EagleTribune.com : Blogs : Burt Talks Sports

You better play him. What manager refuses to play the players that management goes out and gets for him? And how much better is Popplearm, with probably the most convoluted rules of use in the game. Face it, we don't have a closer. And you're questioning whether we ought to forget about one?

No, the point tonight is "Once a d-ray always a d-ray." If you're going to drop anyone from your post season roster, I nominate Julio Lugo. Have you ever seen derek jeter NOT RUN OUT A GROUND BALL? If you're not going to run out plays, don't pick up the paycheck. Real simple.

But I guess if you play on a team where the star takes a month off pior to the post season, this is pretty much par for the course. They quit last year and this year they are quitting when they have a post season spot sewn up. Face it: The only ones who want the AL pennant is the Yankees. They are all playing hurt and banged up: that's the meaning of october baseball. Everywhere you look in the league, players are hurt and go out. Except this group of chuckleheads who think they're are going to turn the magic back on and waltz to the serious. "You just gotta believe." Fideism at its worst.

Now I see why they have Tina Cervasio doing the post game interviews. Soft ball you're way past that disaster. Do we not have the worst sports writers in the nation in this town? Get rid of the women! They do not belong in the locker room. Tina, you are a disgrace.

The whole thing makes me sick.

C'mon, Burt. Start writing what you are seeing. Get these people out of my city. They're a real estate company and a charity fundraising organization, not a baseball team.

C'mon Burt. Write about it! Stop these little puff pieces, propping up these cheeseheads.

Well,
here's my take. Gagne has to be forced to get over his confidence problem. Papelbon needs to stop believing the hype about himself and get his ego down. Okie-Dokie seems dazed and confused. Hype-K needs another season to adjust. The entire bottom part of the league has Wakes number. Ortiz needs to stop filming ads for everyone around get his head back in the game (like before his new contract...).Manny has to be in the line-up to hold Ortiz's hand, but I think Manny is enjoying his time off a little too much. Bright spots are the awesome play of Jacoby Ellsbury and Lowell. If I ran the team...Manny is gone. Let Ellsbury take his spot the rest of the season. Re-sign Lowell. Only let Pap in the 9th-only!! Schilling not past 7th and/or 80 pitches. I love the Game and I love my Sox, but I think the Yanks will take Division because our boys are tired, hurt and don't have their head in it now.

The Best Team in Baseball Bill? Not anymore! (LA Angels & Indians now have better records) Actually, over the season, they've rarely ever been the best team in baseball. They've had the "Best Record", but certainly they haven't been the 'Best TEAM' on a consistent basis. Sort of sounds like Dan Duquette's mantra of 'More Games In 1st PLace', aka "More Days With The Best Record In Baseball." But what do they do in the playoffs, if they make it there, at this point? I predicted these troubles back in July, (see archive 7/18/07, post - Panicking Yet?, comment #7), though most of it is -tongue in cheek- I think that most pink hats won't argue with my succinct, concise evaluation of the struggling Sox. Yes, Ok, I digress.... Is Gagne a lost cause?
I don't know, but it sure would be difficult to see him placed on the hill in a crucial situation again. I don't get it! He seemed to be doing fairly well in Texas, (even against the sox during a game or two), then he comes to Boston and it appears that he's lost it, what gives! I may be wrong, but I really think it is the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players Big Market" syndrome. Put Eric Gagne in with the JD Drews, Julio Lugos and Edgar Renterias of the shy baseball world that can't take it, can't perform or freeze up in a suffocating sports market such as Boston. I don't blame them, this just isn't the market or atmosphere for them or their personalities. Unlike guys like Beckett, Schilling, Papelbon, Pedroia or Papi who get pumped up and excited about the playoff atmosphere intensity night after night at Fenway. I have more questions with Francona leaving Gagne in the eigth inning after he got into trouble. A walk, a single and then blood on the field. (With 2 outs, I would've pulled Gagne out of the game after he let a man on base, don't care if it was a walk, a hit, hit by pitch or free pass on GO, Gagne Is Out Of The Game!). Oh well, ...earlier I heard that Terry was giving away free tickets to Games, but after I called him for tickets on the 1st base line, He Told Me That He Was Giving Away "Games".... told him never mind. Gagne on the Playoff Roster, asks Bill? Does it really matter? More so, Do they make the Playoffs? If they do, they are one and out. So if Gag-Me is there or not, doesn't matter. He'll blow a game or two if that's what you really want to know! Sayanara, Sayanara, Hey, Hey.... One and Out. UNTIL..... Next Year, Next Year, Next Year....

“I couldn’t get a good look,” Lugo explained. “I thought he was going to second for the out. I was just trying to run.”

You gave him a pass Burt with this comment.

Look at the tape, Burt.

HE DIDN'T RUN OUT OF THE BOX.

If you were running a little league team, you would chew his tiny a-- and sit him down.

Except OH, HE'S THE GREAT LUGO. Treat him nice or Terry won't let me interview anyone.

You're part of the problem Burt. A team that quits and a media that gives them a pass. Nice.