The Red Sox official site called it a frustrating night for Curt Schilling.

But what about me? What about every Red Sox fan in the Nation? Talk about frustrating.

I sat there glued to my television set, watching every pitch.

And at the end of the sixth, as Schilling was walking off the mound to the dugout, I actually said, "Good job," to him through the tube.

Then I saw him come out of the dugout in the seventh. "What in the...." I thought to myself. "This is a mistake."

Are Terry Francona and Dave Wallace afraid of Schilling or is it they don't trust the bullpen?

Continue reading "Mismanagement"

Great day for baseball, let's play two.

Monday's rain has dampened the schedule a bit. Schilling's start has been pushed back (sort of). He'll start today in the second game of a double-header and then Sunday against the Yankees in the last regular-season home game.

Could you ask for any more drama?

It's tough to aska team to win seven games in six days. I pray there is no more rain this week.

The Boston Globe today has an interesting story about Curt Schilling's struggle with, well, failure.

Now I feel guilty for Monday's entry, but who could blame me? He came back too soon. He struggled and continues to struggle. He has disrupted the clubhouse, whether intentional or not.

The events of last year are not lost on me. I have the utmost respect for Schilling.

But this year, he let his ego get in the way of progress. He so badly wanted to be the pitcher he was that he over did it causing a delay in the healing process.
He knew he was not ready.

Instead of the closer's role he should have started out as the set-up man. Mike Timlin has done a fairly decent job - so long as no one is on base when he first steps foot on the rubber. Having more consistency in that role might have bettered the record so the Sox would not be in this tough position (a half-game down with seven games to go).

Yes, I and many others have been critical, but I believe Schilling is taking too much of it to heart. Whenever I've listened to talk radio (God help me), I am always reassured that the fans of Boston will always give Schilling a pass. The bloody sock is forever etched into each of their minds. That is how it should be.

However, Schilling has got to let his pain (and ego) subside in order to earn another diamond-studded ring and the more-important, all-elusive A.L. East Division title.

I feel for him, I really do. But if there's no crying in baseball, there is surely wimpering and whining.

Oh, it's getting ugly. I'm a little worried. Not about the playoff implications. I think the Red Sox will indeed make it to the post-season - one way or another.
I'm more concerned with Curt Schilling.

Schilling is due to start today against David Bush and the Blue Jays and Saturday against Randy Johnson and those hated Yankees. Both games are very important, obviously.

Schilling's ERA at home this year is a putrid 6.33. His ERA vs. Toronto is even more scary (9.00).

I hope that our revamped bullpen has enough gas to get us to the finish line. It's sort of crazy, but I trust the likes of Craig Hansen and Jon Papelbon more than the seasoned veteran.

It would appear that I'm not the only one worried. The New York Times reports that Terry Francona also became ill while watching Sunday's game. Yup. It is the last week in September all right.

The good news the Red Sox return to the friendly confines of Fenway where they hold the leagues best home record of 50-24. The Boston Globe's Gordon Edes writes about the importance of the Red Sox home stand.

I, like many of the playersl, am glad they are home too. Win or lose, they'll be in front of Fenway's Faithful.

Since the Red Sox average about 6 runs per game this is going to be a close one. Eric Leskowitz also of the Globe says it may come down to weird science.

One thing is for sure the Sox still have that magical chemistry.

Continue reading "Panic time?"

Darn right. The Red Sox are looking like a battered, tired team while the New York Yankees appear to be hitting their stride.

The New York Post says the Bombers are playing a scoreboard game and are comparing Bubba Crosby to the not-so-greats like Aaron Boone and Bucky Dent.

The New York Daily News is saying that while Crosby was the hero last night, Torre is winner by book.

And the New York Daily News' Mike Lupica is calling this a pennant race out of the past.

It would appear that all of New York is behind the pinstripes while in New England fans are stunned. I'm starting to believe the hype.

I'm sorry, but I do not feel confident, especially having to rely on Curt Schilling to supply the tourniquet.

Don't get all over me about Schilling. I have the upmost respect for the man, pitcher. I've written about his sacrifice, courage. But he's a shell of the pitcher he once was, not too long ago. He's had only one quality start - 10 days ago against the Yankees. He is inconsistant and lacks confidence in his splitter - his signature pitch.

It's not just Schilling. David Wells looked horrible last night. Do y'all still like him? I'll stand by my earlier statements. He'll be lucky to get his 14th win. And, Matt Clement couldn't get anything going on Sunday. Although, he I worry about the least.

This staff is old, tired and in need of a rest that will not come.

Let's forget about the pitching for a moment. Yes, I know it's hard.

The Red Sox are digging a hole and still can't find any depth. Tony Graffanino strained his groin last night, Johnny Damon has an injured shoulder, Kevin Youkilis is done for the year with a finger injury and Trot Nixon is not feeling well.

With these types of injuries, it won't be long before Hanley Ramirez gets his first start as a big leaguer. While Adam Hyzdu (two hits) and Alex Cora (two rbi triple) played well last night, I can not see them doing that day-in, day-out. It simply won't work.

So what will happen? The Boston Herald's Tony Massarotti says the end may be near.

Red Sox Nation knows they can not rely on any other team to help them. Baltimore is awful. And Tampa Bay only plays when the Red Sox come to town. My cousin's conspiracy theory is starting to make some sense.

As the captain goes so goes the ship. Jason Varitek has 0 hits in the last five games and only 1 RBI in his last eight games.

Edgar Renteria and Kevin Millar are in a similar boat.

David Ortiz can't do it on his own. Someone has got to help.

Speaking of help. It was good to see Craig Hansen make his first big-league appearance - retiring the side 1-2-3. He has incredible movement on all his pitches. His command seemed good and man he has a heater. The radar gun may have said 97 but it sure looked faster than that.

The Boston Globe's Chris Snow had this to say:

But by night's end, Craig Hansen was the best thing the Red Sox had going for them, the 97-mile-per-hour fastball he displayed in a scoreless fifth inning a testament to youth and energy, two characteristics that the weary Sox seem to be lacking at the most vital time.

Read the rest of his article.

He has a strange delivery - it seems short. I'm amazed that he can get that kind of velocity without using his whole body. At 21, he is a bright light of the future. Can you imagine what the past two months have been like for this kid. He's signed on July 23; in uniform on July 25 for the Sea Dogs; makes eight appearances before being called up to the bigs on Sept. 19 and pitches that night. Wow! Oh to be young again...and, err, talented.

Sarasota, Fla.'s Herald Tribune says that Lou Piniella expects playoff intensity. We're at least seeing it from one team.

So, the A.L. East title will most likely come down to the three-game series vs. the Yankees after all.

First, let me say that I apologize for not getting these posts more often. The last couple of weeks have been tremendously busy at the office and at home. That said, I will try to update more often as we approach the playoffs.

There has been a lot of talk lately about who should be the A.L. MVP with the leading contender at this point being Boston's own David Ortiz. Ortiz is making a pretty strong case for himself too.

His late-inning heroics can not go unnoticed. Time and time again, in fact 17 times he has been a factor in lifting the Sox, almost single-handedly, to victory. Usually with a massive blast to some expecting fan. I say expecting because let's face it, when the Sox are down and Ortiz is at the plate everyone expects the magic to continue. Rarely does he disappoint. And he's been doing it awhile now. Last year his clutch hitting was prevalent too.

His 42 home runs is tied for the A.L. lead. He also leads the league in RBIs with 131. His average is also a very respectable .297 (15th in the A.L.).

When you compare those numbers to any other player in the A.L. only Alex Rodriquez comes close. Very close in fact (42 HR, 114 RBIs, and a .320 BA).
The Patriot Ledger says the MVP Award will be between A-Rod and Big Papi. Some writers are giving A-Rod extra credit for his defense. The Sports Illustrated suggests that A-Rod's "D" will and should be the difference maker. Its article says that it is A-Rod's to lose.

Given the choice between the two, I would have to pick Ortiz. Biased perhaps but I've watched Ortiz and no one comes to play with a better attitude. Especially not A-Rod. That image of A-Rod slapping away a ball in an attempt to get to first base in last year's playoffs looms large. His arrogance and the fact that he is a Yankee bothers me lots.

The Concord Monitor says Ortiz should walk off with MVP. But Boston Herald's Tony Massarotti says there's no defense for denying Ortiz.

If Ortiz does in fact get the nod he will be the first D.H. to receive the award. Yet, another point in his favor.

David Ortiz is a deserving candidate, but the A.L. MVP Award should go to someone who's a little more importance in the Red Sox lineup. No not Johnny Damon (although I could make a case for him), instead I say, Manny Ramirez.

That's right, the once-disgruntled member of the Red Sox who with his goofy smile and sometimes lax approach should be a factor in the voting.

The reason is simple. Without Manny in the lineup there is no way that Ortiz would ever accomplish the feats that he has thus far. Because Manny is such a threat people can not pitch around Ortiz, thus enabling him to produce day-in, day-out.

Manny is still the most feared Boston hitter. In fact, I would bet that of the seven intentional walks that Ortiz has received this year, five or more of them have been without Manny in the lineup. Whereas, Manny hasbeen walked intentionally seven times - regardless of who sat in the five hole. He has been a difference maker, but not with the same heroics. He has respectable numbers - 35 HR, 122 RBIs and a lower than normal average of .284. Certainly these are not numbers that garner much MVP support, but give him some credit for "helping" Ortiz reach this milestone.