It was the best of times...

by Randy Booth on Sep 7, 2006 10:04 AM EDT in News

It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times.

But I prefer to remember the best of times. And if you do too, then watch this video:

This video makes me feel good inside. But after watching it for the 10,000 time, I'm not quite sure if my feelings have converted over to sadness. It pains me to see all these great plays and then think to myself: "9-21 in August..."

With bad there's always good, right? Here are some of those good points to this less-than-stellar second half (there aren't many):

Bryan Corey.
The Sox traded for him, he appeared in one game, and then was cut loose. He's back and getting a lot of quality outs against a lot of good teams. Will he be an option out of the bullpen in 2007? I'm hoping so.
Craig Breslow.
Another bullpen arm that is getting the outs. He's only pitched 6.2 innings so far, but deserves to see action in closer games.
David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Trot Nixon, Wily Mo Pena, and Jason Varitek.
They're healthy. Yay.
Tim Wakefield and Jonathan Papelbon.
They're coming back. Yay.
Kevin Youkilis
We've learned that he is very versatile. He may not be the most graceful in left field, but he's not the worst option out there. Watch next year as Youkilis will lose 50 pounds and star in center field.
Kyle Snyder, Kason Gabbard, etc.
They haven't been fantastic day in and day out, but they've had their games. We know these guys can get the major league outs, and that'll help us down the road.

Feel free to add to the list!

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Comments

Re: It was the best of times...

Youk isn't very versatile, he's extremely versatile. Sure there are others who can successfully play multiple OF/IF positions, but who else could successfully bat lead-off and clean-up (amoung other spots), those two spots just don't match. He's the ultimate utility player that's plenty good enough to be a starter. Maybe next year we can get him catching a couple games, or even pull a Dave McCarthy and go from 1B to pitching once or twice.

As for another postive point:

Wells making a triumphant return after everyone thought his season was over, good enough to garner our Farm with a promising prospect
Beckett finally using breaking pitches more often to start pitching decently (ERA of 3.00 and WHIP of 1.17 in last three games where he notably has used more breaking pitches)

by Realistic on Sep 7, 2006 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

That Beckett fact is VERY good. I think all of us at OTM should chip in and buy Beckett some type of skin strengthener, haha. Something so he doesn't blister all the time...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Sep 7, 2006 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

Haha, exactly, I don't know if it was a FO decision or a personal decision, but it took him/FO forever to realize that him missing a couple games from blisters is much better then making all his starts but sucking because everyone knew he would reserve his breaking ball usage

by Realistic on Sep 7, 2006 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

Youkilis is pure gold. I just hope he is someday able to catch his breath! The guy looks like he's perpetually gasping for air! And he's always bathed in sweat. I love it when he comes up to bat.

by BlowUp on Sep 7, 2006 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

Another great thing is that we've been able to give a number of young players a taste of the pressure and expectation level of playing for the Redsox, which isn't easy. (Hansen, Perdoria, Breslow, Murphy, Lester, Delcarmen) Hopefully, they'll be better prepared to step in big next year when we're comnpeting for a pennant.

by gosox on Sep 7, 2006 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

That video is great, really good editing and lots of great plays. It is pretty saddening though.

Oh what could have been...

by soxaholic on Sep 7, 2006 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Re: It was the best of times...

since the video is up for discussion again, i have a question that's been haunting me since it first surfaced.

anyone know the name of the song that follows gnarls barkley's crazy? the one that's played during the loretta-patroits-day-walkoff-home-run segment. if so, please let me know.

We've got TWO Jews on this team, Mel! -- Denis Leary

by SweSox on Sep 7, 2006 5:46 PM EDT reply actions