Tag Archives: Red Sox

TOB$ Time: Toss Up Round 2

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Monster free agent signing in the MLB yesterday. Prince Fielder joined Miguel Cabrera and the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander in Detroit. I thought two things when I saw this signing. First, was HOLY SHIT. This was simply due to Fielders NINE year $214 million dollar contract. I can’t believe the Tigers agreed to  such a long contract with a 27 year old guy like Prince.

Second thing I thought of (and the point of this article) was that this has created one of the best 3-4 batters in a lineup in a while. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder have a chance to do something real special over in Detroit. I immediately thought of Manny-Big Papi for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2005. They were the best in business (maybe steroids had a bit to do with it) and they were a force for years. More importantly, they were consistent and incredibly clutch, clutch enough to break an 86 year old curse.

Here is the 2004 and 2005 seasons in stats for Manny and Ortiz and Feilder and Miguel Cabrera’s individual stats for last year:

GP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP
Manny 2004 BOS 152 568 108 175 44 0 43 130 82 124 2 4 0.308 0.397
Ortiz 2004 BOS 150 582 94 175 47 3 41 139 75 133 0 0 0.301 0.38
GP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP
Manny 2005 BOS 152 554 112 162 30 1 45 144 80 119 1 0 0.292 0.388
Ortiz 2005 BOS 159 601 119 180 40 1 47 148 102 124 1 0 0.3 0.397
GP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP
Cabrera 2011 DET 161 572 111 197 48 0 30 105 108 89 2 1 0.344 0.448
Fielder 2011 MIL 162 569 95 170 36 1 38 120 107 106 1 1 0.299 0.415

Before anyone gets on my case, I understand Prince just came from a pretty good 3-4 punch on the Brewers with Ryan Braun, but Miguel has never batted around the type of talent Prince has, thus inflating his stats in future years (and no Victor Martinez, who batted behind Cabrera last year, does not count). Braun has had the protection of Prince for 5 years and I like to think this has influenced his stats a great deal. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great player, but I like Miguel Cabrera as a hitter more than steroid boy Braun.

After throwing up this comparison, in some ways I feel stupid. The numbers from Ortiz and Manny are jaw dropping. That’s all that can be said. Granted they may have had some help from a few friendly needles up their ass, but those numbers are rediculous. I think Cabrera will have an incredible year this year and Fielder might even have a better year in hitter friendly Comerica Park, but who knows if they can touch Manny and Papi’s numbers. The big factor will be whether they can win a couple World Series rings together, like the former two led the Sox to do.

The Changeup

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Talk about a trade. Bobby V for Tito. Tito for Bobby V. To be honest, I’m perfectly content with this move. It’s better than seeing him go to another ball club and win a World Series. Not that I’d wish him bad luck with managing another team, I’m just sure it would stir up a lot of criticism towards the Sox and leave an uneasy feeling in any Boston fan’s stomach. Now, we really have nothing to lose. Like I’ve said before, I like the fact that Bobby Valentine’s taking charge. I think it’s just the kind of change that the Sox need to get back on their feet. Some sort of momentum. With the news of Tito not going to another team, and instead getting behind the camera on ESPN, some of the player’s minds will be put as ease as well. More good news for Red Sox Nation and another step forward.

A Fall for the Ages

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Since when is it already December? I could of sworn we had a beach day a little over a week ago. Regardless, it’s been one wild fall season so far in sports, especially in Boston.

We should probably get the most drawn out news out of the way, so let’s start with the NBA. One of the biggest factors in this notion of a unique fall has to be the fact that we just began the month of December and there hasn’t been any basketball (professional) yet. Not to mention we still have to wait til the end of the month to see the Celts hit the parquet. Better late than never.

The Red Sox put us through a world of shame back in September. Since the fallout, constant bad news followed. A poor club house, unhappy players, losing Theo, Tito, and Heidi (most importantly Heidi). We could blame the Red Sox for possibly one of the most incredibly depressing starts to fall season in Boston. At least the team’s recent headlines have them moving in the right direction.

With all this chatter, it was an unusually difficult transition into Pats season. We watched as a weary Patriots team showed signs of slipping, despite Brady having, once again, a career season at the helm. It’s crazy that we’ve already reached Week 13, but it’s great to see the team entering the home stretch with continuous improvement and constant dominance from the QB spot.

Finally we get to our reigning Stanley Cup Champs. After a slow start, the Bruins managed to shake off the hangover and get back to work. The month of November was good to hockey fans in Boston. The B’s finished off the month 12-1, gaining points in each of their 13 games, an incredible feat.

With the way things started off, it looked like we were in for a lengthy autumn in Boston. Everything seemed to be working against us. But of course, title town prevailed. With the closing of a memorable fall on the horizon and winter quickly approaching, Boston fans can’t help but smile. The ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future gave Stern a visit, leaving us with an NBA season for our Celtics. The Red Sox have pushed their demons aside and began to focus on greener pastures circa April 2012. And finally the two teams currently in season are representing Boston with pride as they sit atop their respective divisions. Smile sports fans. It’s a good time to be from Boston.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Two months ago today, the Red Sox officially said their goodbyes to Tito with a less than forgiving sendoff. With Ben Cherington stepping into Theo’s spot, Red Sox Nation sat by idly, waiting for his first move to be made. Shortly after a weekend of thanks that all Boston fans would approve, the Red Sox created their own headlines. Rumors surfaced from sources close to the situation late Tuesday night that Bobby Valentine would take the helm at Fenway as the Red Sox 45th manager.

With two months of built up anticipation for this20111130-100441.jpg very moment, it could have only been expected that Red Sox Nation would let their voices be heard about their feelings for the newly selected manager. From MLB analysts around the country to local sports figures, the opinions seem to be split down the middle. They either love it or hate it, nothing in between. Personally, I think it’s a good move. Granted, it may be due to the fact that everything we’ve heard about the Sox for the past 3 months has made me want to slit my wrist, so some positive news is a bit uplifting, but I think Valentine has potential. He’s a guy that knows baseball, plain and simple. He knows how to prep a team and come out on top. I mean as recent as last year he was in consideration for several other managerial spots with the Marlins and Orioles before staying on as an ESPN analyst, so he must be doing something right. He just wanted to hold off until a real team offered him a job. Sorry Nons. Seriously though, the Sox need this kind of boost, especially after our recent collapse. I think it’s definitely going to bring new life to the club. The Red Sox are expected to officially announce the move sometime Thursday.

Weekend Recap

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Amidst the turkey comas and holiday hangovers, Thanksgiving weekend was good to us Boston sports fans. Let’s recap: Despite losing a tough one via shootout, the Bruins are 11-1 in their last 12 games, one point back of the lead in the Northeast Division. The Pats walked into Philadelphia and crushed the playoff hopes of the alleged “Dream Team” as they continue to find themselves seated atop the AFC East. It may not have been from the Celts directly, but the NBA made all fans happy as it looks like the Celtics will have a season, meaning I can finally stop writing up mock game day posts. Unfortunately, nothing groundbreaking from the Sox, but I guess with the way things have been going for them lately, no news is good news. Happy Monday!

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Theo Making Moves

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Welp, it looks like Epstein is making moves on Red Sox prospects before they have a chance. Theo just snagged Milwaukee hitting coach, Dale Sveum, from the Red Sox short list of manager potentials, many saying that this was the Sox’s top choice. Now, besides the fact that this guy’s name is Dale and he has a whopping 7-5 record in his managerial career, I’m pretty excited to see how this guy can turn around one of the most dismal franchises in the MLB. He knows how to win – 2 championships in 2004 and 2008 – and he turned the Brewers into a hitting machine and a playoff team.

What does this mean for the Red Sox? Seeing how their prospective manager list is pretty dismal and none of their top three prospects have real managerial experience in the majors, I think it’s time to open up the interview process again. Now, Francona didn’t get hired until December in ’03, but after last season they need to bring in somebody who can raise the clubhouse drinking age to 40 so Varitek is the only one who can consume. And someone who can actually convert superstars into winners.

On a side note, new Sox GM Ben Cherington is heading out of the country for a much needed breather. Wait a second…who is Ben Cherington and what has he done so far?

Ugh oh Red Sox, Dan Duquette is coming back for revenge…

Don’t Kill the Messenger

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So after I wrote about Heidi potentially leaving the other night, I tweeted at her and attached a link to the post on BSB. Two minutes later, she posted the tweet above. Heidi Watney must have read the Boston Sports Blog right? I’m going to keep telling myself yes. Anyways, there’s been no official word but all signs point to her leaving. Unfortunately, it’s not looking good folks. She fooled me for a minute and came back with a quick response to cover her tracks, but I have knowledge that leads me to believe otherwise. Trust me, I hope I’m wrong just as much as the next Red Sox fanatic, but you heard it here first. We’d hate to see you go Heidi.

Heidi, Say It Aint So!

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My heart sank when I came across this news, but the Boston Globe reported earlier today that Tito, Theo, and Papelbon may not be the only ones on their way out of Boston. Red Sox in-game reporter, Heidi Watney, is coming up on the end of her contract later this month and inside sources have hinted that she may be calling it quits with the Sox after four years of loyal service. Now, there are no reports to the truth of this, but the mere thought is enough to completely demoralize the already depression struck Red Sox Nation. Thank God the Bruins are back on track and the Pats are in good shape for the rest of the season because I don’t think I can take much more bad news from the other two teams without slipping into a world of misery. Heidi, say it aint so!

Papel-Bon Voyage

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So just like that Papelbon’s off to the Phillies. Personally, I don’t like this move at all. Sure he hasn’t been as dominant as he has been in previous years, but come on! He wasn’t involved in the infamous chicken and beer scandal of the century; he was just posted up in the bullpen waiting to do his thing. It just so happened that come September we didn’t enter the 9th with a lead so he couldn’t get out there. I think it’s a mistake to get rid of him. And to the Phillies nonetheless? I mean they’ve been alright the past few years but we don’t need to help them get any better. Questionable move at best. Sox have to come up with something big before April…we’re going to need it.

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