The season is creeping up on us, and the Red Sox have made some moves.
The two most notable item are the release of Doug Mirabelli and Curt Shilling's placement on the 60 day DL
The Shilling move is not a surprise. His right shoulder is in bad shape, and he hasn't been able to throw in awhile. The best case scenario is a return somewhere around the All-Star break, but I think that likely won't happen. He's been dodging surgery and trying to physical therapy his way out of the problem, and it doesn't seem to be working. In this fan's opinion, it's time for Shill to retire.
He's had a hell of a run, won a ton of games, and helped bring 2 rings to Boston. It's been a great career, and while the Cy Young award has eluded him, he should have little trouble reaching the hall of fame when the time comes (plenty more room now since Clemons pissed away his chance of ever getting in).
The Mirabelli move, while not expected, isn't all that shocking if you think about it. He's been Wake's personal back stop for the better part of 5 seasons, and while he's a damn fine catcher, his offense has really suffered the last couple of years. It looks like Kevin Cash will fill in the Wakefield/Backup spot at least for the time being. I wish Mirabelli the best, and you never know, we might have another miracle reacquisition like there was back in early 06.
Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sadimac goes to Jury Duty and the deconstruction of the Colorado Rockies
Sadimac has been chosen to sit for jury duty, and she couldn't be more delighted, or filled with dread. She wants desperately to talk about the trial, but can't, and won't as she's a responsible person and upstanding citizen. So, she's instead talking about the boredom of waiting in the jury pool, and the defence lawyer she encountered who looks disturbingly like Max Headroom.
Side note: Will some one please put out a non-pirated Max Headroom DVD set of the series? I know, I know it's subversive, and completely called what corporate media was going to turn into 10+ years before it happened, and no large company in it's right mind would touch it in the current climate, but the pirated versions are apparently really bad. Criterion Collection? Anchor Bay? Come on, any of you small guys could do this some justice!
We went back to the New Old Lompoc for game one of the Series. I almost feel bad for the Rockies, but not really. 13-1 is not pretty, especially when three of those runs came off of consecutive bases loaded walks. Ouch.
Side note: Will some one please put out a non-pirated Max Headroom DVD set of the series? I know, I know it's subversive, and completely called what corporate media was going to turn into 10+ years before it happened, and no large company in it's right mind would touch it in the current climate, but the pirated versions are apparently really bad. Criterion Collection? Anchor Bay? Come on, any of you small guys could do this some justice!
We went back to the New Old Lompoc for game one of the Series. I almost feel bad for the Rockies, but not really. 13-1 is not pretty, especially when three of those runs came off of consecutive bases loaded walks. Ouch.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sox to the series, and man is my throat sore
So we went to New Old Lompoc last night for the last 6 innings of the Sox/Indians game 7 last night. This was an entirely new experience for Sadimac, as she had never been to a "sports bar" at all, let alone during such an emotional (and loud) event as game seven at a Red Sox bar.
I was worried that she'd be overwhelmed, but she had a blast, talked to some folks, had a couple of beers with a Fenway Frank, and quietly commented on the attractiveness of some of the players, as well as praising the hard work of others (she really likes Indian's 3rd baseman Casey Blake, a hard working player if I ever saw one)
So we all watched, clapped, screamed, and bellowed. Calls of YoUUUUUUk! (Sox 1st baseman Kevin Youkilis), and cheers for Jacoby Ellsbury. Our boys whomped them, so it's on to the Series. We'll be going back to Lompoc for as much of the Series as we can (not game one though, for it is on Wednesday night, our D&D night, which is holy and shall not be missed), and we'll scream and cheer all over again.
Maybe my throat won't hurt as much after the next game, but it's a small price to pay for the feeling that can only come from a room packed with fellow Sox fans.
I was worried that she'd be overwhelmed, but she had a blast, talked to some folks, had a couple of beers with a Fenway Frank, and quietly commented on the attractiveness of some of the players, as well as praising the hard work of others (she really likes Indian's 3rd baseman Casey Blake, a hard working player if I ever saw one)
So we all watched, clapped, screamed, and bellowed. Calls of YoUUUUUUk! (Sox 1st baseman Kevin Youkilis), and cheers for Jacoby Ellsbury. Our boys whomped them, so it's on to the Series. We'll be going back to Lompoc for as much of the Series as we can (not game one though, for it is on Wednesday night, our D&D night, which is holy and shall not be missed), and we'll scream and cheer all over again.
Maybe my throat won't hurt as much after the next game, but it's a small price to pay for the feeling that can only come from a room packed with fellow Sox fans.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Call it an exercise...
So, at my father's request, I'm taking another crack at sports commentary. The fact that I started with a pun for the title should make you all quake in fear.
The Red Sox, my team of choice, are having a good year. We're keeping a solid grip on the best record in the game, and have been keeping the Yankees at bay for the most part (they've surged to with in 6, but I'm not sweating it just yet).
The trade deadline moves were good. We unloaded a pitcher who's name escapes me at the moment (shows how much I'll miss him) off for some cash and the infamous player to be named later, and swapped Kason Gabbard, a promising lefty starter who I'm a little sad to see go, to the Rangers for Eric Gagne, an excellent right handed relief pitcher who I'm very happy to see in Boston. He's primarily a closer, but with Papelbon holding on tight to that position, Gagne will probably see a lot of set up work - which kind of gives us a double closer scenario.
All that, and we've got Okajima, Tavarez, and a whole other box full of tools that I think gives us one of the two or three strongest bullpens in the game. San Diego is probably a little better, but that's not something we'll likely have to face.
The only thing I'm sorry I didn't see happen was a trade that moved Willy Mo Pena out for a more reliable back up outfielder. With Drew having an off year, we're down a bat. While Willy Mo can hit a ton, he rarely does.
The hated Yankees meanwhile, are on the upswing. They've gone from being down and nearly out to being a wild card contender, and from there, they're dangerous enough to take the lead. All it takes is a five game win streak when the Sox are down on their luck and it's a whole mess of trouble (see last year).
But the hated Yankees are winning on power. While the bats are hot, which means run production, but their bullpen still kind of sucks. Mariano Rivera is way past his prime, and while he still saves more than he blows, he's vulnerable. The rest of the bullpen is shaky at best, and while their starting pitching is still pretty good, it's late in the season, and those arms are starting to get awfully tired...
The Red Sox, my team of choice, are having a good year. We're keeping a solid grip on the best record in the game, and have been keeping the Yankees at bay for the most part (they've surged to with in 6, but I'm not sweating it just yet).
The trade deadline moves were good. We unloaded a pitcher who's name escapes me at the moment (shows how much I'll miss him) off for some cash and the infamous player to be named later, and swapped Kason Gabbard, a promising lefty starter who I'm a little sad to see go, to the Rangers for Eric Gagne, an excellent right handed relief pitcher who I'm very happy to see in Boston. He's primarily a closer, but with Papelbon holding on tight to that position, Gagne will probably see a lot of set up work - which kind of gives us a double closer scenario.
All that, and we've got Okajima, Tavarez, and a whole other box full of tools that I think gives us one of the two or three strongest bullpens in the game. San Diego is probably a little better, but that's not something we'll likely have to face.
The only thing I'm sorry I didn't see happen was a trade that moved Willy Mo Pena out for a more reliable back up outfielder. With Drew having an off year, we're down a bat. While Willy Mo can hit a ton, he rarely does.
The hated Yankees meanwhile, are on the upswing. They've gone from being down and nearly out to being a wild card contender, and from there, they're dangerous enough to take the lead. All it takes is a five game win streak when the Sox are down on their luck and it's a whole mess of trouble (see last year).
But the hated Yankees are winning on power. While the bats are hot, which means run production, but their bullpen still kind of sucks. Mariano Rivera is way past his prime, and while he still saves more than he blows, he's vulnerable. The rest of the bullpen is shaky at best, and while their starting pitching is still pretty good, it's late in the season, and those arms are starting to get awfully tired...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
