Posts
Comments

Ten other things we learned after Sox-Yankees weekend

Jun 4th, 2007 by Bill Burt

I had a story in today’s newspaper about 10 things we learned this past Sox-Yankees weekend at Fenway Park.

Well, there are more.

1. Jonathan Papelbon is either human or struggling.

An 0-and-2 fastball on the outside part of the plate? When you are superhuman, you can get away with that. And for the month of April, he was superhuman. But that was when he fastball topped out at 98 mph. He hasn’t been flirting with that area other than a pitch or two. Unless his splitter is a top-notch major league hitters will sit on that 94 or 95 mph fastball. It’s much too early to worry about Papelbon, but the guy we saw in April hasn’t been around much since.

2. A-Rod is a Hall of Famer.

We forget sometimes, especially when he seems to buckle under the pressure, but he is an incredible talent. In person, you see how big and strong he is. It’s probably too late to save his career in New York, unless the Yankees did the incredible, but he is going to push 50 to 60 homer this season.

3. Mariano Rivera is alive.

It wasn’t 1999 Rivera, but he did the job. David Ortiz was on Rivera like never before. He pulled three Rivera pitches foul before almost tying the game with a blast to the warning track. Rivera, though, was dominant after that. His inside fastball to Mike Lowell, who tried to check his swing, to end the game was nasty. With only five saves, now the Yankees have to find a way to get him the ball.

4. David Ortiz is not himself.

Something is up. While his numbers are on par for a typical great season, Ortiz’s clutch factor is not what we are accustomed to. Maybe he is and it’s just not the walk-off variety, but too many times he has been hurt by the shift, particularly the second baseman in right field. He is getting fewer meatballs to hit and sees more left-handed pitchers than anybody in baseball. He also appears to be a tad frustrated. This trip will be interesting to watch.

5. Terry Francona is on edge.

This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on which “thing” you are siding with. Francona is not acting like a fat cat sitting on a double-digit lead in the standings. A nervous Nellie by trade (see him rocking back and forth the entire game), Francona could learn from his Yankee peer, Joe Torre, and enjoy the run more. There’s nothing wrong with being a sore loser. In fact, that’s welcome here in Boston. My guess is there will be a losing streak soon, and the things will appear to get dicey, but this team is too talented at pitching to blow this.

6. Manny Ramirez is back.

While he didn’t do anything of the game-winning variety (only one RBI), he looked great the entire weekend with seven hits in a 12 at bats. With Ortiz’s game-winning binge on hold for now it would be nice for Manny to pick up the slack, but after a very slow April (.202), getting his swing back is  a welcome addition. Like Ortiz, this is a big week for Ramirez.

7. Forget about Sox-Yanks pitching duels.

Last night had “2-1″ all over it with Josh Beckett and Andy Pettitte. But when is the last time we saw these two teams play one of those games? The closest was a 3-1 Yankees win on April 28, when Igawa beat Tim Wakfield. But that doesn’t count. Last Aug. 21, David Wells and Cory Lidle dueled to a 2-1 finish, but that came on the final game of what turned out to be the Red Sox swan song of 2006. The fact is this series is about offense and always has.

8. Larry Bowa would be fuel for Sox-Yanks rivalry.

If Joe Torre does get relieved of his duties, you can bet that Larry Bowa would probably be the interim replacement and he would add fuel to this matchup. I’ve never seen 61-year-old with more  energy than he. It would be fun if it happened. He doesn’t take you-know-what from anybody.

 9. Yankees will be missed.

The Red Sox don’t meet their Route 95 counterpart until Aug. 28 in New York. While this wasn’t the best baseball weekend of the season, the drama and storylines are endless. Also, it’s a lot more fun when these teams are breathing on each other’s neck. Winning is fun. But winning and trading blows with the Yankees is even better.

 10. Methuen’s Dave Magadan has work to do.

That’s right, Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan, who resides in Methuen with his wife and daughter, needs to find a way to get some life into the bats of J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp. These three are veterans and have proven to be professional hitters over their careers. Hovering near the .230 mark won’t cut it here, first place or not.

Posted in Red Sox | Comments

  • If A-Rod is still playing in eight to ten years, baseball fans all around could be cheering for him instead of boo-ing. For it could be him that could break Barry Bonds' all-time homerun record.
  • Mort
    I agree. There is just something about the guy that is hard to pinpoint. He's polite to everyone that he meets. He's always joking on the field. But you can tell he doesn't have the confidence, sort of comfort in his own skin, that Derek Jeter exudes. A-Rod is an all-time great. If he ever got the other stuff down, and stopped worrying about image, he would really be scary.
    Despite his warts, I'd take him on my team. I know a lot of people disagree, but maybe this N.Y. experience will help him for the better.
  • John
    Bill,

    Another thing this weekend was the play of Abreu. Sometimes Red Sox Fans need to be thankful for the gifts that the Yankees bought from the Sox.
    Abreu
    A-Rod
    Pavano
    Clemens (currently injured)
    Conteras
  • Roomeister
    First Paplebon is being underused by franconia, so how is a guy who is supposed to be your closer not getting much work with franconia (who I think is still a lousy manager) So don't expect paplebon to get saves all of the time if he does not get any work in.

    David Ortiz has been carrying this club for the past 3 years he can take the early part of the year off. and heck Mike Lowell has steped up and our stupid GM Theo better sign this guy. Also we don't win a World Series in April and May.

    As for Franconia I never liked him even when the sox got him, it always seems the sox get managers who can't really manage. Lets take last year the year end disaster could have been averted if Franconia used his brain. How com when former Sox manager Jimi Williams did a great job with crap pitchers and franconia with a better pitching staff failed. (Oh I forgot he has Al Nipper helping him out as pitching coach) I don't care that Franconia won a WS but to be good manager you have to win the division whihc he has not I am waiitng for the sox fall till when they win the division by half game. Its time to bring a Sox legend back to manage the sox like a Dwight Evans or even bring back Butch Hobson look at the job he has done with the Nashua Pride.

    Manny well its still early in the season, he can hit but he stinks as a outfeilder. I can't wait till the Sox get rid on him soon. Its time to get better outfeilder and some one who does not drag his feet running to first base.

    Sox Pitching! against the yanks we have better pitching that the yanks but its time to unload Wakefeild the Kuckle ball works in 1 out of 5 games and we need to get jason to play more games. (One note on Jason is to get that stupid C off the uniform this is baseball not Hockey and past Captins never had a C on their uniforms) As for Curt he can join Randy and Roger in the Senior center and let the young pitchers come in the owners have got to learn paying middle of the road pitchers big buck is not what people want. Becket and Dice K have got to focus a bit more on thier pitching composure. It seems Becket in time goes back to what happen to him late last year and has to think and slow down. Dice K is about a year away to being a good 15-18 win pitcher. The best I've seen is Okjima out of the Pen he could make a good 3rd starter. Mike Timlin his time has come so see ya Mike! Tavares is just a rotation filler someone should work with him he god be a bit better.

    For sox hitters lets start with Coco he has been a bust for the sox its time for him to go ok in the outfeild but stinks at the plate. JD drew he is allot faster in the outfeild I like that because Trot Nixon was too slow, but he should of work on the hitting too. Julio Lugo is a great defensive gem should lay down more bunts to rase the average and work in the batting cage. Jason should stop the switch hitting and just bat from the right. Wilie Mo should be sent packing he is wasted and should be a full time feilder on a other team.

    As for the Yankees if they Fire Joe torrie then I hope the Sox hire him and replace franconia with him. Larry Bowa will never be the Yanks Full time Manager because his is not a true Yankee, I see Ron Gidury being manager. As for Roger Clemens situation well you get what you paid for a Baseball Diva, Ihope the people on the team crew his rump out becuase he should have been in spring training not play pick and choose.

    As for A Rod he is a good player but only plays when he wants and should not be on the Yankees they have to many Egos there this is Jeters team not A Rod's, Also I am laughing at Johnny Damon he was damaged goods when he left Boston and the Yankees are finally finding that out. I have to say everyone should watch out for Robinson Cano he is going to be a great player down the road.

    Thats my Two bucks but I still think my Favorite National League team the METs will win it over the Sox in October.

    Just Don't get me started on the two moron Boston teams, The Bruins and the Celtics.
blog comments powered by Disqus