berryhill reached on anLooking back, why did Belliard bunt? First and third, down by two, nobody out, a groundout would've been just as good for the one run. At worst you end up with a man on first, 1 run in, one out. And the whole idea of Smoltz being a pinch-runner is just part of what made this such a great game.
error by Griffin [Blauser to third]; SMOLTZ RAN FOR BERRYHILL;
Belliard out on a sacrifice bunt (pitcher to second) [Smoltz to
second]; HUNTER BATTED FOR LEIBRANDT; Hunter grounded out (first
unassisted) [Blauser scored (unearned), Smoltz to third]; TIMLIN
REPLACED KEY (PITCHING); Nixon grounded out (pitcher to first);
1 R, 1 H, 1 E, 1 LOB. Blue Jays 4, Braves 3. (Link)
And Tim Wakefield and Doug Mirabelli - what a team. 19 2/3 scoreless innings, and clearly Doug handles the knuckler way better than Tek.
Kenny Rogers, Berzerker
Kenny Rogers, another victim of the dumb self-inflicted injuries of 2005 club (members: Clint Barmes, Oliver Perez), went on a rampage and beat up a cameraman. Watch out, cameramen! He knows when to hold 'em, knows when to fold 'em!
Also, how is it that both Rogers and Kevin Brown were supposedly so mad that they had to punch something, but knew how to use the non-pitching hand? Very Bull Durham:
Kenny Rogers, another victim of the dumb self-inflicted injuries of 2005 club (members: Clint Barmes, Oliver Perez), went on a rampage and beat up a cameraman. Watch out, cameramen! He knows when to hold 'em, knows when to fold 'em!
Also, how is it that both Rogers and Kevin Brown were supposedly so mad that they had to punch something, but knew how to use the non-pitching hand? Very Bull Durham:
CRASH
If ya get in a fight with some
asshole, never hit his with your
pitching hand. Ya might get injured.
(smiles)
That's another lesson for ya -- now
quit fucking around and help me up.
Sox 8, Cleveland 12: All the Young Dudes
Can't say more, just came back from DJing, absolutely knackered. Catching a few minutes of Cleveland-Sox right now (I like saying it that way: all the little chicks with the crimson lips watch Cleveland-Sox / Cleveland-Sox...). But about yesterday's game...
Travis Hafner has been absolutely killing the Sox this series. He's one of those visiting players who knows how to spray hits off the Monster. And then that grand slam. UGH. So Foulke, in his attempts to recover, takes two steps forwards, two steps back, and he's not even dancing with a animated cat. What a rollercoaster of a game - watched up till Cliff Lee struggled in the 5th, thought that was the end of that, then reached the office to find Cleveland had won thanks to that slam.
And to think I was all pleased with the jarring sound of Grady Sizemore crashing into the tin of the Monster in the 5th as Renteria hit a double to score Bellhorn.
Can't say more, just came back from DJing, absolutely knackered. Catching a few minutes of Cleveland-Sox right now (I like saying it that way: all the little chicks with the crimson lips watch Cleveland-Sox / Cleveland-Sox...). But about yesterday's game...
Travis Hafner has been absolutely killing the Sox this series. He's one of those visiting players who knows how to spray hits off the Monster. And then that grand slam. UGH. So Foulke, in his attempts to recover, takes two steps forwards, two steps back, and he's not even dancing with a animated cat. What a rollercoaster of a game - watched up till Cliff Lee struggled in the 5th, thought that was the end of that, then reached the office to find Cleveland had won thanks to that slam.
And to think I was all pleased with the jarring sound of Grady Sizemore crashing into the tin of the Monster in the 5th as Renteria hit a double to score Bellhorn.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Sox 0, Cleveland 7: 7-Up
Well, the winning streak is over, time to start another one. I predict a riot. (Okay, I just wanted to say that because that damned Kaiser Chiefs song is in my head.) Arroyo really looked iffy out there today, and Millwood was really sharp. And wouldn't you know it, the Cleveland Bullpen Reclamation Project even managed to get good innings out of Bobby Howry and Scott Sauerbeck. Howry, he of the 38 ERA+ for the Sox in 2003 and the 166 ERA+ for Cleveland in 2004? And Scott Sauerbeck, who apparently seems to have swapped bodies with Alan Embree? They were mocking the Sox! Mocking, I tells yah! Time for Arroyo to throw another oops-I-did-it-again unintentional-intentional HBP. Heh.
Meanwhile, apres Clint Barmes' mysterious "grocery shopping" injury comes Oliver Perez's laundry-cart kicking that put him on the DL. Between this and Kevin Brown's hand injury, I'm thinking maybe after bad games pitchers should be placed in rooms with padded walls to take their aggression out on.
Well, the winning streak is over, time to start another one. I predict a riot. (Okay, I just wanted to say that because that damned Kaiser Chiefs song is in my head.) Arroyo really looked iffy out there today, and Millwood was really sharp. And wouldn't you know it, the Cleveland Bullpen Reclamation Project even managed to get good innings out of Bobby Howry and Scott Sauerbeck. Howry, he of the 38 ERA+ for the Sox in 2003 and the 166 ERA+ for Cleveland in 2004? And Scott Sauerbeck, who apparently seems to have swapped bodies with Alan Embree? They were mocking the Sox! Mocking, I tells yah! Time for Arroyo to throw another oops-I-did-it-again unintentional-intentional HBP. Heh.
Meanwhile, apres Clint Barmes' mysterious "grocery shopping" injury comes Oliver Perez's laundry-cart kicking that put him on the DL. Between this and Kevin Brown's hand injury, I'm thinking maybe after bad games pitchers should be placed in rooms with padded walls to take their aggression out on.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Sox 12, Phillies 8: The Mike Shall Inherit the Runners (and Let Them Score)
The grand slam is a wondrous thing, isn't it? And Manny Ramirez leads all active players with 19 of them in his career, with only Junior Griffey and Piazza anywhere close at 14... it takes a weird combination of skill and luck to hold that record - after all, Robin Ventura had 18 of them, not even counting his grand slam single in that great 2000 NLCS, and noone thinks continually of Ventura as one of those who were truly great (sorry, had a Stephen Spender moment there). But in terms of chasing the grand slam record Manny also has the disadvantage of batting 3rd here, which means he automatically loses one chance a game of a slam... which, come to think of it, could explain Ventura's totals, as well as Manny's early few slams, when he hit lower in that awe-inspiring late-90s Cleveland lineup.
And amidst that ManRam fanfare, Mark Bellhorn just missed out on the cycle by a triple. Bellhorn's shot was a towering thing of beauty I thought.
Oh, and for all of Mike Timlin's All-Star quality season, he really shouldn't be allowed inherit runners.
The grand slam is a wondrous thing, isn't it? And Manny Ramirez leads all active players with 19 of them in his career, with only Junior Griffey and Piazza anywhere close at 14... it takes a weird combination of skill and luck to hold that record - after all, Robin Ventura had 18 of them, not even counting his grand slam single in that great 2000 NLCS, and noone thinks continually of Ventura as one of those who were truly great (sorry, had a Stephen Spender moment there). But in terms of chasing the grand slam record Manny also has the disadvantage of batting 3rd here, which means he automatically loses one chance a game of a slam... which, come to think of it, could explain Ventura's totals, as well as Manny's early few slams, when he hit lower in that awe-inspiring late-90s Cleveland lineup.
And amidst that ManRam fanfare, Mark Bellhorn just missed out on the cycle by a triple. Bellhorn's shot was a towering thing of beauty I thought.
Oh, and for all of Mike Timlin's All-Star quality season, he really shouldn't be allowed inherit runners.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sox 7, Phillies 1: Philadelphia Freedom, plus a rant
Actually, if they must create rivals for the Sox, the Phillies will do very nicely instead of the Braves, thank you very much. Makes more sense too - the whole northeast city thing would be in play. Although having said that, it took this game for the Sox to have a .500 record against the Phillies in interleague - legacy of the Sox inability to play interleague, methinks.
Anyway, it sure sounded like Clement had a good game, jinking in and out of trouble, particularly in that 2 on, nobody out jam in the 4th. I say "sounded" because despite staying up late last night, I ended up having to listen to the game on Gameday Audio instead of watching it on MLB.tv, because MLB.tv for some reason can't authenticate my computer as being in Singapore. Yes, I could've called for tech support, but I'm sick and tired of making long-distance calls to get a cookie that supposedly fixes the issue but either doesn't or expires before the next blacked out game necessitating yet another phone call. Fox doesn't even exist as a network here, and there's no baseball going on TV, so I'm not sure why I'm being blacked out,.
Frankly, I'm staying up to watch the Sox in the wee hours of the morning, and I paid good money to do so, and it would be nice if I were allowed to without trying to find workarounds. The extent to which they protect Fox's rights is ridiculous.
Actually, if they must create rivals for the Sox, the Phillies will do very nicely instead of the Braves, thank you very much. Makes more sense too - the whole northeast city thing would be in play. Although having said that, it took this game for the Sox to have a .500 record against the Phillies in interleague - legacy of the Sox inability to play interleague, methinks.
Anyway, it sure sounded like Clement had a good game, jinking in and out of trouble, particularly in that 2 on, nobody out jam in the 4th. I say "sounded" because despite staying up late last night, I ended up having to listen to the game on Gameday Audio instead of watching it on MLB.tv, because MLB.tv for some reason can't authenticate my computer as being in Singapore. Yes, I could've called for tech support, but I'm sick and tired of making long-distance calls to get a cookie that supposedly fixes the issue but either doesn't or expires before the next blacked out game necessitating yet another phone call. Fox doesn't even exist as a network here, and there's no baseball going on TV, so I'm not sure why I'm being blacked out,.
Frankly, I'm staying up to watch the Sox in the wee hours of the morning, and I paid good money to do so, and it would be nice if I were allowed to without trying to find workarounds. The extent to which they protect Fox's rights is ridiculous.
My All-Star Ballot
Finally got around to filling in my All-Star Ballot - I think I voted about 20 times. Here's the sample ballot:
The AL side's not particularly controversial, I think. Clearly there's quite a few votes for Boston players, but seriously I think Tek's been the best AL catcher, Damon's been great, and Ortiz is clearly the best DH. (What, you were thinking Raffy Palmeiro?) Even Manny on a down season is still better than the other choices methinks - Ichiro's also hitting somewhat subpar, and Matsui had that godawful stretch last month. Yeah, A-Rod's probably having a better season than Blalock, but A-Rod's such a lock for that place anyway I might as well go for a player I enjoy watching. What the hell, in a couple of ballots I voted for Brandon Inge at 3B just because he's been overachieving.
If you're reading this and haven't voted though, please help get rid of the ridiculousness that is having Tino Martinez as the first choice at 1B. I think even Tino would be embarrassed to be picked over Teixeira.
On the NL side: the NL catcher spot was the one that really seemed weak to me - Piazza and Lo Duca currently lead the votes, but really no NL catcher has impressed me that much this season. And I think Clint Barmes did really well up till his mysterious Todd-Helton-isn't-saying-a-word injury, so what the hey, it's not like Izturis or Eckstein, the current vote leaders, have been that great.
The NL outfield position, on the other hand, is stacked - Abreu is a lock, but who else to pick? I ended up cycling votes between Dunn, Beltran, Junior Griffey, Andruw Jones, Carlos Lee, Pat Burrell, and Reggie Sanders.
Finally got around to filling in my All-Star Ballot - I think I voted about 20 times. Here's the sample ballot:
The AL side's not particularly controversial, I think. Clearly there's quite a few votes for Boston players, but seriously I think Tek's been the best AL catcher, Damon's been great, and Ortiz is clearly the best DH. (What, you were thinking Raffy Palmeiro?) Even Manny on a down season is still better than the other choices methinks - Ichiro's also hitting somewhat subpar, and Matsui had that godawful stretch last month. Yeah, A-Rod's probably having a better season than Blalock, but A-Rod's such a lock for that place anyway I might as well go for a player I enjoy watching. What the hell, in a couple of ballots I voted for Brandon Inge at 3B just because he's been overachieving.
If you're reading this and haven't voted though, please help get rid of the ridiculousness that is having Tino Martinez as the first choice at 1B. I think even Tino would be embarrassed to be picked over Teixeira.
On the NL side: the NL catcher spot was the one that really seemed weak to me - Piazza and Lo Duca currently lead the votes, but really no NL catcher has impressed me that much this season. And I think Clint Barmes did really well up till his mysterious Todd-Helton-isn't-saying-a-word injury, so what the hey, it's not like Izturis or Eckstein, the current vote leaders, have been that great.
The NL outfield position, on the other hand, is stacked - Abreu is a lock, but who else to pick? I ended up cycling votes between Dunn, Beltran, Junior Griffey, Andruw Jones, Carlos Lee, Pat Burrell, and Reggie Sanders.
The Big Papi Sandwich
So I chanced upon this promo coupon for D'Angelo's Big Papi subcourtesy of the Boston Sports Media Watch messageboards. I thought it was kind of funny that they were okay with using "crowd the plate" as a synonym for "add fries and Coke", since crowding the plate has been a criticism non-Sox fans have about Ortiz's style. (See "JamieNYY"'s comment in this Royal Rooters thread for an example.) Obviously I have no complaints about Ortiz's style, but even so, "crowd the plate" isn't exactly a phrase with good connotations. But hey, I'm no marketeer.
So I chanced upon this promo coupon for D'Angelo's Big Papi subcourtesy of the Boston Sports Media Watch messageboards. I thought it was kind of funny that they were okay with using "crowd the plate" as a synonym for "add fries and Coke", since crowding the plate has been a criticism non-Sox fans have about Ortiz's style. (See "JamieNYY"'s comment in this Royal Rooters thread for an example.) Obviously I have no complaints about Ortiz's style, but even so, "crowd the plate" isn't exactly a phrase with good connotations. But hey, I'm no marketeer.
Randy Johnson's back
Not that the Yankees will admit it so soon, but apparently Randy Johnson's back has been acting up:
There's another reason why pure speed on the radar gun isn't always the best indicator of injury. With a shoulder injury you'd probably lose speed on the fastball, with a back problem you might not. Oh well, that's my armchair physiology...
Not that the Yankees will admit it so soon, but apparently Randy Johnson's back has been acting up:
Randy Johnson will start for the Yankees tomorrow, and he said yesterday that his health was perfect. But the Yankees were so worried about Johnson's back before his start on Tuesday that they called up another pitcher from Class AAA in case Tanyon Sturtze had to make the start for him. (The New York Times)That's probably a good explanation for why Johnson's been able to keep hitting the high 90s with his fastball, but has lost his slider for the most part. I always feel that losing the breaking ball is consistent with a back injury - especially when it's the slider that's lost its bite, since that pitch requires a particular arm slot and angle that an injured back might compromise.
There's another reason why pure speed on the radar gun isn't always the best indicator of injury. With a shoulder injury you'd probably lose speed on the fastball, with a back problem you might not. Oh well, that's my armchair physiology...
Terry Francona Will Have His Revenge on Philadelphia
Pic from yesterday: Terry Francona and Ed Wade, GM of the Phillies - aka the man who fired him as manager of the Phillies.
Pic from yesterday: Terry Francona and Ed Wade, GM of the Phillies - aka the man who fired him as manager of the Phillies.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Pedro vs the Yankees
Meanwhile, Pedro continues to win his paternity suit. Admittedly, he didn't look as dominating as he had in other games, and as usual Beltran homered to help him get the win, but 8 innings and 2 earned runs ain't nothing to be ashamed about. Probably the toughest part of his night was getting lost in the Boogie Down Bronx on the way:
So with that win and the Sox's dominance, the Sox are now in first place.
Meanwhile, Pedro continues to win his paternity suit. Admittedly, he didn't look as dominating as he had in other games, and as usual Beltran homered to help him get the win, but 8 innings and 2 earned runs ain't nothing to be ashamed about. Probably the toughest part of his night was getting lost in the Boogie Down Bronx on the way:
"I left at 3:20 thinking, well, I'm going to get there with plenty of time, get in the Jacuzzi, relax, probably watch videos," Martinez said.So, a Bonfire of the Vanities moment averted. Here's a great Pedro quote from that same game recap, talking to the media:
The silver Chevy van he was in didn't pull up until 6:08 p.m., exactly 1 hour before the first pitch.
"We ended up in the wrong neighborhood, and we got lost," he said. "We found a couple of policemen in a car that were really nice to bring us over."
"I attract more attention from you guys and I don't understand why," he said. "To be honest, I dislike you all. I wish I could just live my life and be a regular player like any other. ... I don't like being the icon.""I dislike you all" - that's great.
So with that win and the Sox's dominance, the Sox are now in first place.
Sox 8, Phillies 0: Bombs away
Wakefield brings it! Woo. That knuckleball was floating all crazy: it was one of those nights you knew that the one of the people to get a hit would be the opposing pitcher. And my fears about the Sox facing Lieber prove unfounded.
So, a 3-hit shutout (that Embree was a part of, miraculously), and three homers from Mirabelli, Manny, and Ortiz. Any worries that Manny has somehow lost his ability to hit lefties seems to have vanished.
Meredith, a Philly native who went to Boston to study, had a good take on Philadelphia negativity:
Wakefield brings it! Woo. That knuckleball was floating all crazy: it was one of those nights you knew that the one of the people to get a hit would be the opposing pitcher. And my fears about the Sox facing Lieber prove unfounded.
So, a 3-hit shutout (that Embree was a part of, miraculously), and three homers from Mirabelli, Manny, and Ortiz. Any worries that Manny has somehow lost his ability to hit lefties seems to have vanished.
Meredith, a Philly native who went to Boston to study, had a good take on Philadelphia negativity:
The Red Sox are in town this weekend for a three-game series, which means Terry Francona is returning to the city that loves to hate him. The city's hatred for Francona has been well documented. The tire slashing, the threats of physical violence, the constant shower of boos at the Ballpark - I always dismissed those as acts of the minority of idiots that each sports city can claim. But listening now, I'm amazed at how unintelligent and pathetic their constant negativity makes them seem.Yeah - the only reason Schilling could be called gutless is because he left his guts on the field last postseason.
With the World Champion Red Sox preparing to play their first games at the Bank, talk of the series has taken over the Philadelphia airwaves this morning. Show hosts are furious with Francona's recent comments to the Boston Globe regarding Geno's Steaks. They're calling Schilling a gutless fake puke, which they've called him since his last season in Philadelphia. Gutless? Really? I know a bloody sock that would beg to differ.
Replays in Baseball
Skip Bayless had this conspiracy theory bit about last year's ALCS:
Hmm. Personally, I don't believe it. The funny thing is how the way things should be - wrong ruling gets overturned - becomes the source for conspiracy theories.There were suspicions during October's Yankees-Red Sox American League Championship Series that Major League Baseball was using some crude sort of replay system. League officials denied this, but baseball insiders believed the umpires' crew chief could be alerted, perhaps by buzzer, when TV replays quickly showed a call had been blown.
Most notably, the umpires huddled after Alex Rodriguez swatted the ball out of Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo's glove along the first-base line. The first-base ump, whose view was obstructed, allowed Rodriguez to continue safely to second base.
But after the crew discussed the play – and perhaps after the chief was buzzed – A-Rod was ruled out. (Link)
Friday, June 24, 2005
Proud Parent Interlude
Given that there wasn't a Sox game yesterday, I present you with a picture of the birthday boy, Coconut, the cutest little dog in the world:
That's the birthday pup at about 7 weeks... he just turned 1, and it's kind of hard to believe how big he grew. So - happy birthday to my boy!
Given that there wasn't a Sox game yesterday, I present you with a picture of the birthday boy, Coconut, the cutest little dog in the world:
That's the birthday pup at about 7 weeks... he just turned 1, and it's kind of hard to believe how big he grew. So - happy birthday to my boy!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Lollygaggers!
By the way, maybe that Manny baserunning blunder the other day was a sign of a good thing. I prefer seeing the "lollygagging" greatest righthanded hitter in the league to the "tries hard, but isn't reaching his potential" Manny that we got earlier this season.
Give me results over 'hustle' any day.
By the way, maybe that Manny baserunning blunder the other day was a sign of a good thing. I prefer seeing the "lollygagging" greatest righthanded hitter in the league to the "tries hard, but isn't reaching his potential" Manny that we got earlier this season.
Give me results over 'hustle' any day.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Sox 9, Cleveland 2: Run of the Millwood
Plus ca change, plus c'est la même chose: David Ortiz is a monster, Manny Ramirez is back, Bronson took charge, and I think the Dalai Lama, in his deceased state, could still pitch better than John Halama. So an ordinary, expected win. Manny could always rake at the Jake, of course. What do these ballplayers do when they go back to towns they were once idolised in? Where do they hang out?
Meanwhile, that Rays-Yankees 20-11 game was mindboggling. I left the house with the Rays up 11-8, after the Sierra single scored Cano. Who knew that would be the first run of a 13-run inning?
Plus ca change, plus c'est la même chose: David Ortiz is a monster, Manny Ramirez is back, Bronson took charge, and I think the Dalai Lama, in his deceased state, could still pitch better than John Halama. So an ordinary, expected win. Manny could always rake at the Jake, of course. What do these ballplayers do when they go back to towns they were once idolised in? Where do they hang out?
Meanwhile, that Rays-Yankees 20-11 game was mindboggling. I left the house with the Rays up 11-8, after the Sierra single scored Cano. Who knew that would be the first run of a 13-run inning?
Third base coach, Mike Cabbage
After all that hoo-ha about Brendan Donnelly using pine tar on pitches, here's the tale of a Korean pitcher, Park Myung-Hwan, who was "caught" with cabbage leaves in his cap:
After all that hoo-ha about Brendan Donnelly using pine tar on pitches, here's the tale of a Korean pitcher, Park Myung-Hwan, who was "caught" with cabbage leaves in his cap:
South Korea's baseball authorities have banned a star pitcher from wearing frozen cabbage leaves in his cap to keep cool during games.Okay, he wasn't really caught, since clearly cabbage is not really the kind of substance that gives your pitches extra bite. But still, cabbage leaves! Even Gaylord Perry would've been impressed.
The Korean Baseball Association met in special session after cabbage leaves twice fell from Park Myung-Hwan's cap live on television.
After two hours, the committee ruled that cabbage was a "foreign substance" and therefore banned from the field. (Link - thanks Davin!)
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Olympics 2012 selection
In other sports news, signs that Singapore is where the IOC is going to make its decision on where to host the 2012 Games are slowly creeping up around town. After a meeting last week, I passed by 2 bus-stop billboards extolling the virtues of Madrid as a potential host city. On the same day (I think) the Straits Times, the local paper, had a long pullout section on Moscow, filled with more ads about Russia than they normally sell in a couple of years. And I picked up a couple of free "London 2012" postcards, featuring a marathon runner running by Tower Bridge. The postcard had the full number of pubs in London featured at the back. Apparently a criterion of a good Olympics host city is the ability to get quality ale.
Anyway, New York's effort doesn't seem very noticeable from over here, to be honest, despite all the hoo-ha about the failed stadium plans. Not much promotion that I've noticed, and I'm not sure which sports stars or celebs are due in town. Hopefully that'll change soon. The Brits are bringing in David Beckham (despite the fact that he supposedly first met an alleged lover here in Singapore)... oh wait - a quick search reveals that they just announced that Muhammad Ali is coming. AWESOME.
Also in the paper a few days back: baseball was cited as one of the sports in danger of losing its Olympic status. I hope not, but I can see where rugby has a stronger claim in terms of world viewership, what with the Rugby World Cup being the third-most watched sporting event in the world after the World Cup and the Olympics. I guess that's another reason to be a Baseball World Cup supporter... the game needs to beef up its global reach.
In other sports news, signs that Singapore is where the IOC is going to make its decision on where to host the 2012 Games are slowly creeping up around town. After a meeting last week, I passed by 2 bus-stop billboards extolling the virtues of Madrid as a potential host city. On the same day (I think) the Straits Times, the local paper, had a long pullout section on Moscow, filled with more ads about Russia than they normally sell in a couple of years. And I picked up a couple of free "London 2012" postcards, featuring a marathon runner running by Tower Bridge. The postcard had the full number of pubs in London featured at the back. Apparently a criterion of a good Olympics host city is the ability to get quality ale.
Anyway, New York's effort doesn't seem very noticeable from over here, to be honest, despite all the hoo-ha about the failed stadium plans. Not much promotion that I've noticed, and I'm not sure which sports stars or celebs are due in town. Hopefully that'll change soon. The Brits are bringing in David Beckham (despite the fact that he supposedly first met an alleged lover here in Singapore)... oh wait - a quick search reveals that they just announced that Muhammad Ali is coming. AWESOME.
Also in the paper a few days back: baseball was cited as one of the sports in danger of losing its Olympic status. I hope not, but I can see where rugby has a stronger claim in terms of world viewership, what with the Rugby World Cup being the third-most watched sporting event in the world after the World Cup and the Olympics. I guess that's another reason to be a Baseball World Cup supporter... the game needs to beef up its global reach.
Sox 10, Cleveland 9: Fat Bastard With the Win
In a contest of perhaps the two largest starting pitchers around, Wells was passable while C.C. had no BBs but was otherwise pathetic. In not so stunning news, Timlin was great; Embree atrocious; Foulke teetering but ultimately steady. Deja vu all over again. I've heard of defined roles in the bullpen, I just never figured there'd be defined emotional roles.
In a contest of perhaps the two largest starting pitchers around, Wells was passable while C.C. had no BBs but was otherwise pathetic. In not so stunning news, Timlin was great; Embree atrocious; Foulke teetering but ultimately steady. Deja vu all over again. I've heard of defined roles in the bullpen, I just never figured there'd be defined emotional roles.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Sox 8, Pirates 0: Walking the Plank
I expected Matt Clement to be good. I thought he would outperform Carl Pavano. I just never expected him to be this good. Or this interesting to watch. Whenever I saw Clement on the Cubs, his pitches seem to take forever. A bit of a yawnfest, truth be told. But today, that slider had bite.
And among things I never expected: I never expected to hear "and Ortiz scampers to third!" Woo! Big Papi with the wheels!
I expected Matt Clement to be good. I thought he would outperform Carl Pavano. I just never expected him to be this good. Or this interesting to watch. Whenever I saw Clement on the Cubs, his pitches seem to take forever. A bit of a yawnfest, truth be told. But today, that slider had bite.
And among things I never expected: I never expected to hear "and Ortiz scampers to third!" Woo! Big Papi with the wheels!
Father's Day
Just as for Mother's Day, MLB.com has tributes for Father's Day. (Thanks to Sam's blog for the reminder.) For the Sox, Kevin Millar, proud new father of Kashten and Kylie, gave his comments on fatherhood. That's odd, for the Sox, on Mother's Day Ortiz thanked his wife and for Father's Day Millar just talked about being a father. Both are nice to read about, but aren't you supposed to, like, thank your actual parents?
Speaking of which - there's no way my Dad will read my baseball blog, but I hope he likes the wireless karaoke mikes that we got him.
Just as for Mother's Day, MLB.com has tributes for Father's Day. (Thanks to Sam's blog for the reminder.) For the Sox, Kevin Millar, proud new father of Kashten and Kylie, gave his comments on fatherhood. That's odd, for the Sox, on Mother's Day Ortiz thanked his wife and for Father's Day Millar just talked about being a father. Both are nice to read about, but aren't you supposed to, like, thank your actual parents?
Speaking of which - there's no way my Dad will read my baseball blog, but I hope he likes the wireless karaoke mikes that we got him.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
The Fan Code of Conduct
Man, I always figured Dodgers fans as the laidback sort... apparently that's not entirely true. Funny that they issue a Fan Code of Conduct - I certainly don't remember getting one of those in Fenway.
Man, I always figured Dodgers fans as the laidback sort... apparently that's not entirely true. Funny that they issue a Fan Code of Conduct - I certainly don't remember getting one of those in Fenway.
Buck vs McCarver: Ga-ga Land
On a more cheerful note, Joe Buck really got in his jabs at Tim McCarver's inordinate amount of Jeter-worship in the Yankees-Cubs game. Grunherz54 over at Sons of Sam Horn had a transcript (which saved me a hell of a lot of work - thanks Doug!):
Joe Buck: Now, obviously, you're talking about one of the best (Jeter) leaders in the game today, somebody who is just a winner, and somebody who - when he came up in his rookie year in '96 - just had that look about him like he'd been here before. Jeter has been one of the most consistent players in the game over the past nine years.
Tim McCarver: At the risk of going ga-ga too much, I mean, this guy is thoroughly hip. He is about as hip, to use that young expression, as there is any player in the game. He's tough, he's rugged, he is a winner, he's a guy who makes the big plays, and he has four World Series titles to his credit.
JB: Clearly the two of us are thoroughly in love with Derek Jeter.
TM: Ah, c'mon! I knew, see, when I say 'at the risk of going ga-ga' I knew that you would point out that I was going ga-ga.
JB: Well I was over there too, I was in Ga-Ga Land, too. (With a broadcaster tone dripping with sarcasm.) He's a winner, he's a born leader, this is a live Yankeeography...
TM: (Laughs uncomfortably)
JB: ...24 home runs, this handsome, debonair, swashbuckling...
TM: Quit it!
JB: ...last guy to wear number 2 for the Yankees hit back in 1999. HE is Derek Jeter and HE is out. One away here in the third inning.
TM: Cut it out. (More forced laughter.)
JB: Somehow Glendon Rusch got him to ground out. And here's Womack. Ga-ga land is shut down for Tony Womack. The rides are closed.
So Joe Buck makes some atonement for bearing the demon phrase "slamma-lamma-ding-dong" into the world. And I have no idea what Tim McCarver thinks "hip" means.
On a more cheerful note, Joe Buck really got in his jabs at Tim McCarver's inordinate amount of Jeter-worship in the Yankees-Cubs game. Grunherz54 over at Sons of Sam Horn had a transcript (which saved me a hell of a lot of work - thanks Doug!):
Joe Buck: Now, obviously, you're talking about one of the best (Jeter) leaders in the game today, somebody who is just a winner, and somebody who - when he came up in his rookie year in '96 - just had that look about him like he'd been here before. Jeter has been one of the most consistent players in the game over the past nine years.
Tim McCarver: At the risk of going ga-ga too much, I mean, this guy is thoroughly hip. He is about as hip, to use that young expression, as there is any player in the game. He's tough, he's rugged, he is a winner, he's a guy who makes the big plays, and he has four World Series titles to his credit.
JB: Clearly the two of us are thoroughly in love with Derek Jeter.
TM: Ah, c'mon! I knew, see, when I say 'at the risk of going ga-ga' I knew that you would point out that I was going ga-ga.
JB: Well I was over there too, I was in Ga-Ga Land, too. (With a broadcaster tone dripping with sarcasm.) He's a winner, he's a born leader, this is a live Yankeeography...
TM: (Laughs uncomfortably)
JB: ...24 home runs, this handsome, debonair, swashbuckling...
TM: Quit it!
JB: ...last guy to wear number 2 for the Yankees hit back in 1999. HE is Derek Jeter and HE is out. One away here in the third inning.
TM: Cut it out. (More forced laughter.)
JB: Somehow Glendon Rusch got him to ground out. And here's Womack. Ga-ga land is shut down for Tony Womack. The rides are closed.
So Joe Buck makes some atonement for bearing the demon phrase "slamma-lamma-ding-dong" into the world. And I have no idea what Tim McCarver thinks "hip" means.
Sox 0, Pirates 2: Arrrrrr!
Bleah. And there I was all happy that the Pirates rejigged their rotation so that Oliver Perez and Mark Redman faced the Yankees. So naturally, Dave "Generic Name" Williams comes in and pitches a decent game. Hardly a gem - 5 hits and 4 walks in 6 innings, but good enough.
What was Halama doing there down by 1 in the 9th? Not that it mattered in the end, 1-0 or 2-0 down, it's still a loss, but Halama isn't one of the better pitchers. Mike Myers, on the other hand, seems to have become an automatic LOOGY. Funny to think the Sox let him go for a few months in the offseason.
Bleah. And there I was all happy that the Pirates rejigged their rotation so that Oliver Perez and Mark Redman faced the Yankees. So naturally, Dave "Generic Name" Williams comes in and pitches a decent game. Hardly a gem - 5 hits and 4 walks in 6 innings, but good enough.
What was Halama doing there down by 1 in the 9th? Not that it mattered in the end, 1-0 or 2-0 down, it's still a loss, but Halama isn't one of the better pitchers. Mike Myers, on the other hand, seems to have become an automatic LOOGY. Funny to think the Sox let him go for a few months in the offseason.
Pudge's Pole
Chris Lynch complains about the naming of the Fisk Pole, citing among his reasons the idea that Fisk doesn't need to be honoured twice given that his number is already retired, and the idea that "Fisk Pole" really doesn't trip off the tongue. I'm agnostic on the naming, but I agree about the way it sounds - putting a hard consonant next to a sibilant one (or between two sibilant ones, if you're calling it "Fisk's Pole") tends to create that hard-to-pronounce effect. So why not call it "Pudge's Pole"? (Besides the fact that another of the top 10 catchers of all time came along later with the same nickname as Fisk.) Much easier to pronounce.
Chris Lynch complains about the naming of the Fisk Pole, citing among his reasons the idea that Fisk doesn't need to be honoured twice given that his number is already retired, and the idea that "Fisk Pole" really doesn't trip off the tongue. I'm agnostic on the naming, but I agree about the way it sounds - putting a hard consonant next to a sibilant one (or between two sibilant ones, if you're calling it "Fisk's Pole") tends to create that hard-to-pronounce effect. So why not call it "Pudge's Pole"? (Besides the fact that another of the top 10 catchers of all time came along later with the same nickname as Fisk.) Much easier to pronounce.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Foulke's comments
Speaking of Foulke, there was some furore over Foulke's comments to the Hartford Courant - here's a sample quote:
What I've always loved is that Foulke seems to have sort of stumbled into baseball - he's been (with intermittent moments) a great reliever, but he doesn't even follow the sport. I think that helps him as a reliever - even when he struggles, what the hell, it isn't life or death to him.
So, if the NHL lockout occurred a year earlier and Theo couldn't bring Foulke to a Bruins game, would he be on the team?
Speaking of Foulke, there was some furore over Foulke's comments to the Hartford Courant - here's a sample quote:
Asked if he likes to close as opposed to starting, Foulke said, ''I like to pitch. Honestly, what I like about closing, I love the first and 15th day [of the month]. That's payday." (Link)Actually, I know as Sox fans we want the players to bleed Sox, which is probably why some people are galled by this kind of thing, even though we all probably know people who can't stand their jobs but are great at that.
What I've always loved is that Foulke seems to have sort of stumbled into baseball - he's been (with intermittent moments) a great reliever, but he doesn't even follow the sport. I think that helps him as a reliever - even when he struggles, what the hell, it isn't life or death to him.
So, if the NHL lockout occurred a year earlier and Theo couldn't bring Foulke to a Bruins game, would he be on the team?
Sox 6, Pirates 5: At the Finish
Now that's the kind of thing Foulke deserves the win for. Awesome Bellhorn homer, too, early in the game - down 3-1 the 3-run homer brought the Sox right back into the game. Bellhorn and Foulke have come under some of the most criticism this season, along with fellows like Millar, but perhaps one thing I like about Bellhorn and Foulke is that they don't seem too perturbed by criticism.
Varitek at the plate and bunting - great stuff. The 9th inning win is becoming like an automatic given now. It's what I expect as long as Millar leads off with a walk.
Now that's the kind of thing Foulke deserves the win for. Awesome Bellhorn homer, too, early in the game - down 3-1 the 3-run homer brought the Sox right back into the game. Bellhorn and Foulke have come under some of the most criticism this season, along with fellows like Millar, but perhaps one thing I like about Bellhorn and Foulke is that they don't seem too perturbed by criticism.
Varitek at the plate and bunting - great stuff. The 9th inning win is becoming like an automatic given now. It's what I expect as long as Millar leads off with a walk.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Sox 6, Reds 1: Finally, a sweep
I really thought the usual Sox habit of leaving people on base was going to continue: it was incredibly frustrating to see Harang nearing 100 pitches in only the 5th inning with only one Sox run on the board... fortunately the 5th had a whole different vibe, and the Sox busted loose. Funniest moment for me was when Harang struggling and the NESN camera panned to the Cincinnati bullpen, and manager Dave Miley (at least, I think it was Miley, was glancing at the screen at the moment) gave a sign that looked like those "devil's horns" signs you see at rock concerts. I can see it now:
Harang: "Man, what should I do? I'm really struggling. What's the scouting report on Varitek?"
Miley: "WOOOOOO!!! RONNIE JAMES DIO ROXXX!!!"
Harang: "You're the boss."
Admittedly, Tek really looked fooled by the high fastballs Harang threw after that, possibly the pitcher's only good spell in that inning, so maybe Miley should've just stuck with that. Miley also had the understatement of the series: "We scored four runs in three games. That's not necessarily a good thing. (From the AP game story)
Speaking (loosely) of rockers, it looks like Bronson Arroyo is back in form. WOOOOO!!! ARROYO ROXXX!!!
I really thought the usual Sox habit of leaving people on base was going to continue: it was incredibly frustrating to see Harang nearing 100 pitches in only the 5th inning with only one Sox run on the board... fortunately the 5th had a whole different vibe, and the Sox busted loose. Funniest moment for me was when Harang struggling and the NESN camera panned to the Cincinnati bullpen, and manager Dave Miley (at least, I think it was Miley, was glancing at the screen at the moment) gave a sign that looked like those "devil's horns" signs you see at rock concerts. I can see it now:
Harang: "Man, what should I do? I'm really struggling. What's the scouting report on Varitek?"
Miley: "WOOOOOO!!! RONNIE JAMES DIO ROXXX!!!"
Harang: "You're the boss."
Admittedly, Tek really looked fooled by the high fastballs Harang threw after that, possibly the pitcher's only good spell in that inning, so maybe Miley should've just stuck with that. Miley also had the understatement of the series: "We scored four runs in three games. That's not necessarily a good thing. (From the AP game story)
Speaking (loosely) of rockers, it looks like Bronson Arroyo is back in form. WOOOOO!!! ARROYO ROXXX!!!
The 2012 Olympics
Incidentally, the vote on where the 2012 Olympics will be is being held here in Singapore on July 6. Woohoo! A chance for a first-hand sporting news report.
I thought the Village Voice had a nice piece on the ridiculousness of the project to build a stadium on the West Side. As a good urban economist, I have to question the wisdom of a $2 billion project. Particularly for a football stadium, which gets crowds once weekly as opposed to the more regular flow of a baseball ballpark.
Incidentally, the vote on where the 2012 Olympics will be is being held here in Singapore on July 6. Woohoo! A chance for a first-hand sporting news report.
I thought the Village Voice had a nice piece on the ridiculousness of the project to build a stadium on the West Side. As a good urban economist, I have to question the wisdom of a $2 billion project. Particularly for a football stadium, which gets crowds once weekly as opposed to the more regular flow of a baseball ballpark.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Sox 7, Reds 0: Red Sox at Morning, Reds Take Warning
David Wells to Eric Milton: now that is how you succeed as a lefty in Fenway. Boy, was the Boomer ever on. As usual, turned on MLB.tv to catch the game as I was prepping for work... once I saw how big that curve was going, I knew it was going to be a great outing.
And was I right a few days back about Manny's RBI double being a sign of rediscovering power, or what? Three consecutive games. Boom, boom, boom.
David Wells to Eric Milton: now that is how you succeed as a lefty in Fenway. Boy, was the Boomer ever on. As usual, turned on MLB.tv to catch the game as I was prepping for work... once I saw how big that curve was going, I knew it was going to be a great outing.
And was I right a few days back about Manny's RBI double being a sign of rediscovering power, or what? Three consecutive games. Boom, boom, boom.
Red Sox 10, Reds 3: Reds Foxed
Look, the key words to this game were: Eric Milton, pitching in Fenway Park. You just knew a Milton meltdown was going to come, and you just hoped Big Adam Dunn wouldn't rescue the Reds. Superb hitting all round by the Sox lately. Manny crushing the ball with authority is great to see.
Good ol' Pudge, on the naming of the Fisk Pole: "I don't know if embarrassed is the right word. But you wonder whether you deserve it"
Look, the key words to this game were: Eric Milton, pitching in Fenway Park. You just knew a Milton meltdown was going to come, and you just hoped Big Adam Dunn wouldn't rescue the Reds. Superb hitting all round by the Sox lately. Manny crushing the ball with authority is great to see.
Good ol' Pudge, on the naming of the Fisk Pole: "I don't know if embarrassed is the right word. But you wonder whether you deserve it"
Monday, June 13, 2005
Sox 8, Cubs 1: Wakefield Wakes Up
That Tim Wakefield, he can do everything, eh? Besides rediscovering the knuckler (7 innings, 1 earned run), he had just as many runs scored (1) and RBIs (1) as the entire Cubs team today. I guess since he was drafted as a position player it makes sense to guess he'd hit at least decently for a pitcher... Woo! Some salvation for this interleague series.
Mike Myers again with a decent job. Admittedly in a blowout, but I think Tito's finally coming round to the idea that Myers might enter the Inner Sanctum of Trusted Relievers. Fare thee well, Alan Embree.
That Tim Wakefield, he can do everything, eh? Besides rediscovering the knuckler (7 innings, 1 earned run), he had just as many runs scored (1) and RBIs (1) as the entire Cubs team today. I guess since he was drafted as a position player it makes sense to guess he'd hit at least decently for a pitcher... Woo! Some salvation for this interleague series.
Mike Myers again with a decent job. Admittedly in a blowout, but I think Tito's finally coming round to the idea that Myers might enter the Inner Sanctum of Trusted Relievers. Fare thee well, Alan Embree.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Theo speaks out
Make of this what you will:
Make of this what you will:
"This is difficult to fix, to be honest with you," a calm and controlled Theo Epstein said yesterday at Wrigley Field, where the spiraling Red Sox lost, 7-6, to the Chicago Cubs. "So many people are performing below our expectations and below our projections that this isn't easy to fix. If this is the best that this pitching staff can pitch, then I really miscalculated and it's time for changes.As long as there aren't moves like those that yielded (yeesh) Jeff Suppan and Scott Sauerbeck...
"This is my fault. The guys have to play better or we've got to make some changes. I think we've allowed something like (77) runs in our last 10 losses. We're out of games. It's time for changes. Soon.'' (Link)
Sox 6, Cubs 7: Thrown in the Dempster
Manny Ramirez is hitting for the season with an OBP of .339 and a SLG of .467, for an OPS of .806. 806! Ugh. That's hot for a second baseman, but not for Manny. So at least he had that RBI double in the 9th. Hopefully that portends something better. But otherwise, what a disappointing game. Wade Miller with a 4-0 lead... then bam! 5 singles in a row. Todd Walker made a comment that reflected the general perception of Jason Varitek as some sort of guru on batters:
It's been interesting observing the Cubs in this series. Baker's comment I thought was telling:
Manny Ramirez is hitting for the season with an OBP of .339 and a SLG of .467, for an OPS of .806. 806! Ugh. That's hot for a second baseman, but not for Manny. So at least he had that RBI double in the 9th. Hopefully that portends something better. But otherwise, what a disappointing game. Wade Miller with a 4-0 lead... then bam! 5 singles in a row. Todd Walker made a comment that reflected the general perception of Jason Varitek as some sort of guru on batters:
"It's nice to do well and win. I have to bite my tongue in certain situations because you don't what to give up too much information in a casual conversation. You might say something and (Jason) Varitek will go, 'All right' and go back and use it.'' (AP story)Carlos Zambrano left after spraining his toe during warmups. This isn't as bizarre as his wrist injury ostensibly from "talking to his brother" over the Internet, but he does seem to get himself in these spots. Or maybe it's just that Cubs pitchers tend to get freaky injuries, and having Dusty Baker as a manager doesn't help...
It's been interesting observing the Cubs in this series. Baker's comment I thought was telling:
"Fans are into it. Quite frankly I wish we had this excitement almost every day because it picks us up,'' Baker said.Doesn't Wrigley sell out like every game? Shouldn't they have this kind of excitement? I suppose this is the kind of quote that adds to the perception that people go to Wrigley to party and drink beer, rather than make every game a matter of life and death...
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Sox 6, Cubs 14: Friendly, Confined
So the two storied franchises finally meet, and Greg Maddux got the win. Figures. The Sox seem to have trouble with two kinds of pitchers - flameballing rookie lefties, and extreme command pitchers. But giving up a homer to Maddux was somewhat galling. Who let these pitchers hit anyway? Heh.
The atmosphere in Wrigley looked great (I suppose if you paid $500 for seats, you'd better have a good time), and it was nice to see clips of Nomar welcoming his old teammates to Chi-town. My friend went to the University of Chicago, and argues that Wrigley has the best-looking women in the stands.
Speaking of interleague, Bud Selig's thinking of making it so that you play by the visiting league's rules. Now that's really strange.
So the two storied franchises finally meet, and Greg Maddux got the win. Figures. The Sox seem to have trouble with two kinds of pitchers - flameballing rookie lefties, and extreme command pitchers. But giving up a homer to Maddux was somewhat galling. Who let these pitchers hit anyway? Heh.
The atmosphere in Wrigley looked great (I suppose if you paid $500 for seats, you'd better have a good time), and it was nice to see clips of Nomar welcoming his old teammates to Chi-town. My friend went to the University of Chicago, and argues that Wrigley has the best-looking women in the stands.
Speaking of interleague, Bud Selig's thinking of making it so that you play by the visiting league's rules. Now that's really strange.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Sox 4, Cardinals 0: Wells in, Cards fold
Finally caught the game. So the Sox avoid the sweep thanks to David Wells, who has the nice habit of pitching great games at opportune moments. Before crapping the bed at other random times.
In other news, former Sox reliever Urbina got traded to the Phillies. Damn. He was smokin' as a closer, and I was kind of hoping - despite the bad blood between the Sox and Urbina - that he would come back and help right the bullpen.
Finally caught the game. So the Sox avoid the sweep thanks to David Wells, who has the nice habit of pitching great games at opportune moments. Before crapping the bed at other random times.
In other news, former Sox reliever Urbina got traded to the Phillies. Damn. He was smokin' as a closer, and I was kind of hoping - despite the bad blood between the Sox and Urbina - that he would come back and help right the bullpen.
Please, make the c**** talk stop
Meanwhile Lee Jenkins brings up the 'curse' blather in the Noo Yawk Times with regards to the Cubs-Sox series, even if he does at least seem to note that the Curse of the Bambino thing is of fairly recent provenance (*cough* Dan Shaughnessy money-grubbing *cough*):
Meanwhile, Jim Belushi weighs in:
Meanwhile Lee Jenkins brings up the 'curse' blather in the Noo Yawk Times with regards to the Cubs-Sox series, even if he does at least seem to note that the Curse of the Bambino thing is of fairly recent provenance (*cough* Dan Shaughnessy money-grubbing *cough*):
The Curse of the Billy Goat has endured longer than the Curse of the Bambino, even though it was always deemed less authentic.Less authentic? Less authentic than a made-up curse that was never mentioned until the 1980s? Pah!
Meanwhile, Jim Belushi weighs in:
"Watching the Red Sox win was a very weird experience," said Jim Belushi, an actor and a lifelong Cubs fan. "It was like having a neighbor win the lottery. At first you're really happy for them because it couldn't happen to a better guy. And then you realize that he'll move into a bigger house in another neighborhood and you never had anything in common with him in the first place and he was really a big jerk. I mean, the Red Sox' celebrity mascot is Ben Affleck. Doesn't that tell you enough?"A bitter, bitter man is he. If it were fellow Cubs fan John Cusack saying those words, maybe they might mean something, but it's hard to find the star (I use that word loosely) of "According to Jim" particularly credible.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
#26 - Craig Hansen
Woo! Craig Hansen. A Scott Boras client. Interesting. Given the number of draft picks they have, I wonder how much signability will play a role in later picks?
Edit: more on Craig Hansen. He has two brothers. They never sang "Mmm Bop" together, as far as I know. And with that, it's 1.35 am, and I'm out. Baseball America, gurus of drafts, has a great draft blog to follow.
Edit #2: Ian Browne on MLB.com notes that the Sox were very pleased with their draft. As they well should be.
Woo! Craig Hansen. A Scott Boras client. Interesting. Given the number of draft picks they have, I wonder how much signability will play a role in later picks?
Edit: more on Craig Hansen. He has two brothers. They never sang "Mmm Bop" together, as far as I know. And with that, it's 1.35 am, and I'm out. Baseball America, gurus of drafts, has a great draft blog to follow.
Edit #2: Ian Browne on MLB.com notes that the Sox were very pleased with their draft. As they well should be.
Sox get Ellsbury
And the Sox pick at #23... Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Oregon State University. Sabermetric-style pick.
For Moneyball fans, Oakland's pick was Clifton Pennington, SS, Texas A&M. College player. You could hear the surprise in the commish's office.
And the Sox pick at #23... Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Oregon State University. Sabermetric-style pick.
For Moneyball fans, Oakland's pick was Clifton Pennington, SS, Texas A&M. College player. You could hear the surprise in the commish's office.
Upton, girl...
Justin Upton goes at #1, as expected. Stupid MLB.com keeps flickering in and out of life - I guess the server's overworked.
Alex Gordon, #2, to KC.
Jeff Clement, #3, Seattle.
Zimmerman, #4, Mets.
Jumping a bit, Tampa chose Wade Townsend "formerly of the University of Rice". Somehow, calling Rice the "University of Rice" makes it sound like a Chinese A&M.
Justin Upton goes at #1, as expected. Stupid MLB.com keeps flickering in and out of life - I guess the server's overworked.
Alex Gordon, #2, to KC.
Jeff Clement, #3, Seattle.
Zimmerman, #4, Mets.
Jumping a bit, Tampa chose Wade Townsend "formerly of the University of Rice". Somehow, calling Rice the "University of Rice" makes it sound like a Chinese A&M.
All Homegrown Teams
Speaking of drafts, one of the most amazing feats to me - perhaps reflecting the fact that I became a baseball fan in the age of free agency - is that the Sox started all-homegrown lineups in games 1 and 2 of the ALCS in 1988. Here's the game 1 and game 2 box scores:
Wade Boggs. Marty Barrett. Dewey. Mike Greenwell. Jim Rice. Ellis Burks. Todd Benzinger. Jody Reed. Rich Gedman (though technically he was an amateur FA, not a draftee). Bruce Hurst and Roger Clemens. Eleven players (9 hitters, 2 pitchers), all of whom came up through the Sox system. An amazing feat. Sorry, Evan, but the Sox could draft a bit back in the day, even if they did miss with a few #1 picks.
Of course, the results of the 1988 ALCS leave a lot to be desired...
Speaking of drafts, one of the most amazing feats to me - perhaps reflecting the fact that I became a baseball fan in the age of free agency - is that the Sox started all-homegrown lineups in games 1 and 2 of the ALCS in 1988. Here's the game 1 and game 2 box scores:
Boston Red Sox AB R H RBI BB SO PO A
Boggs 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 2
Barrett 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Evans rf 4 0 1 0 0 3 4 0
Greenwell lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Benzinger 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 10 0
Burks cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
Rice dh 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0
Romine pr,dh 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Parrish ph,dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Reed ss 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
Gedman c 3 0 2 0 1 0 7 0
Romero pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hurst p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Totals 31 1 6 1 4 9 27 10
Boston Red Sox AB R H RBI BB SO PO A(via the amazing Retrosheet)
Boggs 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 3 1
Barrett 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Evans rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 6 0
Greenwell lf 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 0
Rice dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Romine pr,dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Burks cf 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
Benzinger 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 6 0
Reed ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3
Gedman c 4 1 1 1 0 1 9 1
Clemens p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stanley p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Smith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 30 3 4 2 5 4 27 7
Wade Boggs. Marty Barrett. Dewey. Mike Greenwell. Jim Rice. Ellis Burks. Todd Benzinger. Jody Reed. Rich Gedman (though technically he was an amateur FA, not a draftee). Bruce Hurst and Roger Clemens. Eleven players (9 hitters, 2 pitchers), all of whom came up through the Sox system. An amazing feat. Sorry, Evan, but the Sox could draft a bit back in the day, even if they did miss with a few #1 picks.
Of course, the results of the 1988 ALCS leave a lot to be desired...
Sickels' mock draft
John Sickels has a mock draft up on Minorleagueball.com that has the Sox getting Trevor Crowe with the first pick. Me like. Me like very much.
John Sickels has a mock draft up on Minorleagueball.com that has the Sox getting Trevor Crowe with the first pick. Me like. Me like very much.
Boston Red SoxPicking Henry Sanchez would continue the grand Sox rule that says there must be a Sanchez somewhere in the farm system at any one point in time. Just in case Anibal Sanchez becomes trade bait.
1---23rd----Trevor Crowe, OF, University of Arizona
1---26th-----Colby Rasmus, OF, Phenix City, Alabama, HS
1S-42nd-----Chaz Roe, RHP, Lexington Kentucky HS
1S-45th-----Henry Sanchez, 1B, San Diego CA HS
1S-47th-----Reese Havens, SS, Sullivans Island SC HS
2---57th-----Chase Headley, 3B, University of Tennessee
4---138th----Brandon Durden, LHP, Georgia College
5---168th----Josh Sullivan, RHP, Auburn
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Interlude while waiting for names to be called
Randomly funny quote from Ozzie Guillen, after being criticised by Chicago mayor Richard Daley:
Randomly funny quote from Ozzie Guillen, after being criticised by Chicago mayor Richard Daley:
"Well there is a thing I would say to the mayor. I would say I've been in this country for 25 years and I don't have American citizenship. He should help me do that. I'll criticize him because they don't give me American citizenship." (Baseball Prospectus' Week in Quotes)Of course, Ozzie is a huge American patriot... even without the citizenship.
Draft Day
Sox with a bonanza number of early picks. I always thought the ability to swap two players - e.g. Renteria and Cabrera (in essence) - and generating a couple of draft picks was a weird kind of inflation, but what the hey. I just hope Lance Broadway drops down to the Sox's first pick... besides being a good pitcher he has the greatest name ever. It's almost like he was named from that porn star name game with your dog's name and the street you grew up on.
Edit: in the variant of the porn star name game where you use the street you grew up on and your middle name, I'm Pari Tek. Weird.
MLB.com's draft picks.
Sox with a bonanza number of early picks. I always thought the ability to swap two players - e.g. Renteria and Cabrera (in essence) - and generating a couple of draft picks was a weird kind of inflation, but what the hey. I just hope Lance Broadway drops down to the Sox's first pick... besides being a good pitcher he has the greatest name ever. It's almost like he was named from that porn star name game with your dog's name and the street you grew up on.
Edit: in the variant of the porn star name game where you use the street you grew up on and your middle name, I'm Pari Tek. Weird.
MLB.com's draft picks.
Sox 1, Cardinals 7: World Series rematch
This rematch was a pathetic display of weak hitting. I mean, look at the box score! Morris got the complete game without being dominant at all - just 1 strikeout all in all, and the Sox only managed 4 hits? There better be some hits stored in those bats for today...
This rematch was a pathetic display of weak hitting. I mean, look at the box score! Morris got the complete game without being dominant at all - just 1 strikeout all in all, and the Sox only managed 4 hits? There better be some hits stored in those bats for today...
Monday, June 06, 2005
Sox 6, Angels 3: The Pen is Mighty
Hey, what do you know, a bullpen that works! Of course, Mike Myers has been awesome in this series, the only decent lefty in our pen thus far. And they said Embree-Halama-Myers was overkill.
Take Me Out moment of the day:
Okay, even looking at that pic it really looks like Carson Kressley can't throw, but maybe the other two can get some outs?
Hey, what do you know, a bullpen that works! Of course, Mike Myers has been awesome in this series, the only decent lefty in our pen thus far. And they said Embree-Halama-Myers was overkill.
Take Me Out moment of the day:
Okay, even looking at that pic it really looks like Carson Kressley can't throw, but maybe the other two can get some outs?
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Who are the people in your neighbourhood?
On a lighter note - Bryan Person, one of the readers of my blog, sent me a link to Around Town Sports, a site he's started on youth sports in Boston. Right now he's focused on news and notes on Malden sports, but sounds like there're plans to expand it... to sound like a cheesy radio DJ introducing the latest hit single: "check it out".
On a lighter note - Bryan Person, one of the readers of my blog, sent me a link to Around Town Sports, a site he's started on youth sports in Boston. Right now he's focused on news and notes on Malden sports, but sounds like there're plans to expand it... to sound like a cheesy radio DJ introducing the latest hit single: "check it out".
Sox 6, Angels 13: Lefties on Base
Wow, I've never seen the wheels fall off the bus so fast. Okay, not seen, heard: stupid MLB.tv keeps insisting that I live somewhere in America/Japan/Guam and therefore am not allowed to watch it. You can call them and get a cookie to fix this issue, but 1) the cookie doesn't seem to work on my computer and 2) if it works, it lasts a few days and then poof, it's gone. Given that I have a Singapore IP address, why does it keep doing this to me?
Back on point: so I listened to the game on WEEI thanks to Gameday Audio, and in a way I'm glad I didn't see the whole horror show. Apparently Scioscia's lefty-heavy lineup is genius, since despite having three lefties - Mike Myers, Alan Embree, John Halama - we can't seem to get lefties out. The Sox almost threw out 200 pitches in the entire game - 196 pitches! UGH. I don't often get to stay up to watch games, and I'm not quite sure being up till 5am was worth it now.
Wow, I've never seen the wheels fall off the bus so fast. Okay, not seen, heard: stupid MLB.tv keeps insisting that I live somewhere in America/Japan/Guam and therefore am not allowed to watch it. You can call them and get a cookie to fix this issue, but 1) the cookie doesn't seem to work on my computer and 2) if it works, it lasts a few days and then poof, it's gone. Given that I have a Singapore IP address, why does it keep doing this to me?
Back on point: so I listened to the game on WEEI thanks to Gameday Audio, and in a way I'm glad I didn't see the whole horror show. Apparently Scioscia's lefty-heavy lineup is genius, since despite having three lefties - Mike Myers, Alan Embree, John Halama - we can't seem to get lefties out. The Sox almost threw out 200 pitches in the entire game - 196 pitches! UGH. I don't often get to stay up to watch games, and I'm not quite sure being up till 5am was worth it now.
Embree gives it up
Okay, who is this man, and what has he done to Alan Embree? Fookin' 3-run homer to Garret Anderson. Is Mike Myers so much of a lefty specialist that he can't pitch twice in a row?
Fill in the blanks: "Alan Embree gives it up faster than..."
... a high school prom date? (Hey, it's 4 in the morning over here. I can't be funny at 4am.)
Okay, who is this man, and what has he done to Alan Embree? Fookin' 3-run homer to Garret Anderson. Is Mike Myers so much of a lefty specialist that he can't pitch twice in a row?
Fill in the blanks: "Alan Embree gives it up faster than..."
... a high school prom date? (Hey, it's 4 in the morning over here. I can't be funny at 4am.)
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Johnny Damon, Rock Star
Big up to Johnny Damon for his consistent hitting. As I said over at Surviving Grady, Johnny is a ROCK STAR. And frankly, given the Boston media sometimes, we need players who're rock stars. The script was all ready and written: man spends too much time in the spotlight, forgets how to play, and Damon just tore it up. He's hitting, he's running into walls... okay, he's still got a noodle arm but we've always known that.
I don't get why quiet people who do their job daily are necessarily any more "professional" than people like Damon. While you need a mix of players around to balance the team, do I really want all the players I watch to just punch the clock, play the game, and punch out without panache?
I wonder whether it's the famed Calvinist streak of New England at play? One that says hard work will get its rewards, and, implicitly, grasshoppers who spend their time looking like they're loafing (key word is looking: actually, even the so-called 'rigours' of a book tour probably leaves enough time to work out) will be punished. Sadly, life doesn't always follow that script. Some players get to live life large, have a smokin' wife, and still be among the best leadoff men in baseball.
All those thoughts on the media in advance of the "Queer Eye" guys throwing out the first pitch tomorrow. (Who'da thunk it? I know Boston is liberal but there's bound to be a few yahoos in the stands; I hope things go smoothly... heck, there's already some backlash, no thanks to D&C on WEEI.) Yeah, Millar was part of the guys getting made over and his play is shite this year, but so was Damon - bad play is probably not due to the media hogging, methinks...
Big up to Johnny Damon for his consistent hitting. As I said over at Surviving Grady, Johnny is a ROCK STAR. And frankly, given the Boston media sometimes, we need players who're rock stars. The script was all ready and written: man spends too much time in the spotlight, forgets how to play, and Damon just tore it up. He's hitting, he's running into walls... okay, he's still got a noodle arm but we've always known that.
I don't get why quiet people who do their job daily are necessarily any more "professional" than people like Damon. While you need a mix of players around to balance the team, do I really want all the players I watch to just punch the clock, play the game, and punch out without panache?
I wonder whether it's the famed Calvinist streak of New England at play? One that says hard work will get its rewards, and, implicitly, grasshoppers who spend their time looking like they're loafing (key word is looking: actually, even the so-called 'rigours' of a book tour probably leaves enough time to work out) will be punished. Sadly, life doesn't always follow that script. Some players get to live life large, have a smokin' wife, and still be among the best leadoff men in baseball.
All those thoughts on the media in advance of the "Queer Eye" guys throwing out the first pitch tomorrow. (Who'da thunk it? I know Boston is liberal but there's bound to be a few yahoos in the stands; I hope things go smoothly... heck, there's already some backlash, no thanks to D&C on WEEI.) Yeah, Millar was part of the guys getting made over and his play is shite this year, but so was Damon - bad play is probably not due to the media hogging, methinks...
Baa!
In honour of the Yankees being swept by the Royals and dropping 6 straight...
(I was sorting out my "My Pictures" folder, and I found this funny little animated GIF. It was taken from someone's LiveJournal, if I recall correctly, and damn if I don't know where I got it from... any help with the attribution?
Edit: I've been informed by cathryn in the comments that it's the work of Steve Johnson aka dantesdad. Kudos to dantesdad!)
***
And. just for kicks, the 'traded away' team for the Yankees:
C - Dioner Navarro*
1B - Nick Johnson*
2B - D'Angelo Jimenez*
3B - Mike Lowell*
SS - Cristian Guzman*
LF - Alfonso Soriano* (okay, not his position, but I'm sure he could play it)
CF - Wily Mo Pena*
RF - Marcus Thames*
SP - Javier Vazquez
SP - Brad Halsey*
SP - Jeff Weaver
SP - Jake Westbrook*
SP - Ted Lilly
RP - Damaso Marte*
Closer - Yhency Brazoban*
* - all Yankees minor leaguers at some point
It wouldn't be a great team, but it would sure be decent enough, probably better than KC.
In honour of the Yankees being swept by the Royals and dropping 6 straight...
(I was sorting out my "My Pictures" folder, and I found this funny little animated GIF. It was taken from someone's LiveJournal, if I recall correctly, and damn if I don't know where I got it from... any help with the attribution?
Edit: I've been informed by cathryn in the comments that it's the work of Steve Johnson aka dantesdad. Kudos to dantesdad!)
***
And. just for kicks, the 'traded away' team for the Yankees:
C - Dioner Navarro*
1B - Nick Johnson*
2B - D'Angelo Jimenez*
3B - Mike Lowell*
SS - Cristian Guzman*
LF - Alfonso Soriano* (okay, not his position, but I'm sure he could play it)
CF - Wily Mo Pena*
RF - Marcus Thames*
SP - Javier Vazquez
SP - Brad Halsey*
SP - Jeff Weaver
SP - Jake Westbrook*
SP - Ted Lilly
RP - Damaso Marte*
Closer - Yhency Brazoban*
* - all Yankees minor leaguers at some point
It wouldn't be a great team, but it would sure be decent enough, probably better than KC.
Sox 7 Angels 4: Welcome Home Orlando Cabrera
I'm a big believer in the "let's just wear out the starters and get to the middle relief" strategy, but man, when they try it against the Angels and their awesome relievers it's scary. Fortunately, it worked: Escobar out after 95 pitches in the 6th, then the Sox got all those runs against Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields... but wow, it's a heart attack waiting to happen, especially with how Escobar made them look.
Speaking of Escobar, I like the whole idea that #45 is a pitcher's number: Bob Gibson and Pedro are clearly the two big names who've worn the number, but in MLB right now besides Pedro there's Escobar, Pavano, Ryan Franklin, Jim Mecir, Terry Mulholland and, um, Elizardo Ramirez and Colby Lewis...
Congrats to David Wells on his 2000th K. And I can't believe both Trot and Bengie Molina attempted to steal during this game. Molina?? He practically needs a bullpen car to make it from station to station.
I'm a big believer in the "let's just wear out the starters and get to the middle relief" strategy, but man, when they try it against the Angels and their awesome relievers it's scary. Fortunately, it worked: Escobar out after 95 pitches in the 6th, then the Sox got all those runs against Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields... but wow, it's a heart attack waiting to happen, especially with how Escobar made them look.
Speaking of Escobar, I like the whole idea that #45 is a pitcher's number: Bob Gibson and Pedro are clearly the two big names who've worn the number, but in MLB right now besides Pedro there's Escobar, Pavano, Ryan Franklin, Jim Mecir, Terry Mulholland and, um, Elizardo Ramirez and Colby Lewis...
Congrats to David Wells on his 2000th K. And I can't believe both Trot and Bengie Molina attempted to steal during this game. Molina?? He practically needs a bullpen car to make it from station to station.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Sox 6, Orioles 4: Ortiz wins it again!
Been a while since I had a chance to do this!
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall,
the major lift
The baffled king
composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Do they really have to give the "W" to Keith Foulke? Can't we just give it to Ortiz?
Been a while since I had a chance to do this!
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall,
the major lift
The baffled king
composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Do they really have to give the "W" to Keith Foulke? Can't we just give it to Ortiz?
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Sox 3, Orioles 9: Gil goes lung
So, yet another matchup of ineluctable forces: Tim Wakefield's old penchant for giving up homers, and the Orioles' love of bashing on the Sox. And so it goes: 3 homers (more than Timmeh gave up in the whole of May) helped kill the Sox yesterday, particularly Geronimo Gil's 3-run shot. The Sammy Sosa homer was a funny thing, bouncing off the top of the Monstah - somehow it never seems as "true" a home run when it's a ground-rule homer. They showed the replay of his first homer, also back at Fenway against Roger Clemens, and also a shot to left-field. Both Sosa and Clemens looked a lot younger, naturally, but also a lot skinnier.
The Shoppach for Varitek switch? Completely understandable. After all, there's a day game on today... good to see Arroyo getting the outs.
Funniest bit on TV was Mike Timlin's creation of a "crime scene", with Johnny Damon's outline in tape right where he crashed into the wall near the triangle the day before... Damon's incredibly laidback about these things, even gamely reenacting the accident. Four stitches on the eyelid may not be a grievous injury but I'd imagine getting those stitches can hurt like a mofo.
Globe report on the game.
So, yet another matchup of ineluctable forces: Tim Wakefield's old penchant for giving up homers, and the Orioles' love of bashing on the Sox. And so it goes: 3 homers (more than Timmeh gave up in the whole of May) helped kill the Sox yesterday, particularly Geronimo Gil's 3-run shot. The Sammy Sosa homer was a funny thing, bouncing off the top of the Monstah - somehow it never seems as "true" a home run when it's a ground-rule homer. They showed the replay of his first homer, also back at Fenway against Roger Clemens, and also a shot to left-field. Both Sosa and Clemens looked a lot younger, naturally, but also a lot skinnier.
The Shoppach for Varitek switch? Completely understandable. After all, there's a day game on today... good to see Arroyo getting the outs.
Funniest bit on TV was Mike Timlin's creation of a "crime scene", with Johnny Damon's outline in tape right where he crashed into the wall near the triangle the day before... Damon's incredibly laidback about these things, even gamely reenacting the accident. Four stitches on the eyelid may not be a grievous injury but I'd imagine getting those stitches can hurt like a mofo.
Globe report on the game.
Derek Lowe on TV
Man, now that Derek Lowe is in LA, he's gone all TV-star... okay, okay, he's only hosting This Week in Baseball. Would be interesting to watch... Speaking of TV personalities, Jerry Remy is pimping his Yawkey Way bar again on NESN...
Man, now that Derek Lowe is in LA, he's gone all TV-star... okay, okay, he's only hosting This Week in Baseball. Would be interesting to watch... Speaking of TV personalities, Jerry Remy is pimping his Yawkey Way bar again on NESN...
I wonder about the ads on NESN
Does anyone LIKE the Foxwood commercial with the leprechauns? And don't the little people feel degraded by having to do things like pillow fights on the bed?
Does anyone LIKE the Foxwood commercial with the leprechauns? And don't the little people feel degraded by having to do things like pillow fights on the bed?
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Sox 5, Orioles 1: Damon, meet wall
Good win, and good to see Wade Miller recover his form, but that Damon crash into the fence looked scary - a full-fledged face plant straight into a hard surface. I'm sure everyone saw that and thought of the infamous concussion with Damian Jackson back in 2003... Daniel Cabrera looked okay and then was unravelled by one bad inning.
And John Olerud thus far has been doing well for a guy who didn't have a starting job at the beginning of the season..
Good win, and good to see Wade Miller recover his form, but that Damon crash into the fence looked scary - a full-fledged face plant straight into a hard surface. I'm sure everyone saw that and thought of the infamous concussion with Damian Jackson back in 2003... Daniel Cabrera looked okay and then was unravelled by one bad inning.
And John Olerud thus far has been doing well for a guy who didn't have a starting job at the beginning of the season..