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The Mavs man

Feb 20th, 2007 by Rob Bradford

Don Kalkstein, the Red Sox mental performance coach, could very well be the proud owner of two championship rings from two different teams in two different sports by the time this season is done. Along with hoping to make a run at the World Series title with the Red Sox, he is also closely monitoring the success of the Dallas Mavericks. It just so happens that Kalkstein spent the offseason performing duties similar to that of his job with the Red Sox with the first-place Mavs.

Of all the players Kalkstein works with in Dallas he said that Dirk Nowitzki is the most receptive to the benefits of the coach’s instruction. “He’s like a sponge,” Kalkstein said. Proof ofNowitzki’s embrace of the mental side of the game, said Kalkstein, is his court awareness. According to the Sox instructor, Nowitzki’s ability to see the entire court has improved exponentially over the last few years because, in part, to his commitment to working on his mental approach.

You can be assured that some of the same results can be found with the Red Sox, even if they won’t be advertised in the box score.

Another interesting conversation I had today was with Jon Lester. During the offseason I had tracked down the name of the person who was involved in the Storrow Drive accident which led to Lester getting his back checked out. While I couldn’t get in touch with the driver of what was a 1993 Acura, it did make me want to find out the rest of the story fromLester. He said that the fender-bender, which happened before the first of the Red Sox’s five-game set against the Yankees in mid-August, took place just before the Kenmore Square exit and did damage only to the other driver’s automobile. Because he was slated to pitch in two hours, the State Police helped expedite the information-gathering process, allowing the pitcher to make his start. As it turned out, it was partly because of that accident that Lester got his back checked out and discovered he had a form of lymphoma.

I can’t say enough how impressed I am with Lester this spring. He not only has been working out without a hitch, but has handled perhaps more interview requests than anybody but Matsuzaka with great aplomb.

Although he will always deflect it, one man seen roaming the complex during workouts, Allard Baird, deserves a tremendous amount of credit for helping identify and scout the newly-signed free agent. The former Kansas City Royals general manager is viewed as one of the game’s best talent evaluator, and the Red Sox put him to good use last season. According to Baird, the process of targeting potential acquisitions began for the Sox back last July.

Baird told an insightful story when it comes to the art of scouting. He said that you’re taught to always judge off your scale, or what you determine to be in between the best and worst of any attribute. But one of the first players he scouted early in his career, Tom Gordon, put the scale for judging curveballs on an unreasonable level. It left Baird wondering why he couldn’t find anybody throughout the rest of his travels who could live up to the curveball scale set by Gordon.

Judging by his long-toss the other day, it looks as though Matsuzaka has set the scale for at least one thing this spring. I, on the other hand, has set the scale for having the smallest rental car.

Will post once more tonight, so get your questions in …

Clck here to read today’s column “The man who was once Manny”

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Posted in Red Sox | 11 Comments

11 reader comments to “The Mavs man”

  1. 1
    Anonymous said:

    No doubt on the Bradford rent-mobile. I’ve seen sock drawers with more room.

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
  2. 2
    Bart said:

    I am finding myself coming back to this blog each and everytime I come on line. It has been very informative and enjoyable. Thanks and here is my question:

    I still can’t believe that the Helton deal is 100% dead as it made too much sense for both teams. Any chance of this resurfacting before the start of the season?

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
  3. 3
    mouse said:

    Rob, you’re doing an excellent job, I’m very impressed. I wish more members of the Boston/New England media would take your kind of initiative.

    I have a question that’s been bugging me for a few days. Maybe you can shed some light on it. I’ve heard whispers from Gammons and other pretty knowledgeable sources that the Red Sox are displeased with Schilling’s conditioning entering ST this year. Now, I know Schill will never be a male model and that he’s pitched with that thick midsection for years, but I do think he looks a bit huskier this year than I previously recalled. Seeing as he’s looking for an extension, I was wondering if you’d heard anything about the Red Sox’s take on his physique. Thanks!

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
  4. 4
    Michael said:

    Rob,

    I saw a blurb this offseason that the Sox planned to use Ortiz at 1B a little more this year, with Manny DH’ing a little more, and Wily Mo playing LF. It seemed that this was an idea to get Wily Mo more AB’s. I’m wondering if you’ve heard of any such thing?

    Also, can you clarify that Allard Baird thing? Are you saying Matsuzaka’s curveball is as good/better than Gordon’s… according to Baird’s scale?

    Thanks! Love this blog!

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
  5. 5
    Tom Moriarty said:

    Rob,

    Has Curt Schilling come in way out of shape? You may have addressed this already, but I have heard that in more than one place.

    Thanks,
    Tom (fellow SC slum)

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
  6. 6
    Anonymous said:

    Rob

    With all the talk of who the closer is going to be, I haven’t heard much talk of the red sox maybe trading for say Chad Cordero. I know Jim Bowden likes Willy Mo Pena, so maybe they could get something done. Thanx, keep up the good work

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
  7. 7
    GrayMatter said:

    At spring training in 2003, my white Ford Focus rental died on Edison Ave., which would’ve been OK if it there wasn’t a monsoon-like rain at the time. Keep on truckin — and bloggin. Gray Matter.

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
  8. 8
    El Guapo's Ghost said:

    Who has Baird scouted and signed during his tenure in KC not as the GM? As GM, his first-rounders are not strong evidence that he is an above average talent evaluator. Bairds picks after the first aren’t saying much either, although Glass didn’t give Baird much money to spend. Unless Grienke gets it together, 2001 and 2002 were both busts. 2003 hangs on with basically, Lubanski. 2004 and 2005 seem to be good to great with Butler and Gordon, but selecting Gordon was a no brainer. Help me believe in Baird.

    http://elguaposghost.blogspot.com/2007/01/trust-this-scout-red-sox-special.html

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
  9. 9
    Shawn said:

    Rob,
    Terrific job on the blog so far, keep it up.

    I dont know if you read the report that the Sox’ FO was considering shifting back to Papelbon as a closer but had yet to announce it. Although this has been reported to be untrue in reality (Edes: IT’S A JOKE, KIDS,) what do you think the chances are of them moving Paps back into the closer’s role if Piniero et al doesn’t work out in the early part of the season?

    They have Lester, god bless him, Tavarez and others that could serve as a servicable 5th starter, and could give the team a lock-tight closer. I’m not saying I WOULD do this, because I would rather see Paps pitch 200 innings/year, but I’m just wondering if you have any inside information/observations on the topic. Thanks!

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
  10. 10
    Anonymous said:

    Rob:

    How can Coco Crisp be reporting lingering problems with his finger? Did the Red Sox stay on top of this injury during the offseason? Did everyone just go home this offseason and figure his finger would be 100% when he showed up to camp?

    This is ridiculous. If this finger is an issue for yet another season, terrible job by all parties involved.

    Posted: Feb 20th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
  11. 11
    Jack said:

    Rob–

    I read your posting about catching prospects. Any word on Jon Still who DH’d and caught with the Spinners? He was a high draft pick and showed great judgement and a solid bat in the Cape League? I never hear mention of him. Is he on the map or falling by the wayside?

    Jack McCarthy

    Posted: Feb 21st, 2007 at 7:14 am
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